Well here we are again trying to think of something original to say, witty and meaningful, to readers of this issue of the newsletter. Of course seasonal greetings are appropriate but somehow this year is different, special I suppose. We have all been inundated with Millenium Bug information and re-assurances that the scare stories are just that - scary but not necessarily as bad as we were led to expect in the beginning. Good news indeed.
This month has to be a succession of "last times" - as we do the things we normally do it will be for the last time this century. Quite a thought provoking idea conjuring up memories good and bad for us all. A series of "firsts" - men on the moon, new technology in communication, medicine, travel, business, change in almost every sphere of our lives. Now we await the new century, soon to be with us, wondering what other "firsts" will be achieved.
Meantime back to what can I say to the readers in this last newsletter of 1999? I can tell them of the plans for the "last" evening of this century and the "first" few minutes of the next. At 10.30pm people can gather at the slip road by the railway station carrying their lanterns (on sale at Fun Night) and then proceed down the High Street (singing as they go) to Sun Corner where, on stage, will be a Choir specially assembled for this occasion who will sing a popular song from each decade of the century and also a couple of hymns. This will be followed by a video presentation compiled by Churches Together in Billericay, shown on a 20ft screen, of events which have happened during the present century; the gathering will then be invited to light their candles (which have been sent to every house) and join in saying the Millenium Resolution which gives thanks and declares our hopes for the future. After that symbolic moment comes the countdown to midnight and then the fireworks.
This will be a "first and last" event. First time its been arranged and last time this century, please come and join in the celebrations. If, like many, you are having a family get-together why not bring them all to share in the festivities? After all it will be something to reminisce about in later family gatherings and when your grandchildren ask "What did you do at the Millenium" you will have a memory to share with them.
It promises to be quite a night, remembering the past years, acknowledging the present and looking forward to the future. What a good start to our new century by being together showing our thanks for the past and hope for the future. What more can I say but "Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year" to our readers, especially to our Road Reps and helpers.
In common with other patients of the Billericay Salaried Dental Service I have received the following letter from Melvyn Smith, Consultant in Dental Public Health, Billericay & Wickford Primary Care Group:-
"At long last I am pleased to be able to tell you that the Health Authority has made arrangements for salaried dental service patients to be transferred to the newly established St Andrew's Dental Practice which is based in the same premises.
All patients previously seen by the salaried dentists, Mr Kenneth Cowley, Mr Codrin Tocca, Miss Sinuba Vijay, Miss Anila Seth, Mr Kevin Patel and Miss Alison Roberts will be accepted for NHS treatment by the St Andrew's Dental Practice if they wish.
You will be contacted and offered an NHS appointment for a routine check up as soon as posssible. Obviously it will take time to work through the whole list to arrange check ups.
In the meantime if you have pain or an urgent problem please telephone the St Andrew's Dental Practice on 01277 633404.
I am sorry it has taken us so long to offer you a full dental service; I hope you will be pleased with the new arrangements.
If you have already made alternative arrangements for your dental care, please continue to see your current dentist in the usual way and ignore this letter."
FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER at 7.45pm. - The BILLERICAY CHORAL SOCIETY and GREAT BURSTEAD CHURCH CHOIR will be performing their popular Christmas Concert at Great Burstead Church which will consist of parts of The Messiah and Carols For All, for this year the choirs will be joined by a brass ensemble. Tickets are £4 and £3 concessions, to include mince pies and a hot drink, are available from members of the two choirs, Storyteller Bookshop or 01277 653338. If you enjoy a friendly evening with good company and fine music come along. There's no better way to begin your Christmas celebrations.
SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER - 11.30am to 12.30pm - STORYTELLER BOOKSHOP, Billericay High Street. Bestselling local author, Elizabeth Lord will be signing copies of her new paperback "The Bowmaker Girls" This latest story, set against the background of the Essex coast and personalised by the author, will make a wonderful Christmas gift.
SUNDAY 12 DECEMBER - A CHRISTMAS FANTASY - CIVIC THEATRE, CHELMSFORD at 7.00pm. Sponsored by Robert Sacre Associates. Featuring - Mathew Baker, Principal Cornetist, Black Dyke Band, The Howard Wallace Chorale, Musical Director, Howard Wallace - First City Brass, Conductor, Jeremy Wise - Childrens Choir from Elm Green and Newhall Schools, Conductor, Anne Whitehead.
Tickets - from the Box Office - 01245 606505 £12.00 (concessions £8.00). £35.00 Family of 4 (at least 1 adult and 3 children under 16).
TUESDAY 14 DECEMBER - BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION - CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT BLUEWATER. FULL Pickup at GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 6.00pm. Tickets £5. Ring 01277 623519.
SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER - THE HOWARD WALLACE CHORALE presents CAROLS AT CHRISTMAS at 3.00pm. St Pauls Church, Bentley Common, Brentwood. A selection of favourite carols and music for your enjoyment at Christmas. Space is limited please apply without delay. Tickets - Adults £5.00 Children 14 and under £2.50, from Mrs Williams. Tel: 01708 767961
BILLERICAY MINIATURES CLUB meets at 2.00pm on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Hannakins Farm. New members are warmly welcomed. A full programme is now arranged and includes demonstrations and visits to exhibitions and museums. For further details contact Janet Lee on 622297 or Wendy McMutrie on 650873.
BILLERICAY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH OPEN EVERY TUESDAY - The church building in Chapel Street will be open from 11.00am to 12.30pm for quiet meditation and prayer. The minister or other member of the congregation will also be available for consultation or confidential discussion.
In an effort to reduce the amount of kitchen and garden waste requiring disposal in Essex's increasingly scarce landfill sites, Essex County Council and the local District Council are encouraging residents of Essex to start home composting. The Essex Home Composting Initiative, which has been operating for two years, has to date sold over 63,000 home compost bins through one day sales and mail order. However to reach the Government's target of 40% of households with a garden compost by the year 2000 a further 55,000 bins must be sold. To achieve this target local groups and organisations are being asked to spread the home composting message to residents in their locality and to recognise this effort the County Council will give 50p for every sale generated.
A "Promotional Kit" has been produced which contains information on the scheme, ideas on how to launch a campaign, leaflets, posters and activity sheets. To apply for a "Promotional Kit" please contact Jean Mugridge on 01268 294949.
CRUNCH TIME - The Crunch will be visiting Radford Crescent Car Park on 18 December between the hours of 9.00am and 12.00 noon. This service is unsuitable for oil, paint and other waste liquids, please speak to the driver about disposing of these items. Telephone 01268 294949 for information regarding recycling and other waste disposal facilities.
COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING BILLERICAY 623519 - PAYMENT METHOD - by cheque made payable to BDRA and sent to T Stansfield, 174 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NX. DEPARTURE POINTS FOR ALL TRIPS: - GG - Gooseberry Green, bus stop on roundabout. OA - Orchard Avenue, approaching Stock Road. LR - Laindon Road, bus stop near Sun Corner. SG - South Green, bus stop to Wickford, opposite The Plough.
THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER - THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR. FULL. Depart GG 9.00am, LR 9.05am, SG 9.10am and finally OA 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 9.00pm.
SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER - NORWICH. FULL. PLEASE PAY NOW. Cost A £7.50. C £3.50. Depart GG 8.30am, LR 8.35am, SG 8.40am AND FINALLY OA 8.45am. Back in Billericay about 7.30pm.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS - We have now found replacements for Brian and Pat Dick and they will assume responsiblity for organising the trips in the New Year. A new booking system will be introduced such that no bookings for any trip will be taken until that trip is advertised in this newsletter after that seats will be reserved on a first come, first served basis. Additionally there will be no standby lists for any trip except that which will provide for a replacement in the event of late cancellations. The first trip in the New Year will be:-
MARCH 2000 - IDEAL HOME EXHIBITION, EARLS COURT. Booking details and cost will be given in the February issue of the newsletter.
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
Printed by New Realm Design, Fortune Works, Wash Road, Laindon,
Basildon, Essex
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