Crossbones Vigil and opening times

The Friends of Crossbones will be hosting the 175th Vigil on sunday 23 December. The Crossbones Vigils have been held on the 23rd of every single month since 23rd June 2004 - to remember the outcast, dead and alive, to renew the shrine at the gates and to reclaim the secret history of Crossbones as revealed by The Goose to John Crow on 23rd November 1996.

Sunday 23rd December 2018 - gather 6.45 for 7pm Vigil at the Crossbones Graveyard gates in Redcross Way, London SE1

The 23rd December Vigil marks the winter solstice and the coming of the light, Yule, and Christmas, with the lusty singing of traditional carols and sharing of tasty treats. Come prepared to join in with such classics as 'Deck The Halls', 'I Saw Three Ships', 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' and 'We Wish You A Happy Christmas'. We may even be moved to attempt Christina Rossetti's immaculate 'Away In A Manger' - reflecting on how the Nativity Story relates to living refugees and homeless people. Pagan Yuletide songs are also welcome, especially if they're easy for everyone to join in.

Please bring your own mementos or ribbons with the names of your lost loved ones to tie to the gates. You might also like to offer a short poem, song or personal testimony to the spirits of Crossbones Graveyard. Or be a 'Goose Rhapsode', learning part of 'The Book of the Goose' or another short poem from The Southwark Mysteries to recite on the night.

Crossbones will be open throughout the Christmas period: lunchtimes 27, 28, 29th December and lunchtimes 3,4 and 6 of January. Please be aware our amazing Crossbones Wardens give up their time to open and care for the site so opening times may be subject to change.