Natural History Museum secures vital grant for major revamp
Colchester’s much loved Natural History Museum has been awarded a Development grant of £296,725 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This funding will support the initial phase of the museum’s planned £5 million redevelopment, enabling detailed architectural and gallery designs, business and activity planning ahead of a second-round funding application in 18 months' time.
The museum, housed in one of Colchester’s oldest buildings – a grade II listed deconsecrated church – welcomes over 30,000 visitors annually, particularly young families. Despite its popularity, the museum is in urgent need of modernisation. The building itself requires substantial conservation work, and its exhibits, many of which are decades old, are due for a complete overhaul.
The plans have been shaped by extensive public consultation carried out in 2022, which included online surveys, public meetings, and family focus groups. The redevelopment will ensure the museum continues to offer free entry and remains particularly suited to its current audience of young families. The new museum will focus on local habitats, including the unique landscapes of North East Essex, and
how people can enjoy and contribute to the sustainability of the natural world around them.
The redevelopment will also introduce a dedicated learning space for school groups –something the museum currently lacks. In addition, the new museum will provide areas for local natural history groups and other community partners to engage with the public, further enhancing its role as a hub for community-led activity.
Councillor Natalie Sommers, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Heritage and Public Protection, said: "This is a pivotal moment for the Natural History Museum. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we can now begin the critical planning and design work that will secure the museum’s future. Our goal is to transform the museum into an exciting space that reflects both our natural heritage and the values of sustainability."
The Development phase, funded by this Heritage Fund grant, includes the procurement of a professional design team, architects, exhibition planners, and heritage consultants. It will also cover essential business and activity planning.
Langham Christmas Handmade Fair Returns this November
The much-loved Langham Christmas Handmade Fair is back this year, offering a festive shopping experience on Saturday 16th November. Set in the picturesque village of Langham, just a short drive from Colchester, the fair will feature a stunning collection of 30 handpicked makers and creators, showcasing the finest handcrafted goods.
This year’s fair promises a delightful range of indoor and outdoor stalls, with artisans selling everything from candles, jewellery, and home decor to festive Christmas decorations and luxurious bath and body products. Alongside these beautiful creations, local food traders will be offering delicious treats, including artisanal
cheeses, pickles and chutneys, the finest chocolates, and flavoured nuts—ideal for stocking up on gifts or indulgent goodies.
Entry to the Langham Christmas Handmade Fair is completely free, and there’s plenty of on-site parking available, making it a stress-free shopping experience. Visitors can also take a break from shopping to enjoy a slice of homemade cake and a cuppa, adding to the fair’s warm, community atmosphere.
Whether you're looking for unique holiday gifts or just want to enjoy a traditional craft fair, the Langham Christmas Handmade Fair is not to be missed.
For more details, visit our website (www.langhamhandmadefair.co.uk) or follow us on social media to stay up to date with event news and maker spotlights. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Contact Information:
Clair & Dawn Langham Handmade Fair Co-Founders
langhamhandmadefair@gmail.com 07786 227860 / 07818 413747 www.langhamhandmadefair.co.uk
A Spot of Bother
by Mark Haddon
A Spot of Bother is a darkly humorous and poignant exploration of a family unravelling under the weight of its own dysfunctions. The central character, George Hall, is a retired man in his late fifties who becomes obsessively convinced that a lesion on his hip is cancerous, leading to a gradual mental breakdown. While this sounds a depressing premise for a story, Haddon’s deft handling of the anxieties of middle age and the fragile nature of mental health, ensures that the reader is able to smile, wince, cheer along and empathise with everyone involved.
A Good Read
The narrative weaves together the perspectives of George’s immediate family, each dealing with their own crisis, as is often the way of families. His wife, Jean, is having an affair, while their daughter, Katie, is preparing for a second marriage to a man that no one in the family likes. Their son, Jamie, is struggling both with his identity and his and his own relationships. Each of them is so wrapped up in their own little world that they fail to notice that George, who is like an extra in the film of their own lives, is falling apart in front of them. The blend of dry wit and deep empathy, keeps all the relationships authentic and relatable and there are moments when the reader, no matter which generation they belong to will recognise themselves and their own family relationships.
Haddon’s prose is sharp, and his ability to balance humour with moments of genuine emotional depth is impressive. A Spot of Bother is a compelling read, offering both laugh-out-loud and moments of introspection.
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa, translated by Louise Heal Kawai
'Rintaro Natsuki has always considered Natsuki Books, his grandfather’s tiny, second-hand bookshop, a place of wonder and the perfect refuge for a quiet, introverted young boy. He has spent many happy hours there reading.
Then his grandfather dies leaving Rintaro grieving and along and the boy turns inwards even more and even stops going to school. Then he encounters a talking tabby cat named Tiger who wanders in and asks Rintaro for help. Tiger explains that he needs a book lover to accompany him on a mission to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated, and betrayed them. Together they embark on a series of book-themed adventures.
Sayo Yuzuki, is a strong, sensible girl who Rintaro has known since primary school. She calls by the bookshop to bring Rintaro homework, because she is concerned about his increased reclusiveness. They begin to discuss
the power of books throughout the centuries; how books can introduce us to new ideas and how every difficult book offers us a new challenge. The children begin to develop a friendship through their shared love of stories.
This children's novel was originally published in Japan in 2017, and Kawai’s elegant translation renders it accessible to English-speakers, without losing any of the essence of the Japanese language and culture. A wise and whimsical novel, about how love and loss affect our lives. Beautifully written and thought provoking, it will appeal to both children and adults alike.
By Tash Donovan
The Voice of Remembrance
November 11th
Remembrance Day on November 11th and Remembrance Sunday (Nov 10th this year) are observed to commemorate the end of World War I and to honour all members of the armed services, past and present, who have died in military service.
Many of us studied the War poets in school and one of the most influential is Wilfred Owen. He remains a powerful voice for the human cost of war. His vivid and haunting poetry captures the horrors of trench warfare, and the emotional trauma experienced by soldiers. Owen's work, most notably poems like Dulce et Decorum Est and Anthem for Doomed Youth, stripped away the early 20th Century romanticized notions of war, revealing its brutality and senselessness.
Owen’s continued relevance to Remembrance Day is profound.
His poetry serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by millions of soldiers who fought in World War I and other conflicts. Rather than glorifying war, Owen’s work focuses on the suffering, fear, and devastation experienced by those on the front lines. This perspective is crucial for modern-day remembrance, encouraging people not just to honour the fallen but to reflect on the true costs of war.
Owen’s poetry gives voice to the soldiers, ensuring their experiences and the impact of their sacrifice are not forgotten. His poems continue to resonate today, reminding us of the importance of peace, the reality of conflict, and the need to remember the human stories behind historical events. His words are all the more poignant because he was killed in action in 1918, just one week before the Armistice.
By Sarah Davey
(5)
(5)
(3)
Beyond the Classroom
The impact of arts education lasts a lifetime.
The arts subjects are being squeezed in in secondary education as successive Governments put ever more emphasis on maths and science. But subjects such as music, drama and art play an important role, offering students benefits that extend far beyond the subject matter of the course.
Improved academic results:
Studies show that students who participate in the creative arts tend to perform better academically across all subjects. In schools where the arts are integrated into the curriculum students perform better in maths, English, critical thinking, and verbal skills, suggesting that arts education positively impacts overall academic achievement.
Life Skill Development: The arts foster creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities. Students who study the arts learn to work both independently and collaboratively, developing time management skills and resilience. These qualities are invaluable for future career success, regardless of the chosen profession.
Enhanced Wellbeing: Arts subjects provide an outlet
puzzle solutions:
for self-expression and help build confidence. Many students report that arts lessons act as a release from academic pressures and everyday stresses, contributing to improved mental health.
Cultural Awareness and Empathy: Engagement with the arts helps young people develop a sense of their own identity and values, while also fostering awareness and appreciation of diversity. This cultivates empathy and understanding of different perspectives, essential qualities in our increasingly interconnected world.
Closing the Achievement Gap: Arts education has been shown to have a particularly positive impact on students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students from lowincome families who participate in arts activities at school are three times more likely to earn a degree, demonstrating the potential of arts education to level the playing field.
Perhaps we should all be championing and supporting the arts in our schools.
By Kate McCarthy
The Right Rice... ...is twice as nice
Have you ever looked at all the different varieties of rice on the supermarket shelves and wondered what the differences are between them? Understanding the distinct types of rice and their uses can enhance your cooking.
Basmati Rice is a long-grain variety known for its fragrant aroma and delicate texture. Predominantly used in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes, it’s perfect for pilafs, biryanis, and as a side to curries. Basmati stays fluffy when cooked, making it ideal for dishes that need distinct grains.
Jasmine Rice is another aromatic long-grain rice, popular in Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine. Its slightly sticky texture and floral scent make it a great accompaniment to stirfries, grilled meats, and curries.
Arborio Rice, a short-grain variety, is known for its creamy consistency. Its high starch content makes it
perfect for dishes like risotto and rice pudding, where a soft, rich texture is desired.
Sushi Rice, also short-grain, is sticky and slightly sweet, ideal for sushi rolls and Japanese rice bowls. It clumps together well, making it easy to shape.
Brown Rice retains its bran layer, giving it a chewy texture and nutty flavour. It’s more nutritious than white rice, making it a great choice for healthy grain bowls, salads, and stir-fries.
Wild Rice, though not technically a rice, adds a chewy, nutty flavour to salads and soups. Its distinct texture pairs well with roasted vegetables or as a side to hearty mains.
Using the right rice for your dish can take a recipe to the next level.
By Gemma Brown
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
2 onions finely sliced
Sausage and Bean Bowl
Give sausage, mash and beans an autumnal makeover
Cooking time: 35 minutes Serves: 4
1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
8 pork sausages
400g tin chopped tomatoes
Method
Heat half the oil in a lidded saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onions and fry until golden. Stir in the garlic and fry for 2 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Increase the heat, add the remaining oil and the sausages, and cook for until caramelised browned all over.
2 tsp Dijon mustard ½ chicken or vegetable stock cube, made up to 175ml
420g tin baked beans
Mashed potato, to serve
Return the onion and garlic to the pan with the tomatoes and mustard. Add the stock, season with pepper, and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes, adding the beans after 5 minutes.
Cover and cook for 5 more minutes until the sausages are cooked through. Serve poured over creamy mashed potato.
Garden View - This month - Create an inviting winter garden
November marks the start of winter, and many gardens become bare and lifeless as plants retreat for the season. However, there are plenty of ways to keep our outdoor spaces interesting, even during the gloomy months.
Add Garden Lighting for a Warm Glow
One of the simplest ways to bring life to a winter garden is through outdoor lighting. As daylight hours shorten, strategically placed lights
can transform a garden into a magical evening retreat. Fairy lights are perfect for draping over trees, shrubs, or fences, creating a gentle sparkle. For a more dramatic effect, solar-powered lanterns or spotlights can highlight key features, such as evergreen trees or sculptures, casting interesting shadows and adding depth.
Pathway lighting is also a practical and aesthetic addition. Choose LED or solar options for energy efficiency and consider warm-toned bulbs to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Make sure electric lights are rated for outdoor use and are on a timer so that the wildlife isn’t disturbed.
Introduce Outdoor Heating for Comfort
Consider adding a patio heater, fire
pits, or chiminea to provide a focal point for gathering, encouraging you to enjoy your garden even on colder nights. A fire pit offers the bonus being able to toast marshmallows and watch the flames dance, while chimineas bring a rustic charm and warmth to smaller spaces. Electric patio heaters are easy to operate and can be strategically placed near seating areas for comfort.
Create Colour with WinterFlowering Plants
There are plenty of species that thrive in colder weather and can inject colour into your garden. Hellebores, also known as the Christmas rose, bloom in shades of white, pink, and purple from November through to spring. Winter pansies, cyclamen, and primroses are also great options for adding cheerful colour to borders and pots. Evergreen shrubs such as holly and euowwnymus keep their vibrant green hues year-round, while the bright berries of pyracantha or cotoneaster can provide food for wildlife and visual interest.
Incorporate Topiary
A piece of topiary will add interest
to a pot and provide structure in winter. Formal shapes such as balls, pyramids and cubes work well. Box and yew are traditional choices. You can buy reasonably priced ready-trimmed topiary, but if you don’t fancy the maintenance try planting a small conifer paired with ornamental grasses like miscanthus or carex, to add texture and movement to the garden.
Add Interest with Seasonal Garden Accessories
Frost-proof pots filled with winter flowers, garden ornaments, bird feeders, and outdoor sculptures can all serve as focal points. Mirrors can be used to reflect light and elevate the atmosphere and help it feel dynamic, even when the plants are resting.
By using one or more of these tips, your garden can remain a space to enjoy, whatever the weather.
Happy gardening,
By Rachael Leverton
A Bite-sized Lunch - National Sandwich Day – November 3rd
I love a good bacon sandwich on homemade bread with thick slices of crispy smoked bacon and lashings of brown sauce. My mouth waters just thinking about it. The sandwich is a beloved British lunchtime staple. The name "sandwich" is attributed to John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, an 18th century English aristocrat. Legend has it that the Earl, an avid gambler, asked for meat tucked between slices of bread so he could eat without leaving his card game!
While this is the most famous origin story, the concept of layering ingredients between bread or bread-like foods dates back far earlier. Ancient civilizations like the Romans and Egyptians had their own versions of flatbreads topped or filled with meats and vegetables, which were the early ancestors of today’s sandwich.
November 3rd has been declared National Sandwich Day in recent years. Quite who declared this seems to be a bit of a mystery, maybe it was the British Sandwich Association (yes there really is an association dedicated to the humble sarnie!). According to this
organisation, in the UK we spend over £8.2bn on sandwiches every year, equivalent to roughly 3.8 billion sandwiches.
The bread manufacturer Hovis, carried out a Nationwide survey and found that the BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato) is the nation’s favourite sandwich), followed by chicken salad and tuna mayonnaise.
Personally, I can’t believe that cheese and pickle isn’t up there. For me, the pairing of mature cheddar with tangy Branston pickle is distinctly British with just
the right balance of richness and sharpness…second only to the aforementioned bacon sarnie in my humble opinion.
And it’s not just us Brits who love a sandwich.
In the United States, I was introduced to the "PB&J", a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It combines the creamy texture of peanut butter with the sweetness of fruit jam. Both my boys love them, but they are too claggy for me.
In France, the "croque monsieur" reigns supreme. This indulgent
sandwich features sourdough bread, ham and Gruyère cheese, grilled to perfection with a creamy béchamel sauce.
In Italy, the "panini" is a favourite. Often grilled, it combines Italian meats like prosciutto or salami with cheeses such as mozzarella, pressed between ciabatta or focaccia bread.
One of the best sandwiches I ever ate was in Uruguay. It was called a "Chivito," and was a towering affair filled with sliced beefsteak (churrasco), mozzarella, ham, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and olives. all packed into a soft bun.
The country that consumes the most sandwiches per capita is (somewhat unsurprisingly) the United States. Americans eat an estimated 300 million sandwiches every day, which equals nearly one sandwich per person per day.
So, what’s it to be? Ham? Jam? Fish fingers? What about Coronation chicken? There’s a sandwich filling for everyone, so what will you be munching on November 3rd?
By Sarah Davey
Create and Curate a Memory Box- A step by step guide
A memory box is a wonderful way to preserve and cherish your most treasured moments. Whether it's for yourself, as a future gift for a child, or to remember a family member who has died. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating and curating a meaningful memory box.
Step 1: Choose Your Box
Start by selecting a suitable container. It can be a decorative wooden box, a sturdy shoebox, or a specially purchased memory box.
The size depends on how many items you plan to include. You can cover or decorate the box to reflect the theme or personal style, using paint, stickers, or fabric.
Step 2: Gather Your Memories
Collect items that hold sentimental value. These can include photographs, letters, concert tickets, travel souvenirs, or small mementos. Choose items that evoke specific memories or milestones, such as baby’s first shoes, wedding invitations, or
holiday postcards. Ensure each item has a personal significance and tells part of the story.
Step 3: Organize and Arrange
Carefully arrange the items in the box. You can sort them chronologically or by theme (e.g., travel, family, achievements). Use envelopes or small pouches for delicate items like jewellery or pressed flowers. Adding labels or notes can help explain the significance of each item, providing context for future reminiscing.
Step 4: Personal Touches
Add personal touches to make the memory box even more special. Write a letter or include a diary entry to capture your emotions and thoughts. Add scented sachets to evoke memories through smell, or digital elements like a USB drive with a playlist of favourite songs or video clips.
Step 5: Maintain and Update
A memory box should be a living collection. Keep it updated with new memories and revisit it periodically to curate it. Remember, the container is a limit. You can
keep anything, but not everything. My mother used to say, 'If everything is special, nothing is special,' so keep only the most cherished items. Curating can be a therapeutic activity and talking about the items with others, keeps the memories alive.
Each member of my family has their own memory box. They get to decided what is special enough to keep in their box. This is very important; if you have delightful memories of reading The Gruffalo to your firstborn and are deeply attached to the book, but they don't consider it special enough to keep, the memory is clearly yours, so it should go in your own memory box. Don't guilt them into keeping it in theirs!
Creating and curating a memory box is a deeply personal and rewarding project. It not only preserves your most cherished memories but also serves as a tangible connection to your past. So, gather your mementos, let your creativity flow, and start building your own treasure trove of memories today.
By Sadia Khan
Bonfire Night
What’s the story behind November 5th?
We all think we know the story behind The Gunpowder Plot and bonfire night...but do we?
It actually began with Queen Elizabeth I. Her persecution of Catholics was legendary. When her fifty-year reign came to an end it was thought that new king, James I would be more tolerant because his own mother had been a Catholic. Unfortunately, this was not to be and, increasingly, some young men felt called to violent action.
A small group of men, under the leadership of Robert Catesby, felt that blowing up the Houses of Parliament would, in all likelihood,
kill the King, the Prince of Wales and those politicians opposed to Catholicism.
To this end they acquired 36 barrels of gunpowder and stored them in the cellars under The House of Lords.
These are the facts but opinions about what happened next are divided.
The popular story goes that as the plan progressed, some of the conspirators began to have second thoughts. There was a likelihood that innocent people would be hurt, namely those politicians who had actually fought for
Catholic rights. And so, one of the group sent a letter to his friend, Lord Monteagle, warning him to stay away from Parliament on November 5th.
This warning letter is said to have reached the King, who then made plans to stop the plot.
Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellars with the gunpowder. He was duly arrested, tortured, and executed along with his fellow conspirators.
However, this theory is disputed by many historians.
It has been suggested that the letter may have been falsified by the King’s officials. There had already been minor terrorist acts against Parliament and the Palace and many of those involved in The Gunpowder Plot were already known to the authorities. It would therefore have been extremely difficult for them to acquire gunpowder in such large amounts without arousing suspicion.
It’s thought that one of the conspirators, Francis Tresham,
taken in for questioning, confessed. The suggestion is that the letter was then created as a tool to explain how the King found out about the plot in the nick of time and also as a means of anti-Catholic propaganda.
The fact that the letter was unsigned and that none of the conspirators appears to have known about it - none claimed in their defence that they’d written itlends weight to this theory.
The legacy of The Gunpowder Plot persists. Even now the reigning monarch enters the Houses of Parliament only once each year for the state opening. Prior to their arrival the Yeomen of the Guard search the cellars for explosives. Once a purely ceremonial ritual, in current times it has once again taken on a more serious tone.
On the night of November 5th, 1605, bonfires were lit all over London in celebration of the saving of Parliament and the King...and the tradition persists to this day.
By John Clarke
Sudoku
How to play Sudoku It’s simple!
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.
You don’t need to be a genius. These puzzles use logic alone. Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.
DR SAMIR B PATEL • DR JAMIE NIGHTINGALE • DR BHAVINI MUIR
40 STATION ROAD •BRIGHTLINGSEA •COLCHESTER •ESSEX •CO7 0DT
Tel: (01206) 302522 •Email: colne.medicalcentref81116@nhs.net www.colnemedicalcentre.nhs.uk• facebook.com/Colnemedical
Flu Season
Bookings are now openfor your free flu vaccinations!
If you are housebound and eligible you will be contacted directly by the practice to organise your vaccination 2-3 year olds will be invited individually for set clinics in practice for the nasal flu vaccine. If you are 18-65 with a chronic condition or over 65 you will receive a text message from the practice which contains a booking link to our scheduled clinics. Please use this where possible to ease pressures on our reception team.
New Services
There are two new services available to our patients.
1.We are offering a new skin lesion/mole clinic.
If a patient calls the surgery, concerned about a mole/skin lesionthe practice team will use specifictriage questions to assess the appropriateness of the lesion for a dermoscopic image. Alternatively, thepatient can be signposted to the practicewebsite to self-refer. Following the initial triage and if appropriate, patients aregiven a telephone number to call and bookan appointment for imaging. In the futurepatients will be able to book their own appointment via SwiftQueue.
Appointments for imaging areoffered to the patient within 7 days,after whichafull report is sent back to the patient at the practice with the outcome.
2.We are starting a targeted lung healthcheck programme
Patients from the practice who are between 55 and 74 who smoke or used to smoke for a 10-minute telephone or face to face appointment where they will answer questions to create a risk score. If the risk is high, they will be referred for a CT scan of theirlungs. If the risk is low, they will be discharged. A letter informing the patient of the screening outcome will be sent to the practice.
Information booklets are available from reception for patients with queries.
Enhanced Access Clinics
Enhanced Access appointments areavailablefor Colte patients on Saturdays in Octoberas follows:
5th –Rowhedge Surgery
12th –Tiptree Surgery
19th –Walton Medical Centre
26th –Colne Medical Centre
Telephone appointments are also available everyweekdayevening from 6.30-8pm.
Please contact reception to book an appointment in any of these clinics.
Thank you for reading.
Katie Pirie Practice Manager
New showrooms now open at Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary and Glasswells, Ipswich
The waters around the property market may be choppy, but with the Michaels crew at the helm, we’ll get you to where you really want to be... simply pop in or call our Wivenhoe office to arrange a free mortgage health check and to register with us for updates on property prices and interest rates today.
Email: wivenhoe@michaelsproperty.co.uk
Web: www.michaelsproperty.co.uk