BERDEN RECORDER’S REPORT 2018  

January
The year opens with a successful grant application. The Essex Community Initiative fund awarded the Village Hall £30000 for the toilet extension. The Parish Council will be looking to improve the facilities at the playground this year. Berden Book Club continues to meet and are currently reading Golden Hill by Francis Spufford. The Village Hall continues with its ‘Souper Friday’s’ every few weeks from 12-2pm. This includes homemade soup and bread. The Film club goes from strength to strength at the Village Hall and meets to watch a film monthly.

February
A Curry night was organised at the Village Hall Family night on the 2nd. This was followed by a Pancake tossing competition on the 7th for adults and children. John Oglesby and Rebecca Trapmore were the winners. The Christmas Busstopshop held last December raised over £700 and this was shared between the Friends of Berden Church, the Parish Council and the Village Hall. The Women in Berden group decided to disband. Strong winds led to a partial collapse of a large sycamore tree in the churchyard.

March
The ever popular Quiz night was held on the 16th and was hosted by Mike Phillimore-Brown. The annual Spring Litter Pick took place on the 18th. Plenty of rubbish was collected including a large number of coffee cups, take away packaging and beer tins. The annual Fish Supper took place on the 30th at the Church. It was well attended and raised money for the Church. On the following day an Easter Garden was created by the children in the Church.

April
An Easter Egg Hunt took place on the 1st and was very popular with the Children. It took place at the Village Hall. It was noted that a number of cats have been killing birds around the village. Fergus McMullen recommended that owners should attach tight collars and bells. Some 55 million birds are killed each year by cats in Britain. A new Women’s group has been formed and will be known as TBDs. Similar activities will be organised to the previous group.

May
Gigspanner returned to Berden Church and played to a sell out crowd on the 19th.The Progressive Supper took place on the 12th May and was well supported with couples moving from one house to the next for a different dinner course. Berden Croquet had its opening weekend on the 12th/13th. Strong winds led to the Church clock being blown off. No injuries occurred but the damage was estimated at over £2000.

June
Chris Bishop returned with another popular concert at the Church on the 16th. This was in aid of the Friends of Berden Church and involved a number of local people doing some star turns! New playground equipment was installed this month and included 3 pieces of adult gym equipment.

July
A long standing member of the community; Brian Sumner died on the 9th. Much missed member of the PCC and the Village Fete Committee and organiser of the Foodbank. On the 14th the 70th Berden Fete took place. Another big success with over £10000 being raised for the Church and the Village hall. A Berden Social Club Fun day was organised on the 29th thanks to Deborah and Peter Patrick whose daughter had been married at the Church a few days before by Revd Chris Bishop. A Bridge drive was organised on the 30th in aid of St Clares Hospice and Berden Church by Jenny Arnell and raised over £1000.

August
A quiet month due to holidays. However a lot of tree work was carried out in the Churchyard this month, with several large trees felled. Estimated to have cost £4000.

September
On the 8th a Ride and Stride event was organised to raise fund for the Church. Over £200 was raised. Cakes were provided at the church. The official opening of the Village Hall toilet extension took place on the 14th. It was well attended and Sue Griffiths the Parish Clerk was given a special mention and thank you for the fundraising and grant applications necessary. On the 15th the village celebrated the Harvest with a supper at the Church involving Honey Roasted Ham, Jacket Potatoes and Berden Cider. Berden’s Got Talent was organised in the village hall on the 22nd and was very popular with families. Adult and Junior sections were included. The Berden Tennis Tournament took place on the 30th. The village continues to collect for the Saffron Walden Foodbank.

October
The popular quiz night returned on the 5th October with hot supper and good food. The annual bonfire collections began once again in preparation for the Bonfire party in November. On the 20th October a large number of villagers helped to clear up the churchyard. It was announced that the Fete will no longer be held at Berden Hall. A meeting was called and it was decided to have a street festival next year. Amanda Coomber will be the new chair of the committee which will be organising this for the 13th July next year.

November
The Fireworks Night was well attended on the 3rd November. A large number of people came from outside the area. The 100th Anniversary of the End of the First World War was commemorated on the 11th at the war memorial. A large group of villagers attended. The Berden Pool competition was launched for Social Club members this month.

December
The Berden Christmas Busstopshop took place on the 8th and raised over £500. This coincided with the erection of the Christmas Tree and carol singing on the Village Green. On the 7th and 14th Carol singing took place around the village in aid of the Essex air Ambulance. This was followed on the Saturday with the popular Children’s Christmas party with disco and a visit from Father Christmas. On the 16th we had over 120 people who came to the Village carol service, both adult and children’s choirs were large this year. Berden Film Club continues to be popular. Berden Open Gardens will return in June 2019.
It was a cold February with some heavy snow. However, we had the hottest summer since 1976 with 37c recorded. The autumn has been quite dry and the winter so far has been mild.

 

Mark Trapmore
Berden Local History Recorder