West Bergholt is a large rural Essex village lying near the border of the English counties of Essex and Suffolk. It is situated just outside and to the North-west of Colchester – Britain’s Oldest Recorded town. The village:
has a population of around 3,500 consisting of about 1,400 households,
In 2016 West Bergholt won the Class 2 prize in the RCCE Village of the year competition and overall 2nd place, read the news item for more.
If you need support locally during the COVID-19 pandemic click here for information about our local enhanced Care Network service. More general COVID-19 support and advice is here.
To find out more about us click here. Scroll down to see recent news from the village.
What’s Happening
Bear in mind some activities might still be affected due to COVID-19
Help raise money to give Heathlands’ Year 6 leavers a good send-off this year. Kelly, who runs regular High-Intensity Interval Training classes in the village, is running a special Zoom fundraising session on Monday 7th June at 7:30 pm. Kelly describes her HIIT sessions as:
Today the Parish Council resumes in-person meetings. You can find out what they’ll be talking about in detail on the Parish Council Agenda Page. In summary they will appoint Vice Chairs, Responsible Finance Officer and standing committees and other representatives. Committees & CBC Councillors will be giving updates, Audit report and other financial documents will be reviewed. Planning looks at 3 applications and receives an update on the NEEB appeal.
If a member of the public or press wishes to attend this meeting, please email the Clerk as soon as possible so that suitable Covid-secure arrangements can be made. A zoom link will also be made available for those who prefer to attend remotely.
Seeing Red with an Illegal & Problem Parking Blight
The Parish Council are seeing red about illegal parking around the Zebra Crossing on Chapel Road and have placed 2 huge red banners to remind illegal parkers not to do so.
Pictured in 2017, Murray Harlow, the gentle giant, towering over others as usual!
As was announced on social media at the end of last week, a much respected and loved Parish Councillor passed away on Friday 21st May. Cllr Murray Harlow passed away suddenly after being admitted to hospital only at the start of the week.
Larger than life
Murray was well known in the village, not just as a Cllr but as a genuinely larger than life character. He was never happier when discussing village matters with the many friends and acquaintances he had in the village.
Murray was a member of the West Bergholt Parish Council for over 10 years where he served as a Vice-Chair of the former Premises Committee. He was also a member of the Environment and Planning Committees and for several years the Council’s Communications Officer.
Many dimensions in his life
There cannot be many people locally who had not met Murray, either through:
volunteering with the Care Network both as a driver and member of the committee, and
his exhortations to save money via his work with Utility Warehouse. Indeed the PC and many PC Cllrs benefitted from the latter opportunities!
Murray was at his best speaking directly to members of the community. He was especially helpful when the Parish Plan was launched in 2008; again, with the Neighbourhood Plan exhibitions and consultations that took place in the period 2013 to 2019. I have vivid memories of him drawing people’s attention to our plans at the exhibitions in the Orpen Hall, and, when people were sceptical, warning them of the implications if we left things to chance or didn’t endorse the plan as a community.
Condolences
Murray leaves behind him two daughters Amber and Ciara and their young families. On behalf of the PC I extend our heartfelt condolences on their loss, a loss shared by the whole community for this very likeable “gentle giant”. RIP Murray we will miss you enormously.
Heathlands Primary School would like to appoint a full-time School Site Manager to start in August 2021.
They are seeking a friendly, enthusiastic, pro-active individual who possesses the skills, experience and confidence to manage the upkeep, maintenance and development of the school site to meet the School’s high standards.
Their staff are friendly and approachable and take a pride in their environment.
Essex County Council, in partnership with Aran Insulation, are trying to improve household insulation with the offer of grants of up to £10,000. Funding is available for energy efficiency improvements to help make your home more cosy. Making your home more energy efficient will help save you money on future energy bills.
Like most schools today, fundraising is essential to Heathlands. Whilst they have done well despite COVID-19 (see their end-of-year update), the PTA needs your help once again and it couldn’t be at a more convenient time.
Perfect Time for a Clear Out
As we are easing out of Lockdown the time is perfect for you to be checking your wardrobe to make sure you are ready to be set free. Heathlands PTA have arranged for a Bag2School collection on Thursday 13th May. So, with rain forecast this weekend, why not get out your plastic sacks and fill them with:
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