Community, Parish Council & Village
St Mary’s Church update for 6th January provides listings of services, bible readings and other events and news such as Resolve Course, Ignite Youth Celebration, Ladies Breakfast & more.
Don’t forget, the church is now open on weekdays if you would like a quiet space to reflect or say a prayer for someone.
Messy ChurchSunday 8th January is the next Messy Church. This month’s theme will be Jesus the Light of the World – hope you can join us!
Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 18th DecemberThe boys started the final weekend before Christmas by enjoying Leisure World to themselves for the annual festive do. All three teams, the development school and their families were welcome to attend.
Back on the field the next morning the Under 8s had Continue reading “BHYFC Results w/e 18th December”
Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 11th DecemberThe under 8s had no fixture this weekend
Our under 10s were away to St Edmunds. There they encountered a physical match , where several two footed challenges came their way which were not dealt with by the referee. Continue reading “BHYFC Results w/e 11th December”
Updates from St Mary’s and the Methodist Church includes listings of lots of Christmas events, services, bible readings and St Mary’s Good News articles.
We are very pleased to announce that St Mary’s will be now be open to visitors on weekdays between 9am & 4pm. All are welcome to come in to the church for a time of quiet and reflection. Continue reading “Churches Christmas Update – 9th December”
Will you meet Mary and Joseph on their journey this year?The churches in West Bergholt and Great Horkesley, as part of their Christmas preparations, are supporting Mary and Joseph on their journey around the villages.
They will be visiting the various West Bergholt Guide, Brownies, Cubs, Beavers and Rainbow packs in the lead up to the Gift and Parade service Continue reading “Posada 2016 – meet Mary & Joseph on their Journey”
Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 4th DecemberLast weekend saw a win, a draw and a loss… Continue reading “BHYFC Results w/e 4th December”
Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 27th NovemberOur Under 8s were at the University taking part in a trophy event. Perhaps due to recent good form, they were put in a group including teams who had players linked to pro-clubs. This proved a big ask for the boys and they didn’t make it through the group stage.
Hopefully they learnt from the experience.
No match for the under 10s as their opponents cancelled.
This week Bergholt travelled to high-flyers Rowhedge Juniors missing their top two scorers Oscar and Theo and midfield dynamo Tommy.
For the first half of the match Bergholt gave Rowhedge a real shock. They took the game to the hosts and their tackling and passing were some of the best seen this season. With James solid in goal and the defence working their socks off, midfield and Ollie were able to get forward. Creating a number of chances, they found the ‘keeper in good form, but it was his unfortunate error that gave Bergholt a just reward. Thomas’s strike was superbly saved by the goalie but the ball came back with Thomas’s second effort squirming under the ‘keeper’s desperate grasp.
Bergholt nearly doubled their lead when Eddie (who due to our absentees was enjoying his role in central midfield), flashed the ball just past the Rowhedge post. HT 1-0.
At half-time the Bergholt manager impressed upon his players to continue doing what they had been doing in the first half but understand that Rowhedge would now attack with more players than before as they sought to get the equaliser. For the first few minutes of the half it was as the first with Bergholt repelling all attacks, but then it was Bergholt’s time to have misfortune strike as the Rowhedge striker and Aaron chased the through ball and the shot was saved by James but the ricochet then hit Aaron and bobbled in for the equaliser.
This goal then gave Rowhedge a big lift and they then added a second soon after before they then put the game beyond the tiring Bergholt with a fantastic strike which gave James no chance. Bergholt, to their credit, didn’t give up and still pushed forward when opportunity arose but then were dealt a final blow when Jameson was adjudged to have fouled the Rowhedge player just inside the box and the penalty was duly scored. FT 1-4.
The boys came off the pitch deflated as they had given their all. They had played exceptionally well and came away with a scoreline which didn’t reflect the closeness of the game. However they have nothing to be downhearted about as they did themselves proud.
Bergholt Heath player of the match: Billy Sutton – an excellent first half against a tough winger.
Since Christmas is coming, it’s now less than a month away (gulp), you might want to get up to date with some events (Castle, Zoo, Cressing & New Hall) and other Christmassy news (free park & ride).
Meet Santa in his GrottoColchester Museums are offering a unique opportunity this festive season. Families will be able to meet Santa in the historic setting of Colchester Castle.
From Friday 9 to Sunday 11 December and from Friday 16 to Friday 23 December, the Castle’s ancient Lucas Vaults will be transformed into a magical grotto where families can visit Santa, take in the decorated surroundings and receive a gift from the man himself.
Prices vary from £5 – £8.50 depending on numbers and whether you simply visit Santa or also follow the Children’s Christmas trail. More details online here.
Colchester Castle opens its doors for its annual Christmas Open Evening on Wednesday 14 December from 3pm – 8:30pm.
A seasonal treat as Colchester Castle opens its doors for FREE! Come and soak up the Christmas atmosphere with carols, mince pies, entertainment and an opportunity to meet Santa before his busy night.
Booking not required. Free entry to the Castle, entry to Santa’s grotto £3.50 per child. Suitable for all ages.
Colchester ZooMeet Santa’s beautiful reindeer in their stables and travel through the farmyard to meet Santa’s friends. You can join the elves and friends for a very merry Christmas party! Or why not make Christmas crafts at the Elves’ Workshop.
More details online here.
Visit from 9.30am until 8.30pm on the 17th & 23rd December! As well as fantastic daytime events you will be able to stay after dark as the festivities continue into the evening beneath the Christmas lights!
The extended opening will give you even more time to see Santa’s beautiful reindeer and take part in The Santa Experience! PLUS from 5pm you can take a ride on the Christmas train and check out special evening encounters!
More details online here. The Zoo is offering other Christmas activities as well so well worth visiting their website.
Cressing TempleGuided by a friendly elf, your group will explore Father Christmas’s busy Christmas base at Cressing Temple Barns. Learn the secrets of the wrapping machine, magic mailing systems and landing pad. After passing through these magical rooms, families go on the meet Father Christmas himself in his traditional Grotto with full size sleigh ready for photos.
Whisper your Christmas wish and then head onwards to the toy shop where an elf will help you choose the perfect Christmas gift to take away as a memento. Here your guided tour ends, but there is so much more to see! The site is accessible for wheelchairs and buggies, except for the Grotto itself which is on the second storey (although Santa will come down to visit those who can’t manage the stairs).
More details online here.
Taking place on 3rd & 4th December from 10am – 5pm, at New Hall Vineyard, Purleigh, CM3 6PN.
A winter wonderland combining a great atmosphere, Santa’s Grotto (foc), children’s craft area and free refreshments including mince pies, sausage rolls, hot chestnuts and mulled wine. A great opportunity to taste wines and stock-up before Christmas. All wine is discounted and personalised labels can be printed for free while you wait. All donations go to Maldon Carers.
Heading into Chelmsford or Colchester for your Christmas shopping? Essex County Council are offering a helping hand by making Park and Ride travel free on Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday should see many small businesses offering special deals in the spirit of Black Friday. Take advantage of the free Park and Ride offer on Saturday 3rd December.
Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 20th NovemberBefore this weekend’s fixtures we joined together with our CDYL comrades in a minute silence for Jack Atkinson who sadly passed away after playing for his Under 18 side.
The 8s and 10s play ‘uncompetitive football’ and as such we are not allowed to publish results.
The Under 12s Leapfrogged above their opponents with a fantastic win, report from their manager David.
This week Bergholt hosted Wivenhoe Tempest Reds. Pre-match it was honours even as Bergholt had been victors in a pre-season tournament whilst Tempest had got revenge in the first game of the season.
The game kicked off with Bergholt in unfamiliar territory shooting towards the goal at the road end, which they normally do in the second half but it didn’t seem to phase them too much. That said, the first ten minutes of the game saw Tempest in control and they were first on the scoresheet when a cross was glanced goal-wards and the ball went under James. Billy was able to get to clear off the line but his clearance hit the Tempest striker and bobbled in.
Bergholt didn’t let this setback cause them issue as they cleared their heads and finally got their game together as the passes flowed freely so opportunities arose, the first for Oliver whose shot flew over the bar and for Jameson who too did likewise. Oliver however did get on the scoresheet soon after when he was put through and his first attempt hit the post but he got the ball back, kept his composure and slotted the ball coolly through the ‘keeper’s legs. Bursting through the Tempest defence and picking his spot perfectly, he soon followed this up with second.
With their tails up, Bergholt kept applying the pressure, trying to make their dominance count and they extended their lead further when some excellent play put Oscar in front of goal and he made no mistake. To their credit Tempest did not give up and they made a real attempt to get back on the scoresheet before half-time; the Bergholt defence had to withstand a lot of pressure which they did very well with Aaron and Thomas, in particular, getting in some vital headed clearances from numerous corners. HT 3-1.
At half-time the Bergholt manager asked his players to ensure that they kept the two skilful and quick Tempest wingers in check and to continue to pass the ball around well as they had in the first half. These two things they did very well and, although Tempest had their chances, the defence held firm and, when breached, James made two excellent saves – one of which was particularly brave.
This gave Bergholt the confidence to pass the ball around and there was some great passing combinations with all boys showing their passing range and skills. This finally this resulted in another goal when Tommy’s through ball put Freddie clear down the wing and, despite the calls for the cross, instead smashed the ball into the roof of the net at the near post. FT 4-1.
A great game for the supporters to see as both teams looked to get the ball down, pass and play on the grass rather than just lumping it and hoping.
Bergholt Heath player of the match: James Laver – two valuable saves in the second half.
The Premises & Recreation Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 7th November when, among other items, they discussed sub-committee terms of reference, Orpen Hall toilets, Football Clubs and Annual Budget.
Continue reading “Premises & Recreation – 7th November 2016”