The Mylander - Bulbs for Years 17th November at MMC office - Myland Community Council
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November 2018 to January 2019 Issue 77
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
Bulbs for Years
17th November at MMC office
Funded by Myland Community Council FREE
1
Myland Community Council Phone numbers are
01206 unless
The Chair Pete Hewitt 853942 otherwise stated
Vice Chair Martin Goss 07912 396 335
Pauline Bacon 07929 903484 Adrian Ellis 07930 956190
Clare Bailey 842327 Alan Hayman c/o 853400
Richard Beauchamp 07768 631 521 Pete Hewitt 853942
Stuart Calver 07528 548489 Alison Jay 07761 729054
Catherine Clouston 07785 987 734 Robert Johnstone 853204
David Clouston 07748 064 562 David King 07738 522641
Marina de Smith c/o 853400 John Stewart 854274
John Dickson c/o 853400
Email: firstname.surname@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk
Clerk: Katherine Kane clerk@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk
Office: 101 Nayland Road, Colchester, CO4 5EN
Office Hours: 8.30am - 1.00pm (Mon, Weds, Fri)
8.30am - 11.30am (Tues)
Alternate Saturdays 9.00am - 11.00am
Closed on Thursdays
Tel: 853400
Website: www.mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk
Anglian Water Emergency Services 08457 145 145
Age Concern – Free call 0800 731 4931
Blood Donor Information Line 0845 771 1711
Childline – Free call 0800 1111
Colchester Borough Council – Enquiries 282222 After Hours – 548444
Colchester Police Station 0300 333 4444
Community Police Officer 07966 196823
Crimestoppers – Free call 0800 555 111
Gas Emergency Services – Free call 0800 111 999
High Woods Country Park, Turner Road 853588
Mile End Methodist Church, Rev. Ken Chalmers 545253
Church Hall Hire, Keith Thompson 844252
Mill Road Surgery, Mill Road 845900
Myland Parish Halls Hire (Sarah King) 07518 437488
Myland School, Mill Road 852109
NHS Direct – Advice Line 0845 4647
NSPCC – Free call 0800 800 500
Prescription Pick Up, Mile End area only 851928, 852286, 853075
Priest-in-Charge, Parish of Myland, Revd Ray Gibbs 843926
Associate Vicar, Parish of Myland, Revd John Chandler 366930
Queen Boudica School 844654
St Joseph Church, Mgr. Chris Brooks 866317
Samaritans, Walsingham Road 116123
2The 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 Catherine Clouston 07785 987734
Email: catherine.c@northernhemisphere.co.uk
Advertising: Katherine Kane 853400
Email: katherine@mylandcommunitycouncil.org.uk
Letter from the Editor
It is still warm outside, but, in effect, this is the Christmas issue. Hopefully you
will find this edition of The Mylander brings you the best of the summer just
gone, and help you look forward, positively, to the winter months. We have
an article celebrating the success of the Myland Fete, (page 6-7) with pictures
showing the Recreation Ground bathed in sunshine. It was a day to celebrate
our local community.
In November we will be remembering all those who have died in wars, and it
is especially poignant this year since it is one hundred years since the end of the
First World War. As part of our Centenary celebrations Pete Hewitt has written
about the poets from WW1 on page 17. To provide perfect balance Patrick Mills
offers us an article about a visit to Germany on page 23 and to follow I have also
included a poem by a lost war poet.
Meanwhile, all that remains, is for me to wish you all Happy Christmas.
The next issue will be with you on 1st February 2019.
Catherine Clouston
Deadlines for next issue: 1st January 2019 (advertising), 7th (other copy)
3Myland Community Council
Our long hot summer is over, but the good weather lasted long enough for the annual
August Bank Holiday Fete to be another great success.
Our grateful thanks go to the organising team, stall holders, entertainment and
refreshment providers—and of course all those residents who turned up. It was an
occasion that emphasised the value of community togetherness, which is at the heart
of MCC’s ambitions.
Over the years we have seen a number of new neighbourhoods built across the
Parish, with Kingswood Heath and Chesterwell being the latest and largest. We want
all these neighbourhoods to feel part of Myland. We will be doing our very best to
reach out to everyone and to demonstrate how all areas of the Parish can connect.
A good example is green spaces. A recent survey seemed to suggest that many of us
don’t know where green spaces are to be found. It is not until we look at what exists,
and what is being set aside in the new developments, that we realise we need to be
more informative.
Please note within this Mylander another community occasion in the form of an
event commemorating 100 years since the end of the First World War.
Many of you will know that we liaise regularly with other organisations that impact
on our lives, such as the Borough Planners, Developers and Essex County Council.
Recently my colleague Alison Jay and I met the NHS North East Essex Clinical
Commissioning Group (CCG) to explore areas of common interest. Part of CCG’s
strategy is to enhance public health and well-being as preventative courses of action,
i.e. better quality of life as a means of minimising unnecessary demands on health
care. The CCG have offered to speak at our Annual Residents Meeting which will be
next May but more on that nearer the time.
Cllr Pete Hewitt
Chairman, Myland Community Council
£7 per class or £25 per month for unlimited
classes. (£5 / £21 juniors).
4Reports from Councillors
There are no reports in this issue from the Planning and Highways Committee or the Resources,
Planning and Strategy Committee.
Myland Access Group
It’s now early October, and the sun is still shining brightly. Long may it continue!
Over the summer, Myland Access Group has continued our annual survey of the
thirty footpaths and two bridleways in Myland. With so much building under way,
it is easy for developers (and even planners) to forget Public Rights of Way.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was created in 2012 in order to
simplify the planning process. It was reviewed and republished this year. I was
impressed in 2012 when I saw paragraph 75 – about the need to protect and enhance
Public Rights of Way and access. I was even more impressed when I saw the updated
version this summer.
It adds a bit more teeth – saying that planning policies and decisions should protect
and enhance Public Rights of Way and access. It goes on to say that opportunities
should be taken to improve PRoW and access, and not just merely “sought”.
There are six paragraphs in a section entitled “Open Space and recreation”. It states
that “Open space ….. should not be built on unless a) an assessment has been
undertaken which shows the land to be surplus to requirements, or b) the loss of open
space is being replaced, or c) the development provides for sports and recreational
use.
With that in mind, we have plenty of evidence to show that the NPPF is not being
followed and will remind Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council of
this, at every possible opportunity!
I had the enjoyable privilege this summer of leading a British Heart Foundation
group of supporters in a fund-raising walk around Myland. We followed (almost),
the route taken by the Boxing Day Walk. This leads me on to this year’s Boxing Day
Walk! As ever it will start at the Myland Parish Halls, opposite the War Memorial at
10.00am on Wednesday 26th December 2018. The route follows, as near as is possible,
the boundaries of Myland, and takes about three hours to cover the approximately
seven miles.
It is a wonderful opportunity to see the ever-changing landscapes of Myland and
perhaps to find your way around a bit better. I hope to see you there!
Cllr Robert Johnstone
Chairman
5Community Engagement Committee
In August we saw fantastic community engagement at the annual Myland Fete.
Thank you everyone for coming and enjoying the day with us.
Our stall there attracted people to ask questions about what Myland Community
Council does and what we can do for you. We have also been holding held Meet and
Greet sessions at the Dog & Pheasant, but due to low attendance we are now actively
exploring other ways to engage with the community.
Please look at MCC noticeboards for events in our community that may interest you.
If you know of any events or have communications you would like displayed on
these boards call in to the MCC office at 101, Nayland Road.
With the short days and dark evenings drawing close, please spare a thought for
those that are elderly or live alone, and check with them that all is well.
Thank you,
Cllr Clare Bailey
Chair
Myland Community Council Fete 2018
On the August Bank Holiday Monday we held our annual fete on the Mile End
Recreation Ground on Ford’s Lane. This was the first year that the newly created
Community Engagement Committee organised the event which was a daunting
task, but with lots of hard work, proved to be a huge success.
There were many attractions for families to enjoy with bouncy castles, bunjee
trampolines and face-painting to name a few. The stars of the show were definitely
the alpacas, chicks and pygmy goat kids with children and adults getting a chance to
hold and stroke them.
We had more stalls than ever this year with the usual favourites like the coconut shy,
golf, raffle and the much loved throwing of wet sponges at the Councillors in the
6stocks, which is always particularly popular. There were many new stalls also this
year selling hand-crafted items. There were stalls selling home produced honey, wax
wraps, jewellery, pottery, hand turned wooden items, artisan dog treats and much
more.
We had a mouth-watering variety of food and refreshments on offer too including the
popular vegan stall. It was lovely to be able to support newly established businesses
by offering them the chance to sell their products at our fete.
Entertainment on the day was provided by the talented and ever popular Colne
Endeavour Band and also Colchester Hospital Radio who kept the atmosphere of
the fete going.
We would like to thank everyone who came along on the day to support us, especially
all the volunteers, the Myland WI for making fantastic cakes, Myland Community
Councillors, and everyone who turned up on the day to enjoy the fete with their
fellow Mylanders.
All proceeds raised on the day will be distributed amongst local groups and charities.
The total amount raised was £1,800.
A special thank you to all the following companies and individuals for their generous
donations towards the raffle.
Asda David Martin Estate Agents Queen of the Castle
Ann Turrell Dog and Pheasant Pub Sasha’s Barber Shop
Arlene McGill Half a Lemon Serenity Beauty
Bow-Tique Jollyes Synergy Fitness Training
Colchester Gymnastics Club Kelly’s HIIT Tin’s Chinese Takeaway
Colchester Ladies Circle Mersea Homes Tots Play
The Co-op (Nayland Road) Pawtisserie Waggalots
...and all the others
who were kind enough
to donate prizes.
Thank you!
Cllr Marina de Smith
78
The Freedom of Myland – a new venture
Could you be the first person to enjoy the Freedom of Myland as an Honorary
Freeman or Freewoman? Or do you know someone who deserves to receive this
unique local honour?
Freemen (also known as Free Burgesses) were first recorded in Colchester in the
Middle Ages, after King Richard the Lionheart awarded the Borough a Charter
in 1189. Nowadays, Colchester Borough Council makes the award occasionally to
descendants of Free Burgesses, or to those who have completed apprenticeships with
local Master Craftsmen.
Myland Community Council has decided to leave King Richard Cour-de-Lion and
his Charter in peace and instead to award the Freedom of Myland using the powers
granted under the Local Government Act of 1972.
This says that the Council can admit to be Honorary Freemen or Freewomen “persons
of distinction who have rendered eminent service to a place or area,” The title carries
no specific privileges but is the highest honour that the Council can bestow. As such,
it will be awarded sparingly, and only after most careful consideration of whether
the recipient has “gone the extra mile” in helping our neighbourhood over a
sustained period.
At its meeting in September, Myland Community Council agreed to look for local
people who have contributed to Myland through charity work, artistic or other
cultural endeavours, religious and spiritual life, improvements to the built and
natural environment, and promoting business and prosperity. Other criteria will
include enhancing the reputation of Myland, improving the lives of those less able to
help themselves, and showing entrepreneurship.
If a suitable person or organisation is approved as a Freeman or Freewoman by
Myland Council early in 2019, the award will be made at the Annual Community
Meeting, with the presentation of a scroll of honour and local publicity.
The Council has decided that the new scheme will replace the previous Myland Order
of Merit, which could only be offered to individuals and did not have a statutory
basis.
If you would like to know more about what is involved, please feel free to contact
the Editor of the Mylander, our Community Clerk, Mrs Katherine Kane at the MCC
office or any Community Councillor.
Cllr Alan Hayman
910
Bulbs for years (and years)...
As the warm days leave us and the days get shorter and colder, the days lose their
vibrancy. Autumn colours are with us now but soon they will also depart, and then
it is the long march through Winter, and then to Spring.
This is your opportunity to make Spring even more special and welcoming by
participating in the first Myland-wide communal bulb-planting event.
Earlier this year, we handed out hundreds of saplings for planting all across our
parish, in the first Myland ‘Trees for Years’. That was very much appreciated by
residents and schools. Now we want to invest again in the look, feel and vibrancy of
our community. There is joy in the first splashes of colour as bulbs emerge in the grey
days of Winter, announcing that warmer and better days are ahead. We will help to
you help us all!
On 17th November please visit the MCC Office at 101, Nayland Road. Bring a bucket
or bag and leave with spring bulbs to plant this autumn, for the benefit of your family,
friends and neighbours next year.
We will have crocus, snowdrops, narcissi and tulips to give away, on a ‘first come,
first served’ basis. We have thousands of bulbs for community organisations and
schools and for any Myland resident.
Turn up, collect and plant! Our only condition is that you plant where the bulbs can
be seen by others, on any patch of grass, front lawn or hedgerow, so that we can all
enjoy the splash of colour and to improve the beauty of our parish.
Take part in the first ‘Bulbs for Years and Years’ and join us on 17th November at the
MCC office at 101, Nayland Road between 9.00am and 11.00am.
For further information please contact Cllr Marina de Smith or the Clerk.
Cllr David King
Bulbs for Years
First Come First Served
17th November 2018
at MMC office, 101 Nayland Road
9.00am - 11.00am
11Fresh feel for local
charity to help
sustainability
Death, dying and bereavement is a The refreshed logo is based on a
hard sell. It’s one of the few certainties remembrance tree and the idea of
in life and maybe we could feel less growth, change and life’s natural cycle.
fearful if we talked about it more?
Unless local charity St Helena can get The removal of the word hospice was
you interested in their cause, they may a bold move, but St Helena found
not be there when you do need them. the word itself was such a barrier.
People hear the word hospice and
St Helena, previously called St Helena tend to think of a building where
Hospice, has carried out a great you go to die, but St Helena, and
deal of research and discussion to organisations like it, provide so much
bring them to the place they are more, helping local people face
today. With uncertainty regarding incurable illness and bereavement.
government funding (currently one
third of the cost of running St Helena To make it easier for people to
comes from the NHS, the other support the charity and understand
two thirds from the generous local exactly who they are and what they
community), together with a growing do, St Helena has launched a new
population and a tougher fundraising website: sthelena.org.uk
environment, the charity knows that
standing still is not an option. Please spread the word! St Helena
wants to be there to support the local
A new visual identity with a fresh community for many years to come
and vibrant feel will help the charity but needs you to be interested in
stand out in a crowded marketplace. them now!
Sally Thompson
St Helena Marketing and Communications Office
t: 01206 931464 e: marketing@sthelena.org.uk
St Helena Hospice was established in 1985 and provides specialist end of life care and bereavement support for
patients and their families living in North Essex who face incurable illness. The emphasis for this charity is about
quality of life and services include The Hospice, Hospice in the Home, Bereavement Support, Day Therapies
(including complementary therapies) and SinglePoint, a 24/7 helpline. Each year St Helena raises a considerable
sum from the local community to maintain the specialist care offered.
12From our correspondents...
Mothers’ Union
After a very busy end to the year we are looking forward to 2019.
We don’t meet in January as it is too close to the New Year and many members are
away. In February we hold our Annual General Meeting when reports for 2018 are
read and elections to the committee are held. 6th On March we shall have a speaker;
we have still to confirm who it will be.
On 8th March we shall be holding the first of our weekly Lent Lunches when people
are invited to join us for a simple meal. Payment is by donation. The lunches are held
in St Michael’s Church starting at 12.00 noon.
We shall all meet together in St Michael’s for our Easter Communion on 3rd April
and on 1st May we shall all be going to our annual lunch. The venue has still to be
arranged. What a busy time!
We meet on the first Wednesday of most months at 2.30pm in the Large Hall and are
always pleased to see new faces joining us. If you would like to know more about
Mothers’ Union please contact either our leader Mrs Ivy Dix on 851743 or me on
366930. We would love to hear from you and see you at our meetings.
June Chandler
M.U. Secretary
Women’s Institute
Unfortunately, our speaker for our August meeting did not arrive, so members
enjoyed a ‘home grown’ meeting which was probably just as well because of the
extreme heat of the evening!
The end of August was busy with a floral display from Isobel Sullivan at the St.
Michael’s Flower Festival and the W.I. providing refreshments at the Annual Fete on
Myland Recreation Ground.
In September members of other W.I.s were invited to join in what proved to be a
most interesting and memorable evening. Mrs Margaret Brehaut spoke about her
time growing up during the time of the German Occupation of Guernsey. She had
also brought with her various mementoes from that time. It became obvious as she
spoke that her memories were still very vivid and it enabled us all to learn more
about this part of history.
13At our October meeting Ann Latchford from the Colne Valley Tea Company explained
how she had moved from a career as an insurance broker to owning the tea company.
She gave us much of the history of tea and included various legends that she had
discovered during her journey. We were given an opportunity to sample some teas.
November sees a representative from Age Concern giving advice, December Keith
Lovell will lead a Secular Christmas ‘Pot Pourri’ and in January John Jones will
present Colchester Past Films to us.
As we look forward to the Christmas season, we shall have our Annual Carol Concert
at St. Michael’s on 14th December at 7.30pm complete with decorated Christmas
Trees.
As Winter arrives with cold evenings, why not venture out to the Highwoods
Community Centre on the first Friday of the month at 7.30pm. You can be sure of a
warm welcome! See you there!
Sandra Jones
Young at heart
The nights are pulling in and it’s getting chilly but that does not affect us as our
meetings are in daylight hours 2.30pm – 4.00pm and you are assured of a warm
welcome. So, do come along on the third Wednesday of each month, at the Myland
Parish Halls, Mile End Road.
Our July mystery tour, which was mentioned in the previous Mylander, was through
the villages of Essex and Suffolk ending up at The Munnings, Lavenham, for a lovely
cream tea. The weather was kind to us and not one of the very hot days we had
during the Summer. In August, we did not have a meeting as it is a holiday month
for many.
In September we had an interesting film and talk by a member of the Myland History
Society, on how places in Mile End looked years ago and how they look today. For
many Mile End people of long standing it was a trip down memory lane. In October
there was a talk by a speaker from The Colchester Foodbank.
November will be a wind-down month, before the hectic Christmas period starts,
with a quiz which is always popular. December will see us in festive mood when
we dine out for our Christmas meal. January, being a quiet month, will give us the
opportunity to discuss the forthcoming year and events planned.
Wishing all readers of the Mylander a Happy Christmas and New Year.
Diana Swan
14In the Waiting Room...
I hope you all had a lovely summer; I must admit it was a bit too hot for me at times,
and I’m enjoying the cooler weather now.
Our new Practice Nurse, Shelley has settled in well, but we are still struggling to find
a Nurse Practitioner to replace Nikki, so please bear with us for a bit longer.
Those of you that are eligible will hopefully have had your flu vaccination by now. If
you haven’t, just make an appointment and we’ll get it done for you.
This time of year always seem to plague many of us with coughs and colds, generally
these are caused by a virus which will not respond to antibiotics. Most of these
annoying symptoms can be managed with medicines that can be bought from a
pharmacy; here are a few simple tips to help you cope over the winter:
Keep yourself well hydrated. Drink hot water with honey and lemon. Throw all used
tissues in a bin and wash hands or use a hand sanitiser. Take regular pain killers as
per instructions. Get some fresh air if you feel well enough. Speak to your pharmacist.
We have recently put in place extended opening hours; details of this can be seen on
our website. We are now open until 8.00pm Mon-Fri (last appointment 7.30pm) , the
extended hours is predominately GP led but will be supported at times by Nurse
Practitioner, Practice Nurse and Health Care Assistant.
We also have pre bookable GP appointments between 9.00-10.00am on Saturdays,
Sunday and Bank Holidays. On these days there will be controlled access via intercom
from 6.30pm and no other services will be available.
The extended service will not cover certain procedures;
Procedures that require a blood test Minor surgery
Coil and Implant fitting Steroid injections
Liquid Nitrogen
The Dispensary is now open Mon-Fri 8.00am -12.30pm and 1.30pm - 6.30pm. It will
not be open at weekends.
Lastly, we did extremely well in a recent survey, 99% of our patients’ when asked
reported a good overall experience at the surgery. It’s nice for us to know that all our
efforts to provide an efficient service are appreciated.
I wish you all an autumn/winter free of coughs and colds and hopefully I’ll have
good news for you about a new Nurse Practitioner in the New Year.
Tina Potter
Practice Nurse, Mill Road Surgery
15NB Architectural Services
Nick Bell MCIAT
Plans drawn for domestic extensions
and loft conversions
All approvals gained
Free first consultation
01206 841721 • 07913 025010
nick.bellarchitectural@gmail.com
16A message from Essex Police
Andy Prophet, Assistant Chief Constable, writes:
The exploitation of children is, sadly, a growing problem and
has a devastating impact on those directly affected and their
families. It happens, and it happens here, in Essex.
This is not just involving older children. Even primary age
children are being drawn into exploitation. It is never too soon
for our children to learn how to keep themselves safe.
Essex Police is working hard to tackle these awful crimes but we cannot do it alone.
As a parent or carer with responsibility for a child I am asking for your help. Please
be aware of the warning signs. Use the help and advice available.
Exploitation - what is it?
Sexual exploitation involves a child being manipulated, forced or deceived into
sexual activity often for financial gain or to build status or control.
Criminal exploitation involves a child being coerced to commit criminal activity. This
is often associated with gangs and the selling of illegal drugs.
The warning signs
Is your child regularly going missing, coming home late or persistently absent from
school?
Do they have new or older friends different to their normal social group?
Do they have money, expensive-looking clothes or a new phone you didn’t buy for
them?
Are they being secretive when using their phone or the internet, or are making/
receiving lots of calls and texts?
Has their mood changed or have they become withdrawn or aggressive?
Are they harming themselves or displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviour?
These are indicators. They do not always mean a child is being exploited, but, please
see them as a potential ‘warning sign’.
There is a new hotline number – 01245 452058. If you are worried, please call us. You
will not be wasting our time. A team of Essex Police officers and staff are on standby
to listen, help and offer advice. The line is open Monday to Friday 8.00am - 4.00pm
with a voicemail facility outside of these hours.
As a parent of school age children myself I encourage you to talk to your children
about these potential dangers. Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
1718
The Great War
Three War Poets—by Pete Hewitt
The Great War spawned a wealth of poetry, some of which we all know and revere.
Regular readers of my Nature Notes in The Mylander will be aware that I sometimes
make reference to poetry. I hope you are happy to accept my contribution to the
centenary celebrations of the ending of that War by some words about three poets
who each experienced the conflict and also revered nature and the countryside.
Edward Thomas loved the countryside, in particular the west and south landscapes.
His literary career did not start as a poet, more as a travel and nature writer for
magazines and newspapers and occasional books such as In Pursuit of Spring and
The South Country.
He wrote his first poem in December 1914 having been persuaded that his prose
writing was at times poetic in itself. As 1915 progressed the War was in full spate and
already the loss of life was shocking. Thomas wrote the following brief poem:
In Memorium (Easter 1915)
The flowers left thick at nightfall in the wood
This Eastertide call into mind the men,
Now far from home, who, with their sweethearts should
Have gathered them and will never do again.
In this poem Thomas brings together his passion for the countryside and his thoughts
on war. I suggest he links “The flowers left thick at nightfall in the wood” not only to
those flowers that will not now be picked but also to the many young lives that lay
fallen in a foreign country. Not only that, he reminds us that loss is also suffered at
home by loved ones who will also carry that loss for ever. He managed to transform
the simple act of flower picking into a statement on the tragedy of war.
By June 1915 he had a chance of moving to America in pursuit of his literary career
but was grappling with the idea that he should enlist. Being 36 years old he was
not obliged to join up but in July enlisted with the Artist’s Rifles, “He had come to
believe, quite literally, that he was fighting for the very essence of England”. Thomas
spent several weeks as a map-reading instructor at Hare Hall Camp in Essex but
this did not satisfy his conscience and in 1916 applied for a commission in the Royal
Garrison Artillery.
His poetry seemed to spring into life and by January 1917 he had written 142 poems.
He was killed by shell-blast on 9th April 1917, leaving a wife and three children.
19Edward Thomas is buried at Agny Military Cemetery in Pas de Calais in France. He
is however commemorated in Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey.
Ivor Gurney was an avid fan of the writings of Edward Thomas. They shared a love
for the same tracts of English countryside.
By the time war broke out Gurney had gained a scholarship to the Royal College
of Music and had started writing poetry. His academic and scholarly skills in these
fields had long been recognised but unfortunately about this time he began to suffer
nervous problems. This did not prevent him from volunteering to join up at the
declaration of war but his application was rejected. Nevertheless in February 1915
he managed to enlist with the 5th Gloucester Reserve Battalion and in April found
himself in Essex where over the coming weeks and months he moved between
Chelmsford and Epping. In May 1916 the Battalion moved across to France and for
the next 18 months he endured front-line action and became his platoon’s ‘crack shot’.
Early in 1917 he was wounded and moved to Edinburgh War Hospital. Later that
year his first collection of poems, Severn & Somme was published. The title was a
reflection on life and experience at home and abroad. The collection included the
following poem:
To The Poet Before Battle
Now, youth, the hour of thy dread passion comes;
Thy lovely things must all be laid away;
And thou, as others, must face the riven day
Unstirred by rattle of the rolling drums,
Or bugles’ strident cry. When mere noise numbs
The sense of being, the fear-sick soul cloth sway,
Remember thy great craft’s honour, that they may say
Nothing in shame of poets. Then the crumbs
Of praise the little versemen joyed to take
Shall be forgotten; then they must know we are,
For all our skill in words, equal in might
And strong of mettle as those we honoured; make
The name of poet terrible in just war,
And like a crown of honour upon the fight.
Here Gurney is recalling the moment when lives and aspirations are put to one side
and a fearful choice is made to follow another path, “the hour of thy dread passion
comes”. The “passion” is the calling and the “dread” is the fear that must be faced.
He is also saying that men such as he, scholars and poets should be recalled for their
bravery and honour just as much as other revered heroes.
20In 1918 he was again admitted to hospital suffering from the effects of gas, and was
later discharged from the army. He returned to the Royal College of Music but could
not settle. He did however continue with his music and poetry including the setting of
a number of Thomas’s poems to music.
During the years that followed his mental health suffered and although writing music
and poetry mental hospitals became his home. Touchingly in 1932 Thomas’s widow
Helen visited Gurney in hospital and took with her Edward Thomas’s annotated OS
maps of his Gloucester walks for Gurney to study. Much of his work was published
until his death in hospital in 1937. He is buried at Twigworth in Gloucestershire.
Edmund Blunden found Gurney’s poetic style different to others and took the trouble
to promote Gurney’s poetry and in return Gurney put Blunden’s poem Ploughman
Singing’ to song.
Born in 1896 Blunden’s young life was lived in the Kent countryside until his removal
to school at Christ’s Hospital and then onto Queens College, Oxford. His first poem
was published in 1913. At the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Sussex Regiment
and in 1916 received the Military Cross.
His wartime experiences are recorded in detail in his acclaimed book ‘Undertones of
War’, mostly prose combined with a little poetry. Published in 1928 it carries references
to his close affinity with the natural world with contrasts between rural landscapes and
the brutality of Flanders fields.
After the War he became a teacher/lecturer at home and abroad and in 1921 wrote:
1916 Seen From 1921
Tired with dull quiet, grown old before my day,
I sit in solitude and only hear
Long silent laughters, murmurings of dismay,
The lost intentions of hope and fear;
In those old marshes yet the rifles lie,
On the thin breastwork flutter the grey rags,
The very books I read are there – and I
Dead as the men I loved, wait while life drags…
This is an extract from the poem where he is looking back and cannot settle into any form
of normality. He lost his early life “grown old before my day” and in quiet moments
of solitude hears the voices “laughter” sometimes “murmuring” of his comrades. For
him life is a question mark “I dead as the men I loved wait while life drags...”
As melancholy as this may sound Blunden moved on into married life with family and
a much respected literary career. He lies now not far from here in the grounds of Long
Melford Church.
21In conclusion, then, here are three poets whose pre-war lives focused on their natural
surroundings and their academic worlds of literature, and for Gurney music too. These
might be regarded as “gentle” men whose fascination was the natural world and the
written word, quiet men not used to physical conflict, except perhaps when out in
the elements. However, they felt it right to bear arms and enter willingly into a world
whose horrors they could not have imagined.
And so the War ended. It had prematurely ended the life of Edward Thomas, it further
damaged both the mental and physical health of Ivor Gurney until his early post-war
death and although he lived until his 78th year Edmund Blunden remained haunted
by images which he wrote about in his late 1960’s poetry.
I have the abiding respect for these poets that Gurney hoped for in his poem; and I
have equal respect for all the men named on Myland’s war memorials.
MYLAND COMMEMORATION
On the 11th November 2018 the
United Kingdom and our friends overseas
will mark the day when the guns fell silent
at the end of the Great War.
Myland Community Council will
play our part in remembering the sacrifice
of millions of men and women by taking
part in ‘Battle’s Over’, a nation’s tribute.
From 4.00pm at the Myland Parish halls, there will be displays of the work of
local schools and groups commemorating the event.
From 6.30pm we will gather at the war memorial in Mile End Road.
6.45pm reading the names of those that lost their lives who lived in Myland.
6.55pm Battle’s Over - The Last Post
7.00pm Battle’s Over - Beacon and Light
The Myland beacon will be lit
7.05pm Battle’s Over - Ring out for peace
As beacons blaze around the country, St Michael’s Church will be joining
thousands of other churches and cathedrals in ringing their bells out in celebration
of the end of the war. It would be wonderful to see as many Mylanders as possible
at this once in a lifetime event.
Cllr Marina de Smith
22‘To Germany’
The Editor writes:
I have just finished reading ‘Goodbye To All That’, the autobiography of Robert Graves who
served in the trenches during the First World War. He writes about a lesser-known war poet
called Charles Hamilton Sorley, who served with the Suffolk Regiment and died in 1915 at
the Battle of Loos.
Charles Sorley had spent a happy time in Germany before the war. Despite volunteering to fight
for his country, his attitude towards the war was deeply conflicted. His poem ‘To Germany’,
printed below, reflects this ambiguity. The small body of poetry he left us is ambivalent, ironic,
and profound. Graves described Sorley as “one of the three poets of importance killed during
the war,” alongside Wilfred Owen and Isaac Rosenberg.
I can recommend a play about this poet’s life, ’It is Easy to be Dead’ by Neil McPherson.
‘To Germany’
You are blind like us. Your hurt no man designed,
And no man claimed the conquest of your land.
But gropers both through fields of thought confined
We stumble and we do not understand.
You only saw your future bigly planned,
And we, the tapering paths of our own mind,
And in each other’s dearest ways we stand,
And hiss and hate. And the blind fight the blind.
When it is peace, then we may view again
With new-won eyes each other’s truer form
And wonder. Grown more loving-kind and warm
We’ll grasp firm hands and laugh at the old pain,
When it is peace. But until peace, the storm
The darkness and the thunder and the rain.
Charles Hamilton Sorley
23East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is looking forward
to a magical evening of carols at its Christmas service.
The charity will host its family-friendly event Colchester Carol “Community support at events like this is vital to our
Service at Myland Parish Church and it will start at 7.00pm work, helping us to continue providing families with a
on Friday, 7th December. Guests will have the chance to join lifeline at an unimaginably difficult time.”
in with traditional carols and hear some heartfelt readings.
Following that, they will be able to chat with other visitors over In the month before Christmas, EACH will also host a
yummy refreshments. lantern walk along Ipswich Waterfront on 24th November
and an evening with Griff Rhys Jones at Ipswich Town’s Sir
EACH will benefit from a retiring collection. The charity cares Bobby Robson Suite on 16th December.
for children and young people with life-threatening conditions
across East Anglia and supports their families. Kate Oliver, EACH For more information about EACH go to www.each.org.uk
Suffolk & East Essex Fundraising Intern, says: “We hope to see and to contact its Suffolk & East Essex fundraisers call
many happy and smiling faces at this special festive evening 01473 917965 or email treehouseappeal@each.org.uk
that, of course, takes place at the lovely Myland Parish Church.
ROYAL PATRON: EACH
HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Delta 3a, West Road, Ransomes Europark,
Ipswich, IP3 9FH
Tel: 01473 917965
Follow us on twitter @EACH_Suffolk
Registered Charity 1069284 Company No. 3550187
24Features
Kingswood Heath and The Severalls
A short history of Kingswood Heath and The Severalls, Myland Heath, Colchester
In the Middle Ages much of the northern Mile End was woodland and heath and
became known as Kingswood Heath. Later, part of this area was known as The
Severalls and the remainder as Mile End Heath. In the 1700s the former was, for
a while, leased to Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, and the latter held a
racecourse. An isolation hospital (later Myland Hospital) was built in 1884 but all
that remains of this is the water tower on Mill Road.
A 300-acre site built in 1910 - designed by Frank Whitmore and W.H Town - opened
in May 1913. Severalls Hospital housed some 1800 patients and was based on the
“echelon plan” – a specific arrangement of wards and offices within easy reach of
each other by a network of interconnecting corridors.
This meant that staff were able to operate round the site without the need to go
outside in bad weather. Patients were separated by gender and housed in villas
around the main hospital building.
The villas were constructed between 1910 and 1935 in the Queen Anne style with
few architectural embellishments typical of the Edwardian period. The most ornate
buildings were the Administration Building, Larch House and Severalls House
(originally the Medical Superintendent’s residence).
In August 1942 the hospital was bombed. Three 500lbs bombs were dropped on the
West Wing by the Luftwaffe. 38 patients were killed, many now buried in nearby
Colchester Crematorium. Muriel Jackson, a 21-year old nurse, attempted to save
patients and was able to direct doctors to the injured using a torch. She was awarded
an official commendation by His Majesty the King.
A memorial was erected to commemorate the dead and located in the gardens
outside the Administrative building. This memorial was removed for safe-keeping
when the hospital was sold to the Severalls Consortium in 2017. It will be restored
and relocated back to its original site by the Consortium, and will then be under the
management of Myland Community Council.
Sadly, the chapel has had to be demolished. However, the beautiful stained-glass
windows (commissioned in 1963 for the hospital’s golden/50th anniversary and
depicting Jesus in the centre, with a nurse, doctor and male and female patients
praying on their knees looking up to Jesus) and the bell have been preserved by
Myland Community Council. There is a plan to incorporate them into a new
Community building within the grounds.
25The chapel organ was removed and donated to a church in France.
The psychiatric hospital closed in the early 1990s following the pattern of other such
institutions. A small section remained open until March 1997 for the treatment of
elderly patients and serious stroke victims.
In October 2012 the St Aubyn Centre (CAMHS Unit) was officially opened. This
modern, state-of-the-art facility is located adjacent to Severalls House on the edge of
the hospital grounds, just off Boxted Road.
A specialist company, East Anglian Developments, restored the old water tower. It
now houses their main offices. They also restored the Administration Building, Larch
House and some of the Echelon Buildings.
Cllr John Stewart
A Tragic Event
The Local History Group writes about an event 130 years ago in Myland, on 26th
November 1888
In November 2011, I wrote an article in the Mylander, issue 49, on behalf of the
Myland Local History Group. It told the tragic story of the Holland family, which
included three young children, losing their lives in a fatal fire at their cottage, in Clay
Lane (now Turner Road).
At the recent meeting of our group, I mentioned that we are approaching the 130th
anniversary of this sad event, and I was asked to place a small remembrance article
in this edition of the Mylander.
The Essex Standard Newspaper covered the fire, inquest and funeral, in detail. The
verdict of the inquest concluded that there was no evidence of how the fire started
and the family died by suffocation.
The funeral took place at St. Michael’s church on 2nd December 1888. Several
thousand people attended from Colchester and surrounding villages. Plus, members
of the fire brigade. The Police were present to oversee the funeral procession to the
church through the large crowd.
There were two coffins buried together, but no headstone. However, five Yew trees
were planted on the spot. If you stand by the main gate to the church and look ahead
to the church tower, you will see five mature Yew trees to your left.
Although long ago, this is a family is a family who should be spared a thought, when
you are walking through the churchyard.
R.I.P.
26A Brief Visit to the Nürburgring
Patrick Mills writes: For family
reasons we recently found ourselves
visiting the village of Nürburg in
Germany, the home of the famous
Nürburgring.
Our son-in-law is fond of the
Nürburgring and its beautiful
German countryside setting. When
he can, he enjoys driving round it at
speed or watching others do so.
My wife and I joined him and our daughter there for a couple of days during the heat
wave in July.
Some readers will have seen it in an episode of BBC’s Top Gear, when Jeremy Clarkson
was comprehensively outdriven by local driver (and resident), Sabine Schmitz.
The Nürburgring is almost 13 miles long and lies in the Eifel area of Rhineland-
Palatinate in western Germany. It was built in the 1920s to help bring economic
regeneration to what was then an impoverished region. It served as Germany’s
Grand Prix circuit until 1976, the year Niki Lauda had a major accident there.
The decision to replace it as a Formula 1 circuit had in fact been made a year or two
earlier, on the grounds that technological improvements, enhanced car performance
and changing safety requirements had rendered the track unsuitable for Formula 1.
We went to the track on a late, hot, Monday afternoon to witness a public access
event due to start at 5.30pm. I had expected half a dozen cars and a motorbike or
two. Instead, and as if from nowhere, more than a hundred powerful cars appeared,
passing the start line in succession. They had been in small car parks, at roadsides
and throughout the village. It was a petrolhead’s paradise.
It seems that at public access events drivers can take part in any of three ways – by
driving their own cars, by hiring a car at the track or by sitting as a passenger in a car
driven by an expert (a ‘tourist taxi’). A friend went for the third option, experiencing
a most terrifying/exhilarating 7 minutes 46 seconds in a McLaren.
Later, in the warm evening, we ate outside at a local restaurant. At the next table was
a gathering of family and friends. Among them were Sabine Schmitz and her mother
Ursula. Apparently Ursula had sat on the knee of the great Fangio when a small girl.
My thanks to Marcus Löw for much of the background information.
27An update from Kenny (The Boss) Chihuahua at SESAW:
What a lovely time we had at our Autumn Sale. I’m quite worn out after
meeting so many people. Our Volunteers put on a really good display of
sale items and baked some fantastic cakes. Thank you to them and everyone
who visited us at Great Bentley; £3,200 was raised for the animals at SESAW.
The fundraisers are now preparing for the Christmas Fair at the Old School,
Long Melford, CO10 9DX. This is our last event of the year with lots of
goodies on offer plus a raffle and tombola. Get there early before they sell
out! Doors open at 10.00am on Sunday 18th November.
Back at the Sanctuary, last year’s rescued blackbirds have reared their own
broods and the kestrel is happily flying free above the garden which is most
frustrating for poor old Ollie (the Black) Cat! Mum is still kept busy with
abandoned hedge-hogs but we do have domestic animals too! I’d love to see
old Jack go to a new home. It’s going to be difficult because he is a bit of a
grump but he deserves a chance to be happy and loved.
Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare. Reg.Charity No.1124029.
Stoke Road, Leavenheath, CO6 4PP. 01787 210888.
www.sesaw.co.uk Open 10.00am-1.00pm Thursday-Sunday.
Big Garden
About 200 people attended the annual Apple Day Festival on Saturday 29th
September 2018. It was also the first anniversary for Together We Grow CIC, who
as part of the ongoing community, adopted the garden in 2018, and who hosted the
event. This year it was decided to include some fun-fair games as well. Thank you
to Myland Community Council for the loan of the stocks and splat-a-rat. What an
amazing year it has been, and such a success story. The support received has been
overwhelming. So many people have worked really hard to keep the garden going
and we are very proud of our achievements.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people :
Cllr Tina Bourne, Cllr Gerrard Oxford, Myland Community Council,
Cllr Tim Young, School of Social Entrepreuneurs, Big Lottery Fund/
Lloyds Bank, Emma Regan CBC Public Health Officer, The High Woods Ranger
Team, our wonderful team of dedicated volunteers.
by Paul Horwood and Wayne Setford
28A ‘Westie’ Walk
The Editor writes: In early September I was walking my dogs through the woods at High
Woods Country Park when I saw someone crossing my path up ahead with a West Highland
White Terrier—a ’Westie’. No sooner had they passed when another Westie appeared, followed
closely by another. To my astonishment, I was confronted with a traffic jam of dog walkers, each
with a Westie. Dozens of people walked past, each accompanied by a beautifully-behaved small
white dog. More and more appeared, until I had seen more than fifty Westies go by. What on
earth was going on?
I had encountered the first Westie Walk! I tracked down one of the organisers, who sent me the
following report for The Mylander.
We held our Westie Walk on Saturday 1st September and were overwhelmed at how
many showed up; we had 78 Westies and about 15 other breeds.
All dogs were given goodie bags and a certificate. Have a look at our photos on our
Facebook site under album: Colchester Highwoods Country Park Westie Walkers.
We started the raffle at 2.00pm and was still selling raffles tickets as we walked round,
raising £250.00 for the Westie Charity (WRUK reg Charity 1173538) who were over
the moon with the contribution.
We had three pit-stops, one of them being
the Visitor Centre where we all received
brilliant support from the staff.
We held a raffle in the car park at the end of
the walk. Many thanks to Copdock Mills in
Ipswich who donated most of the prizes; and
to Top Job Recruitment who supplied the hi-
vis vests. Shirley Upsher made a chocolate
Westie cake which was also raffled.
People’s faces when they saw so many Westies walking through Highwoods were a
delight; in fact I had goose bumps and was quite overwhelmed at how many people
made the effort. They came from Cambridge, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, and
many parts of north and south Essex. Thank you also to Shirley and Karl Upsher
who helped me with all the organisation.
We are planning to hold two walks a year, the next in April, weather permitting and
then again in September. If you would like any more information please contact me
through Facebook or call 07770666630.
Amanda Doyland FIRP Cert RP DIP RP
29Community announcements
First Responders
Pauline Bacon, a Myland Community
Councillor, will be running a two hour
training course in the New Year.
If you are interested in participating please call Pauline
on: 07929903484
Police Community Events
Local community meeting on Monday 19th November 11.30am to 1.00pm
St Margaret’s Church Hall, Stansted Road, Colchester, CO2 8RA
‘Coffee with the Cops ‘
Wednesday 28th November 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Colchester Harris & Hoole, Tesco Extra,
Highwoods Square, Colchester, CO4 9ED
For information about these events please call Laura CADE, Public Engagement
Officer, Essex Police Headquarters, D Block, PO Box 2 Springfield, Chelmsford,
CM2 6DA
Telephone: external 01245 452074 internal 150194
Laura.Cade@essex.pnn.police.uk
Local artist illustrates Colchester’s history in mural
Colchester Borough Council is pleased to unveil the first
mural in St Mary’s multi-storey car park in Colchester,
which celebrates the town’s amazing history.
The mural, which has been painted for free by a local
artist (who does not wish to be named), spans the north
stairwell of the car park. The artworks illustrate local
Celtic tribe, the Trinovantes, Celtic art and Boadicea.
They depict Celtic tribesmen wearing traditional clothes
and weapons, a glass art inspired vision of Boadicea, an
illuminated ‘C’ with Colchester Castle and boats sailing up the River Colne.
The staircase took 23 weeks to complete, with the artist working evenings and
weekends. He spent many hours researching the town’s history and drawing
sketches before completing the final designs.
30St Michael’s Church, Mile End
Regular Services and Activities
(meet in the church unless otherwise stated)
Sunday
Morning services start at 10.15am and follow a monthly cycle.
• First Sunday is a service of Wholeness and Healing
with Holy Communion.
• Second Sunday is a Family Service, sometimes with Scouts & Guiding Groups
• Third Sunday is Holy Communion, and exploration of a current Big Issue.
• Fourth Sunday is Baptism (by prior arrangement) with Holy Communion.
• When there is a fifth Sunday in the month: ‘Rolling Worship’ services, usually
from 9.15am, which may include a quiet service of Traditional Communion,
Morning Prayer and Creative Worship. Please check our calendar.
St Michael’s Meerkats: children’s group meets in church, 10.15am, on the first and
third Sundays of the month.
In addition:
• Second Sunday 4.00pm : Said Communion in Celtic or Taize style
(not held in December)
Monday
1.30pm – 3.00pm Church Mice (term time only) – play and praise for the under 5s
and their parents and carers
Tuesday St Michael’s Church News
8.00am Morning Prayer and Information, visit
Wednesday www.mylandchurch.org.uk
9.30am Holy Communion
10.30am—12 noon ‘Knit and Natter’ – a friendly group who meet to knit or crochet
together; if you just want to natter, that’s fine too. Visitors always welcome. (Not held
in August.)
Thursday
10.00am Morning Prayer
10.30am – 12 noon ‘Thirsty Thursday’ – drop by for a tea/coffee and a chat
Friday
10.00am Morning Prayer followed by “Friendly Fridays”. A warm welcome and
coffee 10.30am-12 noon.
Saturday
10.00am on first Saturday of month (in term time): we welcome children aged 5 - 11
to Stmixkids for Christian fun and activities in Myland Parish Halls.
31Special Services and Activities (in St. Michael’s Church unless stated):
November
10.15am Sunday 4th November: All Saints & All Souls Service
10.15am Sunday 11th November: Remembrance Service and Parade: Full parade
service, procession to the war memorial at 10.50am for Act of Remembrance at 11.00am.
6.45pm Sunday 11th November. Remembrance Reflection Service.
10.15am Sunday 18th November: Thank You Service for all the family. We will also be
collecting in our Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes at this service.
December
10.00am Saturday 1st December: decorating Christmas trees in the church.
4.00pm Sunday 2nd December: Lighting of the Christmas Trees & First Carols.
2.30pm Wednesday 5th December: Myland M.U. Carol Service and afternoon tea.
7.30pm Thursday 7th December: East Anglian Children’s Hospices Carol Service
10.00am – 12noon Saturday 8th December: Coffee, Cake and Christmas Prize Draw.
10.15am Sunday 9th December: Christingle Family Service
10.30am Wednesday 12th December: Myland Pre-school Nativity Play
7.30pm Friday 14th December: Mile End Women’s Institute Carol Service
6.30pm Sunday 16th December: Carols by Candlelight
10.15am Sunday 23rd December Quiet Christmas Communion with Light Carols
Christmas Eve
10.15am Said Communion Service
3.00pm Crib & ‘dressing up’ Nativity Service: a service for young families. Children
can dress as Mary, Joseph, angels, innkeepers, shepherds, kings, sheep or camels to
help tell the Nativity story.
5.00pm Carols by Candlelight: a service for children and families.
7.00pm Traditional Carols & Candles, for all
11.30pm Midnight Communion
Christmas Day
10.15am ‘Christmas Crackers’ with Holy Communion
30th December
10.15am Communion service
32Mile End Methodist Church
It was a busy August at our church as we were the venue
for MakeLunch Myland over the summer holidays.
At our Harvest Festival in September we also helped
hungry families by collecting goods for Colchester
Foodbank. Thanks to the generosity of the Mile End
people we were able to deliver 107.2Kg worth of food to
the foodbank.
As in times past, we invite members of the Mile End community to join us, as Christmas
approaches, in supporting local charities. We are collecting for:
Beacon House (an agency for the homeless in Colchester). Clothing and toiletries. At
present there is a particular need for small and medium stretch cotton boxer shorts,
small and medium men’s jeans, men’s and ladies’ spray deodorant. All clothing may
be either good second-hand or new.
Colchester Women’s Aid. Toiletries of all kinds for the ladies in the Refuge.
Colchester Night Shelter. Tins of food and other non-perishable goods such as cereals,
biscuits, tea and coffee and toiletries such as tooth brushes, toothpaste, soap, razors and
sanitary products.
Any donations for these charities can be collected (contact below) or they may be
brought to our Caring Service on Sunday 25th November at 10.30am. We are confident
that we can thank you in advance for your generosity as we have had amazing
donations in past years.
There is a Coffee Morning and Bring & Buy Stall on Saturday 17th November from
10.00 - 11.30am to support Samaritan’s Purse. Filled Shoe Boxes can also be brought to
this event.
Details of our Christmas celebrations will be found on the Churches Together Christmas
card which every household should receive in due course.
We also invite you to join us for our ‘Journey to the Stable’ reflective experience on
1st December from 10.00am to 4.00pm and Carol Singing at the Dog and Pheasant at
6.30pm on Saturday 8th December. Our own Candlelit Carol Service is on Sunday 23rd
December at 4.00pm followed by light refreshments.
Our church website is www.mylandchurch.org.uk/methodist, and details of our
services and other events can be found there.
Keith and Di Thompson (844252)
keithdi.thompson@btinternet.com
33Learning & Growing
Rainbow Pre-School
We welcomed many new children and families to Rainbow as the start of the new
autumn term on Thursday 6th September and they have all settled in nicely.
We have been making the most of the good weather going into the garden as much as
possible. The children have enjoyed climbing on the climbing frame, riding the bikes
and playing on the slide and exploring the sand and water, filling and emptying
containers and transporting the sand and water from one place to the other.
They have also enjoyed running races in the garden, balancing on the stepping stones
and never tire of the game “What’s the time Mr Wolf”, although they all like to be
caught so they can be the wolf!
We have watched our “stick insects” all six at the last count emerge from their eggs,
we are looking forward to them growing over the coming months and one of our
children is in awe of them and will be taking several home with him to keep.
We have had a busy half term with our Annual General Meeting and Rob Sambrook
the photographer all in one week.
This half term we had our first session of workshops, as part of our “Tall Trees and
Tiny Tots projects”. The project consists of monthly visits to Tall Trees Care Home,
where the children and the residents engage in activities, together and alongside
each other. The Dance and Movement workshop was run by the lovely Charlotte
from “Diddi Dance”. She was wonderful at engaging all the children, encouraging
the residents and their families’ members to join in and it was wonderful to watch
some children engaging with one of the resident’s in particular. We are really looking
forward to our next visit in October for some messy play.
Bring and Buy Sale and Christmas Fayre
We have a number of events over the coming months including our “Nearly New
Sale” on Saturday 3rd November 10.00am–12.00pm. Come along and grab yourself a
bargain, or just stop by for a cup of tea or homemade treats and lots of fun activities
for you little ones. All are welcome. To book a table please contact Ramona on
ramona_korpos@yahoo.com or speak to Gina at Preschool. Tables cost £10.
Then on Friday 7th December 2018 we have our “Christmas Fayre”, which was so much
fun last year. Come along and enjoy some festive activities and get into the Christmas
spirt, free entry and £4 a ticket to meet Santa, have a drink and snack followed by a
story with Buddy the Elf, then visit Santa and receives a gift. Tickets are available from
the Pre-school staff or Ramona 07596472642 ramona_korpos@yahoo.com.
34You can also read
