December saw the Women’s Institute’s Christmas meeting. The president, Susan Leng, presented a voucher to Marie Louise Fuell who was the 2013 winner of our monthly competition, Hillary Nugent and Manya Barrow were runners up.
The evening continued with a supper provided by the members. Magic Marvo, a magician, entertained with everyone puzzled by his clever tricks. The grand raffle enabled everyone to receive a prize.
Later in the month member, Manya Barrow, invited the W I to her house for mulled wine and mince pies with entertainment and Christmas carols which everyone joined in. A convivial afternoon to end the W I year.
January – Desert Island Discs
In January the vice-president, Bea Girkin, welcomed several new members and a guest. There was no speaker so members brought C D’s to play for ‘Desert Island Discs’ and talked about the reason for their choice. The competition was a luxury item to take to the Desert Island. The winner was Mary Brent with her suggestion – a pillow. Social Time was enjoyed by all with a team word game.
February – Blue Badge London Guide
The president was back in the chair and pleased to see so many new members. Gary Egerton a blue badge London Guide made a welcome return visit with his talk on Strange and Unknown Facts about London. Our social time was enjoyed by everyone with slides by the president showing all our varied activities during 2013.
We celebrated our 93rd Birthday Lunch at the Cricketers on 19th February.
The monthly coffee morning at the Treble Tile was well supported with 19 members in attendance. Play reading afternoons are still flourishing.
Upcoming
Our Open Evening on 2nd April sees the return of Brian Carline, speaker, author and broadcaster. His talk is entitled ‘An Amusing Account of Life in our Schools’. Posters with more information will be put up around the village.
With both away matches again called off due to waterlogged pitches, it left just the one scheduled home game to go ahead on the 7 vs 7 pitch at the top of the Poors Field – the Under 9’s vs Reed Hall Sentinels. Had the Under 15’s been due to play at home then this too would have fallen foul of the weather as there was standing water in the last third of the pitch (near the Treble Tile).
BHYFC Under 9s vs Reed Hall Sentinels
After an early morning inspection, the pitch was deemed playable and so Bergholt took on Reed Hall Sentinels in very blustery conditions. The wind was blowing from one end to the other and so advantage was always going to be with the team who had the wind behind their backs. For the first half this was Reed Hall Sentinels so it was important for Bergholt to hold them and go into half-time at least level.
Despite kicking into the wind it was Bergholt who made the brightest start with the Baker brothers in particular leading the charge, especially Ollie who was keen to add to his goal tally for the season and was shooting on sight. In fact Bergholt’s other midfielder, Thomas Haworth, scoredthe first goal, speeding down the right wing before unleashing a fierce low drive which passed the keeper before he had a chance to react.
This then started Reed Hall’s fight back and the majority of the first half was played out in the Bergholt half. Some excellent defending from Bergholt repelled attack after attack. In one of these plays Eddie put in a great tackle but unfortunately came off worse and twisted his knee which ended his game. This was a shame for Eddie, especially as just previous to that he had gone on a excellent solo run, taking the ball out of defence to attack. Just before the half-time whistle, Bergholt’s defence was finally breached when a strong shot was saved by Daniel but the combination of the spin of the ball and the strong wind took the ball agonisingly inches over the line before he had chance to reclaim it. HT 1-1.
At half-time the Bergholt manager used as many footballing clichés as he could “we can win this” and “the next goal is the most important” were two in particular that stick in the memory….. So with these pearls of wisdom still fresh in the memory, Bergholt kicked off the second half looking to get that all important goal. As with the first half, the majority of the better football was played by the team with the wind and Bergholt started to pass the ball much more fluently which in turn opened the game out. It also meant that the two full backs, Billy and Thomas L were also able to exploit the wide areas and get forward themselves to support James and Thomas H who too were having success down the wings. Theo and Ollie were also continuing to push forward and trying to get their names on the score sheet but both were thwarted by the Reed Hall goalkeeper. Not wishing to miss out on the party, Freddie too came close when his free-kick only just went over the bar.
So, once again it looked like heading for a draw as Reed Hall, when they went on the attack, were stopped by some super, if a little frantic, defending from Bergholt. However, in the last dying seconds of the match, Freddie picked up the ball in the area between defence and midfield and ran at the Reed Hall defence. In a similar manner to an Olympic slalom skier at Sochi, he jinxed past one, then another before finding himself just outside the box where he hit a pile driver. It took a slight deflection off the defender’s knee which in turn meant that when it bounced on the ground in front of the keeper it kicked up off the mud (no turf, just mud…) and bounced over the keeper’s dive. FT 2-1.
This was Bergholt’s first win of 2014 made even more special by the appearance of the chairman of the club, Les, who turned up to watch the team for the first time since it’s formation at the beginning of last season!!
Bergholt Heath Player of the Match: Freddie Geiger – some excellent clearances and a fantastic match-winning run and goal.
If you run a local business we need your help to shape the future of West Bergholt. Please take a few minutes to complete a questionnaire by clicking on:
Your response will be invaluable to assisting the production of a Neighbourhood Plan for our village and wider parish area. Neighbourhood Plans are fairly new and you may not have heard of them yet. They form part of Neighbourhood Planning which is a Government initiative which enables local communities to produce Development plans for their areas rather than for these to be produced by District Councils, in our case Colchester Borough Council.
So what exactly is Neighbourhood Planning?
Neighbourhood Planning is a new right for communities to create agreed policies and proposals for their localities. For us this will be for West Bergholt and surrounding Parish area.
The plan will be used to decide the future of the development of West Bergholt including answering the following :
where should new houses, shops or employment areas be built?
should they be built?
do we want further community assets and amenities?
should we preserve existing open spaces and provide more?
Aside from development aspects what other improvements do you want to see in areas such as traffic, policing, environmental improvements etc?
The list could be endless – but is nevertheless of vital importance and must be made and agreed by you.
Who is responsible for preparing the plan?
The Plan is sponsored by the Parish Council but the steering group overseeing the plan is drawn from the wider community and comprises 20 people drawn from all walks of life. A full listing of FAQs has been assembled on the village website, look for the Neighbourhood Plan tab.
In order to inform the NP a series of surveys is being conducted. We have already conducted a household community survey and a survey of younger people’s views is under way. However we recognise that the village and wider parish area has a large number of businesses and we are keen to get a view of your needs and concerns so that we can plan not just for community needs such as housing and amenities, but also the needs of businesses.
Please complete the on-line questionnaire by the end of February 2014. If you need to find out more please contact any of the following:
With the first couple of weeks seeing no reported crime in and around West Bergholt, the latter part saw little more:
Theft from a vehicle on the A12
Taking place on 13th January this involved a parked, secured, lorry on the A12, outside West Bergholt, which had the side curtains slashed and items removed. Probably of no more than passing interest to residents (sorry).
Criminal Damage to a Vehicle in Mumford Close
Overnight on 23rd January the rear nearside door of a car was dented by unknown person and object.
Criminal Damage to a Vehicle in Mumford Close
Overnight on 28th January an unknown person scratched the full length of both nearside and offside of a parked vehicle.
Theft from a Vehicle in Chapel Road
Overnight on 29th January an unknown person gained entry to an insecure vehicle and following a messy search removed items.
Information Releases
Essex Police often issue information & advice updates with their crime reports, the following few about Alarms, Burglary facts and Microsoft scams have recently been received.
Intruder Alarms and/or CCTV
Please note that Essex Police do not recommend any particular product or supplier.
If you are considering an intruder alarm system it is advisable to seek advice from installers who are members of a professional body, such as: –
SSAIB The Smoke Houses, Cliffords Fort, North Shields, Tyne & Wear NE30 1JE Telephone: 0191 296 3242 – www.ssaib.co.uk
British Security Industry Association(BSIA), Kirkham House, John Comyn Drive, Worcester, WR3 7NS – Telephone 0845 389 3889 – www.bsia.co.uk
For other security products that have ‘Police Preferred Specification’ status visit Secured by Design – www.securedbydesign.com
Systems should be fitted to British/European Standards – www.bsi-global.com
Always get at least 3 different approved installers to give you quotes before you decide.
Systems can be monitored at special centres (Alarm Reporting Centres), for a fee. Reputable installers will give you more information on this, including an alternative option to link the alarm to alert mobile telephone numbers selected by you.
Essex Police respond to monitored alarm systems in accordance with guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) – www.acpo.police.uk Phone 020 7084 8950.
Generally, Non- monitored alarm systems are not responded to unless the person reporting the activation says that an intruder has actually been seen to enter or be on the premises.
The speed of police response cannot be guaranteed. It will depend upon the number, location and availability of police units when the call is received and a police assessment of the threat level.
DIY outlets often sell intruder alarm systems. However, bear in mind that these are normally non-monitored systems. False activations can annoy neighbours and result in action by the Environment department at your local council. If you have one of these systems you need a trusted friend, neighbour, or family member who lives close by and can deal with activations in your absence.
Some systems can be linked to your telephone and programmed to alert specific personal telephone numbers (normally up to 6) if activation occurs. Your telephone provider may make an extra rental charge for this facility. You will probably still need a trusted local person to respond in your absence.
Some mail order type companies market a whole range of alarms. You can see examples of these on web sites such as: –
Generally speaking, any intruder alarm is probably better than none. However, your choice should always be based on the following considerations: –
Is it appropriate?
Is it realistic?
Is it cost effective?
What am I trying to protect?
The above information is a basic summary of intruder alarm systems.
Secure your home and remain vigilant
Burglary Facts – Did you know?
35% of all burglaries are crimes of opportunity, where the burglar lets themselves in through unlocked doors or windows.
You are ten times more likely to be burgled if you don’t have basic security – even something as simple as putting strong locks on your doors and windows will keep your house much safer.
Burglary has fallen by nearly 60% since 1995, but criminals are opportunists who will take advantage of any chance to steal from you, so you should remain aware.
Burglars generally prefer empty properties, often looking for visual clues such as an empty drive and dark homes so any lights, televisions and radios left on are usually off-putting for burglars.
A common tactic employed by homeowners to make the house look occupied, leaving the curtains closed, actually encourages burglars who believe it indicates the occupants are on holiday. If the property is going to be vacant for an extended period, ask a trusted neighbour to open and close curtains, collect milk from the door step, turn lights on and off, and remove unopened post that is visible etc. so that the property continues to look occupied.
Burglars are attracted by the sight of valuables, including car keys. They spot these by simply looking through windows and doors. Householders need to be careful about the type of goods that are on display.
Generally, burglars like to access property from the rear as it offers a safe environment. Having adequate fences and locked gates can make this a less inviting opportunity.
If you make your property more secure, it’s a lot harder for criminals to break in and it’s easier for police to catch them. For more crime prevention advice, go to http://essex.police.uk/be_safe.aspx.
Microsoft Cold Calling Scam
The Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer has been made aware that persons are cold calling by telephone offering computer repairs, stating your computer has a problem with Microsoft. Advice has been sought from Microsoft and they have given the following advice.
Neither Microsoft nor our partners make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes.
They have advised that further information regarding how to avoid Phone scams can be found on the below website:
The weather again took it’s toll on this weekends fixtures with both away matches for the Under 11s and the Under 15s postponed. This only left the one home match for the Under 9’s on the Poors Field who took on Brooklands who they had lost heavily to earlier in the season:
BHYFC Under 9s vs Brooklands
This week’s match started on what was a sticky pitch following the week’s rain. This was further added to throughout the match as players, supporters and officials all were on the receiving end of a bucket or two more!
In their first meeting this year a few moments of madness cost Bergholt dear and Brooklands gave them their biggest defeat of the season. Keen for this not to be repeated the Bergholt manager stressed to the boys not to give Brooklands any time or space on the ball and to ensure their long range efforts were kept to a minimum.
Within five minutes Brooklands tried their luck from distance, but Daniel was more than equal to it and the whole team’s confidence were lifted by this. Both teams were passing the ball around well despite the heavy pitch, trying to get the opening goal. It was a very open game and there were attacks aplenty – Bergholt had more shots in this half than ever seen, with James, Theo and Freddie in particular all going close.
Brooklands too had their chances and Bergholt were grateful for Billy’s bum saving a certain goal. It looked like being goalless at half-time but then Brooklands got through the Bergholt defence. The initial effort was blocked but the ball fell kindly to another Brooklands striker who reacted first and slotted the ball past Daniel. HT 0-1.
Brooklands kicked off the second half and within a minute were kicking off again when full-back Thomas L got the ball on the half-way line burst down the wing, skipped past two challenges before hammering the ball past the keeper at the near post for his first ever Sunday league goal. This gave Bergholt a real shot in the arm and they continued to press to try to get the lead. They nearly succeeded twice but the post denied both Theo and Thomas L. The visitors however, were still determined themselves to get the victory and the Bergholt defence and midfield were all called to do some desperate defending and when beaten, Daniel pulled off a great save with his foot. FT 1-1.
This was the right result as Brooklands shaded the amount of possession whilst Bergholt had more scoring chances. The match itself was a fantastic game of football played in difficult conditions.
Bergholt Heath player of the match: Thomas L – not only a great individual goal but some great defending in the first half.
Next weeks fixtures Sunday 2nd February:
Long Melford vs. Under 9
Under 11 vs. Stanway Villa Reds – Open Cup R2, KO 10am
Open Meeting – John Lampon Hall – 19th February at 7pm
The purpose of this meeting with the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, is to draw attention to the work undertaken so far in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for our village and Parish Area.
In the summer of 2013 a community survey was concluded and the results of this have been analysed. This open meeting will be an opportunity to share the findings of the survey with the community and to reveal residents’ views on everything from sport to transport.
The meeting will be a chance to explain other aspects of the plan including how it is likely to affect the village and how it fits in with the plans of Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council. Representatives from the Parish Council and Colchester Borough Council will be present.
The most important aspect of the meeting will be to explain the next stages of the plan’s development including the opportunity for members of the community to get involved either directly or indirectly.
So please come along and share your views with the Steering Group.
For any more information you can contact Steering Group Chairman Chris Stevenson at: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
The local branch of the WEA welcome all who would like to join this course in the Methodist Hall. Graham Platts, who has lived in Oman and will lead the course “An introduction to the Sultanate of Oman”, says:
The Sultanate is a rapidly progressing country in the Arabian Peninsular but still not widely known. The combination of cherished traditions and modern development provides a fascinating basis for study.
This is a shorter course than usual in the hope that it will avoid the worst of the winter weather and cost less. The classes start on Tuesday 18th February 2014 at 8.00 pm and cost £27.18 for six weeks with a coffee break thrown in. There is no need to book ahead, just turn up on the first evening without obligation, before deciding whether to enrol.
Further information is available from the WEA Secretary on 01206 240791 or e-mail [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
Peter Cox has once again written and directed this fabulous interpretation of the classic Cinderella. This exciting and wonderful show will have you laughing and cheering right from the start. Our award winning cast return again and we also have some new faces to the Orpen Stage!
Cast
Scott Sophos & Ben Maytham as The Ugly Sisters,
Anne Sexton as The Fairy Godmother,
Holly Snowling as Buttons,
Phoebe Stringer & Kim Bennett as Prince Charming & Dandini,
Mike Poole as The Baron,
Niamh Bennet-Dix & George Dooley as Nip and Tuck,
Debs MacMahon as The Wicked Stepmother and
congratulations to Sophie Peterson who was a chorus member last year for securing the title role of Cinderella.
Tickets
This fabulous show will sell out so book early to avoid disappointment – as this news update is posted the matinee performances are already sold out! Remaining performances are:
31st January 8pm;
1st February 8pm;
7th February 8pm;
8th February 8pm.
Tickets for the panto alone are priced £7 adults and £5 children with a 50p booking fee if booking online. If you prefer you can buy your tickets from Ash’s store or by calling Orpen players on 01206 241048.
Supper & Cinderella
The Treble Tile and the Orpen Players have joined together in an initiative designed to provide a special night out in the village for their patrons. They are offering a special ticket that entitles the bearer to a meal followed by an evening’s entertainment.
The Treble Tile menu will consist of a choice from bangers and mash, fish and chips or a vegetarian option, a glass of house wine or pint of beer and a cup of tea or coffee. The combination ticket of £20 will get you a meal at 6pm giving you time to take your (included) seats for the show, these tickets must be booked in advance directly with the Treble Tile on 01206 241712.
Both the Under 9s and Under 15s away fixtures were postponed this weekend due to water logged pitches, so it left the Under 11s to fly the flag at home to Wivenhoe Town. Under 11s manager Pete Sanderson reports:
BHYFC Under 11s vs Wivenhoe Town
After all the recent rain, the pitch just about held up and we able to fulfil our final home fixture of the season. I abandoned my traditional conservative approach and changed formation today. The boys were requested to grasp the game by the scruff early on. Initial forays were promising. Nice passing allowed us to move upfield and keep possession. It was just that final ball missing that would not open the resolute Wivenhoe defence up.
A few chances came and went; Fred saw a good angle shot just go wide, Jonah had a nice chance but could not make good contact. Tyler’s firm shot was well blocked by the keeper who then spilled it. Unfortunately for us rather than roll over the line it stuck in the mud.
As time went on Town got back in the game and with us being short at the back they looked to capitalise. Ben and Dan were rocks at the back though and Harv pulled off a couple of good saves. Then a couple of strange decisions. An attempted cross by the Wivenhoe winger was blocked by Dan with the ball rolling safely to Harv who rightly picked it up. The ref saw different and gave a free kick for a back pass six yards out. Luckily we survived.
Lo and and behold 5 minutes later Dan made a tackle which again rolled back, picked up and yet another back pass was judged. How bizarre. Although the initial shot was cleared a well hit strike from the second ball found us go in one down at half time.
The second half was much the same with some good attacks, but as time went on it looked like we never going to be able to finish. A turning point came when after having some wayward shots, Richard hit a great one which thundered against the bar and away.
This gave the boys renewed vigour and it wasn’t long before Richard again was on the edge of the area but this time he fired it home GOOOAAALLL!!!
You could tell from the boys celebration that they were not finished yet and 5 minutes later Joe found a gap on the right hand of the goal to slot in GOOOAAALLL!!!
Urged on by their supporters Wivenhoe fought back but some last minute tackles by the guys saw us finish the match ahead.
Well done boys it was a pulsating battle with the 2-1 win consolidating our fight for fourth place. It was great to see such fantastic team unity and spirit, not just today but in practise yesterday as well. We are not going to win the silverware but we will sure have a lot of fun trying.
MOM went to Dan Thomson for a fantastic performance at the back.
West Bergholt has managed to escape early January without mention in the Neighbourhood Crime Report issued by Essex Police. They do however caution the public to be vigilant and have offered the following advice:
Did you know?
35% of all burglaries are crimes of opportunity, where the burglar lets themselves in through unlocked doors or windows.
You are ten times more likely to be burgled if you don’t have basic security – even something as simple as putting strong locks on your doors and windows will keep your house much safer.
Burglary has fallen by nearly 60% since 1995, but criminals are opportunists who will take advantage of any chance to steal from you, so you should remain aware.
Burglars generally prefer empty properties, often looking for visual clues such as an empty drive and dark homes so any lights, televisions and radios left on are usually off-putting for burglars.
A common tactic employed by homeowners to make the house look occupied, leaving the curtains closed, actually encourages burglars who believe it indicates the occupants are on holiday. If the property is going to be vacant for an extended period, ask a trusted neighbour to open and close curtains, collect milk from the door step, turn lights on and off, and remove unopened post that is visible etc. so that the property continues to look occupied.
Burglars are attracted by the sight of valuables, including car keys. They spot these by simply looking through windows and doors. Householders need to be careful about the type of goods that are on display.
Generally, burglars like to access property from the rear as it offers a safe environment. Having adequate fences and locked gates can make this a less inviting opportunity.
If you make your property more secure, it’s a lot harder for criminals to break in and it’s easier for police to catch them. For more crime prevention advice, go to http://essex.police.uk/be_safe.aspx
We look forward to reading your responses.
