Village News and Events
in Boxted and Langham
If you wish to have an item included in this newsletter, please email us at boxtedvillagenews@gmail.com by Thursday 5pm at the latest. Thank you.
Stay safe everyone.
Boxted Parish Council
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 September at 7.30 pm via Zoom technology.
Any member of the public who wishes to join the meeting can find the link on the agenda above or email the Clerk, Karen Thompson boxtedparishcouncil@gmmail.com who will be able to provide a link.
It is envisaged that Parish Council meetings will carry on via Zoom technology for the foreseeable future.
- Click here to read minutes of past meetings
- Click here to read the Covid-19 risk assessment for the re-opening of Boxted village hall
Schools are back!
As teachers welcome back pupils, life starts to look ‘normal’ again. We thought you might like to read the last newsletter from Boxted St Peter’s primary school, published at the end of last term.
Click here to view the newsletter
The school bus in 1978
Photo courtesy of Peter Gant, past resident and village archivist,
The Great British September Clean
Pledge to pick for the Great British September Clean
Make a difference to the environment in your local area by joining the national campaign, 11-27 September 2020.
- Organise a private clean-up with up to five other family and friends.
- Pledge to do your own individual clean-up, you can give as little as 15 minutes to the campaign.
Langham with Boxted monthly newsletter
During the current Coronavirus lockdown, there will be no printed copy of this newsletter. If you have friends or neighbours who use email, but may not be aware of this electronic newsletter distribution, please mention it to them. (At present we have 145 registered email subscribers, so many villagers will not be receiving a Parish Newsletter at the moment).
Download the September issue of the newsletter here
Subscribe to receive monthly newsletter here
Church services

This Sunday there will be a gathering at St Mary’s West Bergholt for the 10am Communion Service with Rev’d John Chandler. Should you wish to attend in person please could you let Janine know by Saturday lunchtime so that the seating arrangement can be sorted in advance. Contact 01206 243683 or email lwb.wb.gh.parishes@gmail.com
Topic: Sunday Service
Time: Sep 6, 2020 09:50 AM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84371762602?pwd=bHFaOWlleUwwZXpJZS9FcW43TG0xUT09
Meeting ID: 843 7176 2602
Passcode: 334315
Holy Communion services will now be held at 8 am on the second Sunday of the month in Boxted and the third Sunday of the month in Langham.
Boxted: September 13
Langham: September 20
Sunday services are on theLangham and Boxted Church Website for all to view under Streamed Services. https://lb-churches.co.uk/streamed-services/ They will be uploaded on Sunday afternoons for as long as services are streamed.
Download the services booklet here
Daily Hope – a free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers. Available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 has been set up for those unable to join in online church services during the period of restrictions.Click here for further details.
Heating oil and the illusion of occupancy
Stephen Armson-Smith
Crime Prevention Tactical Officer
Essex Police
Heating Oil
As it comes to the time when you are thinking about topping up your heating oil tank for winter, with the value of fuel it is worth considering its security.
In the more isolated parts of the countryside it is primarily domestic properties that have been targeted by the heating oil thieves, but we have also seen such thefts at farms and other businesses.
There are several security devices available that will protect your fuel supplies – details of which can be found via your fuel supplier or local plumber’s merchant. One such system is Tank Commander which has “Secured by Design” accreditation . Products like this will detect a dramatic drop in fuel and notify you by phone and/or audible alarm. There are also other similar security products that can add onto an existing intruder alarm system, whilst others may protect the filler cap and there are of course the conventional locks.
Another consideration would be concealing it with landscaping and spiky planting around the tank, restricting access to it with gates or fencing, and where possible locating the tank under lighting in view of lived in rooms within the house.
The Illusion of occupancy
As the nights draw in earlier don’t forget to use table lamps on timers, and there are TV simulators such as “Fake TV” that produces lighting that resembles a television switched on within a room. Consider installing external “Dusk till dawn” lighting and remember to ensure gates are in good condition, closed and locked.
Other products available to make it appear that you are home are a movement sensor that activates an appliance plugged into a plug socket and doorbells that you can answer remotely after viewing the caller; an internet search will find these and other security products.
If you would like further advice regarding security please look at the Essex Police website www.essex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/ and https://www.securedbydesign.com/ .
Naturally we also ask locals to report any unusual activity to police in an emergency on 999 or after the event on 101 or “Do it online” www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online/report-a-crime/or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
In brief …
Your quick reference guide to newsletter regulars.
Pizza anyone?
- Wednesday 16 September 5 to 7pm
- Saturday 26 September 5 to 7pm
Royal British Legion car park. Remember to call/sms txt to order, where possible. 07982 427483.
Mobile library
Every three weeks on a Thursday 10.10am to 10.40am at Boxted Village Hall car park.
- 10 September
- 1 October
- 22 October
Digital help at home
Remember that this service is still available online. Michael Smith at Colchester Borough Council is still offering digital support via a remote service. See the Council’s webpage or, for further information.
- Colchester 01206 282 452/ Clacton 01255 686497
- Email: Digitalaccesssupport@colchester.gov.uk
Coronavirus updates
Sign up here:
Covid-19 symptom checker app:
Download the app for iPhone here
Download the app for Android here
Useful links:
Boxted Parish Council
Boxted Village Hall
Boxted Village Website
Boxted Neighbourhood Plan
Boxted Primary School
Boxted British Legion
Langham and Boxted Churches
Boxted Cricket Club
Mobile Library Service
Boxted Runners
Boxted WI on Facebook
Boxted WI on Twitter
Boxted 10K
Boxted Airfield Historical Group
Langham Community Centre
Langham Community Shop
Langham Village Website
Dedham Vale & Stour Valley ANOB
Essex County Council’s PROW Interactive map
Colchester District Neighbourhood Watch
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Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan : Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek