By Lawrence Cowley BBC News, East
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Named one of the eight cities that will be turned into cities to celebrate the Queen’s platinum anniversary, Colchester will follow Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford in gaining city status.
Thanks to the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder, Colchester – then called Camulodunum – became the first registered settlement in Britain, and later its first city and capital. Although his chances of ever displacing London as his capital remain slim, it turns out that he will become a city again.
A little over a decade ago, Essex – although it was the seventh largest county in England – did not have a single city. There will be three soon.
Named one of the eight cities that will be turned into cities to celebrate the Queen’s platinum anniversary, Colchester will follow Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford in gaining city status.
What does the status of the city mean for those who live and work in the city?
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Andrew Begley says he hopes the city’s status will bring more prosperity to Colchester
“I think it’s great – it was a city under the Romans, so the tradition will really continue,” says Andrew Bagley.
“I think that when it gets the status of a city somewhere, it brings more prosperity to the area, and I think everyone could handle a little of that right now.
“I hope they promote the city as much as possible to attract investment for the people.”
“I am very happy for this city”
Image source, Richard Smith / BBCImage caption,
Liana Schook, 25, was delighted with the news of the city’s status
“It’s wonderful,” said Liana Schook, a 25-year-old nurse from the Philippines.
“This is very good news for everyone in the city.
“Although I am not a British citizen, I am very happy for this city.”
“I didn’t think it would really happen.”
Image source, inscription by Richard Smith / BBCImage,
“I know we’ve been looking for him for a long time, so I didn’t think it would really happen,” said Jack Singleton.
“I’m surprised,” said Jack Singleton, 22, who did not know the news about the city’s status until the BBC told him.
“I know we’ve been looking for him for a long time, so I didn’t think it would really happen.
“So I’m pretty surprised to see it actually. I like it – that’s good news.”
This will transform Colchester
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Businesswoman Victoria Johnson says she is “euphoric” from the news
Victoria Johnson is the owner of the interior design company Dear Grace.
She says she is “euphoric” about the news.
“I’m extremely happy because it’s so well deserved for the city, everyone who works and lives here, it’s amazing,” she said.
“It simply came to our notice then. It attracts more tourism and there are businesses that, when looking for power plants, will only look to cities.
“This will transform Colchester.”
“I walked around with my thumbs clenched”
“The city status campaign has been going on and off for many years,” said Irene Kettle, a former editor of the Colchester Gazette and Essex County Standard.
“This is a matter of civic pride – there are so many reasons to be proud of Colchester and that Her Majesty chose this very, very special moment to recognize the beautiful city of Colchester, it is very special for all of us.
“I think the time is right and the Queen has chosen to make us part of her platinum anniversary.
“I’ve been walking around with my thumbs for about seven months.
“Everything comes to the one who waits”
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Steve Manix, CEO of Colchester Mercury Theater, says the city’s status is a “great honor”
Steve Manix, CEO of Colchester Mercury Theater, says the city’s status is a “great honor.”
“I think people should be happy,” he said. “Everything comes to the one who is waiting.
“That puts us on par with other places in the country, like Chester and York.”
Famous five
Image source, Getty Images
Colchester has various claims to fame, including:
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, a well-known children’s poem, was written on the ceiling of a house in the Dutch Quarter by Jane Taylor in 1806.
- It contains the remains of the only Roman chariot track in the United Kingdom
- There, on Good Friday in 1807, the oldest known hot bun was baked
- In 60 AD
- The town takes its name from the local Colchester oysters, which, despite the name, are actually harvested from the shallow streams off the nearby island of Mercy.
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The Roman wall can still be found in different parts of Colchester
The city council’s offer highlighted Colchester’s long and varied history, its growth into an important regional center, its strong royal and military ties, and its artistic and cultural offerings.
Colchester Conservative MP Will Queens said: “I am absolutely pleased that the first Roman city in the United Kingdom has become the newest city in the United Kingdom as part of the Queen’s platinum anniversary celebrations.
“When the Romans arrived in Britain, Colchester was their first destination to create a garrison that became known as the City of the Victorious.
“The status of a city will mean that our dynamic economy, nationally recognized cultural and heritage assets and an internationally recognized university can reach new heights.
“We can all be proud of this honor.
“One of the fastest growing cities”
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Colchester United football club chairman Robbie Cowling says it is “only appropriate” for Colchester to be a city as well as Southend
Colchester United football club president Robbie Cowling says he is “pleased with the city”.
“Colchester is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, so we hope it will attract more business,” he said.
“As far as I know from the football side, we have a really big rivalry with Southend and they have recently become a city, so I think it is appropriate for Colchester to be one as well.”
“Brilliant surprise”
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BBC Essex presenter Sonia Watson was born and raised in Colchester and said the news would come as a “brilliant surprise” for the people of the city.
“I’ve never lived anywhere else and I’m really excited to see what the possibilities are,” said BBC Essex breakfast presenter Sonia Watson.
“I think a lot of people were hoping that would happen, but I think it would come as a brilliant surprise because we missed a few previous cases.
“It’s quite right that Southend was granted city status, so I think a lot of people may have wondered if Essex would ever get a third city.
“The great news is that yes, there is a third city, which is great not only for Colchester, but for Essex in general.”
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