Britain’s Oldest City
This piece was first published in the brilliant Colchester 101 magazine. Copies are available for free around pubs, shops and other public places in the town.
Welcome to Colchester: Britain’s Newest City - nope, it’s not working for me either. For all the jokes about Britain’s Oldest Recorded Town, Colchester has an incredibly proud history that we need to not only celebrate, but also use as a springboard to build upon. Being sucked into becoming a sterile new city shouldn’t be part of this process.
Debate is growing around the town over a bid for Colchester to take on a city status. As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations to mark the Queen’s 60th anniversary on the throne, Her Majesty is keen for a new city to emerge in 2013. It’s part of a growing populist trend to assimilate micro local history into a nationwide identikit sterile appearance. We built this town on Roman records, not on rock ‘n roll, yer Maj.
Colchester Borough Council has confirmed that it is “looking into” the city status bid; Destination Colchester is already talking of a survey to see what the good people of the town think about becoming a metropolis. And that really is where the debate is centred. City status probably won’t change your day-to-day life. The High Street will continue to evolve; trains out of North Station will still be *ahem* occasionally delayed and Colchester United sadly won’t be playing in the Champions’ League anytime soon.
What will happen with a city status however is the perception of Colchester, both from within and wider afield. A city mentality takes away all that is good about the local environment. Townsfolk have civic pride; city dwellers start to become postcode property snobs. Colchester is an amazing town as it is. We don’t need to be told that we are officially a city in order to have ambitions above our size.
Ah, but you’ve got to think outside of this small town mentality, the cynics will no doubt say. The cynics are also usually the folk who work within PR or advertising, and think nothing of feeding off the London economy, rather than keeping local Colchester industry afloat.
A town has personality - a city soon becomes anonymous. Should we really accelerate growth at such a pace, simply to shop dress the city branding? Celebrating what Colchester can offer to people looking to escape the city, seems more acceptable to me.
For all the folly of Britain’s Oldest Recorded Town, Colchester Zoo or even the crazed traffic islands - these are all unique to Colchester. Think then of Highwoods Country Park, the University, the emerging Cultural Quarter, theArts Centre, firstsite - even Blur, Jay Kay and dear old Darren Day. We don’t need to measure our status to create what is great about Colchester. Never mind the length – feel the thickness. Keeping it local allows the town to grow organically, without the PR boost of being dubbed a city.
The esteemed civic leaders of our town should be allowed to indulge in the chest beating PR circuit, but please don’t take it all too seriously. It’s nothing but putting your name out there and pimping out your past. It’s the Town Hall equivalent of writing your profile for an online dating site and then being slightly economical with the truth: Mature town with good connections would like to sell its soul and be shafted by someone from outside the area. Safe, um, cities only please.
Sure, we should play along with this beauty contest of a bidding process. It’s all about raising the profile and creating a buzz about Colchester. But the town has so much more to offer than simply calling itself Britain’s Newest City. Be careful what you wish for. Colchester City FC just sounds silly anyway.
12/02/2011 at 2:16 am Permalink
Hi, as i have said on the blog by Nick Barlow, Colchester is at a period where it should be considered for city status.
It was originally the first “civitas”, which means “city” in our modern language. Colchester is also the fastest-growing borough in the country, and thus it would only make sense for it to be classified as a city. Colchester United wouldn’t have to use ‘city’ in their name.
City status would mark a prestigeous event such as Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Anniversary, and this alone would leave a legacy for Colchester.
I understand that some people think that Colchester will cease to be the “oldest town”, but technically it was not a town during the Roman period.
Everybody has an opinion, and i respect others’ views. However I cannot understand why anybody would want to turn down a promotion - something that would bring added advantages.
I hope the council at least make a bid, if only to promote the town. If they do, and if Colchester is honoured, I am sure people may change their view on the status.
12/02/2011 at 7:14 am Permalink
Couldn’t agree more Jason. For CBC to spend any time, let alone money on this is a complete waste of resources.
14/02/2011 at 10:48 am Permalink
I don’t understand why people are against this. It isn’t going to cost any money trying to get city status. Does anybody who puts this down actually know anything about Colchester’s history? It was a ‘city’ from its origins, so technically it would be claiming back an original status. Colchester SHOULD be a CITY!!!
05/03/2011 at 2:10 pm Permalink
This bid has the smell of snake charmers Oil about it…something to keep the application writers in clover? The last time Colchester went for city status they wasted £10,000 of the application and were told they should not have bothered applying (and have read the guidance notes?), and that there was a 300,000 minimum population threshold…money wasted unnecessarily, I want a refund not more money wasted!
…and which places won previously? Brighton and Wolverhampton, both at least double Colchester’s size.
It was a waste of time and effort before, and will be again, we should be putting effort into something more meaningful like becoming the greenest town in the Country, getting behind the cycling town status, or getting a decent bus park sorted out.
Who wants to be a city anyways? What charm is there being compared to the smelly, cramped, pollution ravaged urban area of the UK?
06/03/2011 at 1:15 am Permalink
Strange. If there was a 300,000 minimum population threshold last time, why did Newport (137,000) and Preston (129,600) get city status, but not Colchester (155,800)?
The application this time would cost nothing. So you’re welcome to a refund!
06/03/2011 at 8:47 am Permalink
Colchester is already larger than such boring, bland cities as Oxford, Cambridge, Norwich and Exeter. The application will be done for free by Destination Colchester and the result should be a boon for all of us. I vote yes!
06/03/2011 at 4:56 pm Permalink
Colchester - Britain’s first City. For 400 years Colchester was a city in Roman times when London was a muddy crossing point.
I think Colchester has so many jewels in it’s crown that it deserves to be named a City once more.
To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, The Cabinet Office has announced that there is be an opportunity for ONE UK town to become a city and local authorities are invite to apply for civic honours to mark this special occasion.
In its history Colchester was once a city. As ‘Colonia Claudia’ Colchester was the first Capital of Roman Britain, but lost this status after AD410 when Britain had effectively ceased to be part of the Roman Empire.
What’s happening?
Destination Colchester, a community lead organisation group dedicated to celebrating Colchester, is championing a bid for Colchester to apply for city status. This is your chance for your voice to be heard so join in the debate and support the bid for City status for Colchester. Colchester Borough Council will be meeting on 23 March to decide whether to apply.
You support is essential for this application to be successful and Colchester is to receive City status. Please leave your comments here http://www.destinationcolchester.com
What are the benefits to Colchester becoming a city?
The benefits of being a city include
• creating a sense of civic pride to be recognised as a city by HM The Queen.
• Raising Colchester’s profile as a place to live, work, visit and do business.
• Attract business to the new City boosting local economy
• Be recognised as an area for regeneration, investment and development
• Be put on the tourism map as the newest city in UK
• Opportunities for companies to re locate to the new vibrant city
• Improve job prospects
• Secure investment opportunities
• Recognition as a centre of excellence with our wealth of treasures including University, Garrison Headquarters, Colchester Weston Homes Stadium, Colchester Castle, Roman Heritage, award winning Theatre, FIRSTSITE - the new visual arts facility and conference centre, Constable Country, Sailing centres and proximity to London and beautiful countryside.
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o Endorsement – City Status is an honour conferred by H.M. The Queen and would send a very significant signal of confidence in Colchester and its future.
o Confidence – Colchester is already experiencing significant change and this will continue. It is the fastest growing district in population terms in the country. In fact, The Centre for Cities stated in 2010 that, if Colchester was a city, it would rank as one of the country’s most buoyant economies.
o Profile – Attaining City Status would be a spur for further inward investment and job growth, positive international and national media coverage and a sense of enhanced civic pride for many local people. Colchester would be in the media spotlight which would be an opportunity to say more about Colchester than its traditional associations with the Romans, oysters and the Garrison so there would be an opportunity to change its image too. Currently there are no cities in the county of Essex which is relatively rare in the UK.
Your questions answered
We recognise that this subject can polarise opinion so we have conducted a quick poll of concerns and attempted to answer them so that a more informed debate can take place.
Money Questions
How much will it cost?
The Government recognises that we are in a period of austerity so ‘glossy’ expensive publications will not be required. Similarly, by working with Destination Colchester, Colchester Borough Council will save time on people collating the application. It is anticipated that the application will be designed by people in Colchester’s creative community so costs will be kept to an absolute minimum.
Do we get more money from the Government if Colchester becomes a city?
No.
Will my Council Tax go up?
No. Being a city will NOT affect your Council Tax.
The Government froze Council Tax in last June’s Budget so it won’t go up in 2011/12. The Government will then decide what will happen after that.
Will my Business Rates go up?
No. Being a city will NOT affect your Business Rates.
Business Rates are not frozen and they are the subject of a Government consultation at the moment about how they are allocated. The Government will increase Business Rates by 4.6% in 2011/12 and this was based on the Retail Price Index last September.
How much will it cost to change everything to a city?
In these austere times a pragmatic approach will be taken. The Council’s logo doesn’t include the word ‘Borough’ so that could still be used for instance. Other changes would take place over a period of time when something needed to be updated rather than cost more now.
Heritage Questions
Will we lose ‘Britain’s oldest recorded town’?
No!
Colchester was a city for 400 years in Roman times.
Colchester is Britain’s First City.
Colchester will always be Britain’s oldest recorded town.
The town centre core, which is already a Conservation Area, could be designated ‘The Old Town’. This would actually put the focus on the location of the original Roman city and could be an added advantage in that the town would be retained within the city which would help to preserve and develop the vitality of the town centre.
What area would be covered?
The Borough of Colchester would apply through Colchester Borough Council. To see a map of the Borough click here: http://www.colchester.gov.uk/Info_page_two_pic_2_det.asp?art_id=9411&sec_id=1604
However, the application also needs a ‘city centre’ to be defined. Our historians advise that this could simply be within the Roman walls as this would fit with the original extent of Colonia Claudia, the first Roman City.
Wouldn’t that be too small?
No, there are currently 55 cities in England and Wales and 30 of these are smaller than Colchester.
Don’t we need a Cathedral?
No! A Cathedral is not a requirement to be a city - only 17 of 55 cities have one.
I live in a village, what happens to us if Colchester becomes a city?
City status makes no difference to Planning law and regulations so rural communities will still have their distinct identities, which would make the experience of the Borough as a city even richer.
Wasn’t Colchester a city anyway?
Yes! Colchester was the first Roman city as it was called a ‘colonia’ by the Emperor Claudius when he came here in AD49. In fact Colchester was the capital of Roman Britain when London was just a trading post!
‘who benefits?’ Questions
Why should we apply for city status?
o Endorsement – City Status is an honour conferred by H.M. The Queen and would send a very significant signal of confidence in Colchester and its future.
o Confidence – Colchester is already experiencing significant change and this will continue. It is the fastest growing district in population terms in the country. In fact, The Centre for Cities stated in 2010 that, if Colchester was a city, it would rank as one of the country’s most buoyant economies.
o Profile – Attaining City Status would be a spur for further inward investment and job growth, positive international and national media coverage and a sense of enhanced civic pride for many local people. Colchester would be in the media spotlight which would be an opportunity to say more about Colchester than its traditional associations with the Romans, oysters and the Garrison so there would be an opportunity to change its image too. Currently there are no cities in the county of Essex which is relatively rare in the UK.
Continues …
‘Concerns about growth’ Questions
Will it mean that Colchester gets bigger?
Colchester is already experiencing significant change and this will continue. It is the fastest growing district in the country with £3bn being invested in four regeneration areas. According to the mid-2009 population estimates, Colchester’s population stands at 177,100 people. Colchester is the largest district in Essex, accounting for 12.7% of the County population. It is also the fastest growing district in Essex and has seen an increase of 13.5% since mid-2001 (21,100 people).
Colchester’s population is estimated to grow to approximately 215,900 people in 2021, an increase of 21.9% (38,800 people) over a 12 year period. This is the largest population growth in Essex County by 6.5% (Tendring having the next highest growth at 15.4%).
The Council’s Planners are already taking this growth into account and you can find out more here:
http://www.colchester.gov.uk/service_landing_level_3.asp?sec_id=1283
Application process Questions
What are the criteria for city status?
The Government has not published any criteria but the guidance does need information on history, identity, traditions, famous residents, associations with Royalty and other distinctive features. You can see the guidance for yourself here: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Civic-Honours-Entry-Guidelines.pdf
What other towns will be applying for city status in 2012?
It is difficult to tell but we have heard that Bolton, Bury St Edmunds, Chelmsford, Southend, Cheltenham, Ipswich, Luton, Medway towns (Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Strood), Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Perth, Readying, Wrexham and Corby may be applying.
The ultimate question – will Colchester be successful?
One town in Britain will be made a City in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. We feel that Colchester deserves be honoured as a City.
We will never know if we don’t apply!
Thank you for taking the time to read through this paper. Please spend a few minutes to complete this questionnaire and tell us what you think. Should Colchester apply for city status? Click here:
Visit https://secure.colchester.gov.uk/surveys/City_Status/city_status.htm to take part in the questionnaire.
This document was written by Karen Turnball and Wendy Bailey
Wendy Bailey
Chairman, Destination Colchester
07770 665512
http://www.destinationcolchester.com
06/03/2011 at 5:07 pm Permalink
Thanks for this Wendy. That’s a lot of PR puff to take in - precisely the reason why I think the shift to city status is more stigma than celebration. A town is local; a city becomes swallowed up.
06/03/2011 at 6:02 pm Permalink
Couldn’t agree more with this comment — city status means little to the person on the street. Civic pride would be lifted by something more practical IMHO.
07/03/2011 at 1:44 am Permalink
Yes…”a lot of PR puff”…!
There’s a more concise Q&A on the http://www.destination-colchester.com website.
But…”a town is local; a city becomes swallowed up”…?
Where do you get that from?
Towns like Croydon, Oldham and Walsall?
Cities like Lincoln, Winchester and Cambridge?
07/03/2011 at 11:58 pm Permalink
I could go on forever on this subject, but here’s a few other reasons why Colchester has good chances of being honoured for city status.
1. It’s history - pretty self explanitory
2. It is a major garrison base, home to the 16 Air Assault Brigade
3. Royal links - Colchester was granted its first Royal Charter by King Richard I in 1189. Colchester Castle was the first Royal Castle in England, outside of London and built by William the Conqueror. Colchester recieved visits from the Queen and Prince Phillip in 2004 - and as recent as 2010, the Queen visited the borough. Colchester is one of only 12 places in the UK to fire Royal Salutes to mark Royal anniversaries. Wilkin & Sons Jam Factory at Tiptree has had a Royal Warrant since 1954.
4. Famous residents and character associations include Emperor Claudius; Boudicca; Jane and Ann Taylor (authors of ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’); John Constable; Blur; Dermot O’Leary; Olly Murs (XFactor 2009 2nd) and Matt Cardle (XFactor winner 2010); St. Helena; Thomas Lord Audley; William Gilberd (who coined the word ‘electricity’ and was a doctor to Elizabeth I).
5. Colchester is a major regional hub. It is close to London, Stanstead Airport, Harwich and Felixstowe ports and the mainland of Europe.
6. Colchester has a university; Institute; sixth form college and a Royal Grammar School.
Maybe i should stop, i think it may take me hours to get everything covered, but you get the idea.
09/03/2011 at 8:43 pm Permalink
Honestly, i see no reason why Colchester shouldn’t become a city. Essex needs its own city and i think Colchester should be that city!
14/12/2011 at 10:21 pm Permalink
you tell them we don’t need to be a city we are fine the way we are!