Wildlife in the garden...

...is the topic of the next West Bergholt Gardeners' Association meeting. Members enjoyed learning tips on ‘Garden and Planting Design’ when Hilary Thomas, Garden Designer, Lecturer and Writer spoke at last week’s meeting. Hilary’s book The Complete Planting Design Course highlights ideas for the garden in creating planting schemes for every colour, season, purpose and area. It is essential reading for every would-be garden designer or for anyone who wants to make a difference to their outside space. And it’s available from most bookstores and online - http://www.hilarythomasdesign.co.uk/

The next meeting will be held on Monday 21 March, when Barry Kaufmann-Wright will present on ‘Wildlife in the Garden’. See further information on Barry’s career and consultancy profile on his website - http://www.thewildlifeman.com/

For details on our organisation contact the Chair – valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk or the Treasurer – terryclaydon@aol.com. Meetings are held at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall.

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results 27th February & Fixtures

Our under 8s were away to Lexden Saints and played really well.  Unfortunately they didn't score any goals.

The under 12s had a friendly away to Bures whilst they wait for the quater finals of the League Cup. They won 4-2 with goals from Jake Adams x 2 and Gianni Sabini x 2.  Bergholt Heath man of the match: Jake Adams.

Our under 13s were at home to Ransomes from Ipswich in the Open Cup.  Ransomes are unbeaten this season and are in the final of the Essex County Cup, so it was no real surprise that they ran out 7-0 winners.

The under 15s did not have a game this weekend but will be playing again soon as they are entered into the end of season trophy competition.

Our under 16s played Gt Bradfords at home in the league, and convincingly won 5-1.  The Bergholt Heath goal scorers were Alex Bartlett with a hat-trick, and Ben Holness with two.

The under 18s rounded off the weekend away to Feering Falcons Reds, losing 5-1. Unfortunately the manager could only field 10 players this weekend.

Fixtures Sunday 6th March:
Gt Bradfords v Under 8
Holland Blues v Under 13 League Cup QF
Under 16 v Stanway KO 10 Open Cup R4
Gt Bradfords v Under 18

Find out more about First Responders

The village's First Responders are welcoming members of the public to their next meeting to find out more about their work and the equipment they use. The meeting is taking place in St Mary's Church Hall starting at 7:30pm.

Happy Birthday to WI

The village W I was 90 years old on February 2 when they met in the Orpen Memorial Hall and enjoyed hearing memories of past meetings from 3 members. A taster evening of favourite recipes were on hand to sample and the president, Pat Moran read the minutes from the first meeting held in the village school now the local hairdressers.

The Balkerne Restaurant

A Celebration lunch was held at the Balkerne Restaurant, Colchester Institute on February 17th. The students prepared an excellent 3 course meal for everyone. Rene Keates, 90 this year and long standing member Joyce Lucking cut the cake made by the college. Individual pieces were wrapped in cellophane and tied with a red bow which members took home.

A truly memorable day.

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results 20th February & Fixtures

Unfortunately our under 8's didn't manage to score a goal away to Stanway Villa Yellows.

Our under 12's have finished their league season and other results this weekend meant they finished 3rd in the 'A' league, on goal difference from Heybridge in 4th place.

The under 13's played the postponed Open Cup match away to Bodecia Dynamos, winning 9-1, with our goalkeeper getting a run out for the last 10 minutes and scoring 2 goals! The full list of goal scorers: Liam Donnelly, Keir Brown, Callum Sells x 3, Edward Quilty, Fawas Olaboyee, James Ardley x 2.

Our under 15's have finished their league season.

The under 16's have one league game left, and didn't play this weekend.

Our under 18's match at home to Lawford Junior Reds was postponed by the groundsman at West Bergholt FC due to an unplayable pitch.

Next Sunday's fixtures 27th February:

• Lexden Saints Vs Under 8
• Bures Vs Under 12 - friendly kick off 10am at Bures
• Under 13 Vs Ransomes SCC Open Cup R3 KO 12 noon
• Under 15 - no game
• Under 16 Vs Gt Bradfords KO 10am
• Under 18 Vs Feering Falcon Blues KO 2pm

Colchester hits parish councils with cuts...

...of 50% in Rate Support Grant despite them probably receiving an extra 2.5% of central government funding if they do not raise their part of the Council Tax bill. However, such actions often have consequences, read more about the effect it will have on West Bergholt by viewing the poster issued by the Parish Council on our website.

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results 13th February & Fixtures

Our under 8s are back into the swing of things after their mid-winter break. Although they played much better this weekend at home to Clare Town lions than they did in the away fixture, Bergholt didn't manage to score a goal.

The under 12s finished off their A league campaign with a 0-0 draw (first time they have ever had a 0-0 result!), at home to Heybridge Swifts. It was a hard fought match and possibly the most entertaining of the season, but although Bergholt had more chances than Heybridge, they just couldn't get the ball into the net. The under 12s needed to win the match to guarantee a third place finish in the league, so now they need to rely on Coggeshall preventing Heybridge - who are sitting behind in 4th place - from winning by more than 2 goals in their final match. Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': Jamie Bowden.

Our under 13s were also at home, to the likely A league winners, Holland Blues. Holland were out for revenge after losing at home to Bergholt last month, and duly ran out 7-1 winners. The game was close for the first half which ended 2-1 to Holland. However Holland ran way with the second half, scoring 3 times in the last 10 minutes. Edward Quilty scored the Bergholt Heath goal.

The under 15s have finished their league season and did not have a game scheduled this weekend.

Our under 16s were away to Feering falcons and scored all 7 goals in a 5-2 win! Callam Drage, Tom Hodder, Alex Bartlett x 2 and Jack Gatland scored the 5 that counted for Bergholt.

Despite being 4-2 up at the end of the first half, our under 18s eventually lost 6-4 away to Reed Hall, who exposed some defensive frailties (from the night before?) in the second half. Dean Bennell x 2, Ben Rout and Jacob Hill scored the Bergholt Heath goals.

Next weeks fixtures 20th February:
Stanway Villa Yellows v Under 8
Under 12 No game
Boadicea Dynamos v Under 13 Open Cup R2
(rearranged from a few weeks ago)
Under 15 No game
Under 16 No game
Under 18 v Lawford Junior Reds KO 2pm

Allotments Update

Following their February meeting the Allotment Committee have published their minutes online on the village website.  Find out about inspections, rents and more by checking them out.  There is also a useful link to seasonal gardening tips.

Spring is in sight...

February is when many gardeners begin the new growing year. Sowing seeds and seeing tiny green shoots appear is a perennial thrill.

But are you considering the design or redesign of your garden?
 
Come along to the February meeting of the West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association on Monday the 21st at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall.  Hilary Thomas, Garden Designer, Lecturer, Writer will give a digital presentation on ‘Garden and Planting Design’.  Visitors are always welcome; £3 entry.

If you love snowdrops (Galanthus) there are ample opportunities to visit magnificent displays in our region. Among some of the best are:

• Chippenham Park Gardens, Cambs (pictured above) – www.chippenhamparkgardens.info/snowdrops.htm 
• Hedingham Castle, Essex – www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk
• Marks Hall, Essex – www.markshall.org.uk
• Easton Lodge, Essex – www.eastonlodge.co.uk
• Ickworth Hall, Suffolk AND Angelsey Abbey, Cambridge – www.nationaltrust.co.uk

RHS FREE DAY – FRIDAY 4 MARCH
 
Experience any of the RHS’s four gardens for FREE. Our local Hyde Hall Garden at Rettendon opens its gates from 10am – 3pm when gardening staff will be on hand to offer advice on seasonal tasks. www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Hyde-Hall.

Happy Birthday to WI in West Bergholt

1921 Fashion

On 2nd February 1921, 90 years ago, the first W I meeting was held in the village at the old school, now the hairdressers. 134 ladies enrolled. We have just short of 40 at present.

President, Pat Moran read the first minutes from that meeting which took place on the same date as our meeting.  Jan Lumb, Clarice Chittenden and Joyce Lucking spoke about their memories of the early years attending our W I.  Early programmes and minute books were exhibited together with photographs from 1921.

The 'Taster Evening' was well supported with the recipes available to purchase. Our 90th lunch will be celebrated at the Balkerne Restaurant, Colchester Institute.  Rene Keates and Joyce Lucking will cut the cake. The coach leaves the Orpen Memorial Hall at 11.30am.

RHS Garden at Wisley, Woking, Surrey and RHS Hyde Hall Gardens are holding an open day on Friday 4 March with free entry to the public.