RETTENDON & BATTLESBRIDGE NEWSLETTER Financed and reviewed by Rettendon Parish Council, Printed by IMAGES, Runwell Road, Wickford 01268 761900 Prepared & distributed by over 25 volunteers within the parish. December and January issue number 361. Please also note the views contained within are offered by individuals/organisations privately and not in conjunction with, but will be reviewed and may be edited by, the Rettendon Parish Council All contributions for next Newsletter to be with [email protected], by 20th January 2018
Battlesbridge and Rettendon Events To publicise your event in this diary, please send a note to the compiler giving: event, date, time, venue, organisation and/or charity benefitting. EVENT DATE / DAY TIME VENUE ORGANISATION Start of Advent / Christingle Sunday, 3rd December 11am / 11:15am Battlesbridge Free Church / All Saints Church, Rettendon Parish Meeting Tuesday, 12th December 7:30pm Memorial Village Hall Parish Residents Service of 9 Lessons Sunday, 10th December 11am Battlesbridge Free Church Pre-school Christmas Show Wednesday, 13th Decem’r 11:30am Memorial Village Hall Pre-school Carol Service Sunday 17th December 11:15am All Saints Church, Rettendon Nativity (am) – A Drama (pm) Sunday, 17th December 11am / 6:30pm Battlesbridge Free Church Young People Parish Council Meeting Tuesday, 19th December 7 for 7:30pm Battlesbridge Free Church Parish Council All Saints - Joint Service Sunday 24th December 10:30am St Nicholas Church, Rawreth Note time and place!!! Members Choice Sunday, 24th December 11am Battlesbridge Free Church Midnight (Candlelit) Service Sunday, 24th December 11:30PM Battlesbridge Free Church / All Saints Church, Rettendon Christmas Day / Communion Monday, 25th December 11am / 11:15am Battlesbridge Free Church / All Saints Church, Rettendon Service led by Mr. Wilf Tyler Sunday, 31st December 11am Battlesbridge Free Church All Saints - Joint Service Sunday 31st December 10:30am Barling Magna Church Note time and place!!! Committee Meeting Tuesday, 16th January 7:30pm Rettendon Memorial Hall Rettendon Horticultural Soc. Sunday Services Sundays 11am / 11:15am Battlesbridge Free Church / All Saints Church, Rettendon Pre-school Monday - Thursday Mornings Rettendon Memorial Hall Pre-school Bowls Mondays / Thursdays 7 - 10pm/ 2 – 4pm Rettendon Memorial Village Hall Parish Council Meeting Last Tuesday in Month 7 for 7:30pm Rettendon Memorial Hall Parish Council Knit and Natter 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 1:30 – 3:30pm Rettendon Memorial Village Hall Art group / Youth Group Wednesdays 2pm / 6:30pm Battlesbridge Free Church Jive Wednesdays 8pm – 10pm Rettendon Memorial Hall Jive Group Community Choir Fridays 7pm Battlesbridge Free Church Community Choir Country and Western 1st Saturday in month 8pm – 10pm Rettendon Memorial Hall Country & Western Society DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Committee Meeting Tuesday, 20th February 7:30pm Rettendon Memorial Hall Rettendon Horticultural Society MOBILE LIBRARY NOTE: Annual Christmas break between 25th December 2017 and 6th January 2018 Salforal Close / Meadow Road Wednesdays 16:05 – 16:25 / 16:30 – 16:45 6th & 20th December, 3rd, 17th & 31st January Goose Cottages Friday 14:00 – 14:30 1st & 15th December, 12th & 26th January Chalk Street Thursday 13:50 – 14:05 30th November, 14th December, 11th & 25th January MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE
WITHDRAWAL OF BUS SERVICES 1 and 3 PARISH MEETING to be held at Rettendon Memorial Hall, Regal have announced that Bus Service 1 will end on 22nd Tuesday, December 12th at 7:30pm December 2017 and Bus Service 3 on 23rd December 2017. County Councillor Ian Grundy says that an impact assessment This meeting is open to any member of the parish of is underway. Can I please encourage everyone who is going to Rettendon who are welcome to attend and discuss parish suffer from the withdrawal of these services to contact Essex issues, in particular matters arising from the Bell Fields. County Council as soon as possible. The agenda for the meeting is available to view on the By post: Travel Information Team, Highways, Seax House, various notice boards around the Parish. County Hall, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH. Parishioners can bring up any other issues that they feel By telephone: 0345 603 7631 By email: needs to be discussed but these need to be written down [email protected] before the meeting and communicated to the meeting < mailto:[email protected] > o r chairman. It is necessary for the parishioners to be present [email protected] for discussion of their issue to take place. If anyone would like a sample letter please contact: Barbara Wright, as a non-parishioner, has agreed to be the Denise Fleming - 07834 863570 or collator of the issues to be raised and can be contacted on [email protected] 01245 321554 or by email [email protected]).
THE VILLAGE QUIZ - Report of 17th Nov. KNIT & NATTER….. Nearly 80 people came to join the fun in our Village will take place on 6th December, but NOT on 20th Hall - some vary serious, some spectating, but most December (as too near Christmas). just doing their best. The atmosphere was great By popular request this will continue in the New Year, and the results close. starting on Wednesday 3rd January, then 3rd Wednesday, We can report that a total of £530 net was made 17th, and thereafter every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the and split between the Village Hall and All Saints month. Church. Many thanks to our trusty admin team, to all those who contributed to the wonderful set of prizes Sandie Cottee via Facebook, or Hazel Dale-Evans 01245 401538 for the raffle and all you brave souls who threw dignity to the wind to make this such a fun event. HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW Watch this space for more…… We have organised a trip on Friday, December 15th by coach Hazel Dale-Evans at 9:30am from Battlesbridge returning around 8:00pm. We have 2 tickets left at the inclusive price of £52:50. Contact Pat on 07762 909351 or 01245 401328 if you are interested. Divisive Content? I regret to say it but as a resident I have become increasingly Wishing you all a Happy Christmas! concerned that as well as the worthy function it fulfils to keep the Christmas and New Year Church Services community informed, this newsletter has also continued to be an organ All Saints Church Come and Celebrate Christmas at All Saints which spread ill-feeling and as a mouthpiece for a few and I would 3rd Christingle 11:15am Children of all ages welcome politely ask that this be stopped. 17th Carol Service 11:15am Celebrate with Carols and the I should state for the record that I think 95% of this newsletter is very ancient Christmas Story retold. commendable, carrying useful information about local events, 24th Joint Service 10:30am St Nicholas church, Rawreth competitions, charities, crime, contact numbers and much more. This all 3 congregations neutral and non-contestable content is great and exactly what a parish 24th Midnight Mass 11:30pm Traditional Christmas newsletter should do, bringing people together to focus on the life and 25th Christmas Day 11:15am Communion Service well being of the village. Putting together a newsletter and delivering it 31st Joint Service 10:30am Rochford District gathering at is a difficult job and I like other residents appreciate it greatly. Barling Magna Church However, articles are continuing to appear which are offensive to some members or groups in the community or one-sided, such as one Battlesbridge Free Church alleging the parish council was thinking of stopping football on the Bell 3rd Beginning of Advent 11am Communion led by David Field for example. Over the past few months I have read peoples views 10th Service of 9 lessons 11am Bible Readings/Carols on the European referendum, one side of the debate on contested 17th Nativity 11am Young People items before the parish council and even racist remarks, (although I 17th A Drama 6:30pm Young People accept this was apologised for in a parish meeting it was still printed 24th Members Choice, 11am Carols, Readings and has no place in a publication funded by all of us). (Mince Pies) I would ask the editor or collator (for the second time), not to let our 24th Midnight Service 11:30pm by Candlelight newsletter it be used to platform for such material. The Local 31st Service 11am led by Mr. Wilf Tyler. Government Act and its codes of practice are very clear that publicly funded newsletters should not be used to put forward political points of view...from anyone. This is a vital cornerstone of our democracy, to keep it strong and fair and civilised. Rettendon Bell Field Any one of us can raise issues not only through parish council I recently saw two horse riders in the vicinity of the gated meetings, where there can be objective debate, talking to their access to the upper Bell field (opposite the Bell Pub) and neighbours, through social media, or they can pay for their own thought I would take the opportunity to speak to them about newsletter to be printed and distributed, as indeed others have done in the site and in doing so ask if they used the bell field for the past. In short, if individuals want to get their personal opinions across on issues they know others disagree with them on, they should exercising their horses. The riders readily agreed to speak have the decency do so with their own money. I hope you are able to with me. I introduced myself and advised that there was no heed this polite request to keep the Rettendon and Battlesbridge bridleway across the site. Our conversation was entirely newsletter free of divisive opinion and content and avoid letting it be cordial throughout. used to sow further discord in our village. Why do I mention this? It appears that some parish Scott Wilson, Rettendon Common residents have resorted to a Facebook entry (which I have not Compiler’s Response. seen) seemingly suggesting that a bridleway exists across the I have asked for contributions to this newsletter on various occasions, site. Having examined the definitive footpath/bridleways plan but none have been forthcoming. If someone does not agree to the compiled and maintained by the Highway authority Essex opinions expressed why have they not sent me their opinion so I can put County Council, it is the case that there is no definitive their side to the story. I would like everything to be balanced, so instead bridleway across the upper Bell field site. I no more than offer of complaining why not send your item to print? this information to the equestrian community in Rettendon. Barbara Wright Ron Fallows, Bell Field Charity Trustee, 01245 400394 Do female frogs croak? If you hold their little heads under Garden Notes water long enough. Early bulbs showing shoots so hastily spread mulch before it would What kind of motorbike did Santa ride ? A Holly Davidson! damage them. Dahlias taken in or coated with leaf blankets. Weeded Who hid in the bakery at Christmas ? A mince spy ! out tree seedlings and creepy weeds. What did baby corn say to mummy corn ? Where’s popcorn! Now for a bit of Halo polishing and catalogue reading. Mrs. McGregor 2 Which playwright was terrified of Christmas ? Noel Coward ! Battlesbridge Matters Memorial Bell Peal for Arthur James Eves River Bank Notes: A Marsh Harrier was seen hunting the marshes Wednesday, 1st November, 2017 over Battlesbridge 2.30pm Sunday, North lake fishing & 3 Arches & We were delighted that a memorial bell peal was able Riverside Walk on River Crouch in the Wickford area. Plus 2 to be rung by ringers of the Essex Association of Bell Ringers, for a local bell ringer who died in the First World wonderful wild brown trout were also landed. War on the 2nd November 1917. Our conservation group are planning to construct a very strong 12” We hope you all enjoyed hearing the 5040 Surprise floating boom with large net to collect plastic bottles, polystyrene, Minor, which took approximately 2 hours 32 minutes. We paper cups and all floating harmful waste. The net to be lifted and would like to thank the bell ringers for their time and effort emptied in a hay trailer with the use of our teleporter/crane. I am in ensuring these memories are kept alive. They were :- organising a big litter pick, along the edge of the sea walls next spring, 1 lan J Culham date T.B.A. 2 Simon J T Smith My other two concerns in the area are the bus routes being 3 Colin F Salter cancelled through our part of Essex. I had this problem some 10 years 4 James L Towler ago. We held a public meeting in the church, which was very well 5 David G Salter (C) attended and I managed to get the Director of the bus company to 6. Alan Regin speak to us. Resulting that a modified service was agreed. Lack of Private Eves, a gardener of Rettendon, enlisted in the usage is the problem. I have contacted the press and Essex Essex Regiment. He was born 1888, the son of Mary Highways, with some alternative solution. Condensing the passenger Ann Eves and Thomas Eves. He was only 29 when he died. He is commemorated at the Gaza War Cemetery. by reducing the services, right down to just two services in the His brother Private Thomas Robin Eves, of the Seaforth morning and two in the afternoon, say 3pm and 6pm on the main Highlanders, who lived in Battlesbridge, was not known as routes i.e. Canvey Island to Chelmsford and Southend to Chelmsford. a bell ringer, but fell on 9th September, 1917 and is Next idea, use school run buses between their usage or tender for a commemorated on the Arras Memorial. service using small 12 seater transit people carrier. Hopefully with a Mike Hallett, Rettendon Bell Tower Leader subsidy from Essex County Council. We cannot under any circumstances leave elderly and young people trapped in their homes in the small villages getting to a doctors Pre-School or hospital, or college are essential. To do nothing is not an option. Once again Christmas is upon us and we are rehearsing for our The more residents protesting the closure of these services the better. show which takes place on Wednesday, 13th Dec. at 11:30am. I am also very worried for a small family in Battlesbridge who had Everybody is welcome and this year we are doing Old permission to convert a small 180 year old Essex barn to live in McDonald’s Zoo. because it was rotten and the foundation plinth was in poor state. We have places available in January so if you have a 2yr old They took down the barn, repaired the foundation plinth, come along and have a look. A 4hr session is £10:00. reconstructing the barn faithfully to the original. They have now an If you need any more information contact Pat on 07762 order to demolish the barn and the foundation or face a fine of £2,500. 909351 or 01245 401328 Plus their only misdemeanour, they should have constructed it in stages. I get very angry that no way does the punishment fit the offence in any circumstances. The reverse should be taken for VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS FAYRE restoring the Essex barn back to life, to take it down will be an act of (Supporting St. Luke’s Hospice and vandalism. Here endith the rant. I am getting up a petition. The Samaritans) Happy Christmas to everyone. Battlesbridge Antiques Centre Saturday 9th - 10am - 8pm & Sunday Yours Sincerely Roy Hart 10th - 10am - 6pm December Free parking. Free entry. Mistletoe, often called the kissing plant, is associated with many Complimentary mince pie and mulled wine. legends and superstitions and at one time it was considered of CRAFT STALLSLIVE MUSICFOOD MARKET CHOIR medicinal value. It also featured in the traditions of the druids and in CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIESBRASS BAND the folk lore of northern Europe. During the middle ages, it was CHRISTMAS RAFFLE VINTAGE TEAS suspended from ceilings or hung above stable and house doors to For further information contact 01268 769000 or drive off evil spirits and to ensure fertility. [email protected] Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on living trees and sends its roots into the bark of the tree from where it gets its nutrients. Its favoured host is usually Apple or Hawthorn but can also be found on Meadow Road Burglary - Tuesday 7th November other trees – Maple, Limes, Mountain Ash and Poplars to name a Between 2pm and 6:30pm there was a break-in into the patio few. door at the back of one of the houses backing the playing field. The fruits usually ripen in May and can be crushed onto underside Jewellery and a black box (~ 2ft x 1ft) of personal mementoes bark on young branches of host plants. Nature however offers a were taken. Unfortunately these were some very special helping hand and the Mistle thrush which really enjoys this seasonal mementoes of Mr. Plaskett’s parents, including his fathers delicacy ends up with berries stuck to its beak and in desperation medals, and the jewellery included Mother’s day gifts, etc. from goes off to a nearby host plant to clean off the sticky mess from its their children, obviously with sentimental value. They would beak thereby helping to spread the plant. very much like them back if at all possible. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe goes back to the Any information about this crime would be welcome. In Romans and the Greeks and it was the Greek goddess Artemis who particular has anyone found the black box, or any of its contents wore a crown of mistletoe as a sign of fertility. Later traditions say or the jewellery scattered in the vicinity. If so please put the that the red mistletoe berries were turned white, and forever box/etc into a plastic bag and phone the police on 101, or take it mistletoe would bring love rather than death into the world. From that to Mr. Plaskett to allow for finger-printing to catch the thief. time and forever any two people passing under mistletoe would Barbara Wright. exchange a kiss in memory of Baldar the Norse God of the summer PLEASE BE VIGILENT AND MAKE SURE YOU Sun. You now have two choices, either to drive off any evil spirits or LEAVE A LIGHT ON IN YOUR HOUSE IF YOU WILL BE OUT AFTER DARK. ensure fertility. Enjoy the festive season. 3 Ron Fallows 01245 400394 PARISH COUNCIL NEWS The last Council meeting was held at the end of October and as usual Remembering Patrica Lewington was well-attended by residents. Issues raised by residents in the Public (known as Trisha) Participation section included the convening of a Parish Meeting, the Trisha came to the Battlesbridge area to help her twin last issue of this newsletter, and the lack of provision of the full report of sister, Pam, look after their mother. A bright, intelligent, the Working Party on manorial rights. Cllr Ride reported the sad death worldly lady, having spent time living in Canada. of Mr Stephen Packham, the Chief Executive of Chelmsford City She integrated herself well into the village, helping out at Council. A public address system for use at Council meetings was various events such as the Horticultural Society summer discussed and further information will be sought. The purchase and show and the church open days. She and Pam could be placement of benches for the parish was agreed, and the Clerk will now found making tea and sandwiches and issuing cakes at all look into the necessary permissions for placement. The procedures for the newsletter were considered and agreed by the Council, although the events. there was some disagreement amongst the Council and from residents Unfortunately she developed dementia, which about whether these were acceptable. The conduct of councillors and progressed and finally ended her life. their adherence to standards of behaviour was considered. Our thoughts are with her sister, Pam, and her family. The next meeting will include an initial discussion about the budget She will be missed for her lovely smile and her friendliness. and precept for 2018/19. In the meantime, please feel free to contact Barbara Wright. me if you have any queries about parish issues. Katherine Kane, Parish Council Clerk [email protected] 07811 254163 Sonters Down-Your Ideas Battlesbridge Free Church Earlier this year, Rettendon Parish Council took over responsibility for On Remembrance Sunday the weather was lovely the maintenance and improvement of the Sonters Down/Meadow Road and the view across to Runwell and Wickford from the playing field. The aim was to improve the service to residents over and doorway of All Saints Church, Rettendon, was above the standard service which was previously provided by beautifully clear across to the horizon. It was good that Chelmsford City Council, in line with most other Parish Councils in the so many came to join us in the service in that serene county. Money was transferred to the Parish Council via an allowance and lovely old church. Over the years, countless known as the precept. Since then, there have been an increased hundreds of people, from all walks of life from the surrounding area, have met there to honour and number of grass cuts and weed/overgrowth treatments worship, take courage and encouragement from the The Parish Council is now forming a working group, consisting of two God of our ancestors, the God who is still the powerful Parish Councillors and two residents (to be appointed), to advise how and loving God of all time, He has not deteriorated, lost best to improve and maintain the area. We would like to know what the plot or vanished into oblivion, despite what the residents think should be done with the field and play area, how it can forces of humanism and secularism may try to insinuate be improved, and what, if any, extra facilities are needed. into the minds, especially of the young, and plant If you have any ideas, or would like to join our working group, then cynicism to replace faith. please contact myself Glenys Jones As we come up to December 25th it is sad that so ([email protected] or 07739530611) or our Parish Clerk, many will just celebrate X day, leaving the amazing Katherine ([email protected] or 01206 522315) birth of Christ and his entry into humanity 2000 years AT LAST... the Vehicle Activated Signs on Main Road are working! ago, completely out of the equation. He does still stand The speed of some cars through our village is dangerous. at the door of our hearts and knock. He came to bring It has taken two years of constant emails, phone calls and escalation to hope, support, companionship, but above all, love, to get Highways to replace the VAS in the Rettendon Common end of help and show, us argumentative and belligerent Main Road. human beings, how to live at peace in all our The VAS, along with our Speedwatch Team are there to slow traffic relationships, to give us life in all its abundance, the down and reduce accidents. ability to cope! The speed surveys undertaken by Highways on South Hanningfield During 2018 a number of services will continue to Road and Old Woodham Road showed that over a 7 day period 442 explore and support more of the help and aid vehicles were speeding at over 60mph, with 26 of them at over 80mph! organisations which God uses to carry out his purpose Essex Highways say we cannot have VAS on these sites because the for the world he created. survey results do not meet their criteria. We are challenging this June Edwards decision. We will continue to pursue safety on our roads. Denise Fleming Country Diary Many of us in very recent months have been aware of the geese flying over us often in late NEW GATEWAYS afternoons. I do not know much about water birds Early next year the old broken wooden gateway signs at the entrances but the Canada geese do live around here mainly at to our village will be replaced with UPVC ones. This is another the reservoir and they travel in their iconic ‘V’ initiative to slow down traffic, as well as improving the appearance of formations. They like the grass found in the the village. estuaries around here and their flight time is There will also be a new school sign as requested by residents at a often regulated by low tide. recent PC meeting. Denise Fleming The Greylags are visitors and often arrive from Iceland and feed on grass. Due to their number, Please note this newsletter is compiled from various entries they are very unpopular with farmers as they are and is not the work of any one person though entries will be partial to recently sown crops. reviewed and may be edited by the Parish Council. The views Jane Fallows 01245 400394 expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the compiler, though spelling and 4 Please send contributions via e-mail [email protected] grammar may be corrected.