The Annual General Meeting of the Billericay District Residents' Association will be held on Friday 30 April 1999 at 8.00pm in the Canon Roche Hall, Laindon Road, Billericay. The guest speakers will be PC Kevin Hopton, Community Liaison Officer and Sandra Burton, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer. Light refreshments will be served after the meeting. All nominations and resolutions for the AGM must be lodged with the Executive Secretary Mrs Maureen Dann, 10, Cranmer Close, Billericay, CM12 0YQ not less than 14 days before the date of the the AGM given above.
Unfortunately it was not possible to include the following businesses in the list of donors to the Christmas Lights Project in the last issue of the newsletter, I trust they will find this belated acknowledgement acceptable:-
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Cafe Mensa |
Classic Menswear |
The Hair Studio |
Natures Table |
|
The Olive Branch |
The Pied Piper |
Top Kids |
Rosebys |
My thanks also to those people who wrote and made individual donations.
The continued deterioration in the postal delivery service provided by Royal Mail was discussed at a meeting of the Post Office Advisory Committee (POAC) held on 20 January 1999. Previously the Committee had written to Royal Mail expressing their concern at the number of complaints received by the Committee and in reply Royal Mail requested details of the complaints (addresses and dates of delivery) which they considered necessary before extensive enquiries could be commenced. In effect this is nothing more than a delaying tactic since it will not expose the root problem. It was suggested to the Royal Mail Managers who attended the meeting that the problem was more general than the delivery of letters and parcels to individual households but was more to do with the basic structure of Royal Mail services.
For example there has been a significant increase in the amount of "junk" mail which the Royal Mail is paid to deliver to every house with a subsequent increase in the time it takes to deliver this mail and the "normal" mail. Another factor to be considered is the increase in the number of houses in Billericay where the addresses are added to existing post rounds, or "walks" as I believe they are called, in some instances this can mean that the amount of mail to be carried by the postman is too great for one journey. Perhaps a solution to the problem would be to re-structure the walks. Finally the increased output from the new automated sorting offices maybe too great for the local sorting offices to deal with, I am aware that increasing the size of the Billericay sorting office on the High Street is being considered, but this requires action by Royal Mail managers - but then so do all the problems.
POAC resolved that - the Head of Royal Mail should be advised of the Committee's concern and the Post Office Users National Council be asked to respond to the general issues raised.
Rumours that Great Eastern Railway (GER) were to increase their car parking charges by around 40% caused the Association to write to GER and express their concern, the following letter was received in reply:-
"Thank you for your fax to Marianna White dated 12 February which has been pased to me for reply.
Great Eastern reviewed the car parking charges that were inherited from British Rail and increased the charges to their present market value of car parking. The annual car parking bay charge (£540) when used for 216 days - for instance - equates to just £2.50 per day, still excellent value for sole occupancy of a car parking space. The non-sole occupancy charge of £248, using the same criteria, equates to just £1.99 per day.
The increase in car parking tariffs will also help fund the extensive improvements being carried out to our car parks across Essex. Modern CCTV equipment is being installed in some car parks for the first time and being upgraded to modern standards in others. Expansion of many, already full, car parks is taking place, Billericay being an example of this programme.
If the rise in car parking tariffs makes customers consider alternatives to bringing the car to the station, so well and good. I can appreciate that raising the tariffs up to a realistic level is not universally popular with our customers but hope they can understand the reasons for this policy."
I find this letter arrogant and discourteous, especially the last paragraph, a bit of a disaster as a public relations exercise. Nevertheless there is little that can be done to cause a change of attitude by GER so it looks as though those people who use the car parks will just have to grin and bear it.
Whilst talking about car parking charges I attended a meeting of the Policy Executive Committee of Basildon District Council on Wednesday 10 February when it was decided to increase the charges for car parking in the District. I was perturbed to see that the season ticket charge (6 month period) is to increase by £37.50 to £170 in Billericay and by £27.50 to £160 in Basildon and Wickford and must confess I can see no reason why there should be a difference between the towns. The Pay and Display parking charges will increase by 10p to 40p for the first hour and by 20p to 70p for the second, whilst the Penalty Charges for On-Street parking will increase by £10 to £55 and for Off-Street parking will increase by £2.50. An increase of £1.25 from £26.25 to £27.50 applies to the rate for paying within 14 days.
|
1999/2000 |
Increase over 98/99 |
Band D Increase |
Band D Increase |
|
|
Gt Burstead & Sth Green |
£15,660 |
3.0% |
£0.27 |
4.3% |
|
Ramsden Crays |
£4,914 |
14.3% |
£1.17 |
14.4% |
|
Ramsden Bellhouse |
£6,226 |
3.8% |
£0.63 |
4.1% |
|
Little Burstead |
£5,000 |
66.7% |
£10.26 |
65.1% |
|
Billericay Town |
£82,105 |
17.9% |
£0.99 |
16.4% |
Just thought you would like to know.
New hours of opening:
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Mon 9.30am to 6.00pm |
Tues 9.00am to 7.30pm |
Wed 9.30am to 6.00pm |
|
Thurs 9.00am to 1.00pm |
Fri 9.00am to 7.30pm |
Sat 9.00am to 5.00pm |
The Crunch will be visiting the following locations between the hours of 9.00am and 12.00 noon :-
Little Burstead Car Park 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.
This month, March, Quantum Support Systems Ltd (QSS) will be opening their new offices in Billericay with two objectives - to offer local employment and to provide an Internet presence to small businesses. It is probable that having just read the word Internet a lot of people will have thoughts similar to - "That's not for us. Too complicated. Too expensive. Requires computers and I don't want a computer!" If you have a small company read on.
Nearly all the UK's Blue Chip companies now use the Internet for advertising and selling their goods and services. That is not because they can afford to but because they know they would lose out if they didn't.
Working with IBM products, QSS can offer an affordable way for small companies to also use the Internet, even without a computer. QSS undertake all the computing and networking tasks leaving you to continue doing what you do best - running your business. If you want to prepare for the future you can talk to QSS on 01277 624832 or 01268 711447.
BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION - SUNDAY 21 MARCH 1999 - CAR
TREASURE HUNT.
Start from Radford Crescent Car Park at 10.45am.
Please register by 10.30am
Entrance Fee £3.50 per car
For further details please contact the organiser on 01268 531152
LOTS OF FUN WITH PRIZES TO BE WON
SATURDAY 27 MARCH - CHARITIES TABLE SALE - will be held in the Mayflower Hall Chapel Street from 9.00am to 1.30pm. Local and national charities will be selling goods to raise funds.This is an excellent opportunity to support the charities and their work. Everyone is welcome.
MONDAY 29 MARCH 7.45pm - ILLUSTRATED TALK "COASTAL EROSION IN ESSEX" at the Day Centre, Chantry Way, Billericay. Everyone is welcome.
SATURDAY 20 MARCH 7.30pm - TESS of the d'URBERVILLES. Tess is one of the most remarkable heroines ever written, a genuinely beautiful women who is generous, resourceful and courageous. Close to Hardy's novel this production will be enhanced by music and song that follows the emotional texture of her life. Admission £6.50 (members £5.50).
FRIDAY 26 MARCH 7.30pm - AN EVENING WITH.........A varied programme by young soloists Marianne Quintrell (flute) and Natalie Thurlow (piano and voice). Performance includes works by Prokofiev and Rachmaninov as well as a 'cabaret style' vocal spot with live backing. Natalie and Marianne will be sharing the evening with the Billericay School Festival Choir. Tickets £4.50 adults, £3.50 students.
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.
STANDBY LISTS ARE KEPT FOR ALL TRIPS WHICH ARE FULL.
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 20 MARCH & WEDNESDAY 31 MARCH - IDEAL HOME EXHIBITION, EARLS COURT. Inclusive cost:-
SATURDAY - Adults £14.50, Seniors and children - £9.75.
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. FULL. 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 - Europe's largest craft event. Inclusive Cost - Adults £10, Children £7. Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 6.30pm.
SATURDAY MATINEE 15 MAY - WEST SIDE STORY, PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE, 2.30pm performance. Top price (£35) Dress Circle seats. Inclusive Cost £24. Depart GG 11.30am, OA 11.35am, LR 11.40am, SG 11.45am. Time for a meal afterwards. Back in Billericay about 8.30pm.
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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