Category: News

General news items

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Free Christmas Concert with Vocal Zones Choir

Vocal Zones Choir Logo

Free Christmas Concert

As we approach the 1st December, the focus of Vocal Zones Choir is their Free Christmas Concert on 15th December in the lovely St Mary’s Church. As well as the music they hope that you will also enjoy Mulled Wine and Mince Pies!

An AI Generated Image of a Christmas Choir

They have been rehearsing very hard each week and are looking forward to their performance.

They always enjoy this festive event and hope that you will too. Choir director Emma Bishton has selected a variety of carols and Christmas songs for your pleasure, come and enjoy!

Entry is Free.

There will be a raffle with some wonderful prizes but tickets are cash only please.

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Old Church Annual Call to Mulled Wine & Mince Pies

Invitation To Enjoy Music, Mulled Wine & Mince Pies

This coming Sunday, 26th November, the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church invite you to enjoy ‘lunchtime’ Mulled Wine & Mince Pies with them. This is a free event and all are welcome between 11 am – 1 pm in the Old Church on Hall Road (CO6 3DU). This is also an opportunity to view the Mediaeval Paintings.

You might also want to take a winter walk before or after, if so you might want to check this history walk out on this website.

Fundraising

Mediaeval Painting

The Friends would be happy to receive donations, of course. This will help them with the maintenance of the Church and Grounds. In recent years they have received great support from the Churches Conservation Trust who funded significant structural repairs. There still remains, though, much work to be done including expensive conservation costs for the mediaeval paintings.

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Environment & Highways – 16th November 2023

AI generated image to reflect some of the topics discussed on the 16th November 2023

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 16th November 2023 with topics including:

  • Update on works completed by the handymen,
  • Approving a budget for the next financial year,
  • Plans for Village Ponds,
  • New fencing for Lorkin Daniell play area,
  • Christmas Tree, &
  • Flooding & a Sink Hole.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 16th November 2023 at 5.00pm in SC Mtg Rm

Members present:Cllrs John Gili-Ross (JGR), Katie Pulford (KP), Harry Stone (HS), Manya Barrow (MB), David Short (DS) and RFO Andrew Savage (AS)
Also present:No members of the public

1.     Welcome & Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr James Owers.

2.     Declarations of Interests

None.

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Planning and Development Committee – 16th October 2023

Meeting on 16th October 2023. the Planning & Development Committee discussed 3 planning applications. Two of them (one each in Colchester & Bourne Roads) were approved, in one case with conditions. The other (adjacent to Armoury Road) was objected with the decision to send a detailed letter to the Planning Case Officer in Colchester.

It was also noted that two applications (one each in Nayland Road & Newbridge Hill) had now been reviewed by CCC who supported the Committee’s decisions.

Read the official minutes below:

Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Meeting held on Monday 16th October 2023 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall

It is the aim of the Parish Council to seek a high standard of design for all new developments and extensions in the Village.

The Parish Council will take into account the Village Design Statement, the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, Government National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and CBC Planning Policies when commenting on individual applications.

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Autumn Fruits & Fungus Hunt

The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Woods is a Fungus Hunt

Following last months successful Autumn Fruits walk (report below), is the first Fungus Hunt for several years on 25th November.

Ian Rowing will lead the “fungus hunt” to seek out these elusive fungi. He will aim, with the help of those with him, to find a variety of mushrooms and toadstools in and around the wood, and explain something of their fascinating life cycles and why fungi are essential for a healthy woodland. We will also keep an eye out for visiting winter birds.

Fungus Hunt Image 1
Fungus growing on fallen tree trunk
A mushroom type of fujngus
What looks like a stinkcap fungus

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.

The Autumn Fruits Walk – Steve Hallam Reports

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St Marys News – the Eco-Bronze Edition

Eco Church Bronze Award

In this edition St Mary’s looks at progress including winning the Eco Church Bronze award

After hearing about wining the Bronze Eco-Church award this edition continues with:

Eco Church – Bronze Award

We are delighted to announce that St Mary’s has achieved the Bronze Level award for the Eco Church Scheme!

Eco Church is an award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate their care for creation as an integral part of loving their neighbour and following God faithfully.

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Warm Welcoming Space for Winter Returns

Warm Welcoming Space is Back

AI Generated Image representing a warm welcoming space with tea coffee & biscuits

The Care Network working with the WI and with support from the Parish Council is planning, once again, to provide a free warm welcoming space this winter. As previously, this will be in the Social Club Meeting Room at the Orpen Hall.

They will take place on Mondays & Fridays between 10 am and 12 noon starting on Friday 27th October.

Tea, coffee and biscuits and free Wi-Fi will be available. In fact, everything is free of charge, no membership or booking and all age groups are welcome. Meet others, come with friends or enjoy a little time alone – the warm space can be whatever you want it to be.

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Environment & Highways – 12th October 2023

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th October 2023 with topics including:

AI generated image in artistic style to go with E&H minutes of 12th October 2023 showing village pond, speeding cars & playground items.
  • Speeding on Lexden Road,
  • Maintenance matters with ponds, playground & hedges,
  • Environment & Biodiversity,
  • Consideration of budget needs for future plans.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 12th October 2023 at 5.00pm in SC Mtg Rm

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St Mary’s News – What are you thankful for?

In this edition Revd Heather asks “What are you thankful for?”

Orphan train is used as a reference point when Rev. Heather asks What are you thankful for.

After discussing ‘what are you thankful for’ this edition continues with:

A copy of the PCC (Parochial Church Council) minutes are available to view in the Church (in the leaflet rack on top of the side cupboards).

Rev. Heather’s  asks “What are you thankful for?”

What are you thankful for? As I ask this question I am reminded of the film ‘The Orphan train’, which depicts the journey, Emma Simms, niece of Reverend Simms, made taking orphan children to find new homes in the West of America. The journey is accompanied by many traumas, including a fire in their train carriage, arriving in the town of Clayhorn, only to be driven away by the townsfolk and a massive storm causing a bridge collapse, with the last few orphans, having to walk the final 15 miles to the town of Mildred.

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Environment & Highways – 14th September 2023

An AI generated image depicting taking care of the environment

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 14th September 2023 with topics including:

  • The CCC proposal for a management company to look after the Armoury Road maintenance,
  • Progress on dealing with ‘advisories’ from the recent ROSPA playground inspection,
  • Discussion on attendance at a Heath Conservation course,
  • Future provisions for ponds maintenance,
  • Progress of the Mayor’s Oaks on Poor’s Land,
  • Discussion on ‘No Parking’ banners, possible application for planning approval and portable signs.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 14th September 2023 at 5.00pm in SC Mtg Rm

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