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Ebullient & exuberant gardens

Ebullient and Exuberant – aptly described the Old Vicarage Gardens, East Ruston when 52 members and guests visited this week. As we left one beautiful ‘themed’ garden we were enticed into the next. We felt we had travelled many continents seeing Echium pininana from the Canary Islands; Eschonaria yuccoides from Mexico; agaves, aloes, puyas and cacti in the Arizona ‘Desert Wash’; native cordylines and phormiums in the New Zealand garden and a South African flavour in the Exotic section.

Aeoniums and succulents in
the North Garden

Feeling more at home, we ambled through areas of woodland; adored the fragrances in the rose garden; admired with envy, ʽmega’ sized lettuces in the highly productive vegetable patch. A walk into a meadow of cornflowers threw out a blue haze whilst in the wildflower meadow hardy geraniums and other herbaceous plants competed with the grass. And this is just a brief description of all we sampled and enjoyed.

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon – will be our next outing on the evening of Tuesday 5 July. The three acres of riverside gardens are set in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

For details on our meetings and outings contact Valerie Lofthouse, Chair: tel. 01206 855450 – [email protected] or Terry Claydon, Treasurer: tel. 01206 242124 – [email protected].

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Q: When is a MUGA not a MUGA?

A: When it is an all-weather sports area managed by West Bergholt Sports Club.

The village games area situated on the Lorkin Daniell field is now managed by the Parish Council who, in an innovative agreement, have arranged for the Co-op store to hold the bookings diary.  To find out more about West Bergholt Sports Club visit their page on the village website

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Village Design Statement

The final draft of the Village Design Statement (as submitted for approval) is now on-line for those wanting to review it before the Annual Parish Meeting on 25th May. Once adopted, this document will be used to guide decisions on planning and developments within the Parish boundaries.

Have your say…

… at the Annual Parish Meeting on 27th May at 7pm and have a chance of a free pleasure flight for two into the bargain!

This meeting gives you a chance for informal discussion with your parish councillors, to be updated on the village design statement, find out more about local broadband and learn more about the new MUGA management all in a convivial atmosphere with light refreshments being served.

The meeting takes place in the John Lampon Hall adjacent to Orpen Hall.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Do you care?

If so why not join the west Bergholt Care Network at their AGM?  The AGM will be held at the Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday 12th April, 2011 at 7.30 pm.  All volunteers and prospective volunteers are very welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served on arrival. The short business meeting will be followed by an opportunity to ask any questions or find out more about how the Care Network operates.

We are always in need of more volunteers! If you know anybody that might be interested, the commitment can be as much or as little as you choose, please get in touch with the Chairman, Harry Stone, 241026.
This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

¿Habla usted inglés?


Jenny is pleased to introduce Spanish Lessons to West Bergholt.  Spanish is a language spoken not just in Spain but in most south American countries and the Caribbean islands including Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. This language shares a lot of the Italian and Portuguese vocabulary and is listed as one of the five most spoken languages in the world.

Full lessons

Designed for those with a basic understanding. Covering Grammar, vocabulary, phrases and conversation. Practised in a relaxed and friendly group environment.

Mondays 7.30-8.30 pm at St Mary’s the virgin church hall West Bergholt, from 31st January 2011. £4.00 p/p

Speaking and Listening

If you’ve had lessons or spoken Spanish before and are looking to refresh your knowledge or improve your confidence join us for a speaking and listening lesson. Informal and fun, a great way to meet new friends and brush up your skills before that holiday or business trip.

The first and last Thursday of the month 7.00-8.00 pm at St Mary’s the virgin, church hall West Bergholt, Colchester, from 3rd February 2011. £4.00 p/p

Also available

Private lessons, Translations, Interpretations, Staff training and all main subjects related to the Spanish language.

Call Jenny on 07726280882 or e mail [email protected]

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Village Bulletin Online


This quarterly publication is now available to read online along with many archive copies. Find out more about what First Responders have been up to, how residents can benefit from faster broadband and much more of local interest. Click on the following link www.westbergholt.net/village_bulletin.htm.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Chitts Hill – Emergency Closure

Essex Council have announced the emergency closure of Chitts Hill for approximately 100m either side of the level crossing in order to repair faulty high voltage cables. Works are expected to last up to 4 days and so the road may not be reopened until Tuesday/Wednesday 23rd/24th November. The picture shows the location of closure and alternative route via Eight Ash Green (click for larger picture).

Advance notice closures are normally announced on the village website at http://www.westbergholt.net/road_closures.htm

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Not all Pharaohs & Slaves

The WEA’s Spring course tells a different story about Ancient Egytpt to the one we think we know. Frances Boardman, the course presenter writes:

“Ancient Egypt could not have flourished without the people who farmed, fished and built all those monuments. Meet some of these ordinary men and women as well as kings and queens.”

The course takes the form of a series of illustrated talks starting on Tuesday 11 January 2011 at 8.00 p.m. and runs for eight weeks, instead of the usual ten, due to other commitments of the tutor. The plus side to this is that the course fee is only £35.00. The talks last for an hour and a half, with a coffee break in the middle, when there is a chance to look at and borrow books on the subject.

We meet in the Methodist Hall in Chapel Lane CO6 3EF.

If you are not sure whether this is for you, why not come along and sample the first evening for free? For more details, or queries, ring the Secretary on 01206 240791.

Hope to see you there!

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Autumn clean?


St Mary’s Church is holding its Autumn churchyard clear-up on Saturday 27th November starting at 9am. A great opportunity for volunteers to come along, with rakes and gardening gloves please, to help tidy up.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net