Ridgewell News - EssexInfo.net

Ridgewell
News
An Insight into our Village
No 72 – Summer 2014
This year’s Garden Society Plant Sale
Ridgewell Summer
Horticultural Show &
Village Fete
Saturday 12 July 2014 - Gates open at 1.30pm
Village Hall & Playing Fields, Drury Lane
A Fun Afternoon for all
the Family…
Alongside the
Horticultural and Handicraft Show
you can also be sure to enjoy…
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Traditional Children’s Chairoplanes
Music & DJ by Leisure FM Braintree
The Alison Dando School of Dance
Fun Dog Show
Races for Family & Children
Bouncy Castle
Traditional Games
Snake Attraction
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Face Painting
Plant Stall
Lucky Dip, Raffles & Tombola
Licensed Bar & BBQ
Ice Creams & Refreshments
Plus many other Stalls and Attractions
For more information:
To Book a Stall or Table Contact
Kimberley Benwell on 01440 788027
To Enter the Horticultural Show Contact
Janis Woods on 01440 788067
Please keep dogs on leads
Additional Parking Available – Look out for the signs
We look forward to seeing
you there…
RIDGWELL SUMMER SHOW AND FETE 2014
SATURDAY 12TH JULY 2014
The Ridgewell Summer Horticultural Show and Village Fete will be held on Saturday 12th July at
the Village Hall and Playing Field in Drury Lane. Gates will open at 1.30pm and the programme of
events will start at 2pm.We hope that you will come along with your family and guests to enjoy a
relaxed afternoon with plenty of interesting and fun activities. A licensed bar will operate during
the afternoon and there will be teas, BBQ food and the ice cream van available. This year we are
very pleased to welcome Leisure FM radio who will provide background music and chat by their
DJ during the afternoon.
There will be a programme of events in the arena including displays by the Alison Dando School of
Dance, The Community Choir, fun races for adults and children and of course the fun Dog Show.
Please see the separate notice if you are thinking of entering your dog for one or more of the classes.
As usual there will be many other attractions including children’s Chairoplanes, Bouncy Castle,
Face painting, a snake attraction, raffle, tombola and a plant stall.
The show is arranged by the Ridgewell Garden Society, which also organises their summer
horticultural and handicraft show on the same afternoon. We hope you will enter some exhibits for
this and that the children’s classes will be as popular as they were last year. At the end of the
afternoon, all produce which is not required by exhibitors will be auctioned. We welcome entries
from novices and experienced horticulturalists alike and you do not have to be a member of RGS to
enter or live in the village. If you need further information and the schedule of classes please call
Janis Woods, our Show Secretary on 01440 788067.
There will be a number of other stalls at the show including our traditional games, London Skittles,
Bowl for a Pig, Beat the Goalie and Coconut Shy. You can enjoy a cream tea in the village hall, a
pint of real ale or a glass of Pimms or wine at the bar and hopefully relax on a sunny afternoon.
Extra Parking will be available at several sites around the village and there will be limited disabled
parking at the village hall. Please observe the disabled parking notices. We look forward to
welcoming you at the show, entry is £2 for adults at the gate and children under 16 are free. If you
need further information or you would like a pitch please contact John Arthur on 01440 788286 or
email [email protected].
Remembering World War One
A group has been set up to organise village events in commemoration of World War 1. The event will be
raising money for the Village Hall Development Fund. The group was set up by Brian Teale, the other
members being John Arthur, Dave Kynnersley, Malcolm Mason and Janet Ridsdill-Smith.
There will be an exhibition in the Village Hall combined with other events. The exhibition will be open
on the Saturday, Sunday and also on Tuesday 11th of November so that those attending the
Remembrance Day service at the War Memorial can then go to the exhibition afterwards. Full details of
all the events will be available soon. Look out for notices!
The group is making an appeal for memorabilia to display at the exhibition. All artefacts loaned will be
kept in secure storage when not on display and closely guarded during the exhibition.
Memories of World War One
Do you have any mementos of the First World War (1914-1918) or family memories to pass on? If so, the
Ridgewell WW1 Commemoration Committee would love to hear from you.
The Committee would like to put together a collection of mementos, photographs of mementos and
stories of WW1 to put on display in the Ridgewell Village Hall in early November. Perhaps you have
medals, pay books, uniform items, or other souvenirs handed down that you would allow us to display or
photograph? Or do you have some photos, stamps or newspaper cuttings of the period that we could
copy? Anything that links Ridgewell (and the surrounding area) or local people with the war would be
especially welcome!
If you have anything that may be of interest, please contact Dave Kynnersley (telephone 785031 or e-mail
[email protected])
Parish Council News
Ridgewell Parish Council
New Councillor
Future meetings
We would like to welcome Robert Whittle to the
Parish Council following his co-option at the May
meeting. Robert has lived in Ridgewell with his wife,
Sheila, since 1978 and has a great fondness for the
village and surrounding area. He has a technical and
administrative background and is heavily involved in
civil engineering.
15 July and 9 September 2014. The date for the
November meeting is in the process of being rearranged. Additional meetings may be scheduled as
necessary.
We still have a vacancy. If you are interested in
becoming a Councillor, please contact the Clerk or
one of the Councillors to find out the level of
commitment this involves.
Affordable Housing
Construction of the four new homes has started and is
expected to be completed around January 2015.
Anyone interested in these houses must apply through
Braintree District Council.
Cutting of Public Rights of Way
Essex County Council has advised the following:
In line with many other services provided by the
County Council, there has been a significant
reduction in funding for the maintenance of Public
Rights of Way (footpaths, bridleways, byways and
restricted byways) in Essex. As a result, it has been
necessary to consider how the overall spend on the
Public Rights of Way service could be reduced,
including a countywide reduction in the programme of
vegetation clearance from public paths.
The Public Rights of Way cutting programme for this
year therefore targets 500km of priority paths
comprising principal promoted routes for an
initial cut through the month of June , with the
3,300km remaining area carried out during the
summer. There will be a follow up with a final
300km cut of priority paths in September/
October. This does mean some Public Rights of
Way will not be arrived at in the cutting
programme until later on in the summer.
Enquiries regarding the Public Rights of Way
maintenance programme should be addressed to
the Public Rights of Way and Records Manager
at County Hall, Chelmsford.
Contact us
The Clerk can be contacted on 01440 785681 or
email: [email protected]. Agendas,
minutes and other information about the Council can
be viewed on essexinfo.net/Ridgewell-parish-council.
Please also visit our Facebook page for up-to-date
information.
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And just in case it rains all summer, a repeat of those
so important numbers in the event of flooding :
Emergency Contacts
Environment Agency: 08708 506 506
Contact the agency if the flood water is derived
from a river.
Essex Fire & Rescue: 999
If you feel your property or your life is at imminent
risk from flood water
Essex County Council Highways: 0845 603 7631
If flood water is emanating from a blocked road
gully or from surface water run-off from a road or
a field.
Essex County Council Flood and Water
Management: 01245 433 181
To report a flooding incident (when it’s safe to do
so)
Anglian Water: 08457 145 145
Flood water surcharging (overflowing) from a
man-hole.
Essex Police: 101
A flooded road that requires an emergency road
closure.
Parish & Community News cont’d
VILLAGE HALL
Planning is at an early stage but an exhibition of
memorabilia, photographs and other artefacts is being
scheduled for 8-11 November. Further details will be
provided in due course but please mark the dates on
your calendar.
At its Annual General Meeting in March, the Village
Hall Management Committee was unable to form a
viable committee. A small holding committee was
put in place to keep the hall running. The Committee
wrote to the Parish Council asking them to consider
becoming Sole Trustee for the village hall.
The Parish Council held a public meeting on 28 April
to discuss this matter with the electorate before
consideration by the Parish Council. All homes in the
Parish were served with notification of the meeting
and 27 members of the public attended the meeting,
plus councillors and the clerk. After lengthy
discussion it was agreed by a majority vote that the
Parish Council should take over the hall as Sole
Trustee, initially for a two-year period.
At the Council meeting which followed the public
meeting, councillors resolved that the Council should
become the Sole Trustee for the Village Hall charity,
initially on a temporary basis for two years. The
Clerk is in contact the Charity Commission to
ascertain the way forward. In the meantime, the
Council has assumed responsibility for the hall with
immediate effect.
It was agreed that a Village Hall Committee be set up
comprising, in the short term, all Parish Councillors
and the three remaining members of the Village Hall
Committee. It was resolved that Village Hall
Committee meetings will take place on the same dates
as Council meetings starting at 7.30pm and lasting
one hour. Composition of the committee will be
reviewed once advice is received from the Charity
Commission.
Fund-raising
Brian Teale has offered to assist with fund-raising
and, with the help of a small team (John Arthur, Dave
Kynnersley, Malcolm Mason and Janet RidsdillSmith) is leading on an event to commemorate the
centenary of the start of World War I.
A coffee morning – with a free book giveaway – will
take place on Saturday, 11 October.
Hall Improvement Project
We are pleased to announce that we have been
successful with two grant applications towards Phase
1 of the Hall Improvement Project. Essex County
Council’s Community Initiatives Fund has awarded us
£5,480 and Awards for All is giving us £7,500. The
balance of the funding required to undertake Phase 1
will come from village hall funds, including money
raised from the Christmas Fayre, a Music Quiz and
book sale, together with the £764.71 remaining from
the Jubilee Fund.
The prime objective of the first phase is to produce a
concept design, together with budget costing, for
major improvements to the village hall. The first
stage will include for procuring the professional
services of an architect, quantity surveyor and service
consultants, together with undertaking a ground
survey.
Schemes to provide activities for the younger
population on the playing field will be sought as part
of this project. Consultation with residents on the
playing field schemes and the concept design for the
hall will take place as part of the project in readiness
to present an approved scheme for planning approval.
A small sub-committee, which will report to the
Ridgewell Village Hall Management Committee, is
being set up to manage the project.
Have you noticed the brand new signs at the Village
Hall, Playing Fields and Car Park?
They were produced by a local company, InnOvar,
and we send David our most sincere thanks for
kindly sponsoring these signs for a much more
professional approach to convey important
messages.
Parish & Community News cont’d
ST LAWRENCE CHURCH
Christian Aid Week
I am delighted to report that the village collection for
Christian Aid week in May raised a little over £500
(gift aid included and some donations still coming in).
Our Cheese & Wine evening was a great success,
with over 30 people coming along to enjoy a very
sociable occasion, with good food and wine and
gentle background music.
I would again like to thank all those who
contributed to the buffet to make a delicious
spread and also to those who helped set up the
tables, wash up and clear the hall afterwards.
Also a big thank you to all those who came along
and helped us to raise nearly £400 for church
funds.
Our next event will be a coffee morning, with
bring-and-buy. This will be held in the church on
Saturday, 5th July from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon.
Proceeds will again be for church funds.
Also, please look out for our stall at the Summer
Show.
Below is a reminder of the services at St
Lawrence Church, Ridgewell :
1st Sunday in the month – Morning Prayer at 11.00am
2nd Sunday in the month – Holy Communion at 6.00pm
Please remember that all are welcome to attend the
services at Ashen as below :
3rd Sunday in the month – Holy Communion at 9.15am
4th Sunday in the month – Evensong at 6.00pm
This is once again a very generous response and
Christian Aid has asked us to pass on a big ‘Thank
You’ to all.
This year the emphasis is to help resettle children and
families who have lost homes as a result of conflict
and natural disaster. This donation, together with
others up and down the country, will bring a grateful
smile to many faces!
Thank you all
Christopher Ridsdill-Smith
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Janet and Christopher will shortly be moving from
Ridgewell – happily not too far away, so we will still
be seeing them round and about at all the village
events.
In response to my ‘you are both a hard act to follow’
when learning of their impending move, Christopher
‘agreed (slightly reluctantly perhaps?!) that we are
not indispensable – however, on thinking about it
I’ve come to the conclusion we are all
irreplaceable!!’
Good luck from us all with your move and wishing
you both every happiness in your new home.
PAPWORTH HOSPITAL
Following an appeal to you all in the last edition of
the Newsletter to contact our local MP regarding
the proposed move by Papworth Hospital to
Peterborough, I am delighted to report that
common sense has prevailed.
As originally planned, Papworth will eventually
relocate to the Addenbrookes site at Cambridge,
where a new building is already under
construction.
Pauline Goldberg
Parish & Community News cont’d
News from Ridgewell Primary School
Summer has finally appeared, sadly a little late for
our May Day celebrations. We chose 2nd May
hoping that the weather would be kind - it wasn’t!
This was our first May Day celebration at the school
and we thought it would be a fun thing to do with the
children. I purchased the Maypole in February along
with a CD and a book of instructions, the Maypole
sat in the corner of the hall waiting for us to begin.
Eventually we decided we should ’have a go’ and the
Maypole was carried outside. It’s quite heavy but
luckily is in two pieces. The first time we tried it out
with the children there was a terrible mess - the
ribbons were looking a bit like knitting at the top of
the pole! However the children practiced and
practiced; the staff despaired and offered lots of
encouragement and eventually the children got the
hang of it all. On the day there were three Maypole
dances and nobody put a foot wrong. We also
crowned a May Queen and sang a few May time
songs.
In addition, our PTFA put on a mini-fair with a BBQ
and Bouncy castle and a few stalls with the children
having stalls for each class. The PTFA raised over
£300 on the day. The children were allowed to keep
the money they had raised to spend in school -Saturn
class bought a portable fire-pit; Early Years are
spending their money on improving their outside
area and the other classes are still deciding. We had
a lot of support on the day and think we will have
another May Day celebration next year, now that we
all know what we are doing!
Our Year 5 & 6 children have just returned from a
week’s camping at Mersea Island. The children had
roses in their cheeks on their return and all looked so
healthy. A week without email and phones helped
them rediscover the joys of friendship and playing
outside. The staff said the children were beautifully
behaved. However the three adults looked
absolutely exhausted, being on call 24 hours a day
takes its toll. They were all very glad of the half
term break!
The work on the new staffroom has begun, as I write we
are at the foundations stage and expecting a concrete
floor to be poured. Parking is a little bit of a problem as
access is via our car park. Please bear with us - it will
be over soon!
We seem to be hurtling towards the end of the Summer
Term - the diary looks very full. This is the term for
sporting events - the District Sports at Hedingham in
early June and our own Sports day in July. In addition
we have two family church services on Wednesday 18th
June and Wednesday 16th July. Coffee is served in the
school hall from 8.50am and the services are at 9.30am,
generally lasting about half an hour. Everyone is
welcome to join us.
Let’s hope the weather is kind and that all these events
are bathed in sunshine!
Denise Madden – Headmistress
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Many congratulations to Denise from us all in
Ridgewell on her forthcoming marriage. Our warmest
wishes go to her and her new husband for a wonderful
day and for a long and happy life together.
-o-O-oThere are changes afoot as far as Village Agents are
concerned and we are awaiting news of the
appointment of a new representative for Ridgewell, as
well as a summary of their responsibilities.
In the meantime, should you need any help or advice
we know Richard Ould will be more than happy to
help. His contact details are :
Your Village Agent
Your Village can help with a whole range of
services and is happy to visit folk in their own
homes by prior arrangement. All information
discussed takes place in the strictest confidence.
If Richard can help in any way, feel free to contact
him by e-mail [email protected] or by
telephone on 07540 720610.
Parish & Community News cont’d
Ridgewell Neighbourhood Watch
As l am sure you all know by now, the village has
suffered three burglaries in recent weeks. In two of
them gardening tools left out were used to gain entry,
while in the third incident, they broke into the shed to
get tools to gain entry. This emphasises the point of
keeping all tools secure and out of sight if possible.
It is not just Ridgewell - other local villages have been
targeted as well, so if you see something or someone
who looks suspicious - call the Police first. If it’s
urgent, happening at the time, or soon afterwards use
999. Call Neighbourhood Watch after you’ve called
the police, then we can get the information around the
village quickly to assist the police.
Do you want to keep up to date with the latest info on
crime in the area? If so, send your email address to the
NHW Coordinator, Malcolm Mason, at
[email protected] and he will add you to
his distribution list for information received from
Essex Police.
This is the time of the year when generally more ‘walk
in’ burglaries occur with windows left open as the
weather begins to get warmer. Please ensure that they
are closed, particularly ground floor windows, when
you leave your home unattended. We can also expect
theft from sheds and outbuildings to increase as new
lawn mowers and equipment are purchased. So please
ensure that new and old equipment are stored in
‘secure’ sheds ie with proper locks, hinges, and sensor
lights as well as shed alarms where possible.
Finally don’t forget to let your neighbours know if
you are going to be away on holiday and ask them
to keep an ‘eye’ on your property. Inform your local
police station and let them know who are the key
holders and their phone number.
A spoof e-mail now seems to be doing the rounds
claiming to be from a solicitor concerning your
impending court case. Documentation is attached to
the e-mail for the recipient to download. Doing so will
undoubtedly compromise the recipient's hard drive!
Such e-mails should be forwarded to Action Fraud and
then deleted. Under no circumstances at all should the
attachment be downloaded.
Message in a Bottle Scheme
The Message in a Bottle scheme is aimed at people on
long-term medication and has already proved a great
success in the UK and further afield in countries such
as Canada and Australia.
The’bottle’ is a small plastic container, which is kept
in the fridge (or larder) and contains details of the
person’s next of kin, medical condition, allergies,
medication and doctor. This information can be easily
found in an emergency and acts as a simple but
effective lifesaver. Inside each bottle there are two
special stickers known to the emergency services.
These are put up in the person’s house - one on the
outside of the fridge door, the other on the inside,
where they can be easily found in an emergency. The
door sticker should be located where it cannot be seen
from outside. In the case of cause for concern call
from a neighbour, a friend, or in the case of an
abandoned 999 where the bottle holder feels unwell
and is perhaps either incoherent or there is no speech,
police would be despatched.
The leaflet in the bottle could save precious minutes in
determining the medical condition of a collapsed or
unconscious person. The scheme is fully supported
by Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, and
the ambulance service. The Message in a bottle is
available from me for free while stocks last.
And your Neighbourhood Watch Team is :
Ruth Cranshaw – Mill Road from the Moat House
788897 [email protected]
Daphne Jude – Orchard Close
788270 [email protected]
Helen Morris - Rose Walk to Old Craft Shop
788139 [email protected]
John Arthur Church Lane
788286 [email protected]
David Bennett - Top half of Drury Lane
785643 [email protected]
Peter Rouse - Middle of Drury Lane
785204 [email protected]
Calvin McCormack -Stambourne Rd to Sparks Lane
785781 [email protected]/
Brian Walker Part Ashen Road
788236 – [email protected]
Trevor & Pauline Goldberg – Tilbury Green
[email protected]
Ralph Amos - Chapel Road & Bridge Cottages
788595 [email protected]
Celia Gray - Three Chimneys Lane
785593 [email protected]
Malcolm Mason - Colne Springs
785549 [email protected]
Vacancies for new members of the Team for bottom
of Drury Lane (15 properties); Corner of Church
Lane to Ashen Road(14 properties) Bowles Farm to
Tilbury Road (approx.18 properties) . CAN YOU
HELP COMPLETE THE NHW TEAM?
Malcolm Mason - 01440 785549
Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator
Parish & Community News cont’d
RIDGEWELL SALE TRAIL
By popular demand there will be a Ridgewell Sale
Trail on Sunday 27th July 2014 from 10.30am –
3.00pm, in aid of the Village Hall Improvement
Project.
This is the perfect opportunity to sell any unwanted
items, homemade produce, handicrafts, plants, etc.,
from your own drive, garden or garage, and to make
some money for yourself and the Village Hall.
In return for a fee of just £10 per participating
household, or £5 for a table at the Village Hall, we (a
small team of volunteers including Michaela Cottee,
Daphne Jude, Brian Teale, Dave Kynnersley and Helen
Morris) will take care of the organisation of the event,
including all the publicity and advertising in Ridgewell
and the surrounding area, using posters, fliers,
newspapers, magazines, etc. Refreshments will be
provided in the Village Hall by the ladies of Ridgewell
WI. Stall fees and any money that we make from the
sale of refreshments will be donated to the Village Hall
Improvement Project.
You will be responsible for displaying and selling your
items in your own drive, garden or garage, and you can
keep any money that you make on the day – although
donations to the Village Hall project would be much
appreciated!
If you do not have much to sell, or if you prefer to be
in a central location, then we will have a limited
number of tables located at the Village Hall (probably
on the playing field) which will be available for hire
for £5 each (subject to availability).
In the previous two Ridgewell Sale Trails, two and
four years ago, more than 20 stall-holders took part
and typically made between £20 and £130 each, with
most making in the region of £70.
For further information, and a booking form, please
contact Dave Kynnersley on 785031, or e-mail
[email protected].
Booking forms must be returned by Sunday 13th July in
order to give us time to produce the Sale Trail map
which will be issued free to visitors on the day so that
they can find their way round the village to
participating households.
Club and Society News
Ridgewell Garden Society
The Society has enjoyed an excellent start to the
year and several events since the last newsletter. A
talk by Angela Whiting was followed by the Village
Litter Pick and the Plant Sale. We are most grateful
for the support from ‘Plants that Grow’, all our stall
holders and helpers, which made the sale a success
and a small profit for the society.
Finally don’t forget the Summer BBQ at Morvine
House on Saturday 16th August and of course the
Autumn Show on Saturday 13th September. Now
that the sun is out we wish you all an excellent
summer with plenty of flowers and vegetables to
enjoy!
John Arthur – Chairman
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Garden Society Committee – 2014
At the Litter Pick a team of chaps did some excellent
work clearing the lay-by on the Yeldham Road and
Len Adams is pictured with the spoils!
John Arthur,Chairman & ActingTreasurer
[email protected]
01440 788286
Pamela Amos, Honorary Secretary & Membership Secretary
[email protected]
01440 788595
The society has supported an appeal to assist with
cutting down dangerous trees at the Village Hall
field with a donation of £500. We are very pleased
to welcome Karen Steele as Assistant Treasurer on
our Committee.
Jane Bennett, Committee Member
[email protected]
01440 785682
David Bennett, Committee Member
[email protected]
01440 785643
Pete Farthing, Committee Member
[email protected]
01440 788892
Pauline Harmer, Committee Member
[email protected]
01440 785111
Deirdre Rose, Committee Member
[email protected]
01440 785510
Mollie Sellors,Committee Member
01440 785413
Karen Steele, Assistant Treasurer
[email protected]
01440 788998
Janis Woods.Show Secretary
[email protected]
01440 788067
Fred Woods, Committee Member
[email protected]
We were a little unlucky with the visit to Parsonage
House and Gardens on 22nd May as a thunderstorm
was brewing just as we arrived at the house. Luckily
it soon cleared and the owner, Mrs Annie Turner
was able to conduct the group round her lovely
gardens and kindly arranged tea and soft drinks at
the end of the tour. A donation of £150 was made by
members for the benefit of St Nicholas Hospice in
Bury St Edmunds. The visit was rounded off with an
excellent supper at the White Horse, which was
enjoyed by our members in a good atmosphere.
There is a separate article about the summer show
and fete and you will have received a leaflet asking
for volunteers to assist with the arrangements. This
is vital as we cannot run the show without you and
even ONE HOUR would be an enormous help.
Please contact a member of the committee listed
below or return the leaflet to our Secretary Pamela
Amos at Brentley House or email her at
[email protected]
01440 788067
WANTED
for Ridgewell Summer Show
TOMBOLA & RAFFLE DONATIONS
Any unwanted gits or other items
in ‘As New Condition’
Please contact Peter Farthing on 788892
or Pam Amos on 788595
All donations gratefully received
Club and Society News cont’d
IT’S SHOW TIME AGAIN INCLUDING OUR VERY OWN
DOG SHOW 2014
Well, my canine friends, it’s that time of year when we come into our own – ‘THE
SUMMER SHOW’. We need to start training our owners to get us spruced up to look
our best and to improve their handling skills. This year is slightly different – we will
be in the main arena and you will be in the spotlight. Even more reasons to start
training your two legged owners now and to remind them to be on their best
behaviour. Here is a list of the classes :
Ridgewell Summer Show 12th July 2014
Fun Dog Show
Class 1:
Class 2:
Class 3:
Miss Prettiest Ridgewell
Mr Handsome Ridgewell
The dog or bitch the Judge would
most like to take home
TO ENTER – Register at the Show entrance before 3.0 pm
Classes will not start before 3.15pm.
There must be a class you can enter, so cozy up to your owners and make
them feel guilty if they do not enter you. Tell them ‘Ridgewell needs you’ and
if they need more persuading, just refuse to take them for a walk – we all
know that walks are for their benefit – not ours!
So you lovely ladies and handsome dogs – let’s have you out in large numbers
and prove we are a force to be recognised. Good Luck to you all.
Deputy Dog
Club and Society News cont’d
Ridgewell Women’s Institute
For our March meeting we again had some home
grown talent. This was with Lesley Scollay-Smith, a
local freelance hairdresser and stylist, and Amanda
Anderson-Jones, who handcrafts tiaras, headdresses
and accessories. Lesley brought a model and
prepared her hair, whilst Amanda told us about how
she makes her headdresses.
Amanda used a mixture of pearls, beads and crystals
to decorate the tiaras. The items she brought to show
us were stunning - beautifully made and waiting for
a bride to use. In the meantime Lesley had revealed
the long curled tresses of the model. Her hair was
beautifully set off by the tiara. Amanda’s work,
which is very intricate, has to be very time
consuming but it is clear that she loves what she
does. Lesley’s hair creation also took quite a while
and she followed this up with a quiz for us to ‘guess
the year of the hair style’.
April is our Annual meeting but the business is not
allowed to overtake our meeting. We did have to
discuss our National Resolution, which instead of
asking the Government to do something, this one
was up to us. It is a statistic that three people die
every week waiting for an organ transplant. This
resolution calls upon every member of the WI to
make known their wishes regarding organ donation
and to encourage their families and friends and
members of their local communities to do likewise.
Sounds simple but it is not. It can be very hard to
consider these matters at the best of times but more
difficult, if the worst happens, would you know if
your loved one wished to donate their organs? Most
people would happily accept an organ, but this
doesn’t always translate into registration to allow
your organs to be used.
On a happier note, this year we celebrated our 30th
Birthday with chocolate cupcakes and sparkling
wine. We went down memory lane to remember
some of the things we wore and how on earth we got
them on!! Big hair, big jewellery and even bigger
shoulders, as well as bright colours. The news at
that time was Torvill and Dean becoming the highest
scoring figure skaters of all time at the Winter
Olympics in Sarajevo and - in complete contrast the miners strikes started!! Thanks to Wendy for
stirring up all those memories
Back to normal in May except I couldn’t’ be there so
missed a treat - Vanessa Howard from Clare was
showing her charming collection of Victorian
lingerie that she has collected over time. So here
comes Summer??
Helen Morris
__________________________________________
Ridgewell Golf Society
Golf Day at Royston
The first Golf Day of the year was held on Thursday
1st May at Royston Golf Club. Whilst the weather
looked doubtful at first, it turned out to be very
good. Numbers were a bit low due to holidays, but
hopefully will increase for the next Golf Day.
13 players met at 9.00am for bacon rolls and coffee.
The first tee-off was 10.00am. The Competition was
Stableford, full handicap. There was also a Nearest the
Pin on the 16th and Longest Drive on the 4th holes.
Following the Golf and drinks, everyone sat down to a
very welcome dish of ham, eggs and chips.
There was a raffle, which was well supported by
everyone. A big thank you as all profits generated
during the year, including the Charity Day, go to
Cancer Research. There was an assortment of prizes,
won by six players.
The results of the day were as follows:1st - Martin Mansfield with 42 points -Tee Shirt
2nd - Rob Whittle with 37 points - Towel
1st - Ladies with 23 points was Lynn Hart - Glove
Nearest the Pin for the Ladies was Ellen Delafuente
- who won a Ball Marker
Nearest the Pin for Men was Martin Mansfield - Glove
Longest Drive was won by Martin Mansfield - Glove
All points scored in Society Days goes to the Society
Trophy, and the highest points scorer over three
rounds wins and is presented with the trophy at the
Charity Day Dinner on the 17th October at Gosfield.
The next Society Day is at Braintree Golf Club,
Stisted on Wednesday the 2nd July. Anyone who has
not played with the Society before is more than
welcome to join us. Should anyone require further
information, then please contact Len Adams on
01440 785474
Len Adams
__________________________________________
Club and Society News cont’d
HISTORY SOCIETY
AGM
The 2014 AGM took place on Thursday 29th May at
The White Horse. Fifteen members were present at
what was a very productive and enjoyable meeting
during which the existing Committee members
(Michaela Cottee, Pauline Harmer, Dave
Kynnersley, Helen Morris, Tony Silverman and
Frances Walters) were all re-elected. Following the
formal proceedings everyone enjoyed a meal and
drinks. Many thanks to Robin and the team at The
White Horse for making us feel so welcome.
Visit to a Tudor House
The History Society is looking forward to visiting a
Grade II listed early 16th Century Tudor house in
Sible Hedingham on 25th June. The new owner has
very kindly offered to give members a guided tour of
the building, which retains many original features.
Quiz Evening and Fish & Chip Supper
Our seventh annual Quiz Evening and Fish & Chip
Supper will take place on Friday 4th July 2014 at
7.30pm in the Village Hall. Entry to the quiz costs
£2 per person for History Society members and £3
per person for non-members. Teams, of up to six
people, can be formed in advance or on the night.
Supper (either fish & chips or chicken & chips) costs
£6 per person but must be ordered and paid for in
advance (no later than Monday 30th June). Please
bring your own drinks.
Tickets are available from Dave Kynnersley
(785031 or e-mail [email protected]).
All welcome!
Ridgewell Summer Show
The History Society will once again be mounting a
display at this year’s Summer Show on Saturday 12th
July. Do come along to take a look and say hello.
Looking ahead to the rest of the year…
The proposed programme of activities for 2014 also
includes a visit to the Ridgewell Airfield Museum, a
guided tour of Sudbury, and a trip to IWM Duxford,
as well as the annual History Society Social (on
Saturday 29th November) and the Christmas Fayre
(on Saturday 6th December).
History Society members will receive further
information about these events in due course. Nonmembers should look out for posters around the
village and announcements in the Ridgewell News.
Michaela Cottee
If you would like to know more about the activities
of the History Society, or if you have any information
that may be of interest, please contact Michaela
Cottee on 785031, or e-mail
[email protected]
__________________________________________
Now here’s a topical ode from Erik the Viking, our
very own personal poet :
THE RIDGEWELL SUMMER FAYRE
Roll up, roll up and don’t be late
‘Tis coming soon – the Village Fete!
In tandem with the Handicraft Show
Plus Horticulture – for those that GROW!
With kiddies rides and games and races,
Bouncy castle and painting faces,
Lucky Dip, Tombola, Stalls galore,
Food and drink and much, much more
A School of Dance to show how it’s done
And Dog Show for pooches - purely fun
With DJ Steve, playing summer gems
Just as he does on LEISURE FM
So Roll Up, Roll Up on the 12th of July
Make a note in your diary – don’t be shy
A feast for eyes and ears and tummies!
Come along kids – and Daddies & Mummies
Thanks Erik – he makes us smile and says it all, other
than a reminder that your help is needed, about which
you will have received a flyer through your door!
Please come and do your bit to make this annual event
as successful as always.
Club and Society News cont’d
RIDGEWELL HISTORY SOCIETY
NEW MEMBERS WANTED for
RIDGEWELL KARATE CLUB
Tuesday evenings at the Village Hall
6.30 pm – 8.00 pm.
QUIZ EVENING
&
FISH AND CHIP SUPPER
On Friday 4th July
at 7.30pm
in the Village Hall
Fish & Chips £6
Chicken &
Chips £6
(Bring your
own drink)
Quiz entry £3 per
person
(£2 for History Soc
members)
Maximum team size:
6 people
Tickets available from Dave
Kynnersley (01440 785031)
Food must be requested and paid for in
advance (no later than Mon 30th June)
Suitable for all ages from 5 years to 105 years!!
For more details contact Trevor White on
07850 038800
And if you want to lose a few pounds before embarking
on a Karate lesson, how about this :
SLIMMING WORLD
wish to recruit a consultant to run a class at
Ridgewell Village Hall
on a Monday evening.
Could this be you?
Don’t think there will be any shortage of people
who would like to join once it’s up and running
If you are interested contact
Tania on 07974 565229
Quiz entries can be made at any time
and teams can be formed on the night
If it’s not for you, Adam Richardson is thinking of
bringing something a little bit different to the village
COULD YOU USE THIS SPACE TO
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR
EVENT?
SEE RATES ON BACK PAGE AND
SEND YOUR ENQUIRY TO
[email protected]
FOR A QUOTE
TAI CHI
Sessions would be about 1- 11/2 hours
Day-time or evenings.
If interested, please contact Adam on 01440 785722
Club and Society News cont’d
Round & About
I think we have all been somewhat concerned on so
much in the press of recent times about the standard
of care for us all as we get older. Comforting to
know, we have a business on our doorstep who
provides exactly that – Greenfield Care :
Greenfield Care Ltd provides a Domiciliary Care
Service to a wide range of clients within the
community. The service provides support to
individuals within their own homes, both on a practical
and personal care level, to enable them to maintain
their own independence and lifestyle.
Greenfield Care have now been operating since April
2010 and already have an increasing client base
providing service to those in the Sudbury, Braintree,
Halstead, Colchester, Haverhill and surrounding areas.
The business is owned and managed by Glenn Evans
who has worked in home care for the majority of his
career. Whilst caring for the elderly and disabled
Glenn saw the need for, high quality, reliable, home
care services. Glenn felt with his expertise he would be
able to offer clients a care service with a more personal
touch.
As well as the team of staff that work for Greenfield
Care Glenn also steps out of the office and provides
services on a practical level to his clients. This makes
the job more satisfying for him as he can keep in close
contact with the people that require the company’s
services. You will have no worries with the staff who
work alongside Glenn as they all have a Criminal
Records Check at an enhanced level. They are also
fully referenced and are required to attend regular
training to keep their knowledge and skills to the
highest level.
The aim of the service is to provide high quality
flexible assistance and support, enabling people who
need help with daily living and domestic tasks to have
the choice to remain in their own homes for as long as
possible. The aim as a provider is to deliver the
optimum quality of care to our clients to enable them
to live a full and satisfying life in the comfort and
privacy of their own homes. We believe in promoting
dignity, privacy, choice, safety, self-esteem and
independence for all our clients.
It may only be 1 hour a week that is needed to help
someone with carrying out daily living tasks or it may
be that someone requires a lot more time for
companionship, shopping trips or even help to attend
an appointment. Whatever the requirements of the
service, Greenfield Care can guarantee a tailor-made
package for your individual needs.
If you - or someone you love - is in need of assistance
at home because of an accident, illness, surgery, or
limitations due to age or memory loss, our dedicated
and professional home care staff are available to help.
It may be that you are a relative of someone that needs
help and you are finding it difficult to find time to help
yourself. Again Greenfield Care can alleviate some of
those stresses and strains you may be experiencing.
Some of the services we offer are:
 Full or partial personal care.
 Assistance with eating and drinking.
 Assistance with mobility and transfers, including
help with getting up or going to bed.
 Companionship and encouragement.
 Assistance with cleaning and housework.
 Assistance with laundry and ironing.
 Food preparation at the client’s home.
 Promoting a healthy diet.
 Assisting clients with keeping in touch with their
friends and relatives.
 Helping clients with shopping trips a and
appointment assistance
Greenfield Care also operates an out of hours service
and is happy for any client, or their family, to contact
them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This ensures
your enquiry or query is dealt with promptly in a
professional manner
Our professional staff are trained to assist in
determining the type of care needed and in answering
any questions you may have.
For more information on how we could help you or a
loved one or to discuss your free Care Assessment you
can contact them by telephone on 01440 785222 or
email us [email protected] or visit our web
site www.greenfieldcare.co.uk
It all sounds so very reassuring – and just remember,
be kind to your children as they will probably choose
which Care Home you may or may not end up in!!!
Round & About cont’d
Look out for Glenn at the Summer Show – he’ll be delighted to have a chat with you.
Round & About cont’d
A most interesting letter from Adam & Beryl
Richardson – perhaps a timely warning to us all!!
Letters to the Editor
Perhaps all is not as it seems …!!!
Recently, I was contacted by Outline Productions
working for SKY TV who short listed our garden,
'NIWA,' to be included in the prime time SKY 1 series
‘How Does Your Garden Grow’.
This was good news as we were chosen, along with
three other Essex gardens from many other
candidates, to represent Essex. The series, I believe
will cover six episodes, across various counties. The
final filming with other gardeners present will be in
June 2014. The first series of the show in the UK, will
be in January 2015.
Following several telephone conversations over 2
weeks, two camera interviews and lots of filming of
the garden, I was told the final 'takes' would include
more than just garden interest and content. I was told
that an email would be sent, outlining some additional
requirements for the series. Titled -' Things you need
to know - How does your garden grow fact-sheet.'
Fact sheet reads:
Day one - Filming (again,) for half a day in the garden
AND HOUSE?! Filming favourite ROOMS,
OBJECTS and items with a story attached
Days 2. 3. and 4. Meeting other candidates and
visiting each others gardens/ HOUSE
The evening of day 4. -The Big Reveal (?!) One last
interview in garden or room in the HOUSE, when you
will be told what points the others/you have scored
out of a hundred and if you've won a prize (?!)
The Open day - spread over three and a half days.
Lay on a buffet or similar. One line in the fact-sheet
read, ' I don't want people going in my underwear
drawer how do I stop them' !!!
When Beryl and l read this fact-sheet, we could not
understand why a 'garden' programme would have
intrusion within the house and contrary to what I
thought, was more than just a garden explanative and
viewing. With awarding points and prizes offered etc
it was more like a 'four in a bed’ critique' than a
serious garden emphasis programme.
The following day, I emailed the assistant producer
and withdrew from the series.
NIWA is not a 'show garden' but a working garden,
with serious Tai Chi and martial arts students and
masters, attending regularly to relax, meditate and
receive their degrees in knowledge, all within the
garden. I do not feel that this series of programmes,
would be appropriate for those who view their garden
as a personal retreat, or spiritual haven. I hope they
prove me wrong.
Adam & Beryl - NIWA Orchard Close
-0-O-0We agree with Adam and Beryl that this all seems a
bit strange – have you any experiences of something
similar that turned out not to be what you had
originally envisaged? Do let us know.
Round & About cont’d
Many of you will have seen either at the cinema or on your TV, the very moving D-Day concert screened to
commemorate the 70th Anniversary of World War II. Included in that concert was The Shores of Normandy by Jim
Radford and recited by him as a wonderful tribute to all who participated in those D-Day Landings.
In the cold grey light of the sixth of June in the year of four-four
The Empire Larch sailed out from Poole to join with thousands more
The largest fleet the world had seen, we sailed in close array
And we set our course for Normandy at the dawning of the day
There was not one man in all our crew who knew what lay in store
For we had waited for that day through five long years of war
We knew that many would not return – yet all our hearts were true
For we were bound for Normandy, where we had a job to do
Now the Empire Larch was a deep-sea tug with a crew of thirty-three
And I was just the galley-boy on my first trip to sea
I little thought when I left home of the dreadful sights I’d see
But I came to manhood on that day when I first saw Normandy
At the Beach of Gold off Arromanches, ‘neath the rockets’ deadly glare
We towed our blockships into place and we built a harbour there
‘Mid Shot and shell we built it well, as history does agree
While brave men died in the swirling tide on the shores of Normandy
Like the Rodney and the Nelson, there were ships of great renown,
But rescue tugs all did their share as many a ship went down
We ran our pontoons to the shore within the Mulberry’s lee
And we made safe berth for the tanks and guns that would set all Europe free
For every hero’s name that’s known, a thousand died as well
On stakes and wire their bodies hung, rocked in the ocean swell
And many a mother wept that day for the sons they loved so well,
Men who cracked a joke and cadged a smoke as they stormed the gates of hell
As the years pass by I can still recall the men I saw that day
Who died upon that blood-soaked sand where now sweet children play
And those of you who were unborn, who’ve lived in liberty
Remember those who made is so on the shores of Normandy
Jim Radford was just a teenager when he participated in the D-Day lands at Arromanches and was one of the lucky
few who returned to tell the tale so beautifully in this moving tribute, written by him on a much later visit to Normandy
where the beaches which had been littered with so many fallen, children now played happily in the sands.
Ridgewell will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of World War 1 later in the year in November – you will find more
detailed information elsewhere in this Newsletter. We would very much appreciate your memories of stories told by
relatives or mementoes of that time, or did you, perhaps, come across a poem that one of your relatives had written?
We’d be so interested to hear from you.
Round & About cont’d
Here’s a cautionary tale for anyone hoping to get into
Cambridge on 7th July :
Le Tour de France
SUMMER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
4th July – Quiz Evening with Fish & Chip Supper
Des Bonnes Nouvelles et des Mauvaises Nouvelles
(Some Good News and Some Bad News)
Good News
On the 7th of July, the amazing Tour de France is
coming to Essex - and very close to Ridgewell! The
route from Cambridge to London includes Saffron
Walden – Radwinter – Finchingfield – Wethersfield –
Rayne. I’m sure a lot us will be going along to watch it.
Bad News
For those of us who have to cross the route of the race
on the 7th of July, there are very few possibilities. The
roads used by the race and the on-the-level crossings
of the route are closed for most of the day and you can
only use roads that fly-over the route. These include:
A11 (Fourwentways) – M11 (Stanstead)
A120 Braintree – Stanstead - M25
You can use the A1307 to get to Cambridge but there
will be routes blocked in the city.
For Further Information
Many of you have received a leaflet through your
letterboxes but some haven’t (including us!).
You can also look on-line at:
http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/stage-3.html
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/info/20020/cyclin
g/470/tour_de_france_2014/5 (road closures, bus
alterations and car parking for Cambridge and
Cambridgeshire)
http://www.essex.gov.uk/News/Pages/Tour-deFrance-route-Essex.aspx (road closures in Essex)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/(traffic information
on the day)
Dave Kynnersley (22nd June 2014)
5th July - Bring & Buy Coffee Morning
12th July – Summer Show
27th July – Sale Trail
And on 8th, 9th and 11th November 2014 –
Remembering World War One
More detailed information on all these events
can be found elsewhere in this edition of the
Ridgewell News
Village Notice Board
RAINBOW CHILDREN’S CENTRE
Rainbow Children Centre is running services for
0-5’s and their families in your area and from
their base in Sible Hedingham.
We are running Save a Toddler First Aid, Early
Days workshops with local health visitors and
midwives for ante natal mums. This supports
preparing for the first few days after birth, baby
massage, baby sensory, creative play, benefits
information and advice, talk with me (speech and
language early support) and outreach support for
families in their home. Please contact :
Kay North on 07876574531 at
Rainbow Children Centre,
Hedingham Secondary School & Sixth Form
College, Yeldham Road, Sible Hedingham
CO9 3QH
Pilkingtons Plumbers Ltd
For bathrooms, kitchens
For plumbing, heating, gas safe
For electrricians, plasterers
For carpenters, builders
£5m public liability
All work guaranteed
Call today 0782 5348536 any time!
VAT Number : 906 0002 82
Registered in England 6187051
Village Notice Board cont’d
NICOLA JANE DESIGNS
AN EVER-CHANGING RANGE
OF HAND PAINTED FURNITURE
& GARDEN ASSESSORIES FOR SALE
WOULD YOU LIKE A PIECE OF FURNITURE PAINTED OR
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN THE POPULAR PAINTING
WORKSHOPS TO PAINT YOUR OWN SMALL ITEM –
SPRING/SUMMER WORKSHOP DATES NOW SET
Come along on your own and meet new people;
make up your own group/day or even buy as a
gift voucher for a thoughtful fun gift
Please contact me on
www.nicolajanedesigns.com
01440 785204
Or pop by to Sunnyside, Drury Lane
Village Notice Board cont’d
Ridgewell Village Hall
The Village Hall is available
at competitive rates for:
Children’s parties
Evening functions
Community events
Club and business meetings
Training sessions
Adult day or evening classes
To book please call Daphne Jude on 01440 788270
The Odds and Ends Page
Your references for contacts and events in Ridgewell
Directory
Alison Dando School of Dance: Ballet, - Variety
of children’s dance classes on Wednesday
afternoons. Monday afternoons Street Dancing and
Cheerleading and Monday evenings. Details
www.adsdance.co;uk /[email protected]
Amin’s Indian Take Away & Café: Open 6 days
a week (closed Mondays). Tel 01440 788977/
788855 or 07854985185
Carpet Bowls Club: Regular meetings at 7.30pm
on Wednesdays in the Village Hall, plus occasional
matches against other villages. Contact Iris
Mountford on 788543
Congregational Church holds a service of
worship on the first Sunday in each month at
10.30am.
District Council: Braintree District Council
general number 01376 552525, customer care
number 01376 331616.
Golf: Ridgewell Golf Society meets periodically.
For details, contact Jackie Adams on 785474.
Garden Society: Annual Summer and Autumn
horticultural and handicraft shows. Talks, plant
sales, outings and social events for the whole
community. Hon Secretary Pam Amos 788595.
Discounted seed purchase contact Fran Walters
785214
.
Karate Club : Tuesday evenings at the Village
Hall 6,30pm – 8.00 pm. Suitable for all age s.
Contact Trevor White on 07850 038800
Kings Head : Watch this space for details of
opening times under the pub’s new management
Library: Mobile library calls every two weeks
on a Wednesday at Church Lane (School) from
14.50 – 15,.35 and the Traveller Site from 14.15
to 14.35pm
Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator : Contact
Malcolm Mason on 785549, or your appointed
representative
Parish Council: Meets at 7.30pm in the Village
Hall on the second Tuesday of alternate months.
Agendas are displayed on notice board by bus
stop and essexinfo.net/Ridgewell-parish council
website in preceding week. Contact the Clerk,
Sue Rouse, on [email protected] or
call 785681.
Police: Our neighbourhood policing team can be
contacted at 0785 578 1127 or call 101 for nonurgent matters
Primary School: Office manager Carol Bliss can
be contacted on 785364.
Ridgewell History Society: Group researching
and documenting Ridgewell’s history. Contact
Dave or Michaela on 785031
Ridgewell Quilters: Every Tuesday morning in
the Village Hall. Contact Julie Reed on 01376
322986
St Laurence Church: Alternating weekly
Services between Ridgewell and Ashen – see
Church & Notice Board for more details
Toddler & Baby Group: Meet at 10am to 12.00
mid-day on Thursdays in the Village Hall. See
advert for details - Contact Isabel Mackay-Yau
on 788370.
Village Notice Board: Located on Village Green
at the end of Church Lane. Used for Parish
Council notices and community notices.
Village Hall: For hirings contact Daphne Jude on
788270. Keys are with Daphne or alternatively
Nick Rouse on 01440 785681).
White Horse opening times: Wednesday to
Saturday inc - 12 noon to 3pm;
Evenings: Monday to Friday inc 5pm to 11 pm;
Saturday evenings 6 to 11 pm;
Sunday 12 noon to 11 pm.
Food available most sessions. Phone 785532.
Women’s Institute: Regular meetings on the
third Thursday of each month in the Village Hall
at 8.00pm. Contact Helen Morris on 788139.
RIDGEWELL NEWS is supported by Ridgewell Parish Council and is produced by a voluntary editorial team of Mollie
Sellors, Dave Kynnersley, Pauline Harmer, Sue Moody and Diane Osborn. Deadline for copy of our next issue 15 th
September – Publication date 30th September 2014. We welcome comments, reports and stories on all aspects of village life
past and present and also general correspondence, which may be edited for space reasons. The views and comments
published in Ridgewell News do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Parish Council or the editorial team of this
publication.
Advertising Rates
We welcome advertising, subject to our approving the
content.
The rates per issue are:⅛ page, (6.75 x 8.36cms approx), £17.50
¼ page, (13.5 x 8.66cms approx), £27.50.
Special rates available for series.
Contact Diane Osborn – 01440 785549.
Copy Date
Please have all copy in by 15th September with
publication date on 30th September. Hand written
or typed copy to Mollie Sellors, Hatters Cottage,
Drury Lane, or to Diane Osborn at 6 Colne
Springs. Better still e-mail
[email protected]. Please use Word
2000 format for e-mail - Times New Roman size
11 preferred font.
We welcome many newcomers to our
village and hope you will soon be happily
settled in your new home.
Do please come and join us at some of
the meetings that are held regularly –
usually at our Village Hall, which is now
in need of some much needed
maintenance. It is hoped that you will
be able to join in some of the fun (and
the hard work!!) that goes into making
our village such a great place to live.
Want to know more - just give one of the
above numbers a quick call, with
obviously no obligation to commit
yourself, or even speak to a neighbour
who will be more than happy to give you
more information
PLEASE SAY YOU CAN HELP