Category: Colchester

Reports and other matters relating to the town of Colchester.

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February Half term 2016

February Half  Term 2016

With February half term next week Colchester Museums, Leisure World and Essex Outdoors are all running extra activities to keep the kids occupied:

Colchester Museums

Colchester Museums have events running every day with art and craft workshops at Hollytrees Museum, storytelling and castle making at the Castle and monkey and fossil activities at the Natural History Museum:

DateVenueDescriptionTimesCostBooking
Mon 15 FebHollytrees MuseumPortraits in Shadow
Work as a group to turn your shadow into a striking silhouette portrait. Minimum age 4 years old		Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm£3 per personRequired, please call 01206 282941
Mon 15 FebColchester CastleQueen of the Iceni
Come and meet Boudica, the brave warrior Queen.		Storytelling at 11am, 1pm and 3pmFree after normal admission price to the CastleNot required
Tue 16 FebHollytrees MuseumMini Model Homes
Be inspired by our Victorian doll’s house and make your own room in miniature.		Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm£3 per personRequired, please call 01206 282941
Wed 17 FebNatural History MuseumMonkey Business
Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Monkey with us at the Natural History Museum. Create, personalise and take home your own glove monkey.		Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm£3 per personRequired, please call 01206 282941
Thurs 18 FebNatural History MuseumGo Live! Fantastic Fossils
Are you fascinated by fossils? Come and meet the fossil experts and have your own fossils identified.		Drop in 10-12pm and 2-4pmFree eventNot required
Fri 19 FebColchester CastleCrafty Castles
From rubbish to ramparts, discover how the Normans built Colchester Castle out of recycled material. Make your own castle out of recycled items.		Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm£2 per person after normal castle admissionRequired, please call 01206 282941

Leisure World

As well as its regular activities, Leisure World (call 282000 for bookings and more information) offers further half-term ones including art & craft and sports related as follows:

DateTimesActivityAgesCost
Mon 15 Feb1.30 – 3.00 Arts & Crafts – Fun and mess with hands on activities using creativity and imagination5 – 11 yrs£5.80
Tue 16 Feb3.00 – 4.00 Creative Dance – Come along and sing and dance. Use your imagination while developing skills of movement and dance1.5 – 4yrs£4.20
4.00 – 5.00Mini Street5 – 7 yrs£4.20
4.00 – 6.00Whiz Kids – Fun activities for children with disabilities, including trampolining, bouncy castle, basketball, football and much much more0 – 16 yrs£4.60
Wed 17 Feb1.30 – 3.00Team Games – Join in with a variety of sports and games: running, jumping, throwing and catching, but most off all having fun!7 – 12 yrs£6.50
Thurs 18 Feb1.30 – 3.00Badminton & Short Tennis – Two fun ways to enjoy racket sports and learn new skills7 – 12 yrs£6.50
Fri 19 Feb1.30 – 3.00Arts & Crafts – Fun and mess with hands on activities using creativity and imagination 5 – 11 yrs £5.80

Base Camp

With different activities every day including such as multi sports, leisure pool, cinema visit etc., Base camp runs from 58am until 5:30pm for £30 a day.

Kid’s Camp

For school years 1 – 6 only these offer action packed days running from 9am to 3pm for £25 or 8am to 5:30pm for £30 per day.

Essex Outdoors

Essex Outdoors’ action-packed activity day experiences run at our 4 centres during the school holidays  and are the ideal way for young people aged 8-16 to try exciting new experiences in the outdoors!

Working in groups of around 10 young people, your child will have the opportunity to take part in up to four fun and challenging activities each day, ranging from archery, canoeing and climbing to mountain biking, high ropes and zip wire.

Constant supervision during the day by our professional instructors will give parents peace of mind and ensure kids have a memorable day!  All technical equipment is provided – participants just need to bring, comfortable (and waterproof!) clothing and footwear as well as a packed lunch and a drink.

Special offer for February Half Term – School Holiday Activity Days will be just £15 per child, per day, a saving of 50%.

Bradwell

  • Tuesday 16th February – High Ropes & Archery.  Book online.

Danbury

  • Monday 15th February – Archery, Aerial Trekking, Bushcraft & Obstacle Course
  • Tuesday 16th February – BMX, Zip Wire, Problem Solving & Climbing Wall
  • Wednesday 17th February – Low Ropes, Climbing Wall, Archery & Zip Wire
  • Thursday 18th February – Mountain Biking, Orienteering, Bushcraft & Aerial Trekking
  • Friday 19th February – Archery, Bushcraft, BMX & Zip Wire

Book online.

Mersea

  • Monday 15th February – Aerial Runway, Archery, Climbing & Team Challenge
  • Thursday 18th February – Climbing, Aerial Runway, Low Ropes & Team Challenge
  • Friday 19th February – Adventure Course, Aerial Runway, Archery & Caving.

Book online.

Short Breaks for Disabled Children

  • Saturday 13th February – Activity Day at Mersea
  • Thursday 18th February – One Night Break at Bradwell

More information here.

Essex County Council

Fri 12 Feb
5.30pm		Lantern Walk on Hadleigh Downs, Hadleigh ParkMake a colourful lantern then join other families in a lantern-lit walk across the Olympic mountain bike venue.£5 per child Book now to attend phone 0345 603 7624. Suitable for age 3+
Sat 13 Feb
10am – 5pm		Raspberry Pi Event, Chelmsford  LibraryWe will have interesting activities for all ages and abilities and activities suitable for primary school children/beginners upwards in using a Raspberry Pi. Put on by Essex Libraries and the Southend Raspberry Jam.Book now to attend for free. Phone 0345 603 7628
Sat 13 Feb to
Sat 21 Feb
10.15am – 2pm		Secret Story Walk, starts from Thorndon Country Park South Pavilion CaféExplore and experience the woods on this this self- guided trail. The story of your own creature develops as you
enjoy our play activities in the outdoors. You can really use your imagination.		£3 per trail guide. No need to book.
Suitable for children ages 3-9
Sat 13 Feb to
Sat 21 Feb
10am – 3pm		Mini rangers trail, Weald Country ParkBuy a Trail booklet from the Visitor Centre, follow the map and stamp each page as you complete your Ranger jobs. Then return to the Visitor Centre to collect a well done gift. Please dress for a walk in the park with lots of mud. Body carriers are advised for small children as not all paths are suitable for buggies.£3 per booklet, no need to book
Mon 15 Feb

10.30am – 3pm

Art Workshop at Loughton LibraryCome along to lessons in drawing and colouring, held by professional artists.£6 per person. Book now by phoning 0345 603 7628
Suitable for Ages 7+
(Parents welcome although they must book and participate)
Mon 15 Feb
10.30am – 3pm		Recycle Themed Dinosaur Events, Witham LibraryCome and visit Steggy, the Stegosaurus Rex made up completely from recycled electronic materials. Come along for quizzes, treasure trails and moreNo need to book; drop in any time for free entry
Mon 15 Feb
2 – 3pm		Harry Potter Night of Spells, Wickford LibraryJoin us to celebrate the magic of the Harry Potter series with crafts, colouring, and activities to entertain young witches and wizards aged 7 and up. It would be Riddikulus to miss this!Ages 7 and over. No need to book; drop in any time for free entry.
Mon 15 FebPop up Drama, Harlow LibraryA unique drama and art workshop that will stretch your child’s imagination, build their confidence and
teach them invaluable art and drama skills.		Book now by phoning 0345603 7628. £10 per child
Mon 15 Feb
11am		Teddy Bears picnic at Southminster LibraryMake your own Paddington Bear, quiz trail and other activities. Bring a snack and decorate a cake for a teddy
bears picnic storytime.		Free of charge, no need to book.
Suitable for under fives However elder siblings are welcome.
Mon 15 Feb
10.30am – 12 noon and 1.30pm – 3pm		How to Draw and How to Colour, Loughton LibraryChildren’s workshopsMust book before-hand.
Phone 01992 564000
Mon 15 Feb to
Fri 19 Feb		Bear Hunt, Great Baddow libraryGoing on a Bear Hunt’ themed week including Teddy bears story time – bring your teddy, find the famous bear trail and teddy bear crafts.Open to all children aged 0-11 years old.
No need to book. Drop in for free.
Mon 15 Feb to
Sat 20 Feb		Harry Potter Week, Chelmsford LibraryDrop in to participate in a load of fun, Harry Potter related activities such as word scrabble, colouring, and making your own Hogwarts tieNo need to book. Drop in any time for free entry.
Tue 16 Feb
10am – 12pm		Knex workshop, Frinton LibraryCreate Knex models using your problem solving skills, imagination and communication.Limited spaces. Pop in or phone to book a place on 01255  672581.
Tue 16 Feb
10.30am to 12.00pm		Bugs and Other Creepy Crawlies, Maldon LibraryEvent will involve story time, making bug related craft, and making fresh fruit kebabs.Children up to 11 years old. Free entry and no need to book.
Tue 16 Feb
2pm – 3pm		Real Life Fireman, Sible Hedingham LibraryCome and meet a REAL fireman, hear some great stories and make your own fire engine!Aimed at under sevens and is free of charge. No need to book.
Tue 16 Feb
2pm to 4pm		Knex Workshop, Clacton LibraryCreate Knex models using your problem solving skills, imagination and communication.Ticketed event. To book, phone 0345 603 7628.
Wed 17 Feb
10am – 11.30am		Where’s Wally? trail, quizzes, crafts and fun, Broomfield LibraryBe the best dressed Wally in red and whiteFree entry and no need to book. Suitable for ages up to eight.
Wed 17 Feb 11am – 1pmHarry Potter Event, Rayleigh LibraryCome in costume and join in with the activities for childrenNo need to book. Drop in any time for free. Suitable for children ages 5-9.
Wed 17 Feb
11am – 2pm		Wild Wednesday, Danbury Country ParkFree children’s activities, including making dens and mud pies, wading in the stream, splashing in puddles, kicking leaves, forest crafts, finding fish and more.Free of charge. No need to book.
Wed 17 Feb
3pm		Paddington Bear story time and Activities Event, Wickham BishopsJoin in with story time, colouring and craft activitiesFree entry and no need to book. Suitable for under fives. However, elder siblings are welcome.
Wed 17 Feb
2pm		Family Bike Ride, Hadleigh ParkThis is a fun ride for families, taking in the beautiful landscape of the Hadleigh Downs and Thames estuary. Helmets MUST be worn – “no helmet, no ride”. Please ensure your bike is in a safe riding condition.Book now to attend. Phone 01702 551076. This event is free if you bring your own bike. Alternatively bike hire is available – please reserve a bike in advance by phoning 01702 551076.
Suitable for families with children aged 10+ (all children must be accompanied)
Thu 18 Feb
10am – 12 noon		Kite Making, Hadleigh ParkMake your very own kite with the help of the rangers, then send it soaring over the downs.Suitable for ages 4+£5 per kite. No need to book.
Thu 18 Feb
10am – 12 noon		Drop in Pirate and Princess Event, Brightlingsea LibraryDrop in Pirate and Princesses Event at Brightlingsea Library. Children welcome to dress up. Story time at 11am. Crafts between 10 –12.No need to book. Drop in anytime for free. Children of all ages welcome.
Thu 18 Feb
2pm		Harry Potter Event, Brentwood LibraryCome along and take part in our Harry Potter quizzes and join us as we make a spell trailNo need to book. Drop in any time for free entry.
Fri 19 Feb
2pm – 4pm		Owls From Plop to Hedwig, Danbury LibraryFree children’s crafts – make an owl. Share a story. Learn more about owls by following our puzzle trail.No booking required. Drop in for free.
Sat 20 Feb
10am – 12 noon		Hour of Code Event, Rayleigh LibraryTake the opportunity to spend a fun hour learning to code with Star Wars, Minecraft or Frozen.For children aged 7-11.
Sat 20 Feb
2.30pm – 4.30pm		Reading Dangerously, Colchester LibraryCome along to an afternoon with the Year of Reading Dangerously team, who will be sharing their enthusiasm for writers from around the world, through a number of activities, including speed- dating with books. Includes afternoon tea and a chance to chat to other readers.Drop in  for free. No booking required.
Sun 21 Feb
1pm – 3.30pm		Iron Age Roundhouse Open Afternoon, Hadleigh ParkExplore our replica Iron Age roundhouse and learn how your ancestors lived 2000 years ago. Find out how charcoal was made – without it, there wouldn’t have been an Iron Age. Drop in event.Free entry to Roundhouse.
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Energy Switch, Funding & More

Energy Switch, Funding & More

Offers to help you join Energy Switch and Funding opportunities are just two of many subjects in the numerous news updates Essex County & Colchester Borough Councils issue every week, the following are extracts that might be of particular interest.

Save hundreds in the Essex Energy Switch

An energy-saving initiative which has already saved Essex residents almost £1 million has reopened for new applications. Register now for the Essex Energy Switch to potentially save hundreds of pounds on your energy bills.

Registration is open till 1 February 2016. After this, energy providers will bid against one another in an auction with the winning bidder being the company offering the lowest price to all applicants. Following last year’s Switch, residents saved approximately £263 per household.

Anyone who pays for energy is eligible to take part. Signing up takes just a few minutes online. Visit www.essex.gov.uk/energyswitch for more information and to find out how to take part.

Funding available for community projects

Colchester’s Big Choice funding application process is now open! Bid for a share of £200,000 to fund new or existing community projects in Colchester. Finalists will be entered into a public vote at the end of February 2016 to decide on the winners.

If you have a project that could be eligible CBC needs to know more about it. Not all applications will go through to the final vote but in order to qualify CBC needs to know who you are, what you do and how your idea will benefit the residents of Colchester Borough.

Completing this online application form will guide you through the information CBC needs so please complete it carefully and take note of the deadlines as CBC has to stick to them. The online application form needs to be completed and received by CBC by 12 noon on the 15th January 2016.   Click here to find out more

#InstaEssex – Capturing the culture of Essex

What best describes Essex culture to you? Is it some of our buildings and architecture; our artwork and theatres; local street and contemporary social culture; or perhaps there’s an iconic image you think sums up the county? Whatever it is, the #InstaEssex campaign wants to capture it with a photography competition that’s open to both amateur and professional photographers.

15 winning images will be displayed at London Liverpool Street station and at branch line stations across Essex. From these winners the top three will be awarded cash prizes of £1,000 (first prize), £500 (second prize) and £250 (third prize).

If you’re stuck for inspiration why not take a look at the Explore Culture website.  Or if you’d like to brush up on your photography skills, why not take part in one of the #InstaEssex workshops.

If you don’t fancy submitting a photo but still want to share your thoughts, you can join the discussions on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #Instaessex.  The competition is open until Mon 15 February 2016 so there’s plenty of time to get snapping!

How to avoid a cold (caller) this winter

Free “No Cold Caller” stickers are now available at Essex libraries to help vulnerable people protect themselves from rogue traders.

Local Health Matters Meetings

Taking place twice a month in various parts of the North East Essex area, these meetings are free to attend without prior booking and give you an opportunity to discuss matters of concern or interest to you regarding Local Health matters.  The minutes of the recent meeting in Colchester will give you an idea of what they are about:

Boost Your Online Skills

If you were fortunate enough to receive a new smartphone, tablet or PC at Christmas and you’d like help to get online, then why not brush up your IT skills for free at CBC’s digital bazaar events and online drop-in sessions beginning this month and running throughout 2016.

At CBC’s digital bazaar events and online drop in sessions, you are encouraged to bring your own device where you will receive professional help with setting it up.

Computers are available at all of the events and staff are there to support and teach you and undertake tasks such as setting up email addresses. You will also have the opportunity to meet some of CBC’s dedicated multi-skilled Zone Teams who have in-depth knowledge of local areas.

One to One Support

CBC also offer one-to-one support at any of the library hubs across Colchester. To book a free one hour session please complete CBC’s online form or call 01206 282222.

Winter’s on its way

The unseasonal mild spell is coming to an end. Are you ready for wintry conditions on the roads? Keep up to date with road conditions via Essex County Council’s website or Twitter accounts.

Visit ECC’s winter travel web page for useful information about salt bins, salting (gritting) routes and links to other winter-related advice about school closures, flooding alerts and health. Follow @Essex_Travel and @EssexGritters for all the latest winter road updates from Essex County Council on Twitter. ECC does not manage the A12, A120, M11 and M25. Visit the Highways Agency website for information about these roads.

At midday every day during winter a weather report comes in to Essex County Council and the decision is made whether to send gritters out onto the Essex roads.  Essex County Council has 59 gritters which grit 2,500 miles of roads in the county using a mixture of salt and brine. Find out how the gritting service works in a feature which appeared in the East Anglian Daily Times this week.

Remember to always drive to the weather conditions to keep safe on the roads this winter.

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ECC & CBC News Updates

Essex & Colchester News updates – July 2015

This is a summary of a number of recent announcements made by Essex & Colchester Councils during July 2015:

Listen to council meetings how and when you want

A new audio webcasting system is now in place streaming live from some of our council meetings and debates, available through our website and twitter feed, or you can choose to catch up later.

Links to the audio are from the ‘Your Council’ tab of essex.gov.uk with recordings available alongside meeting details and agendas. You can jump straight to a specific agenda item if that’s all you want to hear again.The Full Council meeting broadcast is planned for 14 July and committees of the council have also started to come online. Look out for tweets with links to the audio stream at the beginning of each meeting on the @ECC_DemSer twitter feed.

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Transparency on calls to ECC’s Contact Centre

Telephone calls to Essex County Council’s Contact Centre now start with a recorded message about call charges. This follows new legislation introduced by the communications regulator Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority for 084, 087,09 and 118 numbers, as part of the national UK Calling scheme.

Callers to the Contact Centre on all 0845 numbers are informed that calls cost 5p per minute plus the access charge from respective service providers.

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Road rollerEssex ahead on pothole repairs

The number of unrepaired potholes on county roads has fallen. In the three months leading to June 30, unrepaired potholes and carriageway defects on the county’s busiest roads have reduced by 70 and 75 per cent respectively, compared with the same period last year. According to Essex County Council figures, potholes and other carriageway defects were maintained at under 350, with 137 on the county’s busiest roads and 206 on main and key roads. Outstanding carriageway defects on local roads have also fallen over the same period, from 5,212 to 4,626, with 2,581 potholes repaired, continuing the positive trend seen over the previous three months. Since the same period last year, carriageway defects on local roads are down by 23 percent, from 6,001 to 4,626. To report a pothole or carriageway defect visit http://www.essexhighways.org/tell-us-pothole.aspx.

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Essex Outdoors children's activitiesHave a summer holiday to remember with Essex Outdoors

Essex Outdoors exciting 2015 summer holiday programme for 8-16 year olds has been released. Centres in Bradwell, Danbury, Harlow and Mersea will be running School Holiday Activity Days, which include up to four activities in one day, between 23 July and 28 August. Activities include aerial trekking, archery, bouldering, BMX, canoeing, caving, climbing, kayaking, low ropes, orienteering, zip wire and much, much more. Harlow is running additional climbing days as well as canoe and kayak days between 23 July and 28 August, with Bradwell also running a canoe day on 18 August. Activity days are the perfect way for children and young people to try the challenge and excitement of new activities. Activity days cost £30 per day or buy four days and get the fifth free. Dates, times and activities vary per centre so please check the website for full details or contact your nearest centre.

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Aiming High for Disabled Children – summer programme

Essex Outdoors will be running the ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children’ programme this summer. The programme offers a range of day and overnight activities for free to disabled children and young people who are aged 8 to 18, as well as their carer. The programme includes:

  • Activity days at Harlow from 24 July to 28 August
  • Activity days at Danbury on 28 and 30 July
  • Sailing/crabbing day at Bradwell on 25 July
  • One night break in either Bradwell or Danbury on 15 August.
  • Mersea Island Festival overnight (five nights from 23 August)
  • Mersea Island Festival day visits from 25 to 30 August

Please note participants must live within the administrative boundary of Essex County Council to qualify for free places. For eligibility as well as dates, times and activities per centre please check the website.

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Family fun at Bark in the Park

Bark in the parkJoin us at this special dog themed fun day for dogs and their owners on Sunday 9 August in Colchester’s Castle Park.

Bark in the Park will transform the open space in Colchester’s park into a dog and dog owner’s extravaganza.  This event, led by Colchester Borough Council’s Animal Control Team, will offer everything man’s best friend needs. There will be plenty to keep the whole family (and their dogs) amused throughout the day and visitors are assured of a great day out.  Owners will also have the chance to enter their pet pooches into the various dog show events that will take place during the day.

Dog Show Categories

  • Best Young Handler
  • Smiliest Staffy
  • Most Gorgeous Rescue
  • Handsomest Dog
  • Prettiest Bitch
  • Calmest Tail
  • Best Trick
  • Overall Best in Show

 There will be entertainment and demos, competitions and prizes, K9 Aqua Sports, dog agility, doggie trade stands and much more! Make sure you register online (for free) to enter one of the seven pet Dog Shows on the day!  Find out more here.

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Have you watched CBC’s latest video?

A brand new tourism video promoting Colchester has been created to showcase everything that the Borough has to offer! If you haven’t had a chance to watch it on their YouTube channel yet, then click the link:

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CBC Summer News 2015

summer-2015-activitiesWhat’s On Summer 2015

Colchester Borough Council report on a number of activities throughout the upcoming Summer holidays ranging from comedy, activity workshops, events at country parks, doggy activities and more.  They advise you check their websites (links below) to find out more:

Activities at Leisure World Colchester include animation workshops, swimming, arts, crafts, dance, tennis and much more!  There’s also water fun for all the family – fly down flumes, travel along a crazy river of waves, plunge down drops in the crazy outside rapids, dodge the water cannons and more in the leisure pool!  As they say:

We’ll take care of the kids!
 

Colchester Museums have lots of fantastic events the summer, including Go Live! Week, mediaeval medicine, Roman Food, Archery and much more.  Don’t forget you can visit one of our three museums where history comes alive through displays, technology and hands on activities.  Their site has a handy calendar so you can see what is on any day of the holidays.

Colchester’s Country Parks offer a host of activities and events for you and your family to enjoy at from learning about foraging and making your own den or dream-catcher to wildlife and health walks. Why not make the most of warmer weather by coming along to one of our wonderful parks to enjoy all the great outdoors has to offer!

jimmy-carrJimmy Carr – Funny Business at Charter Hall

On Friday 31 July Charter Hall, Colchester’s premier events venue, is excited to welcome back Jimmy Carr with his live show ‘Funny Business’. Tickets are £25, book now at www.charter-hall.co.uk. Street Life! presented by School of Street (SOS) are performing on Sunday 5 July and tickets are now on sale for Robot Wars: The 2015 Live Show on Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September.

Bark in the Park

Come and have fun with your pet pooch on Sunday 9 August, from 10am in Colchester’s Castle Park. K9 Aqua Sports UK, three show rings, dog agility and doggie trade stands. £5 adults, kids and dogs FREE. Enter your dog into one of our shows, for FREE, Best Young Handler, Smiliest Dog, Handsomest Dog, Prettiest Bitch, Calmest Tail and Best Trick. Book your dog into a show & book tickets.

past-inhabitantsLooking for something a little different?

Colchester’s Visitor Information Centre has a fantastic range of guided tours so you can find out more about Colchester’s fascinating history. Listen to the lives and times of characters from Colchester’s past as they take you through the dread, drama and dismay of Colchester’s important history. Theme tours are great fun for all age groups!  Visit their website for themes, dates and booking information.

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CBC News Update May 2015

Colchester News – Market, Park & Ride

Latest news updates received from Colchester Borough Council…

Colchester Market has a stylish new home

Colchester Market has moved to its new home on Colchester High Street. The new site has bigger, sophisticated, branded stalls providing a mix of exciting new products alongside regular favourite traders. Find out how you could become a trader to trial your small business idea here>>

Park and Ride service now open

Essex County Council have launched the new Colchester Park and Ride facility. With a car park situated north of the A12, just off  junction 28, it links to Colchester Railway Station and Colchester Town centre.

Fares

  • Adult daily: £3 (Monday to Saturday)
  • Adult weekly: £15
  • Adult monthly: £55
  • Children (aged between 5 and 15 years inclusive) – daily £1, weekly £5, monthly £20.
  • Children under 5 years old travel for free at all times

Concessions

Concessionary pass holders travel free after 9am Monday-Friday and all day Saturdays. Find out more here>>

Have your say on The Wonderhouse

The Wonderhouse is an exciting new concept, which will transform Colchester’s heritage offer and provide an innovative attraction for local residents and visitors. We would like to hear your views on it. The distinctive history and heritage of Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, is reflected by the rich range of objects collected by Colchester Museums for over 150 years. The three museums; Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum and the Natural History Museum; highlight selected objects from the collection, which showcase the town’s key stories and unique character. However, it’s impossible to display everything. A wealth of collections are also stored by the museums service. These objects include items from Colchester’s more recent history, archives, photographs and oral history- all awaiting discovery by the public. A new collections centre, ‘The Wonderhouse’, will provide the key to unlocking their potential. Councillor Tim Young, Portfolio Holder for Licensing, Community Safety and Culture comments: “The Wonderhouse is an exciting project that will add to Colchester’s already rich heritage offer. It will be a real draw for residents and tourists alike.

Colchester is extremely lucky to have a wealth of internationally significant objects. The Wonderhouse will give people the opportunity to discover and appreciate them for the first time. This project will also unveil a vital piece of the town’s previously hidden Roman Wall. It will create a launch pad to explore Colchester’s many historic sites. I’d invite residents and visitors to complete the survey and let us know their views on this project.

Find out more here>>  

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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.

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Colchester Events

cbc-logoColchester 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

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CBC Delivery of Black Bags

Black sacksIn an earlier news update we advised that a roll of 52 black bags should be delivered to every household by the end of May.  We have now heard that because CBC have been let down by their bag suppliers the dates are going back. Instead of deliveries in Winstred Hundred happening in w/c 6th May it will now be w/c 27th May.  The date for complaining yours haven’t come goes back from 20th June to 11th July.

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CBC Update on recycling containers

Recycling Green BoxRecycling Containers from 1 April 2014

From the 1st April all garden waste sacks will be available to residents at a cost of £3.64.  Free exchanges on worn out sacks will no longer be available.

This change will enable the Council to cover the cost of providing these containers as part of the service for those residents who choose to use the kerbside collection to recycle their garden waste.  The Council’s garden waste sacks are specially designed and manufactured for us to safely collect this particular material.  

All other recycling containers continue to be free of charge.

Where to get recycling containers

Free and paid-for containers can be collected or purchased from the network of stockists listed online at www.colchester.gov.uk/recyclingcontainers.  These online listings are regularly updated, including for stock availability, so it is always best to check online first including how to pay.

Suppliers can be found in communities across the borough.  Similarly, Community Zone team-led events, where the free recycling containers are available for collection, take place year-round.  In the next few months we aim to expand these networks, working with partners.  .

Residents requiring garden waste sacks without a nearby stockist can go online and arrange free home delivery, or alternatively email [email protected] or phone 01206 282700.

  • Green boxes – Free, collection from stockists
  • Clear bags – Free, collection of rolls from stockists plus one roll of 52 delivered in April – May
  • Food waste bins (small and large) – Free, collection from stockists
  • Food waste caddy liners – recommended retail price £1.00 per roll,- available from our network of retailers listed online
  • Garden waste sacks – £3.64, collection from stockists or pay for and order online for home delivery
  • Black bags – One free roll of 52 bags delivered in April – May. Further purchase from supermarkets and other retailers

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Recycling Centre Changes

recycling centreEssex Council have asked us to let you know about changes to opening hours of their Recycling Centres for Household Waste. As of 9th January 2012 the following changes will commence:

  • All sites will open at 9am rather than the current 8am.
  • Winter opening times (from 9th January 2012– 29th February 2012) for all centres will be 9am to 4pm.
  • Summer opening times (1st March – 15th October) will be 9am to 5pm.
  • Late night opening on Tuesdays during a limited period over the summer will no longer take place.
  • Some recycling centres in the county will be closed on certain days of the week from the 9th January 2012 (including West Mersea – closed on Sunday, Wednesday & Thursday).

For further information on recycling centres or to find details about any specific centre either visit www.essex.gov.uk/recyclingcentres or contact 0845 603 7625.

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