The Taste of Success
Big hearted bakers and eager cake fans together helped scoop more than £1,000 for Brightlingsea Foodbank at Brightlingsea Free Music Festival.
The legendary tea tent – a festival favourite – sold cakes and savouries made by scores of generous people, all in aid of the Foodbank’s vital work.
Brightlingsea Foodbank coordinator Win Pomroy said:
“We are so grateful to everyone who supported our tea tent – either by baking or by buying. Business was really brisk throughout the two-day event, helping us raise such a terrific amount.
“People just kept turning up with glorious cakes and other items they had made - to the great delight of festival goers, who flocked to sample the treats.
“We would also like to thank the Brightlingsea businesses who helped us enormously with donations of cakes, ingredients or flowers: No 1 Harbour Square, the Olive Room, River Colne Food Company, Café Chic, Smith’s Butchers and Flo’s Flowers.
“We must add an extra special thank you to the Coffee and Craft Group at Mending Matters who made all the exceptional decorations for our tea tent, using donated materials – and of course to thank Brightlingsea Free Music Festival itself for hosting us so generously again. Festival volunteers continually made sure we were well supplied with power and fresh water.
“The money raised at the Festival will help us continue to help Brightlingsea people in crisis. More and more people now need our Foodbank, so we need more and more food for them.”
Brightlingsea Foodbank operates at Brightlingsea Parish Hall, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea, CO7 0BP, on Wednesday mornings between 10am and 12:30pm noon.
For more information please call Win Pomroy on 01206 303902 or 07970 480968
Alexandra Witt is a new teacher at the prestigious Stonebridge Academy where she quickly stumbles upon undercurrents of sexual exploitation and manipulation, which are poisoning the school. Disturbed by the casual acceptance of such behaviour, Witt takes it upon herself to empower the students, especially the girls, to challenge the status quo. This sparks a rebellion that gradually
A Good Read
exposes the toxic culture perpetuated by a select group of male students known as "the darkroom."
Lutz's narrative is sharp and fast-paced, weaving multiple viewpoints that allow the reader an insider view as events unfold within the school. Each character offers a unique perspective which serves to highlight the complexity of teenage dynamics and adult responsibilities.
The climax of the book is both shocking and satisfying, providing a resolution that feels both inevitable and earned. The reader will be left pondering the dynamics of power and the courage required to overturn them.
The Swallows is a darkly intriguing novel that blends elements of suspense with biting social commentary, which makes it stand out in the densely populated thriller genre. The writing is both witty and sharp, infused with a sardonic tone that perfectly complements the serious themes she tackles.
Boys Don't Cry - by Fiona Scarlett
While not strictly young adult fiction, I’m recommending Boys Don't Cry for older teens, because it tells the story of two brothers, Joe, aged 17, who is a talented artist, and Finn, aged 12, through their own words. The boys live in a tower block in Dublin with their mother and father (known as Da'), who works for a local gang leader and is in and out of prison.
Joe’s accounts of how he is dealing with traumatic loss, while struggling against the criminal influences of his father and the expectations everyone else has of him, that he's destined for a life of crime, is heartbreaking. Finn on the other hand relates his experiences of being diagnosed with and treated for leukaemia, and the effect he sees this having on his brother and parents.
Scarlett's prose is beautiful and the voices of the two boys are believable and authentic. Teen readers will quickly identify with and become emotionally invested in the brothers as their stories
intertwine in the most impactful way.
The author skilfully weaves humour through the sometimes harrowing themes, because even at life's darkest moments, or perhaps because of them, there are always flashes of hilarity.
The stories of Joe, Finn and the other characters who live in 'The Jax' tower block will stay with the reader for a long time. My own teen suggested this title to me and thinks this should be on the GCSE English syllabus because of the engaging story and the author's insight into boy's lives and minds.
By Tash Donovan
only will you be giving a brighter future to teenagers and young adults with cancer but also a future to bees, wildlife, and the environment.
The Swallows - by Lisa Lutz
Five Good Reasons to Learn a Froreign Language
College evening classes start up again this month. Take the plunge and learn a new language.
Here are five good reasons to enrol right now.
Make new friendsLanguages require practice! It’s easier to talk to new people if you’re both concentrating on something other than how shy you are. Chatting in a foreign language is a good way to break the ice and get to know your classmates.
Improve your English!Learning a new language helps us understand tenses, prepositions, and all the other parts of speech we normally take for granted. As a result, we speak and write more precisely. Many great writers were / are polyglots!
Enrich your travel experiences -Connecting with the locals is
the best way to get the most out of travelling. People are more welcoming if you make an effort to speak their language. It can turn an ordinary trip into the holiday of a lifetime.
Join the global community –Most of the rest of the world does not speak English! As the world becomes smaller and more interconnected it’s easy to see that we’ll come into contact with more and more non-English speakers. A foreign language puts you at an advantage in business and personal relationships.
Sense of accomplishmentWouldn’t it be cool to tell people that you speak two or more languages? Not many people in this country can, so if you can pull it off you have a reason to be really proud of yourself.
By Sarah Davey
Church district (6)
Portable lamp (7)
In this day and age (8)
Lament, moan (4)
Pass out (5)
Beat pattern (6)
Growl, grumble (5)
Spilled the beans, disclosed (8)
Assassinate, kill (7)
Four-sided shape (6)
Chum, mate (5) 20 Group of six (6)
Eskimo house! (5)
Rock rhythmically (4)
School Fuel
uniform. But it’s all very well being smart on the outside…what about the inside?
A new school year can be challenging health-wise, children are basically mini biohazards, sharing viruses as happily as they share crayons. Their immune systems need to function at optimum levels to protect them. The best way to achieve this is with a nutritious diet, low in salt, sugar, bad fats, and additives.
Evidence suggests that additives such as MSG, found mainly in flavoured crisps and soups, E100s (food colourings) and E200s (preservatives) may contribute to fatigue and poor concentration.
Three meals and two snacks a day help prevent tiredness, which also affects the immune system. Eating fish, including oily varieties like salmon, at least twice a week, or soaked linseeds added to cereals, provide enough healthy fats to aid brain development and concentration. If that’s a hard no from your kids, try an omega 3 supplement.
Water, milk and diluted fresh fruit juice are the best drinks for a child. Squashes and fizzy drinks containing artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, preservatives, and colourings, which are best avoided.
puzzle solutions:
and cereals, provides fibre and a slow energy release. Fresh fruit and eggs or plain yoghurt are great for vitamins and protein, respectively.
Lunch Box Ideas
Carbohydrate (preferably wholegrain) Thick sliced bread, bap, pitta, chapatti, wrap, pasta or rice salad
Protein (lean) Unprocessed chicken or turkey, tuna, salmon, sardines, cheese, egg, humus, lentils, beans, nut butters, yogurt
Fruit Apple, pear, satsumas, banana, grapes, pineapple chunks, raisins, sundried apricots & figs
Vegetables Carrot & celery sticks, baby sweetcorn, broccoli or cauliflower florets, cherry tomatoes, cucumber chunks
Sandwich fillers
Peanut butter & grated apple
Chicken, lettuce& tomato
Grated cheese & carrot or cucumber
Tuna & sweetcorn
By Louise Addison
Tired All The Time?
Do you spring out of bed at 7am, ready to face the day? Or do you wake up feeling tired and drained?
GPs are reporting that more and more patients complain of having no energy. So much so, that the syndrome has its own acronym –TATT, or ‘tired all the time.’
TATT is common, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
There are many different causes of fatigue, and it’s always a good idea to start by speaking to your GP or practice nurse.
Overwhelming exhaustion, which gets worse with activity and does not improve with rest, might be an indicator of myalgic encephalopathy (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A cure has not yet been found, but there are treatments and self-help measures that can ease the symptoms.
A GP can also rule out conditions such as anaemia, thyroid problems, food intolerances or diabetes.
Many cases of TATT are due mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Traumatic life events, stress
and money worries can also cause fatigue. In this case talking therapy can help and your doctor might refer you for counselling.
In the meantime, there are lifestyle changes which can help.
Sleep – Make sure you are getting enough good quality sleep. Try to keep to the same earlier bedtime for a few weeks and see if this helps. Sometimes an eye mask and or earplugs are all that’s needed to improve sleep quality.
Reduce stress – Build relaxation into your daily schedule. This might be a bath, or listening to music, or even yoga or meditation.
Diet - Try eating small healthy snacks throughout the day, rather than one large meal in the evening. Reduce alcohol and caffeine, and drink more water.
Finally, you may not feel like it, but exercising is another proven way to fight fatigue. Even a quick 15-minute walk around the block will give you an energy boost.
By Louise Addison
Blackberry and Almond Crumble Cake
A A jammy treat that makes use of seasonal blackberries
Preparation time:
Ingredients
Cake
200g butter, plus extra for the tin
200g golden caster sugar
3 medium eggs
225g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
50g ground almonds
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
3 tbsp blackcurrant/blackberry apple jam
150g blackberries
Method
Cake
Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4. Grease a 23cm round cake tin and line with baking parchment. Beat the butter and the sugar together in a large bowl using an electric whisk until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time until smooth and creamy.
For the sauce
50g plain flour
25g unsalted butter
25g caster sugar
1 tbsp demerara sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp flaked almonds
Sift in the flour and baking powder, then fold in, adding the almonds, milk, and vanilla until mixed thoroughly.
Scrape the mixture into the tin and level the surface. Dot teaspoons of jam across the mix, then scatter over the blackberries, pressing them in lightly.
Crumble
Rub the flour and butter together until the mixture it resemble crumbs, then stir in the sugar and add a pinch of salt.
Mix in the flaked almonds, then scatter the crumble over the cake.
Scatter with the demerara sugar and bake for 45 mins until a skewer
inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Leave to cool in the tin for at least 20 mins then slice and serve with creme fraiche.
Garden View - This month - Marvellous Microorganisms
As their name suggests you can’t see them, yet microorganisms are some of the most important things you can grow in your garden.
Garden soil is teeming with millions of them, or rather it should be. They help to keep the soil healthy. They decompose organic matter, replenish soil nutrients, form humus, promote root growth, increase nutrient uptake, and breakdown herbicides and pesticides.
The microorganism family includes bacteria, algae, fungi, and protozoa and we want to do everything we can to encourage these tiny gardening friends.
In order to provide a good environment we need to provide oxygen, moisture, carbon-based food matter, and the right temperature and pH.
Oxygen content can be kept high by digging in lots of organic matter so that the soil structure is aerated. 75% of microorganisms live in the top two inches (5cm) of soil so
particular care should be taken not to compact the topsoil. Improving the drainage of stodgy clay soil is particularly important as waterlogged soil contains very little oxygen.
Mulching helps to improve the moisture content of soil and also helps to maintain the soil temperature. Bare soil bakes in the summer and freezes in the winter. Mulch acts as both shade and insulation so the temperature remains more constant.
Carbon-based food matter is just a posh way of saying ‘organic matter, including green manure and well-rotted compost. This provides a gourmet buffet for microorganisms, and they’ll reproduce rapidly.
Finally, pH is probably the most difficult area to tackle. Most gardens have a natural pH range beyond which they’re not going to change much. So, someone living on a limestone ridge, as I do, is never going to be able to grow acid-loving Azaleas, except in pots.
But that’s not what we’re trying to achieve when creating a favourable environment for microorganisms. We don’t need to radically shift the pH; we just need to modify it slightly.
There are pH modifiers on the market, but the best way of doing it is slowly by digging in compost or other organic matter. Organic matter acts as a neutraliser and will work whether your soil is acidic or
alkaline. It is particularly important for alkaline soils like mine because they have far fewer bio-available nutrients so become impoverished very quickly.
This month give some thought to encouraging your microorganisms. Your plants will thank you.
Happy Gardening.
By Rachael Leverton
Crossword
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 Sly devil loses one pound then promises to pay (7)
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)
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)
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)
Are You A Safe Driver? Are You Sure?
Do you have a sneaking suspicion that as a nation we are becoming worse drivers? Well you’re right. Here are some reasons why.
Unconscious Aggression - Many drivers exhibit behaviours, such as tailgating and blocking, that they would never consider outside their vehicle. Drivers who score high on impulsiveness, are more prone to this aggression and show less sensitivity to punishment!
Overestimating Safety – There has been a strong downward trend in the rate of motor vehicle deaths since the 1970s. This is thanks to advances in automotive safety systems such as seatbelts, airbags, ABS braking, and more recently, blind-spot and lane-departure warnings. Yet these safety features may paradoxically cause complacency, making us less aware of road danger.
Dehumanising Other Drivers –On foot we apologise if we walk through a door and nearly collide with someone. Near misses in cars however often trigger anger. Research indicates that drivers dehumanise other road users, behaving in ways they wouldn’t in personal interactions.
Lack of Bandwidth - Our brains receive more information than they
can process at the best of times. Driving, particularly on unfamiliar roads in a city means we miss significant amounts of information, while falsely believing we see everything.
Everyone Else is Stupid! This is called the Fundamental Attribution Error, and leads us to blame other drivers' mistakes on their abilities while excusing our own errors as situational. So other drivers make mistakes because they are idiots but when we make them it was unavoidable!
Overestimating Our Skills – Are you an above average driver? Of course you are…and so is everyone else who answers that question. Well the maths says we can’t all be above average, so some of us are clearly wrong.
Lone Driver Danger - Lone drivers exhibit riskier behaviour than those carrying passengers. The presence of others, particularly children seems to encourage more careful driving.
Hands-Free is NOT Risk-Free - While UK law permits hands-free phone use, there is no evidence to shows it’s safer than hand-held! The primary danger lies in the cognitive distraction of the conversation, not the act of holding the phone.
u Sure?
Driving courteously is safer and makes the road a more pleasant place for everyone. So: Keep Your Distance - Maintain a safe distance (a two-second gap) from the vehicle in front of you. This allows enough time to react to sudden stops or changes in traffic flow. Increase the distance in poor weather.
Indicate Appropriately - Signal your intentions well in advance to reduce the likelihood of confusion and accidents. Indicate when turning, changing lanes, or merging into traffic.
Give Way to Pedestrians, Cyclists and Riders - At zebra crossings,
stop to let pedestrians cross. When passing cyclists or horses, slow down and allow plenty of space, ideally at least 1.5 meters.
Avoid Aggression – Tailgating, honking and offensive gestures increase stress and the likelihood of accidents.
Merging Manners - Use the "zipper merge" technique, especially in heavy traffic. This means allowing one car from the merging lane to enter for every car in the continuing lane. Don’t speed up to block others from merging.
By Andy Carter
Are You Interesting? Would
you like to be?
Do you know someone who can walk into a room and within minutes hold a small group of people captivated with their conversation? Or maybe you have a friend who is never short of a date and manages to stay on good terms with all of them. How do these people do it?
At some point in most of our lives we’ll find ourselves sitting on the sidelines wondering why no-one will play with us. We might be
looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right or we might simply be looking for a friend.
Try as we might, we can’t all be Ryan Gosling or Aisling Bea, so how do normal folk make themselves appealing?
Well, providing our personal hygiene is up to scratch (flossing and deodorant are not just good scrabble words) and we’re not dressed in such a way that people throw coins at us in the street then there’s lots we can do to improve
our charisma. Here’s our guide to being interesting.
Tip 1 Be interested in others This is the golden rule. Really listen to what they’re saying, ask pertinent questions and subtly flatter them. A strange human quirk is that we find people more interesting the less they say about themselves. This can be taken too far of course. Do offer up a few snippets about yourself as tasters or the other person may think you’re deathly dull or that you have something to hide.
Tip 2 Practice talking to strangers Seriously: it’s not as hard as you think. I don’t mean accost people in the street...that way lies arrest and possibly psychiatric care. But chat to the checkout girl, the garage mechanic or the traffic warden. Think of a non-personal question about their job as a conversation opener. You’d be surprised how many of them will think you’re the interesting one if you do this.
Tip 3 Be open-minded It’s difficult not to defend an opinion we hold dear but remember that it will still be your opinion even if you say to
the other person, “Actually, that’s a valid point...tell me more.” It may not alter your views, but you might learn something, and you’ll appear more interesting into the bargain. People like those who are openminded and are irritated by those with entrenched views even when their own views are as ingrained as the lime scale round the rim of the average toilet bowl!
Tip 4 Be well informed That doesn’t mean be a know-all. Read the papers (the Sunday Sport doesn’t count) or watch a few good current affairs programmes or documentaries so you’ll always have a few topics up your sleeve for those conversational lulls.
Tip 5 Dare to be different Don’t be clone of everyone else. Develop your own style. Ok, don’t be so off-the-wall that people cross the road to avoid you, but people do gravitate towards those who are comfortable in their own skin.
So now you have no excuses. Go forth into the world and BE INTERESTING!
By Sarah Davey
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
Enhanced Access Clinics
Enhanced Access appointments areavailablefor Colte patients on Saturdays in Septemberas follows:
7th – Walton Medical Centre
14th – Colne Medical Centre
21st –Ambrose Avenue Group Practice, Colchester 28th -Riverside Health Centre, Manningtree
Appointments are also available every evening from 6.30-8pm, either remotely or at one of the sites in the partnership.
Please contact reception to book an appointment in any of these clinics.
Shingles Vaccinations
The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It's recommended for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system
Shingles is a common condition that causes a painful rash. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.
You're more likely to get shingles, and it's more likely to cause serious problems, as you get older or if you have a severely weakened immune system.
The shingles vaccine helps:
reduce your chances of getting shingles
reduce your chances of getting serious problems if you do get shingles
The shingles vaccine is recommended for some older adults and people with a severely weakened immune system.
People who turn 65 on or after 1 September 2023
People aged 70 to 79
People aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system
Important
You can get shingles more than once, so it's important to get vaccinated even if you've had shingles before.
RSV Vaccination Programme
RSV is a highly contagious respiratory virus that often feels like a common cold. While most people recover in one to two weeks, infants and some adults face a higher risk of severe symptoms and complications. Treatment usually involves at-home care, but some may need hospitalisation for oxygen, fluids, or other care.
All adults aged 75 on or after 1st September will be eligible for the vaccine as well as a catch-up campaign for those already aged 75-79. This vaccination will be delivered by your GP Practice.
All those that are at least 28 weeks pregnant will be eligible for the vaccine. This will be delivered via maternity services and GPs and the vaccination will help protect their newborn babies.
All eligible patients will be contacted by the practice and offered an appointment when the vaccines become available.
Thank you for reading.
KatiePirie
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