Do you want to have the opportunity to support children with Special Education needs, then why not become a volunteer Independent Supporter (IS) with ECDP? The purpose of the role is:
To provide appropriate support to young people with special educational needs (SEN) and their parents/carers through the transition from a traditional Special Educational Needs Statement system to the new Education, Health & Care (EHC) assessment and planning process.
Full training will be provided
All reasonable expenses will be provided
Volunteers will be working either alongside other volunteers and staff or independently
Working hours are flexible
Volunteers would usually need to commit to around 6 hours per month
To support group-based and individually focused support, workshops/events which will empower young people and parents/carers to make informed choices/decisions
Successful applicants will be required to complete two days face to face training, two days on-line training plus some supplementary training.
Training is available throughout Essex. If you would like to work with us to support disabled children and their parents/carers in Essex, please contact Cindy Peacock by email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] or call her on 01245 392 319.
More about ECDP
ecdp (Essex Coalition of Disabled People) is a pioneering charitable organisation (no. 1091293), run by disabled people, for disabled people. They deliver a range of services and award winning programmes which enhance the everyday lives of disabled people across the UK. Involving and engaging disabled people in all that they do, ensuring that their voice continues to be heard.
Our values
Our values underpin everything we do and shape our behaviour, both as an organisation and as individuals working within ecdp. We are:
Inclusive
We include anyone who has rights under the Equality Act 2010 within our definition of ‘disabled people’. This includes anyone with a physical and/or sensory impairment, mental health condition, learning disability or long-term health condition (such as HIV/AIDS or cancer). We also recognise anyone who declares themselves to be a disabled person.
Expert
As an organisation run by and for disabled people, we have a unique and insightful perspective. Our history and work provides us with a depth of knowledge on the issues faced by disabled people in Essex. We use this knowledge to add value to our own work and that of the public, private and voluntary sectors in order to effect change for disabled people.
Innovative
We are adaptable, embrace change and try new ways of doing things. We work in an imaginative and flexible way, seeking feedback to help us innovate.
Responsive
We listen to the needs of and work in partnership with disabled people and our stakeholders. We respond in a timely manner and in a way that is enabling, supportive and professional.
The abseil will be an exhilarating 100ft descent and will give participants a birds eye view of the high street. The abseil is being managed by Creation Climbing Centre and there are up to 60 places are available.
Last year over 50 adults took to the challenge raising a fantastic £6,500 for EACH! The money raised helps care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions and supports their families. Last year, EACH helped 572 families, many of whom live in Essex.
Minimum age to take part is 12 years.
Registration and sponsorship:
£15 registration for adults 17 yrs and over – minimum sponsorship £85.
£15 registration for children 16 yrs and under – minimum sponsorship £30.
From babies to young people up to the age of 18, EACH supports families, children and young people living with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk from diagnosis to end-of-life and throughout bereavement. They do this through a range of services delivered where the family wish – in their own home, at hospital, in the community or at one of their three hospices in Milton, Ipswich and Quidenham.
Care at end of life isn’t the only service EACH provides though; many children and young people who use their services are extremely active but need additional support and care. A child might receive the support of a play specialist to give them access to appropriate play activities helping them grow in confidence and aid their physical and mental wellbeing, enjoy sensory rooms at the hospices, have music therapy sessions to offer the opportunity to interact, communicate and express themselves or sessions in the therapeutic hydrotherapy pool.
Their support stretches further than the young person to include families, they know the stresses and strains living with a life-threatening illness can place on all the family. EACH runs special family events where families can meet others in similar situations to them, sibling days always full of smiles and laughter and spiritual care.
OK, it’s not 2014 any more but that memorable image of Lord Kitchener pointing his finger lingers, especially since it now graces a 50p coin.
So, since I’ve been webmaster for the village I have posted over 30 editions of the Village Bulletin online which ensures that there is a live archive, but what about those paper copies you receive through your doors? What about the energy that goes into creating them in the first instance? This is all down to the hard work of a small group of committed individuals creating and distributing the bulletin, they are now after some local support:
We are looking for a new Committee member to join the existing group but who will also be able to get involved and organise bundling of the Bulletins to give to the distributors each quarter and to organise holiday cover and find new distributors as and when required.
Please contact Bernard Colbron 240297.
I hope you are able to lend your support on this,
Dave, (webmaster).
West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding another of their popular half term Coffee and Craft mornings for young families. This is taking place on Monday February 16 from 10.30 to 12.00 and promises fun activities for young families. The session will take place in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane and ALL ARE WELCOME but, sorry, we are unable to accept unaccompanied children. The cost is £2.50 per family.
Further details from Andrew Wilks on 01206 242511.
Why not come & join us – there are vacant allotments!
Vacant Allotments – Grow Your Own
As a new growing year approaches a small number of plots have become available to let to village residents. The standard price is £16 per year for up to a 5 rod plot with concessions for those over 60, and starter plots are available.
The benefits of joining over eighty other village residents are:
Reduce weekly household costs by growing your own fruit and vegetables.
Enjoy organically produced produce.
Benefit from West Bergholt fresh air and exercise.
Make new friends and enjoy the company of fellow plot holders.
(See more below)
The downsides are:
The battle against the weather and pests.
The need for a regular commitment of a few hours a week.
Essex Highways Department have announced a large list of road closures affecting large parts of the Colchester & Braintree areas from 9th February. The Temporary Closure Notice states that:
The closures are scheduled to commence within 18 months from 09 February 2015 or where appropriate signs are showing and weather permitting, and are required for the safety of the public and workforce while highway maintenance works are undertaken. Exact dates of the road closures will be notified via advanced warning signage on sites. Letters to residents and other affected or interested parties advising of the works/dates and other relevant information will also be sent out at least 2 weeks in advance.
Those closures where the diversion route crosses over into another County or use the A12 and A120 are subject to the approval of the relevant County Council or the Highways Agency.
Access for emergency service vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained at all times during the closure.
The Order will come into effect on 09 February 2015 and may continue in force for 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.
The following appear to be those ‘closest to home’ but the best advice seems to be to look out for the yellow advance warning signs!
Roads
Detail of Closure
Diversion
Chitts Hill, West Bergholt
Between its junctions with Halstead Road and Argents Lane
Halstead Road, A1124 Halstead Road, Spring Lane, Argents Lane and vice versa.
A1124 Halstead Road, Eight Ash Green
Between its junctions with Spring Lane and the A12/Essex Yeomanry Way roundabout
After a busy December with 4 crimes, January saw none at all until the last week when there were two cases of theft, one of diesel and another from a property. For a complete crime picture, please visit http://www.police.uk/ however, please be aware this information is always three months behind.
Theft of Diesel Oil – Manor Road
At some time between 18:00 on 23rd and 10:30 on 24th January, unknown suspects gained access to the farm by lifting a chained gate beside the road off its hinges and the tracks of their vehicle can be seen crossing the field to the farm shed and the adjacent fuel tank where the suspects unscrewed the lid of the tank and are believed to have syphoned out an unknown quantity of diesel used by the farm tractors, the syphon pipe was abandoned nearby.
At some time between 21:00 on 27th and 10:30 on 28th January, unknown suspects gained access to a garage by unscrewing the hinges from the door, and removed a number of items.
[Note – this months first two information releases are particularly relevant to this type of crime].
Information Releases
A few interesting articles this month, a reminder that Garage & Shed security is important (tools can be used to break in to your house!), another burglary-oriented article written by ex-professional burglar Michael Fraser and an announcement of a new website to support victims of crime be they anti-social behaviour or much more serious.
Could that spade be used to break into your house?
Garage & Shed Security
Whilst most houses have adequate security what is often neglected is the shed or garage, “nothing much in there” I hear you say, “Just a garden spade and fork”, but these are perfect tools for burglar to use to get in your house. Adds insult to injury when the tool used to break into your house is your own, so give it some attention.
Garages and sheds by the nature of their construction and position especially when away from the house are always going to vulnerable. Quite often the supplied locks provide just the barest minimum security and are easily overcome so always consider supplementing the existing locks with further locking systems both for the doors and items within.
On garage doors this could be by adding locking bolts to both sides of the “up and over door” or a garage door defender in the ground in front of the door, if you have side door don’t forget this too. With sheds coach-bolt and plate the padlock hasp sections to the frame and door, use a good quality “Close Shackle” padlock; don’t forget the hinges ensure they cannot be unscrewed.
Consider using “Ground Anchors” or “Shed Shackles” to chain larger items to (again good quality padlock and chain); keep chains tight so that it is not in contact with a surface it can be struck against. Protect windows with a wire mesh and fit a curtain or white wash the windows to prevent prying eyes.
Visibly security mark your property with your post code and house number this reduces the value to the thief; you can even register serial numbers free of charge at www.immobilise.com . There are also a number of commercially available security marking systems available that are suitable for a wide range of products and others for specific products.
It is also worth fitting a shed alarm to the shed or garage, and adding security lighting these are relatively inexpensive and available from most DIY/hardware stores.
If siting a new shed where possible position it within sight of rooms in the house routinely occupied.
Author note: Michael Fraser is an ex-burglar, who starred in BBC’s ‘To catch a Thief’ and ‘Beat the Burglar’ as well as Channel 4’s ‘One last job’. He is also a trustee of the Apex Trust, which helps young people with criminal records gain employment.
When you’re thinking about how to make your home burglar-proof, you have to think like an opportunist thief, because a burglar will look for the tell-tale signs of weaknesses in your home.
Start with the front of your house.
If your gate is open or broken, an opportunist will see it as a weakness. It’s an invitation. Always close your gate. If it’s broken – fix it. And if you don’t have one, get one.
It’s the first psychological barrier to keeping a burglar away.
If you have just one cylinder lock on your door, a burglar knows he can get in to your home no matter what. If you have two locks on your door and your neighbour and your neighbour only has one, the burglar will very likely go next door. He’s not going to make more work for himself.
Avoid ‘Beware of the dog’ signs. They are a sure indicator that you don’t have an alarm in your property. A thief will also think that you probably leave your back door open to let the dog into the garden. The same goes for an ‘I love cats’ sign or something similar. Pet owners often don’t have an alarm.
If the front of your house looks weak to an opportunist burglar, he can guarantee that the back of your house will be even weaker. As soon as a thief can get around the back of your home, he knows he’s probably safe.
As soon as a burglar is in your house, whether he got in from the front or back, he’ll go to the front door with either a glass bottle or a broom. The thief will balance the bottle on the door handle. If the owner comes home, the bottle will fall off the handle and smash before they get inside. This gives the thief a warning sign and time to escape. Or he’ll jam the door shut with a broom. Again, this will give the intruder a sign and time to escape if the owner fails to get into their house easily.
Humans are creatures of habit, they inevitably keep their house and car keys near the front door or in their handbag; a handbag will nearly always be left in the kitchen. Once a burglar is in your house, he’ll look for keys first. Then he’ll be looking to find out what your habits are. Your calendar will be very useful. Again, we humans are predictable and almost always have a calendar hanging in the kitchen. The thief will look for key dates – when you will be on holiday, when you have a dentist appointment – any clues about when you’re scheduled to be out of the house.
The next thing on a burglar’s list is to look for small items – non bulky valuables that can be taken straight away. This might include jewellery, credit cards, bank statements and spare keys. The thief will make a note of all bulkier valuable items in your house – he’ll be planning to come back again to get these when he knows you’ll be out.
Now the burglar knows you. He knows what kind of person you are from the items in your house and he has your bank details to clone later. If the burglar has taken a spare set of keys to get into your house, he’ll normally trash it before leaving. When a homeowner returns to a messy house, they have to go through everything to see what’s missing. They’ll normally be concerned about expensive jewellery, antiques and items of sentimental value. Keys are one of the last things people think of and so often don’t realise they’re missing. So when a burglar returns to finish the job, it’ll normally be within 7 to 10 days of the first burglary and the locks have not been changed.
How can you prevent yourself from being the victim of a burglary?
Michael’s top tips:
A key tactic in burglary prevention is avoidance and not just alarming your property. For example, chain up your wheelie bin to a fence away from you house. A burglar will stand on a wheelie bin to get into the first floor of your house. Furthermore, a wheelie bin is like a filing cabinet, so shred all your documents before you throw them away.
Having two locks on your front door is really important and make sure your windows have window locks that are visible from the outside looking in. This will make your home seem like too much hard work to a burglar.
Fix broken gates
Put a wire basket on the inside of your letter box. There’s still space for letters to come through the door but it prevents burglars from fishing for keys through the letterbox – thieves know that keys are often left on a table next to the front door.
Keep windows and doors shut and locked, even when you are at home. A thief will burgle your property even when someone is inside; for example, when they see a bathroom light go on.
Use an alarm is you have one.
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch and display the sticker saying you do. This demonstrates to the thief that you are aware of the risk of being a victim of burglary and he’ll most probably decide to move on.
Don’t make it obvious if you are a pet-owner. ‘Beware of the dog’ often means “I don’t have a house alarm” or “my back door is open” in burglar language!
When parking your car, turn the wheel towards the curb rather than keeping the wheels parallel. It sounds so simple but this makes your car alien to the opportunist thief because everyone parks their cars with wheels straight. Those turned wheels means it will take the thief a few more seconds to steal your car. Every second counts and they don’t want to take that extra risk of getting caught.
Keep suitcases and bags in the loft or with their handles tied together. Otherwise a thief will use those very bags to transport items out of your home.
Don’t keep a calendar in your home. It tells a thief everything about you. Put a blind in the kitchen and in other rooms so that people can’t see in. a thief can learn a lot about you just by looking in through your windows.
One of the best things you can do is to film every room in your house in detail with a video camera or take lots of photos. Not only does this help you remember where everything was before the burglary but it helps you to prove to your insurance company that certain items were in your house.
Essex Victims Gateway
Nick Alston, the Police & Crime Commissioner for Essex recently launched a new website, the Essex Victims Gateway.
The website offers access to the many local support groups for people who have been subjected to crimes ranging from rape to anti-social behaviour. Victims can simply type their postcode into the site’s search facility to find out more about the support available locally to them.
Alternatively people can click on a specific crime type – such as hate crime or anti-social behaviour – which will take them to a page featuring case studies, frequently asked questions as well as live links and contact details for support groups.
The Essex Victims Gateway helps victims find support tailored to their needs, including specialist services for the most serious crimes such as rape and sexual violence.
Crucially, the website offers help to all victims, including those who have not reported a crime to police or where offences have happened in the past. And the site also offers a “leave this site” tab, which runs through every page and, with the touch of a button, redirects users to Google in case they need to leave the page quickly.
Mr Alston said:
The Essex Victims Gateway provides a postcode based service enabling victims to contact support and advice available in their area. It’s been designed to enable people to rapidly find the information and expertise they need.
There is also a ‘Leave this site’ icon which is essential because there are circumstances where a person accessing the site may want to leave it quickly.
I hope that victims find this website useful but I also really hope they find the confidence to report crimes to police quickly.
Jan Dalrymple, Chief Executive of the Essex-based domestic abuse charity Safer Places, said:
I’m delighted the website has been pitched at victims whether or not they want to report a potential crime to the police.
Many victims do not want to report a crime and do not know where to turn, and the Essex Victims Gateway gives access for those hidden victims to receive support from specialist agencies.
For example, a person whose partner is showing early signs of dementia and is becoming violent, may not want to go straight to the police. Rather they want to have a confidential conversation about the options and support available to them.
Sometimes, we – the specialist agencies – may support victims to go to the police and report a crime, but sometimes we can support them without needing to involve the criminal justice system.
Victims frequently say to Safer Places and I’m sure other organisations: ‘We didn’t know where to go for help!’ I’m confident that the Essex Victims Gateway will help address those needs.
Work to develop the website and its content, in consultation with victims and their representatives, will be ongoing.
The government has decided that all victims’ commissioning funding should be controlled by PCCs from April 2015: a big and radical step. In preparing for this responsibility, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has produced a comprehensive analysis of the needs of victims and the services available to them at the moment across Essex. That analysis has supported the development of the Victims Gateway and can be read on the PCC here:
Next Saturday 7th February, sees the first guided walk of the year in Hillhouse Wood, lead by Steve Hallam in and around the wood, walkers can expect to see a range of resident woodland and meadow species as well as some winter visitors. Who knows what you might see but, to quote the Essex Wildlife Trust talking about Essex Woodlands:
Our woodlands come alive at dawn – tawny owls hoot to each other, and wrens, blackcaps and warblers fill the air with song. Great spotted woodpeckers, treecreepers and jays visit broadleaved and mixed woods, while goldcrests and rare crossbills flit between the trees of conifer forests.
As this was the last week of the winter break Bergholt Under 10’s arranged another friendly to keep the boys fit and ready for the first “league” match next week. So they made the short trip to play St Edmunds who they played earlier in the season in another friendly. In that game St Edmunds came out on top so Bergholt went out looking to even up the score.
The opening exchanges were even with both teams playing some nice football and were always looking to pass the ball around despite the heavy pitch. Because of the evenness of play Bergholt were able to show their attacking flair and the defence were joining in to, in particular Joseph who was having a lot of good possession down the Bergholt left.
The Bergholt manager encouraged Daniel to mix up his distribution and sometimes roll the ball out to the wide defenders rather than always kick the ball. This was working well until he rolled it out to the midfield who were not switched on to this new tactic. The St Edmunds player got the ball just in the Bergholt half and ran through and fired a low drive into the bottom corner of the Bergholt net.
To their credit the Bergholt boys keep their chins up and looked to get back on levels terms as soon as possible and got their reward when Eddie fed a superb ball right through the St Edmunds defence for Oliver to run onto. With just the keeper to beat Oliver didn’t panic despite the ball coming to him on his unfavoured right foot and his shot rocketed past the keeper for the equaliser. The HT score of 1-1 was very reflective of the fact that despite the picking the ball out of the net, both keepers didn’t have to deal with any other goal-bound efforts as both sides cancelled each other out.
The half-time chat from the Bergholt manager was more about keeping the boys calm after the goal as it was clear to them that this was a winnable game. He also commended the midfield who were working their socks off and tracking back when required.
The second half was more of the same as each side continued where they had left off from the first half. So the next goal was going to be all important and it went to Bergholt when a break away saw James and Freddie free and the former got his fourth of the season. So it was then St Edmunds turn to get back on level terms and that they did when the Bergholt team forgot the tackling training they had only had the day before and the St Edmunds attacker was able to stroll through unchallenged and despite Daniel getting his hands on the shot, the power saw the ball end up in the Bergholt net.
This ended up being the last goal of the match as both sides had their respective keepers to thank in the last five minutes – Bergholt when Daniel did really well to push the ball away when the shot was bound for the top left-hand corner, and St Edmunds when their keeper got his hands to James’s last minute shot.
Final score 2-2, which was a fair result given the equality of both teams
FC Clacton Reds vs BHYFC U16s
Another trip to Clacton in the Colchester Open Cup on a cold and windy Sunday, to play on a pitch that was showing significant wear from the match immediately beforehand.
The match started evenly with both teams finding the pitch difficult to play on due to the divots it had sustained from several previous matches which made passing and control extremely difficult. In an open first half both teams had half chances but the strikers were finding it difficult to connect cleanly with the ball as it bobbled around, so both ‘keepers were largely untroubled. HT: 0-0.
The second half saw Bergholt start to impose themselves on the match more and despite not being able to play their normal passing game, the strikers were seeing increasing amounts of the ball and but for some last ditch committed tackling and some wayward shooting, the away team could have been 2 or 3 up by mid way through the half. As it was, a hopeful ball forward, against a Bergholt defence that had seen both full backs withdrawn, saw the revised back line caught very square and the ball fell kindly for the home striker to left the ball into the net with some ease for 1-0. This set back rocked Bergholt and for the next 5 minutes it was all Clacton, but back the visitors came and yet again chances were being made but not taken, with 3 one-on-one’s not taken. On an increasingly rare foray forward Clacton gained a corner and from the kick the ball was headed against the bar, half cleared, shot again with the defender clearing off the line only for the ball to hit the post, hit him again and go in off his knee for 2-0 to Clacton.
Again Bergholt came back and Ronan was put clean through and looked to have a clear shot on goal when the defender appeared to clip his heals from behind, but the referee did not see a foul. Finally with 5 minutes remaining Tyler again got free in the inside right channel and this time did get a clean shot away to put Bergholt on the score sheet. It was now all Bergholt and Sam had an opportunity to score but it was on his weaker right foot so he missed the target. The final action saw Conor M beat one challenge in the box but he was squeezed out when trying to find the room to get his shot away.
Final score: FC Clacton Reds 2-1 Bergholt Heath
Bergholt Heath man of the match: Connor Welfare. On a day when outfield ball control was missing and the increasing wind made anything in the air difficult, the Bergholt keepers positioning and handling were back to their best.
The Premises & Recreation Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 8th January to consider a range of issues and decisions affecting the Premises and Recreational facilities under their jurisdiction. Updates on New Year’s Eve & December’s table-top sale events at Orpen Hall, security lighting and the possibility of Film Nights. The formal report to the Parish Council is as follows:
Premises & Recreation Report
Sub-committee meeting held on Thursday 8th January 2015 at the John Lampon Hall
Councillors present
Phil Walby, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow
Apologies
Rosemary James, Rachel Howard
Victoria Beckwith Cole in attendance.
1.
Orpen Hall
a) The letting on New Year’s Eve went well. Vicky opened up and closed up on the evening and again the next morning for the hirers to clear up. It was suggested to repeat the event next year as it was so successful. Proposed to ask Rachel if she would be interested in planning this.
RH
b) The locking chairs in the Hall now work efficiently – Vicky will demonstrate how to set them out for the Orpen Players.
VBC Agenda item
c) The cleaning is improved. Vicky will review contract with the cleaners.
d) The outside security lights on the 4 corners of the Hall will be to LED. The cost is quoted as £484 + VAT. Vicky to deal with this.
VBC
e) The table top sale held in the Hall in December was very successful. Vicky proposed that it could be repeated in future as a PC fundraising event.
VBC
2
Practice Goal Area
Ivor has completed the preparatory work and needs to be paid for this. He is waiting for an invoice for purchasing “turf”. A better system would help considerably and the work would be completed more quickly. Phil suggests a transfer of money rather than waiting for a cheque.
PW Agenda item
3
Film night
Phil will arrange to discuss with Bernard about this project.
PW
4
Play equipment
Phil will talk to Ivor about what is required to make all play equipment safe. The areas of concern are all low risk.
PW
5
Football Club
The club has a problem with having access to the MUGA to retrieve balls that have gone over the fence. They need access to code on a regular basis.
PW Agenda item
6
Community Aging Services
Visited recently to assist with welfare for residents in the village. A successful and beneficial outcome to visit.
Agenda item
7
AOB
Agreed to organise a contract for a mobile phone for Vicky’s use.
PW
Date of next meeting – Thursday February 12th 2015 in JL Hall
Do you want to have the opportunity to support children with Special Education needs, then why not become a volunteer Independent Supporter (IS) with ECDP? The purpose of the role is:
