Community, Parish Council & Village
Openreach or Won’t Reach?There has been some excitement in the village as Openreach have been seen installing Fibre to the Cabinet technology. Some readers might recall that, in an article published back in February, we announced that residents of the Maltings living in listed buildings would not be likely to benefit from Virgin or County Broadband. These residents set up Continue reading “Openreach or Won’t Reach – That Is The Question”
Thoughtless Parking at Poor’s LandAffecting children at Heathlands, Bergholt Heath YFC and the general public at large, thoughtless parking at the Poor’s Land Gate is a problem. The Parish Council contracts with Countrywide to maintain this land; last week they tried to gain access on 3 occasions but were unable to do so.
Without maintenance the land may cease to be fit for purpose depriving our youth and fellow villagers of a much-loved facility.
With ample parking available at Orpen Hall & Church car parks, all just a short walk, there really is no excuse.
This is just the latest in a series of parking concerns over the past year or so. Remember you can help address this by reporting parking, even speeding, issues using Trygve. This app (iOS or Android), allows you to take a picture, record the location and record details of incidents which are then reviewed. There is an active group you can join and see what others are reporting – West Bergholt Road Violations.
No, nobody’s changing the Will Rogers Highway but First Essex are making changes to local bus services, including Route 66, that will affect West Bergholt.
The 66 and 66A will be combined to form a 20 minute frequency service 66, operating West Bergholt to Rowhedge end to end, improving the service to the outer ends of the route. The 66A journeys and section of route via Speedwell Road and Abbotts Road and Barnhall will be withdrawn.
The Sunday ECC tendered journeys between Colchester and West Bergholt will depart five minutes later, to improve the punctuality of the service. Buses are currently timed to leave Osbourne Street at 45 minutes past each hour from 0945 to 2145. They will instead depart five minutes later at 50 minutes past each hour from 0950 until 2150 service.
Full details can be found here.
Broadband News – May 2017On Wednesday 10th May 2017, Virgin Media held an open meeting at the Orpen Hall; it was attended by approximately 40 interested residents.
Emerging from the information provided at that meeting is that Continue reading “Broadband News – May 2017 – Telephony and Works”
Cake & Prosecco? Care Network hits 30The 30th Care Network AGM will be held on Wednesday 19th April at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall. Members will celebrate this special anniversary with invited guests including some of the original founding volunteers. Cake and prosecco, and maybe more, will also be on offer. The meeting is open to all residents of the village, so come along and show support and hear about Care Network’s achievements. Continue reading “Cake & Prosecco? Care Network hits 30”
Broadband News – March 2017Following recent updates about Virgin and BT OpenReach, Phillip Edwards, Secretary of the West Bergholt Community Broadband Group, offers the following Broadband News update:
County BroadbandOn 24th February County Broadband Continue reading “Broadband News – March 2017”
The Future of Essex Police, Fire & Rescue?The people of Essex are being urged to have their say in the potential change in the way Essex Police and Essex County Fire & Rescue Service is governed. To have your say respond to the consultation that ends on Wednesday 10th May.
The Policing and Crime Act 2017 enables police and crime commissioners to become the fire and rescue authority where a strong local case is made. The Government has also created a statutory duty to collaborate.
Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst said: Continue reading “Consultation on Essex Police, Fire & Rescue”
Another Player in the Broadband Game for MaltingsWhilst focus for the village generally has been surrounding Virgin and County Broadband, parts of Maltings Park are listed buildings. Accordingly they are constrained to supply through existing ducts owned by BT Openreach. Julian Mccallum, a local Maltings resident, has approached BT Openreach who have now put forward an offer to supply the serving ‘green cabinet’ with fibre. If installed, this will enable the listed buildings and Heathlands School, as well as any other locally connected building, to benefit from faster Broadband.
This initiative will require up front funding and Julian has opened a crowdfunding appeal on Spacehive. You might want to look into this offer if you are connected to the same cabinet.
Broadband Bulletin – January 2017Since the last update here, much has happened; Phillip Edwards, Secretary of the West Bergholt Community Broadband Group, offers the following update:
Unexpected VirginMost significantly, suddenly, with no prior notification or information Continue reading “Broadband Bulletin – January 2017”
New primary school places?You have until 31st January to share your views online about proposals to create 1,085 new primary school places across five existing Colchester schools from September 2018. All five projects would involve new teaching blocks, enhanced external areas for outdoor PE and play spaces, and increased car parking.
West Bergholt falls into the Colchester north and rural northeast zone where the following is forecast: Continue reading “New primary school places?”