A Christmas market with up to 80 stalls will take over Colchester High Street on Sunday 11 December, offering visitors the chance to pick up presents and festive fare, and enjoy a fun day out in the countdown to Christmas.
Hosted by Colchester Market and the Food and Drink Festival UK, the Christmas Market is an opportunity for local traders to showcase their businesses and products to the public.
The free entry market will run from 10am-5pm and will see up to 80 stalls offering products ranging from crafts to Christmas gift ideas, with mulled wine and food and drink stalls serving traditional and festive food.
There will also be performers providing live music and entertainment, as well as a funfair and Santa for younger visitors, all helping to spread the Christmas spirit.
Cllr Martin Goss, Colchester Borough Council portfolio holder for Neighbourhood Services and Waste, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Christmas Market in the High Street for the first time since 2019.
“The past two years have been extremely challenging for all business, but particularly our local market stall holders. This is a way of supporting and enabling them to showcase their products and their businesses by bringing them all together in one place for visitors to browse.”
Colchester High Street will be closed to traffic for the day, creating a large pedestrianised area for visitors to the market.
In addition to the festive Christmas marketing on the 11 December a full programme of events and activities will be happening throughout
out for half term and Colchester Castle has got plenty of treats in store when you visit between the 22-30 October.
Some people believe Colchester Castle is haunted, but what do you think?
more than 2000 years of history to explore, who knows?! Whatever you believe, we can guarantee our visitors plenty of fun and laughter, whatever their age!
Follow our fun witches trail, enjoy an amazing evening of spooktacular Halloween fun, a sleepover like no other or simply get messy with our creepy crafts and games on a trip.
Whilst vising, make sure you explore our new temporary exhibition on display until the 6 January 2023, Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic.
Curated in collaboration with the world-famous Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, step back in time to the 1500 and 1600’s and enjoy fascinating displays and talks and tours, explaining what life would have been like at that time, and how witchcraft and magic were viewed in society.
Councillor Pam Cox, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage, said: Half term is a great moment to visit to the Castle. You can discover the darker side of the Castle’s history and take in its fascinating new exhibition, which tells the story of those accused and persecuted for witchcraft.
“The exhibition although sensitive in nature, has been developed for a family audience.”
November and December in Colchester as part of the Christmas in Colchester events programme. This includes, magical VR Sleigh Rides, The Giving Tree, roaming entertainment during Late Night Wednesdays, and two free Christmas trails throughout the city centre during the festive period. Colchester is set to be a warm, festive and welcoming destination this year!
The Christmas light switch on event is on Wednesday 16 of November from 4pm in the city-to-be centre. Experience a magical festive light parade making its way through the city centre and as the festive spirit fills the streets the Christmas lights will light up on the route!
More information about Christmas in Colchester can be found here: http://christmasincolchester.co.uk
Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good time at High Woods Country Park this October half term.
The whole family can enjoy our frighteningly good Halloween-themed walking trails. Venture into the woods and follow the trail to learn creepy and horrible facts about nature.
Grab your fang-tastic trail sheet from High Woods Country Park visitor centre, for just £1 (per sheet). Complete the trail for a sweet treat. Why not get into the spirit and dress up too!
There’s no need to book, you can just turn up! Please bring your own pen or pencil to complete your trail sheet.
You’ve also still got time to book for
1.Volunteer Induction Day on 16 October at High Woods Country Park. To join this please apply online www. colchester.gov.uk/volunteering
2.Fungi Walk on 26 October, 10.30am at Wivenhoe Woods. £5.50 adult £4 child. Booking required
3.Fungi Walk on 29 October, 10.30am and 1.30pm at High Woods Country Park. £5.50 adult £4 child. Booking required
4.Fungi Walk on 19 November, 10.30am and 1.30pm at High Woods Country Park. £5.50 adult £4 child. Booking required
5.Woodland Wreath Making (children’s event) on 21 December, 10am at High Woods Country Park. £5.50 child. Booking required
Cllr Julie Young, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: “With the leaves starting to change to orange and yellows, autumn is a great time of year to visit our beautiful parks and this year is no exception. Grab your wellies and head out on one of our fiendishly good Halloween trails; they’re not only great familyfun but you’ll also make the most of the season by exploring our beautiful award-winning park.”
High Woods Country Park visitor centre is open every day between 10am-4pm.
Please check visitor centre and car park opening times before you visit at www.colchester.gov.uk/country-park/ Car park users must make contactless parking payments using MiPermit which is available via an app, online portal, text or phone call. Parking information, including opening times and fees can be found at www.colchester.gov.uk/parking (no cash payment option available).
The Crow Road – Iain Banks
‘He’s away the crow road.’ So says Prentice McHoan’s grandmother before she too takes that path. I’m not sure why I’d never read Iain Banks before. If I’m brutally honest, I think I was put off by the monotone covers. It’s not a great reason and it did drive home the point that you really can’t judge a book this way! I picked up The Crow Road to read on a short break and I’ve been steadily devouring Banks’ work since.
If the cover didn’t attract me then the opening line did: ‘It was the day my grandmother exploded.’ In the aforementioned Prentice, it has an engaging, honest, and endearing hero, and in his family it has a complex, disturbing and fascinating cast of characters. There is drama, humour, mystery, and philosophy in equal measure. What’s not to love?
The central strand of the story is the disappearance of Prentice’s Uncle Rory – presumed dead by many, but presumed alive by Prentice’s father, Kenneth. Rory’s unfinished papers include the idea of ‘Crow Road’ – a novel? a factual account? Nothing is clear. As Prentice attempts to unravel the thread, Banks moves his own story backwards and forwards in time, switching perspectives and retelling events from different angles. For a novel which is frequently about death, there is an awful lot of humour too – often dark, but equally hilarious.
Banks is also known for his science fiction, written as Iain M Banks, and he wrote a whisky-logue ‘Raw Spirit,’ which is both well written, and responsible for introducing me to this spirit. It was certainly a summer of firsts for me! The Crow Road will always have a special place in my
Puddings and cakes These need to be made early to give them time to mature. Stir up Sunday is traditionally the time when Christmas puddings are made. It’s the last Sunday before advent and this year it’s on November 20th.
heart though, because it was the novel that first introduced me to Banks.
For those of us of a certain age Enid Blyton was a childhood favourite. Through the eyes of an adult there is no doubt that she was a deeply flawed human being, though arguably she was simply a product of her upbringing. Her books drifted out of favour for many years, but many have recently been modernised for today’s children…after all, a good story is still a good story several decades on.
Joe, Beth, and Frannie (the names have been updated from Blyton’s originals) have all manner of adventures there. Sometimes the lands are full of fun – The Land of Birthdays, for example – while others are slightly more threatening – Dame Snap may no longer be Dame Slap, but her school is still somewhere noone would like to visit!
The Enchanted Wood was a favourite of mine as a child and this slightly tweaked version is a perfect chapter book for independent reading.
By Tash Donovan
Sorry to mention this but Christmas is right around the corner. Get ahead of the game with our pre-Christmasseason checklist.
Clear out the food cupboards Make room for festive goodies. Throw out all out-of-date items and things you know will never be eaten, even in a zombie apocalypse.
Clear out the toy cupboards Encourage your children to sort out toys they no longer play with and donate them to charity. It not only makes space for Christmas gifts, but it will also hopefully teach them compassion.
Order meat early Farmers’ markets and shops are always packed out by the first week in December.
Write any cards and annual letters It’s less of a chore than it used to be as more people eschew cards in favour of e-cards or texting, but for many people a card with a brief personal message is a welcome arrival in the post. If you get a few written every week in November then come December you can relax and feel virtuous.
Check guest lists It’s worth checking who might be planning to spend Christmas with you well in advance so you can be prepared. Don’t forget to ask whether anyone is vegetarian, vegan or has any allergies or intolerances. Forewarned is forearmed!
By Tracey Anderson
The Enchanted Wood is the first in the Faraway Tree series, in which three children find themselves living close to the most amazing tree you have ever seen. It grows different fruits at different points, depending on how it is feeling. It is inhabited by all manner of strange folk – Silky the fairy, the old Saucepan Man, Dame Washalot, and the Angry Pixie. At the top lives Moonface, in a perfectly round little house with a slide that runs right to the bottom of the tree. And best of all, there is a small ladder through the clouds which leads to a different magical land every time...
st hree close have uits on ky n, y e, e
(Diane) Abbott (Muhammad) Ali (Maya) Angelou (Malorie) Blackman (Frederick) Douglas
(Olaudah) Equiano (Justin) Fashanu
(Lewis) Hamilton (Langston) Hughes (Mary) Jackson (Katherine) Johnson
(Claudia) Jones
(Martin) Luther-King (Nelson) Mandela
(Trevor) McDonald (Barack and Michelle) Obama (Rosa) Parks
(Marcus) Rashford (Jackie) Robinson (Mary) Seacole
(Sojourner) Truth (Harriet) Tubman (Walter) Tull (Dorothy)Vaughan (Hudson) Wilkin (Venus and Serena) Williams
the first lockdown my youngest son, then aged 10 discovered a cheerful artist providing free online art classes for kids and adults. Lovely Lindsay from thepaintrepublic.com, and her lively sons guided him through painting everything from dogs to pirate ships. She and her sons and their boisterous banter were the tonic a little boy missing his friends needed. I will always be grateful to Lindsay for her generosity of spirit during those difficult times.
What I hadn't bargained for was how hooked on art Ethan would become. He began to draw and paint a lot, seeking out different online tutorials. He mined YouTube and discovered the Udemy and Domestika platforms. These are massive open online course providers, which offer a seemingly endless variety of creative learning opportunities.
These courses incurred financial outlay, so I began to pay more attention and look at the quality of what they offered, which on the whole is excellent, and the cost, which is very reasonable and great value for money, especially if you buy the courses when they are on special offer.
The courses on Udemy and Domestika are all vetted by the platforms and rated by the users. It's easy to see which are the most popular courses, and the highest rated tutors. Ethan likes that he
can go at his own pace. He can complete half an hour here and there or spend a whole Saturday afternoon learning how to use pencil crayons, or watercolours etc. The courses seem to be designed to span a month or six weeks but once you've paid for the course it's yours to keep and revisit whenever you like. There's no time limit, so there's no rush.
The cost is around £10 for a whole course when on special offer, which is amazing value, and so much cheaper than an after-school art and craft club or an evening class. There's no travelling involved and it's available at a time to suit you or your child.
There are courses in illustration, animation, photography, calligraphy, crafts, writing, fashion, music and audio and web design. They are mostly suited to adults and older children who require less in the way of supervision.
Ethan has just turned 13 and his confidence in his artwork has grown so much he’s hoping to take art for GCSE when he selects his options at the end of this school year. His teacher says he has a mature approach to art, and I think this feeds into his other subjects as he seems more organised and better able to break down projects into manageable chunks.
I must admit that prior to the lockdowns I had no idea about this rich vein of online creative learning, and after seeing how much pleasure Ethan gets from the courses I've just signed up for my first one. I've always fancied having a crack at Calligraphy!
By Sarah Davey
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Essex Blind Charity, based in Colchester, has been handed a £20,000 grant from Provide Community, a healthcare, employee-owned, community interest company based in Colchester, Essex.
The non-profit independent charity plans to expand its services to parts of the County that are underrepresented and geographically difficult to access.
Providing advice and support for those with visual impairments, the charity’s Colchester Sight Centre carries the largest range of specialised equipment which allows those with visual impairments to live an independent life.
General Manager, Jonathan Dixon commented on the grant: “The Provide Community funding has made a huge impact on our work in helping support people who are visually impaired and their families.
“It has given us the ability to expand our services to South Woodham Ferrers and Harwich, and soon Jaywick.
“Essex has the second highest number of visually impaired people in two-tier authorities in England and with 70% of our clients acquiring sight loss later in life, it is vital that they get the support they need to continue living fulfilled, independent lives.
“The second stage is the launch of more pop-up sight centres and an Information Pack, which will be sent to newly diagnosed clients, which contains essential information and equipment that will help them immediately in their daily lives.”
Provide’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Elizabeth Delany said “As members of an employee-owned community interest company, we have the opportunity to decide how we invest our surpluses into the community, including through grants such as this and it is fantastic to see how the work of these charities and organisation makes a difference to our local communities.”
Established as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2011, Provide Community is a social enterprise with more than a thousand colleagues and an annual income in the region of £70 million.
With a vision of ‘transforming lives through ‘care, innovation and compassion,’ Provide Community delivers a broad range of high-quality health and social care services to people in their own homes and at locations including community hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, and primary care settings.
As an innovative care provider, Provide Community also develops and delivers transformation through a growing portfolio of hybrid healthcare services designed to deliver ongoing improvement to accessibility and quality.
As an employee-owned enterprise, colleagues have a say in the future direction of the company and can make suggestions for improvements and influence how profits are reinvested.
Provide Community also reinvests back into the local community, directly through guidance from its employee stakeholders and governance team. In the last 10 years, Provide Community has donated £3 million in funding and match funding to charities, education and community organisations.
There are few people who don’t enjoy carving a Halloween lantern. Over the years it’s somehow become a tradition in our family to host a friendly pumpkin carving competition involving my sons and their teenage friends and quite a few of the parents! There are also hotdogs, sticky toffee pudding and wine, so something for everyone and all participants seems to enjoy the occasion, especially the judging. We have categories such as ‘best in show’, ‘ugliest, ‘most creative’ etc.
Ghoulish pumpkins are iconic of Halloween season. I’ve always thought of them as an American import but in fact the practice of decorating jacko'-lanterns originated across a much smaller expanse of water, in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes were the vegetables being carved. The name, Jack-o'-lantern, originates from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to hollow out a turnip (I have…it resulted in a trip to A&E), but I can only imagine the delight of Irish immigrants, newly arrived in America, home of the pumpkin, on discovering this easily carved gourd. No wonder it became an integral part of Halloween festivities.
In case you were wondering about Stingy Jack, well he rather rashly invited the Devil to have a drink with him, but
true to his name, didn’t want to pay for the beverages, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. However as soon as the Devil did so, Jack popped the coin into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form.
Jack did eventually free the Devil, but only on the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. It seems the Devil didn’t learn his lesson and the following year Jack tricked him again, this time into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised not to bother Jack for ten more years.
Jack thought he was being very clever, but it all backfired on him because when he did finally die God refused him entry into heaven while the Devil, keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and is said to have been roaming the Earth his home-made lamp ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.”
Preparation time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 15 mins
Makes: 12 muffins
Ingredients
225g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp ground cinnamon (or 2 tsp pumpkin spice mix)
100g caster sugar
50g soft light brown sugar
200g tin pumpkin purée
2 large eggs
125g slightly salted butter, melted Pumpkin spice mix
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground allspice or cloves
Mix all the dried spices together well and keep in an airtight container
Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Prepare a muffin tin with paper cases. Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon or pumpkin spice and caster sugar together into a large bowl. Stir the soft brown sugar through the mixture
Beat the eggs and then whisk together with the tinned purée in a large jug, whisk in the melted butter then add to the dry ingredient. Mix everything together until just combined. Don’t over mix!
Bake in the centre of the oven for 15 mins until golden and risen with springy tops. If you insert a skewer it should come out clean. Lift on to a wire rack and allow to cool completely…or eat while they are still warm with vanilla ice cream
The price of everything is soaring right now and petrol is still at astronomical levels. Who hasn’t inwardly winced (or openly wept) when they’ve filled their petrol tank recently? So, it makes financial sense to conserve as much of the liquid gold as possible. Try our five fuel-saving tips.
Don’t floor it! Hard acceleration dramatically increases fuel consumption. Accelerate gently and even larger cars will use much less petrol or diesel.
Don’t speed Fuel consumption increases substantially once you drive at speeds above 60mph.
Set the pressure Correct tyre pressure provides optimum road traction and more economical fuel use. Underinflated tyres ratchet up fuel costs (and are also dangerous) so know your
pressures and check them regularly.
Services make sense Skipping a service is false economy. A serviced engine will run more efficiently, saving more fuel (and avoiding major mechanical problems) in the long run.
Lose Weight! Well not you exactly, though saving money might be a good incentive to start that diet if you’re a little on the hefty side. Remove all extra weight from your car. Don’t leave golf clubs or large tool kits in the boot if they’re not being used. Remove roof racks and top boxes too, as they cause drag and increase fuel consumption.
Try driving normally for a month, keeping a note of how much fuel you use. Then follow our tips for a month and compare the difference.
By Andy Harrison
...and mellow fruitfulness, states the first line of the famous Keats poem. There is something rather lovely about autumn. The days are cooler but often sunny, yet the ground is more moist and so easier to dig. It’s the perfect time of year for gardening.
It’s tempting to tidy up all the browning plant stems but try not to get carried away. Leave some standing because they provide important habitats for wildlife. I do harvest a few seedheads each year: poppies, nigella, and alliums are my favourites. I cut them, leaving their long stems intact and put the heads inside a paper bag, then hang the bunches inside to dry. The ripe seeds fall into the bag and can be labelled and kept for sowing next year’s free plants! The decorative heads look nice in a vase too.
My neighbour (who is retired) makes fabulous leaf mould in meshed cages he’s constructed himself. I take a ‘busy mum’ approach to fallen leaves. I run them over with a mower then rake the resulting confetti off my lawn into the flower beds and borders and let them
rot naturally. They soon break down and are incorporated into the soil by worms. I still hanker after my own leaf mould crates though.
If you planted any perennials a few years ago they might need to be divided. Take a look at your plants. If they are dying off in the middle but have good growth around the edges, it’s time to lift and divide. Dig up the root ball of the plant, brush and pull off excess soil and set on to a plastic ground sheet. Pull (or use a garden fork to prise) apart the football into three or four clumps, each with a section of healthy shoots and roots. Replant the ’new’ plants elsewhere in the garden or try swapping plants with friends. Don’t forget to keep them well-watered until they have become established.
If you feel that your garden needs a little more colour heading into winter add a couple of dogwood shrubs into your borders. There are striking red and yellow varieties available. You can also plant sedum, Japanese anemones (Liriope) and Michaelmas daises
(Aster). These flower well into late autumn and early winter.
Finally, a little planning for next year goes a long way. October is the perfect
time to plant daffodil, crocus, hyacinth and allium bulbs for next spring. Happy gardening,
By Rachael Leverton
You don't need me to tell you that the cost of fuel is truly frightening at the moment. Gas bills have soared, and people are genuinely frightened to heat their homes. We don't know how long this situation will last; most of us are not eligible for Government help, and those that are eligible are most likely not going to receive enough. So, what should we do?
Well, as my late father used to say, 'We are where we are.' In other words, we have to work with the tools we have.
For years during cold winters old people have been urged to 'Prioritise one room, keep that heated and live in that space.' I’m ashamed to say that I never considered how patronising and Victorian that was until I started to read that same advice being applied to families and young people. Most people can't live in just one room. But we are where we are, and it makes sense to look at our living spaces to see if we can make more use of one particular area and prioritise heating that.
If you have a south-facing room, it’s a good place to start. South-facing rooms get the sun all day so stay naturally warmer. If you don't have a south-facing room, choose an east-facing one for morning sun or west for the evening sun. North-facing rooms unfortunately will get no benefit from the sun.
Keeping warm air in and cold air out is crucial (and blindingly obvious). Seal leaks around windows and doors using caulk or weather stripping. Duct tape and clear plastic sheets make good DIY double glazing. I used it in my freezing room during my student years to great effect. Clear lets sunshine in through the windows, which helps warm the room and obviously means you don't need to turn on a light.
Draft excluders can be made for free or very cheaply from old tights or trousers stuffed with newspaper or other old tights. Rolled towels and blankets also work well.
Don't forget to look for subtle leaks.
To do this use a candle. Move it slowly
around problem spots like windows. If you see the flame flicker it’s a sign that you have a leak.
Portable electric space heaters or halogen heaters can be a good investment. The cheap ones heat a space quickly but don't have an automatic cut off. More advanced ones have timers and / or temperature sensors which switch the heater off when the room reaches the required temperature. These appliances heat only the space you are using so they are more economical than heating the whole house. Never leave them switched on unattended, or while you are sleeping.
One family I know decided that camping in their own home is the best option for staying warm. They set up their tent and sleeping bags and sleep together in one room.
As I type this another price rise is coming and people are scared about how they will cope. Writing about camping in your own front room and seeking south-facing spaces would have seemed ridiculous just 12 months ago, yet we are where we are.
Wishing you warmth and safety wherever you are.
By Chandice Gordon
Craig is 38 and from Harwich in Essex.
Craig and Mike became good friends after meeting at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville in 2019. Both had sustained life changing injuries to their spinal cord following accidents, and supported by specialist doctors and physios the rehabilitation begun. A big part of their rehabilitation was regular exercise, wheelchair skills sessions and sporting opportunities supported by physical activity advisors from the charity WheelPower. They have remained close friends ever since and this year they plan on taking on a big challenge together, the 2022 London Marathon. They will be pushing the 26.2 course side by side, crossing the start line and finish line together and raising lots of money for charity along the way.
Mike is 34 and from Northamptonshire. Whilst working on a farm he fell 28ft from a roof landing on the concrete floor and severely damaging his spinal cord. The injury left him paralysed, spending the next 3 months flat on his back in hospital before being transferred to Stoke Mandeville. He is now a full-time wheelchair user, with a passion for exercise and currently plays wheelchair rugby for reigning premiership champions the Northampton Saints. Looking back on his time in rehab Michael explains, “Using a wheelchair was harder than I thought as it felt so heavy! I couldn’t push up ramps and sometimes it was difficult enough to get myself moving on the flat. But with hard work in the gym supported by the staff and advisors I was able to build my upper body strength so things got easier.”
As a mechanic with a keen interest in motorbikes it was always his boyhood dream to ride motocross. In 2018, and after rebuilding a bike he entered himself into the Farleigh Castle Vintage Motocross Race. On day two of the event Craig was involved in a life changing accident which left him with a spinal cord injury. He continues, “The crash was a big one, so I’m told. I came off on a downhill, the bike catapulted in the air and it landed on my back. I was airlifted to the Bristol Hospital where they started to bolt me back together.”
After an extended period of time at hospital Craig was moved to the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville to continue his rehabilitation. He reflects of those initial memories, “It was a bit of a shock at the start. In a way it was kind of like being reborn, and having to learn to do everything again. It was a whole new way of life being a full-time wheelchair user.”
During this time at the spinal unit Craig met Michael. They had similar interests, were a similar age and spent lots of time together. Since leaving they have stayed in close contact and have now set their sights on completing the 2022 London Marathon together. Michael explains, “Since leaving the unit in 2020 and
with my fitness levels improving I wanted to keep moving, to have different experiences and keep pushing myself. When I saw that WheelPower had charity places in the London Marathon I got in touch and after speaking to Craig, we decided to do it together. There’s not a better person I’d want to do it with really and I’m really looking forward to hearing the crowds shouting our names around the course.”
Craig reflects on how far he has come since his accident, “I've come a hell of a long way in 4 years and I've learnt a lot about myself and my determination to achieve new things has shocked me sometimes. The London Marathon has always been on the bucket list, so why let my new self in a wheelchair stop that from happening. I’m quietly confident of doing well and the aim is to push side by side all the way, smiles still intact, whilst raising lots of money for such a great cause. The work of WheelPower provides huge benefits for people like myself with a spinal cord injury. After such trauma it's hard enough some days to get out of bed so for their advisors and sports sessions to help me to be more active was hugely important for my mental and physical health. The money raised from our London Marathon challenge will help the charity go further in their mission and help even more disabled people to enjoy sport and activity.”
How to play Sudoku
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.
My 11-year-old who has just started senior school was moaning about homework.
Good question. I remember asking the same one when I was a similar age. I don't think I got a satisfactory answer then so in the name of research I spoke to a couple of English teachers.
Poetry builds reading, speaking, and listening skills - Poetry is intended to be read aloud, repeated often, and shared. Children learn to attend both to the words they hear, the rhythm and rhyme, and also to think about what those words mean together.
Poetry introduces more complex language and vocabulary - Poetry allows teachers to show children how language can be broken down and evaluated in parts. This is useful for literacy. The rhymes teach phonics and letter sounds. The verses can be used to teach sentence structure and grammar. Children are exposed to new words in context and learn how those words are chosen for their effect to create imagery.
Only £895 for a fully fitted electric door.
Gotta get a Garolla.
Poetry inspires writing - Poetry teaches children how to put words together to form meaning and context. They learn that choosing the right words is important.
Poetry encourages creativity - Writing poetry encourages children to think about and find meaning in their experiences and to be able to articulate them and think about things in a new way.
Poetry books to get you started:
Revolting Rhymes – Roald Dahl (Author), Quentin Blake (Illustrator)
National Trust: Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright!: An Animal Poem for Every Day of the Year by Fiona Waters (Author), Britta Teckentrup (Illustrator)
hacked. Cyberattacks have increased in 2022 and mostly revolve around password breaches because we still don't take our passwords seriously.
Almost 70% of people use one password over multiple websites and accounts. This means that if you experience a breach all your accounts (including those you may have forgotten about) can be at risk.
If you think replacing some letters with numbers or adding extra characters will keep you safe, thing again. Hackers use sophisticated software to quickly guess variations on a basic password.
The only way to increase security is to use random unique passwords for each account. This can seem intimidating, but password managers exist to create and protect your passwords.
Lots of people create a random unique password for their bank or work account and stick with a single password for accounts they deem lower risk. Unfortunately to a hacker even the basic information such as an email address or phone number is valuable data they can use to impersonate you. It's a bore but use random unique passwords for ALL accounts.
I have tried to persuade friends of mine to invest in password manager software (NOT a free download from the internet). A password manager will create unique, single-use passwords AND autofill them as long as they are tied to that account. This means that even if you accidentally click on a phishing link, the password manager should recognise that it's not the legitimate account and flag up a warning or refuse to autofill. Norton, RoboForm, Dashlane and LastPass are four password managers (there are many others), and costs vary. Mine is an annual subscription
If you don't have a password manager (and you should have one...really... get one now) then create passwords that are hard to guess by choosing words that are personal to you but not personal information such as name, or birth date. Think of song lyrics, or your primary teachers, or your favourite shade of nail polish! Three unconnected words with some numbers and symbols are a good start. Passwords should be at least 12 characters long. And don't be tempted by Facebook and Twitter 'fill in the blank quizzes' of the 'My first car was a...' or 'My first pet was named...' variety. They are generally exercises in data mining.
We've all been asked to sign up to multi-factor authentication systems for bank accounts, PayPal, or eBay etc. There is usually opt out button, but don't. Even the most complex passwords can be compromised. A multi-factor authentication creates an extra layer of protection between you and a potential hacker by requiring verification in excess of your password when you log in.
Generally, this involves a one-time password sent to you via SMS or email. It’s an extra step, but one worth having, so turn it on whenever it's offered.
It's tempting to think that you won’t be hacked, but every time you use the internet you are a potential target.
My three rules are:
Assume you are unsafe online always.
Change passwords regularly and close down old accounts.
Investigate new authentication technology early and adopt it. Stay Safe!
By Tom Hancock“WHY do we have to learn poetry?”
high quality bespoke care with dignity that meets each person’s individual needs.
Nearly 55 million people are now living with dementia worldwide, with research showing that this number is expected to increase to 78 million in 2030 and 139 million by 2050. Currently more than 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia. In support of this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month, Friends of the Elderly’s Dementia Champions are talking ‘Knowing Dementia’.
In the UK, one in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia, with the condition affecting one in six people over 80. After the age of 65, the likelihood of developing dementia roughly doubles every five years. Friends of the Elderly recognised this and took action. Through working in partnership with the University of Worcester’s highly regarded Association for Dementia Studies and Professor Dawn Brooker MBE (who has since retired), the charity created its Dementia Education Programme.
Through its Dementia Education Programme, Friends of the Elderly now has trained Dementia Champions who work in its care homes and day care centres and they are on hand to support residents, clients and their families. All the charity’s Dementia Champions are exceptionally passionate about their work and strive to demystify dementia to help those who are either living with, or supporting a loved one who is, living with dementia.
The charity’s Dementia Champions focus on encouraging independence, giving reassurance, supporting and helping, inspiring communication, creativity, interactions and providing
Talking about the Dementia Education Programme, Friends of the Elderly’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Wilson said: “Our Programme, which has been rooted and adopted throughout the charity at all levels, is an ongoing, inclusive education programme. It not only educates our team members, but also builds on their existing knowledgebase and skills, expands their capabilities and heightens their proficiency.”
At Friends of the Elderly’s Bournemouth residential and dementia care home, The Retired Nurses National Home (RNNH), the charity has a dedicated dementia unit which provides care and support for each individual living with dementia.
RNNH’s Dementia Champion, Ruth Arnold said : “I have worked in care for over 40 years, 33½ of those with Friends of the Elderly. I have always enjoyed looking after people and making sure they are healthy, safe and that their wellbeing is well catered for. I believe that through supporting each of my residents who are living with dementia, I can help them to enjoy and live their lives in the best way they possibly can through providing an exceptional level of personalised care.”
Melissa Nutsford, who is the Dementia Champion at The Old Vicarage, the charity’s residential and dementia care home in Wallingford, Oxfordshire added: “I am dedicated to providing care that honours and supports our residents to live full, joyful, happy and independent lives and live really well with dementia. I have tremendous respect, regard and appreciation for our residents and work hard to ensure they receive meaningful, personal connections and that every interaction, regardless of the context, is bespoke and tailored to their needs.
“Through my work, I make sure that each resident feels that they are understood, important, respected and loved – that The Old Vicarage is their
home and they are safe and secure. I work closely with the care home’s Activities Coordinator on compiling a wide range of activities that engage, entertain and stimulate our residents. No day is ever the same. Everyone is different and has their own way of thinking and understanding and I’m here to make sure they have activities tailored to what they want to do, when they want to do it.”
At Friends of the Elderly in Malvern, Worcestershire, there are three dedicated homes and a day care service which specialise in residential, nursing and dementia careDavenham, Bradbury Court, Perrins House and Malvern Day Care. Adrian Tyrer, the Dementia Champion at Malvern said: “I have tremendous respect, regard and appreciation for our residents and work hard to ensure they receive meaningful, personal connections and that every interaction, regardless of the context, is bespoke and tailored to their needs.
“I have been with Friends of the Elderly for over nine years and, as a Dementia Champion, I regularly host Namaste afternoons.
“The Namaste sessions are a sensory experience in a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Namaste is an expression of appreciation and respect towards another person which resonates with seeing dementia care in different light and from the resident’s point of view. This is key to everything I deliver every day. Taking time to listen and talk to the residents is very important. Giving them reassurance, support and encouragement with a friendly
smile goes a long way. One of the best things about my job is being able to put a smile on somebody’s face every day.”
Lana Boneva, Dementia Champion at Redcot residential care home in Haslemere, Surrey, said: “The word ‘dementia’ is a daunting one. To be faced with the loss of your memory, thinking ability, your language and problem-solving skills is an awful thing to go though as your daily life will never be the same.
“I’ve worked for Friends of the Elderly at Redcot for two years and what motivates me is knowing that even the smallest things I can do make a real difference in providing personcentred care. I try to introduce familiar, comforting routines as these can help and benefit those people living with dementia, but every day is different as it depends on what our residents want to do and when they want to do it,” Lana added.
In closing, Mark said: “We want everyone using our care homes and day care services to have the best experience we can possibly provide, which is why our Dementia Education Programme has been actioned by the whole charity.
“Our Dementia Champions know how imperative it is to focus on what they know about a person living with dementia and what that person is confident in. If they are engaged, motivated and inspired, even for a little while, they are cheerful and content - and that time is quality time.”
