Tag: halloween

Posted on

St Mary’s News – What are you thankful for?

In this edition Revd Heather asks “What are you thankful for?”

Orphan train is used as a reference point when Rev. Heather asks What are you thankful for.

After discussing ‘what are you thankful for’ this edition continues with:

A copy of the PCC (Parochial Church Council) minutes are available to view in the Church (in the leaflet rack on top of the side cupboards).

Rev. Heather’s  asks “What are you thankful for?”

What are you thankful for? As I ask this question I am reminded of the film ‘The Orphan train’, which depicts the journey, Emma Simms, niece of Reverend Simms, made taking orphan children to find new homes in the West of America. The journey is accompanied by many traumas, including a fire in their train carriage, arriving in the town of Clayhorn, only to be driven away by the townsfolk and a massive storm causing a bridge collapse, with the last few orphans, having to walk the final 15 miles to the town of Mildred.

Continue reading “St Mary’s News – What are you thankful for?”
Posted on

Halloween – Fun or Fear?

Halloween imagery

Essex Police are concerned that while many enjoy Halloween, some might not.  Also, below, is news of a Colchester Business Opinion Survey. If you run a small, or a large business, you might want to check it out.  First of all, though, what do Essex Police have to say about Halloween?

Halloween

Halloween is a fun and exciting time for many but some people can find it unsettling. It’s often a busy time for police too.  This Halloween they would like to remind everyone to think of others and be considerate around those not taking part. They say that they will take a robust approach to anyone causing problems.

Continue reading “Halloween – Fun or Fear?”
Posted on

St Mary’s News – Bread of Life Edition

I am the Bread of Life - Jesus

This edition of St Mary’s News starts with Liz Dixon reflecting on Jesus being “the bread of life”, and continues with other news including:

The Bread of Life

Then Jesus declared ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’

John 6:35

More Sustainable

In an effort to live more sustainably, I decided to try and grow some vegetables in my garden for the first time this year. I made lots of mistakes so the results were very mixed. The broad beans were covered in black fly, the dwarf pea plants produced about 6 peas from 20 plants, and the carrots were very tiny. But I did manage to grow some passable red peppers!

Continue reading “St Mary’s News – Bread of Life Edition”
Posted on

Halloween Half Term 2015

Halloween Half Term 2015

If you are looking for ideas of what to do with the kids, here are some events for the Halloween Half Term:

Haloween Half TermColchester Zoo

Fright Nights

For those that are brave enough to stay after dark, Colchester Zoo also is hosting a number of Fright nights with extended late night openings!  Dare you stay on into the evening and face the ghosts and ghouls that take over the zoo or step foot in the Haunted Church? With the return of the infamous Terror Train plus many more spine chilling events this really is your Best Nightmare!

Fright Nights take place on selected nights during the October half term (Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November), please check the website for exact dates for Fright Nights.  Please note that Tesco Deals Vouchers cannot be accepted as payment for Shriek Week, Fright Night or Magic of Christmas events.

Shriek Week

The darkness of ‘Shriek Week’ is set to return to Colchester Zoo…are you brave enough?! Why not join in and enjoy plenty of spook-tacular fun during October half term. Enjoy a number of spooky themed displays and activities throughout the day including The Haunted Mansion and Tales from the Crypt as well as riding along the Pumpkin Train Trail!

Please note that Tesco Deals Vouchers cannot be accepted as payment for Shriek Week, Fright Night or Magic of Christmas events.

Details correct at the time of going to press. Check out www.colchesterzoo.org for further information.

Light & Shades, Family Fun Day

Light and Shades, a spooky themed fun day for all the family on Saturday 31st October, 9am-9pm.

Plenty of hocus pocus will be cast upon the town centre – walk along the High Street without traffic, enjoy creepy craft workshops, ghoulish games, live music, zombie jugglers, steampunk magicians, spooky tours and storytelling. Oh, and watch out for the ghoulishly fun characters around the town centre. There will be plenty of food stalls to fill your appetite.

The spooky fun continues at Firstsite with a traditional ghost train – once on board, be prepared to be frightened with ghostly goings on. A mixture of giggles and screams guaranteed – you wouldn’t want to miss it!

Whatever you do, don’t leave too soon. As it gets dark, make your way to the High Street as Colchester Borough Council hosts fire juggling shows, light performers, live music and a light show on Colchester Town Hall from 5pm-9pm.

Please note that the High Street will be closed to traffic on Saturday 31st October from 8am-8pm.

Click here to download the Light and Shades Family Fun Day full programme.

Spectacular 3D Light Show

From 5.00pm you will see the Town Hall as you have never seen it before. A spectacular and unique fully projection mapped 3D light show – be amazed as you watch the building magically change before your eyes.

We don’t want to give too much away but the stories that will be showcased in the light show are the nursery rhymes Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Old King Cole, both with their roots firmly in the town.

The Town Hall will appear transformed with light, creating a new scene from the existing architecture that will immerse the audience into the nursery rhymes’ using forced perspective projection mapping techniques, live music and narration.

At one point the building’s façade will appear to be showered in falling stars as Jane Taylor, the author of Twinkle Twinkle looks up from an attic window in wonder as the building peels away revealing star fields and nebulas; in another scene, the historical building shall deconstruct and transform into King Cole’s castle.

The show will partly be narrated live by Anthony Roberts, Director of Firstsite and Colchester Arts Centre, and accompanied by live music from Colchester based band Fishclaw. Building to a climactic frenzy of audio and light.

First Site

Firstsite

Every Drawing Tells a Story

Come along to Firstsite during the half term for a whole mix of art and drawing to try with your families. Working with our fabulous artists you will join in with activities which link to this year’s theme for the national programme Every Drawing Tells a Story.

Firstsite has been involved in Big Draw for 15 years since it started way back in the year 2000.

We have twice received recognition as part of the national Drawing Inspiration Awards in 2012 winning one of the top three in the UK and in 2013 receiving Highly Commended for our Big Draw activities.

Monday 26th – Saturday 31st October,  11:00 to 13:00 & 14:00 to 16:00.  £2.50 per person.

Pumpkin Procession

Join lots of families and children for the first Colchester Pumpkin March through the town from Colchester Arts Centre to finish up at Firstsite for some fire spinning and music.

Saturday 31st October, 16:30 – 17:00.  Free entry.

Free Family Saturdays

An intriguing family art or cultural activity with a different theme each week all based on the exhibitions at Firstsite or specific to the season. It’s entirely free and you can stay for as little or as long as you like. Just drop in on the day.

Saturdays from 24th October, 11:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 16:00.  Free entry.

Find out more at www.firstsite.uk.net/page/3085/Whats-on.

Not Now, Bernard & Other Monster Stories @ Mercury Theatre

David McKee’s much-loved Not Now, Bernard is joined by two of his other wonderfully funny (and not too scary) monster stories, The Two Monsters and The Monster And The Teddy Bear, in this fast-paced show about growing up and learning how to deal with change.

Recommended for ages 3 – 8 years.  Tuesday 27th – Saturday 31st October, shows at 11:00 & 14:00.  Tickets £8.50 adult / £6.50 child.  Call 01206 573948

Colchester Castle

Roman Recruits

Have you got what it takes to be a Roman Legionary?  Minimum age 5 years old.

Friday 30th October, workshops at: 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.  Free after normal admission price to the Castle, booking is required, please call 01206 282941.

Halloween Face Painting

Get ready for Halloween with scary faces.

Saturday 31st October, just drop in between 10:30 – 16:00, free after Castle admission price.

Leisure World

Kids Camp

For children in school years 1 to 6.  A range of activities from swimming to trampolining, as well as games, arts, crafts, a bouncy castle and much more.  Sessions are led by qualified coaches and the camp also includes lunch.

  • 9am – 3pm £25.00 per day
  • 8am – 5.30pm £30.00 per day.

Base Camp

For young people of secondary school age (up to the age of 15).  Sessions include trips to off site to places such as X-Treme Gaming.  Swimming every day and a lunch is provided.

8am – 5.30pm

Prices start from £30.00 per day and vary depending on trips included.

Hollytrees Museum

All Hallows Masks

Create your Halloween mask at Hollytrees Museum and make it as scary as you like. At the end of the session, you will have a wonderful addition to your costume to take home.

Monday 26th October at 10:30, 11:30, 14:00 & 15:00 – please book in advance – 01206 282941.  £3 per person.

Lighting the Night

Scare away the ghosts and ghouls this Halloween with a lantern jar.

Wednesday 28th October at 10:30, 11:30, 14:00 & 15:00 – please book in advance – 01206 282941. £3 per person.

Natural History Museum

Funny Bones – Skeleton Craft Workshop

Discover what happens under the skin by making your own moving skeleton. Cut out and colour the bones then join them together and bring it to life.

Tuesday 27th October, drop in between 10:30 – 16:00, charge £3 per person.

Go Live! Snake encounters

Get up close with these fascinating reptiles at the Natural History Museum.

Thursday 29th October, shows at 12:00, 13:15 & 14:30, charge £3 per person (free 2 & unders), no booking required.

Posted on

October Crime Report & Halloween Update

October Crime IncidentsEssex Police - Protecting & Serving Essex - February Crime report

October (up to 26th) saw just one crime report for West Bergholt after what was also a quiet September.

Theft from a vehicle – Whitehouse Lane

At some time between 18:00 on 21st October & 12:00 on 22nd, an unknown suspect gained entry to the victims secured vehicle by unknown means, made a tidy searched and removed property, no damage was caused.

Information Releases

Slightly more of these this month with some advice and support on the subject of Halloween, advice on securing heating oil and also tips on beating burglars.

Halloween – for fun only

HalloweenHalloween should be a fun event not an excuse for anti-social behaviour – that’s the message from Essex Police in the run up to the spooky festival.  Officers want everyone to enjoy October 31st and Bonfire Night but are urging people not to let the fun get out of hand.

Halloween can be an unsettling time for many people, especially elderly people and those who live alone so Essex Police will be taking a firm approach to those who cause problems for others.  In the run up to Halloween police officers and PCSOs will be working with shopkeepers to encourage them not to sell eggs and flour to young people and visiting schools to talk to students about the impact behaviour they may perceive as fun can have on their communities.

Officers are also asking parents to make sure their children do not go trick or treating alone and to remind them only to knock on doors of people they know.

Jasmine Frost, Youth Inspector, said:

The message that I want to give young people is please don’t throw eggs and flour at people or houses.     At the very least this kind of behaviour is anti-social. At worst it could reach the threshold of a criminal offence and lead to your arrest. If you decide to go trick or treating please take care and think carefully about which doors you knock on, particularly if you know there are elderly people living in the area. The most important message is that we want all children and young people to enjoy Halloween and Bonfire Night by keeping themselves safe and making sure they do not cause any problems in their communities.

Posters

Young people are encouraged to visit the 2Smart website to find out how to keep safe while trick or treating and download advice posters.  Adults who would rather not be bothered by trick of treaters can download from the Essex Police webpage a ‘no trick or treaters’ poster. There is also a poster for shop keepers who would like to let customers know they will be restricting the sale of eggs and flour.

Finally Essex Police is reminding residents to call 101 should they feel concerned throughout the evening. While we ask residents to be tolerant of young people enjoying Halloween, they do not have to accept bad behaviour.

Stop Heating Oil Theft

As it comes to the time when you are thinking about topping up your heating oil tank for winter, with the value of fuel it is worth considering its security.  In the more isolated parts of the countryside it is primarily domestic properties that have been targeted by the heating oil thieves, but we have also seen such thefts at farms and other businesses.

There are a number of security devices available that will protect your fuel supplies – details of which can be found via your fuel supplier or local plumber’s merchant. One such system is “GPRS Fuel-Oil Alarm” from www.compoundsecurity.co.uk   and Tank Commander – www.commandersecurities.co.uk which have “Secured by Design” accreditation; these detect a dramatic drop in fuel and call you on the telephone. There are also other systems that will add on to an existing intruder alarm system, whilst others protect the filler cap and there are of course the conventional locks.

Another consideration would be defensive planting around the tank, concealing it and restricting access to it by gates or fencing, and where possible locating the tank under lighting in view of lived in rooms within the house.

Focus on Burglary

Let's keep crime downTraditionally burglaries increase at this time of year so we are asking people not to give thieves a chance.  Sometimes, you can beat the burglars by taking just a few simple steps:-

  1. Make your home safe and secure by fitting 5 lever mortice locks on external doors and for all other doors and windows fit secure locks.
  2. It is most important to take extra care when locking up particularly with regard to UPVC doors.  Lift the handle and lock the door with the key.
  3. When you leave your property remove keys from locks and place them out of sight.
  4. With the nights drawing in, make your property look occupied at all times by using automatic light timer and you might want to consider installing external lighting, especially now that street lights are going to be turned off by councils in some areas.
  5. Nowadays burglars break into properties to steal car keys so avoid leaving car keys near a door or window and lock your car in a garage or behind a locked gate if possible.

Remember, burglars have no boundaries, and could be operating in your area at any time. Stay vigilant, stay secure and stay safe!

Police respondingREMEMBER:  You can attempt to beat the burglars by taking just a few simple steps. We do have plenty of crime prevention advice on our website at www.essex.police.uk or by contacting your local Crime Prevention Officer Stephen Armson-Smith, tel: 101 ext:  430126.

POLICE EMERGENCY NO: (Life or Property threatened or crime in progress etc).   Don’t delay – dial:  999        

The Illusion of occupancy

As the nights draw in earlier don’t forget to use table lamps on timers, and there is a product called “Fake TV” that produces lighting that resembles a television being switched on within a room.   You can also record serial numbers of products using a useful free web service free of charge at www.immobilise.com.  Consider installing external “Dusk till dawn” lighting and remember to secure those gates closed and lock up correctly.

If you like any advice regarding security please do not hesitate to contact your local Crime Reduction Advisor by using the 101 non-emergency telephone number.

Naturally we also ask locals to report any unusual activity to police in an emergency on 999 or after the event on 101 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.          

Posted on

All change at the White Hart

Andrea Dowd will be taking over The White Hart in West Bergholt on the 29thAndrea Dowd who is taking over the White Hart September.   Andrea has some 20 years experience within the licensed trade and has run a number of successful village pubs in the past and is returning to the trade after a break to raise her children. 

Andrea’s vision for the pub is one that she hopes will embrace the whole of the village community and she is looking to fulfilling her role as a member of that community, supporting local causes and charities and being involved as much as possible.

Andrea promises good quality beer and  food (including fresh fish direct from Billingsgate and roast potatoes and cheese and biscuits on the bar on Sundays), as well as entertainment, and has no wish to make any radical changes, preferring to maintain the pub as an important part of the local community and a quaint village pub.  

There are two events coming up that have already been planned:

  • On the 17th October there will be a Soul/Motown night, an evening of mellow soul and motown music from the greats, and
  • On the 31st October there will be a Halloween theme to the day and evening, and Andrea hopes that families will get involved during the earlier part of the evening with the opportunity for fancy dress and games for the children.  In the latter part of the evening there will be a party for the grown ups, fancy dress optional but great fun and great music.

Future plans involve weekend treasure hunts for the whole family, a weekly quiz with prizes in support of local charities and a meat raffle. 

 

Posted on

Women’s Institute – witching update

President, Pat Moran welcomed members to the Halloween Evening. The hall was decorated with creepy crawlies with the committee and members entering into the spirit of Halloween wearing witches hats etc. Barbara Faulkner was welcomed back with her talk entitled “The Witch Report on Halloween”. Her audience learnt many interesting facts about Halloween and the history of witches and their extermination in Europe and the UK.  She read a story called “The Witches Institute” during social time.

November 2 is the annual meeting when a new president is voted in.

Members enjoyed a long and short walk followed by lunch at a local garden centre.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
Skip to content