Issue 68
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New showrooms now open at Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary and Glasswells, Ipswich
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Treasure Island Comes to Colchester We are very excited to be one of the first theatre companies dusting ourselves off and getting back on the road and we are sure that our fun-filled show (packed with action and live music) will bring some much needed joy this Summer. The production will be all that This Is My Theatre audiences have come to love about our shows and we are excited to be re-engaging communities with the arts after these past few months of lockdown!
come along and review the show if this would interest you at all? Please do let us know if you would like to attend as we would be more than happy to sort out any complimentary tickets for you!
More information can be found at:
www.thisismytheatre.com/ treasureislandatlayermarney
We would also love to invite you to
Issue 68
For any information or to submit an article or advert contact David Cook:
Call: Out Of Office: Email: Head Office:
01206 233717 07734 171985 SimplyColchester@gmail.com Simply Magazine, 1 George Williams Way, Colchester, Essex CO1 2JS
COPY DEADLINES:
Issue 69: 27/4/21 Issue 70: 27/5/21
ies, More Propert More Space, onal Ser vice! Same Excepti on Free Valuati Letting or Your 572233 FFor Sales & t Us On 01206 Please Contrac partner s.com Sales@ palmer
Simply Magazine assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by such individual, event organizers or organization without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Simply Magazine. Therefore, Simply Magazine carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Any form of reproduction of any content without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. For information on advertising or submitting a article please email David Cook at: Simplycolchester@gmail.com or call 01206 233717 / 07734 171985
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Bridgerton - by Julia Quinn
A Good Read
Ah, the Regency Era. The world of Jane Austen, elegant women dressed in the sumptuous fashions or the era, and dashing young men, all navigating a world of parties and courtship. Julia Quinn drops us into this intriguing world in her bestselling novel Bridgerton: The Duke & I, the first in the series. Most people will know it through its highly successful adaptation on Netflix, but the original source material is well worth reading. We are introduced to the Bridgerton family with their 8 children (all named alphabetically). Mrs Bridgerton is eager to find a husband for her eldest daughter, Daphne, and it would appear that all of British high society – known as the ton – is lapping up the latest gossip. At one of many balls she attends, Daphne meets the rather irascible Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. The two form an unlikely friendship and, since neither of them is interested in marriage, they agree to a fake courtship, in the hope of avoiding advances from prospective husbands and wives.
But can it really work? And are they really so averse to marriage? One of the charms of this novel is that you are reminded that no matter what era we are born into, we are all basically navigating the same pitfalls in life. Enjoy the ride!
The Big Ugly Monster and the Little Stone Rabbit - by Chris Wormell
steps in them. Animals and birds run away from him. Flowers drop their petals and trees lose their leaves.
Sometimes we all feel lonely. Sometimes all we want is a friend.
But one day he decides to make his own friend out of stone, and he carves a little stone rabbit.
The Big Ugly Monster is no different. This wonderful picture book tells the story of a monster who is so ugly that no one will go near him. Lakes, rivers, and puddles hiss and dry up when he
We learn that he is only ugly on the outside and that he is a faithful, loving friend. A moving story that will stay with you long after the final page.
Word Search Can you find all of the circus-related words hidden in the grid?
Applause Arena Big top Caravans
Circus Clowns Costumes Highwire
Hoops Horses Jugglers Knife thrower
Music Parade Ringmaster Safety net
Sawdust Sequins Sideshows Strongman
Answers on page 9 6
Swing Tents Ticket Top hat
Quick Crossword Puzzle Spanish Baked Eggs
An Easter breakfast with a continental twist
Preparation time: 15 minutes
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)
Cooking time: 25 minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely sliced 120g Chorizo, sliced 1 yellow pepper, finely sliced 1 orange or red pepper, finely sliced 2 cloves garlic, crushed ½ tsp sweet smoked paprika 400g can chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp capers (optional) 2 large eggs (4 if you’re really hungry!) 2 tbsp fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley 2 thick slices of bread Method
6. Use a frying pan with an ovenproof handle. Heat the olive oil, then add the onion and chopped chorizo. Soften for 5 minutes. Add the peppers and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until they soften too. Stir in the crushed garlic and sweet smoked paprika, cook for another 1 minute. Pour in the tomatoes and add the capers, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes reduce and thicken a little. Make two or four wells in the thick sauce and gently crack an egg into each. Place the pan into the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny. Towards the end of the cooking time, toast the bread. Removes the eggs from the oven, scatter with the parsley and serve with the toasted bread, drizzled with a little olive oil.
Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark
SOLUTIONS ACROSS:1 paltry. 4 suitable. 9 Romanov. 11 doyenne. 12 reed. 13 scare. 14 mace. 17 in the doghouse. 19 slap in the face. 22 Ahab. 23 scuba. 24 rage. 27 impasto. 28 eternal. 29 Scorsese. 30 editor. DOWN:1 portrait. 2 lambert. 3 rand. 5 under the table. 6 toys. 7 bandage. 8 eleven. 10 Victoria Cross. 15 cedar. 16 Auden. 18 jeweller. 19 shampoo. 20 against. 21 rabies. 25 Isis. 26 mead.
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Declutter Live with less
Hard Times
If you can’t lay your hands-on items quickly because they’re buried under piles of junk; if you’re constantly ‘stuffshifting’ - moving things from one pile to a new ‘temporary’ pile; if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t throw this away, it might come in useful one day,” you’re probably a clutter victim.
A water softener might change your life
One of the side-effects of the events of 2020 was that many of us had more time and less money. We embraced a simpler, slower, less covetous lifestyle and many of us feel we’d like to keep something of that as we move towards a post-pandemic world. There was a collective realisation that possessions are less important than the people we missed. A decade ago, Californian blogger Dave Bruno set himself the year-long experimental task of reducing his belongings to just 100 items. When his experiment concluded he found he
wanted to keep living by his new rules, preferring simplicity to consumerism. His book is worth seeking out. Since then, whole movement has developed around the aim of a simpler, more minimalistic lifestyle. There are some great blogs and podcasts available: The Practical Minimalists, and The Minimalists are two worth listening to. Listen to them for inspiration while you declutter. I’m not recommending a sparse monastic lifestyle, but most of us put far too much time, effort, and money into acquiring, keeping, and storing possessions. Sometimes it’s good to let go. If you’re ready to de-clutter, then we have a few simple tips. If you feel you need help, there are experts in decluttering who will guide you through the process of letting go.
You probably know that water can be rated 'hard' or 'soft’, but do you know what those terms actually mean> Water has varying levels of hardness based on calcium carbonate concentration. Water with less than 60 mg/L of calcium carbonate is considered soft, 61-120 mg/L is moderately hard, 121-180 mg/L is hard, and above 180 mg/L is deemed very hard.
Deal with one room at a time The task will seem less daunting. Stick with that room until it’s finished. Choose a nice day Take the room contents outside. Psychologically it’s easier to sort and let go if you’re one step removed. It’s also less likely that the clutter will make it back inside. Sort everything into three piles Label them dump, donate, and keep. Be realistic: if the item in question hasn’t been used for over a year it is unlikely you will ever use it. Deal with the dump and donate piles Do this before anything comes back into the house. It’s much harder to mess up your good work if the stuff is physically gone. Sort and label Place the remaining items in clearly labelled boxes. Make sure there is one temporary box to house items which really belong in
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another room. As each room is sorted those items can be replaced, and other misplaced items can be housed there while the de-cluttering process continues. Replace everything that remains The maxim ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is a good one. House small items in clear plastic boxes and store them in cupboards or wardrobes. Now you’re done instigate a one thing in: one thing out rule. It will make you think twice about acquiring something if you know something else has to go. Finally, once a week, take two bags and go through your home. One bag is for rubbish, the other for items in the wrong place. When you’ve finished throw the rubbish away and replace the misplaced items.
The water from your tap is safe to drink whether it's hard or soft. Hard water may even have a few health benefits by fulfilling your dietary needs of essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. But while hard water is safe to ingest, the effect of hard water on hair and skin can be s different story. Hard water can leave behind a slight film making skin and hair feel less clean to the touch. It might cause dandruff in your hair and irritate skin problems such as eczema. Washing clothes with hard water can cause the clothing fabric to break down more quickly over time, leave spots on dishes, and residue on your work surfaces and shower screens. Over time mineral build-up in your pipes may cause them to clog, and you'll likely see build-up on shower heads and taps. A water softener solves these problems by processing the hard water to turn it into soft water. Water enters the softener and passes into the resin or media tank where it goes through a simple process that removes calcium, magnesium carbonate and manganese, leaving only soft water to exit the softener and be used around
your home. Plumbing a good water softener into your household supply is an investment for your home. It will eliminate the limescale caused by minerals which build up and leave that white powdery residue which clogs shower heads and pipework, makes surfaces appear dirty and reduces the efficiency of your appliances. Often, we don’t think about our appliances until they break down. The most common reason for early appliance failure is limescale build-up which corrodes the heating elements of your kettle, washing machine, dishwasher, coffee machine and heating system. By removing the limescale, you start to protect your appliances, they work better, live longer, and cost you less money over time. Another benefit is no stains and marks on dishes, glasses, and pans. Your bathroom remains clean and shiny too with less scrubbing and harsh chemicals. You need less detergent in your washing machine and less salt in your dishwasher. Shampoo, soap, and conditioners will also last longer. Finally, over a period of time, your softened water will remove scale from the inside of your water pipes, hot water cylinders and shower heads…we all know how expensive an emergency plumber is, so arrange for a non-emergency plumber to fit a water softener instead and start enjoying the benefits.
All that Jazz creating a rich and exciting new blend of sound.
International Jazz Day - April 30th International Jazz Day brings together schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz. Jazz began in the early twentieth century in New Orleans, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The port of New Orleans meant the area was a melting pot of different nationalities and their musical influences: Spanish folk music, French military band music, Ragtime, European ballroom dance music, and Blues music all had an impact on the birth of Jazz. Jazz wasn’t written down in the same way as classical music; the styles and tunes evolved as they were passed on by ear. Black musicians in particular, were for the most part not classically trained, and began to express themselves through jazz. These musically agile instrumentalists and singers improvised around a main melody, often the popular folk and blues tunes of the era,
Although the ‘Jazz Age’ was in the 1920s, jazz never went away, it evolved through various incarnations. Talented soloists like Louis Armstrong pushed jazz in the direction of virtuosic improvisers, weaving their music around each other. Swing was a smoother, more easy-listening sound, popularised by the pianist and composer Duke Ellington. This was followed in the 40s and 50s by the Latin influences of Dizzy Gillespie, who collaborated with other musicians to bring jazz into the mainstream. Charlie Parker pioneered modern jazz (be-bop) which challenged many listeners with its complex experimentations in rhythm and harmony. Miles Davis on the other hand developed a more gentle, understated style. Free jazz ignored all the previous rules and constraints on harmony and structure which many people disliked. During the past 50 years jazz evolution has accelerated through jazz fusion – which fuses jazz solos with other musical styles - and acid jazz, which draws on soul, funk, disco and hip-hop. Well known pioneering acid jazz groups include 'Jamiroquai', and ‘The BrandNew Heavies'.
Be Social, Be Safe How safe are your online interactions?
It’s easy to share our lives with the world today. It only takes a few clicks to share those special moments with family and friends. Social media has been a lifeline for many during the pandemic. But the Information we share may end up being available to a far wider group than our immediate social circle, and with hundreds of millions of users online, unfortunately some of these people may have sinister agendas. By sharing information about our lives, we offer potential criminals the opportunity to gather useful information about us. Even information which seems harmless may be a useful to criminals looking to perpetrate a scam. Remember these five tips: Friendships - When accepting friend requests be cautious. Do you know
whether their profile is real, or could it be fake? Manage your privacy settings – Only share information with people in your network. Check the settings regularly in case there are any changes. Never divulge personal information - Be suspicious of anyone who asks you for your information that may be used to identify you, such as a social security number. Change your passwords frequently - . Choose a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s best to use different passwords for each account. Close old accounts - Don’t risk leaving personal data in an old account. Close accounts that you don’t use and delete as much personal information from them as possible.
Word Search solution from page 6
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.
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Garden View This month - Hoe! Hoe! Hoe! Following on from last month’s list of essential garden tools for beginners I thought I’d explain about the humble hoe. When I first started gardening, I didn’t really understand how to use one. There are a couple of varieties of hoe and they are used in different ways, and they really are your friend at this time of year. The hoe is actually one of the most ancient garden tools and came before the plough. It’s mentioned in Egyptian art, the Code of Hammurabi and in the Bible. The reason spring is a great time to put your hoe to good use is because right now is when the annual weeds (the ones that self-seed freely and pop up all over the place every year) have started to germinate. The aim when hoeing, aim to sever the top growth from the roots, just below the soil surface, then leave it in the sun to dry out and die. Hoeing is best done when the soil is dry as this creates a ‘dust mulch’ which inhibits the germination of new weeds. I prefer a hoe with a long handle
because it’s better for preventing back pain. I also have a short-handled hoe known as an ‘onion hoe’ for closely planted areas. A shorted handle gives more control, so you don’t damage your prized plants. It’s important to note that hoeing only kills the annual weeds, not the deeprooted perennial weeds, those need to be dug up by hand. There is also a tool called a Dutch hoe. This is used by sweeping it smoothly over the soil so that the surface is just ‘brushed’. If used correctly it slices the tops from the weeds. It’s actually simple to use but you do need to practice your technique. Slice the tops of weeds by bringing the hoe towards you, altering the angle to accommodate slopes. When you turn over a Dutch hoe you can use it to make a shallow trench called a seed drill to sow larger seeds, like peas into. Larger seeds are better because they need to be covered well. Your hoes need to be kept sharp and well maintained for maximum effectiveness. I use a metal file to both
clean and sharpen, but you can buy sharpening stones reasonably cheaply and they are easy to use.
Happy gardening
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Lay a Litle Egg For Me
Quick Crossword Puzzle
Are eggs good for us?
Easter is all about rebirth which is the reason that eggs feature large. They are pretty amazing things, from the way they’re constructed to the way they taste, and this is doubly true when they are constructed from chocolate! But joking aside, an egg is something that has all the ingredients to grow a chick, so it's nutrient dense. If there was such a thing as a perfect food, the egg would be a candidate. Eggs are readily available, easy to cook, affordable, versatile, and packed with protein. They also have the effect of helping our bodies absorb nutrients from other foods better, so eating an egg with a salad, for instance, increases the vitamin E we absorb from the meal. Eggs have a controversial past because they contain cholesterol. The yolk contains around 185 milligrams of it, which is more than half of the 300mg which until recently was the recommended maximum. Cholesterol is a yellowish fat produced in our liver and intestines and found in every cell in our body. It's actually a crucial building block in cell membranes, and the body needs it to make vitamin D, testosterone, and oestrogen. Humans produce all the cholesterol we need on our own, but it’s also found in animal produce such as beef, prawns, eggs, cheese, and butter. It's transported around our body by lipoprotein molecules in the blood. Every person has a different combination of lipoproteins, which play a role in determining our risk of developing heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol – is often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol. It's responsible for clogging up blood vessels and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. LDL cholesterol is found in some animal products, but the majority of LDL cholesterol in our
diets is made artificially and found in foods like margarines, snacks, and some deep-fried and baked foods, such as pastries, doughnuts, and cakes. Meanwhile, along with prawns, eggs are the only high cholesterol food which is correspondingly low in saturated fat. Studies have repeatedly found that saturated fat increases blood cholesterol, and that there is no link between egg consumption and cardiovascular disease. Some cholesterol may actually be good for us. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (also known as 'good' cholesterol) travels to the liver, where it’s broken down and removed from the body. HDL is thought to have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease by preventing cholesterol from building up in the blood. Cholesterol circulating in the blood contributes to heart disease but having a higher ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol reduces the risk. Healthy humans regulate their own cholesterol, so if they consume dietary cholesterol, they make less cholesterol themselves. But some people struggle to regulate, and they might be wise to limit their egg intake...as well as their intake of other foods high in LDL.
ACROSS 1 Agile, lithe (4) 4 Inferior cut of meat (5-3) 8 Devour, guzzle (6) 9 Rough, stormy (6) 10 ____-detached, a house (4) 11 Sailing (8) 13 ______ Loren, Italian actress (6) 15 ______ Hemmingway, author (6) 17 Dormer window (8) 20 Large brass instrument (4) 21 Poppycock (6) 23 Cared for, tended (6) 24 Distress, trouble (8) 25 Children's board game (4)
DOWN 2 Directory of names and numbers (5,4) 3 Rude, noisy, aggressive (informal) (7) 4 Dingy, sleazy (5) 5 Salvage (7) 6 Spectre (5) 7 Brief sleep (3) 12 Epistaxis (9) 14 Saintly, virtuous (7) 16 Instinctive, innate (7) 18 Even, equal (5) 19 Forceps-like tool (5) 22 Branch of the armed services (Abbr) (3)
But it’s not all about cholesterol. Eggs have some great health benefits. They contain choline, which may help protect us against Alzheimer’s disease. Egg yolks are also one of the best sources of lutein, a pigment that has been linked to a lower risk of developing the eye disease macular degeneration. Lutein acts like a blue light filter, protecting the delicate retinal tissue So do indulge in an egg for Easter, maybe don't eat lots of them every day though...especially the chocolate ones!
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Mayor of Colchester expresses borough's deep sorrow on the death of HRH Prince Philip
Quick Crossword Puzzle
The Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Robert Davidson, said: “On behalf of the people of Colchester, I would like to express my deepest sorrow at the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh and to convey our profoundest sympathy and condolences to all members of the Royal Family at this sad time. “His Royal Highness Prince Philip has been a loyal and dedicated servant
“I am sure that the people of Colchester will wish to join me at this sad time in reflecting on His Royal Highness’s full and long life.” The online Book of Condolence will be available here. The council will be considering how it can mark HRH Prince Philip’s long service to the country with a lasting memorial in the borough.
“His Royal Highness visited Colchester on many occasions, including in 2004, when we were privileged to host a lunch for him and the Queen in our Town Hall.
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) 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 1 holier-than-thou. 9 arsenal. 10 surgeon. 11 eats. 12 aisle. 13 date. 16 leopard. 17 earnest. 18 bracing. 21bloated. 23 drip. 24 Maori. 25 Nero. 28 emirate. 29 interim. 30 behind the times.DOWN: 1 heavenly bodies. 2 Lesotho. 3 eons. 4 tallied. 5 absolve. 6 tare. 7 operate. 8 inverted commas. 14 gamin.15 brood. 19 asinine. 20 go-ahead. 21 burnish. 22 theorem. 26 dali. 27 at it.
Flags at the Town Hall, Colchester Castle and the council's offices at Rowan House have been lowered to half-mast. A Book of Condolence is being opened online for residents across the borough to leave their respects and messages of sympathy.
to our Queen and this country, and has touched the hearts of millions of people, not just in the United Kingdom but throughout the Commonwealth and across the globe.
The Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Robert Davidson, has expressed his deep sadness and that of the people of Colchester, following the announcement today of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,
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A new virtual high street service launches in Colchester A new virtual high street service, which aims to support independent shops during the pandemic, is to launch in Colchester this week.
delivery service. Initiatives like this are crucial to retaining jobs and assisting the High Street’s recovery following lockdown.”
From Wednesday 7 April, residents anywhere in the borough can use Click It Local Colchester enabling them to buy from any participating local shop and have it delivered on the same day.
Twenty-three stores have already signed up to Click it Local Colchester. They include iconic independent family grocer and coffee roasters, Guntons, who have been curating some of the best specialty products in the town for over 80 years.
From weekly food essentials, gifts and treats to last-minute basics – customers can buy everything they need from as many participating shops as they like, with one payment and one delivery. The scheme has been announced in partnership with Colchester Borough Council and the Our Colchester BID, who are helping with retailer acquisition and engagement. Steve Koch, founder of Click It Local, said: “I love shopping locally, so wanted to find a way to help small shops offer the same level of speed and convenience that today’s online customers have come to expect. Our aim is to ensure we can all continue to shop local, support independent shops and provide for the local community.” A Colchester Borough Council Spokesman said: “We are really pleased to help bring ‘Click it Local’ to Colchester. This is a real boost to Colchester’s independent retailers and will help retain the character and heritage of small shopping streets in the town. “It is also an opportunity for local people to discover the rich source of independent shops not only in Colchester, but across north Essex, with Amazon-style consolidation and
Click it Local has already successfully launched in Cambridgeshire, Brighton, parts of Essex and London and is now looking to extend to further towns and villages across the UK in a bid to support local and independent business. The service has been introduced to the local area by the North Essex Economic Board (NEEB) as part of a series of initial actions designed to boost recovery from the pandemic, with money contributed to the initiatives from Covid-support funding provided by Government. This forms part of a raft of measures Colchester Borough Council is bringing forward to support the town centre. This includes the launch of a television advert to promote the safe reopening of Colchester High Street next week, with a 30 second advert going live across all major Sky TV channels and on ITV Hub*.
when they complete the remainder of their journey on foot or by bike. The new scheme also supports the council’s new parking strategy, which aims to deliver improved and smarter parking services and support the council’s Climate Emergency Declaration. For further information and to signup to Colchester’s Park Active pilot scheme, please visit www.colchester. gov.uk/parkactive. Richard Walker, the North Essex Parking Partnership’s Group Manager, said: “The Park Active pilot is a really exciting scheme for Colchester and a first for the UK! “Not only does the scheme support Colchester Borough Council’s climate emergency declaration by reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality, but it also encourages healthier active travel, such as walking and cycling and rewards those that use the scheme, with reduced parking costs. “We know that interest and uptake of walking and cycling has increased over the past year and for those who are keen to keep that up as restrictions ease, this scheme is a great way to do that.”
Kelvin Reynolds, British Parking Association’s Director of Corporate and Public Affairs, said: “We are delighted that Colchester Borough Council is leading the way in making Park Active a reality. Effective parking management is at the heart of enabling many active travel sites. Park Active really is worth having a look at, it is a fantastic idea and should be a vital part of everyone’s future transport plans. “The BPA wants to mobilise the entire parking community behind Park Active to help encourage more people to park, walk, and cycle, building healthier and more sustainable communities for all.” The pilot also supports the national Positive Parking Agenda, which Colchester Borough Council is a founding member of, and includes improving traffic congestion and air quality, amongst its priorities. The Park Active pilot scheme is being managed and operated by the North Essex Parking Partnership who manage Colchester Borough Council’s off-street parking. The Colchester Park and Ride site, managed by Essex County Council also offers a Park and Pedal service which supports the principles of the Park Active scheme.
Skylarks nesting at Gosbecks Archaeological Park
Businesses interested in finding out more about signing up with Click it Local can contact hello@clickitlocal. co.uk To shop online visit: Click It Local
First UK Park Active scheme launches in Colchester Colchester is the first UK location to launch a Park Active pilot scheme, a new active travel scheme created by the British Parking Association (BPA), which supports the environment and encourages active travel to build healthier communities. Park Active enables motorists to drive to and leave their vehicle at a car park location outside of a town centre and complete the remainder of their journey on foot or by bicycle. In Colchester, motorists will pay a discounted parking rate for doing so. The new scheme aims to help reduce congestion and improve air quality; encourage more active travel options such as cycling and walking; free up central parking for short stay shoppers and blue badge holders, and encourage people to use outer town centre car parks which are cheaper
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and more accessible. Colchester is just one of ten UK locations set to pilot the scheme, which is supported by the Department for Transport. The Park Active car park locations in Colchester include Butt Road, Napier Road North, and Napier Road South car parks. The pilot will run for an initial six-month period and will be kept under review during that time. Motorists wishing to reap the rewards of this exciting new active travel scheme, will need to have signed up to the contactless parking payment system, MiPermit and the free Park Active permit scheme within it. Once signed up, users can park at any of the three pilot locations in Colchester and receive a discounted parking fee of just £0.50 per hour, for up to 4 hours, Monday to Saturday (6am to 6pm)
Multiple breeding pairs of skylarks are currently nesting in the long grass areas at Gosbecks Archaeological Park. Colchester Borough Council is asking that visitors to the site keep to the mowed paths and large tracks and keep dogs on a lead or under very close control, to avoid disturbing the birds, from now until the end of August. Skylarks are ground nesting birds and are protected due to declining
numbers. The council’s countryside rangers have installed temporary signage around the areas where they are nesting, giving visitors information about these protected birds and what they can do to support a successful breeding season. These special birds have a beautiful song, and the council is calling out to everyone that visits the site to do their bit to help make sure it can be heard for many years to come.
Tip For Toes What is an ingrown toenail? An ingrown toenail occurs when the toenail grows into the skin next to the nail. It’s a condition which primarily affects the big toe. Ingrown toenails are common and mostly affect adolescents and young adults, who tend to experience increased perspiration. This can lead to the nail fold becoming soft. This age group are also more likely to participate in sport, and females in particular are more likely to wear ‘fashion’ footwear which puts pressure on the toes. The pressure from sporting activity or caused by wearing ill-fitting footwear can lead to a small piece of the nail embedding itself in the skin. Senior citizens may also be more likely to develop ingrown toenails, especially if they have impaired vision or reduced mobility, which makes it more difficult to care for their toenails, which also tend to become thicker and more challenging with age. The most common causes of an ingrown toenail include: Poorly fitting shoes - Too-tight footwear or an overly narrow shoe forces the big toe and the second toe together, putting pressure on the nail wall. Poor toenail trimming technique toenails should be cut straight across,
above the level of the nail bed. If trimmed too short, inflammation can occur. Excessive sweating - perspiration causes the nail bed to soften, so the nail penetrates the skin easily. Injury - Stubbing the toe or dropping something on it can cause swelling and distort the natural nail architecture. Sport - Repetitive sports such as running, or dancing, or activities that involve kicking a ball, may damage the toenails. Infection - Fungal infections in particular can be a problem. Genetics - Some people inherit a predisposition for ingrown toenails. These people need to be particularly careful about choosing suitable footwear. The symptoms of an ingrown toenail are:
Pain when putting pressure on the toe
Take ibuprofen if there is pain.
Pus discharge
If there is no improvement after 2-3 days, consult a doctor.
Bleeding If you think you have an ingrown toenail:
Redness around the toenail
Soak the foot in warm salty water 3 or 4 times a day
Tenderness or pain along the sides of the nail
Keep the foot clean and dry at all other times
Swelling or harden skin around the nail.
Wear comfortable shoes that have enough room for the toes to move freely
Fluid build-up in the toe area
IMPORTANT: People with and underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, nerve damage in the feet, or poor circulation, should see a doctor as soon as they notice an ingrown toenail. Medical treatment may involve antibiotics if there is an infection, or even a minor surgical procedure, usually performed under local anaesthetic.
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Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. Buy to Let Mortgages are not usually regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.