The church in the snow
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March Newsletter
MARGARETTING NEWS - MARCH 2010 Inside this issue: Parish Council and Village Hall Reports Local Clubs and Organisations Village Spring Clean Day - Saturday 13th Margaretting in Need Trust's Bus Service Quiz Night - April 9th in the village hall Black Bull - Second Hand Books Initiative How to report Highway Defects Coach Outings What's on in March ST MARGARET'S CHURCH SERVICES IN MARCH Sunday 7th 10.00am Parish Communion Sunday 14th 10.00am Mothering Sunday Sunday 21st 10.00am Parish Communion Friday 26th 11.00am School Easter Service Sunday 28th 11.00am Mattins
ST MARGARET'S CHURCH NEWS I am very pleased to see snowdrops appearing in the garden and I have just seen a few crocuses braving the cold weather. It is cheering to think that Spring is on the way. I arranged a visit from the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) to meet with myself and the church wardens at St Margaret's Church on Wednesday24th February at 9.30 am to discuss the possibility of having a toilet installed, a small kitchen area with sink and socket points, and to look at the cost of having the heating system upgraded. English Heritage will also need to visit the church before any work can begin. Having these changes to the church will enable other groups, concerts, and other activities to take place in the church so the building will be used for other occasions and not only once each week. When the plans have been drawn, they will be displayed both at the church and on the village notice boards so that everyone can see the plans. The next task will be to raise the funds and this will take some time but the village will be kept up to date with progress. I hope you are able to be at Mothering Sunday service on the 14th March when posies will be given out at the service. The Easter service with communion is on the 4th April at 10.00 and there will be an Easter Egg Hunt at the end of this service. Finally, if you have any family or friends you would like to have included on our prayer list, please let the church wardens Sam Adams and John Currie know or Roy and Penny Savill know. Revd Jean Halliday EASTER LILIES This year Easter Sunday falls on the 4th April and as in past years we will be collecting donations for the purchase of Arum lilies to be arranged in the altar pedestal and elsewhere in the church at Easter in memory of loved ones. Joy has tried to keep the cost of lilies down and is hoping that this year they will cost about £2.75 each instead of £3.00 as last year and whilst this is still expensive we would like to continue the established tradition. We appreciate that some people may regard this level of cost per bloom as still too high so we will gratefully receive smaller donations to a general fund if so desired, and we will then order blooms according to the total sum received. May we also remind you that the blooms need to be ordered at least two and a half weeks before Easter so please send your donation to Joy Radley at Westridge, Pennys Lane as soon as possible - telephone 353215. Thank you. We are still looking for more flower arrangers to help with the weekly flower rota - you don't have to be professional but just take pleasure in flowers. If you feel you might be willing to help but would like to know more before making a commitment please call Joy and she will meet you at the church to explain what is involved. VILLAGE HALL MEETING - FEBRUARY The induction Loop has now been installed at the Village Hall.
It was reported that a resident of Margaretting had kindly contacted us with some useful information, regarding the installation of CCTV, following the appeal in last month's Newsletter. Further enquiries are being made. In continuation of our action plan, a feedback form has been produced, which will allow hirers to give the committee their views after using the hall. It was noted that there had, as yet, been no response to out request for a publicity officer for the committee. It is felt that this might suit a young person, possibly a student, who would be up to date in the relevant knowledge, and whose C.V. might benefit from the experience. Enquiries are still being made, please contact me if you are interested. It was agreed to hold a quiz night, with proceeds to the Village Hall, on April 9th. See the advert for further details. The committee is in need of some new members. Numbers are getting low, and this puts pressure on the remaining willing workers, which is a shame, because the Village Hall is at the heart of the community, and it is good, and often fun, to have a say in the running of it. You may not be aware, but as an incentive, any organisation that has a representative on the committee is entitled to one ordinary committee meeting a month for free! Contact me, or any committee member, if you would like to hear more. Why not come and have a chat at the Quiz night? Susan Keeble (Chairman) MARGARETTING AMBLERS March walk - meet at the pond 11.00am Sunday 28th March. We will walk to Stock and the Hoop and back. We will go via Canterburys, the church, reservoir and return past Fristling Hall and the culvert. Contact Michael Scott 01277 354821 Below is a photo from the Amblers' January walk. It shows our stop off at Finchingfield. It was a lovely walk!
VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN - SATURDAY, 13 MARCH MEET OUTSIDE THE BLACK BULL AT 10.00AM
Returning to the Black Bull by 12.00 Midday for a drink in the bar Please come along and lend your support for an hour or two
LITTER PICKERS, GLOVES AND PLASTIC SACKS PROVIDED PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - FEBRUARY DEMOCRATIC TIME Four members of the public present. Issues raised included: Pot holes in local roads. Advised potholes can be reported directly to Essex County Council Highways. See back page. Lack of parking bays in Parsonage Lane resulting in damaged greens. Advised that to stop further erosion of the greens in Parsonage Lane we have sought funding from Highways to kerb edge the green running along the rear garden of Guestling, Maldon Road. VILLAGE POND Cutting back of plants will take place within the next month or two. Ecologia will be reminded to remove its oil cleansing equipment. VILLAGE VERGES Bad weather is preventing progress being made on protecting the verges previously identified. Agreed that the long grass surrounding the bollards installed in Main Road by The Saddlery and opposite the school should be strimmed at least twice a year and to ask our contractor to provide an estimate for this work. VILLAGE TREES Noted our grant aid bid to Chelmsford Council for the trees to plant at the shelter end of the allotments has been successful. A working party comprising members of the parish council will undertake the planting within the next month or two. VILLAGE ROADS Still waiting to hear whether or not we have been successful in obtaining funding from Essex County Council to install a pedestrian refuge island in Main Road. MALDON ROAD ALLOTMENTS Noted both sides of the hedge dividing the playing field and the allotments have been cut back. Agreed that the brambles growing on the remaining un-let allotment should be cleared also. MALDON ROAD PLAYING FIELD Received latest inspections reports. There were no reported problems. Agreed to cut back the brambles which are spreading across the track leading into the playing field. Agreed also, to seek advice on how best to cut back the row of Leylandi trees overhanging the corner of the play area by the roundabout. TELEPHONE BOXES Still waiting to hear from BT as to the valuation of the telephone box at The Tye for insurance purposes. REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE Agreed to seek professional support to prepare the schedule and method of working required for the renovation and cleaning of the war memorial. Noted the cost of this support can be claimed through the grant aid process. ACCOUNTS Received latest financial statement. There has been no expenditure since the last meeting. ANNUAL SPRING CLEAN Saturday, 13 March. See above. PLANNING Decisions The following were received:: 09/01684/FUL - Park Lodge Cottage, Writtle Road: Demolition of existing outbuilding, garage, single storey front and side extension. Refused Planning Permission
09/01604/FUL - Chywoone, Maldon Road: Enlarge existing side dormer window. New dormer window on north west (side) elevation and part single part two storey rear extension. Granted Planning Permission
MARGARETTING WI Our group meets on the third Monday of each month at 7.30pm in the meeting room in the village hall. New members welcome. On Monday, 15 March our speaker is Mr David Smith who will be talking about Fingerprints and Crime Scene Investigations. Details are available from Rosemary Carter on 01277 350553 or Sheila Blurton on 01277 840493.
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Weeds germinate in March as the weather starts to warm, so dig out weeds whilst they are still young. If you have plants under cover remove the cloches during the day, but replace them at night as frost can still be a problem. Put stakes in beds in readiness for young plants to grow up. If you have a greenhouse, clean the windows for maximum light. For potatoes that have been chitting during February you can now plant these out. You can sow summer cabbage, spinach, early carrots, swedes, leeks and early peas, but all must be kept under cover or cloches. Plant onion and shallot sets. If you have herbs; lift and divide chives, marjoram and mint. Sow dill, chervil, chives, parsley, and sorrel outside under cloches or in a greenhouse. Further to our last posting regarding trying to organise events through the year, unfortunately we are unable to carry out any regular events other than the village show and AGM evening due to the lack of response we received requesting helpers.
BEAT SURGERY PCSO Kay Fleming will be in her police car in the lay-by opposite the recreation field in Maldon Road on Saturday, 6 March - 12:30 to 13:45.
NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION PANEL The next NAP meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 10 March. Further details are available from PCSO Kay Fleming. Telephone 0300 333 4444 Internal Ext: 69240 Fax: 01245 329551 kay.fleming@essex.pnn.police.uk
MOTHERS UNION Meetings are held in St Margaret's Church on the third Thursday in the month. The next MU meeting is on 18 March at 2.30pm. Contact Jill Needs 01277 627078.
MARGARETTING AMBLERS March walk - meet at the pond 11.00am Sunday 28th March. We will walk to Stock and the Hoop and back. We will go via Canterburys, the church, reservoir and return past Fristling Hall and the culvert. Contact Michael Scott 01277 354821
MARCH COUNCIL COLLECTIONS Black bins - MondaysBrown bins - Mondays - 8th and 22ndGreen box, paper and plastic sacks Tuesday 9th Green box, cardboard, paper and plastic sacks - Tuesday 23rd BOOK CLUB We have chosen a biography to read this month and depending on availability from the library van our first choice is ‘The Authorized Biography of Ronnie Barker' by Bob McCabe. If you like a good read you are very welcome to join our group. Contact Penny Savill 01277 356182
MARGARETTING SCHOOL The children put on a wonderful show at the beginning of February, impressing the audience with a range of acts, including singing, dancing and gymnastics. This year's ‘Margaretting's Got Talent' also included an exciting pantomime featuring the teachers and staff. Although Pancake Day fell during the half-term holiday, the children made pancakes on their return to school, enjoying a range of fillings. In addition to pancake-making, there were also pancake races in the playground. As part of their Roman project, Class 2 are to visit Colchester Castle at the beginning of March where they can view Roman artefacts, try on Roman costumes and learn about life during Roman times.
OVER 60s CLUB On 10th March there will be a short talk from the Red Cross on emergency action procedures and on the 24th, ‘Telecare' will demonstrate a range of home aids designed to alert appropriate agencies in the event of an emergency. Meanwhile, on both occasions refreshments and bingo will be available as usual, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Margaretting Recreation Ground and Village Hall Trust Invites you to A Quiz Night - Friday, April 9th - 7.00pm for 7.30pm At Margaretting Village Hall Bring your own bottle and nibbles - Tea and coffee and biscuits available Children welcome Tickets £5.00 from Susan 01277 353973 Roy 01277 356182 Michael 01277 354821 Or contact any member of the Village Hall Committee. HOW SAFE IS YOUR HOME?
Have you got SMOKE DETECTORS?
FREE HOME FIRE SAFETY VISITS AND SMOKE DETECTORS! The Church of England in Essex, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Ltd Essex County Council Fire Rescue Service Working in Partnership for a safer community Stephen Rice is the first and only Fire Safety Evangelist, employed by the Diocese of Chelmsford and seconded to the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. If you think you may be at risk then please get in contact. To make an appointment with Stephen, simply contact him on 0845 601 2495 or call Stephen direct on his mobile: 07917 552010. Please mention Fire Safety Evangelist/ Chelmsford Star.
REPORTING FAULTS TO ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS There are several ways to report a highway fault or defect, email, letter, telephone or via ECC's website - www.essex.gov.uk. A list appears on the right hand side of the home page, scroll down to ‘Report a Highway Fault'. Another list appears with examples of defects - such a kerb defects etc. If your particular fault is not there then an email to the Mid Area Highways office at midarea@essex.gov.uk or contact essex@essex.gov.uk describing the defect and giving a precise location will also suffice. Alternatively, you could call the help line on 0845 603 7622 or FAX to 01245 240028 (the Mid Area Office). DIARY DATE ST MARGARET'S CHURCH SPRING FAYRE IN THE VILLAGE HALL MAY 15TH - 12.30 TO 3.30 SECOND HAND BOOKS AT THE BLACK BULL Bring a book, Exchange a book or Borrow a book Julie's Book Exchange Initiative All proceeds in aid of Essex Air Ambulance Book case is in the Black Bull's porch WHAT'S ON IN MARCH 2010 TRUST BUS - Margaretting to Chelmsford - Tuesday 16th leaving Orton Close at 10.00 - returning from the Market Bus Stop at 12 noon TRUST BUS - Margaretting to Ingatestone - every Friday leaving Orton Close at 10.00am PILATES - Mondays in the village hall - 9.30-10.30am; 10.45-11.30 (beginners course); 6.30-7.30pm. Also, Thursdays at 9.30-10.30am; 7.00-8.00 and 8.15-9.15pm BALLROOM DANCING - Monday evenings in the village hall at 7.45 - 8.45pm. LATIN AMERICAN AND BALLROOM FOR BEGINNERS - Monday evenings in the village hall at 8.45-9.45 ART GROUP - Wednesday mornings in the village hall at 9.30 - 12.00. OVER 60s CLUB - Wednesday afternoons - 10th and 24th at 2 - 4pm. . BINGO - Wednesday evenings - 3rd, 17th and 31st at 7.30 - 9.30pm in the village hall. MOBILE LIBRARY - Thursday afternoons in Maldon Road - 11th and 25th at 3.20-3.35pm. VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE - Thursday, 4th in the Meeting Room in the village hall at 7.30pm PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - Thursday 11th at 7.30pm in the Meeting Room in the village hall MOTHERS UNION - Thursday 18th at 2.30pm in St Margaret's church MARGARETTING W.I. - Monday 15th at 7.30pm in the meeting room in the village hall. AMBLERS - Sunday 28th - meet at the pond at 11.00am. COPY FOR THE APRIL EDITION BY 18 MARCH PLEASE Margaretting News' is published by the PCC of St Margaret's Church. Editors Roy and Penny Savill, ‘The Martins', Main Road, CM4 9JB. Tel /Fax 01277 356182 or email: penroy.savill@virgin.net. Distribution to every household in the village is accomplished by a team of volunteers. Printed by
Supporting the local community for all its property needs, including commercial, sales, surveys, financial services and lettings. Offices throughout Essex, Havering and London, commencing with our recently opened Colchester office following the A12 to Pall Mall, London
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