Connection Feb/March 15 by Sarah Banks

The

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Feb/March 15 Issue 62

connection magazine Inside this issue... Vintage style interiors Gardening with Pippa Greenwood Book reviews Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On

Also... Recipes Health Motoring Pension news

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The Connection is delivered free to homes in Aldham, Fordham, Great Tey, Chappel, Wakes Colne, White Colne, Colne Engaine, Countess Cross, Pebmarsh, Earls Colne, Bures St Mary, Bures Hamlet, Mount Bures , Wormingford, West Bergholt, Eight Ash Green, Copford, Braiswick, Lexden, Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Feering. Also available in Halstead, Sudbury, Assington, Stoke by Nayland, Nayland, and Waitrose in Colchester.

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Hello

Inside

We have some interesting new features in this issue, including a new Motoring and Finance page and we have a new contributor from Essex Police who will keep us updated in the months to come. As usual we have some lovely recipes, including a vegetarian curry that I’m looking forward to trying on page 36. Talking of food, the George and Dragon are running their popular 2 for 1 offer again during February and March, so get yourself booked in! We also have some book reviews and gardening tips from Pippa Greenwood. Plus, we have digital gadgets to help you stay motivated on page 25 if your‘get fit and healthy’ new year resolution has slipped off the radar! If you suffer from Tinnitus there are a few coping strategies to be found on page 28 and if you need clarification on the new private pension rules you will find details on page 18. Enjoy your February/March issue and I’ll see you soon!

4 - Homes and Interiors 6 - Country Mutters 10 & 36 - Recipes 12 - Book Reviews 16 - Notice Board 18 - Finance 21 - 23 - What’s On 26 - School Birdwatch 28 - Health 34 - Gardening 38 - Sudoku 40 - Motoring 44 - Useful Numbers 46 - Index

Sarah

Editor and Publisher: Sarah Banks Editorial Assistant: Amanda Findley Contributors: Amanda Findley, Pippa Greenwood, Katherine Sorrell, Ann Haldon, Alison Runham, Tom Hughes 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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Home & Interiors Look Back In Nostalgia

By Katherine Sorrell

paint, or else push the boat out and go for floral wallpaper. A hand-block printed effect, in a palette of light, bright and cheery colours, is particularly effective. For bathrooms and kitchens, painted tongue and groove panelling or white beveledged tiles (laid in a brick bond pattern) work especially well.

Do you yearn for the charming styles of the past? For the pretty patterns and jolly colours, the homemade accessories, the simple good looks that made a home really homely? Then read on for interiors expert Katherine Sorrell’s look at nostalgic style. Take a look at your floors for a first step towards nostalgic style. Plain or painted wooden boards are ideal, with flatwoven rugs for extra warmth where necessary, though neutral carpets or naturalfibre coverings are a good alternative, while you could opt for stone tiles in hallways or kitchens. On the walls, you might keep things plain and simple with while or off-white

Furniture can be really inexpensive –you might pick something up at a local auction or even a second-hand shop for next to nothing. Look for sturdy, useful pieces in a timeless style, made from pine, oak or Lloyd Loom. Anything too dark or heavy looking can be painted – though make sure it is not too massive and overbearing in the room. Don’t expect perfection: knocked corners or faded upholstery may even enhance the overall look, while mismatching pieces aren’t too much of a problem provided they fit into the overall aesthetic. Textiles are often the key to getting nostalgic style just right. Think plain fabrics combined with ticking stripes, gingham, spots and florals – spriggy or else big, blowsy blooms. Don’t aim for over-coordination; instead, a range of complementary colours and patterns gives a suitably eclectic effect. Natural fabrics (such as cotton, linen and wool) are nicest, in a range of weights and effects, such as tweed, canvas, muslin or sateen. Remnants, if you’re good with a sewing machine, can be run up into all sorts of lovely items. Window

treatments, for example, are a doddle – just a pair of gathered curtains – while leftovers can quickly be made into cushion covers. Patchwork quilts, of course, are simply perfect in the bedroom, as are Welsh blankets and satin eiderdowns, while knitting and crochet (especially granny squares) are essential ingredients in virtually any room. Displays of pretty accessories can be the making of this look, whether it’s spongeprinted ceramics, pressed glass, blue-and-white crockery or enamelware. Modern reproductions are easy to find and not expensive, but more fun can be had in seeking out just the right original bits and bobs, from storage jars to aprons, cut-glass jugs to wooden kitchen utensils, whether it’s at a vintage fair, charity shops or your local car boot sale. Think dressers piled with pretty crockery, a stack of biscuit tins on a shelf or laceedged towels in the bathroom. Add woven baskets, metal buckets, vintage milk bottles, bristle brushes, some lengths of bunting, even old books such as orange Penguin classics or Ladybird children’s stories; and finish things off with some informal arrangements of native flowers tucked into jam jars or informal jugs or vases. The result? You have transformed yesterday’s pleasures into today’s delightful treasures. Main Image - A selection of crockery from Cath Kidston’s spring 2015 ranges, tel 08450 262 440; www.cathkidston.co.uk.

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Country Mutters

Slush Puppies.....by Lady Muck

As someone who is not terribly keen on Valentines Day cards that have a multitude of shocking pink glittery hearts surrounding a wide eyed fluffy puppy holding a note that says ‘I weally, weally woof you’ on it, the annual search for something tasteful to give Husband is a long and frustrating one. Husband himself has long ago given up in that department, but although I never get a card, I do get roses and sometimes chocolates as well, depending on how much I’ve been moaning about how fat I am during the preceding weeks. Retail opportunities come fast and furious these days so that as soon as you clear New Years Day you can hardly step out of your front door without falling over heart shaped balloons, lollipops, cushions and cupcakes in every shade of red and pink from pillarbox to candyfloss. It’s like wading through a sea of blancmange while being force fed Love Hearts. There’s none of that nonsense at home. Offspring Nos. 1 and 2 are not given to romantic impulses, No. 1 being more concerned with getting through exams and No. 2 being at the stage where he would rather gnaw his own leg off than talk to A Girl. So although there is not a superabundance of romance in the house, I’m not complaining. Although I do a lot of hinting I know very well that if Husband ever did surprise me with a weekend stay at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, I would

spend most of the time (when not actually eating, obviously) fretting about the cost, thus considerably spoiling the hedonistic quality of the experience. I suppose the longer you’re together, practicality tends to become more important. It’s like the choice between pretty silk undies or big pants, isn’t it? No matter how desirable, we all know which ones we really want – the long lasting comfortable ones with kidney-warming coverage, of course. What I would really love to receive on Valentines Day is a legally binding promise for Husband to deal with any spider that I find without question, procrastination, exaggerated sighing or pretending to deal with it by making a lot of noise which merely causes it to run away and hide for a bit. Also acceptable would be gestures such as agreeing to watch my choice of film without falling asleep half way through, putting out the bins on a cold rainy day or saying ‘No dear, of course your bum doesn’t look big in that’ without being prompted. But it’s not all about what women want, surely. What about the men? Curious, I asked a cross section of men in the immediate vicinity what they would really like to receive on Valentine’s Day. The replies ranged from the simple: ‘A nice pint’ through the practical: ’A 240 volt heavy duty 15 metre RCD extension lead’ to the incomprehensible: ‘COD Modern Warfare 2 expansion pack,’ to the ridiculous, not to say highly unrealistic: ‘Turning on the ignition of my car and finding the fuel guage not in the red’. No sugar, no pink icing, no ribbons, no sentimentality required. All you need is love….

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PHYSIOTHERAPY & OSTEOPATHY

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This luscious cake is an American classic and has a vibrant red coloured chocolate sponge ﬁlled with a tangy soft cheese frosting and dark chocolate icing. THE CAKE • 300g plain flour • 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 4 tbsp cocoa powder • 235g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 300g caster sugar • 3 medium eggs, beaten • 200ml buttermilk • 1½ tsp vanilla extract • 2 tbsp liquid red food colouring THE CHOCOLATE ICING • 140g plain chocolate, broken into pieces • 75g butter, diced • 75ml double cream THE FROSTING • 55g unsalted butter, softened • ½ tsp vanilla extract • 115g icing sugar, sifted • 115 g full-fat soft cheese • 1 tbsp mini chocolate chips, to decorate

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line the bases of 3 x 20cm round sandwich tins. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and cocoa powder into a bowl and set aside. 2. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and using an electric whisk beat together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs then beat in the buttermilk, vanilla extract and red food colouring. Fold in the sifted flour mixture. 3. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared tins and level the surfaces. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until risen and just firm to the touch. Leave the sponges in the tins for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely. 4. To make the chocolate icing, put the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Leave until melted. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir the mixture until smooth. Cool for 2-3 minutes then stir in the cream. Leave at room temperature for 20-30 minutes then chill in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally until the icing is just thick enough to spread. 5. To make the frosting place the softened butter in a bowl and beat in the vanilla extract. Gradually beat in the sifted icing sugar until very smooth and thoroughly blended, then beat in the soft cheese. Don’t overbeat or the icing will start to go runny. 6. To assemble the cake, sandwich all three sponges together with twothirds of the frosting and nearly all of the chocolate icing (reserve 1-2 tbsp for decorating the top of the cake). Spread the rest of the frosting around the sides and over the top of the cake, smoothing it with a spatula. 7. Gently reheat the rest of the chocolate icing in the microwave on low setting for a few seconds – it needs to be just soft enough to pipe. Spoon the icing into a paper piping bag and snip off the end. Pipe swirls of icing on top of the cake then sprinkle with chocolate chips. Chill in the fridge until ready to eat. TIP - To add an extra sweetness and colour to the cake, place 2 tbsp granulated sugar in a bag with a little red food colouring paste. Rub the bag between your fingertips to colour the sugar. Use a palette knife to coat the coloured sugar around the side of the frosted cake. Only add this final touch just before serving the cake otherwise the sugar will dissolve into the frosting.

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Coupling

We’ve put together a collection of books for the big V-Day celebrations that focus on what happens after you and your love have been together for a while. Is there really such a thing as ‘happily ever after’? Or this this the beginning of the end?

A Spot of Bother - Mark Haddon The secrets, hopes and disappointments of our ordinary lives come into question in Haddon’s great novel about one family and the couples within it. George and Jean have been married for decades, but their daughter Katie, divorced, is now getting remarried, to someone who has ‘strangler’s hands’, according to her brother. Jean’s trying to keep her affair under wraps and George has discovered a strange lump or lesion and decides he’s definitely on his last legs. It’s all a bit of a pickle really and a highly amusing game of who’ll end up with whom. Couples - John Updike It’s a bit naughty, this one. But it’s a classic, so you can’t be frowned upon for reading it! It focuses on the promiscuous lives of ten couples living in a small Massachusetts town during the 1960s and reading it is like stepping back into the decade of free love and experimentation. It’s full of historic references and mixes fact and fiction incredibly well. The group of married, fairly well-off thirty-something year old couples are taking full advantage of new methods of contraception and more liberal attitudes. Updike’s novel questions whether it’s a new utopian society, or whether they’re actually in a hell of their own making.

Us - David Nicholls Women marry men thinking they can change them; men marry women hoping they’ll never change. Douglas would be quite happy to grow old and die together, but for Connie, that sentiment means their relationship is already dead in the water. She announces she’s going to pack her bags and leave him, but is persuaded by Douglas to make one final trip together. He’s got a master plan to reignite the spark and is pinning everything on this one holiday. Sounds like a fool-proof plan… The Children Act - Ian McEwan High Court Judge Fiona May presides over family cases, whilst her own home life is crumbling about her. Her husband’s asked her if they can have an open marriage and it doesn’t go down all that well. When he leaves, she is left questioning her own belief system and what it means to be dignified and respectable. On the work front she’s tackling the case of a teenage boy whose parents won’t permit a medical procedure that could save his life, because of their religious beliefs. She’s struggling to get a grip while her world falls apart around her and it’s truly compelling writing as she battles in the courtroom and on the home front. Juliet, Naked - Nick Hornby When you’ve been around the block and back again, several

thousand times, perhaps it’s time to move on. Annie’s been playing it safe and settling for Duncan and now she’s getting restless for some of that dramatic love she’s always dreamed of; the kind that sweeps you off your feet. The only trouble is she’s more likely to end up blown off her feet in the windswept Northern town of Gooleness. Does the excitement she craves lie with the American rock star who emails her… or does she need to look elsewhere? The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion Ok, so here’s a last one that’s been thrown in because we think it’s absolutely marvellous and because it features 39 year old Don Tillman’s ‘Wife Project’: the most scientific approach to finding a missus that you’re ever likely to come across. If you thought eHarmony asked a lot of questions, wait until you fill in Don’s questionnaire. He’s tall, dark and handsome, but he also seems to have undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome. This professor of genetics hasn’t found his ‘other half’ and so devises a series of questions designed to filter out the undesirables. Enter Rosie. She’s everything he’s not looking for, and yet she might just be perfect for him. You will fall in love with the frustrating character that is Don Tillman and you’ll be rooting for the old ball and chain to be secured by the end of the novel. Proof there really is someone out there for everyone.

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Solution on page 42

Codeword 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. 1

1 19

5 19

15 6

12 24

17 12

13 8

17 21

2 17

7 4

4 6

10 7

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Notice Board Volunteers needed for River Colne project

We are currently looking to set up a network of volunteers along the Colne Valley to monitor the mink rafts that are along this stretch of the river, which as you may know have been in place for five years; alongside this, volunteers would have the opportunity to become river wardens. As a river warden, volunteers would be trained to carry out surveys across a stretch of river, providing us with information to ensure that if there are any problems we can act quickly and effectively. We have already had some interest in this project and will hopefully be setting up a meeting in early February to meet with potential volunteers and explain the project further. For more information please visit http:// www.essexrivershub.org.uk/ index.php/river-wardens/ information

2015 UK and Ireland Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Big Screen, Big Stories: Travel the world and experience a selection of inspirational, exhilarating and unforgettable adventures from the comfort of your chair at Charter Hall, Colchester on 12th March.

journey around the world, as they get to know the remarkable characters behind the hair raising on-screen action sports, including climbing, skiing, alpinism, mountain biking, adventure travel, kayaking and more. The Tour is much more than a series of incredible film nights. It brings together people with a wide range of outdoor passions who return every year to enjoy the fantastic community feeling of a Banff screening and leave with new enthusiasm and inspiration for their own adventures. The popularity of the UK and Ireland leg of the World Tour is quickly growing. In 2015, the Tour is expected to bring together more than 45,000 adventure lovers, celebrating the outdoors in unique venues right across the UK and Ireland. The World Tour travels the globe every year, to over 45 different countries from Australia through to Antarctica, being enjoyed by more than 300,000 people worldwide.

Regular Clubs and Societies Essex and Suffolk IVC A social club for singles and couples meeting every month in Coggeshall. Contact Brad on 07587 004207. Coggeshall Patient Participation Group For patients interested in finding out more about Coggeshall surgery and contributing to the development of local health services. Contact 01376 561840 or 01376 561943. Kelvedon Women’s Institute Various activities and outings. Monthly meetings at the Kelvedon Institute. Contact www.kelvedonwi.org.uk, email contact@ kelvedonwi.org.uk or call Joanna Puczkowski on 07855 369516. Coggeshall Heritage Society Regular talks, outings and meetings for anyone interested in the history and development of Coggeshall. Contact Mr. R.Creswell on 01376 561570 or visit www.discoveringcoggeshall.co.uk Circle of Friendship Friendly monthly meetings in the Jubilee room at The Venture Centre, Lawford to include speakers, sing alongs, quizzes, outings and meals. Contact Gwen on 07949 496723.

For Banﬀ Mountain Film Festival World Tour tickets and information go to www.Banﬀ-uk.com.

The festival showcases a diverse collection of the best and latest films from the global mountain sports community. Audiences will be taken on a

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Change of use Take a look at this redundant telephone box in Aldham, near Hadleigh in Suffolk. The Parish Council - who bought the redundant box from BT four years ago for a £1 - decided to turn the telephone box into a book exchange.

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Also, a box in Mellis Suffolk has been turned into a “colour therapy room” for people searching for peace and quiet. The kiosk’s windows have been replaced with stained glass panels made by villagers, inspired by the flora and fauna of Mellis Common. The project was the idea of local artist Hilary Beal, and took 500 hours to complete. The finished work was unveiled by BBC journalist Martha Kearney. Pictures can be seen on Pinterest by entering: http://www.pinterest.com/valmhall/ mellis-telephone-box/ Other boxes around the country have been used to store life saving defibrillators.

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Finance

Pensions Rules are Changing: What You Need to Know By Ann Haldon

If you’re confused by drawdown, annuity, tax wrappers and pots, you are definitely not alone. It sometimes feels like politicians are being deliberately obtuse - why don’t they use plain English when talking about pensions so we all know where we stand on this important issue? Although other choices are available, including property or stocks and shares, saving into a private pension does offer the following tax advantages: • The government pays tax relief on your payments • You’re not taxed on the money in your pension pot (up to certain limits) • At pension age you can withdraw a percentage of your pension as a tax-free lump sum But what about the State Pension – won’t that provide the income I need in retirement? State Pension rules are set to change from 2016 when a weekly flat rate will be introduced. These are some of the new rules, should you reach State Pension age on or after April 6th 2016: • The full pension amount will be a minimum of £148.40 per week (the actual amount to be decided upon in late 2015) • At least 10 qualifying years

are needed to receive the new State Pension • The total number of qualifying years for eligibility has increased from 30 to 35 Auto enrolment Auto enrolment is new legislation that obliges employers to offer eligible employees a workplace pension. The new scheme, which was introduced in October 2012, is being rolled out to include all UK employers by February 2018. Currently, if you earn a minimum annual salary of £10,000, are aged between 22 years and the State Pension age, and work under a contract of employment in the UK, you are entitled to automatic enrolment on a workplace pension. New legislation regarding annuities Until recently, when you retired you had no other option but to use your pension fund to buy an annuity. Annuities provide you with a fixed income for life, and even though the legislation has now changed, this product may still offer the most stable income for you in retirement. The 2014 Budget saw changes to pension legislation. From 2015 you will not be forced to buy an annuity with your pension fund, but can use the money in other ways. As a general rule, people choose the ‘income drawdown’ option, an

annuity, or a mixture of the two. What is income drawdown? Income drawdown is an alternative to buying an annuity. You buy stocks, shares and other investments and take a regular income by cashing them in over time, with 25% of each ‘drawdown’ being tax-free. If you are not risk averse and you have a larger pension pot of £100,000 or more, the rewards can be greater. Income drawdown is a complicated option with high fees and charges, and it will not be right for everybody, but there is a middle-ground that offers the security of an annuity with a little more flexibility. An investment-linked annuity There are two types of investment-linked annuity: • Unit-linked: these depend on the performance of stocks, shares and other investments • With-profits: these retain part of your return in highperforming years for use if investment performance declines Charges and fees for pension products can be high, and serve to reduce the overall value of your fund. That’s why you need the advice and guidance of a professional financial expert to cut through the jargon, clearly explain what you are buying, and tell you the true cost of the product.

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What’s On General

Art Exhibitions At The Minories Galleries, Colchester Coco Crampton: Handles on Romance & Other Girls also Common Tongue. A tripartite exhibition exploring themes including feminism, socialism, craft, functional design and the fine arts through displays of ceramics, appropriated imagery, and new and re-imagined objects. Clare Sams: Knitting Fever In 2009 floodwater caused the wool from the shop ‘Knitting Fever’ in Cockermouth to spill out into the town. Clare presents a knitted recreation of the scene of devastation. Colne and Colchester Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild A display in the Garden Corridor and Café of a range of textile arts produced by members of the Colne and Colchester branch of The Embroiderer’s Guild along with a selection of The Minories Galleries curator’s collection of tapestries. Many of the works are for sale. For more information please contact 01206 712237 or visit www.theminories.org

Cakes on sale & raffle. More information and schedules from 01206 262807 or www. naylandhortsoc.org.uk

Coach trip to Savill Garden and Thames Cruise Wednesday 10th June Join Nayland & District HortSoc for a visit to this renowned garden venue. Coach leaving Nayland 8.45am. Cost for coach, entry and Windsor cruise is £30 and bookings are now being taken. For more information please call Lorraine on 01206 262807 or www. naylandhortsoc.org.uk

Events at the Venture Centre Lawford At the Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Rd, Lawford CO11 2JG Wednesday 4th February Stour Valley Flower Club meeting with a demonstration by Terry Babbage. For further information please contact Kathy on 01206 390120. Sunday 8th and 22nd February 2.30pm – 4.00pm Link Line Church service. Please contact Frank 01206 272064 for further information.

available, various retail stalls and services. FREE workshops/talks all day. Food & drinks available all day. Free car parking. supporting The robin Cancer Trust. Everyone welcome to join us for a friendly day out. www. purplefeatherevents.co.uk

Events at Aldham Village Hall Saturday 14th February 10.30am - 12.30pm Table Top Sale, free entry. To hire a table, please contact Anne on 01206 211624. Tables cost £5 each. Saturday 14th March 10.30am Rummage Sale, entry 20p. Children under 14 free.

Music

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 top musicians from around the country.Friday 6th February – AGM followed by Bryan of NoteFriday Purple Feather 6th March – Janet Events Dowsett £4 members, Holistic Fair Spring £6 non members. Flower Show at Langham Refreshments and community Centre, At Church Hall, Bear raffle. Ample parking Street, Nayland CO6 4HY School rd, CO4 5PA inside school grounds. Free entry for two Sat 7th March, Saturday 21st March. 10am - 4pm non members upon Visitors 10.00am, entry free. Exhibits production of this advert. A day of pampering, 8.15am – 9.00am Contact Alan Pilgrim on well-being & interest. 01787 269458 or email Therapies to try out Enjoy the displays of alanwpilgrim@tiscali. from £5. Palm, Tarot or spring flowers and relax www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk with refreshments. clairvoyant readings co.uk for further details.

Valentines Dinner Dance At The Venture Centre 2000 Lawford Saturday 14th February 7.00pm for 7.30pm Dancing to Smokin’ Jackets, 3 Course meal with Coffee. Bar, Raffle for Breast Cancer. Tables of 8, £36 per head. To book please call Linda at Sweet Success on 01206 230126

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. Saturday 7th February ‘What We Did on our Holiday’ (12A) Starring Rosamund Pike, David Tennant and Billy Connolley. Doug and Abi and their three children travel to the Scottish Highlands for Doug’s father Gordie’s birthday party. It’s soon clear that when it comes to keeping a secret under wraps from the rest of the family, their children are their biggest liability.

What’s On continued 21 over page

What’s On Saturday 7th March ‘The Imitation Game’ (12A) Starring Bendict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly and Matthew Goode. Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of codebreakers at Britain’s top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War 2.

Things for Children

Harry Potter Night At Sudbury Library Thursday 5th February 5.30pm – 7.00pm Activities, crafts, readings, spells and more. Come dressed up or in your best Muggle outfit. Refreshments available. This will be a free event but booking is essential. For more information please call 01787 242570.

Maths and Science Saturday School

six students. Parents welcome. For more information please call Graham Leeks on 01255 830767 or email grahamleeks@ hotmail.co.uk

Talks and Workshops

An Incitement to Early Marriage: A Social History of the Allotment At Nayland Church Hall, Bear Street, Nayland CO6 4HY Tuesday 17th March 7.30pm An illustrated talk by Dr Twigs Way. For more information please call 01206 262807 or visit www. naylandhortsoc.org.uk

Talks at Wormingford Community Education Centre Friday 23rd January Two Decades of African Safaris presented by Jane Walker The talk covers Jane’s personal safari experiences in a dozen countries in Africa ranging from overland truck trips to exclusive wilderness lodges, with travel by raft, canoe, plane, foot, horseback and self-drive. Jane’s vivid memories of her travel experiences are

Friday 20th February The Mammals of Essex presented by Darren Tansley Darren talks about his five-year journey uncovering the lives and distribution of some of our most elusive mammal cousins, from harvest mice to pilot whales, and he explains some of the surprising discoveries that fill the pages of the new Essex Mammal Atlas. Friday 27th March Bures to Wormingford: a Prehistoric Ritual Landscape presented by Anna Moore and Ellie Mead Evidence that man used the Middle Stour Valley for ceremonial activity as long ago as 3570BC has been discovered through aerial photography. We examine the cropmarks in the fields between Bures and Wormingford to reveal the many monuments that once stood here. Talks start at 7.30pm, so please come along from 7pm and enjoy a drink and a chat beforehand. We ask for a donation of £4 per person towards running costs. Wine and nibbles are offered for a small donation. If you are interested in attending, please phone Amanda on 01206 337338 or email us on wcec12@gmail.com

everyone how to make delicious pies using little more than the Sunday Roast leftovers and a few basic ingredients. Demonstrations, refreshments and everyone will receive a Suffolk Market Events Goodie Bag complete with recipe cards, pastry tips and your own individual take away pie. This is an informal and fun event but also highly informative and full of fantastic advice. Tickets are £25 from Eventbrite or directly from Suffolk Market Events on 07704 627973 or email jooley@ suffolkmarketevents.co.uk

Computer Science in the Primary School course for parents At Wormingford Community Education Centre, Church Road, Wormingford, Colchester, CO6 3AZ 4 weeks commencing Tuesday 3rd March 7.00pm – 8.30pm

Elements of Computer Science are now a part At Wormingford of the UK Primary School Community Education Curriculum at both Key Centre, Church Stage 1 and 2. We are Road, Wormingford, offering a short course Colchester, CO6 3AZ for parents to learn, to Provisional starting feel more in touch with date: Saturday 24th what their children are January, 2 hour sessions Upstairs @ learning, and to help Lavenham 5 week courses in Maths them understand. The Farmers’ Market GCSE Foundation level. course will be delivered supported by images Pie Making by Anthony Stamp, a and sounds. It is an (Survivors), Maths GCSE Workshop life-long teacher and entertaining presentation, Higher level (Improvers), At Lavenham software developer. It of interest to those who Introduction to coping Village Hall will be practical and have travelled to Africa with GCSE Chemistry. Sunday 25th January interactive, with discovery before, as well as those Possible continuation 11.00am – 1.00pm through experimentation. who might consider a courses covering Please mention The Connection when responding to adverts The course is £30 for all 4 safari or indeed have more22 syllabus content. Andrea Long, professional sessions paid in advance. pastry chef will show Optimum group size, no intention of going!

What’s On Laptop computers with software will be provided and students will be expected to work in pairs, two per laptop. For further information or to book a place please contact us via our web-site, www. wormingfordcec.org. uk, email us on wcec12@ gmail.com, or call Amanda on 01206 337338.

Workers’ Educational Association course on Islam and Muslims in the UK and the Modern World At Christ Church Hall, Coggeshall 10 week course commencing 15th January 2.00pm – 3.30pm Want to know more about Muslim beliefs and practices? Are they all a threat to our way of life? We will be learning about the basic principles and practices of Islam and trying to understand the Islamic world-view. We will consider what it means to be a Muslim in the UK today and think about how a better understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims may be promoted. For further information please call Nancy Powell Davies on 01376 562657.

Wormingford in the Past At Wormingford Community Education Centre, Church Road, Wormingford, Colchester, CO6 3AZ Friday 20th March 7.00pm for 7.30pm An opportunity to capture some memories about the village. What has happened in the village since you have been living here? Have you moved in recently and are curious about how things used to be? Have you got any old photographs you could share with others? This will be an informal ‘circle session’ and anyone can contribute stories and reminiscences about how life used to be in Wormingford. If you are interested in coming along or would like any further information, please contact us via our web-site, www. wormingfordcec.org. uk, email us on wcec12@ gmail.com, or call Amanda on 01206 337338.

Farmers Markets

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

Halstead Food and Craft Fayre The first market will be in Saturday 21st March, then every 3rd

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

Saturday thereafter.

Lavenham Farmers Market

Sudbury Farmers Market

Sunday 22nd February and Sunday 22nd March at 10.00am - 1.30pm

At St Peters Church, Sudbury Friday 27th February and Friday 27th March at 9.30am - 2.00pm Contact Justine Paul 07704 627973

Contact Justine Paul 07704 627973

Hedingham Farmers’ Market

Colchester Farmers Market

At The Baptist Church, Swan Street, Sible Hedingham (next to the Sugar Loaves pub) Saturday 21st February and Saturday 21st March at 10.00am - 1.30pm Contact Roy Reece 07513 464567

At The Village Hall, Lavenham

The Arts Centre, Colchester Friday 6th February and Friday 6th March at 9.30am - 12.30pm Contact Rowley Castiglione 01206 367776

Wivenhoe Farmers Market

Nayland Farmers Market

Saturday 21st February and Saturday 21st March at 9.00am - 12.00

At Nayland Village Hall Saturday 14th February and Saturday 14th March at 9.30am - 1.00pm Contact Justine Paul 07704 627973

Contact Rowly Castiglione 01206 367776

Long Melford Farmers Market

Congregational Hall, Wivenhoe

Brightlingsea Farmers Market At the Community Centre, Brightlingsea For dates please contact 01206 302055

At Long Melford Village Memorial Hall Saturday 21st February and Saturday 21st March at 10.00am - 1.00pm Contact Daryl Turner 07780 258202

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: April/May - published 19th March 2015

Deadline date for entries in the next issue 6th March 2015

We also welcome details of slimming groups, keep www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk 23 fit classes, language courses, farmers markets, boot sales and regular clubs, groups and societies. www.facebook.com/TheConnectionMagazineColchester

Quick Crossword Across

1. Unkempt (6) 4. Bogs (6) 9. Get better (7) 10. Command (5) 11. Not dirty (5) 12. Rational (7) 13. Honourable (11) 18. Consistent (7) 20. Hoard (5) 22. Blockade (5) 23. Impartial (7) 24. Tasks (6) 25. Remained (6)

Swap (6) Type of fruit (5) Adult (5-2) Incorrect (5) Relating to healing (7) Saunter (6) Substitute (11)

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Drop A Dress Size - Digitally!

It’s that time of year again: everybody’s on a diet and the gyms are packed with people whose memberships will last much longer than their willpower. But there’s no need to take extreme measures if you overdid it a bit at Christmas: a few well-chosen gadgets can make losing weight much easier. The trick to weight loss is to make little, permanent changes. For example, using an oil mister (from around £9) reduces the amount of oil you use in cooking while a set of measuring spoons and a digital scale can ensure you’re not putting too much of any ingredient into your food. If you can’t bear to give up fried food, go for a low-fat fryer such as Breville’s Halo Health Fryer (£79.99) or Tefal’s ActiFry (£119) which will mean you get all the taste with a fraction of the fat. Gadgets can help you cook healthy meals in other ways, too: if you have a smartphone, an iPod touch or a tablet you can take advantage of stacks of cooking apps ranging from celebrity chefs’ apps to specialist apps such as the British Heart Foundation’s Healthy Heart Recipe Finder, which is free on both iOS

and Android. We’d also recommend using a recipe manager such as the fantastic Paprika app to store any good healthy recipes you find online from the likes of the BBC Good Food website. No weight loss programme comes without the recommendation to exercise more, and there are plenty of gadgets designed to help with that too. Fitness trackers can keep an eye on how many steps you take and calories you burn, with devices such as the Fitbit Surge smartwatch (£199) and Fitbit Charge activity tracker (£99) and Nike’s Fuelband (£89) making it easy to track your progress. If you have an iPhone, Nike’s device also enables you to share your progress with friends in private groups. There’s a huge trend for health monitoring in smartphones, with both Google’s Android and Apple’s iPhones offering health tracking apps. In both cases the apps can talk to other devices such as fitness trackers, and there are plenty of third-party apps for recording your food intake, the workouts you do in the gym or anything else you might want to track and record.

How can you tell if your new regime is working? While it’s tempting to climb on the scales every day that’s a bad idea, because our body weight fluctuates quite dramatically from day to day. It’s better to track the longer term trend, and once again technology can help with that: smart scales such as Withings’ wireless scales (from around £80) can help you track your weight loss by storing over 100 readings. The scales are also compatible with smartphones, which can take the readings and turn them into inspiring and motivational graphs. If you really want to see what’s happening to your body, gadgets such as Omron’s Body Logic Fat Analyser (£74) can tell you how much muscle you have, how hydrated you are and how much fat you’re carrying. That’s useful if you’re working out as well as eating well, because muscle weighs more than fat - so your weight might not change but your body composition will. Images left to right: Prepara Tabletop Oil Mister Spray Bottle; Breville Halo Health Fryer; Fitbit Charge and Surge fitness trackers; Omron Body Logic Fat Analyzer

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Big Schools Birdwatch The RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch has started, with thousands of school-children across the East of England peering out of their classroom windows to take part in the world’s biggest school wildlife survey. Running from January until 13th February, the survey encourages schoolchildren of all ages, and their teachers, to count the birds in their school grounds for one hour of one day. Each school’s findings will help the RSPB’s experts to build a picture of bird populations and monitor any changes as part of the Big Garden Birdwatch. As bird populations are a good indication of the health of an ecosystem, the results can highlight problems affecting the wider environment. If one school reports seeing fewer birds than last year, this could just be due to local factors - such as the weather, or a new building on site - that is keeping the birds away. But if lots of surveys come back saying that they saw fewer of a specific bird, alarm bells would start to ring and the RSPB would then start trying to work out what was happening, and come up with a plan to help. Previously, thanks to schools findings, they discovered the dramatic decline in house sparrows and starlings and could take action.

Photo: Steve Round

Photo: Genevieve Leaper

It’s a great scheme which gets children closer to nature and encourages them to take an active part in caring about their environment. There are fantastic resources on the RSPB website: recipes (suet and nut log, anyone?) to attract birdlife into the school grounds, counting sheets and also ideas for projects which schools can use to support the children’s learning across the curriculum. Find out more at: www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch/

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

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Health Tackling Tinnitus

It’s Tinnitus Awareness Week from 2nd-8th February, and as the British Tinnitus Association estimates that around 30% of us will experience tinnitus at some point, it’s important to understand it. Tinnitus isn’t a disease or illness. It’s a condition causing you to hear continuous or occasional noise that isn’t external. It can be a single sound or several; humming, whooshing, whistling, hissing, buzzing, ringing or even, rarely, musical notes. It may seem like it’s in one ear, both, inside your head or be impossible to pinpoint. The causes aren’t clear. Tinnitus is still not fully understood, but it’s more common in people with hearing loss or ear problems - although people with normal hearing get it too. Normally, your ears send sounds to the brain for processing, but as they can’t tell what’s important, they send unnecessary information. So your brain learns to filter out what it classifies as

By Alison Runham

background sound, such as traffic noise. Sometimes though, the brain receives too little information and asks the ear for more. This extra information can cause tinnitus. Things which seem to trigger the process are: Middle ear infections can cause temporary hearing loss and tinnitus, so need to be treated swiftly. Damage to the hair cells in your ear – these delicate cells decrease with age and can be damaged by exposure to loud noise too, causing hearing loss (which may make tinnitus more noticeable). Stress and anxiety may make tinnitus more noticeable. Some people first notice tinnitus during emotional upheavals such as redundancy or bereavement. If you think you have tinnitus, don’t panic. Over time, the noises usually disappear or drop to a manageable level. But it’s important to see your GP, who will refer you to the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Audiology specialists. They will usually: • give you a hearing test • examine you • suggest ways to make your tinnitus easier to live with If you suffer from tinnitus, there are plenty of coping strategies to try. • Get Information and support to

•

• •

•

help you feel more in control and less alone (see the contacts below). Therapies and Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness or Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), relaxation, yoga or tai chi can help you tune out tinnitus. Hearing loss correction – hearing aids often improve or eliminate tinnitus by restoring sounds you couldn’t otherwise hear. Sound therapy: low-level background noise such as music or natural sounds can help, particularly during quiet periods or when drifting off to sleep. Special CDs, MP3 tracks or purpose built sound generators are available. Keeping busy with work, hobbies or friends can make it easier to ignore tinnitus. Exercise will keep you busy and may help you sleep, too. Start gradually if you’re not used to exercising. Talk about it to someone who understands – this can relieve feelings of frustration and loneliness. Live your life as normally as possible. Try not to change your life too much to fit around your tinnitus - if you do, it will take on more importance and you may feel more resentful and stressed.

FoR MoRE INFoRMATIoN AND SUPPoRT:

British Tinnitus Association: Helpline – Tel 0800 018 0527 Email: info@tinnitus.org.uk www.tinnitus.org.uk Action on Hearing Loss: Tinnitus Information Line: Tel 0808 808 6666 | Textphone 0808 808 9000 tinnitushelpline@hearingloss.org.uk http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/your-hearing/tinnitus.aspx (downloadable leaflets available free) Hearing Link: Helpdesk: 0300 111 1113 Email: helpdesk@hearinglink.org http://www.hearinglink.org/tinnitus

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And Another Thing.. by Tom Hughes

and claws that could probably strip your flesh down to the bone. I whispered to Sarah -

Spring being just around the corner reminded me of the time last year me and Sarah decided to visit a wedding show to give us some inspiration for our impending Big Day. Who knew that love and happiness was such a serious business?

“Do you think she’s got her events mixed up? Do you think she knows this is a wedding show?” “Of course she knows it’s a wedding show.” “Then what is she doing here with that owl?” “Well what do you think she’s doing?”

After filling out our registration form with the usual false name and address, we were allowed inside a vast exhibition hall full of stands dedicated to all things fluffy and amazing.

Why someone would need an owl to get married I couldn’t begin to fathom. I decided to make some enquiries myself. The lady smiled as I leaned forward and asked,

The first stall was selling imitation red Post Boxes. Here was my first conundrum.

“You haven’t by any chance got a pea green boat and a pussy cat hidden under there have you?”

“Sarah, what are they for?” “Our guests post their cards inside them so they don’t get lost.” “Well that’s no good for us is it?” “Why?” “We get married at five o’clock and last post on a Saturday is 12.45.” “Tom, if you are going to mess about all day we might as well go home now.” Chastened, we proceeded down the next aisle. Walking past photographers and old men in peaked caps waving pictures of Rolls Royces, I stumbled upon the strangest stall I had ever seen. A woman was sitting behind a counter which contained nothing more than a few photographs. Then I saw it. Behind her, sat on its perch was a real life tawny owl. Yellow and black saucer eyes, a beak designed for eviscerating rodents

Another sharp dig from Sarah. Through a fixed smiled she explained to me that the owl’s job was to deliver the rings at the ceremony – fly across the venue to the handler who would present them to the best man. “Yes but then who signs for them? Surely the owl can’t – “ I was then dragged away to a tax-dodging generic coffee emporium, where Sarah had to have a little word. So, after a good talking to, we continued with our investigations. But there seemed nothing here that was of any practical use for the Groom About Town. It was then I chanced upon the kind of stall I had been waiting for all day - the eyebrow stall! I elbowed my way to the front of the queue, muttering something about sorting out the caterpillars above my eyes. “Tom, please don’t.” But it was too late.

I presented my eyebrows to the nice lady. She glanced from one fuzzy outcrop to the other, emitting a worrying tut-tut with each inspection. “Well sir, it’s gonna take a lot of hard work, but together, we’ll get there.” She then rolled out a set of miniature tools that were either for repairing the disaster above my eyes, or she had stolen a Lilliputian’s car repair kit. She then produced a tiny comb and proceeded to comb my eyebrows (I’m not making this up by the way). Then suddenly, some powder appeared. Wary of edging into guy-liner territory, I was about to object when she reassured me, “Don’t worry about the powder sir, it’s waterproof.” This confused me further. “Madam, I anticipate my wedding day being emotional. However, I don’t think I’ll be reciting my vows whilst standing on my head. In any case, I thought you might be trimming them, I believe the correct term is shaping? She stopped in mid-powder. “I’m sorry sir, we don’t do that here. That’s a different stall.” I turned to Sarah who, noting that I appeared to be wearing a slightly more alarmed expression than usual, declared that maybe arranging our wedding was something best left to the experts, which as it transpired, didn’t include me. “Look Tom,” she sighed, “On the day, just turn up and leave the rest to your bride, OK?” I think life goes smoother if we all just play to our strengths, don’t you?

Follow Tom’s escapades at groomsdaybook.com Twitter @groomsdaybook

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Find out the latest with ECM

In October Essex Community Messaging (ECM) was launched, to give residents in Essex a chance to receive up to date information via email, text or voice message. This information comes directly from Essex Police oﬃcers, Essex Watch liaison oﬃcers and other partners, including Neighbourhood Watch. Free of charge and specifically designed for Essex residents, the messaging system is jointly funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, and money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act. ECM gives you the option to select the information that you want to receive. This is used to make you aware of issues happening in your area and offering you advice.

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Essex Community Messaging will get key crime and crime prevention information out to communities faster than ever before. It will also improve the two-way flow of information about community safety between Essex Police, Neighbourhood and other Watch groups, and the people of Essex. “ECM will provide a crucial new channel for keeping our communities safe. I urge everyone to register now for ECM”. Alan Johnson, Chair of the Essex County Neighbourhood Watch Association, said: “We’re delighted that we now have a brand new messaging system, and look forward to improving our ability to help Essex Police reduce the level of crime across our county”. Whether it’s involving local people in the search for a vulnerable missing person or simply to pass on advice on how to keep safe, ECM will transform the speed and effectiveness of communication across Essex. You can sign up to ECM on www.essexcommunitymessaging.org, or visit www.essex.police.uk for more information.

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KulaLifeYoga A new term at Kula Life Studios…

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Facing North by Pippa Greenwood The problem I am asked about most frequently is that of what to do with a north-facing wall. Everyone wants to know what you can plant up it but more importantly, what you can do to increase the chances of your chosen plant not just surviving but also thriving. Getting the right plant for the spot is essential and I’ve listed some great north-facing wall climbers below. But first consider whether you need year round cover (and so something evergreen) or would accept a deciduous climber that will lose its leaves but keep a framework of stems, or if you could live with an herbaceous climber that will die back each year and return again in the spring. If the wall is very shaded it may be worth reducing the shade if you can. Nearby wall-shrubs could be pruned back or overhanging trees crown lifted (the lower branches removed) or crown thinned (the crown’s density reduced). Walls may be a dark grey or brick colour but you can make the spot considerably more plant friendly if you change the colour of the wall before planting. A pale-coloured masonry paint on the wall will cause light to be reflected back

to the plant and make it more likely to thrive. Consider growing more than one climber to increase the season of interest and so the amount of time that the wall looks good. Flowering may be reduced if the site is gloomy and so to maximise your climber’s flower power make sure that you apply sulphate of potash as this will increase flowering potential. Follow the instructions on the pack, and generally try to apply it to the root area in late summer and then again in spring. Make sure that the climber goes in at a good distance from the wall up which it is to grow. A minimum of about 45cm (18in) should mean that it can develop a good strong root system and this will help to keep it growing well. Self-clinging climbers such as the climbing hydrangea or a variegated ivy can look great and help to provide at least part of the interest you’re after for your north-facing wall, but even these often need a bit of a helping hand to get them started – train the stems on to the wall and protect from wind until they get properly attached.

ToP PLANTS FoR NoRTHFACING WALLS AND FENCES Akebia Quinata - Pretty pale green foliage with vanilla perfumed purple-brown flowers in late spring. Berberidopsis Coralline Prefers acidic soil, clusters of deep red flowers in early autumn. Clematis - Many smaller flowered varieties such as white flowered, rampant C. montana do well. Codonopsis Convolvulacea Pretty bell or saucer shaped violet coloured flowers in summer. Humulus Lupulus (the hop) - The golden leafed ‘Aurea’ will perform quite well as long as the shade is not too intense or the site windy. Hydrangea Anomela Petiolaris - A deciduous climber with broad creamy white flowerheads. Lathyrus Latifolius - the everlasting pea. Small clusters of pinky purple flowers throughout the summer and in to early autumn Lonicera x Americana - Classic honeysuckle flowers in yellow flushed red and with a gorgeous perfume during the summer. Lonicera x Tellamanniana - Bright yellowy orange honeysuckle flowers in late spring and summer. Vitis Coignetiae - Renowned for its fabulous autumn colour. Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ veg growing system, biological controls, fleece, copper tape and lots more besides.

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Alexese Katherine

Horticulturalist Tutor Designer BSc Horticulture - Writtle

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Paneer & Mixed Vegetable

Coconut Curry Serves 4

Ready in 45 minutes

This ﬁlling vegetable curry can be made with any mix of vegetables you have to hand. Serve with steamed rice or crusty bread and some cooling natural yogurt.

Ingredients:

Bring a pan of water to the boil. Add the carrots and boil for 5 minutes until almost tender adding the cauliflower and broccoli florets for the last 2 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

• 2 small carrots, peeled and • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

thinly sliced 100g small cauliflower florets 100g small broccoli florets 1 tbsp vegetable oil 225g paneer cheese, cubed 150g mushrooms, wiped and sliced 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 2cm piece root ginger, peeled and grated 1 red chilli pepper, deseeded and chopped, plus extra sliced chilli to garnish 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste 400ml can coconut milk 150g frozen peas 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped Squeeze of lime juice Fresh oregano leaves, to garnish

Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the paneer and mushrooms and stir-fry over a high heat for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the onion to the pan and fry very gently for about 10 minutes until soft and golden. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli and fry for a further 2-3 minutes then stir in the Thai paste and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the coconut milk and bring to the boil then reduce the heat and return the paneer and mushrooms to the pan along with the drained vegetables, peas and tomatoes. Stir well and simmer gently for 4-5 minutes. Add the lime juice and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve garnished with sliced red chilli pepper and oregano leaves.

TIP

Paneer is an Indian vegetarian cheese which has a firm texture and goes particularly well with spices and garlic, chilli and ginger. You can use drained and cubed tofu instead, if preferred.

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SJB

Chartered Accountants Simon Brook BSc FCA Fast professional service with a personal touch Accounts Taxation Business Planning Free initial meeting with no hidden costs Tel: 01206 212970 email: sjb.simon@btinternet.com www.sjbcharteredaccountants.co.uk

MAKE YOUR OWN

Just add milk!

CHEESE in less than an hour!

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Sudoku Competition

How to play

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 to 9, with no repetition! That’s all there is to it. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic - there’s no maths involved and no adding up.

WIN £25 Fill in and cut out and send to: Sarah Banks, The Connection, Applegarth, Whitestreet Green Boxford, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 5JL The first correct entry out of the hat will win the prize.

Closing date 9th March 2014

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Motoring Land Rover Discovery Sport SD4

It’s the first model in a new family of cars from Land Rover, but can the Discovery Sport live up to the legacy of the Freelander it replaces? James Baggott heads to Iceland to find out.

What is it?

The long-awaited replacement for the Freelander and the first in a new family of Discovery models. Land Rover has split its range into three distinct ‘pillars’. There’s Range Rover, the soon to be retired Defender range and then there’s Discovery. The Disco Sport is the first and where it sits in the range will become clear as the new models are unveiled.

What’s under the bonnet?

A diesel engine. Yes, for now at least, just the one. Jaguar Land Rover has an all-new set of power plants waiting in the wings, but they’re not ready yet. It comes in six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic guises, has 190bhp and 420Nm of torque. CO2 emissions are 161g/km and it’ll return 47.1mpg. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but there’s little wrong with it either.

By James Baggott @CarDealerEd

What’s the spec like?

Not too bad at all. There’s a new infotainment system which Land Rover - and sister firm Jaguar - have been crying out for. There’s a new suite of apps which run on a smartphone and can be displayed on the car’s screen. Four trims are available - SE, SE Tech, HSE and HSE Luxury - all with varying levels of the usual extras. Options include an armrest cooler and warmer box, seven USB points and headrest mounted iPad holders.

Any rivals?

The Discovery Sport enters a marketplace full of premium compact off-roaders, including the popular Audi Q5 and BMW X3. Where the Land Rover stands tall is in its off-road ability - the tough Icelandic terrain covered so easily during this drive would be the death of many a supposed off-roader. Its seven-seater layout is unique for this class of car.

What’s it like to drive?

We spent three days at the launch of the Discovery Sport in Iceland, tackling terrain that wouldn’t look out of place

on the moon. However, the landscape was so extreme it gave us very little idea what it would be like to drive on a normal road. We can report it’s incredibly competent off road, though. We found the ride a little hard, but then that could have been the dreadful surfaces, and it was a little loud inside too, but again that was probably the studded tyres.

Verdict

There’s no doubt the Discovery Sport is a marked improvement on the Freelander. The interior is a vast improvement; it’s comfortable and has plenty of room in the front and back. The multimedia system is better than before, although not perfect, and off road it’s in its absolute element. However, with no time on ‘normal’ roads on the launch it’s impossible to report on what it would be like as a daily driver. We’ll reserve judgement on that for a later date. Still, we doubt this will harm the Disco Sport’s popularity - the brand is on such a roll it’s going to fly out of the showrooms.

The knowledge Model: Land Rover Discovery Sport SD4 Price: From £32,995 Engine: 2.2-litre, fourcylinder, turbocharged, diesel Power: 190bhp, 420Nm Max speed: 117mph 0-60mph: 9.8s Co2 emissions: 161g/km

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Spot the Difference

Puzzle Solutions Codeword

Spot the Difference

1.Eyebrow missing 2.Lightening Flash added 3.Tattoo gone 4.Fingers missing 5.Leotard colour changed 6.Teeth changed 7.Ring rope missing 8.Eye closed 9.Collar 10.Pattern on costume

Crossword

Across: 1 Shaggy, 4 Swamps, 9 Improve, 10 Order, 11 Clean, 12 Logical, 13 Respectable, 18 Uniform, 20 Cache, 22 Siege, 23 Neutral, 24 Duties, 25 Stayed. Down: 1 Switch, 2 Apple, 3 Grown-up, 5 Wrong, 6 Medical, 7 Stroll, 8 Replacement, 14 Evident, 15 Account, 16 Nursed, 17 Yelled, 19 Obese, 21 Carry.

There are ten differences - can you find them?

Community Sponsorship Roof of your scout hut falling in? Club strip seen decidedly better days? Can’t send teams to tournaments because the coach hire’s too expensive? Whatever field you’re in, if you’re the organiser of any sort of club or voluntary group you’ll know one thing: money’s too tight to mention. Of course you fund-raise like mad, and all the members pay their subs, and that’s usually enough to keep you ticking over. But often there’ll be an emergency – or, for that matter, an opportunity – that your normal income won’t cover. That’s why a regular sponsor can be extremely welcome. But why would anyone want to give your club money? What’s in it for them? This is where you have to get one thing straight in your mind. Sponsorship isn’t the same as charity. You’re not begging. What you’re proposing is a business arrangement with benefits for both parties: investment for you;

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high visibility and positive associations for your sponsor. In brand-building terms, sponsorship is good value. It’s closely targeted to a particular customer base, and a one-off investment in (say) a club strip buys multiple outings. It also creates good ongoing PR for the sponsor as a business that gives back to the community. So you’re not going to local businesses cap in hand; you’re offering them a strong marketing proposition. As with all sales, the best way of convincing a potential sponsor is face-to-face. But unless you happen to know the boss personally, you’ll need to bait your hook with a letter. This will be your first point of contact with your potential sponsor, so make sure your letter is formally laid out, addressed to the right person (check the recipient’s name and correct title first with a helpful receptionist), and completely free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. And get it checked unless you are certain you know the difference between its and it’s and your and you’re. In your letter, first introduce your organisation and outline why you are looking for sponsorship. Show the relevance of your club or organisation to the company’s target market and detail the benefits to the sponsor. Keep it brief, though: too long and it won’t get read. The main point of the letter is to arrange a meeting, and end by saying that if you don’t hear back in a week or so you’ll call back – and make sure that you DO call back!

formal proposal. Be enthusiastic, but don’t rant. Don’t just talk – listen too. If your proposal is rejected, find out why. It may be that there’s a flaw in your presentation that you can put right. Afterwards, get everything in writing. A sponsorship deal is a contract, so be businesslike! Ted Brunning

Attention small businesses!

Low cost, locally targeted, effective advertising in The Connection

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If the company agrees to a meeting, send a brief but formal proposal (no more than two pages), restating what you’ve said in the letter in more detail. The proposal should be laid out in distinct sections with bullet-points that can easily be referred to during the meeting. Before the meeting, research into the company’s operations. Look at its sales material. Get to know all you can about it. Then you can think from its point of view. At the meeting itself, go through the same points you made in your letter and your

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Useful Numbers Local Schools St. Peter’s C of E Primary School Tel: 01376 561328 Honywood Community Science School

West Bergholt Surgery

Rivers/Floodline

Tel: 01206 241137

Tel: 0845 988 1188

Marks Tey Surgery

Citizens Advice Bureau

Tel: 01206 213513

Tel: 0870 126 4065

Tollgate Health Centre

Samaritans/Colchester

Tel: 01206 710030

Tel: 01206 561234

Kelvedon St. Mary C of E Primary School

Stanway Surgery

Volunteering Opportunities

Tel: 01206 572372

Tel: 01206 505250

Tel: 01376 570411

The Pump House Surgery/Earls Colne

Al Anon Family Groups Helpline

Tel: 01376 561231

Feering C of E Controlled Primary School

Tel: 01787 222022

Tel: 01376 570296

Drs Hayhow & Barker/Bures

Earls Colne Primary School and Nursery

Tel: 01787 227529

Tel: 01787 222205

Tel: 01787 227529

Colne Engaine C of E (Aided) Primary School Tel: 01787 222717 Bures C.E V.C Primary School Tel: 01787 227446 Chappel C of E School Tel: 01787 222296 St. John the Baptist C.E.V.A Primary School

Branch Surgery, Hardwick House Group Practice Tel: 01787 310000 Dr Baldwin & Partners, Nayland Surgery Tel: 01206 262202

Support Crimestoppers

Tel: 01787 269300 Great Tey C.E Controlled Primary School

ChildLine

Tel: 01206 210415

Samaritans

Fordham All Saints C of E Primary School

Tel: 08457 90 90 90

Copford C of E Primary School

Police Contacts

Tel: 0800 1111

Cruse Tel: 0844 477 9400 NSPCC

Aldham Village Hall Tel: 01206 240682 Mount Bures Tel: 01787 228055 Bures Community Centre Tel: 01787 227278 Nayland Tel: 0774 895 3175 Dedham Assembly Rooms Tel: 01206 323921 Stoke by Nayland

Essex Police (non-emergency calls to all stations and departments)

Tel: 01206 262943

Tel: 0300 333 4444

Tel: 01787 227631

Ministry Of Defence Police Tel: 01206 782917

Councils Colchester Borough Council

Tel: 0800 555 111

Tel: 01206 240251

Tel: 0207 403 0888

Village Halls

Tel: 01206 282222 Braintree District Council Tel: 01376 552525 Kelvedon Parish Council Tel: 01376 570285 Feering Parish Council Tel: 01376 572882 Coggeshall Parish Council Tel: 01376 562346 Stanway Parish Council

Wormingford Little Horkesley Tel: 01206 271841 Leavenheath Tel: 01206 263301 Assington Tel: 01787 211162 Stanway Village Hall Tel: 01206 545062 Feering Community Centre Tel: 01376 572467 Marks Tey Village Hall Tel: 01206 213250 White Colne Village Hall Tel: 01787 221919 Colne Engaine Village Hall

Tel: 01206 542221

Tel: 01787 223668

Tel: 0500 700 700

Post Offices

Tel: 01787 224370

National Debtline

Fiveways Post Office

Tel: 0808 808 4000

Tel: 01206 330451

Tel: 01206 574849

National Domestic Violence Helpline

Marks Tey

Holy Trinity C.E. Primary School

Tel: 0808 2000 247

Eight Ash Green & Aldham

Victim Support

West Bergholt

Tel: 01206 240880

Tel: 0845 30 30 900

Soaring High Montessori Coggeshall

Inland Revenue

Fordham Village Store and Post Office

Tel: 01376 564392

Tel: 0845 010 9000

Tel: 01206 240391

RSPCA

Earls Colne Post Office

Airports

Tel: 0870 55 55 999

Tel: 01787 222258

Stansted General Enquiries

AA Breakdown

Wakes Colne Post Office

Tel: 0870 000 0303

Tel: 0800 887 766

Tel: 01787 222449

Stansted Express

Floodline

Bures Post Office

Tel: 0845 850 0150

Tel: 0845 9881188

Tel: 01787 227252

Gatwick General Enquiries

Transco emergency service

Stoke by Nayland Park Street Stores and Post Office

Tel: 0870 000 2468

Tel: 01206 262335

Tel: 0845 850 1530

Tel: 01206 210439 Stanway Primary School Tel: 01206 574819 St. Mary’s Lower School Tel: 01206 211242 Stanway Fiveways Primary School

Stoke by Nayland C.E. V.C.P School Tel: 01206 262418 Nayland Community Primary School Tel: 01206 262348

Doctors Kelvedon and Feering Health Centre Tel: 01376 572906 Kelvedon Surgery Tel: 01376 574560

Tel: 0808 800 5000 Missing Persons Helpline

Tel: 0800 111 999 Rail Enquiries Tel: 08457 484950 AA roadwatch Tel: 09003 401100

Tel: 01206 210314 Tel: 01206 240355

Nayland Post Office Tel: 01206 262210 Stratford St Mary Post Office Tel: 01206 322150

Earls Colne Village Hall Bures Community Centre Tel: 01787 227278 Eight Ash Green Village Hall Tel: 01206 562860 Copford Village Hall Tel: 01206 211235 Chappel and Wakes Colne Tel: 07771 622525

Gatwick Express Heathrow General Enquiries Tel: 0870 000 0123 Heathrow Express

Tel: 0845 600 1515 44 Surgery Please mention The Connection when to adverts Coggeshall Dedhamresponding Post Office Tel: 0800 800 151 Tel: 01376 561242

BT Faultline

Tel: 01206 323543

local events!

Banana, Walnut and Chocolate Cake Morrocan Stuffed Loin of Pork

Summer recipes Book Reviews Puzzles Awareness Days Lavenham Art Festival The Home Brewing Revival

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The

Free

Feb/March 14 Issue 56

Barbecue Special

The joy of the Village Show

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Spring has Sprung!

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June/July 2012 Issue 46

April/May 2012 Issue 45

The The connection connection connection connection magazine magazine magazine magazine June/July14 Issue 58

‘Time for a Cuppa’

Inside this issue...

Support the charity Dementia UK and organise a tea party!

Recipes Book Reviews Gardening

Inside this issue...

with Pippa Greenwood

Puzzles

60 Local events...

Opera, music, art workshops, Spring fairs, chocolate making, farmers markets and lots more! www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

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The National Garden Scheme Bures Music Festival The Woodland Trust Jubilee Woods Project

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What’s On

- with over 70 things to do in June and July! 1

The Connection is delivered free to homes in Aldham, Fordham, Great Tey, Chappel, Wakes Colne, White Colne, Colne Engaine, Pebmarsh, at Bures , Little Horkesley, West Bergholt, Eight Ash Green, Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Earls Colne, Bures St Visit Mary, our Bureswebsite Hamlet, Mount Feering. Also available in Halstead, Sudbury, Assington, Stoke by Nayland, Nayland, Boxted, Dedham and Waitrose in Colchester.

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Aug/Sept 2011 Issue 41

The

Dec/Jan 2012 Issue 43

What’s On Book reviews Gardening Walks

Plus...

Easter Recipe

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Inside this issue...

_ Over 70 events in the What’s On pages! _ Local gardens open to the public _ Gardening with Pippa Greenwood _ Art exhibitions, fetes and festivals _ Recipe, book review, puzzles and £25 to be won!

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Reaching the heart of the local community

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Rock Choir

The story so far

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The Connection is delivered free to homes in Aldham, Fordham, Great Tey, Chappel, Wakes Colne, White Colne, Colne Engaine, Pebmarsh, advertise call Horkesley, West Bergholt, Eight Ash Green, Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Earls Colne, Bures St Mary, Bures Hamlet,To Mount Bures , Little Feering. Also available in Halstead, Sudbury, Assington, Stoke by Nayland, Nayland, Boxted, Dedham and Waitrose in Colchester.

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June/July2013 Issue 52

The connection connection nnection connectio magazine magazine magazine The

The

Inside this issue...

Great Summer recipes

What’s on Recipe Book reviews Competitions

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Choosing a Christmas Tree by Pippa Greenwood

What’s On.. Over 60 events!

The Secret Vintage Fair

Inside this issue...

WIN

a family ticket to Colchester Zoo!

What’s on

WIN £25 Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 01787 210701

The Connection is delivered free to homes in Aldham, Fordham, Great Tey, Chappel, Wakes Colne, White Colne, Colne Engaine, To advertise callMount Bures , Little Horkesley, West Bergholt, Eight Ash Green, Pebmarsh, Earls Colne, Bures St Mary, Bures Hamlet, Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Feering. Also available in Assington, Stoke by Nayland, Nayland, Boxted and Dedham.

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The

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April/May 2011 Issue 39

Book reviews

www.facebook.com/TheConnectionMagazineColchester The Connection is delivered free to homes in Aldham, Fordham, Great Tey, Chappel, Wakes Colne, White Colne, Colne Engaine, Countess Cross, Pebmarsh, Earls Colne, Bures St Mary, Bures Hamlet, Mount Bures , Little Horkesley, Wormingford, West Bergholt, Eight Ash Green, Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Feering. Also available in Halstead, Sudbury, www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk Assington, Stoke by Nayland, Nayland, Boxted, Dedham and Waitrose in Colchester.

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onnection magazine connect Take That Concert Tickets

Inside this issue... What’s on Recipe Book reviews Puzzles Country Mutters

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£25 plus VAT

Deadline date for next issue 6th March 2015 e: editor@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk t: 01787 210701 *FREE artwork… FREE editorial space… FREE listing on website www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

*Terms and conditions apply

Index of Advertisers 37

Dog Washing Service

Osteopathy

Architect

Electrician

Oven Cleaning

Bathroom Fitter

Florist

13, 37

Pest Control

35, 39

Beauty Therapist

Flooring

24, 31

Physiotherapy

Bookkeeping

20 35

14, 15, 38

Funeral Directors Garden Design

Planning Services

Building Services

Plant Nursery

Caravan Storage

Garden Tutor

Probate Services

19, 49

Chiropractor Childrens Nursery

Garden Services

35, 39

Property Maintenance

2, 17

Gift Shop

Plumber

31, 41

Chocolate Parties

Hairdressers

Restaurant

Cheesemaking kit

Storage

Computer Services Counselling

5 17 14, 15

Removals

Craft Centre

Interior Design IT Specialist Joinery

Swimming Pool

Kitchen Fitters

Travel Agent

Ladies Fashion

Treatment rooms

Lawn Mower Repairs

Therapies

Tree Surgeon

Tutoring

Window Repairs

Will Writing

Yoga

Accountancy

Cleaning Services

Decorators

41, 39

Dental Clinic

Lodge Accommodation 13

SUDBURY

Stour River

A131

Assington Stoke by Nayland

Bures

Pebmarsh

HALSTEAD

Riv er C oln e

Greenstead Green

Nayland

Colne Engaine

Earls Colne

White Colne Wakes Colne Chappel

Great Tey

A131

Aldham

Fordham

Stratford St Mary Dedham

Little Mount Horkesley Bures Wormingford

Boxted

A12

West

Bergholt River Colne

A120

Eight Ash Green

COLCHESTER Copford

A120

Coggeshall Feering Kelvedon

Lexden A12

��

Magazines delivered to selected homes in these areas

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. The Connection does not oﬃcially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. 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

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

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Say hello toa new approach to dental care. Dont just take our word for it...

“Thoroughly recommend Neel. I have followed him from his previous practice and would have travelled many miles to continue treatment with him.” W. Beazley January 2014 “It was a very unrushed and very caring treatment from the dentist, they are very sympathetic to your fears, I would recommend to all who are worried about dental treatment.” P. Barnard May 17th, 2013

hello dental differences High quality long lasting mercury and metal free dentistry Advanced laser technology meaning more comfortable dental procedures with fewer drills and injections Convenient appointments early, lunchtime, late and weekends Easy, free parking Affordable private dentistry Innovative preventive dental treatments

New patient offer... New patient check-up including X-rays and hygienist appointment for £99 Plus a voucher for £50 off any further treatment! Please Quote Connection Expires 31st March2015, subject to availability, pre-payment required terms and conditions apply.

Find out how we’re making fear of the dentist a thing of the past at www.hellodental.co.uk 01206 598 777 when responding to adverts 48 Please mention The Connection The Centre, Colchester Business Park, Essex, CO4 9QQ (next to mimosa)