A hidden garden centre

Monday 21 July 2008

At this time of the year,  gardens are in full bloom (we hope) and many people take advantage to visit garden centres hoping to pick up ideas and speciment plants to brighten up their home. I have discovered an established garden centre only a couple of miles from the centre of Chelmsford (and Great Baddow!) which because of its location is probably not well visited but worth one as an alternative to some of the other local centres.

The Landscape Garden Centre at Mayes Lane in Sandon CM2 7RW (tel: 01245 221437) has shrubs, bedding plants, and a landscaping centre. Situated slightly off the well worn track,  it is worth a visit for the opportunity to look around in relative peace and quiet and perhaps have a coffee and cake in the small cafeteria.

U3A learns about Kodak history

Thursday 10 July 2008

At the monthly meeting on 9th July, members of Great Baddow and Galleywood U3A listened to Tony Earle talking about his career spanning 40 years at Kodak, and in particular, the development of the camera.

It was in 1885, that a bank clerk named George Eastman established the Kodak company and built a factory at Rochester (USA) to create cameras for all.  In England, a factory was built at Harrow in 1889 and production commenced in 1891.

Success was achieved when pictures were possible using paper film, and photography was soon popularised. The first cheap camera for the masses was the ‘Brownie ‘ which was built of cardboard, took 2¼ x 2¼ pictures using a camera which sold for 1$. Later ‘Brownie’ camera models were produced, the final model being produced in 1962.

During the course of photographic history, Kodak developed various camera technologies some of which remained in production until the latter part of the last century e.g. the Instamatic.  Today, the emphasis is on the continuing merger of picture and telecommunication techniques in the camera phone and in 5 – 10 years time traditional roll film cameras will probably become obsolete.

Overall, this was a fascinating subject and Tony illustrated his talk with many slides showing the history of Kodak and pioneers in early photography, as well as providing a display of Kodak cameras from various periods in the company’s history.

Horticultural Society Summer Show

Monday 7 July 2008

A reminder about the Horticultural Society Summer Show which takes place on 19 July at Sandon School, open to the public from 2pm. There will be attractions for all and if you wish to enter there are classes for general plants, fruit, floral art, handicraft, cooking and more! 

Staging from 8am and judging at 11am.  Schedules and more information from Clive Arben on 471044. 

Diversion First buses routes 40/50!

Friday 4 July 2008

Starting today for approximately 8 weeks bus routes 40/50 will be diverted along Baddow Road and Longfield Road. Full details.

Great Baddow Hair Stylist wins award!

Monday 23 June 2008

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.

Heart and Sole walks!

Thursday 19 June 2008

Are you aware that weekly walks around the recreation ground take place each Tuesday at midday, and provide the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing, non strenous 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 but if interested, simply turn up on a Tuesday at noon in the Community Centre car park. As these walks are gentle and intended to encourage those who do little exercise or who are recovering from illness or surgery, you may be requested to complete a short medical questionnaire before joining the group.