Colchester Drive 1986 (Part 1 Town Centre and The Hythe + Radio Caroline.)

This was recorded on Sunday April the 13th. 1986 on a Video 8 camcorder. The quality is not the best as it was first transferred to VHS before DVD and computer but I think it is still interesting all the same.It starts at 9am. but check the lack of traffic as this is pre Sunday shopping,no speed cameras and petrol £1.62 a gallon (35.6/Lt) !! Also listen to the Radio Caroline news right at the start...nothing changes, its Libya back then ! This part just covers the Town Centre and the Hythe, quite a few things have changed in 25 years but a lot has stayed the same Radio Caroline being one of them.

[@MILFMILF221]

I'm 18, lived in Colchester all my life, this is amazing! So different!

[@Finnerz2008]

I like how you implied the traffic was busy! I imagine the same video in the present day would be at least 20minutes longer.. Nice to see what my hometown looked like on the year of my birth

[@TheWurn2]

***** Funnily enough the reshoot in 2012 was done at the same time of day on a Sunday and the traffic was not much greater, what slowed us down was the traffic lights and mini roundabouts etc.Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheWurn2]

Looking back now I wish I had done all the main routes. But I didn't plan for them to be public, cannot believe how popular they are.

[@aceeeed]

I suppose you cant be blamed for not knowing that KZbin would be a thing in 1986!

[@lawrenceayaan8719]

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[@caidenvincenzo7718]

@Lawrence Ayaan instablaster :)

[@lawrenceayaan8719]

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[@lawrenceayaan8719]

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[@cheeba64]

I'm an American, but I used to live in Arlesford, my Gran lived in Clacton), went to school in Brightlingsea, worked at Walton Pier and often shopped in Colchester. This video brings back great memories for me--especially Radio Caroline! Thanks very much for posting this--great memories of this area of England. Respect and PEACE to you!!

[@ashleyferdinand9996]

jeez this comment is like 7 years old, did u go to the colne

[@ElliottLarrubia]

Was about to ask the same thing, did u go to the Colne?

[@sallybutton6237]

Great seeing the Keddies bridge once again & of course hearing some tunes from the one & only Radio Caroline. I use to fall asleep listening to that station as a teenager when I lived in Clacton, they were my musical education where I got introduced to so many amazing bands back in the day..I’m now sixty..oh the memories! Wish I could go back & do it all again..oh & we had proper winters back then too, miss those 👍😎⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@TheWurn2]

All these comments are making me feel ancient but still glad everyone is enjoying the clips,the video sat on a shelf for years then one day I thought others might enjoy them, little did I know!! They have now been viewed in 87 countries.

[@emberiza]

These videos are incredible, I can't thank you enough for posting them. I'll always remember that walkway above St Botolphs Street near Keddies!

[@blokeman1804]

I was born in Colchester in 1977 and lived there until my early 20's. I still go and visit now and again. That's an excellent video Sir and brings back many memories. I recall all of the place then from your video. Colchester has expanded so much since and much more busy now. It was a much better place then.

[@TheWurn2]

Totally agree with you, thanks for the comments.

[@paulclarke3174]

Its often said us older ppl look at colchester through rose tinted glasses , but as these videos show the town was such a clean place with no empty unused shops or random bus lanes .

[@TheWurn2]

Very true and with less than half the population.

[@Xaid0nTT]

Such a vast contrast to what Colchester looks like today. Notice the roads have gotten smaller as cars have gotten bigger over the years! Great to watch, and a shame the Hythe looked almost unrecognisable.

[@jonatkinson1986]

This is brilliant. It goes to show how much we have ruined our town. Amazing. Thank you to whoever took time from there day to record and post this.

[@TheWurn2]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it, don't forget the other 4 and the remakes in 2012.

[@Bowtie1972]

awesome upload! great to see those good old days again with all those colorful cars back then. The moment someone builds a time machine, let me know and I'm outtahere!

[@SIKELL1]

I was working at Markhams at that time...WOW!! Its my sign on the flurescent card in the window.....

[@bootrebooted2753]

SIKELL1 Small world!

[@BillynBertie]

Wow! I lived in Colchester in the mid 60s to 1972, and even from your 1986 drive I recognise SO little. I guess if I visited the town today it will have changed beyond recognition. The only places I recognised were the town hall, the bus station (though that was a covered shed when I worked there for a few weeks in 1970.) and maybe some of the properties on what must have been Hythe Hill. Fascinating video!

[@TheWurn2]

You would have no chance today, we don't even have a proper bus station.

[@vickyjacobs9680]

Wow.. I live in Colchester and this is so different... loved seeing all the old Cars, Brings back memories

[@lickinerout12]

OMG...!!! I remember All of this.. Bring back the good old Colchester nice little town. Now it looks like a total dump. This vid brought s tear to my eye. Awesome real history xx

[@Supernova08523]

I live in Colchester. Its barely changed at all!

[@iainholmes2735]

This is like a time machine. I loved 1986. Well done.

[@TheWurn2]

I am starting to feel old! Can't believe it was nearly 37 years ago.

[@iainholmes2735]

@@TheWurn2 I was 15 then. What a prescient thing to record especially with the radio. In my humble opinion, pop music peaked in the mid 80s and rock music peaked in the autumn of 86. Some great albums released then. Excellent vid. Cheers.

[@TONE11111]

Music on radio sounds like Caravan (land of the grey & pink 1971)

[@KatPettitCherry]

Thank you for sharing these brilliant videos with us. You took me back to my childhood. I can't believe how much Colchester has changed just in my lifetime. And the trees! How small and immature. You've given me my very own time machine.

[@TheWurn2]

Good question.Personally I would say it was calmer and more laid back possibly due to the pubs and clubs closing earlier and not needing bouncers.Less aggression (especially on the roads), life is now much faster and we must have everything yesterday (blame mobile phones and the internet).People seemed to enjoy life more with what they had as plastic money was harder to come by.The Borough had 100,000 more people so we were not living on top of each other.Or could be rose tinted glasses!!

[@1977stealthy]

What a great piece of history, very interesting to see how much things have changed. Nice one.

[@Landiirover]

Thank you so much for this! Amazing to see how much the Colchester town area has changed in the last 26 years. Spectacular.

[@Cooperail]

Live from the Ross Revenge on 558KHZ. The news studio was upstairs in the chartroom, between the radio operators room aft and the bridge frwd. The radio operators room was used for ship to-shore communication during her days as a trawler. There is a rumour, and only myth, that during the Cold War, as the ship operated off Iceland and the Berants Sea, RN officers were onboard to listen to Soviet radio traffic.

[@SpareRoomMusic12]

Brings so many memories. Keddies - miss that.

[@inglezoid]

Wow. That brings back memories. I used to live in Colchester at the time, and you drove down my road :)

[@MarkPMus]

Back from the days when I was a 17 year old doing my A levels at Colchester Institute, and commuting by train from Clacton to Colchester every day! Lovely memories.

[@tariqkhader6196]

1996 per chance?

[@PerfectCarCare]

Immaculate classic cars everywhere, great video thanks!

[@sebrichardson5426]

7:37 wow! This building has had the distinctive yellow colour for 30 years

[@melanieo.k.709]

I've lived in colchester all 21 years of my life and it's fascinating to see how it was before I was born. This was around when my dad was in his teen years, Thank you for sharing!

[@TheWurn2]

Glad you enjoyed it. You make me feel very old, doesn't seem that long ago I did it!

[@aceeeed]

My dad used to own the 'Indus Mahal curry parlour on the left'! You also drove past his green Ford Sierra. Thanks for putting this up.

[@lozgrain1375]

Love the Caravan song on Radio Caroline, a great touch! I lived in Colchester from 1980 (age 5) till 1999 Thanks for posting this.

[@TheWurn2]

Many thanks for the comment. About the only place you can still hear Caravan is on Radio Caroline on the net. Hopefully their application for a permanent AM licence will be passed and it will be like old days again, at least in Essex and Suffolk!

[@lozgrain1375]

Didn't realise they were still going, I vaguely remember they used to get people to drive up to the coast and flash their headlights at the ship at specific locations.

[@TheWurn2]

Loz Grain . That was in the 60s. Their last boat is anchored in the Blackwater estuary near Osea Island. They occasionally do limited power broadcasts from there but their 24 hour service comes from volunteers on land. www.radiocaroline.co.uk if you want to listen.

[@lozgrain1375]

I checked it out as I know how unreliable memory can be... according to Wiki they had the MV Ross Revenge from 83-91 After the MV Mi Amigo sank in 1980. there was also radio Atlanta that used the MV Mi Amigo for a time. I hope they manage to get back on AM radio, I listened to them loads as a youngster...

[@TheWurn2]

Loz Grain .It is the Ross Revenge that they still use all lovingly maintained by volunteers. They have trips out to the boat from West Mersea. The original studio and transmitters are still there along with the modern one.

[@abbthemad]

Just like everyone else, brings back lots of memories , and I thank you for uploading , I've lived in Colchester all my life 46 years and it has changed , you have all these images in your head but being able to see them on a screen is great, just wish more people had video cameras back then but I guess it was more important to have a Betamax video recorder lol ..... Thank you :)

[@kenbischoff9639]

Wonderful video I live on Broadlands Way where the video starts... and radio caroline, cant get any better...

[@fiftypeehead]

This video is amazing. Bringing back so many happy memories. Plus the house I lived in at the time is featured ( Valentines Drive) I was 12. Thanks a lot

[@Nikki52453]

brought back some memories, those mk1 escorts... still my fav car today. keddies and markhams, and the high street market, i still have a skirt i bought for my birthday from that market 30 years ago!!!! thanks for that, must revisit soon and lament on how much has changed... lol

[@TheWurn2]

Too much unfortunately, thanks for the comments.

[@stevealexR1]

Brilliant! I was 21 when this was made and living in Colchester (moved there in 1979). Recognise Ipswich Road! Roads seem free of pot holes (Colchester terrible for those at the moment) and wretched speed humps and cameras. I moved away in 2002 and live in Whitstable but my family still live in Colchester and Wivenhoe...

[@chrismccartney2780]

Just watched all of these. I lived in Colchester for 9 years and it brought back loads of memories even though I wouldn't have been alive when these were filmed! But it's still so interesting to see these places before my time. Great videos

[@TheWurn2]

Thank you for the comment, it seems an awful long time ago even for me.

[@sparkyofglasgow2195]

Thank you for this video. It brings back good memories when i wss living there in 1982/83 to learn English in Essex house school of English. Greetings from kuwait

[@TheWurn2]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Lazirus64]

amazing - proper trip down memory lane - Keddies!!! i got my first stereo from there - it was double tape! and the Hythe too! so mych has changed. many thanks for uploading.

[@TheWurn2]

Also just remembered that The Six Bells pub was demolished on Greenstead Road to make way for Tescos.

[@lameyxx]

ahh 6 years before I was born... 10 years before I moved here. this is a really interesting time capusle like video :) thankyou for uploading it

[@duncanwood5676]

Brilliant! This takes me back to my teenage years and my Vauxhall Chevette.

[@sarahuk5023]

Love this town!

[@ITFCJez]

You should do that exact route again and compare the difference! I miss Colchester 1986!

[@TheWurn2]

All 5 were done again in 2012. Take a look at my TheWurn2 channel.

[@TheWurn2]

Hi Lee.No I didn't plan to redo them, that was Garys suggestion, in fact I had practically forgotten about them. The car was a Fiesta I had borrowed off my Dad while I was back in the country.Would love to take you up on the pint but I am not in the country at the moment.Glad you enjoyed them.

[@Michael17.1]

im 14 right now and damn i wish i lived at that time to see what colchester used to look like and how it would have felt

[@TheWurn2]

If you consider the population has doubled since I did this it of course means half the cars etc. As to how it felt I would say, hopefully not looking through rose tinted glasses, there was much more freedom and respect. Our lives were not dominated by smart phones and social media so you made up your own mind and lived your own life at your own speed. Nothing was instantaneous like it is now. I could ramble on! Thank you for your comment.

[@Michael17.1]

@@TheWurn2 it sounds cooler than it does now. And your welcome

[@DMAGYLA]

@@TheWurn2 Sorry to interrupt, but could we use one of your videos while making a music video for our band in Colchester. We would also put you in the credits with the original.

[@TheWurn2]

​@DMAGYLA feel free. I look forward to seeing it. Nice to be asked first for a change! Someone is supposed to be making a film too.

[@DMAGYLA]

@@TheWurn2 well first song kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH6ck5hpds2Ypck we might do another one

[@jackattack7940]

As a resident of Colchester, it's so weird and fascinating watching this.

[@fanciboiz2607]

Just seen this! Amazing thankyou for recording this. I was one years old when this was recorded. It must of been a very expensive camcorder back then! Amazed with the amount of people there was and the old cars. The houses and buildings havent changed apart from the old bridge that was pulled down. Lovely video, i will share with my friends

[@TheWurn2]

Thanks for the comments. It was shot on one of the first Video 8 cameras, much more usable than the old VHS or Betamax ones. I picked it up duty free on the way back from Australia which saved a bit! I still have it and it still works although I havn't used it for years. It is stone age equipment now.

[@sassiebelle]

Loved this video! As others have said, it does look cleaner!. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@pjgreening1]

Wow, takes me back, thanks for posting and sharing, you wouldnt recognise the place now.

[@baggy1067]

Thanks for posting this, very nostalgic with the music

[@Ginger77]

Amazing...seems so strange to see it like that. I was only 9 when you filmed it, but I do vaguely recall before they built the Culver Centre. Thank you so much for putting this up!

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Really enjoyed this video iv subscribed fantastic thanks for sharing

[@Sackinima]

This video starts literally next to my old house. Last one on Broadlands. 99 maybe? Didn’t move there til about 1997 when I was 4, but still crazy seeing it start there!

[@TheWurn2]

You make me feel very old!

[@hagridshut]

WOW! thanks mate, i haven't seen my town look like that for a while, really nostalgic for me... i was only 12 years old then!! lol

[@johnbull5394]

Fantastic. This documents so much that people wouldn't otherwise bother to keep records of. If this were to go onto an archive of some sort, all you'd need is a red line on a contemporary map and you could see anything you wanted on that route. Brilliant!

[@TheWurn2]

Thank you very much!

[@Lucymargo271]

Look at the cars! I'm 15, so this is so different! Haha

[@JollyFrogGaming]

I somehow stumbled across this. I'm loving this video. I was 3 at the time, but recognise a lot of places. It's nice to see that even with the development in Colchester, some places really have kept their look. Like the building that Minories is in and buildings up East Hill. Made me heppy. Thank you. Xx

[@JollyFrogGaming]

And people know how toy drive.... lol. Xx

[@TheWurn2]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheWurn2]

Thanks for that as I have recently been criticised for my driving on the remake of the video done by a friend in 2012, he synchronised them brilliantly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaXSn6Bom9aqms0

[@y8r113]

Huh, go figure. I was negative 4 years old.

[@emosupreemo]

This just proves how much better colch was back in the day.

[@gailcrook2687]

Used to shop in Keddies in the 70 ' s when I lived in Tolleshunt D' Arcy , used to bus in, better days tbh,

[@mrchili1603]

One of the best things about colchester is the historic importance of the buildings. It means not too much is allowed to be changed.

[@vivienclogger]

Wow... Queen Street before it became Kebab Alley. Thanks for posting. (-:

[@Rik_May]

What you need to do now is re-create these videos so people can see the difference. Brilliant upload!

[@user-zq8it7wc1r]

Brilliant I have family in Colchester so is like a second home.

[@TheWurn2]

Glad you enjoy them.

[@trigsretromotors]

Can I just say thank you so much for posting this up!, I was only 6 at the time but being a Colchester boy i can remember town just like this, it hasn't really changed much either!

[@thefloorkiller]

Superb video Fiesta drive in 1986, great car content some real rarities in that lot and all those Morris Marinas.

[@simonstones1918]

You’re not within 5 feet of a car, all the time. Amazing!

[@TheWurn2]

Well it was Sunday morning before the days of Sunday shopping! Whole other world.

[@b1gman]

Fantastic starts from where i used to live, passes my house at 1.19 (mum and dad) still live there , amazing how much has changed , but also how much hasnt :-)

[@xbrowneyedgirl67x]

My parents used to park their car in that very same block of garages up til a few years ago! I've never seen Ipswich Road so empty in the daytime and I've lived in the road for 44 years (just out of shot to the left when you turn out of Broadlands Way). I used to listen to Radio Caroline too :)

[@TheUrbanSpartan]

Brilliant, I was 17...and had a MK1 Escort, yellow...pure coincidence that there was one in this Video.

[@TheWurn2]

Glad you liked them, I have two more to upload. One will be on line tomorrow.I also have one taken from the top of Jumbo at the same time with the full 360 degree view which I will try and upload next week.

[@quicklung]

@TheWurn2 That's superb. The only real bit of footage of Colchester pre say 1990 was the Watney Cup parade for Colchester United in 1971 and that only showed The High Street, Crouch Street & about 30 seconds of Castle Park. I look forward to seeing some more ;-)

[@TheWurn2]

I agree in parts but The Hythe, St. Marys ,North Station, Mill Road and Severalls Lane area has seen the most change, nothing but more houses!

[@grahameleslie]

i lived opposite there...valentines drive

[@mrchili1603]

He starts at the garages at the end of Broadlands way off of the ipswich road. I used to work at the ford garage/dealer he drives past right at the beginning.

[@essexnana91]

Where at the Hythe? Spent a lot of my childhood at the Hythe and dont recognize any of it. But I did leave Colchester and England in 1967.However I DO remember when Radio Caroline started. Yes Im old Im 71. Ha ha.

[@TheWurn2]

As you say, big changes in that area, there were still cows grazing on the corner of Turner Road leading up to Turner Village as I recall at that time!!

[@MC27ble]

Brilliant video - just sent it to local press.

[@conanliquid]

This is brilliant.

[@articlewiki]

Awesome thanks for sharing :))

[@TheWurn2]

Not surprised it was demolished in about 1960. Wouldnt be allowed to do it now as I think it was Georgian.

[@Nasher780]

Would think this is what my town look like 20 years before I was born

[@TheWurn2]

I am starting to feel very old😊

[@redalloy]

you are a complete ledgend. I have loved watching and comparing these videos. I was bought up all around Colchester. this brings back so many memories. when you recorded all these in 1986< was you then planning on doing it again years later or was it an after thought ?. Also loved seeing all the old cars on the road, What car was you driving?. so much enjoyment watching these I would like to buy you a pint. Thank you so much for uploading these. Lee.

[@thomasalvarez6456]

That news headline about Libya is so weird and surreal to hear it in real time.

[@TheWurn2]

I know what you mean, it's odd, difficult to put your finger on it.

[@leedummett4412]

its like being back in 1986. great footage.

[@TheWurn2]

Thank you, seems a long time ago now.

[@leedummett4412]

@@TheWurn2 i was only 10 yrs old, but growing up in the 1980s was awesome in my opinion.

[@TheWurn2]

@@leedummett4412 anytime is preferable for growing up apart from now in my opinion.😊

[@leedummett4412]

@@TheWurn2 yes, i agree. the world today is strange, with the covid etc.

[@clarissamcpigeon7857]

Virtually nothing happened at 9am on a Sunday in those days, so it'd be quite interesting to know what these other people are up to, especially the guy walking up the street at 0:48. it's also amazing to see how few cars there were in those days even just 31 years ago and the 2012 re-run clips are a big contrast.

[@TheWurn2]

Clarissa McPigeon I think what we need now is a complete day of rest to break up the stress and monotony of modern life. Sunday's were great. I reckon the man walking at 0:48 could be a paper man on his way home.

[@richardkirkham788]

@@TheWurn2 Absolutely agree with you ! Would be really lovely to have Sunday closing back again 😊

[@TheWurn2]

Funny what sticks in the mind, thinking about it I can remember buying several albums from different places in the late 60s, I suppose when you think about it the cost of them was quite an outlay compared with the average wage in the 80s and the 60s!

[@matinhewing1]

Thanks! Strange how little has really changed...)

[@TheWurn2]

Just seemed to be fewer rules and regulations then.

[@matinhewing1]

The late 1980's was a special time...

[@mrkeefor]

Dash cams are commonplace now, you were the pioneer.

[@TheWurn2]

Should have patented the idea.Bit inconvenient having a tripod on your passenger seat though!

[@TheWurn2]

I know what you mean, but it still has its good points, its just too many people trying to squeeze into a small space.

[@mrchili1603]

Blimey, the lack of NCP carpark at the end of queens street!

[@TheWurn2]

Was it Hoofers then or still the King Coel ? When I was born, on the opposite side of the road, it was called Dilbridge Hall with tennis courts where the car park was and over the road was the farm yard, where Valentines Drive is now, complete with thatched barn!! Jeez I feel old ....!

[@12988Jake]

Massively different now!

[@WillMase]

Only thing I recognised on the high street (shops) was McDonalds... lol.

[@playingo5847]

@TheWurn2 i am literally living in that neighbourhood

[@emberiza]

Oops! Yes it was Queen St, not St Botolphs. I remember walking across it clutching my new Spandau Ballet album hahaaa!

[@BeachesInCornwall]

You were indeed the pioneer - and to have radio Caroline playing at the same time - genius, a real time capsule! How old were you? I was born and bred in Colchester but lived in Marks Tey (pre teens) - at the post office. I was born in 71 so was pounding the streets of Colchester as an eighties teenager! I don't remember allegroes being so common, my boyfriend had one and we thought they were old then! My older brother thought he was cool driving a ford cortina! I left the area when I was 19 and haven't been back so nothing to tarnish my memories. Thank you for saving it until technology caught up with you and you could share it with us! :)

[@TheWurn2]

Thank you very much for your comments, just wish I had done more. I was 35 at the time and just about to return permanently from Australia, where I had been for most of the previous 9 years, so if I had stayed here I probably would never have done it, if you get my drift. When you are away for any length of time you see things through different eyes.

[@VegasVampire2010]

Woah ! Keddies... No Gala Bingo or Southway Police Station... and Debenhams being built !!! Noticed the lack of speed cameras too, lol

[@abbthemad]

Oh forgot to mention what a classic radio station,