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... Around Towners to YOUR Rayleigh community magazine!
Features 6 Mark Francois Political Update
September is here and the first signs of autumn will soon be made
13 Nature Notes
apparent. If you fancy a challenge,
EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner
whilst out and about throughout of beautiful town, then this one’s for you: We are after some delightful Autumn scenes, to appear on our front cover for our October edition. For your chance to have your photo credited to our next edition, please email all entries to: admin@ aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
best
of luck!
14 Around Town Sports Focuses on Rugby 16 Rayleigh Lions Club / Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill Organisations ‘Around Town’ 18 Know Your Tradesmen RJB Construction & Lining Ltd
The Rugby World Cup begins on the 18th. As hosts, it is our duty to help create a World Cup buzz, and who better to help with that than The Rochford Hundred Rugby Club. See pages 14 & 15 for information and opinion on Rugby at local level. With this and a whole lot more inside,
please
read
on,
enjoy
and best of luck for you budding photographers out there!
From the Around Town Team
20 Martin Lewis The Money Saving Expert 22 On Your Plot
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.
Gardening Tips
To Advertise
24 A View from the Church
Contact our details below.
Rev. Mike Lodge 27 Useful Numbers
Sales
Team
Booking deadline for our October edition of Around Town is: Monday 14th Sep.
Copyright 2015. Around Town Rayleigh 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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5
WHY I’M BACKING FITZWIMARC’S BID FOR A SIXTH FORM One of the good things about living
Harris, to discuss how I could support
of Education, which I have written to
in
two
their application, as the local MP. The
Education Ministers to support as well.
schools,
Sixth Form at Sweyne Park has clearly
FitzWimarc and Sweyne Park, both
been a real success but it is already
I very much hope that FitzWimarc will
of which are rated “outstanding” and
oversubscribed
that
be granted Sixth Form status (in which
have
I
allowing FitzWimarc to develop a Sixth
case the plan would be to open the
previously supported the transition to
Form as well would increase the range
new Sixth Form in September 2016).
Academy status by both schools and
and provision available to pupils living
I realise that the ability of Rayleigh
I also strongly backed the moves at
in Rayleigh.
children
Rayleigh
very
is
successful
achieved
that
we
secondary
Academy
have
status.
and
I
believe
to
enjoy
a
Sixth Form (which I was very pleased to
FitzWimarc
officially open last year).
consultation exercise, to which I replied
from FitzWimarc every
offering my backing and they have
success in the future.
FitzWimarc
are
now
building
on
their transition to Academy status by seeking to establish a Sixth Form as well. I recently visited the school and met with the Headteacher, Mr Robert
high
recently
conducted
a
us and I wish this bid
now submitted a bid to the Department
MARK FRANCOIS
Conservative Parliamentary MP for Rayleigh & Wickford
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I could see that Chris Packham, the normally friendly face of Springwatch, was angry when he spoke. “The birds did not mysteriously disappear. They were trapped, shot or poisoned”. He was referring to 5 male Hen Harriers, beautiful birds of prey known as Skydancers, because of their elaborate display flights. Chris was speaking at the second annual Hen Harrier day where nature lovers gather to protest against the illegal killing of birds of prey on moorlands used for grouse shooting. Hen Harrier Day, organised by Birders against Wildlife Crime, is timed to coincide with the “Inglorious 12th”, when the shooting season opens. This year the support has grown and included the Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB, National Trust and at the event in Derbyshire, a local Labour MP. The speakers commented that there was no government support. Conservation groups are not against all grouse shooting. But there is the particular practice of driven-grouse shooting which we want to stop, an intense method where everything is done to maximise grouse numbers for slaughter. The moors are burnt, which damages the habitat, increases water pollution, increases flood risk and increases greenhouse gas emissions. And because the shot grouse are sold for food, management for grouse shooting is classified as a type of farming so it is subsidised by the taxpayer. It provides employment for a few, but Hen Harriers and truly wild moors would be much better for tourism so better for the economy. The Hen Harrier is an autumn and winter visitor to South Essex where it is assured of refuge on our many marshy nature reserves. They are less common than our local Marsh Harrier which can be seen all year round. One local site for harriers is the RSPB Bowers Reserve between Basildon and South Benfleet. It is an area of pleasant trails through meadows, hedges and scrub and with viewpoints overlooking lagoons. A September walk last year gave us 79 species of bird and 8 butterflies. There are flocks of lapwings and other waders and duck and the numbers of these will build up as autumn progresses. Corn Buntings and Stonechats are resident there and can be seen perched on top of the bushes and shrubs. Last year migratory Whinchats were also passing through at this time, and there was an influx of Clouded Yellow butterflies (pictured). The landfill site nearby can add to the wildlife interest as it is source of food for scavenging gulls and insect eaters, such as swallows which are now feeding furiously to build up their fat reserves to sustain them for the long journey to Africa. This month is one of comings and goings. www.tinyurl.com/oel5lee www.tinyurl.com/oy7kw4p
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13
RUGBY On the 18th September, Rugby will take centre stage as the World Cup is here, in England, for the first time! In the wake of London 2012 and after numerous failed football World Cup bids, we really should be making a song and dance of the most competitive tournament out there at the moment. Nobody has retained the Rugby World Cup as of yet and with at least 7 teams in with a realistic chance of winning, we are in for a treat, whether it be for those lucky people with tickets or those who will be tuning in on television. Johnny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson and co brought home the trophy in 2003 and since being the nearly men 4 years later when they finished runners up, we as a nation, have been waiting to cheer on a team with real prospects, and it is our duty as the host nation to help the team gather momentum. Leading the RWC party locally is the Rochford Hundred Rugby club. It has been ever present since the 1960s and they are bigger now than they have ever been boasting youth teams, women’s teams as well as the senior team. I spoke with Colin Wiseman who is Chairman of the Rugby Club about Rugby on a global and local level. I wanted to get a local opinion of Rugby as a national sport as well seeing what is happening over the next two months while the World Cup is on-going. 12 years ago England lifted the trophy and now we are hosting, did you see new blood joining the club as a result of the famous victory and do you expect RWC England 2015 having the same affect? In 2003 with England winning there was an increase in players either starting or coming back into Rugby, unfortunately after time numbers did start to dwindle away, maybe back then we wasn’t prepared enough to accept the uptake in players. With
the world cup being hosted in this country hopefully we are now in a better position this time to offer more to prospective members, the RFU regional officers have been visiting clubs giving advice and holding workshops to assist clubs. Rugby is played in schools and along with Football and Netball, I expect it is in the top 3 most played sports in the country as part of the curriculum. However, on a weekend, why is it, in your opinion, that youth football especially, is dominant? Where Rugby has problems competing with football is, as a youth it’s easier to pick up a football and go up the park with your mate and have a kick around, although most senior schools do teach Rugby it’s not as popular as only a few PE teachers come from a Rugby background. Also when players go from mini Rugby into youth and contact now comes into play this is where you see a change, not all like the contact and where in my experience that bigger, faster, jinky player that has been used to running rings around others now the smaller fearless type cuts them down in their tracks. I wanted to also grab your opinion on the type of players that join a youth rugby team, I expect you are littered with players that are “built” for rugby (if you know what I mean). I have learned that technique and pace is just as important as strength and power. Do you feel schools need to focus on these elements more? And what can clubs like Rochford Hundred do to encourage different types of players coming through? Rugby fortunately has always been a sport for all shapes and sizes, with 15 positions on the pitch all requiring a different skill, for the big heavier types there’s the forwards where weight size and strength is an asset for scrums, rucking, lineouts etc. For the faster light on their feet player the backs where speed quick feet is what’s required. Now having
said all that the game is changing, players nowadays are expected to compete all around the pitch and cover where required, but there will always be a place no matter what size shape or speed you are, especially at junior club level. What have you got planned over the coming months for club as a whole? Any open days and what is happening to help the World Cup Fever spread? Over the season we will have several social events and Charity games, the first being a “Help for Heroes” game on the 12th September and the last will be our annual “Donna Pickering cup” for Cancer charities at the end of the season, we will hold pitch up and play sessions to encourage girls to take up the game, we have 3 teams at present Under13s,15s and 18’s some going onto play at the highest level representing England. We also hold tournaments for schools to compete in, again to encourage players to join not only our club but one more local to where they live. Over the World cup period we as a club will be open for as many games as possible certainly for all the England games, serving up food and having some social events www.rochfordhundredgolfclub.co.uk
ROCHFORD HUNDRED RUGBY CLUB Rochford Hundred Rugby Club is a local rugby club formed by three local residents in 1962 and today showcases rugby across all ages, ability and both genders covering over 20 teams. The 1st XV play in the RFU London 2 North East league and the club’s main focus is developing local players to as high a standard of rugby as it possibly can.
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RAYLEIGH LIONS CLUB The Lions Club of Rayleigh is part of the International Association of Lions Clubs, and our primary aim is to raise and distribute funds within out local area. The Lions Club Of Rayleigh was chartered in 1974 and serves the Rayleigh, Hockley, Hullbridge and Rochford areas. Our club is a Voluntary Service Organisation and a registered charity, we are always looking for people willing to help make their community a better place to live. By visiting our website, you will be able to find out about the work of the international organisation of Lions and the Lions Club of Rayleigh in particular, including our activities and also details of forthcoming events, and who to contact for further information. Our club meets on the 1st (business) & 3rd (social) Tuesdays in every month in Rayleigh. Guests are always welcome. http://www.rayleighlions.org.uk
ROTARY CLUB OF RAYLEIGH MILL The Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill is looking for new members. The club wants to increase its membership with men and women who have an interest in helping in their local community as well as making new friends within the club and enjoying its social events. Mike Beecher, President of the club, said: “With our Charity Concert in the Park and now our Rochford Golf day annually, we provide funding for local projects and receive a lot of support from people in Rayleigh and its neighbouring areas.” “This year we are keen to invite ladies as well as men who can offer professional skills for our events and projects. It is particularly important that we have representative members from Rayleigh district covering home, health and community services as well as local stores.“ “We also have new Associate Membership that requires a small joining fee and only occasional attendance for those that still would like to support our Charity events during the year. This year we are also introducing a Youth group called YEAH! (Youth Event Assistance Help) for those aged 18-25 that can offer their skills at our events, eg photography, e-forums, sound and lighting, food preparation and physical help.” For more information, call Carl Watson on 07875 517008.
16
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19
CREDIT SCORING
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, e.g. 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.
PAYDAY LOANS CAN KILL MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS 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: 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. 2) Stability’s good. If possible, put a landline, not mobile, on applications. 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. 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. 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. 9) Check for address errors. An old, active, but unused mobile phone registered to your old address could even cause a mortgage rejection. 10) Don’t withdraw cash on credit cards. This is both expensive and seen as evidence of poor money management.
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on your
PLOT Herbs
Nature tends to dictate what we do in the garden and sometimes it’s just too late to plant those seeds, too early to prune that bush and incredibly you are already on top of the weeding. So what can you do to fulfil that urge to work the land? Why start a herb garden of course! Jobs for September:If you are growing pumpkins for Halloween, you need to support the fruit as it swells and raise it up to keep it off the wet ground and deter slugs. Restrict each plant to no more than three fruits. Clear up finished crops, clean and store any supports or netting for future use. Keep planting winter lettuces for a supply of fresh leaves right through autumn. Fancy fresh strawberries next year? Now is a good time to get new plants established. Add support to Brussels sprouts by drawing up earth around the stems, or using canes.
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Most activity on your plot is tied to the seasons, but this month we take a look at one project that can be started off at almost any time of the year - your own herb garden. As we’ve taken to growing more and more of our own food so we have found ourselves getting increasingly interested in trying out new recipes to make the most of all those lovely fresh flavours. Recipe books abound in our kitchen and they all have one thing in common - the use of herbs, and what a variety of them there is! Whether you’re looking for a sprig of fresh mint, a handful of rosemary, or some chopped chives what could be better than being able to choose and harvest them right outside your own back door? Choosing the right site for your herb garden is important, and outside your back door is often a good place to start! Planting near the kitchen makes it easy to pop out for a few fresh leaves when you are cooking, and many of us have a patio which can easily become home to a variety of container grown herbs. Herbs can make an attractive, fragrant and tasty addition to your borders, or you may prefer to opt for a permanent herb bed. If this is the case you will need to give some consideration to containing the growth of some of the more vigorous varieties. This can be done by dividing the bed (a cartwheel design made with bricks is very attractive), or by using pots sunk into the ground.
Herbs comprise of both annual plants, that germinate, grow, flower and die within the year, and perennials that will grow on from one year to the next. Whatever you plant, you will need to find out which type it is and the conditions that it favours. The more hardy perennial types such as thyme, rosemary or mint may be happy outside all year round. One of the advantages of using containers is that tender varieties can be moved under cover during the worst of the winter and even tender annuals like basil can have their season extended by lifting plants to pot up and keep on the kitchen windowsill as autumn approaches. One of the great things about a herb garden is that it can be continually evolving. Look upon it as just the start of a collection, that will grow with time. Adding a new variety can be as simple as picking up a plant that takes your fancy on a trip out and adding a new pot to your collection. As well as using herbs fresh from the garden, you can dry leaves by hanging in bunches and then storing in an airtight container, or use ice cube trays to freeze chopped up leaves with a drop of water. Store the cubes in polythene bags, great for adding to a stew in the middle of winter!
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Back To The Future… Summer is a significant time of the year, especially in relation to taking a break, having some time off, going on holiday, or being involved in some other activity during this, always hoped for, sunshine filled season! It’s during this summer holiday period, in August, that the AS level, A Level and GCSE exam results will have arrived. After all the months of hard work and all the waiting, the results are finally in the hands of those who have studied, completed course work and sat a string of examination papers; results which can shape and determine the future… Primarily because of the education system, with the new academic year beginning in or around September or October, we have the effect of a ‘new year’ beginning in the autumn! This ‘new year’ brings about many natural changes, which generally focuses on
school, college and university courses. Many individuals, old or young, are starting their education for the first time, whilst others are returning to continue their studies, and still others have come to the end of their current studies and are beginning a new job, career, or other venture. Perhaps we could all consider how we might begin this ‘new year’, especially as tentative steps are taken forward into unidentified or unfamiliar places, where there might be a sense of fear and trepidation. However, this can be a challenging time for those whose future isn’t mapped out or doesn’t look so secure; where the uncertainty of education or employment weighs more heavily and renewed vigour and fresh hope for the coming days and months ahead seem to be more difficult to embrace. But, we don’t have to be anxious or fearful, but trust that God’s hand will be on us. We do have the assurance that wherever our destination is Jesus will journey with us. In the Bible we can read the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the people of Philippi, saying, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God’
(Philippians Chapter 4, verse 6). He is saying that all our concerns and requests can be made known to God, who will grant peace in the midst of our unsettled lives. We can also find help and guidance from the Christian Churches in Rayleigh who are able to respond to the concerns that you may have or the difficulties you are encountering in your life, supporting you in prayer as well as in practical ways, giving guidance and direction where requested. The common desire of the Churches is to reach out and share God’s love in action by listening and, wherever possible, meeting the needs of all people in our community. Whether we are celebrating or struggling the good news is that every day is the beginning of the rest of our lives, and as a result every day is the start of a ‘new year’, a new beginning, a new opening, a new initiative; an opportunity to get back from our summer break and look to the future, with all that it might hold for us… Yours in the love of Jesus, The Revd Canon Mike Lodge Team Rector Parish of Rayleigh Parish Office 01268 742151 info@parishofrayleigh.org.uk www.parishofrayleigh.org.uk
The Revd Canon Mike Lodge
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EssexMaintenanceApr14 07 April 2014 15:38:43
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Unique Gifts What do you give someone who has everything? A gift they can’t buy anywhere else. Commission a family or pet portrait. Give them a gift they will treasure for years to come.
Painting or sketch from £40.00. Contact Ian on 07970 352 669 or email: ianthorpe1@yahoo.co.uk For more creative ideas visit www.thorpegear.com
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
01268 743283
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
08457 484950
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
01268 745180 01268 772283 01702 545558 01268 776883 01702 413902
0845 603 7628
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