Category: Environment

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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.

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Ditches – Who’s Responsible?

Ditches – A Quick Guide To Responsibilities

The Parish Council has noted there to be quite a lot of interest in Ditches and responsibilities on Social Media. It is hoped that you will find the following of use in understanding this topic.

Q.What is a ditch?
A.A ditch is defined as a man-made feature which has been created in order to drain an area of land. Historically these were normally dug by a landowner at the edge of their field and the spoil deposited on their land, on which hedges grew over time
Q.What are watercourses?
A.Watercourses are natural features which drain the surrounding catchment and normally have some water flowing in it, typically rivers, streams etc.
Q.Who is responsible for the maintenance of watercourses and ditches?
A.It is generally the responsibility of the owners of the land on either bank. This means that they have both rights and responsibilities associated with the ditches, or other watercourses, flowing through or adjacent to their property.
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Winter Bird Walk & Fungus Foray

The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Wood is a Winter Bird Walk

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.

Image of Skylark
Skylark seen in 2022
Image of great spotted woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker Seen in 2022

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.

Fungus Foray – Ian Rowling Reports

Birch Polypore fungus

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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Pylons Site Visit in West Bergholt

Say no to pylons and say yes to offshore grid

View of pylons route along Highfield Farm Valley

West Bergholt continues to actively campaign against the National Grid Pylon project as part of the Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk Pylons Group (ESN).  On Tuesday 13th February we were pleased that Cllr Brian Butcher and Parish Clerk Laura Walkingshaw were able to host a site visit from James Ryan, NSIP1 Project Manager, Colchester City Council (CCC) and CCC Cllr Sara Naylor.

Statutory Consultee

As many of you may know, the CCC are the statutory consultee on the Parish Council’s behalf to the Government on this project.  Given that, our working relationship with James and his colleagues are vital to being able to explain the impact that it will have on rural life for us and our neighbouring villages.

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Environment & Highways – 11th January 2024

AI generated image showing a broken down truck, falling Xmas Tree & some snow coming

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 11th January 2024 with topics including:

  • Severe flooding recently experienced & how mitigated or being mitigated.
  • Repairs needed to the village truck.
  • Handymen activities including:
    • planning for snow,
    • dealing with compacted leaves and
    • hedge planting at the Armoury Road / Colchester Rod junction.
  • Reviewing the 2023 Christmas Tree for lessons learnt.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 11th January 2024 at 5.00pm in SC Mtg Rm

Members present:Cllrs Katie Pulford (KP), Manya Barrow (MB), Harry Stone (HS), David Short (DS) and John Gili-Ross (JGR) (via mobile phone),
Also present:No members of the public

1.     Welcome & Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr James Owers.

2.     Declarations of Interests

None.

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St Mary’s News – The Great Expectations Edition

St Mary’s News – Great Expectations

After Revd. Heather’s reflections around ‘Great Expectations’, this editions includes:

Great Expectations - Pip starting his journey to Germany - AI generated

A New Year Reflection from Revd. Heather

Great expectations

For those that enjoy Christmas movies, the season for watching them, which appears to span anytime from the end of October to December is finally over. One book, which seems to feature over and over again in Christmas films, albeit under many different guises, is that great Charles Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol.

Another novel of Charles Dickens is Great Expectations.

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Hillhouse Wood AGM 2023

Images of Hillhouse Wood for AGM 2023 News item

The FoHHW AGM 2023 will be on 13th December

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.

Formal Agenda

The Friends of Hillhouse Wood

29th Annual General Meeting to be held in the John Lampon Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th December 2023.

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Environment & Highways – 16th November 2023

AI generated image to reflect some of the topics discussed on the 16th November 2023

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 16th November 2023 with topics including:

  • Update on works completed by the handymen,
  • Approving a budget for the next financial year,
  • Plans for Village Ponds,
  • New fencing for Lorkin Daniell play area,
  • Christmas Tree, &
  • Flooding & a Sink Hole.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 16th November 2023 at 5.00pm in SC Mtg Rm

Members present:Cllrs John Gili-Ross (JGR), Katie Pulford (KP), Harry Stone (HS), Manya Barrow (MB), David Short (DS) and RFO Andrew Savage (AS)
Also present:No members of the public

1.     Welcome & Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr James Owers.

2.     Declarations of Interests

None.

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Autumn Fruits & Fungus Hunt

The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Woods is a Fungus Hunt

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.

Fungus Hunt Image 1
Fungus growing on fallen tree trunk
A mushroom type of fujngus
What looks like a stinkcap fungus

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 Autumn Fruits Walk – Steve Hallam Reports

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Environment & Highways – 12th October 2023

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th October 2023 with topics including:

AI generated image in artistic style to go with E&H minutes of 12th October 2023 showing village pond, speeding cars & playground items.
  • Speeding on Lexden Road,
  • Maintenance matters with ponds, playground & hedges,
  • Environment & Biodiversity,
  • Consideration of budget needs for future plans.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 12th October 2023 at 5.00pm in SC Mtg Rm

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