July 2010 newsletter

Forthcoming bus route changes

Tuesday 20 July 2010

The first phase of the roadworks for laying of new gas mains commences 26 July 2010 and will result in the closure of Baddow Road Chelmsford-bound, between Beehive Lane and the junction of Meadgate Avenue. The Baddow bound direction will be open as normal.

Because of these roadworks, the following bus routes will be changed on inward journeys to Chelmsford only.

Services 3, 11A and 31A - inward journeys from Southend and Little Baddow will operate via Baddow bypass and will not serve stops in the village.

Services 31 and 36 from Maldon, South Woodham - inward services will operate via the Baddow bypass and will not serve stops in the village.

Service 41 will turn at the Beehive pub into Beehive Lane, right into Loftin Way, then via Gunnion Gate to Van Dieman's Road and back to the Army and Navy. Then normal route.

Service 45 will operate from Loftin Way by Gunnion Gate and follow the service 51 route.

Both services 41 and 45 will not serve the two stops in Baddow Road at the Beehive and opposite Meadgate Avenue.

Services on routes 40 and 50 are unaffected during this first phase.

Chelmsford Organ and Keyboard Club welcomes Richard Bower

Monday 19 July 2010

At last Saturday's meeting of our local organ club, Richard Bower made a welcome return to entertain the audience with a wide variety of music in various styles played on his Yamaha Tyros combination.

We were treated to a programme of both quick and slow compositions ranging from classical to big band sounds, and Richard demonstrated how to achieve the best from his instruments. 

We hope to welcome him back sometime in the future.

U3A learns social history through postcards!

Wednesday 14 July 2010

At today's meeting of our local U3A Peter Lawrence gave a very interesting and enjoyable presentation of local history as depicted by postcards from the last two centuries. Many of these showed street scenes which have long since disappeared but demonstrated public life of the time.

Of particular interest were transport scenes showing stations, trams and buses of the early 20th century as also the many public building such as pubs, some of which remain and others no longer in existence. Many of these were set around South West Essex including Epping and Chingford.

Altogether a fascinating insight into social history.

Concessionary Bus Passes - Council Consultation

Wednesday 14 July 2010

From 1 April 2011, Essex County Council will take responsibility for issuing concessionary bus passes.

The Council wants to know what we find most useful about our current pass so they are conducting a consultation so they can make an informed decision about what the County Council offers from 1 April 2011.

For more information see the Council website page.

Marrable House Redevelopment Planning Application

Wednesday 14 July 2010

This application  is due to be considered again at a meeting of the Council’s Planning Committee on 22nd July 2010. The meeting is held in the Council Chamber and will start at 7.00pm.

NHS Consultation on Pharmacy Services in Mid Essex

Monday 12 July 2010

NHS Mid Essex is currently undertaking a Pharmacy Assessment.  Part of this process is to engage with members of the public to identify the needs of the people of Mid Essex in relation to pharmacy services, to ascertain the current provision and whether the need for services is being met. 

To help us in this process you are invited to take a few minutes to complete the confidential questionnaire below and send the completed form directly to:

Lynne Farquhar
Pharmacy Development Officer, 
NHS Mid Essex 
Swift House 
Hedgerows Business Park 
Colchester Road, 
Chelmsford 
CM2 5PF

Tel: 01245 459419

Questionnaire (word format)

New seat in Village

Tuesday 6 July 2010

A new seat has been installed at the junction of Church Street/High Street in front of St. Mary's Church.

The seat has been presented by Leonard Rust in memory of his parents who resided and ran the village store which stood on this site years ago.

Sandon WI wins Quiz

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Congratulations to team members of Sandon WI who won the InterInstitute Quiz.

Taking place over two rounds, one in May, the other last Friday (2 July), the team competed against a number of WIs answering questions on a range of toics.

Warning from Trading Standards - Chimney scam

Wednesday 30 June 2010

This has not happened in Chelmsford yet, but best to be forwarned.

Essex County Council Trading Standards is warning householders in Basildon and Benfleet that doorstep rogue traders are currently operating in the area.

Trading Standards have received reports from residents about a trader currently seeking business by knocking on doors and telling residents that their chimney looks 'dodgy'. The trader has also been observed kicking a chimney to damage it, and then informing the householder that it is dangerous and about to fall through the roof.

The trader quotes an excessive price for repairs at first, and then offers a discount as they are not charging VAT.

Trading Standards is following up complaints received about the activity of this trader, and is advising residents not to deal with doorstep traders to avoid having unnecessary work carried out.

Thank you - Marrable House Redevelopment

Monday 28 June 2010

A big thank you to all those who attended the Council meeting last week and presented our objections to the Marrable House redevelopment to the Planning Committee. The result was an excellent success for local residents, based on sound and convincing arguments that the issue should be given further consideration before a decision is reached.

Further thanks are extended to all those who helped with publicity by funding, drafting flyers etc and distributing them around the village.

The next Planning Committee date is 20 July and in the intervening period Baddow Against Development (BAD) will be determining its next steps.

There was media coverage in local papers and increased awareness of this issue and the impact such a development would have on the village. Please make friends and colleagues aware of the situation.

Sandon Village Fete

Friday 18 June 2010 

Sandon celebrates its fete on Sunday 27th June from 1pm at the Recreation Field, Woodhill Road. To be opened officially by the Mayor of Chelmsford at 1.30pm.  Stalls, pet show, football, music and refreshments. 

An open invitation to all to come along and enjoy yourselves.

Larger poster

Planned Closure of Baddow Road in July

Thursday 17 June 2010 

I have been advised by the Clerk to the Parish Council that gas main works will be undertaken in Baddow Road commencing 26 July 2010 and lasting for 6 weeks. The work will require closure of the road in the vicinity of  Meadgate Avenue and will be carried out in two phases.

PHASE 1 The road will be closed to traffic traveling in a north westerly direction (towards the army & navy roundabout) from a point 225 metres south east of the junction with Meadgate Avenue to the junction with Meadgate Avenue. This phase is scheduled to last for 4 weeks.

PHASE 2 The road will be closed to traffic traveling in a north westerly direction (towards the army & navy roundabout) from its junction with Meadgate Avenue in a north westerly direction for a distance of 126 metres. This phase is scheduled to last for 2 weeks.

During the period of closure traffic bound towards the Army and Navy will need to divert and travel by the Baddow bypass.

More information is available in this downloadable letter issued by representatives of the Highways Department of Essex County Council.

Consultation - choice of your GP practice

Thursday 17 June 2010 

There is an East of England Event on Friday 25 June at The Menzies Cambridge Hotel which is open to patients and members of the public regarding this consultation. This provides a great opportunity to understand and comment more on this subject.

Marrable House Planning Application

Monday 14 June 2010 (Updated)

     A link to the poster distributed around the village is available here.

A link to the Planning Committee paper (pdf) detailing the recommendation to accept 

Around sixty local residents attended a meeting last night (Thursday 10 June) in the Parish Hall to create an action group "Baddow against Development" to raise awareness of the planning proposal to redevelop the Marrable House site including a new building alongside Maldon Road.

Chaired by Daniel O'Brien, a local resident whose home overlooks the Vineyards, those attending split into groups to discuss appropriate ways of presenting objections to borough councillors, and making other local residents aware of the proposals.

The planning committee date is Tuesday 22nd June  and it is intended that several representatives of the group will attend the meeting and present their objections. Each speaker will be allowed 2 minutes to state his /her case, and local residents are invited to support the group and show local concerns over this proposed development.

It is understood that planning officers recommend acceptance of the application.