To celebrate our 75th anniversary, Peter Evans, Treasurer since 2000, has updated Len Drinkell’s work:

The History of Friends of Colchester Museums and Art Galleries 1999-2024

Above photos from left to right: Lion Walk United Reform Church – home for our lectures; John Ashdown Hill – one of our most notable speakers; A John Constable drawing purchased in 2023 – prior to conservation; The visit of the HRH Princess Royal to Colchester Castle in 2014, prior to its reopening after a major restoration.

Complete List of Lectures  • The Friends have had an impressive history of illustrated talks

FOCM CONSTITUTION  •  The Society’s Governing Document, describing the organisation’s Objects and Procedures.

50 years’ Support – Acquisitions by Friends 1949-1999  •  Examples of The Friends’ contribution to preservation of Colchester’s history.

Len Drinkell Talk  •  Len Drinkell was an original member of the Friends of Colchester Museums and Art Galleries which was founded in 1949. To mark the 50th Anniversary of the Society in June 1999, Len gave a talk at the Annual General Meeting recalling his memories of those first 50 years. Now, thanks to the efforts of our former Newsletter Editor, Peter Constable, a transcript of Len’s talk has been made available for all to read. It can be accessed here, by clicking on the link above.

LEN DRINKELL

(1927-2013)

Photograph reproduced courtesy of Nora Drinkell