Community, Parish Council & Village
The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th May 2022 with topics including:
Orpen Players’ next production is a revue of the Diamond Years featuring music & laughter from the past 60 years. Tickets, priced £10, include light refreshments and entry into a best Jubilee costume competition for those wanting to join in the fun. Tickets available from Roger Milne on 01206 241048.
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The whole village got together on Saturday 16th June to hold a Family Fun day on the Lorkin Daniell Playing Field in the village. The organisers and volunteers turned up to set out the fayre from very early on Saturday morning and were determined to put on a show to remember despite the very windy conditions.
Our event began as planned with an assembly of our children at Heathlands School all having decorated their scooters and “jubilee rides” ready for the parade to the playing field and ultimately the judging competition. Many were clutching their favourite Teddy Bears ready in expectation of the Teddy Bears picnic they would all enjoy following the scooter competition.
The parade was led by Terry Doonan a long time resident of West Bergholt with his highly decorated mobility scooter who at times struggled to keep his powerful “ride” ahead of the excited children’s parade. As the parade entered the specially prepared field and arena they were greeted by the sound of Chariots of Fire and the applause of proud parents and spectators alike.
The winners of the decorated “ride” competitions were presented with their prizes by Neil Mathews, Head Teacher of Heathlands and the winners were;
Over 250 children sat down to the Teddy Bears picnic where each child was presented with a Diamond Jubilee celebratory box of goodies including hat, flag, cake and drink all lovingly prepared by the Blue Bell team and village volunteers.
At the end of the picnic we were all treated to the sight and sound of an impressive fly past by the Royal Air Force who obviously hearing of our family event appeared to divert from their usual flight path to attend our fayre on the way to greeting Her Majesty on her official birthday.
We were all then treated to series of displays by the West Bergholt Dance Troupe, Zumba Class and Heathlands Choir where all were encouraged to take part at the appropriate time. To add further excitement we held our traditional family games competition including a Tug o War, Sack Race and Egg and Spoon Race with prizes for the winners in all categories.
During the afternoon the Woman’s Institute announced the winners of the Diamond Jubilee Card Competition where children were asked to design the front and inside of the card and a verse composed by an adult was selected to complete the greeting card which is to be sent to the Queen on behalf of the village to mark her Diamond Jubilee year. The winners were;
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| Front cover drawing – Olivia Knight |
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| Inside cover drawing – Lily Tyler |
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Your Majesty, Thank you for your dedication, Enjoy the love, the joy, the cheer, |
| Verse written by – Susan Walby (Barker) |
The awards were announced by Susan Leng WI President and presented to the winners by John Gili-Ross Chairman of the Parish Council.
President, Susan Leng welcomed guest speaker Barbara Faulkner who celebrated the June Jubilee meeting with members. She began with a quiz of 20 questions about the Queen. No one knew the Queen had nine thrones! The evening continued with a racing game. Barbara then played music for the members to sing Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia everyone was dressed in red, white and blue.
Following tea, a verse was chosen from the adult village competition and this will be printed together with drawings from the two age groups of children. The card will be sent to the Queen from the residents of West Bergholt.
West Bergholt’s Annual parish Meeting takes place at 7pm on 25th April in the John Lampon Hall. Agenda items include discussion of plans for Village Celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
More details on the village website.
The president Susan Leng welcomed members and thanked all who brought cakes as our annual contribution to St Helena Hospice Colchester.
The July outing will visit the Van-Dal factory and shop in Norwich with free time to follow. Contact 01206 240854 to book a place on the coach.
As part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations the W I is organizing a card with verse competition which will be professionally printed and sent to the Queen from the village of West Bergholt. Forms will be available from the Co-op later this month.
Erika Cole presented the completed photograph album recording the W I’s 90th birthday celebrations during 2011.
Mrs Paula Short was welcomed with her talk on The Artists who Painted Horses.
On Monday 4th June 2012, the aim is to light 2,012 (or more) beacons – the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, the Commonwealth and other countries around the world to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and West Bergholt has been chosen to be a part of this exciting event. Our Beacon is scheduled for 10:30pm at the Orpen Hall on June 4th, and the Parish Council is planning some exciting events to go with this.
It is planning events for the beacon lighting ceremony including fireworks and possible hog roast. As part of the Jubilee celebrations a family fun day will be held on Saturday 16th June. If you represent a village group or are just really keen to get involved in planning these events, you might want to pop in to the next planning meeting at 8pm 22nd March in the John Lampon Hall, or contact John Gili-Ross on 242236.
Help us make it an event to remember!