Village News and Events
in Boxted and Langham
Welcome to this week’s newsletter – giving you a reminder of some of the regular events taking place in Boxted and Langham.
Digital help at the Hub
Tuesday 22nd October, 10am – 12noon
Drop-in session. Get basic digital skills for free. Bring your own devices.
Next roll: Tuesday 22nd October, 2.30pm
The programme will comprise:
- Bach : Suite No. 1 in G Major
- Natalie Klouda : Suite 1, Prelude
- Giovanni Sollima : Lamentatio
- Bach : Suite No. 6 in D Major
Rowena Calvert has performed the Bach Suites for over 15 years in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, The Wigmore Hall and Queen’s Hall. Formerly, she was a founder member of the multi award-winning Cavaleri Quarter and is currently artistic director of the Hertford International Concert Series.
Church Services
Sunday 27th October
9.30 Sung Eucharist at St Peter’s Boxted
A reminder of RBL opening times:
Monday – closed
Tuesday – closed
Wednesday – 1930 – 0000
Thursday – closed
Friday – 1700 – 0000
Saturday – 1700 – 0000
Sunday – 1330 – 2100
Bank holiday – 1600-2000
Boxted Amateur Players
Boxted Amateur Players now have enough actors but could do with some help with lighting and stage management.
Anyone interested in getting involved please contact Scott Dolling 07904887000 scottdolling@hotmail.co.uk
Boxted wet walnuts at Lower Dairy Farm Shop, Nayland
Videos of some of the procedures of getting wet walnuts ready for sale are now available on Lower Dairy Farm Shop’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Did you know? …
Jeremy Carter (1930 – 2017) was the son of Dennis Carter. Jeremy was born in Boxted and returned to live in the village on his retirement from the Army. As a Colonel his last post in the Army was Defence Attache at the British Embassy in Prague. Set out below is information derived from Jeremy’s account of the history of the walnut orchards in Boxted.
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Carter and Blewitt bought land in Boxted in the 1930s and decided to plant a walnut orchard. Traditionally, walnuts were of French varieties (Mayette, Meylannaise and Parisienne) and were small shrivelled nuts which were sold in miniature nets at Christmas. Carter and Blewitt decided to grow English varieties in Boxted. English Bannuts walnuts were huge and full of flavour and all came from cuttings taken from properties in the Suffolk villages of Bardwell, Ixworth, and Stowlangtoft.
Above: Orchards planted in Boxted by Carter and Blewitt
Boxted walnuts were popular with customers of Jacksons and Fortnum & Mason of Piccadilly and became a favourite of Prince Philip’s at the big house at the end of the Mall!
Unfortunately walnuts are extremely difficult to grow in the English climate. Wipe-out by frosts is common and expensive labour-intensive harvesting is a problem. The gales in 1987 took a terrible toll. Dennis Carter thought that even if the nuts themselves didn’t turn out to be commercially viable the timber would be valuable to the furniture trade. This was not to be the case.
He died in 1970 and, as very much a hands-on businessman and not a good delegator, there was no one knowledgeable enough to keep the business going. Carter and Blewitt ceased trading in 1972 and the land was sold.
The current landowner is working with the RHS to bring the walnuts back into production and preserve this important orchard for future generations.
Above:The Walnut Drier at Hill Farm
Carter and Blewitt also farmed orchards in the village. The apple trees planted on ground around Hill House were grubbed out with a 100% government grant – 29,000 Cox’s were burnt summarily “the biggest bonfire since the Armada sailed up the channel” and the scorch marks can still be seen today.
Clocks:
Spring Forward, Fall Back
Grahame Stehle
Colchester District Neighbourhood Watch
The clocks go back on the 27th – are you prepared? This time of year historically sees an increase in dwelling burglaries. As the autumn nights draw in, the tell-tale signs of the empty house become more apparent.
As the days get shorter (if you work away from home or even go to get the children from
school) by the time you return home it may already be dark. A house in darkness indicates that
no one is in and can make you a target, especially if your neighbours houses have lights on or
show other signs of being occupied. If you back onto open land or have parking areas or
footpaths to the side or rear this may be even more apparent.
Create the “Illusion of Occupancy”, when it’s dark – make it look as if you are in. Leave lights on
or put them on timers or daylight sensors to come on when it gets dark. Remember though if
you leave lights on in the hall or on the landing to supplement these with lights on in rooms
that would usually be occupied at that time of day.
A carefully placed “Fake TV” can further add to that illusion of occupancy by making it appear that the television is on. Some burglars may also listen at windows or letterboxes for sign of activity, so consider leaving a radio on within your home.
Don’t forget the outside of your property too, if burglars see that it is lit they are less likely to
approach for fear of being seen. With energy efficient bulbs the cost of leaving lights on is much
reduced and more environment-friendly.
At the front of your house consider “dusk till dawn” lighting around the porch area if you house
is overlooked. Automated lighting at the sides and rear are only advised if the areas are
overlooked by your neighbours, If not then consider a manual switch on the inside of your
property so that you control when the area is lit. Remember that lights can be an aid to
burglars, particularly if they are not going to be seen whilst going about their business.
Dates for the diary …
Boxted carpet bowls club
Tuesday 22nd October, 7th November, 2.30pm
Every Friday 7pm
Boxted Village Hall
If you are interested in attending or would like more information on the Bowls Club, please contact Christina Lawrence on 01206 272654
Remember the benefits of carpet bowls:
Great exercise – not too strenuous | All weather indoor game | Sociable – be part of a team | Fun to do | Improves hand eye coordination and strengthens muscle tone, helps prevent depression and anxietyand promotes healthy sleep patterns
Royal British Legion
26th October, 1pm – 3pm
Children’s Halloween party, then …
8pm -11pm – Adults Halloween party
Bingo at the hub
Tuesday 29th October, 2pm-4pm
Boxted Community Hub
Boxted Evergreens
Thursday 31st October
Boxted Village Hall
Speaker from Age Concern
Future dates:
Thursday 14th November: Ask members for any good tips or remedies
Thursday 28th November: Christmas party Boxted Buskers
Thursday 5th December: Christmas lunch
Art and Craft Club
Wednesday 6th November, 2pm-4pm
Boxted Village Hall
Also on 20th November
Mobile Library
Thursday 7th November, 10.10-10.40am
Boxted Playing Field
Future dates:
28th November 2019
19th December 2019
9th January 2020
Poppy Appeal Coffee Morning
Friday 8th November, 9am – 12noon
Royal British Legion,
Straight Road, Boxted
Come and join us for a cuppa and a cake. Everyone welcome!
Contact Gillian on 07786 883400 for any queries
The Edge
Friday 8th November, 7.30pm-9.00pm
Boxted Methodist Hall
Please note: there is no meeting of The Edge on the 25th October as previously advertised as it is half term
- The Edge meets on 2nd and 4th Friday of each month during term time, 7.30pm to 9.00pm
- The Zone meet every Friday during term time, 5.30pm to 7.00pm.
Royal British Legion quiz night
Saturday 9th November, 8pm
Supporting the Poppy Fund
4 – 6 players per team – £2.50 per person
To book please contact Barry Took on 07941 724543 or email – boxted.secretary@rbl.community
Sunday 10th November
Armistice service, St Peter’s Church, then …
Noon – ‘lunch at the Legion’
Beer and the Bible
Monday 11th November, 8pm
The Shepherd, Langham
Tuesday 12th November
The Gin Lord
@theGinLordUK : talk and tasting
Future Dates:
10 December 2019: Christmas Party & Chocolate Tasting
14 January 2020: Christmas meal venue to be decided
11 February 2020: Family and Friends Open meeting with games and chips
10 March 2020: Tools with a Mission – Learn how old garden tools can help to transform lives.
14 April 2020: Easter egg hunt, egg decorating, Easter quiz and Easter bonnet competition
Royal British Legion
Thursday 14th Novbember, 8pm
Branch AGM – members only
Thursday 14th November, 8pm
Langham Community Centre
Pudding Tasting + quiz
We meet on the second Thursday monthly at Langham Community Centre at 8.00pm. After the meeting members are encouraged to sit and talk over a cup of tea/coffee and a piece of homemade cake or similar.
Below is our 2019/2020 Programme:
- Thursday 5th December: Pat Nearney Entertainer
- Friday 6th December: Visit to Snape Maltings Christmas Show
- Wednesday 11th December: Visit to Thursford Christmas Spectacular
- Thursday 9th January: Local Author Liz Trenow, novelist
- Friday 24th January: New Year Lunch at Colchester Institute Balkerne Restaurant
- Thursday 13th February: To Fetch a Pail of Water by Patrick Denney Historian (open meeting guests invited)
- Thursday 12th March: Snowdrops & Spring Treasure Guy Barker (open meeting guests invited)
- Thursday 9th April: Fashion Show at the Community Centre given by the Wine Centre Gt Horksley
- Thursday 14th May: From Ball of Clay to finished pot by Brenda Green
- Thursday 11th June: Buddhism and well-being with Zoe Flint.
Contact: Gill Brown 01206 273286
Boxted Airfield Historical Group
Tuesday 19th November, 7.30pm
The Atlantic Wall (Bob Barnett)
All events are held at the museum visitor centre unless otherwise stated. Doors open 7.15 PM. Admission by donation of £4 which includes refreshments.
Details available from JEREMY on 07885 657255 or jezzyh@btinternet.com
Saturday 30th November, 7pm
Langham Community Centre
A Christmas Carol
The Charles Dickens’ tale told by Anthony Roberts (actor, director of Colchester Arts Centre) with piano by Jamie Cunliffe
- Doors open 6.15pm – Raffle – Carol Singing – lnterval Refreshments
- Bar open prior to performance and during interval
- Tickets £5.00 from Langham Community Shop or Liz Winter:
libbywinter@gmail.com 01206 322301 - All funds raised will be shared between Langham Pre-School, Community Shop and Community Centre
Useful links:
Boxted Village Website
Boxted Parish Council Website
Boxted Village Hall
Boxted Primary School
Boxted British LegionLittle Owls Pre-School
Langham and Boxted Churches
Boxted Cricket Club
Mobile Library Service
Boxted Runners
Boxted Neighbourhood Plan
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:
boxtedvillagenews@gmail.com
Newsletter editor: Angela McLauchlan Design and layout: Shirley Szymanek
Boxted Village Website 