THE re-introduction of one of the town’s most beloved events will see former Chief of the General Staff, Lord Richard Dannatt return to Colchester.

That’s the Annual Colchester Lecture, which is being held once again at the Mercury Theatre next week.

With previous speakers in recent years including Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tim Robinson and Simon Weston, there is a history of delivering insightful and varied topics of debate at the event.

And supported by lecture sponsors Birkett Long Solicitors, General the Lord Richard Dannatt will almost certainly do the same.

He takes to the stage for the 32nd Annual Lecture on the topic of The Law, Morality and Armed Conflict: An examination of the justification of armed intervention in the 21st century in the light of recent experiences in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.

A soldier for 40 years, Richard Dannatt concluded his military career as Chief of the General Staff – the professional head of the British Army - and throughout his career made several visits to Colchester, where currently 16 Air Assault Brigade is based.

Since retiring from active duty in 2009, he was Constable of the Tower of London until July 2016, became an independent member of the House of Lords in 2011, and holds the position of President of Help for Heroes.

As part of this year’s lecture, audiences will have the opportunity to listen to him speak on the morality of war, focusing on recent conflicts and using his expertise to study all of the angles.

With representatives from the Garrison and council in attendance, and tickets being offered to Colchester’s colleges and higher education establishments, the civic evening should be a busy and interesting one, with a post-show Question and Answer session and book signing after that, where half of the book sale proceeds will be going to the Help for Heroes charity.

Tickets are priced £12.50 and £8.50 for concessions, available from 01206 573948 or on-line at mercurytheatre.co.uk