This summer, villagers may have noticed an increase in the numbers of swifts wheeling about at speed, high up in the sky with their unmistakable scythe shaped wings and forked tail.
Thanks to funding received last year, we are now in the process of installing a total of 32 swift nest boxes at various sites around the village. As well as Orpen Hall and Heathlands School, eight private households are also taking part.
On Day 98 of lockdown Wimbledon doesn’t start, yet another sporting casualty of the pandemic. A few topics today, most addressing your mental or physical fitness:
Day 65 and, settling down, no new updates from Essex or Colchester councils so far. Instead, we have some local news and some national news for local application.
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.
Webmaster is easily amused by wordplay and on day 48 I was reminded of an old jokey jibe “Are you a Lert? Didn’t you know there is a national shortage!” I can’t imagine why; my other favourite was the “I’ve got a round tuit.”
So, the connection here is to the round tuit and two sources of things you can get around to doing during the lockdown. Some from CBC and others from the WWF. Finally for today, The Sound of Sirens (a parody song)
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.
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:
Day 114 since Lockdown
Day 79 of (bubbling) Lockdown – the Zoo edition
