17th April 2021

Village News and Events

in Boxted and Langham

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

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..

Faces of the Village

Robert Spittal

Robert launched the NHS Appeal (or £1.00 NHS Appeal) in March 2021 after receiving his first COVID-19 vaccination. Sitting in the “Observation Area” after his jab Robert really wanted to say thank you and make a donation to support the NHS workers that have worked so hard and given so much over the last year and more. However with no easy way of doing this so Robert launched the NHS Appeal. The idea simply is that we often give a tip when we visit a café, restaurant or hairdresser (amongst others) as a thank you and in appreciation of the service we have enjoyed. LET’S DO THE SAME FOR OUR NHS WORKERS.

The charity involved – The Healthcare Workers Foundation – supports NHS workers directly in a variety of innovative ways to help assure their welfare and well-being.

Just imagine how much we could help our NHS workers if everyone were to make a donation? Please help now by making a donation. Here are the details:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/theonepoundnhsappeal

Please give generously if you can.

If you like this initiative and do plan to make a donation please do it now,even if you have not yet had your jab. If you leave it until later there is a fair chance you will forget so please … please … do it now.

Share the links with your friends and load it up to your social media pages for the world to see. Let’s see how much of a make a difference we can make.

__________

Robert has lived in Boxted for 25 years and recently retired from a career in information technology (IT). Robert remembers his father asking him “Is this a proper job?” at the start of his career and reflects now of course that computers and technology are a big part of all of our lives (and thank goodness for the online services that have helped us get through lockdown .. including educational services to ZOOM and the like!).

The car picture signals Robert’s long time passion for classic cars and Historic Rallying which he accepts has become a bit of an addiction but one which he manages one day at a time!

Langham Parish Council

The Annual Parish Meeting (Annual Assembly) has been re-scheduled and will now take place on 28 April at 7.30 pm, via Zoom.

This is a meeting of the of the residents of a parish, defined as the local government electorate, the purpose of which is to discuss matters affecting the parish. This is not a Parish Council meeting and is for the residents (electors) who have a right to speak, discuss issues and make their views known.

If you would like to attend this meeting, please contact the Parish Clerk who will provide online access details. clerk@langhamparishcouncil.co.uk .

Parish Magazine

The magazine is delivered to every household in Boxted and Langham by volunteers. A new volunteer is being sought to deliver copies to the 19 properties from Horkesley Road to Queens Head Road (including Peppers Lane) on the western side of Straight Road, Boxted. Please contact Lin Tralau on 272710 if you feel you can help.

You can view past editions of the newsletter and find out contact details, copy deadlines etc., at https://lb-churches.co.uk/parish-newsletter/

The April meeting was cancelled due to the official days of public mourning for the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

However, Karen Thompson, the parish council clerk, reported back from a recent clerks forum meeting that she attended:

Elections on 6th May
Polling stations open as usual for 6th May elections – all Covid precautions have been planned.

But easiest way to vote is by post – Colchester Borough Council link for getting a postal vote has been posted on the Boxted Parish Council Facebook page.

Update re Colchester Borough Council online services
Public protection system has moved on to the new Northern Assure platform so much easier to apply for various licenses or report a noise nuisance.

The planning portal is moving over next so we should see improvements to the online system

Neighbourhood Watch (NW)
Crime dipped a lot at beginning of lockdown 1 but is increasing again now (especially scams)

There are 93 NW Schemes covering about 10% of Colchester residents

Colchester Neighbourhood Watch has a website with excellent crime prevention resources – it is accessed from many other countries!! https://colchesternhw.org.uk/

Individuals can join the Colchester neighbourhood watch and get updates etc. There isn’t a Boxted NW scheme nearest is in Great Horkesley. Not hard to set one up – would take a coordinator about 15 minutes a week.

Police
There are new domestic violence teams in the area, working with local agencies to identify victims and perps.

Street Meets can be arranged – community policing team come to your area at a prearranged time. We can arrange one for Boxted if it would be worthwhile or we could invite to a Boxted event to have a presence – when we have a village event again.

Crime
Lots of graffiti to the town centre – one-person apprehended thought to be responsible for most of it.

Vehicle theft and theft of catalytic converters is prevalent at the moment especially along the A12 corridor.

Anti-social behaviour seen at garages.

Cannabis factory in Dedham

Speed checks in Great Horkesley and Boxted – but roadworks have kept the traffic slow!!

Colchester Borough Council have some great online training for councillors and members of the public. They cover suicide prevention, domestic abuse, and Prevent (radicalisation) – just to note I did the suicide prevention online course and it meant I was able to have a (potentially) life changing conversation with a family member as a result. The courses are free.

PREVENT
Home Office: 60 minutes e-learning https://www.elearning.prevent.homeoffice.gov.uk/la2/screen1.html

Suicide Prevention
Zero Suicide Alliance: 20 minute e-learning https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/
Colchester has the third highest suicide rate in England (and Tendring has the 2nd highest)

Domestic Abuse
Alpha Vesta delivering suite of online workshops. Follow link to see course details/dates: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/alpha-vesta-cic-30277303852

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:

April 18, 2021 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am
April 25, 2021 at 9:15 am – 10:00 am

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/

For prayer requests or general inquiries, please contact the Three Parishes Administrator, Mrs Jo Rassell on:

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.

Church Funds

The village churches have set up an online market place to fundraise. The aim is to raise funds to help support church activities and maintenance and also providing gardeners with an alternative to discarding their surplus plants by making them available to fellow gardeners in exchange for charitable donations.

Head over to https://stpetersmarketplace.org/ to find out how you can contribute or email stpetersmarkets@gmail.com for further information.

In brief …

Your quick reference guide to newsletter regulars.

Did you know Langham Community Shop has its own website? For all the latest information on opening times, services, special events and what’s for sale, visit https://www.langhamcommunityshop.org.uk/ .

Mobile library

The mobile library van will be resuming on Thursday 29 April at Boxted Playing Field car park from 10.10 to 10.40 am.

To keep up to date with the timetable please visit the Mobile Library Service website

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.