Town Crier February 2016 www.billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BILLERICAY TOWN COUNCIL @BillericayTC

Happy Birthday Your Majesty

n 2012 Billericay honoured Her Majesty by dedicating the field at Sun Corner to be a Queen Elizabeth II Field, and installed a wonderful beacon there. By dedicating Sun ICorner as a QEII Field its use as an open space for the people of Billericay has been protected for perpetuity. This year sees Her Majesty’s 90th birthday, and Billericay will honour her in special ways again. First, on Saturday 5th March, we will participate in the nationwide “Clean for the Queen” campaign to spruce up the town. The Litter Pick will focus on the town centre and nearby areas, including of course, Sun Corner. If you want to join in meet at the Town Council Offices in Crown Yard at 9am. Special “Clean for the Queen” rubbish sacks, litter pickers and all other essential equipment will be provided. Contact the Town Clerk to let her know you are coming. Then, on Thursday 21st April, which is Her Majesty’s birthday, a special event will take place at Sun Corner at around 8pm, when our beacon will be lit. It will be one of hundreds of beacons being lit that evening across the , Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, and Her Majesty herself will light the Principle Beacon. Visit our web site, Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to keep up to date on details for these events. CIVIC SERVICE Billericay Town and the illericay Town Council will be holding Bits annual civic service on Sunday 13th Borough Local Plan March at 3pm. This year the theme for the event will be “Never On Your Own” so we he Basildon Local Plan 2016 says at which the Draft Local Plan can be can focus on loneliness in the community Tthat altogether the Borough needs discussed; the programme for these and bring together all the community 15,260 new homes to meet housing meetings can be viewed online at www. groups that try to alleviate it. needs over the next 20 years. This is basildon.gov.uk/planningpolicy. We are currently in discussions with about a 20% increase. Billericay Town has The easiest way to comment is online Churches Together in Billericay regarding been allocated 1380 (an 11% increase). at http://basildon.objective.co.uk/portal, where the service will be held and when Previously developed land will be used or comments can be submitted by email known this will be publicised on Facebook, wherever possible, but because there is to [email protected] or by the Town Council website, Twitter and also little urban or brownfield land available post to Planning Policy at The Basildon by the local churches. It will be attended for building in Billericay, nearly all the Centre, St Martin’s Square, Basildon SS14 by the Chairman of County Council, new homes will be built on Green Belt 1DL. sites. The public consultation on the Draft Cllr Norman Hume as well as our own The Town Council is preparing a Local Plan, which can be viewed online County Councillor Kay Twitchen. response to the consultation and urges at http://basildon.objective.co.uk/portal, This year we are pleased that High residents to submit individual replies to commenced on 28 January and runs until Voltage Big Band will once again be Basildon Council. If you disagree with 24 March. Copies of the document can providing the music. If you would like the proposals individual comments are be viewed at Council Offices and in local more information about the service and more effective than petitions or joint libraries during normal opening hours. the confirmed location please contact the objections. There is also a series of public meetings Town Clerk. continued on back page

For further information and general enquiries contact: Town Clerk Billericay Town Council • The Loft • Crown Yard • High Street • Billericay CM12 9BX • T: 01277 625732 F: 01277 634784 • E: [email protected] • W: www.billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk Official Office Opening times 9.30am - 12.30pm Mon-Fri. Outside these hours please ring as there may well be office staff present. Details of Town Councillors can be obtained from the Town Council website or Offices. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY AND THE WAR MEMORIAL emembrance arrange for a road closure and the event was able to take place RSunday took without mishap. The closure was financed by the Town Council place on Sunday, with contributions from Co-operative Funeralcare and the November 8th Billericay Society. 2015. This is always As always it was a most memorable parade and service with spearheaded by representatives from Billericay Churches, groups, clubs, societies the British Legion and Town and Youth Town Councillors laying wreaths as well as together with some individuals. It was most rewarding this year because as a Churches Together result of the road closure people were able to linger and chat and other Billericay and reflect around the memorial for longer than in previous groups and years. societies. This year The Memorial itself is cared for by the Town Council and it is the normal plans very important to us to keep it looking its best. To this end it is were thrown into a regularly tended and kept clean and tidy by Councillors. It is a state of confusion prominent feature on the corner of Chapel Street and next to St. when the police Mary Magdalen and important to us that it is well kept. announced they would no longer Last year’s weather patterns were so strange with plants not be providing traffic necessarily doing what they should when they should and we management as found that the begonias were still looking a picture in October. they had done in So prior to Remembrance Sunday we agonised over whether to previous years. keep these flowers but run the risk they might be frost damaged As in many areas by the Sunday or should we replace them with the problem they the British Legion might not be at their best when they were needed. We took the numbers are decision to replant and have been suitably rewarded because diminishing and so they came to the Town Council for help in the polyanthus looked a picture and they are still looking good managing this difficulty. The Council immediately stepped in to especially now at this dull time of the year.

Billericay Town Council Celebration of Xmas Lights illericay Town Council has been organising the switch on go to the following who gave up so much time to support Bof the Christmas Lights for many years but ventured into the event both before and on the day:- pastures new putting on an afternoon of entertainment The Christmas Lights Working Party, provided by local schools and community groups. The Flt Lt Steve Horncastle and The Billericay Air Cadets, weather was kind with just a brief shower early afternoon The Billericay Lions and Father Christmas, and The Chequers provided a Christmas feel with snow David Randall and the Billericay Mayflower Rotary Club, falling, mulled wine, hot chocolate and some characters David Vinten and Jarvis Print, Jim Shrubb, The Chequers, from Frozen. The Railway Public House for Santa’s changing room, We were entertained by the Mayflower Morris Men and The Salvation Army Band. the Wickford Majorettes announced by our Town Crier in The Town Council is very grateful to all sponsors who the High Street. The focus was then directed to the stage helped to make the event possible:- with High Voltage Big Band playing a medley of Christmas Bellefontaines Jewellers, Bennetts Funeral Directors, songs. They played at intervals throughout the afternoon. Billericay District Residents Association, Billericay Homecare, Both Woodlands and St Peter’s School choirs were a Billericay Lions, Billericay Neighbourhood Watch, delight to listen to and Mayflower High School Choir were Co-operative Funeralcare, FE Farrer Funeral Directors, wonderful, especially with their renditions of Alleluia and Fish & Chick’n, Fisher Jones Greenwood, Bohemian Rhapsody. Dance Steps Academy brought us a Hallmark Care Homes, Hamiltons Carpets, great example of modern dance. The event showed the Ian Brown Financial, Jarvis Print, wide range of talent and community spirit in Billericay. Michael Letch & Partners LLP, Picturesque, Thanks must also be given to all our sponsors who Reginald O’Neill Dental Care, Rotary Club of Billericay. helped to make this possible, but very special thanks must

Crowds watch the Switch On High Voltage Big Band St Peter’s School Choir

Page 2 Billericay Town Crier February 2016 SHOPS DRESS UP FOR CHRISTMAS n the following Monday after the switch on, Billericay OTown Councillors together with Youth Town Councillors judged the Christmas Window displays in the town. Councillor Jo Clark, Vice Chairman of the Town Council, Cllr Adam Adshead and Youth Councillors Harrison Birch, Adam Waldie and Jasmine Margalit had the exciting but very difficult task of selecting the best dressed windows. The competition was close but in the end The Olive Branch was selected. Their winning cheque for £100 was presented to Leanne Knightley Town Cllrs attend the presentation of the winner’s cheque from staff of the Olive Branch to St Lukes Hospice from St Luke’s Hospice. Highly Commended certificates Bakery. Cllr Clark said that it was very difficult to make were also presented to Billericay the selection this year as many shops have made such a Blinds, The Gift Box, Halls Interiors, marvellous effort and she thanked them all for entering into The Little Tin Shed and Ravens The Olive Branch the spirit of Christmas making the Town look so festive.

NEW TOWN DOWN WITH COUNCILLOR UNAUTHORISED BANNERS t the Council meeting held on he Town Council takes the issue of unauthorised banners A29th October, Lesley Mitchelmore Tseriously and is addressing residents’ concerns. Banners was co-opted onto the Town Council can be a blight on the town especially in the Conservation as a member for the East Ward of Area and entry points to the town. The railings around the Billericay. Cllr Mitchelmore has been Jim Shields garden, at the junction of Western Road and the a resident of Billericay for 17 years. High Street, are a particular example of an area where banners cause a blemish. Working with Basildon Borough Council, Essex County Council and Abellio Greater Anglia Rail the Town Council will take down banners. Where possible advertisers Citizen of the Year will be advised that banners will be stored at the Town Council o you know a resident of the Town Council parish of offices for a reasonable time before their disposal. With this DBillericay who makes a difference in the Community? Do policy in place residents will see less unsightly banners around they put in that extra effort for others and make the Town a the town. Great place to be? If so you can nominate them for the Town Councils Citizen of the Year Award to recognize the work they do for others. This is a new award and to celebrate that the LOCAL ELECTIONS 2016 winner of the award will be asked to light the beacon at Sun ll the Councillors on Billericay Town Council are elected Corner on the Queen’s Birthday, the 21st of April. Write to Aevery four years and on 5th May this year there will be an the Town Clerk at the Council Office (address on front cover) election to fill the 20 seats on the Council. nominating the person, providing their home address and The Notice of election will be published on 30th March giving a brief outline of why they should be the Billericay and nominations have to be received by Electoral Services at Citizen of the Year. All nominations should be received by 31st Basildon Borough Council by 4pm on Thursday 7th April. March 2016. Should you wish to stand as a candidate or would like more information about the role of a local councillor and the A Magical qualification rules then please contact the Town Clerk. Full details of the election process will be available on the Basildon Transformation to Borough Council website www.basildon.gov.uk. Celebrate Children he gardens surrounding the Child in the Park Statue in Lake PINK RECYCLING SACKS TMeadows Park are to be magically transformed thanks to he Town Council will no longer be distributing pink recycling a grant of over £6,000 from the Veolia North Thames Trust Tsacks from their office in Crown Yard. Town Councillors (VNTT), which was applied for by the Town Council working in agreed it was too much of a disruption to the work in the partnership with the Friends of Lake Meadows. office and decided to withdraw the service. Basildon Council New paths will be created around the statue and the area will continue to deliver a twice yearly supply of sacks to will be brought to life by the wonderful colours of the new each property in Billericay and additional rolls can always be plants that are to be planted by the volunteers that regularly obtained from Billericay Library when residents need them. The look after the garden. Town Council will still sell the food and green waste recycling bags and these are available from the Town Council office Doug Benjafield – Chairman VNTT said “This is such a lovely during our opening hours Monday to Friday 9.30-12.30. Prices: project and will help bring to life the Child in the Park Statue £1.90 per roll of green recycling bags, and £3.00 for 50 food at the same time as making it more accessible to visitors young waste recycling bags. and old”.

February 2016 Billericay Town Crier Page 3 PRECEPT HELD FOR 7TH YEAR RUNNING illericay Town Council is delighted to announce that at the Town Council meeting Bheld on 10th December 2015, members voted unanimously to keep the precept for Band A £13.20 Band E £24.20 Billericay residents the same as last year. Band B £15.40 Band F £28.60 The Precept is the portion of your council tax that goes to Billericay Town Council. This Band C £17.60 Band G £33.00 amount has been unchanged for the last seven years, yet the Council has still continued Band D £19.80 Band H £39.60 to provide many improvements and enhancements to the town and its facilities.

Focus on Local Charities his edition’s featured charity is the Billericay Tand South Essex link of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline. For the last two years my family has hosted two We are frequently told we are doing a wonderful job in the park and children from the Chernobyl region for four weeks are pleased to hear that people appreciate what we have achieved! over the summer, as part of a recuperative holiday However, our team is only small and we need your help too! organised by the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline. We would like to invite you to volunteer to join one of our new informal The charity is now looking for new potential host families in Billericay sub-groups! Whatever skills you may have; we are sure we can fit who might be able to offer a home to either two girls or two boys, aged you in somewhere. You could help with gardening, maintenance 10 – 12, for four weeks from Sunday 12th June to Sunday 10th July work or manning our small Information Centre, or assist with 2016. This is such a rewarding experience, knowing you are making a publicity, communications, marketing, finance, wildlife, information or huge difference to the lives of these children who are still living with the membership. adverse health and economic legacy of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster We are a friendly group and welcome everyone! If you feel you would 30 years ago. The children are taken on outings every day during the like to give us a helping hand, however much or little time you have to week; you would need to look after them evenings and weekends. spare, then please ring us on 07843 860 135 (answerphone) or email You will need a spare room, and preferably to be within easy reach [email protected] of the Methodist Church on Western Road, where the children need to be dropped at 9 every day and picked up at 4:30. However, all the We hope that you will come and join us for one of our following events: other local host families are so supportive that if there are any logistical Great Lake Race: Easter Monday March 28th – 2pm problems someone can usually help out. Jazz in the Park: Saturday July 16th Bark in the Park: Saturday September 17th If anyone would like to find out more about becoming a host family Carols in the Park: Saturday December 17th you can contact the charity’s hosting co-ordinator Gaynor Manthorpe on 07967 055038. Do you know of a local charity we should feature in our next edition? If so, contact the Town Clerk. Mayflower Performing Arts seeks to reconnect with its past Billericay’s Community Cinema is Thriving! Emma Neppl, Publicity Officer says “We have now had 350 people through our doors and shown eight sold-out films. We are also very lucky to have an army of over 40 volunteers. FILM SCHEDULE Thursday Shows – all start at 7pm 18 February: Casablanca 17 March: Jaws 14 April: Romeo and Juliet (commemorating the ith over 40 years of history, Mayflower Performing Arts is seeking to re 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s death) Wcontact all past members; from their formation as an all-girl marching Family Sunday – all start at 2.30pm band, the Mayflower Corps, in the 1970s to today’s members and fans. 28 February: Frozen The start of this project is to build an alumni database and initially 20 March: Lion King create a newsletter where current news, past stories and some exclusive 24 April: Big Hero 6 ‘you heard it here first’ news will be released (for example, this year’s Thursday tickets cost £5. Sundays are priced at £3 or £7.50 for show announcements – before we ‘go public’). a family. COMMUNITY Each month @BillericayCine has a stall Ron Hope, Chairperson of the Mayflower organisation commented showcasing the work of a local charity or community group. “Mayflower is entering into its 43rd year of existence and currently serves So far @BillericayCine have supported Brighter Opportunities about 70 members yet over the years we have had over 2,000 young through Supported Play (BOSP), Billericay Community Archive adults participate in the organisation. We would love to re-engage with and The Friends of Lake Meadows. many of these past members to let them know we are still as strong as LOCAL BUSINESS It’s also very important to @BillericayCine ever and to keep them up to date with the latest news and goings on.” to keep things local. That includes beer suppliers, Billericay Anyone who has a connection to Mayflower (past member, parent, Brewing Company, who provide the beers and ales. supporter, fan) can sign up to the newsletter by sending their email to @BillericayCine also gives local businesses the opportunity [email protected] or check out our Facebook to sponsor a film. So far, Headlines Hairdressing and Beautiful page. For more information, contact Veronica Hope, [email protected]. Things have sponsored films. Tel: 07743 497311.

Page 4 Billericay Town Crier February 2016 “The Forget me Knot, Friendship Group” Old will hold its first meeting on Tuesday 1st March 2016, between 2pm-4pm. at The Co-operative Funeralcare, 30 High Street, Billericay, Billericay Essex CM12 9BQ. Tel 01277 658007. The Group will meet every first Tuesday of the month. It is a voluntary group supporting individuals and families through difficult times. Dee Rowsell, the Manager says: “No need to book, just come along, we look forward to meeting you!!”

Calling all Great Burstead Primary School was housed in the building Artists now know as The Fold and part of Reids bar and restaurant. The school was opened on 10th September 1878 by the Great Burstead and School Board to provide primary education for the children of Billericay and surrounding areas between 5 and 13 years of age. It operated on Craftspeople the same site until it moved to the present site where it became two The 2016 Billericay Art Trail will run from 9th- separate entities, infant and junior. When did it change the name to 25th September and is part of the larger Essex Quilters. Do you know? Summer of Art programme. The original site had a number of alterations during it’s life as a school, If you would like to showcase your work for 2 mainly the front extensions towards the road, built between the wars, weeks in local venues ranging from the High Street, Lake Meadows to the and a dining room and kitchens to the rear in 1948 and a wooden Fold, whether it be paintings, sculpture, pottery, mosaics, textiles or glass, three classroom block in 1951, also at the rear. The building closed and application forms and artist information packs can be found in the Library, boarded up after the new school was built and it was not until The Fold the Fold or by contacting the email address below. moved from what is now the Waitrose car park did new life come to The Art Trail is organised by a small Committee of volunteers, if you are the building. The northern part of the building was turned into a bar/ interested in helping to organise this event (all hands on deck greatly restaurant and the buildings to the rear were knocked down to form the appreciated!) please email: [email protected] or contact car park and housing land. Jo Adshead on: 07581 247302. Did you go to the school and do you remember Mrs Birch, headmistress To be kept up to date with progress, please “like” our Facebook page in the 1930s or teachers from the 1950s and 1960s, Mrs Sole, Mr Ray Facebook.com/BillericayArtTrail or contact us to be added to our mailing list. Williams, Mrs Sylvia Williams, Miss Florence Powell, Miss Needham, Mrs Gay, Mrs Butler or Mr Tom Williams? Read more about the school Application forms need to be submitted no later that 1st May to allow and some pupils memories on the Billericay Archive website www. for selection and inclusion in the Art Trail brochure, but if you are billericayhistory.org.uk or join our Facebook group – Billericay Life and thinking of applying, please email us – we’d love to know who our Times and record your memories or email [email protected] potential artists are!

FC Redwing “Unsung Hero” honoured with sporting award Clive Ashdown, Head of Academy at FC Redwing YFC, based at Barleylands, has recently won the “Unsung Hero” award at the Active Basildon Sports Awards. The award recognises a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to local sport. A worthy winner of this award, over the last 12 years Clive has been the driving force behind FC Redwing YFC providing free football training by FA qualified coaches for 4-6 year olds all year round. In addition, Clive has also mentored a succession of new youth football coaches plus organised the largest youth football tournament in the area (and possibly Essex). Derek Maslen, Chairman of FC Redwing explains “Clive is the heartbeat of FC Redwing. Ever since I first joined the club he has been instrumental in not only developing the kids and the coaches, but also raising valuable funds so we can keep providing accessible organised football for all. I personally value Clive’s help and guidance and I know hundreds of children, parents, coaches and now Active Basildon feel exactly the same.” Over the years Clive has had a tremendous impact on hundreds of players and parents lives and is instrumental in helping kids not only fall in love with the beautiful game, but also become more confident in themselves. If you have a child in Reception or Year One and would like them to join FC Redwing’s FREE Academy then please contact Clive Ashdown on 07736 370419 or at [email protected].

February 2016 Billericay Town Crier Page 5 Billericay Town and the CORRECTION re Billericay Operatic Society Basildon Borough Local Plan Please note a correction to the contact details shown on page 32 of the Town Guide for the continued from front page Billericay Operatic Society. The correct contact The proposed sites for the 1380 houses are: email is [email protected] 150 homes north of Potash Road 280 homes west of Mountnessing Road TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS 180 homes south of London Road February 2016 160 homes west of Tye Common Road Tue 9 Planning 280 homes east of Greens Farm Lane Tue 16 Environment 330 homes east of Frithwood Lane Tue 23 Planning The review attempts to ensure that the Thur 25 Finance & GP purpose of the wider Green Belt is maintained, March 2016 and that those parts of the Green Belt of Thur 3 Town Council higher landscape and/or ecological value are Tue 8 Planning protected where possible. Tue 22 Planning Tue 29 Environment Criteria have been developed for each allocation, setting out the types of April 2016 Tue 5 Planning development which may occur, with an Thur 7 Finance & GP Infrastructure Delivery Plan to support the Thur 14 Town Council new homes and any mitigation necessary. A Thur 19 Planning number of road improvements are detailed, Thur 28 Annual Town Meeting including a “southern relief road” from the May 2016 junction of Noak Hill Road and Road, Tue 3 Planning to London Road west of Mountnessing Road. Thur 5 Elections Associated topics addressed in the plan Thur 12 Annual Town Council include education, health services, locations Tue 17 Planning for employment, transport, town centre Tue 24 Environment regeneration and expansion, open spaces, Tue 31 Planning 24 hour non-emergency number 101 sports provision and community facilities, and All meetings are open to the public and press local wildlife sites. and are held in The Coach House, Crown Yard, unless otherwise stated and start at 7.00pm. BILLERICAY TOWN COUNCILLORS Name Address Phone No. E-Mail Ward Adam Adshead 29 The Meadow Way, Billericay, CM11 2HL 07976 049523 [email protected] W Tina Arnold c/o Billericay Town Council 07806 612662 [email protected] E John Bellringer 100 Church Street, Great Burstead, CM11 2TS 01277 650118 [email protected] SW Peter Bowditch 18 Cranmer Close, Billericay, CM12 0YQ 01277 659530 [email protected] W John Buchanan 72 Meadow Rise, Billericay, CM11 2EF 01277 656715 [email protected] E Robert Chapman 99 Church Street, Billericay, CM11 2TS 01277 657696 [email protected] E Jo Clark 33 Carson Road, Billericay, CM11 1SA 01277 659842 [email protected] E Ian Davie 51 Tye Common Road, Billericay, CM12 9NR 01277 656139 [email protected] SW Marie Dear 12 Redwing Drive, Billericay, CM11 2PG 01277 622499 [email protected] W Jim Devlin 231 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NZ 01277 656937 [email protected] W Colin Dyer 6 Montpelier Close, Billericay, CM12 0UH 01277 625732 [email protected] W Susan McCaffery 25 The Rising, Billericay, CM11 2HN 01277 625732 [email protected] E Lesley Mitchelmore 32 Bellevue Road, Billericay, CM12 9HB 01277 658111 [email protected] Moira Moore 47 Laindon Road, Billericay, CM12 9LG 01277 627266 [email protected] SW Rod Rapley 43 Crescent Road, Billericay, CM12 0JQ 01277 622125 [email protected] W Daphne Spencer Fir Tree Lodge, 16 Back Lane, Stock, CM4 9DG 01277 829750 [email protected] E Trevor Stansfield 174 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NX 01277 623519 [email protected] W Emma Willis c/o Billericay Town Council 01277 625732 [email protected] W Marion Wilson 25 Parklands, Billericay, CM11 1AS 01277 626321 [email protected] E CHAIRMAN: Cllr Jim Devlin TOWN CLERK: Deborah Tonkiss Telephone: 01277 625732 Billericay Town Council Fax: 01277 634784 The Loft, Crown Yard, High Street E-Mail: [email protected] Billericay, Essex CM12 9BX Website: www.billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk 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.

Page 6 Billericay Town Crier February 2016