Guide and Information Directory

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW Local Guide • The Town Council Clubs and Societies Arts • Sport • History Education • Facilities Provided FREE by Billericay Town Council Content & Acknowledgements Q

Content Focus on Billericay Town Council – A Quality Council ...... Page 3 Focus on Billericay Youth Town Council ...... Page 7 Focus on The Greening Campaign ...... Page 8 Focus on Billericay Design Statement ...... Page 9 Focus on Fair Trade ...... Page 10 Focus on Clubs & Societies ...... Page 11 Focus on The Arts & Crafts ...... Page 26 Focus on Sport ...... Page 43 Focus on History ...... Page 50 Focus on Education ...... Page 56 Focus on Halls & Meeting Places ...... Page 59 Focus on Facilities in Billericay ...... Page 60 Focus on Places of Interest in and around Billericay ...... Page 62 Focus on Religion in Billericay ...... Page 68 Focus on Billericay Policing ...... Page 69 Useful Contacts ...... Page 71 Acknowledgements illericay Town Council thanks all those individuals and organisation who have contributed to the production of the sixth edition of the Town Guide by providing editorial material and Bphotographs. The Town Council members of the Working party chaired by Councillor Marion Wilson were Councillors Peter Bowditch, John Buchanan, Jim Devlin, David Knight and Rod Rapley assisted by the Town Clerk Helen Philpott and Administrative Assistant Madeline Gapes. Photographs were supplied by members of the Town Council and other contributors. Thanks also to Bedwells Printers who helped and advised throughout the production of the sixth edition of the Town Guide produced by Billericay Town Council. Contact the Town Council by writing to the Town Clerk, The Loft, Crown Yard, Billericay CM12 9BX telephoning: 01277 625732 or emailing: [email protected] Front cover photograph: members of Billericay Youth Town Council at the opening of the Playground Equipment, Lake Meadows Park. Disclaimer – Contributions may be edited and acceptance and publication of all articles is subject to the Town Council’s Terms and Conditions as shown on the website: www.billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk

2 Billericay Town Guide Focus on Billericay Town Council a Quality Council Q

Introduction Billericay community and visitors to our town will use. So far the High Street has remained nother two years have passed vibrant and a very popular place to visit. and we are pleased to offer a Afree copy of the sixth edition The large number of clubs and societies, arts of the Town Guide to all homes in and craft and sports groups included in this the Billericay town area. booklet shows what a lively place Billericay is. If your club has not been included let us know so A supply is also available within the library and that we have a bank of local information from we have been informed that they frequently use which to answer queries. the Town Guide to help visitors to the town and the library are always requesting additional Cllr Peter Bowditch supplies because of demand. Chairman, Billericay Town Council We are also aware that the map and street index Cllr Marion Wilson proves invaluable to residents and visitors who Chairman, Town Guide Working Party are trying to locate specific roads.

Since our last edition we have delivered on all The Town Council those commitments made, such as the Teen Play Area in Lake Meadows and the Billericay illericay Town Council is made up of 20 Circular Walks brochure and we have strived to elected and co-opted independent increase the awareness of our presence and Bmembers, who give their time freely and activities in the town through the Town Crier are not paid attendance allowances. The Town and the Town Council website. Clerk and her part time assistant are the only two permanent employees. The Town Clerk is We are seeking to work closely with other the Responsible Financial Officer and presents groups and in partnership with Basildon our accounts for audit both to internal and District Council particularly in the area of external auditors. She is also responsible for leisure, litter and general service provision; also keeping the council legal and is very involved in with Essex County Council in the identification our day to day activities. We also are very careful and prioritisation of highway matters and to have clear audit trails for all our business and maintaining realistic service levels and we operate an open and democratic system in improvements wherever we can. accordance with our Standing Orders. We are very supportive of the Youth Town The Council has three committees – Planning, Council and we are also collaborating with Environment and Finance & General Purposes. youth workers and other youth groups in the They report their activities every five weeks to town endeavouring to improve the overall the Full Town Council. Each of these situation and activities for the young people committees is made up of 11 members who also who need to belong, be active and to improve deal with the working parties and project their sense of wellbeing. groups reporting in to their respective line Although we are all experiencing the credit committees. crunch and have sadly lost some retailers in the Full Town Council, Planning, Environment and town it is refreshing to see new investment Finance & General Purposes meetings are coming in as business people see an opportunity advertised and held in public but are not public to offer a range of services which they feel the meetings; meaning, that the public can attend, Billericay Town Guide 3 register their interest and speak when invited to FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES do so by the Chairman of that meeting. COMMITTEE The project groups and working party meetings The Finance & General Purposes Committee are not held in public but can co-opt individuals handles the financial aspects of the Town from outside who can contribute their expertise Council’s business. During 2009 we have to the subject. This has happened on many installed a new financial package to assist with occasions. controlling our affairs and which will enable us to budget and report in a better way. The Our funding comes from the precept levied by committee not only deals with the day to day the Town Council and collected by Basildon expenditure of the council but also recommends District Council and paid to us in two tranches the precept each year and receives requests for 50% in April and the balance in October. We also grants and donations. seek outside funding for specific projects, where appropriate, which over the last two years has The following Working Parties report to the proved very successful. Finance & General Purposes Committee: Earlier this year we were successful in retaining Town Crier – The Town Council produces four our Quality Council status which sets a editions a year of its newsletter which is standard of criteria which: delivered free to all homes in the Billericay town area. It has recently been given a new look with • is representative of, and actively engages in, all a different format and added colour. parts of the community, providing vision, identity and a sense of belonging; Youth Town Council – This Group has compiled a register of clubs, societies and • is effectively and properly managed; associations that are aimed either exclusively or • articulates the needs and wishes of its in part towards young people. This work is community within its statutory powers: being done in conjunction with professional • upholds high standards of conduct; youth workers, local youth leaders and organisations having an interest in the young. • is committed to work in partnership with The objectives of the register are to: principal local authorities and other public service agencies; • provide residents (including newcomers) of Billericay with the relevant information about • in proportion to its size and skills, delivers activities available for the young; local services on behalf of principal local authorities when this represents the best deal • allow clubs to work together to gain tangible for the local community; benefits that include economies of scale, grant funding, efficiencies in resource use etc; • works closely with voluntary groups in its community; • identify where gaps exist in the provision of services for the young. • provides leadership to the community through its work on town and parish plans; and Included in this Town Guide are many organisations that provide valuable social, • working with its partners, acts as an recreational and educational service to the information point for local services. town that may have youth sections. Suitable The Town Council has grown in status over clubs have already been included in the recent years and will continue to do its utmost Billericay Town Council website to serve all our residents of all ages. (www.billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk) with information provided such as name of the club, responsible person, contact details, ages catered for etc. The Group would like to further develop the register because it is recognised

4 Billericay Town Guide that the quality of the register is determined by held which encourages the local shops to the information available and ask that where decorate their windows for the festive season. you are aware of any club, society or association Crime Prevention/CCTV – The CCTV cameras that caters for the young, this information be in the High Street and Lake Meadows continue forwarded to the Town Clerk (01277 652732 or to operate efficiently; however, their operational [email protected]). capability and effectiveness will be greatly increased now that the monitors are to be manned 24 hours a day by a dedicated team. It’s Information Technology – Manages the pleasing however, to note that Billericay enjoys a Council’s IT infrastructure. relatively low crime rate. Environment Issues – This Working Party has ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE been recently formed with a major objective of implementing Phase 1 of the ‘Greening The Environment Committee is one of the three Campaign’ (for more information view major committees reporting directly to the full www.greening-campaign.co.uk). The Working Billericay Town Council. At the same time, it has Party will facilitate community action in a number of Working Parties and Project adopting simple and easy to implement Groups answerable to it covering a wide range of practices that will both positively affect CO2 environmental challenges and issues. Its major levels and save money for each participating responsibilities include: household. The Working Party is also • creating, approving and monitoring responsible for the provision of allotments environmental issues; within Billericay. • approving and monitoring environmental Lake Meadows – The Town Council has now expenditure; entered into a Partnership Agreement with Basildon District Council whereby both • seeking funding opportunities; Councils will work together to achieve • creating project plans and estimates. improvements within the popular park. The aims of the Working Parties and Project Litter – To make Billericay clean we have Groups is to deal with specific tasks or activities focused on getting the community involved in such as: the “Big Litter Picks” and organised competitions to raise awareness and work with Billericay in Bloom – The annual gardening the District Council to encourage owners of competition is one of the Town Council’s most untidy land to “clean up their act”. As a result of prestigious events in our calendar. We launched the Town Council’s actions additional litter bins the 2009 competition with a photo shoot at the have been installed within the High Street and garden of the 2008 winner. This was followed on at the Railway Station and other locations May 7th by an illustrated talk on the herbaceous within the town. borders of Hyde Hall which was well received by those that attended. Judging for the event took Playground Equipment – Grant funding was place in early July with the presentation of prizes successfully obtained to enable the installation on Friday, July 17th at the Canon Roche Centre of £80,000 of playground equipment at Lake in Laindon Road. Meadows. Extensive consultation was undertaken regarding the type of equipment to Christmas Lights – Every year, Billericay Town be installed and, with the assistance of the Council form the Christmas Lights Working Youth Town Council, five pieces of exciting Party, which is responsible for the current year’s equipment were chosen. Unfortunately during Christmas Light arrangements and the May 2009 one piece of equipment, the space net, “Celebration of the Christmas Lights” event. An suffered an arson attack necessitating it having annual ‘Best Shop Window’ competition is also to be removed for repairs. As a result of a further

Billericay Town Guide 5 arson attack damage was caused to the Sun Corner – For as long as anyone can skatepark and two sections of the half-pipe had remember, the people of Billericay have made to be replaced. use of Sun Corner as if it was their right for sports, leisure and general recreation. The Town Public Convenience – In 2008 the Council Council is committed to ensuring this installed a new public toilet in the car park continues in perpetuity, and will pursue every behind the Iceland shop, and this has proved possible opportunity to protect it. very popular. Tourism – This newly formed group will consider ways to promote Tourism within the Roles of Different Councils town and will co-opt other members of the ouncils such as Billericay Town Council community to assist with this task. are known as “local authorities”, the first War Memorial – As a result of the inscriptions Celected tier of local government and on the memorial almost becoming unreadable, closest to the people. All such authorities get trials were undertaken using three different their power to operate from Acts of Parliament products. These were monitored over a ten passed by Her Majesty’s Government. Billericay month period resulting in one product being is covered by three local authorities, each of chosen to be used for cleaning the inscriptions which has different responsibilities. the result of which has been very successful and Essex County Council: – Waste Disposal, appreciated by many members of the public. Libraries, Highways, Education, Social Services, Once a year interested parties join Billericay Street Lighting and the Fire Brigade. Town Councillors in the annual pre- Remembrance Day clean-up. Basildon District Council: – Street Cleaning, Leisure and Recreation, Waste collection, Planning for Developments, and Housing. PLANNING COMMITTEE Billericay Town Council: – Quarterly The main role of the Planning Committee is to newsletter Town Crier, the Town Guide booklet, keep an eye on proposed developments within Hanging Baskets and Planters in the High the town of Billericay and inform Basildon Street, Billericay in Bloom, Town Trail, Plant a Council of our views regarding all Planning Shrub in Festival Gardens, War Memorial, Big Applications. As necessary the Planning Litter Pick & Christmas Lights. Review planning Committee will respond to Local, Regional and applications. Noticeboards, Circular Walks, National Government consultations on matters Teen Play area in Lake Meadows, and many that may affect the town. other local matters. More details are to be found The following Working Parties report to the in sections of this guide dealing with specific Planning Committee: topics. Pedestrian and Cycle Routes – The Council has Partnerships: – Additionally, councils work provided signage for several healthy shortcuts together in partnerships, often involving other across the town, e.g. from Greens Farm Lane to organisations. Billericay Town Council works in Sun Corner, and from the station to Queens a partnership with Basildon District Council in Park, with more planned. A map showing four planning for and providing improved facilities circular walks starting from the town centre has in Lake Meadows. Basildon District Council been published and is available from the Council works in a so-called Local Strategic Partnership office and the library. The long established Town with Essex County Council and other bodies to Trail leaflet is also available, with 40 historic sites deliver services according to the Basildon in the town centre marked with distinctive Sustainable Communities Strategy. plaques. In the summer the Council arranges guided walks on the Town Trail.

6 Billericay Town Guide Focus on Billericay Youth Town Council Q

illericay Youth Town Council has been in • Established component of the successful place for over ten years. Its aim is to allow annual celebration of Christmas lights Bthe young people of Billericay to discuss, including helping judge the best decorated influence and make decisions that have a direct shop window competition. relevance to them. Members are elected either • Were ‘highly commended’ for their entry in the directly through election or through co-option. UNICEF Junior 8 Summit competition about Elections are held every two years at both various world issues such as ‘Infectious Billericay and Mayflower schools from students Diseases’ and ‘Development’. wishing to be Youth Councillors. The remaining • Contributed at the Billericay Fun Days and Councillors are elected through co-option from assisted at the Any Questions Radio 4 those educated outside the Billericay area. The programme transmitted from Billericay. Youth Town Council consists of 20 Youth • Major contribution in the selection of play Councillors and meets twice per month during equipment for the new teen area in Lake school terms. Members of the Town Council Meadows. provide support, guidance and finance as • Organised and ran the Billericay Talent necessary (but never make decisions for them). Contest at the Emmanuel Church. • Developed the need for a Multi-User Sports Apparatus (MUSA) in Lake Meadows. Again most of the money was obtained through grant funding. • After the bi-annial Youth Council elections, with the selection of 20 very enthusiastic members the new council voted for its own officials resulting in the election of: • Sophie Harrison as Chairwoman • Lauren Brown as Vice-Chairwoman Talent Show • Gareth Rogers as Treasurer The Youth Town Council has been very busy • Bethan Cousins as Secretary. since the last edition of the Town Guide (2007) Many other organisations now regard Billericay and has had some notable successes. An election Youth Town Council as a focus for youth views took place during November 2008 and a new and have requested the opportunity to discuss Council was appointed. However, the new areas of interest. These organisations have Council has continued enthusiastically in included: establishing and implementing their plans. The • Essex Libraries following are some of their activities and • South West Essex Primary Care Trust achievements: • Rotary Club (who presented the Youth • Helping develop and formally open the new Council with a cheque for £3600 to encourage skate park in Lake Meadows – the opening local youth activities) ceremony included demonstrations and • Essex Police and PCSOs coaching from professional skate board and • Local churches BMX exponents. Much of the finance was • Billericay Design Statement Association obtained through grant funding. • Basildon District Council members and • Regular contributors to Big Litter Picks. officers. Billericay Town Guide 7 Focus on The Greening Campaign Q

Greening Campaign The campaign is also meant to be fun and include as many he television and press members of the community as regular feature climate possible. One aim is to help local change and its T people to work together to international implications and address climate change and the need for coordinated make what appears a difficult national initiatives. Britain international problem into a continues to publicise reports positive community and and plans aimed at encouraging individual experience. ‘green’ lifestyles both in the home and at work. The Greening Editions of the Town Crier (the campaign has come to Billericay local community bulletin) have and is an initiative to enable a and will include details of the local response for people to get campaign. However, it is stressed to grips with climate change and make a that this should be a truly community positive contribution to these international campaign with Billericay Town Council merely problems. It truly encapsulates the maxim facilitating and co-ordinating plans, actions and ‘think global, act local’. The campaign began in activities. Many community groups are Petersfield when Terena Plowright decided to do beginning to be approached to determine something to ‘make a difference’. Her campaign interest and commitment – with, hopefully, was so successful that many other villages and each community group taking ownership for towns began to look at ways to reduce CO2 one of the ‘small, inexpensive actions’ at a public emissions and water wastage. Billericay is the meeting that has been arranged for: first community in Essex to run the campaign - The evening of Tuesday, 23rd March 2010 we are truly trailblazers. in Emmanuel Church, Laindon Road, The campaign is based around all members of Billericay the community feeling that they can have some After this an Environment Day has been impact on climate change by committing to and arranged for: implementing small, inexpensive actions – whilst at the same time having a positive impact Saturday, 12th June 2010 at Sun Corner on their household budget. Examples of these where all community groups will be able to small impacts and the potential annual savings present and demonstrate the particular small for an average household are: action they have chosen – hopefully in fun and • turning off lights when leaving a room (save innovative ways – showing the importance of

£1.49 and 6kg of CO2); each action and its environmental benefit and effect on household budgets. The Environment • turning off standbys (save £37.30 and stop Day will also include many other displays and 155kg of CO2 going into the air); events so that the whole day will be an enjoyable • closing curtains at dusk to reduce heat loss family day. Please put these dates in your diary.

(save £15 and 62kg of CO2); • not leaving taps running when brushing teeth (save 6.9 tonnes of water).

8 Billericay Town Guide Focus on The Billericay Design Statement Q

he aim of a Design Over 38000 opinions and Statement is to influence about 3000 comments Tnew development in the under 400 headings. town by providing guidance to developers, architects and All 56 proposals received more homeowners before they prepare than 50% support. They were designs, and to avoid proposals presented to the District Council which are not acceptable to local people. for inclusion in the LDF as Material It will not stop change from happening, but it Guidance; this means that the proposals can be can help affect how any new building fits in to used when assessing planning applications, but the town. are not mandatory. It achieves this by influencing the operation of Other issues highlighted by the Stage 1 the statutory planning system. Basildon District consultation were notified to the appropriate Council, along with all other planning authority (eg Essex County Council, Network authorities, is required to produce a Local Rail, Essex Police and the local NHS Primary Development Framework, setting out how and Care Trust) for any necessary action. where all aspects of development in the District The first complete draft (DS1) of the Design will be managed over the next 15 years. The LDF Statement amounts to approximately 100 pages has provision for community involvement, with numerous maps and illustrations and has which allows Design Statement been issued to key bodies for review and recommendations to become part of the comment. Proposed amendments and planning process. corrections will be incorporated where The Billericay Design Statement Association appropriate and copies of the revised document was established in March 2007 and in June 2007 (DS2) will be available for inspection in the held an initial public consultation about the Town Council offices and the Library. Members current state of the town and its future of the public can then have a say on direction. This resulted in: presentation and accuracy before final editing and proof reading. 811 questionnaires returned (about 15% of The printed Design Statement will be released at those distributed), expressing 34563 a formal launch event in St Mary Magdalen opinions Church early in 2010. Reference copies of the 5007 comments under 268 headings full version will be provided to all the main obtained via questionnaires and notes participating organisations, and a summary posted on exhibition panels leaflet will be available for wider distribution to people in the town. The summary will contain The Association held a second public details of Billericay planning guidelines adopted consultation - Stage 2 - in 2008. The outcome of by the District Council together with additional the 2007 consultation was analysed creating a design recommendations. It should be list of 56 planning proposals submitted for emphasised that these guidelines and approval, with: recommendations are derived from the two 712 returns including 60 on-line stages of public consultation and reflect submissions. community views.

Billericay Town Guide 9 Focus on Fair Trade Q

Billericay – A Fairtrade Town (5) A local Fairtrade steering group is established upported by the Billericay District Residents’ Billericay has many places where SAssociation and the Town you can buy Fairtrade – this is the Council, in 2008 Billericay was list (as we know it) at August 2009 declared a Fairtrade Town. In Catering Outlets 2009, the town's Fairtrade credentials were given a clean bill Café in the Park of health and our Fairtrade Town Greggs, High Street status was renewed until 2011. Inn on the Green, Mountnessing Road If you would like to get involved locally by La Toscana, High Street taking part in events, or by making your The Chequers, High Street workplace or school Fairtrade, please contact Costa Coffee, High Street Maralyn Buchanan on 01277 656715, or email Raven’s Bakery, High Street her on [email protected] Retail Outlets What does Fairtrade mean? Always Flowers, The Pantiles, Queens Park The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent Barleylands Farmers Market consumer label which appears on products as an Co-op, Stock Road independent guarantee that disadvantaged Holland and Barrett, High Street producers in the developing world are getting a Nature’s Table, The Walk better deal. Oxfam, High Street Producer organisations that supply Fairtrade The Emporium, High Street products receive a minimum price that covers Somerfield, Queens Park the cost of sustainable production and an extra Somerfield, High Street premium that is invested in social or economic Waitrose, High Street development projects. What does it mean to be a Fairtrade town? A town must achieve five goals to be awarded Fairtrade town status: (1) The town council serves Fairtrade tea and coffee at its meetings and in its offices (2) A range of Fairtrade products is available in the local shops, cafes and catering establishments (3) Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places and community Cllr Peter Bowditch presents the prize to one of the organisations winners of the ‘design a Fairtrade bag’ competition (4) The campaign has media coverage and which took place in March 2009. popular support in the town

10 Billericay Town Guide Focus on Clubs & Societies Q

Billericay ATC My Life in the ATC hen I joined the Air Cadets at the age of 13, I couldn’t believe the huge variety of Wactivities that I could participate in. I thought that it was only the lucky few that got to go flying or gliding, but it was only a matter of weeks before we were given the opportunity to do these things and many, equally exciting activities. When I first joined, I was taught a basic syllabus involving uniform, drill and life in both the RAF/ATC. Once I had learnt these foundations, I received my uniform, and I was then a fully fledged Air Cadet. My first major event that I participated in was Southend Airshow ’08. This was a great Cdt James Longman preparing for a flight in a winch experience despite the weather, and the most launched glider recent one (2009) was even better. Almost all, if not everyone, within the squadron got the chance to fly in a Royal Navy Lynx, which was one of the Billericay Archaeology & Historical Society greatest feelings so far in the ATC. Other in-the-air he society was founded in 1964 as an activities include flying a Grob Tutor and a Viking archaeological society by those who were Glider, both of which the cadet gets to control for interested in archaeology and wanted to some time during the flight. However, most events T take part in digs in Billericay. This was very take place on the ground; these include assistance successful as several sites were excavated in and at Stock Fête, Billericay Firework Night, around the town. A great deal of work was Remembrance Sunday and many others. The achieved by members after the digs were Three Peaks Expedition in Yorkshire was a brilliant completed, in research, sorting and identifying walking trip, and the Dining In event in January is pottery and tiles. Items were sent to the Essex always a night to look forward to. However, none Record Office for verification and storage. In of these things would be as exciting as they are 1970 the name was changed to embrace the without the other cadets, all of whom play a part wider interest of the members. For safety and within the squadron to make it as it is. financial reasons we are no longer able to take Considering the immense activities, lessons of life, part in digs but we are still interested in other and most importantly, the great laugh that we all sites especially those in Colchester. Our have doing them, I truly recommend that any 13- activities include research and reports on finds 19 year old that wants to do something unique discovered in the Billericay area. We try to and adventurous should join the ATC. pursue our mutual interest in history, historical We recruit twice a year, usually September and figures and places of historical interest. We hope March. Please telephone 01277652794 on a to do this by our meetings which include talks Tuesday or Thursday evening between 7pm and on some facet of archaeology or history, 9.45 pm particularly places, events and people in Essex. Also we keep up to date with meetings and Cdt James Longman events taking place in the county. At various

Billericay Town Guide 11 times small groups follow their own paths of Here in Billericay, we helped to set up the research, there has been a cellar count of Women’s Refuge in Basildon in which we still buildings in the High Street and recently some retain an interest. We hold a local heat each year members have been researching Little Burstead. as part of our national Public Speaking Competition and annually give the Molly Perry Attendance is usually about 70 members. Visitors Award to girls from local schools going on to are welcome; we hope that once you have been to study a science subject at university. a meeting you will want to join the society. We are very proud that one of our members, We meet at the Fold on the second Monday of Ann Wiseall was BPW UK National President the month at 8pm. We have a yearly 2005-2007 and another, Gwenne Martin, is subscription, the meetings are free to members, currently National Finance Officer. But we are but we ask visitors to make a donation to funds. not just a ‘business’ organisation; we do have Twice a year we produce a newsletter to which fun, too. We meet at 7.45 pm on the 1st and 3rd some members contribute articles of an Thursdays of the month in Gallery 2 at the Fold. archaeological or historical interest. We have speakers and discussions on a wide range of topics and we also like eating together, Billericay BPW going to the theatre and socialising. If you’re interested in finding out more about he ‘BPW’ stands for Business and BPW Billericay, please join us one Thursday Professional Women, which was the evening. We hope to meet or hear from you, soon. Tname of the original club which started in America in the 1930s, spread to the UK soon afterwards and arrived in Billericay in 1957. One Billericay Chess Club of our founder members, Sylvia Hathaway, is still part of the club and was presented with her he club was formed in early 1978 when 50th anniversary brooch at our golden two members of the Brentwood Club anniversary lunch in 2007. Tmade some enquiries to ascertain what support there would be for a chess club in the town. Following a favourable response to advertisements placed around the town a meeting was arranged to set up the club. One potential member of the club was also a member of Billericay Cricket Club, which then met at their ground in Mountnessing Road. By using his contacts arrangements were made for us to meet initially in their pavilion. Three weekly meetings were held there; the club moving to the Archer Hall Annex in Laindon Road, thanks to the good offices of another member. Soon after We are part of a worldwide organisation whose Billericay Arts Association was formed we aim is to encourage every woman to achieve her changed venue again this time to their potential whether in the workplace, at home or headquarters in The Fold, then in the centre of in life. town; moving with them to their new venue in the former Quilters school in 1994. Initial strong BPW UK lobbies government on issues affecting support allowed us to run four teams entering in women, girls and families and is also part of both the Essex and North Essex Chess Leagues. consultative bodies which focus these subjects. We still have two teams, both in the North Essex You can find out more about the organisation League. League chess involves travelling to on our website – www.bpwuk.co.uk various venues in Essex on a home and away basis. Highlights for the club include winning 12 Billericay Town Guide both the North Essex League Knockout Trophy official title, meets at 8.00pm on the first and and Plate competitions and gaining promotion third Thursday evenings of each month; except by coming top in various divisions. New August; at Gallery 2 in The Billericay Arts members are always welcome. The club meets on Association, The Fold, 72 Laindon Road. The alternate Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm from phone number of the Fold is 01277 649286. Our October to April at The Fold, 72 Laindon Road. honorary secretary is Mr Alan Jubb 01277 653891, who is also our local stamp dealer. Other dealers attend our regular meetings when Billericay Constitutional Club Ltd. we have talks, illustrated with stamps by visiting speakers. A programme of talks is available on ormed in the 1890s it is possibly one of request, so why not come along to one of our the oldest established clubs in the town meetings to find out what goes on. The and moved to its present home at 1a High F meetings have an audience split almost 50:50 of Street in 1928. ladies and men. In 2007, we celebrated our 40th The Club has a current membership of 1200 and anniversary. with its affiliation to the Association of Conservative Clubs, members have entry to some 1100 similar Conservative and Billericay District Residents’ Constitutional Clubs in the U.K and N.I. Association A licensed bar is open throughout the week, he Association has its roots as far back as lunches are served Wednesdays to Saturdays 1926 when the original Billericay inclusive, entertainment is provided on Saturday TResidents’ Association was formed. Later it evenings and facilities are available for members was amalgamated with the Buttsbury Residents’ to play snooker, pool, darts and cards etc. The Association to form the organisation as it is Golf Society is well supported on outings during today. Over the years the activities of the the summer months. Major sporting events are Association have been many and various but catered for by television viewing. always in accordance with the objectives as stated Members’ guests are welcome, as are children, in the Constitution: To represent and protect the subject to compliance with certain Club Rules. interests of residents of Billericay, work to improve the quality of life in Billericay and work Application for membership should initially be for the benefit of the people of Billericay. In the made in writing to the Club Secretary and will 1970s the BDRA returned all 9 councillors to the normally require to be endorsed by an existing Basildon District Council and controlled the Club Member. balance of power on that council. It was during this period that the Swimming Pool was built in Lake Meadows. In the 1990s when Basildon Billericay Stamp Club Council closed the pool, it was the BDRA which o you tend to forget international campaigned for it to be re-opened under private events; anniversaries of significant management. When the St. Andrew’s Hospital Dmoments in history; or geographic closed, and the Basildon Hospitals Trust was locations – then collect stamps. These considering selling the site to Tesco, it was the ubiquitous small items can open the way to the BDRA that campaigned that the site be used for fascinating world around us, whatever your housing. The BDRA was instrumental in the personal interest may be. The details and formation of the Billericay Town Council information contained in stamps cover a vast Steering Committee which ran the successful range of interests. They are a compact way to campaign for the creation of Billericay Town illustrate your hobby, learn about world events Council and the nearby parish councils. For or to remember your latest foreign holiday. many years the BDRA organised the festive lighting in the High Street at Christmas. The The Billericay & District Philatelic Society, our

Billericay Town Guide 13 BDRA was involved in the setting up of the We are a self financed society by way of raffles Billericay Twinning Association, and the creation and 2 plant sales held in the Reading Rooms in of the Billericay Design Statement Association, Billericay High Street. Annual membership and will always help any of its members with any currently costs £5 for an individual person and problems with the “powers-that-be”. The BDRA £8 per couple together with a 50p entry cost. produces a monthly newsletter, “The Resident”, Guests are charged £1.50. which is delivered to over 6,000 households in If you are encouraged by what you have read Billericay. In addition to working for the good of then please join us at 8 p.m. you will be most Billericay, the Association runs a range of coach welcome. trips to a wide variety of attractions. These are always priced attractively for members to benefit V.J. Hare – Hon. Secretary from group discounts. Membership of the BDRA is open to residents of Billericay, Great Burstead, Little Burstead & South Green for the princely The Lions Club of Billericay sum of £2 per year. More information is available n 2009 the Lions Club of Billericay proudly on the website www.bdra.org. celebrates its 30th birthday. Over the years it Ihas become something of an institution in the town with its familiar bookstall outside Billericay Horticultural Society Somerfields every Saturday and of course the his Society was formed back in 1899 for Father Christmas Sleigh collection. the purpose of uniting people with the Currently the Club comprises 25 members aged Tcommon interest in Horticulture. We are from 30 upwards and meets every second and governed by an elected committee of keen and fourth Monday at 8:00 pm at the Burstead Golf talented amateur enthusiasts in accordance to Club. the rules of the Royal Horticultural Society. Through the many fund raising activities over The Society is affiliated to the R.H.S. the the last 30 years such as the Christmas Sleigh, National Dahlia Society and the National Easter Hamper raffles, quizzes, indoor and Chrysanthemum Society. We currently have a outdoor music concerts and raffles at local beer membership of 100 together with 14 Life festivals the Club has raised over £300,000 for Members. We hold monthly meetings in the Day mainly local good causes such as St Luke's Centre, Billericay, usually on the 3rd Monday of Hospice, Little Havens, Hamlyn House and the month at 8 p.m. These meetings include a many individuals in need. guest speaker covering a variety of subjects of a horticultural nature, although not exclusively so. Being part of Lions International which comprises 44,000 clubs with 1,300,000 members Our programme is varied and includes topics in 200 countries around the world some of the such as, South African plants, planting the right money collected is used to assist in trying to plant for the right place, growing vegetables, eradicate causes of blindness and assisting bamboos, ferns and cannas. In June we leave the following natural disasters such as floods and Day Centre for a private evening visit to a local earthquakes. beauty spot and in December we conclude our year with a Christmas Party. As well as fund raising activities the Club is also very involved in the community with specific Regular coach outings are held normally at efforts aimed at assisting the elderly and the weekends. As members of the R.H.S. we are youth of the area. In respect of the latter the bound to hold an Annual Flower Show usually Club is currently sponsoring a Young Leaders in during September. We actively encourage our the Community project, a peace poster members to participate in showing their plants competition in schools and a drug awareness and produce which are assessed by qualified helpline. R.H.S. judges.

14 Billericay Town Guide Whilst the members achieve great satisfaction strangely, in very similar ways. from the charitable efforts they also take time to There are a number of items in the Cater enjoy themselves with an annual dinner dance Museum which have been donated by visitors and a varied calendar of events such as theatre from Billerica over the years, including a “limited trips, quiz and games nights and wine and edition” hand painted chair showing historic cheese evenings. Billerica scenes donated to the town during a Joining Lions can be a very rewarding experience Billerica Twinning Group visit to mark the and the Club is always on the lookout for 350th Anniversary. Many other items (held by individuals who want to participate positively in the Association) can be viewed on our Website. the community and at the same time have some The Association holds events throughout the fun. www.billericaylions.com year and most are open to non members. You can see us at many community events in Billericay and the Association also provides Billericay Mayflower Twinning speakers for local groups. Newsletters are Association regularly distributed to members giving details Billericay – Billerica of twinning events, activities and news from Billerica. They are also posted on our Website. he Billericay Mayflower Twinning Association was formed in 1998 to Tfacilitate and manage links between Billericay Round Table Billericay and its twin town of Billerica Massachusetts USA. The Association is funded o dispel some purely by donations and fundraising activities; common myths we membership is free and open to everyone. A Taren’t anything to do Twinning Charter was signed on 21 August with King Arthur, don’t 1998 and 2008 marked the 10th Anniversary of have a secret handshake or the formal twinning with Billerica. The bizarre and freaky initiation ceremonies. We Association arranged a number of special events don’t dress up in silly outfits (unless it’s funny) throughout the year, including a visit by or secretly run the world. We are quite simply a residents of Billerica, a competition for schools, bunch of normal blokes from all walks of life coach trips and quiz nights. who want to hang out with like minded people. These activities continue and plans are in hand Fun, friendship and trying something new and for a return visit to Billerica in 2011. For exciting, that's what Round Table is all about. information on the Association and our current From sports to nights out at restaurants and activities please go to our Website: family social events, Round Table prides itself on www.Billericaytwinning.org.uk giving its members the chance to embrace life to the full and get out of the living to work rut. By way of historical background a number of the first settlers to Massachusetts were from the It doesn’t matter what you do for a living or even Billericay area and the town of Billerica was what football team you support, all you need is named to mark the link. Contacts and exchanges a sense of humour. between the two towns have taken place since the Most people in Billericay have heard of Billericay mid 19th Century including a visit to Billericay Round Table via our fireworks display in Lake in 1892 by Martha Hill-Sage, a descendant of one Meadows, seen our Santa Sleigh or the bookstall of those first settlers. In her account of the visit in the High Street. Did you know that ALL the published in the local newspaper in Billerica she money we raise is channelled directly back into describes Billericay and the people she meets and the local community. We have recently compares various aspects of life with that in celebrated our 50th birthday and our donations Billerica at the time: both towns have changed now exceed £500,000; many people need to out of all recognition since her visit but, Billericay Town Guide 15 thank the generosity of the town’s people and There is regularly a hall full of mums, nannies, the commitment of our members. twins, triplets, siblings and the occasional dad. There is a soft area with play-gyms, soft toys and mats for new-born babies to lay/sit, and a variety of other toys, books, activities, slides etc. for toddlers. Expectant mums are also made welcome as it gives them the opportunity to discuss twin/multiple issues with other mums who are in the same position. The Club has a representative that attends regular multiple birth ante/post-natal meetings at St John’s Hospital to promote the Club and from this source we gain quite a few of our new Our recent social events include Brewery Trip, members. Cricket, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Karting, Football, We meet up in the evenings on a monthly basis Quiz Night, Golf Evening, Beer Run to France, for social get-togethers, which can involve Sporting Weekend, Curry Night, Poker Night, anything from bowling, cinema, dining out or family events include Family Camping Weekend, meetings at the hall with guest speakers or Diggerland, BBQ but the list is endless. demonstrators. As we are part of an international organisation Our voluntary Committee of 10 meet bi- we benefit from being able to attend other table monthly and are very dedicated and hard events within Essex as well as travelling to the working. We produce a newsletter three times continent for the odd weekend away. These are per year. great opportunities to meet new people and broaden your outlook on life. Membership is open to men aged between 18 Billericay Twinning Association and 45 years, so if you live or work in Billericay and are looking to breathe new life into your social time then Round Table could well be the thing you're looking for. You'll find us very approachable so just give us a call on 0845 226 2796 or email he Association was formed in early 1998 [email protected] For to promote and foster friendship and further details visit our website: Tunderstanding between the people of www.billericayroundtable.co.uk Billericay and other similar communities overseas. It is a non Local Authority organisation and is self-funding through Billericay Twins Club subscriptions, donations and fund raising. he club has around 100 members and has Formal Twinning Charters have been signed been supporting parents of twins and with Fishers in USA and Chauvigny in France. higher multiple births for over 30 years. The Association is run by an Executive T Committee but dealings with our two twinned The Nursery Group is held at Christ Church towns are managed by two dedicated sub- Hall, Perry Street, during term times on Monday committees. mornings from 10.30 am until 12.00 noon and is a thriving mother, baby and toddler group for Chauvigny is a medieval and historic market parents with twins/multiples. Current town about 23km East of Poitiers in the Vienne admission is £3.00 per family and includes Department. It has magnificent scenery, in refreshments for both adults and children. particular the views of the five ancient chateaux

16 Billericay Town Guide in the Old Town which overlook the new town Fishers every year. below. Alternate years see the visit of a party For more information visit our website at: from Chauvigny to Billericay with reciprocal www.billericaytwinningassociation.org.uk or visits from Billericay to Chauvigny in the telephone Marion Wilson on 01277 626321 intervening years. In each case, the hosts accommodate the visitors in their homes and strong friendships are formed. The Billericay Society 2008 saw the visit of the Chauvignois to o house price slump in Billericay” Billericay. A full programme of events were the newspapers reported in 2008. arranged which included a trip to Constable Why is this? Because Billericay’s Country and a conducted tour of London and “N High Street is unique for this day and age. the Houses of Parliament where they met our Billericay has retained its character and heritage MP, John Baron. In 2009 it was the turn of buildings. The High Street has a number of Billericay families to visit Chauvigny and this listed buildings ranging from AD 1400. This included a visit to the beautiful town of La retained cultural heritage is thanks to the work Rochelle on the west coast. of the Billericay Society. Founded on 27th July 1935 the society is the local branch of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England (CPRE). The aim of the Billericay Society is to protect our local heritage and the green belt around Billericay. The Society campaigned for 16 years to have Norsey Wood preserved as ancient woodland for the benefit of the residents of Billericay. Norsey Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest [SSSI]. The wood Our French guests meeting John Baron MP at the has also been the source of many artefacts. Houses of Parliament In 2010, the society will celebrate 75 years of Fishers is a relatively new town about 15 miles service to the community of Billericay. Today the north of Indianapolis in Indiana. Fishers is CPRE initials stand for the Campaign to Protect renowned for its hospitality and generosity. Rural England. This significant change reflects Everyone who visits from Billericay enjoys the the growing impact of building developers on exuberance and warmth of our Fishers hosts. the countryside. The government no longer The present twinning arrangements includes a protects the sanctity of the green belt, despite its STEP, Student Teacher Exchange Programme. statements in support of the green belt concept. Each June students and teachers from the two Fishers High Schools come to Billericay. They Mrs. Cater then President of the Society, in spend time in each of our High Schools but also memory of her husband, bought 74 High Street get a chance to visit places of interest near and opened it as the Cater Museum in 1960. Billericay and to go to London to see the Tower Today it stores the many interesting artefacts and Buckingham Palace. and memorabilia of Billericay’s past. A return visit to Fishers takes place in October To monitor the many footpaths around the where the English party attend the Fishers High town, the Society has regular fortnightly walks Schools and visit the nearby town of including walks further afield. Indianapolis with its imposing Town Hall, The Society meets on the third Wednesday of American Football stadium and the Indy race each month, except August, at the Day Centre, track. There is also the opportunity to meet Chantry Way at 8.00pm. We publish a Queen Elizabeth 1st and the ‘Mayor’ of programme of wide ranging talks. Annual Billericay at the Renaissance Fayre held in subscription is £3.50 per person and senior

Billericay Town Guide 17 citizens £2.00. All are welcome to help preserve nearly everyday of the year, with some days the character and heritage of our town. having four or more. Events are only limited by the imagination of the membership and the law. The club has members living all over the county Circle Five 0 of Essex and events are put on throughout the Essex area on a regular basis and also much e meet on alternate Wednesday further afield. afternoons at Hannakins Farm. We Whave a range of speakers covering National IVC – Essex IVC is part of a National many subjects from light hearted to serious Organisation, and is one of nearly 50 clubs with topics interspersed with Games, Quizzes, Beatle around 5000 members in the UK. There are Drive, Fun Racing Day with strawberries and many activities organised countrywide, to which cream. We end the year with a Christmas Party all clubs are invited. with entertainment. The Circle has been active Major Club Events – We hold about three or now for 17 years and is still going strong with a four major events every year organised by the great welcome to new members. Committee for our members. These include a Summer Ball and Christmas Dinner and Dance evenings where our members can dress up in Essex IVC Social and Activity Club posh frocks for the ladies and dinner jackets for ssex IVC was founded in January 1968 by the gentlemen. Janet Jones, Valerie and David Fox, Ivan How to Join Essex IVC – If you are serious EBurgess, Andrew Phillips, Malcolm about having fun, would like to improve your Shepherd and Melvyn Saunders, and they social life and make new friends then Essex IVC formed the first committee. The club quickly is for you. We have a variety of different events grew by way of newspaper adverts and posters, throughout Essex including Pub nights, Meals, and by October a monthly Bulletin had been Quizzes, Parties and Discos, Walks and Days out, introduced and there was an event on nearly Cinema and Theatre, Sports events, Holidays every night of the month. There were 150 and much much more. Our social club welcomes bulletins being produced for members; however both singles and couples aged between 25 to 50s. the mainstay of the Bulletin the pub night, did For more information and free bulletin detailing not appear until three years later. How times our monthly events throughout Essex and our have now changed. Club nights and special Icebreaker events for new members then please ring 07891 927046 or visit our website www.essexivc.org.uk

Girlguiding Billericay irlguiding Billericay provides girls and young women from the age of 5 to 18 Gwith the opportunity to enjoy a safe and unique space where girls can be comfortable being themselves. They have the chance to take part in many challenges and activities such as Since those early days the clubs membership has climbing, camping, cooking outside, as well as ebbed and flowed currently it stands at around learning about other cultures and countries. In 270. The club has always been run by the 2010 we will be celebrating 100 years of members and all the events are put on by the Girlguiding with many special events taking members through their monthly magazine place locally and nationally. In Billericay young called The Bulletin and it still maintains events girls are given the chance to voice their views on

18 Billericay Town Guide a number of issues and we welcome members 60 countries) the charity seeks to enable girls and supporters from all backgrounds and and young women to develop in confidence, cultures. There are Rainbow units for girls aged ability, friendship and citizenship, and is 5 to 7, Brownie units for girls aged 7 to 10 and committed to nurturing the unique value of Guide units for girls aged 10 to 14. For girls every girl in its care.” www.girlsbrigadeew.org.uk aged 14 and over there is a senior section group where they can meet and some take part as volunteers in the other units as Young Leaders. At a recent senior section meeting the girls themselves explained that the reason they stayed as members of Girlguiding was because they appreciated the “girl-only” space, particularly those attending mixed schools and they liked the chance to go camping and try outdoor activities such as climbing, abseiling and canoeing. Food- related evenings are always popular! Girlguiding may be nearly 100 years old but it remains as relevant to today’s young girls as it did in 1910 and continues to evolve as an exciting organisation reflecting the changing needs of young girls and the adults who lead them. Crate stacking on a weekend away For information about our local company or to add your daughter’s name to the waiting lists, 2nd Billericay Girls’ Brigade please contact [email protected] 01277 oes your daughter.... enjoy meeting 658229. friends? Get excited by challenges? Like being active? Love learning new skills? D The Inner Wheel Club of Billericay Then Girls’ Brigade (GB) could be for her! Discovering life to the full are the words around nner Wheel Clubs were set up in 1924 for one of our latest Girls’ Brigade logos. GB wives of Rotarians. It was so named to encourages every member to do this through Iemphasise a strong link between the two providing an exciting range of activities and organisations. Inner Wheel is one of the largest badgework in local groups. 2nd Billericay organisations, world wide, for women. Rules company has 4 different age-based sections for have now changed and partners, mothers, sisters girls aged 5 – 18 years old, which meet on a and daughters of Rotarians as well as wives are weekly basis in term time. eligible to join Inner Wheel. Recent themes for badgework have included: We meet at 11 a.m. the first Tuesday of each netball, hair care, Bible stories, fire safety, helping month; our meeting is followed by a two course at home, flag dance to ‘The Colours of Salvation’, lunch. Our year runs from August to July. Our wedding planning, and surviving the credit Aims are “To promote true friendship; to crunch. A current highlight of each year is our encourage the ideals of personal service; to weekend away at an outdoor adventure centre. foster international understanding”. “GB is led by Christian women from local During the past year we have organised a churches. These leaders are trained volunteers Garden party, a Pig Race which enabled us to who are committed to providing a regular send £1,000 to Water Aid, made up 6 Baby meeting time of activities and skills for girls and bundles for Refuge Relief to be sent to hospitals young women. Worldwide (GB operates in over in Croatia and schools in Gambia and Sierra Leone, filled and sent 25 shoe boxes for Billericay Town Guide 19 Samaritans Purse for children in third world more accomplished so there’s always a fresh countries, filled 28 handbags to be sent to Can challenge and something new to learn. of Hope, Croatia. We also hosted the Chernobyl We dance at pubs and fêtes throughout the Children for a day, in a members garden. summer, besides a May Day Tour, a St. George’s We also sent a Shelter box which contains a tent Day Mummers’ Play, and displays at the providing shelter and warmth for ten people for traditional times of year. The side is easy-going a prolonged period and includes 10 high quality and sociable and comes from all walks of life. durable sleeping bags, plus some ancillary New dancers/musicians (age immaterial) are equipment, including basic cooking facilities, always welcome. spade, torch, ropes etc. We run coffee mornings and other events to send substantial donations to Essex Air Ambulance, Sense, Burned Children, MacMillan Nurses, St Lukes Hospice and British Legion, Alzheimer’s Society, First Steps and the British Heart Foundation. In achieving the above we have experienced true friendship and have actually enjoyed the hard work put into some of the events. In 1960 the Inner Wheel of Billericay was started by a few keen wives of Rotarians, next year we celebrate our 50th Birthday.

The Mayflower Morris Men of Billericay he Mayflower Morris Men is a revival side formed in 1973 to dance the Morris in and around Billericay, Essex, to learn new T The Mayflower Morris Men of Billericay, Essex dances, and to maintain the traditions of the Morris. The Sheriff’s Ride (Lichfield, Staffordshire) Why do I Morris-dance? Good company, good We practise locally on Thursdays at 8 p.m.; two exercise, giving something back to the left feet and a pulse are all you need (but you community, keeping an English tradition alive, must be male and you do need a pair of and enjoying myself! Most rewarding hobbies handkerchiefs!). There is no subscription and involve giving and taking - the more you put in, tuition is free, so if you fancy helping to keep a the more you get out - and that’s certainly true little bit of Old England alive, why not give it a of the Morris. go? You’ll be made most welcome! The Morris is an English traditional male ritual Contact: Geoff Douglas – T: 01245 345922 dance. Each village had its own dance-style and Email: [email protected] Website: dances; nationally there’s a canon of around 350 www.mayflowermorris.com dances. The dances have been passed down, not written down, so there’s this feeling of being a link in an unbroken chain from time Mayflower Wine & Social Club immemorial. In days gone by, to be chosen to he club is continuing to enjoy its many dance the Morris was an honour; for me it’s still activities. During this last year we have a privilege. For beginners, learning is easy to Tbeen on holidays to Bernkastel in start with but gets more difficult as you become Germany for the wine festival and also to 20 Billericay Town Guide Andorra; both enjoyed by the members. Probus Club of Billericay & District The weather stayed fine for our annual B-B-Q he club was founded in May 1977 under and we all had a lovely meal. We put our dancing the guidance of a group of then, shoes on for our dinner dance, and some good Tprominent Billericay Rotarians. The entertainment for the Christmas party and also Clubs aim was to enhance the social life of a buffet meal. Professional and Business men through their At our monthly meetings we have had talks on retirement years, by introducing a place where policing and also on WW2 RAF training which they could meet with like minded people in were very interesting and amusing. We had a “Good Fellowship” and forge new friendships in singing duo, a quiz, a show of the colour slides the process. The first chairman was Dr Frank taken on the Bernkastel holiday and, of course, Rilstone and meetings were held on the last our usual wine tastings. Thursday of each month, as they are today. Dress code was to be “Smart” and the meetings As you can see, we have a varied programme were for Luncheon and Fellowship and were to during the year and not all appertaining to wine. be non-political. A few of our members still make their own wine, but not as many as used to. With the advent of the “booze cruise” to France followed by good special offers at the supermarkets, less people make their own wine. So we are now very much a social club – but we do enjoy a tipple too! We meet regularly at the Day Centre, Chantry Way, Billericay on the first Wednesday of each month at 8.00 pm. Membership is £14 per annum and new members are always welcome. Please come along.

Pilgrim Ladies Probus Club Probus Clubs have been formed throughout the he club was formed in October 1998 with world. Each Club is free to draw up its own just 7 members. Now in 2009 we have constitution and set its own informal objective. Tprogressed to 90 members with a number There is not a central controlling organisation. of ladies on a Waiting List. We meet for lunch at Today the Probus Club of Billericay and District the Mount Avenue Banqueting Suite, Shenfield some 32 years after its original formation on the third Monday of each month. continues to meet on the last Thursday of each It has remained popular since it began and Club month for Luncheon and general fellowship at lunches are enhanced by a variety of guest the Mount Avenue Banqueting Suite in Hutton. speakers. Visits to historic houses and gardens, The Luncheons are always three courses and special exhibitions, and river trips on the coffee. During December and April special Thames have all been enjoyed by our members. Luncheons are held to which our members The Club invites husbands and guests to lunch invite their wives, partners and friends. These twice yearly – in mid summer and at Christmas. meetings are always very popular. Our 10th Anniversary in October 2008 was On four occasions during the course of the year, celebrated with a special lunch and a guest the Club invites various speakers to give the speaker from the House of Lords was much members a short talk, after the Luncheon itself enjoyed by our members. is finished. In addition to the normal monthly meetings the

Billericay Town Guide 21 Club organises a comprehensive programme of • Gaining an understanding of, and having an Short Break Holidays, usually 4 or 5 days, day impact on international humanitarian issues trips by coach to various interesting • Developing relations with community and destinations, London Theatre visits and evening business leaders. Concerts. Currently our Club has 24 men and women of This year’s programme includes, 7 days touring varying ages, business and professional Northumberland, Edinburgh and Beamish backgrounds. We meet every Monday lunchtime Museum. 4 days to the Buxton Festival, 1 night (except on Bank Holidays) at The Ivory Rooms, to the Birmingham Tattoo, 1 night to the Laindon Road, Billericay where we enjoy lunch, Thursford Christmas Spectacular. The fellowship and after lunch speakers. highlight of our 2008 programme was a 7 day We regularly provide shelter boxes containing River Cruise along the Moselle River in tents and essential equipment for survival in Germany. major disaster areas. We organise exchanges for If you are interested in joining an organisation young professional people — last year, a group of to meet new friends in a social atmosphere and local professionals went out to Japan and we enjoy the richness of life that comes with hosted the return visit. Locally, we stage an maturity then why not consider joining us. annual Art Exhibition in St Mary Magdalen for local artists and schools. We also sponsor “Youth Speaks” and the “Young Chef” competitions. Rotary Club of Billericay This is just a small flavour of what we are otary was formed in Chicago in 1905 by involved in both locally and internationally. If Paul Harris and his friends. It is active in you are interested in helping others, would like Rnearly 200 countries and geographical to ‘give back’ to your local community and be regions, and has 1.2 million members in over involved in international aid, and would like to 33,000 clubs. In the U.K. and Ireland there are meet like-minded people, please call our 1,840 clubs with more than 55,000 members. Secretary Ed Harrison on 01277 655081. Rotary is a totally voluntary organisation. Rotarians are actively involved in educational The Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower and humanitarian programmes using their professional and business skills. Programmes illericay’s Fun Night, renamed Christmas involvement are in the main areas of Water, Family Fayre and the summertime Fun Literacy, Health & Hunger, and Polio BDay have become annual firm favourites Eradication. Rotary, working with the WHO, for thousands of families. has immunised over 2 billion children against It's all down to commitment behind the scenes polio. It is the largest public health campaign of members of the Rotary Club of Billericay the world has ever seen. Mayflower created in 1990 by the existing The Rotary Club of Billericay was established in Rotary Club of Billericay. 1959 and celebrates its 50th anniversary in the Many people remain under the misapprehension autumn. It is entirely appropriate that our that Rotarians are just charity fund-raisers. The President in the 50th anniversary year is Ben truth lies in Mayflower’s role in the two big Clarke, a founder member of the Club. Each Billericay events. They provide the umbrella for Rotary Club strives for a membership that is an local organisations to entertain, to raise their up-to-date and progressive representation of its own profile and their funds. community’s business, vocational and professional interests. Membership offers a Mayflower arranges for High Street closure to number of benefits including: traffic, helps in ensuring trouble-free late • Effecting change within the community shopping evening and that shopkeepers get • Developing leadership skills their fair share of Christmas trade.

22 Billericay Town Guide Rotarians come from a wide range of business and professions, from solicitors to craftsmen, surveyors and doctors to builders and plumbers. They share in the worldwide Rotary International movement based in almost every country. Mayflower Rotarians have played a role in many The University of the Third Age activities in Billericay. They created a Citizen of Basildon & Billericay U3A the Year award recognising the special 3A under the umbrella of its national contribution by an individual to the life of the organisation, The Third Age Trust, town. Upromotes encouragement for those They meet obligations to the third world with people no longer in full time employment to effective fund raising, creating medical facilities take part, with others, in the pleasure of among India’s poor, equipped a school there learning activities. Subject groups are provided named Mayflower and forged a link with the and organised from within the membership. school of the same name in Billericay. Basildon and Billericay U3A began in 1989 with The club shares in funding the massive Rotary a membership of under 50 – which has risen in initiative to see the global scourge of polio 2009 to over 300. At the present time there are finally eradicated and in funding emergency more than 40 activity groups ranging from boxes that are flown immediately to stricken Archaeology, Bird Watching, Current affairs families when natural disasters occur. Discussion, Family History, French, Gardening, Handbell Ringing, Italian, Literature, Mayflower is now engaged in a welcome to Photography, Rambling, Yoga and many others potential members and aims to end the myth in between. Groups are formed by members with that Rotary is a club of elderly bores. Far from it. a common interest suggesting a topic, discussing Weekly dinner meetings are fun, stimulating together how and what they wish to learn, and and ambitious. Just ask the trio who this then deciding on the means to achieve their summer scaled the Three Peaks of Ben Nevis, aims. The U3A premise is that learning must be Scar Fell and Snowdon in under 24 hours. primarily for fun and enjoyment. There are no Nothing elderly or boring about them. examinations, although group members are sometimes involved in carrying out research on Want to know more about Mayflower Rotary? the subject in which they have an interest. A Contact secretary Brian Needham on 01277 member’s home is often the venue for a group 623093. E-mail [email protected] but, if this is inappropriate because of its size, a hall will be hired with the agreement of the Committee. These groups can meet as regularly St. Edith’s Lane Bridge Club as they feel they need to. he Club was formed over twenty years ago A Newsletter is distributed monthly and a and has a current membership of about General Meeting with an invited Speaker is held Tseventy-five. We meet at the WI Hall, St. at 2.30 pm at The Church Hall, Canon Roche, Edith’s Lane every Wednesday evening from Laindon Road, Billericay, usually on the fourth 7.30pm – 10.30pm and normally have around Friday of each month. twelve tables for friendly duplicate bridge with refreshments. The Club is affiliated to the Basildon and Billericay U3A is a member of the English Bridge Union and occasionally enters Association of Essex U3As which keeps them in national and charity competitions. Visitors are touch with other neighbouring U3As. The welcome at any time subject to there being website can be viewed on www.bbu3a.org.uk enough room. and an information pack can be obtained from the Membership Secretary on 01277 653710. Contact Linda Seymour on 01277 654890.

Billericay Town Guide 23 Whist Club Billericay W.I. rib arrived in Britain some 500 years ago illericay W.I. had the distinction of being signalled the birth of the game of whist. the first one in Essex, when it opened in CPopular not least for its trumps element, B1916; it’s one of the oldest in the country whist has maintained its appeal as a card game and has its own hall in St. Edith’s Lane. down the centuries. Versions include knock-out I came upon it shortly after moving here, when whist, solo, German whist, nomination whist en route to the High Street, and decided to give and the more challenging and serious bridge. it a try – as a means of meeting people, making The subject of this article, the game played by friends and giving some shape and structure to our Club members at the Chantry Way Day a new life in a different place. Almost uniquely, Centre, is plain and simple whist, partner or it has two meetings a month as opposed to the progressive based on the number of participants. monthly gatherings of most W.I.’s. The annual Despite its ongoing support, a rise in subscription is the same nationwide at £29, so attendance figures would always be both local members get a very good deal! beneficial to, and welcomed by, our players, Meetings cover a varied selection of topics on whose numbers have somewhat declined the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each calendar recently. Ray Plamer, telephone 01277 651428, month (except August) and excerpts from the will be pleased to answer any questions and current programme reveal talks on: Being a TV supply exact dates and times to any caller and Film Extra; Why Croissants aren’t French interested in joining our established group and, and My Family and other setbacks. hopefully, becoming a regular contender. September gives everyone an opportunity to enter items in our annual Showday and in June, Members Day gives the membership the responsibilities usually undertaken by the Committee. Visitors are most welcome at £1 per visit. There is a coffee morning each Friday from 10 am, which is open to the public and diverse interests are catered for in the gardening club – which meets on a monthly basis – the choir which rehearses each week as does the Keep Fit Class. Throughout the year, coach trips to the West End to see matinee performances of musicals and plays are a feature and members take The Day Centre has been host to a whist drive advantage of the in-house Christmas Post, for many years, and boasts a pleasant setting for which delivers the seasonal mail in good time this and many other activities. Whist is played for the festive season. For my part, I’m so glad I on alternate Wednesdays, play commencing at joined and that phrase has been repeated in my 1.15pm, with a half-time break for refreshments, hearing so many times. and a leaving time of 3.30pm or thereabouts. Inclusive cost is 60pence, prizes are diverse and Yes- we do sing Jerusalem at the start of each generous, but have to be striven for! This timely meeting and, those who can, make jam – for finish ensures that one can settle back into life’s which the rest of us are very grateful. daily flow with a satisfied contemplation of the earlier afternoon’s proceedings. So, reader, be persuaded, come along and enjoy the friendly competition and association that a whist drive has to offer.

24 Billericay Town Guide CLUBS, GROUPS & SOCIETIES For full details of venues, times etc, please use the contact telephone numbers:- Billericay code (01277) unless otherwise shown. Organisation Contact Tel No Email/website Air Cadet Organisation, 2393 Squadron S.Horncastle 652794 [email protected] Archeological & Historical Society D Whitaker 658989 Army Cadet Force 07903 765268 Billericay BPW (Business & Prof. Women UK) Maddy Bartlett 654286 Billericay Chess Club Charles Newman 622265 Billericay Constitutional Club Ltd R A Watts 651844 Billericay Design Statement Association Ian Davie 656139 www.billericaydsa.org.uk Billericay & District Philatelic Society David Bremner 626674 Billericay District Residents’ Association Maureen Dann 626147 www.bdra.org Billericay Dog Training School Pauline Chaplin 01268 492237 / 07804 787275 Billericay Horticultural Society Vic Hare 652896 Billericay Ladies Probus Club (Hutton) Margaret Berry 020 8491 6593 Billericay Lions Club 08458 339849 www.billericaylions.com [email protected] Billericay Mayflower Twinning Association Mr B Hughes 624505 www.Billericaytwinning.org.uk Billericay No.1 Club (55+) Mrs M Witham 625315 Billericay Scrabble Club Terry Corps 623869 Billericay Society David Bremner 626674 Billericay Twinning Association Peter Copsey 651800 www.the-bta.org Billericay Twins Club Sharon Byrne 624164 www.billericaytwins.co.uk Billericay & Wickford Scouts Mrs J L’Estrange 624078 Buttsbury Social Club (55+) Les Maine 655320 Circle Five 0 Brenda Cheeseman 622973 Essex IVC (Inter Varsity Club) 07891 927046 www.essexivc.org.uk Geologist Association Dr J.T. Greensmith 01268 785404 Girlguiding Billericay Division Christine Lineham 657199 Girl’s Brigade (2nd Billericay) Liz Bulekley 658229 [email protected] Inner Wheel Club of Billericay Lilian Greenfield 623582 Mayflower Morris Men Geoff Douglas 01245 345922 www.mayflowermorris.com Mayflower Wine & Social Club Paulette Nicholls 652001 Mill Meadows Society Neil Sumner [email protected] Monday Bridge Club Mrs. J L'Estrange 624078 Norsey Wood Society Anne Gray 653852 No.1 Senior Citizen's Club Marjorie Witham 625315 Phoenix Dog Training School Audrey Jones 656077 Pilgrim Ladies Probus Club Iris Harper 624676 (Billericay & Brentwood) Probus Club of Billericay & District Peter Miller 659206 Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower Peter Owen 651608 Rotary Club of Billericay Ed Harrison 655081 Round Table (Billericay) 0845 2262796 Royal British Legion Mik Dunn 654539 St. Edith’s Lane Bridge Club Linda Seymour 654890 [email protected] Trefoil Guild Mrs. J Forbes 655636 University of the Third Age (U3A) Membership Secretary 653710 www.bbu3a.org.uk Whist Drive – Day Centre, Chantry Way Reg Palmer 651428 W.I. (Billericay) Doreen Potter 624255 W.I. (Buttsbury) Margaret Murphy 622938 W.I. (Rosebay) Gill Vowles 651511

Billericay Town Guide 25 Focus on The Arts & Crafts Q

Billericay’s Arts Centre Billericay Cantabile Singers he Fold, housed in an attractive Victorian hated having to do music at school – being school building in Laindon Road, is the made to sing when I could have been playing Tfocal point for anyone who has an Isport. I couldn’t read music, had no idea interest in the arts. It provides the opportunity what a middle C was supposed to sound like, to hone artistic skills or just enjoy the and had a teacher who kept making us do it entertainment on offer. Everybody is welcome. again and again. Imagine my surprise when I won the School Prize for Music! There are art exhibitions and a seasonal programme of professional performances of I did eventually come to enjoy singing – drama and music of different genres. The primarily as a result of my passion for playing intimacy of The Fold makes it a popular venue rugby – with the collective singing skills much for performers from post graduates of The enhanced by a good result on the pitch, a hot Royal College of Music to jazz musicians of bath and a beer or two. world-wide repute. Children flock to When my rugby playing days came to an end, pantomime and other dedicated shows staged singing became limited to a crowd sing-along of during half-term holidays. The events are “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” at rugby popular and, with limited seating, advanced internationals and leading the family in a booking is advisable. raucous rendition of “The Quartermasters Term time classes for adults and children are Store” when travelling long distances. available in a wide range of subjects including Then about a year ago, I noticed in the paper painting, drawing, pottery and a variety of crafts. that a local choir was in need of more members Twenty six independent clubs and organisations – particularly men, and I thought,” why not?”. meet regularly at The Fold, making a valuable The Billericay Cantabile Singers rehearse on a contribution to the number and variety of the Monday evening at 8:00, at the Mayflower Hall activities available. on Chapel Street and perform publicly 2 or 3 times a year. For thirty years this arts centre has been run by the dedicated volunteers of Billericay Arts I hesitantly went along to the next rehearsal and association and they would be very glad of your had the instant impact of doubling the number company. If you want to broaden your interests of bass singers. Soon after joining in, it was and have some time regularly available then evident that I may be singing all the right notes, offer your services. The work is rewarding and but not necessarily in the right order (apologies can be fun. You don’t have to be arty! to Morecambe and Wise). Apparently, songs have 4 parts and I’m only supposed to sing 1 of them! Why not visit the website www.baathefold.org.uk to get details of the classes, clubs and However singing with the choir was great fun entertainment currently on offer? It is not and quite addictive so I went back for more. necessary to join the Association but members Whilst I am getting better, and can probably have the benefit of regular news sheets and of recognise a middle C, I still can’t read music, reduced class fees and ticket prices. and do not fully understand all the little squiggles and funny foreign words. But I am The Fold, 72 Laindon Road, Billericay CM12 forgiving of the musical director who makes us 9LD. 01277 659286. go over things again and again, because – when

26 Billericay Town Guide we get it right – it sounds great! other destinations of interest. It is hoped that if the membership can be increased to a point at We would love to have more members – so, if you which the coach trips become viable again they enjoy making a noise, please get in touch (Pat would be resumed. Heinson – 01277 623140) and/or come and join us on a Monday evening and have some fun yourself. My own involvement with the Circle began in a curious fashion. As a child growing up during and just after World War 2 when household items were Billericay Ceramic Circle scarce or unobtainable we only had three odd egg cups i.e. one each. Mine was a blue one with a print he circle was established in 1974. It was of roses on it and miraculously it survived created by a group of people interested in unscathed despite regular use until I left home. Tthe history of ceramic art and its manufacture. They wanted a forum where they could meet to share and develop their knowledge of the subject, and to welcome others who shared their interest and enthusiasm. The circle now meets every month, when the members will either hear a talk by a recognized expert on ceramic wares or, on “pot nights,” discuss a particular aspect of ceramic art or history illustrated by pots from members’ own collections. Meetings are normally held at 7.30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Emmanuel Church Hall, Laindon Road, Billericay (which is almost opposite the Fire The Blue Egg Cup Station). Jumping forward to 1989, the egg cup was New members are always welcome. displayed on a shelf with a few other bits of blue earthenware when it caught the eye of a Annual membership is incredibly good value at gentleman who had been invited to tender for a £18, offering as it does not only the twelve set of patio doors. meetings but also access to the Circle’s extensive library on ceramic art and history. We have over His interest was enough to make me curious as 100 volumes, many rare and out-of-print, to its age and origin and when, a year or two covering almost all the major British Factories, later he persuaded my wife and I to accompany plus some on Chinese and Continental ceramics, him and his wife to a Ceramic Circle meeting as which may be borrowed freely, offering both the his guests we went along, enjoyed the evening, beginner and the more advanced collector an and joined. We have been members ever since. ideal way to increase their knowledge. Initially I was an avid borrower of books and Why not come along to one of our meetings as a became fascinated by all aspects of the guest just to see if you enjoy it? There is a small development of the ceramics industry. Later on charge for this but it will be deducted from your I became the Librarian and my wife became the membership fee if you decide to join. You will be Secretary and we remained on the committee assured of a warm welcome. If you would like for eight years in these positions. further information please telephone the As for the egg cup, it has a mark on its base membership secretary on 01277 653290. which reads “Copeland Late Spode” which was Also regular coach trips used to be organised to in use from 1847 until 1890 and yes, it is still on the “Antiques for Everyone” fair at the NEC and the shelf, and so are many other pieces of Blue and White Earthenware.

Billericay Town Guide 27 Billericay Choral Society Last summer I found myself, along with three other members, taking to the High Street Why I’m a member of Billericay Choral dressed as the Mayflower Pilgrims to publicise a Society – By Piper Terrett new work we were performing! If I’d chickened hen I arrived at the Mayflower Hall for out three years ago, I would still be sitting at my first rehearsal with Billericay home watching TV instead of meeting new WChoral Society in 2007, my heart was people and participating in a fun and highly in my mouth. Apart from exclusive rewarding activity. performances in my shower, I hadn’t sung for Billericay Choral Society rehearses every nearly fifteen years. Would I be found out? Tuesday in term time at 8pm at Mayflower Hall, Would they make me do a Simon Cowell-style on the corner of Chapel Street and Hillside audition? Road. We don’t hold auditions and everyone is As a commuter at the time, I had a nagging welcome. Contact Doug Newlyn on 01277 feeling I should get more involved in the local 624524 or see our website community and I love music, whether it’s Led www.billericaychoral.org.uk for more Zeppelin or Handel. But it took a reality TV information. show to encourage me to join BCS. After watching London Symphony Orchestra choirmaster Gareth Malone start a choir at an Dolls House Club underprivileged school, I realised how much I am a fairly recent convert to the sometime missed singing with other people. strange and often surreal world of Dolls So I forced myself through the door of IHouses. As a child I enjoyed playing with my Mayflower Hall on that windy January evening own dolls house and remember making little and I’m so glad I did. As soon as I walked in, my bits and pieces for it – usually inspired by Blue hobby-phobia disappeared. Doug Newlyn, our Peter and involving matchboxes, cotton reels website manager, immediately put me at ease and, of course, sticky back plastic! and I settled into the soprano section among Unfortunately my house was passed on to a many friendly faces. Our musical director Ian cousin when I had “grown out of it”. A decision Walker’s light-hearted approach to rehearsals I regretted when I had a daughter of my own. makes a difference, too. Not only do we work It wasn’t until a few years ago when my friend hard, but we also share a few jokes along the way. invited me to see her “new House” that I discovered that dolls houses are such a popular hobby. I was amazed to find a beautiful Victorian town house fully furnished with authentic looking furniture and sweet little accessories. No sticky back plastic in sight!. As her birthday was approaching I made the fatal mistake of visiting a dolls house shop to buy her a present. You can guess what happened! A visit to e-bay also proved productive. To my delight I was soon the owner of an identical Tri-ang house to my original toy. I began collecting the matching 1960’s furniture from my childhood wish list. Since I joined we’ve performed a range of works, Oh the joy of adulthood and a credit card! from Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast, Handel’s My friend and I made enquiries about joining Messiah and Carmina Burana to Simon and the Billericay Miniatures Club but discovered Garfunkel. We’ve sung at the Brentwood Centre that they had a long waiting list. It was then that as part of the Brentwood Choirs Festival and we decided to take matters into our own hands. performed carols at a local old people’s home. 28 Billericay Town Guide We wrote to everyone on the list asking if they sense of humour – the ability to laugh at your own would be interested in forming a new club. The mistakes always comes in handy (trust me – we all response was overwhelmingly positive and the make mistakes but that is how you learn!). Billericay Dolls House Club was born. As we had If you would like to come along and see what we no experience of running a club it was trial and get up to for yourself please give us a ring. Your a number of errors but we met for the first time first visit is FREE! If you then decide that you in January 2007. would like to join us, membership is only £10 The Billericay Dolls House Club are a group of for six meetings – an absolute bargain! We look like minded individuals who share a fascination forward to hearing from you. Ring Sue (01277 for all things miniature. We number around 650138) or Val (01277 654777). twenty enthusiasts, mostly women and one lucky (brave) man. Our abilities range from extremely talented to fairly hopeless (me) with Billericay Flower Arranging Group the majority enthusiastic amateurs. We meet on here is a huge misconception about being the third Wednesday afternoon of each month a member of a flower club and it is rife at the Fold and tackle a different project each among those who’ve never been to a meeting. Previous successes have included T meeting. They assume that one has to be porcelain flowers, Lloyd loom furniture, teddies prepared to produce ideas or actively contribute and tiaras. Our only limit is our imagination! to a demonstration in some way. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every meeting brings the opportunity for members to relax and enjoy watching the guest for the evening demonstrate his/her approach to the art of arranging flowers. On the last Wednesday of each month at 8 pm at the W.I Hall, St. Edith’s Lane, an expert in the field presents a series of designs on a chosen topic and, while everyone does the same thing, it essentially emerges as the individual sees it, so it’s guaranteed to be different. The Billericay Group is affiliated to N.A.F.A.S. – National Association of Flower Arranging Societies, which was founded by Julia Clements 50 years ago, and which celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2009 with a service in Westminster Abbey in May – for which the venue was garnished by almost 100 floral Once a year we join the Billericay Miniatures arrangements. A coach left Billericay on Friday group on a coach trip to places of interest. This 8th May to visit the location. year’s destination is the Pendon Museum in In 2010, Billericay Flower Arranging Group will Oxfordshire. We have also taken part in a be 50 years old and a number of special features number of local exhibitions. will be included into the programme to We pride ourselves on being a friendly and commemorate this milestone. welcoming group. Many of our members enjoy The annual subscription is £16 and £2 is the chance to socialise and chat as much as they payable at the door at each meeting. Guests pay enjoy the chance to learn new skills and crafts. £5 to visit, except on Open Nights, which occur Our only requirements are enthusiasm and a good twice a year, when entry is just £2.

Billericay Town Guide 29 I had never crossed the portals of a Flower Club We recently had some new members join us, and before moving to Billericay, but it’s been such a we hope that we are still as friendly and bonus, for it opened the door even wider on the encouraging as we always try to be. joy of flowers and foliage and the best ways to Why not come and join us on Tuesday evenings promote them to achieve a pleasing outcome. and help to keep the traditional dances alive, A fanatic I am not, but how I look forward to whilst enjoying the lovely music to which they those Wednesday evenings – to relax, chill out, are danced? and do it all in the good company of flowers and the other devotees who love them too! Billericay Miniatures Club By Shirley White Billericay Folk Dance Club arch 2009 saw the Billericay arl and I were encouraged to join in 1981 Miniatures Club celebrating their 10th by friends who were already club Anniversary – I personally have only members. So off we went to the W.I. Hall M C been a member since 2002. in St Edith’s Lane, Billericay – and are still there 28 years later. When I retired from a busy school office in 2000 the children and staff gave me a cheque to enable me to buy a Dolls House and the governors bought me a subscription to a dolls house magazine. I eventually bought a house, read the magazines from cover to cover each month, but had no idea where to start until one day my friend suggested that I join Billericay Miniatures Club. I was very apprehensive as I knew they crafted everything themselves and I had never made anything that small in my life.

It took us only a short while to learn basic steps and movements. Other club dancers, being a very friendly bunch, were very patient with us while we were learning. The dances are all walked through before we perform them, and are then called while we dance. Different callers visit our club, and all bring their own style. This makes every evening different for us. Twice a year we have a public dance in a large hall, when members of other clubs, from far and wide, join us for a very enjoyable evening of dance. A live band usually plays on these I need not have worried as there are so many evenings, providing a great atmosphere, and a talented people who come and show us how to well-known National caller also helps to create make furniture, flowers, food, figures and that atmosphere. everything else imaginable. We are provided with a kit and helped each step of the way and I Whenever we watch the Jane Austen films on would never have believed that I now have my TV, we are frequently able to recognise the original 1/12th scale dolls house and a 1/24th dances being performed. Of course, we do not size cottage and house, made from scratch, by look as elegant as the television dancers, because me, with a very great deal of help - and we do not dance in costume. numerous other pieces, so much so that I have

30 Billericay Town Guide now overflowed to a bedroom to be able to DVD material. There is a selection of relevant display them all. library books available at the class, and our comments and questions are always welcomed The club has one major project a year and in by Mark. During class we break for 2008 we made the Pilgrims Department Store - refreshments, and discussions often continue this was on display at our bi-annual exhibition along musical lines. at the W.I. Hall, each member making one department – or in my case, the cleaners Now meeting at the United Reformed Church, cupboard! our group of fellow students is varied and friendly, and the long continuing attendance of We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month at a good number of us testifies to the benefit we the Fold from 1.30 pm to 4.00pm, go on the find in these pleasant weekly gatherings. Do occasional outing to see what the experts have join us – Mondays 1.45 – 3.45 pm. made and have a fund raising display alternate years in the W.I.Hall. Billericay Writers Group Billericay Music Study Group By Alan Barford began attending Music Study classes in ane gathers her notes together, glancing over Chelmsford in 1992 to alleviate a stress them for the final time before sliding them Icondition. Soon, a friend, a spirited Jinto her orange folder. octogenarian, accompanied me, and we both “It’s time to go”, she says apprehensively to her thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the husband work of composers as varied as Vivaldi, Mozart, Schubert, Elgar and Poulenc. “Good luck” he replies, opening the front door, giving her a kiss goodbye, “It’ll be fine, don’t When this class closed, my friend and I eagerly worry”. sought something similar, eventually choosing a Music Appreciation class at the Fold, Billericay. Driving slowly down Billericay High Street There we enjoyed several years exposure to a towards the Ivory Rooms, then following wide range of composers from Monteverdi and around to The Fold, her hands gripping the Haydn to Mahler and Janacek. We were also steering wheel with anticipation –‘You know encouraged to express ourselves in short essays that you don’t have to go’ teases the whispering, once a year, an interesting and enjoyable doubting voice in her head. challenge. ‘I’m going to do this’. She replies determinedly, As these classes also came to an end, a new parking her car next to the wall. Looking at her lecturer emerged; Mark Taylor, who is himself a watch, it’s a quarter to eight - time to go. Taking composer and has taught in London and her folder from the passenger seat, she walks Oxford. We are fortunate indeed to benefit from across the old school yard to the green arch his wide knowledge, his delightful expertise at door. Her footsteps echo off the dark brick the piano, and his lively lecture style. We walls. Jane smiles as memories of skipping and consider the historical context, the inspiration, playing ‘tag’, hearing the headmaster ringing his the structure, and the biographical influences of brass school bell come fondly flooding back. many works, and topics Mark has introduced Into the corridor, she hears talking behind the have included Chamber Music, French and slightly ajar third door. Her fingers flex as she German composers, a History of Sacred Music, pushes it gently open. The voices quieten. Nordic composers, The British Musical Renaissance of the early 20th Century, and a “‘Scuse me, is this the Billericay Writers Group?” review of the Beethoven Concert of 1808. We she asks, looking around at about fifteen people have added to our enjoyment of the subject with sitting around a table. occasional class visits, and with the screening of

Billericay Town Guide 31 “It most certainly is,” smiles a kind looking bald I was invited to join some years ago when I was headed man with a check shirt and braces, a relative beginner – since then it has become the “please take a seat,” he says pulling out a chair highlight of my week. I have found much for her. stimulation and support from the members. We do not have a tutor, but gain ideas and The lady with blonde hair and glasses looks encouragement from each other. Painting is a around. “You must be Jane, I remember you very therapeutic and absorbing occupation and phoning the other day, it’s good to see you – my I find that whatever worries or cares I may have name’s Ivy. We all read about four pages of our at times, they are suspended for a while as I lose work and then give constructive comments myself in attempting to achieve a picture with about your work.” which I am half-way satisfied! A bearded man sitting opposite adds, “I really The emphasis is very much on friendship and enjoy coming here; there’s great camaraderie laughter, until we all get down to the business of and such variety in writing, crime, true stories, concentrating on our painting – then you could poetry, historic and all types of fiction. almost hear a pin drop! (Until, of course, it is Anything you’ve written is fine by us”. time for coffee!) “I write romantic fairytales,” says the wide - eyed Members work in all mediums and every kind of girl with dark curly hair. “Tell us, what’s your subject from portraits, landscapes and even story about?” abstract. As well as helping each other, we Jane opens her orange folder, pulling out the support exhibitions organised by local charities crisp white sheets of paper. “It’s something I feel and churches and regularly provide paintings so deeply passionate about” she says quietly “It’s for medical centres to display in their waiting been smouldering away for ages, I needed to rooms. write it down, to get it out. Then the trickle of words started to flood out.” “Sounds wonderful” says Ivy. “Would you like to start?” She nods, then looking down at her papers and taking a deep breath, Jane’s special story begins to flow. Billericay Writers Group meets in the Fold, Laindon Rd at 8.00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday in the month.

Buttsbury Art Society If you have never held a brush before you will By Valerie Dekker – Member find, with practice, it is not long before you see the world around you in quite a different light, ore people than ever have time for as you study nature and people with new eyes. leisure activities these days and if you Mlive in Billericay, you are very fortunate We hold an exhibition every year at the Fold Arts to have a huge selection of clubs and societies Centre, 72 Laindon Road. Why not come along from which to choose. then – it may inspire you to begin painting yourself. Buttsbury Art Society was formed over 30 years ago by Rose Ayton. Several of the original Work from previous exhibitions can be seen by members are still with us today. We meet weekly visiting www.essexinfo.net/buttsbury at the Fold Arts Centre, Billericay.

32 Billericay Town Guide Buttsbury Ladies Choir Essex Handicrafts Association – o you enjoy singing along to music on Billericay Branch the radio or can’t resist adding an By Denise Somers. accompanying voice when playing your D he EHA has been a very special part of my favourite CDs? This was the extent of my life for over 22 years. I first joined as a singing experience before I joined Buttsbury County Member after visiting one of their Ladies Choir three years ago. Fortunately there T exhibitions which at the time were at New Hall is no audition needed to be a part of this lively, School in Chelmsford. No matter what your level thriving group and now Wednesday night with of skill everyone’s work was shown and I realised the Choir is a permanent feature in my diary. I too could be good enough to enter. I had been At first I had to decide whether I was a soprano, taught many craft skills from being a small child, second soprano or alto. As I wasn’t sure that I but only did them at home on my own. With would be able to reach the highest notes – I EHA I soon realised there were a lot of people out became a second soprano. Sometimes we sing in there who loved the same thing. three part harmony and at other times we join I joined the Billericay Branch 20 years ago and with the altos: we even, on occasions, sing in though I live in Chelmsford I love the friendly unison and then get a chance to actually sing atmosphere in the Billericay Branch and I have the tune! made many long standing friendships. We have Our repertoire often consists of songs that are regular speakers and hands-on evenings and I familiar whether from musicals by Lloyd have learnt many new skills which gave me the Webber or Rogers and Hammerstein, or songs confidence to go on and complete my City & penned by Abba, The Beatles or Sting! But I Guilds Part 1 & 2. I also joined other have enjoyed a wide variety of pieces in my three organisations such as the Embroiders Guild and years – from Offenbach to folk songs, John the International Feltmakers and we bring our Rutter to Negro spirituals. Our musical director knowledge back from them to share with others. builds our confidence, introduces us to new The branch was the first place I ever gave my music, and never doubts our abilities as she talks and workshops in a reassuring friendly gives us new challenges. environment. Buttsbury Choir gives two main concerts a year at The Fold and also entertains local clubs on a regular basis. If you would like to sing a solo or in a duet, these performances can give you that opportunity. We also take part in a local non- competitive annual festival of Ladies’ Choirs, where in addition to the pleasure gained from the songs performed with the other groups, each choir also sings two pieces of their own choice: we have always received very positive Despite our title we do not do just handicrafts feedback on our musical efforts from the but have speakers on woodwork, glass adjudicator as well as, more recently, engraving, pottery, paper crafts etc. I often learn complimentary comments on our new stunning much from crafts I am not interested in as they red and white blouses from the other can often inspire you with different ideas and it participants! is always fascinating to hear where others get If you enjoy singing and would like to have a free their inspiration from. My life is now so filled ‘taster session’ please come along to The Fold on with so many crafts to do, classes to attend and a Wednesday evening in school term times exhibitions to visit and I never go anywhere where you will be very welcome. without meeting another crafts person I know, all as a result of EHA. Billericay Town Guide 33 Essex Handicrafts Association, Billericay Branch – The knowledge that I have gained since you are welcome to come as a visitor for just £3.00 becoming a member has been very rewarding. per evening, and then, if you like what you find, Looking back on my very first photographs I become a Branch Member and take advantage of can see a vast improvement, and as time goes by, all that the whole EHA has to offer. We meet at The I feel I will improve even more. I look forward to Fold on the last Monday of the month (excluding a Tuesday evening, as this is when I can get lost August and December) 7.45 for 8.00 pm. in a world of photography just for two hours, having the pleasure of seeing other people’s work. It cannot really be explained; it’s a great Photofold Camera Club feeling just to be there to look at these magnificent images or pictures. By Tina Reid Photography has now become part of my life, hat is a camera club? I asked myself, and I am constantly looking at new things to not sure what to expect, but as Tuesday photograph. Wdrew nearer, I was even more intrigued and on the night I was pleasantly surprised. That was in September 2007. To my friends and family Stock Drama Group I call it my camera club, not the camera club. Going to my camera club, I have met some really ne minute to Eight, I’m standing in the nice people I like to call my friends. We exchange dark behind a large curtain; on the lots of knowledge about cameras and Oother side a room full of people wait photographs that we have been taking. expectantly. Tea cups and wine glasses are put down as the lights dim and the music fades and as the curtain starts to retreat I just have time to ask myself “Why am I doing this?”

Now and again I will take some of my photographs and show them to one or two of the other members, and they will give me some constructive criticism, which I value and take on Off The Hook board. The first time I entered one of the Stock Drama Group has been in existence for competitions I did not really know what to over 50 years and in that time hundreds of expect; I felt nervously excited that everyone in members have found themselves in the same the room was now looking at my photograph situation and posing themselves the same and wondering what the judge was going to say, question. The group produce two performances but as I have only been doing photography for a year, the culmination of several months work, about 3 years, I was quite happy with what the starting with the producer selecting the play. We judge had commented about my photograph. then hold a series of play readings and after Since then I have entered many competitions much consideration, pleading, threats and and listened very hard to what the judges said, occasional bribes the cast is selected. Rehearsals then I go away and try to implement what they take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, have suggested. 34 Billericay Town Guide BILLERICAY Index Chapel Row D5 Glanmire F2 Chapel Street D6 Glencree F2 Abbey Road B7 Charity Farm Chase B5 Glenside F5 Abbots Ride E6 The Chase, E6 Gloucester Place C3[9] Albion Court C7 Chepstow Close F2 Goatsmoor Lane G2,G3 Alexander Mews D5[19] Cherry Gardens A3,A4 Goldcrest Drive E6 Alma Link C6,D6 Cherry Trees B7 Goldington Crescent B3 Alyssum Walk C3 Chestnut Avenue C6 Gordon Close B4 Ambulance Station C7 Chestwood Close D3 Graham Close E2 Anvil Way D2 Coach Mews F3 Granville Close B2 Archers Close C7 Colville Mews B2 Greenfields C8 Arlington Way B3 Connaught Way C3 Greenfields Close C8 Arts Centre - The Fold C7 Coombes Close B4 Greens Farm Lane E6,E7,F8 Arundel Close E1 Copford Close E5 Greenway F6 Arundel Mews E1 Copford Road E5 Grey Lady Place D5 Arundel Way E1,E2 The Copse C3,D3 Grosvenor Gardens C3 Ash Green G6 Cornflower Gardens B3 The Grove E3 Atridge Chase C4 Coulter Mews D5 Grove Road B5 The Avenue C5 Courtlands A6 Coxbridge Court C6 Hallam Court B3 Balmoral Close G6 Cranmer Close D2 Hannakins Community Centre B2 Beaufort Road B6 Crawford Close E3 Hannakins Farm A3,B3 Bebington Close C4 Crescent Close B4[8] Harebell Close B3 Belgrave Road C3 Crescent Gardens B4 Hares Chase C4 Bellevue Road B5 Crescent Road B4 Harrods Court G6 Beresford Court B3[1] Cromwell Avenue C5,D5 Hatfield Drive F5 Berkeley Drive C3[11] The Crossway F5 Headley Road E4 Betony Crescent B2 Crown Road D5 Health Centre D4 Betoyne Close F6 Heath Close B7 Beverley Rise E6,E7 Daines Road E6 Heath Road G3 Billericay Cricket Club A7 Darell Way F6 Heather Bank E6 Billericay Football Club B7 Davids Walk E6 Henham Close F5 Billericay Lawn Tennis Club A6 Dawson Mews D5 High Cloister D5,D6 Billericay School D7 Dedham Close E5 High Meadow E6 Billericay Sports Centre D7 Dedham Road E5 High Street C6,D6 Billericay Town Council C6 Deerbank Road E4,E5 Highland Grove D5 Blacksmith Close D2 Derby Close F2 Hillary Mount B6,C6 Bluebell Wood A4 Devereux Way C2 Hillhouse Close D3 Blunts Wall Road A7,B7 Dolphin Gardens B3 Hillhouse Drive D3,D4 Boleyn Close C2 Dorchester Road C3[10] Hillside Close D6 Bootham Close B7 Dorset Way C3 Hillside Road D6 Bootham Road B7 Doublet Mews F2 Hillway F5,F6 Brackendale F5 Dukes Farm Close E3 Holbrook Close F5 Brandon Close C2 Dukes Farm Road D3 Holley Gardens D5 Brathertons Court B5 Dukes Road E3 Holly Court C6 Break Egg Hill F5 Dunfane E2 Hollyford F2 Bridleway F2 Home Meadows C5 Brightside A3,A4,B3 Earl Mountbatten Drive B4 Horace Road E4 Brightside Close B3 Eaton Close C3 Horseshoe Close C2 Brightside Primary School B3 Eccleston Gardens C3 Hunts Mead B6,C6 Britannia Close E5 Edward Close B3 Hurlock Road D6,E6 Brompton Close C3 Elm Green G6 Brookside F2 Epsom Close F2 Ian Road B4 Brookside Close E2 Everest Rise B6 Invicta Court A4 Broome Close F2 Irvine Way C6[21] Broome Road F2 Fairfield Rise B7,C7 Buckwyns Chase C1 Fairview D7 Jacksons Lane D5,E5,E6 Buckwyns Court B3[6] Farriers Drive D2 Jacksons Mews E6[25] Bunting Lane E6 Feering Road E5 Jacqueline Gardens D3 Burghstead Close C6 Felsted Road F5 James Square G6 Burleigh Close D2 Fern Close D3 Juniper Close E3 Burns Close D5 Fernbank B6 Burntwood Close B5 Festival Gardens D5 Kelvedon Close E5[24] Bush Hall Road D3,E3 Fire Station C7 Kelvedon Road E5,E6 Buttercup Close C3[15] First Avenue B8 Kenilworth Close A6,B6 Buttsbury Infant School D3 Fletcher Court F6 Kensington Gardens C3 Buttsbury Junior School D3 Fitzroy Close C3 Kilbarry Walk F2 Forester Court B5 Kings Wood Close E5 Carlyle Gardens B3,C3 The Foxgloves B3 Knightsbridge Walk C4 Carpenter Close B4 Foxhunter Walk F2 The Knoll D3 Carson Road F3 Foxleigh C7 Cater Wood D4 Foxleigh Close C8 Laindon Road C7,C8,D8 Cavell Road E6 Frithwood Close B8 Lake Avenue C4,D4,D5 Celandine Close C3[16] Frithwood Lane B8 Lake Meadows Rec. Ground Central Avenue E2 C4,D4 Chaffinch Crescent E6,E7 Gainsborough Close D6 Lake Meadows Swimming Pool Chantry Chase D6 Ganley Close D6,E6 C4 Chantry Way D6 Gascoigne Way F6 Lakeside C4 Chapel Court D6 Gilmour Rise B6,B7 Lampern Close D2

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38 Billericay Town Guide becoming more intense as lines are learned (and The Choir for All Seasons forgotten) and the performance date looms on By Janet Rudd the horizon. Two weekends before the play, the set is designed and built. After much hard work ave you ever wondered why organisations and the occasional hammering of thumbs and have the names that they do and what unintentional body painting we have our stage Hthe significance of those names might ready and just about time for a couple of be? When my husband and I were looking for a technical/dress rehearsals before the opening choir to join the name “The Choir For All night. The performance nights are a huge Seasons” leapt off the page and got us wondering exercise in team work as the entire group plus what it was all about. This led to the phone call to friends and associates work together on stage, Michael Hewitt and the invitation to audition. behind the scenes, and in front of house. Although we’d both sung in choirs before, So why do we do it? neither of us had faced an audition since we left school, so it was somewhat nervously that we It’s a great chance to meet new people, SDG approached our first rehearsal where we were to comprises members from age 20 something to be “heard”. We needn’t have worried. Michael 80 something, from many diverse walks of life, quickly decided that we would “do” and we who come together to perform. With much joined the ranks of the second tenors and second laughter, some arguments and the occasional sopranos where we were made very welcome. luvvy fit, strong friendships are made. Let’s face it when you’re standing on stage in front of 120 Many years and many concerts down the line we people and you have no idea what your next line now know that CFAS offers a huge variety of is, it is good to be amongst friends. We also have music from well known show stoppers to social gatherings; this year’s Christmas meal was sixteenth century Italian madrigals about a great success even if it was held in February, crickets! Although we don’t do big “works” and we also take part in local community events. there is certainly something to cater for every Our human fruit machine at the Stock Village taste. Sometimes we grumble when starting to Fete is becoming legendary. learn something new and perhaps rather challenging, but there’s always a feeling of Apart from the friendship it is also a great satisfaction – and sometimes even triumph – personal challenge – to take on a new character to when we successfully complete such a piece. interact with other characters, to learn hundreds “Green Broom” springs to mind here, Michael! of lines, and deliver it all on stage and occasionally to have to think on your feet to Concerts cover many different themes, often retrieve a difficult situation. In recent years I have containing the spoken word as well as vocal and had the chance to be a gangland thug, a loveable instrumental solos, and in the case of our alcoholic, a playboy and a murderer, only some of current concert, the Mayflower Morris Men are which I’ve been able to do in real life! joining our “Invitation to the Dance”. So here I am, mouth dry, heart racing as the However, CFAS isn’t just about singing. We’ve curtain parts. Will I remember my lines, will I had many excellent social activities: walking trip over the furniture, will anyone laugh when along the banks of and rowing on the River they’re supposed to, Why AM I doing this! Two Stour, with cream tea; a boat trip from Paper hours later it’s all over and we’re stacking chairs Mill Lock, with cream tea; strawberries and and tidying up before retiring to the pub to champagne; theatre trips and Italian meals. It’s discuss and sometimes to forget the evening’s strange how food seems to feature in so many of performance. As I look around the bustling our activities. Perhaps this could be a suitable Village Hall I have a chance to reflect on the theme for another concert! evening. Why do we do this? The answer is We have a lot of fun singing music from all simple – because we love it. times and from all over the world. We’re truly a Choir For All Seasons. Come and join us.

Billericay Town Guide 39 The Studio Group The Thameside Woodturners Club “Warm colours, warm hearts” – By Roy Storey By Brian Pitcher, Secretary or me, it’s two hours of fun at “The Studio What does membership of Thameside Group.” I’m one of a collection of ancients Woodturners mean to me? who gather every Wednesday morning at F y interest in wood, the beauty and The Fold to paint – and talk! diverse colourings of the grain, the It’s not just about painting, it’s just as much Mqualities of the various soft and about friendship. The group consists of ten hardwoods and above all the almost infinite members, but for various reasons only seven or number of uses to which this wonderful eight of us manage to attend each week. material can be put started at a very young age. As only three of the members are men; it’s not After a lifetime working long hours my difficult to visualise what it’s like as soon as the woodworking was restricted to making group gets together. Silence is a rare commodity. furniture for my home, toys for my son and very Someone arrives a little late, due we are told to a extensive DIY projects. As I approached massive traffic hold up in the High Street. retirement the thought of having much more Another late comer –“Impossible to get a spot to time to develop my passion for wood into a park.” Another – “I had to go back, I couldn’t more creative hobby was very exciting. After a remember if I’d turned the oven off”. little research and with the help of a friend I was introduced to Thameside Woodturners who are based at the Fold in Billericay under the umbrella of Billericay Arts Association. On my first visit we were treated to a demonstration by an experienced turner who, in two short hours, transformed a very ordinary log of wood, which you might see alongside a log-burning stove, into a very elegant urn that would grace the most upmarket of mantelshelves. As the urn was passed from hand to hand after the finish had been applied I was truly impressed by the almost mirror-like, silky The ailments and disabilities are reported, and and very tactile finish on the wood. I was invariably the sorry state of the NHS is hooked, I would love to be able to do that and I discussed at length. was determined that I would. But painting gets done and some excellent work produced, as all are enthusiastic. Pictures are entered into several art exhibitions and some do get sold. Quite a few pictures can be seen on the walls of waiting rooms of doctors and dentists in the area and a couple of the members have had paintings accepted by leading galleries in London. We are a happy, cheerful group who all enjoy the camaraderie and we could rightly adopt a motto like – “Do it while you can, whatever it is.” As a guest on that first night many of the members approached me and offered to help me And so say I! to get started. With their help and within a remarkably short time I was able to handle the 40 Billericay Town Guide tools and perform the basics of woodturning really enjoyable morning watching two very and can still remember the first item, a natural talented demonstrators who made it all look so edged bowl that I made myself, with the help of easy. I was immediately hooked! I found that the a fellow member. I still treasure that bowl. tutors were very encouraging and explained how I could start by working from a limited pallet What I found so gratifying and comfortable and paint on a tile rather than a more expensive about Thameside was the fact that everyone at piece of china, this made it quite inexpensive for the club was (and still is) willing and very keen a beginner. I also liked the fact that if you made to share their knowledge, skills and most an absolute botch up it was easy to wipe the importantly their time to help new members plate or tile clean and try again. develop their skills. A very experienced fellow member who turned out to be an excellent coach gave me some one-to-one training in his own splendid workshop. He also advised me how to get started in my own limited workspace with very little initial outlay. Being a member of Thameside means more to me than simply watching excellent turners showing us new skills and methods. To me, my fellow members are an extended family. I look forward to each club meeting and various other club events with the pleasure of meeting and chatting to the many friends yes FRIENDS, that I have made in the ten years of my membership. Whatever questions you have, whatever tool you need to try, whatever piece of woodworking machinery you need to use and whatever help I joined the club soon after giving up full time you might need… all you have to do is ask, and employment and feel fortunate to have made someone will offer to help. many new friends, with similar interests. There are six meetings every year and the atmosphere I look upon Thameside as a meeting place for is very welcoming and friendly; even if you go on friends with a passion for wood and an interest your own, you soon find yourself chatting to in woodturning in particular. It feels like a social someone and once the demonstrations start club with woodturning as the glue that holds us most people are totally absorbed. together. It is primarily a club that is determined to advance the craft of woodturning and to Some of the other activities organised by the encourage new members to come along and join club are very enjoyable. Every year they have us and enjoy the wonderful feeling that comes three or four coach outings and manage to find from turning a “sow’s ear into a silk purse”. different places of interest and theatre visits year after year. At one of the meetings the club If you would like to come along and share an organises a speaker; over the years these have evening with us to see if you would like to join been on a wide variety of subjects, anything us please contact me. I am the current secretary. from gardening, oil painting to antiques. I have found that this has opened up other avenues of interest for me. Wild Rose China Painters Club The satisfaction you feel when you eventually By Mary S Law produce a piece that looks even marginally have been a member for approximately ten acceptable is a real joy. I do not think I will ever years. Initially I went to one of their Saturday be a great painter but I really have improved and morning meetings as a visitor and spent a I am now an expert at wiping the plate clean and I starting again. Billericay Town Guide 41 THE ARTS & CRAFTS IN BILLERICAY Code is 01277 unless otherwise stated Anderson Dance Group Wendy Anderson 633509 Billericay Art Club Patience Williams 652008 Billericay Arts Association The Fold 659286 www.baathefold.org.uk Billericay Ceramic Circle John Pumfrey 653290 Billericay Choral Society Doug Newlyn 624524 www.billericaychoral.org.uk Billericay Dancing Club (Adults) Denis Hart 654768 Billericay Dolls House Club Mrs Drewitt 650138 Billericay Floral Art Club Doreen Potter 624255 Billericay Folk Dance Club Pam 623248 Billericay Keyboard Klub Terry Cousins 622266 Billericay Miniatures Club Janet Lee 622297 Billericay Music Study Group 651740 Billericay Operatic Society Jane Martin 07751 923224 Billericay Writers Group Secretary 622679 Buttsbury Arts Society Susan Harrison 227296 www.essexinfo.net/buttsbury Buttsbury Ladies Choir Kate Gilbert 633007 Cantabile Singers (Mixed Voice Choir) Pat Heinson 623140 Choir For All Seasons Michael Hewitt 656935 Essex Dance Theatre 01245 476335 Essex Handicrafts Association Kirsten Yeates 213610 Folk at The Rising Sun Mr C Hammond 622793 Frances' School of Drama Fran Collier 621041 email: [email protected] GO Club (Oriental Board Game) Guy Footring 623305 www.goclub.footring.net Alan Rosner’s Handmade Glass Group Alan Rosner 218392 Photofold Camera Club Ray Waters 656484 Stock Drama Group Peter Baker 654267 Thameside Woodturners Brian Pitcher 651672 email:[email protected] The Studio Group Beryl Meadows 652603 Third Edge Theatre Company Tina Jeffree 01268 711212 Wild Rose China Painters Club Betty O’Shea 01702 204334 email: [email protected]

42 Billericay Town Guide Focus on Sport Q

Billericay & District Angling Club anglers. BDAC is now the largest angling club in Essex and possibly also in South East England. An insight into the Billericay and District Angling Club n 1954 a few angling buddies from the Billericay area got together as an informal Igroup to fish a small lake formed from a worked-out brick pit. This pond was situated at the rear of Station Approach in Billericay, but was later back-filled to make way for what is now the Radford Way Industrial Estate. For a short time and with no water to call their own So what is so good about being a member of the group disbanded, but came together again BDAC you may ask? Well, how else can you in 1957 to form what is now known as the share ownership and enjoy the splendour and Billericay and District Angling Club. The Club freedom of a whole variety of diverse landscapes grew as its popularity amongst local anglers in Essex. Where you can sit in solitude and increased. During the ‘swinging sixties’, peace, away from the toils and troubles of daily monthly club meetings were held, with guest life. Where you can witness the natural speakers, and coach outings to distant waters environment in all its glory. Where you can sit were enjoyed by an ever-growing band of local undisturbed on a river bank and observe anglers. Later and with the help of a local bank kingfishers, water voles and herons going about manager, loans were arranged and the Club their business, or sit by a secluded still water and obtained a lease on a small farm pond in Stock share the bankside with rabbits, badgers and the which was to become a firm favourite with its occasional deer. Local Essex anglers can enjoy all members. This was followed shortly after with these pleasures by just paying a relatively small leases on small stretches of the rivers Chelmer annual membership fee and joining the and Blackwater, also in Essex. By the late sixties Billericay and District Angling Club. the Club status and membership had grown to the extent that it was able to purchase the That’s why I enjoy membership with BDAC…. freehold of land in Southminster which and the fishing is not bad too! contained several water-filled gravel pits and Fred Barnes this was to become a key decision in the history of the Club. With one freehold site to its credit, the Club went on over the following years to Billericay Junior Badminton Club (BBC purchase and stock with new fish, two more 90) fisheries, one in Braintree and one in Asheldham. All three sites are now fully Venue: Mayflower High School Sports Hall (4 enclosed and secure, with good car parking and Courts) permanent ladies and gents flush toilets and Time: Saturday 4-6pm during school term time washing facilities. To-date the Club can boast 24 September – April well maintained fisheries to its name and a membership of close on 5000 made up of not Standard: A club for youngsters between the just individual male anglers, but ladies, ages of 11 and 16, who can already play to an children, family groups, OAPs and disabled acceptable standard and who wish to improve and have fun playing the game! Constructive Billericay Town Guide 43 advice is available from qualified coaches. have thoroughly enjoyed playing for Billericay Separate coaching classes are available at the for the last 15 years or so, and will continue to school. enjoy for many years to come. Format: At each meeting a competitive The club currently has 6 teams playing on a tournament is organised with pairings arranged Saturday, 5 of which play league cricket, the 6th to encourage the younger/weaker players. Entry team play friendlies. There is also a Sunday into external tournaments is encouraged. league team. The club is always looking for new members to join, who are always made very Contacts: Julie Wigston (secretary) 01277 welcome, no matter what level of ability or age. 840673 / [email protected] Michael Cole (coach) 01277 840485. For any information on Billericay Cricket Club go to our website www.billericaycricket1875.co.uk Gary & Stuart Hynes. Billericay Cricket Club e as brothers joined the Club in 1994. At the time the club occupied a lovely Billericay Lawn Wground near Billericay station. Tennis Club Immediately we were made very welcome and My Club enjoyed training on a wonderful ground by friendly and very experienced coaches. That year joined Billericay was the final year at that ground before Tennis Club in 1962. Billericay moved to its current home at the Toby IAt that time we Howe Ground, Blunts Wall Road. When the played on 3 courts in ground was built it was as impressive as it is Mountnessing Road, with the Cricket Club as now, after 13 years. With a large pavilion, indoor our neighbours. I quickly became involved in nets with two lanes, outdoor nets with 3 lanes, committee work and over the years served as wonderful bar area and two superb pitches, it is Secretary, Junior Coaching Officer, Ladies’ quite frankly the best cricketing facility that any Captain, Social Secretary and Club Captain. I club could hope to boast. have also sat on many sub-committees involved in the future development of the club. We started playing cricket initially because we Following the death of our President, Stan wanted to emulate professional cricketers we Hodges, I became the first lady to be elected to watched on the TV as youngsters. Over the that office in 1994. years, through much success in winning leagues and cups in colt’s cricket, through to representing the 1st team currently, and winning the Division 3 league to gain promotion, we feel we have achieved much, even if we never made it to be professional cricketers ourselves. However, aside from the enjoyment of playing cricket itself, there is of course the social side to playing the game. Recent tours to Barbados, Ireland and Australia were brilliant, and enjoyed by all. Everyone who plays for Billericay C.C. will say that they take as much pleasure from socialising in the bar after the Billericay has had a tennis club from about 1930 game and on tour, as they do from playing the but it was in 1949 that the Western Road tennis game itself. The friendships you gain and banter club held its first AGM. During those early years, you enjoy are as valuable to club cricket as the club played on 2 grass courts in the garden of success and achievement on the field itself. We a house in Western Road on the corner of

44 Billericay Town Guide Chestnut Avenue and on a hard court in the In November the Striders organise a 10 km road garden of Fred Hodges’ house in St. Mary’s race which attracts over 700 runners making it Avenue. The club moved to Mountnessing Road the biggest participative sporting event in in 1955. With the influx of people into the town Billericay. in the early 1960’s, the club began to grow and Billericay Striders now run a friendly Junior membership soon stood at over 100. In 1968 the Section for all abilities for eleven to seventeen club took the ambitious move to install year olds. The Junior Section also meets at floodlighting on one of its courts. Over the years Hannakins Farm but only on Tuesday. Junior more work took place until finally the club had 3 runners range from county standard to those hard courts and 2 artificial grass courts (all who run to keep fit. This summer the club had floodlit) and a new clubhouse. four juniors selected for the Essex County Track In 1994 a local developer offered to re-locate the Championships and last winter our club to Blunts Wall Road and the members Intermediate Girls finished fifth in the Essex readily agreed to this proposal. However, it was Cross Country Championships. Juniors are 3 years before the club finally moved into its encouraged to enter local fun runs as these are new premises on the 14th June 1997. Now, we suitable for all abilities but this is not have 10 floodlit courts, beautiful grounds and a compulsory. membership (including Juniors) of around 500. Our Head Coach oversees the other coaches and devises the children’s coaching activities. The club has meant a great deal to me over the past years – I feel privileged to have been part of teaching many youngsters to play tennis and to have been part of a committee which has never been afraid of making decisions which will benefit the club in the future. Despite all the advances, the club still maintains the friendly atmosphere it had back in the early days. Why not visit our website at www.billericayltc.co.uk The Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday at and see what the club has to offer? 7.00 pm at Hannakins Farm Community Centre and Sunday at 8.30 am at Lake Meadows. Eileen Booth – President, Billericay LTC. The Junior Section meets every Tuesday at 7.00 pm and training lasts one hour. Billericay Striders Running Club Although there is a small annual fee we do not he Striders” were formed in 1986 and normally ask for this for the first few weeks. have maintained an active There is no weekly fee. “Tmembership of well over 100 ever For more information log on to the Billericay since. The Club brings together runners of all Striders website at www.billericaystriders.com standards, those who regularly compete in cross or contact: Ian Grant 01277 652855. country and road races, those who run to keep fit and others running purely for enjoyment. There is also a social side to the Striders with Essex Roads Cycling Club various fund-raising events throughout the year raising money for a local charity. ssex Roads Cycling Club is a reputable, friendly and diverse local bicycle group Several members of the club are qualified catering to most varieties of bicycling. It coaches who plan special weekly sessions for E offers its traditional weekly Evening-10 Time- runners who wish to improve their speed and Trial (each rider racing 10 miles against the endurance.

Billericay Town Guide 45 clock) as well as Sunday morning group rides with all the Club offers. Come along and see for through Essex’s country lanes. The Club’s riders yourself! compete at various levels and events including Matt: Having joined this cycling club in my fifties circuit races at Hog Hill and Dunton, road races about a year ago, I’ve found that it has opened up a lot and hill climbs. There is also a dedicated of opportunities. Spurred on by support at Essex Roads mountain bike section which meets many CC I’ve taken part in several types of cycle events, both Saturdays around Billericay, Basildon and competitive events and fun charity rides. I’m always sometimes as far away as Scotland. looking forward to my next event! It’s been an excellent way to improve and maintain year-round fitness because, under the guidance of our qualified coach, training goes on after the summer season finishes, with evening indoor turbo-trainer sessions and weekend training rides. Experienced Club members are always ready to help with technical bike queries and offer advice on riding technique and the like. The spirit and support amongst all our members at all events are a real inspiration! For more information on Essex Roads Cycling Here’s what two recently-joined Club members Club, please visit www.essexroads.com . say about the Club:

Isabel: I joined the Club after signing up to ride from Hannakins Farm Community Centre Amsterdam to London for charity. I hadn’t ridden for 20 years so I bought a bike, searched the internet and his amenity is located in a 7 acre rural site was pleased to find this friendly and active cycling club to the north west of Billericay and based in Billericay. Taccessed from Rosebay Avenue. It took about three years to develop and was opened in I attended my first Club ride on a Sunday. The Novice 1989 providing local residents of the newly ride stays with the slowest rider – so I was sure to be the developed residential Queens Park area of pace-setter! We rode the quiet roads to Hylands Park Billericay with a community centre, play area for tea and cakes, where we met other cycle groups. and a major sports complex. Group cycling felt so much safer and sociable than riding alone. Having ridden 27 miles, I was rearing to The site is owned by Basildon District Council go out the next weekend too! (BDC) and leased on a commercial basis to the West Billericay Community Association (WBCA), I’ve since been riding regularly with the Club. Outside an organisation made up of 800 members and the Club, I completed Amsterdam-London, and also managed by a committee of eight trustees. did various 100-mile rides throughout Essex and beyond. My speed and distance continually improve. The WBCA is a registered charity and operates I’ve done Club time-trials too and found a competitive modern facilities consisting of a community streak! centre which houses two function halls, kitchen, licensed bar, pool room, committee rooms, Last summer I got involved with our Go-Ride scheme fenced play area and changing rooms with for children. Graham, our coach, arranges Go-Ride showers. The centre is used for a variety of training sessions and I assist as Club Welfare officer. activities including badminton, short mat The kids regularly beat me in the skills tests! bowls, martial arts, diet and fitness clubs, dance I’m chuffed I found this club full of friendly and classes, pilates, meetings, bridge club, music supportive people. There’s always someone to ride with concerts, toddler groups, yoga, boxing and which keeps you motivated; you discover the quieter wrestling, a youth club and an after local roads and you are always encouraged to join in school/holiday club.

46 Billericay Town Guide The function rooms are available for hire for of one camping weekend every month we weddings, parties, concerts and meetings. manage to keep in touch with the membership even better than before. The club still retains its Outside there is a cricket pitch with pavilion, six friendly nature and attaches no stigma to any football pitches, four tennis courts and a make of motorcycle, nationality, sex or age children’s play area. In recent years an astro turf group. All we ask is that members ride their surface was laid which allows a good surface bikes and come along to weekends with the sole year round for football, hockey, American purpose of enjoying themselves in a responsible football, softball and other sports. manner. We have always tried to promote the There is free parking for approximately 100 good things about motorcycling, the enjoyment, vehicles. freedom and comradeship of a way of life. There are a number of organisations who have We participate in international gatherings all based their activities here and it also provides a over Europe and have had members visit, by friendly place for the younger people to go and motorcycle, every one of the European countries to meet up. The management makes every effort including Russia! We regularly participate in to include all types of people and assist in Rallies of the Federation Internationale raising funds for needy causes. Motocycliste (F.I.M.), the governing body of For more information please contact our motorcycle sport and leisure, that have been friendly staff on 01277 630851 or visit our held recently in Sweden, the Czech Republic and website www.hannakinsfarm.com Estonia. For 2009 the event was held in Croatia and a large party of club members attended enabling us to win the largest club turnout Mayflower Motor Cycle Club overall, that’s beating all of the clubs from all of the countries in attendance. For 2010 the Rally he Club was formed in September of will be held in Belgium and a party is already 1973 in the back room of the Dukes Head planning the short hop across the channel. We TPublic House, Laindon Common Road, also have a small number of members going to Billericay, Essex, by a group of motorcycle riding the FIM Motocamp in Switzerland this year. For friends that used to meet at various pubs and 2011 the FIM Motocamp is being held in Great cafes in the area. After a short while the club Britain and a large number of members are outgrew the room at the Dukes Head (over 50 already planning to assist in the organisation. people in a room no bigger than 30’ x 20’) and moved to a clubhouse at Billericay Town We organise a full social calendar with an Football Club in Blunts Wall Road, Billericay. average of one camping weekend every month in We stayed there for a number of years and had different parts of the country. A pre-requisite of several very successful Rallies at the Clubhouse a Mayflower camping weekend is a real ale pub (much to the bemusement of the Football with good food, overnight access to toilets Club!) then moved to the De Beauvoir Arms (especially for our lady riders) and preferably a (locally know as the Beavers), Downham and reasonably flat and spacious camping area. We then to the Nags Head, Ramsden Heath, before like to try to camp in interesting parts of the ending up, as still a local club, at the Coach and country where members can enjoy a decent ride Horses, Chapel Street, Billericay. The club had a to get there and have somewhere to look around change of direction about this time and decided whilst they are there. These weekends are that as our membership was spread out around usually attended by an average of 40% of our the country (and had been for some time) and membership (currently standing at 182) which only an average of eight people were turning up reflects the enthusiasm of our members. Most for clubnights (whereas over 45 members were of our membership also take part in Rallies up attending camping weekends) we had better and down the country which happen nearly change to a National Club. The club does not every weekend. Our ‘Rallymans Trophy’ and now have a clubhouse but as we have an average ‘Rallywomans Trophy’ are awarded to the

Billericay Town Guide 47 members who have attended the most Rallies in Yushikai Karate Academy the calender year; last year it was won by a ushikai Karate Academy’s full-time centre member who had attended over 35 Rallies. We is based at Radford Crescent in Billericay also organise our own Force Ten Rally in (behind APEX House) and is the training January and Pilgrims Rally in August that are Y place of over 300 students from all over Essex. attended every year by large numbers of riders from all over Britain and the continent of We teach Shotokan Karate to boys and girls (4 Europe. years +) as well as adults of all abilities. Beginners are always very welcome, so please If you have found some of this of interest don’t hesitate to contact us or visit and there is anything you would like more www.yushikai.co.uk for further information. We information about, please contact Paula are a friendly club and will make every effort to Fidge our Club Secretary at make you or your child feel welcome. [email protected]. Alternatively you can telephone Paula on 01749-830398. We are affiliated to the Japan Karate Association and offer regular courses and examinations with Graham Butler, Chairman top Japanese Sensei, Ohta Yoshinobu (6th Dan).

BILLERICAY SPORTS FACILITIES Below are some of the sporting organisations available in Billericay, their location, and the contact name and telephone number to obtain details. Code is 01277 unless stated otherwise. AEROBICS Aerobics at Hannakins Hannakins Farm Community Centre 630851 Billericay Sport & Fitness Centre Billericay School Sarah Avery 655545 BADMINTON Billericay Junior Badminton Club Mayflower High School Michael Cole 840485 Billericay Sport & Fitness Centre Billericay School 655545 Buttsbury Badminton Club Billericay School Gerald Southgate 655392 Badminton at Hannakins Hannakins Farm 630851 Mayflower Badminton Club Hannakins Farm Paul Farrow 625126 BASKETBALL Billericay Sport & Fitness Centre Billericay School 655545 BOWLING Billericay Bowling Club Lake Meadows Rex Hobbs 632018 Bowling (General Public) Lake Meadows 622271 Short Mat Bowls Hannakins Farm Brian Rogers 658068 CRICKET Billericay Cricket Club Blunts Wall Road Stewart Rutland 655202 CYCLING Essex Roads email: [email protected] FOOTBALL AND FOOTBALL COACHING Hannakins Farm Football Club Hannakins Farm Mike Hogg 633324 Billericay Town Football Club Blunts Wall Road 652188 Perry Street Football Club Dave Hilton 632603 Billericay Town Colts Football Club Rear of Dukes Head PH Adrian Tyerman 01268 711610 Intersports Football Club/Coaching Lake Meadows Ray Towey 652029 Billericay Sport & Fitness Centre and Coaching Billericay School 655545 GOLF Stock Brook Country Club Queens Park Avenue 653616 GYMNASIUM Billericay Sport & Fitness Centre Billericay School 655545

48 Billericay Town Guide MINI GOLF AND PUTTING Basildon District Council Lake Meadows 622271 JUDO Sakura Kwai Judo Club Buttsbury Infants School Kim Shane 01268 479117 JU-JITSU Billericay Sport & Fitness Centre Billericay School 655545 KARATE Billericay Sport & Fitness Centre Billericay School 655545 Yushikai Karate Academy Radford Way Dave Paulus 07879 625648 KEEP FIT Agila Health Club 21 Bebbington Close Mrs C Day 630777 Keep Fit Association Billericay Area Kim Buckfield 654531 LA Fitness Radford Way 633633 MOTOR CYCLE Mayflower Motor Cycle Club [email protected] Paula Fidge 01749 830398 PILATES Pilates at Hannakins Hannakins Farm 630851 RUGBY Billericay Rugby Football Club Willowbrook Sports & Social Club Neil Jarvis 622528 RUNNING Billericay Striders Hannakins Farm Ian Grant 652855 SNOOKER Eddies Radford Way 630180 STREET DANCING Billericay Sport & Fitness Centre Billericay School 655545 SWIMMING / SUB-AQUA Billericay Friday Swimmers (adults) Mayflower High School Marianne Grant 652855 Ann Ellis 840821 Billericay Sport & Fitness Centre Billericay School 655545 Billericay Sub-Aqua Club Mayflower School Jenny Greenwood 654879 Billericay Swimming Pool Lake Meadows 657111 Wickford Disabled Swimming Club (Dippers) Beryl Featherstone 655303 TABLE TENNIS Billericay Table Tennis Club Ramsden Heath Village Hall John Parodi 658123 Billericay Sports Table Tennis Club All St Parish Church Hall Crays Hill Mr A Fox 657710 Buttsbury Youth Table Tennis Club Buttsbury Jnr School George Gaze 840940 TAI CHI Taoist Tai Chi Centre For details of local groups 01206 576167 TEN PIN BOWLING Eddies Radford Way 630180 TENNIS Basildon District Council Lake Meadows 622271 Billericay Lawn Tennis Club Blunts Wall Road Les Cambridge 653368 Graeme Lister 222095 Tennis at Hannakins Hannakins Farm 630851 WALKING Ramblers’ Association – Basildon Greenway Group Geoff Forward 654626 YOGA Raja Yoga (BK WSU) Mr K Thein 622120 Yoga at the Fold Laindon Road Ms J M Bader 01268 270490

Billericay Town Guide 49 Focus on History Q

The main building materials were wooden posts with wattle and daub infill for walls and straw roofing. Any evidence of round houses, except for maybe posthole pits, will have disappeared along with the local Celtic tribe known as the Trinovantes. With the arrival of the Romans and their greater building skills, evidence of habitation that is more tangible exists of their occupation of Billericay. Excavations at Billericay Secondary School during 1987/8 revealed traces of Late The Timber-Framed Development of Iron Age, c 200 BC, and Romano-British, 43 AD the town of Billericay to 300 AD, occupation. By David Bremner The military based Romans occupied the high ground. The farming orientated Saxons, 500 to here is ample evidence for accepting the 800 AD, preferred to make use of the flatter continuous existence of the occupation lands around Billericay, so little building of the area known as “Billericay”, Essex, T development took place in Billericay during this since the Stone Age. There are enough physical Saxon period. This farming area was known as artefacts and archaeological evidence to indicate “Burghstede”, a Saxon name for a fortified that there were people occupying the hill now place. known as Billericay, since before pre-history. Billericay is one of the few lofty prominences, Building of Billericay being over 300 feet high, in the otherwise flat Billericay is an ancient “ribbon” town on a main landscape of the East Saxons or Essex. Such a north-south road, the B1007, just north of its site is an obvious place to choose for getting a intersection with an east-west road, the A129. good vantage point from which to view the surrounding land. The right to hold a market in the Manor of Great Burstead was granted in 1253 and to the Archaeological Evidence town of Billericay in 1476. A flint hand axe thought to be Mesolithic or Buildings constructed in the 1300s, especially Stone Age, 10,500 to 5,500 BC, has been found churches, used combinations of flint, Roman in Norsey Wood. The main ride or pathway in tiles, septaria and pudding stone to build their Norsey Wood is claimed to have existed since walls and wood for their towers due to the lack the Iron Age c700 BC, when it would have been of natural stone quarries in Essex. The main used as a track to transport timber. natural building resource in Essex is wood. At this time, the people were hunter-gatherers. The Chantry Chapel, in the High Street was As the hunter-gatherers became farmers during originally built in 1342 AD, and was then called the Bronze Age, c 1750 to 750 BC, they needed St Johns. It was subordinate to Great Burstead, to cut down trees to make farmlands, fields and or Burstead Magna, this farming area having pastures. Farming encouraged the existence of been more developed due to the use of the land more permanent settlements. Bronze Age burial for agriculture. During this period, only a few tumuli still exist in Norsey Woods. farmhouses were built on the Billericay hillside.

50 Billericay Town Guide Timber - framed buildings weatherboard houses. The three weatherboard timber framed cottages at the junction of Large timber framed houses were being built in Norsey Road and Stock Road appear on the Billericay from the 1400s. In timber framed Petre Estate maps of 1593. buildings the framing members [posts, beams, studs, plates, trusses and rafters] are held together by being jointed to one another. The When Billericay provided a home to joints would be either mortice and tenons or lap families of paupers joints; both could be secured with dowel pegs. Timber framed buildings are engineered By Peter Owen structures that were prefabricated in the sense was Christmas Day in the Workhouse... that all joints had to be cut and the individual This slightly bawdy old rhyme over which parts for the defined frames fitted together, on children used to snigger in those long the ground, before they were erected and any T gone days of innocence were all that most building of the house could start. people knew of the existence of these The construction framework of the building institutions. itself would consist of the floor-frame. This determined the size and style of the house, together with the sidewall frames. The cross- wall frames determined how the inside of the house was partitioned and the roof frame supported the straw or tiles that made the roof covering. The journeyman carpenters and builders treated the erection of the building as bringing together these series of structural frames. Various types of infill could be used to fill the gaps between However, one elderly Billericay lady whose life the beams, such as wattle and daub, laths and extended briefly into this century remembered plaster, stone or brick. Some of the timbers used just what it was like. Mary Needham could recall in building some of the earlier houses in the highs and lows of the people who fate had Billericay, it is claimed, are from timbers ordained would spend time there, victims of obtained from unwanted ships, laid up on the poverty, “saved” by the good works of a river Thames. These ships were being broken up charitable minded society. after the Napoleonic wars. A typical ship-of-the- Miss Needham was born in Billericay Union line could need wood from up to 4,000 trees to Workhouse, not one of the “victims” but the build it. daughter of the last Workhouse Master. Her The Chantry house, where the local priest lived twilight years were spent looking out from her opposite to the church, occupied 57 to 61 High Holly Gardens flat across Norsey Road to the Street. This is a typical example of a timber- new “hospital estate” built on land where Walter framed house that is still standing. Numbers 12, Needham saw to it that the male inmates or 38, 40, 42, 44 High Street and numbers 1 & 3 overnight tramps earned their bed and breakfast Chapel Street are more fine examples of timber- by working in the gardens, feeding pigs or framed buildings. corralling the geese. The style of timber-framed houses could be The original workhouse building is now extended from the basic single range to have converted into luxury flats and almost the only either one or two cross-wings added to the ends reminder of the Needham days is the street of the basic range structure. Examples of these named by the developers of the new estate. types of houses can still be seen in the High There is just one more clue to another age, the Street. The town also has examples of stained glass window of a single storey Billericay Town Guide 51 apartment. It had been converted from the old once-proud housewives found solace in their workhouse chapel where on a December day in laundry work. the late 1990s Mary Needham sat in one of the There was Purkiss, the man whose nightly oaths original pews for a final carol service run by St rounded up the geese. “He taught me to swear” Andrew’s Hospital nurses. She whispered said the genteel Mary Needham who also quietly to a companion “I can still ‘see’ the recalled graphic tales told her by another women and children filing in to the pews on the inmate, an old soldier from the Crimean War. one side and the men on the other. It is as if it were yesterday.” Nightly visitors, the tramps who had walked from Chelmsford or Orsett workhouses, queued The workhouse was built for £11,000 in 1840 on at 5pm for an inspection by Mary’s mother 11 acres to serve 26 parishes from Benfleet to before being allocated bread, margarine, cocoa Brentwood, run by a Board of Guardians and a and a straw mattress. Next morning they did an house committee. It replaced the Billericay hour’s work in the gardens before leaving for the poorhouse in Sun Street where people lived an next stop on their lonely way. Oliver Twist type of existence. It is thought to have been there since 1719 when parish records Gradually in the new century, the role of the show that £50 was borrowed to build the house. workhouse faded as the importance of the hospital increased. Only the architecture In 1897 a hospital, forerunner of the much remained, plus poverty for some. The 1914-18 admired St Andrew’s, was built adjoining the war had not quite left the intended legacy of “a workhouse building. Its 44 beds served most of land fit for heroes to live in.” Many of those south Essex with patients brought in by horse heroes, particularly those who were victims of drawn ambulance, “a large green box on the depression found succour in the last vestiges wheels”. An adjoining small sanatorium housed of the charities that first bred the workhouse TB patients in two rooms open to the elements ideal. but with blinds that could be pulled to keep out rain and snow. By the dawn of the second world war, the Billericay Union Workhouse had been The workhouse, the last resort of paupers, may consigned to history. The buildings now have provided a roof over the heads of around converted into rather grand apartments bear 200 people who had fallen on hard times, but only faint clues to its challenging past. for many it meant the end of family life. A man taken ill and unable to pay the rent of his cottage in one of the 26 parishes would be Memories of Billericay – The Old Police forced to go to the workhouse hospital. His wife Station would go to the women’s quarters and the children to another part of the building, in By Sylvia Kent many cases never again to be reunited as a om Candler, born in 1920, has enough family. memories of Billericay to fill a huge book. A wretched life for many, but Walter Needham T“Because Dad was in the Essex and his second wife, Elizabeth, Mary’s mother, Constabulary, at my school I was saddled with and their staff of 20 saw to it that Billericay the nickname ‘Sergeant’ but that didn’t stop my workhouse was like no other. “The workhouse headmaster, Mr ‘Tiggy’ White, giving me a with the human touch” Miss Needham told whack with his cane whenever I misbehaved,” Essex Countryside in an interview. Staff and Tom chuckled. “I went to the Great Burstead inmates shared a common pride in the School, renamed Quilters. Among many manicured shrubs and gardens at the front and interesting characters in the town then were in the smallholding behind. The inmates Freddie Boughtwood, Percy Podd and Freddie brought their own skills, a former ship’s Eales, whose home at 74 High Street is now the carpenter kept the buildings maintained and Cater Museum.”

52 Billericay Town Guide “My family lived upstairs in the specially-built people drove those, like Dr Wells and the police house, alongside the Police Station – now Reverend Smith’s wife.” Connells Estate agents – and we stayed there When the last occupants of the redundant until Dad relocated to Brentwood Station in police station moved out, the developers cast 1932 but I have clear recollections of Billericay their beady eyes on the site, but after being in my childhood. The police station then was at boarded up for years, it emerged rebuilt from its 94 High Street,” said Tom. scaffolding as Brasserie Gérard, the smart Italian restaurant, opened by the then MP Teresa Gorman and retired police sergeant, Vic Tombs who unveiled a plaque recognising the building’s importance as the first police station in Essex. Although he has yet to pay a visit to the former police station, Tom knows that on one of the north walls in Brasserie Gérard are photographs of his family including his father, Sergeant Albert Candler alongside himself as a child. Coffee-drinkers can now see these for themselves and read about one of Billericay’s famous families.

N Shelley’s illericay High Street’s oldest retailer and one of the oldest surviving family-run Bfashion outlets in the South East, N Tom Candler Shelley is celebrating 85 years of service this year. This old building was built in 1830s for £800 and served as the Market House, before seeing The shop was founded by Norah Shelley in 1924, life as the new police station in 1862 after the in a tiny front room, selling wools and cells and courtrooms had been added. Part of it haberdashery. A trained milliner and seamstress became the local grammar school with meeting Norah was a pioneer of her era, single-handedly rooms above. Years later the building became running her own business. As ready to wear the Magistrates’ court and then Council fashions replaced made to measure she embraced Chamber for the Billericay Urban District modern retailing concepts. Very much a family Council. Even after the purpose-built police run business her niece, Elizabeth Riddleston, station was opened in 1938 on the corner of joined straight from school in the early 60’s and London Road and High Street, many locals still developed and extended the fashion and referred to 94 High Street (with its three seaxes accessories; sourcing international brands. on the façade) as ‘the old police station.’ During Elizabeth ran the shop with her husband John the war, the top floor and police house were until 1990 when she sadly died of cancer. Today used for Civil Defence and the ground floor her daughter, Sarah, is continuing the family became the Registrar’s office. tradition as third generation of this award- “It’s incredible to remember what the High winning business. Street was like in the 1920s,” remembers Tom, The original “front room” has been greatly “There was no need for traffic lights – certainly extended over the years to now incorporate two not for the delivery and farmcarts and horses, shops and two floors of over 300 sq.m. selling plus the occasional motorcar. Only well-off Billericay Town Guide 53 space whilst uniquely retaining the charm of the Clock and Watchmaker Grade II listed building. Andrew Hawkins – Proprietor of the Clock and Watchmaker shop at 74b High Street, Billericay from 1978 to 2002 gives a short history of his career in this historic building... lockmakers have been in the Hawkins family for a very long time. I went to Cschool in Colchester but learned the trade from my Father and Uncle. For thirty years I had the privilege of working as a watch and clock repair man at 74b High Street, Billericay – a Tudor building with a very low doorway and a Georgian bow fronted window. The shop was originally used by the Eales family, Saddlers and Harness Makers – you can still see the large iron ring attached to a beam in the ceiling from which saddles were hung for repair. My faithful dog, Thomas, a Hungarian Vizsler, would lay by the Tudor fireplace and watch me as I worked. Most of my happy memories at the shop concern the many larger-than-life characters who bought their timepieces or jewellery to me for valuation or repair. As a keen member of the Billericay Archaeological Society, I was even asked to identify a washing-up bowl full of bronze artefacts, discovered by a local with a metal detector. Over the thirty years that I worked in the shop I Norah Shelley saw customers’ needs gradually change. No more did watch and clock mainsprings need Together with her team of 16 staff Sarah is replacing or winding mechanisms cleaned. A proud of evolving the business whilst still revolution in technology meant the maintaining the traditional values of great introduction of new Quartz and Digital clocks customer service and appeal to a broad and watches. Of course, it now is often cheaper customer age profile. Impressive recent to buy a new watch than to change a battery! So, achievements include Essex Countywide it is with sadness that I relinquished the lease in Business Awards for Excellent Customer Service 2002 and there will no longer be a watchmaker and national awards by Drapers for in the Hawkins family. Independent Womenswear Retailer in 2001 and Sales Assistant of the Year for Abi Cashman in 2005. A commitment to support local and Immigration, Scottish Style cancer charities has also raised over £20,000 in the last ten years. By John James With an impressive list of fashion brands and ost Billericay folk are either immigrants the ability to offer a top-to-toe service N.Shelley, themselves or the children of parents or as one of the country’s leading independents, is Mgrandparents born elsewhere, with the set to remain a landmark of Billericay High eastern part of London being the most frequent Street for many years to come. origin, but in the 1880s, Lord Petre, Lord of the

54 Billericay Town Guide Manor and owner of many farms around in less favourable locations, Lord Petre advertised Billericay, together with other local landowners in Scotland, where poverty in rural areas was rife sparked off their own wave of migration into due to land shortages. He, and other land owners Essex. Nineteenth century agriculture around the in Essex were successful in attracting many town, and throughout Essex, had been farmers from the lowlands where dairy farming, dominated by the production of cereals, a type of an alternative open to but spurned by native crop enjoying, in the first part of the century, Essex farmers, was a way of life, despite the long protection from competition from overseas by hours, hard work and general messiness. the Corn Laws. Prosperity generated by the Great Blunts, a farm of around 270 acres in success of the British manufacturing industry Buttsbury, to the west of Stock Road, attracted created growing demands for food and led to the Scotsman Robert Nisbet who arrived in 1886. repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846, but by The farmhouse, a listed building with 16/17th increasing their productivity British farmers were century origins, is still standing, but the still able to compete with imported food, until majority of the land has been sold off, now the final quarter of the century. Then, a period of accommodating Stockbrook Manor Golf bad weather and poor harvests combined with Course, Queens Park Avenue, Queens Park intensified competition in the form of low-priced Country Park and the Arundel Heights imports from the prairies of North America, residential area. Robert’s granddaughter Peggy, rendered local farmers unable to meet their costs tells how Robert travelled from Scotland to despite lowered rents. Farmers left the land in Ingatestone station by special train together droves. Some owners sold out at knock down with his wife Maggie, their children, domestic prices, creating a market in cheap land for and agricultural workers, household goods, development, much of it broken up into small farming equipment and livestock, walking the plots resulting in the creation of “plotlands”. final three miles to Great Blunts. Unable to find local replacements for lost tenants

Half a Century at the Cater Museum On 7th May 1960 the Cater Museum opened its doors to the people of Billericay for the first time. The official opening ceremony followed a garden party at “the Old Shambles”, 133 High Street. Mrs Alice May Cater established the Museum in honour of her late husband, local antiquarian William Alexander Cater. Today the museum hosts a variety of special exhibitions and provides resources for local schools and historians. 74 High Street, Tel: 01277 622023

Billericay Town Guide 55 Focus on Education Q

Code is 01277 unless stated otherwise. School Websites Tel. No. Primary Schools Brightside Primary, Brightside www.brightsideprimary.com 655995 Buttsbury Infants, Perry Street www.buttsbury-inf.essex.sch.uk 622821 Buttsbury Junior School, Norsey View Drive www.buttsbury-jun.essex.sch.uk 623217 Quilters Infants, Laindon Road www.quiltersinfantschool.ik.org 624773 Quilters Junior, Laindon Road www.quilters-jun.essex.sch.uk 652339 Sunnymede Infants, Mons Avenue www.sunnymede-inf.ik.org 624592 Sunnymede Junior, Meadow Way www.sunnymede-jun.ik.org 651364 Comprehensive Schools Billericay School, School Road www.billericay.essex.sch.uk 655191 Mayflower High School, Stock Rd. www.mayflowerhigh.essex.sch.uk 623171 Private School St. John’s, Stock Road www.stjohnsschool.net 623070 Out of School Clubs Children All Together (CAT), Buttsbury Infant School, Perry Street 656563 Hannakids After School Club, Hannakins Farm Community Centre 630851 Pre-Schools and Playgroups Billericay Catholic Pre-School, The Pastoral Centre, Laindon Rd. 07980 411925 Billericay Methodist Pre-School, Western Road bmchurch.org/westernroad/children.htm 624533 Buttsbury Pre-School, Buttsbury Infant School, Perry Street 631816 Gooseberry Green Pre-School, Brightside Primary School, Brightside 07979 288310 Noahs Ark Pre-School, Mill Hill Drive 650046 St. John’s Playgroup, St. John’s Centre, Outwood Common Rd. 07766 957478 Step by Step Pre-School, Baptist Church, Perry Street 654473 Sunnymede Pre-School, in the grounds of Sunnymede Infants School sunnymedepreschool.co.uk 654879 Further details about any of the pre-schools can be obtained by ringing: - Pre-school Learning Alliance Resource Centre 01245 438563 Essex Family Information Service www.essexcc.gov.uk 01245 440400 Private Nurseries Abacus Day Nursery, Mayflower High School, Stock Rd. 634747 Carousel Day Nursery, 32 Thynne Rd. 632362 Goldcrest Day Nursery, Mons Avenue 632428 Harlequin Montessori Nursery, School Rd. www.harlequinmontessorinursery.co.uk/about.htm 633223 Oakdin Montessori Kindergarten, 67 Perry Street 633055 Dizzy Ducks, Perry Street www.dizzyducks.co.uk 650318 Dizzy Ducks, Mayflower High School www.dizzyducks.co.uk 633555

56 Billericay Town Guide Jump Ahead Pre-School, Scout Hut, Laindon Road 01268 712930 Toddler Groups Baptist Church, Perry Street 653629 First Steps, Mayflower Hall, Chapel Street 655879 Hannakins Farm Community Centre – Mother & Toddler Group 630851 Methodist Church, Western Rd. Monday Group 651821 Methodist Church, Western Rd. Tuesday Group 01268 710238 Queens Park Community Church Little Sparrows 625176 or 651155 St. John’s, Outwood Common Road Amanda 630866 Sunnymede Sunshine Club, Mother & Toddler 654879 Essex County Council carries out annual inspections of pre-schools, playgroups etc. Details of these inspections can be found on the website: www.essexcc.gov.uk Adult Education Centres Basildon Adult Community College 01268 520599 Mid Essex Adult Community College (Bishops Hill) 01277 218593 Chelmsford Adult Community College 01245 263013

Primary Extended Services in Billericay Education in nder an initiative first published in June Billericay 2005, the government set out a vision Town Uthat every school should be an ‘Extended he town of School’. All the schools in Billericay have been Billericay is able to meet the set criteria since September Tserved by one primary school – Brightside 2006. and 3 sets of infant and junior schools – Buttsbury in the north, Quilters close to the High Street & Sunnymede to the south east of the town. There is also a private co-educational school catering for 3-16 year olds and many play groups etc. as shown below. The primary schools have a history of working collaboratively with the two secondary schools – Mayflower & Billericay, as well as the other schools in the neighbouring parishes: Downham, Stock & South Green. The 15 schools within these areas collectively make up Billericay Education Community (BEC). Music Festival BEC supports a wide range of initiatives which Every school offers their pupils a wide range of include Student Voice, Master Classes for gifted activities before and after school. During the and talented students and music festivals for school holiday period private companies offer both Infant and Junior pupils. opportunities for holiday activities as well as Billericay is a great place for education, with some school run activities. many families choosing to move to the town to Childcare is offered by a combination of on-site access this wonderful resource. Billericay Town Guide 57 facilities, after school clubs and childminders. All our students are encouraged to develop their talents whatever they may be; our very extensive Where a pupil needs extra support each school extra-curricular programme provides a diverse will have appropriate procedures to draw down choice of clubs and learning opportunities, that support. Also working as a group of schools including music, drama, games (eg chess) public they have been able to pool resources and access speaking, Duke of Edinburgh Awards and study funding to commission extra services in the support courses. In sport we enjoy great success town for the benefit of the young people. in district and Essex competitions, with many of Family Learning takes place in the town, some our students winning trophies in both team and funded by Essex County Council and some individual sports. The school also organises comes from the extra funding accessed by the numerous visits, exchanges and overseas trips group of schools. Billericay Parents Forum which give students the opportunity to widen offers invaluable support to schools and parents their horizons to experience active learning and by delivering courses that help parents in their cultural and social activities. knowledge around issues in raising children. We actively encourage our students to take an All schools in the town open their doors to local interest in society both at a local and national organisations and clubs. level: they are involved in charity work, fund- Every school in Billericay is an Extended School. raising, as representatives on the Billericay If you want to know more about Extended Youth Town Council and they take part in many Schools or the schools in Billericay contact events and competitions. We also have an active Heather Stuart, Extended Services Co-ordinator school council. on 07884328894 We believe in a well-ordered school environment and have high expectations of our students. Our system for support and guidance is based on The Billericay School Houses; this ensures that every individual is well he Billericay School is proud to offer the supported and has access to advice and children of Billericay the best quality in guidance in a caring environment. All students educational opportunity from the ages of are allocated a tutor who remains with them T throughout their school life, and helps and 11 to 18. Our examination results are well above the national average and recent Ofsted guides them to reach their full potential. inspections of the school concluded that the The school’s principal aims are to ensure the school “works outstandingly well in partnership academic success of its students, by providing with others to promote learners’ well-being”. We them with excellent teaching, and to provide are a specialist college for Mathematics and every child with the environment and Computing which means we are able to provide opportunity to thrive, achieve, excel and enjoy. modern IT facilities across all subject areas. The Billericay School boasts a large Sixth Form with a wide choice of subjects at A Level. The Mayflower High School majority of our students go on to Higher or ayflowerHigh school is a secondary Further Education. community comprehensive school for We work in close collaboration with all our local Mstudents aged 11 to 18 years and has Primary feeder schools to ensure a smooth been serving north Billericay for over 44 years. transition to secondary school where each The school takes its name from the historical child’s individual needs can be considered. connection between the town of Billericay and Primary children often visit our school to take the Pilgrim Fathers. Mayflower is also a part in extension activities and enrichment days designated specialist Science, Mathematics, and and our resources are made available to primary Modern Foreign Languages school. An ongoing pupils and the local community. building and refurbishment programme has

58 Billericay Town Guide created modern, purpose built accommodation for nearly 1500 students. The school has a wide range of facilities including, modern Science laboratories, Technology, Business, Art & Drama and Mathematics suites, all with computer networked and wireless technology. There is also superb sports accommodation, including an indoor swimming pool, sports hall, gymnasium, and large landscaped playing fields. Students are also encouraged to participate in The school is organised into three separate the extensive range of extra-curricular and schools, which consist of the Lower School extension activities, including trips and visits, (Years 7 & 8), the Upper School (Years 9, 10 & that are organised for every Year group. The 11) and the Senior School (Years 12 & 13). school regularly visits several European Students follow the National Curriculum destinations for sporting and cultural alongside extension and enrichment subjects, exchanges and has links with schools in China, under the philosophy of a personalised learning Australia, Africa, and the USA. approach to ensure each student is achieving at an appropriate level and that they are supported Mayflower prides itself on its high standards in in their development. In the sixth form a range all aspects of school life and a community that of over 30 subjects are taught, with the majority operates under the understanding of ‘Respect of students going on to higher education at and Courtesy’ for all. Visitors to the school are university. The new sixth form centre is the always welcome. latest addition to our building programme.

Focus on Halls & Meeting Places Q

Halls and Meeting Places for Hire in Billericay Below are some of the Halls and Meeting Places available for hire. Code is 01277 unless otherwise stated. Billericay Reading Rooms R.T. Marson 624016 Canon Roche Social Centre Steve Haigh 632786 The Coach House, Crown Yard Helen Philpott 625732 Emmanuel Church Hall, Laindon Road 632120 The Day Centre, Chantry Way 01268 294433 Hannakins Farm Community Centre 630851 Mayflower Hall, Chapel Street Dianne Lough 655879 St. Mary Magdalen Church Angela Clarke 624778 Rose Hall, Chapel Street B.R.J. Hughes 624505 St. John’s Church Centre Jackie Bentley 655144 Queens Park Community Church Kate Venables 650608

Billericay Town Guide 59 Focus on Facilities in Billericay Q

Billericay Library bring the library service to you. our local library is in Billericay High It’s free to join – just ask at the library and get a Street and is open 7 days a week – please library ticket straight away so you can borrow Yphone to check our opening times. from the library or use the computers. You can of course borrow books, including Contact us on 01277 624624, by fax: 01277 654905 those in large print or in other languages, but or by e-mail: [email protected] you can also borrow music, films, books on Essex Libraries are open 24 hours a day via our tape, or language courses for a fee. website – check the library catalogue, or renew things You can use the free internet service, or use a you’ve borrowed on www.essexcc.gov.uk/libraries computer for typing or to produce spreadsheets Answers Direct – our enquiry helpline – gives you or databases. Learn how to use a computer or direct access to the information you need on the internet by booking a coaching session with 01245 438438 or [email protected] a member of staff, or we run self learning LearnDirect courses. Billericay library has lots of fun, free activities Health Services for children including our twice weekly baby HS services in the Billericay area are and toddler sessions where we share stories and bought by NHS South West Essex (the rhymes every Wednesday and Friday (except PCT) on your behalf. Independent summer holiday). There is a monthly Daddy N contractors including GPs, pharmacists, Cool session where dads, uncles, brothers and optometrists and dentists provide these local any male carers (although mums can come too!) health services and the quality and performance are invited to come along to the library on a is monitored by the PCT. Saturday morning to share books and sing rhymes with their little ones. Billericay Earlier this year the NHS South West Essex children’s centre run fortnightly arts and craft commenced a review and public consultation of sessions for children on a Thursday morning in health services in our town which is currently the library. Every half term at the library sees ongoing. It includes all GP surgeries, the Health free children’s events which has included pirates Centre, Dental Services, the St. Andrews Centre and princesses, dinosaurs and Captain and the Billericay Community Hospital. The Underpants! The six week summer holiday is review of healthcare facilities is needed to see the time to take the Summer Reading what improvements can be made to these Challenge! Call library staff for details of all of services and to understand what healthcare our children’s services. services the population will need in the future. The results of the consultation will contribute For adults there are two reading groups which to the development of a ten year Health and meet in the library – one which meets to discuss Wellbeing strategy for Billericay. books on tape. And we have author events, especially during the Book Festival in March. General Practices Come to the library for information, help with Oakdin Surgery, Laindon Road your homework, to send a fax; or to see the Western Road Practice, Western Road gallery exhibitions and community displays. For customers who are housebound, volunteers can Chapel Street Surgery, Chapel St

60 Billericay Town Guide The Surgery, Stock Road Clinico Dental Care, High Street Billericay Health Centre, Stock Road O’Neill, Chapel Street Queens Park Surgery, Queens Park Avenue South Green Surgery, Grange Road Some of these practices provide NHS dental services to children or to children and adults. If you need to see a doctor you need to be Services for children are free. Adults claiming registered with a general practice. There are certain benefits are also entitled to free services seven practices providing general medical but will have to show evidence of the benefits services for residents in Billericay. Each one they receive. covers a defined catchment area. New patients may be asked to provide their NHS medical card Eye Services are also available from practices in or confirmation of their address. Visitors can be the High Street and at Queen’s Park. Your local seen as a temporary patient if they are entitled optometrist can advise whether you qualify for to NHS services but some overseas visitors may financial support in paying for services. need to be seen as a private patient and pay a fee. Other community health services are provided Pharmacies from the Billericay Health Centre, Stock Road. Services provided here include antenatal, On the High Street – Lloyds, Boots the Chemist postnatal, baby clinics, dietetics, speech & and Shadforth language, chiropody, community dental and Queens Park – Your Local Boots psychiatric support. St Andrew’s Centre, next to Stock Road – Shadforth the Health Centre, provides the base for physiotherapy services. There are also blood If you have an NHS prescription your local testing and x-ray facilities. pharmacy will dispense the prescribed medication. You can also see your pharmacist Mayflower Community Hospital, Blunts Wall for confidential advice on health related issues Road, provides both day and in-patient services. and get advice on medications that can be The hospital provides intermediate care beds for bought over the counter without the need to see patients who require rehabilitation. your GP. This is known as self care – in some Hospital care is provided nearby at Basildon cases they may give extra advice about where to University Hospital. seek more help from other health and social care For further details visit www.nhs.uk or if you services. Pharmacy teams help promote healthy require further advice on specific services living and can give support on giving up available in the Billericay area you can contact smoking, for example. Some also offer services the Patient Advice and Liaison Service at NHS such as blood pressure monitoring and South West Essex on 0800 587 9159. cholesterol testing although there may be a fee for the service. Pharmacists will also accept unwanted medicines for safe disposal. Dental Practices Billericay Dental Care, Crown Yard Ms Cope, Stock Road Bed and Breakfast Accommodation The Dental Practice, Queens Park Avenue For a list of Bed and Breakfast properties, Mr Lee, Stock Road motels and travel inns within a short drive McCarthy & Murphy, High Street of Billericay, please contact the Town Council on 01277 625732 or e-mail the St Andrews Dental Practice, Stock Road [email protected]

Billericay Town Guide 61 Focus on Places of Interest in and around Billericay Q

ANTIQUES & CRAFT CENTRES CHURCHES Baddow Antiques Centre, Church Street, Brentwood Cathedral, Ingrave Road, Great Baddow. – One of the leading antiques Brentwood – The new (1991) Roman Catholic centres in Essex. 20 dealers offering a wide classically-styled cathedral church of St. Mary selection of antiques - furniture, silver, and St. Helen incorporates the original porcelain, glass, paintings and collectables. 300 Victorian church. Designed by distinguished Victorian brass and iron bedsteads on show. Classical architect Quinlan Terry with roundels Restoration workshops. Café. Tel: 01245 by Raphael Maklouf (who was also responsible 476159. Web: www.baddowantiques.co.uk for the relief of the Queen’ s head on current coins). Tel 01277 265235 Web: www.cathedral- Moulsham Mill, Parkway, Chelmsford – brentwood.co.uk Early 18th century water mill housing a variety of workshops and small businesses. Crafts Chelmsford Cathedral, New Street, include jewellery, pottery, flowers, lace-making, Chelmsford – 15th century building on the site dolls houses decoupage and bears. Picnic area of a church built 800 years ago. Christianity was nearby. Hairdresser on premises. Café. Tel: introduced to Essex by the Romans and again by 01245 608200. Web: www.moulshammill.co.uk St. Cedd (AD 654). Worship has continued ever since and in 1914 the diocese of Chelmsford was Barleylands Craft Village & Farm Centre, created. Notable for the unity of its perpendicular Barleylands Road, Billericay – Interesting architecture. Memorial windows to USAAF based craft centre comprising of craft studios and in Essex. Music Festival in May. Shop. Tel: 01245 glass blowers shop, tea-rooms/restaurant ideal 420100. Web: www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk for cream teas and lunches. Free car parking. Facilities for people with disabilities. St. Mary Magdalene, Great Burstead – – – – School/Lecture room available (seating for 60). Farm shop open all year and PYO in season. Café. Tel: 01268 290226. Web: www.barleylands.co.uk Battlesbridge Antiques Centre – Five period buildings, housing over 80 dealers. Established in 1967. Displaying in 5 complexes of over 30,000 sq ft. Buying and selling antiques and collectables of all descriptions. Tel: 01268 575000 Web: www.battlesbridge.com CANAL CRUISES Chelmer Cruises, Paper Mill Lock, Little Baddow – Cruising along the Chelmer and Blackwater Canal provides a unique view of rural Essex. The barge Victoria is available for hire by groups (max. 48). Individual trips on Bank Hol. weekends only. Bar facilities. Meals by prior arrangement. Tel: 01245 225520. Web: www.papermilllock.co.uk The notable wall paintings discovered in 1989 date from 1320. Those now restored depict 62 Billericay Town Guide scenes such as the Annunciation, the Nativity, in the gardens. Tel: 01245 606930. Web: the Adoration of the Magi, the Resurrections www.chelmsford.gov.uk/hylands and the Weighing of Souls. Christopher Martin Danbury Country Park, Woodhill Road, of the Mayflower was churchwarden here – a Danbury, Chelmsford – Part of old park, plaque commemorates the 375th anniversary of woodland, lake and ornamental gardens. Coach its sailing. Tel: 01277 624035. Web: parties by prior arrangement. Guide available by www.greatburstead-church.co.uk appointment. Parking. Good wheelchair access. PARKS Fishing. Tel: 01245 222350. Thorndon Country Park, The Avenue, Maldon Promenade Park – The recently Brentwood – Old parkland, lakes and woods. revamped Promenade Park provides plenty to Thorndon North Countryside Centre has an occupy younger members of the family with exhibition and gift shop. A powered scooter is various play activities including model boating available (book in advance). Thorndon South lake, galleon ship and water splash area. Pavilion includes a small gallery, seating area Walking form the Promenade Park you come to and refreshments. Guided events programme Hythe Quay which is home to a number of runs throughout the year. Parking charge. Thames Sailing Barges, some of which are used Refreshments, gift shop, wildlife exhibition, for boat trips or chartering. mobility buggy. Tel: 01277 211250. Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane, Weald Country Park, South Weald, Pitsea – Over 120 acres of parkland, bounded Brentwood – A former estate with medieval on three sides by water. Operated by Basildon deer park, partially landscaped in the 18th District Council with emphasis on century. Lake and woodland. Visitor Centre, conservation and natural history. Features landscapes exhibition, gift shop. Fishing and include the Motorboat Museum, historic horse-riding. Parking charge. Guide by prior buildings and miniature railway. Other arrangement. Mobility buggy available for facilities include residential centre, education disabled (book in advance). Guided Events & centre and craft workshops. School groups Activities Programmes throughout the year. welcome – education staff available. Guided Gift shop, exhibition. Tel: 01277 261343. Web: tours by arrangement. Café. Tel: 01268 550088. www.wealdcountrypark.org.uk Web: www.wattylercountrypark.org.uk Hylands House & Estate, Writtle, near Hadleigh Castle Country Park, Hadleigh – Chelmsford – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Fields and woodland overlooking the Thames estuary. Remains of castle close by, accessible by footpath. Access via Chapel Lane. Parking fee £1.10 on Suns and Bank Hols in Summer. Guided events programme running throughout the year. Information room. Tel: 01702 551072. Langdon Hills Country Park, One Tree Hill, Westley Heights, Basildon – Hilly landscape of wood and farmland. Wide variety of wildlife. Panoramic views over south Essex. Guide available by appointment. Coach parties by prior arrangement with Rangers. Guided events programme running throughout the year. Free Over 500 acres of beautiful parkland including parking. Information room. Tel: 01268 542066. lawns and formal gardens. Host to the national Web: www.thurrock.gov.uk/countryside/ award winning ‘Chelmsford Spectacular’ and langdonhills/ ‘V’ Festivals. Hylands House was restored in 1998. A summer events programme takes place

Billericay Town Guide 63 Queens Park Country Park, Rosebay Avenue, Barnards Farm Gardens, West Horndon – Billericay – 60 acres of former amenity The 17 hectares of gardens at Barnards Farm parkland, now managed to enhance the area for range from landscaped walks through young wildlife. Free parking. Tel: 01277 624553 or woodland to the precise detail of the Japanese 01268 550088 (Countryside Services) garden. The more formal gardens including a parterre, herbaceous borders, a living wall and Lake Meadows Park, Radford Crescent, the vegetable garden are found nearer the house. Billericay – 40 Acres of Parklands, Fishing lake, A walk through the managed landscape will Six-rink Bowling Green, Golf, Novelty Golf, take in the long avenue, a stream, ponds, and Cricket Pitches, Children’s Playground, Sport the Euro wood. A striking feature in the SW Pavilion, Tennis Court (Hard Surface), corner is the belvedere, planted largely with Swimming Pool, Formal Gardens, Parking, roses providing a blaze of colour in summer. Tel: Cafeteria (open Apr to Oct) Tel: 01277 622271 01277 811262 Web: www.barnardsfarm.eu SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT VENUES Danbury & Lingwood Commons, Danbury, Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, nr. Chelmsford – These two large commons are Brentwood – One of the top entertainment the highest point of the gravel ridge between venues in the UK, which hosts an extensive Maldon and Chelmsford. There is evidence of programme of events, from concerts, shows and Napoleonic defences and old reservoirs. Circular bands to top names from the world of comedy. nature trails. Tel: 01284 747500. Sporting and fitness facilities for individuals Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve, and the whole family. Special activities planned Hawkswood Road, Downham – – – – – – – for everyone from children to senior citizens. Pools, sports hall, fitness centre, health suite, sunbeds. Jacuzzi, sauna and steam, squash courts. Café. Tel: Box Office 01277 262616. Web: www.brentwood-centre.co.uk Riverside Ice & Leisure, Victoria Road Chelmsford – Leisure Centre comprising ice rink, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, sports hall, fitness centre, children’s indoor adventure playground, restaurant and bar. Café. Tel: 01245 615050. Tumbletown, Miles Gray Road, Basildon – Tumbletown is the soft play centre to visit The nature reserve offers some beautiful walks in Basildon, Essex. Offering fantastic through the woodland, taking in bird hides, ponds entertainment from babies to big kids. Tel: and views across the reservoir. The reservoir itself is 01268 288211 Web: www.tumble-town.co.uk a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the important numbers of wildfowl that use the GARDENS AND NATURE RESERVES reservoir in the autumn and winter, including Royal Horticultural Society’ s Garden, Hyde Gadwell, Tufted Duck and Pochard. Grid ref: TQ Hall, Rettendon – An attractively landscaped 725 971 Tel: 01268 711001. Web: hill-top garden of 8 acres with fine views, http://www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres_nature woodland garden, spring bulbs, rose garden, _reserves/hanningfield_reservoir/ ornamental ponds with lilies and fish, Blakes Wood, Little Baddow, nr. Chelmsford herbaceous borders and national collections of – A site of Special Scientific Interest, this Malus and Viburnum. Plant centre. Café. Tel: ancient woodland of hornbeam and sweet 01245 400256. Web: www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/ chestnut is renowned for bluebells. Grid Ref. TL gardens/hydehall/ 775068. There is a circular way-marked walk of 1.5 miles. All walks/visits are self-guided. 64 Billericay Town Guide Norsey Wood Local Nature Reserve, anti-aircraft gun of 1943. Tape tours, inclusive Outwood Common Road, Billericay – of entrance charge, exhibitions. Tel: 01375 Traditionally coppiced ancient woodland 858489. steeped in history: it was here that 500 men led Rayleigh Mount, Rayleigh – This prominent by Wat Tyler were massacred by King Richard’s landmark was a Motte and Bailey castle built in soldiers during the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. the 11th century and abandoned two hundred Easy access trail of about half a mile. Wheelchair years later. available. Guided walks can be booked by interested groups (max 30). Information centre. Maeldune Heritage Centre, Plume Building, Car park free at Grid Ref. TQ 690956. Tel: 01277 Maldon – This historic building houses a 42 624553. Web: www.norseywood.org.uk foot Maldon embroidery which celebrates the 1000th anniversary of the Battle of Maldon as Mill Meadows Nature Reserve, Billericay – well as art exhibitions. Tel: 01621 851628. Web: 90-acre Local Nature Reserve and one of the www.itsaboutmaldon.co.uk/maeldunecentre/ finest ancient meadow systems in Essex. index.shtml Centuries of grazing have created the ideal conditions for a wonderful diversity of wild Moot Hall, Maldon – 15th Century brick flowers, fungi, insects and invertebrates, building with an interesting spiral staircase, many of which are rare. It contains an area of 18th century panelled room, Court Room, 16.63 acres (6.73 ha) declared as a Site of remains of old gaol and panoramic views of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its Maldon and surrounding area from the roof: unimproved neutral grassland. Web: Open for tours on Saturday 14.00-15.30 Mar- www.millmeadows.org.uk Oct or by arrangement. Tel: 01621 857373. HISTORIC SITES Ingatestone Hall, Hall Lane, Ingatestone – Hadleigh Castle, Hadleigh – Ruins of castle built for Edward III and immortalised by John Constable. The curtain walls and two towers, which survive almost to their full height, overlook the Essex marshes and the Thames estuary. Tilbury Fort, Fort Road, Tilbury – – – – – –

The largest and best preserved example of 17th century military engineering in England, commanding the River Thames and showing the development of forts over the following 200 16th Century mansion in eleven acres of years. Near to site of Queen Elizabeth’ s famous grounds. Built by Sir William Petre, secretary pre-Armada address. Opportunity to fire a 3.7 of state to four Monarchs, whose family continue to reside here. Contains family Billericay Town Guide 65 portraits, furniture and memorabilia Tel: 01621 841826 Email: [email protected] accumulated over the centuries. Guided tours Web: www.geocities.com/cmsmuseum/ for groups between Easter and the end of Maldon District Museum, Mill Road, September outside opening hours by Maldon (entrance to the Promenade Park) – arrangement only. Guided tours by prior arrangement only. Shop. Café. Tel: 01277 353010. Web : www.ingatestonehall.com Northey Island, Maldon – Owned by the National Trust, said to be a base for the Viking army in 991AD, is accessed via a causeway when the tide is low. Prior permission to gain access is needed so contact The Warden 01621 853142. Plume Library, Maldon – One of the oldest private reference libraries in the Country This local museum has exhibits showing local containing around 8,000 volumes history, for opening times and additional accumulated by Dr Plume 1630-1704. Web: information Tel: 01621 842688. Web: www.itsaboutmaldon.co.uk/plume/index.shtml www.maldonmuseum.org.uk MUSEUMS Motorboat Museum, Wat Tyler Country Brentwood Museum, Lorne Road, Park, Basildon – Throughout the twentieth Brentwood – Small, picturesque, cottage century, some of the world’ s fastest and most museum concentrating on local and social revolutionary motorboats were designed and interests during late 19th and early 20th built in Britain. The best of these extraordinary centuries. Set in an attractive disused cemetery, machines are preserved at the Museum. itself of unique interest. Car parking available Comprehensive library and research facilities on site. Tel: 01277 224012. free of charge by arrangement. Tel: 01268 550077. Web: www.motorboatmuseum.org.uk Chelmsford & Essex and Essex Regiment Museums, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford – Museum of Power, Steam Pumping Station, Local and social history from prehistory to Langford – On the B1019 north west of the present day; Essex Regiment history; fine and town of Maldon. Set in 7 acres an old decorative arts (ceramics, costume, glass); coins; waterworks pumping station with steam engine natural history (geology, animals, live beehive). and pumps. Exhibits cover all areas of power Exhibitions, “craft window”, events. Set in park from batteries upwards. Many special events with children’ s play area. Tennis courts. Shop. held throughout the year including train rides Tel: 01245 605700. on the miniature railway. Tel. 01621 843183 Web: www.museumofpower.org.uk Cater Museum Trust, 74 High Street, Billericay – Folk Museum of bygones, mid- Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker – Victorian sitting room and bedroom. Billericay at war 1939/45. Tel: 01277 622023. Web: www.catermuseum.co.uk Combined Military Museum, Station Road, Heybridge, Maldon – Houses thousands of artefacts dating from the middle ages to the present day, including a number of items of national importance – including the only surviving MK2’ Cockle Canoe. Also to be seen is probably the best spy collection on public Come and witness the three lives of the bunker display, including ‘James Bond’ type gadgetry. starting with its role as an RAF ROTOR Station, 66 Billericay Town Guide then a brief period as a civil defence centre farm animals and play safely in our adventure through to its most recent life as a Regional play areas. There is also a Country Park, which Government HQ. Designed for up to 600 boasts excellent coastal walks and superb military and civilian personnel, possibly even views of the River Crouch. Tel: 01245 321552. the Prime Minister, their collective task being to Web: www.marshfarmcountrypark.co.uk organise the survival of the population in the Tropical Wings World of Wildlife, South awful aftermath of a nuclear war. Tel: 01277 Woodham Ferrers – Fabulous wildlife park set 364883 Web: www.secretnuclearbunker.com in acres of attractive grounds and features one ANIMAL CENTRES of the largest butterfly houses in the country. There are many different species of birds, insects Old MacDonald’ s Educational Farm Park, and animals, and we pride ourselves on South Weald – Specialising in British farm encouraging interaction whenever possible. Tel: livestock: 9 breeds of pig, 23 breeds of sheep, 6 01245 329259 Web: www.tropicalwings.co.uk breeds of cattle, 30 breeds of poultry and 30 breeds of rabbit. Shire horses, owls, deer and lots WINDMILLS more. We now have the largest selection of farm Rayleigh Windmill, Bellingham Lane, animals and birds in Essex. Guided tours by Rayleigh – Built around 1798, the tower mill appointment. Gift shop, adventure park, houses an interesting collection of bygones classroom. Souvenirs. Café. Tel: 01277 375177. mostly used in and around Rayleigh. Close to Web: www.omdfarm.co.uk Rayleigh Mount. Tel: 01268 774897. Essex Horse & Pony Protection Society, Stock Windmill, Mill Lane, Stock – Early 19th Pitsea, Basildon – 60 acre site which is home to century tower mill on five floors, with excellent some 70 rescued animals. The society runs a 24 late 19th century machinery. Restored to hour emergency call out service 365 days of the working order. Subject to wind, guided groups year. No charge is made for this service but may be able to see sails turning. Guide and donations are always welcome. Open to public souvenir book available on open days. Tel: Sundays only. Tel: 01268 584603. Web: 01245 437663. www.ehpps.org.uk Mountnessing Windmill, Roman Road, Barleylands Craft Village & Farm Centre, Mountnessing – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Barleylands Road, Billericay – Children of all ages can meet and feed our friendly farm animals, ride the mini tractors around the farm and let off steam in the adventure play area. Come along and visit Sam the ferret, cuddle a rabbit in the bunny barn and see if the ducks and geese are visiting our pond. Free car parking. Facilities for people with disabilities. Café. Tel: 01268 290226. Web: www.barleylands.co.uk Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, Little Farm, Buttsbury Road, Near Ingatestone – An animal sanctuary and working with and for animals, also pro active in encouraging, helping and working with people – including children, A traditional weatherboarded post mill, built in the disabled, and the elderly. Tel: 01277 356191. 1807 and restored to its original working Web: www.remussanctuary.org condition in 1983. See the huge wood and iron gears, with one pair of stones opened up for Marsh Farm Country Park, South viewing. Subject to wind, guided groups may be Woodham Ferrers – Marsh Farm is a able to see sails turning. Tel: 01245 437663. working farm where children can get close to

Billericay Town Guide 67 Focus on Religion in Billericay Q

Churches Together in Billericay (CTB) In difficult times we often ask ourselves deeper questions about our lives. All our members are hristians have often been criticised for available to provide friendship and practical being anything but “together”. CTB has support. If you need help or would like to talk to 11 member congregations and 5 C someone get in touch! associates across the denominations. For more than 20 years we have worked together and For more information about Churches Together sought to contribute to your local community. in Billericay and links to member churches visit To express our unity around 500 people join in www.billericaychurchestogether.org celebrating events through the year; a united service in the week of prayer for Christian unity; the Good Friday walk of witness; Praise in the Park in Lake Meadows in the summer; participation in the Billericay Fun Day; and a marquee at the Barleylands Steam Fair in September. CTB also co-ordinates the Schools’ Ministry in Billericay, giving spiritual support, teaching and nurture in our town’s schools. St. Mary Magdalen

PLACES OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP Code is 01277 unless stated otherwise. Church of England, Christ Church, Perry Street Office : 630144 Emmanuel, Laindon Road Office : 632120 St.John’s Church, Outwood Common : 656266 The Most Holy Redeemer RC Church, Laindon Road : 624891 St.Mary Magdalen, High Street Angela Clarke : 624778 Sunnymede Chapel, Thynne Road :224561 Billericay Spiritualist Centre, 16, West Park Crescent Sandy Wilkinson : 623382 Baptist Church, Perry Street Office : 654316 Methodist Church, Western Road Rev. Judith Maizel-Long : 623085 Queen’s Park Community Church Rev. Judith Maizel-Long : 623085 Seventh Day Adventist Church, North Drive Mrs Brenda Hill : 651070 United Reformed Church, Chapel Street Ken Woods : 657114 Billericay Evangelical Free Church, Chapel Street Stan Portch : 625350 Society of Friends, Southend Road Liz Holdstock : 654197 Jehovah’s Witnesses, Kingdom Hall, North Drive, Hutton L J Lea : 622384 Dial a Bible Message Ministry : 654455

68 Billericay Town Guide Focus on Billericay Policing Q

Billericay Police Billericay also has a dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) which is made up of a illericay Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant, together with a number of police would like to thank all residents of officers known as Neighbourhood Specialist Billericay for their assistance with regard B Officers (NSO) and working alongside them are to policing issues which has enabled us to a team of Police Community Support Officers provide appropriate levels of service in all (PCSO). The Team, which covers both Billericay aspects of policing and not just that of and Wickford stations, is managed by the enforcement. This includes the assistance of Neighbourhood Inspector, who is Susan residents on a number of Neighbourhood Heaton. These officers work closely with you, Action Panels (NAP), where the agenda and the community. local priorities are set by the residents in respect of quality of life issues that are of concern; these The Billericay and Wickford section has seen an concerns are duly dealt with together with our increase in detections and a reduction in partner agencies and residents. reported crime and there has also been a reduction in Antisocial Behaviour. Billericay emergency response policing has been for sometime covered by officers stationed at The National Policing Pledge, unveiled by the Billericay on a 24/7 basis. These officers respond Home Secretary, has now been introduced. This to emergency 999 calls and other calls that pledge sets out guidance which assists require immediate attendance and action. We engagement with the community. There are ten also share responsibility for providing this 24/7 key points to this pledge, which deal with cover with our neighbours at Wickford. keeping the public updated in respect of Billericay Town Guide 69 customer satisfaction and being able to identify We are administered by a Support Group and contact the dedicated officers. It also deals (Committee) and have a direct telephone line, with providing a fair service for residents and a independent of the Police Switchboard, which high visibility presence of officers. To find out acts as an answer machine when the office is not more details of this please visit our website at manned. We produce a Newsletter (usually www.essex.police.uk and simply type in your monthly), and we would welcome more new postcode on the front page. This will direct you members. If you are not aware of a Watch in to the details of your local NSO and what is your road or area please contact us, and we will happening in your area, together with other endeavour to start one, or put you in touch with useful information and details of the pledge and your nearest co-ordinator. contact telephone numbers of your local Membership is entirely free, but we are indebted Neighbourhood Policing Team. to Essex Police for our Office accommodation To contact us please use our Policing Team and equipment, to Crystal Print and Colt Mobile (07969 365610) for non-emergency or Security Systems Ltd for sponsorship of our incident related matters or to contact the main Newsletter, and also to Billericay Lions for our switchboard use 0300 333 4444. Direct Telephone Line. Sergeant Andy Shaw (former Neighbourhood Policing Contact us at Billericay Police Station, High Team Sergeant). Sergeant Andy Shaw has now been Street, Billericay CM12 9AB. replaced by Sergeant Catherine Henderson. Telephone (Direct Line) 01277 633090.

Billericay Neighbourhood Watch Schemes he Neighbourhood Watch office is Every effort is made to ensure that Tbased in the Police information is correct, however Billericay Station, and although an Town Council will accept no responsibility independent voluntary for any errors, omissions or spelling organisation, we work in mistakes. close co-operation with Essex Police. We have approximately 150 Watches in the town covering some 4700 properties. The area covered is now the same as the Billericay Neighbourhood Policing Section, including Billericay East, West and Burstead Wards, together with the new Crouch Ward which incorporates Noak Bridge and Steeple View, Crays Hill and Ramsden Bellhouse. Quality Printers Since 1928 We hold regular Public Meetings for our co- ordinators and Members at Billericay Town FC, S.J.Bedwell & Sons (Printers) Ltd Blunts Wall Road on the second Wednesday of Radford Crescent · Billericay February, April, June, August, October and Essex · CM12 0DU December at 8pm, where we invite guest Tel: 01277 634444 speakers to talk on matters of crime and related subjects of interest. These meetings are also Fax: 01702 634433 attended by our local police personnel, duties email: [email protected] permitting. 70 Billericay Town Guide USEFUL CONTACTS Billericay code (01277) unless otherwise shown Billericay Town Council Town Clerk, Helen Philpott 625732 email: [email protected] Basildon District Council Chief Executive, Bala Mahendran 01268 533333 Essex County Council General Enquiries 01245 430430 or 0845 7430430 Essex County Council County Cllr Kay Twitchen 07769 962966 email: [email protected] County Cllr Anthony Hedley 626198 email: [email protected] Essex Police 0300 333 4444 Member of Parliament (Con) John Baron 01268 520765 Euro MP Richard Howitt 01223 240202 Billericay District Residents Ass. Maureen Dann 626147 Billericay Health Centre Stock Road 658071 Citizens’ Advice Bureau Burghstead Lodge, High Street 651858 Job Centre 01268 365400 Register of Births and Deaths Burghstead Lodge, High Street 233565 The Library Burghstead Lodge, High Street 624624 Traveline 0871 2002233 Trading Standards General Enquiries 01245 341800 Wickford & Billericay St. John Ambulance James Wood 0794 8532052 First Aid Cover at local events Email: [email protected] 0794 8532052 Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Service www.bbwcvs.org.uk 01268 294124 Essex Disabled Peoples Assoc. Email: [email protected] 08444121771 Hamelin Trust Email: [email protected] 653889 Homestart 263325 National Blood Service www.blood.co.uk 08457 711711 Norsey Wood Information Centre www.norseywood.org.uk 624553 Parents Forum www.billericayparents.com 633910 St. Luke’s Hospice 01268 524973 HELPLINES Alcoholics Anonymous 01245 256147 Childline (freephone) 0800 1111 DIAL Disability Helpline 01268 294400/1 Hearing Help Essex 01245 348440 Relate, Marriage Guidance 0845 2709401 The Samaritans 01268 412000 or 0845 7909090 Victim Support 0845 4565995

Billericay Town Guide 71