New Defibrillator in West Bergholt

Orpen Memorial Hall gets a Defibrillator

Anthony Warren WBFC & Brian Butcher WBPC

Following the installation of a new Defibrillator at Orpen Hall there are now four available in the village, the others being at:

The most recent is the result of the Parish Council working with the Football Club to deliver a service that could prove critical. The Football Club had obtained a defibrillator with a grant from the Premier League but found they had no suitable place to install it.

This is where the Parish Council were able to step in by offering a spot at Orpen Hall. The Parish Council upgraded the electric supply for the defibrillator. They then registered it with “The Circuit” so those in need can be directed to it. The Parish Council will also fund any ongoing maintenance required.

The Circuit

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Something to say about Bus Services?

If you have something to say about Bus Services Travel Essex is waiting to hear from you.

AI generated image depicting Bus Services in the style of Constable

Travel Essex is conducting a survey to better understand public opinion on the bus services in Essex. They  are looking for responses from both bus users and non-bus users.

They are committed to enhancing public transportation services across the region. To achieve this goal they are seeking valuable insights from residents with their opinions and suggestions to improve services in Essex.

The online survey is now online, and will remain so until Sunday, March 17th, 2024. You can access the survey at:

All of the questions are multiple choice.  This survey is completely anonymous but  you will have the option to leave your email address if you would like to an emailed copy of your responses to be sent to you.

If you want to make your point in person, they will also be conducting face-to-face surveys in Osbourne Street, Colchester.

On this website

This website has details of local bus services and other transport-related links here.

Essex Waste Strategy

Essex Waste Strategy 2023

Essex Waste Strategy Flyer

If you already know what you want to say then jump to the how to respond section.

Councils across Essex are working together to develop a new Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for the next 30 years. They developed the previous strategy in 2007, and much has changed since then, including the significant climate change challenge that we now face.

Waste management is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for about 4% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Improving environmental efficiency by making different choices about how we collect and treat waste will help reduce these emissions. Waste prevention can also deliver benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors, such as agriculture, transport and manufacturing.

New Strategy

The new strategy will focus on the following key elements:

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Garden Waste Collections to Change

Colchester Changes Garden Waste Collections

Garden Waste Collection - AI generated image in style of Constable

From January 2024 Colchester City Council will be charging for Garden Waste collections. With ever-reducing government support and increasing costs, CCC are having to look elsewhere to raise revenue to maintain services. You will still be able to dispose of garden waste at  Colchester’s Household Recycling Centres, and the City Council will also work to encourage other options such as composting.

You will no longer be able to use the current Garden sacks, but you can choose between 140L and 240L wheelie bins instead. If you already have a wheelie bin you can continue to use it but will still have to pay. If you want to return an existing, bin the City Council will make provision to receive them.

Charges

The new service will require you to pay £35 to register for the service plus £55 per year per bin – a household can have up to 4 bins. You can get more details from CCC’s website.

Find out about current rubbish & recycling on our website here.

New Accessible Toilet at Orpen Hall/Daniel Lorkin Field

The opening of the new outside Accessible Toilet at Orpen Hall

West Bergholt’s Orpen Hall/Daniel Lorkin Field boasts excellent facilities, now including a brand-new external Accessible Toilet catering for all. The toilet is designed with ramps and accessible features, and it even provides baby changing facilities for added convenience. Visitors can access the toilet during daylight hours.

Hub of Activity

The field is a hub of activity, frequently used by West Bergholt Football Teams with their enthusiastic spectators. Fitness Instructors also conduct workouts and bootcamps here, promoting a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, other onsite amenities, such as Tennis Courts, Children’s Play area, and Zip Line, offer other active opportunities.

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Stroll with a Patrol and other News Updates

Essex Police Invite you to Stroll with a Patrol.

Other news items in this update include:

Stroll with a Patrol

Essex Police - Stroll with a Patrol

PC Dex Adams, the Colchester Community Safety & Engagement Officer, invites you to join a patrol.

West Bergholt is one the first of dozens of locations where residents are being invited to join a patrol. They will be coming to West Bergholt at 6 pm on 7th May 2023, where you can join them at Orpen Hall.

The hour will start with a ‘Street Meet’ for those who wish to speak to the patrol but not join them on it. This is a really great opportunity for you and the local residents to come along, speak to, raise issues and get to know the community policing team that are responsible for our area.

Reporting a Crime

Related to the patrol, we have had a link shared with us for reporting crime to the police, click here if you want to use it.

Community

Your Annual Meeting – Will you be attending?

The Annual Parish Meeting might be hosted by the Parish Council but it is very much YOUR meeting. 

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The “Back to Normal” News Update

Back to Normal sign

Back to Normal

As the nation gets back to normal routines, it’s time to catch up on some local news. Click the links to the updates that interest you:

Colchester City Centre Masterplan

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Free Meals & Transport

Age Concern Launch Free Lunch Initiative

Free Lunch of Fish & Chips and Companions

If you aren’t interested in Free Lunch, then skip on down to the COVID19 Transport article.

Age Concern are currently running a free Lunch Club to engage those in later years who may be lonely. Also to help encourage a resumption of socialising as we leave COVID19 restrictions. Six free lunches are available per person at either of the venues below:

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Free Cycle training, Police & Other Updates

Free Cycle Training

Family cycling - get free cycle training

Through Safer Essex Roads Partnership, ECC is offering free cycle training until the end of March 2022.  They have courses available for Children, Adults (beginners to advanced) and even families. Sessions are led by qualified instructors and range from 45 minutes to 3 hours! 

If you are interested then you should register your interest here.

Other updates

Essex Police

Essex Police has recently published issue 15 of their local news update.  It is a decent read with much to interest, e.g. spiking, property closed due to anti-social behaviour and joint patrols with RMP.  There’s also a nice snippet on ‘Disruptor Teams’ who look into and tackle crimes such as anti-social behaviour within communities. It rounds off with an article on cycle security and contact information to help victims of domestic abuse.  You can read the whole update below.

Community Updates

This is a much slimmer document with more white space than words, however, items of interest are:

The Police Update in Full

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