Simply Brightlingsea Issue 106

Issue 105

2

Crematorium’s carol service brought community together for remembrance moving World War 1, Christmas Letter.

Councillor Jocelyn Law then shared a message on The Gift of Love, before Jenny Humphreys returned to deliver a heartfelt message of remembrance and hope.

Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium hosted its annual Carol Service on 10 December, where it welcomed residents for a peaceful afternoon of reflection and remembrance.

The chapel reached full capacity, people of all ages came together.

Russell Gadsby opened the service with a warm welcome and opening

words, setting a peaceful tone for the afternoon’s proceedings. Jenny Humphreys shared the Christmas story The Birth of Jesus, which was followed by a beautiful moment as Susi Long and Helen Robertson led the lighting of the candles. The atmosphere of reflection continued with Jenny Edwards from Coffin Club Colchester, who shared Michael Morpurgo’s

A particularly touching part of the service was the time of reflection, which invited those present to hang memorial tags and light candles in memory of loved ones. After a reading of Signs by Saul Hunnaball, the mood turned celebratory with a community rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas led by Graham Long, before Lee Copping brought the service to a peaceful conclusion.

The service raised £100 for Coffin Club Colchester to support their work with end-of-life celebrations and education.

said: “I found the service both moving and uplifting; it provided a vital moment of stillness and shared remembrance for our community at a busy time of year. It is heartening to see so many residents come together in unity and peace. I am grateful to those who helped organise this well-attended event, there were tears but also laughter, as loved ones were remembered whilst the Christmas spirit was also celebrated. The dignity of this setting truly facilitates meaningful reflection. We extend our gratitude to all who attended and offered support to one another.”

A video of the carol service is available to view until 12 January 2026. Please visit https://watch.obitus.com and enter the login details provided below to access the video: Username: hivo7105

Councillor Jocelyn Law, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Public Protection,

Password: 551937

Help us shape Colchester’s future support for people facing homelessness and rough sleeping As winter approaches, Colchester City Council is increasing support for those most at risk of homelessness and rough sleeping. This includes emergency shelter through the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which ensures no one has to remain on the streets during periods of extreme cold. Residents can play a vital role by letting us know if they see someone sleeping rough via http:// www.thestreetlink.org.uk/, so help can be offered quickly.

we can best support people rough sleeping, or facing homelessness, in Colchester.

Emergency measures are only part of the picture. We want to work with communities to create a future where homelessness is prevented wherever possible, and support is available for anyone who needs it. That’s why we’re asking you to share your views on how

Your feedback will help shape practical solutions, from emergency accommodation and advice services to long-term access to affordable housing. Together, we can make sure Colchester remains a city where everyone has a safe place to call home.

The current plan for tackling homelessness is coming to an end, and we’re developing a new approach for the years ahead. We’ve spoken to local organisations who work with people at risk, and now we want to hear from residents – especially those with lived experience – to make sure our priorities reflect real needs.

Issue 114

Cllr Julie Young, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for housing, said: “Homelessness can happen to anyone, and it’s something we all have a role in preventing. We want to hear from residents about what matters most – because the best solutions come from working together as a community.

Please take a few minutes to share your views and help us make a real difference.”

How to Get Involved Fill in our short consultation form by midnight on Wednesday, 21 January and tell us what you think. Every response matters.

Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy Review - Public Consultation

If you see someone sleeping rough during severe weather, please report it via www.thestreetlink.org.uk or find out more about council outreach services here: www.cbhomes.org.uk/ your-neighbourhood/rough-sleeping.

To Advertise in Simply Magazine: 01206 233717 F any information or to submit an article or advert contact David Cook: For Call: C 01206 233717 Out Of Office: O 07734 171985 EEmail: SimplyColchester@gmail.com Head Office: H Simply Magazine, 1 George Williams Way, Colchester, Essex CO1 2JS

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Simply Magazine assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by such individual, event organizers or organization without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Simply Magazine. Therefore, Simply Magazine carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Any form of reproduction of any content without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. For information on advertising or submitting a article please email David Cook at: Simplycolchester@gmail.com or call 01206 233717 / 07734 171985

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A Good Read

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion At its heart, The Year of Magical Thinking is a meditation on grief, memory, and the fragile architecture of the human mind in the aftermath of loss.

With her signature precision and emotional restraint, Didion transforms personal tragedy - the sudden death of her husband, writer John Gregory Dunne, and the simultaneous illness of their daughter - into a story that feels both intimate and universal.

The book unfolds like a quiet conversation with grief itself.

Didion’s prose is both razor-sharp and hauntingly lyrical, as she dissects the disorienting rituals and irrational hopes that accompany mourning. She explores the ‘magical thinking’ of the title: the belief that reason can bend reality, that her husband might return if she just keeps his shoes, that death could somehow be undone through sheer will. In revealing these private delusions, Didion captures what it means to be human when the world no longer makes sense.

What makes The Year of Magical Thinking so wonderful is its balance between intellect and vulnerability. Didion writes with journalistic clarity but never denies the wild, ungovernable emotions beneath the surface. The result is a book that feels at once deeply cerebral and heartbreakingly raw.

It’s more than a memoir of loss; it’s a guide to survival through words - a reminder that writing can be both an act of mourning and a way back to life. The Year of Magical Thinking is essential reading: brave, devastating, and profoundly beautiful.

Junction by Nathan Jurevicius This graphic novel reads like a modern fable about new beginnings, identity, transformation, and the ties that bind us across generations. Set in a fantastical world filled with surreal creatures and intricate landscapes, the story follows a young boy chosen to undergo a sacred ritual - the ‘Face Changing Ceremony’ - that will alter his identity and connect him to the lineage of his people. The fantastical story unfolds with quiet emotional power, rendered through Jurevicius’s characteristic blend of whimsical illustration and mythic storytelling.

Every page of Junction is a work of art. The illustrations are rich with detail and evoke the imaginative depth of folklore while maintaining a contemporary style. Jurevicius is best known for his Scarygirl universe, and here he similarly uses visual symbolism rather than exposition to explore themes of family expectation, self-discovery, and the bittersweet process of change.

The narrative is sparse, allowing the images to tell the story.

There’s a sense of both wonder and melancholy in the boy’s journey - an understanding that transformation is both a loss and a renewal. Junction invites readers to pause, to look closely, and to feel rather than merely follow the plot.

Jurevicius offers a vision on what it means to grow into oneself while honouring the stories that came before. It’s poetic, a little strange, and visually stunning, Junction is a little masterpiece of graphic storytelling.

By Tash Donovan

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Upgraded CCTV installed to support residents and businesses

Crossword

where the new cameras will no doubt help. It’s reassuring to see this kind of investment in public safety, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have.”

Colchester City Council has installed a new advanced CCTV camera on North Station Road, funded through the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s (PFCC) Safer Streets programme.

This installation follows the £20,500 funding we received earlier this year, which supported the purchase of a quad-head camera unit. With pan-tilt-zoom capability, a 270-degree field of view, and 250 metres of 4K night vision, the camera will help enhance visibility and support our ongoing work to create a safer, more welcoming city for everyone.

The new camera joins several others already in place on North Station Road. Installed by our partners Colchester Amphora and Colchester Fibre, the network of cameras helps us, and our partners, respond to anything from flytipping and traffic concerns to behaviour that affects community wellbeing.

The CO1 North Residents Association, said: “We fully support and welcome the third CCTV installation here on North Station Road. It covers an area currently missed by cameras, so will give businesses and residents extra peace of mind.

“We were very pleased to meet with the council recently and hear about their multi-agency approach to community safety in the city,

Mr and Mrs Taylor, who run The Victoria Inn, said: “We’re really pleased the Victoria Inn was chosen to host one of the new cameras.

Seeing the council investing in safety and working with local businesses to improve safety and wellbeing in Colchester is comforting, and we’re sure it will be for those who enjoy the nighttime economy, too.”

Cllr David King, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, said: “We’re committed to making Colchester safer for everyone who lives, works and visits here.

“This new camera is part of the action we promised residents: helping to improve behaviour, support enforcement, and build confidence in our public spaces.

“I’m grateful for the continued support from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, and look forward to working closely with our partners to keep the city safe.”

Several other projects and initiatives continue to be delivered in conjunction with the various partners in the Colchester Community Safety Partnership (CSP), including Essex Police.

If you experience any antisocial behaviour, it’s important that you report it - you can report online here or contact the Police on 999 for emergencies, or 101 for nonemergencies.

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Top prize (7) 5 All the animals (5) 8 Man made lake (9) 9 Bulgarian currency (3) 10 Doubtful, dubious (7) 13 Organic compound (5) 16 Narrow-bladed sword (6) 17 Elegant sight hound (6) 18 Hemispherical top (5) 21 Directive, communication (7) 24 Forty winks (3) 25 Counterfeit, unoriginal (9) 26 Vacant (5) 27 The most high in stature (7)

1 Knowledge of law (13) 2 Prices (5) 3 Money bag (5) 4 Rainbow or brown _____ (5) 5 Blacksmith's workshop (5) 6 Dark (5) 7 Persuasive promotion or notice (13) 11 Heyday (5) 12 Keep in check (4) 14 Goes off in a huff (5) 15 Small area of land surround by sea (4) 19 Clean a liquid spillage (3,2) 20 Flower or girl's name (5) 21 Damp (5) 22 Woollen wrap (5) 23 Not dead (5)

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Crossword

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Extreme enmity could result in death, right? (6)

2 A Romanian initially picked up slang (5)

5 Some card games for masseur (6)

3 Remember to assemble again (9)

9 Wise men, first to control wizardry (5)

4 A number of years said to be rotten (7)

10 Foolish conceit around university is to count

5 Limits speeches when leader’s absent (7)

for nothing (3,2,3)

6 Promote footwear round the south (5)

12 To agree entirely (7)

7 A Chilean dish chiefly – wrong, a Mexican one (9)

13 Team not batting is in the field perhaps (7)

8 End of scene still is lacking feeling (11)

14 Love left to perish in formerly popular song (5)

11 Peer’s ordered Russian vehicle with Soviet

16 To run down daughter is standard, given

reconstruction (11)

time (9)

15 Fish and port only (5,4)

18 I cut Elvis out of book (9)

17 Heights situated haphazardly around lake (9)

21 Raise glasses to a good man (5)

19 Brief thus tucked into Indian meal (7)

22 Second entreaty for something to water

20 She’s old, crazy and drunk (7)

plants with (7)

23 Lout gives exclamation of joy (5)

24 Rain too affected Canadian province (7)

25 Only some admire evergreen old magistrate (5)

26 Ring back twice to scoff (4-4) 27 Rex comes in to decorate? Rubbish! (5)

28 Crime only punished after fellow takes Ecstasy (6)

29 Sidle off around start of presentation and drive away (6)

puzzle solutions:

Solution to December Quick Crossword

Solution to December Sudoku

Solution to December Word Search

Solution to December Crossword

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Ginger Peanut Chicken Tasty and moreish Preparation time: 20 mins + soaking and marinating time Cooking time: 50 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients Ginger chicken 500g chicken, cut into small

bite-sized chunks Thum-sized piece of ginger, grated 3 spring onion, thinly sliced Zest and juice of 1-2 limes 2 tbsps brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

50g chopped roasted peanuts (dry roasted are great) 20g coriander Pak choi Coconut Rice 250-30g Jasmine rice 1 tin coconut milk

Method

thicker than water, so without washing, the rice will be gluey.

Then let the rice soak for an hour.

the base of the pot. After 40 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and leave to rest for 15 minutes so the remaining moisture canl be absorbed and the rice will become fluffy.

In an oven-proof dish (either non-metallic or stainless steel), mix the chicken with the ginger, half the spring onions, lime zest, brown sugar, salt, and oil. Marinate for 2 hours.

For fluffy coconut rice Wash the rice until the water is quite clear, to remove the starch. This is important because coconut milk is

Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 180°C fan / Gas 4. In a large oven proof saucepan combine the can of coconut milk with a can of water and bring the mixture to the boil. Then add the rice. Cover with foil and bake, for 40 minutes.

Oven-cooking allows the rice to steam without scorching

chicken too much, to allow it to develop a caramelised surface.

The ginger chicken

When all the chicken is cooked and caramelised, reduce the heat slightly and add the peanuts and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.

Heat a large frying pan or wok if you have one, to mediumhigh heat. Add the marinated chicken to the pan (split it into 2-3 batches depending on the size of your wok). Don't stir the

Add the coriander, the remainder of the spring onions, and the pak choi. Squeeze lime juice into the pan and season with more salt and pepper as needed.

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Seven new family homes ready for local residents in need Colchester City Council has secured seven three-bedroom homes off Berechurch Hall Road, transforming properties originally intended for private sale into affordable housing for local families in need.

to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder. Our goal is to make housing more accessible for local people who might otherwise struggle to find a safe, secure place to live.

These homes will be allocated to households currently in urgent need of housing – offering the stability and security of a permanent home.

Each property will be let at an affordable rent, capped at the Local Housing Allowance (LHA), ensuring they remain accessible to those who need them most.

Currently, around 2,500 households are on the waiting list for an affordable rented home, and more than 450 households are in temporary accommodation.

While seven homes won’t solve the housing crisis overnight, every step counts - and this development will make a real difference for our community.

This initiative is part of our wider commitment to deliver 290 additional affordable rented homes by 2030, helping to tackle the housing shortage and provide high-quality, energy-efficient homes for local families.

We also work with local developers and housing providers to deliver other forms of affordable housing, including properties for rent at below-market rates and homes for sale at a discount – often designed

Councillor Julie Young, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “These homes will make a huge difference to families who need them most, and it shows our determination to keep Colchester a place where everyone belongs. The housing crisis is real, but small steps like this add up and help us move forward.”

Working closely with Colchester Borough Homes, we have a

Photo, L to R: Mayoress Lyn Barton, Cllr Mick Spindler, Cllr Claire Osborne, Cllr Julie Young and Cllr Sam McCarthy. Photo: CCC

strong track record of delivering affordable homes. Recent developments at Silver Band Close, Veronica Walk, and Hedge Drive, provided 23 homes, including houses, bungalows, maisonettes, and flats.

As part of our ongoing commitment, we are currently consulting on plans for an affordable housing development on Military Road. The proposal aims to deliver 28 affordable homes, including family houses, wheelchair-accessible properties, and one- and two-bedroom homes. We invite residents to have

their say and help shape the design and community features of this development.

Find out more and take part in the consultation here: 72–86 Military Road Affordable Housing Development By working with developers, utilising council land, acquiring properties from the open market and acting decisively, we are turning challenges into opportunities and delivering on our promise to make sure everyone in Colchester has a place to call home.

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Word Search

Bin collections continue despite Can you find all of the Roman Gods hidden in the grid? winter weather Our recycling and waste teams will still be out collecting your bags and bins as normal despite the recent snow and icy conditions. Residents should put their bins and recycling containers out on their usual collection day. Our crews will make every effort to reach all scheduled streets, but some areas may remain too icy for our 26-tonne collection vehicles to access safely.

If crews cannot reach a road safely, they will record it and return the following day if conditions allow. If bins are missed, residents should leave them out so they can be collected as soon as it becomes possible for crews to return. There is no need to report a missed collection, as all inaccessible roads will already be logged by our waste team.

Abundantia Acca Larentia Aequitas Apollo Aura Bacchus Bellona Caelus

Jupiter Mars Mercury Minerva Neptune Pluto Venus Vulcan

Ceres Cupid Cybele Diana Faunus Fortuna Janus Juno

Crossword

Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: “Our collections crews will be braving the cold and doing their best to make all scheduled collections, but we have to have their safety, and the safety of others, in mind, so some missed bins might be expected. To help things run as smoothly as possible,

we’re asking residents to leave their bins where they can catch the sun and thaw a little, and to wipe around the lid or rim so they don’t freeze shut. Keeping containers dry and closing the lid properly also makes a real difference for crews working in tricky conditions.

“Teams will be out throughout the day keeping an eye on routes, checking where access is safe, and making adjustments as needed to make sure both crews and residents are kept safe.”

Residents should continue to recycle at home and put their bins out on their normal collection day.

You can check what you can recycle on our website.

Our bulky waste collections are continuing where it is safe for crews to do so, and we will contact residents directly if we are unable to collect as planned. Garden waste collections remain paused following the Christmas break and will resume on 12 January.

We will continue to share further updates on our website if necessary.

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Posh sort needs place to shoot in New Orleans

2 Politician is mostly reliable, if eccentric (7)

(6,6)

3 Go in van, moving around French city (7)

9 Have means to live, needing loans first (7)

4 European wandered around street when

10 Composer from this country given a hearing (7)

alienated (9)

11 Terrace of museum sheltering the Queen (7)

5 He’s top of the order (5)

12 Empress from Amritsar in Asia (7)

6 Pull a face as Bill is covered in dirt (7)

13 Performing only new material (5)

7 Tries an exotic wine (7)

14 Where people are late for party in good

8 Old Peruvian ancestry is brilliant (12)

measure (9)

9 Triple score with three sixes – it’s a record (7-5)

16 Past agreement affected trade at start of

15 Jack mistreated my Sally dreadfully (9)

year (9)

17 Row over university student with a blade (7)

19 One party then another beginning to search

18 One turfs out English champion (7)

for extinct birds (5)

19 Get rid of Diana’s attitude (7)

21 I chat endlessly with Scotsman from Naples

20 Be boring about old soldier (7)

perhaps (7)

22 Music group turning joint upside down (5)

23 Mother’s wise to get this treatment (7)

24 Shout about working in US city (7) 25 Sentry shows concern (7) 26 Article by attractive woman makes a considerable sum (1,6,5)

11

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Colchester in 2025: some of the highlights!

From restored heritage and improved routes to a livelier city centre and practical support for wellbeing and housing, 2025 brought changes residents could see and feel. These highlights reflect our Strategic Plan – A City Fit for the Future – focused on places people enjoy, services that work, and investment that benefits daily life.

Making the spaces we share special St Nicholas Square reopened after a £1.6 million transformation – cafés spilling onto the street, live music, and a welcoming space for families and friends to catch up.

A short walk away, the Digital Forum reached topping-out: a £6.25 million hub for creatives and tech entrepreneurs with affordable studios, co-working and 10Gbps connectivity – in the heart of the city.

The Moot Hall ceiling, part of our Grade I Town Hall, was fully restored and now looks fabulous.

We also reopened the Middle Mill footbridge in September, restoring a vital pedestrian and cycling link across the river – especially welcome for residents and visitors who faced lengthy diversions.

Heritage restored The Natural History Museum reopened after a year-long closure. Work is starting on the Jumbo Water Tower restoration – supported by the city council – with £8 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a £550,000 grant from Historic England, so we can look forward to this once-at-risk landmark becoming a great public heritage experience in the years ahead.

Keeping Colchester active and well We widened health and wellbeing offers you can access locally.

Leisure World’s community outreach brought free multi-sports for children and gentle, inclusive activity for over-65s into Greenstead, reducing barriers of cost, confidence and transport.

Residents referred by GPs and social prescribers completed a 12-week Active Wellbeing programme, reporting stronger mobility, weight loss and improved confidence.

We also made active travel easier: a ‘try before you buy’ e-bike and e-cargo bike scheme let people test low-cost, healthy journeys;

a new cycle map and upgraded Cycle Colchester website gave riders clearer routes and practical tips; and a secure cycle shelter at Leisure World supported cycling to and from the site. Walk With Words links St Botolph’s, the Hythe, the University of Essex and Greenstead with simple wayfinding posts and local stories.

A city you can linger in At Northern Gateway, Vue announced a new nine-screen cinema for the Leisure Park. In Lower Castle Park, the Colchester Events Summer Series brought eight major open-air concerts and 65,000 visitors, showcasing Colchester to the wider region.

Local talent was encouraged by our Cultural & Creative Events Fund, which awarded £30,000 to resident-friendly projects across neighbourhood venues, while Colchester Castle earned Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 (top 10% worldwide).

Thousands more enjoyed year-round Colchester Events, alongside programmes from our partners at Firstsite, the Mercury Theatre and Colchester Arts Centre.

Looking after those in need We extended the innovative use of former private student accommodation as temporary housing for those facing homelessness – a more suitable and dignified alternative to hotels/B&Bs – giving families self-contained space with kitchens, laundry facilities and tailored support while they move toward permanent homes.

Looking ahead, we fast-tracked affordable housing at Northern Gateway and made important progress on the Heart of Greenstead project, with planning permission secured and works to begin in 2026.

Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “This was a year of change for the better: a buzzing city centre where people want to spend time, and investment residents can see and feel. From the new St Nicholas Square to our culture, events and concerts, Colchester is a city recommended by many. We are caring for our residents and shaping our future.”

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.

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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.

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14

Colchester’s medieval Natural History Museum secures Art Fund Grant for £5m transformation museum in 1958 and is housed in one of Colchester’s oldest churches – will be completely reimagined.

Alongside the multi-million-pound regeneration of Jumbo, St Botolph’s Priory, and Colchester’s oldest standing building, Holy Trinity Church, our city is stepping into its role as a tourism powerhouse for the East of England – not to mention our award-winning Castle and Castle Park.”

He added: “We’re grateful to Art Fund for their support through the Reimagine programme, which is helping museums and galleries across the UK to innovate and thrive.”

Colchester’s Natural History Museum – a Grade II-listed medieval church building – has taken a major step towards the Wild About Essex £5million transformation after securing £33,770 from Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries.

The funding will support a yearlong collections project that will give the public the opportunity to make their own contribution to the museum's future and get hands-on with the natural history collections.

Colchester’s Natural History Museum is one of 29 UK museums and galleries to receive grants through the latest round of Art Fund’s Reimagine programme, supporting innovative collections

projects in museums and galleries across the UK. Wild About Essex has already received a £296,725 development grant thanks to National Lottery players. This once-in-a-generation opportunity will reimagine the museum as a vibrant, welcoming destination with new exhibitions, dedicated family and school spaces, and an events programme focused on climate, biodiversity, and community engagement.

Cllr Lee Scordis, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Environment, said: “This is wonderful news and the result of years of planning and consultation. We’re confident that by 2030, the Natural History Museum – which opened as a

Launched in 2020 in response to the pandemic, Reimagine was developed with museums to address the sector’s most urgent challenges. This latest round focuses on collections – a cornerstone of Art Fund’s mission and one of the areas of museum practice with the greatest demand for funding. Art Fund’s Museum Directors Survey in 2024 found that 56% of museums cite a lack of funding for collections as a major barrier to essential work such as digitisation, collections reviews and acquisitions.

Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said: “At the core of Art Fund’s purpose is supporting museums to develop, care for and share the

collections that enrich people’s lives. I'm delighted we've been able to support Colchester’s Natural History Museum through our final round of Reimagine funding, enabling museums to explore their collections, connect with communities and ensure that works of art, objects and their stories are shared and preserved for future generations.”

The transformation of the Natural History Museum is part of Colchester’s wider city centre regeneration vision. With more than 15 major projects underway – including the revitalisation of St Botolph’s Quarter, the new Digital Forum, and the restoration of Jumbo water tower – Colchester is on track to look dramatically different by 2030. Together, these projects are unlocking millions in public and private investment, expanding the city’s cultural and tourism offer, and creating a centre that’s more vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready.

Art Fund’s Reimagine grants have been made possible thanks to support from The Kirby Laing Foundation, Art Fund members and supporters of Art Fund's Expanding Horizons appeal.

Discover more about Colchester’s transformation, visit: www. colchester.gov.uk/citycentre.

Colchester Castle to undergo urgent roof repairs with £1.3 million funding boost administered by Arts Council England, with additional financial support from Colchester City Council.

Following the official appointment of PAYE as the lead contractor, works are scheduled to start on site in January 2026 and will continue until August 2026. The project will address long-standing damp issues and repair stonework on the Castle’s northwest tower, helping to preserve the historic building for future generations. As part of the essential works, the walls of the Castle will also be repointed and restored where necessary to further protect and enhance the historic structure.

Colchester Museums is set to begin essential roof repairs at Colchester Castle, thanks to a £1,293,625 grant from the Museums Estate

and Development Fund (MEND).

This fund is provided by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and

The project is being delivered in partnership with Historic England, whose expert guidance is ensuring

that all repairs are sensitive to the Castle’s historic fabric. Architects are currently working with Historic England to secure all necessary approvals.

The fencing currently surrounding Colchester Castle will remain in place throughout the works, but there will be no hoarding. The Castle itself will remain open to visitors, ensuring continued public access and engagement during the project.

Councillor Lee Scordis, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Environment, said: “This funding is a vital investment in one of Colchester’s most treasured landmarks. The repairs will not only protect the Castle’s historic fabric but also improve sustainability and ensure it remains a welcoming space for all.”

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