onionbagblog

A brief plug for Moving Image, the independent community cinema for Wivenhoe, which next weekend will be pulling off something of a cinematic coup. The Philip Road Centre [um... where else?] will be blackened out on Saturday evening ahead of the screening of Black Pond.

The Guardian described it as:

“A deeply eccentric, haunting marvel… If Syd Barrett had ever written and directed a movie, it might well have looked like this.”

The good folk of Moving Image actually wrote to the Director, Tom Kingsley, enquiring about the possibility of screening Black Pond in Wivenhoe. Tom took a look at the Moving Image website, and apparently was so impressed with the concept of a hyperlocal community cinema, permission was soon granted. Local support on the 28th January would be particularly appreciated.

And just to show that Moving Image isn’t all about Graun lauded art house films, how about the family fun the following day with the screening of Arrietty? The Philip Road Centre once again is the venue, with a 3pm start time.

The recent run of Moving Image films since the Christmas break have been rewarded with a decent crowd and fantastic feedback. Black Pond looks like a rare one-off Wivenhoe moment that deserves your attention if you are free.

To the William Loveless Hall! [where else?] …on Friday evening for the hyperlocal highlight in the Wivenhoe social calendar. Nope - not the Wivenhoe Town Council annual inspection of the accounts, but something else involving unexplained occurrences that no one can really account for - how else can you describe the trans-gender cross-dressing family fun that greeted me on Friday night?

We’re talking about the Wivenhoe Pantomime of course, and most definitely not the annual inspection of the Wivenhoe Town Council accounts. Plenty of cross-dressing, but no family element involved in the latter.

Phew.

Robin Hood has been in production since… well, ever since the last remnants of mascara were removed from the 2011 performance of Jack and the Beanstalk. Pantomime scripts need to written, auditions flush out the acting talent in the town and tights need to be bought en masse for the male members of the cast to wear. Planning for the Wivenhoe Pantomime 2013 starts on Sunday. Good luck, fellas.

But what of 2012? It always amazes me how the challenging theatre space of a contemporary rural village hall [ha!] can be transformed for one weekend of the year into the splendour of a stage that can stage a semi-professional production. If you were to invite an alien to the Loveless Hall for Panto weekend - or even someone from Fingringhoe - they would be under the impression that this is a professional theatre group.

Many of the fine volunteers do somehow manage to hold down arts related jobs back in the real world, but to volunteer so much time and commitment to the community is no mean feat. The experience and support rubs off on all around. What is great to see is that a generation of Wivenhoe kids have grown up through the Pantomime. They return each winter with slightly more wonky teenage hairstyles, but a bucket load of confidence that the Panto puts in place.

There is a definite sense of the Pantomime family operating across the whole production crew. It is a very welcoming and accepting family as well. Dave Harrison introduces you to the front room on arrival, Nick White and Greg Smith warm you up with the music, and then the front room parlour games begin with the performance.

And Woh! What a performance.

Hazel Humphreys‘ hyperlocal script was pitched perfectly. The story remained on course, but in- between we had diversions to Nottage-ham, Wivenhoe Wood and the Fingringhoe Turnip Festival. That’s not something that you get to experience everyday down at the Old Vic.

Everyone loves a Dame, and everyone in Wivenhoe loves Shane Diggens. The transformation from incredibly talented young theatre producer to an equally grotesque and gorgeous pantomime Dame was quite an achievement. I couldn’t recognise the young chap underneath all of the make up. I hope that he keeps it on when he next pops out to the Co-op.

Anna Chernova, cast as the non-speaking Ellen A Dale, amazes every year. I can’t think of a character that has ever had so little to say, yet has made such a physical impact. Her physical style of comedy could quite hold its own, so to speak, in a professional production.

Maid Marian delivered the musical professionalism via Zoe Mayhew, supported by Sara Rout’s rather dashing Robin Hood. I went bi-sexual for the evening. Those tights…

It is a sign of a successful Pantomime when the audience is divided between booing and cheering the villain. Jane Rayner’s Sherrif of Nottage-ham was despicable, yet her knowing nods and winks with the audience had us secretly egging her on. The back up from Steve Fisher’s hapless Guy of Gisborne was the perfect foil.

Add in Peter McDonagh’s dopey Friar Tuck, and Clare Kane as a hissing Witch Hazel, and every scene captured your attention and imagination. The chorus line of incredibly talented local kids carried the show with both the singing and the stage management.

But the biggest star of all had a walk on, walk off part, and truly stole the performance at the Loveless Hall. HUGE, HUGE apologies to the many hours that the cast has put into rehearsing Robin Hood, but the blink and you’ll miss it appearance of local singing star Angie Diggens stole the show. She didn’t even sing a single note, such is her stage presence.

Blimey.

And so farewell to another amazing Wivenhoe Pantomime. Many thanks to all the Panto family for such an incredible dedication to supporting truly hyperlocal theatre. The real value in the work is not the show itself, but the commitment to developing local talent and bringing out the confidence in the kids. It is a skill that could be transferred to the annual inspection of the Wivenhoe Town Council accounts.

See you on, um, Sunday.

2013, here we come…

I’ve been a bit off the radar of late with the very good folk of Radio Wivenhoe. Work projects have tipped the work / life balance over into the black. But hey - whilst you’re playing at being a wage slave, then there’s always the work at home lovely company of the Voice of the Colne, which in past months has been making some amazing moves in the long term aim of applying for a community licence to broadcast to Colchester and the surrounds.

If I’ve been bemoaning the work / life imbalance, then I hate to think what it must be like for Radio Wivenhoe Head Honcho Jerry Davis. Along with playing a key role with Wivenhoe First, Jerry’s vision to provide a hyperlocal broadcasting platform for our patch is now a reality, with many new presenters on board, as well as a permanent studio base down at the Wivenhoe Business Centre.

Operational for just over two months now, the studio is rather conveniently situated behind a rather large boat. It gives the Voice of the Colne some nice synergy with the spirit of the pirates from back in the day, but this is no underhand semi-legal operation. Radio Wivenhoe is playing it by the book, training presenters and undertaking all that is required to be in a position to apply for a community licence.

What has been wonderful to watch / listen from ever so slightly afar has been the tremendous local talent that has stepped forward to take on the role of presenting. There are some absolute broadcast gems out there, which would most certainly be worthy of slot on professional radio.

We all know about the many talents of Mr Mule. It is no surprise that his Over the River Thursday evening show has seen the same seamless transition into broadcasting that Martin’s music and writing has slipped into over the years. Oh - and Mr Mule continues to produce some ACE jingles for the station.

A companion listening piece to Over the River is the wonderful, wonderful Strange Brew with Wivenhoe local MWBewick. This is a gem of a find to slowly ease into the weekend on a Friday evening. The mysterious MW (and I rather like it that way…) is a man that clearly knows his music.

Esoteric is an adjective that is often used as a lazy way for journos to pigeon hole something that they don’t quite understand. I don’t quite understand *all* of the esotericism taking place here, but I’m certainly hooked. There is a tangible understanding for the feel and spirit of Wivenhoe that comes across each Friday night. No mean feat, and the perfect Wivenhoe weekend opener.

Elsewhere and May Fair top man Mike Freeman continues to impress with Ears Wide Open, a show that started off as a bedroom podcast, and is now rightfully receiving broadcast attention on a semi-serious level. Likewise for the Roots and Reggae Regatta with Laurence Hammond.

The studio itself is opening up all sorts of new opportunities for the station. As well as the webcam (blimey) then there is now a permanent base for presenters to invite guests in to explore their local activities. Philippe Palmer and the Leftfield Retro Rock Show has been using this to great effect, with recent guests include the fine folk of the Colchester Circle magazine, and my current Sunny Colch personal fave, Mr Snippet.

So yeah - Radio Wivenhoe is starting to sound incredibly professional, but with still a hint of the hyperlocal that separates it from the broadcast twaddle that the big boys keep on churning out. This was always part of the plan, right from those early Upstairs at The Greyhound formation meetings. You give it try, learn and then take it forward.

Sticking with The Greyhound and there is another Radio Wivenhoe fundraiser quiz taking place on 19th February. All questions are muso based - which in a muso-obsessed town, makes the competition slightly competitive, albeit friendly. A 7pm start, prizes ahoy from some very kind local supporters.

And so from being out of the loop, to being able to appreciate Radio Wivenhoe from a hyperlocal slightly afar perspective. Hyperlocal online audio presents many new opportunities for a community. How wonderful to find that here in Wivenhoe, many folk are rallying around to make the most of these.

To the William Loveless Hall! [where else?] …on Tuesday evening for the dress rehearsal of the 2012 Wivenhoe Pantomime. I say dress rehearsal, but I’m not entirely sure who was wearing the finest costumes - the actors on stage or the extremely elegant (and playful) more mature members of our community who came along to add a critical eye to Robin Hood.

The actors on the stage needn’t had worried. The show was paced perfectly and the humour level was pitched just right. The oldies but goodies (jokes, not audience members) may have been heard in many different forms over the years, but they still hit the right spot. “Chesty assets” indeed…

And so not wanting to put in too many spoilers here, what can the Panto Heads of Wivenhoe expect for the world opening run that starts at the Loveless Hall on Wednesday evening? Well… an ace hyperlocal script from Hazel Humpphreys, that has been built upon by a cast covering primary school kids to yet more oldies but goodies, and not forgetting the fine musicianship and overall professional production. Oh, and a pantomime dame that is as grotesque as s/he is lovable.

It is occasions such as the Panto that the Loveless Hall seems just right for Wivenhoe. Sure there are gripes that the size of the venue can’t attract the big names on the rock circuit (um, hang on…) but as a bread ‘n’ butter village hall, the panto crowd do a rather convincing job of transforming it into a fringe theatre venue.

The run of shows spans Wednesday through until Saturday evening, including a Saturday afternoon matinee. A few tickets may still be available if you are quick off the mark and hunt them down. The Post Office at the foot of the High Street, or the Crossways Store up towards the top should be your first port of call.

Wear skin tight back leather if you want to side with the ghastly Guy of Gisbourne, green tights if you want to slap your thigh in a not at all slightly confused cross dressing state of sexual consciousness with the rather dashing Robin.

S/he’s behind you?

Blimey.

Full flickr feed over here.

To the Town Council Office! …on Monday evening for the monthly meeting of Wivenhoe Town Council. Walking past the William Loveless Hall [where else?] and it was a close call with lure of the slap and tickle of grown men wearing make up and dresses, and muscle bound young ladies slapping their thighs in an ever so slightly erotic approach to family fun. But that’s enough of the Wivenhoe Town Cllr’s - I hear that the @WivenhoePanto rehearsals next door at the Loveless Hall are going rather well.

Boom boom.

But what of the no laughing matter of the first WTC meeting of 2012? Oh no it wasn’t… etc. The minutes were approved from the last meeting, with much bemusement from the Borough Cllr’s and bored bloggers, when Mayor Needham rubber-stamped the minutes of the Emergency General Meeting of WTC, which was apparently held on 4th January 2012.

Well I never.

The ever-smiling Cllr Steve Ford of the Quay ward wasted no time in asking about the EGM, and what the circumstances were for holding this seemingly public meeting. Mr Mayor replied:

“The situation surrounds the lease at the Montessori. We have achieved agreement.”

Which is as detailed information as I can give, seeing as though the WTC EGM wasn’t actually advertised anywhere.

More forthcoming with free flowing information were the four Colchester Borough Cllr’s for our hyperlocal patch, as well as Cllr Julie Young, attending and updating in her capacity as an Essex County Councillor. Cllr Young’s feedback for the past month stated:

“I have met with a group of parents at Millfields after the road accident on 18th December. 15 - 20 children are exposed to crossing this very dangerous road each day.

I would like to make residents aware of a new pilot that is being carried out across the County for library fines. Staff will be knocking on the doors of some residents that fail to return their borrowed books on time.

I am very disappointed about the closure of the Quayside Cafe down at the Hythe. Many residents make good use of the cafe. It is one of the few places that you can stop ad have a bite to eat, I have spoken to both the University and the planners. When this area was developed, it was built with a social space in mind.”

Mayor Needham added:

“On behalf of Wivenhoe Town Council, you have our full support on this matter.”

Cllr Lodge of WTC then asked Cllr Young about the unspent £11m in Section 106 money that Essex County Council is apparently sitting on. Rather than burn a hole in the pockets of the politicians over in Chelmsford, the suggestion was that this could be put to use in building the long awaited footpath between Wivenhoe Fire Station and the University.

Cllr Young replied:

“I have sent a shopping list of local locations to ECC. I didn’t get a very favourable response…”

The cost of living may be rising after a weekly trolley dash around the Co-op, but it’s a world away when £11m in public funds can’t be freed up to build a pedestrian footpath.

Mayor Needham also questioned Cllr Young about the possible uncertainty hanging over the Philip Road Centre:

“The building is in no immediate danger of being sold off by ECC, but my message is to be prepared.”

…came the response.

County matters complete, what of the wonders that are our four Borough Cllr’s? Wivenhoe Cross ward representative Cllr Cory had the call to update first:

“I am pleased to confirm that there will be a meeting of the Broadfields Residents Association on 25th January, taking place at The Flag from 7:30pm. All local folk are welcome to attend.

I have called in a planning application that has been submitted to CBC at Rosetta Close. I am siding with the view from the residents.”

Speaking of planning applications, Cllr Cory then updated with some rather whopper news regarding the border stand off between CBC and Tendring District Council. Tanks on the lawn and an angry email exchange was the situation before Christmas, with Sir Bob of Sunny Colch seemingly getting his yellow waistcoat in something of a twist over the possible plans to build 1,800 new homes towards the east of the Greenstead.

Such a gigantic land grab only seemed possible because of the perceived weakness of the Tendring Local Development Framework, the planning document that outlines the future growth for any local authority.

Cllr Cory commented:

“Tendring has managed to get further with the provision of a LDF than we first thought. There was an initial technicality that suggested that the LDF was weak, but it now appears that progress has been made. The developers are still keen to build upon the land, but the Tendring planning officers are against the idea.”

Which all has to be rather good news for Wivenhoe. An email kiss and make up between Sir Bob and the blue rinse lot over the Tendring border would also make for an amusing read.

Smiling Cllr Ford of the Quay ward addressed WTC next:

“I have called in the planning application to build upon the garden space down at Queens Road. The Planning Committee should hear this in a couple of weeks. I have been in touch with Wivenhoe Fair Trade, who are trying to put up some Fair Trade signs on the Welcome to Wivenhoe boards at the top of the town. Highways have told them that no signs are allowed to be attached. I have also been helping out along Stanley Road with the removal of some cherry trees.

I have very real concerns about the situation regarding the school crossing at Millfields. If you walk into the road, you can only see 30 metres ahead. I have written an email to Highways about this - it is the strongest worded email in all my time as a Borough councillor.

I have also responded to some the requests from some residents about the concern over walking dogs along the pubic footpath around Bowes Farm. An electric fence appeared before Christmas. I inspected this along with Cllr Kraft. It is perfectly legal, but there was insufficient signage. The fence has now been taken down.”

Cllr Manning of the Cross ward then gave his feedback on the planning developments regarding the University:

“The planning application by the University for 420 student residences was deferred two weeks ago because of parking concerns. The general view is that student cars would have been parked up on the roads of the Cross for eight-week periods. Students can’t take their cars on campus. With regards the closure of the Quayside Cafe and my overall concern is that the University wants to get even more flats in through the back door.”

The final curtain call of our four fine CBC councillors fell to Cllr Quarrie of the Quay ward:

“I have been in touch with the office of Bernard Jenkin with regards the health centre. Correspondence has been going back and forth between Anglian Water, Colchester Borough Council and the PCT. I have been assured that letters are in the post from Bernard, and these should be received within days.”

The contents of the letters weren’t disclosed. I don’t think that it was the results of a test on pathological procrastination.

Hey hoe.

“I have also been in touch with the borough council asking about extra bins for dog mess down towards the Quay. I have been told that we can’t afford them! Not even a single bin!”

Blimey. That’s what coalition cuts do for you, Comrade.

Cllr Kraft of WTC was able to clarify:

“Taylor Wimpey is paying for extra bins by the jetty and the fisherman’s store. Colchester Borough Council will empty these. We have access to two old re-furbished bins. These are available, but must be located on the route where the bins are currently cleared.”

With the updates from higher up in the political food chain complete, it was left to the hyperlocal matter of discussing all issues affecting Wivenhoe over the past month. Never a dull moment - and that’s before we get to talk about the appearance of an international Rock God at the William Loveless Hall [where else?] - seriously…

In Planning matters and Cllr Sinclair confirmed that WTC is now in possession of the keys for the Fisherman’s Store:

“A working group needs to come up with a ‘snagging list’ for Taylor Wimpey, telling them exactly what they will need to be doing for Wivenhoe Town Council.”

I don’t think that this includes building more houses…

“We need to be doing a little better with the public slipway. It is useless as it currently stands.”

A conversation then followed about the presence of a private canoe and dinghy down by the wet dock. Without entering into the all the correspondence, it was reassuring to see how a potentially explosive issue has been handled rather sensibly by WTC, with a solution being the provision of public space for canoes at the new WTC run dingy park which is due to open soon. Genuine hyperlocal common sense put in practice.

The wonderful Wivenhoe Wood Working Party - or www.party as we online types like to call it - is continuing with coppicing. In particular the patch of the wood close to the railway line is currently receiving the “tremendous support” from both the Rangers and the volunteers.

A couple of very decent donations have been made towards the running of the Munty Bus - a quite incredible £2,000 from the Quay Quilters, and a gratefully received £200 from the folk of the Over Sixty Club.

The Community Opportunity Group has been showing plenty of community spirit, as well as opportunities for residents in the future. Mr Mayor explained:

“We benefited greatly from a visit from local resident Anne-Marie Naylor from the Asset Transfer Unit. Her job role is to advise local communities how to take over public buildings that may be under the threat of closure. With doubts over the future of the Philip Road Centre, Anne-Marie was able to advise us with great professionalism about how we could go about forming a community interest group to take on the management of the centre. A letter has been sent to all users of Philip Road as to the next steps forward.”

Not so positive move on the purchase of the two police houses along the High Street. Mr Mayor commented:

“We have gone as far as we can with the legal process. We now need to make sure that our solicitor gives it the full legal attention. We have a desperate urgency to get this matter resolved. This now has an absolute sense of urgency.”

Especially so when you consider the workload of an unpaid Wivenhoe Town Councillor over the coming months. The small matter of Brenda’s Diamond Jubilee is fast approaching; WTC is determined that residents will make it a right old Royal knees up week to remember. Mayor Needham explained:

“We are aiming to put on seven days of entertainment, starting off with the May Fair on the 26th May, and then continuing with the June Market and Art on the Railings, a Royal Ball at the William Loveless Hall [where else?] a Thanksgiving service at St Mary’s, a peeling of the church bells on bank Holiday Monday lasting from 8:30am until midday [BLIMEY! BLIMEY!] a Family Fun Day at the KGV including athletics, a hog roast, welly wanging, a tug of war, a brass band and a possible fireworks display. We are also looking into burying a time capsule.”

*not* containing town councillors…

Mr Mayor added:

“Another excellent initiative is the Jubilee Jigsaw, a project that is the work of local resident Marika Footring. This is a great symbolic way for the whole of Wivenhoe to come together. It is highly original. The Co-op is interested in providing support and space for the project.”

So much to organise, so little time. And that’s not even factoring in the Mayor’s Ball or an appearance by Iron Maiden (sort of) at the William Loveless Hall [where else?]

Mr Mayor was keen to plug away two very different events that will both benefit the very worthy cause of the Mayor’s Charity (that isn’t really a charity as such, Mr Taxman, but it is equally worthy and is certainly worth your support. Phew.)

The Mayor’s Ball will take place on the 3rd March, and then on 21st April, Mr Mayor can “thoroughly recommend” the concert by Den and Dave, featuring Dennis Stratton formerly of Iron Maiden and Preying Mantis.

“This is scheduled to run between 3pm-5pm, so not to annoy the neighobours.”

Rock on.

It all made the pantomime rehearsals taking place next door at the William Loveless Hall [where else?] seem rather sedate.

Oh no it doesn’t! Blah blah blah.

Until next month. Break a leg. Heckle, um, a Borough councillor. But only for fun.

Inspired by Louisa Buck and her Saturday afternoon @firstsite talk all about the romanticism of Ray Island, @AnnaJCowen and I set off to explore the North Essex estuary wilds early on Sunday morning. The amorous element was lost when I emerged from the bedroom with my finest pair of cycling tights. Add in the cycling overlay shoes and Ray Island was the setting for It’s a Knockout rather than Fantasy Island.

Don’t fancy yours much.

But first - how the chuffers do you find Ray Island? We all know about Mersea and the tidal dangers of the Strood as you approach Oyster Central. The modern interweb was of little help in tracking down Louisa Buck’s mythical marsh. The ever helpful Essex Wildlife Trust spoke of:

“Negotiating a number of single plank bridges without hand rails.”

Which sounds a lot easier to read online that it actually is when compared to carrying a MTB whilst wearing a pair of ridiculous overlay shoes. Down towards the Hythe, past Rowhedge and through Fingringhoe. The Strood was playing a game of estuary poker with us, showing its hand of a clear run, yet leaving you suspecting that the tide was about to turn.

“Look! Look! There’s a number of single plank bridges without hand rails!”

…exclaimed the Girl.

She wasn’t wrong. Ray Island may have been eulogised by Louisa Buck as the inspiration for a liberal approach to art around these parts, but the reality is that the patch of land as you approach Mersea Island is a great big mud flap. And that’s not a euphemism, either.

Our entry point [fnar!] turned out to be a Day Trip by Mistake. The low tide allowed us access with the bicycles, negotiating ever-increasing sizes of tidal pools. It was the great outdoors version of the crazy end sequence to the Crystal Maze, where the contestants have to leap around like fools on large laser snakes and ladders board.

We became stranded after the third girly leap of faith. No man is an island (except the Isle of Man…) but here we were, within walking distance of Mersea Island, yet almost trapped in not so splendid isolation with the tide and time taking the piss.

Whoops.

A friendly figure of a gentleman appeared on the horizon of the marshland, purposefully striding towards us, and flapping around as though he has just found romance on Ray Island, and hadn’t caught crabs, either. Good effort, Sir.

Turns out that the Ray Island romantic was in fact a local Ranger. It wasn’t quite GET ORRRF MY LAND, but the possibility of a loaded shotgun underneath his brown leather tunic was a poker game of twist that I was prepared to take.

“We’re not from London, y’know!” I reasoned.

The Ranger escorted us back to the edges of the Strood, much in the same style that a Head Teacher frog marches the class fool back to the playground after a stern ticking off.

“I rather enjoyed Ray Island,”

…I remarked to the Girl.

“I found it all, y’know, rather romantic.”

My cycling tights were now knee deep in mud. The ridiculous cycling overlay shoes looked like a large pair of brown clogs. Make no mistake - I was a mucky pup. The Girl was keeping it clean and offered me a tissue, but not in the context that I had planned.

Plan B?

Go West. Go west to West Mersea.

Chapeau!

We trickled through the town and past the rich run of charity shops and towards the sea. I often remark that you can judge the character of a community by the quality of the charity shops. West Mersea is well heeled, but has perhaps seen better days. If it were a politician then it would be Ken Clarke.

We participated in the Sunday Bicycling Club ritual of enjoying an extremely strong coffee at a local cafe. Other early morning riders out for the run had also gathered for the caffeine kick to see them back to Sunny Colch. I counted five pairs of cycling tights, a couple of windbreakers and a very dirty helmet. Told you Ray Island was romantic.

We took in the Beach Hut stretch along the front, half-expecting to enter into a Morrissey video outtake. The temperature was dropping. Not so the activity inside the cycling tights. With the tide threatening to make Mersea our adopted home for the evening, it was time to tackle the Strood.

Safely across, and with no second thoughts about re-visiting the romanticism of Ray Island, Fingringhoe wasn’t far off. I know how to show a girl a good time, me.

We took in the beauty of St Andrew’s at Fingringhoe, timed to perfection in catching the in-between time of Morning Service and Even Song. What a splendid old building. Some may even call it romantic.

And then it was up the backside of the Colne, crossing at the Hythe and then a post-coital cleaning of the cycling tights back at base. Who said romance was dead? If Ray Island don’t turn you on, then you ‘aint got no switches.