My History Weekend in Winchester
- lindaglamour
- Oct 17, 2016
- 2 min read
Sitting at my desk at work one bleak day, surfing UK websites and dreaming of an escape, I discovered an event who's lure was surely a deciding factor leading me to England. It was the BBC History Weekend! A weekend of historians talking history! A weekend in Winchester! A weekend where I would be amongst other history geeks and getting to see and hear in person my favourite BBC History presenters!
Of course I could not resist.
Winchester is an ancient city in Hampshire and was rebuilt after the Romans had left by Alfred the Great in the late 9th century. The Cathedral is one of the largest in Europe and stands at the heart of the city. It is an imposing structure and one I was fortunate to look out upon from my hotel room. Encircled by garden and a few remaining tombstones, it is a beautiful place to walk.
In the nearby streets and lane ways are equally attractive and ancients stores, pubs and passageways.
Walking up the main st in Winchester, even though the day was gloomy and grey, I was not! With my tickets in my hand, I was off to the BBC History program and my first speaker was historian, author and Hampton Court curator Tracey Borman. Her dissertation was on the private lives of the Tudors (her latest book) and to summarise, they had no private life! Sitting near the front of the crowd, I gazed up at what is purported to be King Arthur's round table and listened....
I have been watching Dr Suzannah Lipscomb on BBC History programs for years so I was beyond excited to hear her talk on Leadership Lessons from the Tudors. As polished and pretty as she is on TV, I realised the hour program had gone too fast when it was finished. Such a fan and geek aren't I?
The following day, Sunday, was equally splendid though this time the sun was shining and I could explore Winchester further. But first, Sunday morning Eucharist service at the Cathedral. Sitting near the choir stalls, gazing up at the Cathedral's amazing vaulted ceiling and hearing a traditional Anglican service, it was a truly lovely morning. I was delighted to hear the Lords Prayer as I learnt it being delivered in the service....thy kingdom come, thy will be done, forever and ever....amen.
A fabulous pub lunch nearby the cathedral and then one more walk through the town. In at Waterstones the book sellers, I was drawn to the amazing range of books on history. So many new releases on the Tudors. I do wish I could bring them all home with me but if I did, I would never be able to lift my suitcase! I stood and looked longingly before heading back to the car and Buckfastleigh.
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