News of Wivenhoe News
Spring is in the air. And so is ample optimism about a new health centre for Wivenhoe.
Beware the Ides of March, ‘n all that…
No worries. A new edition of Wivenhoe News finds the front-page lead documenting the approval of the proposed scheme. Like daffodils adding a splash of spring colour each year, here’s hoping that the new health centre lead gets to survive the darling buds of May this time:
“A replacement for Wivenhoe’s well-used and overburdened [blimey] surgery building in The Avenue has at long last been approved. After much campaigning and discussion over several years, NHS North Essex has finally approved a bid from the Wivenhoe Surgery to build brand new premises on land next door to the fire station in Colchester Road.”
Hurrah!
Wouldn’t it just be a sense of poor timing if the hyperlocal reason to celebrate was caught up in a national policy of confusion regarding the future direction of the NHS?
Oh, hang on…
Planning permission is required. Building work could be started by the middle of 2013. Don’t start budding those daffs just yet.
Speaking of seasonal events, May Fair is almost upon us. Wivenhoe News passes on the plea for volunteers and local traders to get involved in the 30th anniversary of the much-loved May Fair. Setting up, cleaning up, stewarding - all are essential roles that have helped May Fair raise almost £30k to date. www.wivenhoemayfair.com is a good contact point.
The p.3 Editorial notes concerns about funding and land agreement over the new health surgery. They break our legs and we say thank you when they offer us crutches, etc.
In more positive news and the purchase of the two police houses by Wivenhoe Town Council is praised. Cheque has already been cashed, apparently…
And it Parish Notices, The Editorial explains:
“Peter Kennedy, our long-serving and dedicated Editor, has decided to take a step back for a bit from the front line [Wivenhoe News, not Wivenhoe life...] The energy and commitment he has brought to Wivenhoe News will be a hard act to follow.”
Big boots to fill. I’m sure Jane Hughes will slip into the size 9′s with ease.
Speaking of which, Jane becomes a West End Girl on p.4, strolling out in those size 9′s (sort of) to have a wander around the western streets of Wivenhoe. A historical look at Wivenhoe Heath over three hundred years is covered, including the telling quote:
“The next wave of building swept into Wivenhoe in the early 1960′s. The Wivenhoe Urban District Council welcomed and encouraged the building, recognising the prosperity it brought, though perhaps not exercising quite as much control and care for the development of the environment as they might have done.”
Ouch.
Deja vu…
“I wonder how many readers watched the programme on BBC4 Come Bell Ringing?”
…asks Ian Valentine on p.7.
Blimey.
All is sounding lovely back in the bell tower at St Mary’s. The dedicated team of ding dongers is soon to be expanded to eight - which is just as well, seeing as though an 8:30am until midday peeling of the old bells is being planned for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Moira Collett writes of the growing audiences at Wivenhoe Moving Image, whilst Peter Kennedy reports on the recent Poetry Slam at Jardine with Rhythmic Disposition from Tendring Technology College.
Alison Kent’s Workers of Wivenhoe interviews Janet Meacock, the Head Teacher at Millfields. It’s an enlightening read, documenting progression from Teaching Assistant to Head Teacher, via the world of banking.
There is a recap from the archives of Professor Paul Thompson’s Wivenhoe Oral History Project (Sea Change remains the second best Wivenhoe book to read…)
Reviews of The Cricket on the Hearth (“the story was well told from memory“) Fawlty Towers (“superb!“) and the Wivenhoe Pantomime (“This year’s Robin Hood passed triumphantly with thigh-slapping, singing and men in tights.”) all follow.
All the World’s a stage. Especially so in Wivenhoe it seems. New season, new show: p.13 plugs the Gilbert & Sullivan Society performance of Ruddigore at the William Loveless Hall [where else?] from 13th to 17th March.
A Poem for Wivenhoe is penned by Joan Norlev Taylor on p.14. And mighty fine it is too:
“This is no ace of people passing through.
It’s for albatross-hung mariners, navigating travellers
who came this way with other things to do.
This old town takes you in and shows you home.”
You’ll have to a pay the full £1 to enjoy the rest of Joan’s charming ode.
poetrywivenhoe reports on a successful transition to The Legion, and a re-launch night (of sorts) with the “dapper” Luke Wright. Plus don’t forget poetrywivenhoe’s recent publication, celebrating 87 of the fine poems that were submitted for the 2011 poetrywivenhoe prize.
The Wivenhoe Bookshop bags a whole page of Wivenhoe News, such is the breadth of the bookiness beauty that can be found at the bottom of the High Street. Not wanting to give away any spoilers, but a browse of the Bookshop’s fine website will update you with Philosophy Breakfasts, the Reading Group that meets at Jardine and the now annual Bring Us Your Mums picture competition. I was half tempted by the crayons upon passing on Saturday morning.
Can you tell what it is yet?
Wivenhoe Open Gardens makes a return over the weekend of 19th and 20th May, whilst Wivenhoe in Bloom celebrate the planting of 5,000 bulbs. Beware BT and the appearance of holes, apparently.
5,000 holes in Wivenhoe, Essex, etc.
Keeping it green and the Wivenhoe Allotment and Gardens Association celebrates the “season of befuddled fruitfulness.”
Is this a mating season?
Richard Allen, Wivnehoe’s Birder Supreme provides an account of the December gathering out towards the Creek:
“The undoubted highlight was the great northerner diver, which drifted up with the tide; it had been seen earlier in the week and we had good views of it as it dived for small crabs.”
Ahh. You had to be there my friends. You had to be there.
But back to the land and back to the fat of the land. Transition Town Wivenhoe invite all to the Community Supported Agriculture meeting at the William Loveless Hall [where else?] at 7:30pm on the 8th March. This is a genuinely ACE scheme where locals will be encouraged to take part in a community garden, and then share the produce.
Nicky Matthews writes on p.20 about the pitfalls and possibilities in staging The Passion Play around Wivenhoe on 7th April. This is an incredibly challenging project, telling the traditional Biblical tale around various Wivenhoe landmarks. I can’t wait to see how Papa’s Chip Shop features.
Speaking of local landmarks and much-respected Wivenhoe architect Bryan Thomas and his celebratory dinner at The Nottage featured on p.21. Having a Thomas is now on par with having a Dodds. I know of at least one proud owner of a Thomas designed kitchen extension.
The wonderful Wivenhoe Ocean Racing Club is recognised on p.21, and in particular the charity work that is so crucial to the now annual Quayside Fireworks. Four thousand folk enjoyed the 2011 display - 40% of the town!
WORC remains an organisation carrying out some highly valued work around the town. Repairs, restoration and redecoration are about to be carried out to the lower hall at The Legion. It’s no wonder the fine folk of WORC can’t find the time to ocean race…
The painful, but equally poignant reading of the Wivenhoe News obituaries covers p.24 and p.25. Brian Green (“A kind man with a generous nature“) and Charles Sansom (“Throughout his life he always wanted to provide for others.”) Both obituaries require full reading. A simple passing blog post can’t do justice to the sensitive nature that Wivenhoe News always treats these sad, but compelling reads.
The University of Essex News updates with campus events relating to the Essex Book Festival, a new online box office for the Lakeside and plans to “celebrate the Student’s Union heritage” - presumably not by smuggling in eight pack of Bowman’s Best Bitter, as was the case for some cheeky Bright Young Thing back in the day.
Chin chin.
Wivenhoe Tennis Club celebrates the LTA Outstanding Work in Development award that club coach Jamie has recently been awarded. The Colne Community School’s Christmas Dance show receives a complimentary review, and the Wivenhoe Society carries the update that Dave Harrison has very kindly stepped forward to take on the role of Chair.
Millfields School reports on the Moscars; Broomgrove gets all democratic with the School Council elections.
Which brings us to Bernie.
Blimey.
Taking a break from a Euro crisis fixation, our esteemed MP thankfully has a more hyperlocal approach when writing for Wivenhoe News. To be fair to Bernie, he has been working hard on sewage issues down by the Quay, as well as pulling the rabbit out of the hat with the new health centre. Don’t forget the apolitical point of:
“This demonstrates that the health reforms are not disrupting patient care and in fact the reforms will support this decision by bringing health planning much closer to GPs and patients.”
Betcha the PM will like that when he picks up his copy of Wivenhoe News from the Westminster newsagent.
Mr Mayor explains more about the rejection of Fingringhoe by Essex County Council as a possible site for waste re-cycling, as well as the Working for Wivenhoe cross-party political arrangement reached by our four ward Cllr’s covering three parties and two wards. Now there’s a working title for a film waiting to happen.
Mr Mayor speaks sense. Maybe he should, oh, y’know…
One of the big boys at the borough council, smiling Cllr Steve Ford, reports on the ECC Waste Development Document. An inner explanation on the workings of the Planning Committee and more hyperlocal road safety concerns also follow.
Sitting at the top of the political food chain is Cllr Julie Young of ECC. The new bus shelter outside the Co-op is celebrated, and campaigns for an improved crossing outside Millfields School, as well as trying to save the Quayside Cafe are covered.
Andrew Nightingale mentions a new toilet block at Broad Lane in updates concerning the Wivenhoe and District Sporting Facilities Trust. The refurbishment of the bar is mentioned by John Rensink, mainly thanks to some very kind donations and resources from various folk around Wivenhoe. Confirmation comes that all England matches for Euro 2012 will be screened in the club bar.
That’s three bookings, then…
The growing artistic hub based around Cook’s and the Cornucopia events are mentioned on p.38. Another growing art space is also featured, with Curiosity on Station Road now regularly displaying (and selling) the work of local artists.
And that’s about your lot for another season. It will be half shandies outside the Rose and Crown by the time Wivenhoe News comes around again.
Best get writing…
Wivenhoe News is sold at the Co-op, Crossways, the Post Office, Bryans Newsagents and the lovely Wivenhoe Bookshop.
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