Opening Doors to the Past:Heritage Open Days in Colchester

Don’t miss out on your chance to explore Colchester’s heritage as part of a special event taking place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September 2007.

The two-day event opens the doors to properties, many of which are not normally open or accessible to the public.  Heritage Open Days provide you with a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy these sometimes hidden, often curious and always interesting places in the Colchester area completely free of charge!

Heritage Open Days is an initiative to make properties of interest more accessible to the public.  The event is organised by Colchester and Ipswich Museums and in association with the Colchester Civic Society.  The heritage open days event has kindly been sponsored by the local branch of Purcell Miller Tritton: Architects, designers and historical building consultants. 

Chris Betts, Principal, Purcell Miller Tritton, Colchester says; "Purcell Miller Tritton is proud to support Heritage Open Days 2007. As architects looking after historic buildings such as Colchester Castle Museum and the Town Hall, we hope that the public will share our enthusiasm and go and see as many of these fine buildings as possible on the weekend.

“We are very pleased that so many properties in Colchester are taking part in this event”, said Marie Taylor, marketing officer for Colchester and Ipswich Museums.  “This is a unique opportunity to explore so many of Colchester’s historic buildings.  So much is going on and we hope to encourage children and their families to get involved with their past, have fun and take pride in the environment they live in”.

In support of Heritage Open Days Colchester Castle will open free of charge for one day only on Saturday 8 September 2006 from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm. Don’t miss out!

In addition to sites being open there are History Alive Performances outside Colchester Castle on Saturday 8, Costumed Walking Tours from the War Memorial and much more. Plus don’t miss your chance to have a ride on a vintage bus from the town hall to the Hythe, for the Hythe Heritage Fun Day on Saturday 8 September!

So if you've always wanted to see behind the scenes at the Mercury Theatre, a closer look at the Roman Circus or a peek at the cells in the Town Hall come along and be amazed by your past on Heritage Open Days.  Enjoy free access to discover, explore and enjoy local buildings, history and culture.

To find out which properties are open pick up a leaflet and map from any of Colchester’s museums.  You can also find the list of open properties on www.colchestermuseums.org.uk and click on ‘what’s on’.

Properties/Activities

Saturday 8 September

Mercury Theatre, Bourne Mill, Colchester Castle FREE entry, Tymperleys Clock Museum, History Alive Performances, Roman Circus, Folly at the Minories, Quaker Meeting House, Sparling Benham and Brough, Colchester Royal Grammar School, Hythe Heritage Fun Day

Sunday 9September

Costumed Walking Tours, Highwoods History Walk, St Mary at the Wells

Both Days

Headgate Theatre, Grey Friars College, Colchester Town Hall, St Helen’s Chapel, Peake’s House, St Leonard at the Hythe Church, St Martin’s Church, Audley Chapel, Roman Theatre, St John’s Abbey Gatehouse, Roman Church Remains, Lexden Tumulus, St Botolph’s Church and Priory

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Contact Marie Taylor, marketing officer, Colchester Borough Council 01206 282927

For comment or opinion contact Cllr Christopher Arnold, Portfolio Holder for Culture and the Environment on 07703 168125

Ipswich and Colchester Museums Service is a new service which will be a source of pride, inspiration and fun. In a unique venture Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, and Ipswich, the oldest English town with a strong Saxon heritage, have combined their museum services. The new service offers residents and visitors a richer experience.

The merger of the two services sees a wealth of knowledge and history being shared across the two counties. Covering thousands of years of history Colchester and Ipswich Museum service makes good cultural, educational and economic sense.