FOR more than 30 years St Helena Hospice has been part of the north Essex community.

When plannedthere were less than ten hospices across the country but following a public meeting in the town hall work began to create one in Colchester.

By December 1979 an appeal was launched for £250,000 to fund it and in 1983 Myland Hall was bought and work began.

Two years later, in 1985, it opened with 15 beds, officially launched the following year by the Queen Mother.

Day therapy services were then launched in the Joan Tomkins centre which was opened by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1988.

These archive images show how the hospice took shape.