United Kingdom "Lockdown"

All should by now be aware of the unprecedented measures taken by the Government to prevent the spread of coronavirus among its citizens.  People are required to stay at home and only leave their homes in certain circumstances.

Colchester Museums Closed during Coronavirus Outbreak

The Essex Society for Archaeology and History has received public notice of the closure of Colchester Castle Museum of Hollytrees "for the duration" of the Covid-19 outbreak.  This means that access to our Storeroom will not be possible in the usual way.

Closure of Colchester Borough Council Buildings and delivery of council services.
Following the Government’s advice on helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 we have taken the decision to close our buildings to the public from the end of today (Wednesday 18 March).
However, while our buildings are closed to the public, all other services, including the Community Hub and Waste and Recycling Service, are operating as usual. Our parks, public spaces and public toilets are also open.

The buildings that will close to the public include: All Leisure World sites (including Aqua Springs) Charter Hall Town Hall Colchester Castle Museum Hollytrees Museum (including the Visitor Information Centre) The Natural History Museum High Woods Country Park Visitor Centre Colchester Borough Homes Greenstead Housing Office

It is anticipated that these buildings will be closed for the foreseeable future. However this will be reviewed on at least a weekly basis.

We would like to reassure the public that anyone who has purchased a ticket or place for any of our classes, events or shows at any of these venues will be contacted over the next few days and offered a refund or the opportunity to attend any events or shows being rescheduled. Leisure World - Membership charges for Leisure World will be frozen during this period. colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/ Colchester Museums - While Colchester Castle and the museums will be closed to the general public, they will still accommodate any planned educational visits behind closed doors while the schools remain open. cimuseums.org.uk/ The Visitor Information Centre - (based in Hollytrees Museum) will continue to operate through its website visitcolchester.com and its social media channels providing advice for locals and visitors alike, with updates on venues and attractions during this time. visitcolchester.com/ Colchester Borough Homes - Tenants will continue to be able to contact Colchester Borough Homes by telephone on 01206 282514 or email info@cbhomes.org.uk for advice and assistance. cbhomes.org.uk/ Residents needing to contact the council during this period can access the council’s service’s digitally through our website and details of how to contact services can be found at  colchester.gov.uk/contact/ or by calling 01206 282222. The Community Hub at Colchester Library remains open as usual, with opening hours of 9am-5pm.  Waste and recycling collections remain in place and are being maintained.

Essex Society for Archaeology and History: Latest News on Covid-19. Closure of Albert Sloman Library

This is to let you know that, sadly, the Albert Sloman Library at the University of Essex which houses the Society's collection of books will be closed to users from today, Tuesday 17 March, until further notice. This decision has been taken as a consequence of the seriousness of current coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic.

I would be obliged if you could let ESAH members know that access to the Society’s library will not be possible until the Covid-19 crisis has abated. I will let you know just as soon as I can of the proposed reopening date for the Library.

Please note that during the closure period I will be visiting the Library occasionally, working from home, and generally keeping up-to-date with my emails. So, if an ESAH member has a particularly pressing need to access a book or journal from the Library, I will do my best to facilitate this.

Apologies for having to be the bearer of this unfortunate news.

Regards,

Nigel Cochrane

Essex Society for Archaeology and History: Latest News on events and meetings in light of Covid-19

Update

17 March 2020

Subject: ESAH and pandemic

Hope you are all well. Unfortunately the wording of our notice to members has been overtaken by events. With government advice now to avoid unnecessary travel and social interaction tomorrow's visit to Miss Wilmotts garden should not go ahead. Howard/Jane do you have email adresses or phone numbers for those who have booked (I imagine there aren't that many) if so could you contact them at let them know not to attend. If not we'll just have to hope they have heard and heed the government advice. Perhaps also let the host of the event know. Thanks and sorry to bother you with this.

Nigel


14 March 2020
The following is being sent to all registered members

Dear Member,
Re: Corona virus and ESAH events and meetings

In view of the ongoing Corona virus pandemic it has been necessary to make some changes to
the ESAH programme of events. In accordance with government advice, this week’s visit
to Miss Wilmott’s garden will proceed as planned. It is an open air event, numbers will be small and
if simple precautions such as not shaking hands and maintaining a greater distance than usual from
each other risk will be minimal.

However, it has been decided to postpone both the Morant Lecture (25th April) and visit to
the Warner Textile archive (22nd May). Whilst current government advice does not require the
postponement of such events the Society has decided to take a precautionary approach. Revised dates
will be advertised in due course, for those of you who have booked but are unable to attend on the
revised dates refunds will be offered. Committee and Council meetings planned for late March and
April have also been postponed.

It is hoped that the AGM will proceed as planned on 27th June, if it has to be postponed notification
will be given, and the revised date will be 17th October.

I apologise for any inconvenience caused but hope you will understand the circumstance which have
led to these decisions. If you would like any further information or clarification please contact me or Howard Brooks (our Secretary) at essexarchaeology@hotmail.com.

Yours sincerely
Nigel Brown
President