Community, Parish Council & Village
The following dates listing services and events up to the end of June, have been advised to us by St Mary’s, note italicised services are not in the village. Don’t forget – the collection on a Sunday morning is now being taken during the service just before communion. Continue reading “St Mary’s Update – 10th May”
Open Gardens 2015In previous years West Bergholt Gardeners have opened their gardens to the public in aid of charity, most recently in 2014 where well over £3,000 was raised for teenage cancer charities. This year the organizers are taking a break, hopefully to be back reinvigorated next year, but for those still hoping to visit local gardens and get some ideas, we have recently received details of another similar event:
This year Coggeshall is opening its garden gates so that you can visit walled gardens, kitchen gardens, tiny gardens, gardens that will delight and inspire you. There’s lots to do and see for young and old alike. Follow the children’s trail, visit the plant stall, enjoy a delicious home-made tea – a perfect afternoon out for the whole family! For more information visit the website at www.coggeshallopengardens.org.
There are some 23 Villages/Parishes running Open Gardens in Essex this year, a small sample includes some relatively local:
There are more listed at the Open Gardens website.
The Colne Valley Flower Club met in the Orpen Memorial Hall on Wednesday 15th April. Demonstrator, Helen Bird, from Marks Tey was welcomed by the chairman, Jayne Lawson.
Together with a colleague, Helen was a Silver Gilt medal winner at the RHS Spring Show in 2014 with the ‘It started with a twig’ arrangement shown on the right here. Helen delighted her audience using a variety of containers with large and small arrangements of vibrant flowers and unusual foliage.
Vice-chairman, Pat Sharman welcomed members and visitors. There are still two diaries for sale at £4.60 each. As the planned demonstrator was unavailable Jan and Ken Law from Chigwell stepped in with their title My Fair Lady and Gent. Both demonstrated and the appropriate music from the show accompanied the arrangements.
Wednesday 17 November is an open meeting and tickets are for sale £5 members, £7 non-members. Contact Jayne on 01376 564135 to reserve. Lee Berrill from Earls Barton in Northamptonshire will base the demonstration on Winter Wonderland. Light refreshments and mulled wine will be served. There is no meeting in December.
As everybody gets back from summer two clubs’ events are introducing the autumn season.
The Colne Valley Flower Club start their season on 15th September with a demonstration by Joyce Furssdonn with her arrangements based on the title ‘Inspire and Enjoy’. For further information ‘phone Clare on 01206 241145 or visit the club’s page on the village website.
The WEA introduce a 10-week series of talks by Graham Slimming on the subject of “Art in the Age of William Morris” on 21st September in the Methodist Church Hall. You can read more about this on our newsfeed here or contact the WEA on 01206 240791 or visit their page on the village website.
Don’t forget that these and many other events are listed on the homepage of the village website. If you have an event to list, contact the webmaster.
The Colne Valley Flower Club welcomed Lisa Howarth from Sandy in Bedfordshire to their June meeting with her arrangements entitled Summer Holiday. Lisa who is a florist shared some useful tips with the members.
The club has been raising its profile at the Country Fayre at Westwood Park with a floral display and have a go sessions for visitors to make a simple self-contained arrangement.
This month is members evening when everyone can take part. There is no meeting in August. Further information ‘phone Clare on 01206 241145 or visit the village website at http://www.westbergholt.net/flowers.htm.
At the recent Colne Valley Flower Club meeting National demonstrator, David Thompson, made a return visit with his arrangements entitled Pot Luck. He impressed his audience with exotic blooms and a stunning array of containers which he had collected during his career.
Members brought along arrangements on the theme of Fit For a Queen. These varied from traditional to crowns, handbag and a delicious cake. Although not a competition, members voted with coins for their favourite design which will be added to the club’s chosen charity for this year.
The next meeting at 7.30pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall on 19 May will see Julie Woods from Cambridge with her title Popcorn. Members are reminded that the annual plant sale takes place this month so all contributions most welcome.
If, as winter throws off it’s cloak (hopefully not just for a day or two), thoughts turn to gardening and flowers, why not meet fellow enthusiasts at these upcoming events:
Gardeners Association
The next meeting of the Gardeners Association is on Monday 15 March at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall. ‘Succulents and Olive Trees’ is the chosen subject of Mark Macdonald from Todd’s Botanics.
Flower Club
The next meeting of the Colne Valley Flower Club is in the Orpen Memorial Hall Lexden Road on Wednesday 17 March at 7.30pm. Eve Regelous from Witham will arrange her flowers with the title ‘It’s a Land of Magic’. New members always welcome.
Find out more about these organisations at http://www.westbergholt.net/gardeners.htm
The new season of meetings at the Colne Valley Flower Club began this month. Mrs Lampon continues as president, Clare Heyes as chairman and Alison Bradshaw secretary. Jane Lawson and Ruth Vipond were welcomed on to the committee.
The demonstrator was Shirley Perkins from Leigh-on-Sea with her arrangements entitled Spectrum. She presented Liz Alexander with an orchid spray who was celebrating a birthday later that week. For more information contact Alison on 01206 240262 or visit the village website here.
At the Colne Valley Flower Club’s AGM cheques of £140 were presented to Annie Neish, from First Responders, and to Amber Harlow and Graham Pullen who work with Bergholt Youth Group.
Clare Heyes gave a commentary, with slides, on members’ visit to the NAFAS 50th anniversary Flower Festival held at Westminster Abbey. The speaker for the new season will be Shirley Perkins from Leigh on Sea with her arrangements entitled ‘Spectrum’.
The committee now has a full complement in order to continue running the club. On Wednesday February 20th subscriptons will be due.
For further information ring 01206 241145 or look at the West Bergholt website for meeting dates and times.