Community, Parish Council & Village
… that a table tennis ball can travel at speeds of 70mph? The St Mary’s Table Tennis Club might not manage speeds quite as high but to find out more about this exciting sport in our village visit their page on our website or for other activities in the village, select Navigation Button ‘Village Life’ and then select from the Clubs sub-menu.
Once again this annual charity fund-raising event will take place in the village off Nayland Road. Running over two days (25th & 26th July) it will start at 10am each day with a packed programme to entertain you.
Arena events on the Saturday include Suffolk horses, kite display, fly-past by a World War II Lancaster Bomber and Vehicle parades. There is also a free Country and Western Concert at 7.30pm.
Sunday sees the Kangaroo gymnastics display team, parachute freefall team The Tigers and bands of the Royal British Legion.
For more information contact 01206 271253.
The Bergholt Youth Group (BYG) has been up and running for the last three months and now has over 70 members. A grant from the parish council has enabled the organisers to purchase equipment for everyone’s enjoyment.
The Colchester & District Model Railway Club will be holding an Open Day on Sunday 5 April from 10am to 4pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall, Lexden Road. As well as a number of working layouts there will also be a 2nd hand stall with a major clearance on N Gauge, Locos, Wagons and coaches in LNER and BR & US outlines and a small amount of Continental Stock.
Admission is free although donations are welcomed, light refreshments are also available.
The recent Jumble Sale held by the 1st West Bergholt Scout and Guide groups raised an astounding £827. The groups would like to extend their gratitude to all those who attended and helped on the day.
The Friends of Hillhouse Wood, in conjunction with the Woodland Trust, are organising a Spring Nature Walk on Sunday 5th April. Joe Firmin and Philip Smith will lead the walk and they hope those joining them will be seeing numerous spring birds such as Chiffchaffs (pictured right resting on board ship during migration from North Africa/Southern Europe) and other warblers, spring butterflies and many wild flowers.
Spring Lane at Eight Ash Green will be closed for carriageway repairs for 5 (or more) days from 6th April. A diversion will be in place via Heath Road, Wood Lane and Halstead Road. Read more about road closures here.
The Gardeners Association next meeting is on Monday 16 March at 7.30pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall when Clare Heyes will give a slide presentation of “The Changing Seasons at Marks Hall”. Visitors most welcome.
The Colne Valley Flower Club next meets on Wednesday 18 March in the Orpen Hall at 7.30pm. when demonstrator Jenny Baker will base her arrangements on the title
“Bargain Buys”.
The West Bergholt Concert Band is very keen to encourage young musicians to develop confidence in, and enjoyment of, playing their instrument in a larger ensemble. The Band was formed over 30 years ago to provide musicians of all ages with an opportunity to come together to make music in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and, in doing so, the Band has enabled many young musicians to develop their skill and love of music making.
In fulfilling this commitment, the band organises free workshops with local schools to provide youngsters with the opportunity to play alongside more experienced players who will guide and mentor them and give them a taste of playing in a band. These workshops are led by Graham Wilson, the musical director, who has encouraged and led many youngsters in the Training Band over the years. The latest workshops took place at St Mary’s Church West Bergholt and included pupils from Bishop William Ward Primary, Great Horkesley, St Mary’s Lower School, Copford and Heathland’s Primary, West Bergholt. The series ended on Saturday afternoon when, after a final rehearsal, the young players performed with existing members in a small concert performance for family and friends.
From previous workshops those who have enjoyed the experience go on to join us and become members, gaining valuable skills in sight reading and musicianship, helping to develop and improve their confidence and playing ability. As a member of the Training Band the young musicians will perform alongside the Concert Band at many of the concerts performed annually in aid of charities and good causes at venues across North Essex. Our next venture with local schools will take place on Saturday 25th April at St Botolph’s when we will work with local secondary school pupils in an afternoon workshop, the pupils will then perform with us during the evening in a concert in aid of Muscular Dystrophy.
As a Band we are always open to welcoming new members and if any one is interested in finding out more about workshops or joining the band then our web site www.wbcb.org has all the information and contact details. We have a dedicated ‘school’s page’ with information for teachers regarding workshops and other initiatives.
As part of their awareness campaign the West Bergholt Community First responder team have used some of the money they have raised in donations to acquire car stickers for their supporters. If you would like to help promote this team and would like a car sticker please contact the Group Organiser, Annie Neish, at 50 New Church Road, Tel 240469.