Websites based in Birch and Layer Breton

Birch and Layer Villages Information ( www.birchandlayer.org.uk/villinfo.htm )

Amenities and services in the villages of Birch, Layer Breton, Layer Marney and Layer de la Haye.

Parish Churches of Layer de la Haye, Layer Breton with Birch and Layer Marney ( www.layerchurches.org.uk )

The website of the united benefice of three Church of England parish churches serving the area. It carries information on the times of services, details of forthcoming events, locations and histories of the churches, and contacts.

What's On in Birch, Layer Breton and Layer Marney ( www.bretonheath.me.uk/diary.htm )

A calendar of local events in the three villages, giving dates, times and other details.

Geoff Russell Grant's Website ( www.bretonheath.me.uk )

Includes information about Parish News (the monthly newsletter delivered free to every house in Birch, Layer Breton and Layer Marney), the Three Villages Gardening Club and Layer Breton Heath.

Local History Pages ( www.bretonheath.me.uk/history )

The local history section of Geoff Russell Grant's website. Local history articles relating to Birch, Layer Breton and Layer Marney, including transcripts of all the Centenary Chronicles going back to the first, which was published in November 1995.

Local Government

Colchester Borough Council ( www.colchester.gov.uk )

The site of our local Borough Council, containing a wealth of information for local residents and visitors alike.

Essex County Council ( www.essex.gov.uk )

Essex County Council is the next level of local government up from Colchester Borough Council. Its website carries a great deal of useful information.

Education

Birch Church of England Primary School ( www.birch.essex.sch.uk )

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is the primary school for children living in Birch and the surrounding rural area.

Stanway School ( www.stanway.essex.sch.uk )

Stanway School - the main secondary school attended by pupils living in the Birch area.

Thurstable School, Tiptree ( www.thurstable.essex.sch.uk )

Thurstable School - the secondary school for pupils living in the Tiptree area which also takes pupils from the Birch area.

Colchester Institute ( www.colchester.ac.uk )

Colchester Institute is the major provider of further education and training for North Essex and adjoining areas. The College provides a range of Higher Education (degree level), Further Education and Part-Time courses, with over 140 full-time and 700 part-time courses.

Health

Stanway Surgery ( www.stanwaysurgery.co.uk )

Stanway Surgery is the doctors' practice which runs the Surgery and Dispensary in Birch, opposite the end of Mill Lane. The website has information about appointments, surgery times, prescriptions, clinics and services, and the practice's doctors and staff.

North Colchester Healthcare Centre ( www.northcolchesterhealthcarecentre.co.uk )

The site has information about the Colchester NHS Walk-In Centre at North Colchester Healthcare's Primary Care Centre on Turner Road, Colchester (see map on their website). The Centre provides treatment for minor injuries and illnesses that patients cannot manage themselves. No appointment is necessary.

Local Weather

Essex Weather ( www.essexweather.com/latest_weather_forecast.html )

A website founded to provide truly local (and accurate) weather forecasts to enable local people and visitors to Essex to get out and enjoy the county. Forecasts are issued by meteorologists at Essex Weather's Chelmsford offices twice a day. The website carries no distracting advertisements or spyware.

Leisure and Local Attractions

Birch Gallery & Tearoom ( www.birchgallery.co.uk )

The website of Birch's talented and versatile watercolour artist, John Harrison, who has his art gallery and tearoom in the village. Here you can enjoy light refreshments as well as view John's detailed watercolours and prints, many of local scenes.

Layer Marney Tower ( www.layermarneytower.co.uk )

One of the best known attractions in our area, Layer Marney Tower is the largest Tudor gatehouse in the country with exceptionally fine brickwork.

Essex Wildlife Trust ( www.essexwt.org.uk )

Includes information about the local Visitor Centres and nature reserves at Abberton Reservoir and Fingringhoe Wick.

Colchester Zoo ( www.colchester-zoo.com )

One of the most respected zoos in the country which has an excellent reputation for its breeding programme. It has made major investments in large new enclosures over the last few years.

Visit Colchester ( www.visitcolchester.com )

Colchester's official tourism website with plenty of information and ideas for enjoying the area's leisure facilities and attractions.