Showing posts with label west bergholt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label west bergholt. Show all posts

Thursday, 7 June 2012

Jubilee Beacon Event

Click for slide-show
The culmination of a long weekend celebrating Her Majesty's 60th Anniversary saw West Bergholt become centre stage as it took its place in the global 'beacon relay', an event which started many hours earlier on the far side of the world and culminated just 15-minutes after West Bergholt's Beacon was lit with Her Majesty’s Beacon at 10:30pm on Monday 4th June.

Our open air event took place on Lorkin Daniell Playing field in the heart of the village. The culmination of the celebration was the lighting of its Jubilee Beacon, designed and manufactured by Adrian Leach a village resident. The Beacon was lit by two of our village youths, Amber Harlow and Sam Ryan, who were closely monitored by Cllr John Jowers of Essex County Council (ECC). The theme of the evening was a night of music presented by West Bergholt Concert Band conducted by Graham Wilson.

More than 500 people attended the village celebrations which began with the formal opening of a youth shelter on the playing field which was designed and constructed by another village resident Ian Dickson.  Construction of the shelter was made possible by grants from the Parish Council and ECC and uses a design agreed with the youth of the village.

Clicking on the picture will take you to a slide-show of pictures taken by one of our much applauded volunteers for a great event well run and which bought smiles to so many villagers - the slide-show does run in reverse order ☺.

Sunday, 30 October 2011

Fireworks at West Bergholt 2011

Firework display 2011
We are pleased to announce arrangements for this year’s grand fireworks display, presented at Heathlands Primary School, West Bergholt, on Saturday 5th November.

We have planned a spectacular show with the same award winning display team promising yet again to put on a dazzling spectacle for all the family. We promise a great night out for all, with a top quality entertainment package featuring BBC Essex presenter Steve Scruton.  There is also a wide variety of food and drink, including Hog Roast and real ale, as well as many side show games.

This highly popular event is now in its 19th year and has become a key highlight in the Colchester village calendar, attracting families from a wide area.  It is organised by the Heathlands School Parent Teacher Association and is the main fundraiser for the school, providing essential funds for much-needed equipment.
  • Tickets/Programmes go on sale during October priced £3 pre-purchased or £4 on the night
  • Children under 3 FREE
  • Gates open 5.30pm – Fireworks from 7.00pm
  • Hog Roast, Barbecue and hot drinks available
  • Tickets can be purchased from any of the following:
    • Heathlands School
    • William Bishop Ward School (Great Horkesley)
    • Holy Trinity School (Eight Ash Green)
    • Myland Primary School (Myland)
    • Ash’s Convenience Express (West Bergholt)
    • West Bergholt Post Office
    • Fordham Post Office
    • West Bergholt Pharmacy
    • Scissorhands (West Bergholt)
    • The Treble Tile (West Bergholt)
    • The Bricklayers Arms (North Station)
For press information contact Rachel Young, Chairman of the Heathlands School PTA Fireworks Committee on 01206-240360.

Friday, 30 September 2011

Little Ducks Singing Group

Little Ducks is an established, and very successful music group, who have recently moved to West Bergholt. Sessions take place at St Marys Church Hall and they welcome any parents/carers with pre-school age children to join. They are also very happy to have any older siblings in school holidays for the same price.

The group is based entirely on sharing nursery rhymes, action songs and percussion music. This fun, interactive and very noisy session promotes all areas of learning and hopefully gives parents lots of ideas to carry on the music making at home! As well as having lots of fun, nursery rhymes are great for language development - they have a lot of rhythm which catches the children’s attention and repetition, which is good for speech development. It is important in sessions that the children not only enjoy being part of a lively group but actively participate in the music making and tidying away. The group's aim is to get all the parents and children, no matter how small, moving to the beat and playing with simple musical instruments and colourful finger puppets.

Research shows that children who are actively involved in music (who play or sing it regularly) do better in reading and maths when they start school and are better able to focus and control their bodies, play better with others and have higher self esteem. These are really important influences when Little Ducks structure and rework the group which happens every term. They are always looking to add new material to their session and like to involve children and parents in this process as it is a group for all ages! It is also really important that children are able to add their favourite songs and really get involved in the group.

The group will run for an hour and spends around 40 minutes on different musical activities. These involve finger puppets, musical instruments, beanbags, dancing and other rhythmical activities. They have found at their existing group that the children love the variety on offer with something for everyone. They finish the session with drinks and snacks and a time for friendships to be formed and old ones to be strengthened.

Running every Friday morning from 10.30-11.30am, the cost is £3 per family. This price includes a healthy yummy snack and drink for the children and a cuppa for the parents/carers. Little Ducks try to run through all school holidays where we are able to use the hall facilities but this is always subject to change. It is always lovely to welcome new faces so if you fancy a morning of lively, energetic, fun they would love to welcome any new faces who fancy giving Little Ducks a try.

For further details please contact Little Ducks directly - Kirsty Rush 07775 427 422 and Cathy Doyle 07795 084 328

Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Have you seen a Blue Owl?

If not, keep your eyes peeled because 3rd September sees a new shop opening in the village.   Supplying childrens clothes as well as gifts, children's books and quality cards and wrap 'Blue Owl' is located at 10a Colchester Road.  To find out more about Blue Owl and their special opening offer, visit their website at www.blue-owl.co.uk.

Friday, 17 June 2011

Ebullient & exuberant gardens

Ebullient and Exuberant – aptly described the Old Vicarage Gardens, East Ruston when 52 members and guests visited this week. As we left one beautiful ‘themed’ garden we were enticed into the next. We felt we had travelled many continents seeing Echium pininana from the Canary Islands; Eschonaria yuccoides from Mexico; agaves, aloes, puyas and cacti in the Arizona ‘Desert Wash’; native cordylines and phormiums in the New Zealand garden and a South African flavour in the Exotic section.

Aeoniums and succulents in
the North Garden
Feeling more at home, we ambled through areas of woodland; adored the fragrances in the rose garden; admired with envy, ʽmega’ sized lettuces in the highly productive vegetable patch. A walk into a meadow of cornflowers threw out a blue haze whilst in the wildflower meadow hardy geraniums and other herbaceous plants competed with the grass. And this is just a brief description of all we sampled and enjoyed.

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon – will be our next outing on the evening of Tuesday 5 July. The three acres of riverside gardens are set in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

For details on our meetings and outings contact Valerie Lofthouse, Chair: tel. 01206 855450 - valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk or Terry Claydon, Treasurer: tel. 01206 242124 - terryclaydon@aol.com.


Friday, 27 May 2011

Q: When is a MUGA not a MUGA?

A: When it is an all-weather sports area managed by West Bergholt Sports Club.
The village games area situated on the Lorkin Daniell field is now managed by the Parish Council who, in an innovative agreement, have arranged for the Co-op store to hold the bookings diary.  To find out more about West Bergholt Sports Club visit their page on the village website. 

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Village Design Statement

The final draft of the Village Design Statement (as submitted for approval) is now on-line for those wanting to review it before the Annual Parish Meeting on 25th May. Once adopted, this document will be used to guide decisions on planning and developments within the Parish boundaries.

Have your say…

... at the Annual Parish Meeting on 27th May at 7pm and have a chance of a free pleasure flight for two into the bargain!

This meeting gives you a chance for informal discussion with your parish councillors, to be updated on the village design statement, find out more about local broadband and learn more about the new MUGA management all in a convivial atmosphere with light refreshments being served.

The meeting takes place in the John Lampon Hall adjacent to Orpen Hall.

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Do you care?

If so why not join the west Bergholt Care Network at their AGM?  The AGM will be held at the Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday 12th April, 2011 at 7.30 pm.  All volunteers and prospective volunteers are very welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served on arrival. The short business meeting will be followed by an opportunity to ask any questions or find out more about how the Care Network operates.

We are always in need of more volunteers! If you know anybody that might be interested, the commitment can be as much or as little as you choose, please get in touch with the Chairman, Harry Stone, 241026.

Tuesday, 18 January 2011

¿Habla usted inglés?


Jenny is pleased to introduce Spanish Lessons to West Bergholt.  Spanish is a language spoken not just in Spain but in most south American countries and the Caribbean islands including Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. This language shares a lot of the Italian and Portuguese vocabulary and is listed as one of the five most spoken languages in the world.

Full lessons

Designed for those with a basic understanding. Covering Grammar, vocabulary, phrases and conversation. Practised in a relaxed and friendly group environment.

Mondays 7.30-8.30 pm at St Mary’s the virgin church hall West Bergholt, from 31st January 2011. £4.00 p/p

Speaking and Listening

If you’ve had lessons or spoken Spanish before and are looking to refresh your knowledge or improve your confidence join us for a speaking and listening lesson. Informal and fun, a great way to meet new friends and brush up your skills before that holiday or business trip.

The first and last Thursday of the month 7.00-8.00 pm at St Mary’s the virgin, church hall West Bergholt, Colchester, from 3rd February 2011. £4.00 p/p

Also available

Private lessons, Translations, Interpretations, Staff training and all main subjects related to the Spanish language.

Call Jenny on 07726280882 or e mail jeniyjaz@hotmail.com


Saturday, 4 December 2010

Village Bulletin Online


This quarterly publication is now available to read online along with many archive copies. Find out more about what First Responders have been up to, how residents can benefit from faster broadband and much more of local interest. Click on the following link www.westbergholt.net/village_bulletin.htm.

Friday, 19 November 2010

Chitts Hill - Emergency Closure

Essex Council have announced the emergency closure of Chitts Hill for approximately 100m either side of the level crossing in order to repair faulty high voltage cables. Works are expected to last up to 4 days and so the road may not be reopened until Tuesday/Wednesday 23rd/24th November. The picture shows the location of closure and alternative route via Eight Ash Green (click for larger picture).

Advance notice closures are normally announced on the village website at http://www.westbergholt.net/road_closures.htm

Friday, 12 November 2010

Not all Pharaohs & Slaves

The WEA's Spring course tells a different story about Ancient Egytpt to the one we think we know. Frances Boardman, the course presenter writes:

"Ancient Egypt could not have flourished without the people who farmed, fished and built all those monuments. Meet some of these ordinary men and women as well as kings and queens."

The course takes the form of a series of illustrated talks starting on Tuesday 11 January 2011 at 8.00 p.m. and runs for eight weeks, instead of the usual ten, due to other commitments of the tutor. The plus side to this is that the course fee is only £35.00. The talks last for an hour and a half, with a coffee break in the middle, when there is a chance to look at and borrow books on the subject.

We meet in the Methodist Hall in Chapel Lane CO6 3EF.

If you are not sure whether this is for you, why not come along and sample the first evening for free? For more details, or queries, ring the Secretary on 01206 240791.

Hope to see you there!




Thursday, 11 November 2010

Autumn clean?


St Mary's Church is holding its Autumn churchyard clear-up on Saturday 27th November starting at 9am. A great opportunity for volunteers to come along, with rakes and gardening gloves please, to help tidy up.

Heathlands School Special


Sunday 21st sees a special Family Service at St Mary's Church welcoming children from Heathlands School. The service starts at 9:30am if you would like to join them.

Tuesday, 28 September 2010

So where is ratty?

... seemingly alive and well on the River Colne!

West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association members shared the passion of Darren Tansley, Essex Wildlife Trust, in ‘The Search for Ratty’ when they learnt about his project on water vole restoration to the stretch of the River Colne between West Bergholt and Chappel. Darren’s presentation was followed by the Annual General Meeting when eight committee members were elected. This was the first meeting of the 2010-2011 programme of speakers and activities.

A day outing to East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden, Norfolk has been planned for 15 June 2011, stopping off on route at Taverham Garden Centre. Members and non-members were urged to book early so as not to be disappointed. Further information obtainable from the Treasurer at terryclaydon@aol.com


Mike Logan-Wood, Leader of the RSPB Chelmsford and Central Essex Group, will be addressing members at the next meeting on 18 October at 7.30 in the Orpen Hall. He will present on ‘Secret Lives of Garden Birds’. Visitors are also very welcome to attend.

Joining our organisation is easy and inexpensive. Membership subscription is value for money at only £8 per year. The Chair, Valerie Lofthouse, can be reached on 01206 855450 or valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk for details on the Gardeners’ Association.


Tuesday, 31 August 2010

West Bergholt 1 2 3

No relation to Chelmsford 1 2 3, the September edition of the Village Bulletin is now available online to read at http://www.westbergholt.net/village_bulletin.htm. Check it out to find out more about events, activities, people and everything else that makes our village tick.

Friday, 27 August 2010

Record collection...


The RNLI has benefited to the tune of £1,149.37 following the recent house-to-house collection undertaken in the village. This is the largest sum ever collected from the village and thanks are given to all those who donated so generously.

Friday, 23 July 2010

Baby Signing comes to West Bergholt


Deborah Taylor, a level 2 qualified British Sign Language instructor, has started classes in the Scout Hut in Lexden Road on Friday mornings. TinyTalk helps parents communicate with their babies months earlier than is achievable with spoken language. To find out more visit the West Bergholt website's education page.

Tuesday, 20 July 2010

¿Habla usted inglés?

Spanish Lessons for adults are now available in West Bergholt. Classes are informal and friendly and aim to get you communicating in spanish.

You will learn the basics required to speak and understand in every day situations, such as key words and phrases, greeting people, shopping, ordering drinks and snacks, numbers, prices and simple directions.

Come and join us to get a flavour of the language from Monday 2nd August to Monday 6th September at St Mary's the Virgin (Church hall), West Bergholt, at 7:30. Only £3.99p per person.

Call now to book your place on 01206 247196, 07726280882 or e-mail: jeniyjaz@hotmail.com

Book before 26th July and get your first lesson for just £1.99

HASTA LA VISTA!