Simply Brightlingsea Issue 36

Issue 36

Cover photo by Jon Sturdy Photography

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Bricklesea Bygones “Lay Aft—Lay Aft—Pull you blighter’s” The story of the “Crazy Gang” This is a true, very true story which I have wanted to write for many years and parts of it are so very wrong in today’s safety first in coastal waters but it is history, no one got hurt and it was friends together having a whale of a time and involved friendship and marriages and so much laughter and Brightlingsea characters I must record it before it is forgotten forever.

In Circa 1965/66 several B’sea lads in their first years of earning a living after leaving school, spent their pleasure time around “The Hard and the reasonably safe waters of the Creek and the Colne” line fishing, Cockling, Winkling and the legal at that time collecting Seagull eggs on Spring Tides on Rat Island, all mainly in dinghies we had made at the Youth Club Boat Building Shed which was sited where the alleyway is behind the present new Museum, and borrowing the Barge tender from the Sand Barge “Wall Brook” of which one of my pals Dave was the Skipper. We also hunted the Grey Mullet fish which was and is a summer visitor to these waters and feeds on the weed clinging to the hulls of moored vessels in the harbour, these we hunted with Sane nets and also an elastic powered harpoon gun which I acquired.

We also, well some of us, were Wildfowlers in the perishing cold of the Pyefleet Geetings where we would many times row the dinghies in blizzards and freezing fogs in the hunt for duck and geese, most times returning without any result,

these were dangerous times but nowadays this “Sport” Wildfowling is strictly governed as is the possession of shotguns.

This group of Local Lads spent their evening times playing darts in local Pub teams and socialising in the same Pubs, mainly the Freemasons, and the Yachtsman’s where we palled up with two brothers Alec and Ernie, just a little older than us and successful Road Mending Contractors based in Tendring, we struck up a friendship and the brothers decided to purchase an ex Suffolk Trawler “ The Surprise” and gradually most of us joined with them and started a friendship of adventurers which lasted throughout many ups and downs until their passing in recent years, a group of good honest pals and wives and girlfriends know as and still remembered as “The Crazy Gang”.

This is the beginning of a book but below are snippets of the adventures we got up to, none aggressive, some on reflection dangerous and sometimes very dangerous but at the end of many years gelled great friendship, Marriages and by george terrific memories, we still enjoy those memories of what would not be possible in this day and age, read on.

The Surprise was a sturdy craft some 30ft length with a 10ft beam, clinker built with a small forward deck with a step-down cabin with

room for two with engine cuddy housing a diesel Thornycroft and an attached winch for hauling the beam trawl, basically a Suffolk Beach Trawler.

Just a few of us with the two brothers and their brother Little Bruce crewed her or should we say over crewed her and a local net maker Bumper Everett or in our case a net mender, kept us ready to fish for every Sunday at eight come fair weather or tempest, little Brucy stayed below from our mooring at Aldous Dock until our return gauged by wind, tide or disaster, usually a warp around the prop or running aground, he continuously made strong tea, bacon, sausage or egg sandwiches and some days was so seasick we worried for his wellbeing.

The life of the surprise was doomed and on one hot Summers afternoon myself and another of the crew went to a Clay Pigeon shoot at St Osyth and on returning to Brightlingsea went to the Hard to greet the Surprise’s return, we sat on the old causeway watching the comings and goings in the Harbour when we became aware of the crew of the Surprise all stepping out of two Clacton Taxi’s, I will explain.

In recent Sundays we has trawled about 500 yards off of Clacton Sea front from Jaywick to the Pier, one trawl up and one back, with the theory that the Lobsters were on their afternoon walk and our recent

hauls always produced a lobster or two, but on this day the net became full of sea weed and they hauled opposite of Butlins Holiday Camp, the net became fouled under the Surprise and she drifted on to the Butlins sewer outlet groin and with a few bumps on the wooden posts she was holed and took water and settled on the pipe line. The distressed Crew shouted and waved to the crowded beach of holiday makers who not realising the danger waved back and cheered, eventually a dinghy came to their rescue and eventually the crew arrived back at Brightlingsea Hard.

The surprise was stripped of all salvageable gear within 24 hours and the owners went on a search for a replacement vessel and within days after a road trip to Heybridge Basin a 45ft ex Naval double diagonal Pinis Named “Rosebud” formally owned by customers of the Rosebud PH on Hurst Green became the new “Surprise” and returned to Brightlingsea Harbour for an ongoing re fit and the story, an unbelievable story began.

Our Harbour and its surrounding places of work and Harbour control was so different then and the two brothers who owned the two vessels and eventually owned the entire Aldous Shipyard site became characters and then villains of this story as mistakes by authorities and others evolved.

Roy Birnie

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QUIZZICAL fundraising fun for foodbank Brightlingsea Foodbank’s entertaining and brain-teasing quiz night raised a hefty £765.80p for essential foodbank funds.

This sell-out event at the Colne Yacht Club saw nine lively teams revelling in the challenges of tantalising questions and tackling other fun fund-raising quests.

Win Pomroy, who organised the quiz with her husband, Frank and who coordinates Brightlingsea Foodbank Volunteers said: “We were absolutely thrilled by how well it went and would like to thank all those who helped make it possible.

“This is the second very successful quiz we have held, and Bob Walsh was again our excellent quizmaster, ably assisted by his wife, Sue. “The money we raised is vitally important as there is a growing need for foodbanks across the country.

New figures show there was a 19 per cent increase in foodbank use nationally and more than a 13 per cent increase in Colchester, Brightlingsea and Wivenhoe.

“Though we are a small foodbank in Brightlingsea, we supplied 85 food parcels last year to people who through no fault of their own were

unable to buy food for themselves or their families.”

Brightlingsea Foodbank opens every Wednesday morning from 10:30am until 12:30pm at the Parish Hall, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea, CO7 0BP and works in partnership with Colchester and Wivenhoe Foodbanks.

As well as food donations, cash is also needed to rent the warehouse where the donated food is stored. The running costs are around £1,600 per month.

Colchester Foodbank, in partnership with Brightlingsea and Wivenhoe Foodbanks, is currently raising money to buy its own warehouse and hub.

To help towards this, £500 of the quiz night takings will be earmarked for the new premises fund, and £265.80p will be ring fenced for the sole use of Brightlingsea Foodbank.

For more information about Brightlingsea, or either Colchester or Wivenhoe Foodbanks, please call: Win or Frank on 07970 480968, or drop into the foodbank on a Wednesday between 10:30am and 12:30pm at the Parish Hall, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea, CO7 0BP.

Quick Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS 7 French writer shows real bias unfortunately (8) 9 Insulted a British and American journalist (6) 10 He’s found among entomologists (3) 11 See about unusually bitter book (8) 12 Thus employed drunk (6) 13 So old article offers comfort (6) 15 Some memory of what cobra has, you say? (8) 16 In court, one questions angry inspector (5-8) 20 Fellow always is hot, running high temperature (8) 22 Chap, see, is punctual (6) 25 Pants and comes back to life? (6) 26 Isn’t love misrepresented by ths writer? (8) 27 Some work is therefore cut short (3) 28 Lyricist is a beginner, it’s said (6) 29 Former partner rang and praised highly (8) DOWN 1 Caught a straying coil of cloth (6) 2 Type of polecat is a diligent searcher (6) 3 Time to perform more infrequently? That’s unsubtle! (8) 4 Young girl soundly curses English student (6) 5 Vehicle picked up Pope in the outskirts of town (8) 6 Could be protected first off with smoke sensor? (8) 8 Trite conversation where brokers work (5,8) 14 Old, old city belonging to us (3) 16 Daily gets hold of second detergent perhaps (8) 17 Compliant with order to somehow end it (8) 18 Give incentive to team playing around four (8) 19 Ultimately people follow like sheep (3) 21 Put in stern, I work (6) 23 Slightly miffed at first by ruined idyll (6) 24 Taking part, journalist endeavours to pay attention (6)

SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 7 Rabelais. 9 abused. 10 tom. 11 libretto. 12 soused. 13 soothe. 15 kilobyte. 16 cross-examiner. 20 feverish. 22 timely. 25 undies. 26 novelist. 27 erg. 28 Lerner. 29 extolled. DOWN: 1 calico. 2 ferret. 3 tactless. 4 damsel. 5 suburban.

6 detector. 8 stock exchange. 14 our. 16 cleanser. 17 obedient. 18 motivate. 19 ewe. 21 insert. 23 mildly. 24 listen.

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Work to start on Colchester’s new drinking water fountains Work to install Colchester’s three new drinking water fountains is due to begin on Monday 17 June. Colchester Borough Council announced earlier this year that it would be installing the new fountains as part of its Better Colchester campaign.

Business and Resources, said: “Our new drinking water fountains will not only offer residents and visitors the opportunity to easily keep hydrated and healthy, they also support our commitment to reduce single use plastic.

A new drinking water fountain will be installed on the High Street, by the area formerly known as Angels Yard, the week commencing Monday 17 June. During the same week, from Wednesday 19 June, work to install a new drinking water fountain at the Lower Castle Park toilets will also take place.

“This council is setting an example.

We have reduced our plastic waste.

We recycle. We encourage businesses to do the same. And we encourage everyone – as the BBC have with their ‘War on Plastic’ series – to use reusable bottles.

The drinking water fountain at Hollytrees Museum will be temporarily unavailable, from Wednesday 19 June, while it is replaced with a new one.

The three new drinking water fountains are being introduced to make Colchester an even better place to live, work in and visit. They support Colchester’s Plastic Pledge to reduce the use of single use plastic items, as well as the national Refill campaign to keep Britain hydrated and to help prevent plastic pollution.

Cllr David King, Portfolio Holder for

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“We all need to cut back or stop using single use bottles and other plastics. Refill your bottle! There are over 25 town centre businesses already signed up to the national Refill campaign. Please download the app and find them and over 20,000 other places. Each will provide free tap water.

“With our fountains and the Refill campaign, we really can make a difference in Colchester and prevent unnecessary plastic pollution.

We must act now. And I urge our residents to go out and get a reusable bottle to make the most of the available drinking water in our town.”

Colchester Museums are appealing for volunteers to get involved with Colchester Castle’s new exhibition opening this summer.

Museums are offering a great opportunity to get up close to the stunning objects, develop skills and be part of a team.

Adorn: Jewellery, The Human Story opens on the 27 July and will feature loans from the British Museum and other major collections. It will explore the glitz and glamour of personal adornment, from the Bronze Age through to the 21st Century, Pompeii to Colchester.

Anyone can take part, as Colchester Museums will deliver all the necessary training. The role is also designed to be flexible and Colchester Museums will work with the volunteers to ensure the role fits into any commitments that volunteers may already have.

To help deliver the exhibition, Colchester Museums are appealing for people to get involved. A team of volunteers are being recruited to help showcase the hidden stories behind the displays.

To express interest, prospective volunteers should visit Colchester Museums website and register their interest at cims.volunteermakers.org

Volunteers will have the opportunity to support a range of activities, from welcoming and engaging visitors to recording feedback and even giving short talks about their favourite objects.

Councillor Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Performance and Deputy Leader of the Council said: “Volunteering can be a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved. We’re so grateful to anyone who would like to share their skills, time and enthusiasm with us.

Whether you’re someone interested in local history, jewellery or simply love talking to people, or know someone who does, we would urge you to get in touch. Colchester

Adorn: Jewellery, The Human Story runs from 27 July 2019 until the 16 February 2020 at Colchester Castle. Find out more at colchester. cimuseums.org.uk/adorn

Quick Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS 3 Old East German follows river to find perch (5) 8 Fool is one from Italian city (6) 9 Everyone is accommodating English friends (6) 10 Two notes from operatic heroine (4) 11 Not moving goods yet (5-5) 12 Thus African country produces African (6) 13 Capsize open vessel (8) 16 Gaunt young Irene performs in musical (5,3,4,3) 18 Teen reformed with gaol stretch (8) 21 Police force has those people on film (3,3) 23 New peer’s given ring portraying Zeus’s daughter (10) 25 US general’s the dregs (4) 26 Give daughter a note perhaps (6) 27 The Italian is after fast food (6) 28 Play about District Attorney in the present time (5) DOWN 1 American who inhabits the White House? (6) 2 One toiling at unravelling lawsuit (10) 3 Wine gets Sir Nigel drunk (8) 4 Over the moon, having climbed Everest? (2,3,2,3,5) 5 Deal with equipment (6) 6 Idiot wants 150 books (4) 7 Retailer of wine collection, say (6) 12 Very hard worker is left inside bar (5) 14 Back home, I’ll follow cake with pasta (10) 15 Group of musicians not touring Tyneside (5) 17 Working honestly or dishonestly? (2,3,3) 19 Ollie upset wife so keep out of sight (3,3) 20 Computer manufacturer needs time to produce program (6) 22 Quote me retrospectively? It’ll make you sick (6) 24 Openers for Sussex caught and bowled but this chap’s not out (4)

SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3 roost. 8 Assisi. 9 allies. 10 Mimi. 11 stockstill. 12 Somali.

13 overturn. 16 Annie Get Your Gun. 18 elongate. 21 the Met. 23 Persephone. 25 lees.

26 donate. 27 lentil. 28 today. DOWN: 1 Eskimo. 2 litigation. 3 Riesling. 4 on top of the world. 5 tackle. 6 clot. 7 seller. 12 slave. 14 tortellini. 15 nonet. 17 on the sly. 19 lie low. 20 applet. 22 emetic. 24 scab.

Colchester Museums are looking for Adorn Volunteers

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Armed Forces Day to be marked with Colchester fanfare A fanfare of trumpets from The Band of The Parachute Regiment is set to herald Armed Forces Day in Colchester, at 10am, on Monday 24 June 2019.

Colchester Borough Council will join local authorities and community groups across the country by flying the Armed Forces Day flag in support of servicemen and women and for the wider Armed Forces community of families, veterans and cadets.

The raising of Armed Forces Day Flags across the country will herald a week of celebrations around the country culminating in a national event in Salisbury on Saturday 29th June.

Colchester will be raising its Armed Forces Day Flag alongside the Pegasus flag of 16 Air Assault Brigade from the Town Hall.

The Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Nick Cope, will lead the ceremony, accompanied by the Commander of Colchester Garrison Lieutenant Colonel Steve Caldwell, Garrison Sergeant Major WO1 Billy Biggar and members of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Other attendees include HM LordLieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, and the High Steward of Colchester, Sir Bob Russell. The public is

also invited to attend the event, which takes place on the steps of the Town Hall.

The Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Nick Cope, said: “The raising of the Armed Forces Day flag gives us the opportunity to thank the military community who have devoted their lives to protecting our nation.

“This year’s Armed Forces Day event is particularly poignant as it marks key anniversaries in World War 2, notably D-Day and the Battle of Arnhem, both of which involved men of the 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions.

“We owe our serving military personnel, particularly the British Army’s airborne forces based here in Colchester, and veterans everywhere, a huge debt of gratitude. Their commitment and sacrifice at home and abroad help ensure our freedom and safety.”

Commander of Colchester Garrison Lieutenant Colonel Steve Caldwell said: “It is with a great sense of pride, especially in this the 75th year in which we reflect on the sacrifices made by those involved in the liberation of Nazi occupied Europe, to accept and give thanks on behalf of 16 Air Assault

Brigade and all those stationed at the Garrison for the support given and the appreciation shown by the people of Colchester.”

Before Monday’s ceremony the Mayor, council leader Cllr Mark Cory and Cllr Lyn Barton, Colchester Borough Council’s armed forces champion, showed their support for service personnel past and present by posing for a #SaluteOurForces selfie.

A friendship agreement is also being signed by the Mayor of Colchester and exchanged with the Municipality of Renkum (in Holland) at the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show on Saturday 29th June.

As part of its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, the council is inviting Armed Forces personnel living in the borough to register their name and address so they can be kept informed about events and issues regarding the covenant, council help available and anything else that may be of interest.

Colchester Castle will be supporting Armed Forces Day again this year, by offering free entry on Saturday 29 June to serving personnel and their families with military ID or a Defence Privilege Card.

For more information about Armed Forces Day, visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk

01621 893834 t 07900 332795 8

Wivenhoe Neighbourhood Plan officially adopted Identifying a limited number of sites where new homes can be built to avoid speculative development and added protection for the River Colne are among the benefits of a new plan for Wivenhoe that has been formally adopted by Colchester Borough Council.

Road; expanding the allotments on the existing site and at a site adjacent to Broomgrove School;

The Wivenhoe Neighbourhood Plan, spanning 2019-2033, outlines 32 policies Colchester Borough Council will now follow when making any planning decisions affecting Wivenhoe. These include:

new cycle/footways.

• providing protection for valued natural areas such as University Marshes, Ferry Marsh and the River Colne; • Ensuring that new homes contribute to improved infrastructure including the following: a new cemetery on Elmstead

providing playing fields on two hectares of the land adjacent to Broad Lane Sports Ground; new open spaces;

In 2013 the council agreed a Neighbourhood Plan covering the whole of the Wivenhoe ward should be developed.

A working group, in consultation with the local community, have developed the plan over the last six years and it was overwhelmingly backed by residents in a referendum held on Thursday 2 May with 2,771 people in favour and 342 against.

Councillor Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Performance and Deputy Leader of the Council said: “This is an important moment for the Wivenhoe area as it gives a clear outline of how the area will be shaped over the next 14 years.”

01206 564179 01473 780477

ACROSS 1 New store keeps British ice-cream (6) 4 Noblewoman wants pub on old headland (8) 9 Request comes in to get engine part (6) 10 Emit a fug perhaps and use it to disinfect (8) 11 Gate of harbour by a lake (6) 12 Chief of staff blasted lenient guard (8) 13 Container in grate (3) 14 One looks for member of 60s group? (6) 17 ly devil loses one pound then promises to pay (7) 21 Occupier of temporary shelter outside centre of Gdansk (6) 25 A chap to tease (3) 26 One working with Norma on hill? (8) 27 Nation accepts popular playwright (6) 28 Going across river involves guts (8) 29 Six vehicles for clergymen (6) 30 Member of audience is unusally silent before the Queen (8) 31 To give protection from French fiend, I must go (6) DOWN 1 One gives direction to put name to letters (8) 2 Kept quiet (8) 3 Raised tax in east Leeds endlessly (8) 5 One mistreats Jack and his employer? (6) 6 After work I swallowed drug (6) 7 Woman finds Pamela inebriated to some extent (6) 8 Yes, elm could be suitable (6) 12 Relish entertaining one with the Messiah (7) 15 The German turned up for wine (3) 16 Small building is closed first off (3) 18 Calm about intravenous drug (8) 19 Banter that’s not lasted well? (8) 20 Emphasised puddings should rise (8) 22 Con the healthy and prosper (2,4) 23 Churned up salted deposits at river mouths (6) 24 Girl engrosses soldiers with martial art (6) 25 Leave a story for footballer (6) SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1 sorbet. 4 baroness. 9 gasket. 10 fumigate. 11 portal. 12 sentinel. 13 jar. 14 seeker. 17 devious. 21 tenant. 25 guy. 26 operator. 27 Racine. 28 entrails. 29 vicars. 30 listener. 31 defend. DOWN: 1 signpost. 2 reserved. 3 elevated. 5 abuser. 6 opiate. 7 Elaine. 8 seemly. 12 saviour. 15 red. 16 hut. 18 sedative. 19 badinage.

20 stressed. 22 do well. 23 deltas. 24 karate. 25 goalie.

• identifying sites for 250 new homes in Wivenhoe over the next 14 years;

Quick Crossword Puzzle

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Schools and community groups urged to create Ecobricks to help tackle plastic waste Schools and community groups across the borough are being urged to create Ecobricks to support Colchester Borough Council’s drive to reduce the amount of non-recyclable plastic being sent to landfill.

The council, which is committed to protecting the environment by reducing waste particularly plastic, has written to all Colchester schools and community groups to encourage them to help achieve their ambition.

It has invited them to turn any plastic waste that cannot be recycled into Ecobricks – an empty plastic bottle tightly packed with nonbiodegradable materials to form a ‘brick’.

These can then be used to build furniture or help create picturesque gardens for example. In some parts of the world Ecobricks are used to build homes.

Last year the council launched the Colchester Plastic Pledge as part of a push to create a Better Colchester.

Residents and local organisations were invited to make a pledge to reduce their own use of single-use plastics.

Creating Ecobricks supports this aim by providing an alternative use for non-biodegradable rubbish. They can

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be joined together using things like silicone, tire bands and cement to create a range of structures.

Now the council has contacted schools and community groups to encourage them to take up the Ecobrick challenge and share their creations.

Councillor Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Transport and Environment, said: “Through our plastic pledge campaign not only have we encouraged people to think about their own use of single-use plastics, we have led by example by looking at own use as well.

“As a borough we are among the very best in the country for recycling.

However, there is so much more all of us can do to help protect the environment.

“There are so many things people can make out of an Ecobrick and I will be fascinated to see how creative our schools and community groups can be.”

While making an Ecobrick is simple there are important guidelines to follow including: • bottles should only be stuffed with non-biodegradables – for example biscuit wrappers, carrier bags, cling film, packing tape, popped bubble

wrap. No paper, glass or sharp metals should be added.

• all materials put into the bottle must be clean and dry.

• people should use a stick to pack the bottles as tightly as possible.

is also continuing to reach out to and work with local organisations to encourage them to offer residents and customers reusable and more environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastics.

• coloured plastic should be used to fill the bottom of the bottle and any air pockets to give the Ecobrick its colour.

More information about how to make an Ecobrick, including the minimum weight they need to be depending on the size of the bottles, can be found at www.ecobricks.org/how/

As well as working to reduce its own use of single-use plastics and urging others to follow its lead, the council

For more information on the Colchester Plastic Pledge see www. colchester.gov.uk/colplasticpledge

Quick Crossword Puzzle

Council reaffirms ambition to deliver up to 350 social homes for Colchester residents The ambition to deliver up to 350 new affordable homes for local people on Colchester Borough Council’s housing waiting list over the next seven years has been reaffirmed by councillors.

Last night’s (Wednesday) meeting of the council’s Cabinet restated the aim while backing plans supporting the transfer of council-owned land in Creffield Road to Colchester Amphora Homes Limited (CAHL) – the council’s wholly owned housing company – to develop.

The council’s ambitious plans include: • CAHL delivering 100 affordable homes as part of developments totalling 300 homes across sites at Creffield Road, Military Road, Mill Road and St Runwald Street;

ACROSS 7 Rogue can’t hope for memorial (8) 9 I sat outside when ready (6) 10 Obese, gobbling seconds? Don’t eat! (4) 11 Free of suspicion, hence trial collapsed (2,3,5) 12 Sounds like education cut (6) 14 One likely to lose is urged on anyhow, maintaining decorum initially (8) 15 Bag of cash confused alien (6) 16 Going up a trail (6) 19 Limit a large town’s size (8) 21 Shrink cured loony with drug (6) 23 Passing on work to representatives (10) 24 American police hit heavily (4) 25 Subtle changes creating a stir (6) 26 Find out one’s caught in port (8)

• building around 35 new homes on former garage sites – expanding on the 34 affordable homes delivered on former garage sites in 2014; • buying back up to 50 properties across five years using the Right to Buy clauses on former council homes and a further 100 over five years on the open market;

• looking at alternative ways of delivering social housing It is also seeking to borrow up to £75m over five years to support the delivery of these much-needed homes.

This has been made possible by the Government scrapping its one per cent rent reduction which has been in place since 2015, as well as removing a previously imposed “debt cap” so that councils can once again borrow funds to build affordable homes.

Councillor Adam Fox, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “It is no secret there is a dire need for more affordable homes across the country. However, while we have had the desire to deliver them in Colchester, we have been hamstrung for years by a variety of Government policies and procedures.

“Now we can drive forward our ambitious commitment to deliver the affordable homes our residents need and want, by building on the partnerships we have through Colchester Borough Homes and our housing company CAHL.”

DOWN 1 Money back for a beer that’s off – about time (6) 2 Disease giving a taste of France? (4) 3 Artist, one into ballet, shows brilliance (8) 4 Add a couple of pages to conclusion (6) 5 Loved one is riling Fred unfortunately (10) 6 Begin attack (3,5) 8 Strongly attack greeting by solicitor (3,3) 13 Escort a man around state capital (10) 15 Bet placed on unfashionable police operation (5-3) 17 Sees runs hit with certainty (8) 18 Army I’d assembled is countless (6) 20 One magazine starts to employ sexy pictures (6) 22 Top of column’s black and yellow (6) 24 Display is partly British owned (4)

SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 7 cenotaph. 9 poised. 10 fast. 11 in the clear. 12 lessen.

14 underdog. 15 sachet. 16 ascent. 19 capacity. 21reduce. 23 delegation. 24 swat. 25 bustle. 26 discover.. DOWN: 1 rebate. 2 gout. 3 radiance. 4 append. 5 girlfriend. 6 set about. 8 hit out. 13 Sacramento. 15 stake-out. 17 sureness. 18 myriad. 20 images. 22 craven. 24 show.

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Why is Poo so Taboo?

I recently overheard eldest daughter explaining in detail to her friend what a ‘normal’ poo should look like, much to the horror of said friend – she is her mother’s daughter!

• infrequent bowel movements and hard stools - normal can range from three times a day to three times a week • sensory dysfunction - not having the urge to go or a sense of incomplete evacuation • flatulence and bloating - noisy or smelly wind

Alison Lambert

Poo consists of food, bacteria, mucus and dead cells. Food travels through eight meters of intestine from the time it enters the mouth of an adult until it comes out the other end, this can take between 24 – 72 hours. The time it takes for ingested food to travel through the human gut – also called transit time – affects the amount of harmful degradation products produced along the way. This means that transit time is a key factor in a healthy digestive system. Research suggests that a shorter transit time is associated with improved bowel health.

Transit time is a key factor in the activity of the intestinal bacteria and this emphasizes the importance of preventing constipation which effects 1 in 7 people. Constipation can be considered a risk factor for some diseases including bowel cancer;

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• faecal incontinence - uncontrolled leakage or rectal bleeding However, most people would include:• spending a long time on the toilet unable to pass a stool diverticular disease – inflamed or infected pockets in the large bowel; and anal fissures - a tear or sore near the anus.

How experts define constipation can be different to the general public’s perception - they would suggest the following could be used to format a definition of constipation:• abdominal discomfort, pain and bloating - clothes not fitting as well as usual • rectal discomfort - bleeding from pushing too hard, pain or burning sensation in the anal area

• straining • needing to use laxatives One key message is that you need to know what is normal for you and then look out for changes. Any persistent change, either diarrhoea or constipation, of more than 3 weeks should necessitate seeing your GP. It is generally accepted that our Western diet is linked to constipation and bowel disease. Epidemiological studies demonstrate far less incidence of bowel cancer and diverticular disease for example, in countries where a high fibre diet is the norm.

To help food pass through the colon, eat regularly and follow a diet rich in fibre (fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts, wholegrain bread, pasta and rice). The recommendation for adults of 30g of fibre per day is on average double our current intake. Drink plenty of water – this is even more important when you increase the amount of fibre in the diet – fibre adds bulk to stools but water is needed to maintain moistness and as such, makes it easier to pass through the large bowel and ultimately have a poo. Meat slows down the transit time and should be reduced in the diet whilst physical activity speeds up the rate food passes thorough the bowel.

If you are a little skittish about discussing your poo, may I recommend a perusal through the Bristol Stool chart – this will allow you to identify your poo without the need to describe it in graphic detail. · Type 1–2 indicate constipation · Type 3–4 are ideal stools as they are easier to pass. Type 5–7 may indicate diarrhoea and urgency.

For the rest of us – lets keep talking poo and get rid of the taboo!

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Colne Medical Centre OWLs Monthly News Physiotherapy Are you suffering with aches and pains?

Did you know you can see a physiotherapist at the practice?

You do not need to see your GP first, just call our reception team who will book you an appointment.

The physiotherapist can help with any recent onset of muscle or joint pain in any part of the body, recent injuries including sprains and strains, arthritis, neck and back pain, sciatica and anyone with previously failed physiotherapy.

Call us on 01206 302522 to book, unfortunately these appointments are not currently available to book online.

Polite request from our reception team As you may be aware the practice has had a new telephone system installed. This includes an answerphone service which should only be used for appointment cancellations- please do not leave

prescription or medication queries as they will not be dealt with.

There has been an increase in prescription requests being made by telephone, our reception team cannot accept or process requests in this way. Prescriptions should be requested in writing or by using online services. Online access forms can be downloaded from the practice website or collected from reception.

Farewell We have said farewell to Nurse Angela Hall who has retired after 13 years with us, we wish her a happy and healthy retirement.

Coming up…….

The practice website will be updated towards the end of June, the new site will be much easier to navigate and will allow patients easier access to our services. To keep up to date with practice information please follow our Facebook page or check the latest news on our current website.

Thank you for reading Caroline Bowden, Practice Manager

Useful Phone Numbers Boots Pharmacy ......................................................................................................... 01206 302029 Brightlingsea Museum ................................................................................................ 01206 303286 Brightlingsea Sports Centre......................................................................................... 01206 304946 Brightlingsea Swimming Pool ..................................................................................... 01206 303067 Brightlingsea Town Council ........................................................................................ 01206 303535 Colchester Hospital...................................................................................................... 01206 747474 Colne Yacht Club ......................................................................................................... 01206 302594 Colne View Dentist ...................................................................................................... 01206 302307 Dentist ........................................................................................................................ 01206 305080 Doctors surgery .......................................................................................................... 01206 302522 Ferry Mobile ............................................................................................................... 07981 450169 Harbour Office ............................................................................................................ 01206 302200 Library ........................................................................................................................ 01206 302399 Post Office ..................................................................................................

01206 302600 Rail Enquiries .............................................................................................................. 08457 484950 Tendring District Council ............................................................................................. 01255 686868 Community Police ....................................................................................................... 07801 316879 Fire Safety Officer ...................................................................................................... 07779 129888 Affinity Water .............................................................................................................. 08451 489299 All Gas Emergencies ...................................................................................................... 0800 111999 All Power cuts ............................................................................................................. 0800 3163105 Doctor’s Surgery .......................................................................................................... 01206 302522 Pharmacist @ Boots .................................................................................................... 01206 302029 Minor Injuries Clinic .................................................................................................... 01255 201594 Local Police (non emergency) ......................................................................................................101

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Spring is just about with us and lots to look forward to for the summer time! This time last year we wrote about managing the hot weather and making sure we are properly protected with hats, sun blocker and plenty to drink to keep cool – and it does sound as if this summer will be another hot one! Take care.

On a very different subject – we have been hearing highly distressing things on the national news about residential homes for older people.

If you are beginning to consider your future or that of a relative – to organise care and support - where to begin? How can you find out know if a care home place is properly run – that it is secure? - that staff are well trained and kindly? – that a particular establishment is right for your needs?

Once again we turn to Independent Age which has a leaflet entitled ‘How to Find the Right Care Home For You’. Their advice is to start by arranging a Care Needs Assessment

to establish what your needs are – it may be that residential care is not the best way forward. You can do this by contacting the Adult Social Services Dept of your local authority.

An alternative way to start might be to ask local private care agencies about the support they can offer – see our OWLs leaflet for some contact numbers. It may be that some adaptations in your home would meet your needs. For more information from Independent Age call 0800 3196789.

On a brighter note, we hear more and more how organisations and services are recognising how valuable older people are to their communities – how the ‘grey hairs’ can provide wisdom, experience, continuity, quiet confidence and a reassuring presence. Our summer time message - Don’t underestimate how important you are! Do get in touch with your thoughts, information to share or queries: email youwalk@btinernet. com or phone 01206 303375.

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