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

August to October 2015 Issue 64

The Mylander

Produced by Myland Community Council FREE

ROLL UP! ROLL UP!Myland Fete

AUGUST 31st BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

Mile End Recreation Ground, Fords Lane

The fete is the day the community gets together, organised by volunteers from the Myland Community to raise money for local community groups.

Refreshments include traditional hog roast, jacket potatoes, toasted sandwiches, hot and cold refreshments, cakes from the WI stall, crepes, doughnuts, cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, ice cream, candy floss.

And to work off all that... if the tunes of Colchester Radio aren’t enough to get you busting some moves, we have the Colne Endeavour Band to get your toes tapping, belly dancing, street dancing, the Army to put you through your paces, tug-o-war, 5-a-side foot-ball, rugby and cricket, table tennis and Taekwondo.

We have traditional fete stalls: tombola, raffle, golf putting, coconut shy and stocks. And if that isn’t enough we have lots of other stalls and activities such as a visit from a fire engine, donkey rides, face painting, bouncy castle, trampolining, go-karting, body-zorbing, Usborne Books, The Rotary Club, Aloe Amy, Dolly Sue, LA Therapy and stalls in support of local charities.

We are always need volunteers on the day so please consider helping, if only for an hour or two. Raffle prizes and tombola and book donations are much needed and are a good way of supporting your fete, even if you can’t come on the day.

So what are you waiting for?

Get involved!

Contact Helen Harris, the Community Council Clerk, on 01206 853400 or clerk@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk

www.mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk

FIND OUT WHAT YOUR COMMUNITY COUNCIL IS UP TO BY VISITING

OUR NEW WEBSITE

2

Myland Community Council

(following uncontested elections May 2015)CouncillorsEvelyn Agyekum 07824 158596 Dominic Graham 07717 583 491Richard Beauchamp 07768 631 521 Liz Gray 851542Dominic Cardle 07739 399703 Carolyne Hurst 07824 796 796Catherine Clouston 07785 987 734 Robert Johnstone 853204David Clouston 07748 064 562 Ciaran McGonagle 07834 858 877John Dickson 854888 Peter Pipik 07727 190010Martin Goss 07912 396 335 John Stewart 854274Pete Hewitt 853942 John Sutcliffe 851838

Email firstname.surname@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.ukClerk: Helen HarrisEmail: clerk@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk Asst. Clerk: Katherine KaneEmail: katherine@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.ukCommunity Council Offices101 Nayland Road, Colchester, CO4 5ENOffice Hours: 9am – 1pm Monday to FridayTel: 853400 Website: www.mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk

Anglian Water Emergency Services 08457 145 145Age Concern – Free call 0800 731 4931Blood Donor Information Line 0845 771 1711Childline – Free call 0800 1111Colchester Borough Council – Enquiries 282222 After Hours – 548444Colchester Police Station 0300 333 4444Community Police Officer 07966 196823Crimestoppers – Free call 0800 555 111Mile End Dental Surgery, 13 Nayland Road 0844 8151188Dental Studio, 236 Bergholt Road 845891Gas Emergency Services – Free call 0800 111 999High Woods Country Park, Turner Road 853588Mile End Pharmacy, 13 Nayland Road 852965Mile End Methodist Church, Rev. Catherine Bowstead 573061Church Hall Hire, Keith Thompson 844252Mill Road Surgery, Mill Road 845900Myland Parish Halls Hire (Sarah King) 07518 437488Myland School, Mill Road 852109NHS Direct – Advice Line 0845 4647NSPCC – Free call 0800 800 500Prescription Pick Up, Mile End area only 851928, 852286, 853075Priest-in-Charge, Parish of Myland, Revd Ray Gibbs 843926Associate Vicar, Parish of Myland, Revd John Chandler 366930Queen Boudica School 844654St Joseph Church, Rev. Fr. Tony McKentey 866317Samaritans, Vineyard Street 561234Vets., Mayne Clinic, Bergholt Road 8513388

All telephonenumbers in theMylander are01206 unless

stated.

3

The MylanderKeeping 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 Catherine Clouston 07785 987734Email: catherine.c@northernhemisphere.co.ukAdvertising: Katherine Kane 853400Email: katherine@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk

Letter from the EditorIn this issue we are looking at the concept of open, green space in our increasingly urbanised area. Firstly, a huge thank you to local artist Ian Hay who has kindly provided our cover this month, a recent oil painting, “Summer, Mile End Meadows”. Janet Fulford reminisces on the disappearance of “her” green space (page 14) and John Stewart writes on the importance of preserving the communal green area of Mill Road Playing Fields (page 8). Pete Hewitt reminds us about the forthcoming Neighbourhood Plan for our area (page 5).

We have a lovely article on how children occupied their spare time growing up in Myland in 40s and 50s (page 23). Now if you walk across the Recreation Ground on a Saturday morning you will come across Colchester Villa Youth Football Club practicing for the forthcoming season. They are one of a number of groups who are using our communal green space. We need more of this. On the theme of youth Ciaran McGonagle is launching a poetry competition for the young of Myland. See page 9 .

Health is something which effects us all. At our next Council meeting to be held at the Methodist Church Hall on 12th August we have a guest speaker – Dr Leonhardt - from the Mill Road practice who will talk on future plans for the Surgery.

We are also in discussion with Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium to hold a Council meeting there at some stage.

And finally, with August here it is also time for the annual Myland Summer Fete. There will be the usual notices around the area. Come to the Ford’s Lane Recreation Ground on Bank Holiday Monday (31st August) to join in.

Catherine Clouston

Deadlines for next issue: 1st September (advertising), 7th (other copy)

4

Myland Community Council Reports

I am pleased to say we currently have a full complement of councillors. Our May meeting saw us welcome two new councillors, Dominic Cardle and Peter Pipik. This does not mean that anyone with an interest in becoming a councillor has missed the chance. If you are interested please let us know. You can always join one of our committees or working groups as a resident member and should a councillor vacancy occur you could then apply.

As I write, negotiations remain ongoing between the Borough Council and the potential buyer for the Severalls Phase 2 site. We now hear it may be late summer before a deal is struck. In the meantime we remain vigilant concerning how any deal may impact on our aspirations for community facilities.

Similarly we continue to have ongoing dialogue with the Borough Council planners regarding the Northern Gateway development area. You will probably be aware that David Lloyd has put in an application for a sports facility.

Detailed applications for elements of Phase 1 of the Chesterwell site have been arriving thick and fast. This phase will see the re-alignment of the A134 and the arrival of approximately 250 homes over the next two years. There should be a lull in applications until the next phase becomes imminent.

These developments all have permission and the best chance we have of obtaining related community amenities and facilities is to have an adopted neighbourhood plan. The fact that we are developing such a plan has already required developers to look at our draft policies.

Where we are with our Plan is outlined later in this Mylander.

Pete Hewitt Chairman, Myland Community Council

5

MCC Working Group Reports

1. Planning & Development Committee

There are many housing projects being developed within Myland’s boundaries. As the incoming Chair of this committee, I thought it would be helpful to outline what our members do.

The purpose of the Planning & Development Committee is to comment on all the applications submitted to Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council that affect Myland. Committee members (all of whom have received training in planning matters) review the applications, visit premises and discuss proposals with applicants. They also speak with affected neighbours to canvas their views.

On projects of local concern they also consult Ward Councillors, even though they are separately notified.

The application will then go before our Committee meeting for discussion, and a vote will be taken on the recommendation of the inspecting councillor.

All our committee meetings are open to the public who can attend and comment on any item on the agenda. Meetings are twice a month at our council offices.

Although planning laws have relaxed in recent years, some areas of Colchester and particularly Myland, have had ‘permitted development rights’ withdrawn. In your own interests, if you are planning alterations to your home, seek advice from Colchester Planning Office at the earliest opportunity.

John Stewart2. Neighbourhood Plan Group

Our Neighbour Plan (NP) Pre-submission Draft has undergone two phases of consultation, with residents and businesses within Myland and Braiswick and with statutory bodies.

I would like to thank all those of you who have commented.

Our next task is to review all comments and assess how we deal with them in the next version of the Plan. This next version will be our formal submission to CBC. It has to be accompanied with prescribed documents that set out the evidence that we have conducted the development of the Plan in accordance with Government guidelines and requirements.

I am pleased to say that comments from CBC regarding our Pre-submission Draft are very positive. This reflects the general tone of comments, including from some statutory bodies who suggest some strengthening of our draft policies to help us in our aims.

6

It may seem that this process is taking a long time. We often think so. However, it is necessary that the Neighbourhood Plan is developed properly and in accordance with requirements. After all, once adopted it will have a strong standing in planning decisions.

We hope to see the required referendum by the end of the year. This is where you will all have a chance to ask CBC to use our, or rather, your Plan for the future.

Pete Hewitt3. Community and Communication Group

The Communications and Community Group has had to rethink its priorities in the last couple of months. We’re in the process of gaining quotations to enable us to clean the War Memorial; as custodians it is important that we keep it pristine.

We are working on restoring the Community Garden to its former glory and we hope to recruit some volunteers to help us.

One of the most pressing items is the Severalls Community Centre and the planning for its construction and ensuring that the residents of Myland get a centre they can access and be proud of.

Please don’t forget to volunteer for this year’s fete on 31st August if you can and if you wish to be part of the Community group.

Please email carolyne.hurst@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk.

Carolyne Hurst

St Michael’s Church eventsSaturday 3rd October - 7.30pm

Concert with ‘Quattro Amici” at St Michael’s Myland

Cheese and Wine - Tickets £10

Saturday 10th October - 11am to 12.30pm at Myland Parish Halls

Autumn Plant Sale

Refreshments available, also a cake stall, bric-a-brac and more

Contact the Church Office - 01206 228124

7

4. Footpaths Group

In order to review the past year, the Footpath Working Group had a walk around the area to examine all the historic problems as well as some more recent ones. Most of these problems have developed as a direct result of Colchester Borough Council Planning Department not being aware of Public Rights of Way (ProW). The right hand of the Highways Authority (PRoW) does not appear to communicate with the left hand of the same Authority (road design and build).

We started at the southern end of the Northern Approach Road where Footpath 54 leads into Bradford Drive – and directly through a three storey block of flats, built about ten years ago despite CBC being told by the Highways Authority and this Council that its construction would completely obstruct a PRoW. Nearby is FP58 which leads from Mile End Road just south of The Oaks hospital and is obstructed by the hospital service road. Further up Hakewill Way the footpath continues as FP55 mostly following the estate roads, (which is contrary to the High-way Authority guidance), and in places running directly through houses!

At the end of Tall Trees on Hakewill Way, FP61 starts, continuing over the NAR and through the Hospital, with the occasional obstruction from not so recent development there. Moving on down Turner Road, we come to FP78 at the entrance to High Woods Country Park, recently obstructed by a sign board advertising the park. According to CBC, “the footpath is not obstructed as pedestrians can use the carriageway”! Walking through High Woods we came to FP70 which is subject to S106 planning condition – which the developer doesn’t know about. One to watch for the future.

We left the Country Park at Mill Road and visited the southern part of FP69 which is closed whilst the developer tries to work out how to build a cycle track (3 metres wide) over a small stream. There does not appear to be enough room. We walked along Mill Road until we reached the Water Tower and continued down Tower Lane (FP233) as far as the newly constructed Via Urbis Romanae (Phase 3 of the NAR). The road seems to be functioning well, as were the traffic lights and pedestrian signals. So why is this crossing still obstructed by fences and railings?

Just to the north lies the rest of FP69 which was obstructed last year as a result of the Toyota car showroom being built. CBC were forced to apply for a temporary diversion, which has now expired, with no sign of any permanent diversion. We finished our tour by walking down Nayland Road past Fords Lane (FP46) and Braiswick Lane (FP42) both heavily used by traffic with more on the way.

Quite a challenging set of problems – certainly enough to keep us busy for the rest of this year!

Robert W. Johnstone

8

MCC Special Features

Mill Road Playing Field

Cllr John Stewart, deputy Chair of Myland Community Council, writes:

Many of you will have attended the presentations by Colchester Borough Council on the Northern Gateway project last year. One of the main talking points has been the future of Mill Road Playing Field, should the Rugby Club be relocated.

From day one, MCC identified the need to preserve this open space for present and future residents. There are several major developments in progress within Myland, like Chesterwell and Severalls, and the idea of replacing the green, open space with even more housing was a step too far for us.

Those of you who have read our Neighbourhood Plan, which sets out MCC’s vision for the future of Myland, will have seen a firm commitment by this Council on the future of Mill Road Playing Field.

It is our proposal that Colchester Borough Council relinquish control of as much of this open space as possible to Myland Community Council, so that it can be retained in perpetuity as a ‘Village Green’.

We are engaged in protracted talks about this with CBC’s Planning team. Whilst we cannot say too much at present, discussions are progressing in a positive way.

9

The map shows our very approximate picture of how the various housing and development projects scheduled for Chesterwell, Severalls Phases 1 & 2 and the Northern Gateway will look when completed. It is evident that the Rugby Club fields would be an invaluable area of natural space for what will have become one of the most urbanised parts of Colchester by 2030.

MCC is aware that there have been some approaches by others, which would see the playing fields retained solely for sports use. We are also aware of a ‘flyer’ circulating which suggests that MCC is not fully supportive of the retention of Mill Road Playing Fields for our community. This is not true.

As lead Councillor for this project, I can say unequivocally that we are determined to save our green spaces for the use of all the community, not just a few special interest groups. I have given this commitment publicly and in press interviews.

If you are interested in being kept up-to-date please visit our dedicated website at http://johnca9.wix.com/myland-village-green. Full contact details are displayed.

Young People’s Poetry Competition

Cllr Ciaran McGonagle writes:

As one of the Youth Champions on Myland Community Council, I am passionate about reaching out to and engaging with young people in our community.

One of the ways in which I would like to do this is to bring young people in our community together through a shared passion for reading and creative writing. There is a significant body of evidence which suggests that reading and writing for pleasure is an activity that has positive emotional and social consequences.

I would therefore like to invite entries for the first MCC Young People’s Poetry Competition.

The topic for entries is “Community” and the competition will be open to residents of Myland aged 16 and under.

Entries will be judged by a panel of MCC Councillors and the winning poem will be published in a future issue of The Mylander as well as receiving a £20 Waterstones gift voucher.

The winner will be invited to a meeting of MCC to read their poem to the council.

Please submit entries to ciaran.mcgonagle@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk by 31st August, including your name, age and contact information.

10

11

Business in Myland

Carole Sawo

If you are planning an evening class, and looking beyond the usual car maintenance or needlecraft, why not try Forensic Psychology for Beginners or Decluttering Your Mind? Carole Sawo, a lecturer in psychology and psychoanalysis, offers courses that will change your whole outlook on life.

Carole has had an interesting journey getting to this stage in her life and opening her own College for Education and Tuition. For many years she worked as a long haul Flight Manager whilst simultaneously studying for her degree in Psychology at Essex University.

The day-job provided an opportunity for examining people in great detail, which she used to great effect in her studies. She is proud that she never missed a lecture, although this required much inter-continental juggling.

After graduating, Carole completed her Masters in Psychoanalysis, specialising in helping children. This led to her gaining a teaching qualification, and she now has years of experience teaching both adults and children. The testimonials she has gathered over the years leave no doubt that she is highly thought of, and her work is much appreciated by both adults and children. She is also a published author of two titles: ‘Pandora’s Panacea’ and ‘De-cluttering the Mind’.

Carole, who is not just interested in self-development, sees herself working in three areas. She wants to create a diverse community where everyone offers something: she can help with career development; and she gives an introduction to education. Students have joined her evening classes out of interest, awakened something in themselves, and gone on to take degrees in Psychology.

Now Carole hosts evening classes at North Colchester Business Centre, and offers private tutoring and one-off tutorials for adults. She wants “to make the abnormal normal for them”, to pass on information to make their lives better. She is also making her courses available on-line. She offers one-off seminars dealing with subjects like Power and Self-Esteem, Dream Analysis and Animal Whispering.

If you want to try a taster course, mention The Mylander on your application and Carole will offer a discount off her next course of Forensic Psychology, either Tuesday 29th September to 15th December or Wednesday 30th September to 9th December, 7.00-9.00pm for ten weeks for just £85 (usually £93.00)

Carole Sawo QTS BSc(Hons) MA Education and Tuition 340 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park www.carolesawo.com

12

13

Out and about in Myland

Nature Notes

It is very easy to become disconnected from the natural environment. Access to natural open space becomes more distant as urbanisation continues unabated. These spaces are of equal value to people and wildlife. With every brick that is laid, places like High Woods Country Park become increasingly important to both. Thank goodness for the Country Park!

I took a walk on the mid-point of June along what I call the southern slopes where the high ground runs down to the railway line. I joined the park near the pond at the back of Turner Rise Retail Park. There was cloud but promise of sunshine later. The pond was quiet. There were, in the high hedge opposite four or five young blue tits romping and chattering always just ahead of me. I quickly reached the open meadows. Great openness of grass called Yorkshire fog. Wide paths have been mown through the meadows so your footpath is part of the nature. No walking ‘through’ the Park here, you are part of it, walking ‘into it’. There is a mown path at the foot of the slope by the railway line or one that climbs up to the crown of the higher ground. This was my route, travelling parallel but looking down on the line and across to the Town skyline.

Closer to the grass, being among it, you notice the splashes of colour, bright yellow buttercups, red and white clover. On the brow of the slope there is a bench. Time to sit and look and listen. Here the Yorkshire fog looks really good. Teased by the breeze, the grass heads sway quietly and gently. Behind my bench I have a curtain, a high hedge of wild roses. There is bird song but alas no skylarks. They are normally here. I am disappointed.

I walk on along the brow and then down again past more fog meadows. Downy* is a particular Essex word for this type of landscape, ‘meadows on a hillside’. I decide to walk on to a marshy area where before I have heard (but seldom seen) sedge warblers. These shy birds nest down among the reeds and like all warblers in such habitats are difficult to spot. While I stand quietly waiting for a possible glimpse I am joined close-by by an orange tip butterfly taking rest on a tall grass. The warblers chatter but remain hidden.

I decide to retrace my steps and now the cloud cover is breaking and there is a definite edge to blue sky. Climbing back up the slope the railway and the Town are hidden from view by a maturing plantation so all I can see as I look up is my wide path between rose hedge and Yorkshire fog, the latter now sprinkled with ox eye daisies, and above only blue sky.

14

Suddenly, heading back down the slope I hear skylarks, not many, perhaps only a pair, and one takes flight. Now too blue damselflies have emerged and are seemingly floating among the grasses. There too is a day moth, a yellow shell, resting and duly posing for a photo shot. When I reach the pond that too has come to life. Now I see a nesting moor hen in the distant flag irises and skimming across the pond, back and forth, the startlingy blue emperor dragonfly. What a difference sunshine makes.

For all this free pleasure, healthy air and well-being the lasting impression I had was in fact of an elderly couple on the bottom green path. She walking their small terriers he following on his mobility scooter. And here is the point, they too, especially the gentleman, had access to nature not otherwise available if High Woods Country Park was not what it is.

Pete Hewitt*Landmarks by Robert Macfarlane

‘My Field’

Local resident Janet Fulford writes:

It’s not my field of course, but I’ve enjoyed the ever changing view as seasons come and go for sixty years. Day or night it has given me endless enjoyment. At night I used to think it was like looking across a Riviera bay at the strings of light around its edges but now there are very few. On Guy Fawkes Night, though, I have a front row seat!

Painting courtesy of Ian Hay

15

King’s Forest status meant that very little happened in terms of interference by man for centuries. A recent archaeological survey showed that during Roman times there seems to have been some burial activity and perhaps pottery making although that seems to have been more around Chapman’s Farm area.

The 1777 Andre and Chapman map too, shows nothing in the way of agriculture, although it doesn’t go into any detail anywhere. However by 1842 the Heath shown on that map has disappeared and instead there is a complex of fields with ‘mine’ numbered 146 belonging to John Wright of Braiswick Farm but tenanted by John Daniel Aubert. It is recorded that Benjamin Cant moved his wonderful rose business here in 1879 and they have farmed it ever since. He lived in Myland Lodge just next door.

Rose fields traditionally get moved around and there were some years when ‘my’ field played host with all their lovely varied colours and aromas. There have been beans too, those sweet smelling plants that waft their scent as you pass but not if you live next door to my great disappointment. Wheat – with a lark singing sweetly and non-stop hovering above – but for the last few years it has been set aside and just sprayed and cut once a year.

Then there’s the wild life – lots of neighbours’ cats too – crows, magpies, pigeons, jays, woodpeckers, and all the little garden birds, even nightingales. Swallows swoop and tweet after those wretched gnats and flocks of quarrelling starlings briefly descend. Then there’s ‘my’ pheasant who turns up regularly to be fed, loudly announcing his presence – sometimes bringing his harem to be admired as well - and a crow that fights my windows which I shout at! There were hedge-hogs too but sadly not lately.

The squirrels don’t go far into the field preferring to frolic in the trees but the fox is another matter. He has a regular beat up, down and across the field and through my garden. And the muntjacks – getting more frequent now, displaced perhaps by the building work further to the north. Very pretty animals but I just wish they didn’t like my tulips quite so much! Where will they all go I wonder?

I shall miss ‘my’ field and the view but hopefully I shall enjoy it for a few years yet.

MCC Meeting Wednesday 12th August 7.30pm

Guest Speaker

Future of Mill Road SurgeryThe meeting will include a brief outline from Dr Leonhardt on the future of the Mill Road Surgery. This may be of interest to the general public.

16

SESAW

Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare

The summer holidays have arrived!

That’s what I was told when I asked “Where is everybody?” I really miss all our helpers when they go away but there has been plenty of animal company for me at Sesaw.

Our kitchen looks like a scene from Enid Blyton’s Woodland Tales. Our casualties include pigeons fallen out of nests, orphaned ducklings, lambs rejected by their mothers, an abandoned fawn and two baby hedgehogs. A young badger was also brought in and he has been successfully released into a secure sett in another area with a group of similar aged badgers.

Our Facebook Photo Competition closes at the end of August so keep your cameras poised for that perfect shot when you are out and about with your pets. The thirteen winning entries will feature in the 2016 SESAW Calendar. Thanks to everyone who helped to raise £430 at our table sale in Stoke-by-Nayland in June.

We hope to see you at our next table sale at Great Bentley Village Hall 25th October.

Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare, Reg.Charity No.1124029. Stoke Road, Leavenheath, CO6 4PP Tel: 01787 210888 www.sesaw.co.uk

17

From our correspondents...

Mothers’ Union

Well we have had a busy few months. We have helped at the Flower Festival, Spring Fair, the Plant Sale and a shared lunch we provided before our meeting in June when the Rev Canon Edward Carter spoke to us about the Chelmsford Holding Crosses.

In May we had enjoyed our Annual Lunch at the Officers Club. In July we held our Strawberry Tea which was attended by over 60 members and friends.

Our plans for the future include a Coffee Morning on Saturday August 8th in the Parish Halls, a quiet Hour in September, a speaker, Vivienne Chapman, in October and November is our time for filling Shoeboxes for children who would otherwise have nothing.

Of course there is always our Christmas celebration in December not to mention the Autumn Plant Sale. Our meetings apart from the Coffee Morning are held on the first Wednesday in each month and visitors are most welcome.

June Chandler, MU Secretary

Senior moments

In May a Railway Police Officer, Sue Lissimore, gave members an insight into her job working on the railway from London to all parts of East Anglia including Colchester. Details included dealing with many unpleasant incidents, like people committing suicide by jumping and the consequence of such actions. The Railway Police have to be very tough, as they never know what each shift will bring.

In June members went on a coach trip to Frinton-on-Sea, spending the time doing what they chose, including having lunch somewhere. The weather was lovely.

There will be a talk given by a representative of Age UK in July. Hand Massage is the topic on 19th August which sounds very soothing and useful, especially if you suffer from arthritis in your hands. The September meeting is still to be arranged.

If you are sixty or older and would like to join us, we meet on the third Wednesday of the month in the Parish Hall next to St Michael’s Church at the top of Mile End Road, between 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm, where you will be most welcome.

See you next time. Hope you all have a good summer.

Pam House

18

Women’s Institute

A fish and chip supper was enjoyed by all the members at the May meeting which was also our Annual General Meeting when a new committee was formed. Voting took place for the new president with the result that Jill Mills will be our president once more.

The first week of June saw two representatives from our W.I. attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. On 4th June a coach load of ladies went to Braintree Cinema where the Centenary Meeting at the Royal Albert Hall was being shown live. The meeting was opened by the Queen who was accompanied by HRH the Princess Royal and HRH the Countess of Wessex. Everyone stood to sing the National Anthem and Jerusalem, joining the 5,000 members at the Royal Albert Hall. Afterwards the big screen provided an opportunity to see the Royal party and the speakers close up. The speakers were Lucy Worsley, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Helen Morrissey CBE. The occasion was much enjoyed by all.

The following evening Chris Bell from the BBC weather team gave us a fascinating talk with slides on his experiences storm chasing in America and at our July meeting Major Rob Thomas provided an excellent insight into the sensitive work of Help for Heroes.

Future meetings are planned with Joyce Kimber talking about Bletchley Park, a Fashion Show by St Helena Hospice and in October the meeting will be run by the Members.

As if all this isn’t enough, we also have a Darts Team, occasional games of Croquet, meeting in town for a Coffee Morning and a Book Club. Please do come along to the Highwoods Community Centre at 7.30pm on the first Friday of the month. You can be assured of a very warm welcome!

Sandra Jones

19

On the beat

Car security

We all do it, walk away from the car and with our back turned press the button on the key to lock it, never thinking that it may not work. Yet a simple thing like looking at the car as you press that button to get the confirmation of it locking with lights flashing, or just pulling the handle to check it is locked can prevent a lot of thefts of or from motor vehicles. There are several reasons why it doesn’t always lock; it could be a fault, battery running low, user error or some individual with device to block your signal nearby. In any case Lock it, Check it and we can prevent some crimes.

If you have cars of different values, where possible park the higher value car in your garage. When parking a car on your driveway ensure it is well lit and park the lower value car in front of the higher value car, as the thieves are more likely to target high value cars and will be deterred if they can’t easily drive such a car away from the scene. Locked gates and collapsible posts on the driveway will also deter the thief. With high value cars consider the fitting of a tracking system.

As cars become more advanced and rely on computers to manage their systems our thieves become more technical too. To cater for both the technical and less technical thief use the locking system on your vehicle and look to the good old fashioned “Krook Lock”, steering wheel, or pedal lock to supplement it as it is a great visual deterrent.

Please also ensure that you put your car keys somewhere safe and out of sight when you return home. Put your car keys in a drawer (preferably one that is noisy to open) or some other secure place: don’t take them up to the bedroom with you.

Summer Crime Prevention Advice

If you have unoccupied rooms that are accessible from outside or off flat roofs make sure the windows are closed. If you need ventilation at least lock the larger window and only have the small window open, even during the daytime. If you only have bigger windows consider a lockable window restrictor or a small alarm sensor on the window to detect entry.

Leave a door or patio door open and in comes trouble, even during the day. If that door is accessible the sneak thief will pop in and anything lying around will be gone. It only takes a second for a thief to steal.

Before you turn in for the night do the “rounds” and check all is secure. You will feel more confident and less likely to become a victim.

Check the simple things:-

Parked cars – are the windows shut and doors locked? A lot of thefts are from insecure cars and vans.

20

Side gate shut and locked, sheds and garages secure?

Don’t leave unattended pedal cycles insecure and out the front.

Doors closed and locked? Don’t forget on that UPVC multi-locking door you may have lifted the handle but you must turn the key on the inside.

That patio door… someone may have closed it but did they lock it?

Windows - lift the blinds or open the curtains and check they are closed. Remember the advice about open windows. Make sure in case of fire that keys to windows and doors are easily accessible to occupants but not in view of burglars.

If you have an intruder alarm activate the zone for the unoccupied area.

Car keys - don’t take them to bed with you but leave them in a drawer or busy location.

If you do hear a suspicious noise in the house dial 999. If you have an intruder remember your life is more important than your property, but do get a good description and if possible car index number.

Social Media – When using “Facebook” or other be wary of announcing to the world that you are away and your house is empty. Make sure your profile does not contain private information that would identify you or your address to a stranger.

Last bit of advice - Going on holiday? Stop the milk and newspaper deliveries and look after each other, get a neighbour or friend to keep an eye on your property, ensure neighbours have contact numbers for a key holder and where possible let them park their car on your drive. Basically if you create the illusion that your house is occupied it is less likely to be broken into.

Stephen Armson-Smith

21

In the Waiting Room...

It may seem premature to mention flu clinics, but this is the last edition before they take place. Our Saturday clinics are on 3rd and 17th October. The usual reminder signs will be up, and we do ask you to come at the appropriate time for your surname as indicated on the signs. Of course, we will be happy to immunise you at any time on the day! If you know anyone housebound who is eligible, please let us know and we will make a home visit. Don’t forget if you care for someone who could not do without you if you got flu, you are entitled too. If in doubt contact Reception.

At the beginning of June, our prescriptions went ‘electronic’. Instead of printing paper prescriptions, they are sent electronically to your designated pharmacy, where you can collect them directly. The message goes immediately, but pharmacies have to download them, and they may have others in the queue. It seems to be averaging about 30 minutes from the time of sending. If you have not already designated a pharmacy, you can complete a form here or at the pharmacy of your choice. Commuters can nominate pharmacies in London or elsewhere; if on holiday, we can send e-prescriptions anywhere in the UK but not abroad.

We now have a TV on the wall in the Waiting Room replacing the illuminated board used to call patients which has the advantage of audibly calling you.

Finally, a reminder for your holiday— order prescriptions in time! If travelling further afield, find out in plenty of time about immunisations or malaria pills.

We now have eight doctors and nine in the nursing team, many with school age children and they all need holidays too! This may mean we are a little thin on the ground at times in the six week break, but please bear with us! With our triage system, we endeavour to see or speak to everyone that needs us.

Have a great Summer!

Nikki, Nurse Manager, Mill Road Surgery

Robert Johnstone’s Organised WalksThe Organised Walks are on the 3rd Wednesday of month at 11.00 am and last Sunday of the month at 2.00 pm. They all start at War Memorial.

19th Aug 16th September 21st October

30th Aug 27th September 25th October

Robert is also leading the MCC project for a footbridge over A12. If you have any comments or ideas about this venture please contact him.

22

Myland FeteAUGUST 31st

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

Mile End Recreation GroundFords Lane

Noon until 4.00 pm

23

Looking BackDown Memory Lane

Just a few odds and ends this time.

Firstly, a mention recently about the date of the original St. Michael’s Church – when was it built? That had me looking back at one of the earlier Mylanders and in Issue 23 I had quoted from St. Michael’s Church Magazine for September 1901 and with the Editor’s permission I quote (again!) – “The first had been built about 1360 and destroyed at the Seige in 1648. A trace of the first was discovered in the second in the form of an early decorated chancel window indicated in a model (given to the museum) by a cavity just east of the most easterly buttress. The second church was built circa 1660 and used until 1855 when the third, present church was consecrated.”

I have mentioned the late David May’s book “Mile End (Myland) and Boxted” before. I make no apology for again referring to it again. It is well worth acquiring by anyone interested in the Myland of the past, especially this year when we are remembering the Great War. David has a number of photos of troops in and around Myland during the war, and a postcard titled ‘Mile End Street’. My daughter Christine managed to get me an original, in colour, postmarked January 1907. It shows what we now know as Nayland Road, close to the chemist.

Thanks to Janet Hewitt I now have the name of the writer of the article “Growing up in rural Myland in the 40s and 50s” - it was Peter Gant. You can read the second part below. Thanks again to John Wilde for giving me the article.

Mick Brown

Growing up in rural Myland in the 40s and 50s (part 2)

Mile End village or Myland Parish was a very rural place to grow up. My walk to school would take me to the top of Turner Road and along Mill Road to the primary school. A diversion on the way home would be to cross the playing field in Mill Road then over a fence and stream into the fields behind Church Farm to join the footpath to Turner Road from Mile End Road.

The hazard was that Mr Portway might spot you and deliver a loud shout. He was an imposing figure as he rode his large horse around the village. The whole of the area of the General Hospital was farmland to Church Farm or Bradbrook’s Farm, together with the playing fields of Turner Village. A daily event was the small parties of patients from Turner Village going to and returning from their work on the farm where they would weed and hoe, accompanied by one of the nursing staff. The ploughing was done using huge horses.

24

Horses also pulled the hay wains with their high sides and the milk and bread from the Co-op came by a horse-drawn cart. A large horse-drawn bowser or water tank for watering seedlings in the fields was kept in a barn nearby, which was a bit spooky when you climbed inside. The manure dropped in the road was collected for the garden where we also kept chickens and rabbits for the table.

Shopping in Mile End village was a regular chore. We had a Co-op store with a butcher and there was also Burgess the butcher. McCluskey’s on the corner of Mill Road provided sweets and groceries while the little Post Office in a cottage in Nayland Road dealt with our National Savings Accounts. There was a fish and chip shop while Burchams the papershop employed me to deliver the papers in Mile End Road. At Myland Lodge successive paperboys would compete to smack the papers the full length of the tiled hallway behind the door. The garage was Seaborn’s in Nayland Road and Harvey’s little sweet shop supplied our need for sherbet dabs and sweet cigarettes and Whymark’s the cobbler completed the collection of shops. The Dog and Pheasant and Traveller’s Friend supplied liquid refreshment and sociability.

My parents had been married in Myland Church and I attended Sunday School in the little hall where Mr Preddy and the other teachers worked hard to keep us on the straight and narrow in spite of interruptions occasioned by squeaks from the kids on the receiving end of rubber band pistols. I also went to the Methodist Church Sunday School in Nayland Road. It rather depended where my friends were going. The Sunday School outings and also the paperboy outings by bus to the seaside were always happy occasions.

Great fun was had by all us boys in 1947 with the great snow fall of that winter. We would go sledging on Impey’s Field below Myland Hall and make enormously long slides in the school playground to return soaking wet to our own firesides where clothes would hang on the clothes-horse to dry by the coal fire. The High Woods provided a vast playground of trees to climb; a favourite was the “Monkey Tree”. Streams to dam and hills to race down on our home-made go-karts. During the summer holidays we lived in the woods with friends making dens, racing our bikes or playing Tarzan with rope swings. There were very few people in the wood except us locals and the figure of fear, the game keeper. November 5th bonfires were fuelled with dead trees and brushwood hauled out from the wood by gangs of small boys who passed the responsibility to younger groups as they matured.

The Corporation buses went from the town out to Defoe Crescent but not down Turner Road as that was the route for Went’s bus from Boxted. Always crowded and steaming on damp days, but very companiable if a little unreliable. There was always room for one more and the school boys and girls made the most of this snug environment. Eileen Went and Dod were the drivers for many years until the Corporation buses usurped their monopoly of Turner Road travellers. There was so little traffic in Turner Road that we could play street games without fear. My father

25

taught me to cycle by holding the seat until one day I realised with a shock that he was far behind and fell off. Hockey on roller skates was a favourite as were football and cricket, bows and arrows, spears, catapults, stilts, go-carts, no wonder the neighbours complained. I learned to swim in the River Colne near Cowdray Avenue. In spite of being caned for bad writing in the primary school I managed, with Miss Digby’s encouragement, together with several friends, to get to the Colchester Royal Grammar School where a whole new life opened up. Cycling to and from school in a great crowd and in all weathers, we would compete to see how far we could get without peddling after a high-speed descent of Turner Road hill. Homework was done in the old Public Reference Library in Culver Street in the company of friends from the Girls High School followed by refreshment in the “Bamboo Coffee Bar” in the High Street.

Saturday evenings we would cycle out to Boxted Village Hall where they had a make-shift cinema. In summertime our bikes took us to the Colne Bank outdoor swimming pool where they were just dumped unlocked to be retrieved from be-neath the pile after our swim. A great game was to dive down to get through a hole in the wire guard and come up under the wooden walkway at the deep end where the girls crossing to the changing rooms got a surprise when we banded on the boards.

New Year dances in the hall at Severalls Hospital were popular where teenagers got in under the assumed names of non-attending staff. And the club-house served as a gathering place for dances and drinks. And so on to National Service, jobs, wives and families. But at risk of sounding like a BOF, I can’t see today’s kids having as much freedom and harmless fun as we did.

Dedicated, if I may say, to Tessa Chant – a childhood companion who shared much of this experience and died much too soon.

Peter Gant

‘Here We Are Together‘ - a review

Patrick Mills writes:

In 2011 I wrote about the book, ‘Suffolk Summer’ by John T Appleby, first published in, I think, 1948. Mr Appleby arrived here in 1945 as a Technical Sergeant in the US Army Air Force based at Lavenham. He was keenly interested in meeting Suffolk people and in English history and, with very little to do, was able to indulge these interests. It’s a charming book and a great read.

A friend recently lent me ‘Here We Are Together’ by Robert S Arbib, first published in 1946 and now apparently out of print.

26

There are parallels with ‘Suffolk Summer’ in that it describes the author’s experiences in wartime Britain but it is very different. Sergeant Arbib arrived at Debach near Grundisburgh in 1942 as part of the American 820th Engineer Battalion. The Battalion’s job was to build an aerodrome at Debach for American heavy bombers and his speciality was camouflage.

The Battalion had no use for him during construction so he was appointed post clerk. This meant driving over much of Suffolk and almost daily to Sudbury. He was intent on meeting the British and understanding them. Of a friendly disposition, he loved meeting people, he loved pubs and he loved girls. He met and became friends with many. He was greatly impressed by the remarkable 23 year old Winnie Offord who ran every part of the Gainsborough Hotel in Sudbury and he became very seriously involved with Joan Ramsey who worked at Sudbury Post Office. There are frequent references to Joan and a short chapter “The Girl Joan” is devoted to her. He became close friends with Vivian Goodman, assistant bank manager in Sudbury, and his family.

He left Debach for RAF Wattisham, conveniently closer to Sudbury, and gradually took on a public relations role. Eventually he transferred to Watford to spend all his time on public relations and this enabled him to travel throughout Britain. However, he returned to Sudbury whenever he could. The book ends before his transfer to France which was due some weeks after D Day.

It’s a book of great warmth and very well written. The reader is left hoping that all those he befriended, especially Winnie, Joan and Viv, lived fulfilled and happy lives. It’s a book which makes you feel better about yourself and the world and I commend it to you. The problem is finding a copy.

Daniel Defoe - the Colchester connection

Tubswick in Mile End, to the north of Colchester town centre, was a Grade II listed house dating to c 1752. It had replaced an earlier structure which may have dated to the early medieval period. It was situated on a 0.35 hectare plot of land on the south side of Mill Road.

The building was listed for its special architectural and historic interest in 2001. The property and attached land had connections to several significant historical figures, important both nationally and to Colchester in particular. The famous author Daniel Defoe leased the property (a farm with house) in 1722 and the house was subsequently rebuilt and occupied by his daughter Hannah Defoe.

A fire during renovations in 2009 damaged the house and the Borough Council gave permission for it to be demolished. It was not replaced with a reconstruction and the plot of land has now been redeveloped with housing. In May 2011, Chris Lister of the Trust conducted a building record of the house.

27

Tubswick is mentioned as a farm as far back as 1296. It took its name from Richard Tubbe, bailiff of Colchester 1296-7, who had crops and stock worth £6, 16s. 8d. In February 1348, Joseph Elianore bestowed a messuage in Mile End called Tubbeswick, along with 18 acres of arable land and two of woodland, on the Church of St Mary-at-the-Walls to provide for a chantry in the Chapel of St Thomas the Martyr.

This was a small part of a large endowment to support two chaplains to pray daily for his good estate whilst he was alive, and for his soul after his decease.

On the chantry’s dissolution in 1548, Tubswick was passed to the corporation of Colchester. The house and its farm (included as part of the Kingswood Heath, or Severalls, estate along with Brinkley Farm) was leased by the corporation to the author Daniel Defoe (c 1660-1731) on 6 August 1722 for £120 per annum for a period of 99 years (Morant 1748, Book II, 26). The house was rebuilt for his daughter Hannah Defoe in the early 1750s, probably 1752 based on an in-scribed brick found in the south elevation: ‘HDF/1752 (Hannah Defoe). The house faced south, overlooking Colchester, and was in a prime position as both an out-of-town house with easy access to the town and as a farm close enough to supply the urban market with produce.

The brick-built Georgian farmhouse erected by the Defoe family evolved into the structure that survived into the 21st century. These changes reflect prevalent architectural styles of the time and the attitudes of the different occupants.

The most famous person associated with the house was, of course, the author Daniel Defoe, who took up the lease in 1722. A local myth is that Defoe wrote his famous novel Moll Flanders while there, but the fact that the publication date for that novel is January 1722 and the lease was not signed until August of that year disproves this. Defoe may never have lived in the house. However, the heroine of Moll Flanders spends some of the early years of her eventful life in Colchester.

In 1722, Defoe was enjoying a successful career as one of the earliest proponents of the novel after a lifetime of political pamphleteering. At the same time, he had numerous careers (including general mercantile, perfumery, tax collector, brick and tile manufacturer, Monmouth rebel, and government spy). He was well connected but dogged by debt and indeed imprisoned for it. It is possible that Defoe leased the farm as a business concern, with someone managing the farm for him, rather than as a residence for himself, although it is possible that a man of such diverse talents might turn his hand to farming (although in a gentlemanly manner).

28

What can certainly be said is that the years between his taking up of the lease and his death in 1731 saw the bulk of his novels published. It is possible that he stayed in the house, although his main home was London. where he was born. Perhaps he discovered the house and estate while he was researching A tour through England and Wales: the Tour through the Eastern Counties of England was published in 1722.

Defoe entered the world of business as a general merchant, dealing at different times in hosiery, general woollen goods and wine. Though his ambitions were great and he was able to buy both a country estate and a ship (as well as civet cats to make perfume), he was rarely out of debt. In 1684, Defoe married Mary Tuffley, the daughter of a London merchant, receiving a dowry of £3,700 – a huge amount by the standards of the day. With his debts and political difficulties, the marriage was most likely troubled, but it lasted 50 years and produced eight children, six of whom survived.

Defoe’s best-known works are Robinson Crusoe (1719), The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders (1722), and A tour through England and Wales (1722-1727). He died on 24th April 1731, probably while in hiding from his creditors. He was interred in Bunhill Fields, London, where his grave can still be visited.

Taken from CAT Report 595; read the report at http://cat.essex.ac.uk/reports/CAT-report-0595.pdf – there is also an article on Defoe and Colchester in The Colchester Archaeologist magazine no 22(2012).

29

News from St Michael’s Church, Mile End

Ray writes...

Growing up for me, ‘Summer’ meant watching cartoons all morning, roaming the neighbourhood all day and going back home when the streetlights turned on. I think that is now times past. Summer used to be carefree and fun. What happened to that as we grew older?

Today, too many things have to be organised and just so, and I wonder what the effect of that will be on future generations.

If we are blessed with summer sun, (and June and July have started that way), enjoy it, buck the trend and be spontaneous and neighbourly, and put laughter back on the menu. The goings on of the darker side of our world are so often out of our control or influence, other than in our prayers, so, as God’s summer children let’s enjoy the summer sun, rain, whatever, to the best of our ability.

‘Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.’ (John Lubbock)

We all need rest, our solar panels need to recharge, so make use of creation and explore that which is freely given to inspire. Summer: have a good one.

To keep St Michael’s as it is for the benefit of all in Myland, we need your help.

Revd Ray Gibbs - Priest in Charge, Myland Parish Church.

Regular Services and ActivitiesWeekly activities

Monday1.30pm – 3.00pm Church Mice (term time only) – play and praise for the under 5s and their parents and carers

Tuesday8.00am Morning Prayer

Wednesday9.30am 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. (Knit & Natter will not meet in August)

Thursday10.00am Morning Prayer followed by “Thirsty Thursdays”. Drop by for freshly-brewed coffee and chat 10.30am-12 noon.

For St Michael’s Church News and Information, visit

www.mylandchurch.org.uk

30

Friday10.00am Morning Prayer followed by “Friendly Fridays”. A warm welcome and freshly brewed coffee 10.30am-12 noon.

Saturday10.00am 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.

SundayMorning services start at 10.15am and follow a monthly cycle.

• FirstSundayisaserviceofWholenessandHealingwithHolyCommunion.

• SecondSundayisaFamilyService,sometimesincludingparadefortheScouts&Guiding Groups

• ThirdSundayisHolyCommunion,andexplorationofacurrentBigIssue.

• FourthSundayisBaptism(bypriorarrangement)withHolyCommunion.

• OnfifthSundayinthemonth,thereareRollingWorshipservices,includingquietservice 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.

In addition:

Fourth Sunday 4.00pm: Celtic Praise - An expansive time of quiet, readings, prayers and music loosely in the Celtic tradition. (Celtic Praise will not be held in August. The next service will be at 4.00pm on 27th September. )

Special Services and Activities (in St. Michael’s Church unless otherwise stated):

Saturday 8th August, 10.00am – 12 noon: Coffee Morning in Myland Parish Halls raising funds for the Mothers’ Union; entrance £2.50 includes tea/coffee and cake.

Sunday 30th August, 10.15am: Celtic Worship

Saturday 10th October, 11.00am – 12.30pm: Autumn Plant Sale, Myland Parish Halls. Refreshments will be available as well as a cake stall, and bric-a-brac stall.

Saturday 10th October, 7.00pm: Fish ‘n’ Chip Supper in Parish Halls; ticket only, to be paid for in advance.

Sunday 11th October, 10.15am: Harvest Thanksgiving Family Service with Parade; our Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal will be launched at this service. The service will be followed by a Ploughmans and Puds lunch in Myland Parish Halls – the lunch is ticket only, to be paid for in advance.

Sunday 8th November, 10.15am: Remembrance Sunday with Parade, followed by an Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at 11.00am.

31

Mile End Methodist Church Our minister, Rev Catherine Bowstead is moving in August to Wokingham to be a minister there. There is no one to replace her so we will be without a minister for a

year. We will be under the pastoral care of our other two ministers in the Colchester area - Rev Alan Jenkins and Rev Ken Chalmers.

During the school summer holidays we are again holding Coffee and Craft sessions from 10.00 – 11.30am on the following Tuesday mornings: July 28th, August 4th, 18th, 25th and 1st September. We welcome all accompanied children under eleven. The person to contact is Susie Connor (866622) for more details – the cakes are delicious!

Our Charity Coffee Mornings, held each month on a Saturday, continue and we are grateful for the support from the community. On 19th September we are raising money for All We Can (a Methodist relief and development charity) and on 17th October for Methodist Homes, a charity which has care homes for the elderly. On 21st November our Coffee Morning is in aid of Samaritan’s Purse - filled shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child can also be brought along to that event. Check on the Samaritan’s Purse website to get full details of box contents.

Our Harvest Festival Service is on Sunday 21st September - more details will be on display nearer the time.

It is always a joy to welcome new people to any of our events, especially our Sun-day Worship at 10.30am. Maybe you used to attend a church some time ago, but have perhaps got out of the habit. If so, then you may like to come along to see us. Don’t feel unsure; just come and experience our welcome and friendliness.

Keith and Di Thompson (844252) keithdi.thompson@btinternet.com

Myland FeteAUGUST 31st BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

Mile End Recreation Ground, Fords LaneNoon until 4.00pm

32

Girlguiding and Scouting

1st Myland Guides

We always look forward to the Summer term weekend trip to Mersea. We have returned from another fantastic indoor camp thanks to 17th Colchester Sea Scouts. The girls sailed Omegas and Topazes and some had a ride on the rib boats too! Several boats capsized due to the winds which just made it all the more fun (and tired the girls out so us leaders managed more than two hours sleep!).

Whilst away we also completed the Colour Chameleon challenge badge as the camp was centered around this with an Alice in Wonderland theme. Each Guide had to dress in a single block colour so we could form a human rainbow and all the evening’s crafts were colour themed (felt roses, tissue paper flowers, cardboard chameleons).

We even themed the food by serving up rainbow spaghetti for dinner and dessert consisted of lots of rainbow and Alice in Wonderland cakes made by the girls. We had one Guide take her Promise on a brand new boat whilst going pretty fast – definitely a memorable occasion.

This term so far we have taken part in the Great British Guide Bake-off and had two girls through to the quarter finals. We have also had several girls arrange the evenings for us as part of their BP challenge. They’ve been well planned and carried out and the girls are a credit to our unit.

We’ve cleaned up Myland by doing a litter pick in May; it was surprising how many bags they managed to fill! As I write we’re preparing for a Geocaching evening at Highwoods Country Park arranged by one of our older Guides.

We are very proud that one of our Guides (Grace) has won a Jack Petchey Award of £200 to be spent on the unit; she chose an animal experience and a fish and chip supper. Grace was nominated by a fellow Guide for the award after making over 160 bean bag frogs to sell and raise money for Froglife charity.

Lizzy Steward, 1st Myland Guides

2nd Myland Brownies

Brownies is all about new experiences and we have crammed a lot of those in this term! We began with a joint pack holiday with 1st Myland Brownies to Thorrington Scout Camp where we enjoyed all things Easter and Spring related. One sunny evening in May a few very brave brownies went Kayaking on the river Colne with the help of the lovely people at Colchester Canoe Club.

33

We have been earning lots of badges including Brownie Holiday, Fire Safety (and enjoyed a trip to the fire station) and more recently Wildlife Explorer.

We took the Brownies to Highwoods Country Park and enjoyed an evening of pond dipping and identifying all the wonderful trees and flowers that often we just walk past and don’t ‘notice’.

The Brownies have chosen to finish the term with a Teddy Bears’ Picnic games night on the recreation ground.

Congratulations to our old Fluffy Owl who is the now the proud mummy of a baby girl. Amanda, Mark and Lily-Rose visited, and the Brownies were delighted to see how small babies are at a month old!

July 4th saw our very first wedding, when Mr and Mrs Tawny Owl tied the knot at St. Michael’s Church. The Brownies attended the wedding and were on their very best behaviour in church: they formed a guard of honour for the Bride, Groom and the whole congregation. This was most Brownies’ first wedding, and a unique experience. Many congratulations to Eliza and Rob on their wedding.

Sam – Brown Owl, 2nd Myland Brownies

1st Myland - St Michaels (35th Colchester Scout Group)

The Group has just had its AGM. Thanks to the two parents (out of a possible fifty eight families) who managed to come along!

We have taken in new Beavers so the Group is full in all sections. The leader team remains strong with thirteen Leaders, three sectional assistants and two occasional helpers. Two new leaders are in the induction process for the scout section. Both William Spurling and Alex Newbold have been helping as Explorer Scout young leaders and have now turned eighteen and want to be leaders. We could still do with another uniformed leader to help with section: if you would like to volunteer please contact me. Joan Jeffers, our Cub section assistant has been off for a replacement knee operation and we look forward to her speedy return. Adult training is progressing well. Jan Docherty has completed his training as ASL and been presented with his Wood badge - congratulations to him. I had the pleasure of presenting service awards to Joan for 40 years, Michelle for 15 years and Jason and Tony, both for 5 years. I have received my 30 year award.

The Group has been busy as usual. We have just had another successful Group day outing to Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park near Lowestoft where 32 young people and 11 leaders plus other adults had a great day out enjoying the rides, sunshine and a picnic lunch. We continue to do our best to join in the main Family services where we are proud to parade our flags. Thanks to Rev’d Ray and his team for their continued support. A big thank you to all who volunteer their help with the group in any way, especially the Group leaders and explorer scouts.

34

Their dedication and commitment make the group the success it is today.

The Beavers have been very active; pond-dipping at Highwoods, junk-modelling (with Myland Brownies), canoeing at Colchester Canoe Club, bug hunting, visiting Colchester United as well as “I’m a Beaver Scout, Get Me Out of Here” themed sleep-over which included a visit from Snakes Alive who brought along various snakes, reptiles and a tarantula spider.

The Cubs have been to the Fire Station as part of their new Fire Safety Badge, and an evening at the Go Outdoors climbing wall,and learning the right equipment for camping. They also went to Kats Panto (Goldilocks ) at Headgate Theatre. They have been to Tesco, Highwoods and taken part in their ‘Farm to Fork Trails’. This involved time on the shop floor discovering the origins of some fruit and vegetables, learning about bread roll making, watching a salmon being filleted, and trying different cheeses and flavoured breads, earning all participants a certificate and badge. Two teams entered the district dodgeball competition raising money for the British Heart Foundation: one of their teams won! They had an evening canoeing session at Colchester Canoe Club.

The Scouts again have been busy as well. They invited a former Royal Anglian Colour Sergeant Terry Neal who served 23 years in Her Majesty’s Army with four tours in Northern Ireland, two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He gave an in-formative and at times poignant talk on his and his comrades’ experiences. This was accompanied by a slide show and a demonstration of some of the gear a modern soldier is expected to take into battle including a 20kg bulletproof vest which some scouts attempted to wear. They have been on a number of hikes and night hikes which give youngsters the chance to develop their map and compass skills, helps with team leading and being able to give and follow instructions. They have also just had an evening with a member of a History Re-enactment Group where they were given a demonstration on the traditional Long Bow, and then got to try their hand at using one.

The sections have been very busy with their badge work with the following young achieving the highest award in their section:

Chief Scout Bronze (Beavers) - Ben Mansbridge, Jack Pugh, Abigail Toone, Robert Evans, Reece Steadman, Samuel Parry, Tom Tracy, Finian Utting, Ronnie Thompson.

Chief Scout Silver (Cubs) - Adam Widlake, Joseph Mazerolle, Barnaby Upton.

Chief Scout Gold (Scouts) - Gregory Cooke, Sophie Clinch, Lana Docherty, Charlie Lockwood, Marcus Brundle, Elliot Borroff, Brodie Rivers.

All have worked hard to gain this award well done to them.

Bill Miller, Group Scout Leader

35

Learning and Growing

Myland Pre-School

In May we had our annual outing for older children (39 of them!) to Easton Farm Park near Woodbridge. The children enjoyed a tractor and trailer ride, cuddled guinea pigs and rabbits and saw all the animals. Thankfully, a lovely sunny day.

Also in May we had a parents afternoon and evening for parents to meet their child’s keyperson and discuss their progress and learning journey.

Our Father’s day morning on in June went well and we welcomed 20 dads and granddads into pre-school to share in the session. They were rewarded with tea and coffee and a bacon and sausage buttie!

Thank you to everyone who gave us Sainsbury’s vouchers. They have enabled us to order some more new hoops, tennis balls and role play tabards for the children.

On 24th June we took part in the Barnardos’ Big Toddle. Over 40 children ‘toddled’ around the local area. As yet we do not have the final amount raised but 75% will go to Barnardos and 25% to preschool funds. We then had our Teddy Bears Picnic and a fun time was had by parents and children outside in the gar-den in the sunshine!

This half term we have been busy meeting teachers and taking some children to visit their schools as they prepare for their transition to school in September. Our role play has been set up as a school as well as being a travel agents, gym and a greengrocers – with real fruit and vegetables!

Wednesday 8th July was our open afternoon for our 32 new children and we look forward to welcoming them as they join us at pre-school in the autumn term.

Our term ends on Friday 17th July with our pre-school graduation, where the children will be dressed in their mortar boards to perform some songs before receiving their graduation certificate and a book. 45 children are leaving to start primary school in September. We would like to wish them all every success in the future.

Autumn term starts on Monday 7th September with our first theme being “All about me”. Grandparents Day will then be celebrated on Wednesday 23rd September when we look forward to welcoming grandparents into preschool to join in our session and have some tea and cake.

We are looking for a preschool assistant to join our team. If you are a level 3 qualified childcare practitioner with a knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage then we would love to hear from you! (We will also consider level 2 qualified childcare practitioners). The role is term time only and will be for 19.5 hours per week – Monday 8.15am-4.15pm, Wednesday 8.15am-12.45pm and Friday 8.15am-4.15pm. There may

36

37

be additional hours as required. The job requires an enhanced DBS check to be carried out and references to be taken up. A relevant first aid qualification is also desirable

If you (or someone you know) are interested in the first instance please email your c.v. to mylandpreschool@gmail.com. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 11th August 2015. Interviews will take place on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th September 2015.

Finally an advance notice about our Christmas fair on Saturday 14th November 2015 from 10.00am – 12midday at the Parish Halls. There will be craft and gift stalls, tombolas, book stall, bric-a-brac stall, cake stall and refreshments and a Christmas raffle, tickets on sale from September.

Diane Woodrow, Manager

Myland Primary School

At the time of writing, our school year is drawing to a close in a flurry of activity.

At the start of June, our Year 6 children spent a week in North Yorkshire on their annual residential visit, based in the beautiful town of Whitby. The weather was extremely kind to us and the children themselves were excellent ambassadors for our school. We visited many of the area’s well known places, including York, Fountains Abbey (in Ripon) and, of course, the town of Whitby itself. Wherever we went, members of the public asked which school we were from, as they were highly impressed with the children’s behaviour. Well done Year 6!

We have enjoyed two Sports Days – one for Foundation and Key Stage 1, and one for Key Stage 2. Both occasions were a mixture of team activities and traditional ‘races’, which were very much enjoyed by all of our pupils. Both afternoons were superbly organised by Miss Connell (our PE Leader) and Miss Cumming (our Year 5/6 Team Leader), and much enjoyed by many parents and friends.

We took part in the schools’ competition as part of ‘Colchester in Bloom’ this year. The judges were very impressed with the children’s work to improve our school grounds, including our pond area. We anxiously wait to hear...

As our term draws to a close, we wish all of our Year 6 pupils the very best of luck as they embark on the next stage of their education and leave us to go on to various secondary schools in the area. They should all be very proud of every-thing that they have achieved at primary school!

Debbie Griggs, Headteacher

38

Community Announcements

Myland Youth ClubMyland youth club is located at the Parish Hall in Myland. We meet every other Friday from 7.00pm till 9.00pm. We charge £2.00 with free juice available.

We are closed during the holidays but will be reopen on 18th September.

We have Wii, Xbox consoles, football and pool tables. We are starting arts and crafts and for the girls we have nail varnishes. We do games and sports activities.

Our youth club is a fun and safe environment for the children. All our members of staff are CRB checked.

Please contact Vanessa Reeves for more information: vanessareeves@icloud.com

Heritage Watch

Influential figures in Essex’s heritage industry came together on 23rd of April at Stow Maries First World War Aerodrome to launch a new police initiative aimed at protecting the past.

Heritage Watch is an Essex Police-led partnership between agencies committed to protecting our heritage, as well as members of the public who want to preserve our heritage. The watch scheme looks to maintain and preserve places of interest, encouraging vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity around sites. This is to prevent any theft or crime that may damage assets beyond recovery, or which may lead to the loss of a piece of history for this and future generations.

Heritage Watch locations include ancient earth works and archeological sites, listed buildings, museums, galleries, religious buildings, historic visitor attractions and others.

Dominic Petre of the Historic Houses Association said he was ‘very pleased’ about the initiative, adding: “When heritage is lost, it is lost forever. “Crimes against heritage are not just crimes against the owner. They are crimes against future generations and culture in general”.

Chief Superintendent Carl O’Malley said: “In Essex we have some really significant sites, from the Roman remains in Colchester to Audley End House in Saffron Walden. “The key element for any watch scheme is to involve a broad range of different partners and bring them together. Through expert advice and assistance, we can all help one another. It is about communication, sharing, understanding and reporting”. For further information contact your local Essex Watch Liaison Officer using the Police 101 non-emergency telephone number.

39

Activities and clubs in Myland

Art Group Alternate Fridays Jenny Goodey 751077

Girl guiding1st Myland Rainbow Guides Esther Wilde 8538902nd Myland Rainbow Guides Esther Wilde 8538901st Myland Brownies Diane Ayton 8515642nd Myland Brownies Sam Borroff 7529521st Myland Guides Lizzy Steward 213577Braiswick Senior Section Kathryn Dyer 533434

Kids Acting and Theatre Skills (KATS)

Monday Sarah Young 851796

Mile End Methodist Church Hall Susie Connor 866622

Mon 9.00am-12.30 Rainbow Pre-School Sue Dunmore 07779349128 6.30pm Shell Group Susie Connor 866622Tue 9.30am Rainbow Toddler Group Susie Connor 866622Wed 9.00am Rainbow Pre-School Sue Dunmore 07779349128Thur 9.00am Rainbow Pre-School Sue Dunmore 07779349128Fri 9.00am Rainbow Pre-School Sue Dunmore 07779349128 7.30pm Morris Dancing Martin Theobald 853500

Mothers’ Union First Wednesday monthly Ivy Dix 851743

Myland Parish Halls Eric Day 07518 437488 www.mylandparishhalls.org.uk

Myland Pre-School Seven sessions a week Diane Woodrow 07544 830780

Scouts

1st Myland St Michaels’ Scout GroupGroup Scout Leader Bill Miller 844313Beaver Scouts Thursday Lynda Gandolfini 852547Cub Scouts Thursday Michelle King 546752Scouts Thursday Jason King 546752

Senior Moments Third Wednesday Pam Cowie 618465

Severalls Bowls Club, Mill Road

League matches Tues afternoon/Wed eve Dick 272289Club Night Thursday 6.30pm Dick 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