Whilst capturing the memories of the St Botolph’s area from those who have enjoyed this historically rich area within Colchester, little did we know our first hiccup would be the dulcet tones of British songstress Adele. Our first afternoon was pencilled in to be a chance to get to know the area, visit local business’ and to introduce the idea of creating an online archive of memories to the community. Like two door to door salesman, my colleague Andrew and I took our friendly faces out and about to introduce ourselves to residents and local businesses that we would like to get to know better over the coming weeks.
Popping into the Tourist Information centre started the ball rolling perfectly, a who’s who of local historian, tour guides and community leaders introduced a vast network of people to contact over the coming weeks. The very building we were stood in also offered a great starting point, with its previous lives including that of a chip shop and barber’s shop resulting in more leads to follow.
Next followed a chat with the staff at St Thomas Moore’s School, with later interviews lined up with present staff and a former pupil now pensioner. A stroll to the train station produced leads to meet with staff from twenty years ago with the station then known as St Botolph’s Train Station.
Venturing into TP’s bar to explore the remnants of the Police Station, it was in fact four regulars who caused the enlightening part of our visit. Quickly the goldmine of information on the nightlife of years go by, the factories near Colchester Town station and a firsthand account of spending an occasional night in the cells turned this research trip to a recording opportunity. Quickly I set up the portable recorder, eager not to miss a moment, adjusting the relevant settings as a single interviewee expanded to two and then three with an unfortunate fourth in the form of the jukebox. Obviously TP’s is an Adele sort of place as the singers entire back catalogue played piercingly through this journey through time; forgetting she’s forty years too late for our conversation about cattle drives through Colchester or the fact she was raised far outside the boundaries of St Botolph’s in Tottenham in recollection perhaps of how surprising the people we’ll come across.
Rich Chilver is part of the team, collecting reminicenses of the St Botolph's area.