Definitely not in danger of missing the last posting day before Christmas is eCourier, the online communication coming our way via Colchester Borough Council. The whole point is to bypass that nice Eric Pickles and his printed politicisation of council propaganda.
The solution?
Switch online.
Mmm – why didn’t we think of that one, Comrades?
CBC’s eCourier just about stays on the right line of information over ideology. There’s a little bit of chest beating, but at precisely zero cost to the Council Tax payers of Sunny Colch.
So that makes it all right then.
The Winter 2012 eCourier is a half decent read. Not only is it growing in size, but also in design and navigability [aha!] The front page itself is link-a-go-go, allowing you to find the content that comes top of your Christmas holiday reading.
Speaking of which, how will you be spending your Christmas this year?
This is the Q being posed in eCourier on the front page. The options are:
Alone
As a couple
With close family
With family and friends
Wot no THREESOME?
Time to get TURNED ON:
“The festive season is upon us and the town’s Christmas lights have been turned on and with Colchester’s new bus station now open and great parking deals on offer, why not head into Colchester for some Christmas shopping.”
The News section leads with:
“Colchester Castle, our town’s star heritage site, is undergoing an exciting transformation. From 7th January 2013 it will close temporarily to visitors, to make way for much-needed improvements. These works will ensure the Castle remains a top-class visitor attraction for many years to come. Colchester Castle Museum will reopen in spring 2014.”
Ah, but wait! What’s this?
“There will be a real ales festival from 19th – 21st March.”
Chin chin.
And what of the cost of re-painting (or whatever) the Castle?
“£3.2 million of the total £4.2 million cost of these works has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The remainder has come from Colchester Borough Council, the European Regional Development Fund (Interreg IVA programme, Norman Connections project), the Renaissance museum hub funding, Friends of Colchester Museums, and Essex Heritage Trust.”
No precise breakdown however. Best hold on to those receipts from B & Q, Comrades.
A nice touch is a promised blog all about the re-painting (or whatever) of the Castle. We can’t but help think that it’s entering slight niche territory, but fine work fellas in keeping the customers / Little People informed.
A bit like:
Colchester’s New Bus Station is Open
Hang on? BUS STATION?
Blimey.
And where’s the exact location, Comrades?
“Colchester’s brand new bus station is now open in Osborne Street and Stanwell Street.”
Ahh – so that will be the Bus Station (that isn’t really a Bus Station.)
“There are improved facilities for passengers; these include a secure, covered and well-lit passenger waiting area, improved toilets and seating, information on journey planning to provide more reliable journeys and information on the local area.”
Job’s a good ‘un, but if you get bored waiting for the next double decker to Dedham, Gala Bingo would welcome your custom.
Two Fat Ladies, etc.
Never mind the length, feel the thickness:
“In celebration of their 50th birthday, Colchester Zoo is presenting Stand Tall for Giraffes, a huge public art event, in partnership with their charity, Action in the Wild, and global leaders in mass participation art events, Wild in Art.
For 12 weeks in the summer of 2013, Colchester’s streets, parks and open spaces will be taken over by some unusual visitors…”
Makes a change to some of the… unusual visitors you can sometimes find in Castle Park during the summer months.
All Things Green covers food collection:
“All Colchester households will soon be able to recycle even more, helping to make the borough greener thanks to over £2.3 million recently awarded to the Council.
Following the success of the food waste collection trial involving over 7,000 households since autumn 2011, weekly food waste collection will be rolled out to all residents over the coming months.”
“New McDonald”s sponsored litter bins have been installed in and around Colchester town centre, Cowdray Avenue and Stanway.”
Solution?
Don’t buy junk food.
Which leads us to fitness and:
Exciting Proposals for Castle Park
“Proposals are being made for an adult outdoor gym (which are becoming increasingly popular). They offer the opportunity for people to enjoy exercise in a welcoming outdoor environment.”
Plus the roof is unlikely to fall in requiring extensive repairs. The showers don’t get clogged up with pubes, either.
But back on the street:
“The Colchester Station Travel Plan partnership has won the ‘Station Travel Plan Measure for Cycling Award’ at the National Rail Cycle Awards 2012.
Colchester’s Station Travel Plan is one of 24 pilot schemes nationwide. The successful partnership between Colchester Borough Council, Greater Anglia and Essex County Council has been working hard to deliver improvements at Colchester Station, including changes that have an emphasis on cycling. AT least 50% more people now use bikes to travel to the station.”
Not perfect, but it’s a start.
The car still rules around Sunny Colch though, and no more so than at CBC. Despite wanting to send out a sustainable [URGH] transport policy message, there is a plug for the cheapo parking in the town centre each Wednesday in the run up to Christmas.
eCourier concludes with the Christmas and New Year arrangements across Council services. It brings home the scope of work that is carried out by CBC. It’s not all about potholes, parking and dog pooh.
You can sign up for future eCourier by sending a mail over here.
Anything to please that nice Eric Pickles.
One Comment
If we end up with an adult gym like the one in Redbridge it will be a good thing. Proper gym equipment and people taking advantage of it.