Around Town Magazine Rayleigh August Edition 2017

H L E I G R AY 0 1 7 0 8 . 2

Boys & girls of all abilities ages 3-18 at Willowbrook, Stock Road, Billericay billericaybees@gmail.com

saMuel george fine jewellery ltd

P r e o w n e d f i n e w at c h e s ava i l a b l e .

P l e a s e e n q u i r e f o r P r i c e s a n d m o d e l ava i l a b i l i t y.

Model featured • rolex oyster date 34MM • stainless steel case and bracelet & white gold fluted bezel.

• salMon diaMond & arabic nuMeral dial.

• 2015 • coMplete with box and paperwork.

• rrp: £6,200.00

price £4,950.00 (in stock) 75 high street, wickford, essex, ss12 9aQ

01268 562338 - 07583 295201 e: saMuelgeorgejewellery@outlook.coM

With 0% finance available over three years, it’s never been more affordable to get more room for everything you love with Sliderobes.

Call 0800 454 465 or go online now to arrange your FREE AT HOME CONSULTATION VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

BASILDON 01268 531144 Unit 3, Cranes Farm Rd, Basildon SS14 3JD

CALL NOW!

01268 293440 07977 992211 Elm Farm, London Road, Crays Hill, Billericay, CM11 2UZ

All Digger Work - Drainage - Tarmacadam - Hand & Machine Lay - Hot Tar & Shingle/Resin Bonded Block Paving/Concrete - Council Vehicle Crossings Brick Work - White Lining Hot Thermo Plastic & Rubberized Traffic Paints RJB Construction & Lining are a well established family company based in Billericay. We provide a complete service including road reinstatement, driveways and lining work. All our employees are fully trained to high standards, eliminating the need for sub contractors meaning quality of product throughout. We are efficient, ambitious and hardworking and we pride ourselves on carrying out our work to the highest standard.

www.rjbconstructionandlining.co.uk

t 06

e e

10 15 18

CONTENTS 14

Maximise your natural light with a skylight

Mark Francois Political Update

With every Skylight High-Tech will install the world leading flat roof system.

Recipe AChewy High-Tech roof Breakfast Baris dimensionally stable, solar reflective and is unaffected by climate change. Our roofs are maintenance free and resistant to moss and algae. Brochures and further technical information is available on request. When removing roof structure for roof lanterns steel flitch beams are installed for Natureloadings.

Notes All roofing and building works are carried out by our own weight EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner craftsman and all labour and products are guaranteed.

Rotary Club / Lions Club

16

27

Organisations Around Town

22 James Blower The Savings Guru

26 A View from the Church Revd Nick Rowan

The wow factor - flood your home with natural Editionlight 45

28 Brochure and free sample

To advertise contact our Sales Team today, details below. Booking deadline for our September edition is: Thursday 24th August

What’s On

When and Where...

available on request

31 Useful Numbers

Copyright 2017. 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.

For a Free Quotation

Call: 01268 858983 01277 658444

Around Town Magazines

Head Office: Linden House, 30 Linden Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 4BA Graphic House, Radford Way, www.aroundtownmagazines.co.uk Billericay CM12 0DX sales@aroundtownmagazine.co.uk

and Emergency Unit at Southend Hospital.

This stemmed from plans by NHS leaders in Essex to create a highly specialised trauma unit at Basildon Hospital and in future to send very ill emergency patients there for treatment by ‘blue light’ ambulances, rather than to Broomfield or Southend. mark francois conservative Parliamentary mP for rayleigh & Wickford

During the recent General Election one issue that was often raised on the doorstep was the future of the Accident

Before

This led to public concerns about the future of Southend’s A&E unit and also how long it might take to transport seriously ill patients to Basildon through potentially heavy traffic on the A13 and A127.

As your MP I asked a number

of questions in Parliament about these plans, including how many extra ambulances would be required to make this idea work and what the additional cost of all this would be.

In mid-July, following a public consultation exercise and representations from local MPs, the NHS announced that these plans were being abandoned and that ‘blue light’ ambulances would continue to attend all three A&E units. I think this is the right decision and I am pleased to see that NHS leaders have listened to all the concerns raised.

After

for only £9 per sq metre

19 St. Davids Way, Wickford, Essex SS11 8EX

Call Lionel or Luke

01268 449771 / 07834 897654 / 07817 726966

WWW.SEALINGTECHNIQUE.COM

6

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

#WEAREPRINT

65844o.u4k 01277 squarelitho.c

www.black relitho.co.uk sales@blacksqua y, Essex CM12 0DX

dford Way, Billerica Graphic House, Ra

Roofing

All Aspects of Roofing Covered 99 Brempsons, Basildon, Essex SS14 2BB

U.P.V.C Fascias & Gutters Renewed & Repairs Visit our website www.aj-roofingservices.co.uk

FLAT ROOFING

FLAT

We offer top quality workmanship with the latest high performance materials.

All flat roofs will carry a 15 year guarantee.

TILED ROOFING

We offer an extensive range of services inc. strip and retile, repointing of ridge tiles and chimney stacks. We will stop any leaks.

Free Estimates References Always Available Nothing to pay until completely satisfied

TILED

24

HOUR

EMERGENCY CALL OUT

01268 461 057 • 07707 515 766

Email us at a.j.roofing@hotmail.com

07500 870309 INFO@ESSEXTREECARELTD.CO.UK

99.8% Positive Feedback

99.2% Positive Feedback

WWW.ESSEXTREECARELTD.CO.UK

8

PRUNING, THINNING, REDUCTIONS, FELLING AND REMOVAL, DEAD WOOD REMOVAL, SITE CLEARANCE, HEDGE MAINTENANCE, FIREWOOD SALES

Call today for your no obligation quote with no hidden extras!

£5 MILLION PUBLIC LIABILITY

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

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 Chewy Breakfast Bar (8 Servings) Ingredients: 1 cup almond butter 1/2 cup maple syrup 1/2 cup almond milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 2.5 cups rolled oats 1 cup rice cereal 1/2 cup chopped almonds 1/2 cup sultanas

Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 325f/160c

6. Cook for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

2. Line a square baking tin (8x8in) with baking parchment. Spray a little coconut oil in first to help secure the paper.

7. Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes then drizzle with dark chocolate.

3. Mix the wet ingredients into a large bowl making sure the almond butter is fully combined.

4. Add the dry ingredients and stir well.

5. Spoon the mixture into your tin and press down well with your spatula.

8. Pop in the fridge to ensure the chocolate is solid.

9. You can store each slice in the freezer once wrapped in foil for up to three months or 1 week in the fridge.

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

E IC CH E PR AT IS M OM PR

www.lifestyleandmobility.co.uk

Scooter Season is here Boot Scooter

Folding Scooter

rrp £999 our price

rrp £1,895 our price

From

£1,495

£595

Pavement Scooter

£895

Deluxe Scooter

rrp £2,295 our price

8mph Deluxe

rrp £1,999 our price

£1,195

rrp £2,895 our price

£1,495

Heavy Duty

£1,895

Wow Factor

rrp £5,399 our price

Executive

rrp £6,559 our price

rrp £5,995 our price

£3,995

£4,495

XC

LUSIV

E

SOUTHEND:

01702 417088

THE VICTORIA CENTRE SOUTHEND-ON-SEA SS2 5SP

E

XC

*

ed m wn fro e o rs Pr oote 195 £ sc

E

*

£3,495

LUSIV

E

*Pictures for illustration purposes only

BASILDON:

01268 520233

45-49 MARKET SQUARE BASILDON SS14 1DE

E

XC

*Exclusivity in “SS” postcodes

* Pa We rt E Mo lco xch ne me an y P To ge aid p

Lightweight

LUSIV

E

POTTERS BAR:

01707 247200 7 ENTERPRISE CENTRE CRANBORNE ROAD, POTTERS BAR EN6 3DG

The ImporTance of The InspIrIng new and Young people To The mobIlITY IndusTrY. At Lifestyle and Mobility, we know and understand how important it is to employee the correct staff.

Business Development Manger Darren Macey from Lifestyle and Mobility says one of the key ingredients of any company is its staff. Our staff represent, who we are as a company and what high level of service we offer. If you don’t have the correct staff and knowledge in the company, it’s a fast track way to fail in the Mobility Industry.

was health and social care. My family and I were quite involved in the care of my Nan as she was dealing with numerous infections. Once I had finished high school and after spending two years learning about health and social care it was time to go to college. During this time my beloved Nan became a bilateral amputee, this was a hard time for my family and she required a lot of care. My family and I spent a lot of time on the wards and I noticed how much help people need. I decided to carry on learning about health and social care at college as I found it was important to me. I started looking

In the Mobility and Healthcare industry it’s very difficult to find staff with the correct knowledge.

This is probably why we tend to see, what the industry calls an ‘incestuous industry’ where you see the same people float around from job to job, but with a different company badge or manufacture.

We are also guilty of doing this ourselves and the business wouldn’t be where it is today without these people, but with that said I do feel it’s our responsibility to inspire, coach and train new and young people into this growing industry and we have just done that!

We employed Lenny Bibby over 18 months ago as a Saturday boy. He has very quickly become a very important cog within our company. We have spent lots of time and money in training Lenny to learn lots of aspects of the company. The great thing about having someone that is keen and young, is that we have been able to mould him to be exactly what we need as a company without the influence of other companies bad habits.

Now here Lenny’s story on why he wanted to join this industry and why he decided to work with Lifestyle and Mobilty...... I suppose it all started when I had to choose my options at high school.

The main and most important option I choose

for jobs that were linked to what I was studying, and then I met Business Development Manger Darren Macey at Lifestyle and Mobility. They took me on as a Saturday boy while I was studying at college. Straight away I noticed how much the company helps people within their everyday life.

Either by giving people the access to specialised equipment or by supplying daily living aids. I knew this was the right place for me as I would be able to improve people’s lives. Now coming to the end of my College course I was looking at my options for the future. I was leaning towards my options of becoming an OT, but after doing work placement I decided it was not for me. I then finished my two year Course of health and social care level 3 diploma and got distinctions across the board. I began to discuss my future with Lifestyle and Mobility and have now started full time with the company. I feel like I am becoming more knowledgeable every day. I am looking forward to starting my career with the company and I really feel I have found my vocation and that I am a valued member of the team.

Lifestyle and Mobility would like to Officially Welcome Lenny to the team, hopefully a face the industry will see in years to come.

haVe You goT a local busIness? do You wanT To Tell us abouT Your sTorY? Contact Around Town Magazines enquire about an advertorial today!

Nokes & Co, Squire House, 81-87 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9AS 01277 633971

14

07949 266321

mark@nokesandco.co.uk

www.nokesandco.co.uk

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

Nature Notes Written by Neil Sumner

of Rayleigh

Creative, competitive, conscientious

PATIOS • DRIVEWAYS • FENCING • DECKING • PONDS PLANTING • TURFING • CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE

Neilsumner123@aol.com twitter.com/neilsumner123 A recent visit to a primary school in the north of Essex was a revelation. Within their grounds is a meadow full of wildflowers and butterflies; there is an orchard and hedges and trees surround the perimeter.

Outdoor lessons in nature are on their doorstep.

Not all schools have such luxury of space, but even a small plot can give room to attract wildlife. Some plants for pollinating insects, a bug hotel, and a small pond can bring enough to interest the children and be fun to create. If one or two birds, insects and amphibians can be found this could be enough to stimulate their interest and create a desire to see more.

• City & Guilds trained

August is school holiday season but is it a holiday for wildlife? It may seem like it because it can be quiet. Families of many small birds are moving through the hedgerows and woodlands as they feed but they can be hard to see in the dense foliage. Our garden birds are often hidden from view as they seek shelter whilst undergoing a moult. Most birds moult their feathers at this time of year to replace the wear and tear incurred during breeding.

Rayleigh Office: 01268 642896 07703 444244 Email: rjm4landscapes@gmail.com

The colours of August are dark green and pale yellow. Leaves are darker because they produce more chlorophyll in longer days and have thicker growth. The pale yellow is from the stubble of harvested fields and dry grass. On the boundary between woods and fields are dragonflies, especially Migrant Hawkers, hovering then moving in swift jerks to catch small insects. It is a good time to see a Hobby catching a dragonfly and eating it from its claws whilst on the wing.

On scrapes and in creeks on our coastal reserves and along the edges of reservoirs many migrant waders, including Green Sandpipers and Greenshanks, arrive for a late summer feed. You may pick them out, amongst growing flocks of gulls and Lapwings, by scanning from hides and viewpoints on our nature reserves.

Although the peak time for butterflies has passed, some are more common, such as Red Admirals, Painted Ladies and Clouded Yellows arriving from the continent. Bats are numerous too, with the young no longer in the maternity roost living on their mother’s milk, but now feeding on insects in flight.

• Free consultation and estimates • Fully insured

REPAIR SPECIALIST

Glass & Glazing Services Single & Double Glazing Repair Specialist

Like us on Facebook LKE Glass & Glazing Services

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

15

Let Natural Light Shine Through It was in 1998 when High-Tech Roofing started advertising the LIFETIME guaranteed flat roof system, we have now installed and guarantee approaching 10,000 flat roofs. We have now installed over 1600 skylights and roof lanterns. Let us, a company you can trust transform any room into a stunning orangery.

All roof lights are designed to customer needs

Variations of design and all made to measure

An extension completely reformed

A wide range lanterns and skylights are available High-Tech will carry out all structural works All internal finishing and electrics are included All our skylights comply with building regulations Pilkington active self-clean glass as standard All roofing products will have a LIFETIME guarantee

www.flatroofs.net

Life Gua time r App antee rove d

Maximise your natural light with a skylight With every Skylight High-Tech will install the world leading flat roof system.

A High-Tech roof is dimensionally stable, solar reflective and is unaffected by climate change. Our roofs are maintenance free and resistant to moss and algae. Brochures and further technical information is available on request. When removing roof structure for roof lanterns steel flitch beams are installed for weight loadings. All roofing and building works are carried out by our own craftsman and all labour and products are guaranteed.

The wow factor - flood your home with natural light

Brochure and free sample available on request

For a Free Quotation

Call: 01268 858983 Head Office: Linden House, 30 Linden Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 4BA

RAYLEIGH LIONS CLUB The Lions Club of Rayleigh is part of the International Association of Lions Clubs, and our primary aim is to raise and distribute funds within out local area.

The Lions Club Of Rayleigh was chartered in 1974 and serves the Rayleigh, Hockley, Hullbridge and Rochford areas. Our club is a Voluntary Service Organisation and a registered charity, we are always looking for people willing to help make their community a better place to live.

By visiting our website, you will be able to find out about the work of the international organisation of Lions and the Lions Club of Rayleigh in particular, including our activities and also details of forthcoming events, and who to contact for further information.

Our club meets on the 1st (business) & 3rd (social) Tuesdays in every month in Rayleigh.

Guests are always welcome. http://www.rayleighlions.org.uk

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.

18

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

weuplift upliftyour yourold oldflooring flooringand anddispose dispose we moveand andreplace replaceyou youfurniture furnitureincluding includingkitchen kitchenappliances appliances move allnewly newlyinstalled installedareas areasleft leftclean cleanand andvacuumed vacuumed all weguarantee guaranteetotobeat beatany anygenuine genuinewritten writtenquote quote we

led installed andinstal products allallcomm suppliededand flooringgsuppli ercialfloorin products commercial

allmajor majorbrands brandsofof all carpets carpets

karndeanflooring flooring karndean

amticoflooring flooring amtico

solidwoods woodsand and solid pre-engineerswoods woods pre-engineers

laminatedflooring flooring laminated

cushionflooring flooring cushion

01702200232 200232 01702 e. sales@hockleyflooring.co.uk

e. sales@hockleyflooring.co.uk www.hockleyflooring.co.uk w.w. www.hockleyflooring.co.uk mainroad, road,hockley, hockley,essex essexss4 ss44qy 4qy 9 9main

freeestimate estimateand and free measuring services measuring services allour ourfitting fittingworks works all guaranteed guaranteed

955 2345 0800 935

Replacement from

2

The

£100 pm Replacement from from Replacement 2 £100 pm £100 pm2 The Permeable Solution!

SUDS Compliant

The Permeable The Permeable Solution!

Solution!

L

Stunning Finish SUDS Compliant SUDS Compliant Replacement from Weed Resistant £100 pm2 Finish Stunning Finish Stunning Low Maintenance Resistant Weed Resistant TheWeed Permeable Solution!

No LooseMaintenance Stones Low Maintenance Low Wide Colour Range SUDS No Loose Stones NoCompliant Loose Stones Stunning Finish Wide Colour Range Colour Part of Wide Ultrastone ResinsRange Ltd Weed Resistant PartLow ofPart Ultrastone ResinsResins Ltd Ltd Maintenance of Ultrastone No Loose Stones Wide Colour Range

0800 935 2345 0800 935 2345 www.ecodriveways.co.uk www.ecodriveways.co.uk www.ecodriveways.co.uk E FREEPHON HONE FREEP

NE FREEPHO FREEPHO 0800 935NE2345

FREEPHONE

Resin Bound Surfaces

Resin Bound Surfaces Resin Bound Surfaces Resin Bound Surfaces

TRANSFORM YOUR DRIVEWAY IN AS LITTLE AS ONE DAY Resin Bound Surfaces

One Day Overlays

£50 pm2 from One Day Overlays One Day Overlays 2 £50 pm from pm2 from this included! all£50 You get

Free Consultation

this You get this included! allincluded!

Youallget

ded!

n

d ll

Free Design Free Free Consultation Consultation One Day Overlays Fully Guaranteed 2 £50 pm from Free Design Free Design Install FullyProfessional Guaranteed Fully Guaranteed included! this all get You Piece of mind Professional Install Professional Install No Hassle Service Free Piece ofConsultation mind Piece of mind Design No Hassle Service NoFree Hassle Service Info@ecodrivewaysco.uk Fully Guaranteed Info@ecodrivewaysco.uk Professional Install Info@ecodrivewaysco.uk Piece of mind No Hassle Service

0800 935 2345

Info@ecodrivewaysco.uk Part of Ultrastone Resins Ltd www.ultrastone-resins.co.uk 07585 729650 www.ecodriveways.co.uk 936737 e 01277 W

BOB LEIGHTON’S PAINTING & DECORATING

24

HoUrS

1 HOUR RESPONSE

Reliable Local Based Decorator for 30 Years

Quality Interior & Exterior Works Specialist in Wallpapering

tony nelson plumbing

No Job is Too Small

• PLUMBING - Taps, leaks, cylinders and tanks.

All plumbing undertaken • HEATING - Leaking or blocked raidators and boiler breakdowns • GAS - New boilers installed, boilers repaired and serviced • drAINAGE - Drain clearing, jetting and repairs

Fully Insured

For FREE Friendly Advice & A FREE Quotation Call

01268 693471 07851 974589

Project2_Layout 1 01/12/2015 12:14 Page 1

24 HR EMERGENCY

SERVICE • Tree Pruning • Shaping • Precision Felling • Thinning • Stump Grinding • Ground Maintenance • Dead Wooding

. 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

CovErING ALL THE rAYLEIGH ANd SUrroUNdING ArEAS

Please see our website for more details

tonynelsonplumbingbrentwood.co.uk

Plumbing & Heating Specialist

01277 282 211 e: info@tonynelsonplumbing.co.uk

 GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING  GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING 

 Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced  Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced andrepaired Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced andrepaired Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced andrepaired CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits andrepaired CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits andrepaired CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades Installations AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades Installations Installations NoCallOutCharge Installations NoCallOutCharge Installations NoCallOutCharge OAPdiscountsavailable NoCallOutCharge OAPdiscountsavailable NoCallOutCharge OAPdiscountsavailable Fullpublicliabilityinsurance OAPdiscountsavailable Fullpublicliabilityinsurance OAPdiscountsavailable Fullpublicliabilityinsurance  FullyQualifiedEngineers Fullpublicliabilityinsurance  FullyQualifiedEngineers Fullpublicliabilityinsurance  FullyQualifiedEngineers   FullyQualifiedEngineers  FullyQualifiedEngineers Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness 

Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall..

01702435400 01702435400 01702 435400

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

21

As a local Essex company, and an avid reader of Around Town Magazine personally, I am delighted to be writing a regular article.

I founded Savings Guru in the summer of 2014. Prior to that I had set up Clydesdale Bank International in 2008, which was a specialist offshore savings bank in Guernsey. I ran this bank for four and a half years before moving to Essex to run the savings division of Shawbrook Bank, based in Warley.

After the financial crisis in 2008, the UK government decided that it needed to encourage greater competition in the banking market and has since made both the capital requirements (the amount of money a bank needs to hold) and the process for applying for a banking licence much quicker.

Savings Guru Ltd

These changes have led to a flurry of new banks entering the market in the UK. I saw a gap in the market to help some of these new entrants and left my role at Shawbrook to set up the Savings Guru to do this. It may surprise you to learn that there have been 37 banks who have entered the market since 2008 – either through obtaining a new banking licence or European banks using their licence in their home country to compete here.

www.thesavings.guru

Since launch, I have worked with seven banks, building societies and financial companies helping them to obtain a banking licence, building new savings businesses for them or improving their existing savings divisions.

James Blower Founder

hello@thesavings.guru

As well as this work, I also regularly provide commentary for the national personal finance media on what is happening in the industry and why, and we also provide an information and comparison site at www.thesavings. guru to help consumers make better choices on what to do with their money.

Over the coming months and columns, I will endeavour to provide more insight in to what these changes in the market have done for consumers and how to make the best decisions on what do with your personal finances.

I’m keen to cover topics that interest you though so, if you have an area you’d like me to write about, please let me know by sending a message through my website or by emailing me at hello@thesavings.guru.

22

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this issue and that the sun continues to shine this August!

Where’s the best place

to save my money?

This must be the question I get asked most often! As you might expect, the answer will depend on your circumstances so let’s run through the things you should consider first and then look at the options to get the best return on your savings.

The most important thing when saving is making sure that your money is fully protected.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) www.fscs.org.uk is a government backed scheme which protects deposits with banks, building societies and credit unions so that you can get your money back if your bank, building society or credit union goes bust. So, the first question to ask the institution you are thinking of choosing to save with is if they are covered by the FSCS. The FSCS protects savings up to £85,000 per person, per institution or up to £170,000 if you have a joint account. This is usually more than adequate for the vast majority of us!

If you are one of those people who have more savings than this then the next step is to check whether the institution shares their license with any other bank. For example, while Bank of Scotland, Aviva, Halifax, Intelligent Finance, Birmingham Midshires (BM Savings), AA, Saga, Capital Bank and St James’s Place Bank may all sound like separate banks, they are all part of the same banking group and share once license. So, if you had £50,000 in Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Saga, only £85,000 of that £150,000 will be protected.

There is an array of savings accounts

to choose from in the market but the most popular ones are: 1) Easy or instant access 2) High interest current accounts 3) Notice 4) Regular savers 5) Fixed Rate Bonds Some of you will be wondering why Cash ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) aren’t listed here. That’s because they are not a product themselves but merely a tax wrapper that protects the products inside it from paying tax. I’ll cover more about ISAs in a future edition.

Which account or accounts you choose should depend on how much access you want to your money. If you are saving for a ‘rainy day’ or emergency, you probably want to be able to get at your money quickly. If you are saving to buy a home in three years’ time then you can probably put your money away for longer.

Most financial advisors I have met suggest that you have between three and six months of whatever your take home pay is available in savings which you can access easily. I’ve met very few people who achieve this! Over 40% of adults in the UK have no savings at all or only a small amount up to £500 so you’re in good company if this is you.

Bank’s Freedom Saver which can be opened online with £100. It pays an interest rate of 1.20% AER which is one of the best in the market and has been consistently in our best buy tables since launch.

Although it isn’t covered by the FSCS, it is covered by the French government’s equivalent scheme as the bank is owned by the French car giant Renault.

For those looking for something with a lower starting point, Essex based Ford Money, part of the Ford Motor Company group, has a flexible savings account which can be opened online or by phone with just £1 and comes with a 1.07% AER interest rate. Deposits with Ford Money are FSCS protected too.

If you are looking to get in to the habit of saving regularly then the Saffron Building Society, based in Saffron Walden with a branch in Brentwood, has a regular savings account paying 3.50% AER which can be opened in branch or by the phone with £10 a month minimum commitment. Virgin Money also has an online regular saver paying 2.25% with £1 minimum investment and current account customers of HSBC, M&S Bank and First Direct will find they have a 5% version for existing customer only.

What are the best options for getting a saving fund started for a rainy day or emergency?

Like many things in life, savings is a habit and hopefully the tips here will help those who want to start this habit.

There are a couple of instant savings accounts on the market that stand out. The first is RCI

That’s all for this month. Have a great summer and see you again in September.

23

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

Carpets Direct Established 22 Years

Guaranteed Lowest Prices FREE fitting

FREE home visits

80% wool twist pile specialists heavy domestic man made specialists Carpets • Vinyls • Luxury Laminates

We Come To You In The Comfort Of Your Own Home

Highfield grange holiday park is set just on the outskirts of Clacton on sea! not only offers some of the best entertainment and facilities in the area! but is only 5 minutes from the seafront, beautiful sandy beaches, and newly refurbished promenade.

With our caravan’s starting from as little as £8995, and site fees as low as £1999, why not secure your holiday destination for this summer and any time for years to come!

Call Dean on : 07835 536 801 or email-: dean.cowley@parkdean-resorts.com

WE WILL MOVE YOUR FURNITURE AND FREE UPLIFT/REMOVAL OF YOUR OLD CARPETS PLEASE PHONE FOR YOUR LOCAL RAYLEIGH REPRESENTATIVE

0800 389 0792 Mobile: 07885 256186

www.carpets-direct.co.uk

ED102 ROCHFORD GENERAL 63X92 V1.qxp_Layout 1

The Decking & Fencing Company

There’s so much more

in your local country store...

Authorized Saige Decking Installer.

Decking built to your specification in softwood, hardwood or composite materials.

Sheds built to suit the area you wish.

35 Years Experience, Small Family Run Business

07974 753543

Ring Steve on for a fast professional friendly service www.deckingandfencingcompany.co.uk

With a great range available to buy online at ernestdoeshop.com you can also find us on Facebook Weir Pond Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 lAH Tel: 01702 544562

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

25

new life on Easter Sunday.

Revd Nick Rowan

A Light for our path As I write we have just come to the end of our annual children’s holiday club.

Every summer holiday, volunteers from Holy Trinity and St Michael’s church run a holiday club over five mornings for children aged 5-11. We hire Sweyne Park School hall and field for the week, and this year eighty children attended. It was a great week with lots of fun and excitement as the children and leaders enjoyed craft activites, team games, challenges, songs and bible stories.

This year our theme was based on an online App for tablets produced by Scripture Union called ‘Guardians of Ancora’. In this free to download app, players travel around a mythical land called Ancora and unlock Bible Stories. At our Holiday Club the children were the ‘Guardians’ and had to find treasures or clues around the hall, to unlock a different Bible Story each morning.

Over the week we discovered that the Bible promised that God would send a saviour for the world. We learnt that an angel visited Mary to tell her that she would give birth to this baby who would be Jesus, God’s son. On later days we discovered that when Jesus grew up he taught people how to pray to God as Father and learnt the words of the Lord’s Prayer. At the end of the week we remembered the events of Easter when Jesus died on the cross and rose to

As each story was unlocked a light was lit on stage until at the end of the week we had a pillar of lights. This pillar of lights reminded me that in the Bible it says in Psalm 119 ‘Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path’.

Christians believe that as we read the Bible then God meets with us, and can offer guidance for our daily lives. The Bible contains God’s Word, and if we read with open hearts, then God can bring hope and light to our lives. You don’t even need to own a physical bible. There is a free to download app called ‘Bible Gateway’ if you want to try reading it yourself.

The Bible is a highly influential and inspirational book. Through the generations our laws, our morality and cultural norms have come from the Bible. But the heart of the Bible isn’t a list of rules and regulations. The heart of the Bible is the story of Jesus that the children at our holiday club have been discovering afresh over the last week. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the bible, give accounts of the life of Jesus.

Jesus is probably the most influential person ever to have lived. Each day Billions of people ask him to guide them and inspire them in their daily lives. Each week they come together to meet in his name for worship. He is the reason the church exists.

Part of our calling as a church is to pass on what we have found in the Bible to the next generation. Our annual holiday club is a fun and exciting way to do this. Planning for 2018 will start soon and all children are welcome to this and other events we run through the year.

But first a break for the summer!

God Bless Nick Parish Office 01268 742151 info@parishofrayleigh.org.uk

www.parishofrayleigh.org.uk

Five Five 40 40

Mirror_Doors_Reflecting_your_Lifestyle Mirror_Doors_Reflecting_your_Lifestyle1 1

Basildon & District Rambling Club The group meets every Saturday at 2.00pm. The Saturday walks are 4-5 miles with a rest halfway, we have some longer walks on other days. New members are welcome and membership is only £6 per year which includes all walks. See our website www.basildonanddistrictramblingclub. btck.co.uk for full details Marjie’s Theatre Soc. Club Marjie’s Theatre Soc. Club for SINGLE lively 60 Plus ladies & Gents for Friendships, established 30 years - £15 year Non Profit Making - Half Price

19/8/13 19/8/1309:50:03 09:50:03

West End Shows with Transport, APPROX £16 RETURN eg “Annie” with Miranda Heart £35, best seats (grp rates) for early booking.

From May onwards: -Woburn Safari, Kennet Horse Drawn Barge cruise with tea, The SHARD, MORE west End Shows etc plus Local Xmas dinner Jersey boys tribute & DANCING PLUS + PLUS LOTS MORE LOCAL LUNCHES AND BAR NIGHTS ONCE A MONTH FOR BOOKINGS - LET US GET TO KNOW YOU. - CONTACT MARJIE 01268 783351 FOR NEWS SHEETS. LEAVE YOUR NUMBER.

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.

28

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

ELECTRICIAN With 34 years experience, we can help with any electrical issues! » » » » » »

Fault Finding Extra Sockets Lighting Showers Fuse Boxes Garden Lighting

CALL FOR

FREE ESTIMATES

EMERGENCY CALL OUTS NO JOB TOO SMALL OR TOO BIG WE DONT CHARGE THE EARTH

Call Dave on

07885750744 or 07874225752 deb1956@hotmail.co.uk

Est 1982

Car Body Repair Specialists ALL MECHANICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN

Exhausts • Clutches •Full Servicing • Brakes • Welding • Diagnostics • Repairs • Accident Re-Sprays • Full Coding • Colour Spoilers • Paint & Scuffs • Dents Prestige and • Performance Cars

All Work Guaranteed

Free Estimates

Local Call:

Mon to Fri 8.00am - 5.30pm Sat 8am - 12pm

Competitive Prices

MOTs by Arrangement

01702 543000

6 ROSE WAY, (2ND TURNING ON THE LEFT) PURDYS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, ROCHFORD SS4 1LY Email: fairfaxbodyshop@yahoo.co.uk

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

29

Family Bathroom Ensuite Walk in Shower Room Fully installed

for only

Including wall and floor tiles

£4995.00

Designed / Supplied / Installed

Bathtub DESIGN | SUPPLY | INSTALLATION Call Bathtub for a FREE quote on 01245 269778 3 SHOWROOMS IN CHELMSFORD, MALDON AND RAYLEIGH

www.bathtubonline.co.uk

s t n i r P & s a Canv FROM DIRECT N E! YOUR PHO FROM JUST

BUY E ONLIN HERE

£25

NO LOSS PICT IN QUA URE LITY !!

+ VAT

01277 658444

www.blacksquarelitho.co.uk/shop COME IN AND TAKE A LOOK! Graphic House, Radford Way, Billericay CM12 0DX

30

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

HANDYMAN DAVE For all your general property maintenance, call Dave! » » » » »

Tiling Plastering Refurbishments Kitchens Bathrooms

With Ernest Doe

CALL FOR

FREE ESTIMATES

WE HAVE 1000’s OF PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU CREATE & ENJOY THE PERFECT GARDEN

NO JOB TOO SMALL OR TOO BIG Call Dave on

07885750744 or 07874225752 deb1956@hotmail.co.uk

USEFUL NUMBERS

A huge choice of garden machinery on display from the leading brands with full support available from our expertly trained service team. Competitively priced – pop in and talk to us or visit our online shop - ernestdoeshop.com

ROCHFORD Weir Pond Road, Rochford SS4 1AH Tel: 01702 544562

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

01702 746511

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

31