Saturday 12 October is King Harold Day. Unfortunately as 12 October is also my mother’s 98th birthday I won’t be able to partake of the celebrations — which is a real shame as I grew up just across the valley from the centre of activity in Waltham Abbey.
Essentially this is a weekend of activities, both fun and serious, to celebrate Harold Godwinson — yes he’s the one who lost at home to William the Conqueror — who is (allegedly; it has never been proved or disproven) buried at Waltham Abbey, which he had refounded a few years earlier.
The events on offer range from an early music recital in the Abbey Church (above) to displays of falconry and Morris Men.
As always there more information on the King Harold Day website at www.kingharoldday.co.uk.