Winter 2023-4 Photography Competition

Results of the Winter ’24 Photography Competition

Banksy style AI Generated Image Photography competition

Our Winter Themed Photography Competition for under 18’s and under 12’s, ran from the 5th December 2023 to the 16th January 2024. This is one of what the Parish Council hopes to establish as regular village events. The competition had a number of themed categories and, although multiple entries could be made, an individual could only win one prize in each category.

We were delighted with the quality of the entries and it made the judging challenging! Fortunately the panel was led by Tony Morris (our local Photographer) who provided expertise supported by Cllrs Butcher and Cullis. Much deliberating took place before the judging was concluded and the winners selected.

Tony said that

March 10, 2024March 10, 2024

Ditches – Who’s Responsible?

Ditches – A Quick Guide To Responsibilities

The Parish Council has noted there to be quite a lot of interest in Ditches and responsibilities on Social Media. It is hoped that you will find the following of use in understanding this topic.

Q.	What is a ditch?
A.	A ditch is defined as a man-made feature which has been created in order to drain an area of land. Historically these were normally dug by a landowner at the edge of their field and the spoil deposited on their land, on which hedges grew over time
Q.	What are watercourses?
A.	Watercourses are natural features which drain the surrounding catchment and normally have some water flowing in it, typically rivers, streams etc.
Q.	Who is responsible for the maintenance of watercourses and ditches?
A.	It is generally the responsibility of the owners of the land on either bank. This means that they have both rights and responsibilities associated with the ditches, or other watercourses, flowing through or adjacent to their property.

March 5, 2024March 5, 2024

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:

https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/h-t/f9874637

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.

March 1, 2024March 1, 2024

St Mary’s News – The Lambing Edition

Revd. Emma Barr is used to lambing - seen here with one of her lambs — Revd. Emma Barr & Lamb

St Mary’s News – Lambing & Flocks

This Lambing edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Emma Bar’s seasonal message about God’s Beloved Flock and then continues with:

Bible Course
Run in to Easter, Lent events, Messy Church, Mothering Sunday, and
The usual listings of services and contacts.

Message from Revd. Emma Barr

God’s Beloved Flock

Spring is making an attack on winter with the now lighter mornings and drawn out evenings, something I always rejoice at as we are in the middle of lambing and it makes it so much easier and cheerier having light.

This year with 103 ewes scanned in lamb we were set for a busy time. It is always a time of waiting and watching, with excitement and anticipation knowing there will be the amazing success stories of lambs being adopted to other mothers and little ones making it against all the odds, but as with all things there are also the sad stories of loss.

February 23, 2024March 27, 2024

Do you have a garden to be proud of?

Collage of exhibits from the 2022 Open Gardens event

If you have a garden to be proud of why not show it off?

Unfortunately Open Gardens has been cancelled since too few gardens were available. It is hoped that it will now run in 2025. Other events remain listed below.

It doesn’t matter whether it is small, large, tidy (or even not so tidy), if you are proud of your garden, the Gardeners Association (WBGA) would love to hear from you.

This year their Open Gardens event is taking place on Sunday 9th June. The event is always popular (nearly 1,000 visitors in 2022) & this year, its’ chosen charities are:

WBGA could really do with a few more gardens to show off this year. If you think your garden may be of interest, contact WBGA by email – [email protected] for further information. June seems a long way off, but WBGA have to get programmes printed in advance so they would love to hear from you as soon as possible.

February 22, 2024February 28, 2024

Winter Bird Walk & Fungus Foray

The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Wood is a Winter Bird Walk

Following the successful Fungus Foray in November (see report and video below) the next Guided Walk is the annual Winter Bird Walk on Saturday 2nd March.

Steve Hallam will lead the winter bird walk in and near Hillhouse Wood, offering a chance to see resident woodland and meadow species and some winter visitors.

Image of great spotted woodpecker — Great Spotted Woodpecker Seen in 2022

The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. Strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter wet conditions underfoot! To join the walk meet at the Old Church ready to leave at 10 am.

Check other upcoming events here.

Fungus Foray – Ian Rowling Reports

The first Fungus Foray for several years took place on 25th November on a crisp, bright ‘n breezy morning. Seventeen took part, hunting down fungi ranging from bellcaps, measuring perhaps a couple of millimetres across their caps, to these birch polypores which are up to 20cm across. They feature in an Alpine tale of a bronze age killing. Among the deceased’s possessions were strips of the very same fungus we were observing 5,000 years later, demonstrating the value he placed upon it. It exposes things which our modern educated minds have largely forgotten, things like:

February 18, 2024February 18, 2024

Pylons Site Visit in West Bergholt

Say no to pylons and say yes to offshore grid

View of pylons route along Highfield Farm Valley

West Bergholt continues to actively campaign against the National Grid Pylon project as part of the Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk Pylons Group (ESN). On Tuesday 13th February we were pleased that Cllr Brian Butcher and Parish Clerk Laura Walkingshaw were able to host a site visit from James Ryan, NSIP¹ Project Manager, Colchester City Council (CCC) and CCC Cllr Sara Naylor.

Statutory Consultee

As many of you may know, the CCC are the statutory consultee on the Parish Council’s behalf to the Government on this project. Given that, our working relationship with James and his colleagues are vital to being able to explain the impact that it will have on rural life for us and our neighbouring villages.

February 13, 2024February 13, 2024

Environment & Highways – 8th February 2024

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 8th February 2024 with topics including:

On 8th February 2024 the E&H Committee discussed speeding issues & a possible trial with police to address them.

Paper recycling used at Newbridge Mill Farm,
Litter issues around Uncle Kams Fish & Chip shop,
Possible involvement in a speeding control trial,
Tree Planting, and
Handymen’s report including:
- Replacing some saplings that had been disturbed,
- Litter picking,
- Truck repairs went well,
- Highways preliminary sweep of Argents Lane.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 8th February 2024 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

Members present:	Cllrs Katie Pulford (KP), Harry Stone (HS), David Short (DS) and John Gili-Ross (JGR) (via Zoom),
Also present:	No members of the public

1. Welcome & Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllrs Manya Barrow and James Owers.

February 4, 2024February 5, 2024

St Mary’s News – The Wake-up Edition

St Mary’s News – A Spiritual Wake-up

After Revd. Heather’s reflections around her personal Wake-Up call, this editions includes:

FiSH – Food in school holidays,
Lent events (pancakes and more),
World Day of Prayer, and
The usual listings of services and contacts.

A Spiritual ‘Wake-up call’.

Back in September, I was sent a letter from my GP. Following some routine blood tests, I was being encouraged to sign up for a pre-diabetes course, which would run over 9 months, a course, which I knew, as my father was already 6 months into it, took up a lot of time. Mindful of the time commitment, I was reluctant at first to even attempt to join a course, but having logged in to sign up, I found I could opt for a virtual course via an app, meaning I could fit it around my other commitments.

January 26, 2024January 26, 2024

West Bergholt’s Methodist Church Sold

Methodist Church Sold

The Methodist Church site was sold on Friday September 15th 2023 after a protracted and complex sale. This was not helped by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

The final service in the West Bergholt Methodist Church as it was sold

Many villagers will recall the Methodist fellowship ceased to worship in West Bergholt in September 2018 some 139 years after the first service! Membership had been declining for some time leading to the difficult decision to cease holding services in the Chapel. The final service took place at the end of a weekend of activities and reminiscence. The remaining members now worship at “The Well Methodist Church“, in Mile End.

Change of control

From this point, the site became the responsibility of the Methodist Church. The Colchester Methodist Circuit handled the sale of the site..