Around town magazine august 2014 rayleigh

“WE’VE GOT YOUR TOWN WRAPPED UP!”

www.aroundtownmagazines.co.uk

AUGUST 2014 EDITION 9

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g n i m o C o t n o o s h g i e l y Ra

Adult Community Learning (ACL) Essex ACL are opening a new learning centre above the library in Rayleigh High Street

Lots of exciting courses available including: ★ Art

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Come along to our Grand Opening event Saturday 13 September 10 till 3 www.essex.gov.uk/adultlearning twitter.com/aclessex facebook.com/aclessex

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Welcome to this months edition of Around Town...

You will notice our theme this month is centred around the centenary of World War One. 100 years ago the people of Great Britain became part of the Great War and now we have the chance to reflect, remember, honour and celebrate the lives of everyone involved in the First World War. This month’s edition includes an article on how cars and motoring in general have changed over the past 100 years, a Women’s Institute WW1 inspired recipe, a look at how the Essex Countryside has been affect by war and of course our local Reverend looks back on the war commencing.

Please read on and enjoy...

FROM THE

AROUND TOWN TEAM

11 Driving Now & Then

14 Mark Francois MP Political Update

17 Know Your Tradesmen Bonair

19 Nature Notes EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner

23 Martin Lewis The Money Saving Expert

25 A View from the Church Rev. Mike Lodge

28 Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill / Lions Club Organisations ‘Around Town’

30 Recipe Womens Institute

31 Useful Numbers

Why Advertise?

We hand deliver 15,000 copies every month to homes and businesses covering the whole of Rayleigh. This includes several thousand copies available from venues throughout the town and an online edition.

To Advertise

Contact our Sales Team today, details below. Booking deadline for our September edition of Around Town is: Wednesday 20th August.

Copyright 2014. Around Town Billericay is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in Around Town do not necessarily represent those of the editors of Around Town Magazines. Around Town Magazines are published by Black Square Print Media Ltd produced by Black Square Litho Ltd.

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Drawing comparisons as we look back through history is what we do as people on a daily basis and as the WW1 centenary date is upon us, I wanted to focus our attention on comparing on, what now, is an expected lifetime achievement or goal is… driving.

Who was driving back then?

The question should be who owned cars? You have to remember people were evolving from a time where horse and carriage dominated the streets and longer journeys were completed via train or boat. The invention of the car was very much a way for the upper class members of the community to sit back and relax and have a driver or employee drive them from A to B, in what was, at the time, described as a glorified horse and carriage.

The working men who could afford a car would most certainly drive, however the consistent thought process was that you would know whether someone was doing well for themselves based on the very fact they had a car.

Who is driving now?

It has become as routine and expected as getting a job.

When you hit 17 years of age, driving should be up there in the list of priorities. Also, whereas the minority of people drove during WW1, that fact has certainly flipped on its head in

2014. Over 70% of people who are eligible to drive now hold a UK licence.

However, much like in the early 1900s nothing confirms status in people’s minds like a car. It’s still an attention grabber now in 2014 and whilst Henry Ford’s Model T created in 1908, has now been replaced with the latest Ford GT40, there is still that psychological assumption that the person driving the newest and most expensive car MUST be of wealth.

In addition, I’m certain there have been many Grandads and Grandmothers worrying about their newly passed grandsons and granddaughters driving irresponsibly nowadays, but considering you could buy a licence for 5 shillings (no test required) in the early 1900s must give the contemporary 17 year old the final word in that discussion!

Big Business then and most certainly now Something else that hasn’t changed since the early 1900s is the goldmine that is “driving”.

With the invention of more

and more reliable cars from 1890 onwards, Ford and other companies began to mass produce vehicles with ease as time went by. This resulted in more roads being built and the opportunity to transport goods became substantially easier too. All of a sudden you would become a local businessman to nationwide businessman operating with a lot more speed and efficiency.

In America this aided the above board businessmen and the underground “wheeler dealers”.

Infamous people such as Al Capone ceased on the ability to trade using cars touring the USA with illegal alcohol during the prohibition with trips from New York to Chicago or Philadelphia to Florida.

In this respect we have not changed. Next time you are driving down the M25, I’m sure you will encounter lorry after lorry transporting foods, domestic home items, clothing and much more.

In summary, circumstances are different and the logistics have changed as we have evolved here in Billericay and Britain, however some of our traits, attitudes and overall needs when it comes to our cars and driving have not changed since the days of WW1 and I don’t believe they will change for some time yet.

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ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL TO TACKLE POTHOLES Potholes seem to be a constant source of irritation among my constituents. The situation was made worse by the bad weather experienced during the last winter, so I am really pleased to hear that Essex County Council have recently announced that they are investing £10 million to help fill in the worst potholes across the County.

Council has added an extra £5.6 million of its own, in an attempt to make a significant difference to mending the county’s worst roads, in both towns and rural areas.

The money which has been set aside will include £4.4 million of Government funding, which was recently secured from a national pot of £168 million and to which Essex County

Over the next few months, 36 road repair teams will be deployed (which is 20 more than usual) to fix the worst potholes, drain covers, kerbs and pavements. The

By Mark Francois MP

L.K.E

enhanced programme is due to roll out shortly and hopefully residents should soon begin to see some improvements.

I have been pressing Essex County Council for some time to do better on potholes and so while the County Council will not be able to fix all of the potholes overnight, I do hope that this considerable sum of money will help improve the situation over the course of this year.

Rt Hon Mark Francois Member of Parliament for Rayleigh and Wickford

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Back in 1914, the automobile trade was still in it’s infancy. That year saw the release of the Mercer Raceabout, a car highly regarded for it’s speed and finesse. In the same year the car was driven to victory in the American Grand Prix setting a course record of 77mph.

Now in 2014, the motor industry is vast and diverse, with a plethora of vehicle choices available to the general public.

For companies like Colbert Motor Group and more specifically, Bonair, based in Benfleet, years of experience

Bonair

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Managing Director Kevin Jones, who joined the company aged just 16 in 1985, has been working with his fellow engineers to provide advanced automotive repair services, specialising in air-conditioning, to his customers. ‘We are able to offer everything from AC hose and pipe repairs, leak detection and remedy, to complete system installations. We give our customers friendly, honest advice

and all our work is guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever occurs sooner)’ said Kevin.

The company also became a Bosch Car Service Centre in 2010 and is backed

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Kevin’s work keeps him busy, but in his spare time he is a keen martial arts enthusiast. ‘I also like to relax by taking to the water in my boat’ he said. (by Jo Cook)

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Driving through the Essex countryside near the Blackwater last month I saw the bright red haze of a bank of earth covered in poppies. The bank was the result of some land work and the seeds, which may have lain dormant in the soil for decades, germinated and rose from the bare earth, as they did in the battlefields of WW1.

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On the Western Front, trench warfare transformed the landscape. When I toured the battlefields and memorials I thought at first that the arable farmland looked similar to ours, but then noted that it doesn’t have the copses of ancient woodland that we have, as these were logged or destroyed by shells. Patches of young woodland have been allowed to generate and they have their wildlife too, so in our tour we were sometimes treated to the song of nightingales and warblers.

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Bird song is mentioned in many memoires and poems of WW1 soldiers. The birds were reminders of their home and a symbol of freedom. After bombardment, when the guns were hushed, skylarks sang as men clambered out of the trenches. There is a story of swallows nesting in a dugout and tales of masses of wildflowers and butterflies being the first to recolonise the bare ground as the front line edged west and east. Plants and creatures of the natural world, oblivious to the horror of man’s war, continued the instinctive pattern of their lifecycle.

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Back in our home county, remnants of the wars exist in many nature reserves. The Haven Plotlands Museum at EWT Langdon Hills paints a history of life in WW2. The track to Belfairs Visitor Centre was once used by anti aircraft guns and in Norsey Wood, you can still see the ditches left by a network of practice and defence trenches. At Stow Maries, a WW1 aerodrome was created to defend us against zeppelins and this is now part of a farm renowned for its wildlife and featured on TV. se r

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Hence poppies alongside a field of wheat is a rarer pleasure now than it was in twentieth century wartime. And it is at risk of becoming rarer, as the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy threatens to reduce conservation measures in farming.

But when roaming the country, watching and working for wildlife, it is so easy to be engrossed in the good and the bad news about wildlife fortunes and to take for granted the freedom that we have to do this in our land in modern times.

Commemorations remind us of this freedom. In Flanders you can imagine that the voices speak from the farmed soil, the cornerstone of human welfare, and say “For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today”.

the

At the start of WW1 our landscape was very different than it is today. Farming had been in a period of depression for several decades as imports reduced the price of grain. Much of the less productive higher ground along the ridge on which Billericay lies was scrub. In WW2, the supply of imported food was cut off and so much more land was converted to agriculture, leading to the mechanised farming we have today.

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HANDYMAN DAVE For all your general property maintenance, call Dave!

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Our Services • Access Control • Audio & Video Entry Systems • Fire Alarm Systems • CCTV Solutions • Burglar Alarms Tel/Fax 08454 - 000810 info@shemursecurity.com www.shemursecurity.com Shemur Security Solutions Limited, 145 Southend Road, Wickford, Essex, SS11 8EE.

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Are your trees too tall? Unsafe or Untidy? Are they blocking light from yours, or your neighbours property? Are your trees likely to affect your buildings structure?

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Credit scoring has become a key part of our financial lives. It impacts far more than most people think. It’s not just about whether you can get mortgages, credit cards and loans, but can also effect contract mobile phones, monthly car insurance, bank accounts, even if you can pay energy bills the cheapest way.

Even if you’re accepted, we live in a ‘rate for risk’ world, so credit scoring then dictates what you pay too. Many people get unstuck by this. They apply for today’s record cheap rates, but find they’re charged more. So here’s what you need to know…

You DON’T have a universal credit rating - there’s no blacklist. This is a myth. In the UK, there’s no universal credit rating or score, there’s no blacklist of banned people. Each lender scores you differently and secretly. So a rejection by one doesn’t mean a rejection by all. Their aim is to see if you match their profitable customer wish list. A key part is assessing the risk of non-repayment.

If that’s high, many won’t lend to you; but some specialist lenders will like you more as they can charge you high.

Yet even those who are good risks can be rejected, because the lender thinks you won’t make it money. Or perhaps you’re applying for a credit card, but it wants to cross-sell mortgages, so scores you on how likely you are to get one.

What they know about you. Lenders assess you with 3 key pieces of information: 1) Your application form. Many underrate how crucial this is. Be consistent on each application form, eg, job title, salary. Regular inconsistencies can trigger rejection as you hit a ‘fraud score’ trigger.

2) Any past dealings with you. A lender you’ve banked with can interrogate your behaviour far more than others.

This can work both for and against you.

3) Your credit reference files. These

come from either Equifax, Experian or Callcredit and contain info on the electoral roll, court judgments, what credit applications you’ve made, products you have and if you’ve paid on time.

However, they don’t know everything.

They don’t know your criminal record, medical history, speeding fines, salary, student loans, declined applications and more – don’t get too conspiracy theorist about it.

Do this even if just for the minimum repayment, then you can call up and pay more on top each month, see it as an insurance policy.

6) Don’t let ‘paid-for credit scores’ overly worry you. In recent years credit reference agencies have started to flog these, but don’t take too much notice. They’re only based on your credit file, not the other info lenders look at, and remember each lender scores differently. One may see cancelling a credit card as good as it reduces available credit, another as bad as it’s closing down a long term relationship.

7) Payday loans can kill mortgage applications.

Some mortgage underwriters simply won’t lend to anyone with payday loans.

How to make yourself more attractive. Getting accepted for credit is like going on the pull - like people, different lenders find different things attractive. It’s more art than science, but there are some cosmetic changes that work for most. Here are 10 tips:

8) Deal with unfair defaults. First go to the firm that put them there and ask it to remove them. If not ask for a ‘notice of correction’ to be added to your credit file where you can explain briefly why it’s unfair and appeal to the Financial Ombudsman.

1) Get on the electoral roll. If not, getting credit’s tough. Check if you’re on it and apply via www.aboutmyvote. co.uk. If you’re not eligible, write a notice on all the credit files that you’ve proof of residency.

9) Check for address errors. An old, active, but unused mobile phone registered to your old address could even cause a mortgage rejection.

2) Stability’s good. If possible, put a landline, not mobile, on applications.

10) Don’t withdraw cash on credit cards. This is both expensive and seen as evidence of poor money management - AVOID.

3). Beware over applying. Too many applications for products especially in a short space of time can hurt. So if you’re about to get a mortgage, don’t apply for lots of credit cards just before. One problem though is often the only way to know what rate you’ll get is to apply, so the system is antishopping around.

4) Time it right. Problems stay on your file for 6 years, applications for 1 year.

So if you can wait until they’ve lapsed to apply, it should boost your score.

5) Never miss or be late on repayments. Small errors can hurt large. Set up a direct debit to be sure you never miss.

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PEACE IN OUR TIME - A TIME TO REFLECT… It was on 28th of June 1914 that the heir to the throne of AustriaHungary, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was to inspect the army in Sarajevo with his wife, Sophie. Seven young Bosnian Serbs planned to assassinate the Archduke and after a number of failed attempts Gavrilo Princip, one of the conspirators, shot and killed both Franz Ferdinand and Sophie. These deaths set off a chain of events which led to the beginning of the First World War. The 4th of August 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the day Britain entered one of the costliest conflicts in history, with fighting continuing until the 11th of November 1918, known as Armistice Day.

The Royal British Legion are remembering the 100th anniversary in a number of ways and have organised an initiative called LIGHTS OUT. This allows people of the UK to share a moment of reflection by turning off their lights from 10pm to 11pm on the 4th of August. The Rayleigh Branch has arranged a brief service at the Royal British Legion Memorial Hall, London Hill, starting at 10.00pm, led by a member of the clergy from the Parish of Rayleigh. Members of Rayleigh Town Council have been invited, along with many other members of the community for this important time of reflection and remembrance,

to pay tribute and honour those who gave their all.

Throughout the day The Christian churches in Rayleigh have ensured the town has plenty of opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to the events of 100 years ago and the implications of such action in our own time. Holy Trinity Church is open from 10.00am until 4.00pm, when candles can be lit alongside some suggestions for prayer. The Baptist Church is open from 10.00am until 12.00noon, with the opportunity to meditate on the theme of ‘sacrifice’ of many, resulting in freedom for us, asking questions around what the word sacrifice means to us today in our care for others, including the sacrifice of Christ and His love for us.

Alongside these moments there is also a national Centenary Poppy Campaign with the aim to cover the UK with poppies during this centenary period in commemoration of all those who lost their lives in the First World War; and I would suggest it’s not too late to sow your poppy seeds!

Bible we read where Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ (Matthew, Chapter 5, verse 9).

Another time to find peace and reflect during this month is on August Bank Holiday Weekend, when The Friends of Holy Trinity, Rayleigh, 17th Annual Garden Trail takes place in and around the town. This year gardens will be open over two days, on Sunday the 24th, between 2.00pm and 9.00pm and Monday the 25th between 10.00am and 5.00pm. Programmes, available from Rayleigh Parish Centre, Rectory Garth, allow ONE adult entry to all gardens on either or both days. £4 in advance, £5 on the day. For more details please contact the Parish Office.

In all your contemplations this month may you know God’s peace.

Yours in the love of Jesus…

The relevance of the centenary commemorations highlights the vital importance of remembering the event leading up to the First World War and the responsibility that each of us has to seek the way of peace in the world… In the

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Block Paving, Driveways, Patios & Walls Tarmac and Concrete Refurbishment Weeds, Moss, Stains & Algae Growth Removed

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-

Afternoon Tea for Two for £24 –

 Selection of Sandwiches  Two Fresh Scones each with Clotted Cream and Jam  Selection of Cakes, Desserts and/or Biscuits  A Pot of our specially formulated Tea!

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ROTARY CLUB OF RAYLEIGH MILL The club had to contend with the vagaries of the English ‘summer’ weather this year for the day of our ‘Concert in the Park’ on 28th June.

Southend had the unusual forecast that day of a flood warning! In fact we escaped with just a couple of minor showers and the English Pops Orchestra and other music acts plus the fireworks were enjoyed by the audience.

The charity golf day in July held at Rochford Hundred Golf Club was fortunately a sunny day with no wind – perfect for golf even if some of the scores of the 24 four player teams did not always reflect the conditions. However a good day was enjoyed by all.

We now look forward to our Rayleigh Mount Folk Festival on 25th August, Bank Holiday Monday, from 2pm to 8pm, headlined by Richard Digance, the BAFTA nominated folk guitarist who is also known for his BBC Countdown appearances. He is supported by seven other folk groups. To see these acts in the beautiful surroundings of the 11th century motte and bailey castle should be something special. Tickets are available at various locations around Rayleigh including Squires Coffee Shop, Courts florists and Feathering your Nest or you can phone the ticket enquiry line on 07961950653. Profits from the event will be split between the National Trust and our Rotary charities.

The club meets at Mamma’s Romantica Restaurant in Rayleigh High Street at 7.30pm on Monday nights. If you wish to visit us to see if you would be interested in joining please contact Andrew Shackleton on 01702 201783 or robertashackleton@googlemail.com.

RAYLEIGH LIONS CLUB The Lions Club of Rayleigh have been busy over the last few months and initially raised and donated £1000 to the Rayleigh First Responders to purchase a new defibrillator machine and related equipment. After a presentation the newly elected Lion president Graham Roberts felt it was a worthwhile cause, a further £1000 was donated to purchase another defibrillator which enables both the East and West sides of Rayleigh are covered. The new machines are also suitable for children.

The first responders are a voluntary group that are trained and work along side, but have to provide their own equipment with no NHS funding to provide this valuable service.

Pictured are the teams from Rayleigh First responders with members of the Lions Club of Rayleigh with the new equipment. If anyone is interested in joining the Lions, please look at our website on www.rayleighlions.org.uk

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THE WOODMANS ARMS Rayleigh Road, Thundersley, Essex, SS7 3TA 01268 775799

The Laughing Pod presents a monthly night of comedy at the Woodmans. Call for dates and details Curry Night every Monday - £12.95 including a drink Freshly prepared Lunch and Evening menu Early Supper Special – mas Christ ow 2 courses £14.95 sn g in k o bo 3 courses £17 aken! t g bein Monday – Thursday 5pm-7pm

Enjoy your first drink FREE with this voucher when dining with us at the Woodmans Arms.

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Friday 15th August – Soul Seduction Night with MJ & Bully Phil Cavill LIVE at the Woodmans Thursday 11th September direct from the West End – Les Miserables and Miss Saigon

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Telephone: 01268 742021 29 High Street, Rayleigh, Essex PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

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WI PICCALILLI RECIPE Ingredients:

2 lbs of vegetables 1 oz mustard ½ oz ground ginger 1lb lump sugar 1 quart vinegar 2 tsp allspice 6 chillies 6 cloves 1/4 oz turmeric 1 tsp flour Method: Boil vegetables in vinegar until tender and then take vegetables out.

Mix flour, turmeric, ginger and mustard in a little cold vinegar and then mix with the boiled vinegar, stirring until the whole boils again.

Remember to put spice in a piece of muslin and boil with the vegetables.

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Due to their overwhelming popularity,

Around Town Magazines

are expanding and looking to recruit sales staff to join their friendly and dynamic team.

Basic & O.T.E. Please forward CV’s with a cover note to sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk

USEFUL NUMBERS

BIRTH, DEATH MARRIAGES REGISTRATION

01268 361350 01268 361351

POLICE Rayleigh Police Station

0300 333 4444

HOSPITALS Brentwood Hospital Basildon Hospital Broomfield Hospital Essex Nuffield Hospital Queen’s Romford Southend Hospital Spire Hartswood Hospital

01277 695000 0845 1553111 01245 443673 0800 688699 0845 1304204 01702 435555 01277 232525

HELPLINES Alcoholics Anonymous Childline DIAL Disability Helpline Drugline Essex In Focus (family disabilities support)

Narcotics Anonymous Parentline Samaritans S. Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre Victim Support Essex Women’s Refuge

CHEMISTS Boots the Chemist, Rayleigh 01268 771883 Audley Mills, Rayleigh

01268 776479

Lloyds Pharmacy, Rayleigh

01268 771703

Grange Pharmacy, Rayleigh 01268 784192 Hambro, Rayleigh

01268 781623

Yardley Chemist

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BLOOD TEST Booking Line NHS Direct

01245 256147 0800 11 11 11 01268 294400/1 01708 749151 01245 353575 0300 9991212 0808 8002222 08457 909090 01375 380609 0845 4565995 01268 541140

01268 242159 0845 4647

ROAD & TRAVEL UPDATES Essex Travel www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/essex COUNCILS Rochford District Council

01702 546366

Rayleigh Town Council

01268 741880

TRANSPORT Bus Service

0870 6082608

Rail Service

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TAXIS Rayleigh Taxi Bestax Abba Cars Cab Call

01268 531888 01268 777300 01268 771666 01268 777300

UTILITIES Anglian Water 0345 145145 Electricity – Power Supply Problems 0800 7838838 Gas – Urgent Calls / Gas Escapes 0800 111999 Minicom – Transco 0800 371787 Thames Water (Supply or Wastewater Services) 0845 9200800 Three Valleys Water 0345 823333 Water – Essex & Suffolk Water 01245 491234 VETS YourVets Vets4Pets Rochford Veterinary Surgery Downes Vets Medivet LIBRARIES Rayleigh

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