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Photo Gallery |
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Langham Winter & Spring 2012
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16 January 2012
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A winter walk in bright weather took me past Red House on the edge of the flatlands, left, then down the Essex Way footpath to a waymarker in the morning light, centre, and eventually to the border post on the River Stour at Stratford ... only after climbing the steps and walking over the first stream do you leave Essex!
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Not publicised, but potentially incredibly inconvenient, is the closure of the footbridge over the River Stour, left, at Low Lift Cottages. This is an important routeway, connecting the ST Edmund Way in Suffolk and the Stour River Path in Essex. In the centre is a view across the flooded wildlife cut next to the Stour and on the right, a view up the lane from Low Lift Cottages. |
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27 January 2012
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Two new exercise machines for adults have been installed on the Community Field ... with some of the profits from the annual Bonfire Night run by the Parish council. |
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Laura Smerdon takes an early look at the new additions |
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28 January 2012
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A new timber bridge has been installed over the ditch on Footpath 49, connecting Wick Road and Birchfield Road, a sign that County Highways are looking at necessary renovations to the footpath infrastructure in the village. This they do as a rolling programme, so our turn will not come around a gin for a time! In the centre are the footballers enjoying winter sun. On the right is the curious road signs on Grove Hill ... large roundels as you leave the 30 mph limit, but only small ones as you enter! You could not make it up! |
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2 February 2012
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Above and left are shots of the new Travellers site under construction. These photos were taken from the footpath running past Langham Lodge, as is the tranquil scene on the right ... the lake was quite frozen! |
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5 February 2012
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A little late in the year, compared with the last two years, but an awakening to four or five inches on snow! |
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5 February 2012
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A look westwards along Park Lane, past Cherry Tree Cottage and South View, left. In the centre is the stile from Park Lane onto Footpath 33 and on the right the Airfield Memorial in the snow.
Below is Footpath 33 looking back towards the Park Lane Business Park. |
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Three views of Wick Road in the snow, with the centre shot being an appreciation of the pattern formed by the snow! |
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Keeper's Cottage, left, on Footpath 30, north of School Road, looking a model of winter charm, as was the path running along the border of Hobday's Wood (FP 26) and down by the lakes below Grove Farm, right. |
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All on Footpath 26 that was was, left, the Hornestreet Trust reserve, the footpath across from the reserve to Hobday's Woods and, right, Nightingale Farm high across the Black Brook to the north. |
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11 February 2012
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Moor Road almost snow free. |
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An electricity cut was caused by branches falling onto the overhead lines in Chapel Road; it was sorted in the morning! |
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23 February 2012
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A crop of pine logs has been taken from the woods next to Hill Farm. They have been piled up in the farmyard and taken away on lorries. Left behind is a much more attractive landscape, with the thinnings come more light and, hopefully, a more diverse wildlife. |
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County have been busy on Langham's section of the Essex Way, replacing, with the agreement of the landowner of course, the stiles for modern gates. Old and new are placed side-by-side for comparison. |
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The other side of the field has had similar treatment, making life easier for all walkers, but especially we who are arthritic and ageing! |
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25 February 2012
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Old Mill Lane
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6 March 2012
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A walk down by the Black Brook, centre, led to the route past the old pig sheds on Springfield Farm, centre, and a view over the fields to Glebe House, right. |
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A view along Hundred Lane, on the Boxted side and coming from Boxted, left. In the centre is a peaceful view of Moor Road, but at my feet was a pothole over 1 metre long .. now filled, thankfully! |
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8 March 2012 Stratford St Mary River conservation project
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I have been unable to find out the people behind this ambitious clean-up of the river area at Stratford. If any reader has this information, I would be most grateful. |
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16 March 2012
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Laura Smerdon receiving a 'Good Neighbour Award' from Colchester Borough Homes'. |
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19 March 2012 A walk near Thorington Street
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Before the start of the walk, a visit to Stoke-by-Nayland, the new-ish home of the bookshop 'The Open Road', left, run by old friend Dave Charleston. I hear the shop has since been visited by Langham W.I. walkers , some of whom are also members of the Book Club. http://theopenroadbookshop.wordpress.com/
The walk, starting and finishing in Thorington Street, took a route along the valley floor of the River Box, centre, to Valley Farm, before turning over the river and joining the Stour River Path. |
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The mill at Thorington Street, and with the river bank having recently been cleared back. |
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14 April 2012 Planting of the Jubilee Tree
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Langham Parish Chairman Mrs Elizabeth Schofield, MBE, planted the Jubilee Tree, an oak, in the Community Playing Field, with members of the Jubilee Committee and Parish Council in attendance. |
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The groundworks team of Bill Durlacher and Bob Schofield prepared the hole for the tree, kindly donated by Colchester Borough Council, and then dug out the holes for the rather smart metal shield to be cemented in place. |
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Observing the operation were, from left to right, Cllr Christopher Garnett, Mrs Laura Smerdon, and Mr Ian Holland. |
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The tree guard is now complete with a metal plate, recording the event as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.
both taken 24 May 2012 |
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16 April 2012 |
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and finally, and indication the seasons are, at last, progressing, with a view of blossom at Blacksmith's Corner.
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