SITTING proud on the banks of the river Colne, Wivenhoe and Rowhedge boast rich history and culture.

Our aerial pictures show how the town and its neighbouring village have changed as new homes and buildings were built.

Nearly 26 years ago, long before dozens of housing developments began popping up in the area, the Environment Agency installed the Colne Barrier.

It protects parts of Colchester, Wivenhoe and Rowhedge, vulnerable to tidal surges from the North Sea.

Before the barrier was built, riverside homes had concrete walls in front of them with slots, where emergency wooden slats could be inserted to keep water out.

And the river helps tie the two settlements closer together.

For decades ferries connected the two riverside locations, and this was revived again back in 1992.

Both places also host their own regattas, with Rowhedge’s believed to go back to the 18th century.

Until 1913, it was based on alternate years in Rowhedge and Wivenhoe.

Funding was boosted by donations from King Edward VII and his successor George V and the Prince of Wales.

The Royal patronage was assumed to be due to the fact that the captain of the King’s yacht Britannia was from Rowhedge.

Both Wivenhoe and Rowhedge were badly affected by the earthquake of 1884.

Measuring 4.6 on the Richter magnitude scale, the effects were felt across England, as well as in northern France and Belgium.

The earthquake damaged about 1,250 buildings, including almost every building in Wivenhoe.

Various appeals helped raise nearly £10,000 to restore buildings.