Vaisakhi procession by the local Sikh Community
On Saturday 14th April (2012) , there was a wonderful procession by the local and surrounding Sikh communities, celebrating Vaisakhi. (The founding of the Sikh religion in 1699.)
Que Pasa
Here is an inside tilt-shifted shot of Que Pasa before the public are allowed in. This pub used to be known as The Corn Exchange and was used as such, then became a craft market before becoming a public house. It is a great space with a lovely glass and metal roof and could be greater, if only they would spend some money on doing the place up.
Tiled Floor in St. Mary’s Church
These tiles appear to be Late Medeival in date and can be found in the west end of St. Mary’s Church between the font and the bell tower.
Old Shop Sign
The former shop ‘Basket Of Threads’ that is now ‘Mosaic Floral’, used to be a Singer Sewing Machine shop as one can observe by the faded former sign that became noticeable once the old fascia was taken down to make way for the new one.
Christmas Market Place
The Christmas Tree in The Market Place in Hitchin forming part of the Christmas decorations around the town.
Grove Road Bridge Graffiti
Walking along the far end of Grove Road up towards the crossroads, one could see some graffiti (sadly now painted over again) done by a local artist. It might not have been be to everyone’s taste but it livened up a dark and dank walk along the River Hiz under the rail bridge with colour and style. There have been other more complex pieces previously, but hopefully some new ones will be done again soon.
St George’s Day.
At the junction of Whitehill Road and St John’s Road at the top of Hollow Lane, is a house that has an absolutely wonderful roof finial in the shape of a dragon. Today being St. George’s Day (April 23rd), I thought the dragon finial would tie in nicely with the story of St. George and The Dragon. (http://tinyurl.com/2v6vfa)
As well as being the patron saint of England, St George is also the patron saint of Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Ethiopia, Palestine and Russia. Pretty good going for a man who was born in Lydda – Modern day Lod in Israel (but was Palestine before Israel invaded) and lived in Nicomedia – The once capital of Bithynia (part of Modern day Anatolia in Turkey)
It has been suggested that perhaps England could have an English martyr for its patron saint, such as St Oswald – King of Bernicia (north part of Northumbria) or even a British saint such as St Alban who was martyred at Verulamium (St.Albans) rather than a foreign imported saint. Who knows, but until then, we have St. George.
