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SERVICESThis section introduces you to many of the services available here on Mersea and in the Borough of Colchester. Click on any of the headings in the LEFT hand column for further details. |
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MEALS ON WHEELS |
| If you feel that either you or a family member would
benefit from this service then please call us at
West Mersea Town Council on 01206 382128 or call into
the office at 10 Melrose Road, West Mersea between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mon - Fri |
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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 |
| 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. The first Lifeboat Station was built next to the Yacht Club on the corner of Firs Road in 1963 - 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 Main Contact Lifeboat Operations Manager - Roger Paramor West Mersea Lifeboat Station Coast Road - West Mersea Tel: 01206 382914 Website: www.rnli.org.uk This years Open Days 13 - 18th August. 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 where a host of local events are staged - Christmas Pantomimes - Plays - Concerts - as well as providing sports facilities for Badminton, Squash, Carpet Bowls etc.etc. The Mersea Centre 38A High Street - West Mersea CO58QA Centre Manager - Ken Bennett 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 Many groups in Mersea hire out their premises to organisations other than their own below is a brief list of them - 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 Scout Hall - Melrose Road The Mersea Centre - Small Hall - Large Hall - High Street Council Chamber - Melrose Road Shutes Hall at the Methodist Church - Mill Road The Mersea Museum - High Street (October to March) East Mersea Village Hall - East Mersea The Packing Shed East Mersea Youth Camp - winter only St Peter and St Paul Parish Church Hall Glebe Pavilion The Glebe - West Mersea |
| BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP The East of England Co-operative Society would like to invite you to their Bereavement Support Group You don't need to be alone. By attending our Support Group you will meet people who know something of what you are going through. A place to share your feelings with people who truly understand Meetings at Harrison Court West Mersea 1st Friday in every month 1.15pm to 3.15pm For further information - Evelyn Rutter - Support Services Freephone 0800 074 4362. Back to top |
| 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 Sparkes on 01206 383372 School parties may visit outside normal hours by arrangement Contact Pat Kirby - schools@merseamuseum.org.uk 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 - old bricks were used, 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 This year's (2007) main theme is The Romans in Mersea The Museum is run by a dedicated team of volunteers. website. www. merseamuseum.org.uk |
| 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 |
| 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 - today their role is total dedication to saving lives at sea - but it wasn't always so... The Coastguard Service was founded in 1822 to prevent Smuggling - they were known at that time as The Revenue Men and they were not very popular - sometimes referred to by the derogatory term "Monkeys". A Lookout Hut for Mersea coastguards was built in the grounds of Orleans House near the beach reached by a sloping path - later laid with steps. Local legend claims that the hut was known as the Monkey's House - the steps then became the Monkey Steps and the beach below the Monkey Beach - and the names have stuck to this day. |
| OSTEOPATHS Karen E Farrant - Osteopath 86 Coast Road - West Mersea - CO5 8LS Tel: 01206 385362 |
| POLICING IN MERSEA West Mersea Police Station East Road - West Mersea Tel: 01206 762212 The Police Station is manned Saturdays 2.15pm to 4.15pm Neighbourhood Specialist Officer - PC Lawrie Parker There are also two PCSO's (Police Community Support Officers) covering this area - Adam Ryder and Sarah Duke The policing priorities for Mersea - Abberton and Fingringhoe are anti-social behaviour - criminal damage - theft The Police also plan to address the issue of under age drinking around the island This year they will be providing high visibility policing in the area of the seafront of West Mersea Colchester District Commander is Chief Inspector Steve Johnson e mail - Steve-Johnson MOBILE POLICE STATION The Mobile Police Unit visits both East and West Mersea at regular times throughout the year The Mobile Police Office will be at West Mersea Police Station on Friday 21st March from 2.15pm to 4.15pm and at East Mersea Post Office on Wednesday 26th March from 2.30pm to 3.15pm Residents are welcome to come along and discuss any concerns |
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Policing the old fashioned way |
| WEST MERSEA DENTAL SURGERY 32a Kingsland Road - West Mersea - CO5 8RA The Dental Surgery opened in 1981 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 |
| CHIROPODY Karen Parr Chiropodist and Podiatrist 54 High Street - West Mersea Tel: 01206 384862 |
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 The Mistral The Journal of the Mersea Island Society Produced annually Editors - Sarah Shehadah ~ Alan Crabb |
| COLCHESTER BOROUGH COUNCIL - CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE The Customer Service Centre is situated in High Street - Colchester It is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.20pm - 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 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 |
| 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 7 to 8000 residents. The purpose built surgery has been on the same site since 1980. Five local businessmen bought the land before forming a Syndicate and inviting the public to purchase bonds - about 70 local people took up the offer and the surgery was built, in line with the necessary NHS requirements, in record time. The Syndicate receive an income from letting the premises o the Doctors and the Family Practitioners Council reimburse the doctors rent |
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| PHYSIOTHERAPy Tim Humphries B.Sc (Hons) MCSP AACP Chartered Physiotherapist 12 Yorick Road - West Mersea Tel: 01206 386523 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 are a group of local people who meet regularly to discuss community driven priorities and actions. Mersea Neighbourhood Specialist Officer ia PC Ian Lewis 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 |
| NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION PANEL UPDATE Are you affected by - graffiti - anti social behaviour - speeding vehicles - vandalism - litter - etc etc - in your local community? Your Local Neighbourhood Action Panel - NAP - could help! M. I. (Mersea Island) NAP Public Consultations 2008 Wednesday 7th May @ 6.30 to 7pm Wed - 2nd July @ 9.30am to 10am Wed 3rd September @2pm - 2.30pm Wed 5th November @ 9.30 am - 10pm all held at West Mersea Town Council Offices Melrose Road - West Mersea for more info - Tel 01206 717819/8 |
| COLCHESTER NHS WALK IN CENTRE Suite B - Ground Floor - The Octagon, Middleborough - Colchester CO1 1TG Tel: 01206 744300 - No appointment is necessary The service is for all Colchester and area residents - visitors to Colchester and those commuting to and from Colchester. This is an additional service that complements current health services |
| 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 |
| LOCAL 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 |
| REFLEXOLOGY Catherine Ward M.A.R. Mersea Clinic Now Open 01621 860673 Jayne Hanley IIHT MICHT NLP EFT 01206 381645 (Ladies only) |
| THE MERSEA ISLAND COMMUNITY FUND is part of the Essex Community Foundation Mersea Islanders between them run nearly 100 clubs and organisations working in the community to help local people. From time to time voluntary groups need help to fund overheads or to run projects and activities to help local people, young and old, in their community. The Mersea Island Community Fund has been set up specifically to support community groups and charities on Mersea Island Management of the Fund Living in a community gives a true understanding of local needs and therefore leads to effective grant making. A panel of Advisors made up from local people in Mersea will work with the Essex Community Fund to distribute grants from the fund. The Mersea Island Community Fund provides a channel through which individuals, families, companies or local charitable trusts can support the community in which they live. Also by using the Gift Aid Scheme individual donations can be enhanced by a further 28% if you are a taxpayer" |
| 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 Outdoors or the International Youth Camp - as it is more 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. |
| PICK YOUR OWN FARM The Pick Your Own Nursery is 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 as part of the annual "Mersea in Bloom" project 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 KHANHIWARA (MONDAY) CUB PACK 8 to 10 years Leaders - Sarah Thorley - Tel: 01206 382109 David Bragg - 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 SEA SCOUTS 10 to 14 years Leader - Neil Mortimer - Tel: 07812045288 |
| EAST MERSEA PARISH COUNCIL East Mersea is a small but thriving village. East Mersea Parish Council serves a rural community of some 110 residents. Parish Clerk - Mr. Len Broadhurst - 01206 383894 e mail len@broadhurst.freeserve.co.uk For more information see website www.essexinfo.net/east-mersea-parish-council/ |
| THE MERSEA ISLAND BEACH CLUB usually 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 (the 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 |
POLICING IN MERSEA Mersea has two Police Community Support Officers This is Sarah one of our local Community Policewoman on duty at "Mersea Lights Up" Fortunately most of the people she has to deal with have somewhat smaller ears! |
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| 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. On the seaward side of Coast Road the Conservation area stretches from the Monkey Steps across St Peter's Well Meadow over the mudflats where the Houseboats are moored across the oyster beds, boat yards and dinghy parks down to Mersea Hard ending at The Nothe. On the landward side of Coast Road it starts 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 as the sub station. |
West Mersea Colchester Essex, CO5 8JD Telephone and Fax 01206 382128 E-mail: westmerseatc@aol.com Back to top |