Colchester Airborne Soldier Statue

10/10/2026

🌟🌟 Maquette No 01 🌟🌟

Last weekend the Parachute Regiment held its annual Warrant Officers’ and SNCOs’ Past and Present Dinner, hosted by the 1st Battalion.

Always a fantastic occasion catching up with veterans and serving alike, sharing common values whilst enjoying a fabulous dinner over a drink or two.

The event was an opportunity to present 1 PARA 🟥 with the full bronze maquette #01 which they had purchased as a unit.

This is a limited edition of only 12 and it seemed very appropriate for #01 to be homed with 1 PARA 🟥.

The event was attended by 120 paratroopers, all serving or veteran Warrant Officers, SNCOs or Late Entry Officers.

Congratulations and thank you to 1 PARA 🟥 for laying on this fantastic event. Looking forward to next year.

UTRINQUE PARATUS

05/10/2026

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22/09/2026

🌟🌟 LAST 100 CHALLENGE COINS 🌟🌟

One off production of the Colchester Airborne Soldier Statue challenge coins to mark the unveiling on 31 Jul this year. These will not be produced again. We are now on our last 100 remaining.

They are £10 each plus £2 for postage, £2.50 for up to 3 and £3 for up to 5.

There are plenty of pin badges at £3 each.

These are great little Christmas gizzits or to keep for future events, raffles etc.

I will be taking some to St Athan at the WOs and SNCOs Past & Present annual dinner on 3 Oct.

We also have a number of booklets from the unveiling which capture the project and format of the ceremony (free, just cover postage).

Please message me on this means or on WhstsApp if you have my details.

Please list your full name, postal address, e mail address and the qty you would like.

I will then send you payment details or a link for ease.

Many thanks.

17/09/2026

It was an honour to attend the Colchester Civic Council Annual Meeting yesterday evening, representing the Colchester Airborne Soldier Statue project team and as an honourable member of the Colchester Military Heritage Group.

Colin Knowles and Paul Knappett, both ex REME are the nucleus of the group, incl Sir Bob Russel, Linda Green and Neal Benjamin. Their work focuses on preserving the deep military heritage, in particular the historic garrison buildings and infrastructure.

Colin, Paul and Bob acted as the fundamental civic team here in Colchester who supported and underpinned the statue project behind the scenes. Their advice, guidance, planning, networking, guarantorship and dedication to the project was key to our delivery success.

Yesterday evening, Colin, on behalf of the CMHG and CASS, presented a full bronze maquette to the Mayor and full council of Colchester. This bronze is #10 of limited edition 12, hand made by our fabulous Amy Goodman. Sculptor & Portrait Artist.

The team also commissioned a pen and ink drawing created by local artist Kirton of which the framed original was presented with the maquette.

The evening culminated in a richly deserved Freedom of the City bestowment to Sir Bob Russell who has dedicated almost 60 years to Colchester, both in politics (ex Cllr, Mayor, MP and now High Steward) and superb leading citizen.

Sir Bob has been a staunch advocate of our project right from inception to completion and we are delighted to have shared this occasion with him.

Huge congratulations and thank you for all your support throughout.

AD UNUM OMNES

🇬🇧🌟🇬🇧🌟🇬🇧🌟🇬🇧🌟🇬🇧🌟🇬🇧🌟🇬🇧

16/09/2026

08/09/2026

UNVEILING COMMEMORATION COIN AND PIN BADGE

UPDATE

1/3 of our stock has been sent to those who ordered and paid up. Thank you.

1/3 are listed as ordered but not yet paid up, so we will hold them for now. Reminder e mail has been sent. As soon as payment received, we will post them out.

1/3 of stock remains available.

Coins are £10 and pin badges £3.

All are a one off production and a nice little memento of our fantastic statue creation, ideal as friendship or Christmas gift gizzits 🌟

We also have a number of unveiling service booklets if anyone wishes a copy / copies.

Please message Curt Vines direct or this group on Messenger.

06/09/2026

Friday 4 Sep:

First East Anglia - Colchester - PRA* Branch meeting since the Colchester Airborne Soldier Statue unveiling at end of July.

Quick pre-meeting photo to capture the moment. 😎

🇬🇧🆎🟥🟦🟩⬛️

*Parachute Regimental Association (veterans and serving)

28/08/2026

7 PARA ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY

Our very own 16 Air Assault Brigade Airborne Gunners on Commanding Officer’s PT this morning. A 7 mile weighted carry on the local training area with a quick detour to pose at the Colli 🆎 Statue.

‘Welcome back off leave lads!’

Fantastic photo!

AD UNUM OMNES

🇬🇧🆎🇬🇧🆎🇬🇧🆎🇬🇧🆎🇬🇧🆎🇬🇧🆎