June 2010
June 27
Passing through Copford yesterday, I couldn’t help but notice a number of scarecrows outside peoples homes. It transpired that today is an Open Gardens and Scarecrow day! These are the photos I took:
June 19
From the headline of the article below you would be forgiven for thinking Cycle Colchester has been awarded a further £1 million. As it turns out it is actually part of the original £4.2million budget, so no big deal after all. Still less of a deal is what it will be spent on:
“Upgraded” (read ‘shared-use’*) path along North Station Road rather than dedicated facility (owing to the importance of parking bays); “improvements” to Crouch Street that won’t include an adequate contraflow (owing to the importance of parking bays)… with all this and more, I just can’t wait for the final year of ‘Cycling Town’!
Given how cyclists were treated in the winter, I’m sure Essex County Council spokesman, Michael Page, wasn’t being serious when he said their, “objective is to make cycling a genuine option”. Nor when he spoke of, “improving cycle paths and signs”, since everything (bar the undergrowth) in my Route 51 report (submitted a year ago) is still outstanding.
As if by chance, today is the start of Bike Week, but not in Colchester! Still, I’m sure there must be plenty going on in July, or August…
* So keen are Cycle Colchester on putting cyclists and pedestrians into conflict, they’ve produced a leaflet to enlighten us all on how to get along!
June 17
I have finally managed to process pictures and video from the ‘Scotland in Colchester’ pipe band contest, held in Castle Park on Sunday. The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association put on a great show, and the people of Colchester came in their numbers to appreciate it.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out, with the most terrific sound!
While the pipers and drummers were at lunch, the crowd were kept entertained by highland dancers.
June 5
Set of Continental Grand Prix 4000S tyres for my road bike, sourced from Hargroves Cycles.
June 1
Had a fantastic day out at the Wivenhoe May Fair yesterday. With live music, Transition Wivenhoe’s bicycle-powered cinema, craft stalls, and beer tent, there was no shortage of entertainment!
Entries made in May.