The Listening Bench
Please note that the Listening Bench is currently not working and is undergoing repairs.
You can still however listen to the content by clicking on the files below.
You can still however listen to the content by clicking on the files below.
Launch of the Listening Bench
Placed facing the Castle by the flower beds, our Listening Bench is the first of eight set up across Essex with Lottery funding by the Essex Sound & Video Archive. A speaker on its back has two buttons you can press to hear short recordings made by Colchester Recalled, which you can also hear by clicking the links at the bottom of this page, memories about the Castle and Castle Park. Seated on the bench at its launch are the Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Julie Young, and Essex County Council Vice Chairman, Councillor John Jowers. They are surrounded by Colchester Recalled officers, contributors to the recordings, key Borough Councillors and the Essex Sound & Video Archive team.
Listening to Memories of Marmalade Emma and Teddy Grimes in Castle Park
This floral display in Castle Park from 2017 has to be one of the best ever and features among other things an old Austin 7 and two people sitting on a bench who are based on the real life characters Marmalade Emma and Teddy Grimes, two famous tramps. You will also note that the display is in front of the Listening Bench where people can sit and listen to memories of old Colchester. It's well worth a listen either on the bench itself or by clicking on one of the files below. You can also read a Newspaper article featuring Emma and Grimes
Listen to recordings related to the Listening Bench
We have included here some recordings related to the Listening Bench, which are made free for you to listen to. However, if you would like to make a donation (cheque or bank transfer) to assist in the ongoing work of the Colchester Recalled Oral History Group, then you may do so by sending it to our Treasurer to Peter Evans.
(Memories of the Castle dating back to before the present roof was added in the 1930s)
Skipping in the Park
(Memories of having fun in Castle Park and attending the famous skipping event at Easter time)
(Memories of having fun in Castle Park and attending the famous skipping event at Easter time)
(Memories of what life was like before the advent of modern water systems and drainage)