Village News and Events
In Boxted & 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.
Sunday 4 May
St Peter’s Boxted
9.30 am – Morning Worship
5 pm -Taize service
Mobile library
Thursday 8 May
9.35am – 10.05am: Moor Road, Langham
10.10am – 10.40am: Boxted Village Hall car park
Latest press release on Boxted Bridge planning hearing
27 Apr 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Essex County Council’s Development and Regulation Committee met on 25.04.2025 to determine Highway’s planning application for Boxted Bridge. The planning officer’s recommendation was to approve. In a highly unusual motion, however, the members of the committee voted 9-2 in favour of deferring a decision, None were in favour. They are seeking further information. The entire committee is to visit the bridge.
Members asked pointedly whether the proposal being presented was the only safe alternative to closure. This was not denied. Nevertheless members did not see why that should be the case. They asked for more information on alternatives, notably a like-for-like reconstruction.
Unease was expressed about the implications of not complying with NL legislation to ‘seek to further the purpose’ of the protected National Landscape and demolishing a heritage asset. It was noted that independent expert reports say it could be repaired or renewed like-for-like. Mr Ed Morton, eminent heritage bridge conservation specialist, spoke to reaffirm his views that “the bridge can be retained and repaired.” Highways’ own independent expert, Cleveland Bridge came to a positive recommendation in favour of like-for-like.
Babergh DC Suffolk, will also determine the application as it is a cross county bridge. It is not known what would happen if they disagree with Essex. It seems it would likely go to judicial review or to the Secretary of State to decide. Members thought it would be useful to hear Babergh’s comments before a decision is made.
Speaker, Cllr Lewis Barber, ECC, stressed the importance of National Landscape (NL) legislation which carries significant weight in planning law. The committee were asked to bear in mind ‘that the organisation that gave Cllrs their training on the new NL legislation have submitted an objection to the application on the basis that it does not conform to NL policy and the legislation. … . I want to stress that because the repair option has not been fully considered in the same way that the replacement option has. .. we have jumped effectively to the replacement option. And my stance has always been that we should fully review and take into account the repair option so that we can make sure that it has been looked at in the context of the NL legislation’.
Cllr Jon Hunt, Boxted Parish Council has commented:
‘After several years of unsubstantiated claims, poor communications, un-minuted decisions and long silences from Essex Highways and Ringway Jacobs, it was particularly refreshing to see and hear Essex County Council members so readily and empathetically embrace the issues with the Boxted Bridge replacement proposal. Members eloquently summarised the proposal as being an excellent designed bridge but totally wrong for the place and setting. Their decision not to approve the recommendation of their own planning officers sends a strong message to Highways to reconsider the options and at the very least produce more substantive evidence of their case for replacement and enlargement of the structure’.
Anne Brown, Planning Officer Dedham Vale Society and former ECC councillor has commented:
‘A good result, as far as it goes: but this time we need to make absolutely sure that consideration of alternatives is impartial and transparent. There are well established guidelines for that.’
Link to watch the full planning meeting The 7 speeches against the proposal start at 37 minutes
Save our Bridge!
Save our bridge campaign can be found at Change.Org.
What’s on in May …
New dates for Toddler Play and Praise
Boxted Annual Parish Residents Meeting
Upcoming roadworks
14th-16th May: Ellis Road, Boxted will be closed for repairs.
19th-23rd May: Boxted Road, Boxted will be closed 8am-4pm for repairs
19th-23rd May: Queens Head Road, Boxted will be closed 8am-4pm for repairs.
27th-29th May: Birchwood Road, Langham will have traffic lights for repairs.
(Source: Cllr Lewis Barber’s Facebook feed)
Langham Community Council AGM
Thursday 15 May, 7.30 pm
Langham Community Centre Main Hall
Please attend this meeting if you can and support your Village Hall. The Trustees will present their Annual Report and Accounts to 31st March 2025.
A new Management Committee of Trustees will be elected and appointed. All residents of Langham, aged 18 and over, are eligible to vote at the AGM and to stand for election to the offices of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.
Currently we have no nominations for Chair or Secretary. If you wish to stand for election or to raise an item for discussion, please contact: Liz Winter, Secretary, at libbywinter18@gmail.com
We also require an Independent Examiner of our accounts. Can you help?
Boxted History Group
Wednesday 21 May, 8pm
Boxted Village Hall
Wendy Shepherd will talk about the 1939 census. All welcome.
Regulars in Boxted
Did you know there is an events calendar for Boxted Village Hall on the Boxted Village Website. Click here to view the calendar .
Pylons in Boxted
For all the latest information regarding the National Grid pylon project, please go to https://pylonseastanglia.co.uk/news/
Sing to beat Parkinsons
Fortnightly Wednesdays 10.30 – noon (term time). £5.00. Contact Emma Bishton at colchester.singtobeat@gmail.com for more information and check session dates at www.ejbmusic.co.uk/colchester
Boxted Royal British Legion
Check out the latest events on the RBL Facebook page.
All are welcome to all events
Email boxted.legion@gmail.com for further information
Forest Church
Fourth Saturday every month, 3pm, St Peter’s Churchyard
Boxted Bingo!
Contact Dot for more details on 01206 272676
Boxted History Group
3rd Wednesday of each month
Boxted Village Hall – 7.30 pm
For further information call 01206 272774
2nd Tuesday of the month 7.30pm @ Boxted Village Hall
Contact:
Geraldine Russell 07840 746953
Email Essex HQ @ admin@essexwi.org.uk
Find us on Facebook
Art and Craft Club
3rd Wednesday of each month 2 – 4 pm
Boxted Village Hall
Bowls club
Every Friday 2 – 4 pm
Boxted Village Hall
Our club meets in the village hall every fourth Thursday of the month from 2.00pm to 3.30pm. The age of our members varies but the club would suit anyone over 60, so please come along and you would be given a warm welcome. Our members are always asked for their suggestions before our yearly entertainment programme is arranged and we do try our best to cater for everyone. If you would like more information about our club please call Linda on 01206 272710 or Elaine on 01206 273183.
Monthly Pencil Art
Contact willowsofdedham@gmail.com for more info
Mobile library
10.10am – 10.40am
Boxted Village Hall car park
Thursdays;
13 February
6 March
27 March
17 April
8 May
29 May
19 June
10 July
31 July
21 August
11 September
2 October
23 October
13 November
4 December
You can call our Contact Centre on 0345 603 7628 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, to speak to an advisor, or use the 24-hour automated service (option 1) to renew your items (also at weekends).
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 at St Peter’s Church. Contact Linda Sheil 01206 273324
Regulars in Langham
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.
Langham Ladies meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:30pm – 10:00pm at Langham Community Centre. Contact Gill Brown on 01206 273286 or Tricia Gooding on 01206 230510.
Langham Community Cafe
Main Hall of the Community Centre on the last Friday of each month, from 10:30am until midday. All are welcome to join us for coffee/tea and cakes.
Beer and the Bible
Mobile Library
Moor Road, Langham, 9.35am – 10.05am
Thursdays;
13 February
6 March
27 March
17 April
8 May
29 May
19 June
10 July
31 July
21 August
11 September
2 October
23 October
13 November
4 December
You can call ourContact Centre on 0345 603 7628 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, to speak to an advisor, or use the 24-hour automated service (option 1) to renew your items (also at weekends).
In the Community
Join the Boxted Players for their 10th anniversary pantomime with an original take on a classic tale with Dorothy whisked off to a magical place far away from her rural roots.
For tickets search ‘Boxted’ on www.wegottickets.com or call into Harper’s Caffe at Boxted Hub
Adults £10.00, children (under 16) £5.00
Aldercar Wood is a locally run club for any of us wanting to get a good deal for heating oil. To sign up, please provide your name and email address to aldercarwood@gmail.com.
East Anglia GREEN project update
Following the name change we have also updated our project contact details which you can now use to get in touch with us here:
– contact@n-t.nationalgrid.com
– FREEPOST N TO T
– www.nationalgrid.com/norwich-to-tilbury
Langham Community Shop now has leaflets regarding National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury pylon/cables plan. If you would like to object to their proposals, please pick up and complete the forms, which can be left at the Shop to be sent to the Secretary of State.
You can also find the petition online at: https://pylonseastanglia.co.uk/
or join the Facebook group at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/718238339216424/
North Colchester Men’s Shed
Contact Roger Newnham 07988 736571 for more details.
Food bank donations
Food bank collection points are at Boxted British Legion Club, St Peter’s Church, Boxted, St Mary’s Church Langham and Langham Community Shop
Find out what’s needed and how you can help. Go to: https://colchester.foodbank.org.uk/
Good Neighbours
For help with transport to an important appointment (hospital, dentist, flu/covid booster, collection of prescriptions or a visit for some company. Call so we can help, Monday to Friday, 8am – 7pm:
- Monday……….230525 or 272773
- Tuesday……….271813 or 273195
- Wednesday….272755 or 272013
- Thursday……..07842 034489 or 323007 or 07765 037892
- Friday………… 07510 504026
Please phone for the day on which you make your call, not the day of your appointment.
Boxted Village Website 