St Mary’s Appeal & News Update

This update includes a number of items including Messy Church report, notice of a funding appeal, being launched to avoid running into a deficit in coming years, and news of upcoming events.

Messy Church

Last weekend’s Messy Church was great fun and featured a mini pantomime with the story of the Three Wise Men, together with lots of fun activities for children and grown-ups alike! Thank you to our Messy Church team who put so much effort into preparing the services.

The next Messy Church will be on Sunday 14 February.

Upcoming Events

Senior Citizens Lunch – Satrday 16th January

Our next Senior Citizens’ Lunch will be on 16 January @ 12.45pm. If you would like to come or can help with food etc. please contact Murray Harlow on 07989 720256.

Joint 3 Parishes Sunday Worship Service – Sunday 31st January – 9.30am @ St Mary’s, Langham

St Mary’s will be joining folk from the churches from Great Horkesley, Langham & Boxted on Sunday 31 January to worship together at a joint service @ St Mary’s Church in Langham. If you would like a lift, please contact the parish office on 243683.

Wings for Worship Workshop – Saturday 6th February 9.45am-4.00pm @ St Mary’s

St Mary’s is hosting a deanery wide course designed to equip lay people to take a more active role in public worship. The course is open to everyone at St Mary’s as well as other churches in the Colchester area. Please let Dorothy Chadborn have your contact details if you would like to attend: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

Other Diary Dates

At St Mary’s

Tuesday 12 Jan – 11am village Communion
Tuesday 12 Jan – 8pm Home Group @ Richard & Dorothy’s House
Thursday 14 Jan – 9am coffee morning; 8pm PCC meeting
Saturday 16 Jan – 12.45pm Senior Citizens’ Lunch
Sunday 17 Jan – 11.15am Communion service with baptism of Ruby Tomlinson
Thursday 21 Jan – 9am coffee morning; 10am Rachel’s Home Group
Saturday 23 Jan – Marriage Preparation Day in the church hall
Sunday 24 Jan – 9.30am Morning worship
Wednesday 10 Feb – 8pm Ash Wednesday Communion Service
Tuesday 16 Feb – 8pm Lent Group in the church hall, then 23/2, 1/3, 8/3 & 15/3
Sunday 27 Mar – 9.30am Easter Sunday Communion Service led by Geoff Read

Elsewhere

Sunday 17 Jan – 8am & 9.30am Communion, St Mary’s, Langham; 11.15am Morning Praise, St John’s, Great Horkesley
Sunday 24 Jan – 8am HC @ All Saints, 9.30am HC @ Boxted, 11.15am Family service @ All Saints GH

Sunday Bible Readings

Sunday 17 Jan – Luke 4:14-21 – Jesus preaches in Galilee.
Sunday 24 Jan – John 4: 19-29a – Jesus talks to a women at the well.
Sunday 31 Jan – Luke 2:22-40 – Mary & Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple

Funding Appeal

The following appeal has been issued by the St Mary’s Parochial Church Council.

What gives?

St Mary’s is dependent on regular giving and donations from its members and supporters. We do not receive any external financial support and we are spending more than we receive.

Our main expense is the contribution we make to the costs of our Diocese. In recent years, St Mary’s has benefitted from a reduced “parish share” as we have not had our own vicar. This year, we expect to pay our full share. The PCC also wants to support Mandy’s ministry to help grow our church and we are planning to fund a new administrator position to help her focus on her ministry.

This means we expect to spend nearly £10,000 more this year than we received in 2014!

We have approved changes to the use of our reserves which mean we don’t expect to run out of general funds until 2017….but that’s just two years from now!

We will be talking a lot about giving over the next 2 years and explaining how we receive and spend God’s gifts. The PCC wants to encourage an £8,000 increase in annual regular giving by 2017. So, whether you’re a long-time member, new member, village resident or visitor, we are asking you to prayerfully consider your personal financial commitment to the continued, healthy life of this church in West Bergholt.

Thank you.

St Mary the Virgin PCC

Ways to give?

St Mary’s is dependent on regular giving and donations from its members and supporters. We do not receive any external financial support.

Regular giving

Most members of the Church give by standing order.

Gift-Aid allows us to claim back tax already paid on the gift. This means that every £1 gift-aided is worth £1.25 to the Church. If you already give by standing order or want to do so, please consider regularly the amount you give. Standing order forms are available in the Church.

If you are a UK taxpayer, please gift-aid your donation.

Sunday collections and donations

There is a plate, a donations box and white gift aid envelopes in the church for one-off donations. If you pay tax, please complete and sign one of these envelopes and put your donation inside – then we can claim tax back on these gifts too. Please don’t use these envelopes without signing them – it means you haven’t understood what they’re for!

Non-taxpayers

Even if you don’t pay tax, we can claim tax back from the Government! There’s just no need to fill any forms. Please don’t give £50 notes! We cannot claim the tax on a single gift of more than £20.

Other

Perhaps you can help with fund-raising, helping to explain church finances or with book-keeping. Your help does not need to be just financial. For further information, speak to our Treasurer, Jon Wilson, or a member of the PCC.

December 21, 2015

Christmas 2015 at St Marys

Christmas 2015 at St Mary’s

Upcoming events

Decorating the church for Christmas – Tues 22 Dec at 10am

We will be decorating the church for Christmas – all helpers welcome! If you can help, please contact Liz Dixon in the Parish Office tel: 243683; email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]

Crib Service at Boxted – Christmas Eve at 2.30pm

Crib Service – Christmas Eve at 3pm

Our family friendly Crib Service especially for families with younger children, led by Rachel Hutchings.

Christingle at Langham – Christmas Eve at 5.30pm

Welcome to Christmas, St John’s, Great Horkesley – Christmas Eve at 5.30pm

Christmas Eve Carol Service @ 6.45pm

Our popular Christmas Eve service, led by Rev Mandy Elmes, and featuring the St Mary’s Christmas Choir led by Caroline Finlay.

Christmas Eucharist at Boxted – Christmas Eve at 11.00pm

Christmas Midnight Communion at All Saints Church, Great Horkesley – Christmas Eve at 11.30pm

Christmas Day at 9.30am

Our family friendly Christmas Day celebration led by Richard Chadborn. Bible reading – Luke 2:1-20 – Jesus is born in Bethlehem. (There is also a Sung Eucharist at St Mary’s Langham at the same time).

Parish Office Closed – 25 Dec – 3 Jan

The Parish Office will close from 1.00pm on Christmas Eve and re-open at 9.00am on Monday 4 January. If you have an urgent enquiry, please contact our churchwardens Dorothy & Richard Chadborn 240541.

Dates for your diary

Senior Citizens Lunch – Sat 16 January

December 8, 2015December 8, 2015

Christmas Events Around the Village

Both the Methodist & St Mary’s Churches in the village have issued their latest updates in the run-up to Christmas 2015, the highlights are listed first and other detail dates below that:

Posada

The churches in West Bergholt and Great Horkesley, as part of their Christmas preparations, are supporting Mary and Joseph on their journey around the villages. This was previously announced on another news update, click to read more.

Christmas Tree Festival – 11th & 12th December

The pupils from Heathlands School will be decorating Christmas trees with gifts for people at the Night Shelter. The trees will be on display in St Mary’s Church on Friday between 3pm-4pm and on Saturday between 1pm-3pm. Come and vote for your favourite!

Messy Church

At St Mary’s, the next Messy Church is on Sunday 13th when will be having a Messy Nativity! There will be something for all ages in this informal and friendly family service.

Carol Singing outside the Co-op – 18th December

Both churches are calling on all to come and join them at the Co-op between 6:15 & 7:30, all voices are welcome and cogffee & mince pies will be available afterwards. This is in aid of Action for Children

Carols in the Old Church – 20th December

This starts at 2:30pm.

Candlelight Carol Service – 20th December

This takes place at 6:30pm at the Methodist Church, Chapel Road, this service will also be a focus of the travels of Mary & Joseph on their Posada with their diary being available to view.

Christmas Coffee & Craft – 21st December

Running at the Methodist Church Hall between 10:30 & 12:00, this is an event for (accompanied) children aged 0 -11 to engage in a range of festive crafts. Charge is £2.50 per family.

Decorating St Mary’s for Christmas – 22nd December

Starting at 10am help decorate the church for Christmas – all helpers welcome! If you can help, please contact Liz Dixon in the Parish Office tel: 243683 or email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

Some Related Notes

Alternative Christmas Card

This is now available at St mary’s Church – all money collected will be donated to the Children’s Society. Please gift aid if you can.

St Mary’s Christmas Choir Rehearsals

These are taking place in St Mary’s at 10:45am on 13th December and in the Old Church at 10am on 20th December.

Other Dates

These all relate to St Mary’s unless otherwise noted:

Thurs 10 Dec – 9am coffee morning;
Fri 11 Dec – 7.45pm Wired youth group;
Sun 13 Dec
- 9.30am Messy Church;
- 9.30am Communion, St Mary’s, Langham;
- 11.15am Holy Communion, All Saints, Great Horkesley.
Sun 13 Dec – 4.30pm Evening Prayer;
Thurs 17 Dec – 9am coffee; 2.30pm 5Ts;
Sun 20 Dec
- 8am BCP Communion, St Mary’s Langham;
- 9.30am Carol service, St Peter’s Boxted;
- 11.15am Communion;
- 4pm Christingle, All Saints, Great Horkesley.
Christmas Eve:
- 3pm Crib Service;
- 6.45pm Carol Service;
- 11.30pm Midnight Communion at All Saints, Great Horkesley.
Christmas Day – 9.30am Family Christmas Service;
Sat 16th January – Senior Citizens Lunch.

Sunday Bible Readings

Sun 13 Dec – Luke 3:7-18 – John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus (cont’d)
Sun 20 Dec – Luke 1:39-45 – Mary visits Elizabeth

December 8, 2015

Christmas Events Around Essex

As well as activities around the local parish local there are many other Christmas events around Essex, the following are a small selection:

Christmas at the Castle

As a seasonal treat, Colchester Castle will be opening its doors for FREE on Wednesday 9 December from 3pm. Come and soak up the Christmas atmosphere with Christmas carols, entertainment and an opportunity to meet Santa (£3.50 with gift). Capture the atmosphere with a professional festive photograph set in our specially decorated Christmas chapel.

All Aboard the Santa Special

12, 13, 19, 22, 20, 23 and 24 December. Epping Ongar Railway, departing from North Weald.

Mince pies, mulled wine, music and magician; juice and treats for the children as Santa makes his way through the carriages with his elves, handing out gifts to all good boys and girls.

Departures from North Weald are at 09:45, 11:25, 13:05, 14:45* & 16:25* (*excluding 24 December). Buses will depart from Epping Underground and locations in Ongar approximately 50 minutes earlier, so as to conveniently connect with these trains.

Our vintage buses will collect you from Epping or Ongar (if requested when booking) and will transport you to North Weald station, where our Santa Special trains will start. Here, adults will receive a complimentary mince pie and a glass of mulled wine, whilst children receive a juice drink and chocolate bar.

Once aboard the train, let the steam engine take the pressure; Santa will make his way through the carriages, accompanied by his elves, and hand out a gift to all the good boys and girls. There will be live music to add to the atmosphere, and a magician to entertain the children whilst they await their journey. Maybe there will even be time for a photograph with Santa at one of the stations…

Tickets are now on sale; standard prices for adults & children have been frozen at £16 & £13 respectively, but we have a slight increase in price on our busier days for adults. Full website details are at http://eorailway.co.uk/events/santa-specials/.

If you are interested in one of our compartments, please click here. Our compartments offer you an exclusive space away from the other passengers, where Santa will visit and present gifts by name! Limited compartments sizes are available for 6 or 8 people, and are priced at £130 & £150 respectively.

Late Night Shopping & More in Colchester

Late night shopping in Colchester is back every Wednesday in December. You can snap up all those special gifts and must-have essentials with Colchester’s fantastic mix of big name stores and independent retailers. Plus, you can park for FREE after 3pm (at selected car parks).

Other great winter attractions in Colchester include the Winter Wonderland and Ice Rink, new this year, located in Castle Park. You are advised to pre-book via the event’s website.

Jingle All The Way at Barleylands

Every day in December to 24th December – spend a day exploring the Farm Park and joining in Christmas activities including the brand new Giant Christmas Snow Globe that you can go inside to have a picture taken.

Father Christmas will be making a one hour appearance twice a day, meeting and greeting in the Festive Barn. There’s also Christmas Crafts, Snowy Owl flying displays and free hot chocolate! Open until 1pm on Christmas Eve.

To find out more or to book your visit go to their website at http://www.barleylands.co.uk/calendar.html.

November 17, 2015November 17, 2015

News Update 17th November

Methodist News update 17th November

Three Christmassy news items to report today:

Christmas Coffee Morning

We are holding our special “Christmas Coffee Morning” on Saturday November 28th from 10.00 to 12.00 in the Church Hall, Chapel Lane. Entrance is free and all are welcome. Coffee, tea, biscuits and mince pies will be available. There will be a variety of stalls including Home made cakes and preserves, books, jigsaws, cards and Christmas wrap, bric a brac, mystery parcels and novelty gifts.

Will you meet Mary and Joseph on their journey this year?

Posada - Mary & Joseph touring West Bergholt & Great Horkesley The churches in West Bergholt and Great Horkesley, as part of their Christmas preparations, are supporting Mary and Joseph on their journey around the villages.

They will be visiting the various West Bergholt Guide, Brownies, Cubs, Beavers and Rainbow packs in the lead up to the Gift and Parade service with the Uniformed organisations on Sunday 6th December at 11.00am. This will take place in the West Bergholt Methodist Church, Chapel Road and all are welcome to come to this celebration service.

Mary and Joseph will also be visiting other groups/organisations that are happy to offer them hospitality. Their itinerary is still being finalised but it is already known that among others they will be visiting:-

Bluebell pre-school
Christmas tree festival at Great Horkesley
St Marys for young people’s activities

This custom of the figures of Mary and Joseph going on a journey in the local community stems from Mexico where it is known as ‘Posada’. As we welcome the figures of Mary and Joseph we are encouraged to remember those who are homeless and outcast today and to reflect on how we might offer hospitality to others this Christmas. These figures of Mary and Joseph are travelling around West Bergholt and Great Horkesley to remind us of that first Christmas journey to Bethlehem. When they arrived no room could be found for them, except in a stable, but hopefully this year they will receive a warm welcome in the groups that they visit and there will be places for them to stay. They are keeping a diary of their travels which will be available at West Bergholt Methodist Church from their Candlelight Carol service at 6.30pm on 20th December onwards. All are welcome to join us on December 20^that West Bergholt Methodist Church, Chapel Road.

If your group is interested in having a visit from Mary and Joseph and would like to welcome them please contact Andrew Wilks to arrange this (01206 242511; [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]).

Candlelit Carol Service

On Sunday December 20th there will be a Candlelight Carol service in the Methodist Church at 6.30pm. There will not be a service at 11.00am or 3.00pm.

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.

October 16, 2015October 16, 2015

Heathlands Fireworks 2015

The show that always goes with a bang proves to be even better this year as the Heathlands Fireworks 2015, taking place 17:30 – 20:00 on Saturday 7th November, are promising:

Double the amount of stalls (minimise queues);
Almost twice as many fireworks;
Luxury toilet facilities;
Additional catering options from external providers (a Hog Roast, Fish & Chips by Greens and 2 bars); and
More room!

With gates opening at 5:30, music & entertainment will start at 5:45, bonfire lighting at 6:15 and the display kicks off at 7pm lasting about 25 minutes – the event closes at 8pm. Organisers ask that you arrive in plenty of time since parking will, as ever, be a challenge with some 4,000 expected to be attending!

Tickets go on sale from Monday 19th October and, with a continuing price freeze once again offer great value, which just gets even better with some of their special offers including BBQ food from the PTA stall. Advance ticket prices are £3.50 (under-5s free) or £5.00 including your BBQ option; if any are tickets left on the day the gate price will be £5.00..

Tickets can be bought from:

Ash’s Convenience Express – Colchester Road,
The Blue Owl – Mill Street, Nayland,
Beauty at the Bay – Bergholt Road,
Kitty Rose – Colchester Road,
Scissorhands Salon – Chapel Road,
The Treble Tile – Colchester Road,
The White Hart – Nayland Road,
The Wine Centre – The Causeway,
West Bergholt Pharmacy – Chapel Road, and
Some other local schools.

Follow the event on Facebook or the PTA website.

August 26, 2015

Sports, Heritage & Apples

Sports, Heritage & Apples are the subject of recent leisure-time news from Colchester Borough Council:

Summer Sports Festival at Highwoods

Taking place on Sunday 30th August at Leisure World, there is an opportunity for all the family to join in with a range of FREE sports activities including:

Football – with Colchester United Football in the Community,
Parkour – with Team Traceur,
Volleyball – with Volleyball England,
Netball – with KATS Netball Club, and
Tennis – free hire of tennis courts at Leisure World Highwoods.

Heritage

Heritage Open Days

This year’s Heritage Open Days takes place across the weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2015. You can discover Colchester’s heritage in a weekend of FREE activities and entry to more than 20 historic properties:

firstsite,
Roman Circus,
St. Helen’s Chapel,
St. Peter’s Church,
Quaker Meeting House (St. Mary’s House),
Mersea Barrow,
Roman Theatre,
Castle Museum,
Town Hall,
Sparlings Solicitors,
Audley Chapel,
St Martin’s Church,
St John’s Abbey Gatehouse,
Trinity Street,
Bourne Mill,
Super Home,
St. James the less & St. Helen’s Church,
Holy Trinity Church,
Peake’s House,
Colchester Cemetery,
War Memorial,
St. Mary at the Walls Church (Arts Centre), and
Colne Light Ship.

More details and opening times are available at http://www.cimuseums.org.uk/article/16584/Heritage-Open-Days-2015.

{Colchester Presents} Celebrate Heritage

On Saturday 12th September, between 9am and 5pm, the clock will be turned back as you stroll through the High Street and Upper Castle Park.

Enjoy a stroll down the High Street (closed to traffic) and take time to admire the wonderful architecture of the many fascinating buildings which adorn the High Street, from the Town Hall to to the Red Lion Hotel. Watch out for historical characters that you pass along your way, you may bump into Marcus Favonius!

Soak up the sounds of the historic music, dance and drama and enjoy some story telling and the iconic British Punch and Judy Show. Colchester has it’s very own Mr Punch living at Hollytrees Museum, take a visit and see this very special puppet, dating from 1945.

Take a wander through Colchester’s Charter market, dating back to 1189 and you will find stalls selling everything from artisan bread to clothes. There will be plenty of food stalls to fill your appetite.

Step back in time to the award-winning Castle Park which will be hosting historic market stalls, traditional side shows, puppet theatre,talks and demonstrations, all within the backdrop of Colchester Castle which will be open for free.

Apple Day at the BIG Garden, High Woods Country Park

Taking place on Saturday 26th September you can drop in at any time between 12pm & 3pm (donation requested). Come and celebrate the local apple harvest! Enjoy tasting some heritage fruit varieties and try your hand at crushing and pressing local apples to make delicious juice. Family games, crafts and apple cakes and bakes to sample.

Details of these and many more activities are on the Colchester website.

July 23, 2015July 23, 2015

Summer Events at Beth Chatto Gardens

The Beth Chatto Gardens have recently been in touch with a summer offer:

The Beth Chatto Water Garden

We’ve come to realise that a lot of the local community have never visited the Beth Chatto Gardens before and so we’re offering free entry to the garden for children under 14, throughout the summer holidays (3 children per paying adult at £6.95), and we’d also like to invite you to a FREE evening of music and art on the 20th September.

It would be lovely to welcome members of your parish to the gardens and if you’d like to sign up for the events newsletter, please do here: http://eepurl.com/bmfHyb.

More events are listed on their website at: http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/events/.

Beth Chatto Gardens are based on the ecological and creative principles of their founder. They aim to provide an inspirational and sustainable, quality experience for all visitors. Education and enjoyment underpin the gardens’ philosophy. They are located at:

Elmstead Market
Nr Colchester
Essex CO7 7DB

Contacts & links are:

July 20, 2015July 20, 2015

Essex & Colchester Updates – July 2015

Essex & Colchester News updates – July 2015

This is a summary of a number of recent announcements made by Essex & Colchester Councils during July 2015:

Listen to council meetings how and when you want,
Transparency on calls to ECC’s Contact Centre,
Essex ahead on pothole repairs,
Have a summer holiday to remember with Essex Outdoors,
Aiming High for Disabled Children – summer programme,
Family fun at Bark in the Park,
Have you watched CBC’s latest video?

Listen to council meetings how and when you want

A new audio webcasting system is now in place streaming live from some of our council meetings and debates, available through our website and twitter feed, or you can choose to catch up later.

Links to the audio are from the ‘Your Council’ tab of essex.gov.uk with recordings available alongside meeting details and agendas. You can jump straight to a specific agenda item if that’s all you want to hear again.The Full Council meeting broadcast is planned for 14 July and committees of the council have also started to come online. Look out for tweets with links to the audio stream at the beginning of each meeting on the @ECC_DemSer twitter feed.

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Transparency on calls to ECC’s Contact Centre

Telephone calls to Essex County Council’s Contact Centre now start with a recorded message about call charges. This follows new legislation introduced by the communications regulator Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority for 084, 087,09 and 118 numbers, as part of the national UK Calling scheme.

Callers to the Contact Centre on all 0845 numbers are informed that calls cost 5p per minute plus the access charge from respective service providers.

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Essex ahead on pothole repairs

The number of unrepaired potholes on county roads has fallen.

In the three months leading to June 30, unrepaired potholes and carriageway defects on the county’s busiest roads have reduced by 70 and 75 per cent respectively, compared with the same period last year.

According to Essex County Council figures, potholes and other carriageway defects were maintained at under 350, with 137 on the county’s busiest roads and 206 on main and key roads.

Outstanding carriageway defects on local roads have also fallen over the same period, from 5,212 to 4,626, with 2,581 potholes repaired, continuing the positive trend seen over the previous three months.

Since the same period last year, carriageway defects on local roads are down by 23 percent, from 6,001 to 4,626.

To report a pothole or carriageway defect visit http://www.essexhighways.org/tell-us-pothole.aspx.

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Have a summer holiday to remember with Essex Outdoors

Essex Outdoors exciting 2015 summer holiday programme for 8-16 year olds has been released. Centres in Bradwell, Danbury, Harlow and Mersea will be running School Holiday Activity Days, which include up to four activities in one day, between 23 July and 28 August.

Activities include aerial trekking, archery, bouldering, BMX, canoeing, caving, climbing, kayaking, low ropes, orienteering, zip wire and much, much more. Harlow is running additional climbing days as well as canoe and kayak days between 23 July and 28 August, with Bradwell also running a canoe day on 18 August.

Activity days are the perfect way for children and young people to try the challenge and excitement of new activities. Activity days cost £30 per day or buy four days and get the fifth free.

Dates, times and activities vary per centre so please check the website for full details or contact your nearest centre.

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Aiming High for Disabled Children – summer programme

Essex Outdoors will be running the ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children’ programme this summer. The programme offers a range of day and overnight activities for free to disabled children and young people who are aged 8 to 18, as well as their carer.

The programme includes:

Activity days at Harlow from 24 July to 28 August
Activity days at Danbury on 28 and 30 July
Sailing/crabbing day at Bradwell on 25 July
One night break in either Bradwell or Danbury on 15 August.
Mersea Island Festival overnight (five nights from 23 August)
Mersea Island Festival day visits from 25 to 30 August

Please note participants must live within the administrative boundary of Essex County Council to qualify for free places. For eligibility as well as dates, times and activities per centre please check the website.

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Family fun at Bark in the Park

Join us at this special dog themed fun day for dogs and their owners on Sunday 9 August in Colchester’s Castle Park.

Bark in the Park will transform the open space in Colchester’s park into a dog and dog owner’s extravaganza. This event, led by Colchester Borough Council’s Animal Control Team, will offer everything man’s best friend needs.

There will be plenty to keep the whole family (and their dogs) amused throughout the day and visitors are assured of a great day out. Owners will also have the chance to enter their pet pooches into the various dog show events that will take place during the day.

There will be entertainment and demos, competitions and prizes, K9 Aqua Sports, dog agility, doggie trade stands and much more! Make sure you register online (for free) to enter one of the seven pet Dog Shows on the day! Find out more here.

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Have you watched CBC’s latest video?

A brand new tourism video promoting Colchester has been created to showcase everything that the Borough has to offer! If you haven’t had a chance to watch it on their YouTube channel yet, then here it is:

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