Little Ducks Singing Group

Little Ducks is an established, and very successful music group, who have recently moved to West Bergholt. Sessions take place at St Marys Church Hall and they welcome any parents/carers with pre-school age children to join. They are also very happy to have any older siblings in school holidays for the same price.

The group is based entirely on sharing nursery rhymes, action songs and percussion music. This fun, interactive and very noisy session promotes all areas of learning and hopefully gives parents lots of ideas to carry on the music making at home! As well as having lots of fun, nursery rhymes are great for language development - they have a lot of rhythm which catches the children’s attention and repetition, which is good for speech development. It is important in sessions that the children not only enjoy being part of a lively group but actively participate in the music making and tidying away. The group's aim is to get all the parents and children, no matter how small, moving to the beat and playing with simple musical instruments and colourful finger puppets.

Research shows that children who are actively involved in music (who play or sing it regularly) do better in reading and maths when they start school and are better able to focus and control their bodies, play better with others and have higher self esteem. These are really important influences when Little Ducks structure and rework the group which happens every term. They are always looking to add new material to their session and like to involve children and parents in this process as it is a group for all ages! It is also really important that children are able to add their favourite songs and really get involved in the group.

The group will run for an hour and spends around 40 minutes on different musical activities. These involve finger puppets, musical instruments, beanbags, dancing and other rhythmical activities. They have found at their existing group that the children love the variety on offer with something for everyone. They finish the session with drinks and snacks and a time for friendships to be formed and old ones to be strengthened.

Running every Friday morning from 10.30-11.30am, the cost is £3 per family. This price includes a healthy yummy snack and drink for the children and a cuppa for the parents/carers. Little Ducks try to run through all school holidays where we are able to use the hall facilities but this is always subject to change. It is always lovely to welcome new faces so if you fancy a morning of lively, energetic, fun they would love to welcome any new faces who fancy giving Little Ducks a try.

For further details please contact Little Ducks directly - Kirsty Rush 07775 427 422 and Cathy Doyle 07795 084 328

Proposed Expansion to Heathlands School

The following announcement has been made by the school's Chair of Governors and Headteacher:

Essex County Council, with the support of the Governing body, is proposing to build 2 class bases, an additional hall and ancillary accommodation. This project will provide brand new accommodation and facilities for additional pupils attending the school, necessary due to the shortfall of places available for children in this area.
We are holding a consultation session. This will be an opportunity for you to view the prepared plans and discuss the proposals with the Project Sponsor from Essex County Council, Amanda Laycock, and representatives from Ashe Construction including the architect.
The Consultation will be held at Heathlands Primary School in the school hall on Tuesday 4th October 2011 2pm to 8pm. Following the consultation all relevant comments and feedback will be reviewed before the planning application is submitted.
We hope that you will take the opportunity to view the plans. However, if you are unable to attend please direct any questions or comments to amanda.laycock@essex.gov.uk.

Bergholt Heath YFC Results & Fixtures

Unfortunately the under 9s couldn't repeat their superb result from last week, going down 2-1 at home to Long Melford in the West League, despite dominating the match territorially. Matthew Sanderson scored the Bergholt Heath goal.

Our under 13s were involved in Essex Cup action for the first time ever, at home (at the Orpen Hall), to Little Thurrock Dynamos. The cup gave the manager the opportunity to try out a few different things. However the positional and personnel changes didn't seem to upset the team and they ran out 7-1 winners - with the first 3 goals coming in the very first 4 minutes of the game! A further goal after 15 minutes allowed cruise mode to set in and the boys took their foot off the gas and the visitors pulled a goal back to make it 4-1 at the interval. Further changes during the second half - which even saw a centre back finish the game on the left wing! - disrupted the flow a little, but a further 3 goals were scored without reply. Final score 7-1. Through to the second round, which will also be at home, to Brentwood.  Bergholt Heath goal scorers (minute in brackets): Owen Bernhardt x 2 (1 & 56), Antonio Sabini (2), James Holden x 2 (4 & 15), Jake Adams (38), Mickey Whittle (42).   Bergholt Heath 'Man of the Match': Owen Bernhardt

The under 14s were also at home in the Essex Cup, to Trinity Blues from Billericay. Bergholt were 3-1 down at half time put managd to pull themselves back to 3-3. However a goalkeeping error almost on full time allowed the visitors to win the match 4-3.

With 2 players on official refereeing duty for the Essex Cup this weekend, our under 16s had to postpone their scheduled match away to Brightlingsea Regent as this meant they dropped below the required minimum to field a team.

Back to the league and out under 18's were away to Clacton United Reds, unfortunately losing 8-0. Not much more to say about that one!

Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 2nd October:

• Colchester Athletic v Under 9
• Under 13 v Gt Bentley KO 10am
• Under 14 v Heybridge Swifts KO 12 noon
• Under 16 v Alresford Colne Rangers Reds KO 2pm
• Lawford Juniors v Under 18

Bergholt Heath YFC - results & fixtures

This report is for the matches played on 18th September and gives fixtures for matches to be played on 25th September - why not come along and support the boys?

Our under 9s got their first ever 3 points in a competitive match - in their first away game - with a 3-0 win at Bures.  Matthew Sanderson scoring two and Thomas Whitlow the other.

The under 13s continued their good start to the league season with a 2-1 away win at Silver End. However the team never reached the heights of last week and had to battle hard for the win against a well organised Silver End team who came into the A league as B league champions. Antonio Sabini put Bergholt ahead from the penalty spot on 15 minutes after the ref penalised a home defender for pushing. Silver End continued to press and Bergholt struggled to get their passing going, continuously giving possession away. Silver End equalised in the second half courtesy of an own goal in a crowded area. The winner came from one of the few quality moves Bergholt managed during the game - Mickey Whittle blasting the ball into the net from 12 yards out after a decisive passing move cut the home defence apart. Bergholt managed to hold on to maintain their 100% start to the season. Man of the Match was our goal keeper Connor Welfare.

The under 14s are still struggling to get their season going with a number of new players taking time to bed in, this week going down 4-0 at home to Stanway Villa.

The under 16s, despite fielding a full team, went backwards from last weeks promising start, losing 14-1 at home to St Edmunds. 0-0 at 35 minutes, St Edmunds finished the first half with 3 goals in 5 minutes to go into the break 3-0 up. This shattered the fragile Bergholt confidence and the second half became a landslide, the only positive being another goal for James Dixey from the penalty spot.

Our under 18s managed yet another draw, this week away to Halstead Town Blues. Reece Brooks scoring the Bergholt goal.

Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 25th September:

• Under 9s v Long Melford KO 10.30am (Poors Field) 
• Under 13s v Little Thurrock Dynamos - Essex Cup - KO 1.30pm - Orpen Playing Field 
• Under 14s v Trinity (Blue) - Essex Cup - KO 2pm (Poors Field)
• Brightlingsea Regent v Under 16s 
• Clacton Reds v Under 18s

New season kicks off for BHYFC

Our under 9s had their first ever match in 'competitive' football, in the West league - unfortunately losing 7-0 away to Clare Town. After dominating most of the 1st half, Bergholt were hit on the break twice to go in at half time 2-0 down. As they pushed forward in the second half, Clare were quick to counter attack, running out comfortable winners.

The under 13s started their season at home to Cornard Dynamos Blues in the A League. With Cornard finishing second and Bergholt Heath third last season, this was going to be a tough match to begin the season. Inside the opening twenty minutes Bergholt dominated possession and had a couple of opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net, but they couldn't take their chances. As they pushed on Bergholt Heath eventually got the opener with the ball dropping to Ciaran Donnellon on the edge of the box who struck it cleanly on the volley and it bounced over the keeper and in. Cornard had a couple of opportunities to get back on terms after the restart but none that really tested Connor Welfare in Bergholt's goal. At half time Bergholt headed in 1-0 up.

It was an evenly matched second half but with about 15 mins to go Bergholt Heath got their second with Gianni Sabini hitting the ball back across the keeper into the far corner after some nice link up play between Jake Adams and Mickey Whittle down the left. Cornard pulled a goal back when the ball was hit long and the Bergholt defender caught it on the top of his head, the striker hassled the covering defender as the keeper hesitated coming to pick the ball up, going round the defender and blasting it in at the near post, 2-1. But in the final 10 mins, Bergholt, again dominating possession, got another goal - a strike coming in from the edge of the box the keeper parried it and Mickey Whittle was first to react and put the ball in the back of the net. As the end of the game approached both teams were tiring but Jake Adams mesmerised the Cornard defence then he played it out to the edge of the area, got it back and struck the ball on the half volley in to the far top corner, brilliant goal 4-1. Then the final whistle went, great game, and a good start to the league for Bergholt Heath! Bergholt Heath man of the match: Mickey Whittle. Report by Jamie Bowden.

The under 14s, also in the A league, played their first game away to Stanway Rovers. Despite Bergholt having the lions share of possession, a couple of bad defensive lapses saw them lose 2-1.

Our under 16s started the season with a full team - something they have been unable to do in the last couple of seasons. Playing at home to AFC Sudbury they got 3 names on the score sheet but unfortunately ended up losing 12-3. The 3 Bergholt Heath goals were scored by Joshua Wren, Scott King and James Dixey.

Finally, our under 18s team played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at home to Harwich & Parkstone. Bergholt went ahead early on scored by Alex Bartlett but then had Luke Duffy sent off before half time. Despite playing with 10 men, Bergholt increased their lead in the second half, Alex Enright sending a half volley into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, only to concede a penalty almost immediately - the referee spotting a push in the box at a corner. Shortly after, Harwich equalised, the striker reacting fastest after a shot hit the bar. Bergholt continued to battle for every ball and got a break when a defender sent a bullet-like header into his own net from a Bergholt free kick - the referee correctly over-ruling the linesman's flag for offside, the player not 'interfering with play' according to the current rules. Unfortunately Bergholt Heath could not hold on to the win, Harwich equalising after a scramble in the 6 yard box following a corner.

Next weeks fixtures Sunday 18/09/2011:

• Bures v Under 9 
• Silver End v Under 13 
• Under 14 v Stanway Villa KO 10am 
• Under 16 v St. Edmunds KO 2pm 
• Halstead Blues v Under 18

It's never too early to plan for severe weather

Although we are now only just coming towards Autumn, West Bergholt Parish Council have been hard at work developing a 'Severe Weather Policy' in anticipation of a return of last winter's dire weather. The policy has been formulated with the intention of mitigating the hazardous effects of snow and ice that occurred in key areas last winter.
Priority areas have been identified as follows:-

• School and Heath Land approach paths. 
• Orpen Hall area paths 
• Shop approaches
• Bus stop areas 
• Unpaved roads 
• Doctors Surgery approach paths 

The Parish Council is investigating the number of grit/salt bins in the village and identifying areas where we may need more.

Clearing equipment will be required e.g. snow clearing boards/shovels, gritters, safety cones, high visibility jackets, safety gloves. Essex County Highways department and Colchester Borough Council will be contacted regarding support for this policy and supply of equipment.

Volunteers please. 

If we are to mitigate the hazardous effects of winter weather we will need volunteers from village residents to set up teams to put plans into action when necessary.  If you are able and prepared to help with implementing this policy we would be pleased to hear from you, particularly if you live in the vicinity of the priority areas listed above.

Please contact:- David Short, Chairman of Environment Committee, Parish Council. Tel: 241715 or the Parish Clerk by email - westbergholtpc@googlemail.com

 Meanwhile let us hope for some sunny weather before we need to put severe weather plans into action.

Women's Institute - September Update

President Pat Moran welcomed members and visitors to the most recent meeting. The W I is looking forward to entertaining past members as their 90th year is celebrated.

A walk is planned for 19 October followed by lunch at Barn Plants.

The scheduled speaker was unable to attend at the last minute but the president gave a fascinating and enlightening talk on her childhood in a mining valley in South Wales.

Next month Barbara Faulkner makes a welcome return with her talk entitled The 'Witch' Report on Halloween. Everyone is encouraged to wear something appropriate for the occasion. It is an Open Meeting with several other W I's invited to attend.

Top Ten Trees of Colchester

... is the speakers topic when Ian Baalham visits the West Bergholt Gardeners Association meeting on Monday 19th September (7:30pm) in the Orpen Hall.

The talk will be followed by the Annual general Meeting. The Association looks forward to welcoming back present members as well as newcomers and visitors. Annual subscription is only £9; visitor entry £3. The association offers a varied programme throughout the year including trips to national and local gardens.

DIG TOGETHER DAY Growing as a Community

Please note that this event (as publicised in the village bulletin for 24 September) is postponed until Spring 2012.

For further information about the organisation please contact Terry Claydon 01206 242124 – terryclaydon@aol.com or Valerie Lofthouse 01206 855450 – valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk