The EU Referendum review part 2
AY E R I C L L I B 0 1 6 0 6 . 2
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CONTENTS 11 Recipe
Barbecued Lamb
14
A View from the Church
20
EU Referendum
30
Nature Notes
32
Around Town Sports
36
Rotary Club, Lions Club & Round Table
38
Martin Lewis
Rev. Paul Carr
Are you in or out?
EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner
Game Changers
Money Saving Expert
42
What’s On
47
Useful Numbers
When and Where...
Around Town Magazines Graphic House, Radford Way, Billericay CM12 0DX
33
41
Edition 43 COME AND SEE OUR FABULO AMAZON’S GUARDIAN SOLID ROO To advertise contact our Sales Team today, details
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the alternative to a glass roof. Guardia conservatory roofs offer 10 times mor efficiency than a(near traditional conservato A12 Eastern Avenue North RM5 3AL Te Copyright 2016. Around Town Billericay is an St), Romford independent magazine and does not endorse the also the perfect replacement roo products or and servicesisthat appear in the magazine. www.bodywash.uk Opinions expressed in Around Town do not conservatories. necessarily existing 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.
01277 658444 www.aroundtownmagazines.co.uk sales@aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
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RECIPE Barbecued Lamb
Ingredients: 1 lemon (juice and zest) 2tbsp soft light brown sugar 125ml olive oil 8tbsp balsamic vinegar 2 garlic cloves (crushed) 4tbsp mint (chopped) 400g half boneless leg of lamb
Equipment: Barbecue or griddle pan
Method: To make the marinade mix together the lemon juice and zest with the sugar, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and add seasoning. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and then mix in the mint and garlic.
the tray before inserting a skewer that goes from one corner to the opposite. Do this again with another skewer but in the opposite direction.
Lay the meat in a deep tray. Pour in half the marinade over the top of the meat and turn it over to coat it on both sides. Put the rest of the marinade to one side to use as dressing later. Then, cover with cling film and choose to leave it for 1 hour or alternatively overnight in the fridge.
You can either cook the lamb on a barbecue or a griddle pan and cook on a medium heat. Cook for between 15-20 minutes. Make sure to turn the lamb frequently until pink or cook for longer depending on your preference. Once you have finished, let the lamb rest for 10 minutes and remove the skewers.
After, remove the lamb from the fridge, shake off any excess marinade back into
Serve with your choice of vegetables and pour over the rest of the marinade.
If you would like your recipe to appear in Around Town Magazines then contact our sales team on: 01277 658444 or email: sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
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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
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Happy Birthday, Ma’am!
ricay & Little Burstead Team Ministry)
of the local Church Services over the Christmas period.
Emmanuel Church
We are in a season of celebrating the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Elizabeth II. Her actual 2nd December Toy Service’ at 10.30am birthday,- ‘Annual of course, is 21 April but the official celebrations take place this month beginning December - ‘Carol Service by Candlelight’ at 7.00pm with a Service of Thanksgiving at Saint Paul’s Cathedral 19th December ‘Lunchtime Carol Service’ atof 12.30pm on Friday- 10 June and the ‘Trooping the Colour’ at Saint Mary Magdalen Church - the Queen’s birthday parade - on Saturday 11 ay 23rdJune December - ‘Family Nativity’ at 10.30am at Horse Guards Parade. There is also a street party for 10,000 people planned ristmasmassive Eve - ‘Christingle Service’ at 4.00pm for The Mall on Sunday 12 June. There will be bell ‘Communion Candlelight’ at 11.15pm ringing,by festivals, exhibitions, music concerts, street Theparties first Communion of more Christmas. and much across our town, nation stmas and Day -Commonwealth. ‘Family Communion’ at 10.00am At Emmanuel, we have an afternoon of celebrations on Saturday 11 June starting with lunch at 12.30, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at 1.30. The Queen is Patron of the Mothers’ Union, who celebrate their 140th Anniversary in 2016, and we will include this in our service. We will have our regular Family Time craft afternoon from 2.00, finishing off with Afternoon Tea from 3.30, with a few surprises along the way. There is sure to something for family members of all ages - come for as long or as short as you are able. We will be giving each family a free copy of an excellent book: The Servant Queen and the King she serves. Her Majesty the Queen has been a wonderful example of service above self during her reign. She gives us, in a world of ever increasing change, a sense of familiarity and stability. It goes without saying that her Christian faith has been instrumental to her life of service. In 1947, at the tender age of 21, she said in a radio broadcast to the nation: “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial (Commonwealth) family to which we all belong. But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I
www.billericaychurches.org
now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.” Our Queen has kept that promise faithfully, whether it be her daily watch on the affairs of state; her meetings with Prime Ministers, where she has been consulted and offered advice, along with attending many thousands of functions with her habitual grace and charm. One marvels to think of all the handshakes she has endured, the speeches she has listened to, the smiles she has made and the times she must have had to hold her tongue. Political commentator Andrew Marr points out: “There are no reliable recorded incidents of the Queen losing her temper, using bad language, or refusing to carry out a duty expected of her.” The Queen has demonstrated unswerving service, duty and perseverance throughout her life and she has based this on her deep and committed Christian faith. As the Supreme Governor of the Church of England she prays daily and attends church weekly. In the foreword to the book mentioned above, she writes: “I have been - and remain - very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for his steadfast love. I have indeed seen His faithfulness.” This prayer has been issued for the Queen’s birthday celebrations (why not use this on 11/12 June?): ‘Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the ninetieth birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, receive our heartfelt thanks for all that you have given her in these ninety years and for all that she has given to her people. Continue, we pray, your loving purposes in her, and as you gather us together in celebration, unite us also in love and service to one another; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’ In Her Majesty Elizabeth II we have a great Queen, but her greatness comes from the fact that she has trusted in an even greater King. Happy birthday, Ma’am!
paul@billericaychurches.org @revPACman
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JOHN BARON Conservative Member of Parliament for Basildon and Billericay Having led the Parliamentary campaign for an in/out EU referendum, I am pleased the vote is finally upon us. For far too long the British electorate have been ignoredby the political establishment on this vitally important issue. I am campaigning for a ‘leave’ vote, and am encouraged by evenly split polls which show it is all still to play for despite attempts by government, political leaders and others to talk us down and argue we should ‘remain’. The ‘remain’ camp has certainly not helped its cause by coming out with ever more outlandish and dire prophecies for what would happen in the event of Brexit. These simply do not stack up – why would the Government hold a referendum if it really thought it might lead to war? We should remember that it was broadly this same group of people who argued that we should stay in the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) despite the recovery which followed our exit, that staying out of the euro would lead to social and economic disaster, and that inward investment would suffer if we held a referendum. They were wrong then, and they are wrong now. Leaving the EU would allow us to negotiate our own trade deals which we cannot do at present - we would be free of the EU’s protectionist stance and big business ‘special interests’ which raise prices for its citizens. Australia has just negotiated deals with China, Japan and South Korea. Tunisia and Canada have just negotiated trade deals with the EU. We can do likewise - we have the fifth largest economy in the world and sit at all the top tables of the world’s institutions? In addition, trade will continue even without a deal as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) guarantees that no one country or bloc can raise tariffs above those granted to what is called the most favoured nation status. Leaving the EU would allow the Government to properly control our borders and create a new, fairer, immigration system open to the whole world, not just the EU. It is difficult to justify a system which discriminates against migrants from outside the EU. Allowing the world’s best and brightest to live and work in the UK would be in all our interests. Furthermore, Lord Rose, the leader of the Remain campaign, has admitted in Parliament that if we were to leave the EU and better control immigration, then wages would rise even faster. A Brexit would also end the £19 billion we currently send to the EU each year, of which we get back £9 billion in services and the rebate. This could still be used to guarantee funding to farmers, universities and regional grants which currently come from the EU, with £10 billion left over to spend on our other priorities – these could include the NHS, schools, or substantial tax cuts worth £300 per household.
LEAVE STAY
Let’s remain on friendly terms with Europe but free ourselves from the shackles of the EU.
ANGELA WATKINSON Conservative Member of Parliament for Upminster and Hornchurch If we vote to leave the EU, a 2 year withdrawal period will follow to unravel existing treaties. I worry about the damage to sterling, inward investment, mortgages and the status of the City of London as the major financial hub in Europe. Negotiating new trading arrangements with 27 EU countries and the 53 other countries with which we have free trade agreements could take years The EU will not give us a better deal as a non member than we have already – that is wishful thinking. Until new arrangements are agreed, tariffs and quotas will make our exports more expensive. That would be bad for business, jobs and prices Canada is still negotiating to join the free trade area and its 500 million customers after 8 years. But as with Switzerland, free trade with the EU includes non negotiable free movement of people and skilled, educated EU migrants benefit our country and economy. Free movement also means that we can visit, travel, study, work and live in other EU countries. The UK has opted out of the eurozone, ever closer political union and the Schengen, border/passport free area, so we have the best of both worlds. Even if Turkey is given access to the Schengen countries, Turks will not have access to the UK without a visa. If we leave the EU, we will still be affected by the mass immigration from Africa and the Middle East, but would not be party to the efforts to resolve the problem. Will France allow us to maintain our border control at Calais if we leave? There is too much risk, too much uncertainty at a time of unrest in so many parts of the world.
LEAVE STAY
We are better off, stronger and safer in the EU.
GEORGE WEST President, cross party, Campaign for an Independent Britain founded 1969 At a meeting with a political journalist recently, I explained why the UK should leave the European Union and should never have joined in the first place. He told me that he wanted to believe everything I said but he felt that if someone who wanted to stay in the EU told him about why we should remain in the EU, he wouldn’t know who or what to believe. I remembered the early 1970s when I felt the same about what I read and heard, except I felt a gut feeling that there was something very dodgy about what we were being told and probably not told about the Common Market. It was those suspicions, together with a worry about my children’s future that caused me to vote NO in the 1975 referendum. With a short time to go before we vote in the 23rd June referendum everyone is being bombardedwith information from both sides, much of it speculation and not hard facts, although thorough “FLEXCIT” research is available on the internet. Some people will want every scrap of information available to them, others will be far too busy or bored to want to pay much, if any, attention to what they hear, read or see. Many of those who study the benefits of leaving the EU or remaining in could still finish up uncertain which way to vote. Other people who are very busy all hours every day, might have switched off already or have little interest in politics. They are likely to want to decide how to vote well before Referendum Day 23rd June, so that they can free up their mindsto concentrate on their everyday life. There are also easily frightened people who might be unnecessarily influenced by scare-mongering. For everyone however, the task of making a decision which way to vote boils down to one very simple question to ask oneself and to trust one’s own instincts. The all-important question is; who do you want to govern our country for years to come, either our own Parliament with our own democratically elected Members of Parliament or the European Union with its unelected Commissioners? To remain in the EU requires we will have continue to pay a high membership fee, around£33 million every day, money better needed to be used in the UK.
LEAVE STAY
SIR SIMON BURNS Conservative Member of Parliament for Chelmsford Britain is stronger, safer and better off in Europe than we would be out on our own. Leaving would risk our prosperity, threaten our safety and diminish Britain’s influence in the world. The benefits of membership clearly outweigh the costs. In today’s complex world, the UK has more control over its destiny by working through organisations like the EU. We would never dream of leaving the UN or NATO, because they amplify our power. Our allies, including the US, India, Australia and New Zealand have all said they would prefer Britain to remain in. The President of the United States, Barack Obama, said that being part of Europe “magnifies” British influence and “enhances” Britain’s global leadership. In an unstable world now is the time for friends and allies to stick together. If we want Britain to be a leader in the world, we need to lead in Europe too. A vote to stay is a vote for certainty. We’ll be stronger, safer and better off in Europe because we’ll get to keep access to the Single Market of 500 million people – Britain’s home market – with a say over the rules of doing business across Europe. That means more jobs, lower prices, and more financial security for British families. A vote to leave is a vote for risk. Vote Leave say they’ll walk away from the single market and negotiate a new deal, but they can’t explain what it would be and how long it will take. The truth is if we left, the EU would not give us a better deal than they have for themselves. This would harm our economy, with an average hit of £4,300 for each UK household and £36bn in spending cuts, which would hit the NHS. If we leave, jobs aren’t safe, prices will rise, mortgages will be at risk, and funding for our local schools or hospital will fall. It is a risk not worth taking. We can’t afford to leave the EU.
LEAVE STAY
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Neilsumner123@aol.com twitter.com/neilsumner123 RHS Hyde Hall is renowned for its extensive and varied gardens set on a hilltop with views of surrounding woods and farmland and towards the towards the Crouch valley. The RHS are keen not just on horticulture but also on promoting this site as a haven for wildlife. Much of the 365 acres makes excellent habitat and is managed for biodiversity. They have planted 75 acres of woodland, created flower meadows, a lake and areas of managed scrub in an area that was formerly a managed farm. Last month they held a ‘Nature Awakes’ event when a few of us gathered to enjoy a dawn chorus. It was on a calm still day, the song was a crescendo from scores of blackbirds, robins and wrens under a sky of pinks and blues that could compete with some of their spectacular flower beds. With careful listening, we picked out a Song Thrush and a Reed Bunting making its slow grating ‘1-2-3’ song from the reeds by the lake. As the light increased, the heads of Brown Hares were silhouetted in the early mist, there was mass cawing from a crowded rookery, a Buzzard flapped slowly from its roost and Whitethroats danced above the scrub. We walked the varied habitat and added many more birds to the list. After the event, I was guided around other areas by Elliot who manages the greater estate. He showed me nest boxes erected for some of the 4 species of owl and 5 raptors have been seen here. The plantations are of many natives, including hazel, hawthorn and wild cherry, which bear fruits which support the fauna. I was told of Grass Snakes, Frogs and Toads which inhabit the ditches, and of the volumes of butterflies and bees. Butterflies are counted and less common species, including Marbled White and Clouded Yellow, have been recorded. In June, the birdsong does diminish but does not end. Many, including the Whitethroats, Yellowhammer and Linnets that we saw perched on wires, will continue to sing and to raise their young. Swifts and Swallows come to feed on the insects produced by the rich ground and the end of June will be the start of the best period for butterflies.
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GAME CHANGERS Summer is nearly here and the Winter sport seasons are all but over. However, the summer tournaments are on their way. The European Football Championships as well as the Olympics will be grabbing the headlines. Rugby 7s, the IPL and European Swimming Championships have all popped up and snatched some air time and if you have managed to watch any of those events you would not have been disappointed either. Plenty to look forward to over the summer months. However, whilst watching an exciting climax to a star studded Indian Premier League T20 cricket match, it got me thinking, the evolution of our mainline sports surely has to be embraced rather than greeted with a sceptical and, dare I say it, old fashioned attitude. Cricket is a wonderful example! You would be hard pushed to find a more traditional English game. Considered a game for the upper class, one of grace, patience and strategy. However, T20 has come on the scene in the last decade and the IPL and BBL (Big Bash League Australia) are now starting to flex their muscle as two of the main attractions in the sport and the ECB and other cricketing boards have recognised this and come to terms with it. I watched an IPL game the other day with Virat Kohli , AB De Villiers, Shane Watson and Chris Gayle all in the same team, all stars from India, South Africa, Australia and the West Indies. It was a treat for any sports fans and the atmosphere was electric. The celebrations after winning a game involved a pitch invasion, fireworks and the spectators were dancing as if they were in a Bollywood film. Amazing!
and Sonny Bill Williams playing in this tournament?” Twickenham would be full and merchandise would be sold and millions would be made and imagine if a league was born!? I want to try and raise the cash myself, but not sure I have enough! Seems as though Rugby Union and Rugby League are preventing the inevitable by holding off any ideas that may be sprouting of a 7s league by tying players into contracts for either their clubs or national teams, but it only takes one star to change a game forever. How many other sports would benefit from a forward thinking game changer making their own franchise? Football – Would we all tune in to a star studded 5 a side league that took place over 2-3 weeks in the summer?! Would even more people play the game and would we develop different types of players. Athletics – 2 week tournaments or even a summer league. You would have teams with their own cheesy names and colours and just imagine Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis and Alison Felix being on one team. Again the sport will have another string to its bow and encourage more people into taking up the sport and making a career for themselves. Swimming – Similar to athletics! Surely it needs a raise in profile. Tennis – Instead of the Davis cup, is there potential for money spinning events where teams are made up of players from different nations!?
This got me thinking as I watched the International Rugby 7s series at Twickenham. A two day tournament of end to end action. For the non-purist, it is perfect and exciting to watch. Short games, a much more even playing field when it comes to smaller teams beating the so called bigger nations and above all it is nonstop running and tackling.
The sad thing is, you can have all the ideas you want, the main driver is money! Where there is money, the stars will then come and governing bodies would then be forced to show flexibility and allow players to go away and ply their trade in these leagues and tournaments as Cricketing nations have with the BBL and IPL.
However, the home of Rugby was empty and somewhere there must have been a billionaire tycoon watching, thinking “what if we have Ryan Habana, Israel Folau
I wonder if in 10 years time, any of these franchises or ideas will be in play and entertaining millions across the globe. Watch this space…
Put the spotlight on your local sports team, contact Zaki Hasan, via email, zaki@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
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BILLERICAY ROTARY CLUB Our Spectacular Soapbox Derby on May 2 attracted 7,000 spectators and raised £20,000 for our chosen Rotary-supported charities, Medcines sans Frontieres, Hope & Homes for Children and Little Havens Children’s Hospice plus local schools. We were able to make a donation of £2,000 to Quilters Junior School whose participation and support proved invaluable – not least with a brilliant winning kart assembled by the pupils. The inauguaral success of the Family & Fun day has convinced the Club committee to stage it again next year and hopefully make it an annual event for the town. President Ed Harrison said: “We are thrilled with the result and decided after much debate that we would do it again. We have learned some lessons from this year which we will carry into next year to make it even more spectacular.” We staged the annual local Young Photographer of the Year among area schools and our winner Chloe Woodland from Billericay went on to win the District Final. She wins a half-day in a commercial photographic studio, And,with the support of three qualified nurses, we did a hundred Know Your Blood Pressure tests in four hours at Waitrose in the high street in support of Rotary International KYBP Day. And club member Roger Kettle again took part in John Baron’s Fun Walk for charity on Sunday May 22.
BILLERICAY LIONS CLUB
The essence of our Lions Club is to have fun while raising money for local good causes, and this certainly has been the case with our recent and forthcoming fund raising events. In May our Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra Concert was a big success, generating positive feedback and raising almost £750. This month we have been busy preparing for the 7thBillericay Beer Festival to be held from June 24th to 26that Billericay Town Football Club, Blunts Wall Rd, CM12 9SA. This event has been going from strength to strength with the availability of over 40 beers and ciders, food throughout the weekend, and music provided by the New Crawdaddy Blues Club. So why not come along and join in. Even inclement weather is not a problem as the most of the venue is under cover. Our local sponsors are key partners and there are still some opportunities including the sponsorship of beer barrels. If interested contact beer@billericaylions.com.
The end of June closes out our Lionistic year with the appointment of a new club President. As I write we are looking forward to our annual Charter Lunch, giving members a further opportunity to socialise and an opportunity to reflect back on our achievements over the past 12 months. Remember that new members are always welcome so if interested contact us as below. For details on all Lion’s events please visit our website www.billericaylions.com or telephone 0845 833 9849, and follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/billericay.lions.
May was off to a flying startfor Billericay Round Table. The inaugural Rotary Soap box derby on Bank Holiday Monday was a huge success and our distinctive ‘Rocket Racer’ took a podium finish after coming second in the wacky races class. Furthermore, our lads got stuck in to staffing one of the busier gates and enjoyed welcoming the community to another great local event. A week later, some of the group spent an evening in Chelmsford attempting to solve a room full of wickedly tricky puzzles as part of the Escape Room experience. Let’s just say that it was touch and go whether or not one of the teams would make the night bus! Mud, glorious mud! Themid-May weekend saw us venturing once again into the Essex countryside to take on the 2016 Nuclear Rush ‘mudstacle’ race. Spread across 12km of farm and woodland, the course was a mix of trails, fields, lakes and ditches with up to fifty man-made and natural obstructions to get under, over, in and out of! The team were reunited with friends from BOSP (Brighter Opportunities through Supported Play) to have some good, but not-so clean fun together and managed to raise around £450 which will go towards helping support Essex families of children with complex disabilities. With summer just around the corner, we have plenty of great events lined up, includingmountain biking, BBQ’s, a long weekend in Berlin anda fancy-dress Cricketmatch to name a few. If you fancy coming to an event and meeting the lads, please contact us on domore@billericayroundtable.co.uk
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ENERGY All of the big six energy providers – British Gas, EDF, Eon, Npower, Scottish Power and SSE – have now announced price cuts to their standard tariffs, most to hit over the next month; but these are piddly, paltry, tiny, irrelevant and, ultimately, ignorable. Even after these cuts of roughly £30 a year, without any question you are BEING RIPPED OFF – typically by over £300 a year. If you’re detecting a sense of frustration in my writing, you are correct. I’ve been banging on about this for over a decade, yet still 70% of the UK population are on these damn awful tariffs. So before I get into the “whats” and “hows”, let me prove why you need to listen. In recent weeks my Twitter and email inbox have been swamped with people shocked at their savings and wishing they’d done it before. Here’s just two: Sarah: “Switched gas and electric. Saving of £1,117 per year, should have done it years ago.” Jo: “@MartinSLewis - just switched & saved £813 on my gas & electric?!? Un-flippin’ believable!! Thank you for banging on about it!” 1) It’s quick and easy to switch Slashing the amount you pay for energy really isn’t difficult. It takes minutes to find your cheapest, then it’s switched over in 17 days. I got four newish members of my team to do a comparison and on average it took 5 minutes 52 seconds. Those who worry about switching, don’t – it’s the same pipes, gas, meter and safety – the only thing that changes is the price and customer service. 2) Use a comparison site but do it the right way As your saving and your cheapest depends on where you live and what you use, there’s no one winner. Plug your details into a comparison site and it’ll show your best deal. To do this, you need your address, your
current tariff and your usage. The best usage to put in is your Kilowatt hours, if not that, then your annual cost, if not then monthly cost. If you don’t have any info – just guess! While you may not get the perfect result, if you’re on a standard tariff you’ll save substantially. To do a comparison you can use my www. CheapEnergyClub.com or, alternatively, you can use any www.ofgem.gov.uk approved comparison site, but, if so, do watch for two things. - Ensure it searches all tariffs Some comparison sites by default will only show you the tariffs that they get paid for. This filters out some of the cheapest deals. Make sure when you’re doing a comparison you’ve selected the option to see all the results, that way you’ll get to see the best deals.
YOU ARE BEING RIPPED OFF - TYPICALLY BY OVER £300 A YEAR. - Beware personal projections if you’re on a fixed tariff When doing a comparison, most comparison sites follow the regulators’ guidance and show your ‘personal projection’, which is effectively your average energy cost over the next year. This is normally fine, but is nonsense for anyone on a fixed tariff ending within 12 months – something I’ve campaigned against, to little avail. For example, if your current fix costs £800 a year and ends in six months, and after you’ll then pay £1,200 a year, as you’ll be on the energy firm’s standard tariff, the personal projection say you’ll pay £1,000 in a year – the cost averaged over 12 months. So if the market’s cheapest deal is £900 a year, the results will tell you to switch and save £100. Yet do it now and for the first six months you’ll actually be paying more, not less. You
need to see both prices to make a decision, which www.cheapenergyclub.co.uk does. Comparethemarket.com andenergyhelpline. comhave options to see both as well. - Check customer service feedback too. It’s not all about pure price, service counts. It may be worth paying a little more for one with a good service record; Ovo is relatively cheap for many people with a good track record. Most comparison sites include some service listings. 3) If you don’t want to change supplier, change tariff. Many confuse changing tariffs with changing companies, but you don’t necessarily have to. For example, at the time of writing this, if you’re on Npower’s standard tariff, which on typical usage is £1,110/year, you can switch to its cheapest 12 month fix, which is actually one of the market’s cheapest at £781/year – saving £320. So at the very least do a comparison and if you really don’t want to switch (not a big deal, but some don’t like it) at least move to your supplier’s cheapest. It’s worth noting some firms also operate under more than one name, for example British Gas is also Scottish Gas and Sainsbury’s Energy. Also some big suppliers offer far cheaper deals via ‘collective switches’ through local councils or comparison sites. So you may find you can save £100s and stay just where you are – but never sign up to a collective switch that doesn’t offer a full market comparison as part of it.
martin L E W IS Money Saving Expert
Quick Q&A “I’ve only got electricity, can I save?” There are cheap deals that allow electricityonly switching. Someone on a standard tariff paying £1,000/year would pay about £750/ year with the cheapest. Again, just do a comparison, same for economy 7. “I’m on prepay (key or card meter) – can I switch?” Yes. Someone with typical use on a standard prepay tariff pays £1,163/year - the cheapest is £1,050/year, so a comparison and switch will help. Yet a normal billed meter paying fixed monthly direct debits is far, far cheaper. So if you can, it’s also worth considering if you can change to a normal billed meter, where usage is measured, and you’re billed after. “I’m £100s in credit with my energy firm, will I get it back if I leave?” It should give you this money once you’ve switched. Many do it automatically, but make sure you ask if not. In the past, they used to operate a ‘don’t ask, don’t get’ policy, so if you’ve switched previously, it may be worth calling your old supplier to check. If you’re in debt you can usually switch, unless the debt’s very large – though you still have to pay it back what you owe.
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BabyNatal Developmental Baby Massage and Sensory Play Suitable from birth, 5 week courses, specially designed to support your baby’s, development, remaining babyled & flexible. Stage One (birth—12 weeks) developmental baby massage and gentle movement to support your baby through their ‘fourth trimester’. Stage Two (12 weeks—8 months) playful and sensory rich, alongside baby massage we also enjoy song, Makaton sign and traditional rhymes. Contact: yournatalway@outlook. com or 07738572554 Belvedere Community Choir Invites you to come and enjoy “A Journey through the Seasons” in song at Emmanuel Church on the 2nd July at 7:30pm. Musical direction is by Deborah Allen Morgan with Michael Silk as piano accompanist. Admission is free but welcome donations will be given to St Mary’s for essential repairs and maintenance. Refreshments are provided. For further information see www. billericaycommunirychoir or email billericaycomunitychoir@ gmail.com Belvedere Jazz & Music Club 6th July THE JACK FREE 8 PIECE SHOW BAND 8pm -10:30pm. £10 13th July Zoe Francis & Jim Mullen Quintet
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8pm -10:30pm. £10 20th July Dave Browning, Ted Beament & Jonathon Vinten 8pm -10:30pm. £10 27th July The Three Fivers + On Diva & Bill Yeomans’ Qrt. 8pm -10:30pm. £10 www.belvederejazz.co.uk or 07850 607075 Billericay Community Cinema BillericayCine is a Community Cinema: cinemas run locally as a voluntary / not for-profit group by residents for the community. FILM SCHEDULE - THURSDAY SHOWS – ALL START AT 7PM 16 June: Independence Day FAMILY SUNDAY – ALL START AT 2.30PM 26 June Minions 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 Horticultural Society *Plant Sale* Saturday 4th June in the Reading Rooms, High Billericay from 8.30 until 12 noon. Free entry. Refreshments available. 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. We also so have monthly rambles which can be found on our Newsletter as shown on the Website. 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. 01277 631726 Charity Lunch There is a Charity Lunch at Billericay Methodist Church, Western Road on Saturday 11th June from 12.30 – 1.30pm. A snack lunch and drink for £4.00. The proceeds this month are going to Medic Malawi, supporting a hospital, nutrition centre an orphanage and two schools in Malawi. All are welcome and there is no need to book. 01277 622297. 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.
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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 23rd June 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 Diamond Showcase Day Saturday 2nd July 10.00 a.m. -3.00 p.m. Diamond Showcase Day at South Green Memorial Hall, Southend Rd. Billericay. Come and join our 60th Birthday celebrations and learn about all the exciting things that go on at our hall. Admission free. Refreshments, cakes, displays, raffle, children’s activities and more. ring 01277 653369 or visit southgreenhall.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.greenway ramblers. org.uk or phone Joe lawton on 01277 631119. Horticulture - Healing Therapy On Monday 20th June at 8 pm in the Day Centre. Chantry Way. Billericay. A talk by Anne Luder. Visitors always welcome £2. Refreshments available. Mens Probus Club Billericay Mens Probus Club,
we are a group of 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, come along and join us at Banqueting Suite, Mount Avenue, Hutton, CM13 2NS. Contact Ron on: 01277 633115 firefighterrpm@btinternet.com Norsey Wood Society Norsey Wood Society will be holding our next free Open Meeting on Monday evening 13 June in the Day Centre, Chantry Way starting at 7.45pm. Frank Last, former Chairman of the Essex Badger Protection Group for 12-years, now leads Badger Rescue. Frank will present an illustrated talk entitled ‘Badgers in Essex and Norsey Wood.’ Everyone welcome: e-mail norsey1@hotmail.co.uk or telephone Ken on 01277651125 if more detail required. Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary Open Day Little Farm, Buttsbury, Nr. Ingatestone, CM4 9NZ Sunday 5th June 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Admission Adults £4, Children up to 16 years £2, Members with cards £3 First Open Day of the Year Come and meet Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter. Competitions, Games, stalls and raffles Wednesday 8th June – Teddy Bears Picnic Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, Little Farm, Buttsbury, Nr. Ingatestone, CM4 9NZ 11.30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Price £5 per family Bring your bears and picnic to visit with our animals. Have a guided tour of the Sanctuary and then enjoy your picnic. For more information contact Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary on 01277 356191, remusoffice@aol.com or visit our website www.remussanctuary.org If it has rained hard prior to the day please ring and check event is still on. Soroptimist International Chelmsford & District Club Soroptimists aim is to improve the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment or enabling opportunities. See our stand in High Chelmer on July 16th 2016. Visit our website: www. sigbi.org/Chelmsford or if you would like more information on our club and work visit us on Facebook , email info@ chelmsfordsoroptimists.com or ring us on 07528 789991. We’d love to hear from you! St Edith’s Bridge Club We are a small, friendly and sociable Bridge Club, completely free of the hassle of some of the larger Clubs, and we are based in the centre of Billericay. New members / visitors are always welcome. We meet at the WI Hall in St Edith’s Lane, CM12 9BU, at 7.25 for a 7.30 start on Wednesday evenings, EXCEPT, usually, not on the first Monday of the month. For more information please contact Alaric Cundy on 01277 622359.
If you would like to promote your club or event then please email a maximum of 70 words to:
admin@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk Please ensure that all contact details are included.
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TAXIS Advanced Taxicall Billericay 01277 800001 Mayflower Cars 01277 624000 Swift Cars 01277 757473
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