Romans under Essex County Hospital

The Friends of St Mary’s present a talk on the archaeological dig at Essex County Hospital

Drawings of coins found under the Essex County Hospital

Archaeological excavations at the Essex County Hospital site in Colchester have been ongoing for the past five years. During this time, archaeologists from the Colchester Archaeological Trust have revealed a complex Roman site with evidence for burial, occupation and industry spanning the duration of the Roman period. The trust uncovered the remains of the major Roman road leading to the western gate of the walled town (the Balkerne Gate) in the north-western corner of the site.

June 2, 2025June 2, 2025

Essex Bus Survey 2025

The Essex County Council’s online Essex Bus Survey 2025 will be open to responses from Monday 2nd to Monday 30th June. The purpose of the survey is to gather public opinions on the bus services in Essex and identify ways to improve them to encourage more people to use buses. They want to hear from both current bus users and non-users to understand how they can attract more people to use bus services in the future.

Face-to-face

There will also be teams conducting face-to-face surveys between 16th – 27th June at the following locations:

Basildon,
- Railway station / Bus Station – 21/6, 23/6, 24/6, 27/6.
- University Hospital – 16/6, 18/6, 20/6, 21/6, 25/6, 27/6.
Billericay,
- Railway Station – 17/6, 20/6, 25/6, 26/6, 27/6, 28/6.
Chelmsford,
- Railway station / Bus station – 16/6, 17/6, 19/6, 21/6, 23/6, 26/6
Colchester,
- Osbourne Street – 17/6, 19/6, 20/6, 21/6, 23/6, 24/6.
Harlow
- Town centre/Railway station – 17/6, 19/6, 21/6, 25/6.

What Services?

If you are not a frequent user of local bus services you can find out more about them here on this site.

Public Transport in AI generated style of Constable

May 30, 2025May 29, 2025

Parish Council Vacancy

The Parish Council would like to thank Manya Barrow for her contribution, in particular her work on both the Environment & Hall Committees, and wishes her well as she leaves the council.

The Official “Notice of Casual Vacancy”

Notice is hereby given under Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 that Manya Barrow has ceased to be a member and a casual vacancy exists in the office of Councillor for West Bergholt Parish Council.

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 22, 2025May 22, 2025

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting – 23rd April 2025

A brief summary of key elements of the PC meeting on 23rd April 2025. At this meeting they:

Noted:
- three planning applications which were supported, and
- a response made to the National Grid consultation,
Agreed:
- a number of payments and heard the final accounts for 2024/25, and
- a recommendation to repair the Practice Goal on the LD Field,
Approved the final accounts for 2024/25 including the Asset Register

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

Held on Wed 23rd April 2025 at 6.15pm in the John Lampon Hall, CO6 3BW

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 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.