1. law, govt and politics
2. politics
3. elections

February to April 2015
Issue 62
The Mylander
K E E P I N G
T H E
C O M M U N I T Y
I N F O R M E D
YOUR COMMUNITY COUNCIL
reduce
Look after me
and I’ll last longer
NEEDS
reuse
Pass me on to a friend
when you’ve finished with me
Find us on:
Produced by Myland Community Council
YOU
recycle
I’m 100% recycled
and 100% recyclable
FREE
FIND OUT WHAT YOUR
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
IS UP TO BY VISITING
OUR NEW WEBSITE
www.mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk
Myland Community Council
The Chair
Vice Chairman
Pete Hewitt
Robert Johnstone
853942
853204
Councillors
Evelyn Agyekum
07824 158596
Dominic Graham
Richard Beauchamp
07768 631 521
Liz Gray
Catherine Clouston
07785 987 734
Carolyne Hurst
David Clouston
07748 064 562
Ciaran McGonagle
Jean Dickinson
852355
Nick Marsh
John Dickson
854888
John Stewart
Martin Goss
07912 396 335
John Sutcliffe
Email [email protected]
Clerk:
Helen Harris
Email:
[email protected]
Asst. Clerk:
Katherine Kane
Email:
[email protected]
Community Council Offices
101 Nayland Road, Colchester, CO4 5EN
Office Hours:
9am – 1pm Monday to Friday
Tel:
853400
Website:
www.mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk
Anglian Water Emergency Services
Age Concern – Free call
Blood Donor Information Line
Childline – Free call
Colchester Borough Council – Enquiries
Colchester Police Station
Community Police Officer
Crimestoppers – Free call
Mile End Dental Surgery, 13 Nayland Road
Dental Studio, 236 Bergholt Road
Gas Emergency Services – Free call
High Woods Country Park, Turner Road
Mile End Pharmacy, 13 Nayland Road
Mile End Methodist Church, Rev. Catherine Bowstead
Church Hall Hire, Keith Thompson
Mill Road Surgery, Mill Road
Myland Parish Halls Hire (Sarah King)
Myland School, Mill Road
NHS Direct – Advice Line
NSPCC – Free call
Prescription Pick Up, Mile End area only
Priest-in-Charge, Parish of Myland, Revd Ray Gibbs
Associate Vicar, Parish of Myland, Revd John Chandler
Queen Boudica School
St Joseph Church, Rev. Fr. Tony McKentey
Samaritans, Vineyard Street
Vets., Mayne Clinic, Bergholt Road
2
07717 583 491
851542
07824 796 796
07834 858 877
07929 031 194
854274
851838
All telephone
numbers in the
Mylander are
01206 unless
stated.
08457 145 145
0800 731 4931
0845 771 1711
0800 1111
282222 After Hours – 548444
0300 333 4444
07966 196823
0800 555 111
0844 8151188
845891
0800 111 999
853588
852965
573061
844252
845900
07518 437488
852109
0845 4647
0800 800 500
851928, 852286, 853075
843926
366930
844654
866317
561234
851338
The Mylander
Keeping The Community Informed
The Mylander is funded by Myland Community Council as a community service. It is
issued quarterly and distributed to every household in the parish. The views expressed do
not necessarily reflect those of Myland Community Council. Articles and information are
reproduced in good faith.
Editor
Email:
Advertising:
Email:
Catherine Clouston
07785 987734
[email protected]
Nick Marsh
07929 031194
[email protected]
Letter from the Editor
On Thursday 7th May we will be going to the Polls.
That is of course the date set for the next General Election. But it is also when
you will have the opportunity to elect your local representatives on Myland
Community Council. I strongly urge everyone to vote!
In this issue you can read about some more of your current local councillors
starting on page 9, about their interests and what makes them want to use their
free time to be involved with the community. The remainder will be included in
the May issue.
Some of the councillors will be stepping down in May and they need to be
replaced. As Cllr McGonagle points out (page 29), the community needs all ages
and types of people to be represented. Myland is going through a period of
enormous change. Would you like to stand?
If this is something which might appeal to you, please contact Helen or Katherine
at the Community Council Office and they will be able to give you more
information. Or contact one of your current councillors. All of us are volunteers.
We need—Myland needs—your support in whatever form you can give it.
We are looking for someone to replace Nick Marsh, who handles the advertising.
The Mylander depends on advertising revenue to remain free, and Nick has
done a sterling job of increasing it. If this sounds interesting, please call Nick.
And finally, a big welcome to Katherine Kane who joins MCC as Assistant
Clerk! Katherine previously edited The Mylander for many years, and we are
delighted to welcome her back to MCC.
Catherine Clouston
Deadlines for next issue: 1st April (advertising), 7th (other copy)
3
Myland Community Council Reports
I wish everybody a happy and healthy New Year.
As 2014 closed we received the first detailed application for eight houses on the
development site called Chesterwell. This was the first small foot-print of building on
this site that will last for years to come. Further applications are expected quite soon to
develop the fields north of Fords Lane. We expect 2015 to be a year of details becoming
clearer on all three major development areas: Chesterwell, Severalls Phase 2 and the
Northern Gateway. MCC will be vigilant in monitoring the plans, and any conditions
attached by Colchester Borough Council.
These developments are part of Colchester Borough Council’s current Local Plan.
CBC are developing their new Local Plan for the period 2017 – 2032. You may not be
surprised that the new Plan will again be driven by housing growth and you may
have seen some figures in the press for up to 21,000 new houses across the Borough.
I understand that some of that figure may actually be built in neighbouring Districts
such as Braintree and Tendring. Nevertheless there will be associated pressure on all
our services such as health, education, transport etc.
As part of all this, CBC should by now
have issued their ‘Issues and Options’
paper for public consultation. This
document contains an ‘Option 3’ which
suggests a significant urban extension
in north Colchester across the A12.
It is not yet clear where this is, but is
believed to be in the Langham area.
MCC will be commenting in detail on
the Issues and Options: I suggest that
as many residents as possible do so as
well. Details of how this can be done
will be in the local press and on the
Borough Council website or you may
also contact our Clerk on 853400.
Don’t neglect your feet –
If you don’t love them I will!
Expert foot care in your own home with a
soothing foot massage & nail conditioner
Healthier Soles
Karen Thompson MAFHP
Foot Healthcare Practitioner
Pete Hewitt
Chairman,
Myland Community Council
For better feet call now
01255 258236 07971 525688
www.healthiersoles.co.uk
Foot Care – Corns – Hard Skin
Verruca – Fungal infections
Nail cutting & Filing – Diabetic feet etc
4
MCC Working Group Reports
1. Planning & Development Committee
No report submitted for this issue.
2. Neighbourhood Plan Group
The ‘First Exposure Draft’ of our Myland and Braiswick Neighbourhood Plan has
been available on the both the Myland Community Council and Braiswick Residents
Association websites since November ’14. Some very useful comments have been
received.
Following these comments, Colchester Borough Council’s initial response. and other
national guidance, we have embarked upon the next version of the Plan. Our aim is to
present the Plan in an easier-to-read manner, streamline some of the detail, and bring
sharper focus to the policies and projects.
By early February ’15 we should have a version fit for formal public consultation and
review by various statutory bodies who have to be informed of the content. This will
be the start of a series of consultation and independent examination stages that we
have to go through before we can offer the Plan to our residents in a referendum. This
process will be longer than we hoped for and the referendum will probably now be
late summer.
We will do everything we can to keep everyone informed of progress throughout the
process. This will include opportunities to comment, and releasing firmed-up details
of policies and projects as soon as possible.
Pete Hewitt
3. Footpaths Group
The Boxing Day Walk 2014 was a great success again. Twenty people started out from
the Parish Halls, about twenty (different) people finished, and we had approximately
thirty people at the peak! Many thanks to John Sutcliffe and his helpers who provided
coffee and mince pies afterwards. Thanks to all who took part and contributed towards
The Friends of Myland who do so much for the elderly of this Parish.
The Footpath Working Group helped by clearing Tower Lane – over 100 yards
of overhanging undergrowth and weeds were tackled with rakes, choppers and
instruments of destruction!
5
Footpath 69, (from Mill Road
across Tower Lane to next to
the Toyota Showroom on Axial
Way), is yet again under threat.
It is being surrounded by
development which is phase
one of Severalls, just off Mill
Road by the Water Tower.
There is a commitment by Crest Nicholson, the developers, to upgrade this footpath
to allow its use by cycles. The developers have requested that the footpath be diverted
slightly – moving it a few yards further east – but are in danger of not allowing enough
room for a cycle way. Watch this space!
Monthly walks will continue this year on the second Wednesday and the last Sunday
of every month – all starting from the War Memorial opposite St Michael’s Church at
2.00pm on Sunday and 11.00am on Wednesday.
Wednesday 11th, Sunday 22nd of February
Wednesday 11th and Sunday 29th of March
Wednesday 8th and Sunday 26th of March
We hope to see you on any of these enjoyable walks!
Robert W. Johnstone
4. Community and Communication Group
We are looking to improve and increase content on the Myland Community Council
website to help improve traffic to the site and ensure this becomes a hub for all council
communication.
Remember to visit www.mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk.
We will shortly add the last four copies of the Mylander to the website.
Work will begin on the 2015 fete which we plan to make even bigger and better. If you
would like to be involved in the most successful community event of the year please
contact me on 07912 396335 or email [email protected].
We will start to pick up the future community centre requirements later this year.
Martin Goss
7
East Anglia Children’s Hospices
COLCHESTER ABSEIL!
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) are organising their
annual Colchester Abseil at the Town Hall on Sunday 22nd
March. The abseil will be an exhilarating 100ft descend and will
give participants a bird’s eye view of the high street.
The abseil is being managed by Creation Climbing Centre and up
to 60 places are available. To enter please sign up at www.each.
org.uk/colchesterabseil
Please contact Melissa Collett on 01206 848450 or [email protected].
St Michael’s Church Flower Festival, 2nd – 4th May in the church
Theme: ‘Occupations and Professions’
Saturday 2nd May
Sunday 3rd May
Monday 4th May
11.00am – 6.00pm (Spring Plant Sale 11.00am – 12.30pm )
12 noon – 6.00pm
11.00am – 6.00pm
Refreshments available, also a cake stall and a bric-a-brac stall
8
About Myland Community Council
Meet some more Councillors
Myland Community Council has seventeen Councillors. We are
asking them to tell us about themselves.
Richard Beauchamp
I was co-opted to MCC when it was still called Myland Parish
Council and was then delighted to be elected in 2010. Thank you.
Originally I came to Colchester in 1981 to work from Severalls
as a Nurse Behavioural Psychotherapist and became involved
in a considerable amount of very rewarding work, both in that capacity and as a
Steward for the Royal College of Nursing. I retired in 2007. My children went to
Myland County Primary and are now grown up.
I spent a little time on the then named Planning Committee but really could not bear
the involvement of seeing ahead to our semi-rural environment being trashed by
the apparently inevitable continuing flow of people into Mile End, a scenario that
Councillors can do little about, at least not in their capacity as councillors! I take my hat
off to those who stick at this very necessary activity, necessary as it includes commenting
to Colchester Borough Council on plans to modify existing homes and buildings.
My other roles have included the Community Working Group
before it was combined with the Communications Working
Group, the Neighbourhood Action Panel, emergency planning
and environment champion.
My main enduring interest is in our sustainable transport or
lack of it. I contribute to the Parish Footpaths Working Group,
the led walks scheduled twice a month and keep an eye out
for impediments on the Public Rights of Way and other paths. I encourage people
to get out and about on foot, as much for their health as for their CO2 footprint and
economy.
Not everyone can get about very far without motorised travel and it is to our
collective shame that public transport is so lame. Information is scanty, both at the
road side and in the media. Information is available on-line but the publicity that it is
there is limited. Timetables are barely adhered to; changes seem arbitrary and poorly
communicated. The bus station(s), the Park and Ride and the NAR fiascos are to put
it bluntly - fiascos!
To assist in the improvement in bus services I have become involved in Colchester
Bus Users Support (C-BUS). This engages directly with the operators and Essex
County Council staff who to varying degrees oversee the operators and the directly
run services.
9
10
Ciaran McGonagle
I have been a Myland Community Councillor since I was
co-opted on to the Council in September.
I decided to become a Myland Councillor so that I could have a
say in the development of our community. As a young person
and a relative newcomer to Colchester I wanted to make sure
that the opinions of this, often under-represented, demographic
were heard and considered during this period of great change
in Myland.
As a new resident and particularly given the scale of proposed growth in Myland,
I am very enthusiastic about playing a role in encouraging greater engagement
between new arrivals in Colchester and existing residents through involvement in
planning and community issues.
Carolyne Hurst
I have been a Councillor for just over a year, my second stint after a two year break.
I am 37 years old and for the last four years have worked as Customer Service
Representative for a Sudbury manufacturing firm producing paint, wood finish, ink
and varnish for global based companies.
My career has spanned a wide range of industries from the
local newspaper in Colchester, the print industry and now raw
materials. I like interacting with a wide range of people.
I first decided to become a Councillor after being involved in
the local fetes and Myland Design Statement. I enjoyed working
with both the local residents and the Councillors. I had heard
about all of the planned building in Myland and hoped that by
joining the Community Council we would be able to influence
the decisions in a positive way as a collective body.
I love Myland as a community and as a place to live. I bought a property in 2007 in
the East of the Parish; I would like to see this side of Myland integrated more with the
West side (original part of Myland) and am sure with the development on Severalls
promising a Community Centre this will become easier. Currently there are very few
community buildings where people can socialise, although there are some fantastic
groups already in existence. I would like to become involved in the running of the
Community Centre when built. The centre could become a base for arts and crafts,
amateur dramatics, youth groups, groups for the older person; the possibilities are
endless.
11
My special interests as a Councillor are education and health and would
like to develop closer links for our residents with the Hospital as one of
Colchester’s largest employers. I am a member of the Patient Participation
Group at the main surgery in Myland. This group works to enhance the
patient experience when they visit their GP. I actively work with the Partners
of the Surgery to make positive changes, for example: the telephone number
is no longer a non-geographical number. I am also a Governor at a junior
school in Colchester and would like to become attached to one of the local schools.
I plan to become as involved as possible in the new Severalls Primary School
when building commences. I am a member of the finance and staffing committee
for the Council.
We would like to attract more members of the public to become involved with
the Community Council; this is something that I would like to assist with as we
need to have a diverse range of contributors.
12
Business in Myland
Beauty At The Bay
Marie Yexley has come a long way since she first set up her
own beauty business in the basement of her parent’s house
on East Hill in Colchester at the ripe old age of 21. She comes
from an entrepreneurial family. Her father runs his own media
and advertising company; two of her sisters also run their own
companies.
Fast-forward seven years and you will find Marie as the owner of Beauty At The Bay
on Bergholt Road, and a working mother of two children aged five and six. Marie
employs nine beauty therapists, most of whom have been there for several years, as
well as a specialist skin consultant. The salon is buzzing. Since the 2008 opening, her
business has grown and offers more beauty rooms as well as extensive parking for
her clients. The salon has won numerous awards including the prestigious Platinum
Award from skincare brand Dermalogica. Not keen to rest on her laurels, Marie is
always setting herself new targets.
Marie’s aim is to provide a serene, welcoming, relaxing environment for anyone,
described by customers as a friendly ‘home from home’ salon. The interior is styled
beautifully. Colchester’s Heritage Society has commented on how well the external
of the shop has been preserved to the original. Marie has been seeing a number of
customers for over ten years. Calling her business her ‘third child’, she says it is
not easy juggling her career and caring for two young children but thanks to her
loyal team she is able to make it all work. The salon’s head therapist, Jay, started
immediately after completing her training at The Institute, has been at the salon since
it first opened, and shares Marie’s enthusiasm and vision for the business. Marie has
built-up a special relationship with The Colchester Institute and is regularly asked to
judge their annual make-up competitions.
Feeling that it is important to give something back, last year Marie chose to support
The Tom Bowdidge Foundation and donated over £600 from an event at the salon.
She also donates vouchers to all worthy local causes.
Marie said, “It is dangerous to sit still in this business. We make sure that we move
with the times and offer online appointment booking, a well stocked e-shop as well
as having a strong social-media presence. I’m always investigating new products
and treatments on the market and have plans to physically expand the business. But
more of that later!”
As a special promotion to help with post-Christmas blues for Mylander readers,
Marie is able to offer a 10% discount on any treatments taken in February.
Please mention “The Mylander” at time of booking.
www.beautyatthebay.co.uk
269 Bergholt Road, Mile End, Colchester, CO4 5AT. Ph: 844241
13
Registered Charity 1108989
Register now!
Essex Air Ambulance Challenge Badge
The Challenge Badge is a brand new initiative for scouting groups,
including Beavers, Guides, Brownies, and Cubs and the aim of
the challenge is to raise awareness of Essex Air Ambulance and
the work we do and to raise vital funds towards keeping the Air
Ambulance flying!
The EAA challenge is divided into four sections:
•
Essex Air Ambulance
•
Helicopters
•
Air
•
Fun Fundraising
Groups need to complete one activity from each section in order
to pass the challenge and receive their badge. The challenge
is for all ages so there are a variety of activities to reflect this,
including learning first aid, how to make an emergency call,
fundraising for Essex Air Ambulance, visiting the helicopter and
crew and making their own ‘helicopter’.
Like us on
Follow us on
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, The Business Centre,
Earls Colne Business Park, Earls Colne, Colchester, CO6 2NS
For more information, please contact Jenny at Jenny.
[email protected] or call 0345 241 7690.
14
To register for the Challenge Badge, please complete
the form below and we will send you out your
registration pack.
Name of organisation:________________________________
Contact name:______________________________________
Address: __________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Postcode: __________________
Contact number: ___________________________________
Contact email address: _______________________________
Please send to our FREEPOST address below:
Ang999
Essex Air Ambulance
The Business Centre
Earls Colne Business Park
Earls Colne
Colchester
Essex
CO6 2BR
15
For all your cycle repairs
and servicing
Free local pick up and drop back
off after repair
I am an IMI Awards qualified
Technician based in Myland
For more information/Quote
Call Jan 07852 715041
01206 851372
16
Out and about in Myland
Nature Notes
By way of a change and with the agreement of Sonya the Lead Ranger at High Woods
Country Park I thought it would be a nice idea to provide a series of notes focused
on the Country Park. We are blessed to have a feature such as High Woods on our
doorsteps. We need to understand the Park, why it is so important and why it should
be maintained for future generations.
Covering approximately 370 acres the Park is a wonderful ‘green lung’ amidst an everincreasing urbanization of north Colchester. Apart from acting as a natural combatant
against pollution the Park also provides habitat for our natural flora and fauna. It is
becoming increasingly important that sites such as High Woods exist to protect and
conserve. They may also have a role in resurrecting aspects of our world. For example,
since the Second World War about 98% of our natural flower meadows have been lost.
Sites within the Park can and are used to return areas to lost habitats like this.
Prior to becoming a country park the area had been a mixture of woods and arable and
pastoral farmland. At one time the site had been part of the medieval Royal Forest of
Kingswood. There is also archaeological interest within the Park. A Scheduled Ancient
Monument, an earthworks of unknown origin, exists within the northern woodland
and in the region of the lower southern slopes lies the site of siege forts from the 17th
Century Siege of Colchester.
The Country Park is crisscrossed by a network of footpaths that provide access to the
wide-ranging and different habitat areas. This also means access to fresh air and green
space that are so important to our health and well-being. The Park is a venue for leisure,
relaxation, exercise and love of nature. The types of activities include walking, cycling,
jogging, dog walking, fishing, orienteering and watching wildlife.
The site is one of Colchester Borough’s designated Local Nature Reserves and as such
is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Importantly, the current Management Plan
records that the Park is actually home to a number of UK and/or Essex Biodiversity
Action Plan features or species, that is, features or species under serious threat and
subject to special protection status.
The mix of woodland, open meadows, scrub land, hedgerows, open water and
waterways all add up to a rich and diverse environment. In summary, there is
something for everyone. In future Notes I will tell you about some of my favourite
places in the Park and more about some of the special flora and fauna.
Pete Hewitt
17
High Woods Country Park
Big Garden Community
Food Growing
This project, just a few hundred metres from
the Visitor Centre at High Woods Country Park,
has had another highly productive year and
gardeners have enjoyed a wide range of fresh,
organically grown, tasty veg and fruit to take
home and enjoy.
The project is hosted by the borough council
and currently funded via Public Health/
Essex County Council to provide therapeutic
gardening for adults with mental health needs
or learning disabilities, as well as volunteering opportunities for residents to learn
about sustainable food growing in a sociable and friendly setting.
The garden is open 10.00am to 1.00pm Monday to Thursday and alternate Saturdays –
dates are online at www.colchester.gov.uk/biggarden Referral forms and information
can be downloaded here too.
Volunteers can apply online or email
for more information Biggarden@
colchester.gov.uk or call 01206 855287.
Jo Wheatley
Community Gardener,
BIG Garden
Colchester Borough Council
Visitor Centre, High Woods CP,
Turner Rd, CO4 5JR
01206 855287 or 07950 243904
www.colchester.gov.uk/
biggarden
Visitors and Volunteers 10.00am – 1.00pm, Mondays to
Thursday and alternate Saturdays
(see website for Saturday dates).
18
From our correspondents...
Mothers’ Union
We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in St Michael’s Parish Halls at 2.30pm.
The calendar for 2015 has now been planned: the first half looks like this.
In January we have been invited to St Helena School for a post-Christmas dinner
provided by the prefects. This is always a wonderful time to talk to students and hear
their plans for the future. On February 4th we have our Annual General Meeting
when the officers and committee are elected for the year.
On March 4th Pauline Briggs, a well-known Mothers Union speaker, is visiting us
and from February 20th to March 27th we shall be holding our annual Lent Hunger
Lunches every Friday starting at 12 noon in Church. All are welcome to join us.
Payment is by donations during the lunches and will be sent to Christian Aid to help
with their work.
April 1st is our Easter Communion Service held in St Michael’s Church and May 6th
at 1.00pm sees us off to our annual lunch for members and other halves in a local
restaurant. In June we look forward to a return visit by our Diocesan Chaplain Rev.
Canon Edward Carter.
If this sounds like something exciting you may want to join, we are always happy to
meet visitors and possible future members!
June Chandler, MU Secretary
Senior moments
I hope you have had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year and are getting back to
normal at the time of writing this report.
Going back to the last quarter of 2014, starting in October, unfortunately no-one was
available from Asda to talk to members so a quiz was held instead. At the November
meeting decorations were made to put on our Christmas tree in St Michael’s Church.
Instead of the usual December Christmas Party with entertainment, members were
invited to go to lunch at the Dog and Pheasant on 10th December and on the normal
third Wednesday they met in the hall for mince pies or shortbread and hot drinks
before having a go at quizzing.
Now for this year: on 21st January the theme was “True or False”.
A Big Quiz will be held on 18th February.
Instead of meeting in the hall in March, a trip to Perrywoods Garden Centre in Tiptree
is being arranged, but a date has still to be verified.
19
On 21st April a speaker will give a talk on Railway Police.
That is all the information I have to date, so in the next edition I will report on the
above events and give details on what is planned for the following few months.
We meet on the third Wednesday of the month from 2.30pm to 4.00pm in the Parish
Hall at the top of Mile End Road, next to St Michael’s Church, so if you are 60 plus,
please join us there.
Pam House
Women’s Institute
Life in W.I. continues to be very enjoyable! In November we had an amusing talk by
Roy Walters called ‘Stand by your Beds’ which gave us a good insight into his life in
the R.A.F.
December started off with our Annual Carol Concert which was greatly enjoyed by
everyone who went. Our Christmas Party was organised by our Committee and the
W.I. members are extremely grateful and appreciative of all the planning and hard
work which had obviously been put in to make it such a happy time for us all. A
hospitality tea was also catered for by some of our ladies.
At our January meeting Chris Farndell, a retired crime photographer, gave a talk
about his work and showed some slides. He explained how he had progressed into
art photography.
As we start this New Year why not make it your resolution to come along and see if
W.I. is for you? You can come as a guest initially and make your decision later.
The future programme looks extremely interesting. In February you can learn about
rearing pigs and in March there will be a talk on microwave cookery. Do join us on the
first Friday of every month at Highwoods Community Centre at 7.30pm. You will be
most welcome!
Sandra Jones
YOUR COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEEDS
YOU
Why not stand for election at MCC?
Contact: [email protected]
20
West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association
The club’s first meeting of 2015 was held on February 16th with an illustrated talk,
“Marks Hall: Its History and Progress” by Johnathan Jukes, curator of Marks Hall.
Our March 16th meeting will be an illustrated talk, “Developments in the Kitchen
Gardens (including new vegetables)” by Michael Perry from Thomson and Morgan,
whom you may have heard on one of his frequent slots on BBC Radio Suffolk. Michael
is sometimes described as a “Modern day plant hunter” searching for new, different
and unusual plants across the world.
On April 20th there will be a 50 minute performance of a poignant story of a Suffolk
gardener by Bryan Thurlow called “My Perennial Mr Potter”. Born in 1900, the young
Horace Potter narrowly escaped the horrors of WW1 and spent all his working life as a
full-time gardener in a large Suffolk garden. Inspired at an early age, Mr Potter shares
his passion for plants and his dream of restoring a much-neglected old knot garden.
All meetings take place at the Orpen Hall, Lexden Road, West Bergholt at 7.30pm.
Ample free parking. All ages welcome.
Annual membership is £10, or £3 per meeting as a visitor (refunded if you join at the
next meeting). Coffee/tea included and club raffle at each meeting.
We look forward to seeing you.
Email [email protected] or phone 07902332085 if you require any further
information.
Terry Claydon
Colchester Cavaliers
Your local cricket team, Colchester Cavaliers, has taken the bold step to withdraw
one of their two teams from the North Essex Cricket League (NECL), and join the
Two Counties League. This now means that the Cavaliers will be able to offer cricket
on both Saturdays and Sundays, as well as mid-week cricket in 2015.
As always, Cavaliers are very happy to welcome new players – of whatever standard
– to the club.
If you are interested in playing, please contact the Club Secretary, Dan Young,
on 07534 713 243. Alternatively, you can contact the club via email at
[email protected]”.
21
In the Waiting Room...
Happy New Year to you all!
We have, as always, had a busy winter, even though as I write we have hardly had
any real ‘winter weather’, but the coughs and colds are present anyway, and the two
months after Christmas are the likely time for flu to start circulating.
We find ourselves in difficult circumstances when all the winter infections are around.
People come to us for help and advice, which we are happy to offer, but they also
frequently come with the expectation of a cure, and especially being given antibiotics
as they have been ill long enough and want to feel better. Many of you will have read
or heard about the increase in antibiotic resistance and the dangers it presents. Some
of this is due to antibiotics used on animals in the food chain, but a great deal is down
to our dependence on them.
In 2015, all prescribers will be trying really hard to limit antibiotic use except when
absolutely necessary. Most coughs and colds are viral in nature, and since antibiotics
only help with bacterial infections, prescribing them for a virus is pointless. Most
respiratory and ear infections, and even tonsillitis, even if bacterial in nature, are
likely to get better on their own, and research has shown that antibiotics shorten the
duration of an infection by as little as 4 – 6 hours!
In addition to the increasing resistance, research has shown that our dependence
on antibiotics is responsible for the increase in C.Difficile infections, the cause of
many outbreaks of diarrhoea in hospitals and residential homes, where it spreads
like wildfire! Other outbreaks of infection are also likely to be down to our reduced
immunity, because of antibiotics. The situation in European countries where antibiotics
are available without prescription, is even worse.
A further factor is that people do not complete the course of antibiotics once prescribed
and this is a major cause of people developing sensitivity, or allergies, to antibiotics.
Allergy to antibiotics is not hereditary, it is related to a person’s exposure to them, the
more you take, the more likely it is that you will develop an allergy to them.
The sceptical amongst you may think that this is just the NHS trying to save money. It
isn’t. We do try and use the cheapest drug that will do the job, but that is no different
to you researching something you might buy and finding a bargain. Antibiotics are
mostly cheap, but resistance will be expensive, in terms of money and in terms of
lives, unless we all do all we can to prevent it. The object of the exercise is to try and
preserve effective antibiotics to be available when we really need them, and for future
generations.
We thank you in advance for your co-operation.
Nikki, Nurse Manager, Mill Road Surgery
22
On the beat
‘Adopt a burglar’s way of thinking’ by Michael Fraser.
Michael Fraser is an ex-burglar, who starred in BBC’s ‘To catch
a Thief’ and ‘Beat the Burglar’ as well as Channel 4’s ‘One last
job’. He is also a trustee of the Apex Trust, which helps young
people with criminal records gain employment.
When you’re thinking about how to make your home burglarproof, you have to think like an opportunist thief, because a
burglar will look for the tell-tale signs of weaknesses in your
home.
Start with the front of your house.
If your gate is open or broken, an opportunist will see it as a weakness. It’s an
invitation. Always close your gate. If it’s broken – fix it. And if you don’t have one,
get one.
It’s the first psychological barrier to keeping a burglar away.
If you have just one cylinder lock on your door, a burglar knows he can get in to
your home no matter what. If you have two locks on your door and your neighbour
and your neighbour only has one, the burglar will very likely go next door. He’s not
going to make more work for himself.
Avoid ‘Beware of the dog’ signs. They are a sure indicator that you don’t have an
alarm in your property. A thief will also think that you probably leave your back
door open to let the dog into the garden. The same goes for an ‘I love cats’ sign or
something similar. Pet owners often don’t have an alarm.
If the front of your house looks weak to an opportunist burglar, he can guarantee that
the back of your house will be even weaker. As soon as a thief can get around the
back of your home, he knows he’s probably safe.
As soon as a burglar is in your house, whether he got in from the front or back, he’ll
go to the front door with either a glass bottle or a broom. The thief will balance the
bottle on the door handle. If the owner comes home, the bottle will fall off the handle
and smash before they get inside. This gives the thief a warning sign and time to
escape. Or he’ll jam the door shut with a broom. Again, this will give the intruder a
sign and time to escape if the owner fails to get into their house easily.
Humans are creatures of habit, they inevitably keep their house and car keys near the
front door or in their handbag; a handbag will nearly always be left in the kitchen.
Once a burglar is in your house, he’ll look for keys first. Then he’ll be looking to
find out what your habits are. Your calendar will be very useful. Again, we humans
are predictable and almost always have a calendar hanging in the kitchen. The thief
23
will look for key dates – when you will be on holiday, when you have a dentist
appointment – any clues about when you’re scheduled to be out of the house.
The next thing on a burglar’s list is to look for small items – non bulky valuables
that can be taken straight away. This might include jewellery, credit cards, bank
statements and spare keys. The thief will make a note of all bulkier valuable items in
your house – he’ll be planning to come back again to get these when he knows you’ll
be out.
Now the burglar knows you. He knows what kind of person you are from the items
in your house and he has your bank details to clone later. If the burglar has taken a
spare set of keys to get into your house, he’ll normally trash it before leaving. When
a homeowner returns to a messy house, they have to go through everything to see
what’s missing. They’ll normally be concerned about expensive jewellery, antiques
and items of sentimental value. Keys are one of the last things people think of and
so often don’t realise they’re missing. So when a burglar returns to finish the job,
it’ll normally be within 7 to 10 days of the first burglary and the locks have not been
changed.
So… How can you prevent yourself from being the victim of a burglary?
24
Michael’s top tips:
A key tactic in burglary prevention is avoidance and not just alarming your property.
For example, chain up your wheelie bin to a fence away from you house. A burglar
will stand on a wheelie bin to get into the first floor of your house. Furthermore, a
wheelie bin is like a filing cabinet, so shred all your documents before you throw
them away.
Having two locks on your front door is really important and make sure your windows
have window locks that are visible from the outside looking in. This will make your
home seem like too much hard work to a burglar.
Fix broken gates
Put a wire basket on the inside of your letter box. There’s still space for letters to come
through the door but it prevents burglars from fishing for keys through the letterbox
– thieves know that keys are often left on a table next to the front door.
Keep windows and doors shut and locked, even when you are at home. A thief will
burgle your property even when someone is inside; for example, when they see a
bathroom light go on.
Use an alarm is you have one.
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch and display the sticker saying you do. This
demonstrates to the thief that you are aware of the risk of being a victim of burglary
and he’ll most probably decide to move on.
Don’t make it obvious if you are a pet-owner. ‘Beware of the dog’ often means “I
don’t have a house alarm” or “my back door is open” in burglar language!
When parking your car, turn the wheel towards the curb rather than keeping the
wheels parallel. It sounds so simple but this makes your car alien to the opportunist
thief because everyone parks their cars with wheels straight. Those turned wheels
means it will take the thief a few more seconds to steal your car. Every second counts
and they don’t want to take that extra risk of getting caught.
Keep suitcases and bags in the loft or with their handles tied together. Otherwise a
thief will use those very bags to transport items out of your home.
Don’t keep a calendar in your home. It tells a thief everything about you. Put a blind
in the kitchen and in other rooms so that people can’t see in. a thief can learn a lot
about you just by looking in through your windows.
One of the best things you can do is to film every room in your house in detail with
a video camera or take lots of photos. Not only does this help you remember where
everything was before the burglary but it helps you to prove to your insurance
company that certain items were in your house.
25
Community Stadium
CHRISTMAS A SUCCESS!
Nearly 4,000 people – many of whom came from the Myland
area – enjoyed their Christmas parties at the Weston Homes
Community Stadium this year. That, coupled with 200 people
attending a very enjoyable New Year’s Eve party at the stadium,
capped off a successful year, with over 200,000 people coming
through the doors for a range of sporting and community
events.
In the run-up to Christmas, the Stadium hosted the annual Tangerine Ball charity
event for the third year. The Tangerine Ball, which has been running since 2002, is a
significant fundraiser for Colchester Carers Youth Project. The Ball is open to school
academic years 9 to 11, and traditionally has attendees from Ipswich and Colchester
schools , as well as from much further afield. This year, the event had over 200 guests,
and raised £4,000 for Colchester Carers—a record.
COMING SOON...
The dust is settling on the festive season of 2014, but the club has already revealed
which great music and comedy acts will be coming to the stadium in the first three
months of the year – and Christmas 2015 details will soon be revealed, so be sure to
keep your eyes on what’s coming up at the stadium.
U11s FLOCK TO WATCH THE U’S!
The current football season has seen the Us running their U11s for FREE initiative,
meaning that primary school children can watch from the Family Enclosure for FREE
at every League One match. So far, in the first half of the season, over 2,500 children
have taken up the offer!
Every paying adult in the Family Enclosure is entitled to bring up to 4 U11s on
their ticket, so it really can represent a great value day out. For more details, visit
http://www.cu-fc.com and take a look at Information For Families in the Ticket
section.
FEELING PECKISH?
Have you taken advantage of the Hot Shots Café at the Weston Homes Community
Stadium yet? We’ve already seen many Myland residents popping in for a coffee,
some hot soup or one of our fantastic jacket potatoes. Open from 7am to 6pm every
day, it’s a perfect pit stop for you to grab some food or enjoy the surroundings. We
look forward to seeing you soon!
Matt Hudson, Media Manager
Colchester United Football Club
26
Features
Down Memory Lane
In the last edition I wrote about a ‘sampler’ made in 1889 by one Grace Morris of
Myland School.
A friend, doing some research into Grace’s family, was able to give me some more
details. Apparently Grace was born in 1877, one of ten children. The 1881 Census
shows Grace as living in Leech’s Lane. Ten years later, in 1891, the Census shows her to
have moved to Mile End Road.
A fascinating diversion, found completely by accident in the Chelmsford Chronicle
of 25th March 1905 about a break-in and robbery at a shop in Myland names Grace’s
mother as the owner. The offender, a Thomas Henry Bradbury, was committed for trial
at the Borough Quarter Sessions. Bradbury was recorded as of “no settled residence”.
The theft was of two bottles of sweets valued at 2s. 6d (half a crown or 12 1/2p in new
money).
One of Grace’s brothers, Albert, died in 1919 at Scapa Flow in Orkney. He was only 24
years old. The German navy’s High Seas Fleet was interned at Scapa Flow following
the Armistice. On 21st June 1919, the German commander decided to scuttle the fleet
rather than allow the ships to fall into Allied hands.
I rather suspect that Albert might have been in the armed forces at the time of his death,
giving us more avenues to explore.
Another piece of Mile End history came to my notice recently. I picked up a postcard
bearing a cancellation stamp date of June 1915. The card is addressed to Miss M. Lilley
of Myland Lodge, Mile End. Nearly 100 years since it was posted I bet the sender never
thought that the card would still be about, a century after the birthday that is was
celebrating.
Apologies for wandering to a different topic, this time to Scouting. I have to record that
Peter Bowers, who restarted Scouts in Mile End, died at the end of December. I was at
Colchester Royal Grammar School with Peter and it was he who got me into Scouting
initially. The Rector of St Michael’s back in 1956 was Revd. Paul Tranter. He had asked
Peter to start a Scout group in Mile End. I offered to lend Peter a hand with a few knots
I knew. The rest is history, as they say.
Peter went into the Church after National Service, and served the in Kent for a long
time. Peter’s father was a skilled wood-worker and did much of the work inside St
Michael’s as a member of the former Men’s Working Party.
Mick Brown
27
28
Open letter from Cllr Ciaran McGonagle
Letter to the Colchester Gazette, 8th January 2015
I read with regret your recent report on Marks Tey Parish Council, where over half
of parish councillors will shortly be standing down. As a councillor on Myland
Community Council, I do have some sympathy with these councillors who perform a
valuable but often thankless role.
However, with crisis often comes
There is no section of society
opportunity. Colchester is currently
which will feel the effects,
embarking upon a virtually unprecedented
benefit from the advantages,
period of population growth. Many
and bear the burdens of these
changes more than people who
decisions which will have significant and
are under 35 today.
long-lasting impact upon residents of
Colchester will be made at the local level.
Where decisions are made at Borough, County or National level, the opinions of local
parish and community councils nonetheless can carry significant weight.
This is indisputably a good thing as the people best placed to make decisions with
respect to local matters are people who live and work in the communities which will
be primarily affected.
Given this, it is of paramount importance that young people living in Colchester are
encouraged to become more engaged with their local communities. According to
most recent census figures, population estimates for 2013 suggest that people aged 34
or under represent approximately 45% of the population of Colchester. Many of the
proposed policy strategies and changes are scheduled to take effect over the next 15-20
years.
There is no section of society which will feel the effects, benefit from the advantages
and bear the burdens of these changes more than this demographic.
Sadly, young people continue to be significantly under-represented and thus underserved at both national and local level. I became a Councillor on Myland Community
Council at the age of 30 and have found it a rewarding and positive experience but we
continue to suffer from a lack of youth representation.
We must of course do more to reach out to young people amidst the current (in a
lot of ways, justifiable) disillusionment with politics. However, we must all take
responsibility for our own future and I would urge any young person reading this
who is keen, willing and able to try to make a difference within their local community
to reach out to their local representatives to discuss how they can best contribute.
29
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30
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News from St Michael’s Church, Mile End
Ray writes...
I love the spring as it is the season full of hope, colour and
joy. Plants, animals and birds escape winter’s grasp, and burst
back into life. It is the season of Easter, daffodils and tulips and
other amazing bulbs.
You will possibly be reading this article at the beginning of
spring, or it will be just around the corner if winter keeps a
hard grip, so I have to ask the question: what about you? Are
you about to burst in to life, or is it going to be “same old, same old”?
The late Robin Williams said this of spring: ‘spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s
party!” It is the season of change, but we shouldn’t just let the world change around us,
we need to become part of the season of change, and find some fulfilment in our lives.
People are like stained-glass windows; they sparkle and shine when the sun is out; in
darkness beauty is seen only if there is light within.
There is beauty within us all, old and young. You just have to let it out, let it shine, just
as nature does as every spring dawns, and let it burst in to life. It is the St Michael’s
way - you are welcome to see for yourself.
Revd Ray Gibbs - Priest in Charge, Myland Parish Church.
Regular Services and Activities
Weekly activities
Monday
1.30pm – 3.00pm Church Mice (term time only) – play and praise for the under 5s and
their parents and carers
Tuesday
8.00am Morning Prayer
Wednesday
9.30am Service of Holy Communion
10.30am Knit and Natter – a friendly group
who meet to knit or crochet together; if you
just want to natter, that’s fine too
For St Michael’s Church News
and Information, visit
www.mylandchurch.org.uk
Thursday
10.00am Morning Prayer followed by “Thirsty Thursdays”. Drop by for freshly-brewed
coffee and chat 10.30am-12 noon.
Friday
10.00am Morning Prayer followed by “Friendly Fridays”. A warm welcome and
freshly brewed coffee 10.30am-12 noon.
31
Saturday
10.00am on the first Saturday of the month (in term time): we welcome children aged
5 - 11 to Stmixkids for Christian fun and activities in Myland Parish Halls.
Sunday
Morning services start at 10.15am and follow a monthly cycle.
• FirstSundayisaserviceofWholenessandHealingwithHolyCommunion.
• SecondSundayisaFamilyService,sometimesincludingparadefortheScouts&
Guiding Groups
• ThirdSundayisHolyCommunion,andexplorationofacurrentBigIssue.
• FourthSundayisBaptism(bypriorarrangement)withHolyCommunion.
• OnfifthSundayinthemonth,thereareRollingWorshipservices,includingquiet
service of Traditional Communion, Morning Prayer, Creative Worship.
St Michael’s Meerkats is our children’s group that meets in church, at 10.15am, on the
first and third Sundays of the month.
Special Services (meet in the church unless otherwise stated)
February
9.30am and 8.00pm Wednesday 18th February (Ash Wednesday): Holy Communion
with Ashing
4.00pm Sunday 22nd February: Celtic Praise – an expansive time of quiet, readings,
prayers and music loosely in the Celtic tradition
March
11.00am – 3.00pm Saturday 14th March Spring Fair (in Myland Parish Halls)
Stalls include: books, craft, toys & puzzles, cakes, sweets, cards, garden items,
bric-a-brac, raffle, tombola and nearly new clothes. Refreshments available.
10.15am Sunday 15th March: Mothering Sunday Family Parade Service
April
12 noon Friday 3rd April: Good Friday Quiet Hour
10.15am Sunday 5th April: Easter Day Family Communion Service
A Children’s Easter Service and Egg Treasure Hunt are usually held in the afternoon
of Good Friday. Details not available at the time of going to press; please check our
website.
Lent Lunches
Myland Mothers’ Union will be serving a simple lunch of soup, bread, cheese and
fruit at 12 noon on the following Fridays during Lent: 20th and 27th February, and
6th, 13th, 20th and 27th March. There is no charge, but donations are welcome and the
funds collected will be given to the charity Christian Aid.
Men’s Breakfasts
Do you enjoy a cooked breakfast? A group for men meets for breakfast and conversation
in the Myland Parish Halls on the last Saturday of alternate months. Next one 28th
March.
32
Mile End Methodist Church
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to those in our
community who supported our November appeal for
Beacon House and the Women’s Refuge in Colchester.
Thank you, too, to the Rainbow Playgroup for presenting
their Christmas Nativity and concert in the Church. It
was as delightful as ever, with very appreciative families and friends.
The re-telling of the familiar Christmas stories and the singing of traditional carols at
our own Carol Service was very uplifting. It was good too, to sing carols at the Dog and
Pheasant public house just before Christmas.
The Rainbow Toddler Group had their usual Christmas party and once again Father
Christmas paid a visit to give out presents to all the children. It had been term of busy
activities, friendly chats among parents and carers and happy play times. There was
also a Coffee and Craft session just before Christmas which was very well attended and
much appreciated by everyone.
As last year, we are holding an ecumenical Holiday Club on our premises during the
February half term for Primary School children. It will be on the mornings of 18th –
20th February, with a celebration in the evening of the final day. Contact Susie Connor
(tel. 07585457215) for more information.
On 6th March we are hosting the local ecumenical Women’s World Day of Prayer
Service. Each year the service is prepared by Christian women from different countries
and this year it has been prepared by women of The Bahamas.
This Easter we are arranging a Holy Week Experience on Maundy Thursday 2nd April
and on Good Friday 3rd April. This will give us a chance for quiet reflection on the
meaning of Easter and everyone is welcome.
We continue to hold our charity Coffee Mornings (with Bring & Buy Stall) and we
would be pleased to see you on any of the following Saturdays: 21st February in aid of
Release International, 21st March in aid of History Maker Foundation, and, 18th April
for Worship Leaders and Preachers Trust. They all start at 10.00am.
A reminder that we have a morning service each Sunday at 10.30am (with a Club
for youngsters aged 3 - 11) and if you need to contact our Minister, Rev Catherine
Bowstead, her telephone number is Colchester 573061. Obviously, it is not possible to
give up-to-date information about all our activities in this article, but you can find out
more by visiting our web site (http://www.mylandchurch.org.uk/methodist), or, if
you are passing our premises, there is a weekly notice sheet displayed outside. Look
out for details of our Easter services and events!
Keith and Di Thompson (844252) [email protected]
33
Girlguiding and Scouting
2nd Myland Brownies
Firstly, happy new year from everyone at 2nd Myland Brownies. We had a very busy
end to our autumn term. We successfully completed our Environment badge as a group,
and several individual brownies completed other interest badges such as Hostess.
Our Body Shop pamper evening was a great success and the cake contribution was
impressive! We also managed to raise £41 for our unit funds. Thanks to all friends and
family for your support with this.
Towards the end of last term the brownies attended church services for the Remembrance
Day church parade and the Christmas tree lighting service, where we donated a number
of shoe boxes to the shoe box appeal. We finished our autumn term with a fun-filled
joint Christmas party with 1st Myland Brownies.
We had one new starter join us who is working towards taking her promise next
term. Other exciting plans for next term include a trip to the Headgate Theatre to see
Goldilocks, planning our pack holiday and lots of other fun-filled activities.
Donna Harris - Eagle Owl
1st Myland Guides
Another jam packed term for 1st Myland Guides!
We made sock monkeys, decorated gingerbread
men with a Frozen theme, had Snowman Soup (hot
choc with marshmallows!) and filled shoeboxes for
the Women’s Refuge. All of this goes towards their
Caring Christmas Challenge Badge.
The guides have had an evening with an experienced
and trained puppeteer learning a few tricks of the
trade and finishing by putting on their own puppet show. All Guides joined in and
each girl was put in charge of her own puppet for the evening. Great fun was had by all,
including the leaders!
Twenty five of us travelled by coach to attend the Big Gig in early October. We saw some
fantastic acts and the girls were up dancing and enjoying themselves. This event will go
towards their ‘Growing Guiding 2014’ Go For It!
The second half of the term started with two of the girls organising an evening for their
BP Award, one doing a presentation on Ebola for Global Awareness to the whole unit
and the second doing her evening on Diwali with a craft and discussions, ending with
a test on chocolate for Fairtrade.
34
Ruth and Kim attended the Jack Petchey Awards Night to see two of our Guides (Bethan
&Elise)receivetheirawards.Itwasaveryenjoyableeveningandwellexecuted;I’m
sure the girls will remember this for many years to come.
WecarriedoutabagpackatB&MStoresinNovembertohelpraisefundsfortransport
to the Wellies and Wristbands Festival later this year; we came away with over £500! We
also had a good turn-out for the Remembrance Service.
In the last few weeks of term we made sparkly pine cones for the church Guide Xmas
tree and poinsettias out of wire and fantasy film and nail varnish to take home. At the
end of term the girls put on an in-house talent show for all parents.
We have just had our planning meeting to organise this term and have lots to look
forward to including a Frozen themed winter camp at Thorrington.
1st Myland St Michaels 35th Colchester Scout Group
The Group remains full in both Scouts and Cubs but we will be taking new people in
Beavers in the New Year, bringing us to capacity again.
The new Beaver leader, Tracy Connell, has been helping with the section but due to the
problems experienced with the Scout Association’s new membership data-base there
has been a delay to getting her fully on board; a work in progress. We could also do with
another Leader as when we have not had the required number of trained uniformed
leaders available to run the sessions we have had to cancel a couple of meetings at short
notice. If you feel that this is something you would like to do please give me a call or
e-mail - contact details at the back of magazine.
The Group attended the Harvest, Remembrance (particularly well attended) and
Christingle church services.
I had the pleasure of joining some of our scouts and leaders for breakfast. The scouts
enjoyed tobogganing at the Ipswich Ski centre where they were taking part in the
District winter camp at the Hallowtrees Scout Camp.
Some of our Beavers and Leaders helped at the District Beaver Christmas Bazaar.
Some of our Cubs joined about 65 others from the District for the District Cub Christmas
Party and enjoyed an afternoon of fun, food and a visit from Father Christmas; a great
time was had by all.
Once again the Group has received a donation from a person unknown to the group.
This is the third year we have received such a donation and I would like to say a big
thank you from the Group.
Thank you also to all the volunteers with the group. Without their dedication and
commitment the group would not be the success as it is today. I would like to take the
opportunity to wish them all a prosperous and happy new year.
Bill Miller, Group Scout Leader. www.1stmylandscoutgroup.org.uk
35
36
Learning and Growing
Myland Pre-School
We would like to wish all readers a Happy New Year! As usual we had a busy lead up
to Christmas with lots of things going on! Our Christmas Fair and raffle in November
raised an amazing £1101.00. Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets,
donated prizes and cakes and came along to support us.
We had a Phil the bag clothing collection at the end of October and this raised £74.40 for
pre-school funds. We hope to arrange another one in the near future.
A group of children had fun decorating a Christmas tree in St Michael’s Church ready
for their Christmas tree festival and light service. We took part in the Christmas Jumper
Day organised by Save the Children fund. Everyone looked good in their Christmas
jumpers and headgear and tinsel and we raised £44.50.
We held our Nativity play “Angel Express” in the Church. This was very well attended
by family and friends and the children were amazing. After the performance we
welcomed family and friends back to the hall for refreshments and received lots of
praise and positive comments on the children’s performance.
Term finished with our Christmas party. The children were entertained by Abra Ca
David and then had a party lunch which was followed by pass-the-parcel and then a
visit from Father Christmas who had a gift of a book for every child.
We returned to pre-school on the 5th January and have welcomed several new children.
They are settling in well and we have a few more joining soon. We also opened our
Oranges room, and have both our rooms in operation full-time.
During the coming half-term all staff are updating their first-aid and epi-pen training
and attending various courses such as creating the wow factor through role play, to
safeguarding, to walking on the wild side!
We will be taking part in Red Nose Day on Friday 13th March and will be wearing our
smiles on Friday 20th March when Rob Sambrook Photography visits.
We are registered with easyfundraising.org.uk. If you shop online please register
with them and support pre-school at the same time. It doesn’t cost you anything but
we get credited various percentages depending on who you shop with! Our page is
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/mylandpreschoolcic. Thank you.
Diane Woodrow, Manager, [email protected]
Myland Mother and Toddler Group
We meet every Thursday morning (during term time) at Myland Parish Halls from
9.30am to 11.00am for a chat and refreshments. There are activities for the children, and
toys etc are provided. Do come along!
Hazel and Winston
37
Rainbow Toddlers
We had a lovely term, the craft activities were based around a woodland theme. We got
messy leaf painting baked some lovely blackberry and apple pies and had great fun with
the bouncing spiders we made. Christmas time saw us making cards and decorations
and we finished off with a lovely Christmas party with a visit from Father Christmas.
There will be a lunch for all a chance to get messy with shaving foam have fun with play
dough and may be see how much you can do with shredded paper.
Please feel free to join us any Tuesday in term time between 9.30 and 11.30.
Susan Connor
Myland Primary School
A belated Happy New Year from everyone at Myland Primary School. The Autumn Term
was very busy for us, with the installation of an additional classroom to accommodate a
rising pupil roll. In addition, our classes made many exciting visits linked to their work
in the classroom, including theatre performances, the Science Museum and other local
places of interest.
We are fortunate that our very
hard-working PTA support visits
through a generous subsidy. This
really helps us to ensure that we can
continue to offer these opportunities
to children. One of our PTA’s main
fundraising events also took place at
the end of last term - the Christmas
Fayre raised an amazing £2344!
Of course, the term finished with
Christmas celebrations. We were all
extremely proud of the children who
performed so well in the various
productions to parents. We were
fortunate to be able to hold our Year
5 and 6 Carol Service in the church,
which was a fitting end to the term.
Our thanks to Revd. Ray Gibbs.
Debbie Griggs, Headteacher
38
Activities and clubs in Myland
Art Group
Alternate Fridays
Girl guiding
1st Myland Rainbow Guides
2nd Myland Rainbow Guides
1st Myland Brownies
2nd Myland Brownies
1st Myland Guides
Braiswick Senior Section
Jenny Goodey
751077
Esther Wilde
Esther Wilde
Diane Ayton
Sam Borroff
Lizzy Steward
Kathryn Dyer
853890
853890
851564
752952
213577
533434
Kids Acting and Theatre Skills (KATS)
Monday
Sarah Young
851796
Mile End Methodist Church Hall
Susie Connor
866622
Mon
Rainbow Pre-School
Shell Group
Rainbow Toddler Group
Rainbow Pre-School
Rainbow Pre-School
Rainbow Pre-School
Morris Dancing
Sue Dunmore
Susie Connor
Susie Connor
Sue Dunmore
Sue Dunmore
Sue Dunmore
Martin Theobald
07779349128
866622
866622
07779349128
07779349128
07779349128
853500
First Wednesday monthly
Ivy Dix
851743
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
9.00am-12.30
6.30pm
9.30am
9.00am
9.00am
9.00am
7.30pm
Mothers’ Union
Myland Parish Halls
Eric Day
07518 437488
www.mylandparishhalls.org.uk
Myland Pre-School Seven sessions a week
Diane Woodrow
07544 830780
1st Myland St Michaels’ Scout Group
Group Scout Leader
Beaver Scouts
Thursday
Cub Scouts
Thursday
Scouts
Thursday
Bill Miller
Lynda Gandolfini
Michelle King
Jason King
844313
852547
546752
546752
Senior Moments
Pam Cowie
618465
Scouts
Third Wednesday
Severalls Bowls Club, Mill Road
League matches
Club Night
Tues afternoon/Wed eve
Thursday 6.30pm
Dick
Dick
272289
272289
stmixkids
Various term time Saturdays
Diane Ayton
851564
Women’s Institute
First Friday monthly, H/Woods
Sandra Jones
Youth Club
Alternate Fridays
YMCA
579415
Yoga Classes
Thursday eve term time
Naomi Davies
07801 350469
Youth Emmaus
Alternate Thursdays
Rev. Gibbs
843926
39