New showrooms now open at Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary and Glasswells, Ipswich
The Colchester Oyster Feast: join the Mayor for a historic celebration!
Would you like to join the Mayor, invited guests, and fellow Colchester residents for the annual Oyster Feast?
The Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Lesley Scott-Boutell, today announced the return of the prestigious Colchester Oyster Feast, which will take place on Friday, 25 October, at Talbooth in Dedham. This annual event, a cornerstone of the city’s civic calendar, brings together residents, dignitaries, and guests to celebrate Colchester’s rich maritime heritage.
The Oyster Feast offers attendees the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal, afternoon entertainment and more.
Tickets for the event are £140 per person and are allocated through a ballot system.
To enter the ballot, residents can email mayorsoffice@colchester.gov.uk or submit a written application to The Civic Officer c/o Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Colchester. Alternatively, you can send to or post to Colchester City
Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, 4 September. All will be entered in the ballot for TWO tickets, unless applications state only one ticket is required.
Successful applicants will be notified by 18 September.
“The Oyster Feast is a wonderful opportunity for residents to be involved in an event that forms part of Colchester’s unique and special history” said Mayor Scott-Boutell.
“We look forward to continuing the tradition of celebrating our wonderful Colchester Oyster and recognising our cultural heritage”.
Further details about the event, including guest speakers, will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information about the Mayor’s Civic events visit www.colchester.gov.uk/mayor
Colchester Council combats Anti-Social Behaviour with multi-agency patrols
Colchester City Council have been working with the police and other partners to deter antisocial behaviour (ASB), aiming to stop it before it begins, helped by a very visible presence in the city centre. Stopping or reducing ASB is a top priority for the council, and working with partners to increase patrols is an effective way to combat it. Colchester City Council Neighbourhood Wardens, together with Open Road, StreetLink, Essex Police and our CCTV team, achieved the following outcomes across two weeks of patrols:
• A man was charged with theft and for breaching the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)
• More than 300 interactions with street drinkers, to educate and provide welfare checks, including nine warnings issued to disperse
• Eleven large fly tipping sites were cleared, as well as over five hundred fly posters and stickers removed, and seven graffiti sites cleaned
Cllr David King, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, said:
“We have a great City Centre that attracts many visitors and residents. They should all be able to enjoy it
without concern, untroubled by street drinking and ASB, so it is good to see such progress in our community. Our patrols and interventions are making a difference and is something we plan on continuing.” Cllr Natalie Sommers, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Heritage and Public Protection, said: “It’s been great to witness the teamwork being displayed in the multi-agency joint patrols, cracking down on antisocial behaviour.
Running these events takes a great deal of hard work and they always help reduce the number of ASB incidents, as well as help those in need.
“Thank you to everyone who has continued to work hard on this, it’s so important that residents and visitors to our city feel safe. And to those thinking about taking part in ASB, don’t. Our patrols aren’t stopping, and anyone caught will be dealt with appropriately.”
The council and its partners will continue to patrol areas of the city and hold regular action days to tackle ASB and street problems. Residents can report ASB online here, or contact Essex Police on 999 (in an emergency) or 101 (for a non-emergency).
Council, 33 Sheepen Road, Colchester, CO3 3WG.
Alexandra Witt is a new teacher at the prestigious Stonebridge Academy where she quickly stumbles upon undercurrents of sexual exploitation and manipulation, which are poisoning the school. Disturbed by the casual acceptance of such behaviour, Witt takes it upon herself to empower the students, especially the girls, to challenge the status quo. This sparks a rebellion that gradually
A Good Read
exposes the toxic culture perpetuated by a select group of male students known as "the darkroom."
Lutz's narrative is sharp and fast-paced, weaving multiple viewpoints that allow the reader an insider view as events unfold within the school. Each character offers a unique perspective which serves to highlight the complexity of teenage dynamics and adult responsibilities.
The climax of the book is both shocking and satisfying, providing a resolution that feels both inevitable and earned. The reader will be left pondering the dynamics of power and the courage required to overturn them.
The Swallows is a darkly intriguing novel that blends elements of suspense with biting social commentary, which makes it stand out in the densely populated thriller genre. The writing is both witty and sharp, infused with a sardonic tone that perfectly complements the serious themes she tackles.
Boys Don't Cry - by Fiona Scarlett
While not strictly young adult fiction, I’m recommending Boys Don't Cry for older teens, because it tells the story of two brothers, Joe, aged 17, who is a talented artist, and Finn, aged 12, through their own words. The boys live in a tower block in Dublin with their mother and father (known as Da'), who works for a local gang leader and is in and out of prison.
Joe’s accounts of how he is dealing with traumatic loss, while struggling against the criminal influences of his father and the expectations everyone else has of him, that he's destined for a life of crime, is heartbreaking. Finn on the other hand relates his experiences of being diagnosed with and treated for leukaemia, and the effect he sees this having on his brother and parents.
Scarlett's prose is beautiful and the voices of the two boys are believable and authentic. Teen readers will quickly identify with and become emotionally invested in the brothers as their stories
intertwine in the most impactful way.
The author skilfully weaves humour through the sometimes harrowing themes, because even at life's darkest moments, or perhaps because of them, there are always flashes of hilarity.
The stories of Joe, Finn and the other characters who live in 'The Jax' tower block will stay with the reader for a long time. My own teen suggested this title to me and thinks this should be on the GCSE English syllabus because of the engaging story and the author's insight into boy's lives and minds.
By Tash Donovan
only will you be giving a brighter future to teenagers and young adults with cancer but also a future to bees, wildlife, and the environment.
The Swallows - by Lisa Lutz
Five Good Reasons to Learn a Froreign Language
College evening classes start up again this month. Take the plunge and learn a new language.
Here are five good reasons to enrol right now.
Make new friendsLanguages require practice! It’s easier to talk to new people if you’re both concentrating on something other than how shy you are. Chatting in a foreign language is a good way to break the ice and get to know your classmates.
Improve your English!Learning a new language helps us understand tenses, prepositions, and all the other parts of speech we normally take for granted. As a result, we speak and write more precisely. Many great writers were / are polyglots!
Enrich your travel experiences -Connecting with the locals is
the best way to get the most out of travelling. People are more welcoming if you make an effort to speak their language. It can turn an ordinary trip into the holiday of a lifetime.
Join the global community –Most of the rest of the world does not speak English! As the world becomes smaller and more interconnected it’s easy to see that we’ll come into contact with more and more non-English speakers. A foreign language puts you at an advantage in business and personal relationships.
Sense of accomplishmentWouldn’t it be cool to tell people that you speak two or more languages? Not many people in this country can, so if you can pull it off you have a reason to be really proud of yourself.
By Sarah Davey
Church district (6)
Portable lamp (7)
In this day and age (8)
Lament, moan (4)
Pass out (5)
Beat pattern (6)
Growl, grumble (5)
Spilled the beans, disclosed (8)
Assassinate, kill (7)
Four-sided shape (6)
Chum, mate (5) 20 Group of six (6)
Eskimo house! (5)
Rock rhythmically (4)
School Fuel
uniform. But it’s all very well being smart on the outside…what about the inside?
A new school year can be challenging health-wise, children are basically mini biohazards, sharing viruses as happily as they share crayons. Their immune systems need to function at optimum levels to protect them. The best way to achieve this is with a nutritious diet, low in salt, sugar, bad fats, and additives.
Evidence suggests that additives such as MSG, found mainly in flavoured crisps and soups, E100s (food colourings) and E200s (preservatives) may contribute to fatigue and poor concentration.
Three meals and two snacks a day help prevent tiredness, which also affects the immune system. Eating fish, including oily varieties like salmon, at least twice a week, or soaked linseeds added to cereals, provide enough healthy fats to aid brain development and concentration. If that’s a hard no from your kids, try an omega 3 supplement.
Water, milk and diluted fresh fruit juice are the best drinks for a child. Squashes and fizzy drinks containing artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, preservatives, and colourings, which are best avoided.
puzzle solutions:
and cereals, provides fibre and a slow energy release. Fresh fruit and eggs or plain yoghurt are great for vitamins and protein, respectively.
Lunch Box Ideas
Carbohydrate (preferably wholegrain) Thick sliced bread, bap, pitta, chapatti, wrap, pasta or rice salad
Protein (lean) Unprocessed chicken or turkey, tuna, salmon, sardines, cheese, egg, humus, lentils, beans, nut butters, yogurt
Do you spring out of bed at 7am, ready to face the day? Or do you wake up feeling tired and drained?
GPs are reporting that more and more patients complain of having no energy. So much so, that the syndrome has its own acronym –TATT, or ‘tired all the time.’
TATT is common, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
There are many different causes of fatigue, and it’s always a good idea to start by speaking to your GP or practice nurse.
Overwhelming exhaustion, which gets worse with activity and does not improve with rest, might be an indicator of myalgic encephalopathy (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A cure has not yet been found, but there are treatments and self-help measures that can ease the symptoms.
A GP can also rule out conditions such as anaemia, thyroid problems, food intolerances or diabetes.
Many cases of TATT are due mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Traumatic life events, stress
and money worries can also cause fatigue. In this case talking therapy can help and your doctor might refer you for counselling.
In the meantime, there are lifestyle changes which can help.
Sleep – Make sure you are getting enough good quality sleep. Try to keep to the same earlier bedtime for a few weeks and see if this helps. Sometimes an eye mask and or earplugs are all that’s needed to improve sleep quality.
Reduce stress – Build relaxation into your daily schedule. This might be a bath, or listening to music, or even yoga or meditation.
Diet - Try eating small healthy snacks throughout the day, rather than one large meal in the evening. Reduce alcohol and caffeine, and drink more water.
Finally, you may not feel like it, but exercising is another proven way to fight fatigue. Even a quick 15-minute walk around the block will give you an energy boost.
By Louise Addison
Blackberry and Almond Crumble Cake
A A jammy treat that makes use of seasonal blackberries
Preparation time:
Ingredients
Cake
200g butter, plus extra for the tin
200g golden caster sugar
3 medium eggs
225g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
50g ground almonds
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
3 tbsp blackcurrant/blackberry apple jam
150g blackberries
Method
Cake
Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4. Grease a 23cm round cake tin and line with baking parchment. Beat the butter and the sugar together in a large bowl using an electric whisk until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time until smooth and creamy.
For the sauce
50g plain flour
25g unsalted butter
25g caster sugar
1 tbsp demerara sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp flaked almonds
Sift in the flour and baking powder, then fold in, adding the almonds, milk, and vanilla until mixed thoroughly.
Scrape the mixture into the tin and level the surface. Dot teaspoons of jam across the mix, then scatter over the blackberries, pressing them in lightly.
Crumble
Rub the flour and butter together until the mixture it resemble crumbs, then stir in the sugar and add a pinch of salt.
Mix in the flaked almonds, then scatter the crumble over the cake.
Scatter with the demerara sugar and bake for 45 mins until a skewer
inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Leave to cool in the tin for at least 20 mins then slice and serve with creme fraiche.
Garden View - This month - Marvellous Microorganisms
As their name suggests you can’t see them, yet microorganisms are some of the most important things you can grow in your garden.
Garden soil is teeming with millions of them, or rather it should be. They help to keep the soil healthy. They decompose organic matter, replenish soil nutrients, form humus, promote root growth, increase nutrient uptake, and breakdown herbicides and pesticides.
The microorganism family includes bacteria, algae, fungi, and protozoa and we want to do everything we can to encourage these tiny gardening friends.
In order to provide a good environment we need to provide oxygen, moisture, carbon-based food matter, and the right temperature and pH.
Oxygen content can be kept high by digging in lots of organic matter so that the soil structure is aerated. 75% of microorganisms live in the top two inches (5cm) of soil so
particular care should be taken not to compact the topsoil. Improving the drainage of stodgy clay soil is particularly important as waterlogged soil contains very little oxygen.
Mulching helps to improve the moisture content of soil and also helps to maintain the soil temperature. Bare soil bakes in the summer and freezes in the winter. Mulch acts as both shade and insulation so the temperature remains more constant.
Carbon-based food matter is just a posh way of saying ‘organic matter, including green manure and well-rotted compost. This provides a gourmet buffet for microorganisms, and they’ll reproduce rapidly.
Finally, pH is probably the most difficult area to tackle. Most gardens have a natural pH range beyond which they’re not going to change much. So, someone living on a limestone ridge, as I do, is never going to be able to grow acid-loving Azaleas, except in pots.
But that’s not what we’re trying to achieve when creating a favourable environment for microorganisms. We don’t need to radically shift the pH; we just need to modify it slightly.
There are pH modifiers on the market, but the best way of doing it is slowly by digging in compost or other organic matter. Organic matter acts as a neutraliser and will work whether your soil is acidic or
alkaline. It is particularly important for alkaline soils like mine because they have far fewer bio-available nutrients so become impoverished very quickly.
This month give some thought to encouraging your microorganisms. Your plants will thank you.
Happy Gardening.
By Rachael Leverton
Crossword
ACROSS
1 New store keeps British ice-cream (6)
4 Noblewoman wants pub on old headland (8)
9 Request comes in to get engine part (6)
10 Emit a fug perhaps and use it to disinfect (8)
11 Gate of harbour by a lake (6)
12 Chief of staff blasted lenient guard (8)
13 Container in grate (3)
14 One looks for member of 60s group? (6)
17 Sly devil loses one pound then promises to pay (7)
DOWN
1 One gives direction to put name to letters (8)
2 Kept quiet (8)
3 Raised tax in east Leeds endlessly (8)
5 One mistreats Jack and his employer? (6)
6 After work I swallowed drug (6)
7 Woman finds Pamela inebriated to some extent (6)
8 Yes, elm could be suitable (6)
12 Relish entertaining one with the Messiah (7)
15 The German turned up for wine (3)
21 Occupier of temporary shelter outside centre of Gdansk (6)
25 A chap to tease (3)
26 One working with Norma on hill? (8)
27 Nation accepts popular playwright (6)
28 Going across river involves guts (8)
29 Six vehicles for clergymen (6)
30 Member of audience is unusally silent before the Queen (8)
31 To give protection from French fiend, I must go(6)
16 Small building is closed first off (3)
18 Calm about intravenous drug (8)
19 Banter that’s not lasted well? (8)
20 Emphasised puddings should rise (8)
22 Con the healthy and prosper (2,4)
23 Churned up salted deposits at river mouths (6)
24 Girl engrosses soldiers with martial art (6)
25 Leave a story for footballer (6)
Are You A Safe Driver? Are You Sure?
Do you have a sneaking suspicion that as a nation we are becoming worse drivers? Well you’re right. Here are some reasons why.
Unconscious Aggression - Many drivers exhibit behaviours, such as tailgating and blocking, that they would never consider outside their vehicle. Drivers who score high on impulsiveness, are more prone to this aggression and show less sensitivity to punishment!
Overestimating Safety – There has been a strong downward trend in the rate of motor vehicle deaths since the 1970s. This is thanks to advances in automotive safety systems such as seatbelts, airbags, ABS braking, and more recently, blind-spot and lane-departure warnings. Yet these safety features may paradoxically cause complacency, making us less aware of road danger.
Dehumanising Other Drivers –On foot we apologise if we walk through a door and nearly collide with someone. Near misses in cars however often trigger anger. Research indicates that drivers dehumanise other road users, behaving in ways they wouldn’t in personal interactions.
Lack of Bandwidth - Our brains receive more information than they
can process at the best of times. Driving, particularly on unfamiliar roads in a city means we miss significant amounts of information, while falsely believing we see everything.
Everyone Else is Stupid! This is called the Fundamental Attribution Error, and leads us to blame other drivers' mistakes on their abilities while excusing our own errors as situational. So other drivers make mistakes because they are idiots but when we make them it was unavoidable!
Overestimating Our Skills – Are you an above average driver? Of course you are…and so is everyone else who answers that question. Well the maths says we can’t all be above average, so some of us are clearly wrong.
Lone Driver Danger - Lone drivers exhibit riskier behaviour than those carrying passengers. The presence of others, particularly children seems to encourage more careful driving.
Hands-Free is NOT Risk-Free - While UK law permits hands-free phone use, there is no evidence to shows it’s safer than hand-held! The primary danger lies in the cognitive distraction of the conversation, not the act of holding the phone.
u Sure?
Driving courteously is safer and makes the road a more pleasant place for everyone. So:
Keep Your Distance - Maintain a safe distance (a two-second gap) from the vehicle in front of you. This allows enough time to react to sudden stops or changes in traffic flow. Increase the distance in poor weather.
Indicate Appropriately - Signal your intentions well in advance to reduce the likelihood of confusion and accidents. Indicate when turning, changing lanes, or merging into traffic.
Give Way to Pedestrians, Cyclists and Riders - At zebra crossings,
stop to let pedestrians cross. When passing cyclists or horses, slow down and allow plenty of space, ideally at least 1.5 meters.
Avoid Aggression – Tailgating, honking and offensive gestures increase stress and the likelihood of accidents.
Merging Manners - Use the "zipper merge" technique, especially in heavy traffic. This means allowing one car from the merging lane to enter for every car in the continuing lane. Don’t speed up to block others from merging.
By Andy Carter
Are You Interesting? Would
you like to be?
Do you know someone who can walk into a room and within minutes hold a small group of people captivated with their conversation? Or maybe you have a friend who is never short of a date and manages to stay on good terms with all of them. How do these people do it?
At some point in most of our lives we’ll find ourselves sitting on the sidelines wondering why no-one will play with us. We might be
looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right or we might simply be looking for a friend.
Try as we might, we can’t all be Ryan Gosling or Aisling Bea, so how do normal folk make themselves appealing?
Well, providing our personal hygiene is up to scratch (flossing and deodorant are not just good scrabble words) and we’re not dressed in such a way that people throw coins at us in the street then there’s lots we can do to improve
our charisma. Here’s our guide to being interesting.
Tip 1 Be interested in others This is the golden rule. Really listen to what they’re saying, ask pertinent questions and subtly flatter them. A strange human quirk is that we find people more interesting the less they say about themselves. This can be taken too far of course. Do offer up a few snippets about yourself as tasters or the other person may think you’re deathly dull or that you have something to hide.
Tip 2 Practice talking to strangers Seriously: it’s not as hard as you think. I don’t mean accost people in the street...that way lies arrest and possibly psychiatric care. But chat to the checkout girl, the garage mechanic or the traffic warden. Think of a non-personal question about their job as a conversation opener. You’d be surprised how many of them will think you’re the interesting one if you do this.
Tip 3 Be open-minded It’s difficult not to defend an opinion we hold dear but remember that it will still be your opinion even if you say to
the other person, “Actually, that’s a valid point...tell me more.” It may not alter your views, but you might learn something, and you’ll appear more interesting into the bargain. People like those who are openminded and are irritated by those with entrenched views even when their own views are as ingrained as the lime scale round the rim of the average toilet bowl!
Tip 4 Be well informed That doesn’t mean be a know-all. Read the papers (the Sunday Sport doesn’t count) or watch a few good current affairs programmes or documentaries so you’ll always have a few topics up your sleeve for those conversational lulls.
Tip 5 Dare to be different Don’t be clone of everyone else. Develop your own style. Ok, don’t be so off-the-wall that people cross the road to avoid you, but people do gravitate towards those who are comfortable in their own skin.
So now you have no excuses. Go forth into the world and BE INTERESTING!
By Sarah Davey
Sudoku
How to play Sudoku It’s simple!
Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.
You don’t need to be a genius. These puzzles use logic alone. Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.
Good At GamesThe
benefits and difficulties associated with PE
My youngest son loves PE lessons - all of them. He even captains the dodgeball team. My oldest, Joe* would probably rather appear naked on National TV than set foot on a sports field during the winter months...or to be honest, any month!
As we navigate an increasingly digital and sedentary age, the value of PE in schools becomes ever more crucial. Ensuring that PE remains a vital component of education is essential for fostering well-rounded development in children and young people.
With increasing childhood obesity and related health issues, regular physical activity is a necessary countermeasure. PE provides students with an opportunity to engage in structured exercise, helping them develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Regular physical activity also improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, and boosts the immune system.
Moreover, exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function. In a school setting, this means that students who participate in PE are often better equipped to handle stress and perform academically, thanks to the endorphins released.
PE also teaches important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, perseverance, and communication. These experiences can build self-esteem and foster a sense of community and belonging.
But what about reluctant participants like Joe?
While the benefits of PE are clear, not all students enjoy team sports. Encouraging these youngsters requires a thoughtful approach. Diversifying the types of activities offered can make a significant difference. Options such as dance, yoga, or individual sports like tennis and swimming can appeal to a broader range of interests meaning every student can find
Word Search
Answers on page 8
something they enjoy and can succeed in. Joe discovered badminton and table tennis last year, and would happily play these if they were available, but his school insist on rugby, football, cricket, and dodgeball. Their idea of diversification is making the girls play too.
Creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment is essential. Some children may feel self-conscious about their abilities or physical appearance which can deter them from participating. Teachers and coaches should emphasize personal improvement and effort over competition and winning (very much NOT the case at Joe’s school). Positive reinforcement and celebrating small achievements can boost confidence and motivation.
Integrating technology can also make PE more appealing. Fitness trackers, interactive games, and virtual reality sports can engage
tech-savvy students and make physical activity more exciting. These tools can help students set personal goals and track their progress, adding a modern twist to traditional PE lessons.
PE might be a vital component of the national curriculum, offering numerous benefits for physical health, mental well-being, and social development but if we want to encourage every child to participate fully there needs to be diversification of activities, a supportive environment, and possible integration of technology. After all, want ALL our children to grow up, healthy and well-rounded, not just those who are naturally good at games.
Once upon a time, household cleaning was an arduous task, often involving an array of brooms, dustpans, and a great deal of elbow grease. This all changed when the vacuum cleaner came into existence, transforming the way we keep our homes spick and span.
The story of this indispensable household hero began in the late 19th century. In 1860, an enterprising inventor named Daniel Hess from West Union, Iowa, patented a machine that used a rotating brush and bellows to create suction. His early prototype was a far cry from today’s sleek models, but it was a significant first step.
Fast forward to 1901, when British engineer Hubert Cecil Booth introduced a more recognizable version of the vacuum cleaner. Booth's invention, affectionately known as the "Puffing Billy," was a massive, horse-drawn contraption that parked outside buildings while long hoses snaked through windows to clean the interiors.
Though it was effective, it wasn't exactly practical for the average homeowner.
The vacuum cleaner's true domestic breakthrough came courtesy of James Murray Spangler, an American janitor and tinkerer. In 1907, Spangler, who would probably have won both Robot Wars and Scrapheap Challenge had he been alive today, invented a portable electric vacuum cleaner using an old fan motor, a soapbox, and a pillowcase. This rudimentary device effectively captured dust and dirt and was a significant improvement over its predecessors. Recognizing its potential, Spangler quickly patented his invention and sold it to his cousin's husband, William Hoover. The Hoover Company became synonymous with vacuum cleaners, and by the 1920s, the term "Hoovering" had made its way into common usage.
As the 20th century progressed, vacuum cleaners evolved rapidly. The 1930s and 1940s saw the introduction of sleek, upright models and canister vacuums,
making cleaning more efficient and less cumbersome. Innovations continued, and by the 1950s, vacuums were equipped with HEPA filters, which greatly improved their ability to capture fine particles and allergens.
The latter half of the 20th century brought even more advancements. The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of lightweight, bagless vacuums, pioneered by inventors like James Dyson. Dyson’s revolutionary cyclonic separation technology changed the game, offering powerful suction without the hassle of bags, though dissenters pointed out that while not having to remember to buy and replace bags might reduce hassle, emptying the dust out was a far messier affair and thus somewhat less desirable. Nevertheless, Dysons flew off the shelves.
As we entered the 21st century, technology took vacuum cleaners to a level previously seen only in Sci-Fi movies. The advent of robotic vacuums, like the Roomba,
turned cleaning into a hands-free experience. These little marvels navigate rooms autonomously, avoiding obstacles and efficiently sucking up dirt and debris. They even take themselves back to their charging station when they finish.
Today, vacuum cleaners come in all shapes and sizes, from cordless sticks to powerful, robot models you can control with your smartphone. They are quieter, more efficient, and more versatile than ever before.
The evolution of the vacuum cleaner is a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless quest for an easy life. So, next time you drag out your Dyson or trip over your Roomba take a moment to appreciate the fascinating history behind this household marvel. By Sarah Davey
Celebrating 50 Years: Supporting Our Communities
Throughout 2024, Colchester City Council is looking back on the past 50 years as it marks its golden 50-year anniversary. It is asking people from Colchester to take part in the celebrations by sharing their favourite memories, moments or places about Colchester.
From the Seventies right through to the present day, these incredible people have been helping to shape Colchester and support the people that live here – and they’ve got some brilliant stories to share. Here are three employees from the Council that talk about their commitment to supporting Colchester’s communities.
Read Lucie Breadman’s story, who has worked for the Council for 15 years and is a Strategic Director, supporting the Council’s work to ensure it is fit for the future of our communities. She talks about how she finds her work meaningful and how what she (and the wider Council) does makes a very real difference to the people that live in the city. She said: “You won’t get rich (working in local government), and you will likely work long hours,
and it can be frustrating at times, but you will have the opportunity to make a difference, and in my experience, you will meet some of the best people and role models.”
Read Lucie’s story here.
Michelle Tarbun has worked for the since she finished at Stanway School, 34 years ago. She talks about how her current role as Head of Health Partnerships and Wellbeing supports Colchester’s communities with things like digital equality, maximising income, employment advice, resettlement, increasing physical activity and many more things. I work with Health colleagues and system partners to try and reduce inequalities in Colchester and increase healthy life expectancy.
Her team make a difference to people’s lives, every single day. Read Michelle’s story here.
Clare McKeever’s has worked for the Council for 36 years in the Planning team, and she talks about how she has found a job where people are treated well, where there is an inclusive environment and there are progression opportunities. Clare enjoys her work, finds it rewarding and enjoys supporting the people of Colchester on a day-to-day basis with advice, so they have the information they need. Read Clare’s story here.
Pam Donnelly, Chief Executive at Colchester City Council, said: “We’re over halfway through our 50-year
anniversary year of Colchester Council, and it’s been wonderful to read all the stories so far, many have been very moving for me as Chief Executive.
“Our golden anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate our communities and staff who have continued to be at the heart of our city through the years and have never been stronger. It’s also a great opportunity to share memories, dig our old photographs and talk about how things have changed - please get involved and share these with us.”
The Council will continue to mark this half century by celebrating and sharing ‘Your Stories’ from staff, volunteers and residents – all who make a huge and often unseen contributions to Colchester. These stories will be celebrating the hard work of employees, volunteers and residents – all who have a passion for our great city in the past, now and in the future.
If you would like to get involved, get in touch by emailing communications@colchester.gov.uk.
The waters around the property market may be choppy, but with the Michaels crew at the helm, we’ll get you to where you really want to be... simply pop in or call our Colchester office to arrange a free mortgage health check and to register with us for updates on property prices and interest rates today.
