Village News and Events
In Boxted & Langham
Happy new year and 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 4 January
St Peter’s, Boxted
9.30 am Morning Worship and Baptism
Roadworks
Chapel Road, Boxted will be closed from January 5 for 75 days while water connection works are undertaken by Anglian Water.
Mill Road, Boxted will be closed from January 5 for nine days while underground cabling works are undertaken by UK Power Networks.
Source: Colchester Gazette 21/12/25
Beautiful Boxted
Crepuscular Rays
Anyone out walking on the evening of 22nd December would have been treated to a subtle but rare optical effect.
Most people would not be familiar with the term ‘crepuscular rays’ but it refers to quite a common occurrence, perhaps more familiarly known as sunbeams (see above image). We can see these when the Sun is shining and sharp-edged clouds are visible. If the atmosphere is dusty, it’s possible to see sunlight shining through the edge of the clouds and this gives a view of dark and light bands. They appear to fan out from the direction of the Sun, but this is in fact an optical effect due to perspective, a bit like railway tracks converging in the distance.
If conditions are right, however, you may be able to observe a much rarer display of ‘anti-crepuscular’ rays, and this is what appeared on that evening. The pictures, taken over Harwich Lines, show subtle dark lines appearing to converge on the horizon but once again this is a perspective effect. You can imagine staring in the direction of the Sun (when it’s safely behind the clouds) and the bright sunbeams will appear to fan out and in principle be at their widest at the zenith overhead before converging in the opposite direction. Anti-crepuscular rays are generally much fainter and more difficult to spot so you’ll need to keep a sharp eye out for them. I’ve been looking for them for forty years and have only seen them twice, the first time without a camera.
Images and text by Nik Szymanek
Later this month …
Tai Chi Open House
Sunday 18 January, 9am – 10.30am
Boxted Village Hall
All are welcome to come along.
Boxted Runners
Absolute Beginners 0-5k
Saturday 31 January
Boxted Runners are delighted to announce the return of our popular and fun “Zero to 5k” Absolute Beginners running course!
If you think you can’t run a 5k, this is definitely for you!
No experience is required in running, we will show you how it’s done and how it can be achieved in a fun, welcoming and supportive environment!
You will progress over the 12 weeks from a slow walk run to completing your first 5k by week 10 and then grow in confidence over the final few weeks, joining the Boxted Runners 5k group for the final two weeks of the course.
After each session, you can join the coach and other Boxted Runners at HarpersCaffe for a coffee and chat.
Give it a go! You might just surprise yourself! To book your place for only £24, please follow the link below to our website booking page and start looking forward to your new running journey with the very friendly and supportive Boxted Runners!
https://boxtedrunners.co.uk/AB-register
Regulars in Boxted
Did you know there is an events calendar for Boxted Village Hall on the Boxted Village Website. Click here to view the calendar .
Pylons in Boxted
For all the latest information regarding the National Grid pylon project, please go to https://pylonseastanglia.co.uk/news/
Sing to beat Parkinsons
Fortnightly Wednesdays 10.30 – noon (term time). £5.00. Contact Emma Bishton at colchester.singtobeat@gmail.com for more information and check session dates at www.ejbmusic.co.uk/colchester
Boxted Royal British Legion
Check out the latest events on the RBL Facebook page.
All are welcome to all events
Email boxted.legion@gmail.com for further information
Forest Church
Fourth Saturday every month, 3pm, St Peter’s Churchyard
Boxted Bingo!
Contact Dot for more details on 01206 272676
Boxted History Group
3rd Wednesday of each month
Boxted Village Hall – 7.30 pm
For further information call 01206 272774 or contact Scott on 07904 887000.
2nd Tuesday of the month 7.30pm @ Boxted Village Hall
Contact:
Geraldine Russell 07840 746953
Email Essex HQ @ admin@essexwi.org.uk
Find us on Facebook
Art and Craft Club
3rd Wednesday of each month 2 – 4 pm
Boxted Village Hall
Bowls club
Every Friday 2 – 4 pm
Boxted Village Hall
Our club meets in the village hall every fourth Thursday of the month from 2.00pm to 3.30pm. The age of our members varies but the club would suit anyone over 60, so please come along and you would be given a warm welcome. Our members are always asked for their suggestions before our yearly entertainment programme is arranged and we do try our best to cater for everyone. If you would like more information about our club please call Linda on 01206 272710 or Elaine on 01206 273183.
Mobile library
10.10am – 10.40am, Boxted Village Hall car park
You can call our Contact Centre on 0345 603 7628 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, to speak to an advisor, or use the 24-hour automated service (option 1) to renew your items (also at weekends).
2026 dates:
15 January
05 February
26 February
19 March
09 April
30 April
21 May
11 June
02 July
23 July
13 August
03 September
24 September
15 October
05 November
26 November
17 December
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 Linda Sheil 01206 273324
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 Ladies meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:30pm – 10:00pm at Langham Community Centre. Contact Gill Brown on 01206 273286 or Tricia Gooding on 01206 230510.
Langham Community Cafe
Main Hall of the Community Centre on the last Friday of each month, from 10:30am until midday. All are welcome to join us for coffee/tea and cakes.
Beer and the Bible
Mobile Library
Moor Road, Langham, 9.35am – 10.05am
You can call our Contact Centre on 0345 603 7628 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, to speak to an advisor, or use the 24-hour automated service (option 1) to renew your items (also at weekends).
2026 dates:
15 January
05 February
26 February
19 March
09 April
30 April
21 May
11 June
02 July
23 July
13 August
03 September
24 September
15 October
05 November
26 November
17 December
In the Community
East Anglia GREEN project update
Following the name change we have also updated our project contact details which you can now use to get in touch with us here:
– contact@n-t.nationalgrid.com
– FREEPOST N TO T
– www.nationalgrid.com/norwich-to-tilbury
Langham Community Shop now has leaflets regarding National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury pylon/cables plan. If you would like to object to their proposals, please pick up and complete the forms, which can be left at the Shop to be sent to the Secretary of State.
You can also find the petition online at: https://pylonseastanglia.co.uk/
or join the Facebook group at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/718238339216424/
North Colchester Men’s Shed
Contact Roger Newnham 07988 736571 for more details.
Food bank donations
Food bank collection points are at Boxted British Legion Club, St Peter’s Church, Boxted, St Mary’s Church Langham and Langham Community Shop
Find out what’s needed and how you can help. Go to: https://colchester.foodbank.org.uk/
Good Neighbours
For help with transport to an important appointment (hospital, dentist, flu/covid booster, collection of prescriptions or a visit for some company. Call so we can help, Monday to Friday, 8am – 7pm:
- Monday……….230525 or 272773
- Tuesday……….271813 or 273195
- Wednesday….272755 or 272013
- Thursday……..07842 034489 or 323007 or 07765 037892
- Friday………… 07510 504026
Please phone for the day on which you make your call, not the day of your appointment.
Boxted Village Website 