Allotment Tips

Gardeners and farmers are never satisfied with the weather. Despite some long dry spells early in the season and then a wet period, it has been a good productive season for most of us at the allotments. The weeds seem to have been harder to control than ever but amongst them all everything from potatoes to cabbages and courgettes have cropped well. With all but the winter vegetables left to harvest plot holders can begin to turn their minds to next season. The manure has arrived and digging can begin.

Tips for the winter months:

• Begin to lift leeks as required and store carrots in peat or sand.
• Remove weeds such as the deadly nightshade before they drop their seeds but others such as chickweed can be dug in deeply.
• Broad beans can be sown in late autumn for an early crop, but might need some protection, otherwise sow again in February.
  
• Plant shallots on the shortest day and then harvest them on the longest day.
  
• Prune autumn raspberries and reduce the dead wood in black currant bushes by about a third.
  
• Plan for next year, using a three year rotation if possible. Peruse the catalogues and order seeds and potatoes.

A good internet link for further advice can be found at http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden_month/garden_october.php

Allotment Holders Site Committee

Bergholt Heath YFC Results 24th October and Fixtures

The under 8s had another disappointing day away to Halstead, and didn't score any goals for the second match running.

The under 12s drew 1-1 at home to Bures. In what was a typical "game of 2 halves", in the first half Bures took the lead with a long range shot that dropped into the roof of the net - whilst many of the Bergholt boys looked like they were still to wake up. In the second half Bergholt played much better and carried the game to Bures, equalising through Gianni Sabini. Unfortunately despite pressing they could not force the winner. The Bergholt Heath 'man of the match' was Gianni Sabini.

Our under 13 side also played at home, losing to Colchester Athletic 5-2. Cameron Siedlecky and Callum Sells scoring the two Bergholt Heath goals.

The under 15s game was postponed a while ago due to injuries and known absences with half term holidays.

Our under 16 team completed the 3 home games on the Poors field but also lost, 2-1, at home to Feering Falcons. Jack Gatland scoring the Bergholt Heath goal.

Finally our under 18 side, looking stronger with some recent signings, won away 5-2 at Clacton Community. Dean Bennell scored a hat-trick with Leo Reid and Jacob Hill adding the others.

Next weeks fixtures:

Clare Town Lions Vs Under 8s
Cornard Dynamos Blues Vs Under 12s
Stanway Villa Vs Under 13s
The under 15 match is postponed
AFC Sudbury Vs Under 16s
Under 18s Vs Feering Falcon Reds

Spooky Players

... The Orpen Players next performances are targeted squarely at the Halloween season with a production of "The Ghost Train" by Arnold Ridley (of Dad's Army fame) running at 8pm on 28th - 30th October.

The plot revolves around a party of passengers who find themselves stranded in the waiting room of an isolated station. The station master tries to get them to leave citing the local legend of a ghost train that dooms all who see it to death.

Cast details etc... at http://www.orpenplayers.co.uk/

Bangers at Heathlands

... with a BBQ and Firework Display. Heathlands Primary School PTA is holding its 18th fireworks on Saturday November 6th in the school grounds.

Tickets/programmes are now available from local shops priced £3 pre-purchased or will cost £4 on the night. Children under 3 free. Ticket reservation 01206 240288.

Gates open 5.30pm, fireworks 7pm. Barbecue and hot drinks available.

Flower Club Update

Vice-chairman, Pat Sharman welcomed members and visitors. There are still two diaries for sale at £4.60 each. As the planned demonstrator was unavailable Jan and Ken Law from Chigwell stepped in with their title My Fair Lady and Gent. Both demonstrated and the appropriate music from the show accompanied the arrangements.

Wednesday 17 November is an open meeting and tickets are for sale £5 members, £7 non-members. Contact Jayne on 01376 564135 to reserve. Lee Berrill from Earls Barton in Northamptonshire will base the demonstration on Winter Wonderland. Light refreshments and mulled wine will be served. There is no meeting in December.

Join a fungus foray

... through Hillhouse Wood on Thursday 4th November.

Meeting at the Old Church at 10am Ian Rose will be leading the ever popular fungus foray, seeing some of the 60-70 species in the wood. You will need to be dressed appropriately for walking in the wood — sturdy shoes are a must as the paths can be wet!

Organised by The Friends of Hillhouse Wood in conjunction with the Woodland Trust this event will run 'weather permitting'.

Is ‘Jenny Wren’ visiting your garden?

... was one of the questions members were asked at the October meeting of the West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association. Mike Logan-Wood, RSPB Lead for Chelmsford and Central Essex told his audience that UK’s shortest bird’s scientific name means ‘cave dweller’. Although difficult to attract to bird tables, the wren can be seen in the garden foraging in or close to cover. They are more insectivorous than most other garden birds.

The speaker entertained members with his amusing and informative account, illustrated with slides, on the ‘secret lives of garden birds’ including the robin, sparrow, starling, blackbird, song thrush and dunnock.

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. Cost £18.50 for coach and entry. 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

Ian Rose will be addressing members at the next meeting on 15 November at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall. He will present on ‘Fungi – edible and otherwise’, Visitors are also very welcome to attend; entry £3.

A ‘fungi forage’ in Hillhouse Wood led by Ian Rose, will take place on 4 November. This is organised by the Friends of Hillhouse Wood. For further information daviddb@virgin.net or 01206 241684.

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.

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results 17th October & Fixtures

Our Under 8s team came down to earth with a bump at home against Gt Bradfords and didn't manage to score any goals. They were up against a very good Gt Bradfords team.

The Under 12s battled hard to get a 2-2 draw away to Heybridge in a good physical contest, which was probably a fair result. The Bergholt Heath goals were scored by Aaron Marley and Jake Adams and our 'man of the match' was Antonio Sabini.

Our Under 13s side had a break from league action by playing in round 2 of the Essex Cordell Cup competition. At home to St Claires 'B' from Dagenham they won comfortably 3-0. The Bergholt scorers were Danny Crouchman, Fawaz Oleyboo and Callum Sells. It's good to see Bergholt Heath represented in the 3rd round of an "whole of Essex" competition.

The Under 15s are still struggling to field a full team and lost this weekend away to Brightlingsea Regents 17-0, but with only 7 players. Despite being very short of numbers, the team did not drop their heads and actually conceded less goals in the second half than they did in the first half - so their fitness must be good!

The Under 16 team lost a close match away to Colchester Athletic 4-3. The manager was much happier this week than in recent games and by all accounts we should have won the game - all 4 of the Colchester Athletic goals being somewhat fortunate whereas the Bergholt goals were all from good team play. Alex Bartlett scored all three of the Bergholt Heath goals.

Finally our Under 18s lost 10-1 away against a very strong Feering Falcon Blues side. Tom Foster scored the Bergholt goal on his debut.

Next weekends fixtures - 24th October:

Halstead Vs Under 8s
Under 12s Vs Bures United KO 10am
Under 13s Vs Colchester Athletic KO 12 noon
The Under 15s match at home to Arlesford Reds has been postponed as we cannot field a team due to injuries and holidays
Under 16s Vs Feering Falcons KO 2pm
Clacton Community Vs Under 18s

Dirty car?

... then come along to Orpen Hall car park, 9am - noon, Saturday 16h October, and help Bergholt Heath YFC raise funds for a memorial in the village to the club's former chairman Peter Redhead who sadly died this summer. All age groups from under-8 to under-18 will be taking part and will be pleased to receive donations in exchange for cleaning your car.

Best of British and a Christmas Special

These are the themes of two upcoming concerts being given by the West Bergholt Concert Band. The Best of British concert, in aid of Colchester Garrison Riding for the Disabled features a wide range of British Classics from Colonel Bogey March to Bohemian Rhapsody. Tickets will be available on the door at St Botolphs Church, Colchester, on 20th November at £6 adults, £4 concessions and starts at 7:30pm.

Their Christmas Concert at St Mary the Virgin, West Bergholt takes place on 11th December at 7:30pm with tickets priced at £6 adults, £5 concessions, and will feature many Christmas Classics including The Bells of Christmas, Happy Holidays/White Christmas, Mary's Boy Child and many more.

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results 10th October & Fixtures

The under 8's played a very entertaining game at home against Bures. Richard Frost scored the pick of Bergholt's 3 goals with a shot from the edge of the area into the top corner of the net.

The under 12s gained revenge for their poor performance and result at home to Coggeshall last week, winning the reverse fixture away 6-1. After trailing 1-0 at half time with another inept half, stern words from the manager seemed to do the trick and after "watching the game on TV" as one parent put it at half time, they worked harder to win the ball, got their passing going, and ran out comfortable winners. Bergholt Heath's goals were scored by: Antonio Sabini x 2, James Holden x 2, Gianni Sabini and Jamie Bowden. The Bergholt Heath 'man of the match' was Matthew James.

Our under 13 team did not have a match scheduled this weekend.

The under 15s scored their first goal of the season, by George Lowe, but unfortunately still lost away to St Edmunds 11-1. However due to continued absences through injury, they only fielded the minimum 8 players.

Our under 16s team also lost away, to Brightlingsea 3-1 despite having taken the lead. Joshua Claydon scored yet another goal for Bergholt.

The under 18s were beaten at home by Gt Bradfords 6-0. Nothing more to say about that one.

Fixtures for Sunday 17th October:
U8 v Gt Bradfords KO 10.30
Heybridge v U12
U13 v St Clares 'B' KO 10 (Essex Cordell Cup)
Brightlingsea V U15
Colchester Athletic v U16
Feering Falcons Blues v U18

Women's Institute - October Report

The upcoming 90th anniversary & Wilkin's of Tiptree were key topics for the October meeting.

Pat Moran, president, welcomed members and visitors. The federation sport's quiz will be for sale next month. A secretary for 2011 has to be found by the annual meeting next month when the WI Adviser, Val Stone attends. Next year is our 90th birthday and a luncheon has been arranged in February 2011 at the Balkerne Rooms Colchester Institute. A £5 deposit should be paid in November. A coach will be booked.

The WI 2011 programme is complete and a special 90th cover has been organized.
Wednesday 8 December will be the celebration of Christmas at Chelmsford Cathedral. Times 2.45pm and 7.45pm.

Mr Chris Newenham representing Wilkin's products from Tiptree spoke about the history and future plans. Members were surprised to hear Christmas puddings and boxes of tea are stocked in the shop. A visit to the orchards will form part of our annual outing next year.

Free Music Workshops

... with West Bergholt Concert Band on Saturday 16th October, 2:30-4:30pm in West Bergholt's St Mary the Virgin Church.

A distinguishing feature of the West Bergholt Training Band is the regular Music Workshops, which the band holds. They are free and are open to all woodwind and brass players. There is no audition but you will need to read music. Members of the concert band will also be playing so you will have the opportunity to play interesting music with more experienced musicians.

The session will include a range of musical styles from jazz to light classics, pop songs, music from the shows.
The enjoyment does not end there. There is the opportunity to join the Training Band which meets on Friday evenings at the Heathlands School in West Bergholt. For more information on the bands have a look at our website, www.wbcb.org.

If you play a woodwind or brass instrument and would like to have an enjoyable afternoon of music, make a note for 2:30pm, 16 October, St Mary the Virgin Church, West Bergholt.

Get crafty update..

Find out more about quilting, art, lace, patchwork and many more crafts at an exhibition being held on 16th October in the Methodist Church & Hall between 10:30 and 5:30. Admission is £1 and refreshments will be available with proceeds going to church funds. The hospice will be selling craft books for their funds.

On the related subject of donations the recent house-to-house collection for 'Action for Children' raised a staggering £845.13p - well done to all.

BHYFC Results & Fixtures

The under 8s didn't have a game as their scheduled match against Coggeshall was postponed as Coggeshall could not raise a team.

The under 12s did play their counterparts at Coggeshall, but were on the end of a very disappointing 2-1 home defeat. Jake Adams scored the Bergholt Heath goal and "man of the match" was Leo Tiffney.

The under 13s gained our solitary point this weekend, drawing 2-2 at home to Harwich and Parkstone. Edward Quilty and Fawz Olabooye scoring the goals for Bergholt Heath.

Unfortunately due to several injuries, our under 15 team had to call off its game at home to Long Melford. Speedy recoveries hoped for!

The under 16s team lost 4-0 away to Halstead Town Blues.

Our under 18s team were only able to field 10 men due to college and work commitments, but battled hard only to eventually lose 4-3 away to Bullers. Alex Ponsford, George O'Connor and Dean Bennell were the Bergholt Heath scorers.

Next Sunday - 10th October - fixtures:

Under 8 v Bures KO 10.30am
Coggeshall v Under 12
Under 13 No Game
St Edmunds v Under 15
Brightlingsea Regents v Under 16
Under 18 v Gt Bradfords KO 10.30am (Orpen)

Update on New A12 Junction for North Colchester

Work has been proceeding apace and the 2nd-3rd October road closure is going ahead as scheduled in order to connect the link roads to the A12 (see website for detail). The new junction will serve an area of redevelopment land to the south of the A12, in the vicinity of the Weston Homes Community Stadium, and will enable the development of
residential areas and other mixed uses. It will form a direct link between the A12 and
the new Northern Approaches Road (Phase 3), and also serve the relocated BP Services and the proposed Park & Ride. The full news update can be downloaded from our website here.