St Mary’s Church update for 4th July provides listings of services, bible readings and other events and appeals for support for their stall at Heathlands School Fayre.
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who made the Senior Citizen’s Lunch on Saturday 23rd June such a success. Murray & Kate really appreciate all your hard work and generous donations of food.
Cricket Fest 2016 is a regular annual event from West Bergholt Cricket Club at their ground in Manor Road. Celebrating all things cricket from 6th – 10th July, the Festival features its Family Fun Day on 9th July.
The latest edition of Good News, St Mary’s Parish Magazine is reproduced below (together with additional material from most recent notices), use the links to the various stories & news items.
The word Pentecost comes from a Greek word meaning fiftieth and was the name of a Jewish Festival celebrating the completion of the grain harvest. This festival, also known as the Feast of Weeks, was observed on the 50th day, or 7 weeks, after Passover. However, the festival gained a new significance for the Christian Church when, 50 days after Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion (and 10 days after his ascension into heaven), the Holy Spirit descended in a dramatic fashion on the disciples gathered in Jerusalem for the festival of weeks.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment because each one heard them speaking in his own language. (New International Bible, Acts 2: 1-6)
Peter then stood up and preached to the assembled crowd with a new confidence that God had raised Jesus back to life and urged people to “Repent and be baptised, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Some 3,000 people became followers that day, and thus the church was born.
So what does this mean for us today? I found the following quote online which really seemed to sum up the significance of Pentecost:
When you strip it of everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That’s what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost. (David Wilkerson).
Best wishes, Liz Dixon
Christian Aid Week – 15-21 May
Be the answer to Morsheda’s prayer this Christian Aid week
Morsheda is a young mother of four living in Bangladesh. She has no land, few assets and no savings.
For Morsheda’s family living on low-lying islands in the Brahmaputra River, floods are a terrifying part of everyday life. Morsheda can’t even count on having a safe place to call home: the single-room, corrugated-iron house she shares with her children has been flooded four times.
I feel very scared of the river. When I look at it I keep thinking “it is coming”.
Dangers all around
One year, her humble house filled up to her knees with floodwater. To stay dry, and keep away from the dangerous snakes that now swam through her home she raised her bed up on bricks. But during the night she was woken by a loud splash. In the pitch black, her baby son had fallen into the inky water. He could have drowned in moments.
Race against time
In a bad year, huge waves crashed against her house, giving her less than an hour to uproot her home and scramble to safety. Racing against time, she gathered her terrified children together and hastily made a raft from a banana tree. At any moment, it could have tipped and plunged them into the swirling waters, but it was their only hope. She put her youngest daughter in a cooking pot and clung to it as it floated in the current.
My children were so scared. My sister was holding them very tightly and we were panicking because my neighbour’s child was washed away.
The floods are coming
Morsheda and her children live a precarious life. They know that the floods will come again, and soon. But we can lift our neighbours like Morsheda to safety.
Just £250 is enough for a Christian Aid Home Safety Package. It could flood-proof Morsheda’s home, raising it eight foot on an earth plinth, so that she has a safe place to rebuild, keep livestock and grow crops. It could also buy a goat, seeds and a wormery to help produce compost – all of which will give her a long-term income and a solid foundation for a new life.
If I could raise my house then I would feel much safer living here with my children.
The above story is an extract from the Christian Aid website.
Our Response
At the time of writing, it is uncertain as to whether there will be a house-to-house collection in West Bergholt this year. As reported in the December edition of Good News, Richard Chadborn is taking a well-earned rest as Christian Aid co-ordinator, having organised the collection at St Mary’s for the past 37 years. However, no-one has yet come forward to take his place, which means that there may not be a door-to-door collection this time. If you feel you could help, please contact Richard Chadborn as soon as possible (tel: 01206 240541).
There will, however, be a collection at St Mary’s during Christian Aid Week, or you can give online at caweek.org
Side Person Duties
We have a team of 8 people who take it in turns to act as sides person each week. The duties include welcoming people as they come into church on a Sunday morning and handing out service sheets and hymn books; guiding people to the altar during communion services; collecting the service sheets and hymn books at the end of the service and locking the front of the church. A full list of duties can be found on the notice board in church. You would be one of a pair, one Sunday a month.
For more information, please contact Dorothy Chadborn on 01206 240541.
A New Beginning
There are two things about Easter that I think are really important, and if we don’t get them right we don’t get Easter right. First of all the resurrection is not a happy ending tagged onto a sad story; and secondly, the church is not the Jesus Christ Appreciation Society.
Let me explain. Because those of us who are in the Church know the Easter story so well, we tend to think of the cross as the ‘sad bit of the story’ and the resurrection as the ‘happy ending’. Because we know what is coming, we are always seeing Good Friday through the lens of Easter Sunday. In many ways there is nothing wrong with this, but it can mean we are prevented from being shocked and surprised by the Resurrection. It can also mean that we leap frog over the cross and fail to stop and see the beautiful and painful reality of Christ’s death. So, in my view, it is much better to think of the Resurrection as a new beginning rather than a happy ending.
When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb on that first Easter morning she went to anoint the dead body of Jesus. She was not expecting to find anything else. When the tomb was empty, she assumed it was because people had stolen the body away. The last thing she was expecting was Resurrection. In other words the Resurrection was a surprise: as much of a surprise for people then as it is for people now. It was unimaginable and inexplicable then. It is unimaginable and inexplicable now. It is outside our experience. It is beyond our imagining. But it is the beginning of Christian faith: Jesus really died on the cross, and God really raised Jesus to life on Easter day. Without this the Christian faith is nothing, and Jesus just another good person, and the Church, therefore, just the Jesus Christ Appreciation Society, remembering the good deeds and wise words of our long dead and much loved founder.
But the real story is different. What ended in defeat and death begins afresh with Resurrection. Mary Magdalene encounters Jesus in the garden not as a resuscitated corpse, brought back to resume the life he lost, but as the first piece of the new creation. And this is a new story that we are invited to be part of.
In the risen Jesus we see our destiny and are enlisted to share this with others. Jesus is present to us today as he was present to Mary Magdalene yesterday. We, the Church, are formed by the impact of God raising him from the dead and of his gift of the spirit. More than this, the Bible says that the church is Christ’s body. We are his presence in and for the world today, a new people with a new beginning and a new identity.
+ Stephen Chelmsford, Easter 2016
Sunday Gospel Readings – April & May
Our Bible readings for every Sunday are taken from the Lectionary, a table of psalms and readings authorised for use in public worship of the Church of England.
Date
Reading
Theme
Sunday 3rd April
John 20: 19-31
Jesus appears to his disciples
Sunday 10th April
John 21: 1-19
Jesus and the miraculous catch of fish
Sunday 17th April
John 10: 22-30
The unbelief of the Jews
Sunday 24th April
John 13: 31-35
Jesus predicts Peter’s denial
Sunday 1st May
John 14: 23-29
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit
Sunday 8th May
John 17: 20-26
Jesus prays for all believers
Sunday 15th May
John 14: 8-17, 25-27
Jesus the way to the Father
Sunday 22nd May
John 16: 12-15
The work of the Holy Spirit
Sunday 29th May
Luke 7: 1-10
The faith of the centurion
Other Notices
Easter Church Flowers
A big thank you to Fiona and her team of volunteers for decorating the church for Easter – the flowers are beautiful!
5Ts Now Weekly!
As a result of the closing of the Fellowship Club which met in the Orpen Hall, 5Ts is now taking place every week at St Mary’s. However, extra helpers to open up and serve refreshments would be welcome. If you can help, please contact Murray Harlow on 07989 720256.
Collection during Sunday Services
From 1 May onwards, the collection will be now be taken during the Sunday morning service. For those members of the congregation who give regularly by standing order, there will be little cards available which can be put into the collection bag instead of money.
Dates for Your Diary
Rev John Ryeland – Director of The Christian Healing Mission
Training Day
Don’t forget to sign up for the day of training here at St Mary’s with Rev John Ryeland from the Christian Healing Mission on Sat 16 April from 10.15am to 4pm. Please bring a packed lunch and a £5 donation.
The day is being organised by Janet Jones from St Luke’s Church, Highwoods. To book your place, please contact Janet on 01206855459 or via email – [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
Our Annual Church meeting will be held this year on Sunday 17 April at about 12.15pm, straight after the 11.15am Communion service.
The Annual Meeting gives us all an opportunity to review the past year and to thank those who have contributed to the life of the church. Churchwardens and members of the Parochial Church Council will be elected. We are delighted to announce that Pat Kinzett has volunteered to take over from Dorothy Chadborn as PCC secretary after the annual meeting. However, at least two more sides people are required. This is a very important job – there is a list of full duties on the noticeboard at the back of the church but some of the main tasks are listed below. We will also discuss ‘Where do we go from here?’ and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Everyone is welcome to the APCM, but only those on the Electoral Roll may vote.
Please stay for a soup lunch afterwards.
Home Groups
After Easter, our home groups will continue on the following dates:
Open House every Thursday morning at 9am in term times .
5T’s – 2.30pm – from 1 April, 5Ts will be held every week!
Wired (our Youth Group for Secondary School Students)
Fridays @ 7.45pm in the church on the following dates:
1 April – chocolate night
6 May
12 June – Boxted v Bergholt
8 July – Pool Party
Contact Mark for further details (241617).
Senior Citizens Lunch – Saturday 23 April at 12.45pm
Please contact Murray Harlow (07989 720256) if you would like to come or can help on the day.
Sunday 29 May @ 9.30am – Joint 3 Parishes Worship Service
Our next joint service with folk from the parishes of Great Horkesley and Langham with Boxted will take place on Sunday 29th May @ 9.30am at St Mary’s, West Bergholt with guest speaker Nicholas Henshall, Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral.
Regular Events
1st Sunday in the month 9.30am Holy Communion + BUGS*
2nd Sunday in the month
9.30am Messy Church
6.30pm (4.30pm in winter) Evening Prayer
4th Sunday in the month 9.30am Morning Worship + BUGS
5th Sunday in the month (when applicable) Combined service with Methodist Church and the parishes of Great Horkesley and Langham with Boxted. The location and times of the service rotate between the 5 churches.
Thursdays at 9.00 am – Drop in for coffee during term time.
Thursdays at 2.30 pm – – 5Ts (Together for Tea on Thursdays at Two-Thirty) Weekly from 1 April 2016.
* BUGS = St Mary’s Sunday school.
Contacts
Priest in charge:
Rev Dr Mandy Elmes,
The Rectory, 1 Church Close,
West Bergholt CO6 3JZ
Tel 01206 240906
Mob 07872 649967
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
BYG has been running for over 7 years now, growing in popularity during this time. There are currently over 100 registered members in school years 6 to 10 with each Club evening being attended by between 60 and 70 children.
Although the volunteer list has seen many people come and go over the years, it is the same core of adults that still make up both the Club evening “crew” and the management committee. However after 8 years many of this original group are now looking to step aside.
In addition to the adults, most of the Youth crew, who have come up through the membership, are of a similar age. Some have already been lost to University and over the next 18 months most of the remainder will also depart.
Without an injection of new volunteers – both adult and youth (school year 10 and above), BYG will not be viable and unfortunately will have to close its doors. It is, therefore, necessary to start planning now. By the end of this year a new core of volunteers needs to be in place
If you are interested in helping BYG in any way – ad-hoc or more formally by regular attendance at Club evenings or as a new management committee member – please contact Harry Stone on 01206 241026 or by email: [email protected].
On Thursday 21st April the Parish Council have organised an evening of festivities & fun at the Orpen Memorial Hall to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday. Kicking off at 3:30pm with a birthday tea, the evening culminates in the lighting of the Queen’s Beacon and a Firework Display.
If the weather’s good why not bring your own Picnic Blanket & Deckchairs! Red, White & Blue clothing is encouraged with a Prize for the Best Fancy Dress.
The full schedule is:
15:30 – A Birthday Tea for Young & Old.
17:00 – Balloon Race – whose will travel the furthest?
17:30 – Live Music, Food, Drink, Inflatables (weather permitting), Photo Booth and Film Show.
20:00 – Lighting of the Queen’s Beacon.
20:15 – Firework finale.
Free of charge admission tickets for the birthday tea are available from Heathlands School, Bluebells Pre-School, the Co‑op & West Bergholt Pharmacy. Please contact the Heathlands PTA directly for tickets for the Balloon Race.
For more details please contact the Parish Clerk on 07726 424419.
The following are a selection of activities, mostly for kids and young people, over the upcoming Easter holidays, enjoy!
Easter fun at Colchester Leisure World
Leisure World will be running a full programme of holiday activities including our popular Kids Camp and Base Camp during the Easter holidays. There are extended opening hours for our Leisure Pool and extra Aquafun and Aquasplat sessions in the Fitness and Teaching pools. With fun in the pools, sports, dance and arts and crafts Leisure World can help you keep boredom at bay. More information online.
Easter fun at High Woods
This Easter you can also join in an Egg-travaganser, search for fairies, build a bird box, learn how to survive in the forest and much more.
Fenwick Treasure coming to Colchester Castle!
The Fenwick Treasure is set to be unveiled to the public at Colchester Castle with an open event on Thursday 24th March 2016. Found underneath the Williams and Griffin store on High Street Colchester the hoard has been dubbed the Fenwick hoard.
The hoard includes: 2 pairs of gold earrings, 1 gold bracelet, 2 gold armlets, 5 gold finger-rings, 1 silver chain and loop, 1 copper-alloy bulla, 1 silver armlet, 2 silver cuff bracelets, 1 glass intaglio, a collection of Roman republican coins, and the remains of a silver pyxis (jewellery box).It is presumed that the hoard was buried during Boudica’s sacking of Colchester in AD 60. Further details on the hoard can be found to the right.
Visitors to the Castle will be able to view first hand a fascinating display of these captivating archaeological finds, which are of international significance. The objects and their stories really bring the vivid tale of the Boudican uprising to life. Find out more here: www.cimuseums.org.uk/fenwickhoard.
Eggs-ilerating fun at Sky Ropes this Easter
Great Notley Country Park’s Sky Ropes will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt over the upcoming Easter holidays between 25 March until 10 April.
Get the kids outdoors this Easter for less
Essex Outdoors is running a ‘five days for the price of four’ promotion over the Easter Holidays. The award-winning Activity Days offer children aged 8 to 16 years old a great way to keep active during the holidays. The activity days cost £30 per child but as a special offer this Easter, Essex Outdoors is offering a fifth day free if four School Holiday Activity Days are booked.
Transport Fest
27th March at the Museum of Power, Hatfield Road, Langford nr Maldon CM9 6QA
Our special theme this year is ‘Retro Cars’ featuring all forms of 1950’s – 1990’s transport and classic vehicles. With live music, craft stalls 1950s -1990s transport displays, retro and vintage stalls, nostalgic live music, steam train rides, Steam Pump Tea Room and traditional Ice Cream Parlour.
Adult £6:00; Concessions £5:00; Children five to fifteen: £2:00; Children under five: Free.
Miniature steam train open for rides (extra charge applies)
Entry to Museum and ‘Astaria’ Model Village included.
Children’s Activities including Easter Egg Hunt
“Marshall” the Lilleshall pumping engine will be run by STEAM and other oil / diesel engines will be running.
Join us for British Science Week at Hollytrees Museum as we celebrate all things clocks! Come along Saturday for activities from how to make electricity from fruit and veg to creating your own crafty clock face! Events are all FREE.
Looking for fun, engaging activities to inspire your family over Easter? Look no further than Colchester Museums. There’s so much to do, from an Eggstravaganza to animal activities, archery, dream catcher workshops and more!
RHS Hyde Hall Easter Fun
Chicks, bunnies and ducklings, interactive story trails, art and craft workshops and the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt are all part of the daily Easter activities happening on various dates between Sat 19 March and Sun 10 April at RHS Hyde Hall, Chelmsford CM3 8ET.
The Neighbourhood Plan meeting that took place earlier this month resulted in much progress with an almost completed first draft plan. The picture on the right shows the Contents page to give some idea of what to expect when the final report is published (click on it for larger picture).
You will notice that a lot of the the section headings have blank ‘App Buttons’ and, since the plan will impact the children’s future, the NP group are running a competition for the pupils at Heathlands to design what the blanks should be filled in with.
There are 8 categories and these are listed below, there will be a winner and a prize selected for each App Button. The Categories are:
Example of what the ‘App Button’ could look like for Housing & Planning
With February half term next week Colchester Museums, Leisure World, Essex County Council and Essex Outdoors are all running extra activities to keep the kids occupied:
Colchester Museums
Colchester Museums have events running every day with art and craft workshops at Hollytrees Museum, storytelling and castle making at the Castle and monkey and fossil activities at the Natural History Museum:
Date
Venue
Description
Times
Cost
Booking
Mon 15 Feb
Hollytrees Museum
Portraits in Shadow
Work as a group to turn your shadow into a striking silhouette portrait. Minimum age 4 years old
Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm
£3 per person
Required, please call 01206 282941
Mon 15 Feb
Colchester Castle
Queen of the Iceni
Come and meet Boudica, the brave warrior Queen.
Storytelling at 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Free after normal admission price to the Castle
Not required
Tue 16 Feb
Hollytrees Museum
Mini Model Homes
Be inspired by our Victorian doll’s house and make your own room in miniature.
Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm
£3 per person
Required, please call 01206 282941
Wed 17 Feb
Natural History Museum
Monkey Business
Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Monkey with us at the Natural History Museum. Create, personalise and take home your own glove monkey.
Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm
£3 per person
Required, please call 01206 282941
Thurs 18 Feb
Natural History Museum
Go Live! Fantastic Fossils
Are you fascinated by fossils? Come and meet the fossil experts and have your own fossils identified.
Drop in 10-12pm and 2-4pm
Free event
Not required
Fri 19 Feb
Colchester Castle
Crafty Castles
From rubbish to ramparts, discover how the Normans built Colchester Castle out of recycled material. Make your own castle out of recycled items.
Workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm
£2 per person after normal castle admission
Required, please call 01206 282941
Leisure World
As well as its regular activities, Leisure World (call 282000 for bookings and more information) offers further half-term ones including art & craft and sports related as follows:
Date
Times
Activity
Ages
Cost
Mon 15 Feb
1.30 – 3.00
Arts & Crafts – Fun and mess with hands on activities using creativity and imagination
5 – 11 yrs
£5.80
Tue 16 Feb
3.00 – 4.00
Creative Dance – Come along and sing and dance. Use your imagination while developing skills of movement and dance
1.5 – 4yrs
£4.20
4.00 – 5.00
Mini Street
5 – 7 yrs
£4.20
4.00 – 6.00
Whiz Kids – Fun activities for children with disabilities, including trampolining, bouncy castle, basketball, football and much much more
0 – 16 yrs
£4.60
Wed 17 Feb
1.30 – 3.00
Team Games – Join in with a variety of sports and games: running, jumping, throwing and catching, but most off all having fun!
7 – 12 yrs
£6.50
Thurs 18 Feb
1.30 – 3.00
Badminton & Short Tennis – Two fun ways to enjoy racket sports and learn new skills
7 – 12 yrs
£6.50
Fri 19 Feb
1.30 – 3.00
Arts & Crafts – Fun and mess with hands on activities using creativity and imagination
5 – 11 yrs
£5.80
Base Camp
With different activities every day including such as multi sports, leisure pool, cinema visit etc., Base camp runs from 58am until 5:30pm for £30 a day.
Kid’s Camp
For school years 1 – 6 only these offer action packed days running from 9am to 3pm for £25 or 8am to 5:30pm for £30 per day.
Essex Outdoors
Essex Outdoors’ action-packed activity day experiences run at our 4 centres during the school holidays and are the ideal way for young people aged 8-16 to try exciting new experiences in the outdoors!
Working in groups of around 10 young people, your child will have the opportunity to take part in up to four fun and challenging activities each day, ranging from archery, canoeing and climbing to mountain biking, high ropes and zip wire.
Constant supervision during the day by our professional instructors will give parents peace of mind and ensure kids have a memorable day! All technical equipment is provided – participants just need to bring, comfortable (and waterproof!) clothing and footwear as well as a packed lunch and a drink.
Special offer for February Half Term – School Holiday Activity Days will be just £15 per child, per day, a saving of 50%.
Bradwell
Tuesday 16th February – High Ropes & Archery. Book online.
Make a colourful lantern then join other families in a lantern-lit walk across the Olympic mountain bike venue.
£5 per child Book now to attend phone 0345 603 7624. Suitable for age 3+
Sat 13 Feb
10am – 5pm
Raspberry Pi Event, Chelmsford Library
We will have interesting activities for all ages and abilities and activities suitable for primary school children/beginners upwards in using a Raspberry Pi. Put on by Essex Libraries and the Southend Raspberry Jam.
Book now to attend for free. Phone 0345 603 7628
Sat 13 Feb to
Sat 21 Feb
10.15am – 2pm
Secret Story Walk, starts from Thorndon Country Park South Pavilion Café
Explore and experience the woods on this this self- guided trail. The story of your own creature develops as you
enjoy our play activities in the outdoors. You can really use your imagination.
£3 per trail guide. No need to book.
Suitable for children ages 3-9
Sat 13 Feb to
Sat 21 Feb
10am – 3pm
Mini rangers trail, Weald Country Park
Buy a Trail booklet from the Visitor Centre, follow the map and stamp each page as you complete your Ranger jobs. Then return to the Visitor Centre to collect a well done gift. Please dress for a walk in the park with lots of mud. Body carriers are advised for small children as not all paths are suitable for buggies.
£3 per booklet, no need to book
Mon 15 Feb
10.30am – 3pm
Art Workshop at Loughton Library
Come along to lessons in drawing and colouring, held by professional artists.
£6 per person. Book now by phoning 0345 603 7628
Suitable for Ages 7+
(Parents welcome although they must book and participate)
Mon 15 Feb
10.30am – 3pm
Recycle Themed Dinosaur Events, Witham Library
Come and visit Steggy, the Stegosaurus Rex made up completely from recycled electronic materials. Come along for quizzes, treasure trails and more
No need to book; drop in any time for free entry
Mon 15 Feb
2 – 3pm
Harry Potter Night of Spells, Wickford Library
Join us to celebrate the magic of the Harry Potter series with crafts, colouring, and activities to entertain young witches and wizards aged 7 and up. It would be Riddikulus to miss this!
Ages 7 and over. No need to book; drop in any time for free entry.
Mon 15 Feb
Pop up Drama, Harlow Library
A unique drama and art workshop that will stretch your child’s imagination, build their confidence and
teach them invaluable art and drama skills.
Book now by phoning 0345603 7628. £10 per child
Mon 15 Feb
11am
Teddy Bears picnic at Southminster Library
Make your own Paddington Bear, quiz trail and other activities. Bring a snack and decorate a cake for a teddy
bears picnic storytime.
Free of charge, no need to book.
Suitable for under fives However elder siblings are welcome.
Mon 15 Feb
10.30am – 12 noon and 1.30pm – 3pm
How to Draw and How to Colour, Loughton Library
Children’s workshops
Must book before-hand.
Phone 01992 564000
Mon 15 Feb to
Fri 19 Feb
Bear Hunt, Great Baddow library
Going on a Bear Hunt’ themed week including Teddy bears story time – bring your teddy, find the famous bear trail and teddy bear crafts.
Open to all children aged 0-11 years old.
No need to book. Drop in for free.
Mon 15 Feb to
Sat 20 Feb
Harry Potter Week, Chelmsford Library
Drop in to participate in a load of fun, Harry Potter related activities such as word scrabble, colouring, and making your own Hogwarts tie
No need to book. Drop in any time for free entry.
Tue 16 Feb
10am – 12pm
Knex workshop, Frinton Library
Create Knex models using your problem solving skills, imagination and communication.
Limited spaces. Pop in or phone to book a place on 01255 672581.
Tue 16 Feb
10.30am to 12.00pm
Bugs and Other Creepy Crawlies, Maldon Library
Event will involve story time, making bug related craft, and making fresh fruit kebabs.
Children up to 11 years old. Free entry and no need to book.
Tue 16 Feb
2pm – 3pm
Real Life Fireman, Sible Hedingham Library
Come and meet a REAL fireman, hear some great stories and make your own fire engine!
Aimed at under sevens and is free of charge. No need to book.
Tue 16 Feb
2pm to 4pm
Knex Workshop, Clacton Library
Create Knex models using your problem solving skills, imagination and communication.
Ticketed event. To book, phone 0345 603 7628.
Wed 17 Feb
10am – 11.30am
Where’s Wally? trail, quizzes, crafts and fun, Broomfield Library
Be the best dressed Wally in red and white
Free entry and no need to book. Suitable for ages up to eight.
Wed 17 Feb 11am – 1pm
Harry Potter Event, Rayleigh Library
Come in costume and join in with the activities for children
No need to book. Drop in any time for free. Suitable for children ages 5-9.
Wed 17 Feb
11am – 2pm
Wild Wednesday, Danbury Country Park
Free children’s activities, including making dens and mud pies, wading in the stream, splashing in puddles, kicking leaves, forest crafts, finding fish and more.
Free of charge. No need to book.
Wed 17 Feb
3pm
Paddington Bear story time and Activities Event, Wickham Bishops
Join in with story time, colouring and craft activities
Free entry and no need to book. Suitable for under fives. However, elder siblings are welcome.
Wed 17 Feb
2pm
Family Bike Ride, Hadleigh Park
This is a fun ride for families, taking in the beautiful landscape of the Hadleigh Downs and Thames estuary. Helmets MUST be worn – “no helmet, no ride”. Please ensure your bike is in a safe riding condition.
Book now to attend. Phone 01702 551076. This event is free if you bring your own bike. Alternatively bike hire is available – please reserve a bike in advance by phoning 01702 551076.
Suitable for families with children aged 10+ (all children must be accompanied)
Thu 18 Feb
10am – 12 noon
Kite Making, Hadleigh Park
Make your very own kite with the help of the rangers, then send it soaring over the downs.
Suitable for ages 4+£5 per kite. No need to book.
Thu 18 Feb
10am – 12 noon
Drop in Pirate and Princess Event, Brightlingsea Library
Drop in Pirate and Princesses Event at Brightlingsea Library. Children welcome to dress up. Story time at 11am. Crafts between 10 –12.
No need to book. Drop in anytime for free. Children of all ages welcome.
Thu 18 Feb
2pm
Harry Potter Event, Brentwood Library
Come along and take part in our Harry Potter quizzes and join us as we make a spell trail
No need to book. Drop in any time for free entry.
Fri 19 Feb
2pm – 4pm
Owls From Plop to Hedwig, Danbury Library
Free children’s crafts – make an owl. Share a story. Learn more about owls by following our puzzle trail.
No booking required. Drop in for free.
Sat 20 Feb
10am – 12 noon
Hour of Code Event, Rayleigh Library
Take the opportunity to spend a fun hour learning to code with Star Wars, Minecraft or Frozen.
For children aged 7-11.
Sat 20 Feb
2.30pm – 4.30pm
Reading Dangerously, Colchester Library
Come along to an afternoon with the Year of Reading Dangerously team, who will be sharing their enthusiasm for writers from around the world, through a number of activities, including speed- dating with books. Includes afternoon tea and a chance to chat to other readers.
Drop in for free. No booking required.
Sun 21 Feb
1pm – 3.30pm
Iron Age Roundhouse Open Afternoon, Hadleigh Park
Explore our replica Iron Age roundhouse and learn how your ancestors lived 2000 years ago. Find out how charcoal was made – without it, there wouldn’t have been an Iron Age. Drop in event.
Messy Church – Sunday 10th July
