NEW Writtle News NEW website: http://www.writtlenews.btck.co.uk 2 Writtle News email: [email protected] Writtle News website: If you would like to write http://http://www.writtlenews.btck.co.uk for the Writtle News please contact WRITTLE NEWS 236 Christine Knight, Editor, APRIL - MAY 2020 WRITTLE NEWS PRODUCTION TEAM by telephone. Tel: 01245 420045. EDITOR: Christine Knight (420045) Writtle News email: [email protected] EDITOR’S NOTE ADVERTISING: Wendy Kateley (420998) Please note the Editor of the Writtle News does not accept any TREASURER: Anne Pegg (420200) responsibility for the services provided by any advertiser in this DISTRIBUTION: Mary Steadman (421467) publication nor endorse any claims made by such advertiser. Copy for Issue 237 (email: [email protected] NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS or typed) to Christine Knight, (420045) To place an advert or to update your black and white advert to by noon on 1st May 2020 colour, please contact Wendy Kateley on 01245 420998. Please Advertisements to Wendy Kateley by 1st May 2020 email art work for all new b/w and colour adverts to: writtlenews@ B&W Advertising Rates If you wish to change gmail.com Thank you. 1⁄8 page £12.00 per issue your advertisement, 1⁄4 page £22.00 per issue will you please put 1⁄2 page £35.00 per issue it in writing. Please NOTICE TO READERS – COVID - 19 Whole page £65.00 per issue note that opinions Due to the escalation of the Coronavirus expressed in articles in this Colour Advertising Rates pandemic and HM Government’s directives the magazine are not necessarily 1⁄8 page £16.00 per issue April – May edition of the Writtle News has been the views of the Editor and 1⁄4 page £30.00 per issue printed. However, it will not be distributed to production team. 1⁄2 page £50.00 per issue residents until further notice to ensure the safety The Editor reserves the right Whole page £90.00 per issue in her discretion to amend or of all those who volunteer for its delivery. Advert Sizes (Type area only) abbreviate articles for reasons 1⁄8 page 30mm x 90mm of space and to refuse to For those viewing copy online (writtlenews.btck. 1⁄4 page 60mm x 90mm accept material which in her co.uk) please note that many of the events may 1⁄2 page 132.5mm x 90mm opinion may be regarded as not now be taking place. W/page 132.5mm x 190mm offensive or inappropriate. Publication and distribution of the Writtle News ONCE IT’S IN WRITTLE NEWS IT’S ALL ROUND THE will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. VILLAGE DELIVERED TO 2,600 DOORS! 3 ALL SAINTS CHURCH From the Vicar Today as I write the wind and rain have both stopped, the sun is out PARISH OFFICE: Tuesday-Friday 10.00am-12.00 noon (422846) and how different it feels to yesterday. CHURCHWARDENS: Margaret Bruce (699782), I’ve done quite a number of funerals in January, and it’s not Dianne Collins (07812 162715). Email: [email protected], uncommon for elderly people to die around the Christmas/New website: www.allsaintswrittle.co.uk Year period, which makes that season feel very different to what PRIEST IN CHARGE: Rev’d Tony Cant the so-called spirit of Christmas is ‘meant’ to feel like. At that time SECRETARY: Andrew Brewster Email: [email protected] of year when people die, it may well fee1 to their loved ones like CHRISTIAN CENTRE BOOKINGS: the wind is blowing hard and the rain is pelting down and the world Email [email protected] feels cold and uncaring. Nonetheless, for me it remains a privilege Phone: 07949 060567 Contact person: Andrew Brewster to be invited into the winter of people’s lives and share the stories, SUNDAY ­: the sadness, the laughter and memories that made that person 8.00am Holy Communion (Prayer Book) who they were and what they meant to others. 1st 10.45am Celebrating Together And that’s the thing for us isn’t it... making meaning out of 2nd 10.45am Parish Eucharist our life and death. Sometimes it’s really hard to make that sense 6.00pm Christians Together of meaning in our own lives when it all goes pear-shaped and 3rd 9.30am All Age Worship 11.00am Matins something hits us from the side when we didn’t see it coming. But 4th 10.45am Parish Eucharist with Healing Ministry it’s often helped when we are able to share our struggles, pains, 5th 10.45am Parish Eucharist and questions with someone who has the time and can listen well MIDWEEK SERVICE to us as we try to articulate what’s going on inside of us. Someone Holy Communion 10.00am, first Wednesday of the month once said that being listened to well is like being loved. And that’s Special Festivals etc. See Notice Boards profoundly deep and powerful and resonates with us. Always The Church is normally open from 10.00am to 3.00pm remember, as the Christmas story has just reminded us, that God EDWARD BEAR: A Mother and Toddler Group meets weekly on is with you and is closer to you than you think; and especially so Mondays 2.00 - 3.30pm during term time. See Notice Boards for when you feel you’re in a winter period in your life. details or ring Parish Office (422846) I had a very interesting and somewhat overwhelming meeting BAPTISM AND MARRIAGE recently in the Writtle Archives with the crew that have done such Preliminary arrangements should be made through the Parish an incredible job of archiving the varied history of our village! Life Office by calling in or telephoning (422846 Tuesday-Friday 10.00am with its joys and sorrows, ups and downs and shifts through the -12 noon) many, many seasons of Writtle’s existence. It made me wish I’d PASTORAL VISITS AND HOME COMMUNION been here decades ago! Requests for sick or hospital visits, or to receive Holy Communion Thank you all for your welcome of me amongst you, and I look at home, may be made by contacting our Pastoral Assistant Hazel forward to working with the various organisations in the village. Kempton (email: [email protected]) or by phoning the Thanks to all who work to build the local community, especially Parish Office (422846). those who give their time and talents freely through volunteering in 4 all manner of ways - particularly the unseen ways. 10.00am All-Age Worship And thank you to those who actively look for ways to be a ray 21st Ascension Day of sunshine in other people’s lives. When you smile, or listen well to TBA another it can help remind them that life will not always feel like a 24th Seventh Sunday of Easter (4th) wet winter. 10.00am Parish Eucharist and Healing Rev. Tony. 31st Pentecost (5th) 10.00am Parish Eucharist ALL SAINTS CALENDAR Please note that the main morning services are now at 10.00am. APRIL There will be an 8.00am communion on the first and third Sundays 4th 8.00am Common Prayer (Taizé style) of the month only. Matins is discontinued as is midweek communion. 5th Palm Sunday (1st) 8.00am Holy Communion BAPTISMS 10.00am Distribution of palms and procession, 23rd February Alec Jack Mixture followed by Family Eucharist 9th Maundy Thursday FUNERAL TBA Service 18th February Stephen Cresswell (50) 10th Good Friday TBA See Notice Boards 12th Easter Day (2nd) Save the Date! 6.30am TBC Dawn Service on The Green 10.00am Parish Eucharist Christmas Tree Festival in Writtle Church. 19th Second Sunday of Easter (3rd) 8.00am Holy Communion Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th 10.00am All-Age Worship December 2020. 25th 8.00am Service to commemorate Anzac Day 26th Third Sunday of Easter (4th) 10.00am Parish Eucharist and Healing WRITTLE CHURCH BAND The current band has been in existence for some 30 years, MAY commencing with children from Writtle and elsewhere as to 2nd 8.00am Common Prayer (Taizé style) encourage involvement in church matters. 3rd Fourth Sunday of Easter (1st) As the exact date is unknown perhaps it is helpful to look at the 8.00am Holy Communion history of church bands in general. 10.00am Celebrating Together In an inventory of 1604 there is mention of an organ in the 10th Fifth Sunday of Easter (2nd) Church which most likely would have been removed following 10.00am Parish Eucharist legislation 1644 or later during The Commonwealth. 6.00pm Christians Together In 1642, the Puritan Parliament, by edict, forbade all stage 17th Sixth Sunday of Easter (3rd) plays and dosed theatres. This meant that many musicians were 8.00am Holy Communion out of work and together with the players, in order to carry on their 5 trade, would have resorted to the tavern. There is also evidence of a church bands at Great Sampford and Many were travelling players and would have visited many Great Warley. towns and villages and taught local people, who went on to form The demise of the church band in most cases came about as a the early church bands (see Rollo Woods’ account). result of the introduction of the harmonium, invented by Alexandre From the middle of the 17th. century until the mid 19th. century, Derain in 1842, and small organs, but largely by the reforming with the, exception of cathedrals, collegiate chapels and other Oxford Movement and the hymn book ‘Ancient and Modern’ which important buildings, few churches would have music provided by displaced the old hymns and psalms. an organ. Beyond the scope of this article are the present day bands of It is during this period that the church band became an the non-conformist churches and The Salvation Army. important component of church ritual, which often appear to have There is evidence, gathered from the Writtle Archives, that there been somewhat unruly events. was a move, noted in The Writtle Church Magazine of August/ The musicians in those days would have played, not only for September 1959, to form a ‘Children’s Church’ with a Mr. R. Bailey the church, but for village dances and other secular events (see and his band, to work at a form of Matins with musical parts set to Thomas Hardy’s ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’). a modem rhythm to encourage the younger generation. There appears to have been little research on the subject of In the magazine for June 1972 there is mentioned the formation church bands in Essex, but there is a large body of work on the of the Writtle Players and Singers to play for some of the services. counties of Sussex, Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire and elsewhere. The Writtle Parish Magazine dated August 1888 indicates In the ‘Church Times’ dated 5th August 2017, ‘The Music the that there existed a Writtle Brass Band under the leadership of Mr Church Lost’, an article by Rollo Woods, describes in detail the Thitchener. development of church music, both sung and with instrumentation. The vicar, Rev. T.L. Papillon, was a trustee and auditor of the This became what is now known as ‘West Gallery’ music. band’s accounts, but we know not whether they played at services. In many churches the only space that could be made available The Writtle Church Band, as it exists today, is part of a long- for the ‘Quire’, that is the band, would have been to construct a standing living tradition. The band usually plays at services on the gallery at the west end of the church. first and third Sundays of the month. As far as the existence of church galleries in Essex is concerned, The current line-up, it does change from time to time, is research undertaken by Linda Hill (WGMA) consulting Pevsner’s generally led by a grand piano, with bass guitar, rhythm guitar, ‘The Buildings of England’, among other sources, has identified organist (soprano) and tenor recorders, melodeon and English only eight churches with galleries, with the exception of Lambourne concertina. (1704) and Chipping Ongar (1749), all built in the 19th century. If you play almost any type of instrument you are most welcome This, however, does not deny the existence of church bands in to join us. Essex. Please contact Dave Brewster ([email protected]) telephone Research undertaken by Sue Cubbin at Essex Records Office 420742. shows that bands existed as follows: Essex Review vol. 1 (1891) vol. 2 Thanks are due to ‘The Writtle Archives’, Sue Cubbin, Wendy (1892) at Hatfield Peveril and Foulness; Essex Review (1913) Ingrave. Hibbitt and Diana Day for help in compiling this article. Great Leighs, Little Leighs and Fairstead had travelling musicians. References: The instruments recorded were usually the fiddle, bass viol, The ‘Church Gallery Minstrels of Old Sussex’ by Rev. K.H. clarionet and flute. MacDermott, originally published ‘Sussex Church Music of the 6 Past’, printed in 1972 by Moore and Wingham of Chichester. Stay and Play Currently available with CD by Country Books. ISBN 978 1 901 Third Saturday of the month 10am-12 noon 214 734. Come read books then stay and play, toys for the younger WGMA: West Gallery Music Association is a revival group children and Lego for the older children (refreshments provided) specialising in the music of that era. Information can be found Community Tea Time online. First Tuesday of the month at 2pm The article published in the ‘Church Times’ in 2017 ‘The Music 7th April - German occupation of the Channel Islands that the Church Lost’, by Rollo Woods, can also be found on the 5th May - ‘Growing up as a Barnado’s Boy’. WGMA website. If anyone is interested in giving a chat at the Community Tea Dave Brewster. Time please speak to staff Coffee Morning (Supported by City of Chelmsford Mencap) YOUNG RINGERS CONVERGE ON WRITTLE Every Wednesday 10.30am-12 noon On Saturday 4th April, up to seven bands of young ringers will meet Book Groups at All Saints Writtle for the fifth SE England Striking Competition. Please contact library for information regarding book groups. This will be the first time Essex have hosted the competition. Knit, Stitch and Chatter The competition, which started in 2016 and was first held at Every Monday of the month, 2-4pm Epsom Common follows on from the highly successful National Bring a project to work on, learn from others and catch up over Youth Contest which is now in its 10th year. The competition is refreshments open to bands comprising ringers aged under 19 on 31st August Scrabble 2020 and teams are drawn from Hertfordshire, Kent, Sussex, Scrabble board is available for all in the library, and usually a Surrey, Guildford, Winchester & Portsmouth and Essex. small group play on a Thursday afternoon Each team will be allocated a 20-minute time slot in the tower, Seated Yoga during which they may adjust ropes, ring their whole piece for Thursdays 10am-10.45am. Call Sue 07810 541147 for more practice, give the starting signal and then ring their test piece. details Teams may choose to ring either Call Changes, Plain Hunt or a Writtle Chess Club touch of Triples or Major. The competition will end with lunch when For more details contact Ivor Smith 01245 421193 the results will be given. Other attractions during the morning will be handbell ringing, a mini-ring and a treasure hunt. Christina Brewster, Library space available for hire. Parties, meetings, groups, Essex Association of Change Ringers, Youth Coordinator. competitive rates, please see staff for more details. Opening Times WRITTLE LIBRARY EVENTS Monday 9.00am to 5.00pm Rhymetime supported by Mencap Tuesday 9.00am to 5.00pm From 10.30am every Wednesday during term-time Wednesday 9.00am to 1.00pm Daddy Cool Thursday 1.00pm to 5.00pm First Saturday of the month 10.30am Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm Children’s Craft Activities Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm Second Saturday of the month 10am-12 noon (Drop-in session). For renewals and enquiries, call 0345 603 7628. 7 DEBORAH SAYLES Following discussions with All Saints Church Parish Council, Writtle Parish Council, the churches, the Community Association and the Sports & Social Club in July 1980 it was agreed to produce the Writtle News in its present form run by a policy Board made up of representatives from all the sponsoring bodies. The first Board Chairman Start of Pedal for the J’s. was the late Alan Sayles (URC) and PEDAL FOR THE J’s 2020 - SUNDAY 3RD MAY the Hon. Secretary The popular annual cycle ride, Pedal for The J’s, is returning to was his wife Chelmsford on Sunday 3rd May. Cyclists have a choice of three rides - 15, 35 and 50 miles - through the beautiful local countryside, Deborah Sayles. Deborah who took up the appointment all starting and finishing in Admirals Park. Photograph by John Aldridge. as she was, at that The ride raises money for The J’s - part of the Havens Hospices time, Clerk to the Writtle Parish Council. The first meeting of the charity - which supports young adults with complex or incurable Board was held at the Sayles’ home in Millfields and despite many conditions and their families across Essex. changes to the Board over the years meetings continued to be Pedal for The J’s appeals to people looking for a relaxing, held in Millfields until Deborah retired as its Secretary in 2019. scenic ride as well as experienced teams from cycling clubs. Last It is remarkable for any one person to have devoted so much year, around 900 keen cyclists signed up and raised just over of her time to the support our village magazine, and we owe a £31,500 which helped to pay for a range of services including great deal of gratitude to Deborah for what has been a life- tailored nursing and emotional care, advice and social activities. long commitment, having been in post for over 37 years. In her Organisers at Havens Hospices are hoping to see 1,000 ‘retirement’ we hope she will have more time to give her continued bicycles at the start line on 3rd May and they are very grateful to support to the many charities and voluntary bodies she assists. Beaulieu in Chelmsford for sponsoring this event for the sixth time. John Aldridge. Sign up now at www.havenshospices.org.uk/pedal 8 Dear Friends, A great apologist for the Christian Faith was a man called G.K. PARISH OF OUR LADY IMMACULATE Chesterton. I often feel a real connection with him - he too was 178 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0AR absolutely enormous! He was really big. Chesterton used to joke Telephone: (01245) 352898 that he was the politest man in all of England - because when he Abbot Hugh Allan BA(OPraem) stood up in a bus, he could give seats to three ladies! Chesterton was big not only in girth, but great in intellect. Many SATURDAYS considered him the most brilliant and most popular journalist of his 9.00am at Our Lady Immaculate Church, New London Road day. It caused quite a stir when, after many decades of searching, 6.00pm at Holy Name Church, Lucas Avenue, he started going to church. Friends asked him why he became a Moulsham Lodge Christian. Chesterton replied, “To get rid of my sins!” SUNDAYS That is what we see in the approaching celebration of Easter. 9.00am, 12 noon, 7.00pm. Peter recounts Jesus’ death and resurrection and then concludes: All at Our Lady Immaculate Church, New London Road “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through 10.30am at Holy Name Church, Lucas Avenue, his name.” When Jesus first appeared to the Apostles, he breathed Moulsham Lodge the gift of the Holy Spirit and said, “Whose sins you forgive, they WEEKDAYS are forgiven them.” 8.00am at St. Philip’s Priory, New London Road The forgiveness of sins brings something new into our Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12.30pm and Fridays 9.30am at world. Without forgiveness, human history is very bleak. Anger, Our Lady Immaculate Church, New London Road resentment, bitterness, envy - those things go on and on. We know HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION in our own lives how difficult it is to get rid of resentment. And 7.00am, 9.30am, 12.30pm and 7.00pm. All at Our Lady sometimes even the person who says, “I love everyone,” in reality, Immaculate Church, New London Road is seething with bitterness inside. 7.30pm at Holy Name Church, Lucas Avenue, There is only one way to overcome bitterness: the Cross and Moulsham Lodge Resurrection, the forgiveness of sins. If we open ourselves to the CONFESSIONS Cross, something new enters the world; something new enters our 11.00am to 12 noon on Saturdays at own lives. It is not easy. On the contrary, nothing is more difficult Our Lady Immaculate Church, New London Road than giving or receiving forgiveness - and all that it implies for our 5.30pm to 6.00pm at Holy Name Church, Lucas Avenue, relations with others. That is the reason why at this time of year we Moulsham Lodge have before our eyes the Cross - and the Resurrection. BAPTISMS AND MARRIAGES So as we rejoice in the beauty of Spring, as we journey through By appointment Lent, approaching the wonder Easter Day, accept the challenge of THE PARISH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT the Resurrection. Live! Life is worth living! For Christ has truly risen. 116 Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford. Alleluia! Parish Priest Fr. Paul Cracknell Tel: 354256 Abbott Hugh. MASS TIMES Sat: 6.00pm Sun: 9.30am & 11.30am 9 Artist’s Impression of the new Writtle Community Centre, Longmeads (to be renamed The Beryl Platt Centre). 10 THE NEW WRITTLE COMMUNITY CENTRE, LONGMEADS (to be renamed The Beryl Platt Centre) As you can see from Christine Knight’s photographs, the new WCA building is really taking shape and the developers are confident that we will be able to move in by the end of July. After considerable work by Ralph Bray of the Parish Council, we are now at the stage of having to supply details of the fixtures and fittings that we require. The WCA Committee felt that it was now appropriate to appoint a Centre Manager. I am pleased to announce that Claire Gaskin has taken the position of Manager of the new Beryl Platt Centre, having stepped down from the Committee. Claire is greatly looking forward to this challenge and has already proposed some exciting new ideas for the centre. The Writtle Community Association AGM will be held on Under construction, the storage building Tuesday 21st April at 7.30pm in Longmeads House, and all are to the side of the new Community Centre, February 2020. welcome. Photograph by Christine Knight. We would like to hear from anyone interested in joining our committee, for what we hope will be a new beginning and a bright future. If you would like to find out more, please contact us on 01245 420676 or email [email protected] Peter Smith, WCA Chairman.

The new Writtle Community Centre View of Longmeads House garden, showing under construction at Longmeads, February 2020. the new Writtle Community Centre Photograph by Christine Knight. under construction, February 2020. 11 article-1258248-03D177D2000005DC-952_468x526.jpg 468×526 pixels 25/02/2020, 15:05 THE SWIFT (Apus apus), length 16-17 cms NATURE What a truly amazing bird is the swift. They fly all the way from South Africa to come to Great Britain to nest and bring up their young in May, then leave to fly back home with their young during August. These tiny creatures fly some 6,000 miles to get here, taking roughly a fortnight. Following various landmarks such as rivers, valleys etc., and carefully avoiding mountain ranges such as the Alps. They even cross the English Channel at its narrowest point, homing in to the same spot they nested in previous years. What a wonderful system of navigation. It is said they can fly up to 96kph, very seldom, if ever, stopping to rest, and sleeping while in flight. In fact, everything is done while in flight, feeding and even mating. They can be seen throughout Great Britain May till August, apart from the far north of Scotland. The swift has an all dark plumage, apart from a paler throat colouring. It has long wings with a short tail, having very much an anchor shaped outline in flight. It is invariably seen in flight apart from when it is sitting on its nest. The swift feeds on insects when in flight and can be often seen feeding over lakes and rivers, looking for a possible food source for itself and its young. It is said it cannot take off from ground level and thus needs height in order to drop down and pick up flight. This leads it mainly to nest in man-made structures such as churches, lofts, eves, etc. In Writtle, its main nesting area has in the past been the Great Barn at Writtle College, but it has also been seen elsewhere. The swift has a very shrill cry, more like a scream, thus it has been known by some as the ‘Devil Bird’. Its scream differentiates it from a swallow or house martin, as does its anchor shape. Its nest is made of vegetable fragments taken in flight and bonded together with saliva. Whenever possible it will reuse the same nest year after year, and will sometimes use an old house martin’s nest. The female lays two or three eggs, hatching after 3-4 weeks. The male spends its time in flight catching insects to feed the female and their young. When hatched, the young with help from their parents spend several weeks building up their strength before they have to make the long flight home to various areas of the African continent. What a great example of nature’s ability to enable this small The Swift. creature to navigate its way on this great journey back and forth to 12

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/03/16/article-1258248-03D177D2000005DC-952_468x526.jpg Page 1 of 1 its homeland, often at a very young age and at the same time feed, 1½ tsp baking powder sleep and even mate in flight. It is also said the swift can live up to twenty years, so it can have made this wonderful navigation several For the mascarpone cream times. 200g (7 oz) light mascarpone It is said that the American woodcock is the slowest flying bird 100ml (3½ fl oz) whipping cream in the world, flying at some 5 miles per hour. This would be a good 2 tbsp icing sugar walking pace. It would take this American bird some 55 days to fly 4 tbsp lemon curd the 6,000 miles from South Africa if it could fly non-stop, but the 15g (½ oz) toasted flaked almonds swift is said to do it in 15 days or so. These time periods give some idea of the energy of the swift in flight. Method Derek Cooley 1. Pre heat oven to gas mark 5, 190ºC (170ºC in fan) and lightly grease 2 x 20cm (8 inch) sandwich tins. Line the base with SARA’S KITCHEN greaseproof paper and grease that too, lightly. As I write this recipe in February for the April/May 2. In a large bowl beat the butter and caster sugar until smooth. edition of Writtle News, Storm Ciara is blowing a Gradually add the eggs and beat until pale and fluffy. If the hooley outside and wreaking havoc. I have just mixture looks like it is starting to split then add a little bit of the watched my watering can fly past the kitchen window flour. followed by someone else’s recycling. Although 3. Beat the almond extract and zest into the egg mixture and then it seems as though Spring is a very long way off, in reality it will sift over the dry ingredients and fold in with a large metal spoon. be with us before we know it and so I thought I would choose a Spoon half the batter into each tin and smooth the tops. nice Easter recipe for this edition. I know that Simnel cake is the 4. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until risen, golden and just traditional Easter choice, but it is not a particular favourite in our shrinking from the sides of the tin. Leave in the tins for 10 mins house. Instead we make this Tesco recipe which we discovered to cool before turning them carefully out onto a cooling rack. a few years ago and which has become our tradition. (I always Leave to cool completely. have to shoo my kids away when decorating this cake as they 5. Whilst they are cooling make the mascarpone cream by beating will try to decorate anything and everything with Cadburys mini together the mascarpone, cream and icing sugar in a bowl until eggs -whatever the season!). Please try this. In the meantime I had smooth. better go and retrieve my watering can... 6. Once the cakes are completely cold put one sponge on a serving plate and spread with 2 tbsp of the lemon curd. Top LEMON AND ALMOND CAKE with half the mascarpone cream and smooth it out with a Ingredients palette knife. Top with the second sponge and spread the rest 225g (7½ oz) unsalted butter, softened + extra for greasing of the mascarpone cream over the top. 225g (7½ oz) caster sugar 7. Add a little water to the remaining 2 tbsp of lemon curd to thin 4 medium eggs, beaten it a little and then drizzle it over the top of the cake prettily. ½ tsp almond extract Scatter with the toasted almonds and wait for the guests to line 1½ lemons, finely zested up (while fending off the children who are loitering nearby with 75g (3 oz) plain flour a large packet of mini eggs...). 150g (5 oz) ground almonds Serves 10 13 WARTIME MEMORIES Margaretting Road was also the location of an anti-aircraft gun VERY WELL, ALONE emplacement and a barrage balloon, and Doug Hobart recalls By mid-May 1940, the nations of Europe had either allied that the soldiers manning the guns would let children climb onto themselves to Germany, or had been forced to surrender, or had the gunner’s seat and play with the controls. Every now and again decided neutrality was the better part of valour. Some courageous the 3.7 inch guns would blast away, probably more to impress the people had escaped to Britain to help carry on the fight and we children rather than with any real prospect of downing an enemy had our Empire/Commonwealth. The spirit of the country was plane. He also described seeing a somewhat mysterious circle encapsulated by the famous cartoon by Low “Very well, alone”. of light in Lawford Lane. This does not appear to have been a searchlight but a great lens many feet across which, in theory, Acknowledgements to the Evening Standard, 1940. would send up a dazzling beam of light to blind the German pilots. Doug never saw it in action. Although some aspects of life contained excitement for boys like Doug, he never overlooked the dangers and tragedies of the war. His uncle, Ronald Hobart, had been killed on the 20th December 1939, aged 19, not long after joining the RAF. As one of the ground crew, he was involved in preparing a plane for flight when the propeller unexpectedly spun, hitting him and killing him instantly. The whole country was geared up for the war effort to combat the threats of invasion and of wholescale bombing. W.D. & H.O. Wills produced cigarette cards showing air raid precautions, including how to create a gas proof shelter, how to sandbag your

The Battle of Britain raged in the skies with numerous casualties on both sides. On the 19th of June a lady in Margaretting Road was astonished to open her door to find a wounded German airman on her doorstep. Lieutenant Simon had parachuted from his crippled Heinkel and landed at Writtle. His three crew members were not so lucky as they were killed when the plane crashed in Springfield Road, ending up in the grounds of Bishopscourt. 14 windows and how to tackle an incendiary bomb. old Audrey and 14 month old Deana, and Alice. She was aged 41 Ethel Chinery grieved for the loss of her fiancé but, typical of and had worked for the family for some dozen years. her generation, just got on with life. She worked at the Crompton On the other side of the world, Henry Brooks was on board the factory and shared an office with her boss. She had a small desk, destroyer HMS Scout, laying mines to protect the harbour at Hong while he had the larger one, so when the air raid sirens went she Kong in the light of the Japanese aggression in China. Henry had dived under his desk. The company then built several shelters enlisted into the Royal Navy in 1936 aged 15. During the Spanish where the staff could take cover. Each had an identification Civil War he served on war ships patrolling Spanish waters to number and Ethel still remembered the shelter allocated to those protect British ships. Following the fall of France he was amongst who worked in her office - R10G40. If it turned into a lengthy stay those ordered back to protect home waters. He was assigned to in the shelter they were given Ovaltine tablets for refreshments. Motor Launch 114, escorting convoys through the Straits of Dover. If that doesn’t sound too appetising it must be remembered that To minimise the risk from bombing and shelling, they would pick with rationing in force food treats were few and far between. Ethel up the merchant ships by the Nore Light off Southend at night and recalled eating rationed chocolate. It was gritty, not very nice and escort them to Southampton. didn’t taste much like chocolate! Still, it was better than nothing. Henry recalled that they would move away from the harbour One of the first civilian casualties from Writtle as a result of the at Gosport - a prime target for the bombers - and moor off Ryde bombing was Alice Emery. She worked as a domestic servant at as the boats ran on aviation fuel and a bomb exploding anywhere Brierly Place in London Road, the home of the Mayor of Chelmsford, nearby would have blown them sky high. A bonus however, was John Ockelford Thompson. On the 13th October 1940 a bomb that they were usually able to pick up some fruit and vegetables. destroyed his house, killing Mr Thompson, his wife Emma, their Then once a number of merchantmen had arrived they would begin son, Lt-Col. Thomas Thompson, their two granddaughters, 8 year the equally hazardous journey back to the Thames from where the

Photograph kindly supplied by Chelmsford War Memorial website, copyright Andy Begent.

Postcard from Kopeczynce. 15 ships would proceed to London to unload. 1940 saw Writtle, like the rest of the country, facing an uncertain future. But for one little girl, far away in the Polish enclave of Kopeczynce in Ukraine, the harsh reality of wartime life was about to lead her on a truly epic journey. That little girl was Zosia Lesniowska, better known by many in Writtle by her married name of Finegan. She was born on the 4th June 1933 and the family lived in modest comfort, but all that was to change when the Germans invaded Poland. Her father was called up for the army, although he was discharged some weeks later owing to his poor eyesight - he had been badly affected by gas during the First World War when serving in the Austrian Army. Postcard of the church in Kopeczynce.

Postcard of Chorostkow.

Expelled Poles await transport at a railway (photograph in the public domain under Polish copyright laws).

Until then the Poles had got on well with the surrounding Ukrainians, but that September it all changed. Zosia remembers that she and the other children ran with their mother across the newly harvested fields, their legs bleeding from the stubble, and hiding in a ditch as the Ukrainians looted Polish houses. Fortunately their neighbour protected them from his compatriots and tensions eased somewhat and she recalls celebrating Christmas that year with little toys, sweets and traditional customs. 16 This uneasy state was not to last. On the 10th February 1940 two Ukrainians came and without giving the family much time to take any possessions ordered them out of the house and onto a sleigh which took them to the train station at Chorostkow, where all the Poles were put into cattle wagons that were locked from the outside. The wagons had no windows, just narrow slats for ventilation. A hole in the centre of the wagon was used as the toilet. About twelve families were crammed into each wagon, with some sleeping on the floor and others on bunks above them. It was very cold and Zosia can remember one night her mother was partially frozen to the side of the wagon. No-one knew where they were heading and for this six year old child the future seemed very bleak indeed. John Trusler.

Please note: all rights in this and previous and subsequent articles View from the bottom of Writtle Green. remains with me and/or the interviewees and/or their next of kin Photograph by Christine Knight.

WRITTLE SINGERS Police cordoning off Writtle Green on the night of 31st January Writtle Singers are preparing for their first concert of the new 2020 after the murder of a young man on The Green. decade and we hope you will join us for this entertaining evening. “Made in Essex” is a celebration of music written in and around Essex, from Byrd and Tallis to contemporary settings of folksong, Shakespeare and some crazy (and not altogether flattering!) poems about our very own county. We hope you will join us for this diverse evening concert that will take place on Saturday 4th April, 7.30pm at All Saints’ Church, Writtle. Full information and tickets can be obtained from www. writtlesingers.org or call 07815 966978. With this event we are delighted to be participating in Essex 2020, a year-long celebration of science and creativity. Looking ahead, our Summer Concert, Algorhythms will be held on Sunday 5th July at All Saints’ Church, Writtle. Please check our website for further details.

17 TREES ABSORPTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE COME AND JOIN US FOR A PLANT SALE/COFFEE All trees will absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, MORNING SATURDAY 23RD MAY but scientists clash over which are the best species to tackle the A combined coffee, cake and plant bring and buy sale will problem of climate change. It is a proven fact that native trees such be held on Saturday 23rd May from 10am to 12 noon in the as Oak, Beech and Birch are a good choice as they also support Christian Centre in aid of Christian Aid week, which this year considerable wildlife. Trees can store carbon dioxide from the is 10th-16th May. As there will be no door-to-door collection atmosphere in their trunks, branches, leaves and roots, so planting in Writtle this year, donation envelopes for those wishing to trees is one way we can buy our planet more time, making it one of contribute will be available at the coffee morning and also the best and cheapest things we can do. from All Saints’ Church. Donations may also be made online at It is generally thought evergreen conifers are not so good at www.caweek.org absorbing carbon dioxide, but it is always said the fast growing Sitka Spruce can absorb three times as much as many other trees. We have, in the UK, some three billion trees. This sounds a lot, but does not compare to many other countries which have a much greater concentration of trees. Many of us can do our bit in the garden by planting small trees such as Alder, Hawthorn, Silver Birch, Hazelnut, Crab Apple, Rowan and fruit trees. Fast growing Bamboo is also very good, and good samples of this can be seen by our Wear Pond. The present government have said they aim to plant 30 million trees a year, so let’s support them in Writtle. Derek Cooley. FLAGS FLYING FROM THE CHURCH TOWER WI Sunday 12th April Wed 8th April 7.45pm Writtle Village Hall Easter Sunday (and following 7 days) Diocesan Flag Annual General Meeting, Tuesday 21st April plus Taste Testing Birthday of HM The Queen Union Flag Competition: Thursday 23rd April Something beginning with ‘A’ St. George’s Day St. George Flag Thursday 23rd April Wed 13th May 7.45pm Writtle Village Hall Birthday of Prince Louis of Cambridge Union Flag Police and Fire Commissioner Saturday 2nd May - Jane Gardner Birthday of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge Union Flag Competition: Thursday 21st May Something beginning with ‘B’ Ascension Day Diocesan Flag Sunday 31st May Pentecost Diocesan Flag 18 Sunday May 31st BBQ at Oxney Green allotments GARDEN & ALLOTMENT SOCIETY Wednesday June 24th Bressingham coach trip Chairman: John Rouse, Tel. 421350 Trading Hut opening hours: As gardeners and allotment holders you all know how important Sundays 10am-12.15pm insects are in the pollination of plants. Without insects we would not Saturdays in April 10am-12.15pm have the variety of fruits and vegetables that all animals (including people) need to survive. There is a lot that gardeners and allotment holders can do to encourage insects and other wildlife. Bees and other pollinators need a source of nectar throughout the different seasons. Here are some plants that are good sources of nectar: • In late winter/early spring try crocus, hellebores and mahonia • Fruit trees such as apple, plum and pear • Primroses, pulmonaria and forget-me-nots in spring • Foxgloves, lavender, vipers bugloss in summer. Sow a patch or strip of cornfield annuals such as poppies and cornflowers. Verbena bonariensis is a great source of nectar for butterflies and moths • In autumn sedums look great and are buzzing with insects, as are the small, insignificant flowers of ivy. • Leave some grass to grow long and you’ll find this attracts butterflies such as speckled woods, meadow browns, skippers and ringlets • Honeysuckle is another plant that is great at attracting bees, butterflies and moths. You could also consider avoiding using insecticides and herbicides as these will kill many beneficial insects such as ladybirds and ground beetles (and other creatures such as spiders) which are all important in controlling garden pests! These chemicals have also been linked to the worldwide decline in bees, butterflies, moths and other pollinating insects.

Garden & Allotment Society News Show schedules now available from the Trading Hut (Summer Show July 18th, Autumn Show September 12th) Why not enter the potato challenge? Entry fee £1, Find out more from the Trading Hut. 19

WRITTLE ARCHIVES Victory in Europe Day, VE DAY 75TH ANNIVERSARY generally known as VE Day, Please join us for our V E Celebrations in Writtle marks 8 May 1945, the day on Family Picnic on the Green, Friday May 8th 2020 which World War II in Europe ended. In the United Kingdom Here’s how we celebrated the 50th Anniversary more than one million people Looking forward to seeing some of you in your 1940s style costumes, or with your red, white and blue outfits on The Green celebrated in the streets to to celebrate with us this important anniversary. There will be prizes mark the end of the European for the best family picnic group, plus individual prizes for the best part of the war. In London, WW2 costumes. In the church, from Friday to Sunday, Writtle crowds massed in Trafalgar Archives will be displaying photographs and memories from the Square and up the Mall to ‘Home Front’ and after the service at the church, starting at 1.00pm and a peal of bells, the picnicking can start. You might like to try Buckingham Palace, where King George VI and some of the following for your picnic: spam, fish paste or chocolate Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prime Minister spread sandwiches, fairy cakes, and jellies, washed down with fruit Winston Churchill, appeared on the balcony of the squash and ginger beer. Or even be more adventurous with curried palace before the cheering crowds. carrots, cheese and marmite swirls and Lord Woolton pies made of vegetables and lard. Help us celebrate in Writtle on Fri May 8th There will be entertainment with 40s songs and music from Church service of Thanksgiving for Peace 1.00pm Woodwind of Dunmow, Asha, and Take Note, side shows for the children, veteran cars, and WW2 soldiers. At 3.00pm, raise your Family Picnic on the Green between 2.00-4.30pm glasses for a National Toast to the Heroes of the War who lost their National toast to the Heroes of WW2 at 3.00pm lives, and look out for the fly past to London which may fly over us with luck. 40’s music and singing, side shows for the children We need volunteers to help set up from 11.00am and to clear Veteran cars, WW2 soldiers, archives display up from 5.00pm. Please let Wendy Hibbitt (421265) or Sue Bell (421482) know if you could help. Bring your own picnic, dress for the Looking back to the last weeks of the Second World War and occasion and bring out the flags. how people coped with the restrictions, it is amazing the ingenuity involved. Prizes for the best family picnic and individual prizes for the best WW2 costumes. ON THE HOME FRONT 1939-1945 We have many memories of WW2 in the Archives which show the situation in the village, with food rationing and all commodities difficult to find towards the end of the war. 20 FOOD RATIONING flour were stored in the attics at the vicarage. After the war this “My sister and I used to get a midday meal at our canteen, to help unused food was sent to the Dutch, who had been left starving spread out the meat ration at home. with severe food shortages. We were never short of vegetables as my father was a very keen Most controversial was bread; it was not rationed until after gardener and had two allotments as well as our home garden. I gave the war ended, but wholemeal bread replaced the ordinary white up sugar in tea to save it for jam. In the summer we made what jam variety, to the distaste of most housewives who found it mushy, grey we could with the sugar available, and my mother used to bottle fruit and easy to blame for digestion problems. An order was passed for use in the winter. We surrendered our egg ration in order to get that bread must not be sold to a customer until the day after it was a permit for chicken food. We used to cook up peelings and scraps baked; the stated reasons were to reduce usage because it was and mix it with the meal and the hens used to seem to like it. At any difficult to slice just-baked bread thinly; and the tastiness of just- rate they produced eggs for us, some of which we used to preserve baked bread was likely to encourage people to eat it immoderately. in water glass in a large earthenware container. They were not much use for boiling but were very useful in other ways and kept well. We BRITISH RESTAURANTS could also get dried egg powder, which could be made up into quite To help out the poorer families, communal kitchens were created passable scrambled egg. I think the shortage of meat, butter and during WW2 to ensure communities and people who had run out cheese was the hardest to cope with. The rations were very small of rationing coupons were still able to eat. Meals were purchased and had to be spread very thinly. Some other items were available for a set maximum price of 9d or less. No-one could be served with on a points system. We were allocated so many points a month and a meal of more than one serving of meat, game, poultry, fish, eggs it was up to us to decide on which items to use them. We didn’t ever or cheese. Restaurants in the UK were not subject to rationing, but go hungry, but our diet was rather dreary compared with today’s some restrictions were placed on them, for instance no meal could standards, and we were constantly looking out for anything with which to supplement it. Bread and flour rationing didn’t start until the end of the war, and all rationing ended in 1954 after 14 years.” Mrs Doris Collison.

Memories from Mary Jackson, recorded in the Essex Sound and Video Archive S.A. 11/503/1 at the Essex Record Office, show that mothers had to scrimp and save to eke out their rations. Toys, sweets and fruit were in short supply. Things like powdered egg and American ‘spam’ were introduced and Christmas puddings made with very small amounts of dried fruit and carrots. Carrots were also used with an orange to make home-made marmalade. Gardens were made into allotments and ‘pick your own’ became Helpers at the British Restaurant. popular. Food items such as 1lb of sugar were given as birthday and Christmas presents. Back row: Mrs Ketley, Mrs Bucknell, Queues often formed outside shops with items for sale. Mrs Edwards, Mrs Everard, Mrs Theobald. With the fear of invasion, food was being stock-piled and Front row: Mrs Poole, unknown, Mrs Anstee, George Upton, son of the vicar, remembers that sugar, butter and Mrs Bristow, unknown. 21 be more than three courses and the maximum price was five shillings. Hall in 1941 and Colonel Cramphorn urged readers of the Essex Chronicle to ensure success by buying his company’s seeds.

In the early years of the war, food imports were badly affected by the torpedoing of merchant shipping in the North Atlantic. A conference was held in 1941 at the “Institute of Agriculture” (now Writtle University College) to discuss ways of increasing food production in allotments and gardens. The Institute was central to the organisation and implementation of the wartime “Dig for Victory” campaign. Its role was mainly advisory - on soils, Oxney Garage and Court Café about 1950. cultivations, cropping pests and diseases. Thus staff from the Institute went to the During WW2 the cafe attached to the Oxney garage, now allotments on Saturdays and Sundays to make inspections and demolished, was then known as the ‘Racquets Cafe’, as there discuss individual problems. was a tennis court behind, and was taken over by the British Red Others played their own roles. The Women’s Institute set up Cross as a British Restaurant. The chef was Mr Fiske. George fruit preserving centres with the help of some of the men folk. More Galley remembered the Friday evening Whist Drives which cost allotments were made available from vacant building sites and 1/6d including a cup of tea and a small cake. Dances and wedding even parts of Epping Forest were secured for growing vegetables. receptions were also held there. Bill and Mary Halls were married in Councils made every inch of spare land available for allotments 1944 and the British Restaurant did the reception for 25 people at and by 1943 the number had doubled. Diets changed; with meat £3 per head. This was a sit down meal of cold meat, potatoes etc, severely rationed people turned to high protein lentils and haricot and trifle. In 1947 Pam Jay (then Edwards) held her 21st birthday beans. Towards the end of the war numbers tailed off, as with their party for 20 people there. men at war and all women under the age of 55 required to work, The Writtle Civil Defence Wardens had their VE Dinner there on there was little time for gardening. Other problems were the shortage May 25th. The Archives have the menu for this which would have of fertiliser, and the banning of the weather forecast in case it helped been very special at the time. the Germans. People started to keep animals, and with only one Soup: tomato Joint: cold tongue, lamb, beef, salad, potatoes egg allowed per person per week chickens were favourite. Pig clubs Sweet: Christmas Pudding, Trifle sprang up with people pooling their scraps and all benefited when Followed by ‘The King’ and coffee (advert for ‘Players Please’ on the animal was slaughtered. Food rationing meant a shortage of the bottom of the menu) meat, so at harvest time people used to go out into the fields and catch rabbits as they tried to escape the harvester. DIG FOR VICTORY The lower branches of trees lining the streets were trimmed and Gardeners dug for the war effort with the well-known slogan ‘Dig the sticks distributed to allotment holders for use as pea and bean for Victory’. The Ministry of Agriculture held a rally at the Shire stakes. 22 Schools were to play their own part encouraging pupils to work on “I made a little girl’s smocked dress from good parts of her dad’s an allotment as part of out of school. shirt!”. [Mrs M. Turner]. [Quotations from “Writtle College. The First Hundred Years”, C. “I lost my clothing coupons and had to swear on the Bible in front Beale and G. Owen]. of Miss Maud Usborne at her home, Purcell Cole, before I could get a replacement”. [Lily Hockley]. CLOTHING COUPONS When war rationing first started, only food coupons had been The end of the War in Europe was announced on 8th May 1945 issued, and unused coupons in ration books for some food items and everyone felt a great sense of thankfulness that the rockets became valid for clothing. Clothes and all fabrics were rationed from and bombing was finally over. There was great joy and relief in the June 1941 onwards, and every item was given a value in coupons. village and hasty preparations were made for various street parties At the beginning, the coupons allowed for one completely new set in the village and all over the country. of clothes per year, but as time wore on, the points were reduced “Lots and lots of folk assembled on The Green and drank the pubs until buying a coat used almost a year’s clothing coupons! So, the dry. I was there with my small daughter, and the land army girl who government launched a ‘make do and mend’ campaign. The aim was with us all through the war”. [Betty Little]. was to encourage people to take good care of their clothes and to Her memories were tinged with sadness on that day as her mend them when they became worn, rather than buying new. The husband Ted was away with the 8th Army in Italy and she didn’t second-hand clothes market flourished, as they were not rationed. see him for four years. Older-styles clothes were transformed into modern styles, and “My children attended a party which was organised by Mrs Prosser women’s magazines carried tips on how to spend clothes coupons, who kept the Green Man in Edney Common”. [Mrs Matthews]. and on revamping old garments. “As the war began to show signs of ending there was a lessening “Clothes during the war sometimes presented a problem as I was of the blackout, the liberation of Paris, Brussels, etc. and the at an age when I wanted to look my best. I don’t think I shouldn’t be tragic and horrifying pictures and reports of the finding of the admitting to this, but I occasionally managed to buy something on concentration camps. However, VE Day finally arrived and we had the black-market at a price! I can remember that somehow in the a party on St Johns Green for the children, at which my husband office we managed to come by some parachutes, and these were and Herbert Edwards put on a Punch & Judy show. Then after put to good use for making underwear. Linen sacks which had the surrender of Japan following the dropping of the atom bombs held flour were saved to make tea towels and the like, also people came VJ day and another party.” [Doris Collison]. used to knit socks for the forces from an oiled wool. Balaclavas “I went to a party at the British Restaurant. The only thing I can were another item which used to be knitted at home and sent out remember about it were the chocolate spread sandwiches - to the forces. Little items of jewellery were of course a luxury, and horrible!” [Derek Judd]. together with friends, we used to collect beech nuts, acorns, and any seed pods which could be painted and waxed together to You can find out more about how the war affected the ordinary make a brooch; these we used to sell and give the money to the lives of Writtle people both then and through the centuries in the Red Cross.” [Pam Jay]. Heritage Writtle publication ‘Village Life Through Misfortune and “We managed the best we could with the needle and cotton, make War’. On sale for £5 in the library and at the Writtle Archives on do and mend, wearing clothes handed down from our elders”. [Mrs Wednesday afternoons from 2.00-5.00pm. D.G. Ellis]. Wendy Hibbitt. “We made top coats from blankets”. [Betty Little]. Tel 421265 [email protected] 23 built in their WRITTLE VILLAGE HALL Writtle CARDS proudly present neighbourhood. Sound familiar? ‘DREAM HOUSE’ The protest campaign divides the The world premiere of a brand new comedy drama family, with written and directed by Jerry Thomas. Kimberley’s son This bitter-sweet comedy takes a humorous look at modern, crowded family life. Lots of twists, laughs and breakfast cereal! Jake arguing that they are just Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April being selfish, April at 8:00pm. while Stephanie Writtle Village Hall is anxious about the prospect of Tickets are £9:00 and are available at [email protected] or contact our box office on hordes of new 07858 990931 neighbours. 18, The Green, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3DU Matters aren’t Secretary: Wendy Risdon, Tel: 07394 663636 helped when Jake’s new Email: [email protected] girlfriend Chloe arrives with WRITTLE CARDS PRODUCTION, 23RD-25TH APRIL - a homeless DREAM HOUSE woman who has been Writtle Cards’ next play is the first performance of“Dream House”, sleeping in the a comedy drama written by Jeremy Thomas, CARDS member doorway of the TEL 07858 990931 OR [email protected] and citizen of Writtle. It tackles the topical issue of housing, from coffee-house the point of view of a family whose members have outgrown their where they work. Then things really kick off. current home and are desperate for a change. They actually win the competition! But will they ever be able to Unfortunately for their grown-up children, moving out is not move in? Things get complicated as the anti-housing campaign that easy when houses are so expensive. Sisters-in-law Becca reaches its climax. There are some serious issues here, but the and Kimberley, best of friends since the discos of the fifth form, script plays it for laughs, as each member of the household tries have had to live together in the same small house ever since their to decide what they really think. They also have to work out what it two husbands were killed in a freak accident twenty-five years ago. means to be part of a family. Come and see how they resolve their They still share the home with Kimberley’s son Jake, and Becca’s dilemmas! daughter Stephanie, though both are nearing thirty. So Becca enters a competition to win a “dream house”. At the same time Kimberley begins a campaign to stop a new housing development being 24 BOWLING CLUB If you do decide to join our club, and there will be no pressure on you to do so, then you can enjoy bowling at all levels in beautiful surroundings with a club that has a long tradition of bowling in the community. In fact this year the club is celebrating its centenary so you could become part of the next 100 years of bowling!! Contact club secretary Wendy Harvey via our website of www. writtlebowlingclub.com if you need any further information.

HOME FAYRE VILLAGE HALL Molly Mann and her friends have served tea and coffee at the Home Fayre in the Village Hall on Thursday mornings. Over the last ten years the sales of tea and coffee alone has raised over £4,000 which has been donated to various charities. Due to their constant hard work, commitment and dedication so many people have benefited. Just before Christmas Molly decided to make it her last Thursday. Writtle Bowling Club. Thank you for tirelessly giving up your precious time in order to support those less fortunate. A great achievement. HAVE A GO AT BOWLING AT WRITTLE BOWLING CLUB. Thank you Molly and friends. If you have often thought you might like to have a go at the great Sara Faulkner. sport of lawn bowls but didn’t know where to go, what to do or how to start then this is your opportunity to find out all you need WEA to know. Our Spring Term courses have proved very popular and we have We are holding not one but two Open Sessions on 9th and enjoyed our lectures on “Rebellion, Revolution or Civil War” on 16th May starting at 10.00am until 1pm. Tuesday mornings and learning about “Herbs and the Physic You don’t need any experience and there will be qualified Gardens” in the afternoon. The Wednesday evening class has coaches on-hand to help you get the most of your time with us. enjoyed hearing about the “Folk Revival since 1960”. We have There will also be club members for you to chat with and share their been lucky to have three good tutors this term. experiences of bowling and answer any questions you might have. Details of the Autumn courses will be detailed in later editions Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. You don’t need to bring of the Writtle News. anything but we would ask that you wear or bring flat soled shoes An invitation is given to all present, past and future students to to protect our bowling green. come to our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 29th April at So if you want to do a sport with gentle exercise in the fresh air 7.30pm, in Writtle Village Hall. Come and hear what we have been and make new friendships, and why wouldn’t you, then come along doing this year and participate in our refreshments afterwards. to either or both of our Open Days. Younger people but over 16 All classes are held in Writtle Village Hall. If you are interested are most welcome so let your sons, daughters and grandchildren in hearing more contact class secretary, Anita Curtis, on 01245 know and maybe they too would like to come and try a new activity. 420365. 25 WRITTLE UNIVERSITY have a very special link with Ros, as she rides two horses bred at COLLEGE WELCOMES our on-campus Lordships Stud: eight-year-old gelding Lordships CHAMPION RIDER! Graffalo and his younger sister Lordships Parc Royale.” Writtle University College (WUC) Ros said: “It was a fun evening and exciting to bring the horses in Essex is celebrating a sold- back home to Writtle. They were reunited with their family, including out event. On Wednesday 29th their half-sister, Pencos Crown Jewel (also called Jasmine) and Jasmine’s daughter, who joined us for the showjumping section with her current rider.” This special eventing family was introduced to visitors at half- time, with Pennie Wallace’s foundation mare Cornish Queen, who is the siblings’ mother. The audience also met Jasmine’s second daughter, Jamakin Faerie Folklaur, who is currently resident at WUC’s Lordships Stud where she is due to foal down next month. Caroline Flanagan, the head of WUC’s equine school, said: “We were pleased to see such a high level of interest in the event and our facilities. Ros and Caroline are highly respected within the equestrian community and we were delighted to give people within the local area the chance to see them in action.”

January, WUC was pleased to welcome world champion event rider Ros Canter and coach Caroline Moore to its specialist equine campus for a fun-packed day of events. From 9am to 4pm, Ros and Caroline held fully-booked coaching clinics to put horses and Writtle riders through their paces. In the evening, they performed the popular ‘Training To Win’ demonstration to a sold-out arena with support from riders, Heidi Coy and Gracie Lovett Brunt. Writers The event continued until 10pm in one of WUC’s large indoor arenas. The visitors enjoyed an evening of dressage, show jumping If you would like to write for the Writtle News and cross country displays, with tips and techniques from Ros and please contact Christine Knight, Editor, Caroline. WUC Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Middleton, said: “We by telephone were delighted to welcome Ros Canter, Caroline Moore and their Tel: 01245 420045 team to Writtle University College’s specialist equine campus. We 26

INFORMATION FROM KEMI BADENOCH MP REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) This is a worrying and challenging time for us all and the advice on coronavirus is changing day by day because of the fast-moving Writtle Green Pre-School environment. I understand it is difficult to know what advice to follow when there is so much information out there. Longmeads House, 12-14 Redwood Drive Furthermore, I am receiving messages from constituents who are Writtle, CM1 3LY offering to help and others who want to know how they can help. It is good to see the community coming together in a desire to Ph: 07950 944612 email: [email protected] support one another, especially the elderly and vulnerable. Website: www.writtlegreenpre-school.org.uk

For both these reasons, I have put together a page on my website that includes the links to the most up to date information from all the The preschool will be moving into our new various bodies I am in touch with. These include the Government, local authorities such as Essex County Council, Uttlesford District home, The Beryl Platt Centre, once it is Council and Chelmsford City Council, as well as information completed in the summer. from local organisations and charities across the constituency. Please follow this link to access it: www.kemibadenoch.org.uk/ We are looking forward to this very exciting coronavirus-covid-19-advice-and-guidance move and are hoping that some local business’ For constituents who do not have access to the internet, as may be willing to support us. Financial advised by Public Health England, if you think you have might have coronavirus don’t go to your doctor’s surgery or hospital. sponsorship and resources, would be If you need to speak to someone, call 111 and they will make arrangements directly for testing and treatment or 999 if you hugely beneficial in creating a require urgent medical treatment. Carers are also advised to call safe and stimulating outdoor play 111 or doctor surgeries for specific advice. area & garden for our children. The Government will be holding daily televised briefings on Coronavirus and I would encourage constituents to tune in for the Please contact the preschool on the above most up to date information and advice. number/Email for more information If you do have any individual concerns, please do contact me via email at [email protected] or call my office on Registered Ofsted number: 650172 0207 219 1934 and we will endeavour to sign post you to the relevant organisation for information. Registered Charity number: 1023360

27

From: alison ray [email protected] Subject: John roberts Date: 12 February 2020 at 12:17 To: Christine Knight [email protected]

JOHN ROBERTS forward as well as considering the past. He pioneered the Writtle Dr. John Denis Roberts 1941-2020. 1965 was a Village website, www.writtlevillage.com. Today we take such things significant year for granted, but for our rural village where the minutes of the Parish for Writtle. The Council used to be delivered by the clerk on his bike this was a conversion of giant step into the unknown. Rollestones Farm to John was also a regular contributor to the village magazine, a housing estate was the Writtle News, which is delivered to every house in the village. in full swing which He covered a wide range of topics including his considerable virtually doubled knowledge of farming. He even wrote one article entitled “The the population of frustration of being a college lecturer.” the village. Also in John was a vital link between the village and the college. In this year a newly the year 2000 Writtle celebrated the millennium with a festival that qualified graduate was probably the biggest ever event in Writtle, covering four days from Wye College with numerous shows and events and a thanksgiving service in the joined the college church. John helped ensure the college was involved with displays staff as a lecturer, he of fencing, archery and rifle shooting. Probably the highlight of the was John Roberts. event was the medieval banquet in the college Tithe Barn. John In the next 54 ensured it was a memorable evening with the students serving the years John was to meal. have a major impact Every year events are held on our Green and John was always on both college and prepared to go on the organising committees. For several years he village life. was treasurer of the Fete Committee and in addition to producing John was a an excellent balance sheet he also called on all the shops in the person who was village, obtaining raffle prizes. very creative and He helped many local organisations including the Scouts troop full of enthusiasm. and before we had door-to-door collection of waste paper he He would get things collected the newspapers etc. and sold it in bulk to raise funds for done rather than subsidising the camping and other activities. wait for others. Apart In the last two years it has been tragic to see John suffering from all his college from his cruel illness. The sight of him walking every day backwards duties he joined the and forwards to the Co-op accompanied by his carer was so sad. Writtle Society which However, we should remember all he has done for our village. Let aimed to preserve us remember the real John and all the wonderful memories we the heritage of the have of John. Last year the Parish Council placed a memorial seat village. He was an on the Village Green to remember and recognise people who have influential committee made a significant contribution to life in our village. A plaque for member and used John will be displayed on that seat. his expertise to look Chris Hibbitt, Chair Writtle Parish Council. 28 WRITTLE PARISH COUNCIL Lauretta Fox, The Clerk, Writtle Parish Council Office, The Green, Writtle CM1 3DT Telephone: 01245 420066 Email: [email protected] website: www.writtlepc.co.uk

MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT THE PARISH OFFICE WRITTLE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN MONTHLY PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS Monthly Parish Meeting 7.30pm Monday 6th April WRITTLE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN PUBLIC CONSULTATION Monthly Parish Meeting 7.30pm Monday 1st June ON DRAFT POLICIES FEBRUARY 2020

COMMITTEE MEETINGS A big thank you to all who contributed to our latest consultation e Planning & Development 7.30pm Monday 27th April xercise and for expressing their views either online or by visiting our Playing Fields 8.15pm Monday 27th April drop-in session in the Parish Rooms on 1st February. Planning & Development 7.30pm Monday 18th May I am pleased to say that we received around 200 responses, Highways and Transport 8.15pm Monday 18th May analysis of which clearly demonstrates that our community supports the policy ideas we put forward. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING We also received some very interesting ideas and suggestions To be held in the Village Hall 8.00pm Monday 4th May which will enable us to further develop and refine the Neighbourhood Plan in line with the community’s desires for the future of Writtle. ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING The group and its advisers have now carried out the majority of To be held in the Village Hall 7.30pm Monday 11th May the basic work to enable the plan to be drafted and discussed with Chelmsford City Council. CITIZENS ADVICE CHELMSFORD Legislation then requires us to put the entire draft plan before Get help applying for Universal Credit you for a further consultation, and then to submit it to the City Our Help to Claim service can support you in the early stages of Council, who will oversee a referendum process prior to eventual your Universal Credit claim, from the application, through to your adoption. first payment. We hope to come back to you shortly to update you on further Help to Claim is a dedicated service from Citizens Advice. It’s free, progress. independent and confidential. Our trained advisors can help with Jonathan Weymouth, things like how to gather evidence for your application or how to Chair - Writtle Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. prepare for your work coach appointment. Call us for free: 0800 144 8 444. Visit us: www.chelmsfordcab.org/universal-credit

29 FROM THE COUNTY COUNCIL THE ESSEX LOTTERY SWITCHING OFF DUPLICATE STREET LIGHTS TO SAVE C02 This month celebrates the two-year anniversary of the Essex Many of you may have noticed that there Lottery. Thanks to all those who buy an Essex Lottery ticket each are a number of street lights of the County week, Essex County Council has so far donated over £150,000 to Council’s 129,000 that are not working. In good causes across the county, benefiting organisations such as most cases this is because they are awaiting Chelmsford Community Radio, Kids Inspire, Friends of Columbus an upgrade to LED lamps. However, total School and College, Open Road and many others. Players can win replacement of the old sodium lamps (which free tickets for the next lottery or prizes of £25, £250, £2,000 and are no longer being manufactured) will take a £25,000 - if their numbers match the winning combination. little while yet. In the meantime, Essex Highways is taking action to Your participation provides vital extra funds to make a truly switch off some duplicate street lights that illuminate the same area positive impact in local communities. For a chance to win and help and where they perform no useful function and waste energy. It is a good cause please check out https://www.essexlottery.co.uk now planned to switch off a small proportion of identified duplicates Essex Highways wins award for employing serving and former - working with District and Borough councils in the process. This forces personnel move will not greatly reduce light or affect safety, but will mean that Essex County Council’s partner in Essex Highways, Ringway we will not be burning lights that are unnecessary. It will ensure Jacobs, has achieved the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award for we are doing all we can to reduce carbon emissions, helping the employing serving and former members of the Armed Forces. Council’s commitment to mitigate climate change. Safety will not Essex Highways employs 8 ex-Regulars and 4 Reservists be compromised. If you have a problem with street lights use the and, under the Armed Forces Covenant, will look to offer other Report It tool on https://www.essexhighways.org/transport-and- opportunities to former members of the Armed Forces. roads/tell-us/report-street-lights.aspx. If you have any problems about County Council matters please let me know on 01245 421524 or email cllr.john.aldridge@essex. All STEAMed up gov.uk Have you heard about Essex 2020 John Aldridge CC. - a Year of Science and Creativity? Inspired by the British Science Festival, it is coming to Essex for the first time in almost 200 years and is set to be the county’s biggest celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) ever. Now is the chance for businesses, schools, community groups and individuals to be part of the Essex 2020 programme. Whether If you would like to write you have an arts, tech or science event underway or are keen to bring an idea to fruition - the County Council would love to hear for the Writtle News please contact from you. Please go online to https://www.essex2020.com/ Christine Knight, Editor, by telephone. Tel: 01245 420045. 30 THERE’S A TIPTREE TEAROOM NEAR YOU

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31 TOP BANANA’S WORST wasn’t checked to see if it was working, so he just slowly sank. NIGHTMARE Top Banana’s owner had to spend a lot of time working to Top Banana is a little yellow boat make him look good again and also, more importantly, for him to who spends most of his time become safe. among other boats at Burnham “More haste; less speed is a very true saying”, observed ‘No Marina. But, on special occasions, Agenda’. he goes out to enjoy himself on the River Crouch where he speeds Copyright ©2009 Jean Cakebread and protected under UK and international law. All rights reserved. along making waves. Every year before Top Banana is allowed to go out to play he is taken out of the water, given a full inspection and made to look nice. He is cleaned before receiving a new coat of paint, fresh oil and anything else needed. Then he is put back into the water in Tiddler’s Bay at Burnham Marina.

“Wow! I feel great”, said Top Banana, as he gazed at his This is an update on Mobile Customer Information reflection in the water. “I can’t wait to go out and show off my new Service (MCIS) visits in relation to the current paintwork. The other boats will be envious”. coronavirus outbreak being experienced worldwide. “Now you know what happened last year when you became too Chelmsford City Council has taken the decision to full of your own importance”, reprimanded his friend ‘No Agenda’. suspend our Mobile Customer Information Service “Oh yes; I’d forgotten about that embarrassing time when I had visits until further notice. to be rescued”, replied Top Banana. This is to protect our residents and is in line with “Still l do feel great and I’m looking forward to summer fun on similar actions taken around the country. the River Crouch”. But, that night while the little boat was asleep something terrible Chelmsford City Council is taking its responsibilities happened. He slowly sank to the bottom of the water in Tiddler’s Bay. very seriously to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Over the past couple of weeks, we In the morning the men who worked in the marina tried to help have closely monitored the advice and guidance him and his owner was alerted to the terrible event. Eventually the from the Government are reviewing the actions we poor little boat was lifted out of the water to a chorus of “We all live take to ensure we’re doing all we can. in a Yellow Submarine” sung by the bigger boats in the marina. We hope you understand the decision made. “I feel terrible; my worst nightmare has just come true”, spluttered Top Banana before he started to cry uncontrollably. “Oh, what a mess!” exclaimed his shocked friend ‘No Agenda’. “You’re covered in mud and slime - and you stink!” “Don’t make him feel any worse than he already does”, instructed Top Banana’s owner. “We need to find out what caused him to sink”. It wasn’t long before Top Banana was being cleaned and inspected for damage. Three small holes were found in his body. They were caused by hasty work done by his owner who cut The schedule is subject to change, so for the most up to date information, please visit: corners to save time. Also his pump, used to pump out water, www.chelmsford.gov.uk/mobileinfo 32 33 34 Property professionals since 1968

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Sian Douglas Gardening Services Lady Gardener / RHS Qualified Public Liability Insurance 07547 705149 srdoug1aicloud.com 53 WRITTLE DIRECTORY Writtle News website: http://www.essexinfo.net/writtle-news Writtle News email: [email protected] Please inform the Editor if an entry in this Directory needs updating or removing ASSISTANCE Village Hall: Booking Secretary: Wendy Risdon 07394 663636; Emergency number only: Ambulance, Fire, Police 999 or 112 email: [email protected] Fire non-emergency: 0300 3030088 Chairperson: Roger Bailey: 421508 Chelmsford Counselling Foundation: (formerly Writtle Pastoral The Writtle Dental Surgery: NHS & Private 421781 Foundation): 42 Cedar Avenue, Chelmsford 284890 Walk-in Hearing Help Session: 9.30-10.30, Chelmsford Home Start: Voluntary home visiting for young families 3rd Thursday of the month, Parish Council Offices: 348440 under stress: Chelmsford 264047 Writtle College: 424200 Chelmsford Community Transport: 477750 Writtle Archives: Wendy Hibbitt 421265 Citizens Advice Bureau: Burgess Well House, Coval Lane, Writtle Community Care: Mick Townley 07704 603271 Chelmsford CM1 1JE - Advice Line 01245 205656 Writtle County Infants School: 420963. - Main Line 01245 205605 Writtle County Junior School: 420592 Marriage Guidance Council: 79 Springfield Road, Writtle Green Pre-School: Val Wilson 07950 944612 Chelmsford 258680 (am) Writtle Sports & Social Club: 420332 Mobile Customer Information Services Team: 01245 606891 Small sided artificial pitch bookings: Lisa Bailey 07979 427938 N.H.S. Direct: 111 Writtle Sports & Social Club: 432332 after 8pm. Ambulance: Essex Ambulance Service & NHS Trust 01245 443344 4G multi-use games court bookings: Sherry Paterson Police: Police Chelmsford can be contacted by telephone on 101 [email protected] / 01245 443025. Parking Wardens: 01245 606626 or 01245 606710 Hall Booking Secretary: Sherry Patterson RELATE: 47 Broomfield Road, Chelmsford 258680 ext. 485950 [email protected] / 01245 443025 Samaritans: In distress or despair? - Ring Chelmsford 116123 Talking Newspaper: contact Pat on Chelmsford 354079 LOCAL GOVERNMENT Member of Parliament: Kemi Badenoch (Saffron Walden LOCAL FACILITIES Constituency) Tel: 02072191943 Christian Centre: email: [email protected] County Councillor: John Aldridge 421524 07949 060567 contact name: Andrew Brewster City Councillors: Tim Roper 421977, Malcolm Watson 422808 Doctors’ Surgery: 421205 Parish Councillors: Clerk: Lauretta Fox, 420066 Hylands School: 266766 North Ward: Sue Bell 07866 239043, Ralph Bray 422460, Library: Monday 9am-5pm, Tuesday 9am-5pm open by volunteers Andrew Carter 422232, Paul Costello 07841 342972, 1pm-5pm, Wednesday 9am-1pm, Thursday 1pm-5pm, Chris Hibbitt 421265, Thomas Kinloch 763720, Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-1pm. Renewals/enquiries Renato Schmid 420866 and Wendy Walker 420147. 0345 603 7628 South Ward: Sue Emery 420297, Peter Cracknell 421392, Longmeads: 420676 Louise Gannicott 422962, Sandra Massey, Ian Nicholls 07791 Pharmacy: 422357 832894, John Rayner 07767 607210 54 Conservative Party: Sec: Summer Sands 01799 506349, The Old Parents Association (Infants School): School number 420963 Armoury, 3 Museum Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1JN Parents Association (Junior School): 420592 Liberal Democratic Party: Stephen Robinson 423084 Photographic Society: Peter Graves 421240 Chris Bell 421482 Red Cross: Welfare Office, 200 London Road, Chelmsford 490090 Screen on the Green Community Cinema: Caroline Cox, 07552 SPORTS CLUBS 619834 Chelmsford Croquet Club: Chairman: David Bateson 442291 St. John Ambulance: Loan of Medical Comforts: 625678 Gym Club: Coz Yates 420393 Sequence Dance Club: Mr D Card 440730 Writtle Badminton Club: Paul & Ann Norris 283632 Scouts, Cubs and Beavers (6-14 yrs): Mr Andrew King 421431 Writtle Bowling Club: Hon. Sec: Mrs Wendy Harvey 01245 421608 The Crafty Sew and Sew Club: Tracy King 07731 120338; Writtle Carpet Bowls Club: Sec: Heather Bourdon 07826 559257 Suzanne Earthy 422089 or 07892 716805 Writtle Cricket Club: Hon. Sec: Mike Faulconbridge, 601138; Explorer Scouts (14-18 yrs): Mr Nick King 421431 mobile 07746 290947 WEA: Sec: Anita Curtis 420365 Writtle Darts Club: Hon. Sec: Dave Elliott 420015 W.I. (Evening): Mrs Mavis Awcock 422668 Writtle Football Club: Hon. Sec: Paul Gallacher 353023 Writtle Art Group: Lin Wells 352082 Writtle Minors F.C.: Chairman: Matt Soden 07847 327622; Writtle Bridge Circle: Sandy Smith 443096 Sec: Alistair Patient, 07979 648626 Writtle Cards (Drama Group): Daniel Curley 07743 322209 Writtle Table Tennis Club: Hon Sec: Mathew Brown, 07814 323611 Writtle Community Association: Longmeads, Writtle Tennis Club: Sec: Mrs Sue Emery Chelmsford 420297 12-14 Redwood Drive, 420676 Writtle Handbell Ringers: Mrs A. Bailey 421508 Writtle International Scooter Collective: Contact - Ozzie Burrows ORGANISATIONS 07973 781765 All Saints Bell Ringers: ‘Tower Captain’, Andrew Brewster 421166 Writtle Manor Football: Sec: Barry Long 420558 All Saints Church Choir: Writtle Relief-in-Need Charity: Clerk: Mrs Christine Aldridge 421524 Brownie & Rainbow Waiting List: girlguidingessexne.org.uk/ Writtle Sewing Club: Angela Robinson, 07549 184636; Join+Us/ Catherine Jones, 07730 611687 Chelmsford Marquetry Group: Margaret Bonnett 420415 Writtle Singers: Chairperson: Mr. Steven Clews, 01277 218790 Chelmsford Morris Dancing: Celia Kemp 263753 Writtle Tappers (Adult Tap Class): Annette Clark 469197 Chess Club: Chairman: Ivor Smith 421193 Writtle Wives: Leader Mrs Barbara Cooley, 420854 Friends of Writtle Parish Church: 422846 Writtle News Policy Board: Chairman John Aldridge 421524; Garden & Allotment Society: Chairman: John Rouse, 421350 Parish Council: Andrew Carter 422232; Secretary: Bob Harvey, 421608 PCC: Mike Rose 420946; Guides: 1st Writtle: Mrs Nikki Bird [email protected] Catholics Nora Smith; CA: Peter Smith 421587; 3rd Writtle: Mrs Margaret Loster 420958 Garden & Allotment Society: John Rouse 421350; Zodiac Rangers: Mrs Josie Mullender 630190 Village Hall Committee: Peter Pegg 420200 Heritage Writtle: Membership Sec: Mr Dave Stock 421515 Heron Bridge Club: Sec: Angela Cheek 462412 Designed and printed by Simmons Printers, Bilton Road, National & Folk Dance Centre: Annette Clark 469197 Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford CM1 2UJ - 01245 352480 55 Longmeads House garden. View before construction, towards the site for the new Beryl Platt Centre. Photograph by Christine Knight. Please see pages 10-11.