Tag: allotments

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Environment & Highways – 11th February 2016

The Environment & Highways  Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 11th February 2016 and discussed a range of issues including litter & rubbish, hedge cutting, considerate parking, traffic safety, handymen, gardening equipment etc…

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 11th February 2016 in Main Hall

Sub-committee members present John Gili Ross, Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow, Rosemary James, Phil Spencer, David Short
Apologies

 

1

Clerks Report
a)   Upturned soil left in wake of new water pipe across Heath to school. Concerns about sinkage. Following a letter from Chris to Atkins Global he was informed it was Anglian Water who did not fill the hole. He has sent them an email. We are awaiting a reply from them. LW
b)   Armoury Road – clearing of rubbish etc has been completed here.
c)    Hedge cutting at Chapel Road substation has been carried out. The cutting back required for laurel hedging along Colchester Road opposite village sign and roundabout is awaited. Laura will monitor this situation. LW
d)   A litter pick was carried out as “litter Warriors”, organised by Laura, on 6th February. Not many volunteers but a deal of litter was cleared. Other areas identified as a problem. The next date for “Litter Warriors” is on Saturday 5th March- volunteers required. LW
e)   Queen’s Road pond – litter here needs clearing. The Duck house has moved from its mooring and will need attention in the future. Also area around bus stop by Methodist Church needs to be kept under observation.
f)     Overgrown hedges on Chitts Hill have been cut back by landowner. Litter picking here is required. Handyman could do this. JGR & DH
g)    Land off Armoury Road, back of the Maltings, has been cleared by agents of the land and much litter was left behind. Laura contacted the agents and is awaiting to hear if this has been cleared. LW

2

Matters arising from last minutes
a)   Considerate Parking Scheme – Harry, John and Rosemary observed the parking situation round the school last Wednesday and made a list of 12 offenders for inconsiderate (illegal) parking. We hope this is having an effect and will repeat the exercise after half term. HS
b)   Traffic Safety Plan – awaiting 20mph signs. HS
c)    Plinth for Beacon – to be installed when weather permits. IB
d)   Lower end of Lorkin Daniell has been cleared of shrubbery – 2 Trees still require attention.
e)   Wheelie bin – to contact Marcus re progress MH, JC

3

Allotments
Report from Harry – invoices for rents to be sent out to plot holders.

4

Handyman work
David has been carrying out general work schedule. Will clear Chitts Hill area.

Footway along Colchester Road near car sales site needs attention.

Interviews have been carried out for second handyman. Selection process completed. Laura to deal with paperwork required for successful candidate.

5

Storage of gardening equipment
John will discuss with Planning Committee the possibility of putting up a storage facility near the entrance to Orpen Hall. JGR

6

Purchase of vehicle
The purchase of a vehicle has been completed. The MOT will be due in July this year. A policy needs to be written for information for all users JGR

7

AOB
a)   Repair of lawnmower is needed. Proposed cost is £180. This is an essential piece of equipment. Members of this sub-committee agreed the expense. JGR
b)   Purchase of a ride-on mower to be considered in the future
c)    Fallen Tree lying over Hall Road pond needs attention. John to discuss with Handyman. JGR
d)   Queen’s Birthday – plan to use beacon again – will need moving to LD field. Laura to register the beacon.
Possibility of a firework display.		  LW

Date of next meeting – Thursday 10th March 2016 at 5pm in JL Hall.
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Environment & Highways – 12th November 2015

The Environment & Highways  Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th November 2015 and discussed a range of issues including traffic safety, handyman work, grass & hedge cutting, Poors Land, Allotments, Fireworks, Playground & budget.

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 12th November 2015 in Main Hall

Councillors present John Gili Ross, Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow, Rosemary James
Apologies None

In attendance: –  Phil Spencer, David Short.

1

New drain on Heath
ECC has put in a new water feed leading from the school to entrance at New Church Road. There is concern that the infilled area might be affected by sinkage in the future. We need to be aware that ECC would be responsible if this occurs. Parish Clerk

2

Matters arising from last meeting
a)   Traffic Safety Plan – resurfacing of New Church Road and School Road completed and yellow lines reinstated. Notices for proposal for 20mph   in New Church Road and School Road are posted.  
b)  Plinth for beacon to be built by Ivor when he returns from holiday. JGR
c)  Copy of Environment Terms of Reference to this sub-committee members. JGR
d)  The agreed Handyman work schedule is working well. A contract for  David Hewitt has been drawn up and is with the Finances Committee.

It has been agreed that we need another part time Handyman. An Advertisement needs to be put out locally when details of job and pay are agreed.

 Agenda Item

LW
e)  All grass and hedge cutting to Parish Council Land has been completed.

The area of scrub at the bottom end of the Lorkin Daniell field needs  learing back to tree line. Quotes needed for this.

 MH
f)   Purchase of wheelie bin for use at practice goal area is with Marcus Harrington. JC
g)  Pond clearing by TCV is in progress. They have completed their work on Hall Road and Lexden Road ponds. Hall Road Pond still looks rather neglected and there is a fallen tree laying over from the back of the Pond. Norhurst to remove the waste. The work on Queens Road pond will be carried out by TCV on November 19th.  JC
h)  It was suggested that we review alternative approaches to treating the ponds as there are new technics being implemented and used on golf courses and farm land.  Phil Spencer has expertise in this area. All

3

Poors Land
Finger posts on Poors Land have been repaired by Handyman.

4

Highway Rangers
Request to Highway Rangers to be sent regarding hedges overhanging footways. LW

5

Allotments
Harry reported from Allotment Committee. Decision taken to increase fees by £1 for all plot holders. Discussion will take place in the future regarding fees to full plot holders and concessions to consider ways to charge more fairly for the rents HS

6

Firework Display
The Fireworks were successful and the area of Poors Land has been tidied and cleared.

7

Chitts Hill
Hedges along this narrow road need attention. Suggest letters need to be sent to hedge owners reminding them of their responsibilities. LW

8

Playground equipment
Roundabout problems have been rectified as far as possible. Repairs are needed to post areas of climbing frame. Village handyman to purchase filler and carry out necessary work. Repairs to other areas have been completed.

Black surface requires attention. Playequip are fully booked at the moment, plan to make repairs in the New Year. Laura will remind them.

 JGR,

LW

8

Budget for next year
Andrew attended the meeting for this item. He presented a proposed budget for next year. The figures need to be with the Finance committee in November. Much discussion took place.  It was agreed to review the proposed budget and circulate to members and AS.  AS to place the revised budget into the main budget format for approval by the PC in due course JGR
Date of next meeting – Thursday 14th January 2016 at 5pm in JL Hall.
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Environment & Highways – 8th October 2015

The Environment & Highways  Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 8th October 2015 when they discussed a range of issues including handymen, traffic safety, beacon, playgrounds, grass & hedge cutting, litter, pond clearing, allotments & budget.

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 8th October 2015 in Main Hall

Councillors present John Gili Ross, Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow
Apologies  Rosemary James

In attendance:- Phil Cook, Phil Spencer, David Short.

1

Welcome
John welcomed all to the meeting.

2

Matters arising from last meeting
a)   Traffic Safety Plan – awaiting resurfacing of New Church Road and Chapel Road prior to yellow lines being reinstated. 20mph signs will be needed in New Church Road and School Road. Harry and Chris Stevenson met with Jeremy Hallam, school head teacher, to discuss parking problems by parents and other ways in which the school could assist in road safety for the school children. HS
b)   Plaque for beacon – this is now in situ.  Plinth for beacon to be built by Ivor. JGR
c)    St Mary’s Church – work on French drain has been completed by Ivor.

3

Terms of reference
The Environment sub-committee is mainly responsible for maintenance activities in the village. A new list of terms of reference was proposed and agreed by this committee. This to go to the Finance and General Purposes Committee to be ratified. LW
Agenda item

4

Handyman work schedule
John has discussed the work schedule with David and Ivor. The schedule has been agreed at this committee. JGR
Proposed that David Hewitt should now be given a contract. Agreed by this committee.
Also proposed that the hourly rate for David and Ivor should be the same, agreed by this committee.
Proposed to take on another handyman on a temporary contract for 8 hours work. Agreed by this committee. LW
These items to go to the Finance and General Purposes committee. Agenda Items
It was suggested by Phil Cook that the Co Op could be approached to see if they could offer to help in certain village projects/activities.

5

Grass cutting and Hedge cutting
Quotes for grass cutting and hedge cutting of LD Field Heath, Poors land and Allotments are being sought. CBC needs to be contacted to book a sweeper to clear footways following hedge cutting. JGR & MH & LW
The budget is for £750. All this work is necessary.
This needs to go to the Finance and General purposes committee. Agenda item

6

Litter by Practice goal area.
This continues to be a problem.
It was proposed to purchase a wheelie bin to place in the area to encourage clearing of litter. This bin could also be used for other litter picking by handyman. JC
The goal post has been damaged and will need repairing. JGR

5

Pond Clearing
The Colchester Volunteers have assessed the needs and will spend 2 days clearing part of Hall Road Pond, 1 day clearing edges and trimming back trees at Queens Road pond and during that time spend 2 hours cutting back shrubbery at Lexden Road pond. The total charge for this will be £600. We will need to organise and pay for all the trimmings to be removed. This usually costs £100 for each load to be removed. This will need to be organised. JC

6

Allotments
Harry reported from the Allotment Committee. They are considering ways to charge more fairly for the rents. HS

7

Playground equipment
The play area has been assessed for meeting Health and Safety requirements and the resulting areas that need repairs will be carried out by Ivor and David. Ivor will add a third cradle swing when parts are delivered. JGR

8

Budget for next year
John had sent out proposed budgets which were agreed by this committee in general, but some elements still need clarity. Comments to be fed back by the end of October ready for the figures to be sent to the Finance and General Purposes Committee for consideration in November. JGR

Date of next meeting – Thursday 12th November 2015 at 5pm in JL Hall.

 

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Open Gardens 2015

Coggeshall Hidden Gardens 2015Open Gardens 2015

In previous years West Bergholt Gardeners have opened their gardens to the public in aid of charity, most recently in 2014 where well over £3,000 was raised for teenage cancer charities.  This year the organizers are taking a break, hopefully to be back reinvigorated next year, but for those still hoping to visit local gardens and get some ideas, we have recently received details of another similar event:

Coggeshall Hidden Gardens 2015

Sunday, 7 June 2:00 PM To 6:00 PM

This year Coggeshall is opening its garden gates so that you can visit walled gardens, kitchen gardens, tiny gardens, gardens that will delight and inspire you. There’s lots to do and see for young and old alike. Follow the children’s trail, visit the plant stall, enjoy a delicious home-made tea – a perfect afternoon out for the whole family! For more information visit the website at www.coggeshallopengardens.org.uk.

If You Can’t Make Coggeshall

There are some 23 Villages/Parishes running Open Gardens in Essex this year, a small sample includes some relatively local:

  • Walton-on-the Naze – 27th & 28th June – Various gardens open in Walton-on-the-Naze for the benefit of Walton in Bloom. Come and spend a wonderful day by the sea. Refreshments, tombola, raffle, plant sales and crafts for sale.  – http://www.waltoninbloom.org/.
  • Chappel & Wakes Colne – 7th June – About 12 beautiful gardens open in and around the Essex Colne Valley. Lovely garden location for refreshments.
  • Earls Colne – 21st June – A number of gardens will be open to visit, all within easy walking distance with garden trail for the young ones. St. Andrews church and tower will be open for views across the beautiful Colne valley. Refreshments on sale. http://www.colnevalley.com.
  • Tollesbury – 27th & 28th June – Over twenty gardens will be open, from small courtyard gardens to larger gardens, from community gardens to gardens as yet unseen by the public.
  • Pebmarsh – 7th June – This Trail includes a variety of gardens. Snipelands is a stunning two-acre garden in a peaceful setting, on the outskirts of Pebmarsh, at 10 Mill Lane are mature shrubs, herbaceous borders, and a fern garden under trees whilst Matson Lodge is a 1½ acre garden developed for wildlife.  http://www.redcross.org.uk/opengardens.

There are more listed at the Open Gardens website.

 

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Allotments Vacant Plots Update

West Bergholt Allotments have some vacant plots
Some Vacant Plots

Allotments – Vacant Plots Update

The recent Allotments Committee meeting noted the sad loss of Bob Gooden before moving on to normal business matters.  Items that might be of particular interest included:

  • As of the date of the meeting there were 4 vacant plots and none waiting (several other plots having cleared the waiting list), so if you are looking to try out your green fingers, now is the ideal time to jump in.
  • A rolling programme of improvements has started with two new auto-filling water butts on order.
  • Recent plot inspections showed overall improvement in plot management although there are still some health & safety issues to be resolved.
  • The Allotments Committee still has two vacancies for those interested in getting involved.

You can access the full minutes on the Allotments webpage.

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Farewell to Bob Gooden

Bob+Gooden
Bob Gooden pictured in 2012 with Patricia Routledge

Farewell to Bob Gooden – A Sad Loss

It is with considerable sadness that the Allotment Committee confirms the passing, on Sunday 8th February 2015, of Bob Gooden, a well known member of the West Bergholt Community and Allotment Fraternity.

Bob, with his wife Grace plus two children Elizabeth and Paul had lived in West Bergholt for many years, of which most were spent in his current home in Chapel Road. During his long association with the community Bob served on the West Bergholt Parish Council for over 20 years and was an active Scout Leader and Church Warden.

Bob was also a founding member of the CARE NETWORK and whilst supporting and participating in the services provided, he also contributed to 20 years’ service on its committee.

In addition, Bob was a founding member of the Allotment Committee and over saw the amalgamation of the Poor’s Land allotment with that of the Chapel Road/New Church Road site. In acknowledgement of his contribution to the Allotment Committee upon retiring, Bob was made the first ever Honorary Member.

Bob’s voluntary contribution over many years gained further recognition during the Queen’s Jubilee when he received the Queens Jubilee Award for his services to the Community of West Bergholt.

Funeral Service

Bob’s funeral takes place at 2:15pm on Monday 2nd March 2015 at St Mary the Virgin Church, New Church Road, West Bergholt.

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Allotments December 2014 Update

veg-seed-guide
Sowing & Harvest Guidelines – Click to view full size

Allotments December 2014 Update

The West Bergholt Allotment Holders committee have recently announced Important Allotment Dates for 2015 which have now been published on their webpage and the village calendar.  Other important news updates, with more details in the latest minutes published on the webpage, are as follows:

Committee Vacancies

There are currently 2 vacancies on the committee, if any plotholders are interested in becoming more involved they should contact one of the current committee members who will be able to advise them on what is involved.

Available Plots

There are approximately half a dozen plots currently available; precedence will be given to those on the waiting list, but should you be interested in acquiring a plot for yourself (think of all those home grown veggies!), then please contact Terry Claydon on 01206 241256 or by email to [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

Vehicle Restrictions

The committee has recently agreed that, in order to protect the pathways, there should be no vehicular access to the allotments between the months of November and March, this is because of typical weather conditions at these times.  Any access must be expressly approved by the Allotment Committee Chair, Terry Claydon.

Rents

Given recent trends in income & expenditure, the Allotment Holders Committee are recommending to the Parish Council that there should be no increase in rents for 2015.  This recommendation will be considered by the Parish Council Environment & Highways Sub-Committee.

Manure update

As previously advised (September news update), whilst some limited supplies were secured for 2014, there is, as yet, no ready source of supply for 2015 and plot holders may have to organise their own supply.  Should anybody be aware of a supply that would provide adequate quantities with minimal transport issues, please let a committee member know.

Happy Gardening for 2015

Last, but not least, seasons greetings for the upcoming New Year!

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Allotments update – Bonfire

A bonfireNotice to Allotment Holders – Bonfire

There will be an allotment bonfire on 7th October 2014 between the hours of 6pm – 8pm.  Allotment holders cooperation is required to help minimise and reduce the nuisance caused by excessive smoke; please provide only the following for the bonfire, particularly following the recent change in the weather conditions:

  • Vegetation which has had all soil removed from the roots,
  • Vegetation which has been thoroughly dried,
  • Dry wood and paper.

Items for the fire should be delivered to the bonfire site between 3pm – 7pm on the day.

To find out more about the West Bergholt Allotments visit their webpage on this site.

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Allotments update – Horse Manure

Horse manureNotice to Allotment Holders and other interested parties

This year maybe the last year we can obtain bulk supplies of horse manure for our allotments as the current supplier is seeking to sell and move to another location. Despite considerable efforts by the committee and many plot holders, other sources to date have not been located.  Naturally we will continue to seek a supplier who can provide upwards of a 100 tonne per year.  If you know of a potential source who could provide a similar amount please contact the chairperson, Terry Claydon or those below. Furthermore, the transport provider who provided the delivery service for many years has now retired, although he has honoured a commitment this year to outstanding supplies from last year which was delayed due to the prevailing weather conditions at the time.  A new transport contractor has been arranged for this year, which has necessitated an increase in the rate charged per trailer load. However, a full load of manure has increased by 20%.

Cost

  • Full Load                   £70.00 (10 tonne approx.)
  • Half Load                  £35.00
  • Quarter Load            £17.50 (37 barrow loads approx.)

Note

  1. A minimum of two/four plot holders will be required to facilitate half/quarter loads being made available.
  2. Payment in cash required at time of order.
  3. Supplies will be delivered as near to plot as is reasonably possible and if off-plot will need to be relocated to plot at earliest opportunity by the plot holder.

Supplies

To arrange your requirements please contact below before 29th September 2014

Delivery

Subject to weather conditions delivery is being planned for the first week in October

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“Grow your own” sound good?

Wondering what a Rod is?
Wikipedia says:

The rod is a unit of length equal to 5½ yards, 16½ feet or 1⁄320th of a statute mile. Since the adoption of the international yard on 1 July 1959, it has been equivalent to exactly 5.0292 meters. A rod is the same length as a perch or a pole. In old English, the term lug is also used

Then you will be pleased to hear that at the start of a new growing season a few allotment plots have become available.

Most are five rod plots for which the annual rent is £15 or £9 for over 60s.  A few half size Taster Plots for newcomers are also available.

This is a good time to take up growing your own vegetables and if anyone new to the practice needs help there are plenty of seasoned gardeners to offer advice.

If interested please contact Terry Claydon on 242124 or Email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]

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