Date issued: 16 July 2024
Throughout this year Colchester City Council will be sharing Your Stories from staff, volunteers, councillors and residents, all who make huge and often unseen contributions to Colchester, to mark its golden 50-year anniversary.
From the Seventies right through to the present day, these incredible people have been helping to shape Colchester and support the people that live here – and they’ve got some brilliant stories to share. Here are five from past Mayors of Colchester.
Read Nigel Chapman’s story, who was one of the first cabinet members when the Council introduced a modern Leader and Cabinet leadership arrangement in 2000, and later served as Mayor of Colchester. He reminisces about the Councillors he met in childhood who inspired him to become a Councillor himself, his Mayoral year theme of ‘Colchester Excelling’ and our amazing and varied communities who all care for Colchester so much. Read Nigel’s story here.
Gerard Oxford’s story talks about how he and his wife, Bev Oxford, served as Councillors for a total of 43 years. Gerard reflects on his time as Mayor in 2017-2018 and the £30,000 he raised for his chosen six charities and reminds people who may be looking to stand as a Councillor that the most important thing is that you care about your local community. Read Gerard’s story here.
Sonia Lewis served as a Councillor through the late 1980’s and early 1990’s after she moved to Colchester from Tendring. She remembers her Mayoral year, in 2010-11, when she had the honour of greeting the late Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Tiptree. She also reminisces about her most rewarding moments of that year, which included being at the soldiers Rose Garden in Colchester Cemetery with the first rose planted by Simon Weston. Read Sonia’s story here.
Residents can also read stories from past Mayors, Richard Gower here and Peter Chillingworth here.
The Mayor of Colchester, Lesley Scott-Boutell, said: “Our 50-year anniversary of Colchester Council is a real milestone, and one that I’m honoured to be a part of. This year, we're coming together with our communities to look back on the last 50 years of public service and look forward to the next 50 years to come! It is the perfect opportunity for us to share stories from our communities, staff and Alderman, who have been at the heart of our city through the years."
The Council will continue to mark this half century by celebrating and sharing ‘Your Stories’ from staff, volunteers and residents – all who make a huge and often unseen contributions to Colchester. These stories will be celebrating the hard work of employees, volunteers and residents – all who have a passion for our great city in the past, now and in the future. If you would like to get involved, get in touch by emailing communications@colchester.gov.uk.
Throughout this year Colchester City Council will be sharing Your Stories from staff, volunteers, councillors and residents, all who make huge and often unseen contributions to Colchester, to mark its golden 50-year anniversary.
From the Seventies right through to the present day, these incredible people have been helping to shape Colchester and support the people that live here – and they’ve got some brilliant stories to share. Here are five from past Mayors of Colchester.
Read Nigel Chapman’s story, who was one of the first cabinet members when the Council introduced a modern Leader and Cabinet leadership arrangement in 2000, and later served as Mayor of Colchester. He reminisces about the Councillors he met in childhood who inspired him to become a Councillor himself, his Mayoral year theme of ‘Colchester Excelling’ and our amazing and varied communities who all care for Colchester so much. Read Nigel’s story here.
Gerard Oxford’s story talks about how he and his wife, Bev Oxford, served as Councillors for a total of 43 years. Gerard reflects on his time as Mayor in 2017-2018 and the £30,000 he raised for his chosen six charities and reminds people who may be looking to stand as a Councillor that the most important thing is that you care about your local community. Read Gerard’s story here.
Sonia Lewis served as a Councillor through the late 1980’s and early 1990’s after she moved to Colchester from Tendring. She remembers her Mayoral year, in 2010-11, when she had the honour of greeting the late Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Tiptree. She also reminisces about her most rewarding moments of that year, which included being at the soldiers Rose Garden in Colchester Cemetery with the first rose planted by Simon Weston. Read Sonia’s story here.
Residents can also read stories from past Mayors, Richard Gower here and Peter Chillingworth here.
The Mayor of Colchester, Lesley Scott-Boutell, said: “Our 50-year anniversary of Colchester Council is a real milestone, and one that I’m honoured to be a part of. This year, we're coming together with our communities to look back on the last 50 years of public service and look forward to the next 50 years to come! It is the perfect opportunity for us to share stories from our communities, staff and Alderman, who have been at the heart of our city through the years."
The Council will continue to mark this half century by celebrating and sharing ‘Your Stories’ from staff, volunteers and residents – all who make a huge and often unseen contributions to Colchester. These stories will be celebrating the hard work of employees, volunteers and residents – all who have a passion for our great city in the past, now and in the future. If you would like to get involved, get in touch by emailing communications@colchester.gov.uk.
Page last reviewed: 16 July 2024