Community, Parish Council & Village
Winter bird walk – Saturday 8th FebruaryWeather permitting, Steve Hallam will lead a winter bird walk in and near Hillhouse Wood, offering a chance to see resident woodland and meadow species and some winter visitors. Stout footwear and warm clothing are advised, as well as a flask of hot drink.
If you want to join Steve then meet him at the Old Church at 09:30.
Having lived in the village for many years Aaron & Misty have often gone on walks around the village and felt that something was missing. Add to this that Misty is so keen on baking & catering that she catered her own wedding, it is probably not a total surprise that she is now embarking on her ‘pop-up tea room’ venture. Opening every Sunday in St Mary’s Church Hall between 12:30 – 4:30 you will be able to enjoy a variety of hot drinks and sweet & savoury treats. In Misty’s words:
I have made quite a few wedding cakes and birthday cakes, and my gingerbread house and Christmas cakes are very popular at Christmas. I wanted to start up the little tea cosy in West Bergholt because I feel the village is really missing a nice welcoming place to enjoy a variety of hot drinks and sweet and savoury treats. We have so many lovely places to walk in the village and what way to finish it off with a nice sit down with some refreshments. I hope that people understand where I am trying to go with this idea and come give it a try.
The Friends of Hillhouse Wood’s popular Bluebell Oen day and Spring Walk is taking place on Saturday 4th May, a week later than originally intended, due to the wet winter and early spring.
The guided walk will be lead by Steve Hallam, starting outside St. Mary’s Old Church, Hall Road, at 2pm. The Friends’ Information Point, there from 2pm, will also have a supply of maps, nature trails and family quizzes.
Within the church, refreshments will be provided by the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church during the afternoon. In addition, there will also be an art exhibition there.
Bluebell walks at Hillhouse Wood were recently recognized by The Times as one of the top walks through woods in their Weekend Spring Special on 13th April.
Don’t forget to dress appropriately to the weather!
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
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.
With some 60-70 species of fungus in Hillhouse Wood this is a great opportunity for you to discover them. Ian Rose will be leading the walk which starts from the Old Church at 10am on Tuesday 8th November. You are advised to be dressed appropriately since the paths in the woods can be wet, sturdy shoes in particular are advised.
Joe Firmin and Philip Smith will lead this walk starting at the Old Church at 10am on 10th July. Being in and near the wood the walk offers a chance to see butterflies (including whiteletter hairstreaks), dragonflies, damselflies and other colourful insects, as well as summer wildflowers and resident birds.
… through Hillhouse Wood on Thursday 4th November.
Meeting at the Old Church at 10am Ian Rose will be leading the ever popular fungus foray, seeing some of the 60-70 species in the wood. You will need to be dressed appropriately for walking in the wood — sturdy shoes are a must as the paths can be wet!
Organised by The Friends of Hillhouse Wood in conjunction with the Woodland Trust this event will run ‘weather permitting’.
Join the Friends of Hillhouse Wood for a Butterfly, Dragonfly & Summer Insect Walk on Saturday 17th July. Joe Firmin and Philip Smith will lead a summer insect walk in and near the wood, offering a chance to see whiteletter hairstreaks and other special
butterflies plus some unusual dragonflies and damselflies.
Meet at the Old Church at 2:30pm (weather permitting).