Community, Parish Council & Village
The Premises & Recreation Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 3rd April when, among other items, they discussed Football Clubs, Health & Safety, maintenance & repairs and users’ issues & requests. Continue reading “Premises & Recreation – 3rd April 2017”
Friends of Hillhouse Wood AGMThis will be the 22nd Friends of Hillhouse Wood AGM and all are very welcome to attend. Don’t hesitate to turn up; you don’t have to be a member to attend, you’ll just miss the pleasure of voting!
Taking place on Wednesday 14th December in the Orpen Hall, the meeting will start at 7:30 although refreshments will be served from 7pm. The Agenda is:
Chairman’s opening remarks. Continue reading “Friends of Hillhouse Wood AGM – 14th December”
Every Year the Rural Community Council of Essex holds a competition to determine the best Village of the Year. The award is based on the activities and work of the community as a whole, not just the Parish Council:
This is the only competition of its kind in Essex that focuses on the whole community rather than on the work of the Parish Council or one particular organisation or amenity. We will be looking to reward villages of all sizes that are doing most to enhance the quality of life for their inhabitants.
RCCE Website
Bluebells & Dawn Chorus Guided WalksGuided walks at Hillhouse Wood are a regular feature of the calendar, Steve Hallam reports on the two Spring walks deciding that 2016 is a year of ‘firsts’:
Each Spring the Friends of Hillhouse Wood organise two guided walks – one to look at the Bluebells, and a Dawn Chorus one. These are normally 2-3 weeks apart, to match each one to when its subjects are at their best. However this year things were different, and for the first time ever we ran both walks on the same weekend. Continue reading “Guided Walks at Hillhouse”
The Friends of Hillhouse Wood, in conjunction with Woodland Trust, invite you to join Join Steve Hallam for their annual Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk.
Taking place next Saturday (7th May), Continue reading “Bluebell Spring Nature Walk”
The Premises & Recreation Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 1st February when, among other items, they discussed Orpen Hall, Health & Safety, budget, storage, football clubs, licences and toilets.
| Councillors present | Brian Butcher (Chair), Murray Harlow (Vice chair), Jenny Church, Rosemary James, Bob Tyrrell. |
| Apologies | Harry Stone |
Also in attendance Victoria Beckwith-Cole (Hall Administrator)
2. |
Matters from Last Meeting |
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| 2.1 | Orpen Hall Signage | |
| Work in progress, will update at next meeting. | BT | |
| 2.2 | Health and Safety Questionnaire | |
| This has now been completed with the exception of obtaining a copy of the Asbestos Report – Parish Clerk to look further and to contact previous Parish Clerk to where the Report maybe located. | LW | |
| BB/VBC will organise unannounced fire drills throughout the year. | BB/VBC | |
| BB asked about fire extinguisher training – VBC confirmed that she has undertaken this in another employment. As Bluebells are the main users of the Hall – VBC to ask if their staff know how to use extinguishers. | VBC | |
| At this point reference was made to the chair clips (Panto Orpen Players) – that they were not functioning properly – VBC pointed out the correct positioning of the clips and confirmed that she will meet with the Orpen Players Friday night to show the Front of House the correct way positioning them. We discussed the Orpen Players smoking, “instructing” Zoe etc, and agreed we would meet them to discuss. | VBC | |
3. |
Clerks & Administrator’s Report |
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| 3.1 | Bar Licence and Dance/Music Licence – LW has sent off PPL and PRS paperwork. Bar Licence: LW to check with Social Club. | LW |
| 3.2 | Additional Bin Hire – This will only need to be considered when the CSH implement their “weighing payment” method. However, currently it will work out cheaper to have a 360l wheelie bin for glass and cans. | LW |
| 3.3 | JL Hall Toilet/Boiler – VBC updated that the plumber had to come out and deal with a leak in one of the toilets (replacement ball valve) and a leak on the boiler. | |
| 3.4 | Job Role of Hall Admin – H&S – VBC reported that all points are covered within her role at present apart from “ensuring a fire risk assessment is maintained”. VBC to implement this. | VBC |
| 3.5 | Draft T&C for one-off hirers – in progress will update at next meeting. | VBC |
| 3.6 | West Bergholt Website – has been updated with up to date information especially with making contact details more prominent – will be checked periodically. | |
4. |
Cleaning |
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| No further comments – this item can now be taken off the Agenda. | ||
5. |
West Bergholt Football Club – grass cutting Lorkin Daniell Field |
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| Signed off – this item can now be taken off the Agenda | ||
6. |
Bergholt Heath Youth Football Club – Saturday morning training proposal |
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| Prior to meeting CS sent the Committee correspondence regarding this. The Committee were to talk through the “Action Points” – As the first point was of utmost importance, this was discussed and agreed in principal that BHYFC could use the Orpen Hall disabled toilet – this was on the proviso that they agreed and signed the T&C which VBC will draft and send to BB for approval. | VBC | |
| The other action points will be followed up as and when necessary. | ALL | |
7. |
Refurbishment of Orpen Hall Toilets |
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| A discussion ensued about the layout whether to draw up as per plans or to refurbish what we have. It was agreed to go with existing plans but with option that “cosmetic changes” be made once tendered. Bluebells would like to have at least one lower basin for handwashing but its need was not agreed. BB has been in dialogue with three designers and is nearing obtaining quotes for this work. | BB | |
8. |
Storage Units |
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| Measurements of the storage units have been done and concluded that there is not enough storage. Various options to increase storage in the future were proposed, when funding is available. One being building another garage onto the existing two garages towards the football club. Two, where the CSH bin is located to have a unit to house the rubbish, salt, equipment needed for the handyman, etc. MH suggested racking out the current garages to optimise the space would help. MH to speak with the Orpen Players, BYG and Bluebells who currently rent them and come up with drawings and costings for next meeting for the Committee to consider. | MH | |
9. |
Terms of Reference |
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| BB forwarded to CS – this item can now be taken of the Agenda. | ||
10. |
Budget for next year |
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| 2016/2017 fees were approved at the Parish Council meeting. VBC to advise regular hirers of increases. | VBC | |
11. |
AOB |
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| BB listed out various light bulbs not working and VBC will get these replaced | VBC | |
12. |
Date of next meeting7th March 2016 – 7.30pm John Lampon Hall |
|
| (Brian Butcher offered apologies in advance) |
Hillhouse Bluebells 2015Friends of Hillhouse Wood (in conjunction with the Woodland Trust) once again invite you to attend their annual Bluebell Open Day, timed to catch the Bluebells at their best, on Saturday 25th April 2015. Having achieved major media credits in the past few years with The Times (April 2013) saying it was:
A superb springtime wood with a flood of bluebells enhanced by the light created by coppicing of hazels. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear blackbirds and nightingales.
… in an article featuring 30 of the best wild days out in Spring, The Telegraph this year saying:
One of the Top Ten spots to see bluebells in the UK
and then, the BBC featuring the bluebell woods in the BBC2’s show “Great British Garden Revival”, it is really worth a visit.
As ever, Steve Hallam will lead the guided walk, starting at 2pm (weather permitting) from the Old Church to see the bluebells and other spring flowers, butterflies and spring bird life, perhaps including early nightingales.
Maps, nature trail guides and flora and fauna guides can be collected from the Friends’ Information Point at St Mary’s Old Church. Refreshments will be available from the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church.
The Premises & Recreation Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 14th April when they discussed a range of issues affecting Orpen Hall & playing fields such as dogs & puppies, football & Bluebells.
| Councillors present | Phil Walby, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow |
| Apologies | Rachel Howard, Rosemary James |
Victoria Beckwith Cole in attendance.
1. |
Orpen Hall |
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| a) Vicky has heard from firm supplying chairs and has been sent a diagram of how to use the locking clips. | VBC | |
| b) Hall cleaning. Deep cleaning of JL Hall carried out during Easter holidays. Some areas need further attention. Vicky will hold the cheque until these have been rectified. | VBC | |
| c) Security lights at 4 corners of hall changed to LED and are very effective and make the car park much safer. | ||
| d) Some posters for the table top sale held this last month still need removing from village. | ||
| e) Meeting held with Bluebells. Price for hiring hall agreed for the coming year. | ||
| f) Light in main hall requires fixing. | VBC | |
| g) A notice board has been purchased for the kitchen. This will display Health and Safety notice and any information for regular users. | VBC | |
| h) Proposed to attach dado rails along walls in JL Hall to prevent tables from scraping the walls and paint. Murray will ask Scott Thorpe to quote for this job. | PW | |
2 |
Play equipment |
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| “Play Equip” has quoted for repairs to play area rubber flooring with guarantee. Planned for 10th June. | PW | |
3 |
Football Club |
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| Business case re buying of mower discussed and agreed at Finance meeting. | PW | |
4 |
Dog Warden |
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| Phil met with the dog warden from CBC who investigated specific areas. A dog bin has been located in the Brewery site. | ||
| Discussed ordering of new “anti-dog-fouling” notices. | PW | |
5 |
Dogs on Orpen Hall site. |
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| Propose to send letter to Football club reminding them that dogs are not allowed on the Lorkin Daniell Field. | PW | |
6 |
Puppy training in hall. |
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| Some members expressed concern that this was held in the Hall where children are playing at other times. Phil said that the hall was always left clean. | ||
7 |
Communication |
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| a) It was proposed by Phil that there would be no Premises sub-committee meeting in July, August and December unless there was urgent business to discuss. | ||
| b) There was an excellent response to the Annual Parish meeting and this was most successful. | ||
| c) Superfast broadband. Many areas of the village still have very slow broadband. We need to discuss how we can get an improved service. Because we have County Broadband providing some service it appears that we do not qualify for Superfast Essex. This does not help the residents who currently have a poor service or no service at all. As a Parish Council we need to find a method of dealing with the problem. How can we achieve an improved service? | Agenda Item | |
Date of next meeting – Thursday 14th May 2015 |
The Friends of Hillhouse Wood, in conjunction with Woodland Trust, invite you to join Join Steve Hallam for their annual Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk. As the Woodland Trust say:
Hillhouse Wood is a mosaic of different woodland types making it particularly interesting. It has two ponds and two streams running through, but volunteers have been busy creating footbridges and drying out the path edges. A carpet of bluebells in Spring.
Starting at the Old Church at 2pm on Saturday 19th April, you will see the bluebells (looking like being a great show this year), and other spring flowers, butterflies and spring bird life, possibly including early nightingales.
You can collect your map, family nature trail, and flora and fauna guide from the Friends’ Information Point, by St Mary’s Old Church. Refreshments are available at St Mary’s Old Church.
The long awaited information boards have now been installed at all three entrances to Hillhouse Wood. The main board was erected at the entrance off the track that runs past the church whilst the two smaller boards were positioned by the Woodland Trust’s Site Manager, Tony Chadwick.
Thanks goes to the Woodland Trust for designing, making and installing the boards and to Colchester Borough Council and The Friends of Hillhouse Wood for providing funds for the project.
All those attending the Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk on Easter Saturday should have ample opportunity to see them together with everything else that will make this a great afternoon event.