Category: News

The new duck house was installed in the Queen’s Head pond yesterday and David Bull was there to record the event in pictures:

‘Getting Deeper’

‘Removing the old house’

‘Adjusting the new house’

‘The final installation’

Christian Aid week begins on Sunday May 11 to Saturday 17 May. There will be a collection around the village. The Hunger Lunch is on Sunday 11th May in the Methodist Church Hall at 12.30pm after morning service.

The above takes place on Wednesday 14 May in the Methodist Hall Chapel Lane from 10am to 11.30am. Gifts for cake and general stall would be appreciated.

Greetings cards are also on sale.

Bring a friend. Coffee/tea and biscuits only 50p.

Manor Grove Farm (driveway opposite Treble Tile Pub) are opening up their apple orchards on Monday 5 May between 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Families welcome with dogs on leads to stroll through the blossoms.

Entrance 20p. Light refreshments available.

The village Care Network will be celebrating it’s 21st year at the AGM in the Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday 22 April at 7.30pm.

A 3D slideshow entitled ‘Lake, Limestone and London’ will be presented by Dave Weeden.

Refreshments including a birthday cake will be served afterwards. The committee will welcome as many people as possible to support Care Network and its many volunteers who provide such a valuable service to the community.

The village Gardeners Association is holding its annual plant sale a month earlier this year on Monday 21 April in the Orpen Memorial Hall Lexden Road at 7.30pm. Open to everyone.

Following a minute’s silence for long standing member Dorothy Boam, the president thanked everyone who had run the very successful Members Meeting last month. She also welcomed visitors and presented Cornelia Smith with her W I welcome pack. It was decided to run a cake and produce stall at the Heathlands PTA Summer Fair on Saturday 21 June. The W I Centre at Hatfield Peverel will be open on 21 June from 10am to 3.30pm when visitors are most welcome. The speaker Graham Bendall was introduced with his talk entitled ‘A Gamekeeper’s Year’. His information together with amusing anecdotes were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. There will be a plant sale table next month so all contributions will be appreciated.

Local Ceramicist, Julie Pettitt, a graduate of Colchester Institute of Art and Design, is delighted to have been short-listed in a competition recognising those who make hand-made gifts (pictured right are her porcelain cupcakes).

Julies work, in French porcelain slip, is all original to her, even using colours she has developed for herself. Pieces are all designed as unique ‘interior accessories’ aiming to be not only delightful to look at but also functional.

If you would like to vote for her then please visit the competition organisers’ website here. The winner will be announced week commencing 28th April 2008.

If you would like to find out more about her work and studio in West Bergholt then please visit her website at www.juliepettitt.com.

On Thursday 3rd April The River Colne Countryside Officer, Richard Parmee, would like some assistance or support to form a small working party to undertake the planting scheme for the Lexden Road pond. There are about fifty small trees/cuttings to be planted and the work will ideally start at 9.30 to 10.00 am and be completed at the latest by lunchtime. Further work on the Heath may be carried out at a later date in the near future.

The above work will in time contribute to the improved appearance, habitat and biodiversity of these areas. If you or anyone you know might be willing to give up a little time for these worthwhile projects it would be much appreciated.

Find out more about the River Colne Countryside Project here.