Welcome to the January 2010 issue of Great Baddow Online Newsletter

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 A very happy and peaceful new year to all our readers.

Introduction

For newcomers to the site, this newsletter is circulated monthly to registered site members and friends, to supplement information on the site itself. Please forward to colleagues and other interested individuals in order to publicise the site. If you are a recent newcomer to the site, welcome - your readership is appreciated.

News

Update on the Planning Application for redevelopment of Marrable House

Following publication of the application details on Chelmsford Borough Council (CBC) website and the public meeting organised by our Parish Council, 53 individual sets of comments were published on the CBC website. The majority of these, especially those from members of the public objected to the proposed redevelopment, primarily on grounds of environmental impact, loss of parking, new build along Maldon Road etc. Formal consultees indicated a number of technical or legal concerns relating to the construction and/or service provision in the new buildings.

The CBC website now shows a "date decision made" of 23 December 2009 which at today's date (2 January 2010) was  not yet published. However, the status of the application is now "withdrawn" and hence I assume that the application as it stands will not proceed.

Update on Chelmsford Council  SADPD Consultation

This consultation was closed on 21 December 2009 and no further information is yet available.

Transport timetables

The summaries on the site have been updated following publication of new rail timetables in December,which had a few minor changes to calling patterns and times to Chelmsford services. At the same time corrections were made to details of Park and Ride and other local bus services.

New timetable details here.

Consultation - The Future of Community services in Mid and South East Essex

As you may be aware, Central Essex Community Services (CECS) and Community Healthcare (CHC) have recently been working together to develop proposals and plans to separate from their commissioning PCTs.

At a series of recent staff events we discussed four possible options for future organisational form including: staying as we are (though this would require consideration of a number of partnership/hosting arrangements); becoming a community foundation trust; forming a social enterprise; or becoming a part of an existing NHS trust.

For the next 12 weeks we will be running a period of more detailed engagement, where we will be discussing proposals with our staff and key stakeholders. The engagement period is supported by a discussion document, outlining the need and options for change, and a feedback form. Electronic copies of both these documents are available here.

Discussion Document      Feedback Form      (Acrobat Reader required - available here)

What are we asking you?

We really value the experience, expertise and judgement of our staff, partners, patients and public and want to hear what you think about the proposals outlined in the discussion document. Specifically, we want to know which type of organisation you believe offers the most benefits for patients and the public; provides the best solution for staff; and is the most viable option for our two provider organisations.

We are also keen to hear your views about our plans to bring together the community service provider arms of our two organisations, to create a single community health care organisation for mid and south east Essex.

How to get involved

We want to hear from as many people and groups of people to help us firm up our plans for community provider services in mid and south east Essex. There are a number of ways for you to get involved, find out more and let us know what you think:

• By completing and returning the feedback form included with this email.
• By attending one of the meetings we have already arranged across the mid and south east Essex area. See page 17 of the discussion document for dates and locations of these meetings.
• Getting in touch by email, fax or post. Full contact details are included on page 16 of the discussion document.
• Inviting us to talk to you. If you would like us to attend one of your meetings please ring 01245 459473 or email communications@midessexpct.nhs.uk

Thank you for taking the time to give us your views.

Published on behalf of 

John Niland, and Howard Perry,

Director, and Chief Operating Officer

Central Essex Community Services Community Healthcare

Local crime update

Unfortunately over the Christmas period a number of opportunistic crimes have been carried out and people should be cautious and take extra care to protect equipment in their home and garden and hide purses etc when shopping. All the usual precautions and advice prevail.

I have received notice of  a recent scam which involves phone calls from a group claiming to be Barclaycard. If receive any calls from Barclaycard and you actually have a Barclaycard, find one of your statements and call that number direct and ask if they have been trying to contact you. If this is  not the case then their fraud department will want to know about it.   Never give anyone any personally banking details or card numbers over the  phone.

A further scam involves delivery of unsolicited parcels to the homes of elderly people, typically from well known mail order companies. A subsequent phone call from an unknown individual then offers to collect the parcel which was "mis-delivered". Again in such cases advise the mail order company and the police - do not give out to unidentified 'collectors'..

Also beware of leaving engines running in unattended cars in this cold weather - it may warm up the interior but also encourages opportunistic thieves to drive away the vehicle!

Reviews of recent events

U3A receives Christmas greetings

The speaker on Wednesday 9 December was Keith Baldwin, who served in the Household Cavalry for 6 years before joining Hertfordshire Police from which he retired as Superintendent after 30 years service.

Keith presented “Christmas greetings”, a selection of readings, quotations and poems about the Christmas season, some well known, others less so. 

Excerpts were provided from Dickens “A Christmas Carol”, Dylan Thomas’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales and a variety of poems by authors which included Pam Ayres and Mick Gowar’s “Christmas Thank Yous. 

Chris Powell visits Organ Club

Chelmsford Organ and Keyboard Club welcomed the well known and popular organist, Chris Powell, to its Christmas concert on Saturday 19th December which was held at the United Reformed Church. Despite the bad weather, a good crowd turned out to enjoy the varied selection of popular items played by Chris.  

As usual, Chris played a varied repertoire of music, including Christmas songs, carols and a selection of hits from the musicals, and Cliff and the Shadows!

His encore was Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March no. 1, to which we were invited to sing along the words of "Land of Hope and Glory", which we did , along with several other items he played during the evening.

Between items, Chris updated us on his home life and recounted anecdotes about his experiences as a musician.

A welcome and enjoyable entertainer. 

Forthcoming events

Essex Later Life Expo

This event aims to highlight the contribution older people can make to our society and economy and tackle any negative attitudes and outdated stereotyping around ageing, by bringing older people together to engage them in a positive view of later life.

It will be hosted by BBC Essex Presenter Dave Monk.

Christine Walkden from the BBC One Show and Gardeners World will present a series of gardening workshops, focusing on managing indoor and outdoor gardens at all levels of fitness and ability.

The Sports Hall alongside Charter Hall will be used to offer visitors the chance to try-a-sport (fencing, archery, indoor bowls, Tai Chi etc) and for other demonstrations.

Other features will include cookery demonstrations, dancing demonstrations, health and benefits checks.

More than 30 voluntary organizations and charities and around 10 commercial bodies will have stands in the main hall.

There will be a cafe area for snacks and light refreshments.

The target audience is all Essex residents over the age of 50 and an attendance of around 1,000 people is expected.

If this Expo is successful it is hoped that similar events can be arranged in other parts of the county later.

Several Older Peoples' Groups are planning trips to the Expo for their members and a free shuttle bus will be running from Colchester rail and bus stations every thirty minutes.

Anybody needing further information should  visit http://www.essex.gov.uk/laterlifeexpo or call 01245 437135. See you there!

Sandon Monday Morning Keep Fit Group

The group's re-launch got off to a very successful start in the period leading up to Christmas. 

We resume activities on January 11th, and will continue to focus on "Fitness and Balance". We would be delighted to welcome new members. The cost per session is £3.00, the day is Monday, the time 10.00 - 11.00 a.m., the place Sandon Village Hall.

Phone Irene Harris on 01245 474617 if you'd like further information, or just come along and join us one Monday.

Jazzercise

A new Jazzercise class starts in Galleywood in the New Year. Classes commence on Thursday 21 January 2010 1930 at Thriftwood School, Slades Lane

More information at our website.

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Chris Harvey
Site manager
2^nd January 2010
Email Chris Harvey