Upcoming
Events
-
Cafe Opening Time
Wednesday to Sunday
10am to 4pm
Colchester Café Scientifique: Hydrogen
Hydrogen: A key player in the fight against climate change?
Over the past five years, hydrogen technologies have attracted
significant global investment, taking a more prominent role in
net-zero strategies. But why is hydrogen becoming a flagship for
decarbonisation of problematic sectors and does it truly live up to
the hype?
This talk explores hydrogen’s growing role in the fight against climate change, examining where it fits in the near-term energy transition and how it could reshape the way we power our lives over
the coming century. From decarbonising heavy industry and transport to supporting renewable energy systems, hydrogen promises both opportunity and controversy.
Thomas Liddy, PhD candidate from the University of Nottingham, will introduce the fundamentals of hydrogen, its current and emerging role within the UK energy landscape, and the challenges that lie ahead. The talk will also showcase examples of cutting-edge research across all aspects of this topic.
Admission is free by ticket only. (SOLD OUT)
They are issued on a first come first served basis from
Access will be via the garden gate entrance at the rear. For directions, see:- https://what3words.com/formed.handle.sits
For details of previous meetings, visit cafescientifique.org
Visit the Facebook Page:- www.facebook.com/cafescientifiquecolchester
West African Drumming with Hassan
Hassan of "Drumz Kool" has been playing and teaching West African Percussion for nearly 20 years. He has been taught by Famoudu Konaté, the top most master of this art form from Guinea, West Africa.
For a better understanding of exactly what Hassan does please see "Drumz Kool" on youtube.
Fee - £10 per person (cash only)
Jazz Gig and Jam
8pm - midnight (doors open 7.30pm)
You are invited to this Jazz party with a jam in the Commons cafe. At 8pm A heavy grooving sextet will play two sets swing, funk and Latin
jazz, followed by a jam session at 10pm - all jazz / funk/ latin musicians and singers welcome to join in.
This will be a sociable event where you can mingle, show off on the dance floor or just chill and enjoy the live music with a drink.
The cafe is selling wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.The band features these fine musicians:
Carl Sterling – saxophone, Ian Buzer – trumpet, Tony Gooderham – keys,
Gareth George – guitar, Josh Graham – bass, Elmer Van Der Hoek –
drums
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Henna for Beginners: Workshop by Pinky Moonflower Mehndi
£40 per person, please contact Pinky for any enquiries
- Brief history of henna and its origins
- Importance of using 100% natural, chemical-free henna
How to hold a henna cone properly
- Understanding the importance of pressure
- Learning basic design elements to create a flower: lines, frills, petals, and shading
Bonus:
- Complimentary small henna design from Pinky
- Aftercare kit
- Workbook for practice at home
Ladies Wot Lunch
Join us for this monthly lunch club at the Commons Café and community space at the Minories. This informal gathering takes place on the third Wednesday of the month and is an opportunity for casual networking and friendship. Bring friends, or come on your own as a way to meet new people – all welcome.
A variety of vegetarian food and drink will be available to buy at the café.
Drop in, no booking required.
Lace Art Social
Lace Making Meetup. Fortnightly at The Commons
Join this Lace Making Meetup on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Bring along your own lace projects, and let's make lace
together!
Easter Bread Making Workshop
Whether you're a seasoned baker or a complete beginner, this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to add some homemade charm to their holiday celebrations. Giovanni will guide you through each step of the process, from mixing the dough to shaping and baking the loaves.
Learn how to bake delicious Easter breads from scratch and impress your friends and family with your new skills. No experience needed! These are the breads that we will make during the workshop:
· Paska: traditional ukranian sweet and fragrant easter bread enriched with vanilla, ginger and citrus juice.
· Casatiello: a savory italian bread filled with salame, pancetta, mature cheese, black pepper and eggs.
· Osterpinze: an austrian easter bread, sweet and lightly spiced with white wine and sultanas. Hot drinks and recipes included.
£80.50 per person
Eventbrite link to book and find more information:
The Culinary Adventures of a Travelling Baker
Born in Naples, Giovanni is the fourth-generation baker in his family, which owns a bakery in Pollena Trocchia in the Vesuvius National Park, near Naples. It was there where he was taught by his grandmother Maria from an early age. After graduating at 18 from the cookery academy of Pollena Trocchia, he started to work full time in his family bakery until he was 22 when he began traveling the world, baking along the way. Now living in England for almost 10 years, Giovanni works as a baking teacher and teaches various categories of courses in different venues across Essex, Suffolk and London.
Pub Quiz at the Commons
Join Quizmaster duo Shaz & BP
for our Spring Pub Quiz at the Commons!
Put your trivia skills to the test with a night of fun and tomfoolery. Whether you’re a quiz whiz or just in it for laughs, it’s the perfect way to unwind, enjoy some friendly competition, and maybe even win bragging rights. Come and grab a drink, and let’s see who knows their stuff!
This is a fundraising event by Common Ground Colchester, the community
co-operative which runs the Commons Community Café. All donations raised will go towards keeping the cafe open, keeping our events free for all, and supporting
our volunteers.
Quiz takes place 7-9 pm
(doors open from 6 pm)
Entry: £6 per person
Maximum 4 people in a team
Food and drink will be available to purchase on the night. There will be a pub hamper prize for the winning team!
TO BOOK
Reserve your place at https://commons-pub-quiz-march.eventbrite.com
Pay at The Commons Cafe to secure your place by 6.40pm on the night.
Please note that your ticket may be offered to someone else if you've not paid/secured your place by 6.40pm
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Colchester Digital
Join Colchester Digital for an evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Tickets are free, but please sign up. The bar is open with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Colchester Digital is a Meetup group for individuals and businesses in and around the Colchester area. We welcome everyone working or interested in the creative or Tech industries.
Colchester Digital meets regularly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. We come together to share knowledge, experience, and information, and where possible, to collaborate on a wider scale.
6.30-7.00 Arrive, chat, grab a slice of pizza and drink
6.55-7.00 Welcome and quick intros
7.00-8.00 Talks and presentations by invited guest speakers
8.00-8.30 Final bit of networking before we wrap
Jazz Organ-Guitar Trio
You are invited to a night of jazz at the Commons Café!
Organ-guitar trio featuring outstanding internationally acclaimed musicians:
Jim Watson is a pianist, organist, composer and improviser who is currently working with Manu Katche with recent collaborations with Sting, Katie Melua, Kurt Elling, Chrissie Hynde, Incognito, Richard Bona and many others. He recently released a solo album ' Calling you home' which received excellent reviews https://jimwatson.net/.
Chris Allard is a freelance guitarist based in Wivenhoe. He has performed at major venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Pyramids and Great Sphinx (Cairo), the Barbican, Montreux Jazz Festival and Ronnie Scott’s. He has released several albums under his name and has performed and recorded with the likes of Jacqui Dankworth, Dave O’Higgins, Dame Cleo Laine, Sir John Dankworth, Jamie Cullum and regularly tours with the BBC Big Band www.chrisallard.co.uk.
Elmer Van Der Hoek is a local jazz drummer who has been arranging jazz gigs and jam in Colchester for over 15 years.
Beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will be available from the bar.
The band will be playing two sets between 7.30 - 10 pm .
Entrance is via the back door in the wall behind the Minories, just across the Firstsite Art Centre. Doors open 6.30pm.
Tickets: £10 general / £7 for <18 and in full education.
Available via QR code, online via https://good-show.co.uk/events/3532 at the café, or on the door.
The Commons Café at The Minories
74 High St, Colchester CO1 1UE
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Bread and Butter Vegan Night Market
Our monthly vegan night market, nestled in the secret garden, with local vegan vendors, street food options, DJ and bar
Accessible access through the side door, to the left of The Minories entrance.
Kid-friendly, well-behaved dogs welcome
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
West African Drumming with Hassan
Hassan of "Drumz Kool" has been playing and teaching West African Percussion for nearly 20 years. He has been taught by Famoudu Konaté, the top most master of this art form from Guinea, West Africa.
For a better understanding of exactly what Hassan does please see "Drumz Kool" on youtube.
Fee - £10 per person (cash only)
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Ladies Wot Lunch
Join us for this monthly lunch club at the Commons Café and community space at the Minories. This informal gathering takes place on the third Wednesday of the month and is an opportunity for casual networking and friendship. Bring friends, or come on your own as a way to meet new people – all welcome.
A variety of vegetarian food and drink will be available to buy at the café.
Drop in, no booking required.
Spring Bread Making Workshop
Join Giovanni to learn the art of baking delicious bread from scratch. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned baker, this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their baking skills. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, knead some dough, and enjoy the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread.
During this workshop we will make:
· Jerusalem artichoke (topinambur), paprika and mixed seeds bread
· Radish and Almonds Bread
· Peas, Pumpkin seeds and Mint Bread
£68.50 per person
Eventbrite link to book and find more information:
The Culinary Adventures of a Travelling Baker
Born in Naples, Giovanni is the fourth-generation baker in his family, which owns a bakery in Pollena Trocchia in the Vesuvius National Park, near Naples. It was there where he was taught by his grandmother Maria from an early age. After graduating at 18 from the cookery academy of Pollena Trocchia, he started to work full time in his family bakery until he was 22 when he began traveling the world, baking along the way. Now living in England for almost 10 years, Giovanni works as a baking teacher and teaches various categories of courses in different venues across Essex, Suffolk and London.
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
West African Drumming with Hassan
Hassan of "Drumz Kool" has been playing and teaching West African Percussion for nearly 20 years. He has been taught by Famoudu Konaté, the top most master of this art form from Guinea, West Africa.
For a better understanding of exactly what Hassan does please see "Drumz Kool" on youtube.
Fee - £10 per person (cash only)
Ladies Wot Lunch
Join us for this monthly lunch club at the Commons Café and community space at the Minories. This informal gathering takes place on the third Wednesday of the month and is an opportunity for casual networking and friendship. Bring friends, or come on your own as a way to meet new people – all welcome.
A variety of vegetarian food and drink will be available to buy at the café.
Drop in, no booking required.
West African Drumming with Hassan
Hassan of "Drumz Kool" has been playing and teaching West African Percussion for nearly 20 years. He has been taught by Famoudu Konaté, the top most master of this art form from Guinea, West Africa.
For a better understanding of exactly what Hassan does please see "Drumz Kool" on youtube.
Fee - £10 per person (cash only)
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Pattern Up Episode 3
Colchester's multi-genre dance music event returns for its first event of the year, breathing new life into our city's dance music scene for 2026.
Pattern Up returns to Commons Cafe at The Minories. Led by Project Lando the event is designed to help early career DJ's and Mc's with a
space to play live, some for the first time. Also bringing headline DJ's to keep the dance music scene alive in Colchester. With some reports stating that dance music, grassroots talent venues closing at a rate of three per week nationwide, it is important to maintain regular events in Colchester.
Pattern Up has an under 18's welcome policy to give those not quite old enough to get into nightclubs a safe space to socialise.
The event also celebrates dance music as a way of showcasing diversity and culture in the UK, genres like UK Garage, or Jungle music, House music would not be possible without our rich diverse culture.
Join us and support the new wave of dance music artists.
Bread and Butter Vegan Night Market
Our monthly vegan night market, nestled in the secret garden, with local vegan vendors, street food options, DJ and bar
Accessible access through the side door, to the left of The Minories entrance.
Kid-friendly, well-behaved dogs welcome
Lace Art Social
Lace Making Meetup. Fortnightly at The Commons
Join this Lace Making Meetup on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Bring along your own lace projects, and let's make lace
together!
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Love Music Hate Racism: JAZZ
An evening of live Jazz and Moroccan song at The Commons Cafe to promote CUAR's (Colchester United Against Racism) anti-racist and anti-far right message. All proceeds from ticket sales go to Colchester Unite Against Racism.
JAZZ RAGE AGAINST RACISM QUARTET
will play a mixture of melodious jazz standards, bossa nova and funky tunes. Easy to listen to and some to dance to.
Carl Sterling - sax
Dave Holland - keys
Simon Wood - double bass
Elmer van der Hoek - drums
PADS AND STRINGS QUARTET
a local jazz quartet who'll be playing a mix of jazz standards and some unusual ones as well. They're all experienced musicians who play in a variety of jazz bands
Neil Bateman saxophone
Andrew Keddie guitar
Rob Palmer bass
David Parker drums.
ALEX BELLA - guitar & Moroccan vocals
£12 standard ticket.
£15 solidarity ticket, with donation to CUAR.
Colchester Digital
Join Colchester Digital for an evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Tickets are free, but please sign up. The bar is open with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Colchester Digital is a Meetup group for individuals and businesses in and around the Colchester area. We welcome everyone working or interested in the creative or Tech industries.
Colchester Digital meets regularly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. We come together to share knowledge, experience, and information, and where possible, to collaborate on a wider scale.
6.30-7.00 Arrive, chat, grab a slice of pizza and drink
6.55-7.00 Welcome and quick intros
7.00-8.00 Talks and presentations by invited guest speakers
8.00-8.30 Final bit of networking before we wrap
Moving Upstream: Ganga (Documentary Screening)
Veditum India Foundation is a research and media organisation based in Kolkata, India, working at the intersection of environment, culture, and society. In Sanskrit, ‘Veditum’ means ‘to understand’. Through innovative methods in ground level research, documentation and use of media tools, stories of Indian environment and people are being brought to life. Veditum’s intent is to further amplify these stories, involve young Indians in this process and push for collective action where required.
This documentary, filmed on a 3000km walk along River Ganga by Siddharth Agarwal, is part of Veditum India Foundation’s Moving Upstream project. The walk took place between June 2016 and April 2017, starting from Ganga Sagar in West Bengal and finishing at Gangotri in Uttarakhand.
Language - Hindi and English
(Subtitles are available)
Donations are warmly welcomed (cash only). A donation box will be set up at the café during the screening, and all contributions will be forwarded to the Veditum organisation.
Venue - Commons cafe
Time - 6 pm to 8 pm
There will be a bar and food available for purchase during the evening.
Watch the trailer here.
EMOM: Electronic Music Open Mic!
Clip and the Colchester Electronic Collective Presents
EMOM: Electronic Music Open Mic
Eight acts from across the spectrum of electronic music genres play
short sets of original music. Food and drink will be available for purchase on the night.
All ages are welcome.
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Ember Sessions
In this the debut ember sessions show, three incredible folk artists will softly share their stories with song. There will be live drawing throughout by Tina Bullen.
Tickets £10 / £8
£8 tickets are available for Friends of The Minories and Commons Cafe Members from Gemma in the East Anglian Folk Centre (first floor of the Minories)
Finding Common Ground: February Social
Join us for this regular social at The Commons. Help shape our plans for this year, relax with some food and drink, and meet the Common Ground Community.
Free, all welcome.
Drop in - no booking required.
Sicilian Street Food Making Workshop
Learn the secrets of Sicilian street food in this hands-on workshop!
Come join us for a delicious journey through Sicilian cuisine. Indulge in authentic Sicilian delicacies that will transport you to the streets of Sicily. Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavours and rich culinary tradition of Sicilian street food while enjoying a fun and casual atmosphere.
During the workshop, we will do the following recipes :
Panelle (Sicilian chickpea fritters) are a typical Sicilian street food. These crispy little bites made with chickpea flour are exceptionally delicious served in a rustic bun and drizzled with fresh lemon juice.
Sfincione Siciliano is a Sicilian style focaccia unlike any other you've tried before. Topped with a rich tomato sauce, crispy bread crumbs, grated cheese, onions, and oregano for a satisfying crunch with every bite!
Sicilian Calzone is a typical street food. A pizza-like dough is filled with Spinach, cherry tomatoes, cheese and anchovies to create a tasty treat enjoyed as a snack or quick lunch.Don't miss this opportunity to savour the best of Sicilian cuisine right here in Colchester.
Hot drinks and recipes will be included.
Tickets: £70.50
Lace Art Social
Lace Making Meetup. Fortnightly at The Commons
Join this Lace Making Meetup on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Bring along your own lace projects, and let's make lace
together!
Creative Colchester February Social
This February, the Commons Café is hosting Creative Colchester’s monthly social.
Come and meet the city’s creative community in a relaxed setting – it’s the perfect way to meet fellow creatives, share stories, and
projects, find collaborations and forge friendships.
Free event. Drop in for a short while or stay the whole evening. Drinks and bar snacks will be available for purchase at the café/bar.
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Valentine's Jazz: Not Just For Lovers
We are celebrating Valentine's Day 'not just for lovers!' at the Commons cafe with a superb jazz band.
Whether you are looking for a romantic tête-à-tête with your darling, wishing to celebrate the freedom following a break-up, are on the look-out for a new date who shares a love for jazz or just want to enjoy some great music, you will be catered for!
This will be a sociable event where you can mingle, dance or just chill and enjoy the music with a festive drink. The cafe is selling
bubbly, wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
The band features a selection of some outstanding musicians:
Carl Sterling - sax
Ian Buzer – trumpet
Dave Holland – keys
Simon Hurley – guitar
Simon Wood – bass
Elmer Van Der Hoek - drums.
The band will play two sets between 7.30 pm and 10 pm.
Entrance is via the back door in the wall behind the Minories, just across the Firstsite Art Centre. Doors open 7.00 pm.
Tickets: £10 general / £7 for under-18s and students.
Available via QR code, online via https://good-show.co.uk/events/3352, at the café, or on the door.
Collage our Common Ground Colchester Manifesto
We’re building the Common Ground Colchester manifesto and we want to do it together with you.
Join us for a relaxed collage session where members can respond to our mission and values using images, words, and materials. No artistic experience needed. Come to make, reflect, or simply add one small piece.
Venue - The Commons Cafe
Friday 13th Feb
Time - 10 - 12 pm
All materials provided, Everyone welcome
The Imaginarium Presents: Beth Chatto’s Meanwhile Garden - The Urban Wild & Other Disturbances
Join us at the Commons for an evening of performance, conversation and ecology.
Our encounters with the neglected corners of urban decay, the rubble-strewn, derelict constructions, cracked concrete, and weed-infested edges, can sometimes feel like interruptions in the ordered experiences of city life. Yet this perturbing sense of
uncontrollable, out-of-place, unsettled, and undesirable urban experience can often overlook broader modes of disturbance that function as forces, constantly transforming our environments, imaginations, and collective futures.
This free and open-to-all event invites you to consider concepts and practices of disturbance, not as unwelcome ruptures in predictable everyday urban experience, but as openings to something gainfully unintentional, unexpected, and perceptibly surprising.
There will be a pay bar and food available to buy as part of the evening.
Free event, booking essential.
To read the full programme and to book, visit
https://culturalengine.org.uk/imaginarium-returns/
Colchester Café Scientifique: European Deserts: Sandy Wilderness on a Green Continent
Based on his latest book, environmentalist and author Chris Stone MIEnvSci will be talking about the untold story of the little-known deserts of Europe.
These are sandy and infertile lowland wildernesses, where extreme environmental conditions are the norm. Remote and mostly uninhabited, Europe’s arid tracts present landscapes differing profoundly from their surroundings and offer refuge for scarce flora and fauna with nowhere else to go.
For long these wastelands were poverty-stricken, and many had reputations as undesirable and even dangerous places. Unglamorous and frequently undervalued, the survival of the remaining fragments
including several local examples, is threatened despite their distinctive biodiversity, landscapes and fascinating human tales.
This talk will transform ideas about these extraordinary European landscapes.
Colchester Café Scientifique started in 2010 and is a place where, for the price of a cup of tea or coffee, people can learn about and discuss scientific issues. The speakers give their time free of charge.
Admission is free by ticket only.
They are issued on a first come first served basis from
Access will be via the garden gate entrance at the rear. For directions, see:- https://what3words.com/formed.handle.sits
For details of previous meetings, visit cafescientifique.org
Visit the Facebook Page:- www.facebook.com/cafescientifiquecolchester
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Bread & Butter Vegan Market
A new vegan market night taking place at the Commons every first Thursday of the month, featuring local vegan vendors, community connections, drinks and street food. Free entry, kid-friendly areas.
In December, we have also teamed up with the Minories and The East Anglian Folklore Centre, with a special late-night opening of the Colchester Art Society Winter Exhibition, and a free screening of Miracle on 34th Street at 5.00 pm - All Welcome!
This month's event is part of Creative Colchester’s First Thursdays Festival.
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
Wassail with us!
We invite you to join the East Anglian Folklore Centre on this special night, as we sing together to drive away the darkness and gently wake the Darling Magnolia in the Minories garden.
Meet at 4.30 pm at the Commons Café. Drop in, no booking required.
Colchester Digital
Join Colchester Digital for an evening of insight, inspiration, and connection. Tickets are free, but please sign up. The bar is open with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Colchester Digital is a Meetup group for individuals and businesses in and around the Colchester area. We welcome everyone working or interested in the creative or Tech industries.
Colchester Digital meets regularly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. We come together to share knowledge, experience, and information, and where possible, to collaborate on a wider scale.
6.30-7.00 Arrive, chat, grab a slice of pizza and drink
6.55-7.00 Welcome and quick intros
7.00-8.00 Talks and presentations by invited guest speakers
8.00-8.30 Final bit of networking before we wrap
Burns Night Supper
The Commons is supporting the East Anglian Folklore Centre’s Burns Night at the Queen Street Brewhouse with a pre-show Burns Night Supper. We will be serving vegan Haggis accompanied with Neeps and Tatties and Whisky Cream Sauce on Sunday, 25 January, between 6 pm and 7.30 pm,
£10 per head.
To book your Burns Night Supper, please pop into the cafe before 22nd January to place your order.
Keep the Home Fires Burning
Sunday 25 January, from 7.30pm
Queen Street Brewhouse
Tickets £12 (includes your first wee dram…Non alcoholic drams available)
Come and celebrate Burns Night with the East Anglian Folklore Centre at the Queen St Brewhouse.
FEATURING THE FINE TALENTS OF
Alice De Lumiere, Bethan Briggs-Miller & Ethel Fled
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With a Headline Set from THE MEDLARS
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All capped off with a singaround of seasonal tunes led by Lizzie!
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With more entertainment to be confirmed.
Book for the pre-show dinner directly with The Commons Café.
Read more at https://www.eastanglianfolklorecentre.co.uk/whatson
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG
The Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 at The Commons Café
We’re gearing up for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch on 23-25 January.
The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers take part, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring
How to take part:
- Come along to the Commons Cafe to take part in a collaborative bird count at any of three specified scientific hours, engaging with nature in the Minories’ beautiful garden from the comfort of our warm café. Sketch the birds you see, or create your own feathered friend from imagination (drop in, no booing required).
- Organise your own count at home or in a nearby park: just choose an hour anytime between 23 and 25 January, and upload your results to the RSPB website.
For more information and how to register, visit
https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch
Birdwatching slots at the Commons:
Friday 23 January – meet at 10.00 am for counting 10.30–11.30 am
Saturday 24 January – meet at 10.00 am for counting 10.30–11.30 am
Sunday 25 January – meet at 2.00 pm for counting 2.30-3.30 pm
Ancient Roman Bread Making workshop
Whether you're a seasoned baker or a complete beginner, this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to add some homemade charm to their holiday celebrations. Giovanni will guide you through each step of the process, from mixing the dough to shaping and baking the loaves.
£67.50 including hot drinks refreshments and recipes.
Suitable for all abilities, in this workshop we will take a virtual journey, going back in time and kneading from scratch three types of dough with different shapes:
· Ancient Roman Bread made with Millet flour, Grape juice, honey and Poppy seeds
· Panis Farreus made with Spelt flour
· Catone Libum Bread made with Spelt flour, yoghurt, olive oil, mixed herbs, bay leaves and ricotta cheese.
Eventbrite link to book and find more information
The Culinary Adventures of a Travelling Baker
Born in Naples, Giovanni is the fourth-generation baker in his family, which owns a bakery in Pollena Trocchia in the Vesuvius National Park, near Naples. It was there where he was taught by his grandmother Maria from an early age. After graduating at 18 from the cookery academy of Pollena Trocchia, he started to work full time in his family bakery until he was 22 when he began traveling the world, baking along the way. Now living in England for almost 10 years, Giovanni works as a baking teacher and teaches various categories of courses in different venues across Essex, Suffolk and London.
Sunday Morning Chess Sesh
The E2-E4 Chess Club invite you to the Commons Café for a casual play session every Sunday. We welcome all levels, from beginners to Grandmasters! Free, drop-in, no booking required.
If you’re busy on Sundays or just want to practice, there are chess sets available at The Commons, so anyone can play, anytime!
E2-E4 Chess Club’s official club night takes place on Tuesdays: 4.30-9.00 pm at the Colchester Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase (off Priory Street) CO1 2QG