Candidates for May 2024 Elections

Statements of Persons Nominated for 2024 Elections

Elections 2024 City & Police Commissioner

The Returning Officer has advised of the following nominations for these elections:

Lexden & Braiswick Ward – Colchester City Council

Name of Candidate	Home Address	Description (if any)	Reason why no longer nominated*
ARMITAGE Sandy	(address in Colchester)	Labour Party
BAMFORTH Roger Edwin	1 Granville Close, Colchester, CO6 3LQ	Green Party
STEVENSON Thomas Alun	(address in Colchester)	Liberal Democrats
WILLETTS Dennis	The Retreat, Wood Lane, Fordham Heath, Colchester, CO3 9TR	Conservative Party Candidate

*Decision of the Returning Officer that the nomination is invalid or other reason why a person nominated no longer stands nominated.

Dated Thursday 5 April 2024
Pam Donnelly
Returning Officer

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for the Essex Area

Name of Candidate	Home Address	Description (if any)	Reason why no longer nominated *
FOX Adam Daniel	(address in Essex Police Area)	Labour and Co-operative Party
FRANKS Kieron Anthony	(address in Essex Police Area)	Liberal Democrat
HIRST Roger Charles	(address in Essex Police Area)	The Conservative Party Candidate
TILBROOK Robin Charles William	Quires Green, Willingale, Essex, CM5 0QP	English Democrats – “More Police – catching criminals!”

*Decision of the Police Area Returning Officer that the nomination is invalid or other reason why a person nominated no longer stands nominated.

Dated Friday 5 April 2024
Pam Donnelly
Police Area Returning Officer

Photo ID Required to Vote

Don’t forget you will need approved photo ID to vote! Check what is acceptable at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id.

April 7, 2024April 7, 2024

Spring Flower & Winter Bird Walks

The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Wood is the Spring Flower Walk

Bluebells likely to be seen on Spring Flower Walk

Following the successful Winter Bird Walk in March (see report below), the next Guided Walk is the annual Spring Flower Walk on Saturday 27th April. Steve Hallam will lead the walk in and near Hillhouse Wood. Previously called the Bluebell Walk, it has become difficult to pick the optimum ‘bluebell’ date for the walk although there will always be plenty of Spring Flowers to see. The walk will start at the Old Church at 2pm.

Other upcoming Friends of Hillhouse Wood activities are:

Dawn Chorus Guided Walk on Saturday 18th May, and
Stall at the Village Fete on Saturday 6th July.

Winter Birds – Steve Hallam Reports

Of all the guided walks that I lead, the winter bird walk is the most unpredictable. The weather can be variable and off-putting, whilst at this time of year the birds move around looking for food. So, you can be never sure which species you will encounter and whether you will be able see or hear them through the driving rain or howling gale.

April 2, 2024April 2, 2024

Volunteer of the Year Award 2024

Do you know an outstanding volunteer?

The West Bergholt Volunteer of the Year 2023/24 is a new Community Award. It will be presented to an individual volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the village of West Bergholt, its residents, or just one resident. That person will have demonstrated exceptional commitment to an unpaid activity.

What could it include?

Examples may include;

April 1, 2024April 2, 2024

St Mary’s News – The Oaks & Acorns Edition

St Mary’s News – Mighty Oaks & Acorns

This Oaks & Acorns edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Heather’s message about sowing seeds and the relation that has with the Resurrection; it then continues with:

The usual listings of services and contacts.

Message from Rev Heather Wilcox

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow

It’s that time of year once again, when I, along with many other amateur gardeners, disappear for short periods of time into the sanctuary of my greenhouse and in faith set out row upon row of pots, fill them with compost and then place little tiny seeds into the soil, water them, and then patiently, or not so patiently, wait in anticipation that something will happen. That by some small miracle, the seed, which to all appearances was lifeless, will spring into life, and ultimately produce a plant, which will go on to produce enough tomatoes, courgettes, butternut squashes, cucumbers, or whatever else has been sown, to keep us well fed with fresh vegetables for several months to come.

March 28, 2024March 28, 2024

Planning & Development Committee – 18th March 2024

Planning imagined by AI in style of Van Gogh

Meeting on 18th March 2024, the Planning & Development Committee reviewed some actions from the February minutes before considering planning applications.

The committee supported 5 (Nayland Road, Garthwood Close, Colchester Road, Fossetts Lane & Pirie Road), objected to 3 (all in Colchester Road) & commented on 2 (Hall Road & Colchester Road).

Read the official minutes below:

Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Meeting held on Monday 18th March 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.
Continue reading “Planning & Development Committee – 18th March 2024”

March 28, 2024March 28, 2024

Environment & Highways – 14th March 2024

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

Handyman update including:
- grass cutting,
- litter picking,
- play equipment inspection,
- laying foundations for a shed, and
- storm damage,
Works undertaken by Arches Plant Hire on behalf of the Parish Council at Hall Road Pond and
The Practice Goal on the Lorkin Daniell Field.

Environment Committee Minutes

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

Members present:	Cllrs Katie Pulford (KP), David Short (DS), Manya Barrow (MB) and James Owers (JO)
Also present:	Two members of the public

March 22, 2024March 22, 2024

Election Notice – May 2024

Election Notice for Lexden & Braiswick Ward and the Police Fire & Crime Commissioner for May 2024

In the forthcoming elections on Thursday 2nd May City Council and Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner places will be fought. You can read all the details, how to nominate, timescales etc… in the Election Notices below.

Don’t forget that you will need approved photo ID to vote on 2nd May.

Downloads

March 11, 2024March 22, 2024

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.