Community, Parish Council & Village
Early Methodist ChristmasThe Methodist Church has two seasonal events following on from their weekend of “Methodist Memories” at the end of September. The weekend saw record numbers attending the main three events.
The ‘Sharing Memories’ featured several displays with pictures, objects & memories going back over 130 years (links to pictures and some memories.) Continue reading “Early Methodist Christmas”
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”
Colchester & the ArmisticeAndrew Phillips, a local historian and author, talked about Colchester & the Armistice in delivering the Annual Bernard Colbron Lecture. Organised by the West Bergholt Local History Group1, the talk took place at 7:30 pm on 14th November 2018 in the Orpen Hall.
With the centenary of the end of the Great War occurring on November 11th 2018, this talk is very appropriate as it follows the many activities which will take place throughout the country, including here. Andrew has visited the History Group a number of times and knew our former Chairman, Bernard Colbron, very well. He is, therefore, a very appropriate person to deliver this second Bernard Colbron Memorial Lecture.
Continue reading “Colchester & the Armistice”
Zero NightZero Night the greatest untold escape story of World War II. The scene is set in Oflag V1-B the prison camp in Warburg. It tells of 40 British and Commonwealth officers who hatched the most original and daring escape from deep inside Nazi Germany. Continue reading “Zero Night”
History of Spoken English“History of Spoken English” was the topic of discussion at the Local History Group’s last meeting on 10th October. An audience of over 40 members and visitors were fascinated by Charlie Haylock’s story of English Language.
Tribal influencesThis proved to be a fascinatingly informative as well as a very entertaining talk. Charlie took us back to post Roman times of the 6th and 7th centuries when the various “tribes” of Europe existed. He talked about their influx and influence on our alphabet and the structure of English. His use of a traditional flip chart and coloured pens enabled him to show us clearly the development of his story.
Abundance of VowelsThe progression from 18 vowels to 6 and then to 5 when Y later became a consonant was intriguing. It was particularly interesting to hear about the impact of the invasion of Scandinavians and the fact that Danelaw removed the use of male and female versions of words well prior to the 1066 invasion by Willian the Conqueror. William himself came from Normandy area of France (Norseman – Viking) and their language had Germanic as well as Scandinavian influence. In practice, the Normans had little subsequent influence on the development of standard English.
OUGH?Charlie highlighted the “OUGH” combination of letters provoking some interesting discussion. The publishing of the King James Bible was a significant influence on the structure and style of English as we know it today. Charlie is a master of speaking in different English dialects and entertained with these throughout with his fascinating stories.
In a Manner of SpeakingEveryone was stimulated by Charlie’s presentation, but I am not sure many of us could remember the details! However, Charlie had that covered because he had brought along some copies of a book entitled “In a Manner of Speaking – The Story of the English Language” which he has jointly authored with Barrie Appleby. As well as a few individual purchases, the Group bought a copy for the WBLHG library which will be available for members to borrow.
The next History Group meeting on the 14th November will be the second Bernard Colbron Lecture. It will feature local historian Andrew Phillips who will discuss “Colchester and the Armistice”. Andrew has written a few books that can be found online. The group will publish further details shortly. All are most welcome.
History Everywhere – 20th OctoberDo you enjoy walking in the countryside? Did you wonder about particular features that you see around you? Is it Saxon or Roman? Or perhaps why a town looks and feels the way it does? If so, this one-day course, led by Nicholas James, is definitely for you.
Britain’s history lies in its familiar geographies. Town and country have been shaped by Continue reading “History Everywhere”
County Maps of Essex – 1576 – 1805County Maps of Essex was the topic of discussion at the Local History Group’s last meeting on 12th September. An audience of 40 members and visitors heard speaker Peter Walker introduce his specialist subject. It soon became clear that our County was one of the most mapped counties in England. Peter started with one produced by Continue reading “County Maps of Essex – 1576 – 1805”
War Memorial protected from the elementsA couple of years ago Gill Poole (of the West Bergholt Local History Group) approached the Parish Council. She raised concerns that the tiled war memorial, dedicated to the brewery workers who served in WW1, was becoming weather damaged.
Originally installed inside the Truman Building, the Essex Chronicle reported the original unveiling on 10th September, 1920 as follows:
Fine War Record
A handsome memorial tablet to the employees of Messrs. Daniell and Sons Breweries Ltd., who served in the war was unveiled at West Bergholt Brewery on Monday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering. No less than sixty-six names are inscribed on the tablet out of a total of about one hundred employees who rallied round the colours when the call came, practically every available man of military age and fitness going into the Forces. Fortunately, most of the men returned; nine gave their lives and several others were badly wounded.
The tablet is erected on the wall just inside the main gates of the brewery. Mr. W. Gurney Benham, Chairman of the company, presided, and Mr. T. B. Daniell, a former chairman, unveiled the tablet, which in addition to the names recorded bears the following inscription:-
“TO THE HONOUR OF THE MEN FROM DANIELL AND SONS’ BREWERIES, WEST BERGHOLT AND COLCHESTER, WHO SERVED IN THE BRITISH FORCES IN THE GREAT EUROPEAN WAR 1914 – 1919.
‘AND THEIRS WERE DEEDS THAT SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, AND NAMES THAT MUST NOT WITHER.’ ”
Developers moved the tiled memorial outside onto the side of a peaceful walled garden when they transformed the site from brewery to housing. The tiles then started to deteriorate having never originally been intended for outside display.
So the Parish Council had the idea to cover the memorial with a weatherproof clear display cabinet. The project, which was led by Parish Cllr Brian Butcher, has taken 18 months to come to fruition and was only possible with a contribution & permission from Boydens Estate Agents, who are the management agents of the site. The cover and installation costs came to a total of £2,064.65 with a generous donation from Boydens (Colchester) of £500, £75 from G & O Investments (freeholders) and with the Parish Council paying the remaining sum.
The weatherproof oak cover looks great and is a poignant memorial to the workers of the Brewery who served in the First World War, in this commemorative year.
Pictured at the unveiling are:
Picture courtesy of Tony Morris.
Also reported in Gazette News.
After 139 YearsAfter 139 years of Methodist Ministry in our Chapel in West Bergholt, and after much prayer and discussion among our members, a decision was made to cease Sunday worship at the end of August. With an ageing congregation and numbers falling we have sadly decided that it is no longer reasonable to continue regular Sunday morning services. The Colchester Circuit will be marketing the site for sale from September. We will continue our activities in the hall, as part of our outreach in the village, for as long as we are able.
We could not let this important decision go by without a special event. To mark this we are holding a special weekend of “Methodist Memories” at the end of September, September 29/30. This will be a Continue reading “After 139 Years”
Summer History VisitsFrom May to August the WBLHG replaces its normal monthly meeting programme with a series of visits to places of local historical interest. This year the group visited:
See below (click the links) for the reports.
Upcoming MeetingsThe Local History Group welcomes Continue reading “Summer History Visits”