and the other to be let out with the rent going towards the upkeep of the school. The school was initially built to accommodate 200 pupils, and the opening ceremony was held at the parish church during the Sunday Eucharist. Governance West Bergholt is part of the electoral ward called West Bergholt and Eight Ash Green. The population of this ward at the 2011 census was 5,074. The buildings As well as two active churches, St. Mary's Anglican Church and West Bergholt Methodist Church, the village has a third church, not used for regular services, which is also called St. Mary's. Several legends exist about the church and its history. Locally called "St Marys' Old Church", it used to be in the centre of the village, but as time passed the village grew away from it. While no longer in regular use, it remains consecrated and it is maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust. Like many churches it has evolved over the years. Parts date from the 11th century and the astute observer will find reused Roman bricks in its fabric, and ancient graffiti from pilgrims who have visited over the years. It is positioned at the end of what is little more than a farm track in the East Anglian countryside, and on the Essex Way long-distance footpath. It stands in a small graveyard that features a headstone with a death's head design. Village life The village is home to two public houses and a social club: the White Hart and the Queens Head and West Bergholt Social Club. Religion The village has three active churches, St Mary's Anglican church and the Methodist church have their own buildings while the Pentecostal Fellowship meets at the Orpen Hall Transport West Bergholt is served by a number of bus services. References External links A village website with parish council information British History Online West Bergholt Old St Mary on essexchurches.info Villages in Essex Borough of Colchester