Issue 66
A cat’s heart beats two to three times faster than a human heart.
Orchards are a wonderful way to bring communities together. The trees not only provide beauty to the local landscape, but they also create calming areas where people can find peace and serenity. They can help foster friendships develop and enable people to learn new skills and discover new interests. Once established, the orchards will provide fruit for the community to pick and eat.Using
A cat has the ability to jump up to six times its length. Cats can detect higher frequencies of sound than dogs or humans. Cats have powerful, tightly controlled muscles and fast reflexes that allow them to move quickly – they skilled at stalking, running, jumping, and Catsclimbing.cansee at one-sixth the light level required for human vision Domestic cats purr at a frequency of 20 to 30 vibrations per second.
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Monday August 8th is the twentieth International Cat Day! This day of feline celebration began in 2002 and surprisingly predates all the kitten pics of Facebook (2005) and Instagram (2010). In honour of the occasion I have unearthed some cool cat-facts!
Cats are believed to have been domesticated in ancient Egypt. Cats sleep for two-thirds of their lives. They usually spend 13-16 hours of the day asleep. This sounds like bliss to me!
An adult cat’s ‘miaow’ is more likely to be used to communicate with humans rather than another cat. Cats use their whiskers as sensors to find out how wide a space is – and whether they can fit through it.
A group of cats is called a clowder.
fruit trees native to East Anglia, the project will help preserve local horticultural heritage and help the local environment thrive with wildlife. The council is urging any community groups to come forward to register their interest, and if an application is successful, help will be provided to help fund an orchard, on a 50/50 basis.* Help will also be provided to initially set up the orchard, but the local community must be able to continue to care for the trees to ensure they thrive.
Cllr Steph Nissen, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: “This is a terrific idea for Colchester. Let's get together and help create some stunning community orchards. Trees are vital for our environment; they help filter our air, encourage pollinators', provide beauty, bear fruit, and bring together individuals and communities. Whether you are a small community group with some land, a school with room for a small number of trees or a landowner that can accommodate a larger number of trees on land the public can access, please get in touch. Let’s get together and help create a brighter, greener future for Colchester. Register your interest by emailing nick.day@colchester.gov.uk
By Sarah Davey Colchester Borough Council’s Woodland and Biodiversity Project is looking for suitable locations and community groups to work with, to create new community orchards for Colchester.Lastyear,the council helped launch two community orchards, one in Magnolia Field, Greenstead and one on land adjacent to Colchester’s Cemetery. Due to the success of these, it is looking to find more sites to plant on in Community2022.
A cat’s tongue has rows of hooked scales that act like a comb so it can groom its Catsfur. can only sweat through their paws
3 Simply Magazine assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by such individual, event organizers or organization without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Simply Magazine. Therefore, Simply Magazine carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Any form of reproduction of any content without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. For information on advertising or submitting a article please email David Cook at: Simplycolchester@gmail.com or call 01206 233717 / 07734 171985 COPY DEADLINES: Issue 67: 28/08/22 Issue 68: 28/09/22 For any information or to submit an article or advert contact David Cook: Call: 01206 233717 Out Of Office: 07734 171985 Email: SimplyColchester@gmail.com Head Office: Simply Magazine, 1 George Williams Way, Colchester, Essex CO1 2JS C F HEOC Issue 66 To Advertise in Simply Magazine: 01206 233717 The Essex Classic Vehicle Show The Essex Classic Vehicle Show will return to the beautiful historic setting of Colchester Castle Park on the 25th of September 2022. With over 250 classic vehicles from across the decades on display and a combined vehicle history of over 7,000 years, everyone is guaranteed to find something to enjoy. It is a rare treat to view so many classic vehicles in all their glory and have an opportunity to chat with the owners. As well as plenty of spectacular vehicles, there will also be a wonderful selection of crafts, gifts and food stalls, as well as live music and entertainment for the whole family. You can book your tickets now at www.headwayessex.org.uk
4 Check out our website for our many exciting events taking place throughout 2022, including our popular Halloween activities and BRAND NEW Enchanted Trail of EnjoyLightHUGE savings when youE-TICKETSPRE-BOOKONLINE ! Enjoy wild tales underneath the twinkling stars... Listen to marimba music fromOtto & The Mutapa Calling... 10TH AND 24TH SEPTEMBER 2022 Enjoy a magical twilight spectacular as we remain open until 9:30pm, with a timetable packed with special activities and additional encounters. All includedthis at NOCOSTEXTRA
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Plan for down time - Pack a couple of board games and books in case the novelty of camping wears off after a while, or the kids are tired or (heaven forbid) it rains! Be prepared - Pack a first aid kit which includes pain and cough relief, bug spray and plasters. And don’t forget lots of kid-friendly food and Don’tsnacks.over-schedule
Answers on page 8
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
The leprechaun king is not happy with the Big Folk who have recently arrived in his land. He feels they are soaking up too much luck. So, he exhorts the other leprechauns to gather up all the luck they can find and lock it away in a big oak chest under his control. The Big Folk begin to suffer hardship after hardship until a clever girl named Fiona sets out to pit her wits against him. This picture book, aimed at ages 2-5, is a charming story with a clever twist. Kelly Murphy's artwork is enchanting, her use of colour and light masterfully evokes the Irish landscape, and magic lurks on every Thispage.will quickly become a bedtime favourite.
Let me start by saying that this is long book, but in the deft hands of Boyne it is neither weighty nor stodgy. It’s a book about the life of a fictional man, Cyril Avery, and it begins before he’s even born, with his pregnant mother cast out of her strict catholic family and fleeing from her hometown. Cyril is adopted but struggles to find his place in a loveless family. He is gay, and illegitimate, born in Ireland at the wrong time. This story weaves his major life events with world events such as the AIDS crisis, 9/11, and the ongoing prejudice towards gay men. We follow Cyril from Dublin to Amsterdam to New York and back to Ireland. Throughout his journey the reader is privy to his inner and outer struggles which serve to heighten the confusion, anger and shame that define his existence. But this is not some handwringing doom saga. Boyne brings a wicked playfulness to Cyril’s self-deprecating wit, which commands both affection and empathy.Throughout the book various new characters appear at intervals, and their stories intersect and intertwine with Cyril’s via a series of coincidences which on the surface might appear contrived, but when the reader reflects on the characters in their own life and the coincidences that brought them together, suddenly make sense.
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The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Start small - Don’t plan a two-week family camping holiday on the Isle of White if the closest you’ve ever come to camping before this year is enjoying breakfast on a hotel patio in Majorca.
By Louise Addison
From the opening ‘hook’ to the closing paragraph you’ll be rooting for Cyril, and you’ll laugh and cry along the way. In the touching afterword, Boyne admits that although Cyril and his life are fictional there are many of the author’s own lived experiences included in the plot. The book is all the richer for it.
Good
Take company - Consider going with another family. Children in a group tend to occupy each other which leaves more time for the adults to relax.
Happy Campers
SgamhainRannochQuoichOrdieNessMorarMonar WattenVaaTiltTayShinShiel
A ReadWord Search
Test the water - If it’s your family’s first foray into camping trip it’s probably best to try a couple of local excursions before embarking on a full-scale vacation, particularly if you have young children (or teens). That way if it’s a disaster it’s not too difficult to return home.
Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman
BroomBeanieAweArkaigAnnaAffAchanaltric DubhDoonDochartDerculichDavanConCluanie HopeGellyGarryFergusFenderEyeEricht MareeLomondLochyKinordKatrineInshHowie
One side effect of the pandemic was that it sparked (or in some cases rekindled) a fondness for being outdoors, and camping increased in popularity. Now, with the price of fuel and food soaring, most of us have less disposable income for the family holiday so camping is enjoying an extended renaissance. If you are trying family camping for the first time this year here are some top tips.
- A camping trip is a chance to get back to basics in more ways than one. Building a campfire, bug hunting, pond dipping, or sitting on the bank of a river eating ice cream while dangling your feet in the water can all fill an afternoon and make wonderful memories. The chances are that if you camp once you’ll go back for more.
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of the humble art of pickling
A history They are a common pregnancy craving, appear in the bible and the works of Shakespeare, and Cleopatra thought that eating them made her more beautiful. What am I talking about? Pickles! Yes really. Pickles have actually been around for thousands of years. we can trace them back to pickled cucumbers in India 2030 BC. The word ‘pickle’ derives from the Dutch word ‘pekel’ or the German word ‘pókel,’ which both mean ‘salt’ or ‘brine.’ Refrigeration is a relatively recent introduction so for a long time throughout history pickling was a necessity to preserve food and stop it going bad, providing families with sustenance when fresh food was in short supply during the winter months. As they were so portable they were also useful for sailors and Thetravellers.pickling process happens when fresh fruits or vegetables are immersed in an acidic liquid or saltwater brine until they are effectively both 'cooked' and no longer susceptible to spoilage. When we think of pickles, cucumbers (gherkins) commonly come to mind. These are often lacto-fermented in saltwater brine. Lacto-fermentation involves lacto microbial organisms, which turn the naturally occurring sugars in the cucumbers into lactic acid. As this happens the environment rapidly becomes acidic, making it impossible for 'spoiling' bacteria to multiply.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was an influx of eastern European Jews to the U.S. particularly New York City. These immigrants introduced their kosher dill pickles to America. Cucumbers were scrubbed, and piled in large wooden barrels along with dill, garlic, spices, kosher salt, and clean water. They were left to ferment for a few weeks, producing bright green 'half sours', or several months, producing 'full sours'. They were sold on handcarts as some of the first fast food and became a lucrative source of income for the community.
In the 1850s, a Scottish chemist by the name of James Young created paraffin wax, which helped to create a seal for any food preserved in jars, and a few years later, John Mason developed and patented the first Mason jar. These jars were made from a heavyweight glass that was able to tolerate the high temperatures used in canning and processing pickles. These two inventions made home-pickling easier and allowed home cooks to be more creative with the foods they Picklespreserved.today can be sweet, sour, salty, hot or any blend of these. Almost any vegetable or fruit can undergo the process and each area of the world has its own particular favourite. The British love a pickled onion, the Eastern Europeans and Germans prefer lactofermented cabbage (sauerkraut), the French love tiny dill-flavoured cornichons (miniature gherkins) and Koreans are famous for kimchi (cabbage, radish, and carrot, flavoured with a fish sauce) while the Japanese prefer pickled plums and daikon (a red Picklingradish).
7 CrosswordQuick Across1 Daring (4) 3 Three babies born together (8) 9 In the wrong (2,5) 10 Fibbing, falsifying (5) 11 Inuit canoe (5) 12 40th president of the United States (6) 14 North American wild dog (6) 16 Male parent (6) 19 Champagne (slang) (6) 21 Distant suns (5) 24 Large bird of prey (5) 25 Spear-like whaling weapon (7) 26 Male singing voice (8) 27 Couple (4) Down1 Invisible winter driving hazard (5,3) 2 Elevated (5) 4 Come back (6) 5 Lively dance (5) 6 Inscription on gravestone (7) 7 Pungent herb (4) 8 Pail (6) 13 Captive (8) 15 More juvenile (7) 17 Ridiculous (6) 18 Large snake (6) 20 Baa, sheep noise (5) 22 Fragrance (5) 23 Edge of the pavement (4) In a Pickle
doesn't have to be complicated and there are many online tutorials to get you started. Time to get pickling. By Louise Addison
8. Improved walking and cycling links between the Town Centre, Greenstead and the University, as well as the launch of Essex Pedal Power allowing eligible residents over the age of 12 to apply for a new FREE quality bicycle
Bats have long had a bad press. Their nocturnal habits have no doubt contributed to the many myths surrounding them; that they are evil, unearthly creatures of the dark, and Bram Stoker’s Gothic horror Dracula certainly did them no favours. Bats are synonymous with ‘creepy.’ International Bat Night aims to change these misconceptions. It takes place on the last weekend in August. Bat-related events are organised around the country. These include bat walks and talks organised by bat conservation groups, wildlife trusts and park rangers. There is probably one near you. Bats are fascinating creatures. It surprised me to learn that they make up just over 25% of the UK's mammal population and they are the only ones that can fly. Britain is home to eighteen native bat species plus the occasional migrant visitor. The most common British bat is the Pipistrelle. These weigh in at just 5 grams (less than a £1 coin!). The rarest native species pre pandemic in 2019 was the Greater Mouse-eared Bat, which was down to one known male. The species was classified as critically endangered and may be actually extinct at the time of writing because he has not been seen recently. All British bat populations are under threat from predation, crime, and loss of habitat so they and their roosts are now protected by Manylaw.people cite the characteristic bat wings as the reason they don’t like the creatures, but bat wings are actually beautiful pieces of biomechanical engineering. They are constructed in a similar way to human hands, but with a membrane of skin stretched between the elongated, delicate fingers. Unlike bird bones, bat bones are not hollow. Instead, they are extremely slender and flexible. This combination of extreme thinness and flexibility means that bats can manoeuvre more easily than birds at speed. Their fragility means they are more vulnerable to damage but to compensate they tend to heal very quickly.
Across the world there are bats that eat fruit and nectar, and real vampire bats that do actually drink blood, but all UK bat species eat insects and amazingly they have the capacity to fly and feed in the dark using echolocation. The bats produce a stream of high-pitched calls and listen to the returning echo. To the bat this provides a ‘sound image’ of their surroundings, though contrary to common belief bats are not blind, they just hear better than they can see. And forget about those horror movies which depict bats becoming entangled in some hapless character’s hair, bats’ impressive navigational skills mean that this scenario is highly unlikely.
Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: “The government’s announcement of £18.2m to go into the town improvements for Colchester is excellent news, and Essex County Council is thrilled to partner with Colchester Borough Council on the implementation of these ambitious “Theplans.fund will be vital in investing into Colchester’s vibrant heritage assets, promoting tourism into the economy. This fund has come at the perfect time, following the announcement of Colchester’s well-deserved awarding of city status.”
5. Restoration of Holy Trinity Church (Lion Walk) and the first phase in restoring ‘Jumbo’
6. Transformation of community facilities in Greenstead 7. The accelerated introduction of 5G infrastructure to enable the delivery of VR tourism initiatives and other options
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The list of We Are Colchester projects submitted to the government in June 2021 now set to benefit from the new funding includes:
Colchester’s £18.2m Town Deal funding confirmed Life on the Dark Side International Bat NightSaturday 27th August
Have you ever heard the saying ‘bats in the belfry’? It’s a peculiar saying because bats rarely seek out church towers. They generally prefer somewhere quiet, and warm, usually houses, both old and new. Contrary to widely held belief they are neither noisy nor smelly and cause few problems as they come and go about their business. If bats do set up home in your roof, their access must not be impeded. Encouraging these fascinating little creatures to your garden is easy. You can buy or make a specialist bat box to fix to outside of your home to encourage them to take up residence. Help, advice, and general information on Britain’s bats is available at www.bats.org.uk.
We Are Colchester was formed in January 2020 as a dynamic partnership comprising Colchester Borough Council, Essex County Council, local businesses and voluntary organisations, with the aim to develop a long-term vision for unlocking more jobs and prosperity for CouncillorColchester.David King, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: “We are delighted that the government has confirmed ££18.2m of investment in Colchester through the Towns Fund. The money will make a huge impact in improving the future of our soon-to-be “Thecity. projects can now progress in earnest, directly addressing priorities identified by the Colchester community. We are keen to continue engagement with residents and businesses, so they remain at the heart of these exciting Simondevelopments.”Blaxill,Chair of We are Colchester Board, said: “Today’s funding announcement is fantastic news for Colchester. This significant investment will bolster local businesses, creating and sustaining jobs for the future. I am looking forward to working with the community and local stakeholders to bring forward these exciting projects.”
By Kate McCarthy puzzle solutions:
1. Creation of digital working hubs and grow-on space in the AIXR Centre for Immersive Innovation to be built on the site of the former bus depot in Queen 2.StreetTransforming facilities for young 3.peopleAdigital skills hub at the Wilson Marriage Centre (Magdalene Street)
4. Public realm improvements in the town centre, including new public space fronting the housing development at the former Essex County Hospital
We are Colchester has confirmed that its bid to deliver an ambitious set of projects as part of the Town Deal Fund has been fully supported by the Colchestergovernment.has been awarded the full £18.2m from the Government’s Town Deal fund to invest in projects that will directly benefit residents across the Anotherborough.£1m in Town Deal funding for ‘accelerated' schemes at Balkerne Gate and St Nicholas Square was awarded in September 2020. The first instalment of £5.8m, for 2022/23, will be directed towards a range of projects developed by engaging residents to identify their priorities. Over 1000 people submitted their views last summer and these were used to refine several projects located across the town.
Preparation time: 40 mins
Take each peach and cut a small cross in the skin at the base then plunge it into boiling water for 10 seconds. Remove and pop them straight into a bowl of iced water. This process makes the skins easy to remove. Cut each peach half, remove the stones, and toss the fruit in lemon Preparejuice. the pickling liquid
• Tiredness • Headaches • Feelings
Keep refrigerated once opened, but like ice cream the flavour is best if you allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
Pickled Peaches: Sweet and sour and utterly delicious
Scrub the jar in warm soapy water, rinse it thoroughly, then and put it in a low oven to dry it and keep it warm.
During a single day, an average person loses around 2 - 4 litres of water through: urination 50%; sweating 34% and breathing 14% and this needs to be replenished. Most of us do not drink enough water…which includes tea, coffee, and squash.
Makes: 20 pickled peach halves Ingredients - 1.2kg just ripe but still firm peaches (about 10) - Zest and juice from an unwaxed -lemon.1litre white wine vinegar - 550g granulated sugar - 6 peppercorns (pink is nice but black or green will be fine) - 3 thin ginger slices (minus the skin) -4 cloves -1 cinnamon stick - ½ tsp yellow mustard seeds - 1 x large jar (1.5 litres) or two smaller ones Method Prepare the peaches
• Constipation • Dry
Water flushes toxins from our body, cushions and lubricates our joints and carries oxygen and nutrients into our cells. Water also helps regulate our body temperature and assists Withdigestion.insufficient water our bodies start to dehydrate. Symptoms of mild dehydration include: alertness concentration reaction times of nausea blood pressure Dehydrationskin even makes it harder to lose weight. Without enough water our bodies can’t metabolise the fat stored in cells as effectively, so the fat remains in the body. And water is also a natural appetite suppressant so drinking plenty of water keeps us feeling full and less likely to eat. So as the title says, water works!
Water Works The human body is made up primarily of water. Around 85% of the brain, 80% of blood and 70% of muscle is water. This is why maintaining our hydration levels is so important.
Place all the ingredients (except the peaches) into a large stainless steel or enamel pan. Don't use aluminium pans when pickling because the vinegar reacts with the aluminium. Heat the ingredients over a low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and bring to the boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Lower the heat again, add the peaches and simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes. The fruit should be just soft when pierced with a sharp knife. Use a slotted spoon to gently lower the peaches into the warm jar, then simmer the pickling liquid a little longer until it becomes syrupy. Pour it over the peaches to cover and seal the jar. I like to leave the spices in the jar, but you can strain the liquid if you prefer.
• Reduced
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• Slower
• Reduced
These peaches are ready to eat after a few hours but if you can leave them for six weeks they are sublime. They go really well with cheese or ham and bread for a simple summer supper.
Cooking time: 2 and a half hours
• Low
Garden View
During World War II and immediately afterwards, almost everyone with a garden grew fruit and vegetables. Food was rationed so people supplemented their diet with produce they’d grown in their own back garden, or down on their allotment.
Is it any wonder that so many of us are taking matters into our own hands, deciding to emulate our grandparents and grow our own food? But growing food requires space, and modern housing often means tiny gardens. This is where allotments come into their Allotmentsown.
To acquire an allotment, simply approach your council. Price and availability varies around the country and in some areas there are waiting lists. But councils across the country are taking allotments and community gardens much more seriously now, and many are actively seeking to provide new sites. If an available plot is too large for your personal needs you may be able to rent half or find a like-minded friend to share it with.
By Rachael Leverton Useful Website http://www.nsalg.org.uk/ Survey allotments-week/news-events-campaigns/national-https://www.nsalg.org.uk/
don’t just benefit the humans who tend them. Each plot is a complex web of plants, microorganisms, fungi, insects, and animals supporting pollination and offering a refuge for wildlife. To celebrate all the lovely bugs and beasties on Britain’s allotments, this year’s National Allotments Week is encouraging gardeners to take part in a mini-beast monitoring survey. Bugs are really important to the healthy functioning of an allotments. They pollinate fruit and veg, control pests, and improve the soil. They are nature’s vital helpers. To take part in the survey visit the website listed below.
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Enquire today and you and your family could soon, quite literally, be reaping the benefits! Happy gardening!
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During the 1960’s allotments began to go out of fashion and continued to decline in popularity. As a society we were more affluent; more likely to buy what produce we needed from the local supermarket, and vegetable gardening just wasn’t considered sexy! But with food prices soaring and less produce available on the supermarket shelves, added to an increased interest in plant-based diets and locally sourced food, allotments are enjoying a popularity surge. And the statistics in the news are scary. The number of food banks is growing exponentially as families struggle to put even the most basic provisions on the table. There are concerns about additives and pesticides on shop-bought fruit and veg, yet the cost of organic food puts it out of the reach of the most consumers.
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Quick Puzzles
Did you know that there are around 60 species of vine but only one that bears the fruit which when fermented produces wine? From that one species come all the different varieties used in wine production today. Evidence of Palaeolithic grape pips uncovered at archaeological sites indicates humans were eating grapes as early as 7000BC. Some 3500 years later Egyptians and Phoenicians planted the first vineyards and tended the vines. At first grapes were grown only for eating so it is likely that the first wine was made accidentally. In the full sun of the Middle East, it would have taken just a few hours for ripe juicy grapes to begin to ferment. Fermentation is the process by which the natural sugars in the fruit, aided by the natural yeast present in the bloom on the grape skins are turned into alcohol. It must have been an incredibly happy accident because before long wine was being made throughout the Mediterranean. Wine manufacture today bears a lot of similarities to those used in the ancient methods of viticulture (winemaking). In Egypt grapes were collected in wicker baskets, then trodden in huge wooden vats to kickstart the fermentation process. The crushed grapes, juice and skins were poured into loosely corked earthenware jars and left to finish the fermentation process. Finally, the mixture was filtered, flavoured, and poured into sealed amphorae. In spite of the similarities, we would be horrified now at what passed for wine back then. Wines were preserved using additions such as heavily sweetened date juice, honey, and spices, and even Bypepper.theMiddle Ages, the preference was for full-bodied fortified wines (similar to modern sherries and ports). These were stored in wooden casks. Winemaking then evolved through the centuries. Producers learned that vines grown on thinner mountain soils seemed to produce superior wines to those grown on the richer plains.
As stated earlier, all European vines originated from the same species, and unfortunately this made them vulnerable to pests and diseases (a similar problem affects banana producers nowadays). When a highly destructive aphid called the grape phylloxera reached Europe at the beginning of the 20th century it decimated almost all of the Old-World vines in a few short years. That might have been the end of commercial wine production, but science came to the rescue. Scientists discovered that American vines were resistant to the aphid, and they managed to develop healthy plants by grafting European varieties on to American rootstock. This helped preserve the European wine industry, but also helped the Americans improve their own industry, because prior to this their native vines had produced inferior wine. All of today’s Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines are produced from ‘rescued’ Manufacturersvines!cannow choose from a wide variety of grapes, and modern wine-making techniques have made wines more standardised and reliable. In recent years though, there has been a move back to artisan winemaking by passionate manufacturers who want more individuality, uniqueness or So,‘terroir’.treat your glass of Chardonnay with extra respect as you raise it in a toast to and say ‘Cheers!’
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Crossword
Wine O'Clock Ever wondered about your wine?
12 01206 564179 01473 780477 Call today for a no obligation quote
Place your paddle across your board, climb on and kneel on the board. Practice paddling on your knees until you feel comfortable. Move one foot at a time and place your feet in the place where your knees have been resting. Slowly rise from a squat, with your heels flat, and slide your hands onto your paddle. Engage your core for stability. As soon as you stand up, make your first stroke with your paddle. This will help you build momentum and in turn, remain steadier. Stand with your feet parallel, hip-width apart, toes facing forward, and knees slightly bent. Wider boards are easier for a beginner to balance on. It’s possible to teach yourself the basics but it’s more fun to take a class with other beginners. There will almost certainly be one near you this summer. So, join the craze and get paddling. Don't forget the sunscreen.
I fell in love with Stand Up Paddleboarding (or SUP) last summer when the local marina offered SUP lessons. Before the end of the first lesson, I was hooked. SUP involves standing on a board while using a paddle to manoeuvre your way through the water. It’s a super-fun way to explore local waterways and get some fresh air and exercise.
SUP Leash - so your board can't float away if you fall in!
Shoes - neoprene shoes will keep your feet warm in cooler weather and won't damage the board. I prefer bare feet.
How to play Sudoku It’s simple! Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition. You don’t need to be a genius. These puzzles use logic alone. Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.
13 Sudoku
Beginners are best to look for an AllAround board...which is built for all water types, balancing speed, stability, and tracking. Inflatable paddle boards (or iSUPs) can be stored in a small space and easily transported then inflated when you’re ready to use them. Inflateable SUPs also float higher in the water, which is ideal for activities like SUP yoga (a real thing), and they are very durable Hard SUPs are made of an EPS foam core wrapped in materials like epoxy, fibreglass, wood, carbon fibre, or plastic. They tend to be slightly faster than inflatable SUPs, so perform better for SUP surfing. But they are harder to store and transport because they’re so big. Extra equipment
SUP Paddle - about 20-25cm taller than you are.
By Tom Hancock
SUP is not difficult. We learned the basics in a day. There are more challenging forms of SUP, like SUP surfing and long-distance SUP touring, but recreational paddleboarding is pretty Paddleeasy.boards come in a range of different shapes, lengths, widths, and sizes. The most common paddle board size is about 3.3m long and between 75cm-90cm wide. They are much bigger than your average surfboard!
PFD (Personal Flotation Device)Safety first Flashlight and Safety Whistle - If you plan to paddle in the dark.
Stand Up for Fun - Try stand up paddleboarding this summer
Dry Bag - take a towel and a phone at the minimum. Walk into the water to knee-deep, set the board on to the water’s surface.
Paddle Leash - so your paddle can't float away if you drop it or fall in.
Babies, children and the elderly are more at risk of dehydration.
• been taking medicines that make you pee more (diuretics)
• You should drink enough during the day so that your pee is a pale clear colour.
• Drink when there is a higher risk of dehydrating. For example, if you’re vomiting, sweating or you have diarrhoea.
• drunk too much alcohol • sweated too much after exercising • a high temperature of 38C or more
• been in the sun too long (heatstroke)
Dehydration can happen more easily if you have:
• diabetes • vomiting or diarrhoea
Around a third of people in the UK have high blood pressure, but most don’t know it. It doesn’t have any symptoms, so the only way to find out is to have a blood pressure check.
A pharmacist can help with dehydration
• Drink fluids when you feel any dehydration symptoms. Keep taking small sips and gradually drink more if you can.
14 DR SAMIR B PATEL • DR JAMIE NIGHTINGALE DR BHAVINI MUIR • DR THAMARA GUNASEKERA 40 STATION ROAD •BRIGHTLINGSEA •COLCHESTER •ESSEX •CO7 0DT Tel: (01206) 302522 •Email: www.colnemedicalcentre.nhs.ukcolne.medicalcentref81116@nhs.net•facebook.com/Colnemedical Know Your Numbers Week Blood Pressure UK are running their annual Know Your Numbers campaign between 5-11 September 2022.
for reading Katie Pirie
If you’re being sick or have diarrhoea and are losing too much fluid, you need to put back the sugar, salts and minerals that your body has lost. Your pharmacist can recommend oral rehydration sachets. These are powders that you mix with water and then drink.Ask your pharmacist which ones are right for you or your child.
How you can reduce the risk of dehydration
With the current high temperatures it is important to stay hydrated as well as protecting your skin from the sun.Dehydration means your body loses more fluids than you take in. If it isn’t treated it can get worse and become a serious problem.
Thank you Practice Manager
• You can use a spoon to make it easier for your child to swallow the fluids.
Home blood pressure monitoring is an effective and inexpensive way to keep blood pressure under control and the evidence behind it continues to get stronger. It gives you a way to take control of your health, feel confident and take the pressure off the NHS at the same time, as there’s no need to visit your GP, practice nurse or pharmacist in person. It puts you in the driver’s seat and it really can save lives.
To find out more about the national campaign or home blood pressure reading visit the Blood Pressure website at Dehydrationhttps://www.bloodpressureuk.org/.
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