Colchester
Colchester town centre.
Colchester shown within Essex
Population	104,390 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	TL997254
District	Colchester
Shire county	Essex
Region	East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	COLCHESTER
Postcode district	CO1 - CO7
Dialling code	01206
Police	Essex
Fire	Essex
Ambulance	East of England
European Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	Colchester
List of places: UK • England • Essex

Coordinates: 51°53′30″N 0°54′11″E / 51.8917, 0.903

Colchester (pronunciation (help·info) /ˈkəʊltʃɛstə/^[1]) is a town, and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester, in Essex, England. Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology This is a list of the largest cities and towns of England ordered by population. A nationwide Census, commonly known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday 29 April 2001 The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using Latitude and Longitude The districts of England are a level of subnational division of England used for the purposes of local government Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties are one of the four levels of Subdivisions of England used for the purposes of Local government outside Greater London Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common The region, also known as the government office region, is currently the highest tier of local government sub-national entity of England, with only one The East of England is one of the nine official Regions of England. Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland This list of sovereign states, alphabetically arranged gives an overview of States around the world with information on the extent of their Sovereignty. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A post town is a required part of all postal addresses in the United Kingdom, and a basic unit of the postal delivery system UK Postal codes are known as postcodes. UK postcodes are Alphanumeric. The, also known as the Colchester postcode area, is a group of postal districts around Bures, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, Frinton-on-Sea The UK Telephone numbering plan, also known as the National Telephone Numbering Plan, is the system used for assigning Telephone numbers in the United There are a number of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom. Essex Police is a Home Office (territorial police force with responsibility for policing the County of Essex in the East of England. The fire service in the United Kingdom operates under separate legislative and administrative arrangements in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS is the Statutory FRS (fire and rescue service for the county of Essex in the southeast of England and is The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust is the authority responsible for providing NHS Ambulance services in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, East of England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. This is a list of the 646 constituencies currently represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, as at the 2005 general election Colchester is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. A Gazetteer of place names in the United Kingdom showing each place's County, Unitary authority or council area and its geographical coordinates List of places --> List of cities in the United Kingdom List of towns in England Lists of places This is a list of cities, Towns Villages and other named geographical features in the County of Essex, England. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland

It has a population of 104,390. This is a list of the largest cities and towns of England ordered by population. ^[2] As the oldest recorded Roman town, Colchester claims to be the oldest town in Britain. The Oldest town in Britain is a title claimed by a number of settlements in Great Britain. It also claims to have the United Kingdom's oldest recorded market and was for the Roman capital of England. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Market town or market right is a legal term originating in the Medieval period for a European settlement that has the right to hold Markets

Colchester is 56 miles (90 km) northeast of London. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. It is connected to the capital by the A12 road and the Great Eastern Main Line. The Great Eastern Main Line ( "GE") is a major railway line of the British railway system, which connects Liverpool Street station in the

Contents 1 History 1.1 Roman Colchester 1.2 Sub-Roman and Saxon Colchester 1.3 Medieval Colchester 1.4 Royal charter 1.5 Tudor Colchester “The Dutch Quarter” 1.6 English Civil War “The Siege of Colchester” 1.7 Victorian Colchester 1.8 Colchester Army Garrison 1.9 Colchester Town Watch 1.10 Paxman Diesels 1.11 Recent history 2 Governance 3 Culture 3.1 Museums 3.2 Arts 3.3 Music 3.4 Sports 3.5 Nearby attractions 4 Twin towns 5 Education 5.1 Higher education 5.2 Secondary schools 5.3 Independent (private) schools 6 Transport 7 References in literature 8 Colchester in popular culture 9 Notable Colcestrians 10 See also 11 Footnotes 12 External links

History

Main article: History of Colchester

Roman Colchester

Main article: Camulodunum

Colchester is claimed to be the oldest recorded town in Britain on the grounds that it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder in AD 77. Colchester is a historic town located in Essex, England. It served as the first capital of Roman Britain and makes a claim to be the Oldest town in Camulodunum is the Roman name for the ancient settlement which is today's Colchester, a town in Essex, England. The Oldest town in Britain is a title claimed by a number of settlements in Great Britain. Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author Its Celtic name was Camulodunon, meaning 'the fortress of (the war god) Camulos'. Celts (ˈkɛlts or /ˈsɛlts/, see Names of the Celts In Celtic mythology, Camulus or Camulos was the god of war of the Remi, a Celtic tribe who lived in the area of today's Belgium Following the Roman conquest of Britain in AD 43, a Roman legionary fortress was established and the name Camulodunon was modified to the Roman spelling of 'Camulodunum'. This page refers to the conquest begun in AD 43 For other Roman invasions see Caesar's invasions of Britain and Carausian Revolt. Year 43 was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Camulodunum served as the first Roman capital of Britain, but was attacked and destroyed during Boudica's rebellion in AD 61. Boudica (also spelled Boudicca, formerly known as Boadicea, and known in Welsh culture and legends as "Buddug" (d Year 61 was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Sometime after the destruction, London became the capital of the province of Britannia but it would seem that the council of the provincial natives still met at Colchester, where the Temple to the Divine Claudius served as the seat of this council. Britannia was the term originally used by the Romans to refer first to the British Isles, and later to the island of Great Britain. The Temple of Claudius (Templum Claudii or Temple of the Deified Claudius (Templum Divi Claudii built in Camulodunum ( Roman Colchester) around AD Later, when the Roman frontier moved north (c. AD 49), Camulodunum became a colonia known as Colonia Claudia Victricensis. Year 49 was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. A Roman colonia (plural coloniae) was originally a Roman outpost established in conquered territory to secure it

Sub-Roman and Saxon Colchester

There is evidence of hasty re-organisation of Colchester's defences around 400AD, including the blocking of the Balkerne Gate. Archaeological excavations have shown that public buildings were abandoned, although the 8th-century chronicler Nennius mentioned the town, which he called Caer Colun, in his list of the 30 most important cities in Britain. Nennius, or Nemnivus, is either of two shadowy personages traditionally associated with the history of Wales.

Dr. John Morris (1913 - June 1977) the English historian who specialised in the study of the institutions of the Roman Empire and the history of Sub-Roman Britain, suggested in his book "The Age of Arthur" (1973) that as the descendents of Romanised Britons looked back to a golden age of peace and prosperity under Rome the name "Camelot" of Arthurian legend was probably a reference to the capital of Britannia ( Camulodunum ) in Roman times. John Morris could refer to John Morris (actor, actor most famous for voice roles in the Toy Story films John Morris (composer, film Britannia was the term originally used by the Romans to refer first to the British Isles, and later to the island of Great Britain. Camulodunum is the Roman name for the ancient settlement which is today's Colchester, a town in Essex, England.

The archaeologist Sir Mortimer Wheeler was the first to propose that the lack of early Anglo-Saxon finds in a triangle between London, Colchester and St Albans could indicate a 'sub-Roman triangle' where British rule continued after the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons. For their language see Anglo-Saxon language. Anglo-Saxon is the term usually used to describe the invading Tribes in the south St Albans is the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London. Since then however, excavations have revealed some early Saxon occupation, including a 5th-century wooden hut built on the ruins of a Roman house in present-day Lion Walk. The Saxons called the town Colne ceaster, the Roman fortress of 'Colonia'. The tower of Holy Trinity Church is late Saxon work. Vikings from East Anglia overran Colchester and most of Essex in the late 9th century; the town remained in Viking hands until 920 when it was besieged and recaptured by the army of Edward the Elder. A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas East Anglia is often used as a shorthand for the Kingdom of the East Angles. Edward the Elder ( Old English: Ēadweard se Ieldra) (c 870 &ndash 17 July 924) was King of England (899 &ndash

Medieval Colchester

Medieval Colchester's main landmark is Colchester Castle, which is an 11th century Norman keep, and built atop the vaults of the old Roman temple. Colchester Castle in Colchester, Essex ( is an example of a largely complete Norman Castle, built in the same style as the White Tower of the Fanum At the temples Romans prayed and made Ritual Worship Offerings of a small gift or Animal sacrifices to their Roman There are notable medieval ruins in Colchester, including the surviving gateway of the Benedictine abbey of St. John the Baptist (know locally as "St. Benedictine refers to the Spirituality and Consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in Colchester Abbey: A Benedictine monastery founded by Eudo son of Hubert de Ria seneschal of King William II ( William Rufus) in 1096 John's Abbey”), and the ruins of the Augustinian priory of St. Botolph (known locally as “St. Botolph's Priory"). The Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo (died AD 430) are several Catholic Monastic orders and congregations A priory is a House of men or women under religious vows headed by a Prior or prioress Botolph, Botulph or Botulf (d c 680 was an English Abbot and Saint. St Botolph's Priory, located in Colchester, England was the first English Augustinian priory church founded at the end of the eleventh century from the Anglo-Saxon

Royal charter

In 1189, Colchester was granted its first Royal Charter by King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart. A Royal Charter is a Charter granted by the Sovereign on the advice of the Privy council to legitimize an incorporated body such as a city company Richard I (8 September 1157 &ndash 6 April 1199 was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death ) The charter was granted at Dover with the King about to embark on one of his many journeys away from England. The borough celebrated the 800th anniversary of its charter in 1989 [1].

Tudor Colchester “The Dutch Quarter”

Between 1550 and 1600, a large number of weavers and clothmakers from Flanders emigrated to Colchester and the surrounding areas. Flanders (Vlaanderen Flandre Flandern is a geographical region located in parts of present day Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. They were famed for the production of Bays and Says cloth. An area in Colchester town centre is still known as the Dutch Quarter and many buildings there date from the Tudor period. The Tudor dynasty or House of Tudor was an English royal Dynasty that lasted 118 years from 1485 to 1603 a period known as the Tudor period During this period Colchester was one of the most prosperous wool towns in England. The old Roman wall runs along Northgate Street in the Dutch Quarter.

English Civil War “The Siege of Colchester”

Main article: Siege of Colchester

In 1648, during the Second English Civil War, a Royalist army led by Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle entered the town. The Siege of Colchester occurred in the summer on 1648 when the English Civil War reignited in several areas of Britain The Second English Civil War ( 1648 &ndash 1649) was the second of three wars known as the English Civil War (or Wars) which refers to the Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I during the English Civil War ( 1642 &ndash 1651 Sir Charles Lucas (1613&ndash 28 August 1648) was an English soldier a Royalist commander in the English Civil War. Sir George Lisle (c 1610 - August 29, 1648) was a Royalist leader in the English Civil War. A pursuing Parliamentary army led by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Henry Ireton besieged the town for eleven and a half weeks. " Roundheads " was the Nickname given to the Puritan supporters of Parliament during the English Civil War. Thomas Fairfax 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron (17 January 1612 &ndash 12 November 1671 was a general and parliamentary commander-in-chief during the English Civil War. Henry Ireton ( 1611 - November 26, 1651) was an English general in the army of Parliament during the English Civil War The Royalists surrendered in the late summer and their leaders Lucas and Lisle were executed in the grounds of Colchester Castle. Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I during the English Civil War ( 1642 &ndash 1651 Colchester Castle in Colchester, Essex ( is an example of a largely complete Norman Castle, built in the same style as the White Tower of the A small obelisk marks the spot where they fell.

Victorian Colchester

Colchester is noted for its Victorian architecture. Significant landmarks include the Colchester Town Hall and the Jumbo Water Tower. Jumbo Water Tower is a local name for the Water tower at the Balkerne Gate in Colchester, Essex, England, which was named after the elephant

In 1884 the town was struck by the Colchester earthquake, estimated to have been 4. Year 1884 ( MDCCCLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Earthquake known as the Colchester Earthquake occurred on April 22 1884, and caused considerable damage in Colchester and the surrounding 7 on the Richter Scale causing extensive regional damage. The Richter magnitude scale, or more correctly local magnitude M L scale assigns a single number to quantify the amount of seismic energy released

Colchester Army Garrison

Main article: Colchester Garrison

Colchester has been an important military garrison since the Roman era. See also History of Colchester The Colchester Garrison is a British Army base located in Colchester in the county of Essex. Roman Britain refers to those parts of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between AD 43 and 410 The Colchester Garrison is currently home to 16 Air Assault Brigade. See also History of Colchester The Colchester Garrison is a British Army base located in Colchester in the county of Essex.

Colchester Town Watch

Colchester Town Watch [2] was founded in 2001 to provide a ceremonial guard for the Mayor of Colchester and for civic events such as the Oyster Feast. The Mayor of Colchester sits as non-political chairman of Colchester Borough Council and serves as the civic representative of the borough The historic re-enactors wear a livery based on late Elizabethan dress. "Reenactment" redirects here For the 1968 Romanian film see The Reenactment. Colchester Town Watch is accompanied by the musicians of the Colchester Town Waits [3] - a musical tradition dating back to the 14th century.

Paxman Diesels

The Paxman diesels business has been associated with Colchester since 1865 when James Noah Paxman founded a partnership with the brothers Henry and Charles Davey ('Davey, Paxman, and Davey') and opened the Standard Ironworks. Paxman is a major British brand of Diesel engines Ownership has varied greatly since the company's formation in 1865 the brand is now owned by MAN AG, Year 1865 ( MDCCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year In 1925 Paxman produced its first spring injection oil engine and joined the English Electric Diesel Group in 1966 - later becoming part of the GEC Group. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Since the 1930s the Paxman company's main business has been the production of diesel engines.

Recent history

The £22. 7m eight-mile A120 Colchester Eastern Bypass opened in June 1982. The A120 is an important Trunk road in southern England. It follows the course of Stane Street, a Roman road from Standon Hertfordshire

Colchester and the surrounding area is currently undergoing significant regeneration - http://www.colchester-regen.co.uk

Governance

Main articles: Colchester Politics, Mayor of Colchester, and Colchester (UK Parliament constituency)

The Member of Parliament for the Colchester is Bob Russell (LibDem). See also Colchester Colchester Politics: Colchester is a historic town located in Essex, England. The Mayor of Colchester sits as non-political chairman of Colchester Borough Council and serves as the civic representative of the borough Colchester is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Robert Edward Russell, known as Bob Russell, (born 31 March 1946 London) is a British politician The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the The Mayor of Colchester is Councillor Ray Gamble (Liberal Democrat). The Mayor of Colchester sits as non-political chairman of Colchester Borough Council and serves as the civic representative of the borough The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the

Colchester Borough Council is the local authority. Colchester ( /ˈkəʊltʃɛstə/ is a town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester, in Essex, England. Control of the borough council has passed between Tories and LibDems in recent years. The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is a Political party in the United Kingdom. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the The political composition of the council is (2008 election results):

• Conservative – 27 seats
• Liberal Democrats – 23 seats
• Labour – 7 seats
• Others – 3 seats

The town is also represented on Essex County Council. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is a Political party in the United Kingdom. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common Individual villages within the borough boundaries are also represented by parish councils. A Parish council is a unit of Local government in Great Britain.

Culture

Main article: History of Colchester

Colchester has a vibrant culture and attracts many visitors because of its history and its architecture. Colchester is a historic town located in Essex, England. It served as the first capital of Roman Britain and makes a claim to be the Oldest town in Colchester is a historic town located in Essex, England. It served as the first capital of Roman Britain and makes a claim to be the Oldest town in

Museums

• Colchester Castle Museum: located in the Colchester Castle, features an extensive exhibit on Roman Colchester. Colchester Castle in Colchester, Essex ( is an example of a largely complete Norman Castle, built in the same style as the White Tower of the
• Hollytrees Museum: located close to the castle, formerly the home of Charles Gray, currently a social history museum with children's exhibits.
• Natural History Museum: located across from the Castle Park gates and Hollytrees, the museum is located in the former All Saints Church.
• Tymperleys Clock Museum: located in the historic town centre, in a 15th century timber-framed house, once home to William Gilbert, now houses the Bernard Mason clock collection. William Gilbert, also known as Gilbard ( Colchester, England, May 24, 1544 &ndash London, England, November 30 Bernard Mason OBE (b 1895 d 1981 was a prominent Colchester businessman and philanthropist who was born in Ipswich but lived his whole life in Colchester
• East Anglian Railway Museum: located roughly 4 miles to the north east of Colchester, located at Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station. The East Anglian Railway Museum is located at Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station in Essex, which is situated on the former Great Eastern Railway branch Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station is a Railway station serving the villages of Wakes Colne and Chappel in Essex.

Arts

• Mercury Theatre: opened in 1972, the Mercury Theatre is one the region's leading repertory theatres. Oliver O'Connor Barrett (born January 17 1908 in Eltham London, England; died July 1989 in Cwm Prysor Trawsfynydd, Wales Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [4]
• Headgate Theatre - Colchester's most central theatre
• Colchester Arts Centre: multi-function arts venue located in the former St Mary-at-the-Walls church, home of the Colchester Beer Festival. [5]
• firstsite is a contemporary art organisation, currently housed in the Minories, near the Castle. A new gallery, designed by Rafael Viñoly, is currently under construction nearby. Rafael Viñoly (b 1944) is an Uruguayan-born Architect living in the United States

Music

• Colchester Arts Centre - The largest music and performing arts centre in Colchester
• The Twist - A live music venue
• Charter Hall - larger music venue next to Colchester Leisure World

Sports

• Colchester United: a football team currently playing in the Football League Championship, based at the Layer Road ground, but shortly to move to Cuckoo Farm. Colchester United Football Club is an English football team who play in League One for the 2008-09 season following confirmation of their relegation on The Football League Championship (often referred to as The Championship for short or the Coca-Cola Football League Championship for sponsorship reasons Layer Road was a Football League Stadium in Colchester, England. The Colchester Community Stadium, known for sponsorship reasons as the Weston Homes Community Stadium, is an all-seater football stadium the home of Colchester
• Colchester Rugby Football Club: the largest rugby club in the borough providing community rugby for adults, women and children from age 6 up.
• Colchester Leisure World: swimming & fitness facilities, exhibition hall.
• Athletics Stadium: the Colchester Garrison Athletics Stadium is a co-operative facility jointly used by the Army and the Town. See also History of Colchester The Colchester Garrison is a British Army base located in Colchester in the county of Essex.
• Colchester Cricket: the Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club has its grounds near the Castle Park. The Essex County Cricket Club plays a series of games at Colchester during the summer. Essex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English domestic Cricket structure representing the historic county of
• Colchester Skatepark Facilities for extreme sports.
• Colchester Gladiators American Football Club play at Broad Lane Stadium, home of Wivenhoe Town FC. Wivenhoe Town is a football club from Wivenhoe, Essex, England.
• Colchester Weight Lifting Club organise Olympic Weight Lifting, Powerlifting and Bench Press competitions at Hamiltons Fitness Centre in The Severalls Business Park.

Nearby attractions

• Constable Country: villages in the Dedham Vale painted by John Constable. Dedham Vale is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Essex - Suffolk border in east England. John Constable ( 11 June 1776 &ndash 31 March 1837
• Lovejoy Country: towns and villages featured in the Lovejoy novels of John Grant (also the TV series of the same name), such as West Mersea and Long Melford. Lovejoy is a series of Picaresque novels by John Grant (under the Pen name Jonathan Gash about the adventures of Lovejoy a British John Grant (born 1933 in Bolton) is an English Crime writer, who writes under the Pen name Jonathan Gash. West Mersea is a small town in the Colchester borough of Essex in the East of England. Long Melford (or Melford, as it is known locally is a large village and Civil parish in the county of Suffolk, England
• Munnings Museum: at the house of the painter Alfred Munnings. Castle House, Dedham, Essex was the home of Sir Alfred Munnings from 1919 till his death in 1959 Sir Alfred James Munnings, PRA ( 8 October 1878 – 17 July 1959) was known as one of England 's finest painters of horses and
• Clacton-on-Sea: traditional British seaside resort with a pleasure pier. A seaside resort is a Resort located on the Coast. Where a Beach is the primary focus for Tourists it may be called a beach resort A pier is a raised Walkway over water supported by widely spread Piles or pillars.
• Essex & Suffolk "wool towns": villages with architecture dating to the 16th and 17th century wool trade, such as Coggeshall and Lavenham. Wool is the fiber derived from the specialized skin cells called follicles of animals in the Caprinae family principally sheep, but the hair of certain species Coggeshall is a small Market town of 3919 residents (in 2001 in Essex, England. Lavenham is a village and Civil parish in Suffolk, England It is noted for its 15th century church half-timbered medieval cottages and circular walk
• Mersea Island: the most eastern inhabited island in the UK. Link to the Mersea Island community website
• Colchester Zoo: a large zoo based on the outskirts of Colchester. A zoological garden, shortened to zoo, is an institution in which living animals are exhibited in captivity

Twin towns

Colchester competes in the Twin Town Games against Wetzlar, Avignon, Orleans, Tarragona, and Siena. Wetzlar is a town in the German federal state ( Bundesland) of Hesse, capital of the Lahn-Dill district Avignon (/aviɲɔ̃/ in French) ( Provençal: Avinhon in classical norm or Avignoun in Mistralian norm is a commune This article is about the French city of Orléans for other meanings see Orleans (disambiguation. Tarragona (tərəˈɣonə in Catalan) is a city located in the south of Catalonia and east of Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Siena.

Colchester's twin towns are:

• - Wetzlar, Germany (1969)

• - Avignon, France (1972)

• - Imola, Italy (1997)

Education

Colchester is home to many secondary schools including two grammar schools, the Colchester Royal Grammar School for boys and Colchester County High School for girls. Wetzlar is a town in the German federal state ( Bundesland) of Hesse, capital of the Lahn-Dill district Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Avignon (/aviɲɔ̃/ in French) ( Provençal: Avinhon in classical norm or Avignoun in Mistralian norm is a commune This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Imola ( Iômla in the local dialect is a town Comune in the Province of Bologna, located on the Santerno river in the Emilia-Romagna Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest See Royal Grammar School for the other schools with the name RGS Colchester County High School for Girls is a Secondary school in Colchester for girls Both produce excellent GCSE and A-Level examination results, often in the country's top ten.

Colchester Sixth Form College offers a wide range of subjects at A-level, AS level, and GCSE or equivalent level, as well as the International Baccalaureate. Colchester Sixth Form College is situated on North Hill in central Colchester, Essex, England. This is complemented by the Colchester Institute which covers many practical and day release courses as well as some of the more academic ones. Colchester Institute is a large provider of further and higher education based in the town of Colchester.

The University of Essex is located in a parkland setting on the edge of Colchester, close to the town of Wivenhoe. The University of Essex is a British Campus university located near the town of Colchester, England Wivenhoe is a Town in northeastern Essex in the East of England.

Higher education

• University of Essex - established 1964
• Colchester Sixth Form College
• Colchester Institute

Secondary schools

• Colchester Royal Grammar School - boys' grammar school, selective enrolment. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar.
• Colchester County High School - girls' grammar school, selective enrolment.
• Alderman Blaxill School
• Gilberd School
• Sir Charles Lucas Arts College
• Philip Morant School and College
• St Helena Media Arts College
• St. Benedicts College (Roman Catholic)
• The Stanway School - Comprehensive Secondary. The Gilberd School is a Comprehensive school in Colchester, England. Founded 1956. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• The Thomas Lord Audley School and Language College

Independent (private) schools

• Colchester High School - coed 3-16, founded 1882. Mixed-sex education, (or just Mixed education) also known as Coeducation, is the integrated education to males and females at the same school facilities Year 1882 ( MDCCCLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
• Holmwood House Prep School - coed 4-13, founded 1922. Mixed-sex education, (or just Mixed education) also known as Coeducation, is the integrated education to males and females at the same school facilities Year 1922 ( MCMXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
• Oxford House School - coed 2-11, founded 1959. Mixed-sex education, (or just Mixed education) also known as Coeducation, is the integrated education to males and females at the same school facilities The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• St Mary's School - girls 11-16, founded 1901. Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting

Transport

Colchester has a bus system (run by First Essex, Network Colchester, Hedingham Omnibuses and other smaller operators) which mainly centres around Colchester Temporary Bus Station in the town centre. Eastern National Omnibus Company and Thamesway Buses redirect here First Essex Buses Limited is owned by First Group. Network Colchester is a Tellings-Golden Miller Bus operating company Hedingham Omnibuses is an Essex Bus company founded shortly after WWI by Aubrey Ernest Letch trading under his own name The temporary bus station will be replaced by a permanent one further down the street by 2010.

Colchester North station is served by National Express East Anglia services on the London - Norwich mainline and the Colchester - Clacton line. Colchester railway station is the main railway station for the town of Colchester in Essex, England. National Express East Anglia is a Train operating company and brand name of London Eastern Railway Ltd in the United Kingdom. The Great Eastern Main Line ( "GE") is a major railway line of the British railway system, which connects Liverpool Street station in the Sunshine Coast Line is also a colloquial name referring to the Nambour and Gympie North railway line in Queensland, Australia.

Colchester Town railway station, still referred to by some as St Botolphs, is on a spur from the Colchester - Clacton line, and Hythe station is also on the Clacton line. Colchester Town railway station serves the town centre of Colchester in Essex, England. Sunshine Coast Line is also a colloquial name referring to the Nambour and Gympie North railway line in Queensland, Australia. Hythe railway station serves the eastern areas of Colchester in Essex, England.

References in literature

The Roman historian Tacitus mentions Colchester (Camulodunum) in The Annals of Imperial Rome. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (ca 56 &ndash ca 117 was a senator and a Historian of the Roman Empire. In the Chapter Nero and his helpers he describes how '. . . the Roman ex-soldiers. . . had recently established a settlement at Camulodunum', later burned down in the Iceni rebellion. It is the only town in Britain to have been explicitly mentioned in George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four as being the target of a nuclear attack. Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950 who used the Pseudonym George Orwell, was an English writer Nineteen Eighty-Four (also titled 1984) by George Orwell (the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair) is a 1949 English Novel The Atomic Wars took place during the 1950s. Colchester, England is the only city that was specifically mentioned as being bombed, but the book does say that many cities were destroyed in North America, Europe, and Russia.

Colchester in popular culture

Colchester is reputed to be the home of three of the best known English nursery rhymes: 'Old King Cole', 'Humpty Dumpty' and 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star'. Humpty Dumpty is a character in a Nursery rhyme typically portrayed as an egg.

Local legend places Colchester as the seat of King Cole (or Coel) of the rhyme Old King Cole, a legendary ancient king of Britain. A legendary king of Celtic Britain, about all that can be said about Old King Cole with any certainty is that Old King Cole was a merry The name Colchester is from Old English: the place-name suffixes chester, cester, and caster derive from the Latin word castrum (fortified place). The Latin word castra, with its singular castrum, was used by the ancient Romans to mean buildings or plots of land reserved to or constructed for use as a military In folk etymology the name Colchester was thought of as meaning Cole's Castle, though it actually means the Roman fort 'Colonia'. In the legend Helena, the daughter of Cole, married the Roman senator Constantius Chlorus, who had been sent by Rome as an ambassador and was named as Cole's successor. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial A senate is a Deliberative body, often the Upper house or chamber of a Legislature or Parliament. Flavius Valerius Constantius ( March 31 c 250&ndash July 25 306) was an emperor of the Western Roman Empire (305&ndash306 Helena's son became Emperor Constantine I. Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus (27 February ca. 272 &ndash 22 May 337 commonly known as Constantine I, Constantine the Great, or Saint Constantine Helena was canonised as Saint Helena of Constantinople and is credited with finding the true cross and the remains of the Magi. A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity Saint Helena (Flavia Iulia Helena Augusta also known as Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople (c The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which by a Christian tradition are believed to be from the actual cross upon which Jesus was crucified "Three Kings" or "Three Wise Men" redirects here She is now the patron saint of Colchester. This is recognised in the emblem of Colchester: a cross and three crowns. A local secondary school – St Helena's – is named after her, and her statue is atop the town hall, although local legend is that it was originally a statue of Blessed Virgin Mary which was later fitted with a cross.

Colchester is also the most widely credited source of the rhyme Humpty Dumpty. Humpty Dumpty is a character in a Nursery rhyme typically portrayed as an egg. During the siege of Colchester in the Civil War, a Royalist sniper known as One-Eyed Thompson sat in the belfry of the church of St Mary-at-the-Walls (Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall) and was given the nickname Humpty Dumpty, most likely because of his size, Humpty Dumpty being a common insult for the overweight. Thompson was shot down (Humpty Dumpty had a great fall) and, shortly after, the town was lost to the Parliamentarians (all the king's horses and all the king's men / couldn't put Humpty together again. ) Another version says that Humpty Dumpty was a cannon on the top of the church. The church of St Mary-at-the-Walls still retains its Norman tower until the top few feet, which are a Georgian repair.

The third rhyme to come from Colchester is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, which was written by Jane Taylor in the town's Dutch Quarter, and published in 1806 with the title "The Star".

Colchester has also been suggested as one of the potential sites of Camelot, on account of having been the capital of Roman England and its ancient name of Camulodunum. Camelot is the most famous Castle and court associated with the legendary King Arthur.

In George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, the main character, Winston Smith, thinks back to his childhood and his first memories of war, recalling: "Perhaps it was the time when the atomic bomb had fallen on Colchester. Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950 who used the Pseudonym George Orwell, was an English writer Nineteen Eighty-Four (also titled 1984) by George Orwell (the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair) is a 1949 English Novel " (Part 1, Chapter 3).

Notable Colcestrians

People of note that were born or have lived in Colchester include:

• Charles Hedger (1980-) Musician, guitarist of Cradle Of Filth. Charles Hedger is the guitarist for the Extreme metal band Cradle of Filth.
• Sir George Bidell Airy (1801-1892) - Astronomer Royal, attended Colchester Royal Grammar School 1814-1819. Sir George Biddell Airy FRS (27 July 1801&ndash2 January 1892 was an English Mathematician and Astronomer, Astronomer Royal Astronomer Royal is a senior post in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. See Royal Grammar School for the other schools with the name RGS
• Damon Albarn (1968- ) - Musician, lead singer of Blur and co-creator of virtual cartoon rock band Gorillaz. Damon Albarn, ˈdɛɪmən ˈɔːɫbɑːn (b March 23 1968 in Leytonstone, London) is an English Singer-songwriter who gained fame as the lead Blur are an English Alternative rock band that formed in London in 1989 Gorillaz is a Virtual band created in 1998 by Damon Albarn of alternative rock band Blur, and Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of the Comic
• Paul Allender (1970–) - Musician, lead guitarist of Cradle of Filth. Paul Allender is the guitarist of the British Extreme metal band Cradle of Filth.
• Cub Alport - Cabinet Minister, [High Commissioner] to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, High Steward of Colchester. Cuthbert James McCall Alport Baron Alport ( 22 March 1912 &ndash 28 October 1998) was a Conservative Party Politician, A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of Government, typically representing the executive branch. Constitutional origins It was commonly understood that Southern Rhodesia would be the dominant territory in the federation — economically electorally and militarily The position of High Steward of Colchester, Essex, was established by Charles I in 1635 by Charter.
• John Ball (priest) (d. John Ball (c 1338 - 15 July 1381) was an English Lollard priest who took a prominent part in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. 1381) - Leader of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.
• Allister Carter (1979- ) - A professional snooker player. Allister (Ali Carter (born 25 July 1979, Colchester, Essex, England) is an English professional Snooker player
• John Constable (1776-1837) - Landscape painter. John Constable ( 11 June 1776 &ndash 31 March 1837
• Piers Courage (1942-1970) - A Formula One driver. Piers Raymond Courage (b 27 May 1942, Colchester, England - d
• Graham Coxon (1969- ) - Musician and former Blur lead guitarist. Graham Leslie Coxon (b 12 March 1969) is an English Guitarist, Singer-songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist and painter
• John Crackstone - Mayflower Pilgrim. This is a list of the 104 passengers onboard the Mayflower during its trans-Atlantic voyage of September 6 - November 9, 1620
• Cunobelin - King of the Britons, Shakespeare's Cymbeline. Cunobelinus (also written Kynobellinus, Κυνοβελλίνος in Greek sometimes abbreviated to Cunobelin) (late 1st century BC - 40s AD William Shakespeare ( baptised This article is about Shakespeare's play For the mythical British king see Cunobelinus.
• Darren Day (1968- ) - Actor and television presenter. Darren Day (born 17 July 1968) is an English Actor, Singer, and Television Presenter known for his colourful
• Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) - Author and social commentator. Daniel Defoe (1659/1661 — April 24, 1731 was an English Writer, Journalist, and Pamphleteer, who gained enduring fame for
• Sue Denim - Actor (The Mighty Boosh), Musician (Robots in Disguise, I AM X, The Siblings)
• Neil Foster (1962- ) - Cricketer
• William Gilbert (1544-1603) - Scientist, pioneer in the field of magnetism and court physician to Elizabeth I and James I. The Mighty Boosh, colloquially referred to as The Boosh, is the collective name for the creators of the British television situation comedy written by and starring For the animated series see Transformers Robots in Disguise Robots in Disguise are an English electro band IAMX (I am X is the solo musical project of Chris Corner. Corner has repeatedly said that IAMX is very different from his actual real-life personality and is a kind of quasi The Siblings is an electronically -influenced musical project based in Germany. Neil Alan Foster (born May 6, 1962, Colchester, Essex) is a former English Cricketer who played in 29 Tests William Gilbert, also known as Gilbard ( Colchester, England, May 24, 1544 &ndash London, England, November 30 In Physics, magnetism is one of the Phenomena by which Materials exert attractive or repulsive Forces on other Materials. James VI and I (19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625 was King of Scotland as James VI, and King of England and King of Ireland as James
• John Grant - author of the Lovejoy stories. John Grant (born 1933 in Bolton) is an English Crime writer, who writes under the Pen name Jonathan Gash. Lovejoy is a series of Picaresque novels by John Grant (under the Pen name Jonathan Gash about the adventures of Lovejoy a British
• Sir William Withey Gull, 1st Baronet - Physician to Queen Victoria's household and Jack the Ripper suspect. Sir William Withey Gull 1st Baronet ( December 31, 1816 – January 29, 1890) was an English Physician. Jack the Ripper is an alias given to an unidentified Serial killer active in the largely impoverished Whitechapel area and adjacent districts of London
• Joan Hickson OBE (1906-1998) - Actress. Joan Hickson OBE ( 5 August 1906 &ndash 17 October 1998) was an English actress of Theatre,
• Matthew Hopkins (d. Matthew Hopkins ( ca 1620 - 1647 was an English Witchhunter whose career flourished in the time of the English Civil War. 1647) - Witchfinder General.
• Jay Kay (1969- ) - leader singer of Jamiroquai
• Klaus Kinski (1926-1991) - actor, director, former German POW in Colchester during the Second World War. Jason "Jay" Kay (born Jason Cheetham on 30 December, 1969 in Stretford Trafford) is an English Musician. Jamiroquai is a Grammy Award -winning English Acid jazz / Funk / soul band Klaus Kinski ( October 18, 1926 &ndash November 23, 1991) was a German Actor, famous for his ability to project onscreen
• Bernard Mason - businessman, philanthropist, clock collector
• Philip Morant (18th century)- Parish priest of St Mary at the Walls, author of The History & Antiquities of the County of Essex. Bernard Mason OBE (b 1895 d 1981 was a prominent Colchester businessman and philanthropist who was born in Ipswich but lived his whole life in Colchester Philip Morant was an English Clergyman, Author and Historian who lived in the 18th century
• Ralph Morse (actor) (1955 - ) and his country music alias Johnny Cashbox
• Martin Newell (1953- ) - Musician, poet, author. Dr Ralph Morse (born June 1 1955) is an English actor singer teacher guitarist and writer of historically-based Dramas Biography Johnny Cashbox is the alias of Ralph Morse (actor. Cashbox is a country music tribute to the legendary Johnny Cash and features all the hits "Folsom Prison Martin Newell (born 1953 also known as "the Wild Man of Wivenhoe " is an English rock musician singer guitarist songwriter Poet
• Sheila Nicholls (1970- ) - Streaker, later a musician. Sheila Elizabeth Nicholls (born February 9 1970 in Colchester, Essex) is a British Singer-songwriter, now residing in
• Dermot O'Leary (1973- ) - BBC Radio 2 DJ. Seán Dermot Fintan O'Leary Jr (born 24 May, 1973 in Colchester, England) better known as Dermot O'Leary, is an British
• Sir Roger Penrose OM FRS (8 August 1931–), mathematical physicist and controversial philosopher. Sir Roger Penrose, PhD, OM, FRS (born 8 August 1931) is an English Mathematical physicist and Emeritus
• Steven Pimlott (1953-2007) An English opera and theatre director and actor. Steven Charles Pimlott OBE ( 18 April 1953 - 14 February 2007) was an English Opera and Theatre
• Dave Rowntree (1964- ) - Musician, drummer for Blur. David Alexander De Horne Rowntree (born 8 May, 1964 in Colchester, England) is an English musician animator and political activist
• Jeremy Spake (1968- ) - TV personality
• Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) - Baptist preacher, minster of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Jeremy Spake is a British television Presenter. Jeremy first appeared on television in 1996 as part of the fly-on-the-wall documentary series Airport Charles Haddon Spurgeon, commonly CH Spurgeon, ( June 19, 1834 &ndash January 31, 1892) was a British Reformed The Metropolitan Tabernacle is a large Reformed Baptist church in the Elephant and Castle in London.
• Jane Taylor (1783-1824) - Poet and author of the lyrics to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Jane Taylor ( September 23, 1783 - April 13, 1824) was an English poet and novelist
• Margaret Thatcher (1925- ) - Baroness Thatcher, Conservative politician and former Prime Minister, worked in Colchester as a research chemist during 1940s. Margaret Hilda Thatcher Baroness Thatcher LG, OM, PC, FRS (born 13 October 1925 [6]
• Archibald Wavell (1883-1950) British Field-Marshal during World War II and Viceroy of India. Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell 1st Earl Wavell GCB, GCSI, GCIE, CMG, MC, PC (5 May 1883 – 24 May World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including
• Mary Whitehouse (1910-2001) - Morality campaigner. Mary Whitehouse CBE ( 13 June 1910 – 23 November 2001) was a British campaigner for values of Morality
• Rt. Hon. Sir Laming Worthington-Evans (1868-1931) - Secretary of State for War, Postmaster General, Privy Councillor. Sir Worthington Laming Worthington-Evans 1st Baronet GBE ( 23 August 1868 &ndash 14 February 1931) was a British
• Richard Bartle (1960 - ) - co-author of MUD, the first multi-user dungeon

See also

• British military history of World War II
• Geology of the United Kingdom
• List of natural disasters in the United Kingdom
• Camulodunum

Footnotes

External links

• Colchester Borough Council
• Colchester - Britain's first Roman city
• Hanseatic port see Hanse - Gresham College
• Visitors' guide to Colchester
• Essex Photos

The Hanseatic League (also known as the Hansa) was an alliance of trading cities and their Guilds that established and maintained trade

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic