Energy Efficiency Funding

Save on Energy Efficiency Costs With a Grant

Essex County Council, in partnership with Aran Insulation, are trying to improve household insulation with the offer of grants of up to £10,000. Funding is available for energy efficiency improvements to help make your home more cosy. Making your home more energy efficient will help save you money on future energy bills.

March 17, 2021March 22, 2021

Holiday Fraud & Other News

Starting with Holiday Fraud, this news roundup also addresses:

Climate Emergency Survey,
Parenting with Teens – a course supported by ECC,
A couple of articles that might have particular resonance after the past 12 months:
- Domestic Abuse – Lockdown Update.
- Mental Health in Lockdown.
Protect Your Dog & Garden Furniture from Theft.
Census first-timer – not sure what to do? There’s help.
National Day of Reflection – 23rd March.
CBC Covid-19 Update.

Holiday Fraud Warning

February 20, 2021February 20, 2021

News Roundup – Fraud Alerts & Newsletters

This news roundup talks about:

Vaccine Frauds,
Warm & Toasty Newsletter,
Train As a Healthcare Support Worker,
Essex Family Support Service e-Bulletin,
Fake National Insurance Calls.

COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud

February 11, 2021February 11, 2021

Zoom Quiz Calling

St Mary’s Church is running a fundraiser Zoom Quiz to support the work of their Families Worker, Jo Jeffery. Jo’s work impacts many in the village and includes activities such as:

helping with the Toddler Group,
running the Larder providing food parcels to families impacted by the pandemic, &
running RE lessons, prayer spaces and wellbeing courses for Heathlands.

You don’t have to have a full house to join in, if you are alone there will be a chance to ‘buddy up’ with a partner online.

February 8, 2021February 9, 2021

e-Scooters Coming to Colchester (& other news)

e-Scooters, Befriending, Wellbeing, Fitness & Chitts Hill

e-Scooters will kick off this update but we also have updates on:

A rather brilliant parody of the Leonard Cohen classic Hallelujah,
Sport Works:
- supporting physical health & mental wellbeing,
- update on 2020 activities,
Age Concern’s befriending initiative,
Chitts Hill closure, &
Micro Grants for organisations.

e-Scooters Trial Starting Soon

Continue reading “e-Scooters Coming to Colchester (& other news)”

January 18, 2021

Testing Centre Opens – How to Book & Help

Covid-19 Testing Centre Opens In Colchester

A new fast testing centre is opening in Colchester for those who DO NOT have symptoms of Covid-19. Colchester residents with no symptoms are being encouraged to get tested to help reduce the spread of the virus and the pressure it is putting on hospitals and the care system.

There is also a call for volunteers to help with the fight against COVID-19 which you can read below. Continue reading “Testing Centre Opens – How to Book & Help”

January 9, 2021January 10, 2021

Lockdown 3 – Week 1 Update – COVID-19 & Roadworks

COVID-19 & Roadworks

A number of COVID-centric updates as well as two lots of Roadworks:

New information pack;
Police to be stricter this lockdown,
Increased fire risks,
Rising cases of domestic abuse,
86 Bicycles,
Vaccine scam warning,
Keeping active in Lockdown, dance, fitness & activities, and
5 days of roadworks from, 25th January.

Latest Colchester Information Pack Launched

Hot on the heels of version 14 (which didn’t even get as far as this website), the National Lockdown has seen Colchester issue version 15 which includes the following topics: Continue reading “Lockdown 3 – Week 1 Update – COVID-19 & Roadworks”

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

Lockdown 2021 – You’re Not Alone

For Lockdown 2021, the West Bergholt Care Network has relaunched its scheme which aims to help those self-isolating or in need of a range of help from shopping to a chat. It will, once again, take calls from any village resident in need of help during the COVID-19 emergency.

This time around, the organiser, Mervyn Donnelly, is keen to highlight two services:

If you are, or know, somebody who lives alone and feels lonely, Mervyn would like to set them up with a telephone-buddy who will keep them in contact.
With the vaccine now imminent for many of the more vulnerable, the Care Network is there to get you there and back for your appointment if you need a lift. This is available for any other essential medical appointments as well.

Continue reading “Lockdown 2021 – You’re Not Alone”

December 24, 2020December 28, 2020

Here we go again – Stay at home & Advent News

Here we go again, Advent & Other News

Colchester will join the rest of Essex in Tier 4 a minute after midnight Xmas Day. After that non-essential services & shops will be closed and we are asked to stay at home apart from exercise, shopping etc…

No household mixing indoors is allowed. You can leave your home to exercise by yourself, with your Continue reading “Here we go again – Stay at home & Advent News”

December 3, 2020January 10, 2021

Winter Bulletin & Some Christmassy News

Winter Bulletin Is Online

First the Bulletin ‘heads-up’ and then:

Why Online?

With the recent Lockdown, it was not possible to print and distribute the Bulletin as usual but it is now available online. If you know of somebody unable to access the online version, it will be possible to access Continue reading “Winter Bulletin & Some Christmassy News”