Orpen Players' budding Oscar nominees?

The Players' youth group recently took part in the North Essex Guild one act play festival staged at the Headgate Theatre in Colchester. The play 'Lunch Hour' was written by John Mortimer and directed by Michael Poole. Congratulations go to Ben Maytham who won Best Young Actor and to Holly Snowling who won Best Young Actress.

The Players are also looking forward to a celebration of 40 years of the Orpen Players with a Music Hall showcase on 29th - 31st October. The entertainment will comprise songs (both comic and tragic), sketches and skits, melodrama and monologues in typical music hall style up to and including the Second World War.

It's official - BYG members are enjoying themselves!

At the recent Bergholt Youth Group (BYG) Club meeting on 14th August nearly 40 members enjoyed an old-fashioned Sports Day. This had been organised by Amber, the joint Club Organiser, and supported by Graham and the rest of the team of enthusiastic volunteers.

Six teams exuded energy as they competed in sack, egg and spoon, three legged and wheelbarrow races. The climax was a tug of war contest which showed how skill can be used to overcome brawn. A good time was had by all and it was nice to see parents coming along to add their support. A big thank you goes to Amber for all her hard and painstaking work.

BYG is now well established with good leadership and management but with increasing numbers it is important that the pool of volunteers is increased in order to sustain the fortnightly meetings. More activities are gradually being introduced but new ideas and enthusiasms will be very welcome.

The next Club evening is Friday 28th August from 6.30 to 8.30. In September a new Club Year begins when annual subscriptions of £1 will be due. The Club is open to all young people from Year 6 to Year 11 so an influx from the new seniors at the Primary School is expected.

Local collection buoys up RNLI

The collection around the village for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution raised £1,082.46 for which the organisers would like to thank everyone who took part. Colchester District's total was £9,418.70.

(Pictured West Mersea lifeboat station)

A Russian Journey

The WEA look forward to welcoming you to a series of ten illustrated talks given by Dr. Anat Vernitski on 'A Russian Journey'. It's going to be an introduction to Russia, the land, its people and its culture. We'll be looking at literature, art, music and more in an historical context, with the help of a digital projector.

The course starts on Tuesday 22nd September and the lectures begin at 8.00 p.m. and last 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.

Venue is the Methodist Hall in Chapel Lane. Good news, too - the standard fee has hardly increased from last year and is £43.50 for the ten evenings.

If you are not sure whether this is for you, why not come and sample the first evening for free. Any queries or for more details ring the Secretary on 01206 240791. Hope to see you there!

Women's Institute - August Report

The president Pat Moran welcomed everyone. The following was reported:

• The WI stall at the village fete was well supported and a donation of £50 was given to the school from the proceeds.
  
• Diaries price £3.40 and calendars at £3.25 for 2010 can now be ordered from the treasurer.
  
• One of our members Mrs Barbara Buckley has a photograph in the Essex calendar.
  
• The Autumn County meeting on 15 October will be held at the Civic Hall Blackshots, Grays. A delegate is required.

It was decided that a letter will be sent to our MPs lending our support into research regarding the decline of the bee population.

Members were informed of our coffee morning in the Orpen Memorial hall on 12 September. There will be a large variety of stalls, raffle and a handicraft exhibition.

Octogenarian, Alan Chilvers spoke about his early schooldays in north Essex.

At the September 2nd meeting Sarah Ward will talk about Recycling; the competition is "A Recycled Item".

Friends volunteer recognised at No. 10

Local resident and keen volunteer with the Friends of Hillhouse Wood, David Bull, recently met with Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and other government ministers, along with over a hundred other community volunteers who share a passion about the environment. Read about his day on our website here.