Town Crier YOUR QUALITY COUNCIL www.billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BILLERICAY TOWN COUNCIL October 2012

illericay Town Council made sure that Billericay celebrated the BQueen’s Diamond Jubilee by installing a Beacon at Sun Corner which was lit by Derek Martin, alias Charlie Slater from Eastenders, at 10.15pm on Monday 4th June. There were a total of 4000 beacons lit throughout the country culminating in the Queen lighting a beacon in the Mall at 10.30pm. Billericay Prior to lighting the beacon the In Celebrated Cahoots Brass Quintet played to the large crowd in attendance and then a forty-five-strong choir, comprising of the Queen’s members of The Choir For All Seasons, Billericay Choral Society, Buttsbury Diamond Jubilee Ladies Choir and Billericay WI Ladies choir conducted by Michael Hewitt, led a Last Night of the Proms sing-a-long Sun Corner – Protected in Perpetuity which was enjoyed by all. This was It’s really true! It may look the same, it may feel the same, it really is the same, that’s the whole point, followed by the Town Crier, Jim Shrubb, but now SUN CORNER has the legal protection to prevent it from being sold off for redevelopment. making a proclamation prior to A big thank you to you all for your patience as the Town Council has persisted over at least the last introducing the Chairman of the Town five years to deliver what so many Billericay people wanted, the assurance that the wonderful green Council, Councillor John Buchanan, space in our town centre could not be built over. Sun Corner was given to the people of Billericay whose speech encapsulated the in the 1930s and this was effected formally by vesting the ownership of the site with County mood of the evening. The Chairman Council, and that is still the case. In Billericay we were worried that this would just look like a of Essex County Council, Councillor valuable piece of land which could be sold for a few million pounds on the decision of County Hall at Kay Twitchen, and the Deputy Mayor some time in the future. of Council, Councillor Chris Our first effort to protect the site was to seek to register it as a “Town Green” under the Commons Jackman, also said a few words. Mr. Act. As required, we gathered evidence about all the wonderful ways people have been using Sun Tony Bertolla read a poem which he Corner for over 20 years, and waited while the County Council wheels of bureaucracy ground slowly had written especially for the event onward. There turned out to be a technicality in the law which made it possible, even probable, that, and then the beacon was lit with a roar if taken to a public hearing, this application would fail. The next effort was to consider a 50 year of approval from those in attendance. lease of Sun Corner to Billericay Town Council from Essex County Council, and we very nearly took Following a hearty rendition of God this option. But, in the nick of time, along came the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, organised Save the Queen, the crowd dispersed by Fields in Trust, formerly the National Playing Fields Association, a charity whose vision is to to the music of the Brass Quintet. ensure that everyone – young or old, able or disabled and whether they live in an urban or rural environment – has access to free, local outdoor spaces for all kinds of sport, play and recreation. This It is intended Challenge was to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, as that the well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games by permanently protecting 2012 outdoor recreational spaces Beacon will be by 2012. Sun Corner fully met the criteria for inclusion as part of this programme and Billericay Town lit on other Council suggested this to the leader of Essex County Council, Cllr. Peter Martin, through our county memorable councillors Cllr. Kay Twitchen and Cllr. Anthony Hedley. This was an idea whose time had come, occasions. and it was accepted by the County Council, and all the paperwork is now complete. The Town Council has a copy of the entry for Sun Corner (described as “Land adjacent to Quilters Infant and Junior Schools”) at the Land Registry, and it includes a condition requiring Fields In Trust to consent to any future changes to the status of the site. This process has also formalised the lease arrangement between ECC and Basildon Council, as Basildon Council continue to maintain Sun Corner on ECC’s behalf. Later this year we will have a small event to celebrate this achievement, and we plan to plant 100 trees provided by the Woodland Trust, as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebration, as well as a Royal Oak sapling provided by Fields in Trust, and we will install a plaque to identify Sun Corner as a Queen Elizabeth II Field.

For further information and general enquiries contact: Town Clerk • Billericay Town Council • The Loft • Crown Yard • High Street • Billericay CM12 9BX T: 01277 625732 • F: 01277 634784 • E: [email protected] • W: www.billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk Official Office Opening times 9.30am - 2.30pm Mon-Fri. Outside these hours please ring as there may well be office staff present. Details of Town Councillors can be obtained from the Town Council website or Offices. Winners

Working Party Chairman: Cllr. Pam Went The Billericay in Bloom competition was again very popular and we had 72 entries. The judges commented on the standard and originality of the entries in spite of this year’s adverse weather conditions. Everybody was fascinated by the garden of John Smart who won both the Best Garden and Best Wildlife Garden award. He had completely transformed an ordinary garden into what the Gazette described as “a walk on the wildlife side.” Winners covered a wide range of categories such as: Best Garden Design by Gene and Norma Turner who later opened their garden to raise money for charity; Best School Garden by St. Peter’s School; Best Commercial Premises by Bennetts Funerals; Best Sheltered Accommodation by Mrs. Iris Rist. It would appear that we had something to interest everybody and this was reflected in the lively atmosphere at our Prize-giving in the Archer Hall, Emmanuel Church. Once again we were lucky enough to have Ken Crowther from BBC Radio Essex to speak to us and present the prizes. We were pleased the Chairman of Essex County Council, Councillor Kay Twitchen was also able to attend. Our thanks go to our sponsors, the judges and residents who made our competition such a success. We look forward to receiving any ideas from members of the public for further improvement and possible new categories. WINNERS – BILLERICAY IN BLOOM 2012 BEST PUBLIC HOUSE – Sponsors: Billericay Town Council The Rising Sun First Prize BEST KEPT SMALL FRONT – Sponsors: Michael Letch & Partners The Chequers Second Prize Daniel Gould First Prize Mrs Diane Moxley Second Prize BEST GARDEN IN A POT – Sponsors: Bennetts Funerals Mrs Irene Peck Third Prize Ben Rodgers First Prize Thomas Matheson Second Prize BEST KEPT LARGE FRONT – Sponsors: Jarvis Print Mrs Anne Morris First Prize BEST VEGETABLE PLOT – Sponsors: Billericay Cook Shop/The Mr & Mrs G Turner Second Prize Emporium Kate & Tony Gilbert Third Prize Mr Andrew Leslie First Prize Mr Daniel Gould Second Prize BEST KEPT SMALL BACK – Sponsors: Billericay Lions Mr & Mrs Hammond Third Prize Mrs Barbara Flin First Prize Dawn Henning Second Prize BEST GARDEN DESIGN – Sponsors: Bennetts Funerals Peter Warren Third Prize Mr & Mrs G Turner First Prize Mrs Mary Pellatt Second Prize BEST KEPT LARGE BACK – Sponsors: Billericay Town Council Dawn Henning Third Prize Mr Gordon Walters First Prize Mrs Mary Pellatt Second Prize BEST WATER GARDEN – Sponsors: Hallmark Care Homes Mr & Mrs G Turner Third Prize Mrs Mary Pellatt First Mr Gordon Walters Second BEST HANGING BASKET – Sponsors: Billericay Nurseries Reg O’Neill Dental Practice First Prize BEST WILDLIFE GARDEN – Sponsors: Billericay Town Council Mrs Anne Morris Second Prize Mr John Smart First Mr Daniel Gould Third Prize Mr Trevor Wright Second Mrs Mary Pellatt Third BEST SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION – Sponsors: Billericay Rotary Club Mrs Iris Rist First Prize BEST DOMESTIC GREENHOUSE – Sponsors: Billericay Town Council Mr David Bowtell Second Prize Mr Daniel Gould Winner BEST SCHOOL GARDEN – Sponsors: Waitrose BEST IN SHOW – Judge’s Choice St. Peter’s Catholic Primary First Prize Mr John Smart Wildlife Garden Buttsbury Junior Second Prize Buttsbury Pre-School Joint Third Prize South Green Infants/Nursery Joint Third Prize BEST SCHOOL VEGETABLE PLOT – Sponsor: Jim Shrubb, Town Crier Buttsbury Juniors First St Peter’s Catholic Primary Second St. Johns Third BEST COMMERCIAL PREMISES – Sponsors: Chequers Public House Bennetts Funeral Directors First Prize The Cater Museum Second Prize Reg O’Neill Dental Practice Third Prize

Page 2 Billericay Town Crier October 2012 Calling all Billericay Gardeners The decline of bees is world-wide. They are responsible for pollinating 90% of the world’s commercial crops. We can help by planting nectar-rich plants. The best are cottage varieties. Don’t bother with bedding plants: no good for bees. Try hollyhocks, achillea, sedum, verbena bonariensis, antirrhinums. Lavender and rosemary are good in a dry spot. Plant in groups of 3 in FULL SUN. Late summer is a critical time for bees when food is often short. Bees will happily feed on phlox, salvia, rudbeckia, zinnia and penstemon. Mrs Patricia Banks

The Town Council have refreshed the Christmas Lights flower beds at the Police Station. A date for the diary ...... the switching on of Billericay’s Christmas Lights will take place on Saturday 24th November. Father Christmas, Plant a Shrub the Town Crier and members of the Youth Town Council in Further Plant a Shrub events will take place at colourful costumes will be in attendance along with the in memory of children that have died and at Festival Garden Salvation Army Band and local schools. The celebration in memory of adults. These plantings will take place on will take place outside the Chequers Public House with the Thursday 18th October and anyone interested should contact switch-on of the traditional motifs at 4.00pm. the Town Council Offices so that details can be forwarded.

Billericay Urban Games Long Standing Members of the YTC are leaving What fun was had at Lake Meadows on Saturday 21st It was a sad day on 17th July Y o u t h C o u ncil July when the Billericay Youth when a number of long standing Town Council (BYTC) in conjunction members of the Youth Town with the Town Council staged the Council said goodbye as they Billericay Urban Games – part of will be going to University in the the SXUrban Games happening autumn. across Essex this summer. Youth Town Council Elections With funding received from Essex County Council and Basildon Council we were able to employ the services of ‘The Street Team’ who provided a day BMX competition of entertainment at the popular skatepark and multi-use games Billericay Youth Town Council area. The programme, which included a basketball freestyle show, basketball workshop and games, football games, streetdance demonstrations and events within the skatepark, was enjoyed by all. • IF YOU’RE AGED BETWEEN 11–18 YOU CAN JOIN This event was free and a number of prizes were donated by local Some of the sponsors and winners of •ORGANISE LOCAL EVENTS FOR ALL the Skatepark competitions businesses including TruTrix, the AGES AS WELL AS RAISING new scooter shop in Western MONEY FOR CHARITIES Road. Thanks also go to Billericay Round Table who assisted greatly • HAVE LIVELY AND FRIENDLY with the organisation and MEETINGS TWICE A MONTH publicity. • WITH LOCAL FUNDING YOU CAN BRING NEW EXCITING IDEAS TO Some of the performers with BILLERICAY! members of the Youth Town Council, Town Councillors and County Councillor Twitchen FOR FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT ELECTIONS IN OCTOBER 2012 PLEASE CONTACT 01277 625732 OR EMAIL [email protected] k BillericayYTC

October 2012 Billericay Town Crier Page 3 OUTWOOD COMMON LITTER PICK On Saturday 18th August 14 litter pickers convened at BILLERICAY BIG Anisha Grange to tackle the rubbish in Outwood Common. Dividing into 3 groups we set to work clearing the local area LITTER PICK of assorted items. It was very successful with 15 bags of Join the rest of the town and make a difference to the streets rubbish accumulated from the roads, greens and land near of Billericay on Saturday 20th October at 9.15 for 9.30 start to the garage plots. A very good effort. Even more gratifying at the Council Offices. We supply the gloves, jackets and litter was the very good response from local residents who seem to pickers and if you can supply the manpower for 11/2 hours, really appreciate that we were taking the time and effort to we will have a perfect combination in clearing the rubbish improve their residential areas. With the positive attitude we from the Billericay streets. For further details please contact received from the residents another Outwood Common litter Bob Chapman 01277 657696 or the Council Offices. pick next year could well take place.

Cater Museum Bus service changes 74 High Street, Billericay Options to get to Festival Leisure Park by bus For further details telephone: 01277 622023 Not direct – but without changing buses. Stay on the 551 at Basildon Town Centre and it will take you to the Festival Leisure Park. First bus going there is the one from Billericay Station at 10.17, and the last one back in the afternoon is at 16.09. Direct – without changing buses. If you want to spend a day there or work on the industrial estate you can catch a 553 from Billericay Station at 8.09 (Mon-Fri) and it will bring you back at 17.05. More direct – but change buses at . Take the 100 from Billericay station at 9.18 am and 3 other later times, then change onto the 237 to get to Festival Leisure Park. There are 4 chances each day Mon-Sat to get back using this route. Photofold Camera Club Check www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk for all the details. Billericay Twins Club Are you pregnant with twins or more? Would you like to meet people in the same situation as you and be able to share your experiences? Why don’t you come along to our nursery group for a friendly chat and a coffee. It is run on a Monday morning from 10.30am to 12 noon at: The Christ Church, Perry Street, Billericay. Website: www.billericaytwins.co.uk or telephone Helen Reeve – 07917 355882.

Billericay Ladies Probus Club The Club meets for lunch at 12.00 noon on the second Monday of each month at the Mount Avenue Banqueting Suite, Hutton, where a three course lunch is served and A Treasure in Silk usually followed by a speaker. There are also coach trips and occasional coffee mornings. New members are always The embroidery pictured is a very special piece indeed. The piece began welcome – and why not bring a friend along. If you would like with a tranquil scene printed on silk. It was then embroidered in wool, any further information please contact. Jenny: 01277 633115 cotton and silk to create a magical effect. Raised areas of thread give or email: [email protected] a three dimensional effect, leaves on the tree are thickened, the gown worn by the lovely lady is shimmering in silk and the bars on the bird cage stand out. Message in a Bottle But the embroidery is special for another reason. It was produced by the The Town Council has a supply of bottles for this Emergency grandfather of Harry Richman, first curator of the Cater Museum. This link Information Scheme. This is a voluntary scheme intended with the town makes it all the more interesting. And it has just returned for use by people living on their own at home. The scheme from conservation, an effort by Wylie Singer of Great Bentley which provides the Emergency Services with vital details of any illness was sponsored by the members of a number of local organisations and or allergy, medication being taken and the name of a person to private individuals. Their contributions are greatly appreciated. be contacted in the event of the individual suffering a sudden illness or personal accident. The relevant details are stored in a plastic container, which is kept in the fridge. Two special stickers Cater Museum – What’s On know to the Emergency Service and other caring agencies are November – World War I Display put up inside the house – one on the outside of the fridge door December – A Victorian Christmas and the other on a wall or panel inside the front door. Please contact the office if you would like one of these bottles.

Page 4 Billericay Town Crier October 2012 Billericay Striders and Our Musicfest – Schools for Olympic Torch a celebration of Music and Relay Event Song at an Autumn Concert The Rotary Club of Billericay together with The Inner Wheel Club of Billericay are holding a wonderful evening of music and song on Saturday 27th October 2012 provided by the popular and accomplished Harmony Brass under the directorship of Brian Ford. The concert is being held at the Emmanuel Church, Road, Billericay. Doors Open 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets: £15.00. Free Parking. Free interval refreshments. Proceeds in aid of: St Luke’s Hospice, Remus Horse Sanctuary and Rotary and Inner Wheel Charities. Tickets can be obtained from: • Norman Bishop: 01277 630344; email: [email protected] • Trevor Bond: 01277 651708; email: [email protected] • Shop outlets: Creatures Great and Small, 127 High Street Enjoy Clairey Fairy Cakes, 48 High Street Display of the torches within the Library

On Friday 6th July, the day the official Olympic Torch came to Basildon WEA Courses – for information on courses being Borough, all the Billericay Secondary, Primary, Junior and Infant Schools run in Billericay at the Reading Rooms, contact celebrated with their own Schools Torch Relay. Geoff Taylor 01277 625351 email: [email protected]. John Baron MP and Cllr John Buchanan, Chairman of the Town Council Future courses include: and other Town Councillors, greeted Billericay Striders and participating The Great War-Fact, Myth and Memory schools at Billericay Railway Station. Each school was represented by a 26th September – 21st November strider carrying a torch made by their school. They were also wearing a polo shirt representing each school taking part. There were lots of Conflict in the 19th Century Essex Countryside smiling faces, despite the weather! 23rd January – 20th March Billericay Community Archive

Billericay Christmas Market – Sunday 2nd December 2012 - 11am to 5pm Following 2011’s outstanding success with 25,000 visitors, £25,000 raised for local charities and many shop owners enjoying their best trading day, Mayflower Rotary Club will be closing the High Street to traffic again this year to stage this free community event. Important news about Santa Do you know anyone in this photo? Santa will be starting earlier and has a new home. This year’s parade will open the market at 11am and deliver Santa to his larger grotto in the Do you have old photos taken in Billericay or a story about Community Day Centre in Chantry Way. This will allow more children to Billericay you would like to share? The Billericay Community visit him. The Reading Rooms will be this year’s venue for Punch & Judy. Archive needs you. It’s a great atmosphere On the second Monday of each month we hold sessions in the Billericay Library where you can bring photos or documents for BCM heralds the start of the Christmas season and there will be: us to scan or come and tell us your memories of the town. • 120 Farmers, Craft and Continental Market stalls We are available from 11am until 2pm on Mondays 8th October, • entertainment provided by carols in St. Mary’s and on the two stages 12th November, 10th December & 14th January. • 80 open shops • £1 kiddies rides • a carousel and dodgem cars • surprise attractions throughout the High Street. Pop in and see us or email [email protected] For more information go to: www.billericaychristmasmarket.co.uk See what it is all about at www.billericayhistory.org.uk

October 2012 Billericay Town Crier Page 5 Billericay Miniatures Club – are holding their Exhibition of Dolls Friends of Houses & Miniatures on Saturday 10th November from 10.30am – 4pm in the Festival Gardens W I Hall, St Edith’s Lane, Billericay. 1/12th and 1/24th scale houses, room boxes During March the Town Council took over and other items made by club members and those from other local clubs will be the maintenance of Festival Garden, Crown on display. There will also be sales tables, refreshments and a raffle. Road from Basildon Council and employed Admission is free with donations going to the J’s Hospice, which provides respite the services of a contractor to undertake the and hospice care for 18 - 40 year olds with life-limiting conditions. grass cutting and some additional works such as pruning the roses twice a year. However, to enhance the area further the Town Council would like to form a Friends of Festival Garden Group. If you are interested in joining such a Group please contact the Town Council office.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS October 2012 Tuesday 2 Planning Tuesday 16 Planning Thursday 18 Finance & General Purposes Tuesday 23 Environment Tuesday 30 Planning NOVEMBER 2012 Thursday 1 TOWN COUNCIL Tuesday 13 Planning Tuesday 20 Environment (Estimates) Tuesday 27 Planning Thursday 29 Finance & General Purposes (Estimates) Too many poles? December 2012 Tuesday 11 Planning Thursday 13 TOWN COUNCIL (Estimates) Have you noticed how many poles there are with or without signs on them in the Tuesday 18 Planning High Street? The Town Council has noticed and is trying to get the number reduced. All meetings start at 7.00 p.m. in The Coach Councillors have conducted a detailed survey of which poles and signs are cluttering House, Crown Yard, High Street and are open up the roadside, and have referred the results of the survey to Essex County Council to the public. as regards signs related to parking, and Basildon Borough Council for signs to do with Litter, CCTV, Alcohol Control and Retail Watch. We hope to see some of the redundant Essex Police signs and poles removed over the next few months. 24 hour non-emergency number 101. BILLERICAY TOWN COUNCILLORS Name Address Phone No. E-Mail Ward Tina Arnold c/o Billericay Town Council 01277 625732 [email protected] E John Bellringer 100 Church Street, , CM11 2TS 01277 650118 [email protected] SW Jules Bottazzi 7 Montpellier Close, Billericay, CM12 0UH 01277 653130 [email protected] W Peter Bowditch 18 Cranmer Close, Billericay, CM12 0YQ 01277 659530 [email protected] W Tony Bown 76 Western Road, Billericay, CM12 9DT 01277 625732 [email protected] E John Buchanan 72 Meadow Rise, Billericay, CM11 2EF 01277 656715 [email protected] E Robert Chapman 99 Church Street, Billericay, CM11 2TS 01277 657696 bob@chapman156. E freeserve.co.uk Jo Clark 33 Carson Road, Billericay, CM11 1SA 01277 659842 E Ian Davie 51 Tye Common Road, Billericay, CM12 9NR 01277 656139 [email protected] SW Marie Dear c/o Billericay Town Council 01277 625732 [email protected] W Jim Devlin 231 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NZ 01277 656937 [email protected] W Colin Dyer 6 Montpelier Close, Billericay, CM12 0UH 01277 625732 W Susan McCaffery 25 The Rising, Billericay, CM11 2HN 01277 625732 [email protected] E Moira Moore 47 Laindon Road, Billericay, CM12 9LG 01277 627266 [email protected] SW Rod Rapley 43 Crescent Road, Billericay, CM12 0JQ 01277 622125 [email protected] W Daphne Spencer Fir Tree Lodge, 16, Back Lane, Stock, CM4 9DG 01277 829750 [email protected] E Trevor Stansfield 174 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NX 01277 623519 [email protected] W Pamela Went 4 The Mullions, Billericay, CM12 9XG 01277 658961 [email protected] W Emma Willis 5 Bluebell Wood, Billericay, CM12 0ES 01277 625732 W Marion Wilson 25 Parklands, Billericay, CM11 1AS 01277 626321 E CHAIRMAN: Cllr John Buchanan TOWN CLERK: Helen Philpott Telephone: 01277 625732 Billericay Town Council Fax: 01277 634784 The Loft, Crown Yard, High Street E-Mail: [email protected] Billericay, Essex CM12 9BX Website: www.billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk

Contributions may be edited and acceptance and publication of all articles is subject to the Town Council’s Terms and Conditions as shown on the website. Page 6 Billericay Town Crier October 2012