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.
Eyes down back at the Hub
Church services
Sunday 10 April
Palm Sunday
9.30 am Eucharist, St Peter’s Boxted
Meeting
Wednesday 13 April, 7.30pm
Boxted Village Hall
Rural North – Stroll with a Patrol
Wednesday 20 April, 6pm
Boxted Village Hall
Here’s a chance to meet with the Police at Boxted Village Hall and inform them of any matters of concern such as traffic speeding. Colchester Community Policing Team will be carrying out “Stroll with a Patrol” which is a new police engagement initiative to not only listen to our communities, but to give our communities the opportunity to discuss and show us what concerns them most.
Mark Healy from Colchester Borough Council writes:
“It is intended that the patrol will take an hour (or more) on foot with partners and members of the public. During this, while the officers will have a rough route planned, we can divert and visit locations partners or members of the public raise as a concern in this area, this could be related to ASB, Road Traffic matters, or areas they feel uncomfortable walking through, the list is endless (obviously we will not be stood outside people’s houses gathering intelligence on said property and this will be part of the initial brief given by officers).
“I am keen to use this to make people feel safer in their communities (VAWG) so want people to say they do not feel safe in an area, and we can visit it, discuss what could be done to make them feel safer, and then feed back to the relevant agency. From this we can utilise cadets, active citizens, parish councils, councillors, housing partners and CBCs MAD days to try and facilitate what we can, where we can. We will be keeping a full returns and audit on issues raised and who we “refer” the issues to. Some concerns could just relate to an overgrown hedge that if trimmed back would make communities feel safer and visiting the locations with people can give us a lot of contexts to the concerns.
“I am hoping we can get councillors, zone team, housing providers, parish councils and security staff to the area’s they represent to join us.
“In events of adverse weather – we will remain at the meeting point as a Street Meet” undercover to discuss any local issues and we will look to re-deploy the stroll with a patrol in September.”
TravelEssex – Journey Planning Made Simple
TravelEssex – a journey planning app that allows you to search for sustainable travel options throughout Essex – all in one place. You can plan journeys by walking, cycling and public transport, including train, bus and DigiGo .
Download for Android
Download for Apple
Spring Garden Crime Prevention (Part 1)
Hopefully by the time that you read this Spring will be established with the weather improving, inviting us out into our gardens. It is a good time to take a look around; are your fences and gates in good condition do you have good quality locks on gates, will they keep the unwelcome intruder out? To the front of your property where possible keep fencing, planting, and hedges to about 1.2m in height so that an intruder is not hidden from view. Protect your rear garden with 1.8m strong fencing, close boarded wooden fencing, and gates are a good choice and this can be topped with trellis or a plastic spiky topping such as www.defendastrip.com/ (warning signs needed). Panels should not be able to be lifted out of the posts, and avoid your fencing becoming a ladder by ensuring that the horizontal cross battens are facing into your garden.
Defensive planting: Security does not have to be just about locks, bolts, and spiky fence toppings; nature provides some excellent plants to keep people away. There are a number of attractive, fragrant plants of a spiky nature such as climbing roses, pyracantha and berberis and other planting of a dense nature that can work quite well. Have a chat at your garden centre or with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for the right plant for the right location. We actively work with the RHS at Hyde Hall and there are a number of mature examples of defensive planting that can be viewed there, and some very knowledgeable people that can advise you.
New plants: Larger plants etc. can be secured to land or rootball anchors or plant through chicken wire covering the area with soil. Cement or bolt down containers to the ground. The RHS or your local garden centre or DIY store should be able to help.
Working in the garden: It is easy to get engrossed in what you are doing when working in the garden, if the house is empty it is wise to close and lock the door (don’t forget the key though!). Remember when you stop for a break put your tools away, and at the end of the day as well as putting tools away put the wheelbarrow and wheelie bin away too. “It will add insult to injury” if your tools are used to break into your house, a neighbour’s, nearby building such as a church, or provide a climbing aid or method of carrying things away.
New tools and lawn mowers: Be mindful of how you dispose of the packaging to your new purchases; don’t advertise it to the thieves and burglars with your empty boxes on display outside for roadside collection. Fold boxes inside out or break them up and put them in bag for collection. If you are not using your lawn mower, jet washer or other put it away out of sight from prying eyes.
Property marking: It may deter a thief if your property or flower pots is visibly security marked with your house number and post code such as www.creproducts.co.uk or labelled if a forensic (hidden) property marking system is used such as www.smartwater.com or www.selectadna.co.uk . You can also record the serial numbers of any tools at www.immobilise.com/ . If your property does get stolen with property marking and/or recording, there is a greater chance of you getting it back.
For suitable security products look for the Secured by Design or Sold Secure logo’s and for further garden security advice see the following webpages:
- www.essex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/
- www.securedbydesign.com
- www.soldsecure.com
- www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=606
Boxted Bridge updates
There have been a few articles this week relating to campaign work to save Boxted Bridge. Click on the links below to read each article:
- Op tions Study/ Feasibility Boxted bridge 2017-2022!£271,360 spent by ECC on Op
- This view will be gone for ever if the bridge is demolished
- Does Highways realise Boxted bridge is in Flood Zone 3B, the functional flood plain?
Regulars in Boxted
Saturday Household Drop-off scheme 2022
Boxted Village Hall car park, 11.00am – 12:00 noon
- 9 April
- 4 June
- 30 July
No fridges or freezers. * please bring green garden waste separately to be composted. * this service is provided for small loads and from domestic properties, so you can use this service to dispose of bulky items not normally collected with household waste * no commercial refuse or hazardous waste such as asbestos, batteries, liquids, gas bottles. * no large loads please.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE TELEPHONE 01206 282700
Tuesdays fortnightly, 2 – 4 pm
Boxted Community Hub
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
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
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.
- Colchester 01206 282 452/ Clacton 01255 686497
- Email: Digitalaccesssupport@colchester.gov.uk
Jubilee celebrations
Both Boxted and Langham are organising Platinum Jubilee celebrations this year.
Langham Celebrates is a four–day event from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June marking the occasion.
Boxted will celebrate on 5 June from 2pm at King George V Playing Field.
Updates will follow nearer the time.
Boxted 10K : Sunday 12 June
For further information, go to https://boxted10k.co.uk/
Langham 10K : Sunday 11 September
For further information, go to https://langham10k.co.uk/
Useful links:
Boxted Parish Council
Boxted Parish Council on Facebook
Boxted Village Hall
Boxted Village Website
Boxted Neighbourhood Plan
Boxted Primary School
Boxted British Legion
Langham and Boxted Churches
Boxted Cricket Club
Mobile Library Service
Boxted Runners
Boxted 10K
Boxted WI on Facebook
Boxted WI on Twitter
Boxted Airfield Historical Group
Langham Community Centre
Langham Community Shop
Langham Village Website
Langham Parish Council
2nd Langham Scouts
Dedham Vale & Stour Valley ANOB
Essex County Council’s PROW Interactive map
Colchester District Neighbourhood Watch
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Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan : Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek
Boxted Village Website 