Village News and Events
in Boxted and Langham
If you wish to have an item included in this newsletter, please email us at newsandevents@boxted.org.uk by Thursday 5pm at the latest. Thank you.
Stay safe and healthy..
From the archive …
Pond House
Above: Photo taken in 1973
Above: Paul Collier fishing in Pond House Lake 1977
The above two photos are courtesy of Peter Gant, past resident and village archivist.
Does anyone know of the whereabouts of Paul Collier or the story behind this photo? Email us at newsandevents@boxted.org.uk
Fake National Insurance Calls
Following a surge in reporting to Action Fraud, Essex has also seen an increase in automated National Insurance scams.
Residents have reported receiving an automated telephone call telling them their “National Insurance number has been compromised” and in order to fix this and get a new number, the victim needs to “press 1 on their handset to be connected to the caller”.
Once connected to the “caller”, they are pressured into giving over their personal details in order to receive a new National Insurance number. In reality, they’ve been connected to a criminal who can now use their personal details to commit further frauds. Remember:
- STOP – Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
- CHALLENGE – Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
- PROTECT – If you have provided personal details to someone over the phone and you now believe this to be a scam, contact your bank, building society and credit card company immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Quiz night details
Saturday 20 February
Thank you to everyone who has confirmed they would like to take part. The Zoom link is below and do feel free to pass it on to anyone who might be interested. If you haven’t decided yet, you can just join on the night, there’s no real limit on numbers!
Please could folk join from 7.45pm onwards for an 8pm start. There will be 6 rounds of questions with a break in the middle, and a modest prize for the winning team. Look forward to seeing you.
Topic: Quiz night
Time: Feb 20, 2021 07:45 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87416057352?pwd=MVpXeE52ZWoyMU56cnhlNzNkOW40UT09
Meeting ID: 874 1605 7352
Passcode: 304927
Boxted bridge
A dedicated email address (boxtedenquiries@essexhighways.org) has been set up to support the public with any questions relating to the structure that are not already answered on the webpage.
The full website address for the Boxted Bridge project is:
https://www.essexhighways.org/transport-and-roads/highway-schemes-and-developments/highway-schemes/boxted-bridge-wick-road-boxted-colchester.aspx
For more information and to sign the petition to save the original structure of Boxted Bridge, please head to https://www.change.org/p/essex-county-council-save-our-bridge
Boxted Parish Council Report – February 2021
Boxted Parish Council meets 10 times a year as a full Council on the second Wednesday evening of the month (not August or December). Members of the public are very much welcome to join us on these meetings, just email the Clerk on boxtedparishcouncil@gmail.com for a link to click and you can join us on your computer, tablet or phone. There is a regular slot at the start of each meeting for people to raise any issues which, if they can’t be answered straight away, the Council can take them away and respond afterwards. The minutes of each meeting are published on the new Parish Council website (boxtedparishcouncil.org.uk).
Continuing campaign to persuade Essex Highways to repair and restore the lovely Boxted Bridge, near Boxted Mill, rather than replace it with a new bigger structure. The Save Our Bridge campaign, run by Boxted residents, has a petition with over 4000 signatures. The Parish Council very much supports the local campaign and although discussions with Essex Highways have led to a much better design of the bridge with efforts to imitate the look the existing bridge, the Essex Highways team is not moving from it’s plan to replace the bridge. Highways originally said that they would submit a planning application to secure permission to replace the bridge, they then said that they were not legally obliged to do this so had decided to use their ‘permitted rights’ to replace the bridge but after local pressure from residents and the Parish Council they have reverted to their plan to submit a planning application. A planning application will give interested parties like the Dedham Vale Society, CPRE and Save Britain’s Heritage the opportunity to comment and object. You can find the link to the petition on the Boxted Village website at https://boxted.org.uk/2020/11/10/bridge/
The recent weather has resulted in flooded roads and gardens in several places in the village and overloaded the waste system resulting in surface sewage flooding. This is very distressing for all involved and we would like to see improvements to the water systems to stop this happening in the future. Climate change means that we will experience much more winter rain resulting in more local flooding and it is everyone’s responsibility to maintain and keep clear water courses and ditches that are on or are adjacent to their property. We hope that increased awareness will mean that ditches and any underground pipes are kept clear improving our chances of not seeing water or sewage in our properties.
Talking about weather, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the volunteers that have managed to salt some of the more dangerous pathways and corners that aren’t part of the Essex gritting routes. We probably don’t cover all treacherous paths but if you know of a difficult area that you would be able to grit with parish council provided salt then please let the Clerk know.
We very much hope to develop a Rural Exception Site providing a small number of lower rental cost housing for local people. The Council will work with the Rural Community Council of Essex to work through the process.
Lockdown means we still can’t have organised sport at the Recreation Ground so no football and the Hub café and Village Hall area still closed to the public. The play areas open but please know that the equipment is not cleaned. You should either bring hand sanitiser or get hands washed as soon as possible.
We should be installing seven pieces of outdoor gym equipment alongside the children’s play area soon; we are just waiting for permissions from Colchester Borough Council. This project was in response to the village questionnaire that identified many residents suggesting more should be available on the field.
We are still nearly there in taking ownership of the corner grassed area of the Hill Farm development at Boxted Cross as a Village Green.
Dates for your diary:
- 21 March is Census 21 day. Please do take part as local services are planned on the basis of Census information.
- Local elections for Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council are taking place on 6 May. We understand that these will be normal elections with polling stations but if you want to stay safe, especially if you are shielding, then please apply for a postal vote. You download the form from this site at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote
Please stay safe and continue to enjoy your lovely village.
Karen Thompson, Clerk to Boxted Parish Council
If you want to get in touch with the Council, please drop an email to boxtedparishcouncil@gmail.com.
Langham Village Correspondent
Tony Ellis, Barnacles, Wick Road, Langham.
01206 231164
Langham Community Shop Association
The Annual Members’ Meeting of the Association takes place remotely on 23 February at 7.30 pm via Zoom. Please contact the Secretary Gill Salt on 01206 230406 for more information and login details.
Community Shop
Orders for heating oil must be placed in person at the Community Shop by 4.00 pm on Tuesday 16 March. Minimum order 500 litres; registration fee £2, volunteers £1.
During the current restrictions the Community Shop remains open for customers and telephone orders (tel. 01206 272431). Outreach Post Office times are: Mondays 9.00 am to 12.30 pm; Thursdays 12.30 to 4.00 pm.
Parish Council
Langham Parish Council meets monthly (excluding August and December) on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm. Owing to the Covid-19 restrictions, meetings take place remotely by Zoom. Any members of the public wishing to join the meeting should e-mail the Clerk, Carol Harbach, on clerk@langhamparishcouncil.co.uk. Questions are taken from members of the public as part of the agenda which also includes items relating to transport, planning, footpaths and other matters affecting the village. Detailed information on these and other matters are available on the website www.langhamparishcouncil.co.uk
The Emerging Local Plan (ELP) from Colchester Borough Council (CBC)has been exercising us over the last five to six years, with discussion, debate, meetings and representations by the Parish Council, interested parties and members of the public. CBC allocated three sites for potential development in Langham, two in School Road for 40 and 30 dwellings respectively and one in Wick Road for 10 dwellings. A speculative application was made for 46 dwellings in School Road by Linden Homes Ltd., which received conditional approval by CBC as the planning authority in 2020. Work on the site began at the beginning of February. A preliminary scheme has now been put forward for 30 dwellings on the second allocated site in School Road by Williamson Developments Ltd. A promotional document seeking the views of residents has been circulated by the company. The Parish Council has also distributed a survey questionnaire on this subject and we would encourage as many as can to reply in the reply-paid envelope. The questionnaire can also be found on the website above, completed and returned by 22 February.
Under the s106 agreement signed off by CBC and the Developers in December Langham will benefit from improvements to the Community Centre, Community Shop, Pre-School and Recreation Ground with the available funding. These projects are being co-ordinated by the Parish Council and the improvements will bring about new facilities and lasting enhancements for the benefit of the village and the wider community.
The Clerk has received many notes of appreciation and thanks for the Christmas hampers delivered to deserving residents in December. We are gratified to learn that this gesture of goodwill at what was a difficult time for many was so well received.
The Parish Council continues to monitor traffic in the village and surrounding area. Owing to current restrictions and the very low traffic levels, the planned traffic survey has been delayed until more normal conditions are experienced. The Parish Council is monitoring the situation with regard to two significant Ardleigh planning applications at the Old Ipswich Road on the approach to the Ardleigh Interchange. If approved, movement of heavy goods vehicles through the village could increase significantly.
A number of people have expressed an interest in filling the vacancy on the Parish Council and we are currently discussing the nature of the role of a Parish Councillor with them.
- Win an amazing eco hamper
- Top tips for disposing of your waste safely
- Power your home with solar
- Improve the energy efficiency of your home
- Highlights from Love Essex social media
- Leftover pancake recipes
- Mythbuster: do you know how your recycling is processed?
Go to https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKESSEX/bulletins/2bab91cs for all the details
Church services
Both St Mary’s Langham and St Peter’s Boxted are now open for private prayer.
A weekly service is streamed via Zoom.
- Zoom Holy Communion – February 21, 2021 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88066393276?pwd=Z25OMWtBVDBVWEw3ZEpHZ0hYYXpJZz09Meeting ID: 880 6639 3276
Passcode: 909659
- Praise on 4 – February 21, 2021 09:10am
Praise on 4 will be a Praise on 3 this month! We have changed it from the 4th to the 3rd Sunday this month so as not to clash with Mandy’s farewell service on 28 Feb. We hope you will be able to join us, when we will be reflecting on the passage of Luke 12:22-34 – ‘Do not worry’.
A colouring sheet is attached for the children. Please could you join at 9.10am for a 9.15am start. Look forward to seeing you!Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87384662528?pwd=bGw5ZXdwR3k4SW9vRFpCcTVLN25NZz09Meeting ID: 873 8466 2528
Passcode: 150852
- DEEP on Zoom – February 21, 2021 at 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
A family friendly interactive service for all ages. Please contact the church office on lwb.wb.gh.parishes@gmail.com for details of the zoom link.
Please email lwb.wb.gh.parishes@gmail.com to request details of the zoom link; a recording of the service is available from Sunday afternoon at the following link:
https://lb-churches.co.uk/streamed-services/
Email: lwb.wb.gh.parishes@gmail.com
Tel: 01206 243683
Jo works 9-12 on Mondays and 9-1 on Tuesday-Friday. If she’s not in the office, please leave a message on the answer machine.
In brief …
Your quick reference guide to newsletter regulars.
Mobile library
Following the latest Government guidelines the mobile library service is suspended until further notice.
To keep up to date with any changes please visit the Mobile Library Service website
Thursday opening times for the Post Office at the Langham Community Shop are from 12.30 to 4.00 pm.
Monday opening times remain the same at 9.00 am to 12.30 pm.
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
Covid symptom app
Please continue to use the app, log in as often as possible to let us know if you feel well or not, and encourage others to do the same.
Langham Community Shop
Calendar photo competition
All ages, all abilities. Monthly competition to find pictures through the months and seasons of Langham for our 2022 calendar. Call in the shop or email for full details and requirements.
communityshoplangham@gmail.com.
Include ‘Langham Calendar Competition’ in the subject line along with the following information “The photo (as an attachment – jpg or png) title, date photo was taken, your name, contact number and permissions (this will b e required if faces are included in the image). Deadline for entries is 12noon on the 15th (e.g. if you enter November photo, send in by 15th December).
Winners will be announced at the end of each month and the 12 images that make it into the calendar will receive a published copy and prize when each win is announced. There will be four photos shortlisted and put up for you to vote on each month. Make sure you vote when you pop in for your shopping!
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
Copyright © 2021 Boxted Village Website, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.
Our mailing address is:
newsandevents@boxted.org.uk
Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan : Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek