#OnThisDay - 26 September 1841, the British spy Thomas Miller Beach (alias Major Henri Le Caron), author of "Twenty-five Years in the Secret Service: The Recollections of a Spy", was born in #Colchester. More: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_...

#OnThisDay - 25 September 1899, a branch of Parr's Bank was opened at 60 High Street here in #Colchester. The premises are now occupied by the #ThreeWiseMonkeys pub. @TWM_Colchester More: www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/com...

And in recognition of Jane's birthday the statue of her and Annher sister on the High Stretwas given a bouquet...

Colchester Civic Society@colcivicsociety.bsky.social · 4d ago

1/2 #OnThisDay - 23 September 1783, Jane Taylor, a poet perhaps best known for "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," was born. She lived with her sister Ann and her parents in #Colchester's West Stockwell Street where there is a commemorative plaque. More: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Ta...

A DISTINCTIVE fountain which stood in Culver Square for almost four decades has been demolished. The removal marks the start of a project to transform the city centre space into a more flexible events venue. More: www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/2657310...

#OnThisDay - 24 September 1958, #Colchester's Natural History Museum was opened in the former All Saints Church opposite the castle by Sir George Dyson. The building is Grade ll listed and dates from the 12th century - or perhaps even earlier.

We've not yet read and digested this report from @CreateStreets - but we will. Let's hope the folk #Essex County Council and #Colchester City Council do as well. Our hope is that they not only read it - but act, equally importantly upon it... More: x.com/ColCivicSoci...

Calls for action over boating lake grow even stronger. Calls are growing for Colchester Council to set a target date for reopening Castle Park's boating lake, which has remained closed for more than two years. More: www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/2656990...

1/2 #OnThisDay - 23 September 1783, Jane Taylor, a poet perhaps best known for "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," was born. She lived with her sister Ann and her parents in #Colchester's West Stockwell Street where there is a commemorative plaque. More: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Ta...

If you think you know everything there is to know about #Colchester, #BritainsFirstCity, then here's a little test for you. Here's today's weekly #WhereAndWhatIsIt teaser. We don't normally give clues but we're feeling generous. It's a window. But where?

#OnThisDay - 22 September 1924, Fred Karno presented "Hustle" - "His Newest Super Production"- at the #Colchester Grand Theatre and Hippodrome. The cast included AW Bascombe, Beryl Deane, Montague Golding, Esme & Dolores and "a hive of bustling hustlers".

lind pensioner, 86, warns ‘someone will be killed’ by East Hill works... More: www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/2656241...

#OnThisDay - 21 September 1989, the new Divisional Police Headquarters was officially opened in Butt Road by the Rt. Hon. Douglas Hurd MP., Home Secretary. The Police had moved into the new building on 10 July 1989 from the former Police Station in Queen Street.

#OnThisDay - 20 September 1485, Thomas Kendale, a Lancastrian, received #ColchesterCastle, 180 acres of arable, 27 acres of meadow, 30s rent, the Hundred of Tendring and two parts of a water-mill from #HenryVll: 'for services as well within the Realm as in foreign parts...'

#OnThisDay - 19 September 1741, the IIpswich Journal reported that ‘three soldiers under confinement, one of whom was ordered to be shot some weeks ago, and afterwards reprieved, found means to escape… with their handcuffs on…’ ‘They are not yet retaken.’

#SeenReportedSorted It's good to see that @EssexHighways have now (again!) repaired the pedestrian guardrails at the Brook Street junction with Magdalen and Barrack Streets.

The Colchester Bus Growth Partnership have launched a bus travel survey. Your responses will help inform future improvements and encourage more people to consider travelling by bus. Link to Survey: forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/respon...

1/2 #OnThisDay - 18 September 1957, Dr Ruth Bensusan Butt died. She was a pioneer in Family medicine & the first female doctor in #Colchester. She lived & practiced at #TheMinories where she is commemorated by a #BluePlaque More: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Be...

We reported this newly seriously bent sign on North Hill to Essex Highways on 3 September. Yesterday they told us that: "...it does not need immediate action. We have recorded this issue and will continue to monitor the area during future inspections...'

#OnThisDay - 17 September #OnThisDay 1557, Margaret Thurston & Agnes Bongeor were burned for heresy here in #Colcheter. More: www.exclassics.com/foxe/foxe370... www.exclassics.com/foxe/foxe370...

#OnThisDay - 16 September 1973 The band 10cc appeared live at the Woods Leisure Centre/Social Club here in #Colchester. Were you there?

B&M Bargains into the old #Colchester Wilko site... More: www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/2655283...

This discount retailer is moving into the old Colchester Wilko site

Nottingham-based developer ALB Group purchased the shopping centre for an undisclosed figure which includes St John's multi-storey car park,…

gazette-news.co.uk

We'd love it if all you wannabe sleuths out there would set your minds on solving this, our latest #WhereAndWhatIsIt #ColchesterConundrum. We do neither points nor prizes but those who get it right do bask in glory. We'll post the answer on Friday afternoon.

#PraiseWherePraiseIsDue Well done to Major Curt Vines who took a bit of time out during the #HeritageOpenDay Garrison Walk on 12 September to give one of the interpretation panels a quick clean whilst being 'encouraged' by 'Sergeant' Rennie Chivers the #Colchester Town Crier.

#OnThisDay - 15 October 2003, the very last VP185 diesel engine built by #Paxmans here in #Colchester to power the iconic #Intercity125 locomotives, left the Port Lane Works.

#OnThisDay - 14 September 1820, Essex County Hospital officially opened after a procession including the Mayor, arrived from the Castle. It was perhaps an anticlimax as there were no patients - the first were not admitted until the 21 September. More: www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vo...

#OnThisDay - 13 September 1843, Dr Roger Nunn, Mayor, laid the foundation stone for #Colchester's new Town Hall - the predecessor of the current one. The stone in question was retained just inside the entrance when the new (3rd) hall was built. More: victorianweb.org/art/architec...

So then, where've you been on this first Saturday of #HeritageOpenDays2026 - and what did you think of what you saw, found and learned about the place you visited and #Colchester, #BritainsFirstCity? More: www.visitcolchester.com/whats-on/heritage-open-days/

#OnThisDay - 12 September 1842, among three cases heard at a court hearing in #Colchester's Moot Hall, Susan Hasell was fined 5s and expenses or, in default, sentenced to spend six hours in the stocks for drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

#OnThisDay - 11 September 1914 , the school logbook records that a soldier was sent to #Myland School ‘to demand a blackboard for the military for instructiion purposes

#OnThisDay - 10 September 1536, Thomas Audley granted to Thomas Flyngaunt, alderman. ‘a certain meadow in St Botolph’s parish and a certain moor which were late part of the lands of the late Priory of St Botolph’s recently suppressed and dissolved by authority of Parliament.’