Bang on Timing

Bang On Timing

Just as all the firework debris litters our streets the timing of the West Bergholt Litter Warriors plan to hit the streets on Sunday 6th November couldn’t be better.

As ever, all equipment will be provided and the Warriors will be leaving from outside the Orpen Hall at 10am and spend an hour picking. Why not join them & help to keep West Bergholt beautiful?

Grot Spot Alert?

Seen a Grot Spot that needs tidying? Let the Litter Warriors know either by calling the Grot Spot Hotline 01206 240772 or by email to [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

September 3, 2016November 15, 2021

Care Network Calls for Volunteer Drivers

Care Network Calls for Volunteer Drivers

New volunteer drivers are needed by the Care Network in order to continue running their local service. For thirty years now they have been helping those who are not able to get themselves to medical or other important appointments and so need support.

So the future of this valuable service can be secured new volunteers are needed. Most drivers run about 10 trips a year and are paid expenses. So, do you enjoy driving and helping others, if so why not join? Driver are asked to commit no more than they feel they can offer, just to help out when they can.

To join the team call Harry Stone on 241026 or email him at [email protected].

The Care Network is a registered charity and relies on donations to continue running.

March 23, 2016

Clubs – Volunteer Awards & Culture Grants

Essex County Council recently issued news updates on two items that might be of interest to local clubs – time is running out though:

Who are your star volunteers?

Tell us about a volunteer, business or charitable organisation that has made an impact on your community and improved the lives of others. This is your opportunity to show just how much you appreciate them.

The ‘Who Will Care?’ Awards is a county-wide volunteer awards for Essex. There are seven categories to choose from and nominations close on Friday 9 April.

Individual – adult (18+). Volunteer aged 18+ who has demonstrated outstanding commitment within their community. This may be something they have done independently or in connection with a charity/community group or employer.

Individual – young person (under 18) (Sponsored by Seetec). Volunteer aged under 18 who has demonstrated outstanding commitment within their community. This may be something they have done independently or in connection with a charity or community/youth/school group or employer.

Individual – overcoming adversity (Sponsored by Runwood Homes). A volunteer of any age who has continued to volunteer within their community (independently or with a charity or community group) while facing challenges in their own personal life.

Team Volunteer Award. A group of two or more volunteers of any age who have made an outstanding contribution to their community either independently or with a charity, community group or their employer.

Voluntary and Community Sector Award. Open to Charities and Community Groups who are able to demonstrate outstanding service delivery to support their community and/or service users.

Business Award (Sponsored by Edward Carter Solutions). Open to commercial organisations who have made an impact in their community

Innovation Award. Open to Social Enterprises, commercial organisations and individuals of any age who can demonstrate innovation in developing a service/project to support the community.

Find out more and download application forms from the Castle Point AVS website.

Culture in Essex Small Grants

The Culture in Essex Small Grants Schemes are funded and run by Essex County Council, offering one-off project support to arts and culture projects within Essex. Grants of between £250 – £2,500 are available for projects and up to £250 for personal development.

The deadline for 2016/17 is the 31st March 2016. Awards of up to £2,500 are offered to projects which meet the schemes criteria. Please ensure that you read the guidance notes before completing an application form. For more information please email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

March 11, 2016March 11, 2016

Parish Safety Volunteers Sought

Essex Seek Parish Safety Volunteers

Further to the earlier news item (more details here), we have received the following update about Safety Volunteers from Essex Community Messaging:

The Parish Safety Volunteer Programme is a new community safety initiative, delivered in partnership by Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and volunteers from local communities.

Could you volunteer?

Parish Safety Volunteers are trained by experts from our organisations to deliver bespoke fire and crime safety advice and fit smoke detectors in homes. Parish Safety Volunteers will work in pairs, in a smart but comfortable uniform and visit people in their own homes to offer this bespoke service. A diverse range of people will benefit from the Parish Safety Volunteer programme from young families, to the elderly and those vulnerable to the risk of fire or fear of crime.

You must be over 18, know your local area well and be able to commit to an average of 10 hours each month. Everyone who volunteers as a Parish Safety Volunteer will be interviewed, provide two references, complete standard Police security checks and a confidential health questionnaire. Good all-round communication skills are also a must. Reasonable expenses will be paid.

If you are interested in finding out more about what is involved in becoming a Parish Safety Volunteer, please visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk/volunteering or email [antibot mailto-=”[email protected]”] or ring 01376 576237.

March 1, 2016

Litter Warriors “Clean for the Queen”

The West Bergholt Litter Warriors next outing to clean up our streets takes place this Saturday, 5th March, meeting at 10am at the Orpen Hall. This is a ‘special’ event as part of the “Clean for the Queen” Spring Clean. Please join us litter-picking around the village, we do it once a month – it’s only an hour and can make such a difference. All equipment will be provided. There is an award scheme available for junior volunteers.

Clean for The Queen is a campaign to clear up Britain in time for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday, which will be officially celebrated in June 2016.

When she came to the throne litter was not the problem that it is today. Food packaging, plastic bottles, takeaway meals and cigarette butts have all contributed to a growing menace that affects our wildlife, streets, countryside and sense of pride. What better way could we show our gratitude to Her Majesty than to clean up our country?

We are calling on individuals, volunteer groups, local councils, businesses and schools to do their bit. You can start now and also take part in our Clean for The Queen weekend on March 4th, 5th and 6th 2016. Please register your interest here and we will help you to Clean for The Queen.

Further dates

Saturday April 2nd
Saturday May 7th

Seen a Grot Spot that needs tidying? Let us know, on the Grot Spot Hotline below!

Many thanks
Laura & Rachel Walkingshaw

Call 01206 240772 or email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

February 3, 2016March 1, 2016

Litter Warriors

West Bergholt Litter Warriors

Following Colchester Borough Council’s recently launched volunteer litter picking scheme “Litter Warriors”, West Bergholt now has its very own branch. Please join us litter-picking around the village, once a month – it’s only an hour and can make such a difference. All equipment will be provided. There is an award scheme available for junior volunteers.

West Bergholt is a beautiful place, let’s keep it that way!

Seen a Grot Spot that needs tidying? Let us know, on the Grot Spot Hotline below!

Litter Picking Dates for Spring:

Meet outside Orpen Hall on the 1st Saturday each month at 10am.

Saturday February 6th
Saturday March 5th
(Special Clean Up for the Queen Event)
Saturday April 2nd
Saturday May 7th

Many thanks
Laura & Rachel Walkingshaw

Call 01206 240772 or email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]

November 19, 2015November 19, 2015

Parish Safety Volunteers

Essex Police and Essex County Fire & Rescue Service are working together to help make a difference in local communities, helping people to live & feel safer. They are launching a brand new volunteer scheme and are looking to recruit two Parish Safety Volunteers per Parish in Essex, tasked with arranging and conducting home safety visits. These volunteers will deliver crucial fire and crime prevention advice, extensive knowledge of local support services and the ability to fit smoke detectors directly into the homes of those most in need.

If you’re interested, you’ll need to apply for interview and be required to undertake Essex Police vetting. You will receive comprehensive training from both Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police, a full uniform and all equipment required to carry out the role. To ensure volunteers are well supported, Parish Safety Volunteers from across the county will be invited to on-going training and networking opportunities throughout the year.

Scheme Information

1. What is the purpose of the Parish Safety Volunteer Scheme?

The purpose of this initiative is to make local communities safer, more resilient and better protected from fire and crime. It will do this by:

Reducing accidental dwelling fires in the parishes in which Parish Safety Volunteers operate.
Reducing burglaries in the parishes in which Parish Safety Volunteers operate.
Making people feel safer in the parishes in which Parish Safety Volunteers operate.

2. Why are Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service working together on this?

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service alongside Essex Police have a joint desire to increase community resilience and support the building of stronger communities in Essex.

2. What will Parish Safety Volunteers deliver in their Parishes?

Parish Safety Volunteers will be required to…

Conduct Parish Safety Visits and deliver Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service approved advice and support.
Have a comprehensive understanding of what support is already offered in the Parish and be able to signpost accordingly.
Be able to fit smoke detectors in the homes of local residents.
Participate in activities in order to generate Parish Safety Visits and promote awareness of the scheme in their Parish.

4. What else will Parish Safety Volunteers be expected to do whilst volunteering?

Parish Safety Volunteers will be expected to…

Liaise with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service in order to arrange visits and confirm volunteering availability.
Keep and maintain the Parish Safety Volunteer equipment provided by Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.
Attend Parish Safety Volunteer group information, training, review and update sessions
Complete the paperwork required of Parish Safety Volunteers and return it within the agreed timeframe.
Adhere to the policies, expectations and procedures required by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police at all times.

5. How will Parish Safety Volunteers find individuals requiring a visit?

Referrals will be generated by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police, through the processes already used by the organisations to arrange home safety visits.

Referrals will also be generated by Parish Safety Volunteers themselves, as they will be promoting the service and already have some local knowledge of areas and individuals that would benefit from a PSV visit.

6. How will Parish Safety Volunteers interact with the Parish Council?

Parish Safety Volunteers will not require co-ordination or management from Parish Councils as Essex County Fire and Rescue Service will provide all support needed.

However, we will set up a direct line of communication between Parish Safety Volunteers and Parish Councils. This could mean that volunteers attend Parish Council Meetings to update on progress and activity. It could also mean a telephone or email update from volunteers. This will be a local arrangement tailored to the needs of the Parish Council in question and established when the scheme is introduced to the Parish.

7. How will Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police keep Parish Councils updated on the PSV Scheme?

ECFRS will send a bi-monthly progress update to all Parish Councils for whom the Parish Safety Co-ordinator holds contact details. This will be sent on approximately the final day of the month.

8. How will we know what impact the Parish Safety Volunteers have on their Parish?

The Parish Safety Volunteer Co-ordinator will carry out a robust evaluation of the PSV scheme. This will be completed in by October 2016.

9. Key Contact

Parish Safety Volunteer Co-ordinator: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service – Kieron Moir.

No: 01376576237

Interested?

Please complete an application form, or get in touch using [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

Volunteer Role Description – Parish Safety Volunteer

July 29, 2015

Hand in hand – volunteer to tidy our streets

Hand in hand

CBC’s local Community Zone Team, together with members from the road sweeping team, are holding a ‘Hand in Hand’ day in West Bergholt from 9.30am to 2pm on Tuesday 11th August. They’ll be litter picking, sweeping roads and footpaths, cleaning and painting street name signs and generally sprucing the area up.

Come along and help for some or all of the day – volunteers are to meet at the Orpen Hall at 9.30am. Please wear sensible outdoor clothes and footwear. All equipment will be provided.

Find out more from Zone Warden Richard Dunn on 07990 996537.

June 29, 2015

Latest News from Essex County Council

Burning questions

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service wants your views on how it keeps you safe in your home and community.

Residents are being urged to have their say in the future redesign of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), through a 12 week consultation that starts today (Monday June 15) and ends on Sunday September 6.

The consultation process, the main element of the Fire Authority’s Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), aims to address several key issues impacting on the fire service such as the declining number of call-outs and the need to increase the focus on preventing fires and emergencies from happening.

It will also look at major issues such as response times, and the ambitious target of having a working smoke alarm in every Essex home.

Have your say here.

If you’re happy and you know it

Baby and Toddler Rhymetime veteran volunteer Peter Cave is 91 and is living proof you are never too old to volunteer; Peter Cave has been volunteering at the Baby and Toddler Rhymetime session at Chelmsford Library since earlier in the year and intends to carry on his sterling singing and storytelling role after he turns 91 – why not get involved yourself?

Better service, same price

Frozen prices, more options and an improved Meals on Wheels service is coming your way. Essex County Council (ECC) took a decision that will see prices for Meals on Wheels frozen and the service improved, following today’s Cabinet meeting. As part of the decision, a one year extension has been agreed to the county’s existing Meals on Wheels service.

Get exploring!

Go on an adventure in one of our country parks and send us a picture from your trip to win free parking for six months!

Colchester Local Highways Panel funding

Colchester Local Highways Panel (LHP) is set to benefit from a £1million boost which will enable a variety of small highways schemes to get underway. Essex County Council is allocating the funding to Colchester LHP for 2015/16.

Projects will include upgrading the public footpath near Wivenhoe railway station to provide disabled access, building a new wooden bus shelter on St Ives Road in Peldon and pedestrian crossing improvements on Plume Avenue in Prettygate.

June 2, 2015

Youth Group Organize Family Fun Day

Bergholt Youth Group – BYG – is holding a family fun day at the Orpen Hall and Lorkin Daniel field on Saturday 27th June, from 2-4pm. There is no entry fee to the event and all family members are welcome to come along and see what the Youth Club provides for children in the village.

As well as having most of the usual Youth Club equipment out for people to try, including the pool and table tennis tables and the various PlayStation, XBox and Wii games etc., BYG will also be running tennis sessions, a penalty shootout competition and some poor unsuspecting soul will be in the stocks ready for target practise with wet sponges! There will also be afternoon “tea and cake” on sale, in addition to the normal Club tuck shop.

BYG is run every other Friday evening from September through to July for children of school year 6 and above. It has been running for over 6 years, staffed by volunteers. BYG currently has around 90 members and the Club evenings are regularly attended by over 50 children. There will be a Club info table displaying further information and the Club volunteers – “Crew” – will be on hand to answer any questions people may have.