Colchester: Queen's Platinum Jubilee city status for oldest recorded town
BBCThanks to the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder, Colchester - then called Camulodunum - became Britain's first recorded settlement, and later its first city and capital. Although its chances of ever ousting London as the capital city remain extremely slim, it has emerged it is to become a city once again.
Just over a decade ago, Essex - despite being the seventh largest county in England - did not have a single city. It will soon have three.
Named one of eight towns to be made cities to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Colchester will follow Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford in gaining city status.
What does city status mean to those who live and work in the town?
'I hope they promote the city as much as possible'
"I think it is great - it was a city under the Romans so it will continue the tradition really," says Andrew Bagley.
"I think when somewhere gets city status it brings more prosperity to the area and I think everybody could do with a bit of that at the moment.
"I hope they promote the city as much as possible to bring in investment for the people."
'I am very happy for this town'
Richard Smith/BBC"It is wonderful," says nurse Leana Schuck, 25, who is originally from the Philippines.
"It is very good news for everyone in the town.
"Even though I am not a British national I am very happy for this town."
'I didn't think it would actually happen'
RIchard Smith/BBC"I'm surprised," says Jack Singleton, 22, who did not know about the city status news until the BBC told him.
"I know we've been going for it for quite a while, so I didn't think it would actually happen.
"So I am quite surprised to see it actually. I like it - that is good news."
'It will transform Colchester'
Victoria Johnson is owner of the interior design firm Dear Grace.
She says she is "euphoric" at the news.
"I am beyond happy as it is so well deserved for the town, everyone who works and lives here, it is amazing," she says.
"It opens up a lot of opportunities. It attracts more tourism and there are businesses that, when they are looking for headquarters, will only look at cities.
"It will transform Colchester."
'I've been walking around with my fingers crossed'
"The campaign for city status has been on and off over many years," says Irene Kettle, former editor of the Colchester Gazette and Essex County Standard.
"This is about civic pride - there are so many reasons to be proud of Colchester and that Her Majesty has chosen this very, very special moment to recognise the wonderful city of Colchester is very special for us all.
"I think the time is right and the Queen has chosen to make us part of her Platinum Jubilee.
"I've been walking around with my fingers crossed for about seven months."
'All comes to he who waits'
Steve Mannix, chief executive at the Colchester Mercury Theatre, says city status is a "great honour".
"I think people should be delighted," he says. "All comes to he who waits.
"It puts us on a par with other places in the country, such as Chester and York."
Famous five
Getty ImagesColchester has various claims to fame, including:
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, the well-known nursery rhyme, was written in the attic of a house in the Dutch Quarter by Jane Taylor in 1806
- It has the remains of the only Roman chariot racing track in the UK
- The oldest-known hot cross bun was baked there for Good Friday in 1807
- In AD60 Queen Boudicca of the Iceni tribe raised a huge army and burned down the Roman towns of Colchester and London before heading north to St Albans
- The town gives its name to Colchester native oysters, which, despite the name, are actually harvested from the shallow creeks off nearby Mersea Island
The council's city status bid highlighted Colchester's long and varied history, its growth into an important regional centre, its strong royal and military links and its artistic and cultural offer.
Colchester's Conservative MP Will Quince said: "I am absolutely delighted that the UK's first Roman city has become the UK's newest city as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
"When the Romans arrived in Britain, Colchester was their first destination to create a garrison which became known as the City of the Victorious.
"City status will mean that our dynamic economy, nationally recognised award-winning cultural and heritage assets and internationally renowned university can reach new heights.
"We can all share pride in this honour."
'One of the fastest growing towns'
Colchester United Football Club chairman, Robbie Cowling, says he is "delighted for the city".
"Colchester is one of the fastest growing towns in the country, so hopefully it is going to attract more business," he says.
"As I know from the football side, we've got a really big rivalry with Southend and they've recently become a city, so I think it's only fitting that Colchester should be one too."
'A brilliant surprise'
"I've never lived anywhere else and I am really excited to see what opportunities come from it," says BBC Essex breakfast presenter Sonia Watson.
"I think many people hoped it would happen, but I think it will come as a brilliant surprise because we have missed out on a few previous occasions.
"Quite rightly Southend has been awarded city status so I reckon a number of people may have wondered whether Essex would ever get a third city.
"The great news is that, yes it has got a third city, which is great not just for Colchester, but for Essex as a whole."
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