Latest news with #Colchester
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Clacton trike rider, 76, dies eight days after Colchester crash
A 76-year-old man has died eight days after a crash involving a car and his trike-style motorbike.A red Peugeot 208 car and the trike with a red trailer on the back were in collision on the Northern Approach Road at the junction with Wallace Road in Colchester at about 08:45 BST on 3 Police confirmed on Wednesday the man from Clacton-on-Sea died on 11 July and specialist officers are supporting his force urged anyone with information to come forward to help with inquiries. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Former Colchester mayor made 'Auschwitz' post about migrants
A former mayor of Colchester has admitted posting on social media that "we need to create an Auschwitz camp minus the ovens to house illegals".Gerard Oxford, who said he deleted the post about 20 minutes later, told the BBC: "I am sorry that I made the post now."I regret using the word 'Auschwitz'. I should have just said 'detention camp'."Former MP for Colchester Sir Bob Russell said: "I'm flabbergasted. I know Gerard well. This is completely out of character. That is not the comment of the Gerard Oxford I know." Oxford said: "I've been suggesting for some time we should create detention camps in this country."Sir Bob, a Liberal Democrat who has known Oxford for years, added: "That's not the language we should expect in a democratic society under any circumstances. We all know what Auschwitz was, and to use that word is just not acceptable."Oxford was mayor of Colchester in 2017. Originally a Lib Dem, he left the party two decades ago and was an independent quit Colchester City Council in 2022 after a dispute over disability access at the town insisted he was not antisemitic and added: "I find it more offensive when I [see] Palestine Action marching every week. I call that antisemitic." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Colchester 'Jumbo' water tower restoration work set to begin
Work on a multi-million pound restoration of the largest municipal water tower in England is set to begin this locally as "Jumbo", the 40m (131ft) Balkerne Water Tower in Colchester, Essex, was decommissioned in 1984 and has been empty since this year, the Grade II-listed building was given an £8m grant from the National Lottery Fund to make it accessible to the public for the first time and to open a heritage and events space Robert McAlpine Special Projects has been appointed to carry out the restoration, with initial pre-construction work due to start in the coming weeks and the bulk of the project scheduled to begin in December. The firm specialises in handling complex heritage and conservation operations director, Mike Coleman, said: "We are delighted to have been appointed to help bring a much-loved asset of industrial heritage and part of Colchester's rich history back into public use for the residents and visitors."Our team will be able to call upon years of experience in the heritage sector, leveraging traditional skills to retain the tower's charm and character while bringing it up to the standards required of a modern-day attraction." The structure, which was built using about 1.25 million bricks and 142 tonnes of cast iron, has been a fixture of the Colchester skyline since Essex Heritage secured a 150-year lease on the building in 2021, and has backing from UK government funding, Colchester City Council and Historic England as well as The National Lottery Heritage Lowe, North Essex Heritage's project director, said: "We look forward to working with a partner who understands what Jumbo means to Colchester and the importance of putting the community at the heart of what we do. "Together we will transform this heritage icon to inspire, engage and serve the local community". Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bomb squad called to Colchester charity shop after live 'rocket' donated
BOMB experts were called to a Colchester charity shop after workers discovered a rocket they thought was a model was actually live ammunition. Emergency services were called to the RSPCA Essex Mid & North's charity shop in Prettygate Road during the incident. Manager Tara Abbott, 35, and her team had been going through a bag of donations which had been left outside the shop's side entrance. The volunteers found a large rocket weighing around 'two or three kilos' which the team thought must be a replica or a model. But Ms Abbott, from Clacton, said alarm bells started ringing after they looked at the bottom of the missile. She set it aside in her office to research properly with the team believing it was unlikely it would be live. Charity shop - RSPCA Essex Mid and North branch's charity shop in Prettygate Road (Image: RSPCA Essex Mid and North branch) But the next day, Ms Abbott said she remained concerned and sent pictures to the police. She said Essex Police attended within 15 minutes with an army bomb disposal unit officer. Ms Abbott said: 'I thought I would deal with it when we have more time, I needed to sit down and research. 'We never thought in a million years someone would donate a live piece of ammunition. 'It wasn't until I went home and sent some photos, people told me I need to deal with it now. Manager - Tara Abbott with her dog Jasper (Image: Tara Abbott) The rocket (Image: RSPCA Essex Mid and North branch) "On Thursday, I explained the situation to the police, we had the police, and an army bomb disposal person turn up.' Once the rocket was safely removed from the shop, it was later confirmed it was 'live ammunition'. The charity shop manager said she felt 'panic and a sense of dread' after sharing the images. 'It was over and done with so quickly', she said. Close up - the rocket (Image: RSPCA Essex Mid and North branch) 'In the beginning, it did cross our minds, shall we contact the police, but I've worked in charity shops for 18 years and never had anything donated like it in my life. 'The shock kicked in, there was disbelief.' Ms Abbott added: 'Thankfully, no one was harmed and our brilliant team at Prettygate is still in one piece. 'But let this be a gentle reminder to double-check your donations, especially if you're clearing out the garage, shed or loft. 'We're incredibly proud of our staff for staying calm and acting quickly and immensely grateful to the emergency services for their response.' Live ammunition - the rocket (Image: RSPCA Essex Mid and North branch) Essex Police and the army were contacted for a comment.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton Pairs Earth Tones in Ralph Lauren and Blazé Milano for Hospital Visit in Colchester
Kate Middleton paid a visit to the Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital on Wednesday in Colchester, England. The British royal family member, who has taken on more public royal engagements since completing her chemotherapy treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer in September, spent some time speaking with staff and planting flowers in the garden. For the special outing, she opted for a select few designers for her business casual attire. The royal wore the Wind Hunter Charmer double-breasted pinstriped grain de poudre blazer courtesy of Blazé Milano. The stripe motif perfectly complemented Middleton's shirt. More from WWD Olivia Rodrigo Captures Wimbledon's Spirit in Vintage Ralph Lauren Dress With Louis Patridge by Her Side Kate Middleton Champions Sustainability in Her Signature Veja Sneakers for Hospital Visit Queen Camilla's Latest Shoe Choice Highlights Her Love for Neutral Tones The Princess of Wales also wore the 'Capri' striped cotton-poplin shirt in tan and white by Ralph Lauren, a designer whose suits she has also styled in the recent past. Middleton paired her shirt and blazer with a pair of chocolate brown pants with a belt. As for other elements of her attire, the royal wore a pair of metallic-trimmed leather sneakers courtesy of Veja. Her jewelry consisted of a Cartier bracelet and white gold earrings, along with a necklace by London-based brand Auree Jewelry. Ralph Lauren, a designer also worn by Middleton's sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, has several pieces featured in Kate Middleton's royal wardrobe. Last April, Middleton wore the 'Schmitt' herringbone tweed blazer in olive courtesy of the American designer. The Princess of Wales wore the jacket during her joint visit to the Ardura Community Forest in Ardura, Isle of Mull, Scotland, alongside her husband, Prince William. The trip coincided with the royal couple's 14th wedding anniversary. Known for her power suiting moments and royal rewears, Middleton's embrace of the business casual style created an approachable effect for her latest solo royal engagement. The combination of the Ralph Lauren shirt with the Blazé Milano blazer and Veja sneakers crafted a business casual aesthetic that still catered to Middleton's approach to fashion and style. View Gallery Launch Gallery: Kate Middleton's Style Through the Years: Burberry Suits, Alexander McQueen Dresses & More Best of WWD A Look Back at Fourth of July Celebrations at the White House Princess Diana's Birthday Looks Through the Years: Her Sleek Black Jacques Azagury Dress, Vibrant Colors and More Lauren Sánchez's Fashion Evolution Through the Years: From Her Days as TV News Anchor to Today
