August/September 2015

The

Free

August/September 15 Issue 65

connection magazine Inside this issue...

60

events to choose from!

Home and interiors WIN Book reviews ÂŁ25!

Recipes Glamping The W.I. Centenary Celebrations Marks Hall Sculpture Exhibition

Plus...

Firstsite - A bright future ahead!

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Hello

Inside

I hope you’re all having a great summer. With the children off school now you might be wondering what on earth to do with them over the next few weeks! Look no further, we have lots of ideas for you in the What’s On pages in this issue. Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum is virtually morphing into a sculpture park during August and they are promoting a Summer of Art with children in mind.

4 - Homes and Interiors 6 - Country Mutters 8 - Book Reviews 14 & 26 - Recipes 16 - Glamping 18 - Firstsite 19 - 24 - What’s On 28 - Codeword 30 - Notice Board 34 - Gardening 36 - W.I. Centenary 41 - Crossword 38 - Sudoku 42 - Spot the Difference 44 - Useful Numbers 46 - Index

Speaking of art - we have an interview on page 18 with interim managing director Anthony Roberts from Firstsite. Anthony has worked his magic on The Arts Centre and as anyone who has received his newsletters will know – he has a very engaging style which will hopefully help in his quest to raise awareness and enthusiasm for Firstsite - this great facility we have on our very own doorstep.

Maybe some of you will be going camping over the coming weeks , but have you ever fancied glamping? If you think it’s just all about fancy yurts – think again – there’s a host of opportunities out there in the most interesting of buildings, vehicles and places! See page 16 for more details.

Finally, are you a lover of box sets – the DVD variety? So are we. We watched two whole series of Last Tango in Halifax back to back and it took us days to shake off the Yorkshire accent that followed. Lady Muck on page 6 has very eloquently hit the nail on the head regarding our obsession with them.

Have a great summer and I’ll be back soon!

Sarah

Editor and Publisher: Sarah Banks Editorial Assistant: Amanda Findley Contributors: Amanda Findley, Pippa Greenwood, Katherine Sorrell, Ann Haldon, Alison Runham and James Baggott.

Advertising and Editorial: 01787 210701 / 07527 489847 Email: editor@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk Address: Applegarth, Whitestreet Green, Boxford, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 5JL All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical , photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the prior permission of the publisher.

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Next issue: October/November 2015 Publication date 17th September 2015

Deadline date for advertising: 4th September Deadline date for What’s On entries : 4th September

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Home & Interiors Victorian Style

It may not be the height of fashion, but there is much to be said for Victorian style, which is confident, distinctive and eminently comfortable, says Katherine Sorrell From society to science, politics to industry, the Victorian era was a time of enormous transformation. The middle classes expanded rapidly, and their homes became the perfect vehicles with which to show off both their newly acquired wealth and their cultural savvy.

The result? An interior style that was exuberant, eclectic and often over the top.

The high Victorian style was a riot of revivalism, and different periods were mixed with abandon. The main ‘Battle of the Styles’, however, was between ‘Greek’, (in other words, all types of classical architecture and decoration), and ‘Gothic’ (more or less any style reminiscent of Olde Englande).

The main ingredients for Victorian living were not so far from where we are today, give or take a tweak in colour and

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By Katherine Sorrell

pattern. Tiled hallways and polished, dark wood floors with a central rug featuring large, bold patterns set the scene, while patterned wallpaper was de rigueur. Wooden furniture was dark, solid and often very large, but we would recognise much of it, from dressers and dining tables to sideboards and writing desks.

Upholstered seating was the major development from the preceding Georgian era. Coil springing had been invented in the 1820s, and Victorian sofas and chairs featured deep buttons and comfortable, curving shapes. Metal bedsteads were introduced to Britons at the Great Exhibition of 1851 – and have changed little in style ever since.

As far as colour choices went, the Victorians loved anything rich, deep and vivid.

These hues worked well with the dark brown furniture that predominated, but are best used judiciously today.

That said, they can be most attractive in the right place: deep shades, such as crimson, claret, bottle green, sharp yellow, purple, mahogany, terracotta and Prussian blue, were preferred for sitting rooms, dining rooms and studies; paler and fresher hues were considered to be more suitable for bedrooms.

Lighting has, of course, altered a great deal in the last 150

years or so. When Victoria came to the throne, oil and candle lamps were the only form of lighting in most homes, but during her reign first gas lighting was developed and then, at the very end of the 19th century, early electricity. There were a great many elaborate and ornamental styles of lamp, including swan-necked brass wall lights, flower-shaped glass shades and china lamps covered with floral sprigs.

The Victorian middle-class kitchen, used only by servants, was a very plain room, equipped with freestanding tables, with the sink in an adjacent scullery. And the bathroom only came into being as a separate room in the 1870s. Along with indoor bathrooms came distinctive sanitaryware – large, often colourfully decorated basins, and enamelled roll-top baths on ball and claw or scroll feet, much of which can be found in reproduction form for those with spacious enough rooms.

Because Victorians considered bare rooms to be in poor taste, their houses were filled knick knacks, objets d’art and collections, some of which are right on-trend today? Other Victorian accessories have not stood the test of time quite so well, including black and white miniature portraits and toby jugs. Nor has a helpful kitchen accessory, employed for anyone unlucky enough to suffer from cockroaches – a hedgehog kept in a box.

Main Image - The Bagsie sofa is a modern version of the classic Victorian Chesterfield. £1,715, Loaf, 0845 468 0698 www.loaf.com

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Country Mutters Boxed In

by Lady Muck

Does anyone out there remember the days when you used to actually stay in to watch your favourite TV show? The family would gather to watch ‘Dr Who’ and ‘Top of the Pops’ and there were certain sacrosanct points during the week for Mum’s period drama, Dad’s gardening programme or for me, The ‘Tomorrow People’. Miss one episode and that would be it – gone with no chance of seeing it again. It was a minor tragedy and you could only catch up by listening in on a dozen different conversations about it the next day at school, where everyone took pains to point out that you’d missed the Best Episode Ever. I can still remember the crushing disappointment of the week when Starsky and Hutch was knocked off the schedules. Incensed, I wrote a letter of outrage to the BBC and received a rather starchy reply pointing out that my favourite show had been replaced by a Service of Remembrance to honour the dead of 2 World Wars. Well, what’s that to a hormonal teen who only has eyes for a chunky cardigan and a lazy smile?

Well those days are long gone, soon to be followed by the whole concept of watching a weekly episode. As it is, we’re obviously too stupid to remember what happened from one week to the next, judging by the increasingly long ‘Previously On…’ catch up at the beginning of each programme.

Now there is a plethora of ways to watch your favourite tv shows, but our particular household has bought into the phenomenon of the box set. Now you can buy all 29 series,

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neatly enclosed in cunningly designed packaging that deposits all 56 discs in your lap when you open it. They make ideal presents, which means each member of the family owns about a dozen of the things which means there’s about 6 series on the go at any one time. So there’s always an argument about which one to watch. And we all have to sit down and watch them together because if you get out of sync you either find yourself re-watching an entire series or you’ll make an inadvertent remark about the death of a prominent character and cause a major sulk.

It’s very easy to become obsessed.

There’s the temptation to watch ‘just one more’ and you end up sleep deprived with a constant feeling of impending doom which you eventually realise is due to total immersion in an alternate reality. In fact you are not living with drug dealers, murderers or zombies and you are not at war, nor do you live in Victorian London, the frozen North or a busy ER. It just feels that way.

And then there’s those annoying catch phrases that people in the know keep repeating to each other ad nauseum. It’s like standing in the ruins of the Tower of Babel.

Bazinga! Such fun! The game is on but don’t panic – what I call the truth is out there. Blue blistering barnacles - maybe it’s time to put the box set away and make the most of the summer. After all, winter is coming.

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Hooray for Hollywood!

Summer is the time for the great cinematic blockbuster, but there are days when it’s way too nice to be stuck in a dark movie theatre.

Why not get out the deckchair and read the book before seeing the film after dark? Seeing how some of these great novels paved the way for Hollywood, it’s no wonder they’ve made millions for the studios.

Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton We’ve just taken an ill-fated trip to Jurassic World this summer, but why not read the original and best? Michael Crichton wrote his cautionary tale about what happens when scientists mess around with dino DNA way back in 1990, and the subsequent film made millions of children around the world believe that dinosaurs could roam the earth again.

Throw in some Chaos Theory and some moral and ethical questions and you’re left with one extraordinary book that’s full of suspense, and opportunities to roll your eyes and weep for the future.

Jaws - Peter Benchley This isn’t perhaps what you’d call ideal beach reading, but the suspense that Peter Benchley created in his 1974 novel of a great white shark terrorising a seaside resort is absolutely compelling. Focusing on the stories of the three men who are tasked with hunting and killing the killer shark, it’s tense, intense and a real nail-biter.

‘Jaws’ was a huge success, despite coming under attack from literary critics. It’s no Moby Dick, but it’s the very definition of a page-turner and you’ll be devouring the story, much like a giant man-eating fish devours surfers.

The Firm - John Grisham Grisham’s second novel was a hit of stratospheric proportions, so it was no surprise that Hollywood soon came a-knocking. Mitch McDeere is

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a hotshot lawyer in the making, but the Harvard graduate turns down offers from major firms in New York and Chicago to work for Bendini, Lambert and Locke based in Memphis. They offer him a deal he can’t refuse but it soon becomes apparent that it may have cost him a lot more than he anticipated. No one ever seems to leave ‘The Firm’, or least, no one seems to leave the firm alive. Gritty and gripping it will at least ensure that you read your contract through carefully in future.

Lord of the Rings - J R R Tolkien Most wondered how on earth (or rather, how on Middle Earth) Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel could possibly be turned into a movie. Turns out, it was made into three. A sequel to ‘The Hobbit’, the novel expanded exponentially, and remains one of the best sellers of all time.

The Dark Lord Sauron has created a ring to rule over all the other Rings of Power and bring him to reign over the whole of Middle Earth. What he hasn’t counted on is complications caused by a group of hobbits, along with some elves, and a wizard known as Gandalf.

Complex and intricate it’s great to get lost in Tolkien’s world. If you can’t get to grips with it, you can always use it as a doorstop.

Psycho - Robert Bloch In 1959, Robert Bloch wrote a book that would make us all morbidly fearful of so-called ‘Mummy’s Boys’.

Inspired by a real life murder case in Wisconsin, the novel was quickly snatched up by Hollywood, and Hitchcock brought the story of seriously disturbed Norman Bates to the silver screen. Middle-aged Norman runs the Bates Motel along with his domineering mother. Unwitting guest Mary Crane arrives at the motel, on the run having stolen $400,000 from her boss so she can marry her boyfriend and pay off his debts. But Norman’s momma is still running the show, and she’s not too happy about Mary’s arrival. It will, most definitely, all end in tears. Disturbing and harrowing, if he still lives with his mum when you meet him, then run like the wind.

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins The most recent of the novelsto-film franchises is the story of Katniss Everdeen and her rise to fame in her District as two-time victor of the Hunger Games.

What Hollywood likes more than one blockbuster movie, is three blockbuster movies…even four, as the third instalment has been split into two films. The books are gruesome and, though chances are you’ve already seen at least the first film, the novels go into excruciating detail of the bizarre world the teenagers, forced to fight to the death, have to endure. The third instalment in particular is pretty nasty. Read it with your feet up and a nice drink in hand, and try not to focus on the fact that it’s kids killing kids.

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Pyefleet Week If you’ve ever fancied the idea of messing about in boats, Pyefleet Week, from the 1st – 8th August, might be a good place to start. Based at Brightlingsea Sailing Club, it is the largest dinghy and day boat regatta on the east coast and offers 8 days of sailing for all – from Olympic class dinghies to classic day boats, and welcomes all levels of ability.

The competitors include a cross section of sailors – from Olympic medallists, World, European, National and Youth Champions to weekend warriors, cadets, and complete beginners. There are committee boat starts for the serious racing classes and special starts from the Club line in the shelter of the creek for cadets and intermediate or novice sailors.

Even if you’re happy just to watch, there’s plenty to keep you entertained ashore, as the Club is open from early

morning to late at night. There is plenty of refreshment on offer - the legendary Pyefleet Lunch Buffet Table features a range of home-made fare. In the evenings there’s a Club supper, followed by a variety of entertainment including live bands, a quiz night and various fleet-led fun nights.

There are also various activities throughout the week to keep children entertained. There’s a sandy beach right outside the Club, walks along the River Colne and Brightlingsea Creek, playgrounds, a seawater paddling pool, Brightlingsea’s outdoor swimming pool (one of the few remaining outdoor lidos still in operation), and the everpopular crabbing from Brightlingsea Hard. http://pyefleet2015.sailbrightlingsea.com/

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Available for lunch Tuesday to Saturday and for dinner Tuesday to Friday Voucher available for parties up to a maximum of 8 people Not available in conjunction with any other offer Available through August & September 2015

Offer only available when pre-booked Please telephone 01376 561797 to reserve your table, and to check availability, mentioning this voucher in The Connection

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Coronation Chicken Ready in 20 minutes, plus chilling

Serves 6

This summer favourite is great for easy entertaining.

For the best flavour buy a small free-range whole chicken and roast in advance. If you are short on time buy a ready roasted chicken from the hot deli counter at the supermarket.

Ingredients: • 1 tbsp mild curry paste • 150ml carton natural yoghurt • 6 tbsp mayonnaise • Juice of 1/2 lime • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 500g cold roast chicken, sliced or torn into strips • 1 ripe mango, peeled, stone removed and flesh thinly sliced • 2 tsp sunflower oil • 75g unsalted cashew nuts • Small handful fresh coriander leaves

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Mix the curry paste, yoghurt, mayonnaise and lime juice in a large bowl and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Add the sliced chicken and toss gently to coat in the curried sauce. Arrange on a serving platter and cover and chill for 2-3 hours (or overnight).

Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the cashew nuts. Fry over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Leave to cool.

Just before serving, arrange the mango slices on top of the chicken and scatter over the fried cashew nuts and coriander leaves. Serve with a mixed green salad or as part of a summer buffet.

Tips • For an extra spicy flavour add a finely

chopped red chilli pepper to the yoghurt and mayonnaise mixture.

• Instead of the cashews, garnish with some shredded spring onions or a handful of fresh peppery rocket leaves.

• For delicious open sandwiches, pile the Coronation chicken onto split and lightly toasted ciabatta rolls.

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Glamping Glamping – the art of camping without having to grapple with chemical toilets, wobbly gas stoves or gastro-entiritis, has never been so popular.

You can go glamping virtually anywhere from the Mendips to the Maldives and you don’t even have to confine yourself to living under canvas. There are pods – pods on legs, hanging from trees or burrowed into the landscape like hobbit holes. There are yurts, cabins, sheds, huts, tipis, carriages and caravans in every style from medieval, Middle earth to modernist. And whatever your choice, pretty much every one of them comes complete with a wooden floor, feather beds, hot tubs, flushing loos, terraces and wood stoves. The only downside is that the kitchen is so well equipped you won’t have an excuse to only serve up sausages and beans for a week.

What is it all about? Most obviously, glamping seems to fulfill a strong desire to get back to nature. For a week at least we can live surrounded by natural beauty, aware of the living world around us, in tune with day and night. Feather Down Farms have established sites on working farms, where people are encouraged to ‘take a peek into the world of farming’ and children can enjoy finding out where food comes from. And by spending time together without distractions, families can reconnect with each other.

It’s also about eccentricity. Staying in a converted bothy or firetruck with access to a private gin distillery housed in this year’s winner of ‘The Shed of the Year’ certainly gives you something to talk about when you come back from holiday.

Ironically, for many of us who associate glamping with glamour, it’s really about going back to essentials – it’s enormously liberating to discover how little we need to actually live. Well, for a week at least!

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Firstsite From the beginning Firstsite has inspired much debate. This year amid accusations of elitism and more controversy about the funding and viability of the building, Anthony Roberts, director of The Arts Centre, agreed to also take on the role of interim managing director at Firstsite. A popular choice for many, given that he has made a huge contribution to the Arts scene and is well known for his fondness for Colchester, Anthony is resolutely enthusiastic about Firstsite. He says, ‘This was always a very ambitious project but it is also a very young project which is still finding its voice. It was a mark of the town’s spirit to build it in the first place and we are the custodians of that. Issues resolve over time – we have to keep the faith.’

The first major event under Anthony’s watch was the highly successful preview evening in June of an exhibition of sea paintings by John Virtue. Anthony says the feedback he received from this was ‘overwhelmingly warm, generous and positive’. And as for the doubters, he points out that ‘You don’t have to like everything. You can come to see the exhibition, watch a film, have a coffee, walk around the building or join a workshop, have some fun’. Many people have responded well to his highly personal and open approach to curating and while he believes it’s important to lead with challenging work he is also planning an open exhibition for October and November where anyone can submit work for display.

Where art meets food. Firstsite welcomed Hunt & Darton to the gallery in June.

Firstsite runs free family activities every Saturday.

Picture: Nabil Ali

Also on the calendar is the Colchester Film Festival and live screenings from The National Theatre. The popular Free Family Activities on Saturdays continue to offer drop-in making sessions where you might find yourself making sounds, creating a gigantic painting or contributing to an installation. Evening events with live music and performance are also planned.

As to the future, Anthony is excited about the planned developments of the neighbouring buildings, such as the proposed Wonderhouse or the re-development of the old police station which would help to increase the visibility of Firstsite and ‘give us some friends to play with’ as he puts it. ‘This is a place where we can realise dreams, a place to think and talk and eat and start conversations – it’s food for the soul.’

www.firstsite.uk.net 18

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What’s On General Ardleigh Annual Horticultural Show At Ardleigh Village Hall, Station Road, Ardleigh CO7 7RS Saturday 15th August 2.00pm with prizes presented at 4.15pm One of the largest horticultural society shows in the area with classes for vegetables, fruit, flowers, dahlias, flower arranging, cookery, handicraft, photographs and childrens exhibits.

Refreshments are available.

Henny Fete At the Henny Swan, Great Henny, near Sudbury CO10 7LS Saturday 15th August 12.00 - 4.00pm A family fun day out with games, stalls, classic cars and much more. Beautiful riverside location.

Free admission. In aid of The Friends of St Mary’s church and the PCC of Great and Little Henny.

ArtMix Exhibition

Coggeshall Flower Festival

For more information please contact Sue Fraser on 01376 563518 or visit www.artmixcoggeshall. weebly.com

At St Peter ad Vincula church, Coggeshall

Open Garden

Saturday 29th August – Tuesday 1st September 10.00am – 5.00pm, Sunday 11.45am – 5.00pm

At Street Farm, Great Henny, near Sudbury CO10 7LS

Refreshments and stalls, admission free, donations welcome.

Saturday 15th August 12.00 - 4.00pm

Also a concert by Swing Express Big Band on Saturday at 7.30pm.

Tickets £12 adults, £10 concessions, £2 under 16’s.

Delightful farmhouse garden just a short walk away from the Henny fete.

Admission £1, children free. Afternoon teas.

In aid of The Friends of St Mary’s church and the PCC of Great and Little Henny.

Halstead Food and Craft Market Saturday 15th August and Saturday 19th September

Feering & Kelvedon Garden Club Annual Show At Les Livres Gallery, Colchester Library

A wide selection of quality food produce and handmade crafts by local artisans.

Familiar stalls such as the Jam Shed, Leigh’s Fine Cheeses, Ruddy Marvellous and Beehouse Honey Company will join regulars at this monthly market. Street entertainment and two hours free parking (at the Co-Op supermarket).

King on Thursday 30th July 11.00am – 2.00pm.

Open now until Monday 10th August.

Open Monday - Friday 9.00am – 6.30pm, Saturdays 9.00am - 5.30pm, Sundays 1.00pm – 4.00pm ArtMix is the title of a group of 5 artists who live and work in Coggeshall, Works on show will include paintings, drawings, book illustrations, creative glass, jewellery and hand printed textiles.

At Feering Community Centre, Coggeshall Road, Feering, CO5 9QB Saturday 29th August 2.00pm – 4.00pm A traditional Horticultural Show for exhibiting home grown fruit, flowers and vegetables as well as home baking, craftwork and photography. An impressive display of over 300 exhibits, delicious homemade teas and a Tombola.

Contact 01376 573203 now for a Show Schedule and class entry Free admission. information or come Demonstrations of textile along on the day to enjoy printing by Louise Cowlin For further details contact the show. Admission £1 and childrens book Mike Prince at market@ www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk adults, children free. visithalstead.co.uk illustration by Dorothea

For more information please visit www.stpeter-ad-vincula.org.uk

5 Parishes Show At The Fingringhoe Ranges, Langenhoe CO5 7LX Sunday 2nd August 11.00am – 5.00pm A traditional country show, with the Medieval Foot Knights demonstrating their skills in their on site encampment. All day entertainment in the main ring, with attractions including Colchester Birds of Prey, Gun Dog demonstrations, Tendring Dog Agility, Suffolk Samba, East Anglian Kite Flyers and Colchester Model Aircraft.

Grand horticultural and competition marquee, craft stalls and demonstrations,

What’s On continued 19 over page

What’s On sideshows, enter your dog in our dog show or your horse in the horse show. Food stalls, tea tent, licensed bar and Caprillate ice cream.

Entrance £5, concessions £4, children (5 - 16) £1. Free car parking.

For more information please call Sally on 01206 735931 or visit www.facebook. com/5ParishesSummerShow

Events at Tymperleys At Tymperleys, Trinity St, Colchester CO1 1JN

Annual Art Exhibition At Lavenham Church Saturday 22nd – Monday 31st August 9.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Saturday, 12.00 – 6.00pm on Sundays.

Exhibition by Lavenham Art Society.

Free admission, disabled access, free parking opposite.

The World’s Biggest coffee morning

Wednesday 19th August 7.30pm The Secret Garden Bring your own seating and blankets and enjoy theatre in the Walled Garden. Adults £17, children £12.

Sunday 27th September 11.00am - 2.00pm Roman Rivers Music Festival The Goldberg Variations will be performed in the Club Room, followed by a two course lunch with tea or coffee. Tickets £32.

At Layer Marney Tower Sunday 27th September 12.00pm - 5.00pm Fun for all the family with stalls, games and dog show. All gate money is donated to East Anglian Children’s Hospice.

At Acorn Village, Clacton Road, Mistley, Manningtree CO11 2NJ

Heritage Open Day

For further details please visit www. tymperleys.co.uk

Coggeshall Art Group Annual Art Exhibition

Fun Dog Show

Sunday 13th September At the Labour Club, High Street, Kelvedon Friday 25th September 10.00am — 2.00pm.

Vintage tearoom and various stalls including good quality bric-a brac, toys, books, cakes, tombola and a large raffle. Entry £2 includes tea, coffee and a choice of home made cakes. All proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support.

activity, River of Roses.

Songs of Praise on Sunday at 5.30pm. Donations in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society and Aldham Church Fabric Fund.

For more information please call 07880715242.

For more information please call 01206 330784 or visit www. layermarneytower.co.uk

For tickets please call 01206 765034.

Explore the history of this Elizabethan town house in the heart of Colchester.

EACH Family Dog Day

Saturday 8th August 10.00am – 3.00pm.

A great day out for all the family including bazaar, face painting and a craft workshop.

Aldham Flower Festival At Aldham Church Saturday12th – Sunday 13th September 10.00am - 5.00pm ‘Celebration’ arrangements by the Colchester Group of Flower Clubs

At Hollingtons, Church Street, Coggeshall Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th and Monday 31st August 11.00am – 5.00pm This is an open exhibition with over 200 artworks to view and buy.

Small entry fee in aid of local charities.

For more information contact Maureen on 01376 563113.

Textile Work, Beading, Ceramics and Botanical Drawings Exhibition At The Lady Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford CO10 9DT Friday 21st August Monday 24th August 10.00am - 5.00pm It’s Only Natural exhibition of work

by STRANDS. Free admission, selected work available to buy.

For further information For more information call 01787 277370 call Margaret on 01376 For further details All-day refreshments, or visit www.

20visit www. Please mention 572758 The or Mary on please Connection when responding to adverts live music, art exhibition, longmelfordchurch.com romanrivermusic.org.uk 01376 570083. stalls, raffle, children’s

What’s On Apple Festival in Wormingford

refreshments, produce stall and raffle. Entry 50p.

Schedules from www. naylandhortsoc.org.uk or 01206 262807 - entry deadline is 5th August.

The Great Bentley Show At Great Bentley Village Green

Pie N Mash) with The Gamekeeper’s Daughter available. Please see The Waiting Room facebook page for more details or visit st-botolphs.org/

Acorn Village 40th Anniversary Ball

Drama and Dance

A Ball with the theme of ‘Dress to Impress’, so no need to hire a tux unless you want to. Tickets are £25.00 including a Champagne Raffle.

Featuring local live band ‘Solid Gold’ and Riverside’s renowned fish and chips.

With little surprises along the way this is sure to be an evening to remember.

RSVP as soon as possible as spaces are limited to 100, please book by 26th August at the very latest.

Saturday 5th September 1.30pm

At St Andrews Church and Wormingford Community Education Centre Saturday 26th September 12 noon – 4.00pm Lots of apple-related events and games for all the family. Plants and other items for sale, refreshments. Free entry.

Gardeners’ Question Time at 3.00pm with Christine Walkden, the ‘One Show’ gardening expert.

Tickets for that event £10 from 07747 623172.

Nayland Flower Show

Lots of entertainment and activities,amarquee with vegetables, flowers, fruit, plants, Arts, baking, childrens section, photography and more.

Show schedules and entry forms available from www.greatbentleyshow. co.uk/ to be returned

by Wednesday 2nd September. Also on the day, a dog show, hog roast, stalls, donkey rides, tractor display, raffle, tombola, live music and more.

Bazaar At The Waiting Room, The Old Bus Station, Queen St, Colchester CO1 2PH The first Sunday of every month.

At Nayland Village Hall Church Lane, Nayland CO6 4JH Saturday 8th August 2.00pm – 5.00pm The annual show has 89 horticultural, culinary and craft classes to view,

A new monthly bazaar organised by local makers, producers, designers, artists, hackers, menders, craft people and artisans. Come shop, feast, dance while you stock up your kitchen cupboards with the very best that Colchester and our surrounding areas have to offer. Free entry.

Events at The Mercury Theatre, Colchester For more information and to book tickets please call 01206 573948 or visit mercurytheatre.co.uk Friday 7th - Sunday 30th August

At the Lawford Venture Centre Saturday 26th September 7.30pm

Call us on 01206 394124 to reserve your tickets.

Music

Friday 4th September

Colchester Military Wives and Braintree Male Voice Choirs sing for Cancer Centre Campaign Concert

Whitney Queen of the Night

At St. Botolph’s Church, Colchester.

James and the Giant Peach Amade in Colchester production

Celebration of the music and life of Whitney Houston Saturday 5th September The Simon and Garfunkel Story Live band and original film footage Thursday 10th - Saturday 19th September Legally Blonde

Cafe and bar open all

Musical performed

up Sundays! Gourmet

Operatic Society

by Colchester www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk day. Sunday Lunch (Mash

Saturday 24th October 6.45pm for 7.30pm.

Two of the region’s most popular choirs will be performing favourites from shows such as Les Miserables, Cats, Chess and Miss Saigon.

Refreshments will be offered in return for donations, raffle tickets will be available for

What’s On continued 21 over page

What’s On a draw on the night, and early arrivers will benefit from the pre-programme light piano entertainment

by Mike Wilkinson.

Tickets at £15 are now available for purchase from Mann’s Music on Colchester High Street or from Collier & Catchpole on London Road Colchester.

You can also obtain tickets from the Colchester Hospital Charity Office on 01206 745282 or Neil Raven on 01206 734528.

Colchester Organ Society At Alderman Blaxill School, Paxman Avenue, Shrub End, Colchester On the first Friday of each month 7.45pm - 10.15pm Live keyboard concerts with music to suit all tastes, featuring topmusicians from around the country.

Cinema Leavenheath Village Hall Digital Cinema At Leavenheath Village Hall, Wrights Way, (signposted from the High Road) Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm start.

Refreshments (wine, beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee) will be available before the film starts and during the interval. Tickets £3.50 per adult and £2 per child.

You can now reserve your seat online at www. leavenheath.org.uk or please call Lesley 01206 262505 or Ken 01206 263266 for tickets.

Mondays in August 2.00pm

Arts and crafts sessions for children. Free with entrance ticket.

Sunday 9th August 2.00pm

A fun guided tour for children. Come in costume, there is a prize for the best one. Free with entrance ticket.

Saturday 5th September

£4 members, £6 non members. Refreshments and raffle.ample parking inside school grounds.

Free entry for two non members upon production of this advert.

‘Queen and Country’ (15)

Family event with animals, tractor rides, scarecrow making and vintage farm machinery.

Sunday 6th September 12.00pm - 5.00pm Kite Festival

Family event with displays, workshops and fly your own kite.

‘Paddington’ (PG)

Penny Weedon

Family Farm Day

Monday Makers

Terrific Tudors

Friday 4th September

Phil Brown

Events At Layer Marney Tower

Saturday 1st August Starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters and Nicole Kidman. A young Peruvian bear with a passion for all things British travels to London in search of a home.

Friday 7th August

Activities for Children

Tuesday 18th August.

Gates open 5.00pm, performance 6.30pm The Jungle Book

For more information on any of these events please call 01206 330784 or visit www. layermarneytower.co.uk

Events at Hollytrees Museum, Colchester Wednesday 26th August Pop up Poems Use cardboard to create a card with a pop-up shape inspired by a poem or nursery rhyme.

Wednesday 12th August Create a Kite

Design, create and Theatre in the Garden Starring Callum Turner, decorate your own Caleb Landry Jones. In from Chapterhouse special rainbow kite. Once this sequel to Hope & Theatre Co. Doors open completed, show off your Glory, Bill Rohan has creation by taking your 5.00pm. Bring a rug and grown up and is drafted kite for its maiden flight picnic.

Book tickets via into the army, where in Castle Park where you he and his eccentric www.seetickets.com can fly it high in the sky.

Contact Alan Pilgrim on best mate, Percy, battle Sunday 30th and 01787 269458 or email £3 per person. Booking their snooty superiors Monday August to adverts alanwpilgrim@tiscali. required, please call 22 on the base andConnection look Please mention The when31st responding for love in town.

11.00am - 5.00pm 01206 282941. co.uk for further details.

What’s On Events at Colchester Natural History Museum

Tuesday 18th August Archery School

Thursday 30th July Go Live - Snake Encounters

Go Live! Fur and feathers Come along to the museum and meet some incredible birds and mammals. You might see meerkats, a sugarglider or a pygmy hedgehog as well as exotic parrots.

Join our master for a lesson in archery. Learn about the Long bow and put your skills to the test. Will you hit the target? £2 per person - after normal admission price to the Castle.

Minimum age 8 years old.

Booking required – please call 01206 282941

£3 per person. No need to book.

Free Family Activities

Events at Colchester Castle Museum

At Firstsite, Colchester

Tuesday 28th July Astrodome

Drop in free art sessions each Saturday during August. For more information please visit www.firstsite.uk.net/

Talks and Workshops WEA West Bergholt Branch Autumn course At The Methodist Hall, Chapel Lane, West Bergholt CO6 3EF Beginning 15th September 8.00pm Explore the stars in the Astrodome! Learn about the solar system, stars and comets as well as why we have night and day, the seasons and eclipses. £3 per adult, £2 per child after normal admission price to the Castle.

For further information please contact Gill on 01206 240512.

Mindfulness for stress and wellbeing introductory workshop

Meet the snake expert and discover more about these interesting creatures and have your own ‘Snake encounter’.

Thursday 20th August

If in doubt then sample first evening for free.

Shakespeare’s Villains

by Ron Marks.

At Wormingford Community Education Centre, Church Lane, Wormingford, Colchester CO6 3AZ Saturday 12th September 10.00am 12.30pm. Cost £25.

Please contact Heather Johnston on 07801 246113 or email enquiries@ mindtrip.co.uk

iPad courses

At Wormingford Community Education Centre, The Old School, Church Lane, Wormingford CO6 3AZ 3 week introductory course beginning Tuesday 8th September 2.00pm – 3.30pm. £8 per session or £15 for all 3 paid in advance.

Follow on course of 8 sessions 2.00pm - 3.30pm beginning Tuesday 28th September. £8 per session or £40 for the whole course paid in advance.

An exploration of The iPad has become Shakespeare’s insights the perfect IT device for into how ‘one may smile, people who don’t want a and smile and be a villain’. computer but also don’t £48 for a course of 10 want to be left behind by evenings. People on www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk technology that almost low incomes or income everyone now uses. It based benefits/JSA free.

opens the door to the digital world for people who would otherwise be shut out. There will beamaximum of 6 people on each course.

To book a place, please contactamanda on 01206 337338.

Talk by Jules Pretty At Wormingford Community Education Centre, The Old School, Church Lane, Wormingford CO6 3AZ Friday 25th September 7.00pm for 7.30pm In ‘The Edge of Extinction: Travels with Enduring People in Vanishing Lands’, Jules explores life and change in a dozen environments and cultures across the world to show that there are many different ways to live in co-operation with nature. From these accounts of people living close to the land and close to the edge emerge a larger story about sustainability and the future of the planet. The book addresses not only current threats to natural and cultural diversity but also the unsustainability of modern lifestyles typical of industrialized countries.

In a very real sense, Jules discovers what we manage to preserve now may well save us later. Tickets £5 to include a drink and nibbles.

For more information or to book tickets please callamanda on 01206 337338.

What’s On continued 23 over page

What’s On A Taster Workshop in Miniature Painting

For more information karenzajackson@hotmail. com 07760 304887

At the Venture Centre, Lawford

www.karenzajackson.com

Wednesday 9th September 1.00pm – 4.00pm An introduction to this technique of painting followed by regular classes for those who would like to take it further in the future.

Everything you need to create your miniature painting will be provided on the day. The fee for the workshop is £15.

Please ring Jenny on 01473 310337 or 07415 264522 to book your place.

Art Courses with Karenza Jackson Assington Village Hall, Suffolk 19th and 20th September Collage/Monoprinting Have fun combining collage with monoprinting.

Emphasis on texture, line and colour.

19th September at 10.00am - 1.30pm

Congregational Hall, Wivenhoe

Contact Roy Reece 07513 464567

Saturday 15th August and Saturday 19th September at 9.00am - 12.00

Nayland Farmers Market

Farmers markets Please note that some dates may be liable to change so for more information contact individual markets for details.

Lavenham Farmers Market At The Village Hall, LavenhamSunday 23rd August and Sunday 27th September at 10.00am - 1.30pm Contact Justine Paul 07704 627973

Colchester Farmers Market The Arts Centre, Colchester

Costumed Life Model

Friday 7th August and Friday 4th September at 9.30am - 12.30pm Contact Rowley Castiglione 01206 367776

Feature your not for profit, village, community or charity events FREE OF CHARGE in our What’s On pages by emailing your listing to info@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

At Nayland Village Hall

Brightlingsea Farmers Market

Saturday 15th August (3rd Saturday) and Saturday 12th September at 9.30am - 1.00pm

At the Community Centre, Brightlingsea

Contact Justine Paul 07704 627973

Saturday 29th August and Saturday 26th September at

Long Melford Farmers Market

Contact Rowly Castiglione 01206 367776

14th and 15th November Be inspired by Matisse, with short/long poses in different media. Emphasis on pattern and colour.

Wivenhoe Farmers Market

9.00am - 12.00 Contact 01206 302055

Sudbury Farmers Market At St Peters Church, Sudbury Friday 28th August and Friday 25th September at 9.30am - 2.00pm Contact Justine Paul 07704 627973

Hedingham Farmers’ Market At The Baptist Church, Swan Street, Sible Hedingham (next to the Sugar Loaves pub) Saturday 15th August and Saturday

At Long Melford Village Memorial Hall Saturday 15th August and Saturday 19th September at 10.00am - 1.00pm Contact Daryl Turner 07780 258202

Coggeshall Farmers Market At Coggeshall Village Hall, Stoneham Street, Coggeshall Sunday 23rd August 10.00am – 1.00pm Raising money for local schools and charities. www.facebook. com/groups/ CoggeshallFarmersMarket

The Connection has listed all the events in What’s On in good faith. We cannot accept responsibility for inaccuracies, changes to events or cancellations. It might be advisable to check with venues before attendance.

Next issue: October/November - published 17th September 2015

Deadline date for entries in the next issue 4th September 2015

We also slimming groups, keep 24 welcome details Pleaseof mention The Connection when responding to adverts fit classes, language courses, farmers markets, boot sales and regular clubs, groups and societies. www.facebook.com/TheConnectionMagazineColchester

MARKS HALL

Gardens and Arboretum presents A fine outdoor exhibition of sculpture in a striking heritage landscape From 1st to 30th August 2015 Open 10.30am to 5pm every day except Mondays

Marks Hall, Coggeshall, Essex Normal garden entry applies

Work by Penny Hardy

Main Sponsor

www.markshall.org.uk | 01376 563796

Sculpture at Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum Marks Hall is hosting an outdoor exhibition of sculpture this summer, from 1st to 30th August 2015. Over 200 acres, the Gardens and Arboretum at Marks Hall are an inspiring setting in the Essex countryside for more than 230 pieces from over 30 national and international sculptors. There will be works in a huge variety of materials including stone, marble and metal as well as glass, wire, wood and willow. There will also be kinetic installations.

Rebecca Lee, General Manager at Marks Hall notes “We are delighted be hosting such a prestigious event, which will showcase the work of carefully selected national and international sculptors in the stunning Gardens and Arboretum. It has long been an ambition to bring sculpture to Marks Hall, we hope this will give our visitors the opportunity to view the landscape in a different and engaging way. It was very important to us that visitors would not be charged any extra to view the exhibition, and we are extremely grateful to all our sponsors, especially the

main sponsor Tiptree, to allow us to make this happen. All the pieces sited here throughout August will be available for sale, although not removed until after the end of the exhibition.

The whole of August will be a very exciting time at Marks Hall.�

This has prompted the team at Marks Hall to promote a Summer of Art with children in mind.

There will be a trail for children to follow to explore the sculpture exhibition and a variety of resources on hand to create their own nature inspired art. Alongside this, the special landscape offers leafy woodlands, hidden pathways and trees from the dinosaur age to discover.

There is a delicious selection of refreshments available in the Barn, and Pound Field located near the Visitor Centre, offers a wonderful spot for picnics with shade provided by oak trees.

Marks Hall is open Tuesday to Sunday 10.30am until 5pm, last admissions half an hour before closing. Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays.

Normal garden entry applies, there is no extra charge for the sculpture exhibition. Children are welcome to use art supplies, donations gratefully received.

Please see the website or call the team at Marks Hall on 01376 563796. www.markshall.org.uk

www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

25

Cake and Bake Caramel Apple Sponge Bake This delicious moist sponge makes a perfect pudding for a special lunch. Serve warm or cold with ice cream or a spoonful of tangy crème fraiche.

Ingredients: • 100g granulated sugar • 4 tbsp cold water • 2 dessert apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced • 200g self-raising flour • � tsp baking powder • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 200g caster sugar • 200g unsalted butter, softened • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten • 3-5 tbsp milk • Icing sugar, to dust • Scoops of vanilla ice cream and lemon balm sprigs, to serve

Makes 9 squares Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes 26

Photo: Steve Roun

1. Preheat the oven to 180C, fan 160C, Gas 4. Grease a 23cm square shallow cake tin and line the base and two sides with a baking paper.

2. Put the granulated sugar and water in a heavy-based saucepan and heat gently, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Bring the syrup to the boil and continue boiling, without stirring, until the syrup has turned to a golden caramel.

3. Carefully pour the hot caramel into the base of the prepared tin.

Arrange the apples slices over the caramel (don’t worry if the caramel has set).

4. Sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon into a large bowl and add the caster sugar, butter and eggs. Using a hand-held electric whisk, beat the mixture for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Whisk in enough of the milk to give a soft dropping consistency.

5. Spoon the mixture over the apples and gently level the surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until the sponge is golden and springy to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

6. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes then carefully lift it out of the tin using the baking paper up the two sides of the tin. Cut into 9 squares and serve warm or cold, dusted with icing sugar. Top each square with scoop of ice cream and decorate with a sprig of lemon balm.

TIP

Replace the apple slices with peeled and sliced pears or try peeled and segmented oranges for a lovely citrus flavoured dessert.

Please mention The Connection when responding to adverts Photo: Genevieve Leaper

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27

Codeword

11

Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a different number between 1 and 26.

The codes for three letters are shown. Once you have filled these throughout the grid you can start guessing words and reveal other letters. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

23 23

2

16

18 5

11 4

11

10

13

6

11

7

1

2

3

4

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8

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9

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22

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Solution on page 42

CPS : a r c h i t e c t u r e + d e s i g n L t d residential and commercial designs F R E E D E S I G N C O N S U LTATI O N

t:01206 581019 ColchesterPlann

28

Please mention The Connection when responding to adverts

Need help with Probate or Letters of Administration?

Probate can be a very complex task but we can help you and we offer guaranteed fixed fees. We provide a complete solution helping you deal with the emotional aspects of losing a loved one whilst we deal with the practical aspects.

Our probate staff are fully qualified probate practitioners who hold the appropriate qualification for probate administration, including full STEP membership (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners) and or ILEX (Institute of Legal executives) as applicable.

Call 01376 349366

Members of The Society of Will Writers and approved Probate Supplier for the Forces Pension Society

If you need to talk to somebody about Probate or Le�er of Administra�on call us on 01376 349366 or freephone 0800 612 6105 You can also email us at enquiries@iwc‐ltd.co.uk

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29

Notice Board Essex IVC Social and Activity Club IVC is a social & events group, open to all those with a lively mind and sociable attitude. Our next event is an evening of Barn Dancing with Scottish flavour, at the Village Hall, Rivenhall on Monday 27th July 7.30pm. Join us for an evening’s dancing. It’s brilliant fun, guaranteed to put a smile on your face and very good exercise too. Only £4 a session. Soft drinks supplied but you are welcome to bring your own. To book please call 01376 573760 or email sue.l.ellen.1@googlemail.com

St Helena Hospice Needs Your Help We are seeking enthusiastic, motivated volunteers to help in our Dedham and newly opened Manningtree shops. If you have a few hours to spare each week then we would love to hear from you. Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people, learn new skills and give something back to your local community.

hospice has planned some very exciting events for families, individuals and groups of friends or colleagues to sign up to. Taking part in its events as a family is a great way to spend quality time together, get some fresh air and exercise while raising money for a good cause. The hospice has a range of running, walking and cycling events to cater for all age groups and interests.

Bubble Rush on Saturday 5th September in Colchester. Run or walk 5km and get blasted with colourful bubble canons along the way. Under 5’s take part for free.

Cycle Ride on Sunday 27th September starting at Monks Farm in Dedham.

Choose one of three different length routes from 5, 24, and 56 miles taking participants through Constable countryside and villages.

The support that is received from event participants enables the hospice to continue providing patients with lifelimiting illnesses and their families with invaluable care and support. Sign up to take part in memory of a loved one or For further information please email just to support your local hospice and volunteer@sthelenahopsice.org.uk or have a day to remember with the whole alternatively call our HR department on family. Those who wish to participate 01206 931466. in or find out more about the hospice’s Please also visit our website for a full list events can do at www.sthelenahospice. of all our vacancies www.sthelenahos- org.uk/events or call the events team on pice.org.uk/volunteer.

01206 931468.

Family days out in aid of St Helena Hospice

Essex and Suffolk Sketchers

Clubs and Societies Essex and Suffolk IVC Contact Brad on 07587 004207.

Coggeshall Patient Participation Group Contact 01376 561840 or 01376 561943.

Kelvedon Women’s Institute Contact www.kelvedonwi.org. uk, email contact@kelvedonwi. org.uk or call Joanna Puczkowski on 07855 369516.

Coggeshall Heritage Society Contact Mr. R.Creswell on 01376 561570 or visit www. discoveringcoggeshall.co.uk Circle of Friendship Contact Gwen on 07949 496723.

Magazine Distributors Needed!

Like walking? Get paid to exercise!

We are looking for adult, mobile distributors for the following areas; Aldham, Earls Colne and Coggeshall.

Please register your interest by emailing me at; editor@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

St Helena Hospice is looking for local If you fancy joining our group please families to stretch their legs and take on visit our Facebook page www.facebook. one of its fantastic fundraising events com/groups/EssexAndSuffolkSketchers/ this year. or contact us via email: As part of its 30th anniversary the studio@suepownallartist.co.uk 30 Please mention The Connection when responding to adverts editor@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

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Clean includes shelves, loose panels, grill pans and roasting trays supplied with the oven.

We dismantle and clean inside the glass on your oven doors, remove and clean behind control knobs (where possible).

We also carry some spares such as hinges and door seals and carry replacement lamps to suit most ovens.

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31

Tech It With You The best gadgets to take travelling

It’s that time of year again: time to jump in trains, planes or aeroplanes to head for some much needed rest and relaxation. Whether it’s keeping the kids entertained, getting a beach party started or helping you catch up on your reading list, tech will be an essential companion.

For most of us, the worst bit of any holiday is all the hanging around - especially if there are children to amuse in the fun-free environs of an airport. We’ve found Apple’s iPad Mini a real godsend in such circumstances, as it can be filled with a mix of games, movies, ebooks and apps to keep children of all ages amused. We’d strongly recommend a set of headphones and a sturdy protective case, though: the only thing louder than some kid’s apps is the noise we make when we see the iPad dropped onto a concrete floor.

If you’re travelling with older children, especially in the UK, a portable Wi-Fi hotspot can be really handy. Three’s MiFi (£29.99) creates a wireless network in your car, on a train, in a caravan or anywhere else the device can get a mobile data signal, and as it’s a pay as you go device you needn’t worry about running up big bills.

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You can take the MiFi abroad, too, so for example Three offers support in some 138 countries, but check the prices carefully: mobile data in some countries can be very expensive.

For your own amusement we can’t praise Amazon’s Kindle ebook reader highly enough: over the years it’s got better and sharper while the price has plummeted. The cheapest one is now just £59 and has a battery that’s likely to last longer than your holiday. If magazines are more your thing, a tablet or laptop running the excellent Readly service (£9.99) per month gives you access to stacks of really good magazines that you can download before you travel.

And don’t forget audiobooks, such as the extensive selection available for almost any device at Audible.com.

You’ll find noise cancelling headphones make air travel much more bearable, even if you don’t listen to anything: they get rid of most extraneous noise, and they’re particularly good on anything with a low background hum. For when you do want noise, though, we’d recommend a portable speaker. There are all kinds of powerful Bluetooth speakers for smartphones and tablets, but we’re quite taken with the

£12 X-Mini 2: it’s tiny, delivers decent enough sound for a barbecue and runs for ages without needing new batteries.

Pricier speakers may offer better sound, but they weigh and cost a lot more too.

The single best gadget you can take travelling, though, is a smartphone. You don’t need an expensive one to benefit from them: Google’s excellent Translate app breaks down language barriers on the cheapest phones, while Nokia’s HERE maps don’t need a data connection to give you GPS sat-nav when you’re abroad.

When you consider all the various things a phone can do - mapping, online banking, flight checking, emergency calling, researching potential destinations, playing music, taking photos, recording video and much, much more - a good smartphone is a must-have travel accessory. If you’re on a tight budget you can pick up a good Android phone such as a Motorola E or G for less than £100. It’s money well spent.

Just don’t forget to pack the charger!

Images left to right: Three UK MiFi mobile wireless hotspot; Readly mobile magazine app; X-Mini II mobile speaker; Motorola E smartphone

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33

Tropical Paradise

by Pippa Greenwood

As the summer’s end is not too far away, many of us will be wishing for that exotic holiday we never quite had.

But you can recreate that Typically Tropical Feel in your own garden instead. The temperatures may not be quite what they might be on a real exotic holiday, but it’ll certainly help to make your garden feel warmer and more appealing, and you can be sure that it’ll last a lot longer than the classic two week long trip.

too. For very bold, colourfully striped foliage and screaming orange flowers try Canna ‘Tropicana’, or for a larger than life effect try the banana Ensetes ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ which grows very fast and has wonderfully rich purple-green leaves.

A tropical oasis might be particularly well suited to an urban garden, where temperatures are often warmer and conditions more sheltered and protected, but even if your garden gets its fair share of frosts you can still make an impact using a mixture of tender and hardy plants all of which have that exotic feel to them. Plant closely or fill ‘gaps’ with temporary plantings of the less hardy tropical look plants and you will create that dense, lush looks which spells tropical paradise.

If you want more than just foliage, the bulbous Eucomis bicolour has out-of-this world greenish yellow flowerheads which give it the common name of ‘pineapple plant’.

Another favourite of mine is the Angel’s trumpet. These gorgeous looking plants may be very poisonous but the flowers of Brugmansia (previously known as Datura) as angel’s trumpet is also known, take some beating – choose white, yellow or cream and enjoy their perfume and elegant good looks. Although not hardy if you grow it in a pot it can be kept in the garden during all but the worst weather and then brought out again once it has started to warm up the following spring.

Lush, large leaves will always help to create a rainforest or exotic atmosphere and you could even grow a miniature banana called Musa ‘Basjoo’, which shows a good degree of hardiness. Indian shot plants, also known as the cannas are great and fast growing

Don’t forget the vertical surfaces such as trellis, walls and fences as they too can be given a floral and foliage makeover. These may look boring now, but will look great when covered with passion flowers, ornamental vines or the pretty Cobea scandens

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commonly known as the cup and saucer plant.

Then add to the ‘action’ using a few dramatic features – perhaps a Trachycarpus fortunei palm in open ground or a pot, or in the form of a sculpture or statue. If you go to the garden centre, many statues and garden ornaments are much more affordable than you might think. Partially hidden with some lush foliage they help to add to the junglelike atmosphere.

There are plenty of tropicaleffect plants to choose from including: tree ferns, phoenix palms, yuccas, cordylines, Rodgersia pinnata, Gunnera manicata, Rheum palmatum, cycads, citrus (including lemons, calamondin orange and other fruiting varieties) and bamboos.

So, you see, the potential is there to create a holiday paradise without having to leave home, brave delays at the airport, find a house or petsitter…..all you need now is a deck chair and a cocktail or two, delivered on a tray!

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35

Centenary Celebrations: WI turns 100 1915 First WI meeting venue Winteringham became the first English born female MP. By 1924, when Jerusalem was adopted as the WI song, there were 3,223 WIs.

World War Two to Diamond Jubilee As the Women’s Institute (WI) celebrates the centenary of that first UK WI meeting, we look at its history and its role today.

A Slow Start As the twentieth century began, few AOS (Agricultural Organisation Society) branches welcomed women, and although WIs had begun in Canada and spread to other countries, they hadn’t made it to the UK - until the arrival of Madge Watt, co-founder of British Columbia’s first WI. Madge’s speech about the vital contribution women could make to the war effort through working the land to grow food persuaded the AOS to appoint her to start UK WIs, where women could then share knowledge about agriculture and home industries – and initially focus on increasing food production to counter WW1 shortages.

The first UK WI meeting was on 16th September 1915 in Llanfair PG, and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) was formed in October 1917. After WW1, the WI urged members to stand for election at local and parliamentary level. In 1921 WI member Mrs Margaret

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The WI’s chair, Lady Denman, became Director of the Women’s Land Army. The WI’s Preservation Centres were vital, canning produce and making jam, turning over 5,300 tons of potential waste into food, while the NWFI’s 1941 report on evacuees, Town Children through Country Eyes, stimulated a debate that ultimately resulted in the post-war family allowances.

In 1945, the WI founded Denman College.

The fifties saw the WI spread its wings, organising a music festival and designing a working family’s house for the Ideal home Exhibition. In 1965 representatives from 8,700 WIs celebrated the WI’s Golden Jubilee at a Buckingham Palace garden party, and the rule prohibiting WIs in places with populations over 4,000 was abolished. The sixties ended with performances of The Brilliant and the Dark, an NFWI-commissioned musical following women’s lives through history.

In 1974 the number of WIs reached an all-time high of 9,309, just in time to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in 1975. At that year’s AGM, the NFWI pledged itself to ‘the principle of equality of opportunity and of legal status for men and women.’

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

A Thoroughly Modern Institution In the 1980s, the WI launched a substantial campaign to raise its profile, culminating in the Life and Leisure Exhibition in 1984, opened by the Queen, and it showed a growing awareness of current technology and issues as the 1990s began.

Perhaps what most overturned its ‘jam and Jerusalem image’ was the response of many members to the Prime Minister’s address at their Triennial General Meeting in 2000. Feeling his speech was becoming a party political broadcast, they rewarded him with a slow handclap. However, the WI is just as committed to preserving traditional skills as it is to addressing the issues of the day, as demonstrated by their Craft Spectacular exhibition in 2000.

Today, the WI is the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK, with 212,000 members. It still strives to provide women with educational opportunities and campaigns on issues that concern members and their communities, from equal pay and better midwifery to climate change and the plight of the honey bee. So happy 100th birthday, WI – and thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

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39

And Another Thing...

by Tom Hughes

I knew from Sarah’s desperate phone call that the situation was urgent.

“Tom, has it arrived or not?”

“Yes, the courier’s just been.”

“Right, let’s just hope it fits. We have to be there for seven!”

The Chairman’s annual dinner dance is the highlight of our social calendar (the other important dates being Christmas and my Mum coming for Sunday tea) so what to wear is a stress known only to the fairer sex. I on the other hand have no such conundrum, needing only to dust down my penguin suit (although sometimes the previous twelve months over-indulgence can result in a fight to the death with the trousers).

So my problems were as nothing compared to Sarah’s.

Rushing in from work, she ran upstairs to our bedroom, where on the bed lay her nemesis - the ball gown. I was half way up the stairs when an ear piercing scream froze me to the spot.

go.”

“I’ll tell you what, let’s ask our daughter.”

I shouted Hannah, our sassy, fifteen year old fashionista. My eyes bored into her as I nodded furiously and said, “Doesn’t that dress look lovely on your Mum?” Hannah, glancing up momentarily from her smartphone, took one look at her Mother and said, “Have you not got anything else? What about that black one?”

Dragging the Apple of my Eye out onto the landing I said, “Word of advice, don’t ever apply to be a diplomat, will you?”

As Hannah rolled her eyes I heard Sarah call from the bedroom. “Right that’s it. I’m not going, you can go on your own.”

Disaster loomed. I had to think quick.

“Look, let’s see what Debi says.”

Debi was Sarah’s best friend and my last hope. Hurriedly, I took some pictures.

“You could at least smile darling.”

“Tom!”

“Listen David Bailey, there isn’t time.”

I burst in to see my beloved stuck inside an oversized meringue.

With Sarah in the bathroom, I seized my chance as Debi’s messages pinged through.

“Sorry hon, that dress is awful!” (delete) “Is there nothing else? What about that gorgeous black -” (delete).

“They’ve sent the wrong dress!”

Immediately I went into damage limitation mode. “It’s not too bad. Here, can I pin it?”

“Since when did you become a seamstress?

It’s ok, I’ll just wear the black one. Thank goodness you never stuck it on eBay.” My grimace gave it away. “...Tom?”

Beep! The taxi arrived. Bustling Sarah into the back of the cab, I handed over her phone.

“Debi hasn’t replied, but I’m sure she loved it.”

“Have those trousers shrunk or something?”

“Let’s just go in shall we?”

Shuffling into the lobby, we were greeted by a glitter ball on legs - The Chairman’s Wife.

“Mrs Hughes, don’t you look...nice?”

“There you go, she loves it”, I whispered through my fixed grin.

“You’ve a lot to learn about women”, replied Sarah through gritted teeth.

The night wore on. We danced and drank our way through it. Eventually it was late enough to make our excuses and leave so Sarah poured me into the taxi and we headed home.

“Be honest. Do I really look nice?”

“You look absolootelee dee-vine dahling (hic!) and I don’t care what Debi said.”

“Why, what did she say? You said she didn’t reply. Tom?” Then, our chauffeur, a skinny young man with a pierced nose decided to weigh in with his two penneth. “Take no notice love, my wife has the exact same dress and it looks great on her. Mind you, hers isn’t white, it’s bla-” “Just here thank you!” Testily, I cut him dead.

Sipping coffee in the kitchen, I noticed Sarah busy on my phone.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m just ordering myself a new LBD online.

It’s a bargain, only £200. And isn’t PayPal so convenient?”

“But you haven’t got a PayPal account.”

“I know. But you have.”

And so, the wheels of married life turn endlessly onwards....

Outside the hotel, Sarah made a final Follow Tom @groomsdaybook.com adjustment to her dress as she looked me up and down.

40 well that’s it. I’m “Right not going.

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Computer Services Counselling

Index of Advertisers Cleaning Services

33 39

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5 33 5

33, 37

Kitchen Fitters

5 15

42

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27, 33

Acupuncture

9

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48

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31

Dog Washing Service

38

Ladies fashion

7

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28

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39

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27, 31

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37, 42

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27

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10 9

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31

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35

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29, 47

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39

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2, 13

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41

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10, 37

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41

Home Improvements

27

Reflexology

9

Computer Services Counselling

33

Hairdressers

17

Restaurant

11, 12

42

Storage

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33, 37

5 33 5

41

39

Interior Design IT Specialist Joinery

Removals

Cleaning Services

Sports Massage

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48

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5

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Window Repairs

13

9

Willow Fences

35

31

Will Writing

9

29, 47

Yoga

9

SUDBURY

River Stour

Dog Training

A131

Electrician

e

Earls Colne

Great Tey

Garden Services

A131

Gift Shop

Coggeshall

Home Improvements Hairdressers

35

Fordham River

Aldham

39 41

A120

Feering Kelvedon

Stratford St Mary

Boxted Physiotherapy Pilates

White Colne Wakes Colne Chappel

Garden Design

Nayland Pest Control

10 9

oln

Greenstead Green

43

Bures

Little Mount Horkesley Bures Wormingford

HALSTEAD Flooring Colne Engaine Funeral Directors er C

Oven Cleaning

31, 36 Pebmarsh

Florist Riv

Decorators

A12

A12

West Bergholt

Planning Braiswick Services

Colne

A120

Eight Ash Green

Probate Services COLCHESTER

37, 42 Dedham

Property Maintenance 39 Lexden

Copford

27

Plumber

10, 37

17

Reflexology

9

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Kitchen Fitters

Restaurant 11, 12 5 Magazines delivered to selected homes in these areas Removals 41 33 5 www.facebook.com/TheConnectionMagazineColchester Storage 41, 39 5 Sports Massage 7

Kitchen Doors

15

Oven Cleaning

27, 31

Interior Design IT Specialist Joinery

9

Swimming Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data inPool this publication43 is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial disclaimValuations any liability to any Ladies contributors fashion can accept, 7 and hereby Specialist 15party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Therapies

43, 7

The Connection does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication.

Pest Control 37, 42 Treemay Surgeon 35 46reserved. NoPlease The Connection when responding to adverts All rights part of mention this publication be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted inPhysiotherapy any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise 9 Water Solutions 43 - without the prior permission of the publisher

Pilates

9

Window Repairs

13

Willwriting & Probate Services Did you know: You can protect your property from being sold to pay for your Care Home fees.

Did you know: That the 40% inheritance tax is voluntary and you can legally take steps to mitigate the tax?

Members of The Society of Will Writers, The Heir Hunters Association and approved Probate Supplier for the Forces Pension Society

If you need help or advice please call us on 01376 349366 or freephone 0800 612 6105 You can also email us at enquiries@iwc窶人td.co.uk

IWC

www.iwc-ltd.co.uk

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Say hello to your new smile.

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• Advanced laser technology meaning better healing with fewer drills and injections • Long lasting mercury and metal-free dentistry • Innovative preventive dentistry • Affordable private dentistry • Experts in anxious patients

What our patients say...

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“Excellent service, all staff are polite and caring.

Neel is the best dentist I have been to in 50+ years and would recommend the practice and him to anyone.” - D.L Colchester

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Plus a voucher for £50 off any further treatment!

Please Quote Connection Expires 30th September 2015, subject to availability, pre-payment required, terms and conditions apply.

Exclusive offers for Connection readers www.hellodental.co.uk/connection

Find out how we’re making fear of the dentist a thing of the past at www.hellodental.co.uk • 01206 589777 when responding to adverts 48 Please mention The Connection The Centre, Colchester Business Park, Essex, CO4 9QQ (next to mimosa)