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Village News

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Bergholt Heath YFC – Results Sunday 14th September


Two of the four age groups had their first league matches of the 2008-9 season on Sunday.

  • The U-13s lost at home to Team Player Youth 16-0 in the “C” league;
  • The U-14s also lost, though more narrowly, away to Cornard Dynamos Yellows 2-1, also in the “C” league

Next Sunday 21st sees all four of our teams in action for the first time this season:

  • U-10s are away to Booklands (Weller League West)
  • U-13s are away to Great Bradfords (C league)
  • U-14s are at home to Holland FC – kick off 12 noon on the Poors Field (C league)
  • U-15s are away to Cornard Dynamos (A league)

For full data on the Colchester and District Youth Leagues please visit their website.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Best Kept Village

Best Kept Village in Essex

The following article has been extracted from the Village Bulletin, edition 115, issued September 2008.

West Bergholt can be truly proud of achieving this award from the Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) for villages with a population between 2500 and 5000. In 2007 we received a commendation with Theydon Bois winning the class and Coggeshall taking second place. Clearly in a year our village has moved forward as this time we beat Theydon Bois into second place. The judges recognised this, as in announcing the award, they cited our work on The Parish Plan, the efforts being made to engage with young people and the caring nature of the village. This being exemplified by the First Responder Group, the Care Network and the importance placed on looking after our environment.

Winning this award means we will have a sign to erect beside our own village sign. After some considerable effort the new sign was dug up by two members of The Parish Council and removed from Theydon Bois village green.

Also by winning this award it meant that we were automatically entered into the National Village of the Year competition. Here we were third with Langham being chosen to represent Essex in further competitions.. The criteria for this competition was slightly different and resulted in a group of residents representing the village being interviewed by a panel of judges. I am grateful to those who gave their time to this but in particular Amber Harlow whose efforts on behalf of the young people may well have won us the award.

Now the challenge is to win this competition next year and hopefully the ideas in The Parish Plan will help to achieve this.

Harry Stone

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BYG – Youth getting into action

The Bergholt Youth Group has recently been causing a stir in youth activity in the village with an embryonic Youth Club being formed around now regular visits from the Essex Youth Bus.

BYG now has a chairperson, Amber Harlow, and secretary, Graham Pullen, and with the help of Parish Councillor, Harry Stone, they are now looking into the possibility of establishing a permanent Youth Club.

In order to move forward in the longer term adult volunteers will be required urgently. Training will be provided and Police Checks will need to be carried out.

If you feel you are able to help to provide a much-needed facility for the young people of our village please contact Harry Stone on 241026 or through the Parish Council. An email address has also been set up for contact: [email protected]

Read more about the group and its activities on the village website here.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Art Class in the village

Jennifer Smith, BFA, B.Ed is offering fun art lessons and activities for year 5 and 6 students, at West Bergholt Methodist Hall, on Tuesdays. The first 6 lessons start on 16th September until 21st October) and are between 5-6 pm. The cost of this short course is £35 pounds with all supplies included. Come along and explore painting techniques, collage and craft, with a little groovy art history thrown in!

Phone 01206 368 464 or email [email protected] for more information and to register. Only 10 children per group.

Currently teaching at a middle school in Suffolk, Jenn has 15 years experience in art education in galleries, schools, and museums in Canada and England. She is CRB cleared and fully insured.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Blooming wonderful

The gardening and flower clubs are getting going again after the summer break with meetings planned as follows:

Flower Club
Following the summer break the Colne Valley Flower Club’s meeting is on Wednesday 17 September in the Orpen Hall beginning at 7.30pm. The demonstrator will be Mary Griffiths from Mildenhall whose arrangements are entitled ‘Memories’.

Gardeners Association
The village Gardeners’ Association autumn season begins on Monday 15 September at 7.30pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall, Lexden Road. Margaret Willis, speaker, will be giving a demonstration on Bedding Plants, their history and uses. The AGM follows.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Concert Band ‘Open Rehearsal’

The Band is actively seeking new members and is hosting an Open Rehearsal on Friday 19th September from 6pm. Players of woodwind or brass instruments of all ages and abilities are welcome to join us to get a taste of who we are and what we do and enjoy making music in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The Band has raised thousands of pounds for charity and entertained audiences in venues such as the Westcliff, Clacton and St. Botolph’s, Colchester, playing for the Mayor and other local dignitaries. We have also been working hard with young people through school workshops and concerts to encourage young musicians to develop their skills. Playing in an ensemble builds confidence, sight reading skills and experience and offers the opportunity for budding musicians to share their enjoyment of music making with other like minded people.

Awards for all Lottery Grant
Earlier this year the Band was successful in receiving a grant to support its objective – offering music making for all. The Band actively encourages musicians from all walks of life, young and old, to join together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to make music.

Founded in 1978 by a local peripatetic music teacher the Band has gone from strength to strength raising money for charity and entertaining audiences across North Essex and Suffolk. The Award has been used to purchase new equipment to ensure that the Band can continue to provide musicians in the Colchester area with the opportunity to pursue their amateur and professional musical interests whilst continuing to support local and national charities.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Groundbreakers


Over 60 children of various ages from the village had a wonderful time in St Mary’s church and hall during the summer holidays.

Teams plied their skills in games, drawing, quizzes, bible teaching and crafts. On the last day over a hundred including parents enjoyed the barbecue lunch.

Kate wishes to thank all those that generously gave their time to help with the activities.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Sponsored Bike Ride & Stride


This takes place on Saturday 13 September from 10am to 6pm from St Mary’s Church. Walk or cycle around Essex churches to raise money for your church or chapel and Essex Churches Trust.

Contact 01206 272449 for more information and sponsor forms.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Website reunites emigrant with the village


The editor of the village bulletin has recently been contacted from Australia by an ex-resident of the village, Isabel Wallace (nee Prior) who left the village in 1968 having lived here for 30 years. Isabel now lives in New South Wales some way inland from Sydney (as arrowed in picture) and is looking to re-establish contact with old friends. She was moved to write having read about life in the village on the village website. Read more of her memories, and find out how to contact her, on the on-line version of the Village Bulletin here.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Grand Fireworks Display – 8th November

2008 Fireworks
Tickets are now on sale for the 14th Annual ‘Grand Fireworks Display’ at Heathland Primary School. A significant fund-raiser for the school this event has become increasingly popular with visitors from all around coming to see the action.

Tickets/Programmes are priced £3.00 and can be pre-purchased from local village shops or for £4.00 on the night.  Children under 3 are FREE.
Ticket reservations – telephone 01206-240288
Gates open 5.30pm – Fireworks from 7.00pm
Barbecue and hot drinks available.