Bounceability – Trampolining For All Abilities

Bounceability Trampoline Competition

Brian Butcher, Chair of the Parish Council enjoyed a wonderful, inspiring day, at Bounceability recently. He attended their annual trampoline competition where those with special needs & disabilities across all ages were showing off their prowess. Brian was pleased to meet 15 year-old Liam, West Bergholt’s volunteer of the year, in his element helping the gymnasts & coaches. Brian was there to present the ‘most improved’ shield, donated by the Parish Council, to its first winner.

Most Improved Winner

Benji at Bounceability with Coach Maria & Cllr Brian Butcher — Coach Maria, Benji & Cllr Brian Butcher

Whilst Brian presented the trophy, Claire Woods of Bounceability told us something about the winner.

July 2, 2025July 2, 2025

Resonate Choir at St Mary’s Old Church 6th July

Free Concert at St Mary’s Old Church with Resonate

Once again, following their visit last July, The Resonate Choir will be performing at St. Mary’s Old Church on Sunday, July 6th at 4 pm. This free event, hosted by the Friends of St. Mary’s Old Church, promises a truly unique and enjoyable musical experience for all ages.

💳 Admission is free – Donations (cash or card) are warmly welcome and will go directly toward preserving this historic church.

🥂 Complimentary refreshments and free parking available on-site.

Resonate Choir

RESONATE is a passionate collective of singers originally formed within a world music choir in Colchester. With over 15 years of shared musical experience, they’ve branched out to embrace a richly varied repertoire that spans continents and cultures:

June 27, 2025July 1, 2025

St Mary’s News – The Summer Edition

AI generated abstract image to reflect the idea of the Taste of Summer in a church context.

The Taste of Summer & Other News From St Mary’s

This month’s news starts with Revd Heather’s ‘Taste of Summer’ message. Following this, you can find out about events including:

Spotlight on Safeguarding,
Church Flowers,
July & August Events, and

… the usual listings of services & contacts.

The Taste of Summer

Popping into the supermarkets at this time of the year, we are often met by signs which say something along the lines of ‘The taste of summer’, which have all been hung strategically in aisles full of foods suitable for picnics on the beach and BBQ’s in our gardens, outdoor, social gatherings with friends and family.

What is it?

So what is the taste of summer? I guess it’s fresh salads, ice cream, BBQ with the hint of charcoal as an added extra, all washed down with our favourite ice-cold drinks. These are the foods that the supermarkets hope will evoke the image of long hot summer days.

May 28, 2025May 29, 2025

St Mary’s News – The Joyful June Edition

Joyful June & Other News From St Mary’s

This month’s news starts with Revd Emma’s Joyful June message. Following this, you can find out about events including:

Prayer Spaces for Heathlands School,
Café @ St Mary’s,
Eco Matters – Creation Event,
Christian Aid Thank You,
July events, and

… the usual listings of services & contacts.

Joyful June

June has a way of lifting our spirits. The days stretch out like a cat in the sun, flowers burst into colour, and the scent of BBQs and freshly cut grass fills the air. It’s the month where nature seems to throw a garden party—and we’re all invited.

There’s something wonderfully hopeful about June. The Bible tells us:

May 24, 2025May 24, 2025

Environment & Highways – 15th May 2025

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 15th May 2025 with topics including:

Handymen’s Report including:
- VE Day 80th Anniversary Preparations,
- Seasonal Maintenance,
- Fixing the drain cover on the Heath, and
- Remedial work on the new storage hut.
Discussion about dangerous reversing/turning into Heathlands entrance and investigating the need for a barrier of some form,
Review of the VE Day 80th Anniversary celebrations, and
Inconsiderate driving/speeding in Hall Road.

Read the official minutes below.

Environment & Highways Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 15th May 2025 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

Members present:	David Short (DS) Harry Stone (HS), Manya Barrow (MB) present and John Gili-Ross (JGR) remotely.
Also present:	1 member of the public

May 7, 2025May 7, 2025

Seasonal Guided Walks Online

Online Guided Walks at Hillhouse Wood

The next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Wood is taking place this Saturday 10th May with an early start.

The Dawn Chorus (links to a previous report) walk starts from St Mary’s Old Church at 3:45 am on 10th May. This walk affords the opportunity to see Nightingales and many other brilliant dawn choristers. For this walk you should bring warm clothing, stout footwear, a flask of hot drink and a torch.

Although these walks are normally well attended it is likely that they don’t always fall on a convenient date or time. Well, the Friends of Hillhouse Wood have been working hard to put this right.

Welcome to Online Guided Walks

Putting together:

a Google Map that can help you navigate through the woods, and
YouTube videos describing what you might see at up to 17 waypoints,

… you can now guide yourself .

May 4, 2025May 5, 2025

Vocal Zone Singers

Changes at Vocal Zone

At the start of this year Vocal Zones Choir decided to start a review of the choir and have implemented some changes; both the committee and the membership have been engaged in this process. They are pleased to announce a new name as one of the changes; they will now be known as Vocal Zone Singers. Members & the Committee feel that this name better represents the ethos of the group. They are not a formal choir; but simply a group of people who enjoy singing and like to meet together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The singers are all excited by the new direction the committee and membership wants to take their singing group.

They hope that this new photo better reflects the upbeat, friendly and sunny disposition of the group.

April 27, 2025April 27, 2025

St Mary’s News – The May Day or Mayday Edition

St Mary’s News – May Day or Mayday?

This month’s news starts with Revd Heather’s May Day message. Following this, you can find out about events including:

Christian Aid Week – a story of their work in Guatemala, and events to support their work:
- Coffee Morning & Plant Sale,
- Kings Ridge Parishes Big Breakfast,
Kings Ridge Parishes Rogationtide Walk, and

… the usual listings of services & contacts.

May Day versus Mayday

Revd Heather’s message this month:

An AI generated image of Maypole Dancers.

May begins and ends with a bank holiday, which is always rather nice, and with the spring well established now, and as we look towards the summer, we might hope that the bank holidays won’t disappoint us and will produce some good weather, perhaps even giving us the opportunity for a BBQ or family picnic.

April 24, 2025May 4, 2025

VE-Day 80

VE-Day 80th Anniversary

80 years ago on 8th May earlier generations celebrated the end of war in Europe, or VE-Day as it was dubbed. As BBC Radio, and the Newspapers, announced the news, workers left their buildings to join in ad hoc celebrations in the street. Later they would organise street parties as well.

In that spirit of celebration, whilst at the same time commemorating the losses, West Bergholt PC are joining many others in organising (free) events on this date.

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025

Elizabethan Witch, Romans & Concerts

Elizabethan Witches, Roman Colchester & Concerts

Elizabethan Woman in front of a crowd (AI generated)

The following free events are being hosted by the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church in 2025.

Sunday 11 May – Talk by local historian John Worland on ‘The First Elizabethan Witch Trial’. 2.30pm – free refreshments
Sunday 8 June – Talk by Adam Wightman, Director of Colchester Archaeological Trust on ‘The Former Essex County Hospital Site’’. 2.30pm – free refreshments
Sunday 6 July – Resonate Choir Concert – 4pm-5pm – free refreshments
Sunday 20 July – Summer Songs of Praise Service – 2.30pm – free refreshments
Sunday 30 November – Mulled Wine & Mince Pies with the Octavia Singers – 11am-1pm.
This event is also an opportunity to register or reregister as a Friend of St. Mary’s Old Church
Sunday 21 December – Candlelit Carol Service

As usual everyone is welcome, there’s free parking and free refreshments including a glass of prosecco. Entry to all events is free but the Friends welcome any donations made on the day (cash or card). This will support the ongoing upkeep of the beautiful 1000-year-old church. We look forward to welcoming you there. For more information, or if you wish to tell us you’re coming, please email [email protected].

At both of the following events there will also be an opportunity for a Q&A session.