Village News and Events

in Boxted and Langham

Good News!

We are delighted to announce that we are resuming distribution of the printed newsletter this month. They should be popping through your letterboxes this week. We will continue to email electronic copies alongside the paper copies

• Click here to download the full pdf version of the October 2020 newsletter
• Click here to subscribe to receive monthly newsletter by email .

Please note: Deadline for submissions for the November edition: 15th October Contact the editor via email: lwbnewsletter@gmail.com

Distributors urgently required – Boxted

We are looking for delivery volunteers for Boxted, as well as a new distribution co-ordinator for Boxted due to the imminent retirement of Ann Barnard after many years of sterling service.

Please contact the Editor for details. 01206 683670 Email: lwbnewsletter@gmail.com

Agenda for Boxted Parish Council Meeting

14th October by Zoom at 7.30pm

Download the agenda here

Shoebox appeal

This year has brought new challenges, hasn’t it? Many things we were looking forward to in 2020 have been cancelled – from the Olympics to school graduation celebrations. Children around the world, especially those in poverty have struggled with this uncertainty and sadly sometimes grief.

With so many ongoing challenges for many families it’s more important than ever to offer children a light in the darkness – a shoebox gift through Operation Christmas Child does just that, while bringing a great big smile to the face of all those little ones who receive them.

Rubbish dumped in Chapel Road

Bags of rubbish have been left in Chapel Road and have been there for a couple of weeks or so. Foxes and other animals are now opening the bags and the contents are spilling out on to the road.

Any fly tipping such as this can be reported to https://www.colchester.gov.uk/report-fly-tipping/#ValidationSummaryEntityFormView together with the details of the persons doing the fly tipping if known.

Poisonous plants left on the playing field

An eagle-eyed resident noticed these plants growing out of some topsoil that had been left by somebody on the playing field.

They are Thornapple (Latin: Datura stramonium ), which is a deadly poison.

Once the parish clerk had been notified, the area was fenced off and the plants and seedlings removed and taken away for safe disposal.

Residents in Boxted have noticed an increase in dog poo being left in the field between Straight Road and Workhouse Hill (the Harwich Lines). Dog owners – please, please act responsibly and pick up all of your dog’s waste. Please also note that many of the public footpaths across private land ask you to keep your dog on a leash.

If you see or know of those owners who are responsible for leaving dog poo anywhere, you are encouraged to report them to the dog warden at Colchester Borough Council. Full details are on the Council’s website at https://www.colchester.gov.uk/environmental-protection/report-dog-fouling/

Church services

• Sunday 11 October
  8am Gathered Eucharist at St Peter’s Boxted. If you would like to attend please can you reply with your name and telephone number for track and trace.

  9.15am – Zoom – Messy Church

  10am – Zoom – Holy Communion

• Zoom Eucharist Service: October 18, 2020 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am

• Download the service sheet here

Stephen Armson-Smith
Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor
Essex Police

Twelve tips for Christmas and after

With Christmas rapidly approaching here are a few tips to help keep you safe at home, shopping, visiting (whilst Covid compliant), and after Christmas too:

1. If you must store Christmas food and drink, presents and other goodies within garages and outbuildings, ensure that they are out of sight and that it’s securely locked with good quality well fitted locks. Treat your shed to a shed alarm.
2. Avoid tempting window shopping burglars; don’t leave presents and valuables on full view in front of a window.
3. Ensure that your windows and doors are closed and locked before leaving the house (remember your face covering). Don’t attract burglars to your home by leaving it in darkness; leave lights on timers, perhaps treat yourself to a TV simulator too.
4. Lock gates to keep unwanted visitors from getting to the rear of your home.
5. Whether an evening out or Christmas shopping keep your bags, handbags, wallets and mobile safe. Busy places make it easier for the sneak thief, so be alert at all times.
6. Park safely; look for a Parkmark accredited car park www.parkmark.co.uk/car-park-finder ( please note that this is not a ‘secure’ website and your browser may refuse to open this link ). Check that your car is locked before you leave it and don’t leave valuables and gifts on display in your car.
7. When you go to leave the house and find that your car is all iced up, don’t leave it unattended with the engine running to de-ice it. It only takes a second to steal your car and it would invalidate any insurance claim.
8. A small Christmas get together – make sure that you have considered how you are getting home in advanced and avoid using unlicensed taxi’s. Ensure you drink responsible, social distance and are aware of your surroundings, whilst keeping your drink and belongings safe. www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/FAQs/Category/personal-safety
9. Watch what you put on social media; check your settings to ensure that you are not broadcasting when you are not at home and the lovely gifts you may have received.
10. After Christmas don’t advertise your nice gifts to the thieves by putting the empty boxes out for collection, disguise them, fold them up inside out or put them inside another non-descript box.
11. Record your new property free on www.immobilise.com , install tracking and security apps on relevant electrical and computer products.

Have a Great Christmas and New Year!! For further crime prevention advice see: www.essex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

In brief …

Your quick reference guide to newsletter regulars.

Pizza anyone?

Next visits from the Mobile Pizza Co:

• Sat 31st Oct 5 to 7pm

Royal British Legion car park. Remember to call/sms txt to order, where possible. 07982 427483

Pilates!

Pilates resumed at Boxted Village Hall on Thursday 1st October at 10.30am.

Please call/ text Jo on 07887518031 for further information and booking.

Take-aways at Langham Community Centre car park

• The Cheese and Pie Man visits on Wednesdays 8.30 – 2pm
• Fish and Chip Van on Fridays 11 – 2pm

Every three weeks on a Thursday 10.10am to 10.40am at Boxted Village Hall car park.

• 22 October
• 12 November
• 3 December
• 24 December
• 14 January 2021

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

Useful links:

Boxted Parish Council
Boxted Village Hall
Boxted Village Website
Boxted Neighbourhood Plan
Boxted Primary School
Boxted British Legion

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Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan : Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek