Great Notley Garden Village Residents Association

Newsletter Number 2

Chairman : Ken Game. Secretary : Bert Rix.
Telephone : 01376-343030. Telephone : 01376-341066.

Date : 25th. June, 1998.

Welcome to the second newsletter of the Great Notley Residents Association.
The Chairman and Secretary have been present as members of the public at the last three meetings of the Black Notley Parish Council and will continue to monitor each of the forthcoming monthly meetings up to, at least, the next Parish elections in May, 1999.

Currently these meetings are held in the Black Notley Community Association Hall, which is on the site of the old Black Notley Hospital that was recently closed down. Although much Parish business is routine, there are some subjects of importance to the majority of Great Notley residents and for this reason it would be nice to see more members of the public observing things which are being done in our name.

The Parish Council have in mind to celebrate the millennium, but at the time of writing this newsletter they do not know what form the celebration will take and they don't know how much it will cost. As you will have read in the Black Notley Community News for Spring 1998 (Issue No.25.) they claim to have some ideas, but are looking for further ideas from members of the public. Time is getting short.

POLICING OF THE GREAT NOTLEY GARDEN VILLAGE.

Your Chairman and Secretary were again observers at the Parish Council monthly meeting on Tuesday, the 23rd. June, 1998. Also present was your local Bobby, who is no longer your local Bobby.

Dave Blackburn addressed the Parish Council and told them that as he is classed as a rural beat policeman, and as Great Notley is classed as an urban area he has been with- drawn from the west side of London Road. In spite of this he still holds court in the old Scallywags hut opposite the Community Association Hall.

A member of the Parish Council asked what had happened to the two extra bodies that Countryside had once loudly trumpeted would be assisting him. The reply was dismal.

The two original policemen were "Specials" and only contracted to patrol for a maximum of 4 hours per week. One has since joined the regular police force, whilst the other girl resigned. A replacement was interviewed, but failed to materialise.

It so seems that we are on our own.

PROPOSED GREAT NOTLEY COUNTRY PARK DISCOVERY CENTRE.

The Community and Leisure Committee of Braintree District Council have produced a Design Brief for an Education and Activity Centre for Great Notley Country Park. This DESIGN BRIEF has been produced to inform members of the of the Community and Leisure Committee of the development of a new education and activity centre for the Great Notley Country Park.

The members of your committee will continue to keep abreast of future deliberations by the above-mentioned committee.

BEST KEPT FRONT GARDEN COMPETITION.

Jill Cowley, an acknowledged authority on gardening and writer on the subject for the Essex Chronicle will judge the competition on the 17th. July, 1998. David Wilson Homes have agreed to provide the prize.

The competition is open to all Great Notley Garden Village residents. NO entry fee is required.

PROPOSED NEW SCHOOL CATCHMENT AREA.

Regarding concerns expressed at the last public meeting of the Residents Association it is understood that details remain to be finalised. As soon as more detailed inform- ation comes available you will be informed.

PUBLIC MEETING IN THE SMALL HALL OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE ON MONDAY, 13TH. JULY, 1998.

The two most urgent subjects for discussion are:-

1. Lack of police coverage for the Great Notley Garden Village area.

2. Proposed Black Notley Parish Council division into separate parishes. By now you will have received a draft copy of the recommendations from Braintree District Council and it is necessary for consideration to be given to these points prior to submission to the Secretary of State.