Colchester 101 July 2011 by Simon Colchester

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Free Please take one

Issue 9 July 2011

Kissy Sell Out Colchester and Radio 1’s Rising Star

LISTINGS COMMUNITY FA S H I O N H E A LT H & W E L L B E I N G HOME & GARDEN

When AC/DC Came to Town Angela Mitchell’s Fashion Tips & Trends Modern English Gig Review Eating Out in Colchester Guide

Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine

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l l u u B B e e Th The Music Venue - now with even more music Come along and check it out!

EVERY FRIDAY

JULY

New Fridays at the Bull now start at 5.30pm with Live Music

SATURDAY NIGHTS 2nd July: The Outlaws 9th July: The Business 16th July: East of Java 23rd July: Scooby 30th July: Under Ether

HIGHLIGHTS – Fri 8th July –

The 633 presents The Raging Bull – Sat 9th July –

MONDAY NIGHT JAM NIGHT

Mojo Kings – Thurs 14th July –

The Scoobs

New house band and format

TUESDAY NIGHTS FROM 9.00 WE PRESENT 5th July: Acoustic Night 12th July: Animal Noise 19th July: Bob Collum

– Fri 15th July –

Josh Sandiford (from Animal Noise) Solo gig

– Sat 23rd July –

Praying Mantis

OPEN MIC NIGHT Hosted by Theo Pearce every Wednesday Now with new showcase spots and later hours, all starts at 8.30pm

– Sat 30th July –

Andre Black (from Georgia, USA)

The Bull 2 – 4 Crouch St, Colchester, CO3 3ES. Tel: 01206 366647

www.thebullcolchester.co.uk

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Summer is here already! Where has the year gone? ere at 101 we’ve had a very busy 2011 so far putting together Colchester’s must-read magazine. We have been absolutely bowled over by how much you all seem to love what we are doing, and we are constantly being approached by business owners wanting to stock copies, or advertise with us. Or both. So, in order to make getting the magazine to you easier we introduced our 101 magazine stands which proved to be a great success and really got us noticed in shops and venues in and around the town. Following that we now we have our 101 window stickers which business owners are proudly displaying to tell you that you can pick up your copy inside - and of course we would love it if you would return the favour and give them your custom while you are there. If you have visited our Facebook page you will see that we have also now produced Colchester 101 car windscreen stickers. If you would like one please ‘like’ our page where we will be letting you know where you can pick one up.

Colchester 101 is published by Tonic Creative Solutions The Studio Tye Road Colchester Essex CO7 7BN

This month, as well as all your favourite features and articles, our intrepid new music journalist Becky Davis has obtained an exclusive interview with Radio 1 star and Colchester boy Kissy Sell Out. This is her first assignment published in print, and she got the front cover too. So well done Becky!

Tel: 01206 544700 Email: mailus@colchester101.co.uk Editors: Simon Crow and Paul Clark Sales and Marketing: Rebecca Price Food Editor: Melissa Porter Fashion Editor: Angela Mitchell Designer: Paul Clark, Tonic Creative Solutions

I hope you enjoy this month’s Colchester 101 as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Thanks to our contributors: Adrian Multon Andrew Dell Craig Fookes Peter Sherlock Becky Davis Kem Izzet and Colchester United Sven Wombwell Jason Cobb Hazel Humphreys Angela Mitchell Ocean WhiteHawk Rosie Hunter DJ Gilly

Simon Crow Editor

Front cover photo courtesy of www.thezeitgeistagency.co.uk

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All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without publisher’s written consent is prohibited. Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of all details and information the publishers are not liable for errors and omissions to any features, listings or advertisements. Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers Tonic Creative Solutions.

www.Colchester101.co.uk

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COMMUNITY

firstsite 101 Blog set to Radio open its Wivenhoe doors

The Jason Cobb

Radio Wivenhoe is a new online broadcasting venture that is about to be launched by local volunteers. The original idea came from Jerry Davis, one of the local organisers behind Wivenhoe First, the group that helps to promote local businesses around the town: “SGR in Colchester was swallowed up by the GWR broadcasting big boys. They later switched all local programming to Chelmsford. As locals, we understand the needs of our town best, both from an audience and business point of view.” Currently running test transitions at radiowivenhoe.co.uk, the plan is for the station to start broadcasting many of the local programmes that are currently being produced sometime in July. Interest in Radio Wivenhoe around the town is very encouraging. A recent public meeting attracted over forty volunteers who want to give up their time. Wivenhoe can boast a tremendous amount of talent - broadcasters, promoters, musicians and general back up staff have all stepped forward so far. The local programming for Radio Wivenhoe will hopefully reflect the many varied groups that already operate around the town. Poetry Wivenhoe, the May Fair, the Bookshop, Borough and Town Councillors, bloggers and local artist Martin Newell have all pledged to support the station. Local businesses will be encouraged to advertise in this unique hyperlocal patch. Martin Newell has already been asked to record some highly personalised musical and poetry based ads for local traders. Wivenhoe Business Centre is also on board, having very kindly offered a small studio space for the radio station to operate from. The medium term plan is to apply for a community based licence, once one becomes available in 2013. The idea is to keep it local, rather than allow the big broadcasting boys to step in and take hold of the town. With an online broadcasting model, the reach of Radio Wivenhoe is ironically worldwide. It may just be that by opening up the town via this venture may lead to connections being made elsewhere. Radio Wivenhoe model may inspire other local groups in local towns. Not ‘arf

With the spectacular firstsite building set to open its doors to the public for the first time on Sunday 25th September, Colchester 101 was delighted to be invited to take a tour of this landmark building at the heart of the town’s new ‘cultural quarter’. At over 3200 square metres firstsite, designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, will become a leading venue for contemporary visual art and includes purpose-built galleries for major international exhibitions. The first exhibition, entitled Camulodunum, is a celebration of Colchester’s heritage as Britain’s oldest recorded town and will include new work commissioned from artists including Aleksandra Mir and Danh Vo, and iconic artworks from all over the world including Henry Moore, Robert Smithson, JMW Turner and Andy Warhol. The building also includes purpose-built learning spaces for workshops, school groups, students and community group activities as well as a state of the art 190-seat auditorium for film screenings, talks and seminars. Many of the spaces, including the meeting rooms, are available for hire by businesses, community groups, and individuals seeking a very special venue for their event. Imagine what an amazing venue this would make for a wedding reception. Many visitors will recognise the newly restored Berryfield Mosaic, firstsite’s only permanent exhibit, which for many years was

exhibited in the nearby Castle and has now been returned to the exact spot where it was discovered in 1923 where it is revealed beneath the floor under glazed panels in one of the public areas. Speaking of public areas, firstsite will be free to enter and visitors can enjoy the exhibitions, visit the shop, take time out and enjoy a coffee or snack with friends in the daytime café which becomes a destination restaurant at night. That is the ethos of firstsite. It is for, and will be accessible by, the community, not just the elite. firstsite has ridden the tidal wave of negative publicity for over three years now but at 101 we really do believe it will be a fantastic asset to the town. Not only will we be able to enjoy the work of major international artists right here on our own doorstep, that until now would have to head off to the Tate Modern or National Gallery to see, the town will also have a world class facility that will bring visitors to our town from all over the country. Are we excited? Very. By Simon Crow

Jason Cobb, onionbagblog.com

Purple Party Many readers will remember Nicola (Nikki) McGowan, a familiar figure around town with her distinctive purple hair. Nikki bravely endured a terrible illness for some time but sadly died recently, on her daughter Elle’s 7th birthday. Her friends Paddy McManus, Dave Beard whose market stall in town she often worked on, and Dave’s daughter Carla Beard, have organised the Purple Party in her memory. Taking place on Saturday 16th to Sunday 17th July, this purple themed event will take place at a location one hour from Colchester, with luxury coach transport provided. A decision to not reveal the exact location until the day was taken in order to respect Nikki’s memory and stop the event becoming a ‘Facebook party’. Colchester favourites New Town Kings will be headlining a full line up of bands and DJs, all playing for free, including Chasing Tigers, Cyberdog and Rob Perfect. There is also an on-site pub, camping facilities, market and food stalls, and the whole event will be child friendly. Tickets are available from Dave 07768 579677, Carla 07827 327229 and Paddy 07821 231622, or visit Dave at his stall opposite Thorntons. The cost is £15 including coach fare, or £5 if you plan to make your own way to the event. All monies raised from ticket sales, the raffle and donations will go to St Helena Hospice as well as a trust fund for Elle. If you would like to make a donation you can do so here www.justgiving.com/nicolamcgowan

PARIS OR BUST Some years ago I met a good friend called Phil who was an amazingly talented chef. After working with us for a short while he found out that he had testicular cancer so he decided to return to Australia for treatment and to be near his family. Eighteen months later he returned to carry on with his travels and continue working for us. This time his future wife Bree came with him. A few months later, Phil knocked on my door and sat down to explain that the cancer had returned. To offer understanding is difficult when you have no idea what this must be like, but we had a great chat under the circumstances. Time passed and Phil got the all clear, he married Bree and they had a beautiful baby girl. I remembered the moment as I awoke on a bright winter’s morning earlier this year, the email ping on my phone went and there was the email from Phil explaining what had happened; now Bree had developed bowel cancer... what can you say when this happens? What do you do? My immediate thoughts were for all of them but I felt that the fact Phil had experience of what Bree was about to go through would help.

This was the time I decided to get up and do something which will not make a big difference but will help. We decided to support a local charity, ST HELENA HOSPICE, because of the support it offers during and after to those affected. So, on Sunday 10 July 14 cyclists will depart Colchester and embark on an epic bike ride from Paris back to Colchester. Epic simply because all of us have never done anything like this before and that fact we have had to raise the funds to get us on the road, but like everything in comparison this is a small challenge to what people with cancer go through every day. If anyone would like to donate, please go out website www.paristocolchester.co.uk and click on the riders page (Dave Richards) and donate through the just giving section. We will be arriving back in Colchester at 3.00pm on Saturday 16th July in Castle Park at the St Helena Hospice tent, hopefully we will see you all then. Dave Richards, The Bull, Crouch Street.

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COMMUNITY

Major Jon White, Headquarters, 16 Air Assault Brigade, Colchester. n September 2010 the initial out load of troops left Colchester for Afghanistan. Colchester is the home of 16 Air Assault Brigade. By 10 October 2010 the Brigade was in place and took over their slice of Afghanistan and became Task Force Helmand. This difference in name occurs when you have other support arms attached to you. This included both Danish and Estonian units. Things like search dogs, Afghan National Army and Police are attached to lead units. All operations have an element of either Afghan police or Army as these guys are situationaly aware.

On a daily basis the men and women of 16 Air Assault patrolled into areas that the Taliban had previously thought were impregnable. With night attacks followed by daylight pushes into the insurgent held areas they were forced to withdraw. There followed liaison in the local villages. At these meetings (Shuras) the village elders would be asked what they wanted for their village. If it was something that could be delivered and was within the power of the Task Force then it was considered. Village security would be provided by a mix of British and Afghan troops who would gradually hand over to trained locals. The Task Force troops would then move on to their next area. Although no “Big Op” took place there were many Battle Group and Company led operations which set the tone for change by the time the Brigade handed over to 3 Commando Brigade in April 2011. This came at a cost and that has been well publicised. The army has also recognised that in putting people into conflict areas for

sustained periods of time they will need supporting till they re-integrate back into the unit and Colchester in general. The army has a support structure where mentors of the same age will look after those who may have been at risk following an incident. This allows a soldier to share his thoughts with a trained person within his peer group. Just before the soldiers fly back they receive a briefing on homecoming and are then flown to Cyprus for decompression. Units will spend between 24-36 hours in Cyprus taking part in outdoor activities and having further briefs to ensure they understand what to expect upon returning home. Having lived life at full power for 6 months the troops have to come out off turbo drive. When they return home they are allowed to spend a couple of days at home before being called back into the base where they will take part in 6-10 days of normalisation and reverse the mobilisation process. The soldiers will clean their weapons/kit and make sure all the kit is returned. Those requiring POSMPost Operational Stress Management will be given the opportunity to have one to ones with professionally trained staff. Finally the unit will depart for a Post Operational Leave. Whilst on the operation, at home the partners, family and parents will have kept in touch through army net, a secure email system sponsored by the army as well as phone calls. Amongst this support will be the gifts from the people of Colchester. The families have taken advantage of the free gifts made to the Brigade for which they have been very grateful. These have varied from Christmas gifts, vouchers, toys, chocolate, trips to the zoo and a pantomime as well as seeing Santa. The Brigade has laid on over 1400 events that families took part in so they have been extremely well supported. This has been done to support the family home base so that the soldiers in Afghanistan know their

families are being looked after and can focus on their jobs. When the end of the tour is in sight the partners and families are briefed on what the unit has achieved and more particularly what to expect when their loved ones return. You will all remember the pictures of happy smiling faces which indicate that re-integration is working within the units. The soldiers are now all back and you will have seen suntanned young men and women back in Colchester. They may have changed and be more focused in what they do and how they do it. The one thing they are all aware of is the support that has been given by the people of Colchester. They are all extremely grateful for the support shown to the families whilst they have been away and have asked me to extend their thanks through this medium. The final phase of Op Herrick 11 is

the Medals Parades, Freedom Parades and Remembrance Service. Most units have had their medals parades and these have seen Royal dignitaries attend Colchester to present the medals. Princess Anne attended at 13 Air Assault Support Regiment to present their medals whilst Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall visited the men of 2 and 3 PARA. The Remembrance and thanksgiving service took place in the Cathedral of St Edmondsbury in Bury St Edmunds. Here VIP’s and elements of the Brigade together with families of the fallen took part in a very special service. The day before the Brigade had exercised their right to parade their Colours through Colchester and this was a way of the Brigade saying Thank You Colchester - you have done us proud.

The Afghanistan Trust is dedicated to assisting wounded members of the Regiment, their families and the families of those who have been killed.

Registered Charity Number 1121647

Situational awareness is best described by example for instance one of the 2 PARA patrols entered a village noting that the dynamics felt wrong. The Afghan National Army contingent looked about the market place and almost to a man commented about one particular Afghan saying he was not from the village or indeed the area. To the 2 PARA soldiers he looked like any afghan yet when the man was questioned he failed to answer even the most basic questions such as the name of the local Imam or head man of the village. He was arrested by the Afghan National Army and taken into custody.

For further information regarding assistance or fundraising email: Ben Huxley, ceo@afghanistantrust.org

www.AfghanistanTrust.org 05

Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

The Heroes Return

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H E A LT H & W E L L B E I N G

The Juicy Column By Ocean WhiteHawk At a Business Breakfast networking event a couple of weeks ago, I gave a talk entitled ‘Spiritual Intelligence in Business’. “What has spiritual got to do with business,” you might well ask? Everything - I was the first speaker and the whole room seemed mesmerised by this questionable information. The young faces of sixth form students of Business Studies from Tendring Technology College and their teachers, perked up. Their minds are more open, less conditioned and at the same time hungry for new knowledge - knowledge that guarantees creative power and success. Some of this information may spark some slumbering grey cells into life! In 1997, Danah Zohar and Ian Marshall first used the term ‘spiritual intelligence’ in their book Rewiring the Corporate Brain: Using the New Science to Rethink How We Structure and Lead Organisations. They explained that spiritual intelligence is the intelligence with which we access our deepest meanings, life purpose and highest motivations. In 2000, Robert Emmons defined spiritual intelligence as ‘the adaptive use of spiritual information to facilitate everyday problem solving and goal attainment.’ In his view, the five components of spiritual intelligence are: • The capacity to transcend the physical and material. • The ability to experience heightened states of consciousness. • The ability to sanctify everyday experience. • The ability to utilise spiritual resources to solve problems. • The along came Tony Buzan who described spiritual intelligence in his book The Power of Spiritual Intelligence as ‘the awareness of the world and your place in it’.

As I only had fifteen minutes to deliver this boundless juicy wisdom, I shared three magic keys in spiritual intelligence which can open new levels of understanding and power for the individual.

Kathleen Noble then pinpointed spiritual intelligence as an innate human potential, something that is latent within us that under the right environment and circumstances, springs forth and changes the way we relate to ourselves and the world. Besides agreeing with Emmons’ core abilities, she also added that spiritual intelligence is: The conscious recognition that our physical reality is embedded within a larger, multidimensional reality with which we interact, consciously and unconsciously, on a moment to moment basis. The conscious pursuit of psychological health, not only for ourselves but also for the sake of the global community.

Your emotions are molecules that determine the health of your business as well as the health of your body. Your feelings directly affect your business and you. Your emotions are triggered by your thoughts. A positive thought will stimulate your hypothalamus gland to produce happy hormones such as serotonin, endorphin and dopamine. The secret to feeling happy and elated is to use your emotion as a gauge. If you’re not feeling great, check the thought immediately (guaranteed to be a lousy one!). Change it to an affirmative one. Feel good and you will attract more goodness your way!

Consciousness is King. If you want to change your life or your business for the better, the first truth to wake up to is: whenever you focus your mind, it emits a frequency that shapes your reality. Most people live life from a ‘switched off’ mode. They are unconscious of their thought patterns and simply react to outer circumstances as opposed to directing their life from an inner spiritual intelligent authority. Also, focus on what you want, not what you don’t want! Thoughtforms are matter vibrating on an unseen level. Check your thoughts. They matter! Every single one is an energetic strand that has its own frequency and quality, combining together on a holographic level to form one’s life. Life-enhancing thoughts produce positive results. The other, DISASTER!

Ocean WhiteHawk is author of ‘JuicyWoman – A Spiritual Guide to Your Feminine Radiance’. She mentors on health, personal & spiritual development and affairs of the heart. www.oceanwhitehawk.com

Dog About Town

Life With Berta By Andrew Dell When I visited Disneyland Florida with my younger sister some years ago, I hadn’t considered that having one’s photograph taken with the dressed-up characters would be as much of an attraction as the rides and shows. Along with consuming enormous portions of unhealthy food, it appeared to be one of the main ways to fill time between tame rollercoasters and spinning teacups. I was a little perplexed until I saw the one character with whom I definitely wanted a photograph - Cruella de Vil. Disney does villainesses better than anything else in my opinion, and Cruella is surely one of the best. I dashed across to her and requested a picture. As my sister fumbled with the camera, the young British actress in the Cruella costume leaned into me and whispered: “Aren’t you a bit old for this, dear?” “But you’re never too old for Disney! That’s the point!” I replied. However, when you consider Cruella’s crimes, animated fantasy with talking animals or not, they’re pretty heinous. Stealing puppies for their pelts is a particularly grim idea. Actually, dog theft alone is enough to get upset about. Seriously... it was something I hadn’t considered at all when I decided to get a dog but then a friend pointed out to me the genuine threat and I did a bit of online research. At the time, there had been a spate of high profile dognapping cases - Liz Hurley’s puppy Emily, Engelbert Humperdick’s German Shepherd Charnie plus theft of pop star Lily Allen’s English bull terrier from the back of a van. And it happened to a friend recently - her car was stolen with her two pups waiting for her on the back seat. Luckily they were recovered, wandering the streets near the scene of the crime, but it was a genuinely traumatic time for her until they were found. www.dogtheftaction.com, a charity committed to highlighting the issue, helping reunite owners with their pets and lobbying the Government to make dog theft a crime in its own right, says there’s a lot you can do to help keep your canine friend safe. By law all dogs must wear a collar and ID tag when in a public place. Include your surname, telephone number, address and full postcode if there’s room put ‘microchipped’ on the tag if your dog has a chip - which it should. Permanent identification by

microchip, tattoo or better still, both, is highly recommended. Ask your vet to check your dog’s microchip every year and clean tattoos with surgical spirit regularly. Keep all documentation relating to your dog in a safe place. Include clear photos of front and side profiles of your dog. Make a note of unusual markings. Be cautious when choosing someone who will care for your dog while you are at work or away. Be clear about when the dog will be handed over and who will collect it. It might be better to use a registered boarding kennel or professional dog carer with the correct documentation unless you know someone who is totally trustworthy. Train your dog not to go out of your sight on walks. Use an extending lead if the dog is having ‘issues’ with obedience. Vary your walk times and routes. Be wary of strangers who take an interest in your dog - don’t give details about your dog and don’t allow strangers to have their photograph taken with your dog. Fit an alarm or bell to your gate so that you can hear when someone enters your property and ensure your fencing is well maintained. It should keep your dog in and trespassers out. Perhaps most importantly, NEVER tie up your dog outside a shop and NEVER leave your dog unattended in a car. If the worst happens and your dog is stolen, report it to the police and ask for a crime number, and then contact your local dog warden. There are also groups such as Doglost and PetsearchUK that can also help you trace your pet. I sometimes look at Berta’s lovely dark grey fur and, for a horrible moment, imagine it as a jacket created by an evil villainess. Well, a stole or a muffler - she’s not a big dog. But then I shake my head and remember that classic Crimewatch advice - just follow the basic advice, keep her safe, and don’t have nightmares.

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FA S H I O N

Scent Train Bid TV and Price-Drop TV’s resident expert gives his regular lowdown on scents for both men and women, old and new, good and bad. This month, Peter suggests some ‘alternatives and obscurities’ for you. We’re pals now. I’ve been writing about fragrances for you since the very first edition of this fine publication appeared last year. So I feel I can share some secrets with you. Well, let’s not overstate things. Not ‘secrets’ exactly. Rather, some fragrances that I think are particularly outstanding but ones that you may not have come across or considered. Scents that don’t really occupy the ‘mainstream’. Scents that can provide you with a distinct aura of individuality. But don’t worry. None of these fragrances are particularly challenging. And I’m here to hold your hand. Bulgari Black was launched in 1998. It wasn’t a huge hit but you can still find it in the bigger stores and the online fragrance shops. I don’t know a single person that hasn’t loved this scent when I’ve introduced it to them. In fact, one of my fragrance-loving friends counts it as his all time favourite. It starts off dark and smoky, with a thrilling air of burning rubber (yes, really!) and then settles into a very refined, very wearable combination of black tea and rich vanilla. It’s thoroughly modern and beautifully classical and it genuinely works equally well on both men and women. It’s a fragrance masterpiece. If you’re bored with the constant barrage of sheer and whispering or overly sweet,

You can find plenty of fragrance bargains and loads more besides at Bid TV and Price-Drop TV.

fruit-laced florals of recent years, you could look to 1987’s hugely underrated La Perla as an alternative. It’s bold and complex with a beautiful dark rose note against rich woods and spices but it’s not one of those big, loud, scary eighties scents. There’s a touch of sweet honey to tone everything down and the resulting composition is very refined, managing both prettiness and sexiness at the same time. When Dolce & Gabana’s latest range of scents appeared last year, perfume bloggers and reviewers were excited by the concept minimalist bottles and a Tarot card theme and then disappointed with the fragrances themselves. In fact, the ‘anthology’ was mostly dismissed as style over substance. But there are one or two real gems in the range. My favourite is probably No 10 La Roue de la Fortune. It has a depth and richness with a sweet, creamy ‘gourmand’ quality alongside its floral heart and woody base. And yet it’s not overly heavy or cloying. You can find it for under 30 quid online. A bargain. Gentlemen - are you becoming a bit bored with the regular mainstream releases that don’t have much more character than your average shower gel or body spray? Those ‘seen it all before’ scents that make you smell exactly like all your friends on a night out? Well, why not look to the classics from past

THE

SCENT TRAIN

decades for something decidedly different? Paco Rabanne’s rich, heady 1 Million for Men in its dramatic gold bar-shaped bottle has been a big hit for the fellas but you could do a lot worse than check out the futuristic designer’s first ever masculine fragrance. The original Paco Rabanne pour Homme was pretty revolutionary when it launched in 1973, one of the original examples of the ‘aromatic fougère’ genre. It’s bright, green and citrusy at the top and then sexy and musky in the drydown. A classic. OK... this final one really is a bit of a secret, in that I’d love to keep this amazing scent all to myself. Chanel’s Sycomore from the iconic label’s Les Exclusif’s range is absolutely, stunningly beautiful. It’s not easy to get hold of as it’s only available from Chanel’s boutiques or in London’s Selfridges. It’s not exactly cheap either. The enormous 200ml bottle will set you back £150. But it is SO worth it. In a top quality update of the 1930 original, smoky vetiver stands alongside opulent sandalwood in pristine, perfect balance. The whole effect is lavish yet refined; handsomely traditional yet quietly contemporary. It probably errs on the masculine side but I’m sure a woman could carry it off with ease. I adore this scent. I’m certain that you will too.

Peter is Managing Director of The Scent Train, a unique organisation that provides fragrance sales videos for online retailers and creates bespoke staff training courses.

www.TheScentTrain.com 07

Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

Peter Sherlock’s

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FA S H I O N

Fashion Tips & Trends By Fashion Editor, Angela Mitchell, Alter Ego Hair Design

Shine at Festivals This Summer

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FA S H I O N Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

With the sun shining and the temperature rising, it definitely seems that summer has finally arrived, and with it our favorite summer staple… Festival Season. Festival season makes fashion so much more fun, as with it come new trends to be played with slightly more detached from our everyday lives, especially as we usually have to maintain the look under canvas. This year I see four definite festival fashions emerging from the festival scene. The Rock Chick

The Festival Fashionista

The Rock Chick is probably the most adventurous girl; she loves to play with her combinations. This year we could be sporting brighter neon hued colours, varying forms of denim and, yes ripping everything up is still part of the fun. Tear the arms off your denim jacket for a great frayed waistcoat, and this year slashed tee’s are everywhere, an absolute must for the rock chick. Skinny’s will definitely help to set the look off but can be a little warm in the summer months. So, dark, textured skirts held up with big buckle belts can help the summer breeze keep you cool. As for your hair, using those neon hues, dip dying looks amazing. Keeping it matte looking is going to help see you through the whole festival. Dull that shine, blend influences of the 90’s rave scene and the hippy 70’s for raw textures and grungy faded tones. Accessorizing with headbands and scarves is on trend for that rear rock chick look.

The Festival Fashionista is the glamour at the party, always heading off to the backstage parties she’s up to the minute and a real party animal. The Party Princess is high on style and short on time. Less is more here, hot pants and mini skirts a must, but still loving the shorter ruffles inspired by the Boho Babe and cut to fit. The festival fashionistas like to steal a few ideas from the Boho Babe, like the classic boho headband, and mix it up with fashion bikini tops to keep them partying all weekend. The look is glamorous without trying too hard, but changeable within minutes. Loose curls are perfect festival hair for the Fashionista, they’re quick and easy and require relatively little effort. Blonde, usually high lights, are perfect but don’t worry about those roots too much that grown out look can be part of the style and are easily adapted to different skin tones, hair types and lifestyles. Have fun girls its going to be a long weekend for the festival fashionista.

The Boho Babe

The Glamping Girl

Nobody does festival chic quite like the Boho Babe, look to the festival appearances from the likes of Kate Moss and Sienna Miller. Drawing on all the bohemian trends we have talked about in previous articles, the boho babe keeps it flowing and natural. Big sunglasses to help sooth that hangover will keep you looking great. The Boho Babe is our up to date, on trend, classy hippy girl. The Boho Babe can have so much fun with her hair too. Using a dry shampoo while away can turn that oily dirty hair into a fantastic texture. Creating effortlessly chic styles with relatively low maintenance, like low ponytails with volume around the crown and the topknot we discussed in previous issues. Before you leave home give your hair an intense moisture treatment, then using a great foundation product like a strong hold mousse dry and tong the hair to ensure that boho babe lasts the whole weekend.

The Glamping Girl might be at the festival but she’s not getting dirty. Putting the glam into camping this luxury loving girl is keeping looking good at the top of her priority list. Strapless, knee length dresses dominate this look, ideal for keeping those ugly tanlines at bay. The Glamping Girl is the girliest of us all, keeping her hair polished and shiny all weekend long. The Glamping Girl is our haute hippy, keeping hippies glamorous. She may be camping but the luxuries came with, the products are essential and with the array of portable tools and power these days she probably brought the tongs. Curls are a great look to keep the glamping girl on trend. Keeping them well defined and shiny will be essential for the Glamping Girl. Simple updo’s can keep you cool yet still girlie and the fishtail plait is really popular this year.

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ART

TONE UP YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY Filters For Digital Cameras Start getting creative with your camera, and one of your first purchases might well be a filter. There are filters for every occasion, but whilst the film tog may justifiably carry a veritable smörgĆsbord of filters, most belonging to those of us who transitioned to digital just sit in a dark cupboard alongside a rather bulky personal cassette player. Some filters, however, survived the journey... Polarising Filter Arguably the most important filter for the daylight landscape photographer, the polariser has several strings to its bow: Colours become richer. This is particularly apparent when photographing a blue sky dotted with clouds – the blue is enhanced and the contrast between sky and cloud increased. Detail in foreground objects is improved, giving photos extra impact. The polariser also cuts through background haze. The glare & specular reflections that make non-metallic surfaces (e.g. water) look glossy or shiny, are removed. For the best effect, twist the filter whilst looking through the viewfinder. Watch how colours deepen and reflections vanish. Polarisers come in two varieties: circular and linear. Linear are more effective and cheaper, but will mess with your camera’s metering and auto-focus. Unless you own a very old film camera or a view camera, you will need a circular polariser. Neutral Density Filters Although photographers sometimes struggle to get enough light for a good exposure, too much light can also be a problem. Neutral density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens without altering colours. Use them for long exposures in daylight, such as when you wish to blur a fast flowing river, or to turn a tide into mist. Shot mid afternoon on a sunny day,

two ND grads, a polariser and an aperture of f/29 gave a shutter speed of 3 seconds – just enough to blur the water. Graduated Filters Neutral density graduated (NDG) filters reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor through the top half of the lens, leaving the bottom unaltered. The effect is ‘graduated’ so you do not see a sharp division in your photographs. Colours remain unaltered. NDGs are handy when photographing any scene divided into a very light and very dark area, such that your camera cannot expose both correctly. For example, try shooting a sunset without an NDG. Either the sky will over-expose, or the foreground will under-expose. They come in various ‘strengths’, and may be combined for increased effect. They may also be used to help deepen blue sky on a bright day, when skies sometimes get a bit washed out in photos. However, if you edit your images with software, I recommend learning techniques to recover washed out skies there, so as to avoid darkening objects that pierce the horizon. Coloured grads are also available (including emerald, coral, and ‘sunset’), along with graduated fogs (the clue’s in the name), but again, you have more control applying such effects with software. The main thing to beware with any grad is that you reposition it after focusing; a wonky grad can spoil your image!

Wanting OTT drama with minor detail in the towers, I combined a polariser with two NDGs, the weaker of which was turned upside down to darken the lake. Skylight, UV & Lens Protection If you don’t have any other filter on your camera, you can pop a skylight or UV filter on to protect the lens without changing the image significantly. Both reduce haze, subtly enhancing colour and detail. Used at high altitudes they filter UV light, removing blue casts and darkening the sky slightly. They will also clarify misty scenes. The main difference between them is that the skylight can warm an image very slightly, especially under an overcast sky. However, if you use auto white balance, that effect will be negated. Another school of thought says to avoid these filters since they may cause flare (as can any filter), and their filtering effect is duplicated in DSLR sensors anyway. Lens hoods may be used to protect lenses and reduce flare instead. The Rest Close up filters facilitate inexpensive macro photography, but if you are serious about small things, get a macro lens or extension tubes - they offer more flexibility and better quality. Many other types of filter are available,

including sepia (and other toners), warming, cooling, soft focus, diffusers, and numerous sfx filters. In my opinion, they are all rendered redundant by editing software. The same can be said for coloured filters used in black and white photography – shoot colour and convert to b&w later. Many filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens, some by up to 4 stops. Where possible meter through the lens so the camera adjusts exposure automatically. Watch out for vignettes (dark ‘frames’ in the corners/sides of the picture), especially when used with lenses at wide angles. Filter systems are well worth a small additional investment. They allow you to affix several filters at once - but watch out for those vignettes if you do! Next Month: Keep it Clean!

Adrian Multon is a freelance photographer based in Wivenhoe. He provides high quality imagery for local businesses. Adrian also offers group and 1-2-1 photographic tutoring and image editing workshops. See www.adrianmulton.co.uk for details.

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By Abigail Cheverest, Slack Space

The second of a two part article looking at the ethos behind events at Slack Space. The way events and activities are set up and managed is probably one of the key things that sets Slack Space apart from other venues and providers. Although events were tightly controlled at first, this soon relaxed. As a community space, events are generally initiated by the community, with the organisation taking the role of facilitator or enabler. A key example is the folk club, Slack Folk, which runs monthly at the space. The organisation was approached by a local folk musician who wanted an accessible space to set up a folk club. Eight months later Slack Folk is firmly established as one of the most successful local folk clubs on the scene with attendances of 80 plus from all ages and walks of life. The event is held in the afternoon in a non-alcoholic space and is free, thus removing many of the barriers that prevent access to the more traditional folk club set up. Teenagers and pensioners enjoy high quality performance side by side, while helping themselves to free tea and coffee and cakes. This is not just about giving event space to all the people who asked however. Had it been, the whole process would soon have descended into chaos! Decisions were made. Part of the process considered whether the person or group was known and trusted but the vital element was what the event brought to Slack Space and whether it complemented the organisation aims and ethos. The group are in an extraordinary position. Whereas other venues and organisations are

Shortly after opening Slack Space decided to run monthly performance festivals for the local community, thus defining what was to become the second strand in their artistic bow and complementing the regular and exciting exhibitions program.

bound by the bottom line of ‘bums on seats’ the non-commercial element of Slack Space has allowed it to bypass this and make decisions based on vision and morals. The drivers for events in the space are that it is an inclusive, community arts event and that it brings something unique that could not easily be experienced elsewhere. Hence, Slack Space would favour a small event that was unusual and different to one that would bring high attendance but brought nothing new or unusual to the space. ‘Arts’ was always interpreted in its widest sense to include any creative and inspirational activity. This non commerciality has allowed Slack Space to make decisions based on intuition and gut feeling. There are no hard and fast rules. Decisions are made of the moment and in consideration of the current situation and landscape. This flexibility has also allowed an amazing range of activities to happen that would be outside the scope of other organisations due to slower reaction times. Slack Space is lucky enough to be able to react very quickly and committed enough to be able to carve what is required out of thin air. Seven days after the Japan earthquake Slack Space had in place a 12 hour fundraising gig featuring 32 bands playing back to back, 30 performers, buskers and breakdancers collecting in town, a music stage at the local Lush and collections in other venues. Four thousand pounds was raised. On World Book Night one of the lucky givers approached Slack Space

with a proposal to use the space for just that. As the word went round, more and more people joined in and on the night over 1,000 books were given away to nearly 400 people. The givers spoke passionately about their books and why they loved them. Slack Space has become a permanent Book Crossing area as a result. A further learning element developed though Slack Space’s unique position at the heart of the local community. This allowed more established organisations, at both County and Regional level, to extend their reach accordingly and touch people not normally on their radar in both community development and learning outreach programs. Slack Space runs a regular outreach programme where it takes free workshops, art and activities to local festivals and events. They have run a National learning event on empty shops work and published a guerrilla style guide to the same. Slack Space has supported the local Carnival by hosting its community liaison meeting and applying for funding to run a free three day carnival arts learning course in the space. They have also given a lot of support to other local events and event organisers and recently held a local event organisers networking meeting to encourage people to come together and join things up a bit. Recently a very popular accessible and inclusive community singing group was launched and the group is hosting the monthly rehearsals of the

East Anglian children’s recorder orchestra! A young person led jazz jam runs once a month and every Friday the Slack Space piano (and recently donated three keyboard organ) are wheeled out for community use. These are just some of the regular events which complement a monthly performance festival program featuring anything from rock to classical performance, dance to DJ nights, poetry to performance art and comedy - as well as one off events organised and initiated by the local community. Event, activities and exhibitions appeal to all ages from strong links with graffiti and breakdance culture to old time music hall and clog dancing! Slack Space is one of those very few places which can be genuinely said to appeal to and attract all demographics. A recent series of funded workshops with mental health groups in the area reaped dividends when clients started regularly returning to events at Slack Space, after the close of the workshops, because they felt so safe there. For Slack Space up to date event listings please visit our diaries at http://theslackdiaries.tumblr.com/

Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

A Very Special Event

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MUSIC

Live Review:

Modern English @ The Colchester Arts Centre By Simon Crow It was the gig that had created an excited buzz around town for weeks. Well, with the over 45s brigade anyway. Colchester’s music royalty, Modern English, were finally coming home to the town where it all began. Over 25 years since they last graced a Colchester stage, Robbie Grey and the boys were going to take us all on a trip down memory lane. And what a trip it was to be! Our first treat of the evening was a short set by Mecca 38, who had reformed especially for the evening. These old Colchester favourites, and onetime Modern English support act, featured a line-up consisting of Jon Murfin (guitar/vocals), Nelson (bass guitar/vocals), Nigel Lynn (main vocals) and

Steve Anderson (drums) set the tone for the evening as old friends and acquaintances from ‘back in the day’ gathered together in front of the stage. Some had not seen or spoken to each other in a couple of decades, and as the sense of nostalgia became electric part of the fun became looking around and spotting an old friend, or familiar face, in the crowd. After Mecca 38 left the stage 101’s very own DJ Gilly kept us entertained until it was time for the night’s main event. My girlfriend Helen and I

grabbed a last drink from the bar then found ourselves a spot at the front alongside Steve Arrogant, Colchester’s very own punk legend, and his lovely wife Linda. Then it was time, and Modern English took to the stage with frontman Robbie Grey sporting a pair of his trademark sunglasses, a pair of Red Ray Bans, and brought the Arts Centre to life with Someone’s Calling. They followed this with a string of other crowd pleasers, including Hands Across the Sea, Life in the Gladhouse, Move in Light, Gathering Dust and boy were the crowd pleased! Between songs a clearly delighted Robbie points out and name checks friend after old friend from the stage, at one point even telling us “If you lot could see what I can see from up here!” We were to have to wait a while for the moment so many of us had been waiting for, until finally the band launched into I Melt With You, their 1983 hit in the US that launched their career across the pond. Even as I write this review a friend in New Jersey has just IMed me saying “How was the gig? Just driven home from NYC and heard I Melt With You on the radio and thought of you.” That is a sign of how America still loves this band from our little town. They never received the same recognition over here, but the boys are planning to record some new material, and judging by the quality and energy of the Arts Centre gig anything is possible, and in their own words ‘The future’s open wide’

Live Review:

Adamski @ Mangled By Simon Crow This was to be the last ever Mangled, and my first ever rave... legal or otherwise, apart from a visit to Ibiza’s Manumission many years ago. So it was with trepidation that my girlfriend Helen and I headed for the University for this event, rapidly turning to confusion as we entered the venue around 11.30pm. Apparently the headlining act, Adamski, hadn’t arrived yet. So I texted him, only to find his lift had been caught out by the ridiculous barrier that prevents drivers travelling from one end of the University to the other and he was on the wrong side of it and couldn’t find the gig. So off we set on foot to find him and save the day.

Twenty minutes later we are back with the dance music legend in tow. After a quick visit to the dressing room, a last quick chat with Adamski, and a quick hello to Bizarre Inc who were also relaxing in there, we said our goodbyes and made our way to the main hall to enjoy the music, the atmosphere, and a spot of people watching. Eventually the great man appears on the stage, and the dance floor rapidly fills up and the venue really comes alive. Now, only a couple of months ago I was at Adamski’s house for 101’s exclusive photoshoot, surrounded by memorabilia from his career spanning over twenty years. The thrill of this had prompted

All good things must of course come to an end, so eventually the band leave the stage, with DJ Gilly in the wings urging us to make some noise to get them back out again. So noise we make, and sure enough Modern English are once again gracing the stage and treating us to the night’s second performance of I Melt With You. Well, we had waited all these years, so why not! Modern English are: Robbie Grey - Main vocals Gary McDowell - Guitar/vocals Mick Conroy - Bass Guitar/vocals Stephen Walker - Keyboards Steven Walker - Guitar Ric Chandler - Drum

Killer, his 90’s dance music anthem which also launched the career of Seal, to play over and over in a loop in my head throughout that warm April afternoon, and during the drive home too. But knowing I was soon to hear it live was something else. Adamski brought the room alive as the crowd reacted with an outpouring of energy and excitment to tune after tune including NRG, I Dream Of You, Teknokrishna, I Love Teknology, You Me House, The Bassline Changed My Life, Brand New World overlaid with Queen’s We Will Rock You - before finally ending with a live version of Killer, with dance culture imagery, an old newspaper headline Hypnotised by a Weird Cult, and old performance footage of Adamski, projected onto screens either side of him. So carried away were we it seemed that no sooner had begun it was over and Adamski was leaving the stage with little further ado. But it was fun while it lasted, and for two non-ravers like us we had at long last enjoyed a taste of dance music culture for ourselves, and loved every minute of it. It left us exhausted... and we were only watching! Check out Adamski’s new dance project Neo-Waltz at www.neo-waltz.com and prepare to party like it’s 1799.

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Can you imagine one of the world’s biggest rock bands playing at a cinema in Colchester? It may be hard to, but it actually did happen on Thursday 18th May 1978. The band that night was AC/DC and the venue was the old ABC cinema on St John’s Street, now the Playhouse pub. This was to be the first of two visits to our town, the second coming in October when they returned for a gig at the University. On this occasion though John Hessenthaler, a local promoter, had booked the Aussie heavy rockers, and yours truly was asked to go along and work as a roadie helping the band’s own road crew unload, and later reload, their truck full of amps, guitars, drums and other gear. It was an exciting afternoon mixing with the band’s own crew, and even meeting AC/DC themselves, including Angus Young and original vocalist Bon Scott who tragically died less than two years later in London after a night of heavy drinking. By the time AC/DC took to the stage that evening I For those AC/DC aficionados was now working in my dual role as part of the amongst you 101 readers the set list that night consisted of: security team protecting the band. The show was 1. Riff Raff everything you would expect from them, LOUD 2. Problem Child 3. Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be and full of energy, the highlights for me coming when Angus disappeared from the stage only to 4. Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation 5. Dog Eat Dog reappear a couple of minutes later in one of the 6. Bad Boy Boogie boxes up on the circle playing a guitar solo. He 7. Down Payment Blues disappeared a second time too with Bon Scott, 8. The Jack reappearing together from the back of the auditorium 9. High Voltage 10. Whole Lotta Rosie with Angus playing away at his guitar, dry ice 11. Let There Be Rock pouring from his satchel, whilst sitting on Bon’s 12. Rocker shoulders as they made their way back to the stage. It really was an amazing day which finally ended, once all the gear was safely back on the tour truck, with me eating pizza, which had been bought by the band, with the rest of the crew. So next time you are in the Playhouse maybe stop for a moment, cast your eyes towards the stage, and imagine Malcolm, Phil, Bon, Angus and Cliff up there belting out Whole Lotta Rosie, Let There be Rock...

By Craig Fookes

Marner Brown exude a different level of confidence. They arrive at the Soundhouse shortly before they are due to go on stage, loading their gear through the expectant crowd and taking to the stage with only a few brief moments of anything that would resemble a sound-check. They open with an instrumental track then proceed with a set that explodes off the stage; their songs are built on super-solid foundation from the rhythm section with dynamics coming from the lead-guitar of future guitar-legend Aaron A. Grimes. Their tracks are well polished and tightly executed classic-sounding British rock songs. Lead singer Fiachra Kerrigan is a born Rock and

Roll frontman and delivers young Rod Stewart-like raspy vocals in the choruses. Marner Brown pick up where classic British bands leave off, with influences apparent from Led Zeppelin, The Faces, and Ocean Colour Scene. However, the often heavy use of effects and sounds on the guitars, bass and keyboards bring the songs up to date. You can catch Richmond-based Marner Brown locally again over the summer at the Brightlingsea Music Festival on 6 August and 3 September at the Mersea Island Scooter Rally, both with support from the 633.

Gilly

Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

Gilly Looks Live Review: Marner Brown Back... @ The Soundhouse, Colchester (The Bull)

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LISTINGS

This Month’s

Essential Events Guide Sponsored by Cool Publicity www.coolpublicity.co.uk Friday 1st July Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street The Laughter Zone: Stand Up comedy with Joe Rowntree, Eric Lampaert, Trevor Crook. Colchester United Football Club, Weston Homes Community Stadium Totally Take That Live (Take That Tribute Act). Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate Summer Showtime ‘11. Songs, dances and dramatic pieces from The Lorraine George School of Dancing & Performing Arts. Plus in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville. Magical-realist artist Will Teather’s solo exhibition featuring meticulously executed paintings and prints depicting impossible scenes, such as Harlequins being carried away by swans and figures levitating outside a church. Teather’s works are set in an imaginary world, titled Sephaville, where the real and unreal overlap.

Sunday 3rd July Colchester United Football Club Open Day – A day of fun and games for all the family Lion Walk Shopping Centre SoUNDAY Shopping. 2 acts battle it out for a chance to perform at Colchester Free Festival. (Live Music) Stanway Rovers FC, New Farm Road Colchester Jazz Club: Jimbo’s All Stars. (Live Music) Tin Pan Alley Jam Night hosted by Richard Dobney. (Live Music) Victoria Inn Live Music

Tin Pan Alley Tighten Up night. (Live Music). The Headgate Theatre Baby with the Bathwater. _____________________________________ Friday 8th July Colchester Arts Centre 9000 Needles. An award winning story of hope, courage and one family’s unconventional journey towards stroke recovery. (Film) Mercury Theatre In the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville. Molloy’s Backtrackin’(Live Music) Roberts Live Lounge Blueprint. (Live Music)

Roberts Live Lounge, 18 Vineyard Street Skandal (Live Music)

Monday 4th July Mercury Theatre Animal Farm. Using nothing but a wooden box, some amazing sound effects and brilliant physical and vocal dexterity, Gary Shelford ignites this famous yarn, bringing a modern sinister relevance to Orwell’s masterwork. Hilariously comic and powerfully poignant by turns – has to be seen to be believed! Plus in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville.

Slack Space, 19-29 Queen Street Pianofriday (11am-6pm)

Molloy’s Radio Play. (Live Music)

The Bull Mr Hankey & The Hipthrusters are in the Main Bar. The 633 presents The Raging Bull is in The Soundhouse. (Live Music).

Stoke By Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa, Keeper’s Lane, Leavenheath Fleece Jazz: Kate Williams (Live Music)

The Bull Jam Night hosted by Lee Carter. (Live Music)

The Headgate Theatre Baby with the Bathwater.

Wivenhoe Black Buoy Open Mic Night. (Live Music)

Tin Pan Alley Jukebox Jonah and the Random Rummies. (Live Music) _____________________________________ Saturday 9th July Kelvedon Festival 2011 The Blockheads, Automatic Slim, Exposé, Surfquake, Housework, Who’s Driving? Bear’s Driving!, Tony Winn, Broken Heads, We Are Embassy, Gulls, Animal Noise, The Strangerhood, Drive Through Therapy, The Jorneta Stream, The 633, The Overwrought

Molloy’s, 66 North Hill Radio Play (Live Music) River Lodge, 20-22 Middleborough Wood and Friends (Live Music)

The Bull, 2-4 Crouch Street Freebird in the Main Bar. The Long Run in The Soundhouse. (Live Music) Headgate Theatre, 14 Chapel Street North Art by Yasmina Reza. When would-be artlover Serge purchases an expensive painting which is no more than a white canvas with three white lines, he finds himself stuck in the middle of arguments that shake the very foundations of his closest friendships. A funny show that teasingly questions the motives behind and the very definition of ‘Art’. Tin Pan Alley, 7 Queen Street Live Music. Saturday 2nd July Colchester Arts Centre The Bull presents... Essex Rocks’ 5th Birthday Party: Cav OK, Drive Through Therapy, Guilt Coins, We Are Embassy (Live Music) Mercury Theatre Summer Showtime ‘11. Plus in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville. Molloy’s Dizzyak (Live Music) Nayland Village Festival Webbs Meadow, Nayland 2pm - 11.30pm. £5 all day, Under 16s Free. Tickets available in advance from Nayland Post Office or on the gate. Huge line up of bands and community groups performing. Food stalls, art exhibition and family activities. Roberts Live Lounge Saturday Soul with DJs Barry Stockwell and Nick Gunn. (Club Night) The Bull The Outlaws in the Main Bar. Suspect Device in The Soundhouse. (Live Music) The Fat Cat, 65 Butt Road Penfold. (Live Music) The Minories Launch Live presents The Midsummer Blues Festival: Smokin’ Hogs, Blue Bark, Ramon Goose, Black Cat Bone, Jazmine Ava Band, The Dice People. (Live Music) Tin Pan Alley Peyoti For President.(Live Music) Sky Rooms, 60 High Street THE BIG LICK. Metal/Rock/Alternative. (Club Night)

Tuesday 5th July Mercury Theatre Animal Farm. Plus in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville. Molloy’s Richard Dobney Blues Band. (Live Music) The Bull Acoustic Night. (Live Music) Wednesday 6th July Colchester Arts Centre Sandro Perri, The Dead Rat Orchestra, Mantler (Live Music)

Slack Space Pianofriday. (Live Music) Plus, Open 3. Stoke By Nayland Golf Club Fleece Jazz: Sam Crockatt Quartet. (Live Music)

Molloy’s 4 Play Karaoke. (Live Music) Slack Space Open 3. The Bull Stiff In The Morning are in the Main Bar. The Jazz Project & Jam is in The Soundhouse. (Live Music)

The Bull Jam Night hosted by Lee Carter. (Live Music) Tuesday 12th July Mercury Theatre Busybody. Plus, in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville. Molloy’s Next of Kin. (Live Music) The Bull Animal Noise. (Live Music) The Headgate Theatre An Evening of Clairvoyance with Ronnie Buckingham. Wednesday 13th July Colchester Arts Centre Martin Figura: Whistle. At the centre of Martin Figura’s Whistle is his mother’s death at the hands of his father when he was nine years old. The show goes beyond this shocking central event to tell a moving coming-ofage story. Mercury Theatre Busybody. Plus, in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville. Molloy’s Ice Breaker Promotions presents… (Live Music)

The Bull Open Mic Night hosted by Theo Pearce. (Live Music)

Slack Space Slack Folk (2pm). (Live Music) Plus, Open 3.

Mercury Theatre In the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville.

Molloy’s Live Music

Molloy’s Ice Breaker Promotions presents… (Live Music)

The Headgate Theatre Baby with the Bathwater by Christopher Durang. A dark comedy about how difficult it is to be a parent, and how scary it is to be a baby and a child. The play is written in a humorous, absurdist and playful style and, for all its dark topic, has a hopeful ending. _____________________________________ Thursday 7th July Colchester United Football Club The Comedy Club with Geoff Norcott, Jason Patterson, Paul Garvey.

Monday 11th July Mercury Theatre Busybody. Motives for murder abound where everyone is a suspect in this hilarious comedy thriller. Plus, in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville.

Slack Space Open 3.

Roberts Live Lounge Retro Classics Night with DJ Adi Clark. (Club Night)

The Bull Open Mic Night hosted by Theo Pearce. (Live Music)

Victoria Inn Live Music

Mercury Theatre In the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville.

Slack Space Open 3. The third exhibition showing work submitted through the Slack Space open submissions procedure.

Tin Pan Alley Jam Night hosted by Richard Dobney. (Live Music)

Stanway Village Hall & Tollgate Hall Colchester & District Fuchsia Society Fuchsia Show. The Bull The Business are in the Main Bar. Mojo Kings are in The Soundhouse. (Live Music) The Fat Cat Crumpet Girls. (Live Music) The Headgate Theatre Baby with the Bathwater. Tin Pan Alley Tom Mansi and the Icebreakers. (Live Music) _____________________________________ Sunday 10th July Colchester Arts Centre Glee at The Musicals. A showcase of the talents of current pupils of Tara Bennett Vocal School. Lion Walk Shopping Centre SoUNDAY Shopping. 2 acts battle it out for a chance to perform at Colchester Free Festival. (Live Music) Stanway Rovers FC Colchester Jazz Club: Len Baldwin Jazz Band. (Live Music) Stanway Village Hall & Tollgate Hall Colchester & District Fuchsia Society Fuchsia Show.

Thursday 14th July Mercury Theatre Busybody. Plus, in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville. Molloy’s 4 Play Karaoke. (Live Music) Slack Space July Mini Fest. Plus, Open 3. The Bull The Scoobs are in the Main Bar. Stormchild are in The Soundhouse. Live Music. Tin Pan Alley Tighten Up night. (Live Music). Trotters Bar, 20-22 Middleborough Keep Colchester Cool presents… (Live Music) Friday 15th July Colchester Arts Centre Reverend Billy & The Church of Earthalujah - UK Tour 2011. Mercury Theatre Busybody. Plus, in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville. Molloy’s Batman’s Cat. (Live Music) Roberts Live Lounge Wully Bully. (Live Music) Slack Space July Mini Fest. Plus, Pianofriday. (Live Music). Plus, Open 3.

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LISTINGS Tuesday 19th July Molloy’s Hot Tub Mondays. (Live Music)

Tin Pan Alley Jam Night hosted by Richard Dobney. (Live Music)

The Bull Rekovered are in the Main Bar. Runaway Ducks is in The Soundhouse. (Live Music)

The Bull Bob Collum. (Live Music)

Victoria Inn Live Music.

Tin Pan Alley Vintage Circus presents Gypsy Hill. (Live Music)

Wednesday 20th July Molloy’s Ice Breaker Promotions presents… (Live Music)

Lion Walk Shopping Centre SoUNDAY Shopping. 2 acts battle it out for a chance to perform at Colchester Free Festival. (Live Music)

Saturday 16th July Colchester Carnival A celebration of Colour and Noise

Slack Space Open 3.

Wivenhoe Town Cricket Club Live Music & Fun for all the family with Bouncing Off Concrete and Praying Mantis.

Molloy’s Stalker. (Live Music)

Mercury Theatre Busybody. Plus, in the Digby Gallery, Will Teather: Works from Sephaville.

The Bull Open Mic Night hosted by Theo Pearce. (Live Music)

Monday 25th July Molloy’s Live Music

Roberts Live Lounge 60s and 70s Night with DJ Phill Terry. (Club Night)

Molloy’s Time Out. (Live Music)

Thursday 21st July Molloy’s 4 Play Karaoke. (Live Music)

Roberts Live Lounge 80s and 90s Night with DJ Buzby. (Club Night)

Slack Space Open 3.

The Bull Jam Night hosted by Lee Carter. (Live Music) The Headgate Theatre Polka Dot Academy Theatre Workshop for 8 to 16 year olds.

Slack Space Jam (2pm). (Live Music) Plus, The Buffalo Tank. The Bull Under Ether are in the Main Bar. Andrew Black is in The Soundhouse. (Live Music)

Slack Space July Mini Fest Plus, Open 3.

The Bull Kudos are in the Main Bar. Kartell are in The Soundhouse. (Live Music)

Tuesday 26th July Colchester Arts Centre Edinburgh Festival Preview: Comedy with Peacock & Gamble, Steve Hall.

The Fat Cat Live Music.

St Mary’s Church, West Bergholt West Bergholt Concert Band - Free Music Workshop 2.00pm. Plus, West Bergholt Concert Band in Concert 7.30pm “Gershwin to Gaga” - Music from Gershwin, Shostakovich, Ellington, John Williams, Stevie Wonder, Coldplay and Lady Gaga. Tickets £6 and £5 on the door. See www.wbcb.org for details

Tin Pan Alley Tighten Up night. (Live Music)

Molloy’s MMG Hi-Jack Night. (Live Music)

Sunday 31st July Lion Walk Shopping Centre SoUNDAY Shopping. 2 acts battle it out for a chance to perform at Colchester Free Festival. (Live Music)

The Arena Jump Back Boogie: The Sugar Foot Stomp. (Live Music)

Friday 22nd July Colchester Arts Centre South African Gospel Singers. (Live Music)

The Bull (Main Bar) - East Of Java are in the Main Bar. Essex Rocks is in The Soundhouse. (Live Music)

Molloy’s Angel Fire. (Live Music)

The Fat Cat Live Music The Headgate Theatre AcoustiCity. (Live Music) Thustable School, Maypole Road, Tiptree The British Fuchsia Society - Eastern Region Annual Show Tin Pan Alley Live Music Purple Party Purple themed event at a location one hour from Colchester, with luxury coach transport provided. New Town Kings will be headlining a full line up of bands and DJs, including Chasing Tigers, Cyberdog and Rob Perfect. There is also an on-site pub, camping facilities, market and food stalls, and the whole event will be child friendly. Tickets are available from Dave 07768 579677, Carla 07827 327229 and Paddy 07821 231622, or visit Dave at his stall opposite Thorntons. The cost is £15 including coach fare, or £5 if you plan to make your own way to the event. (see page 4 for more info) Sunday 17th July Lion Walk Shopping Centre SoUNDAY Shopping. 2 acts battle it out for a chance to perform at Colchester Free Festival. (Live Music) Stanway Rovers FC Colchester Jazz Club: Brian Giles’s Mahogany Hall Stompers. (Live Music) Tin Pan Alley Jam Night hosted by Richard Dobney. (Live Music) Victoria Inn Live Music Monday 18th July Molloy’s Live Music The Bull Jam Night hosted by Lee Carter. (Live Music)

Wivenhoe Town Cricket Club, Rectory Road, Wivenhoe. Wivenhoe Funny Farm: Kevin Shepherd, Catie Wilkins, James Sadler, MC Hazel Humphreys. £6.50 (£5 concessions). Tel 07716 514878

Roberts Live Lounge Bouncing Off Concrete. (Live Music) Slack Space Pianofriday. (Live Music) Plus, Open 3. Stoke By Nayland Golf Club Fleece Jazz: Will Butterworth Trio. (Live Music)

The Bull Live Music. Wednesday 27th July Colchester Arts Centre Edinburgh Festival Preview: Comedy with Richard Herring, Catie Wilkins. Molloy’s Ice Breaker Promotions presents… (Live Music) Slack Space The Buffalo Tank. The Bull Open Mic Night hosted by Theo Pearce. (Live Music) The Headgate Theatre Polka Dot Academy Theatre Workshop.

The Bull Junkyard Aliens are in the Main Bar. The Friday Night Blues Jam is in The Soundhouse. (Live Music) Tin Pan Alley Live Music. Saturday 30th July Colchester Arts Centre Edinburgh Festival Preview: Comedy with Jimmy McGhie, Jen Brister

Stanway Rovers FC Colchester Jazz Club: The Northside Jazz Band. (Live Music) Tin Pan Alley Jam Night hosted by Richard Dobney. (Live Music) Victoria Inn Live Music. Monday 1st August Molloy’s Live Music. The Bull Jam Night hosted by Lee Carter. (Live Music) Tuesday 2nd August Colchester Arts Centre Easy Star All Stars. (Live Music)

The Bull The Current. (Live Music)

Thursday 28th July Colchester Arts Centre Edinburgh Festival Preview: Comedy with Tom Deacon, Gareth Richards.

Tin Pan Alley The Seasiders. (Live Music)

Molloy’s 4 Play Karaoke. (Live Music)

The Bull Live Music.

Saturday 23rd July Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney Valhalla Festival of Muscle and Power. A family weekend with a Viking theme encapsulating the Legend of Valhalla the Viking heaven, where the strong and the brave earn their place.

Slack Space The Buffalo Tank.

Wednesday 3rd August Colchester Arts Centre Russell Kane: Manscaping.(Comedy)

The Bull The AMS are in the Main Bar. Charlotte Wombwell is in The Soundhouse. (Live Music)

Molloy’s Live Music.

Molloy’s Cushti. (Live Music)

The Headgate Theatre Polka Dot Academy Theatre Workshop The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). A hysterical, fast-paced romp through all of Shakespeare’s plays, executed with revisionist relish and comic dexterity.

Roberts Live Lounge 70s and 80s Night with DJ Simon Lewis. (Club Night) Slack Space Open 3. The Bull Scooby are in the Main Bar. Praying Mantis, and Izzy Stone are in The Soundhouse. (Live Music) Tin Pan Alley Live Music.

Friday 29th July Colchester Arts Centre Edinburgh Festival Preview: Comedy with Jigsaw, Roisin Conaty Molloy’s Stiff In The Morning. (Live Music) Qube SHAFT: Soul Classics, Jazz, Funk, Weekender Anthems, RnB. (Club Night)

Sunday 24th July Layer Marney Tower Valhalla Festival of Muscle and Power.

Roberts Live Lounge The Company. (Live Music)

Slack Space Art Auction.

Slack Space Buffalo Tank. Plus, Pianofriday. (Live Music)

Stanway Rovers FC Colchester Jazz Club: John Goddard’s Okeh All Stars. (Live Music)

Stoke By Nayland Golf Club Fleece Jazz: Paul Booth. (Live Music)

Molloy’s Live Music.

Slack Space The Buffalo Tank. The Bull Open Mic Night hosted by Theo Pearce. (Live Music) Thursday 4th August Molloy’s 4 Play Karaoke. (Live Music) Slack Space The Buffalo Tank. The Bull Live Music.

For your event to be considered for inclusion in Colchester 101 please call us on 01206 544700 or email mailus@Colchester101.co.uk

Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

Stoke By Nayland Golf Club Fleece Jazz: Zoe Gilby Quintet. (Live Music)

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Colchester’s

Kissy Sell Out By Becky Davis

Colchester-born Kissy Sell Out talks about his fast-rising success as a dance music producer and his career as a Radio 1 DJ. t only 22 years old Kissy Sell Out became a DJ for BBC Radio 1. Since 2008 Kissy has had his own weekly show on Radio 1 called the ‘Kissy Klub’. Now at the age of 26, along with his radio show, he also runs his own record label (San City High Records) and is soon to release his second album Wild Romance. An impressive resume for someone of his age. Kissy’s new album Wild Romance is out now which he feels is his best record. “I genuinely think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done and that’s over my radio show, my DJ sets, everything! I’ve never felt that way before about a record I’ve made. The Kissy Klub is quite an intense and powerful show

and I think Wild Romance is a testament to that, it’s the summary of everything that’s happening right now”. Wild Romance is “50% way-out ideas, some with classical instruments all of which I’ve played myself, everything is composed and written by me. The other 50% of the album is club bangers, it’s made for the dance floor and the crowds that come to see me”. Kissy wrote his new album with his fans in mind. “It’s quite hard to be crazy and try new things but also please an audience every single time. That’s something I’ve put so much practice and effort into and now it’s really nice to prove that with my record”. From a young age Kissy has always had a passion for music. “I’ve always

Photo courtesy of: www.thezeitgeistagency.co.uk

been an obsessive record collector. I used to buy a lot of my records from the Oxfam shop in Colchester”. Nirvana - Bleach and 2 Unlimited Get Ready were the first records he ever bought and he says “if you put those two together that sums up the slightly wacky side of my tune selection”. As a teenager Kissy went to Philip Morant School (Colchester) and loved going to Rollerworld showing off his skating skills to impress the girls. His debut album Youth was about growing up in Essex. “It was about leaving my hometown and starting to become an adult”. His new album represents a wiser, grown up Kissy and what he has learnt since the release of his debut. “This new album is completely

different for quite a specific reason: I’m a man now I’ve decided. I’ve grown up and finally become a man.” When Kissy first started doing DJ sets he had never been to nightclubs to see famous DJs before. So he would do what he thought people did, from reading magazines and listening to live tapes. “I’ve always been a bit of a rebel in dance music. I did things like stand on the decks, rewinds and brought air horns onstage with me. That was quite an unusual thing to do and that’s why I became famous as a DJ quite quickly because I stood out from the crowd”. When it comes to the Kissy Klub he is involved in everything to do with preparation for the show. “It’s

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COVER STAR

“I’ve always been an

obsessive record collector.

I used to buy a lot of my records from the

Oxfam shop in

Colchester”

well-known at Radio 1 that I put the most effort into my radio show. I write the track list, mix the music and do some of the jingles. I put my 190% effort into everything to do with the show and I treat each one like it’s my last”. He especially enjoys his Radio 1 show because it gives him the opportunity to share the music he loves with others every week. “Its absolute carte blanche as far as what I can play because I’m on late and I guess that’s why it’s called the ‘Kissy Klub’. You get to go into a different world for two hours a week”. As he is only on for two hours a week it gives him time to do other things. “I really like where I am, it’s really cool. It also means that I can still go off and do shows in different countries at the

weekends and produce records, which is wonderful”. Prior to becoming part of the Radio 1 family, Kissy studied graphic design at St. Martin’s College of Art in London. He now uses the skills he learnt at University to design artwork for his record label and his own albums and singles. He is evidently hard working. “I know I always try my best and put my heart into absolutely everything. I don’t get much sleep but I have so much fun doing all the things I do.” As far as the rest of 2011 goes Kissy is particularly looking forward to Ibiza. “I love it over there, it’s wonderful. I used to watch TV programmes about it when I was a kid and I’ve done DJ sets in all the

famous clubs. I headlined ‘Manumission’ one year in Amnesia, which is the club from the Kevin and Perry film. Since then I’ve been able to say to my mum I did that!” Kissy is very appreciative of the support he has received that has got him where he is today and thoroughly loves what he does. “I’ve been very lucky in my life, the thing I’ve always dreamed of doing has come true and it’s a full time thing”. Listen to Kissy Sell Out on BBC Radio 1 every Thursday night 12-2am. Kissy released his new album ‘Wild Romance’ in June.

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MUSIC

Photography by Stephanie Round

“That’s why God put me here, to play music” Becky Davis chats to Buddy Lee Dickens

Following the recent split of his band The Family Dickens, 22 year old Buddy Lee Dickens is now embarking on a solo career. We met up with him to find out his future plans and what brought the Kentucky musician to our small town of Colchester.

Although Buddy is sad that his band has gone, and even though with them he had the opportunity to play on the same bill as big names such as Eddie and the Hot Rods, he prefers the idea of being a solo act. “If I do it solo I can do it when I want, I don’t have to wait to see when the others can do it”. Rather than replacing the band members Buddy would much rather remain a solo act, as he believes “it wouldn’t be the same, maybe in the future we’ll get back together but for now I’ll just do it by myself. I’m gonna take on Britain [laughs]. Well I’m gonna try.” Sitting out the back of Crouch Street’s Qube Bar, Buddy is wearing a ‘trailer trash’ baseball cap and in a heavy American accent he tells us about himself. Before moving to Colchester he used to live on the outskirts of Anderson County in Kentucky, USA. He’s been living in the UK for around 18 months now. He moved to Colchester to live with his girlfriend who had fallen pregnant with his first child. “That’s why I am in Colchester, her family is here. My girlfriend and my two kids are my family and I’ve adopted her family as mine. I came here and got myself a visa and now I’m in the UK. Where better than the oldest recorded town in Britain! I’m happy here, I think Colchester is better than America. Some people can be quite mean though, I played a gig down Twisters once and a few people didn’t like my accent but most people are (in his best English accent) ‘charming’. Blur are from Colchester! Graham Coxon, he’s one of my

favourite guitar players.” Before Buddy moved to Colchester he’d never seen a castle before. “I can’t believe that people who live here don’t pay much attention to it but it’s there and it’s beautiful”. When asked how he would describe his own sound he responds with “I like to call it 1950s hardcore countrybilly or accoustabilly”. Then jokingly suggests ‘wizabilly’ as he loves Harry Potter. He even has a song called ‘Dementors in the Sky’ which is based on the song ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’ but with a Harry Potter themed twist. His major influences range from the obvious likes of Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline to Beethoven, and more hardcore bands like Minor Threat and Black Flag. As well as Kris Kristofferson “he’s an excellent musician ‘Casey’s Last Ride’ that’s one of the songs that got me into doing music, that’s one of my favourite songs”. Buddy isn’t really into contemporary music, but does listen to some modern unsigned bands. “My favourite band at the minute is WarPaint, I caught them on Jools Holland.” When asked about what it was like playing last month’s BikeFest Buddy says: “I don’t like festivals, unless it’s something smaller”. He’d much rather be enclosed with people, rather than “people being far back away from you, I don’t like that.” Buddy is literally all about the music, making his living from gigs and busking. He says he’d “rather do a gig in London for free than do a gig in Colchester and get paid for it. At least then you’re getting somewhere.

All that exposure and getting your music out there, that’s what I wanna do”. His ultimate goal is to appear on Jools Holland. “I just wanna play music and maybe get paid. Even if I don’t get massive. That’s why God put me here, to play music.” Buddy starts his Essex tour in August, preparing for it by busking to earn the money to travel from place to place. In his American twang Buddy says that when playing songs by people like Johnny Cash or Willy Nelson and Hank Williams “I can get about maybe £30 for a few hours if it’s a good day, if it’s a bad day I can get about £3 to get me some cigarettes”. Buddy’s main interests besides music are smoking, skating and root beer. “I’ve got a song called ‘Root Beer’ and I’m gonna release that as a single. The only place Buddy could find Root beer over here is in Waitrose, but unfortunately “I’m not allowed in there, I got done for skateboarding on the day it opened”. Buddy hopes to release his EP by August. It will feature three tracks: ‘Smoking’, ‘Sins Don’t Die’ and ‘Root Beer’. “It will only take me a few hours to record it and I’d rather record it live. If you record it live that’s how you sound live, I don’t do anything in the studio”. Buddy interestingly only plays with 5 strings on his guitar, “I can’t play with 6 strings, it’s too hard”. Given the opportunity to collaborate with someone he’d ideally like to do something with Imelda May or Amy Macdonald, “she’s got a gorgeous voice”. He’d also like to play at the Arts Centre “that would be a cool place to play.”

Album Review:

Kissy Sell Out - Wild Romance (San City High Records)

By Becky Davis Kissy Sell Out returns with his eagerly anticipated second album Wild Romance. Kissy Sell Out really is in his element with Wild Romance. Released in early June his latest release is definitely something for the summer. Essential for those interested in the night clubbing scene and especially ripe for those off to Ibiza this summer. The first single from the album - ‘Homesick ft. Oh Snap’ released back in May - was merely a taster of what was yet to come. Where his debut album Youth was about adolescence and growing up in Essex, Kissy’s new album is about him “becoming a man” and shows how he has progressed and grown in confidence in the two year gap since he released his first album. Wild Romance is 12 tracks of bouncy upbeat songs, full of drops and catchy tunes of the same

signature electro sound that original got Kissy noticed in the dance music industry. Kissy’s new album is a perfect balance between club ‘bangers’ and innovative ideas that fuse classical music elements with dance floor beats into his songs. This is a concept which Kissy often incorporates in his Radio 1 show the ‘Kissy Klub’ when mixing records himself. The majority of songs on the album are entirely instrumental with only a couple of exceptions featuring vocals, that of: ‘Homesick ft. Oh Snap!’ and ‘Turn It On ft. MC Cobra’. These catchy and uplifting vocal tracks are definitely the strongest two on the album. There is an evident classical influence on his album such as a noticeable piano sequence in the song ‘Redrinkulous’. Incorporating classical music into his

songs demonstrates his creativity and originality as a dance music producer. There are even slight hints of dubstep in songs like ‘Homesick’ and ‘Eternal’. This album has cemented his reputation as a multi-talented young music producer and DJ. As a Graphic Design graduate Kissy designed the cover art for Wild Romance as well as his other albums and singles. A lot of hard work has gone into producing his latest album. Not only does he design his own cover art but Kissy also plays his own instruments and composes all his own music. His music is representative of his onstage demeanour when DJ-ing and his songs are guaranteed to make you tap your foot along in time with the beat. Kissy has created an album signature to his striking electro sound and demonstrates Kissy’s brilliance at being both a DJ and producer.

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View from the

Funny Farm

The diary of an independent comedy promoter by Hazel Humphreys

is the strangest season for comedy, as lengthening days tempt audiences from S ummer laughter towards simpler joys of watching sport and drinking themselves comatose. Established acts frantically complete themed Edinburgh Fringe shows in anticipation of spending half their annual household budget to die of scurvy in a TB infected overpriced Scottish bedsit, perhaps garnering lukewarm reviews from websites created by a virginal students, drunk on power. Meanwhile less established acts rub hands together gleefully anticipating a chance at the big time down South whilst bigger cats pursue their joyless Caledonian quest for fame. However, there is a third way to get by during Summer; the festival comedy tent. Comedy in various forms (from angry anti Tory polemic to synchronised nude epilepsy) has long been a staple of Glastonbury Festival Cabaret Marquee, but for those who can’t face a muddy slog to perform to a handful of confused revellers wiping their boots on the nice red carpet and a dog having an acid flashback, there’s an increasing variety of

less hardcore outdoor experiences on offer to jobbing comedians. There’s Suffolk’s Latitude, a festival so middle class that you’re not let in without a pair of Birkenstocks and every year a teenager overdoses on Pimms. Or you could could plump for the soulless commercialised deathcamp of “V”, which, last time I braved the queues and sadistic security staff, featured comedy in the Nintendo tent, where I witnessed the tragic sight of comedians forced to perform to unresponsive spotty teenagers gaming on networked screens, only pausing to send private messages about the acts they were ignoring along the lines of “dey r gay” and “they smell LOL”. My Summer treat is organising festival comedy; from Wivenhoe May Fair (before they dropped spoken word in favour of showy helicopter flyovers) to Liberty Festival for performers with disabilities in Trafalgar Square. This month I booked for Magpie

Rally, a biker event (old mates gathering nostalgically to drink ale, swap tales and be as degenerate as they can get away with). There’s bands, insanely pimped motorcycles and more exposed tattooed flesh than a scouse brothel. Every year one booked comedian has a crisis of confidence when confronted with a lairy mass of leather and occasionally receding hair. This year it was petite MC Ria Lina, who got biker fear, despite having stormed Wivenhoe Funny Farm earlier this year. Of course her fears turned out to be unfounded – the audience were there for laughs and more than happy when Ria provided them. Goes to show, no matter how scary an audience looks, you can’t judge them by appearance, unless it’s a Nuremberg Rally re-enactment. On 21st July Wivenhoe Funny Farm will host completed Edinburgh Festival shows from Catie Wilkins and Kevin Shepherd plus support.

Having us already at a decent fitness level means that the manager can work with us on the actual pitch, with a football involved from very early on. We usually have a couple of session each day, one working on the football side and the other improving our fitness even more. This season we are going over to Holland for a few days, something that can be very beneficial to us as a squad. We’ll do pretty much the same as we would over here but it gives us a fresh environment to get that work done. We also have a couple of pre-season friendlies against Dutch opposition, which should be good as we’ll have to work out different ways of breaking down different systems of playing the game. After those few days away, we return to two fan-

tastic fixtures here at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. We play Watford on July 30th but first we take on local rivals Ipswich Town on July 26th. It might only be a pre-season friendly but I’m sure that both sets of players and supporters will want to be able to boast about winning. So, get yourself down to the stadium and back us with plenty of noise against the Tractor Boys, and Watford of course, as we build up to the new League One campaign.

COLCHESTER UNITED FC

Back to Work... The summer break is over for us now and it is now back to training in anticipation of the new season starting in the beginning of August. I’m not expecting to have to do loads of long distance running though. Things have changed over the years in terms of the type of training that goes on once we are back as a group. When I started out, pre-season was used to get players fit again after their summer break. These days, managers want to be able to work on tactics and how they want their teams to attack and defend in matches. Don’t get me wrong, we still do a lot of physical work when we’re back, working specifically on power and intensity, rather than the strength and endurance work we were given to do during the break.

Kem Izzet

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FOOD

Food for Thought By Melissa Porter

What is it that turns an otherwise kitchen phobic into a grunting caveman who must feed his family, when placed in front of an open fire pit? To put my husbands kitchen skills in context, I once asked him to ‘put the rice in’ when I was called to the phone in the middle of cooking a curry. Faced with the choice of a saucepan of boiling water or a pan of chicken Jalfrezi, he choose to pour the rice into the curry! Put this same man in the mere vicinity of a BBQ and he will take full control of the grill and almost growl with bared teeth at any other male who dares to enter his circle of fire. He’s certainly not alone, we seem to live in a 70’s time warp where BBQ etiquette is concerned. It would almost be emasculating to suggest that a more than capable female take over the BBQ duties from a male counterpart. I think men’s obsession with taking charge of the BBQ is related to an almost mythic dimension to cooking with fire that excites the male imagination. The image of a powerful caveman/hunter roasting meat on the grasslands somehow resonates through centuries to average guys in gardens

everywhere. Besides an open fire is a little dangerous, making cooking with it manly in a way that frying an egg can never be. And so we left our house for a weekend camping with friends laden down with said BBQ, a full fire companion set, four sets of tongs and two sets of welders gloves! (all essential you know) The other pyromaniacs in the group formed an immediate alliance and quickly stamped their foraging rights on the woodland we were camping in, taking full advantage of the numerous felled trees, fulfilling their other basic instinct to keep their families warm as well as fed and watered. Do you know what... I have no complaints, they did a fantastic job. In this age of equality it seems that the BBQ is one last remaining bastion of male dominance, and I for one am happy to let them keep it! I just wish I could get my husband cooking indoors some day with the same enthusiasm.

Seasonal Food Guide By Melissa Porter

Baked Raspberry Cheesecake I have a serious problem where cheesecake is concerned... I’m ever so slightly addicted to the stuff!

July sees an abundance of fruit and vegetables in season, with the weather often being warm and sunny, it’s a chance to eat your seasonal produce al fresco! Herbs: Basil, chervil, chillies, chives, coriander, garlic, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sorrel, tarragon and thyme.

Fruit: Apricots, blackcurrants, blueberries, apples, cherries, gooseberries, peaches, raspberries, redcurrants, strawberries and tomatoes.

Fish: Cockles, cod, coley, conger eel, crab, dab, dover sole, grey mullet, haddock, halibut, herring, john dory, lemon sole, lobster, mackerel, monkfish, plaice, pollack, prawns, salmon, sardines, scallops, sea bass, sea bream, sea trout, shrimp, squid and whitebait.

Vegetables: Aubergine, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots, courgettes, fennel, globe artichoke, lettuce, jersey royal new potatoes, mushrooms, peas, peppers, radishes, rhubarb, rocket, runner beans, Savoy cabbage, sorrel, spinach, spring onions, swiss chard and watercress.

Meat & Game Beef, chicken, lamb, pork and venison.

Spotlight on...

‘The Raspberry’

In season: July & August Storage: Raspberries do not travel or store particularly well. They should be soft but not mushy. Avoid any that still have their stalks in, because it shows they were picked unripe. Eat fresh raspberries quickly, or keep in the fridge for a couple of days. Try not to wash them unless it’s really necessary; it’s better just to pick out any bits of leaf and stalk. Serve at room temperature to really enjoy the flavour at its best. Quick serving ideas: On their own, with some sugar, cream, or ice cream: raspberries need little embellishment. Mash them up and swirl

through yoghurt, shake them into a raspberry martini, or add them to a smoothie with other berries and a banana. Use it up: Raspberries will freeze pretty well, but they can be a little squishy once defrosted. They’ll be fine to use in puddings, cakes or other desserts though. If you have lots to use up, make raspberry jam to enjoy for the rest of the year.

Raspberry Martini I’ve made these once or twice, they are truly delicious but deadly, don’t say I didn’t warn you! Muddle ten fresh raspberries in a cocktail shaker. Add half a measure of sugar syrup, a handful of ice, a double measure of vodka and a half measure of Chambord. ‘Shake’ using your best Tom Cruise impression, strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a couple more raspberries and a mint leaf.

Just so we are clear, we are not talking about that insipid, tasteless excuse for a cheesecake with a thin film of sugary jam on the top that you can find at the back of a freezer in some supermarkets. No, No!!... they are a crime against the name ‘Cheesecake’ and should be avoided at all costs. I’m talking about a home baked New York style cheese cake, you know the one that’s dense and creamy and about a gazillion calories. My mum used to make a superb version which was lemon and sultana heaven. This raspberry version lives up to my very high standards. The addition of a tart yet simultaneously sweet fruit, complements the thick unctuous cream cheese perfectly. It’s that feeling of having your entire mouth coated with the soft cheesecake and crispy base that I’m so addicted to. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Crush the biscuits in a food processor (or put in a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin or bottle of wine!). Mix with the butter. Press into a 20cm springform tin and bake for 5 minutes, then cool. Beat the cream cheese with 8 digestive biscuits the flour, sugar, a few drops of 50g butter, melted vanilla, eggs, the yolk and 600g cream cheese soured cream until light and 2 tbsp plain flour fluffy. Stir in half the raspberries 175g caster sugar and pour into the tin. Bake for Vanilla extract 40 minutes and then check, it 2 eggs, plus 1 yolk should be set but slightly wobbly in 142ml pot soured cream the centre. Leave in the tin to cool. 300g raspberries Keep a few raspberries for the Icing sugar top and put the rest in a pan with 1tbsp icing sugar. Heat until juicy and then squash with a fork. Push through a sieve. Serve the cheesecake with the raspberry sauce and raspberries.

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FOOD

Colchester Free Mouse

Colchester’s Finest Real Ale and Fine Wine Pub Live Music In July (music starts at 9pm) Saturday 9th The Crumpet Girls Saturday 16th Strontium Cats Saturday 23rd Simon Page Saturday 30th Jazmine Ava

White Wine in a Beer Can Chicken

Come in for a warm welcome 65 Butt Road, Colchester CO3 3BZ. 01206 577990

By Melissa Porter

A different take on the popular ‘beer-can chicken’ recipe that literally steams the bird with sweet wine from the inside. 1 Chicken (preferably free range) 1tsp fresh sage, chopped 1tsp fresh thyme, chopped 1tsp Maldon Salt 12oz Can of Beer 2 Glasses White Wine

Wash your chicken and pat dry, season with the herbs and salt on the inside and outside of the bird. Open your can of beer and decant in a glass to enjoy. Make three holes in the top of the can with a can opener and fill the can halfway with white wine. Place the can on a roasting tray, or tin plate and slide the chicken onto the can until it stands upright, arranging the drumsticks to help you form a tripod. Transfer your plate and chicken to the BBQ, and cover. Cook for approximately 11/2 hrs, or until the juices run clear. Carefully pull the bird off the can and enjoy. Serve with...

Sicilian Potato Salad 100g waxy potatoes 100g green beans 4 anchovy fillets 100g tomatoes Extra tasty olive oil 1 large onion Salt and peppers A dash of white wine vinegar

(serves 4)

Place the onion in its skin on a baking tray and put in a hot oven for around 20-30 minutes until it becomes slightly caramelised and soft. Boil the potatoes and the green beans in salted water, drain and leave to cool. Chop up the tomatoes and add to a large salad bowl. Then, cube the potatoes and add to the tomatoes along with the green beans. Chop up your very soft onion and add the anchovy fillets, bashing down into small pieces. Add a good lashing of excellent olive oil and a dash of white wine vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste and serve cool, either as an antipasti or as a side dish.

Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

Fat Cat

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Food Events in July Colchester Farmers Market Friday 1st July Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, Nr Mercury Theatre 9.30am - 2.00pm Free Admission.

Teddy Bears Picnic Sunday 10th July Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre 10.30am - 12.00pm Donation £5.00 per child.

Wivenhoe Farmers Market Saturday 16th July The Congregational Church Hall, High Street, Wivenhoe 9.00am - 12.00pm Free Admission.

Quality foods, locally produced. Over 20 Stalls. Make a date to support your local producers.

Please telephone the visitor centre on 01206 729678 for more information or to book your place. www.essexwt.org.uk

Over 18 stalls of fresh, seasonal and local produce.

The Big FEASTIVAL Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd July Clapham Common ~ The festival site is a short walk from Clapham Common or Clapham South tube stations. Adult Tickets £65 including 3 dishes, Under 12’s Free. The Big Feastival is the first of its kind: a summer festival combining top-class food with some brilliant live music. Best of all, this is a festival with a heart: all profits go to The Prince’s Trust and The Jamie Oliver Foundation to help disadvantaged young people. The committee of London’s leading food and drink gurus have brought together amazing food and drink from the UK’s best restaurants and youíll be able to try it in across the site, whilst listening to live sets from www.jamieoliver.com/thebigfeastival. Essex Festival of Food & Drink Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, Cressing, nr Witham £6 Adults, Under 12’s Free. The inaugural Essex Festival of Food and Drink aims to celebrate and showcase Essex’s finest producers, chefs, vineyards, farmers markets and food vendors. www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/foodfestival Help out in ‘The BIG Garden’ Saturday 9th and Saturday 23rd July A short walk from High Woods Country Park Visitor Centre. 11.00am - 3.00pm. Colchester’s most exciting organic fruit and vegetable community garden is moving into its fourth year. There are many ways to get involved and support the development of the garden, which aims to promote health and well being by producing local food in a sustainable way and to encourage community involvement. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to volunteer and have a share in their harvests. Contact the community gardener on 01206 855287 or 07950 243904. www.colchester.gov.uk/biggarden

CAMRA Chelmsford Summer Beer Festival Tuesday 12th - Saturday 16th July Admirals Park, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford 12 noon - 11pm Entrance Free to CAMRA members Non-members Free before 6pm, after 6pm entrance fee applies Thursday £4, Friday £5, Saturday £3. Over 350 Real Ales. Over 120 Real Ciders & Perries. A wide selection of Belgian Beers & Local Wines, Food served all day. www.chelmsfordbeerfestival.org.uk

Supper Afloat, 22nd July CherryAid - National Cherry Day Saturday 16th July There is something to celebrate as British cherry orchards begin to grow again. During the 20th century Britain lost 90 per cent of cherry orchards. But between 2003 and 2008 they increased by 17 per cent. However, despite the good news, the UK still imports around 95 per cent of our cherries. www.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/07/16/cherry-day

Summer Evening Picnics Saturday 16th & Saturday 23rd July Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted Mountfitchet. Castle and Toy Museum Admission; Adults £9.50, Children (2-13yrs) £7.00. The Castle will be extending their opening hours from 5.00pm to 10.00pm. Go along with a blanket and a picnic and have a romantic evening watching the sun set over the castle listening to the beautiful haunting melodies of folk guitar & flute music. The café will be open too. www.mountfitchetcastle.com

Supper Afloat Friday 22nd July Topsail Charters, Maldon 01621 857567 4.30pm - 6.30pm £18.50 sail only, £28 with a Ploughman’s, £32 with a Seafood Platter. Take a two hour cruise from Maldon Quay past the RSPB reserve to Osea Island and back, aboard an original wooden Thames Sailing Barge. www.top-sail.co.uk Valhalla Festival of Muscle & Power 23rd & 24th July Layer Marney Tower, Colchester Adults £20 Saturday £30 Sunday, Children under 16 £5 Free admission to Children in fancy dress From 12am Saturday, 12pm Sunday. Family Viking themed weekend where you can try your hand at knife and axe-throwing; the noble arts of falconry and archery; feast on hog and oxen from the roasting spits; listen to Norse storytellers and watch Viking Britain brought to life in dramatic re-enactments. www.valhallafestival.co.uk Open Air Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet Saturday 23rd July at 7.45pm Sunday 24th July at 3.00pm Cedar Lawn, Kentwell Hall, Long Melford. Gates open at 6.30pm, Tickets from £16-£25. Enjoy the gardens at Kentwell on a fine summers evening (hopefully). Take along your own picnic to enjoy in the one hour supper interval when the gardens are floodlit. Kentwell Suppers are also available (3 courses + coffee £17.50) in the Undercroft (or outside if fine) book in advance. www.kentwell.co.uk Summer BBQ & Steel Band Sunday 24th July Greenwoods Hotel, Stock Road, Stock, Ingatestone. 3.30pm-6.30pm, £25 non members, £20 members. Enjoy the sunshine, fabulous local food and awaken your summer spirit with live steel band. Extensive BBQ menu and complimentary arrival drink. Bring a blanket!

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EATING OUT

PIZZA AND PASTA Strada 19-20 North Hill CO1 1DZ Tel: 01206 542854 Valentino’s 11 High St, Wivenhoe CO7 9BE Tel: 01206 825738 Ristorante Favoloso 2-4 Balkerne Passage CO1 1PA Tel: 01206 549080 Ask Colchester 16 North Hill CO1 1DZ Tel: 01206 366379 Pizza Express 1 St. Runwald’s Street CO1 1HF Tel: 01206 760680 Zizzi 12 Headgate CO3 3BT Tel: 01206 576816 Prezzo 1 Culver Street East CO1 1LD Tel: 01206 573388 Granata’s Restaurant 42 North Hill, Colchester CO1 1PY Tel: 01206 762277 Portofino Haven Rd, Colchester CO2 8HT Tel: 01206 795043 Pizza Hut Turner Rd, Colchester CO4 5JR Tel: 01206 546545 GASTROPUBS Rose & Crown Nayland Road, Great Horkesley CO6 4AH Tel: 01206 271251 The Anchor 26 Court Street, Nayland CO6 4JL Tel: 01206 262313 FAMILY Balkerne Gate Brewers Fayre Ipswich Road CO4 4WP Tel: 01206 852932 Harvester 186 London Road, Stanway CO3 8NZ Tel: 01206 575456 Nando’s Chicken Restaurant 11-13, Head St, Colchester CO1 1NX Tel: 01206 760344 AMERICAN Sloppy Joe’s American Dinner 37 High Street CO1 1DH Tel: 01206 577229 Clowns Restaurant 61a, High Street CO1 1DN Tel: 01206 578631 Frankie & Benny’s Tollgate West CO3 8RH Tel: 01206 216220 TRADITIONAL The Coast Inn 108 Coast Rd, West Mersea CO5 8NA Tel: 01206 383568 The Lion Public House The Street, Ardleigh CO7 7LD Tel: 01206 230083 The Cricketers Spring Lane, Fordham Heath CO3 9TG Tel: 01206 583357

Beefeater Restaurant & Pub The Albert, Cowdray Ave CO1 1UT Tel: 01206 561914

Naree Thai Restaurant 10 North Hill CO1 1DZ Tel: 01206 560633

La Tasca 14-15 North Hill CO1 1DZ Tel: 01206 768060

Dedham Restaurant & Boat Hire Boat House, Mill Lane, Dedham CO7 6DH Tel: 01206 323153

The Thai Dragon 35 East Hill CO1 2QX Tel: 01206 863414

La Cascada Fox St, Ardleigh CO7 7PP Tel: 01206 864030

Thai 1 82a East Hill CO1 2QW Tel: 01206 870011

The Old Siege House 75 East Street CO1 2TS Tel: 01206 792333

The Greyhound Pub and Restaurant 62 High Street, Wivenhoe CO7 9AZ Tel: 01206 825573

INDIAN Alishan Tandoori Restaurant 19 Osborne St CO2 7DP Tel: 01206 564009

BAR AND GRILL Qube Bar & Grill 8 Crouch Street CO3 3ES Tel: 01206 578800

Green Room Restaurant North Hill Hotel, 51 North Hill CO1 1PY Tel: 01206 574001

Ashiana Tandoori 181 Magdalen Street CO1 2JX Tel: 01206 570533

Fountain House Dedham Hall, Brook Street, Dedham CO7 6AD Tel: 01206 323027

ORIENTAL Fai’s Noodle Bar 26-27 St. Botolphs Street CO2 7EA Tel: 01206 762288 Banquet 1408 Chinese Restaurant 342 London Rd, Stanway CO3 8LT Tel: 01206 211588 North Hill Noodle Bar 2 North Hill CO1 1DZ Tel: 01206 618790 House of China 19-21 Crouch Street CO3 3EN Tel: 01206 575111 Embassy Oriental Buffet 2 Balkerne Hill CO3 3AA Tel: 01206 572266 Fulin Chinese Restaurant 24 Osborne Street CO2 7DA Tel: 01206 577888 Orientation Oriental Restaurant Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gt CO1 1PT Tel: 01206 368100 Chef Canton Chinese Restaurant 2a Crouch Street CO3 3ES Tel: 01206 572703 China Blue 25 Head Street CO1 1NH Tel: 01206 761876 China Chef 73 Crouch Street CO3 3EZ Tel: 01206 546953 SPECIALITY Le Talbooth Gun Hill, Dedham CO7 6HP Tel: 01206 323150 Milsoms Stratford Road, Dedham CO7 6HW Tel: 01206 322795 Chystal Restaurant 49, St. Botolphs Street CO2 7EB Tel: 01206 545566 The Barn Brasserie Brook Road, Great Tey CO6 1JE Tel: 01206 212345 Bellapais 7 Centurian House, St. Johns Street CO2 7AH Tel: 01206 571830 Baumanns Brasserie Ltd 4-6 Stoneham St, Coggeshall CO6 1TT Tel: 01376 561453

Tandoori Villa 6 Villa Road, Stanway CO3 0RH Tel: 01206 369600 Curry India Tandoori Restaurant 119-121 Crouch Street CO3 3HA Tel: 01206 571555 Raj Palace 28 North Station Road CO1 1RB Tel: 01206 760920 Way to the Raj 90 Coggeshall Rd, Marks Tey CO6 1LS Tel: 01206 211495 Titash Restaurant Ltd 40b High St, West Mersea CO5 8QA Tel: 01206 381778 ENGLISH Indulgence Restaurant & Bar 62 High Street CO1 1DN Tel: 01206 765090 Fountain House Dedham Hall, Brook Street, Dedham CO7 6AD Tel: 01206 323027

FISH ‘N’ CHIPS Fish N Grill 120 High Street CO1 1SZ Tel: 01206 540333 Myland Fisheries 32 Nayland Rd, Mile End CO4 5EQ Tel: 01206 841495 Rons Plaice 56 London Rd CO3 4DF Tel: 01206 540436 Nindys 28 Dugard Ave, Colchester CO3 9EJ Tel: 01206 769184 The Islander 37 High St, West Mersea CO5 8QA Tel: 01206 382305 MODERN CUISINE The Bakehouse 5 High St, Wivenhoe CO7 9BJ Tel: 01206 824569 Parliament Restaurant at The Red Lion High Street CO1 1DJ Tel: 01206 577986 The Lemon Tree 48 St Johns St, Colchester, CO2 7AD Tel: 01206 767337

BISTROS AND BARS Love Bistro The Minories, 74 High St. CO1 1UE Tel: 01206 765131

The Lexden Crown 235 Lexden Rd, Colchester, CO3 4DA Tel: 01206 548490

The Anchor 26 Court Street, Nayland CO6 4JL Tel: 01206 262313

Warehouse Brasserie 12 Chapel Street North CO2 7AT Tel: 01206 765656

The Peldon Rose Inn Colchester Rd, Peldon CO5 7QJ Tel: 01206 735248 The Angel St. Marys Square, Kelvedon, CO5 9AN Tel: 01376 573746 Jardine 140 High Street, Wivenhoe CO7 9AF Tel: 01206 820390 Copacabana Bar and Grill 62 High Street CO1 1DN Tel: 01206 765090 Restaurant at The George Hotel 116 High Street, CO1 1TD Tel: 01206 578494 EUROPEAN The East Street Grill East Street CO1 2TZ Tel: 01206 866677 Cafe Rouge - Colchester 59 High Street CO1 1DH Tel: 01206 541839

FISH AND SEAFOOD West Mersea Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant Oyster House, Coast Rd, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex CO5 8LT Tel: 01206 381600 The Company Shed 129 Coast Road, West Mersea CO5 8PA Tel: 01206 382700

For your restaurant to be considered for inclusion in Colchester 101 please call us on 01206 544700 or email mailus@Colchester101.co.uk

Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

Your Guide to eating out in and around Colchester

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HOME & GARDEN A D V E R T O R I A L

Ezelet Acquires Long-established Colchester Letting Agency By Simon Crow Expanding Colchester letting agents Ezelet have recently acquired the town’s long established letting and estate agents Newstead Estates. Currently based in Prettygate, Newstead Estates will move to Ezelet’s town centre offices in Magdalen Street and trade under the Eze name, which also includes Ezemove. Joining the growing team will be Anne Long, former Newstead Estates owner, who brings with her many years experience and knowledge of the local property market. Ezelet’s Managing Director Mark Chatteron commented “We are delighted

with the acquisition of Newstead Estates. Since acquiring Ezelet 18 months ago we have grown our property portfolio considerably by offering the local market the very highest standards of service. Newstead will bring with them the same core values that have underpinned our success, as well as their estate agency business which is an important element in our expansion plans for our own estate agency brand Ezemove.”

eze let

Let BELVOIR! find the right tenants for your property Winner of the “Best Lettings Agency Franchise - Gold Award” at the Lettings Agency of the Year 2010 in association with The Sunday Times and The Times.

To arrange a free professional appraisal of your property, call us on 01206 364444 www.belvoirlettings.com/colchester Belvoir Colchester, 1 Montrose House, Eld Lane, Colchester, Essex CO1 1LS

BELVOIR! the lettings specialist

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HOME & GARDEN

2 bedroom apartment to let

5 bedroom semi-detached house for sale

Weyland Drive, Stanway. £625pcm An unfurnished first floor 2 double bedroom apartment situated to the west of Colchester town centre within easy reach of Stanway School, A12 both north and south bound and Tollgate Shopping Centre. The accommodation comprises: entrance hall with telephone entry system, bathroom with 4 piece suite including power shower, 2 double bedrooms with built-in wardrobes to the main bedroom, open plan living/kitchen with fridge/freezer, oven, washer/dryer and dishwasher. There is a Juliet balcony overlooking communal garden to the front.

Call Belvoir: 01206 364444

BELVOIR! the lettings specialist

Fouroc House, Lexden Road. £650,000 A large and imposing family home on the prestigious Lexden Road. Fouroc House was built in 1997 by local builders in a grand Edwardian architectural style, in keeping with the surrounding area. Inside, the architectural splendour continues, the majority of the house being centred around a fabulous open hallway and galleried landing spanning up through the floors, providing access to the majority of the property’s vast, well proportioned rooms. &

Call Palmer & Partners: 01206 572233

4 bedroom detached house for sale

Stanway, Colchester. Guide price £200,000 Ezelet are delighted to offer this desirable 2 bedroom detached bungalow. Situated in the popular area of Stanway. Benefiting from local shopping facilities, schools and easy access to Colchester town centre. Part double glazed, part central heating, good sized rear garden, double length garage. Must be viewed.

Call Ezelet: 01206 564700

Call Boydens: 01206 762244

Property sales with service

2 bedroom detached bungalow for sale

114 Braiswick. £475,000 Located in the popular Braiswick area between two prime golf courses. This 1930s detached residence has undergone improvements including a double storey extension to the rear. Four double bedrooms, all but one with double aspects. Bespoke kitchen that opens into a large breakfast room with doors that lead out into the good sized garden. New bathroom, wiring and heating system.

Palmer & Partners

eze let

firstsite, Rafael ViĖoly Architects, Hayes Davidson CGI, 2006

The Property Detective • Building Surveys • • HomeBuyer Reports • • Rental and Property Management • • Specialist Commercial Property Services • • Rent Reviews & Lease Renewals • • Small Business Rates Advice • • Town Planning Matters • • Property Developments •

Leslie J Long FRICS

Telephone: 01206 545139

Chartered Surveyors, Valuers, Property Consultants & Managers

54 Prettygate Road Colchester Essex CO3 4EQ.

Email: LJL@eyesurvey.co.uk

Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

Editor’s Choice Our top four homes of the month

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HOME & GARDEN

Garden Inspiration at the Chelsea Flower Show Photo: www.nickstrugnell.com

By Sven Wombwell Researching for garden design ideas is a lot of fun... especially when it means the annual trip down to the Chelsea flower show, champagne in one hand, camera in the other, it doesn’t get much better than this. For those of you that have never been to Chelsea, it is one of the most spectacular gardening events in the world, where the best designers and nurseries come together to attain the highest accolade in the gardening world, an RHS Chelsea Gold Medal. The gold medal is a really hard thing to get your hands on, and I speak from experience, having worked on the design team behind a show garden there three years ago. It is basically a years work in preparation, all in the hope that on medals day you arrive to see the glint of gold on the plinth by your garden (we were more than pleased with a silver gilt!)

It has taken Diarmuid Gavin seven attempts to get his hands on a gold and this year he finally did it with his inspirational ‘The Irish Sky’ garden which I thought was fantastic, and not for the attention grabbing ‘pod’ held up 84ft above the garden by a gigantic crane, but for the way it seamlessly sat in its position in the show ground as if it had always been there. The planting was elegantly simple with the emphasis on shape and form over colour and flowers, in fact the only flower was an Arum lily sat in a beautifully serene circular pool.

The ‘pod’ The highly coveted best in show when to the very talented Cleve West with his garden based around roman ruins in Libya, I personally loved it but my wife who was with me disagreed! That is what Chelsea is all about, dividing opinion and challenging design to extremes; it is haute couture gardening that inspires people to try something new. Cleve used giant pillars

to represent the past and cleverly mixed in running water, contemporary clipped hedges, and dry stone walling in what I thought was a master stoke in garden design. It seems this year (as always) there had to be an outdoor lounge/building sited in nearly every show garden, this seems to be a trend that keeps repeating year after year. They were all pretty amazing in particular the one in ‘The Tourism Malaysia Garden’ by Jamie Wong and David Cubero which aimed to recreate a bit of the rain forest within London. It contained the almost hotel/spa like concrete building that would have sat well at the dawn of modern architecture, with the whole garden almost reminiscent of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Times Eureka Garden designed by Marcus Barnett took the garden building to new extremes and contained a structure based around the cellular make up of plants. This for me seemed pretty darn pointless, and if I am being ultra-harsh didn’t

even look that good and was the sign of a design with a lack of direction, so they thought ‘I know lets chuck in a weird building’. In short this year’s Chelsea was not a classic, but it was still a fantastic display of design and ‘plantsmanship’

with the outdoor lounge, living walls and veg growing still high on the designers and the public radar. And what have I taken from it? I really want to do another show garden, so watch this space!

My company specialises in design, consultation, garden construction and makeovers which start from £99 and we also offer a full planting service. If you want to chat through any ideas please feel free to get in touch at sven@internationallandscapes.co.uk or call on 0845 4085 382/0790 4087 188.

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HOME & GARDEN

Are you aged 16-18? Not sure what to do next?

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With the holiday season upon us, Sangria fuelled shopping in the sunshine can seriously impair judgement when it comes to bringing home momentos from foreign shores. Tucked away in my loft are relics of holidays gone by, the fabulous burnt orange and vegetable dyed authentic rug I never quite got round to claiming the tax back at the airport which justified the savings I would make. With age, I hope I have learnt to be more discerning and less impulsive. When I look round my home now, accessories not only bring to mind fond memories, but a discreet attention to detail, which in their design and feel do not fight with other pieces in the room. Happy to sit comfortably alongside one another to complete a room setting, without looking like the latest page from an overdone contrived high street chain. I am a big believer in interior decoration that reflect the lives and loves of the home owners. The addition of a few personal collections are a critical ingredient to elevate a house to a home. I see my role in helping a client to achieve this is by continuing to source unique hand crafted items which are not

mass produced. I have been searching for top quality metal door handles in designs and finishes with a modern contemporary feel, but will also sit in a traditional setting. I am delighted to have discovered a new collection of hand finished metal handles, which are very tactile and substantial giving reassurance they are built to last the tests of everyday use. Illustrated are some of the designs available, with prices realistic to the quantities often required when furnishing a whole house. These stunning pieces need to be handled to appreciate their quality and weight, call in and see us at this years Tendring Hundred Show, Saturday 9th July at Lawford Showground just outside Manningtree or call and see them at our showroom at Allens Farm Barn, Tye Road, Elmstead Market. For further details of shows, exhibitions, sales or if you would like to be added to our mailing list to find out about our latest discoveries and collections contact Rosie Hunter at www.curtainhunters.co.uk or phone 07990 558686.

www.tbglearning.com

A Whole Who ole Day Da ay of Colour and Noise Br ro ought to you by by Colchester Round Table. Table a . Brought

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Come and join the fun thr oughout the day daay in throughout Upper & Lo wer Castle Park, Lower Squaree and Lion W Walk. rk,, Culver Culver Squar aalk. Fr om 11am until dusk. From Carnival pr ocession thr ough the str procession through streets eets tainment fr om 5pm 5p followed follo oll wed bbyy eevening vening enter from entertainment in Upper Castle Park.

C ircular R oad N orth Circular Road North C arnival Carnival

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GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND

Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

The Devil is in the Detail

101issue9SL_Layout 1 05/07/2011 12:33 Page 28

HOME & GARDEN

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101issue9SL_Layout 1 05/07/2011 12:33 Page 30

A Problem Shared

I just want to see my kids e hadn’t been getting on for some time, we argued constantly and I’d been sleeping in the spare room on and off for months. In a last ditch attempt to save our marriage we even tried counselling, but that just seemed to make things worse. We all have a right to be happy, but it was becoming clearer and clearer it was just never going to happen, so after a particularly horrible Christmas I told Jenny I thought it would be for the best if we split up. She took it better than I expected, and we managed to keep things as amicable as possible. I moved out after a couple of weeks once I had found myself a two bedroom flat where the girls, Briony and Megan (then 7 and 5) could come and stay. We worked out a rota for the girls, I would have them stay every other weekend and two nights in the week, and we managed to be flexible with each other and move weekends around if needed. Strangely Jenny and I were getting on better than we had done for months, which I have to say was a huge relief because it meant there was no strain on my relationship with my children. Several months later I started a relationship with Hannah, a former colleague. I left it a couple of months before introducing her to the girls because I wanted to be sure this was likely to be a long term relationship as I didn’t want them becoming fond of someone who would then leave their lives. Of course, before introducing them to Hannah I cleared it with Jenny. I wanted there to be no surprises. So I phoned her, and she said “Oh” then went quiet for what seemed like forever, before finally telling me in a faltering voice that she had hoped, as we had been getting on so well since the split, that there was a chance we could work things out and get back together. I felt dreadful. I had no idea she felt like that, so as understandingly as I could I told her that a part of me would always love her and I still missed the good times we once had together, but we had done everything we could to make our marriage work but it just didn’t. I added that we both had a right to be happy, as did our children, and I hoped that she would meet someone who would make her happy but that I did not believe we could ever be happy

together. The conversation went on for a while, and I felt bad as I could tell she was genuinely shocked and upset, but that was basically the gist of it. I picked the girls that Friday evening as normal, and on Sunday afternoon we met up with Hannah and spent some time in the park, then had an early dinner at Nandos, their favourite restaurant. Everyone got along really well, Briony and Megan really took to Hannah, who I just introduced as ‘Daddy’s friend’ for now. I dropped the girls off at Jenny’s at the end of the afternoon and waved goodbye to them as they waved back from the front window. That was the last time I ever saw them. Later that evening Jenny sent me a text. It simply said “You’re going to pay for this.” I responded asking what she meant but she didn’t reply. When I went to pick the girls up on Tuesday evening there was nobody home. I tried her mobile but she didn’t answer. Nor did she answer it then next day, or the next. I called at her house several times but there was never anyone home. The neighbours would only say that they “didn’t want to get involved.” To cut a long story short, from what I pieced together she moved all their stuff to her sister’s 50 miles away over that weekend, then took the girls there the same night I took them home. The house went on the market a week later, and it seems after a couple of weeks at her sister’s she rented a small house in the area. We hadn’t been to court yet over the divorce, so I got myself a solicitor and started proceedings to get contact with my children. Dates for hearings were set, she would sometimes turn up and tell a pack of lies about me... apparently I’m an alcoholic (I rarely drink), and there had been a number of ‘incidents’ relating to the girls’ safety during my contact with them. All lies. Contact orders were made. She ignored them. She should be in prison for breaking them but the system does nothing. A year later she even turned up at the court with a barrister who smugly explained that as so much time had now gone by it would be ‘upsetting’ for the girls to see me and ‘disruptive

to their routines’. I could have punched him! Their birthdays and Christmases are agony (I always send cards for them via my ex mother-in-law in the hope they will get to them), and not knowing where they live or what they look like now eats away at my soul, so there came a point where I had to accept that I had been failed by the family court system and two years ago I gave up fighting a fight I knew I could never win, and walked away. Hannah and I are now married and she has been my rock over the years, encouraging me to go along to Families Need Fathers meetings and getting me involved with The Real Fathers for Justice. I very reluctantly took on board the words of others who have been through the same thing that “One day, no matter what lies their mother must have told them about you, they will become curious and come looking for their dad.” I pray every night for that day to come. So next time you are watching the news and see a guy dressed at Batman at the top of a crane unfurling a Real Fathers for Just banner, or on top of a motorway gantry dressed as Spiderman with the police below holding up the rush hour traffic, don’t think to yourself “what an idiot he is” and that “there are laws to help people like him”. Instead, take a few seconds to consider what must have driven him to risk his life, and possibly liberty, in this way. How much pain could he be in to take such drastic action? Behind the mask it could be your postman, the guy who sold you your new car last week, your child’s teacher. In fact it could be any dad, from any walk of life, who once shared the night feeds, changed nappies, went shopping for prams and pushchairs... any dad who never would have imagined in his worst nightmares that he would miss out on seeing his children grow up because he was let down by system. I haven’t seen my children for seven years now. www.realfathersforjustice.org www.fnf.org.uk www.dads-uk.co.uk/forums All names have been changed.

If you have a story to tell then send it to us at mailus@colchester101.co.uk

HELPLINES

If you need help and support to deal with an addiction or crisis, below are contact details for organisations dedicated to providing support and advice for a variety of problems.

Alcoholics Anonymous Support group for persons needing help to overcome and recover from alcoholism. Helpline 0845 769 7555 Email: help@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Al-Anon Family Groups Support for anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. Helpline 020 7403 0888 Email: enquiries@al-anonuk.org.uk www.al-anonuk.org.uk Narcotics Anonymous Support group for persons needing help to overcome and recover from drug addiction. Helpline 0300 999 1212 www.ukna.org

Cocaine Anonymous Support group for persons needing help to overcome and recover from cocaine addiction. Helpline 0800 612 0225 From UK Mobile Phones 800 612 0225 Email: helpline@cauk.org.uk www.cauk.org.uk Colchester Gay Switchboard Help and advice for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender individuals and those affected by HIV and AIDS. Helpline 01206 869191 or 0845 1 23 23 88 www.gayessex.org.uk Brook Free and confidential sexual health advice and services for under 25s providing professional advice on Contraception, STIs and Pregnancy. Helpline 0808 802 1234 www.brook.org.uk

Overeaters Anonymous Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. Helpline 07000 784985 www.oagb.org.uk beat The leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. Helpline: 0845 634 1414 Email: help@b-eat.co.uk Youthline 0845 634 7650 Email fyp@b-eat.co.uk www.b-eat.co.uk Relate Support and advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support. Telephone: 0300 100 1234

Families Need Fathers Support and information if you are separating or divorced and are worried about not seeing your children, or the effects on them. Open to mothers, fathers, grandparents, new partners and extended families. Helpline: 0300 0300 363 www.fnf.org.uk Samaritans If you are in crisis, feel distressed or are perhaps thinking of suicide, Samaritans trained volunteers can give you the time and space to talk about your feelings, help you explore your options and perhaps seek a way to face the future. 24/7 Helpline 01206 561234 www.Samaritans.org Open Road Reducing the harmful impact of drugs and alcohol on users, their families, partners and society. Telephone: 0844 499 1323

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Colchester 101 Colchester’s Access All Areas Magazine July 2011. www.Colchester101.co.uk

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