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Local Ceramicist, Julie Pettitt, a graduate of Colchester Institute of Art and Design, is delighted to have been short-listed in a competition recognising those who make hand-made gifts (pictured right are her porcelain cupcakes).
Julies work, in French porcelain slip, is all original to her, even using colours she has developed for herself. Pieces are all designed as unique 'interior accessories' aiming to be not only delightful to look at but also functional.
If you would like to vote for her then please visit the competition organisers' website here. The winner will be announced week commencing 28th April 2008.
If you would like to find out more about her work and studio in West Bergholt then please visit her website at www.juliepettitt.com.
On Thursday 3rd April The River Colne Countryside Officer, Richard Parmee, would like some assistance or support to form a small working party to undertake the planting scheme for the Lexden Road pond. There are about fifty small trees/cuttings to be planted and the work will ideally start at 9.30 to 10.00 am and be completed at the latest by lunchtime. Further work on the Heath may be carried out at a later date in the near future.
The above work will in time contribute to the improved appearance, habitat and biodiversity of these areas. If you or anyone you know might be willing to give up a little time for these worthwhile projects it would be much appreciated.
Find out more about the River Colne Countryside Project here.
The Colne Valley Flower Club welcomed Linda Harman from Ipswich with her return visit to the club. Her demonstration entitled 'Outside In' used flowers bought from supermarkets as her wholesaler had closed down. This did not deter from her colourful and exciting arrangements. On Saturday 5 April Penny Stone is running a workshop in the Scout HQ Lexden Road entitled 'A Basket from the Garden'. For more information contact 01787 228117 / 01206 240262.
Image courtesy of freefoto.com
Colchester and District Model Railway Club are holding an Open Day on Sunday 6 April in the Orpen Memorial Hall from 11am to 4.30pm. There will be displays, layouts and a second hand stall. Admission free, light refreshments available.
Photo courtesy of freefoto.com
The president Joyce Woolhead was delighted to give two new members Pat McSweeney and Mary Fulford a W I welcome pack. Members were thanked for giving toiletries for George Mills to send to the orphanage in Chernigov.
The crossword for 2008 is now available at 75p.
The committee then handed over the meeting to the members. Guest speaker Mrs Avril Taylor
entertained with her talk entitled 'From the Kitchen Sink Upwards'. Her audience later enjoyed her samples of food.
Stall items that were not sold are being donated to the local branch of the Alzheimers Society.
Fresh not frozen cakes for St Helena Hospice can be brought to the April meeting for delivery the following day.
(Photo courtesy of freefoto.com)
Wesley Guild meetings restart from March to September in the Methodist church hall at 7.30pm. On Friday 28 March, Martin Hill will speak about his visit to Kenya.Everyone most welcome.
This Sunday St Mary's church welcomes the Arch-Deacon of Colchester,the Reverend Annette Cooper, who will take the Family Communion service beginning at 9.30am.The Methodist church service starts at 11am led by Mr Phil Bingham. All children are welcome with crèche facilities if required. (Picture courtesy of freefoto.com)
The West Bergholt Concert Band recently announced this to be their 30th Anniversary Year. As reported in the Village Bulletin:
Welcome to the band’s 30th Anniversary! We’ve certainly got an exciting year ahead, with seven concerts of our favourite music at our favourite venues, with musicians from seven local schools joining in with the fun!
We’ve already started the year’s activities, with Training Band leading a number of weekend workshops for local primary schools, which have proven a huge success.We’re then into our first full concert of the year, featuring music from Phantom Of The Opera, Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Big Bands In Concert, Hoe-Down from Rodeo, and, ah-hem, The Stripper. That’s what happens when the band get to request their favourite pieces! Sunday 16th March – 3:00pm – West Cliff Theatre, Clacton (in aid of the Royal British Legion)
After a short break for Easter, we’re then performing another “Instant Concert” with four Colchester secondary schools as a commemoration of the band’s founder Sid Cooper, who taught at those schools. The programme includes music from Sinatra, The Sound Of Music, Gershwin, Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto (Adagio), Joseph, Mars…and Deep Purple (the band’s choice again!).
Saturday 19th April – 7:30pm – St Botolph’s, Colchester (in aid of the Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding)
The rest of the year is equally busy, with our “Summer of ‘78” concerts featuring music linked to the year the band was started, such as Copacabana, Grease, Star Wars, Abba, and Bolero.
Saturday 14th June - 7:30pm - West Cliff Theatre, Clacton (in aid of St Helena Hospice) – with the Sweeting Swing Band.
Saturday 12th July - 7:30pm – St Botolph’s, Colchester (in aid of Essex Air Ambulance (TBC))
As you can see, we’re looking forward to our best (and busiest) ever year, so if you’re after a fun afternoon or evening’s entertainment and a programme of great music…come along to one of the above !
Everything you need to know about the band (including concert details and directions, and how to join us) is on our website (www.wbcb.org), or you can call Graham on 01206 824157. We look forward to seeing you at some of our concerts…and wish you a belated happy new year !
Essex County Council has given notice of its intention to close Newbridge Hill in West Bergholt to all traffic starting on 26 March 2008 for 2 days.
This is to facilitate the replacement of BT poles and cables.
An alternative route is available via B1508 Colchester Road, Braiswick Road, Bergholt Road, North Station Road, Westway, A1333 Colne Bank Avenue, Cybeline Way (Colchester by pass), London Road, Halstead Road, Chitts Hill. Access to property will be maintained during the closure.
Any queries to Area Highway Manager on 01206 838600
This Sunday (16th March) St Mary's church will commemorate Palm Sunday with a 'Procession of Witness' from the Queen's Head pond at 9.30am. led by a donkey. The service in church should begin at about 10am.
The village Gardeners' Association next meeting will take place on Monday 17 March at 7.30pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall, Lexden Road. Rick Vonk from the RSPB will give an illustrated talk on 'Garden Birds'.
Please note the annual plant sale will be a month earlier on Monday 21 April.
Congratulations to West Bergholt Bowls Club member Paul Leech on becoming the Essex County Singles Champion.
Paul will now compete in the Eastern Counties Final in Norfolk and represent Essex at Blackpool in the All England Finals later in the year. This is a first for the village bowls club.
The WEA are running a special early summer course this year and everyone is invited to a series of six lectures on 'Weather and Climate' by an old friend of the WEA, Adrian Wright.
The weather is an enduring topic of conversation and a subject for newscasters. This course aims to look into the topic in greater depth and will include collecting weather data, origins of weather patterns which affect Britain, better understanding of forecasts, and a look at tropical climates.The course starts on Tuesday 1st April at 8.00 pm in the Methodist Hall in Chapel Lane. Standard fee £24 Concessions £20.40.If uncertain whether this is for you, come and sample the first evening for free with no obligation. For further info. ring the WEA Secretary on 01206 240791.
We need your help! The work to create a Parish Plan is entering its final stages, and an action plan containing the most important improvements you have suggested has been assembled. In order to get approval from villagers and to increase your ability to identify with the plan, you are urged at this stage to spend a short time reading through, and commenting on, a number of subject areas in the questionnaire delivered with the Village Bulletin and available online here. Eight areas for development as listed below are identified in the questionnaire and the issues emerging are indicated together with proposed action plans to address them. - Social and Community;
- Environment;
- Public Amenities;
- Shops and Businesses;
- Housing and Planning;
- Community Safety;
- Transport;
- Democracy and Services.
You have until 31st march to complete the survey questionnaire.
Local Ceramicist, Julie Pettitt, a graduate of Colchester Institute of Art and Design, is delighted to have been short-listed in a competition recognising those who make hand-made gifts (pictured right are her porcelain cupcakes). 
