Bergholt Heath YFC - Results & Fixtures 30th April 2012

The scheduled games for both the Under 9s and the Under 13s were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Next weekend's fixtures - Sunday 6th May:

• Long Melford v Under 9 (to be played before 6th May)
• Wivenhoe Youth Blues v Under 13

Land's End to John O'Groats - The Sequel

Chris Stevenson will be attempting to cycle the 1000 miles or thereabouts, from Land’s End to John O’Groats between 27th April and 13th May. As well as being a personal challenge, he will be raising some sponsorship for St Helena Hospice http://www.sthelenahospice.org.uk/ in Colchester. He will be cycling with Erwin Deppe, a colleague from Essex Highways.

Many of you will recall that Chris attempted this challenge last year and encountered a dog after 3 days, breaking his collarbone in the process and ending the tour prematurely. He assures us that he will be on the lookout for mans' best friend especially in sleepy country lanes in Devon!

If you would like to sponsor Chris it would be much appreciated and will raise much needed funds for the Hospice. If so there are two ways of doing this, either by:

• clicking on http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Stevenson1000 which is a link to the "Just Giving" online facility and make an automated donation, or 
• sending an email by by clicking this link and saying simply “YES” and the amount you would like to sponsor.

As a suggestion if you were to sponsor Chris for 1p per mile that would equate to about £10, or just nominate the amount you would like to donate.  You can do this anytime in the next 14 days or so and he will contact you after he has (hopefully) completed the ride to ask for your donation.


If the technology works (and it did last year), Chris will be posting details and photos of their progress to Facebook and Twitter.  If you have a facebook account you should be able to follow progress by clicking on the link: http://www.facebook.com/Lejoggers. If you don’t have a facebook account, click on www.twitter.com/puffinus and you should be able to view their tweets and photos!

Chris's final message is:

"Thanks for any support, and let’s hope the weather is kind to us, there are no mad dogs, and the wind keeps off when climbing the hills especially in the West Country and in Scotland!"

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results & Fixtures 25th April 2012

Bergholt Heath YFC's Under 9s played their first ever mid-week game on Wednesday evening 25th April, away to Bures in the 'end of season trophy', and were comfortable 4-1 winners. The Bergholt goals were scored by Jonah Murray x 2, Matthew Sanderson and Thomas Whitlow.

The following fixtures are scheduled for this coming Sunday 29th April:

• Clacton United v Under 9 (End Of Season Trophy)
• Stanway Rovers v Under 13 (league), kick off 10am

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results & Fixtures 22nd April 2012

Having lost the use of the 'mini soccer' pitch on the Poors field, our Under 9s switched the fixture and played Wivenhoe Town away, and drew 0-0.

Our Under 13s were again in semi final action, this time in the open Cup, verses Cornard Dynamos, played at Wivenhoe Town FC. Unfortunately, as with the other semi final in the League Cup, the semi final is as far as they are going this season, losing 3-1.  Cornard took the lead after 15 minutes of the first half, the striker out muscling the central defender in a chase for a long ball, and finishing coolly. Bergholt slowly played their way back into the game and got closer and closer to an equaliser, which finally came after half an hour, Mickey Whittle getting the final touch, poking a low cross into the net from inside the 6 yard box - the ball going over the line in what seemed like slow motion! Unfortunately within 2 minutes Cornard were back in front, the strong number 9 again slipping past a defender and hitting a cross shot that seemed to confuse the Bergholt 'keeper with the ball dropping into the far corner of the net. The second half saw Bergholt huff and puff but not make too many inroads to the Cornard half, and Cornard seemed to win most of the 50-50 balls. A third Cornard goal came around 15 minutes from time, although it seemed to most that the Bergholt defender was pushed in the back when trying to clear the ball before it was squared for the striker to hit powerfully home. After this the game petered out a bit and Cornard safely saw the game out for a comfortable win. Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': James Hirst.

Next weeks fixtures Sunday 29th April:

• Clacton United v Under 9 End Of Season Cup
• Stanway Rovers v Under 13 (league)

Annual Meeting

West Bergholt's Annual parish Meeting takes place at 7pm on 25th April in the John Lampon Hall.  Agenda items include discussion of plans for Village Celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

More details on the village website.

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results & Fixtures 15th April 2012

Our Under 9s were away to Layer Colts in the next of their 'end of season trophy' games. Winning comfortably 2-0 at half time, both goals coming from Jonah Murray, the manager was able to switch things round at half time to try players in different positions. The second half was more even and despite 2 goals from the home side, further goals from Matthew Sanderson and Richard Frost saw Bergholt run out 4-2 winners.

The Under 13s were the only other team in action, at home to Wivenhoe Blues in the "A" league - after some last minute work on Saturday to get the pitch cut and marked after the contractors didn't do it last week as instructed! Although Bergholt didn't play particularly well - the players looking like they were still in Easter mood - Bergholt's fist corner resulted in the first goal of the match: the Wivenhoe 'keeper doing well to parry away a vicious in swinging corner from Gianni Sabini, only for his brother Antonio to react quickest to the lose ball by smashing it into the roof of the net from close range. Good work on the right by Owen Bernhardt saw him cross powerfully into the area for Antonio Sabini to be teed up to hit a well placed shot low into the corner of the net from just inside the area for 2-0 at half time. The second half saw Wivenhoe come out with renewed vigour and Bergholt appeared to be willing to sit back and let them attack. However mid way through the half Antonio Sabini completed his Hat-trick (goal number 24 for the season), for 3-0. Almost from the restart Wivenhoe pulled a goal back when the midfield not tracking their players let the Wivenhoe midfielders run through to join the attack and out number the defenders to score an easy jet avoidable goal. This seemed to wake Bergholt up a little and they had more shots in the last 10 minutes of the game than at any other time in the match without increasing the lead: Antonio Sabini having the pick of them with a powerful shot from at least 30 yards that thudded against the Wivenhoe bar. Final result: Bergholt Heath 3 - 1 Wivenhoe blues. Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': Antonio Sabini.

Next weeks fixtures Sunday 22nd April:

• Wivenhoe town Vs Under 9's in the End of Season Trophy
• Under 13's Vs Cornard Dynamos Blues in the Open Cup semi final at Wivenhoe Town FC, kick off 10am.

Bergholt Heath YFC - Fixtures 15th April

There are just two fixtures this weekend with the Under 9s away against Layer Colts in the End of Season Trophy and the Under 13s at home against Wivenhoe Youth (KO 10am).

Bluebells & Nature

Join the Friends of Hillhouse Wood for their regular Bluebell Open Day & Spring Nature Walk from 1pm on Sunday 22nd April.  The Friends' display at the Old Church will feature information about the wood and offer a chance to collect maps, nature trails and quizzes on the wood for both adults & children.  Weather permitting, guided walks, led by Joe Firmin, will start at 2pm and be repeated as necessary, to see the Bluebells and other spring flowers, butterflies and spring bird life, possibly early nightingales.  Refreshments are available.   

‘Hardy Bulbs throughout the Year’...

... Frances Mount’s topic at  the West Bergholt Gardener's Association meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 16th April in the Orpen Memorial Hall.

VISITORS (£3 entry) ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT THESE MEETINGS

Come and join the Association on their organised trips, all departing from the Orpen Hall.

• Wednesday 23 May  HATFIELD HOUSE, WEST GARDEN & PARK
• Sunday 3 June  WRITTLE COLLEGE GARDENS
• Thursday 19 July WREST PARK, LUTON, BEDFORDSHIRE

Announced previously on this news-feed.

For further details and bookings, contact WBGA Treasurer, 44 Pirie Road, West Bergholt  CO6 3TA  Tel: 01206 242124 – terryclaydon@aol.com

WI meetings and outings

The president Susan Leng welcomed members and thanked all who brought cakes as our annual contribution to St Helena Hospice Colchester.

The July outing will visit the Van-Dal factory and shop in Norwich with free time to follow. Contact 01206 240854 to book a place on the coach.

As part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations the W I is organizing a card with verse competition which will be professionally printed and sent to the Queen from the village of West Bergholt. Forms will be available from the Co-op later this month.

Erika Cole presented the completed photograph album recording the W I's 90th birthday celebrations during 2011.

Mrs Paula Short was welcomed with her talk on The Artists who Painted Horses.

Bergholt Heath YFC - Results & Fixtures 1st April 2012

The Under 9s were in 'end of season trophy' action at home to Brightlingsea Regents. Bergholt took the lead mid way through the first half, Jonah Murray hitting home. However this was against the run of play against a very impressive Brightlingsea team who had a couple of very promising players on show. Brightlingsea equalised soon after Jonah's goal, the striker heading in a good cross. Brightlingsea then went further ahead just before half time with a confident shot from their number 11. The second half saw Bergholt try and get into the game and they had a couple of good attempts just go wide, and the Brightlingsea 'keeper also saved well on at least 2 occasions. However Brighlingsea scored their third and final goal on the stroke of full time. Final result: Bergholt Heath 1 - 3 Brightlingsea Regents.

Our Under 13s were in the semi final of the League Cup, Vs Heybridge at Wivenhoe Town FC. Bergholt made what seems to be their customary slow start and were a goal down inside 3 minutes when a Heybridge striker picked up a clearance and with no Bergholt player closing him down, hit an early shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. Bergholt slowly got their game going on what was a very hard and bumpy pitch and equalised via an Antonio Sabini free kick which he curled round the wall, and despite other players trying to get a final touch, it bounced into the net. Half time 1-1. The second half started with Bergholt changing formation to 3-5-2 to get hold of the midfield, and they had much better possession. However a defensive slip from a huge (foul?) throw into the area saw Heybridge retake the lead against the run of play. Bergholt pressed forward and around 10 minutes from time again equalised with Leo Tiffney converting a cross at the far post. Almost immediately Heybridge retook the lead in controversial circumstances. The Bergholt Keeper leaped to catch a high long ball and was jumped into by the striker. Rather than give a foul the referee singled for a corner which was taken quickly and bundled into the net with the 'keeper still looking a little unsteady. Bergholt threw caution to the wind to try and get a third equaliser but were caught on the break with a couple of minutes to go, the tall Heybridge number 10 rounding the 'keeper and slotting home. Final score: Heybridge Swifts 4 - 2 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt 'man of the match: Ollie Sanderson.

No fixtures next week due to Easter. Fixtures for Sunday 15th April to be confirmed.