A Very Festive Saturday Afternoon in Colchester

Colchester Town Hall

17th November 2012 saw Colchester really get into the Christmas spirit as Williams & Griffin unveiled their Christmas window display and the Town's Christmas Lights were switched on in the High Street, Culver Square and Lion Walk Shopping Centre.





Williams & Griffin's Window Display

 

The festivities kicked off with Santa arriving at Williams & Griffin at 12 noon, accompanied by lots of snow! Then followed the big reveil of Willie Gee's infamous window display, featuring Santa, at his toy workshop with his reindeer, toys, presents and various cute rabbit helpers. 

Christmas Tree In Culver Square

An afternoon of entertainment was laid on in Lion Walk Shopping Centre where characters from the big screen including Ghostbusters, Batman and The Joker mingled with shoppers whilst live music was performed on the stage. There was definately a buzz of festive excitement in the air and town seemed to be particularly busy with Christmas Shoppers.  

 

Stand Tall Giraffe on the Town Hall Balcony

The finale of the afternoon was the turning on of the Christmas Lights, fistly in Lion Walk Shopping Centre followed by the High Street and Culver Square 15 minutes later. The crowds gathered to see the display including the Stand Tall Giraffe on the balcony of the Town Hall to mark the 50th Anniversary of Colchester Zoo. The lights were turned on from the town Hall balcony by schoolgirl Holly Rundle.

 

 

For information on Christmas events, party venues and where to see Father Christmas, check out our guide to Christmas in Colchester

Brand new Chearleading Club for Colchester

HRC All Stars is Colchester's brand new Cheerleading Club and they are celebrating the premier opening of their classes at the Hythe Community Centre in Colchester this weekend.

HRC All Stars offer open cheerleading classes for all ages and abilities. Sessions incorporate the dance, cheer and pom work elements of cheerleading and is a great way to exercise, make new friends and most of all have fun!!

So if you've ever watched High School Musical, Bring It On or Glee now's your chance to shake your pom poms!

First classes are taking place at the Hythe Community Centre this Saturday 3rd November with classes launching at the William Loveless Hall in Wivenhoe on Monday 5th November. 

 

Details and times for classes can be found here: http://yourcolchester.co.uk/hsc-all-stars-cheerleading-classes-i1512.html

And if you are looking for ideas for birthday or Hen parties, HRC All Stars also provide parties and team building sessions. For more information visit www.hrcallstars.com

Goulish Goings On In Colchester... it must be Halloween!

Like it or not, the 31st October and Halloween or All Hallows' Eve is fast approaching. Halloween is a time when adults and children alike get dressed up in spooky outfits, play games such as apple bobbing, go trick or treating and watch Horror films .

Each year, I think we embrace the tradition of celebrating Halloween more and more, and there is certainly a lot of fun to be had dressing up in scary costumes and playing spooky games.

Now, I am going to lay myself on the line and probably appear a bit of a bore, but I am afraid I am just not much of a fan of trick or treating.  I just don't see the fun in disturbing people who do not want to be disturbed on a chilly Autumn evening, especially the older generation, who could be quite alarmed by a knock on the door after dark. 

Having said that I am all for groups of parents who live near each other getting together and arranging something between themselves where their children can knock on each other's doors to Trick or Treat. But I can quite definitely say that I won't be dragging my little ones around on a cold and dark All Hallows' Eve and will be opting for a nice, warm, indoor celebration of our own instead!

Fortunately, there are loads of Halloween activities happening in and around Colchester, for adults and children, to get into the spooky spirit.  The ever popular Shriek Week returns to Colchester Zoo during half term and runs from 27th October - 4th November with late night opening on 26th, 27th, 29th & 31st October.

There is also the chance to do some Halloween Willow Lantern Making and a Potions Lesson at Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve and become a Halloween Super Sleuth at Highwoods Country Park.  Go Bananas are holding two Halloween Parties and Layer Marney Tower are offering a Lantern Tour followed by a glass of mulled wine to warm you up!

And if that wasn't enough, the fantastic Understar Cinema are doing their first ever double feature, showing Roald Dahl's The Witches and The Exorcist.


Full details of Halloween Events in Colchester can be seen by visiting our main website.

Santa Is Coming To Colchester. A review of the children's Christmas book written by Steve Smallman

I must confess to being a little bit keen when it comes to books, films and TV programmes that feature Colchester, so I was always going to get a bit excited at the discovery of children's Christmas book "Santa Is Coming To Colchester" by Steve Smallman.

As a Mum of two young children aged three and six, I really wanted this book to be good.  I was actually a little bit nervous as I sat down to read it to them, I wanted to like it that much!  I have read personalised stories before and my fear was that it would be just an ordinary Santa story with the word "Colchester" fitted in every now and then. 

But no, I definitely wasn't disappointed!  This is a very sweet story about what happens to Santa when he visits Colchester, with lots of references to local areas and towns he passes on his way here.  

I don't want to give too much of the story away, as that would spoil it, but some of my favourite parts are when Santa gets lost in a blizzard, but is guided into Colchester by the sound of the bells of St Peter's Church and then gets stuck at the top of the Town Hall!

The book is beautifully illustrated by Robert Dunn and features Jumbo, the Town Hall, Colchester Castle, the Red Lion Hotel, Firstsite, St Peter's Church plus more Colchester landmarks within the illustrations.

We all really enjoyed Santa Is Coming To Colchester and no doubt wil be reading it again and again and again!

Santa Is Coming To Colchester is part of the Hometown World Series and is available to buy from Amazon.



I have also listed some of my other favourite Colchester books in the About Colchester section of www.yourcolchester.co.uk  

Be A Star In The Mercury Theatre Christmas Pantomime

An exciting opportunity is available for youngsters who enjoy singing, dancing and acting. 10 - 15 year olds will have the chance to audition to perform alongside the award-winning Mercury Theatre Company in this years Christmas Pantomime Jack & The Beanstalk. The first 120 Junior Chorus Application forms completed and returned in person by 5.00pm Thursday 20th September will guarantee that young person an audition on Sunday 23rd September. For more information and to download an application form visit http://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/news/news-list/be-a-star-this-christmas-in-the-mercury-pantomime/

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

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.

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

Colchester Wins Gold Award in Anglia In Bloom

On Tuesday 11^th 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”

This award is a huge achievement for Colchester In Bloom and surely a credit to everyone involved.

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.

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.

How Canine Partner Maddy Has Made Such A Difference

Alison Wyatt & Maddy

Alison Wyatt from Colchester has Multiple Sclerosis and her daily life is made so much easier with the help of four year old Maddy, who was trained by Canine Partners.  This is her story:

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

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.”

Canine Partners is always looking for volunteers, fundraisers and puppy parents from the local Essex community, please contact 0845 2090750 or visit www.caninepartners.org.uk for further information.  Please also consider saving your used stamps to help raise funds for Canine Partners!


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

Extreme Stunt Show in Colchester

The Extreme Stunt Show is one of the fastest growing motorsports events in Europe and the show made it's return to Colchester on Sunday 19th August.  Once again the show dazzled the crowds with their dangerous daredevil stunts, which included a BMX stunt rider, car crashes, 2 wheel driving, Freestyle Motocross, a Human Torch and of course, the two monster trucks Extreme and Lil' Devil.

Comentator Jez Avery kicked the show off with wheelies and rolls on a specially adapted quad bike before Ryan Hall performed jumps on his BMX.  The show's stunt girl, Abby Baker then performed crashes and rolls, in her stunt car, even managing to peel the roof back on a car she was jumping.  




After a break the audience were wowed by an amazing display of freestyle motocross that featured stunt riders performing death-defying tricks including the Superman Bike jump pictured here.





It was already a hot day, but as the sun came out the temperature rose, just in time for the incredible Human Torch.  Amazingly, this stunt featured a stunt man carrying a blazing carpet on his back, while he walked the length of the arena.








Then finally, without doubt the stars of the show, came the two Monster Trucks Extreme and Lil' Devil.  As the trucks powered  around the arena the noise of their 2000 horsepower engines was almost deafening.  The trucks jumped and crushed cars in an imresive display that closed the show.




www.extremeeventseurope.com

Invasion Colchester

It was the hottest day of the year so far in Colchester with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, yet costumers, special guests and volunteers all braved the heat to provide fantastic entertainment and more importantly, raise funds for local causes. It must have been an incredibly tough day for all the characters, especially so for the poor chap or chapess who was dressed as the Ewok, but every single person involved that we met, all greated us with big smiles and really made the event jolly good fun. 

Captain Jack Sparrow

Lara Croft

The atmosphere in town was fantastic as we took part in the Character Hunt.  The Hunt consisted of purchasing an Entry Sheet which included a map of various locations where certain famous characters would be.  The locations included the Library, Williams & Griffin, Game, the Odeon, Fun & Games, Colchester Castle, Ace Comics and Xtreme Gaming.  Once you had visited all the locations, seen the characters and had your entry sheet stamped, it was off back to Ace Comics to return your entry ready for the draw the next day..

Stormtrooper

Zombies

Other special events took place throughout the day, including face painting, a raffle, Star Wars story time, read by special guest Ralph Morse who appeared as a Stormtrooper in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi".  He read Star Wars literature at the library.  

R2 D2

The Witch King from
Lord of the Rings

There was also a fancy dress competition, a sponsored waxing, where Thomas Hughes agreed to be waxed for charity and Human Target, where Aurthur Tolmie, co-founder of Xtreme Gaming volunteered himself to be a human paintball target!  

Dalek & Tardis from
Dr Who

Live music also featured at different times throughout the day with music from Nina Wright, Rhys Butterworth-Bowman, The Tom Sanderson Band then finally with the day finishing off with a cracking performance from Committed To The Blues Brothers, who had the crowd dancing even in the heat.

Altair & Ezio from
Assassin's Creed

Captain America

Invasion Colchester was launched in 2011 by Simon Leonard, initially as a one-off event to raise money for an important cause that saved Simon's life.  But following the success of last year's Invasion Colchester, a decision was made to continue the event each year, raising money for additional charities.  This year's charities benefiting from this fantastic event are The Invicta Foundation, Colchester Community Voluntary Services and Colchester Hospitals Charity.

Committed To The Blues Brothers

Only Fools & Horses

The General Lee

Ariel from the
Little Mermaid

www.invasioncolchester.co.uk