Issue 83
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Comic Hero Run makes an epic return! St Helena Hospice’s Comic Hero Run is back for 2022 and is set to be better than ever – and registration is now open! You are invited to join the event on Sunday 16th October in Colchester’s historic Castle Park to take part in either a 1km, 5km or 10km fun run to raise money for your local hospice to help people in north east Essex face incurable illness and bereavement. This family fun event is suitable for all ages and fitness levels and dressing
up is highly encouraged – although optional. Lisa Chenery, fundraiser at St Helena Hospice, said: "We are so excited to be bringing back Comic Hero Run to Colchester after a three-year break and we hope to see lots of you getting into the spirit and donning your best superhero costumes!" “With three different routes to choose from, there is something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a fun and active day out with the family, or fancy
challenging yourself or want to get competitive with friends or family, by taking on the longer 10k run." "All the money raised from this event will go towards helping patients and families receive the care and support they need, when they need it, where they need it. We encourage everyone to raise £35 in sponsorship as the event registration fee only covers the cost of putting on this amazing event. By raising £50 in sponsorship, you could help provide the care and support a family in crisis needs in
the depth of night with a visit from a SinglePoint nurse in their home." What are you waiting for? Grab your light sabers and cape and sign up today at www.sthelena.org.uk/ comichero Groups of four can also save 10% on registration fees when signing up 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children, simply enter the discount code FAMILY10 when prompted at the checkout when signing up.
Issue 83
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
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A Good Read
abilities, whose confidence and selfassuredness marks her out among women of her time. He is the son of a bully, with a love of the intricacies of language and a penchant for wordy puns. They certainly make an unusual couple.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell This novel is the fictional retelling of the life of Anne Hathaway, who was married to William Shakespeare. The bard is never actually named in the book, which forces us to concentrate on Anne. Shakespeare left no documentation about his personal life: if he wrote diaries, they are lost. This leaves O’Farrell free to use her imagination within an historical context. Agnes - pronounced ‘Anyis,’ also known as Anne, is a farmer's daughter, who is married for love to a younger man with few obvious prospects. She is a gifted herbalist with psychic
O'Farrell’s novel comprises of a series of interwoven short stories, centring on each of the characters. Some of the earlier stories involve Anne’s extended family of in-laws, which whom the couple live following her first pregnancy, and her arrangements for her husband to seek his fortunes in London, while she’s pregnant with twins. In spite of their separation, the couple remain close until one of the twins, Hamnet, dies aged 11. The stories then centre on their shared grief and the strain this puts on their relationship, which culminates in him publishing his most famous tragedy, ‘Hamlet. O’ Farrell writes beautifully and if you like attention to historical detail coupled with elegant storytelling then you’ll love this book. If you prefer a spare, more fluid style of writing then you might find the going a little slow. O’ Farrell also adopts the trend of writing women from history as possessing contemporary traits. I didn’t find this an issue, but I can
imagine purists wondering if Anne really would have been quite as liberated as she’s written here.
to save her friend, she also has to cope with the nefarious plans of her aunt and cousins.
A wonderful read for history-lovers with a satisfying ending.
This delightful, spookily dark story is ultimately an uplifting tale about the power of friendship. And it has a nice twist at the end too.
Through the Mirror Door by Sarah Baker Books like 'The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe' 'The Secret Garden' and 'The Ghosts of Motley Hall' are timeless children's novels which immerse the reader in another world. This was Sarah Baker's entry into this particular genre of children's literature, and it doesn't disappoint. Angela is orphaned and living in foster care when she's invited on a family holiday with a distant aunt. Whisked away to crumbling manor house in France, she's bullied by her cousins, Kitty and Fliss. Angela feels isolated and lonely in the spooky house until she discovers Julien who becomes her only friend. But Julien is in danger, and she has to keep him a secret. His life is at stake, and Angela is the only person who can save him. As Angela races against time
Word Search
Stay Cool This Summer The opposite is true in the winter. Refrigerate your pillowcase - I am not joking. Pop your clean cotton pillowcases into the fridge and put them on your pillow just before bed. It feels great against your skin. You can also keep clean damp flannels or linen tea towels in the fridge and use them to cool your face and the back of your neck.
UK houses don't have air con as a rule. So how do we stay cool when the temperature rises? Think inside out - Drink and eat cold things! Iced water, tea and squash will keep you hydrated and cool. Try chilled watermelon, grapes, and sorbets. Make healthy lollies from diluted cordial with slices of lemon, lime, or cucumber. Poor man's air con - Fans don’t cool air; they move it around. So put a bowl of iced water in front of your fan. This will cool the air blowing over the bowl and make the room feel cooler. If you have a ceiling fan make it spin anticlockwise to create a cooling effect.
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Be smart with windows - There is a reason many houses abroad have heavy shutters. They shade a home's windows to prevent heat from getting in in the first place, keeping the house cool during the day.UK houses don't generally have shutters, but a whitebacked blind or thick curtains will definitely help. At night if you sleep on the first floor or above and it's possible and safe to do so, open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a through draft. Avoid using heat indoors - Eat cold food, or grill outdoors. If you have to cook indoors, try a slow cooker or Microwave which generate much less external heat. Avoid using the tumble dryer by hanging clothes outside. Stay cool guys.
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Answers on page 8
Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic at Colchester Castle opens 16 July Colchester Museums is thrilled! Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign undertaken with Art Happens, a platform run by Art Fund, Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic at Colchester Castle will open to the public on the 16 July 2022. During the campaign, £15,396.75 was raised, with over 200 benefactors all giving generously to see the exhibition realised. The success of the campaign has reaffirmed that witchcraft and magic still prove a fascinating and compelling subject for many. Today, a wide variety of books, films, and TV programmes exist for those eager to soak up real-life stories, dramas and accounts of Britain’s historic past. However, there are still many real-life stories to tell, and that is precisely what Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic at Colchester Castle will be doing. Colchester Castle’s new exhibition, devised in collaboration with the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, will transport visitors back in time to the 16th and 17th centuries. They will be immersed in a time when a fear campaign was beginning to spread throughout Europe that saw hundreds of people accused of witchcraft and magic imprisoned across the country and locally in Colchester’s very own Castle. During the reign of Charles I, in the 17th Century, Essex became infamous for its persecution of suspected witches in a world where witchcraft was made illegal, with suspected witches facing terror and even the death penalty.
Quick Crossword
For many years Colchester Castle has told the stories of those who hunted suspected witches – such as the notorious Witch Finder General, Matthew Hopkins – but now, Colchester Museums, along with the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, will be bringing the stories of those who suffered out into the open and telling their forgotten tales. Councillor Pam Cox, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage, said: “Colchester played a significant role in violent campaigns against witchcraft, and this exhibition allows us to remember those innocent individuals, most of them women, who sadly lost their lives during this period in our borough’s history. We cannot rewrite history, but we can share the stories of those that were persecuted with a new generation of visitors to our museum.” Simon Costin, Director, Museum of Witchcraft and Magic said: “Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft and Magic is an exciting collaboration between the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic (MWM), based in Boscastle, Cornwall – the UK's only museum dedicated to the study of magical practice – and Colchester Castle. “We have over 4,000 objects and this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of our collection to new audiences. This exhibition will focus on the untold stories of the innocent women who suffered under the witchcraft acts of the 17th century and beyond and is a timely reminder of the persecution of people for their beliefs.”
Across 1 Pierced, punctured (medical) (6) 4 Atones (6) 8 Squander (5) 9 Disciple (7) 10 Extend (7) 11 Divide in two (5) 12 Maze (9) 17 Regulations (5) 19 Authorise, enable (7) 21 Aid, assist (7) 22 Bestowed (5) 23 Plundered goods (6) 24 Catches, traps (6)
Down 1 Furthest down (6) 2 Nasal hole (7) 3 Occurence (5) 5 Black water bird (7) 6 Pre-_____, before birth (5) 7 Brochette, spit (6) 9 Despicable (9) 13 Coy, reticent (7) 14 Nevertheless (7) 15 Blackmails (6) 16 Sips, gulps (6) 18 Slow tempo (musical term) (5) 20 Follower of ancient religion (5)
>>> Could YOU be a Blood Runner? <<<
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What is Comic-Con?
When people talk about a "comic-con," they're usually referring to a comic convention — an event where comic fans, creators, and experts congregate to attend panels, participate in discussions and attend parties, centred around comics. The very first comic convention was held in New York in July 1964, but the movement really started gaining popularity in the 1980s. In recent years, these conventions have become more popular, and often expand to cover television shows, movies, and other forms of art and fiction that are more mainstream. There are comic conventions all around the world, including the UK run by many different companies and they all offer slightly different things. Some are enormous, attracting big name stars from Hollywood, while others are more low key events, paying more attention to niche publications and shows. Hundreds of thousands of people attend the conventions every year. There is a revival of interest in comics, and graphic artists are becoming more well known, as they showcase their work on social media. In addition pop culture is now inundated with comic book projects, and fans of mainstream films and computer games often find their way to more quirky, unconventional publications via this route. The million dollar question is often, ‘Do you have to dress up to go to a comic convention?’ No, but many people do and it’s called cosplay. Its not a requirement but it’s great fun.
Because convention are so popular now tickets are often limited and can sell out very quickly, so you need to buy early if you want to attend one of the big, popular events. In addition because of the expansion to include more movies and TV shows, fans of these productions e.g. Buffy or Twilight often show up just for that feature, which locks out the die-hard comic book fans, the people the events are designed for. Sometimes its better to head for the smaller events because the experience is more personal. But the fact is that geek culture has gone mainstream. Guardians of the Galaxy and Dark Knight are no longer the preserve of comic book nerds. Five reasons to attend a Comic Con The Special Guests - The chance to meet your heroes in the flesh. Actors from movies, TV shows and anime, writers, and graphic artists. Games – computer games and board games feature large at some events but not at others, so if you love games, look for a convention which goes big on them. Merch – T-shirts, magazines, artwork, autographs, books, memorabilia, costumes and more. Comic conventions are a great place to indulge your love of all things nerdy. Cosplay – Half the fun is admiring all the amazing outfits. Some people buy them but many are handmade with exquisite attention to detail. This is next level nerdiness and it’s awesome. Comics – Of course. That’s kind of the central idea. There will be thousands of titles available and I guarantee there will be some you’ve never heard of, even if you are a committed comic fan.
The Year of the Bikini Body
When I was younger, I used to spend hours with my friends fretting over how to get the perfect bikini body before our girls’ getaway holiday. I’d berate myself for not having long slender limbs and an ample bosom like my friend Claire, as I scrutinised my pasty pear-shaped figure in the mirror for signs of cellulite. I’d imagine everyone on the beach was mocking me in my choice of swimwear and spent most of our holidays covered up with a T shirt or a towel. Fast forward twenty years, three children and two years of COVID weight gain later and the pale, pear-shaped body of my youth is now a distant dream. Oh, how I wish I’d appreciated at the time! Yet oddly in 2022 as holiday destinations open up again and we’re all yearning for a bit of sun, sand, and sangria, I feel more liberated than my anxiety-ridden 20-yearold self. Collectively we’ve all been to hell and back; we’ve lost loved ones, homeschooled our kids, openly our discussed mental health issues with strangers on the internet during lockdown, and the trend definitely seems to be towards being kinder to each other and ourselves. We’re getting our lives back and our lives are for living, not worrying about our muffin tops and cellulite. The secret to a bikini body in 2022 is to put your body in a bikini…and that’s it. Choose your swim wear in a colour you love and that you feel fabulous in. Choose a skimpy two piece or a shape-supporting one-piece, but whatever your choice wear it with confidence. Don’t let the
judgement of others, real or imagined terrorise you into covering up and feeling miserable. Don’t compare yourself to anyone. Your body is yours. It is nobody else’s business. Feel that sun on your skin and rejoice. Don’t try to starve your body into submission before your holiday. Holidays are meant to be relaxing and fun and goodness knows we all need some relaxation and fun right now. Your amazing body has come through two of the most stressful years in living history and you survived. Give yourself a pat on the back and let your hair down. And for goodness’ sake don’t hang out on any social media sites where ‘influencers’ post #nofilter pics of themselves looking like catwalk models. It’s all #abunchoflies. Life is real and raw and we’re going to live it anyway…our way. The choice of beach wear this year is amazing. There are supportive bra-sized sets for women who have bigger boobs. There are some gorgeous swimsuits with pretty details and cut outs and (my favourites) cute beach tops and skorts for those who feel more comfortable a bit more covered up but still want to swim and run around with the kids on the beach. There really is something for everyone. So put on your new bikini, slap on your suntan lotion, and feel the sand between your toes. Congratulations. You now have a bikini body.
puzzle solutions:
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How to Deal with Conflict threat and others instantly appease to avoid conflict. Knowing our tendency helps us map out a route before a conflict situation arises.
Its July…as the temperature rises so do tempers. Everyone feels tetchier when it’s hot. So how do you keep your cool while everyone else is boiling over?
Some people are more chilled than others. Whether your temper boils over is down to temperament, past experiences, and the specific situation. Some people snap when they feel under pressure, others when they perceive injustice, and others when they feel disrespected. If you understand your own triggers you’re better placed to address them. How do you normally deal with conflict? When the ‘fight’ instinct is triggered we prepare instinctively to take an aggressive position. If our ‘flight’ instinct is the one that’s tweaked in conflict situations then we’ll beat a hasty retreat. Some of us freeze in response to a perceived
Understanding yourself makes it easier to recognize when a tense situation is escalating to the point of conflict. Think back to your last argument. Try to recreate in your body how it felt, remembering as many details as you can. Fix that feeling in your head, so you recognise it as it happens. When you recognise it you can take action.
Ratatouille: The taste of summer for supper
Preparation time - 30 mins Cooking time - 30 mins to 1 hour Serves - 4
Action might involve removing yourself from a situation before you explode or burst into tears. You can then work on self-calming by going for a brisk walk, screaming into a pillow, or venting your spleen on to paper (don’t give it to the other person though!). Then do something that makes you feel good; play with your cat, watch a comedy show, or listen to your favourite playlist.
Ingredients 2 aubergines 4 small courgettes 2 red peppers 4 large tomatoes 4 tbsp olive oil 2 onions, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed
Once your equilibrium is restored you will then be in a better place to deal with the matter in hand, either by deciding it isn’t worth pursuing, or by means of calm discussion. The more you practice these de-escalation techniques the more skilled you’ll become.
½ tsp sugar salt and freshly ground black pepper small bunch basil, torn Method Chop the aubergines into chunks about 2.5cm square. Cut the courgettes into
2.5cm thick slices. De-seed the peppers and cut these into bite-sized chunks. Peel the tomatoes - score a cross in the base of each tomato and place them in a heatproof bowl. Pour over enough boiling water to cover and set aside for one minute. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, peel away the skins. Roughly chop the flesh. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole dish and add the chopped onions. Cook gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and tender. Add the aubergines and courgettes and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the peppers, garlic, sugar, some salt and pepper and half the basil and mix well. Cover and cook over a very gentle heat for 20 minutes. Add the tomatoes to the pan and cook for a further 10 minutes. Scatter the ratatouille with the remaining basil and serve with crusty garlic bread or Focaccia.
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Garden View Gardening is a hobby and, after a while, most people with hobbies find themselves experimenting. They get a bit creative and want to see if they can do something on the cheap, or for free, or simply find to out whether it’s possible to do something just for the simple pleasure of trying. Seed collecting falls into this category for me. Most seeds are not particularly expensive to buy, so why would I or anyone else want to collect our own? Well I can’t speak for anyone else, but I get a real buzz from collecting seed, knowing that I can perpetuate a favourite plant without any outside involvement. Sometimes I’ll collect seed with a fair degree of certainty that I’ll be able to raise hundreds of little seedlings, and sometimes I do it for the challenge, as not all seeds are easy to propagate. If you want to have a go at seed collecting (and be warned, it’s a highly addictive pastime) then here are a few tips. You will need: Large paper bags – Must be paper. Plastic bags won’t do as they retain moisture and cause the seeds to
develop fungus or go mouldy. You can buy them from eBay or make your own from brown paper and artist’s paper tape. Felt pen - for labelling. This is important as you will forget what you’ve collected even if you think you won’t! Box or trug - for carrying the bags of seeds around the garden. Small pair of scissors or secateurs – for snipping the heads. Choose a dry day with little or no wind. Select a healthy, pest and disease-free plant with seedpods which look as though they’re about to split. Label a paper bag (it’s much easier to do this first) then cut off the seedhead and turn it upside down into the bag. Place the bag into a dry place and wait for the seeds to ripen. Check regularly. When most of the seedpods have opened, tip out the contents on to a dry surface and separate all the seeds from any remaining bits of pod. Store the clean seeds in a small, labelled paper bag or envelope, in a
cool dry place until ready to be used.
Helianthus annuus (Sunflower)
Easy seeds to collect and grow
Cosmos bipinnatus (Cosmos)
Nigella damascena (love-in-the-mist)
Lunaria annua (Honesty)
Aquilegia (ladies bonnets)
You’ll soon discover many more.
Papaver (Poppy)
Happy collecting.
Digitalis Purpurea (Foxglove)
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Take a Dip Outdoors Outdoor swimming has become popular recently. It is a simple, low-cost activity with minimal gear needs. It can be as easy as downloading a map of the best wild swimming places in the UK and heading off with your swimsuit and a towel.
associated with depression and anxiety. While more evidence is needed for confirmation, so many people have reported the mood-enhancing benefits of open water swimming that specialist groups have been formed where swimmers offer mutual support and share their own experiences.
‘Wild swimming’ refers to swimming in rivers, lakes, pools, the sea in more out-of-the-way locations with no lifeguard supervision, while ‘open water swimming’ refers to swimming in a river or lake within a designated area under the watchful eye of lifeguards. Both types of swimming present an opportunity to exercise, explore the local countryside and visit new places to try different waters.
True wild swimming requires no memberships, but there are registered clubs and swimming groups around the UK. The Outdoor Swimming Society's membership grew by 36% in 2020. You don’t need to be fast or competitive, but you do need to be a competent swimmer. If you are attending a supervised session, they are often in or near parks open to the public. Changing facilities can be limited so it’s better to arrive ready to swim, although there are readily available ‘modesty robes’ which can be purchased from sports shops. Though there are no laws against being naked in public in England and Wales, venues can set their own rules and most require that you avoid nudity.
Swimming outdoors is beneficial for our physical health and our mental wellbeing. A study published in British Medical Journal Case Reports suggested that cold water swimming may be effective in the treatment of depression. The theory is that subjecting the body to the physical stress of cold water helps to adapt it to the stress response
Supervised sessions often need to be booked in advance and swimmers are checked in and checked out by volunteers.
even in the summer months. You will adapt though, the more regularly you swim in open water. A wetsuit will help, and you can buy neoprene hats, gloves, and socks to protect you.
Whether you are wild swimming alone or open water swimming in a group it is advisable to wear a bright swim cap and a tow float. Some supervised venues insist on this in their rules. The floats and cap make you easy to spot if you get into difficulty, and as open water can be deep a tow float is a good floatation device if you get tired and need to stop for a while.
One advantage of supervised sessions is that the water quality is usually tested regularly to ensure maximum safety. They are a great place to start your outdoor swimming journey. Most sessions are run by volunteers who are passionate about open water swimming. They want you to be safe and get the most from your swim, so talk to them…then maybe offer to volunteer yourself.
Bear in mind that water outside is cold,
Quick Crossword Puzzles
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A Bad Smell What to do about B.O. Do you have a friend or colleague with a strong body odour? Would you tell them? Do you wonder why they don’t smell it themselves? Body odour is caused by bacteria on your skin reacting with sweat. Many thousands of bacteria live naturally on our skin all the time. When we sweat, the water, salt and fat mix with these bacteria and may cause odour. Exercise, stress and anxiety, excess bodyweight and genetics can all affect whether you produce an odour and how strong it is. Some medical conditions are associated with changes in the way a person smells. They include diabetes, gout, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s, liver, and kidney disease. However, none of these diseases are associated with the type of smell we usually mean when we refer to B.O. Hormones on the other hand can cause unpleasant body odour. Teenagers of both sexes can be particularly susceptible. The hot flushes, night sweats and hormonal fluctuations associated with the menopause can also cause odour issues, and body odour can also change with menstruation. The saying, “you are what you eat,” may apply double when we’re dealing
with the way our bodies smell. Sulphurous foods such as onions, garlic, cabbage, and broccoli can cause an increase in unpleasant body odour, and some people are more affected by this than others. Scrupulous personal hygiene is the best way to avoid body odour. Bathing daily with antibacterial soap, focussing on the areas where you sweat the most, like your armpits and groin helps control the population of bacteria on your skin preventing unpleasant body odour. Hair is a breeding ground for bacteria. Shaved armpits therefore help sweat evaporate more quickly so it doesn’t have as much time to interact with bacteria. Loose-fitting clean clothing made of natural or moisture-wicking materials allows your skin to breathe. Topical antiperspirants work by pulling sweat back into your sweat glands. Sweat production decreases when your body receives a signal that your sweat glands are full. Most of us assume we’d know if we smelled bad, but actually we might not! Our noses are designed to detect smells that are new or strange. We experience smells when molecules trigger the receptors in our nose. If
they are overrun with the same smell for a period of time though, they fatigue and tune the smell out, so we stop noticing it. It can then take two or three weeks to regain sensitivity to that smell. This is especially true about the smells our own body produces and is the reason why many ex-smokers are horrified after a couple of months of no cigarettes, when they encounter another smoker and realise that their clothes must have reeked before. So, your whiffy friend or colleague may genuinely not realise they smell unpleasant to others. Should you tell someone they smell? It’s a dilemma. You might have to tell
them if you are in a management position, and it is affecting your team. If it’s a friend you might want to tell them in order to save them from social embarrassment. Tread very carefully and above all be kind. Never gossip about a person who smells. They may have a medical issue or be struggling with mental health or poverty issues. Also remember that you may be unnaturally sensitive to smells. Your co-worker or friend may smell bad to you, but your colleagues or friends might not have noticed a problem. If you are worried that you might have B.O, find a trusted friend or family member to ask.
Sudoku
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Summer Car Care
Summer driving can be hard on your car. Before hooking up your caravan or heading off to Cornwall make sure you check for potential problems. The battery - Increased stop-start activity in summer traffic is hard on a battery. Add in a family's worth of mobile entertainment devices and the sat nav and the car's electrical juice can drain very quickly. If your battery is old, consider replacing it before your holiday. The tyres - Most people use cars for short trips only, then suddenly expect it to travel a couple of hundred miles to their holiday destination. Driving a long distance will exacerbate hidden tyre issues such as cracked or ageing rubber. Visually check your tyres on both car and caravan if you have one, and make sure you inflate them to the correct pressure to deal with extra luggage. Check your spare - Some cars don't have one. If yours doesn't it will have
Colchester primary school welcomes £2000 charity cheque from Provide Community
a repair kit. Its best to familiarise yourself with it before the journey. Also know that if your tyre is very damaged you will have to call out a tyre replacement service. This is where being a member of a breakdown service comes in very handy! The Clutch - That slow-moving summer traffic is also hard on clutches. A failing clutch will have been noticeable for a while. It will slip or have a high 'bite'. Don't ignore these warning signs. Get it checked before travelling. The Alternator - If your car's battery light keeps flickering it might be a sign of your alternator struggling. Just like the battery this can be tipped into failure by slow-moving traffic coupled with extra devices being charged. You do NOT want your alternator to fail on your holiday because it isn't an instant fix, so check it before you travel. If your car is fully serviced and running well you have minimised the risk of spoiling your holiday.
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Braiswick Primary School in Colchester has received £2000 of funding from neighbouring social enterprise, Provide Community, for new playground equipment. As a Community Interest Company (CIC) responsible for the delivery of health and social care services across Essex and East Anglia, Provide Community reinvests its profits to benefit the communities it serves. In its latest initiative, Provide asked more than 1000 staff to nominate local causes they felt deserved a donation. Jennie Bateman, Communication Officer at Provide, nominated Braiswick Primary School, which was selected and allocated funding by a panel of Provide’s Council of Governors. She said:
APPROVED O
“Both my daughters attend Braiswick Primary and I couldn’t have asked for a better start to their education. The parent-teacher association (PTA) has worked tirelessly to raise funds for equipment to enrich play and learning for the children through engaging and fun events. I feel very blessed to have the chance to give something back to the school which has given so much to my family over the last seven years.”
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The school’s PTA, known as Friends of Braiswick Primary (FOBP), was
established by parent Hannah Evans when the school opened in 2015. She said: “My daughter was part of the first intake when the school opened and will be the first year group to leave this summer. I set up the Friends of Braiswick Primary, working with a small group of dedicated parents, to engage all parents and the whole school community in supporting the school. It’s wonderful that Jennie nominated Braiswick to receive funding from Provide.” Hannah, who is Chair of FOBP and also a nurse lecturer at University of Essex, explained how the donation will be used: “Part of the school’s philosophy is to encourage play as a natural way of being creative and this extends to the outdoors, including the school’s much-loved onsite Forest School. We are extremely grateful to Provide Community for the £2000 funding, which will be used for new playground equipment to further enhance the children’s active playtime.” Pictured left to right: Elizabeth Delaney (Provide Community Governor), Jennie Bateman, Hannah Evans and Claire Russell (Braiswick Primary Headteacher).
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MERCURY THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL CAST FOR SUMMER PRODUCTION OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND Mercury Theatre today announces the full cast for their summer production of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, reimagined by Olivier award-winning playwright Mike Kenny with music by Ivan Stott. Emma Earle directs Ruby Ablett as Alice, Miiya Alexandra (Dora/Doormouse), Hannah Azuonye (Carol-Louise/Caterpillar/Cheshire Cat), Rosalind Ford (Mum/Duchess), Natasha Karp (Queen of Hearts/Ms Head), Tom Moores (White Rabbit/ Mr Buck), Jamie Noar (Tweedledee/ King of Hearts), Mike Slader (Harry/ Mad Hatter) and Loris Scarpa (Tweedledum/March Hare). The production opens on Wednesday 3 August at the Mercury Theatre and runs until Sunday 14 August, with previews from Friday 29 July.
Director Emma Earle has a fantastic track record with her award-winning, female-led theatre company Pins and Needles, who are best known for their bold and imaginative adaptations of children’s books including Raymond Briggs’ classics Father Christmas and The Bear. We’re delighted to welcome a multi-talented cast of actormusicians including the wonderful Mike Slader and Rosalind Ford last seen in the Mercury’s The Comedy of Errors.”
Adapted by MIKE KENNY with music by IVAN STOTT
Can Alice defeat the formidable Queen of Hearts and get back home in time to finish her test?
Creative Director Ryan McBryde said today: “We can’t wait to jump down the rabbit hole into the fantastical world of Wonderland this summer.
Director: Emma Earle; Designer: Anisha Fields; Lighting Designer: Joshua Gadsby; Sound Designer: Beth Duke; Musical Director: Jamie Noar;
Ruby Ablett plays Alice. Her recent theatre credits include The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Duke of York’s Theatre), The Wind in the Willows
Mercury Theatre presents ALICE IN WONDERLAND By LEWIS CARROLL
Movement Director: Dan Canham; Casting Director: Nicholas Hockaday 29 July – 14 August 2022 Press night: Wednesday 3 August at 7:30pm Alice is under a lot of pressure. She’s anxiously about to sit an exam, when she accidentally falls down a rabbit hole and plunges into the magical world of Wonderland. There, she encounters some of the strangest and most peculiar creatures she’s ever met, including a very bossy White Rabbit, a Cheshire Cat who can’t stop grinning and a Mad Hatter who’s, well, mad!
(Derby Theatre), 8: A Steampunk Opera (The Other Palace), Double Act (Polka Theatre), Why is the Sky Blue? (Southwark Playhouse), White Trash (VAULT Festival), A Christmas Carol, The Threepenny Opera (Bolton Octagon), The True History of Julia Pastrana (Hope Mill Theatre), Brass (Hackney Empire), Sweet Charity (Leicester Curve) and VARIÉTÉ (Riverside Studios). Miiya Alexandra plays Dora/ Doormouse. Her theatre credits include Amelie the Musical (Criterion Theatre), The King and I (London Palladium/UK tour/international tour), Aladdin (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Jack and the Beanstalk (Watford Palace Theatre) and Metropolis (The Ye Olde Rose and Crown – Offie Award nomination for Best Female in a Musical).
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