Planning & Development Committee – 16th December 2024

Image to support planning meeting on 16th December 2024

Meeting on 16th December 2024, the Planning & Development Committee first agreed the minutes from the previous meeting. The committee then discussed 3 applications, variously in Lexden Road, Coney Byes Lane & New Church Road. Two were supported (one with some concerns raised).

Read the official minutes below.

Minutes of the Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Held on Monday 16th December 2024 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall

It is the aim of the Parish Council to seek a high standard of design for all new developments and extensions in the Village.
Continue reading “Planning & Development Committee – 16th December 2024”

January 5, 2025January 5, 2025

St Mary’s News – The Light Edition

St Mary’s News – The Light of the World

This month’s news with Revd Anne’s New Years Message on the Light of the World. Following this you can find out about:

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

Christmas Message from Revd Heather – The Light of the World

The shortest day in 2024 was 21st December and since then the days have been getting longer and we’ll get more daylight each day until we reach the longest day in June. During these sometimes gloomy months bulbs that start flowering early, such as snowdrops, crocus and hyacinths, grow away in the dark, pushing their way through the cold soil, until they reach the light and give us the joy of seeing their flowers.

Keep warm together

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

Singalong with Vocal Zones for Christmas

Vocal Zones Christmas Singalong Concert

Choir at St Mary's Christmas 2023 with the audience enjoying a singalong — The 2023 Christmas Concert

Vocal Zones Choir invite you to join them next Friday 20th December for a Christmas Singalong Concert. They always enjoy this festive event and hope that you will too. Choir director Emma Bishton has selected a variety of carols and Christmas songs for your pleasure, come and enjoy! They will invite you to join in with some of the perennial favourites:

December 10, 2024December 10, 2024

Candlelight Carol Service at the Old Church

Join the Friends of St Mary’s at their Candlelight Carol Service

Once again the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding a Candlelight Carol Service in the Old Church. The Friends look forward to welcoming you back on Sunday 15th December at 2:30 pm.

The service is free and open to all and there’s now dedicated car parking opposite the church. One of St Mary’s ministers will lead the service.

The Friends are also looking for someone to pump the church organ during the service, so if anyone is interested please contact Nicole Long on 01206 240443.

Dress for the weather!

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024

Friends of Hillhouse Wood AGM – 11th December 2024

The 30th AGM of the Friends of Hillhouse Wood is scheduled for Wednesday, 11th December 2024, at John Lampon Hall within the Orpen Hall Complex on Lexden Road, West Bergholt. The meeting will commence at 7:30 pm, with refreshments available from 7:00 pm. Both members and non-members are invited to attend.

At the end of the formal proceedings there will be the opportunity to raise issues and engage in discussion (whilst finishing the refreshments!)

AGM Agenda

November 30, 2024November 30, 2024

St Mary’s News – The Perfect Gift Edition

St Mary’s News – The Perfect Gift

This month’s news with Revd Heather’s Christmas Message on the Perfect Gift. Following this you can find out abougt:

Christmas Services,
Memory Tree,
Advent Trail,
Food in School Holidays (FiSH), and

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

Christmas Message from Revd Heather – The Perfect Gift

As I write this, it is the 11th November, Remembrance Day. Yesterday in our churches, we remembered, lest we forget, the sacrifice of so many that we might know peace and freedom in our time. But as is always the way, the world is pushing us on, and we are being bombarded by Christmas adverts on the television and through social media. It seems hard to imagine, that we could ever forget that Christmas is coming.

November 27, 2024November 27, 2024

Fungi Hunt 2024

A dry, still, November Saturday morning saw 15 enthusiastic people come together at St Mary’s Old Church. They had come from as far away as Chelmsford to enjoy our now annual guided ‘fungi hunt’ walk. This year they were led by one who set their level of expectations by confirming that as there are over 15,000 species of fungi in the UK, he had no intention of being dogmatic in any identifications. He was working on the principal that anything found, if eaten, would cause severe illness or even death! (You’re not getting the writer into a Coroner’s Court.)

First Finds

So, on that basis we started in the Church graveyard where we found numerous Waxcaps (probably Golden Waxcaps).

November 23, 2024November 23, 2024

Planning & Development Committee – 11th November 2024

Image to illustrate the Planning Minutes of 11th November 2024

Meeting on 11th November 2024, the Planning & Development Committee first reviewed actions from the previous meeting. These included confirming submission of updates to the Neighbourhood Plan. The committee then discussed 4 applications, variously in Bures Road, Mumford Close, Chapel Road & Scarletts Chase. All four were supported.

Read the official minutes below.

November 22, 2024November 22, 2024

Environment & Highways – 14th November 2024

Bottom of Newbridge Hill discussed at E&H Committee on 14th November 2024

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 14th November 2024 with topics including:

Handymen’s report including:
- Grass cutting,
- Erection of flagpole,
- Replacement of plants damaged by vandals,
- Clearance of ditches at the foot of Newbridge Hill,
- Purchase of new tools.
Ponds,
Christmas Trees,
VE Day 80th Anniversary, and
2025-26 Budget.

Read the official minutes below.

November 15, 2024November 15, 2024

Mulled Wine & Abbey Road

The Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding two events over the coming weeks.

Mulled Wine & Mince Pies

The Friends invite you to join them for Mulled Wine & Mince Pies at St Mary’s Old Church on Sunday, 24th November. This free event runs from 11:30am to 1:30pm and all are welcome! The highlight of the day will be an enchanting performance by Octavia, members of Quire, from 12:30pm to 1pm.