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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
On behalf of the committee may I wish you all a happy, fulfilled and healthy
New Year for 2018.
Welcome to our 82nd year of protecting our local Billericay heritage.
We are all becoming as old as the Society. Unless we receive support from
the next generation we may not be campaigning much longer.Our Green Belt
land will be built on and our quality of life in the countryside will
be lost forever. Once built on land cannot be reclaimed. Parents, if you
want your children to continue to enjoy our local green spaces it may
be time to consider the consequences of not getting involved in such local
issues. Billericay Town Council has enough to do without having to monitor
and protect our local public rights of way, (PRoW). Once lost a PRoW cannot
be reinstated.
Annual Subscription
May I also remind you that your annual subscription of £5.00 is
due in January. Some members who pay by banker’s standing order
have not increased their annual subscription to £5.00. So please
check the amount you are paying. Our thanks go to those who have revised
their subscriptions. You could pay more for a cup of coffee.
Doctors continue to recommend regular active exercise for a healthy life and recommend walking. The Society walking group promotes this activity and meets on alternate Tuesdays. Walk starting points are listed in our Newsletters. We try to cover many interesting areas around the district that cannot be appreciated from a car. Remember at present you are never far from open country in Billericay.
Young Members
Many Societies are lacking younger members who prefer to stay in with
their electronic gadgets. But remember when your batteries run down or
you cannot afford the latest update, what will you do, when you find that
you are surrounded by concrete? Since you cannot control your gadgets,
or do not know how to repair them, they will control you.
Microelectronic Developments
When first developed in the 1970s microelectronic circuitry used in mobile
phones, was intended for use mainly in an emergency, not for tweeting.
They were also required to develop a satellite radio communication system
that would allow, say, a connection to Australia. The original intention
being that doctors would be available and contactable to handle serious
cases in the UK, and vice versa. But games seem to have prevailed. You
are creating your own future!
Tree Wardens
The Billericay Town Council wants to appoint tree wardens. Their job will
be to monitor trees in their area so that they can be recorded. Once recorded,
they can be noted on planning applications that may have conveniently
ignored the existence of trees. This omission can enable the developer
to fell them, if they are inconvenient to him. The fact that they provide
accommodation for insects, purify the air and provide oxygen, is irrelevant
to developers. It was a co-incidence that our last Newsletter made many
references to trees. Once again we lead the way. If you would like to
be a tree warden please contact the Town Clerk on 01277625732 or e-mail:
townclerk@billericaytowncouncil.gov.uk.
Local Plan
Basildon’s proposed Independent Review was dropped at their August
meeting. Somehow there has been an increase in the objectively assessed
need from 15,000 to 20,000 houses. On what data are the revised plans
being made? Will they include the necessary infrastructure of roads, parking,
doctors, schools, sewerage and water supply? What are their plans for
the Green Belt land? On behalf of the Society Doug Smith and John Humphries
attended a meeting to discuss these matters on the 29th September. I do
not imagine that changes to the political and operational structure of
the Basildon Borough Council has helped with their decision making.
Local Policing
We have been receiving reports of concern about safety and security in
the shops in the High Street. Billericay Town Council has taken the decision
to fund the recruitment and expenses of two part-time special constables
for Billericay. They are asking for volunteers to serve the community
in these important roles as voluntary Police Officers. If you are interested
please visit: essex.police.uk/specials.
David Bremner
Chairman, Billericay Society
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
Once again it is time to buy your tickets for the December meeting, Christmas
Social. Tickets are the same price as last year, £10 each. This
includes a fish or chicken and chips supper, dessert, a glass of wine
or soft drink and tea or coffee. Our entertainment will be a presentation
of words and music provided by Doreen Potter. Tickets will be available
at the October and November evening meetings. If you cannot get to a meeting
they can purchased from Julie Smith, telephone 01277 623560.
New Venue
As you are probably aware this could be the last time that we will be
holding our Christmas Social in the Chancery Way Centre (known to us as
the Day Centre). We will meet here until April 2018 when it will be closed
for refurbishment or rebuilt.We do not know if the hall will be rebuilt
or refurbished and enlarged. The surface water drain has been sorted out
already, for which we are pleased. At some time in the future, when the
refurbishment or rebuilding work has been completed, we are hopeful that
we will be able to return to it for our meetings. This Centre has been
our home for many years. For our meetings from May 2018 the Committee
has arranged for us to be based in the Performing Areaof Billericay Arts
Association, Laindon Road, which has a larger car and kitchen facilities,
suitable for our needs.
If you need any further information regarding either the Christmas Social, or the move to the Fold please do not hesitate to speak to David Bremner or Doug and JulieSmith. Telephone numbers are listed on your Membership Cards.
EVENING SOCIALS
As usual there was no meeting in August. Maggie Smith presented an interesting
insight into several conspiracies and scandals for the September meeting.
WALKS
David Bremner led a walk around Hatfield Peverel in July. For the August walks, Ian Fuller ledaround Great Burstead, followed by a John Humphies walk to Fyfield and David Bremner’s walk around Herongate. A walk from Mill Green, Ingatestone, was followed by a sea-front walk from Leigh to Southend in September. The October Canvey Island walk was cancelled.
Programme
Close to the date of the walk, check with the chairman, or our website,
for any changes. Before setting out please check the walks listing and
note the walk starting point. Most walks start at 10:00am and may cross
stiles. Suitable clothing should be worn. Footwear should reflect the
weather conditions and the state of the ground. No dogs please. If you
use a pub car park please at least have a drink, if only a soft one.
7th November,Gooseberry Green, park at the Inn on the Green. Walk to St Giles Church.
21st November, West Hanningfield, park at theThree Compasses,CM2 8UQ,01245 400 447.
5th December, walkers Christmas Social at the Olde Dog Inn, Billericay
Road, Herrongate,CM13 3SD,01277 810337.
Note: Due to problems changing there will not be a walk before this social.
9th January, the Red Lion, Billericay High Street, CM12 9AJ.
23rd January, Havering, Park at the Orange Tree,RM4 1PB, 01708 752739.
6th February, Great Burstead: Park at the King’s Head,CM11 2PS, 01277 637135.
20th February, Stock: Park at the Bakers Arms, CM4 9NF, 01277 63715.
6th March, Six Bells Boreham, CM3 3JE, 01245 467232.
20th March, Jolly Sailor, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RS, 01621 854210.
3rd April, Horse & Groom, Galleywood, CM2 8PG, 01245 261653.
17th April, Canewdon. To be arranged.