Billericay Town Crier
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Billericay Town Crier April 2015 www.billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BILLERICAY TOWN COUNCIL @BillericayTC BILLERICAY’S SECOND COMMUNITY WEEKEND his is the second time that Billericay Town Council in conjunction with Churches Together has held a service to Tcelebrate a weekend of community events in Billericay. This year Emmanuel Church in Laindon Road was the host venue and a wonderfully uplifting service was led by the Rev. Paul Carr and the Rev. Paul Gambling. Musical entertainment was provided by The Choir for All Seasons and the High Voltage Big Band. Lord Petre; the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Cllr. John Aldridge; Vice- Chairman of Essex County Council and County Cllr Kay Twitchen were in the audience, along with members of the Billericay Town Council, Youth Town Council, Street Pastors, representatives of local organisations and worshippers from all the Billericay Churches. It is hoped that a Civic Service will again be held in 2016, as it brings members of the community together to celebrate all that is good about living in Billericay and to give thanks to those people who do so much within the town. Other events that happened in the Community Weekend; a hospitality event at St Mary Magdalen with exhibits from community funded projects and activities plus refreshments were available for donations. The Methodist Church were celebrating the 91st anniversary of their church in Billericay. Cllr Buchanan gives his talk at the Civic Service. They also did a litter pick on Sunday and are running a lunch club project for children during the school holidays. The Town Council held two events during the weekend. On Saturday morning a successful litter pick took place in the town area of Billericay which included the areas of the High Street, Lake Meadows and Festival Gardens. Nearly 40 people, including street pastors and a group of air cadets helped the pick achieve a total of 30 bags. On Saturday afternoon a walk was organised, led by local Essex Wildlife Trust volunteers, to launch the second of our Billericay Countryside Walks Leaflets. This leaflet describes three circular walks from Queens Park Country Park towards Mountnessing Church, Stock and Ingatestone. The leaflets are intended for use by those who are not regular country walkers ACF Staff Sergeant Callum McDonald, Lord Petre, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, so routes are described in detail and notes of the wildlife that Town Council Chairman John Buchanan and County Councillor Kay Twitchen. might be seen along the way are included. The free leaflets are available from Billericay Library, the Town Council offices and Norsey Wood Information Centre and will shortly also be in stock at the EWT Visitor Centres at Hanningfield Reservoir and Thorndon Country Park. The launch event walk took place in warm spring sunshine. A direct route was taken across fields to Mountnessing Church with a longer return through quiet countryside via Tilehurst, Buttsbury and the Wid Valley. Birds seen included little egret, heron, kestrel, bullfinch and yellowhammer and, upon returning to the Country Park, walkers enjoyed an extended flying display by a bat which had been tempted out of its winter hibernation Litter Picking in Festival Gardens – Street Pastor Andrea Mendez and Mick Dunn from RBL. by the milder weather. 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. BILLERICAY IN BLOOM COMPETITION WITH the start of British Summer Time our thoughts turn to warmer weather, getting out into the garden, planning our containers and hanging baskets or perhaps whether to grow tomatoes, onions and so on. The Town Council is also planning for the summer with its annual Billericay in Bloom competition. This is not just aimed at the dedicated gardener. It is a fun and enjoyable event which gives pleasure to all concerned. There is something for everyone, young and old. You do not need to be an expert. Why not enter a hanging basket? Or a container? This year we have a new category for people entering their garden for the first time. Who knows, you may discover a new skill or hobby. Give it a go and brighten up your town. Judging will take place on 14th and 15th June with the prize giving event being held at Canon Roche Social Centre on Friday 3rd July at 7.00pm. 2015 Competition (A) Best Kept FRONT Garden (B) Best Kept Small Back Garden ENTRY FORM (1500sq.ft or less) (C) Best Kept Large Back Garden Name: ____________________________________________________ (more than 1500sq.ft all garden sizes to include paths and drives) Address: __________________________________________________ (D) Best Hanging Basket/Window Box __________________________________________________________ (E) Best School Garden Nurseries/playschools/infant & primary schools Post Code: ________________ Telephone: _______________________ (F) Best School Vegetable Plot* Nurseries/playschools/infant & primary schools Email: ____________________________________________________ (G) Best Commercial Premises/ Public House/Restaurant CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: Friday 5TH JUNE 2015. (H) Best Vegetable Plot/Greenhouse PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO: BILLERICAY IN BLOOM, (min 10ftx6ft and within confines of property) TOWN COUNCIL, THE LOFT, CROWN YARD, HIGH STREET, (I) Best Garden Design BILLERICAY CM12 9BX. (either front or back) ENQUIRIES TO: TOWN CLERK 01277 625732. (J) Best Wildlife Garden (K) Best First Time Entry Email: [email protected] (L) Best Water Garden/Pond/Feature Photographs at TOWN COUNCIL EVENTS: (M) Best Childrens Freehand A photograph may be taken and published on our website Floral Arrangement or printed publications and by participating you give your (Drawing/Painting/Collage for children aged 11 and under) permission for the Town Council to use them. Please tick the category(s) you would like to enter. Page 2 Billericay Town Crier April 2015 COMMONWEALTH DAY BILLERICAY’S BIG DO MONDAY MARCH 9TH long with over 650 participants in 38 Acountries around the world, Billericay Town Council took part in the Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth Event on 9th March. This unique initiative is now in its second year and is a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth. It Cllr Jim Devlin presenting ideas from one of the breakout groups. enables participants to show appreciation for the values the Commonwealth his event was organised by Essex County Council in upholds and the opportunities offered for Tpartnership with Stripe Consulting to bring people together friendship and co-operation with fellow so they could have their say about the future of the library and Commonwealth citizens around the world. Burghstead Lodge. Following this the Town Council then Representatives from the Town Council and members of participated in the National Association community groups, charities, small businesses and local residents of Civic Officers Single Commemorative came together on 16th and 30th March to generate ideas about Act marking the Centenary of World War how the space could best be utilised for the benefit of all. One in the St Mary Magdalen Church. A Lots of ideas were presented including a Town Hall, a one stop short ceremony was held, during which shop for council services, tourist information, health centre, an introduction and a poem were read, jazz club, coffee shop/internet cafe, exhibition space, meeting candles were lit and a two minute silence facilities, small business start up premises and even bee-keeping observed. Following this, one symbolic on the roof! candle was lit which is to remain alight Both buildings are wonderful spaces and when used to their as a symbol of hope for the next twelve full potential will be a fabulous asset for Billericay. months. This event will be repeated each Commonwealth Day until 2018. TOWN GUIDE 2016 Billericay Town Council is now starting to prepare the next edition of the Town Guide which is due to be produced in October. If you belong to a local club or organisation and wish to be included please let us have an up to date article about your activities over the last year accompanied by an appropriate photograph. We also need your current contact details. TOWN TRAIL & COUNTRYSIDE WALKS IN the summer we arrange Town Trail walks which are led by a knowledgeable local person. The 2015 dates are; Saturday 27th June, Sunday 26th July, Sunday 16th August and Saturday 12th September. All walks start from the Railway station at 2pm. It is a great way to learn more about the historic buildings of Billericay. Look out for the banners and posters which will be appearing around the Town giving all the details. Also, for the first time this year the Town Council are arranging guided Countryside Walks. The dates are set for Saturday 13th June and Sunday 9th August. The first walk is to Mountnessing Church and the Wid valley and the second is Route 4 around Billericay from the Circular Walks leaflet. Both walks are suitable for all ages and abilities. For further details and to reserve a place please contact the Town Clerk. Youth Town Council he Youth Town Council held their first Tevent of the year on 14th March, which was a Mother’s Day Gift and Craft event in the Reading Rooms. The children that attended had a lovely time making trinket boxes, suncatchers and cards for their mums. We’ve also recently had Having fun at Roperunners. a teambuilding experience of a trip to Roperunners on 28th March. It was great fun balancing on the wires in the tree tops and sliding down the zipwire.