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Songs & Tales from the Countryside

Neil Catchpole

Neil Catchpole who will talk on songs & tales from the countrysideSongs & Tales from the Countryside

Songs & Tales take the place of the Origins of Surnames at the Annual Bernard Colbron Lecture on 13th November next week.  This is because, due to circumstances outside his control, Charlie Haylock is unable to deliver the lecture himself.  Charlie has instead arranged for his friend Neil Catchpole to visit us in his place.

Many Talents

Neil Catchpole last visited the History Group about 15 years ago, he is a man of many talents. He is involved with the Stour Valley Trust, the Dedham Vale Area of Natural Beauty and Clare Country Park and grew up in the area.

Neil comes from a long line of East Anglian countrymen Continue reading “Songs & Tales from the Countryside”

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Glow Night for 11 – 18 Year Olds – 8th November

Glow paint faces

Glow paint facesGlow Night

Glow Night is the Wired Youth Group’s next exciting evening.

Come along to Wired Youth Club, November 8th, 7.45 pm at St Mary’s Church.  You will get to adorn yourself with Glow Paint and then enter our Black Light Room for Glow Games and a Glow Bar. As well as Glow Fun, other attractions include:

  • Darts,
  • Table tennis,
  • Air hockey,
  • Pool,
  • Chill space,
  • Snacks & Chat.

See you there! Jo Jeffery (Families’ Worker)

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Avenue of Remembrance

Avenue of Remembrance

The Colchester Avenue of Remembrance, which opened in June 1933, was the topic for the Local History Group‘s October talk at Orpen Hall.  Their next meeting is the Bernard Colbron Memorial Lecture on 13th November when BBC’s Charlie Haylock will talk on the origins of surnames.

Local historian Liz White shared some interesting & surprising stories about the Avenue as reported by the Group:

Surprise # 1

Liz surprised us when we learnt that the name applies to all four Continue reading “Avenue of Remembrance”

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St Mary’s Building Project

Remembrance poppy

St Mary the Virgin sees change in staff

St Mary’s Building Project

This edition of St Mary’s News reports on the Church’s building project, Christmas and also provides listings of services and contacts.

Prayer Weekend

Praying together is an important part of our life as a church and so we have arranged for a special prayer weekend with three opportunities to meet together to pray for our church and community:

  • Friday 1st Nov: 7.30pm—9pm—prayers by candlelight,
  • Saturday 2nd Nov: 3pm-5pm,
  • Sunday 3rd Nov: 11am-12 noon (after the morning service).

Remembrance

Continue reading “St Mary’s Building Project”

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Chitts Hill Closure for Track Geometry

Chitts Hill closure due to track geometry works Oct 2019

Chitts Hill closure due to track geometry works Oct 2019Chitts Hill Closure for Track Geometry

Network Rail will be undertaking Track Geometry works starting tonight and then again on Wednesday night (30th).  Unusually, specific times are not given although they often start from 11 pm.

The closure is for safety reasons although access will be maintained for emergency services and pedestrians.

The alternative route is via Argents Lane, Spring Lane, Halstead Road, Halstead Road Roundabout, Chitts Hill and vice versa.

Other Roadworks

Continue reading “Chitts Hill Closure for Track Geometry”

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Autumn Fruits in the Rain

Autumn Fruits walk in the rainAutumn Fruits in the Rain

It appears in recent years, that the Autumn Fruits Walk tends to act as a magnet to rain.  This year was no exception.  However, the weather forecast gave plenty of warning and so the 7 participants came prepared.

As for the walk itself, we again saw how the presence, location and abundance of plants vary from year to year. This time there were lots of the Continue reading “Autumn Fruits in the Rain”

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Hotel Transylvania 3 – A Monster Vacation

Hotel Transylvania 3 Poster

Hotel Transylvania 3 – A Monster Vacation at Half Term

The West Bergholt Film Club is showing the Sony Pictures animation Hotel Transylvania 3 – A Monster Vacation on Thursday 31st October.  Taking place in the Orpen Hall, doors open at 2:30 pm for showtime at 3 pm.

Tickets are £5.00, including:

  • hot dog, drink & ice lolly for each child, and
  • hot dog, tea/coffee & biscuit treat for adults!

They are available in advance from Scissorhands, with proceeds going towards a new playground at Orpen field.  Although the film is rated U, children should be accompanied by an adult please.  Being Halloween there is also Continue reading “Hotel Transylvania 3 – A Monster Vacation”