So they finally did it. After almost leaving last year and subsequently much soul searching and many discussions Brian and Pat Dick left Billericay this September, they found a house they liked in a place where they thought they could settle and away they went. The parting will be somewhat softened for them since they have friends of long standing living in the town to which they have moved who will no doubt help them settle in.
Brian and Pat have worked hard for the Association for over 20 years, Brian's name was perhaps more well known than Pat's but she was always there to man the phone and take charge of trips when Brian was not available. All things considered they made a successful team and will be sorely missed by many people. Maybe not so well known was that Brian was responsible for membership in part of the West Area of the BDRA and also organised the delivery of the newsletter in the same place. He often collected subscriptions and was an easily recognisable figure on hot summers days in his brightly coloured lycra cycling "togs". Not right sure he would want that part of his claim to fame to be widely publicised, cycling where he is living now will be more "strain and pain". Pat of course is well known for the beautiful embroidery and lace making she produced and I believe she has already made contact with other ladies who have a similar interest in the same town. Good luck and best wishes to both of them.
Pat and Brian have been in contact with us and they seem to be settling in well, Brian is very busy with paint brushes and wallpaper although I strongly suspect he will be receiving instructions from you know who. They both send their thanks for the many cards and good wishes they have received and wish to be remembered to all their friends in Billericay. The Association will be presenting Brian and Pat with a gift to mark their many years of service which they will be invited to Billericay to receive. More about this in a later edition of the newsletter. In the meantime the coach trips will continue but reduced in number until such times as we find a new organiser.
Billericay Town Council and Churches Together in Billericay are celebrating the millennium with a special event on New Years Eve. The celebrations will commence at about 10.30pm with a procession from the forecourt of the railway station through the High Street to Sun Corner where there will be a presentation on stage by The Billericay Millennium Eve Choir, specially gathered for the occasion. The Choir will sing a popular song from each decade of the 20th century, followed by Jerusalem, World in Union and Hark The Herald Angels Sing, leading into a video presentation with two choruses - My Peace and Let There Be Love. There will be a short service by the Churches and at midnight there will be a countdown to the New Year followed by a firework display.
This is an exciting project and we would like it to be a great success but we have a need for a keyboard accompanist. Four rehearsals have been booked at the Methodist Church, Western Road (7.45pm to 10.45pm) on 26 November, 6, 14 and 29 December then from 10.00pm at Sun Corner on the night. If you would fit the bill or know someone who will please contact Michael Hewitt on 01277 656935. Maybe you are a singer who has not yet heard of this venture, it will be a mixed choir so ladies and gentlemen are all welcome. Please give Michael a ring, join in and be part of this unique occasion.
The article entitled "Chaos" in the September issue of the newsletter elicited much reponse for which I am most grateful. It is interesting to see how different people interpret the same article. One correspondent wrote " I always find the article on the front page interesting but this month you have really excelled yourself. It is a brilliant synopsis of the planning issues which face BIllericay and I do congratulate you on a very fine piece of work". Fine I like that!. Another wrote " While I am an admirer of your unstinting efforts on behalf of the BDRA I really do feel you have gone well over the top in expressing your views on the recent development proposals in the High Street". This person espouses the view that market forces ie the consumers who use the High Street will determine which business will succeed and whilst I well understand the theory it does not lead to a very stable economy. Neverthless I respect the person's views and I am pleased to receive them. Another correspondent writes "You are always stating that there should be more community facilities in Billericay but never suggest what type of facilities" and "I feel a lot of the time the Residents' Association is against everything involving change in Billericay". Now there's a thing. For the 18 years I have been editor of this newsletter it has been my policy to present the facts and allow readers to form their own opinions, it seems this time I have failed. I have little space to argue these points in detail but the whole CHAOS article is about change, from a change at government level to the presumption to development, which will lift from the District Council the fear of incurring costs for refusing an application, to a change in the thought process that gives rise to offices, pubs and hot food outlets. The latter are the flavour of the month at this time, just as estate agents, building societies etc were in times gone by. As for the type of facilities. Well one man's meat is another's poison, witness the comments in the letters but how about a community hall? Guinness Trust is investigating the possibility of such a building on land owned by Basildon District Council at Rosebay Avenue. Meetings have been held to discuss the matter and more are in the pipeline. How about some help to build the hall and for people to come forward and offer to manage the project? There is some evidence which would suggest that an hotel may be useful in Billericay, needs some research but that could have been built on Charringtons property where the office blocks are to be built. Finally instead of another pub on the High Street how about a Cyber Cafe? Once again more research is needed but let's think the unthinkable and try something new!!. If you have any suggestions I would be pleased to receive them.
***ITS TIME TO TUNE IN!***
COMMUNITY RADIO FOR BILLERICAY & BRENTWOOD
107FM
21 NOVEMBER TO 18 DECEMBER
01277 234555
TUESDAY 2 NOVEMBER - BILLERICAY'S MULTI-CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARD SHOP will be opening at BILLERICAY LIBRARY. The shop, stocking Christmas cards for more than 25 different charities, will continue trading until SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER opening from 10.00am to 4.00pm. In 1998 Billericay was one of almost 280 shops operated throughout the UK by Cards for Good causes Ltd., which is wholly owned by the 1959 Group of Charities (Registered Charity No 249039) a non-profit, multicharity organisation run by charities to benefit charities. The group, which this year is celebrating its 40th anniversary, achieved a record turnover of £5.3 million last year, from which at least 81p in every £1 was returned to the participating charities who had to meet the cost of producing and distributing their cards.
WEDNESDAY 10 NOVEMBER - 7.30pm to 10.00pm - LADIES EVENING in aid of MAYFLOWER PRE- SCHOOL in the MAIN HALL, MAYFLOWER SCHOOL, STOCK ROAD. Enjoy a free glass of wine and a relaxed evening of shopping from a wide range of inspired Christmas gift ideas from local crafts people and traders. Tickets £2.00 including first drink available on the night. Information - 01277 655428.
FRIDAY 12 NOVEMBER at 7.45pm - LEON LEWIS -"GASTRONOMIC TOUR OF EUROPE" at BRIGHTSIDE SCHOOL. Bring your own drinks. Tickets from Brightside Infants School office. Bill 655995.
SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER - 7.15pm for 7.30pm start - THIRD EDGE THEATRE COMPANY in conjunction with THE FOLD present "WARTIME TEACAKE TOO". An informal evening of monologues, poetry and other pieces to commemorate Rememberance Day. Tickets - Members £4.50, Non-Members £5.50. Includes a glass of wine and nibbles. Ring 01277 659286.
SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER - BILLERICAY UNITED REFORM CHURCH - CHRISTMAS BAZAAR 10.00am to 2.00pm at the Mayflower Hall, Chapel Street. All sorts of toys with jewellery, cakes, toys, games and books for sale - excellent for Christmas shopping.
THURSDAY 18 NOVEMBER - 8.30pm to 10.00pm. BILLERICAY TWINS CLUB - CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENING. CHRIST CHURCH HALL, PERRY STREET. Toys, Gifts, Crafts and jewellery. ADMISSION FREE.
SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER at 8.00pm in THE CANON ROCHE CENTRE, LAINDON ROAD, BILLERICAY the CHOIR FOR ALL SEASONS presents THE SINGING CHURCH - OUR CHRISTMAS HERITAGE. Tickets £5/£4 on the door, from "PRESENCE" , High Street, Billericay or by calling 01277 656935.
TUESDAY 14 DECEMBER - BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION - CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT BLUEWATER. Pickup at GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 6.00pm. Tickets £5. Ring 01277 623519.
BILLERICAY RECORDED MUSIC SOCIETY was formed in November 1979 with a view to providing, on a monthly basis, an evening of recorded music in comfortable surroundings with friendly company. The programmes are usually based on "classical" CDs played on good quality hi-fi equipment. The Society is a member of the Federation of Recorded Music Societies which has many members. Our programmes for this year have included the Bach Brandenburg Concertos, symphonies by Tchaikovsky and Brahms and the Elgar cello concerto. Opera is not neglected and Britten's "Midsummer Night's Dream" was enjoyed by members at a recent programme. Meetings are held monthly at The Fold, Laindon Road, Billericay and new members are always welcome. Remaining meetings for 1999 are:-
FRIDAY 12 NOVEMBER - Brandenburg No 4 plus music by Shostakovich and Rachmaninov.
FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER - "Celebratory Music for the Millennium".
FRIDAY/SATURDAY 19/20 NOVEMBER - 10.00am to 5.00pm. ART EXHIBTION at The FOLD by BUTTSBURY ART SOCIETY. Admission free.
SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER at 5.00pm and 8.00pm - HANDS FULL OF KEYS. Neville Dickie and Februce Eulry. Tickets for 5.00pm £7.50 (£6.50 members) and for 8.00pm £9.50 (members £8.50).
SATURDAY 27 NOVEMBER - 11.00am to 4.00pm. - CHRISTMAS CRAFT MARKET.
COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING BILLERICAY 623519 - PAYMENT METHOD - by cheque made payable to BDRA and sent to T Stansfield, 174 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NX. 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 20, TUESDAY 30 NOVEMBER and THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER - THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR. ALL DATES ARE FULL. Depart GG 9.00am, LR 9.05am, SG 9.10am and finally OA 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 9.00pm.
SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER - NORWICH. FULL. PLEASE PAY NOW. Cost A £7.50. C £3.50. Depart GG 8.30am, LR 8.35am, SG 8.40am AND FINALLY OA 8.45am. Back in Billericay about 7.30pm.
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
Return
to BDRA Home page