Patrick Denney – författare

Colchester’s history goes back to the Iron Age and the Roman settlement that was for a while the capital of Britain. There are extensive remains of Roman Colchester that can still be seen today, as well as from its medieval and later history, including its Norman castle built on Roman foundations. The wool trade brought prosperity and many buildings date from the Tudor period, but much of today’s Colchester dates from its expansion in the nineteenth century. In the years after the Second World War, areas of the town were redeveloped and this has continued in recent years, including its extensive garrison area.Colchester Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Colchester with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local author Patrick Denney presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Colchester.This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

Buildings of Colchester Through Time records some of the town's best preserved historic buildings. From the great Norman Castle and picturesque ruins of St Botolph's Priory, through to architecture of the twenty-first century, there is something here to please all tastes. Colour photographs illustrate the wide range of buildings and styles referred to, all of which are located within easy walking distance of the town centre.The book also provides a wealth of information on both architectural detail and general points of interest. It will certainly appeal to those who have an interest in historic buildings, but will be of particular interest to those who wish to add to their knowledge and enjoyment of the history of Colchester. There is also a handy location map included to assist those who may wish to view the buildings as part of an architectural walking tour of the town.

Colchester Memories is an evocative collection of reminiscences recording life in Colchester during the early to mid-twentieth century. The memories have been transcribed from recorded interviews and appear here in the contributors' own words. Various aspects of life are featured, from childhood memories and schooldays to family life, work, transport, wartime and leisure. Some of the earliest memories describe the town in the late Victorian period and the Edwardian age that followed. Recollections include travelling in horse-drawn carriages and trams, and living in an age before the invention of television and other trappings of modern life. The book will certainly appeal to those who know Colchester and will offer a nostalgic glance back to how life was lived in the past. It will prove to be an intriguing and valuable source of information for years to come.

Much has been written about Colchester’s rich historical past, from the Iron Age settlement and the coming of the Romans, the Norman castle, the woollen cloth trade, the Siege of Colchester and many more notable events through to the present day. But the town’s history has so much more to offer, particularly with regard to its more recent past, and in this present volume the reader will be taken off the beaten track and into the less well-known aspects of the town’s history.From tales of interesting characters, both respectable and otherwise, strange events and hidden-away architectural gems, Secret Colchester will prove to be a must-have for everyone’s bookshelf. Author Patrick Denney is a leading local historian and the book will certainly appeal to those with an interest in the history of Colchester, but also very much to the casual reader who wishes to learn more about this fascinating and historical corner of Essex.

This revised edition of Colchester History Tour includes new illustrations of Colchester’s landmarks from Roman times to the present day. Author Patrick Denney guides us around Colchester’s well-known streets and buildings and offers a fascinating insight into the history of this town in Essex, showing how its famous landmarks used to look and how they have changed over the years as well as exploring its lesser-known sights and hidden corners. With the help of a handy location map, readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and discover for themselves the changing face of Colchester.