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See this page for: Shops Churches Doctors Police Schools Parish Council Contacts Pubs Bed & Breakfast Refuse Disposal Village Halls and more - builders, garages, etc. |
Other Local Websites www.russellgrant.fsnet.co.uk Village Diaries Local History Pages Layer Breton Heath Birch Parish Council www.birchpc.org.uk Layer de la Haye www.essexinfo.net/layerdelahayepc |
Please note all information and details given here are covered by our website Disclaimer.
Your help would be appreciated in keeping information up to date by notifying changes and errors through my Contact Page.
Birch Minimarket (Tel: 01206-330215) is owned by Dave and Chris Chew. It stocks groceries including bread and milk, magazines, newspapers, confectionery, greetings cards, wines and spirits. The shop is open Monday to Friday: 7-30am to 7pm, Saturday: 8.30am to 8pm, Sundays: 9am to 1pm.
Birch Post Office (Tel: 01206-330216) is accessed through the Minimarket. Opening times are Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm except Wednesday afternoon which is half day closing.
The Post Office has been selected by Royal Mail for closure but as at late April 2008 no closure date has been announced. After the Post Office closes a twice-weekly outreach service will be provided at the Hare & Hounds pub, Layer Breton - on Tuesdays from 9-00am to 1-00pm and on Thursdays from 12-30pm to 4-30pm.
The Village Shop, Layer de la Haye, (Tel: 01206-734425) is in Malting Green Road. It too offers groceries, newspapers, etc. Opening times are Monday to Saturday, 6-30am to 8-00pm, Sunday 7-00am to 7-00pm.
A cash dispenser for Alliance & Leicester, LINK network, and other card holders is now available in Birch Minimarket during shop hours (see above).
In February 2008 the milk delivery service previously operated by the East of England Co-operative Society was acquired by Dairy Crest Ltd. Dairy Crest's Freephone telephone number is 0800-615-715.
Hedingham Omnibuses Ltd operates services through the villages of Birch and Layer de la Haye. The Tollesbury Depot number is 01621-869214; Head Office 01787-460621. More information about the Company can be seen on the Hedingham Omnibuses website. The only alternative bus service for Birch residents involves a walk to the Maldon road to catch one of the buses on the Colchester - Maldon route, operated by First (Tel: 01621-571451).
The Church of England parishes of Birch, Layer Breton, Layer Marney, and Layer de la Haye are all within one united benefice. For times of services, contacts, history and locations of churches together with details of forthcoming events visit the United Parishes Website.
Birch Doctor's Surgery is in Birch Street, opposite the end of Mill Lane and the bus shelter. The practice doctors are Drs A O Obisesan, S Rassell, J Renju and K Wilbraham.
Telephone number: 01206-330222 (during surgery hours only)
The Emergency Number - at all times - is 01206-572372
Dispensary enquiries: 01206-331172
Reception and Dispensary Hours at Birch
Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 1.00pm and 2.30pm to 6.30pm
Doctors' Surgeries (as at January 2007 - subject to change)
Mornings: Monday to Friday inclusive.
Afternoons: Monday and Thursday.
Nurse: Tuesday mornings.
If you are feeling unwell and are unsure what to do, you can seek nurse advice from NHS Direct on 0845-4647. This is a 24 hour confidential telephone service.
There is also the Colchester NHS Walk-In Centre, located in Suite B, Ground Floor, The Octagon Building (formerly Royal London), Middleborough. The entrance is at the bottom of North Hill and the nearest car park is opposite the main entrance to the Octagon Building. Telephone: 01206-744300. The Centre is open seven days a week from 7.00am to 10.00pm and no appointment is necessary. The nurse-led service provides treatment for minor injuries and illnesses that patients cannot manage themselves.
There is no police officer stationed in Birch, Layer Breton or Layer Marney.
In March/April 2008 Essex Police launched a new non-emergency telephone number - 0300-333-4444. The new number is a 24 hour, 7 days a week service which connects members of the public from across the County to the centralised switchboard at Essex Police. Calls will then be directed to the most appropriate person, department or station.
To speak to a member of your local neighbourhood policing team you can telephone 07966-197404. This is a mobile 'phone which is carried by officers when they are on duty. If the 'phone is not answered straightaway, then please leave a short message and someone will get back to you. You can also ring Tiptree Police Station on 01621-815544.
The above two numbers should only be used to discuss local issues, to pass on information or to obtain advice. To report a crime you should use the new non-emergency number.
A Mobile Police Office is normally stationed near Birch Street doctors' surgery on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, between 3-00pm and 4-00pm.
Birch - Mr Rob Farmer, Tel 01206-331119.
Layer Breton - Mrs Sylvia Bagley, Tel 01206-330145.
Birch Church of England Aided Primary School is opposite St Peter's Church and was built originally by Charles Gray Round in 1844. In its early days it provided education up to school leaving age and serving a very rural area even included practical horticulture in the curriculum.
These days the school is well equipped to prepare young people for the 21st century with its good computing facilities. More important for many will be the fact that it is a small friendly school where each child's individual personality and needs can be recognised and nurtured. The Headteacher is Miss Kate Moore. For more information go to the school's website at www.birch.essex.sch.uk. The School's telephone number is 01206-330224.
Layer de la Haye Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (Headteacher: Trish Wilkie) is situated in the High Road next to the Queen Elizabeth II Hall and the recreation field. The school's telephone number is 01206-734249.
The main Secondary Schools serving the area are:
Stanway School: Headteacher: Mr Jonathan Tippett. Tel: 01206-575488. Website www.stanway.essex.sch.uk
Thurstable School, Tiptree: Headteacher: Mr M A S Bacon. Tel: 01621-816526. Website www.thurstable.essex.sch.uk
Essex County Council's Library Service operates a mobile library which visits Birch once a fortnight. The library visits on alternate Tuesdays, on the road outside Birch Primary School from 11-00am to 11-45am, and then Luard Way from 11-50am to 12-05pm. For more information ask at any library or telephone Answers Direct on 0845 603 7628.
Layer Breton / Birch: The Hare and Hounds (pictured right) overlooks Layer Breton Heath, on the road from Layer Breton to Layer de la Haye. Run by Nikki and Ian, The Hare and Hounds underwent a major refurbishment during the summer of 2007 when a new restaurant was added. Offering a menu with a good range of choices, good quality food and generous portions in nice surroundings, this is already proving popular with locals. As at April 2008, the restaurant is open for lunches on Tuesdays to Fridays from 12 noon to 2-30pm, Saturdays from 12 noon to 4-00pm, Sunday Carvery 12 noon to 6-00pm. Evening meals are served on Thursdays to Saturdays from 6-00pm to 9-00pm. It is advisable to book first. Tel: 01206-330459.
Heckfordbridge: The Angel is on the B1022 Colchester - Maldon Road, near a section well known for speed traps. The Angel is run by Pierre, Anne and Cliff. Lunches, snacks, evening meals, and Sunday Roasts are on offer as well as liquid refreshment. Telephone 01206-330225.
Layer de la Haye: The Layer Fox is nearest the centre of the village, at the crossroads by the War Memorial Cross. The Fox has a restaurant serving food prepared from local produce. Telephone 01206-738723.
Layer de la Haye: The Donkey & Buskins is at the Colchester end of the High Road. As well as the bar, The Donkey also does meals. In case you are wondering, buskins are coverings for the foot and leg, reaching the calf and usually laced - useful kit for working with a recalcitrant donkey!
Telstar Guest House, run by Ann and Darrell
Layer Breton Hill, Layer Breton, Colchester CO2 0PS
Telephone: 01206-331642.
Website: www.telstarguesthouse.co.uk
The Hare and Hounds, run by Nikki and Ian
The Heath, Layer Breton, Colchester CO2 0PN.
Telephone: 01206-330459.
Domestic refuse, including gardening waste, can be disposed of (free of charge) at Shrub End Tip which is on your left just as you approach the first roundabout on the way into Colchester from the Zoo. The tip is open every day, including Sundays, from 8.00am to 5.00pm except from November 1st to January 31st when it closes at 4.00pm. Colchester Borough Council has a very active recycling policy. Special skips and bins are provided at Shrub End and other locations for recyclable items such as paper, card, glass, metal, textiles, plastic bottles, garden waste, and oil. On an occasional basis refuse 'freighters' visit each village for limited periods - look out for dates and times on local notices.
In Birch 'dustbin day' is normally Tuesday. On 'dustbin day' there are also collections for recyclable materials. For details see our Recycling Calendar page or phone Colchester Borough Council's Recycling Hotline on 01206 - 282735.
Bowtle & Lynch is one of the main building firms in the villages. They can be contacted on 01206-330388 (Birch) or 01206-734631 (Layer de la Haye).
McCreadies, Smythes Green, Layer Marney, Colchester CO5 9XG (just north of Tiptree on the B1022 Colchester-Maldon road). Telephone: 01206-331460. Petrol, diesel, paraffin, Calor Gas, BBQ fuel, phone top-ups, etc. Also has shop and sells used light vans.
Open Monday to Friday 7am to 6-30pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays 9am to 2pm.
Lawes Garage, Birch (just south of Heckfordbridge on the B1022 Colchester-Maldon road). Accident & breakdown recovery service, servicing, repairs and MOTs. Telephone: 01206-330227. Mobile: 07850-665769
At Layer Marney there is G K Howlett Engineering run by Graham Howlett. You can contact Graham on (01206) 330096.
In nearby Tiptree the franchised FORD agents are Youngs, 59 Maldon Road. Tel: 814100, and the VAUXHALL agents are Underwoods, 5 Church Road. Tel: 01621-817781.
Birch is home to a very talented and versatile watercolour artist, John Harrison. John has painted some superb pictures of local scenes as well as many other subjects. A selection of these are available as high quality prints, either framed or unframed. His splendid new art gallery and tea room in Birch is now open. For opening times, more information and to see some of his work, visit his website at www.birchgallery.co.uk
The Birch Memorial Hall is available for village and private functions. For enquiries or bookings contact Mrs Elaine Bowtle (01206-330388).
Layer de la Haye has two Halls side by side, the newer being the Queen Elizabeth II Hall. It is an attractive, modern and well used building. A large tapestry made by several local residents to mark the Millennium is displayed on one of its walls. Superb work, well worthing seeing. Village Hall bookings are through Mrs Sue Priestland on 01206-734708.
Birch Parish Council
Chair: Mrs Elaine Bowtle; Telephone: 01206-330388.
Clerk: Mr Alan Condron; Telephone: 01206-734400; Email: birchparishclerk@aol.com
55 Malting Green Road, Layer de la Haye, Colchester CO2 0JJ.
Website: www.birchpc.org.uk
Website Editor: Mr Richard Pattle; Email: editor@birchpc.org.uk.
Minutes of Parish Council meetings and information about local concerns are published on the website.
Layer Breton Parish Meeting
Chair: Mr Tim Orchard.
Clerk: (To be advised).
Layer Marney Parish Council
Chair: Mrs Caroline Compton; Use this link to email the Chair.
Secretaries (shared): Rita Hodgson (Telephone: 330722) and Karen Thompstone-Perry. Use this link to email the Secretary.
Layer de la Haye Parish Council
Chairman: Mr Mark Jones; Telephone: 01206-734258.
Vice Chairman: Mr Peter Bunting; Telephone: 01206-734350.
Clerk: Mrs Sarah Hughes; Telephone: 01206-738056. Use this link to email the Parish Clerk.
Website: www.essexinfo.net/layerdelahayepc
The website provides extensive information about local amenities, contacts and events in Layer de la Haye.
For dates of Birch, Layer Breton, and Layer Marney Parish Council Meetings, and other village events, visit the Village Diaries page at www.russellgrant.fsnet.co.uk/diary.htm.
A monthly newsletter delivered free to every household in the villages of Birch, Layer Breton and Layer Marney. Contributions of articles and information are always welcome. Parish News is an invaluable source of local information and a useful advertising medium for local businesses.
Editor: Mr Geoff Russell Grant; Telephone: 01206-330235.
The Borough Councillors for Birch, Layer Breton, Layer Marney, Layer de la Haye, Great & Little Wigborough, Salcott cum Virley, Messing cum Inworth and Grove Road Estate in Tiptree, are:
Councillor Kevin Bentley
Willoughby End, 32 Willoughby Avenue, West Mersea, Colchester CO5 8AU
Telephone: 01206-382405
FAX: 01206-548200
Email: info@kevinbentley.com.
Councillor Peter Crowe
Park Farm House, Inworth, Colchester CO5 9SJ.
Telephone: 01376-571746
FAX: 01376-571928
Email: mfcrowe@dsl.pipex.com.
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Page updated: 27 APR 2008