Issue 84 More Space, More Properties, Same Exceptional Service! For Sales & Letting or Your Free Valuation Please Contract Us On 01206 Sales@palmerpartners.com572233 Advertising Sales: 077 3417 1985Sales: 077 3417 1985
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For any information or to submit an article or advert contact David Cook: Call: 01206 233717 Out Of Office: 07734 171985 Email: SimplyColchester@gmail.com Head Office: Simply Magazine, 1 George Williams Way, Colchester, Essex CO1 2JS 83 For Sales & Letting or Your Free Valuation Please Contract Us On 01206 Sales@palmerpartners.com572233 dv t ng Sales:0773417198Advertising Sales: 077 3417 1985 Same Exceptional Service! FSales&Letting Valuation 572233
Further information about Colchester Borough Council’s park and countryside spaces and Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium is available at colchester.gov.uk
Colchester awarded multiple green flags – once again!
COPY DEADLINES: Issue 85: 28/08/22 Issue 86: 28/09/22
For
thank staff, Colchester Countryside Volunteer Rangers and other community and user groups for their hard work and support over the past year. A Green Flag Award is never guaranteed, so to win again is a remarkable testament to the exceptionally high standard of care that goes into maintaining our amazing parks and green spaces.”
This year’s Green Flag Awards have just been announced and Castle Park, High Woods Country Park and Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium have once again scooped the national award. As well as receiving its 20th Green Flag award, Castle Park again received the Green Heritage award, supported by Historic England, which recognises its work to promote its historic Thesurroundings.threesites are among 2,208 UK parks and green spaces and 170 in the East of England to have received a prestigious Green Flag Award from Keep Britain Tidy – the mark of a quality park or green space.
Issue
Cllr Steph Nissen, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, added: “This is fantastic news and immensely “Iwell-deserved.wouldliketo
The awards, now in their third decade, shine a light on the UK’s very best parks and green spaces, recognising that they are beautifully maintained, have excellent visitor facilities and have achieved the highest possible environmental standards. To be able to fly the prestigious Green Flag, parks and open spaces are checked regularly throughout the year to ensure they're clean and well maintained, offer a welcoming place to visit and encourage community Cllrinvolvement.MartinGoss, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services & Waste, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have retained the Green Flag status for Castle Park, High Woods Country Park and Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium. “We should all be immensely proud of our green spaces. They are a unique and wonderful community asset, providing a place to meet up, walk or play, or just to appreciate some quiet contemplation, as well as being important havens for wildlife.”
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. information on advertising or submitting a article please email David Cook at: Simplycolchester@gmail.com or call 01206 233717 / 07734 171985
4 Check out our website for our many exciting events taking place throughout 2022, including our popular Halloween activities and BRAND NEW Enchanted Trail of EnjoyLightHUGE savings when youE-TICKETSPRE-BOOKONLINE ! Enjoy wild tales underneath the twinkling stars... Listen to marimba music fromOtto & The Mutapa Calling... 10TH AND 24TH SEPTEMBER 2022 Enjoy a magical twilight spectacular as we remain open until 9:30pm, with a timetable packed with special activities and additional encounters. All includedthis at NOCOSTEXTRA
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The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
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ReadWord AnswersSearchonpage8
One side effect of the pandemic was that it sparked (or in some cases rekindled) a fondness for being outdoors, and camping increased in popularity. Now, with the price of fuel and food soaring, most of us have less disposable income for the family holiday so camping is enjoying an extended renaissance. If you are trying family camping for the first time this year here are some top tips. Start small - Don’t plan a two-week family camping holiday on the Isle of White if the closest you’ve ever come to camping before this year is enjoying breakfast on a hotel patio in Majorca. Test the water - If it’s your family’s first foray into camping trip it’s probably best to try a couple of local excursions before embarking on a full-scale vacation, particularly if you have young children (or teens). That way if it’s a disaster it’s not too difficult to return home. Take company - Consider going with another family. Children in a group tend to occupy each other which leaves more time for the adults to relax. Plan for down time - Pack a couple of board games and books in case the novelty of camping wears off after a while, or the kids are tired or (heaven forbid) it rains! Be prepared - Pack a first aid kit which includes pain and cough relief, bug spray and plasters. And don’t forget lots of kid-friendly food and Don’tsnacks.over-schedule
- A camping trip is a chance to get back to basics in more ways than one. Building a campfire, bug hunting, pond dipping, or sitting on the bank of a river eating ice cream while dangling your feet in the water can all fill an afternoon and make wonderful memories. The chances are that if you camp once you’ll go back for more. By Louise Addison
Happy Campers
A Good
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Let me start by saying that this is long book, but in the deft hands of Boyne it is neither weighty nor stodgy. It’s a book about the life of a fictional man, Cyril Avery, and it begins before he’s even born, with his pregnant mother cast out of her strict catholic family and fleeing from her hometown. Cyril is adopted but struggles to find his place in a loveless family. He is gay, and illegitimate, born in Ireland at the wrong time. This story weaves his major life events with world events such as the AIDS crisis, 9/11, and the ongoing prejudice towards gay men. We follow Cyril from Dublin to Amsterdam to New York and back to Ireland. Throughout his journey the reader is privy to his inner and outer struggles which serve to heighten the confusion, anger and shame that define his existence. But this is not some handwringing doom saga. Boyne brings a wicked playfulness to Cyril’s self-deprecating wit, which commands both affection and empathy.Throughout the book various new characters appear at intervals, and their stories intersect and intertwine with Cyril’s via a series of coincidences which on the surface might appear contrived, but when the reader reflects on the characters in their own life and the coincidences that brought them together, suddenly make sense. From the opening ‘hook’ to the closing paragraph you’ll be rooting for Cyril, and you’ll laugh and cry along the way. In the touching afterword, Boyne admits that although Cyril and his life are fictional there are many of the author’s own lived experiences included in the plot. The book is all the richer for it.
Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman Illustrated by Kelly Murphy The leprechaun king is not happy with the Big Folk who have recently arrived in his land. He feels they are soaking up too much luck. So, he exhorts the other leprechauns to gather up all the luck they can find and lock it away in a big oak chest under his control. The Big Folk begin to suffer hardship after hardship until a clever girl named Fiona sets out to pit her wits against him. This picture book, aimed at ages 2-5, is a charming story with a clever twist. Kelly Murphy's artwork is enchanting, her use of colour and light masterfully evokes the Irish landscape, and magic lurks on every Thispage.will quickly become a bedtime favourite.
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They are a common pregnancy craving, appear in the bible and the works of Shakespeare, and Cleopatra thought that eating them made her more beautiful. What am I talking about? Pickles! Yes really. Pickles have actually been around for thousands of years. we can trace them back to pickled cucumbers in India 2030 BC. The word ‘pickle’ derives from the Dutch word ‘pekel’ or the German word ‘pókel,’ which both mean ‘salt’ or ‘brine.’ Refrigeration is a relatively recent introduction so for a long time throughout history pickling was a necessity to preserve food and stop it going bad, providing families with sustenance when fresh food was in short supply during the winter months. As they were so portable they were also useful for sailors and Thetravellers.pickling process happens when fresh fruits or vegetables are immersed in an acidic liquid or saltwater brine until they are effectively both 'cooked' and no longer susceptible to spoilage. When we think of pickles, cucumbers (gherkins) commonly come to mind. These are often lacto-fermented in saltwater brine. Lacto-fermentation involves lacto microbial organisms, which turn the naturally occurring sugars in the cucumbers into lactic acid. As this happens the environment rapidly becomes acidic, making it impossible for 'spoiling' bacteria to multiply.
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CrosswordQuick
A history of the humble art of pickling
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was an influx of eastern European Jews to the U.S. particularly New York City. These immigrants introduced their kosher dill pickles to America. Cucumbers were scrubbed, and piled in large wooden barrels along with dill, garlic, spices, kosher salt, and clean water. They were left to ferment for a few weeks, producing bright green 'half sours', or several months, producing 'full sours'. They were sold on handcarts as some of the first fast food and became a lucrative source of income for the community. In the 1850s, a Scottish chemist by the name of James Young created paraffin wax, which helped to create a seal for any food preserved in jars, and a few years later, John Mason developed and patented the first Mason jar. These jars were made from a heavyweight glass that was able to tolerate the high temperatures used in canning and processing pickles. These two inventions made home-pickling easier and allowed home cooks to be more creative with the foods they Picklespreserved.today can be sweet, sour, salty, hot or any blend of these. Almost any vegetable or fruit can undergo the process and each area of the world has its own particular favourite. The British love a pickled onion, the Eastern Europeans and Germans prefer lactofermented cabbage (sauerkraut), the French love tiny dill-flavoured cornichons (miniature gherkins) and Koreans are famous for kimchi (cabbage, radish, and carrot, flavoured with a fish sauce) while the Japanese prefer pickled plums and daikon (a red Picklingradish). doesn't have to be complicated and there are many online tutorials to get you started. Time to get pickling. By Louise Addison
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Across1 Daring (4) 3 Three babies born together (8) 9 In the wrong (2,5) 10 Fibbing, falsifying (5) 11 Inuit canoe (5) 12 40th president of the United States (6) 14 North American wild dog (6) 16 Male parent (6) 19 Champagne (slang) (6) 21 Distant suns (5) 24 Large bird of prey (5) 25 Spear-like whaling weapon (7) 26 Male singing voice (8) 27 Couple (4) Down1 Invisible winter driving hazard (5,3) 2 Elevated (5) 4 Come back (6) 5 Lively dance (5) 6 Inscription on gravestone (7) 7 Pungent herb (4) 8 Pail (6) 13 Captive (8) 15 More juvenile (7) 17 Ridiculous (6) 18 Large snake (6) 20 Baa, sheep noise (5) 22 Fragrance (5) 23 Edge of the pavement (4)
In a Pickle
Colchester’s £18.2m Town Deal funding confirmed Life on the Dark Side International Bat NightSaturday 27th August
7. The accelerated introduction of 5G infrastructure to enable the delivery of VR tourism initiatives and other options
5. Restoration of Holy Trinity Church (Lion Walk) and the first phase in restoring ‘Jumbo’
Have you ever heard the saying ‘bats in the belfry’? It’s a peculiar saying because bats rarely seek out church towers. They generally prefer somewhere quiet, and warm, usually houses, both old and new.
8 Bats have long had a bad press. Their nocturnal habits have no doubt contributed to the many myths surrounding them; that they are evil, unearthly creatures of the dark, and Bram Stoker’s Gothic horror Dracula certainly did them no favours. Bats are synonymous with ‘creepy.’ International Bat Night aims to change these misconceptions. It takes place on the last weekend in August. Bat-related events are organised around the country. These include bat walks and talks organised by bat conservation groups, wildlife trusts and park rangers. There is probably one near you. Bats are fascinating creatures. It surprised me to learn that they make up just over 25% of the UK's mammal population and they are the only ones that can fly. Britain is home to eighteen native bat species plus the occasional migrant visitor. The most common British bat is the Pipistrelle. These weigh in at just 5 grams (less than a £1 coin!). The rarest native species pre pandemic in 2019 was the Greater Mouse-eared Bat, which was down to one known male. The species was classified as critically endangered and may be actually extinct at the time of writing because he has not been seen recently. All British bat populations are under threat from predation, crime, and loss of habitat so they and their roosts are now protected by Manylaw.people cite the characteristic bat wings as the reason they don’t like the creatures, but bat wings are actually beautiful pieces of biomechanical engineering. They are constructed in a similar way to human hands, but with a membrane of skin stretched between the elongated, delicate fingers. Unlike bird bones, bat bones are not hollow. Instead, they are extremely slender and flexible. This combination of extreme thinness and flexibility means that bats can manoeuvre more easily than birds at speed. Their fragility means they are more vulnerable to damage but to compensate they tend to heal very quickly. Across the world there are bats that eat fruit and nectar, and real vampire bats that do actually drink blood, but all UK bat species eat insects and amazingly they have the capacity to fly and feed in the dark using echolocation. The bats produce a stream of high-pitched calls and listen to the returning echo. To the bat this provides a ‘sound image’ of their surroundings, though contrary to common belief bats are not blind, they just hear better than they can see. And forget about those horror movies which depict bats becoming entangled in some hapless character’s hair, bats’ impressive navigational skills mean that this scenario is highly unlikely.
Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: “The government’s announcement of £18.2m to go into the town improvements for Colchester is excellent news, and Essex County Council is thrilled to partner with Colchester Borough Council on the implementation of these ambitious “Theplans.fund will be vital in investing into Colchester’s vibrant heritage assets, promoting tourism into the economy. This fund has come at the perfect time, following the announcement of Colchester’s well-deserved awarding of city status.”
The first instalment of £5.8m, for 2022/23, will be directed towards a range of projects developed by engaging residents to identify their priorities. Over 1000 people submitted their views last summer and these were used to refine several projects located across the town.
We are Colchester has confirmed that its bid to deliver an ambitious set of projects as part of the Town Deal Fund has been fully supported by the Colchestergovernment.has been awarded the full £18.2m from the Government’s Town Deal fund to invest in projects that will directly benefit residents across the Anotherborough.£1m in Town Deal funding for ‘accelerated' schemes at Balkerne Gate and St Nicholas Square was awarded in September 2020.
The list of We Are Colchester projects submitted to the government in June 2021 now set to benefit from the new funding includes:
1. Creation of digital working hubs and grow-on space in the AIXR Centre for Immersive Innovation to be built on the site of the former bus depot in Queen 2.StreetTransforming facilities for young 3.peopleAdigital skills hub at the Wilson Marriage Centre (Magdalene Street)
4. Public realm improvements in the town centre, including new public space fronting the housing development at the former Essex County Hospital
Contrary to widely held belief they are neither noisy nor smelly and cause few problems as they come and go about their business. If bats do set up home in your roof, their access must not be impeded. Encouraging these fascinating little creatures to your garden is easy. You can buy or make a specialist bat box to fix to outside of your home to encourage them to take up residence. Help, advice, and general information on Britain’s bats is available at www.bats.org.uk.
8. Improved walking and cycling links between the Town Centre, Greenstead and the University, as well as the launch of Essex Pedal Power allowing eligible residents over the age of 12 to apply for a new FREE quality bicycle We Are Colchester was formed in January 2020 as a dynamic partnership comprising Colchester Borough Council, Essex County Council, local businesses and voluntary organisations, with the aim to develop a long-term vision for unlocking more jobs and prosperity for CouncillorColchester.David King, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: “We are delighted that the government has confirmed ££18.2m of investment in Colchester through the Towns Fund. The money will make a huge impact in improving the future of our soon-to-be “Thecity. projects can now progress in earnest, directly addressing priorities identified by the Colchester community. We are keen to continue engagement with residents and businesses, so they remain at the heart of these exciting Simondevelopments.”Blaxill,Chair of We are Colchester Board, said: “Today’s funding announcement is fantastic news for Colchester. This significant investment will bolster local businesses, creating and sustaining jobs for the future. I am looking forward to working with the community and local stakeholders to bring forward these exciting projects.”
By Kate McCarthy puzzle solutions:
6. Transformation of community facilities in Greenstead
Makes: 20 pickled peach halves Ingredients - 1.2kg just ripe but still firm peaches (about 10) - Zest and juice from an unwaxed -lemon.1litre white wine vinegar - 550g granulated sugar - 6 peppercorns (pink is nice but black or green will be fine) - 3 thin ginger slices (minus the skin) -4 cloves -1 cinnamon stick - ½ tsp yellow mustard seeds - 1 x large jar (1.5 litres) or two smaller ones Method Prepare the peaches Scrub the jar in warm soapy water, rinse it thoroughly, then and put it in a low oven to dry it and keep it warm. Take each peach and cut a small cross in the skin at the base then plunge it into boiling water for 10 seconds. Remove and pop them straight into a bowl of iced water. This process makes the skins easy to remove. Cut each peach half, remove the stones, and toss the fruit in lemon Preparejuice. the pickling liquid
The human body is made up primarily of water. Around 85% of the brain, 80% of blood and 70% of muscle is water. This is why maintaining our hydration levels is so important. During a single day, an average person loses around 2 - 4 litres of water through: urination 50%; sweating 34% and breathing 14% and this needs to be replenished. Most of us do not drink enough water…which includes tea, coffee, and squash.
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These peaches are ready to eat after a few hours but if you can leave them for six weeks they are sublime. They go really well with cheese or ham and bread for a simple summer supper.
Water Works
Water flushes toxins from our body, cushions and lubricates our joints and carries oxygen and nutrients into our cells. Water also helps regulate our body temperature and assists Withdigestion.insufficient water our bodies start to dehydrate. Symptoms of mild dehydration include:
• Low blood pressure
Preparation time: 40 mins Cooking time: 2 and a half hours
• Reduced alertness Reduced concentration Slower reaction times
Place all the ingredients (except the peaches) into a large stainless steel or enamel pan. Don't use aluminium pans when pickling because the vinegar reacts with the aluminium. Heat the ingredients over a low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and bring to the boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Lower the heat again, add the peaches and simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes. The fruit should be just soft when pierced with a sharp knife. Use a slotted spoon to gently lower the peaches into the warm jar, then simmer the pickling liquid a little longer until it becomes syrupy. Pour it over the peaches to cover and seal the jar. I like to leave the spices in the jar, but you can strain the liquid if you prefer.
Keep refrigerated once opened, but like ice cream the flavour is best if you allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
Pickled Peaches: Sweet and sour and utterly delicious
• Feelings of nausea
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• Tiredness Headaches
• Constipation • Dry Dehydrationskin even makes it harder to lose weight. Without enough water our bodies can’t metabolise the fat stored in cells as effectively, so the fat remains in the body. And water is also a natural appetite suppressant so drinking plenty of water keeps us feeling full and less likely to eat. So as the title says, water works!
Is it any wonder that so many of us are taking matters into our own hands, deciding to emulate our grandparents and grow our own food? But growing food requires space, and modern housing often means tiny gardens. This is where allotments come into their Allotmentsown.
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don’t just benefit the humans who tend them. Each plot is a complex web of plants, microorganisms, fungi, insects, and animals supporting pollination and offering a refuge for wildlife. To celebrate all the lovely bugs and beasties on Britain’s allotments, this year’s National Allotments Week is encouraging gardeners to take part in a mini-beast monitoring survey. Bugs are really important to the healthy functioning of an allotments. They pollinate fruit and veg, control pests, and improve the soil. They are nature’s vital helpers. To take part in the survey visit the website listed below. To acquire an allotment, simply approach your council. Price and availability varies around the country and in some areas there are waiting lists. But councils across the country are taking allotments and community gardens much more seriously now, and many are actively seeking to provide new sites. If an available plot is too large for your personal needs you may be able to rent half or find a like-minded friend to share it with. Enquire today and you and your family could soon, quite literally, be reaping the benefits! Happy gardening! By Rachael Leverton Useful Website http://www.nsalg.org.uk/ Survey allotments-week/news-events-campaigns/national-https://www.nsalg.org.uk/
During World War II and immediately afterwards, almost everyone with a garden grew fruit and vegetables. Food was rationed so people supplemented their diet with produce they’d grown in their own back garden, or down on their allotment.
During the 1960’s allotments began to go out of fashion and continued to decline in popularity. As a society we were more affluent; more likely to buy what produce we needed from the local supermarket, and vegetable gardening just wasn’t considered sexy!
Garden View
But with food prices soaring and less produce available on the supermarket shelves, added to an increased interest in plant-based diets and locally sourced food, allotments are enjoying a popularity surge. And the statistics in the news are scary. The number of food banks is growing exponentially as families struggle to put even the most basic provisions on the table. There are concerns about additives and pesticides on shop-bought fruit and veg, yet the cost of organic food puts it out of the reach of the most consumers.
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As stated earlier, all European vines originated from the same species, and unfortunately this made them vulnerable to pests and diseases (a similar problem affects banana producers nowadays). When a highly destructive aphid called the grape phylloxera reached Europe at the beginning of the 20th century it decimated almost all of the Old-World vines in a few short years. That might have been the end of commercial wine production, but science came to the rescue. Scientists discovered that American vines were resistant to the aphid, and they managed to develop healthy plants by grafting European varieties on to American rootstock. This helped preserve the European wine industry, but also helped the Americans improve their own industry, because prior to this their native vines had produced inferior wine. All of today’s Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines are produced from ‘rescued’ Manufacturersvines!cannow choose from a wide variety of grapes, and modern wine-making techniques have made wines more standardised and reliable. In recent years though, there has been a move back to artisan winemaking by passionate manufacturers who want more individuality, uniqueness or So,‘terroir’.treat your glass of Chardonnay with extra respect as you raise it in a toast to and say ‘Cheers!’
about your
Did you know that there are around 60 species of vine but only one that bears the fruit which when fermented produces wine? From that one species come all the different varieties used in wine production today. Evidence of Palaeolithic grape pips uncovered at archaeological sites indicates humans were eating grapes as early as 7000BC. Some 3500 years later Egyptians and Phoenicians planted the first vineyards and tended the vines. At first grapes were grown only for eating so it is likely that the first wine was made accidentally. In the full sun of the Middle East, it would have taken just a few hours for ripe juicy grapes to begin to ferment. Fermentation is the process by which the natural sugars in the fruit, aided by the natural yeast present in the bloom on the grape skins are turned into alcohol. It must have been an incredibly happy accident because before long wine was being made throughout the Mediterranean. Wine manufacture today bears a lot of similarities to those used in the ancient methods of viticulture (winemaking). In Egypt grapes were collected in wicker baskets, then trodden in huge wooden vats to kickstart the fermentation process. The crushed grapes, juice and skins were poured into loosely corked earthenware jars and left to finish the fermentation process. Finally, the mixture was filtered, flavoured, and poured into sealed amphorae. In spite of the similarities, we would be horrified now at what passed for wine back then. Wines were preserved using additions such as heavily sweetened date juice, honey, and spices, and even Bypepper.theMiddle Ages, the preference was for full-bodied fortified wines (similar to modern sherries and ports). These were stored in wooden casks. Winemaking then evolved through the centuries. Producers learned that vines grown on thinner mountain soils seemed to produce superior wines to those grown on the richer plains. wondered wine?
Wine O'Clock Ever
Quick Crossword Puzzles
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Paddle Leash - so your paddle can't float away if you drop it or fall in. SUP Leash - so your board can't float away if you fall in!
13 Sudoku
Stand Up for Fun - Try stand up paddleboarding this summer 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.
Place your paddle across your board, climb on and kneel on the board. Practice paddling on your knees until you feel comfortable. Move one foot at a time and place your feet in the place where your knees have been resting. Slowly rise from a squat, with your heels flat, and slide your hands onto your paddle. Engage your core for stability. As soon as you stand up, make your first stroke with your paddle. This will help you build momentum and in turn, remain steadier. Stand with your feet parallel, hip-width apart, toes facing forward, and knees slightly bent. Wider boards are easier for a beginner to balance on. It’s possible to teach yourself the basics but it’s more fun to take a class with other beginners. There will almost certainly be one near you this summer. So, join the craze and get paddling. Don't forget the sunscreen. By Tom Hancock I fell in love with Stand Up Paddleboarding (or SUP) last summer when the local marina offered SUP lessons. Before the end of the first lesson, I was hooked. SUP involves standing on a board while using a paddle to manoeuvre your way through the water. It’s a super-fun way to explore local waterways and get some fresh air and exercise. SUP is not difficult. We learned the basics in a day. There are more challenging forms of SUP, like SUP surfing and long-distance SUP touring, but recreational paddleboarding is pretty Paddleeasy.boards come in a range of different shapes, lengths, widths, and sizes. The most common paddle board size is about 3.3m long and between 75cm-90cm wide. They are much bigger than your average surfboard! Beginners are best to look for an AllAround board...which is built for all water types, balancing speed, stability, and tracking. Inflatable paddle boards (or iSUPs) can be stored in a small space and easily transported then inflated when you’re ready to use them. Inflateable SUPs also float higher in the water, which is ideal for activities like SUP yoga (a real thing), and they are very durable Hard SUPs are made of an EPS foam core wrapped in materials like epoxy, fibreglass, wood, carbon fibre, or plastic. They tend to be slightly faster than inflatable SUPs, so perform better for SUP surfing. But they are harder to store and transport because they’re so big. Extra equipment
SUP Paddle - about 20-25cm taller than you are.
PFD (Personal Flotation Device)Safety first Flashlight and Safety Whistle - If you plan to paddle in the dark. Shoes - neoprene shoes will keep your feet warm in cooler weather and won't damage the board. I prefer bare feet. Dry Bag - take a towel and a phone at the minimum. Walk into the water to knee-deep, set the board on to the water’s surface.
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Orchards are a wonderful way to bring communities together. The trees not only provide beauty to the local landscape, but they also create calming areas where people can find peace and serenity. They can help foster friendships develop and enable people to learn new skills and discover new interests. Once established, the orchards will provide fruit for the community to pick and eat.Using fruit trees native to East Anglia, the project will help preserve local horticultural heritage and help the local environment thrive with wildlife.
The council is urging any community groups to come forward to register their interest, and if an application is successful, help will be provided to help fund an orchard, on a 50/50 basis.* Help will also be provided to initially set up the orchard, but the local community must be able to continue to care for the trees to ensure they thrive.
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Let's get together and create communityColchesterorchards Cat
Day
A cat’s tongue has rows of hooked scales that act like a comb so it can groom its Catsfur. can only sweat through their paws A group of cats is called a clowder. A cat has the ability to jump up to six times its length. Cats can detect higher frequencies of sound than dogs or humans. Cats have powerful, tightly controlled muscles and fast reflexes that allow them to move quickly – they skilled at stalking, running, jumping, and Catsclimbing.cansee at one-sixth the light level required for human vision Domestic cats purr at a frequency of 20 to 30 vibrations per second. By Sarah Davey Colchester Borough Council’s Woodland and Biodiversity Project is looking for suitable locations and community groups to work with, to create new community orchards for Colchester.Lastyear,the council helped launch two community orchards, one in Magnolia Field, Greenstead and one on land adjacent to Colchester’s Cemetery. Due to the success of these, it is looking to find more sites to plant on in Community2022.
Monday August 8th is the twentieth International Cat Day! This day of feline celebration began in 2002 and surprisingly predates all the kitten pics of Facebook (2005) and Instagram (2010). In honour of the occasion I have unearthed some cool cat-facts! Cats are believed to have been domesticated in ancient Egypt. Cats sleep for two-thirds of their lives. They usually spend 13-16 hours of the day asleep. This sounds like bliss to me! An adult cat’s ‘miaow’ is more likely to be used to communicate with humans rather than another cat. Cats use their whiskers as sensors to find out how wide a space is – and whether they can fit through it. A cat’s heart beats two to three times faster than a human heart.
International
Cllr Steph Nissen, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: “This is a terrific idea for Colchester. Let's get together and help create some stunning community orchards. Trees are vital for our environment; they help filter our air, encourage pollinators', provide beauty, bear fruit, and bring together individuals and communities. Whether you are a small community group with some land, a school with room for a small number of trees or a landowner that can accommodate a larger number of trees on land the public can access, please get in touch. Let’s get together and help create a brighter, greener future for Colchester. Register your interest by emailing nick.day@colchester.gov.uk
Joan Adam, Resident of Kilkee Lodge Care Home, who held onto her hat when riding an adaptive bicycle, said: “It was such a nice surprise. I haven’t ridden a bicycle since I was a child, and I was a bit apprehensive. I thought it was absolutely impossible. Though, I was a little panicked when approaching the bend! My favourite part of the today is the company and mixing with people.”
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Care Home Commonwealth Games boosts residents’ fitness thanks to NHS funding
Jason Fergus, Head of Active Essex, commented: “This significant funding from the NHS marks a major milestone in our quest to make physical activity the number one factor for improving public health in Colchester and Tendring.”
More than 80 Colchester and Tendring residents visited the Colchester Sports Park and took part in the Care Home and Commonwealth Games delivered by FaNs (Friends and Neighbours) and Colchester Borough Council. Funded by the NHS, the games helped 11 Colchester and Tendring care homes’ 83 residents to get up, get moving and enjoy green open spaces. Participants were warmed up and put through their paces with a routine specially designed for older people, who were able to enjoy penalty football from Colchester United FC, cycling from Wheels for All, boccia, curling and dance from Sport for Confidence, discus and shot put. The Deputy Mayor of Colchester, Cllr John Jowers, awarded medals to the winners of each activity.
The event is just one of the activities made possible by £1.5m funding from the NHS. The money has been awarded to Colchester Borough Council and Active Essex to support their work in encouraging physical activity and healthy lifestyles among the most disadvantaged communities in the local population. Led by Active Essex, the partners have been brought together as part of the Sport England Local Delivery Pilot (LDP), which also includes Tendring District Council, to test new health and wellbeing projects such as free Park Play, Street Tag and Beat the Streets in Colchester and Tendring from 20182025.
Tony Lee, Communities Network Lead for Essex from FaNs, said: “It's absolutely critical that older people in care homes have access to a world of fitness and movement, just as the rest of their communities do. There is undeniable evidence of the benefits to mental health attributed to physical exercise, and we want to deliver this in a fun and a free way that will engage with large numbers and leave a legacy for care homes to continue with in the future.” Nikki Leaney, Manager of Alderwood Care Home in Colchester, said: “Our residents had been looking forward to this for such a long time, and now it's over, we can say we weren't disappointed. We all had great fun and it was so well organised by everyone involved. We're going to take a few of the events back to Alderwood with us to do again, both inside and out. Thanks again everyone, we're already looking forward to the Olympics.”
Ed Garratt, Chief Executive, Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “We know well the benefits physical activity can bring to people’s lives not just for their physical wellbeing but also their mental wellbeing, selfconfidence and being part of a social group. These projects address all those “Everyonethings. should have an equal chance in life to be as healthy as they can possibly be, regardless of where they live or how much money they “It’shave.vital we support local projects like these to help address the inequalities in health that are caused by deprivation. These are exciting, imaginative projects that will offer people of all ages that basic human Theright.”funding links directly to the costs of the LDP already incurred over the past four years and to the delivery of the following projects, which are either happening or are proposed: Essex Pedal Power; the Tendring Wheels for All Project; activities celebrating The Commonwealth Games; Park Play; Beat the Street; suicide prevention; investment in open spaces for ‘green prescribing’; youth facilities, and Street Tag.
Cllr Julie Young, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Housing & Communities, said: “Projects in Colchester such as the Commonwealth Games and Park Play encourage those who might otherwise be inactive to enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Activity can help prevent illness and pain whilst improving sleep, lessening anxiety, brain health, heart health, and so much more! I'm thrilled Colchester has received this funding and I cannot wait to see how it is used to get residents up-and-moving.”
Cllr Lynda McWilliams, Tendring District Council Cabinet Member for Partnerships, said: “Encouraging physical activity, which can take many forms and be fun-filled as we have seen today, is great for people’s health and mental wellbeing; with the added bonus of reducing pressure on our health services.”
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