Great Bardfield Annual Parish Report April 29th 2016 Report design, layout and sub-editing: Jenny Rooney. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed written reports and to all those who have sent in photographs to illustrate this document, especially Ian Fox, Doug Joyce, Paul Boon, Chris Morrell, Katrina Ralston, Brenda Poston, Claire Oldroyd, Will Edwards and Alison Kerrell. Cover: Family fun run (Ian Fox). Contents

Agenda...... 4 Chairman’s introduction...... 5 Minutes of meeting held 24th April 2015...... 7 Parish Council review 2015...... 15 Parish Council financial review...... 19 Income and expenditure charts...... 20 Essex County Council...... 22 Braintree District Council ...... 24 The village in photographs...... 26 Three Fields Ward ...... 28 Great Bardfield Charities...... 29 The ownT Hall...... 30 TheBardfield Times...... 31 Great Bardfield Historical Society...... 32 Bardfield Horticultural Society...... 34 Bardfield Oxlip recovery programme...... 36 Plantings at Long Green...... 37 Great Bardfield allotments...... 38 Freshwell Health Centre...... 39 CREAMER Fund...... 40 Update on defibrillators...... 41 Great Bardfield WEA...... 42 Bardfield Players...... 43 Great Bardfield Primary School ...... 44 Tuesday Club...... 48 Bardfield Community Choir ...... 49 Great Bardfield Youth Club...... 50 Great Bardfield Carpet Bowls...... 52 Great Bardfield Parish Councillors...... 53

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 3 Great Bardfield Parish Council

Annual Parish Meeting 2016 To be held Friday 29th April at 8.00pm in the Town Hall Agenda

1 Chairman’s introduction

2 Apologies

3 Minutes of the meeting held 24th April 2015

4 Matters arising

5 Parish Council report and accounts

6 District Council report

7 County Council report

8 School report

9 Charities report and accounts

10 Town Hall report and accounts

11 Bardfield Times report and accounts

12 Items of report

13 Closing remarks

The Annual Parish Report containing the above reports, and those of other village organisations, is available on the evening to all those attending and additional copies will be available, free of charge, from the Community Information Point and Between the Lines bookshop.

4 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Chairman’s introduction

am very pleased to introduce the IAnnual Report on the work of Great Bardfield Parish Council and the many organisations in the village. As always the report shows the amazing range of activities and organisations in this live- ly, thriving community. If you can’t face reading all these words the excellent photographs will tell you the story of a year in the life of this English village. A matter for significant considera- Janet Following the council elections tion, not only for the Parish Council Dyson: last May five parish councillors but for all members of our community Parish were elected unopposed leaving two this year has been the question of Council casual vacancies to be filled through how Great Bardfield should develop Chairman co-option. We are very pleased to in the future. The Braintree District welcome Cllrs Iain Graham and Paul Local Plan has been through a period Kennedy to the Parish Council team. of consultation and will identify sites This year we have extended the brief considered to be appropriate for devel- of our Footpath Committee to include opment across the district. The Parish the wider village environment. The Council is aware of the need to keep a Environment Committee picks up on balance between ‘nimbyism’ and ensur- any problems from footpaths, broken ing that any development is appropri- fences, litter, rubbish and any areas of ate, keeping the essential character of the village that need attention so they Great Bardfield and the other historic can be dealt with quickly. villages along the Pant Valley. We also The new village information all need to remember that if we don’t map, designed by local artists David use the local services we have, shops, and Chester Meldrum, is ready to school, pubs, buses, for example, we be installed on School Green, and a will lose them. permanent speed indicator is now in Well done to the Town Hall place in the Dunmow Road. Committee who have organised a very Progress on the pavilion project has successful fund-raising campaign to been slow this year but the new equip- restore the roof, drawing support from ment for the children’s play area has local groups and also attracting grants been ordered and work to prepare the from several sources. The Town Hall is site will begin shortly. The up-dating of at the centre of village life, well used the Parish Council website is underway by so many groups and managed and and we’re pleased to have re-established maintained by volunteers. We also our link with the School Council. appreciate the work of the Bardfield

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 5 Times team who produce an excellent name but a few. Read their reports to quality, interesting, informative maga- see what they’ve been doing this year. I zine, delivered free to every house. The know that some of the older residents Community Facebook page is also a were delighted to receive Christmas valuable channel of communication hampers organised by an impromptu about what’s going on in the village. group of volunteers – a lovely gesture. This year the Historical Society has Particular thanks are due to Mick put Great Bardfield firmly on the map and Sue Gell for their care of the War with their installation of blue plaques Memorial Green, village handyman, on two of the significant houses in Ian Ruffle, Ian Fox for IT and the village. The Bardfield Artists are communication support and Jenny attracting national attention this Rooney for her work in staffing the year – how much do you know about CIP and the production of this report. them? Visit our lovely, newly-thatched We also recognise the work of our Cottage Museum and find out about Parish Clerk, Kate Fox, who supports them and other interesting informa- the Council in so many ways beyond tion about the history of our village. her job description. We are very lucky to have such a We remember a number of people variety of clubs, societies and activities from our community who have sadly in the village – something for all ages died this year including David Holmes, and tastes. These would not happen Evelyn (Peggy) Swift, Violet Clapson, without the time and commitment Beryl Maidman, Dr Colin Reynolds, of the many volunteers who run and Peter Williams, Gill Morrell and June support them, for example as school Smith. governors, youth club leaders, Town Hall committee members, baby and Janet Dyson, Chairman, toddler group, museum volunteers Great Bardfield Parish Council and Horticultural Show organisers to

David Slow with his mother, Kathy, unveiling the blue plaque on Place House

6 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Great Bardfield Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Assembly held on Friday 24th April 2015

1. Chairman’s introduction and have argued very strongly for The chairman said how pleased she was improving or extending services such to introduce the Annual Report on the as public transport – the decision by work of Great Bardfield Parish Council Essex County Council to cut the bus and the many organisations in the service to Saffron Walden disappointed village. As always the report showed the regular users of this service. These the amazing range of activities and experiences have prompted the Council organisations that exist in this lively, to ensure that wherever possible it takes thriving community. on responsibility for procuring and The Parish Plan Refresh project has delivering our own services – if only been completed this year. We would like that could extend to repair of potholes to thank the committee of volunteers and replacement of road signs! chaired by Paul Boon; Jenny Wright, This month the Parish Council Mick Gell, Sue Gell, Mark Wells, Tony reached the end of its four year term Hayward, Tony Battye, Penny Battye, of office and five of the existing and Sarah Boon, who all put so much councillors have been nominated to work into this project. Everyone in the stand for election. Two members have village had an opportunity to have a retired from the council and will be very say about how local services could be much missed. Cllr Alicia Holmes has improved; whether they would like served two four-year terms and made to see more housing in the village, a strong contribution, particularly on whether they would be prepared to pay planning issues. Cllr Tony Hayward more for improved sports and leisure was retiring after 45 years of service facilities and how they would like to see on the Parish Council, 15 years as its Great Bardfield develop in the future. Chair. He also served as representative Progress has already been made on on the Executive Committee of the several of these issues, including the Essex Association of Local Councils new village information map which and the Braintree Association of was on display at the Parish Assembly Local Councils. He became Chair and the installation of a speed indicator of the National Association of Local in the Dunmow Road. Councils and had the honour of being Although the council had moved awarded an OBE for his services to forward on several major projects local government. during the year, sources of funding The chairman acknowledged his for specific schemes such as the new major contribution to the village as a pavilion were getting harder to access. Councillor; his extensive knowledge Members were frustrated by the and expertise have been invaluable and diminishing and deteriorating services will be greatly missed. A presentation of, for example, policing and highways, was made to Cllr Hayward ftom his

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 7 Parish Council colleagues and clerk in inform the council’s work for the next recognition of his years of service from four or five years. There had been an May 1970 to its conclusion following initial public meeting, the forming of the election in May 2015. a committee of residents mentioned in The chairman also wished to record her opening remarks and a parish-wide the contribution of the many volun- survey. The result of this highlighted teers who run and support the activi- key issues of: ties and organisations in the village as school governors, youth club leaders, • Development of sports and leisure Town Hall committee members, foot- facilities. ball team managers, museum volun- • Identifying and meeting future teers and Horticultural Show organis- housing needs. ers to name but a few. She particularly • Improved Broadband. wished to thank Mick and Sue Gell for • Village information map. their care of the War Memorial Green, • Traffic and parking issues. village handyman, Ian Ruffle, Ian Fox • Improvement of public transport. for IT and communication support and Jenny Rooney for her work in There were questions regarding housing staffing the CIP and the production of and plans for the Bardfield Centre, the Annual Report. which had only just been received and were on display at the meeting. Also 2. Apologies the expected delivery of the Vehicular These were received from Patricia Activated Sign – which would be early Walsh, Annette Joyce and Paul in the 2015–16 financial year. Kennedy. 6. County Council report 3. Minutes of the Parish Assembly The chairman introduced Cllr Roger held 16th May 2014 Walters who summarised his report These were approved and signed as a which could be read in full in the true record of the meeting. Proposed Annual Report. Jenny Rooney, seconded Mick Gell. At Full Council on February 10th, Essex County Council passed the 4. Matters arising budget for 2015–16. The budget froze The chairman suggested that as most council tax for the fifth year in a row, items would be covered during the meaning that the average resident course of the evening, and there would will have saved £335 during over this be an opportunity to ask questions at period. Residents continue to pay the the end, that she move on to the next lowest council tax in the whole of the item. This was agreed. Eastern Region. Outlined in the budget was a 5. Parish Plan Refresh record level of investment in our With the aid of a power point capital programme. In 2015–16, the presentation the Chairman outlined council is investing over £270m in the process that had taken place to key infrastructures such as schools,

8 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 roads, flood defences and superfast a basic level of maintenance but the broadband. The budget also sets out route’s status change would help calm plans to invest £1bn over the next five the traffic, HGVs would be banned and years in a capital programme to deliver a 20mph limit would be implemented the infrastructure that will see the as standard practice. ECC will initially county remain strong and prosperous ask each of the county’s 12 Local well into the future. Highways Panels to identify two roads National offer day was 27th February to be considered as Quiet Lanes. for children starting secondary school The Superfast Essex programme from September 2015. Out of some has already enabled over 20,000 new 15,000 Essex parents, 19 out of 20 superfast broadband connections parents – 95% – were allocated a place across Essex and during 2015 and for their child in one of their first three early 2016 we plan to enable a further preferred schools. Of these, more than 45,000 across the county, reaching 17 out of 20 (over 85%) were offered 87% of premises across Essex. We aim their first preference, and well over to expand superfast connectivity to nine out of 10 (92%) were allocated 95% of Essex premises by 2017–18. one of their two top preferences. New figures show the number of Essex County Council recently young people who are NEET (not in received confirmation from the education, employment or training) is Department of Education of a grant of at an all-time low in the county. The £41.4m in respect of increasing school current percentage of young people in places, bringing the total amount of Essex who are NEET stands at 4.4% funding to support the creation of new meaning that out of the 50,000 young school places over a four year period up people Essex County Council has to 2017–18 to £137.7m. The funding responsibility for supporting, 2,146 are reflects the growing pressure on school NEET, demonstrating Essex County places in the county. The grant is to Council’s commitment to jobs and support the expansion of existing careers for young people and economic maintained schools, free schools or growth across the county. academies and to establish new schools. A new Park and Ride facility is to The budget also saw significant be launched in Colchester in April investment in the county’s roads, 2015. This will increase the number of footpaths, bridges and public rights people able to access Colchester town of ways – with £130m going into centre from the north and help ease our highways network to help drive congestion on the surrounding roads. economic growth, reduce traffic In total, nearly 9,000 Essex congestion and further improve the households have signed up to the Essex condition of our roads. Energy Switch over the past 12 months A major initiative aimed at making following two separate awareness country lanes safer and calmer by events, with registrants saving on turning them into Quiet Lanes is being average £262 in the latest auction. adopted by Essex County Council. Following the second successful phase Quiet Lanes would continue to receive of the Essex Energy Switch, letters and

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 9 emails with market-leading energy In the last year Braintree District rates were sent to 4,500 Essex residents, Council (BDC) had to withdraw their more than all other community switch proposed Development Plan and start programmes in the country. work on a new Local Plan, due to the In conclusion Cllr Walters explained increases in housing required by central his continued work with Essex Trading government. For BDC this requirement Standards and that we have to be very is estimated to be for between 750 and alert to scams – whether doorstep 950 homes per year between 2014 trading or scam emails and letters. and 2033. She said that it would be A question from the floor referred naive to expect all this development to the damage to the Memorial Green to be restricted to the major towns in and lack of action to undertake the district and it will have an impact repairs to that and the directional on villages such as Great Bardfield. So sign. Cllr Walters offered to support far, the District Council has issued an application via the Local Highways their Scoping document, to which this Panel for this work and the Clerk would council has responded, and two local prepare the necessary paperwork. landowners have submitted proposed development sites following BDC’s 7. Parish Council report & accounts Call for Sites. The council were aware The report was presented on the in advance of these proposed locations evening by Cllr Ruffle, Vice Chairman and submitted their comments to and the key points are detailed here. BDC. Any such proposals will have to For the period from May 2014 go through further consultation and there were 11 Parish Council meetings approval processes. and several sub-committee meetings Dialogue has continued with Essex on items such as planning, finance and Highways department as it has proved playing field improvements. very difficult to get them to attend to Perennial issues for this village, are a range of highway issues in a timely speeding, parking and irresponsible manner, despite repeated reminders dog owners. Speed assessments by our and concern about safety. own Speedwatch group and the police Progress continues on the playing have confirmed that speeding does fields and pavilion project, albeit occur regularly along Dunmow Road, slowly. Funding is now very hard to by cars entering and leaving the village. obtain. However, with some money We review and comment on all due to the parish as part of the 106 planning applications pertinent to the agreement to build new housing off parish. This year we considered over Bendlowes Road, the council is in the 20 applications plus several tree works. process of obtaining quotes and designs There had been no applications for for the new playground area (on multiple units during the year however, display at the meeting). The intention just prior to the meeting, plans were is for this to be installed in the next received for 10 small residential units few months, together with landscaping at the Bardfield Centre and these were and improvements to the access roads on display for comment. and car parking.

10 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Thanks to the CREAMER Fund we remain in place and will be reused each have been able to have a Defibrillator year, with electricity supplied by the installed in the telephone box in the primary school. High Street and have a second to Accounts: The clerk ran through install once we have permission to use the main details of the financial the other telephone box, situated in report highlighting principal areas Braintree Road. of income and expenditure. A key There is disappointment that change over recent years is the lack communications with our local of funding opportunities for major policing team have deteriorated. New projects. This, together with the 15.5% policies mean they are no longer reduction in the funding received from encouraged to attend Parish Council the District Council resulted in the meetings or provide tailored reports on council reluctantly having to increase local crime/policing. The council have its precept by 6.9% to keep pace. written to senior police officers and This equates to £0.28p per eligible the Police and Crime Commissioner household per month. A full set of with their concerns but priorities are accounts will be available to view at the now elsewhere and we are advised time of Audit in June. There were no that information is ‘available on their questions from the floor. website’ should we need it. The Community Information Point 7. District Council report 2014–15 continues to be funded, supplying The Chairman introduced Cllr John recycling and dog-poo bags, local Finbow and he explained that the past information and access to district year was challenging for the District and county council literature, bus Council because of financial pressure timetables, photocopying and internet as a result of reduced funding from searches for residents. The CIP is open Central Government. However key twice a week and we thank Jenny areas and their priorities were identified Rooney for providing an excellent as detailed below:- service to residents. Following requests by residents Place: for Christmas lights for the village, • Reduced litter by 68% through provision of lighting on the School delivery of a targeted anti-litter Green was investigated with the campaign. idea of illuminating the oak tree. • Invested in technology and However, to provide an electricity introduced new refuse and supply and sufficient lights to make a recycling routes. satisfactory display proved to be much • Installed solar panels on our leisure more expensive than anticipated. An centres to reduce carbon footprint alternative solution was to have lights and cost of electricity on each site. fitted to the façade of the school, and to supply and light a tree in the People: playground that could be enjoyed by • Supported vulnerable people in the the whole community. These lights community.

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 11 • Opened leisure centre in Witham infrastructure, including business and improved existing centres. sign-up to the A120 improvement • Refurbished four play areas across campaign. the District. • Established a District Employment and Skills Board and conducted an Prosperity: employer skills review to address • Supported the set-up of 75 business employer skill needs. start-ups across the district in • Set up a Health and Wellbeing conjunction with Ignite. panel with partners to reduce the • Invested £1m in a Local Authority health inequalities in the District. Mortgage Scheme operated by Lloyds Bank to help first-time Cllr Finbow was standing down at buyers. the forthcoming election after many • Enabled the delivery of 173 years of service to Great Bardfield and affordable homes in the district the wider community. The Chairman • Introduced a discretionary rate expressed her thanks for his support relief scheme for 536 retail over the years and this was echoed businesses. by those attending the meeting. He in turn said it had been a pleasure to Performance: work with the Council and its Clerk • Provided value for money – and how proud he was when Great reviewed investment strategy to Bardfield won Village of Year in 2009. maximise income from assets resulting in an anticipated extra 9. School report income of over £1m. Cllr Dyson presented this on behalf • Improved operational efficiency of of the Headteacher and urged those waste services – reduced costs by present to take the time to read her £200k pa. superb report which illustrated the • Reviewed democratic representation work of the teachers and children resulting in a reduction from 60 to at the school. Details of all their 49 Councillors from May 2015. activities were included in the annual • Purchased investment properties report together with some excellent to generate income to support photographs. delivery of key council services. • Introduced “My Location” on the 10. Charities report website enabling residents to easily Pat Coles, Chair of Great Bardfield access information about the area Charities, explained that the first of in which they live. the Great Bardfield Charities was established over 100 years ago, when Partnership: a philanthropic resident bequeathed • Engaged with strategic businesses, funds in his will for the benefit of through the District Business other residents. Since that time other Leaders’ Board, to support Bardfield residents have left money in improvements to key economic their wills to the charity for the benefit

12 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 of others with a significant bequest by the Christmas Draw and other events Chrissie Samms. run by the committee all increased The charity operates under a over the year. The 200 Club is a good scheme, which clearly defines the source of revenue; all subscriptions purpose and terms under which the were down compared to last year but funds are allocated. The scheme is still at a high enough level to pay overseen by the Charities Commission, prize money. Regarding the building, which invests the capital funds for the there are works planned including charity which receives interest from the improved toilet facilities, however of capital, quarterly. Under the scheme, more importance are roof repairs. It is the charity is able to assist with the also intended to undertake a property social, health and educational needs valuation during the coming year. of the residents of the parish of Great Carolynne thanked all those on the Bardfield. committee for their hard work during The trustees meet four times a year the year. to consider applications, and meeting dates are notified in theBardfield Times 12. Bardfield Times report & accounts and on the Community and Charity Thanks to the diligence of Jackie website. In extraordinary situations, Newton, and Kate and Ian Fox, the trustees will consider applications magazine has maintained its strong between meetings. financial position, so much so that, During the 2014–15 Financial Year as well as making some charitable the total income including interest contributions to local causes, we have was £19,279 with total expenditure been able to thank our trusty army of of £18,512.99. Grants were given to distributors and regular contributors youth projects, educational projects, with a buffet supper. Funds also come provision of medical and disability from the Cinema Club, the success equipment, school uniforms and help of which is very much down to the with fuel costs for those in need. support of volunteers. Pat thanked her fellow trustees for The redesign of the BT’s cover was their help and support during the year. undertaken by Jenny, with the help of Ian Fox (now our staff photographer), 11. Town Hall report & accounts last November and has proved very This was presented by Acting Chair, popular. The advertising section, too, Carolynne Ruffle. The Town Hall is much improved; Kate and Ian have continues to be a popular venue and included new advertisers and tidied up total income last year was £16,500 or redesigned many of the other ads. – unfortunately expenditure was The magazine is an excellent marketing £16,800. This was due to a loss for the tool that yields many a new customer. year of £316 mainly due to write-offs The magazine itself offers what it of debts from hall hire. Casual lettings is hoped is an interesting and varied income decreased by £1,062 but village diet of local features in addition to the group bookings increased slightly. pages of regular contributions. The Income from the Art & Crafts Show, “Village People” series continues to

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 13 flourish, with nine additions over the a question from the floor regarding last ten editions. These include a chart- clarification of balances which the topping rocker, a nineteenth-century Clerk would follow up and report back. farmer, a round-the-world sailor and a marathon-running postman, with 13. Items of report subjects ranging in age from twelve There were no items of report and no to ninety. It continues to amaze the further questions from the floor. editors that a population of 1200 can furnish so many engaging characters. 14. Closing remarks Other features have ranged from The Chairman closed the proceedings sparkling wine to the general election by thanking the residents and the via the Melbourne Cricket Ground, District and County Councillors all written by people of this parish, for attending and emphasised the twenty-one of them in total last year. importance of the Annual Report as The regular contributors continue a reflection of life in the community. to give us the bulk of the copy. Mac She also wished to thank her fellow Beanland’s new series “Nature Notes” Councillors and Clerk for their support is a fascinating addition, for which we and work during the year. thank him. Tony Hayward’s remarkable There being no further business the series of “Countryfile” articles, which meeting closed at 9.30pm. arrive promptly (handwritten) each month, has prompted a letter to say that it forms a major and valuable Kate Fox source of information and knowledge. Parish Clerk Statement of Accounts: There was

Right: hoar frost over Bardfield

Far right: swan sighted on reservoir

14 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Parish Council review 2014–2015

consent for repairs to the structure of a house, conservatories and minor extensions, and larger developments such as the conversion of the barns at the Vine Inn into holiday lets. We raise objections where we feel necessary – for example where there may be loss of off-street parking or a proposal that would be detrimental to the historical street scene. The largest, and most contentious application this year was for 37 properties to be built on arable land off Braintree Road. Though we recognise the pressures on housing and the Cllr Carolynne Ruffle – Vice Chair requirement of the local authority to build up to 18,000 properties over s Vice-Chair of the Great the next 17 years, we also feel it is our ABardfield Parish Council I am responsibility to safeguard our village pleased to present the Parish Council for the future and to ensure that any Review for the last 12 months – May development is appropriate in size, and 2015 to April 2016. This report location and that it meets the needs summarises the activities of the Parish of local people. We encouraged the Council over the last year. The council developer to stage a public meeting to is made up of seven parish councillors; allow residents to see the proposals and five were re-elected unopposed in last have an opportunity to raise questions. May’s local elections and two are new The main concern from residents was to the council having been co-opted to that this proposed development was fill the remaining vacancies. the ‘thin end of the wedge’ being at the During the year we held 11 edge of the village and that allowing Parish Council meetings and several development here could potentially sub-committee meetings on items such result in housing extending further as planning, finance and playingfield along Braintree Road, changing the improvements. character of the village. Critically, the We review and comment on all location is outside the village envelope, planning applications pertinent to the BDC’s own limit for permitted parish. This year we considered over development. 20 applications for work to trees in the The Parish Council objected most conservation area (for multiple trees in strongly and encouraged residents to some cases) and around 25 planning make their voices heard. Although applications including listed building no decision has formally been made

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 15 we understand that BDC’s Call for Public Rights of Way officer to share Sites (as part of their current review the work. Local volunteers undertook of the Local Development Plan for some clearance last year and the most the district) has resulted in more than popular paths will continue to be three times as much land being offered, monitored and kept tidy. We are also as is required to satisfy their housing pleased to report that the footbridge development needs. over the River Pant which was damaged We keep abreast of proposed devel- by a fallen tree over two years ago has, opments and other issues in neigh- at last, been replaced and opens up this bouring parishes, particularly where path again. our own infrastructure and community The Footpaths Committee is may be impacted. This council wrote now a Footpaths and Environment to Essex County Council in support of Committee, having its remit extended. Finchingfield residents over proposals At each Parish Council meeting we to close Finchingfield Bridge for several discuss areas of the village that need months this coming summer, and we attention. As a result of this focus on are keeping up to date with potential the environment, over the past year we development proposals for land south have undertaken several improvement of Great Saling and at the Wethersfield projects including the repainting of the MOD base. posts and rails around Causeway and We will be consulted on BDC’s School Greens; the refurbishment of draft Local Plan expected to be issued the Memorial Green including plant- in the next few weeks. This will outline ing new roses; liaison with the Co-op the sites proposed for development Group to (i) prevent delivery lorries throughout the district – plenty of turning at and damaging the Memorial reading for us – to which we will make Green and (ii) replace the double bin our response in due course. outside the shop damaged by one of The Parish Plan Refresh which their lorries; encouraging residents not resulted from consultation with village to leave their bins outside their homes residents and was launched at the when they don’t need to and regular last Parish Assembly, has guided the litter picks around the village (still not work of the Parish Council this year. enough). Of course, we have to thank All issues are reviewed at each Parish our village handyman, Ian Ruffle, who Council meeting to monitor and drive undertakes much of this work, but also progress. A map for visitors is shortly local volunteers for their contribution to be installed on School Green. This to keeping this village looking as well- will indicate the key points of interest cared for as it is. together with village services, and was The Parish Council is also designed for us by a Bardfield-based responsible for managing regular grass business – Sherbet Creative. cutting, brook clearance and street Our new councillors have been lighting. We are currently planning instrumental in revitalising our local a new street light for Crown Street, a footpath network, establishing an particularly dark spot in the village. We agreed maintenance plan with ECC’s have also tidied hedges and verges where

16 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 no one else has taken responsibility, information about decisions and including those outside Castle Shot discussions at BDC and issues facing and Northampton Meadow. other local parishes, so we thank them As usual, we continue to receive for their support of this council. Roger reports and concerns about speeding, Walters, our County Councillor, is an parking and irresponsible dog owners. effective point of contact when we need We have installed our own permanent support in our dealings with ECC. speed warning sign on Dunmow With regard to the Playingfields Road, partly funded by this council. and Pavilion Project we can report We recognise that much of the village that we have placed an order for new is not designed for the quantity of play equipment which we hope will be cars now using its roads and requir- installed for use this summer. We are ing parking spaces. Many properties, aware that current equipment is now particularly in the centre of the village, very tired or has been vandalised and is do not have off-street parking and unusable. Most of this is to be replaced the patience and cooperation of all with a range of equipment for toddlers residents is vital. At some times and through to teens. The playground area in some locations, common sense and is to be relocated slightly to provide considerate parking can be lacking. We more car parking space and improved do consider proposals to help improve access to the site of the planned new this but solutions must work for all pavilion. residents and not only for those in cars. The Parish Council fund the We requested the repainting of Community Information Point, which Keep Clear signs in Brook Street, last is a central point for literature and other July, and chased numerous times. information on parish, district and They have just been completed at the county council services, local schools beginning of April. We had considered and colleges, bus times and routes. We getting it done ourselves, but we are also continue to supply recycling and not permitted, by law, to undertake dog-poo bags (the latter funded by the work on the highways – an appointed Parish Council), photocopying services contractor must do it. This seems to and internet searches for residents. result in a long wait for a bit of white The CIP is open twice a week and we paint, not to mention the time taken thank Jenny Rooney for providing this to fill in a few potholes. I note we have excellent service to residents. had several drain covers and holes We have been disappointed with the repaired in the last few weeks – a new loss of our local policing team and poor year and a new budget. communication on police matters. Despite some frustrations with Any information we now get regarding the processes we do have a good crime and other policing issues is rarely relationship with our elected District pertinent to our village as it covers and County Councillors. We are the whole of Braintree and Uttlesford pleased that both of our two District Districts where policing teams are Councillors regularly attend our Parish focused on and based in Braintree and Council meetings. They provide useful Saffron Walden, and contains little

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 17 evidence of any rural police presence. two pubs back in operation and a We no longer have police attendance choice of somewhere to have a beer at Parish Council meetings and have after this meeting. A reminder that all generally seen a marked erosion of all village services rely on you to use them police services. to remain viable. We were sad to see the closure of the Thank you for attending tonight Bell Inn at the end of March. Angie and and supporting your Parish Council. Liam have moved on to other things and we wish them well. Our concern Carolynne Ruffle, Vice Chair, is that the Bell will not re-open as a Great Bardfield Parish Council pub, though we are assured by BDC that it is highly unlikely that change of use would be permitted. At the time of writing, we understand that a new tenant is in discussion with the owner of the Bell and hopes to re-open in May. We, along with other residents of Bardfield, will look forward to having

Right: speed controls on Dunmow Road

Far right top and bottom: residents tidy up the village

18 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Parish Council financial report

For the year ended 31st March 2016

his brief report is to highlight items • £500 from Bardfield Charities Tof income and expenditure. Full for the cost of new roses for the accounts will of course be available when Memorial Garden. these are prepared for annual audit. • £500 from Bardfield Times towards Precept: This coming year sees an the cost of the Village Map. increase in rates across all authorities for the first time in five years, due to Bardfield calendar: Unfortunately due the reduction in government support. to lack of submissions the exhibition This has led to a decrease of 14.5% in could not be held and subsequently funds provided to parish councils to the 2016 calendar was not produced. enable them to carry out their work. However, it is hoped that this will not To help maintain its level of income, be the case for 2017. Not only has it this Parish Council approved a small been a good community event but increase of £750 (3.8%) in the Precept, both the calendar and cards have been which equates to £3.14 per eligible extremely popular and good fund- household per annum. raisers. Insurance: It was agreed to accept the Playground project: As mentioned quotation from Zurich and elect for a last year, this project has progressed, fixed payment for a three-year term. albeit slowly, due to ongoing Annual audited accounts 2014–15: discussions with BDC planning These were approved without reserva- department. It has taken much longer tion by PFK Littlejohn, the appointed than envisaged but the order has now auditor. been placed with Wicksteed and it is Pipers Meadow: Following the hoped that the new equipment will submission of the 10-year programme, be up and running in time for the work has now started on clearing summer holidays – if not sooner. The brambles and overgrowth and quotes initial cost for the refurbishment is in are being obtained to replace the the order of £31,000 plus the cost of existing fencing. the fencing and gates – in the region Grants, donations, fund-raising: of £14,000. It is hoped that the overall Income from these sources continues cost will be contained with the help to be difficult to obtain but the from volunteers in dismantling some following income was received: of the existing equipment and fencing. • £1396.38 from BDC towards street cleaning/village handyman and related works. Kate Fox • £555 from sale of Christmas cards Parish Clerk and • £1,152 profit from the firework Responsible Financial Officer display event.

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 19 Parish income For the financial year ended 31st March 2016

2% 1% Precept + Parish Support Grant 5% 3% 6%

Verge Cutting/Village Cleaning

VAT Refund 83%

Donations/Insurance claim

Sundries & Substation Rental

Pavilion/Playing eld Hire

Precept and Parish Support Grant £32,853.00 Verge cutting/village cleaning (agency arrangements) £2,233.00 VAT refund £1,903.00 Donations/insurance claim £1,356.00 Sundries and substation rental £898.00 Pavilion/playing field hire £312.00 Bank interest £32.00 Total £39,587.00

Pavilion Project fund stands at: £54,897.00 Reserves and special projects account: £62,300.00

20 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Parish expenditure For the financial year ended 31st March 2016

Village amenities/ 6% Capital schemes

Admin 18%

Sta /expenses 55%

VAT 22%

Village amenities/Capital schemes Grass cutting/Pipers/Memorial/churchyard/open spaces £3,830.00 Town Hall: grant and substation rental £2,607.00 Public lighting – supply and maintenance £2,377.00 Pavilion/Playingfield Project £2,424.00 Verge cutting/street cleaning (agency arrangements) £1,689.00 CIP/Town Hall rent/IT and BT rental/staff £1,398.00 Capital schemes £825.00 Subscriptions and donations £646.00 Staff/expenses Salary/postage/office expenses/web site £6,319.00 Admin Gen admin/telephone/audit/stationery/tax/insurance £5,227.00 VAT VAT £1,592.22

Total £28,939.22

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 21 Essex County Council report

1. County Council budget 2016–17 At Full Council on February 9th, Essex County Council passed the budget for 2016–17. The impact of cuts from central government means that ECC has to save more than £1m every week for the next four years. The budget saw council tax rise by 1.99% for the first time in five years and the introduction of the government’s Social Care levy of 2%, equating to an increase of 84p per week for a Band D property. Despite the pressures, the budget outlined £1.8bn of spending on public services for residents and a £1bn capital investment plan for the next three years. Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, set out five key areas for investment in his budget speech. • Business: an economic powerhouse. Cllr Roger Walters • Taking care of our elderly and vulnerable. • A first-class education system. with an elected mayor. The Leader • Sustainable public services. has said previously that devolution is • A greater role for local communities. perhaps one of the most important 2. Business rates opportunities for local government In October 2015, Chancellor George Osborne stated in a generation. This is because the that local authorities would retain all business rates United Kingdom is the most central- (aka National Non Domestic Rates) collected locally ised country in the West. We raise less by the end of the decade. This potentially offers new revenue at a local level than almost any opportunities to create better links between business other developed economy and we have rates and supporting infrastructure for commerce, limited levers to pull at a local level to by offering local leaders more powers and incentives improve people’s lives. to stimulate economic growth and investment in 4. Superfast broadband public services. This is worth up to £26bn for coun- The roll-out of superfast broadband in cils. Currently only 50% of this comes back to local Essex has now reached a further 10,000 authorities. The formula for determining its alloca- homes and businesses across the coun- tion does not give favourable terms to ECC, which ty since the last programme update was will receive only £164.3m in 2016–17. As at Quarter issued in November and work remains 3 of 2015–16, £500m was collected from local busi- on schedule. It means around 85% of nesses but only £219m has come back to 13 Essex the county now has access to speeds of local authorities and the Essex Fire Authority. 24Mbps and above, to increase to 87% 3. Devolution by this summer. We have heard a lot about devolution recently. The Residents are reminded that nobody Chancellor announced more deals across the coun- is automatically connected to super- try in his budget, including an East Anglia deal fast broadband when fibre becomes

22 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 available – residents need to ask their provides a strategic link between the Channel Ports provider to switch to fibre, or buy a and the Midlands and North, as well as improved fibre service. connectivity to and from Essex. It will create better Superfast Essex and the government network resilience. Research shows, depending upon have launched a Satellite Broadband the direction, south or northbound travel, and time Scheme to help those who have no, of day, 23% and 34% of drivers respectively would or slow, broadband connectivity to use route 3, rather than the existing crossing. access a basic broadband service. Full Details on the proposals and the consultation can details including eligibility criteria, be found at www.new-thamescrossing.co.uk. The instructions on how the scheme works Highways England consultation closes on March 24th. and how to apply, along with FAQs are 7. Education all available at www.superfastessex.org/ We want to make sure Essex has a first-class educa- satellite. tion system. That is why we have set ourselves a target 5. Streetlighting of every child in Essex attending a good or outstand- ECC has announced that it will ing school by 2018. ECC has worked successfully to convert some 19,000 of its streetlights support school improvement across Essex: to LED, saving around £900k a year in • 82% of Essex primary schools are now rated energy and maintenance costs, as well good or outstanding, up from 65% in 2010. as carbon taxes. The streetlights affected • 81% of Essex secondary schools are now rated will be those that remain on all night. good or outstanding, up from 63% in 2010. Beginning this year and scheduled • 100% of special schools are now rated good or to be completed in 2018, the LED outstanding (as of January 2016). conversion project will deliver payback We want to see this record of success continue. We over ten years and a return on invest- want Essex to have the finest schools with the best ment of 115% by year 2020. Electricity teachers in the country. And we want every child in consumption of the affected lighting Essex to have a place in one of those schools. stock is estimated to reduce by 63% as 8. Demand Responsive Transport initiative a result of the LED conversion project. Demand Responsive Transport (DaRT) is being The authority is investing £9.2m in introduced in parishes in the north of Essex. This the project, £4.3m of which will be exciting new service will allow residents to travel forward-funded by an interest-free between 0600 and 2000 Monday to Saturday. It government loan. increases the opportunities to travel and improve 6. Lower Thames Crossing access to shopping, health appointments, work, Options for a new Lower Thames school or college. It can also be used to visit friends Crossing are being consulted upon and and family. Passengers can travel alone or as a group. ECC is urging businesses to respond. Concessionary Bus pass holders can use the service The council believes Highways for free after 0900 Monday to Friday and all day on a England’s proposed dual carriageway Saturday. To find out more, visit www.essexhighways. bored-tunnel crossing, with entrances org/Transport-and-Roads/Getting-Around/Bus/ and exits east of Gravesend and Tilbury Services/Demand-Responsive-Transport-DaRT.aspx. (‘location C’), connecting junction 1 of the M2 to the M25 between junc- Cllr Roger Walters, Essex County Council tions 29 and 30 (‘route 3’), will deliver Member for Three Fields with Great Notley the largest benefits to Essex. Route 3

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 23 Braintree District Council report

Achievements 2015–16 residents as part of our action to reduce hip fractures in the district. Place: • Worked with the Health and Our priorities are to: Wellbeing Panel to reduce obesity • Keep our district clean and tidy. levels across the district by deliv- • Protect our environment. ering local activities to encourage • Provide green space for everyone to residents to eat well and increase enjoy. activity levels. To support this in 2015–16 we have: • Delivered the second stage start • Continued to support an anti-litter of the Friends Life Women’s Tour campaign across Essex and partic- and follow-up festival to encourage ipated in campaigns that reduce cycling and other physical activities. waste resulting is an 83% reduc- • Refurbished three play areas at tion in litter across the district and Rosebay Close in Witham, John a 41% reduction across Essex. Ray Park in Braintree and Tabor • Been awarded ‘Local Authority of Field in Braintree. the year’ at the Keep Britain Tidy • Successfully supported community Awards for the council’s innovative groups to deliver local projects approach to creating a cleaner and through the Mi Community fund greener district. by awarding 21 grants. • Installed additional solar panels on Witham Leisure centre and Prosperity: new solar panels on the Discovery Our priorities are to: Centre and Unit 9, Lakes Road. • Increase job prospects and support • Worked with Essex County business. Council to open a new Adventure • Promote and improve our town Sky Line visitor attraction at Great centres. Notley Country Park. • Secure appropriate infrastructure • Expanded our recycling waste and housing growth. service in flats to an additional 300 To support this in 2015–16 we have: sites. • Promoted inward investment through a dedicated website and People: increased marketing activities. Our priorities are to: • Invested £500,000 in a business • Support vulnerable people in our loan scheme to help the district’s community. businesses expand and grow to • Promote safe and healthy living. create new jobs and support enter- • Encourage flourishing communities. prise in town and rural areas. To support this in 2015–16 we have: • Completed the extension to • Introduced a home inspection and Springwood Drive Enterprise handyman service to help frail Centre.

24 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 • Delivered two Area Business • Worked with health partners to Forums providing business support launch a social prescribing model to local businesses. for residents, connecting them to • Delivered 60 affordable homes non-medical sources of support across the district and exceeded and activities taking place across the four-year target set in 2012 to the district. provide 400 affordable homes. • Established a business rates pool- ing arrangement with nine Essex Performance: authorities which will result in Our priorities are to: additional resources being availa- • Provide value for money. ble to the Council. • Deliver excellent customer service. • Continued to explore the oppor- • Improve access to our services. tunity of a shared building control To support this in 2015–16 we have: service between eight authorities. • Carried out a review of all public sector land and property within See page 28 for a more detailed report the district to identify under- from Cllr Schwier and Cllr Tattersley utilised assets, opportunities for of Three Fields ward who represent the sharing or disposing of assets and interests of Great Bardfield at Braintree the potential for developing sites District Council. for additional housing. • Redesigned our website to be more responsive, improving access on a range of devices for our customers. • Increased our long term invest- ments to £12m and increased the amount that can be placed in indi- vidual pooled funds to £5m. • Identified opportunities to develop income for the authority under our Better at Business Commercialisation Programme.

Partnership: To support this in 2015–16 we have: • Worked with the leaders of all the Greater Essex Authorities on a devolution proposal to explore how devolved powers could benefit residents. • Continued to lobby for improve- ments to the A120, A12 and rail links ensuring co-ordination with the Local Plan proposals.

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 25

Top row: Re-thatching Cottage Museum, Morris dancers in the High Street, Richard Bawden unveils blue plaque at Brick House, Fireworks night at the playingfield. Next row: Messy church, Horticultural Spring Supper, new boules court. Next row: Yr 6 end of year production, Finchingfield Beavers at Town Hall Carols, pool at the youth club, Boules winners 2015, Bottom row: Garage Sale, Bardfield Brass, Primary school children at opening of Hall Field. Three Fields Ward report

ay 2015’s District Council Melections saw the fulfilment of an election promise by the Council’s Conservative Group to reduce the cost of democracy. One way this was achieved was by reducing the number of councillors from 61 to 49, a saving of around £50,000. For residents of the Three Fields Cllr Peter Schwier Cllr Peter Tattersley Ward (Great Bardfield, Finchingfield, Wethersfield, Shalford, and Panfield) • We provided additional financial support to the this meant the amalgamation of parishes County Council to ensure superfast broadband to create a new ward served by two reaches our more rural areas quicker. Councillors instead of the previous three. • We made financial provision to provide infra- This has given us the opportunity to structure before major house building schemes attend more parish meetings; a specific were put in place. slot on the agenda allows us to feed • We ensured a continuous emphasis on the needs back issues which affect your parish, of our rural population in health, business, and lets us offer a general briefing education, and housing. on significant district-wide matters. We are now looking forward to the challenges of the Our District Council responsibilities next 12 months: mean it will not always be possible to • We will take advantage of new planning rules attend every meeting but we aim to giving increased accessibility of mobile phone stay in close contact with your parish signals in rural areas. representatives. • Whilst recognising the government’s targets The council’s key achievements since imposed on local councils for new housing, (esti- the May 2015 election are provided, mated for Braintree District to be around 14,500 but we are particularly pleased to over the next 17 years or 850 per year), we will highlight the following: endeavour to ensure that these are located appro- • We endorsed successful bids to priately in areas with adequate infrastructure, the council’s Mi Communities whilst recognising the wishes of parish councils. Fund for improvements to Great • As ongoing central government grant reductions Bardfield and Blackmore End will continue to affect local government at all community and village halls. levels, we will ensure greater emphasis on value • We maintained budgets to ensure for money and efficiency. our district remains one of the If you wish to contact us our email addresses are:- cleanest in the country. [email protected] and cllr.ptattersley@ • We developed successful and braintree.gov.uk. popular recycling schemes. • We increased the emphasis on Cllrs Peter Schwier and Peter Tattersley health initiatives in rural areas.

28 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Great Bardfield Charities

am pleased to present the report Examples of grants made in the last year include: Iof the Great Bardfield Charities • Contributions for fuel payments for pensioners covering the last 12 months from May and others in need. 2015 to April 2016. • Educational projects, travel, equipment and books During this period we held • Provision of medical and disability equipment quarterly meetings, where trustees and hospital travel expenses. considered the many applications for • Village groups, club and societies, including grants received from our community. toddler, pre-school and youth groups. The charity operates under a scheme, • Cricket ground sporting expenses. which clearly defines the purpose and • Town Hall roof repairs. terms under which our funds can be • Memorial garden replanting. allocated. The scheme is overseen by the • Re-thatching the Cottage Museum. Charities Commission, which invests our capital fund, and it is the interest, The Charities Committee is accountable to the Great Bardfield Parish Council, and the administering accrued quarterly from this capital fund, officers for 2015 – 2016 are: which is paid to the charity. The trustees are continually mindful Pat Coles – Chair Dell Cottage, Dunmow Rd, Gt Bardfield 01371 810780 of the generosity of our benefactors, Brenda Poston – Secretary and it is only through them that we are Buck House, Vine St, Gt Bardfield 01371 810519 able today to assist the residents of the Tony Hayward – Treasurer parish of Great Bardfield with social, Littles Farm, Beslyns Rd, Gt Bardfield 01371 810320 health and educational needs. Debbie Rogers – Minutes Secretary Alongside the invested funds, the Dixons, Bridge End, Gt Bardfield 01371 811083 Alan Bray – Advisory Trustee Great Bardfield Charities owns the Claypits Farm, Mill Rd, Gt Bardfield 01371 810489 Grade 2 listed Cottage Museum on the Dunmow Road. This little 16th century, The trustees meet four times a year to consider timber-framed, thatched building with applications. Meeting dates are notified in the Bardfield a long history of use as an alms house, Times and on the community and charity websites. was bequeathed to the charity in 1584, In extraordinary situations, trustees will consider and today is rented and safeguarded by applications between meetings. All applications to the the Great Bardfield Historical Society. charity are considered carefully and without prejudice The trustees are pleased to announce by the trustees. Organisations or individual villagers that re-thatching will be finished in the can approach any of the trustees at any time with coming weeks, giving the Museum a requests for assistance in making applications. new lease of life. The charity accounts are audited yearly by Bill The charity expenditures over the Mules, and we thank him for his on-going professional year April 2015 – March 2016 are: support. This report and the audited accounts are Total income inc. interest: £19,600 deposited with the clerk to the Parish Council. Total expenditure: £18,900 (NB – these figures are unaudited at the Pat Coles – Chair time of writing this report.)

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 29 Town Hall report

he Town Hall committee is responsible for the hall, nor the other improvements Tmanaging the use, maintenance and repair that we intend to undertake in the next of the Town Hall, ensuring its ongoing service for few years. We will need to continue our the community and beyond. The committee meets fundraising and thank the community monthly and most members are involved with one or for their generosity in helping us add more of the clubs or societies that use the facilities. to the funds. Thanks go to Ian Holmes Regular users include Bardfield Choir, Bardfield for organising the 200 Club which also Players, Carpet Bowls Club, Mothers and Toddlers, raises funds for hall improvements. The Horticultural Society, Cinema Club, the Parish 200 Club will contribute to the cost of Council and yoga classes. The hall is also hired out insulating the roof, while we have the for private parties, fundraising events and weddings. opportunity to get under it. Our AGM has just taken place so we have just Thanks go to all the committee for elected our new committee. We would like to thank their hard work and support this year. Denise Reid, who has stood down as our Treasurer, Thanks to Jenny Rooney and Chris after many years’ valuable service on the committee. Couldridge who have also left the Our main focus this year has been to raise funds committee this year and Mike Jones for the refurbishment of the Town Hall roof, follow- and Darren and Jan Egan who have ing a survey which revealed that it needed remedial recently joined. work to the slates and, specifically, the nails keeping We are sorry to have to report that them in place. With over £50,000 required for this we are not able to stage our annual work, a daunting amount of fundraising activity faced Art & Crafts Show which has been so us and we expected it to take us several years. We ably organised by Brenda Poston and have been so pleased that new committee member, Lesley Graves these past two years. Patricia Walsh volunteered to apply for grant fund- Unfortunately, Brenda and Lesley have ing and that her efforts have been so successful, with other commitments this year and we grants being awarded by Bardfield Charities, Stansted have been unable to find volunteers Airport Community Trust, Essex County Council to take it on. We hope that it can be Community Initiatives Fund and Braintree District resurrected for 2017 and beyond, if Council Mi Community Fund. These grants, total- someone comes forward to organise ling more than £35,000, plus local fundraising efforts the artists and their contributions. such as the ‘Sponsor a Slate’, Ben Waters’ ‘Raise the We recently resurfaced part of the Roof’ event and the Vine Inn’s gala evening, mean car park to provide a larger boules pitch that we have been able to book the work to take place for use by residents of Great Bardfield. this August/September. Although the hall will be I can confirm this surface has been surrounded by scaffolding we are assured that it can designed to be parked on so no parking remain open over the summer. space has been lost for hirers. We have had other expenses this year too, includ- Thanks again for your support. ing some rewiring, replacement of fire exit signs and installation of emergency lighting; The installation of Carolynne Ruffle a new glass washer, new folding tables, urn and kettles. Chairperson Hiring fees do not cover all the expenses of running

30 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 The Bardfield Times

his has been a year of consolida- their merciless pursuit of advertising revenue – so Ttion and development. much so that we have recently advertised in the BT One worry for the editors has always to offer support for local causes. Several donations been that too few people of the village have been made in this past year to societies and local contribute to the magazine. This year organisations. In this and elsewhere, Jackie Newton, has seen a heartening improvement; as as ever, has been meticulous in her handling of all well as our regular writers, we received matters financial. letters and articles from 45 villagers on Finally, we must not forget the selfless delivery a wide variety of topics. team, headed by the Coles, who regardless of the Regular contributors must be elements ensure the BT lands on the doormat before thanked for sticking to the onerous the first of each month. task of meeting monthly deadlines. There are nineteen writers on whom we David Yates and Jenny Rooney (Joint Editors) rely for much of our copy. In the last eighteen months we have added two new columns: Mac Beanland’s “Nature The Bardfield Times st Notes” and Paul Boon’s “Tec Tips”, Statement of Account for Year Ending 31 March 2016 both of which have proved popular 2015-16 2014-15 and generated much correspondence. Opening Balance £972.83 £2,879.77 With Paul’s monthly piece, we feel we Income have better balanced the magazine’s Advertising 10,851.95 7,978.00 content, addressing the difficulties of a rural population struggling with inept Subs/Sales 244.00 230.12 telephone, WiFi and other services. Donations – 50.00 Our series, “Village People”, Fundraising/Cinema 2,472.01 2,843.85 continues to generate interest. Over £13,567.96 £11,101.97 the past year, 15 villagers have been Expenditure interviewed or contributed their own Printing 7,081.00 7,740.00 pieces. Thanks go to Ruth Walker and Stationery 563.81 108.20 Joyce Yates, our ace reporters, who Postage 141.84 168.47 have provided several of these in-depth Cinema 1,825.03 1,562.47 reports. It continues to amaze all of us Donations 2,150.00 550.00 that one small community can provide such a range of diverse and fascinating £11,761.68 £10,129.14 characters. Since the present editors Closing Balance £1,806.28 £972.83 began to work on the magazine, more Current A/c – £4,832.44 than 70 locals have been grilled, and Savings A/c – £3,002.42 their stories have diverted and educat- Cash in hand – £51.00 ed the rest of us. Financially, we seem secure, thanks Jackie Newton – Hon Treasurer to the ceaseless efforts of Team Fox and

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 31 Great Bardfield Historical Society

Gill this day, administered by the Bardfield Morrell Charities. At a reception held in the – much Town Hall Dr. Malcolm Yorke, author missed by of a number of books on the artists us all of Great Bardfield, spoke about their significance and introduced his most recent book, published by the Victoria and Albert Museum, Bawden, Ravilious and the Artists of Great Bardfield. The plaque at Place House was unveiled by Mrs Kathy Slow and members of her family. Mrs Slow worked as housekeeper to the Aldridges for 25 years – she remembers that her first job was to polish the brass doorknocker. Artist Richard Bawden unveiled the his year has been overshadowed plaque to his father at Brick House. Tby the loss of Gill Morrell who For several years the society has died in September. Gill had been our discussed the future of the Cottage excellent secretary for many years and Museum. We agreed last year to we are indebted to her for all her work continue to run the museum and to in managing the design and manufac- explore ways of developing it – this ture of the blue plaques. We miss her is ongoing. The Bardfield Charities greatly. who own the cottage have funded The society has had an exciting and the new thatch so the Museum is successful year with a full programme looking particularly attractive for of talks and visits. The highlight of the new season – we hope for lots of the year was the unveiling of two blue visitors. Our funds have been swelled plaques. The first, at Brick House, this year by income from sales of commemorates artist Edward Bawden society publications and village walks who lived and worked there from and talks. Another significant source the early 1930s until the late 1970s. of income has been from the Grand The second plaque, at Place House, Draws with works of art generously commemorates artist John Aldridge donated by Richard Bawden, Chloe who lived there from 1933-1983 and Cheese and Linda Richardson. also William Bendlowes, Sergeant At our AGM special thanks were at Law to Queen Elizabeth I who given to local artist and printmaker lived in the house from 1564 and is Linda Richardson who, with husband remembered as a philanthropist who Philip, will shortly be moving to the provided alms houses, a school and Shetland Islands. Linda has done so endowed a charity which continues to much for the Historical Society over

32 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Celebrating the blue plaques – Richard Bawden, Janet Dyson and Peyton Skipwith November 2015

the years and has been particularly Edwards who has taken on the role of generous in sourcing works of art for Secretary, and to all the volunteers who our own collection and for the prize do museum duty. We look forward to draws. We wish them well in their new another year of interesting talks and visits life, and thank you Linda for all you’ve and developing the work of the society. done for GBHS. Thanks to the committee for all their Janet Dyson – Chair support during the year; to Marilyn Programme of Talks and Visits for 2016–17 Wed 4th May A Career in the Police Force – Colin Maddock Wed 8th June Americans in Wethersfield 1939–45 – Dr Vernon Williams Wed 6th July History of Weaving – Richard Humphries Wed 7th Sept ‘Capability’ Brown and Audley End – Lizzie Sanders Wed 5th Oct History of Courtaulds & the Wool Trade – John Miners Wed 2nd Nov Tracing Vanished Mills – David Morgans Ariel Crittall Memorial Lecture (Autumn 2016) Date to be confirmed Eric Ravilious – James Russell

Thur 2nd June Visit to New Hall – 2.00pm Date to be confirmed Church visit – venue to be confirmed Sat 8th Mar (2017) Annual General Meeting and Social Evening

Unless stated otherwise, all meetings are in the Friends Meeting House at 8pm. Look out for posters giving further details. To book a visit please telephone Marilyn Edwards on 810555.

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 33 Bardfield Horticultural Society

Summer n common with many similar food and entertainment are provided Show Iorganisations around the country, to all (both members and guests) at a 2015 age-related issues are a real challenge modest price. to the future health of the Bardfield A local summer garden visit is Horticultural Society. In 2015, our usually arranged subject to travel and President, Len Horsnell, sadly passed weather and a new venture, a floral art away at the age of 90. He was an morning, has also been started in order exceptionally active member up until to widen the appeal of the society to a the end; a true organiser and great at wider range of gardening interests. simply getting things done. He will be Thus, in 2015 we began by much missed by everyone. welcoming Jim Buttress as our guest The annual calendar of events, speaker. Jim is a former superintendent tailored to suit the wishes of its older of the royal parks, broadcaster and members as well as to encourage RHS judge (Britain in Bloom), and a younger ones, comprises a winter very popular down-to-earth character lecture, followed by spring and summer in the gardening community. shows of vegetables, flowers, cookery In March the floral art morning was and handicrafts. At the shows every launched with great success. A month effort is made to include children from later, Bardfield won the Inter-village an early age, nursery and upward, with Floral Art Shield at the Finchingfield artwork and “novelty” garden entries. Show shortly before savouring the Interspersed between these major delights of the Spring Supper. garden events are the very popular June was celebrated by a well- Spring and Harvest Suppers at which attended visit to a member’s garden

34 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 in Shalford, at which tea and home- made cakes were amply provided. The Summer Show was held in the Town Hall in early August, and whilst proving successful from the point of view of entries received and new exhibitors attracted, was disappointing in regard to visitor numbers attending in the afternoon. In September, Bardfield was awarded first prize in the Inter-village Vegetable Competition, held at the Shalford Show, thanks to Peter Morris, who coincidentally was awarded the meeting Peter Morris was elected as Floral Art National Vegetable Society’s prestigious the new president of the society. class gold medal for services to horticulture. In summary, despite the challenges, And finally in mid-October, the 2015 has proved to be another Harvest Supper was celebrated in style successful year for the Bardfield by 80 people enjoying the exploits of Horticultural Society: but the future a local magician along with members’ can only be assured if there is a prepared foods and drink. continuity in horticultural interest The AGM was held a few days later and commitment from the younger at which £100, raised by raffle at the generations. Spring Harvest Supper, was donated towards Lynne Joyce Show the Town Hall Roof Fund. At this 2015

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 35 Bardfield Oxlip Recovery Programme

he populations of oxlips at the two sites in the Tparish, the Ash Ground/Purple’s Spinney at Great Lodge (see photo top right) and Piper’s mead- ow in the village (see photo bottom right) have now reached a measure of equilibrium. As plants reproduce mainly from seed rather than vegetatively, the populations are not expected to expand to any great extent within the confines of their closed grassland communities. In the absence of bare ground, seedlings which are relatively slow growing are unable to compete with the stronger growing grasses and perennial herbs. However, where conditions are favourable, established plants are expected to increase in size and vigour and maintain a relatively stable population. Management at Piper’s meadow in particular has been designed to restrict grassland growth whenever possible – mainly by doing a late summer “hay cut”, a faster rate as the light levels improve. when the grass is removed and no fertilizers applied. In summary, the Oxlip Recovery Lowering fertility in such a manner is an established Programme is proceeding much as practice in maintaining wild-flower meadows, hoped. Management regimes have been although it can take a considerable length of time to established and should remain unchanged achieve effectively, perhaps twenty years or more. for the time being at least. But success Within the confines of Purple’s Spinney at Great at Purple’s Spinney is not assured and Lodge the situation is greatly different. The re-erection is critically dependent on maintaining of the deer fencing has enabled oxlips within the the deer-fencing in good order, thereby wood to flower and set seed without damage. controlling grazing damage. Previously damage had been severe, with greater than 95% of the flower heads being eaten by deer D W Joyce before maturity. In 2015 this figure had dropped dramatically and great numbers of seed heads reached full maturity. It is likely that where ground conditions permit, and many favourable areas are clearly visible, seedlings may be able to establish and create new populations of mature plants. It may take perhaps five years or so before anything of real substance can be confirmed, but the signs are promising. The fencing combined with a strategy of limited clearing and coppicing to open up the tree canopy should enable this recolonization process to proceed at

36 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Plantings at Long Green

he native trees and shrubs planted at Long Green T(Coney Green) in the spring of 2010, have now begun to thrive despite the poor ground into which they were first planted. The native spindle trees were covered with fruit in the autumn of 2015 and the field maples awash with the fading-yellows of falling leaves. Establishment complete, the dangers and management henceforth should be focussed upon controlling grazing-damage (mainly from deer) and possible vandalism. To this end it is important to maintain fences and tree guards in good order for some time to come yet. Beneath the trees the ground flora is unexpectedly lush with grasses and wild flowers, and the cowslips derived from seed harvested nearby form part of the rich meadow community. At the southern end of the lane the annual broad- casting of seed of our native bluebell have continued on an annual basis much as before. As many as ten has finally been rewarded. We now or more small areas have been seeded over the years, look forward to a more productive since the work was started in the late summer of future, although annual seed-sowing 2010. Although the ground conditions for seeding will continue for several more years to have proved exceptionally challenging over the years, come yet. the soil beneath the trees being hard, dry and poor, Above: germination has been generally good and establish- D W Joyce spindle trees ment better than expected. covered in When the project was begun it was known that fruit bluebells, sown in the natural environment, can take several years to flower from seed. This indeed proved Below: Long to be the case but thankfully a few inflorescences Green in the appeared for the first time in 2015 so our patience autumn

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 37 Great Bardfield allotments

t was another interesting year at the we all seem to be netting our various Iallotments; a mild spring made us vegetables to keep them off. Someone think ahead to warm summer days so made a lovely scarecrow, and a watchful we were all well prepared. However, owl was put in place to scare them off – we then seemed to have a bit of a not sure how well they worked. delayed start, with a few warm days The plot holders are a mixture of but not much consistency. As a result, retired and working people so some some vegetables were slower than plots are weed free, and others are others; runner beans and courgettes, understandably a little weedier, but in particular, were not in such glut as everyone agrees how lucky we are and in previous years. we are already planning what we will This being our sixth year, for the be growing this year. first time tomatoes did better. Success was definitely due to growing an Italian variety which can survive all weathers. Tansey Bolsom Another challenge was the pigeons;

38 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Freshwell Health Centre

he NHS is a political hot potato Creamer Fund support Tand although the public are told We are forever grateful for the tireless that NHS funds are protected, the fundraising efforts of the CREAMER reality is not quite so clear cut. The Fund. They support us with the on- surgery has recently been informed that going costs of the equipment they we face very significant funding cuts provide for us (eg liquid nitrogen from April. Despite this, we continue for our cryotherapy clinics, X-ray to strive to find additional efficiencies expenses) and also allow us to purchase and maintain the level of service we new equipment (eg ear syringes). Over provide to our patients. the past year they have also extended Our in-house ultrasound, gynaecol- the number of defibrillators available ogy and cardiology services continue in the local community and funded the to be well reviewed by both our own lovely new outdoor gym in the village. patients and those from neighbour- Patient Feedback ing practices. We continue to work Thank you to all patients who took the with and welcome other providers of time to complete one of the Friends and health and social care into our facilities Family Test leaflets or on-line reports. including the Pain Team from Broom- This is a national initiative and we are field, the Community Agents, Farleigh monitored on the feedback we receive. Hospice, Age UK (toe-nail cutting ser- We have had some lovely comments vices), Hearing Help Essex, dieticians, to feed back to staff. The practice has health visitors, district nurses and mid- also been working closely within the wives. We will shortly be adding the community to ensure patient safety is Alzheimer’s Society to this list. maintained during the planned bridge Staff News closure. We are fortunate to have a very Future Plans consistent and dedicated team at Phase one of our building development Freshwell and are aware that this is is now complete and the admin staff our most important asset. Dr Barrett is have a lovely new suite of offices about to depart for maternity leave as upstairs. This clears the way for Phase she is expecting her first child in April. Two which includes a new, bigger Hannah, one of our dispensers, was dispensary. We hope building works blessed with the arrival of twins at the will get underway very soon. start of the year and we look forward As always, we welcome your ideas to welcoming her back at the end of and feedback, either by phone (01371 the summer. 810328), post or in person. We do not have a Junior Assistant at present. Four of our previous junior staff are currently studying at medical Linda Cutts school, two of whom are due to qualify Practice Manager this summer.

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 39 CREAMER Fund

he CREAMER Fund trustees have granted money towards outdoor Tmeet four times a year. As always, gym equipment, which has recently I would like to thank the trustees for been erected in Finchingfield. all their hard work. I would particu- We intend to provide a list of this larly like to mention Sylvia Gould and year’s purchases, and post it on our Kay Painter. When we go home from notice board so you can all see where our meetings, they go to work on our the money has been spent. behalf, implementing the decisions we We receive contributions on a regular have made. basis, some of which are anonymous, I would also like, on behalf of towards maintenance, calibration and Sylvia, to thank all the volunteers who replacement of equipment. This is very assist her in running the various fund- helpful and much appreciated, as the raising events, including selling the maintenance and calibration costs are raffle tickets. The trustees all do their now over £5,000 a year. bit, but it is wonderful to have extra We do not just want to build up a help when it is needed. fund, we want to use this money wisely. Our funds are increasing all the Our future plans include providing time. Most of the money now comes extra equipment, not available through from patients, who have appreciated the NHS, to help with resourcing the care they have received from some of the new rooms now being all at the Freshwell Health Centre. completed at the surgery. They want to ensure others in the With your help, the CREAMER community continue to benefit from Fund continues to flourish. exceptional care in their time of need. We continue to spend money on equipment that we feel will enhance the health and well-being of our Christopher Blewett community. With that in mind, we

40 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Update on defibrillators

tatistics on Community Public Great SAccess Defibrillation show that Bardfield’s early defibrillation can increase the defibrillator survival chances of a person who has on the High suffered sudden cardiac arrest by as Street much as 50%. This can be very difficult to achieve in rural areas where ambulances and medical help can be some distance away. Here, community defibrillators are essential, as the time window from collapse of a victim until a defibrillator can be brought to them is less than five minutes. The cabinets containing the defibrillators have been placed in telephone boxes, village halls and local public houses and can be opened by a member of the public with an access code given by the emergency services installed in local villages, in an initiative during a 999 call. led by Kelly Bishop of the Horse and As part of the Community Groom Public House, Cornish Hall Heartbeat Scheme, public awareness End. They were financed through sessions and community training have the Parish Councils and various also been given where units have been fund-raising events and are located installed in villages. The CREAMER in Cornish Hall End, Stambourne, Fund continues to support this lifesav- Wethersfield, Blackmore End, Great ing community equipment within our Sampford and two in Finchingfield. catchment area should anyone like to The parish of Toppesfield is keen make an approach. to install a unit which we are happy to Six defibrillator machines were fund once a suitable location has been delivered to the Freshwell Health agreed. We have also had a request Centre in the autumn of 2014, directly from Hempstead. At our last meeting purchased by the CREAMER Fund. of the CREAMER trustees, it was These were installed as follows: agreed that we would fund this, if it is 2 in Great Bardfield still required. 1 in Shalford 1 in Great Saling 1 in Stebbing 1 in Little Sampford Christopher Blewett Seven machines have already been

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 41 Great Bardfield WEA

Professor reat Bardfield WEA has been Chris Goffering courses in the village Green for many decades. We usually run studying a two courses a year, one in the autumn score term and one in the spring term, meeting at the Friends’ Meeting house on a Monday evening. Each course consists of a series of ten lectures and the audience is usually encouraged to participate with their own views and experiences, as well as ask additional questions, if they wish. We are a friendly group, always welcoming life- long members as well as new members. Over the years the subjects have ranged from art history to world discovery, poetry to philosophy and music to literature. Depending upon the chosen subject or tutor, our audience can vary in number from thirteen to thirty. This year we were pleased to welcome Our first course this academic new members from Great Bardfield and year covered the history, beliefs and our neighbouring villages. The WEA philosophies of the ancient classical and the Great Bardfield branch offer Mediterranean world. courses for adults of all ages. For more The Orchestra was the title of our information please contact Annette spring course presented by Professor Joyce (01371 811233) or Ros Gourgey Chris Green, the artistic director of (01371 810832) and visit the WEA Trianon Music Group. This course website on www.wea.org.uk. covered the many aspects of staging an orchestral production illustrated Annette Joyce through various historical events.

42 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 The Bardfield Players

t’s been a funny old year. Early in carpet bowls). It was only a metre I2015 it became clear that almost deep, but ran the length of the stage in everyone involved with the Players four sections each of which must have had other commitments preventing weighed a hundredweight, and some- them from devoting the time and effort one (me!) had to go underneath it to needed to put on a full production. guide it into position while at least two So, a plan was hatched. We decided others risked injury by picking it up. to stage a Murder Mystery over two We had been heartily fed up with nights in May. We knew we could this process for many years, so we final- do it as it would involve minimal ly decided that we could afford to buy rehearsals, no line-learn- a new one. This was organised by Paul ing (as all the performers Boon, and we are now the very proud could use a cunningly possessors of a new light-weight stage disguised script to crib extension which takes two people off), basic lighting ten minutes to put and an uncompli- up, without any cated set, which risk of serious Chris Couldrige and injury. The old myself built over a one remains couple of weekends. underneath the stage Thus, Who Killed the for posterity. Vicar? took shape. We hoped that after the To make it a bit more of an event we summer everyone would be available invited the Town Hall committee to to put on a proper play. This, sadly, get involved and they prepared supper was not the case, and after discarding for 80 people each evening. Needless all the possible plays that we had hoped to say the whole thing was a rip-roaring to put on, and scouring the library for success. Despite one of the performers plays with a much smaller cast, we not attending any rehearsals and being eventually found a really good one late for the show, it was a really good with only four people. But, at the last laugh, and a good time was had by all. minute, someone backed out, which Not only that, we raised £1,100 which left us with just three actors and me was split between the Players, and the with a bout of depression. Town Hall. So I thought it best for us all to have For many years (since well before I a break, and start again in 2016. We are started), whenever a performance was now happily in rehearsal for Confusions put on, the dreaded Stage Extension by Alan Ayckbourn to be performed had to be erected. This terrible thing in May. was the cut-off front of the stage – done Ian Ruffle so that the floor would be big enough Chairman to play badminton on (and latterly

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 43 Primary School report

Aim High – Try Your Best – Go Far but respectful of their ince writing last year’s report things at Great friends. They SBardfield Primary School have moved on a pace. liked having The summer term saw our Year 6 children enjoy a the challenge very successful residential visit to the Isle of Wight. of competing We took 14 children on this trip and it was wonder- in the different ful to see their independence and maturity blossom races and showing as they learnt to be more responsible for themselves their skills and talents at and their belongings. their best. We also enjoyed another whole school trip out, A sad farewell to our Year 6 pupils this time to the seaside at Mersea Island. We had The end of the school year can be a beautiful sunshine and the children really built on sad experience as we send our children their social and creative skills paddling and building on their way to the next step of their sandcastles together. We have decided to make whole education. The children, however, school trips a regular occurrence – once a term. Of didn’t get too down as they presented course another feature of the summer term for our a play about school life. Watching Year 6 children is the dreaded SATS. We were very them present their version of the proud of how the children approached the tests and Nativity was hilarious as this perspec- were pleased with our results. tive allowed them to remember happy Additionally our younger children were learning memories of their times passed at the about animals and where various foods come from. school. The whole school sang their They thoroughly enjoyed a day out to Boydells Dairy hearts out and our final assembly was a Farm at Wethersfield. fitting and uplifting end to a very busy Learning to be excellent sportsmen and women and successful year. Sport is very important to the children. They A brand new school year thoroughly enjoy learning new sporting skills and We began the new school year with a taking part in a wide range of sporting activities. Our very determined and optimistic mind- new Houses this year meant that Sports Day took on set, ready to build on the successes even more meaning. The children are very competitive of the first year of being a new team. We also reflected together as a staff on what we could improve and make even better. We are enjoying being part of the Dunmow Consortium of schools. School-to-school collaboration and improvement is very much the way forwards, we feel, to drive up standards and help our pupils to achieve their full potential. Being part of the consortium also brings lots of opportunities to take part in joint projects.

44 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Our Key Stage Two children had lots of fun reading the How to Train Your Dragon stories at the beginning of the autumn term. They also had the chance to meet the author Cressida Cowell. They found this very inspiring as she explained her thought processes and how she turns her ideas into her brilliant stories. We are very lucky at Great Bardfield Primary to have Michael Condon a well-known and respected local sculp- tor as part of our parent body. Michael to raise their awareness of the importance of British very kindly gave up days of his time to values. These fit together very well with our school work with groups of our children and values which run through the heart of everything that children from other schools to create we do at Great Bardfield Primary School. the eight foot flying dragon which is the We believe passionately in the importance of centre piece of our school. The children children learning to have Respect and Resilience decided that she is a girl dragon and and to be Resourceful, Reflective and Responsible. named her Blaze. Blaze represents what We have seen these values make an impact on the can be achieved when we have some children’s self-awareness and self-control which expertise, creativity, determination and has meant that behaviour has improved to an even collaboration. better standard. When we have visitors or take the The children also continue to take children out on a visit it is always wonderful to part in sports activities and competi- receive compliments about our well behaved and tions through the consortium which well-mannered children. they really enjoy. These have included We have had a variety of visitors to our school football tournaments (see photo on left this year, some Headteachers from our consortium of girls’ football team), hockey training schools and colleagues from the local authority. They and most recently our Key Stage 1 chil- have worked alongside us to look at our provision; dren took part in a dance festival. what we are doing very well but also ways in which we Smile Box assembly and other can get even better. Our visitors have charities given us very positive During the autumn term we once again feedback which we invited George Mills into school and have valued as a the children were very proud to create school because it has 123 shoe boxes for him to take to the shown us how we orphanages that he supports in the have improved Ukraine. As a school we actively fund- and how far we raise for many charities and this year we have come as a have also raised money for Macmillan whole school Cancer, Sports Relief and have donated community food to the Braintree Food Bank. We over the last have worked very hard with the children year.

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 45 Providing a rich, varied curriculum members of the teaching staff from We have faced some challenges this the four corners of Great Britain. In year with the demands of the new order to make the most of this we curriculum and learning how to assess decided to organise a day where the this. We are finding that the increased children could come off timetable expectations on the attainment of the and visit the four regions. Mrs Kerrell children has meant that we have had hosted Northern Ireland, Mrs Aldred to be creative and objective in how we hosted Scotland, Mrs Mach hosted can teach the important key skills and Wales and Mrs Crow hosted England. knowledge the children need to work The children had a wonderful time within their band. enjoying stories, food and dancing At Great Bardfield we encourage from the different regions. We were our children to take part in a broad very lucky to have Mr Iain Geddes range of activities both in lessons and pipe the children in to school with the through a variety of after school clubs bagpipes and his wife Caroline teach which our teachers and LSAs run. us all Highland dancing. The children We were delighted that some of got so much from this experience and Year 6 children had the opportunity it really brought their learning and to learn the ancient art of bell-ringing understanding to life. at the parish church. The children Easter Egg hunt practised their skills throughout the We most recently enjoyed the end of autumn term and were then able to term celebrations for Easter and we ring the bells to welcome everyone were joined by the Easter bunny who to our Christmas Carol Concert. We helped the children use their thinking were very proud of their achievements. and problem solving skills to complete Four corners of Britain day a sheet of clues On 1st March, St David’s Day, we were in the fortunate position of having four

Year 6 Visit to the Isle of Wight

46 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 which led them to the ultimate prize of Fun in an Easter Egg. the sun Our school community on our We are incredibly lucky at Great whole Bardfield Primary school to have school conscientious and tenacious Governors trip to who work very hard to support the Mersea school with being the best that it can Island be. Our parents are very supportive and believe and trust in our school. We all have high standards and we are all striving together to make our school the best place of learning for our children. Things to look forward to in the summer term I count my blessings every day that The summer term is always a fun- I have the opportunity to work in packed term with lots of outdoor learn- such a beautiful village with so many ing opportunities. Our Year 6 children like-minded dedicated people. The are working very hard for their SATs children who attend Great Bardfield and even gave up some of their Easter Primary School are incredibly special. holiday to do extra preparation. They They make us all smile, laugh and will once again be visiting the Isle Of remember the wonderful gift that we Wight for their week-long residential have been given, to help to shape the trip in June. Some children will be minds of the adults of tomorrow. taking part in the Mayday celebrations in Great Saling and we will also be Mrs Alison Kerrell – Headteacher supporting the village car boot sale in May. We will of course be holding our annual Summer Fete in early June. Also we will welcome our new Unicorns when they have a taster afternoon after the May half term. The end of the term will see a school production and a special Leavers’ Assembly. Moving the school forwards Great Bardfield Primary School continues to be at the heart of the community and we are very proud of our children and our school. However Mrs we want our school to be the best that Kerrell at it can be and are therefore constantly the seaside seeking to improve and make our with the provision even better. children

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 47 Tuesday Club

he group has been in existence since year had to be cancelled due to lack T1990 and meets on the second of numbers to make it viable but we Tuesday in each month to enjoy talks have high hopes that the September and demonstrations on diverse and, we production will be well attended. trust, interesting subjects. The summer outing took us to We meet in the Town Hall at Bardfield Vineyard in July. The weather 2.30pm. Annual membership is £16 – let us down really badly so we were not visitors £3 per meeting. We are pleased able to look around the vineyard or to say that our subscription remains the enjoy the lovely gardens. Fortunately same for 2016 but as speakers become we were able to stay inside the beautiful more expensive, this may have to be Anne of Cleves barn, built in the reign reviewed in future years. of Henry VIII, where Rebecca Jordan, We enjoy tea or coffee and biscuits, her family and staff shared the history at a charge of 50p, following our talks. of the estate and the barn, followed by A raffle is held with proceeds donated to an enjoyable a wine tasting. our chosen charity for the year. Our Christmas lunch, very well Farleigh Hospice was the charity attended this year, was a delicious of our choice for 2015. A donation of and very happy occasion. The venue £130 was presented to Sheila Gunson again was the Vine Inn, where Stephen in January, when she talked to us about Mann and his excellent staff, looked the fundraising, facilities and nursing after us extremely well. care both in the Hospice and at home Unfortunately, the proposed theatre Adrienne Poulson visit to Chelmsford in February this

2016 Programme We have enjoyed: 12th January Farleigh Hospice – Sheila Gunson 9th February Bygones and Poetry – Margaret Suckling 8th March Mock Magistrates Court – Dawn Roche (a really thought- provoking and interesting afternoon) Still to come: 12th April A Demonstration on Sugar Flowers – Diana Forrow 10th May Your Handwriting Analysed – Barbara Weaver 14th June Into the Mix, Cooks and Kids – Joyce Yates 14th July Summer Outing – to be announced 9th August My Holiday of a Lifetime – Adrienne Poulson 13th September Hands on Flowers – Mandy Boon 11th October Tripe and Trotters – Brian Carline 8th November Entertainment With a Touch of Yule – Elaine Barker 13th December Christmas meal

48 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Bardfield Community Choir

he Choir has around 50 members Tof all ages and meets weekly in the Town Hall (Tuesday evenings, 8–9.15pm). We are accompanied by our wonderful pianist Avril Nelson and sing a wide range of music including classical, pop, jazz and traditional songs. Our repertoire this year has included the Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem, a medley of songs from Oklahoma, an Irish folk song Down by the Sally Gardens, and Adele’s Someone meets to sing madrigals and part-songs, outside, Like You – something for everyone. weather permitting. We sing for pleasure but also enjoy New members are always welcome, no previous performing and this year the choir experience is necessary, you just need to want to sing sang at the Christmas celebration in with other people. For further details contact me on the Town Hall, at the Vine’s Christmas [email protected]. Extravaganza and, in July, in the gardens of Whinbush Farm to raise Janet Dyson funds for St Mary’s Church. During Musical Director the summer months a smaller group

Bardfield Community Orchestra

he orchestra has grown during quietly sleeping in its case for Tthe last year – we now have larger years, dust it off and come to string, woodwind and brass sections a rehearsal – it’s amazing how and are able to tackle a wider range of quickly it comes back! music. New music this year includes We rehearse once a month on Jupiter from Gustav Holst’s Planet Friday evenings in the Town Hall start- Suite, written when he was living in ing at 8pm – for details of rehearsals Thaxted,Renaissance Dances and music contact Camilla Bucknell, camilla- from the Lion King. [email protected] or A generous donation from the Janet Dyson jm.dyson@ Bardfield Times has enabled us to buy btinternet.com. more music – full sets of orchestral music are expensive. The level of diffi- Janet Dyson, culty is about Grade 4+ so if you once Musical Director played an instrument that has been

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 49 Great Bardfield Youth Club

he club seems to finally have hours of your time to help support Tturned a corner. We have been the local community by providing an joined by new and enthusiastic super- important place for our young people visors Kellie and Scott Forbes along to meet, socialise and have fun. If you with Louise Grinstead and Clare Lee. are interested in finding out more Kellie has taken charge of organising please do contact me at kmralston@ trips for the club’s members already gmail.com. with great success. There are plans for The new café is finished and more exciting and fun adventures in looking lovely and the members are all the coming year. Be sure to check out now enjoying the space. Many hands our website www.gbyc.co.uk and our helped in getting the work done but Facebook page www.facebook.com/ one person in particular put in many GBYouthClub for all the latest updates hours to complete it and he deserves a and news. mention. So a huge thank you to Mike We are getting closer now to being Jones for the massive amount of time able to re open the club every Friday and energy you so kindly donated to night which would be wonderful in the club. the coming light and hopefully warm We have also been very fortunate summer months but we are still a few that we have received generous people short to be able to fill the rota donations from the Bardfield Charities every week. So, as always, I ask you who kindly donated £400 and the to please think about giving up a few Bardfield Times who kindly donated

Right: relaxing in the newly equipped cafe

Far right: Club activities including air hockey, and at Stubbers, kayaking, and generally having a lot of fun

50 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 £200 to the club. This money helps us pay for all the improvements and buy more equipment making the club better for all members. All positive things but sadly we also say farewell to long-serving Chairman Steve Slemmings who has decided to step down. It’s fair to say that if it hadn’t been for Steve’s involvement there wouldn’t have been a youth club. He has worked tirelessly over the years to keep it going and now deserves a well earned rest from all things GBYC related. We all hope he’ll still come and visit us from time to time. Steve asked if he could write a few words to conclude: “After eight years, I realised all I was doing was protecting GBYC from closing down again but not moving forward. Katrina joining was a massive boost but with three young children, she can’t do everything. The recent arrival of new supervisors has brought an energy and enthusiasm to the Club that an OAP like me cannot provide. I’m proud to have been involved with GBYC over the years but mainly I am relieved that at last I can withdraw knowing that with the beginning of a strong foundation of younger supervisors, they will be able to build a network of helpers that can support the club that the kids of Great Bardfield, need and deserve. At last I feel like a Grandad. I can pop along to the club some Fridays but at the end of the night, I can give it back. Well done Katrina, you’re doing a great job” – Steve.

Katrina Ralston Youth Club Leader

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 51 Great Bardfield Carpet Bowls

t has been a very good year for our the area would like to try your hand, Iclub. In the 2015–2016 winter we would really welcome new faces season we fought off local competition in the club. So if you think it might to win the North West Area Essex be worth a look, please don’t be shy County Carpet Bowls Association in coming forward. We meet all year Winter League. We now go forward to round on a Wednesday at the Town represent this area in the overall Essex Hall from about 7:45 pm. League Finals. I would like to dispel a couple The season started very well and we of myths about carpet bowls. Firstly were at, or near the top of, the league bowls is not a sport for old fuddy- throughout. Unlike last year we main- duddies – just look at the competitors tained our form through to the end in the world bowls championships winning the final game 7-1. you see on TV – it’s a sport for all. We competed in the Summer Secondly, despite the name ‘carpet’ it Singles League in 2015 but sadly did is not the toy game that you play in not repeat our success of 2014. We are your lounge. The bowls are 10cm (4 again competing in the 2016 League inches) in diameter and the carpet is and we have a strong group of players 10x2 metres. Carpet bowls is a skilful so we are looking forward to a good sport open to all, the young and not so summer. young, the able and less-able bodied. We arranged friendly fixtures with Finally it is cheap as the club provides other clubs and villages in the area and the bowls etc. It prides itself on its attended various Charity events as well friendly nature and is as competitive as as all of the Essex County competitions you wish to make it. If you would like which are held at Braintree. Everyone more information about carpet bowls who represented our club did us proud. call me, Cliff, or Lynda, on 810782. Two of our members who also bowl for Unfortunately Bardfield does not Rayne won the Essex pairs competition have an outdoor lawn bowls green and we wish them well for the Six now but there are clubs at Dunmow, Counties (East Anglian) and National Thaxted, and Stebbing. Lynda and I Champion of Champions. are going to play at Castle Hedingham The club began in Great Bardfield this summer. in 1990 and I am glad to report it is The outdoor season is now upon us still going strong. Each year I say that so if you are new to the area and would we do still need a few more members like contact details we should be able to bolster our numbers. to help you out here too. For those new to the parish; not only is carpet bowls an ideal way of meeting new friends locally but it is also good for finding out about other Clifford Richardson villages in the area. If anyone new to

52 Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 Great Bardfield Parish Council

Cllr Janet Dyson Cllr Carolynne Ruffle Chairman Vice Chairman 01371 810838 01371 810986

Cllr Simon Walsh Cllr Iain Graham 01371 810451 07831 595555

Cllr Darren Hockley Cllr Steve Slemmings 01371 810898 01371 810098

Cllr Paul Kennedy Mrs Kate Fox 01371 810540 Parish Clerk 01371 810111 [email protected] www.greatbardfield-pc.gov.uk

Community Information Point Town Hall Cottages 01371 810327 [email protected]

Open Wednesday and Saturday 10.00am to 12 noon for information and advice. Dog-poo bags and clear recycling bags are available to residents of the parish free of charge.

Great Bardfield Parish Report 2016 53