According to the promoters of a season of music in the Village, the 'Ancient Church of St Mary's' is in Walthamstow Village, at Church End, to be precise, not far from the Nag's Head. This will come as news to the guardians of the Ancient Church of St Mary the Virgin at Harat Zuwaila, which according to the church tradition built their 'Ancient Church' in the fourth century at one of the halts where the Holy Family rested during their journey on the route from Am Shams to Old Cairo, during their exile in Egypt. There are quite few other similarly old places of worship dedicated to St Mary between here and the Middle East.

Like its Egyptian cousin, the modern Walthamstow 'Ancient Church' also prides itself on being a place of welcome for refugees, but it is of a far more recent vintage, being founded in the mere 12th Century. There will be parishes all over England chortling at the pretensions of the 'ancient' label, but I hope they won't mock the music.

For a tenner a head on the door, music lovers will be able to see Trevor Pinnock CBE performing a programme of Handel, Hayden and Purcell on Thursday 25 September 2008. Pinnock is a world-renowned Harpsichordist when he isn't conducting or being the Director of The English Concert. If Mr Pinnock isn't enough to draw 'em in, we are told there will be wine or soft drinks available at the interval. Doors open at 7.00pm for 7.30pm.