Archive for the ‘Essex’ Category
Roman Circus Colchester
Posted: January 16, 2019 in Essex, Roman History, UKTags: Colchester, Roman Chariot Racing
The Romans in Colchester (4)
Posted: January 15, 2019 in Essex, History, Roman History, UKTags: Colchester, Colchester Sphinx
The Colchester Sphinx was discovered in 1821 near the Balkerne Gate, It is a small statue of a mythical creature with a human head between its claws and was carved from British stone. It is still an object of some mystery but is probably from the 2nd century AD and most recent suggestions are that it was a ‘grave guardian’ from a military tomb. It is on display in Colchester Castle Museum.
The Romans in Colchester (3)
Posted: January 15, 2019 in Essex, History, Roman History, UKTags: Colchester
The Romans in Colchester (1)
Posted: January 14, 2019 in Essex, History, Roman History, UKTags: Colchester
A trip with the History group to Colchester in Essex.
Prior to the arrival of the Romans in Britain, Camulodunum had been the Royal seat of Cunobelin, Leader of the Trinovantes. When the Roman invaded in 43AD the Emperor Claudius himself (during his brief 14 day visit) led the Roman legions into the settlement, where they proceeded to construct a legionary fortress on the high ground overlooking the Trinovantes settlement, In the initial years of the Roman conquest this newly founded Roman settlement served as the capital of the province of Britannia.
By 49AD it had become a civilian colonia named Colonia Claudia and the military presence was mostly comprised of retired soldiers. A dispute in AD60 with the Iceni following the death of their king led to his widow Boudica leading the Iceni and the Trinovantes against the colonia. It was ill-prepared and the rebels stormed through the city burning and killing. Those that could took refuge in the Temple of Claudius, on the site of the current castle. Here they held out for 2 days waiting for relief that never came and finally the rebels burnt it down and massacred any survivors.
The colonia was rebuilt following the suppression of the rebellion, but lost it status as provincial capital to the fast growing settlement of Londinium. During this rebuilding a city wall was added to ensure that the city would never be undefensible again.
A weekend visit to the steam gala at the Epping and Ongar Railway. Although this is the nearest Steam Railway to London this is my first visit. The line is situated on the extension of the London Underground line from Epping (its current terminus) to Ongar.
At present, although the line is still in place visitors have to catch a bus from Epping Station to North Weald.
North Weald is currently one of two stations currently open on the line.
The journey from North Weald to Ongar through the Essex countryside was pulled by 813, a GWR Saddle Tank.
The end of the line is at Ongar Station.
The Journey back to North Weald was pulled by US Army Transportation Company S160 5197
In all, there were 5 locomotives in steam – the others being Hunslett Austerity ‘Lord Phil’, Metropolitan No 1 and Isobel.
An excellent day.
Some more views of Southend Pier
When I was growing up in the east end of London, our holiday was often a day trip to Southend, so it was interesting to see that it seems to have changed little in the last 50 years and remains the quintessential British seaside resort from the mid-20th century.

The Kuursal (built 18940 was the main amusement park in Southend when I was young. It has declined over the years. the amusement park closed in 1973 (now housing) and the main building was shut down in 1986. Following redevelopment, it re-opened as a bowling alley and casino in 1998.
The first pier at Southend was a wooden construction built in 1830. But by the middle of the century the increased tourist numbers had begun to take their toll and in 1887 it was decided to replace it with an iron pier. Opened in 1889, extended in 1897 with an upper deck was added in 1907, followed by a further extension in 1927. In 1959 a fire destroyed the Pavilion located at the shore end of the pier trapping over 500 people on the seaward side who had to be rescued by boat. In 1976 fire destroyed much of the pierhead and the following year buildings at the shore end of the pier were damaged by another fire. It was a dark time for the pier as in the following year the pier’s electric railway was closed. In 1980 the council announced that the pier was to close but reversed this decision following a local protest. In 1983 a grant was given to the pier as a historic building which allowed repairs be made and these were completed in 1986 and included the provision of a new diesel train service from the shoreside to the pierhead. However within a couple of months, a boat had crashed into the pier severing the new pierhead from the rest, in the process destroying the lifeboat station and it was not until 1989 that the pier fully reopened. Further renovations to the pierhead were carried out in 2000 creating a new sundeck and building a new lifeboat station. The pier’s fiery history has continued. In 2005 a fire destroyed some buildings at the pierhead and a new pavilion and railway station have been constructed since to replace the ones destroyed.