9.29°C Before Christmas, I was asked by the Colchester Gazette to contribute to the ‘My View’ section of the newspaper. ‘My View’ was published in the newspaper on Friday, 7th January 2011.
Colchester has always had a vibrant music and arts scene covering a diverse range of tastes. The options of where to go and what to do are varied – and that’s why I launched my Keep Colchester Cool project in 2009.
Colchester’s music offering is creating a real buzz. More venues than ever before are providing live music, with a strong focus on musicians performing original material. Last year’s Colchester Free Festival reflected this, with over 15,000 people enjoying a day packed with top-quality local music.
The arts scene is consistently impressive. Both the Mercury Theatre and Colchester Arts Centre are held in high regard locally and nationally, and justifiably so. The debate about the building and opening of Firstsite has filled many pages, but my point is simple – it’s here to stay, and it will undoubtedly bring many people into Colchester for the first time. Once the doors open, it becomes our site, so we should put preconceived ideas aside and enter with an open mind.
This leads me to the Cultural Quarter. The investment in the St Botolph’s area is most welcome. Both Keep Colchester Cool and my Cool Publicity business are based in the heart of the Cultural Quarter, and the much-needed regeneration will attract more people and businesses to this part of Colchester – something we should relish.
It amazes me how often people focus on what’s not so good about the town. Many of the issues we face are societal issues and reflect what’s happening in towns and cities across the UK. Most of us have a choice about where we live, and I am proud to live and work in Colchester.
My advice is simple: next time you’re in town, focus on the places that bring something unique to Colchester. By supporting them, you’ll be doing your bit to Keep Colchester Cool.
