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CONTENTS 12
6 John Baron Political Update
14 Recipe
Pea and Mint Soup
18 Nature Notes
EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner
22 B.A.R.K
By Matt Everard
19
32
24 A View from the Church Rev. Paul Carr
30 James Blower The Savings Guru
Club, Lions Club & 34 Rotary Round Table
36 What’s On
When and Where...
40 Billericay Action Group By Andy Wilson
43 Useful Numbers Around Town Magazines Graphic House, Radford Way, Billericay CM12 0DX
Do you have have a subject you are passionate about? If so, please get in touch. You could be our newest writer! Copyright 2018. Around Town Billericay is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in Around Town do not necessarily represent those of the editors of Around Town Magazines. Around Town Magazines are published by Black Square Print Media Ltd produced by Black Square Litho Ltd.
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sufficient affordable housing stock to accommodate our growing population – a point many residents have rightly highlighted with me. The challenge is to ensure this extra housing is accommodated in a balanced fashion which does not affect our green belt, and which is fair when compared to other areas.
John Baron Conservative Parliamentary MP For Basildon and Billericay
It is good news that South Essex remains a popular place to live. Our buoyant local economy continues to attract families, and it is important that we have
As regards our situation, the Conservative-led Council completed a Local Plan by May 2017. However, local elections and the subsequent change in control of the Council muddied the waters somewhat. At the time of writing, it appears the current Labour-UKIP administration is proposing to increase the number of houses to be built, which the Conservative group is opposing. Meanwhile, no Local Plan has been submitted and the Government has
windows & doors fascias, soffits & guttering weather board cladding
accordingly written to the Council to correct the situation. Responsibility for the Local Plan rightly lies with the Council and local Councillors. When I as the local MP tend to get involved is when outside organisations appear to be overturning local decisions. I also maintain that no development should take place without the required infrastructure investment also being committed – this would be unfair on existing residents. I will be maintaining the pressure on the Government to continue to respect our green belt. Of course, May’s local elections could possibly influence this matter further, particularly if there is another change in administration. I urge all residents to ensure they are registered to vote (https://www. yourvotematters.co.uk).
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RECIPE Pea and Mint Soup Ingredients: 1 cupful of chopped spring onions 1 medium potato, peeled and chopped 1 crushed clove of garlic 850ml vegetable stock 250g fresh peas 4tbsp fresh mint, chopped Large pinch of sugar 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 150ml soured cream
Method: 1. Place the spring onions into a large pan together with the potatoes, garlic and stock. Bring to the boil, turn down the heat and allow to simmer for 15 minutes or until the potato is soft. 2. Set aside a few tbsp. of peas for the garnish. Add the remaining peas into the pan and simmer for 5 minutes only. 3. Blanch the remaining peas in
boiled water for 2-3 minutes. Drain them and then put to one side in a bowl of cold water. 4. Into the main pan add the mint, sugar, lemon and allow to cool slightly. 5. Pour into a blender and mix to the desired consistency. 6. Stir in half the cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Neilsumner123@aol.com twitter.com/neilsumner123 At the end of April, Common Swifts start to appear again, returning here to breed after wintering in Africa. They will be seen in small numbers over our towns and countryside then, as May progresses, they often gather in huge numbers over Hanningfield and other reservoirs to feed on insects. Swifts arrive later than most other migrants and are one of the first to leave, so we only see them for about 100 days each year. They are faithful to each other for life and faithful to their nesting locations too, returning to nest in buildings in small colonies. Swifts live long, most surviving for 7 to 10 years but a life of 21 years has been known for some individuals. Apart from when they are nesting, they spend their lives in the air, feeding and even sleeping on the wing. In the 1914-18 Great War a French airman reported flying through a flock of Swifts at 10,000ft at night. When the weather is cool, Swifts may have to fly a long way to collect their insect aerial food. The nestlings have the ability to enter into a state of torpor (a temporary form of hibernation) allowing the parents to be absent for as long as two days to make these long journeys. The young begin to fledge during the first few weeks in July. At this time, the adults hunt until twilight, then gather in screaming parties, zipping low across the rooftops, making a spectacle that is evocative of warm summer evenings. The young leave the nest in late July and will fly for a while in little family groups. The population of UK Swifts has declined by around 50% in the last 20 years. This is partly due to there being fewer insects but also because many of the old buildings have been renovated, taking away the niches that Swifts need for access under the eaves. The ‘Save Our Swifts’ project is installing nest boxes and providing special ‘nest bricks’ in new buildings, which have an entrance hole into a nest box sitting in the cavity behind the brick wall. The birds do not come easily to these artificial nest sites, so it is necessary to play the sounds of screaming Swifts to entice them. Swifts can be confused with Swallows and Martins – this web site is a good guide to tell them apart. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/22527420. And see ‘Swift Conservation’ at http://www.swiftconservation.org/ My thanks to John Smart, for his dedication to ‘Save our Swifts’ – and also for providing the information for this article.
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THE FOLD Do you know what goes on there? Wide range of classes – not just painting Meeting place for many clubs Live music performances - from Classics to Jazz
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ALL ABOARD NOAH’S B .. By Matt EvErard
F
or those parents with young children, the upcoming spring means that their kids will be itching to go outside to play as the weather gets milder. So please spare a thought for the kids at Noah’s Ark Pre-school in Mill Hill Drive, who desperately need to replace their muddy garden with some artificial grass so the kids there can play outside.
I stumbled across Noah’s Ark when they asked me to deliver some car tyres to them to use as planters in their garden. I had never heard of this particular Pre-school and unless you drive down a small drive, you wouldn’t know it was there. After chatting with the ladies there, I found out that the pre-school is a charity and they support local families by providing a breakfast club and a lunch club, so that parents can leave their children in a safe place all day whilst working. They do receive some funding, but it isn’t enough to cover costs, so they do various fundraising events just to keep the pre-school afloat. They are doing their own fund-raising including a quiz night the other week (£540 raised) and a race night that is being organised now. The cost to the parents at the pre-school is considerably cheaper than normal child care, so it makes going to work a viable proposition for many families that would not be able to otherwise.
On this basis and after some due diligence, BARK are supporting Noah’s Ark and helping them with fundraising for their dream garden. We are contacting local organisations and businesses requesting support and donations. If you are involved with either and think you may be able to help, please contact me via email – kindness@barkbillericay.co.uk If you are an individual and wish to contribute, Noah’s ARK fund-raising page here - https://be.wonderful. org/matte/2018/noahsbarkgardenproject If you wish to follow the project online please see https://www.facebook.com/groups/noahsBARK/
Recently, I met up with Frank and Anne Woods and The Billericay Streetlife Strollers. They meet at the gates of Lake Meadows at 10am on a Tuesday and take a stroll round the park. They do two circuits of the lake and then retire to The Pea Pod Cafe where they have a pre-booked table and refreshments. This group really reflects the ethos of BARK: * Kindness - Frank walks at the back of the group and keeps the slower walkers company whilst Anne takes the lead. * Happiness - You can see by the smiles how much everyone enjoys the walk and the company, and the chatting on the way round. * Friendship - I was amongst a few newbies who were greeted and introduced to all, and immediately accepted.
* Community - The group not only walk, but they support a local business (Pea Pod Cafe). They also arranged a Christmas do last year and are soon off on a trip to Aldeburgh. If you or a family member fancy some light exercise and getting to know some new friends, please contact Anne and she will look after you. She is a lovely lady and passionate about the group. This shows as they have about 50 members so far! Well done Anne (and Frank), you are true BARKERS!
FREE FIRST AID COURSES Recently, BARK launched our first FREE first aid course in Billericay Library. A local First Aid trainer Nicky Rackham volunteered her time and skills for free and eleven members of BARK attended an empowering and fun three hours potentially life-saving training in basic first aid. I was lucky enough to be one of the eleven attendees who Nicky taught adult and paediatric CPR, (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), how to deal with choking, using the recovery position, the Heimlich Maneuver and how to use a Defibrillator. It was a very interesting morning full of facts and fun. Our thanks go to Phil Bradley who was volunteered to be the recovery position “dummy”
The BARK cards are here! Thanks to the great folks at Black Square Litho, we now have some BARK cards to give out. We have distributed many of these cards to shops and businesses in the high street and have asked that they perform some Random Acts of Kindness. If you are at the receiving side of this, please don’t forget to spread the positive karma and to “pay it forward” with your own kind deeds. You can also send us a photo or some information via social media.
The course was run totally free of charge thanks to Blasted Memories (www. blastedmemories.com) who were the sponsor for the day. Not only did Colin Sturgeon of BM supply cake and drinks, but also some souvenir engraved glasses. (We would like to thank Colin for stepping up to help.) If your local business would like to sponsor a First Aid course, please contact us.
Apart from artificial grass and first aid, things are very busy at BARK HQ. Ongoing projects are: • We have two community defibrillators waiting to be installed at Quilters and Brightside schools. • We are working on a “Wishing Line” that will provide some bucket list experiences for care home residents. • We are supporting St Lukes Hospice with a book collection. • We are helping Basildon hospital with a toiletries project. • We will be arranging collections for the new Billericay Food Bank. If you have an hour or two to spare and you fancy “paying it forward”, why not look us up and join the kindness revolution.
For more about B.A.R.K and to get involved in the B.A.R.K revolution, join us on social media here: Facebook Page BARK - Billericay Acts Of Random Kindness Twitter @BarkBillericay Instagram @BarkBillericay www.barkbillericay.co.uk
hn 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 rate that Jesus was born to be our Saviour? It is, after all, what makes ating 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 s season. Why not put a date in your o miss out on the greatest Christmas
How Do We ricay & Little Burstead Team Ministry) Measure Love?
rr
of the local Church Services over the Christmas period. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer prize-winning revolutionary rock opera ‘Rent’ tells the story of a group of Bohemians struggling to express themselves through their art and “measuring 2nd December - ‘Annual Toy Service’ at 10.30am their lives in love” in New York’s East Village in the December - ‘Carol Service Candlelight’ at 7.00pm late 1980’s. One of by the songs ‘Seasons Of Love’ wonders- if‘Lunchtime love can Carol be measured: daylights? 19th December Service’ at “In 12.30pm atIn Saint Mary Magdalen ChurchIn cups of coffee? In sunsets? In midnights? in miles, in Nativity’ laughter, strife? … In truths ay 23rdinches, December - ‘Family at in 10.30am that she learned or in times that he cried? In ristmas Eve - ‘Christingle Service’ at 4.00pm bridges he burned or the way that she died?” ‘Communion by Candlelight’ at 11.15pm TheFeelings first Communion of Christmas. and emotions are often used as
Emmanuel Church
stmas a Dayguide - ‘Family 10.00am toCommunion’ measure athow much we love someone, but love is a ‘verb’ (which means it’s a doing word) and love is first and foremost a commitment. It is also sacrificial and costly. Whilst that can be beautifully reflected in a romantic relationship, it is often the unseen sacrificial love of: a parent for child; a friend to a friend; a random act of kindness; a fire fighter who risks his life to save a life; a soldier who lays his life down for a colleague; or, for the Christian, the way Jesus laid down his life on the cross. The Bible invites us to strive to understand the measurements of God’s limitless love for us: “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is” (Ephesians 3:18).
Many of you would agree that more love is desperately needed in our world today. However, love, for many, is self-centred, but God’s definition of love is selfless. A Bible reading often used at weddings reminds us that: “Love does not demand its own way” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Whilst love can’t be measured as clear as inches or miles, it can still be measured. These four ‘measurements’ of love should be present in every healthy relationship (are they present in yours?):
www.billericaychurches.org
Face to Face: When someone truly loves you, they will make ‘face time’ a priority. There’s no substitute for it. No amount of text messages, instagrams or emails can compare to the moments you spend looking a loved one in the eyes. When we love someone, we will make it a priority to be near them. Side by Side: Love is strengthened through partnership and it thrives when you can walk into any situation hand-in-hand and ‘side-byside’. Even in moments of disagreement, love compels us to work together. When someone loves you, they’ll be walking ‘side-by-side’ whatever the cost. Back to Back: When someone loves you, he/ she will ‘have your back.’ When you’re ‘back-toback’ you’re ready to face the challenges life throws your way. You’re always willing to defend and, even at personal risk, protect those you love. Hand to Foot: Jesus showed us many practical examples of what it means to love. He taught his disciples to love through acts of service. He washed their feet and told them to do the same. ‘Hand to foot’ represents an attitude of selflessly serving others out of love. When we serve someone only to be served in return, we’re only ‘networking’ but when we serve and ask nothing in return, we’re showing true love. The song ‘Seasons of Love’ also includes the line: “Remember that love is a gift from up above.” And so it is. How we need God’s sacrificial love in our lives - a love that can change the world in which we live. Trusting in Jesus, and receiving the love God has for us, is the beginning of healing in our lives and the start of the most loving (and meaningful) relationship we could ever have. May God’s richest blessing be upon you, as you seek to ‘measure love’ in the coming weeks.
revpacman.wordpress.com paul@billericaychurches.org @revPACman
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Is Peer to Peer lending an alternative
to a cash ISA? Last month’s article on cash Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) sparked some interesting emails to arrive in the Savings Guru inbox. Many people hadn’t realised that the same non-ISA savings account often paid a significantly lower interest rate and that the tax benefits to savings in an ISA were not there for so many savers with the advent of the new personal savings allowance. A number of you had seen the advent of the new Innovative Finance ISA for Peer to Peer lending and wondered how these worked, if they had a separate allowance to cash ISAs and whether they were a better alternative to cash ISAs. So here’s my overview and thoughts on Peer to Peer lending and the new Innovative Finance ISA: What is Peer to Peer Lending? Peer to peer (P2P) lenders effectively replace banks as the middleman in financial transactions by matching savers with borrowers. These borrowers can be individuals or companies. Whereas banks operate on what is known as Net Interest Margin (NIM), which is the difference between the interest rate money is paid to savers and the rate paid by borrowers, P2P companies typically charge a fee (which is taken from the return, rather than being paid upfront by savers) for their match making.
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Is my money protected? The big difference between P2P companies and banks is that there is no financial protection for savers with P2P whereas savers with banks are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), within the scheme limits. There is a chance that savers can lose their money. How risky is P2P? It is possible that savers could lose all their money but P2P firms do a number of things to limit risk for savers. Money is spread across a number of borrowers to limit the risk of loss e.g. if a saver puts £1,000 in, this may be lent to 50 borrowers who get £20 each. The P2P firms also carry out their own checks on the borrowers and many grade them according to the level of risk. A savers portfolio can therefore have a range of borrowers in with differing interest rates to reflect the risk. Is P2P unregulated? No – since 1st April 2014, the industry has been regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority which requires firms to present information clearly to customers, be honest about the risks involved and have contingency plans (in case things go wrong). Firms who don’t follow the rules can be fined or face sanctions from the regulator. What’s the attraction to save with a P2P instead of a bank? For savers, the projected interest
rates on offer are far higher than those on a savings account. With the best instant savings account paying 1.30% and the top five year rate offering 2.60%, returns of 4 – 6% from the major P2P firms compare favourably and this has made them attractive for many savers, despite the risks. How does the Innovative Finance ISA work? It works very similar to a normal ISA. There’s no separate allowance so the £20,000 ISA allowance applies which means that savers can use it all on an IF ISA or put hold sums up to £20,000 across cash, stocks and shares and IF ISAs. Interest on P2P investments is treated the same as bank interest from a tax perspective so anything over the personal savings allowance limits (£1,000 for basic rate taxpayers and £500 for higher rate taxpayers) is liable to tax. With the potential for higher returns, the IF ISA is popular as the personal savings allowance limits can potentially be breached on much smaller sums than a savings account. How popular is P2P lending? In January this year, the Peer to Peer Finance Association, a body that represents a number of P2P firms, including some of the largest, announced that lending on its members platforms had exceeded £8bn. While the overall size of the market in the UK is hard to predict exactly, we estimate it
is approximately £12 – 15bn. This is dwarfed by the £1.5tr held by banks but P2P continues to grow quickly. Zopa, the oldest P2P lender, was only set up in 2005 so the industry has developed rapidly. Is there anything else to be aware of? With a savings account, savers start earning interest on the day they put their money in. With P2P lending, this will be when your funds can be matched to a borrower – this is not always straight away. It may only be a few days but, with larger amounts, it could take a few weeks to drip feed it in. Similarly, although some P2P firms offer accounts where you can access your money relatively quickly, this isn’t always instant like it is with a bank savings account so make sure you understand what you are investing in and how you can get your money back. So, should you consider P2P? My view is that P2P is definitely worth considering. There are risks involved so savers shouldn’t put all their money in to P2P but it is worth considering putting in a proportion – perhaps something like 5 – 15%. Savers who are debt free and willing to take some risk over the longer term may want to considering trying it out by putting in small amounts initially to get used to it. If you are interested in finding out more, the two largest firms, who are both members of the Peer to Peer Finance Association, are worth having a look at: Zopa Zopa lends money to individuals wanting personal loans and offers projected returns of 4% in its ‘Core’ product and 4.6% in its ‘Plus’ product and savers can invest from £1,000. Funding Circle Funding Circle lends to businesses and has an autobid system which spreads your money across a wide range of borrowers. It has two products, Conservative and Balanced which have projected returns of 4.805 and 7.2% after fees and bad debts.
James Blower Founder Savings Guru Ltd
www.thesavings.guru hello@thesavings.guru @SavingsGuruUK
There are a huge number of smaller firms also worth exploring including Proplend, who offer projected returns of 5-12% on property lending and Market Invoice, who lend money on invoices and loans to British businesses. This article will also be published on our website, with links to all the providers and reference sources listed in here, to make it easier to find more information. That’s all for this month, have a great April everyone James
31
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BILLERICAY ROTARY CLUB
This year’s Rotary Club of Billericay’s third Spectacular Soapbox Derby which in the past two years has been attended by over 13,000 spectators and raised more than £60,000 for Rotary-supported charities and local school projects promises to be even more spectacular with improved and more exciting track and racing innovations down London Road - “Thunder Road “ as it has now become known, more Family Fun attractions on the Queen Elizabeth 11 field at Sun Corner and more food outlets. And no expense has been spared in arranging a giant video display for those who cannot crowd the racing road to witness the racing. This will include a classic car display, a “ bungee trampoline jump” and a Mercedes designed Soapbox for families to be photographed as a memento of their special day out.
The Club will be promoting ticket sales through a major advance on-line sales opportunity and club members will be out in the immediate weekends in Billericay High Street before the event to sell tickets. We are looking to: SELL, SELL, SELL! Late news : Entries have hit the 60 mark target; still more welcome.. The infamous Killer Heels who have delighted the spectators for the two previous years will be back with a new theme to be revealed on the day and, as usual, the Wacky Racers category is sure to be fun again.
BILLERICAY LIONS CLUB
The usual Billericay Lions collection for one of our Partner Charities, Marie Curie, in the High Street on Saturday 3rd March fell victim to the weather ,as did the replacement date. We are hoping to make it work third time lucky on Saturday 21st April. Please think about donating when you see us standing in the cold! The annual Convention of Lions from all over East Anglia took place on the weekend of 16th to 18th March in Norwich. The members voted on a number of resolutions, passing them all including a motion to protect our environment from the devastating effects of marine plastic pollution which, if it continues to rise at current rates, will outweigh fish by 2050!
Convention is also a chance to meet up with old friends from other clubs and meet new friends, such as our Australian guests from Tasmania and from the mainland. Our keynote speaker was Cliff Heywood MBE, who came all the way from New Zealand, with his wife Helen, to address us on Saturday afternoon For details of Lions events and tickets, or if you are interested in joining, please have a look at our website www.billericaylions.com
Looking forward, we are back into the regular routine of our monthly social/sports events and reviewing donation requests. As ever, we are looking to attract new members who are up for a bit of fun and looking to do some extra-ordinary things - things which you would not typically arrange with your normal mates! Check us out at www.facebook.com/billericayroundtable and www.billericayroundtable. co.uk or contact us directly on bepartofit@billericayroundtable.co.uk. We would also really like to hear about any special causes which we might be able to offer monetary support for – no matter how small or large the value, we treat all cases individually and in confidence. We are a registered charity and have been able to help many local people over the years and we want to continue so – please check out the request form here: www. billericayroundtable.co.uk/funding
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A Mummers’ Play: St. George And The Dragon Mayflower Morris Men will perform their Mummers’ play twice at 11.00 a.m. and 11.45 a.m. on Saturday 21st April on the corner of Billericay High St. and St. Edith’s Lane. TOTALLY FREE. For all ages. Remember to boo the Dragon! See www.mayflowermorris.com or phone Julian Whybra 01277 654228 for further details. Basildon & District Ramblers Club The group meets every Saturday at 2.00pm. The Saturday walks are 4-5 miles with a rest halfway, we have some longer walks on other days. New members are welcome and membership is only £6 per year which includes all walks. See our website www. basildonanddistrictrambling club.btck.co.uk for full details Belvedere Jazz & Music Club 11th April The Jeff Hooper Big Band Admission by £20 ticket only 8pm -10:30pm. 18th April Elaine Delmar + John Pearce Trio 8pm -10:30pm. 25th April ‘Bennett to Buble’ Kevin Fitzsimmons Qnt. 8pm -10:30pm. Admission £12.50 ~ Meals Available www.belvederejazz.co.uk Tel: 07850 607075 or email: belvederejazz@gmail.com The Chichester Hotel, Old London Road, Rawreth, SS11 8UE
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Billericay Bowling Club FREE OPEN DAY at Lake Meadows Park. SUNDAY 6TH MAY 2018 10am - 3.00pm Come & give bowls a try and if possible bring flat soled shoes. See advert on back page Call Jenny on 07941 977338 if you are interested Billericay Choral Society : Spring Concert 2018 Billericay Choral Society’s first concert in 2018 sees them present Edward Elgar’s “Spirit of England”, plus patriotic songs at the United Reformed Church, 99 Chapel Street, Billericay CM12 9LR on Saturday 21 April 2018 at 7.30pm. The concert will commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I. Ellie Parsons is the conductor and the soprano soloist is Laura Wolk-Lewanowicz Mullinger. Tickets modestly priced at £10 are available from Brown Sugar/Slipped Discs, 57-59 High Street, Billericay, Maggie Kingston on 01277 625667 and by email from dougnewlyn@ tiscali.co.uk. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night. Billericay Horticultural Society On Monday 16th April 2018 at 8 p.m. in the Day Centre.Chantry Way a talk Horticulture Healing Therapy for Mind,Body and Soul. by Anne Luder Visitors always welcome £2 Refreshments available Billericay Jujitsu Club Our club is called Billericay Jujitsu Club It is held on Thursdays at Billericay School Sports centre gymnasium from 1915. Www.billericayjujitsu.co.uk 01277811870
Billericay Ladies Probus Club The Club meets for lunch at 12.00 on the second Monday of each month at the Mount Avenue anqueting 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. If you would like any further information please contact. Jenny: 01277 633115 Billericay Men’s Probus Club Have you heard of us we are a group of men who get to-gether for lunch on the last Thursday of each month. Come and enjoy a three course lunch, usually followed by a speaker, we also have coach trips and special events. Why not come along and join us at The Banqueting Suite, Mount Avenue, Hutton CM13 2NS If you are interested Call Ron on: 01277 633115 firefighterrpm@btinternet.com Charity Lunch Charity Lunch on Saturday 14th April at the Billericay Methodist Church, Western Road from 12.30 – 1.30. A tasty 2 course snack lunch and drink for only £4.50. This month the proceeds are going towards the funding of young people to attend World Scout Jamboree 2019. There is no need to book. All welcome. 01277 622297. Chelmsford & District Welsh Society Are you a Welsh person living in Essex? It doesn’t matter if you are 18 or 80, Welsh speaking or not.
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Come and join the Chelmsford Welsh Society and enjoy meeting new Welsh folk at various events around Chelmsford. All new members are welcome. For more details please contact Gwenno on 07724144432 www.chelmsfordwelsh.org.uk/home www.facebook.com/ chelmsfordwelsh Chelmsford Jazz Club Sunday 15th April The Humphrey Lyttelton Band (7 piece band, line up TBC) Sunday 13th May Clark Tracey Quintet: Clark Tracey (drums), Alexandra Ridout (trumpet), Sean Payne (alto), Elliott Sansom (piano) James Owston (bass) Chelmsford Sugarcraft Guild Membership is open to anyone in the Essex area who is interested in the art of cake decorating. Meetings held second Tuesday each month and cover a range of demonstrations and ‘have a go’ evenings from 7.15pm till 10pm. Non members welcome. April 10th Cake Painting Demonstration Christ Church 164 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0AW Contact: Polly 07721 614579
Training every Saturday over at Barleylands, the emphasis is on the kids having fun.
Fees £40.00 members £64.00 non-members
For more information on how to claim a free place in this academy please email Head of Academy Clive Ashdown at clive@cwgrain.com.
Remi Harris Trio Saturday 28 April 7.30pm Gypsy Swing, Jazz & Blues
Girls Only Football Training At FC Redwing Did you know that football is largest team sport for girls in the UK? FC Redwing has recently launched girls only football training for children aged between 4 to 8 years old. If you have a girl in Reception to Year Three at school who is interested in playing the beautiful game then please contact us at fcredwinggirls@gmail.com Greenway Ramblers The group meets at 10am every Tuesday (5-6 miles) and Sunday (longer walks of 10+ miles with a break for lunch) New members are welcome. See our website at www. greenwayramblers.org.uk or phone Joe Lawton on 01277 631119 History In Art
Do you know a child who loves football? Would you like them to play in a safe, fun environment organised by FA licensed coaches?
Culture, change and progress reflected in art From Georgian times onwards, morals, everyday life, humour, new heroes of the age and critical changes were translated through art, including portraits of some rather scandalous personalities!
FC Redwing’s academy has spaces available for children in school years Reception/Year One.
Friday afternoons 2.00 – 4.00 Summer Term only 10 weeks: 27 April – 6 July 2018
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Jazz at the Fold
Tickets: £12.00 including refreshments Mayflower Wine (& social) Club We meet on the first Wednesday of each month at The Pilgrim and Mayflower rooms, The Emmanuel Church, Laindon Road. Billericay. CM12 9LD at 8pm. We have talks, musical evenings, wine tastings, quizzes etc. and also social occasions in between. New members are always welcome. Please phone Paulette Nicholls on 01277 652001 Stock & Buttsbury Bowling Club Stock & Buttsbury Bowling Club is holding an Open Weekend on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May when anybody interested in trying their hand at the game of bowls is welcome to come along at any time between 10am and 1pm on the Saturday and between 10am and 4pm on the Sunday. All that is asked of anybody who would like to take this opportunity to try bowls is to wear flat shoes or trainers so that they can go onto the green. Refreshments will be provided in the club house. The club is located off Common Road, Stock and sits behind The Bakers Arms public house. If anybody would like more information then please call either Brian Sims (01277 840715) or Sid Slater (01277 656019).
If you would like to promote your club or event for April/May then please email a maximum of 70 words to:
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39
The The LocaL PLan and whaT iT means To BiLLericay
The plans for Billericay also include 15 Traveller pitches and a much-needed and welcomed new Early Years and Primary School, both to be sited in the south west.
On 22nd March 2018, Basildon Council approved a Local Plan that sets out where over 18,000 new homes will be built in the borough until 2034. But what does this mean for Billericay?
If there are no further delays (the Local Plan is already 4 years late!) the borough Council aims to have the plan finally adopted and in place by March 2019, after which developers can submit planning applications. However, there is one final public consultation (Regulation 19) due in May/June this year and an examination in public before that can happen. It is very important that residents make their thoughts known.
The headline news is that just over 3,000 homes will be built on 9 main sites all around the town; the smallest site being 100 houses through to the largest at 650. All these houses will be built on what is today Green Belt, and once completed, we will see a 25% increase in the size of Billericay in terms of the numbers of dwellings and overall population. To put this into context, the last major development in Billericay was the Queens Park estate 40 years ago which is estimated to have delivered around 1,500 homes at the time, about half of what is being proposed now. Since then the growth of Billericay has been slow and steady and the level of new house building has generally met our local needs. Most of the proposed new development, around 2,000 houses, will be on sites in the south west (towards Hutton & Little Burstead) running in an arc from the railway line at Mountnessing Road across London Road, Tye Common Road and Frithwood Lane, all the way to Laindon Road at the roundabout junction with Noak Hill Road. A new road is planned to run from Laindon Road to London Road and link these main housing sites. Development in this area also proposes the relocation of the Billericay Cricket and Tennis Clubs. The other major sites are on Potash Road, two on Greens Farm Lane, Southend Road and Windmill Heights
Back in 2014, when the first iterations of the Local Plan were published, Billericay Action Group was formed and earlier this year we were incorporated with the Billericay District Residents’ Association. As a group we represent around 30% of the households of Billericay. Our aim then, as it remains today, is to monitor the development of the Local Plan to ensure it delivers what Billericay residents need, protects our open spaces, recognises our proud heritage and safeguards our future generations. And to keep residents informed. If you would like to know more about the Local Plan and understand how you can take part in the consultation, please join us at our drop-in event on saturday 5th may at the Reading Rooms in Billericay High Street. We will be there from 9 am to 4 pm. Please call in for a chat and a cuppa! Alternatively, please send us an email, visit our web site, or find us on Facebook at ‘Save Billericay From Housing Developments’. We look forward to seeing you and gaining your interest and support. By Andy Wilson, BillericAy Action group secretAry
For more information contact us via email on info@billericayactiongroup.org.uk or visit www.billericayactiongroup.org.uk. alternatively find us on Facebook!
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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 Spire Hartswood Hospital
01277 695000 01268 524900 01245 443673 08453 143350 01277 621130 08451 304204 01702 435555 01277 232525
HELPLINES Alcoholics Anonymous Childline DIAL Disability Helpline Drugline Essex Home Start
01245 256147 0800 11 11 01268 294400/1 01708 749151
(Helping families under stress) 01277 263325
In Focus
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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 Electricity – Power Supply Problems Gas – Urgent Calls / Gas Escapes Minicom – Transco Thames Water (Supply or Wastewater Services) Three Valleys Water Water – Essex & Suffolk Water
0845 6037632 01277 233565 01277 221155
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ROAD & TRAVEL UPDATES Essex Travel www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/essex
01245 353575 01277 655352 111 0808 800 2222 116 123
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
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PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
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BILLERICAY BOWLING CLUB
YOU’RE WELCOME TO COME AND GIVE IT A TRY. IT WILL BE FREE AND ALL YOU NEED TO HAVE IS FLAT SOLED SHOES. TO FIND OUT MORE CALL JENNY OR BRIAN ON 01268 410883 07941 977338
BOWLING IS FUN, GOOD EXERCISE AND CAN BE ENJOYED BY ALL
FANCY HAVING A GO? WE HAVE AN OPEN DAY ON
SUNDAY 6TH MAY FROM 10AM UNTIL 3PM “COME AND TRY” SESSIONS WILL BE HELD ON THE FOLLOWING TUESDAYS:
8TH MAY, 15TH MAY, 22ND MAY & 29TH MAY BY APPOINTMENT