Letters to the Editor

Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or of the BDRA. Information is published in good faith but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience arising from error or omission.

Dear Sir,

I am sure that the Association Committee will have been gratified to read the contribution from ‘Disgruntled Resident of 35 years’ in the April 2009 issue of The Resident.
Here is someone offering constructive criticism on how to improve the service provided to readers and residents. I certainly look forward to some interesting articles from him (or her) on empty shops, pot holes, vandalism and the other pertinent topics which he lists. I imagine that he will include equally constructive suggestions on how these scourges of modern society are to be addressed. No doubt he will also wish to join one of the area committees in order to see his proposals implemented. Such active involvement is just what the Association needs.
If this sounds a little tongue-in-cheek, then it possibly reflects a certain cynicism as to the motives of ‘disgruntled resident’. I cannot imagine that there is much to be gained in reminding readers that, in the current recession, shops are closing, or that there is traffic congestion in and around Billericay. Nor is it likely to come as a surprise, even to the most short-sighted council official, that, after an unusually cold, wet winter, many of the local roads are showing signs of wear and tear and that pot-holes are a real hazard. For my part, I would far rather have a page of humour than a page of moans and groans on issues about which we can do little or nothing.
Actually, I have not noticed any great increase in the number of empty premises in the High Street – possibly because a shop is no sooner empty than it is converted into yet another restaurant – but that is another story. And as to pot-holes, I have certainly noticed teams of council workers very active around the Mountnessing Road area, where I live. The re-surfacing of Station Road is a big improvement and there are notices indicating that the High Street is to be similarly re-surfaced within the next few weeks. The renovation of the footbridge over the railway has brightened the daily trek of many local commuters and the daffodils along Southend Road are a joy to behold. It is not all doom and gloom.
The sun is shining; Spring is in the air and today I spotted the Council lawnmowers trimming the grass verges. Billericay is an attractive, pleasant town and I feel privileged to live here. If the jokes in ‘The Resident’ make my smile even wider, then all the better for that.

Alan Waddoups
31 March 2009

Dear Editor,

I found the ‘humour’ section in last month’s edition very amusing, so much so that I passed on that page to my 83 year old father who was also greatly amused and shared the jokes with friends (recycling in action). In these straightened financial times of global woe, a little clean, harmless fun is very welcome.
I also read with amusement and bemusement last month’s letter from ‘Disgruntled Resident of 35 years. The content suggested by DRo35y (Empty shops, pot holes, vandalism, graffiti and traffic congestion) is painfully dull and I would suggest that DRo35y subscribes to the Daily Mail in order to obtain a regular ‘fix’ of the misery and gloom that he desires.
Thanks for the humour section – keep up the great work.
Amused Resident of 9 years and 6 days (AKA ‘Newbie’)

Dear Mr Stansfield

I think there is something in what “Disgruntled Resident of 35 years” says about the direction in which the Residents’ Association is heading.
Forty years ago when I joined, the Association was a vibrant organisation which contested, and won most if not all the seats within Billericay at locals elections. As such we held the balance of power at Basildon and had great influence on what was or wasn’t done by the council.
Today such is the apathy that barely 25% of the electorate even register their vote. Why should they?. Everyone knows who is going to win. This unhealthy state of affairs means that some of our councillors are also apathetic. One I know does not even reply to constituents’ correspondence.
If we were to get just one independent elected it would send a tremor through to those currently enjoying their complacent lifestyle. Goodness knows there is plenty to complain about. We pay just about the highest council tax in England and yet apart from an excellent refuse service what else do we get?
So yes, your correspondent is right. Instead of what we have become, a cosy geographical grouping which organises coach trips, lets get back to basics and start to get our name known in the corridors of power.

Yours etc

Michael Turner

Dear Editor

I would like to support the views of the disgruntled resident of 35 years and wish that the BDRA would get back to the days when local issues would be taken up and supported for the good of all residents.
In particular, as a road rep, I am not pleased to be delivering a free advert for a company which has spoilt my leisure activities. Who, on the council, is responsible for allowing the lease of Billericay Pool to be taken over by a company with no interest in furthering community access? This pool is still council owned and would be council run if it were not for petty, political spite in the eighties. Wickford, Basildon, Pitsea all have pools subsidised by the same rates we pay, but First Strokes have made no effort, in spite of promises, to provide for local pensioners.
The cost has risen by 150%. It was £3 for 1.5 hours and it is now £5 for one hour. The facilities have been reduced – only 7 changing cubicles instead of 20 and the showers and toilet areas desperately need renovating. Talk of lockers is not much compensation and season tickets are not attractive when school holidays are not reserved for adults and are thus unusable.
The Resident should be looking at member’s views before carrying articles such as this.

Yours Faithfully

J Lee (Mrs).

Dear Editor

In response to the letter in a recent edition of The Resident complaining about the content of the magazine, may I suggest that a new category of article be included whereby people are asked to make contributions on the topic "Why I like living in Billericay".

In an age of discontent perhaps we can encourage each other to look for the positive things about the place we are fortunate enough to live in.

For me, one of the facts I love about Billericay is that it has a focus, a centre - the High Street where I invariably see familiar faces and people to chat to. I love, too, the variety of architectural styles - the links with the past here in the present.

So has anyone else some positive things to say about our home town?

Yours sincerely

Christine Gibson

"The Resident"

Letters to the Editor