IT’S their gift to the town, not only shedding light on Colchester’s heritage and culture, but an unsung art form as well.

The exhibition of stained glass panels, 30cm by 30cm in size, also provides a precursor to the Gift series of events, which start on September 11.

The 36 panels of glass, which form the Memories of Colchester exhibition, are hanging along the windows of the Mercury Theatre, in Colchester, and will stay there for the entire period of Gift, which ends on October 11.

They are the work of students of Rosella Chester, who runs glass workshops at her shop in Barrack Street, Colchester.

Rosella said: “One of my students works at the Mercury and we got talking about the Gift Project and what we might be able to do for it.”

What began as a tiny seed of an idea has now grown into a huge community-based work of art involving more than 30 people of all ages who live in different parts of the borough.

One of the artists, Val Hemingway, lives in Sudbury, although she spends much of her spare time in Colchester.

Her panel reflects the town’s history with a horse and sword symbolising Boudica’s attack on the town.

Other panels include one of Colchester Garrison Church by Julie Powell. She said: “The face of the garrison in Colchester has changed and no where more so than the Christian Camp church, which is now a Russian Orthodox church.

“Ironically, the church was built originally for Christian soldiers to pray in before they went to fight the Russians in the Crimean War.”

Rosella said: “It was great to see all my students working together on this.” Anyone interested in stained glass work, or who would like to provide space to exhibit the work, can contact Rosella on 01206 533818.