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Great Maplestead, Little Maplestead, Pebmarsh and Gestingthorpe

Church and Community together September 2026

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Useful Village Contacts Parish Clerks Gt Maplestead Lt Maplestead Pebmarsh Gestingthorpe Village Halls Gt Maplestead Pebmarsh Gestingthorpe

Denise Ellison Paula Sillett Shelley Boydell Shelley Rudling n B Money

07566 265 447 07975 571 253 07927 775 989 07912 418 925 07810 781 509

clerk@greatmaplestead-pc.gov.uk littlemaplesteadparishclerk@gmail.com pebmarshparishclerk@gmail.com clerk@gestingthorpe-pc.gov.uk

Liz Newton Kelly Thompson Penny Bagby

01787 461 308 lizatlucking@hotmail.com 07919 897 592 pebmarshvillagehall@gmail.com 07840 367 172 gestingthorpevillagehall@gmail.com

Footpaths Gt Maplestead Lt Maplestead Pebmarsh Gestingthorpe

Steve Harris 01787 462 818 Geraldine Holloway 01787 476 530 Michael Sharp 07725 909 986 Terry Flower 07964 405 365

cllr.harris@greatmaplestead-pc.gov.uk geraldineholloway2020@gmail.com michael@broomhills-farm.co.uk

Gt Maplestead Task Force Playing Field Carpet Bowls Autumn Show Book Club

Rob Brudenell Joe Newton Janice Chaplin Carol Brownlie Alison Cantor

01787 829 524 01787 461 308 01787 469 600 01787 461 527 01787 462 537

cllr.brudenell@greatmaplestead-pc.gov.uk

Carol Parker Pauline Andow Sandra Beaney Pauline Andow Jim Crayston

01787 269 996 taximother@googlemail.com 01787 228 790 01787 222 220 01787 228 790 01787 222 241 jim@craystonfarms.co.uk

Valerie Fullman Chris Ponty Penny Bagby Andy Craig

01787 462 755 07494 883 632 07840 367 172 pbagby1@gmail.com gestingthorpehg@yahoo.co.uk

Pebmarsh Youth Club Ladies Club Card Making Carpet Bowls Gestingthorpe

Tower Bell Ringing

Cricket Club Book Club History Group

All Villages Maple Leaves Knitting Group Handbell Ringing

Angela Davis Carol Brownlie Margaret Crudgington Benefice Choir Paula Sillett Scouts Stuart Carter Hedingham Guides Kathie Hoy

Neighbourhood Watch Gt Maplestead Lt Maplestead Gestingthorpe

Ian Johnson Bill Piper Chris Harman Lindsay Smith

Parish News Representatives Gt Maplestead Ann Harris Lt Maplestead Pebmarsh Penny Bagby Gestingthorpe

cllrtflower@gestingthorpe-pc.gov.uk

cllr.newton@greatmaplestead-pc.gov.uk bobandjanicechaplin@btinternet.com carolbrownlie@gmail.com acantor56@outlook.com

01787 236 007 angeladavis99@outlook.com 01787 461 527 carolbrownlie@gmail.com 01787 476 259 07975 571 253 psillett@sky.com 01787 461 149 hedingham.guides@btinternet.com

01787 461 109 i.johnson057@btinternet.com 01787 473 933 billpiper204@gmail.com 01787 462 763 gestingthorpe.nw@btinternet.com 01787 460 236

01787 462 818 ann66harris@gmail.com 07840 367 172 pbagby1@gmail.com

Editorial This month sees the subtle transition from summer to autumn, the equinox on Wednesday 23rd marking the time when nights become longer than days. September is traditionally harvest time although, with the scorching summer we have had this year, most of the local crops have already been gathered in. Nevertheless, this month’s full moon, occurring at 5.49pm on the 26th, is traditionally known as the Harvest Moon because it rises early and appears particularly bright, allowing farmers in the past to harvest well into the night. Other notable dates in what is a packed September include the Maplesteads’ Autumn Show in Great Maplestead’s Village Hall on the 5th (Page 6); Read a Book Day on the 6th, for which there is a couple of interesting Bookworm recommendations (Page 21); Pebmarsh School’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations on the 11th (Page 12); Gestingthorpe’s GestupFest on the 12th (Page 24); Little Maplestead’s Fun Dog Show on the 13th (Page 17) and the Maplesteads’ celebrated Jumble Sale on the 19th (Page 8). A generational loss of rural working opportunities for labourers and crafts people is the subject of our Lost to Time feature this month (Page 7) while, in addition to our regular Nature Notes (Page 19) and Gardening Corner (Page 20), there are: the why and how of the new DigiGo Bus Service, launched in the local area at the end of July (Page 5); Part 2 of the article on Mobile Phone Security (Page 9); observations about, and responses to, questions as to whether the new Waste and Recycling Scheme, introduced in June, is now working satisfactorily (Page 11) and information about a current Councillor Vacancy on Great Maplestead’s Parish Council (Page 18). As always, if you have any stories or pictures to share or articles of local interest about people or places Lost to Time, we would love to hear from you. Please e-mail your contributions to the Editorial address (Page 35).

Cover Picture: Evening Sun Over the Lake by Kate McKenzie

A Sincere Thank You Great Maplestead’s Churchwardens and Parochial Church Council would like to express their sincere thanks to the Reverend Beverley and Barry Vincent for the support, guidance and dedication they have given us during their time at St. Giles’ Church. We are truly grateful for all they have done and wish them every happiness for the future. We will endeavour to continue to provide a faith service to the community and hope that you will give us your support during this time of vacancy. St Giles’ Church PCC

Letter from the Reverend Beverley Vincent As I write this final letter for the Parish News, I am struggling to say how I feel as my time as your Vicar has come to an end and a new chapter of retirement begins. Leaving is never easy. There are people, places and memories that I shall treasure always, and Barry and I will remain deeply grateful for the kindness, friendship and support you have shown us. We are reminded in the Bible that there is a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Remember the 1965 Byrds hit ‘Turn, Turn, Turn’? The lyrics were taken directly from the Bible and it became a number one hit in the pop chart! To everything there is a season. Throughout the Bible we are reminded that change is not something to fear. Again and again, God calls his people into new chapters. Abraham left his homeland, the disciples left their fishing nets, and the early Church discovered that God was always doing something new. While change can be unsettling, it is also full of possibility. I have seen so much to encourage me during my ministry here: faithful congregations, generous volunteers, caring communities and people willing to serve one another with quiet dedication. Those gifts remain. The future of the Church has never rested on one individual but on Christ himself, who is the head of the Church and who promises to be with us always. The same God who has faithfully guided the Church through the centuries of change continues to lead us today. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, but there will also be new opportunities. As you look ahead, continue to support one another. Pray for your churchwardens, PCC members and volunteers, and for those who will help lead worship during the vacancy. Consider what you can do to help, we desperately need more volunteers, talk to a member of your church to find out more. Thank you once again for allowing me the privilege of sharing this season of my ministry with you; celebrating baptisms and weddings, walking with families through times of sorrow, and worshipping together week by week. It has been an honour to serve among you. May God bless each of your churches with hope, courage and joy as you step into this new season. Be assured that you will remain in my prayers, and I trust that you will remember Barry and me in yours. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19)

Rev’d Beverley.

The Why and How of the new DigiGo Bus Service DigiGo is Essex County Council's flexible, on-demand public transport service that started operating in 2022 and has provided over 170,000 passenger journeys since then. At the end of July DigiGo replaced the DaRT3 bus service that used to cover our local area. Following the 2025 Public Consultation into local bus networks, ECC decided to withdraw the DaRT3 service due to its contract offering low value for money. The VFM measure, set by the Local Bus Services Priority Policy, is a £5 cost per passenger journey (CPPJ). The DaRT3 service was operating at a £64.28 CPPJ, significantly above the VFM limit, so it did not meet the threshold criteria set for receiving taxpayer support. As a result, ECC decided to implement a re-designed service using DigiGo, a shared public transport service that offers on-demand or prebookable travel. Unlike a traditional bus, this service has no fixed routes or timetables, allowing journeys to be tailored to passenger demand. DigiGo does not operate door-to-door, nor does it only pick up from traditional bus stops – instead, there are ‘virtual’ stops throughout the service area. These virtual stops are pick-up and drop-off points, with thousands located across each zone. DigiGo is designed to provide more flexible, demand-responsive access to key destinations and interchanges. Journeys can be made from A to B within DigiGo zones or to key TravelEssex Connect Points, where passengers can continue journeys further afield. In our Travel Zone (see map) the service will operate 7.00am-10.00pm, Monday-Sunday (excluding bank holidays). A more easily readable map can be found at www.DigiGo.uk Journeys can be booked by phone, up to 7 days in advance, by calling 03330 137 138 (Monday–Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm). Next day journeys must be booked by 5.00pm on the previous working day. Single fares start at £1.87 (subject to the Government’s new fare cap limit). Group bookings for up to 10 can be made and concessionary bus pass holders have free travel after 9.00am on weekdays and all day at weekends. During September DigiGo will be introducing a TravelEssex app for smart phones – this will offer customers an easy, convenient booking and payment facility, along with live tracking and real-time service updates. 5

Forthcoming Events for Your Diary

Lost to Time – Rural Workers and Trades One of the most noticeable and fundamental changes in the Maplesteads over the last 200 years has been the loss of a wide range of employment opportunities for many rural workers and craftspeople. Back in the early to mid-1800s there were some 150 farm workers employed by the 22 small farms then operating in this area. There were also around 70 straw-plaiters, whose story was covered in last month’s article. Many women and girls were employed as spinners and weavers in Halstead’s silk factory and there was plenty of work for domestic servants and staff. For example, Barretts Hall farm had 4 domestic staff and its 170 acres employed 10 labourers; Byham Hall had 2 domestic staff and its 300 acres were worked by 24 men; while Little Maplestead Hall had 5 domestic servants and its 830 acres employed 43 men and 12 boys. The ten largest Maplesteads’ farms then comprised about 1,500 acres and employed 110 workers… Along with the usual arable crops – wheat, peas, barley and sugar beet (left) – teazles used in cloth manufacturing, coriander and caraway used in flavouring and drug-making and hops for local beer production were widely cultivated. Cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry were also an important part of a diverse agricultural mix, while horses were essential for almost all crop cultivation and transportation. So, as well as farm labouring there was also work for blacksmiths, horsemen, grooms, coachmen (right), stockmen, poultrymen and artisans such as wheelwrights, bootmakers, bricklayers, carpenters and thatchers. Over time many of the smaller farms merged or were absorbed into the larger ones. Increased mechanisation led to a significate reduction in the amount of manual labour and horses required, with a knock-on effect on associated trades: for instance, the last smithy in Great Maplestead closed its doors in 1951. Straw-plaiting and the silk factory had gone by the end of the 19 th century, along with cultivation of hops, teazles, coriander and caraway crops, while pigs and dairy cows went in the mid-90s. Changing social circumstances meant domestic service opportunities were also lost. Full mechanisation means the current main agricultural crops – wheat, barley, peas, oilseed rape, borage and sugar beet – can now be dealt with by just a few men, with additional help only being needed at harvest time. Today sheep and commercial poultry production are the only two non-arable farming activities remaining in the Maplesteads. Source: The Maplesteads Then and Now – Dr AFJ Brown et al

More Events for Your Diary

Protecting Mobile Phones and Data (Part 2) Continuing the last issue’s advice on keeping mobile phones and data safe… Keeping the software regularly updated: This ensures both the phone and any apps will have the latest security settings. The phone can be set to auto update in the settings menu. Using a tracking app: Consider setting up a tracking app on the phone so that it can be located using another device, like a laptop. Activate it as soon as possible after the phone is lost or stolen, before it can be disabled. Turning off message previews: This ensures that no messages about reset or login codes appear when your phone is locked. Protecting high-value apps: Ensure high-value apps, such as banking and digital wallets, are secured by biometric identification. Alternatively, use strong passwords that are not used on any other accounts. Never store these in a 'note' file on the phone, where they could be easily found. Making sure the data can still be accessed: • Back up the phone data regularly • Ensure there is somewhere separate to the phone that access codes (two-step verification codes) can be sent to enable access verification from another device • Keep important information, like family and friends’ phone numbers and passwords, somewhere else, not just on the phone • Ensure photographs of identity documents stored on the phone are hidden behind passwords, otherwise these can be used by thieves to clone an identity and gain access to a wide range of personal information. Photographs can also be secured in hidden folders Help with setting up protection on the phone: The help pages linked below contain information about setting up device location tracking, account recovery and message preview settings: • Apple help pages for iPhones • Google help pages for Android phones Phone manufacturers’ websites also contain setting up instructions. If the phone is stolen: As personal data may be at risk it is important to act quickly – call the police on 999 as soon as possible. Give them details of the device (make, model, IMEI number) and report any fraudulent transactions. Watch for unusual activity in any banking accounts linked to the phone, including unknown transactions or e-mail notifications of an account sign-in. Alert the bank immediately and change the apps passwords. Any transactions made after the phone is reported stolen may be reimbursed by your bank.

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New Waste/Recycling Scheme – is it Working? The new Waste/Recycling Scheme, introduced by Braintree District Council on 1st June, has subsequently been coming under fire in the local press and from residents on social media for failing to adequately meet their recycling and collection needs. Concerns have been expressed that the fixed-capacity red- and blue-lidded bins actually limit the volume of recycling, a problem exacerbated by the 4weekly collection periods for each of these bins and worsened by an apparent increase in ‘missed’ collections. BDC has already tacitly acknowledged the lack of capacity by agreeing to collect excess cardboard left loose alongside the red-lidded bins – but this is not a sustainable long-term solution. BDC’s Customer Services have also, in writing, been advising households experiencing ‘missed’ collections or having insufficient recycling capacity to "Take any excess recycling to the recycling centre or pop it into the black bin”, at the same time, admitting that "many people…are struggling”. In Great Maplestead Parish Council’s view, this advice is unacceptable: it not only defeats the objectives of the new scheme but also puts an unnecessary and burdensome responsibility on residents to make up for a failure of service. It is also impractical advice for many who do not have private transport and/or those who are disabled/have mobility issues. Further concerns have also been raised about the timing and late implementation of the Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collections, which were not announced publicly until mid-May. Questions also remain about the suitability of the plastic bags being provided for AHPs: are they appropriate, secure, hygienic storage for such waste, particularly when left out in the open for collection? When we wrote to BDC Cllr. Peter Schwier asking what practical solutions were being investigated to address residents’ concerns, he replied that: •

•

BDC is going to “explore options for providing additional recycling capacity where needed” and “applications for additional or reduced recycling capacity are expected to open in the autumn”. He gave no indication as to the cost of these extra or smaller replacement bins or even a timetable for distributing them after the autumn applications open. “There is no intention to change the frequency of collections. [Changes] would require significant operational and financial consideration and are not a straightforward alternative”. The DEFRA recommendation (not a legal requirement) is that general waste should be collected fortnightly.

He also advised that: “Social media is not an appropriate format for residents to submit complaints…”, and that: “Even where a response is not provided, feedback received continues to inform our understanding of residents' experiences and concerns”. But, by not responding, BDC may be giving residents the impression that genuine concerns are being ignored. On being asked how BDC proposed to deliver a more suitable, adequate service, Cllr. Schwier responded: “The Council does not accept the assertion that the service is failing to deliver its intended outcomes for many residents” and that “the service design meets, and in several areas exceeds, expectations in relation to waste minimisation and increased recycling”. A subject for further discussion perhaps… Steve Harris – Parish Council Chairman

Celebrating Pebmarsh School’s Diamond Jubilee

Share in this Pub’s Success…

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More Local Events and Activities to enjoy…

Great Maplestead Parish Council

Nature Notes from a Cottage Garden The moth is not merely a creature of the night: it is a whisper of the moonlight, a small life moving through the unseen world. (Anon.) It goes without saying that this summer has been extraordinary, with its extreme heat and unparalleled drought. I have done what I could to help wildlife by placing containers of water around the garden. But there are some creatures whose natural way of life totally avoids sunlight. They are these ‘small lives moving through an unseen world’. Moths. Some years ago I wanted to learn more about that world. This is why I took up moth-trapping. It’s an unfortunate name for the hobby; it sounds cruel. Trapping moths. But the greatest care is taken of each and every moth; no harm comes to them, except the indignity of being held in a roomy container with places to hide until they can be photographed and later released. It’s very exciting peering into the box the morning after setting your trap (which just means switching on the special light which attracts the moths). I photograph each moth, an easy process because they are usually very docile. Then comes the fun part – the process of identifying them. This is no easy task. Overall there are 2,500 different species of moth in the UK. But these can be divided into macro-moths and micro-moths. I really only concern myself with the macro-moths, micro-moths can be so tiny they are almost impossible to identify. For me, a large part of the enjoyment of catching moths is being able to enter into that secret world, identify them, learn about their habitat and discover the mysterious and wonderful names they have. Some examples of these from amongst those that I’ve caught recently are: The Elephant Hawk moth (above), a very large moth (but not the largest), with pink markings. Black Arches, a pretty, furry, black and white ‘marbled’ moth. The Jersey Tiger (right), a striking black,white and red Channel Islands immigrant, once rare but now spreading throughout the British Isles. The Humming Bird Hawk moth, which flies by day and resembles a miniature humming bird as it hovers miraculously over flowers, its long proboscis drawing out the precious nectar.

But there is one moth I am not pleased to see. Easy to spot, with elegant white wings edged in black. It is the Box Tree moth, a killer in disguise. It lays its eggs on box plants and the caterpillars feed on the leaves so voraciously they usually cause the plant’s death. My delight at finding such an attractive moth before I identified it was soon replaced by horror as my ancient box hedges began to die back. I now face a dilemma. Do I spray the bare hedges to kill the caterpillars when they emerge? Somehow it doesn’t feel right…

Patricia Fletcher 19

Gardening Corner Gardening is a science where people can use confusing technical terms. One of these is pleaching: a pleached hedge is a term for a hedge on sticks or stilts. The lower foliage is removed to leave a raised top, which is ideal if you wish to create a privacy screen: hornbeam is an ideal candidate for a pleached hedge. This summer’s long drought has left our gardens looking rather sorry for themselves. I would recommend Stachys, or Lamb's Ears, as an ideal plant for hot, dry conditions. With its silver leaves and spikes of pink flowers, this plant will endure weeks of dry weather. Also, Nepeta or Catmint is another plant to grow in dry arid conditions – with its aromatic grey foliage and blue flowers, it's an ideal plant to attract insects. Lastly Sedum: as I have mentioned before, its thick green leaves and pink to red flower heads attract butterflies and the plant will provide colour into mid autumn. In the vegetable garden any main crop potatoes left in the ground need to be covered with soil. Often, when the tops are taken off, birds will bathe beneath the rows and any potatoes that are uncovered will turn green. Check your crop weekly until lifting. Herbs are a valuable addition to any vegetable garden and in multiples of three. I would suggest Parsley, an easy herb to sow in a pot – make succession sowings every 3 weeks or so. Basil, with its pungent foliage, is useful in a Thai dish. Lastly Rosemary, best grown in a pot too, it will overwinter and can become quite large – a sprig used in winter cooking can add flavour. I suspect we have all become fed up with carrying watering cans round the garden each morning or evening! The more water butts you can have the better as, once the autumn rains start, the amount you are able to store will help in the spring season to come! In the meantime, make sure to keep out of the midday sun… The Arborist 20

Book Reviews An elegiac reflection on a life or the solving of an intriguing murder mystery – two widely differing options for perusal as the nights start to draw in…

THE FERRYMAN AND HIS WIFE: Frode Grytten Winner of the prestigious Brage Prize in 2023, this short novel is generally considered to be the author’s masterpiece. It is the story of an unremarkable life told though the Ferryman’s encounters with friends, acquaintances and indeed his dog, all long dead and all on the day that he knows will be his last. Profound, thought provoking and a little sad in parts, his encounters on this, the day he is to die, afford him the opportunity to reassess various of his aspects of his life and interactions with folk from his past. On this day, he wakes, follows his usual morning routine as the voices echo in his mind, he looks around his empty house one last time, before stepping onto his beloved boat. His dog, dead these many years, leaps aboard with him, and then the other dead begin to emerge – from the woods along the fjord, from each of the ferry stops along the route, from his logbook full of memories and quotations and jotted-down notes about the weather conditions. The people from the past accompany him now, prodding him, showing him what he might have missed before, as he waits for his Marta, his late, remarkable wife, to finally join him on the boat again. Timeless and absorbing, this is a novel about what we take with us – those moments that might seem insignificant as they happen but prove to be the most meaningful, in the end.

Source: Goodreads

THE DEFENCE: Rob Rinder This is the fourth murder mystery in a series featuring newly qualified barrister Adam Green, who is yet again tasked with defending the seemingly indefensible. As in his earlier novels, the author encourages our sympathy for Adam, who seems put upon by everyone – his mother, his Clerk of Chambers and his one time Pupil Master – and, much to his mother’s oft-expressed regret, there is still no sign of a steady girlfriend. The novel opens at MP-turned-wellness-guru Adrian Wells’s glitzy launch event for ‘wellness’ bath salts that promise to reverse ageing. As Adrian gets into a copper bathtub to showcase his miracle product to ‘wellness’ influencers, it becomes clear that something is amiss. The bath salts have been poisoned and Adrian dies. Jules, his long-suffering assistant, is the prime suspect. Adam is tasked with her defence and quickly realises that there were many other people with a score to settle. I found this very enjoyable, possibly the best of Rob Rinder’s four novels and a great bedtime read. The Bookworm

Forthcoming Local Events Hedingham Heritage Society Celebrations of ancient trees and one man’s contribution to our understanding of the natural world are the themes of the Society’s upcoming talks, while a village folk music and dancing celebration is also taking place in September…

Thursday 3rd September: ‘Trees That Grace Our Woodlands’. A conservationist by profession, Chris Gibson is an ecologist by training whose enthusiasm for the natural world has been lifelong. His many project successes include the expansion of Abberton Reservoir. We are delighted to welcome him back for his talk on the trees that grace our local woodlands. 7.30pm – Castle Hedingham Memorial Hall

Saturday 12th September: ‘Hedingham Folk Day’ is now a firmly established successful, late summer, not-forprofit community event in Castle Hedingham. This year’s event will follow last year’s winning formula, providing the opportunity for all ages to come together to share their love of folk music and dancing in a family friendly setting.

Our own Hell’s Belles Border Morris dancers start the event at 11:00 am, showcasing a variety of Morris styles, and there will be free rolling folk music sessions during the day. A community ceilidh will be hosted by the Turkey Shed Ceilidh Band and this year’s evening concert features the King Driscolls, whose song writing is influenced by their work in the woodlands and fields of East Anglia. Both the ceilidh and the concert are ticketed events. For more information contact Rod Stokes at rodstokes10@gmail.com or mobile 07579 006 027. For the very latest news and timings follow the Hedingham Folk Day at https://facebook.com/HedinghamFolkDay and https://www.instagram.com/hedingham_folk_day

Thursday 8th October: ‘John Ray – 399 Years Since His Birth’. Often referred to as the ‘Father of Natural History’, John Ray (1628 – 1705) devised important animal and plants classifications, bringing order to the chaotic mass of names used by contemporary naturalists. Paul Wood shines a light on Ray’s immense contribution to our understanding of the natural world. 7.30pm – Castle Hedingham Memorial Hall

Do join our local and natural history society. Annual membership for 2026 remains at £15. Members come free to all walks and talks. Non-Members - £5. Everybody is Welcome. Contacts: Trudi: 01787 462 889 : Mark: 07906 472 636 E-mail: hedinghamheritage@gmail.com or visit www.hedinghamheritage.org.uk

Tempting Treats at the Pheasant…

Fun for all the Family…

Gestingthorpe Goings-on Gestingthorpe Village Hall Coffee Morning & Book Exchange Fortnightly on Fridays from 10.00am to 12 noon Join friends and neighbours in the Village Hall for tea, coffee, cake and a chat. All cakes are homemade and served by our fabulous team of volunteers. Tea or coffee and cake £3.00 – pay by card or cash. Bring a book to swap or buy a book for £1. Our bookcase is located next to the big window in the small hall. There is a large range of books and genres to choose from. The next Coffee Mornings and Book Exchange will be on 11th & 25th* September and 9th & 23rd October All funds raised go towards running and maintaining the Village Hall. *On 25th September we will be fundraising for MacMillan Cancer Support. All money donated for drinks and cake and any additional donations will be paid to MacMillan to help support people affected by cancer.

GESTINGTHORPE LITTER PICK Saturday 3rd October 10.00am to 12.00noon Meet at Gestingthorpe Village Hall The Gestingthorpe Grill will be serving Bacon Baps, Tea and Coffee, free to all litter pick participants. All equipment provided by Gestingthorpe Parish Council. Please wear suitable clothing & footwear.

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And coming up in October…

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Parish News Information Advertising/Announcements/Articles The 2026 Parish News Business Advertising Rates for the year (10 issues, pro-rated as applicable) and for monthly single-issue advertisements and event announcements are shown below, along with the Copy/Artwork Deadline dates for the next three issues of Parish News:

Articles Please submit these by e-mail, as a Word document attachment with separate jpeg/png images: ½ page: 150-160 words + images Full page: 400-420 words + images

Contacts: Advertising Editorial

Ann Harris Parish News Team

ann66harris@gmail.com parishnewsmaplestead@gmail.com

The Parish Representatives, to whom articles and event announcement submissions should be sent, are listed on the Inside Front Cover.

More Than Just a Foodbank… People using foodbanks are often dealing with much more than just a lack of food. Many are facing a range of difficult challenges and, while providing emergency food is Braintree Area Foodbank’s immediate priority, help with connecting people to agencies for additional support and services may make a lasting difference.

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The Four Parishes Benefice The Vicar: In Vacancy Team Rector: Rev’d Mark Payne

01787 220 347

colnesvicar@gmail.com

For wedding, baptism and funeral enquiries contact Team Administrator: Rae Haylock 01787 472 171 10saints.rae@gmail.com

The Churchwardens: Great Maplestead Paula Sillett 07975 571 253 Denise O’Connell 07795 170 048

psillett@sky.com niciedenise@gmail.com

Little Maplestead Churchwarden Vacancy PCC Secretary Susie Fenwicke–Clennell Gestingthorpe Alice Nolda Peter Nice

01787 469 688 01787 460 126

Pebmarsh Churchwarden Vacancy PCC Secretary

Luke Brown

susie@clennell.net

charles.nolda@gmail.com peter.427nice@btinternet.com

lhwbrown@hotmail.co.uk

Church Services and Events in September Sunday 6th

9.30am 11.00am

Morning Prayer Holy Communion

Gestingthorpe Little Maplestead

Sunday 13th

9.00am 10.30am

Holy Communion Café Church

Pebmarsh Great Maplestead

Sunday 20th

10.00am

Holy Communion

Gestingthorpe

Saturday 26th

2.00pm

Meet, Cake, Create

Great Maplestead Village Hall

Sunday 27th

9.00am 4.00pm

Holy Communion Compline

Great Maplestead Gestingthorpe

More information can be found on the Knights Hospitaller Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064958463133

or on A Church Near You: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/ 38

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