onionbagblog

Much to get through this quarter in Wivenhoe News, the publication of the Friends of St Mary’s. The front page leads with the Ambitious Plan for Broad Lane, reporting on the proposed redevelopment towards the top of the town and the cash injection from the mystery Mr X. Broad Lane Future should be your next stop to add your views.

Sharing the front page is a piece written by Sue Glasspool, highlighting how some of Wivenhoe’s most historic buildings are not listed under the English Heritage grading scheme. The old Gatehouse opposite the Co-op is given as an example, with the news that it is soon to be demolished. Sue is interested in collating a local list of historic Wivenhoe buildings. You can add your suggestions via email.

Diary dates on the inside cover include the Odstock Curse – the true story of a curse, which takes place at St Mary’s on 7th December, as well as a plug for Christmas Presence, the artistic open house event taking place around the town.

The Editorial celebrates the thriving two independent community cinemas in Wivenhoe, and then casts some woe on the delayed progress on the new health centre. There’s a cheery note with the editorial team of Wivenhoe News being boosted, as well as a call for further editorial assistance.

Also asking for some extra help is the Royal British Legion building fund. Currently standing at just over £26,000, a further £4,000 is the target before the end of the year. Donations from the wonderful Wivenhoe fireworks, organised by the WORC, will add to this. Plus don’t forget the Boxing Day Walk, which will hopefully also contribute to the coffers. The Legion welcomes new members. You find out more by contacting Iain on 824156, or simply turn up at one of the weekly Wednesday socials.

The Wivenhoe Business Centre reports that as well as the ace Business Directory, a new sign will soon be put in place opposite The Greyhound, directing locals to the many traders around the town. Planning Permission has been approved.

Looking ahead to early spring and Oklahoma will be coming to Wivenhoe, via the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Show week is 15th – 19th March. More information from Mary, over here.

Pat Marsden writes a fascinating piece on p.4, detailing her current research regarding the history of the Wivenhoe House Estate. The hyperlocal patch takes in Queens Road, the High Street, Bellvue Road and Park Road. Pat asks for any historical documents to be put forward to help with the research. Perfect timing – I know of *cough* one local household that inherited a considerable amount of old land deeds upon recently moving into the area. Pat can be contacted over here.

The Workers of Wivenhoe features Sharron Crickitt, the proprietor of the Health and Beauty shop:

“I do have some male customers. Back waxing is more acceptable now, and I do occasional facial. I’ve done the odd manicure for men who are doing hard manual labour and also have business meetings.”

Blimey.

Nottage News is written by Bernie Hetherington, the new Chairman of the Nottage Maritime Institute.

Chiming the Bells helpfully explains the difference between ringing and chiming the church bells. The former is the norm, the latter when bell ringers are short on numbers. Sadly chiming has become more frequent of late. Would be bell ringers can contact Adrienne on 826411.

More arts information on p.12 – Moving Image rightfully celebrates the success of the community film club, stating:

“We have 180 members to date, although non-members are more than welcome. Full details of all the films and membership information are on the website.”

Meanwhile, the Wivenhoe Film Club adds:

“A good film, and a glass of wine in congenial company at the quayside Nottage Institute are an excellent way to brighten up those long winter evenings.”

Future screenings at the Nottage include The Illusionist, Broken Embraces and Certified Copy. Contact Mike on 824142 for Film Club membership.

Denise and Alan Van Loen of the Wivenhoe Folk Club reassure locals on p.12 about the future of the highly popular monthly gathering in Wivenhoe:

“Wivenhoe Folk Club might be moving soon. There have been uncertainties about whether we can stay at The Greyhound with the expanding restaurant. We’d like to thank the various Wivenhoe organisations that are currently looking into the possibility of helping us out.”

The Horse and Groom was the latest I heard for a possible permanent home…

A huge congratulations to Pam Job, who describes on p.14 how she found herself winning first prize at the Fakenham Poetry Circle. Pam will be reciting Rune Master at a future Poetry Wivenhoe evening.

The Wivenhoe Bookshop catches up with recent events on p.15, including The Big Sleep themed week of events, the Woolly Nights readings in January and the appearance of Andre Mangeot at the Bookshop on the 9th of this month. The Over the Sofa gallery returns as well this month with a seasonal theme of the Christmas Tree.

Wivenhoe Open Gardens proudly reports on the raising of £2,160 for 2010, with a look ahead to the weekend of May 21st – 22nd 2011. The deadline for participation is at the end of January – contact Jeannie over here.

The green fingered theme continues with Wivenhoe in Bloom describing the group ethos as:

“To plant more sustainably, so that gardens will grow and develop over many years and cost less than annual bedding and need less water.”

Guerrilla gardening even comes to Wivenhoe, with the Bloom group suggesting:

“If you have a little patch near where you live, why not pop a few bulbs in?”

A flowerbed is being planned by the opticians, as well as towards Vine Parade with David Hendley kindly loaning some land near the chip shop. Wivenhoe in Bloom can be contacted over here.

Transition Town Wivenhoe talk about Chicken 100 – the aim to bring chickens to 100 households in Wivenhoe. @AnnaJCowen has their ear.

Oh Lordy…

The revolutionary bicycle generator has been put to good use, with an appearance at Castle Park during the Tour of Britain, and the Halloween outdoor screening of Ghostbusters down by the Quay. A bike trailer is also available for hire within the town. Contact TTW over here.

Bird walker and illustrator extraordinaire, Richard Allen, updates locals on some of the recent sightings around the Colne. Richard has bird walks organised locally on 11th December, 15th January and 12th February. His website is over here.

If you’ve been out birding around Ferry Marsh then you may have noticed the digging of two additional ditches. Richard Mulson, Borough Council Ranger, helpfully explains on p.18:

“The aim of this work is to provide additional habitat for the marsh’s water vole population.”

The Wivenhoe Allotments and Gardens looks ahead to the coming year:

“Get out onto the land and prepare for 2011. Start to prepare and plan your exhibits for the WAGA show next September.”

Jane Hughes reports on p.22 that the RNLI lifeboat collection in June of this year raised a total of £2,432.05 in Wivenhoe. Plans are already underway for 2011. Jane can be contacted on 822723.

The Community Safety and Neighbourhood Watch column reports that a pedestrian crossing is planned outside the Co-op.

View from the High Street is a lively read, covering the Queens Road closure, the Broad Lane plans and the non-appearance in the town of Alan Johnson, the Shadow Chancellor.

Cripes.

Speaking of Parliamentary matters, Bernard Jenkin MP updates on the GP surgery saga, stating that the project is now “moving forward.” The issue of building new houses next to Millfields School is also addressed by our local MP:

“The future of the plot of land will be safeguarded and the application for housing development will be recommended for refusal.”

David Chapman writes a moving obituary for Denis Wirth-Miller on p.27:

“With them [Dicky Chopping] came a slew of interesting and talented people – the last of the Bloomsbury set. We shall not see the like of him again.”

The Millfields Country Show gets a write up from a proud Year 6 pupil on p.28. The Broomgrove update reports on the various fundraising activities that have taken place this term. Broomfield Infants add the excitement of an outdoor classroom being built, creating a “shared wildlife area.”

The Funny Farm Comedy Club gets a mention on p.29 ahead of the re-launch later this month on 16th December at the Cricket Club. Bill Heslop also updates the Art in the Church project.

Mayor Brian Sinclair remains positive in his column, despite the Town Council having to face up to the harsh realities of the cuts. The possible relocation of Wivenhoe Police to the Fire Station is raised, as well as exploring the idea of the council buying property next to the Town Council offices.

Councillor Robert Needham adds:

“Wivenhoe Town Council is well placed to cope with the cuts.”

The Cricket Club in particular is well placed it seems, with Councillor Julie Young updating:

“My £5,000 bid for funds for the ECC East Area Forum budget has been successful. Wivenhoe Town Cricket Club will soon be receiving this money to spend on new nets.”

Hurrah!

£3,000 is also on its way to improve the toilets at the William Loveless Hall. Councillor Young also adds that she is trying to get a bus shelter installed on Rectory Road for students heading towards the Colne Community College.

Letters to the Editor rounds up Wivenhoe News. Subjects covered include the Queens Road closure, um, the Queens Road closure again, and, yep – the continued closure of Queens Road.

Cripes.

And that’s just about your lot. Phew

The copy deadline for the next issue of Wivenhoe News is 1st February. You can contact the Editorial team over here. Diary information can be sent to Jane Hughes; all advertising queries to Jax Thomas.

Wivenhoe News is sold at the Co-op, Crossways, the Post Office, Bryans Newsagents and the lovely Wivenhoe Bookshop.