Tuesday 17 March and Thursday 26 March 2026 – Great British Spring Clean Litter Picks
Tuesday 17 March and Thursday 26 March 2026 – Great British Spring Clean Litter Picks
Meet at 10.00am outside the front door of Greyfriars
Every year, Civic Society volunteers join this great Keep Britain Tidy initiative and every year, we clear a phenomenal amount of litter and fly-tipping from our streets. Please join us for one or other or our mornings or even better, both!
Please bring your own gloves. Litter pickers and special GBSC rubbish bags will be provided. Hot drinks afterwards at Greyfriars.
If you cannot manage either of these mornings but would like to help during the GBSC period (17 March – 2 April 2026) by doing your own litter pick – perhaps in your own residential area – please let us know on the reply slip. We do other litter picks during the year, sometimes in partnership with Colchester Council Neighbourhood Teams. We would really appreciate your help with these too and would love to add you to our volunteer list
Wednesday 22 April 2026 – Annual Spring Up Meeting
Wednesday 22 April 2026 – Annual Spring Up Meeting
Meet at 19.00 in the Salon (just off Reception) at Greyfriars
We are conscious of the fact that many members are not able to attend our monthly Coffee Mornings and so, twice a year, we offer an evening version …an opportunity to catch up with what the Society is doing to raise issues that you would like us to address, if we can. All are welcome!
Cost is free but donations are welcomed.
Monday 27 April 2026 – Visit to Stowe
Monday 27 April 2026 – Visit to Stowe
Coach leaves East Hill at 8am, roadworks permitting; pick-ups can be arranged along Lexden Road and at the bus stops opposite Marks Tey Hotel. If you choose to park at Marks Tey Hotel, please let me have your car registration by 17 April – do not pay at the machine in the car park but please pay the fee (normally £6) to the coach driver.
Stowe has a very long history. In the early 1300s, Osney Abbey managed a Manor House at Stowe but this was surrendered to the Crown at the time of Dissolution. The estate was then leased to a sheep farmer called Peter Temple. His son bought the property in 1589. It was then passed down through several generations until a very shrewd marriage brough enough money to build a new mansion, designed by William Cleere. By 1697, under the ownership of Sir Richard Temple, the 1st Viscount Cobham, the house and gardens had been transformed into a grand estate. Sadly, overspending in the 1800s brought disaster and part of the estate had to be sold in 1848. Finally, in 1921, the house was sold and with the help of architect Clough Williams-Ellis, converted into a school for boys which opened in 1923. It is still a school, a very prestigious one!
Our day begins with coffee and biscuits in the house (not owned by the National Trust) before a much recommended tour of the building, including a visit to the Museum. We leave the house in time for lunch, travelling to the National Trust Visitor Centre where you can purchase a light lunch if you haven’t brought your own picnic. The afternoon is then yours.
There are various options: I have booked a guided tour of the gardens for the group but you are free to explore by yourself if you prefer. Please state your preference on the reply slip.
It is quite a walk to the garden entrance but there is a shuttle service. If you would like the use of a mobility scooter or 4-seater golf buggy, I can see what I can do but do ask me as soon as possible. I hope you enjoy your visit to the extraordinary grounds with its spectacular statues, follies and temples, the whole creation being the work of Capability Brown and architect, James Gibbs. We will be leaving soon after 16.30.
Cost
…to include morning coffee, biscuits and guided tours of both the house and gardens
RHS and National Trust Members £33.50
Non RHS or NT Members £50.50
Thursday 7 May 2026 – Coffee Morning
Thursday 7 May 2026 – Coffee Morning
Meet at 09.30am in the Cloisters Restaurant, GreyfriarsDate TBA in May or June 2026 – Visit to Colchester Archaeological Trust
Date TBA in May or June 2026 – Visit to Colchester Archaeological Trust
A visit to Roman Circus House for a private view and talk about a very interesting burial discovered recently.
Expressions of interest on the reply slips please
Thursday 4 June 2026 – Coffee Morning
Thursday 4 June 2026 – Coffee Morning
Meet at 09.30am in the Cloisters Restaurant, GreyfriarsTuesday 9 June 2026 – CCS Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 9 June 2026 – CCS Annual General Meeting
Meet at 19.00 prompt in the Cloisters Restaurant, GreyfriarsA coffee break will follow the business part of the meeting, after which Vinnie Geaves, Manager of Our Colchester, Colchester’s Business Improvement District Team will give a talk which we think you will find fascinating. The BID are behind many of the seasonal events in the City and do much to promote the businesses in and around Colchester.
Cost is free but donations are welcome.For and on behalf of Colchester Civic Society
Thursday 18 June 2026
SAVE THE DATE!
Thursday 18 June 2026Unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Colchester’s Napoleonic Barracks at the Artilleryman Public House in Artillery Street. Details to follow in the Spring newsletter.
Much more is planned for the Summer and Autumn and will be advertised in the Spring newsletter. But for our early programme cited here, please use the reply slips enclosed to book your place on the visits arranged so far and to indicate your attendance at other events. Thank you.
Sunday 23 August 2026 – Guided Natural History Walk
Sunday 23 August 2026 – Guided Natural History Walk
Meet at the Valley Car Park, University of Essex
(5 mins walk from the Boundary Road bus stop)
This is a great time of year for a walk in Wivenhoe Park, looking at the
wonderful trees as well as insects, wild flowers etc. So we are offering a gentle
stroll lasting between 60-90 minutes in the company of expert, award-winning,
naturalist, Chris Gibson from Chris Gibson Wildlife. Chris, now retired from
Natural England, is both an author and a photographer, specialising in natural
history.
Please let me know on the reply slips whether you need or can offer a lift.
Buses run every 30 minutes (at the moment) from the centre of Colchester. If
necessary, I will arrange for a shared cab or two at a small additional cost.
Cost is £5Thursday 3 September 2026 – Coffee Morning Discussion
Thursday 3 September 2026 – Coffee Morning Discussion
Meet at 09.30 in the Cloisters Restaurant, GreyfriarsFriday 11 September to Sunday 20 September 2026 - Heritage Open Days
Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September 2026 – Heritage Open Days
Colchester City Council’s programme will be available in the summer
As usual, Civic Society members will be stewarding various sites in Colchester
so that they can open to the public during this period. We would be so grateful
if you could volunteer to help. It’s a really rewarding experience and you will
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meet visitors from all over the country and often, from all over the world! You
don’t need lots of knowledge!
If you are able to offer us a few hours of your time, please complete the forms
that accompany this newsletter. If you are not sure, feel free to contact me on
07771 626561 and I will answer any questions you might have.Thursday 1 October 2026 – Coffee Morning Discussion
Thursday 1 October 2026 – Coffee Morning Discussion
Meet at 09.30 in the Cloisters Restaurant, Greyfriars
This month, the Police will probably join us again to give us an update on
policing in the city. Always interesting and informative.Sunday 11 October 2026 – ‘Look a Little Closer’ Walk
Sunday 11 October 2026 – ‘Look a Little Closer’ Walk
Meet outside Colchester Town Hall at 14.00
An afternoon’s historic walk with Civic Society Executive Committee Member
and Chair of Colchester Tourist Guides Association, Glyn Barritt.
“The Civic Society has strongly encouraged you all to Look Up while walking in
Colchester – and this walk is no different, adding ‘look a little closer’ to truly
appreciate the history that has shaped our beautiful City. Please join me for
this October’s ‘Look a Little Closer’ walk – you may have your own tales that
you can add to the mix of lesser known delights!”
Cost is free but donations to the Colchester Civic Society funds are welcome.Thursday 22 October 2026 – Annual Burning Issues Meeting
Thursday 22 October 2026 – Annual Burning Issues Meeting
Meet at 19.00 in the Salon (just off Reception) at Greyfriars
The second of our evening meetings held particularly, but not exclusively, for
the benefit of those unable to attend Coffee Mornings. As Bonfire Night
approaches, come to find out what the Society has been doing during the year
and to raise any burning issues that you feel we should be addressing.
Cost is free but donations are welcome.Thursday 5 November 2026 – Coffee Morning Discussion
Thursday 5 November 2026 – Coffee Morning Discussion
Meet at 09.30 in the Cloisters Restaurant, GreyfriarsThursday 3 December 2026 – Coffee Morning Discussion
Thursday 3 December 2026 – Coffee Morning Discussion
Meet at 09.30 in the Cloisters Restaurant, Greyfriars
