APRIL 2001

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Just a reminder that the Annual General Meeting of the Billericay District Residents’ Association will be held on Friday 18 May at 8.00pm in the Canon Roche Hall, Laindon Road, Billericay. Light refreshments will be served as usual. All nominations and resolutions for the AGM must be lodged with the Executive Secretary Mrs M Dann, 10 Cranmer Close, Billericay CM12 0YG not less than fourteen days before the date of the AGM given above.

ROAD REP REQUIRED

One volunteer is worth two pressed men so before we turn the press gangs loose will someone please step forward and offer to deliver the newsletter to 23 houses in Redwing Drive. It would be nice if this person would also collect the subscriptions once a year. All those people who are interested in a life on the edge please contact Mrs Daphne Hill on Billericay 659511.

A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir

There was a time when Victorian builders lined the verges of their more stately urban avenues with Linden trees to enhance the street’s appearance and provide shade for the horses.

The Linden or Lime (Tila europea) is one of our tallest trees and can grow up to a hundred feet and has a root system to match its height. It is not related to the citrus(lime) fruiting tree of the same name.

Strangely both are attractive to aphids. These tiny nocturnal bugs live on the sap of the leaves. Their droppings form a sticky goo which in turn is attractive to a black fungus.

The biological chain continues – the rain washes this sticky substance and fungus off the leaves which then coats any stonework or paths with an unpleasant slimy black surface, dangerous to pedestrians and damaging to paths.

The two remaining trees of the five originally planted by the memorial in the High Street need to be pollarded again. Another cost for the ratepayers! They are past their time! Remove them and plant some flowering, scented shrubs in their place.

This month’s motoring tip. Never park your car overnight under a Linden tree especially in the warm weather. The goo is difficult to remove and can damage the paintwork.

L W P (Name & address supplied)

DOWDALL AND JORDAN

By the time this issue of the newsletter is circulated the Billericay Area Committee will have considered planning application BAS/1112/00 which seeks to change the use of the ground floor of Dowdall and Jordan’s premises from a retail outlet to a public house. Planning Officers from Basildon District Council recommend that the application be granted conditional planning permission. Readers may recall that the police objected to the application on the grounds that "the grant of planning permission&ldots;&ldots;. is likely to lead to a further increase in incidents of crime and disorder". The planning officers advise that "the matters referred to in the letter from the police are considerations for the licensing authorities to take into account when deciding whether or not to grant the applicant’s a licence to sell alcohol, rather than considerations material to the determination of a planning application". The application for a drinks licence is to be heard at Basildon Magistrates Court on 12 April 2001.

BILLERICAY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (Larry Powles writes for the Resident)

Now that winter is , or should be, over do you feel run down, listless or washed out? Even if you aren’t your lawn may be. The long wet period could have leached out much of your lawn’s nutrients. Now is the time to give it a spring clean with a dressing of lawn fertiliser. Don’t tell your neighbours until you have actually won the Best Front Garden competition. The April meeting of the Society which will be held on Monday 23 April at 8.00pm in the Day Centre includes a talk by Mr Morris on Deep Bed Vegetables. Come and learn about home grown veggies and their wonderful flavour. Even if you only have a window box you could always try a few radishes!!

FUN NIGHT 2000

The Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower wish to acknowledge the donations made by the following businesses in the town and thank them for their generosity. It is through these contributions that the Club is able to organise Fun Night as an opportunity for the townspeople to enjoy all that their High Street has to offer the community.

 BILLERICAY RECORDED MUSIC SOCIETY meets at The Fold, 72 Laindon Road, Billericay at 8.00pm

BILLERICAY CERAMIC CIRCLE meets at the DAY CENTRE, CHANTRY WAY at 7.30pm.

MONDAY 9 APRIL – The Cambrian Pottery Warehouse Sale of 1808. Speaker - Jonathan Gray

MONDAY 14 MAY - Annual General Meeting

BASILDON & DISTRICT BRANCH of the NATIONAL CHILDBIRTH TRUST

MONDAY 9 APRIL 10.00am – 12.00 noon - BUMPS and BABIES and BIGGER BUNNIES at Ingaway Evangelical Church, Ingaway, Lee Chapel South, Basildon. Easter Fun Event for the very young and their brothers and sisters (under 8’s). Toys for the babies and Easter Craft activities for the "BIGGER BUNNIES". Refreshments & Raffle. Parents/Carers in attendance. Phone Amanda 01277 630481 for further details.

MONDAY 23 APRIL – GOLF DAY at STOCKBROOK MANOR GOLF COURSE, BILLERICAY. Cost £33 includes Coffee and Bacon Rolls. 9 holes – lunch – 18 holes. Raffle including a Fore Ball Prize (donated by Stockbrook Manor). For further details and to book please contact Karen 01277 650455

FRIDAY 4 MAY 10.00am to 12.00noon – NCT TEA PARTY at Ingaway Evangelical Church, Ingaway, Lee Chapel South, Basildon. We invite all expectant parents, parents and young children to meet other parents in the area, find a new friend and learn more about what NCT can offer you. Toys and activities, refreshments and raffle. For more details phone Tracy 07932 6419904

WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL to SATURDAY 21 APRIL – BWB GANG SHOW at the Mayflower High School, Stock Road. The Scouts and Guides of Billericay, Wickford and Basildon (BWB) present "GANG SHOW 2001". In the Ralph Reader tradition the show blends comedy and drama in a great entertainment of music and sketches. Evening performances at 7.15pm plus a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 21 April. BOX OFFICE – John Brewster 01277 658723. Price concessions for families and groups of 10 or more.

SATURDAY 21 APRIL – CANTABILE SINGERS SPRING CONCERT at 8.00pm in the Mayflower Hall, Chapel Street. The choir will present a varied programme of songs under their Musical Director Jane Ashley, and will be joined by two guest artists, violin and solo soprano. Tickets £4.00, includes light refreshments available from the Billericay Music Academy, Chapel Street or at the door.

THURSDAY 26 APRIL – 7.45 pm for 8.00pm – FRIENDS OF BILLERICAY SCHOOL are holding a "Leon Lewis Vegetarian Lebanese Feast Cookery Demonstration and Buffet Meal" at the BILLERICAY SCHOOL, SCHOOL ROAD. Admission £6.00 per ticket (bring your own drink). For tickets and further details ring Jenny 01277 659337.

SATURDAY 5 MAY - BILLERICAY UNITED REFORM CHURCH, PLANT SALE commencing 9.00am at the Mayflower Hall, Chapel Street. Plants and herbs for sale – everyone welcome.

SUNDAY 13 MAY– ANNUAL PLANT SALE at BRIGHTSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL from 11.00am to 1.00pm. A wide range of quality plants on offer ideal for borders, tubs and baskets. All supplied from local growers, including Trueloves at Ingatestone and all at very competitive prices. All funds raised to benefit Brightside Primary School.

THE ROTARY CLUB of BILLERICAY – LEISURE EXHIBITION

One of the biggest events of the year will take place on 31 May, 1 June & 2 June when the Rotary Club will hold a Leisure Exhibition at Billericay School. All local leisure clubs, societies and groups are being invited to have a display at the show in order that local residents may be aware of the many and varied activities which are available for their participation. Tables and display stands will be provided by the Rotary Club, for details of costs please contact Rotarian Larry Powles on 01277 651447.

THE RESIDENT is published by Billericay District Residents' Association Editor - Trevor Stansfield, 174 Perry Sreet, Billericay, Essex CM12 0NX. Tel: 623519 E-mail:vice.chairman@bdra.org
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