Community, Parish Council & Village
The West Bergholt Volunteer of the Year 2023/24 is a new Community Award. It will be presented to an individual volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the village of West Bergholt, its residents, or just one resident. That person will have demonstrated exceptional commitment to an unpaid activity.
Examples may include;
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It doesn’t matter whether it is small, large, tidy (or even not so tidy), if you are proud of your garden, the Gardeners Association (WBGA) would love to hear from you.
This year their Open Gardens event is taking place on Sunday 9th June. The event is always popular (nearly 1,000 visitors in 2022) & this year, its’ chosen charities are:
WBGA could really do with a few more gardens to show off this year. If you think your garden may be of interest, contact WBGA by email – [email protected] for further information. June seems a long way off, but WBGA have to get programmes printed in advance so they would love to hear from you as soon as possible.
Continue reading “Do you have a garden to be proud of?”Following the successful Fungus Foray in November (see report and video below) the next Guided Walk is the annual Winter Bird Walk on Saturday 2nd March.
Steve Hallam will lead the winter bird walk in and near Hillhouse Wood, offering a chance to see resident woodland and meadow species and some winter visitors.
The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. Strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter wet conditions underfoot! To join the walk meet at the Old Church ready to leave at 10 am.
Check other upcoming events here.
The first Fungus Foray for several years took place on 25th November on a crisp, bright ‘n breezy morning. Seventeen took part, hunting down fungi ranging from bellcaps, measuring perhaps a couple of millimetres across their caps, to these birch polypores which are up to 20cm across. They feature in an Alpine tale of a bronze age killing. Among the deceased’s possessions were strips of the very same fungus we were observing 5,000 years later, demonstrating the value he placed upon it. It exposes things which our modern educated minds have largely forgotten, things like:
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Once again the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding a Candlelit Carol Service in the Old Church. The Friends look forward to welcoming you on Sunday 17th December at 2:30 pm.
The service is free and open to all and there’s now dedicated car parking opposite the church. One of St Mary’s ministers will lead the service & Nicole Long will do the reading.
The Friends are also looking for someone to pump the church organ during the service, so if anyone is interested please contact Nicole Long on 01206 240443
You are reminded that there is no heating, so dress warm, a cushion will also make the service more comfortable. All are welcome.
Continue reading “Old Church Candlelit Carols”
The Friends invite both members and non-members to attend on Wednesday 13th December in the John Lampon Hall at Orpen Hall. Refreshments will be served from 7 pm with the meeting opening at 7:30 pm.
Jonathan Jukes, Woodland trust Officer, will give a talk after the formal business has concluded.
After hearing Revd. Heathers Winter Wonderland message this edition includes:
I have just enjoyed a wonderful weeks break away with my family, including our 10 month old grandson Elyan. Without giving too much away, and inadvertently advertising, our week was spent in Elveden Forest, in a place, I feel sure might be familiar to many people, ideally suited to family holidays.
Continue reading “St Marys News – The Winter Wonderland Edition”
As we approach the 1st December, the focus of Vocal Zones Choir is their Free Christmas Concert on 15th December in the lovely St Mary’s Church. As well as the music they hope that you will also enjoy Mulled Wine and Mince Pies!
They have been rehearsing very hard each week and are looking forward to their performance.
They always enjoy this festive event and hope that you will too. Choir director Emma Bishton has selected a variety of carols and Christmas songs for your pleasure, come and enjoy!
There will be a raffle with some wonderful prizes but tickets are cash only please.
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This coming Sunday, 26th November, the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church invite you to enjoy ‘lunchtime’ Mulled Wine & Mince Pies with them. This is a free event and all are welcome between 11 am – 1 pm in the Old Church on Hall Road (CO6 3DU). This is also an opportunity to view the Mediaeval Paintings.
You might also want to take a winter walk before or after, if so you might want to check this history walk out on this website.
The Friends would be happy to receive donations, of course. This will help them with the maintenance of the Church and Grounds. In recent years they have received great support from the Churches Conservation Trust who funded significant structural repairs. There still remains, though, much work to be done including expensive conservation costs for the mediaeval paintings.
Continue reading “Old Church Annual Call to Mulled Wine & Mince Pies”Following last months successful Autumn Fruits walk (report below), is the first Fungus Hunt for several years on 25th November.
Ian Rowing will lead the “fungus hunt” to seek out these elusive fungi. He will aim, with the help of those with him, 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. We will also keep an eye out for visiting winter birds.
The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. Strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter wet conditions underfoot! To join the walk meet at the Old Church ready to leave at 10 am.
The Care Network working with the WI and with support from the Parish Council is planning, once again, to provide a free warm welcoming space this winter. As previously, this will be in the Social Club Meeting Room at the Orpen Hall.
They will take place on Mondays & Fridays between 10 am and 12 noon starting on Friday 27th October.
Tea, coffee and biscuits and free Wi-Fi will be available. In fact, everything is free of charge, no membership or booking and all age groups are welcome. Meet others, come with friends or enjoy a little time alone – the warm space can be whatever you want it to be.
Continue reading “Warm Welcoming Space for Winter Returns”