Nostalgia: The changing face of St Botolph's Street

Having recently rolled back the years with a pictorial stroll down Queen Street, we’ve looked through the archives to find these images of St Botolph’s Street.

They are from different decades, from the 1960s to the 1990s, and many Colcestrians will remember the likes of the former Lloyd’s Bank, Beales Electric Shop and Jackson’s Fruit and Veg.

The Christmas lights in the road were put up and funded by the St Botolph’s Street Traders Association.

Did you know St Botolph was one of the earliest and most revered of East Anglian saints?

He became known as the patron saint of wayfarers.

Around 70 churches across the country are dedicated to his name.

Nearly all are considered the historical entrance gates to towns and cities.

The Roman wall in Colchester had a South Gate, which was at the top of St Botolph’s Street, at the junction of Short Wyre Street and Queen Street.

In years gone by, as an arriving traveller to any town or city, access through the gates was not easy. However, thanks to St Botolph, a safe haven was provided at St Botolph’s Church. It was to protect them from the attention of robbers that lurked along the roadways.

At the City of London Gates, at Aldgate, there is also a St Botolph Church and St Botolph’s Street.

READ MORE:

• Pictures show how much Queen Street has changed in the last 50 years
• Nostalgia: Can you spot yourself in these school trip pictures from the 1990s?
• More magical memories of your school trip adventures in the 1990s and 2000s