9.49°C Just a couple of months ago, at Colchester Arts Centre, I was introduced to Alice Goss, who was visiting to find out more about the venue’s history. Alice has been a welcome visitor ever since, providing updates on her local discoveries. I’ve invited Alice to tell us more about her new project.
Ben Howard
Colchester is a fascinating town with a rich and varied history compared to her neighbours of Ipswich and Chelmsford.
If asked what you know about Colchester’s history, you might mention the Romans, Queen Boudica or the Civil War – but perhaps not many of the finer details surrounding those events. Until recently, my answer would have been much the same.
My name is Alice, and over the past year, I’ve begun to uncover more of the stories behind this great town. The more I research, the more I discover something that makes me stop and think: “Wow, I didn’t know that.” It makes me feel proud to live here. Did you know, for example, that Colchester Castle is not the oldest building in the town? Or that there are still gas lamps here, if you know where to look?
What fascinates me most isn’t just the buildings or the historical events, but the people behind them – and the stories they’ve left behind.
One of my hobbies is graves research (Taphophilia), something I discovered by accident while researching the grave of John Newton at the church of St Peter & St Paul in Olney. Newton had a remarkable life as a priest and campaigner alongside William Wilberforce in the fight to abolish slavery, which was finally achieved in 1834 after their deaths. He also wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, a piece I had played many times without fully appreciating its origins.
Since then, I’ve viewed graves and church plaques differently – as starting points for uncovering forgotten lives. I’ve found soldiers who fought in distant campaigns, wealthy merchants, artists and ordinary citizens whose lives were marked by joy, hardship and tragedy. Some of their stories would not look out of place as a television drama.
Last year I turned my attention to Colchester itself, exploring churches, historic buildings and burial grounds, researching those connected to the town’s past. Friends were fascinated by what I uncovered, so I began sharing my findings on a Facebook page called Interesting in Colchester.
The page is growing every day, which is hugely encouraging.
In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be posting regularly about different aspects of Colchester’s history – alongside photographs of hidden details and overlooked corners of the town, and images celebrating Colchester at its best, including its wildlife.
All I ask is that you read, share, comment and engage. If the stories spark curiosity or pride in where we live, then the project is doing what I hoped it would.
Alice Goss
https://www.facebook.com/InterestinginColchester
