On Day 94 lockdown we will have done well to have kept our cool with temperatures in the 30’s! ECC are also getting a little heated about the amount of litter & waste that those visiting parks, countryside & beaches are leaving behind; expect to see a few more signs like the one on the right. News today includes:
Day 86 starts off with an update from the Parish Council. It is also MC Escher‘s birthday who was famous mostly for his ‘Impossible Stairs’ – navigating the pandemic sometimes seems a bit like this!
A couple of mini-snippets:
Recycling back to normal apart from textiles on 22nd June,
Woods is a small but very friendly lawn bowls club that is normally open to all ages and abilities throughout the spring & summer months of April to September. The club consists of a mixture of male and female members with ages ranging from ‘Thirty-somethings’ to, sprightly Octogenarians! You are never too young or too old to play Lawn Bowls. Continue reading “Day 72 of Lockdown – the Bowling Along edition”
Day 60 happens to fall on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday. So we turn to Sherlock Holmes’ for some light relief at the end. First some Lockdown updates from the Environment Agency and Essex Council, then we have Parish Council updates and finally Sherlock – elementary.
On day 58 we get the chance to finish what we started on day 57; the Essex Life in Lockdown article inviting you to share your lockdown story. After that:
The Research and Citizen Insight team at Essex County Council are reaching out to residents of Essex to hear their experiences and share stories of what it has been like for you during this extremely challenging time. How has COVID-19 and the lockdown has impacted your life, how you’ve been getting on, how you have managed to stay connected with friends, family and your community and how you’ve been feeling throughout the lockdown period? Continue reading “Day 58 of (is it?) Lockdown – the Life in Lockdown edition”
Following the latest government advice, the MUGA is now open for playing tennis only. To protect the health of our staff, the parish council is not currently charging to hire the tennis court, however, you must book the court in advance of playing to ensure social distancing is adhered to.
To book the court for an hour, call Victoria Beckwith-Cole on 07434 949631.
Guidance for use
in order to use this tennis court, you must:
Keep a 2m ‘social distance’ at all times.
Wash your hands at home before and after play. Bring antibacterial gel with you as there are no toilet facilities open.
Play within households if you can.
Singles play only unless you are playing doubles with members of your own household.
If you are playing against someone from a different household (Singles Only) you MUST have your own personal tennis balls CLEARLY MARKED that only you pick up.
When you arrive, wait for play to finish before entering the MUGA. Do NOT congregate by the entrance gate.
Please do not touch the nets, net-posts or fencing.
Do not touch other people’s tennis balls with your hands.
No spectating is allowed.
You must not use the MUGA for tennis without first pre-booking a court with Victoria on 07434 949631.
If these conditions are not met or any damage occurs, then the MUGA will be closed. Any issues please call 07434 949631.
Playgrounds
For the avoidance of doubt, playgrounds/play parks remain closed at this time.
When BBC Look East interviewed the Bears
CBC – Share Your Rainbows
Colchester Borough Council is encouraging residents to share photos of their home-made rainbow creations that demonstrate the borough’s support and gratitude to key workers throughout COVID-19.
Residents are being asked to share photos of their colourful and creative rainbow creations – whether it’s a hand-drawn rainbow, a chalk drawing on their driveway, or even a floral display in their front garden. The competition is open from 15 May until 7 June and will be judged by Cllr Mark Cory, Leader of Colchester Borough Council.
The winning photo will be awarded a family pass to visit Colchester Castle, a family swim pass at Leisure World Colchester and will feature on the council’s Facebook page as a cover photo.
The winner will be announced the week following the competition’s deadline of 5 June 2020.
ECC – International Day of Families
We’re using this year’s International Day of Families to remind you of the support available across Essex if you need help managing the extra pressure that the COVID-19 pandemic has put on family life.
We understand that while trying to make sense of this new world, you also need to support your child with their understanding. This will be unfamiliar territory and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by this and trying to navigate the current circumstances we’re all living in.
Making It Easier to Find
With so much information out there, we know it can be hard to find what’s right for you, so we’ve collated key organisations and resources that can help support you and your family at this time.
We are continuing to share these with you through our Every Family Matters campaign, so that you know where you can get the help you need on subjects including children’s mental health and wellbeing, social distancing and young people, and how you can keep your child safe online.
On day 30, Essex County Council turns its’ attention to the technology our children might be using during the lockdown. We have official confirmation that the NEEB Holdings appeal has been postponed. Finally Neil Diamond asks you to join him in song.
Every Family Matters – ECC Announcement
Technology can provide young people with a window to the world, offering them lots of different opportunities to learn new things, have fun and stay in touch with friends and family.
Staying connected is important right now and if your child is not currently at school, you might find they are spending more time online at home, playing games, scrolling through social media, or chatting to friends.
Day 15 and after two weeks of lockdown it almost seems like the new normal! But, things keep changing. First, there was no recycling, then there was and, the good news, there will be again tomorrow but read on. Also, there were no council meetings but, watch this space! And, again, a little light relief at the end.
Day 94 of (heating up) Lockdown
