Day 100 of (flexible) Lockdown – the ‘Ton-up’ edition

Art Week

100Day 100 of (flexible) Lockdown

On Day 100 of lockdown Colchester Borough Council looks at launching a Garden Club.  Meanwhile not to be outdone, Essex are launching:

… and we end with a bit of fun

Another news short – Colchester Zoo will be opening indoor & play areas from Saturday 4th July.

Brown wheelie binNew Garden Waste Options

Proposals for a new options-based garden waste service are being published by Colchester Borough Council.  Councillors will Continue reading “Day 100 of (flexible) Lockdown – the ‘Ton-up’ edition”

Day 48 of Lockdown – the Round Tuit edition

A round tuit

A round tuitDay 48 of Lockdown

Webmaster is easily amused by wordplay and on day 48 I was reminded of an old jokey jibe “Are you a Lert?  Didn’t you know there is a national shortage!”  I can’t imagine why; my other favourite was the “I’ve got a round tuit.”

So, the connection here is to the round tuit and two sources of things you can get around to doing during the lockdown.  Some from CBC and others from the WWF.  Finally for today, The Sound of Sirens (a parody song)

Some Ideas from the WWF

This week we’re sharing tips on how to grow vegetables indoors, an escapist reading list, details of our awesome Earth School initiative and an exciting isolation photography competition! Continue reading “Day 48 of Lockdown – the Round Tuit edition”

Art Lovers Help Raise Hundreds – 320 visitors!

Art Lovers in the Old ChurchArt Lovers Help Raise Hundreds

Art lovers turned out in their hundreds to visit the Art Show in the Old Church.  In just 10 hours over the weekend of 15th – 16th June 320 visitors came to enjoy an art exhibition.  Local artists had produced 185 works of art for the exhibition.  The artists had used a variety of mediums to produce paintings which ranged in size from small to supersize.

The Friends of St Mary’s Old Church received Continue reading “Art Lovers Help Raise Hundreds – 320 visitors!”

St Mary’s – Royal Arms, Havard and Art

Bluebells Pre-School contributions to the Exhibition

Bluebells Pre-School contributions to the Exhibition

St Mary’s – Royal Arms, Havard and Art

Peter Noakes’ recent talk about St Mary’s Through Time, focussing on the Royal Arms and Rev Havard, was very well supported. (Read more below). Progress in setting up the Art Exhibition is well underway but more works would be much appreciated.  The Friends of St Mary’s report as follows:

Art In The Old Church

The Friends have had a lot of interest in their forthcoming art exhibition.  This takes place over the weekend of 15th-16th June but so far only about 20 people have submitted forms.  They welcome budding Continue reading “St Mary’s – Royal Arms, Havard and Art”

St Mary’s Through Time

The talk on St Mary's Through Time will discuss the interior of St Mary's featuring the Royal Coat of Arms that will be a subject in
The Royal Coat of Arms

St Mary’s Through Time

Local Historian Peter Noakes will be talking about St Mary’s Through Time on Saturday 18th of May.  He will answer puzzles such as:

  • who was the Rector at St Mary’s for an amazing 48 years, and
  • why is there a Royal Coat of Arms on the wall?

The talk, which is being held in the Old Church, will start at 2:30 pm.  Entry is free and accompanied Continue reading “St Mary’s Through Time”

Gardens in British Art follows Pakistan Perspective

A typical Garden in Art from 19th Century
Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargeant, 1885

Gardens in British Art

The most recent WEA course, Perspectives of Pakistan, is coming to an end and has been well received, read about it below. The new year sees a new course starting led by Sue Pownall.  It will address “Art Appreciation: Gardens in British Art in the 19th & 20th Centuries.”

This course explores how gardens have been Continue reading “Gardens in British Art follows Pakistan Perspective”

Janie Pirie – Botanical Artist – Talk & Demonstration

Janie Pirie

Janie PirieJanie Pirie – Botanical Artist

Janie Pirie SBA, Botanical Artist, is giving a talk and demonstration of her work to West Bergholt Gardeners on Monday 21st November.  The talk takes place in the Orpen Hall starting at 7:30pm.  There will also be a raffle and tea/coffee available (50p).

Janie specialises in floral and botanical art using coloured pencils. Her meticulously drawn and striking compositions have immensely accurate detail and great depth and intensity of colour.

Janie is a member of the Society of Botanical Artists and is also a tutor on their Distance Learning Course.  In 2008 Janie won a Silver-Gilt Medal by the Royal Horticultural Society and Gold in 2009 and 2014.  She is also a member of the UKCPS and shows her work at their annual exhibitions.  Recently she has been awarded Best In Show, Runner-up Best in Show and Best Botanical.

If you would like to find out more about Janie and the course she runs, many in the Colchester area, visit her website.

Membership and Entry to Talks

Members can renew their membership, which runs from September to August each year, for £10.  Non-members are welcome to attend the talk on Monday for £3.  Any enquiries to [antibot mailto-“[email protected]”] or call 241256.

February Half Term 2016

February Half  Term 2016

With February half term next week Colchester Museums, Leisure World, Essex County Council and Essex Outdoors are all running extra activities to keep the kids occupied:

Colchester Museums

Colchester Museums have events running every day with art and craft workshops at Hollytrees Museum, storytelling and castle making at the Castle and monkey and fossil activities at the Natural History Museum:

Date Venue Description Times Cost Booking
Mon 15 Feb Hollytrees Museum Portraits in Shadow
Work as a group to turn your shadow into a striking silhouette portrait. Minimum age 4 years old
Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm £3 per person Required, please call 01206 282941
Mon 15 Feb Colchester Castle Queen of the Iceni
Come and meet Boudica, the brave warrior Queen.
Storytelling at 11am, 1pm and 3pm Free after normal admission price to the Castle Not required
Tue 16 Feb Hollytrees Museum Mini Model Homes
Be inspired by our Victorian doll’s house and make your own room in miniature.
Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm £3 per person Required, please call 01206 282941
Wed 17 Feb Natural History Museum Monkey Business
Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Monkey with us at the Natural History Museum. Create, personalise and take home your own glove monkey.
Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm £3 per person Required, please call 01206 282941
Thurs 18 Feb Natural History Museum Go Live! Fantastic Fossils
Are you fascinated by fossils? Come and meet the fossil experts and have your own fossils identified.
Drop in 10-12pm and 2-4pm Free event Not required
Fri 19 Feb Colchester Castle Crafty Castles
From rubbish to ramparts, discover how the Normans built Colchester Castle out of recycled material. Make your own castle out of recycled items.
Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm £2 per person after normal castle admission Required, please call 01206 282941

Leisure World

As well as its regular activities, Leisure World (call 282000 for bookings and more information) offers further half-term ones including art & craft and sports related as follows:

Date Times Activity Ages Cost
Mon 15 Feb 1.30 – 3.00  Arts & Crafts – Fun and mess with hands on activities using creativity and imagination 5 – 11 yrs £5.80
Tue 16 Feb 3.00 – 4.00  Creative Dance – Come along and sing and dance. Use your imagination while developing skills of movement and dance 1.5 – 4yrs £4.20
4.00 – 5.00 Mini Street 5 – 7 yrs £4.20
4.00 – 6.00 Whiz Kids – Fun activities for children with disabilities, including trampolining, bouncy castle, basketball, football and much much more 0 – 16 yrs £4.60
Wed 17 Feb 1.30 – 3.00 Team Games – Join in with a variety of sports and games: running, jumping, throwing and catching, but most off all having fun! 7 – 12 yrs £6.50
Thurs 18 Feb 1.30 – 3.00 Badminton & Short Tennis – Two fun ways to enjoy racket sports and learn new skills 7 – 12 yrs £6.50
Fri 19 Feb 1.30 – 3.00 Arts & Crafts – Fun and mess with hands on activities using creativity and imagination  5 – 11 yrs  £5.80

Base Camp

With different activities every day including such as multi sports, leisure pool, cinema visit etc., Base camp runs from 58am until 5:30pm for £30 a day.

Kid’s Camp

For school years 1 – 6 only these offer action packed days running from 9am to 3pm for £25 or 8am to 5:30pm for £30 per day.

Essex Outdoors

Essex Outdoors’ action-packed activity day experiences run at our 4 centres during the school holidays  and are the ideal way for young people aged 8-16 to try exciting new experiences in the outdoors!

Working in groups of around 10 young people, your child will have the opportunity to take part in up to four fun and challenging activities each day, ranging from archery, canoeing and climbing to mountain biking, high ropes and zip wire.

Constant supervision during the day by our professional instructors will give parents peace of mind and ensure kids have a memorable day!  All technical equipment is provided – participants just need to bring, comfortable (and waterproof!) clothing and footwear as well as a packed lunch and a drink.

Special offer for February Half Term – School Holiday Activity Days will be just £15 per child, per day, a saving of 50%.

Bradwell

  • Tuesday 16th February – High Ropes & Archery.  Book online.

Danbury

  • Monday 15th February – Archery, Aerial Trekking, Bushcraft & Obstacle Course
  • Tuesday 16th February – BMX, Zip Wire, Problem Solving & Climbing Wall
  • Wednesday 17th February – Low Ropes, Climbing Wall, Archery & Zip Wire
  • Thursday 18th February – Mountain Biking, Orienteering, Bushcraft & Aerial Trekking
  • Friday 19th February – Archery, Bushcraft, BMX & Zip Wire

Book online.

Mersea

  • Monday 15th February – Aerial Runway, Archery, Climbing & Team Challenge
  • Thursday 18th February – Climbing, Aerial Runway, Low Ropes & Team Challenge
  • Friday 19th February – Adventure Course, Aerial Runway, Archery & Caving.

Book online.

Short Breaks for Disabled Children

  • Saturday 13th February – Activity Day at Mersea
  • Thursday 18th February – One Night Break at Bradwell

More information here.

Essex County Council

Fri 12 Feb
5.30pm
Lantern Walk on Hadleigh Downs, Hadleigh Park Make a colourful lantern then join other families in a lantern-lit walk across the Olympic mountain bike venue. £5 per child Book now to attend phone 0345 603 7624. Suitable for age 3+
Sat 13 Feb
10am – 5pm
Raspberry Pi Event, Chelmsford  Library We will have interesting activities for all ages and abilities and activities suitable for primary school children/beginners upwards in using a Raspberry Pi. Put on by Essex Libraries and the Southend Raspberry Jam. Book now to attend for free. Phone 0345 603 7628
Sat 13 Feb to
Sat 21 Feb
10.15am – 2pm
Secret Story Walk, starts from Thorndon Country Park South Pavilion Café Explore and experience the woods on this this self- guided trail. The story of your own creature develops as you
enjoy our play activities in the outdoors. You can really use your imagination.
£3 per trail guide. No need to book.
Suitable for children ages 3-9
Sat 13 Feb to
Sat 21 Feb
10am – 3pm
Mini rangers trail, Weald Country Park Buy a Trail booklet from the Visitor Centre, follow the map and stamp each page as you complete your Ranger jobs. Then return to the Visitor Centre to collect a well done gift. Please dress for a walk in the park with lots of mud. Body carriers are advised for small children as not all paths are suitable for buggies. £3 per booklet, no need to book
Mon 15 Feb

10.30am – 3pm

Art Workshop at Loughton Library Come along to lessons in drawing and colouring, held by professional artists. £6 per person. Book now by phoning 0345 603 7628
Suitable for Ages 7+
(Parents welcome although they must book and participate)
Mon 15 Feb
10.30am – 3pm
Recycle Themed Dinosaur Events, Witham Library Come and visit Steggy, the Stegosaurus Rex made up completely from recycled electronic materials. Come along for quizzes, treasure trails and more No need to book; drop in any time for free entry
Mon 15 Feb
2 – 3pm
Harry Potter Night of Spells, Wickford Library Join us to celebrate the magic of the Harry Potter series with crafts, colouring, and activities to entertain young witches and wizards aged 7 and up. It would be Riddikulus to miss this! Ages 7 and over. No need to book; drop in any time for free entry.
Mon 15 Feb Pop up Drama, Harlow Library A unique drama and art workshop that will stretch your child’s imagination, build their confidence and
teach them invaluable art and drama skills.
Book now by phoning 0345603 7628. £10 per child
Mon 15 Feb
11am
Teddy Bears picnic at Southminster Library Make your own Paddington Bear, quiz trail and other activities. Bring a snack and decorate a cake for a teddy
bears picnic storytime.
Free of charge, no need to book.
Suitable for under fives However elder siblings are welcome.
Mon 15 Feb
10.30am – 12 noon and 1.30pm – 3pm
How to Draw and How to Colour, Loughton Library Children’s workshops Must book before-hand.
Phone 01992 564000
Mon 15 Feb to
Fri 19 Feb
Bear Hunt, Great Baddow library Going on a Bear Hunt’ themed week including Teddy bears story time – bring your teddy, find the famous bear trail and teddy bear crafts. Open to all children aged 0-11 years old.
No need to book. Drop in for free.
Mon 15 Feb to
Sat 20 Feb
Harry Potter Week, Chelmsford Library Drop in to participate in a load of fun, Harry Potter related activities such as word scrabble, colouring, and making your own Hogwarts tie No need to book. Drop in any time for free entry.
Tue 16 Feb
10am – 12pm
Knex workshop, Frinton Library Create Knex models using your problem solving skills, imagination and communication. Limited spaces. Pop in or phone to book a place on 01255  672581.
Tue 16 Feb
10.30am to 12.00pm
Bugs and Other Creepy Crawlies, Maldon Library Event will involve story time, making bug related craft, and making fresh fruit kebabs. Children up to 11 years old. Free entry and no need to book.
Tue 16 Feb
2pm – 3pm
Real Life Fireman, Sible Hedingham Library Come and meet a REAL fireman, hear some great stories and make your own fire engine! Aimed at under sevens and is free of charge. No need to book.
Tue 16 Feb
2pm to 4pm
Knex Workshop, Clacton Library Create Knex models using your problem solving skills, imagination and communication. Ticketed event. To book, phone 0345 603 7628.
Wed 17 Feb
10am – 11.30am
Where’s Wally? trail, quizzes, crafts and fun, Broomfield Library Be the best dressed Wally in red and white Free entry and no need to book. Suitable for ages up to eight.
Wed 17 Feb 11am – 1pm Harry Potter Event, Rayleigh Library Come in costume and join in with the activities for children No need to book. Drop in any time for free. Suitable for children ages 5-9.
Wed 17 Feb
11am – 2pm
Wild Wednesday, Danbury Country Park Free children’s activities, including making dens and mud pies, wading in the stream, splashing in puddles, kicking leaves, forest crafts, finding fish and more. Free of charge. No need to book.
Wed 17 Feb
3pm
Paddington Bear story time and Activities Event, Wickham Bishops Join in with story time, colouring and craft activities Free entry and no need to book. Suitable for under fives. However, elder siblings are welcome.
Wed 17 Feb
2pm
Family Bike Ride, Hadleigh Park This is a fun ride for families, taking in the beautiful landscape of the Hadleigh Downs and Thames estuary. Helmets MUST be worn – “no helmet, no ride”. Please ensure your bike is in a safe riding condition. Book now to attend. Phone 01702 551076. This event is free if you bring your own bike. Alternatively bike hire is available – please reserve a bike in advance by phoning 01702 551076.
Suitable for families with children aged 10+ (all children must be accompanied)
Thu 18 Feb
10am – 12 noon
Kite Making, Hadleigh Park Make your very own kite with the help of the rangers, then send it soaring over the downs. Suitable for ages 4+£5 per kite. No need to book.
Thu 18 Feb
10am – 12 noon
Drop in Pirate and Princess Event, Brightlingsea Library Drop in Pirate and Princesses Event at Brightlingsea Library. Children welcome to dress up. Story time at 11am. Crafts between 10 –12. No need to book. Drop in anytime for free. Children of all ages welcome.
Thu 18 Feb
2pm
Harry Potter Event, Brentwood Library Come along and take part in our Harry Potter quizzes and join us as we make a spell trail No need to book. Drop in any time for free entry.
Fri 19 Feb
2pm – 4pm
Owls From Plop to Hedwig, Danbury Library Free children’s crafts – make an owl. Share a story. Learn more about owls by following our puzzle trail. No booking required. Drop in for free.
Sat 20 Feb
10am – 12 noon
Hour of Code Event, Rayleigh Library Take the opportunity to spend a fun hour learning to code with Star Wars, Minecraft or Frozen. For children aged 7-11.
Sat 20 Feb
2.30pm – 4.30pm
Reading Dangerously, Colchester Library Come along to an afternoon with the Year of Reading Dangerously team, who will be sharing their enthusiasm for writers from around the world, through a number of activities, including speed- dating with books. Includes afternoon tea and a chance to chat to other readers. Drop in  for free. No booking required.
Sun 21 Feb
1pm – 3.30pm
Iron Age Roundhouse Open Afternoon, Hadleigh Park Explore our replica Iron Age roundhouse and learn how your ancestors lived 2000 years ago. Find out how charcoal was made – without it, there wouldn’t have been an Iron Age. Drop in event. Free entry to Roundhouse.

Exhibitions at St Mary’s Old Church

Bluebells Pre-School contributions to the Exhibition
Bluebells Pre-School contributions to the Art Exhibition

St Mary’s are hosting 2 exhibitions in the coming month, one of art by local artists and another staged by the local History Group.

Art Exhibition

Currently being exhibited, are some large paintings which were painted by village resident, John Newman.  They were displayed in St. Mary’s Church in New Church Road during West Bergholt’s Open Gardens weekend.  The paintings feature gardens that were mentioned in the Bible including the Garden of Eden and the Garden of Gethsemane.  Appropriate verses from the Bible and information about these gardens are displayed alongside the paintings.

There is also some art work created by the children at Bluebells Pre-School.  This exhibition will be displayed in the church for the next two weeks.

History Exhibition

The second exhibition is being staged by the West Bergholt History Group to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the start of WW1.  This will be a small display from 2nd – 9th August.

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