In February 2024, the Colchester Civic Society produced a Survey of Colchester Sculptures; this survey explored the story behind Colchester's Sculptures around the city, from fan favourites to hidden gems. The city's sculptures vary dramatically in age, with some dating as far back as the 19th century!
In this collaboration with the Colchester Civic Society, keep reading to learn more about some of Colchester's most iconic statues. In this post, we'll be sharing information about a selection of the city's offerings, but do not hesitate to contact the Colchester Civic Society to learn more.
Boudicca by Jonathan Clarke - North Station
If you're arriving by train at Colchester North Station, you'll see your first statue: Boudicca by Jonathan Clarke of Suffolk. This cast iron aluminium bust pays homage to Boudicca, who played a pivotal role in the city's history. As part of her historic rampage, Boudicca led the Iceni tribe to a number of influential Roman cities in an uprise against the Roman Empire including Colchester, destroying homes and infrastructure in the city, and killing many.
This 5.2 metre figure is a totally unique piece, having been sand cast in aluminium and initially carved in polystyrene. The casting process relies on the destruction of the original mould as it is vaporised by the molten aluminium, ensuring it could never be perfectly replicated.
The Queen of the Iceni Tribe is commemorated here, located close to North Station.
Works by Sean Henry - High Street
You'll pass a few more sculptures as you come up North Hill towards the city centre, including the two-tonne anchor outside Seatrade House. The next sculpture that we will be discussing is 'Walking Women' by Sean Henry from Woking, which is especially popular amongst locals.
This 7ft tall bronze sculpture was unveiled on 15th March 2017 by Hugo Fenwick. Walking Women is perceived by many to be representative of motion, and how we continue to move forward with purpose.
While you're there, be sure to look out for 'Man with Cup', also by Sean Henry. The 4ft 6” high sculpture is installed on a shelf, four metres high above street level and is possibly best seen from the first floor of Fenwick’s in Café Nero.
Henry's work has helped to revive the long tradition of polychrome sculpture and his work is regarded as fusing the disciplines of ceramics with those of sculpture to create a fresh, innovative approach to representing the human figure. The National Portrait Gallery regards him as the greatest living sculptor of “real people” working in the U.K today.
This statue is especially popular with locals, and is part of a 2-piece set from Henry.
Colchester Town Hall - High Street
As you progress, you'll come across one of the city's most impressive buildings: The Colchester Town Hall on the High Street. The Town Hall was built to a design by the architect John Belcher during the years 1897-1902 in an Edwardian Baroque style to replace the earlier 1848 Town Hall which was discovered to be unstable.
The style features heavy decoration and a liberal use of six life-size statues on the façade. These were made by L.J.Watts, the local stone masons. These feature Eudo Dapifer, Lord Audley, Sir William Gilberd and Archbishop Harsnett on the High Street frontage and Boudica and Edward the Elder on the Stockwell Street side.
The building also features other elements, including bronze statues and ravens, and seated representations of figures for “Fishery", “Military Defence”, “Engineering” and “Agriculture”. These again are the work of L.J.Watts.
The Colchester Town Hall features a number of statues from a variety of artists.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Mandy Pratt - High Street
On your adventure down the High Street, you'll see the city's most recent addition: Jane and Anne Taylor depicted in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Mandy Pratt of Ardleigh.
Sir Bob Russell, the former M.P. was determined to raise the £90,000 to pay for the statue and installation without Council assistance, which he ultimately achieved. The poem 'The Star' was written in 1806 by Jane Taylor when the family were living in West Stockwell Street. They resided in Colchester from 1796-1810.
The statue of the sisters Jane and Ann was unveiled on May 4th 2024 outside the Tesco store and opposite the Town Hall and West Stockwell Street. A copy of the poem ('The Star') can be found at the feet of the sculptures.
'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' is the city's most recent addition, as of May 2024.
The War Memorial - Cowdray Crescent
Continue your walk down the High Street towards Castle Park, and you'll find Cowdray Crescent where you'll see this lovely statue atop the war memorial.
The War Memorial is a product of multiple talented creatives: the lamp columns, wall, gates, piers, railings and posts were erected in 1923 by the Borough of Colchester by architect Duncan W Clark of Colchester; The War Memorial and the bronze sculpture are by Henry Charles Fehr (1867-1940); the decorative carving on the pedestal was carried out by the Italian sculptor Carlo Magnoni; Messrs L J Watts of Colchester were the stone masons and the ironwork was by H H Martyn & Co of Cheltenham.
The Memorial stands at the centre of the crescent and consists of a tall classical Portland stone pedestal on a three tired granite base surmounted by a bronze statue of Winged Victory standing on a globe, holding an inverted sword and a laurel wreath. Curved projections on the east and west sides of the pedestal support, respectively, bronze statues of St George with sword and shield and Peace holding a dove. The upper angles of the pedestal are carved with festoons and cherub heads with elongated wings.
One of the many features of the War Memorial, which stands just beyond the Cowdray Gates.
This post was written in this collaboration with the Colchester Civic Society. Should you have any questions or be interesting in learning more about their Sculpture Survey, please do not hesitate to contact the Colchester Civic Society.
