Day 23 of Lockdown – Don’t Go Down To The Woods

Bluebells at Hillhouse Wood
Hillhouse Wood is renowned for its bluebell display every spring

Day 23 of Lockdown

Day 23 and the sun continued to shine down on us.  Wonderful with a bit of a but.  Each year our popular Hillhouse Wood becomes an attraction as the spring flowers create carpets of colour.  The paths, though, are rather narrow and social distancing will become a problem if the same numbers come along this year.

If you are not a  local resident can you please put off your visit until next year when, all being well, there will be no lockdown.  In other news:

Mediaeval PaintingOld Church Refurbishment

The last update on this project left us with the conservators planning how to deal with the Mediaeval Paintings discovered during refurbishment works.  Well, the plan now is to complete the refurbishment of the interior walls but leaving the paintings Continue reading “Day 23 of Lockdown – Don’t Go Down To The Woods”

Erle Havard Play Area Consultation

Erle Havard Play Area Consultation

Erle Havard Play Area ConsultationErle Havard Play Area Consultation

Colchester Borough Homes is planning to upgrade the Erle Havard Play Area this year and are consulting on  5 options.  You can see some simple illustrations of the five options on their website at cbhomes.org.uk/park-poll/ and, on that same page, click on your preferred option.

The deadline for responses is 24th January so is looming; there is no constraint on who can vote so an opportunity to get the kids involved!

See the result here.

 

Battle’s Over – West Bergholt’s Tribute to the Millions

Battle’s Over – West Bergholt’s Tribute to the Millions

Over 150 people from the village gathered on the evening of 11th November to play their part in a nationwide “Battle’s Over” commemoration.  This nationwide event was marking the ending of the 1st World War 100 years ago.

The commemoration saw a common theme being played out in urban and rural areas, towns, villages and cities.  Collectively a 1000 buglers were sounding the Last Post, over 1000 beacons of light being ignited;  a similar number of Cathedral and Church bells also rung out. Continue reading “Battle’s Over – West Bergholt’s Tribute to the Millions”

Mary and Joseph’s local journey

Posada - Mary & Joseph touring West Bergholt & Great HorkesleyWill 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.

Did You Know …

… Girl Guiding in the UK is celebrating its centenary this year. The Guide Associations objective is to use the Centenary year to go all out, push some boundaries, pick up challenges, live a dream and remind themselves and the wider world what they’re really made of.

To find out more about Guiding (& Brownies & Rainbows) locally visit their page on our website here.

To find out more about the National Programme, visit the Centenary website here.

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

All Jumbled Up


The Scout & Guide group’s recent jumble sale was adjudged a great success. Despite poor weather they managed to raise £800 in 90-minutes and were still able to donate remaining books to NSPCC, toys and games to the Children’s Hospice. Harwich Reclaim bought bags of clothes for re-distribution.

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

Jumble results


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.

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