1st April 2022

Apr 4, 2022

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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.

Church services

Sunday 3 April

St. Mary’s Langham:

9.30 am All Age Family Service 9.30 am
6.30 pm The Eucharist

Boxted Village Green

For the last few months, The Boxted Biodiversity and Sustainability group have been busy enhancing the Village Green (the green area in front of the Hill Farm development at Boxted Cross), in order to provide a rich environment for all manner of fauna and flora to flourish but also to make it a beautiful spot for all to visit and enjoy a more naturalised landscape.

The working group has defined two areas within the green for wildflower planting – either side of the green’s main central circular bench which surrounds the oak tree. The remainder of the grass is being maintained as conventional mown grassland which is suitable for walking, dog walking, picnics, and general use by the public.

Before Christmas, 2000+ spring bulbs were planted along the hedgerows, under the recently planted lime and heritage apple trees and in the wildflower areas.

The group’s aim is to plant a rich assortment of native species to enhance the environment in which wildlife can prosper and thrive, but following in the footsteps of Great Dixter and other contemporary renowned meadow makers, non-native crocuses were planted to create a jewelled lawn in the very early spring (and thus providing some welcome nectar for any early emerging hibernating bees) and camassia bulbs with their starry blue flowers, in the early summer.

Inspired by Mr. Reese’s spectacular bank of daffodils a little further along at the top of Carter’s Hill, many varieties of daffodil bulbs were chosen to give a succession of blooms from February through to April. Other spring bulbs planted include snowdrops, bluebells and snakehead fritillaries.

As the season progresses, the wildflowers will start to bloom. Already, along the hedgerows the primroses have begun to flower and within the central wildflower areas, spring flowering wood anemones, cowslips and oxlips have been planted and cuckoo flower seeds scattered.

Last weekend, volunteers, planted a hundred native hedging plants to ameliorate the existing hedgerows that had become sparse and neglected over the years and for additional screening that was originally planned for but never implemented. Species include blackthorn, holly, hawthorn, cherry plum, dog wood, alder, spindle, guelder rose and hazel together with a selection of wild roses.

Also planted on the green side of the hedgerow are a couple of damson bushes in homage to the damsons planted by the Women’s Land Army in Boxted during WW2 of which very few now exist in the village.

The group’s next focus is on adding summer and autumn colour and habitats to the wildflower zones with native planting. In the autumn, the original grassland was scarified and yellow rattle seed scattered to weaken the grass and prevent it smothering any newly planted wildflowers.

if you wish to express any interest in, or comment on these activities, please feel free to contact the Clerk to Boxted Parish Council or Councillor Jonathan Hunt on the email addresses below.

BPC Clerk boxtedparishcouncil@gmail.com
Cllr. Jonathan Hunt cllr.hunt@boxtedparishcouncil.org.uk

Fly Tipping on Cooks Hill

Over the past few months there have been several incidents of fly tipping at the bottom of Cooks Hill, next to the footpath sign. The rubbish has included a cooker, fridge, freezer, 3 mattresses and most recently a large armchair. This is becoming a regular event after each load is cleared away by Colchester Borough Council.

What is doubly disappointing is that the offenders probably live locally and may even be reading this. If they are, then please stop this anti-social behaviour that shows disrespect for your environment and your neighbours. Use the free council facilities at Shrub End or the refuse freighter that comes to the village.

If residents come across flytipping, it can be reported easily on the Council’s website at https://www.colchester.gov.uk/street-cleaning/#ValidationSummaryEntityFormView . They will remove items that are not on landowners property, i.e. on the side of the road, not in ditches or fields. All the items pictured have been reported.

Local residents in choirs

See some of our local residents participating in regional choirs:

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Saturday 30th April 2022 7pm
Snape Maltings Concert Hall

Mendelssohn: Wie der Hirsch schreit (psalm 42)
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
Haydn: Paukenmesse (Missa in tempore belli)

University of Essex Choir
London Mozart Players
Milly Forrest
Amy Lyddon
James Way
Michael Lafferty
Ben Vonberg Clark , conductor

Tickets on sale from Snape Maltings
For more information please email tickets@universityofessexchoir.org

Boxted Bridge

Highways latest submission, ‘Clarification Report’ point 4. Clarification relating to heritage claims that the asset ‘is not recommended for listing (by English Heritage) for the following principal reasons: ‘Lack of architectural interest’. Clarification report fails to mention Boxted bridge listed on Colchester Borough Council Local List.

Read the full update here!

Regulars in Boxted

Tuesday 5 April, 2 – 4 pm

Boxted Community Hub
Every fortnight. 6 games and a weekly raffle.

For more information, call Dot on 01206 272676

Boxted History Group

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

Boxted WI

2nd Tuesday of each month 7.30 – 9,30
Boxted Village Hall

You can find us on Facebook

Art and Craft Club

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

Open Door Cafe

Fridays in term time.
Boxted Village Hall

Bowls club

Every Friday 2 – 4 pm
Boxted Village Hall

Monthly Pencil Art

Saturdays dates are 2-5pm and Mondays are 6-9pm.
Boxted Village Hall

Saturday April 9th
Monday April 25th

Contact willowsofdedham@gmail.com for more info

Mobile library

10.10am to 10.40am (Boxted Village Hall car park)

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/

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 at St Peter’s Church. Contact Dominic Sheil 01206 273324

RBL

Saturday 2 April: Old Skool Band 8 pm start
Tuesday 5 April: Games Night 7.30 pm start

Remember, there’s always lots going on at Boxted Royal British Legion. Head over to the RBL Facebook page for regular updates.

Regulars in Langham

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 Community Cafe

Next takes place Friday 22 April, 10.30 am to noon, in Langham Community Centre, including the usual book sale, and is hosted by the Community Shop. Tea or coffee and biscuit £1; cake 50p. extra. All welcome.

Beer and the Bible

The Shepherd and Dog, Langham
Normally Second Monday of the month, 8pm
Currently every Monday during Lent

In the Community

JustGiving for MND

Boxted Runners Ian Raymant and Jim Spurgeon are taking up the challenge to support those living with Motor Neurone Disease. Read Ian’s story and pledge your support at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ian-raymant1

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.