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 30 January
10 am United 3 Parishes Service at St Mary’s Langham
This will be a farewell service for Jo Jeffries, the church families worker for the last four years. Anyone who has had contact with Jo in her work in the community is cordially invited to come and say goodbye to Jo and wish her well in her next role. Refreshments will be served after the service,
Sunday 6 February
9.30 am All Age Worship Service, St Peter’s Church, Boxted
Save our bridge update
The Morton Partnership assessment Boxted Bridge
Ed Morton, a Chartered Civil Engineer specializing in works to historic buildings and structures with over 30 years experience, has recently carried out a site visit at Boxted bridge. His report confirms that the bridge can be repaired and strengthened and that there is an alternative option to be considered which will retain the heritage significance of the bridge, at less cost, whilst improving the load-bearing capability.
READ ED MORTON’S REPORT HERE
Further information on the type of comments and objections you can make is available on the Change.org petition update page at https://www.change.org/p/essex-county-council-save-our-bridge?redirect=false
The closing date for objections on the replacement bridge was Friday January 28. However, if residents wish to lobby all the Essex County Councillors who sit on the Development and Regulation Committee (which is ECC’s planning committee), CLICK HERE TO ACCESS EACH MEMBER’S CONTACT DETAILS (select the ‘Members’ tab).
Lodge Lane, Langham
Suspect or suspects unknown have cut and broken the padlock and fence to gain access to field by means unknown.
Cabling project through our AONB
National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (NGET) will launch a statutory consultation in accordance with sections 42 and 47 of the Planning Act 2008 (the Act) for its Bramford to Twinstead reinforcement on 25 January 2022.
Although the cabling does not actually come through Boxted or Langham, it does affect the Dedham Vale AONB. A statutory consultation is taking place and you are invited to comment.
DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE FULL DETAILS HERE
It’s time to get walking again!
At this time of year we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?
Walking in Essex https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/essex has hundreds of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.
John Harris (the custodian of the website) says “There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Essex (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you”.
With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.
So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!
Contact John Harris at john@walkinginengland.co.uk or visit www.walkinginengland.co.uk
Upbeat times for Methodist Band
Boxted Methodist Silver Band is emerging from the Covid pandemic in a stronger position than when it took hold in this country in March two years ago, with the membership increased and a new home for the Band after it was made homeless in the summer of 2020 following the closure of Boxted Methodist Church.
That was the upbeat news reported at the Band’s 2022 annual general meeting at its new headquarters, in the restaurant area of Fillpots Garden Centre in Boxted Straight Road where the Band now holds its weekly rehearsals on Wednesday evenings.
Boxted Methodist Silver Band is the only surviving Methodist silver band in the country.
Its future seemed bleak after Colchester Methodist Circuit shut Boxted Methodist Church in July 2019, but the Band was determined to play on and continued to meet in the adjoining School Room until both buildings were sold by the Methodist Circuit leaving the Band homeless. This coincided with Covid restrictions which meant the Band could not meet, although weekly contact was made electronically via email each Wednesday evening with a newsletter with quizzes, stories and news.
When restrictions allowed rehearsals to resume these were held at Langham Community Centre, but last autumn Fillpots kindly offered their restaurant area as the Band’s new home which is where members have been meeting in recent months.
The Band has welcomed four new members, bringing the total to 32. Ages range from 14 to 89. Band President Mr William Kettle gave the first of several upbeat messages. He recalled when, several years ago, the Band had dwindled to single figures but he was pleased to see that it was now numerically strong with a high level of musical attainment.
The Band was formed in 1898, with the purpose of “Playing to the Glory of God”. Although there was no longer a Methodist Church in Boxted, Mr Kettle said he hoped that a monthly band-led service could be restored and held at Boxted Village Hall.
Other upbeat messages were given by Band Chairman Sir Bob Russell, Conductor Victoria Steinitz, Secretary Liz Petter and Vice-Chairman Trevor Bellis. Treasurer Gavin Frances reported that the Band’s finances were healthy.
During the past year, whenever Covid restrictions allowed, the Band had played on two occasions in Colchester Castle Park, at a service at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster and at several church services in the Colchester area. Members of the band played on 20 occasions during December including to a packed concert in Stoke-by-Nayland Church, a service in Colchester’s St Botolph’s Church, carols in Nayland High Street, and numerous locations around Boxted.
The Band has been invited back to Methodist Central Hall and a weekend in September will see the Band play inside Dover Castle on the Saturday and Sunday.
At the AGM there was a secret ballot for members to choose the Bandsperson of the Year for 2021, which was won by Musical Director Victorian Steinitz, with tuber player Erin Stoker, aged 14 the Band’s youngest member, being voted Musician of the Year.
Covid prevented the 2021 Annual Meeting being held, so the two awards for 2020 were chosen by the Committee with the following declared the winners – Bandsperson of the Year was cornet player David Bavister, and Musician of the Year Malcolm Hook on euphonium.
All Officers and Committee members were re-elected.
If you have money, benefit, housing or employment problems, or are facing a crisis, or just considering your options, Citizens Advice can provide support when you need it.
Citizens Advice Colchester offer face to face meetings. Contact: 0300 330 2104 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/colchester/
You can also email or phone Sudbury & District: advice@sudburycab.org.uk / 01787 321400.
Regulars at Boxted Village Hall
Boxted Village Bingo
Tuesdays 3 – 5 pm Alternate weeks.
Boxted History Group
3rd Wednesday of each month, 7 – 10 pm.
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
Mobile library
10.10am to 10.40am (car park)
- 17 February 2022
- 10 March 2022
- 31 March 2022
- 21 April 2022
For all mobile library dates go to https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/mobile-library-service/boxted/boxted-village-hall/
Regulars in the Community
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.
Thursday, 10 February at 7.30 pm
A talk will be given by Karl Lumbers on “Trinity House”. This event is open to guests who may join us for a fee of £5, including refreshments.
Membership is now due for all existing members and anyone wishing to join. Details of all the forthcoming events, including excursions, may be obtained from Gillian Brown on 01206 273286.
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
St Peter’s Markets plants
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
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
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