News from Essex Council

ECC has just issued its spring edition of its Essex Works e-magazine. Addressing subjects as diverse as:

• Progress with a community mural;
• Ken Izzet's (Colchester United's captain) thoughts on life in Essex;
• Charles Dickens' visit to Essex;
• Essex Book Festival;
• Essex & 2012;
• Proposed streetlight changes across Essex will save energy 
• Essex Highways hits the road;
• New figures highlight need for more foster carers;
• Essex County Council’s new chairman steps into her role;
• Adult Community Learning summer courses available;
• Post 16 transport - how will you be travelling?  and, predictably,
• a few pages on the council's budget.

... there is something for everyone.

Find out more about First Responders

The village's First Responders are welcoming members of the public to their next meeting to find out more about their work and the equipment they use. The meeting is taking place in St Mary's Church Hall starting at 7:30pm.

Women's Institute February Report

The president, Mrs Joyce Woolhead, thanked everyone for their contributions of toiletries which George and Marion Mills will be donating to the Children's Rehabilitation Centre in Chernigov, Ukraine. Any further items can be brought to the March meeting. The first play-reading meeting was a great success. Please give Clarice Chittenden any raffle items before the March meeting.

The treasurer reported 52 paid up members so far. The coach for the birthday lunch outing will leave outside the Orpen Memorial Hall on Wednesday 21 February prompt at 12noon.

The speaker was Mrs Gil Fairhead on Aloe Vera and Bee Products.The competition An Old Fashioned Natural Remedy was won by Mrs Marie-Louise Fuell.

Flower Club

At the Colne Valley Flower Club's annual meeting last month a cheque for £900 was given to a representative from the local Alzheimer's Society. This had been the club's chosen charity for 2006. Follwing the business meeting member, Mrs Sheila Greaves gave an interesting demonstration on the making of flower stands from unusual alternative materials. The new season begins on Wednesday 21 February at 7.30pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall. Subscriptions of £19 are due ( first rise in 4 years) . Helen Bird from Marks Tey is the demonstrator with her arrangements entitled 'Just Imagine'.

Gardeners

The Gardeners' Association reported a good attendance at the pre-Christmas Club social evening in December in the Orpen Memorial Hall. The quiz was followed by festive fare and a sale of plants and gardening items. The first meeting of the new year takes place on Monday February 19 at 7.30pm when Matthew Tanton Brown from The Place for Plants will talk about Plants for Problem Places. Visitors and potenial members are always welcome.