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Category: COVID-19

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Care Network Resumes Service

Care Network 0300 773 3100

Care Network 0300 773 3100Care Network Resumes Service

Sadly, throughout the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the services of the Care Network were suspended after over 30 years of service.  Clearly many medical appointments were cancelled and so for about six months no jobs were undertaken by the pool of volunteer drivers.  Under normal circumstances they would normally have supported needy village residents with about 100 jobs  in that time.

COVID-Secure

There are now at least eight Continue reading “Care Network Resumes Service”

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Do You Know Where You Can Get £10 off a Meal

Find where you can get 50% discount for Eat out to Help OutDo You Know Where You Can Get £10 off a Meal

The “Eat out to Help Out” scheme starts tomorrow, do you know where you can benefit from it?

Local hostelries & Restaurants have been registering for the scheme.  They will offer a 50% discount off food and (non-alcoholic) drink every Monday to Wednesday in August with up to £10 per person available.  You can eat out to take advantage of this discount as many times as you want; sadly Continue reading “Do You Know Where You Can Get £10 off a Meal”

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Day 114 since Lockdown – the ‘Swift’ edition

New playground equipment

SwiftDay 114 since Lockdown

On day 114 we get an update on the village’s Swift project.  In other news:

Swifts

Installing Swift Boxes

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.

Continue reading “Day 114 since Lockdown – the ‘Swift’ edition”
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Day 107 since Lockdown – the ‘Free Bus Travel’ edition

On the buses

On the busesDay 107 since Lockdown

On day 107 we see Essex opening a free bus travel scheme.  In other news we have:

Stop. Swap. Go!Stop. Swap. GO! campaign launched

A new sustainable travel campaign aiming to make it easier for people in Essex to switch from cars to sustainable travel, such as walking, cycling and using the bus, is launched today. Continue reading “Day 107 since Lockdown – the ‘Free Bus Travel’ edition”

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Day 102 of (floral) Lockdown – the ‘Open Gardens’ edition

Open Gardens Collage 4

Day 102 of (floral) Lockdown

On Day 102 of lockdown we have two floral stories, Open Gardens 2020 and a giant Echium.  In other news, two shorts:

  • New plye equipmentFollowing the recent announcement by the Prime Minster, the lockdown restrictions will be eased further with effect from 4th July.  There will be more venues opening, including playgrounds for children, & pubs/beer gardens for adults, but the main guidance remains.  The rules for social distancing are now set at 2m OR 1m with additional precautionary measures (e.g. face masks, being side-by-side etc…).
    You can read the full guidance here.  This guidance sets out the principles you should follow to ensure that time spent with others outside your home is as safe as possible. If you are clinically vulnerable or extremely vulnerable, you should follow the guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people and you can also get support..
  • The Lorkin Daniell Playground will not reopen tomorrow, as it had been hoped, but is expected to reopen next weekend (weather permitting) once installation of new swings has been completed.

Oh, and this update wouldn’t be complete without Terry Wogan!

West Bergholt Open Gardens 2020

The West Bergholt Open Gardens has been a biennial event since 2014 and raised thousands of pounds for local charities. This year it had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the plan is it will return next year. We would like to share a few photos of the gardens that were due to open on 28th June, and hope you find them uplifting Continue reading “Day 102 of (floral) Lockdown – the ‘Open Gardens’ edition”

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Day 100 of (flexible) Lockdown – the ‘Ton-up’ edition

Art Week

100Day 100 of (flexible) Lockdown

On Day 100 of lockdown Colchester Borough Council looks at launching a Garden Club.  Meanwhile not to be outdone, Essex are launching:

… and we end with a bit of fun

Another news short – Colchester Zoo will be opening indoor & play areas from Saturday 4th July.

Brown wheelie binNew Garden Waste Options

Proposals for a new options-based garden waste service are being published by Colchester Borough Council.  Councillors will Continue reading “Day 100 of (flexible) Lockdown – the ‘Ton-up’ edition”

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Day 98 of (new balls) Lockdown – the ‘wot, no Wimbledon’ edition

Keeping fit

Anyone for tennisDay 98 of (new balls) Lockdown

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:

Museum from Home

We’ve reported on Colchester Museums’ Museum from Home initiative before but they keep coming up with new activities so it is worth a reminder.  Some of the newer ideas are: Continue reading “Day 98 of (new balls) Lockdown – the ‘wot, no Wimbledon’ edition”

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Day 94 of (heating up) Lockdown – the FC/PC edition

4th July Celebration

Walk poo home with the dogDay 94 of (heating up) Lockdown

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:

West Bergholt FC Thank PC for Grant

West Bergholt FC were grateful for the Continue reading “Day 94 of (heating up) Lockdown – the FC/PC edition”

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Day 91 of (flagging) Lockdown – the Windrush edition

John Easey with NHS Radishes display

Armed Forces day flagDay 91 of (flagging) Lockdown

Day 91 lockdown coincides with Windrush Day commemorating the Windrush generation and their legacy.  You can find out more about this on Wikipedia and I ‘tip a hat to it’ at the end of the update.  The day also sees the start of a week of activity leading up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday which is where we start; other items:

Flag Raising ahead of Saturday’s Armed Forces’ Day

Continue reading “Day 91 of (flagging) Lockdown – the Windrush edition”