TurnBackTime | This week in Colchester's history Woolworths burns down, Cliff Richard come to town a wartime near miss..
Colchester has seen some remarkable events over the years, and this week is no exception!
2nd October 1973 - The Great Woolworths Fire
A devastating fire destroyed the Woolworths department store on Colchester High Street
It became one of the biggest fires in the town's history, leaving the building gutted. Fortunately, everyone escaped without injury. The store was eventually rebuilt and reopened in October 1975
3rd October 1940 - The Old Heath Laundry Air Raid
During the Second World War, Colchester suffered a tragic air raid that became known as the Old Heath Laundry Air Raid.l
Five people lost their lives that day, three at the laundry itself and another two in Scarlett's Road
4th October 1959 - Cliff Richard Comes to Colchester!
Long before he became a household name, Cliff Richard performed alongside The Shadows at the Regal Cinema in Crouch Street.
The building, which later became the Odeon, is still standing, although it has been derelict for some time
5th October 1944 - A Flying Bomb Narrowly Misses Colchester Homes
A damaged German V-1 flying bomb, commonly known as a doodlebug, came dangerously close to hitting houses near Abbey Field
It narrowly missed the homes, struck a tree and eventually exploded near the football pitches at Reed Hall
6th October 1918 - A Parcel Reaches a Colchester Prisoner of War
The Mayor of Colchester received a letter from H.Blowers a prisoner of war being held in Germany. He confirmed that parcel number 13 had arrived safely
And what was inside? Ox cheek, rhubarb pudding, fresh herrings, milk, dripping, tea, prunes, sugar, bacon and cocoa!
7th October 1996 - Jam & Phil's, Colchester Gets Its First 24-Hour Shop!
The shop opened on the corner of Barrack Street and Artillery Street
Although some petrol station shops were already operating around the clock, having a general shop open all night was something of a novelty
8th October 1894 - A Church With an Unexpected Second Life
The St.Botolph's Mission Room opened in Canterbury Road. It later became St.Stephen's Church, affectionately known as the Tin Tabernacle
When the building was eventually demolished, its entrance porch was saved and relocated to a Scout camp in Thorrington