Concerned by the apparent lack of progress in the search for an NHS dentist in Billericay the Association wrote to the South Essex Health Authority asking for the situation to be clarified. In reply the Authority stated that they were to adopt a new approach to meeting the shortfall due the lack of success in their recruitment campaign. They intend "to offer a financial inducement to a dental surgeon wishing to provide an additional NHS dental service in Billericay. This would either be at the Health Centre, in the vacant surgeries, or could be elsewhere in the locality. We would of course insist on the service being made available in Billericay itself. The dentist would not be salaried but would be operating as a self employed professional just like the rest of the dentists providing NHS services currently in Billericay.
The grant which would be made available by the Health Authority is in line with incentives being provided elsewhere in the country which have been successful in attracting additional NHS dentists. In making this payment we would insist on the existing patients of the salaried dental service being accepted for NHS care into the foreseeable future.
We have some confidence that this will be a successful process by virtue of the fact that from time to time we are approached by dentists seeking to establish themselves locally but who would be reliant on additional funds to get their practice established. Their names are kept on file and we would approach this group of dentists, together with all the dentists currently working within South Essex (who might wish to establish a branch practice) in the expectation that from this circulation we would attract a sufficient level of interest.
Given our failure to recruit to the salaried vacancy I hope you will see this approach as a sensible next step and recognise that the Health Authority, by making a serious financial commitment from its scarce resources, shares with you the seriousness of the situation. I will keep you informed about progress."
I don't suppose that Billericay will have a new NHS dentist within the next few weeks but at least the problem has been accepted and steps taken to reach a solution, I don't think one can ask for more than that at this time.
DEEP JOY. For the first time for over three years I actually enjoyed the festive season this year. No phone calls to tell me the lights were out, no daily visits to the High Street to reset safety devices and fix cable which had become detached from its fixing points. No, this year "we got it right". We were able to buy new festoon cable thanks to the generosity of the local businesses and organisations listed overleaf and a new contractor, Chantry Electrical Services, a local business, installed the lights and tackled the job in a more professional manner. The result - a better display and more peace of mind for yours truly.
The final bill has yet to be paid but due to the reluctance of some businesses and organisations to support the town it is unlikely that sufficient money has been raised. So what's new!
Planning Application - Bas/1121/98 - 120 High Street, Billericay. Change of use from Class A1 (retail) to Class A3 (hot food). This application, which refers to Second to None, seeks permission to change the use of the existing shop premises to that of a restaurant was passed by the Area Committee at its meeting on Thursday 14 January.
The Committee also gave permission for the buildings at 80/82 High Street, Dade & Weston and Size Up, to be demolished and a new 2 storey retail shop unit to be erected. There was one objection to the proposal and that concerned the design of the building considering its position in the conservation area but it was considered that overall it would enhance the appearance of the High Street.
The Crunch will be visiting the following locations between the hours of 9.00am and 12.00 noon:-
|
Little Burstead Car Park |
27 February |
27 March |
|
Radford Crescent Car Park |
13 March |
Bring along your garden refuse and general rubbish. Not suitable for oil, paint and other waste liquids, please speak to the driver about the disposal of these items. Telephone 01268 294949 for information regarding recycling and waste disposal facilities.
Dade and Weston regret that due to the redevelopment of the building we are closing down. We apologise for the suddenness of this announcement but we have only just been informed of the landlord's decision.
We would like to thank everyone for their custom over the past 29 years and hope you will support our closing down sale in which reductions will be from 20% to 25 %. We will be able to carry out repairs and take any special orders on jewellery and Lladro until further notice.
GUITAR LESSONS - Interested in learning to play? Friendly, patient tuition in Classical and Popular music. Child size guitar available during lesson if needed. Competitive price for half hour lesson. Beginners welcome, Adults and Children. Please telephone Nick Wright on 01277 659726.
TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY at 2.00pm. "AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS". We are delighted to welcome back The StoryTellers who this time will take us on their travels, they will meet strange people and have a few dangerous adventures. You have seen Indiana Jones on screen - this is your chance to see an action packed adventure on stage. Admission £4.00 adults, £3.50 children.
FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY and SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY at 8.00pm. "TRIVIAL PURSUITS" - a comedy by Frank Vickery. Presented by The Folders Drama Group. The local amateur operatic society's annual barbeque is in full swing, with all its members guessing the title of the next show and who will be in it! A look behind the scenes at the joys and heartaches of amateur theatrics. Tickets £5.00, members £4.00.
SATURDAY 13 MARCH - "THE HILL WILTSCHINSKY". Guitar Duo. "Considered to be the only world class classical guitar duo Britain has ever produced".
SATURDAY 20 MARCH - "TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES". The prestigious theatre company IMAGE return to The Fold with their powerful, moving new musical play of Thomas Hardy's.
COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING BILLERICAY 652686 or 623519 - PAYMENT METHOD - by cheque made payable to BDRA and sent to 4 St Peters Walk, Billericay, CM12 0JU. NOTE: receipts are not issued for cheques. Children's rate normally applies to those under 16 years. Where applicable tickets will be issued as you board the coach and there is NO SMOKING on board.
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.
SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY - HOLIDAY ON ICE, WEMBLEY. 4.30pm performance. FULL. Depart GG 2.00pm, OA 2.05pm, LR 2.10pm, SG 2.15pm. Back in Billericay about 9.00pm.
SATURDAY 20 MARCH & WEDNESDAY 31 MARCH - IDEAL HOME EXHIBITION, EARLS COURT. Inclusive cost:-
SATURDAY - Adults £14.50, Seniors and children - £9.50.
WEDNESDAY - Adults £13.00, Seniors and children £9.00.
Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay
about 7.00pm.
EASTER SATURDAY MATINEE 3 APRIL - OKLAHOMA, LYCEUM THEATRE. 2.30pm performance. Depart GG 11.30am, OA 11.35am, LR 11.40am, SG 11.45am. Time for a meal after the show. Back in Billericay about 8.30pm.
SATURDAY 17 APRIL - PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA, FESTIVAL HALL. 7.30pm. Christian Thielemann conducts Brahms Piano Concerto No1 (soloist Andreas Haefliger) and Schumann Symphony No 4. Inclusive cost £9.00. Depart GG 5.00pm, OA 5.05pm, LR 5.10pm, SG 5.15pm. Back in Billericay about 11.30pm.
FRIDAY 7 MAY - THE LIVING CRAFTS EXHIBITION - HATFIELD HOUSE. Inclusive Cost - Adults £10, Children £7
SATURDAY MATINEE 15 MAY - WEST SIDE STORY, PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE. Inclusive Cost £24.
Our generosity knows no bounds for we are offering yet another opportunity for members of the Association to improve their well being and bring joy to others. We require someone to deliver The Resident to 28 houses in Jacksons Lane, Norsey Road and Norsey Close, anyone interested please contact Jo Evans on 01277 659823.
On behalf of the BDRA I would like to thank Trevor and Margaret Stansfield for all their hard work during the year and for all their efforts.
Thanks also go to Brian and Pat Dick for their hard work all year for the interesting outings which are arranged for us
Daphne Hill
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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