18th February 2022

Village News and Events

in Boxted and Langham

Welcome to the latest 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.

Boxted Churchyard Project

Saturday 19 February

One of the main tasks in maintaining the churchyard is removing ivy which eats away at everything it grows on.

If you wish to be involved in this project, please contact Stephen Whybrow on 01206 272773 or email stephenwhybrow@msn.com

Church services

Sunday 20 February

9.30 am The Eucharist at St Peter’s, Boxted
4 pm Teatime Family Service at St Peter’s, Boxted

Sunday 27 February

9.30 am Eucharist at St Mary’s Langham

Snowman? No man!

A photo from the village history archives taken some years ago in St Peter’s churchyard, reveals a case of mistaken identity! First glance shows us a jolly smiling snowman. The reality check reveals it to be a snow covered headstone sculpted by the wind. Thanks to Annette Whybrow, Boxted’s History Archivist for sharing..

Annette is always pleased to receive any photos, documents etc to add to the archives. Contact annettewhybrow@hotmail.com

Boxted Parish Council Vacancy

Are you interested in getting involved in grass roots decisions and making a real difference to your community? If so, and you meet the eligibility criteria, why not consider standing for co-option onto Boxted Parish Council?

We currently have a vacancy and are looking a Councillor to join.

Information is available on

https://boxtedparishcouncil.org.uk/vacancies/

Written applications need to be made by 28th March 2022

Boxted Bridge campaign highlights wider issues

Intrepid countryside couple Barbara and Kevin recently undertook a tour of troublesome hotspots in an effort to highlight to Essex Highways some of the issues in and around our village.

Barbara and Kevin’s escapades highlight the lack of regular basic road maintenance, such as potholes and flood erosion in the surrounding area to Boxted bridge, which road users in the rural north of Essex and the AONB have to navigate on a daily basis.

Repairs to the neglected four ‘substandard bridges’ over culverts by Boxted bridge – where two of the couple’s incidents took place – are not included in the proposed bridge replacement scheme.

Unlike the heroine of the melodrama silent film series ‘ The Perils of Pauline ’ (William Randolph Hearst, 1914) who actively sought adventure, Barbara and Kevin would far rather their pennies were spent on fixing these basic highways issues than bank roll the eye watering cost (at least £1million) of the proposed bridge replacement.

Above: Barbara and Kevin get tangled up in the out of control ivy on substandard bridge structure 271 Lower Farm Road, Boxted

Above: Barbara uses life-saving discarded drinks can to paddle ashore in a pot hole, Sky Hall Hill, 160 cm long x 50 cm wide x 15 cm deep

Above: Kevin rescues his beloved after she slips and falls at the eroded and dangerous bank at The Causeway, Lower Farm Road, Boxted

If you wish to report a pothole, eroded road surface or any other maintenance issue which you feel should be inspected by Essex Highways, head to the ‘Tell Us’ page on their website: https://www.essexhighways.org/tell-us

Update on objections to Essex Highways planning application Boxted bridge

Keep up to date with all the latest developments on the updates page at Change.org .

Thank you to everyone who has written to object to Essex Highways planning application to demolish Boxted bridge and replace it with a replacement bridge on a much wider footprint. 70 comments have been received by Babergh DC, 68 objecting and 1 supporting! 21 ‘robust representations’ were sent by members of the public raising objections to the proposals to Colchester DC.

READ THE FULL COMMENT HERE

Regulars at Boxted Village Hall

Boxted Village Bingo

Tuesdays 3 – 5 pm Alternate weeks.

Boxted History Group

3rd Wednesday of each month, 7 – 10 pm.
For further information call 01206 272774

Boxted WI

2nd Tuesday of each month 7.30 – 9,30

Art and Craft Club

1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month 2 – 4 pm

Open Door Cafe

Fridays in term time.

Bowls club

Every Friday 2 – 4 pm

Monthly Pencil Art

Saturday 28 February, 6-9pm
Contact willowsofdedham@gmail.com for more info

Family quiz night

Saturday 5 March
£8 per head, under 11s free
Contract Dominic or Linda on 01206 273324 or email dominic@poplargs.co.uk

Mobile library

10.10am to 10.40am (car park)

10 March 2022
31 March 2022
21 April 2022
12 May 2022
02 June 2022

For all mobile library dates go to https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/mobile-library-service/boxted/boxted-village-hall/

Regulars in the Community

Langham Community Centre

The Langham Community Centre hosts a wide range of regular clubs and unique activities. Many of these groups would welcome new members, so don’t hesitate to browse the ‘Activities’ page on the website or see the Facebook page to find out more.

If you have an idea for a new club or event, please contact Sue Armstrong by calling 07741 284132 or emailing LanghamCC@gmail.com to further discuss your idea.

Langham Film Nights

Saturday 19 February
Langham Community Centre
Click here for ticket information

The Edge & The Zone

The Zone for 6-11 year olds 5.30pm-7pm and the Edge for 12-18 year olds 7.30pm-9.00pm. Fortnightly during term time. Contact Dominic Sheil 01206 273324

Crafty Ladies

Meet on the first Wednesday of each month throughout the year, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm at Langham Community Centre; subscription £26 due March and September. Contact Chrissy Todd on 07742 131454

2nd Langham Scout Group

Meetings are held each Wednesday evening at Langham Community Centre. Beavers, 5.00 to 6.15 pm; Cubs, 6.15 to 7.30 pm; Scouts, 7.30 to 9.00 pm. Further details from Group Scout Leader Denise Hobday on 01206 230918.

St Peter’s Markets plants

Early Spring Special Offers:

Primroses, Snowdrops and Sweet Rocket Plants – 3 for £4
Mature Asparagus Plants in pots – 3 for £5
Jerusalem Artichokes for planting – 10 for £4

Online village plant sale raising funds for our local churches. Go to https://stpetersmarketplace.org/

Digital help at home

This service is 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.