Planning & Development Committee – 18th December 2023

Planning and Development Committee – 18th December 2023

Village Envelope defined by the Neighbourhood Plan

Meeting on 18th December 2023 the Planning & Development Committee discussed the Government’s Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill before addressing new applications. (There is a summary of this bill in Appendix 1).

Six planning applications were then discussed with those in Garling Walk, Fordham Road & Cooks Hall Road being supported. Applications affecting Nayland Road & Armoury Road were objected to due to them being inconsistent with the Parish’s Neighbourhood Plan. The Parish Council declared an interest in the final application at Poors Land and did not comment.

Read the official minutes below:

Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Meeting held on Monday 18th December 2023 at 7.30 pm 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.

December 11, 2023December 11, 2023

Old Church Candlelit Carols

Join the Friends of St Mary’s at their Candlelit Carol Service

Once again the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding a Candlelit Carol Service in the Old Church. The Friends look forward to welcoming you on Sunday 17th December at 2:30 pm.

The service is free and open to all and there’s now dedicated car parking opposite the church. One of St Mary’s ministers will lead the service & Nicole Long will do the reading.

The Friends are also looking for someone to pump the church organ during the service, so if anyone is interested please contact Nicole Long on 01206 240443

Dress for the weather!

You are reminded that there is no heating, so dress warm, a cushion will also make the service more comfortable. All are welcome.

December 6, 2023December 6, 2023

Hillhouse Wood AGM 2023

Images of Hillhouse Wood for AGM 2023 News item

The FoHHW AGM 2023 will be on 13th December

The Friends invite both members and non-members to attend on Wednesday 13th December in the John Lampon Hall at Orpen Hall. Refreshments will be served from 7 pm with the meeting opening at 7:30 pm.

Jonathan Jukes, Woodland trust Officer, will give a talk after the formal business has concluded.

Formal Agenda

The Friends of Hillhouse Wood

29th Annual General Meeting to be held in the John Lampon Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th December 2023.

December 3, 2023December 3, 2023

St Marys News – The Winter Wonderland Edition

In this edition St Mary’s looks at Christmas & a Winter Wonderland

After hearing Revd. Heathers Winter Wonderland message this edition includes:

Village Advent Window Trail
FiSH & Storytime Sessions,
Prayer Space & Memory Tree, and
the usual listings of services and contacts.

Christmas Message from Revd Heather

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

An AI generated image of a winter wonderland following Revd Heather's description

I have just enjoyed a wonderful weeks break away with my family, including our 10 month old grandson Elyan. Without giving too much away, and inadvertently advertising, our week was spent in Elveden Forest, in a place, I feel sure might be familiar to many people, ideally suited to family holidays.

November 27, 2023November 27, 2023

Free Christmas Concert with Vocal Zones Choir

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.

November 21, 2023November 21, 2023

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

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.

November 21, 2023November 21, 2023

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.

November 21, 2023November 21, 2023

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.

November 20, 2023February 22, 2024

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.

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

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023

St Marys News – the Eco-Bronze Edition

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:

Parish Share Increase,
Heating,
Shoebox Appeal,
Return of the Advent Trail (with a twist),
Remembrance & Café Church services, and
the usual listings of services and co nt acts.

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.