Towns and cities have a way of forgetting their pasts. So eager for the future, they hurry their histories into museums and onto plaques. Everything becomes flattened and remodelled. Colchester is distinct in how its past lives alongside the present. Its ancient legacy – Roman infrastructure and Iron Age sites – are in lockstep with the dazzling contemporary cultural venues. By 2030, Britain’s First City will be a bustling, creative place. Inclusive, accessible and affordable, its cultural life will offer something for everyone. Innovation will equal preservation. Residents and visitors will feel emboldened by the progress of this inimitable historic place.
