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CONTENTS 13
08 Billericay Operatic Society By Thomas Carpenter
10 John Baron Political Update
Diverse Ca
16 Recipe
Strawberry Jelly Cake
Independent Fostering Pr
18 Nature Notes
EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner
22 B.A.R.K
By Matt Everard
26 A View from the Church Rev. Paul Carr
34
What’s On
38
James Blower
When and Where...
A12 Eastern Avenue
Romford Essex
20
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Club, Lions Club & 42 Rotary Round Table
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Billericay
The Operatic SOciety By Thomas Carpenter
During their recent sell out run of “The Producers” at The Brentwood Theatre Billericay Operatic Society were thrilled to raise a record £760.21 for a local homeless charity. The charity is CHESS who help homeless and vulnerable people in and around the Chelmsford area. Members of the cast organised a collection after every performance during show week. Billericay Operatic Society has raised money for CHESS for a few years now. However, this year it smashed all previous totals. Wayne Carpenter, Chairman of BOS commented “ The work CHESS does for those who need it most is fantastic and I am really pleased the funds raised will help the charity to continue their great work.” CHESS (Churches Homeless Emergency Support Scheme) seeks to relieve homelessness and related hardship amongst single adults in Chelmsford and Essex. They do this through the provision of support services and temporary accommodation to those in need. Lindsay Hurrell, a fundraiser from CHESS was invited to the society’s recent Cheese and Wine Evening where she was presented with the cheque for the amount raised She was also asked to talk more about the charity and the work that they do. It is an exciting time for the charity as they have recently opened their new hub on New London Road in Chelmsford This enables them to help more homeless people than ever before. Their plans for the future include plans to renovate their four moving on properties. Billericay Operatic Society are already looking forward to their next show “Betty Blue Eyes” which will be performed at The Brentwood Theatre from Tuesday 19th to the Saturday 23rd March 2019. We will once again be raising money for CHESS and aim to beat this years total. BOS are always looking for new members to help on and off the stage. In particular for our next show we are in need of some more male singers. There are lots of other off stage roles including backstage, set building costumes and props. As well as shows we also run a number of social events throughout the year. There really is something for everyone! For more information about the society contact Bev via email bev@billericayoperaticsociety.co.uk. Alternatively find us on our Facebook page. We would love to hear from you. For more information contact thomas carpenter, our Show Secretary, via email on thomascarpenterag@gmail.com or by phone on 07999975555. alternatively find us on Facebook!
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9
others who supplied me with useful information. This I drew upon both during Parliamentary exchanges and in subsequent correspondence with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
John Baron Conservative Parliamentary MP For Basildon and Billericay
In the autumn Parliament held several debates on unauthorised encampments, and I would like to reiterate my thanks to local councillors, Essex Police, constituents, and
I was pleased that, in these debates, the Government conceded that the effectiveness of the powers available to Police and local authorities needed to be reconsidered, especially as the experience of communities across the country, as we know well from our area, is that they, and the way they are applied, are often not preventing these encampments and other illegal and anti-social behaviour taking place. In October, the Government announced that a public consultation would be forthcoming into unauthorised developments and encampments, leading to a review of these powers. Since then, I have
been in contact with the Ministry to enquire about the consultation, and in March tabled a Written Parliamentary Question to this effect. The response indicated the consultation would open shortly, and I was pleased to see this took place on 5th April. The consultation is now open to submissions, and will remain so until 15th June. Full details, including the form itself and explanatory documents, are online at: https:// w w w. g o v. u k / g o v e r n m e n t / consultations/powers-for-dealingwith-unauthorised-development-andencampments. Submissions can be made via the online form, via e-mail and by post. I strongly encourage local residents to complete a submission to the consultation, as this is an excellent opportunity to help shape Government policy when it comes to dealing with unauthorised encampments.
Come and join the annual Fun Walk to raise money for a charity of your choice and receive an extra bonus - last year for every ÂŁ100 raised in sponsorship, ÂŁ55 was added by local businesses
2nd September
Our thanks go to the 2017 Bonus Pot donors: Swan Housing Association, Billericay Football Club, c2c Rail, Hallmark Care Homes, Abellio Greater Anglia, Leonardo MW Ltd [formally Selex ES], Butyl Products Ltd, McDonalds Basildon, IFE Global Logistics, Mr Barrie Stone, and others.
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RECIPE Strawberry Jelly Cake
Ingredients:
For the filling:
¾ cup all purpose flour
1 cup whipping cream
¼ tsp baking powder
1 cup icing sugar
¼ tsp baking soda
8oz softened cream cheese
Pinch of salt
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
4tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp cold water
½ cup sugar
1 ½ tsp gelatin
1 large egg 6 tbsp milk
For the jelly:
1/8 cup plain Greek yoghurt
1lb fresh strawberries, halved
1tsp vanilla extract
1 packet of jelly mix
Method: 1. 2. 3. 4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
Line a 9 inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 180oc. Mix the flour, baking powder, soda and salt in a bowl. Melt the butter in a large bowl and set aside to cool. Once done, add the sugar and mix with an electric mixer, then add in the egg, milk, yogurt and vanilla. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix slowly until all combined. Add the batter to the pan and bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool in the pan and then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Sit the cake on a flat plate once cooled and place the ring from a 9inch springform pan around the cake. Dissolve the gelatin in 2tbsp cold water and set aside for a few minutes, then microwave to dissolve completely. Set aside to cool.
9.
Beat the cream cheese until it’s light and fluffy.
10. Do the same with the whipping cream, gradually add the icing sugar and continue to mix until stiff peaks form. 11. Mix in the vanilla and dissolved gelatin, add the cream cheese and mix to combine. 12. Spread gently onto the cooled cake and pop in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. 13. Make up the jelly according to the packet and set aside to cool. 14. Chop the strawberries and use these to line the edge of the cheesecake. 15. Layer the next row of strawberries by gently overlapping them and cover the whole of the cheesecake in this fashion. 16. Pour the jelly over the strawberries once it is starting to set and refrigerate until completely set. Run a thin knife around the edge to remove the pan and serve.
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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Nature Notes Written by Neil Sumner
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Neilsumner123@aol.com twitter.com/neilsumner123 It was a coiled spring, held down by the beast from the east until warm air from the south arrived and set it free. Nature responded with the buds opening rapidly on every tree, blooms of ivory white Blackthorn filling the hedgerows, small parties of Swallows appearing around the farms and reservoirs and Long-tailed Tits collecting lichen for their domed nests. Squirrels and a woodpecker, only recently clearly visible as they moved around the trunks and branches of a horse chestnut tree, became shadows under the fresh lime-green leaves.
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This fast-track spring urged me one day to forsake local patches and go north to EWT Fingringhoe Wick on the River Colne. There was a chilly breeze and bright sun, not ideal conditions for finding wildlife. But Nightingales and Blackcaps sang as I watched the tide run furiously out of the lagoons through the gap in the sea wall. Breaches in the wall are now a common practise in our river estuaries, creating new wetlands which absorb tidal surges rather than funnelling the water upriver and causing floods. A party of grey plover sat on the exposed mud, their black bellies and patterned faces resplendent in the sunshine. There are few places where you can watch waders with a background of nightingale song; this is special. I just caught sight of a beautiful male adder stretched on grass by the roadside before it felt my presence and glided under the gorse. It was getting warmer, white and grey clouds gathered and filtered the sunlight which caught perfectly on the Whitethroat as it danced in song flight above the hawthorn. It is back from Africa, and the hawthorn will soon blossom, making our May all the merrier.
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By Matt EvErard It is hard to believe that BARK only started in January. We have already achieved so much and we are still gaining more members on a daily basis. It is true that the appeal of random kindness bridges every age group. Our youngest supporter Charlotte Pond (aged 16 months) is shown here enjoying the last edition of the Around Town magazine. She hasn’t had the easiest start in life and believe it or not, this photo was taken only ten hours after surgery. I think that you’ll agree she is super cute!
This month, BARK has organised not one, but two events for senior citizens. The first, called “The Afternoon Tea for Free” was organised by Abby Knight and Bizzy Saunders and a team of helpers and was held at the Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall on Saturday 14th April. It was a lovely sunny day and the hall was packed with guests and helpers. The entertainment was provided by two young local guys. The guests enjoyed Adam Holdsworth providing the music and Alfie Hawes doing some great magic. There was also a quiz from the question master and quiz aficionado at The Railway, Sarah Rodriguez. Helpers of all ages and made for a very sociable fun afternoon. There were loads of sandwiches and cakes and many guests took some home too!
The second tea event was on Sunday 29th April and was organised by Sharon Jordan Roberts, Joanne Read and another band of helpers. This was held at the Methodist Church in Western Road and was called “The Western Road Tea Dance”. Again, the cake bakers of Billericay did us
proud providing every kind of cake that you could imagine. Not only were guests graced with live music from The Ladybirds, but 91 year old D.J. Dennis Hart was also spinning some tunes and got everyone up dancing a lot of different dance disciplines. It was fantastic to see the enjoyment that the dancers got from it. Special thanks go to Laura and Stuart Armstrong of Armstrong Cars and Mark Waller from Advanced Taxicall who collected guests and dropped them home free of charge.
GARDEN PARTY FOR NOAH’S ARK BARK are supporting Noah’s Ark Pre-school in Billericay to give their garden a make-over. The next Noah’s B.A.R.K work party is Saturday 12th May and it’s fence painting and some digging / barrowing. Please get involved if you can. It’s a 9am start and depending on numbers it could just be a few hours. Please folow the link below if you can make it.
Both of these events were equally brilliant in their own ways and they both really delivered on the ethos of BARK – Kindness, Happiness, Friendship and Community. Really well done to all involved. The observant ones amongst you will have noticed from the photos that one young helper was at both events. Ten year old Billericay lad and BTFC superfan Stanley Crowe attended both events with his Mum Suzy and he had a wonderful time. At the tea afternoon he was mesmerised by Alfie Hawes’s magic skills and at the Tea Dance he became D.J. Dennis’s assistant changing the C.D.s. It was truly heart-warming to see a 91 year old and a 10 year old working as a team and having such fun together. Thanks for all your help Stanley, you are a true “BARKer!”
The pre-school is a charity, they support local families by providing a breakfast club and a lunch club so that parents can leave their children in a safe place 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. The cost to the parents at the pre-school is cheaper than normal child care, so it makes going to work a viable proposition for many families that would not be able to otherwise. 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 - www.barkbillericay.co.uk/want-to-help.html
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
CONTINUED...
www.barkbillericay.co.uk
D.J. Dennis Hart and his wife Thora are very experienced in dances as they too have been spreading some kindness in Billericay by running the The Billericay Dancing club since 1972. In its heyday, the Dance club had 80 members, but it has now dwindled to eight. Dennis has recently been on the radio and in the local papers in a bid to find new members so the club can “Keep on dancing”. If you would like more information about Dennis’s dance club please contact him. Please tell friends and family and let’s keep Dennis spinning the discs!
Before I sign off for another month, BARK are grateful to James Blower, THE SAVINGS GURU, who also writes in this magazine. James is a great chap and he has agreed to get involved in the financial side of BARK and will be assisting us with opening a bank account for donations. Finally, I hope that the weather is good for the Billericay Soap Box Derby and that everyone gets behind what is my favourite day in Billericay’s yearly calendar. Here I am at last year’s event.
Lastly for this month, BARK has started a new initiative to grant some ‘wishes’ to some of Billericay’s senior citizens. A group of BARK ‘Wish Makers’ has been formed and (within reason) they are going to liaise with carers, family and homes to make some of the older residents’ wishes come true. If you or family members would like to write to us with a wish, they can be posted to Black Square Litho in Radford Way or emailed to info@barkbillericay.co.uk. Whilst I don’t qualify, I did complete a wish form of my own, just to see what happens!
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
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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
Mindfulness And ricay & Little Burstead Team Ministry) The Christian
rr
of the local Church Services over the Christmas period. The practise of mindfulness is very much on the increase - especially amongst those living busy and stressful lives. I’m guessing that’s why I received so much reaction to my February article 2nd December - ‘Annual Toy Service’ at 10.30am on ‘Compassionate Mindfulness.’ Many of you have- ‘Carol been Service asking by about ‘Christian Mindfulness’ December Candlelight’ at 7.00pm and wondering if ‘mindfulness’ is something 19th December - ‘Lunchtime Service’ at 12.30pm Christians should be Carol engaging with. My answer is ataSaint Mary Magdalen Church resounding yes!
Emmanuel Church
ay 23rd December - ‘Family Nativity’ at 10.30am Some people argue that Christian’s should avoid ristmaspractising Eve - ‘Christingle Service’ at 4.00pm mindfulness because it is based on Eastern Mysticism. That’s simply not the case. ‘Communion by Candlelight’ at 11.15pm Mindfulness is deeply grounded in the TheChristian first Communion of Christmas. contemplative Christian tradition. Jesus engaged stmas in Dayregular - ‘Family Communion’ at 10.00am times of solitary reflection during his ministry and similar contemplative practices flourished among the early Christian Church and Christian monks (often referred to as ‘The Desert Fathers’) and continued to thrive within several Christian traditions down the centuries, including the Benedictines and Carmelites as well as through the teachings of Christian mystics such as Saint Teresa of Avila, Brother Lawrence and Saint John of the Cross. The practise of Christian Mindfulness saw a revival in the 20th century through the likes of Anthony De Mello, Henri Nouwen and Thomas Merton, alongside the increasing popularity of Taizé, Lectio Divina and ‘New Monasticism.’ We all know wandering minds can miss a great deal, such as the richness of life’s experiences; the beauty of creation; the cry of someone in pain. Even the voice of God can get lost in the noise of our unfocused thoughts. We need the right circumstances and conditions to reflect and think clearly. Mindfulness helps us to find that place. Anthony de Mello in his book ‘Walking on Water’ suggests that all communication with God begins with silence - not an easy thing for many of us to find or to enjoy. Silence is crucial in any relationship as it enables us to hear what the other person is saying. In the same way, silence with God is crucial to our relationship with him. We can easily ‘drown’ God out by the ritual busyness of life and miss out on life ‘in all its fullness’ (John 10:10). But when we
www.billericaychurches.org
give God space and time and welcome Him into our lives He heals our soul with His presence and allows us to flourish and grow in faith. Jesus was both the most mindful, and the most single-minded person. He was completely aware of the flow of life in his own body: noticing it go out to the woman in the crowd who touched his cloak to be healed. He recognized the hunger and aimlessness of the crowds. He appreciated the gratitude of the woman who anointed him with perfume. He knew the voice of his Father so intimately they were one in spirit, thought, desire and action. If Jesus were, as he is sometimes portrayed, some kind of otherwordly guru, he wouldn’t have been able to respond to his disciples, his community, or His Father. Jesus was focused on one thing: the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). That focus shut out petty distractions and worries and opened him to everything that was happening around him at that moment. Frederick Beuchner writes: “Morning, afternoon, evening – the hours of the day, of any day, of your day and my day. If there is a God who speaks anywhere, surely he speaks: through waking up and working, through going away and coming back again, through people you meet and books you read, through falling asleep in the dark.” Mindfulness is noticing what you are doing, feeling and thinking at the time you are actually doing, feeling and thinking it! The writer Jean Pierre de Caussade suggests that each moment of our lives can be a vehicle for God’s presence: “The present moment holds infinite riches beyond your wildest dreams, but you will only enjoy them to the extent of your faith and love … to discover God in the smallest and most ordinary things, as well as in the greatest, is to possess a rare and sublime faith.” So … why not take time to find a quite place away from all distractions and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Appreciate your surroundings and enjoy the peace and quietness around you. Take a Bible with you and read Psalm 23; Matthew 6:24-27 or Philippians 4:67. Offer prayers of thankfulness and ask Jesus to make himself known to you through the busyness of life.
revpacman.wordpress.com paul@billericaychurches.org @revPACman
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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.
Church. High Street. a talk “ 50 Essential Perennials every Garden should Have” by Paul Harrison Visitors always welcome Refreshments available Billericay Jujitsu Club
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
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
Belvedere Jazz & Music Club
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.
9th May Gunther Kurmayr & Vasilis Xenopoulos Quartet 8pm -10:30pm. 16th May Gordon Campbell’s All Star Octet 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 Billericay Dancing Club COME DANCING £5.00 Including refreshments Membership fee - £1.00 per annum, no tuition - parter required, strict tempo dancing for all. BALLROOM AND LATIN DANCING Every Wednesday evening 8pm10pm at Buttsbury Infants School, Perry Street, Billericay. Billericay Horticultural Society On Monday at 8 p.m. on the 21st May 2018 at Mary Magdalan
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Billericay United Reformed Church Cafe-style church on the 2nd Sunday of every month @ 11am in the Mayflower Hall, Chapel Street, followed by a 2 course Jacket Potato lunch. a small donation towards the cost of lunch would be appreciated. All ages welcome. No need to book. margaretsmith200@gmail. com 07880791464 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. Come and join the Chelmsford Welsh Society and enjoy meeting new Welsh folk at various events around Chelmsford. All new members are welcome.
If you would like any further information please contact. Jenny: 01277 633115
For more details please contact Gwenno on 07724144432 www.chelmsfordwelsh.org.uk/ home www.facebook.com/ chelmsfordwelsh
Billericay Men’s Probus Club
Chelmsford Jazz 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.
Sunday 13th May Clark Tracey Quintet: Clark Tracey (drums), Alexandra Ridout (trumpet), Sean Payne (alto), Elliott Sansom (piano) James Owston (bass)
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
Cramphorn Theatre Chelmsford Doors open: 11.45am Gig starts: 12.15pm Advance booking: 01245 606505 £12 / £16 FREE Football for 4 to 6 year olds Do you know a child who loves football? Would you like them to
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play in a safe, fun environment organised by FA licensed coaches? FC Redwing’s academy has spaces available for children in school years Reception/Year One. Training every Saturday over at Barleylands, the emphasis is on the kids having fun. For more information on how to claim a free place in this academy please email Head of Academy Clive Ashdown at clive@cwgrain.com. 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
through play, some free places available. Visit our website grenfellprescholl.ik.org History In Art 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! Friday afternoons 2.00 – 4.00 Summer Term only 10 weeks: 27 April – 6 July 2018 Fees £40.00 members £64.00 non-members
and Morris Dancing. For a full list of the craft demonstrations and wildlife organisation stalls visit norseywoodsociety.uk. Hot drinks and snacks from local Scouts. Questions - call the Ranger, Chris, on 01277-624553. Plant Sale On Saturday 12th May 2018 The Reading Rooms High Street Billericay 8.30 -- 12 Noon Free entry Refreshments available
Mayflower Wine (& social) Club
Self Defence
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.
If you are interested in learning traditional and effective self defence techniques in a safe and non competitive environment then please come along and enjoy a free starter lesson.
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 Norsey Wood Open Day This year’s Open Day is Sunday 13 May from 11.00 to 4.00pm entrance free.
Grenfell Preschool Open Day
Limited parking, please park and walk via Lilford Road entrance or cycle, if possible.
Sunday 20th May 10.00 a.m.12.00 noon Grenfell Preschool Open Day. Admission free. Come and find out about learning
Activities include a static bird of prey display, meet a heavy horse, pond dipping, making bat boxes
The current adult class ages range from 22 years old to 60 years old so it really is for everyone. Qualified instructors help students work to the best of their ability and the emphasis is on getting fitter and more supple whilst learning something useful South Green Memorial Hall Management Committee A.G.M South Green Memorial Hall Management Committee A.G.M. 8.00 p.m. in Southend Rd. Billericay. Come and support the hard working group of volunteers who help keep this vital community resource running.
If you would like to promote your club or event for May/June then please email a maximum of 70 words to:
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An independent day school for girls and boys age 2 - 16 years
NOW ENROLLING FROM 2 YEARS OLD
Open Morning Tuesday 8th May 2018 St. John’s School has a unique magical atmosphere where learning, creativity and success is enjoyed by everyone. Celebrating our 90th anniversary, St. John’s continues to educate children in small class sizes that allow children to thrive and encourages them to exceed their potential and to become successful, confident individuals. Open morning tours at 9.30am and 10.30am or contact our Registrar to book a personal tour Telephone - 01277 623070 E-mail - registrar@stjohnsschool.net www.stjohnsschool.net
Is Peer to Peer lending an alternative
to a cash ISA? Are interest rates on savings really on the rise? There’s been lots of media commentary this month about savings rates being at the highest level since 2015 and suggestions that this will continue through the year. We had a look back through the best buy tables to see if this is the case – and here are the results:
Product
January May 2018 2018 Change best buy best buy
Instant savings
1.30%
1.30%
0%
1 Year Fixed
1.86%
1.95%
0.09%
2 Year Fixed
2.10%
2.16%
0.06%
3 Year Fixed
2.20%
2.31%
0.11%
5 Year Fixed
2.50%
2.70%
0.20%
As you can see, there’s been limited movement in savings rates with only 5 Year Fixed rates seeing a significant change since the turn of the year. We think this is caused purely by competition in the 5 Year market as we have seen Bank of London & Middle East (BLME), Close Brothers, PCF Bank, Secure Trust and Vanquis vie for position with a number of rate changes coming from this group. This competition has helped drive pricing up.
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There’s been much speculation from commentators in the market that pricing will increase this year because of the end of the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) and Term Funding Scheme. These Schemes allowed banks to borrow money more cheaply than attracting it from savers, reducing their demand for savings and therefore the interest rates they were offering. While we agree the ending of these Schemes will help improve interest rates for savers, we don’t believe savers will see the benefit of this in 2018. We expect that many of the banks using these Schemes have enough money for their 2018 lending plans and will therefore not need to fight for savers money. While we expect to see a continued gradual increase in interest rates, we don’t expect to see dramatic changes in pricing this year. TSB – Truly Shambolic Bank? At the time of writing, many TSB customers had endured 10 days of being unable to access their accounts, after the Bank’s migration to a new IT system. TSB was revived in 2013 after European regulators required this in return for the government bailing out the Lloyds banking group. Despite it being almost
five years since the split from Lloyds, TSB had continued to use Lloyds IT systems until the move on the weekend of 21st and 22nd April to migrate to a new system. Two things have particularly upset customers. Firstly, the length of the outage and secondly the poor response from its chief executive, Paul Pester. UK banking customers are used to outages and system downtime but to be unable to access accounts for 10 days, with no sign of an end to the issues, is beyond the pale for many. The lack of response from the Bank’s CEO irritated further already irate customers struggling to get help in branches, on the telephone or via social media. TSB has been one of the major winners under the current account switching service, which guarantees to move your account in seven working days with all payments, direct debits and standing orders transferred automatically for you. It will be interesting to see if that trend reverses in light of the problems. Customers who want to look at new banks without legacy IT issues may well want to consider switching to newcomers Starling or Monzo, which are built on the latest technology.
Starling offers 0.50% interest on balances up to £2,000 and 0.25% above this, up to £85,000, as well as a contactless Mastercard, real time updates and money management tools to show where you’ve spent your money. It was voted Best Current Account Provider and Best British Bank at the British Bank Awards for 2018. Monzo was set up originally as a prepaid card but now has over 500,000 current account customers who love its built in budgeting, money management tools, no fees to use the card abroad and excellent foreign exchange rates. Monzo has a cult like following from its customers and is regularly praised on social media for its high service levels and communication. Switchers interested in moving to a household name may be attracted by the new switching perks from First Direct, who are offering £150 Expedia voucher, Bose headphones, Fitbits and online courses as incentives to move. This is on top of a £250 interest free overdraft and 5% regular saving account. Castle Trust set to become a bank
James Blower
Investment, mortgage and development finance provider, Castle Trust announced that it is the latest firm seeking authorisation from the Prudential Regulation Authority to become a bank.
Savings Guru Ltd
The firm announced its founder, Sean Oldfield, was stepping down as CEO with the appointment of Martin Bischoff, Santander’s Managing Director of Retail Distribution, as his replacement.
www.thesavings.guru
Castle Trust has come under fire from the Telegraph for marketing its investments as fixed rate bonds, when they are subject to FSCS protection for investments, which protects up to £50,000, rather than as savings, which confers protection up to £85,000. Despite this, the company has attracted over £650m of investments.
Founder
hello@thesavings.guru @SavingsGuruUK
If Castle Trust is successful with its application, it will be interesting to see whether the firm offers both savings accounts and investment bonds, or whether the investment side will be closed off. Savers will be hoping that the interest rates offered on its investment bonds are matched on its savings accounts but we think that is unlikely! As always, we will publish this article on our website, with links to all the providers listed here, to make it easier to find more information. Have a fantastic May everyone.
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MAYFLOWER ROTARY CLUB Destination Sun Corner, Billericay on July 8 as up to a hundred classic cars, teams of performers, a wide range of stallholders and the owl from Harry Potter converge on the town’s big SummerFest. The annual event attracting thousands is organised by Billericay Mayflower Rotarians, the club behind the town’s Christmas Market, aiming to boost still further an impressive total of funds for good causes both at home and overseas. A new circus style circular arena will be host to a five hour series of attractions dovetailing with talented performances on a nearby stage. The exciting gymnastic group Kinetix will top the arena bill with their impressive leaping, running and tumbling style of parkour. A whole range of sideshow attractions include Owls Are Us, a group of impressive birds and among them the one that fascinated viewers in Harry Potter films. The aim is a midsummer fun day out with something for all ages.
Want to know about Billericay Mayflower or its new successful satellite club sharing enjoyable leisure hours and playing a major role in the Billericay community? Contact www.mayflowerrotary.org or secretary@mayflowerrotary.org.
BILLERICAY LIONS CLUB
In March this year the Lions Clubs in East Anglia District chose a Billericay Lion, Derek Prior, for the honour of becoming District Governor for the year from 1st July. He will be responsible not just for the 1200 Lions and 60 clubs in East Anglia but will also be a part of the Council of 12 Governors from all over The British Isles who are in charge of all of England Scotland and Wales, with over 800 clubs and 12,500 members. Congratulations to Derek – we wish you a very successful year. Tickets are now on sale for our fundraising concert on Saturday evening 10th June to be performed by the Harmonie Concert Band. Entitled ‘Out Of This World’, it will feature themes from favourite scifi productions, big band, pop and classical music. The venue is the Mayflower school hall in Stock Road Billericay and tickets cost £12.
Preparations continue apace for our annual beer festival at the Billericay Football Club, to be held on the weekend of 23rd/25th June. Make a note in your diary not to miss this popular local event. Sponsorship is available for individual barrels of beer at £50 per barrel, with the sponsor’s name featuring on the barrel, in the leaflets and on our website. If you’d like to sponsor a barrel please see the contact details on our website.
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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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
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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
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ROAD & TRAVEL UPDATES Essex Travel www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/essex
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