As you may recall the Association complained to Great Eastern Railway (GER) about the increase in car parking charges at Billericay rail station and in reply the Public Affairs Manager explained that the increase was necessary to fund improvements to the car parks. Fine! However he states in the next paragraph that "people now recognise something has to be done to reduce road usage and the price increase will make those who have an alternative think about the issue". A fine example of convoluted thinking since one interpretation could be - we have to fund improvements to car parks hence the need to increase charges. However the increase in price could force people to use other methods of transport eg buses and consequently car parks will not be required!!!!!!!! Maybe my thinking is muddled.
Talking about muddled thinking. One of our members wrote to Harris Bus services complaining that on two occasions she had waited for the 140 bus service to take her to Gt Burstead but in both instances the bus failed to arrive. The Operations Manager replied that he had "investigated your complaint most vigorously and have identified that the vehicle failed to operate on these occasions due to staff sickness" He concluded with his apologies for the inconvenience and distress caused and suggested that our member contact 01708 862720 and "request of the Duty Controller if the service is operating as scheduled before you commence your journey".The mind boggles 'cos if everyone who had doubts about the reliability of any scheduled service rang, as he suggests, what would be his response. Do we doubt the veracity of the timetables?
Recently GER announced the introduction of the Fastcard, a ticket which is valid for bus travel on First Thamesway bus services to and from Billericay station. The Fastcard is available for a small supplement, from £160 to £320 pa depending in which zone you live, in addition to the normal rail fare and is available from Billericay station. For more information contact GER Customer Services on 0645 505050, or Thamesway on 01245 262828.
Several people rang with information regarding the Bray family following our appeal in last month's newsletter. The house in Laindon Road was owned by the Bray family who lived there until about 1950 when it was sold to someone who now lives in Finchingfield. It is generally thought that the family kept very much to themselves although one of our respondents remembers Mr Bray catching the 9.05am train to London every day. All the information will be sent to the lady in Dallas who will no doubt be pleased to receive it. Thanks to all the people who gave us much interesting information.
Two intrepid volunteers are required to deliver the newsletter to:
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1) 37 houses in Hillside Road |
2) 31 houses in Parklands/Norsey Road |
Please contact Jo Evans on 01277 659823
FRONT PAGE - WEB SITE DESIGN AND INTERNET SERVICES - REGIS HOUSE 98 HIGH STREET, BILLERICAY, ESSEX CM12 9XT. Tel: 01277 622666, Fax: 01277 624597. http://www.front-page.co.uk.
Specialists in designing and implementing web sites for businesses with database integration and e-commerce enabling where required.
Front Page is currently building an on-line guide to the services, clubs and businesses that operate in and around the Billericay area. Inclusion in the guide for non-profit making organisations is free of charge for a basic entry. Simply fax or e-mail the details to
Fax: 01277 624597 e-mail: entry@billericay.net
For on line information on Billericay take a look at http://www.billericay.net
The Billericay Emergency Disabled Equipment Service received a donation of £100 from members of the Abbeyfield Society who raised the money by a Table Sale. No doubt this money will help the organisation continue to provide a much used service to the disabled. Mr Jim Shields was highly delighted with the gift and wishes to express his gratitude to the Society.
The management of Billericay Swimmimg Pool has informed us that the discount given to members of the Association will be withdrawn in September 1999. For further information please contact Mrs Freeman- Wright at the Pool.
BILLERICAY SOCIETY - EVENING WALKS PROGRAMME - Commence 7.30pm, finish about 9.00pm, distance up to 3 miles. For further information please ring Norman Turner on 01277 622981.
Wednesday 12 May - Little Burstead - Meet Laindon Common Car Park, just off A176 - South of Sun Corner. Village stroll.
Wednesday 26 May - Gt Burstead - Meet Coxes Farm Road, opposite Kings Head pub. Field walk to Ramsden Crays church.
Wednesday 9 June - Billericay High Street car park behind Woolworths. Meet in Holly Court. Explore Mill Meadows with local enthusiasts.
Wednesday 23 June - Queens Park - Somerfield car park. Visit Remus Horse Sanctuary and meet the animals.
FAB '99 - SATURDAY 26 JUNE - once again the delightful church of St Mary Magdalene at Gt Burstead is organising FAB the "Festival at Gt Burstead". There will be a concert on Friday evening and special services, including a special "Songs of Praise" on Sunday evening.
This year the centre piece of the Festival will have a "Television Programmes" theme. On Saturday 26 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 church 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.
Mr Kenneth J Meakins former clock repairer to Dade & Weston and Webster & Gibson jewellers will now be taking repairs direct due to the unfortunate closure of both these businesses. HOME TIME CLOCK REPAIRS is a friendly family business which already has an extremely high clientele in Billericay and surrounding areas. Members of the community will now be able to telephone Mr Meakins at his workshop on 0181 262 9627 for future repairs. Free collection and delivery service available. Quartz movements supplied and fitted.
SATURDAY 22 MAY - BILLERICAY EARLY YEARS FORUM - 10.00am to 4.00pm. Mayflower County High School. The theme of the day is clowns and circus. Free admission. Fun activities for children - Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Charlie the Clown, Pony Rides, Quad Bikes, Story Telling. Many of these events are free.
MONDAY 21 JUNE - 110 KENNEL LANE, GT BURSTEAD - OPEN GARDEN and ANNUAL STRAWBERRY TEA. 2.00pm to 4.30pm. Admision £2.50, in aid of St Lukes Hospice, Basildon.
SATURDAY 22 MAY - MAYFLOWER SCHOOL RE-UNION in the MAYFLOWER SCHOOL HALL at 7.30pm. For those pupils who started school at Mayflower in 1970. If you are one of the ex pupils who have not been contacted but would like to come please telephone Karen 659395 or Christine 659178 for further details.
FRANCES' SCHOOL OF DRAMA - A Drama School for children from the age of 5 years. Pupils are encouraged to develop their acting skills through various mimes, role plays, improvisations and performing and to improve their speech through voice exercises and projection work. They are also encouraged to explore their imaginations, improve communication skills and to increase confidence. Examinations are undertaken by LAMDA. Annual production. For further information please call 01277 201335.
SATURDAY 29 MAY - ARTHRITIS CARE - BILLERICAY BRANCH - SPRING FAYRE - 9.00am, READING ROOMS. Wide variety of stalls, Tombola, Raffle and Refreshments. Admission 20p, Senior Citizens and Children free.
SATURDAY 22 MAY and SUNDAY 23 MAY - 22 FAIRFIELD RISE, BILLERICAY - OPEN GARDEN -11.00am to 5.00pm. Once again Gene and Norman Turner invite you to visit their garden to see their display of flowers and plants. Everyone is welcome. Proceeds in aid of Remus Horse Sanctuary.
The Crunch will be visiting the following locations between the hours of 9.00am and 12.00 noon :-
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Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall |
22 May |
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Little Burstead Car Park |
29 May |
24 July |
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Radford Crescent Car Park |
26 June |
COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING BILLERICAY 652686 - 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.
FRIDAY 7 MAY - THE 25th LIVING CRAFTS EXHIBITION - HATFIELD HOUSE. FULL. 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. FULL. Depart GG 11.30am, OA 11.35am, LR 11.40am, SG 11.45am. Time for a meal afterwards. Back in Billericay about 8.30pm.
SATURDAY 29 MAY - MILDENHALL AIR SHOW. CANCELLED. Any cheques sent after 9 April will be destroyed but previous payments will be refunded.
TUESDAY 15 JUNE - BLENHEIM PALACE. Nr Oxford. FULL. PLEASE PAY NOW. Inclusive cost - Adults £14, Seniors £13, Children 5-15 £11. Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.30pm.
SUNDAY 27 JUNE - PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA, FESTIVAL HALL. FULL. 7.30pm. Inclusive cost £8. Depart GG 5.00pm, OA 5.05pm, LR 5.10pm, SG 5.15pm. Back in Billericay about 11.30pm.
THURSDAY 1 JULY - ROYAL CROWN DERBY. A factory tour, demonstrations and visitors centre. Time for a quick look round Derby. Inclusive cost - adults £14.50. Meals are available. Executive coach with toilet departs GG 7.45am, OA 7.50am, LR 7.55am, SG 8.00am. Back in Billericay about 9.00pm.
THURSDAY 8 JULY - HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW. A second coach is now being filled. Adults £21.50, seniors £20.50, children £10.50. Coach only £5.50. Depart GG 8.00am, OA 8.05am, LR 8.10am, SG 8.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.30pm.
WEDNESDAY 21 JULY - ST ALBANS AND CANAL TRIP. Time to spend in St Albans (this happens to be market day) followed by a 3 hour Grand Union Canal cruise which includes a cream tea en-route. Inclusive cost - adults £14, children £11. Depart GG 8.00am, OA 8.05am, LR 8.10am, SG 8.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.00pm.
SATURDAY 31 JULY - THE ROYAL TOURNAMENT. FULL. PLEASE PAY NOW. - £17 each. Depart GG 4.30pm, OA 4.35pm, LR 4.40pm, SG 4.45pm. Back in Billericay after midnight..
TUESDAY 10 AUGUST - Chessington. Cost - A £19, SC £14, C £16
SATURDAY 21 AUGUST - Cabinet War Rooms and Buckingham Palace. Cost - A £18, SC £17, C £14.50
WEDNESDAY 25 AUGUST - Eastbourne. Cost - A & SC £7, C £4
WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER - Museum of Gardening, Lambeth (Free admission) & Buckingham Palace. Cost - A & SC £14.50, C £11.
THURSFORD 99 - Dates are Saturday 20 November, Tuesday 30 November, Thursday 16 December.
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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