LAST year was an interesting one. “Interesting” as in the ancient Chinese curse “may you live in interesting times”. No, not Covid/Brexit, fascinating as they are, but “interesting” decisions being made right here in Colchester regarding policies which will rebalance our town away from its best future as a prosperous tourist, heritage, arts and culture-led community to a character-lite, ex-military dormitory town with little income and a deserted town centre. All towns change and Colchester, as a developing, enterprising town, is no different. In our tint town centre, continuous development has had the unfortunate effect over the centuries of sweeping away lots of the period features that are so “in your face” in places like Winchester, Chester or Canterbury.