Autumn Flowers and Fungi

Join the Friends of Hillhouse Wood to Hunt for Fungi

Wrinkled Peach fungi — Wrinkled Peach Fungi seen last year

The Friends will be going on a “fungus hunt” to seek out elusive fungi next Saturday 16th. They will aim to find a variety of mushrooms and toadstools in and around the wood, and explain something of their fascinating life cycles and why fungi are essential for a healthy woodland. They will also keep an eye out for visiting winter birds.

Nearly 20 hunters scoured the woods, hedgerows and fields last year and were rewarded with some stunning finds. You can see the report, including a video slideshow of their finds, here.

The walk will start at the Old Church, leaving at 10am on Saturday 16th November. The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. You should wear strong boots or wellies, as you may encounter wet conditions underfoot !

Read on for a report from the last guided walk on 28th September.

Autumn Fruits Walk 2024 did better with flowers! – Steve Hallam Reports

Nearly 50 Species!

Eight of us scoured Hillhouse Wood and surrounding fields for evidence of nature’s bounty. We were rewarded by finding nearly fifty species of plants showing fruits or flowers. However, I believe that this walk is arguably mis-named, in that we usually see more flowers than fruits. This proved to be the case again this year.

September 25, 2024November 7, 2024

Autumn Fruits Walk 2024

When Walking Do You See All The Autumn Fruits?

If not, let Steve Hallam help you! Steve will lead the guided autumn fruits walk 2024 to seek out berries, soft fruit, nuts and seeds, that are now out in abundance. He will explain their folklore and advise you which ones should not be eaten (and what will happen to you if you do!) You should expect to see around 20 types of berries, fruits and nuts.

August 26, 2024August 27, 2024

Wellbeing Benefits of Gardening

Gardening Update with Autumn Programme 🌸🌼🌻

Some images from a visit the club made to Hever Castle where the gardening is spectacular. — Visit to Hever Castle

The Wellbeing Benefits of Gardening are just one of many topics West Bergholt Gardeners hope to cover. Last month Colchester Hospital opened their Wellbeing Garden designed by a top RHS designer. Are you passionate about gardening? If so, why not join them and dive into a world of horticultural wonders! They host a variety of engaging speakers who cover a wide range of fascinating topics.

Become a member for just £25 a year, or simply drop in for the talks that pique your interest at £5 per evening. Payments can be made by card or cash.

Meeting Schedule

We gather on the third Monday of each month from September to December and February to May. Doors open at 7:15 PM for a 7:30 PM start.

Upcoming Events

August 8, 2024August 8, 2024

New Defibrillator in West Bergholt

Orpen Memorial Hall gets a Defibrillator

Anthony Warren WBFC & Brian Butcher WBPC

Following the installation of a new Defibrillator at Orpen Hall there are now four available in the village, the others being at:

The Co-op (click to read the story),
The White Hart, &
Heathlands School.

The most recent is the result of the Parish Council working with the Football Club to deliver a service that could prove critical. The Football Club had obtained a defibrillator with a grant from the Premier League but found they had no suitable place to install it.

This is where the Parish Council were able to step in by offering a spot at Orpen Hall. The Parish Council upgraded the electric supply for the defibrillator. They then registered it with “The Circuit” so those in need can be directed to it. The Parish Council will also fund any ongoing maintenance required.

The Circuit

July 7, 2024July 12, 2024

Resonate Choir at St Mary’s Old Church 14th July

Free Concert at St Mary’s Old Church with Resonate

Resonate Choir who will be performing "Sacred Harp" & other a cappella music.

The Resonate Choir will be performing at St. Mary’s Old Church on Sunday, July 14th at 4 pm. This free event, hosted by the Friends of St. Mary’s Old Church, promises an enjoyable and unusual concert.

All cash and card donations made on the day will go towards the upkeep of the church. Free parking.

Resonate Choir

RESONATE, a group of singers originally from a world music choir in Colchester, has embarked on a unique musical journey. After spending approximately 15 years in the choir, these vocalists decided to explore a distinct repertoire. Their main focus includes the “Sacred Harp”, a musical tradition originating in the southern United States during the late eighteenth century. Additionally, they delve into traditional Slavic songs (including Bulgarian, Croatian, and Georgian melodies) and the rich musical heritage of South Africa and other African countries.

Listen to an example of Sacred Harp music below:

June 1, 2024June 1, 2024

St Mary’s News – The Cèilidh Edition

St Mary’s News – Thy Kingdom Come, Cèilidh & More

This Cèilidh edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Heather looking at how ten years of Archbishop Welby’s call to prayer through his ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ message has fared. It then continues with:

Eco Matters – Bee Kind,
Midsummer Songs of Praise at the Old Church,
July events including Cèilidh, Afternoon Tea and others,
Other, regular, events, and

The usual listings of services and contacts.

Message from Rev Heather Wilcox

Thy Kingdom Come

As I write this, in the churches we are in the 10 days between Ascension, when we remember Jesus returning back to heaven after the resurrection and Pentecost, when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit.

May 20, 2024May 20, 2024

Environment & Highways – 9th May 2024

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 9th May 2024 with topics including:

Handyman update including:
- Ongoing grass-cutting & litter picking,
- Cherry trees behind the Football Club needing attention,
- General maintenance of benches, &
- Painting of Youth Shelter.
Staffing update,
New shed,
D-Day flags & flagpole,
Finance to discuss quotes for practice goal, &
A request from the Football Club for weed killer to be applied on the Lorkin Daniell field.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 9th May 2024 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

May 6, 2024May 6, 2024

Walk the Dawn Chorus 2024

Dawn Chorus 2024 with Friends of Hillhouse Wood

The Dawn Chorus 2024 walk , which is taking place on Saturday 18th May, will be led by Steve Hallam. Organised by the Friends of Hillhouse Wood, this walk affords the opportunity to see Nightingales and many other brilliant dawn choristers. Steve says:

If you haven’t tried this you’ll find it a rewarding and delightful experience at a very special time for the wood’s varied birdlife.

Read last years report here to see what you might hear and/or see.

It will mean an early start, meeting at the Old Church at 3:45 am (weather permitting). You are should bring warm clothing, stout footwear, a flask of hot drink and a torch.

This walk follows on from the recent Spring Flowers Walk.

Report of the 2024 Spring flowers walk

Wouldn’t life be boring without some variation and unpredictability? You can rely on the Hillhouse Wood guided walks to provide this – even the ones that are supposed to be the same, such as the Spring flowers walk. This year’s walk was no exception, both positively and less so.

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.

April 7, 2024February 20, 2025

Spring Flower & Winter Bird Walks

The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Wood is the Spring Flower Walk

Bluebells likely to be seen on Spring Flower Walk

Following the successful Winter Bird Walk in March (see report below), the next Guided Walk is the annual Spring Flower Walk on Saturday 27th April. Steve Hallam will lead the walk in and near Hillhouse Wood. Previously called the Bluebell Walk, it has become difficult to pick the optimum ‘bluebell’ date for the walk although there will always be plenty of Spring Flowers to see. The walk will start at the Old Church at 2pm.

Other upcoming Friends of Hillhouse Wood activities are:

Dawn Chorus Guided Walk on Saturday 18th May, and
Stall at the Village Fete on Saturday 6th July.

Winter Birds – Steve Hallam Reports

Of all the guided walks that I lead, the winter bird walk is the most unpredictable. The weather can be variable and off-putting, whilst at this time of year the birds move around looking for food. So, you can be never sure which species you will encounter and whether you will be able see or hear them through the driving rain or howling gale.