Boxted Village Website

Village News and Events

in Boxted and Langham

Faces of the Village

Roger Brown

Roger recently took over as the volunteer to deliver the copy of the Boxted and Langham newsletter along Langham Road, where he lives. 

Roger, with his wife Susan, has lived in Boxted for over 30 years. He is a long-standing member of the River Stour Trust (visit https://www.riverstourtrust.org  for further information), originally a volunteer skipper on their trip boats at Flatford and Sudbury. After his retirement he spent 12 years leading a team of volunteers to restore the derelict Stratford St Mary lock, much of it done by hand. The trust renamed the lock ‘The Roger Brown Lock’ in recognition of his work. Although originally called the Stratford St Mary lock it is actually in Langham.

Roger also volunteered for litter collection on Langham Road for many years but Susan insisted that he give that job up as the relentless traffic made the job dangerous.

 They would both love to see a 30 mph speed limit along Langham Road.
 

From the archive …

Speaking of the village newsletter, which is delivered on a monthly basis to every house in Boxted and Langham by volunteers like Roger, the photos below show how it looked in 1943.

Save our bridge petition reaches 5000 signatures!

This week the petition reached the incredible figure of 5000 signatures thanks to each and every one of you who has signed!

We continue to campaign to save our much loved Boxted Bridge from demolition and to request that Essex County Council provide an independent impartial review of options to repair and strengthen the bridge, as part of a genuine and transparent consultation process, alongside their preferred option to replace the bridge on a widened footprint.

Below is a sectional plan for the proposed replacement of the bridge:

A dedicated email address ( boxtedenquiries@essexhighways.org ) has been set up to support the public with any questions relating to the structure that are not already answered on the webpage.

The full website address for the Boxted Bridge project is:
https://www.essexhighways.org/transport-and-roads/highway-schemes-and-developments/highway-schemes/boxted-bridge-wick-road-boxted-colchester.aspx

For more information and to sign the petition to save the original structure of Boxted Bridge, please head to  https://www.change.org/p/essex-county-council-save-our-bridge
 

 

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Grazing Land Urgently Wanted to Rent

About 3 acres for a donkey, 2 small cobs and 2 Shetland ponies.

All the animals have been rescued and the current site needs to be vacated soon. 

Please contact Victoria on 07817 859427.

Church services

Here are photos of last week’s ‘open air’ Easter Sunday service at both churches:

Both St Mary’s Langham and St Peter’s Boxted are now open for private prayer.

A weekly service is streamed via Zoom:

• April 11, 2021 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am
• April 18, 2021 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am
• April 25, 2021 at 9:15 am – 10:00 am

https://lb-churches.co.uk/streamed-services/

Dedham Road, Boxted Criminal damage

Suspect unknown has kicked, stepped and jumped on metals signs on estate on multiple occasions as well as damaging a fence.
 

Before you venture out again …

Stephen Armson-Smith
Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor
Essex Police
 
Naturally with more people being at home during the Covid19 pandemic burglary numbers have fallen, and internet purchasing has increased resulting in new desirables in our homes.

When you did get out maybe someone was left in the house so locking up would not have been needed.

As restrictions begin to be eased again and more of us venture out, we need to get back into our old habits ensuring that when left empty our homes are secure. Burglars are opportunists seeking an empty house that is easy to enter. Whether just popping out for a moment, or longer make it look like someone is in even if no one is there; always making sure you lock up when you leave.
 
Just a few tips to remind you:

• Ensure that windows, doors, outbuildings and gates are closed and locked correctly, make sure all tools are put away too. Remember with PVCu and similar doors – when locking Lift the handle, turn and remove the key. If you have a night latch and a mortice lock ensure that you lock both not just the night latch.
• No keys outside in hidey holes please, the thief will find them no matter how well you think they are hidden.
• Create the illusion of occupancy: A radio on, a chair that looks like you have just got up, book or magazine open with a pair of spectacles and a mug next to it, a vacuum cleaner with the lead trailing out of sight (not plugged in), the usual signs of habitation and don’t leave it too tidy.
• Consider a doorbell that you can answer remotely on your smartphone. A lot of these you can add further CCTV cameras that you listen and speak through too.
• Use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights on when it gets dark, also consider a “Fake TV” unit discretely hidden from view.
• If you have an intruder alarm make sure that you set it before leaving and ensure that your neighbours know who the keyholders are.
• Keys to other cars; put them away and in a “faraday bag” if you have a keyless car.

 
If you do get away for a longer period:

• Curtains open or curtains closed? – The worse thing is half open half closed, day or night the thief will know you are out. I go by the principle that some people do not close all curtains at night, but most are open during the day especially in those “lived in” rooms. So as long as you have evidence visible that looks like you are in the house somewhere then it makes sense to leave them open.
• Cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries, delay ordering online purchases before you go away or have them delivered to friends or family that are at home to hold until you return.
• Use the Royal Mail’s ‘Keepsafe’ service – they keep your mail for up to 2 months while you’re away. Mail sitting on your doorstep is a sign that you are away.
• Trusted neighbours may be able to help you by collecting your post, opening and closing curtains and they could park their car on your driveway.
• Avoid discussing holiday plans on public social networking sites, watch what you are posting including photographs (they may be date stamped) while you are away too or you may find you are giving useful information that the burglar or fraudster may use.

 
Don’t forget the car when you leave it unattended:

• Close the windows and lock it, verify it is locked by the sound, the flash of the lights or try the handle.
• Leave nothing on show, remember to the thief even the empty bag or jacket is inviting, they don’t know what they may contain until looking in it after damaging your car getting in.
• Choose a safe place to park, with lots of visibility over it, if you can look for a “Parkmark” accredited car park http://www.parkmark.co.uk/car-park-finder .

Further advice can be found at www.essex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/ or www.securedbydesign.com/

In brief …

Your quick reference guide to newsletter regulars.
 

Did you know Langham Community Shop has its own website? For all the latest information on opening times, services, special events and what’s for sale, visit https://www.langhamcommunityshop.org.uk/ .

Mobile library

The mobile library van will be resuming on Thursday 29 April at Boxted Playing Field car park from 10.10 to 10.40 am.

To keep up to date with the timetable please visit the Mobile Library Service website
 

Digital help at home

Remember that this service is still 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

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Our mailing address is:
newsandevents@boxted.org.uk

Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan : Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek