Colchester Engineering Society exhibition saved after appeal

Last year it was revealed a display created by Colchester Engineering Society to mark the Millennium was set to be made homeless as space at the Museum of East Anglian Life was needed for other exhibits.

With time running out, Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell managed to secure the display a stay of execution, first until the end of May then until the end of July.

This week the display was dismantled by Colchester Engineering Society member John Pyle, before being transport by R&D Schofield from Stowmarket to a storage container in Bures.

Efforts will now be made to find a permanent home for the exhibition in Colchester.

The exhibition has been saved - at least for now

Sir Bob said: "We have bought time. Co-operation with the Museum of East Anglian Life and farmer Andrew Fairs means that this fantastic display, featuring the importance of Colchester’s industrial past from the 18th century through to the 21st century, has been saved.

“But there is no guarantee that it has been saved permanently.

"It is safe for now, but it will only ever again be put on public display if a permanent place can be found for it in Colchester.”

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Sir Bob has already approached Colchester Council, however, the authority said it had no space to display or house the collection.

He said: "I am hoping that the new administration at the town hall may think differently.

"The urgency of storage is not now an issue, but finding a permanent home for the exhibition needs to be resolved as soon as possible.”

The exhibition features items from the early days of iron foundries in Colchester during the 18th century through to the 19th century and the creation of the iconic Paxman factory, which will close for the final time this year.

Displays also feature other engineering firms like Colchester Lathe Company, Bracketts, Mumfords and Britannia Works - all of which no longer exist.

Sir Bob said: "Colchester rightly promotes an impressive history which pre-dates the Roman occupation, but there is more to our history than the Romans and the Normans. Our industrial history should be displayed with pride.

“The Millennium exhibition by the Colchester Engineering Society features Colchester’s rich industrial past. It deserves to be put on permanent display in Colchester.”