Day 107 since Lockdown – the ‘Free Bus Travel’ edition

On the buses

On the busesDay 107 since Lockdown

On day 107 we see Essex opening a free bus travel scheme.  In other news we have:

Stop. Swap. Go!Stop. Swap. GO! campaign launched

A new sustainable travel campaign aiming to make it easier for people in Essex to switch from cars to sustainable travel, such as walking, cycling and using the bus, is launched today. Continue reading “Day 107 since Lockdown – the ‘Free Bus Travel’ edition”

Day 4 of Lockdown – the Where’s Waldo Edition

Where's waldo social distancingDay 4 of Lockdown

Day 4 and not as much new news although it is almost a daily ritual now to hear about recycling.  Other snippets are:

Recycling (or not)

A little bit too late to help with yesterday’s collection but CBC announced shortly after the Day 3 update that each household may now put out an Continue reading “Day 4 of Lockdown – the Where’s Waldo Edition”

First Bus App – Save Waiting In The Cold

First Bus App

First Bus AppFirst Bus App

Did you know that the First Bus App can help check if your bus is on time or delayed?  First Bus provides the 66 bus service to the village which runs from Rowhedge/Old Heath via ColchesterTown Centre.  Winter is approaching & using the App may help you avoid waiting in the cold.

The App helps you to:

  • buy & use paper-free cheaper bus tickets with your phone,
  • find bus times – tap on a bus stop icon to get live* & scheduled times by picking the time & date of travel,
  • access bus timetables & save your favourite bus stops,
  • check bus reliability.

Continue reading “First Bus App – Save Waiting In The Cold”

Buses, Hospitals, Working Life and an AGM

Buses, Hospitals, Working Life and an AGM

This has been, and is, the schedule of the Local History Group.  Buses in January, Military Hospital in February and now AGM and Working Life on March 13th.  First, a brief heads up on the first two, very good, talks:

Colchester bus circa 1960Transport of Delight

The was the first meeting of the New Year with Alan Skinner talking about Colchester Buses – a century of service. Alan stated that he was no expert on the subject of local transport, but he certainly was very knowledgeable about the history of the buses in Colchester and the surrounding villages; he gave a well-illustrated presentation and welcomed additional information from audience members. This was Alan’s second visit to the history group his first subject was the history of “Greyfriars”.

Military Hospital

In February Paul Byrne spoke about the history and origins of the Military Hospital in Colchester.  He explained how it developed to play a major role in helping soldiers from the Boer War and later WW1 men with mental illness now recognised as PTSD. The hospital was also used for civilian patients’ in later years when the Essex County Hospital was no longer large enough to cater for the growing population. An interesting insight into the part that Colchester played over the years helping all military personnel.

Working life in various forms, agricultural, industrial and clerical.AGM

The Local History Group’s AGM starts at 7:30 pm on Wednesday 13th March in the Orpen Hall.

Peter Jones will introduce some archive films about Working Life after the AGM.

Members are asked to get in contact if they are willing to stand for the committee or help with refreshments.  Subscriptions for 2019/20 are now due – great value at just £10.

For further information please contact Gill Poole on 01206 240512 or email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

 

Transport of Delight

Transport to Delight?

Early BusTransport to Delight?Transport of Delight

Transport of Delight is the Local History Group’s first topic of 2019; Alan Skinner will give an illustrated talk about Colchester Buses Century of Service.  (Possible spoiler alert below).

The talk takes place at 7:30 pm on 9th January in the Orpen Hall.  Entry from 7 pm and only £2 for members, £4 for visitors.

In West Bergholt, the “bus” service operated from 1904 by Mr Darvill using Continue reading “Transport of Delight”

Lexden Road Closure – Buses Update

Lexden Road Closure – Buses Update

Lexden Road Closure Buses Following further discussions with bus companies we are now able to provide a fuller update on bus routes and stops in use whilst the sewers are repaired in Lexden Road (expected to be until Wednesday 9th September but could be longer).

All buses that would normally complete the “West Bergholt loop” will now be running up and down Chapel Road only, using Mumford Road and Donard Drive to turn around.  Only the Chambers 753/754 will continue along Colchester Road as a whole, the other buses will not be running along Lexden Road or the top part of Colchester Road by the Treble Tile (see map).

The following bus services will be affected:

  • 17 – Hedingham School Service – West Bergholt to Stanway School
  • 755 / 756 – Chambers School Service – West Bergholt to Norman Way Schools
  • 66 – First Essex – West Bergholt to Colchester/Old Heath
  • 67b – First Essex – West Bergholt to West Mersea

Please wait for your buses at the waiting areas along Chapel Road and only the part of Colchester Road past the roundabout to the Maltings where the school buses would normally stop.

 

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