Issue 56
New showrooms now open at Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary and Glasswells, Ipswich
2
Ever wondered what Autumn Wellness Walks at Colchester Castle is like after High Woods Country Park dark? Are you brave enough to spend a night there? Ever wondered what Colchester Castle is like after dark? Now you can, because Knightzzz at the Castle, the ultimate sleepover, is back by popular demand. Get ready for an overnight adventure like no other. Suitable for the whole family – take part in fun activities, meet historical characters, enjoy a tour of the Castle (with some spooky tales thrown in for Halloween) and bed down for the night in the most amazing venue after your late-night hot chocolate treat. All you need do is bring your sleeping bags and get ready for a most unusual camping experience.
Councillor Darius Laws, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business and Heritage for Colchester Borough Council said: “Make some memories by enjoying what must be the ultimate sleepover: a night in Europe’s largest Norman Keep. If the Castle’s walls could talk, what would they say? This October, pack your overnight bag and head to the Castle for an unforgettable evening and become part of the Castle’s history!” Knightzzz at the Castle returns on the 23 October 2021 and prices start at £35 per person. Head to the website for further information. To book call 01206 282 939 and speak to a member of the team.
The autumn programme of Wellness Walks at High Woods Country Park is now available.
Run by Colchester Borough Council’s parks team, the ranger- and volunteerled walks are suitable for all. The autumn programme includes Family Wellness Walks, Friday Wellness Walks and Sunday strolls. Family Wellness Walk is running on Saturday 23 October. These walks are for young families, new and expectant parents, to come for a light stroll around the park to walk and talk. Little ones very welcome and the route is buggy friendly. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 11am.
Sunday Wellness Walks are running on 1, 15 and 29 October. Suitable for all. An ideal way to improve fitness or mobility in a sociable atmosphere. The walk follows a three-mile circuit. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 11am. Additional dates: 7, 14, 28 November 2021 12 December 2021
14, 28 January 2022
11, 25 February 2022 Cllr Beverley Oxford, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: “I’m pleased to be launching the autumn programme of Wellness Walks at High Woods Country Park. They are a great way of staying fit and encouraging a better mental well-being by bringing people together. The walks complement our work with Street Tag helping to get more people moving and enjoying the benefits of staying active outside. I encourage anyone to come along and join a walk.”
Walkers must book in advance and must not attend if they or anyone in their household is displaying symptoms of Covid-19. To book a place on the Wellness Walks please complete the Wellness Walks Registration Form and for Family Wellness Walks please complete the Family Wellness Walk Registration Form, if you have any queries please email the Countryside Park Ranger team at countryside@ colchester.gov.uk
9, 23 January 2022 6, 20 February 2022 Friday Wellness Walks are running on 10 and 24 October. Suitable for all. An ideal way to improve fitness or mobility in a sociable atmosphere. The walk follows a one-mile circuit which can be repeated for those who want to go a bit further. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 11am. Additional dates: 12, 19 November 2021
Keep up to date with upcoming Health Walks following @EnjoyColchester on Facebook and @YourColchester on Twitter, or by visiting the our Health Walks webpage at colchester.gov.uk/ country-park.
Wellness Walks and Street Tag support the Council’s commitment to Livewell, promoting healthy messages and supporting residents to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
3, 17 December 2021 Issue 55
To Advertise in Simply Magazine: 01206 233717 F any information or to submit an article or advert contact David Cook: For Call: C 01206 233717 Out Of Office: O 07734 171985 EEmail: SimplyColchester@gmail.com Head Office: H Simply Magazine, 1 George Williams Way, Colchester, Essex CO1 2JS
COPY DEADLINES: C
Issue 57: 27/10/21 Issue 58: 27/11/21
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
3
23rd to 31st ˂˖˧ˢ˕˘˥ ʥʣʥʤ
Join us for our FANG - TASTIC activities throughout October half term as we stay open until 5pm everyday!*
Select a pumpkin and create your own masterpiece at the Pumpkin Carving area or transform into your favourite monster at the Face Painting station.
Collect our Day of the Dead trail leaflet and look out for the four activity boards to complete during your visit. PLUS LOTS MORE...
ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO WALK THE Book tickets: www.colchesterzoo.org 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 29th and 30th OCT 2021
Ts and Cs apply to all events.
4
Passholders and non-passholders MUST purchase a booking slot in advance online to attend The Trail of Terror.
5
A Good Read to experience similar, nightmarish, dreams. Contacting the nephew of their dead friend, they find he also has something to contribute to their shared nocturnal visions, forcing them to explore people and events from their collective past—a past they’d much rather forget.
Ghost Story by Peter Straub Although Straub had written a couple of novels before this, this was the book that made his name. It was written in the late seventies, and is an epic creeping horror that has influenced many other writers, including Stephen King. It is set in a small fictional town, where the elderly members of The Chowder Society meet regularly to tell each other spooky stories over a few drinks. The book opens with a seemingly unconnected tale and then the death of one of the group members. Each of the remaining members begins
The novel, although good in its own right, is also a tribute to ghost stories in general. Straub obviously set out to pay his respects to the genre and there are nods to Nathaniel Hawthorne and M.R James among others. There's a main overarching plot that incorporates a few shorter stories. Straub was clearly having fun, and he includes most of the ingredients for a classic scary story. It's not fast paced but the tension builds nicely, and a real sense of menace develops as Straub draws all the threads together for the climax. It's a must for fans of all things scary. The storytelling is superb and it's definitely good read for Halloween. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak Another book from the Seventies, In the Night Kitchen is not as well-known as Sendak's other dreamscape, Where the Wild Things Are, but is every bit as
magical, with beautiful illustrations. The story is a fragmented, comic book romp through a child's dream. A stream-of-consciousness, random, quirky, child's-eye-view of the world, set in a sort of kitchen-cum-cityscape built from giant boxes of baking ingredients. Written in a poetic meter that stretches and contracts with the ebb and flow of the action, it's almost as much fun for an adult to read as for a child to listen. My kids (aged 5 and 3) love it, but I will issue a nudity warning to those parents who may not appreciate some of the illustrations. The little boy
Mickey is naked for most of the book, which my three-year-old finds utterly hilarious for some reason. My husband had no problem with the nudity, but he wasn't fond of the Oliver Hardy look-alike bakers, proving that even Sendak can't please everyone. Giant milk bottles, planes made from bread: for me, Sendak is a master storyteller who doesn't talk down to his audience. It's highly stylised and like Where the Wild Things Are it feels slightly of its time, but that doesn't matter; the kids feel a mixture of intrigue, excitement, trepidation, and wonder - it's perfect storytelling.
Word Search Can you find all of the circus-related words hidden in the grid?
apparition appearance banshee daemon demon
devil eidolon haunt kelpie manes
phantasm phantom poltergeist revenant shade
shadow soul spectre spook vampire
vision visitor wraith zombie
Answers on page 8 6
Living Life To The Full In Colchester When Patricia Flack and her partner, Michael Pearson, decided to downsize from their terrace house in the centre of Colchester, they took one look at McCarthy Stone’s Lancer House Retirement Living Plus development nearby and were instantly sold on the lifestyle on offer. Patricia, 84, explains: “Whilst we loved our former home, the upkeep of it was becoming too tiresome for us. We’d both much prefer to spend our energy and time on doing the things we enjoy, rather than on home maintenance, so we decided to think about our options. “We have friends who live in other McCarthy Stone developments and were aware of Lancer House being built so we thought we’d start there. We were very impressed with the set up and attention to detail. Everything was very well appointed and it didn’t take long for us to make the decision to move. “Our new apartment felt like home straight away and despite the pandemic, we’ve settled in and been so busy. During lockdown we spent lots of time keeping in touch with our friends over zoom and since restrictions have eased, we’ve been enjoying getting out and about and back to our hobbies. We’re both members of an art society, are part of a church community, and friends of Castle Park. We like to stay social and Lancer House gives us the freedom to do that without worrying about all the ‘jobs’ that need to be done. Plus, if we want a relaxing day at home on our own, we can do that too. “We’re both looking forward to getting to know the other homeowners at Lancer House better and attending some of the social events on offer. It’s a shame that Covid meant we couldn’t start taking advantage of the social aspect of the development right away, but now that restrictions have eased we have been able to socialise with our fellow homeowners. “In the meantime, we have been enjoying having the choice of going to the bistro for lunch, it’s great to be able to just nip downstairs for a meal when we want and not have to worry about cooking all the time and cleaning up. We also like to sit in the garden and watch the shrubs develop. I loved our garden at our previous home and really thought I would miss it, but it’s been lovely to watch the plants bloom here and see the garden take shape. “It’s also wonderful to have the reassurance that the McCarthy Stone team is here if we need them. My son lives in America, and I know he
appreciates that there is support available if we ever need it. The team have been brilliant the whole way through. In particular, Katherine Gant, the sales representative, went out of her way to make everything as trouble free as possible. We also received a very warm and friendly welcome when we moved in, and the team have remained as happy and helpful as they were on day one! “Although we’ve only just joined Lancer House, we couldn’t have made a better choice. It’s certainly the right place for us to be and it’s been absolutely wonderful to have the freedom to live life how we want.” Comprising a selection of 53 one and two-bedroom luxury Retirement Living Plus apartments, exclusively for people aged 70 and over, Lancer House provides everything retirees could want for a relaxing and independent retirement. The community features a communal lounge and landscaped gardens, which are ideal for socialising with new neighbours, and a hotel-style guest suite which provides a comfortable stay for family and friends. Designed to provide complete peace-of-mind, there is an Estate Manager on hand, along with a security entrance system and 24-hour emergency call points. A bistro-style restaurant serves fresh and nutritious meals daily for those who do not wish to cook in their apartments, and domestic and personalised care packages can be tailored to suit individuals.
Keep Your Pets Safe on Bonfire Night My Jack Russell terrier Pippa takes Bonfire Night in her stride. but Tess, my mixed breed rescue, transforms into a quivering wreck, who snaps, snarls and once drew actual blood when I tried to fish her out of the tumble drier where she had retreated among the yet-to-be sorted bed sheets. Studies suggest that almost half of dogs show signs of fear when they hear fireworks. Tess is at the extreme end of the scale and action was clearly required. There are a few simple things we can do to help a pet deal with fireworks. Some basic preparation will make Bonfire night a less stressful experience for everyone.
cutting it for Tess who wanted a proper bolthole, so the following firework season I cleared out a space among the shoes in the little cupboard under the stairs and added blankets and chew toys. She dived in headfirst, and we didn't see her till the following morning, when she re-appeared as though nothing was out of the ordinary! Cats also need hiding places too, though they are pretty good at finding their own! Try to bring cats inside, even if they normally go out at night, because they can become stressed and disorientated if they're caught outside during a fireworks display.
For dogs, walk them earlier in the day to avoid times when fireworks are likely to be set off. Close windows and curtains at night so loud bangs are muffled, and play music or put the TV on to further mask firework sounds
If you have small animals, covering outside cages and pens with blankets so an area is soundproofed and hidden is a good idea. And provide bedding they can burrow into. If you have a cool room where they can be undisturbed it can be good to move the hutch or cage temporarily inside.
Make a doggy den. This is a quiet space where a dog can feel in control. My dogs are crate-trained but the crate wasn't
And remember that all pets should be microchipped in case they panic and escape outside.
Across 1 3 9 10 11 13 15 17 20 21 22 23
DOWN 1 2
Prices at Lancer House currently start from £349,500 for a two bedroom apartment. Rental and Part Buy Part Rent options are also available to make moving even easier. More than nine out of 10 customers would recommend McCarthy Stone to a friend, ensuring it has received the full Five Star award for customer satisfaction from the Home Builders Federation for 16 years’ running. McCarthy Stone is the only UK housebuilder of any size or type to achieve this accolade for 16 consecutive years, which is every year the awards have been run. McCarthy Stone also received the Housebuilder Special Recognition Award 2020 for working hard to protect its customers – Covid-19 infection rates among homeowners are significantly below the national rate of infection across all age groups – and for innovation in the retirement sector. For more information on Retirement Plus Living in Essex, please call 0800 201 4743 or visit www.mccarthystone.co.uk.
Cure, restore (4) Despite, notwithstanding (8) Theft, burglary (7) Lizard with sticky feet! (5) Fall heavily (coll.) (4,1,7) Bulging belly (6) Crackpot, oddball (6) Fungal disease of the toes (8,4) Hard outer layer (5) Unblemished (7) Discuss yet again (8) Cut (4)
4 5 6 7 8 12 14 16 18 19
Printout (4,4) Scrapbook particularly for photos (5) Tiers (6) Intense strain or tension (4-8) Hazy (7) An owl's cry (4) Does the sums again (12) Pace, stride (8) Lie (7) Necessary, basic (6) Large body of water (5) Defect, disfigurement (4)
7
Boost Your Immune System
Gone Fishin'
Getting started with fishing My son loves to be outdoors spending time in the countryside. I told him how my dad and I used to have fantastic fun on our fishing trips to the various rivers and lakes around the area where we lived. This caught his interest and he asked if we could go fishing. Sounded great me! Luckily we have a small angling-supply shop in our village, so we popped in to look around and get some advice. As the flu season rolls around again, and we are now dealing with the additional threat of COVID-19, we need to take care of our immune systems.
not everybody produces the same immune response so is there anything else we can do to pep up our beleaguered immune system at this time of year?
There are two main parts to the immune system: the innate immune system is the one you are born with, and it is the body's rapid response system, working to attack antigens or invaders, while the adaptive or acquired immune system builds antibodies to protect your body from certain microbes, or germs, it encounters in the environment. Our immune system keeps track of every germ it has ever defeated, so it’s primed to be more effective if it encounters the same one again.
Yes, you can support and improve the effectiveness of your immune system by eating healthily, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, keeping alcohol intake moderate, and getting adequate sleep.
Vaccines are great at priming the immune system giving our bodies a head start when it comes to fighting certain diseases, so if you are able to receive the flu or COVID vaccines it’s a no-brainer. But even if you can have the vaccine, puzzle solutions:
8
Some vitamins and supplements are particularly useful additions at this time of year. Elderberry - Sambucus nigra consists of many vitamins and minerals which boost immune health. Vitamin C - Vitamin C is required for white-cell production. The body can’t make vitamin C, so a supplement is very useful. Zinc – Helps produce new immune system cells in your body. Vitamin D - Helps to regulate the immune system.
The staff were very knowledgeable and talked us through the equipment choice for a good quality, but reasonably priced starter set. This consisted of a nice rod suitable for float fishing and spinning, a good quality reel to go with it (don't forget to get some fishing line and ask if the staff can fit it for you!), some floats and hooks for maggot fishing and some lures for going after pike and perch. A few other bits and bobs and we were ready to catch our first whoppers for under £100. By this time the staff knew we were novices, so they weren't surprised when we answered their, "Have you got your licences?" question with a puzzled look. It turns out there are a number of rules and regulations you need to obey if you want to go fishing and stay on the right side of the law. In England and Wales anyone aged over 13 needs a rod fishing licence. It's free if you're 16 or under and about £30 per year for an adult. In Scotland you just need permission for the place you want to fish from the landowner or angling
club. In Northern Ireland you'll need a licence and a permit for the stretch of water. In Scotland and Northern Ireland some rivers and lakes are controlled by angling clubs, so you'll need to check before you head off to the river. It's also turns out that you can't just fish whenever you want. Rivers in England and Wales have a close season from 15th March to 15th June. Scotland and Ireland also have close seasons with most being controlled by the angling clubs that own the fishing rights, so again make sure you check with them. Some rules do get a bit complicated with different fish having close seasons, and certain types of bait being allowed only in certain locations and at certain times, but don’t be discouraged. Check out the gov.uk website or have a chat with your local angling club. They will be more than happy to help. If you're fishing for pleasure you'll most likely put any fish you catch back into the water - obviously taking loads of photos before you do! But if you do plan on keeping some fish for eating there are a number of regulations on your catch sizes. These cover both the minimum size of the fish and the number. It varies from region to region so make sure you check out the rules for the place you want to fish. With a little research you can feel reassured that your fishing trip won’t end in a fine. As for our first trip out; no luck with the bigger pike and perch but some great fun with the smaller fish using a float and maggot. Not exactly whoppers, but we can always try again next time.
Our number one priority is to fulfil our customers satisfaction to the highest standard At RB Installations, we specialise in the supply and installation of all windows and doors, including bi-fold & patios At competitive prices. We also install roofline and cladding. We install superb products across areas across Essex and Suffolk and beyond, from a range of top manufacturers. All of our windows are A-rated as standard and our products covered by solid guarantees which are insurance backed.
WINDOWS, DOUBLE GLAZING & LANTERNS
DOORS, BIFOLDS, FRENCH & SLIDING DOORS
THERMAL WARM ROOFS& ROOF LANTERNS
FASCIAS, SOFFITS & GUTTERING
CONSERVATORIES, ORANGERIES & GARDEN ROOMS
Tel: 01206 631176 or 07706444575 Email- info@rb-installations.com Website - www.rb-installations.co.uk/ 9
Garden View By October the garden can look a little tired: perennials collapse, leaves die back, and there’s debris everywhere. It can only mean one thing, clean up time. Cut Peonies, Leucanthemum, Nepeta, Delphiniums, Hardy Geraniums, and Phlox back to ground level, but leave anything with ornamental seed heads such as poppies, Alliums, and grasses. When the first frosts hit these plants will gain a new lease of life and add some sparkly architectural beauty to the garden. Leave more delicate perennials such as Penstemons with the top growth in place to provide some winter protection. You can cut them back in the spring just before new growth occurs. Herbaceous perennials can be divided now and moved around to fill gaps in the border. Perennials can become congested and tired, and flower less as they age. Dig up the clump and break it up with a sharp spade, selecting the best, newer chunks from the outside to replant. The dying centre of the plant can be composted. Most plants
need to be divided every three to five years but some more vigorous varieties like Achillea require it more often and others. The exception is Peonies, which hate any kind of disturbance. Leave them alone. Once the borders are cleared and plants have been relocated, it’s time to get rid of any weeds, which have flourished in the autumn sunshine. Then you can mulch using compost or leaf mould. Mulching helps to protect the more tender plants while improving the structure of the soil and generally making things look neater. Make a layer around 3-4cms deep but don’t cover the centre crown of any plants. Types of organic mulch Compost Bark Grass cuttings Composted manure Newspaper Shredded Leaves Straw
Senior Citizen Discount - Best Prices Given LOGS FOR SALE 10
Call now for a FREE quotation
10% this ad
Pumpkin Pie The perfect Halloween treat...with no tricks Preparation time: 40 minutes
1 tbsp icing sugar
Cooking time: 1 hour 40 minutes + chilling time
Method Place the chopped pumpkin into a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins or until tender. Drain and allow to cool. The final colour of your pumpkin filling will depend on the colour of the squash you choose. Some have a more yellow flesh, like butternut squash and others like the winter squash have a much more orange flesh. They will both taste equally good!
Serves: 8 Ingredients 750g pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, deseeded, and cut into chunks 350g sweet shortcrust pastry (make your own or buy readymade) 140g caster sugar ½ tsp salt
Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 22cm loose-bottomed flan tin. Chill for 15 mins. Line the pastry with baking parchment and baking beans, then bake for 15 mins. Remove the beans
½ tsp fresh nutmeg, grated 1 tsp cinnamon 2 eggs, beaten 25g butter, melted 175ml milk
and parchment, then bake for a further 10 mins until the base is pale golden and biscuity. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Increase oven temperature to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Push the cooled pumpkin through a sieve into a large bowl to make a puree. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt, nutmeg and half the cinnamon. Lightly beat together the eggs, melted butter and milk, then add to the pumpkin purée
and mix well. Pour the mixture into the tart shell and bake for 10 minutes, Reduce the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and continue to bake for 35-40 mins until the filling has just set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before removing the pie from the tin. You can Mix the remaining cinnamon with the icing sugar and dust over the pie or decorate in a suitably spooky style.
Quick Crossword Puzzles
! "
#
$% & ' " ( $ ) *
+ , " - &
. / " 0 0 ) " 1 0 ( " " ,, "
" / 2 & , / ( , "
3
* ,*
! * ,0 4 $ " , 5
/
6 ) , % . * 0 % * 0 ,& , ,% ,.
7 $ $ 3 2 * 8
" $ " " " 3 / %$% 5 " 0 9 ! : ; $ . < 5 1
3 / & 3 " /-
3 "
3 3 0 = -
/ ' 3 * =
/
" . -
! " " " # $
% & ' ( # " % #
) * + " , # - .
" ( ) / + #
0 '
% % 0
% 1 + 2 ( $ ) * 3 $ " % *- 0
# ) *) 4 * 5 0 # 0
) *1
" 6 (
% * 7 " 8 % -& , 0 8 " " "
! 9: * ) / % 1 ) *& * ** */ *%
: 6 0 ) ! 8 0 # 0 8 %
) % 7
" 8
% ! 8 ) " $ % + # # # "
) + ; " < "
0 8 "
, " 4
" % 4 8 " 0 " % , # # 8 "
" % = 0 " " % # # ) 2 # > 8
11
Call today for a no obligation quote
01206 564179 01473 780477 12
13
Surgery Update DR DANIEL J BATEMAN • DR SAMIR B PATEL • DR JAMIE NIGHTINGALE DR BHAVINI MUIR • DR THAMARA GUNASEKERA 40 STATION ROAD • BRIGHTLINGSEA • COLCHESTER •ESSEX • CO7 0DT Tel: (01206) 302522 • Email: colne.medicalcentref81116@nhs.net www.colnemedicalcentre.nhs.uk • facebook.com/Colnemedical
Quit smoking this Stoptober
Flu Clinics Flu clinics have been running at the Parish Hall and surgeries in Brightlingsea and Alresford. Appointments are available at the Parish Hall on Saturday 16th October so if you are over 50, or have a chronic disease and would like to book a timeslot, please do so online or phone the surgery on 01206 302522 after 2pm any weekday. Further clinics will be added over the coming weeks. Thank you for reading
Katie Pirie Practice Manager Stop smoking this Stoptober and start doing so much more. Giving up smoking is one of the best things you’ll ever do for your health. There are lots of other benefits too, and they start almost immediately. It’s never too late to quit, so join the thousands of people stopping smoking this October. Download the free NHS Quit Smoking app Use the NHS Quit Smoking app this Stoptober to help you quit smoking and start breathing easier. You can get it on Google Play or Download on the Apple App Store. Stoptober is a 28-day stop smoking challenge. The app allows you to: •
track your progress
•
see how much you’re saving
•
get daily support
If you can make it to 28 days smoke-free, you’re 5 times more likely to quit for good!
14
15
Want to sell your home this autumn?... with Michaels you’ll be raking it in. If you want to move home, our team of property pros will get the best possible price for yours whilst negotiating the most realistic price on your future home. Pop in for an informal chat, or call us on 01206 820999 to set up a free, no obligation valuation today... we’ll get you moving.
property consultants
140 High Street, Wivenhoe CO7 9AF Tel: 01206 820999 Email: wivenhoe@michaelsproperty.co.uk Web: www.michaelsproperty.co.uk