Stroll with a Patrol and other News Updates

Essex Police Invite you to Stroll with a Patrol.

Other news items in this update include:

Stroll with a Patrol

PC Dex Adams, the Colchester Community Safety & Engagement Officer, invites you to join a patrol.

West Bergholt is one the first of dozens of locations where residents are being invited to join a patrol. They will be coming to West Bergholt at 6 pm on 7th May 2023, where you can join them at Orpen Hall.

The hour will start with a ‘Street Meet’ for those who wish to speak to the patrol but not join them on it. This is a really great opportunity for you and the local residents to come along, speak to, raise issues and get to know the community policing team that are responsible for our area.

Reporting a Crime

Related to the patrol, we have had a link shared with us for reporting crime to the police, click here if you want to use it.

Your Annual Meeting – Will you be attending?

The Annual Parish Meeting might be hosted by the Parish Council but it is very much YOUR meeting.

April 7, 2023April 9, 2023

Spring Flower Walk 2023

Spring Flower Walk 2023 with Friends of Hillhouse Wood

Early Purple Orchids similar to those seen

This is one of a few guided walks the Friends of Hillhouse Woods run each year. They work with The Woodland Trust to look after this beautiful remnant of ancient woodland.

Last years’ Spring Flower Walk identified nine flowers in the first few yards, also many birds and other natural delights. The stars of the walk were Early Purple orchids that were flowering in profusion on the bank above the top pond. Walkers saw a total of 29 plants and trees in flower, which shows what a rich little patch of nature we are lucky enough to have.

Don’t miss this years’ walk!

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023

Gardeners’ Newsletter January 2023

West Bergholt Gardeners’ Newsletter – January 21st 2023

Hello and a Happy New Year from your Committee!

Talking of whom, we have had a meeting to discuss Speaker and subject ideas for our next season from this September through to May 2024. I know it sounds a long way off as we’ve only just jumped into 2023 but Speakers are rapidly becoming booked up! We hope we shall do our best for you all and make choices that will enthuse and interest you in anything horticultural!

February 17, 2023February 17, 2023

Winter Bird Walk 2023 -will a Waxwing show this year?

Winter Bird Walk 2023

The Winter Bird Walk 2023 takes place on Saturday 4th March at Hillhouse Wood with Steve Hallam leading. Walkers should meet at the Old Church at 10 am (weather permitting). We advise wearing stout footwear and warm clothing & with a warm drink in a flask. Walkers can expect to see a range of resident woodland and meadow species as well as some winter visitors. Last year the walkers saw or heard:

December 13, 2022December 13, 2022

Candlelit Service Returns to the Old Church

Return of the annual candlelit service at St Mary’s Old Church

For the first time since 2018, the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding a Candlelit Service in the Old Church. Following the success of their Mulled Wine & Mince Pies event, the Friends look forward to welcoming you on Sunday 18th December at 2:30 pm. The service is free and open to all and there’s now dedicated car parking opposite the church. Reverend Heather Wilcox will lead the service.

In 2019, the Friends were able to hold a Carol service but, because of redecoration works at the time they could not run it by candlelight. Since then, of course, the services have been unable to run due to Covid. So do come along and welcome this annual tradition back to the village.

Dress for the weather!

December 11, 2022December 11, 2022

Celebrate Christmas with Vocal Zones Choir

Join Vocal Zones Choir as they Celebrate Christmas

Next Friday 16th December Vocal Zones Choir invite you to join them to celebrate Christmas. The event starts at 7:30pm in St Mary’s Church, New Church Road.

As well as the singing, there will also be wine and mince pies! Entry is free, there will be a raffle with some great prizes to be won.

About Vocal Zones

November 23, 2022December 29, 2022

Old Church Invite to Mulled Wine & Mince Pies

Invitation to Mulled Wine and Mince Pies with a side order of music by Octavia

Invitation To Enjoy Music, Mulled Wine & Mince Pies

Next Sunday, 27th November, the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church invite you to enjoy Mulled Wine & Mince Pies with them. This event will also afford you the opportunity to renew or join the friends.

Music

Octavia will be performing during the event, which runs from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Octavia is a ‘sub-group’ of Quire.

September 25, 2022September 25, 2022

Environment & Highways 8th September 2022

Highlights of Environment & Highways Meeting on 8th September 2022

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 8th September 2022 with topics including:

Cessation of Highways Devolution project,
Parking signs at Poor’s Land,
Blocked gullies & Hillhouse Wood footpaths needing to be attended by ECC,
Repairs undertaken to the Beacon and handymen’s truck, and
A few items relating to trees, hedges and bracken.

Environment Committee Minutes

September 22, 2022October 4, 2022

Old Church Quiz at Orpen Hall

Test your memory with a quiz at Orpen Hall

The Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding a quiz at Orpen Hall on 8th October. All funds raised will go towards the continued upkeep of the Old Church. Renovations have gone well but more remains to be done so the more you raise the closer we get.

Why not call your friends now!

The Details

Teams of up to 6.
£5 entry per team member.
Doors open at 7 pm for a 7:30 start.
It’s at the Orpen Hall.
Bring your own nibbles and drinks.
Contact Beverley Kettell for tickets:
- 01206 240512, or
- [email protected].

The Friends work supplements the support of national charity, The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), which is responsible for the preservation of this and over 350 other redundant churches in England.

Mini Twentieth Century History Quiz For Fun

Pages: 1 2

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022

They Came From Mars – An Orpen Players Comedy

They Came From Mars & Landed outside the Church Hall

Following the success of their Spring Pantomime, “They came from Mars and landed outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in time for the Townswomen’s Guild’s Coffee Morning” is an unabashed comedy.

Directed by Michael Poole, this hilarious comedy written by David McGillivray and Walter Zetlin Jr. will, according to one reviewer “laughing until you cry”.