Issue 53
New showrooms now open at Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary and Glasswells, Ipswich
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An open and shut case
Appley ever after
Garage doors are also available in aluminium or fibreglass. Both of these materials are less expensive than steel or wood, but neither is as strong, and they are more prone to damage with normal wear and tear.
What does your garage door say about your home? Never thought about it? Perhaps you should. As the housing market picks up and people begin to think about upgrading or downsizing the right garage door can significantly increase the kerb appeal and even the price of your house. There are two types of garage door: tilt-up and roll-up. Tilt-up garage doors consist of a single panel of material. The door has to be pulled out and then pivoted up so it can slide along the roof of the garage. Roll-up garage doors, on the other hand, are made of a number of horizontal sections which are hinged together for flexibility. Because it rests on rollers, it can be lifted, and rolled into place along the roof of the garage. Sectional roll-up doors are more expensive as a rule but have certain advantages. Since these doors don’t have to be pulled outwards they are a great option if space on your drive is tight. They also take up less room in the garage since they can be placed higher than a tilt-up door. Both types of doors are usually made from wood or steel. Wood is generally cheaper, and some people prefer the look. However, just like wooden patio furniture, a wooden door is more easily damaged by the weather and may warp, split, or blister.
Remember a garage door will be exposed to everything the weather can throw at it day in and day out, so will need regular maintenance. Doors should be washed down regularly. Wooden garage doors need to be repainted in alternate years to ensure that the wood stays protected. Steel doors can be painted and treated to an occasional shine with car wax. All moving parts should be lubricated with motor oil whenever the door starts to feel stuck. Consider… Remote control - For ease, convenience and even safety you can’t beat a remote-controlled door. Override - Make sure the remote can be manually overridden in case of power failure. You don’t want the kids, or the dog trapped in there, or even yourself. Security - Automatic door locking mechanisms are useful. Safety – This one is my top priority. To ensure that an electric garage door is deemed safe for use, it will have to incorporate at least one sufficient safety feature into its mechanism which will prevent personal injury. Every year children and adults are injured in accidents which involve older style garage doors. New doors should have an automatic reverse function. That way, if the door encounters any object as it is closing it will immediately stop and back-up.
Steel is more expensive. It isn’t prone to warping but does need to be properly treated to prevent rust. Issue 53
Apple trees have been cultivated since around the 5th century AD and cider, or something similar, seems to have been around for almost as long, although sometimes it was known as apple wine.
conditioned; dry, fruity and with low carbonation. Normandy cider is sweeter and more effervescent with a complex taste. Both are perfect for consumption, chilled, on a warm summer evening.
It was brought to Britain by the Normans in around 1100 AD. Cider was originally a drink for the poor. Ale was made from malted barley and using grain for alcohol could mean going without bread.
While a simple cider over ice is hard to beat, a cider sangria can take the drink to another level. Colourful, cold, fresh and fruity, it’s perfect for sharing with friends on a summer evening.
It was drunk instead of water because water at that time was often not safe to drink. The first settlers in America planted lots of apple trees simply so they could continue to make cider to drink.
Pour a bottle of dry white wine into a large jug – Pinot Grigio is perfect. Add 250ml lemonade, 125ml lime juice, a large handful of mint, and plenty of sliced strawberries, and orange and lime slices.
Originally it was made by crushing apples in a trough, until John Worlidge produced a special apple-mill in 1676.
Chill out for at least 15 minutes so the fruit infuses the drink and vice versa. Just before serving, add loads of ice and two bottles of your favourite cider.
The best English cider is cask-
Enjoy!
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Issue 54: 27/07/21 Issue 55: 27/08/21
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
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A Good Read IVF attempts they decide to pursue adoption instead. As the novel starts they are about to board a plane to Russia where they are adopting 10-month-old Yuri, along with a tatty cuddly elephant. However, Emma is in for a shock when she discovers that she is pregnant. In 9 months’, time she will have two under 2s!
From Here to Maternity by Sinead Moriarty Motherhood is never easy. Your life and priorities change suddenly and dramatically. But when being a new mother coincides with pregnancy it throws everything up in the air! Emma and James have been trying for a few years to get pregnant and with several failed
Adjusting to life with Yuri is certainly not easy. The book was published in 2006 and there are many familiar moments for anyone who started a family in the ‘noughties’ as Emma turns to all the available parenting books to help her. To make matters worse for Emma she is dealing with a mother who always speaks her mind. Family life is never easy, but it has its moments and is something Emma would never change.
toddlers, one sort of book that was guaranteed to occupy them every time was a spotting book. We Wear Underpants is this type of book, and the illustrations are wonderful. Each page is full of animals wearing … well, the sorts of things that you would NOT expect an animal to wear! From the titular item of underpants to t-shirts, scarves, wellies, and pyjamas. Each page asks the reader to look for a different thing. Counting candy floss on a page with animals wearing t-shirts at the fair. Finding the stripy scarf and deciding which scarf you would want to wear. And who is dreaming while wearing pyjamas. The final page asks,
‘What will you wear today?’ A lovely way to get young children thinking about getting dressed – a task that often seems to be low on the list of priorities for a child that age!
We Wear Pants by Katie Abey There are many different styles of books for young children, and I know that when mine were both
Word Search Can you find all of the circus-related words hidden in the grid?
banoffee bubble-gum butterscotch cherry chocolate
coconut coffee cookie dough honeycomb
mint choc chip Neapolitan pistachio rockyroad
rum ‘n’ raisin Salted caramel Tutti Frutti vanilla
Answers on page 8 6
Visit Colchester joins Click It Local Visit Colchester is thrilled to announce it has joined Click It Local, the new virtual high street service that supports independent shops. Anyone living in Colchester can access the Click It Local website to buy items from participating local stores and have them delivered direct to their door. But it’s not just for locals – visitors can also now shop on the site and have their Colchester goodies delivered by post. Visit Colchester’s new virtual shop front will be selling a selection of its most popular souvenirs and gifts. You can choose from products in our Beautiful Borough collection, including mugs, keyrings, and posters. For the young at heart, cuddle up to one of Visit Colchester’s most well-loved items: the famous I Love Colchester Claudius teddy bear! For those looking to expand their Colchester knowledge, you can even snap up a book about the town and lose yourself in over 2,000 years of
history, all while having a cup of tea from a mug produced by talented local potters. As well as Colchester gifts, visitors to the site can buy from a wide range of local stores and stock up on weekly food essentials, gifts and treats to lastminute basics. Councillor Darius Laws, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business and Heritage for Colchester Borough Council, said: “The addition of Visit Colchester to Click It Local is tremendous news. Not only can people now get a fix of Colchester delivered to their door but Click It Local supports and champions our local independent shops and creative talent that we have spread across the borough. Let’s support initiatives like this, support businesses to recover after the pandemic and help retain Colchester’s charm and heritage.” Steve Koch, founder of Click It Local, added: “I am thrilled to welcome to the platform Visit Colchester. Our
aim is to ensure local communities can continue to shop local, support independent shops and provide for
the local community and beyond.”
Quick Crossword Puzzle
To Advertise in The Simple Magazine call David on 077 3417 1985 Across 3 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 17 21 24 25 26 27 28 29
Feline (3) Evening jacket (6) Sloping text style (6) Tear (3) Overpowered, routed (6) Played at Wimbledon (6) Young hen (6) Increase in length or time (6) Exits (6) Souvenirs, trophies (6) Disastrous failure (6) Drifting (6) Giant mythological bird (3) Covert, private (6) Cohesive (6) High-pitched bark (3)
DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 12 13 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23
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The Cannes Film Festvail Initially the French government were reticent as they had no wish to offend Mussolini but the group - which included the co-founder of cinema, Louis Lumière - were persuasive and the idea was eventually approved.
The world’s first ever competitive international film festival was held in Venice in 1932. Initially the festival and its awards was about the national prestige of the participating countries as much as it was about the films. As World War II approached people noticed that the Venice film awards began to favour countries of the fascist alliance, most notably Germany and Italy. In 1939 France was a certainty for The Festival’s top prize - with Jean Renoir’s La Grande Illusion. But instead it was awarded jointly to the German film Olympia and the Italian film Luciano Serra, Pilota. The French were furious and with good reason. Olympia was produced in association with Joseph Goebbel’s Ministry of Propaganda and the Italian entry was made by Mussolini’s son! The French withdrew from the competition. The British and American judges resigned citing their anger at the way political dogma and ideology were interfering with artistic appreciation. Later that year a group of critics and film makers petitioned the French government to hold an alternative international film festival in France. This festival would promote artistic independence so films could be shown without fear of political repression.
puzzle solutions:
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Several locations were considered. Officially Cannes won because of its, ‘sunny and enchanting location,’ but it’s widely acknowledged that the real reason was because the City of Cannes agreed to fund a dedicated venue for the festival. And there interrupted only by World War II, and more recently the pandemic of 2020 - it remains.
The Sounds of Summer 2020 deprived us of concerts and festivals, so get that summer vibe on.
Today the festival continues to uphold the highest artistic standards. In an industry dominated by ‘the bottom line’ Cannes stays true to its roots. At the time of writing cinemas are opening their doors again so why not enter into the Cannes spirit and head to your local movie house? Even better pick a film that’s a bit different to your usual choice? You might be pleasantly surprised. And if you can’t get to the cinema yet, try renting one of these previous Palme D’Or (the top prize) winners, don your finery, buy in popcorn and champagne, and create a little bit of Cannes in your sitting room. The Third Man (dir. Carol Reed, 1949) Taxi Driver (dir. Martin Scorsese, 1976) Apocalypse Now (dir. Francis Ford Coppola, 1979) The Piano (dir. Jane Campion, 1993) Pulp Fiction (dir. Quentin Tarantino, 1994) Secrets & Lies (dir. Mike Leigh, 1996) Parasite (dir. Bong Joon-ho, 2019)
2021 will be the year of the outdoor concert. With masking and social distancing still in place at time of writing many people may still not feel safe to attend indoor venues. But whether your tastes extend to the classics, jazz, pop, or folk there will definitely be an outdoor event to suit your family this summer. Most outdoor concerts tend to take place in large fields so there’s plenty of room for running around and even outdoor games such as frisbees and football, providing they’re played well away from the main crowd. These are mostly family affairs and providing children are versed in general good manners, and they’re not throwing food or punches, even young children can enjoy them. Evening concerts are even more special as the day fades and people light candles and lanterns. It can be
magical…and we need a bit of magic this year. If you have young children consider sitting further back to allow more room to stretch out and wander around. Take small amounts of lots of different foods. Everyone loves nibbles. Take folding chairs, sunscreen, hats, insect repellent or those citronella candles and lots of rugs. Comfort is important, especially as the sun disappears. A flask of hot chocolate will keep everyone happy as the evening air takes on a chill. Some glowsticks or lanterns will make the event extra special. Enjoy.
Prosciutto di Parma Salad with Figs and Blue Cheese
Colchester’s £18.2 million Town Deal projects confirmed We are Colchester have confirmed an ambitious set of projects to be delivered as part of the Town Deal Fund to the Government. Colchester was awarded £18.2 million from the Government’s Town Deal fund to invest in projects, which will directly benefit residents across the borough.
Preparation time: 10 mins
Handfuls of rocket leaves
Assembly time: 5 mins
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Serves: 4
Salt and pepper, to taste
Ingredients
Method
4 figs, washed and quartered
Divide the rocket, figs, ham and cheese between four plates.
4 slices Parma ham 60g blue cheese (Dolcelatte if you want authenticity)
The projects were 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.
Sprinkle with basil leaves and drizzle with oil. Season to taste and serve immediately with warm crusty ciabatta bread and a glass of Italian Rose.
2 tbsp chopped basil leaves
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Creation of digital working hubs
• Transforming facilities for young people • A digital skills hub at the Wilson Marriage Centre (Magdalene Street)
Quick Crossword Puzzle
The full list of We Are Colchester projects submitted to the government on 14 June 2021 are:
• Public realm improvements in the town centre • Restoration of Holy Trinity Church (Lion Walk) and the first phase in restoring ‘Jumbo’
• Transformation of community facilities in Greenstead
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• Improved walking and cycling links between the Town Centre, Greenstead and the University.
The accelerated introduction of 5G
We Are Colchester was formed in January 2020. It is a dynamic partnership involving public, private and voluntary organisations, including Colchester Borough Council, Essex County Council and Colchester’s MP Will Quince.
Councillor Paul Dundas, Leader of Colchester Borough Council said: “I am pleased that the We Are Colchester partnership continues to drive this work forward. I believe an excellent set of projects have been submitted, which focus on key priorities identified by Colchester residents and local businesses. “This multi-million pound investment in the Borough is crucial in terms of economic recovery. It provides a huge confidence boost for local businesses, helping to both create and sustain local jobs.” Simon Blaxill, Chair of the ‘We are Colchester’ Board and Local Businessman added: “I am pleased that we are moving to the next stage with these great projects. I look forward to continuing to engage local people and businesses with the projects as they develop.” Councillor Lesley Wagland, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: “The Town Deal represents a fantastic investment into Colchester town and one which will benefit residents now and in the future. It is direct result of effective partnership working between Colchester Borough Council, Essex County Council and key local partners.” Colchester has already received an additional ‘accelerated’ £1m Town Deal funding which has enabled two key public realm schemes at St Nicholas Square and Balkerne Gate to proceed; these are now entering their final design and construction stages. We Are Colchester now have until March next year to submit detail business cases for each project to the Government. After that, funds will be released, and projects will be completed by 2026.
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Garden View This month - Save water In spite of the somewhat soggy spring water is an increasingly precious resource in the UK. Over the past few decades, rivers, reservoirs, and ground water supplies have become depleted. It’s important to save water where we can. Most of us have enough space for at least one water butt, and there are slimline versions for smaller plots. Connect them to every available downpipe around your house! Fit guttering to sheds and summer houses to allow even more water collection. Keep the butts covered to prevent leaves falling in and deter mosquitos from breeding. Bulk up soil with organic matter, such as compost and leaf mould. This improves free-draining soil particularly, but most soil types will benefit. It prevents clay soil baking hard and damaging roots, and on boggy soil it improves drainage and oxygenation. It's win-win, whatever soil you garden on. Water during cooler parts of the day.
The only time you shouldn't use rainwater is with seedlings. They are vulnerable a variety of fungal infections called which fall under the catchall phrase, 'damping off disease'. Tap water only is recommended for seedlings. But once they are potted up, you can switch to harvested rainwater.
A good soak every few days is better than little and often, because when only the surface is wet most of the water evaporates or drains away. Also, water only at critical stages like germination, or when you've just transplanted young plants with immature root systems, or when fruit is setting such as tomatoes or strawberries. Bare soil loses moisture quickly through evaporation so mulch, mulch, mulch. Use straw, grass clippings or leaf mould. Mulching has the added benefit of smothering weeds. A green lawn looks lush, but no-one should be watering a lawn nowadays. Yes it will yellow, but lawns are tough and will green up at the first sign of rain. I retired my sprinkler system years ago. Sprinklers are wasteful and it’s better to implement targeted watering or even a slow drip-irrigation system. Work with your garden rather than against it. My free-draining lime soil favours plants such as lavenders and
other silver-leaved species. If you garden on clay you might choose roses or ribes sanguineum and Malus (crab apples). Greenhouses can be a major source of water wastage. Never place pots directly on to staging. Instead use capillary matting or trays to capture run-off and enable plants to access this when needed.
'Grey' water is water from washing up or washing vegetables, or even bathwater. Collecting it can be a good idea providing you take certain precautions. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help you make the most of your own grey water. Use rinsing water only or eco products free from phosphates which are harmful to the microflora in the soil. Bathwater should not be stored for too long and should only be used to water flowers, never edible crops, because of the risk of bacterial growth harmful to humans if ingested. I hope this has inspired you to save water in your garden this summer. Happy gardening.
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Colchester Museums join forces with History Hit Colchester Museums have joined forces with historian Dan Snow’s History Hit Network to work on several exciting projects that showcase Colchester’s rich heritage and history. One of the first projects the teams will working on is a new exhibition, Decoding The Roman Dead, which opens at Colchester Castle on the 24 July. Decoding The Roman Dead will be investigating the first people that lived and died in Roman Britain’s capital city and will showcase the results of research conducted by archaeologists and specialists to ‘decode’ the hidden stories of Colchester’s residents during a time of invasion, construction, and dramatic change. Following the runaway success of the daily podcast, Dan Snow’s History Hit, there have been four new podcasts added to the History Hit Network in the last 12 months, including The Ancients, which focuses on ancient history. In a new episode of The Ancients, to be released prior to the exhibition opening, the team will be talking to Colchester Museums curators Glynn Davis and Carolina Lima, to discuss the identity and lives of Roman Colchester’s earliest inhabitants and unlock the world of life and death almost 2,000 years ago. This is the first time that Roman cremation burials have undergone the scientific technique of isotope analysis to reveal where people grew up and travelled from in the Empire, so its findings are truly significant and of national importance. Alongside its fast-growing audio network, History Hit also runs its own subscription video on-demand channel. Dan Snow and the team will be heading to Colchester Castle over the summer to film footage of the Decoding The Roman Dead exhibition, and Colchester Museums will contribute to a number of other podcasts and documentaries for the network. One such project is a new documentary be released this summer on History Hit TV surrounding Colchester’s very own Queen Boudica. Filming for this documentary has already taken place at Colchester Castle and will offer viewers an amazing insight into Colchester’s bloody past. Further projects include work on Colchester’s Roman Invasion, highlighting the town’s Gosbecks Archaeological Park, and late Iron Age Colchester featuring commentary from Colchester + Ipswich Museums Manager, Dr Frank Hargrave. Councillor Darius Laws, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business and Heritage for Colchester Borough
Council, said: “Colchester Museums’ collaboration with History Hit is an incredible opportunity for viewers across the country to understand more about Britain’s First City and the importance of Colchester in the history books. Make sure you are following @ColMuseums and @ HistoryHit on social media so you don’t miss out on new content about Colchester, and let's encourage people to come and visit our historic town this summer.”
Dan Snow of History Hit added: “Colchester was one of the first places I ever filmed, when I started at the BBC 20 years ago. I was there looking into the story of Boudicca's revolt. I was so impressed by the deep connection with Roman Britain, but there was frustration because, for all the archaeology, there was still a sense of so much more to be discovered and deciphered.
involved, as experts do just that. Cutting edge technology is being deployed to tell us more about the inhabitants of Roman Colchester. I can't wait to learn more about who they were, where they came from and how they lived”. Information about History Hit’s free podcasts can be found here.
“Decades later I'm honoured to be
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Surgery Update Website: www.colnemedicalcentre.nhs.uk Facebook:@Colnemedical
Covid 19 A website has been launched which aims to offer residents of east and west Suffolk and north east Essex a single, comprehensive and accurate source of information on Covid-19 and vaccinations www.sneevaccine.org.uk. You can book or alter appointments for vaccinations and see the locations and types of vaccination being given at walk in clinics. You can also access this link through the practice website by following the instructions on screen.
Appointments We are currently experiencing exceptional demand for appointments and as the school holidays are approaching please be aware that your GPs may have periods of leave to spend time with their families. The practice website has a GP timetable which can be used to check when your doctor is available, this is updated weekly. During this busy period please consider if you could seek advice from a pharmacist or via NHS 111 rather than calling the surgery. The practice website contains a wealth of information on minor illness, family health, sexual health and long term conditions. You can also request an appointment with a physiotherapist, either online or by speaking to a receptionist, without the need to see a GP first. First Point Physio are currently conducting their appointments over the phone, but are hoping to return to the surgery in the near future.
Extended Access Appointments are available outside of our surgery hours through the Colte Extended Access service. Healthcare Assistant and nurse clinics take place at Rowhedge surgery and Wivenhoe University between 6.30 and 8.00pm Monday to Friday and between 8.00am and 1.30pm at weekends. Specialised clinics such as for blood tests and cervical smears are run at the weekends. Telephone and video consultations with GPs, Nurse Practitioners, Asthma nurses and physiotherapists can also be booked. If you would like to make an appointment with extended access please phone the surgery and speak to a receptionist.
Automatic Doors We have recently had automatic doors installed at the practice to make access easier for all of our patients and we are currently reorganising our reception area so that we can maintain social distancing for patients and staff whilst in the building. Thank you for reading Katie Pirie, Practice Manager 14
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