Great Notley Garden Village Residents Association
Newsletter Number 15
Date : February 2001.
Chairman : Ken Game. Telephone - 343030. Secretary : Bert Rix. Telephone - 341066.
E-mail : herbertrix@btinternet.com
Our last newsletter No.14 gave notice of the A.G.M. of the Residents Association which was held in the Main Hall of the Community Association on the 1st. February. It was intended to have a limited agenda, but owing to a misunderstanding, intentional or otherwise circumstances didn’t turn out quite like that. How that happened we don’t know. During that afternoon our Chairman was told that a meeting of the Shelduck residents had been arranged in the new Primary School. First reaction was -- oh heavens! We won’t have an audience. The second thought was that we might finish early.
At five minutes to eight a number of people arrived to ask if the meeting about the proposed building of social housing between London Road and Shelduck Crescent was to be held in the Community Hall. When told that we had no knowledge of such a meeting the arrivals said there was a notice at the Primary School directing them to the C.A. Hall. Who was kidding who?
Of course, the new arrivals were entitled to stay, and they were welcomed, because every resident of G.N.G.V. is also a member of the Residents Association. The Residents Association agenda started and the old committee stood down. The committee then offered themselves for re- election and were voted back unanimously. This effectively slayed the dragon of a non-elected Residents Association committee which had been commented on by certain factions in the past.
After the business of the R.A. Agenda was completed the evening was given over to a discussion of the fears of the Shelduck Crescent and London Road West residents. Nothing constructive arose, but it was suggested that they appoint a person to focus their aims and the Residents Association would be happy to provide any support or advice required.
CAROL SINGING FOR THE ESSEX AIR AMBULANCE PRE-CHRISTMAS.
We forgot to include this item in newsletter No.14. When the collection boxes were being emptied a small type of medallion fell out. It is probable, we believe, that this was not included on purpose and got included in a cash donation. If anyone recognises the lost item and can identify it please ring Bert Rix on 341066 who will be pleased to return it to it’s rightful owner.
THE NOTLEY GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.
We are pleased to report that the A.G.M. for the N.G.C.A. was held on the 18th. January last, which was a great success. A ballot was held to elect 12 members to the General Committee and as there were 13 nominations somebody had to draw the short straw. That’s life.
The A.G.M. was followed by a meeting of the newly constituted General Committee and with the problems of the recent past behind the future for the N.G.C.A. now looks good.
PARISH MAPS IN THE TESCO ENTRANCE TO CUCKOO WAY AND AT “MRS. HEDGES”.
No excuses are offered for returning to this subject which was raised in the last newsletter. So many vans and cars are stopping at the board in Cuckoo Way and find the information totally useless. Early last year Countryside plc. promised that updating was imminent, but this promise has not been fulfilled. In an effort to get some progress the Residents Association will be writing to Countryside plc., in an effort to get the boards to display the local roads in G.N.G.V. in a more useful form.
TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES IN LONDON ROAD.
At the Parish Council Meeting on the 13th. February, a number of residents from London Road were present to complain that the recent modifications to London Road had been unsatisfactory and to ask questions about the future of London Road.
The Chairman extended the public time for questions to allow time for the residents to voice their concerns. A show of hands by the residents was unanimous in favour of more restrictions on “through traffic” . Points at issue included the speed of traffic which is considered to be no different in spite of the 30mph speed limit. Also that heavy vehicles are still using the road instead of the A131 by-pass plus the ongoing difficulty for cars emerging from White Court.
There were multiple suggestions to ease the congestion including making London Road a “no through road” by erecting “Access Only” signs at each end. A question was asked about how this could be enforced and the answer was to station observers at each end to penalise motorists emerging at the “far end”. It wasn’t disclosed how a car coming from Braintree and calling at White Court Stores, then going home by direct route to Great Notley Garden Village would fare.
Another “oldie” that reared it’s head was the closure of the slip road down from the Braintree by-pass to the junction of London Road and the Great Notley Garden Village by-pass. This would force traffic to go on to the next roundabout on the A120 and double back to the roundabout for the A131 by-pass plus another stretch for those wanting to get to London Road or White Court. No mention was made of cars using London Road to avoid mud on the A131 deposited by contractor’s vehicles.
Rush hour traffic escaped mention. London Road and A131 traffic converges at Slamsey’s Farm roundabout and cars along the G.N.G.V. by-pass often back up beyond Panners Farm. Since people in White Court and London Road must needs get to work here is another problem to be addressed.
Two other suggested improvements that came out of the meeting were to install a mini-roundabout at the exit from White Court and a footpath along the west side of London Road between The Chase and Cut Hedge.
GREAT NOTLEY GARDEN VILLAGE W.I.
Welcome to the G.N.G.V. W.I! We meet on the first Monday of each month at 10am. in the Community Centre for 2 hours.
We are a great group of ladies of all ages, meeting for a cup of coffee and biscuits and a good chat. We have an energetic committee to arrange outings and events for us. Next Saturday (24th. Feb.) 40 of us with friends and family are off to see the Ice Show at Wembley.
At each meeting we have guest speakers from all walks of life. Last month it was our local author, Mark Beatty telling us how he came to hand in his notice as an accountant, and write his first novel. In the coming months we will meet two other local people, one who will be telling of her experience recovering from cancer and another of her career as a bookbinder.
Three of our members are running in the Pancake Race organised by the Great Leighs W.I. on the 27th. Feb. 01.
Why not come and join us and enjoy a Monday morning away from the washing and ironing.
WEB SITE FOR THE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION.
Since Great Notley Garden Village has gone on to the web a number of e-mails have been passed to the Secretary of the Residents Association from that web site expressing views and high-lighting problems. Now you will see from the heading that we have a direct line.
E-mails are like refrigerators and television sets. Before you own them they are nothing but become essential in a very short time.
