Avenue of Remembrance

The Colchester Avenue of Remembrance, which opened in June 1933, was the topic for the Local History Group‘s October talk at Orpen Hall.  Their next meeting is the Bernard Colbron Memorial Lecture on 13th November when BBC’s Charlie Haylock will talk on the origins of surnames.

Local historian Liz White shared some interesting & surprising stories about the Avenue as reported by the Group:

Surprise # 1

Liz surprised us when we learnt that the name applies to all four miles of the first Colchester bypass.  This was built to take through traffic away from the town centre between London Road at Lexden and Greenstead Road – the route to Clacton and Frinton.  Many of us thought that the Avenue of Remembrance was only the road between the Spring Lane Roundabout and North Station Road!  How wrong could we be?   The original Avenue included what we now know as Cymbeline Way, Colne Bank Avenue, Cowdray Avenue and St Andrews Avenue!  So, why the trees?  Well, some trees had to be removed to build the bypass; taking advice from the Roads Beautifying Association it was decided to plant trees along the new road.

Surprise # 2

Many of us also thought that each tree, and the plaques with them, recorded Colchesterians lost in the Great War!  Again we were wrong; although a number of the trees are memorials to the fallen, they were not all associated with them.  Where appropriate, donations towards the installation of a tree and the plaque were sought, consequently many trees were planted for non-military personnel.  Many of the town councillors and alderman had a tree; there is also an area dedicated to Girl Guides and Children.

Garden of Remembrance

Although the plaques have disappeared over the years some have been found and a number have been included in the Garden of Remembrance which was established adjacent to the North Station Roundabout in 1996.

Compelling Stories

Liz, with the support of the Lexden History Group, has researched & produced a book Compelling Stories from the Avenue of Remembrance.  The book tells the stories of the people who had trees dedicated to them.  It makes fascinating reading!

For example, there was a tree for Sir George Biddell Airy KCB, Astronomer Royal.  Sir George grew up in Colchester and attended Colchester Royal Grammar School for five years from 1814.  He then went on to Trinity College in Cambridge to study Mathematics.  After a few years, he became the Plumian Professor of Astrologer at Cambridge; from there he transferred to Greenwich where he reorganised the Observatory and became the Astronomer Royal!  One of a number of very interesting stories linked to the Avenue of Remembrance!  We are now looking forward to Spring when we will view the trees, particularly the Cherry and Horse Chestnuts, in a different light!

Next Meeting – the Bernard Colbron Memorial Lecture

This was orignially to be as reported below but this has now been rescheduled – read more about the changes here.

At our November 13th meeting Charlie Haylock will be returning by public demand to talk again to the Group; Charlie told us about the History of the English Language in October 2018.  The well-known Suffolk Radio personality will deliver the third Bernard Colbron Memorial Lecture; this time Charlie is going to tell us about the “Origins of Surnames”.  Charlie is an entertaining talker and we have already provided him with a number of names suggested by group members. We are confident of learning something new and interesting!

Doors open at 7 pm and the meeting will start promptly at 7.30 pm.  Entrance is £2 for paid-up members of WBLHG; visitors are very welcome to attend at £4 each. This includes Refreshments.

Membership

If you wish to join the group at this meeting you can join for £5 and pay only £2 for this meeting and each of the next two meetings:

• January 8th – The Impact of the Daniell Family on West Bergholt, and
• February 12th – The Fordham Archaeological dig.

Our AGM and membership renewal meeting will be held on March 11th 2020.