Latest news with #ColchesterGarrison
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Leaders rally to protect Colchester site of Roman chariot track
Key figures have united to ensure that development plans complement the site of Britain's only known Roman chariot racing Roman Circus was identified during excavations at the former Colchester Garrison in 2004 and was probably in full use between the 2nd and 3rd Century, according to the Colchester Archaeological Trust.A coalition of politicians and business leaders have signed a letter addressed to the planning inspector ahead of a planning inquiry. Labour MP for Colchester, Pam Cox, said: "We can't rebuild the circus, obviously, but you can rebuild a sense of the scale of it." The planning inquiry will begin at the town hall on Tuesday to build more than 200 homes on the former Army Base Repair Organisation land were refused last November over concerns of the impact they would have on the appearance and character of the underground site. The Roman Circus has been described by the trust as a "unique archaeological monument", first discovered in 2000 and identified four years trust said the track was 450 metres (1,476ft) long and about 74 metres (243ft) wide, and would have had six tiers of seating for more than 8,000 spectators. It was probably constructed on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, who visited Britain in the year 122 development plans include building housing around the site and recreating the gates. Ms Cox said: "We've just got the remains under the ground, but if you could recreate a sense of the scale of it through some, for example, tall, terraced housing that gave you a sense of what it would be like to sit in those stands with the track in front of you."That would help to make the site a bit more visible and legible to people." 'Mishmash and hodge-podge' She added: "There's a visitor centre, there's a garden showing where the starting gates were, where the horses and chariots would have hurtled out of their starting areas, we've got raised paving and raised mounds to show some of the lines of the track."But now got a chance to make even more of it and the plans that the developer who bought the land adjacent to the circus recently originally submitted were rejected by the city council because we wanted something more ambitious there."She described the previous designs as "a mishmash and a hodge-podge of housing styles", but said the amended proposal looked "much better"."What I'm hoping today and this week is that those can be formally considered by the planning inspector, and they can be added as a condition to the application," she said."If you imagine a stadium like Wembley Stadium but long and thin, like Circus Maximus in Rome."We can't rebuild the circus, obviously, but you can rebuild a sense of the scale of it."I think we're getting there." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Telegraph
Police blunder put paratroopers on alert for ‘Lee Rigby-style' threat
Military staff at an Army base were mistakenly put on alert over a 'Lee Rigby-style' threat to behead a paratrooper. Security was tightened at the Colchester garrison, where Parachute Regiment battalions are located, after online threats were intercepted by Nottinghamshire police. All military staff at the base were warned not to wear any uniforms or clothing outside the camp that would identify them as military personnel. The families of service members were also sent warnings. However, a spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police has said: 'This story relates to outdated intelligence and does not relate to any current threat or investigation.' It is understood that due to an error made by police logging the date the post was made, military officials were mistakenly informed this week it was a new threat. Fusilier Rigby was murdered by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale on May 22 2013, outside the Royal Artillery barracks in Woolwich, south London, after he was seen wearing a Help for Heroes hoodie, which was popular with troops. The alert sent to families and service personnel at Colchester Garrison, where 3,500 troops and 750 civilian workers are based, said: 'Urgent. All, please disseminate to all your people in camp. 'We have received a warning that a man has made threats against members of the Para Regt and wants to carry out a 'Lee Rigby' style attack. 'The SCC [Security Control Centre] and main gate have been informed but ensure no Para Regt/military clothing is worn outside camp and remain vigilant.' Colchester's military history dates back to the late 18th century when the first barracks were built in the city. The garrison is the home of 16 Air Assault Brigade and troops from the Parachute Regiment's second and third battalions, alongside other infantry and aviation units and supporting detachments, such as logistics and medical personnel. Airborne forces are known to wear regimental clothing outside working hours, particularly their distinctive maroon-coloured T-shirts and fleeces, most often worn with tight jeans and desert boots, a tradition that goes back many decades. Fusilier Rigby was a father-of-one from Middleton, Greater Manchester, and had served in Afghanistan. At the time of his death, he was working in army recruitment. He was a trained machine-gunner and a regimental drummer. He was given a military funeral at Bury parish church on July 12 2013.
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Bungling police spark military base alert as they wrongly issue warnings of 'Lee Rigby-style' threat to British paratroopers
Thousands of Army troops and their families were alerted to a 'Lee Rigby-style' threat at their base after an administrative error by police. The elite Paras were banned from wearing uniform or any military regalia after cops warned a suspect may be planning an attack. A man's name and photograph were circulated across Colchester Garrison and soldiers were warned their partners and children could be targeted. But it emerged this afternoon that the threatening online post which prompted the alert was actually made last year. It is understood that due to an error logging the date the post was made, military officials were mistakenly informed it was a new threat. No action was taken against the man who made the post. Earlier today before the blunder was revealed, defence sources confirmed the identity and image that were being circulated. The warning to soldiers and dependents referred specifically to the fatal attack on Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013. But the alert in Colchester, where the Paras' second and third battalions are based, was stood down yesterday when it emerged the threat was a year old. Police intercepted the suspect's messages last year. But due to an administration error, police warned the Ministry of Defence this week that Paras could face a fatal attack. The suspect's recent release from prison on an unrelated charge is understood to be why his conduct a year ago came to be re-examined. Around 3,500 troops, 750 civilian staff and their dependents live in and around the Essex base. The initial message read: 'Urgent. All, please disseminate to all your people in camp. 'We have received warning that a man has made threats against members of the Para Regt and wants to carry out a 'Lee Rigby' style attack. 'The SCC [Security Control Centre] and main gate have been informed but ensure no Para Regt/military clothing is worn outside camp and remain vigilant.' The MoD had issued a statement which said: 'The safety and wellbeing of our personnel is our top priority. We are aware of an online threat, which is being investigated by the civilian police. 'Personnel are always advised to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the Royal Military Police.' Fusilier Rigby, a father-of-one was hacked to death in broad daylight while walking near Woolwich Barracks in south London. His attackers chose to target him because he was wearing a Help for Heroes hoodie popular with troops. Colchester's military history dates back to the late 18th century when the first barracks were built in the Essex city. Today, it is the home of 16 Air Assault Brigade and troops from the Parachute Regiment's second and third battalions are based there alongside other infantry and aviation units and supporting detachments such as logistics and medical personnel. Airborne Forces are notorious for wearing regimental clothing outside working hours, particularly distinctive maroon-coloured t-shirts and fleeces, most often worn with tight jeans and desert boots, a tradition that goes back many decades. Fusilier Rigby, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, and had served in Afghanistan. At the time of his death he was working in army recruitment. He was a trained machine-gunner and a regimental drummer. He was given a military funeral at Bury Parish Church on 12th July 2013.
