Welcome to the July 2008 issue of Great Baddow Online Newsletter

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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.

Development at Dale Hire site

The outline planning application referenced last month was withdrawn on 13 June although I am unaware of the reasons. A nearby resident recently informed me that there was concern that part of the site may have been an ancient burial ground, although I have not received any further confirmation. If this is so, I assume that there may be restrictions on any development. 

Forthcoming summer events

A number of  free activities are available during the next couple of months, some of which are sports oriented and intended to encourage all, but especially younger people to participate in and enjoy exercise.

Lawn Tennis

Great Baddow Lawn Tennis Club will host an open day on 12 July between 10am and 3pm. Activities include free use of the tennis and mini tennis courts - balls and tennis racquets will be provided free of charge with a qualified coach on hand to offer advice. There will also be a "Beat the coach" competition with prizes and a "Hit the prize to win it" competition. Refreshments will be available and a raffle. All children and adults are welcome. Any new members joining the club on the day will be offered 50% off membership fees. 

For more information and directions to the Lawn Tennis Club telephone the Sports Development Unit on 01245 606978 or email antony.bensley@chelmsford.gov.uk. (The Club courts are situated at Ladywell Lane, which is on the left of the approach slip road onto the southbound A1114 Baddow Bypass - Essex Yeomanry Way or Southend Road.)

In addition, the tennis courts at the Recreation Ground will also be free of charge on this day thanks to Great Baddow Parish Council. 

Play equipment

On the same day - 12 July - between 10am and 12 noon in the Parish Hall, the Parish Council is inviting young people to tell them what they would like for new play equipment in the Recreation Ground. There will be a display of proposed ideas for play equipment to comment on and the Council is interested to receive the views of our local young people. 

Coaching

There will be free coaching at the Recreation Ground during August on Tuesday 12 August, Thursday 14 August and Wednesday 20 August from 1pm - 3.30pm. Also on Thursday 21 August from 9.30am - 12 noon. Again more information is available from Chelmsford Borough Council's Sport Development Unit on 606978 or the Parish Council.

U3A news

The guest speaker at the monthly U3A meeting on Wednesday 11^th June was the Bishop of Bradwell, Rt Revd Laurie Green. Bishop Laurie began by describing the role and work of a bishop, in particular those in the Chelmsford Diocese which was created just before World War I and has 3 areas, each with its own bishop. 

He then described his own responsibilities which cover an area stretching north of the Thames from Dartford Crossing to Southend, and north to Maldon and Chelmsford. However, the main focus of his address was "the case for God"; in particular whether one could accept faith as coherent with rationality. He considered the basis of  rational belief as understood by those who hold scientific, humanist or similar viewpoints and explained why he believed faith was compatible with alternative, but still rational beliefs.

Great Baddow Hair Stylist wins award!

Congratulations to Robert Allen from Great Baddow who has just won the J&E training Hair Competition held at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon.

Rob was awarded first place in the "Men's commercial look " level 3.

This is the second year that Adams and Co have won a 1st place in the J&E Hair Competition. (last year Jay Leferve won).

Adams & Co are very pleased to have won a category for the second year in a row and congratulate Robert from Boreham branch on his award.

Baddow Prom

This concert on 12 July at 7pm in St Mary's by the Baddow Prom choir is part of the re:fresh Chelmsford Christian Festival 2008 with familiar and popular musical items including vocal and instrumental pieces.

Tickets cost £6 to include a glass of wine or an ice cream and are available from St Mary's, St Paul's and Meadgate churches.

(Please note: the time given in  Baddow Life and the Great Baddow Times of 7.30pm is incorrect)

Advertisements

There are no new advertisements this month but note that the telephone number for Lee Terrell's Real outfitting, flyer, website design and clothing companies has changed to 07706 082529.

Heart and Sole walks!

A reminder that weekly walks around the recreation ground take place each Tuesday at midday, and provide the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing, non strenuous walk in the company of a small group, thus providing the opportunity to make new friends and chat.  These walks are part of the Chelmsford Healthy Walking Scheme which comprises a number of walks around local parks, each led by a trained volunteer.

Attendance is usually a dozen or more each week and following the half hour walk, several members of the group lunch in the Community Centre which provides further opportunity for informal chat. More information is available from Chelmsford council website.   

Research - Great Baddow History Project

Work is continuing on the planned production of a DVD about the historic properties in the village. The early pilot exercise is almost complete and appreciation is extended to all those who have provided help and support. 

Research - Ingatestone United Reformed Church history

Some individuals are already aware that I am  researching the history of Ingatestone United Reformed Church with the aim of publishing a book in time for the church's 200^th anniversary in 2012 of its founding. Anyone interested in community and local history who know people who may have useful information which could be contributed towards this historical review is invited to contact me. 

I am particularly interested in people with memories and/or photographs of the 1970s or earlier, for example uniformed organisations such as Boys Brigade or Girls Brigade. I am already in touch with local church members and have access to church records, and also those in the Essex Records Office dating back to the 19th century, but any other information from anyone with knowledge of that church in the last century would be appreciated.

Local RHS gardens at Hyde Hall

For those not yet familiar with the Royal Horticultural Society gardens at Hyde Hall Rettondon, the gardens provide a hill top setting for displays of flowers and shrubs laid out over 360 acres. I mention it because at present (Sunday 30 June), both the roses and the wildflower meadow provide beautiful displays which are well worth seeing.  Refreshments are also available.

Unsubscribe - Please stop emailed copies of this newsletter

Because so many of us receive junk email, if on receiving this or any other issue you do not wish to receive any further editions, please accept my apologies; to stop future issues mailed to you, simply email me with the subject line “stop e-newsletter”, and I will delete you from the mailing list. If you have read the newsletter online and would like to receive it by email, please email me with the subject line entry “start e-newsletter”.

Chris Harvey
Site manager
1^st July 2008
Email Chris Harvey