Safe Crossing for Colchester Road

Join the fight for a safe crossing of Colchester Road!

Banner image for petition to secure a safe crossing at Colchester Road

Introduction

West Bergholt Parish Council, with the support of its County Councillor Lewis Barber, has been trying since the adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan in 2019 to obtain agreement from Essex County Council to provide a crossing, of some sort, across Colchester Road. A crossing and/or traffic calming will allow residents, especially those from the new and proposed housing sites, to safely access all the village’s facilities, including children and families walking to Heathlands School. In fact, a crossing of Colchester Road and/or traffic calming was part of the Neighbourhood Plan proposals which ECC generally endorsed. Money has already been or is being collected by Colchester City Council towards the cost through s106 contributions¹ from the developers of Colchester Road.

August 8, 2024August 8, 2024

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 Co-op (click to read the story),
The White Hart, &
Heathlands School.

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

August 7, 2024September 3, 2024

Cycling – Join a ride

Cycling Working Group: Join us on a ride!

The Parish Council has set up a Cycling Working Group, with its own terms of reference, under the Neighbourhood Plan Action Plan, in April 2024, to determine the need for cycle facilities/ additional facilities in West Bergholt.

Its remit also includes promoting cycling routes, including off-road, and investigating the reinstatement of village-to-village cycle rides/rides to places of attraction.

The group, under the Chair of Andrew Ross, includes a wide variety of cyclists from a triathlete, a former world-level cyclist, a member who has cycled from Lands’ End to John O’Groats, and a member who loves no more than to take her children on a ride to local hostelries for Sunday lunch.

July 22, 2024July 31, 2024

Planning & Development Committee – 15th July 2024

Image to support planning meeting on 15th July 2024

Meeting on 15th July 2024 the Planning & Development Committee elected a Chair & Vice-Chair before considering planning applications.

The committee commented on 2 appeals (there being no new applications) being from Scarletts Quality Plants in Nayland Road and Fairfields Farm in Fordham Road.

Read the official minutes below:

Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Meeting held on Monday 15th July 2024 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

Environment & Highways – 11th July 2024

AI generated image to represent issues with HGVs using Argents Lane as discussed on 11th July 2024

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 11th July 2024 with topics including:

Handyman updates:
- Making safe hedges,
- New storage hut,
- Equipment, and
- Selection of new handyman,
Condition of ponds and the need for a timetable for spraying;
Road signage, in particular in Argents Lane;
Actions to address Idling buses in Chapel Lane;
Footpath to St Mary’s Old Church; and
Flooding in Colchester Road.

Read the minutes in full below:

July 7, 2024July 12, 2024

Resonate Choir at St Mary’s Old Church 14th July

Free Concert at St Mary’s Old Church with Resonate

Resonate Choir who will be performing "Sacred Harp" & other a cappella music.

The Resonate Choir will be performing at St. Mary’s Old Church on Sunday, July 14th at 4 pm. This free event, hosted by the Friends of St. Mary’s Old Church, promises an enjoyable and unusual concert.

All cash and card donations made on the day will go towards the upkeep of the church. Free parking.

Resonate Choir

RESONATE, a group of singers originally from a world music choir in Colchester, has embarked on a unique musical journey. After spending approximately 15 years in the choir, these vocalists decided to explore a distinct repertoire. Their main focus includes the “Sacred Harp”, a musical tradition originating in the southern United States during the late eighteenth century. Additionally, they delve into traditional Slavic songs (including Bulgarian, Croatian, and Georgian melodies) and the rich musical heritage of South Africa and other African countries.

Listen to an example of Sacred Harp music below:

June 27, 2024June 27, 2024

St Mary’s News – The “Summer Vibe” Edition

St Mary’s News – Summer Vibes, Cèilidh & More

Summer Vibe image, happy people with musical imagery

This Summer Vibe edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Emma Barr reflecting on the joy that music can bring. It then continues with a number of events:

Cèilidh,
Café @ St. Mary’s,
Afternoon Tea at the Rectory,
FiSH (Food in School Holidays) Club, and

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

Message from Revd. Emma Barr

What’s your Summer Vibe?

The wedding season is most definitely in full swing. What a privilege it is as a member of the clergy to walk alongside a couple as they make their preparations to marry and then be front line and centre to witness their big day.

There is so much that makes the service bespoke but for me it all starts literally with the first piece of music. We have had allsorts whether it is super traditional:

June 23, 2024June 23, 2024

Planning & Development Committee – 17th June 2024

Image to support planning meeting on 17th June 2024

Meeting on 17th June 2024 the Planning & Development Committee reviewed some actions from the May minutes before considering planning applications.

The committee then supported 3 applications (Colchester Road, Newbridge Hill & Garling Walk), objected to 2 (in Nayland Road and Queens Road) & commented on 2 (Lexden Road & Colchester Road).

Read the official minutes below:

Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Meeting held on Monday 17th June 2024 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall

June 23, 2024June 23, 2024

Environment & Highways – 14th June 2024

Queens Head Pond - topic on 14th June 2024

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 14th June 2024 with topics including:

Appointment of officers,
Handyman update including:
- Grass cutting,
- Applications for the Handyman vacancy,
- Preparations for D-Day commemorations,
- Preparations for the Annual Fete.
Ponds,
Playground inspection, and
Potholes.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 14th June 2024 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

June 5, 2024June 6, 2024

General Election 2024 – Important Dates

General Election 2024 – Don’t Forget Your Voter ID

General Election 2024 will be the first one to require mandatory photo ID. As ever, our polling station will be in the Orpen Memorial Hall, Lexden Road, CO6 3BW.

You can find out about acceptable forms of Photo ID at How to vote: Photo ID you’ll need – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Important Dates for General Election 2024

There are a few really important deadlines you need to be aware of in this General Election.

18th June – This is the last date you can register to vote.

Did you know that about one-third of young people eligible to vote have NOT registered? This is about the twice the amount for the population as a whole (14%).
You can register online in as little as 5 minutes at Register to vote – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Even if you think you might not want to vote, at least you can keep your options open.