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Category: Colchester

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Battle of the Ages

chariotColchester Castle re-opens on 2nd May following major renovation, and to celebrate they are holding a major event between 11am – 1pm on 7th June – the Battle of the Ages.  There will also be a medieval festival in Castle Park where you will be able to roam amongst historic market traders, see live archery and watch a variety of displays.

Battle of the Ages

Six teams, sponsored by local businesses, will be taking part in the ultimate Battle of the Ages to find out which era will take the castle! Roman vs Iceni, Saxon vs Norman and Cavalier vs Roundhead will go head to head racing chariots around the castle bailey.   There will be 3 rounds, each with two competing teams.  There will then be the final between the three conquering teams of the previous rounds.

Design a Chariot

They are also running a competition (open to schools, community groups and individuals) to design one of the chariots.  Romans by schools, Saxons by community groups and the remainder by individuals.   This is your chance to look back in history, learn about different eras of Colchester’s past and create a design for one of six chariots.  The winning designs will be used in the race and the winner will receive a prize worth up to £500.

Find out more on their website at http://battleoftheages.co.uk/.

Medieval Festival

Previously known as the Oyster Fayre, this festival runs over the weekend of 7th – 8th June between 10am – 5pm in Lower Castle Park.  As well as historic market traders and archery competitons, there wi be falconry, mummers & puppets, combat & tourney displays, music & dance, storytelling and general ‘foolery’.

Find out more on their website at http://www.oysterfayre.magix.net/public/index.html.

 

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Hillhouse Wood gets Information Boards

Information board at main entrance
Information board at main entrance

The long awaited information boards have now been installed at all three entrances to Hillhouse Wood. The main board was erected at the entrance off the track that runs past the church whilst the two smaller boards were positioned by the Woodland Trust’s Site Manager, Tony Chadwick.

Thanks goes to the Woodland Trust for designing, making and installing the boards and to Colchester Borough Council and The Friends of Hillhouse Wood for providing funds for the project.

All those attending the Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk on Easter Saturday should have ample opportunity to see them together with everything else that will make this a great afternoon event.

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Local Bus user – have your say!

Local bus in West BergholtIt’s not too late to have your say on the future of supported local bus services.

As you may be aware, in September the County Council began a major review of its support for local bus services in the County.   The public consultation seeks residents’ and passenger transport customers’ views on local bus services which are supported by the County Council, and their preferences and needs for services in the future.

The consultation has now been ‘live’ for 7 weeks. It’s clear that people care about the future of their individual bus services, however, the Council would like to encourage as many people as possible to take this opportunity to contribute towards the future of local bus services.  It is important the Council has a high level of response from the public so that decisions are made on robust evidence.

The consultation can be accessed online until 9 December 2013.  Paper copies of the consultation are also be available through libraries or by calling 0845 603 7631.

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West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan area unveiled – CBC Consultation

Logo of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project
Logo of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project

In preparations for starting a Neighbourhood Plan the area defined by the plan has to be the subject of an application to Colchester Borough Council by the Parish Council. Following the village workshop last November the area was agreed as being coincident with the Parish Council boundary, and an application has been submitted by the Parish Council. In turn the Borough Council sets this out in a wider 6 week consultation which can be viewed on the Colchester Borough Council website here.  If you wish to do so, you have until 20th June to respond to this consultation.

The general survey of residents of the village & parish takes place in June via these web pages and the Village Bulletin. Look out for the questionnaire and make sure you have your say.

STOP PRESS:

The Neighbourhood Plan Survey is now live online until the end of June on this website.

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Potholes – update from Borough Councillors

Essex Council's problem reporting page - report, check progress or find previously reported problems here
Essex Council’s problem reporting page – report, check progress or find previously reported problems here

Borough Councillors, Marcus Harrington & Dennis Willetts yesterday sent the following to residents of Valley Crescent:

The potholes at the junction of Valley Crescent and Chapel Lane have been a cause of anger and frustration for many months.  Many of you have reported them through the proper on-line method on the Essex County Council website.  Many of you have also reported them to us and we have both been in constant communication with ECC’ s Highways Department about them.

We agree the situation is unacceptable.  Potholes of this dimension cannot be left for such a long time without repair.  We have made our feelings abundantly clear.

As Colchester Borough Councillors we cannot do more than apply pressure.  The responsibility for pothole repair does not lie with our Council.  We have, however, also offered to repair the potholes ourselves but that offer fell on deaf ears.

Finally some hope is on the horizon and this is the reason for writing.  We have been faithfully informed by Essex County Council’s Highways Department that repair of these potholes will be part of a wider programme of road surface repair in West Bergholt which should be completed by the end of March 2013.  We want to let you know of this commitment arid hope you share some hope with us, even though it would take a brave man to put his mortgage on it!

With best wishes,
Cllr Marcus Harrington
Cllr Dennis Willetts

If you are plagued by potholes  (or any of a wide range of Highways problems – see picture above) then don’t forget you can report them directly to Essex County Council’s Highway’s Department using their website.

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Trees for Years – Free Trees

Colchester's Green Spaces logoTrees for Years Initiative – Free Trees for Residents

Saturday 2nd February 2013

The 7th Trees for Years Initiative sponsored by OfficeIS will be held at Rowan House Council Offices Car Park off Sheepen Road between 10am -1pm.

Free trees will be given away to Borough Residents, Community Groups, Schools and Parish Council’s.  Residents can collect up to 3 plants per household and up to 20 per community group, School and Parish Council.

The following species will be available:

  • Raspberry canes
  • Blackcurrant canes
  • Gooseberry bush
  • Blackberry root
  • Acer campestre – Field Maple
  • Prunus padus – Bird Cherry
  • Betula pendula – Silver Birch
  • Corylus avellana – Hazel cob nut
  • Cornus alba ‘Siberica’ – Red Stem dogwood
  • Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’ – Yellow stem Dogwood

2013 bare root trees/fruit bushes will be available on a first come first serve basis:

  • Trees must be planted on private property and postcodes will be recorded to monitor the distribution.
  • Cultivation guidance will be available so that trees can be selected, taking into account the ultimate size and form of mature trees.
  • Remember to bring a large bag to put your trees in.

Please telephone 01206 282903 or visit www.colchester.gov.uk and follow the links to see more information on the Trees for Years Initiative