Community, Parish Council & Village
History Everywhere – 20th OctoberDo you enjoy walking in the countryside? Did you wonder about particular features that you see around you? Is it Saxon or Roman? Or perhaps why a town looks and feels the way it does? If so, this one-day course, led by Nicholas James, is definitely for you.
Britain’s history lies in its familiar geographies. Town and country have been shaped by Continue reading “History Everywhere”
Farm, Food & People“Farm, Food & People” is Stuart Gough’s topic at the next Gardeners’ Association meeting on 15th October. Stuart is from The Oak Tree Low Carbon Farm which is a Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) Scheme. CSAs bring farms and local communities closer together to provide mutual benefits and reconnect people to the land where their food is grown. Continue reading “Farm, Food & People”
Do You Know Your Colchester Bus Stops?Well, that’s about to change as Bus Stops in Colchester Town Centre are set for a shake-up.
Essex has been working in partnership with CBC and bus operators to make changes to bus stops around Colchester. Key improvements will include bus service Continue reading “Do You Know Your Colchester Bus Stops?”
County Maps of Essex – 1576 – 1805County Maps of Essex was the topic of discussion at the Local History Group’s last meeting on 12th September. An audience of 40 members and visitors heard speaker Peter Walker introduce his specialist subject. It soon became clear that our County was one of the most mapped counties in England. Peter started with one produced by Continue reading “County Maps of Essex – 1576 – 1805”
Secondary Cause of DeathFor various reasons over the last three years Orpen Players have been unable to put on an Autumn Production, so they are very pleased that are able to this year. Colin Downer has stepped into the director’s shoes and put together a cast of regular and new members to present “Secondary Cause of Death” by Peter Gordon. This is the second in a trilogy of plays built around the hilarious investigations of Inspector Pratt. Continue reading “Secondary Cause of Death”
St Mary’s Update – 1st October 2018St Mary’s Church update for 1st October provides listings of services and other events and news. This update includes IGNITE! Youth Service, changes to the Good News Magazine, Christmas Shoe Box Appeal & more.
IGNITE! Youth ServiceSt Mary’s youth group, Wired, together with young people from the Langham and Boxted churches, will be leading a celebration of lively and informal worship and interactive activities Continue reading “St Mary’s Update – 1st October 2018”
TLC for Queen’s Head PondFollowing the hot summer, it is apparent that the Queen’s Head Pond has suffered greatly and is need of some TLC. The water level has dropped substantially and the pond has become stagnant and de-oxygenated. The level of silt and mud in the pond has also risen to unacceptable, potentially hazardous, levels. Possibly as a consequence, the area has also seen a sharp rise in rodent infestation. All of this is causing a general health Continue reading “TLC for Queen’s Head Pond”
War Memorial protected from the elementsA couple of years ago Gill Poole (of the West Bergholt Local History Group) approached the Parish Council. She raised concerns that the tiled war memorial, dedicated to the brewery workers who served in WW1, was becoming weather damaged.
Originally installed inside the Truman Building, the Essex Chronicle reported the original unveiling on 10th September, 1920 as follows:
Fine War Record
A handsome memorial tablet to the employees of Messrs. Daniell and Sons Breweries Ltd., who served in the war was unveiled at West Bergholt Brewery on Monday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering. No less than sixty-six names are inscribed on the tablet out of a total of about one hundred employees who rallied round the colours when the call came, practically every available man of military age and fitness going into the Forces. Fortunately, most of the men returned; nine gave their lives and several others were badly wounded.
The tablet is erected on the wall just inside the main gates of the brewery. Mr. W. Gurney Benham, Chairman of the company, presided, and Mr. T. B. Daniell, a former chairman, unveiled the tablet, which in addition to the names recorded bears the following inscription:-
“TO THE HONOUR OF THE MEN FROM DANIELL AND SONS’ BREWERIES, WEST BERGHOLT AND COLCHESTER, WHO SERVED IN THE BRITISH FORCES IN THE GREAT EUROPEAN WAR 1914 – 1919.
‘AND THEIRS WERE DEEDS THAT SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, AND NAMES THAT MUST NOT WITHER.’ ”
Developers moved the tiled memorial outside onto the side of a peaceful walled garden when they transformed the site from brewery to housing. The tiles then started to deteriorate having never originally been intended for outside display.
So the Parish Council had the idea to cover the memorial with a weatherproof clear display cabinet. The project, which was led by Parish Cllr Brian Butcher, has taken 18 months to come to fruition and was only possible with a contribution & permission from Boydens Estate Agents, who are the management agents of the site. The cover and installation costs came to a total of £2,064.65 with a generous donation from Boydens (Colchester) of £500, £75 from G & O Investments (freeholders) and with the Parish Council paying the remaining sum.
The weatherproof oak cover looks great and is a poignant memorial to the workers of the Brewery who served in the First World War, in this commemorative year.
Pictured at the unveiling are:
Picture courtesy of Tony Morris.
Also reported in Gazette News.
The Premises & Recreation Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 3rd September when, among other items, they discussed storage, MUGA, roofing, new CCTV, rubbish bins, village fete, online hall bookings, Village Bulletin, hire rates & the Lorkin Daniell field.
Continue reading “Premises & Recreation – 3rd September 2018”
The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 6th September and discussed Ponds & Duck House, proposed new bus stop at Maltings, bollards on the Heath, an outdoor gym and centenary remembrance.
Continue reading “Environment & Highways – 6th September 2018”