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St Mary’s News – The Cèilidh Edition

St Mary’s News – Thy Kingdom Come, Cèilidh & More

This Cèilidh edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Heather looking at how ten years of Archbishop Welby’s call to prayer through his ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ message has fared.  It then continues with:

The usual listings of services and contacts.

Message from Rev Heather Wilcox

Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Kingdom Come - logo of Church of England annual event

As I write this, in the churches we are in the 10 days between Ascension, when we remember Jesus returning back to heaven after the resurrection and Pentecost, when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit.

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Boudicca and the Buried Treasure

Adam Wightman, Director of Archaeology at the Colchester Archaeological Trust (CAT), will present “Boudicca and the Buried Treasure” on Sunday, 9th June at 2:30 pm at St. Mary’s Old Church.

Boudicca's Army who razed Colchester leaving Treasure behind

Adam will talk about the discovery of a spectacular hoard of Roman Treasure. The CAT found this beneath the former William & Griffin department store (now Fenwick} on Colchester High Street.  The hoard, together with human bone and foodstuffs, were found amongst the charred debris of 1st century Roman buildings. Boudicca’s army destroyed the buildings when they laid waste to the town before then marching on London. 

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Planning & Development Committee – 13th May 2024

Planning image

Meeting on 13th May 2024 the Planning & Development Committee reviewed some actions from the April minutes before considering planning applications.  These actions related to CCC’s Call for Sites and an application being considered by the Planning Inspectorate.

The committee then supported 4 applications (Spring Lane, Fordham Rd., Orpen Close & Sackville Way), objected to 1 (in Cooks Hall Road) & had no comment on 2 (The Truman & Lexden Rd.).

Read the official minutes below:

Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Meeting held on Monday 13th May 2024 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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Environment & Highways – 9th May 2024

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 9th May 2024 with topics including:

  • Handyman update including:
    • Ongoing grass-cutting & litter picking,
    • Cherry trees behind the Football Club needing attention,
    • General maintenance of benches, &
    • Painting of Youth Shelter.
  • Staffing update,
  • New shed,
  • D-Day flags & flagpole,
  • Finance to discuss quotes for practice goal, &
  • A request from the Football Club for weed killer to be applied on the Lorkin Daniell field.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 9th May 2024 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

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Walk the Dawn Chorus 2024

Dawn Chorus 2024 with Friends of Hillhouse Wood

Nightingale
Nightingale

The Dawn Chorus 2024 walk , which is taking place on Saturday 18th May, will be led by Steve Hallam.  Organised by the Friends of Hillhouse Wood, this walk affords the opportunity to see Nightingales and many other brilliant dawn choristers.  Steve says:

If you haven’t tried this you’ll find it a rewarding and delightful experience at a very special time for the wood’s varied birdlife.

Read last years report here to see what you might hear and/or see.

It will mean an early start, meeting at the Old Church at 3:45 am (weather permitting).  You are should bring warm clothing, stout footwear, a flask of hot drink and a torch. 

This walk follows on from the recent Spring Flowers Walk.

Report of the 2024 Spring flowers walk

Wouldn’t life be boring without some variation and unpredictability? You can rely on the Hillhouse Wood guided walks to provide this – even the ones that are supposed to be the same, such as the Spring flowers walk.  This year’s walk was no exception, both positively and less so.

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St Mary’s News – The Walking Edition

St Mary’s News – Walking Rogation & Prayer

Rogation May Day Walk map

This Walking edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Anne’s message considering her recent hospital experience and relating it to how Jesus looked after his disciples on the first Easter.  It then continues with:

The usual listings of services and contacts.

Message from Rev Anne Mason

Peace be with you

A few weeks ago, Easter was joyfully celebrated in Christian churches around the world with a message of hope, and life in abundance in this world and in the next.  And Jesus’ appearing to his disciples, and to many hundreds of others, after his death and resurrection, gave me extra cause for reflection this year.

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Sing to Save Lives

Sing to save lives will help support Lifeboats like the one depicted here
RNLI 200 Years saving lives

Vocal Zones Choir are going to Sing to Save Lives at their RNLI 200th Anniversary Concert. The concert will have a distinctly watery theme comprising Shanties and songs of Rivers and Oceans (some samples below). There will be some songs for all to sing along with.

To support this event, which is taking place in the Orpen Hall on Friday 10th May from 7:30 pm, you can buy your tickets at the door for just £10 (Under 18s £5). This includes a free glass of wine or juice in the interval.. All proceeds, including any donations, will go directly to the RNLI.

Mingulay Boat Song

RNLI 200 Years saving lives

[Chorus] Heave a ho, boys! Let her go, boys!
Swing her head round, and all together.
Heave a ho, boys! Let her go, boys,
Sailing homeward to Mingulay.

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Annual Parish Meeting – 24th April 2024

AI generated image illustrating an Annual Parish Meeting taking place on 24th April 2024

The Annual Parish Meeting takes place on Wednesday 24th April 2024 starting from 7:15pm. The venue, of course, is the Orpen Hall. Free light refreshments are available

Members of the public and press are welcome to attend. The agenda is set out below and will be chaired by Councillor Brian Butcher, Chair of West Bergholt Parish Council.

Copies of the Charitable Trust Accounts for the Orpen Memorial Hall, New Allotments, Lorkin Daniell Field, Poor’s Land and Village Green (Heath), of which the Parish Council is Sole Trustee, will be available to all attending.

Agenda Items

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Environment & Highways – 11th April 2024

Flags for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day were discussed at the 11th April 2024 Environment meeting.

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

  • D-Day Flags,
  • Handyman update including:
    • litter-picking,
    • grass cutting,
    • work on new shed.
    • purchasing replacement tools,
  • Staffing update,
  • Refurbishment of Practice Goal,
  • Noting that the Pylons consultation is underway and needs contributions, and
  • Possible engagement with Village Fete organisers regarding traffic, health & safety..

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 11th April 2024 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

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Planning & Development Committee – 4th April 2024

An AI generated image to represent a Planning Committee in the Modern Style

Holding an Extraordinary Meeting on 4th April 2024, the Planning & Development Committee agreed previous minutes before considering a single planning application concerning Barns at Hall Road.

Read the official minutes below:

Planning and Development Committee Extraordinary Meeting

Meeting held on Monday 4th April 2024 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall

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