June has a way of lifting our spirits. The days stretch out like a cat in the sun, flowers burst into colour, and the scent of BBQs and freshly cut grass fills the air. It’s the month where nature seems to throw a garden party—and we’re all invited.
There’s something wonderfully hopeful about June. The Bible tells us:
The next Local History Group meeting will learn about Essex Lights of which there are many. From Harwich, down the coast and into the Thames Estuary. Peter Jones will be presenting the history of these Lighthouses in the Orpen Hall on Wednesday 14th September at 7:30 pm.
Members cost is £2 and non-members £4 which includes refreshments.
Other talks coming up inlcude:
Steve Pollington talking about Sutton Hoo, and
Norman Jacobs on the topic of Colchester 1880-1980.
Spring & Summer Events
The Group’s last meeting in Orpen Hall on April 13th, was to hear about the history of the Minories in Colchester. This Grade II listed building is believed to have been built in the Tudor period but with subsequent modifications, in mid-18th century, turning it into the elegant Georgian building you see today.
Arrangements for the 2022 Village Open Gardens Event have now been finalised. There will be 10 varied, interesting gardens and the Allotments open to view this year. The gardens will be open between 11 am & 5:30 pm on 12th June.
Buy your tickets now…
Entry to the gardens will be by Programme (£5 per adult/children free). Until 11th June they will be on sale at:
The Food Museum, formerly the Museum of East Anglian Life, is going on the road! They are touring their exhibition ‘Food Stories’ to communities across East Anglia arriving in the Orpen Hall on 19th June from 10 am until 4 pm. You can also get involved in the event yourself.
What are Food Stories?
‘Food Stories’ celebrates East Anglian recipes, cooking, farming techniques and dialect words that have been passed down through generations. The centrepiece of the exhibition will be a farm kitchen table featuring:
Farmers Picnic?
local recipes,
photos,
sound recordings and
objects from their collection.
Visitors will be able to sit at, and engage with, the displays; you can also contribute your own recipes and memories to the exhibition. You will hear historic sound recordings from the region of people talking about their food and farming memories. Visitors can also participate in the University of Leeds’ cutting-edge dialect research by contributing their own dialect words.
Taking place on 27th April 2022, the Annual Parish Meeting is not a Parish Council Meeting, but a meeting for electors of the parish.
It is an opportunity to discuss parish affairs and say what matters to you. Members of the public and press are welcome to attend.
The meeting will commence at 7:30 pm, on Wednesday 27th April 2022, in the Orpen Memorial Hall. Light refreshments will be provided. The Agenda for this year’s meeting, which will be chaired by Councillor Chris Stevenson, Chairman of the Parish Council, is:
Welcome and Introduction from the Chairman Parish Council Annual Report 2022 & unaudited Trust Accounts 2021-22 (10 mins)
Robert Strathern Innovative farming methods at Fairfield Crisps (10 mins)
Issues from the Floor – Have your say
It would be helpful if you could notify the Clerk in advance if you have any matters to raise during the Issues from the Floor item. Email to [email protected].
TEC Mates Initiative Looks to Help Those Without IT Skills
The TEC Mates programme supports the use and uptake of Digital Technology and Technology Enabled Care (TEC) products and services. It aims to inform vulnerable people, their friends, family and carers on TEC and its capabilities; also to consider its adoption for accessing social and health care services.
It will focus on the specific skills required to help residents and their family and friends become more digitally aware. Importantly, it will help them gain a greater understanding about new Technology Enabled Care solutions. These are being rolled out by the West Essex Community Action Network (WECAN) and supported by Essex County Council.