Colchester Life in Photographs

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.

On choosing photographs from this week fifty years ago I came across an entry in the picture diary, Loveless Close, Wive...
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

These “Pop Idols” from 1975 were photographed in King Harold Road, Colchester.The group, posed with their motor cycles f...
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

This was personally the most memorable photograph I took of the Woolworths fire in October 1973. I was told by my edito...
03/10/2025

This was personally the most memorable photograph I took of the Woolworths fire in October 1973. I was told by my editor to get up to the Colchester Barracks asap as there was a military helicopter waiting for me to take me over the town to photograph the scene of the fire from the air. Never having flown before, I didn't have time for nerves to set in! This was the type of helicopter with a clear dome front and no doors. The pilot told me I could swing round from the seat with my feet on the skids I declined the offer! Taking this picture it seemed I was within touching distance of the St Helena statue on top of the Town Hall.
Photograph by Adrian Rushton
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council

Copy of the front page of The Colchester Express of October 4th 1973 featuring coverage of the Woolworths store fire. Th...
02/10/2025

Copy of the front page of The Colchester Express of October 4th 1973 featuring coverage of the Woolworths store fire. This was used in the paper on the 1st of October 1975 to mark two years after the event. The fire occured fifty two years ago this week. Photograph by staff photographer Dave Barker
From the archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton ([email protected])
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council

The changing face of Colchester.Major roadworks took place in 1975 with the building of part of the Colchester Ring Road...
01/10/2025

The changing face of Colchester.
Major roadworks took place in 1975 with the building of part of the Colchester Ring Road which led to the demise of the original Balkerne Hill.
Bulldozers moved in to remove much of the soil to build the new Balkerne Hill. These photographs show the extent of the workings which spread from Maldon Road roundabout to a new road layout to create Westway.
The pictures clearly show the line of the original hill before the footbridge was installed, some of St Mary's Hospital which was then closed in 1993 and later demolished for further development on the site. (Corrected from info provided by one of my readers.) The Hole in the Wall Public House, the Gilberd School on North Hill, North East Essex Technical College, and the cattle market on Sheepen Road. The water pumping station at the base of the Balkerne Hill is still there. 'Jumbo' the Victorian water tower can be seen on the horizon.
Photographs by Chief Photographer Des Blake, September 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 City Council Colchester Institute Colchester Archaeological Trust

01/10/2025

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Philip Behn, Ian Hammerton, Mike Rollo, Gilly Bolderstone, Iain Hull, Roger Dixon, William Barrett, Vivian Liu, Maureen Vasquez, Anne Schlesser, Clive Peters, Tony Simons, Jackie Mason, Lyn Pankhurst, Linda Golby, Kate Hb, Christopher Michael Fryer

Thank you for supporting my site, and hope you are enjoying the mix of new and archive posts. fans

Distinguished Gentleman's Drive 2025A very special parade took place on Sunday afternoon as Classic Cars drove along the...
28/09/2025

Distinguished Gentleman's Drive 2025
A very special parade took place on Sunday afternoon as Classic Cars drove along the High Street. Proud owners showed off their vehicles in classic style as they travelled through the streets of Colchester in aid of charity.
The Classic Gentleman's Drive 2025, organized by Franks Motor Company, is part of a global charity event that connects like-minded drivers around the world, and to raise awareness and vital funds towards ground breaking research and life-saving programs for men's health issues such as Prostate Cancer and mental health challenges.
Photographs Adrian & Carolyn Rushton
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council Franks Motor Company

As a photographer on The Colchester Express we were instructed to take a few crowd shots of the home supporters of Colch...
26/09/2025

As a photographer on The Colchester Express we were instructed to take a few crowd shots of the home supporters of Colchester United when covering the games. These pictures were then reviewed by the Editor of the paper and a circle was placed around the face of one person. The photograph was then published and that person could contact the paper and claim a prize. This was a wonderful way to increase the papers circulation.
Photograph by Chief Photographer Des Blake 24th September 1975
From the Archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
Scans from the original photographic negatives.
Colchester Civic Society Colchester United FC

Local residents gathered for a picnic on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the re-opening of the Middle Mill footbridge, Col...
23/09/2025

Local residents gathered for a picnic on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the re-opening of the Middle Mill footbridge, Colchester. The event organized by Anne Flaherty and Beh Dagge.also included games and entertainment by dancers 'Global Rhythm', followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting..
The bridge has been closed since December 2023 after part of the weir collapsed into the river. It is an important link for residents and the wider community who regularly use the bridge which provides a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists to access Lower Castle Park, the Dutch Quarter and the centre of Colchester.
Story Carolyn Rushton
Photographs Adrian Rushton
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council Friends Of Castle Park

The Town Hall in High Street was one of many historic sites around Colchester which opened their doors to members of the...
22/09/2025

The Town Hall in High Street was one of many historic sites around Colchester which opened their doors to members of the public at the week-end as part of Heritage Open days.
Visitors were able to take a tour of the building which included the Council Chamber and the recently repaired and re-decorated Moot Hall. City Organist William Saunders played the Moot Hall Organ and visitors were given a very rare opportunity to play the instrument too.
Mayoress of Colchester, Alderman Lynn Barton held an 'At Home' event in The Mayor's Parlour where visitors were invited to join her for tea and cakes provided by Level Best Art Cafe. Colchester Mayor, Cllr. Mike Lilley was also on hand to answer any questions.
Story Carolyn Rushton
Photographs Adrian Rushton
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council The Mayor of Colchester

Colchester honours heroes of the Battle of ArnhemThe bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of A...
17/09/2025

Colchester honours heroes of the Battle of Arnhem
The bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Arnhem was commemorated at a special service on Wednesday, 17 September, at the Colchester War Memorial.
The annual event marked the 81st anniversary of Operation Market Garden, a daring Allied attempt to seize a series of bridges in the Netherlands in September 1944. The battle was a pivotal moment in the war, and the British 1st Airborne Division suffered heavy losses.
In 2019, Colchester City Council established a bond of friendship with Renkum, the Dutch district including Oosterbeek, where soldiers landed and made their final stand. This connection underscores the shared history between Colchester and the British Army’s airborne forces, with 16 Air Assault Brigade based at the city’s Merville Barracks.
To honour this historic event, the Dutch flag and Pegasus, the emblem of airborne forces, will fly from Colchester Town Hall until the 25 September, symbolising the nine days of intense fighting 81 years ago.
The service included a reading from Corp. Poole a soldier from 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team and a two-minute silence, followed by the reading of the Kohima Epitaph by Nick Savin Acting Vice Chairman Colchester Branch The Royal British Legion and the laying of wreaths. Local schoolchildren and cadets laid sunflowers mirroring the Dutch tradition of children placing flowers on graves during the main commemorative service at Oosterbeek War Cemetery.
The Reverend Gavin Smith CF, Senior Chaplain 16 Air Assault Brigade, and the Mayor’s Chaplain, the Reverend Terry Walker, lead prayers. A bugler from British Army Band Colchester, Corp. Andrew Middleton played The Last Post and Reveille.
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council 16 Air Assault Brigade Royal British Legion

Action from yesterday's Soapbox Rally held in Colchester.An enthusiast crowd of all ages watched as keen competitors rac...
15/09/2025

Action from yesterday's Soapbox Rally held in Colchester.
An enthusiast crowd of all ages watched as keen competitors raced down North Hill in their home built vehicles to achieve their fastest time to become the winner of this very popular event.
Caption Carolyn Rushton
Copyright Photographs CJ Pics Photography
Colchester City Council Visit Colchester CJ Pics Photography Colchester Civic Society

Address

Colchester

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Colchester Life in Photographs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Colchester Life in Photographs:

Shortcuts

Share

Category