On Saturday 27th September, Steve Hallam will lead a guided ‘autumn walk’ to seek out berries, soft fruit, nuts and seeds, that are now out in abundance, along with any flowers and birds that we see along the way. He will explain how these fruits have been used by humans and animals, the folklore about them, which ones should not be eaten – and what will happen to you if you do! You should expect to see around 20 types of berries, fruits and nuts.
The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows, and will thus be a little longer than normal. Meet at the Old Church at 2pm (weather permitting); strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter long wet grass!
With the end of the school holidays the Methodist Church has come to the end of their Coffee and Craft mornings for now. The three mornings held during the school holidays were very popular and proved to be a busy and happy time for all involved. Families enjoyed a wide variety of craft activities across the three mornings. The selection of cakes also proved popular! Thanks are due to all who supported these mornings.
The Church promises to be back for a one morning only Christmas Coffee and Craft – so do not miss it! This will be on Monday December 22 from 10.30 to 12.00 in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane. Please look out for posters and further information nearer the time.
Centre Stage Essex provides Performing Arts training in Dance, Acting, Singing & Performance for students aged 8 – 12 years. Under the supervision of qualified teachers and industry professionals, the weekly 3-hour sessions will carousel through the art forms with students learning new skills in a fun environment that will build confidence and technique. Each term will culminate with a live performance using West End and Broadway repertoire.
Sessions will run during term time each Wednesday between 5:30pm and 8:30pm and will be held at Heathlands Primary School. The first sessions will be a free taster after which each sessions will cost £15 (which can be paid termly). Sibling discounts are available.
Andrea Dowd will be taking over The White Hart in West Bergholt on the 29th September. Andrea has some 20 years experience within the licensed trade and has run a number of successful village pubs in the past and is returning to the trade after a break to raise her children.
Andrea’s vision for the pub is one that she hopes will embrace the whole of the village community and she is looking to fulfilling her role as a member of that community, supporting local causes and charities and being involved as much as possible.
Andrea promises good quality beer and food (including fresh fish direct from Billingsgate and roast potatoes and cheese and biscuits on the bar on Sundays), as well as entertainment, and has no wish to make any radical changes, preferring to maintain the pub as an important part of the local community and a quaint village pub.
There are two events coming up that have already been planned:
On the 17th October there will be a Soul/Motown night, an evening of mellow soul and motown music from the greats, and
On the 31st October there will be a Halloween theme to the day and evening, and Andrea hopes that families will get involved during the earlier part of the evening with the opportunity for fancy dress and games for the children. In the latter part of the evening there will be a party for the grown ups, fancy dress optional but great fun and great music.
Future plans involve weekend treasure hunts for the whole family, a weekly quiz with prizes in support of local charities and a meat raffle.
We have been informed of new fitness classes starting in West Bergholt. Kelly’s HIIT offers an intense total body workout lasting 40 minutes which, Kelly says, is:
designed to shred fat, transform your whole body and make you feel amazing.
The sessions start at 9:30am on Friday 26th in the Methodist Church Hall and cost £5 a session. Kelly adds:
Modifications for any fitness level, bring a towel and water and be prepared to work hard, sweat buckets and leave on an enormous high from your efforts!! ‘Warning’ HIIT is highly addictive. Whether you’re just starting out on your fitness journey or already train but are looking for a quick effective full body workout come give it a go – you won’t regret it.
Spaces are limited so you are encouraged to contact Kelly through her Facebook page if you are interested.
Of course, before starting any exercise programme, it’s advisable to seek advice from your GP or a health professional if you have any health concerns, such as a health condition or an injury.
Resplendent in the evening sun today the Hall car park appears transformed from its former pot-holed and generally dishevelled appearance of late. Groupbridge our doughty and endlessly accommodating contractor has departed leaving only the portaloo as evidence of the workforce and equipment which has been a feature of the car park over the past 6 weeks.
Over the summer holidays the following work has been carried out:
Old surfacing scraped off and potholes filled in
Surface levelled and prepared to form the hidden (but essential) base-course of the parking area
New kerbing has been laid to the perimeter
Two new soakaways have been installed to take drained rainwater away out of harm’s way
French drains have been installed for water to percolate through to the edges
New drains installed and pipework fitted
New blacktop course laid to the entire car park
Planting areas prepared
Cycle stands installed
Ramps installed to some hall entrances
44 regular car parking spaces marked out together with4 disabled spaces and a loading bay
Access to adjacent areas of the Muga and football pitch created and protected from encroachment
Some of these features are shown in the slide show.
All this has been achieved with minimal inconvenience to hall and Lorkin Daniell field users. There are one or two “snagging areas” to revisit in the coming weeks and planting areas will be planned for landscaping activities (both hard and soft landscaping will be employed).
The Parish Council would like to reiterate its thanks to: Groupbridge (especially Chris Souter the Project Manager) our excellent contractor, to Doldens our designers and contract managers, to nearby residents and hall and Lorkin Daniell field users. Especial thanks also go to Essex County Council for their generous grant of £12,000.
As the lead for the Parish Council on this work I would like to thank the following for their assistance. Firstly my fellow Cllrs on the PC project team Bob Tyrell, Andrew Savage and Brian Butcher, as well as those who assisted with co-ordination, namely the Hall Administrator Vicky Beckwith-Cole, the Chair of the Environment Committee Phil Walby and last but by no means least our PC Chair John Gill-Ross whose almost daily inspections towards the end of the project ensured we picked up many of the users’ needs, using his long experience of the way the community interacts with the hall and environs.
I hope the community makes good use of the car park over the coming months and years. I hope readers will agree with me that the work has been transformative.
Chris Stevenson, Chair of Planning and Development Committee – 10th September 2014.
Operation Homeguard Initiative by the Community Safety Partnership
PC Michael Lee is attached to the Community Safety Partnership at Colchester and is keen to expand an already successful operation known as ‘Operation Homeguard‘ which has been active in and around Colchester since 2013, he writes as follows:
Operation Homeguard is a successful Essex Police project run in Colchester. The concept of the Operation sees members of the local community joining Police officers and staff in order to offer public reassurance in identified areas. Members of Operation Homeguard see themselves engaging with residents, informing them of crime issues in their area and giving crime prevention information. They are a high visibility deterrent.
The Operation gives volunteers the opportunity to work with Police and gain experience of working with the public. All members are issued with Police Volunteer Identification, Note Book and specially commissioned uniformed jackets. This is a non-confrontational role and Police are always on deployments.
To date, we have interacted with around 12,000 residents in Colchester, spread over 45 separate deployments since its implementation in April 2013.
Members of Operation Homeguard have used the experience they have gained to further their studies or go on to find full-time permanent employment.
We are always looking for professional and reliable people to join Operation Homeguard.
If you are interested or would like further information please contact PC 71833 Michael Lee or PCSO 73140 Hunter at [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] for further information.
August saw just one incident after what at first appeared to be a quiet July, this monthly report includes the two incidents from the end of July, details of which arrived after the July update was published.
Burglary in a building other than a dwelling – Colchester Road
At some time between 09:00 on 11th July& 19:00 on 29th July, an unknown suspect gained entry to the victims insecure barn and removed a lawn mower.
Other Theft – Armoury Road
Between 19:30 on 28th and 07:15 on 29th July an unknown suspect has removed buckets which were left unattended and insecure on the field and two batteries which were inside energisers from the field at the location by unknown means.
Other Theft
Between 19:00 & 20:00 on 30th August unknown suspects drove off with the victims items in the boot of a car and made no attempt to return them despite numerous calls.
[Webmaster’s note – an unusual one this which I have discussed with the Liaison Officer who is as mystified. It is probable the victim and suspects were unknown to each other but the victim had their number, maybe they had met and some purchase transaction was taking place? If anybody knows more I’m sure we would all appreciate enlightenment. 🙂 ]
Information Releases
Apart from the ‘Smile Campaign‘ published separately, just two others have come through this month on the subject of pickpockets & securing sheds etc…
Pickpockets
Suffolk police is currently experiencing a rise in purse/mobile phone thefts and are running an initiative to encourage awareness of pick pockets and keeping your personal possessions safe. Be aware that this will displace the pick pockets and they may come our way so…….
Don’t be a victim of pickpockets
Keep purses secure and carry wallets in an inside pocket.
Zip up hand and shoulder bags.
Carry bags in front of you with flaps against your body.
Keep straps short and bags tucked under your arm.
Don’t display jewellery.
Don’t show your money — keep it safely in your pocket.
Sheds, Garages, Workshops, Lock-Ups and other Outbuildings
Particularly in light of the first two incidents above, Essex Police offer the following timely thoughts:
Ensure that all sheds, garages, workshops, lock-ups and other outbuildings, are in a good state of repair and that any damaged or rotten sections of their structure, which could make it easier for a thief to gain access, are repaired or replaced.
Use quality close shackle padlocks which cannot be easily levered or cut.
If you have a window in the premises, consider whether you actually need it and if not consider boarding it over securely. Otherwise, make the window opaque or cover windows to ensure the property inside is not on display.
Consider fitting key operated locks to any opening windows or screwing them shut.
Where the building is a wooden structure, consider lining the property with plywood sheeting to make it more difficult for a thief to get through without proper tools and lots of time.
Consider fitting an alarm, these are readily available from DIY stores or local locksmiths.
Chain any tools through their handles to large heavy items such as lawn mowers or cultivators. If you have neither of these fill a bucket with concrete and, using a masonry fixing, chain your tools to this.
Mark all valuables within your premises with your postcode and house number; record serial numbers of all equipment and keep the records safe.
Good security lighting, using existing lights, (consider installing a time switch or adding sensor lights).
Ensure that all sheds, garages, lock-ups or other relevant outbuildings, are securely locked and never left unlocked whilst unoccupied.
The Orpen Hall Car Park resurfacing project is nearing completion and will be finished by the end of August, leaving the area spick and span and ready for the more intensive day to day usage which will resume in the autumn.
Over the past week a new black- top macadam surface has been laid which neatly complements the extensive repairs to the car park foundations, hall entrance treatments, kerbing and drainage work which has been going on since the end of July.
White-lining next step
The remaining work to be completed in the coming days includes white lining the car park area to show clearly where users may park and unload. It will also include disabled and cycle parking areas. There will be tidying up activities of course to remove excess debris, materials and the contractors plant and equipment.
Planting to follow
Following the completion of the works there will be a planting scheme drawn up for the new planting areas adjacent to the hall itself.
Parking Spaces
There have been some comments about the amount of parking that will be available after the works, and the access arrangements to the hall entrances. Approximately 40 marked spaces will be available together with a loading bay, 7 disabled spaces and parking for bicycles. Access to the MUGA area, hall entrances, emergency access points, have all been enhanced such that they are not blocked off in the future by parked cars while the hall is in use. This was a key feature of the design and indeed a fire and safety assessment pointed out the lack of ramps to some of the access points.
Thanks to residents & users
The Parish Council would like to thank hall users for their forbearance during these works. Most of the time at least some parking has been available, however it won’t be long until the whole car park is available once more. We won’t be doing this again for at least another 30 years so any inconvenience is over for a while!
Neighbours are asked to smile as part of social experiment in UK communities
Jay Crawford, one of the residents of Lingard Road, Manchester, who took part in a social experiment designed to strengthen residents’ links with their neighbours.
The Essex Police Neighbourhood Watch Liaison regularly issues reports and advice which are reported once a month on this site in the monthly crime update – this item we have received seems too novel and interesting to leave to the month-end compilation – enjoy and,don’t forget, SMILE:-
Do you smile at the people next door, pat their cats and dogs, take out their bins or know their names? If so, you are very much in a minority, as British people have been revealed as a reserved lot who don’t know their neighbours.
According to new research, one in 10 UK residents can’t name a single one of their neighbours, while less than a fifth of people know the names of even their immediate neighbours. But they would like to: almost two-thirds (65%) of people say their neighbourhood would be a “stronger” and safer place if people were encouraged to get to know each other better.
In a survey and a follow-up social experiment carried out to mark the 50th anniversary of the Neighbourhood Watch network, people were questioned about their connection with their local community. Less than a quarter of those surveyed said they felt a sense of belonging, but there was a clear sense of craving for neighbourly contact.
Neighbourhood Watch carried out the study with price comparison website comparethemarket.com. Then, taking one ordinary street, a social anthropologist was drafted in to work with a selected number of residents to get them to let go of their British inhibitions and reach out to the people they lived alongside.
In the month-long experiment, the participants – who all lived on suburban Lingard Road in Manchester – were asked to keep a diary of how they got on. Five households had strict instructions to smile at people in the street and offer help where they could, and to try to strike up conversations. Although several reported “strange looks” and some initial reserve, by the end of the four weeks all the Lingard Road participants reported success.
I’ve really seen a difference. People I’ve never met before have been a bit more sociable and said hello on several occasions. The study has been useful and really proven that we are a nice little street with a small community,
… said Jay Crawford, who had lived in the area for 24 years without plucking up the courage to talk to anyone, but now is delighted to be running a bin rota with his new friendly neighbours.
Social anthropologist Kate Fox, director at the Social Issues Research Centre in Oxford, said the experiment tapped in to a very real desire to be part of a community.
“The activity confirms my own findings that the English or British reserve stereotype is misleading,”
she said.
We are not reserved in the sense of introverted or misanthropic or unsociable: we are social animals just like all other humans, and have the same need for a sense of community and belonging. We are just a bit more socially awkward than other nations – and have stricter unwritten rules about privacy, not talking to strangers, and that kind of thing.
So we need more props and facilitators – pubs, clubs, pets, sports, games, weather-talk, alcohol, internet – to break the ice and get us interacting with each other.
Fox believes only the smallest “nudge” is needed to get people building a better neighbourhood.
The experiment shows even very small gestures, saying hello, can have a significant positive effect on a neighbourhood.
Stage School Opens
t will build confidence and technique. Each term will culminate with a live performance using West End and Broadway repertoire.
September. Andrea has some 20 years experience within the licensed trade and has run a number of successful village pubs in the past and is returning to the trade after a break to raise her children. 
