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TheGreat Baddow Timesparish council magazine

NEWS AND EVENTS FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL

Edition 94 • July 2020 • Quarterly

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3GREAT BADDOW PARISH COUNCIL MAGAZINE

The Great Baddow Timesparish council magazine

WELCOME TO

From the Chairman 4Great Baddow Parish Council 6Great Baddow Horticultural Society 6Teg – The Environment Group 8Keeping you dry in the rain 8Great Baddow Village Market 12The Role of the Parish Clerk 14GBENA hit the ground running 16Great Baddow Local Businesses 18The 30 in 30 Challenge 20News from Great Baddow Library 23VE Day and post-war celebrations 24Manor Farm Development 28Great Baddow’s British Restaurant 30Community Special Constable 32Great Baddow Women’s Institute 34The End of an Era 36Hamptons Sports and Leisure 37Green looking good - But lonely 38Great Baddow Cricket Club 39

C O N T E N T S

PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES A big thank you goes out to all the local businesses that have advertised and supported

the Great Baddow CommunityAd Magazine

To advertise please call 01843 269513

Published by Community Ad Web Ltd 01843 834160 email: [email protected] web: www.communityad.co.uk

The views expressed in any published content are solely those of the contributors. The Publishers accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any information contained in the publication. The contents of this magazine including images may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, downloaded or displayed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Community Ad Web Ltd. Unless otherwise specified, the authors of the literary and artistic works in the pages in this magazine have asserted their moral right pursuant to Section 77 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of those works. The Publishers reserve the right not to publish a submission or part of a submission that they consider defamatory or otherwise inappropriate for publication.

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4 GREAT BADDOW PARISH COUNCIL MAGAZINE

From the Chairman July 2020It was good news to hear in June that the publishers

of the Baddow Times were planning to restart with the

next issue planned for late summer. It is always strange to be

writing my introduction a few weeks prior to publication, when by the time it is read, events may well have moved on, and even more so in the current situation of Covid 19 and lockdown.

After a tentative start, we soon got into our stride and reintroduced our normal timetable of meetings, virtually, by Zoom which allows the public to attend by applying to the Clerk for the link prior to the scheduled meeting. Whilst missing the personal contact, we can at least see each other, and it gets the business done.

The advice received from the powers that be, is that we should continue virtual meetings for some time to come and we contemplate business carrying on in this way as the “new normal”. I fully appreciate that not all residents own or have access to a computer or other IT devices and social media. so hopefully we can at least keep you informed as best we can by articles in this magazine. For example, there is information on later pages about the sale of Great Baddow United Reformed Church, the proposed housing development on the Manor Farm site and the sterling work done by the GBENA Volunteer Group during lockdown and ongoing.

Each household in Great Baddow will have received a brochure and information about the building of the new nuclear power station Bradwell B. The communication was part of the first round of consultation and whilst Great Baddow is some 21 miles from Bradwell in the Maldon District Council area, there are issues which could affect us locally, especially increased traffic of HGVs, cars and passenger transport.

The Council participated in the consultation by submitting a number of concerns about the impact locally while the power station is being built. We await the next round of consultation when hopefully those concerns will have been considered and addressed.

So, all in all a busy time for Councillors and staff with no shortage of issues to consider over and above our normal work and thanks to them all for their time and attention dealing with the extras. We did not let the grass grow under our feet but circumstances dictated that noticeably the hair was growing over our heads! As part of my “keep fit” regime, I have done a lot of walking whilst in lockdown discovering and rediscovering parts of the Parish which has been a pleasure, particularly through the Recreation Ground always also being enjoyed by many others but keeping sensibly socially distanced. Thanks to the Grounds team who have kept the park looking good and well ordered.

As the lockdown gradually eases, and we are given a little more freedom to come and go, we need to stay vigilant and mindful of the consequences if we are not. There has been a good feeling of community spirit in the village, with examples of people looking out for each other and the contributions of volunteers whether organised or not who have stepped up to help and assist where needed. Hopefully, we can and will carry this forward into the “new normal”.

Great Baddow Parish Council Mission StatementTo represent the whole of the local community in a fair, balanced and informed manner in order to improve the quality of life for those living and working in the village and encourage community well-being and sustainability.Working to Improve the Quality of Life for all in Great Baddow

Val Chiswell


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Details correct at time of going to press.Parish Councillors TelephoneVal Chiswell 471531 (Home)Chris Shaw 471633 (Home)Keith Liley 473872 (Home)Diana Ronaldson 471568 (Home)Keith Ronaldson 471568 (Home)Veronica Sadowsky 474974 (Home)Peter Sadowsky 474974 (Home)Andrew Sosin 472448 (Home)Sue Young 477331 (Home)Jannetta Sosin 472448 (Home)Bob Kilvington 07973 723259Evie Ball 07866 191007Mandy Mahil 269212 (Home)

Parish Council OfficeClerk: Clare [email protected] Parish Hall, 19 Maldon Road, Great Baddow,Chelmsford CM2 7DWTelephone: 01245 472937

Email: Questions and enquiries about the hire of the Parish Hall should be directed to Donna Tristram on [email protected]

Questions and enquiries about the Lawn Cemetery and Old Burial Ground should be directed to Ginette Phillips on [email protected] and enquiries about Planning should be directed to Roger Harman on [email protected] Questions and enquiries about allotments or our sports facilities at Great Baddow Recreation Ground should be directed to Michele Dixon on [email protected] by phoning 01245 473538.

Website: www.greatbaddowparishcouncil.gov.uk

Temporary office hours are 10am to 1pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30am to 11.30am Saturday mornings immediately prior to the main Council meeting each month.

Great Baddow Parish CouncilContact details

Great Baddow Horticultural SocietyYou just never know what is around the next corner!

When I was writing the article for the March Great Baddow Times, I confidently invited everybody to the Spring Show. We all know that along with countless other events, Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the Show. Now for more bad news! All the outings this year have been cancelled, there are no meetings until at least September and sadly there is no Summer Show.

However, there is a little good news! The trading hut at the allotment site in Vicarage Lane has reopened.

You can buy your gardening requisites on a Saturday morning between 9.30 am and 11.30 am. Payment can be by cheque or cash. Please remember to observe social distancing as far as possible and perhaps wear a face covering and gloves. If you wish to, you can pre-order by phone to Hilary Cheek on 01245 471588.

With all that is going on, or not as the case may be, it would be a good idea to keep in touch by looking at the website at: www.greatbaddow-horticultural.co.uk

Contributed by John Emery


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Decorating jobs Shed re-felting

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www.oldparkmeadow.co.ukCoppice Lane (behind the Butchers Arms Pub),

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Celebrate lives lived in a beautiful natural setting.

Whether you are religious or not, would prefer a burial or ash interment,

a service or a wake afterwards,Old Park Meadow is open

to any request.


Teg – The Environment GroupDespite Covid-19, the ‘green environment’ of Great Baddow and Galleywood is still there.

Unfortunately, due to the virus, most of our work came to a halt and is only just beginning to resume in a very limited way.

However, it is often not realised that a lot of conservation work can be done in our gardens. Here are a few suggestions:-• Leave a bit of your grass area to grow longer,

perhaps under trees or shrubs. This will allow more wild flowers to develop.

• Try to have a small pile of branches and twigs somewhere for small creatures to live in.

• A small pond is a good idea. Just fill it with water. In a very short time an amazing variety of creatures will make it their home.

• A bird bath or a shallow dish is appreciated by birds and hedgehogs.

• Grow some flowers that are useful to insect pollinators at all times of the year. There are lists of the best plants on the R.H.S. website.

Hopefully, we will be resuming our conservation work later this year. We normally meet on the afternoon of the second Sunday of each month.

For more information about our group, please contact Mike Whalley by email at [email protected] or by phone on 01245 266209.

Keeping you dry in the rainCouncillor Keith Liley, Chairman of the Highways and Amenities Committee, taking a close up look at the recently erected and installed bus shelter by the Parish Council at the junction of Maldon Road and Longmead Avenue.

In keeping with the village feel the council decided upon a smart wooden shelter. This will add to the number of bus shelters owned and maintained by the Parish Council in the village for the benefit of all the bus users.

This has been a little while coming but well worth the wait wouldn’t you agree!


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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Are you interested in gardening?

Don’t have your own garden?

Can't do the heavy work anymore, but have the experience?

Disabled or have special needs?

Want to assist with a community project?

Would you consider being

part of the management team?

Or just simply want to be involved?

If the answer to any of the above is "YES,"

the Parish Council would like to

hear from you.

Email [email protected]

.

Once we hear from you, we will arrange a meeting of all those

interested in taking the project further.

GREEN BADDOW

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Where possible we would still like to help the community so if you are missing any of your normal purchases or are looking for a gift, greetings card or just a pot of honey, please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to try and get them to you!

I will of course publicise if we have a return date. I look forward to when we can all meet up again for a cuppa, some cake and a chat!

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The Role of the Parish ClerkThe Clerk is the engine of the Parish Council and becoming a Clerk can be one of the most rewarding jobs in a local community - a competent Clerk underpins a good Council.

The Clerk is the Proper Officer of the Council and as such I am under a statutory duty to carry out all the functions, and in particular to serve or issue all the notifications required by law of a local Authority’s Proper Officer. I am also the Responsible Financial Officer, responsible for all financial records of the Council and ensuring the careful administration of its finances.

My role is to ensure that the Council conducts its business properly. I provide independent, objective and professional advice and guidance before decisions are made even when that guidance may be unpalatable. My key role is to advise the Councillors and Council on governance, ethical and procedural matters.

My overall responsibilities are:

• Ensuring that the instructions of the Council in connection with its function as a Local Authority are carried out

• To advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, overall policies to be followed in respect of the Authority’s activities

• To produce all the information required for making effective decisions and to implement all decisions in a constructive manner

• To be accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources and to report to them as and when required

• To ensure that the Council’s obligations for risk assessment and insurance are properly met

• To ensure that the Council complies with Health and Safety legislation.

• To effectively manage and monitor the Council’s finances and to advise the Council on a financial strategy that will meet its finance and policy objectives

• To ensure that all the accounts conform with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations

Specific Responsibilities for Great Baddow Parish Council• To act as the Clerk to the Burial Authority• To research, support, administer and provide

financial and budgetary information for projects and grant applications as required by the Council

• To undertake line management duties including managing sickness absence, undertaking annual staff appraisals, managing performance, provision of objectives and targets to support the development of the Council, ensuring clear communications and providing development opportunities for staff

• To act as lead on Health and Safety, ensuring that the Health and Safety policy is adhered to, and that all staff, visitors and parishioners are safe when on Council premises or facilities

• To act as the Designated Premises Manager

My goal is to provide amenities for the community of Great Baddow that everyone can be proud of. Making sure that the Recreation Ground is a welcoming and enjoyable place to socialise. The cemetery is well kept, tranquil and peaceful and the allotments are a breath of fresh air for the well-being of all those that have a plot. All my staff are dedicated to providing the best service they can for the community of Great Baddow. We pride ourselves on helping those that contact us directly even if it is just to signpost them to a different Council.

I work full time but at the moment due to Covid 19 I only work in the office on a Tuesday and Thursday, working from home Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I also work most Monday evenings clerking the meetings that now take place virtually. I also work on the Saturday morning before the full council meeting’s 9.30am to 11.30am.

You can contact me anytime via email [email protected] or Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4.30pm by phone on 01245 472937 or 07955 787368.

14


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GBENA Volunteer Group hit the ground runningThe Covid-19 lockdown began on 23rd March.

We formally began activities on 25th March, without an official name, but with five volunteers who fulfilled 38 requests in the first week. Thanks mostly to the 4,500 followers of the GBENA Facebook page, by mid-April the GBENA Volunteer Group had grown to 55 people!

We also received volunteer referrals from UnitedinKind, Essex Coronavirus Action Support, Chelmsford CVS and Great Baddow Parish Council. Amongst the 55, work situations covered the spectrum from fully retired to working full-time and, since we aimed to leaflet all of Baddow as quickly as possible, we recruited a handful of leafletting volunteers who happily took their daily walks with a new purpose, delivering leaflets door-to-door for those volunteers who could not undertake this time-consuming activity.

The leaflets, tailored to each neighbourhood, provided the name and mobile number of the designated volunteer. We contacted local pharmacies and GP surgeries to offer assistance. Within a few short days CHP, the Community Agents and Chelmsford CVS knew we were active and began to refer clients to us. Meanwhile, behind the scenes right from the start, GBENA Committee members supplied paper, sourced ink, printed hundreds of leaflets, leafletted areas and criss-crossed Baddow delivering packs of materials to volunteers.

The government guidance was to ‘Stay Home’, so we created laminated volunteer signs for our volunteers to carry with them to show they were assisting others. Crises of any kind create opportunities for scam artists, so the volunteer sign included contact details for the co-leaders who maintained a master list, so that anyone could easily check that an individual really was a volunteer.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIESVolunteers shop for groceries, pick up prescriptions and offer a friendly chat, but they have done so much more!

In the three months of operation they have- collected surplus food items (which were

part of food parcels) for delivery to the Chelmsford Food Bank and redistribution to those in need;

- gathered books and dvds to give away to others;- mowed lawns for seniors;- shopped for pet supplies;- mailed letters and returned items through

the Post Office/courier depot;- conducted doorstep welfare checks on behalf

of Essex Welfare Services;

No one could predict the level of demand for assistance from those who were isolating or shielding. A few volunteers may never have received a call for help! Most have reported that they received calls of thanks just for dropping off their leaflet - residents, especially seniors and those living alone, were relieved to know they could phone a local person for assistance should they need it.

Volunteers have built up a rapport with their clients, even if it is only a short chat over the grocery list. Through the necessity of substitutions in the early weeks of shortages, by trial and maybe error, they have got to know their client’s preferences. Apart from those who do grocery shopping and collect prescriptions, we have half a dozen volunteers who are shielding and whose contribution by the volunteer effort is chatting to the lonely or anxious. This is invaluable.

As the lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted, we expect the number of requests we receive to drop, and, as those furloughed are called back to work, we expect some of our volunteers will need to cease their volunteer activities.


Through the chat associated with our private Volunteer Group Facebook page, volunteers can already seek assistance from others when they find they cannot fulfill a request, so the mechanism for handover is already partly in place.

The Covid-19 pandemic is not an experience anyone would wish for, but we dare to say that those who have been in a position to help others have gained immensely from it. We certainly have.

As a group GBENA is so proud of our community and how we have all pulled together in a time of real need.

With all the uncertainty and anxious times it’s been great to know GBENA has a lot of support and people in the community who are so willing to volunteer and help others out. A huge thank you to each and every one of our GBENA volunteers - we are so grateful for all you have done.

Nichola Deag & Mary Cordeiro Co-leaders, GBENA Volunteer Group

Please see graph attached.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

26thMarch

2ndApril

9thApril

16thApril

23rdApril

30thApril

7thMay

14thMay

21stMay

28thApril

4thJune

11thJune

18thJune

Bar chart to show the number of incidents of support given by GBENA Volunteer Group during

Covid-19 lockdown

26th March 38 2nd April 50 9th April 46 16th April 60 23rd April 50 30th April 63 7th May 52 14th May 64 21st May 60 28th April 58 4th June 45 11th June 50 18th June 50

Please see graph attached.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

26thMarch

2ndApril

9thApril

16thApril

23rdApril

30thApril

7thMay

14thMay

21stMay

28thApril

4thJune

11thJune

18thJune

Bar chart to show the number of incidents of support given by GBENA Volunteer Group during

Covid-19 lockdown

26th March 38 2nd April 50 9th April 46 16th April 60 23rd April 50 30th April 63 7th May 52 14th May 64 21st May 60 28th April 58 4th June 45 11th June 50 18th June 50

Bar chart to show the number of incidents of support given by GBENA Volunteer Group during Covid-19 lockdown


Great Baddow Local Businesses When the Prime Minister announced the lockdown on 23 March, it meant the beginning of a long spell of reduced or no income for many

When many people’s work life balance suddenly did a 180 and time became plentiful and savings quickly depleting, it was inevitable to see new small start-up businesses popping up. Here are a few local entrepreneurs in the area that have either started up or pivoted their talents in these challenging times. If you know of any more please do let us know.

PETAL & LEAF FLORISTRYAmy was in the middle of her final year, studying Floristry at Writtle College when she found her plans for the future had fast forwarded to now. Amy is committed to creating arrangements from locally sourced farms and all her flowers come from Essex producers.FB: www.facebook.com/petalandleaffloristryInsta: www.instagram.com/petalandleaffloristryWeb www.petalandleaffloristry.co.uk

HANDYMADE4YBYKIRSTYKirsty took up crocheting as a hobby, helping her to rest for health reasons. You may remember her crochet NHS HERO bear and since then she has been inundated with orders for rainbows and bears. Her individual gifts range from blankets to personalised crocheted cuddly toys of your dog.E: [email protected]: www.facebook.com/Handmade4UByKirsty Insta: www.instagram.com/handmade4ubykirsty


Recreation Ground, Baddow Rd, CM2 9RL ______________________________________________________

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MEMBERS BAR Open evenings and weekends to Members Only

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Centre/Bar Tel. 01245 475899 Hall bookings/answerphone Tel. 01245 478088

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Heena has been cooking since she was 12 and founded My Healthy Indian to share authentic Indian favours and create awareness that Indian food can be both delicious and healthy. As private events and catering stopped, in May Heena launched a reduced menu, takeaway service with orders being placed up to five days in advance.

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The 30 in 30 ChallengeCan you go the extra mile for local hospice care?

Summer is finally here so why not challenge yourself to take part in Havens Hospices’ latest virtual event - the ’30 in 30’ Challenge?

Havens Hospices, which provides specialist palliative nursing and supportive care to adults and children across Essex, hopes that the Chelmsford community including local businesses, will embrace the benefits of taking part in its virtual event which can help keep people fit and socially active during the current pandemic, whilst also raising vital funds for a good cause.

The ‘30 in 30’ campaign challenges people to walk, run or cycle 30 miles across 30 days until 31st August 2020. The charity has chosen 30 miles because that is the average distance one of its nurses will travel in a day to care for patients and families in the community.

One business committing to the challenge is Countryside, the developer of Beaulieu in Chelmsford. Andrew Carrington, Managing Director, Strategic Land, Countryside, said: “Countryside together with L&Q, have sponsored Pedal for The J’s for the last six years. Our staff, together with Beaulieu residents, have always enjoyed taking part in the event and whilst disappointed it couldn’t take place this year, we are delighted to have the ‘30 in 30 Challenge’ in its place.

“Now more than ever it is important for us to try and incorporate exercise into our daily lives if we can, to help keep us both physically and mentally fit. I am encouraged by how many of our staff have signed up to take part in this event to help raise much needed funds for The J’s Hospice and Havens Hospices charity.

“I would encourage other companies and their staff to get involved. Havens Hospices need our support more than ever to enable them to continue with the vital care and services they provide to our community”.

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Emma Hamilton, Voluntary Income Area Team Leader, says “Thank you so much to everyone who has joined the campaign so far to help raise vital funds for the charity.”

“The charity’s income has taken a major hit after having to postpone and cancel all our fundraising events, including Pedal for The J’s, Race4Business and the Chelmsford Marathon so ‘30 in 30’ is a great way to raise vital funds for the charity either within the comfort of your home or when you are out exercising.“

“We feel that ‘30 in 30’ is a great campaign to bring the community together – without them our essential hospice care would not exist.”

“While a lot of people may feel their lives have been put on hold, palliative nursing and hospice care has not stopped and we must continue to be there for those at the end of their lives.”

“Everyone who signs up can get creative and take part in whatever way they want. There is no challenge too great or small so whatever you do just remember to have fun, stay safe by following social distancing guidelines, and share your experience with the online community.”

Joining the virtual campaign is free, but the charity is asking participants to fundraise as much as possible so Havens Hospices can continue ‘Making every day count’ for everyone they care for. If challengers raise £30 they will receive a medal, plus a t-shirt if they raise £150 or more.

The hospices remain open, having adapted how they operate in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Little Havens, the only children’s hospice in Essex, is caring for children with complex medical or social needs being discharged from hospital and providing end of life care.

Continued >

21


If you have decided what challenge you would like to complete for this campaign, sign up: 1. Visit 30in30.havenshospices.org.uk 2. Personalise your JustGiving fundraising page 3. If you have Strava, connect your account to

your JustGiving page to show your progress 4. Share your JustGiving page with your family

and friends asking them to sponsor you Havens Hospices’ Great Baddow charity shop is now open! Havens Hospices’ Great Baddow shop is thrilled to be part of the community again since reopening on 15th June, following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

All 23 Havens Hospices shops across Essex reopened on Monday 15th June with new additional safety measures which adhere to guidance provided by the Government and Public Health England.

After being closed for almost three months, the charity’s shops were looking forward to reopening their doors once again to their customers so they can continue to raise vital income for essential hospice care, especially after all the charity’s major fundraising events have been cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic.

The Great Baddow branch located in The Vineyards, CM2 7QS, is now open during the revised opening times of Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm. These altered times allow staff to clean the shop thoroughly before

opening and staff will also be cleaning the shop regularly throughout the day.

All employees have been trained appropriately and the shops are asking customers to follow the social distancing guidelines in their shops – floor markers have been put in place to assist with this. Hand sanitiser stations have also been provided in each shop for customers to use.

There will be a reduced number of customers allowed in the stores at any one time so people may be asked to queue outside. The shops have temporarily closed fitting rooms and are only accepting contactless and card payments.

For customers’ peace of mind, all items donated will be ‘quarantined’ for 48 hours and cleaned before being made available for purchase in the shops.

Trevor Johnson, Director of Income Generation, said: “We are thrilled that we can finally open our shops to our customers so we can continue raising money for our hospice care.”

“Havens Hospices needs your support more than ever in our shops after being closed for nearly three months– every purchase made helps us provide our essential palliative and supportive care to people with complex or incurable conditions during these difficult times.”

“We ask the public to please follow the new guidelines in our shops for their own safety and for the safety of our staff and volunteers.“

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“Thank you so much to our supporters and customers for keeping aside their donations for us during these difficult times.”

“With lots of people having clear-outs during lockdown we are receiving high volumes of donations, so we kindly ask our customers to bear in mind that on some occasions, due to the limited storage space in our shops, we may not be able to accept some donations on the day and recommend calling the shop beforehand to check the best time to bring them in.”

“We would like to thank our customers for their support and cooperation in advance and we can’t wait to say a socially-distanced ‘hello’ to you soon!”

To follow the latest updates on the charity’s shops reopening, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/charityshops or follow @havenshospices and @havensevents on Facebook and @havenshopsicesshops on Instagram.

News from Great Baddow LibraryEssex Library Services is delighted to welcome customers back to the library as they start re-opening, initially at sixteen locations, from 6 July.

Visiting the library will look different at first, with the measures we’ve put in place for the safety of our customers and staff. The services available will be limited but you can stay for up to 15 minutes and you can return, renew, borrow and pay via the self-service machines.

All other services and facilities are under continuous review and will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

We ask for your patience and support as libraries begin their phased re-opening and we encourage you to use our

#LibrariesFromHome page to access the wide range of digital reading and learning resources available.

No doubt you have questions about libraries re-opening so visit our website www.essex.gov.uk/libraries for the latest information.We look forward to seeing you all soon.


VE Day and post-war celebrations in Great BaddowCelebrating VE Day 75 years on in Great Baddow did not turn out quite as we expected!

Ironically the bank holiday weekend weather, when we had been planning to celebrate in style in the Recreation Ground, was warm and sunny – unlike many traditional May Day bank holidays a few years ago when residents will remember making the best of it despite the weather at damp May Fairs. However, you will see from the photographs in the next few pages that many people in Baddow celebrated in style in their streets on May 8th – suitably distanced from each other, of course!

Back in May 1945 the Essex Chronicle reported a Parish Council decision to ask Chelmsford Rural District Council to put on the street lights in Great Baddow for two nights and to fly the Union Jack as part of the peace celebrations. The Council also planned to lead members of the Civil Defence and other local bodies to church on the Sunday morning following VE Day. On a practical note, they also agreed to take steps to renew the fencing round the mine crater in the Recreation Ground!

In June the Chronicle reported that the personnel from the Great Baddow First Aid Point held a farewell supper at the British Restaurant (which later became the library and the Bell Centre). Guests included ex-servicemen of Great Baddow, as well as an ex-prisoner of war whom the personnel had ‘adopted’. A letter of thanks to the personnel from the Parish Council was read out and a presentation of a tray, cut glass jug and goblets was made to the leader. The newspaper report includes the detail that there was dancing to a radiogram lent by the youth club. Many things were coming to an end now, and later in June members of the Great Baddow Number 7 Group of the Wardens’ Service held a dinner and concert at the Parish Hall to mark the official ‘stand down’. A silence was held in memory of wardens who had given their lives.

Later on, in September, the newspaper reported that residents of Chelmerton Avenue and Dorset Avenue held a victory party in ‘an adjoining meadow’, with races for 50 children and a baby show for 18 babies. There was also a tug of war between the men of the two avenues, won by Chelmerton Avenue by two pulls to one!


Tea was served in a marquee and there was also a Punch and Judy show, a magic show, a bonfire and dancing.

There was also a VJ party and fete in Baddow Hall Park the previous weekend, organised by the central village area residents, with sports and a treasure hunt. Tea was served to 185 children and 48 ‘old residents’. In similar vein to the celebrations for Chelmerton and Dorset Avenues, there was a conjuring show and a concert party entertainment, followed by a minute’s silence and lighting of a bonfire, which was floodlit. The youth centre features again, this time providing an amplifier.

Celebrations did not end in 1945, although a report of the annual meeting of the Parish Council in April 1946 noted that although victory celebrations were considered, it was agreed that the street parties held on VE and VJ days could not be improved on. The Council resolved to allow use of the Keene Hall and the Parish Hall for free entertainment on the appropriate day. And in June Chelmsford Borough Council distributed 2s 6d to all the borough’s pensioners at the library on production of their pension books. This was to help them celebrate victory in their own way. Again on a more practical note, the County Council arranged to fill in the gun pit in Crescent Road.

Some celebrations obviously still went ahead. A victory party was held for the Maltings Estate children, with a conjuring show and tea for the children and their parents. Each child was given a packet of sweets and a savings stamp card with two sixpenny stamps in each one. The weather plainly did not intend to celebrate, as the children were apparently “undaunted by the weather”; however, they and their parents adjourned to the Vicarage Room, which was kindly lent, and the intended sports, musical games and fancy dress parade were postponed. These events were going to be held later on “The Island”. Other reports in the Chronicle make it clear that celebrations were mostly washed out throughout Chelmsford.

The Welcome Home FundThroughout the newspaper reports after May 1945 and during 1946 there are notes of events held to raise money for the Welcome Home Fund. These included a British Legion concert in the Parish Hall, a bowls drive held by the Baddow Bowling Club, a football match between a British Legion Men’s XI and a Women’s Land Army XI and a sale arranged by first aiders at the Parish Hall. There were also dances, whist drives and a house to house collection.

Continued >


A carnival and fete held in September 1946 raised £500 and it was announced that the fund would close at the end of the year.

There must have been many smaller fund raising events as well; for example the Chronicle of 14th September 1945 reported that Sally and Janet Robinson, aged 13, sent £1 12s to the Great Baddow Welcome Home Fund as the proceeds of a sale of oddments outside their home. In June 1946 a V-Day dance was held at the Parish Hall and a collection was made for the Fund. Interestingly, the Youth Centre features again, once more lending their radiogram!

By March 1947 the Welcome Home Committee was reportedly anxious to complete the list of those eligible to participate in this fund, which amounted to £1,500. Service or ex-Service men or women of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy resident in Great Baddow at the outbreak of war or at the time of enlistment prior to VJ Day, 14th August 1945,

were asked to send their full name, service, rank, regiment etc. to Mr Felix Collins, the honorary secretary, at Wickhams, 381 Baddow Road, before 14th April.

Residents obviously became restive at what they perceived as an undue delay in distributing the money in the fund. An article in the Chelmsford Chronicle in July 1947 carried the headline, “Baddow men ask ‘Where is welcome?” The advertisement asking for names of prospective recipients to be submitted in March had stated that the date of distribution would be announced later, but nothing further had been heard by July. Mr Collins explained that

“So many names were sent in that we had to appoint a sub-committee of eight members to sift them. There are now about 500 on the list, but many applied who were not eligible, such as Service men stationed in Baddow and married to local girls. All this took time.“We are having a meeting in about a month’s time for the sub-committee to report back


to the original committee, but the date for distribution has not yet been arranged.”

The presentation was going to take the form of a gift of war-saving certificates to each ex-Service man and woman. The newspaper report also noted that there would be a tablet in memory of the fallen erected in the church.

Plans for the future – what might have been!A newspaper report in January 1945 described ambitious possibilities for Great Baddow after the end of the war, which were going to be considered at a meeting in February. These suggestions were intended as a permanent way of welcoming home Great Baddow’s men and women currently in the Forces and the report notes that residents were talking about a modern social centre and municipal hall, a swimming pool by the Baddow Road water tower, more avenues of houses and better street lighting.

There were some interesting locations put forward as suggestions to house the social and municipal centre, including Baddow Court, requisitioned by the military during the war,

but unoccupied at this point, although still controlled by the authorities. The owner, Dr McIntyre, had been residing in the gardener’s cottage throughout. Another possibility mooted was The Vineyards, although this had been purchased by a development company with plans for building on the site... A thought as to what might have been!

Chris Shaw Vice-Chairman

PS The British Newspaper Archive has been a great source of information for this article. Had there not been a lockdown, I might also have been able to consult the Parish Council’s minutes for this period and found some further details. However, these reside at the Essex Record Office, which of course remains closed at the time of writing.

If any readers have any personal recollections, old family photos or other records of celebrations at the end of World War 2 and would like to have them featured in a future issue of the Baddow Times, our Clerk would be delighted to hear from you.

Great Baddow Parish Council MeetingsMeetings September – December 2020

Meetings are held in Committee Room 1 at the Parish Hall on Monday evenings. Members of the public are welcome to attend. There is an opportunity at the start of meetings for you to ask questions or make observations on agenda items.

Date Meeting TimeSEPTEMBER7th Planning Committee 7.30 pm Finance & General Purposes Committee 8.00 pm 14th Council Meeting 7.30 pm21st Planning Committee 7.30 pm Parish Hall Committee 8.00pm28th September Grounds Committee 7.30 pmOCTOBER5th Planning Committee 7.30 pm Finance & General Purposes Committee 8.00 pm12th Council Meeting 7.30 pm19th Planning Committee 7.30 pm Highways & Amenities Committee 8.00 pm26th Organisation, Methods & Personnel Comm 7.30 pm

Date Meeting TimeNOVEMBER2nd Planning Committee 7.30 pm Finance & General Purposes Committee 8.00 pm9th Council Meeting 7.30 pm16th Planning Committee 7.30 pm23rd No Meeting30th Planning Committee 7.30 pm Finance and General Purposes Committee 8.00 pmDECEMBER7th Council Meeting 7.30 pm14th Grounds Committee 7.30 pm 21st No Meeting28th Office Shut


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Manor Farm DevelopmentThis development is one of three sites for Great Baddow contained in the Chelmsford Local Plan, which was adopted by the City Council at a full Council meeting held on May 27th.

Several Parish Councillors and the Parish Clerk attended this virtual meeting as members of the public and in Public Question Time I, and a representative of Great Baddow East Neighbourhood Association (GBENA), were able to put our questions in person. Both questions raised concerns about the proposed development at Manor Farm and its impact on the local community, asking in essence that CCC would embark on further public consultation and take into account local concerns. This was responded to by assurances that there will be a Master Plan for each area of proposed development in the Chelmsford district, including one for Great Baddow.

The Parish Council held an initial virtual meeting with representatives from Hopkins Homes, the developers for this site, on June 1st. The Council put various questions and comments to them regarding our concerns as to infrastructure, local schools, GP Services, traffic congestion, affordable housing, retail facilities and the overall impact on the “village” of Great Baddow.

We were assured that the area for development is not the whole of the Manor Farm site; two thirds of it will be designated as a Country Park and the remaining third will be housing with 35% of that having to be “affordable”.

As a start to the consultation process, the developers are proposing to arrange workshops with Chelmsford CC and the Parish Council, and as soon as we have information on further public consultation, we will publicise it and facilitate that consultation. Meanwhile, the Council has contacted the Headteachers of the local schools, both primary and secondary, the GP Surgeries, the local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) and NHS England to gather their thoughts, comments and raise questions. We are very keen to hear from residents too and would ask you to forward any comments, questions or thoughts to the Clerk via her email: [email protected]

Val ChiswellChairman


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OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW SCHOOL GOVERNORS

Baddow Hall Junior School is looking to recruit new Governors.

What is the role of the Governing Body?

The Governing Body is made up of parents, staff, co-opted and Local Authority Governors who have a range of different backgrounds, skills and experience. Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. The Governing Body has a strategic role with three key functions:

• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its resources are well managed

• Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

Who are we looking for?

We are looking to recruit new Governors who are interested in education, particularly if you have experience or knowledge in Human Resources and Change Management.

For more information about the role and an informal chat, please contact Rebecca Mead (Chair of Governors) via [email protected]


Great Baddow’s British RestaurantThe building in Bell Street which many residents will remember as the old library, and later as the Bell Centre, served as a British Restaurant during World War II. ‘British Restaurants’ was the name given to dedicated restaurants set up to meet the wartime needs; they were to sell basic meals at reasonable prices, off-ration, and were staffed by volunteers.

The local newspapers of the time give some interesting snippets of information about the British Restaurant in Great Baddow. A report in the Essex Newsman of 13 June 1942 notes that the ‘British Restaurant and Cooking Centre’ opened the previous day and was the first to be provided in the Chelmsford Rural District. It opened in the “Bell Yard Buildings’, which were adapted, and had a mobile unit that provided meals in hot containers to villagers and schoolchildren in addition to those sold on a cash and carry basis. The report stated that ‘for 1s 1d a good meal is obtained, including a cup of tea’. The same report noted that ‘through the efforts of Mrs R G Lyster and a committee a canteen erected by voluntary labour opened on Monday near the Corona works’.

Demand was obviously high, as a Parish Council meeting in December 1942 was informed that since it opened, the British Restaurant had served 32,510 main courses and 32,709 sweet courses. During the month of October alone 3,707 adults and 9,500 children had been served.

It seems that more construction was undertaken the following year, as a note in the Chelmsford Chronicle’s ‘An Essex Man’s Diary’ in July 1943 says that several buildings associated with the steeplechase course in Galleywood were being dismantled to provide material for the Council’s wartime buildings, such as the British Restaurant in Great Baddow. The Chelmsford Rural District Council had bought the course just before the war, but considered that it was unlikely the course would ever be used again, as it was part of the

200 acres or more of Galleywood Common that were to be kept as open space.

The Restaurant had certainly continued to be well used, as a report in the Essex Chronicle in March 1943 contained a complaint that scores of factory workers, pressed for time, had to queue up for their dinners while the tables were occupied by schoolchildren. Workers said that the children could be served at the village school (not fifty yards away), where 120 children, a third of the school’s total, already received hot dinners each school day. However, the cooks said that the children got there first and they had no power to refuse to serve them!

Mr Amoss, schoolmaster and Parish Councillor, said that some parents thought their children got better meals at the British Restaurant than at school, but that was ‘entirely wrong’. He said that the meals brought to the school were piping hot, with a change of menu every day, and everything served scrupulously clean. The charges were 2s a week for children over 11 and 2s 6d for those under 11. However, a schoolboy who went to the Restaurant said he did not like having his dinner in school, so went to the Restaurant some days and went home on other days. The Parish Council had asked the Rural District Council to do something about it! The meals officer at the RDC was quoted as saying that a rule had been put in place a while ago that children should not be served until 1pm; this rule had been allowed to lapse after a time, but would probably be reintroduced.

The end of the war did not see the Restaurant’s closure...The British Restaurant continued to function throughout the rest of the war and beyond, but in December 1945 there was a sudden announcement that it would be closing early in 1946. This apparently aroused consternation, especially among workers at the Marconi research laboratory, who were still served daily in relays of up to 50 at a time.


One of the workers praised the catering as ‘wonderfully good’, with a first-class dinner served for a shilling, and noting that hundreds of meals were still sent out to schools. The workers were protesting strongly to the RDC.

Protests must have hit home, as in January 1946 the Chronicle reported that because of ‘considerable agitation’ in Great Baddow over the proposal to transfer the British Restaurant back to the County Council, the RDC decided to refer it back to the Wartime Meals Committee. Apparently the reason for the negotiations between the councils had been the County Council’s wish to carry out their own scheme for school meals, which would have involved the loss of the custom of schoolchildren, with a probable consequent loss of revenue.

The Essex Newsman also reported on a meeting of the Chelmsford Trades Council, where a discussion had developed on the proposed closure. Surprise was expressed at the proposal, in view of the Ministry of Food’s declared wish for a continuance of this service as a permanent feature throughout the country, coupled with the view widely held by medical practitioners that the present wave of illness was largely due to undernourishment. There was apparently a growing influx of mobile workers (lorry drivers and workers in the building trade) whose needs had to be met and nearby industrial workers had ‘grossly inadequate’ canteen facilities; attendance clearly showed its usefulness.

Following all these interventions, in March there was an announcement that the British Restaurant would continue ‘for the time being’. There was going to be some delay before the Education Committee could carry out their proposals for serving school meals, so the RDC decided to continue the Restaurant on the understanding that the Education Committee would be given first refusal to acquire the property and that the Committee should give the RDC as long notice as possible that they will themselves supply the school meals.

Apart from its everyday function, several events were held at the British Restaurant. In November 1945 the Chelmsford Chronicle

reported on a dinner and entertainment given by the Danbury Section of the County Constabulary to the members of the Special Constabulary, past and present, to thank them for their help during the war years. And in June 1945 the Great Baddow First Aid Point personnel held a farewell supper there. There are also several reports of wedding receptions being held there. The Restaurant was still open in 1948, when wedding receptions were reported as well as a social meeting of the Young Conservatives. And in January 1949 a reporter from the Essex Newsman described a conversation with Mrs Banfield, the lady in charge of the kitchen staff right from its opening, in which she impressed him with statistics – 3cwt of potatoes peeled at 8am every morning, followed by 2cwt of cabbages! At this point the Restaurant was still supplying school dinners, with 420 meals sent out daily, five days a week, to schools in the area.

Some time later, the Education Committee obviously did use the building. A letter I received from a lady in Howe Green in 2009, thanking me for sending her tickets for an Essex on Tour show in the Parish Hall, included some fascinating details about her life as a teacher at St Mary’s School. She joined the staff in January 1953, when the school was at the back of the church, but the influx of young families with children after post-war building meant the school was overflowing. As a result she taught in the Parish Hall, having to clear away every night so the building could be used for other activities and sometimes having improvised games afternoons in the park when the hall was needed for other purposes! But after a year or two she and another teacher found themselves and their classes in what had been the British Restaurant. They found this easier to work in and she noted that the advent of the phone meant they were less isolated from the school!

And then of course, the building eventually became the library, which many of us remember well.

Chris Shaw (With thanks again to the British Newspaper Archive, a wonderful source of material.)


Community Special Constable Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is a Special Constable?Special Constables are volunteer Police Officers. They have the same police powers, uniforms and equipment as regular Police Officers but sacrifice their free time on a voluntary basis, organising their busy personal lives, day jobs and other commitments around police duties. They do not get paid but are reimbursed for expenses.

Special Constables are subject to the same Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour as regular officers, whether on or off duty.

Being a Special Constable is a privilege and bestows significant powers and responsibilities; a volunteer Police Officer has the same powers as a paid Police Officer and that carries with it the same expectations in terms of standards and public service.

So why is a Community Special Constable different?It’s not different per se. As a Community Special Constable (CSC) though, you will spend the majority of your time working within your chosen parish or town council area. You’ll form close working relationships with the parish or town council and local community groups. You’ll focus on the issues and concerns affecting that community. All of the following answers relate to CSC’s as well as ‘general’ Special Constables.

This sounds like a big commitment, I’m not sure I’ve got the time.You’ll be surprised. Essex Police ask their Special Constables to give a minimum of sixteen operational hours each month. As volunteers, you can do these hours when they suit you, although we do ask CSC’s work around identified issues in their parish where they can.

A study in August 2019 showed that in the UK, the average adult spends three hours and 25 minutes on their phone every day - 52 minutes of which is spent on social media. Perhaps finding four hours per week might not be that difficult.

How long do I have to sign up for?There is no ‘minimum service requirement’ but please think carefully about your circumstances before you join. For example, if you plan a big lifestyle change in the next few months, it’s probably best to wait until you are settled before you commit.

Can I join if I have criminal conviction or are there any other circumstances that would prevent me from joining.You must not have a criminal record although some minor offences may not exclude you.Applicants who have received cautions, reprimands, formal warnings and final warnings will not be considered until a full five years from the date of the sanction.Some occupations where you already have a statutory power or appointments such as local councillor are barred. If you think you may be in this category, it’s best to speak to The Specials Recruiting Team (01245 491491) before you start your application.Other circumstances that may bar you from joining are that you must not:• Omit to declare any offences or ‘spent’

convictions• Be registered bankrupt, subject to CCJs or IVAs• Have defaulted accounts

Are there any age restrictions?The minimum age is 18. There is no upper age limit although you must be able to pass the initial medical and subsequent annual police fitness test.

What are the medical requirements?To meet our required medical and fitness standards you should have a BMI range of 18-30. And be able to complete 5.4 on the Bleep Test. However, as part of the application process you will have a full medical where you will be individually assessed.

Due to this role being front-line and public facing, it is recommended that you have been well, without medication for stress, anxiety or depression for a period of time before you apply.


Again, you will be individually assessed.

Please also visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-recruitment-standards-medical-standards-for-police-recruitment for

detailed information on medical standards including which illnesses, injuries and disorders will affect your ability to perform the role of a police officer - these also apply to Specials.

What does the training involve?To become a Special Constable, you must undertake 15 days of classroom based training before you can be attested. (Receive your Warrant Card)

We currently offer two types of training sessions:Intensive - Monday to Friday for three weeksAlternate Weekends - Every other Saturday and Sunday for 8 weeks

Please note that availability for each course may vary depending on the number of applicants. You must be available to attend every day of the course. Once you have attested and received your warrant card, you’ll be posted to the police station in the district where you live where you will work through a portfolio with Special and Regular tutors.

Depending on your availability, this stage can take up to 18 months to complete. Once it is complete, you will be signed off as suitable for independent patrol. So don’t worry, you won’t

just be given a uniform and left to it. You will be coached and supported every step of the way until you are ready.

What does the application process involve?You will be invited to an assessment centre where you will complete a fitness test (level 5.4 on a 15m bleep test), competency based interview (based on the Policing Professional Framework) and four written exams. You will find out your results within two weeks from the date of attendance.

There are many online resources detailing the Policing Professional Framework and guides to Competency Based Interviews.

I’m really keen to apply, what do I do next?Before you apply, you need to make sure you are eligible. If you are still not sure, you can contact The Specials Recruitment Team (01245 491491) to discuss individual circumstances.If you are eligible, complete the initial application so we can invite you to the next stages.

AT THIS STAGE, CSC APPLICANTS ARE ASKED TO SELECT WHICH PARISH OR TOWN COUNCIL THEY WANT TO WORK WITH.

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Great Baddow Women’s InstituteIt has been a difficult few months for members of Great Baddow WI with everything being cancelled both nationally and locally.

WIs have managed to keep in touch either by letter, e-mail or Zoom meetings. We have been doing knitting, cooking, decorating or gardening to keep busy, but we are missing the personal interaction and socialising.

Speakers have been cancelled until September, or we hope by then that we will be back to normal. At the moment meetings for the rest of the year are:-September 24th Treasures beneath your feet- Gordon Bailey (stall tins)October 22nd Alexander technique- Tricia Kelly (stall biscuits)

November 26th I had a dream- Lyn Croot (stall Christmas goods)December 3rd Christmas party

Meetings are now to be held in the Parish Hall Committee Room 1 every 4th Thursday of the month 1.45pm for a 2pm start. Visitors are welcome.

These dates are provisional on the Government’s decision to allow indoor meetings.


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The End of an Era Great Baddow United Reformed ChurchThe history of this Church is very much part of the history of the village itself, with the growth of the population being reflected in the extensions to the original building to what exists today.

There is an interesting account of its history, dating back to 1848 and possibly even earlier, on the URC website written by Eric Manning, one of the Elders of the Church. Not only functioning with a congregation, it has served the village well as a home for many organisations and local groups who have hired the halls and facilities over many years.

It was therefore with great sadness we heard the news at the beginning of the year that, because of a very small and dwindling congregation, the Elders had reluctantly decided to close as a functioning church with the last service to take place at the end of July. It became known that the Eastern Synod of the URC, the freehold owners, would then put the building on the market, choosing to sell rather than leasing it out. This would have the knock-on effect of depriving the many long standing hirers of their “accommodation” which was of great concern to the Parish Council, and immediately our Clerk corresponded with the Synod to appraise them of the ramifications for the community. This culminated in a meeting at the Church between the Synod’s Property Manager, the Rev. Paul Stein, Minister in charge, myself and the Parish Clerk.

It was agreed that GBPC would manage the building and hirings after the last service now scheduled for 21st June and the sale of the property, this giving the hirers (who by now were in a state of confusion) some breathing space to seek other venues for meetings and events, where possible.

Unfortunately the onset of Covid 19 and the lockdown gave rise to complications and a rethink on the Synod’s part on the timescale, bringing the sale forward (this emerged as bids in excess of £600k being required by 21st May). Meanwhile the Council debated and investigated whether realistically it could purchase the building, which would mean obtaining a loan from the Public Works Loan Board with the ramifications of repayment leading to an increase in Council tax for residents. The PWLB, as part of an application process, require public consultation with evidence that there is a majority of residents in favour of the purchase. Covid 19 prevented a public meeting taking place and so the Council embarked on a postal survey which took time to set up and gave a month for the community’s response, which we knew would take us beyond the date for the bids to be received. Backed by the majority of favourable responses which had been received, it was decided after much discussion at our full virtual Council Meeting on 18th May, that we would put in a bid, and duly did so. However, we were not successful. There had been much interest shown by prospective purchasers and the Synod accepted another offer.

So, at the time of writing, July 2nd), the building has been sold and management has been taken back by the Eastern Synod until the new owners take possession, rather than ourselves as had been agreed. We fully understand the importance of this building to the residents and are extremely disappointed. However, the new owners are an unknown quantity and if there is any way that the Council can work with them to demonstrate that importance, we will do so.

Val Chiswell

36


Established over seven years ago in Great Baddow, we have gained a reputation for delivering a quality haircut

by professional barbers at a very reasonable price. FREE PARKING in the layby outside or across the road in the Vineyards. No appointment – walk in service. LATE

OPENING on Thursdays. CHILDREN WELCOME

We take all major Credit and Debit cards including Contactless and Apple Pay.

Haircut £10.00Children under 6 £7.00Children under 16 £8.00Senior Citizens £8.00 Crew cut 0 or 1 £7.00Beard shave £4.00Beard trim £5.00

Opening timesMonday to Weds 8:30 – 5:30Thursday 10:00 – 7:00Friday 8:30 – 5:30Saturday 8:00 – 4:00Sunday CLOSED

Hamptons Sports and LeisureDuring the Covid19 crisis, many businesses have found themselves facing an uncertain future, or in some cases closure.

Hamptons Sports & Leisure has weathered the storm and are looking forward with hope to a bright prosperous future.

Whilst in lockdown we have been able to create: a new Membership scheme offering various subscriptions for children, parents, families, couples, seniors and adult members; an online booking app which has been developed for tennis & squash, and will be launched in July; greater social media coverage with the creation of an Instagram page. A new website and brochures are also being designed.

Our future lies in the promotion and development of the Centre, with our focus being on the growth of our sporting and

leisure activities, to the expansion of our business and conference services, including the addition of a Café (to be opened later in the year), and a non-alcoholic bar serving alcohol free beers and wines. Hamptons Sports & Leisure has always been the beating heart of the community, and even in these uncertain times we hope, that with the support of our current and future patrons will remain so for many years to come.

For further information visit: www.hamptonssl.co.uk, follow us onFacebook or Instagram


Green Looking Good – But LonelyCoronavirus. There, I’ve said it. Got it out of the way right at thebeginning. No doubt it has impacted on every aspect of ourlives, not least at Great Baddow Bowling Club, since March oreven earlier. Lockdown has prevented us from seeing ourfamilies, going out socially and from par cipa ng in sport.

When Bowls Clubs were eagerly an cipa ng thestart of the new season due in April, nobody couldhave foreseen the consequences of the pandemic.However, our club has not been idle. We haveembraced the new technology and held mee ngs,very successfully, via Zoom, despite our general ageprofile and these have proved very produc ve. Iwill desist from pos ng a photo of one of thoseubiquitous Zoom screenshots which only serve toemphasise that beauty shops need to open as ama er of urgency.

The Green is looking very good, well on the way to pris ne and was opened tomembers on the 8th June to have a roll up and also to prospec ve members toenjoy a one on one coaching session. This has all been accomplished within thestrict guidelines for social distancing and sani sing.

Possibly by the me you read this, the Government advice may allow us to extendgames to include some internal compe ons but at least we now have the abilityfor members to get out and enjoy the fine weather, somebowling and the chance to meet friends.

Covid 19 has had a significant financial impact on the club withthe loss of match fees, bar sales and other social events. Duringthe lockdown, members Eric and Toni Tatum had theenterprising idea of fundraising by holding a “garden sale.”Members and friends contributed jumble which the couple soldfrom their front garden and the staggering sum of around£2250 has been raised to date. The bulk of this will be for the purchase of a muchneeded defibrillator to be sited at the club. Well done Eric and Toni!

If you are passing the club and you see our banner offering free taster sessionsthen you will know that we are well on the way to a degree of normality but, in themean me, if you are interested in keeping in touch with the progress please call01245 476111.

Stan Keller

GBBC Parish Times July 2020_Layout 1 25/06/2020 12:03 Page 1

Green Looking Good – But LonelyCoronavirus. There, I’ve said it. Got it out of the way right at thebeginning. No doubt it has impacted on every aspect of ourlives, not least at Great Baddow Bowling Club, since March oreven earlier. Lockdown has prevented us from seeing ourfamilies, going out socially and from par cipa ng in sport.

When Bowls Clubs were eagerly an cipa ng thestart of the new season due in April, nobody couldhave foreseen the consequences of the pandemic.However, our club has not been idle. We haveembraced the new technology and held mee ngs,very successfully, via Zoom, despite our general ageprofile and these have proved very produc ve. Iwill desist from pos ng a photo of one of thoseubiquitous Zoom screenshots which only serve toemphasise that beauty shops need to open as ama er of urgency.

The Green is looking very good, well on the way to pris ne and was opened tomembers on the 8th June to have a roll up and also to prospec ve members toenjoy a one on one coaching session. This has all been accomplished within thestrict guidelines for social distancing and sani sing.

Possibly by the me you read this, the Government advice may allow us to extendgames to include some internal compe ons but at least we now have the abilityfor members to get out and enjoy the fine weather, somebowling and the chance to meet friends.

Covid 19 has had a significant financial impact on the club withthe loss of match fees, bar sales and other social events. Duringthe lockdown, members Eric and Toni Tatum had theenterprising idea of fundraising by holding a “garden sale.”Members and friends contributed jumble which the couple soldfrom their front garden and the staggering sum of around£2250 has been raised to date. The bulk of this will be for the purchase of a muchneeded defibrillator to be sited at the club. Well done Eric and Toni!

If you are passing the club and you see our banner offering free taster sessionsthen you will know that we are well on the way to a degree of normality but, in themean me, if you are interested in keeping in touch with the progress please call01245 476111.

Stan Keller

GBBC Parish Times July 2020_Layout 1 25/06/2020 12:03 Page 1

Great Baddow Cricket ClubWith winter training in full swing for senior and junior members alike, the early months of 2020 seemed like any other year for Great Baddow Cricket Club.

By the middle of March, it was clear that in fact, 2020 would be like no other ever seen! The practice sessions taking place indoors on Friday 28th February proved to be the last.

At Great Baddow Recreation Ground, we are very fortunate to have a fantastic 3 lane, outdoor, net facility and this proved to be an extremely valuable asset once restrictions began to be slowly lifted.

After the completion of a thorough and robust risk assessment in line with Government and ECB guidelines, we were able to open our net facility from the 16th May. Initially, this allowed only 2 players per lane in our two outer nets, maintaining social distancing at all times.

The further lifting of restrictions enabled us to allow groups of up to 6 per net in the two available lanes which then enabled us to begin both senior and junior training outdoors, under some very strict rules, on the 11th June.

The heady mix of warm sunny weather and a desire to get out of the house and run around led to strong demand for these training sessions, at which places have to be booked in advance.

The cooperation of the children and their parents in terms of observing the rules has been exemplary with the children willingly

applying hand sanitiser and allowing the coaches to spray various pieces of equipment when necessary without complaint whilst taking care to keep 2 metres away from everyone. A lot to remember and that’s before you even start to think about the cricket!

At the time of writing this article, it is not clear if we will be able to play any senior or junior matches this season but we will keep training in the hope that we might.

We are always looking for players of all abilities from the age of 5 upwards and offer softball and hardball cricket for juniors and league and friendly cricket for seniors.

If you would like to come along for a training session or if you have any questions at all about the club, please contact Head Coach David Byford on mobile number: 07921 144925 or by email at: [email protected]

David Byford Head Coach GBCC

39

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