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Cancer Drop-In Day

We Are Macmillan Cancer SupportFree Health And Wellbeing Event For People Living With And Beyond Cancer

Colchester’s Mayor Cllr Colin Sykes, and his wife Cllr Laura Sykes, will open the event at 10.30am

For the first time in North Essex and surrounding areas cancer patients and their families who are living with and beyond cancer are being invited to a free health and wellbeing drop in cancer information day taking place on Saturday 26 April at the St John’s Community Centre, St John’s Close, Colchester, CO4 OHP between 10.30am and 3.30pm to find out about all there is available for those affected by cancer.  There will be free parking and refreshments.

Macmillan Cancer Support and Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust have joined forces to host this major cancer event to provide people, who have undergone or completed treatment for cancer, no matter how long ago or for what type of cancer, with the opportunity to find out about what support, information, advice and facilities are available, to help them adjust to life with, and beyond, cancer. This event is linked to a new Self-Managed After Care service launched on the 1st April by the Trust and Macmillan Cancer that will provide one of the most comprehensive support and information services to cancer patients and their families in the UK.

The event is funded by Macmillan Cancer and supported by more than 20 local organisations such as Macmillan Welfare Benefits, CHAPS – Men’s Health, Age UK, Breast Care, St Helena Hospice, Health Professionals, Equipment Suppliers, Cancer Support Groups, Marie Curie, St John’s Church Community Centre, Essex Carer Support and many more. The day will include four 45 minute presentations and question times on Benefits Advice, Counselling, Men’s Health, Physiotherapy & Exercise.

Peter Carrington, Lead Volunteer at the Macmillan Cancer Support, Drop-In & Information Centre, based at Essex County Hospital, said:

 We are encouraging people and their families affected by cancer to come along to the event, so they are better informed about how they can make a positive difference to their every-day life. No one with cancer should have to face it alone; they should have easy access to high quality care, treatment, information and support, to meet their medical, practical, emotional and financial needs. Research has shown how important health and wellbeing is to the recovery and long-term health of cancer patients. For more information please phone 01206 744401.

Debbie Farthing, Macmillan Information & Support Manager said:

The cancer journey can be a particularly difficult time for many patients and their families and they need to know there is a robust safety net of support throughout diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, rehabilitation and beyond enabling them to return to everyday life and activities. This event will empower people to live more independently knowing our support and help is always available no matter when on how they need our help. We meet or talk to approximately 5,000 people, families and health professional per year and give out 18,000 plus information booklets with 309 patients and their families receiving on-going daily support from our volunteers with fast track access to health professionals where needed.

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Neighbourhood Planning Progress Update

[KGVID poster=”https://westbergholt-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Presentation-to-Open-Meeting-Feb-20143_thumb0.jpg” width=”450″ height=”250″]https://westbergholt-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Presentation-to-Open-Meeting-Feb-20143.mp4[/KGVID]

Introductory presentation to the meeting

Logo of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project

Neighbourhood Planning Workshop

On 19th February the NP Steering Group held an open evening at which 30 people were in attendance.  The aim was to draw together all the work to date including the results of the household  surveys.  The workshop posed the question:

what are the immediate next steps for the project?

To help answer this question delegates were split into three groups as follows:

  • West Bergholt Today:  led by Andrew Savage – Output:  Evidence Base for Neighbourhood Plan – Feb 2014
    • What do we know about our community?
    • Where might we get factual information?
    • How might we use this information?
    • How might we document our findings?
  • Our Environment:  led by Brian Butcher – Output:  Environment discussions for Neighbourhood Plan – Feb 2014
    • What do we want to protect and enhance?
    • Thinking about both built and natural environments
    • Local policies needed to achieve this
  • West Bergholt Tomorrow:  led by John Gilli-Ross – Output:  Future Options discussed for Neighbourhood Plan – Feb 2014
    • Change is inevitable but how can we plan for this?
    • What is the survey telling us?
    • Consider how we might approach housing and employment aspects of change
    • What about other land use changes for sport, open space?
    • How are we going to draw up scenarios and ideas for the community to look at?
    • What are the ways of engaging communities on development and change?

The discussions produced a wide range of ideas and the three groups have agreed to continue to meet up to take forward priority items. Their notes are attached as is the Agenda and Slide Presentation. If anyone who missed out would like to get involved please don’t hesitate to contact either the Chairman Chris Stevenson or the publicity officer Murray Harlow – see contact details.

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Orpen Players – Deep Blue Sea

deep blue seaThe Orpen Players next production, running from 15th – 17th May, is The Deep Blue Sea by Terrence Rattigan.  Starting at 8pm each day, doors open at 7:30pm, tickets cost £6 for the Thursday and £7 for the Friday & Saturday performances.  Tickets can be bought either from:

  • Roger Milne – 241048;
  • Orpen Players’ website at www.orpenplayers.co.uk;
  • Ash’s Store (from 3rd May); and
  • On the door (subject t availability).

Supper & Show

For more of an evening out  dine at the Treble Tile before the performance from selected menu + show ticket for £20 per head – must be booked in advance with the Treble Tile 01206 241712.

Plot summary

The Deep Blue Sea begins with the discovery by her neighbours of Hester Collyer who has tried and failed to commit suicide.  Some time before, she left her husband, a respectable High Court Judge, for a semi-alcoholic former RAF pilot, Freddy Page.  The relationship was physical and passionate but his ardour has cooled, leaving her emotionally stranded and desperate.  The aftershocks of her attempted suicide unravel even the remnants of this relationship, but by the end she is brought to a hard decision to live, partly through the intercession of another resident of the tenement house, Mr. Miller, an ex-doctor, struck off for what seems to have been a homosexual offence.  These two outcasts, socially ostracised for their ‘excessive’ loves, find a curious and moving kinship.

An actor, who played Freddy recently had this to say:

It’s a play about love and lust. But also about what it was like to live after the war. Freddy was a Spitfire pilot in World War II. He came out of that a war hero and worked as a test pilot, but lost his nerve and hit the bottle. Before we join the play he’s met Hester and pours his heart out to her at a time when people were very closed up. We join them at the nadir of their relationship.

Source: Wikipedia.

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Pot Holes

Pot Holes - report a problemPot holes are the leading item of this months Village News.  After all the wet weather we have experienced this winter some of our village roads and surrounding area have been badly affected. It is really easy to report a road problem to Essex County Council on their web site – http://www.essexhighways.org/report-a-highways-problem.aspx.

You can phone to report a problem on 0845 67 430 430.  If we do not report problems they will not know what needs doing.

Other items addressed in the latest news update are:

  • Emergency Planning in West Bergholt;
  • Details of Annual Meeting on 21st May;
  • Change of  management at the White Hart.
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Gardeners April update

Richard Ford, BBC Gardeners World Display
Richard Ford, BBC Gardeners World Display of Hostas – see below for details of his recent talk

Gardeners April Update – Upcoming events

The West Bergholt Gardeners Association recently advised their 2014/15 programme as follows:

Speakers’ topics  for 2014/2015

  • 15th September – Deborah Hart – Hanging baskets and winter containers.
  • 20th October – Darren Tansley – The mammals of Essex.
  • 17th November – Rob Sherriff – Dahlias
  • 8th December – Ric Staines – Gardeners Question Time,
  • 16th February – Jonathan Jukes – Marks Hall History and Progress.
  • 16th March –  Jeff Harrison – Through the year in a nature photographers garden.
  • 20th April –  Bryan Thurlow – My Perennial Mr.Potter.

Annual plant sale

Our Annual Plant Sale is on 19 May at 7:30pm; some of the funds raised are donated to local charities.   Held at the Orpen Hall, most most interests are catered for with bedding plants, Shrubs, trees and vegetable plants all on sale. Also a gardening Bric a Brac stall for more bargains.

Waddesdon ManorAnnual coach trip

The annual coach trip this year is to Waddesdon Manor, Allesbury, on the 19th June leaving the Orpen Hall at 8.30 am and leaving Waddesdon at 4.30/5.00 pm this wIll allow time to see the house and gardens including the Aviary, water gardens and the extensive wine cellars.  Tickets are available to Members and Non Members £25.00 (Coach and Admission). N.T. Members £12.50.  Subject to £12.50 deposit.   Some tickets available, for more details and booking contact Terry 01206 241256.

Open Gardens

The West Bergholt Open Gardens is on Sunday the 22nd June 13.00-17.00 – 13 local gardens and allotment will be open for viewing. Programme is £4 per person (accompanied children free) available for purchase on the day.  See posters around the village for points of sale.

April Speaker – Richard Ford on Hostas

Members came along to hear Richard Ford talk about his favourite plants—HOSTAS since with his wife Mary he set up Park Green Nurseries in 1983 Hostas being their main speciality.  Their displays have won some 180 Gold Medals, including 7 at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The popularity of Hostas is worldwide, attractive throughout the season.  They are useful garden plants with some newer species having attractive flowers and resistance to slug and snail attack.  One must not forget landscaping and indoor displays where potted plants are extremely attractive features.  It was in the 1800s that Hostas  originated in Japan as part of the daily diet, being eaten presumably as vegetables.  It was the 1950/60s when their popularity became evident in both the U.S.A. and the U.K.  The growth in the U.K.resulting in hostas being in the top ten of our garden plants.

Hostas are best grown in semi-shade or dappled shaded areas – not in deep shade!  The latter particularly if wet, leading to rot and slug and snail damage.  The plants prefer a moist soil and plenty of humus and bonemeal to encourage growth. General slow release fertilizer is best for established plants rich in nitrogen and potash used twice a year.

Propagation is carried out by lifting the plant and cutting straight through from the centre with a sharp knife.There are 50 species and some 10,000 cultivated varieties, some having the advantage of thicker leaves and more upright growth tolerating open positions and given some sun will bear flowers.  They will also be less attractive to slugs and snails.  However steps should be taken to control vine weevil and hosta virus.

An interesting talk well received by the Members who were able to purchase specimens from a well stocked plant table.

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Battle of the Ages

chariotColchester Castle re-opens on 2nd May following major renovation, and to celebrate they are holding a major event between 11am – 1pm on 7th June – the Battle of the Ages.  There will also be a medieval festival in Castle Park where you will be able to roam amongst historic market traders, see live archery and watch a variety of displays.

Battle of the Ages

Six teams, sponsored by local businesses, will be taking part in the ultimate Battle of the Ages to find out which era will take the castle! Roman vs Iceni, Saxon vs Norman and Cavalier vs Roundhead will go head to head racing chariots around the castle bailey.   There will be 3 rounds, each with two competing teams.  There will then be the final between the three conquering teams of the previous rounds.

Design a Chariot

They are also running a competition (open to schools, community groups and individuals) to design one of the chariots.  Romans by schools, Saxons by community groups and the remainder by individuals.   This is your chance to look back in history, learn about different eras of Colchester’s past and create a design for one of six chariots.  The winning designs will be used in the race and the winner will receive a prize worth up to £500.

Find out more on their website at http://battleoftheages.co.uk/.

Medieval Festival

Previously known as the Oyster Fayre, this festival runs over the weekend of 7th – 8th June between 10am – 5pm in Lower Castle Park.  As well as historic market traders and archery competitons, there wi be falconry, mummers & puppets, combat & tourney displays, music & dance, storytelling and general ‘foolery’.

Find out more on their website at http://www.oysterfayre.magix.net/public/index.html.

 

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BHYFC Results 13th April and Fixtures 20th April

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubBergholt Heath YFC – Results 13th April

Feering Falcons Blues vs BHYFC Under 9s

Bergholt Heath entered into the match knowing that the hardest game of the season was saved until last against Feering Falcons.

The hosts started on the attack from the start and it took Bergholt 5 minutes to get the ball out of their own half.  Despite the constant pressure the Bergholt team repelled the Feering attacks until a few minutes from half-time when the Feering attacker turned sharply in the box and struck a half-volley which gave Daniel no time to react.  HT 0-1.

After all the hard work in the first half Bergholt legs started to tire and with the desire to get on level terms, the holes started to appear and Feering took advantage of this and soon scored their second.  Then a third came when Feering scored a penalty following Theo’s handball in the area.  Numbers four and five also followed.

Despite the number of goals conceded in the half, it was actually more even than the first half and there were a number of bright moments for Bergholt when Daniel pulled off a fantastic save and Theo came close twice to scoring.

The final score was 5-0 to Feering, which was a little harsh on the Bergholt boys given how well they played against such good opposition.

BHYFC Under 11s

Our Under 11s have finished in a respectable 4th position in the C league and therefore do not have any more fixtures this season.

Heybridge Swifts vs BHYFC Under 15s

Bergholt were down to the bare bones again this week for a variety of reasons, with just 12 players available including James Holden, who returned to action from the substitute’s bench after just one week of training following a near 4 month absence due to injury.  Luke again filled in at left back due to missing defenders.

Early exchanges saw the home side, who were at full strength, try to out-pass Bergholt but the final ball generally went astray or when the strikers did get the ball, the Bergholt defence restricted them to some wayward shooting from outside the box. There was a scare mid-way through the half when the left midfielder hit a hopeful ball into the area that, due to the hard ground, bounced over Connor’s head as he came out, but luckily Jamie was on hand to clear off the line with the aid of the post. This was followed a few minutes later by Bergholt going close from a corner when the ball bounced in the area and two attempted shots from close range were blocked before Heybridge finally cleared.  With around 5 minutes left of the first half, Bergholt took the lead, possibly a little against the run of play, when Ollie received the ball from Ben and hit a superb through ball for Max to chase.  Max sprinted between the central defenders and hit a hard shot that the keeper could only parry and Max duly collected the loose ball to put it into the net from a tight angle.  H-T: 0-1.

The second half started with Heybridge deciding to ditch their passing game and move to playing the ball long to their strikers who in turn were instructed to play the ball back to on-running midfielders.  This required the Bergholt players to watch and track the runners.  Early pressure saw Heybridge equalise after just a few minutes, when a quickly taken corner was crossed into the box before many of the Bergholt players were ready, and the ball was stabbed home at the second attempt. It was 2-1 to the home team shortly afterwards the striker turned well inside the area and hit a shot into the roof of the net. 2-1 became 3-1 when midfielders were left unchecked to run into the Bergholt area in support of a long ball, giving the home team 5 Vs 4, with six of the Bergholt team watching from afar, and the chance was easily converted.  By now heads were dropping and a few seemed to lose interest in the game.  The Heybridge fourth goal was a simple race to a long ball over the top which the striker duly won.  The Bergholt manager then switched to 3 at the back to try and stimulate a response, but with a couple of minutes to go Heybridge scored their fifth and final goal when again the Bergholt box was overrun by attacking players.

Final score: Heybridge Swifts 5 – 1 Bergholt Heath.

Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Jamie Bowden – kept working hard in defence and tried to inspire his team to keep going to the final whistle.

Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 20th April:

  • None scheduled – Easter break
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Bluebell Open Day & Spring Nature Walk

Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk

Spring is here…

The Friends of Hillhouse Wood, in conjunction with Woodland Trust,  invite you to join Join Steve Hallam for their annual Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk.  As the Woodland Trust say:

Hillhouse Wood is a mosaic of different woodland types making it particularly interesting. It has two ponds and two streams running through, but volunteers have been busy creating footbridges and drying out the path edges. A carpet of bluebells in Spring.

Starting at the Old Church at 2pm on Saturday 19th April, you will see the bluebells (looking like being a great show this year), and other spring flowers, butterflies and spring bird life, possibly including early nightingales.

You can collect your map, family nature trail, and flora and fauna guide from the Friends’ Information Point, by St Mary’s Old Church.  Refreshments are available at St Mary’s Old Church.

 

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Edible Essex winds down

Edible EssexThe 3 year Edible Essex project, managed by the Rural Community Council, has been working to increase the availability of locally produced food by increasing allotment numbers and establishing orchards as well as providing training, publications and competitions.

Whilst it will continue on a smaller scale Edible Essex has helped to create 68 new allotment plots and 10 community orchards. It has also provided support to 3 educational providers and initiated a public planting scheme. It has offered training and events to 901 individuals, produced 3 information booklets and run 2 highly successful competitions, entered by over 2,000 primary school children!

Upcoming Edible Essex events include:

Family Foraging Fun

This is a free event near Colchester on 3rd May, but booking is essential. Priority will go to those who have already expressed an interest in foraging sessions.  To put your name on the list please email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

Wild Food Identification

This will be in the form of an exhibition at the Essex Schools & Farming Day at Writtle College on 5th June.

Publications

For those already converted to producing or harvesting local food, the following publications may be of interest (click on the images to download a copy in Adobe Acrobat).

simple-ways-to grow      recipes-cover       foraging

More can be found at edibleessex.org.uk/publications/.

 

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Hillhouse Wood gets Information Boards

Information board at main entrance
Information board at main entrance

The long awaited information boards have now been installed at all three entrances to Hillhouse Wood. The main board was erected at the entrance off the track that runs past the church whilst the two smaller boards were positioned by the Woodland Trust’s Site Manager, Tony Chadwick.

Thanks goes to the Woodland Trust for designing, making and installing the boards and to Colchester Borough Council and The Friends of Hillhouse Wood for providing funds for the project.

All those attending the Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk on Easter Saturday should have ample opportunity to see them together with everything else that will make this a great afternoon event.