Village News

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Planning & Development Committee – 18th March 2024

Planning imagined by AI in style of Van Gogh

Meeting on 18th March 2024, the Planning & Development Committee reviewed some actions from the February minutes before considering planning applications.

The committee supported 5 (Nayland Road, Garthwood Close, Colchester Road, Fossetts Lane & Pirie Road), objected to 3 (all in Colchester Road) & commented on 2 (Hall Road & Colchester Road).

Read the official minutes below:

Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Meeting held on Monday 18th March 2024 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall

It is the aim of the Parish Council to seek a high standard of design for all new developments and extensions in the Village.

The Parish Council will take into account the Village Design Statement, the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, Government National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and CBC Planning Policies when commenting on individual applications.

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Environment & Highways – 14th March 2024

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 14th March 2024 with topics including:

Hall Road pond after silt clearance
  • Handyman update including:
    • grass cutting,
    • litter picking,
    • play equipment inspection,
    • laying foundations for a shed, and
    • storm damage,
  • Works undertaken by Arches Plant Hire on behalf of the Parish Council at Hall Road Pond and
  • The Practice Goal on the Lorkin Daniell Field.

Environment Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 14th March 2024 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

Members present:Cllrs Katie Pulford (KP), David Short (DS), Manya Barrow (MB) and James Owers (JO)
Also present:Two members of the public
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Election Notice – May 2024

Election Notice for Lexden & Braiswick Ward and the Police Fire & Crime Commissioner for May 2024

Register to vote

In the forthcoming elections on Thursday 2nd May City Council and Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner places will be fought.  You can read all the details, how to nominate, timescales etc… in the Election Notices below.

Don’t forget that you will need approved photo ID to vote on 2nd May.

Downloads

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Winter 2023-4 Photography Competition

Results of the Winter ’24 Photography Competition

Banksy style AI Generated Image Photography competition

Our Winter Themed  Photography Competition for under 18’s and under 12’s, ran from the 5th December 2023 to  the 16th January 2024. This is one of what the Parish Council hopes to establish as regular village events. The competition had a number of themed categories and, although multiple entries could be made, an individual could only win one prize in each category.

We were delighted with the quality of the entries and it made the judging challenging! Fortunately the panel was led by Tony Morris (our local Photographer) who provided expertise supported by Cllrs Butcher and Cullis. Much deliberating took place before the judging was concluded and the winners selected.

Tony said that

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Ditches – Who’s Responsible?

Ditches – A Quick Guide To Responsibilities

The Parish Council has noted there to be quite a lot of interest in Ditches and responsibilities on Social Media. It is hoped that you will find the following of use in understanding this topic.

Q.What is a ditch?
A.A ditch is defined as a man-made feature which has been created in order to drain an area of land. Historically these were normally dug by a landowner at the edge of their field and the spoil deposited on their land, on which hedges grew over time
Q.What are watercourses?
A.Watercourses are natural features which drain the surrounding catchment and normally have some water flowing in it, typically rivers, streams etc.
Q.Who is responsible for the maintenance of watercourses and ditches?
A.It is generally the responsibility of the owners of the land on either bank. This means that they have both rights and responsibilities associated with the ditches, or other watercourses, flowing through or adjacent to their property.
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Something to say about Bus Services?

If you have something to say about Bus Services Travel Essex is waiting to hear from you.

AI generated image depicting Bus Services in the style of Constable

Travel Essex is conducting a survey to better understand public opinion on the bus services in Essex. They  are looking for responses from both bus users and non-bus users.

They are committed to enhancing public transportation services across the region. To achieve this goal they are seeking valuable insights from residents with their opinions and suggestions to improve services in Essex.

The online survey is now online, and will remain so until Sunday, March 17th, 2024. You can access the survey at:

All of the questions are multiple choice.  This survey is completely anonymous but  you will have the option to leave your email address if you would like to an emailed copy of your responses to be sent to you.

If you want to make your point in person, they will also be conducting face-to-face surveys in Osbourne Street, Colchester.

On this website

This website has details of local bus services and other transport-related links here.

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St Mary’s News – The Lambing Edition

Revd. Emma Barr is used to lambing - seen here with one of her lambs
Revd. Emma Barr & Lamb

St Mary’s News – Lambing & Flocks

This Lambing edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Emma Bar’s seasonal message about God’s Beloved Flock and then continues with:

Message from Revd. Emma Barr

God’s Beloved Flock

Spring is making an attack on winter with the now lighter mornings and drawn out evenings, something I always rejoice at as we are in the middle of lambing and it makes it so much easier and cheerier having light.

This year with 103 ewes scanned in lamb we were set for a busy time. It is always a time of waiting and watching, with excitement and anticipation knowing there will be the amazing success stories of lambs being adopted to other mothers and little ones making it against all the odds, but as with all things there are also the sad stories of loss.

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Planning & Development Committee – 19th February 2024

Meeting on 19th February 2024. the Planning & Development Committee discussed, and agreed actions in respect of, CCC’s ‘Call for Sites’ before considering planning applications.

Map of housing & planning - Planning Minutes 19th February 2024

The committee supported 3 applications (Nayland Road, Colchester Road & Bourne Road), objected to one (Colchester Road) and deferred another until the PC meeting (Hall Road). They also discussed possible enforcement action for another property in Colchester Road.

Read the official minutes below:

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Do you have a garden to be proud of?

Collage of exhibits from the 2022 Open Gardens event

If you have a garden to be proud of why not show it off?

    Unfortunately Open Gardens has been cancelled since too few gardens were available. It is hoped that it will now run in 2025. Other events remain listed below.  

It doesn’t matter whether it is small, large, tidy (or even not so tidy), if you are proud of your garden, the Gardeners Association (WBGA) would love to hear from you.

This year their Open Gardens event is taking place on Sunday 9th June. The event is always popular (nearly 1,000 visitors in 2022) & this year, its’ chosen charities are:

WBGA could really do with a few more gardens to show off this year. If you think your garden may be of interest, contact WBGA by email – [email protected] for further information.   June seems a long way off, but WBGA have to get programmes printed in advance so they would love to hear from you as soon as possible.

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Winter Bird Walk & Fungus Foray

The Next Guided Walk at Hillhouse Wood is a Winter Bird Walk

Following the successful Fungus Foray in November (see report and video below) the next Guided Walk is the annual Winter Bird Walk on Saturday 2nd March.

Steve Hallam will lead the winter bird walk in and near Hillhouse Wood, offering a chance to see resident woodland and meadow species and some winter visitors.

Image of Skylark
Skylark seen in 2022
Image of great spotted woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker Seen in 2022

The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. Strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter wet conditions underfoot! To join the walk meet at the Old Church ready to leave at 10 am.

Check other upcoming events here.

Fungus Foray – Ian Rowling Reports

Birch Polypore fungus

The first Fungus Foray for several years took place on 25th November on a crisp, bright ‘n breezy morning. Seventeen took part, hunting down fungi ranging from bellcaps, measuring perhaps a couple of millimetres across their caps, to these birch polypores which are up to 20cm across. They feature in an Alpine tale of a bronze age killing. Among the deceased’s possessions were strips of the very same fungus we were observing 5,000 years later, demonstrating the value he placed upon it. It exposes things which our modern educated minds have largely forgotten, things like:

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