Village Conference 2008
The 2008 Village Conference was held in the Bell Centre on Thursday April 17th. In addition to the reports from the Parish Council and other local bodies on which the Council has representatives, there was a report from our local police sergeant and inspector, and two of our neighbourhood PCSOs were also present. Many items of current interest were discussed, and the meeting also passed a resolution expressing its great concern about the proposals for the borough's new swimming facilities, to be sent to Chelmsford Borough Council.
There was also a display of ideas for new play equipment in the recreation ground supplied by several manufacturers, and we are continuing to work on this scheme.
Click here to see a copy of the written report for 2007-08 presented at the meeting.
Parish Sports Programme
Chelmsford Borough Council's Sports Development Unit ran two multi-sports sessions at the Recreation Ground during the Easter holidays. These were for anyone aged between 6 and 14, and were free, as they were subsidised by the Parish Council.
Watch out for dates for the half term and summer holiday sessions.
New Play Equipment - we need your ideas!
We have produced a questionnaire for you to give us your ideas on new play equipment for 6 to 15 year olds in the Recreation Ground. Click here for more details.
Trees in Great Baddow
As part of the National Tree Warden Scheme, Chelmsford Borough Council introduced a Parish Tree Warden scheme in 2004. Tree wardens are volunteers who are interested in working with the Borough Council to encourage more tree planting, improve the management of trees, raise public awareness of the importance of trees, and celebrate trees. We are fortunate to have a tree warden in Great Baddow, and he has started to describe some of the trees which are easily visible in the village.
To read his first article about one of our trees, click here!
For the second article, click here.
To contact our tree warden, email him via the Parish Council.
Don't forget our Tree Trail leaflet, which is available to help you enjoy a walk through the Recreation Ground. Copies are available free of charge from the Parish Council Office, the Community Association or Great Baddow Library.
Click here to download a copy
2007 Centenary Award
The joint winners of the 2007 Centenary Award were Carol Gillett and Judith Pickess, and they were presented with their awards by the Mayor of Chelmsford, Cllr Nicolette Chambers, at the Council's Community Celebration in January 2008. The award was made in recognition of their long and dedicated service to local Brownie packs.
Awards are made annually, so start thinking now if you know anyone who might deserve to be nominated for the 2008 award! Nomination forms are available from the Parish Council Office.
Carol Gillett and Judith Pickess, our latest Centenary Award winners
Essex on Tour in Great Baddow
Successful shows for 2007/2008 season!
We are very fortunate in having the Essex on Tour scheme, supported by Essex County Council and borough and district councils, which provides a subsidy to bring professional theatre and music to villages.
This season for the first time we booked two productions -
The Elves and the Shoemaker
A large audience of children, parents and grandparents enjoyed the story telling and puppets in this show by the Theatre of Widdershins on Sunday 18th November 2007.
That was for the children - then something for the parents and grandparents....
With a Little Bit o' Luck
Dave Sealey provided a brilliant show on Saturday 16th February 2008, telling the life story of Stanley Holloway with performances of the classic songs and monologues. Many in the audience rated this one of the best shows we've had from Essex on Tour.
Later in the spring we will be finding out what shows are on offer for the 2008/2009 season, so watch out for news of forthcoming productions.
Sensory Garden Opening
The new sensory garden in Noakes Place was opened in October 2007 by Cllr John Jowers, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Localism. The garden was partly funded by the County Council's Community Initiatives Fund, and we were delighted to have Cllr Jowers to represent the County Council at the official opening.
Mobile Police Surgeries
The mobile police bus will be visiting Great Baddow on the following dates:
16 February 2008
Vineyards 10am to 12 noon
Meadgate shops 2.30pm to 3.30pm
29 March 2008
Meadgate shops 11.45am to 12.45pm
Vineyards 1.30pm to 2.30pm
12th April 2008
Meadgate shops 10.30am to 11.30am
Vineyards 11.45am to 12.45pm
10th May 2008
Vineyards 10.30am to 11.30am
Meadgate shops 1.30pm to 2.30pm
This is an opportunity for you to go and discuss any issues that are concerning you, and to meet our local Police Community Support Officers.
Parish Council Election Results May 2007
There was an election between 6 candidates for the 5 seats in the Village Ward of the Parish Council. Results were as follows:
Stephen Martin (Lib Dem) 1071 - Elected
Jesse Pryke (UKIP) 535
Diana Ronaldson (Lib Dem) 1055 - Elected
Keith Ronaldson (Lib Dem) 969 - Elected
Chris Shaw (Lib Dem) 1122 - Elected
Andrew Sosin (Lib Dem) 1022 - Elected.
In the other two wards of the parish the number of candidates for election equalled the number of seats, so the following councillors were elected unopposed without a ballot:
Sid Bass, Angela Martin, Maureen Miller, Trevor Miller, Will Richardson, Stephen Russell, Veronica Sadowsky, Jannetta Sosin (all Lib Dem).
Honorary Burgesses
There are currently three Honorary Burgesses of Great Baddow: Mrs Joan Beard, Mr Eric Withams and Mr David Watson. Their names are shown on a specially designed board in the Parish Hall.
Nominations can be made at any time for this award, which can be in recognition of valuable contributions to a wider area than Great Baddow. Please contact the Parish Council office for more details.