End-to-End The Parish Magazine of and Silver End

Some Autumn Colour at Heybridge Basin this week

November 2020 50p The Following Planned Services have now been cancelled November 2020

8th November Remembrance Sunday 10.50 At the War Memorial 11 am St Mary’s Holy Communion Cancelled

15th November 2nd Sunday before Advent 9.30 am St. Francis Holy Communion Cancelled 11 am St Mary’s Morning Prayer Cancelled

22nd November Sunday Before Advent 9.30 am St. Francis Private Prayer 11 am St Mary’s Holy Communion Cancelled

29th November 1st Sunday of Advent 9.30 am St. Francis Private Prayer 11 am St Mary’s Holy Communion Cancelled

Church Contacts Team Vicar Rev. Paul Watkin 01376 583930 [email protected] Churchwarden Ann Clarke 01376 514825 Churchwarden Peter Hope 01376 502605 Rivenhall Contact Carole McCarthy 01376 512781 Silver End Contact Ruth Aitken 01376 583846 Rivenhall Website www.stmarysrivenhall.co.uk St Francis Silver End Website www.st-francis.org.uk/ Rivenhall Website www.stmarysrivenhall.co.uk St Francis Silver End Website www.st-francis.org.uk/ Contact the Editor 07904 235101 or [email protected] A season to Remember. For most of us our lives will be made up of a mixture of memories. There will probably be some which we love to have called to mind. That might be on a conscious level, but very often a particular memory will be recalled by another occurrence. This could be cause by all manner of things: a particular season of the year, a sight, a sound, an aroma, by doing some activity which causes our minds to stir in a particular way; or something else which if we were to tell anyone about might seem totally irrelevant to what it causes us to go on and think about, but somewhere in our subconscious mind something stirs to bring the memory to the surface. There may of course also be some memories which we'd probably rather forget for a variety of reasons. Memories which are difficult, or ones which are simply awkward or embarrassing – possibly similar to the way one can feel when looking at a photograph from 'X' years ago and thinking to oneself: “did I really wear that?!”. For so many people 2020 will be a year which they'll remember, but not always for the best of reasons. The Coronavirus pandemic has and continues to affect our lives, and there is continued uncertainty ahead. The full affect to our places of worship for the rest of the year are still not fully known, and many people will no doubt (and understandably) be disappointed with the prospect of new restrictions surrounding church services and other activities. As we venture into November we quickly arrive at Remembrance Sunday, which due to the way the dates fall is particularly early this year, with the second Sunday of the month falling on the 8th. Things will no doubt be different to what we would like them to be or are used to, but I'm sure that you will join in with me in one way or another, in the quiet and grateful remembrance of all those who have given their lives for the defence of our freedom, in all wars and conflict. Whatever the challenges presented before us in terms of the restrictions for our worship together, I will continue to offer on-line broadcast services each week, at either 11am or 3.30pm on our parish Facebook page:www.facebook.com/

1 parishRHSE If you're able to, do keep an eye there for the regular latest updates of news from within our parish. The circumstances of everyday life are uncertain in all sorts of ways at the moment, and quite possibly will continue to be so for some months to come. Yet however the next few months unfold, the continued presence of God in our lives to comfort and steer us through this challenging time remains. Some readers may not know that since lockdown began our benefice moved the daily office of Morning Prayer onto an online video meeting platform, and a number of us 'meet' almost every day to pray together. Of course we pray for the and Villages Team, (which as I'm sure you know includes our parish), but we also pray for the wider needs of our country and the world, alongside any other special intentions that day. Our prayers over the weeks and months ahead will no doubt be filled with the continued hopefulness of more progress being made against the pandemic – something which you may well also be joining in with too in your own daily prayers. Let us also come together to pray for new wisdom and grace in the lives of all those who hold positions of power and responsibility in our own country and around the world; and in the lives of scientists and researchers who seeks answers as to the best way forward. And also for the safety and strength of those who work for our health services, as well as the other people who continue to keep the everyday life of the country running. As we remember the past, let us also look to the future and pray with hope that there are better days to come. May I wish you all a peaceful season ahead, filled with the presence of God's love Paul Watkin. ********************************** New National Lockdown 6th November to the 3rd December Dear readers it is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that all service from Sunday the 8th of November to Sunday the 6th of December have been cancelled. However both Churches will be open for private prayer on the dates detailed in the following calendar.

2 Collects and Readings November 2020

1st November All Saints Morning Prayer St. Marys 11.00 am HC St Francis 9.30 am Readings Revelations 7:9-end 1 John 3:1-3 Mathew 5:1-12 Collect God of holiness, your glory is proclaimed in every age: as we rejoice in the faith of your saints, inspire us to follow their example with boldness and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

8th November Remembrance Sunday 10.50 presentation of Wreaths at the war Memorial Holy Communion St Mary’s 11.00 am Readings Wisdom 6:12-16 1 Thessalonians 4:13-end Mathew 25:1-13 Collect. God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end, that earth may know the peace of heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord.

15th November 2nd Sundy before Advent Morning Prayer St Mary’s 11.00 am HC St Francis Readings Zephaniah 1:7, 12-end 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Mathew 25:14-30 Collect Heavenly Lord, you long for the world’s salvation: stir us from apathy, restrain us from excess and revive in us new hope that all creation will one day be healed in Jesus Christ our Lord. 3

22nd November Sunday before Advent HC St. Marys 11.00 am Private Prayer St Francis Readings Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 Collect Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46

29th November 1st Sunday of Advent Joint HC St. Marys 11.00 am Readings Isaiah 64:1-9 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37 Collect Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

************************************* The 50/50 Club Oct. 2020 winners 1st J Macrae 2nd S Banks 3rd M Marshall ************************* RIVENHALL PARISH COUNCIL NOTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 6th October 2020 HELD ELECTRONICALLY DUE TO THE COVID-19 HEALTH RESTRICTIONS (These notes are an abridged version of the minutes). Matters for Discussion Proposed new Footpath along Church Road

4 This has been deferred until early in 2021 as the Local Highways Panel (LHP) had to divert funding to complete the Cressing Temple junction scheme and the footpath scheme for Church Road was amongst several LHP schemes that have consequently been put back to the 2021/22 financial year. Letter of thanks to volunteer litter picker from Silver End It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to the volunteer litter picker who has been doing such a good job of clearing the verges of litter between the villages. Playing Field Tree Planting, including ECC Forest Initiative The RPFA has raised objections to the tree planting proposal in a corner of the playing field. By a majority decision it was agreed to seek an alternative site and to explore this being part of the Essex Forest Initiative. CCTV cameras By a majority decision it was agreed to liaise with BDC and to proceed with the purchase of 2 additional mobile CCTV units. Members reiterated their support for such measures to combat fly-tipping. Highway Maintenance Members raised a number of outstanding issues including the condition of the Beech Road footway; overhanging trees obscuring signage at The Oak junction and local potholes. The Chairman confirmed that the footway along Beech Road has again been reported to ECC Highways, with accompanying photographs; the overhanging trees have also been reported and it has been emphasised to ECC how important it is that the weight limit and height limit signs are clearly visible to drivers. The Chairman also reported on repair work recently completed including of the footway in St. Mary’s Road and the repair of the worst of the potholes on the approach to the zebra crossing in Church Road. The Chairman confirmed that as part of the “top 50” highway defects that each County Councillor has been asked to submit, and which ECC states will be repaired without further need for reporting, he has included the potholes either side of the railway bridge, the remaining potholes in Church Road and the defects in Rickstones Road. ECC has stated that although the new HGV height warning signs have

5 now been installed, new parts are needed to correct a problem with the sensor equipment and so for the time being the signs are not operational. (Post-meeting note - ECC says the signs are now working). Several residents had raised concerns about the Bellway site off Rickstones Road. These have been reported to BDC, including concerns about potential flooding of Rectory Lane from the new culvert that is draining into a roadside ditch, and all-night floodlighting of Rectory Lane from the site compound. General Maintenance By a majority decision it was agreed to carry out some replanting of the tubs along Church Road and to ensure that the plants were drought resistant and would be maintained. Planning Applications There were no new applications at time of the Agenda. Planning Results: 20/00948/HH: Installation of vehicle crossover etc. – 459 Rickstones Road. Application granted by BDC. Ongoing Planning Issues: BDC Local Plan Consultation It was agreed by a majority decision to submit a representation on the Local Plan Section 1 Main Modifications consultation to state that RPC supports the removal of the 2 Garden Communities from the Draft Plan but also to reiterate the strong desire that Rivenhall should retain its identity as a village and not be subsumed into Witham through encroachment of still more housing areas and further boundary changes. Braintree Local Highways Panel The Chairman reported that there remains a total of 4 schemes on the LHP lists for Rivenhall, one of which is currently being delivered (HGV height warning signs). The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 28th January 2021. Information exchange and items for the November agenda Discussions are ongoing with BDC to secure additional information

6 about the design of the proposed new sections of path behind the Village Hall; this information will be shared with council members and the RPFA when it becomes available. Dates of future meetings 3rd November and 1st December, but both will probably be convened electronically. If residents wish to raise any matters with the parish council, please contact the Clerk: Telephone (01376) 516975 Email: [email protected] ***************************** End to End Nature Care. See Colour Pictures in the middle of the Magazine

Congratulations to those who spotted the errors in the photograph captions in the last issue and thank you to those who took the trouble to point them out to me; it is encouraging to know that these pages are given such careful and knowledgeable scrutiny. Perhaps most critically, the photograph of a Hornet was our native species (Vespa crabro) and not the Asian or Yellow-legged Hornet (Vespa velutina) so if you see an insect which matches the image then just keep a safe distance rather than feel the need to contact the authorities and report a non-indigenous potentially serious pest species. Fortunately you are very unlikely to see an Asian Hornet and there have been no reports in Essex at all, though the species has been seen in Kent. There is a wealth of information about it on the websites of the invertebrate charity Buglife and the Non Native Species Secretariat. The photograph purporting to be a typical House Spider was in fact not a spider at all but a harvestman. These form a separate order (the Opiliones) within the traditional class of Arachnida and whereas spiders have a distinct thorax and abdomen, in harvestmen the two are almost entirely merged. Opiliones also have just a single pair of eyes instead of the multiple pairs possessed by most spiders, hence, with the undifferentiated body, giving the impression of a head with four pairs of legs (characteristic of all arachnids) attached. Opiliones do not have spinnerets, the ability to spin webs being unique to the spiders (order Araneae within the Arachnida). Last month’s photograph was included partly because the camera flash had cast shadows from the animal’s legs on the plain background, giving the

7 impression that it actually had eight pairs of legs! Focusing now on the month ahead, November is the autumnal peak when most deciduous plants lose the majority of their leaves and the weather becomes distinctly damp, if not enormously cold. Amongst naturalists it is noted as being a time to look for mushrooms and toadstools, the fruiting bodies of species of fungus. The fungi are a vast and varied group of organisms containing perhaps one of the most important organisms to humans – yeast – as well as a wide variety of rusts, spots, crusts and smuts, many very familiar to gardeners. Even the mushrooms and toadstools demonstrate an enormous range of shape, form and habit although they share the purpose of shedding the fungal spores through which their species reproduce and are dispersed. Although many mushrooms are grown and/or harvested for food, some toadstools are notoriously very poisonous, with vernacular names such as Deathcap, Destroying Angel and Deadly Webcap, all perfectly capable of causing death in humans if ingested. Some others are famously known to induce hallucinatory effects. It always strikes me as odd that of all the plants and animals to be found in the wild it tends to only be fungi where one of the first questions is “Can you eat it?” and even the identification guide books generally list “edibility”. Another poisonous species is the common and attractive Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) with its scarlet cap flecked with white warts, often depicted as the typical toadstool in artwork and much beloved of garden gnomes. As noted above, mushrooms and toadstools (incidentally, there is no real distinction, the two terms are arbitrary and often used interchangeably) are just the fruiting bodies. The bulk of a fungus is made up of very fine filaments called hyphae which form a network known as a mycelium, woven through the soil, wood or whatever host the fungus inhabits. Classically they subsist by breaking down the tissue of other organisms, thus helping to recycle a wide variety of nutrients, and have developed so-called symbiotic relationships with plants, whereby both plant and fungus rely on each other to thrive or even exist at all. Given that some of the very poisonous species can closely resemble edible ones, my advice is to not collect wild fungi to eat. Indeed, as even the most deadly species to humans provide edible food for other species of animal, it is best to leave them to be eaten by their natural grazers as well as to allow the fungi to complete their life cycle.

8 If you happen to see any interesting specimens, while it may not always allow identification to species one of the best things to do is take a series of photographs showing as many different views as possible, including the habitat. If you would like to share them feel free to email me, Simon Taylor, via [email protected] or you could ask to join our new Facebook group – End to End Nature Care – and share them there. Do feel free to join the group anyway. ******************************** A Bit of Light Relief I got myself a seniors SatNav it not only tells me how to get to my destination but also why I wanted to go there. ************************** Q. How do you have a party in Space? A. You Planet ************************** Q. What do you get when a chicken lays its Eggs on the top of a Hill? A. Egg Rolls **************************

9

CRIMESTOPPERS LAUNCH COVID HOTLINE Crime Stoppers. The Crimestoppers COVID Fraud Hotline (0800 587 5030) COVID Fraud has been set up by HM Government in partnership 0800 587 with Crimestoppers to enable Don't let abuse individuals to report fraud within the public sector during COVID

The hotline allows those with information to anonymously report their concerns in the knowledge that this information will be dealt with. Giving Crimestoppers information in relation to fraud means we can help protect the public purse from individuals and companies seeking to undermine the stimulus schemes brought in by Her Majesty’s Government to assist people during COVID. Contact anonymously and free of charge on 0800 587 5030 or use the form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org if you have any information or suspicions about any potential crime involving the public sector. If your information is in relation to the furlough scheme, please visit the HMRC Fraud website or if your information is in relation to benefit fraud, including universal credit, please visit www.gov.uk/report-benefit- fraud. To report fraud within the NHS, please use the NHS Counter Fraud Authority online form.

Amazon Fraud Criminals are targeting members of the public with automated calls stating that the recipient has been charged for an Amazon Prime subscription.

• Victims are receiving automated calls stating they’ve been charged for an Amazon Prime subscription • They are connected to a scammer posing as an Amazon worker when they try to cancel the subscription • Since the start of September, Action Fraud has received 200 reports from people who have lost money to the scam

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Unsuspecting members of the public are being mercilessly targeted with automated calls which tell them a fraudster has used their personal details to sign up for an Amazon Prime subscription. The victim is then instructed to press 1 to cancel the transaction. When they do this, they are directly connected to the real scammer who poses as an Amazon customer service representative.

PLEASE NOTE AND PASS TO ALL PARCEL DELIVERY YOUR CONTACTS SERVICE (PDS) HOAX Christmas is fast approaching, Royal EMAIL Mail & The Trading Standards Office A number of residents are making people aware of the have recently received a following scam: hoax email (right) A card is posted through your door that warns them about a from a company called PDS (Parcel parcel delivery scam in the Delivery Service) suggesting that lead up to Christmas. they were unable to deliver a parcel The majority of the and that you need to contact them on information provided in 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate the email is incorrect or number). out of date. The number in question has since been you call the number and you start to repurposed by another hear a recorded message you will company (although will already have been billed £315 for the still set you back £3.60 phone call. per minute). I f you do receive a card with these However, residents should details. then please contact still remain alert if they Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655 receive a card stating a For more information, action fraud parcel they do not https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ remember ordering could news/hoax-email-from-pds-parcel- not be delivered, and delivery-service should be wary of taking delivery of parcels they Please be aware that the premium have not ordered rate number may change but nevertheless please do not call any number stated on a card from PDS. Can you please make all your family, friends neighbours aware of the above.

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14 “ROCKY– ROAD” Ingredients • 125g/4½oz soft unsalted butter • 300g/10½oz best-quality dark chocolate, broken into pieces • 3 tbsp golden syrup • 200g/7¼oz rich tea biscuits • 100g/3½oz mini marshmallows • 2 tsp icing sugar, to dust Method 1. Heat the butter, chocolate and golden syrup in a heavy-based saucepan over a gentle heat. Remove from the heat, scoop out about 125ml/4½fl oz of the melted mixture and set aside in a bowl. 2. Place the biscuits into a plastic freezer bag and crush them with a rolling pin until some have turned to crumbs but there are still pieces of biscuit remaining. 3. Fold the biscuit pieces and crumbs into the melted chocolate mixture in the saucepan, then add the marshmallows. 4. Tip the mixture into a 24cm/9in square baking tin and smooth the top with a wet spatula. 5. Pour over the reserved 125ml/4½fl oz of the melted chocolate mixture and smooth the top with a wet spatula. 6. Refrigerate for about two hours or overnight. 7. To serve, cut into 24 fingers and dust with icing sugar. Ann Clarke ************************************************ Sky Notes November 2020 Mars remains prominent throughout November and although its dis- tance from Earth is now increasing, it will remain bright. On the 25th the Red Planet is joined by the waxing gibbous Moon and the pair will be due South at 8.30pm. Jupiter and Saturn bow out this month, only being visible for a short time in the early evening before they set in the South West. The young crescent Moon will be close by the pair on the 19th. Venus can still be seen low down pre-dawn in the South East. A re- cent scientific report suggested that the detection of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus could be a sign that microbial life is somehow existing there. Compared to the Earth’s atmosphere, the gases making up the atmosphere of Venus are decidedly toxic and so the suggestion there could be life there will remain controversial for now but will spark more interest in sending probes to explore Venus. There are two meteor showers this month. The Taurid meteors have two peaks and whilst the first will be affected by moonlight early in the month, some Taurids may be seen in the darker even- ing skies in the second week with an expected peak on the night of the 11/12th. Taurid meteors are notably slower moving across the sky compared to other “shooting stars”. Later in November come the Leonid meteors with a peak expected on the night of the 17th/18th. The Leonids can only be seen late in the evening and after midnight. Both showers are typically less active than the more famous Perse- ids or Geminids, but there can be surprises as meteor streams have arcs of differing dust density. What we see in terms of meteor activ- ity depends on the nature of the dust stream the Earth is passing through. Full Moon is on the 30th, beaming down from a winter elevation of nearly 60 degrees when in the South. By the end of November the Sun sets before 4pm, and we are al- ready close to the shortest daylight hours of the year. On clear nights the stars are set against a dark sky from as early as 6pm and its a good time to view the concentration of bright “winter “ constellations that are now in the East and South East by 10pm. The lead stars of these constellations form what has come to be known as the “Winter Circle”, or for those more mathematically minded, the “Winter Hexagon”. Starting at the bottom right is the bright star Rigel, in Orion. Then moving upwards we come to Aldeberan, the brightest star in Taurus. Above and to the left of that is Capella, the lead star of Auriga. Moving back down and to the left is Pollux, one of the “twin” stars in Gemini and below and to the right of that is Procyon, the brightest star in Canis Minor. At the bottom of the circle is the brightest star of all, Sirius, in Canis Ma- jor. The colours of the stars in the circle are subtle but can be detected, ranging from orange and yellow to white and blue. But apart from Sirius, all these stars appear to be of similar brightness, which masks the fact that they are actually located at a wide range of distances from us. Most are tens of lights years away but Rigel is over 800 light years away – so the light we see now was emitted by the star in the C12th, around about the time of the reign of Henry II.

For Full details read Si- mon Taylors Nature Care article in the magazine

The fungus "Turkeytail", Trametes versicolor, growing locally on fallen wood.

A Bonnet Fungus growing locally

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19 Turning the pages of History

Research by Tracy Scott

We call it death to them ‘tis life beyond” This inscription marks the grave stone in the Sucrerie Memorial Cemetery, Colincamps, in the area of the Somme. This one belonged to one of our own Mr. Stacey Hutley Taber born at Hoo Hall. He was killed in action on the 28/3/18 aged 28 and was a 2nd Lieutenant with the 2nd Essex. Many of course were not able to be buried and much effort was made to contact family at home about the casualties. Many of them were buried in makeshift graves and 20 marked with a cross and if at that time ID was on them it was marked on the cross. A photo of this was sent to family or contact address and years later another correspondence was sent if they want to inscription on a grave stone. If they hadn’t heard after a period of time they would normally put ‘Known unto God’. With the announcement that they would like this year for us to stand on your door step to remember at 11am on the 11th, I thought it would be good for the folk of Rivenhall to know where our WW1 names on the war memorial were either born/lived or associated with the village. Of course Rivenhall itself boundary when up to the area of Boarstye Green at that time. So that is why we must remember that Silver End did loose members of its community in the WW1. The map itself is ruff but it, I hope gives you an idea of where our brave young men had slept at one time. Of course not every man that was associated with the village would be on our memorial as sometime it was because of they moved or the family wanted to be mentioned on another memorial or not at all So let’s start with Harry Ager. Born in Brown’s Row and was living in Witham at the time of the start of the war working as a Miller Carman. Harry served at various stations on guard duty and was involved in the allied advance in 1918 where he proceeded to the Western Front where he was killed in action near Ypres on 17/9/18 with the 11th battalion Essex aged 28. His grave is marked with ‘Known unto God’ at Voormezeele Enclosure no.3 West-Vlaanderen, Belguim. Frank and Frederick Butcher were born in Dunmow and have found Frederick living in Braintree at the time of 1911 census. I believe they were related to the Butcher’s at lived at Oak Place. Both of them were killed in action in 1916. Frank aged 20 was with the 9th Essex and died on 3rd July and Frederick aged 25 on the 23rd Oct and was with 2nd Essex. The Butler brothers Arthur and Henry lived with their parents in the cottages on London Rd, R/End. At the time of 1911 census Arthur worked as a Yard lad and Henry was in Suffolk, Great Blakenham working as a railway porter about the outbreak of war. Arthur served under 10th Queen’s Own the Royal West Kent Regiment and was killed on 9/10/16 and is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial in the Somme area aged 22. Henry was with the 10th Essex when he was killed in action on 19/4/16 and was buried at Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery in the Somme area.

21 The other Butler named on the memorial is Arthur whom father was the village bootmaker. At time of 1911 he was living at Oak Place and a farm labourer. Arthur served with the 9th Essex and is commemorated at the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Ernest Challis was born in ‘Rivenhall’ Silver End and lived with family in a cottage near Western Arms area. Ernest has a different story than the others. Sailing from Liverpool to Quebec in 1912. He joined the 78th Canadian Infantry and died aged 29 on 11/8/18 and is commemorated at Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais. Walter Collard born in Black Notley and soon after the family moved to Witham. At this time I cannot find connection with Rivenhall, but Walter was a grocer errand boy in 1911. He was killed in action on 1/12/17 and commemorated at Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord in France. Loftus Cook lived with his family on Whitehead’s Farm, but born in White Notley. His occupation was Stockman on farm in 1911. Three years later he married and moved to Kelvedon. Loftus died from his wounds on the 12/10/15 aged 23 and is buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery in the Somme area. The Gisby brothers were born in Colchester and later the family moved to the White Hart in Kelvedon. Vernon was with the Royal Field Artillery Territorial Force and was killed in action 2/9/18 and buried at Helm Farm Military Cemetery, Helm-Monacu in the Somme area. Vernon was 28 and I believe married into the Shelley family of Rivenhall and her name was Alice. Harold was part of the 17th Middlesex (Duke of Cambridge own) he returned home but died of sickness on 23/7/19 and is buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Kelvedon on its eastside where there are a small number of war graves aged 22. Reginald Evans Grant was born in Forest Gate and in 1911 was in Prittlewell as a clerk to an Advertising Constructors. I believe his mother has connections with Rivenhall and on the war doc’s I have seen his sister was living here either during or just after the war. Reginald died of Malaria aged 36 on the 19/10/18 and is remembered in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. He also served in Dardanelles and Salonica and served under Corps of Hussars (Middlesex) Fredrick Hubbard was a driver with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. Fredrick was born in Witham and lived in Kelvedon in 1911 and had family connections in Rivenhall and

22 Rivenhall End. He was killed in action on 14/6/17 and is buried at Brandhoek Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium aged 22. Christopher Kellock lived with his family at Pond Farm at the time of 1911. He joined the 10th Royal Irish Rifles. Christopher died of his wounds in France 7/8/17 aged 20 and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. He is also mentioned on Irelands Memorial Records of the Great War. Thomas Parsley was born in Panfield and recorded in 1911 in Bocking and he was a Mat Maker. At the moment I have found no connections with Rivenhall community. He died in action on the 23/10/16 and buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, in the Somme area aged 20. Arthur Pinborough was born in Browns Row and was a farm labourer. He was killed in action on the 30/7/16 and is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial in the Somme area aged 20 under the 18th Lancashire Fusilier. Arthurs parents later moved into Hoo Hall Lodge. Joseph Pye was born in Rivenhall End in one of the cottages in Oak Road near Browns Row. In 1911 he was married and living in Great Braxted and working as gardener. Joseph was 33 when he was killed in action 3/2/15 and is buried at Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery, Hainuat, Belgium and served under the 2nd Essex. Clifford Shelley lived all his life in Witham and had strong family connections in Rivenhall especially Browns Row. At the time of 1911 census he was living with his parents in Blue Mill Hills. Clifford is commemorated at Thiepval Memorial in the Somme area where he died on 13/8/16 aged 27 serving under the 9th Essex. Walter Shelley like Clifford had the same family connections and was born in Rivenhall End. In 1911 we find that he is recorded in Hyderabad Sind, India. In 1905 he had signed up to the Essex Regiment and at the time of the census he was serving the Royal Field Artillery in India. Between then and 1915 he was part of 50th Royal Field Artillery and we find him in France where he was a gunner. Walter died on 14/3/15 and is buried at Brown’s Road Military Cemetery Festubert, Pas de Calais aged 27. Ernest Succamore spent all is life in Rivenhall and lived near the Oak and the 1911 census we find he was a farm labourer. He joined the 5th Essex and was killed in action in the Palestine theatre of war. Ernest is commemorated at Jerusalem Memorial at the location of

23 Israel and Palestine (including Gaza). He was aged 25. Golden Succamore a relation of Ernest was born in Rivenhall and lived at Glebe Farm in 1911 but before that the family lived at Rickstones Farm. Golden died on the 15/2/19 and is buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany aged 28. John Willmott was the son of our Rectory of the time and was born at the rectory. John was a Captain with the 3rd Essex and received a MC for devotion to duty as a Coy during the attack N.W. of Poelchapelle on 9/10/17. He was killed in action on 28/3/18 and is commemorated at Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais. And lastly of our brave men is Sidney Young born of Rivenhall End near the Wheelwrights and within 10 years moving to the Oak. Sidney is buried at Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais after being killed in action on the 18/4/16. His inscription on his grave reads: “A loving son, a brother kind his life he gave for one and all ever more in our thoughts”. *************************************** A Trip to Poland In September my cricket club should have been playing in a competition in the Czech Republic, and as President I was not going to miss the occasion. If fact we all missed the occasion as flights were cancelled and the competition called off - you probably know why! So seven of us transferred our flights to Portugal - and guess what! ….. so instead we went to Poland where we had a wonderful time in a country I had never before visited. We had three hot and sunny days in Gdansk (one of the Hanseatic Ports which included Hull, Boston and Kings Lynn). Following much war-time destruction the city centre was restored and re-built and is most impressive. One day we walked down the banks of the Motlawa River to the famous Gdansk shipyards. One can walk through these (possibly not for those with a very high regard to their Health & Safety!), and see many interesting sculptures and curious industrial buildings. We strolled through the famous shipyard gates which are now a near-shrine to Solidarity, Lech Walesa, and the fall of communism in the 1908s (several iconic photos were taken of us by the gates). On day four we took a train to Torun, the oldest part of which is a very fine walled medieval city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 24 Fortunately the town was remarkably undamaged during the world wars and contains its long-ruined castle and many very fine 13th and 14th century buildings including the house of Copernicus. He was the famous clergyman, mathematician and astronomer who first placed the sun, rather than the earth, at the centre of our universe. After three grand days we set off for Wroclaw: two trains this time and only seven minutes to so the transfer at a large sprawling multi-platform station (hauling our luggage we made it with about 15 seconds to spare!). Wroclaw has two main stations and ours was on the opposite side to the city, on the other bank of the River Oder. We wheeled our luggage almost two miles on a very hot, dry day before crossing a bridge and reaching our hotel and well-earned beers and wines! Wroclaw is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Poland. Its renowned Gothic old town hall with its huge astronomical clock dominates the large elegant market square. We spent three days in Wroclaw before another rail journey brought us back to Gdansk (we booked a taxi to take us back to that station this time!). Will I go back to Poland? Oh yes, it is a great country, lovely people, and we only scratched a tiny part of its surface. John Macrae ****************************** BURNS SUPPER SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2021 We are exploring the feasibility of holding a COVID-19 compliant Burns Supper in Silver End Village Hall. Based on current legislation it would consist of • The traditional fare of Haggis, Tatties and Neeps, • the Address to the Haggis • A variety of live Scottish entertainment on stage • A selection of favourite Scottish songs and music • No dancing (Rule of 6 legislation) • Seating at suitably distanced tables in households or "Bubbles" of 4-6

25 Are you interested ? If so, what size would your group be?

Contact Jackie Allan or Ann Kerr to indicate your interest before Christmas Almost everything could change between now and February, so your response now is not a binding commitment. We need to get some idea of possible numbers to see if we can still create an entertaining evening that is financially viable, legally compliant and COVID safe (and to place the haggis order in good time) Feel free to contact me for more information Jackie Allan Tel: 01376 513076 Mobile: 07419780701 email: [email protected]

********************************** Rivenhall & Silver End Christmas Lights Competition After a lonely year for many, let us cheer ourselves over the coming Christmas period and put some sparkle and brightness back into the parish. Darrin and Vicky of DRH Landscapes are organising an outdoor Christmas lights competition in aid of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. All homes can enter the competition by making their donation directly to the Just Giving web site:- https:// www.justgiving.com/fundraising/drhlandscapesltd Please do NOT make your donation anonymously because DRH would not then know you have entered the competition! Will everyone also e-mail info@drhlandscapes to confirm they have entered the competition and give their full name address: without this we will not know where you are! We suggest a minimum £5.00 donation, but of course you may donate as much as you like to this excellent charity.

26 Judging will be done from the roadside between 5th December and 15th December so your front outdoor lights will need to be up and illuminated then. The results and prizes will be announced in time for Christmas via a live feed on the DRH Landscapes Facebook page at 4pm on Friday 18th December.

After a lonely year for many, let us cheer ourselves over the coming Christmas period and put some sparkle and brightness back into the parish. Darrin and Vicky of DRH Landscapes are organising an outdoor Christmas lights competition in aid of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. All homes can enter the competition by making their donation directly to the Just Giving web site:- https:// www.justgiving.com/fundraising/drhlandscapesltd Please do NOT make your donation anonymously because DRH would not then know you have entered the competition! Will everyone also e-mail info@drhlandscapes to confirm they have entered the competition and give their full name address: without this we will not know where you are! We suggest a minimum £5.00 donation, but of course you may donate as much as you like to this excellent charity. Judging will be done from the roadside between 5th December and 15th December so your front outdoor lights will need to be up and illuminated then. The results and prizes will be announced in time for Christmas via a live feed on the DRH Landscapes Facebook page at 4pm on Friday 18th December.

27 Organisations in Rivenhall

Clerk to Parish Council Keith Taylor 516975 Email [email protected] meets every first Tuesday Age Concern (Witham area) Margaret Prime 514255 End to End Nature Care Simon Taylor 01621 810141 Gardening Club Carole McCarthy 512781 Meets on 2nd Tuesday at 7.30pm in Village Hall Carpet Bowls Mick Marshall 512836 Meets every Thursday at 7.30pm in Village Hall Playing Fields Association Mick Marshall 01376 512836 Spread Your Wings Dance Acam Laura Pearson 01376 741317

Facilities Hire of Village Hall Pauline Marshall 01376 512836 Or email [email protected] Hire of Henry Dixon Hall Tracy Scott 571551 Mobile Library 13 April 4 May Beech Road 9.20 to 9.50. a.m. Oak Store Rivenhall “Open All Hour” Tel AJ 01376 619395 Organisations in Silver End Clerk to Parish Council Mrs B. M. Temple 618464 Email [email protected] Bowls Club Paul Mann 07551 006906 Children’s Centre Faye Savage 587960 Neighbourhood Police Braintree Policing Dial 101 Congregational Church Sharon Gray 583913 Friendship Club Maureen Green 585275 Silver End Gad Abouts Denise Sullens Smith 07952 992782 Gardening Club Liz Woor 585586 Guiding Group Carol Hutchings 07857 663959 Neighbourhood Watch Judy Hill 07896 975839 Scouting Group Denise Sullens Smith 07952 992782 St Mary’s Church (R.C.) Vivian Phillips 583598 Tennis Club Jason Cairns 584581 Workers Educational Assoc. Brian Gillion 583706 Luncheon Club Helen Thomson 583255 Doctors Surgery 583387 Silver End Heritage Society Jackie Nesbitt 07707 084608 Silver End United Football Club Mark Edgell 584639 Web Site www.silverendunitedfc.co.uk Women’s Institute Brenda Warnes 07931 548193 Community Warden Jackie Windard 07785 515526 Post Office in Co-op - please note that it closes at Lunchtime 1-2pm Closes 1 pm Wednesday and 12.30 pm Saturday Library: Tues & Thurs - 2pm to 6pm Saturday 9am to 1pm 28