Village News and Events
in Boxted and Langham
If you wish to have an item included in this newsletter, please email us at boxtedvillagenews@gmail.com by Thursday 5pm at the latest. Thank you.
Stay safe everyone.
Life is getting back on track post-lockdown
Steve Mann lives in one of the former small holdings along with his partner Rose Brown. Steve is a driving instructor and has not been able to work since the start of lockdown.
All lessons and tests were cancelled and the information from the government & DVLA has been not very helpful. Instructors were grouped together with hairdressers, so were expecting to get back to work on 4th July … but there were some tests rescheduled for the end of June! This was only sorted out at the very last moment which caused a lot of confusion and stress all round.
Lessons are now back underway with practical tests starting again on 20th July. Priority will be given to pupils who had tests cancelled at the start of lockdown. Steve has 2 pupils in this position and will be using masks during lessons and lots of cleaning of the car in between lessons to try and keep the risk of infections as low as possible.
On the plus side, the weather has been great for most of lockdown and lots of gardening and outdoor jobs have been tackled. Cycling, dog walking and home brew have also been enjoyed.
St Mary’s and St Peter’s Parish Newsletter
During the current Coronavirus lockdown, there will be NO PRINTED COPY of this newsletter. If you have friends or neighbours who use email, but may not be aware of this electronic newsletter distribution, please mention it to them. (At present we have 125 registered email subscribers, so many villagers will not be receiving a Parish Newsletter at the moment). If you forward this email to them, they can sign up to receive their own monthly email copy of future newsletters here:
Deadline for submissions for the August edition: 15th July Contact the editor via email: lwbnewsletter@gmail.com
Langham Community Council requires a new Secretary
Langham Community Centre is at the heart of the village and, as well as three rooms for hire, houses Langham Community Shop and Langham Pre-School.
We are a busy centre with many local and commercial bookings dealt with by our marketing manager.
We would welcome someone with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. If you would like to be part of a team of Trustees who volunteer their time to keep Langham Community Centre well-maintained and financially viable, please contact the current secretary, Liz Winter, on 01206 322301 or email libbywinter18@gmail.com.
Park and Ride
Park & Ride services started on Monday 6 July 2020 at the Colchester site at the Junction 28 of the A12.
A reduced timetable will operate between 7am-7pm Monday to Saturday. Passengers are advised to check the website before travelling for any updates or changes.
Recycling centres
From Friday 10 July all recycling centres will be open.
Wherever possible, consider ways to reduce your household waste. If you do visit a recycling centre, expect long delays as we limit cars on the site. Social distancing and new site restrictions are also in place.
Boxted Neighbourhood Plan 2014-2029
The development plan consists of any planning policies currently adopted by the local planning authority, Colchester Borough Council, and this Neighbourhood Plan.
To read the full plan, click here to download.
Each section of the plan covers a different topic. Under each heading there is the justification for the policies presented which provides the necessary understanding of the policy and what it is seeking to achieve.
It is advisable that, in order to understand the full context for any individual policy, it is read in conjunction with the supporting text.
Venturing out from lockdown
Stephen Armson-Smith
Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor
Essex Police
As the Covid19 restrictions are eased and we cautiously emerge from the security of our homes whilst not wishing to alarm we do need to remember to secure our property once again. Whether we are just going to the shops, going out for the day or perhaps taking that well deserved break make sure your home is secure and it looks like you are still there.
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 are 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 looked 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 your car has been damaged in the course of them breaking into your car.
- 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/
Church services
Sunday 12th July (via Zoom)
The fresh flower arrangements in the church (pictured above) generally signify the start of the volunteer floral rota.
Please be aware the services that were due to take place in Great Horkesley and Langham with Boxted parishes are no longer going ahead this week.
Please find below the zoom details for this Sunday’s Communion Zoom Service that will be led by Rev’d Ian Hilton and Rev’d Anne Mason whilst Rev’d Mandy is on compassionate leave due to Paul breaking 5 ribs. Please do keep Mandy and Paul in your prayers.
Topic: Sunday Service
Time: Jul 12, 2020 09:50 AM London
Click here to join Zoom Meeting
- Meeting ID: 861 7741 5832
- Password: 310724
Should you require prayer please contact Revd Mandy Elmes via email lwb.wb.gh.parishes@gmail.com.
Sunday services are on theLangham and Boxted Church Website for all to view under Streamed Services. https://lb-churches.co.uk/streamed-services/ They will be uploaded on Sunday afternoons for as long as services are streamed.
Download the services booklet here
Daily Hope – a free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers. Available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 has been set up for those unable to join in online church services during the period of restrictions.Click here for further details.
In brief …
Your quick reference guide to newsletter regulars.
Saturday 25th July, 5.30-7pm
British Legion Car Park
Straight Road
Calling/sms text message (07982 427483) is the only way to order and saves disappointment, Please text and allow up to 24 hrs for your reply.
Covid-19 symptom checker app
Download the app for iPhone here
Download the app for Android here
Coronavirus updates
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 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 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
Copyright © 2020 Boxted Village Website, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
boxtedvillagenews@gmail.com
Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan : Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek
Boxted Village Website 