Celebrations planned in Colchester to mark 'City Day'
Colchester will officially become a city on November 23
Celebrations are planned to mark the largest town in Essex officially becoming a city in one week’s time.
Once the capital of Roman Britain, Colchester will again be officially recognised as a city, after a special ceremony on November 23.
In October last year, Colchester Borough Council announced it would once again bid for city status, despite previous failed attempts. And in May 2022, it was announced it would receive the status as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee civic honours, along with seven other former-towns across the country.
This will make it the third city in Essex after Chelmsford, which was made a city to mark The Queen’s diamond jubilee, and Southend-On-Sea, which was made a city as a memorial to its late MP David Amess.
Now a parade through the town has been planned, followed by the presenting of the letters patent, a special document to officially confirm the status, by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex at Moot Hall in the town centre.
The celebrations were originally planned in September, however these were reorganised following the death of The Queen.
The Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Tim Young (Labour, Greenstead), said in a statement: “City Day is a long time coming, a proud moment for us to celebrate all that makes Colchester what it is, what it was, and what it will continue to be: a fantastic place to live, to work and to visit.
“It will be an incredible honour for me to receive the letters patent from the King’s representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, on behalf of the people of Colchester, but it will also be a poignant moment as the letters patent were granted by her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“I would like, once again, to pay tribute and offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to make this historic occasion a reality.”
What will happen on City Day?
The ceremony will begin at 5.30pm on November 23 2022. Starting at the Mercury Theatre, a civic procession of dignitaries and councillors led by the Town Serjeant and Colchester Pipes and Drums will gather.
It will then move along the High Street to the Town Hall, where the Town Crier will deliver a proclamation.
20 refugees from Ukraine and other countries who have moved to Colchester will also be part of the procession and will be flying flags.
At 6pm, councillors will process into Moot Hall for a formal robed meeting. This will be the last time they will sit as a borough council.
Leader of the council David King (Lib Dem, Mile End) said: “This meeting represents a significant moment in the long history of Colchester, as we change from a borough to a city.
“As our ceremonial procession will show, with the flags of many nations flying, we provide a warm welcome for those seeking a safe and supportive place to live, work or visit. Becoming a city will further raise that national profile. It will deliver a major boost to the local economy. It will create even greater social opportunities, and it will promote our rich heritage and culture – for the benefit of all our residents, businesses and the many visitors who flock here.”
The Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, will then present the letters patent to the Mayor.
Following speeches from the Mayor and Lord Lieutenant, the council will vote on whether to change its name to Colchester City Council.
The first full meeting of Colchester City Council will then convene for a ceremony to confer honorary aldermanship on former mayor and long-serving councillor Peter Chillingworth.
Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage Councillor Pam Cox (Labour, New Town and Christ Church) said: “The historic parade and ceremony will be followed, in January, withy a year of celebrations, festivals and exhibitions, which will showcase all the wonderful things our new city of Colchester has to offer and convey to the world that we are a city of culture, compassion and creativity.
“City Day is our day, a time to come together and look to the future as we celebrate all of the great things Colchester has to offer.”