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 Continue reading “Avenue of Remembrance”

October 4, 2019September 6, 2020

What happened to the Cromer Express?

Colchester's Avenue of Remembrance roadsign

What happened to the Cromer Express?

The Wreck of the Cromer Express was the topic for the Local History Group‘s first winter talk at Orpen Hall. Jim Connor told the sad story of the Wreck of the Cromer Express at Colchester’s North Station in 1913. Jim has written a number of books particularly about the history of trains and stations in Continue reading “What happened to the Cromer Express?”

July 23, 2019July 24, 2019

Edwardian West Bergholt & Gainsborough House

The Local History Group gave villagers an insight into Edwardian West Bergholt at the recent Village Fete. The History Group manned a stall which included a display discussing West Bergholt during the Edwardian period.

The display, drawn from the 1901 and 1911 censuses, showed that villagers had a range of employment. Significant numbers of men were either employed on the land or by the Daniell and Sons Brewery. Women were often employed Continue reading “Edwardian West Bergholt & Gainsborough House”