Community, Parish Council & Village
Last weekend The Times published an article on “30 wild days out for Spring” including within it recommendations for beach, meadow & wood walks. Featured amongst the wood walks (with a near full-page picture) was Hillhouse Wood about which they said:
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.
The Times – 13th April 2013
Following an unseasonably cold March and early April, the Friends of Hillhouse Wood have decided to delay their annual Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk by one week.
This is a Free Event and all are welcome.
It is with sadness that I report that our colleague and friend, Joe Firmin, passed away at his home in West Bergholt on Monday 18th March. Joe was well known for his articles in the Village Bulletin as well as leading many varied nature walks through Hillhouse Wood where people benefited from his great love of birds, beetles, insects and plants.
Who will ever forget a ‘Dawn Chorus’ event with Joe where around 20 people would meet up at 3:45am to listen to the songs of many birds including nightingales?
Joe will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with Joe’s widow, Linda, and his daughters.
Joe’s funeral will be held at Colchester Crematorium on Wednesday 27th March at 9.30am. It will be a humanist service and Linda requests no flowers.
Andrew Savage
Chair of The Friends of Hillhouse Wood
Steve Hallam will lead a winter bird walk in and around Hillhouse Wood on Saturday 2nd February.
The walk will afford the opportunity to see resident woodland and meadow species as well as some winter visitors.
Meeting at the Old Church at 9:30am (weather permitting), it is advised that you wear stout footwear and warm clothing and to bring a flask of hot drink.
The 18th Annual General Meeting of The Friends of Hillhouse Wood will be held on Wednesday 12th December 2012 at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall, Lexden Rd.
Refreshments will be served from 7.00pm. Members and Non-members welcome.
Following formal business, there will be an illustrated talk entitled:
The Woodland Trust Today
Tony Chadwick, our newly appointed Site Manager talks about the Trust’s plans for 2013, Ash Die-back and other hot topics.
M.R. Pluck
Honorary Secretary
Telephone 01206 514173