Warm Welcoming Space for Winter Returns

Warm Welcoming Space is Back

AI Generated Image representing a warm welcoming space with tea coffee & biscuits

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”

Entries Surge for Fete & Produce Show

Poster for Village Fete & Produce Show

Poster for Village Fete & Produce ShowNot too late for entries to Produce Show

The Fete & Produce Show will be held in the Orpen Hall & Lorkin Daniell Field from 12-4pm on Sat Sept 9th.

Produce Show in Orpen Hall

Over 350 entries have already been received; it’s not too late for late entries but 1st September is the last day; entry forms available at the Allotment Stall.

There will be certificates for Continue reading “Entries Surge for Fete & Produce Show”

Les Mis to Lion King

Les Mis to Lion King

Les Mis to Lion KingLes Mis to Lion King

Les Mis to Lion King is the topic of the next WI presentation on Wednesday 1st February at the Orpen Hall at 7:15pm.  A lot of new members joined West Bergholt WI in 2016 – why don’t you come along and try the W.I. on Feb 1st for FREE?

Martyn Harrison

The presenter of this talk, Martyn Harrison, worked for 40 years as  a  professional Opera Singer.  His career has now diversified, with time, into several associated areas of the Performing Arts.
Martyn Harrison

  • Stage Director,
  • Guest Speaker, and
  • Vocal Coach.

As a Tenor he has worked with Major Opera Companies including ROH [Garden Venture], Glyndebourne [8 years], New Sadler’s Wells and New D’Oyly Carte plus English National Opera, Kent Opera, Pimlico Opera, Opera at Holland Park, Cambridge Opera, Opera Restor’d and guesting with numerous other festival and regional groups.

As a Stage Director he has directed over 180 shows ranging from Pantomime to Grand Opera.  He tours extensively as a Guest Speaker on Music Theatre, Operetta & Opera in the UK, Germany & Australia.

Women’s Institute August 2016 Update

WI-logoWomen’s Institute August 2016 Update

Recent activity in West Bergholt WI

Joint Presidents 2016
Joint Presidents Sheila Boxshall and Manya Barrow

Newly elected joint Presidents are Sheila Boxshall and Manya Barrow. West Bergholt W.I. Membership now stands at 55.

In June, members brought cakes, which they donate once a year to St Helena Hospice, for visitors and patients afternoon teas.  The speaker that month was Sheila Gunson with her talk entitled Continue reading “Women’s Institute August 2016 Update”

Women’s Institute March 2015 Update

WI-logoWI – March 2015 Meeting

Pots, Wellbeing & Gemstones

The president welcomed two visitors and following the business, Susan Leng, handed over the meeting to Roberta Bown who chaired the ‘Member’s Meeting’.  This gave the committee an opportunity to sit back and relax.   Potted plants were presented to them with grateful thanks for all their hard work.

Heather Payne was the speaker, her subject entitled ‘Well Being’.  She also brought along many crystals and explained how they may help people.  Members enjoyed hot cross buns with their tea/coffee.

Social time involved members splitting into groups to make up a verse with a card relating to a gemstone.  The competition was an egg cup with a large variety of styles ranging from china to wood.  A grand raffle followed.

Susan thanked Roberta and her committee for an enjoyable evening.

Women’s Institute January Update

WI meeting December 2014 with flower arrangements

WI Craft with Flowers

The December meeting took on a craft theme. Members were advised by the Colne Valley Flower Club president, Pat Sharman, and with the aid of greenery, decorations and candles, individual Christmas Rings were made.  It was a great success and even the less ‘green fingered’ ladies were pleased with their results.

Members provided savouries for the supper which followed and the evening concluded with a grand raffle so large that everyone received a prize. A fitting end to another enjoyable year.

St PetersburgSt Petersburg

The president welcomed members and a visitor to the January meeting. Following the business, Susan Leng gave a talk on St Petersburg with slides.

The competition was My New Year’s Resolution, which were read out to great amusement and members voted with coins. These were collected for ACWW.  The evening concluded with slides covering our many WI activities during 2014.

More details about the West Bergholt WI are on our webpage.

Women’s Institute November 2014 – January 2015

The WI - Inspiring WomenFrom the Sea to St Petersburgh & back home again

Meeting, as ever, on the first Wednesday of each month (7:15 in the Orpen Hall), the West Bergholt WI welcomes guests many of whom choose to join – indeed a number have joined recently boosting numbership to over 50!  The next two ‘open meetings’ are:

  • November 2014 – “Sea, Songs and Stories” by Jim Lawrence,
  • January 2015 – we will have 2 film shows:
    • “St Petersburgh and its Treasures” and
    • “West Bergholt WI in 2014”.

As well as the regular meetings, every month the WI have a Coffee Morning at the Treble Tile and there is a Play Reading Group, and there’s a Scrabble and Rummikub session every fortnight.

Women’s Institute October 2014 Update

The WI - Inspiring Women

October Fashion Show Attracts over 90

October's meeting was with Edinburgh Woollen Mill fashion showOctober’s WI meeting was an ‘Open Evening’ with the president, Susan Leng, welcoming numerous Womens’ Institutes from the surrounding area.

Many visitors attended forming an audience with our WI of just over ninety ladies.  The fashion show was from Colchester’s Edinburgh Woollen Mill with ten West Bergholt members modelling the Autumn collection which included the makes of Honor Milburn, Country Rose, Isle and EWM.

Each model wore three different sets of garments from skirts and jumpers to jackets and gilets. Our secretary gave the commentary detailing which collection and prices.

Following the show two large rails were wheeled out so everyone could have a closer look.  The guests enjoyed home made refreshments and the evening ended with a grand raffle.  A very successful event.

Deanna Walker BEM & other news online

Banner of the West Bergholt Village BulletinThe latest Village Bulletin is now on-line and available for download/reading on-line on the Village Bulletin page.  News updates not previously reported here include:

Deanna Walker BEM

A West Bergholt woman has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours awards for her services to Higher Education.  Deanna Walker has been awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) for her work at the University of Essex where she is administrator in the Registry Department.  She joined the university staff 25 years ago in the Admissions Department working in several administrative roles before reaching her present position as Senior Academic Officer.  Her work has included mentoring junior colleagues which, she believes, also contributed to colleagues recommending her for the award.

Deanna is modest about her achievements. She says:

The award came out of the blue. When the letter came notifying me, I couldn’t understand why I was chosen as I just do an ordinary working job.

[More… in the Bulletin]

Concert Band’s Christmas Concert raises £1,500 for St Helena Hospice

The Concert Band’s 2013 Christmas Concert was a huge success, as one audience member commented:

the most enjoyable Christmas Concert I’ve been to in many, many years.

The report continues to tell how they have raised nearly £30,000 in recent years and about their plans for 2014.

[More… in the Bulletin]

Voluntary Group & Club Updates

Well, there were quite a few including:

  • Friends of St Mary’s Old Church;
  • Hillhouse Wood;
  • Care Network;
  • Friendship Club;
  • Women’s Institute;
  • History Group;
  • Bergholt Heath YFC;
  • Workers’ Educational Association;
  • Gardeners;
  • Indoor Bowls;
  • First responders;
  • Allotments;
  • Badminton;
  • Churches; and
  • Orpen Players.

[More… in the Bulletin]

Last, but not least, the weather

As if we needed reminding, 2013 was pretty much the wettest we can recall – the following chart tells you just how wet West Bergholt was:

2013 rainfall in West Bergholt

 

 

 

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