Projects
The Jumbo Project
Breathing new life into Colchester’s most loved landmark – Jumbo Water Tower.
The Balkerne water tower, known affectionately as Jumbo, was finished in 1883. The iconic building is both ambitious and dramatic. It is Colchester’s best-loved landmark and the largest and tallest surviving Victorian municipal water tower in England.
BACKGROUND
Jumbo provided water to Colchester for a century but fell out of use in 1984 and several attempts to find a new use for it over the past 40 years have failed. It is currently vacant and designated At Risk.
Jumbo is a Grade ll* listed building with a rich and colourful history and a proud 140-year record of service to Colchester.
Victorian Colchester was a fast-growing town where deadly fires and water-borne diseases were an ever-present threat, yet the water supply was in private hands.
The Public Health Acts of 1872 and 1875 were a turning point. Councils were made directly responsible for public health matters, including water supply.
Designed by Charles Clegg, Borough engineer, Jumbo was to be the answer to many of the town’s problems. It was built by Everett & Sons builders of Hythe Hill, Colchester and cost a huge £11,138. The tank was supplied by AG Mumford, which had an iron foundry of Culver Street, Colchester. The water tower is 131ft 5ins (40.05m) tall and was constructed using 1,200,000 locally produced bricks. The tank could hold 230,000 gallons, which weighed 1,000 tons. The opening ceremony took place on September 27, 1883 amid political rows about the costs of building Jumbo. The structure was operational the following year.
RECENT TIMES
Jumbo remained in operation until 1984 when it was decommissioned by Anglian Water. A succession of private owners then proposed schemes for its use until in 2021 its was leased to North Essex Heritage.
Charity North Essex Heritage is working to give Jumbo a sustainable future which preserves its special character. With the cooperation of the owner, Colchester City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we have updated our plans for this special building.
North Essex Heritage has been given £250,0000 development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to work on its plans to restore the Grade II* listed building and transform it into a financially sustainable heritage and community space. The development funding of £250,000 has been awarded to help us progress our plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant later.
Disused for 40 years, Jumbo is in urgent need of repair and restoration.
NEXT PHASE
North Essex Heritage has leased Jumbo for 150 years. The aim is to produce a commercially viable operation which pays for the building’s upkeep once it has been restored. The building will be run as a destination venue, restaurant, visitor experience and historical interpretation space. Jumbo will be a fully accessible heritage attraction, so everyone can admire the remarkable engineering and stunning views or join in community activities.
We are listening to and engaging with our communities, assembling our team of experts, making grant applications, and developing partnerships. Essential repairs continue, and restoration work will start in 2024 once major funding, planning permission and listed building consent are in place. Around £2m will be needed from public donations and fundraising.
The water tower has been adopted as a Towns Fund project and this has provided financial support to appoint a full Design Team and Project Managers to work with North Essex Heritage and Colchester City Council. The Jumbo Project has received valuable advice and financial support from Historic England and The Architectural Heritage Fund.
In 2006 Brian Light and others established The Balkerne Tower Trust to fight for public access to Jumbo which is on the Heritage at Risk register. Simon Hall MBE DL, Chair of North Essex Heritage, said:
“Brian and the Balkerne Tower Trust’s successful application to upgrade Jumbo to a Grade II* listing, and their determination over many years to oppose inappropriate development has helped give North Essex Heritage the platform to drive the project forwards.”