AY ERIC BILL 016 02.2
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PersonalSPACE and OFFICE - DESKS TO LET Business Storage From ÂŁ100 per month Unit C, Radford Business Centre, Radford Crescent, Billericay, Essex, CM12 0DP
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We Sell Boxes and Bubble Wrap
6 8 12 18 24 25 28 33 34 37 40 43
CONTENTS 10 John Baron
Political Update
Around Town Sports Focuses on Basketball
Know Your Tradesmen
B e a u t i f u l l y
22
Creative Home Improvements
Recipe
C r a f t e d
H a n d m a d e
F u r n i t
The WI Recipe
Nature Notes EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner
A View from the Church Rev. Paul Carr
Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert
26Come and see o
K i t c h e n s
St. Luke’s Hospice Good Neighbours Scheme
Rotary Club, Lions Club & Round Table The Cook Report Get Out and About Around Town
What’s On When and Where...
Useful Numbers
B e d r o o m s
H o m e
O f f i c e
Head office, Showroo
Billerica
Romford - I
W: w w w. c r o w n w o o d p r o d u c t s . c o . u k
E: s h o w r o o m @ c r o w n w o o d p r o d u c t s . c o . u k
T
All brands a Edition 39
To advertise contact our Sales Team today, details below. Booking deadline for our March edition is: Comeextended and seeMonday ourmust fabulous new showroom in Sale 29th February 15th end February Come and-see our fabulous showroom in Romford Ilford branchnew is now closed
Romford - Ilford Copyright 2016. Around Town branch Billericayisisnow 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.
closed
Come and see our newin showroom in Allbrands brands arefabulous included our All are included in oursale sale Romford - Ilford branch is now closed
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on whether we should remain a member of the EU, or leave it. There can be few more important issues. Many of us were supportive of the Prime Minister when he announced his strategy of renegotiation followed by a referendum on the new terms. If our major concerns could be met by concessions from the EU, then a good case could be made for staying in.
John Baron Conservative Parliamentary MP For Basildon and Billericay
The major political event of the year is likely to be the European Union referendum. This momentous vote will finally give the British electorate their say
However, the Prime Minister’s demands in his letter to Donald Tusk were limited and unambitious, and fell short of what many were expecting. Arguments over benefit entitlements miss the fact that the vast majority of incomers work hard when they arrive in the UK and, in particular, the letter
failed to adequately address the core issue of restoring Parliamentary sovereignty to Westminster – the ability of our national Parliament, acting by itself, to veto any unwanted taxes, directives or legislation. It seems European leaders are beginning to ease their opposition to some of the British demands, but even if all these are answered, it will still be a moot point for many as to whether these concessions are sufficient for them to vote to remain in. The announcement that ministers will be free to campaign on either side of the referendum debate is very welcome. Resignations from the Cabinet would have been unnecessarily divisive, and I look forward to a good debate on the facts of our membership.
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BASKETBALL The huge American sport sells out the O2 once a year when two teams play one of their conference games here in London. Much like when American football is town, we seem to swarm round the rare occurrence of an elite level American sport being on our shores.
Much like Netball, I would put a wager on Basketball being one of the most played sports in our schools. I found that Football, Rugby and Basketball dominated. However, the English Basketball league has failed to find its place within our sporting schedules, whether it be tuning in on television or looking to play in a local league. I have spoken to a local Basketball enthusiast who has been giving me his view on it. Why do you think that Basketball doesn’t make the transition from schools to adult life here in the UK? I know there are places you can play, but surely we would expect more interest due to regular contact with it in school? Yes I agree that is played regularly in schools, however it was not always coached to any sort of level. At most schools there will be a football coach and a rugby coach, maybe both, however Basketball was always just played with an idea of how to play. It is a very technical sport, with plays and formation and due to the teaching not being available it means that it is not taken up by the majority. I also believe that it is not the most inclusive sport in this country. Whilst we have the sports halls and
facilities, there is rarely a place where spectators can go watch. We do not have the stadiums in our primary schools unlike America. NBA is harder to watch on television is seems, NFL has taken over our Sky channels, is this affecting the popularity? Yes, absolutely! The NBA in my opinion produces the most entertainment in any sport, fast paced and exciting, however access to any games is becoming harder. Also when the Olympics is on, as Britain do not have a team of note, it isn’t shown. Lack of exposure here, means less people will play. Where can I play locally?
There are certainly places to play, but very few leagues are still going. The Essex Leopards play regularly in Brentwood and Harlow. If you are looking to play at a higher level or just want to follow a local team then I recommend you visit their website. However, those amateurs wanting to play would need to book time slots at local sports halls. Basketball is a global sport; however it has a long way to go here in the UK. It seems strange to think something like the NFL where the cost of playing is substantial and compared to Basketball where all we would need is a ball, trainers, shorts, a top and a hoop. Check out the below website if interested in seeing your local team. http://www.leopardsbasketball.co.uk
Put the spotlight on your local sports team, contact Zaki Hasan, via email, zaki@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
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It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services. Managing Director Chris Miller feels that it’s all about service. ‘Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although
that obviously helps. Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’ Cloudy2Clear service Billericay, Ingatestone, Ramsden & Stock and Chris is finding that his
approach is a major factor in his success.‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve
done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Chris a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
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Paul has been running Creative Home Improvements, based in Ramsden Heath, for over twenty years. After completing a carpentry apprenticeship as a teenager, Paul set up Creative Home Improvements offering home improvement servicesto customers in and around Billericay, including Shenfield, Wickford, Chelmsford and Southend. Creative Home Improvements specialise in UPVC and timber windows and doors, fascias
& soffits, and cladding, and or small and commercial or windows doors domestic. Their&service includes pride themselves on the fascias, soffits & guttering double glazed windows which personalised service they offer, board cladding can be completed along with tailored to each customer’s weather (available in over 20 colours) individual requirements. Paul any required carpentry work. porches said ‘Working throughout the For further details on the full all carpentry work range of home improvement Essex area for such a length services they offer,heath visit of time, we pride ourselves on 01268 710245 ramsden the reputation we have built w w w . c r e a t i v e - h o m e up. Most of our work comes i m p r o v e m e n t s . c o . u k from recommendations and or call 01268 712851 / repeat business because 07930 605 424. of this.’ Paul and his team undertake all types of carpentry work, large
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Upvc cleaning service also available Guttering, Fascia boards, Soffits & Cladding Window & Conservatory frames Conservatory roofs
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RECIPE St Clements Cake
Ingredients: Cake 4oz Butter 4oz Sugar 4oz Self raising flour 4 Eggs Grated rind of an orange
Orange butter icing 2oz Unsalted butter 4oz Icing sugar Juice of an orange
Method: 1. Cream butter and sugar until white and creamy. 2. Add orange rind, eggs and flour then beat well. 3. Line a 1lb loaf tin with grease and add mixture. 4. Bake until brown and well risen at gas mark 5/400째F/204째C in a preheated oven. 5. Heat gently the juice of the orange
and a tablespoon of sugar for a minute, then pour over the hot cake. 6. Mix the juice of the orange, unsalted butter and icing sugar together. 7. When completely cooled and the liquid is well soaked in, begin to ice the cake. Tip Do not put too much orange juice in the icing mixture or it will be too runny to spread.
See more at: www.thewi.org.uk If you would like your recipe to appear in Around Town Magazines then contact our sales team on: 01277 658444 or email: sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
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B e a u t i f u l l y
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T: 01277 650012
Project2_Layout 1 01/12/2015 12:14 Page 1
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24
Nature Notes Written by Neil Sumner
Neilsumner123@aol.com twitter.com/neilsumner123 On a road west of Chelmsford, the flora gives the landscape a look that is untypical of Essex. The verges are dominated by ferns, gorse and wispy birches, the trees behind them are sometimes old and gnarled. Then you come to an open area, where trees have been felled on dark soil. But this felling is not for housing or road widening – it is to recreate heathland, a rare habitat in Essex today. In the 18th century you could all travel through heath all the way from Colchester to Maldon. Now all that remains in that area is Tiptree Heath, just 25 hectares but a delightful site to visit. It is the only place in Essex where you can find Allseed and Chaffeed and all three heather species growing together. Heathland needs constant care to control the scrub and remove secondary woodland to allow heather and fine heathland grasses to return. Scrub and woodland are good habitats too; it is the mix of habitats which gives us diversity. Heathland restoration is also ongoing at Birch, Galleywood and Laindon Common near Billericay. I am in Backwarden, owned by the National Trust and managed by Essex Wildlife Trust. This is in a mosaic of nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific interest and Local Wildlife Sites collectively known as Danbury Ridge and featuring ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows, heaths and watersides. A partnership of organisations has a vision for the area and EWT are today running a work party with volunteers to help with the heathland restoration. Barry, the volunteer warden, has been working painstakingly on the site for 20 years. He tells of the special species he wants to provide for: the Green Tiger Beetle, the Emperor Moth (he holds up a finger to illustrate the size of one of its caterpillars), the Adders; and the Willow Warblers which arrive in Spring when the site is full of bright Yellow Brimstone butterflies which relish the growths of Alder Buckthorn. But Spring is a way off, so today we hear and see only birds, including a restless flock of wintering Redwings, a passing Buzzard being mobbed by a crow and in the woods the fluted ‘phu’ of a Bullfinch. The Reserve Manager explains how the habitats will develop, with corridors of heath and coppice between the woods. He shows us a large pond which has all 3 newt species. The rushes have to be controlled as, in time, birch seeds will take root and this area too will turn to scrub then woodland. In the purely natural world, these habitats form, disappear and re-form elsewhere but in the modern world where man has shaped the land and controls the waterways then it is only by management that we can provide the habitats for all to enjoy.
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ohn Lennon seem to be everywhere this time of year: “So this is Christmas ne?” I’d like to change this slightly: “So this is Christmas and what will brate that Jesus was born to be our Saviour? It is, after all, what makes rating and, just like those amazing events in the summer, it can be life – but only if you make the time to enjoy the celebration.
Billericay’ extend an invitation to worship as season. Why not put a date in your o miss out on the greatest Christmas
There’s a Starman waiting ricay & Little Burstead Team Ministry) e of the in localthe Churchsky! Services over the Christmas period.
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I write after the death of musical superstar, actor and cultural icon, David Bowie, has been announced. I tweeted the following at the 2nd December - ‘Annual Service’ at 10.30am time: “RIP David Toy Bowie the iconic Starman who made us heroes forbymore than just one day & h December - ‘Carol Service Candlelight’ at 7.00pm wrote the soundtrack for the life of a generation 19th December ‘Lunchtime Carol & more.”- And it’s true! LikeService’ many at of 12.30pm you, Bowie’s atsongs Saint Mary Church wereMagdalen the back drop to my youth and Rise and FallNativity’ of Ziggy Stardust and the ay 23rd‘The December - ‘Family at 10.30am Spiders from Mars’ features as one of my top hristmasten Evealbums - ‘Christingle 4.00pm of all Service’ time. In at fact, I’m listening to it as I write article! at 11.15pm ‘Communion by this Candlelight’ The first Communion of Christmas. As my own memories have been sparked, istmas IDay - ‘Family Communion’ at 10.00am remember the creative, outlandish and androgynous personas, full of colour and elaborate costumes, he created for himself each time he released a new album: from Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane through to the Thin White Duke - all of which went onto become some of the most iconic imagery in pop culture history. However, as I reminisced about my teens and twenties, I also began to reflect on his troubled soul. Bowie’s experiments with his sexuality and drugs are well documented and, as he once tellingly observed: “I really had a hunger to experience everything that life had to offer, from the opium den to whatever. I think I have done just about everything that it’s possible to do.”
Emmanuel Church
Bowie once described himself as: “A mid-art populist and postmodernist Buddhist surfing his way through the chaos of the late 20th century.” Bowie sang about space and knew ‘The Truth Is Out There’ (remember the X Files?) and this ‘other worldliness’ was a regular feature in his songs such as ‘Space Oddity’ ‘Life On Mars’ alongside the ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album. Bowie’s lyrics often bordered on the thin line between sanity and madness as he sought to discover, it seems to me, that inner sense of belonging and purpose that is so important to each one of us. As he once sang: “It ain’t easy to get to heaven when you’re going down ... with the help of
www.billericaychurches.org
the good Lord we can all pull on through.” However, like so many of his generation, he was looking in the wrong places and finding the wrong answers. Ash Wednesday (10th February) marks the beginning of Lent. For many people, Lent provides an opportunity to practice some form of abstinence or to follow a less indulgent lifestyle – especially after the excesses of the Christmas season. For others, Lent is a time for ‘navel gazing’ and truthful honesty about the state of their moral, ethical, and spiritual lives. If you, like Bowie, are a troubled soul searching for meaning and purpose in your life then Lent is as good a time as any to start looking for answers. All of the Anglican Churches in Billericay are joining together for ‘A Deeper Walk’ Lent Course starting on Tuesday 16th February at Emmanuel at 8.00 pm (coffee from 7.30 pm) for six weeks (The Bishop of Chelmsford joins us on Tuesday 22nd March) when we’re examining what we call ‘Spiritual Disciplines’ to help find the answers to some of our questions. We’ll look at topics such as: Prayer; Confession; Solitude; Simplicity; Worship and Bible Study. Each evening will begin with a presentation, followed by discussion and reflection and will provide an opportunity to both discover and nurture our spirituality. Some people suggest that faith is only for those who need a crutch to lean on. However, it seems a much better option than alcohol or drugs! No matter who we are, we all need help as we journey, and struggle, through life. Remember these lyrics taken from one of Bowie’s iconic songs: “There’s a Starman waiting in the sky, he’d like to come and meet us but he thinks he’d blow our minds. There’s a Starman waiting in the sky, he’s told us not to blow it ‘cause he knows it’s all worthwhile ...” If we change Starman to Jesus then Bowie’s, and our, search for meaning and purpose begins to make a bit more sense, don’t you think? And the last word goes to Major Tom: “May God’s love be with you!”
paul@billericaychurches.org @revPACman
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CHEAP TRAINS, DRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES Some folksdrive a lot for various reasons be it business or personal, here a few tip to help cut the cost of travel.
of carriage – the only rule is that the train must call at the stations you buy tickets for.
Free tank of fuel via extreme couponing trick. If you’re planning a big spend at any one of 50+ retailers (including House of Fraser, Homebase and PC World), buy the gift card in Morrisons and you get 1p/litre off fuel per £10 spend. So £100 gets 10p off and £1,000ish gets a free tank.
For example, a single from Manchester to Cornwall costs £158, but the train stops at Cheltenham Spa. Buy a £52 ticket from Manchester to Cheltenham Spa, then a £58 one from there to Cornwall and the total’s £110. That’s the same train, the same time – possibly even the same seat.
The real trick isn’t to use them as gifts, but that if you’re planning a big purchase in that store anyway, first pop into Morrisons and buy the gift card. Then a few days later, once it’s active, go and use it to buy your planned purchase, giving you a potentially whopping petrol discount. There’s a full list of retailers and more info at: www.morrisonsfuelsaver.co.uk. Turn your heating down, but not off if you’re going away If it gets cold, no heating risks burst pipes. So much so that some insurers won’t cover you for damage if your home’s unoccupied for more than five days and you turned the heating off. The rule of thumb is keep it to a minimum 14 degrees. Buying two tickets for one train journey can save you £100s Split ticketing makes about as much sense as Chewbacca, but it works. It’s where you buy tickets for a journey’s constituent parts separately to slash the price. It’s allowed by the conditions
To help find if you can do this for your journey, use my free TicketySplit tool atmse.me/ticketysplit. As Justine tweeted me: “Genius - tickety split has just saved me £50, no effort, exact same journey.”
PETROL PRICES NOW UNDER £1/LITRE IN SOME PLACES Cheap boiler cover - you don’t need to stick with your energy firm Boiler cover is a free market, yet energy firms like you to think you need to stick with them. You don’t. While British Gas charges £12/month, you may be able to get similar cover for as little as £6. My quick tips: a) Renters usually don’t need it, as their landlord’s likely responsible. Check. b) Ensure you know what cover you need. Choose between boiler-only, the cheaper option that covers your boiler and its controls, or central heating cover, which includes full central heating cover on top (including radiators, pipes, etc).
c) To find the cheapest, compare prices viauSwitch.com and add inEnergyhelpline.com if you’ve time.
travel. A local delivery firm is sent out, and you pay then send in receipts to get the cost back.
Get a year’s breakdown cover for £17. If your car has had trouble during the winter season, it can be costly to pay it back in the Spring. Thankfully, if you know what you’re doing you can get super cheap cover. There are four things you need to know:
Do you know where your stopcock is? No nudge nudge wink wink needed. Everyone should know where their stopcock – mains water tap – is. Frozen pipe bursts create an average £4,000 of damage, made worse if you can’t find the off switch as your home floods. So be prepared.
- If you’re renewing, haggle. 84% of AA and 76% of RAC customer who tried reported success. - If you’re new then for basic cover use a cashback site. A standard RAC policy is £28 online and an AA policy £35, but sites like Topcashback.co.uk and Quidco.com give around £10-£15 back so the effective cost to you is £18ish. This usually works, though do note the cashback isn’t 100% guaranteed. - If you have Tesco clubcard points you can swap them in for RAC cover, so £16 of vouchers gives you basic breakdown. - For full service, Autoaidbreakdown. co.uk is a pay and reclaim policy for £42/ year, which covers you and your spouse for home start, breakdown and onward
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Under the kitchen sink’s a very common place. To locate yours, Thames Water has a helpful video atthameswater.co.uk/ help-and-advice/13526.htm Can you find sub-£1/litre petrol? Petrol prices are now under £1/ litre in some places, but the range is huge. UsePetrolprices.com to find your cheapest, nearest forecourt. The difference even within one post code is 10%. It’s an easy check to fill up on savings.
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St. Luke’s Hospice Written By Hannah Futcher
Good Neighbours Scheme Launched by St. Luke’s Hospice Deeply embedded in our community is our local hospice – St. Luke’s: It has been the active support and voluntary giving of time and money by local people that has developed St. Luke’s into the wonderful organisation we have today, available for us all to use. The same ethos of “good old fashioned community spirit” – everyone helping everyone else as best we can - is now being generated again as the Hospice launches a new ‘Good Neighbours Scheme’ Hannah Futcher, from St. Luke’s explains “The Hospice has identified that there are people we are caring for who live in the local Billericay area, possibly one of your neighbours, who need some practical help. They may need someone to just pop round
for a chat, make them a cup of tea, maybe get some shopping or collect a prescription, or mow the grass. We are starting a ‘Good Neighbours’ scheme, to help with these everyday practical tasks, and are asking if people who live in the Billericay area can give just one hour or more of time each week to volunteer with us and help. Our aim is that as well as giving people we care for quality clinical care we will also be able to support them in practical ways too”. The ‘Good Neighbours Scheme’ is fully supported by St. Luke’s Hospice with training and mentoring available to anyone who volunteers. Hannah added “Volunteering can be a very rewarding experience and gifting time to your own community by doing something that will have a direct impact on people’s lives can make a positive difference to your own life too!” For more information or an informal chat please contact: Hannah Futcher on 01268 524973 email: hannahfutcher@stlukeshospice.co.uk
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MAYFLOWER ROTARY CLUB News Members enjoyed a rest after Christmas Market with their own celebration at Burstead GC but returned to regular meetings and activity on Jan 7 and planning has already begun for 2016 events Upcoming Events Jan 30 – Quiz Night at Stock Village Hall Feb 25 – Burns Night [TBC] Mar 14 – Harrogate Visit Apr 30 – Charter Night black tie dinner at Mount Banqueting Hall May 2 – Assist Billericay Club with Soapbox Derby on Sun Corner May 27 – Lyon visit Jul 10 – SUMMERFEST on Sun Corner Sep 11 – Bell Boat Race [Date TBC] Sep 23 – Spaghetti Opera [TBC] Nov 5 – Assist Round Table with Fireworks at Lake Meadows Dec 4 – CHRISTMAS MARKET Casino Evenings: Mayflower offer a fun casino evening at competitive rates with all proceeds going to charity. Email colin.breathwick@btinternet. com for details. Why not join Mayflower Rotary? Applications welcome from all ages and genders. Why not use your energy, skills and enthusiasm to join a team that serves the community and helps raise funds for charitable causes while enjoying social evenings and events in the company of like minded people? We meet at 8pm every Thursday at Burstead GC. Email: andy.hunter@perficiam.com
BILLERICAY LIONS CLUB
They say that time flies when you are having fun, and we at the Lions can’t believe that it is February already. Final numbers are in and we are pleased to have raised £8,112 during our Christmas Sleigh collection. Thanks goes to the generous residents of Billericay, our local supermarkets, Essex Auto Group, Lincon Batteries and Anton Group. A key success for us, and date for your diary, is our Music Night on 7th May when we have been able to secure the services of The Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra. This affords us the opportunity to showcase the young musicians’ talentat the Emmanuel Church in Laindon Road. Details on ticket applications will available next month.
Of course, a primary aim of our fund raising is to benefit the local community and so we are very pleased that BOSP (Brighter Opportunities through Supported Play) has been able to purchase their Mini Bus. This charity, which provides short breaks for local children and young people with learning and physical disabilities, has achieved this milestone with the assistance of donations from Billericay Lions and Round Table. Finally, along with our Annual Darts Challenge, our ever popular Cheese and Wine Evening, also held last month, was another success and members are looking forward to similar events during 2016 as our social calendar takes shape. For details on all Lion’s events please visit our website www.billericaylions.com or telephone 0845 833 9849, and follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/billericay.lions.
As well as all the fun stuff we do, and the organising of community events such as the fireworks, the really great thing about Round Table is the opportunity to provide support and donations to local charities and good causes. We are always on the look-out for the next project that we might be able to support, be it a large scale project where significant funds are needed, or the numerous smaller projects, where a few hundred pounds might help. Some of the groups who have benefited more recently include HanningfieldSailability, BOSP, Street Pastors, SNAP, Kid’s Inspire, Oscar’s Journey/Tree of Hope, Basildon Women’s Aid, Billericay Cinema, Hutton ATC and Grapevine. Do you know of a group or individual in need, with a project that might be able to benefit from some support from Billericay Round Table? If so, we would love to hear from you! Please send any enquiries to domore@billericay.roundtable.co.uk So what have we got coming up in February? Quite a lot! Here are the highlights: • Wednesday 10th February – Bubble Football – What on earth is bubble football? Imagine a bunch of guys, running around with giant clear inflatable bubbles round them, with just their legs poking out of the bottom and you get some kind of idea! We suspect there may be quite a lot of falling over and probably not too many goals scored! • Wednesday 24th February – Billericay Round Table Business Meeting at Spice Lounge – Here we plan what is coming up in the upcoming months, as well as vote on charitable donations that are to be made. As well as the serious side of things, there is always a certain amount of witty banter! If you’re male and between the ages of 18-45 and any of the events above are of interest to you, why not get in touch with us, we’d love to hear from you and love you to come along and join in the fun! To find out more about these events or about what Round Table is all about, please email us at domore@billericay.roundtable.co.uk or contact us via Facebook! So what are you waiting for? Be Part Of It!
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Escaping winter Around Town for the crazy motorbike filled streets of Vietnam and the tragic and beautiful Cambodia As Basildon man Adrian Besly returns home to a cup of tea after an epic seven-month around the world trip by bicycle, your Around Town journalist has been having some overseas adventures of her own, spending three weeks touring Vietnam and Cambodia. My friend and I left for Vietnam on 26 December. What an experience it was, seeing cultures and learning about histories so far apart from our own lives back in Essex. When we arrived in Hanoi, our senses were amazed; roads filled twenty deep with motorcyclists, carrying whole families (babies and children), tropical fruit and even furniture! Locals drinking beers and cooking dinner on the pavement, sitting on tiny tables and chairs, and filling the air with an enticing and exotic aroma, which for us would become synonymous with Vietnam. After spending a couple of nights in Hanoi and visiting beautiful Halong Bay, we headed down the coast, visiting the old capital Hue, then Hoi An with its magical night lanterns and charming markets, before arriving in Vietnam’s present capital, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City gave us the opportunity to learn about Vietnam’s rich and
complex history, with visits to the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels. There we met our Cambodian guide to head across the border to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, a little, but not quite fully prepared for the shocking things we would learn about the country’s tragic past when we arrived there. One of the most striking things about Cambodia when you visit, outside of the poverty, is the warmth, honesty and strength of the local people. Here is a society, which having been through war and dictatorship, and seen an entire generation wiped out by genocide, is determined to share their story to warn future generations. At the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, my friend and I were lucky enough to meet Mr Chum Mey, survivor of the Tuol Sleng prison. Imprisoned in Tuol Sleng for two years, enduring daily torture, Mr Chum Mey now sits outside the prison almost every day to meet tourists and visitors to educate them about the awful suffering he and thousands of other Cambodians experienced at the hands of Khmer Rouge. With a visit to The Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre (The Killing Fields) to follow, it was safe to say, we were overwhelmed. From Phnom Penh we travelled on to Siem Reap, gateway to the famous Angkor Wat, with a couple of pit stops (deep fried tarantulas and a floating village!) to enjoy along the way. Late nights on Pub Street and early mornings visiting temples (including Angkor Wat at sunrise) followed, before our final stop at our guide’s hometown, Battambang. We visited a local killing field, which is the spot where our guide and his family have chosen to remember his late father, also executed by Khmer Rouge, before riding a bamboo train and watching the beautiful sunset over the Cambodian countryside. We were most definitely captivated.
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Basildon and Billericay Greenway Ramblers Our group meets at 10am every Tuesday (5-6 miles) and Sunday (longer walks of 10+ miles usually with a break for lunch) New members are welcome. See our website at sites.google. com/site/greenwayramblers/ walks-programme-1 or phone Joe Lawton on 01277 631119 Belvedere Jazz & Music The Chichester Hotel Tudor Room, Old London Road, Rawreth, Nr Wickford, SS11 8UE. Tel: 07850 607075 www.belvederejazz.co.uk. Belvedere Jazz & Music Club is non-profit making, receives no external funding and is run entirely by voluntary jazz enthusiasts. Show Time 8pm - 10.30pm £10 Entrance Fee 3 February: Atila + Quartet ‘Nat King Cole’ 11 February: UK’s No 1 Swing & Jive Band: Jive Aces - £15 Ticket only 17 February: Paul Higgs Quartet Brief History of Jazz 24 February: Java Jam Quintet
Venue: The Fold 72 Laindon Road, Billericay,Essex CM12 9LD Tel: 01277659286 Billericay Community Choir Enjoy Valentine Romantic Love Songs in a concert at Billericay Baptist Church on the12th February at 7.30pm. Musical direction is by Deborah Allen Morgan with Michael Silk as piano accompanist. Admission is free but all donations will be given to local charities. Refreshments are provided. For further information see www. billericaycommunitychoir or email billericaycommunitychoir @gmail.com Billericay Community Cinema BillericayCine is a Community Cinema: cinemas run locally as a voluntary / not for-profit group by residents for the community. FILM SCHEDULE THURSDAY SHOWS – ALL START AT 7PM 18 February: Casablanca 17 March: Jaws 14 April: Romeo and Juliet 19 May: Blues Brothers 16 June: Independence Day
Tuesday 16 February 10.00am – 12 noon
FAMILY SUNDAY – ALL START AT 2.30PM 28 February: Frozen 20 March: Lion King 24 April: Big Hero 6 22 May: Cinderella (2015) 26 June Minions
Have a go at a variety of crafts A great way for 6-11 year olds to occupy a morning of half term. All materials provided. Tickets:£4.00 Booking essential
Ticket prices are affordable too, with ticket to ‘Film Thursdays’ priced at £5, while the family films are just £3 per ticket or £7.50 for a family group. Tickets
BillericayArts Association Children’s Half Term Activities
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are available from Billericay Library and www.billericaycine. com Billericay Ladies Probus Club The Club meets for lunch at 12.00 on the second Monday of each month at the Mount Avenue Banqueting Suite, Hutton CM13 2NS. Where a three course lunch is served. New members are always welcome, come along and make new friends. If you would like any further information please contact. Jenny:
01277 633115
Billericay Twins Club The Billericay Twins Club is a voluntary organisation, established by two young enterprising mums back in 1977. Today, its main function remains the same as 38 years ago, to provide support and advice to families with twins, triplets and more! Our Nursery Group meets every Monday in term time, from 10.30am until midday, in the church hall at the rear of Christ Church in Perry Street and costs £4 per family per session. For more information about the club visit our website: www. billericaytwins.co.uk or telephone Amanda Deacon on 01277 653752 Buttsbury Billericay W.I. Come and join our friendly group for evenings of variety and fun! We meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 8pm 10pm. Canon Roche Church Hall, Laindon Road, Billericay, CM12 9LL.
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Please contact Jan Nash for more info. 01277 630147
national & international blues acts to Essex, now in our 16th season.
Cafe on the Common At Saint John’s Church, Outwood Common, is open every Thursday between 12.00 noon and 2.00pm. Good quality food, value for money and friendly staff is always guaranteed!
Every Friday at Billericay Town FC, New Lodge, Blunts Wall Road, Billericay, Essex. CM12 9SA. Doors open at 8pm. www.newcrawdaddyclub.com
Chelmsford and District Welsh Society Membership is open to anyone with Welsh origins or connections, or to anyone with an appreciation of Welsh heritage and traditions. Visitors and guests are warmly welcomed to attend our meetings The Society’s monthly Meeting is held in St Cedd’s Hall, Cathedral Chapter House, Chelmsford, (CM1 1NX) and is usually on the fourth Thursday of every month. The next meeting (Film night) is on Thursday 18th February at 7.30pm. We hold a variety of events, including a ‘Noson Lawen’, St David’s Day Dinner, Church Service, ‘Cymanfa Ganu’ , and an annual concert featuring a Welsh Male Choir held at Chelmsford Cathedral. Throughout the year there are also fund raising events such as coffee mornings, musical evenings and a Garden Party. For more details please contact Gwenno on 07724144432, or visit our website www. chelmsfordwelsh.org.uk/ Crawdaddy Blues Club Bringing the very best local,
FC Redwing FC Redwing is one of the largest youth football clubs in the Billericay/Basildon area and the organiser of one of the biggest youth football tournaments in Essex. FC Redwing are a “Family Club” with the emphasis on fun. FC Redwing’s main aim is to get children from a young age to fall in love with the beautiful game. Run by a team of volunteers who are all FA Qualified coaches, they pride ourselves on being a friendly club. Clive Ashdown, Head of Academy at FC Redwing YFC, won the “Unsung Hero” award at the Active Basildon Sports Awards. This award celebrates Clive’s efforts in helping the club provide free regular football training for 4-6 years olds. This is the only free scheme of its kind in the area. For more information on the above please feel free to contact Mark Gordon, FC Redwing YFC - Director of Communications at fcredwing@ hotmail.com or on 07977 416 044 Mayflower Wine (& social) Club The club meets on the first Wednesday of the month at the Day Centre, Chantry Way, Billericay at 8pm. New members
always welcome. First visit this time free and our annual subscription is £22.00. More details phone Paulette on 01277 652001. The Clara String Quartet Sunday 14th February 3.00. pm We are delighted to welcome another quartet of highly talented musicians from the Royal College of Music Their Programme will include: - Mozart: Quartet No. 15 in D Minor, K 421/417b - Shostakovich: Quartet No.8 in C Minor( Op 110) - Hayden: Quartet No. 63 in B flat major,Op.76,No.4, Sunrise - Mendelssohn: String Quartet No.2 in A minor Op.13 Tickets £10.00 including refreshments Venue: The Fold, 72 Laindon Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9 LD Telephone: 01277659286 Who Let The Dad’s Out? For all Dads (and Granddads) with Toddlers (preschool) takes place on the first Saturday of every month at Emmanuel Church, Laindon Road from 8.30ds (and Granddads) to spend time with their children with plenty of toys, games, story times (bacon butties and fresh coffee also provided) and is a great place to get to know other blokes. All WLTDO? Volunteers are great with children and are DBS cleared. For more information, contact Tony Wallace on tony.wallace@ billericaychurches.org
If you would like to promote your club or event then please email a maximum of 70 words to:
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Breakfast Served 10:30am - 4:30pm Valentine's Weekend
Bookings now being taken for Friday 12th, Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th February! Mention ‘Around Town Magazine’ when booking to receive complimentary glasses of bubbly upon arrival! Please ask a member of staff for more details
EASTER WEEKEND
MOTHER’S DAY
all day Food served 0pm 12 noon - 9:3
01277 840201
Stock Rd, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8LB
Book now to avoid disappointme nt!
the CSoaCh & ,h orSeS C ,B CM12 9lU hapel
treet
illeriCay
01277 622873
BILLERICAY’S PREMIER ALEHOUSE & EATERY
2 COURSES FOR
£10
Choose any main meal and a dessert from our set menu for just £10 per person.
Plus a free coffee per diner with this voucher!
Brewery Tours & Tastings last Saturday of every month at 2pm or book your own time for groups of 3 or more! Drink our real ales & bottled craft beers in our micropub until 9pm Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
(Monday & Tuesday Evening 6-9pm)
C TheCoachAndHorsesBillericay 42
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Est 1974
Oriental Cuisine To Take Away
www.kamble.co.uk
HOME DELIVERY AVAILABLE
£1 charge under £15. Delivery Charges will apply to some areas
Opening Hours
Sunday to Thursday 5:00pm - 11:30pm Friday & Saturday 12:00pm - 2:00pm / 5:00pm - 12:30am
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Upon mention YEAR OF THE MONKEY Upon mention of AROUND TOWN
OFF LICENCE We sell Wine and Beer
Excludes alcohol. Photocopies not accepted. Excludes alcohol. Photocopies not accepted. Valid until February2015* 2016* Valid until29th 30th November
UNLIMITED USE within time period* 18 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9BQ
USEFUL NUMBERS POLICE Billericay Police Station
01277 631212
HOSPITALS Brentwood Hospital Basildon Hospital Broomfield Hospital Essex Nuffield Hospital Mayflower House Queen’s Romford Southend Hospital St. John’s Spire Hartswood Hospital
01277 695000 0845 1553111 01245 443673 0800 688699 01277 621130 0845 1304204 01702 435555 01245 491149 01277 232525
HELPLINES Alcoholics Anonymous Childline DIAL Disability Helpline Drugline Essex Home Start
01245 256147 0800 11 11 11 01268 294400/1 01708 749151
(Helping families under stress) 01277 263325
In Focus
(family disabilities support)
Narcotics Anonymous NHS non-emergency Parentline Samaritans S. Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre Victim Support Essex Women’s Refuge
BIRTH, DEATH MARRIAGES REGISTRATION
TAXIS Advanced Taxicall Billericay 01277 800001 Mayflower Cars 01277 624000 Swift Cars 01277 757473
CHEMISTS Boots the Chemist, Billericay Filmcroft Ltd, Billericay Lloyds Pharmacy, Billericay Moss Pharmacy, Billericay Shadforth M.W Billericay Shadforths Pharmacy, Billericay Shadforths Pharmacy Ingatestone
UTILITIES Anglian Water 0345 145145 Electricity – Power Supply Problems 0800 783 8838 Gas – Urgent Calls / Gas Escapes 0800 111999 Minicom – Transco 0800 371787 Thames Water (Supply or Wastewater Services) 0845 9200 800 Three Valleys Water 0345 823333 Water – Essex & Suffolk Water 01245 491234
0845 6037632 01277 233565 01277 221155
BLOOD TEST Booking Line
01277 655233 01277 624862 01277 622828 01277 653035 01277 622927 01277 652241 01277 352125 01268 242159
ROAD & TRAVEL UPDATES Essex Travel www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/essex
01245 353575 01277 655352 111 0808 800 2222 08457 909090
COUNCILS Basildon Billericay Town Council Chelmsford Ingatestone Stock Parish Council
01268 533333 01277 625732 01245 606606 01277 353315 07757 114952
01375 380609 0845 4565995 01268 541140
TRANSPORT Bus Service Rail Service
0870 6082608 08457 484950
VETS Best Friends Veterinary Surgery House & Jackson Ingatestone Veterinary Centre Summerdale Veterinary Centre Vet Savers LIBRARIES Basildon Billericay Ingatestone Wickford
01277 651009 01277 655524 01277 353612 01277 631889 01277 652100 0845 603 7628 01277 624624 01277 354284 01268 561963
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INTRODUCING THE NEW
FORD MONDEO VIGNALE The Ford Mondeo Vignale is more than a car. It’s a lifestyle. A wealth of options are available for your consideration and every element is designed to maximise your precious time.
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Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Mondeo Vignale Range: urban 2.8-10.4 (100.9-27.2), extra urban 4.1-5.9 (68.9-47.9), combined 4.2-7.6 (67.3-37.2). Official CO2 emission 117-179g/ km. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.