Have you seen a Blue Owl?

If not, keep your eyes peeled because 3rd September sees a new shop opening in the village.   Supplying childrens clothes as well as gifts, children's books and quality cards and wrap 'Blue Owl' is located at 10a Colchester Road.  To find out more about Blue Owl and their special opening offer, visit their website at www.blue-owl.co.uk.

Wanting to play brass or woodwind?

In the run up to a planned concert focussed directly towards young people, the West Bergholt Concert band  will be holding band experience days where any brass or woodwind players can come along and try the band alongside experienced band members.

• Saturday 15th October 2.30pm – 4.30pm, West Bergholt
• Saturday 12th November 2.30pm – 4.30pm, West Bergholt
• Saturday 26th November 2.00pm – 4.00pm, St Botolph’s

These events are a great opportunity to experience playing in a band in a relaxed and supportive environment and have proven to be great fun for everyone involved. If you’d like to join in the fun, please visit their website www.wbcb.org to reserve a place. They’ll also be holding their termly Open Rehearsal on Friday 30th September, which is again open to any brass or woodwind players.

The Unexpected Guest

... a thriller by Agatha Christie is the Orpen Players Autumn production directed by Mike Poole. Lost in the fog, Michael Starkwedder stumbles into Richard Warwick’s house to find him dead and Richard’s wife, Laura, standing near him with a gun - but did she kill Richard?

The characters and cast are:

• Richard Warwick - Paul Michaels 
• Laura Warwick - Debra Hornigold 
• Michael Starkwedder - Kevin Topple 
• Jan Warwick - Ben Maytham 
• Mrs Warwick - Jo Austin 
•  Miss Bennett - Chrissie Wenden 
• Henry Angell - Brian Butcher 
• Sergeant Cadwallader - Keith Sparrow
•  Inspector Thomas - Robin Warns
•  Julian Farrar - Will Parrick 

Running for three nights only between 27th & 29th October tickets are available from Ash's Store, Colchester Road, by calling Roger Milne on 01206 241048 or you can also pay on the door. Find out more more on the Orpen Players website.

Need tenants? Look no further

Join Colchester Borough Council’s (CBC's) Homefinder scheme today and you could secure a steady return on your property with no arrangement fee. CBC urgently need landlords for families waiting to be housed. Many of their customers want to rent in the private sector. This is a positive choice and CBC can help them, and you, sustain a positive tenancy.

Before CBC put any families forward for a private tenancy they check they are capable of sustaining a tenancy and make sure that this is the best option for them.

When you join Homefinder you can choose either:

• a full property and tenancy management service which offers guaranteed rent, together with regular property checks and protection against tenant damage.... Call 01206 244700 OR
• if you'd prefer to manage your property yourself, we can give you peace of mind with our free property checks and the first month’s rent and deposit paid directly to you...Call 01206 506513

Download the Homefinder leaflet by clicking here.

St Mary's Updates

Did you know that St Mary's Church has just updated its website having moved to google sites?  The new site contains lots of information about the church and its role in the community.  The church also has Facebook and Twitter pages for those wanting to keep a more regular dialogue open.

Art in East Anglia - an evening course

Mousehold Heath, Norwich by John Crome
(Founder of Norwich School)

This autumn, the W.E.A. is running a ten-evening course in the Methodist Hall on 'Art in East Anglia'. The tutor is John Parker and he says it will be an informative course focusing on paintings connected with East Anglia.

The course will be looking at a range of artists, their lives, techniques, motives and influences.   Artists include Gainsborough, Constable, The Norwich School, Munnings, Seago and others.

Starting on Tuesday 27th September at 8.00p.m. the course runs until 6th December, with the WEA AGM on the Tuesday of half-term.  All are welcome and you may attend the first evening before deciding to enrol on the course. The cost is £45 for the ten weeks. Further information from the WEA Secretary on 01206 240791 or e-mail hurbal@tiscali.co.uk

Hope to see you there!

Women's Institute - Quarter Update

Emmeline Pankhurst in
 less-fashionable
Prison attire

June was an 'Open Meeting' with the president Pat Moran welcoming visitors from other W I's. During the refreshment break everyone was able to view the displays of press cuttings on our 90th birthday celebrations, together with old programmes and minutes.

Ex mayor, Sonia Lewis, talked about her mayoral year and included a typical day. She spent none of the council's money whilst in office and her audience were keen to hear about her various outfits worn for the variety of official duties she carried out. Two walks were organised and members then enjoyed a lunch at Barn Plants.

The July outing was a visit to Perrywoods garden centre where members enjoyed browsing around the extensive area before lunch.

August's meeting was an 'Open Meeting', vice-president, Bea Girkin, welcomed members and visitors. Mrs Louise Reed was introduced as Emmeline Pankhurst. She wore the fashion of the 1920's and gave an in-depth insight into life in prison and the traumas of trying to obtain suffrage for women.

The West Bergholt WI are looking forward to meeting past members on 15th September in the Methodist Hall from 2pm to 4pm to celebrate their 90th year. Invitations will be distributed this month.