GAZETTE reader Belinda Baker, 56, lives on the Birch Glen Estate, in Colchester. She works for a lettings company, is married to Wayne and has a 23-year-old son, Daniel.
How long have you lived in Colchester?
I've lived here for 11 years after moving from Battersea, in London. I have aunts, uncles and cousins who live in Colchester, Clacton and Wivenhoe.
What’s your best memory of living here?
As a child, I loved visiting the market, which was much bigger than it is now. As a teenager, listening to local bands in pubs and the Ollie Twist pub. Since then, I've enjoyed meeting so many creative and diverse people through performing poetry and hosting Jane's Walk in the Hythe (a community-based approach to city building that uses volunteer-led walking tours to make space for people to observe, reflect, share, question and re-imagine the places in which they live, work and play).
What do you like most about living here?
I like the history of Colchester and the green places to walk, such as Middlewick Ranges. There are so many opportunities and possibilities and the community is great, helping each other out, particularly during Covid. I have been part of many things here such as poetry, walks, homelessness projects, campaigns for the culture quarter and now for Middlewick Ranges to become a nature reserve. I also like Firstsite. I like the interesting people here and also host two community pages on Facebook.
What’s your favourite place for a takeaway?
The Mogul Tandoori, on Wethersfield Road. It does a lovely chicken pasanda.
What’s your favourite pub?
Three Wise Monkeys, in High Street.
What one thing that has gone do you miss the most?
The Trinity Church market and cafe and green places that are disappearing or due to disappear, such as Middlewick Ranges.
What’s your favourite building in the town?
Jumbo. I think it's an iconic building and so much could be done there for the benefit of Colchester people.
What’s your favourite place to grab a tea or coffee?
Dice and Slice, in Queen Street. It's a great place to meet people.
Where would you go for a special meal?
Bambu, at the Hythe. It's yummy food.
Where’s the best place to go for a walk?
Middlewick Ranges. It's so natural and a unique area on the south side of Colchester.
If you had a magic wand, what one wish would you grant your town?
To preserve its history and green spaces. Sorry, that's two wishes!
Which three places should anyone visiting make an effort to see?
Castle Park, Middlewick Ranges and Mersea beach.
Choose one thing our town should be really proud of.
It's history. The town should really capitalise on it and make it a true place for tourists to visit. It would bring in a lot of income.
Which three words best sum up your town?
History, nature, people.
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