Help!

[Lixielu]

Hi everyone, I'm moving back to Colchester after 2 years in London. Feeling quite anxious about it as I felt so cut off when i used to live in Rowhedge with my baby son who is now 5.

Went to London to do my degree and a baby girl too! Now that uni is finished my DH thinks that a move back to Colchester will be better for the kids.I agree but am worried about feeling cut off again!

Just found this site and would be very grateful for any advice about local baby clubs etc. Thanks!

There are people in Colchester and most of us are quite nice. Why did you feel so cut off? Was it Rowhedge?
I have found that once you get out and about a bit you meet loads of people and there are lots of things to do.
Well done for doing a degree with 2 children by the way! Surely if you can do that, then you can cope with most things!

The NCT do a fair amount of things in Colchester, and there are lots and lots of baby activity groups - music, gymnastics, singing, swimming - and the zoo is excellent too. I've just moved out of Colchester to a very rural area, and miss the activities and NCT organised things very much

Have you thought about living in one of the fantastic villages around Colchester rather than in the town itself? If you pick a biggish village it will be easier to tap into the local groups and community, plus you will have a primary school in the village as well. I lived in Coggeshall and loved it, hence why I suggest a village rather than town.

Check out the NCT website for the Colchester area, and get hold of their last newsletter which will detail all the local clubs and will have ads for the music groups etc.

There's loads to do in colchester - you could probably find a baby group/class on everyday if you wanted to - and the zoo is a great benefit.

Do you drive?

I live just outside teh centre of town and love being able to walk in whenever we want, via the park, go to the museum etc - but also v close by to the countryside.

I can understand you feeling a bit cut off in Rowhedge - its quite a small village isn't it?

There are quite a few of us that meet up every now and again as well and there's always someone to chat to - I've also found most of the baby groups etc really friendly and not too cliquey!

And congrats on the degree!

thanks ladies! yes I think it may have been Rowhedge and although I drive I don't have a car so found getting around a bit difficult.

Missisboot - are the coffee mornings the ones that are mentioned on this site or is there some others you know about?

I am moving to the Solus development off of berechurch hall road. I'm just very pleased that I found this site which up until now I never knew existed! Thanks again!

I would second the zoo.

There tends to be some of us meeting up each week at someone's house, but there are also a few things going on in town. There are La Leche meetings and NCT meetings at the Quaker Meeting House on Fridays. There are also a few different Toddler Groups around (twims will probably give you better info about them, she always seems to know whats going on).

From where you are moving you will have good access into town, so you'll be able to get to different things quite easily.

Another god place is Colchester Gym Club, but you would need a car to get there.

Let us know once you have moved and we can get together somewhere that is convenient for you.

Hi Lixielu

I don't live too far from you.

I know there's a friendly toddler group in Layer de la Haye on a Wednesday morning 10 am to 12 pm.

Also a good toddler group at St Cedds on a Thursday morning.

I also went to a music/play/story session over at Birch school today (ran by Surestart) and it was really lovely and best of all free.

I know they do them all over Colchester, the nearest one will probably be in Monkwick.

HTH
Miranda

Hi Lixielu

You are moving fairly close to me as well There is a sure start centre in Monwick which will be your closest. There are loads of things to do, as people have said

Big congrats on doing your degree with the 2 kids

hi lixielu
i used to live in rowhedge! about 4yrs ago now - never spoke to anyone in the village!!

Dont worry at all about being cut off in Colchester - there's so much to do!! And, Mung - what do you mean 'most' of us are nice!! we are all lovely!

We go to the baby gym and little monkeys and swimming at leisure world, adventureland, the zoo, and i try to get to MN meet ups, but as ive started uni (part time) its really tricky now. Just come to one of the get-togethers, you will be fine! What degree did you do? When are you moving in?

One word of warning - mumsnet is ridiculously addictive.

Hi Lixielou,

I'm not actually in Colchester but just wanted to say hi & hope to meet you & LO's at a meet up soon