Join the Friends of St Mary’s at their Candlelit Carol Service
Once again the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding a Candlelit Carol Service in the Old Church. The Friends look forward to welcoming you on Sunday 17th 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 & Nicole Long will do the reading.
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!
You are reminded that there is no heating, so dress warm, a cushion will also make the service more comfortable. All are welcome.
The Friends invite both members and non-members to attend on Wednesday 13th December in the John Lampon Hall at Orpen Hall. Refreshments will be served from 7 pm with the meeting opening at 7:30 pm.
Jonathan Jukes, Woodland trust Officer, will give a talk after the formal business has concluded.
Formal Agenda
The Friends of Hillhouse Wood
29th Annual General Meeting to be held in the John Lampon Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th December 2023.
I have just enjoyed a wonderful weeks break away with my family, including our 10 month old grandson Elyan. Without giving too much away, and inadvertently advertising, our week was spent in Elveden Forest, in a place, I feel sure might be familiar to many people, ideally suited to family holidays.
As we approach the 1st December, the focus of Vocal Zones Choir is their Free Christmas Concert on 15th December in the lovely St Mary’s Church. As well as the music they hope that you will also enjoy Mulled Wine and Mince Pies!
They have been rehearsing very hard each week and are looking forward to their performance.
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!
Entry is Free.
There will be a raffle with some wonderful prizes but tickets are cash only please.
Invitation To Enjoy Music, Mulled Wine & Mince Pies
This coming Sunday, 26th November, the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church invite you to enjoy ‘lunchtime’ Mulled Wine & Mince Pies with them. This is a free event and all are welcome between 11 am – 1 pm in the Old Church on Hall Road (CO6 3DU). This is also an opportunity to view the Mediaeval Paintings.
The Friends would be happy to receive donations, of course. This will help them with the maintenance of the Church and Grounds. In recent years they have received great support from the Churches Conservation Trust who funded significant structural repairs. There still remains, though, much work to be done including expensive conservation costs for the mediaeval paintings.
Meeting on 13th November 2023. the Planning & Development Committee discussed a consultation on new parking guidance before addressing new applications. Cllr Savage was then tasked with responding to the consultation.
Four planning applications were then discussed and all of them were supported although two with a number of observations. These applications were for properties in Albany Road, Mumford Road, Hall Road and Chapel Lane.
It was also noted that two applications (one each in Nayland Road & New Church Road) had now been reviewed by CCC who supported the Committee’s decisions.
Read the official minutes below:
Planning and Development Committee Meeting
Meeting held on Monday 13th November 2023 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.
The Parish Council will take into account the Village Design Statement, the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, Government National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and CBC Planning Policies when commenting on individual applications.
Planning Committee Members:
Cllrs Bob Tyrrell (Chair), Sara Cullis (Vice Chair), Andrew Savage, Brian Butcher, Paul Chamberlain
Also in attendance:
Julie Gillott (Asst Clerk), and one member of the public
Agenda items:
1. Welcome & Apologies for absence:
None
2. Declarations of interest:
None
3. Minutes & actions from previous meeting
Previous minutes were agreed with no amendments, and no actions required.
4. Public participation and to receive any pre-application representations.
No pre-applications presented, and no input from the member of public.
5. To discuss Essex Planning Officers Association (EPOA) Parking Guidance Consultation Notification.
Comment: Having considered all the details of this application, the Parish Council has decided not to comment
Decision: Support
232435 Church Cottage, Hall Road, West Bergholt CO6 3DU
Loft conversion and other internal alterations along with the addition of a pool house to main house. Erection of an outbuilding consisting of a car barn, workshop, home office, kitchenette and bedroom on the first floor.
Comment: Having considered all the details of this application, the Parish Council has decided to support the application with the following comments:
The variation from the previous application of the pitch to the roof gable at the side is out of keeping with the rest of the property.
The ribbon windows should be unopenable.
The Annex/car barn should be ancillary to the main building, and used solely by people associated with, and users of, the main dwelling, nor should it be sold or let separately to the main dwelling.
There is no roof plan indicating the need for the roof lights in the main house.
Decision: Support
232383 The Church Hall, Chapel Lane, West Bergholt Colchester CO6 3JG
Change of use of the church hall to a day nursery. The change will be 2 internal stud walls to create different rooms for 0 – 1-year-olds, 1 – 3-year-olds and 3 and over year-olds. A secure play area will be taken from the adjacent blue area.
Comment: Having considered all the details of this application, the Parish Council has decided to support the application in principle. However, they feel the following areas should be given further consideration:
There should be adequate prevention of noise pollution as a possible nuisance to neighbours.
The adequacy of parking on site and site access.
The lack of footpath in Chapel Lane for direct pedestrian access from Chapel Road.
Meeting on 16th October 2023. the Planning & Development Committee discussed 3 planning applications. Two of them (one each in Colchester & Bourne Roads) were approved, in one case with conditions. The other (adjacent to Armoury Road) was objected with the decision to send a detailed letter to the Planning Case Officer in Colchester.
It was also noted that two applications (one each in Nayland Road & Newbridge Hill) had now been reviewed by CCC who supported the Committee’s decisions.
Read the official minutes below:
Planning and Development Committee Meeting
Meeting held on Monday 16th October 2023 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.
The Parish Council will take into account the Village Design Statement, the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, Government National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and CBC Planning Policies when commenting on individual applications.
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.
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.
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.
