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 the village 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
During Lockdown many activities in the village are suspended due to COVID-19
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:
Volunteers Needed to Support the Local Vaccine Programme
The vaccine programme at the West Bergholt Surgery has so far been highly successful. This is as a result of the NHS staff and the many volunteers and Marshalls who have assisted with traffic flow duties and parking during vaccination sessions. The Marshalls fulfil an important task in minimising inconvenience to the local residences and ensuring those visiting the local surgery are assisted according to their need, particularly those with underlying health issues.
Nominations have now closed for the 2021 Elections
6th May 2021 Elections will take place for:
Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for the Essex Police Area;
One County Councillor to represent the Constable Division; and
One Borough Councillor to represent the Lexden & Braiswick ward.
Candidates for each of these are listed below. If you haven’t already checked out the COVID-Safe arrangements you can read about those further down. It is still not too late to register to vote – details also below.
It was with great collective sadness that the news of the death of the Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh has been received today. I am sure the whole community of West Bergholt Parish will join with me, fellow Parish Councillors, the Clerk and our team in sending its condolences and best wishes to the Queen and the whole royal household.
Clearly as I write this the Palace, like many other organisations, is digesting the news. The collective atmosphere is one of great sorrow, but we will also shortly be able to reflect and indeed marvel on the extraordinary life the Duke has led. He joined and supported the Queen in modernizing the Royal Family for an ever changing world. In particular, he led life-changing initiatives for many such as:
his work to establish the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and
his patronage of the World Wildlife Fund to name but only two of his many interests and passions.
Character
We will remember the Duke for his character and many qualities and, for all of, us an ever-present presence due to his extraordinarily long period as a consort and life of service to our country.
The Parish Council will play its part in the official response to the news. We will shortly publicise the tangible ways we can pay our respect and take part in commemorative activities once these have been confirmed by the Royal Household.
Take a Moment
For today, we ask all in the community to take a moment to pay our individual respects on a day of national sadness. Due to current restrictions, an online condolence book is available below. The flagpole outside the Orpen Memorial Hall will remain at half mast until 8 am on the day after the Ceremonial Royal Funeral, and an area has been set aside underneath for any floral tributes that residents may wish to leave.
OK, so you’ve had enough of reading about Census 2021 on Facebook already but we have just received some new information that you might find of interest. First of all, though, Bowls.
Bowls is Ready to Go
Being an outdoor bowls club, the green light was given for organised sport to recommence from 29th March. Therefore, Woods Bowls Club are delighted to report that they are able to have a full season, competing against other clubs once again. Some minor restrictions may be necessary until 21 June.
You may be reading this article around Eastertime, or a little earlier. It’s at Easter that Christians the world over celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection, and are reminded of God’s free gift of forgiveness and love. In the Bible we read,
