Coming to Colchester: 2000 years of immigration

28 April 2012 to 2 December 2012

Colchester has provided a home to people from all over the world, and has attracted people throughout history. Come along to Hollytrees Museum to find out some of the reasons why Colchester has been such a popular destination, from the Romans through to the present day.

See objects from the Roman wine trade, imported for sale but also for that little ‘home comfort’ from Italy. Find out how religious persecution in Europe lead to a prosperous and world famous cloth trade based in Colchester. Discover more about Mrs Hurlo, a Polish refugee who came to Colchester after the Second World War and see her travelling trunk used to move her belongings across Europe.

There are many other stories to find out and explore, and you can even listen to stories about recent arrivals in Colchester in their own words. Mr Haq arrived in Colchester from Pakistan wanting to teach. He spent 32 years working as a lecturer at the North East Essex Technical College. Find out how Helen Chuah came from Malaysia to work as a staff nurse at Severalls Hospital and ended up as our present Mayor of Colchester. Why don’t you come along and add your story to our message board?

As well as leaving behind some objects that you will be able to see in this exhibition, the immigration of different peoples has left a legacy on how the town looks and feels today. Roman walls, a Norman castle, the Dutch Quarter and the Garrison, these are just some of the landmarks of Colchester’s history of settlers. When you visit the exhibition there is signposting to numerous sites around the town to help you explore this legacy for yourself! Who knows whose footsteps you are walking in?

Tue-Sat 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm
Free Admission

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:
Contact Laura Welham, PR and Press Officer, Colchester Borough Council. Telephone: 01206 508782 or 07815088150.