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Day 53 of Lockdown – the “Anyone for tennis” edition

Anyone for tennis

Anyone for tennisDay 53 of Lockdown

Day 53 sees the first tentative steps towards sporting normality in West Bergholt as the MUGA opens for tennis.  Other news:

Anyone for Tennis?

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.

LTA Advice

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

Rainbow pictureCBC – 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.

To enter the competition, visit: www.colchester.gov.uk/rainbow

The winner will be announced the week following the competition’s deadline of 5 June 2020.

Every Family MattersECC – 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.

Visit our Staying Well Children and Families page for more information and stay up-to-date with regular Every Family Matters news on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Play Me Maybe – Musical Parody

https://youtu.be/MDQNVNwNxHg

 

Day 52 of Lockdown – the Bruce Forsyth edition

Bruce Forsyth - nice 2 metre, 2 metre niceDay 52 and Bruce Forsyth

On day 52 we have a timely intervention from the legend that was Bruce Forsyth.  Having grown up in feet & inches I (webmaster) despair at the number of people (of all ages), who really have no grasp of what 2 metres is.  I’ve gathered my pet gripes together, I wonder how many you share:

  • on a narrow pavement, it is NOT OK to walk side-by-side when somebody is coming the other way.
  • it is also NOT OK for runners & cyclists to whizz past at speed barely 1-metre away.
  • if you and your household come across another household it is OK to socially distance on the same side of the path; that is much better than straddling both sides forcing others to run the 1-metre gauntlet.

Anyway, down to today’s news items: Continue reading “Day 52 of Lockdown – the Bruce Forsyth edition”

Day 51 of Lockdown – the Monty Python edition

Day 51 and Monty Python

Monty Python kicks us off on day 51.  I’m afraid this video reminded me a little of some of the daily briefings we are getting.

Today sees the first day of softening in England, how was it for you?  We start with a few government updates – quite a lot came out today; those included here are most relevant to members of the public.

More Government Guidance

Some more guidance updates to ease our way into the common-sense world of soft lockdown, apologies if some of these appear repetitive or, at least, covering the same ground: Continue reading “Day 51 of Lockdown – the Monty Python edition”

Day 50 of Lockdown – the Florence Nightingale edition

International Nurses Day - Florence NightingaleDay 50 of Lockdown

Day 50 of lockdown is the last day of the soft lockdown as we look forward to tomorrow’s slightly softer version.  Topics today include:

International Nurses Day

Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.  Continue reading “Day 50 of Lockdown – the Florence Nightingale edition”

Day 44 of Lockdown – the Stress edition

StressDay 44 of Lockdown

On day 44 we start with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) being worried about stress levels during Lockdown.  We then have two complementary articles from ECC and CBC about VE 75th anniversary and, as ever, end with some things to do and a little light relief.

Look after your mental wellbeing while working at home

During the coronavirus outbreak, it’s important to look after your mental wellbeing while staying at home.

Stress affects us all at different times and in different ways. It can cause Continue reading “Day 44 of Lockdown – the Stress edition”

Day 39 of Lockdown – the St Mary’s May edition

VE-Day 75th Anniversary Stamp

Clowns humour by Manny Francisco in ManilaDay 39 of Lockdown

Our day 39 update starts with St Mary’s May edition of their news which includes a message from Revd Mandy Elmes and details of how to access services online.  Other updates include:

St Mary’s Update

This update starts with a message from Revd. Mandy Elmes and also includes details of how to access Zoom services,  Continue reading “Day 39 of Lockdown – the St Mary’s May edition”

Day 38 of Lockdown – the Letters to Loved Ones edition

Letters to Loved OnesDay 38 of Lockdown

Day 38, does it seem shorter if I say about 5½ weeks?  Anyway, today’s update starts with a new service being offered by our local hospitals for those with loved ones unable to be visited.  It then continues with:

Letters to Loved Ones

Keeping in touch with loved ones in hospitals run by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) is being made easier thanks to a new email and message service.  While visiting is restricted at the Trust, messages can now be sent to friends or relatives in hospital through the Letters to Loved Ones service.  You can either email or leave a voicemail to your loved one for the team to deliver. Continue reading “Day 38 of Lockdown – the Letters to Loved Ones edition”

Day 37 of Lockdown – the Captain Tom edition

Captain Tom Moore with Yorkshire Regt honours

Captain Tom Moore with Yorkshire Regt honoursDay 37 of Lockdown

Our Day 37 edition of Lockdown updates features a tribute to the inspirational Captain Tom who turns 100 tomorrow.  Other news, starting with two pieces from ECC:

First a song for Captain Tom: Continue reading “Day 37 of Lockdown – the Captain Tom edition”

Day 36 of Lockdown – the Social Dis Dancing edition

Social Dis Dancing

Social Dis DancingDay 36 of Lockdown

Zoom seems to be taking over our lives and day 36 reveals another unique way of using it.  Enter Social Dis Dancing.   We also have updates from:

The Dance Network Association

The Dance Network Association hopes to reach out to many dancers of all ages Continue reading “Day 36 of Lockdown – the Social Dis Dancing edition”

Day 35 of Lockdown – the Ukulele edition

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain in Lockdown

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain in LockdownDay 35 of Lockdown

No news over the weekend and precious little on day 35 but here it comes after an explainer; why is this the Ukulele edition?

Perhaps you, like me (webmaster), has had enough spare time to explore parts of the internet I had not seen before.   On one of my explorations, I came across the magnificently named Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.  I’ve embedded below a couple of their recent COVID-19 videos, if you explore their YouTube Channel you will find them as comically adept as they are musically.  If you found anything online others might be interested to hear about, share it in comments on Facebook.

Now to the pieces of news about the upcoming PC meeting and maintaining fitness during the lockdown. Continue reading “Day 35 of Lockdown – the Ukulele edition”