Half Term ‘ActivAte’ & Other News

ActivAte, Broadband, Bowls, Police, COVID, Voting & Toasty

As Half-Term looms Active Essex are organising ActivAte sessions for youngsters. In other news we also have:

Broadband – ECC are running a survey, make sure you have your say,
Bowls’ Big Weekend,
Colchester Policing Update,
COVID-19 Update,
Election 2021 – have pen or pencil to hand,
Warm & Toasty Newsletter.

ActivAte

ActiveEssex is organising ActivAte clubs over the Easter holidays. They are completely free for young people who are:

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020

Holiday Hunger Programme

The Holiday Hunger Programme has been launched to provide extra support to children and their families this half term. The County Council is working with the Active Essex Foundation to extend the programme. It will see 33 programmes available across the county and more than 1,000 children provided with free activities and food.

St Mary’s Church is Helping

St Mary’s church is offering support, on Tuesday to Friday of this week, to families adversely affected by the Pandemic;

Continue reading “Holiday Hunger Programme”

October 24, 2019

Hotel Transylvania 3 – A Monster Vacation

Hotel Transylvania 3 – A Monster Vacation at Half Term

The West Bergholt Film Club is showing the Sony Pictures animation Hotel Transylvania 3 – A Monster Vacation on Thursday 31st October. Taking place in the Orpen Hall, doors open at 2:30 pm for showtime at 3 pm.

Tickets are £5.00, including:

hot dog, drink & ice lolly for each child, and
hot dog, tea/coffee & biscuit treat for adults!

They are available in advance from Scissorhands, with proceeds going towards a new playground at Orpen field. Although the film is rated U, children should be accompanied by an adult please. Being Halloween there is also Continue reading “Hotel Transylvania 3 – A Monster Vacation”

February 12, 2019

Incredibles 2

Incredibles 2 at Half Term

The West Bergholt Film Club is showing the Walt Disney movie Incredibles 2 on Thursday 21st February. Taking place in the Orpen Hall, doors open at 9:30 am for showtime at 10 am.

Tickets are £3.00, including popcorn for each child, available in advance from Scissorhands, with proceeds going towards a new playground at Orpen field. Enjoy the trailer and synopsis of the show below. Continue reading “Incredibles 2”

February 11, 2016February 12, 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.

October 22, 2015February 15, 2018

Halloween Half Term 2015

If you are looking for ideas of what to do with the kids, here are some events for the Halloween Half Term:

Colchester Zoo

Fright Nights

For those that are brave enough to stay after dark, Colchester Zoo also is hosting a number of Fright nights with extended late night openings! Dare you stay on into the evening and face the ghosts and ghouls that take over the zoo or step foot in the Haunted Church? With the return of the infamous Terror Train plus many more spine chilling events this really is your Best Nightmare!

Fright Nights take place on selected nights during the October half term (Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November), please check the website for exact dates for Fright Nights. Please note that Tesco Deals Vouchers cannot be accepted as payment for Shriek Week, Fright Night or Magic of Christmas events.

Shriek Week

The darkness of ‘Shriek Week’ is set to return to Colchester Zoo…are you brave enough?! Why not join in and enjoy plenty of spook-tacular fun during October half term. Enjoy a number of spooky themed displays and activities throughout the day including The Haunted Mansion and Tales from the Crypt as well as riding along the Pumpkin Train Trail!

Please note that Tesco Deals Vouchers cannot be accepted as payment for Shriek Week, Fright Night or Magic of Christmas events.

Details correct at the time of going to press. Check out www.colchesterzoo.org for further information.

Light & Shades, Family Fun Day

Light and Shades, a spooky themed fun day for all the family on Saturday 31st October, 9am-9pm.

Plenty of hocus pocus will be cast upon the town centre – walk along the High Street without traffic, enjoy creepy craft workshops, ghoulish games, live music, zombie jugglers, steampunk magicians, spooky tours and storytelling. Oh, and watch out for the ghoulishly fun characters around the town centre. There will be plenty of food stalls to fill your appetite.

The spooky fun continues at Firstsite with a traditional ghost train – once on board, be prepared to be frightened with ghostly goings on. A mixture of giggles and screams guaranteed – you wouldn’t want to miss it!

Whatever you do, don’t leave too soon. As it gets dark, make your way to the High Street as Colchester Borough Council hosts fire juggling shows, light performers, live music and a light show on Colchester Town Hall from 5pm-9pm.

Please note that the High Street will be closed to traffic on Saturday 31st October from 8am-8pm.

Click here to download the Light and Shades Family Fun Day full programme.

Spectacular 3D Light Show

From 5.00pm you will see the Town Hall as you have never seen it before. A spectacular and unique fully projection mapped 3D light show – be amazed as you watch the building magically change before your eyes.

We don’t want to give too much away but the stories that will be showcased in the light show are the nursery rhymes Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Old King Cole, both with their roots firmly in the town.

The Town Hall will appear transformed with light, creating a new scene from the existing architecture that will immerse the audience into the nursery rhymes’ using forced perspective projection mapping techniques, live music and narration.

At one point the building’s façade will appear to be showered in falling stars as Jane Taylor, the author of Twinkle Twinkle looks up from an attic window in wonder as the building peels away revealing star fields and nebulas; in another scene, the historical building shall deconstruct and transform into King Cole’s castle.

The show will partly be narrated live by Anthony Roberts, Director of Firstsite and Colchester Arts Centre, and accompanied by live music from Colchester based band Fishclaw. Building to a climactic frenzy of audio and light.

Firstsite

Every Drawing Tells a Story

Come along to Firstsite during the half term for a whole mix of art and drawing to try with your families. Working with our fabulous artists you will join in with activities which link to this year’s theme for the national programme Every Drawing Tells a Story.

Firstsite has been involved in Big Draw for 15 years since it started way back in the year 2000.

We have twice received recognition as part of the national Drawing Inspiration Awards in 2012 winning one of the top three in the UK and in 2013 receiving Highly Commended for our Big Draw activities.

Monday 26th – Saturday 31st October, 11:00 to 13:00 & 14:00 to 16:00. £2.50 per person.

Pumpkin Procession

Join lots of families and children for the first Colchester Pumpkin March through the town from Colchester Arts Centre to finish up at Firstsite for some fire spinning and music.

Saturday 31st October, 16:30 – 17:00. Free entry.

Free Family Saturdays

An intriguing family art or cultural activity with a different theme each week all based on the exhibitions at Firstsite or specific to the season. It’s entirely free and you can stay for as little or as long as you like. Just drop in on the day.

Saturdays from 24th October, 11:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 16:00. Free entry.

Find out more at www.firstsite.uk.net/page/3085/Whats-on.

Not Now, Bernard & Other Monster Stories @ Mercury Theatre

David McKee’s much-loved Not Now, Bernard is joined by two of his other wonderfully funny (and not too scary) monster stories, The Two Monsters and The Monster And The Teddy Bear, in this fast-paced show about growing up and learning how to deal with change.

Recommended for ages 3 – 8 years. Tuesday 27th – Saturday 31st October, shows at 11:00 & 14:00. Tickets £8.50 adult / £6.50 child. Call 01206 573948

Colchester Castle

Roman Recruits

Have you got what it takes to be a Roman Legionary? Minimum age 5 years old.

Friday 30th October, workshops at: 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Free after normal admission price to the Castle, booking is required, please call 01206 282941.

Halloween Face Painting

Get ready for Halloween with scary faces.

Saturday 31st October, just drop in between 10:30 – 16:00, free after Castle admission price.

Leisure World

Kids Camp

For children in school years 1 to 6. A range of activities from swimming to trampolining, as well as games, arts, crafts, a bouncy castle and much more. Sessions are led by qualified coaches and the camp also includes lunch.

9am – 3pm £25.00 per day
8am – 5.30pm £30.00 per day.

Base Camp

For young people of secondary school age (up to the age of 15). Sessions include trips to off site to places such as X-Treme Gaming. Swimming every day and a lunch is provided.

8am – 5.30pm

Prices start from £30.00 per day and vary depending on trips included.

Hollytrees Museum

All Hallows Masks

Create your Halloween mask at Hollytrees Museum and make it as scary as you like. At the end of the session, you will have a wonderful addition to your costume to take home.

Monday 26th October at 10:30, 11:30, 14:00 & 15:00 – please book in advance – 01206 282941. £3 per person.

Lighting the Night

Scare away the ghosts and ghouls this Halloween with a lantern jar.

Wednesday 28th October at 10:30, 11:30, 14:00 & 15:00 – please book in advance – 01206 282941. £3 per person.

Natural History Museum

Funny Bones – Skeleton Craft Workshop

Discover what happens under the skin by making your own moving skeleton. Cut out and colour the bones then join them together and bring it to life.

Tuesday 27th October, drop in between 10:30 – 16:00, charge £3 per person.

Go Live! Snake encounters

Get up close with these fascinating reptiles at the Natural History Museum.

Thursday 29th October, shows at 12:00, 13:15 & 14:30, charge £3 per person (free 2 & unders), no booking required.

May 22, 2015May 22, 2015

Essex News update – May 22nd 2015

Essex County Council has issued the following news update covering half term events, their Let’s Get Moving scheme promoting healthier lifestyle, Foster Care fortnight, Small Grants Scheme update and grass verge trimming:

Have an action-packed half term with Essex County Council

Join in the fun at our huge range of action-packed activities for children of all ages this half term. From canoeing to a dinosaur recycling day, there is something for everyone (and all weathers!) taking place near you at Country Parks, Essex Libraries, Essex Outdoors centres and Hadleigh Park Mountain Bike Centre – some activities are free!

Date	Activity	Location	Cost
Saturday 23 May	Nature Club. Monthly club for children aged 7 to 11.	Danbury Country Park	£3 per child
Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May	Magical Mysteries Trail. Have fun exploring and experiencing the woods, enjoying the magic and mystery.	Thorndon Park South	£3 per trail guide
Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May	Animal Detective Trail. Work out which animals have been visiting the park and what they’ve done.	Belhus Woods Country Park	£3 per trail guide
Monday 25 May	Iron Age Roundhouse open afternoon.	Hadleigh Park	Free
Tuesday 26 May to Friday 29 May	Activity Days. Try four outdoors adventure activities in a day.	Essex Outdoors at Danbury, Harlow and Mersea	£30 per child a day (buy four days get fifth free)
Tuesday 26 May	Nature Rangers Event.	Wickford Library	Free
	Essex Summer Evening Series – Travers Bikes. Mountain bike race.	Hadleigh Park	£13 Senior Riders, £8 Under 16 (£2 extra if you need a day license)
	Climbing Day.	Essex Outdoors at Harlow	£30 per child
	Activity Day.	Essex Outdoors at Bradwell	£30 per child
Wednesday 27 May	Wild Wednesday	Danbury Country Park	Free
	Pirate and Princess Treasure Trail. Pick up a treasure map and lead yourselves through the woods. Come in costume.	Thorndon Park South	£4 per child
	Kite making. Make your own kite, then test it in the park.	Belhus Woods Country Park	Free
	Canoeing and Kayaking.	Essex Outdoors at Harlow	£30 per child
	Survival for Softies: Make a shelter and light a fire. Cook your lunch on your own campfire.	Hadleigh Park	£7 per child
Wednesday 27 May and Thursday 28 May	Jester School. Juggling skills, jester themed crafts, scratch art magnet, make a mask/hat or follow the trail.	Cressing Temple	£7.50 per child
Thursday 28 May	Climbing Day.	Essex Outdoors at Harlow	£30 per child
	Canoe Day.	Essex Outdoors at Bradwell	£30 per child
	Dinosaur Recycling Day.	Colchester Library	Free
Friday 29 May	Canoeing and Kayaking.	Essex Outdoors at Harlow	£30 per child
Sunday 31 May	Birds, Bugs and Blooms. Discover a wealth of plant life and wildlife.	Hadleigh Park	£4 per adult, £2 per child

Find out more here.

23,000 more people getting active across the county

The Essex Let’s Get Moving schemes aims to get up to 23,000 residents leading healthier lifestyles. Starting in a week’s time in the West of the county, we’ve got physical activity experts lined up and ready to help people benefit from getting more active. Support on offer includes one-to-one sessions with exercise professionals, community activities and peer-led group sessions.

Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Anne Brown said:

Evidence shows that nearly half of Essex residents do not take part in any sport or recreational activity. We know that inactivity can have a serious impact on people’s health, with an inactive person spending on average 38% more days in hospital than an active person.

More information about Let’s Get Moving can be found here.

Could you be an Essex foster carer?

Could you offer a child a loving home? Foster Care Fortnight kicks off on 1 June, and features a Fostering Fiesta on Sunday 7 June at Danbury Centre for Outdoor Learning. Activities are taking place across Essex where you can meet foster carers and their families and find out more.

Councillor Dick Madden, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

There are still many myths about who can foster but all that really matters is that carers have the time, commitment, space and personal qualities to offer a secure and stable home to a child or children who have been separated from their birth family.

Find out more about Foster Care Fortnight here.

Culture benefits from cash boost

Essex Boys and Girls Clubs are the latest group to be awarded a grant of nearly £2,500 for cultural activities, thanks to the Essex Small Grants Scheme. The grant is one of 16 awards worth £30,000 which will benefit 16 culture-based projects.

County Councillor Roger Hirst, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Libraries, Planning and the Environment, said:

Culture in Essex is thriving and it is important that we contribute to it by encouraging and incentivising through grants such as these. I look forward to hearing outcomes from all of the projects that have benefitted during this round of grants.

Read about the other grants awarded here.

Summer grass verge and weed trimming programme begins

Motorists are being asked to be extra careful as Essex County Council begins its summer roadside grass verge cutting programme. Grass verges on all of Essex’s priority routes are cut to improve safety and the appearance of the highway. The cutting programme includes verges next to footways and roads, as well as central reservations and sightlines at junctions. Around 6,100 miles of verge will be cut throughout the programme.

May 21, 2015May 22, 2015

Colchester Events – Half Term & Early Summer

Colchester Borough Council have just issued details of a number of events and activities, including some for this half term, as follows:

Half term fun with Colchester Museums

Banish half term boredom with Colchester Museums this May, as we host activities that are a break from the norm!Get your creative juices flowing with the twisted history of Colchester in cartoon, enjoy a feast for the ears with tales of Roman Food or prepare your very own shell-fishy hand puppet to take home! Find out more here.

Summer Screen

Two weeks of Summer Screen in Castle Park between 29 June and 12 July will be covering everything from live Wimbledon, Amélie, Mamma Mia and Shaun the Sheep: The Movie; all accompanied by a licensed bar, pop up food kiosks, bands and more! Wimbledon is FREE, film tickets just £2, under 3yrs FREE. Find out more here.

King of Pop, The Legend Continues

‘NAVI’ the world’s No.1 Michael Jackson performer will be recreating the magical classics from the early Jackson 5 songs to the mega-hits such as Thriller and Smooth Criminal. A great night of entertainment suitable for the whole family. Tickets £17 and £10 for children 16 years and under. Find out more here.

Be more streetwise about your well-being

Street Wise, is offering all things ‘street’ and more, for families to enjoy for free this summer – in a bid to help local people become more streetwise about their health and well-being.Street dance, street food and street sports such as football, basketball and skipping are just some of the free activities and attractions on offer at the event on Saturday 13 June, 10am-4pm at the Colchester Institute. Find out more here.

Full Listings

Even more events are listed at http://www.visitcolchester.com/.

October 9, 2014

Coffee & Craft Extra at Half Term

West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding another of their popular fun activity mornings for young families during the half-term holiday. The Coffee and Craft session will take place on Monday morning October 27th from 10.30 to 12.00 in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane, West Bergholt.

There will be a variety of craft activities and free coffee, tea, squash, biscuits and cakes will be available. There will be an entrance fee to cover the cost of craft materials of £2-50 per family (any number) but please note that, sorry, we are unable to accept unaccompanied children.

For further details call Andrew Wilks on 242511.

May 26, 2011

Free Half Term fun – Thursday 2nd June

The Halfords Tour Series is coming to Colchester Thursday 2 June 2011, bringing with it a whole afternoon of festival activities for all to enjoy, in addition to the thrilling professional cycle race that will take place in the town centre streets from 7pm.

Castle Park will host an array of free activities from 2pm for people of all ages to play a part in, in the lead up to the evening race.

Head to Hollytrees Meadow, Castle Park, to trial the amazing 54 metre Northshore mountain bike track, bikes and helmets will be provided. Budding BMX riders can freestyle on the BMX Park or brush up your tricks with the skills sessions – bring your own bike.

Drop in on the Halfords Hub Arena where there will be all sorts of entertainment going on throughout the afternoon, and prepare to be amazed by the tricks and flips of Triple World Champion Ben Savage as he tackles the VooDoo Bikes Stunt Rig. There will be an opportunity to improve your cycle skills with some coaching from Ben himself.

Don’t miss all that Lower Castle Park has to offer including football skills sessions, kwik cricket, tennis and volleyball.

Hollytrees Lawn will host the entertainment and refreshments arena, come and try Zumba Latin workout, join the street dance workshop or relax and enjoy a programme of activity throughout the day.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net