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2 Writtle News email: [email protected] Writtle News website: If you would like to write http://www.essexinfo.net/writtle-news for the Writtle News please contact WRITTLE NEWS 235 Christine Knight, Editor, FEBRUARY - MARCH 2020 WRITTLE NEWS PRODUCTION TEAM by telephone. Tel: 01245 420045. EDITOR: Christine Knight (420045) Writtle News email: [email protected] EDITOR’S NOTE ADVERTISING: Wendy Kateley (420998) Please note the Editor of the Writtle News does not accept any TREASURER: Anne Pegg (420200) responsibility for the services provided by any advertiser in this DISTRIBUTION: Mary Steadman (421467) publication nor endorse any claims made by such advertiser. Copy for Issue 236 (email: [email protected] NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS or typed) to Christine Knight, (420045) To place an advert or to update your black and white advert to by noon on 1st March 2020 colour, please contact Wendy Kateley on 01245 420998. Please Advertisements to Wendy Kateley by 1st March 2020 email art work for all new b/w and colour adverts to: writtlenews@ B&W Advertising Rates If you wish to change gmail.com Thank you. 1⁄8 page £12.00 per issue your advertisement, 1⁄4 page £22.00 per issue will you please put 1⁄2 page £35.00 per issue it in writing. Please Whole page £65.00 per issue note that opinions expressed in articles in this Colour Advertising Rates magazine are not necessarily 1⁄8 page £16.00 per issue the views of the Editor and 1⁄4 page £30.00 per issue production team. 1⁄2 page £50.00 per issue The Editor reserves the right Whole page £90.00 per issue in her discretion to amend or Advert Sizes (Type area only) abbreviate articles for reasons 1⁄8 page 30mm x 90mm of space and to refuse to 1⁄4 page 60mm x 90mm accept material which in her 1⁄2 page 132.5mm x 90mm opinion may be regarded as W/page 132.5mm x 190mm offensive or inappropriate.

ONCE IT’S IN WRITTLE NEWS IT’S ALL ROUND THE VILLAGE DELIVERED TO 2,600 DOORS! 3 ALL SAINTS CHURCH From the Vicar As I write this in mid-December with the Christmas preparations PARISH OFFICE: Tuesday-Friday 10.00am-12.00 noon (422846) and carol services underway, I’m reminded that it’s not long until CHURCHWARDENS: Margaret Bruce (699782), the shortest day is here and then the days will start to lengthen out Dianne Collins (07812 162715). Email: [email protected], again. Hope springs eternal! website: www.allsaintswrittle.co.uk A lot of people ask me what I’m doing in gloomy old grey PRIEST IN CHARGE: Rev’d Tony Cant skies UK when I could’ve been lounging in the warmth and sun of SECRETARY: Andrew Brewster Email: [email protected] South-eastern Queensland, Australia. Well folks, heat and sun isn’t CHRISTIAN CENTRE BOOKINGS: everything - especially when that’s so much of what you get all the Email [email protected] time! Phone: 07949 060567 Contact person: Andrew Brewster We love the change in seasons that we get here in England SUNDAY ­: and the beauty that the changes bring. Of course it can be 8.00am Holy Communion (Prayer Book) uncomfortable when it’s wet and cold, but it’s certainly that when 1st 10.45am Celebrating Together it’s so very hot and dry too. And bushfires are no fun at all. 2nd 10.45am Parish Eucharist So we all enter a new decade this month, and for us, a new 6.00pm Christians Together chapter in our lives. What changes will it bring? What are you 3rd 9.30am All Age Worship 11.00am Matins looking forward to? And what do you notice when you look back 4th 10.45am Parish Eucharist with Healing Ministry over the last year? I mean, what do you notice in your own personal 5th 10.45am Parish Eucharist life? Try thinking about those things you don’t actually talk about to MIDWEEK SERVICE anybody. We all have those things - usually they’re the grey, cold, Holy Communion 10.00am, first Wednesday of the month gloomy things, or those that are too hot and painful to mention. Special Festivals etc. See Notice Boards And sometimes they may be the things that give us hope but we The Church is normally open from 10.00am to 3.00pm still don’t dare to talk about them in case we ‘jinx’ them or people EDWARD BEAR: A Mother and Toddler Group meets weekly on make fun of us. Mondays 2.00 - 3.30pm during term time. See Notice Boards for And because we keep those things locked up and insulate details or ring Parish Office (422846) ourselves (and everyone else) from them, we don’t allow change BAPTISM AND MARRIAGE to occur. But don’t forget that change is natural and normal - just Preliminary arrangements should be made through the Parish ask any farmer. It has to happen or nothing would happen. When I Office by calling in or telephoning (422846 Tuesday-Friday 10.00am learned to be a dairy farmer in New Zealand (having grown up in a -12 noon) small city), I quickly learned that you can’t fight nature and that it’s PASTORAL VISITS AND HOME COMMUNION folly to try to do so. The old farmers were so wise and experienced Requests for sick or hospital visits, or to receive Holy Communion and taught me that you’ve got to work with the changes and at home, may be made by contacting our Pastoral Assistant Hazel vagaries that come with the seasons. It’s so much more stressful Kempton (email: [email protected]) or by phoning the and painful to rage and fight against them - not to mention futile. Parish Office (422846). Hope springs eternal, and the hope of Spring is real as we look 4 forward to the longer days. The reminder of God’s love for all of us 8.00am Holy Communion was right there as we celebrated Christmas. It brings to mind the 10.00am Celebrating Together lengths that God will go to for us to realise how much we are loved 4th 10.00am Holy Communion by God. Always remember that even when you feel low, unloved 8th Second Sunday of Lent (2nd) or even unlovable, that God is closer to you than you can possibly 10.00am Family Eucharist imagine. Change is always possible, and is actually inevitable - the 6.00pm Christians Together seasons remind us of that. 15th Third Sunday of Lent (3rd) My prayer for you (and me) this year, is that you embrace any 8.00am Holy Communion changes that come your way with the realistic hope that helps you 9.30am All-Age Worship work with those changes and allow them to enrich your life and 11.00am Matins share it with others. And maybe that simply starts with a smile. 22nd Fourth Sunday of Lent (4th) Who knows what effect that smile might have on someone else’s Mothering Sunday life that day, including your own? 10.00am Family Eucharist With every blessing to you, and Happy New Year. 29th Fifth Sunday of Lent (5th) Rev Tony. 10.00am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Joint Service at Cooks Mill Green ALL SAINTS CALENDAR FEBRUARY 2020 APRIL 1st 8.00am Common Prayer (Taizé style) 4th 8.00am Common Prayer (Taizé style) 2nd Presentation of Christ in the Temple 5th Palm Sunday (1st) - Candlemas (1st) 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Joint service at St. Michael and All Angels - Roxwell 10.00am Family Eucharist and distribution of Palms 5th 10.00am Holy Communion 9th Third Sunday before Lent (2nd) Please note that, with the exception of the third Sunday of the 10.00am Parish Eucharist month, the main morning services are now at 10.00am. There will 6.00pm Christians Together be an 8.00am communion on the first and third Sundays of the 16th Second Sunday before Lent (3rd) month only. 8.00am Holy Communion 9.30am All-Age Worship BAPTISMS 11.00am Matins 17th November 2019 Ivy-Rea Joan Newman 23rd First Sunday before Lent (4th) 17th November 2019 Owen Randall Smith 10.00am Parish Eucharist and Healing 26th Ash Wednesday 7.00pm Service at All Saints with imposition of Ashes 29th 8.00am Common Prayer (Taizé style)

MARCH 1st First Sunday of Lent (1st) 5 Christmas Tree Festival, All Saints Church, 2019. Photograph by Christine Knight.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL It was the most successful yet! With about 2,000 people visiting the church and Christian Centre, 47 trees decorated to a very high standard and the Craft Fair stall holders declaring it the best for them, we must have done something right. The weather outside was not frightful and the atmosphere inside was delightful (to quote, badly, a well-known Christmas number). The centre piece of the weekend was the church filled with trees, and this year the stand out design feature was the pyramid. We had them made of CDs, clear plastic, tissue paper and toilets rolls. The overall winner chosen by both our opener, Chris Hibbitt and by you, the public, was ‘Bookworms’ designed and entered by the Writtle Library Volunteers. The Junior Tree winner was ‘Starry, Starry Night’ by Writtle Junior School, and the Business Tree winner was ‘The Singing Christmas Tree’ from Farleigh Hospice. Who would have thought that a pile of books, a bunch of old discs and some blue tissue paper could turn into winning designs? Congratulations to them and to all the fantastic creators of all the trees. A huge debt of thanks to the many folk who, in one or another way, contributed to this fabulous weekend. The icing on the Christmas cake? We took a little over £8,000! This was nearly £1,000 more than in the 2018. Brilliant! Here’s to next year and the likely dates, December 5th and ‘Bookworms’, Christmas Tree Festival, 6th. A Happy New and Blessed Year to you and yours. All Saints Church, 2019. John Howden. Photograph by Christine Knight. 6 WRITTLE CARDS On 28th, 29th and 30th November 2019 audiences at the village hall were treated to the hilarious and joyous family pantomime “Rumpelstiltskin and the Sleeping Beauty”. An original work by celebrated author Gordon House. Sold out performances on Saturday matinee and evening! A packed audience gathered in the Festive Hall for the much awaited production and they clearly appreciated the adult humour dotted throughout the script and modern references to ensure this was a night out not only for the kids. Just as a successful panto should be. The director Katharine Thomas produced a very merry production, and everyone could see the hard work put in by all involved resulting in a great night for cast and crew, as well as the audience. Watch out for our 2020 pantomime news!

APRIL 2020 PRODUCTION Panto, 2019. Writtle CARDS production, Village Hall. Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April. Writtle CARDS

From: Daniel Curley [email protected] are premiering the new family comedy “Dream House” by local Subject: Photo 2 author Jerry Thomas. Date: 21 December 2019 at 17:56 To: [email protected] A modern and insightful comedy exploring the issue of young people wanting to leave home and set up on their own but lacking the means. After several hilarious twists and turns, the situation is finally resolved… but not as you might expect! More information can be found on our website: writtlecards. webs.com Tickets are available via our Box Office 07858 990931 or [email protected]

WEA All our Spring Courses are well under way and proving very enjoyable. On Tuesdays the classes are on ‘Rebellion, Revolution or Civil War England 1603-60’ and also in the afternoon we are learning the history of ‘Herbs, Herbalists & Physic Gardens’. On Wednesdays the course is ‘Voice to the People; The Folk Revival since 1960’. Information on our Autumn courses will be given in a later edition of the Writtle News. Panto, 2019. Writtle CARDS production, Village Hall. The contact for our Class Secretary is Anita Curtis on 01245 420365. 7 Daniel Curley [email protected] PENGUINS, VOLCANOES AND A WANDERING PARISH PRIEST PARISH OF OUR LADY IMMACULATE When getting a haircut, I am someone who likes the barber to get on with the job and let me go home as quickly as possible. So it’s 178 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0AR always a trial when they say “what do you do for a living?” You Telephone: (01245) 352898 know this is the opening to polite chit-chat. Not so long ago I was Abbot Hugh Allan BA(OPraem) asked the question, so I said “I am the Apostolic Administrator of SATURDAYS the Falkland Islands and the Superior of the Ecclesial Mission sui 9.00am at Our Lady Immaculate Church, New London Road juris of St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Island.” A bit 6.00pm at Holy Name Church, Lucas Avenue, cruel perhaps, but the poor man was stunned into silence. Bliss! Moulsham Lodge In 2016, alongside my work as Parish Priest of Our Lady SUNDAYS Immaculate and Holy Name, Chelmsford, I was entrusted with 9.00am, 12 noon, 7.00pm. the pastoral care of the British Overseas Territories in the South All at Our Lady Immaculate Church, New London Road Atlantic. The area covers around 1/6 of the surface of the earth - 10.30am at Holy Name Church, Lucas Avenue, 99.8% of that is water, but the larger bits of land all have Catholic Moulsham Lodge communities striving to live the gospel in far flung places. My task WEEKDAYS then is to ensure the communities are cared for and to visit them 8.00am at St. Philip’s Priory, New London Road at least once a year. This is no easy thing to do. To get to Tristan Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12.30pm and Fridays 9.30am at da Cunha it takes a six day voyage from Cape Town on board a Our Lady Immaculate Church, New London Road fishing trawler. The numbers of people involved are relatively small; HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION in the parishes which our community serves in Chelmsford, there 7.00am, 9.30am, 12.30pm and 7.00pm. All at Our Lady are more people at weekday Mass than attend the parishes on Immaculate Church, New London Road these far flung islands. Still, each soul is precious. When I travel to 7.30pm at Holy Name Church, Lucas Avenue, the islands, I keep in mind the heartening words of Our Lord in the Moulsham Lodge gospel “For where there are two or three gathered together in my CONFESSIONS name, there am I in the midst of them.” 11.00am to 12 noon on Saturdays at The Falkland Islands are perhaps the most well-known of these Our Lady Immaculate Church, New London Road territories, sadly in large part due to the invasion in 1982. The parish 5.30pm to 6.00pm at Holy Name Church, Lucas Avenue, has a beautiful church which features on most postcards from the Moulsham Lodge islands. It is a ‘flat pack’ church which the Victorians sent across BAPTISMS AND MARRIAGES the empire (think Ikea for church buildings). The exact replica of the By appointment church can be found in India, Australia and the West Indies. THE PARISH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Ascension Island is an extraordinary place. It is a volcanic 116 Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford. rock in the middle of the ocean but at the centre of the island is Parish Priest Fr. Paul Cracknell Tel: 354256 a lush green mountain. The outskirts of the island look like a lunar MASS TIMES landscape and then the centre is a little paradise. The chapel is a Sat: 6.00pm grotto located on the American airbase. It is looked after, although Sun: 9.30am & 11.30am when I arrived to say the first Mass there in a very long time, I had to empty the chapel of some wandering goats and clean up the little 8 offerings they had left behind! was to look at these trees and recommend whether the work to be Directly opposite the chapel is the entrance to a lava tube - carried out on them was justified, more often than not there was no good for sermons on heaven and hell, I suppose! objection, the final decision was always up to the City Council and St Helena is famous as the ‘prison’ for Napoleon after his their planners. defeat at Waterloo, and it is certainly a captivating place. On the I have probably visited more residents’ gardens than most island, it takes forever to make a simple trip into the centre of town people in Writtle, I must say I have always been met with kindness - everyone enjoys having a little chat. When I arrived, I was told and respect and I have been offered many cups of tea. One large that one of the ministers of a church in Jamestown was disliked garden I have been called on to visit twelve times has been a because he never waved at people when driving around. This led worry for the residents and myself, and I hope the problems they to me waving like a mad man at everyone I met. I probably looked have encountered will be resolved soon to the satisfaction of all like a maniac, but it led to many good conversations about Jesus concerned. Another group of trees I have been called to look at and the Faith. several times are the lime trees on Writtle Green. I am worried On Tristan da Cunha there are 263 inhabitants. Roughly, half about the work not being done rather than the work already done. are Anglican and half are Catholics. The parish is looked after by I would like to thank all those who have welcomed me into their three catechists but each year a priest travels to be there for the gardens for a chat and discussion about trees and other village month of September. The island is, of course, an active volcano. interests. I would also like to thank the Writtle News for allowing me As one parishioner said to me in a recent email, “when you live on to write about the natural environment of Writtle and for imparting a volcano, it is not a good idea to be an atheist”. information to the people of Writtle. For the people I met in these communities, God is someone Derek Cooley. immediately connected to their lives. The remoteness of the place seems to open their hearts more to the presence of God. On St FLAGS FLYING FROM THE CHURCH TOWER Helena, despite the prolonged absence of a priest, I met so many incredibly kind and loving souls. Talking about God and their faith was not awkward or difficult. One man greeted me every day by saying “God is alive”. Of course, the islanders all face difficulties, but there is a kindness and calmness that radiates Resurrection joy. My work as Apostolic Administrator has allowed me a glimpse into the lives of the people whom it is my privilege to serve. On these islands, God is alive. Abbott Hugh.

Dear Editor, For the past seven years or so I have been the Parish Council’s tree 6th Feb Her Majesty The Queen’s Accession Union Flag warden and I have enjoyed every moment of the experience, but 19th Feb Birthday of HRH The Duke of York Union Flag due to certain factors I find I must resign this position. 1st March St. David’s Day Union Flag Basically I have visited trees brought to the attention of the 9th March Commonwealth Day Union Flag Parish Council, by the City Council, being in the main trees with a 10th March Birthday of HRH The Earl of Wessex Union Flag protection order on them or trees in a conservation area. My job 17th March St. Patrick’s Day Union Flag 9 WARTIME MEMORIES the talk of war, but as they returned she saw Bob’s brother waiting A few years ago I had the privilege of talking to a number of Writtle at their gate and she knew immediately that something was wrong. residents about life here during the Second World War. They There was a tribute to Bob in the Writtle Boys’ School magazine wanted to share their experiences and have them brought to a which concluded by saying “the memory of his example in both wider audience and although since then most have died I hope that work and play will live in the life of the school and the minds of this, the first in a series of articles, will help to honour them. That those who knew him.” is important because subsequent generations should never forget In that September, Chelmsford and surrounding villages the fortitude and courage and determination of those who lived received evacuees from London. They were aged between 6 and through the Second World War and the post war Austerity Years. 12 and arrived clutching small suitcases and brown paper parcels. If there are any villagers with memories of those years and A schoolboy gave an account of their arrival in Writtle. of the immediate post-war years who would like to be included “The first Eastern National Omnibus swung off the main road to stop please contact me via the editor. in front of the school. A very orderly quiet, but rather bewildered In the weeks leading up to the declaration of war on the 3rd group of children with teachers and helpers stepped off.... Under September 1939 preparations and training were speeded up and the guidance of Mrs Upson as billeting officer, and her willing band the first Writtle loss was two days prior to that date. Ethel Chinery of helpers, small groups, heavily laden with their gas masks, their From: John Trusler [email protected] told me about the death of her fiancé Robert (‘Bob’) Little who had Subjectpersonal: Article belongings, and their rations, began to depart to find their Date: 18 October 2019 at 15:44 joined the RAF and was training as part of the crew of a Wellington newTo: Writtlehomes... News [email protected] Just a few tears, an unforeseen delay here and there, From: John Trusler [email protected] Subjectbomber.: Article An eye witness saw the plane circling off the coast at but otherwise all went well... Two hours later many were back on Date: 18 October 2019 at 15:39 Christine - I forgot the heading for the article - suggest "Wartime recollections" and also missed off my name at the end CaisterTo: Writtle [email protected] one wing dipped and struck the water causing the the GreenPicture 2 to go enjoying after para 6 Caption themselves "Child's gas mask with with the stern new warning foundon the box to friends.”look after it." aircraft to cartwheel into the sea with the loss of all on board. Christine - I am sending over the pictures. If you are short on space the last one could be omitted. here is 1 of 4 to go after para 3 Caption to read- Wellington bomber

Wellington bomber.

Ethel was 21 when Bob died. She recalled that early that evening Child’s gas mask with the stern warning she and her mother had walked round the village to get away from on the box to look after it. 10 From: John Trusler [email protected] Subject: Article Date: 18 October 2019 at 16:05 To: Writtle News [email protected]

Picture 3 to go after para 10 caption "A Battle of Britain cover showing, top, Hurricanes in action over Colchester 10.00 3rd September 1940 and, bottom, Bf 110s."

A Battle of Britain cover showing, top, Hurricanes in action over Colchester 10.00 3rd September 1940 and, bottom, Bf 110s

The first few months of the war passed relatively peacefully, but evacuation from Dunkirk is well known, but many soldiers had to what was described as the ‘Phoney War’ came to an abrupt end try and escape by heading further west. Thomas Diamond, the son with the German invasion of the Low Countries and France. The of George and Margaret Diamond of Writtle, was a Sergeant in the 11 10th Royal Hussars which, as part of the 1st Armoured Division, by around 80 Messerschmitt Bf 110s crossed the Thames Estuary had been sent to France. On the 27th May the Hussars were to try and bombed North Weald Aerodrome, causing substantial and break through the German bridgehead at Huppy near Abbeville damage. On their return they were engaged by Hurricanes and after shelling by the French artillery. But the French failed to arrive Spitfires and a massive dogfight took place over mid-Essex, with and when the Hussars moved forward they were met by heavy numerous aircraft from both sides shot down. anti-tank gun fire. Soon many of their lightly armoured tanks were As the battle continued the countryside below was littered wrecked and many of the crews killed. In total the 1st Armoured with jettisoned bombs. Incendiaries landed at Sturgeon’s Farm lost 65 tanks and the Commanding Officer told the French that no settingFrom: John [email protected] alight. One incendiary fell at Dawes Farm, two Subject: Article more tanks and crews were going to be needlessly sacrificed. atDate Rolleston’s: 18 October 2019 at 16:10Farm, six at Oxney Green, five at Love Lane, one The remnants of the British Expeditionary Force, including what atTo Longmeads: Writtle News [email protected] and one in Victoria Road. All were extinguished was left of the 1st Armoured, made for the only remaining port, St withoutChristine -causing last of the pictures. serious If you could pleaseloss confirm or yoinjury.u have received all 4. Picture 4 after para 11 caption " Dornier bombers; powered by either BMW or Daimler-Benz engines." Nazaire. Here the troops were ferried out to the larger ships, one of which was the SS Lancastria which had a capacity of 2,100; but on the 17th June she took on board in excess of 6,000. Then came the first German air raid which should have alerted the captain to get under way to move around, but instead the ship remained stationary - a sitting duck. At 3.45pm she was struck by several bombs and it rapidly became clear that she was doomed. When the order was given “Every man for himself” panic set in. The death toll was estimated at more than 3,500 and amongst those was Thomas. He is buried in Pornic War Cemetery just south of St Nazaire, which has 395 graves; most of those buried here were washed ashore following the sinking. In Writtle the local paper’s headline made the threat to this country very real. “German Invasion expected soon.” Steel barriers were prepared and spigot mortars placed at strategic places. Anti- tank pyramids were placed at the Army and Navy, at Three Mile Hill and other locations along the A12. Pill boxes stretched in a line across Essex. Notices were issued giving details of air raid shelters Dornier bombers powered by either BMW in the basements of Wenley’s, Freeman Hardy and Willis, the library or Daimler-Benz engines. and other buildings. However, the capacity of these was only 1,560 although there were trench shelters in the Recreation Ground. Also August 1940 saw the first civilian deaths in the Chelmsford area the construction of domestic shelters was put in hand. from bombing. The first of many, but I conclude this first narrative That summer of 1940 the Battle of Britain raged across the on a more cheerful note. Marjorie Thorogood had been working at skies over Essex and the counties of southern England. Douglas the Crompton works but switched to a life on the farm when she Hobart told me of one air battle that he witnessed, thrilling for a was married in 1940. She was married in Writtle Church and told boy but deadly serious for the combatants. This was likely to have me that one of the guests had a cine camera but unfortunately it been on the 3rd September, when a group of 54 Dorniers escorted rained heavily that day and the film was spoilt. However, they were 12 lucky with the cake as a friend was a baker and made them a horseshoe-shaped wedding cake - a real treat, as for many brides the cake was a cardboard replica! John Trusler. Heritage Writtle Annual Lecture WRITTLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Email: [email protected] Tuesday 25th February 2020

‘The Prittlewell Prince’

An Anglo-Saxon chamber burial at Southend-on-Sea in its local and wider context

Longmeads House, Redwood Drive, Writtle CM1 3LY Tel: 07787 479228 or 01245 420676 (please leave a message)

Email: [email protected] An illustrated Bookings are being taken for 2020. talk by Lyn AGM Blackmore FSA The AGM for the WCA 2020 will be on Tuesday 21st April at Museum of 7.30pm in Longmeads House. All are welcome. London

THE BERYL PLATT CENTRE Archaeology I am pleased to say that work is progressing well on the new WCA building (‘The Beryl Platt Centre’ as it is now called). Despite the recent bad weather, all the groundwork is now completed. By the time you read this the steel framework will be erected Northumberland Lecture Theatre at and we shall have a good idea of how the final building will look. The developers are confident that the original handover date of Writtle College 7.15 for 7.30pm July 2020 will be achieved. Cost £3.00, pay on the night There are numerous cups and trophies in the Heron Bar at Refreshments included Longmeads House, from when the bar was in constant use. For further information contact:- If you or your organisation think you might own any of these, we Susie 420504 [email protected] or would be pleased to return them to you. Dave 421515 [email protected] Peter Smith, WCA Chairman. 13 Wear Pond, showing the back wall of the pond. Photograph by Christine Knight. 14 area. We believe this work was carried out by the brewery in the 1870s to facilitate the washing of their delivery carts and horses. The pond was later used to fill up steam engines with water. Photographs of this activity can be seen in the Writtle Archives. There is a theory about the existence of the ‘Sheet of Water’ in the area of the Wear Pond before 1845. We carried out extensive tests using divining rods on various areas of The Green and found there had been a distinct flow of water from the west of The Green to the Wear Pond. During testing we realised that the flow line disappeared behind the houses at the top of The Green. The residents kindly allowed us to do further tests in their gardens and these tests seem to indicate that the possible flow continued under Ongar Road to Back Road and onto college land. It is my opinion that the flow started from the west of the village. There is another pond in this area and it has often overflowed, but in recent Gore Pond. years it has tended to dry out. It would be very difficult now to Photograph by Christine Knight. find out if there has been a flow from this pond to the Wear Pond, but maybe if the Wear Pond is emptied for cleaning we may be able to discover if there is any flow from this pond. It is my belief NATURE that the Wear Pond was there long before any recorded dates. My We will always remember that the Wear Pond has been mentioned thoughts are it was at times a muddy pool and after a heavy rainfall in the Writtle News many times as it is a central focus point for the was a ‘sheet of water’. village. I make no apologies for mentioning it again. There may be another source of water to the Wear Pond and I believe I have said previously that in 1845, Whites Directory that is from Tower Pond. Tests were carried out on the Pleasure described the pond at the time as a “sheet of water”. We have Bit, which revealed nothing. The divining rods were also used on been unable to date the pond further back, but various possibilities the Victoria Road allotments and here a possible flow was found, have been followed up. but due to the presence of water troughs and their filling mains, a What we do know is that the Wear Pond was brought up possible flow could not be confirmed. Having considered all the to its present formation by one of the Writtle breweries, which I possibilities, I am of the opinion that there was a flow to the Wear believe was situated in the area known as Motts (there was another Pond from Tower Pond. brewery down by the Bridge Street Co-op). I would like to mention that while testing with the divining rods A firm base was laid and a plug hole was put in the deepest on the north side of The Green, I noticed a clump of miniature area. The water flows down a drain to the river Wid; at one time cyclamens. I have lived in Writtle for 68 years and this is the first the water flowed down the road to the river. The wall to the back of time I have seen them growing on The Green. They can be found the pond was also built at the same time, although now it may well in other areas, such as Lawford Lane, Memorial Green and other need some restorative work. A flow pipe was installed to the pond places around the village from the canal and springs at the back of Motts. The flow of spring Derek Cooley. water to the pond passes under the south road within The Green 15 16 17 The show schedules will be in print during January and will be GARDEN & ALLOTMENT SOCIETY ready to collect from the hut on completion. Chairman: John Rouse, Tel. 421350

Trading hut, Victoria Road. Trading hut, Victoria Road.

February so what are our gardens looking like now? Are they still so soggy with all the winter rain we have had or are we covered in snow? As I am writing this in December and I don’t have a crystal ball, I’m hoping like you that things are beginning to dry out so we can get on the garden and start to get things underway. I hope to get a row of parsnips and a couple of rows of broad beans in during Writtle this month, weather permitting. Garlic, onion sets and shallots can be planted out, and cabbages ready for autumn cropping. If you have a greenhouse or kitchen window sill you will be able to sow Writers seeds ready to plant out in the garden at the appropriate time. To all our society members, that is all allotment holders and If you would like to write for the Writtle News gardeners who have registered as members, our trading hut is please contact Christine Knight, Editor, open every Sunday morning and is fully stocked with fertilizers, composts, grow bags and many other products all stocked for by telephone your convenience, so come along, give us a look, we are sure we Tel: 01245 420045 can help you out and be pleased to serve you. 18 WRITTLE SINGERS Ladies of the Writtle University College Following a delightfully festive and well attended Christmas Candlelit Concert, Writtle Singers are preparing for their first concert of the Floristry Department. new decade. “Made in Essex” is a celebration of music written in and around Essex, from Byrd and Tallis to contemporary settings of folksong, Shakespeare and some crazy (and not altogether flattering!) poems about our very own county. We hope you will join us on Saturday 4th April, 7.30pm at All Saints’ Church, Writtle. Full information and tickets can be obtained from www.writtlesingers.org or call 07815 966978. Our popular Quiz Night with supper takes place on Saturday 29th February 7.30pm at Writtle Christian Centre, where we would be delighted to see you. Pre-booking essential – call/text 07799 979471 or 01245 420969 or email [email protected] for further details.

INDUSTRY AWARD FOR WUC’S FLORISTRY DEPARTMENT Writtle University College (WUC) received two prestigious awards at the British Florist Association’s (BFA) Gala Dinner on 26th October 2019. WUC was named ‘Training Provider of the Year’ and staff member Elaine Thackray was awarded ‘Tutor of the Year’ during an receive such prestigious industry awards and would like to thank outstanding evening at FleurEX 2019, the BFA’s annual trade show everyone who voted for us. It’s good to see our commitment to in Birmingham. high teaching standards and student success recognised by so Nikki Meader, Retail Director of The British Florist Association, many people within the sector.” said: “over 200 people came together to celebrate the Industry Elaine Thackray added: “I was so excited to have received Awards for 2019. Attracting more than 12,000 votes over 10 an award. It’s an honour to help students develop the skills and categories, The BFA were extremely pleased to announce the experience they need to succeed within our rewarding industry.” winner of Category 2 as Elaine Thackray from Writtle as Tutor of The BFA is the only recognised trade association in the UK, the Year and of Category 3 Writtle University College as Training representing 8,000 professional flower shops across the country. Provider of the Year. These awards are given for their hard work The categories of the BFA Industry awards aim to reflect the ever- and dedication to the floristry industry.” changing floristry industry. Standards among the shortlisted candidates were high. WUC and Elaine each competed against five highly-respected finalists. Jan Metcalfe, Curriculum Team leader, said: “We were pleased to have reached the finals, but to have won is amazing. We’re thrilled to 19 SARA’S KITCHEN for 5 minutes. Add the lamb shanks, garlic, bay leaves, paprika, This edition’s recipe is one of my newer discoveries. peppercorns, half the rosemary and stock. Cover with a lid and My partner, Simon, stumbled upon it and suggested bring to the boil. that we try it - and I am very glad that we did. I have 4. Once boiling, transfer the lidded casserole to the oven and always loved the comfort-food heartiness of lamb cook for 2 hours. Half-way through turn the shanks over. shanks, but this recipe, for me, is something else. It 5. Remove the casserole from the oven after 2 hours. Lamb is packed full of tasty ingredients and has gone down really well shanks can come in different sizes, so if at this point yours look with everyone who has tried it. Don’t be put off by the handful of pretty done already/starting to fall off the bone then remove peppercorns - they cook in the sauce for a long time and so lose them at this point. If they are on the large size and still holding their crunch and harshness leaving a lovely flavour. Just typing this together leave them in. Add chorizo pieces, onion, carrots, list of ingredients has made me salivate... Please try this. honey to taste and the remaining rosemary. Return to the oven for another hour. (If you have removed your lamb at this point RIOJA-BRAISED LAMB SHANKS add it back after 30 minutes of the remaining hour cooking.) Ingredients After this extra cooking it should then be tender and falling off 4 lamb shanks the bone. salt and pepper 6. Remove the meat and veg from the pan with a slotted spoon oil for frying and keep warm. Place the casserole with the sauce still in it 350ml (12 fl oz) Rioja (or the same amount of good quality beef back on the hob over a high heat and boil for 10 mins or until stock) slightly thickened. Season if need be with salt, pepper and/ 250 ml (9 fl oz) balsamic vinegar or a dash more honey, add meat and veg back to the sauce 1 garlic bulb, cut in half horizontally and ensure it is all piping hot before serving on hot plates with 2 bay leaves creamy mash and a green vegetable of your choice. Delicious! 1-2 tsp paprika handful of black peppercorns 4 sprigs fresh rosemary WI 300ml (10 fl oz) beef stock Wed 12th Feb 7.45pm Writtle Village Hall 125g (4oz) chorizo from a ring cut into pieces roughly 1cm ‘Protecting your Assets Against Long- 1 large red onion cut into 8-10 wedges term Care Costs’ with Marcos Kallow 2 carrots peeled and chopped Competition: Something beginning dash of honey, to taste with ‘F’ Wed 11th Mar 7.45pm Writtle Village Hall Method ‘What’s New in the Garden?’ with 1. Pre-heat the oven to 150ºC/300ºF, Gas 3 Foggy Hau 2. Season the lamb well with salt and pepper. Drizzle oil into a Competition: Something beginning heavy based casserole set over a high heat and then turn the with ‘M’ heat down slightly and brown each lamb shank all over. Set aside the lamb. 3. Pour the wine and balsamic vinegar into the casserole and boil 20

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH IN WRITTLE This is a Neighbourhood Watch area. Do you know that Neighbourhood Watch has been active in Writtle for several years? Beryl, a Writtle long-time parishioner, has been the local coordinator and she distributes A second Country Music event was held in the newsletters to local members. Village Hall last November. This was another But she needs support and resounding success with the hall filled to capacity. more members. Essex Police A handsome sum of money was raised which has encourage been donated to the MPS Society Neighbourhood Watch and in (research into genetic disorders). many areas of Chelmsford Next event : Friday 15th May 2020 district where there is a strong Also add to your diary: Friday 6th November 2020. and active Neighbourhood Watch for posters Watch group, they support Enquiries: Phone 01245 420735 these groups in many ways. Where committees and neighbours support each other and help themselves through the Watch or email [email protected] scheme, there is evidence that crime and antisocial behaviour declines. Find out more at www.chelmsfordneighbourhoodwatch.org.uk - and get in touch. 21

Toilet facilities for male, female, disabled and baby changing are WRITTLE VILLAGE HALL available. Disabled access is available to both halls and we are pleased to announce that we have CARPET recently received BOWLS funding from a local resident which has enabled us to purchase a defibrillator which is located WRITTLE outside the VILLAGE hall for use by HALLthe general CARPET public and BOWLS CLUB users of the hall. Free parking is available in the car park opposite the duck pond and around the village green. The buildingCarpet conforms Bowls to current is an legislation enjoyable and regulations activity, suitable for as advised by the RCCE (Rural Community Council of Essex) of which Writtle Hall is an active member. It is a non-profit making organisationall run ages largely and by a voluntary ability. group The of Trustees. club offers THREE FREE evenings Both halls are available to hire at very competitive rates for regular groups,of play birthday for youparties, to Christmas try the parties, game wedding before making any receptions, meetings etc. We also offer concessionary rates for charitable functions and organisations. For furtherdecision details on about how to joining.book the hall, please contact 18, The Green, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3DU Wendy Risdon, see details above. Wendy will be happy to help Secretary: Wendy Risdon, Tel: 07394 663636 with your Weenquiries are or showa sociable you around thegroup facilities. who enjoy the game immensely

Email: [email protected] CARPET BOWLS WRITTLEand VILLAGE would HALL welcomeCARPET BOWLS more CLUB members. Carpet Bowls is an enjoyable Writtle Village Hall is situated opposite the Duck Pond in the centre of Writtle. Opened in 1908, it has served the Community of Writtle If you are interestedactivity, suitable then for pleaseall ages and contact our Secretary for over 100 years. Opened by Lady Gooch and sponsored by the ability. The club offers THREE Attwood Fund which is a charitable trust, a sum of money was FREE evenings of play for you given by one of Sir Daniel Gooch’s predecessors at Hylands more Heather Bourdonto try on the game07826559257 before making – or turn up on a than 60 years ago, when it was decided that a need for such a any decision about joining. building was deemed necessary for the village. Since its opening, Thursday or Sunday We are evening a sociable group from who 7.00 pm. enjoy the game immensely and it has proved to be a very popular venue for gatherings of all ages and is one of the few halls in this area with a stage. The hall offers good facilities including two halls, the main hall with the stage seats approximately 125 people and the small hall would welcome more members. which seats approximately 35. Both halls have projector screens. The IfCARPET you are BOWLSinterested then building consists of a large fully fitted and well-equipped kitchen which please contact our Secretary is shared by both halls. Many groups meet here on a regular basis,WRITTLE VILLAGEHeather HALLBourdon CARPET on 07826 BOWLS CLUB providing classes from art groups to children’s play group, keep fit and 559257 - or turn up on a many more. Local amateur dramatic productions are also heldCarpet twice BowlsThursday is an enjoyable or Sunday activity, evening suitable for early, as are several events which are open to the public. from 7.00pm. all ages22 and ability. The club offers THREE FREE evenings of play for you to try the game before making any decision about joining. We are a sociable group who enjoy the game immensely and would welcome more members. If you are interested then please contact our Secretary Heather Bourdon on 07826559257 – or turn up on a Thursday or Sunday evening from 7.00 pm.

WRITTLE ARCHIVES in the local pubs before going home, as there was no other form This month I have been thinking about the community spirit in of entertainment and very little educational facilities for labourers to Writtle and the importance of our Community Centres. The Village continue their education after leaving school. Hall is the oldest of these opened in 1908, and others including A proposition for a village hall was first put forward at a Parish Longmeads and Writtle Sports and Social Club date from the Council meeting in 1894, but this was not followed up until a report 1960s when an influx of new families came to live on the Rollestons appeared in the Essex Chronicle of April 1898 with the headline: estate. The Christian Centre was rebuilt from the old Infants and “The Village of Writtle is a drink sodden, God-forsaken and God Girls school in the 1970s. Many different organisations have used forsaking place; proposal for a reading room defeated”. these facilities and they have added to the character and ambience of our lovely village.

Writtle Village Hall, taken from across Wear Pond.

‘The Iron Room’, Writtle, December 1969. Money for this project was to come from the ‘Attwood Charity Fund’. In 1841, John Attwood of ‘Hylands’ gave £1,000 to Writtle, It was not always so. There were few organisations in the early Chelmsford and Margaretting for the privilege of closing several 1890s but the church needed a room, so the vicar Canon Papillon public roads which ran through his estate. A charity fund was had a small hall built beside the infants school where the Christian set up in Writtle with this money and was initially used to provide Centre car park is today. clothing, bread and fuel for the poor. It was mainly built of corrugated iron, hence its name ‘The Iron Room’. It was used for church activities and women’s meetings, as There was a lot of controversy on how the Attwood money should well as concerts. In 1894, Canon Papillon offered the Iron Room be spent and not everyone was in favour of a Village Hall, but by as a reading room for the whole community. At the time many 1905 it was agreed that it would be used for the purpose of a village men from the village worked on the farms and spent their leisure club, public library and reading room, A site was initially found but 23 discarded, “cottages at the comer of Church Lane and the Green to be adapted and new buildings to be erected on the site”. This was ‘Aubyns’ at the beginning of the 20th century and luckily the building, which was divided then into very run-down cottages for the poor, survived to be renovated in the 1920s to the fine Grade 1 listed building it is today. A management committee was formed and they sent this article to the Church Magazine in December 1906. “Such an Institution would be of great benefit to a place like this, where there are numbers of young men who have no place of social intercourse other than the public house, and very little opportunity for self- improvement. A good library, of general information, will, it is hoped, be gradually formed, and in time become a valuable feature of the institution. The Trustees cordially commend the scheme to the support and sympathy of parishioners and friends, and appeal for contributions to the building fund to the extent of £300-£400. They consider that it would be more prudent not to expend the whole capital of the Fund upon the building, but to keep some of it in reserve for future expenses.” By March 1908 things were progressing. “Mr. R N Amold-Wallinger, Chairman of the Parish Council presided at the Annual Parish Meeting there on Wednesday evening, when Mr. F B Pamplin proposed a resolution requesting and authorising the Parish Council to establish a reading-room for the village. This was seconded by Mr. Salmon who spoke of the necessity of some place of meeting for the young fellows who congregated on the street corners. Mr. De’ath said that although four similar attempts to provide such accommodation had failed, he was willing to support this one if it were managed so that it did not come out of the rates. Something of the kind was necessary to raise the moral tone of the village, which was a drink-sodden, God forsaken and God-forsaking place.” An “excellent” site was eventually secured facing The Green, between ‘Sunnyside’ and the Post Office, and the Trustees of the Writtle Charities applied the whole or a sufficient portion of the Attwood Fund’ towards the purchase of the site and the erection of the building. Designs were obtained from Messrs. Clare & Ross, Architects, of Southend, for a building containing a large hall Village Hall Plan. 24 of about the same area as the Boys’ Schoolroom, to seat 200 people, which could be divided by a moveable partition into two rooms, suitable for club purposes. At one end of the hall would be a stage, with space underneath it for stowing tables and other clubroom furniture, when the hall was being used for a concert or lecture; also cloakroom and lavatory accommodation. The eventual architect was Mr. R. Mawhood of Chelmsford (with a simplified change from the original design); and the contractors, Messrs. F. Moss and Son, of Writtle. The first sod was cut on Monday 10th August 1908, by the Vicar, Canon Papillon, who was followed by Mr. A. P. Lindsell, Chairman of the Parish Council, and other parishioners who had an interest in the scheme. The hall was finally opened by Lady Gooch, the wife of Sir Daniel Gooch of Hylands, on December 16th 1908. The Parochial Library remained in the Iron Room and then in the Infants school until some years after the Village Hall was opened. One of the first entertainments in the Hall recorded in the Writtle Parish Magazine of March 1909 was a Whist Drive arranged by Mrs. Williams (wife of Thomas Williams, headmaster of the Boys’ School) and Miss Decimal Shead (10th child of Henry Newell Shead, Corn Chandler, whose shop was where the Village Pharmacy is now). 100 people participated and a profit of 15s 6d was given to the Cricket Club to wipe out the deficit on the previous season. Following this an entertainment was arranged by Lady Gooch on behalf of the Cricket Club, and Coal and Clothing Clubs resulting in a profit of £12 2s 0d. The entertainment consisted of songs, recitations and comic songs which gave much pleasure to an appreciative audience. The highlight of the evening were two dramatic duologues ‘Sixes and Sevens’ by Lady Gooch and Mr. Cyril Phillips, and ‘In and Out of a Punt’ by Lady Gooch and Mr. Bertram Steer. At a later date an extension was built on the back, known still today as the Billiard Room. Thus started the long use of the Village Hall by many varied organisations over the years. Come and see us in the Christian Centre on a Wednesday afternoon from 2.00-5.00pm to find out more information on your favourite places in Writtle. Wendy Hibbitt: 421265 [email protected] 25 WRITTLE PARISH COUNCIL Lauretta Fox, The Clerk, Writtle Parish Council Office, The Green, Writtle CM1 3DT Telephone: 01245 420066 Email: [email protected] website: www.writtlepc.co.uk

MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT THE PARISH OFFICE WRITTLE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN UPDATE MONTHLY PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS It will seem a long time ago now that the draft Vision Statement Monthly Parish Meeting 7.30pm Monday 3rd February and Objectives were consulted upon in August through the Writtle Monthly Parish Meeting 7.30pm Monday 2nd March News, The Parish Website and through our pitch at the Village Fair. Monthly Parish Meeting 7.30pm Monday 6th April I am pleased to say that we received majority support for our draft and also some very helpful suggestions as to how they could COMMITTEE MEETINGS be amended and expanded to reflect what the community feels Planning & Development 7.30pm Monday 17th February is important to the parish. My personal thanks to everybody who Highways and Transport 8.15pm Monday 17th February participated. Planning & Development 7.30pm Monday 16th March This has enabled us to enter the phase where we can really Environment 8.15pm Monday 16th March get down to write the Plan and flesh out the policies which it will contain. The members of your Steering Group, with the help of ANNUAL PARISH MEETING our consultants Troy, have now been allocated specific topics to To be held in the Village Hall 8.00pm Monday 20th April develop and this work is proceeding well. We have, however, set ourselves a very tight timescale to try CITIZENS ADVICE CHELMSFORD and ensure that the Plan can be adopted or ‘made’ by the Autumn Get help applying for Universal Credit of 2020. We have also taken advice from the Neighbourhood Plan Our Help to Claim service can support you in the early stages of Liaison Officer at Chelmsford City Council who informs us that it your Universal Credit claim, from the application, through to your could take up to seven or eight months for the plan to go through its first payment. final formal stages. These include further consultation, independent Help to Claim is a dedicated service from Citizens Advice. It’s inspection and finally a referendum. This process is managed by free, independent and confidential. Our trained advisers can help the City Council and your Steering Group has no control over the with things like how to gather evidence for your application or how Plan’s progress once it is submitted. to prepare for your work coach appointment. Therefore we are looking at March or April 2020 to get the draft Call us for free: 0800 144 8 444. Plan ready for submission and you may rest assured that all members Visit us: www.chelmsfordcab.org/universal-credit of the Steering Group are firmly committed to make this happen. Jonathan Weymouth. Chair Writtle Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. 26 Writtle Writers

If you would like to write for the Writtle News please contact Christine Knight, Editor, by telephone Tel: 01245 420045

27 A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE capture the leopard’s attention by pelting it with fruit and twigs. Botswana is a small country in Their plan worked and CoCo managed to reach safety with a Africa with blue skies and sunny frightened Eliot clinging on tightly. days. It is home to many animals Eliot’s mother was so pleased to have her son back safely. She including leopards, zebras, giraffes, thanked CoCo and gave her a huge hug. As for Eliot he promised elephants, hippos and monkeys. that in the future he would always share his food with CoCo. He Monkeys, like the infant Eliot and his family, live in small groups of now considered her to be special and would never forget her 10 to 20 individuals. The group only comes together to sleep and kindness. eat. Eating is a favourite pastime for Eliot who likes tree bark, fruits Eliot’s mother thought that he had learned a hard lesson, but it and leaves. was a valuable one. All the young monkeys learn everything from their mothers, Copyright ©2009 Jean Cakebread and protected under UK and international law. All rights reserved. including how to find food. Eliot is just learning to find food, but still looks for the easy option of scrounging from others. This can lead WRITTLE INFANTS to squabbling. One such squabble took place between Eliot and a Dear all, young female called CoCo. At the time of writing we are coming to “Give me that leaf CoCo. I saw it first”, Eliot demanded forcefully. the end of another busy term. While “In your dreams”, replied CoCo, stubbornly. “Find your own you will be reading this in February and food you scrounger.” Christmas will seem a long way away, “Now then children”, interrupted Eliot’s mother. “There are we have had some wonderful events to enough leaves for everyone. Eliot you really must learn to share, celebrate Christmas. The performances otherwise the other monkeys won’t like you. They will say that from the KS1 and Reception teams you’re spoilt and selfish.” were outstanding and we joined the Eliot glared at his mother and said nothing, just in case he was community for Carols on The Green. Our punished for being rude. Year Two children entertained the Link Club and we represented After everyone had finished their food, they decided it was time our commitment to mental health and well-being with a tree with for an afternoon nap followed by a long and pleasurable grooming mindful thoughts as our entry in the Christmas Tree Festival. We session. Whilst grooming each other, the monkeys heard a distant supported MacMillan as our charity this year. alarm call. When the call announces an eagle, the monkeys hide in As I always report, we are currently raising money for a new the bush and if the call is for a leopard, they rush into the tree tops. building which we have called The Healthy and Happiness Hub. This time the alert was for a leopard and everyone headed for the We have had a charity evening (thank you Indian Nights), raised tree tops. During the rush Eliot was knocked from a branch and fell money from ticket sales and have had donations from other to the ground with a thud. This sent the group into turmoil. companies. If anyone in the village has any ideas for fundraising or On the ground, poor little Eliot was too dazed to move, and all would consider a donation please contact the school on admin@ the time the leopard crept closer. Then without hesitation CoCo writtle-inf.essex.sch.uk. We were delighted to be accepted as a clambered down the tree and told Eliot to climb onto her back. He charity by the local Co-op; if you have a Co-op card and shop at quickly obeyed and CoCo started a slow climb towards the tree Long Brandocks you can nominate us as your chosen charity. top. Best wishes, Helen Castell, Headteacher. While CoCo climbed the tree all the other monkeys tried to 28 Ten Tiptree Tea Rooms to tantalise your taste buds

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41 42 43 44 45 Blue Bridge Engineering Limited A vacancy is offered for a manager to head a marketing initiative to sell quails eggs and associated products.

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Products, produced locally at farms, would be marketed, supplied and delivered by mail and courier delivery or distributed at retail outlets. The manager position and sales team jobs on offer would suit people who already work in this field and are able to build a relaxed and friendly team, which is dedicated and happy working in a farming environment. Part-time or flexible hours would be negotiable, subject to staff and customer requirements.

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46 Landline: 01245 422829 Mobile: 0797 1003423

Lee Sullivan t/a LAPD | Est. 1990 |‘to protect & preserve’

Lee Sullivan • Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating • Committed to professional, quality workmanship • Skilled, Cost-effective & Dependable Service • References Available • Fully Insured

33 Rectory Road Writtle | [email protected] | www.lapdpaintinganddecorating.co.uk

47

Heather Cottee.

BSc; MCSP; MMACP Chartered Physiotherapist

For all your Joint, Muscle & Sports Injury Needs In the Heart of Writtle at The Christian Centre For an Appointment phone Heather on

07973 575944.

Registered with The Health Professions Council

48 46 Wilshire Avenue, Springfield Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6QW

PAINTING, DECORATING, CARPENTRY PLASTIC FASCIAS, SOFFITS & GUTTERING BUILT-UP FLAT ROOFING & GENERAL REPAIRS

Tel: 01245 493823 Mobile: 07725 111337 Email: [email protected]

49 50 51 52 L. C. MASON T/A WRITTLE LANDSCAPES HARD LANDSCAPING PATIOS DRIVES WALLS FENCING LAWNS (TURF & SEED) TEL: 01245 420390 OR 07802 209173

Den’s Computer Services Microsoft Windows 7 support ends mid-January 2020. I can upgrade your PC/laptop to Windows 10 I have over 25 years experience of IT desktop and network support. From PC upgrades, data backup/restore, antivirus to broadband or wifi issues, printing and scanning. If I can’t fix it, there’ll be no charge. Call Den on: 07368 601887 or 01245 521846 E-mail: [email protected] 53 WRITTLE DIRECTORY Writtle News website: http://www.essexinfo.net/writtle-news Writtle News email: [email protected] Please inform the Editor if an entry in this Directory needs updating or removing ASSISTANCE Village Hall: Booking Secretary: Wendy Risdon 07394 663636; Emergency number only: Ambulance, Fire, Police 999 or 112 email: [email protected] Fire non-emergency: 0300 3030088 Chairperson: Roger Bailey: 421508 Chelmsford Counselling Foundation: (formerly Writtle Pastoral The Writtle Dental Surgery: NHS & Private 421781 Foundation): 42 Cedar Avenue, Chelmsford 284890 Walk-in Hearing Help Session: 9.30-10.30, Chelmsford Home Start: Voluntary home visiting for young families 3rd Thursday of the month, Parish Council Offices: 348440 under stress: Chelmsford 264047 Writtle College: 424200 Chelmsford Community Transport: 477750 Writtle Archives: Wendy Hibbitt 421265 Citizens Advice Bureau: Burgess Well House, Coval Lane, Writtle Community Care: Mick Townley 07704 603271 Chelmsford CM1 1JE - Advice Line 01245 205656 Writtle County Infants School: 420963. - Main Line 01245 205605 Writtle County Junior School: 420592 Marriage Guidance Council: 79 Springfield Road, Writtle Green Pre-School: Val Wilson 07950 944612 Chelmsford 258680 (am) Writtle Sports & Social Club: 420332 Mobile Customer Information Services Team: 01245 606891 Small sided artificial pitch bookings: Lisa Bailey 07979 427938 N.H.S. Direct: 111 Writtle Sports & Social Club: 432332 after 8pm. Ambulance: Essex Ambulance Service & NHS Trust 01245 443344 4G multi-use games court bookings: Sherry Paterson Police: Police Chelmsford can be contacted by telephone on 101 [email protected] / 01245 443025. Parking Wardens: 01245 606626 or 01245 606710 Hall Booking Secretary: Sherry Patterson RELATE: 47 Broomfield Road, Chelmsford 258680 ext. 485950 [email protected] / 01245 443025 Samaritans: In distress or despair? - Ring Chelmsford 116123 Talking Newspaper: contact Pat on Chelmsford 354079 LOCAL GOVERNMENT Member of Parliament: Kemi Badenoch (Saffron Walden LOCAL FACILITIES Constituency) Tel: 02072191943 Christian Centre: email: [email protected] County Councillor: John Aldridge 421524 07949 060567 contact name: Andrew Brewster City Councillors: Tim Roper 421977, Malcolm Watson 422808 Doctors’ Surgery: 421205 Parish Councillors: Clerk: Lauretta Fox, 420066 Hylands School: 266766 North Ward: Sue Bell 07866 239043, Ralph Bray 422460, Library: Monday 9am-5pm, Tuesday 9am-5pm open by volunteers Andrew Carter 422232, Paul Costello 07841 342972, 1pm-5pm, Wednesday 9am-1pm, Thursday 1pm-5pm, Chris Hibbitt 421265, Thomas Kinloch 763720, Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-1pm. Renewals/enquiries Renato Schmit 420866 and Wendy Walker 420147. 0345 603 7628 South Ward: Sue Emery 420297, Peter Cracknell 421392, Longmeads: 420676 Louise Gannicott 422962, Sandra Massey, Ian Nicholls 07791 Pharmacy: 422357 832894, Matt Soden and John Young 07719 387363 54 Conservative Party: Sec: Summer Sands 01799 506349, The Old National & Folk Dance Centre: Annette Clark 469197 Armoury, 3 Museum Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1JN Parents Association (Infants School): School number 420963 Liberal Democratic Party: Stephen Robinson 423084 Parents Association (Junior School): 420592 Photographic Society: Peter Graves 421240 Chris Bell 421482 Red Cross: Welfare Office, 200 London Road, Chelmsford 490090 SPORTS CLUBS Screen on the Green Community Cinema: Caroline Cox, 07552 Chelmsford Croquet Club: Chairman: David Bateson 442291 619834 Gym Club: Coz Yates 420393 St. John Ambulance: Loan of Medical Comforts: 625678 Writtle Badminton Club: Paul & Ann Norris 283632 Sequence Dance Club: Mr D Card 440730 Writtle Bowling Club: Hon. Sec: Mrs Wendy Harvey 01245 421608 Scouts, Cubs and Beavers (6-14 yrs): Mr Andrew King 421431 Writtle Carpet Bowls Club: Sec: Heather Bourdon 07826 559257 The Crafty Sew and Sew Club: Tracy King 07731 120338; Writtle Cricket Club: Hon. Sec: Mike Faulconbridge, 601138; Suzanne Earthy 422089 or 07892 716805 mobile 07746 290947 Explorer Scouts (14-18 yrs): Mr Nick King 421431 Writtle Darts Club: Hon. Sec: Dave Elliott 420015 WEA: Sec: Anita Curtis 420365 Writtle Football Club: Hon. Sec: Paul Gallacher 353023 W.I. (Evening): Mrs Mavis Awcock 422668 Writtle Minors F.C.: Chairman: Matt Soden 07847 327622; Writtle Art Group: Lin Wells 352082 Sec: Alistair Patient, 07979 648626 Writtle Bridge Circle: Sandy Smith 443096 Writtle Table Tennis Club: Hon Sec: Mathew Brown, 07814 323611 Writtle Cards (Drama Group): Daniel Curley 07743 322209 Writtle Tennis Club: Sec: Mrs Sue Emery Chelmsford 420297 Writtle Community Association: Longmeads, 12-14 Redwood Drive, 420676 Writtle Handbell Ringers: Mrs A. Bailey 421508 ORGANISATIONS Writtle International Scooter Collective: Contact - Ozzie Burrows All Saints Bell Ringers: ‘Tower Captain’, Andrew Brewster 421166 07973 781765 All Saints Church Choir: Organist Michael Little 421023 Writtle Manor Football: Sec: Barry Long 420558 Brownie & Rainbow Waiting List: girlguidingessexne.org.uk/ Writtle Relief-in-Need Charity: Clerk: Mrs Christine Aldridge 421524 Join+Us/ Writtle Sewing Club: Angela Robinson, 07549 184636; Chelmsford Marquetry Group: Margaret Bonnett 420415 Catherine Jones, 07730 611687 Chelmsford Morris Dancing: Celia Kemp 263753 Writtle Singers: Chairperson: Mr. Steven Clews, 01277 218790 Chess Club: Chairman: Ivor Smith 421193 Writtle Tappers (Adult Tap Class): Annette Clark 469197 Friends of Writtle Parish Church: Membership Sec: Pauline Writtle Wives: Leader Mrs Barbara Cooley, 420854 Montague 250999 Writtle News Policy Board: Chairman: John Aldridge 421524; Garden & Allotment Society: Chairman: John Rouse, 421350 Parish Council: Andrew Carter PCC 422232; Secretary: Bob Harvey, 421608 Catholics: Nora Smith; CA: Peter Smith 421587; Guides: 1st Writtle: Mrs Nikki Bird [email protected] 3rd Writtle: Mrs Margaret Loster 420958 Zodiac Rangers: Mrs Josie Mullender 630190 Heritage Writtle: Membership Sec: Mr Dave Stock 421515 Designed and printed by Simmons Printers, Bilton Road, Heron Bridge Club: Sec: Angela Cheek 462412 Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford CM1 2UJ - 01245 352480 55 Wear Pond, February 2012. Photograph by Christine Knight. Please see pages 14-15, Nature.