H L E I G R AY 0 1 6 1 0 . 2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY
ZAK!
ent! Free Assessm Southend West 333 London Road SS7 2BT 01702 557177
Essex's Leading Blind, Awning & Interior Shutter Specialists for over 100 Years
01277 809047
• Factory Showroom with Free Parking • Large Luxaflex Inspiration Display • Weinor Patio Awning Showroom • Made-to-Measure Curtains & Accessories
• All types of Interior Window Blinds • Custom-Made Window Shutters • Conservatory Blinds • Home & Commercial
As a local company we offer a wide choice of Blinds, Shutters, Curtains & Patio Awnings, with competitive prices all year, plus FREE no obligation quotations.
www.worthblinds.com
sales@worthblinds.com
Unit 13 Parkside Centre, Potters Way, Temple Farm Industrial Est, Southend SS2 5SJ
CONTENTS 11
08 Mark Francois Political Update
10 Recipe
Chicken Pie
15 Nature Notes
EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner
16 Martin Lewis
Money Saving Expert
19
23
21 A View from the Church Rev. Mike Lodge
22 Rotary Club / Lions Club Organisations Around Town
24 Around Town Sports
Focuses on Women’s Sports Week
27
What’s On
When and Where...
27 Useful Numbers Around Town Magazines Graphic House, Radford Way, Billericay CM12 0DX
Edition 35 To advertise contact our Sales Team today, details below. Booking deadline for our November edition is: Friday 14th October Copyright 2016. Around Town Rayleigh 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.
01277 658444 www.aroundtownmagazines.co.uk sales@aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
COLE & SON
CASAMANCE
DE SI
GN
CO
NS UL TA TI
FR EE
O
N
JANE CHURCHILL
DESIGN, STYLE & CRAFTSMANSHIP Visit our extensive showroom and workshop in Thorpe Bay. We offer a complete interior design service. A fantastic choice of styles, finishes, fabrics, leathers, accessories, BESPOKE UPHOLSTERY, CURTAINS, BLINDS AND SHUTTERS – a talented and dedicated team of interior designers, furniture craftsmen and curtain makers to create your specific requirements – let us transform your home. We also provide a full RE-UPHOLSTERY and RE-MODELLING service and have a huge selection of FABRICS, WALLPAPERS and CARPETS. Interior design by MICHELLE ELLIOTT-BRITTO. MORRIS
INTERIORS
C2C RAIL
STATION ROAD
THORPE HALL
THE BROADWAY
ACACIA DRIVE
MAPLIN WAY
AVENUE
THORPE BAY STATION
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA
SEA
THORPE ESPLANADE SEA
SANDERSON
6
SHOEBURYNESS
23-25 Station Road, Thorpe Bay, Essex SS1 3JY Tel. 01702 586800 Fax. 01702 586054 www.morrisinteriors.ltd.uk Opening hours: 9am–5pm Monday–Friday 9am–4pm Saturday
ROMO
ZINC
COLEFAX AND FOWLER
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
time to do it again. I started the Friday afternoon with a meeting with local police commanders at Rayleigh Police Station, where we discussed a number of issues, including numbers of officers on patrol,use of police powers and dealing with antisocial behaviour. I then went out on a late afternoon patrol with a sergeant from the Rochford policing division, which took me right round the District and over to Canvey Island.
mark francois conservative Parliamentary mP for rayleigh & Wickford
A few weeks ago I went out on patrol with the local police. I have done this a number of times down the years, but given the pressures which our police are currently facing I thought it was
In the evening I was handed over to an experienced constable from the Basildon division, where we patrolled around Basildon and Pitsea before being called to attend an incident in Billericay, where I witnessed an arrest of a suspect accused of domestic assault against his partner. Both officers seemed dedicated to their task and we had a candid conversation about some of the day-
to-day challenges they face in doing their jobs. What did I learn from all this? That our police generally do a very difficult job very well and that they are now genuinely under pressure in terms of deployable officers. Historically, Essex Police have levied one of the lowest policing precepts on the Council Tax in the country and this is now affecting them quite hard. I now intend to raise these points at a forthcoming meeting about funding with the Policing Minister, Brandon Lewis MP. In summary, my big brother, Brian Francois, was for many years a detective in the Met and so I have had some family knowledge of the pressures which officers face. My time out with Essex Police reassured me that they are working as hard as ever, although they may now need some more support.
ELECTRICIAN With 34 years experience, we can help with any electrical issues! » » » » » »
Fault Finding Extra Sockets Lighting Showers Fuse Boxes Garden Lighting
we uplift your old flooring and dispose we uplift old flooring and dispose move andyour replace you furniture including kitchen appliances
CALL FOR
FREE ESTIMATES
EMERGENCY CALL OUTS NO JOB TOO SMALL OR TOO BIG
move andinstalled replace you furniture including kitchen appliances all newly areas left clean and vacuumed all installed areas clean and vacuumed we newly guarantee to beat anyleft genuine written quote we guarantee to beat any genuine written quote
products products
all commercial flooring supplied and installed all commercial flooring supplied and installed
all major brands of carpets all major brands of carpets
karndean flooring
amtico flooring
karndean flooring
amtico flooring
solid woods and pre-engineers woods solid woods and pre-engineers woods
laminated flooring
cushion flooring
WE DONT CHARGE THE EARTH
Call Dave on
07885750744 or 07874225752 deb1956@hotmail.co.uk
01702 200232 e. sales@hockleyflooring.co.uk 01702 200232 w. www.hockleyflooring.co.uk
e. sales@hockleyflooring.co.uk 9 main road, hockley, essex ss4 4qy w. www.hockleyflooring.co.uk 9 main road, hockley, essex ss4 4qy hockley_flooring_a5_flyer.indd 1
8
laminated flooring
cushion flooring
12% OFF ALL FLOORING IN free JANUARY estimate and
measuring services free estimate and all our fitting works measuring services guaranteed all our fitting works guaranteed
hockley_flooring_a5_flyer.indd 1
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
02/03/2015 12:11 02/03/2015 12:11
advertorial
Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service. Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company
policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Rayleigh & Eastwood areas and
manager Chris Miller agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Chris a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
9
RECIPE
Chicken Pie (4 Servings) Ingredients: 4 tbsp. butter 1 tbsp. flour 200ml chicken stock 3 tbsp. double cream Sprig of tarragon Squeeze of lemon juice 1 handful button mushrooms (cut into quarters) 1 medium green pepper (sliced) 400g cooked chicken (shredded) 225g ready-made puff pastry 1 medium free-range egg (beaten)
Equipment: Saucepan (2) Large oven proof dish
Method: Gas Mark 6, 200C
mix together.
Melt half the butter in a saucepan before adding the flour. Cook on a low heat for 3 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock and turn up the heat and stir continuously until it is simmering. Then add in the cream and gently simmer until thickened.
Using the dish, pour in the chicken mixture. Then roll out the pastry onto a floured surface. Make sure it is flattened out until 1cm thick. Place the flattened pastry over the dish and cut off the excess around the sides.
Next add the lemon juice and tarragon and switch off the heat. In a separate pan, fry the chicken with mushrooms and peppers with the rest of the butter. Once this is cooked add the sauce and
Cut a few holes into the top with a knife and brush the pastry with the beaten eggs. Bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes until the filling is hot and the top of browned. Serve and enjoy!
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
PRINTING Small and start-up business, print and marketing specialists.
GIVE US A CALL!
Pleas
e me
01277 658444 Bereavement Stationery Birthday Banners Brochures Business Cards Business Printing
Colour Copying Door Drops Invitations Invoice Pads Leaflets Marketing Campaigns
ntion
Aroun
when
d Tow
n
orderi ng to to cla im
20% O
Newsletters Order of Service Posters Stationery and much more...
your fi rs
FF
t orde
r*
01277 658444
www.blacksquarelitho.co.uk | sales@blacksquarelitho.co.uk Graphic House, Radford Way, Billericay, Essex CM12 0DX
*T&Cs Apply
E R TH CA NE! W ZI NE GA A M
Check us out on
Search TORQUE MAGAZINE www.torquemagazine.co.uk /TorqueMagazine
torquemagazine_
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
11
REPAIR SPECIALIST
Glass & Glazing Services Single & Double Glazing Repair Specialist
Like us on Facebook LKE Glass & Glazing Services
Nokes & Co, Squire House, 81-87 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9AS 01277 633971
12
07949 266321
mark@nokesandco.co.uk
www.nokesandco.co.uk
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
DO YOU NEED A NEW BOILER? A-rated boilers installed Low cost finance available Low apr of 9.9% with ÂŁ0 deposit available 10 year manufacturer warranties on selected boilers Complete piece of mind once installed Save up to ÂŁ350 a year on gas bills Smartphone enabled thermostats Powerflushing & servicing CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE
01268 425 144 07903 232 142 info@1stboilers.co.uk | www.1stboilers.co.uk
Protect Your World With HomeCover ails! Call Or Visit Our Website For Det • • • • •
Payments Start From Only £5.95 per month Full System Health Check & Boiler Service Included Various Plans To Meet Your Needs Parts & Labour Included (Silver, Gold & Landlord Plan) Giving You Overall Peace Of Mind!
email: accounts@essex-maintenance.co.uk
www.essex-maintenance.co.uk Telephone: 01702 716354
Project2_Layout 1 01/12/2015 12:14 Page 1
24 HR EMERGENCY
Nature Notes
SERVICE
Written by Neil Sumner
• Tree Pruning • Shaping • Precision Felling • Thinning • Stump Grinding • Ground Maintenance • Dead Wooding
Neilsumner123@aol.com twitter.com/neilsumner123 A new State of Nature report has been published. This is the collaborative work of 50 non-government organisations including the Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, National Trust and the Marine Conservation Society. Using thousands of surveys records, the report concludes that the UK is now one of the “most nature-depleted countries in the world”. More than one in seven of our wildlife species face extinction and more than half are in decline. It blames modern agriculture as the main contributor to this decline. Guy Smith, the NFU’s vice-president and an Essex farmer who actively and successfully encourages wildlife on his farm, feels aggrieved. He points out that many farmers in recent years have done much for the environment, such as re-planting hedgerows, leaving field margins for wildlife and sowing wildflowers and that they are using fewer pesticides than ever before. He states that climate change, urbanisation and increased predation are bigger factors that should be considered. Many conservationists agree with Guy that there are other factors, although most would probably replace ‘predation’ with ‘pollution’. But the decline of our wildlife here in the South is written on our car windscreen. The summertime litter of splattered insects is gone, which is why we often drive under skies devoid of insect-eating birds. Also missing from the food chain are the fields of stubble for seed-eating birds, lost with the switch to autumn sowing of crops. Unintended consequences of intensive agriculture. Most farmers I have met want to do their best for wildlife. But food prices are pushed low and demand is high so farms have to be very productive to be viable. Many use the subsidies from agri-environmental schemes to create a wildlife-friendly and profitable farm. From my experience in conducting bird surveys, these schemes do help farmland wildlife but not always consistently. The State of Nature report is not all bad news; there are many stories of where struggling species have been brought back and there are upward trends in others. In the foreword Sir David Attenborough states that “The natural world is in serious trouble and it needs our help” but then goes on to talk about the progress and the need to build on it. The Wildlife Trusts advocate that “we, as people, organisations and governments, can work together to stop the loss and bring nature back from the brink”.
. Qualified . Licensed . Insured . Based in Rayleigh Discounts Available for OAP & Disable in the local area
LOGS FOR SALE Call us now:
01268 857550
07719 837777
www.tree-king.co.uk
DOWN HALL G A R D E N S E RV I C E S
For all local garden maintenance - friendly & professional.
Tim Poulter
01268 785101 07761 958072
poplarvista@btinternet.com
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
15
OVERDRAFTS Debit cards can be debt cards too. The competition watchdog’s set out plans to cap fees for busting your overdraft limit. This should help, but don’t wait. Overdrafts are a debt like any other, and the key is to cut the rate, repay faster and avoid any penalties. Most people’s overdrafts aren’t huge. My snap Twitter poll found 46% are under £250. Yet even then fees can be horrid. With some accounts, a constant £200 overdraft would cost you £365/yr. So even if you only dip in, you need to sort them. Here are my top ten things you need to know. 1. Get PAID £100 to get a 0% overdraft. Best for overdrafts under c. £500 www.Firstdirect.com has won every customer service poll I’ve ever done, and 89% of its overdrawn customers rate it ‘great’. It offers accepted new switchers £100 (paid within around 28 days) – that’ll clear some of your overdraft to start with. Then for the remainder it gives a standard £250 interest-free overdraft (above £250, but within your limit, it’s 15.9% EAR, still relatively cheap). It’s a clear winner for those with overdrafts that never go over £350, and still likely best even if you owe a little more but intend to clear it. Do you qualify? You need to pay in at least £1,000/ mth (equivalent to £13,100 salary) to get the bonus and ensure there’s no fee. Like all banks, First Direct does a credit check when you apply. 2. Free £150 bank switch bonus. Best for those who justdip into their overdraft If at the end of the month you occasionally slip into overdraft,www.co-operativebank.co.uk (70% rate it ‘great’) is a decent alternative. It currently gives an £150 switching bonus. If that’s enough to clear your overdraft so you needn’t touch it again, it’s an easy win especially as you can also get up to £5.50/mth on its Everyday Rewards scheme (you need to fulfil some criteria). If not, its authorised overdraft is 18.9% EAR, not bad for small amounts, but the bigger it gets, the costlier. Do you qualify? You’ll need to pay in at least £800/ mth (equivalent to £9,850 salary) and switch at least four direct debits to get the £150 bonus. 3. Switch to 12 month 0% bank. Good for those
with Bigger overdrafts. New customers withwww.nationwide.co.uk’s FlexDirect (77% rate it ‘great’) get a year’s feefree overdraft. There’s no set limit – it depends on credit score – but anecdotally its limits are decent (if you pass the credit score), as mattboliver tweeted me: “@martinslewis Matched my old one - £1,200. Implied I could have asked for more, but the point was I wanted to pay off.” After a year, it’s 50p/day, less than other accounts charging daily fees, but even so, use that time to budget to clear the overdraft debt. Nationwide doesn’t require a min pay-in for its 0% overdraft, but you need pay in £1,000/mth if you want its 5% in-credit interest (equivalent to £13,100 salary). 4. You can SHIFT overdrafts to special 32mth 0% credit cards too A few specialist money-transfer cards let you pay cash into your bank to pay off your overdraft, then you owe them instead. This is useful for big overdrafts. My top pick iswww.virginmoney.com, which gives accepted customers 32mths 0% for a one-off 1.69% fee (min £3) of the amount shifted. Need longer?www.tescobank.comis 40mths 0%, but with a higher 3.94% fee.
“I’LL GET 6 YRS OF CHARGES BACK AND A GOODWILL £70” Always follow the Money Transfer Golden Rules: a) These are special cards. Most don’t allow this, so be careful. There’s step-by-step help in my full money transfers guide atwww.moneysavingexpert. com /moneytransfers. b) Always repay the monthly minimum or you’ll lose the 0% deal. c) Plan to clear by the end of the 0% period or they jump to the full rate, 20.9% and 20.6% rep APR. 5. Bank-charge reclaiming isn’t dead - ‘I got £865 in unfair bank charges back’ Overdraft charges for busting your credit limit are the only thing that give payday loans competition for
cost. With fees of up to £6/day or £15/transaction, they can mount up to £100s or £1,000s a year.
debt is cleared, you’re ready to tackle the next, and so on.
Reports of the death of bank-charge reclaiming have been exaggerated. It can still be done, though now you need to be in financial hardship to claim. Full step-by-step help and template letters atwww. moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim
9. Savings usually pay you less than an overdraft costs.
Claire emailed: “I’ll get 6 years of charges back and a goodwill £70 on top... total £865. Thanks Martin.” 6. Shift your direct debits to minimise fees.
A £1,000 overdraft costing £20/mth equals £240/yr, but the same in easy-access savings earns a paltry £15 at best. So repay debt with savings and you’re £225 per £1,000 up each year. You may think: “But I’ll have no savings if the boiler packs up or the roof falls in.” True, but if an emergency strikes, you can go back into overdraft and you’ll be no worse off.
Ask companies you pay to shift your direct debits to just before you’re paid. So if you’re paid on the 25th, aim for the 20th. This artificially boosts your balance, so you’re in the red for less time, meaning fewer charges – but budget carefully and don’t forget those bills are coming.
10. Struggle to control spending? Shift to a nooverdraft account.
7. Manage your way back into credit.
They used to charge fees if you spent more than you had, eg, for unpaid direct debits, but since January those have stopped. If you spend when you’ve not got money, it’ll still be rejected, but now there’s no charge.
Do a money makeover, checking everything you spend money on to see if you’re overspending such as energy, insurance, phone, broadband and more. Many can save £1,000s. Then do a detailed budget and stick to it. Full help to do this atwww. moneysavingexpert.com/moneymakeover 8. Compare overdraft debt rate to the other debt, repay highest interest first. If you’ve multiple debts, write a list of what you owe, then see which costs most, adding up interest and fees for true costs. If your overdraft’s the most expensive, make minimum payments on all other debts, and focus on using incoming cash to clear that. If it’s not the costliest, stay in your overdraft (but never bust your limit) and use spare cash to pay as much off the costliest as you can. Once the most expensive
martin L E W IS Money Saving Expert
Basic bank accounts provide a no-frills, nooverdraft current account service. So clear your current overdraft and you could move to one.
Options includewww.barclays.co.uk Cash Card andwww.co-opbank.co.uk Cashminder account. Martin Lewis is the Founder of Money Saving Expert. To join the 11.5 million people who read his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www. moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip
Composite Doors
from just £699 Selected range price includes . Choice of Blue, Red, Black or White . Chrome Effect Handle and Yale Magnum Lock with 3 Keys . Letterbox optional extra Fully
All of our doors are backed up with a 10 year guarantee
Installe d Inc. VA T
‘the 2016 contemporary range’
or r do You way! ur
yo
. Choice of styles from modern to traditional . Different glazing options . Choice of chrome, graphite, black and gold door furniture
Design your door online @ www.doors-4-you.co.uk
Any size 2-Part uPVC Patio Doors
. Any size, up to 2.4m,
Only £999
. Offers high security and large
2 panel opening.
. High quality stainless steel tracks give maximum possible service life.
Fully Installe d Inc. VA T
units are easily achieved.
. Striking design with low sight line gaskets.
Call our friendly team today
01277 800074 Lines open 9am-9pm 7 days
Keep me, you never know when you might need me?
CLEANING & SEALING OF DOMESTIC DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS
Matt Finish
After
Before
“Avoid Cowboy Trades & Services”
Always
Simply Business Public Liability: £1,000,000 View our policy details
Before you use them
WWW.SEALINGTECHNIQUE.COM for only £9 per sq metre Call Lionel or Luke
01268 449771 / 07834 897654 / 07817 726966 19 St. Davids Way, Wickford, Essex SS11 8EX
79359 doc.indd 1
10% OFF with this leaflet/advert
GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced andrepaired
Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced andrepaired Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced andrepaired CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits andrepaired CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits andrepaired CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades Installations AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades Installations Installations NoCallOutCharge Installations NoCallOutCharge Installations NoCallOutCharge OAPdiscountsavailable NoCallOutCharge OAPdiscountsavailable NoCallOutCharge OAPdiscountsavailable Fullpublicliabilityinsurance OAPdiscountsavailable Fullpublicliabilityinsurance OAPdiscountsavailable Fullpublicliabilityinsurance FullyQualifiedEngineers Fullpublicliabilityinsurance FullyQualifiedEngineers Fullpublicliabilityinsurance FullyQualifiedEngineers FullyQualifiedEngineers FullyQualifiedEngineers Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness
Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall..
01702435400 01702435400 01702435400 01702 435400
21/01/2015 14:54
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
19
• Laser Tattoo Removal • Fine Line Treatment
• Fat Removal/Fat Freezing • Acne Treatment • Skin Rejuvenation • Skin Toning & Tightening • Acne Scar Treatment
• Skin Resurfacing/Pore Shrinking • Moisturising Range • Gift Vouchers • Free Consultations • Competitive Prices WE ALSO OFFER A LOYALTY CARD SYSTEM WHERE YOUR 6TH TREATMENT WILL BE HALF PRICE
7 Main Road, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4QY Tel: 01702 202038/ 07506284449 Situated within the ‘Strictly Come Tanning Sunbed shop’ @theskinandlaserclinichockley
/theskinandlaserclinichockley
Revd Canon Mike Lodge
What colour is love…? During October, the leaves of the trees and shrubsbegin to dramatically and wonderfully change colour, transforming our landscapes into an array of rich autumn colours. As the poet John Keats writes in the opening lines of his poem, ‘To Autumn’, ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun. ’The phenomenon of autumn affects the normally green leaves of our trees and shrubs as they take on various shades of red, yellow, purple, black, orange, pink, magenta, blue and brown. During this month a favourite game is conkers. It’s a game which has been played every autumn for generations, although nowadays fewer children are playing it. What is a conker?For those who don’t know, a conker is the seed of the horse chestnut tree, a hard brown nut which is found within its prickly casing, the outer casing of the seed turning brown when they ripen during the autumn months, cracking open to reveal the conker inside. The children’s book author, Roald Dahl, was a big conker fan. He tells us in his book, ‘Roald Dahl, My Year’ that,’...a great conker is one that has been stored in a dry place for at least a year. This matures it and makes it rock hard and therefore formidable.’ The more I think about the autumnspectacle of beauty and its abundance of colour and fruitfulness,I amprompted to ask the question, ‘What colour is love?’The author, Linda Strachan, has written a book with this exact title. Her book is about a little elephant who wanders
through the jungle wondering what colour love could be. Is it pink?, he asks the flamingo. Is it yellow?, he asks the lion. But of course there is only one person who really knows the answer, and that’s Mum! Linda writes, “What colour is love?” I say little one; Its as dark as the night and as bright as the sun,Imagine a colour and love is right there, Love’s every colour, everything, everywhere.“What colour is love? Every colour, all around… Because nothing else matters when it’s love that you’ve found.” It’s a wonderful book about colour - and love! The colour of love within the Christian faith is the colour red, the blood of Jesus as he died for the forgiveness of our sins, of all that we do and say that is wrong, and as we turn to God.Central to the Christian life and faith is an unconditional love received in relationship with God through Jesus Christ and, in common with other Christians, seeking to deepen that relationship and to follow the way that Jesus taught.Central to that relationship is knowing we can trust God. The apostle Paul says at the end of the eighth chapter of his letter to the Church in Rome, ‘if God is for us, who can be against us? ’ And he goes on to say that nothing ‘in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ’This isn’t an excuse for doing what we like, knowing we can get away with it. Once we know that God is ‘for us’, we open up to the gift that God wants to give us - which is a share in his own love and freedom and mercy. And the colour red is also the sacrificial colour of red, found in the poppies that we can wear at the time of Armistice Day (11 November) and Remembrance Sunday (this year on 13 November), when many people from across the Town of Rayleigh and District will gather to share in Christian Services of Remembrance and the laying of wreaths… What colour is love? It is the colour that means most to each of us in our lives… Yours in the love of Jesus, Parish Office 01268 742151 info@parishofrayleigh.org.uk
www.parishofrayleigh.org.uk
RAYLEIGH LIONS CLUB The Lions Club of Rayleigh present: A Firework Extravaganza. King George’s Playing Field Rayleigh Saturday 5th of November 2016 Gates open 5:30pm Display starts at 7:30pm To celebrate Team GB’s Olympic and Paralympic achievements, this years music theme will be of a Brazilian Carnival Pre-display musical entertainment provided by local duo ‘Midnite Blu’. In addition there will be children’s swing boats and a roundabout. Catering this year includes burgers, hog roast, chestnuts, noodle and coffee stands. Admission £7.00 at the gate. Free for children Under 12 (when accompanied by an adult). Advance Purchase tickets only £6.00. Tickets available in October from The RONA partnership and HATTONS newsagents and St Georges Park Cafe, also from The Rayleigh Lions in the High Street on Saturday October 29th & November 5th
ROTARY CLUB OF RAYLEIGH MILL For most weeks in the year, we meet on Mondays as a club, with our members enjoying a meal at The Rayleigh Club near Hullbridge, Essex. It is followed by a particular kind of meeting such as ‘committee’, ‘business’ and ‘speaker’ - the latter gives us an opportunity to invite a well-known personality or charity organisation to keep us informed about their work or life. We have a members’ raffle at the end of the evening and our Sergeant-At-Arms is an appointed member of the club who manages to extract small amounts of money from us in friendly fun from personal observations of us which goes to our charity box. The evening is run by our President who sits at the top table with his Secretary and we welcome our visiting guests too. Toasts are made to the Queen and our Rotary organisation. We have a Treasurer to manage our accounts and appointed officers to involve us in the more gentle sports, a press officer to publicise our events, an IT specialist to handle our information, a webmaster to run this website and particular members who take on responsibility for an event eg. our Charity Golf Day and our social trips and dinner dances. Our Foundation officer looks to promote the work of Rotary eg. Purple Pinkie support to End Polio Campaign.
22
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
MILLER SELF STORAGE
Aviation Way Southend on Sea SS2 6UN
Self Storage Clean, Dry & Secure
TELEPHONE
01702 546501 | 07961 155344 10FT CONTAINER - £80 PER MONTH 20FT CONTAINER - £110 PER
HALF PRICE! FOR THE FIRST MONTH, ON PRODUCTION OF THIS ADVERT
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
23
WOMEN’S SPORT WEEK The beginning of October marks Women’s sport week, something that flies under the radar and despite watching team GB get more medals than they ever have at the Rio games and a number of our heroes at the games were of course women, it is still surprising just how much coverage women’s sports achieve.
what Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are wearing at times than their talent, but I cannot understand why Tennis is the only sport that has made strides. There are some sports which are a level playing field and some that the women’s equivalent would provide us with just as much entertainment.
However, there has been progress when it comes to our mainstream sports. Women’s football is receiving more and more coverage. I was surprised to see a highlights show dedicated to the Women’s Premier League, I shouldn’t be surprised, but this is new. The Women’s World Cup captured an audience, mainly because they gave the country something to cheer about compared to the Men’s team. Long may this coverage continue and hopefully crowds continue to increase, as it seems a little narrow minded that only at the Olympics do we consider Women’s sports worth watching in our droves.
Ronda Rousey dominated MMA for a short while and made headlines even when she was defeated in spectacular fashion. We will watch the women’s 100m final, and surely by the same token, would we watch Nicola Adams if she was a professional boxer live on Sky, I think I would?
The Women’s Rugby team went and won the world cup, however the coverage of women’s Rugby has not increased, possibly because football is still the number one sport in the country, but it seems a little unfair that this achievement has not done too much for the sport. The most high profile women’s sports are still Athletics and Tennis, where stars are born after astonishing performances and consistency. Grand Slam tournament prize money in Tennis is now the same as men’s, which is a little odd seeing as the men have to play more sets. The media still seem more concerned about
Formula 1, Snooker, Darts are just three sports that women are on a level playing field with men, but there are no professional women on the circuit. I know that girls perhaps do not take to these sports when they are young, but I guarantee there will be obstacles they have to overcome which men would not should they take the decision to go into said sports. Women’s sport week should be used to encourage more girls to get involved in sport at a young age and see that it is a way to do something amazing while forging a living for themselves and their families in the future. It should also be used to point out to old fashioned governing bodies that more needs to be done to raise the profile of women in sport to ensure a future for our sports. So much is driven by money, but successful sporting franchises and events make good business, no reason why gender should not enhance profits.
Put the spotlight on your local sports team, contact Zaki Hasan, via email, zaki@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
TIME 4 U HYPNOTHERAPY Natalie Sarling
S.A.C. Dip. NCH. Reg. QR. Reg
www.facebook.com/time4u.hypnotherapy time4u.hypnotherapy@gmail.com
07963407909 I have a wide range of hypnotherapy help for you. Please email for a price list or take a look on my FB page and PM me. I book a 25 minute free consultation with every client.
Low maintenance Upvc products
BLOCK PAVING PATIO SLABS TARMACADAM BRICK WALLS DRAINAGE NATURAL STONE LANDSCAPING
Installers of Guttering, Fascias, Soffits, Cladding, Windows & Doors
Upvc cleaning service also available Guttering, Fascia boards, Soffits & Cladding Window & Conservatory frames Conservatory roofs
GRAVEL STEPS EXTENSIONS ROOFING DEMOLITION WORK PRESSURE CLEANING
BLOCK PAVING - TARMAC - SLABBING - GRAVEL - DRAINAGE NATURAL STONE - INDIAN SANDSTONE - GRANITE STEPS - WALLING - FENCING - DECKING - TURFING LANDSCAPING - ALL TYPES OF GROUNDWORK - REPAIRS
Mobile: 07721 015 747 Landline: 01268 747 763 Email: charrington007@aol.com Website: www.chbuildingservicesuk.com Harrington House, 191 Hockley Road Rayleigh, Essex SS6 8BH
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
25
www.climatec-hi.co.uk
CLIMATEC Home Improvements
IMPROVING HOMES ACROSS ESSEX RAYLEIGH - LEIGH - WESTCLIFF - SOUTHEND - ROCHFORD - BENFLEET HOCKLEY - SHOEBURY - THORPE BAY
WINDOWS
DOORS
PORCHES
CONSERVATORIES
ARE YOU READY TO BRING YOUR GARDEN IN? ENQUIRE ABOUT OUR ALUMINIUM OR PVCU BI-FOLDING DOORS AND OPEN UP YOUR HOME FOR THE SUMMER : Manufacturers of aluminium & PVCu windows, doors & conservatories : Thermally efficient frames
: French, patio & bi-fold doors : Composite doors from our solidor range
: High security locking
: Secured By Design, police preferred products
: Rehau approved partner
: Tailor made for your home
: Wide range of colours/finishes
: Insurance backed guarantee
DIRECT FROM OUR FACTORY : INSURANCE BACKED GUARANTEE POLICE PREFERRED PRODUCTS
Find us on
TELEPHONE: 01702 447600 CHI Ltd are part of the Climatec Windows group. 11-14 Fletchers Square, Temple Farm Industrial Estate, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 5RN
Helen Rollason Cancer Chairty
This year’s HRCC Christmas Gift and Food Fair looks set to be the best one yet! To accommodate the growing success of this weekend the event has moved to Chelmsford City Race Course, and will feature a variety of goods, handmade originals, and foodie treats. Plus, for the younger members of the family there will be an opportunity to have their photograph taken in our pop up winter wonderland which would make an ideal gift for grandparents. In addition, there will be live entertainment too. Over the weekend we have confirmed performances from the Braintree Male Voice Choir, The D’Ukes, the Chelmsford Silver Band and Abigail’s Performing Arts. £5 Adults £4 Senior Citizens FREE for 16 and under. For more information please visit www.helenrollason.org.uk
Rayleigh Operatic & Dramatic Society (RODS) present the family pantomime ‘Cinderella’ 1st to 3rd December 2016 at The Mill Arts and Events Centre, Rayleigh. Prince Charming is to hold a grand ball at the palace to celebrate his birthday - and to find a bride! Cinderella longs for love and happiness but has to do housework all day whilst her stepsisters have all the fun at Hardup Hall. Luckily for Cinders help is on hand from her friend Buttons and the Fairy Godmother who step in to try to help make her dreams come true. To see if Cinderella meets her Prince and lives happily ever after come along and join RODS as we bring this fairy-tale pantomime to the heart of Rayleigh – we’re sure you’ll have a ball! Performances take place on Thursday and Friday at 7.30pm, and Saturday at 1pm and 6.30pm Tickets are available from our box office on 01268 771751 and 07580 532068 Ticket prices are £10 for adults and £8 concessions. For more information visit our website at www.rods.org.uk
If you would like to promote your club or event then please email a maximum of 70 words to admin@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk or fill in the form on our website www.aroundtownmagazines.co.uk Please ensure that all contact details are included.
USEFUL NUMBERS
BIRTH, DEATH MARRIAGES REGISTRATION
01268 361350 01268 361351
POLICE Rayleigh Police Station
0300 333 4444
HOSPITALS Brentwood Hospital Basildon Hospital Broomfield Hospital Essex Nuffield Hospital Queen’s Romford Southend Hospital Spire Hartswood Hospital
01277 695000 01268 524900 01245 443673 08453 143350 0845 1304204 01702 435555 01277 232525
HELPLINES Alcoholics Anonymous Childline DIAL Disability Helpline Drugline Essex 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
CHEMISTS Boots the Chemist, Rayleigh 01268 771883 Audley Mills, Rayleigh
01268 776479
Lloyds Pharmacy, Rayleigh
01268 771703
Grange Pharmacy, Rayleigh 01268 784192 Hambro, Rayleigh
01268 781623
Yardley Chemist
01268 743283
BLOOD TEST 01245 256147 0800 11 11 11 01268 294400/1 01708 749151 01245 353575 0300 9991212 111 0808 8002222 116 123 01375 380609 0845 4565995 01268 541140
Booking Line
01268 242159
ROAD & TRAVEL UPDATES Essex Travel www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/essex COUNCILS Rochford District Council
01702 546366
Rayleigh Town Council
01268 741880
TRANSPORT Bus Service
0870 6082608
Rail Service
08457 484950
TAXIS Rayleigh Taxi Bestax Abba Cars Cab Call Cab 24/7
01268 531888 01268 777300 01268 771666 01268 777300 01268 778877
UTILITIES Anglian Water 0345 145145 Electricity – Power Supply Problems 0800 7838838 Gas – Urgent Calls / Gas Escapes 0800 111999 Minicom – Transco 0800 371787 Thames Water (Supply or Wastewater Services) 0845 9200800 Three Valleys Water 0345 823333 Water – Essex & Suffolk Water 01245 491234 VETS YourVets Vets4Pets Rochford Veterinary Surgery Downes Vets Medivet LIBRARIES Rayleigh
01268 745180 01268 772283 01702 545558 01268 776883 01702 413902
0845 603 7628
PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS
27
Kitchens Transformations & Replacement Doors
Made in
100’s of Door Style and Colour Options Full Installation Service Project Managed Free Survey & Design Fully Appointed Showrooms Major Appliances Supplied & Fitted All Worktop types Supplied 1600 Sq ft Essex Showroom
WE ALSO SUPPLY NEW KITCHENS FROM OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE
PROFESSIONALLY FITTED QUARTZ OVERLAY WORKTOP
CALL NOW FOR A FREE PROFESSIONAL DESIGN & WRITTEN QUOTATION
KitchenBASE
Showroom: Company House, Stock Road, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 5QF
Ask in Store for details and T&C’s Minimum spend, applies