Boxted Village Website

Village News and Events

in Boxted and Langham

Essex Libraries Service Update

This week:

• Reading Friends volunteer role
• Power your home with solar

Full details of these articles can be found at: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKESSEX/bulletins/2c27af0

Essex homeowners offered £10,000 to ‘go green’ and save on bills

Up to 80 Essex homeowners are being offered the chance to warm their homes for less and help tackle climate change through the government’s Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme.

Led by Essex County Council and seven local city, district and borough councils, the scheme offers funding for lower income homeowners and is designed to reduce people’s heating bills, increase energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions.

Homeowners with a combined household income below £30,000 and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G may be eligible for the free local authority grant of up to £10,000* to install energy efficiency measures on their homes. The grants, which will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost to the homeowner, can be used to upgrade heating systems and install insulation.

The scheme is being rolled out across the county with delivery partner Aran Insulation, a TrustMark-certified organisation which will complete works at each qualifying home. Energy saving measures on offer include cavity wall, solid wall, loft and room in roof insulation, as well as renewable heating solutions.

Mark Randall, Managing Director at Aran Insulation, said: “We are already seeing an influx of enquiries for this great scheme and are looking forward to working alongside Essex County Council and the other local authorities. This scheme will genuinely help tackle fuel poverty and climate change, helping homeowners across the county stay warm and healthy whilst lowering energy bills for years to come.

Residents who have unsuccessfully applied for government grant funding in the past may still qualify for this scheme. All homeowners are therefore urged to come forward and check the qualifying criteria.

Cllr Simon Walsh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change Action, said: “We’ve had some really cold, snowy weather in Essex this winter and freezing temperatures look set to continue for another few days. These extreme weather conditions, including hotter summers and increased flooding, are only going to get worse as we continue to experience the effects of a changing climate.

“Poorly insulated homes can cost more to heat each month, and fuel costs look set to increase. This puts many families at risk of falling into further fuel poverty.

“I would urge homeowners in Essex to take advantage of this funding to make their homes as well insulated and warm as they can be and save money on future bills.”

Social and private landlords are also invited to apply for subsidised funding** as part of the scheme. Private tenants are encouraged to speak to their landlord and highlight how the grant could improve the rental property’s energy efficiency, making it more attractive to rent.

All works must be completed by March 31st, 2021. Qualifying homeowners are therefore encouraged to contact Aran Insulation, delivery partner, as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

To apply for energy efficient measures, visit www.essex.gov.uk/energy-funding or call Aran Insulation on 0800 587 7795 or 01284 812 520.

#StaySafeEssex

Weekly Update from Roger Hirst, your Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

This week:

• Funding available to help support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence
• Give your thoughts around the use of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) in Essex
• Help raise money for the family of Special Constable Toby Speller
• Upcoming Online Public Meetings

Full details of these articles can be found at: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKPFCC/bulletins/2c2710e

Boxted bridge

Hammersmith Suspension Bridge and George Double

We were delighted to find this reference to George Double, builder of Boxted bridge, whilst working as manager for Messrs Dixon and Thorne during the building of Hammersmith Suspension bridge in the West London Observer, Saturday 23rd April 1887:

‘The old piers of the chain towers still remaining, the central span is the same as in the old bridge, viz, 400 feet2 1/4 inches; the span from the Surrey shore to the south pier is 145 feet 6 inches. The towers are lattice structures of angle iron to support the chain saddles at a height above the roadway of 40 feet, the chains having a curve of 35 feet version. The width of the roadway is 30 feet and there is a footpath, 6 feet wide on each side, protected by an ironwork fencing which seems hardly high enough. A clear headway is given above high water of 15 feet. Vast foundations were laid in deep pits at the north and south ends of the bridge, some ten thousand cube yards of concrete being used, and there is heavy iron anchorage for the purpose of securing the ends of the four chains. The anchorages are at a depth of about 30 feet below the surface at the approaches of the roads. The cost of the new bridge has been about £85,000, and it has been erected with remarkable expedition under the supervision of Mr. George Double, the energetic manager of Messrs. Dixon and Thorne, the building having taken just two years, reckoning from the date of commencement’.

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

Community response pack

Colchester Borough Council has produced a community response pack to support you and your community during the ongoing COVID-19 situation. You’ll find a list of key contacts, resources and information in one place,

Download the full pack here

Visit www.colchester.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information

Vaccine update

A local resident recently had a positive experience when looking at the NHS website to see if there was any update on when they would be offered their jab. The 63-year-old, who hadn’t yet had an invitation to book, said “there were slots available for every day of the week (and second one booked for May as well). If it doesn’t let people in its worth trying regularly as the age is coming down every few days.”

This is good news! We’re all anxious to get protected as soon as possible and all over 60s who’ve not had the vaccine can now book their jab appointment online. Visit https://www.nhs.uk/book-a-coronavirus-vaccination/do-you-have-an-nhs-number.

If you are not yet eligible, you should wait until the NHS gets in touch to let you know you can have the jab.

Church services

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

A weekly service is streamed via Zoom 
Please see below the Zoom link for this Sunday’s 10am service. Although we do hope to be able to gather in the Summer to celebrate her time with us, this Sunday will be Mandy’s farewell service and she will be leading, preaching and presiding.

• Download the order of service here

  Topic: Sunday Service
  Time: 28 March at 9:50 am

  Join Zoom Meeting
  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88066393276?pwd=Z25OMWtBVDBVWEw3ZEpHZ0hYYXpJZz09

  Meeting ID: 880 6639 3276
  Passcode: 909659

If you wish to contact Reverend Mandy Elmes after she leaves service, please use the following methods – telephone 01206-543516 or email amanda.elmes@deoban.co.uk.

• Join Zoom Meeting
  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2505892419?pwd=QkdXdkRHcEp4aFAxVnVYaE1pbjBkQT09

  Meeting ID: 250 589 2419
  Passcode: 2820

Please email lwb.wb.gh.parishes@gmail.com to request details of the zoom link; a recording of the service is available from Sunday afternoon at the following link:

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

In brief …

Your quick reference guide to newsletter regulars.

Mobile library

Following the latest Government guidelines the mobile library service is suspended until further notice.

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

Thursday opening times for the Post Office at the Langham Community Shop are from 12.30 to 4.00 pm.

Monday opening times remain the same at 9.00 am to 12.30 pm.

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 Village Hall
Boxted Village Website
Boxted Neighbourhood Plan
Boxted Primary School
Boxted British Legion

Little Owls Pre-School
Langham and Boxted Churches
Boxted Cricket Club
Mobile Library Service
Boxted Runners
Boxted WI on Facebook
Boxted WI on Twitter
Boxted 10K
Boxted Airfield Historical Group
Langham Community Centre
Langham Community Shop
Langham Village Website
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