Chelmsford wins city status
The winners of the Diamond Jubilee Civic Honours competition will be announced by the Deputy Prime Minister at about 9.30am on Wednesday 14 March.
City selection process challenged by Essex MP
An Essex MP is calling for a special parliamentary debate on the way candidates for city status were chosen.
Sir Bob Russell, whose Colchester constituency wasn't among the winning bids, is asking for the names and positions of those who judged the 25 applicant towns to be published.
Neighbouring Chelmsford was among the towns which were awarded city status.
Sir Bob referred to himself as "representing the premier borough of Essex" a phrase which he says he will now refer to whenever the opportunity arises.
Nick Clegg congratulates Chelmsford on city status
Advertisement
Milton Keynes Council Leader says lost city bid disappointing but not costly
Disappointment in Milton Keynes at losing city bid
Milton Keynes was one of six cities in the East bidding for city status. Of those Chelmsford was the only winner.
Chelmsford fact file
England's newest city, Chelmsford, has a long and fascinating history.
Read the full storyChelmsford MP 'delighted' by city status
Chelmsford MP Simon Burns says he’s delighted that the town has been honoured, and that it’s a particularly proud moment for the community.
Southend, Colchester , Luton, Milton Keynes and Corby also bid for city status but missed out. The Government says the standard of competition was very high, and that those who didn't win should not be downhearted.
Advertisement
Chelmsford becomes city
Chelmsford has beaten five other towns in the Anglia region to be made a city to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Read the full storyNick Clegg on Chelmsford being made a city
Commenting on Chelmsford being made a city to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the standard of applications was high.
Although Essex is the county with the biggest population in the East of England it doesn't currently have a a city.
– Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg"Congratulations to Armagh, Chelmsford, Perth and St Asaph who have been granted these rare honours from a field of exceptional entrants. Across the United Kingdom, I have been moved by the pride and passion which people have shown in putting their nominations forward.”
“The standard of application was very high, and those who missed out should not be downhearted. I hope the competition has given the residents of all of the places which applied a sense of civic pride, of collective ownership and of community spirit.”
Chelmsford wins city status
Chelmsford is to become a city as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Perth in Scotland and St Asaph in Wales also won city status.
26 towns were in the running. 6 of those were in the Anglia region - Colchester, Chelmsford, Southend, Corby, Luton and Milton Keynes.
