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.
Homes for Ukraine
If anyone is sponsoring a refugee family through the Homes for Ukraine scheme the council have asked if people could email communities@colchester.gov.uk as they are collating information and this would provide an early indication of the numbers expected.
Home grown
Local farmers are once again preparing the land to feed the nation. This photo was recently taken at Rix Farms, Queen’s Head Road.
Church services
Sunday 27 March
9.30am Mothering Sunday Eucharist, St Peter’s, Boxted
Last minute reminders
Sunday 27 March
- Boxted Airfield Museum re-opens, 10am – 4pm
Langham Lane, CO4 5NW
- Nayland Choir Platinum Anthems , 5pm
St Mary’s Church, Stoke-by-Nayland
Tickets £10 – under 16s free available from Naylandevents.org
Monday 28 March
- Boxted Parish Council Vacancy
Applications need to be made by 28 March
Go to https://boxtedparishcouncil.org.uk/vacancies/
Bingo moves back to the Hub
Tuesday 5 April, 2 – 4 pm
then every fortnight. 6 games
For more information, call Dot on 01206 272676
Running to raise money for the local schools
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/
Boxted Bridge history update
This photograph has recently been discovered of George Double’s Dedham Mill bridge (1900) being tested by a steam roller in 1901. “The County Surveyor, in his report on county bridges, mentioned that Dedham Mill Bridge had been tested by a steam roller, and found to be satisfactory.” (East Anglian Daily Times 20 February 1901) It seems fair to presume that a similar method of assessing the weight capacity was carried on Boxted bridge (1897).
The only quantitative, properly technical assessment of Boxted bridge was in 1992. The 3T weight limit proposed then was a result of concerns with the demonstrable load bearing capacity of the deck, notably the torsion resistance of the edge girders. This was a common problem, identified in the 1992 EU-wide inspections, with half-through girder bridges of the Boxted type: but it was more a result of crude, pre-computer quantitative methods used in assessment than a problem with the actual load bearing capacity of the bridges. Better methods resulted in many bridges, initially assessed as ‘substandard’, being re-assessed as fit for purpose. Boxted Bridge was not re-assessed: but even the deck was considered to have sufficient ‘hidden strengths’ for the 3T weight limit to be ignored; and for the bridge to be allowed to carry unrestricted, i.e. 40T traffic for the next 30 years.
Photo with many thanks to Paul Gallifant
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Suffolk Preservation Society continues to strongly object to the proposals to replace Boxted Bridge and urges a more conservative approach to carry out repairs on the current structure. You can read the full objection letter here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sEiYI4MUSuojF7C-ugR1gVHMjBcoMHyV/view?usp=sharing
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Official commencement of restoration work on Hammersmith Suspension Bridge
How gratifying to read the recent news that at last restoration work has commenced on the Hammersmith Suspension Bridge (1887) on which George Double (builder of Boxted bridge 1897) worked as the ‘energetic manager’ for John Dixon, engineer, Dixon Appleby and Thorne, during its two year construction. A spokesman for Hammersmith and Fulham Council said: “This is an important milestone in restoring the bridge to its Victorian splendour.”
With political will and resolve Essex County Council could boast a similar outcome by repairing and strengthening Boxted bridge in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty!
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Full updates on the Boxted Bridge campaign are at: https://www.change.org/p/essex-county-council-save-our-bridge/w?source_location=petition_nav
Regulars at Boxted Village Hall
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
Contact willowsofdedham@gmail.com for more info
Future dates for pencil art at the village hall are as follows. Saturdays are 2-5pm and Mondays are 6-9pm.
- Saturday April 9th
- Monday April 25th
- Saturday May 14th
- Monday May 23rd
- Saturday June 4th
- Monday June 20th
- Saturday July 9th
- Monday July 25th
- Saturday August 13th
- Monday August 22nd
- Saturday September 10th
- Monday September 26th
- Saturday October 8th
- Monday October 24th
- Saturday November 12th
- Monday November 21st
Mobile library
10.10am to 10.40am (car park)
- 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
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
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.
7.30 pm every second Thursday in the month.
The next meeting is on 14 April when there will be a talk by Brenda Green, entitled “From Ball of Clay to Pot”, at 7.30 pm in Langham Community Centre.
The Silburys
Saturday 21 April, 7pm
St Peter’s Church
Proceeds in aid of St Peter’s Church Boxted Trust. Tickets £10 available from Stephen Whybrow stephenwhybrow@msn.com or telephone 07801 749575
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.
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.
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
Beer and the Bible
The Shepherd and Dog, Langham
Normally Second Monday of the month, 8pm
Currently every Monday during Lent
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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Our mailing address is:
newsandevents@boxted.org.uk
Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan : Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek
Boxted Village Website 