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Category: Colchester

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North Essex Garden Communities Consultation

North Essex Garden Communities Consultation

North Essex Garden Communities is working to create not just new homes but new communities. Planned to Garden City Principles and designed in partnership with residents.  Their ambition is to create places for people to live, work and spend time, taking forward the Garden City idea for future generations.  They have put their plans together and are now seeking your views in a consultation starting on 13th November and extending into December. Continue reading “North Essex Garden Communities Consultation”

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Grey Friars – A History Group Talk

Grey Friars – A History Group Talk

Grey Friars Location
Showing the northeast corner of the old town in 1777
Grey Friars House is above the word Frere

The first meeting of the New Year took place in the Orpen Hall on January 10th. The guest speaker was Alan Skinner, former Principal of Grey Friars Adult Education College.

History of Grey Friars

Alan’s talk was about the history of Grey Friars, or more precisely the area where it is located in the northeast corner of the old Roman town. It is difficult to ascertain exactly what was there during the Roman and Norman periods but between the 13th and the 16th century the site was occupied by Franciscan Monks, the Grey Friars, until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538.

Poor Repair

The buildings remained in a poor state of repair. They were much damaged one hundred years later in the Civil War and Royalist prisoners of war were detained there after the siege. In Georgian times the area became very desirable and several large houses were built close by – Hollytrees, East Hill House, The Minories. The building which is now the centre part of Grey Friars was built around 1750.

The building changed hands several times and in 1829 the area where Roman and Castle Roads are now was leased to the Colchester Botanical Society to make into a Botanical Garden. This initially proved popular with the rich and fashionable although by the 1850s the garden had fallen from favour and was sold off for housing and would eventually become Castle Road and Roman Road.

Much Extended

The Grey Friars house, much extended, continued as a private residence until 1903 when it was purchased by a group of French Nuns.  They converted it into a boarding school for gentlemen’s daughters. The Nuns sold Grey Friars to Essex County Council in 1920 when it was used to house part of the County High School for Girls. They stayed there until the 1950s when they moved to their current premises in Norman Way. Grey Friars was then used at different times as temporary accommodation for Monkwick and Phillip Morant Schools, and the Technical College, now Colchester Institute. In 1965 the building became an Adult Education College until being sold in 2008 for conversion into a luxury hotel, which opened in 2014.

The Greyfriars Hotel as it now looks

Alan Skinner’s talk was very well received and many of the members of the audience had their own fond memories of Grey Friars.

Can You Help Trace William & Sarah Pettican’s Graves?

From time to time the Secretary receives enquiries from people studying their family history. A recent enquiry from Kiern Pettican, who lives in Kent, is seeking to trace the graves of her great-great-grandparents William Pettican 1848-1912 and Sarah Rebecca Pettican 1853-1921. They married in the old church in 1869 and were living in Old Church Lane in 1881.  Searches of the churchyards have been unsuccessful. She would also be interested in copies of any photographs of Old Church Lane from the period.

If any reader can help please get in touch with Gill Poole 01206 240512.

Forthcoming Events

  • February 8th    “Silver End the Crittall Village” a talk by Natalie Banks.
  • March 8th         AGM plus a talk and video “Life in the 1950s” by Peter Jones
  • April 13th          “44 Years of Elected Office” a talk by Sir Bob Russell

Meetings start at 7.30. Members £1 – Visitors welcome £3.   Find out more here.

 

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Safer Colchester Partnership – Survey

Safer Colchester Partnership – Survey

The Safer Colchester Partnership (SCP) is conducting a survey to ask local residents for their views on crime and anti-social behaviour in the Borough.  The SCP produces a yearly Annual Partnership Plan which contains actions to help lessen crime and the fear of crime in Colchester.  The results from this survey will inform future priorities and actions for the Safer Colchester Partnership.

The five key priorities for the partnership currently include: Continue reading “Safer Colchester Partnership – Survey”

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Christmas is Coming – Highlighted Events to Go To

Christmas is Coming

Since Christmas is coming, it’s now less than a month away (gulp), you might want to get up to date with some events (Castle, Zoo, Cressing & New Hall) and other Christmassy news (free park & ride).

Events at Colchester Castle

colchester-castle-grottoMeet Santa in his Grotto

Colchester Museums are offering a unique opportunity this festive season. Families will be able to meet Santa in the historic setting of Colchester Castle.

From Friday 9 to Sunday 11 December and from Friday 16 to Friday 23 December, the Castle’s ancient Lucas Vaults will be transformed into a magical grotto where families can visit Santa, take in the decorated surroundings and receive a gift from the man himself.

Prices vary from £5 – £8.50 depending on numbers and whether you simply visit Santa or also follow the Children’s Christmas trail.  More details online here.

Free Castle Entry for Special Christmas Open Evening

castle-christmas-open-eveningColchester Castle opens its doors for its annual Christmas Open Evening on Wednesday 14 December from 3pm – 8:30pm.

A seasonal treat as Colchester Castle opens its doors for FREE! Come and soak up the Christmas atmosphere with carols, mince pies, entertainment and an opportunity to meet Santa before his busy night.

 

 

Booking not required. Free  entry to the Castle, entry to Santa’s grotto £3.50 per child. Suitable for all ages.

christmas-reindeer-at-colchester-zooColchester Zoo

Magic of Christmas

Meet Santa’s beautiful reindeer in their stables and travel through the farmyard to meet Santa’s friends. You can join the elves and friends for a very merry Christmas party!  Or why not make Christmas crafts at the Elves’ Workshop.

More details online here.

Starlight Nights

Visit from 9.30am until 8.30pm on the 17th & 23rd December! As well as fantastic daytime events you will be able to stay after dark as the festivities continue into the evening beneath the Christmas lights!

The extended opening will give you even more time to see Santa’s beautiful reindeer and take part in The Santa Experience! PLUS from 5pm you can take a ride on the Christmas train and check out special evening encounters!

More details online here.  The Zoo is offering other Christmas activities as well so well worth visiting their website.

magical-christmas-cressingCressing Temple

Guided by a friendly elf, your group will explore Father Christmas’s busy Christmas base at Cressing Temple Barns. Learn the secrets of the wrapping machine, magic mailing systems and landing pad. After passing through these magical rooms, families go on the meet Father Christmas himself in his traditional Grotto with full size sleigh ready for photos.

Whisper your Christmas wish and then head onwards to the toy shop where an elf will help you choose the perfect Christmas gift to take away as a memento. Here your guided tour ends, but there is so much more to see! The site is accessible for wheelchairs and buggies, except for the Grotto itself which is on the second storey (although Santa will come down to visit those who can’t manage the stairs).

More details online here.

New Hall – Vineyard Winter Wonderland

Taking place on 3rd & 4th December from 10am – 5pm, at New Hall Vineyard, Purleigh, CM3 6PN.

A winter wonderland combining a great atmosphere, Santa’s Grotto (foc), children’s craft area and free refreshments including mince pies, sausage rolls, hot chestnuts and mulled wine. A great opportunity to taste wines and stock-up before Christmas. All wine is discounted and personalised labels can be printed for free while you wait.  All donations go to Maldon Carers.

Shop ’til you drop on Small Business Saturday

Heading into Chelmsford or Colchester for your Christmas shopping? Essex County Council are offering a helping hand by making Park and Ride travel free on Small Business Saturday.  Small Business Saturday should see many small businesses offering special deals in the spirit of Black Friday.  Take advantage of the free Park and Ride offer on Saturday 3rd December.

 

 

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Village Bulletin Quiz 2016 – Result for Parkinson’s

Chris Stevenson presenting cheque to Will Owen

Chris Stevenson presenting cheque to Will Owen
Chris Stevenson presenting the cheque to Will Owen

Village Bulletin Quiz 2016 Results

Fourteen teams entered the Village Bulletin Quiz held on Saturday 8th October in the Orpen Hall.  Together with a raffle and a very popular game of ‘Human Bingo‘, the event raised £336 for the Colchester branch of the Parkinson’s UK charity.

Chris Stevenson, Chairman of the Parish Council, presented the cheque at this week’s Council meeting.  Will Owen, who also attended the quiz, expressed his gratitude for the donation on receiving the cheque on behalf of Parkinson’s.

Winners of the Bulletin Quiz Phil Spencer, Chris Stevenson, Laura Walkingshaw and Harry Stone being presented with the Challenge Trophy
The wining team being presented with the Challenge Trophy

The Parish Council team of Phil Spencer, Chris Stevenson, Laura Walkingshaw and Harry Stone won this year; apparently this was not a fix.   🙂

Second & third placed teams were ‘The Dixters’ and ‘The Gardeners Association‘.

Susan Leng, quizmaster, and other organisers and Bulletin Team helpers also attended for the presentation.  The Parish Council thanked the team for their hard work in running such an enjoyable evening.

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Chaos & Other Events this August

Chaos & Other Events this August

A selection of some activities that are coming up that are suitable for family days together at Holytrees Museum, Colchester Castle and the Natural History Museum.

Chaos Science Roadshow

This summer, the CHaOS Roadshow will be heading across the country with free science events including one in Colchester on Monday 8th August.  Just turn up between Continue reading “Chaos & Other Events this August”

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Village Bulletin Quiz 2016

Zoom Quiz Night

quizVillage Bulletin Quiz 2016

The Village Bulletin Quiz this year will be held on Saturday 8th October starting at 7pm in the Orpen Hall.  Teams of four people can enter.  Each team can represent a local business, organisation or club or just a group of friends.  At least one member of each team must be a West Bergholt resident.

Costing £16 per team, this year, all proceeds will go to the Colchester branch of Continue reading “Village Bulletin Quiz 2016”

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CBC Declares us to be a Sustainable Village

Colchester-VibrantCBC Declares us to be a ‘Sustainable Village’

Colchester Borough Council’s Local Plan Committee is about to review its draft Local Plan and associated reports on 5th July.   The village features in this draft plan as a ‘sustainable village’.

Whereas this may sound like a comforting declaration, it also heralds the prospect of further growth, although the village has escaped Continue reading “CBC Declares us to be a Sustainable Village”