Charitable Archives - West Bergholt

April 29, 2024April 29, 2024

Sing to Save Lives

Vocal Zones Choir are going to Sing to Save Lives at their RNLI 200th Anniversary Concert. The concert will have a distinctly watery theme comprising Shanties and songs of Rivers and Oceans (some samples below). There will be some songs for all to sing along with.

To support this event, which is taking place in the Orpen Hall on Friday 10th May from 7:30 pm, you can buy your tickets at the door for just £10 (Under 18s £5). This includes a free glass of wine or juice in the interval.. All proceeds, including any donations, will go directly to the RNLI.

Mingulay Boat Song

[Chorus] Heave a ho, boys! Let her go, boys!
Swing her head round, and all together.
Heave a ho, boys! Let her go, boys,
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.

February 23, 2024March 27, 2024

Do you have a garden to be proud of?

Collage of exhibits from the 2022 Open Gardens event

If you have a garden to be proud of why not show it off?

Unfortunately Open Gardens has been cancelled since too few gardens were available. It is hoped that it will now run in 2025. Other events remain listed below.

It doesn’t matter whether it is small, large, tidy (or even not so tidy), if you are proud of your garden, the Gardeners Association (WBGA) would love to hear from you.

This year their Open Gardens event is taking place on Sunday 9th June. The event is always popular (nearly 1,000 visitors in 2022) & this year, its’ chosen charities are:

WBGA could really do with a few more gardens to show off this year. If you think your garden may be of interest, contact WBGA by email – [email protected] for further information. June seems a long way off, but WBGA have to get programmes printed in advance so they would love to hear from you as soon as possible.

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023

St Marys News – the Eco-Bronze Edition

In this edition St Mary’s looks at progress including winning the Eco Church Bronze award

After hearing about wining the Bronze Eco-Church award this edition continues with:

Parish Share Increase,
Heating,
Shoebox Appeal,
Return of the Advent Trail (with a twist),
Remembrance & Café Church services, and
the usual listings of services and co nt acts.

Eco Church – Bronze Award

We are delighted to announce that St Mary’s has achieved the Bronze Level award for the Eco Church Scheme!

Eco Church is an award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate their care for creation as an integral part of loving their neighbour and following God faithfully.

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023

St Mary’s News – the Summer Holiday Edition

In this edition Revd Heather reflects on Summer Holidays

After discussing Summer Holidays, this edition continues with:

Afternoon Tea at the Rectory (to heat the Church),
Food in School Holidays Club (FiSH),
Songs of Praise at the Old Church,
Café @ St Mary’s, and
the usual listings of services and co nt acts.

Rev. Heather’s Summer Message

It is that time of year when, for many of us, our minds turn to summer holidays.

Whether we are escaping to far flung places and the promise of hours of uninterrupted sunshine, sweltering temperatures, and beautiful beaches, or opting to take our chances with the British weather, staying in this country, whilst also being assured that wherever we go we are blessed with a beautiful country with plenty to see and to learn about. For me and the family this year it is a holiday in Northumberland that we are looking forward to.

November 15, 2022November 15, 2022

Firewalk Fundraiser for St Helena Hospice

The Firewalk Saw Orpen Hall Car Park Set Alight

The firewalk in flames before it settled down to red hot coals

Along with around 70 others, the Chair of West Bergholt Parish Council did a firewalk in the Orpen Hall car park last week. (See video below).

The fundraising event was organised by St Helena Hospice and proved very successful raising around £10,000!

The Hospice had arranged for a world record holding firewalker to brief the firewalkers in advance of braving the coals. This was quite an in-depth session taking about an hour ensuring that all participants would be safe walking barefoot over the coals.

Chair of the Council, Brian Butcher, said afterwards:

October 27, 2022November 7, 2022

Warm Welcoming Space Opens 7th November

Social Club Room venue for the Warm Space

West Bergholt Care Network Announce Warm Welcoming Space Opening

The Care Network will open the doors to their Warm Welcoming Space project at 9:30am on Monday 7th November. On Monday and Friday each week the social club meeting room at the Orpen Hall will open to everyone in the village between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Free coffee, tea, biscuits and Wi-Fi are available. All age groups are very welcome – although under sixteens must be in the company of an adult.

There is no membership, entrance fee, or booking required. You can simply turn up with friends, meet others or just enjoy a little time alone. The ‘warm welcoming space’ can be whatever you want it to be.

August 30, 2022August 31, 2022

Open Gardens 2022 & Other Gardeners Updates

Open Gardens 2022

After the delay of two years the Open Gardens 2022 Event finally took place on Sunday, 12th June. Organised by the Gardeners Club, eleven generous owners, together with the allotment holders, opened their beautiful gardens or vegetable plots to almost a thousand visitors (lots of photos to view on the West Bergholt Hub).

Busy Hub

The weather was fine and sunny and the village was buzzing as people walked between the various sites. The Orpen Hall was the busy central hub with the plant stall and refreshments. It proved to be so popular that preserves sold out and most of the plants and the supply of cakes had to be topped up on more than a few occasions!

July 4, 2022July 4, 2022

St Mary’s Pilgrimage for the Homeless Edition

This edition of St Mary’s News starts with a report from a pilgrimage, and continues with other news on Licensing of Liz Dixon, Afternoon Tea, Summer Holiday activities and the usual listings of services and contacts.

Pilgrimage for the Homeless – Alan Murray Tells his story

Pilgrims assembling at Canterbury Cathedral

I have just walked the 74-mile Pilgrimage from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London to Canterbury Cathedral, with about 100 other pilgrims, sleeping on the floors of churches and halls. This took four full days and was a great experience, walking with some of the homeless people, as well as helpers and supporters of this homeless charity.

April 27, 2022April 27, 2022

St Mary’s Jubilee Songs Edition

This edition of St Mary’s News starts with Christian Aid Coffee Morning, announces Jubilee Songs of Praise at the Old Church, updates on Church Heating and Hall and other events and the usual listings of services and contacts.

Christian Aid Coffee Morning and Plant Sale

Please pop along to the Rectory on Monday 16th May, between 10 am – 12 pm, at 1 Church Close, West Bergholt for tea/coffee and cake and lots of fun and fellowship whilst raising money for Christian Aid. This is an event for all the six parishes and all are very welcome!

March 28, 2022April 22, 2022

Quiz for DEC Red Cross Ukraine Appeal

Charity Quiz for Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has tested us all, now you can be tested in a special charity quiz for Ukraine. This quiz will follow the normal Village Quiz format with 10 rounds of ten questions; all profits will go directly to the DEC Red Cross Ukraine Appeal.