Your stories – Nigel Chapman
Nigel Chapman
Mayoral year dates: 2002-2003
How long did you service as a Councillor for Colchester?
35 years (1982-1992 and 1998-2023).
Why did you choose to become a Councillor in Colchester?
I was born, educated and have lived all my life in Colchester where my maternal family go back several generations. As a child in the 1950’s, the Colchester I grew up in was a totally different place to today - it was a sleepy market town. It was easy to know many residents and we knew councillors of all political parties and I became aware of the work they did. I grew up to be proud of my hometown and always had an ambition to emulate their service.
Describe your mayoralty year and the aims you had in 100 words?
It was a period of change; the Cabinet system had been introduced and as leader of the Conservative group I had been in the cross-party cabinet that initially ran the ‘new look’ council. We were looking forward to ‘2020’ aiming to make Colchester a better place for the new century.
My mayoral aim, therefore, was to continue and support those ambitions and I had a theme of ‘Colchester Excelling’, for my year. I was also very keen to continue the mayoral tradition that I define as representing ‘Colchester to Colchester’, that is to say, showing appreciation for all the work that everyone does in some way for everyone else, across the borough.
What did you enjoy most about your mayoral role?
Being able to meet and appreciate a wide variety of people from across Colchester who were doing an amazing and varied range of things, whether through their paid work or as volunteers. It was interesting too, to meet people as diverse as Prince Charles, visiting the garrison, and vociferous anti-war demonstrators outside the Town Hall. It was also a privilege to represent Colchester at events across the county and beyond.
Throughout your year as Mayor of Colchester, what was your most rewarding moment?
I was delighted to discover that my Mayor Making ceremony was exactly one hundred years to the day after the Town Hall had been opened by Lord Rosebery, however, just before the celebrations I found that the pipe organ in the Moot Hall needed repair. I decided there and then to take on the task of getting it fully restored and that was achieved some 16 years later.
As a former Councillor, Mayor and leader, what would you say to someone thinking about becoming a local Councillor?
I would simply suggest that they ensure they understand the commitment in time and energy. Also, that they appreciate all that makes up the city - its communities, its traditions and its history.
Describe the council (present day) in one word
Ambitious.
Page last reviewed: 15 July 2024