The Social Programme for 2023

Thursday 23rd March 2023 Meet outside Greyfriars Hotel (front door) at 10am for the first of our two Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean litter picking sessions for 2023.

Litter pickers, collection sacks and latex gloves will be provided. Refreshments afterwards at
GreyFriars

Cost? Free

Colchester Archaeological Trust have invited us to visit their dig at The Old Bus Garage in Queen Street on Friday 24th March.

Meet at the back of the site at 3pm by the Roman Wall in what was the old bus station. phone Jo on 07771626561 or email josiemedwards@hotmail.com

Tuesday 28th March 2023 Meet outside Greyfriars Hotel, at 10am for the second of our two Great
British Spring Clean litter picking sessions for 2023
See above for details

Saturday 1st April 2023 Meet at the St Botolph’s Street end of Priory Street Car Park at 2pm for a guided walk via the Priory to New Town led by our President, John Burton.  John has chosen the theme of the materials of Colchester for this walk. He asks the question ‘What makes architecture?’ and will invite you to see buildings through his eyes. John is one of the foremost Conservation Architects in the country and his knowledge is astounding. He will discuss the buildings en route, from the Roman Wall and the Priory to the modern, discussing how local
materials have affected their architecture. What an opportunity! Not to be missed!
Cost? £5 towards Civic Society Funds

Tuesday 4th April 2023 Meet at 10am at Greyfriars for our April Coffee Morning Discussion.

Cost? Free but donations welcome

Saturday 22nd April 2023 Meet at the small car park in The Chase, off Irvine Road, at 2pm for a guided visit to the Irvine Road Community Orchard. The Chase is just to the right of the bridle path that leads to Bluebottle Grove. That bridle path is opposite Capel Road at its junction with Irvine Road. The Chase is next to 23a Irvine Road. How do I know this? 23a was where my mother was raised and where I, as a small child, often stayed with my grandmother. The orchard was, to me, a magical place which I was allowed to explore all by myself. Following the deaths of my mother’s childhood friends, siblings Mary and Tony, who had inherited the orchard from their father, the future of the orchard was under threat. Mary had wanted the land sold for housing with the money raised going to charity. Tony wanted the orchard to remain as a beautiful refuge for wildlife and as a place for local people to enjoy. I remember him explaining his wishes to me. His love of the orchard was even more passionate than mine. Eventually, after many years of hard work led by local campaigners, a compromise was reached and, though a section of the orchard was developed, the rest remains and is being carefully restored to its former glory by a group of volunteers. Many of the very old trees are still producing a good quantity of fruit and the gaps are being filled with new fruit trees. The land has been leased for 50 years but now efforts are being made to raise the money needed to buy it, protecting it for the community, the local wildlife and for Colchester for ever. Today will be an opportunity to explore this delightful place, to find out about its restoration, plans for the future and even to think about joining the band of volunteers (our President is one!).
Cost? Free but donations for the orchard requested, please. Please give generously to this wonderful cause

Wednesday 26th April 2023 Meet in the Salon at Greyfriars at 7pm for our annual ‘Spring Up’ Meeting
This meeting is similar to the Coffee Morning Discussions. It is an opportunity for those unable to come to the Tuesday morning meetings to raise issues about Colchester they would like to discuss or discover more about the Society’s current work.
Cost? Free but donations welcomed

Tuesday 6th June 2023 Meet at Greyfriars at 10am for our June Coffee Morning.
Cost? Free but donations welcomed

Wednesday 7th June 2023 Meet at Roman Circus House at 7pm for an illustrated talk and update about the excavations at the Essex County Hospital site. The evening will begin with the opportunity to examine a number of the finds made at the site. The Roman Circus House cafe is being opened especially for us so that we can buy teas or coffees (thanks, Sue!) so please bring some cash with you. Once we have our drinks, it will be time for us to sit and listen to Adam Wightman, the archaeologist leading the excavations on the Essex County Hospital site, who will tell us what has been found and what is being done to protect the archaeology that will remain under the ground. It will be a really interesting talk, even for those who have been lucky enough to visit the site as Adam will update us. I know a number of you have never visited Roman Circus House so, if you need directions, please ask. There is some car parking on site. If this is full, there is a public car park a very short distance away. If you need or can offer a lift, please let us know.
Cost? Free, but please give whatever you can to support the amazing work of the Colchester Archaeological Trust.

Tuesday 13th June 2023 Meet at the Cloisters at Greyfriars at 7pm for our Annual General Meeting.
The AGM will start promptly at 7pm. There will be a break for coffee at the end of the business part of the meeting. Our AGM talk this year will be given by none other than Pam Donnelly, Chief Executive of Colchester City Council. We are so lucky! There will be the opportunity to ask questions.

Tuesday 4th July 2023 Meet at Greyfriars at 10am for our July Coffee Morning Discussion
Cost? Free but donations welcomed

 Saturday 15th July 2023 Meet at St Leonard at the Hythe Church at 11am Today we are to have a guided tour of this beautiful church and a talk about its fascinating history. Parts of St Leonard at the Hythe date from the 13th century although there is a possibility that it stands on the site of an even earlier church. It served the busy port of Colchester. The building was altered and extended in the 15th century when a splendid hammerbeam roof was added. There is a medieval parvis, a room over the south porch, only accessible by ladder. This was apparently used as a prison! The church has an interesting history apart from its ecclesiastical use. It was used by the Royalists as a garrison for soldiers (and their horses) during the Siege of Colchester but was attacked by the Parliamentarians on 24th July 1648. The evidence can still be seen. The church also suffered quite badly from the effects of the Colchester Earthquake of 1884. And as for the story of Kitty Canham – well, I don’t know whether that will be mentioned. We’ll have to wait and see! The church was closed in 1982 and is now in the care of the care of the Churches Conservation Trust – and the Friends of St Leonard’s at the Hythe. Morning coffee will be served. They think of everything.
Limited car parking will be available behind the Hythe Community Centre off the mini roundabout in Maudlyn Way.
Cost? Free, but donations very much welcomed by the Friends of St Leonard at the Hythe who will be our hosts. Please give generously towards the upkeep of this lovely building.

1st August 2023

Meet at Greyfriars at 10am for our August coffee morning discussion.

Cost? Free, but donations welcome.

Saturday 12th August 2023 Meet at the Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance Visitor Centre at the Earls Colne Airfield at 10.25am to find out all there is to know about the Air Ambulance Service.Postponed by COVID, this long planned guided visit will include a mix of films, narrative and interactive features. If flashing strobe lights are a problem for you, please let our guide know know when you arrive.The Earls Colne airbase is home to the McDonall Douglas 902 helicopter which we will hopefully see, operations allowing.The centre is wheelchair accessible. Refreshments can be bought from a nearby kiosk.If you need or can offer a lift, please let me know asap. I have been asked to give you the following information.

Directions:

Our postcode is CO6 2NS. Once you drive onto the Earls Colne Business Park, drive forwards and you will see a sign showing that you can turn left for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Office and right for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Airbase. Choose the right-hand route for the Airbase and follow the road around to the right. Drive on for some distance and then on your left you will eventually come to our Airbase. Our Visitor Centre is at the Airbase. Please try not to be late or you might miss the start of the Tour! Link to a PDF map here: Earls Colne Airbase & Visitor Centre Directions

Earls Colne Airbase Safety Rules

Whilst on site please ensure everyone in your group is aware of the following safety rules

You must always adhere to instructions given by our crew, staff and volunteers whilst with us, and in the event of an emergency please follow instructions given by EHAAT crew, staff and volunteers or North Weald airfield staff, and make your way to the emergency meeting point at the entrance to our car park, or as directed Do not enter any restricted areas, unless permitted by and accompanied by a member of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance crew or staff Due to this being a live medical and aviation base there is the possibility of contamination and injury from equipment and waste materials. Therefore, please refrain from touching anything (in the unlikely event you are in a crew area) unless permitted to do so Children are welcome but remain the responsibility of their parents/carers at all times. Please keep your children with you We operate a no smoking policy throughout our airbase sites Alcohol is forbidden Please wear the high-vis vest when instructed, and protection glasses need to be worn whilst watching the helicopter take off or land All rubbish MUST be disposed of properly in the bins provided (rubbish and other debris can cause severe damage to aircraft and cause operations to be grounded) In the event of the helicopter being called to an emergency, you MUST watch from a safe area so please follow instructions given by our staff and volunteers. Always walk and never run, you will have enough time to move to a safe viewing point Cost? Free but please give generous donations to keep the wonderful Air Ambulance flying. I will collect these on the day and give a cheque from the Society.

Thursday 31st August 2023 Meet at the Energy from Waste Facility at Great Blakenham at 2pm for a guided tour.
I make no apology for this visit to Suffolk’s waste disposal solution although their system is different to that of Colchester and Essex. Some of our members live and/or work in Suffolk and the buildings were recognised in the 2016 Civic Trust Awards for projects that benefit their local communities, as “a striking innovation in industrial architecture”. These two reasons, I hope, justify my decision!

The facility — operated by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK — burns rubbish to produce enough electricity for 30,000 homes. But all is not quite as good as it seems because the plant releases rather more carbon dioxide than expected into the atmosphere, something that the company is now trying to address with new, ground breaking, innovations. This should be an absolutely fascinating visit.

If you wish to travel by car, I will send you details of the route. There is parking on site. If you can offer a lift to others, that would be great. However, if you want a seat on the minibus, please let me know as soon as possible as I need to make the final booking.

Cost? Free if you are using your own car but £8 if you want to travel by minibus.

Cost? Free but donations welcomed

 Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September 2023 Heritage Open Days
Although Heritage Open Days extend beyond this weekend and some properties should be open during the following weekend, this is the weekend when the majority involved in Colchester’s HODs offer will be receiving visitors. It is certainly the weekend when our volunteer stewards look after the Audley Chapel and the Roman Theatre. Although we have both covered at the moment, it is always good to have reserves that we can call upon if necessary. Please let me know if you are prepared to be on standby.

Many of you will remember Ann Turner’s Georgian Walk last year. She has very kindly offered to lead another walk around Colchester’s city centre. This time looking at the influence of the Victorians. The walk will be taken at a leisurely pace and should last about an hour and a half. Ann is a Colchester Guide and is extremely knowledgeable. I guarantee that you will learn a lot!!

Cost? £5 towards Civic Society funds.
More about our Autumn Programme in the next Newsletter

Tuesday 3rd October 2023 Meet at Greyfriars at 10am for our October Coffee Morning Discussion Cost? Free but donations welcomed

Tuesday 3rd October 2023 Meet at Greyfriars at 10am for our October Coffee Morning Discussion Cost? Free but donations welcomed

Tuesday 24th October 2023 Meet in the Salon at Greyfriars at 7pm for our annual Burning Issues Meeting This, like our Spring Up meeting in the Spring, is an opportunity for those unable to attend our regular Coffee Morning Discussions to receive an update about what we are doing and to raise issues that they would like the society to address. The meeting is, of course, open to all members.

Cost? Free, but donations welcomed

Tuesday 24th October 2023 Meet in the Salon at Greyfriars at 7pm for our annual Burning Issues Meeting This, like our Spring Up meeting in the Spring, is an opportunity for those unable to attend our regular Coffee Morning Discussions to receive an update about what we are doing and to raise issues that they would like the society to address. The meeting is, of course, open to all members.

Cost? Free, but donations welcomed

Meet at Greyfriars at 10am for our November Coffee Morning Discussion

Cost?  Free but donations welcomed.

Tuesday 5th December 2023 Meet at Greyfriars at 10am for our December Coffee Morning Discussion

Cost? Free but donations welcomed.

Tuesday 2nd January 2024 Meet at Greyfriars at 10am for our January Coffee Morning Discussion

Cost? Free but donations welcomed.

Sunday 14th January 2024 Meet at Greyfriars at 12.30pm for our New Year Lunch

I have been asked to reinstate our New Year Lunch, the first since Covid. Greyfriars have offered exclusive use of the Rose Room at lunchtime (unless our numbers are huge, in which case we will use the Cloisters). A three course lunch (with vegan option) will cost £35 per head. They can accommodate special dietary requirements given notice, too. I know it’s a long way ahead, but some idea of numbers would be useful, so please let me know if you are interested.