Colchester Castle to undergo major restoration work

A Grade I listed Norman castle is to undergo "essential" restoration in the new year after a contractor was agreed.

Colchester Castle, the largest Norman keep in Europe, was built in the 11th Century on the foundations of the Temple of Claudius, which was decimated during Boudica's uprising against the Romans.

A £1.3m government grant was secured in February and repairs will focus on the castle's north west tower, as well as drainage problems and vegetation damage to the foundations.

"Unfortunately the Normans didn't prepare for drainage issues and water ingress," said Councillor Lee Scordis, Labour cabinet member for heritage, culture and the environment for Colchester City Council.

He added that the "ongoing problem" had been handled in the short term, "but we want to deal with long-term solutions".

Mr Scordis told the BBC that it was a "constant" battle to secure funding for repairs, not just to the castle, but other historic buildings in the city, such as the town hall and the Natural History Museum.

"Unfortunately museums… essentially tick over, they don't make that extra funding that we need to do these huge repairs where you need experts in," he said.

He added that the north-west tower was "the most damaged", but that more minor repairs would be carried out to other areas of the castle as well, such as repointing walls where needed.

The grant of £1,293,625 came from the Museums Estate and Development Fund, provided by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and administered by Arts Council England - with additional financial support from Colchester City Council.

Hazel Edwards, south east area director for Arts Council England, said they were "proud to support the restoration of Colchester Castle".

"It is critical that we help safeguard our cultural infrastructure, ensuring that museums and heritage sites continue to welcome visitors, serve their communities, and inspire future generations," she added.

"We are delighted to help preserve the integrity of Colchester Castle's internationally significant Norman keep."

Sir Bob Russell, High Steward of Colchester and the city's former MP, said his late father-in-law could remember a time in the 1930s "when the bulk of the castle was open to the skies".

"That roof is 80, coming onto 90 years old, so it's not surprising it needs repairing," he said.

"The castle is built out of recycled Roman remains - you've got 2,000 years of history there.

"[Colchester Castle is] the largest keep out of the 1,000 castles the Normans built in this country, Normandy and the Holy Land, so it's of international importance."

Colchester City Council said the project was being delivered in partnership with Historic England.

The castle will remain open while the repairs are carried out by lead contractor PAYE, with work expected to take about six months to complete.

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