Village News and Events

in Boxted and Langham

Notice:
Contamination surveys being carried out in Boxted

In the next two weeks a company will be carrying out a contamination survey on the garages site at between Cross Cottages and the Primary School. All surveys should be completed in one day. Intrusive investigations will be carried out that will require a rig which has a small petrol engine, so the noise is like a lawn mower.  The rig uses a percussive weight to drive the metal sample tubes into the ground like a hammer, so there may be some noise, but it’s not like construction or piling. Vibration is minimal unless it’s a bog, which the company are not expecting to find.

Next Tuesday meeting: 2nd July

Next meeting: Wednesday 3rd July

Mobile library

Thursday 4 July 10.10 – 10.40
Boxted Playing Field car park

Book review

Tombland by C J Sansom. Sansom creates a vivid picture of life in Kett’s camp outside Norwich, as the rebels prepare to take the city.Read the full review here.

Next meeting: Friday 5th July

Boxted Methodist Church exhibition

Saturday 6th July 2-4pm
Sunday 7th July 12.30pm
The final service at Boxted Methodist Chapel will be held on Sunday 7 July at 3 pm accompanied by the Silver Band. This will be a respectful, loving remembrance of all that has been achieved at the Chapel by so many dedicated people since its opening approximately 187 years ago.

During the weekend of 6 – 7 July it is also hoped to have a small display featuring some of the history over the years.

On the Saturday the Chapel will be open for viewing from 2 pm – 4 pm and on the Sunday from 12.30 pm with the service commencing at 3 pm.

All are welcome to what will be a display and service remembering the Chapel and its long-standing association with the village.

Church Services

Sunday 7th July 

Some sad news …

John Howlett, who lived on Boxted Straight Road for over 40 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on 27th June after a short period of illness. Some will remember his wife Jean who was the local district nurse.

Ruth Higgins (daughter) asks that messages for John’s family can be sent to ‘Lavolta’, Straight Road, Boxted, CO4 5QN.

Clear your home of unwanted items and raise funds for Boxted church tower repair

• Heirlooms – Stephen Whybrow, 01206 272773
• Summer reading – Colin & Mary Huke, 01206 272183
• Designer labels – Annette Whybrow, 01206 272773
• Fashion accessories – Jos Carter, 01206 272755
• Children’s entertainment – Don & Carola Markham, 01206 617429
• Serendipity – Linda Trelau, 01206 272710
• Children’s fashions – Jo Rankin/Angharad Pearce, 01206 271954/974180
• The Kitchen Cupboard – Nigel & Mary Chapman, 01206 272908
• The Garden Centre – Liz Nickerson, 01026 272204
• Box Set Heaven – Stephen Day, 01206 273142
• The Picture Gallery – Robin and Ali Human, 01206 272297
• The Jewellery Box – Graham & Gill Pullen, 01206 273804

Summer crime prevention advice

Stephen Armson-Smith
Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor
Essex Police

During the summer months we see a rise in the number of “creeper burglaries” where burglars take advantage of open gates, windows and doors.

An open or insecure garden gate will provide the thief with access to the back of your home.  If you have unoccupied rooms that are accessible to others from outside or off flat roofs, make sure the windows are closed. If you need ventilation in these rooms whilst at home,  lock the larger window and only have the small window open even during the daytime. If you only have bigger windows, consider a lockable window restricter and a small alarm sensor on the window to detect entry.

Leave any accessible door open or insecure and an opportunist thief will pop in and anything lying around will be gone. You may have only popped next door, or down the end of the garden or be taking a quick shower – it only takes a second for a thief to steal.

Tips for a crime free summer:

• Parked cars – don’t leave property on display in the car. Are the windows shut and doors locked (don’t assume that by pressing the button on the remote it is locked, try the handle too)? A lot of thefts are from insecure cars and vans.

• Don’t attract a thief with visible insecure and unattended pedal cycles.

• Keep side or rear gates, sheds and garages shut and securely locked.

• Doors closed and locked? Don’t forget that with a PVCu multi-locking door you may have lifted the handle but until you turn the key or thumb turn on the inside you have not locked all the locks in place. Before going out or turning in for the night don’t forget to check all doors, someone may have closed it but did they lock it?

• Windows – lift the blinds or open the curtains and check they are closed. The sun may have been on the TV when it was hot, and so the curtains were drawn with the window open. Remember the above advice about open windows. In case of fire, make sure that keys to windows and doors are readily accessible to occupants but not in view of possible burglars.

• If you have an intruder alarm, activate it when going out and activate the zone for the unoccupied area whilst in.

• Car keys – don’t take them to bed with you, where possible leave them in noisy drawer/location. Keep the keyless fob in a “Faraday” bag.

• If you do hear a suspicious noise in the house that you are not happy with, dial 999 and make a noise, shout out. It could cause any intruder to flee – they may not have known you were home. Remember, your life is more important than your property. If safe to do so, get a good description of the person/s and if possible the car index number and direction of travel.

• Stopping for lunch, a drink or a cuppa whilst out, soaking up the sun, or going down to the sea, don’t drop your guard. If you don’t pay attention to your camera, mobile phone, sunglasses, purse or wallet and a thief sees them, they will steal them.

• Social media – when using “Facebook” or other social media, be wary of announcing to the world that you are away and your house is empty. Make sure your profile does not contain private information that would identify you or your address to a stranger.

Finally, if you’re going on holiday, cancel the milk and newspaper deliveries and look after each other. Get a neighbour or friend to keep an eye on your property, ensure neighbours have contact numbers for a key holder and, where possible, let them park their car on your drive. To make your home less attractive to the thief, create the illusion that your house is occupied (TV simulator, lights and radio on timers, a doorbell that you can answer from your mobile phone) – it is less likely to be broken into.

Useful links:

Boxted WI on Facebook
Boxted WI on Twitter
Boxted 10K
Boxted Airfield Historical Group
Langham Community Centre
Langham Community Shop 
Dedham Vale & Stour Valley ANOB
Essex County Council’s PROW Interactive map
Colchester District Neighbourhood Watch

Copyright © 2019 Boxted Village Website, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
boxtedvillagenews@gmail.com

Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan     Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek