Village Design Statement

The final draft of the Village Design Statement (as submitted for approval) is now on-line for those wanting to review it before the Annual Parish Meeting on 25th May. Once adopted, this document will be used to guide decisions on planning and developments within the Parish boundaries.

Have your say…

... at the Annual Parish Meeting on 27th May at 7pm and have a chance of a free pleasure flight for two into the bargain!

This meeting gives you a chance for informal discussion with your parish councillors, to be updated on the village design statement, find out more about local broadband and learn more about the new MUGA management all in a convivial atmosphere with light refreshments being served.

The meeting takes place in the John Lampon Hall adjacent to Orpen Hall.

Lands End to John O'Groats for St Helena

Sadly Chris Stevenson's attempt to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats came to an abrupt end in a Devon country lane when, as Chris reported on his trip journal:

"I crashed heavilly, after a dog charged out of a driveway right under my wheels (the dog is fine!). At Barnstable A&E, I have been officially told that I have a broken collarbone, bruising to my right side etc. Oh yes, I also landed on my head too but the helmet saved me."

It is Chris' intention to try again next year so please watch this space and be prepared to dig deep then.

Lands End to John O'Groats for St Helena

Typical cycle route

Local Parish Councillor Chris Stevenson will be attempting to cycle the 1,000 miles or thereabouts, from Land’s End to John O’Groats between 30th April and 13th May.  As well as being a personal challenge, Chris will be raising some sponsorship for St Helena Hospice. Chris will be cycling with Erwin Deppe, a work colleague who works closely with him at Essex County Council.
Sponsor
If you would like to sponsor Chris please indicate this by email by clicking this link and saying simply “YES” and the amount you would like to sponsor. As a suggestion you could sponsor Chris 1p per mile which would equate to about £10, or just nominate the amount you would like to donate. You don’t need to do this before they start, anytime in the next few days would be fine. Chris will contact you after he has (hopefully) completed the ride to ask for your donation.
Progress
If the technology works Chris will be posting details and photos of his progress to Facebook and you should be able to track this by clicking on this link.. You don’t have to have a Facebook account to view this information!

Thanks for any support, and let’s hope the weather is kind to them, and the wind keeps off when climbing the Scottish hills!

Entertaining Angels ...

Original cast from Chichester production
with Penelope Keith

... by Richard Everett is the Orpen Players' spring production between 12th -14th May. This comedy is based around Grace, a clergyman's wife, who upon his (Bardolph's) death breaks her strait-laced character to do and say exactly as she pleases:

'I've made four thousand six hundred medium-sized quiches and personally baked two tons of short crust pastry. And for what?'

The return of her eccentric missionary sister Ruth, together with some disturbing revelations, however, force Grace to confront the truth of her marriage. This show is full of sharp-edged comedy and probing wit.

Tickets will soon be available on-line, in the meantime they can be bought from Ash's Store, Colchester Road, West Bergholt, by calling Roger Milne on 01206 241048 or you can take a chance and pay on the door.

Spring Nature Walk & Bluebell Open Day - Hillhouse Wood

Sunday 1st May there are two opportunities to visit Hillhouse Wood guided by Joe Firmin & Philip Smith.  In the morning (starting 10am at the Old Church) Joe and Philip will lead a walk to see numerous spring birds including chiffchaffs and other warblers, spring butterflies and wild flowers.

In the afternoon (starting 2pm at the Old Church) you can view the Friends’ display and collect a nature trail guide before joining Joe and Philip for a guided walk to see the bluebells and other spring flowers, butterflies and spring bird life, possibly including early nightingales.

In both cases the tours are 'weather permitting' and wearing stout footwear or wellies is advisable.

Recycling & Rubbish over Easter & May Bank Holidays

Recycling and rubbish collections will take place one day later than usual over the Easter and early May Bank Holiday period, as in previous years.

From Good Friday 22 April until Saturday 8 May all recycling and rubbish will be collected the day after your usual collection day.

This also means that if your usual collection day is Thursday, you will receive a collection on the Royal Wedding Bank Holiday Friday. If your usual collection day is Friday, you will receive a collection on Saturday for three consecutive weeks.
Please remember to put your recycling and rubbish out by 7am on the morning of your collection day. All collections will return to your normal day from Monday 9 May.

Click here for more details about collections over this Bank Holidays period.

Click here to check the opening times of the recycling centres for household waste (the 'tip') over the Bank Holiday break.