Wildlife & Summer Gardens

‘The Wildlife Man’ – Barry Kaufmann-Wright, delighted his audience at the March meeting. He spoke in depth on ‘Wildlife in the Garden’ punctuated with humorous anecdotes and experiences drawn from his long career as an Essex Wildlife Crime Officer. After his presentation of slides on both the friendly and the lesser welcomed garden visitors, members took the opportunity to purchase greetings cards and books by Barry, including his autobiography.

Next month is our ANNUAL PLANT SALE on Monday 18 April at 7.30pm. Arrive early at the Orpen Hall to bag the bargain plants and garden bric-à-brac items. Any donations would be gratefully received at the hall at 5.00pm on the sale day.

Wickham Place Farm Gardens

Join us on our summer outings to:

• Wickham Place Farm Gardens, Wickham Bishops on Wednesday 18 May at 2.30pm. 14 acre site featuring 2 acre walled garden and large mixed woodland. Renowned for wisterias.
• East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens on Wednesday 15 June at 2.00pm. Remarkable 32 acre garden incorporating formal design, enormous decorative exuberance and brilliant planting.



Beeleigh Abbey Gardens

• Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon on Tuesday 5 July at 7.00pm. Three acres of riverside gardens in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

For details on our meetings and outings contact the Chair – valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk or the Treasurer – terryclaydon@aol.com.

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.

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.

NEW 2011/12 Recycling Calendar out now

As in previous years Colchester residents are now receiving a copy of the new 2011/12 recycling calendar in the post with their Council Tax bill.  This year deliveries will be made between 9 and 18 March.  The recycling calendar applies from April 2011 onwards unless you use communal recycling and rubbish bins.  Please look out for your calendar and help Colchester recycle even more this year.

The Calendar includes information on:

• what you can recycle in blue and green weeks
• when and how to put your recycling out for collection
• the enhanced garden waste collection of up to 8 sacks from 1 November 2011 

Visit www.colchester.gov.uk/recycling for information and online services to help you reduce, reuse and recycle your rubbish, home compost and much more.   Alternatively email recycling@colchester.gov.uk or phone 01206 282700.  The Recycling Calendar can be viewed online where you can print replacement copies.  It is also available at a range of outlets across the borough including the Customer Service Centre on Colchester High Street.  You can also go online to find information on when rolls of recycling and rubbish bags will be delivered to households (except to flats with communal bins), and find where to get more recycling boxes, bags and sacks.

For collection news, handy tips and local events register online for the Recycling and Waste E-Newsletter and ‘like‘ Recycle for Colchester on facebook.

Thank you for recycling your rubbish!

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results 6th March & Fixtures

Our under 8's are going through a goal drought and didn't manage to score any again this weekend, away to Gt Bradfords.

The under 12's lost away to Wivenhoe in a friendly, 3-2. I think some of the boys treated it as a knock about! The under 12's have just been drawn at home to Lexden Saints in the quarter finals of the League Cup - date to be confirmed.

Our under 13's lost away to Holland Blues 3-1 in the quarter finals of the League Cup.

The under 15's have finished their league season but have entered the end of season trophy competition which should start soon.

Our under 16's were also in league cup action, at home to Stanway Villa, but lost 3-0.

Finally our under 18's were in league action away to Gt Bradfords, losing 9-0. However they only played with 10 men due to other commitments.

Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 13th March:
Marks Tey v Under 8
Colchester Athletic v Under 13

A welcome rejection

The Parish Council recently submitted an application to Essex County Council's Community Initiatives Fund for £1,000 towards the John Lampon Hall noise reduction panels. The request, as submitted, was rejected although, on the bright side, only because they felt it was too low and so awarded us with £2,000 instead!

Well done to Andrew and Val for compiling what was obviously an excellent submission.

Help for Heroes - Car Boot 25th April

Buyers
Earls Colne Airfield is proud to introduce our Car Boot Sale, working in conjunction with our Open Day raising funds for Help for Heroes.  Gates open at 10am, and the day occurrences will end at 4pm. Entry is FREE, although donations are welcome for this very good cause.  Catering is available on the airfield.

Sellers
Gates open at 9am, and will close at 5pm.  Plots are to be pre-booked and can be done so by contacting Victoria Pratt on 07734 822541 or enquiries@flyafc.co.uk. Each plot costs £5.

Click on the picture to view the poster.