Skip to content

Author: dave

Posted on

Autumn Fruits & Fungus Hunt

The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Woods is a Fungus Hunt

Following last months successful Autumn Fruits walk (report below), is the first Fungus Hunt for several years on 25th November.

Ian Rowing will lead the “fungus hunt” to seek out these elusive fungi. He will aim, with the help of those with him, to find a variety of mushrooms and toadstools in and around the wood, and explain something of their fascinating life cycles and why fungi are essential for a healthy woodland. We will also keep an eye out for visiting winter birds.

Fungus Hunt Image 1
Fungus growing on fallen tree trunk
A mushroom type of fujngus
What looks like a stinkcap fungus

The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. Strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter wet conditions underfoot! To join the walk meet at the Old Church ready to leave at 10 am.

The Autumn Fruits Walk – Steve Hallam Reports

Continue reading “Autumn Fruits & Fungus Hunt”
Posted on

St Marys News – the Eco-Bronze Edition

Eco Church Bronze Award

In this edition St Mary’s looks at progress including winning the Eco Church Bronze award

After hearing about wining the Bronze Eco-Church award this edition continues with:

Eco Church – Bronze Award

We are delighted to announce that St Mary’s has achieved the Bronze Level award for the Eco Church Scheme!

Eco Church is an award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate their care for creation as an integral part of loving their neighbour and following God faithfully.

Continue reading “St Marys News – the Eco-Bronze Edition”
Posted on

Warm Welcoming Space for Winter Returns

Warm Welcoming Space is Back

AI Generated Image representing a warm welcoming space with tea coffee & biscuits

The Care Network working with the WI and with support from the Parish Council is planning, once again, to provide a free warm welcoming space this winter. As previously, this will be in the Social Club Meeting Room at the Orpen Hall.

They will take place on Mondays & Fridays between 10 am and 12 noon starting on Friday 27th October.

Tea, coffee and biscuits and free Wi-Fi will be available. In fact, everything is free of charge, no membership or booking and all age groups are welcome. Meet others, come with friends or enjoy a little time alone – the warm space can be whatever you want it to be.

Continue reading “Warm Welcoming Space for Winter Returns”
Posted on

Environment & Highways – 12th October 2023

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th October 2023 with topics including:

AI generated image in artistic style to go with E&H minutes of 12th October 2023 showing village pond, speeding cars & playground items.
  • Speeding on Lexden Road,
  • Maintenance matters with ponds, playground & hedges,
  • Environment & Biodiversity,
  • Consideration of budget needs for future plans.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 12th October 2023 at 5.00pm in SC Mtg Rm

Continue reading “Environment & Highways – 12th October 2023”
Posted on

St Mary’s News – What are you thankful for?

In this edition Revd Heather asks “What are you thankful for?”

Orphan train is used as a reference point when Rev. Heather asks What are you thankful for.

After discussing ‘what are you thankful for’ this edition continues with:

A copy of the PCC (Parochial Church Council) minutes are available to view in the Church (in the leaflet rack on top of the side cupboards).

Rev. Heather’s  asks “What are you thankful for?”

What are you thankful for? As I ask this question I am reminded of the film ‘The Orphan train’, which depicts the journey, Emma Simms, niece of Reverend Simms, made taking orphan children to find new homes in the West of America. The journey is accompanied by many traumas, including a fire in their train carriage, arriving in the town of Clayhorn, only to be driven away by the townsfolk and a massive storm causing a bridge collapse, with the last few orphans, having to walk the final 15 miles to the town of Mildred.

Continue reading “St Mary’s News – What are you thankful for?”
Posted on

Environment & Highways – 14th September 2023

An AI generated image depicting taking care of the environment

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 14th September 2023 with topics including:

  • The CCC proposal for a management company to look after the Armoury Road maintenance,
  • Progress on dealing with ‘advisories’ from the recent ROSPA playground inspection,
  • Discussion on attendance at a Heath Conservation course,
  • Future provisions for ponds maintenance,
  • Progress of the Mayor’s Oaks on Poor’s Land,
  • Discussion on ‘No Parking’ banners, possible application for planning approval and portable signs.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 14th September 2023 at 5.00pm in SC Mtg Rm

Continue reading “Environment & Highways – 14th September 2023”
Posted on

Essex Waste Strategy

Essex Waste Strategy 2023

Essex Waste Strategy Flyer

If you already know what you want to say then jump to the how to respond section.

Councils across Essex are working together to develop a new Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for the next 30 years. They developed the previous strategy in 2007, and much has changed since then, including the significant climate change challenge that we now face.

Waste management is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for about 4% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Improving environmental efficiency by making different choices about how we collect and treat waste will help reduce these emissions. Waste prevention can also deliver benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors, such as agriculture, transport and manufacturing.

New Strategy

The new strategy will focus on the following key elements:

Continue reading “Essex Waste Strategy”
Posted on

Garden Waste Collections to Change

Colchester Changes Garden Waste Collections

Garden Waste Collection - AI generated image in style of Constable

From January 2024 Colchester City Council will be charging for Garden Waste collections. With ever-reducing government support and increasing costs, CCC are having to look elsewhere to raise revenue to maintain services. You will still be able to dispose of garden waste at  Colchester’s Household Recycling Centres, and the City Council will also work to encourage other options such as composting.

You will no longer be able to use the current Garden sacks, but you can choose between 140L and 240L wheelie bins instead. If you already have a wheelie bin you can continue to use it but will still have to pay. If you want to return an existing, bin the City Council will make provision to receive them.

Charges

The new service will require you to pay £35 to register for the service plus £55 per year per bin – a household can have up to 4 bins. You can get more details from CCC’s website.

Find out about current rubbish & recycling on our website here.

Posted on

Autumn Fruits Walk

Find out about local Autumn Fruits

A selection of the autumn fruits you are likely to see on the walk

Steve Hallam will lead a guided walk at Hillhouse Wood on Saturday 23rd September to seek out autumn fruits. Join him and you can expect to learn about local berries, soft fruits, nuts & seeds. He will let you know which ones to eat, and which ones you definitely need to leave alone. You will also hear the folklore associated with them. You can reasonably expect to see around 20 different varieties.

Previous years have revealed a pleasing quantity of late flowers as well. On one recent Autumn Fruits walk, walkers saw hundreds of:

Continue reading “Autumn Fruits Walk”
Posted on

Bike Theft on the Increase

Bike Theft on the Increase – How can you protect yours?

Bike Theft image in the style of John Constable generated by AI

Bike theft in the Colchester area increased by 26% over the past month. Although the figures for bikes stolen from West Bergholt/Eight Ash Green remain low (only one theft last month) please remain vigilant and make sure that you keep your bike secure at all times.

Below are a few reminders of how you can reduce the risk of having your bicycle stolen.

1. Locks

A high-quality robust lock is the first line of defence. Choose one that is made of hardened steel that cannot be easily cut or broken, avoid flimsy cable locks that are easy to cut. Also try using multiple locks of different types to make it more challenging for thieves.

2. Securing at home

Continue reading “Bike Theft on the Increase”