Welcome to The Colchester Circle
Behind the Scenes at our May/June fashion shoot
We've teamed up with Alter Ego Hair Design for a pastel and print studio shoot. Get a taster of what's in store in our next issue from this brilliant behind-the-scenes video created by Alter Ego's Nick Mitchell. ...
Why Vintage Fairs are a Girl’s Best Friend
Sarah Slack previews the upcoming ‘Junk Jamboree’. In recent years, it can’t be denied that there has been a passionate revival for clothes and crafts of the past. This can be linked to economic trends, bu...
Review: Pete Firman - 'Jiggery Pokery' at the Colchester Arts Centre
Sarah Slack reviews Pete Firman’s fifth Edinburgh show to see whether magic shows can still astound modern audiences. With the show returning from the Edinburgh Fringe festival to positive reviews, i...
Review: The Deca-Dance Dolls at Colchester Arts Centre
Sarah Slack reviews an “introductory seminar”, with demonstrations, on the history of burlesque. It’s not often that burlesque is performed in Colchester, so when an experienced burlesque performer such a...
Get Your Skates On
Colchester is blessed with a number of fantastic entertainment facilities for kids and families, but nobody realised how much it needed its very own ice-skating rink until Diamond Ice opened up earlier this year. This new rink was opened up by Betty Pullen and her four sons, wit...
Drinking Tea and Toning Up: A Gym Like No Other
Sarah Slack visits the Colchester branch of Gymophobics to see why its 30 minute workouts are so popular amongst its female residents. The first thing to notice when you enter Gymophobics, a women-only gym in Albany Gardens, is its warm and we...
The Outer Circle
Genevieve Yusuf picks out five dates for your diary, all within a two-hour drive from Colchester. Friday 11th – Saturday 26th May Norfolk & Norwich Festival Are ...
↓ ART
News from Nowhere
The summer season will see a new exhibition opening at firstsite, exploring the relationship between science fiction and art. Featuring a range of different mediums including sculpture, drawing, print, photography and film, News from Nowhere will bring together newly commissioned work, wi...
↓ MUSIC
Music Review
Stuart Braybrooke gives us the lowdown on two bands picked from Colchester’s thriving music scene Fick as Fieves Members: Harry Campbell, Tommy Jonson, George Adey, Richard A...
The Sunshine Island
Bracing pine-scented air, byzantine churches, stirring ancient ruins and pristine beaches - Cyprus, the Mediterranean’s third largest island, ticks all the right holiday boxes, says Gilly Pickup. The coastal r...
Convenient Car Repairs
A trip to the garage to get your car, motorbike or vehicle fixed can often turn into a horror story due to poor service. But Vehicle Repair Solutions, based in Rowhedge, goes out of its way to make sure customers...
Island Records
Mersea Island resident Juliet Doyle reports back from the nautical haven with some handy dates for the summer calendar. I’m writing this having just enjoyed the final da...
Colchester in Brief
The latest news, views and things to do from around the town, compiled by Sophie Cole. ...
Jamaica funk, that's what it is...
For years, Colchester has had a fascinating glimpse into other cultures from around the world through a va...
Dancing with the Stars
Enjoy a fun day out with celebrity DJs, footballers and golfers at a special charity golf day followed by a glam...
↓ MUSIC
Keep Colchester Cool Recommends…
Here are just some of the events taking place in May and June that you can go to, safe in the knowledge of hearing ...
Neighbourhood Watch
Paul Couling owns Cult Zeros, a custom t-shirt service for football fans. Here he tells all...
↓ CREATIVE
Soap with a Clean Conscience
Jonathan Doyle meets Anne Jones and Christian Langlois, founders of Colne Soap Makers and creators of fine natural ...
Hair Tips from the Expert
Benjamin Holbrook-Morris from Benjamin Charles Hair shares his tips for a good-hair summer. ...