Colchester Life in Photographs

22/12/2024

Wonderfull 'Christmas Bah Humbug' window painting by Juliet Townsend at Owen Aves Opticians in Crouch Street Colchester.
Copyright Photograph Adrian Rushton/Artwork Juliet Townsend
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Juliet Townsend Visit Colchester

20/12/2024

These three colourfull characters brought some festive cheer to High Street, Colchester on Friday with their music, while collecting donations for charity.
Photograph by Adrian Rushton
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Visit Colchester

13/12/2024

Festive Music.
Colchester shoppers in the Culver Square were entertained this week with a selection of festive music performed by the Colchester Royal Grammar School Brass Group and guest musicians from St Benedict's College. Funds were being raised for Save The Children Fund.
Copyright Video by Adrian Rushton
Colchester Life in Photographs
Culver Square

11/12/2024

The Princess Royal visits Brightlingsea Museum
The Princess Royal visited Brightlingsea Museum in Station Road, this
afternoon, 11th December 2024. The Princess unveiled a plaque to
commemorate her visit and was presented with a bouquet of flowers. This was part of a trip to Essex in which she also visited the Military Intelligence Battalion at Merville Barracks, Colchester. Later she visited a care home in Harlow, run by the Shaftesbury Charity of which the Princess is patron.
Copyright Photographs by Chris Rushton (cjpics_photography)
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Brightlingsea Museum

09/12/2024

Drama Group using St Martins Church in West Stockwell Street, fifty years ago this week 19741212 Can anyone add any details to these? All I have is this from the file book (21986 Play In St Martin's Church West Stockwell Street) anyone know the actors or the play. I can't access the actual cuttings from the paper at this time.
Photograph by Dave Barker
From the archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
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Colchester Civic Society

04/12/2024

21961 Bread Strike December 1974
Who remembers the bread strike of December 1974? Queues formed outside bakeries throughout Colchester and all over Britain as large bakeries were hit by workers striking, demanding a pay rise of 66%.
Photograph by Dave Barker
From the archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
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Colchester Civic Society

02/12/2024

21943 Colchester District School of Nursing Christmas concert held at the Mercury Theatre, pictures appeared in the Colchester Express 5th December 1974
Photograph by Adrian Rushton

From the archives of The Colchester Express being managed by Adrian Rushton ([email protected])
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Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council nhs.uk

30/11/2024

21920 ISD at Telephone House Mayor James Jackson 19741128 34 People of a certain age with friends and relatives in far flung countries like Australia and New Zealand might remember when, if you wanted to speak to them at times like Christmas you would have had to book a call through the telephone exchange this changed in 1974, fifty years ago when ISD International Subscriber Dialling came to Colchester. Colchester Mayor at that time, James Jackson makes an iternational call. Seems strange now that you can pick up your mobile phone and call at any time.
Photograph by staff photographer Dave Barker
From the archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton ([email protected])
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council

29/11/2024

The Colchester Express 28th November 1974
Miss Great Britain, Marilyn Ward visited the Tesco Store in Colchester fifty years ago to sign autographs for shoppers, mostly very young it seems. The photographer is Dave Higgleton who at that time was working for Essex County Newspapers, previously with the Colchester Express.
Photograph by Chief Photographer Des Blake
From the archives of The Colchester Express managed by Adrian Rushton.
Colchester Life in Photographs
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council Visit Colchester

26/11/2024

A highlight of the pre Christmas stage shows, the Colchester Operatic Society in November 1974 featured Orpheus In The Underworld at The Mercury Theatre.
These photographs taken by myself Adrian Rushton appeared in the Colchester Express dated the twenty eighth of November 1974, fifty years ago.
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Visit Colchester Colchester Operatic Society Colchester Civic Society
Mercury Theatre Colchester

21/11/2024

Christmas Lights being erected in Crouch Street, Colchester, fifty years ago this week, believed by Colchester company Bowling Garrard Electrical, who are still in existance in Colchester.
Photograph by Adrian Rushton/ColchesterExpress/1974
Colchester Life in Photographs
Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council

19/11/2024

Town Crier Robert Needham in action during a competition in 2016, filmed live by Chris Rushton.

19/11/2024

Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!
Colchester Town Crier, Mr Robert ‘Bob’ Needham has stepped down after nearly three decades in the post.
Bob handed over to Mr Rennie Chivers at a brief meeting with The Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Lesley Scott-Boutell on Wednesday13th November 2024.
Rennie was quick off the mark with his first engagement which was to lead the Colchester Christmas Lights parade that evening.
Bob said “It’s been a great and enjoyable honour to represent my town of Colchester on stages in many towns in the UK together with platforms in Europe and even twice in Australia. There are lots of memories to savour including being declared European Champion at the Championships in Ninove, Belgium. Probably the proudest moment being my proclamation to King Charles and Queen Camilla on the occasion of their visit to Colchester as part of the City status celebrations.”
Bob remembers the gift of solid silver shoe buckles made by jeweller Mr Tiny Cheale. These have adorned Bob’s regalia over the years and have drawn many complimentary comments.
The gift was made on the understanding that the buckles will be remain in Colchester and will be conveyed to any successor. This eternal wish will be honoured when Bob handed over the buckles to Rennie as he stood down.
In honour of Roberts long association with Colchester, we are showing a selection of photographs taken by Adrian Rushton from some of the numerous events which he attended.
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Colchester Civic Society Visit Colchester Colchester City Council Colchester Twinning society

14/11/2024

For anyone who thinks that Christmas comes earlier each year, take a look at these photos from The Colchester Express archives. At the end of October 1974 Christmas trees were being put in place and decorated with coloured lights on the balcony which runs along the front of St Nicholas House, High Street, Colchester. The building which was part of the Colchester Co-operative Society at that time, housed the Furniture and Electrical Departments. Does anyone else remember the record department selling vinyl of course, and being able to listen to the music from special booths on the wall before a purchase?
St Nicholas House was later taken over by the Surya Hotel Group and is now known as St Nicholas Hotel.
Words by Carolyn Rushton.
The photos taken by Staff Photographer Adrian Rushton appeared in the Colchester Express newspaper fifty years ago in October 1974.
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12/11/2024

A tribute to the late John (known as George) Lazenby, helped me greatly while photographing local military connected events in Colchester.

In a time of poignant reminiscence, we've also been paying tribute to the late John (known as George) Lazenby, who has died after a short illness.

An integral part of our Garrison HQ, and a tireless link between the Garrison Commander and civic events, George had previously been a serving soldier in 16X and reached the rank of Warrant Officer Class One.

He is seen here, in the middle of the front row (a very, very, rare sight) supporting a school event..

George is - and will remain - sorely missed.

Photo by Adrian Rushton

11/11/2024

Armistice Day, Colchester 2024
Members of the public were invited to join Colchester Mayor Lesley
Scott-Boutell at the Town Hall on Monday to mark Armistice Day 2024.
Members of Colchester Garrison, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex Mrs Jennifer
Tolhurst, Royal British Legion members and other civic representatives
gathered on the steps of the Town Hall to hear the Mayor make a very
moving speech and acknowledge two minutes silence at 11am on the 11th month.
Many shops and businesses across Colchester also fell silent as a mark
of respect.
Photographs Adrian Rushton
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Colchester Civic Society Colchester City Council Visit Colchester

10/11/2024

Remembrance Day 2024
The traffic stopped in High Street, Colchester as the annual Remembrance
Day Service was held at the War Memorial on Sunday.
Crowds gathered to join in the service, as others watched as a field gun was fired on Castle Park to signal the start and finish of two minutes silence.
Wreaths were laid, prayers were said, including a prayer read by 15 yearold Tanisha Raviraj, and hymns were sung.
After the service a procession took place marching up High Street backtowards the Town Hall where the Salute was taken.
Photographs by Adrian & Carolyn Rushton
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