An exhibition celebrating the past, places and people of East Colchester and the Colne estuary opens on 11th June.  Artists Andrew Rowe, David Mackie, Heather Parnell and Becky Adams, have been working with a range of community groups over the past few months and their designs for the Town to Sea Trail artworks will be unveiled at the start of a touring exhibition opening at 5:30pm on 11 June at the Hythe Community Centre.  The evening will be jointly hosted by the Hythe Residents' Association and Colchester Borough Council and will include presentations by the artists at 6:00pm.  Bob Bunn Chairman of the Hythe Residents' Association said: "We are inviting residents from around the town to join us and see what the artists and community have been working on.  The Hythe is a fascinating part of town with a growing community. Part of the project has been about getting people interested in the area and its history and to realise what an asset it is to Colchester."

The exhibition will remain at the Community Centre until 19th June and will then tour venues across East Colchester including the participating schools and finish up at St Leonard's Church where it will be from 3rd  - 9th  September.  Full details of the exhibition tour can be found at www.visitcolchester.com on the 'What's On' listings.  In addition to the artists' designs work produced by community groups and schools, an element of which have been incorporated into the final designs, will be on display.  You can also see the 15 banners used on the Test the Trail event held on the 15th April. 

Cllr Christopher Arnold, Culture and Environment Portfolio holder said: "The stories and memories of the people of the Hythe have been captured and will be brought to life through these designs. They hint at the rich history of the area, which we hope will encourage people to explore this unique area of Colchester further". 

Dates and venues where the exhibition can be seen are available on www.visitcolchester.com  'What's On' pages.

The Hythe Residents' Association represents the community living in the Hythe, membership is free.  Contact Bob Bunn on 01206 799478 or Jane Green on 01206 510561.

The Town to Sea Trail will open in October and consist of 15 artworks inspired by stories about William Gilbert, wildlife on the Moors, shipbuilding, engineering, oysters and a Raven.

The Town to Sea project is a partnership between Colchester Borough Council's Arts Development Team and the East Colchester Regeneration Team. The project is funded by the European Union's INTERREG IIIB North SEAfaring Programme and local developers.  It is part of the wider regeneration of the St. Botolph's Quarter and East Colchester.

For further information please contact:

Clare Phillips, Arts Development Officer, Colchester Borough Council, 01206 282917 Email: clare.phillips@colchester.gov.uk

Jonathan Rochford, Project Officer, North SEAfaring, East Colchester Regeneration Office, Colchester Borough Council, Hythe Quay on 01206 863513