Taylor Wimpey : Colchester Civic Society receives a helping hand from East London

Date: Thursday 25 January 2018

Our East London region has funded two plaques to commemorate the military history of two of its new-homes developments in Colchester. A donation has been made to the Colchester Civic Society which paid for the plaques at Praecedo in Mersea Road and Arena Place in Napier Road.

Rosemary Jewers, a member of the Civic Society's Executive Committee, said: 'A few years ago my husband and I contacted Taylor Wimpey and asked if they'd be willing to sponsor two plaques for the sites of the demolished Military Hospital and Sobraon Barracks in Colchester.

'Taylor Wimpey generously donated funds and the unveiling took place in 2012. It was because of this that I, on behalf of the Civic Society decided to approach them again as more of the former Garrison areas are being developed for housing.

'Taylor Wimpey kindly offered to sponsor a further two plaques, one for the Praecedo development - as two barracks, Hyderabad and Meeanee, once occupied this site - and another for their homes at Arena Place, formerly the Garrison Administrative HQ. Both plaques will be placed towards the front of the developments, and will be seen by both visitors to the town and passers by.'

Founded in 1964, with a goal of maintaining the historic aspects of Colchester, the Civic Society encourage a high standard of development and design in the town.

Jo Edwards, Chair of the Colchester Civic Society, said: 'Colchester isn't just a historic town, it's also widely known for its military roots. We get a number of visitors who come to see where they and perhaps their ancestors were stationed and it's incredibly important for these places to be easily identified and commemorated. On behalf of the Society I'd like to say thank you to Taylor Wimpey, we're all extremely grateful.'

Michael O'Leary, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Taylor Wimpey, said: 'We're committed to supporting the communities in which we build our high-quality new homes, and working in partnership with local committees is an example of how we do this. We're thrilled to be helping the Colchester Civic Society again.'