Tuesday 18 September 2012
2012 Christmas Panto At The Mercury Theatre Colchester
Yes it really is almost that time of year again... Oh no it isn't (Sorry!)
This year's fun and festive traditional family panto extravaganza at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester is Jack And The Beanstalk and it runs from 7th December 2012 to 12th January 2013.
Brimming with laughter, song, dance and adventure, this
fantastic tale of giants, princesses, magic beans and ice cream will leave you
feeling on top of the world!
Life used to be idyllic for the mad-cap residents of
Puzzlewood, until one day a giant arrived floating on a cloud. But when he goes
a step too far, we need a hero… Enter our Jack, along with Simple Simon, Dame
Trott, Daisy the cow and the rest of the gang to the rescue…
Brought to you by our ‘Diamond Jubilee’ Queen of Panto, Janice
Dunn, and Company favourites, including Ignatius Anthony, Clare Humphrey and
Dale Superville.
Thousands of tickets have already been sold so, although it may seem a while away, don’t delay booking to ensure you get seats for your chosen performances. Last year was the Mercury Theatre's biggest selling panto ever and after all no Christmas would be complete
without this perfect treat for the whole family.
Tickets are priced
from £10.50 - £21 with concessions available at some
performances (excluding PEAK).
Book now on 01206 573948 or online at
www.mercurytheatre.co.uk
For more info visit www.YourColchester.co.uk
Monday 17 September 2012
Colchester Castle Closure For Redevelopment January 2013
Anyone who has been meaning to visit Colchester Castle but hasn't got round to it should do so before January 2013 as this is when the Castle will close for redevelopment.Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service is working on a £4.2m project to redevelop Colchester Castle. The project is being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Colchester Borough Council, EU Interreg fund, Friends of Colchester Museums, Essex Heritage Trust and Friends of Colchester Roman Wall.
Colchester Castle will close in January 2013 and re-open Easter 2014. Although there will be an exciting opportunity over Easter 2013 to see the Castle completely cleared of its contents. During the closure period the museum service will continue to run a full programme of learning and events in other venues.
Full details of the closure can be seen on the Colchester & Ipswich Museums website.
Full details of the closure can be seen on the Colchester & Ipswich Museums website.
Anyone who has been meaning to visit Colchester Castle but hasn't got round to it should do so before January 2013 as this is when the Castle will close for redevelopment.
Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service is working on a £4.2m project to redevelop Colchester Castle. The project is being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Colchester Borough Council, EU Interreg fund, Friends of Colchester Museums, Essex Heritage Trust and Friends of Colchester Roman Wall.
Colchester Castle will close in January 2013 and re-open Easter 2014. Although there will be an exciting opportunity over Easter 2013 to see the Castle completely cleared of its contents. During the closure period the museum service will continue to run a full programme of learning and events in other venues.
Full details of the closure can be seen on the Colchester & Ipswich Museums website.
For more Colchester News visit www.YourColchester.co.uk
Thursday 13 September 2012
Colchester Wins Gold Award in Anglia In Bloom
On Tuesday 11th September, Colchester In Bloom were awarded a Gold Award in the Small City category at Anglia In Bloom. The award ceremony was held in St Ives in Cambridgeshire, where Colchester also received nominations for Lexden Springs Nature Reserve in the Best Conservation Project Category, Winsley’s Almshouses in the Best Individual/Communal Display and Castle Park in the Best Local Authority Floral Display.
Bob Ollier Chairman of Anglia in Bloom said;
“After one of the wettest and most difficult summers, including a hose pipe ban, it is astonishing that the Anglia communities have achieved some of the best Blooming displays across the 6 counties of the Anglia Region. With superb floral displays, excellent community work, we have seen standards raised beyond expectations, with no fewer than 17 Gold, 23 Silver Gilt, 13 Silver and 3 Bronze awards”
“It was evident this year that the key to success is “Community involvement” where everyone pulls together, gets involved and then delivers, communities are also recognising the importance of sustainable displays coupled with good horticultural standards, delivering outstanding bedding displays, these are all achieved through the support from sponsors and community groups engaged across the region, who are all dedicated to enhancing their community within our prestigious Environmental Campaign”
“I wish to congratulate all the communities and neighbourhoods in the East of England, for the enthusiasm, commitment and effort made to improve, develop and sustain local environments across our region, it is a great credit to you all, Well Done”
If you feel inspired but would like a bit of help with your own garden, take a look in the Garden & Landscaping Services Section of the www.YourColchester.co.uk Business Directory for useful contacts.
Car Ban Trial For Colchester High Street
It has been proposed that a trial ban on cars in Colchester’s High Street will start on 5th November, prohibiting all vehicles apart from buses, taxis and bikes from using the High Street during the day. The aim of the ban is to improve the environment for shoppers and the reliability of public transport as well as supporting future transport plans such as Park and Ride Facilities.
The ban will be monitored for a year, using an experimental order, which means that changes can be made in reaction to any issues that arise following the introduction of the ban. If deemed successful, plans will be made to make the ban permanent.
However, the ban seems to have been met with some opposition, as it may stop businesses from being able to receive deliveries as well as causing a loss of disabled parking, although exactly whether this will be the case is still being decided between Essex County Council and Colchester Council.
The latest update from Colchester Borough Council (at the time of writing) on the Traffic Regulation Order for Colchester High Street can be found here.
The latest update from Colchester Borough Council (at the time of writing) on the Traffic Regulation Order for Colchester High Street can be found here.
As I can remember when changes were made like this in the mid to late 1990s, where a few attempts were made to improve traffic problems including a period where the High Street was fully pedestrianised, this news has prompted me to take a look back at how the High Street has changed over the years.
If you have any photos of the High Street over the years we would love to see them and publish them here. Please email them to info@yourcolchester.co.uk.
1891
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
St Nicholas Church 1891
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1891
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1892
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1891
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1892
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
Cups Hotel & Corn Exchange 1892
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1902
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1904
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1934
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1955
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1955
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
Red Lion Hotel C1960
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
c1960
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1960
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
St Nicholas Church 1891
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1891
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1892
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1891
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1892
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
Cups Hotel & Corn Exchange 1892
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1902
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1904
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1934
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1955
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1955
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
Red Lion Hotel C1960
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
c1960
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
1960
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.
Tuesday 11 September 2012
How Canine Partner Maddy Has Made Such A Difference
 |
| Alison Wyatt & Maddy |
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was 33 years old. Prior to that I had led a very normal and active life. I had given up work when I fell pregnant with my son and due to the condition, never returned to my job.
It took a couple of years to finally get diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis, but it was issues with my balance that initially alerted me to the fact there was a problem. Bending down was very difficult and I always had to make sure I was holding on to something or I would just fall over. It would take me a few goes to be able to lower myself into a chair and I was losing confidence about leaving the house. I also suffered dreadfully with fatigue and would often put off doing jobs until the next day hoping I would have more energy.
Since then my condition has worsened and after damaging my hip in a fall, I ended up being permanently confined to a wheelchair. My parents read an article about Canine Partners and I decided to apply. After a successful application and residential training course, I came home with Maddy in July 2010 and she is just fantastic.
As well as giving me companionship, it’s like Maddy has a sixth sense as to my needs. Often I don’t even have to give a command and she is there, picking up something I have dropped or going to collect the post. She helps me with many tasks I wouldn’t be able to do on my own anymore, such as pulling my trousers and socks on and off. She loads and unloads the washing machine, takes clothes off the airer, opens and closes doors and gets me things I can’t reach. She also likes to keep the place clean and tidy, so is always bringing me objects to put away so things aren’t messy!
Since having Maddy I have not suffered with as much fatigue, because she is there to help me with the tasks that I find exhausting. My teenage son doesn’t have to help me so often, which gives him more free time. They absolutely adore each other and Maddy is so excited when she hears the back door close to signal he is home from school!
I now have the confidence to go out and about more often. I meet lots of people when out walking Maddy, something I would have never done before. We have bonded so well and I feel my life is complete with Maddy. She is my companion as well as my assistance dog and she carries out her job with unconditional love. I wouldn’t know what to do without her - she is my angel.
www.caninepartners.org.uk 08456 580480Registered charity number 803680 Registered in Scotland SCO39050
Thursday 6 September 2012
Canine Partners Tea Party At Green Island Raises Over £1000
A tea party organised
by the Essex Satellite of Canine Partners, a charity that provides highly
trained assistance dogs for people with disabilities, has raised £1028.59. The
event took place at Green Island Gardens, Colchester from 2-5pm on Saturday 18
August 2012.
Set in twenty acres of
beautiful scenery, Green Island Gardens made the perfect backdrop for a
quintessentially British afternoon tea party.
Guests were served delicious food from the Vintage Tea Company including
sandwiches, cakes, cupcakes and scones.
Essex Community
Fundraiser Lindsay Hurrell comments, “We were delighted that 50 guests joined
staff and volunteers on what turned out to be a very hot day. We received very positive feedback from
attendees who enjoyed the surroundings, the afternoon tea and finding out more
about the work of Canine Partners. I
would specially like to thank Mr & Mrs Edmond of Green Island Gardens for
hosting this event.”About Canine Partners:
Canine Partners is a registered charity that assists people with disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and quality of life through the provision of specially trained dogs, whose well-being is a key consideration.
More than 1.2 million people in the UK use a wheelchair, and a significant number of those would benefit from a canine partner. The dogs are carefully matched to the applicant’s needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging. They are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency. The Charity aims to train dogs to meet the needs of people with even the most complex disabilities including members of HM Armed Forces.
These life transforming dogs also provide practical, physiological, psychological and social benefits including increased independence and confidence as well as increased motivation and self-esteem. A canine partner also brings companionship, a sense of security and increases social interaction.
Canine Partners receives no government funding and is wholly dependent on public donations and legacies.
For further press information contact Hannah Newberry,
T: 01329 830408, M: 07771561567, E: Hannah@leafagency.com
Canine Partners, Mill Lane, Heyshott, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0ED
T 08456 580480 F 08456 580481 E info@caninepartners.org.uk
Visit Canine Partners’ Web site at www.caninepartners.org.uk
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