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MEALS ON WHEELS |
| If you feel that either you or a family member would
benefit from this service then please telephone us at the West Mersea Town Council offices on 01206 382128 - or call in at 10 Melrose Road, West Mersea between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mon - Fri Brief History of our Meals on Wheels Service Meals on Wheels in Mersea began in the 1940's when meals were prepared in the school kitchens and delivered by a team of volunteers. When the Clinic in Barfield Road was being built in 1971 a Committee was formed to raise funds to add a kitchen to the building. This was achieved and the equipment purchased - all by fund raising. The kitchen became operative in June 1972 and Mr Kettle was appointed Chef, retiring in 1987. When Essex County Council sold the building to the NHS - Meals on Wheels had to find new premises. West Mersea Town Council converted part of their office space into a kitchen and the service moved into these premises in 1987. Iris Mahoney had been working as Mr Kettle's assistant and took over as Cook. Today - Karen Dixey is Cook helped by Assistant Cooks, Iris Mahoney and Carole Hasler. |
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VETS Blackwater Veterinary Surgery Mrs.Sarah Doyle B.V.Sc. M.R.V.C.S. Queens Corner 2 Mill Road West Mersea Tel 01206 384999 Opening hours Monday to Friday 8.15am to 6.45pm Saturdays 8.15 to 12 noon - Consultations by Appointment 24 hour Emergency Service 01206 384999 Colne Valley Veterinary Practice Ltd Off Maudlyn Road (The Hythe) Colchester - Essex Tel 01206 794695 Opening times - Weekdays 8.30 am to 7 pm Saturdays 9am to 1pm All Consultations by Appointment 24 hour emergency appointment service available |
| LIFEBOAT RNLI - The Mersea Lifeboat is manned by local volunteers The Lifeboat Station on the foreshore at the end of Coast Road houses an Atlantic 75 lifeboat. Brief History of Lifeboat The first Lifeboat Station was built next to the Yacht Club on the corner of Firs Road in 1963. At that time a D class Lifeboat was placed on service - one of the first of ten lifeboats established in the country. In 1972 the D class was replaced with a B class Atlantic 21 Lifeboat. A new Boathouse and slipway was built in 1992 plus a new launching and recovery winch - it was opened in September by the Duke of Kent. The building has room for not only the Lifeboat but also a crew room and souvenir outlet. In 2001 a B Clas Atlantic 75 Lifeboat B-761 Dignity was placed on service. Dignity is named after Dignity Caring Funeral Services, whose employees raised the funds Contact Lifeboat Operations Manager - Jeremy Dumas West Mersea Lifeboat Station Coast Road - West Mersea Tel: 01206 382914 Website: www.rnli.org.uk Back to top of page |
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West Mersea Lifeboat Shed |
| THE MERSEA ISLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION otherwise known as the MICA The Mersea Centre is Mersea's only sports and social centre and is also where a host of local events are staged - Christmas Pantomimes - Plays - Concerts etc. The Mersea Centre 38A High Street - West Mersea CO58QA 01206 384656 Opening Times Monday to Friday 9am to 10pm Saturday 9am to 3pm Sunday 10am to 2 pm Licensed Bar open weekday evenings 7pm to 10.30pm subject to staff availability Function Hall and Meeting Rooms available for hire Bingo every Tuesday 8pm in the small hall Fitness classes and adult activity sessions available The Fitness Gym is for Adult Members holding a MICA authorised user card Volunteers always needed for the Charity Shop and Centre The Mersea Centre was built out of a derelict bus station with the help of grant funding and fund raising by the local community. It was opened in 1981 by Liz Clements. The MICA Charity Shop is staffed entirely by volunteers and underwrites the centres income |
| HALLS FOR HIRE Click on Clubs and Organisations tab for details of who to contact for hire. St. John Ambulance Hall - Melrose Road WI Hall - Kingsland Road British Legion Hall - Barfield Road Mersea Scout Group - Scout Hall - Melrose Road The Mersea Centre - MICA - Main Hall and Small Hall The Council Chamber - Melrose Road Shutes Hall at the Methodist Church - Mill Road The Mersea Museum Hall- High Street (October to March) East Mersea Village Hall - East Mersea The Packing Shed - Packing Shed Island East Mersea Youth Camp - winter only St Peter and St Paul Parish Church Hall Glebe Pavilion - The Glebe - owned by West Mersea Town Council Yacht Club - Upper rooms Dabchicks Sailing Club - available for private hire Coast Inn - sometimes available for hire Wheatsheaf - Waldegraves Caravan Site |
| WEST MERSEA LIBRARY West Mersea Library 13 High Street - West Mersea - CO5 8AQ Tel: 01206 383321 Fax: 01206 386130 Opening Times Tuesday 9. 30am - 12.30 pm ~ 2pm to 7pm Thursday 9.30am to 12.30pm ~ 2pm to 5pm Friday 9. 30am to 12.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 12.30pm ~ 2pm - 5pm Answers Direct Enquiry Service Telephone: 012445 438438 Website: - www.answersdirect.info Call Library Direct If you can't get to us, we can come to you, if age, disability or caring prevents you visting the library Library Direct will deliver all the latest best sellers, blockbuster movies and great music direct to your door. Trained volunteers will bring the library to you in your own home. A neighbour, friend or relative can be given a ticket to collect books etc on your behalf. To find out more contact your local library or phone 01245 438438 |
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Why not join a Book Club Mersea has several meeting at pubs restaurants or people's homes or why not start one yourself! |
| MERSEA ISLAND MUSEUM The Museum opens for the summer season Wednesday to Sunday plus Bank Holiday Mondays 2pm to 5pm The Hall itself is available for hire by local organisations during the winter months Contact Mary Sparks on 01206 383372 School parties may visit outside normal hours by arrangement Contact Pat Kirby - schools@merseamuseum.org.uk Brief history of the Museum The Museum was opened in 1976 by well known pianist Semprini - who then lived on the island. It was a gift to the community by local builder Stanley Hills. The building was made from recycled materials - the front doors came from Almshouses in Wivenhoe,the back doors from a Malting House at the Hythe. Exhibitions of bygones include much of Mersea's maritime history including a replica of a Victorian Fisherman's cottage The Museum is run by a dedicated team of volunteers. website. www. merseamuseum.org.uk |
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Policing the old fashioned way |
| NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING IN MERSEA - ABBERTON AND FINGRINGHOE www.essex.police.uk WEST MERSEA POLICING TEAM call 07966 197265 Police - non emergency 0300 333 4444 PCSO's for Mersea are Adam Ryder - Sarah Duke and Jason Kyte Colchester District Commander is Chief Inspector Steve Johnson Call the team when you have a non urgent local issue you would like them to deal with 07955 197265 To report non emergency crime and incidents call 0300 333 4444 Crimestoppers - 0800 555 111 MOBILE POLICE STATION The Mobile Police Unit visits both East and West Mersea at regular times throughout the year - residents are welcome to come along and discuss any concerns You may also raise comments or concerns at the Neighbourhood Action Panel - NAP - Meetings |
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TAXI SERVICES IJK Taxi Services Local - Train station - hospital etc 01206 385984 All UK Airports and Seaports 24 hour bookings taken 4 and 6 seater available Lady Drivers available Prompt reliable service competitive rates family run business RWS Private Hire long distance - airports and cruise terminal specialist air conditoned 7 seater vehicle 01206 382950 Tooleys Taxis 01206 384666 or 07850 750326 oldest established taxi company on the island offering 6 seater people carriers London black cab knowledge a female driver Will travel to airports - seaports - London as well as short local trips around Mersea and surrounding area no journey too long or too short |
| WEST MERSEA DENTAL SURGERY 32a Kingsland Road - West Mersea - CO5 8RA The Dental Surgery has four Dental Surgeons - a hygenist - several assistants and about 10,000 patients - 60% of whom live on the island Opening Hours - Monday to Thursday 8.30 - 5.30 Friday 8.30 - 5pm P.N.Elmes B.D.S. (Lond) L.D.S. R.C.S. (Eng) M.F.G. D.P. (UK) A.J. Elmes - B.D.S. (Lond) L.D.S. R.C.S. (Eng) M.F.G. D.P. (UK) S. Rashid B.D.S. (Dundee) G.L.Eckstein B.D.S. (Glasgow) 01206 384504 Back to top |
| FUNERAL SERVICES J.K. May - Funeral Directors 51 High Street - West Mersea Tel: 01206 382235 Co-Operative Funeral Services 44 Kingsland Road - West Mersea Tel: 01206 382120 Monumental Masons John J Smith - St Mary's Works - Mersea Road - Colchester Tel: 01206 574669 |
THE MERSEA COURIER 46 High Street - West Mersea - CO5 8QA Tel: 01206 382935 Fax: 01206 384190 editorial e mail address - editorialmic@btconnect.com advertising e mail address - advertisingmic@btconnect.com enquiries e mail address - merseacourier@btconnect.com Contributions welcome but no guarantee LOOK MAGAZINE 39 Finchingfield Way Colchester CO2 OAU 01206 564621 e mail - tony@lookmagazine.co.uk website - www.lookmagazine.co.uk MERSEA LIFE is an Estuary Life Group Publication and is published monthly - free 110 Coast Road West Mersea Tel. 01206 386666 enquiry@estuarylife.co.uk sales - karen@estuarylife.co.uk design enquiries Karen Fisher (Cast Your Eye) Tel 01621 855689 e mail -design@estuarylife.co.uk Estuary Life magazine group distributes door to door in Mersea - Maldon - Heybridge - Tollesbury and drops at locations in Birch, Bradwell, Cold Norton, Goldhanger, Great Totham, Heybridge Basin, Inworth, Latchingdon, Layer Breton, Layer de la Haye, Little Totham, Messing, Peldon, Purleigh, Smythes Green, Tiptree, Tolleshunt D'arcy, Tolleshunt Knights, Tolleshunt Major and Wickham Bishops. The Mistral The Journal of the Mersea Island Society is produced annually by the Mersea Island Society |
| HER MAJESTY'S COASTGUARD - MERSEA Mersea's Coastguard consists of 6 volunteer auxillaries They are linked to 20 other Coastguard Centres around the county responsible for maritime research and rescue operations, working with Lifeboats, Sea King Helicopters from RAF Wattisham as well as Police and Ambulance Helicopters, Police vessells afloat as well as land based emergency services There Coastguard base is at Walton on Naze Our local Coastguards cover an area from Heybridge to Colchester Hythe Quay and there is a four wheel drive vehicle stationed on the island. Mersea's Coastguard was formed in 1987 |
| COLCHESTER BOROUGH COUNCIL - CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE The Customer Service Centre is situated in High Street - Colchester It is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm - you are welcome to call in The Customer Service Centre handles all enquiries for Council Tax - Benefits and Revenues - Street Services - Planning and Environmental Proection Main Switchboard Tel: 01206 282222 - opening hours 9am to 5pm Emergency out of hours. Tel: 01206 548444 Back to top |
| THE FIRE BRIGADE - WEST MERSEA Barfield Road - West Mersea West Mersea Firemen are a part time force under the control of Essex County Council Brief History of the Fire Service Mersea Fire Brigade began in a shed on the corner of Melrose Road - it was manned by 12 part time volunteers. The first Fire Engine was a hand cart and firemen were summoned by one of them cycling round the island blowing a bugle. In 1935 they fund raised and purchased their first proper Fire Engine - a Denis - and new Headquarteres were built in Melrose Road (now the Scout HQ). The Fire Station moved in 1973 to Barfield Road when the 999 system and personal pagers came into use |
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Victory Moorings a family run business help and advice given Moorings are available at The Nothe Salcot Creek Besom Creek There are deep water and shoal water sites and Moorings range from 12 feet to 50 feet - 4m to 15m and up to 6 feet draft e mail info@VictoryMoorings.co.uk Phone 01206 383000 |
| MOORINGS There are about 1000 Yacht and Boat moorings in the fleets and creeks around Mersea For information on Moorings contact Peter French, Rosebank Road, West Mersea. Tel: 01206 382261 Alan Bird, Norfolk Avenue, West Mersea. Tel: 01206 383000 Peter Clarke, West Mersea. Tel: 01206 385905 West Mersea Marine, 110 Coast Road, West Mersea. Tel: 01206 382244 Back to top |
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| THE MERSEA MEDICAL PRACTICE P. Woodcock and Partners The Surgery - 32 Kingsland Road - West Mersea CO5 8RA Tel: 01206 382015 Fax: 01206 385 593 Dr.P.A Woodcock BSC MBBS Dr.P.A Matthes MB ChB Dr. J.A. Meanley LRCP MRCS DObs RCOG Dr. O Abdullah MB ChB MRCP The Medical Practice has four Doctors, six Receptionists and two Nurses to cater for up to 8000 residents. Brief History of the Medical Surgery The Doctor's Surgery opened in 1979, brainchild of Stanley Hills, who negotiated a deal with Wilf Bacon and other land owners to develope a site, with the Co-Op, to provide the present surgery at a Public Meeting. Some 64 participated - putting money into building the surgery and they became the Mersea Island Medical Syndicate - there are now 105 bondholders The surgery was built in line with the necessary NHS requirements in record time. Shortly after, in 1980, when the Medical Centre was built, Stanley Hills arranged for a Dental Surgery to be built on land belonging to the Medical Syndicate and again offered it to the Community to buy into the scheme. |
| NORTH EAST ESSEX HOSPITAL SERVICES IF YOU ARE UNSURE WHICH SERVICE IS RIGHT FOR YOU CONTACT NHS DIRECT - 0845 4647 OR VISIT - www.choosetherightroute.co.uk A & E - ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY for all life threatening illnesses or injuries chest pain - shortness of breath - major injury - blood loss Colchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Turner Road Colchester CO4 5JL 24 hours every day WALK IN CENTRE stop here for - minor illnesses - blood tests sprains - stings, bites and burns North Colchester Healthcare Centre Turner Road Colchester CO4 5JR 7am to 10pm every day |
| PHYSIOTHERAPy Tim Humphries B.Sc (Hons) MCSP AACP Chartered Physiotherapist 12 Yorick Road - West Mersea Tel: 01206 386523 Broomhills Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic 4 Broomhills Road West Mersea CO5 8AP Contact 01206 382951 Tiptree Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic 74 Church Road - Tiptree - CO5 OHB Tel: 07941 284764 |
| TRAIN SERVICES Frequent train services to London, Liverpool Street from Colchester North Station - also to Ipswich - Clacton and Harwich National Rail Enquiries. Tel: 08457 484950 Back to top |
| CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU Personal Callers - Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm Telephone Callers - 0870 121 2033 - Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm Colchester Citizens Advice Bureau Cornerstone - 5-7 Sir Isaac's Walk - Colchester CO1 1JJ Confidential - Independent - Impartial - Free |
| WEST MERSEA CLINIC Barfield Road - West Mersea CO5 8QT Tel: 01206 382590 |
| NAP - NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION PANEL The Mersea Island NEIghbourhood Action Panel meet every two months their aim is to work towards identifying and resolving community issues. Mersea NAP is chaired by Cllr Alan Mogridge |
| HELPLINE PEACE OF MIND AND REASSURANCE FOR YOU WITH HELPLINE Living alone brings its own difficulties, and the worry over not being able to contact someone during an emergency in your home is a real concern. With HELPLINE you can keep your independence, but know that there is always someone there to answer your call for help To be connected you should have a modern telephone point and an electrical power socket nearby. The sensitive telephones give a direct link to Helpline control room. Calls are monitored 24 hours a day. All information held on file is treated with utmost confidentiality. Mobile support offices are trained to help in any emergency Helpline answer all calls immediately 24 hours a day 365 days a year In an emergency someone will be at your home within 20 minutes If you would like more information about HELPLINE ring 769779 at any time Or write to the address below - no stamp required The Community Alarms Manager Helpline FREEPOST CL3850 Lexden Heath Colchester CO3 5WW |
| MERSEA OUTDOORS - YOUTH CAMP Centre for Outdoor Learning - Rewsalls Lane, East Mersea - CO5 8SK (funded by Essex County Council) Mersea Outdoors is set in about 62 acres of fields and can accommodate up to 350 visitors. It caters for young people from schools and youth groups over the whole of Essex including those with special needs Facilities include toilets, shower rooms, laundry room, dining rooms and a main hall equipped with music and big screen video - there is also cabin accommodation for up to 104 people Outdoor facilities include a Swimming pool and an Assault course. Outdoor activities include caving, bridge building, pioneering, plumbers nightmare (??) high ropes/low ropes, climbing and abseiling, team challenges, aerial runway, archery. mountain biking (up our little known Mersea Mountains!) orienteering, paintball. Also - First Aid Courses, Adventure Courses and Team Building Courses. There is access to the beach for water sports - speedboat - canoeing - crabbing etc Mersea International Youth Camp - as it is was commonly known locally - began just after World War 11 when a Scotsman founded several International Camps in Essex to promote Anglo German relations. Tel 01206 383 226 E-mail: info@merseaoutdoors.com Website: www.Merseaoutdoors.com Back to top |
| THE MERSEA ISLAND TRUST Charity's Principal Office Akhurst Court - Melrose Road - West Mersea Chairman - Martin Dence The Mersea Island Trust - a registered charity was founded in about 1957. The prime mover of this scheme for Sheltered Housing was Dr "Jock" Llewelyn Jones. The money for the land was borrowed from the Urban District Council who also gave a plot of land. Akhurst Court in Melrose Road was the first to be built with 12 flatlets. Later came Mersea Court in High Street North with 12 flatlets and two double flats. Since that time there has been renovations and extensions - yet more flats and a lift at at Akhurst Court. The Mersea Island Trust took over the Coronation Memorial Trust and is still expanding and improving its properties. |
| JARMANS NURSERY and PICK YOUR OWN FARM Located on the main East Mersea Road - next door to the Village Shop in East Mersea Tel: 01206 386387 Fruit and Vegetables may be hand picked or ready bought Patio Plants and Bedding Plants for sale in spring and summer The Nursery also provides the Hanging Baskets and plants for Flowering tubs for the shops and businesses of West Mersea organised by the Town Council. Back to top |
THE MERSEA ISLAND SOCIETY Website: www.MerseaIslandSociety.org Back to top |
| THE MERSEA ISLAND SCOUT GROUP HQ - The Old Fire Station - Melrose Road also Sea Scout Hut in the Lane Group Scout Leader - Martin Gasson - Tel: 01206 384850 President - Group Fund Raiser - Angela Gamble Tel: 0-1206 382739 BEAVER PACK 6 to 8 years Leader - Carolyn Lucas - Tel: 384180 Assistant Leader ~David Bragg KHANHIWARA (MONDAY) CUB PACK 8 to 10 years Leader - Sarah Thorley - Tel: 01206 382109 Assistant Leader ~ Danny Blacklock SEEONEE (TUESDAY) CUB PACK 8 to 10 years Leaders - Andy and Lisa Bacon - Tel: 01206 382927 LAND SCOUTS 10 to 14 years Leader - David Finch - Tel: 386744 Tel: 07812045288 EXPLORER SCOUTS 14 to 18 year olds Meetings Wednesday 7.30 at Scout HQ Melrose Road Contact Hat Watson 07940547582 |
| EAST MERSEA PARISH COUNCIL East Mersea Parish Council serves a rural community of some 110 residents. Parish Clerk - Vanessa Capon - 07595 820849 e mail: eastmerseaparish@yahoo.co.uk East Mersea has five Councillors for more info see website - www.essexinfo.net/east-mersea-parish-council/ |
| THE MERSEA ISLAND BEACH CLUB The Beach Club takes place during the first full week of the school summer holidays. It is held on the grassy knoll just above the beach at the end of Empress Avenue. It was begun by the Children's Special Service Mission but today the leaders and helpers come from all Mersea Churches working together (CTIM - Churches Together In Mersea). Children of all ages are welcome to take part in singing, prayers, play, competitions and quizzes - some come for a day others all week. Many local children and their parents and grandparents have fond memories of enjoying the singing on the sand at the Beach Club. Oysterman - Peter French and his family have played a big part in running the Beach Club for many years |
| ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST Chairman - Martyn Gill (Colchester Group) Head Office The Joan Elliot Visitor Centre Abbots Hall Farm Great Wigborough Essex CO5 7RZ 01621 6862960 e mail - admin@essexwt.org.uk website - www. essexwt.org.uk |
| CONSERVATION AREA A Section of West Mersea at the far end of Coast Road is designated as a Conservation Area. The area begins on the landward side of Coast Road at the Victory Pub and continues down to The Lane. It does not extend beyond the boundaries of the back gardens in Coast Road and is bounded at the far end (except for one small section) by City Road. Most of The Lane comes within the area (as far up The Lane as the sub station). |
| Beach Hut Hire Mersea Island Lions Beach Hut can be hired on a daily basis for a donation (which goes back to the local community) The beach hut is fully equipped - on the front row - and near to the car parks Details from Mr and Mrs Chamberlain - 07598 302656 |
| THE BRIGHTLINGSEA/POINT CLEAR/EAST MERSEA FOOT FERRY The Ferry starts its 8th season on 2nd April 2011 The custom built ferry boat has a ramp allowing easy access for wheelchair users and cyclists as well as foot passengers In order to provide the best service Brightlingsea Foot Ferry will operate a "Dial a Ferry" service in low season - April to October Dial a Ferry can be booked by calling the Harbour Office before 1pm daily on 01206 302200 or mobile 07981 450169 during operating times Ferry timetables are available from local shops - libraries and tourist information centres further details Brightling sea Ferry Website www.brightlingseaaharbour.org or Tel 01206 302200 Fares - each way Brightlingsea to Point Clear - Adults £1 - Child 50p - Senior Citizen £1 - cycles and dogs 50p Brightlingsea or Point Clear to East Mersea - Adult £2 - Child £1 - Senior Citizen £1.50 - cycles and dogs £1 Dial a Ferry Brightlingsea to Point Clear - Adult £1.50 - Child £1 - Senior Citizen £1.50 - cycles and dogs 50p Brightling sea or Point Clear to East Mersea - Adults £2.50 - Child £1.50 - Senior Citizen £2 - cycles and dogs £1 Monday to Friday - Dial a Ferry 27th September to 31st October - Dial a Ferry Daily Operating Times 10 - 12.30 and 1300 to 17.30 NB No service between 12.30 and 1300 daily (lunch break) Scheduled Service Brightlingsea - Point Clear - Brightlingsea On demand except when the ferry is crossing to East Mersea Brighlingsea - East Mersea - Brightlingsea Three scheduled crossing each day although additional crossings will be provided when possible Scheduled departures from Brightlingsea at 11- 13.30 - 1600 Scheduled departures from East Mersea at 11.15 - 13.45 and 1615 Ferry services may be available outside timetable dates dependent on weather conditions and crew availability for details call - 01206 302200 |
| CIVIC AMENITY AND RECYCLING CENTRE MERSEA ISLAND known locally as "The Tip" UPLAND ROAD - WEST MERSEA Opening times 16 October to end of February Saturday 8am to 4 pm Tuesday to Friday 12 noon to 4 pm 1 March to 15 October Saturday and Monday 8am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday 12noon to 5pm 1 May to 31 August Extended opening hours Tuesday 5pm to 7pm Christmas Eve 8am to 1pm Note - the centre is closed on Sundays The site is also closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day For directions to the recycling centre - information on items that you can recycle there and those that you can’t - go to Essex County Council Recycling website. If you are interested in how green your lifestyle is, and how you could improve it, click on this link to the BBC Green Audit page. |
| OPENING TIMES - ESPLANADE TOILETS
Summer Season 7am to 8pm Winter - - from 1 October to 31 March Open 7am close at 6pm The Fairhaven toilets are closed all winter Unfortunately - due to the current economic climate there are no plans to upgrade or replace the two toilets on the Esplanade - West Mersea |
| WHAT IS A RAMSAR SITE? The Blackwater Estuary is part of a European highway for mi- gratory birds. A highly protected region covered by several im- portant designations, Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and is also a RAMSAR site. Perhaps the most important of these classifica- tions is RAMSAR. Ramsar sites are defined as wetlands of international impor- tance designated under the Ramsar Convention (signed in Ram- sar, Iran in 1971). Natural England advises on Ramsar sites guided by the criteria set out by the Ramsar Convention, out- lined (in brief) below:- 1. Contains rare or unique natural wetlands 2, Supports vulnerable, endangered species 3. Supports and provides refuge for plants or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycle. 4. Regularly supports 20,000 or more water birds 5. Supports significant numbers of indigenous fish species 6. Is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground nursery or migratory path on which fish stocks depend |
| BATS ABOUT BATS Rumour has it that the Queen’s Favourite pastime, when at Balmoral, Is catching bats in a net on the end Of a long pole with the help of her Butler. One wonders what one does with them! If you are privileged enough to have Bats in your roof, a tree, shed, barn or semi derelict outbuilding you own - remember that all UK Bats and their roosts are protected by law. Property owners/householders should find out what they must do if they need to carry out work to a struc- ture or tree, and know or suspect that bats are roost- ing there. For more information contact Colchester Borough Council or the Bats Conservation Trust www.bats,org.uk |
| PLANNING GUIDANCE - HOUSEBOATS A, Any houseboat which has been in place on a mooring for ten years will be immune from enforcement action relating to gangways etc. Likewise any new houseboat, providing it “is not significantly bigger” than the one it is replacing. B. Application for infrastructure to support existing house- boats (i.e.. those which have been in place for less than ten years) including jetties, sheds, platforms and fences and for those replacement houseboats or houseboat alter- ations considered to result in material alterations will be considered on the basis of their scale and impact on the surrounding amenity, environment and landscape. |
| THE PIONEER SAILING TRUST The Pioneer "The Last of the Skillingers" is an 1864 deep sea Colneside fishing smack restored and operated by the Brightlingsea based Pioneer Sailing Trust. With accommodation for up to 12 plus a professional crew of 3 Pioneer can offer both residential and day trips away. This may be part of an educational activity of just because you would like to experience what it is line to sail a traditional local fishing smack The trust now works with many different groups to offer a unique experience aboard Pioneer. This includes local youth organisations, Scout and Guide groups, schools and groups of like minded adults for further information call 01621 776062 or visit website www.pioneersailingtrust.org.uk |
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RECYCLING Please check your copy of the recycling guide and calendar for a reminder of what is collected in each week and bank holiday arrangements. email - recycling@colchester.gov.uk or phone 01206 282700. VARIOUS RECYCLING BAGS AND BOXES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES IN MELROSE ROAD - WEST MERSEA LARGE WHITE CANVAS GARDEN BAGS WHITE CANVAS BAGS COST £3.50 EACH. FREE RECYCLING CONTAINERS Green Boxes - Green recycling containers to residents are free. Customers are entitled to 1 green box, 1 roll of clear sacks during the year, they can pick up or order an additional roll from the Council Offices Melrose Road Mersea. BLACK PLASTIC BAGS Black Refuse Bags and See Through Recycling Bags are delivered to West Mersea houses usually in May COMPOST BINS Compost Bins and food waste digesters are available at reduced prices via www.colchester.gov.uk/composting |
| COLCHESTER BOROUGH COUNCIL PORTFOLIO HOLDERS Cllr Anne Turrell - Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy Cllr Martin Hunt - Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Communications Customers and Leisure Cllr Paul Smith - Portfolio Holder for Culture and Diversity Cllr Beverley Oxford - Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods Cllr Tina Dopson - Portfolio Holder for Performances and Partnership Cllr Lyn Barton - Portfolio Holder for Planning Regeneration and Sustainability Cllr Nigel Offen - Portfolio Holder for Resources and Business Cllr Tim Young - Portfolio Holder for Street and Waste Services To contact the Portfolio Holders call the Cabinet Support Office on 282244 or e mail patocabinet@colchester.gov.uk |
| BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP run by the East of England Co - Op Society is held at Harrison Court, West Mersea on the 1st Friday of every month 1.15pm to 3.15pm for further information contact Evelyn Rutter on 01206 797196 or freephone 0800 0744362 |
| ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY ACTION FOR FAMILY CARERS Run Day Respite Centres in Chelmsford - Maldon and rural villages and Mersea Island. Mersea Island Drop In is a monthly "Drop In" for people with dementia, their carers, family and friends (in conjunction with Action for Family Carers) It is held at Harrison Court - Barfield Road - West Mersea - on Thursdays from 10.15am until 12.30pm. To provide support and information on all aspects of dementia and caring for someone with dementia Lunch is cooked on the premises (small charge). For more information please contact Liz Lucas in advance regarding personal requirements etc. on 01621 851540 (office hours 9 til 4.30pm) |
| "The Way" - Drop In Centre - West Mersea "Open Ears - Open Hearts - Open for All" The Centre is open at the St John Hall - Melrose Road - West Mersea All welcome - meeting every Friday 10.30am to 1.30pm |
West Mersea Colchester Essex, CO5 8JD Telephone and Fax 01206 382128 E-mail: westmerseatc@aol.com Back to top |