www.aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
JULY 2014 EDITION 20
“WE’VE GOT YOUR TOWN WRAPPED UP!”
DELIVERED TO 22,000 HOMES IN BILLERICAY, INGATESTONE, RAMSDEN & STOCK
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Features
With England out of the football World Cup, everyone can now return to normal and concentrate on what is happening on our shores! There are plenty of events going on in Billericay and the surrounding areas. The Railway Hotel hosts it’s 2nd Annual Chilli Cook-Off on Sunday 6th July. Be sure to attend that one!
Financial Advice
Let’s hope this beautiful weather we have been enjoying of late stays with us throughout July and August. Sunshine on Saturday 19th July would make THINGAMAGIG held at the New White Hart, Billericay an even bigger success. Check out all of the events, local businesses and news updates from ‘Around Town’ inside now! Please remember to mention Around Town Magazines when responding to adverts. Until next time...
From the Around Town Team
What Our Customers Say
13 The Cook Report
Sonja’s Barbershop On Wheels
Canine Partners
14 BWM
17 Drive Around Town With Colin Lott
18 A View from the Church Rev. Paul Carr
21 John Baron MP Political Update
26 Nature Notes
EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner
30 Billericay Rugby Club Local Sports News
33 Billericay Cricket Club Local Sports News
35 Martin Lewis
The Money Saving Expert
37 Know Your Tradesmen
Impact Building & Maintenance
40 Round Table / Rotary Club / Lions Club Organisations ‘Around Town’
42 What’s On
When & Where...
45 Restaurant Review The Coach & Horses
46 Recipe Big Spud
47 Useful Numbers
‘I have had many new clients from the adverts in your magazine. In the past I have advertised in a variety of different places but have had the best response by far from Around Town Magazine.’ ‘Around Town is a great publication that gives us the opportunity to target some areas that are just out of our catchment. It has proved successful reaching residents there that want to attend our events and/or use our services.’
Why Advertise? We hand deliver 22,000 copies every month to homes and businesses covering Billericay, Ingatestone, Ramsden & Stock. This includes several thousand copies being available from venues throughout the towns and an online edition. To Advertise Contact our Sales Team today, details below. Booking deadline for our June edition of Around Town is: Monday 21st July.
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.
Around Town Magazines Graphic House, Radford Way, Billericay CM12 0DE
01277 658444 www.aroundtownmagazines.co.uk sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
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Billericay’s Around Town Magazine - 1/2 page A5, April 2014
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Canine Partners – Opening Doors to Independence Canine Partners is a registered charity that assists people with disabilities through the provision of specially trained dogs. The charity aims to transform the lives of those with disabilities and offer them greater independence, by providing a canine partner dog to give practical day to day assistance with tasks that may be difficult, painful or impossible to perform. The dogs are trained to help with everyday activities, such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, and getting help in an emergency, to improve the quality of life for their owners, as well as provide that special companionship which is so unique to dogs.
The charity was established in 1990 by Anne Conway, assistance dogs enthusiast and dog welfare campaigner, and Liz Ormerod, a vet and animal-assisted therapy expert. By 1994, they had been joined by occupational therapist, Nicky Pendleton, and Roger Jefcoate, who sponsored the training of the first three dogs in 1994. By 2003, Canine Partners
had bought their own premises, and the first training centre was officially opened in 2005 by the charity’s Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester. Today, the charity has training centres all over the country, and the Essex Puppy Training Satellite, based in Writtle College, Chelmsford, was opened in 2008. Puppies aged between 14 and 18 months are trained for 17 weeks. In that time, the dogs are taught basic obedience and socialised with the outside world as much as possible, before training in assistance work in the later weeks. Emily Lawrence, Satellite Co-ordinator said ‘Being based at an agricultural college means that we have plenty of opportunity to socialise the puppies with other animals…we also go out and about with our puppies to provide them with experiences of lots of different environments…’. Once the initial training is complete, trainers are responsible for identifying a suitable partner for the dog, which involves meeting with the potential partner, and participating in a two week residential training course with the dog and owner. Dogs are carefully matched to the applicant’s needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging. The key aim of Canine Partners is to provide an assistance dog that will not only transform its owner’s life through providing practical
support, but also bring many social benefits including greater independence and confidence, a sense of security and increased self esteem. Alison Wyatt, from Essex, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, was partnered with her dog Maddy in 2010, after becoming permanently confined to a wheelchair after damaging her hip in a fall. Alison said ‘I now have the confidence to go out and about more often and meet lots of people when out walking Maddy, something I would have never done before…I wouldn’t know what to do without her’.
Canine Partners receives no government funding and relies solely on public donations. They regularly hold events and information sessions across the UK and Essex, with the next event being a Charity Golf Day at Three Rivers Golf and Country Club in Purleigh on 10th July. To find out more about the charity, and volunteer and fundraising opportunities in Essex, please visit www.caninepartners.org.uk or contact Lindsay Hurrell, Essex Fundraiser on 0845 2090750.
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Finance Matters by Ian Nicholson DipFA Beaulieu Wealth Management Ltd Life Assurance This month I’ve been asked to go into more details as to when you should be looking to take out Life Assurance, and for what reasons. Basically there are two main reasons for taking out Life Assurance Protection: 1. To repay your debts if you were to die 2. To provide income for your spouse/partner and children on your death. • Repay debts We all unfortunately tend to build up debts over our lifetime. These can either be relatively short term debt such as Credit Cards or unsecured personal loans, or longer term debts such as Mortgages and Secured loans. In these cases we take out Life Assurance which pays out a tax free lump sum if you were to die during the term of the loan. In the case of Repayment mortgages we would normally recommend what’s called Decreasing Term Assurance (DTA). The Life Assurance Sum Assured in these plans reduces in line with the mortgage as the mortgage debt goes down over the term of the mortgage. What you pay monthly (the premium) generally stays level. If you have credit card or unsecured credit, a Life Assurance plan paying out a lump sum would normally fit the bill. Most debts like this are usually in joint names, so the Life Assurance we put in place for clients would also cover both people.
income your partner has lost by you dying. If you’re a 30 year old bringing home say £2,500 per month and you die, your partner (assuming you retired at 65) has lost around £1,000,000 over that period, ignoring any salary increases you would have had. Now I’m not suggesting you take out £1,000,000 Life Assurance, but I’m just trying to show what would be lost. The answer in this case would be to take out what’s called a Family Income Benefit plan (FIB). This could provide a tax free income of £2,500 to be paid each month to your partner until you would have reached 65. It doesn’t cost a fortune to do, and ensures that your partner doesn’t have to worry about losing the income you would have brought in. In both these case it of course depends on your personal circumstances as to how much cover you should have, over what term and how much you would pay. If you’d like a no obligation review of your existing cover please get in touch on the usual numbers as shown below. Have a great month and see you next time. Thanks for reading and see you next Month: Mob: 07919 241386 E-mail ian.nicholson@bwmltd.org Twitter @BWMLimited Web: www.BWMltd.org The value of the investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back as much as you put in.
• Income for partner This type of Life Assurance is generally referred to as Family Protection Insurance. Unlike when you’re covering a debt it’s harder with this type of plan to specify how much cover you should take out. Put simply though we’re looking with this cover to replace the
Do you know the size of your pension pot?
Call me on 07919 241386 Visit www.bwmltd.org or email ian.nicholson@bwmltd.org
Consolidating your pensions could make financial sense It’s essential that you regularly review all your retirement plans, to make sure you know what you’ll get when you retire. If you don’t, you could be: • Paying more charges than you need to. • Investing in funds that don’t suit your goals or attitude to risk. • Paying less than you need to fund your retirement, as it’s difficult to work out what you’ll get if your pensions are paid from several pots. It’s never too late to consolidate your pensions and be able to make better plans for your retirement. Call me now and talk to the experts about the best way forward for you. The value of the investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back as much as you put in.
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‘Manoeuvre Out the Way!’ My name is Stuart Sinclair and I work for Around Town Magazines. Colin Lott of Drive School of Motoring is taking me through lessons to pass my driving test. We are now approaching our 20th lesson together and have tackled driving independently, meeting traffic, taking on junctions and roundabouts and performing emergency stops, this month we have concentrated on turns in the road (3 point turn) and reversing around corners. Progress has gone well. I’ve perfected the 3 point turn and having gained confidence with driving backwards (something which I always thought would be a relatively easy task) I am now looking forward to other manoeuvres and continuing to edge ever closer to my driving test.
Colin offers a driving experience to those under the age of 17, to get them familiarised with being behind the wheel and build confidence early on. Visit his website or give Colin a call for more information.
To arrange your lessons now, contact Colin Today on: 01268 478606
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17
A VIEW FROM THE CHURCH
The World Cup: First Round Failures or Cup Winning Heroes? Whether we like it or not, football, almost more than anything else, defines who we are as nation. The heart of England now beats with chants at Wembley rather than prayers at Westminster Abbey. In a nation with many social and cultural differences, football acts as a vital bridge between individuals and communities. It is one of the few neutral subjects (along with our weather) that we can use to open up a conversation with a total stranger! For me, I’m pleased to say that Sunderland have managed to escape relegation from the Premier League - for another season at least - and I look forward to the ‘rollercoaster ride’ that following SAFC brings with it. As I write, I have no idea how England will perform in Brazil. We could be first round failures or poised for cup winning heroics. However, I recognise there are many people who do not like football and, for those of you who feel that way, there seems to be no escape from the hype. Everyone is talking about Brazil 2014. A recent Radio 4 show gave some helpful survival tips for non-footy fans. Their main advice was to escape the TV set by heading into the great outdoors; replacing crowd noise with bird song and enjoying the beauty of trees and sky -
surely the most beautiful game of all? According to The Royal Horticultural Society these two don’t have to be an either/or choice. The RHS have produced a rather amusing guide to the World Cup. Chief horticultural advisor Guy Barter suggests football fans could give their gardens some TLC this summer during half-time and lulls in matches. Tasks like weeding or watering, he says, can be broken into 15 minute segments and before you know it, the jobs are done. He also suggests: “Mowing the lawn can be a good way to vent energy during the tournament”. If the game’s too tense to watch, he advises relieving some adrenaline by “dead-heading flowers”. Guy’s recommendations are amusing, but they also make a relevant point about how we use our spare time. In the book of Psalms, King David prays: “Teach me to number my days so that I gain a heart of wisdom”. Numbering days and moments, gaining a sense of the priceless value of every second is crucial to making the most of our lives. A few minutes here and there can seem of little worth, but their collective value over months and years demonstrates that they hold vast potential. For example, just 15 minutes a day, over a whole month adds up to seven and a half hours. Over
an entire year, that daily block of 15 minutes adds up to 91 hours – that’s almost 4 whole days. I heard of someone who, rather than sitting and whiling away time travelling to work on the Train/Underground, decided to use each journey to begin reading the Old Testament. Within six months, he’d read the entire Bible. For the many things we want to achieve but feel unable to fit in to our schedule, perhaps using these in-between moments could be a helpful way to start. Every second we’re given on this planet is a precious commodity, far too valuable to lose, dare I say, through watching 22 blokes kicking around a bag of air! However, having said all that, I’m still a footy fan so, altogether: “Come On Engerland!” For those keen gardeners who still do not give two hoots about football, there is always the Hampton Court Flower Show, whose final day coincides with the day of the World Cup Final. With every blessing in Jesus’ precious name
Web: www.emmanuel-church.info Email: paul@billericaychurches.org
Revd Paul A. Carr | Emmanuel Church, Billericay
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THE FUN WALK TRUST
A unique feature of the walk is that generous corporate and individual sponsors donate money into a ‘bonus pot’ which is then distributed to the participating charities and projects, over and above what they raise themselves in sponsorship. The 2014 ‘bonus pot’ so far stands at £30,000, with a number of sponsors yet to confirm.
Essex Police, the Billericay Town Crier, Barleylands Farm, Basildon
By John Baron MP
Council,
My thanks go to this year’s bonus pot sponsors, which includes: Barratt Homes, Veolia Environmental Services, Hallmark Care Homes, Toomey Motors, Swan Housing Association, Ford Motor Co, IFE Global Logistics, New Holland Agriculture, Selex ES Ltd, Mr Barrie Stone and others. Thanks also to the family of volunteers including The Fun Walk Trust committee and trustees, Team Handsome, the marshals and every other member of the team.
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This year’s Fun Walk, held on 19th May at Barleylands Farm, was a great success and almost 2000 people took part – a record number. There was a massive BBQ, music courtesy of Gateway FM, and a barn full of stalls – the objective being to raise awareness as well as money.
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On a fine sunny morning, a few us found ourselves watching a pair of Lesser Whitethroats collecting food in an oak tree and delivering it to a nest somewhere deep in an adjacent hedgerow. The tree seemed to be the sole larder for the forage by this normally elusive little bird. As we watched, several other birds come to the tree to feed. A male Chaffinch picked bugs from the leaves and made occasional short sallies into the air to catch insects in flight. Great and Blue Tits dangled from leafy twigs, a Robin gleaned from the branches, and a Chiffchaff danced around the tree, also catching food in flight and from the foliage.
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We paused our bird survey and contemplated the value of the oak tree. The specimen we admired is mature but not grand, having reached the stage of “Early Ancient”. The lower foliage is lush but some topmost branches are dead and bleached by the sun. Some might look at it and think it unhealthy, but this is not one of the many oaks that have been hit by disease. This is a stag-headed oak, common on farmland and, by dying at the top, has effectively lowered its own crown to reduce the likelihood that it is toppled by winds. The English Oak can host up to 280 species of insect. Many birds nest or feed within it, and mammals munch the fallen autumn acorns. For us too it has great value, providing timber for ships and buildings since the time of the Vikings. The oak represents strength and longevity and a mature oak’s age is measured in centuries. Many have been lucky to remain as our insatiable demand for land transforms their surroundings. A mature oak alongside a busy road is not just a site to enjoy and a refuge for wildlife, it is a monument to nature’s survival.
Some of the oaks around the town and villages are protected by tree preservation orders (TPOs) but sadly this does not extend to all of them and sometimes we find them gone without notice. If you enjoy a tree it is worth checking with your Borough Council if it has a TPO. If not, ask for one to be added. An ancient oak cannot be replaced even in the lifetime of your children, whatever your age. Before
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In July, small birds feed often undetected in the canopy of oaks and the Purple Hairstreak butterfly darts around the crown on a summer evening. Its caterpillars feed on the oak leaves and its next stage, the chrysalis, has been found in ants nests. The relationship with ants is not understood, but we do know that these butterflies are one of many that need our glorious English Oak. (My thanks to John Smart for help with this article).
Neilsumner123@aol.com follow me twitter.com/neilsumner123
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Billericay RFC Be Part of Something Special! Billericay RFC, est in 1959, is a warm and friendly family club. Since 2009 we have been working hard to introduce and develop Junior rugby to the Billericay community and surrounding areas. Growing from 12 children to now over 150, in 10 age groups ranging from ages 4 to 15 years old. We are very proud of our club and all that it has achieved. We are accredited by the RFU and fully support their core values of
TEAMWORK, RESPECT, ENJOYMENT, DISCIPLINE and SPORTSMANSHIP.
at our stand at the Rotary Club Billericay Fest at Sun Corner on the 13th July.
Whilst our teams are successful and have won various trophies, we also believe in inclusion, giving everybody a chance to play regardless of ability.
Alternatively, our registration fun day and BBQ is on Sunday 7th September, so come down to the club on Sunday mornings and have some fun, enjoy our club and be part of something special!!
We are always keen to welcome new faces from complete beginners through to the experienced. If you are interested in playing some rugby and having some fun, please visit us
In the meantime, if you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Andy Collings on 07970194995 or billericayrfc@hotmail.co.uk
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Billericay CC (Shirts sponsored by Paul Robinson LLP) All Teams well placed As we go to press the 2nd, 3rd and 4th XIs are top of their divisions with the 1st XI well placed in fourth position in what is proving to be a tougher division than last year. There have been several close low scoring games with the bowlers dominating; fortunately BCC has a very strong seam attack in Paul Walter, Greg Hammond, Dave Houghton, Gary Hynes and Paul Reynolds that has compensated for some indifferent batting performances. Despite this, with the 50/50 limited over version of the game still to come, Billericay’s bowling strength means that the 1st XI is well placed to improve on its current league position. When this is read the June 22 Open Day followed by the Pepsi ICC Europe Division 2 World Cup qualifying tournament will have taken place at the club and will be reported on in
next month’s edition. Our thanks to Waitrose and Basildon Council for supporting these events.
Joining details from stewart_rutland@hotmail.com
Essex Fixtures July and August will see a full programme of representative games at Billericay. Spectators are welcome and admission is free.
Booking our facilities See www.billericaycc.co.uk for more details of the club where the views over the Essex countryside and substantial parking provide an excellent setting for that special function.
Summer Cricket Training Camps There will be two this year run by BCC ECB level 2 coaches. A two day event on Aug 4 & 5 and a five day Warsops event Aug 18 – 22. Places are going fast so book early paul.walter@hotmail.co.uk and info@warsopcricketcoaching.com
To hire the clubhouse email paul.walter@hotmail.co.uk
Why not join? Billericay run 5 Saturday teams, a Sunday team, Vets midweek XI and colts teams from 9 to 17. New members and spectators are always welcome to the Blunts Wall Road ground CM12 9SA.
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Direct. It’s not yet timeThistois hoot the horn Switch to a 0% overdraft. transfer' cash into -your bank account, so you then owe www. a golden time for thoseFirst in debt. While that may in celebration,seem buta strange There’s firstdirect.com offers £100 to new the card instead. thing toasay, the best EVER deals for The www.firstdirect.com account bank account cutting price loan, war.store They’re joiners and a £250 0% overdraft or credit card costs are now on the has smashed every customer You could, of course, find apay-in 0% overdraft. Both First desperate for switchers - paying market. So if you've existing debts, a little bit of action (min £1,000/mth). www. service poll I’ve done, 92% rate Direct and Nationwide offer this if you switch to them, could5% savesavings, you £100s or cashback on bills, or£1,000s. nationwide.co.uk FlexDirect it ‘great’. New switchersbutget paid the amounts offered are usually just bunging you cold hard cash. account giveslimited. a one-year no-fee £250 The aim is to cut the interest £100 rate youcash, pay, so amore of 0% overdraft Yet just 2% of people have switched overdraft (amount depends on and a linked 6% regular saver your repayments clear the debt rather than servicing the 5. Don't repay all debts equally – attack the highest in the last year. Unless you’re 100% credit score) but it only lasts a year. account. pay-in APR first. so you'renow debt-free quicker. The min monthly happy with yourinterest, bank, check if far Soasuse that time to clear it. Full info ismore £1,000, equivalent to paying indebts a are Once your cheap as possible, list them all, just makes the you can gain. 1. Stop borrowing. Borrowing in in www.mse.me/overdrafts. £13,400 plusborrow salary. order of APR. Then focus every problem costlier and longer-lived. You can’t your including overdrafts, The contest has penny on clearing -the as credit it growscard. A few way outstretched of debt. The far tips below are about getting new Orhighest shift itAPR to aone 0% - The www.halifax.co.uk Reward beyond traditional banks. Even more. fastest, just payingspecialist the minimum on thecards others.offer Once ‘money products, not borrowing credit account gives £100 cash to that's clear, move to the next highest. M&S wants to be, well, the M&S of transfers’, where it pays cash to switchers and pays a flat £5 (after 2. launched CREDIT & STORE CARD DEBT: Shift to 31mths 0%. banking. It’s just its first your bank to clear your overdraft, tax)This each you’re The more you pay off, the better. If you just stick to If you've debtsso onmuch cards, do abasic balancerate transfer. is month fees-free account. In fact thenyou’ll you take oweyears it instead. Thetolongest its costlyminimum overdraft repayments, or decades be where youyou ask a with new card paycredit. off debtsAvoid on other so, it’s willing to bribe a to in 31mths 0%just with a the one-off fee of though. at The min pay-in’s £750/mth. (they're is designed so you clear so you owe it instead, hopefully a cheaper rate. debt-free £100 voucher if cards, you switch. 4% of the amount transferred. It’s interest). The exception to the ‘highest APR first’ rule is Santander wins my ‘most So here’s what To you to know hugely powerful loans with penalties for overpaying early. and cheap, but get need a card, you must pass a credit score. Usually the innovative about the best fee-free bank only way to find out is to apply, which marks account’ your file. To pick. While needs to be done right, so please technically not fee-free6. Set - up www. accounts… a direct see debit full to protect get round that, find which card’s most likely to accept best your buyscredit andscore. instructions santander.co.uk 123 account only Forget or make late and you risk losing 0% you with my free Eligibility Checker at www.mse.me/ atrepayments www.moneysavingexpert.com/ • 7-day switching means it’s now charges £2/mth fee and for most deals, being fined and suffering a hit on your credit score. eligibility moneytransfers mostly no hassle. The 7-Day this is dwarfed by what it So pays back. set up a direct debit to cover at least the monthly Switching system now moves While Santander was once known Think banks alleach b*****ds? minimum, then manually pay more are on top month. Get Follow the balance transfer golden rules: your direct debits and standing a) Always repay at least the set formonthly poor minimum, service, or the 123 account an ethical account. And it won’t orders, closes your old special account and 7. Got both and savings? Stop. you lose rates. is our second highest-rated, withdebtseven cost you extra. Here, we factor ensures payments made it get £1,000 credit cardin debt at 18% costs £180 year,rating while given b) Always planto to shift the debt again or fullyit’s repay 75% saying great. The minimum both finances andathe forwarded to your newthe bank - all or setthese pay-in the same amount saved in top paying savings earns just before 0% ends, cards' rates jump to 18.9% is low too, at £500/mth by Ethical Consumer evaluating up within seven and working days. £15 before tax. If you’re thinking “yes, but I like some 17.9% representative APR. (equivalent £6,000 salary). behaviour on the environment, spare cash”, this is often false security. More at c) Don't spend on these cards – it's usually not at the human and animal rights, politics • £100 switching bribes galore. As Kelly tweeted www.mse.me/ClearDebtsWithSavings me (@ same cheap rate. If they’ll pay you to switch, unless and where they invest. martinslewis) “I’m getting about there’s a compelling 8. my Free fee debt-crisisDespite help. 3. LOANreason, DEBT: Cangrab you cut the £18cost? per month back after its recent scandals, the the cash. Though need astomostfantastic. While my tips above should help cut the cost of debt, for This isyou’ll more difficult, old loans charge up to £6 just fortwo my mortgage.” www.co-operativebank.co.uk is pass the credit check genuinely months'and interest to repay early, which needs factoring in. some people that isn’t enough. If you're struggling to still rated one of its top picks on Switch bank and earn 5% savings. switch to get the money... meet your minimum repayments and basic bills, have ethics, it pays £100 to switch to it range fee-free bank debts non-mortgage bigger than a year's salary, or can’t It's worth trying if you can getAa much lowerofAPRtop loan (ie, • The new www.marksandspencer. and likely donates one of seven accounts offer sleepsavings for worry, you're to be in£25 debtto crisis. more than a fifth off) and have a while leftnow to repay – high com account gives £100 on an M&S charities. rates as loss-leaders especially if your credit score's improved since getting to get you to gift card if you the switch, one reward If so,TSB ignore contact a non-profit loan. switch to them – such as forthe options Also above try andwww.nationwide.co.uk, point for every £1 spent at the advice service that uses a different set of solutions, up to £2,000 at 5%, for updebt to £5,000 mentioned above, and www.nandp. store, a £100 interest-free overdraft as StepChange (stepchange.org), Citizens Advice 4. OVERDRAFTS/CATALOGUES: Shift to Lloyds is 0%. 4% and for up such to £20,000 co.uk, whose debit card allows and doesn’t require pay or need to put money in a (citizensadvice.org.uk) or National Debtline If you've you a costlytooverdraft (see above) Santander is 3%. cheapDon’t spending abroad. a minimum amount eachtomonth. worry, they’re thereOr to for a bank account pay off catalogue debts, there’s a way to (nationaldebtline.co.uk). real change, find a credit union - a Slash overdraft costs. An While decent use fora credit regular M&S help, not judge. card for this. local savings and loan non-profit overdraft is a debt like any other. shoppers, basic taxpayers A fewrate balance transfer cards let newbies 'money @MoneySavingExpert co-operative, 25 of the 500 offer The key is to cut the interest so you will need to spend £500/mth there current accounts. Find one near can clear it quicker. There are two for it to beat Halifax and its bank’s service is untested compared to main choices… you www.abcul.org.
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Robert Andrews of Impact Building and Maintenance offers a complete range of property services. From Extensions and Loft Conversions to Driveways, Plastering and Tiling - Impact Building & Maintenance can help you all the way. Robert set up the business is 2005
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MAYFLOWER ROTARY CLUB May 17 Magic Night – this bi annual event was its usual success with an amazing night of entertainment that raised £1000 for charity. July 13 Billericay Summerfest [Platinum Sponsor Burstead Farm Shop] Everything is in place for the club’s annual free community and charity fund raising event with a full stage and arena programme led by a 30 piece marching Caledonian pipe and drum band from Chelmsford to be held on Sun Corner with the usual format of stalls including the ever popular Continental Market. A beer and Pimms tent will be available to accompany the many types of foods on offer and of course there will be kiddies rides, pony rides, Punch & Judy and a classic car display. Keep up to date at www.billericaysummerfest.co.uk July 19 Music in the Garden I – in aid of NSPCC Aug 9 Music in the Garden II - in aid of Shelter Box Sep 7 (TBC) Bell Boat Race – Mayflower’s form of Dragon Boat racing. Applications to participate welcome. It’s great fun. Join teams from Rotary, Billericay Rugby Club, Tennis Club and others on the River Chelmer. Dec 7 Billericay Christmas Market (BCM 2014) – [Platinum Sponsors: Burstead GC, Para Bar Muir, Essex Auto Group, Paul Robinson Solicitors] - the Carousel returns this year and we have some new surprises. Santa’s Parade and Grotto will be better than ever. There are a few stall spaces left. Keep up to date at www.billericaychristmasmarket.co.uk Why not join? Applications welcome from all ages and genders. Why not use your energy, skills and enthusiasm to help raise funds for charitable causes? Join Mayflower Rotary and be a part of the team that delivers Christmas Market (7 Dec 2014), Summerfest (13 July 2014) and many other events like the Quiz, Magic Night and Bell Boat Racing (September) while enjoying social evenings in the company of like minded people. We meet 8pm every Thursday at Burstead GC. Email: imiller1@gmail.com
BILLERICAY LIONS CLUB The Big Band concert held in late May finally realised a profit of just over £1,100 which the club made up to £1,500 as a donation to the J’s Hospice for the treatment of young people with cancer. Thanks again to all those who supported us in this fund raiser.
We are still catching our breath (and recovering from hangovers!) from the 5th Billericay Beer Festival held at Billericay Football Club at the end of last month. Seven bands and musicians helped us throughout the weekend keep entertained hundreds of people of all ages, with inflatables for the kids and over 50 beers from around the Country. Final figures are being worked on but we are hopeful of yet another good fund raiser for our coffers and would like to place on record our heartfelt thanks to all those who came over the weekend. We were also supported tremendously by local businesses who sponsored various items at the Festival, from the beer glasses to the beer mats and cards used to pay for the drinks. Many thanks to you all. At our AGM we have raised over £10,500 up to the Beer Festival, most of which has been distributed to worthy causes in the local community. We now undergo a change of officers for the new lionistic year and look forward to helping out the good people of Billericay again soon. For details of all Lions events please visit our website www.billericaylions.com or telephone 0845 833 9849.
It’s been another busy month for Billericay Round Table, with lots of planning for future fundraising and social activities, as well as a few activities that took place during the month. We went indoor climbing over at Basildon Sporting Village, and we were able to bring along quite a few of our members children to give it a try too and to join us for the evening. Needless to say, the kids were far more adept to climbing than we were! Four of our group went away for a weekend of sailing down the River Crouch, and as three of us were complete novices, it was a steep learning curve! It’s always good to be able to challenge yourself to try something new, and it was also a lot of fun. Being on the water was a brilliant reminder of how it is good to get away from our busy and over complicated lives once in a while – we switched our phones off and didn’t even take a radio with us – and it was a real joy to enjoy the amazing countryside around us, as well as to work together as a team to achieve a common goal. Of course, as well as making the most of our own lives, we love to be able to help others who may be less fortunate. We are always looking for deserving local causes that might benefit from our support. If you know of a local good cause, group or individual who you think Billericay Round Table may be able to help, we’d love to hear from you, so please email us at community@billericayroundtable.co.uk
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World Cup 2014 - ALL games shown on ALL screens in Billericay’s No1 Sports Pub! Ask inside for our drinks deals! Karaoke Hisstory Night, Every Month ‘House, RnB, Old Skool, Garage’
01277 659863 - 2 High Street, Billericay, CM12 9BG /crown-billericay
@crownbillericay
Join night of of wine, wine, music musicand andsong song Join us us for for aa great great night …by we welcome welcomethe thereturn returnof… of… …by popular popular demand, demand, we
Michelle on Friday Friday25 25ththJuly July Michelle Williamson Williamson on
who a great great party party mix mixof offavourites favouritesand and who will will be be singing singing a classics 60’s up up to to this thismoment momentinintime time classics from from the the 60’s
£35 including 33 Course CourseDinner Dinner £35 per per person person including (£10 required at at time timeof ofbooking) booking) (£10 pp pp deposit required
Al AlFresco FrescoDining Dining in in Billericay Billericay
Join underthe theancient ancientWalnut Walnuttree, tree,away away from from the the traffic noise and Join ususunder and fumes fumesof ofthe theHigh High Street, coffee,aaspot spotofoflunch, lunch,aaglass glass of of wine wine or or a full Al Fresco Street, forfora acoffee, Fresco dining diningexperience experience
FullAALa LaCarte CarteMenu MenuMonday Monday to to Saturday Saturday ~ Lunch Full Lunch and and Evening Evening LunchSet SetMenu Menu Monday Monday to to Saturday Saturday Lunch Course£7.95; £7.95; 11Course
Courses £10.95 £10.95 22 Courses
EveningSet SetMenu MenuMonday Mondayto toFriday Friday Evening Courses£19.95 £19.95 2 2Courses
OLD BARNCOURT, COURT,BILLERICAY, BILLERICAY,CM12 CM12 9BY 9BY OLD BARN
Sunday Lunch Sunday Lunch Set SetMenu Menu 2 2 Courses Courses £19.95 £19.95
TELEPHONE: TELEPHONE: 01277 01277630120 630120
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What’s on in July 2014?
BILLERICAY CRICKET CLUB Est. 1875
Billericay Cricket Club July 5 Fives & Heroniains July 12 Belhus July 8 Herts over 60s July 9 Essex Over 50s v Kent July 17 Essex Dev v Suffolk July 17 Stort Valley Vets July 19 Hornchurch July 24 Essex Matchplay S/Fs July 26 Westcliff-on-sea July 30 Essex Women v Warwickshire July 31 Essex Women v Middlesex
1.00PM 1.00PM 1.30pm 11am 11am 1.30pm 1.00PM 11am 1.00PM 11am 11am
BCC 1st XL BCC 2nd XL Vets XL Essex Rep Essex Rep Vets XL BCC 1st XL Essex Rep BCC 2nd XL Essex Rep Essex Rep
There of course 3rd, 4th and 5th team games plus Vets and a range of Colts Games. Can you also make reference to our new www page http://billericaycc.co.uk/default.aspx
The Crown Friday 18th July – Live music and Karaoke The Railway Sunday 6th July - 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off & live music from Mark Davy (from 3pm) Sunday 20th July - The Law (3pm) The Chequers Monday 7th July – Acoustic Night Thursday 10th July - 15 Watts Thursday 31st July - The Blox The New White Hart Friday 18th July – Pre ‘THINGAMAGIG’ Gig – Free Entry Saturday 19th July – ‘THINGAMAGIG’ – All-day Charity Music Festival Dance Steps Academy Every Sunday Night - Salsa at Dance Steps Academy, Billericay High Street, 6pm-7pm, £6.00 per session pay as you go, suitable for all abilities - to book call 01277 650255 or 07745645999 visit www.dancestepsacademy.co.uk Chelmsford and District Fuchsia Society Fuchsia Festival Sat 2 & Sun 3 August 10am – 5pm Fantastic Fuchsia Display. Plants for sale. Gift & Craft Stands. New for 2014 Farmers market. All day refreshment. Plant Auction Sunday 4pm Adults £1.50 entry / under 16 free Email: janet.wall187@btinternet.com 01245 281962 Proceeds to Columbus School & College
To advertise your events contact
01277 658444 sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
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NOW OPEN in Billericay
BIGGER and BETTER Jacksons Lane, Billericay, CM11 2DG
01277 631979
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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 Upon mention of AROUND TOWN
OFF LICENCE We sell Wine and Beer
Excludes alcohol. Photocopies not accepted. Valid until 31st July 2014 *
UNLIMITED USE within time period* 18 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9BQ
We don’t have strangers in our pub, just friends we haven’t met yet. MONDAY - THURSDAY
25% OFF
FOR STUDENTS & EMERGENCY SERVICES I.D. Cards Required
NOW SHOWING
Inside Pool Table, Free Table Every Monday from 5pm - 9pm 138 High Street, Billericay. CM12 9DF
01277 652323
You know it makes sense
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newwhitehart
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I am no stranger to enjoying the delights on offer at ‘Billericay’s premier ale house & eaterie’, so when I was invited along to sample the new additions to the ever popular menu, I jumped at the chance. Upon arrival, I decided to sample the Maldon Gold – one of 5 guest ales available from the bar, while my dining partner opted for a summery cider. Once seated, new Head Chef David Hamill introduced himself and went through the exciting new dishes on offer. For starters, I chose the Homemade Ham Hock Terrine with Piccalilli, which was superb. The salty ham fell apart with ease, with the piccalilli complimenting with its sharp sweetness. My date chose the homemade Cod Goujons, accompanied by freshly made tartare
and tomato sauces. These are not for the faint hearted, as 3-4 decent sized goujons had my fellow diner downing tools and admitting defeat, leaving sufficient room for the following courses. These where an 8oz British Sirloin Steak, served with chips, mushrooms, tomato, peas and beer battered onion rings (peppercorn sauce optional). Served mediumrare to order with barely any grissle and having the knife glide through the meat with ease made for the perfect steak meal. Being quite the connoisseur of good steak, my dining partner continually praised and even shared their dish, to prove its taste and texture. My Braised Belly of Pork in Thatchers Cider Sauce was served with Mustard
Mash & Green Beans. If you’re like me, my pork must come with crackling and the top side of the dish was crisp to a T, leaving beautifully white pork beneath as tender as anything. The mash, with its subtle kick of heat from the mustard, made the dish, but it was now my turn to admit defeat before dessert arrived A trio of sweets comprising of Belgian Waffle, Sticky Toffee Pudding and a Vanilla ice cream and Hazelnut Filo bundle. The perfect finish. And completing the meal with one last pint, feeling content and full, I am please to confirm that the Coach & Horses is still Billericays’ premier pub for dining!
By Stuart Sinclair | stuart@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk | 01277 658444
The CoaCh & horses Chapel sTreeT, BilleriCay, CM12 9lU
Beef Bourgignon
01277 622873
Salt Beef Sandwich
Fish Finger Sandwich
Steak & Kidney Pudding
Liver & Bacon
Belly of Pork
NEW CHEF, NEW MENU, NEWLY REFURBISHED BUT STILL THE SAME GREAT QUALITY AND CHARACTER!!
BILLERICAY’S PREMIER ALEHOUSE & EATERIE Food served: Monday - Saturday 12 - 2:15pm & 6pm - 9pm Sunday 12pm - 7pm www.TheCoaChandhorses.org PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
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Potatoes Boulangere (serves 4 as a side dish)
If you’re looking for a different side dish to your Sunday roast, this will bring smiles to every face around the table. It takes a little while to make but none of it is stressful. You can put the onions in raw to save time but you won’t get that savoury caramel flavour. If you have a food processor or other gadget to slice the potatoes and onions to the same thickness all the better, otherwise slice them as fine as you can with your sharpest knife. The quality of the stock really makes this dish, so use the best you can.
Ingredients: 2 baking potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced Olive oil 10g butter Salt and pepper 1 teaspoon dried sage or small handful chopped fresh sage Enough chicken or vegetable stock to cover (about 500ml)
Method: 1.
Pre-heat your oven to 180°C. Add the sliced onion to a baking tray with high sides and barely cover with oil. Bake for 20 minutes until starting to soften. Strain off the onions and put to one side (you can keep the oil for cooking again, it’ll give it a subtle onion flavour).
2.
In the same baking dish, place a layer of potatoes and season generously with salt and pepper. Add a layer of onion. Top with sage then repeat potatoes, seasoning and onion until you’ve used everything up. When full, gently pour over stock – just enough to cover. Cover with greasproof paper or tin foil and put in the oven.
3.
After half an hour, the stock should have thickened slightly and reduced a bit. Discard the paper / foil. Dot the exposed potato slices with butter and put back in the oven for another 25 minutes or so, until you can put a knife straight into it with no resistance.
4.
Leave to stand for 10 minutes before serving - the stock soaks back into the potatoes and makes it extra sticky.
Recipe supplied by Big Spud www.bigspud.co.uk
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recipes@bigspud.co.uk
M@bigspud.co.uk
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Fine Italian Dining with a full A La Carte Menu from Tuesday to Sunday
OFF
10%
Traditional Sunday Roast available every Sunday included within the Set Menu price and offers
10% Discount on our Set Menu from Tuesday to Thursday to upon production of this advert (not valid in conjunction to any other offer) We are also offering a reduced price on our Set Menu for Senior Citizens (10% Discount does not apply on this offer)
20 The Square, Stock, Essex CM4 9LH
01277 829772 | www.pietrositalianrestaurant.com
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 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 NHS Direct
01277 655233 01277 624862 01277 622828 01277 653035 01277 622927 01277 652241 01277 352125 01268 242159 0845 4647
ROAD & TRAVEL UPDATES Essex Travel www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/essex
01245 353575 01277 655352 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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135 High Street Billericay Essex CM12 9AB Tel: 01277 654446 www.thepropertyspecialists.co.uk
Billericay - Prime Location
£895,000
This recently constructed five bedroom detached home is in a aesthetically pleasing traditional style enjoying a southerly facing plot conveniently positioned for both the high street and railway station. The accommodation available is well planned, has generous proportions throughout and many thoughtful extras to enhance its functionality as a family home. When entering this home you are greeted by a central reception hall with polished porcelain tiled floors, Oak doors then lead to each of the ground floor rooms which have under floor heating and either matching tile or wood flooring. In addition to the dining room, study, utility room and cloakroom special note should be drawn to both the living room and kitchen which are at the back of the house and have double sliding doors to the garden. As well as this, the sizeable living room with wood flooring has a part vaulted ceiling with three Velux windows and fireplace. The kitchen/breakfast room is equally stunning, affording plenty of natural light and with a combination of high gloss and wood fronted units together with granite tops and a central island unit the concealed lighting complete the luxurious look. The five double bedrooms are divided between both the first and second floor of this home with three enjoying en-suite facilities, additionally there is a separate bathroom to the first floor and a separate shower room to the second floor. Each of these are fitted out in stylish white suites with a contemporary feel and contrasting tiling and tap furniture. As mentioned previously the property is situated on the south side of this sought after road, the frontage has been block paved to provide parking for five cars and access to 4.29m x 3.22m (14’ 1” x 10’ 7”) garage. To the rear the neatly planned garden commences a paved patio with adjoining lawn beyond which is a discreet gravelled area with summerhouse and storage shed.