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Gardeners May Update

Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor – excursion 19th June

The West Bergholt Gardeners Association had a relatively quiet May, although hosting one of it’s big annual events, and has much to look forward to for June & July.

The Club held its annual Plant Sale on the 19th May and many members of the public came along to sample the excellent display of shrubs and plants which were all on sale at attractive prices.  Overall sales amounted to over £600 and this will augment Club funds as well as allowing contributions to be made to local charitable organisations.

Although this was the only public involvement in May, much was being done behind the scenes to organise future events.

Future events

Excursion to Waddesdon Manor

The excursion to Waddesdon Manor is all set for the 19th June and most seats on the coach have now been filled, although  seven places remain. Interestingly Waddesdon Manor has been featured on two BBC programmes in recent weeks – Countryfile and Bargain Hunt .

West Bergholt Open Gardens

Final arrangements have now been made for the West Bergholt Open Gardens event on Sunday 22nd June between 1pm and 5pm when local gardens and an allotment will be open for viewing.  Programmes are £4 per person (accompanied children – free) and are available for purchase on the day at the Methodist Chapel Hall and St. Marys Church Hall as well as from any of the open gardens.  Refreshments are available to purchase at the halls.  All proceeds are to go to the Teenage  Cancer Trust. It is hoped that many will come along to support this worthwhile charity.

Summer Outing

On the 31st July the Club Members are having a summer outing to  Rob & Denise Sherriff (Dahlia specialists)  at The Tye Barn, Honey Tye, Lavenheath CO6 4NX at 2.00pm –Visitors welcome.  There will be a guided tour of the site and cake and tea/coffee will be served.  Anyone interested please phone 241256 Terry) or contact [email protected].                                                                       COST £4.00

Next Speaker

15th September will bring us Deborah Hart talking about Hanging Baskets and Winter Containers.  All are welcome to our meetings although there is a small charge for non-members.

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Stepping Out Auditions with Orpen Players

Stepping Out auditions in West Bergholt

Audition dates change for’ Stepping Out’

Previously advertised, please note that the dates for The Orpen Players ‘Stepping Out’ auditions have changed to Monday 23rd & Friday 27th June 8pm @ The Orpen Hall.

‘Stepping Out’ is a comedy by Richard Harris about a beginners’ tap dance troupe.  The group of nine women and one man share life’s ups and downs whilst preparing to stage a dance routine for a local show.  First staged in the West End in the 80’s it received the Evening Standard Comedy of the Year Award.

Prior dancing experience is welcomed but by no means necessary!

There is plenty of help needed behind the scenes too – SM, lighting, sound, costumes, props, prompt so please get in touch or come along to the auditions if you can offer your services.

Production dates 23rd, 24th & 25th October.

For further details please contact us on [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]

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BHYFC Results w/e 18th May

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubBergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 18th May

BHYFC U15s vs Notley Youth – League Cup Final

The last match of the season for Bergholt Heath saw the Under 15’s back in the League Cup final for the second successive year, this time up against newly crowned league champions Notley Youth, at Wivenhoe Town FC.  Once again Bergholt were without injured striker James, and the cup tied Joe.

Bergholt started the match brightly on a dry and bobbly pitch, and despite playing against a wind stronger than expected, took the match to Notley with the strikers working hard to prevent the Notley defenders having time on the ball to play their usual long-ball style to their fast running strikers.  Apart from a couple of early chances, this pressure was working and pressure paid off with a goal around the 15 minute mark: Aaron came up from right back to pick Ben out with a throw on the edge of theNotley area.  Ben got free from his marker to whip in a superb cross that Max rose to head powerfully home at the far post.

Unfortunately the lead only lasted a few minutes when from their second corner Notley equalised – again with a header.  Notleywere continuing to try and hit the ball over the top to use the advantage of the wind and their pacey strikers, which kept theBergholt defenders on their toes dealing with a succession of headers. In contrast, Bergholt got the ball down and played through the midfield at every opportunity.

However around 5 minutes before half time the Notley long ball game finally paid off when another ball was played over the top.  Sam miss-judged the flight in the wind and for once missed his header.  Jamie and Harry tried to get back to cover as the ball ran through with the striker in pursuit, but he had a relatively easy job of poking the ball home past Connor who had not really progressed out of his goal to narrow the angle. HT: 1-2.

At half time the Bergholt manager asked the officials for some protection as there was a tendency for the opposition to jump at players, or pull them back, rather than concentrating on the ball – which was generally going unpunished in the first half. Within minutes of the second half starting, the first yellow card of the game was shown to a Notley player for pulling back Ollie.  Another yellow card was shown mid way through the half when yet again a player jumped at the Bergholt defender without too much concern of where the ball was, and this was followed by yet another card for the same offence a few minutes later.

As the game wore on Bergholt had come into the match more and more and half chances came – the best of which fell to Ollie who exchanged passes with Ciaran and curled a superb effort just wide of the goal from outside the area.  Ben was pulled back and then fouled in the area all in the same move for what looked like an obvious penalty, but the referee waved away protests.

For the last 10 minutes Bergholt switched to 3 at the back and moved Sam up front to force the game.  This tactic worked and saw Bergholt force several corners in the last few minutes, two of which saw Sam get his head to the ball but unfortunately in neither occasion could he direct the ball on target.  Bergholt’s final chance came after another corner was cleared but only to Leo, who set Jamie up to hit a half volley from 25 yards that was aiming for the top corner until a Notley defender got his head to the ball to deflect it for Bergholt’s final corner of the game, which unfortunately came to nothing.  There was still time, however, for the referee to send off a Notley player when he showed him a second yellow card – apparently for swearing.

Final score: Bergholt Heath 1-2 Notley Youth

FA Charter Club?

This match concluded the Season for Bergholt Heath.  The Club is hoping that during next season, if not before the 2014-15 season starts in September, it will have been awarded FA Charter Club Status.

The Player Awards Evening will take place at the Orpen Hall on Saturday 14th June, starting 6pm.  The Club AGM will take place at the Queens Head PH on Wednesday 25th June, starting 8pm.

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Open Gardens 2014

Open GardensWest Bergholt Open Gardens Day, organized by the West Bergholt Gardeners Association, is taking place on 22nd June from 1pm to 5pm.  Admission is by programme available from the Methodist Chapel Hall, St Mary’s Church Hall and any of the open gardens on the day.  We are asking for a small donation of £4 (accompanied children free).  Proceeds from the event will go to our nominated charity “The Teenage Cancer Trust”, who supported a local young man through his terminal illness.

As well as 13 gardens to view you will also be able to pick up handy hints from our own keen “Allotmenteers” and see donkeys in one of the gardens!  We will also be offering the opportunity to purchase refreshments at the church halls as well as at some of the open gardens.

Ample parking will be available at the Orpen Hall.

More information from either [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] or www.opengardens.co.uk.

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Want to show your garden on TV?

Ooutline TV Productions - Gardens Programme

How does your garden grow?

Outline Productions are a TV Production company and the makers of BBC2’s ‘The Great British Garden Revival’ and are currently making a brand new prime-time TV series which explores Britain’s beautiful private gardens.

Are you a passionate gardener, is your garden your pride & joy, do you want to prove you’ve got the best garden in town?

Well, Outline are casting for people who would like to showcase their stunning, imaginative or unique gardens to the nation, no matter what style, shape or size. Does your garden represent peace and tranquility? Is your garden fit for entertaining? Are you the proud owner of a National Collection? Perhaps it’s a tropical paradise or has an impressive prize winning fruit and veg patch? Outline are looking for people to apply and go head to head in a competition with other garden lovers to compare and critique who has the best garden / gardening skills and hospitality in town.

Outline would like to come to Essex for the first episode and have been identifying highly regarded and pretty villages in the county. They believe our community could be home to keen gardeners with fantastic gardens and are inviting anybody interested to contact them either by:

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BHYFC Results w/e 4th May and Upcoming Fixture

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubBergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 4th May

Two matches were played last week, both by the under 15s..

BHYFC U15s vs Heybridge Swifts – League Cup Semi-Final

Having been re-instated into the League Cup as Clacton had fielded two cup-tied players in the quarter final, Bergholt took on Heybridge under the floodlights at Halstead Town FC on Tuesday evening 29th April.

Bergholt were looking for revenge against the team that had battered them 5-1 just a couple of weeks before, and from the outset the team looked far more determined to prevent Heybridge scoring, with Ciaran in particular running the midfield like a man possessed – possibly hyped up on various cold remedies downed for his bad cold! Heybridge had the better of the early exchanges but as usual the Bergholt defence stood firm and any shots that did come in were rushed and as a result were high and wide.  Bergholt had their moments but generally it was half chances for both teams.  HT: 0-0.

The second half was generally the same pattern as the first half, although Bergholt had a shout for a penalty when the Heybridge defender looked to bat the ball away from Max in the area using his arm, however the referee appeared not to see it and waved away the protests.  This incident was the highlight of the second half. FT: 0-0.

In to extra time and Bergholt seemed to be getting stronger the longer the game went on with the Heybridge players rattled that they couldn’t find a way past a resolute Bergholt team with all 11 players on the pitch trying their hardest.  All through extra time half chances again came and went, but the final score remained 0-0 and so for the second time in the cup against Heybridge this season, it was to be decided by penalties.

  • Heybridge were first up, and it was scored.  1-0
  • Ollie stepped up for the first Bergholt penalty and confidently slotted home. 1-1
  • Heybridge scored. 1-2
  • Max coolly found the corner for 2-2
  • Heybridge scored. 2-3
  • Jamie also found the corner. 3-3
  • Heybridge scored. 3-4
  • Up stepped Ciaran who miss hit his shot but – much to his relief – it deceived the keeper. 4-4
  • Heybridge scored. 4-5
  • Luke confidently placed his right in the top corner. 5-5
  • Heybridge scored. 5-6
  • Aaron was the first for sudden death and scored with a powerful shot. 6-6
  • Heybridge scored. 6-7
  • Jake was next and rolled his shot in. 7-7
  • The next Heybridge player hit his shot straight down the middle and Connor parried it over the bar. 7-7
  • Up stepped Sam – who tries to keep away from penalties – and he hit his shot into the corner: 8-7. Cue wild celerations (and comments from many that both teams could teach England a few things about penalty taking).

Bergholt are into the League Cup Final for the second season in a row. They will play Notley Youth on the weekend of 17th/18th May at Wivenhoe Town.

Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: votes not collected but special mention should go to both Ciaran and Aaron.

Bures United vs BHYFC U15s

The last league game of the season on Sunday 4th May saw Bergholt make the short trip to Bures United who had secured runners-up spot behind champions Notley.  As seems normal these days Bergholt again had a few players missing, with striker James back on the injured list after just one substitutes appearance since the end of November.  This week he was joined by fellow striker Ben who was unavailable as he was taking part in a charity event and Tom who had injured his foot.

Missing two strikers meant the Bergholt manager had to shuffle the pack and this week it saw usual front man Max joined up top by central defender Sam.  The match kicked off in bright sunshine on a bobbly pitch.  The early exchanges looked typically end-of-season with neither team having the killer instinct. Bergholt however used the relaxed atmosphere to soon get their passing game together and had a few superb passages of play that just failed to be rounded off with a goal the passing deserved.  After around 15 minutes Bergholt took the lead with Max battled his way through the central defenders and slotted the ball under the keeper as he came out to block.  Unfortunately just a few minutes later Bures were level when a couple of Bergholt players were slow to clear the area after a corner was cleared and played the Bures front men on side when the ball was played back into the box.  1-1.  The entertaining game ebbed and flowed through to half time without any further goals.

The second half started in the same exciting end to end fashion.  Bergholt regained the lead when Ollie sent Max away with a superb through ball. Max ran on to the ball and, under pressure from the defender, coolly curled his shot round the keeper and into the far corner of the net without breaking side for one of the goals of the season.  However as with the first Bergholt goal, Bures got back on terms soon after.  This time a free kick from the half way line deceived Connor in goal and he could only parry it into the roof of the net for a soft equaliser.  Back came Bergholt and they were awarded a penalty when Sam had his shirted pulled as he escaped his marker on the edge of the box to run through on goal.  Up stepped usual penalty taker Ollie to confidently slot the ball into the net. 3-2.  Again Bures came back into it and for the first time in the match they managed to carve open the Bergholt defence down the left wing. The ball was whipped in and with only one central defender back in position, the striker connected well with his header for yet another equaliser. Not to be beaten, Bergholt scored their fourth – and what proved to be winning – goal when the ball was pumped into the Bures area from a free kick and Max got a back header in just as the keeper came out and well and truly clattered him (a good job he was facing backwards so he didn’t see the challenge coming!).  The ball bounced into the empty net with Jamie on hand to ensure none of the defenders could get near enough to clear off the line to deny Max his hat-trick.

Final score: Bures United 3-4 Bergholt Heath

Bergholt Heath finish the season in 4th place in the A League – the same position as last year – on 26 points and a goal difference of +11.

Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’:  Max for his hat-trick and non-stop running.

Upcoming Fixtures

The final match of the season for Bergholt Heath will be the Under 15 League Cup final vs Notley Youth over the weekend of 17th / 18th May to Wivenhoe Town FC – details to be confirmed.

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BHYFC Results 27th April and Fixtures w/e 4th May

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubBergholt Heath YFC – Results 27th April

Both the under 9s and the under 11s have now completed their seasons, so it’s just the under 15s left to complete theirs in the next couple of weeks.

BHYFC U15s vs Cornard Dynamos

Being their final home league match of the season, Connor missed his first ever game in goal as he was away for “Duke of Edinburgh”, and the team were also missing James Holden and Leo Tiffney.

The game started with Bergholt looking much brighter than their last game against Heybridge and they looked to take the game to the visitors with Max in particular looking sharp up front. The midfield this week, with Sam moved there from central defence, generally stopped Cornard having any time on the ball and the defence swept up comfortably anything that got beyond the midfield so much so that Tom, who was finally making his debut in goal, had very little to do other than collect a couple of through balls.  Mid way through the half, after several half chances came and went, Bergholt finally took the lead when Max played in a corner, Sam and Jamie neatly switched places to draw the defenders (as practised in training), and Ciaran was left unmarked to stab the ball home from close range for his first goal of the season.  The remainder of the half was played out in midfield but any chances that came were for Bergholt.  HT: 1-0.

The second half started with Sam back in defence, Jamie pushed out to left back and Max dropped back into midfield.  This stifled the Bergholt attacking instincts a little but the midfield and defence were totally in command with Cornard never looking looking a threat at any time.  Again the half chances fell to Bergholt, including what looked like a clear penalty when the keeper took out Owen, but the referee gave the easier decision of a corner which Sam headed narrowly over the top.  The closest Bergholt came to a second goal was with around 10 minutes remaining when Jamie was played in on the overlap and he whipped in a superb cross that Max rose to head powerfully goal wards, only to see the ball cannon off the crossbar and back out over the top of him.   As with the first half the second was played out comfortably for a 1-0 home win that moves Bergholt up to 4th in the table with one league game to play next week vs Bures.

Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Ciaran Donnellan – tireless midfield work and finally a goal to show for all his effort.

Next weeks matches:

  • Tuesday 29th April: Under 15’s League Cup semi final vs Heybridge Swifts, 7.30pm at Halstead Town. (Bergholt Heath awarded quarter final tie after Clacton were found to have played 2 cup tied players)
  • Sunday 4th May:  Bures United vs Under 15.
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Orpen Players – Deep Blue Sea

deep blue seaThe Orpen Players next production, running from 15th – 17th May, is The Deep Blue Sea by Terrence Rattigan.  Starting at 8pm each day, doors open at 7:30pm, tickets cost £6 for the Thursday and £7 for the Friday & Saturday performances.  Tickets can be bought either from:

  • Roger Milne – 241048;
  • Orpen Players’ website at www.orpenplayers.co.uk;
  • Ash’s Store (from 3rd May); and
  • On the door (subject t availability).

Supper & Show

For more of an evening out  dine at the Treble Tile before the performance from selected menu + show ticket for £20 per head – must be booked in advance with the Treble Tile 01206 241712.

Plot summary

The Deep Blue Sea begins with the discovery by her neighbours of Hester Collyer who has tried and failed to commit suicide.  Some time before, she left her husband, a respectable High Court Judge, for a semi-alcoholic former RAF pilot, Freddy Page.  The relationship was physical and passionate but his ardour has cooled, leaving her emotionally stranded and desperate.  The aftershocks of her attempted suicide unravel even the remnants of this relationship, but by the end she is brought to a hard decision to live, partly through the intercession of another resident of the tenement house, Mr. Miller, an ex-doctor, struck off for what seems to have been a homosexual offence.  These two outcasts, socially ostracised for their ‘excessive’ loves, find a curious and moving kinship.

An actor, who played Freddy recently had this to say:

It’s a play about love and lust. But also about what it was like to live after the war. Freddy was a Spitfire pilot in World War II. He came out of that a war hero and worked as a test pilot, but lost his nerve and hit the bottle. Before we join the play he’s met Hester and pours his heart out to her at a time when people were very closed up. We join them at the nadir of their relationship.

Source: Wikipedia.

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Gardeners April update

Richard Ford, BBC Gardeners World Display
Richard Ford, BBC Gardeners World Display of Hostas – see below for details of his recent talk

Gardeners April Update – Upcoming events

The West Bergholt Gardeners Association recently advised their 2014/15 programme as follows:

Speakers’ topics  for 2014/2015

  • 15th September – Deborah Hart – Hanging baskets and winter containers.
  • 20th October – Darren Tansley – The mammals of Essex.
  • 17th November – Rob Sherriff – Dahlias
  • 8th December – Ric Staines – Gardeners Question Time,
  • 16th February – Jonathan Jukes – Marks Hall History and Progress.
  • 16th March –  Jeff Harrison – Through the year in a nature photographers garden.
  • 20th April –  Bryan Thurlow – My Perennial Mr.Potter.

Annual plant sale

Our Annual Plant Sale is on 19 May at 7:30pm; some of the funds raised are donated to local charities.   Held at the Orpen Hall, most most interests are catered for with bedding plants, Shrubs, trees and vegetable plants all on sale. Also a gardening Bric a Brac stall for more bargains.

Waddesdon ManorAnnual coach trip

The annual coach trip this year is to Waddesdon Manor, Allesbury, on the 19th June leaving the Orpen Hall at 8.30 am and leaving Waddesdon at 4.30/5.00 pm this wIll allow time to see the house and gardens including the Aviary, water gardens and the extensive wine cellars.  Tickets are available to Members and Non Members £25.00 (Coach and Admission). N.T. Members £12.50.  Subject to £12.50 deposit.   Some tickets available, for more details and booking contact Terry 01206 241256.

Open Gardens

The West Bergholt Open Gardens is on Sunday the 22nd June 13.00-17.00 – 13 local gardens and allotment will be open for viewing. Programme is £4 per person (accompanied children free) available for purchase on the day.  See posters around the village for points of sale.

April Speaker – Richard Ford on Hostas

Members came along to hear Richard Ford talk about his favourite plants—HOSTAS since with his wife Mary he set up Park Green Nurseries in 1983 Hostas being their main speciality.  Their displays have won some 180 Gold Medals, including 7 at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The popularity of Hostas is worldwide, attractive throughout the season.  They are useful garden plants with some newer species having attractive flowers and resistance to slug and snail attack.  One must not forget landscaping and indoor displays where potted plants are extremely attractive features.  It was in the 1800s that Hostas  originated in Japan as part of the daily diet, being eaten presumably as vegetables.  It was the 1950/60s when their popularity became evident in both the U.S.A. and the U.K.  The growth in the U.K.resulting in hostas being in the top ten of our garden plants.

Hostas are best grown in semi-shade or dappled shaded areas – not in deep shade!  The latter particularly if wet, leading to rot and slug and snail damage.  The plants prefer a moist soil and plenty of humus and bonemeal to encourage growth. General slow release fertilizer is best for established plants rich in nitrogen and potash used twice a year.

Propagation is carried out by lifting the plant and cutting straight through from the centre with a sharp knife.There are 50 species and some 10,000 cultivated varieties, some having the advantage of thicker leaves and more upright growth tolerating open positions and given some sun will bear flowers.  They will also be less attractive to slugs and snails.  However steps should be taken to control vine weevil and hosta virus.

An interesting talk well received by the Members who were able to purchase specimens from a well stocked plant table.

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Battle of the Ages

chariotColchester Castle re-opens on 2nd May following major renovation, and to celebrate they are holding a major event between 11am – 1pm on 7th June – the Battle of the Ages.  There will also be a medieval festival in Castle Park where you will be able to roam amongst historic market traders, see live archery and watch a variety of displays.

Battle of the Ages

Six teams, sponsored by local businesses, will be taking part in the ultimate Battle of the Ages to find out which era will take the castle! Roman vs Iceni, Saxon vs Norman and Cavalier vs Roundhead will go head to head racing chariots around the castle bailey.   There will be 3 rounds, each with two competing teams.  There will then be the final between the three conquering teams of the previous rounds.

Design a Chariot

They are also running a competition (open to schools, community groups and individuals) to design one of the chariots.  Romans by schools, Saxons by community groups and the remainder by individuals.   This is your chance to look back in history, learn about different eras of Colchester’s past and create a design for one of six chariots.  The winning designs will be used in the race and the winner will receive a prize worth up to £500.

Find out more on their website at http://battleoftheages.co.uk/.

Medieval Festival

Previously known as the Oyster Fayre, this festival runs over the weekend of 7th – 8th June between 10am – 5pm in Lower Castle Park.  As well as historic market traders and archery competitons, there wi be falconry, mummers & puppets, combat & tourney displays, music & dance, storytelling and general ‘foolery’.

Find out more on their website at http://www.oysterfayre.magix.net/public/index.html.