Winter Bird Walk 2015

Next Saturday 7th February, sees the first guided walk of the year in Hillhouse Wood, lead by Steve Hallam in and around the wood, walkers can expect to see a range of resident woodland and meadow species as well as some winter visitors. Who knows what you might see but, to quote the Essex Wildlife Trust talking about Essex Woodlands:

Our woodlands come alive at dawn – tawny owls hoot to each other, and wrens, blackcaps and warblers fill the air with song. Great spotted woodpeckers, treecreepers and jays visit broadleaved and mixed woods, while goldcrests and rare crossbills flit between the trees of conifer forests.

Typical woodland wildlife in Essex includes: Tawny owl, sparrowhawk, great spotted woodpecker, treecreeper, nuthatch, jay, blackcap, garden warbler, nightingale, goldcrest, coal tit, crossbill, firecrest, roe deer, red deer, badger, fox, grey squirrel, red squirrel, wood mouse, dormouse, bluebell, wood sorrel, early-purple orchid, wood anemone, dog’s mercury, primrose, herb-Paris, red campion, oak, ash, beech, field maple, hornbeam, birch, Scots pine, lesser stag beetle

Meeting at the Old Church at 9:30am (weather permitting), you are advised to wear stout footwear and warm clothing and to bring a flask of hot drink.

November 27, 2014December 4, 2014

Christmas is Coming

Christmas Events 2014

Will you meet Mary and Joseph on their journey this year?

The churches in West Bergholt and Great Horkesley, as part of their Christmas preparations, are supporting Mary and Joseph on their journey around the villages.

They will be visiting the various West Bergholt Guide, Brownies, Cubs, Beavers and Rainbow packs in the lead up to the Gift and Parade service with the Uniformed organisations on Sunday 7th December at 11.00am. This will take place in the West Bergholt Methodist Church, Chapel Road and all are welcome to come to this celebration service.

Mary and Joseph will also be visiting other groups/organisations that are happy to offer them hospitality. Their itinerary is still being finalised but it is already known that among others they will be visiting:-

Bluebell pre-school,
Christmas tree festival at Great Horkesley,
St. Marys for young people’s activities.

This custom of the figures of Mary and Joseph going on a journey in the local community stems from Mexico where it is known as ‘Posada’. As we welcome the figures of Mary and Joseph we are encouraged to remember those who are homeless and outcast today and to reflect on how we might offer hospitality to others this Christmas. These figures of Mary and Joseph are travelling around West Bergholt and Great Horkesley to remind us of that first Christmas journey to Bethlehem. When they arrived no room could be found for them, except in a stable, but hopefully this year they will receive a warm welcome in the groups that they visit and there will be places for them to stay. They are keeping a diary of their travels which will be available at West Bergholt Methodist Church from their Candlelight Carol service at 6.30pm on 21st December onwards. All are welcome to join us on December 21st.

If your group is interested in having a visit from Mary and Joseph and would like to welcome them please contact Andrew Wilks to arrange this (01206 242511; [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]).

West Bergholt Methodist Church, St Mary’s Church West Bergholt and All Saints and St John’s Churches Great Horkesley.

Other Christmas Events not to miss are:

Christmas Coffee Morning 29th November

West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding a special “Christmas Coffee Morning”on Saturday November 29th from 10.00 to 12.00 in the Church Hall, Chapel Lane. Entrance is free and all are welcome. Coffee, tea, biscuits and mince pies will be available. There will be a variety of stalls including Home made cakes and preserves, books, jigsaws, cards and Christmas wrap, bric-a-brac, mystery parcels and novelty gifts.

Wired Christmas Party 5th December

Being held at St Mary’s Church starting at 7:45pm for Youth Group members.

Gift & Parade Service 7th December

The Gift and Parade service at the Methodist Church on Sunday December 7 at 11.00am led by Rev. Ruth Ridge is one of the Posada events. Gifts of toiletries will be distributed after the service to the Colchester Womens Refuge, the Night Shelter and Beacon House. All are welcome to join in, with the youngsters from the uniformed organisations and their families, for this special young peoples service.

Carol Singing at the Coop 19th December

A group from the Methodist and Anglican churches will be Carol Singing outside the Co-op in Chapel Road from 6.15 to 7.30 on Friday evening December 19th. More voices are always welcome so come and join us if you can for all, or just part, of the time – you will be very welcome.There will be coffee and mince pies available afterwards.

Candlelight Carol Service 21st December

On Sunday December 21 there will be a Candlelight Carol service in the Methodist Church at 6.30pm led by Rev. Ruth Ridge, followed by coffee and mince pies in the hall. All are welcome.

Carol Service at The Old Church 21st December

Starting at 2:30pm.

Crib Service 24th December

Being held at St Mary’s Church, starting at 3pm

Christmas Eve Carol Service 24th December

St Mary’s Church starting at 6:30pm.

Christmas Day Service 25th December

St Mary’s Church starting at 9:30am.

September 19, 2014

Autumn Fruits at Hillhouse Wood

Discover the fruits of autumn

On Saturday 27th September, Steve Hallam will lead a guided ‘autumn walk’ to seek out berries, soft fruit, nuts and seeds, that are now out in abundance, along with any flowers and birds that we see along the way. He will explain how these fruits have been used by humans and animals, the folklore about them, which ones should not be eaten – and what will happen to you if you do! You should expect to see around 20 types of berries, fruits and nuts.

The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows, and will thus be a little longer than normal. Meet at the Old Church at 2pm (weather permitting); strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter long wet grass!

Organized by the Friends of Hillhouse Wood in conjunction with the Woodland Trust.

December 29, 2012May 5, 2015

200 flock to Old Church

200 Flock to Old Church

On 16th December 2012 there wasn’t a seat or pew left in St. Mary’s Old Church. The annual Carol Service, which was organised jointly by West Bergholt Parish Church and the Friends of St. Mary’s Old Church, brought together well over two hundred people, many of whom had walked across the fields to the old church in the sunshine.

The service included contributions from the choir, led by Caroline Finlay accompanied by Mike Neish on the organ, with his assistant, Jon Smith manning the pump. Richard Chadborn and Michael Foster conducted the service.