Colchester Events – Half Term & Early Summer

Colchester Borough Council have just issued details of a number of events and activities, including some for this half term, as follows:

Half term fun with Colchester Museums

Banish half term boredom with Colchester Museums this May, as we host activities that are a break from the norm!Get your creative juices flowing with the twisted history of Colchester in cartoon, enjoy a feast for the ears with tales of Roman Food or prepare your very own shell-fishy hand puppet to take home! Find out more here.

Summer Screen

Two weeks of Summer Screen in Castle Park between 29 June and 12 July will be covering everything from live Wimbledon, Amélie, Mamma Mia and Shaun the Sheep: The Movie; all accompanied by a licensed bar, pop up food kiosks, bands and more! Wimbledon is FREE, film tickets just £2, under 3yrs FREE. Find out more here.

King of Pop, The Legend Continues

‘NAVI’ the world’s No.1 Michael Jackson performer will be recreating the magical classics from the early Jackson 5 songs to the mega-hits such as Thriller and Smooth Criminal. A great night of entertainment suitable for the whole family. Tickets £17 and £10 for children 16 years and under. Find out more here.

Be more streetwise about your well-being

Street Wise, is offering all things ‘street’ and more, for families to enjoy for free this summer – in a bid to help local people become more streetwise about their health and well-being.Street dance, street food and street sports such as football, basketball and skipping are just some of the free activities and attractions on offer at the event on Saturday 13 June, 10am-4pm at the Colchester Institute. Find out more here.

Full Listings

Even more events are listed at http://www.visitcolchester.com/.

18th May 20158th December 2015

Heritage Watch Launched

Influential figures in Essex’s heritage industry came together on 23rd of April at Stow Maries First World War Aerodrome to launch a new police initiative aimed at protecting the past. Heritage Watch is an Essex Police led partnership between agencies that are committed to protecting our heritage, as well as members of the public who want to help preserve our heritage.

The watch scheme looks to maintain and preserve important places of interest, encouraging vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity around sites. This is to prevent any theft or crime that may damage assets beyond recovery, which may lead to the loss of a piece of history for this and future generations. Heritage Watch locations would include ancient earth works and archeological sites, listed buildings, museums, galleries, religious buildings, historic visitor attractions and others.

Dominic Petre of the Historic Houses Association said he was ‘very pleased’ about the initiative, adding:

When heritage is lost, it is lost forever. Crimes against heritage are not just crimes against the owner. They are crimes against future generations and culture in general.

Chief Superintendent Carl O’Malley said:

In Essex we have some really significant sites, from the Roman remains in Colchester to Audley End House in Saffron Walden. The key element for any watch scheme is to involve a broad range of different partners and bring them together. Through expert advice and assistance, we can all help one another. It is about communication, sharing, understanding and reporting.

For further information contact your local Essex Watch Liaison Officer using the Police 101 non–emergency telephone number.

17th May 20158th December 2015

PC Minutes 12th May 2015

WINSTRED HUNDRED PARISH COUNCIL

Peldon Great Wigborough Little Wigborough Salcott Virley

Draft minutes of the meeting of Winstred Hundred Parish Council held at Salcott Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 12th May 2015

Present: Netty Knill-Jones, John Walker, Phil Gladwin, Lynne Simmons, Jinny Gale, Liz Davidson, Bob Holmes, Rob Surface, Robert Davidson, John Jowers, Kevin Bentley, Zone Warden and one member of the public

Apologies for absence: Nicky Ellis, Andrew Ellis

The Annual Parish Assembly

Zone Warden Report: Dog fouling and litter culprits are constantly being targeted and prosecuted whenever possible and fines of £200 and £370 have been given out recently.

Chairman’s report: Thanks were given to everyone who has served on, worked for or helped the parish council in any way. The new play equipment, for which we obtained grants from Cory Environmental Trust and S106 monies from recently built houses at Peldon, has been installed at Moss Hay and is proving to be a success. The broadband scheme has been another major part of the achievements during the year and continues to develop further. The parish council has continually reported on and dealt with various matters including highways defects, speeding, flooding issues and numerous planning applications. It has also kept the residents informed on matters of interest or concern and dealt with any queries or problems whenever it has been possible.

Financial Report: There was a very slight overspend this last financial year which will be adjusted this coming year. Several large amounts of money have passed through the books this year with the new play equipment and broadband project. Insurance, playgrounds and grass cutting continue to be a substantial part of our spending. Thanks will be given to the internal auditor who stepped in at the last minute. See item 2 below and the Annual Return will be on the noticeboards and website for viewing when it has been formally confirmed.

Parish Council AGM

Phil proposed, Jinny seconded and all agreed for Lynne to continue as chairman.

Phil proposed, Lynne seconded and all agreed for Nicky to continue as vice-chairman. Phil proposed, Jinny seconded and all agreed for the clerk to continue as Financial and Responsible Officer.

Phil proposed, Bob seconded and all agreed to co-opt Liz Davidson on to the parish council for Peldon Ward who was duly welcomed by all.

Minutes of the last meeting were agreed by all and signed by the chairman

County Councillor: The Community Initiative Fund (CIF) is running for another year funding worthy projects. Drainage enforcement will take place where necessary. Sometimes it is necessary for road closures, which can be inconvenient but do ensure a better surface repair job is carried out. School transport is being reduced and some existing ones will cost more. The CBC Local Plan is still considering sites for new houses and some villages will probably have to take a few.

Borough Councillors: The new CBC warding boundaries will include Salcott and Virley and the Wigboroughs in Marks Tey and Layer Ward and Peldon will be in Mersea and Pyefleet Ward. The speeding survey strips will be installed at Lower Road, Peldon in due course. Another for Church Road was requested. As suggested we will invite a representative from the Casualty Reduction Team to a forthcoming parish council meeting. Missing road signage will be chased up. The ECC Superfast Broadband Scheme is going well. The Abberton Reservoir Community Fund is all but allocated and updates on the projects of any unspent money will be requested.

Public-Have Your Say: The missing road signs were requested to be chased up.

Declarations of Interest: Bob and Liz for planning application 150665 for Peldon Village Hall.

1. Playgrounds and Playing Fields – Liz very kindly offered to use farm machinery to pick up the majority of the rubber which will be taken to Salcott. The remainder spread on the footpath etc will be raked up and disposed of. Works ensuing from the Annual Inspection Report will be addressed shortly. The Community Group will be contacted to request hedge and ditch work

2. External Audit Return – Phil proposed, Jinny seconded and all agreed to accept the financial report for the last financial year 2014/15, to accept the Financial Regulations and Risk Assessment, to confirm and agree the Accounting Statements and the Annual Governance Statement was completed and signed as required.

3. Abberton Reservoir Rights of Way – there are a couple of problematic sections which will continue to be worked on.

4. Broadband – further residents have signed up for the scheme, there are occasional problems and Salcott will probably be linked up in September.

5. Actions and Reminder List – updated

Planning Applications:
150665	Proposal: Replacement of existing 50 year old prefabricated hall with a new multi-use community building incorporating solar panels and air source heat pump. Modified design of permission no 110076 granted 26/08/15 Peldon Village Hall
150726	Proposal: Demolition of existing greenhouse and construction of a single storey residential annexe at East Anglian Farm Rides, Moor Farm, Colchester Road, Peldon
150727	Proposal: Listed building application as above
150927	Proposal: Two dormer windows to first floor to improve internal daylight/ventilation bedroom environment at Fourways Farm, Barnhall Road, Salcott
Planning Decisions:
150358	Proposal: Gable to existing roof side elevation to improve feasible loft area enlarging approved bedroom slightly at Fourways Farm, Barnhall Road, Salcott Approve conditional
146560	Proposal: Replacement window and doors at Sampton Wick, Wigborough Road, Peldon Approve conditional

Finances:
101829	R S Pullen – clerk’s salary for May	£375.65
101830	Anglia Inspection Services Ltd – annual play areas insp.	£234.00
101831	Essex Association of Local Councils – annual subs	£278.31
101832	R C Laurie – internal audit	£ 60.00
101833	T Simmons – play insp, 2 x grass cuts	£120.00

The next meeting will be on Tues 9th June 2015 at 7.30pm at Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough

Owing to the poor service from the Police when a crime has been committed to properties in our villages the Parish Council would advise that first and foremost report it to the Police on 101 for non-emergencies or 999 for emergency situations but then we would request that you give the details to the clerk on 01206 735367 or [email protected] for a list to be collated to enable us to show how much crime is being committed in this area and how little is being done about it by the Police.

Local Community Action Panels (LCAPS) meetings where Police are in attendance are held periodically at West Mersea Town Council Offices in Melrose Road where opinions and problems can be voiced. The meeting dates and times are as follows:

3rd June 2015 at 7pm
5th August 2015 at 10am
7th October 2015 at 7pm
2nd December 2015 at 10am
3rd February 2016 at 7 pm

13th May 20158th December 2015

Earthquake Tour

Gordon Davis of Abberton & Langenhoe Parish Council is organising a tour of the main local properties affected by the Great East Anglian earthquake. Meet at Abberton & Langenhoe village hall at 2pm on Sunday May 31st. Please book in with Gordon on 01206 735395 to help with catering numbers.

Extract from Wikipedia

The Colchester earthquake, also known as the Great English earthquake, occurred on the morning of 22 April 1884 at 09:18. It caused considerable damage in Colchester and the surrounding villages in Essex. In terms of overall destruction caused it is certainly the most destructive earthquake to have hit the United Kingdom in at least the last 400 years, since the Dover Straits earthquake of 1580.

At 9:18 am the earthquake struck, centred mainly in the villages of Wivenhoe, Abberton, Langenhoe, and Peldon causing the surrounding area to rise and fall violently as the waves spread, lasting for around 20 seconds. Measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale, the effects were felt across England, as well as in northern France and Belgium.

The earthquake damaged about 1,250 buildings, including almost every building in Wivenhoe and Abberton, and in settlements all the way to Ipswich. The medieval church in Langenhoe was significantly damaged, as were those in the villages of Layer-de-la-Haye, Layer Marney, Layer Breton, and Peldon. In Peldon, the local newspapers claimed that every building had been damaged in some way. The Guardian reported that the earthquake was greeted with terror by the people near Colchester.

There are some reports that between 3 and 5 people were killed by the earthquake, but this has been disputed by other contemporary accounts. The Times reported damage “in the many villages in the neighbourhood from Colchester to the sea coast”, with many poor people made homeless, and estimated the cost of the disaster at £10,000. It did, however, mention the death of a child at Rowhedge, attributed to the earthquake. The large waves caused by the earthquake destroyed many small craft.

It is believed that the earthquake resulted from movement along a fault in the ancient Palaeozoic rocks that underpin most of Essex, causing waves to propagate through the overlying Cretaceous and Tertiary layers.

As is often the case, it is not always the strongest earthquakes that cause the most damage, and the British Geological Survey estimates that the 1884 earthquake’s magnitude was only around 4.6 on the Richter Scale, compared with 6.1 for the 1931 Dogger Bank earthquake.

Langenhoe Church was badly damaged. Masonry tumbled off the tower, crashing into the roof of the nave and chancel. The nearby rectory was also damaged.

Note – Wikipedia is subject to change over time – click this link to view the current article.

11th May 20158th December 2015

Free Dog Chipping

dog-chipping

Free Dog Chipping

The Safer Colchester Partnership are offering free dog chipping in the Colchester Exhibition Unit which will be located at School Road Green Space, Monkwick, CO2 8NN on 26th may between 9:30am and 2pm.

Local wardens will either chip them then and there or, if it isn’t convenient, issue you with a voucher to be used at a later date (booking an appointment for a warden to visit). If your dog hasn’t been chipped it makes sense to follow well know dog trainer Cesar Millan’s advice, especially when the chipping is free:

I think it’s so much safer than other forms of identification. If your dog gets lost, he might lose his collar and tags; if your dog is stolen, the thief might remove his collar and tags. With a microchip, you can help people who find your dog find you and if someone else says it’s their dog, you can prove the dog is yours.
They make some neat stuff that works with your dog’s microchip, too. Like a pet door that recognizes your dog’s chip and lets him into the house (but not the raccoon that comes by later). The microchip won’t track your dog though. Your dog has to be taken somewhere to be scanned.

… not that we need to worry about too many racoons in Colchester.

As well as chipping, there will also be an ‘advice surgery’ on dog’s behaviour, so come along and talk about him if your terrier is a terror.

7th May 20158th December 2015

PC Agenda 12th May 2015

WINSTRED HUNDRED PARISH COUNCIL

Peldon Great Wigborough Little Wigborough Salcott Virley

A meeting of Winstred Hundred Parish Council will be held at Salcott Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 12th May 2015 which will be:

The Annual Parish Assembly

Electors and Organisations are invited and can contribute to this meeting.

Addresses from any of the following may take place: County Councillors, Borough Councillors, Police and any other body or organisation.

Followed by:

Parish Council AGM

Election of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Financial and Responsible Officer; elected, co-option or resignation of Parish Councillors and signing of all necessary forms and declarations.

New Parish Councillors welcomed and gratitude expressed to those outgoing.

Apologies for absence: Nicky Ellis

Minutes of the last meeting

Police and Zone Wardens reports

Borough and County Councillors reports

Chairman’s Report

Financial Report

Public-Have Your Say:

Declarations of Interest:

Items for Discussion

1. Playgrounds and Playing Fields

Reports on both play areas and fields
Annual Report from Anglia Inspection Services and ensuing work required
Progress on work completed and any ongoing at Moss Hay
Decision required: Any other matters that require attention?

2. External Audit Return

To note internal auditor report
Minute agreement on our Financial Regulations and Risk Assessment
Confirm and agree Accounting Statements 2014/15
Complete Annual Governance Statement.

3. Abberton Reservoir Rights of Way – update

4. Broadband – update

5. Actions and Reminder List – updated

Planning Applications:
150665	Proposal: Replacement of existing 50 year old prefabricated hall with a new multi-use community building incorporating solar panels and air source heat pump. Modified design of permission no 110076 granted 26/08/15 Peldon Village Hall
150726	Proposal: Demolition of existing greenhouse and construction of a single storey residential annexe at East Anglian Farm Rides, Moor Farm, Colchester Road, Peldon
150727	Proposal: Listed building application as above
Planning Decisions:
150358	Proposal: Gable to existing roof side elevation to improve feasible loft area enlarging approved bedroom slightly at Fourways Farm, Barnhall Road, Salcott – Approve conditional
146560	Proposal: Replacement window and doors at Sampton Wick, Wigborough Road, Peldon – Approve conditional

Finances:

101829	R S Pullen – clerk’s salary for May	£375.65
101830	Anglia Inspection Services Ltd – annual play areas insp.	£234.00
101831	Essex Association of Local Councils – annual subs	£278.31
101832	R C Laurie – internal audit	£ 60.00

The next meeting will be on Tues 9th June 2015 at 7.30pm at Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough

6th May 20152nd December 2016

PAWS April – Suffolk to Ontario

Suffolk to Ontario

39 members attended our April meeting when Mrs Denise Hammond-Webb took us on a journey from Suffolk to Ontario,Canada. Her great, great, grandfather, Nathaniel Hammond was born in Chelsworth, Suffolk on 8th March, 1851 and was the 6th child of ten. He grew up to be a farm labourer and married Charlotte Hollocks in 1875. They both lived in a tied cottage on a farm in Semer which funnily enough was called Canada cottages.

As their family grew, huge changes in mechanisation on farms were sweeping the country and many thousands of agricultural workers were no longer needed. George, the 8th child of Nathaniel & Charlotte, decided to try his luck in Canada. At the time adverts were everywhere offering grants for free land and assisted ship passages with great opportunities in Canada & Australia.

In September 1912 his father Nathaniel & Charlotte with their three youngest children followed George to Ontario and settled in a village called Thamesford. Very sadly both Nathaniel and Charlotte died of the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1920. Over 500 million people worldwide died of the Spanish Flu. However their children went on to become successful landowners and dairy farmers in Thamesford and now also grow wheat, hemp, tobacco and produce maple syrup.

Our next meeting is on May 26th when we will hear about “Trek for Life” with Tina Oldfield.

Details of all our meetings and speakers can be found on the diary of the home page of the Winstred 100 website. If you would like further information about P.A.W.S please ring either of the following committee members: Alice Holmes 01206 735510 or Jane Anderson 01206 735505.

6th May 20158th December 2015

Colchester Events

Colchester Borough Council run numerous events throughout the year, some upcoming events are:

Bandstand Concerts in Castle Park

The concerts take place on Sunday afternoons (and the occasional Saturday) through the summer from May to September. Highlights areThe Band of the Parachute Regiment, The Colchester Band and Sweeting Swing Band.
Find out more here

Half term activities at Colchester Museums & Leisure World

Colchester Museums: live animal encounters, Roman food, puppets, kites and more!
Fine out more here

Leisure World Colchester: badminton, short tennis, swimming, arts, crafts, dance and more!
Find out more here

Celebrate the Moot Hall Organ restoration

Celebrate the restoration of the Moot Hall Organ with a mix of great events at firstsite and Colchester Town Hall. Meet the Organist, make your own organ pipe, join the Big Pipe Busk, Organs in the Archives and Organs in the Movies. Don’t miss the inaugural recital on 24 May! Find out more here

There are lots of great events taking place in Colchester – why not take a look at the Visit Colchester website

6th May 20158th December 2015

The Wiggys go Yankee

Saturday 4th July – The Wiggys Go Yankee

Starting at 12:30pm at St Stephens Church, Great Wigborough, this afternoon event promises to be a fun family event with food, drink & entertainment from a Barnershop Quartet. Early booking is recommended as space is limited, contact Ann Coates by phone, 735340 or email [email protected] – tickets are £8 adults or £15 for families.

This event is being organised jointly by members of the church council and others from the village. We are very sad that the Friends of the Wigboroughs has had to close through lack of a Chairperson, but hope that village events can still be enjoyed and funds raised for both the fabric and running costs of the churches.

27th April 20158th December 2015

Friends of the Wigboroughs

Friends Closing Down

With no-one willing to stand as Chairman for the Friends of the Wigboroughs it was reluctantly decided at its AGM on 23rd April 2015 that the charity will be closed down.

Background note

The Friends of the Wigboroughs (FOTW) is a registered charity (established in 2005) and was created with the aim of raising funds solely for the maintenance and repair of the medieval parish churches of Great and Little Wigborough. Until such time as the closure is complete, FOTW has its own website here.