Community, Parish Council & Village
Bella is missing and was last seen in Maltings Park Rd, West Bergholt on 6th June.
Can residents please check their sheds and garages.
Bella is long haired, mostly black, with white paws and bib and very fluffy tail.
Any info please call Helen on 243503.
Meeting of the Planning & Development Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council in the John Lampon Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 18th June 2014. The public and press are welcome to attend.
If in the opinion of the Chairman there is a Planning Application or correspondence received which post-dates the publishing of the agenda and which cannot await the next meeting, then such matters will be discussed at the meeting.
1. To receive any pre-application representations regarding proposed Planning Applications
2. To discuss the following:
Stephen Adams took over the Queens Head in mid-May after a significant revamp, the pub reopened at the start of June with the sole aim of being an integral part of the West Bergholt community and to offer a real family orientated ‘Village Pub’.
Although the revamp is not yet complete the pub is open from 11am every day and will be serving food all day as from Friday 18th July 2014. They will be doing a wholesome “Pub” menu with the majority of the food being home cooked and above all reasonably priced.
They will then open and clean up the garden putting in nice furniture catering for all during the day, night and weekends.
So far the village has been very welcoming and the revamp very well received and Stephen would welcome any comments or input that could help them as a business and the community and welcome any groups that would like to make use of the facilities.
Stephen can be contacted on 240394 or by email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
Anthony Robin, local Speedwatch volunteer for West Bergholt & Eight Ash Green, is passionate about the need for drivers to cut speeding, but in making his regular report and call for volunteers, his thoughts wandered into some historic and other directions related to speed. The following is the result of this little distraction:
When I came to live in Eight Ash Green, over 30 years ago, the main road through the village was called the A604. The large green route signs labelled it as so, with the destination Cambridge marked, and if I remember correctly, the distance given was 49 miles. Originally the A604 had run all the way from Harwich to Kettering. In fact the 6 at the front suggests it does not belong to this sector of the country, but the sector between the A6 (London-Holyhead) and the A1 (London-Edinburgh). Our sector roads start with a one.
To try to reduce the through traffic the authorities, relabelled the road, and whilst the route still exists it has different numbers for different sections. Our local section, between Colchester and Halstead is labelled A1124, the next section to Haverhill is A1017, and the section between Haverhill and Cambridge is A1307. The through traffic is signposted either A12 & A14 via Ipswich, or A120 and M11 via Stanstead.
Nevertheless this route is a lot shorter, and so for slow traffic is quicker, so many lorries still use this route. In fact my SatNav suggests I use the ‘A604’ route to get to Addenbrookes Hospital, and the A120/M11 route to Cambridge centre. The authorities also changed the speed limit through all the villages on our route from 40 to 30 mph.
Despite these changes, a few months ago, I noticed that one sign on the “South Circular” between Kent Blaxill and the Leather Bottle was still directing traffic to Cambridge along this route (see picture above). It was misleading, because there are no follow on signs for Cambridge.
The A1307 section is in Cambridgeshire, and there are large notices saying that the route is dangerous, saying high speed collisions kill and asking motorists to slow down. There are also several “graves” on this section of the road. No one is actually buried there, of course, but there are flowers and gravestones and even pictures of people who have been killed nearby.
In France it is official policy to put signs up as shown right, although the actual style varies in the different Departments. This particular one shows where 5 teenagers were killed. It certainly pulls no punches! Should we be doing this in the UK? Does it make people realise the dangers of the roads, or does it even distract motorists making other accidents more likely?
To try to make local motorists obey the speed limit in our villages, both on the A 1124, B 1508 and elsewhere, a few of us regularly go out with a radar gun, and report offenders to the police. The project is called Speedwatch, and other groups go out in other parts of the County. Other Counties are involved with similar schemes.
If you would be interested in joining us, please contact me.
Anthony C Robin 01206 571910, [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
This news update was posted to our Facebook page where a reader provided this further insight into the politics of road naming:
At the time of the route re numbering I was a member of Castle Hedingham Parish Council. ECC proposed that the road from Braintree Corner, Sible Hedingham, and Halstead High Street be downgraded to B road status (in order to further reduce the chances of drivers seeing the old A604 as a viable through road). There were various objections (you can probably guess from whom) on the grounds that if Halstead were no longer a crossroads of two A roads it would lose some of it’s status. This from people who continue to campaign for measures to reduce traffic through Halstead…. Simon Daw
Having missed just once in the past 31 years this will be the 30th Historic Vehicle Rally hosted in West Bergholt (Nayland Road, CO6 3DG), and, over the years, has grown in size to the over 500 vehicles we expect to see this year. Of course, whilst these are the main attraction there is also a full range of trade stands, charity stalls and arena attractions. Admission each day is just £6 (£5 for concessions). As well as the Historic Vehicle Parade each day, other highlights include:
James Dylan’s Stuntworld, who claim to be the most experienced Stunt Team in Great Britain has something different for 2014, a new style Stunt Show with the latest motorcycles and a remarkable buggy. The show includes Ramp Jumps, Wheelies, Stoppies and many more remarkable motorcycle stunts that need to be seen to be believed.
The evening sees the regular Country & Western Concert (free entry) with licensed bar from 7:30pm.
The legendary RAF Spitfire will perform a flypast on SaturdayThe Sunday show is opened by BBC Radio’s Richard Spendlove MBE
Squibb Freestyle claim to be the No. 1 FMX Stunt Display Team so you will need to turn up both days to see who you think is best! Jamie Squibb and his team of riders perform breathtaking jumps and stunts in the ultimate UK arena show.
Not to be outdone by the Falcons, the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment ‘Tigers’ Parachute Display team will also be dropping into the arena, smoke trailing, flags flying, performing several amazing formations both in the air and under the parachute.
The RAF Falcons are widely recognised as the UK’s premier military parachute display team, based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, they display at venues all over Britain and Europe throughout the year.
The RAF Spitfire makes another visit on the Sunday but, this time, also with a flying display of around 15 minutes!
For those with music in mind the arena will also see the Massed Bands of the City of Coventry!
All enquiries to M J Culham on 01206 271253.
Cricket in many guises and several other activities are on offer from West Bergholt Cricket Club between 28th June and 6th July.
The cricket festival starts on Saturday 28th at 1pm with a league match against Maldon; expected to finish by 7pm the bar will be open from 6pm and a quiz night held from 7:30pm. There will also be an Ice Cream Tricycle, raffle, BBQ & desserts and a sweetie table.
Moving on to Friday 4th July and it is time for the youngsters to have a go with Kwik Cricket between 6pm – 9pm. Once again, the bar is open from 6pm and there will also be a bouncy castle, tombola, cake table, BBQ & desserts, bottle table, raffle and the Ice Cream Tricycle again.
An earlier start and later finish for Saturday 5th July with a six-a-side tournament running between 10am – 7pm and then World Cup football evening with large screen TV between 7:30pm – 11pm. With an all-day bar, BBQ and raffle and bouncy castle, sweetie table and Ice Cream Tricycle during the day there is something for everybody.
The festival continues on Sunday but detailed events are still to be announced (although the webmaster suspects there might be an Ice Cream Tricycle involved!)
The West Bergholt Gardeners Association had a relatively quiet May, although hosting one of it’s big annual events, and has much to look forward to for June & July.
The Club held its annual Plant Sale on the 19th May and many members of the public came along to sample the excellent display of shrubs and plants which were all on sale at attractive prices. Overall sales amounted to over £600 and this will augment Club funds as well as allowing contributions to be made to local charitable organisations.
Although this was the only public involvement in May, much was being done behind the scenes to organise future events.
The excursion to Waddesdon Manor is all set for the 19th June and most seats on the coach have now been filled, although seven places remain. Interestingly Waddesdon Manor has been featured on two BBC programmes in recent weeks – Countryfile and Bargain Hunt .
Final arrangements have now been made for the West Bergholt Open Gardens event on Sunday 22nd June between 1pm and 5pm when local gardens and an allotment will be open for viewing. Programmes are £4 per person (accompanied children – free) and are available for purchase on the day at the Methodist Chapel Hall and St. Marys Church Hall as well as from any of the open gardens. Refreshments are available to purchase at the halls. All proceeds are to go to the Teenage Cancer Trust. It is hoped that many will come along to support this worthwhile charity.
On the 31st July the Club Members are having a summer outing to Rob & Denise Sherriff (Dahlia specialists) at The Tye Barn, Honey Tye, Lavenheath CO6 4NX at 2.00pm –Visitors welcome. There will be a guided tour of the site and cake and tea/coffee will be served. Anyone interested please phone 241256 Terry) or contact [email protected]. COST £4.00
15th September will bring us Deborah Hart talking about Hanging Baskets and Winter Containers. All are welcome to our meetings although there is a small charge for non-members.
It can’t be usual for two youngsters from the same village to be selected as Head Boy & Head Girl but that is what has happened with Jamie Bowden and Hannah Woodgate assuming those roles at Stanway from September. Asked about the selection process the Assistant Head, Chris Johnson, said:
The process starts after Easter when all year 10 students are invited to apply for the position of prefect for the following year. Out of a cohort of 220 approximately 80 students are interviewed and prefects are selected by the Heads of House. From the 60 prefects selected, applications are invited in writing for the position of Head boy and Head girl. This year there was a particularly strong field of 20 girls and 12 boys who applied. These were then interviewed by the senior management team of the school and 4 boys and 4 girls were short listed for the final interviews with Mr Holder and Mr Bland next years’ Head teachers.
As you can see the process is extremely challenging and all students who apply are to be commended for their commitment to the school. The standard of applications this year was exceptional and some very difficult decisions had to be made. We would all like to congratulate both Hannah and Jamie on their appointments and wish them every success in carrying out their duties next year.
Well done both and we are sure you will do the village proud!
May saw just one crime incident, with a burglary, after an also quiet April.
At some time between 12:15 pm and 12:45 pm am on the 9th May unknown suspects forced a ground floor rear window open and proceeded to make a messy search of two bedrooms removing some jewellery.
Just two have come through this month, the first on how to become an illusionist to protect your home from burglary and the other on your rights with doorstep salesmen.
Most burglars are opportunists, they leave home with the intention of committing the crime but their target has yet to be identified. Take away that first attraction and you do not become that target.
First attraction: – open or insecure gates or ready access to the rear of the property, overgrown shrubs concealing the front door, insecure properties, lack of obvious security like good locks and an intruder alarm.
Become an illusionist, make your home appear occupied even when you are out, a burglar is more than likely to only see your home in one moment in time. Simple things like lights on timers and “Fake TV” for the evenings. During the day leave a radio on, boots outside the back door, vacuum cleaner out with the lead going out of sight, newspaper over the arm of the chair with a drink on the table, the list goes on. Don’t leave garden tools out in the garden though or you may find the burglar uses them, lock them securely away in a secure shed (use a shed alarm too).
Find out more on the Essex Police ‘Be Safe’ website pages.
Doorstep selling is when a salesperson sells you goods or services in your home or on your doorstep. This Quick Guide explains people’s rights when they agree to spend more than £35 with a trader in their home or on their doorstep. These rights apply even if you invite someone into your home.
Sometimes salespeople apply pressure selling which is illegal.
By law the trader must give you a written cancellation notice at the time you buy, telling you about your right to cancel (even if there is no written contract). If you don’t get a cancellation notice, there’s no binding contract between you and the trader and you don’t have to go through with the sale.
You usually have a cooling-off period of seven days to change your mind and cancel. The cooling-off period starts on the day you get the cancellation notice. If you cancel within the seven days you won’t owe anything and you should get back any money you have already paid (including a deposit).
If you do decide to cancel the contract you must let the trader know in writing within seven days of receiving the cancellation notice. When cancelling, keep a copy of your letter or email as proof of cancellation. If you send your letter by post, get proof of postage as well. If you receive goods during the cooling-off period and you didn’t agree to this in writing, you don’t have to pay anything if you cancel. Keep the goods safe and ask the trader to collect them. The trader should not insist that you pay any money.
If you are buying services or certain types of goods (e.g. customised goods) you can agree in writing for work to start or goods to be delivered during the cooling-off period. If you have agreed this in writing then you can still cancel within seven days, but you may have to pay the trader something (usually a reasonable amount).
For further information, visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0845 04 05 06
Previously advertised, please note that the dates for The Orpen Players ‘Stepping Out’ auditions have changed to Monday 23rd & Friday 27th June 8pm @ The Orpen Hall.
‘Stepping Out’ is a comedy by Richard Harris about a beginners’ tap dance troupe. The group of nine women and one man share life’s ups and downs whilst preparing to stage a dance routine for a local show. First staged in the West End in the 80’s it received the Evening Standard Comedy of the Year Award.
Prior dancing experience is welcomed but by no means necessary!
There is plenty of help needed behind the scenes too – SM, lighting, sound, costumes, props, prompt so please get in touch or come along to the auditions if you can offer your services.
Production dates 23rd, 24th & 25th October.
For further details please contact us on [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]