BDRA - "The Resident"

Just a reminder that the Annual General Meeting of the Billericay District Residents' Association will be held on Friday 12^th May at 8.00pm in the Canon Roche Hall, Laindon Road. The guest speaker will be Mr D Kershaw, Essex County Council Passenger Transport Contracts Manager whose subject will be Passenger Transport and related matters. Incidentally it is highly probable that Pat and Brian Dick will be at the meeting renewing old acquaintances and showing the garden ornament given to them by the Association. Hope you can be there.

Applications have been received from Orange advising the District Council that the Company intends to site Telecommunication Posts (Masts) carrying 3 Antennae and associated equipment cabinets at the following locations in Billericay:-

At a meeting of the Billericay High Street Conservation Panel on Tuesday 18^th April, officers of the Basildon District Council advised members of the Panel that there were few grounds on which the applications could be refused. In many cases the installation of various kinds of apparatus used in Telecommunications is considered "permitted development" under the terms of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988 and may be installed in, on, over or under land subject to a number of limits and conditions. As I have mentioned in previous articles relating to planning if the developer observes these limitations, quantitative in nature, then development is permitted and qualitative matters become low priority except in cases where it can be shown there is a "serious risk to amenities".

The Government's general policy is to facilitate the growth of new and existing systems. Local planning authorities should respond positively to telecommunication development proposals, especially where the proposed location is constrained by technical proposals. So if it can be argued that the proposed site is the best for the propagation of signals and no other site in the near vicinity has better attributes technical considerations outweigh those related to amenity. Authorities should not question the need for the service which the proposed development is to provide nor seek to prevent competition between different operators.

Perhaps the only way to minimise the detrimental effect to visual amenities and potential damage to health is to question whether the chosen site cannot be replaced with another whose electrical characteristics, whilst not perfect, would still allow acceptable communication standards to be achieved. To determine the conditions required to ensure acceptable communications and to try to influence the siting of the masts and, indeed, whether six masts are required the Town Council has asked Orange to attend a meeting to discuss their applications.

At the meeting of the Basildon Post Office Advisory Committee (POAC) held on Wednesday 12^th April the issue of the continuing problem regarding the late delivery of post in the Billericay area was brought to the attention of the Sector Operations Manager (SOM) of Delivery Services. After discussion it was resolved that a letter be sent to the Delivery Service Manager (Billericay) and in the event that the response should be considered unsatisfactory by the POAC a letter be sent to the Director of Deliveries, Royal Mail, Anglia, Chelmsford.

It was also reported that the new Postal Services Bill proposed the creation of a new independent regulator - The Postal Services Commission which would have the power to impose penalties if there was a failure to meet delivery deadlines. The existing Post Office Users National Council would be replaced by a Consumer Council for Postal services. There may be light at the end of the tunnel!!

The Crunch will visit the following locations between the hours of 9.00am and 12.00 noon:

Little Burstead Car Park

27 May

29 July

30 September

Radford Crescent Car Park

24 June

26 August

28 October

At these locations there will also be a "Green Crunch" for the separate disposal of green garden waste.

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.

If you are interested in local history why not visit the BUTTSBURY LOCAL HISTORY EXHIBITION to be held at the BUTTSBURY CENTRE (Buttsbury Primary School) Perry St on THURSDAY 1^stJUNE from 1.00pm to 5.00pm and FRIDAY 2^nd JUNE from 10.00am to 4.00pm. The exhibition will contain recollections and illustrations of Perry Street and its environs in the 19^th & 20^th centuries. Free admission, all are welcome.

Spring is here, summer approaches and whilst the weather has not been good so far it is time to get into the garden and repair the ravages of winter. Having done that you can then enter the Billericay in Bloom competition organised by the Town Council. This is the third year the competition has been held and as in previous years the categories include the Best Small Front Garden, Large Front Garden, Commercial Premises, Public Houses and Sheltered Accommodation.

Whether your garden is large or small is not a consideration, the judges are not looking for perfection, so please enter for the competition you never know this Millennium Year may be your lucky year.

Entry forms will shortly be available from the Library and the Town Council Offices. Anyone who would like to help with publicity, distributing posters for example, please contact the Town Clerk on 01277 625732.

Great Burstead and South Green will be holding their Millennium Celebrations on Saturday 13^th May and Sunday 14^th May in the South Green Memorial Hall.

On Friday 19^th May at 8.00pm in the Scout Hall the Mill Meadows Society is presenting a talk by Olive Baldwin on Warley Place, a site that is protected by the Essex Wildlife Trust.

A working party will spend the day clearing the Reserve of litter on Sunday 11^th June.

SATURDAY 13 MAY & SUNDAY 14 MAY OPEN GARDEN & ART WEEKEND at 22 FAIRFIELD RISE, BILLERICAY from 11.00am to 5.00pm each day. Once again Gene & Norman Turner open their garden of Rhododendrons and flowering shrubs to the public for the sale of plants, water colour paintings, cards, china and quilted cushions. Entrance £1.00 per person. Drinks will be available and there will also be a raffle. All proceeds to the Remus Horse Sanctuary.

SATURDAY 20 MAY at 7.45pm in EMMANUEL CHURCH, BILLERICAY. BILLERICAY CHORAL SOCIETY present a concert performance of Carmen and Prince Igor plus some well known Opera Choruses. Tickets are £6.00, concessions £5.00 and are available from members of the choir or from Storyteller Bookshop or telephone 01277 653338.

SATURDAY 10 JUNE at LAKE MEADOWS PARK, BILLERICAY "MUSIC FROM THE LAKE 2000" presented by the LIONS CLUB of BILLERICAY.

In a development of the format from previous years the OLD BRENTWOODS' BIG BAND, under their Director David Pickthall, will be playing a selection of music from the Big Band Era as well as popular film and show music, supported by Chelmsford Star Harmony. As usual the evening will culminate in a patriotic finale accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display. The compere will be Liz Mullen of BBC Radio Essex.

All proceeds will go to local charities. Over the past four years this event has raised over £30,000 and beneficiaries have included St John Ambulance, St Luke's Hospice and Hamlyn House. This popular local event is a must. Around 4,000 people are expected, taking wine and picnics and enjoying the music and atmosphere of the evening. Tickets - ring the Lions' Credit Card Hotline on 01277 631835.

FRIDAY 14 JULY, 7.30pm for 8.00pm - BILLERICAY FRIENDS OF IMPERIAL CANCER RESEARCH present a QUIZ NIGHT at HANNAKINS FARM. Tickets will be £5.50 including a Ploughman's Supper and will be on sale at Hannakins Farm, alternatively ring 01277 653819 or 01277 659549. Please buy before 7 July to assist with catering.

BILLERICAY RECORDED MUSIC SOCIETY MEETS IN The Fold, 72 Laindon Road on the second Friday of the month at 8.00pm. For additional details contact Sandra or John Neill on 01268 710464

FRIDAY 12 MAY	Overture "Le Corsaire"	Berlioz
	Violin Concerto in D	Beethoven
	Symphony No 40 in G Minor	Mozart

FRIDAY 9 JUNE	Symphony No 7	Bax
	Cello Concerto	Mozart
	"Starlight Express" (excerpts)	Elgar

Critically acclaimed Stock Drama Group has recently joined forces with Folders Drama Group of Billericay.

After a very successful joint production last November, a happy and sad occasion as it was the last performance in the Old Village Hall in Stock, the group has now moved to its new home at the New Village Hall in Common Road, Stock. The new hall boasts many modern features including a wonderful new stage, ample car parking, cloakroom facilities, disabled access and toilets and a hearing loop system in the auditorium.

Rehearsal are well under way for the next production in May and using the new hall makes the surroundings for rehearsals more pleasant and enjoyable. Both the groups have worked very hard together to make a success of the merger and with a joining of members, enthusiasm and knowledge, the new group provides the potential to maintain its high standard and community spirit to succeed in the future.

The next production is "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime" a period comedy by Constance Cox, based on a short story by Oscar Wilde and directed by Ken Cooper. Performances will be from Wednesday 24 May to Saturday 27 May. Tickets, £5.00, Concessions £4.00, available from "Porters Newsagents" in Stock & "The Choc Box" in Holly Court, High Street, Billericay. For additional information about the group or ticket enquiries ring 01277 654267 or 01277 840635.

SUNDAY 14 MAY - PENSHURST PLACE AND GARDENS, TONBRIDGE, KENT. The fortified manor house dates back to 1341 and has been the ancestral home of the Sidney family since 1552. The Mediaeval Barons Hall, where Kings, Queens and great soldiers have dined and the Staterooms contain fine collections of furniture, pictures, tapestry, porcelain and armour from the 15^th- 18^th centuries. There are ten acres of walled Tudor Gardens to visit, a Toy Museum, Gift Shop, Venture Playgrounds, a Nature Trail and a Plant Centre. There will also be a special event for children "Treasure Island" in the Stage Garden. Cost: Adults £15.00, Children £13.00 - includes a Guided Tour of the Gardens, a Cream Tea and entrance to the House. Depart GG - 9.00am, OA - 9.05am, LR - 9.10am, SG - 9.15am, back in Billericay about 6.30pm.

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COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING BILLERICAY 626287 - PAYMENT METHOD - by cheque made payable to BDRA and sent to D Osborn, 22 Raven Lane, Billericay CM12 0JA. NO COACH BOOKINGS WILL BE TAKEN BY ANSWERPHONE. 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 27 MAY - MILDENHALL AIR FETE 2000, BURY St EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK.
Still a few seats available. Inclusive cost:- Adults - £10.00, Senior Citizens and Children - £8.50.
Depart GG 08.00am, LR 08.05am, SG 08.10am, OA 08.15am. Back in Billericay about 8.30pm.

THURSDAY 6 JULY - HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW, ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, SURREY. (SET IN 30 ACRES OF ROYAL PARKLAND - THE FINEST IN EVERYTHING HORTICUTURAL).
Inclusive cost:- Adults - £25.00, Senior Citizens - £22.00
Depart GG 08.00am, OA 08.05am, LR 08.10am, SG 08.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.00pm.

FRIDAY 4 AUGUST - GREAT YARMOUTH SEASIDE DAY OUT
Bring your bucket and spade, shorts and cossies - lots to do, places to eat and drink, stacks of amusements. For those young and cool who prefer Pleasurewood Hills a drop off has been arranged.
Coach Fare - Adults - £8.50, Senior Citizens - £7.50, Children - £6.50.
Depart GG 8.00am, OA 8.05am, LR 8.10am, SG 8.15am. Back in Billericay about 8.00pm.

THURSDAY 24 AUGUST - SANDRINGHAM & AFTERNOON TEA
The country retreat of HM The Queen has ground floor rooms open to the public, a large museum, gardens, church, country park etc, with a land train to the main building. Afternoon tea of sandwiches, fresh cream scone and jam with a pot of tea or coffee included.
Inclusive cost- Adults £17.50, Senior Citizens £16.50, Children £15.00.
Depart GG 8.00am, OA 8.05am, LR 8.10am, SG 8.15am. Back in Billericay about 8.30pm.

WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER - LONDON PALLADIUM THEATRE - THE KING AND I. MATINEE 2.30pm. Rogers & Hammerstein's dazzling production of the time-honoured classic starring Elaine Paige. Rear Dress Circle seats. Time available (2 hours) for evening meal.
Inclusive cost - Adults - £28.00, Senior Citizens £24.00.
Depart GG 11.30am, OA 11.35am, LR 11.40am, SG 11.45am. Back in Billericay about 9.00pm.

THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER - ALDWYCH THEATRE - WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND. MATINEE 3.00pm.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's best show since Phantom of the Opera. Front Stall seats. Time available (2 hours) for an evening meal.
Inclusive cost - Adults £ 30.00, Senior Citizens £27.00
Depart GG 12.00noon, OA 12.05pm, LR 12.10pm, SG 12.15pm. Back in Billericay about 9.30pm.

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

Little Burstead Car Park	27 May	29 July	30 September
Radford Crescent Car Park	24 June	26 August	28 October

MAY 2000