BackSaturday 13th August, 2011
Colchester for City Status
This is a post we’ve been itching to put up for a while – but thanks to our work, Colchester is now in the running to become a city.
Earlier this year, we wrote our town’s bid for city status completely free of charge.
If successful, Colchester will be named a city as part of the Queen’s jubilee celebrations in 2012.
Britain’s first city
Colchester has a great claim to be a city – it was the Romans’ first capital in England.
But what we really loved about the bid was the fact that it cost the taxpayer nothing.
Organised by community interest group Destination Colchester with the support of Colchester Borough Council, lots of people and organisations gave their time and skills free of charge to create an exceptional bid.
The local paper – The Gazette – also gave the bid lots of great coverage, helping the enthusiasm along.
So if you’d like to learn why Colchester is not only likely to become Britain’s newest city, but can also claim to be its first, read the bid for yourself. And then join this Facebook group to show your support…
Colchester is Britain’s First City. The Romans made Colchester their city in 60 AD. For 400 years Colchester was a city. Many feel it is now time to reinstate Colchester as a modern city.
That’s why we have applied for Colchester to be recognised as a City by her Majesty The Queen, in 2012, as part of her Jubilee Celebrations, when city status will be granted to one UK town.
Comment left by Wendy Bailey on Tuesday 16th August, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Colchester is Britain’s First City, a status bestowed by the Romans two thousand years ago, when they chose Colchester as their administrative centre.
Many believe that Colchester deserves to be recognised as a modern day city. Colchester has it’s roots in ancient Roman heritage but has a 21st century outlook embracing digital technologies to secure itsfuture. Heritage is unsurpassed – the Roman Temple of Claudius upon which is built an imposing Norman Castle now benefitiing from a grant worth millions of pounds of Lottery funding, the town is surrounded by imposing Roman Walls, Britain’s only Roman Circus was only recently found in Colchester. There is a thriving Arts and Creative industries community in Colchester – and the opening of a £26 million Arts Building Firstsite.
As part of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, city status will be bestowed upon one UK town – we would like Colchester to be honoured with City status.
Comment left by Wendy Bailey on Tuesday 16th August, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Colchester is a city in all but name, and it is an exciting time for the town what with the opening of Firstsite in September and the redevelopment of the town (hopefully, city centre) in the near future.
Can’t wait to see the results next year – the wait is killing me!
Comment left by Ray Moore on Saturday 20th August, 2011 at 10:36 am
Couldn’t agree more Ray! I think we’ve got a lot more chance than the bookies (last time I looked) were giving us credit for. How many other towns can point to a truly community-led bid that cost residents £0?
This bid is about civic pride and confidence, not expensive local government ambition.
Comment left by Ben Locker on Saturday 20th August, 2011 at 10:46 am
For anyone to think that Colchester didn’t stand a chance against the likes of Doncaster or Reading.
It’s a slight relief that Ipswich, Blackpool, Swindon, Guildford etc are out of the running.
I’ve also heard rumoured that possibly more than one town will be granted city status, but it’s yet to be confirmed.
I’ve just been reading the City Bid document linked here, and it highlights the very reasons why Colchester should be named a city.
Bookies favourites are nothing to worry about – both Preston and Wolverhampton were rank outsiders, and they won city status.
Good luck to you all for the bid!
Comment left by Ray Moore on Saturday 20th August, 2011 at 11:07 am