Community, Parish Council & Village
Taking place on Saturday 5th November, The 24th Heathlands Fireworks display will definitely go with a bang. With the gate opening at 5pm, tickets on the night (if left) will cost £7.50 for adults and £5 for children. Advance purchase is posisble from Monday 17th October until 2pm on the day at discounted prices of Continue reading “24th Heathlands Fireworks”
The Queen’s 90th Birthday CelebrationOn Thursday 21st April the Parish Council have organised an evening of festivities & fun at the Orpen Memorial Hall to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday. Kicking off at 3:30pm with a birthday tea, the evening culminates in the lighting of the Queen’s Beacon and a Firework Display.
If the weather’s good why not bring your own Picnic Blanket & Deckchairs! Red, White & Blue clothing is encouraged with a Prize for the Best Fancy Dress.
The full schedule is:
Free of charge admission tickets for the birthday tea are available from Heathlands School, Bluebells Pre-School, the Co‑op & West Bergholt Pharmacy. Please contact the Heathlands PTA directly for tickets for the Balloon Race.
For more details please contact the Parish Clerk on 01206 240772.
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.
| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Finger posts on Poors Land have been repaired by Handyman. | ||
4 |
Highway Rangers |
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| Request to Highway Rangers to be sent regarding hedges overhanging footways. | LW | |
5 |
Allotments |
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| 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 |
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| The Fireworks were successful and the area of Poors Land has been tidied and cleared. | ||
7 |
Chitts Hill |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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8 |
Budget for next year |
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| 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. |
The show that always goes with a bang proves to be even better this year as the Heathlands Fireworks 2015, taking place 17:30 – 20:00 on Saturday 7th November, are promising:
With gates opening at 5:30, music & entertainment will start at 5:45, bonfire lighting at 6:15 and the display kicks off at 7pm lasting about 25 minutes – the event closes at 8pm. Organisers ask that you arrive in plenty of time since parking will, as ever, be a challenge with some 4,000 expected to be attending!
Tickets go on sale from Monday 19th October and, with a continuing price freeze once again offer great value, which just gets even better with some of their special offers including BBQ food from the PTA stall. Advance ticket prices are £3.50 (under-5s free) or £5.00 including your BBQ option; if any are tickets left on the day the gate price will be £5.00..
Tickets can be bought from:
Follow the event on Facebook or the PTA website.
The Premises & Recreation Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 13th November to consider a range of issues and decisions affecting the Premises and Recreational facilities under their jurisdiction. Updates on Play equipment, Practice Goal, Orpen Hall & Annual Fireworks display. The formal report to the Parish Council is as follows:
| Councillors present | Phil Walby, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow, Rosemary James, Andrew Savage |
| Apologies | Rachel Howard |
Victoria Beckwith Cole in attendance.
| 1. | Budget for next year | |
| Andrew in attendance to discuss preparation for next year’s budget for Orpen Hall. He will forward the agreed budget to sub-committee. | AS | |
| 2 | Orpen Hall | |
| a. Letting for New Year’s Eve agreed. Vicky is able to unlock and lock up after the event. Hirer is responsible person, it is a charitable function. Agreed to levy increased deposit of £200 to cover risk of damage. | VBC | |
| b. Cleaning problem appears to be resolved. Mike has now taken on a new cleaner. To be monitored for the next month to assess improvement or need to still have a meeting with Mike. | PW | |
| c. The problem with the locking chairs has been caused by the wrong clips being supplied. The company will attend and rectify the problem. | VBC | |
| d. “Snagging” problems following decoration of halls have been satisfactorily rectified by decorators. | ||
| e. PAT testing has been completed. | ||
| 3 | Practice goal area on field | |
| Ivor has prepared the goal area and laid foundation work. The artificial turf will be laid when Ivor returns from Jury service. | PW | |
| 4 | Film night | |
| To be put on hold until the New Year. Discussions to be arranged with Bernard. | PW | |
| 5 | Play Equipment | |
| Inspection report has been read. Await talking to Ivor about what is required to make fully safe all equipment. The areas of concern are all low risk. The area is underused at this present time because of the weather. | PW | |
| 6 | Heathlands Firework display | |
| The event went very smoothly, good liaison with PTA. Posts at entrance were removed to avoid damage on entry. Reinstated on Monday following display and are now secure. All rubbish was picked up and skip removed. Minimal damage to grass, replaced with new turf. | ||
| Date of next meeting to be notified. |
Sponsored this year by ‘Cinderella, A Traditional Panto at the Mercury Theatre’ (which runs from 5th December to 11th January), Heathlands PTA is pleased to announce that its renowned annual fireworks display returns this year on Saturday 8th November.
Advance purchase of programmes at just £3.50 offers great value and they are available from Heathlands Primary School, local businesses & other schools in Colchester from 22nd October 2014. Entry at the gate will cost £5.00.
The gates are opening at 5:30 pm and there will be plenty going on before the display including:
Pictures are from previous displays.
To find out more visit www.heathlandsblog.co.uk or email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. Heathlands School PTA is a registered charity (10377284).
Fireworks 2013The Heathlands School PTA annual fireworks display(sponsored by Hatfields Home Furnishers) is taking place on Saturday 9th November. With advance purchase of programmes at just £3.50 this is great value (available from Heathlands Primary School, local businesses & other schools in Colchester). Entry at the gate will cost £5 for adults and £4 for children.
With the gates opening at 5:30 there will be plenty to keep you occupied before the display:
To find out more visit www.heathlandsblog.co.uk or email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
Heathlands School PTA is a registered charity (10377284).
Featuring BBC Essex presenter Steve Scruton, Heathlands School PTA are hoping their 20th Anniversary display goes with a bang. Taking place at Heathlands on Saturday 10th November they have planned a spectacular show with the same award winning display team promising yet again to put on a dazzling spectacle for all the family.
The organisers promise a great night out for all, with a top quality entertainment package, fun stalls and wide variety of food and drink.
Tickets/Programmes go on sale during October priced £3 pre-purchased or £4 on the night and will be
available from local village shops and other outlets, children aged 3 and under will have FREE admission.
This highly popular event is now in its 20th year and has become a key highlight in the Colchester calendar, attracting families from a wide area. It is organised by the Heathlands School Parent Teacher Association and is the main fundraiser for the school, providing essential funds for much-needed equipment.
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| Click for slide-show |
The culmination of a long weekend celebrating Her Majesty’s 60th Anniversary saw West Bergholt become centre stage as it took its place in the global ‘beacon relay’, an event which started many hours earlier on the far side of the world and culminated just 15-minutes after West Bergholt’s Beacon was lit with Her Majesty’s Beacon at 10:30pm on Monday 4th June.
Our open air event took place on Lorkin Daniell Playing field in the heart of the village. The culmination of the celebration was the lighting of its Jubilee Beacon, designed and manufactured by Adrian Leach a village resident. The Beacon was lit by two of our village youths, Amber Harlow and Sam Ryan, who were closely monitored by Cllr John Jowers of Essex County Council (ECC). The theme of the evening was a night of music presented by West Bergholt Concert Band conducted by Graham Wilson.
More than 500 people attended the village celebrations which began with the formal opening of a youth shelter on the playing field which was designed and constructed by another village resident Ian Dickson. Construction of the shelter was made possible by grants from the Parish Council and ECC and uses a design agreed with the youth of the village.
Clicking on the picture will take you to a slide-show of pictures taken by one of our much applauded volunteers for a great event well run and which bought smiles to so many villagers – the slide-show does run in reverse order ☺.
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| Firework display 2011 |
We are pleased to announce arrangements for this year’s grand fireworks display, presented at Heathlands Primary School, West Bergholt, on Saturday 5th November.
We have planned a spectacular show with the same award winning display team promising yet again to put on a dazzling spectacle for all the family. We promise a great night out for all, with a top quality entertainment package featuring BBC Essex presenter Steve Scruton. There is also a wide variety of food and drink, including Hog Roast and real ale, as well as many side show games.
This highly popular event is now in its 19th year and has become a key highlight in the Colchester village calendar, attracting families from a wide area. It is organised by the Heathlands School Parent Teacher Association and is the main fundraiser for the school, providing essential funds for much-needed equipment.
For press information contact Rachel Young, Chairman of the Heathlands School PTA Fireworks Committee on 01206-240360.