Community, Parish Council & Village
Members of the community have been quick to praise local volunteers as shown on the right here.
Also a quick update to let you know that the February News Update is now available to download on our website. If you have any news that you think might be of interest to the local community please us know.
Last autumn the Parish Council agreed a severe weather policy in the event of the winter conditions we experienced last year. Until the first week of February we thought this had done the trick as it seemed to keep the snow away.
No such luck.
Last Sunday (5th February) about twelve volunteers swung into action with the aim of clearing pathways in some of the key areas of the village. In a short time they made an impact by removing the loose snow before it became hard packed and then spreading salt and grit which had been supplied by Essex County Council.
Without knowing how long these conditions would last the hope was that this would make movement about the village easier and safer. The feedback shows these efforts were appreciated and the entire village is grateful to those who volunteered. It was a great example of what can be achieved by communities working together and hopefully on the next occasion more will be willing to join in. Snow was cleared from the pathways to the shops doctors’ surgery, bus stops, Heathlands School and around the Playschool. Just imagine what could have been achieved with more volunteers. If you would like to help then contact Harry Stone on 241026.
Come along to the next meeting of West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association on Monday 20th February in the Orpen Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm. And meet Ric Staines, HND, Cert.Ed, professional horticulturalist who will talk on ‘To Prune or not Prune’. He’s had a book published on both sides of the Atlantic, has a regular gardening column, and features as a long standing gardening expert on BBC Radio.
Ric has run his own market garden growing a range of salads and other vegetables for all the major UK supermarkets. He then moved into lecturing, developing courses as well as teaching in Commercial Organic Production as well as the first ever course in Holistic Horticulture, which incorporated sustainable and co-creative gardening, permaculture, bio dynamics and the complementary health care uses of plants. More recently, Ric has been working as a consultant helping the BBC set up local community-based gardening programmes across the country.
Another diary date to note is …
Our annual plant sale to be held on Monday 21 May at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall. This is one month later than in previous years. We will offer an extended range of vegetable and bedding plants, as well as perennials, etc at our bumper sale.
If you’re interested in becoming a member or coming along as a visitor, the annual subscription is £9; visitor entry £3. For details on our Association please contact: [email protected] or [email protected] tel 01206 242124.
Our Under 9s were at home to Gt Bradfords but despite a good performance they lost 4-2. Jonah Murray and Matthew Sanderson scoring the Bergholt goals. Just a quick mention re one of Bergholt’s Under 9s – Alexander Hopkins – who unfortunately broke his leg in last Sunday’s game vs Reed Hall: Get well soon Alex, we hope to see you playing again soon!
The only other match this weekend was the Under 13s who were away to Frinton & Walton with the managers words still stinging from last week’s poor performance! A much improved effort saw Bergholt comfortably win the game 6-1 and if the home ‘keeper had not been on top form the final result would have been in double figures! Bergholt goal scorers: Aaron Marley, Gianni Sabini, Antonio Sabini, Owen Bernhardt, James Holden and Mickey Whittle. Bergholt ‘man of the match’: Gianni Sabini.
Next weeks’ fixtures – Sunday 5th February:
Just the one match as the season starts it’s final leg: Under 13s Vs Great Bentley in the 2nd round of the Colchester Open Cup (kick off 11am on the Poors Field).
The new president, Susan Leng, welcomed members and several visitors to the January meeting. Following tea members enjoyed a game of Beetle.
Ideas for Social Time can be brought to the next meeting on February 1st where contributions to our new sales table for unwanted gifts etc. would be appreciated to help our funds. Mrs Stephanie Barrows will talk about Psychics and Mediums.
Members are looking forward to the WI’s 91st Birthday Lunch at The Lion Leavenheath on Wednesday 8 February.
The Under 9s played really well, but eventually lost 3-1 away to Reed Hall. Jonah Murray scoring the Bergholt goal.
In contrast, our Under 13s did not play at all well. In what should have been a game of 2 halves due to the wind blowing straight down the pitch, Bergholt never got going and were still looking for their first serious attempt on goal with 5 minutes of the match to play! In what the Bergholt manager described as the worst performance of the season, visitors Heybridge ran out 2-0 winners at the Poors field in a game that was mainly the Bergholt defence Vs the Heybridge team!
The Under 14s also lost, 4-0 away to Halstead Blues.
Our Under 16s completed a miserable weekend for Bergholt, losing to Broomfield youth 18-1 at home. Matthew Pitts scoring the solitary Bergholt goal.
The Under 18s stopped the run of losses – their game away to Little Oakley was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch!
Next weeks’ fixtures – Sunday 29th January:
… is the title of the Orpen Players’ annual pantomime running over two weekends with 6 performances (2 matinee) as follows:
Tickets are priced £4 children and £6 adults and can be purchased:
The pantomime was written by Norman Robbins and is directed by Peter Cox. Cast members are:
The Under 9s were at home to top of the table Colchester Athletic, but despite Bergholt turning in a good performance that pleased the manager – and holding Colchester Atheletic to 0-0 at half time, the visitors finished the game with a 2-0 win – one of the goals being a rocket from the half way line.
Our Under 13s were away to “B” league Little Oakley in the 1st round of Colchester Open Cup. The game started slowly, and Bergholt even slower, but after 10 minutes a clearance by the home team was intercepted by Aaron Marley and the ball fell kindly to James Holden to lob the keeper who was still out of his goal from taking the kick. Goal number 2 came midway through the half when Gianni Sabini brought the ball out of defence, exchanged passes with his brother and coolly slotted the ball beyond the keeper. Before half time it was 3-0 when James Hirst hit a speculative shot from distance after a corner was cleared to him – the ball being pushed into the roof of the net by the home keeper. Early in the second half Aaran Marley got on the score sheet, heading in at the far post after good work and a cross from Antonio Sabini. Midway through the half Little Oakley got their solitary goal after Bergholt conceded a free kick on the edge of the “D” – not that anyone could tell why a free kick had been given. Some strange wall / goalkeeping positioning saw the Little Oakley striker blast the ball in direct from the kick. However Bergholt were still comfortably in control despite never hitting some of the heights seen in other games, and Jake Adams completed the scoring advancing on the left to loop a shot over the keeper which bounced into the net with Owen Bernhardt on hand to ensure no defender could stop it. Final score: Little Oakley 1 – 5 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: James Holden.
The Under 14s match was postponed as Bergholt could not a raise a team due to injury and illness.
Our Under 16s were away to Halstead Town and put in a really good performance, only losing 6-0.
The Under 18s were at home to Lawford Juniors, winning an entertaining match 4-1. The Bergholt goal scorers were Ryan Fox, Callum Drage, Alex Enright and Tom Hodder.
Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 22nd January:
Our Under 9s were back in action for the first time since the end of November following their mid-winter break. The break obviously did them good as they won away at Long Melford – having lost the home fixture 2-1 – and scored 6 goals as well! The final result: Long Melford 2-6 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt Heath goal scorers: Matthew Sanderson x 2, Jonah Murray x 2, Richard Frost x 1 plus 1 x own goal.
The Under 13s were also away at Long Melford, in “A” league action. Bergholt started the game brightly and took the game to Melford, James Holden hitting the bar with a header from Bergholt’s first corner. Begholt continued to press into the Melford half and the home sides goal was leading a charmed life. Mid way through the half James Holden was put through clear on goal and, with the goalkeeper hesitating, he coolly side footed into the net. Half time saw the teams come off the pitch without Connor Welfare in the Bergholt goal having had to make a save. The second half continued in the same way and a few more goal mouth scrambles and a header off the line meant Melford kept the game at 1-0. With 10 minutes to go an error in the Bergholt midfield left them exposed and the fast Melford striker was put though on goal and slotted past the Bergholt ‘keeper. One-all with Melfords first shot on target! Bergholt continued to pile forward and they were rewarded with the winning goal in the final minute, Jake Adams getting onto the end of a through ball at the end a good passing move. Final result: Long Melford 1-2 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: James Hirst.
The Under 14s were in Colchester Open Cup action, away to Torquespeed. Unfortunately they lost 2-0.
The Under 16s had the weekend off as no match was scheduled.
Finally, our Under 18s were at home in league action, to Little Oakley Reds, but lost a close match 3-2. Bergholt Heath goal scorers: Alex Bartlett and Ryan Fox.
Next weeks’ fixtures – Sunday 15th January:
Essex Council have asked us to let you know about changes to opening hours of their Recycling Centres for Household Waste. As of 9th January 2012 the following changes will commence:
For further information on recycling centres or to find details about any specific centre either visit www.essex.gov.uk/recyclingcentres or contact 0845 603 7625.