Open Gardens a success

Nicola and Richard Bowdidge — Nicola & Richard Bowdidge

Open Gardens 2014

Sunday 22nd June was a glorious day. The sun shone and over 400 people turned out to visit 13 open gardens and the allotments in West Bergholt. Apart from the beautiful gardens, some small, some large, there were donkeys to feed, a vintage Jaguar to admire and a 1960’s jukebox to listen to. The church halls laid on refreshments, as did Garlands Farm. Plants and other produce were on sale at the allotments and some gardens.

Fantastic Fundraising

The event, organised by the West Bergholt Gardening Association, raised over £3,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. In addition Tom Bowdidge’s family raised over £400 for the Tom Bowdidge Foundation at his grandparents open garden. To find out more about these charities visit www.teenagecancertrust.org or www.facebook.com/thetombowdidgefoundation.

Far flung visitors

The event drew visitors from other villages and even from far flung places such as Ipswich (a charabanc full from their allotment society!) and Leigh-on-Sea. The organisers would like to thank everyone who took part including the visitors. They welcome comments, both positive and negative, please send to [email protected].

The Association are looking to make this an Annual Event . Watch this space!!!

Gardeners Association Meeting

The club’s next meeting will be on the 15th September when DEBORAH HART will give a talk on Hanging Baskets and Winter Containers. 7.00 for 7.30pm. Why not come along to the Orpen Hall, all are welcome. There is a small charge of £3 including refreshments , also gardeners raffle.

April 6, 2014

St Mary the Virgin to get a new priest

The Archdeacon of Colchester, the Venerable Annette Cooper, has recently issued the following announcement which affects St Mary’s Church:

I am pleased to let you know that The Revd. Mandy Elmes has accepted my invitation to become the Priest in Charge of Langham with Boxted and West Bergholt with Great Horkesley. Please make this announcement in all of your churches on Sunday morning. It is of course subject to the completion of all the necessary legal checks. Currently Mandy is serving as a Self-Supporting Associate Priest in the West Mersea benefice. Mandy, who is married to Paul will be moving to the Rectory at West Bergholt in the early summer following her holiday already booked in the first half of July.

March 24, 2014

Easter coffee & craft

Following the popularity of the Christmas Coffee and Craft morning, West Bergholt Methodist Church will be holding an Easter Coffee and craft morning for young families in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane.

This will be for one morning only, so do not miss it, on Monday 14th April from 10.30am -1200.

All families with children aged 0 – 11 are welcome.

For more information please contact Rev Ruth Ridge on 01206 242183.

March 19, 2014June 25, 2021

Deanna Walker BEM & other news online

The latest Village Bulletin is now on-line and available for download/reading on-line on the Village Bulletin page. News updates not previously reported here include:

Deanna Walker BEM

A West Bergholt woman has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours awards for her services to Higher Education. Deanna Walker has been awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) for her work at the University of Essex where she is administrator in the Registry Department. She joined the university staff 25 years ago in the Admissions Department working in several administrative roles before reaching her present position as Senior Academic Officer. Her work has included mentoring junior colleagues which, she believes, also contributed to colleagues recommending her for the award.

Deanna is modest about her achievements. She says:

The award came out of the blue. When the letter came notifying me, I couldn’t understand why I was chosen as I just do an ordinary working job.

[More… in the Bulletin]

Concert Band’s Christmas Concert raises £1,500 for St Helena Hospice

The Concert Band’s 2013 Christmas Concert was a huge success, as one audience member commented:

the most enjoyable Christmas Concert I’ve been to in many, many years.

The report continues to tell how they have raised nearly £30,000 in recent years and about their plans for 2014.

[More… in the Bulletin]

Voluntary Group & Club Updates

Well, there were quite a few including:

Friends of St Mary’s Old Church;
Hillhouse Wood;
Care Network;
Friendship Club;
Women’s Institute;
History Group;
Bergholt Heath YFC;
Workers’ Educational Association;
Gardeners;
Indoor Bowls;
First responders;
Allotments;
Badminton;
Churches; and
Orpen Players.

[More… in the Bulletin]

Last, but not least, the weather

As if we needed reminding, 2013 was pretty much the wettest we can recall – the following chart tells you just how wet West Bergholt was:

December 31, 2013December 31, 2013

Christmas fun & fundraising

The Methodist Church had a busy run-up to Christmas

Carol Singing Friday 20 December

A hardy band of carol singers were outside the Coop store from 18.00 to 19.30. They entertained shoppers and Coop staff with a range of popular carols. Thanks to the generosity of the shoppers, and the singers, the sum of £52 was raised for Action for Children. The hot drinks and mince pies enjoyed after the singing were most welcome.

Candlelight Carols Sunday 22 December

The service by candlelight provided a very special Christmas celebration atmosphere with a mix of traditional carols and readings. Many of the congregation were also able to enjoy a chat with coffee and mince pies in the hall after the service.

Coffee and Craft Monday 23 December

Building on the events held in the summer this proved to be a popular morning for families. Twenty-four children, together with accompanying adults, enjoyed a range of Christmas crafts including make your own Nativity Scenes, Snow scene domes and flying reindeer complete with sleighs! There was also time to enjoy a chat and the drinks and cakes proved popular also. Encouraged by the response we will be looking to provide further Coffee and Craft mornings in the Easter school holidays – look out for our publicity nearer the time.

Thanks to all who supported and worked to make possible the above events, and best wishes for the New Year.

December 11, 2013

Festive crafts as Christmas Coffee & Craft is back

Festive crafts & coffee

As promised in September, Coffee & Craft is back for families in West Bergholt. Organized by the Methodist Church and running in their church hall between 10:30 – 12:00 on Monday 23rd December what better way to kick off the holidays with coffee & cake whilst the kids get to try a range of festive crafts. Catering predominantly for 0 – 11 year olds it is also great value at just £2.50 per family!

For more information please contact Rev Ruth Ridge on 242183.

November 19, 2013November 19, 2013

Mary and Joseph’s local journey

Will you meet Mary and Joseph on their journey this year?

The churches in West Bergholt and Great Horkesley, as part of their Christmas preparations, are supporting Mary and Joseph on their journey around the villages.

They will be visiting the various West Bergholt Guide, Brownies, Cubs, Beavers and Rainbow packs in the lead up to the Gift and Parade service with the Uniformed organisations at 11am on Sunday 1st December. This will take place in the West Bergholt Methodist Church, Chapel Road and all are welcome to come to this celebration service.

Mary and Joseph will also be visiting other groups/organisations that are happy to offer them hospitality. Their itinerary is still being finalised but it is already known that among others they will be visiting:-

Bluebell pre-school
Christmas tree festival at Great Horkesley
St. Marys for young people’s activities

Posada

This custom of the figures of Mary and Joseph going on a journey in the local community stems from Mexico where it is known as ‘Posada’. As we welcome the figures of Mary and Joseph we are encouraged to remember those who are homeless and outcast today and to reflect on how we might offer hospitality to others this Christmas. These figures of Mary and Joseph are travelling around West Bergholt and Great Horkesley to remind us of that first Christmas journey to Bethlehem. When they arrived no room could be found for them, except in a stable, but hopefully this year they will receive a warm welcome in the groups that they visit and there will be places for them to stay. They are keeping a diary of their travels which will be available at West Bergholt Methodist Church from their Candlelight Carol service at 6.30pm on 22nd December onwards.

If your group is interested in having a visit from Mary and Joseph and would like to welcome them please contact Andrew Wilks to arrange this (01206 242511; [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]).

On behalf of West Bergholt Methodist Church, St Mary’s Church West Bergholt and All Saints and St John’s Churches Great Horkesley.

November 18, 2013

Christmas is coming

Christmas Coffee

West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding a special “Christmas Coffee Morning”on Saturday November 30th from 10.00 to 12.00 in the Church Hall, Chapel Lane. Entrance is free and all are welcome.

Coffee, tea, biscuits and mince pies will be available. There will be a variety of stalls including Home made cakes and preserves, books, jigsaws, cards and christmas wrap, bric a brac, mystery parcels and novelty gifts.

Candlelight Carol Service

There will also be a change in times for services on Sunday December 22 when there will be a Candlelight Carol service in the Methodist Church at 6.30pm, there will not be a service at 11.00am or 3.00pm.

November 6, 2013November 6, 2013

Coffee for St Helena Hospice

Poster for St Helena Hospice coffee morning November 2013 The Final Push is almost here! On Tuesday 19 November there will be a Coffee Morning with a Christmas theme in aid of St. Helena Hospice, at St. Mary’s Church Hall, West Bergholt from 9am – 12pm.

As well as a play area for small children, we will be serving hot and cold drinks and offering a selection of scones – donations of £2 are requested for a drink and scone.

There will also be an opportunity to buy Christmas foods, decorations, tickets for a grand raffle, St. Helena Hospice Christmas cards, diaries and calendars.

Our goal is raise about £600 to bring the total of money raised for St Helena Hospice in 2013 to £4,000, in memory of our friend Maria. Please come and support us.

We look forward to welcoming you.

October 18, 2013

Results of Village Bulletin Annual Quiz 2013

Orpen Players - Winners of Annual Quiz 2013 — Orpen Players – Winners of Annual Quiz 2013

Bernard Colbron presenting runners-up prizes

Village Bulletin Annual Quiz

The Quiz Night organised by the Village Bulletin Team was held in September and was a great success, with twelve teams entering. They were all from local organisations or a groups of friends, as the criteria for entry is that at least part of the team must be residents of West Bergholt.

The quizmaster was Susan Leng who also wrote the questions. Some teams surprised themselves with how much they knew on certain subjects – and when they did well, they wished they had played their joker, which doubles the team’s points in that round! However, each team distinguished themselves in some way and the team with two teenagers congratulated themselves on having someone who knew an answer about “Grand Theft Auto V”.

Bernard Colbron, editor of the Bulletin, kept the scoreboard up to date. Other members of the team ably assisted with marking, and distributing answer sheets as well as refreshments and a big raffle. With two extra helpers the evening ran very smoothly, and, thanks to the Parish Council who kindly allowed the use of the Orpen Hall free, the evening raised £270 for “The Teenage Cancer Trust” which is very dear to the hearts of many people in West Bergholt.

The final winners, after a closely run contest, who went home with the Challenge Cup, were The Orpen Players. They were also the previous winners – will they make it a hat-trick next year ? The runner-up prize went to a family team from Albany Road – they too are determined to capture the cup next year ! Come along and join us next time, and see if you can be “The Brains of Bergholt”