The West Bergholt Gardeners Association have released details of their 2013/2014 meeting programme. This starts with their AGM which is to be held on 16th September. The programme is:
16 September – Thady Barrett – Selecting the right fruit for your garden.
14 October – Eddy Harris – Introduction to cacti and succulents.
18 November – Sally Hepher – Woodland Trust.
09 December – Barry Kaufmann-Wright – Role of Wildlife Crime Officer.
17 February – Eddy Harris – Looking for plants in South Africa.
17 March – Geoff Hodge – Luscious Lawns – Lawn care for perfect lawns.
Don’t miss the final session of The Methodist Church’s family fun activities for young families at their Coffee and Craft mornings on Monday 2nd September. The session (£2.50 per family) in the West Bergholt Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane from 10.30 – 12.00 is targeted towards children, ages 0-11, but please remember bring a parent along, sorry no unaccompanied children.
Starting slowly in it’s first week, the last session was much busier and a happy time was had by all enjoying a wide range of different craft activities with plenty of coffee, squash and cakes for everyone.
The activities vary each week including, such as mosaic coasters, painting, beadwork, fabric painting etc.. and are designed to allow families with differing ages to all be accommodated with age appropriate activity. Look out for posters for further details or contact Susie Connor who started running these sessions near her own home some years ago because she found it so difficult to find a single activity that all ages could enjoy together. Either call her on 07585 457215 or email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
The neighbourhood survey has resulted in around 450 replies representing around a third of all households! The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group have issued the following update:
A Big “Thank you” to all who completed the:
Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire
The West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire which appeared in June’s Bulletin has been enthusiastically supported by residents in the village and wider parish area. Around 450 replies were received with a third being filled in on line via the link in the West Bergholt Website.
A big THANK YOU to all who filled it in; this represents about a third of all households who receive the Bulletin and means that the survey will be a representative sample of the community’s views. A big THANK YOU also to Ash’s, the doctor’s surgery and the Co-op for their willingness to have the collection boxes. The draws for the hamper and the voucher for the youngsters will be made shortly.
All the written comments have been read, and we will endeavour to incorporate them in our final analysis. That will now take place over the next few weeks with the Steering Group members busily collating and reading all responses. Without wanting to give too much away: traffic issues topped the list of concerns as it did with the previous Parish Plan survey.
The area of the Neighbourhood Plan has now also been ratified by the Borough Council. Following the end of the consultation on this matter and a recent Planning Committee, our plan area is now confirmed as corresponding to the existing Parish boundary.
We will keep you informed of the outcome of the questionnaire analysis via future Bulletins but the survey results are likely to be published initially on www.westbergholt.net. We will also endeavour to contact those that showed an interest in joining the Steering Group – but why not check the notice boards and come along to the next advertised meeting.
As ever please feel free to contact Chris Stevenson ([antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] or 01206 241708) or Murray Harlow ([antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] or 01206 240792) on any aspect of the plan and its preparation.
The Methodist Church in West Bergholt are running their annual house to house collection to raise funds for “Action for Children” from 2nd to 14th September. They would be delighted to have some more helpers to do rounds, so they can cover as much of the village as possible. If you can help, even for only a small round, please contact Sylvia Wilks, 76, Mumford Road (01206 242511) as soon as possible.
Action for Children (formerly National Childrens Homes) is a national charity founded over 140 years ago. It is dedicated to supporting and speaking out for the UK’s most vulnerable and neglected children and young people, for as long as it takes to make a difference in their lives… In short they:
work directly with over 250,000 children, young people, parents and carers;
run more than 650 services across the UK; and
tackle issues such as child neglect and abuse.
Their vision is:
For a world where all children and young people have a sense of belonging and are loved and valued. A world where they can break through injustice, deprivation and inequality to fulfil their potential, shape their own destiny and experience the joy of life.
Overview of part of the new plans – see below for full size copies
In response to issues raised by village residents in the Parish Plan of 2009 the Parish Council spent nearly two years consulting various parties before producing last year a Traffic Safety Plan for the village. The plan was endorsed by the Local Highways Panel and formed the basis for the funding for the projects under current consideration.
Early indications from the comments on the returned questionnaires from the whole village for the present Neighbourhood Plan are that the most pressing concerns of residents continue to centre on traffic issues, and in particular speeding and parking. The particular dangers are perceived to be in the areas leading up to the school and the Co-op, both of which provide vital services to the village. Clearly many would support actions to address these dangers.
The Parish Council is now actively pursuing the implementation of this Traffic Safety Plan and is engaged with Essex County Council (ECC) engineers in drawing up plans for safety works in New Church Road. These will inevitably involve some restrictions on the speed of traffic and parking. The Council is committed to ensuring that the measures have a positive impact by meeting the aims of the plan whilst at the same time considering the views of village residents. The intention is to create an environment where parents of older pupils at the school feel safe in allowing their children to walk, or even to cycle, to school unaccompanied thus removing the need to use their car. This clearly does not exist at the moment and to do nothing will not improve safety.
Set out below are the proposed measures for adoption recommended by the Parish Council. Any suggestions for changes will be considered before a final version is submitted to ECC Highways for the portfolio holder’s approval. Once obtained formal notices of the works to be carried out will be published by ECC.
No parking double yellow lines for 15m (the statutory length) at each junction with New Church Road. This will enable enforcement to be carried out by the relevant authorities.
A low level rectangular table at each end of New Church Road. The aim is to check driver speeds and raise awareness of potential pedestrian presence ahead. It is likely that low level lighting will be needed at these points – no specific plans are currently available.
Time restricted parking (single yellow line) for about 20m spanning the footpath from Mumford Close into New Church Road together with minor works to improve the crossing point. This is considered essential at school journey times to give children a clear view down the road.
Time restricted parking from the zig zags for 20m towards Lexden Road. Designed to give a clear view around the dangerous bend in the road.
Improved signage at the junctions of New Church Road with Chapel Road and Lexden Road and of School Lane with Colchester Road.
A composite plan and detailed plans for each of these works are shown below.
In addition to these measures the Parish Council is considering making an application for a 20mph speed limit in New Church Road and School Lane. This application is more likely to succeed if the above measures are implemented first. Please send your comments on the recommendation and the introduction of a 20mph speed limit to the Parish Clerk – Mrs Val Walsom, 17 Armoury Road, or preferably by email to [email protected].
This autumn the WEA will be running a ten-week course on the subject of ‘Coastal Ecology and Conservation’. Being really quite close to some of the most recent experimental approaches of coastal management (see picture right), this course has a real local flavour as well.
Fred Boot is a well-known speaker the local WEA have hoped to hear for some time, and he will give an introduction to:
the different and contrasting areas of coastal East Anglia;
the pre-historic and historical development of the East Anglian coastline;
the current coastal ecology with its rich plant and animal life; and
examining the conservation and management challenges it faces in the immediate and longer-term future.
Fred has an extensive photographic collection of familiar creeks, estuaries, beaches, marshes, towns and ports of East Anglia and the South Coast to illustrate every aspect of this course.
The course starts on Tuesday 24th September at 8.00 pm and is of one and a half hours duration. As usual the venue is the Methodist Church Hall and the cost is £45.30 for the ten weeks. Everyone is welcome and you may attend the first evening before committing to the course.
A previous attendee on this course was obviously enthused by it:
Many thanks go to Fred for sharing his local knowledge and enthusiasm developed over many years as a volunteer, Chairman and Trustee of Essex Wildlife Trust. We now look forward to a field visit to Abbot’s Hall Farm and Abberton Reservoir in July, when Fred will show us some of the coastal features we have discussed first hand, and also some the work being done by Essex Wildlife Trust to conserve our coastline and wildlife for generations to come.
Terri Amory, Little Waltham Branch WEA
For further information ring the local WEA secretary on 01206 240 791 or e-mail: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] Hope to see you there!
The Allotment Holders Committee had applied to Edible Essex, which is a three year project funded by the Big Lottery’s Local Food Scheme and supported by Essex County Council, for some funding for the site, they report in these minutes that:
We have been given a grant of £660 from Edible Essex and a further £300 from Parish Council for the purchase of rotavator from Ernst Does. This will shortly be with us and once village handy man has had hands on – will then let plot holders know details/costs for any rotavating they require.
Sad News
They also had the following sad news to report:
Many longer established plot holders will remember Stan Rideout who was frequently seen digging on the allotments in his wellies, whatever the weather. Stan has spent the last few years in a Nursing Home and recently died just before the age of ninety. All his remaining family have now also passed away. His funeral service is at the Crematorium on Weds 7th Aug at 2.00pm when it is hoped any friends who remember him will be able to attend.
Welcoming
It is apparent form the minutes that the allotments continue to be a welcoming environment in which new plot holders will be well-supported:
Several new plot holders thanked the committee and others plot holders for help/advise etc they have received on the site.
Children are also welcomed to get involved although there is a small caveat:
Children – Are welcome on the site, however they should be supervised at all times by an adult. And ensure they do not go on any other plots, play around water tanks, play ball games or wander around site unsupervised.
As part of works to improve the Orpen Hall Car Park facilities the recycling facilities currently based there will be removed. All recycling containers will be removed as soon as practical and at the latest by 12th August 2013.
As well as the normal recycling collections provided for all village households and businesses by Colchester Borough Council, there are further recycle facilities at the Borough Council’s main Shrub End refuse site.
Colchester Borough & Essex County Councils’ web sites should be used to identify other recycle points that may be closer to the village, the best links to start from are:
The Methodist Church will be providing family fun activities for young families at their Coffee and Craft mornings during the school holidays. The sessions are targeted towards children, ages 0-11, but please remember bring a parent along, sorry no unaccompanied children.
These will take place in the West Bergholt Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane from 10.30 – 12.00 on the following Mondays:
Aug. 5th
Aug. 19th
Sept. 2nd
… and all for just £2-50 per family. The activities will vary each week including, such as mosaic coasters, painting, beadwork, fabric painting etc.. and are designed to allow families with differing ages to all be accommodated with age appropriate activity. Look out for posters for further details or contact Susie Connor who started running these sessions near her own home some years ago because she found it so difficult to find a single activity that all ages could enjoy together. Either call her on 07585 457215 or email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
This weekend sees the 30th Anniversary Historic Vehicle Rally. As well as hundreds of historic vehicles of all descriptions there will also be many trade stands, charity stalls and fun fair not to forget the free country & western concert on Saturday evening (see original post for more details).
Other star attractions include:
The Royal British Legion Band & Corps of Drums, Romford
Royal British Legion Band at the Winter Palace
This band was formed in 1952 by Mr Peter Richardson BEM and is one of the longest running independent youth bands in the UK today. The Band is of a full Military Wind band line up with a Corps of Drums and our uniform is based on Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Band.
The Band is of a very high standard and as a result of that has performed at many top events both in the UK and Europe. They are the most decorated Youth band in the UK with 9 gold medals and 3 silver medals from the World Music Championships.
The Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team
White Helmet’s fire jump at Chatsworth
Perhaps better known as the White Helmets The Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team has been acknowledged as the oldest, best known and most accomplished motorcycle display team in the country, if not the world. The Team formed in 1927 when they performed displays of horsemanship and motorcycling skills. Horses gave way completely to motorcycles in the display in 1937 and in 1963 the Team adopted the world famous name ‘The White Helmets’.
The Team’s 25 riders on classic 750cc Triumph Tiger machines, Honda CRF 450’s and quads provide a fast paced, action packed display. Wearing the full dress uniform of the Royal Signals along with their famous White Helmets the riders will perform a combination of high speed crossovers, spectacular jumps, skilful feats of balance and numerous reverse rides. This exciting display requires a high standard of concentration, discipline and teamwork which demonstrates the courage, skill and versatility of the modern Royal Signals soldier.
The West Bergholt Gardeners Association have released details of their 2013/2014 meeting programme. This starts with their AGM which is to be held on 16th September. The programme is:
