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Colchester Life in Photographs

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Colchester Life in Photographs

Coverage of life and events around Colchester and District in pictures and video. Home to the archiv

Totally Independent, covering news and events in the Colchester and surrounding areas mainly through the use of visual media. We are not connected to any of the local 'mainstream' media outlets.

11/11/2025

Unfortunately I couldn't cover this event myself, the first time in many years.

10/11/2025

The annual Remembrance Day Service was held on Sunday 9th November at the War Memorial, Colchester, in bright Autumn sunshine.
The firing of a light gun in Castle Park heralded the start, with another gun firing to mark the end of two minutes silence.
Music provided by the City of Colchester Band was played as wreaths of poppies were laid at the base of the War Memorial under the direction of the Garrison Sergeant Major.
After the service of hymns led by the Harmonettes, and prayers, participants paraded up the High Street where a salute was taken outside the Town Hall.
Photographs by Adrian, Carolyn and Tom Rushton.
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council Royal British Legion The Colchester Watch

06/11/2025

Once again King Coel's Kittens Firework Spectacular 2025 at Castle Park Colchester proved to be another great success with over 9,000 people attending this annual event.
Colchester magician Michael J Fitch entertained the excited crowd before a procession carrying the traditional 'Guy' made it's way around the park carried by Beefeaters and escorted by members of the Town Watch.
The display of fireworks costing almost £12,000 raised funds towards various community projects. King Coel's Kittens never give money to an organization or pay for overheads, instead they purchase tangible items from which many people within a special group can benefit.
Photographs Adrian Rushton
Words Carolyn Rushton
Colchester Civic Society Dynamic Fireworks Friends Of Castle Park Colchester City Council Colchester Castle Park Fireworks Display

31/10/2025

Pupils and staff from St James's School, Guildford Road, Colchester, show off their best Halloween outfits in October 1975. Click on picture for full image.
Photograph by staff photographer Dave Barker
From the Archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
Scans from the original photographic negatives.
Colchester Civic Society

30/10/2025

King Coel's Kittens Guy Fawkes for the charity's annual November 5th Fireworks display in Colchester Castle Park 1975.
L-R French student Martine, Malcolm Alden , Judy Alden ( Guy maker) and Bernard Alden who made the frame.
Photograph by staff photographer Dave Barker
From the Archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
Scans from the original photographic negatives.

KING COEL’S KITTENS
For over 60 years, King Coel’s Kittens, a local charitable fundraising group, has been raising funds to provide tangible items to groups of people with special requirements living in the local community. The group, founded by Bill Tucker, a former Essex County Newspaper journalist, started in 1962 to raise funds for the paper’s annual Miss Colchester competition. They invited young representatives from local organizations across the town to form a committee to raise funds to financially support the competition. The group enjoyed their first year of fundraising and decided to continue raising funds for other groups within the local community. The group never gives money to an organization or pays for overheads; they always pay for the purchase of tangible items from which many people within a special group can benefit. Over the years, they have organized several events, including the Christmas tree collection around the streets of Colchester, markets, tiddlywink race, Millennium events in the town, and the annual Fireworks Spectacular in Castle Park, which has lasted for 51 years. Every year, 8000 people pack the park to see this annual event.
Colchester’s biggest and brightest night out is returning in 2025!
King Coel’s Kittens are busy planning their annual Firework Spectacular at Colchester Castle Park, bringing together families, friends, and the whole community for a stunning evening of fireworks, music, and entertainment in the heart of Britain’s oldest recorded town.
You can buy Tickets for King Coel’s Kittens Fireworks 2025 by following this link.
https://kingcoelskittens.co.uk/tickets
This years Fireworks Display in Castle Park Colchester will be held on Wednesday 5th November
Gates Open 5.30pm
Entertainment from Michael J Fitch 5.30pm-7pm
Guy Parade 7pm
Fireworks 7.30pm
Colchester Civic Society Colchester Castle Park Fireworks Display Friends Of Castle Park Colchester City Council

27/10/2025

Colchester’s historic Oyster Feast returned to the Moot Hall on Friday, 24 October 2025, marking a homecoming for one of the city’s civic traditions.
First held in 1845, the Oyster Feast is a cornerstone of Colchester’s civic calendar – celebrating the city’s heritage, community spirit, and culinary history. Following recent restoration works at the Town Hall, this year’s Feast was held in the traditional setting of the Moot Hall, where the Mayor and Mayoress of Colchester, Cllr Michael Lilley and Alderman Lyn Barton, welcomed residents, dignitaries, and invited guests.
In time honoured custom, the Mayor joined attendees in sampling Colchester’s famous oysters. Guests enjoyed an afternoon of dining and entertainment, featuring a five-course meal (oysters optional) prepared by Milsom Catering and fine wines from Mr.Wheeler, echoing the Feast’s longstanding reputation for hospitality and excellence.
As in previous years, the Colchester Town Watch greeted arriving guests and helped set the ceremonial tone for the day. This year’s programme reflected the Feast’s tradition of welcoming speakers from public life, the arts, and the wider community: acclaimed musician and writer Martin Newell; award-winning producer and pantomime dame Antony Stuart-Hicks, and Anthony Roberts, the director and artistic driving force behind Colchester Arts Centre. Performances from Play Strings Academy quartet, pianist Francis Garland, and city organist William Saunders, ensured an afternoon of insight, inspiration, and entertainment.
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council

25/10/2025

The Colchester Branch of the Royal British Legion launched their annual Poppy Appeal on Saturday. The launch organised by Jackie Mason was attended by the Mayor of Colchester Cllr Mike Lilley, Mayoress Alderman Lynn Barton, MP Pam Cox, Garrison Commander Lt Col Ed Rankin, plus other military and civic guests.

Members of the Colchester Civic Society also knitted and crocheted three hundred and thirty eight poppies for the appeal L-R Sheila Anderton, Carolyn Rushton, and receiving them Jackie Mason.
Colchester Civic Society Royal British Legion

21/10/2025

As Autumn colours begin to show, this image was captured by Adrian Rushton, on twenty five year old film which was recently discovered, partly used, in an old camera. Not knowing whether the photographs would still be alright, the Mamiya 645 Super, 120 roll film camera, was taken out for the purpose of finishing up the old colour film.
This picture was taken on King's Meadow, Colchester, a couple of weeks ago. The completed film was sent away to a specialist film processor be developed, we eagerly waited for any negatives to be posted back.
Success, the camera which was on sale in the 1990's still works well!
Words Carolyn Rushton
Colchester City Council Colchester Civic Society Friends Of Castle Park Mamiya Medium Format FilmProcessing.co.uk

15/10/2025

Colchester Hockey Club team photo and action from one of their matches which took place in October 1975.
The match was played on the Sports Ground adjacent to Kings Meadow, Colchester, which is now used by Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club.
It's interesting to look closely at the backgrounds where you can clearly see the recently built swimming pool and sports centre, and other parts of the area before it was redeveloped.
Photographs by Staff Photographer Dave Barker 10th October 1975
From the Archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
Scans from the original photographic negatives.
Words by Carolyn Rushton.
Colchester Civic Society Colchester Hockey Club Colchester City Council Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club

14/10/2025

These youngsters at Friar's Grove Primary School, Colchester, were keen to show off their work and pose for the camera during a visit to the school by Colchester Express Photographer Dave Barker in October 1975.
From the Archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
Scans from the original photographic negatives.
Words by Carolyn Rushton.
Colchester Civic Society

09/10/2025

On choosing photographs from this week fifty years ago I came across an entry in the picture diary, Loveless Close, Wivenhoe with no further details. But on searching the internet I found these details from the Wivenhoe Town Council web site.
“In 1975 developers of the new Lower Lodge Estate named one of the roads ‘Loveless Close’ – after William Loveless, former Chairman of the UDC. The residents living in the Close presented a petition to Wivenhoe Town Council asking for the name to be changed. The Town Council agreed but wanted to name something after William Loveless, so it was decided to rename the Public Hall – William Loveless Hall.”
Photographs by Staff Photographer Dave Barker, 10th October 1975
From the Archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
Scans from the original photographic negatives.
Colchester Civic Society Colchester Museums Wivenhoe Memories group

08/10/2025

These “Pop Idols” from 1975 were photographed in King Harold Road, Colchester.
The group, posed with their motor cycles for Colchester Express Chief Photographer Des Blake.
Their hairstyles and clothing were very much of the time, but........does anyone know who they were? "Answer from Paul Warner, I was working with them. Boy Bastin. From the left Pete Phipps, Bass. John Tuttle, vocals and sax, John Brunning , lead guitar, Jim Jewell, drums."
Photographs by Chief Photographer Des Blake, 10th October 1975
From the Archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
Scans from the original photographic negatives.
Words by Carolyn Rushton.
Colchester Civic Society

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