Great Notley Garden Village Residents Association
Newsletter Number 25
Date : September 2002.
Chairman : Ken Game. Telephone - 343030. Secretary : Bert Rix. Telephone - 341066.
E-mail : herbertrix@btinternet.com
THE PARISH COUNCIL.
We started Newsletter No.24 with comments about the Parish Council and their deliberations about the skate board park. We can now state that the preferred site is at the RAFT area (Recreation Area For Teenagers) and item 02/23 on the agenda of the September meeting was "TO CONSIDER SUBMITTING A PLANNING APPLICATION FOR SKATING FACILITIES WITHIN THE "RAFT". Three councillors did not attend and the debate was between the five councillors present. When the matter was put to the vote it was passed by 3 votes to 2 votes. Those who voted in favour were Betty Barltrop, Paul Stirland and Jill Burdett. Those voting against the motion were Peter Want and Peter Jackson. The result may well have been different had the three absent members been available to vote. Cllr. Bill Howley, who is on holiday would definitely have voted against.
A vigorous and vocal member of the public said at a recent Parish Council meeting that the "fores"
and "againsts" divide roughly between those who live, or who have lived in White Court and those who live near the RAFT area. OUCH!
On the subject of the RAFT area the vandalised wooden seat has now been removed. Recently two rather nice young people of about 12 years of age were leaning on the wooden upright that replaces the old seat and they regretted that they now had nowhere to sit. They have the sympathy of the Residents Association and most residents of G.N.G.V. It really is a shame. We wonder if the hooligans who consistently caused the damage are being plagued by any feelings of guilt.
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU.
We are pleased to announce that the C.A.B. in Braintree have extended their ministrations to the Notley Green Doctors' Surgery on two Thursdays in each month. This should prove most useful to such people who find it inconvenient to get to their offices in St. Michaels Road in Braintree. Their main areas of expertise cover such subjects as:- State Benefits, Employment, Housing, Consumer Problems and Relationships (Getting married, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Wills and Probate etc.).
The advice given is confidential, impartial and independent. It is also free and as well as finding the information to deal with problems, they will also assist in the filling in of forms.
GREAT NOTLEY GARDEN VILLAGE WEB SITE.
A good number of residents know about and use the above web site, which was set up by MANIC MONDAY and is run and maintained by them ..For those people who have not so far approached the web site it offers much useful information on Parish matters and also features the Residents Association. So if anyone wishes to refer to back newsletters, or get other information about your organisation, just log on. If you have any comments on local issues, the Parish Council, Skate Board Park or whatever please e-mail to Manic Monday or direct to the Residents Association.. Kindly say who you are and give your address because otherwise the Residents Association cannot reply. Later in this newsletter we give a sample of e-mails received by Manic Monday to show some trends of thought in the village.
Computers have now joined the ranks of "must haves". In years gone by people managed without fridges, vacuum cleaners, freezers, televisions, washing machines, tumble driers, telephones, mobile phones and even cars. Now life without these "luxuries" seems unthinkable. By e-mail a letter can be sent for under 5pence, which is less than a 2nd class stamp. It also arrives with greater speed. No wonder the Post Office is in trouble.
RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
The Annual General Meeting of the Association is due to be held in September annually, but due to difficulties is getting a suitable date this event has had to be put back to October this year. The A.G.M. will now take place on Wednesday, the 16th. October in the small hall (3rd) of the Community Hall at the time of 8.15pm. Remember the last A.G.M. when we were flooded with an overflow of residents concerned with the new houses behind Shelduck Crescent.
Because every resident of G.N.G.V. is automatically a member of the R.A. and because the small hall has only room for 45 chairs it will be a case of first come, first served. Anyone with a point to make is welcome. Such is the call on accommodation in the Hall, this is the best we could manage.
CRIME REPORTING.
Just a short reminder of the paragraph in newsletter No.24 on this subject. Please do not forget to report all crime matters to the police and also to Cllr Bill Howley on 01376-347601.
In the Essex Chronicle last week (20 Sept. 02) there is a front page report whereby police say that crime in Braintree has risen by more than 22 per cent. Police chiefs claim that this is due to a change in the way crimes are reported. The writer, Mark Twain had something to say on this subject that "there are lies, damn lies and statistics". On the other hand it could be that the Red Queen of Alice in Wonderland fame is at work. Whatever it may be we must all continue to be alert to crimes and make sure that these are reported.
GARDEN COMPETITION.
The Residents Association ran a successful garden competition, the results of which are as follows:-
1st Prize was No.7, Shelduck Crescent who won a large bouquet of flowers.
2nd. Prize was No.30, Stranstrete Field who was also presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Joint 3rd. Prize was No.2, Teal Close and No.51, Pochard Way who each received a bottle of wine.
The first and second prizes were donated by Stephen's Bouquet Interflora of Wickford who would be pleased to handle any orders either direct or through Interflora. They will also be pleased to deliver within Great Notley. Their telephone number is 01268-763008.
The joint 3rd. prize of wine was donated by Acreland Green, Bed and Breakfast of Pleshey who will be happy to accommodate any visitors to this area. Telephone 01245-231277.
Our generous sponsors have agreed to support this event in 2003.
CLOSURE OF ACCESS ROAD TO A120.
For all the residents who have been watching the workings by the A120 and who pass the yellow sign too fast to read it we repeat that this section of road will be closed from 7pm. on Friday, the 4th. October until 5am on Monday, the 7th. October.
During this time two of the largest cranes in the country will be lifting steel beams into position. Each crane takes a good few hours to assemble and dismantle, so viewing during Saturday and Sunday should be worth a trip. Those of a bloodthirsty and macabre turn of mind will be watching for a cable to snap.
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING IN BRAINTREE TOWN CENTRE.
The evening selected for late night shopping in Braintree is Friday, the 29th. November, when shops will not close until 9pm. George Yard car park will remain open until 10pm. on this evening and parking will be free after 5pm. All parking facilities in Braintree will also be free after 5pm.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTING IN BRAINTREE TOWN CENTRE.
Strenuous efforts by the Town Centre Strategy Group to improve Christmas lighting in Braintree Town will, it is hoped, raise the profile of town facilities. The lights will be switched on at 4pm. on
the 15th. November, 2002.
BRAINTREE MUSEUM IN MANOR STREET.
Work is currently being carried out on an extension to the Braintree Museum in Manor Street and it is expected that it will be opening on the 1st. November, 2002.
GREAT NOTLEY ART SHOW.
The fifth annual Great Notley Art Show was held in the large hall of the Community Association and was a great success. This show, in five short years has built up a fine reputation for quality and variety of the work exhibited. Some 242 original paintings by some 40 local artists were exhibited in all media from oil and acrylic to charcoal and pastel, with watercolour being the most popular medium.
Bob Challis was happy to have sold all 3 of his entries and Ron and Pat Martin sold 4 between them. The Art Group is now one of the Association's most energetic and substantial sections, meeting twice each week.
E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE AND RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS.
A lot of people have visited the Great Notley Web Site and, having read previous newsletters, have been e-mailing in to Manic Monday. In order that the Residents Association can have information direct we invite you to send us your comments too as per the e-mail address at the heading of this letter. Please do not forget to put your name and address so that we can reply as appropriate.
Below are some of the comments we have received, but we don't print identities. Please note that these are the views of residents of Great Notley and not made up by us for this newsletter.
"I read with interest your piece on the skateboard park and agree with the points raised as to why it should not be located in the RAFT area, the Discovery Centre seems to be the ideal location.
The term "Centre" should be just that, a place where our young people can gather to pursue the thrill of skateboarding and the wonders of discovering the where, how, why and what of life.
The Discovery Centre in isolation will not appear attractive to our young people without the draw of the skateboard park. Should we not address this matter correctly we may as well call the project "The Discovery Peripheral", because that is what it will remain in the minds of the group at which it has been targetted?"
-oOo-
"When we were in the process of looking for a new home, we were encouraged wholeheartedly by countryside to purchase at Great Notley because of the forthcoming facilities they had to offer. Namely, a sports and leisure centre. This was to be sited where the Discovery Centre is now. After serious consideration and the fact that we had three sport mad children, the sports centre sold Great Notley for us. Obviously as we are all aware the Discovery Centre was built as Braintree apparently didn't need another sports facility. When built we received no indication of an opening date, through local press or (if I may be so bold, as I do read ALL my e-mails) the Great Notley website or newsletters. We still to date have no knowledge of what actually goes on there except for the fact that a friend of ours practices her netball and that it is presumably for schools' use.
After this length of time I think the Discovery Centre should take centre stage for the teenagers of Great Notley and surrounding areas. The skateboard park would definitely be better placed there and although unsupervised one would imagine the fight has now gone on long enough, for the teenagers that so desperately want this park, to ultimately be the ones to deter any wrongdoing by a minority of reckless teenagers. I feel that having the skateboard park in the vicinity of the RAFT, Community Centre and the new Public House would cause absolute chaos for residents living in that locale. I can appreciate, although I live some way from the Village Green, the noise levels that they would incur. I myself have walked past the RAFT at 10pm only to hear the noise from that area, by teenagers still out and about. What would it be like if the skateboard park were placed in that area too?"
I believe, as a parent, we must endeavour to get only the best facilities for our children, to let off steam and enjoy life to the full, but siting of the skateboard park should take precedence over whether it is needed or not.
-oOo-
Over the page for the next readers letter. We shall have to consider a section for reader's views.
"Thanks for updating me on village life. Can I offer some feedback on the planned skate board park please?
I am increasingly saddened by the "lout element" within Great Notley. I moved to the village 3 years ago to get away from this very thing and was refreshed by the pride that everybody seemed to have, not only in their properties, but their surroundings too. Slowly I have witnessed the arrival of walls vandalised with mindless graffiti, groups of so-called "youths" (I would use other terminology!!) hanging around on street corners able to do nothing more constructive than spit and subject passers by to the benefits of their use of expletives.
I am someone who regularly uses the paths around the village to jog, however, on several recent occasions I have had the misfortune to choose routes that have taken me through "lout territory". My nerves have been tested. However I refuse to be intimidated by a bunch of animals who take their "sport" in bravely baiting lone female joggers. Perhaps the same brave individuals who pelted a defenceless Mum with eggs?
Where am I leading with this? To a categoric "NO" to the skateboard park. Why should we continue to provide facilities for individuals who have repeatedly shown nothing but contempt for those who provide them? Is it not the case that they continue to vandalise and deface those facilities already provided, safe in the knowledge that some do-gooding someone somewhere will see fit to replace things through some misguided belief that it is the communitys' responsibility to provide the youth with something with which to fill their time.
Old fashioned I may be, old I am not. What happened to the ability to provide one's own entertainment? I have no recollection of being provided with anything in my youth (and no, it isn't all that long ago!!), yet not once were we tempted to inflict criminal damage on our surroundings as a mark of our "frustrations". We made our own fun with not a spray can or an indelible marker pen in sight.
-oOo-
As a parish councillor in Leicestershire I managed to have one of these sites erected where I lived (with County Council help). They are a good idea and contain the youth to one area somewhat. We also found that the drugs problem was more easily controlled (and this area does have the beginnings of a drugs problem), so we must be careful!
The fact that we come under the Braintree District Council must be played upon a little more though. Only with their help can things be completed successfully, all this costs money and we need to lean on them because that's where our council tax disappears.
Last evening I went to the country park (as I have since we came down, a few years ago). The park is badly neglected, more like a wilderness. The creation of the horse path is a good idea, but the rest of the park is overgrown, as are the verges and footpaths in the area.
Basically, what was once a beautiful site has now developed in a very sadly deteriorated mess. I do not go out much, I'm in a wheelchair, so cannot go out daily as one would wish. The wild-life at the lake is being vandalised, the R.S.P.C.A. ALREADY KNOW THIS. People are setting dogs onto the swans. The Swans have had nine young in the past two years, there were three left last night from this year's young. They had seven young this year.
These are just some points I have thought about roughly, but I could write a paper on this subject, please don't let me. Where are the police? We should have resident police, not just hiding in cars, but showing themselves! They should be walking the area 24/7. The local church has been broken into a number of times (of which I am one).
-oOo-
Why was a skateboard park decided upon anyway? Did the council look to see if it would be of any use to the majority of the teenagers in the area? It is O.K. in saying that they need something to do, but is having a skateboard park the answer? Are they providing one because there is demand, or are they providing one hoping that it will be used for the correct purpose? Will it be somewhere for for teenagers to just hang out of an evening, and no doubt vandalise because they have nothing better to do. Not every teenager wants to skateboard. The money could be invested to a more practical use, maybe, for a youth club, but then that may not work. Children are growing up faster nowadays, teenagers want to be grown-ups by the time they are 14. I am a 25 year old, and am just about to move to the area with my husband and seven month-old daughter. I currently live in Chafford Hundred and the teenagers here that you can see just hang around. There is nothing for them to do unless they have money. So at least the council are trying to provide for them, but they need to ask them for their views and see what has worked in various other areas.
Teeenagers from the age of 12-16 years seem to be a forgotten group. They want to get through these years so quickly themselves that others around them just seem to leave them to get on and do so hoping that by the time they leave school they would have changed their minds and sorted themselves out, so I feel that they do need help, but not from a skateboard park, because it's still letting them get on with it on their own. Help them in another way. I wish I had the answer and when I think of a valid one I will e-mail again with my suggestions. END OF E-MAILS
-oOo-
Not everyone will agree with all the contents of letters by correspondents, but there does seem to be a great deal of commonsense running through, although not a lot of solutions. Maybe we should reflect on what Abraham Lincoln is quoted as having said "you can't do more to help a man than he can do to help himself". Maybe some teenagers should try to find hobbies and other activities and not wait to be spoon-fed? Now we wait to be lambasted by the usual do-gooders. Keep it coming.
The Residents Association did not instigate any of the above e-mails, but we do exist to provide a platform for the views of residents in Great Notley Garden Village. If you give us your opinions we will, where possible, print them and as the councillors also, including those in White Court, read these newsletters perhaps they will listen to the voice of their parishioners and not plough ahead with what they think is best for us instead of what the majority really want.
Do remember that if you have a point to put, the Parish Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month in the new school in Bridge End Lane. The Residents Association will also be pleased to see you at the A.G.M. on the 16th. October, but seating is limited, so remember that in the days when we could hire the large hall we still had three occasions when people had to be turned away.
The Community Hall is certainly well used nowadays.
GREAT NOTLEY VILLAGE PUB.
The building of the new pub is now well under way and is planned to open before Christmas It seems quite large and doubtless many residents will be pleased to be able to walk to it for a drink and a meal.
There will be a danger when the pub opens of under-age drinkers trying to get served and there will also be the danger of a noise problem. On both these points the Residents Association will be on the alert and will do whatever is necessary in the interests of the community at large.
COUNCIL TAX AND PARISH RATES.
Most residents will have cause to remember the unreasonable increase in council tax and the parish council rate. These were 10% for people living in Band F houses and 64% from the parish council.
Earlier this year the Residents Association wrote to all 49 District Councillors and had a few replies back. It is evident that many people are living on what are relatively fixed incomes, especially pensioners and we will be keeping a beady eye, so far as possible, on both B.D.C. and particularly the Parish Council.
There is a vein of thought running through the Parish Council that WE must do more to provide facilities for teenagers and WE must be prepared to pay for these innovations. The Residents Association hopes that the WE means the parish councillors themselves because there is a limit to what most people can afford before they run out of money to put food on the table. This is just one more example of the Parish Council doing what they think is best for the residents instead of what the people really want or can afford.
TUTORIAL SERVICES.
A former science teacher at Helena Romanes School is available for tutoring Science to GCSE and Biology to A-level standards. Will travel for individual tuition. Fees on application.
Contact Mrs. Singleton on 01376-328424 or mobile 07944-746670.
FINALE.
Politicians and nappies should be changed frequently. Each for the same reason.
30th. September, 2002.
The next newsletter number 26 will be published at the end of November.
