VOLUNTEERS are aiming to take back Colchester’s Priory.

A new group - called Friends of Colchester Priory - has been set up to make the most of the twelfth century priory.

In recent years, parts of the English Heritage site have been plagued by street drinkers and antisocial behaviour.

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But now the Friends are aiming to take the Priory back and make it a public-friendly space.

The group is led by Sheila Anderton and Dave Harris.

Mr Harris said: “There are times when there are undesireables here but we want to take it back and make it exactly what it should be and that is an amazing public space.”

Mrs Anderton added: “This is somewhere everyone should be proud to come and want to come to.

“So we want to tidy this part of Colchester up and that means litter picking and planting as much as we can.”

The group has negotiated with Colchester Council, which part owns the site along with English Heritage, to plant up to 600 crocus bulbs on a bank beside the Norman priory.

Volunteers also hope to strike an agreement with the council to plant other bulbs on the grass closer to Britannia Car Park.

A revamp of the dirty and water-logged Priory sign is also planned.

The group is receiving help from adults’ charity, Level Best Cafe, and well as pupils at Lexden Springs School, in Halstead Road, Colchester, who will carry out regular litter picks.

The Priory was completed around 1150.

It was largely destroyed by cannon fire during the Siege of Colchester, in 1648.

  • To join the group or to donate bulbs for planting, email dave_harris3@msn.com or call 07816168858.