Community, Parish Council & Village
The 24th AGM of the Friends of Hillhouse Wood is on Wednesday 12th December 2018. Starting in the Orpen Hall at 7.30 pm, refreshments will be served from 7.00 pm. The Friends will welcome members and non-members alike. The draft agenda is as follows:
Colchester Borough Council has issued a few news items lately that you might have missed and yet could interest you:
Heritage Open DaysThis year Heritage Open Days is set to open the doors to over thirty historic properties across Colchester for FREE. This includes Colchester Castle on Saturday 8 September.
From 6-9 and 13-16 September 2018, Colchester’s sites of significant historical and architectural interest will be open free of charge. Other planned activities over the two weekends include accompanied guided walks, talks, tours and exhibitions.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture. It sees historic places countrywide throw open their doors to celebrate their individual heritage, community and history. It provides a great way to discover Colchester’s fascinating history and see inside venues that are usually closed to the public, all for free. Find out more here.
This promises to be a great event so why not make the most of it?
Recycling – Thank You!The latest figures for recycling are out one year on from the collection changes which were introduced last June. Non-recyclable rubbish is down by 31% and food waste is up 80%, when compared to the same period last year.
Overall recycling is up to 53% of the total rubbish collected with recycling rates for all individual items also increasing. You can read more here.
KeepCupsEssex County Council has recently launched a Keep Cup campaign. It aims to get as many people in Essex to make a pledge to reduce the use of single-use coffee cups by opting for a reusable cup. More than 1000 residents have already made their pledge so why not make yours today?
Simply visit their website and make your pledge to show your support. Every pledge helps reduce the impact on the environment.
Save paper by switching from pay and display car park tickets to the FREE MiPermit app to pay for your town centre car parking in Colchester (and many other locations country-wide).
You can also use the app to:
You can find out more about the MiPermit app and register for an account here.
The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 7th December and discussed a range of issues such as winter tasks & projects, handymen, allotments, heath barrier, ponds, Argents Lane, bus stop and heath ecology.
Continue reading “Environment & Highways – 7th December 2017”
St Mary’s Update – 4th September 2017St Mary’s Church update for 4th September provides listings of services, bible readings and other events and news such as Family Fun Afternoon, Recycling news and Families Worker.
Don’t forget, the church is now open on weekdays if you would like a quiet space to reflect or say a prayer for someone.
St Mary’s has been successful in applying for funds to appoint a part-time Families Worker (see below), and we need to contribute to the cost. Taking place on Saturday 30th September Continue reading “St Mary’s Update – 4th September 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”
Annoyed by Fly-TippingThe Environment Agency has issued a 24/7 Hotline to try and gain intelligence to combat the illegal dumping of rubbish also known as fly-tipping. If you witness or find fly-tipping or have any information about it you can now report it to the Environment Agency 0800 807060.
Reports should include as many Continue reading “Annoyed by Fly-Tipping – Now You Can Take Action”
Amongst other topics Food and Volunteering feature in Colchester Borough Council’s latest Green Living newsletter:
Save big on tasty food this summerAre you planning tasty garden BBQs and picnics out? Make your money go further – get the most from the food you buy, store and cook. Find easy tips, recipes and more to help you Love Food and hate waste. Over the year it could save you £hundreds – perhaps enough to enjoy a family holiday! Visit the Love Food hate waste website to find out more.
If you’ve already started greening your home through heating, lighting or power initiatives, big or small, why not show it off to others wanting to save £££ on energy bills? Register as a Green Open Home host for the forthcoming September event. A great way to share tips, techniques and experiences of green technologies, and discover new sustainable living ideas. You can see homes in the Colchester have already registered on the Green Open Homes website which also gives you the opportunity to register your own home.
Fresh air, new friends, feel greatThis summer and year-round there are lots of ways to enjoy Colchester’s great outdoors, while giving a little back too. Whether you’re a budding gardener, enjoy walking or want to get stuck in to something practical there’s a volunteering opportunity for you! From the town to the countryside and however long you’d like to be involved including:
Find out more on the CBC website.
Did you know? Going online for services is better for the environment and can save you money on travel, postage and through online discounts!
Switch to take up core Council services online – whether you need to find information, make a payment or provide us with your details, its easy and secure with an online account. Plus if you need to, enjoy free friendly help at events borough-wide to brush-up your internet skills for shopping, finding local events, services and more.
The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th March 2015 when they discussed a range of issues including village handymen, beacon, potholes, dog poo and footways.
| Councillors present | Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Phil Walby, Rosemary James |
| Apologies | Rachel Howard, Murray Harlow. |
| 1 | Village Handyman | |
| Road signs have been cleaned by Steve. Harry has held a Performance review with Steve.Ivor is arranging to cut the hedge at the Methodist Church. | HS | |
| 2 | Traffic Safety Plan | |
| All proposed yellow lines and road signs and 20mph limits have been signed off. The yellow lines apparently will be done in April and the speed limit signage in July. | ||
| 3 | Potholes | |
| Potholes and surface problems in Chitts Hill highlighted. Ask for resurfacing in the future.Potholes and surfacing in New Church Road needs attention.Hall Road problems have been somewhat alleviated by hedging and ditching. Potholes need attention. The road leading up to the Old Church would benefit from the sweeper. | HS | |
| 5 | Dog fouling | |
| A dog bin has been ordered for the Brewery site. An item for the March Bulletin has been sent in encouraging dog walkers to help keep the village clean.Phil will meet with Marcus and the dog warden on Friday 13th to discuss problems. | PW | |
| 6 | Beacon | |
| Steve is arranging for a pole to be bought and the sign will be placed near the Village sign at the area adjacent to junction of Chapel Road and Colchester Road. Ivor to be asked to assist Steve with transporting beacon to the site. Brian Butcher to monitor site for placement. | HS & BB | |
| 7 | Areas of work in village | |
| Agreed to produce a map showing sites of our responsibility in the village. | HS | |
| 8 | Footways in village | |
| A resident has proposed that a footway along the Nayland Road would make it safer for children walking to school. It seems unlikely that money will be available for this as a project. | ||
| 9 | Grit spreader | |
| Although the grit spreader has not been required for snow clearance this year, it is not functioning efficiently. Harry to contact Tuckwells for solving the problem. | HS | |
| Date of next meeting – to be notified | ||
| Councillors present | Harry Stone, Murray Harlow, Jenny Church, Phil Walby, Rosemary James |
| Apologies | Rachel Howard |
| 1 | Village Handyman | |
| Harry to meet with John Gili Ross and Val Walsom regarding Performance Management review. | ||
| Ivor to contact Andrew Wilkes to arrange cutting of hedge at Methodist Church | HS | |
| 2 | Village Ponds | |
| Carla from the The Conservation Volunteers has been contacted. Because of weather conditions this pond will be cleared later in the year. | JC | |
| 3 | Traffic Safety Plan | |
| Apparently the introduction of yellow lines and 20mph signs for New Church Road and School Lane have been agreed but we await a date for these to be put in place. | Agenda Item | |
| 4 | Potholes | |
| Many potholes in the village have been marked for repair. We are waiting for the work to be carried out. Problem with drain cover in John Lampon Close has been reported. | ||
| 5. | Dog fouling | |
| A dog bin has been ordered for the Brewery site. An item for the March Bulletin has been sent in encouraging dog walkers to help keep the village clean. Marcus is contacting the dog warden. To ask Marcus to request some new dog fouling notices that we can put in strategic places in the village. | JC | |
| 6 | Beacon | |
| Steve is arranging for a pole to be bought and the sign will be placed near the Village sign at the area adjacent to junction of Chapel Road and Colchester Road. Ivor to be asked to assist Steve with transporting beacon to the site. | Agenda Item HS |
|
| 7 | Areas of work in village | |
| Agreed to produce a map showing sites of our responsibility in the village. | HS | |
| 8. | Noise abatement | |
| A problem with noise near Queens Road is not apparent at the moment. Phil will monitor this in spring/summer. | PW | |
| 9 | Hall Road | |
| A complaint has been received regarding flooding here. The ditch to the east side of the road has been cleared. To monitor flooding when next heavy rain comes. Potholes have been marked for repair by ECC Highways Dept. | ||
| Date of next meeting – Thursday 12th March 2015 in JL Hall |
Environment & Highways – 8th January 2015The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 8th January 2015 to consider a range of issues and decisions affecting the general environment and highways within West Bergholt. Updates on traffic safety, village ponds, pot-holes, dog bins & poo, beacon, & grass cutting. The formal report to the Parish Council is as follows:
| Councillors present | Harry Stone, Murray Harlow, Jenny Church, Phil Walby |
| Apologies | Rosemary James, Rachel Howard |
| 1 | Grass verges | |
| Grass verges need cutting/trimming/tidying. This will be arranged when weather permits | HS | |
| 2 | Village handyman | |
| The use of a chit book needs to be made to work efficiently. We do not always know when Steve has completed jobs. Harry to follow this up. | HS | |
| There is going to be an appraisal system for employees instigated.Methodist Church has requested help with hedge cutting. Harry to arrange for Ivor to do this. | HS | |
| 3 | Village Ponds | |
| Lexden Road and Queens Road ponds have been cleared by TCV and the vegetation removed by Norhurst. Both are looking really good. Hall Road pond needs attention. Jenny to contact Carla Davis. | JC | |
| 4 | Traffic Safety Plan | |
| 20mph signs to be put in place along New Church Road and School Road in February. A message from Sonja Church to say the yellow lines will be installed anytime now. | Agenda item | |
| There has been a problem in New Church Road by the new houses being built as the builders have been parking their trucks and lorries and creating a problem at school time in the mornings. | ||
| 5. | Potholes | |
| There are problems at various places in the village. Highways need to be informed. | ||
| A drain cover uplifting is a problem in John Lampon Close. Harry will report this. | HS | |
| 6 | Dog bin | |
| Check with Val about the order of a bin for Brewery site. | ||
| Problem with dog fouling in the village. Complaints have been received. Plan to organise an “anti-dog pooh” campaign in February. Item for bulletin, posters. | JC & MH | |
| Ask Marcus to refer to dog warden at CBC | HS | |
| 7 | Beacon | |
| Now to be installed by village sign at end of Chapel Road by Steve. The wording for a plaque agreed. John Gili Ross will arrange this. | Agenda item | |
| 8. | Grass cutting | |
| Sub-committee agreed to carry on using our current arrangements for grass cutting | ||
| 9 | Areas of work in village | |
| Plan to produce a map showing sites of our responsibility in the village. | HS | |
| 10 | AOB | |
| a) Noise abatement team from CBC have been called out but unfortunately the PC hasn’t been informed of this. It would be useful for us to know. | ||
| b) The rangers from CBC are asked to carry out tasks but we never can be given a date and we are not informed when the work is completed. | ||
| Date of next meeting – Thursday 12th February 2015 in JL Hall |