Simply Brightlingsea Issue 71

Fab footie fans clinch decisive Foodbank win

Brightlingsea Foodbank coordinator Win Pomroy said: “We were overwhelmed by the vast amount of food the fans brought with them. We are so grateful for everything people have given at a time when everyone is feeling the pinch. Our clients will really appreciate it.”

unfortunately struggling a great deal and we are pleased to do what we can to help out. Brightlingsea Regent Football Club is proud to support the community it is part of.”

Generosity was the goal for Brightlingsea Regent Football Fans at their first match of 2023.

They arrived at Taydal Stadium full of hope for the game against Bishops

Stortford and laden with groceries for those in need.

What a result! The team won 2:0 and Brightlingsea Foodbank netted a huge haul of 155.5Kg of food donations.

“It is so thoughtful of the club to arrange this special collection for us, and we were delighted that their kindness was crowned by such success for the team too. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”

Luke Hewitt from Brightlingsea Regent Sports Association said: “Brightlingsea Regent fans are the best! Everyone recognises that some people are

Top Dog Walks Across Essex Country Parks

Whilst every Essex Country Park offers the perfect place to walk your fluffy friends, we’ve picked some of our top dog walks to suit you whatever you’re looking for.

1. Weald Country Park – for rolling, open spaces. Brentwood, Essex

For a longer walk loop right round the lake into Belvedere Field, or keep the lake on your left for a slightly shorter route, heading back up the hill through Lake Field towards Stock Pond, Tea Cup Pond and enjoy those views once again. There’s plenty of space for you and your dogs to roam free.

2. Hadleigh – for an accessible loop. Castle Point, Essex

Take the Pushchair Trail for an accessible route suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs (0.3km) or try the Family Trail (1.3km) to take in the beautiful views and enjoy the kid's play areas.

3. Belhus Woods – for agility and puppy training. Thurrock, Essex

• Brightlingsea Foodbank operates every Wednesday morning from 10am until 12:30pm at Brightlingsea Parish Hall, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea, CO7 0BP. For more details, please call Win or Frank on 01206 303902 or 07881703673.

• For more details of Brightlingsea Regent Football Club, please contact: 07818 888817.

With over 520 acres of grassland, woodland, and wildflower meadows, you’re spoilt for choice at Weald.

For one of our favourite dog walks head to Lincoln’s Lane car park and take the footpath across the ridge of the hill enjoying sweeping views across the park. Take a right down Chestnut Avenue through The Forest.

One of the largest open spaces in Essex with views to the Thames Estuary, Hadleigh Country Park at Castle Point is a great place to take dogs, toddlers and all the family.

Beautiful Belhus Woods is home to ancient woodlands, grasslands and five lakes. To visit the large fenced area and dog agility training zone take the footpath from the back of the car park (opposite where you would exit to visit the visitor centre) and head through the fields. You’ll find the dog agility area on your left.

Carry on for the large enclosed area, perfect for training puppies and rescue dogs.

For a circular route loop back through Whitehall and Running Water Woods, back towards the visitor centre.

Please remember to act responsibly when you visit.

Always tidy up after your dog, always use a lead in busy areas and keep your pets under control.

Please respect other visitors and wildlife. Be aware that some parks may also be home to grazing livestock.

MERCURY THEATRE ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMING FOR 2023

Mercury Theatre presents THEY DON’T PAY? WE WON’T PAY!

An adaptation of Dario Fo’s Sotto paga? Non si paga!

Written by Deborah McAndrew

A Mercury co-production with Derren Brown, Andrew O’Connor, Michael Vine, Paul Sandler and Kenny Wax for Unbelievable Productions

UNBELIEVABLE

Mercury Theatre, led by Executive Director, Steve Mannix, Executive Producer, Tracey Childs and Creative Director, Ryan McBryde, today announce their programming into 2023.

The season opens with Run Rebel in a co-production between Mercury and Pilot Theatre, the award-winning company that brought Noughts and Crosses and The Bone Sparrow to the Colchester stage. Tessa Walker directs the world première adaption of Manjeet Mann’s Carnegie Medalwinning young adult novel, combining physical theatre and visual effects, and opening 2 March, with previews from 25 February, running until 4 March.

Opening next is a new Mercury Production of They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay!, Deborah McAndrew’s adaptation of Dario Fo’s Sotto paga? Non si paga!. Directed by Ryan McBryde, this ferociously funny political farce asks what lengths people will go to when they’re desperate to survive. The production opens on 22 March, with previews from 17 March, and runs until 31 March.

Next, Mercury Creatives alumni Mia Jerome brings a new Mercury Original to the stage in her uplifting children’s show The Instrumentals. As part of a UK tour, the show features soulful music, seventies grooves and innovative puppetry. Drawing on inspiration from the African-Caribbean diaspora, The Instrumentals celebrates the way people hold memories, running in Mercury’s Studio Theatre from 30 May to 3 June.

Derren Brown’s astounding new production Unbelievable is Mercury Theatre’s summer spectacle, directly ahead of the show’s West End run. A cast of seven will bring magic to the Colchester stage, in a show created by the Olivier Award-winning illusionist, whose five-star sell-out production of Showman is currently playing in the West End. Unbelievable begins previews from 28 July and runs until 26 August.

Creative Director Ryan McBryde said today, “At the Mercury, our aim is to provide exhilarating, shared experiences for our community and our 2023 Spring season is a

programme of new shows that promise great nights out like no other. We’re tackling the cost-ofliving crisis head on with Dario Fo’s side-splitting satire, They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! as we work with Deborah McAndrew to bring the show right up to date with current events. We’re delighted to be launching Pilot Theatre’s electrifying new adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s Carnegie Medalwinning novel Run Rebel as it tours the country with our co-production partners. Colchester audiences will be the first to exclusively access a new work from master illusionist Derren Brown, who will be conjuring up a brand-new show, Unbelievable. And finally, our Studio continues to provide a platform for ground-breaking new work including The Instrumentals, a new Mercury Original family musical full of soulful sounds and seventies grooves written Mia Jerome, one of our alumni from the ground-breaking Mercury Creatives scheme. I can’t wait to share all this work with our audiences, along with a few more surprises up our sleeves in 2023.”

Pilot Theatre presents with Mercury Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Derby Theatre and York Theatre Royal

RUN REBEL

Based on the novel by Manjeet Mann

Director: Tessa Walker 25 February – 4 March 2023

Press night: Thursday 2 March at 7pm

I am strength I am power I am courage I am revolution I am Amber Rai

Amber is trapped – by her family’s rules, by their expectations, by her own fears. But on the running track she is completely free. As her body speeds up, the world slows down. And the tangled, mixed-up lines in her head get straighter…

It’s time to start a revolution: for her mother, for her sister, for herself.

Tessa Walker directs the world première adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s award-winning novel for young adults, published in 2020.

Director: Ryan McBryde 17 – 31 March 2023

Press Night: Wednesday 22 March at 7:30pm

The cost of living is out of control –and so is Anthea. Sick of scrimping and scraping to pay her energy bills, she starts a riot in the local supermarket resulting in a group of raging housewives looting the building.

Now, with a pile of freshly “liberated” groceries, Anthea and her best friend Maggie embark on a ludicrous, laugha-minute adventure, trying to keep their law-abiding husbands in the dark whilst staying two steps ahead of the crime squad.

They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! is the work of Dario Fo, Nobel Laureate and the master of farce. Deborah McAndrew’s whip-smart adaptation mixes political satire, hilarious plot twists and wisecracking dialogue to create a thrilling play about the lengths people will go to when they’re desperate.

A Mercury Original in co-production with Blouse & Skirt!, Goblin Theatre and Little Angel Theatre

THE INSTUMENTALS

Written and directed by Mia Jerome Music by Cal-I Jonel; Set, Puppetry and Costume Design by Oliver Hymans 30 May – 3 June 2023 Suitable for ages 4+

When Belle is feeling down, she slips into her grandfather’s basement and discovers his old dusty instruments. But far from being junk, The Instrumentals are pure funk, and they teach Belle to ‘get down’ in a whole new way. Bursting to life with brilliant puppetry and bold music, The Instrumentals is full of love and laughter, about the memories we hold and how we celebrate life.

This is a show for all children with characters, story and inspiration from the African-Caribbean diaspora. It’s full of uplifting original music with soulful sounds and seventies grooves. Combined with innovative puppetry and lots of comedy, this fun musical journey will have audiences dancing in the aisles!

Written and directed by Derren Brown, Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor

28 July – 26 August 2023

Derren Brown’s one-man shows have won two Olivier Awards and played to sold out houses on tour across the UK, in the West End and on Broadway.

Now, with his long-time collaborators Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor, has created a new show starring a multi-talented cast of seven who will perform magic like you have never seen!

Be among the first to see the world première of this theatrical experience before it goes to the West End.

Please note, Derren Brown will not be appearing in this show.

Mercury Theatre Listings

Balkerne Gate, Colchester CO1 1PT Box Office: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk 01206 573948

Main house tickets from £15; Studio theatre tickets from £10

RUN REBEL

25 February – 4 March 2023

Press night: Thursday 2 March at 7pm Age guidance: 11+

THEY DON’T PAY?

WE WON’T PAY! 17 – 31 March 2023

Press night: Wednesday 22 March at 7:30pm Age guidance: 12+

THE INSTRUMENTALS

30 May – 3 June

Studio Theatre Age guidance: 4+

UNBELIEVABLE

28 July – 26 August 2023

Age guidance: 9+

Normal People by Sally Rooney

While this is a book written for adults I think older teens will find a lot to relate to.

The book follows Marianne and Connell through their angsty, often quite pretentious adolescent years (and who among us wasn't at least a bit pretentious or obnoxious in their teens?)

A Good Read

into the complications of early adulthood.

Rooney treads a fine line between evoking irritation at two flawed, slightly unlikeable people, while making those flaws and the angst seem so raw and real that as a reader we begin to care about them.

The novel is one about relationships and how they are affected by both class and social status. Marianne is a smart girl from an affluent family, but this does not protect her from being socially ostracized at school and emotionally abused at home. Connell on the other hand is from a working-class family and enjoys an easy popularity. Connell's mother works as a cleaner for Marianne's family, and the teens are drawn to each other and begin a secret sexual relationship, but it falls apart because Connell does not want his friends to find out.

By the time they meet again at university, Marianne is the popular one, and Connell is feeling increasingly depressed and isolated. They are once

What do Cuticles do?

The cuticle is the layer of clear skin located along the bottom edge of your finger or toenail. The function of a cuticle is to protect bacteria from entering at the nail root.

Our nails are made from keratin protein that is secreted by a layer of living tissue called the nail matrix situated at the base of the fingernail. The pale pink half-moon shape that pokes out from under the flesh of your finger is called the lunula and part of that matrix. It's most clearly visible on the thumbs but isn't visible on everyone.

Cuticles are delicate and they can get dry, damaged, and infected. Caring for the nail area and keeping it clean will ensure that your nails stay healthy. The easiest way to do this is to soak your hands and feet in soapy, warm water for around 10 minutes every few days. This helps to soften the cuticle and keeps your nails clean. Applying a moisturiser will help prevent dryness and cracking.

Because of their protective function it is inadvisable to cut cuticles as it

makes it easier for bacteria to get inside which can lead to an infection. A better approach is to push the cuticle back gently and only and trim loose skin and hangnails.

It’s tempting to pick at cuticles, but this should be avoided, as should using harsh nail polish removers. Stick to an acetone-free formula.

If you use a nail salon, ask the technician not to cut your cuticles, and make sure that they sanitize their instruments.

If you notice signs or symptoms of infection at the base of your nail, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

By Kate McCarthy

more drawn to each other as they navigate through a world filled with social expectations. Through Marianne and Connell, Rooney examines our need to impress and perform for others in a world that seems to grow ever more connected online, with so many things left unsaid face-to-face.

Rooney has created a weird, awkward, compelling novel about weird, awkward, compelling people, who find what they really need, and a lot they don't, in each other. As Marianne spirals into selfdestruction and Connell looks for meaning in his life, how far will each of them go to save the other.

Escape Room by Christopher Edge

Ami is a clever, thoughtful girl who is gifted an escape room experience for her birthday. She's excited arriving at The Escape, eager to solve puzzles and to make new friends. But Ami and the children who enter the escape room with her, never have anticipated the dangers ahead or how far their strengths and fragile new friendship bonds would be tested. It seems that

far from playing simply to win the escape room, they are fighting for the continuation of the entire planet! The novel is aimed at ages 8-12. It's short, fast paced, and full of twists and turns, so is particularly ideal for more reluctant readers, and the ending has quite a twist.

By Tash Donovan

Word Search

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Bean Benjamin Bigwig

Bucky

Bugs Bunnicula Buster Baxter Captain Carrot Cecily Parsley

Cottontail Flopsy Bunnies Harvey Hazel Honey

Hoppy Jazz Lola Miffy Pantoufle

Peter Rabbit Roger Thumper Vibri

The City of Colchester’s Cultural and Creative Events Fund returns for 2023

Following the success of the 2022 Cultural and Creative Events Fund, which supported more than 20 projects, Colchester City Council (CCC) is pleased to announce the Cultural and Creative Events Fund will be returning for 2023/24.

Applications are now open for micro grants of between £250-£1500 to help deliver creative events and activities across the City of Colchester local authority area between 30 April 2023 and 1 May 2024.

The fund comes out of recommendations in the Colchester Cultural Strategy, and demonstrates the council’s commitment to help maintain and develop the city’s rich and diverse cultural landscape.

The available funding totals £30,000, made up of £20,000 from CCC and £10,000 from project partner the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board. By linking up with the NHS, CCC is cementing its commitment to improving residents' health, wellbeing and quality of life through encouraging participation and engagement with culture.

Only applications which demonstrate the planned activity will achieve at least three of the following will be considered for funding:

1. Deliver a high-quality cultural experience to local audiences

2. Develop or showcase local creative talent

3. Celebrate, explore, and raise awareness of local heritage

4. Encourage visitors to the City of Colchester

5. Celebrate our diverse local communities

Projects will also need to demonstrate how they will be contributing to breaking down social barriers, help develop inclusive communities, and have a direct or indirect aim of reducing social isolation through fostering community within the boundaries of the city.

Funding applications will be welcomed from registered charities, constituted voluntary and community organisations as well as not-for-profit groups.

The fund closes to applications on 6 February 2023.

All applications must be submitted online through CCC’s online portal which can be found here www.colchester.gov. uk/cultural-creative-events-fund

Councillor Pam Cox, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage, said: “Thanks to the commitment of a huge range of individuals and groups, the breadth and diversity of our cultural offer makes the City of Colchester a unique place to live, visit, work, and study. In partnership with our local NHS, through this fund we hope to support organisations and communities across the local authority to provide further fantastic opportunities for people to come together and participate in a wide range of creative and cultural activity.”

Dr Ed Garratt, Chief Executive, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “It’s well known that involvement in creative and cultural activities has a positive effect on an individual’s wellbeing, as well as giving a boost to our communities.

“From the success of last year’s fund, we know that Colchester is bursting and flourishing with creative energy, and hope that 2023 will see even more new projects come forward.”

Crossword

Across 1 Scottish plaid (6) 4 Entice, coax (6) 9 Shape with many sides (7) 10 Circulate, deliver (5) 11 Grovel (5) 12 Spiky plant (7) 13 Calendar, schedule (6) 15 Despot, bully (6) 18 Touchable (7) 20 Scrutinise (5) 22 Pretended (5) 23 Teeming, jammed (7) 24 Victim, prey (6) 25 Delicate, fragile (6)

Down 1 Subject matter (5) 2 Let go (7) 3 Seraph, cherub (5) 5 Nimbleness (7) 6 Beginning (5) 7 Essential feature (7) 8 Coalesce (5)

Captivate, fascinate (7)

Ebb, fade (7)

Kept away from (7)

Instruct (5) 19 Provide for (5)

Leave bread to rise (5)

Sea-dwelling duck (5)

I Want A Divorce Living With Teens

Christmas is often a time when problems already present within a marriage come to a head. January is often when people decide they want to make a break. Divorce is a scary word, but if approached correctly the outcome can be positive for both parties.

What do you want from your settlement?

Think about your children, the house, and any shared finances. Try to remove emotion from the equation and be clear and realistic. Courts are not interested in why a relationship broke down and will try to be fair to both parties regardless. The fact your partner cheated will not mean that you get more money.

It's good to talk.

A divorce will be quicker, cheaper and less destructive if both parties co-operate and behave with maturity. Even if you can't agree everything, try to remain civil because if you fall out and the divorce become acrimonious and prolonged, savings and any equity in your house will get eaten up very quickly.

Discuss things like who will petition who for the divorce and what grounds they will cite e.g. infidelity, unreasonable behaviour, or separation. Having a clear, uncontested plan will keep costs down.

Consider mediation

Mediation is not marriage counselling. It is there to help both parties agree on the key issues such as childcare arrangements, what happens to the house, what happens to savings, pensions and investments. If you can agree on these matters than all the lawyers really have to do is draw up the agreements. In this way and the need for an expensive court hearing is avoided.

Mediation works best if both parties commit to find a solution that works best for everyone. It is not always free, but it is much less expensive than legal fees.

By Louise Addison

The teen years are a time of body changes, brain rewiring, social pressures and exam stress. Parenting a teen can be hard work.

ConflictConflict is completely normal. Teens have to learn to become independent. They are hard-wired for it. Try to remain calm, listen and choose your battles. Decide what is worth taking a stand on and what isn't.

Boundaries –

Teens will test boundaries which is a source of conflict (see above). Set out clear guidelines about what is acceptable. Tell your teenager where you're going, who with and when you'll be back. Explain that this is for your safety and so they don’t worry. Tell them you expect the same in return, so that they are safe, and you don’t worry. Boundaries show you care. You teen knows this even if they choose to argue over them.

Individuals –Your teen is not an extension of you. Don't expect them to agree with everything you say or believe. Teenagers should and will test opinions and people. Agree to differ. Your teenager is more likely to respect your views if you respect theirs.

Interest –

Show an interest in your teen’s day, whether at home or at school. Offer support and guidance with homework or revision. But please note that genuine interest is neither pressure nor prying. Just keep channels of communication open so they know they can talk freely to you about anything.

Family time -

Your relationship with your child will change as they progress through their teens. Makes sure you spend some time together doing everyday things…sweeping up the leaves in the garden, sorting laundry, preparing supper. Don’t assume they won’t appreciate a family outing to the cinema, bowling or mini-golf now and then, or even a country walk. They may approach the event ironically as though they are humouring you but if they come it’s because they want to be there.

The work you put in to your relationship with your teen will pay dividends as they get older.

By Heidi Leonard

puzzle solutions:

Shakshuka

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30-40 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely sliced

1 red pepper, diced

1 green pepper, diced

6 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp sweet paprika

½ tsp cumin seeds

½-1 tsp cayenne pepper

800g tinned tomatoes (use the best quality you can find)

2 tsp soft brown sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

4-8 eggs, depending on hunger

Small bunch of fresh coriander, roughly chopped

Method

Heat the oil in a large frying pan (with a lid) and add the onion. Fry gently until golden, then add the peppers and cook until they are soft. Stir in the garlic and spices and cook for another minute or two.

Pour in the tomatoes and mash roughly. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Taste and season. Add a little more cayenne if you like your dishes more spicy.

Make 4-8 hollows in the sauce and break an eggs gently into each one. Season lightly, and turn the heat down as low as possible, cover the pan with the lid and and cook for about 10 minutes until the eggs are just set.

Sprinkle with coriander and serve with crusty bread.

Shakshuka is a North African and Middle Eastern dish. It makes a wonderful spicy brunch or supper for a cold January day.

Garden ViewThis month - Winter scent

Ilove a garden planted for winter. There are so many plants with wonderful shape and interesting evergreen foliage. But the thing that draws me out into any garden is scent, and fragrance is particularly uplifting in the depths of winter.

Getting outdoors into natural daylight, even on a cold, dank day is a mood booster. If you need an excuse to don woolly hat and gloves then what better than winter-flowering shrubs. Even better if you can cut a few sprigs to take back indoors. Chimonanthus praecox, known as Wintersweet is the type of shrub that looks rather unexciting in spring and summer, but in winter once established (which may take a couple of years) the bare branches erupt with lovely waxy yellow flowers which have an intense sweet and spicy scent.

For a little spot near the front or back door, think about Daphne bholua, a shade-loving, tiny, evergreen shrub which produces delicate pink or white blooms that look like they are made

from fondant icing. They have a rich floral, old-fashioned scent.

If space is limited you also try Sarcococca hookeriana. This is also a shade-lover and produced a very powerful jasmine-like scent which carries well on the breeze.

If you have more space and would like something more robust then plant Viburnum x bodnantense. It produces pom-poms of flowers in pastel pink or white which smell of warm vanilla and lilac. It also has an extremely long flowering season, starting in midautumn and going right through until early spring.

All of the above flowers can be cut, and will last for several days in a vase in the house. But January is also the perfect time to enjoy gardening indoors. My teenage son collects cacti and was gifted a striking, ornamental cactus with funky foliage a couple of years ago, called Epiphyllum anguliger. The wavy-edge leaves which oscillate along the stem give

rise to its more common name, the Fishbone Cactus. As well as looking handsome all year round it has the delightful bonus of producing large creamy white flowers in winter which emit a wonderful scent in the evening, just one bloom can fill a room with a sweet fragrance.

You don’t have to be deprived of scent in the winter months.

Make a New Year’s resolution to bring some fragrance into your garden, and your home.

Happy gardening.

By Rachael Leverton

How to Style it - The Black Skirt

Whether its maxi, knee length or mini; A line, flowy or slinky, most women possess at least one black skirt. If you’re anything like me, you mostly pass over this humble item of clothing when choosing what to wear. But when challenged to write a series on ‘how to style it…’ I thought it would be as good a starting point as any. My black skirt is a thick Ponte jersey and hits just above the knee but the following combinations can be adapted for any length or style of black skirt.

Black skirt + Black blazer

Channelling my inner Parisian I styled my black skirt with a camel-coloured top, my favourite black blazer, sheer tights, gold jewellery, red lipstick and high heeled nude court shoes.

Black skirt + Sweatshirt

I paired a faded slightly oversized wine-coloured sweatshirt with black opaque tights and chunky black boots,

then swapped out the boots and tights for white trainers. Both looked good.

Black skirt + White blouse

It’s a classic combination but can look like waitress attire or school uniform. The trick is to choose a blouse in a luxe fabric like silk or satin, that’s embellished with a frill, or cut away shoulders or a low back, and pair it with nude, black or metallic heels and classy jewellery.

Black skirt + Denim jacket

This is a great casual look when paired with a white or grey T shirt and trainers. Logo T shirts look particularly good, and if you’re more of a boot person, those chunky boots look great with this outfit.

Black skirt + Patterned tights

I haven’t worn patterned tights since school and now I’m 44 and I still think of patterned tights as being for teens. My daughter (who is very much a

teen) persuaded me to try her black sheer polka dot tights and actually they did look very nice when I paired them with a plain V neck red jumper and black flats. Perhaps if your style is a bit more edgy you could try pairing a brighter patterned pair with military style boots, and add chunky jewellery.

Black skirt + Animal print

I am wary of animal print. I own a pair of leopard print flats and one dark leopard print V neck jumper, so I paired the skirt with the jumper and added opaque black tights and kneelength mid-heeled black boots with simple jewellery. I was surprised how classy it looked…and how long my legs looked!

Black skirt + Party top

I would normally consider my black skirt too boring for a party, but I tried pairing it with a sleeveless purple sparkly top, nude tights and some pretty gold party shoes I found in a charity shop. I added my black blazer and a black evening bag with a gold chain strap and felt quite sophisticated as I headed off to a 21st birthday dinner.

Quick Crossword Puzzles

I hope I’ve encouraged you to pull out your black skirt and get imaginative with styling.

By Lorna Chalmers

Relationship Resolutions

It’s that time of year again. What’s your resolution? The top three people usually make are:

• Lose weight

• Get organised

• Save more (or spend less)

Most resolutions fail even before the turkey leftovers run out. So, for 2023 why not make a resolution or two with your partner that will enhance your relationship? The major benefit of doing it together is having a readymade accountability partner.

Here are our suggestions for the best relationship resolutions.

Communicate authentically –

Make time to talk about the best bits in your relationship, and then talk honestly about any resentments you have been holding on to. Don’t be accusatory, make a pact to be constructive and resolve any problems as a team.

Together time –Schedule it in the diary if you have to. Have lunch or supper together without the kids at least once a week.

If money is tight you don’t have to go to a restaurant. Cook together or just have a sandwich and a chat. When our kids were young, we created ‘our time’…lunch once a week on a Wednesday because this was the only time we were ‘together alone’. Even If I we hadn’t managed a proper chat all week, we knew Wednesday would come round again.

Date Night –

If you can, take ‘together time’ to the next level and set aside a ‘date night’ once a fortnight, even once a month can make all the difference. Go to see that new film or play, or hit the bowling alley,

Take note –

I used to put little post its in the kids’ lunchboxes when they were at primary school, along with a little treat. One day on a whim I did the same for my husband and he loved it, so I kept doing it. He then started to leave the odd post-it in my car or took the time to send me a sweet text message. The experts call these little gestures daily love habits and they help to create a loving atmosphere in a relationship.

The thrill of the new –Go roller skating, or take a ballroom class, or learn to paint together. Maybe

visit a local museum you’ve never been to, a nearby stately home and garden. It doesn’t really matter what the activity is, it’s about having fun and creating a good memory together. It counts as a date too!

Say thank you –

Yes he might usually clean the loos or put the bins out. You might always clean out the rabbit, do the grocery shopping and put the laundry on. Maybe you take turns to cook. We all tend to have chores that are ‘ours’ but try making the effort to say ‘thank you’ to each other. It will probably feel a bit odd or unnecessary at first, but everyone likes appreciation for the little things. A few words of thanks can mean a lot. It might be the only appreciation anyone has shown all day.

Laughter is the best medicine –Laughter is serious stuff! When life gets serious, we often forget to have fun. Tell your partner a joke, or an amusing story from your day; watch your favourite comedy show together or go to a comedy club. Laughter brings people together. It’s also a great aphrodisiac! Was there ever a better reason?

By Kate McCarthy

Sudoku

How to play Sudoku

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.

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: colne.medicalcentref81116@nhs.net www.colnemedicalcentre.nhs.uk • facebook.com/Colnemedical

Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your overall health and wellbeing, as well as lowering the risk of different diseases, conditions and cancers associated with being overweight.

Many individuals in the UK struggle with their weight. In fact, one in every four adults is obese (a term to describe a person who’s very overweight, with a lot of body fat).

If you’re overweight, why lose it?

Losing just 5% of your weight can lead to many significant health benefits including:

• Reduction in Blood pressure.

• Reduction in cholesterol.

• Reduced risk of obesity-related cancers.

My Weight Matters

• Reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

• Improves life expectancy.

My Weight Matters is not designed to be a diet or a quick-fix solution. This programme promotes weight loss in a safe, steady, and sustained way.

Following NHS guidance, My Weight Matters is a 12-week programme placing a focus on healthy eating, portion management, and keeping active. These evidence-based sessions cover dietary and physical advice whilst supporting you to adopt overall healthier habits.

To be eligible for My Weight Matters you must meet the following criteria:

BMI over 25

• No diagnosed and/or active eating disorder

• No kidney or heart failure

• Not pregnant

• Not have diagnosed dementia

• Over 18 years old

• No diagnosed complex mental health

From January we will be offering weight management appointments at our Alresford surgery for our eligible patients. The clinics will be run by Karen Parker, Social Prescriber for Tendring Community Voluntary Services. We will be sending out invitations, but if you are interested, please contact the Brightlingsea surgery for more information.

Thank you for reading

Katie Pirie Practice Manager

New showrooms now open at Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary and Glasswells, Ipswich