The Connection Magazine april:may 2014 by Sarah Banks

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The

April/May 14 Issue 57

connection magazine Inside this issue... Recipes for Easter

Chocolate Ripple Cheesecake Banana, Walnut and Chocolate Cake Morrocan StuďŹ&#x20AC;ed Loin of Pork

Also...

Book Reviews Puzzles Awareness Days Lavenham Art Festival ďż˝e Home Brewing Revival

Spring has Sprung! www.facebook.com/TheConnectionMagazineColchester www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

Reaching the heart of the local community April-May 14.indd 1

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Distribution News

Magazine distributors needed for Kelvedon and Feering

You can walk for pleasure, walk to fundraise and walk for health - now you can walk and earn cash! We are looking for reliable mature people to deliver The Connection door to door in the Kelvedon and Feering areas. You will need to be able to pick up the magazines one Thursday every other month from Aldham village hall and then deliver them to homes within a week of pick up. You can apply as an individual or as a group if you’re looking to raise regular funds for a particular organisation, charity or community cause. Please email editor@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk to find out more.

Leaflet Design

Did you know...

We can offer a full leaflet design and printing service. Email us for more details; editor@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

Charities have benefitted from money earned from delivering the Connection, including Aldham Village Hall, Chappel Millennium Green Trust and Riding for the Disabled. Also, the Bows and Belles clog dancing team raised £3870 to help take themselves off to Boston in the USA to celebrate their 20 years of dancing together in 2007. Almost seven years later, some of the team are still delivering in Coggeshall!

SUDBURY

River

Assington

Stour

A131

Thank you...

Stoke by Nayland

Bures

Pebmarsh

Riv

We would like to say a very big thank you to the following long term distributors who have recently ‘retired’ from their distribution duties. They have all delivered for the Connection since 2005 - they are Libbie Hall, Anne Fulcher, Mary Parfitt and Ann Honeyball. Other recent retirees are some of the residents of Aldham who delivered to raise money for their new village hall.

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HALSTEAD oln

Greenstead Green

Nayland

Colne Engaine

Earls Colne

White Colne Wakes Colne Chappel

Great Tey

A131

Aldham

Fordham River

Colne

Stratford St Mary Dedham

Little Mount Horkesley Bures Wormingford

Boxted

A12

West Bergholt A120

Eight Ash Green

COLCHESTER Copford

A120

Coggeshall Feering Kelvedon

Lexden A12

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Delivered to selected homes in these areas

Leaﬂet Distribution with the

Connection

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Delivered reliably through over 12,000 letter boxes. We can deliver ﬂyers and leaﬂets to 1000 - 12,000 village homes and businesses in our distribution area. For more details call 01787 210701 or 07939 437078 or email: editor@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

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Hello

Inside

It’s official - Spring has Sprung and we’ve got lots in this issue to keep the feel good factor going! We have five action packed pages of What’s On events, three delicious recipes, book reviews and some great ideas to get you in the mood for getting out there to enjoy the warmer weather. Also - we have some other good news - drum roll please... Aldham Village Hall has finally re-opened. I was lucky enough to be invited to the Grand Opening and I have to say the end result is superb! You will find a report and pictures on page 32. Many Aldham residents delivered the Connection locally to help raise much needed funds for the re- build of their new hall so it was great to be part of their fundraising journey. All those involved in the village hall were brimming with pride at the opening and they deserve congratulations for all their hard work. Chairman of the village hall ,Ray Pratt, said that the end result ‘far exceeded our expectations’.

4 - Distribution News 6 - Awareness Days 8, 40 - Walking events 10,14,26 - Recipes 12 - Book Reviews 17 - RHS Britain in Bloom 19 - 23 - What’s On 28 - Gardening 31 - Country Mutters 32-33 - Aldham Village Hall 33 - Codeword 34 - Notice Board 38 - Revision 41 - Crossword 36 - Sudoku 42 - Spot the difference 44 - Useful Numbers 46 - Index of Advertisers

Finally, we need distributors for the Kelvedon and Feering area - see left for details if you are interested.

Sarah

Editor and Publisher: Sarah Banks Editorial Assistant: Amanda Findley Contributors: Amanda Findley, Derek Keeble,Pippa Greenwood and Alison Runham. Advertising and Editorial: 01787 210701 / 07527 489847 Email: editor@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk Address: Applegarth, Whitestreet Green, Boxford, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 5JL

Please get in touch if you want to advertise your business. Call me on:

01787 210701 or email:

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.

editor@theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

£25 cash sudoku winner - Wendy Hearn from West Mersea.

www.facebook.com/ TheConnectionMagazineColchester

Next issue: June/July 2014 Publication date 22nd May

Advertise from £25 plus VAT

Competition winners

Deadline date forwww.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk new advertisers and Delivered to over 20 villages. See map on page 46. What’s On entries :10th May 2014 April-May 14.indd 5

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National Awareness Days National and International Awareness Days are a relatively recent phenomenon and there is now a huge range of entries from the well known such as World Health Day on 7th April to the downright bizarre, such as Hug a Medievalist Day (31st March, if you happen to feel the urge). I’m afraid you’ve just missed Poultry Day on 19th March where you could have joined in by donating a handknitted jumper for an unwanted battery hen, but thankfully there is still time, should you wish, to organise an event for National Escargot Day on 24th May. Of course, there is a purpose behind even the most esoteric sounding awareness days and they are incredibly useful for highlighting the work of many charities. Having a ﬁxed date in the calendar makes us more receptive and acts as a focus for fundraising events. They can also give us an opportunity to really stop and think about an issue.

Live Below the Line challenges people to live on just £1 a day for five days. Although it can never fully recreate what it’s like to live in extreme poverty, the scheme gives people an invaluable insight into the kind of tough decisions 1.2 billion people face globally every day. For more information on how to get involved visit www. livebelowtheline.org.uk By way of contrast, if you’re feeling under pressure and stuck in the rat race, International Dawn Chorus Day is the perfect antidote. A great example of green

We are only too well aware of

children who live in poverty but it’s easy to become immune to yet another shocking report on the news. Save the Children has an awareness week from 29th April to 3rd May and a campaign running during that time, called Live Below the Line is an apt, imaginative way not only to raise funds to support the world’s poorest people.

therapy, taking time out of your usual routine and connecting with nature is a fantastic stress buster. You can experience the dawn chorus at the Essex Wildlife Trust Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve on Saturday 3rd May. A professional tour guide will accompany the group and help you identify the different species. You will need to be on site at 4.30am but there is a hot drink and bacon butty included in the admission price to round off the morning. For more information on this and other events go to www.idcd.info or call 01206 729678 for Fingringhoe Wick. Nightingale Photo - Russ Sheriff

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Get Walking Week 3rd - 10th May

Pier to Pier

Derek Keeble

Walk in Her Shoes

This is a festival of short walks designed by the Ramblers to help the nation discover the joy of walking. To help us all get more active they’re encouraging everyone to get outside and get walking this May, whether it’s making short journeys on foot instead of in the car, making time for an after work stroll or planning a weekend walk with friends and family. You can join a local group for a walk or download a walk from the website: www.ramblers.org.uk

Of course, you don’t have to conﬁne your walks to one week in May. Derek Keeble, lifelong walking guru who contributes a walk for each edition of The Connection, will also be leading monthly short walks in the local area. You can ﬁnd details for these at; www.wormingfordcec.org.

Walking for Health

Walking for Health also offer free weekly walks for healthier happier lifestyles at various locations in the local area. For details please visit; www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

Pier to Pier is a walk in aid of St Helena Hospice which also takes place on Sunday 27th April in Clacton on Sea. You can walk in memory of a loved one of just for fun, get your family and friends together and raise funds for a fantastic cause. The 7 mile walk from Clacton Pier to Walton Pier (or 14 miles there and back if you’re feeling really energetic!) is guaranteed to blow the cobwebs away. You need to raise a minimum of £25 in sponsorship in return for a fun day, refreshments and a medal. More details from www.sthelenahospice.org.uk

Walk In Her Shoes is a campaign by Care International to raise money to help women and girls out of poverty. You can walk in solidarity with women and girls in developing countries who walk miles every day collecting water for their families. The sponsorship money raised will help build safe water sources close to families so they can drink safe, clean water and children will have time to go to school and reach their full potential. The challenge is to walk 10,000 steps a day for a week, which will also improve your own health and burn 300 - 400 calories a day! More information can be found at www.careinternational.org.uk

Canine Partners

Plus, if you need a reason to get out and about, there are plenty of fundraising walks you can take part in. Canine Partners provide assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Dogs help with a variety of practical tasks and provide that special companionship, unconditional love and affection to people who are sometimes at risk of isolation. By joining one of their Bluebell Walks you can raise money by sponsorship. The whole family can go along to Langford Grove near Maldon on Sunday 27th April for a worthwhile stroll among the bluebells. For more details and to register please visit www.caninepartners.org.uk or call 0845 2090750.

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Picture - Mark Treacey

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Chocolate Ripple Cheesecake Serves 10

Ready in 1½ hours, plus chilling & cooling

This baked cheesecake is a must for chocolate lovers – it has a really rich ﬂavour without being too sweet. It’s perfect to serve as a dessert or sweet treat over the Easter weekend as you can make it in advance. Keep the cooled cheesecake covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before serving. Mix together the crushed biscuits, melted butter and cocoa powder and press evenly into the base of a well buttered 23cm round springform or deep fluted flan tin. Chill the base in the fridge.

Ingredients: • 225g digestive biscuits, finely crushed

• 75g unsalted butter, melted • 1 tbsp cocoa powder • 200g good quality plain

Preheat the oven to 170C, 325F, Gas 3. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water then remove from the heat and leave to cool for 10 minutes.

• 400g soft cheese, such as

In a large bowl beat together the soft cheese, caster sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs then fold in the soured cream. Spoon about half the mixture over the chilled biscuit base.

chocolate, broken into pieces Philadelphia

• • • • • •

100g caster sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract

Gently fold the melted chocolate into the remaining mixture (it will be quite thick) and drop spoonfuls of this mixture on top of the vanilla layer.

3 medium eggs, beaten 300ml soured cream Cocoa powder to dust

Using the blade of a thin knife gently swirl the chocolate mixture through the vanilla mixture. Place the tin on a baking sheet and bake for 45-55 minutes, until the filling has just set. Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake to cool in the oven.

Chocolate sauce, to serve (optional)

TIP For a chocolate orange version add the zest and juice of ½ orange to the soft cheese mixture instead of the vanilla extract.

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Serve the cold cheesecake sliced, lightly dusted with cocoa powder and with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, if liked.

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It IS Easy Being Green

The Green Book by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen This book is packed with information about small efforts that can make a big difference. It has thought-provoking facts and figures for when you’re standing there cleaning your teeth with the tap running. There are celebrity hints and tips including pearls of wisdom from Robert Redford, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Timberlake to name but a few. Last Chance to See… by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine Bestselling author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams has teamed up with zoologist Mark Carwardine for a round the world voyage in search of some of the planet’s most critically endangered species. On their journey they encounter some bizarre and astounding creatures that are perilously close to being wiped out altogether. Adams’ reactions are often those of someone coming face to face with an alien species and it’s often hilarious. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson Silent Spring was a revolution when it was published in the 1960s. This hugely-influential

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work, and Carson’s findings on the destruction caused by pesticides changed laws and helped to get harmful substances banned from use in the USA and many other countries. She opens the book by quoting Keats: ‘The sedge is wither’d from the lake, and no bird sings.’ Thanks to the pioneer of the ‘Deep Ecology’ movement, the Carson revolution lives on within every new reader. How Bad Are Bananas? : The Carbon Footprint of Everything by Mike BernauLee We talk about our giant, trampling, carbon footprints, but exactly how bad is it to take a transatlantic flight, or use a plastic carrier bag, or buy bananas? This book takes us, step by step through around 100 everyday items and occurrences to show the impact our daily existence is having on the planet. It’s an entertaining, though sometimes disturbing, read. An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It by Al Gore Former Vice President of the United States, Gore is an

articulate and prolific ‘green’ campaigner who has long been on a mission to raise awareness of global warming. Gore writes in a succinct, passionate and compelling way about the need to halt climate change and react now, rather than thinking it’s something that’s happening at a glacial pace. He brings urgency and momentum to the debates, insisting that governments need to stop ignoring this most inconvenient of truths: that our planet is heating-up and we have a critical situation on our hands. Mates, Dates and Saving the Planet by Cathy Hopkins If you’re like, totally into saving the planet and stuff (and you’re a teenage girl) then this edition of Cathy Hopkins’ popular teenage series is ‘totes amazeballs’ for sorting out your carbon footprint. Lucy, Izzie, TJ and Nesta have loads of great top tips on how to make a difference, one knickers drawer at a time. There’s plenty of advice on how to look good whilst being good and showing you actually care about our planet. If you’re not a teenage girl, but live with one, then this book could help drastically reduce household bills. Saving the planet has never been so cool.

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Cake and Bake Banana, Walnut & Chocolate Cake Bananas ripen so quickly that it’s easy to ﬁnd yourself with several left over needing to be used up. Many people don’t like the taste or smell of ripe bananas though so they often go to waste. However, when baked in a cake they lose their slightly sour smell and give a subtle taste, which is particularly delicious when combined with chocolate and walnuts.

Ingredients:

• 100g butter at room temperature

Preheat the oven to 180C, 160C for fan oven or gas mark 4.

Grease a 900g loaf tin and line with greaseproof paper

Cream the sugar and butter together until fluffy

Add the eggs and the vanilla essence and then the bananas and mix in well

Carefully mix in the flour and bicarb, baking powder and cinnamon so there are no lumps, then fold through the dark chocolate and most of the walnuts.

Pour the batter into the loaf tin and bake for 45-55 minutes until a skewer through the centre comes out clean.

• 100g Walnuts (Chopped or whole)

Leave on a rack until cool before serving to allow time for the chocolate to set.

• 75g Dark chocolate chopped or coarsely grated

Sprinkle with icing sugar and a few more chopped walnuts.

• 100g light brown sugar • 25 grams caster sugar (white or golden) • 2 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla essence • 3-4 ripe bananas (depending on size), mashed • 175g plain flour • 1½ tsp baking powder • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • ½ tsp cinnamon

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50 Years of Britain in Bloom Growing for Gold in 2014

Half a million sunflower seeds will be sown by gardening groups all over Britain this year starting in National Gardening Week (14th - 21st April) to celebrate 50 golden years of Europe’s largest community gardening campaign: Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom. RHS Community Horticulture Manager, Stephanie Eynon, said:‘What better way to celebrate this huge anniversary for Britain than a mass planting of beautiful golden sunflowers. We’re providing the seeds as a big ‘thank you’ to all the industrious and passionate people who work year-round to make the UK clean, green and beautiful. It is also a chance to do something big for the environment. As well as being symbolic of RHS Britain in Bloom’s 50th year, these glorious fields of gold will provide vital food for pollinators this summer.’ RHS community gardening groups, local councils, schools and other similar organisations will stage thousands of ‘Growing for Gold’ events during National Gardening Week meaning by summertime our streets, neighbourhoods and green spaces will be sprinkled with gold. A new survey looking at the impact of community gardening in the UK has revealed that the amount of green space RHS Britain in

Bloom volunteers manage has increased more than ten-fold in just three years. Amounting to more than 200,000 acres of public land, from pocket parks, to conservation sites, RHS community gardeners look after the equivalent of over 500 Hyde Parks. More than 60% of groups run wildlife projects and manage seasonal displays and more than half run environmental clean-ups and recycling activities. Groups cite some of the key benefits of being part of RHS Britain in Bloom as being the development of a sense of community, cleaner and greener surroundings, regeneration of run-down areas and a reduction in anti-social behaviour. For information on how to take part visit: http:// www.rhs.org.uk/

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Lavenham Art Festival Bank Holiday Weekend May 24th,25th and 26th

Come and join in the exciting events planned in the Market Place, Little Hall, and throughout Lavenham on this special Bank Holiday weekend. You can watch artists, sculptors, jewellery makers, potters, spinners, weavers, pen portraitists and quilt makers at work. Children can take part in art activities, including painting a huge mural of Lavenham and trying their hand at painting and drawing.There will be an Open Studios Trail, mapped out on free programmes. Market Place activities include sculptor Kate Denton creating a lifesize sculpture using two live Shetland ponies as models, artist Peter Partington drawing birds of prey, and jeweller Jonathan Lambert designing unique pieces of jewellery. Lavenham Art Society will be staging an exhibition in the church and pupilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; art work will be on show in the school.The Great House restaurant will be running a refreshments stall in the Market Place and there will be musical entertainment throughout the weekend. Many village galleries will be taking part with special exhibitions. This is a rare opportunity to see the work of so many of the talented artists in Lavenham and to enjoy a wonderful FREE weekend of art, music and great food! So come along and join in all the fun! For more information go to: www.lovelavenham.co.uk

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What’s On General

Quiz Night At White Colne Village Hall Friday 25th April 7.30 pm Teams of up to 6 people, £5 per person. Raffle, bring your own drinks (and glasses) and nibbles. Proceeds to be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust & White Colne 50 Club. To book a table, please contact Chris or Rita on 01787 221919 or email chrisandritap@tiscali.co.uk

Jumble Sale

At St Francis of Assisi Church Hall, Colchester Rd (opposite cemetery), Halstead Saturday 5th April 9.30am - 11.30am Quality clothing, bric a brac, household goods, toys and books. Free car parking behind hall. 20p admission. All proceeds to charity.

Chappel and Wakes Colne Open Gardens

Sunday 1st June 11.00am - 5.30pm About 12 beautiful gardens open with refreshments in a lovely garden setting. Admission £4 by programme from Chappel Church (children free). Plant stalls. For more information please contact 01206 240661 or marion. chris@btinternet.com

Country Market Day

At Aldham Village Hall, Green Lane (off A1124) Saturday 3rd May 10.00am - 1.00pm. Free entrance. Plants, jams, vegetables, cakes, bread and other stalls.

Regatta and Boat Show. For enquiries please call Jane Howden or email philip@cddltd.plus.com

Wormingford Annual Flower Festival At Saint Andrew’s Church, Wormingford (on B1508 between Colchester and Sudbury) Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th May 10.00am - 5.00pm daily Wonderful and imaginative floral displays on the theme of‘Pub Names’, bric-a-brac sale in the old barn, teas, cakes, lunches and refreshments, raffle with many exciting prizes. Free entry. Songs of Praise service 25th May at 6.30pm.

Summer Sale At Chappel & Wakes Colne Village Hall, Colchester Road, Wakes Colne CO6 2BX Saturday 14th June 10.30am - 2.00pm Home made refreshments, stalls including cakes, crafts and greetings cards. Raffle and tombola. In aid of The Royal British Legion Women’s Section.

Female Pamper Evening

At Holy Trinity Primary School, Fiddlers Folly, Fordham Heath, Eight Ash Green CO3 9UE Friday 16th May 6.00pm - 10.00pm A wide selection of prebookable treatments to choose from together with various stalls, refreshments and a pamper raffle. Please call Emma for tickets on 07904 115637.

Events at Long Melford Hall

Rummage Sale At Aldham Village Hall, Green Lane (off A1124) Saturday 12th April 10.30am. Entrance 20p. Donations for sale should be brought to the hall between 7.00pm - 9.00pm Friday 11th April, or on the day of the sale between 9.00am - 10.00am

Dedham Arts Group Spring Exhibition

Wednesday 2nd April 1.00pm - 5.00pm The National Trust’s Melford Hall re-opens for a new season. From Wednesday to Sunday every week plus Bank holiday Mondays until the end of October. Come to see the newly purchased portrait of Sir Thomas Savage, one of Melford Hall’s early and influential own-ers, which will be on display throughout the season.

At Littlegarth Studio, High Street Dedham Saturday 24th Monday 26th May 10.00am - 5.00pm Friday 18th ‘Art at the Regatta’ Come and see our Monday 21st April 1.00pm - 4.30pm wonderful and varied At the Waterside Gallery, Brightlingsea, Essex paintings by a local Second-hand book sale CO7 0FH Saturday 31st group of artists. A massive selection of May - Sunday 1st June Admission free. For second-hand books 10.00am - 5.30pm further information about offered at special clearance www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk our group please visit prices. Free event included Art and Craft Exhibition coinciding with the Town www.dedhamartsgroup.co.uk in garden admission prices

April-May 14.indd 19

For prices and opening times visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk /melfordhall

Annual Duck Race At The Swan, Chappel Sunday 18th May, first race 2.30pm There will be 4 races during the afternoon, first past the post wins £20! BBQ, outside bar, bouncy castle, cakes and lots more! Duck numbers can be purchased from Wakes Colne Post Office £2.50 each (your duck will be entered into all 4 races). Raising funds for Chappel CofE Primary Schools’outside play equipment. A fun afternoon for all the family!

1st Great Tey Scout Group Quiz Night At Great Tey Village Hall Friday 16th May 7.30pm Fundraising evening for 1st Great Tey Scout Group. Tickets £6 per person (max team of 6) including a sausage supper. Licensed bar. Please pre-book your team with Lorraine Collins on 01206 211248 or info@1stgreatteygroup.co.uk

Flower Festival and display of Quilts At All Saints Church, Little Cornard CO10 0PE Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May 11.00am - 4.00pm The church will be beautifully decorated with flowers and handcrafted quilts. Refresh-ments, Ploughman’s lunch, scrumptious cakes and drinks. Plant and book sale. Evensong on Sunday at 6.30pm.

What’s On continued 19 over page 20/3/14 13:58:30

What’s On NCT Nearly New Sale At Queen’s Hall, Halstead Saturday 28th June 10.00am - 12.00pm For information contact Tricia on nns@ halsteadnct.co.uk

St Andrew’s festival of ﬂowers, words and music, including art exhibition and world class organ recital At St Andrew’s church, Earls Colne Saturday 17th May - Monday 19th May Flower and art exhibition open from 10.00am 5.00pm every day. Organ recital from Dr Martin Neary LVO Saturday 17th May 7.30pm. Festival Songs of Praise service, Sunday 18th May 10.00am.

Drama and Dance

The Nayland Village Players Present: ‘The Miracle Worker’ At Nayland Village Hall Thursday 10th, Friday 11th and Saturday 12th April (Doors open 7.30pm). Performances begin at 8.00pm The remarkable true story of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan. It is an inspiring and unforgettable play, not to be missed. Tickets £7.50 (£6 for under 16’s) from Nayland Post office (afternoons) or by calling 01206 262430. More information can be found at www. villageplayers.co.uk.

Riding Lights Theatre Company 2014 Passion Play: ‘Inheritance’ Thursday 27th March 7.00pm The story of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection is re-told, firmly rooted in scripture, with themes speaking into our world today. ‘Inheritance’is more than a play to be performed for an audience: it is also an experience of theatre and worship combined. The perform-ance is structured to ensure that the audience has the time and opportunity to reflect on Christ’s Passion and, finally, to make their own response to the story of the Cross. Tickets £7.50 adults, free admission to 18’s and under when accompanied by an adult. To book please call 01284 748720 in office hours or online at www.stedscathedral.co.uk/ whats-on/490-inheritance

Music The Suffolk Villages Festival Spring Concerts

Sunday 30th March 6.00pm The Young Bach At St Mary’s Church, Boxford Claire Tomlin soprano, The Orpen Players Psalmody and members of presents Terence Essex Baroque Orchestra Rattigan’s ‘The directed by Peter Holman. Deep Blue Sea’ The concert features rich and varied combinations At The Orpen Memorial of solo voices, choir, Hall, West Bergholt Lavenham Art Thursday 15th May violins, viols, recorders Festival Dos Ramas 8.00pm (£6), Friday and organ. Tickets £18 & Saturday 24th, Flamenco Show 16th May 8.00pm and £12 (half-price to those Sunday 25th and Saturday 17th May in full-time education). The Quay Theatre, Quay Monday 26th May 8.00pm (£7). Doors Monday 26th May Lane,Sudbury, Suffolk, open 30 minutes A FREE walking art tour 6.00pm Bach: Mass CO10 2AN Saturday 12th before performance. of this lovely medieval in B Minor At St April 2014 7.30pm Hester is married to a judge village with artists’open Peter’s, Sudbury Jairo Barrull son of the and enjoys all the privilege studios, galleries, pop-up Philippa Hyde and genius dancer Ramón that goes with such a role in displays and exciting Claire Tomlin soprano, Barrull and Manuela 1950s England. However, art projects for children Timothy Travers-Brown when she meets a dashing Vargas, daughter of the and adults. Sculptors, countertenor, Daniel RAF pilot, Hester’s world great dancer Isidro Vargas, potters, spin-ners, weavers, Auchincloss tenor, Giles is turned upside down! both represent two of glassmakers, jewellers, Davies bass, Psalmody Directed by Colin Downer. the most important quilters, tapestry makers. and Essex Baroque Tickets available from www. gypsy dance dynasties in Orchestra directed by Sculpture being made orpenplayers.co.uk or by Seville’s flamenco history Peter Holman. Tickets £20 of two Shetland ponies. calling Roger Milne 01206 to date. Two branches & £15 (half-price to those Birds of prey being drawn. 241048, also available at of the old flamenco tree, in full-time education). Ash’s Store, West Bergholt Pen portraits painted. the lineages Barrull and from 3rd May. Tickets Refreshments from The For further information Vargas, reflect their gypsy on the door subject to about these concerts Great House restaurant. availability. Supper & Show spirit in‘Dos Ramas’. please contact Louise www.lovelavenham.co.uk in conjunction with The Jameson, Administra-tor, £17 - To purchase tickets Treble Tile of West Bergholt Suffolk Villages Festival please contact the - £20 buys you a show on 01206 366603 or visit theatre box office by ticket and supper from www.suffolkvillagesfestival. telephone 01787374745 special menu - for details com Box Office: National or email boxoffice@ & booking contact The Centre for Early Music quaytheatre.org.uk Treble Tile 01206 241712. 20 Please mention The Connection when responding to adverts (www.ncem.co.uk), 01904 651485. www.thetrebletile.co.uk www.quaytheatre.org.uk

April-May 14.indd 20

20/3/14 13:58:30

What’s On Concert ‘Come My Way’ At The Parish Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Coggeshall Saturday 1st March 7.30pm A concert of English music featuring the Choir of St Peter’s Church and Chorus ad Vin-cula, accompanied by Orchestra and organ celebrating Philip Prior’s 10th Anniversary as Director of Music at St Peter’s. Includes music by Byrd, Handel, Elgar, Howells, Vaughan Williams and Philip Prior. Admission adults £7.50, under 18’s free. Further details and updates at www. st-peter-ad-vincula.org.uk

Pilgrim on 01787 269458 or email alanwpilgrim@tiscali. co.uk for further details.

Lexden Choral Society and Kingﬁsher Sinfonietta Concert

Things for Children Easter Activities

At Country Kitchen Studios, 5 Queen St, Brightlingsea CO7 0PH At St Botolphs Church, Tuesday 8th April Colchester Saturday 1.00pm - 3.00pm 26th April 7.30pm Mermaids & Pirates (art Faure - Requiem, Poulenc techniques) Using vibrant - Gloria and Rutter - Gloria. inks and special secret Tickets £12 (concessions effect techniques we will £10) from 01206 create a gorgeous watery 766906, Manns Music setting for the mermaid, or at the door. For more pirate ship, treasure and information please visit undersea creatures you http://lexdenchoral.org/ will be shown how to make using a range of Cinema interesting and colourful materials. £12 per person. Leavenheath Village Hall ‘The Caverners’ Tuesday 15th April Digital Cinema 1.00pm - 3.00pm At Stoke by Nayland At Leavenheath Village Village Hall Friday Explore Pottery (adults Hall, Wrights Way, 25th April 7.30pm and/or children) Discover (signposted from the the tactile qualities of clay Playing popular music High Road) Doors open and explore the use of from the sounds of the 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. formers, cutters, textiles 60’s. Tickets £12 including and print blocks to make supper, licensed bar and Refreshments (wine, marks, shapes & textures raffle. Tickets available beer, soft drinks, tea and and create your own from The Open Road cof-fee) will be available unique piece of pot-tery. Bookshop, Park St, next before the film starts and £27 or special introductory to The Crown Public during the interval. Tickets rate of £25 per person, House, Stoke by Nayland. £3.50 per adult and £2 For further information for two or more places per child. You can now contact 01206 265172 booked. For bookings and reserve your seat online or 263387 or 263877. enquiries please call Nicky at www.leavenheath.org. Sheales on 01206 306324 uk or please call Lesley Colchester or email nickysheales@ 01206 262505 or Ken Organ Society gmail.com or visit website 01206 263266 for tickets. At Alderman Blaxill www.nickysheales.co.uk Saturday 5th April School, Paxman Wednesday 16th April ‘Saving Mr Banks’(PG). Avenue, Shrub End, 10.00am - 12.00 noon Colchester On the first Comedy/Drama about the Friday of each month Sew your own Spring Chick meeting of Walt Disney 7.45pm - 10.15pm. (adults and children) As and P L Travers about the you sew your own Spring Live keyboard concerts making of the wonderful Chick you will learn how to with music to suit all tastes, film Mary Poppins, starring appliqué and some basic featuring top musicians Emma Thompson, Tom embroi-dery stitches. In from around the country. Hanks and Colin Farrell the workshop you can Friday 4th April - Michelle Saturday 3rd May opt to fill your chick with French Friday 2nd May ‘The Butler’(12A). locally grown lavender David Ingley £4 members, As Cecil Gaines serves and make it as a gift. Each £6 non members. eight presidents during his chick will be unique and Refreshments and raffle. tenure as the White House is made from authentic Ample parking inside Butler, what a tale he will vintage fab-rics. £12 or school grounds. Free entry be able to tell. Starring £20 for adult and child for two non members www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk Forest Whitaker, Oprah (aged 9+, accompanied/ upon production of this advert. Contact Alan supervised by an adult). Winfrey and John Cusack.

April-May 14.indd 21

Ex-pert tuition, materials, a ‘how to’handout and light refreshments included. To book or make an enquiry please contact Vikki Walsh, email maekandoo@yahoo. com or call 07948 296374) Baby Massage (£25.00 for five sessions) Christ Church Hall, Coggeshall. From birth – 6 months. May 12th, 19th and June 2nd, 9th and 16th at 1.15pm. Massage is a lovely way for you to express your love and connect with your baby. Please contact Julie on 01376 562 000 to book your place.

Come and join our Little Treasures Classes. Based in a calm, quiet environment in Christ Church URC, Stoneham Street, Coggeshall we offer a wealth of everyday natural objects and resources chosen to stimulate the different senses for children from the age of 6 months up to 4 years of age. Wednesday mornings during term time. Please call Julie on 01376 562 000.

What’s On continued 21 over page 20/3/14 13:58:31

What’s On Archaeology Workshops

Events at Long Melford Hall

blocks to make marks, shapes & textures and create your own unique Friday 18th Monday At Wormingford piece of pot-tery. Expert 21st April 1.00 4.30pm Community Education tuition, materials/firing Cadburys Easter Centre, The Old School, & light refreshments Egg trails Church Lane, Wormingincluded. £35 per person. Felting Workshops Once again Cadbury have For bookings and enquiries ford CO6 3AZ Friday 11th At Wormingford sponsored our Easter please call Nicky Sheales April 10.00am - 3.00pm Community Education Egg trail; come and solve on 01206 306324 or email £20 per session Saturday Centre, The Old School, the clues to claim your nickysheales@gmail.com 31st May and Saturday Church Lane, WormingEaster egg prize. Also or visit website www. 7th June 10am - 3.00pm ford CO6 3AZ show your skill in the Egg nickysheales.co.uk and Spoon races that £20 per session or £35 Saturday 5th April Saturday 12th April will be held each day. 10.30am - 3.30pm for 2 sessions Travels in 1.00pm - 4.00pm Time offer fun hands Beginner/refresher Bowls and Flowers Learn Sewing Machine how to make a seamless on archaeology courses workshop pocket of felt which can for children aged 8-12. be shaped into a beautiful In this workshop you For fur-ther details bowl of your own choosing will cover all the basics email Ellie and Jane at and also you how to make of setting up and using travelsintime@live.com a delicate wet-felted flower. your sewing machine. By There will also be the Sunday Kids Club the end of the workshop A Special clearance sale of opportunity to try some you will have changed Second-hand books will At Sudbury Library, needle-felting. Best suited needles, wound bobbins, also be running for the Market Hill, Sudbury to those who have done threaded the machine and four days. Activity charge Sundays 10.30am some felting before. £28 set stitch tensions. Then £2.50 per child in addition including all materials - 12.00 noon you will explore different to garden admission stitch settings on a range Saturday 26th April Children of all ages are Friday 30th May of fabrics. Finally, you will 10.30am - 3.30pm welcome for craft and 1.00 - 4.30pm start to sew your own Advanced Felting storytelling activities held Mr McGregor’s Tote/Book bag which Techniques - Nuno, cobweb every Sunday. April’s Flower Garden involves joining fab-rics and Lattice Learn how to theme is Sports Month. by sewing straight seams This year Mr McGregor create delicate cobweb For further information and hemming. Expert invites children of all ages and lattice felt as well as contact Sudbury library tuition, materials, a‘how to join us in making a introducing Nuno felting on 01787 296000. to’handout and light which is used to make flower garden. They will scarves and clothing. refreshments included. be able to create a floral Film Workshop Using a variety of different Bring your own sewing carpet depicting Beatrix At Wormingford materials, you will have machine. (Machines Potter’s‘Peter Rabbit’ the chance to produce Community Education are available for use in and many other garden samples of all these types of the workshop. Please Centre, The Old School, activities. There will also felt as well as explore how request when booking) be a‘Green trail’, as well as Church Lane, Wormingford to use them further. £28 £30 per person. drawing and col-ouring CO6 3AZ Tuesday 8th, including all materials. To of pictures. Follow the Saturday 10th May Wednesday 9th, Thursday book a place or for further clues on the trail to win 1.00pm - 3.00pm 10th, Monday 14th information contact Clare a prize. Activity charge: Textile Upcycling on 01787 371654, email and Tuesday 15th April £2.50 per child in addition craftclasseswithclare@ Join Designer-maker 10.00am - 4.00pm to garden admission. hotmail.co.uk or Vikki of Mae Kandoo in an A 5 day workshop for Please call 01787 379 228 or www.facebook.com/ up-cycling workshop in young people of 16 craftclasseswithclare look on www.nationaltrust. which you will be shown and under exploring all org.uk/melfordhall for Art Workshops different techniques as you aspects of drama and more infor-mation. explore how an old t-shirt At Country Kitchen documentary film making. can be transformed and Studios, 5 Queen St, Talks and put to further use. Knitting, If you love films and want Brightlingsea CO7 0PH weaving, braiding, rag to have a go at making Workshops Saturday 5th April rugging. Bring your own your own we want to hear 1.00pm - 4.00pm T-shirt. Expert tui-tion, The adventures of from you! The workshop Sculpture & Pottery ‘how to handout’and light Andy Kershaw costs £30. To find out (Sculpt & Form) refreshments included. more or to book your At the Headgate Theatre, Workshop £15 per person. To book Colchester Saturday place please call Paul on or make an enquiry, Discover the tactile 12th April 7.00pm 01787 370378 or Amanda contact Vikki Walsh, email qualities of clay and 22 Please mention The Connection whenthe responding to adverts on 01206 337338 or email maekandoo@yahoo.com An evening with the explore use of formers, or call 07948 296374 cutters, textiles and print legendary broadcaster and wcec12@gmail.com.

April-May 14.indd 22

foreign correspondent. Tickets £12 from the Headgate Theatre Box Office on 01206 366000 or www. headgatetheatre.co.uk

20/3/14 13:58:32

What’s On Chocolate Making Demonstration by Chocolate Planet At Wormingford Community Education Centre, The Old School, Church Lane, Worming-ford CO6 3AZ Saturday 29th March 2.00pm - 4.30pm Chocolate making demonstration, chocolate tasting, learn how to make your very own de-licious handmade truffles to take home with you. Includes tea, coffee and cake. Tickets £20 from chocolateplanet@ btinternet.com or call Karen on 07775 737493

New Adult Keep Fit With Ballet Exercise Class

Starting April 26th and running every Saturday morning at Firstsite, Colchester from 10am11am term-time. £7 per class. Ballet mat exercises and standing work to beautiful classical music! Call Claire Baker on 01206 792993 or 07816 613154

North East Essex Decorative and Fine Arts lectures

At Weston Homes Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester CO4 5UP Thursday 10th April 8.00pm Our Ports of Stranded Pride The Cinque Ports of Kent and Sussex Dick Bolton’s lecture illustrates the rich history of“The King’s Pirates”and their close links with the Crown.

Thursday 15th May 8.00pm The Gardens of Versailles Jane Gardiner’s lecture will look at the work of Andre Le Notre and the magnificent gar-dens he created for the“Sun King”at Versailles. Guest places are available at £5 to non-members. To book a place please email secretary@needfas. org.uk in advance of lecture. Full lecture information from www. needfas.org.uk

Knit and Natter! At Wormingford Community Education Centre, The Old School, Church Lane, Wormingford CO6 3AZ Starting Tuesday 1st April 7.00pm – 8.30pm Knitting, crochet and sewing sessions with Lesley Thornton. Need help with that sweater you started years ago and never got round to finishing? Fancy having a go at crochet? Are you interested in knitting or sewing for charity? Or would you like to darn your hus-band’s socks but don’t know how? OK maybe not that last one. Come along and learn a new skill or work on your own projects in good company with lashings of tea and biscuits. £3 per session. For more information or to book please email wcec12@gmail.com or call Amanda on 01206 337338.

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

Farmers Markets

Sudbury Farmers Market

Lavenham Farmers Market

Rowhedge Farmers and Crafters Market

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

At The Village Hall, Lavenham Sunday 27th April and Sunday 25th May at 10.00am - 1.30pm Contact Justine Paul 07704 627973

Colchester Farmers Market The Arts Centre, Colchester Friday 4th April and Friday 2nd May at 9.30am - 1.00pm Contact Rowley Castiglione 01206 367776

Wivenhoe Farmers Market Congregational Hall, Wivenhoe Saturday 19th April and Saturday 17th May at 9.00am - 12.00 Contact Rowly Castiglione 01206 367776

Brightlingsea Farmers Market At the Community Centre, Brightlingsea Saturday 26th April and Saturday 24th May at 9.00am - 12.00 Contact 01206 302055

At St Peters Church, Sudbury Friday 25th April and Friday 30th May at 9.30am - 2.00pm Contact Justine Paul 07704 627973 At Rowhedge Village Hall Saturday 5th April and Saturday 3rd May at 9.30am - 1.00pm Contact Yvonne 07780 923688

Hedingham Farmers’ Market

At The Baptist Church, Swan Street, Sible Hedingham (next to the Sugar Loaves pub) Saturday 19th April and Saturday 17th May at 10.00am - 1.30pm Contact Roy Reece 07513 464567

Nayland Farmers Market

At Nayland Village Hall Saturday 12th April and Saturday 10th May at 10.00am - 1.30pm Contact Roy Reece 07513 464567

Long Melford Farmers Market

At Long Melford Village Memorial Hall Saturday 19th April and Saturday 17th May at 10.00am - 1.00pm Contact Daryl Turner 07780 258 202

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: June/July - published 22nd May

Deadline date for entries in the next issue 10th May 2014

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 April-May 14.indd 23

20/3/14 13:58:32

Hobbies

Home Brewing Revival

Maybe it’s the rubbish they put on the telly these days. Maybe it’s because it’s expensive to go out. Who knows? One thing’s for sure, though: crafts and hobbies are making a big comeback. Not unnaturally, if you’re going to spend all your evenings and weekends honing your amateur expertise, you want the end result to be something that you can be proud of. And nothing beats beer really, and that’s why home brewing is enjoying a great revival. In days of yore, the main reason why people brewed their own beer was that they were either broke or miserly. Hobbyists who brewed their own would gloatingly tell you how little their beer had cost compared to the price of a pint in the pub. “You’d have to be mad to pay that much” they would cry, before forcing you to drink some of the stuff. And

April-May 14.indd 24

by Ted Bruning

as soon as you’d managed to escape, guess where you’d head... However, these days it’s more to do with lifestyle, and home brewing guru Nigel Sadler puts it down to what he calls the Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall effect. Chelmsford-based Nigel runs a training company called Learn2brew and says he’s seen interest in home brewing skyrocket in recent years. “Crafts in general have a much wider appeal now than they used to,” he says. “Home brewing, home winemaking, and home cidermaking have really taken off. Partly it’s because there are now so many microbrewers that people have the chance to try many different beers and are getting generally more interested in the whole subject. Partly it’s because TV chefs and lifestyle presenters like Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall and Heston Blumenthal are encouraging a have-a-go attitude.” To that combination has to be added the miracle ingredient of the modern age: the internet. Twenty years ago, Boots – the only national retailer of home brew supplies – reluctantly decided to pull out of the market. Then the mail-order firms, quickly followed by the independent shops, discovered internet trading. The whole craft took off again; and now Wilkinson, the 400-strong high street discount chain, has taken up where Boots left off. So now it’s easy to get started.

And at entry level, it’s an easy craft to pursue: you don’t need anything more than a brewing bucket with a tight-fitting lid, a kettle, and a brewing kit comprising a packet of readyhopped malt extract and a sachet of yeast. If you just follow the instructions you’re pretty much bound to get a more than passable beer for your efforts. But be warned! Once you’ve started it’s hard to stop. It’s perfectly possible to bump along at this most basic level for ever and be perfectly satisfied. But brewing is a seductive business, especially if you’re the type who enjoys browsing the market and sampling different beers. From brewing with kits you venture into trying your own recipes then before you know it you’ll have graduated from using malt extract into buying whole grains. It can be a sociable hobby, too. The local home brew shop (where there is one) tends to turn into a bit of a social centre, as specialist shops so often do; and in most areas there’s a home brewing club that holds troubleshooting sessions and competitions. There’s a UK Craft Brewing Association as well, which holds its own competition; so one day you might well find yourself being crowned national champion... and toasting your triumph in your own beer! • To find out if there’s a home brew shop nearby, visit www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk or www.homebrewshops.co.uk

Please mention The Connection when responding to adverts

20/3/14 13:58:42

NICHOLAS PERCIVAL

01206 563222 www.nicholaspercival.co.uk

Thinking of Selling?

We have got just the man for the job… Nicholas Percival are delighted to announce the appointment of Carl Eastwood. Carl is a highly experienced estate agent with over twenty years in the industry, latterly as head of the Country House Department for a National Firm in Ipswich. He has handled a wide range of sales over the years including cottages, townhouses, farmhouses and many impressive country houses and is adept at getting even the most difficult sales across the line. The market is at its most positive since 2007, so if you are thinking of selling now is the time to plan ahead and prepare. If you would like an obligation free market appraisal of your property, including advice on how to maximise value and prepare for a sale call Carl on 01206 563222

www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

info@nicholaspercival.co.uk Beacon End Farmhouse, London Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 0NQ April-May 14.indd 25

• Chartered Surveyors & Estate Agents established in 1986 • High quality brochures with professional photography & floorplans • Associated London Office in Mayfair bringing buyers from the capital to your door • Seamless service from start to finish

20/3/14 13:58:46

Morrocan Stuﬀed Loin Of Pork Serves 6

Ready in approx 3 hours

This roast pork is full of flavour and the spiced fruit and nut rice stuffing makes a change from the usual sage and onion. For really crispy crackling, the pork rind needs to be finely scored right through to the layer of fat underneath– ask your butcher to do this for you.

Ingredients: •

1 tbsp olive oil

•

1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped

•

2 tsp each ground coriander and ground cumin

•

40g ready-to-eat dried apricots, finely chopped

•

25g pine nuts

•

25g sultanas

•

100g cold cooked basmati rice

•

1 tbsp beaten egg

•

1.5kg joint boned and rolled loin of pork with skin scored

•

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

April-May 14.indd 26

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the onion for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in half the ground coriander and cumin and cook for 1 minute. Add the apricots, pine nuts, sultanas and cook rice and fry for 2-3 minutes until piping hot. Leave to cool completely then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Preheat the oven to 220C/ fan 200C/gas mark 7. Unroll the pork loin and spoon the cold stuffing down the centre. Re-roll the pork to enclose the filling and secure tightly with fine string at intervals. Mix together the rest of the ground coriander and cumin and rub into the scored skin. Weigh the stuffed joint then place it in a roasting tin. Roast for 30 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 190C/fan 170C/ gas mark 5 and roast for a further 35 minutes per 450g. Cover loosely with foil towards the end of the cooking time if the cracking starts to overcook. Remove from the oven and cover with foil. Leave in a warm place for 20-30 minutes to allow the meat to rest before carving.

TIP To make a delicious gravy, pour off any excess fat from the roasting tin just leaving a little fat and the meat juices in the base. Heat the pan juices on the hob until sizzling. Stir in 1 tbsp ﬂour and cook for 1 minute then gradually stir in 400ml apple juice or cider and 2 tsp Dijon mustard, scraping up any sediment from the base of the roasting tin. Bring to the boil then simmer, stirring all the time, until reduced and thickened. Season to taste then pour into a warmed jug or gravy boat.

Please mention The Connection when responding to adverts

20/3/14 13:58:48

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April-May 14.indd 27

20/3/14 13:58:57

Gardening Bringing Up Babies

by Pippa Greenwood

generally want to grow several individuals of the same species and I suggest you choose an odd number, perhaps three, or five for a much larger garden, as this invariably makes a better display than if even numbers of plants are used. It may be tempting to plant too close and although this will provide a better looking display initially, over-crowded plants are less likely to become well established, will have to be moved in the near future and in the meantime will be more prone to numerous diseases. A visit to any nursery or garden centre at this time of year will reveal a brilliant array of herbaceous perennials. Right now they might be small and not look particularly enticing but just take a look at the illustration on the label and you will see that these small plants have great potential. They’re also great value, usually somewhere around the £1.50-£2.50 mark. It’s essential that newly planted perennials are given that little bit of extra tender loving care. Small plants such as these are more likely to be prone to any weather extremes and even plants in larger pots should be well established. When you ease the plants out of their pots, if you see a really plentiful supply of roots that usually means you have purchased a good plant. Check the plant labels to see the ultimate spread of the plant. For the best effect you

April-May 14.indd 28

It’s also essential to plant at the correct depth. With herbaceous perennials you need to make sure that you place the plant in the ground to the same depth that it was in the container and although you may decide to mulch the soil afterwards, do remember not to mulch right up to or over the crown of the plant, as this is likely to lead to poor growth and maybe even dieback. Weed control is essential and you can either hoe regularly between the plants to prevent the weeds causing competition or you can use a deep mulch or perhaps even place squares of landscape fabric or black polythene around each plant. Do remember however, if you use polythene, rain will not be able to penetrate through it and so the plants are more likely to suffer from drought. With landscape fabric this is not a problem. I’m a great fan of copper-impregnated and coated fabrics as these help to keep weeds and slugs and

snails at bay. Once you have dug over the whole bed, then it’s well worthwhile adding a general fertilizer. If you notice that the soil is on the heavy side, I suggest incorporating plenty of bulky organic matter and grit. Similarly, if the soil is excessively dry, then you could try to improve its texture by incorporating large quantities of any good bulky organic matter. Once the plants are in position, firm the soil thoroughly and do take care not to compact it if it’s on the heavy side. Regular watering is essential and if the ground is not already quite moist, you should water the plants in well. Check them regularly for signs of any pests or diseases as it will be much easier to stop something in its tracks if you start to take action early on in the season. Pippa loves growing gorgeous veg and wants to persuade you to as well; visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for the ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ veg growing system where she will send you garden ready plants and weekly advice and tips emails, making veg growing easy, productive and fun.

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www.treetopservices.net info@treetopservices.net

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Country Mutters

Womanagement......by Lady Muck

When I was young and idealistic I used to think that men and women weren’t that different. With the benefit of hindsight and more years of marriage than I care to think about (because it makes me feel old) I now realise that there are many differences. Many, many differences. And chief of these is the concept of multitasking. This is a normal state of being for most women as we exist simultaneously in our professional, domestic and esoteric worlds. As those worlds revolve inexorably around us, we know that if just one were to be ignored for even a second, disaster would ensue - a forgotten birthday, missed deadline, a hamster dead from starvation. Even our downtime is filled with virtual shopping lists, worrying about our eldest offspring’s GCSE choices and mentally concocting something edible for tea from the unlikely contents of the fridge. And speaking of food, the production of which occupies far too much time when there’s so much else to think about, I might say that writing up a proposal, hanging out the washing and helping with maths homework whilst googling recipes for leftover pork may look chaotic but is more productive than Husband’s sorrowful announcement that he was going to make you a nice moussaka except we don’t seem to have any lamb or aubergines or enough milk to make a white sauce. And this just 15 minutes after he’s come back from the supermarket because he needed some shaving foam.The idea of ‘picking

something up on your way home from work’, a straightforward task for women, is met with incredulous bafflement from Husband. He repeats the words slowly, separating them out carefully, but still can’t seem to get his head round the concept of stopping at a shop he actually drives past twice a day in order that he might have milk in his tea when he gets home. There’s going to work and there’s being at home - 2 different states, the demands of which cannot ever intermingle. A magnificent display of male single mindedness is demonstrated every year with our holiday travel. Husband would much rather stop at a ghastly motorway services and be charged £40 for sandwiches that range from the indifferent to the downright dangerous - completely tasteless cheese substitute or suspiciously warm savoury gloop anyone? But rather that than make a 5 mile detour to a half decent pub which can at least manage to produce fish and chips cooked on the same day. If we’re going to destination point x on no account must we deviate from that goal. I swear if we ever heard a news bulletin on the car radio announcing that aliens have landed in a field 5 miles away from our current location, we wouldn’t be allowed to go and introduce ourselves because if we’re any later we’ll get into a jam at Stonehenge. While I’m writing this, I am also cooking Sunday tea, researching the difference between convection and conduction and looking for other people’s lost property. About half of you will think this is a symptom of the hopelessly disorganised. And the other half of you will agree with me that what every woman really needs is a wife.

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Aldham Village Hall Celebrates Re-opening! On Saturday 15th March, Aldham Village Hall was finally reopened after extensive rebuilding work and we now have a modern, comfortable village hall for everyone to enjoy for a very long time to come. We have new heating, lighting and so much insulation the hall is now very cosy. The kitchen and toilets have all been refurbished and we even have the luxury of heated toilets! We have been so lucky with the number of organisations who have funded this project. Our sincere and grateful thanks are extended to Veolio Environmental Trust for a grant of £52,000, Cory Environmental Trust - £20,000. RCCE (ACRE) - £20,000. Aldham Parish Council £5,000, Essex Environmental Trust £24,000, Big Society Fund (ECC) - £8,000. Charles French Trust - £1,500. Damon Albarn (Blur) - £3,300. Aldham Social Club - £2,000 and all who have supported us in our many fund raising events for which we raised £41,600. Phelan Construction Ltd cannot be praised enough for the efficient way they carried out the building works, the 32

April-May 14.indd 32

help and advice given, and the dedication of all their staff who ensured that the work was completed as soon as possible, considering the adverse weather conditions and various “hiccups” encountered. The fund raising, begun in 2007, still carries on. We would like to improve the car park, we still need a few extras like cupboards in the new storeroom, a new kitchen door (we forgot to put this on the plans!) and perhaps a better entrance porch. So we have several events planned for the next few months. Please see “What’s On” pages for details. I look forward to your continued support. Anne Fulcher – Aldham Village Hall Fund Raising Committee.

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To book Aldham Village Hall Call: 01206 212355

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

23 25

23 15

16 21

8 15

2 23

15 17

15 20

26 24

10 6

16 8

12 23

15 7

15 13

17 23

16 14

Solution on page 42

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Notice Board Essex and Suffolk IVC

At The Woolpack, Church Street, Coggeshall CO6 1UB. IVC is a social club for singles and couples. It’s not for profit and the events are varied. We meet here on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 7:30 onwards. Call Brad for a chat about the club on 07587 004207, especially if you would like to book to eat!

Colchester & District Fuchsia Society

We meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm at the Tollgate Hall, behind the Stanway Village Hall, Villa Rd, Stanway. We have a variety of talks planned for the new year including ‘Colchester in Bloom’, by Pamela Schomberg on 3rd April and our Annual Plant Sale on 1st May. Everyone is welcome and if you would like to join our Society it costs just £7 for a single membership and £12 for a couple. For more information please call Colin on 07952 298140 or our Secretary on 01376 322230.

Kelvedon Women’s Institute

Meetings held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Kelvedon Institute (except August) from 8.00pm – 10.00pm, doors open from 7.30pm. For further information visit www.kelvedonwi. org.uk, follow us on Twitter @ Kelvedon_WI, email contact@ kelvedonwi.org.uk or call Joanna Puczkowski on 07855 369516.

The Yarn Bomb has landed!

We’d like to thank everyone that supported this project. Your work is now hanging proudly on This One Wall, Colchester’s Street Gallery, located on the left hand walkway of 15 Queen Street (oppostite Prezzo) leading to the Minories back garden

April-May 14.indd 34

& firstsite. You can also view photos of the knitted beast on our facebook and website under ‘current project’. Stitch & Bitch Colchester are a group of crafty Colchester ladies and gents who like to get their stitch on. We meet every second Wednesday of every month from 7.30 - 9.30pm @ St Botolph’s Waiting Room. Each session is co-hosted by a local textile artist. All sessions are free and everyone is welcome. For more information please visit http:// letsstitchandbitch.co.uk/

St Helena Hospice Midnight Walk…or run: girls just want to have fun!

Registration is open for the St Helena Hospice Midnight Walk... or run 2014, which is taking place on Saturday 7th June.This year the event has an exciting new theme, back to the ‘80s, as well as giving ladies the option to run the 12km (7.5 mile) route. This ladies-only sponsored event will commence at midnight on Saturday 7th June, when up to 2,000 ladies will start their walk or run around Colchester. The route will start and finish at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium. Registration for the walk is just £15 and each lady will receive an official St Helena Hospice Midnight Walk…or run 2014 pink ‘80s headband and legwarmers, along with a full event pack containing helpful information. Participants also have the option of purchasing an official Midnight Walk t-shirt for an additional £8 in advance which they can pick up on the night. Ladies can register online at www.sthelenahospice.org.uk/ midnightwalk14 or simply fill

out a registration form, which can be picked up at any of the Hospice shops or Hospice sites in Colchester and Clacton. Registration closes at 12.00pm on Monday 2nd June or when 2,000 participants have registered, whichever comes first. St Helena Hospice is also looking for volunteers to help on the night to make the event as cost effective as possible. For more information, please email midnightwalk@ sthelenahospice.org.uk or call the events team on 01206 791740.

Coggeshall Heritage Society

Members and friends are invited to attend the next meeting on Wednesday April 9th at 8.00pm at Christchurch Stoneham Street. The subject of a talk given Mr. John Rayment will be The Thames Sailing Barge Trust. Further details about the Society can be obtained from the membership Mr R.Creswell 01376 561570. A full overview of the work of The Coggeshall Heritage Society can be viewed on its website www. discoveringcoggeshall.co.uk

Success in search for Melford Hall’s long-lost owner

Melford Hall in Suffolk has finally unearthed a portrait of its longlost owner – largely thanks to a mysterious little red bag. Sir Thomas Savage, 1st Viscount Savage, who inherited Melford in 1602 and is an ancestor of Princes William and Harry, has for a long time been conspicuous by his absence from the walls of the grand house.That was because there was only one known likeness of him, held in a private collection in Yorkshire. Now that is all set to change after experts discovered a painting, thought for 200 years to be a 17th

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century Archbishop of York, was in fact of Savage. Wendy Monkhouse, National Trust curator for Melford Hall, explained: “Sir Thomas Savage was an influential man and held the important post of Chancellor to Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I. Whoever held this post was painted with a richly-embroidered red purse of office, bearing the cipher ‘HMR’ for Henrietta Maria Regina. “When a painting arrived for auction at Christie’s listed as John Williams, a 17th century Archbishop of York, it caused some interest because it showed him sitting with the little red purse of office. “Williams had never held the post and further research by Christie’s unearthed the truth – that it was not Williams in the picture after all, but Savage.” Savage was Chancellor to the Queen from the mid-1620s until his death in 1635. Comparison with the painting in Yorkshire gave strongly suggested this was the same man. The National Trust acquired the painting at auction and

immediately sent it off for conservation work at the Hamilton Kerr Institute in Cambridge. While there, a hidden signature was discovered for artist Cornelius Johnson, a London painter from a Flemish/German immigrant family. This identified both the painter, which had only been suspected, and the age of the painting, which was now dated to around 1630-1632 – when Savage held the office of Chancellor to the Queen. So, largely thanks to the clues offered up by a mysterious little red bag, a portrait of Sir Thomas Savage will finally take its place on the walls of Melford Hall.The painting of Savage will hang alongside that of his wife, Elizabeth, reunited at last.Their descendants include Princess Diana, Princes William and Harry, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Sarah Ferguson, the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, the scientist Sir Francis Galton, Bertrand Russell and Lord Lucan. Luke Potter, National Trust General Manager at Melford Hall, added: “To finally have a painting of

Sir Thomas Savage hanging on the walls will be wonderful. It will complete our collection and brings a long search to a close. Our volunteers have been looking for paintings of Savage for many years and have worked very hard, visiting the only known likeness in Yorkshire. We are all delighted to have found a painting of him and to have secured it forever for the nation.” The painting will be on public display when the hall reopens on Wednesday 2 April.

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April-May 14.indd 35

20/3/14 14:03:43

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.

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Realistic Revision For Students (and Parents!) By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk This month, thousands of students will start study leave in preparation for exams. Ideally, they’ve been revising as they go, so their parents are confident they’re well prepared. But in reality, students and parents may be panicking; how do they structure all this ‘free’ time and how much revision is enough? So here are some study leave survival tips:

Students

Plan • Check the time, date, structure and content of your exam. Check revision books before purchase, ensuring they’re specific to your course – there are often several versions, each focussing on a different examining board, topic or text. • Make a realistic timetable. Vary subjects throughout the day and week, and concentrate initially on subjects with the earliest exam dates. Factor in commitments, longer breaks and unfinished work. • Revise somewhere without distractions – remove your mobile, turn off the TV and laptop (or block social media sites). • Pace your work, allowing for unexpected delays and particularly tough topics. Organise • Collate everything on a topic in one place. • Mix old topics with new, and easy with difficult; revise easy, recent topics at the start of the

April-May 14.indd 38

day as a confidence boost, or the end, when you’re tired. • Have a specific target for each session – ‘I’ll revise osmosis’ is woolly, but ‘I’ll summarise osmosis down to 1 A4 page’ ensures you’re achieving a measurable outcome. • Keep sessions short - around 30 minutes – then take a short break. After four or five sessions, have a longer break for lunch or watching TV. Tips for Better Revision Passive reading does not work. Effective revision is active; you must engage with the material. Here’s how: Note-taking helps you to focus and make sense of your reading in words and ways you understand, and it’s great revision in itself. Reducing notes to a card or A4 page makes them portable and easily digestible. Use colours, highlighting, underlining, tables, patterned notes, bullet points, mind maps or diagrams. Why? Read on. Engage Your senses You’re far more likely to visualise that fluorescent spider diagram you did, with underlined keywords, than to a closely written page of onecolour, linear notes. Try using post-it notes in eye-catching places, or make ‘washing lines’ across your room. Make good use of your ears too - record key phrases and equations; march around first whispering facts, then

increasing volume until you’re shouting. Use helpers Revising with friends can be more fun and help you fill gaps or understand tricky topics. Make question cards and ask parents or friends to play Trivial Pursuit with you. Practice answering exam format questions Gather relevant facts and write an outline for essay answers, or design a multiple-choice quiz. Beware the Internet Some websites feature worryingly inaccurate quizzes and facts uploaded by students. Stick to reputable ones with contributions from teachers, e.g. BBC’s Bitesize.

Parents & Helpers

Be interested and positive – ensure nagging isn’t your only input, and don’t impose your own anxieties and ambitions; they have their own. Don’t compare them to others. Listen to their worries and reassure them that exams are important, but not the end of everything; your affection isn’t dependent on exam results. Don’t expect them to work every waking hour – brains need time to sort and assimilate information. Ensure they get enough rest and relaxation. Be an active helper – Test them, play quiz games or time their practice runs. Pre-arrange an end-of-exams treat.

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20/3/14 14:03:46

Walk on the Wild Side Hillhouse Hues

This is a walk of just over 4 miles between West Bergholt and Fordham. It follows part of the Essex Way but perhaps the main reason to try the walk at this time of year is because it passes through Hillhouse Wood with its stunning display of bluebells. The Friends of Hillhouse Wood is a group of local residents who work with The Woodland Trust to look after this beautiful remnant of ancient woodland. Every year Hillhouse Wood produces a variety of woodland flowers and it is also considered one of the best places in north Essex to hear the song of the nightingale and those of many other songbirds. There are also colonies of rare butterflies. The Friends organise regular work parties during the winter to maintain the paths and improve wildlife habitats.They also run a series of wildlife walks throughout the year so you can investigate the resident mammals, fungi, moths, bats, spring flowers and birds. For more information about the Friends please contact David Bull on 01206 241684. A map of the walk can be downloaded from the Connection website; www.theconnectionmagazine. co.uk

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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

Quick Crossword Across

1. 5. 8. 9. 10. 12. 13. 15. 17. 19. 20. 22. 23.

Denied (7) Not ours (5) Amazing (9) Spot (3) Nap (5) Replies (7) Nearly (13) Mumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother (7) Healed (5) Lodging house (3) Ethereal (9) Dizzy (5) Convent (7)

Down

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 11. 13.

Disagreements (5) Supporter (3) Used for cleaning (7) Insistence (13) Sailboat (5) Vests, boxers (9) Fulfil (7) Made clear (9) Fishing (7)

14. Sale by bidding (7) 16. Covered with fine powder (5)

18. Hold up (5) 21. Employ (3)

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Solution on page 42

20/3/14 14:03:47

Puzzle Solutions Codeword solution

Crossword solution

There are ten differences - can you ďŹ nd them?

Spot the Difference Answers 1. Jumper Colour 2. Fish Body 3. Red Fish 4. Eyebrow Missing 5. Fin Missing 6. Wink 7. Blond Mustache 8. Mouth Changed 9. Cuff Link 10. Ear Missing

Spot the DiďŹ&#x20AC;erence

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:HE ZZZ GU\ FDUSHW FOHDQLQJ FR XN (PDLO V VLPSHU#ERQH GU\ FR XN

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Useful Numbers Local Schools St. Peter’s C of E Primary School Tel: 01376 561328 Honywood Community Science School Tel: 01376 561231 Kelvedon St. Mary C of E Primary School Tel: 01376 570411 Feering C of E Controlled Primary School Tel: 01376 570296 Earls Colne Primary School and Nursery Tel: 01787 222205 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 Tel: 01787 269300 Great Tey C.E Controlled Primary School Tel: 01206 210415 Fordham All Saints C of E Primary School Tel: 01206 240251 Copford C of E Primary School Tel: 01206 210439 Stanway Primary School Tel: 01206 574819 St. Mary’s Lower School Tel: 01206 211242 Stanway Fiveways Primary School Tel: 01206 574849 Holy Trinity C.E. Primary School Eight Ash Green & Aldham Tel: 01206 240880 Soaring High Montessori Coggeshall Tel: 01376 564392 Stoke by Nayland C.E. V.C.P School Tel: 01206 262418 Stoke By Nayland Middle School Tel: 01206 262362 Nayland Community Primary School Tel: 01206 262348

Doctors Kelvedon and Feering Health Centre Tel: 01376 572906 Kelvedon Surgery Tel: 01376 574560 Coggeshall Surgery Tel: 01376 561242

April-May 14.indd 44

West Bergholt Surgery Tel: 01206 241137 Marks Tey Surgery Tel: 01206 213513 Tollgate Health Centre Tel: 01206 710030 Stanway Surgery Tel: 01206 572372 The Pump House Surgery/Earls Colne Tel: 01787 222022 Drs Hayhow & Barker/Bures Tel: 01787 227529 Branch Surgery, Tel: 01787 227529 Hardwick House Group Practice Tel: 01787 310000 Dr Baldwin & Partners, Nayland Surgery Tel: 01206 262202

Support Crimestoppers Tel: 0800 555 111 ChildLine Tel: 0800 1111 Samaritans Tel: 08457 90 90 90 Cruse Tel: 0844 477 9400 NSPCC Tel: 0808 800 5000 Missing Persons Helpline Tel: 0500 700 700 National Debtline Tel: 0808 808 4000 National Domestic Violence Helpline Tel: 0808 2000 247 Victim Support Tel: 0845 30 30 900 Inland Revenue Tel: 0845 010 9000 RSPCA Tel: 0870 55 55 999 AA Breakdown Tel: 0800 887 766 Floodline Tel: 0845 9881188 Transco emergency service Tel: 0800 111 999 Rail Enquiries Tel: 08457 484950 AA roadwatch Tel: 09003 401100 BT Faultline Tel: 0800 800 151 Rivers/Floodline Tel: 0845 988 1188 Citizens Advice Bureau Tel: 0870 126 4065

Samaritans/Colchester Tel: 01206 561234 Volunteering Opportunities Tel: 01206 505250 Al Anon Family Groups Helpline Tel: 0207 403 0888

Police Contacts Essex Police (non-emergency calls to all stations and departments) Tel: 0300 333 4444 Ministry Of Defence Police Tel: 01206 782917

Councils Colchester Borough Council 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 Tel: 01206 542221

Post Offices Fiveways Post Office Tel: 01206 330451 Marks Tey Tel: 01206 210314 West Bergholt Tel: 01206 240355 Fordham Village Store and Post Office Tel: 01206 240391 Earls Colne Post Office Tel: 01787 222258 Wakes Colne Post Office Tel: 01787 222449 Bures Post Office Tel: 01787 227252 Stoke by Nayland Park Street Stores and Post Office Tel: 01206 262335 Nayland Post Office Tel: 01206 262210 Stratford St Mary Post Office Tel: 01206 322150 Dedham Post Office Tel: 01206 323543

Village Halls Aldham Village Hall Tel: 01206 212355 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 Tel: 01206 262943 Wormingford Tel: 01787 227631 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: 01787 223668 Earls Colne Village Hall Tel: 01787 224370 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

Airports Stansted General Enquiries Tel: 0870 000 0303 Stansted Express Tel: 0845 850 0150 Gatwick General Enquiries Tel: 0870 000 2468 Gatwick Express Tel: 0845 850 1530 Heathrow General Enquiries Tel: 0870 000 0123 Heathrow Express Tel: 0845 600 1515

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20/3/14 14:03:55

Chocolate and Eggs: Easter Food Superheroes or Arch-villains? It’s Easter, the season of eggs and chocolate. But what’s the latest advice about these foods? Do they harm or heal? Eggs Research and improved understanding means eggs are no longer a nutritional Big Bad Wolf. Packed with goodness A medium egg is very low in carbohydrates and supplies over 10% of our daily protein needs. Containing just 66 kcals and 4.6g of fat (only one third saturates), it’s a great source of nutrients often scarce in UK diets; around 20% of us are Vitamin D deficient. Eggs provide a third of daily Vitamin D requirements, around half our required Vitamin B12 and selenium, and Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, folate, biotin, iodine and phosphorous. What about cholesterol? And salmonella? Research shows that cholesterol found in eggs and other foods has a negligible effect on our cholesterol levels. Our body makes cholesterol and levels are raised by many factors. Saturated fat was the main suspect until recently, when a fresh look at the evidence cast some doubts. Regarding salmonella, the Food Standards Agency recommends, for now, that vulnerable groups should only eat hard-boiled eggs. However, a massive increase in chicken vaccination has more than

halved infection cases. All eggs with the Lion Mark come from vaccinated chickens and all 150,000 tested during the last two years were salmonella free. Chocolate Chocolate has been accused of causing acne, obesity, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and diabetes, among others. But it’s not necessarily guilty, and may have beneficial effects. • Acne. There’s no scientific proof that chocolate causes acne; research suggests foods with a high glycaemic load may be guilty. • Obesity & diabetes. Due to high sugar and fat, overindulgence may show on the scales. However, recent studies show chocolate can lower your insulin resistance (potentially reducing diabetes risk). A study of 1,500 teens showed that those eating 1.5oz of chocolate daily had less body fat and more energy than those eating 0.16oz daily, so some scientists say 1.5 ounces a day may be beneficial (that’s just a square and a half). Experts say diabetics can eat chocolate, but should monitor their total carbohydrate intake. • Cardiovascular health, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Many studies suggest that cocoa has beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, improving blood pressure, vascular function and blood

flow and reducing clot risk. It may lower cholesterol slightly, but only as part of a low fat diet. • Stroke. A study involving 44,489 people concluded that chocolate eaters were 22% less likely to suffer a stroke and 46% less likely to die from one. • Brain function. Chocolate can help preserve the brain’s blood flow and prevent memory decline in older people, and could be important in diseases like Alzheimer’s. • Mood. Chemicals in chocolate can raise our serotonin levels and affect other receptors in the brain that trigger feelings of well-being. • Migraine. While chocolate contains chemicals believed to be migraine triggers, recent data shows that some cocoa compounds may be beneficial in migraine treatment. • Osteoporosis. The bad news: chocolate may contribute to osteoporosis. One study of women aged 70-85 found that daily chocolate consumers had lower bone density and strength. Proper comparisons haven’t been done between white, milk and dark chocolate, but most beneficial effects come from cocoa content. So choose high cocoa content varieties low in sugar and fat, and eat chocolate in moderation as part of a healthy diet. By Alison Runham

www.theconnectionmagazine.co.uk

April-May 14.indd 45

20/3/14 14:03:56

Index of Advertisers Accountancy

30, 41

Deli

Lodge Accommodation 13

Antiques

Dental Clinic

Nutritionist

37 37, 25

Oven Cleaning Oesteopathy

Pest Control

37, 40

11 39

Physiotherapy

Podiatrist

Bathroom Fitter

Beauty Therapist

Electrician Estate Agent

Bookkeeping

30, 41

Florist

Building Services

41, 37

Carpet Cleaners

Flooring Funeral Directors

Caravan Storage

Garden Design

Probate Administration 47

Care Support Services Childrens Nursery

30, 41

Garden Tutor

Property Maintenance

Garden Services

30, 36, 37, 40

37,7, 27

Chocolatier

2 27

Plumber

15, 18

Craft Centre

Hairdressers

Storage

37, 7, 27 39 13

Computer Services

Counselling

Heating Herbalife Interior Design

Cleaning Services

IT Specialist

Decorators

Joinery

11, 35

Kitchen Fitters

11, 35

31, 39

Swimming Pool

Travel Agent

Tiling

Therapies

Tree Surgeon

Window Repairs

Lawn Mower Servicing 39 SUDBURY

River

Assington

Stour

A131

Stoke by Nayland

Bures

Pebmarsh

Riv

er C

HALSTEAD oln

Greenstead Green

Nayland

Colne Engaine

Earls Colne

White Colne Wakes Colne Chappel

Great Tey

A131

Aldham

Fordham River

Colne

Stratford St Mary Dedham

Little Mount Horkesley Bures Wormingford

Boxted

A12

West Bergholt A120

Eight Ash Green

COLCHESTER Copford

A120

Coggeshall Feering Kelvedon

Lexden A12

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Magazines delivered to selected homes in these areas

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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 April-May 14.indd 46

20/3/14 14:04:01

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www.iwc-ltd.co.uk 20/3/14 14:04:02

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