Colchester car park upgrades underway ahead of major regeneration
A £1million upgrade programme for St Mary’s and St John’s car parks will begin next week, starting from the 20 October 2025.
These upgrades are an important contribution to Colchester’s wider regeneration. Ensuring that essential infrastructure is in place ahead of transformative projects like the St Botolph’s Quarter.
The first phase of the upgrade will take approximately 19 weeks to complete, with a planned pause over the Christmas period to minimise disruption during the festive season. This phase will include structural repairs and waterproofing to extend the life of both car parks, improving the entrance area at St John’s car park, and updating the payment machines at St Mary’s car park.
In early 2026, St John’s Car Park will close for three weeks to allow for this phase to be completed. These improvements will be completed ahead of the closure of Britannia Car Park in February 2026, which marks the beginning of the £10 million St Botolph’s Quarter regeneration.
Funding has been allocated for further phased upgrades, including:
Widening parking bays to better accommodate modern vehicles
Replacing fire doors at St John’s car park
Modernising payment systems, allowing customers to pay after parking
Colchester also plans to improve lighting, CCTV and to refurbish car park decorations once funding is secured.
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “With wider cars on the road, many of our city centre parking bays are underused simply because they’re too narrow. By widening bays and improving access, we’re making these spaces more usable and futureproofing our infrastructure ahead of major regeneration works.”
The Council also recognises that many residents feel there isn’t enough parking in the city centre. Colchester City Council commissioned independent parking specialists, Parking Perspectives, to assess availability. Their analysis shows that there are typically between 500 and 1,000 free spaces in the city centre at any given time.
Cllr King added “To help residents and visitors find these spaces more
easily, the Council will also improve our signposting to available parking locations. These will be shared in November as part of a wider campaign to improve parking awareness and accessibility.
“These changes are part of a wider commitment to ensuring Colchester’s city centre is well-equipped to handle future growth. By improving parking facilities now, we’re laying the groundwork for the transformation around St Botolphs and Britannia.”
Alongside parking improvements, Essex Highways continues to develop Colchester’s transport infrastructure, with plans to enhance public transport options, such as the Rapid Transit System. These developments, together with upgraded parking facilities, support the city’s accessibility and future growth.
New secure cycle shelter at Leisure World boosts health and cuts travel costs
Colchester City Council is pleased to announce the completion of a new, secure bicycle storage shelter at Leisure World Colchester. This investment reinforces the facility’s commitment to making active travel a safer and more affordable choice for the community, directly boosting resident health and reducing transport costs.
Funded by the Essex Cycle Grant, the new cycle shelter located at the front of Leisure World Colchester significantly upgrades the previous facility, offering enhanced security
and greater capacity for cyclists. The new shelter provides covered and secure storage for up to 10 bicycles. The installation directly supports local initiatives that encourage more residents to choose cycling as a simple way to incorporate regular activity into their routines and save money on fuel and parking.
To ensure only authorised individuals can access the facility, users are required to sign up for a free Leisure Card account by visiting the Leisure World website. Once registered, users can request a specific access code
through the 'Contact Us' page or by speaking directly to a staff member at the Leisure World reception desk.
Councillor Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: “This is a fantastic addition to Leisure World. We know that security is a major concern for cyclists, and this new shelter removes that worry, encouraging more people to use their bikes when travelling. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to improving public health and supporting our community to make active travel a safe, easy, and costeffective choice for everyone in the city.”
Residents are also invited to explore the Cycle Colchester website. This essential platform provides a wealth of practical information covering everything from tips on cycle security and maintenance to guidance on enjoying cycling as a family. It is also the dedicated home for the new Colchester Cycle Map, which can be accessed instantly as an interactive tool or downloaded as a convenient PDF version. Visit Love to Ride Essex where you can log the rides you do and be eligible to win prizes, and hear the latest news of other cycling projects in Colchester, including building riding confidence for children and adults.
A Good Read
There are capers involving fireworks gone wrong, goblin interlopers, and pantry raids, all rendered with gently anarchic humour. And there's wonder, with flaring auroras, moonlit ice cliffs, and marching bears 'bearing' gifts! Tolkien’s illustrations and invented alphabets provide half of the magic; the other half is the voice of Father Christmas who sounds at once ancient and avuncular, and also wistful and wry; a storyteller who knows when to whisper and when to boom.
somewhere beyond the page. It certainly leaves footprints in snow.
That Christmas by Richard Curtis, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
Five families who always spend Christmas together with set traditions and routines are all set to do it again this year. Except the adults are off to a wedding.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas feels like opening a keepsake trunk. Gathered from the notes Tolkien wrote to his children between 1920 and 1943, these letters arrive from the North Pole with wobbly calligraphy, postmarks, and gloriously chaotic side-comments from the accidentprone North Polar Bear. The result is a scrapbook of make-believe that somehow grows more believable with every page.
Because the letters span decades, his children grow up, wars darken the winters, and merriment turns tender. The melancholy never breaks the spell though; it deepens it, the way candlelight adds depth to a room. Readers of Tolkien will recognize his hand - names that taste right, lore that feels lived-in, jokes that land.
As a December ritual, a family readaloud, or simply a tonic for grim days, this book shimmers. Open it, and you may hear sleigh bells
Only they can't get back! So, the ten children get to do Christmas their way, and in the process make it a little bit better. It's festive chaos in picture-book form with everything going delightfully offscript in this fast-paced, funny, and fun to read aloud story.
Parents will recognise the seasonal logistics; kids will relish the anarchy and the promise that Christmas can be remade by anyone with enough imagination and a bit of courage.
Rebecca Cobb’s illustrations, with her loose lines and soft textures have a lively feel, and make the chaos feel safe. Her eye for tiny,
domestic comedy rewards 'reading' the pictures as much as the words.
There's a clear message that tradition isn't set in stone; it’s a living thing that evolves with each new generation; the best gifts can be improvised, kindness is important, and little brave silliness is always to be encouraged. It also wraps everything up with a bit of sparkle so reading That Christmas, with a cup of hot chocolate, may well become a festive tradition in its own right.
By Tash Donovan
Not only will you be giving a brighter future to teenagers and young adults with cancer but also a future to bees, wildlife, and the environment.
As a thank for your monthly donation, you will receive Your very own handmade, native bag of Beebombs to sow A special thank you print to frame
Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien
Colchester Crematorium’s recycled metal raises another £10,000 for charity
Following an earlier £12,500 donation in March, Colchester Crematorium recently gave another £10,000 to The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation, demonstrating its strong community commitment.
Both donations were made possible through the ICCM (Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management) Metal Recycling Scheme. This initiative repurposes cremation metals, such as implants and coffin materials, by recycling them to generate charitable funds that truly impact people's lives.
A cheque presentation was held on 11 November during the ICCM East Anglia Branch Meeting at Colchester Crematorium, with the Chair of Trustees and the Founder & CEO of The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation, Richard Bowdidge MBE and Nikki Bowdidge MBE, who gave a speech for the donation. The charity received £10,000 through the scheme, to support their vital work with young people facing cancer.
Nikki Bowdidge MBE, Founder & CEO of The Tom Bowdidge Youth
Cancer Foundation said: “Our mission is to support teenagers and young adults living with cancer, focusing on their wellbeing, emotional support, and providing the resources they need to face an incredibly difficult journey. The amazing support of Colchester Council through the ICCM Metal Recycling Scheme not only raises essential funds but also spreads awareness of the challenges young people face. These funds come at a crucial time for the Foundation as families battling cancer are pressed more than ever by the financial strain of a teenager going through cancer treatment."
Councillor Jocelyn Law, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Public Protection said: “We are genuinely delighted that, by participating in the ICCM metal recycling scheme, we can provide donations to these outstanding charities. They are dedicated to offering life-changing assistance when individuals and families are navigating their most significant difficulties. It is a source of great satisfaction for us to assist them in continuing their essential work."
Across
1 Bordering (6)
5 Gradually pour from one container to another (6)
8 Bitter leafy green vegetable (6)
9 Beams of light (6)
10 Seventh letter of the Greek alphabet (3)
11 Mild and pleasant (weather) (5)
13 Fuel derived from petroleum (8)
15 Exist passively (8)
16 Hits with an open hand (5)
19 Neither liquid nor solid (3)
21 Bring back to consciousness (6)
22 Device which warms (6)
23 Thoroughfare (6)
24 Wrote (6)
DOWN
2 Jeans with a bib and straps (9)
3 Turn of phrase (5)
4 Joy, satisfaction (4)
5 Be of different opinions (8)
6 Elucidate (7)
7 Errand (4)
12 Clock or watch (9)
13 Mournfully resonant, sonorous (8)
14 Coldblooded vertebrate (7)
17 Discover (5)
18 Weapons (4)
20 Sea-going vessel (4)
Crossword
ACROSS
3 American backs man in Arab country (5)
8 Son is engrossed in magazine with cartoons relating to space (6)
9 Speaker is to sponsor a Tory partly (6)
10 A southern island associated with a large land mass (4)
11 A fan of Di Canio, a deviant (10)
12 Bus carrying Polish back from area outside the city (6)
13 Nun, one I’d upset making suggestive comment (8)
16 Crooked general poisoned senior citizen (3-3,9)
18 Dicky learned about very fragrant plant (8)
21 The wife is to lament you and I being absent (6)
23 Ownership of property (10)
25 I had emptied lorry in a lazy manner (4)
26 Trisha could be a goddess (6)
27 Acquiring English silver, ran for president (6)
28 Poem, say, set in cathedral city (5)
DOWN
1 Island providing no hush unfortunately (6)
2 Flawless description of Jesus’s conception (10)
3 Game starts to stir Chelsea mob (8)
4 The exact thing (8,7)
5 Idea is unacceptable, one accepted (6)
6 Pub by new farm building (4)
7 Did origami and went bankrupt (6)
12 Head of school’s to intimidate student with threatening look (5)
14 Self-centred social tiger almost comes a cropper (10)
15 Head off from dance with Iris (5)
17 Theological college gives tutorial at start of year (8)
19 Stir up a riot, chiefly by river (6)
20 Lust for some French passion (6)
22 A French boy goes round old dump (6)
24 Chris finally had a meal to satisfy appetite fully (4)
Blueberry Cinnamon Swirls Treat the family to a luxurious Christmas breakfast
Preparation time: 30 mins
Cooking time: 25 mins plus proving time
Makes: 9
Ingredients
For the dough
420g Strong white flour, plus extra for dusting
4 tbsp caster sugar
Method
Dough: Pour the milk and 100ml water into a saucepan with the butter. Heat gently until the butter is melted. Leave to cool until it's lukewarm.
Place the flour, sugar, and yeast into a bowl (or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook). Make a well in the centre. Pour the milky mixture into the well. Either mix with your hands or in the mixer on the slow setting with
2 tsp Dried fast-action yeast
100ml Milk
40g Butter, plus extra for greasing
Oil, for greasing.
For the filling
150g Blueberries, halved.
Zest of an orange
1 tsp ground cinnamon
the dough hook. ‘Knead’ for about 5 minutes, or until a smooth dough has formed.
Oil a large bowl and place the dough inside. Cover with cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for about 2 hours. When the dough has doubled in size, place on a lightly floured surface and knead for a second time by hand for a few minutes. Butter a 23cm/9in round springform tin.
Roll the dough out to a rectangle. Scatter the orange
Nutmeg
4 tbsp brown sugar
To finish
1 Beaten egg
70g Icing sugar.
1–2 tbsp lemon juice or water
Fresh whole blueberries, to decorate.
zest, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar over the dough, then top with the blueberries. Strating from the long side, roll up the dough as though you were making a Swiss roll. Slice into 9 swirls using a sharp knife. Place the swirls gently into the buttered tin, eight around the edge and one in the middle, cut-side up.
Brush with oil, cover with clingfilm and place in a warm place to rise for about 30 minutes this time, or until doubled in size again.
Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
Brush the top of the buns with beaten egg and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden-brown and cooked through. Place on a wire rack to cool.
Mix the icing sugar and lemon juice in a bowl until the consistency is suitable for drizzling. Drizzle over the swirls. Scatter over the fresh blueberries and enjoy.
Colchester skyline sparkles with St Nicholas Square 25m Christmas Wheel
After a summer of success and praise from local businesses, Colchester’s new St Nicholas Square is once again at the heart of celebrations. This time for Christmas.
The £1.6million space – which opened in July - will host a spectacular 25-metre Observation Wheel, giving residents and visitors a unique chance to see the city from the rooftops and enjoy views of Colchester’s festive lights.
Organised by Colchester Events with support from local businesses, the wheel will make its debut during the Christmas Light SwitchOn weekend on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November, adding an extra sparkle to the celebrations. It will return from Tuesday 2nd December, running daily from 11am to 8pm, and will stay in place for most of December.
Tickets are available at the booth on the day: £5 for adults, £4 for children, or £15 for a family.
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “We knew our new St Nicholas Square could be used creatively, for music, and gatherings across the year, and this Christmas Wheel is the perfect example.
“St Nicholas Square was a huge success in the summer. It was a joy to see residents and visitors sharing good times in a great setting. It is just one example of the renewal and regeneration underway, with more to come.”
Alongside the Observation Wheel, the Christmas Light Switch-On will feature live music, street entertainment, and festive markets across the city centre, creating a magical atmosphere for families and visitors. The event marks the start of Colchester’s Christmas celebrations, with activities and attractions designed to bring people together and support local businesses.
Vincent Geaves, manager at Our Colchester BID, said the Switch-
On is designed to bring the community together: " Christmas
Colchester is about bringing people together to experience the joy of the season. The Observation Wheel is a fantastic addition that will make this year’s celebrations even more special.
“We encourage everyone to come out, support local businesses, and be part of this wonderful occasion.”
in
Word Search
Can you find all of the horror films hidden in the grid?
Advent Angel Bauble Bethlehem Birth Candle Candy Canes Carollers Celebrate Cheer
Cheesy songs Chestnuts Chimney December Elf Fairy lights Festive Gifts Glitter Holly Ivy Jolly Nativity Reindeer Santa Tinsel Tree Wise men Yuletide
Crossword
puzzle solutions:
Solution to November Crossword
ACROSS
3 Sudan. 8 cosmic. 9 orator. 10 Asia.
11 aficionado. 12 suburb. 13 innuendo.
16 old-age pensioner. 18 lavender. 21 missus.
23 possession. 25 idly. 26 Ishtar. 27 Reagan.
28 elegy.
DOWN
1 Honshu. 2 immaculate. 3 scrabble.
4 definite article. 5 notion. 6 barn. 7 folded.
12 scowl. 14 egoistical. 15 orris. 17 seminary.
19 arouse. 20 desire. 22 unload. 24 sate.
ACROSS
1 They work on cars doing better than the experts? (5,7)
9 Song about region largely in US state (7)
10 Left in charge of first of obituary columns (7)
11 Vegetable served with one bird or another (7)
12 Cloth acceptable for Native American (7)
13 Decorative work produces popular song (5)
14 Runs into a very sad, crushed opponent (9)
16 Female gave a kiss when nagged (9)
19 Make secure by holding drink back (5)
21 Achieves destruction of satanist without leader (7)
23 A canoe comes to grief around island in Pacific area (7)
24 Reconstruct buried ruins round lake (7)
25 Send a daughter clothing (7)
26 Don’t heighten problem of acceptable behaviour (3,4,5)
DOWN
2 Girl from Ayr initially going to great trouble (7)
3 Frugality shown by company in management of money (7)
4 Moorish sailor’s card game (9)
5 Like little picture of jelly? (5)
6 Nobleman, one with the Queen previously (7)
7 Philosopher from Australia found in Spain perhaps (7)
8 A long time finding Eeyore’s age? (7,5)
9 Building designed for performances, or part of one (12)
15 Recording of top diva performing around eastern Spain (9)
17 After stick-up I will get time – it’s nothing (3,1,3)
18 Not entirely bothered if I certify large building (7)
19 Adaptation of the Bard shows broadness (7)
20 One abandons new internal source of light (7)
22 Unsociable sort is unhappy at party (5)
Fly-tipping campaign launched after 1.65 tonnes cleared from A12
Colchester City Council cleared 1.65 tonnes of waste from the A12 over three nights, beginning 27 October. The council made use of overnight road closures, enabling them to safely work at the roadside to collect a large amount of fly-tipped waste and littering.
Street Care and Safety operatives began with lay-bys that the council are responsible for, moving onto the four-mile stretch of A12 between Junction 28 and 26, London bound, for the remaining two nights. The fly-tipped waste consisted of old tyres, plastic bottles, paper and cardboard and
old signage, adding up to the same weight as a large family car!
This effort complements Keep Britain Tidy’s “Fight Fly-Tipping Fortnight” – a new campaign aiming to crack down on rogue, unlicenced, operators and help locals protect themselves and their community from fly tipping crimes.
Fly-tipping costs councils across England millions of pounds every year in clean-up costs, draining money that could otherwise be spent on essential local services. In Colchester, the council cleared up a total of 4,332 incidents in the
past year, costing the council, and therefore local taxpayers, over £85,000.
The campaign asks residents to do their best to protect themselves and their communities from criminal waste operators. It aims to shine a spotlight on criminal operators, who lure people in with cheap deals, only to illegally dump household waste on streets, fields and public spaces. Households can take a few steps to ensure their waste is disposed of properly: ask for a waste carrier registration number, check it on the Environment Agency’s public register here (or call 0300 065 3000) and check you’ll get a receipt.
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: “Fly-tipping has an impact on all of us and is a deep source of frustration. Not only is it a blight on our local environment, it costs taxpayers thousands in clear up costs. This is money that could be spent on other important services.
“Our teams work hard to tackle fly-tipping and littering, and they do a fantastic job, but we need our community’s help to stop it at
the source. We’re asking people to check who they pay to take rubbish away. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is, and sadly it’s our residents and communities who ultimately pay the price.”
Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight will run from 10-23 November 2025, with local authorities across the country joining forces with Keep Britain Tidy to highlight the scale and impact of fly-tipping, educate residents on how to protect themselves and their communities.
Residents are also welcome to join local litter picking events with Colchester’s Litter Warriors - a council-supported initiative that enables residents to help maintain a clean and green city by litter picking in their local areas. More than 600 Litter Warriors are already making a difference, and anyone interested in joining can register by emailing community.volunteers@ colchester.gov.uk. Volunteers receive a litter picking kit and guidance on how to get involved.
For more information on fly-tipping regulations and how to report incidents, visit: www.colchester.gov.uk/fly-tipping.
Sudoku
How to play Sudoku It’s simple!
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.
You don’t need to be a genius. These puzzles use logic alone. Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.
Unwind and Cast Away at Holiday Park
Nestled in the Essex countryside and overlooking a setting for rest and relaxation.
It’s the perfect balance of a peaceful retreat while still being close to the vibrant coast and the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea.
Beyond its location, the park has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where holiday home owners enjoy a strong community spirit. With a programme of owners-only events throughout the season, there’s always something to get involved in.
Oaklands combines peace and convenience, with just enough facilities to make every visit enjoyable. Spend time fishing for Carp, Tench and Roach on the lake, or unwind with family and friends at The Forester’s Tavern, the welcoming hub of the park.
Heart of Greenstead project moves forward – major benefits for local community
Colchester City Council is celebrating a major milestone in the Heart of Greenstead project, following the Planning Committee’s decision to grant planning permission for the transformational scheme. This marks a significant step forward in delivering a modern, welcoming space for residents and creating a hub that brings essential services together under one roof.
The Heart of Greenstead project, supported by Town Deal funding awarded to Colchester in 2022, will bring essential services together, making them easier to access and more integrated. The full transformation aims to create a multi-use hub that supports health, wellbeing, education, housing and opportunities for local businesses and community organisations.
This investment is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about improving quality of life for Greenstead residents. By bringing services together in one place, the project will make it easier for people to access health care, housing support, childcare and community activities. Creating a modern, welcoming hub will help reduce barriers to essential services, support mental health and wellbeing, and foster stronger community connections.
As part of the vision, the Greenstead Community Centre would be refurbished and extended to create a modern, inclusive space for residents. The existing Greenstead Library building would be repurposed to provide a new home for Little Explorer’s Nursery alongside
activity space for the HCRG Care Group. Meanwhile, library services and housing support would move into the newly extended and reconfigured community centre, ensuring that essential services are brought together under one roof for easier access and greater integration.
Patients registered at Hawthorn GP Surgery in Greenstead are already benefitting from expansion and renovation work completed earlier this year, which saw the practice almost double its space and create a much more welcoming environment.
An artist’s impression has been released to give residents a sense of what the future could look like. While the design will continue to evolve as detailed planning and costings progress, planning
permission means the project can now move forward. The next stage will be the proposed award of the main contract for works, which remains subject to approval at Scrutiny and Cabinet.
Cllr Mark Cory, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Assets at Colchester City Council, said: “Securing planning permission is a huge step forward for Greenstead. This project will create a connected, inclusive hub that brings vital services together and makes them easier to access for everyone. It’s a fantastic example of how investment can make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Residents will have opportunities to share feedback and ideas during future engagement rounds as plans develop.
Colchester City Council welcomes new national housing programme to tackle local affordable housing needs
Colchester City Council has welcomed the Government’s launch of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP), a £39 billion national initiative that will support the delivery of affordable housing over the next decade. The programme is a vital opportunity to address the growing demand for affordable homes in Colchester and across the country.
The SAHP, announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), aims to deliver 300,000 affordable homes nationally between 2026 and 2036, with at least 60 per cent designated for social rent. It provides long-term
funding certainty for councils and housing providers, enabling them to plan and deliver ambitious housing projects.
Councillor Julie Young, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing at Colchester City Council, said: “Colchester is a growing city with a pressing need for more affordable homes. Too many families are struggling to find secure, goodquality housing that meets their needs. This new programme gives us the tools to change that.
“We’re particularly encouraged by the support for council-led development, including the
flexibility to combine Right to Buy receipts with SAHP funding and the new portfolio bidding route, which will help us deliver larger, more strategic housing schemes.”
Colchester City Council is actively reviewing the programme’s prospectus and preparing proposals that reflect local priorities. These include:
Increasing the supply of social housing for families and individuals on the housing register.
Delivering energy-efficient, sustainable housing that supports the city’s climate goals.
Expanding supported and community-led housing to meet the needs of vulnerable residents.
Strengthening the availability of temporary accommodation through the upcoming fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF).
“We are determined to make the most of this opportunity to build homes that are not only affordable but also high-quality and futureproof,” added Councillor Young. “This programme could be a turning point for Colchester – helping us to meet local housing needs, reduce homelessness, and create thriving communities.”
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