Climate Emergency Declared

West Bergholt Parish Council declares A CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Climate Emergency Images

On Wednesday 26th January 2022 West Bergholt Parish Council agreed the following motion:

“THAT THIS COUNCIL BELIEVES THAT A CLIMATE EMERGENCY SHOULD BE DECLARED AND THAT THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL TAKE ACTION EITHER THROUGH ITS OWN WORK OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHERS IN THE PARISH TO CUT CARBON EMISSIONS, MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING AND IMPROVE NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS ALL IN THE WIDER INTERESTS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS”

Climate emergencies are being declared internationally by governments and locally by public organisations. This is to draw attention to the effects of human activity, resulting in an ever-warming planet and its potentially catastrophic effects on natural environments, wildlife and human habitats. These can be manifested by a rise in temperatures, rising sea levels and deteriorating conditions for all life

Around 75% of UK councils have declared a Climate Emergency. Colchester Borough Council voted unanimously to declare a climate emergency back in July 2019. Internationally COP 26 has reaffirmed the need to:

  • keep global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5 degrees, and
  • reduce the amount of carbon released into our atmosphere to achieve this.

What does this mean for the residents of West Bergholt?

Environment
  • Are you concerned about the deterioration of our natural environments and diminishing wildlife levels and habitats?
  • Do you want to do more than simply re-cycle your plastic, paper and glass?
  • Do you have ideas about how we could individually or collectively reduce our carbon footprints or improve local wildlife environments?

If so, we are asking for volunteers, across all age groups to join, or maybe lead, a new Working Party forward. They will help produce a strategy and a plan and initiate workshops.

Communicate, generate ideas imagery
  • We need people with communications skills; they will help spread the word by writing articles for the web and other social media.
  • Your organisational skills will ensure we have regular meetings and workshops; also talks from external speakers etc..
  • Your ideas will help to produce a strategy for local action; also a plan for those initiatives we can achieve in our village. Funding for initiatives is available from the Government and ECC and many other organisations to help with green projects.

Email Laura, our Parish Clerk, at [email protected] to join us. Once she has your contact details, she will send you further information on the first meeting.

Please join us to help improve the future; to safeguard as far as is possible an environment that future generations can enjoy.

Some interesting web sites for further information:  

Press contact: Cllr Bob Tyrell, Chairman: Climate Emergency Working Party, West Bergholt Parish Council

Environment & Highways 9th September 2021

Highlights of Environment & Highways Meeting on 9th September 2021

Environment - butterfly on flower

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 9th September 2021 with topics including:

  • Handymen undertook activities from tree -trimming to churchyard-tending. Additional help required October – November. Their new vehicle is now in operation,
  • The Cherry trees at Orpen Hall are dying, what to do?
  • Environmental plan, volunteers needed to maintain ponds. Hall Road pond overgrown,
  • Problems & surveys on Colchester Road.
Continue reading “Environment & Highways 9th September 2021”

Urgent Need for Volunteers

Your village needs you - call for open gardens
Your village needs you - call for vaccine marshals

Volunteers Needed to Support the Local Vaccine Programme

The vaccine programme at the West Bergholt Surgery has so far been highly successful. This is as a result of the NHS staff and the many volunteers and Marshalls who have assisted with traffic flow duties and parking during vaccination sessions. The Marshalls fulfil an important task in minimising inconvenience to the local residences and ensuring those visiting the local surgery are assisted according to their need, particularly those with underlying health issues.

Continue reading “Urgent Need for Volunteers”

Churches Old & New with Christmas News & More

Old Church May 2020

Old Church Crib sceneChurches Old & New with Christmas News

This news update starts with Christmas News from the Old Church, then:

Old Church Update

Old Church Xmas TreeHolly in the windowThe Friends of St Mary’s are sad to have to cancel the Carol Service there again this year as they cannot organise it in a COVID-safe way.  However, Continue reading “Churches Old & New with Christmas News & More”

Care Network Resumes Service

Care Network 0300 773 3100

Care Network 0300 773 3100Care Network Resumes Service

Sadly, throughout the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the services of the Care Network were suspended after over 30 years of service.  Clearly many medical appointments were cancelled and so for about six months no jobs were undertaken by the pool of volunteer drivers.  Under normal circumstances they would normally have supported needy village residents with about 100 jobs  in that time.

COVID-Secure

There are now at least eight Continue reading “Care Network Resumes Service”

Day 77 of (where is) Lockdown – the Gardeners edition

Day 77 of (wherNational Garden Schemee is?) Lockdown

On day 77 we start off with items of interest to gardeners and then quite a few more news items:

National Garden Scheme reopens

The National Garden Scheme has just started opening gardens.  You have to book a timed entry online (and pay Continue reading “Day 77 of (where is) Lockdown – the Gardeners edition”

Day 72 of Lockdown – the Bowling Along edition

Volunteers week

Day 72 of (irregular?) Lockdown

The day 72 update starts with Woods Bowls Club keen to welcome you for a rollup.  There then follows:

Woods Bowls ClubWoods Bowls Club Restarts

Woods is a small but very friendly lawn bowls club that is normally open to all ages and abilities throughout the spring & summer months of April to September.  The club consists of a mixture of male and female members with ages ranging from ‘Thirty-somethings’ to, sprightly Octogenarians! You are never too young or too old to play Lawn Bowls. Continue reading “Day 72 of Lockdown – the Bowling Along edition”

Update on our COVID-19 Help Line

VolunteerUpdate on our COVID-19 Help Line

Earlier this week we announced a COVID-19 Help Line scheme aimed at helping those most in need and impacted by the virus.  The Parish Council is progressing this in association with the Care Network and volunteers in the village.

The aim is for anyone in the village who is in need of:

  • shopping supplies,
  • items from the pharmacy,
  • a reassuring chat, or
  • any other local need that they cannot satisfy themselves,

… to be able to ring a central number and get assistance. Continue reading “Update on our COVID-19 Help Line”

Volunteers Needed for COVID-19

Your village needs you - call for open gardens

Your village needs volunteersWest Bergholt Prepares Response to COVID-19

Army of volunteers needed

West Bergholt is preparing its own response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic but it needs volunteers.  In addition to Government and District/County initiatives, the Care Network, with the support of the Parish Council, plans to offer assistance to anyone in the community impacted by COVID-19.

A scheme is being prepared which will offer assistance to those in self-isolation, older residents, and those with other concerns, to provide assistance accessing: Continue reading “Volunteers Needed for COVID-19”

The Who Will Care? Awards Return for 2017

Who will Care? AwardsThe Who Will Care? Awards Return for 2017

Nominations are now open for the prestigious Who Will Care? Awards taking place on 24 May 2017. Seven award categories celebrate the unsung heroes volunteering across Essex.  They bring together communities and individuals who are working to make Essex an even greater place to live, work and visit. 

Nominate any business, charity or individual you feel deserves recognition for their volunteering efforts in our county, by filling in an online form.

Nominations close Friday 3 March 2017 at midnight. Read about last year’s winners here. Continue reading “The Who Will Care? Awards Return for 2017”

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