Village News and Events
In Boxted & 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 7 June
St Peter’s Boxted
9.30 am Morning Worship
Mobile Library
Thursday 11 June
9.35am – 10.05am: Moor Road, Langham
10.10am – 10.40am: Boxted Village Hall car park.
Free FireBike training helping Essex motorcyclists stay safe on the roads
Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. That’s why having the right skills, awareness and confidence is essential for anyone riding on Essex roads.
To help keep riders safe, Essex Police’s Road Safety Team is working in partnership with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) to deliver a dedicated motorcycle safety initiative known as FireBike. Since 2023, Essex
Police has supported almost 100 courses, helping riders across the county to develop their skills and reduce the risk of being involved in a collision.
The FireBike initiative is designed to engage with motorcyclists on key road safety issues, promote safe riding and encourage continuous learning. It helps riders improve hazard perception, road positioning, overtaking decisions and their ability to respond to changing road and weather conditions, ultimately protecting both themselves and any pillion passengers.
Delivered by qualified trainers, the FireBike course is a free, half-day session that provides practical riding advice and guidance. A key element of the course is the observed ride, where police motorcyclists ride alongside participants and offer tailored support.
FireBike training is something every motorcyclist should consider, regardless of their experience level. Even confident riders can benefit from professional feedback and a fresh look at their riding habits.
PC Mike Bignell said:
“FireBike provides a supportive environment for riders to build on their existing skills and gain practical advice they can immediately apply on the road. Police motorcyclists will ride with you and provide practical advice and guidance on your riding, highlighting strong points and suggesting areas where improvements can be made through practice. You’ll be given tailored feedback on topics like observation, positioning, hazard perception and overtaking.By taking part, you are not only investing in your own safety but also helping to make Essex roads safe for everyone.”
The training is completely free of charge and at the end of the course, riders receive a certificate of attendance, recognising their commitment to safe riding.
Courses take place at weekends between March and November, making them accessible for those with work or other commitments during the week.
Anyone interested in taking part can find further information and book a place via the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service website.
Boxted Bridge Update
Dear Supporters
Crowdfunder requires that we now take action to trigger payouts of your pledges therefore they will shortly be transferred to our designated Save our Bridge campaign bank account.
We continue to press Essex County Council to grant permission for the Mann Williams Dynamic Load test to be carried out. New Reform Essex County Councillors are being made aware of the importance of Boxted Bridge to the local community.
ECC Compliance and Complaints are still looking into the following concerns and requests raised by SOB. When they have received a complete response from Essex Highways they will contact us again:
- Repeating publicly that a load test that did not say it found the bridge unsafe for vehicles saying that it did find it unsafe for vehicles is misleading. Can you please ask Highways to retract and correct its misleading statements both on their webpage and in the Gazette.
- A Traffic Regulation Order (TRAF 8771) was issued on January 22 2026 proposing to prohibit vehicles on the bridge before a load test of the bridge had been carried out to confirm its load bearing capability. In the Statement of Reasons given a similar misleading statement is made: ‘In September 2025, loading testing was carried out which justifies re-opening the bridge to pedestrians and cyclists only.`’ Could you please ask Highways to retract this statement from the Statement of Reasons.
- Please can you ask why Highways did not include a load test for vehicles at the same time as the Accolade load test for pedestrians in September 2025. This would have saved time and tax payers money and provided missing supporting vehicle load test information to justify the TRAF 8871 proposal to prohibit vehicles and for the public consultation.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to get in touch. Thank you for your continued support.
Best wishes
Lucinda
Langham Artisan and Farmers Market
Saturday 13 June, 10am – 1pm
Langham Community Centre
Langham Scarecrow Trail
Saturday 13 June
Sunday 14 June
What’s on in July …
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.
- 18 February: Edwardian Colchester
- 18 March: Seven Wonders of the Waterways
- 15 April: £10 Poms. We Chose New Zealand
- 20 May: Roman Findings
- 15 July: Tudor Costumes and Food
- 16 September: Suffragettes
- 21 October: London Docklands
- 18 November Colchester’s Jumbo
- 16 December Christmas Special
Membership £15 for the year or £5 per evening.
Other events include:
Wednesday 19 August: Trip to Hadleigh Guildhall £10
Saturday 28 February: Quiz Night £5 per person
Thursday 18 June: Trip to Stow Maries £20 entry and cream tea
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 