Just a reminder that the Annual General Meeting of the Billericay District Residents' Association will be held on Friday 22 May at 8.00pm in the Canon Roche Hall, Laindon Road, Billericay.The guest speaker will be Mr P. Bulman, Business Planning Manager of Great Eastern Railways whose subject will be the work of GER under the generic heading "Transportation". Light refreshments will be served after the meeting. All nominations and resolutions for the AGM must be lodged with the Executive Secretary Mrs M. Dann, 10, Cranmer Close, Billericay CM12 0YQ not less than fourteen days before the date of the AGM given above.
A survey recently carried out by members of the Town Council showed that a significant number of the roads and footpaths in Billericay are in a sad state of repair. Consequently the Planning and Highways Committee of the Town Council has written to Essex County Council identifying over 40 roads and adjacent footpaths which are in urgent need of repair asking them to find the money necessary to bring these roads and footpaths to an acceptable condition. This letter has been copied to the District Council.
On several occasions the Residents' Association has advised the District Council of the continuing deterioration of road surfaces and that of footpaths, the most recent letter, and the District Council's reply, was included in last month's newsletter. Whilst I understand the commitment of the District Council to improving the appearance of the centre of Basildon, not every one would agree it is an improvement, and their attempts to encourage industry to the district, I find it difficult to accept that there is no money available in the coffers of the Council to spend in Billericay. It may not be allocated to roads and footpaths but I believe if there was the will then a way would be found.
The Planning and Highways Committee of the Town Council has responded to the above mentioned plan which sets out the policies of the Essex County Council governing the development of the County in the period 1996 to 2011. My first impression is that it is a vague document open to differing interpretations and would benefit from a more prescriptive approach. It places great emphasis on the need to coax people to use public transport and to walk or cycle rather than use their cars. An admirable policy but hardly practical. Which housewife will cycle to the High Street, baby seated in pannier attached to the rear of the cycle and on the return journey carry the week's shopping on the handlebars or make the same journey on foot. The prospect of using public transport also has little appeal. Before anyone reminds me the authorities have until the year 2011 to implement plans which will meet the policy requirements.
Then, of course, there is Policy H1 which makes provision for a net dwelling stock increase of 78,600 houses in Essex between 1996 and 2011, 7,300 of which are to be built in Basildon district. There is insufficient space for me to discuss the probable effects of this policy but it seems to me at odds with other policies designed to cause people to use an under subscribed public transport system or to be sure that other services, such as water, can meet the increased demand.
We have been asked to publish the list of traders who give a discount to members of the Association.
BILLERICAY SWIMMING POOL Lake Meadows, Billericay 657111
10% off quoted prices.
BILLERICAY WINDOWS &
CONSERVATORIES LIMITED 37 High Street, Billericay 634102
5% discount - contact Mr John Gibbs or Mr Laurie Gibbs
DADE & WESTON JEWELLERS 78 High Street, Billericay 622198
10% (or 5% with credit cards) off goods over £20.00. Free
insurance on rings over £100.00.
ESSEX ICING CENTRE20 Western Road, Billericay 659013
10% off goods over £10.00, except edibles.
EXPRESS PRINT SERVICES Radford Way, Billericay 659229
5% off all prices including personal stationery.
PERRY STAMPS OF BILLERICAY Billericay 653891
At least 10% discount on catalogues, albums, accessories, and other
items of equipment for stamp, coins, postcard and cigarette card collectors.
SPARKLERS JEWELLERS104 High Street, Billericay 651040
10% off all purchases
THE TILE MARKET 19 Meadow Rise, Billericay 623514
10% on stocked items.
BILLERICAY SOCIETY - EVENING WALKS PROGRAMME - These walks are open to the public. All dates are Wednesdays, start at 7.30pm, finish about 9.00pm. Distance up to 3 miles. Hat collection for worthy causes. For further information ring Norman Turner on 01277 622981.
27 MAY - Meet at pedestrian exit from car Park to Chapel Street, opposite Mayflower Hall. Stroll through Mill Meadows Nature Reserve.
10 JUNE - Hutton Parish Church. Parking opposite in Church Lane. Circular field walk.
1 JULY - Queens Park. Somerfield Car Park. Meet opposite the opticians. Visit Remus Horse Sanctuary and meet the inmates. (by arrangement)
22 JULY - Little Burstead. Meet at Laindon Common Public Car Park, just off A176, south of Sun Corner. In and around the village.
5 AUGUST - Herongate. Park in Thorndon Approach opposite the Cricket Common. Field walk around Heron Hall.
BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION. QUIZ NIGHT. FRIDAY 29 MAY at 8.00pm in the DAY CENTRE CHANTRY WAY, BILLERICAY. Teams of 4/8. Bring your own refreshments. Tickets £3.00, ring 01277 623519 or 01277 652112.
"LOLLIPOP PEOPLE". Essex County Council are looking for a Lollipop Person to patrol the Perry Street entrance to Buttsbury Infants School each morning and afternoon, Monday to Friday during the school terms. Another person is also required to perform the same duties on Rosebay Avenue for Brightside School. The pay is £4.37 per hour and the hours of duty are:
BUTTSBURY INFANTS SCHOOL - 08.35 to 09.10 hours and 15.00 to
15.40 hours
BRIGHTSIDE SCHOOL - 08.25 to 09.05 hours and 15.00 to 15.45 hours.
If you are interested will you please contact Essex County Council Personnel Department on 01245 437334.
BILLERICAY UNITED REFORM CHURCH. PLANT SALE. SATURDAY 9 MAY Commencing 9.00am in the MAYFLOWER HALL, CHAPEL STREET, BILLERICAY. Plants and herbs for sale - everyone welcome.
EARLY YEARS FORUM. CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL on SATURDAY 6 JUNE from 10.00am to 4.00pm at the MAYFLOWER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL. Billericay Early Years Forum invites all families with children under the age of 8 years to a Fun Festival to celebrate children. There will be children's activities, a clown and Bouncy Castle as well as information and trade stands, a wonderful exhibition "Early Education - Learning for Life" sponsored by Boots the Chemists and the launch of "Bookstart" a project to encourage young children to enjoy books which is sponsored by The Round Table of Billericay. DO COME! Details from 01277 653778.
FAB '98 - SATURDAY 27 JUNE - once again the delightful church of St Mary Magdalene at Great Burstead is organising FAB, the "Festival At Burstead". There will be a concert on Friday evening and special services including a special "Songs of Praise" on Sunday evening.
This year the centrepiece of the Festival will have a "Country Life" theme. On Saturday 27 June, from 11.00am to 4.00pm, in the church and grounds, there will be a wide variety of arena events and stalls plus many other attractions including a fancy dress competition, craft fayre and art exhibition.
For anyone interested in churches and their architecture this very attractive and historic church, the oldest parts of which date from the 12th century, will be open to visitors on Sunday afternoons from 3.00pm to 5.00pm until September.
The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust urgently needs new donors for its register. You can help save the lives of people who are suffering from bone marrow disorders such as leukaemia, aplastic anaemia etc by donating your healthy bone marrow.
There will be a bone marrow clinic on:-
At the clinic a small blood sample will be taken to register your "tissue type" on to the Anthony Nolan Trust's confidential computer. You will remain on the the register and will only be contacted if you match with a patient.
The Trust is desperately in need of male and ethnic minority donors in particular. All donors must be between 18 and 40 years old (at the time of registering) and in good health. If you think you can help
Please ring 01277 634215
Please leave your details on the answer 'phone and someone will
respond to your call
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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