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BBBBBB CONTENTS
Gaming Screens Aro
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John Baron
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A View from the Church
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Rotary Club, Lions Club & Round Table
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Nature Notes
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What’s On
Political Update
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Vegetable Lasagne
Rev. Paul Carr
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To advertise contact our Sales Team today, details below. Booking deadline for our February edition is: Tuesday 10th January Copyright 2016. 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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UKIP, and the re-election of Jeremy Corbyn. However, the biggest political event was undoubtedly the EU referendum vote.
John Baron Conservative Parliamentary MP For Basildon and Billericay
As we begin 2017, it is worth reflecting on the previous year. There was the unexpected victory of Donald Trump, multiple leaders of
Brexit will have many consequences over the coming years, but the most immediate was the change in Prime Minister. As a ‘one-nation’ Conservative, I was heartened by Theresa May’s first speech outside No 10, and am pleased the new Government is focusing on reducing inequality and providing fair and equal opportunities for all –new grammar schools being an excellent start. I further believe Theresa May was wise not to trigger Article 50 immediately, as some were calling for. This has enabled the establishment of new Government Departments, as well
as the opportunity for reasoned consideration of what Britain wants from the EU negotiations – the previous administration having banned any preparatory work on this before the referendum. Despite the clamour from some quarters for the Government to release full details of its negotiation strategy, I believe the broad brush of its approach is quite plain. It is seeking to gain: control of immigration policy; greatly reduced (or eliminated) financial subscriptions to Brussels; the ability to strike trade deals; and control of British laws. The Government will have my full support in pursuing these aims, both in Parliament and outside. I greatly look forward to the twists and turns of the next political year.
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RECIPE Vegetable Lasagne
Tastes so good... Vegetable Lasagne (4 Servings) Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped 75g carrots, sliced 75g courgette 3 tbsp. vegetable oil 75g aubergine 50g button mushrooms 50g sweetcorn 1 small garlic clove, crushed 225g can of chopped tomatoes pinch of mixed herbs 8 tbsp. grated cheese 3 tbsp. butter 3 tbsp. plain flour ½ pint milk 4-5 sheets pre-cooked lasagna pasta Salt & pepper
Method:
chop lasagne, the onion andwith carroty and until for theamixture he usualFinely meat based packed healthy vegetables filling andthickens and boils. Stir dice the courgette and aubergine. in half of the grated cheese and some at lunch or dinner time. Serve with a fresh green salad and bread of your choice. Thinly slice the mushrooms.
salt and pepper for taste.
Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the vegetables until softened.
Spoon about a third of the vegetable mix into a shallow oven proof dish, add Oven: Pre-heat to 180C/350f/Gas 4 a little white sauce, the add a lasagna ervings Add the garlic, tomatoes, herbs, sheet and continue to layer in this way and sweetcorn andthe bring thecarroty boil. anduntil thecourgette last layerand is white sauce. Finely chop oniontoand dice the Then cover and simmer for about aubergine. Thinly slice the mushrooms. Heat the oil in a frying five minutes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on l pan and fry the vegetables until softened. garlic, top Add andthe cook for around 50 minutes Melt the butter in aherbs, pan and then stir and bring until to browned on top. Serve with fresh tomatoes, and sweetcorn the boil. Then oms in the flour, add the milk slowly, stirring herbs on top. cover and simmer for about five minutes.
crushed Melt the butter in a pan and then stir in the flour, add the milk ed tomatoesIf you would like your recipe to appear in Around Town Magazines then contact our sales team on: slowly, stirring until the mixture thickens and boils. Stir in half bs 01277 658444 of the grated cheese and some salt and pepper for taste. or email: sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk se Spoon about a third of the vegetable mix into a shallow oven
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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 brate that Jesus was born to be our Saviour? It is, after all, what makes rating and, just like those amazing events in the summer, it can be life but only if you make the time to enjoy the celebration.
Billericay’ extend an invitation to worship as season. Why not put a date in your o miss out on the greatest Christmas
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Using Your TIME Wisely
ricay & Little Burstead Team Ministry)
of the Are localyou Church Services over the Christmas familiar with Salvador Dali’speriod. painting
‘The Persistence of Memory’? (You can look it up on Google!). Whilst I’m very conscious that the appreciation of art is subjective, this painting speaks to meat -10.30am actually, I think 2nd December - ‘Annual Toy Service’ it shouts to Service me - that time simply melts away December - ‘Carol by Candlelight’ at 7.00pm before our eyes! And the older I become, the 19th December ‘Lunchtime at 12.30pm quicker - time flies! Carol And Service’ thinking of time, this atmonth Saint Mary I’mMagdalen going toChurch use the acronym TIME for 50th article! ay 23rdmy December - ‘Family Nativity’ at 10.30am
Emmanuel Church
hristmas Eve - ‘Christingle Service’ at 4.00pm
Time is in God’s Hands: Do you remember
‘Communion by Candlelight’ at 11.15pm the song: ‘Turn, Turn, Turn’ which was made Thepopular first Communion of Christmas. by The Byrds in the flower-power
the 1960’s? It wasn’t until I became a istmas era Day of - ‘Family Communion’ at 10.00am
Christian that I realised the words were taken from Ecclesiastes 3 in the Old Testament. However, we don’t have to be a theologian or a scientist or a pop singer to know there are ‘times and seasons’ in creation as well as ‘times and seasons’ in our lives. As those words from Ecclesiastes remind us: “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die.” The Circle of Life that the Disney film ‘The Lion King’ so beautifully portrays, continues – as indeed it must. Invest in Others: Whenever a new year arrives, we often reminisce at what the previous year was like don’t we? We think about the decisions we made and the things we wish we hadn’t done. A New Year is also a time when people resolve to live life differently in the year to come. How might this coming year be different to last year? Might you want to think about a different approach to life? Might this be the year when you resolve to invest in others by offering support and encouragement to those who are struggling with life? Might you consider volunteering to support a community group to enhance the lives of those around you? Might this be the year when you think about the well-being of others rather than your
www.billericaychurches.org
own happiness? It’s a challenging thought isn’t it? But easier to put into practise than you might think. Make the Right Decision: Making the right decision is not always easy or even straight forward. Some of my most disappointing moments in life have turned out to be some of my greatest opportunities and that is the most wonderful part of being a Christian. The problem is, of course, that God’s plan for our life doesn’t always fit in with our plans and that can be a painful struggle at times. But if God is ‘in control’ then it follows that He does have a time and a purpose for everything. But this isn’t fatalism, nor does it rob us of our freedom or responsibility. It is the wise providence of a loving Father who promises to make everything work for good (Romans 8:28). Making the right decision matters, because … Eternity is in our Hearts: The Bible teaches us that human beings were created in the image of God, and therefore, we are different from the rest of creation. Ecclesiastes tells us that God has: “Set eternity in the hearts of all people.” Christians believe that at the end of time, God will call us to account for what we have done with our gifts and talents and our knowledge of Jesus. If that is so, then each of us must make the most of the time we have here on earth and make it count. One of my all time favourite films is ‘Gladiator’ starring Russell Crowe. I actually have a Gladiator movie poster on the back of my study door which includes a famous line from the film: “What we do in life echoes in Eternity.” A Christian premise if ever there was one - it’s also the ‘strap line’ of my wordpress site (see below). May each one of us use our TIME wisely in 2017, not only for ourselves, but for the benefit of those around us in our community too. May God’s richest blessing be upon you and your family for all that this New Year will bring your way. revpacman.wordpress.com paul@billericaychurches.org @revPACman
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MAYFLOWER ROTARY CLUB Billericay will get a third Rotary club if plans by a group of Mayflower Rotarians succeed. But it will be a club with a difference aimed at people faced with time or financial pressures but who still want to support Rotary aims of service locally and internationally and have fun doing it. Both Billericay Rotary Club formed in 1959 and its offspring Billericay Mayflower which began life in 1990 follow the traditional pattern of regular weekly meetings including lunch or dinner and a full programme of events. Now Mayflower aims to tap into a resource of potential new members with a satellite club that will not be harnessed to a strict regime. It will meet how and when they feel appropriate, without a major financial commitment but still be prepared to follow the ideals and purpose of Rotary and be guided initially by Mayflower. This type of club is already proving a success in other parts of Britain. Mayflower past president Ifor Roberts is heading a team that will start to create the club from a number of local people who have already expressed an interest and will be joined by others sharing the same enthusiasm. Facebook and other social media are likely to be used in linking up with potential members as it is believed that users include people with a sense of community interest who would be valuable in a new organisation of this kind. Anyone interested in knowing more of what it is all about without committing themselves at this stage should contact Ifor on 01277 875724 or email ifor@mua.co.uk. You can become involved in the existing busy Mayflower club that meets at The Burstead each week. Members enjoy a full social programme as they work to improve the lives of others. Details on www.mayflowerrotary.org or contact secretary@ mayflowerrotary.org
BILLERICAY LIONS CLUB
Around 100 people packed the hall for our fundraising quiz on 19thNovember, wrestling with memories of events and people in the news or in some way connected with the year 2016. The event raised £680 for our charity account and we were very pleased with the support received. Our Christmas sleigh has been up-dated with some new lights to give it even more of a wow factor for young children and its first outing, on a very wet Saturday, was received with the customary warmth and enthusiasm from nearly everyone. The tow car, generously provided for the seventh year by Essex Ford, has been decorated brilliantly and Essex Ford are running a competition for children to design the decoration for next year’s car. Our next fundraising event is our Taste of the British Isles – 5 taster courses with quiz questions between courses – on the 11th March at the Emmanuel church hall; please see our website for full details and tickets.
It has been a busy time for social activity. A trip to the Last Night of the Autumn Proms, an indoor bowls evening and a Christmas meal have all been entertaining diversions as we were preparing for two weeks out with the sleigh. When you read this we’ll be into 2017 and we wish everyone a very happy New Year. For details of Lions events or if you are interested in joining, please have a look at our website www.billericaylions.com
October has been an incredibly busy month for Billericay Round Table. One of our main projects this year was to enable more than a hundred friends and families from BOSP to have a ‘Big day out’ for some fun and rest bite. Two coaches were loaded up, including six of our own members, and headed off to Chessington World of Adventures for a fantastic day in the autumn sun. Everyone received a specially printed, bright yellow t-shirt to wear which really added to the community feel of the occasion and made for easy recognition around the park. We felt very privileged to spend time with such an inspiring bunch of people and look forward to doing it again. Of course, these are the fruits of our fundraising efforts but there is a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes in the run up to our main event – November 5th, Lake Meadows Fireworks Display! By the time you read this, our members and helpers will either be toiling at full steam in the midst of over 19,000 visitors or recharging their batteries in the wind down, hopefully in the knowledge that we have another bumper amount of donationcash in the piggy bank! If you have not already bought your tickets (and there is still time), then please see our webpage at www.billericayfireworks.co.ukwhich also includes details our inaugural VIP marquee experience. As ever, we are more than happy to welcome guys aged 18-45 who want to ‘DO MORE’; check us out at www.facebook.com/ billericayroundtable and www.billericayroundtable.co.uk or contact us directly on bepartofit@billericayroundtable.co.uk Lastly, we invite members of our community to make a donation request for a special person or special group within the Billericay area via www.billericayroundtable.co.uk/funding
14
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Nature Notes Written by Neil Sumner
Neilsumner123@aol.com twitter.com/neilsumner123 In January, when the festivities are over and the days are short, we might envy those mammals that can hibernate the time away until the warmth and light of spring. The hazel dormouse is one such mammal. Lewis Carroll depicted him as a character who slept most of the way through the Mad Hatter’s tea party, unsurprisingly as they sleep sometimes from October to May and can go into torpor (mini hibernation) at any time when the conditions are cold and wet. In Mammals of Essex*, the dormouse is described as “a specialised feeder, needing a habitat that provides high protein food ranging from pollen and nectar to insects and nuts.” It hibernates because this food is only available in certain seasons. In winters such as this when the Song Thrush sings and the Great Spotted Woodpecker drums in December or January, I fear for the Dormouse. It may wake in the unusual warmth then waste energy and fat uselessly, putting itself at risk of not surviving the winter.
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Essex has a good population of dormice but they are in decline nationally. As well as increasingly unreliable weather, habitat management, or a lack of it, are responsible. Neglected woodlands grow into a canopy that shades an understorey already decimated by grazing deer. Hedges are important corridors for them to move between woodlands and we have less of these nowadays. One reason why Essex Wildlife Trust wants to restore and reconnect habitats through their Living Landscapes initiative is to help species like the dormouse. There are populations in many ancient woodlands in Essex, such as Norsey Wood and the Daws Heath / Belfairs complex, which are close to built environments so protection of these habitats and the links between them is especially important. The Essex and Suffolk Dormouse Group is endeavouring to understand the decline by surveying as much of the county as possible and monitoring populations. If you see long rectangular plastic tubes tied below branches whilst walking in the woods these will have been put there to check if dormice are present. They are temporary and the dormice may build a neat nest in them. Special nest boxes are used to provide safe homes and are checked regularly by volunteers and Rangers. Dormice are protected by law and only licensed dormouse handlers are permitted to touch tubes and boxes in a wood where they are present. They are very rarely seen in the wild, being mostly active at night. If you want to help dormice (and possibly get to see these enigmatic little animals) contact Michelle Tyrrell (Essex Coordinator) at essexdormice@gmail.com *Mammals of Essex, by John Dobson and Darren Tansley ISBN 0-905637 is available from most EWT Visitor Centres. Happy New Year
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Money SinS Are you a sinner? Financially that is. There are a host of everyday money misdemeanours that millions of people do, costing them thousands, without being aware of it. These aren’t horrors like grabbing a payday loan, but the result of simple misunderstandings, bad habits or inaction. So having recently toured around the UK doing roadshows for the sixth series of my ITV show, I’ve collated five of the most common. 1. Saving while you’ve expensive debts Savings rates are depressingly low – the top easy-access rate is 1%. Credit card and other interest rates are depressingly high. So, £1,000 credit card debt at 18% costs it costs you £180 a year, the same amount saved in top paying savings account at 1% interest only earns you £10. If you had both, pay the debt off with your savings and you’d be £170 a year better off. Many of you will be thinking, “but I want to keep my savings, what if the boiler packs up or the roof falls in?” However, that’s a sentimental strategy, not a logical one. Let’s carry on the £1,000 debt and £1,000 savings scenario to show you why. - If you don’t pay the debt off with the savings and an emergency happens that cost you £1,000 to fix, you’d use all your savings and still £1,000 of credit card debt. - If you do pay off the debt with the savings, and a £1,000 emergency happens, you’d need to pay for it on your credit card, meaning you still have no savings and £1,000 of credit card debt. The end result of them both is the same, yet by paying off the debt with the savings, you save in the meantime. The only exception is if the debt is at 0%. Then the financially savvy and disciplined can do what’s called stoozing, where you deliberately build up 0% debt only to save it and earn
interest. Though with current saving rates so low, it’s not as easy as it used to be. Full help on that atwww.mse.me/stoozing 2. Not at least asking your energy firm are you on its cheapest deal Most people in the UK are on their energy firm’s standard tariff, which typically means they’re overpaying by £300 a year. I’ve talked about switching until I’m blue in the face, and, of course, the best plan is take five minutes to do a full market comparison via mywww. CheapEnergyClub.com or anywww.Ofgem. gov.uk approved comparison site. Yet for some that doesn’t hit home. So, let me be plain. Even if you won’t do that, just pick up the phone and ask your current provider “Am I on your cheapest tariff?” and, if not, switch to that as there’s no change but the price! For example, as I write (it can change daily), on EDF’s standard tariff someone with typical usage pays £1,070/year. It also has a 12-month fix at £880/year - £190/year less. British Gas’s standard tariff with typical use is £1,044/year, but it also runs Sainsbury Energy (i.e., it’s the same company but a different name), and its cheapest fix is £804/ year – saving £240/year.This don’t ask don’t get saving works at all the big firms, so if you won’t do a comparison, at least do this.
“YOUR HOUSE PRICE IS THE WRONG FIGURE...” 3. Only making the minimum repayments on credit cards Credit card minimum payments are based mostly on a percentage of the balance, which only just covers the interest. So, you hardly clear any off. A 30-year-old with £3,000 debt on a credit card at 17.9% interest, who made only typical
minimum repayments, would take 27 years to clear it. By then, they’d be 57 and have paid a total cost £4,000 in interest (see my minimum repayment calc atwww.mse.me/minrepay to work out how long it’ll take you). Now you may be thinking ‘easy to say, but I can’t afford more than the minimum.’ Well, I have a solution. On £3,000 debt, the current minimum is around £70 a month. If instead of opting to pay the minimum, fix your repayment at £70. The debt will clear in five years at a total cost of £1,500 in interest, saving £2,400. Though if you’ve debt on more than one credit card, focus all spare cash on repaying the most expensive, making only the minimums on the others. That way you get rid of the most expensive debts first. 4. Don’t cover your home’s value on buildings insurance Your house price is the wrong figure; you only need to insure the usually much lower rebuild cost – literally how much it would cost to rebuild your home should it get knocked down. This is often far less than the market value. There’s information and a calculator on this athttp://abi.bcis.co.uk. 5. Saving or borrowing to pay your children’s tuition fees I’m often freaked out by parents telling me they’re saved up so their child won’t have to pay tuition fees at uni. Worse, some even extend their mortgage. My problem isn’t just that it’s actually students’, not parents’ responsibility to repay this…
martin L e W iS Money Saving Expert
All new English full-time students can get a tuition fee loan and a living loan to help pay for uni costs. You’re eligible to start repaying in the April after leaving, but only if you earn over £21,000, and you repay 9% above that. Repayments stop after 30 years. In many ways, it acts far more like a tax than a loan, and how many would save “in case my child earns enough to be a higher rate taxpayer”? An extreme example provides clarity. Imagine your child goes to uni and becomes a brilliant poet, who never earns above the £21,000 threshold. They would never repay a penny. So, if you paid the fees for them, you’d throw £27,000 away. Most of course will earn over the threshold. However only high earners will earn enough to repay in real terms what they borrowed within the 30 years. If not, again it means pay their tuition fees and you’re paying more than they’d need to repay. For most parents if you want to help them, a better thing to prioritise is building up a mortgage deposit. For far more on this see mymse.me/dontpayupfront guide.
Martin Lewis is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Money Saving Expert. To join the 11 million people who get his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www.moneysavingexpert. com/latesttip
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Art History Classes Course of Five Art History Classes from our very popular and knowledgeable Tutor Bob Cook All of you who love Italy will enjoy this course on Art and Power in Renaissance Venice. The course begins after Christmas Friday 13th January 2017 to Friday 10th February 2017 Belvedere Jazz & Music Club 18th January – John Wilson Orchestra Vocalist Matthew Ford 8pm -10:30pm. £12.50 25th January Skelton-Skinner All Stars Septet 8pm -10:30pm. £12.50 www.belvederejazz.co.uk or 07850 607075 The Chichester Hotel Old London Road Rawreth, SS118UE Billericay and District Philatelic Society Meets at The Fold, Laindon road, Billericay, at 7-30pm the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month (except August). There is a varied programme of displays and speakers and set - to interest, both beginners and the more specialist collectors. Visitors are always welcome, so come along and meet fellow collectors of a wide range of postal material. Contact no. 01268 410258. or e-mail: rms.alexander@googlemail.com Billericay Badminton Group The group will move to Billericay School Sports centre as from Wednesday 4th January 2017. The facilities and the sports management staff are very good and we invite newcomers to badminton as well as more competitive players. We would particularly welcome students. Play is held Wednesday nights 8.0 -10.00pm. Barry Fagg 07831509132
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Billericay Community Cinema BillericayCine is a Community Cinema: cinemas run locally as a voluntary / not for-profit group by residents for the community. Ticket prices are affordable too, with ticket to ‘Film Thursdays’ priced at £5, while the family films are just £3 per ticket or £7.50 for a family group. Tickets are available from Billericay Library and www.billericaycine.com Billericay Community Housing Association bcha-uk.org.uk Despite the fact that we are in Norsey Road, not many local people seem to know about us. We are a non-profit making organisation, run by a committee of local people, who do it all for love. Our website will tell you more of what we do, but if you could give us a mention I would be really grateful. I must re-iterate that it is only for residents of Billericay or those who have close family living here – I’m thinking of sons and daughters living in Billericay whose parents may be in London or further away, who would like their parents living close by. Basildon & District Ramblers Club The group meets every Saturday at 2.00pm with some longer walks on others days. The Saturday walks are 4-5 miles with a rest half way. New members are welcome. See our website www. basildonanddistrictramblingclub.btck. co.uk for further details. Billericay Horticultural Society On Monday 16th January 2017 at 8.pm in the Day Centre.Chantry Way. Billericay an illustrated talk; Garden People.Places.Plants,Poisons & Pirates with a little bit of Harry Potter by Bill Butcher Visitors always welcome £2. Billericay Ladies Probus Club The Club meets for lunch at 12.00 on the second Monday of each month
at the Mount Avenue Banqueting Suite, Hutton CM13 2NS. Where a three course lunch is served. New members are always welcome, come along and make new friends. If you would like any further information please contact. Jenny: 01277 633115 Billericay Methodist Church Charity Lunch on Saturday 11th February from 12.30 – 1.30pm. A snack lunch and drink for only £4. The proceeds this month are going to Chernobyl Children Lifeline, providing holidays for children who still suffer the after effects of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster of 1986. There is no need to book. Billericay Methodist Church, Western Road CM12 9DT. Billericay Society We meet third Wednesday of the month at the day centre in Billericay behind the chequers Pub in the High Street at 19,30 we normally have a guest speaker, members £1 guests £1.50. The aims of the society is to oppose inappropriate developments, to conserve the towns heritage, safeguard access to the surrounding countryside, footpaths public rights of way, support projects for improving our town, we erect town signs and maintain them, and we are affiliated to campaign to protect rural England. All welcome. Billericay WEA Saturday 18th March Our next One Day Course is ‘Oscar Wilde – Nothing to declare but His Genius’ with tutor Margaret Mills. At Billericay Reading Rooms in the High Street. 9.30 – 15.45. Tea breaks included. Lunch- we head to the High Street or bring our own. Fee £15. Find out about the life and times of this fascinating man. Contact Geoff Taylor 01277 625351 or geoffT33@outlook.com Buttsbury (Billericay) W.I. We are a friendly group who meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 8pm for 8.15pm start.
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Each month we have a varied programme of Speakers, Craft Nights and Social Events.
Admission £2; please bring your own drink. Clive Hammond 01277 622793.
We meet at Canon Roche Church Hall, Laindon Road, Billericay CM11 9LL. For more information please call Jan Nash on 01277- 630147.
Friday Swimmers Friday 3rd, 10th & 24th February
Chelmsford & District Welsh Society Membership is open to anyone with Welsh origins or connections, or to anyone with an appreciation of Welsh heritage and traditions. Visitors and guests are warmly welcomed to attend our meetings. The Society’s monthly meeting is held in St Cedd’s Hall, Cathedral Chapter House, Chelmsford, CM1 1NX, and is usually on the fourth Thursday of every month. The next meeting is on Thursday 26th January at 7.30pm. All new members are welcome, come along to our meeting for a fun and sociable evening. For more details please contact Gwenno on 07724144432 www.chelmsfordwelsh.org.uk www.facebook.com/chelmsfordwelsh Chelmsford Jazz Club Cramphorn Theatre, Chelmsford Doors Open: 11.45am Gig starts: 12.15pm Advance booking: 01245 606505 Sunday 29th January 2017 (£12 / £16) Clark Tracey Quintet with Daniel Casimir, Chris Maddock, James Copus and Harry Bolt Sunday 5th March 2017 (£12 / £16) Pete Neighbour with the Ted Beament Trio Sunday 2nd April 2017(£12 / £16) Picante featuring Derek Nash, Dominic Ashworth, Neil Angilley, Andy Staples, Marc Cecil, Robin Jones Folk at The Fold Folk music session at Billericay Arts Association, 72 Laindon Road, Billericay CM12 9LD. 8.15 on the last Friday of the month (except in December).
We swim every Friday during school term at Mayflower School from 19.30 to 20.45. Do you want a bit of exercise. We are a small group of social swimmers (adults only). Lifeguard in attendance and the cost is £4.50 p.w. New members are welcome come along for a free trial session or contact Derek or Angela on 01277 655652 for further information. Good Friends French Polishing Group We are a friendly group of amateur French Polishers/Furniture Restorers/ Upholsterers who meet every Monday morning at the Scout Hall in Laindon Road, Billericay. We instruct and teach and now have a few vacancies. For further details please contact Bob Woodcock at 01277 659749 or e-mail: bobwoodcock@hotmail.co.uk 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. ( Ideally, I would like you to continue placing our short message in each month’s issue of “Around Town” until further notice; that is until our situation or personnel changes. Will this be in order, going forward? ) Jazz at O Bs’ Meeting at Old Brentwood’s Club Ashwells Road, Brentwood CM15 9SE. The last Tuesday of each month. Tuesday, 31st January, 2017 CATHERINE LIMA, vocalist accompanied by Hilary Cameron, keyboard, Ted Simkins, bass and Dave Grant drums. 8 to 10:30pm. Admission £10.00 on
door Tel. No. 01277 624016 or 07935 441616 www.jazzatobs.co.uk Norsey Wood Society Norsey Wood Society will be holding our next free Open Meeting preceded by a short AGM on Monday evening 30 January 2017 in the Chantry Way Centre starting at 7.45pm. Marc Outten, Reserves Manager (south) of the Essex Wildlife Trust, will present an illustrated talk, ‘Protecting the threatened species of South Essex’. Marc was formerly a Reserve Manager with the RSPB locally and has appeared on Countryfile recently. Everyone welcome: e-mail norsey1@ hotmail.co.uk or telephone Ken on 01277-651125 if more detail required. Rosebay (Billericay) W.I. We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 1.30pm in the hall behind the Catholic Church in Laindon Road. We also hold a variety of social events between meetings. We offer a warm welcome to all new members and visitors. Further details from Madge 01277 623278 The Fold D’Ukes “What an excellent show” “Great entertainment” “ Brilliant and talented band” Saturday 21st January 2017 7.30 pm Tickets £10.00 Café Layout- bring your own drinks. www.d_ukes.co.uk Remi Harris Trio Remi Harris is an exciting young guitarist and composer. His unique style blends elements from Gypsy Swing, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Hip Hop and World Music. Saturday 4th February 2017 7.30 pm Tickets £10.00 including refreshments Please ring the Fold for further information on 01277659286 or visit Reception between 9.30 am and 4 pm THE FOLD , 72 Laindon Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9 LD
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39
BOXING
Boxing is at an all time high here in Britain who boast World Champions in so many different weight divisions. From Anthony Joshua to James DeGale, Britain has eclipsed the Americans when it comes to World’s best boxers! Wembley Stadium is prepared to host one of Boxing’s biggest fights in the last 20 years as Wladimir Klitchko the great Ukrainian tries to take back one of his belts from Anthony Joshua! Gone are the days where England’s solitary world title hopes rested on Frank Bruno’s heavyweight success and Chris Eubank’s dazzling skills. I wanted to focus on the local scene of boxing. We know that if taught right, Boxing is another great way for people to exercise and more importantly have the sense of belonging to a club and also can teach people to act with a certain level of discipline and control in their everyday lives. While I think we as a country we are happy for our children and family members to train and perhaps partake in amateur boxing bouts, like at the Olympics, I feel that fighting events for adults on the local scene have a huge stigma attached to them. I asked a local boxing enthusiast and amateur boxer, Paul Tredgold some questions about the local fighting scene. Paul trains at The Locker Room in Southend and competes in local events. How did you get into boxing and why did you choose Boxing when you obviously played other sports? I got into boxing through a friend of mine that boxed locally. I have great memories of watching the boxing with my Dad from a young age, watching guys like Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, and Herbie Hyde, when it was on terrestrial television. My uncle and one day my Dad took me down to his boxing gym. My uncle put a pair of 8oz black boxing gloves on me and left me on the heavy bag, I didn’t move it much, but gave it a good go. Boxing appealed to me because it brought out a personal motivation in me that other team sports failed to do as much. It was a nice balance doing both, but as I have grown older it has helped me stay in shape and has made me work harder than I thought was possible to achieve certain goals.
What would you say to someone who likes boxing, but does not get down to local fight nights? I would say give it a go. Boxing teaches respect, self discipline and much more, and this is carried into the boxing shows. Most local events lay on a nice meal, a good view of the boxing and allow you
to be surrounded by your own family and friends, in your own area. Everyone I speak to after the show, talk of how inspiring it is to see the fighters in action and give it their all. Some guys who train with us today got involved through watching the shows. Some just train and some compete. Unfortunately, there seems to be a stigma about boxers, and boxing shows, I believe they are incorrectly labelled. People think that the shows are full of intimidating fans that are just as aggressive as the loud brash boxers who want to fight everybody all the time. But the truth is most boxers that I know are the nicest people you could meet. Outside of the ring boxers are usually very calm, respectful and humble people with an inner self confidence about them, which leaves them with a feeling of nothing to prove in a macho sense. Those with the most to say have the most yet to learn. Is it conducive to everyday life? How does your boss feel about going to work with a black eye? The philosophy of boxing can actually shape your everyday life and definitely can go hand in hand with your current lifestyle whoever you are. It’s like my trainer and good friend James Chisholm often says, “We can’t make life any easier, but we can ourselves tougher” what he means by that is by making us fitter and tougher mentally, life becomes easier, which is very true in my case. Where I work people are very supportive of what I do. My superiors always ask how I got on and see it as a very positive thing that I box, which is understandable, I don’t know too many lazy boxers, do you? Boxing teaches a very ‘can do’ attitude and that it always welcome in any workplace, I wouldn’t suggest fighting on an evening before an important client facing meeting where millions of pounds are at stake, but common sense should hopefully prevail. It is hard to sometimes look past the brutality of the sport and it is not going to be for everybody, however skill, courage, etermination and agility are all things to be admired and Boxing is second to none in all of these. Also, I feel it is understandable that there is a bit of fear when attending a local event; however it seems as though a family atmosphere and intense support for their friends and family is most of what you will encounter, like any local sporting event. If you like Boxing give it a go. See below some local gyms and establishments in the area that I am sure would welcome new members that either wish to compete or train as well some places that hold such events mentioned above. The Locker Room - http://www.thelockerroom.biz Billericay and Wickford Boxing Club - http://billericayabc.blogspot.co.uk/ Belhus Park Boxing Club https://www.facebook.com/belhus.park.5
Put the spotlight on your local sports team, contact Zaki Hasan, via email, zaki@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
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HOSPITALS Brentwood Hospital Basildon Hospital Broomfield Hospital Essex Nuffield Hospital Mayflower House Queen’s Romford Southend Hospital St. John’s Spire Hartswood Hospital
01277 695000 0845 1553111 01245 443673 0800 688699 01277 621130 0845 1304204 01702 435555 01245 491149 01277 232525
HELPLINES Alcoholics Anonymous Childline DIAL Disability Helpline Drugline Essex Home Start
01245 256147 0800 11 11 11 01268 294400/1 01708 749151
(Helping families under stress) 01277 263325
In Focus
(family disabilities support)
Narcotics Anonymous NHS non-emergency Parentline Samaritans S. Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre Victim Support Essex Women’s Refuge
42
BIRTH, DEATH MARRIAGES REGISTRATION
TAXIS Advanced Taxicall Billericay 01277 800001 Mayflower Cars 01277 624000 Swift Cars 01277 757473
CHEMISTS Boots the Chemist, Billericay Filmcroft Ltd, Billericay Lloyds Pharmacy, Billericay Moss Pharmacy, Billericay Shadforth M.W Billericay Shadforths Pharmacy, Billericay Shadforths Pharmacy Ingatestone
UTILITIES Anglian Water 0345 145145 Electricity – Power Supply Problems 0800 783 8838 Gas – Urgent Calls / Gas Escapes 0800 111999 Minicom – Transco 0800 371787 Thames Water (Supply or Wastewater Services) 0845 9200 800 Three Valleys Water 0345 823333 Water – Essex & Suffolk Water 01245 491234
0845 6037632 01277 233565 01277 221155
BLOOD TEST Booking Line
01277 655233 01277 624862 01277 622828 01277 653035 01277 622927 01277 652241 01277 352125 01268 242159
ROAD & TRAVEL UPDATES Essex Travel www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/essex
01245 353575 01277 655352 111 0808 800 2222 08457 909090
COUNCILS Basildon Billericay Town Council Chelmsford Ingatestone Stock Parish Council
01268 533333 01277 625732 01245 606606 01277 353315 07757 114952
01375 380609 0845 4565995 01268 541140
TRANSPORT Bus Service Rail Service
0870 6082608 08457 484950
VETS Best Friends Veterinary Surgery House & Jackson Ingatestone Veterinary Centre Summerdale Veterinary Centre Vet Savers LIBRARIES Basildon Billericay Ingatestone Wickford
01277 651009 01277 655524 01277 353612 01277 631889 01277 652100 0845 603 7628 01277 624624 01277 354284 01268 561963
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