History comes alive on Errol St

On June 20, Errol St became the setting for the second Winter Solstice Street Party, a local celebration of the longest night of the year supported by the Hotham History Project.

Organised and hosted by the team from The Courthouse Hotel, the event brought together locals, traders and history enthusiasts for an evening of food, drink, storytelling and winter atmosphere.

Local hospitality favourites Here’s Looking at You Kid, Bakery Hill and Bear’s Wine Bar served up snacks, street food, cheese platters, mulled wine and spirits. Here’s Looking at You Kid also created a special “After Dark” negroni for the occasion, which proved popular with the crowd.

Entertainment was provided by volunteers from Hotham History Project and Arts House, with tours of the Town Hall Belltower running every 15 minutes.

The tours attracted strong interest and provided a rare opportunity for locals to glimpse inside one of North Melbourne’s best-known landmarks, while taking in a unique view of Errol St and the Winter Solstice festivities below.

Ghost tours were also popular, with children following the path of the bluestone laneways to hear stories about the night soil man, the resident “ghost” of Flinders Street Station, and a regular ghostly apparition on one particular Route 58 tram.

Even the downpour at 6.30pm could not dampen spirits. Once everyone had dried off, the festivities continued into the night.

Author Fiona Gatt attended a fireside chat to share stories from her bestselling book Old North Melbourne, while local cultural archaeologist and ghost sign enthusiast Sean Reynolds chatted to attendees under the marquee.

The final fireside chat of the night was hosted by Andrew Chapman, who drew a crowd with his retelling of the famous Crutchy Push murder trial. The Crutchy Push was a notorious gang that terrorised inner Melbourne during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Courthouse Hotel’s Ryan Moses said organisers were thrilled with the response.

“We were overwhelmed by the support,” he said. “We really didn't expect such a terrific turnout.”

“Clearly the community loves the chance to connect and hopefully it is something we can bring back next winter.” •