Community, Parish Council & Village
The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 13th July and discussed a range of issues including handymen & equipment, allotments bonfire, results of village tree survey, heather and bus schedule.
Unauthorised Encampments in and around the villageMany of you will be aware of the problem of unauthorised traveller encampments springing up around the Colchester area lately. Specifically the issues on the field by Manor Road, West Bergholt on Wednesday night and the recent encampment at Eight Ash Green.
The process and powers under which illegal encampments can be removed can be Continue reading “Unauthorised Encampments in and around the village”
Perspectives of Pakistan – 1847 to Malala YousafzaiLed by Graham Platts, Perspectives of Pakistan is title of the next course being run by the WEA.
Pakistan is both an old and a new country. Its people are hospitable yet sometimes wary of outsiders. The course explores some fascinating contradictions of this little understood nation. This included its place in a very diverse region and the historic cultural influences of its neighbours on north-west India.
The arrival of the British brought new changes; we can see this in microcosm through the history of a school between 1847 and the present day. We follow the process of India’s Partition – the events that led to it and the circumstances in which it came about – before reviewing Pakistan’s progress in the aftermath.
The course considers the achievements of some artists (men and women) and those involved in sports; this will be followed by the story of Malala Yousafzai who has gained international recognition through her campaigning for girls’ education. Finally, we ask what it is like to live and work in Pakistan in the 21st century, arriving at some humorous as well as more challenging conclusions.
Graham is a former school Principal who worked in Oman and Pakistan (2000-2011), now retired and living in Ipswich. He has had happy encounters with WEA branches in Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk; he hopes to visit others in the future. Graham is interested the development of the English language, Medieval English literature (especially Chaucer), and The Sultanate of Oman.
Working with adults is fun! It is good for both tutor and student to open up to some new learning experiences outside our working lives and indulge our curiosity about the world and human achievements. As well as being a keen reader and researcher, I enjoy music and sing in local choirs.
The course runs for 9 weeks starting at 8pm on Tuesday 19th September in the Methodist Hall. The charge for the course is £48.60, you can enrol now online at wea.org.uk (course reference C2224461) or by calling 0300 303 3464 Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm. If you decide the course isn’t for you, the WEA will reimburse you.
To find out more you can also contact the local WEA contact, Gill Poole on 01206 240512 or by email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
The Premises & Recreation Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 3rd July when, among other items, they discussed use of Poors Field, health & safety matters, fireworks, food vans at Orpen Hall, Orpen Players, repairs & maintenance.
Silver Sunday – Sunday 23rd July at 3pmFor the older members of our community. Particularly if you are elderly, living alone and have no family and/or friends living nearby, this could be for you. You are warmly invited to Afternoon Tea with folk in a similar situation to yourself. The tea will be in the Methodist Church Hall. If wanted, transport will pick you up from your home, bring you to the tea and return you home afterwards.
Please contact Judith Fletcher 241969 or Andrew Wilks 242511 if you, a neighbour or someone else you know, would like to come or need transport.
The invitation has been issued by the West Bergholt Methodist Church who have said:
There has been much publicity that the proportion of our population that are elderly is increasing. Also that there is a significant proportion of elderly people who live alone and can be lonely and become isolated. A charitable trust has set up “Silver Sunday” in trying to raise this issue and try to take steps to address it (www.silversunday.org.uk). We became aware of this and felt we as a Church would like to respond.
As a follow-up to the popular events we have already held this year we are holding another simple afternoon tea on Sunday July 23rd at 3.00pm and inviting folk to attend.
We recognise that it could be quite difficult to reach elderly, lonely isolated people and encourage them to come to such an event. We are contacting as many relevant organisations with contacts in the village as possible to seek support with this and are encouraging them to let us know of anyone they feel could be invited.
While it is likely that many of our target audience will not have access to the web it is possible that we might reach some this way or at least neighbours who may know someone to invite.
Coffee & Craft MorningsWest Bergholt Methodists are holding two of their popular Coffee and Craft mornings for young families this Summer. They take place on Monday July 31 and Monday August 14, both from 10.30 to 12.00. They promise fun activities for families for just £2.50 per family.
These will take place in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane, CO6 3EF. ALL ARE WELCOME but, sorry, we are unable to accept unaccompanied children.
For more details please contact Andrew Wilks on 242511.
Home Boot Sale – Plan Your TrailIn support of Tom Bowdidge Foundation and Heathlands PTA, the Home Boot Sale takes place THIS SUNDAY (16th July) between 10am – 3pm. With over 40 homes already signed up you can use the map to plan your trail around the village. The Map and streets taking part are shown below.
West Bergholt residents will be selling their ‘boot sale’ items outside their homes on drives, come and grab a bargain and enjoy the trail around our village. You could make a day of it, the village has 3 lovely pubs and village shops for refreshment. Maps are available to download (below) or they will be available from 76, 80, 81 Chapel Road on the day, also on posters around the village.
All welcome, walk, cycle or drive our trail!
Organised by Heathlands mums in Chapel Road: Susan Hollock no. 81, Laura Walkingshaw no. 80, Eve Quinn
no. 76, and Vicky Beckwith-Cole, Orpen Hall, Lexden Road. The Tom Bowdidge Foundation is a charity registered in England & Wales 1156553.
St Mary’s Church update for 7th July provides listings of services, bible readings and other events and news such as Senior Citizen’s lunch, Treasure Hunt and a Course in Christian Studies.
Don’t forget, the church is now open on weekdays if you would like a quiet space to reflect or say a prayer for someone.
Family Treasure HuntThis takes place on Saturday Continue reading “St Mary’s Update – 7th July 2017”
The West Bergholt Concert Band are heading to Tiptree next Saturday (15th July) where their theme is a Centenary of Music. Taking place in St Lukes Church the event is in support of the Friends of St Lukes who are raising money for repairs to the church extension. Continue reading “A Centenary of Music in Tiptree – Concert Band”
You’ve Kept the Bell Ringing – Target Reached!The Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are delighted to announce the success of their Keep the Bell Ringing Appeal. The initial target of £10,000, required to trigger the various grants needed for the Church restoration, has been achieved in the incredibly short time of 8 months. This is down to the hard work of the Events team lead by Jane Lloyd but even more to the generosity and goodwill of the community of West Bergholt who have wholeheartedly supported the appeal. We have seen great Continue reading “You’ve Kept the Bell Ringing – Target Reached!”
French for Fun ExpandingTwo years ago Rachel Brown introduced French for Fun classes for adults to the village. These have been going so well that Rachel is now expanding and is offering 3 new sessions each week starting from 19th September; subject to demand she may also be able to offer an Advanced Class.
Were you put off at school but wonder if you could still manage to speak French, wanting to go to France and not need to keep referring to a phrase book (or Google translate), perhaps you want to do business with a French company or just want to see if you can – well local resident Rachel Brown is expanding her French for Fun language classes for adults in September so you can now put dates in your diary.
Rachel fell in love with French aged 11 and is passionate about the language. She took a degree in French and Business and has had a 30 year international banking career. This has seen her working with businesses of all types in the UK, France and Belgium. She promises that the classes will be fun and informal with no homework or exams. They will be structured to make sure progress is made, using tried and tested “Language for Fun” methods and materials.
The classes, which cost £130 per person per 10-week term (including all materials & refreshments), will all be held in the village.
To find out more you can call Rachel on 07772 918097, contact contact her by email, [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] or visit the Language for Fun website.