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Village Information
St Mary’s Church
VICAR:
Rev Sharon Miles
The Vicarage, The Bury, St Osyth,
CO16 8NY 01255 822055
CHURCHWARDEN:
Wendy Smith
Burnside, The Green - 01206 250098
TREASURER:
Penny Evans Jones
The Old Rectory, The Green - 01206 250541
CHURCH VERGER:
Rita Baverstock
Stonybroke, Station Road - 01206 251271
READER:
Wendy King
17 Larkfield Road - 01206 250852
PCC SECRETARY:
Chris Aplin
Newmay House, The Green - 01206 250385
STEWARDSHIP SECRETARY:
Rosemary Branch
4 Wents Close - 01206 250137
TOWER CAPTAIN:
Roger Carey-Smith - 01206 250521
SUNDAY SCHOOL:
Linda Hayes
Ivy Lodge, Frating - 01206 250207
VESTRY ROOM BOOKING SECRETARY:
Carole Allington
Poplar House, Station Road - 01206 251086
or ring Church Verger
PARISH MAGAZINE EDITOR/ADVERTISING/
DISTRIBUTOR:
Mary Maskell
Caldew Cottage, The Green
01206 250524
Carole Allington
METHODIST MINISTER Rev Crawford Logan 37 Southcliff Park, Clacton on Sea, CO15 6HH - 01255 423640
DOCTOR’S SURGERY: Drs F. Bhatti, R.S. O’Reilly, A. Nambi, and G. Pontikis. The Hollies, The Green - 01206 250691
CHIROPODIST: Terry St George - 01255 820885: Mobile: 07775 833200
POLICE: Clacton 0300 333 4444 24 hour Non emergency number 101
In an emergency ring 999
PC Dan Heard - Tel: 101 extension 440218
PCSO Julia Brandon - Tel: 101 extension 440356 [email protected]
PARISH COUNCIL: Chairman - Jonathan Hills,Grange Farm, Heckfords Rd, CO78RR - 01206 798666
Clerk to the Council - Karen Paradise Correspondence to: The Clerk, Community Resource Centre, Village Hall, Plough Road, Great Bentley, CO7 8LD Telephone - 01206 256410
TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCILLOR: Lynda McWilliams, Boblyn, St Mary’s Road, Aingers Green - 01206 250732
COUNTY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Alan Goggin, Freshfields, Church Road, Brightlingsea, CO7 OQT 01206 308023 Mobile: 07860 519117 email: [email protected]
GOOD NEIGHBOURS TRANSPORT: Barbara Fookes - 01206 250431
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: Richard Nowak - 01206 250204
MEDICAL AIDS: Barbara Fookes - 01206 250431
TENDRING FURNITURE SCHEME: Rocket House, Gorse Lane Industrial Estate, Clacton: 01255 476068
VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS: Shelley Pizzey, 5 Keeble Court – 01206 252385
METHODIST HALL BOOKINGS: Robert & Janet Taylor, Dominica, Moors Close - 01206 250087
GT BENTLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL: - 01206 250331
COLNE COMMUNITY SCHOOL: - 01206 303511
VILLAGE HISTORY RECORDER: Heather Taylor, Granville, Plough Road - 01206 251004
COLCHESTER HOSPITALS: 01206 747474
CLACTON & DISTRICT HOSPITAL: 01255 201717
FOOTPATH REP: David Gollifer 01206 250309
DONATIONS FOR ANIMAL RESCUE CENTRE: Judy & Alan Bishop - 5 Morella Close, 01206 251702
VILLAGE TRANSPORT REP: Peter Harry - 01206 250511
VILLAGE CARETAKER: Bobby McWilliams, Boblyn, St Mary’s Rd, Aingers Green 01206 250732
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2017
CONTENTS
Editorial .. .. .. 1
Monthly Letters .. .. 2
Church Services .. .. 3
Church Rotas .. .. 4
Thank You .. .. .. 5
Birthday .. .. .. 7
Deadline .. .. .. 9
Peter’s Potterings .. .. 13
Surgery News .. .. 14
District Councillor News .. 15
Running Club .. .. .. 16
Farming Diaries .. .. 17
Pet Notes .. .. .. 18
Clubs & Organisations .. 19
Pre-School .. .. .. 20
Nature Notes .. .. .. 22
Cookery Notes .. .. 23
Wildlives .. .. .. 24
Children’s Page .. .. 25
Quiz .. .. .. .. 26
Carnival News .. .. 27
Protect Gt Bentley .. .. 31
Youth Football .. .. 32
Parish Council .. .. 32/33
PCSO Report .. .. .. 34
Youth Football .. .. .. 35
Mobile Library .. .. .. 36
Football .. .. .. 38
FRONT COVER
Autumn arrives in all its glory
DISCLAIMER The statements, opinions and data contained in these publications are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the Churchwardens, Parochial Church Council, the Editor nor the publisher. The appearance of advertisements in the Great Bentley Parish News or the website is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety.
EDITORIAL
I recently returned from a lovely visit to my son and his wife in Los Angeles. One evening at around 7.45pm we walked around the block, (please note I have learnt to speak the local language!) It was dark and I had just stated that I felt really safe in the neighbourhood. As we turned a corner to head home, three men were throwing something into a pick-up truck and then drove off at high speed. We called at the house next door and explained that we thought we had just witnessed a burglary. (How does this relate to our village, I expect you are wondering?) “Do you know your next door neighbours”, asked Tim. “No, we have never really spoken to them”. My thoughts immediately turned to home. Three cheers for Great Bentley, went through my mind as I am sure that we all at least speak to our neighbours without imposing on their privacy. I often, to the point of obsession, record how fortunate we are here within our community and I believe that all the more right now. Thanks to everyone who made shopping, especially for the “essentials,” a lot easier whilst our Tesco store had its refit. Sad that someone saw this as an opportunity to steal the paper money from the Plough Inn. Your support is desperately needed to keep our village Carnival going in 2018. Unless more help is forthcoming I am afraid that will be the end of this village tradition. The meeting was not publicised in our magazine and although it is stated that a leaflet drop was made, neither Carole or I received one. Please look out for details of the next meeting, or it may all be too late. The mobile Library is another facility under threat so you are requested to respond swiftly to the survey. See page 36. Thanks to Mick Dorling who was out early in the morning “watering” the green and marking out the area for the crocus bulbs and to those who joined him to plant them. Well done to all who helped with the village Clear Up Day which was hugely successful, we now need a similar response to the Special Nature Reserve Verges, see page 6 and churchyard clear ups, please. See details on page 10. It costs in the region of £2,000 to maintain our churchyard, which is a village facility, an oasis of peace and calm we can all enjoy. The majority of this money has to be provided by St Mary’s church. Would you like to support this by donating £12 per year. In return you would stand a chance of winning a cash prize twice a year. If the answer is a resounding “Yes”, then please join the Friends of the Churchyard 100 Club, see page 8. Remembrance Day will be marked in the usual manner and service times are included. We also publish some of Tony Rampling’s memories which remind us of the stark reality and horrors of war. If you wish to advertise in our magazine for 2018 please get in touch with me in the usual manner. Best wishes to Councillor Bill Herbert after your recent operation and we hope you are now home from hospital. We miss you and are grateful for all that you do for Great Bentley. Mary Maskell
Christmas International Posting dates in November
Thursday 2nd November - Eastern Europe, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Malta and Iceland
Thursday 16th November - Western Europe
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The Monthly Letters November 2017
The teacher found the little boy crying in the corridor and when he asked what the matter was the lad replied; 'I hate school and my mum says I've got to stay here until I'm sixteen.' 'Cheer up,' says the teacher, 'I've got to stay here until I'm sixty five!' Its true - that in the world stale with bad news, humour seasons our lives. We are richer by far when we laugh, or even when we are cheerful - even when we are weary! We are so much better off if a friend has smiled and we return the smile - rather than to be worrying why they are smiling. Laughing at ourselves is most important - no matter how sensible we feel we are, there are moments when we must look objectively at ourselves and be grateful for the insight that helps us recognise our own absurdities. 'A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance' Proverbs 15: 13 Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: 'To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.' Its time to break away from the world's image of the sad, serious miserable killjoy Christian - and bring the Joy of Jesus back into our witness. The composer Joseph Haydn was accused by an over pious critic once of writing religious music that lacked seriousness. Haydn straightened his shoulders and answered firmly: 'Sir, I can compose in no other way. When I think of God, my heart is so full of happiness that the notes run ahead of me, and since God gave me a joyous heart, I think he will forgive me if I serve him joyously.' May the Joy of Christ so fill your hearts and lives that your countenance will be a witness to his presence. May God Bless You - Richly.
Rev'd Crawford James Logan Here we are entering our second month of Rev’d Sharon’s Sabbatical (known as extended study leave) and we take time to enjoy our surroundings here in Great Bentley. But there’s no doubt that being in our beautiful church, so full of spiritual associations, can help us to pray. I’m sure that people love St Mary’s because of our experience that God can and does use this building and its contents as a vast visual aid, through which he is able to tell us something of his truth and lead us into prayer. Maybe, one time when you were sitting quietly in the church, you found yourself contemplating the way in which this building has grown and changed and evolved over the centuries, responding to the needs of each generation with a fresh presentation of the God who is “the same yesterday, today and forever.” And then maybe you became aware of all the changes and chances in your own life and found the reassurance that God is faithful and trustworthy and that his constant love will always be there - for you to rediscover afresh in every new situation. Or perhaps one Sunday, your mind wandered during a sermon and you found yourself looking at the details of the round chancel arch. Perhaps you noticed how each stone plays its part in the construction and how the whole arch is held in place by the keystone at the top and by the firm foundations at the bottom. And then perhaps you thought of our call as Christians to be living stones, all playing our part in the spiritual temple, held together by Jesus Christ as we stand united on the firm foundations of our faith and hope. We carry Rev’d Sharon in our prayers and look forward to her return. God Bless Wendy King Reader
THE REV. SHARON MILES IS ON SABBATICAL UNTIL DECEMBER.
THE CONTACTS FOR ST MARY’S CHURCH ARE:
Wendy Smith - 01206 250098: Wendy King - 01206 250852 and Rita Baverstock - 01206 251271
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CHURCH SERVICES AND EVENTS IN
GREAT BENTLEY DURING NOVEMBER 2017
METHODIST
CHURCH NEWS ST MARY’S CHURCH
Sat 4th Ladies Breakfast, Vestry Room, 9.00am Sunday 5th November - All Saints Day 9.30am Sung Eucharist & Sunday School Mon 6th Support in Loss, 10am Vestry Room Tues 7th Bible Study, Vestry Room, 11am Sunday 12th - Remembrance Sunday 10.00 am Remembrance Sunday Service followed by Service at the War Memorial 11am. Thurs 16th PCC Meeting, Vestry Room, 7.30pm Sunday 19th November - 2nd Sunday before Advent 9.30am Sung Eucharist & Sunday School Tues 21st Bible Study, Vestry Room, 11am Sat 25th Churchyard Clear-up Day, 9.30am Sunday 26th November - Christ the King 8.00am Holy Communion 9.30am All Age Worship with Communion Fri 24th Magazine Collating
See more detail on:- www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Bentley-Methodist-Church/776699562367528 We welcome you to worship with us during November. All activities at our Church in the centre of the Green. Morning worship will be held at 10.00am unless otherwise stated. The leaders of worship are set out below:-
November 5th Margaret Woods
November 12th at St Mary’s for Remembrance
Service
November 19th Sounds Alive
November 26th Rev Crawford Logan Sacrament
Events in November:
Cameo 6th November. All welcome ring 250087 if you need transport. A simple meal followed by a social time
Autumn Fayre 4th Nov 10am to 12 noon Our major fundraising event of the year. See the poster elsewhere in the magazine for more details Victorian Christmas Market 11th Nov. Princes Theatre, Clacton Visit the Traidcraft stall we
run
Come to Tea at Half past Three Sunday 19th November. All are invited for afternoon tea and a time to meet friends for a chat. If you need a lift please ring 250087
Messy Church 21st November after school
Luncheon Club 14th & 28th November 12 noon
Coffee Mornings. We continue to hold these on the first Friday of the month 10am to 12noon. All are welcome for good company, raffle, stalls and the opportunity to raise funds for charity. We raise money for our church and for local and national charities. If you have a particular charity that we could help you to support, please let us know. Adventurers Club welcomes children from year 3 upwards. 7pm on Fridays. Christian teaching plus games, crafts and outings. Ring 250087 for more details. We start the new term on Friday 8th November and look forward to welcoming new children who have moved into year 3 at school. Each week the following events are held at our Church.
Ring these numbers for more information
Luncheon Club Alternate Tuesdays 12 Noon 251330 Parent & Toddlers Group Thursdays 9-15 a.m. 250431 The Adventurers Club. Fridays 7 p.m. Ring 250087 Closed in school holidays
MISSION AND MINISTRY UNITS
CONFERENCE
For the congregations of Thorpe, Weeley, Lt Clacton, Brightlingsea, Gt Bentley,
St Osyth, Elmstead, Frating with Thorrington and Alresford
Coming together to explore how
we will work together as a Mission and Ministry Unit(s)
Saturday 4th November
10.30am to 3pm at
St Andrew’s Church, Alresford
Everyone welcome! Teas/coffee/biscuits provided please bring a savoury dish or a sweet to share at lunchtime
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ST MARY’S CHURCH
SIDESPERSONS ROTA
Sunday 5th November - All Saints Day 1 John 3.1-3: Matthew 5.1-12: Sidespersons - Stephanie Sadler & Zonia Wood
Intercessions - Myrtle Clayton Sunday 12th November - Remembrance Sunday No Sidespersons Sunday 19th November - 2nd Sunday before Advent 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11: Matthew 25.14-30: Sidespersons - Paul & Ava Mockridge
Intercessions - Yvonne Gibson Sunday 26th November - Christ the King Ephesians 1.15-end: Matthew 25.31-end:
Sidespersons - Peter & Carole Allington
Intercessions - Nicky Justice
COFFEE ROTA
5th Wendy Smith
12th Remembrance Sunday No Coffee
19th David & Rosemary Branch
26th Jean & Peter Goulding
CLEANING ROTA
4th Vacant
11th Wendy Smith & Bev Adams
18th Nicky Justice
25th Rosemary & David Branch
BRADBURY James Edward
“Jamie”
Passed away suddenly at his home on 28th September
aged 86
Funeral service to take place at Weeley Crematorium on Monday 30th October
at 12.30pm
Donations if desired to Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich, may be given via
www.hunnaball.co.uk
SAMARITANS PURSE OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
If you would like to do a Shoebox
for this Appeal brochures are available at the back of the Church.
Boxes can be handed in to St Mary’s Church
The last date for dropping off your shoe box is Sunday 5th November
NOVEMBER PRAYER LIST
1 Doctors Air Ambulance 2 Aingers Green Woman’s Refuge 3 Support in Loss Headsmart 4 Robin Close Relate 5 The lonely Salvation Army 6 Woodgreen Estate Gt Bentley Youth Club 7 Messy Church Essex Carers 8 Elm Close Epilepsy Support Group 9 Housebound Macmillan nurses 10 St Mary’s Road RSPCA 11 St Helena’s Hospice Headway 12 Flagship Park Homeless 13 The Vicar Samaritans 14 Station Road Clacton Dis. Stroke Ass. 15 The grieving MIND 16 George Mitchell Close The Oaks 17 Churchwardens Children’s Hospice 18 Hill Cottages Pre-school children 19 Methodist Minister CRUSE 20 South Heath Road Beacon House 21 The sick Premature babies 22 Chapel Terrace St John Ambulance 23 Church Sunday School Our surgery 24 Cedar Way Special care unit 25 Finch Drive First Responders 26 Birch Avenue Essex Carers 27 Church Stewards Thorrington Road 28 Cherrywoods Local Food Bank 29 Adventurer’s Club The Children’s Society 30 Larkfield Road The abused
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A big thank you to everyone who came to our ‘Cuppa & Cake’ afternoon. Thank you also to everyone who helped during the afternoon selling tea and cake. We made £80 and together with the boxes I have received so far I have now banked £763.63 for the Children’s Society. A wonderful effort. If anyone would like a box or would like to make a donation to the Children’s Society please contact me. All the collection from the Christingle Service at St Mary’s Church will also be donated to the Children’s Society. Once again thank you all very much. Carole Allington 01206 251086 Poplar House, Station Road, Great Bentley. Many thanks to the kind gentleman who found my house key on the green. He took it to the Parish Clerk. She advertised the fact that a key had been found via the Parish website. Many thanks to the two parties involved. David Gollifer
Animal Bedding On a stunning September day we filled our car with bedding, towels, food, treats and ‘sundries’ and took our favourite journey to the Canine Welfare Rescue Centre (formally the Suffolk Coastal Rescue). The trees were ablaze with colour in their Autumn finery, however some were yet to part with their various shades of green. As ever our arrival was the cause for much barking and noses being pressed up to their enclosures, sniffing the air to pick up the varied scents of doggie treats and biscuits! Emma welcomed us and there was much hugging and the usual banter that we engage in. Once the car was unloaded and peace was restored somewhat, Emma assured her beloved dogs that treats would be distributed when we had left! Standing in the sunshine Emma told us that plans were in place for Steve and Jane to at long last step back and enjoy their much earned ‘retirement’ and the arrival of their first grandchild as she and her very impressive young man Josh take on the mantle of running the re-homing and rescue. They are excited but very sensible knowing full well what they are taking on. A mobile home is to be put on site and they can’t wait to set themselves up complete with their own assorted menagerie!! When we first met Emma she was only 19 and a little shy but that young girl has become a caring, hard working, dedicated young woman. We never doubted her worth from day one and we couldn’t be happier for her and Josh as they move into a new home and begin their lives together. Not many good news stories in the animal rescue world but this is one we are pleased to report. Shorter days and chilly nights bring with them an urgency to restore our depleted stocks of blankets, throws, sheets, duvet covers, pillow slips, towels, tea towels and face cloths. Our ‘ladies who knit’ have been hard at work and a colourful pile of cosy blankets, all colours, shapes and sizes are stored in our airing cupboard. NAWT in Little Clacton have received some with the promise of more to come. May we just make mention that there is still the ongoing problem of un-neutered cats producing too many litters of kittens. Much work is done by Cats Protection to deal with uncontrolled breeding and help is available if cost is a problem. If kittens are not handled within 2 to 3 weeks of birth chances are they will be feral. We don’t know how much more animal welfare organisations, societies and rescues can do to drive the message home. We do what we can, where we can and with your support and kindness we do make a difference which is a comfort to us when we witness or hear of the ever increasing issue of abandonment, abject cruelty and wickedness metered out to creatures great and small in all corners of the world. Thank you all so very much. Judy & Alan Bishop, 5 Morella Close, 251702
Remembrance Service The service this year will be on Saturday 11th November at 11am at the memorial (short service) and on Sunday 12th November the Village Remembrance Service will take place. The procession will be from St. Mary’s Church following the Church service for an assembly before 11am at the memorial. Members of the public are invited to attend on both days. After the Remembrance Sunday Service join us at the Plough Inn for refreshments or Sunday lunch. Book a table. All welcome
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Colchester SUGARCRAFT Association presents a
HALF-DAY CHRISTMAS CUPCAKE WORKSHOP
Saturday 18th November
10am - 1pm
in St Andrews Hall London Road, Stanway, CO3 8LR
opposite St Albright’s Church
Under expert tuition, you will decorate 6 cupcakes using various different sugarcraft skills.
Homemade cupcakes and all sugarcraft materials are provided but you will need to bring an apron.
Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival The fee is £25
You will leave with 6 decorated homemade cupcakes in a cupcake box
All details and an application form are on our website
www.colchestersugarcraft.org.uk/workshop.html or ring Christine on 01206 823400.
Numbers are strictly limited, so apply soon.
Great Bentley Conservation Group
Special Essex Roadside Verges
We will collect the rubbish in the Special Essex Roadside Verges and ditches in the village on Saturday 25th November. All volunteers will be most welcome to assist with this task. Would all those willing to help, please meet at the Village Hall Car Park at 9 am on Saturday 25th November. Please wear protective clothing. Remember that roadside verges are dangerous places and all volunteers take part at their own risk.
For more information please phone David Gollifer 01206 250309.
Official ticket launch for the Essex Lottery Charities and community groups around Essex are celebrating as tickets for the new Essex Lottery go on sale.
The Essex Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery set up by Essex County Council to support local charities and good causes in communities across Essex with their fundraising efforts. Tickets cost £1, of which 60p will go directly to good causes. The first draw takes place on Saturday 25th November with a jackpot of £25,000 and guaranteed weekly prizes. Plus, anyone who buys a ticket for the first draw will also be in with a chance to win an iPad.
Buy your tickets on the website www.essexlottery.co.uk or call 0300 302 32 32 to be in with a chance of winning something for yourself and supporting local good causes with their fundraising. Players can select from over 95 registered causes they wish to support and benefit from the proceeds. There's still time for good causes to register their interest with The Essex Lottery. You can do this by emailing [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> or by calling 0300 302 32 32.
Friends of the Green
Good to report a successful Litter Pick on Saturday 14th October. Eighteen residents turned out on a bright sunny morning and several bags of rubbish were collected and disposed of. The group are grateful for the sponsorship of Eastern Waste Disposal of Brightlingsea and the Parish Council. This support enabled us to supply high vis jackets and hand-held litter pickers. The day was completed with refreshments supplied by Chris Aplin. The next pick is planned for 18th November and it would be a help to know those who will attend as it helps us to plan the routes. The offer of a new notice board for the village has been accepted by the Parish Council. The board has been ordered from Simon Woods and it will take the place of the notice board adjacent to the Cricket Club. The AGM of the FOG will be in the Vestry, St. Mary’s Church on 29th November at 7 pm. Michael Dorling Chairman of Friends of the Green.
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ALLOTMENT HOLDERS PRODUCE STALL
Saturday 28th October
Mitchell Room, Village Hall
from 10.00am
Pumpkins Winter veg, Squashes, Cakes, Jam, Chutneys,
Crafts & Edible Autumnal Offerings.
All donations for our sales tables gratefully received.
In aid of St Helena Hospice
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to my lovely Dad,
DOUGLAS GIBBS
who will be 95 on Friday 10th November
With lots of love from all your family
xxxxx
NOVEMBER’S SUDDEN ENTRY
Fifth of November, Bonfire night Rockets, Jumping Jacks, Bangers,
Sparklers to light the way. It’s all in November, and my birthday too! Armistice Day, the eleventh day, history.
Sleepy December then comes next Saving our energy for Christmas Day.
D. Gibbs
CRIB SERVICE
WITH CHRISTINGLES
ST MARY’S CHURCH
GREAT BENTLEY
Every Christmas Eve we hold our Crib Service with Christingles in St Mary’s Church. We make over 100 Christingles and if you would like to give a donation towards the cost of making these Christingles it means all the proceeds taken at the Crib Service would then go to the Children’s Society, which would be wonderful. If you think you would like to make a small donation please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you would like to come along and help make the Christingles we would be very pleased to see you. We are starting at 9am on Saturday 23rd December this year as Christmas Eve is on a Sunday. The Crib Service will be held on Christmas Eve at 5pm as usual.
With many thanks Carole Allington, Poplar House, Station Road, Great Bentley Tel: 01206 251086.
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WHAT IF IT GOES WRONG? That's what our friends said when we told them our plans for adventurous tours on the continent. A typical one was to go to Spain after Christmas to see the impressive Three Kings celebrations and for added interest visit an historic Moorish town high in the mountains. No matter it was minus 7, we had trained on the Police skid pan to control skids. They don't mess up the roads with gritting thank goodness so everyone drives with old fashioned skill. Next day I wanted to go and see some cliff top villages but June said "We have to get down, it's going to snow" "Rubbish, it's a nice fine day" But as woman's intuition is more powerful than man's common sense down we went to look back in the morning at the pretty snow covered hills. It's so nice these days when nothing goes wrong. Still on the subject of mountain driving we were returning from Portugal and stopped at the redundant border post; then decided to have a stroll in the wilderness. I had a walker's sat. nav. that records each turn and in "backtrack" leads you home, but suddenly went astray. (I had forgotten to reset it first.) June remembered a hill with a fox sitting on it, he was still there so we found our 'van again. My book told me they don't have foxes; only wolf packs and he was their lookout ! Next morning June's turn, "Just take it down to Spain dear", but it went higher and more icy. As up hill traffic must have priority my job was to watch the bends below us and get June to adjust speed so we didn't meet any on a bend. It's so nice these idyllic days when it all goes right. We had fun in America in a huge R.V.. On the way to Niagara a high wind on one side means I am driving into a storm. June had to take over as I needed to map read to the campsite and we went into the eye of the storm; pitch dark and rain like a waterfall so I had to call out the lane changes on the bypass. We could relax in camp happy that nothing goes wrong. Dave Kirby
Friends of the Churchyard 100 Club
Following an enthusiastic response to the proposal to set up the FCC, to raise funds for the upkeep of the Churchyard, the 100 Club will be launched at the Churchyard Clean Up Day on Sat 25th November. The 100 Club will offer prizes twice a year, for an annual subscription of £12.00 per number. Members can apply for more than one number. Club rules will be available at the launch. Come along to St Mary’s Church Vestry Room on Saturday 25th November, between 10.00am and 12.00noon, to fill in an application form to join, and have a cuppa and a mince pie. Or, email [email protected] or by post: FCC, C/O The Coach House, Thorrington Road, Great Bentley, CO7 8QR for an application form.
GREAT BENTLEY
METHODIST
CHURCH
AUTUMN FAYRE
SATURDAY
4th NOVEMBER
10AM - 12 NOON
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DEADLINE FOR THE DECEMBER MAGAZINE
MONDAY 13th NOVEMBER
Material to Mary Maskell, Caldew Cottage, The Green, 250524 AND Carole Allington, Poplar House, Station Road, 251086.
Please mark all material - “Parish Magazine”
email: [email protected] AND [email protected]
IMPORTANT - PLEASE SEND ALL INFORMATION TO BOTH OF US
Great Bentley Website: www.greatbentleyparishcouncil.co.uk
WELCOME
We welcome Sue and Allan Heffernan to Heathfield, St Mary’s Road
and Rita who has just moved into 4 Robin Close
FOR SALE
White microwave oven. Brand new and unused.
Panasonic model NN-E281MM.
£35
Phone Fay on 01206 250755
* * * *
Cradle part for Dyson DC01. New and still in original packing.
Unfortunately my Dyson broke down after I had ordered the above part
and was not repairable, hence sale of the cradle part.
£5 (no offers)
Mother of the bride wedding outfit, size 8 Outfit includes grey patterned skirt,
plain grey bodice, plain grey shrug, plain grey silk ribbon decorated hat.
Worn once only £300
Tel: 01206 251606
FRIENDS OF THE GREEN
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY 29th NOVEMBER
7.00pm
CHURCH VESTRY ROOM ST MARY’S CHURCH, GREAT BENTLEY
ALL WELCOME
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A Date for your Diary
CHOIR FROM SCRATCH
CALLING ALL SINGERSEE.
Sunday 17th December St Mary’s Church
Carol Service You are invited to join us at 2.00pm until about 5pm on 17th December in Church. We will practice the carols that afternoon. No experience necessary and you do not have to attend church to be involved. We will then perform at the Carol Service that evening at 6.30pm. If you would like to join this special choir for the day please ring me so I can get some idea of numbers. Do join us. Fiona Bodmer 01206 251321
The Closure of the Great Bentley Library in
1993 run by Betty Harvey assisted by Ruth Wynn
Betty forgets the children so ‘Come on’’ - own up - are you still in the village? Are you still reading? Betty would like to know.
THERE WILL BE A
CHURCHYARD CLEAR-UP
on
SATURDAY 25th NOVEMBER
All welcome to come along and help. Please bring along your own rakes
Start time will be 9.30am
Library Van
At a recent Parish Council meeting a discussion took place regarding the mobile libraries that visit Great Bentley. Apparently, the number of visiting vans that tour our area are to be cut from 9 to 2 and consequently a survey was undertaken at the meeting as to where and how often it would visit. It was to be noted that a lengthy discussion took place with input from the public after which a conclusion was reached to most people’s satisfaction. The following day I spoke to Betty Harvey who ran the village library for 20 years and was involved with it for 37. The library was run from the school and it had at one time over 300 members. It closed in 1993 when mobile vans took over. At that time it was one of the oldest libraries in Essex. Betty also confirmed her belief in the importance of books for the older people, which was highlighted at the Parish Council meeting. She also made available a photograph (see below) with library members and her helper Ruth Wynn. This was taken near the closure time and it would be interesting to Betty and others to know who the children are, if they are still in the village and if they are still reading! Michael Dorling
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ST MARY’S CHURCH
GREAT BENTLEY
CHRISTMAS TREE
& CRIB FESTIVAL
Theme: Hobbies
SATURDAY 9th DECEMBER
10.00am - 4.00pm
SUNDAY 10th DECEMBER
11am - 4.00pm
Christmas Food Stall Christmas Gifts/Crafts
Light Lunches and Refreshments Tombola and Raffle
Entrance £1.00
Children free
If you think you would like to do your own Christmas tree please
contact Carole Allington for details 01206 251086
email: [email protected]
St Mary’s Church will be
having a
‘Shared Christmas Meal’ for those who have lost a loved one.
on
Saturday 2nd December in the Vestry Room
12.30 for 1pm
Numbers are limited so if you would like to join us please
contact Wendy Smith
01206 250098 before 23rd November
CHRISTMAS POST Once again the 1st Great Bentley Brownies will be collecting Christmas post for delivery in the village and Aingers Green on Saturdays 2nd, 9th & 16th December. We will be by the village sign from 9am to 12pm and we guarantee delivery within the week and all outlying areas will receive one delivery prior to Christmas Eve. We charge just 20p per card with all monies raised going towards pack funds. If any house bound or elderly residents require collection please contact me on 07751455132 or 01206 252244 and I will be happy to arrange this. Nean Powel (Brown Owl 1st Gt Bentley Brownies)
Now is the time to start thinking about making Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings. We would be very grateful for any fruit cakes and puddings to sell at the Christmas Tree Festival. Cakes for refreshments would also be appreciated on the day. Please contact Penny Evans-Jones 01206 250541 if you would be able to help in this way. Also we would appreciate donations of brand new gifts, tombola and raffle prizes. If you can help please contact Carole Allington on 01206 251086 or leave at Poplar House, Station Road, Great Bentley Thank you
14
NEW ADVERTISTERS
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Butterfly Celebrants Bespoke weddings: Vow renewals: Baby naming ceremonies: Your location of choice, spiritual, individual: Celebration of life funerals/memorials and ash scattering services. Patricia Darling - 07842 835232 butterflycelebants.co.uk/[email protected] MDH Gardening Services Experienced gardener offering a professional, reliable, affordable service. All aspects of gardening maintenance, lawn mowing, soft and hard landscaping, fencing repairs and replacement undertaken. No job too small. Please contact Matthew on 07925 896249. email: [email protected] Ellisons Solicitors One of the East of England’s oldest established legal practices with offices in Colchester, Ipswich, Frinton on Sea, Clacton on Sea and Dovercourt. Call today on 01206 764477 or email: [email protected] Caroline’s Foot Clinic. If your feet need a treat. Foot health check and advice: Nail trimming: Reduction of thickened nails: Removal of corns and callus: In-growing nails and cracked heals: Application of moisturising foot cream: General care of feet: Or if you just want your feet pampered. Phone Caroline on 07903 206797 for an appointment in the Clinic or the Comfort of your own home. Caroline Hughes S.A.C. Dip (Foot Health Practice - Advanced) O.A. Dip(Foot Health Practitioner). Action Potential Simulation- a therapy treatment, sends a copy of the body's own electrical signals. Safe for all ages. This can help many conditions, Back pain, inflammation, Insomnia to name a few. If interested contact Brendan Gordon on 07561 882383 E-Mail [email protected] Need a Helping Hand - Cleaning, domestic chores, light gardening, shopping and appointment transport offered from £10 per hour. References available. Please contact Helen on 01206 820007/0793 076168. Riverside Fish & Chips - Every Wednesday night outside the Red Lion from 4.30pm. CC Disposal, Chris Clarke - Scrap metal removal. Garden/Shed and Unit clearance - 07779 247464. [email protected]:
Great Bentley Primary School
For those parents who are applying for Reception 2018 places,
we will be holding open days for Parents and Carers to tour the
school and ask any questions on the following day:
Thursday 9th November at 1.00pm and 2.00pm
Please contact the school office on 01206 250331 to book a place.
BENTLEY HOME DELIVERY SERVICE
Someone needed with a car for two mornings a week to cover my days off from the end of November.
Local round.
Please Ring Stephanie on 01206 250544 if you can help
15
Peter’s
Potterings
GRANTS
Village organisations are invited to submit a grant application to the Parish Council. Please e-mail me for an application form. Karen Paradise Clerk to Gt Bentley Parish Council The Community Resource Centre, Village Hall, Plough Road, Gt Bentley, CO7 8LG
Telephone: 01206 256410
email: [email protected]
I had some difficulty writing this month’s garden notes. It should be ‘things to do in November’ but October has been such a nice month that it is not easy to think about typical November weather and the jobs etc. associated with it. I cannot remember working up the allotment (or even the garden) where there is usually a keen breeze, just in my shirt sleeves and then still getting hot. Perhaps we get the odd day when it is cooler but to go for most of the month without my woolly vest and jumper is unheard of. This weather has also had an effect on the plants. Warm days, plenty of rain, and I am told, most influential is the lack of cool temperatures at night. Traditionally after a hot day time the plants cool off overnight, but double figure temperatures at night keep the plants growing. Unfortunately this makes the young plants lush and, whilst this may be good for spinach, lettuce etc. it is not so good for plants that have to stand the winter. This means that lots of the spring bedding plants like pansies will be putting on growth rather than staying stocky and compact and getting well established. It will be interesting to see how well they bloom next Spring. Talking about blooms how many of your Spring flowering shrubs have flowers on them at the moment? I am worried that they are using up the buds they need to produce flowers in the Spring. I do not have any apple trees in my garden but I have heard of someone who had apples ripening still and apple blossom all on the same tree. What a crazy mixed up world we live in, but at least the weather in the UK always keeps us guessing. Still let us get back to November. Keep on digging, especially if you have heavy soil so it can benefit from the frosts later on. I have held back on digging my land as it is very light and the weeds just seem to grow again, and so I am just running the hoe through and then I will dig in November and December, and hopefully the ground will stay nice and clean ready for next year’s seeds. Talking of seeds don’t forget to plant your early crop of broad beans so they germinate and produce small plants that will survive through January and February and then give a crop in early June. Look through the seed catalogue and make sure you use a hardy variety (such as Aquadulce) for the Autumn sowing and then a second crop sowed in January/February will follow on. Ask any youngster what November is most famous for and they will probably say Guy Fawkes. We were recently talking to some Americans who said they had seen an English programme on their television and Guy Fawkes was mentioned as well as the usual well stuffed guy on top of the bonfire,
they wanted to know what Guy Fawkes did and why he was remembered. Well a short version is Guy Fawkes along with another 12 young men in 1603 tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament as they felt the King and the members of Parliament were not helping the people (where have I heard that before?). So they packed 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar under the House of Lords but the authorities got to hear of the plan and discovered Guy Fawkes on November 5th. To celebrate the safety of the King and Parliament, bonfires were set alight thus starting this age old tradition. What’s that got to do with gardening you ask? Well before you set light to your bonfire please check to see that there are no hedgehogs making a nice snug bed there so that they can over winter safely. Well I hope you enjoy November. The leaves will probably have turned colour and dropped off the trees so you can enjoy that most simple of pastimes, kicking your way through a pile of dry leaves and breathing in some frosty clear air. Oh what simple pleasures we all enjoy. Peter Allington
BENTLEY IN BLOOM
Soon the pansies will have all been planted out into the beds and we hope the weather is kind to them through the Winter so they give us lots of colour in the Spring. Thank you all for keeping an eye on the bedding plants and again thank you to all those people who give us donations to enable us to plant the hanging baskets that give us lovely colours throughout the Summer. Peter Allington Thank you Bentley in Bloom for all the lovely displays which we have thoroughly enjoyed. ED
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SURGERY NOTES Self-Check in screen – As we get busier at reception, it can at busy times create queues of patients waiting to speak to a member of staff. There is something everyone can do to help reduce queues and improve overall service. We had a new check in machine installed earlier this year which is much easier to use than the old one and is also much more reliable. If you’ve not tried it yet, please do! It’s very straight forward and our receptionists are always happy to help you learn how to use it. All you have to do is press the
screen on the big start button and then answer simple questions like are you male or female? What month were you born in? and what date in that month were you born on? Just these three questions will tell the screen who you are and it will display your name asking you to confirm it’s correct. Clicking yes will then display a message telling you that you’ve been ‘arrived’ for your appointment. Why not give it a go? With winter fast approaching we would like to give you some hints and tips to help yourself (and the surgery) during this winter season. It’s likely to be our busiest winter yet, so it’s essential that where appropriate our patients self-care. Remember there’s no cure for the common cold which is something that we don’t seem to hear as much as we used to! Colds: You can prevent colds by washing your hands regularly. This destroys the bugs you may have picked up from touching surfaces used by other people. TIP: Use disposable tissues instead of cloth handkerchiefs to avoid constantly re-infecting your own hands. Sore throats: Sore throats are common in winter and are almost always caused by viral infections. TIP: Gargle with warm, salty water. It won’t heal the infection, but its anti-inflammatory properties will have a soothing effect. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a glass of part-cooled boiled water. Asthma: Cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath. TIP: Stay indoors on very cold, windy days. If you do go out, wear a scarf over your mouth and nose. Norovirus: Also known as winter vomiting bug. It’s unpleasant but normally over within a couple of days. TIP: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Painful joints: Many people with arthritis say their joints become more painful in winter. TIP: Some people get a little depressed during winter and this can make everything feel worse. Daily exercise can boost your mental and physical state, and swimming is ideal as it’s easy on the joints. Cold hands: Fingers can go white, then blue, then red and throb and tingle. It’s a sign of poor circulation in the small blood vessels in the hands and feet. TIP: Don’t smoke or drink caffeine as they can both worsen the symptoms. Always wrap up well in the cold. Dry skin: Is a common condition and often worse during the winter, when environmental humidity is low. TIP: Have warm, rather than hot showers. Water that is too hot makes skin feel more dry and itchy. Flu: Is a major killer of the elderly and people with long term health problems, such as diabetes and kidney disease. TIP: Find out if you’re in a high risk group by asking your GP and have a vaccination if you are. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most common reasons for people being admitted to hospital during the winter.
Richard P Miller - Practice Manager
The Patient Participation Group will be holding its monthly meeting at 6.30pm on Thursday 16th November at the Great Bentley Village Hall.
17
PLEASE NOTE
The Parish Magazine is available on the Parish Council website If you do not wish your information to be published on the website please let us know
when you submit your article. Thank you
A FEW NOTES FROM YOUR DISTRICT COUNCILLOR Tendring District Council’s Car Parks are even safer Three more car parks in Clacton have been nationally awarded for having been crime free for 12 months, this brings the total number of Car Park awards for Tendring to eleven. The car parks are Clacton’s Martello Coach and Car park, Hazelmere Road, Clacton, Alton Road Clacton, Jaywick Beach, High Street Clacton, Agate Road Clacton, Elm Grove Clacton, Ipswich Road Holland, High Street Walton, Tower Street Brightlingsea, and Wellington Road Harwich. RSPCA Gold Awards for Animal Welfare Tendring District Council has again won two gold awards for how it cares for animals. Top marks were given for “animal establishment licensing and dealing with stray dogs” in the RSPCA’s Community Welfare Footprints scheme. A bronze award was also achieved relating to council housing. Clacton Seafront Parkrun The popular parkrun has reached its first birthday. More than 1400 hundred people have completed a distance of 28,000km over the twelve-month period. The event is free and the aim is to promote healthier lifestyles for residents. It is not a race and some people who join in walk the five-kilometre course, there is a volunteer tail walker who is there to ensure those who are last do not finish on their own. Due to its popularity TDC is looking to include younger participants to take part in the Harwich and Clacton Parkruns over a shorter course of two kilometres, this will be aimed at the 4 to 14 years age group. There is a core team of six volunteers who put on the event every Saturday morning and act as marshals and timekeepers. Anyone wanting to help establish a Junior Parkrun in either Clacton or Harwich please email TDC’s Public Health Improvement Co-ordinator, Cassie Barrett, at [email protected] or call her on 01255 686141 The Clacton Seafront parkrun starts at 9am from The Beach Diner next to the Martello Car Park on Clacton seafront. You need to register to get your ID barcode or if you require any further information, please go to www.parkrun.org.uk/clactonseafront/ Chairman’s Quiz Night The Chairman’s Annual Charity Quiz Night event is to be held at the Prince’s Theatre Clacton on Friday 1st December with the doors opening at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. The quiz runs in conjunction with the Lions Club of Clacton on Sea. The cost is £3.50 per person and teams can be made up of four to six people. To enter go to www.quizline.org.uk or ring 01255 426262. The Chairman has chosen the Stoma Awareness Charity for this event (www.colostomyuk.org/get-involved/colostomy-day) Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns; I am always very pleased to help and hear from you. Many thanks
Cllr. Lynda McWilliams Tendring District Councillor to the Ward of Great Bentley and TDC Cabinet Member for Health and Education (including Partnerships)
email address [email protected] Telephone number 01206 250732
18
GREAT BENTLEY RUNNING CLUB Two of our members turned triathletes and were included as part of the Great British Team in the ITU World Tri Grand Final in Rotterdam the weekend of 16th-17th September. Sam Godden completed the Sprint event (750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run) finishing in 22nd place in her age group whilst Anna Mills was 50th in her age group in the Olympic distance event (1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run). A brilliant result for both ladies and huge congratulations for not only qualifying but also putting in great performances. Other races that weekend saw Debs Cubberley and Paul Hollidge at the Dorney Lake marathon. The run was a 1.3 mile out and back route which they complete a mere 10 times alongside the Olympic boat lake. With distance training not being top of the list at the moment the pair completed the 26.2 in about 4 hours and 27 minutes.
Distance was also the name of the game for Charlie Keitch and Kim Chatting who ran half marathons over the weekend. Keitch revisited Hatfield Forest for this trail half which he likened to a long cross country race following last week’s rain. He was an agonising 6 seconds off his 90 minute target finishing 7th overall in 1:30:06. Going slightly further afield Chatting took on the Jessy half marathon in Switzerland a run that earned her a club silver standard with her finish time of 1:50:03. The lanes around Dedham were well trodden as well with the Dedham 10k, a run that encompasses many of the hills that we have in the area so a tough course for recording good times. However, this didn’t hamper our runners Anthea Colsell ran a personal best and gained a bronze standard with her run finishing in 53:50. The ever improving Paul Connell also recorded a PB finishing in a speedy 40:18, that sub 40 run is not far away. Finally Sarah Fletcher returned to racing after injury and recorded a very fine finishing time of 49:55. Sunday 17th also saw Junior parkrun being run at the Rec in Colchester, this is a run that Angel Jasper has been improving at most weekends recently. Well this Sunday she recorded three personal records in one race, I’ll let her dad Mark’s words explain how: Record One – Finishing in her highest ever position of 13th overall out of 127 runners! Record Two – Finishing as the first female overall in the whole race, the first time she has ever achieved this! Record Three – Finishing in a brand new PB time of 9m49s, beating her old PB by 4s! So it’s parkrun time, this week we had no tourists out and about so just the 3 local events to tell you about. Firstly at Colchester we had 8 runners with Jake Darkins leading the blue vests home in 20:06 followed by Del Godden (21:22), Charlie Keitch (with a windswept Cassius in his buggy) (23:48), having a “recovery” run were Paul Hollidge and Debs Cubberley who finished in 26:31 a new course PB for the recovering Debs! Claudia Keitch (28:18), Scott Young (28:23) and Luke Groves (28:24) made up the Bentley representation this week. Matt Jones enjoyed the prom run over at Clacton recording a new course PB with a finish of 20:50, Ray Baggs continues his consistent running finishing in (19:55), Heather England (30:09) and Alison Clarke (31:28) also toed the line at Clacton this week. Finally, over at Harwich Ben Ficken and Janice the dog had an eventful run which included a late arrival and a toilet stop but still recorded a swift 20:06. Kevin James (23:46), John Bush (33:41) and Sandra James (37:16) took on the 5k prom run on Saturday to end a very busy weekend of running. Paul Carlisle
In response to Vic Chilvers regarding 'my opinion' on the issue of the bikers. I'm glad to let you know that it certainly isn't just 'my opinion' on the bikers continually breaking the speed limit and causing danger and fumes here in Bentley, as everyone that I have spoken to agrees with the problems. If Vic had some sense he would know the difference between cars, vans and lorries having to go to work and the sad bikers who just annoy us for their own pleasure. I will be using my mobile speed gun next year every Wednesday night and sending all the information to the police. Dave Salmon
Catalonia Northern Spain. When I was about 13 years of age, France went to war over this part of Spain, killing hundreds of people. I remember it because hundreds of boys and girls were brought to England. They were housed, if I remember, in an empty school in Farnborough Lanes. I lived in the next village, so we came in contact with them. We played football against the boys. All went well until one of them was hacked, then a fight broke out. I hope War doesn’t break out. If they want to leave let them. If Wales wanted to leave England I am sure we would let them rather than squabble! Catalonia is no different. Doug Gibbs
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
19
Farming Diaries As the air temperatures start to tail off the soil temperatures will also start to fall (albeit at a slower rate to the air temperatures) it will result in the slowing down of crop growth at this stage of the cropping year. Crop growth will almost slow to a standstill through the cold winter months before kick starting its development when temperatures begin to rise again in the spring. You can relate this to your garden lawn in terms of when we move from summer to autumn the requirement to cut the grass reduces and then stops
completely during the winter months as little or no growth occurs when the soil temperature is below 2 ̊ C. During this time the arable side of a farming business may slow down bar pre-winter ploughing. This is so that the frost can weather the soil to help with spring cultivations prior to drilling spring crops. The livestock side will still carry on its long hours rearing calves and fattening cows for market. Cattle which for many months of the year are outside on grassland are brought into sheds in farmyards so as to not cause poaching (poaching is the heavy use of land around a feeder which can result in compaction and waterlogging during the winter months) and soil erosion around feeders and water troughs when the land is wet. The new lambing season will also soon creep upon us. Many farmers locally carry out and plan conservation work at this time of the year which can benefit a wide range of wildlife. An example of this work is the management of hedgerows in the form of rotational cutting and the planting of new hedges which can provide habitats for various birds such as thrushes and turtle doves. Many people think that hedgerow removal is a big problem but in fact far more hedges have been planted in recent years than have been removed previously. No one hedge can provide optimal requirements for all birds so you often see a variety of species in a hedgerow. Nearly all farmland birds that use hedges require dense cover for successful breeding as well as roosting, shelter, feeding and escape from predators. Plants such as dog-rose, blackthorn and hawthorn make ideal nesting places. The growth habit of these species make it much easier for birds to conceal their nests from predators and raise young successfully. At this time of year blackberries, haws, sloes and other berries are an important food source for many farmland birds including fattening summer migrants like warblers before their long flight south and over wintering thrushes such as redwings and fieldfares. Some of the local farms have shoots on their land. The cover crops such as millet, sorghum, kale and mustard can provide food for many songbirds including finches as well as providing nesting, brood rearing cover and shelter for game birds such as partridges and pheasants. Many studies have shown that there is a far greater number and variety of farmland birds where there is a shoot. Pollen and nectar mixes are also planted which benefit the many bee species we have in the UK. These mixes contain a variety of species such as phacelia, fescues, vetches, clovers and campions. These plants flower at different times to extend the overall flowering period of the area planted and therefore extending the length of time pollen and nectar is available to the bees. You can also plant species in your own garden to provide food for bees including lavender, verbenas, scabious and buddleias. Vicki Brooks
Great Bentley Wine Tasting Group
For further details please contact Colin and Roni on 01206 252157 or e mail [email protected] The wine tasting group established in August 2012 continues to hold enjoyable and informative evenings. For details please contact the above. Free advice available too, so please do contact me. The following wines come highly recommended for you to try and are perfect for drinking now:
VIRE CLESSE FLORENT ROUVE BLANC 2014 Marks & Spencer £14.49
Wonderful wine and sure to impress. This is classic white Burgundy with great balance. Dry, mineral and complex. Drinking beautifully and works really well with chicken and fish dishes.
SAVIGNY LES BEAUNE ler CRU LES PEUILLETS, JEAN JACQUES GIRARD 2015 Co-op £15.99
Great value red Burgundy from an excellent year. This is fruity and packed with flavour, yet light in body with an impressive finish. Buy two, drink one now and partner the other with the turkey. Next wine tasting 24th November - If you would like to come along in 2017 do give me a call or drop me an e-mail.
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Pet Notes As the seasons change and days grow colder, those of us with arthritis may start to feel the familiar pain more. The same can be said for dogs (and a smaller proportion of cats). This month’s article will focus on arthritis and what it means for our four-legged companions. Q. What is arthritis? A. Arthritis refers to inflammation of a joint. Inside a joint, bone surfaces are normally covered with a thin layer of very smooth cartilage, lubricated with a small amount of joint fluid that allows the two surfaces to glide freely over one another with minimum friction. In arthritis, cartilage within the joint undergoes change or damage, becoming less smooth and resulting in the bone surfaces rubbing together. This causes discomfort to your dog, as well as further damage to cartilage. As a direct result of this increased friction, new bone starts to form around the joint making the joint stiffer, which limits its movement even more - a condition known as degenerative joint disease. Below you can see two hip joints. The one on the left is a normal joint and the one on the right has arthritis. You can imagine the pain resulting from movement of the arthritic hip. Q. Which dogs are at the highest risk of developing arthritis? A. Arthritis is most common in elderly dogs but can occur earlier in life following bone and joint problems, such as ligament tears and bone fractures. Q. What are the symptoms? A. Some dogs are incredibly stoic and may not make a sound indicative of pain even when the arthritic joint is examined by a veterinarian. Symptoms therefore can be subtle and often worsen gradually over time. They include:
• Difficulty rising
• Appearing to be “stiff” following long periods of rest then “loosening” once they begin to exercise
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Lameness
• Licking a joint
• Slowing down
• Grumpiness Q. What are the treatment options? A. Happily there are many different treatment options which can be used singly or in combination with others. Your vet can advise you on which will be best for your dog. Here is a brief guide:
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (Nsaids), e.g. Rimadyl, Metacam, Previcox and several others Tablets, solution or injection
• Steroids, e.g. Prednisolone Tablets or injection
• Cartrophen, a disease modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) A course of four injections
• Opioids, e.g. Tramadol Tablets or capsules
• Gabapentin – historically used to control seizures but increasingly used for neuropathic pain
Tablets or capsules
• Neutraceuticals, e.g. glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate Many oral formulations
• Controlled exercise, e.g. hydrotherapy and weight loss
My first line of treatment for arthritis in an otherwise healthy dog consists of controlled exercise in combination with an NSAID as it provides pain relief and is anti-inflammatory. Nsaids must be used under veterinary guidance to avoid side effects and are not suitable in every dog, for example, those with liver or kidney disease.
Dr April Young MRCVS BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAS
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CLUBS &
ORGANISATIONS
GREAT BENTLEY GARDENING CLUB
Our next meeting is on Tuesday November 21st when Andrew Tann will talk on ‘Apple farming”. As usual, the meeting starts at 8.00pm. It is good to welcome a few new members to our activities. October’s meeting was a bit different as our speaker was unable to be with us. In his stead we had a practical evening with members creating an Autumn floral arrangement. Much fun was had by all. Our Christmas party is on Tuesday 19th December at the earlier start.
BENTLEY GREEN LADIES CLUB
Edna Sitch welcomed members and 2 visitors to our October meeting. We had a very enjoyable hour and a half watching and listening to Sandra Price showing us how to ‘flower arrange’ and telling us stories of her family. She made the arrangements look so easy! The six arrangements were then raffled. Sandra was thanked and was told that she was to come back soon. We were able to send £300 to Essex Air Ambulance as our charity for 2017. We would like to thank Ann Fisher for the great arrangements she did for the Methodist Church and St Mary’s Church Flower Festivals. Dates for your diary:
• Wednesday 15th November – cakes for St Helena Hospice. Please take cakes to Marion at 26 Pine Close before 12 noon.
• Christmas lunch – if you were unable to be at the October meeting please contact Stephanie on 250544 for a menu.
• Tuesday 7th November – Ray Spiller will be entertaining us – nibbles will be provided but please bring your own drink. Tea and coffee will be available.
THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB
We welcomed Margaret Brehaut to our September meeting who came along with her beautiful collection of Vintage Clothing. Looking at the underwear in particular, made us realise how much easier it is nowadays to dress ready for the day. As for the evening wear for those who could afford it, they certainly covered a lot more than some of the fashions of today. Apart from the clothes, we were very fortunate to have our very own model - Joan - who strutted the ‘cat walk’ so professionally. To conclude the afternoon, (because in the past our September meeting always took the form of a Harvest Festival service). Joye reminded us about the changes in farming comparing the workers of the 19th century to the present day and we then sang some Harvest hymns. Our gifts used to be received by members of the Salvation Army and more recently the Food Bank but now that our membership is so much smaller it was decided that in future each member would take their harvest gifts to whoever they chose. Our next meeting will be on November 22nd when Barbara Faulkner will tell us the history of the Gingerbread Man. The Christmas Buffet will take place on December 21st at Westwood House at 1pm. Everyone is welcome but please let me know numbers at the next meeting to help Angie with the catering. Thank you Joye
ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST
Thursday 23rd November “Seawalls” by Dr Tim Gardiner
Great Bentley Village Hall, 7.30pm
ART CLUB
Village Hall, 7.30pm
Tuesday 14th November
Annual General Meeting/Committee Meeting
Tuesday 28th November
Design and make a Christmas card or decoration
HISTORY SOCIETY
Thursday 9th November
Village Hall, 7.30pm
Nick Ashton from the British Museum will talk about “The Happisburgh Footprints -
the earliest humanoid footprints outside Africa”
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Great Bentley Pre-school
www.greatbentleypreschool.co.uk
VILLAGE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON
Sunday 3rd December
We will be switching on the village
lights at approximately 6.00pm
More details next month
VILLAGE SHOW AGM
Wednesday 29th November
8.00pm
St Mary’s Church
Vestry Room
Theme
Our theme ‘Under the Sea’ continues this month. This will be incorporated within craft ideas, stories, general discussions and play opportunities. When we return after half term the theme will be ‘Celebrations’, this will begin with Halloween where the children will be coming in their costumes and Guy Fawkes night that are celebrated the first week back.
The Friendship Club
On Wednesday 1st November we have invited the local Friendship Club to come in and enjoy an afternoon of interacting and playing with the children. The Friendship Club is a group of more mature residents that get together once a month and are based in the Village Hall too. They often express their interest in the children during their meetings so we thought it would be lovely to bring both groups, of totally different ages/eras, together. We are looking forward to this very much and hope it is something that we will be able to continue doing and extend on in the future.
Autism Coffee Morning
Our next coffee morning is booked for Wednesday 8th November at 1:30 in the Village Hall. As always these sessions are held to support parents with children on the Autistic Spectrum or for parents who are concerned and want to find out more about it. We look forward to welcoming new people so if you are interested please come along and join us. Children In Need
On Friday 17th November we will be taking part in the annual charity event Children In Need. We will be collecting any spare pennies to send on and for these pennies we will be doing lots of baking with the children in the group and asking that they come in wearing anything with spots to support this event. Christmas Nativity
The festive season is nearly upon us so the dates for our Nativity this year are Monday 27th November at 6:00pm and Tuesday 28th November at 2:00 pm. We will again be performing it in St Mary’s Church and as always we are extremely thankful for being able to perform our production in their wonderful setting. This has proven to be a perfect place in the past years and really sets everyone in the mood for Christmas. We totally appreciate the use of the Church and I would personally like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Reverend Sharon Miles and all the relevant members of the Church for allowing this to happen; it really does make it extra special. Thanks for reading Julie Wiles
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Not another Incomer! JE 2017
I wonder what it is like to be a penguin? Not the chocolate one, the feathered smelly one that begins its life standing with hundreds of others looking like a bird, a bird that cannot fly. But the chick isn’t aware that most birds fly, it appears to the young confused fledgling that everyone else around it takes to the water to swim, to find food, remaining together to defend themselves from that big bitey thing that eats them. Instinct tells it that if it is not part of that big group it will die. Pretty serious stuff. However, the little penguin is already part of the big group, under the watchful eye of mam and dad but soon will have to show everyone that it can feed itself and defend its scant territory. It has no option other than to dive into that freezing water. Until then it is just another new arrival, an incomer!
So what of humans? On several occasions, perhaps through circumstance, we too have to dive into the metaphorical water and settle in a new environment, be an incomer into a new neighbourhood. The Welsh are supposed to “keep a welcome in the hillside” but reputedly fail to do so. “Wales? You’re from Wales! I walked into a pub in Wales,” a chap once said to me, “where everyone in the pub was speaking in English but as soon as I ordered my pint in English, people immediately began talking in Welsh.” That story we expect to hear wherever we go including several episodes in various parts of Australia, a global circulation which embarrassingly suggests that it must be true. However, I cannot deny that, in the past, Conwy, my home town took some beating when it came to shunning incomers, be they tourists, new businesses, shops or restaurants and born out of this defensive shield emerged a self-appointed guardian, an elite group through which approval of entry into the community could be gained. The group was called ‘The Jackdaws’, those citizens who were born within the historic town walls and who at birth became members of the ‘Jackdaw Society’, so named after the birds that nest within the crevices of the walls’ stonework. The Jackdaw was ‘symbolic’ the group suggested, a living reminder of its heritage and the keeper of Conwy’s Welsh culture and tradition. It was twaddle of course because the walls were built by an incomer, Edward 1 and the choice of icon was also flawed as the jackdaw is by nature a scavenging thief!
The thrust of the Jackdaw Society however was admirable, mainly a gathering of friends engaged in fund raising on behalf of several charities and many of the members were kind and positive in their efforts but some of them sadly wore the Jackdaw image as a tin star. Stephen J Lockwood of Deganwy, north Wales offered an insight into this seemingly widespread problem when he wrote a letter to the editor of a prominent newspaper last weekend about a friend he has in Conwy. He wrote about the ‘Jackdaws’ (citizens born within the town walls, OK, we’ve got that bit) who still refer to his friend, a nonagenarian as ‘Incomer John’, although his grandfather arrived from Morecombe in the late 19th century. Hopefully Mr Lockwood wrote his letter in jest.
Conwy is undoubtedly a beautiful place and it is understandable that locals are proud but its fame owes much to the incomer in that the said castle and walls, suspension and tubular bridges, the principal sites of attraction were all built by incomers. Plas Mawr (Great Mansion in English) however was of Welsh ownership, stands majestically in the centre of the town and boasts the presence of a ghost. Spirit hunters, armed with the latest surveillance gadgetry flock to this Elizabethan townhouse to catch a glimpse of the residing phantom and dozens of Web sites tell of people’s ‘I didn’t see anything but I know there was something there’ experiences. My nain* met the ghost back in the 1930’s when, working as a cleaner, a scary force refused to allow her to pass through a doorway. Try telling my nain* there is no ghost! Today of course every Jackdaw in town has seen the whispery image at some time or other and the dwindling few who still survive (with every local death, the number decreases) probably declare a bond with the spirit having finally welcomed it into the community. It could well transpire that the ghost, having become a Jackdaw will eventually be the only one left. When Plas Mawr inevitably becomes the next Wetherspoon pub, an incomer will enter to find the ghost standing at the bar speaking in English. The incomer will politely order his pint and, as he takes a sip, the non-being will natter away in Welsh. Ahh, evidence indeed that the ghost is a member of the Jackdaw Society. Are ghosts multilingual?
The statue of Llewelyn ap Iorwerth (no, he didn’t play for Liverpool) still today dominates the small square of the town, a square full of Italian ice cream parlours, Indian restaurants and Chinese takeaways all of which appear to be thriving rather better than the Welsh seaweed sandwich bars. The ‘Welcome to Conwy’ fridge magnets available in the many trinket shops come with a choice of pictures, either Edward’s castle or Telford’s suspension bridge and in plentiful supply are genuine Welsh slate drinks coasters or fluffy Welsh dragons which resemble gerbils. The ‘Made in China’ label on the back is of no consequence to the visitor who arrives from all parts of the world to see Conwy, one of the hottest tourist attractions in Wales! It is buzzing, brought about by the investment, the expertise and the drive of the incomer. To thousands of tourists, finally there really is a welcome in the hillside.
And we Jackdaws are the beneficiaries.
Footnote Nain* = Nan or grandmother
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NATURE NOTES
Travelling round this district at present confirms the number of building projects now under way. Almost every bit of frontage it seems is being utilised not just for one or two but often four or five houses, sometimes little Closes are ingeniously fitted in. The next phase of larger estates has mainly not quite started but hoardings trumpet their imminent arrival. Other even more ambitious schemes are still often wearing down planning objections to win through, perhaps slightly modified from their original grandiose proposals. All this change is unsettling even though long heralded in the name of government housing targets. Locally it feels that the type of housing being built will largely attract folk coming out from Greater London, rather than local, first-time buyers. Such a population drift has occurred for generations but the scale of development now underway is different - in recent decades at least. Tendring District being the poor relation on the margins of the county has affected our economic status and towns like Clacton, Harwich and Walton have their difficulties, but it has had its upsides as well. Whether a building boom will trickle down and genuinely boost the locality is debateable. It may be queried why this topic has hijacked a wildlife column but the changes in the built environment will change our villages, countryside and urban fringes. Most of the development land is not on prime wildlife habitat but there will be the overall impact from more population and all the related infrastructure and disturbance including ever more traffic speeding down small country roads. Interest in wildlife and countryside provides some meditative balance from life’s other pressures. There are concerns that although well-portrayed on television, people - especially children - are increasingly divorced from the “great outdoors”. The pressure on and high value of land makes the little “eccentric”, previously overlooked rough patches where wildlife can exist under increasing threat. All this can feel depressing with wildlife studies often cataloguing decline and loss. The Tendring Wildflower Group’s recent surveys have confirmed some of these but there are also surprising examples of resilience and adaption given half a chance, even some fresh colonisation that we humans, while not breeding complacency, can learn and take heart from. DRB
For your diary:
Thurs 23rd Nov at 7.30pm “Seawalls: An Overlooked Coastal Habitat” -Illustrated talk by Dr Tim Gardiner [Environment Agency] at Gt Bentley village hall – organised by EWT Tendring local group
GREAT BENTLEY HISTORY SOCIETY
At the meeting in the Village Hall on Thursday 12th October the talk was given by Adrian Wright known to many as a popular WEA lecturer. He spoke about “Earth on Fire - Volcanoes” and held us all with his gripping account of dramatic eruptions, in particular the one that triggered the scientific study of volcanoes, volcanology. This was the outpouring of Mt. Pelée on Martinique in the West Indies. In April 1902 noxious gas and lava rushed out of its mouth covering the nearby terrain, killing many including 30 workers in a cotton mill. It went on with emissions until May when a fantastic firework display lit up the sky enthralling the onlookers. But this was followed quickly by a tremendous explosion. Vapour and poisonous gas and molten lava enveloped the town of St Pierre and set it ablaze. Most of the 30,000 inhabitants were killed! It set up a Tsunami and all the boats in the harbour were wrecked and the crews perished. Dust fell 100 miles out to sea. Torrential rain followed and sent mud slithering over the remains of the town. One person survived - a prisoner deep in his underground cell. Adrian went on to show photos of volcanoes in other parts of the world, to compare them, explain their positions and how they work and how some erupt after a regular number of years. Those in Yellowstone Park are thought to be in imminent danger of becoming active and causing tremendous damage as each eruption is stronger than the previous ones. However Adrian ended on an optimistic note - the surrounding rock at this particular hotspot is too hard for it to have too devastating an effect. It was an informative and amazing talk enjoyed by us all. Next meeting is on November 9th in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. Nick Aston from the British Museum will talk about “The Happisburgh Footprints - the earliest humanoid footprints outside Africa.” Do Come! BMT
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COOKERY NOTES
SMOKED HADDOCK PIE This looks very attractive when the pastry is puffed up and golden. The recipe serves six and can be frozen. Open freeze before wrapping and labelling, and use within three months.
Ingredients:
Half a kilo of smoked haddock fillet 250ml milk and water mixed + 3 tbsp milk 2 eggs 500g puff pastry Poach the haddock in a pan with the milk and water for about ten minutes until tender. Drain and flake the fish removing the skin and bones. Place in a bowl. In a separate bowl beat the eggs with 3 tablespoons of milk, reserving a little for glazing. Add some pepper and mix well into the fish. Roll the pastry thinly into a 14 inch square. Place on a large oiled baking tray diagonally so that the corners of the pastry overlap the sides of the tray. Spread the fish filling in the centre. Brush the pastry edges with water and fold two opposite corners into the centre to meet. Repeat with the other two corners, placing the last one on top and sealing like an envelope. Brush the whole pie with beaten egg and cook at 200 degrees for about 25 minutes until risen and golden.
BACALAO (SALT COD) Salt cod is extremely popular throughout Spain and is cooked in a variety of ways. This recipe is from the Basque region in Northern Spain. We stopped for a night at a remote Spanish “Hostal” and had a room with a wonderful view over the mountain ranges to the south, and the most uncomfortable bed ever! That evening we ate in the dining room, a sumptuous feast for the eyes, with wood panelling, high backed wooden chairs, pristine white tablecloths, engraved glass doors and an enormous carved sideboard laden with beautiful china and bowls full of fruit. The two sisters who ran the Hostal had already explained apologetically that there was only one main meal that evening \.. “Bacalao”\\ It was presented in individual bowls and was obviously fish, to my dismay. However hunger won and the piping hot dish was of course delicious! These ingredients will serve two hearty meals: Half a kilo of salt cod soaked in water for 24 hrs 20g seasoned flour 25ml olive oil 1 large onion chopped 1 garlic clove crushed 350g canned tomatoes 1 fresh chilli seeded and chopped 1 slice white bread 200g can pimientos drained and cut in strips 2 tbsp breadcrumbs 1 tbsp chopped parsley
Drain the cod and place in a large saucepan. Just cover with cold water and bring to the boil over a low heat. Remove from the heat and drain the fish. When the cod is cool enough, remove the skin and bones and cut the fish into smallish pieces. Coat these in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess and set aside. Fry the onion and garlic until soft in half the oil in a deep frying pan. Add the tomatoes and juice from the can and reduce the heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and fry the bread slice until evenly brown. Remove the bread and cut into small squares. Stir these and the chopped chilli into the tomato mixture and simmer for a further 10 minutes. Spread half the tomato mixture into a baking dish (or two individual ovenproof dishes) cover with the salt cod pieces and top with the remaining tomato mixture. Arrange the pimiento strips over the tomato, mix the breadcrumbs and parsley together and sprinkle over the top. Drizzle the remaining oil on the dish and cook for 15 to 20 minutes in a preheated oven (180 or 170 fan) until nicely browned. Serve at once. M.E.
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Wildlives Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre ‘Catkins’, Frating Road, Thorrington, Colchester CO7 8HT
www.facebook.com/Wildlives-Rescue-and-Rehabilitation-Centre-319226511587244/ Opening hours: 9:00 – 5:30 01206 251174 / 07802 767016
Outside of Wildlives’ hours, please call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 or log on to our website for advice on what to do with a
sick animal until we are open again in the morning. See the web site for extra pictures too!
Trip to vet results in more coming back than went… November 2017
When Rosie took three animals to the vet, she would normally expect to come back with the same number. On this occasion the consultation was interrupted by Juno, a fox who fell foul of traffic by St. Botolph’s roundabout. After being knocked semi-conscious she was circling in the road with drivers detouring round her. Fortunately for her one gentleman stopped, and took her straight to Colne Valley vets. Once she had been brought back to Wildlives she quickly regained full consciousness. She had sustained injuries to her chin, which were treated with long acting antibiotics. Normally foxes are returned to where they are found, but St. Botolphs roundabout is particularly busy and not a safe place for a fox, so she was released in Castle Park. She seemed to know exactly where she was, so clearly the park was within her normal range.
Seal pup transferred
A seal pup was found at Frinton, with a very high temperature and severe respiratory problems. When she had been stabilised at Wildlives she was transferred to East Winch
Water vole falls foul of weasel
A water vole, an endangered species, was brought in by Essex Wildlife Trust who saw it being attacked by a weasel. The vole sustained a prolapsed eye and severe head injuries but in spite of being taken to the vet the injuries were too severe and it died
Bonfire night
Remember that domestic pets as well as wild animals find fireworks very frightening. You can make life easier for them by choosing fireworks that do not make loud bangs, and by setting them off on firework night rather than spreading it out a week either side. And don’t forget to check your bonfire for sleepy hedgehogs before lighting it!
Cygnet saved from depression by new pal
A cygnet arrived at Wildlives after being found starving in the road. Despite parasite treatment and hand feeding, he became weaker and weaker. Then an adult swan was brought in covered in blood. This wasn’t as bad as it looked – as new feathers grow they have a blood supply and itch, so the swans preen them and can make them bleed. When the feathers are fully grown the blood supply cuts off. As soon as the cygnet saw the new swan they became inseparable, and from that point the cygnet gained weight and never looked back, although it still took another week of intensive care.
Registered Charity 1104167 Copyright Wildlives © 2017
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The Children’s Page
Guy Fawkes night occurs on the 5th November, and remembers the discovery of the now famous plan of 1605 to destroy the Houses of Parliament in London. Most people use the anniversary as an opportunity to hold a celebration which often includes setting off fireworks and holding a Bonfire party. Traditionally, these bonfires are topped with a ‘Guy’ – clothes stuffed with newspapers and sewn together in the shape of a person.
Make your own Bonfire Guy: You will need: • Old trousers and a long sleeved t-shirt
• Pillowcase
• Hat/gloves/socks
• Newspaper (lots!)
• Needle and threat (or heavy duty
sticky tape)
• Permanent or fabric marker
What to do: 1. Sew (or stick) the end of the trouser
legs together so there is no opening.
Also seal the long sleeved t-shirt
sleeves and base hem.
2. Stuff trousers and t-shirt with
newspaper – enough to make your
guy look like a real body!
3. Stuff pillowcase in the shape of a
head – you might want to only fill it
half full and then seal it off. Fill the
socks and gloves too.
4. Decorate the face of your guy, before
attaching the hat to his pillow head.
5. Attach all your body parts together
with stitches or tape.
Make sure to ask your parent/guardian if
it’s ok for you to use these things first!
E B F I R E W O R K
W B A N M U T U A P
N O N R E N F D C R
C N O S T L N T S U
W F O D A H V N E O
G I K M O C G S R L
S R E L K R A P S O
X E A B T F U A B C
T H E D G E H O G W
BONFIRE FLAME AUTUMN FIREWORK WOOD COLOUR HEDGEHOG SPARKLERS GUY
Although Bonfire Night is a fun night
for everyone involved, it also has the
potential to be dangerous. Make sure
to not get too close to the bonfire, and
that only adults are handling fireworks
– after thoroughly reading the
instructions. Always wear gloves when
holding sparklers, and wear
headphones if your ears begin to hurt
from the noise of the fireworks.
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Remember, Remember the 5th of November!
We all recognise that date, but what about these?
1. 14th October 1066
2. 15th June 1215
3. 25 October 1415 (think Henry V)
4. 29th July 1588
5. 2nd-6th September 1666
6. 16th December 1773 (think cup of tea!)
7. 21st October 1805
8. 18 June 1815
9. 24 May 1819
10. 20th November 1886 (Elementary my dear Watson!)
11. 31st March 1889 (think Paris!)
12. 1st March 1894 (think Paris…but smaller!)
13. 6th-15th April 1896 (think Athens!)
14. 25th July 1909 (think Dover to Calais!)
15. 11th November 1918
16. 5th December 1936
17. 21st December 1937 (Heigh ho, Heigh ho, it’s off to work we go!)
18. 2nd June 1953
19. 30th July 1966
20. 20th-21st July 1969
1.Battle of Hastings 2.Signing of Magna Carta 3.Battle of Agincourt 4.Defeat of Spanish Armada
5.Great Fire of London 6.Boston Tea Party 7.Battle of Trafalgar 8.Battle of Waterloo
9.Queen Victoria born 10.First appearance of Sherlock Holmes in Study in Scarlet 11.Opening of Eiffel Tower
12.Opening of Blackpool Tower 13.First modern Olympic Games 14.Louis Bleriot’s first flight across English
Channel 15.Signing of the Armistice 16.Abdication of Edward VIII 17.Walt Disney’s Snow White first shown
18.Coronation Elizabeth II 19.England wins World Cup 20.First moon landing
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The Last Great Bentley Carnival - 2017?
The figures are in and we can report back that we had an amazing year with a profit of over £5,000! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported the children. We had fantastic weather. We welcomed the return of the Youth Football club as beneficiaries and Pre-schools from Great Bromley and Thorrington joined the procession. The Silent Auction and BBQ were the best earners, both run by volunteers from outside the village community. Each beneficiary group received £400 and donations were made to Clacton “Relay for Life” Cancer charity, for running the Beer Tent and Tea Tent. Unfortunately the tents were damaged during the take down and this meant that we were unable to loan them out to The Bentley Show. £2,500 has been set aside to replace them, if required, in 2018. Aliya Whitson and Scarlet Best did an amazing job representing the village as Carnival Queen and Princess visiting 7 carnivals and winning several awards during the season. Clacton Carnival Court has been a wonderful support to us as we were unable to secure a vehicle to tow our float for some of the events. Hannah Pullen, Court Co-ordinator, has chaperoned them single-handedly with support from Adelle Rose and Nadge providing a tow vehicle. Although Hannah has enjoyed the season, she is unable to continue next year. Well done and thank you, Hannah. We also have to say Thank You and Goodbye to our Chair, Freddy Stringer. Freddy stepped up to ensure we had a carnival this year. When we asked him why, he said, “I couldn’t think of a good reason I shouldn’t or couldn’t do it”. Freddy has enjoyed his time and feels proud of what we have achieved as a committee but with the possibility that he will be moving out of the village, Freddy has decided to step down. Knowing we need new committee members, we leaflet dropped the entire village prior to the AGM, which was held on Thursday 12th October in the Village Hall. I am extremely saddened to report that NOT ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC showed up. We have an amazing resource on our doorsteps, the biggest village green in the country. We have only two community events on the green which are very well attended, so why is it so difficult to find people willing to help?? You have an opportunity to make the carnival relevant to the times, fun for all - and show our children what being part of a village community is all about. The demand made on our committee members is not great. Current members of the committee have many other commitments but are still able to make time for the village.
January 2018 will be the Final Carnival meeting, the remaining funds will be held in trust and the committee disbanded unless you, the community, decide that the Carnival is something you would like to continue to enjoy! If, like Freddy, you can’t think of a good reason why you couldn’t be part of this committee, then
please give us a call! Suzanna Twyman 07792 014404 - Secretary – The Great Bentley Carnival & Fete.
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TONY RAMPLING’S JOURNEY FROM NORMANDY LANDINGS TO GERMANY 61st
RECCE REGT
Waiting for D Day in tents in the New Forest. My regiment went in three lots D Day, D7 and D20. I went on D7 arriving on Gold Beach at about 5pm. We were dropped on about four feet of water in the armoured car. I was the Gunner Wireless Operator in the turret. Keen to get off the beach because of artillery fire we missed the regimental sign to follow. We finished up near the German front line getting towards dusk. Some infantry were around and gave us a mug of tea and we sat all night peering out of the armoured car. At dawn we retraced to Gold Beach, found the regimental sign and found our Squadron in a wood outside Bayeux. We then moved up to the front line where we were most of the time. We were either holding the front line or patrolling. At dusk we withdrew to a wooded area to hide up, and dug a trench to sleep in to avoid shrapnel from mortar bombs. Going to Caen we were in trenches on two occasions facing the enemy two small fields away, exchanging mortar fire for ten days. Our only sleep was standing up. We were unable to wash and unable to leave the trench for fear of being sniped. Food was brought down at night. During the forty days it took to get to Caen we were unable to take our boots off. During this period also we saw many cows and horses which had been killed by shrapnel or shot by the retreating Germans. Their carcases blown up like balloons and putrified, and chickens were picking off the maggots. Next was what is known as the Falaise Gap where an army was surrounded, bombed from above and shelled from around it. 10,000 Germans were killed and 50,000 were taken prisoners. The roads in the Falaise Gap were filled with the carnage of destroyed vehicles and dead soldiers laying in the sun, decomposing bodies alongside dead horses throughout this area. We had difficulty getting through this area and the stench was intolerable. It is documented that planes flying above at 10,000 feet complained of the stench. Then we had the Jerries on the run and we chased them through Belgium and our regiment was 65 miles ahead of the following army. They left snipers behind to slow us down. At this time I was in the leading armoured car. Two Jerries were spotted ahead and they ran into a cutting. I thought they would surrender but they started firing at us and I had to drop my sights hoping to only wound them. We moved on and the assault troop took over. Next was Arnhem where 10,000 British Paras were dropped. Apart from American and Polish, as has been well documented, this was a disaster as the area was packed with Germans. We were sent up the one main road from Antwerp to Arnhem known as Hells Highway. This road was under constant artillery fire. We got to the landing zone at Genkal Heath which was covered with smashed up gliders and parachutes. We managed to get up in the attics of Dutch houses and could see the Jerries over the river. The Germans pushed us out of Arnhem and we retreated to a place which was later called the island, because the Germans broke the dams and flooded the area. We were then sent to Iseghem in Belgium to be disbanded but this didn’t happen because the Germans started to attack in the Ardennes. We were sent there with orders to keep going until we met the enemy. At this time the Ardennes were frozen and covered in snow. We held a line on the River Maas. We were either sleeping in our armoured vehicles - like sleeping in a fridge - and if we were lucky we sometimes found some draughty barns. This campaign went on through December when the Germans were pushed back. In early January we were trucked to Brussels for forty eight hours so we could get a shower and some food. Then we were sent to Iseghem to be dispanded owing to casualties - 50% in the first 24 hours. Losses up to January 1945 - almost 76% out of their original numbers were either killed, wounded or missing. Our first Colonel Sir William Mount (Grandfather of David Cameron) was wounded on D1. He was flown back to England and didn’t return. Most of my regiment went as replacements to the 52 Recce. I went to the 44 Royal Tank Regiment 4th A. Brigade. I joined them in Holland and we were in action throughout Holland. The next big action was crossing the River Rhine when we went over at Wessel. I was in a crew of a DUKW (Duck) an amphibious vehicle. All our tanks we waterproofed ready for swimming over (they weighed 30 tons). Our crew had to go over the night proceeding the attack the following morning at
31
dawn. Our job was pathfinders to find a suitable sloping bank for the tanks to exit. There is a photo of our crew taken by a war correspondent in a book war diary 1939 - 1945. Then we were on our way to Brehmen which was decimated. The streets were reduced to brick rubble and very difficult to get through and on our way to Hamburg, which was the same, we had to search the area for Germans who had mainly fled and search remaining houses for weapons. We then finished up near Belson. We were encouraged to visit to see the terrible sights. I didn’t go. We went on to Lubec and then on to Schiewig Holstein. We turfed a Baron out of his castle and parked a row of tanks on his very large driveway. We slept in his castle and parked a row of tanks on his very large tanks on his very large driveway. We slept in his castle about 20 per room. He had a stable of good horses and I spent the next two months riding them. We had several prisoners to do the work, we were friendly with them. They had their freedom. By August all went wrong when I was taken ill with pleurisy, pneumonia and a collapsed lung. I was flown back on a stretcher and spent some 18 months in a total of six hospitals, eventually being discharged C3 with bad hearing due to explosives. Footnote: Some of the most basic things were the most difficult. Food tins of meat and vegetables were heated up by using a biscuit tin filled with earth soaked with petrol and another biscuit on top to heat up the tins. Bread was always in short supply. We had none at all for the first 3 weeks. If you were near the front line you could not light a fire so we had corned beef and hard biscuits (more like dog biscuits). Tea was made in buckets and tinned milk and sugar added. Washing was very difficult. The first real shower I had was 6 months after we landed. Sleeping was always a problem. I slept in pig sties and bullock yards but mostly in a trench. We very rarely slept under cover. A lot of this can be seen on my web site Tony Rampling 61st Recce Tony Rampling Great Bentley
THE JASMINE STORE GIFT SHOP
Alicia and Robin would like to thank the many people who joined them for the grand opening on Sunday 15th October. Our local celebrity, Norman, cut the ribbon and then prosecco and nibbles were served to the patiently waiting residents, friends and family who enjoyed an unexpected sunny afternoon! Come and visit us next to the Cricket Club overlooking the village green. We have a wonderful selection of unique gifts for all occasions with many carefully sourced products, cards and paintings from local artists and designers. The Jasmine Store, Jasmine Place, The Green, Great Bentley, CO7 8LY Tel: 01206 251481
Opening Times - Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5.00pm Saturday 10am - 4.00pm Sunday 11am - 4.00pm
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AN OUTLINE OF THE HISTORY OF GREAT BENTLEY STATION
The railway line, developed by the Tendring Hundred Railway Company, reached Great Bentley in 1865, and was opened for traffic in 1866. The station was originally called Bentley Green, but the name was changed in 1878. The main buildings are practically the same today as when they were built. A similar style of architecture was used for all the stations on the Colchester to Walton and Clacton line. There is a waiting room and one-time men’s lavatory on the up line, and a ticket office cum waiting room, and men’s and women’s “conveniences” on the down line. The waiting room boasts an unusual fireplace with the G.E.R.’s “dragon’s wing” motif. Adjoining the down line buildings is a handsome Stationmaster’s house. A signal box stood at the Weeley end of the up platform, and there was a tall signal on that side near the crossing gates at the Thorrington end. Before the gates were replaced by automatic barriers, there was a porter’s hut near the road on the down side. It was here that they sheltered between trains and waited for the bell to open the gates. At the Weeley end of the down side was a goods siding with yards and cattle pens, Great Bentley became an important centre for the handling of produce from surrounding villages, coal, corn, vegetables, sugar beet, fertilisers, cattle and even horses were loaded or off-loaded here. Milk was sent by early morning trains to Colchester and London. At first, there was just a single-line track through the station. It was doubled in 1890, giving two lines from Colchester to Thorpe. The coming of the railway wasn’t all sweetness and light. In the early 1870’s, large numbers of “undesirable people” came to Bentley for the Fair, held annually on the Green. The behaviour of these people became so bad that the Fairs were abolished in 1872, by order of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The first Stationmaster, in 1866, was Mr Samuel Clarbow aged 46, from Enfield. He and his wife and six other family members, occupied the house. Several men from the village were employed as porters, plate-layers and carters. The next Stationmaster was Mr Elijah Lee and his family, with William Ede, from the New Cut, as signalman. In the early 1900’s, Mr Arthur Heffer was Stationmaster, with Mr Alfred Cresswell as signalman. These people are still remembered, and they have been followed by many more. There seem to have been at least two uniformed porters, a signalman and a ticket clerk on duty at any one time, along with the smartly dressed Stationmaster. My memories go back to 1936 when I travelled by train every day to school in Clacton. The half fare was fourpence ha’penny return. Of course, that was in the age of steam and most of the trains had separate compartments - no corridors. There were “No Smoking” compartments, and those reserved for “Ladies Only”. The special thing about our station then was the gardens. Mr Barton, signalman, and the porters, spent their time between trains keeping the buildings clean and tidy and tending the flowerbeds and topiary, for which the up side gardens were famous. In the seventies, the children looked out for the gnomes, in the thirties for the church and settee, both carefully crafted from privet. My son, who travelled to school on the train in the sixties, recalls gnomes sitting round a toadstool, playing cards and a privet armchair on a well maintained piece of garden behind the down platform. The staff and Stationmaster won several certificates before the war, for Best Kept Station and Best Station Gardens. The white fence had disappeared, and some land behind it was used for gardens. A sunken garden on the road side of the up line waiting room later, in the sixties and seventies, housed plaster or concrete gnomes, a Donald Duck and a crocodile. Our neighbour, Enid Crowther, an artist of some repute, was entrusted with the job of repairing and repainting Donald, after he became a bit shabby. The crocodile went missing - possibly stolen. During World War II the porters went into the forces and their places were taken by two women, Phyllis Harding and Elsie Chapman. Phyllis was the daughter of Charlie Barton, the signalman, who kept the topiary in good shape. She enjoyed her time as a porter, even having to climb the ladders to change the signal lamps - the one by the gates, and others near Tye Bridge and Hall Farm Bridge. Once, when they were along the line, a German plane came hedge-hopping. “Lie down,” shouted the men, so they flung themselves on the ground and lived to tell the tale. The girls worked on the station till the War ended and the men came back.
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The highlight of that time had to be the day Phyllis’ husband, Ted, came home. She was helping the guard lift a pram down from the guard’s van when there was Ted, alighting in his Burma hat! The pram was forgotten, the kit-bag rolled away. Laughing and crying at the same time, into his arms she went - to the delight of a trainload of passengers hanging out of the windows. The War was over and the fifties brought more changes. The branch to Clacton was used as an experimental line when electrification came in 1959. It was continued to Liverpool Street in 1962. Because of the height of the power cables the elegant old footbridge had to be altered. You see this type of diamond trellis footbridge all over the country - many unspoilt, but ours had an ugly closed-in raised extension built at the top. It certainly takes your breath away if you have to use it to cross the line for your train. There have been so many changes over the years. The services provided and the large number of staff has dwindled from the early days. Now, the only person employed on the station is Chris, who mans the ticket office until 2pm. Various organisations have, in the past, taken responsibility for the upkeep of the gardens but they have now become overgrown, the topiary disappearing long ago. The signal box and the porters’ hut have gone and so have the old oil lamps. The signs and posters and paintwork have changed repeatedly and there is no longer a fire in the waiting room. But we do have flowers, in the form of hanging baskets, courtesy of Bentley in Bloom and the general appearance remains as it was. Above all, there is a very good timetable - a train each way every hour, gateway to any destination - can’t be bad.
Barbara Tricker - September 2012
Sequel - October 2017 Much has changed in the ensuing five years - the platform raised, the old seats replaced and Chris’ garden is still there although no Chris. But - and this is what prompted me to find the old History - a most awful thing has happened - the destruction of a railway icon - with the demolition of the canopy, the pillars with their wrought iron tops and the large waiting room on the up line. These are part of Great Bentley history wantonly destroyed - not progress in my book but pure vandalism. Barbara Tricker
Protect Great Bentley Property Development News Update
Here is the latest update on property development around the villageEE. Admirals Farm, 25 houses plus land for a surgery and Plough Road & Thorrington Road – 190 Dwellings plus surgery and additional land for the school We are awaiting appeal hearing dates for all of these applications as the respective developers and landowners wait to find out who will be next to benefit from the expansion of our village\.. There has been no further news on Plough Road (Station Fields 150) or Heckfords Road West. We still await detailed plans for these sites to be submitted and the outline approvals for 150 and 50 houses respectively are still in place.
• Let the Parish Clerk know your views. Contact Karen on 01206 256410 or email: [email protected] for items to be included on the agenda for Parish Council discussion, they need to be with the Clerk at least 1 week before the meeting.
• Keep informed, register on our website to receive news updates
• Attend your Parish Council Meetings on the first Thursday of every month. The next one is on 2nd November at 7.00 at the Village Hall. Agendas are on the PC website and in the village notice boards 1 week beforehand.
• Let us know your views: [email protected] www.protectgreatbentley.com
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GREAT BENTLEY PARISH COUNCIL
EXTRACT OF UNAPPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON 5th
OCTOBER 2017
New Fund Essex County Council has a new fund for Community Projects to support innovative projects that could inspire communities throughout Essex. This is not for capital funds. Community Governance Review The review was discussed and resolved that the Parish Council remain at 9 Councillors. An estimation of proposed electors in 2022 is to be drawn up. Mobile Library Consultation The review shows that the mobile library currently stops at Birch Avenue, Hall View Road, Larkfield Road, the Paddocks and Crossroads Triangle. The potential mobile library stops are Larkfield Road and Crossroads triangle. It was resolved to ask that the Mobile Library stops in the Village Hall car park for access for everyone. The timing of this stop is vital – it needs to be at primary school leaving time. If ECC support that the mobile library stops at the Village Hall, Great Bentley Parish Council will support the removal of stops at Birch Road, Hall View Road and the Paddocks. Cllr Plummer will liaise with Village Hall to get permission to use car park. Cllr Plummer will also ensure there is space for the Mobile Library to park. Cllr Goggin has asked that all who use the mobile library complete the questionnaire at libraries.essex.gov.uk or separate surveys are also available online for children and young people under 16 and in EasyRead. If they would rather complete the survey on paper, they can pick up a copy of the consultation pack at any library or mobile library and return it using the business reply envelope in the pack (no stamp needed). For help to complete the survey, or if someone would like it in large print or would like a printed copy of the children’s or EasyRead versions, please call 0345 603 7628. The deadline for replies is 6 November 2017. (See page 36) Hearing Loop
The Parish Council resolved to pay for a hearing loop for the Michael Wright Room at the Village Hall.
Friends of the Green FOG was given permission to replace a notice board, like for like in Oak and not softwood. The Green Committee will liaise with FOG for the crocus bulbs to be planted in a slightly different place so that the bulbs are not damaged by people getting out of their cars and standing on the flowers. The next Parish Council Meeting is Thursday 2nd November - 7.00pm Planning: 7.30pm Parish Council Meeting Karen Paradise Clerk to Great Bentley Parish Council
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Planning Committee
The following was raised by Cllr Adams. An unsightly and noisy unit has been placed near to two residential properties before a planning application has been agreed:
17/01460/DETAIL
Richmore Homes Ltd
Reserved matters planning application for the residential development of 0.1 ha of land to create 1 detached dwelling with associated garaging and parking (following 14/01182/OUT allowed on Appeal).
Land South of Carpenters Farm
St Marys Road
Great Bentley
Essex
CO7 8NJ
Proposed Cllr Hills, Seconded Cllr Edwards
Resolved: No Comment
17/01533/TCA
Mr I Morton
T1 Oak - re-shape by 30% approximately 2.5 metres
Alpenrose
Weeley Road
Great Bentley
Colchester Essex, CO7 8PD
Declaration of interest by Cllr Wright. No Comment
17/01521/DEMCON
For information only-letters already sent to Greater Anglia and TDC planning
Demolition of brick waiting room and canopy on platform 1
Great Bentley Railway Station
Station Road
Great Bentley
TDC have asked for a full planning application to be submitted. Greater Anglia have invited the PC to a meeting at the station
17/01590/FUL
Mrs Swift
Proposed plant unit location.
London House, Plough Road, Great Bentley, Colchester Essex, CO7 8LA
Proposed: Cllr Hills
Seconded: Cllr Adams
Resolved: The Parish Council are disappointed that this work has been completed and then a retrospective planning application was submitted. This is a conservation area. The unit is noisy and it is in the view line of a listed building. Ideally the unit should be placed onto the roof where the previous unit was located and should have an acoustic fence surrounding it.
CHORAL WORKSHOP WITH ANTHONY BAILEY
Monday 13th November 10.30am - 3.30pm
Watershed Studio, St Clere’s Hall Lane, St Osyth, CO16 8RX
www.watershedstudio.co.uk
Cost £30 including light lunch of homemade soup and breads etc, cake and tea/coffee etc. on tap
We are holding a fun and informal Choral workshop on Monday 13th November. Our St Osyth Choirmaster and professional musician Anthony Bailey, will be leading the proceedings. Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to be in a choir, or be able to read music. Just come and enjoy the pleasure of singing, particularly in the comfort of a group setting. We will be covering a variety of choral music during the day, perhaps even looking ahead to this year’s new Christmas anthem, composed by Anthony - always a special treat. Anthony will encourage listening to each other and working on breathing, posture and musical style in a relaxed and friendly setting. For booking or more details please contact Allison Bond Tel: 01255 820466 or email: [email protected]
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PCSO REPORT
LADIES BREAKFAST
Saturday 4th November
9am
in the Vestry Room St Mary’s Church
Calling all women \..
Why not come and join us for a continental breakfast and a chat.
GREAT BENTLEY CRIME REPORT
24th Aug Plough Road - Information - Civil 25th Aug A120/A133 - suspicious driving report 25th Aug Great Bentley - Court warning 25th Aug A120/A133 - Aggressive driving 25th Aug Aingers Green - adult protection investigation 25th Aug South East Rd - theft of caravan parts 26th Aug Colchester Road - Disturbance 27th Aug A120/A133 - positive ANPR hit 27th Aug Thorrington Road - malicious communications 28th Aug Flag Hill - abandoned 999 29th Aug Colchester Road - suspicious circumstances 29th Aug The Path, - Road traffic collison 29th Aug Flag Hill - suspicious cirumstances 2nd Sept St Mary’s Road - reported suspects on - good intent 7th Sept A120/A133 - Vehicle broken down/dangerous position 7th Sept Weeley Road - vulnerable adult/historical theft 9th Sept Unknown location - theft of spare wheel from vehicle 11th Sept A120/A133 - bag in road/dangerous position 11th Sept Plough Road - assault 12th Sept Aingers Green - vehicle damage by known persons 12th Sept A133 - Vehicle in ditch 13th Sept Sturrick Lane - suspicious males on premises 13th Sept A133 - road traffic collision 13th Sept Flag Hill - Criminal damage to dwelling 13th Sept Heckford Road - theft from vehicle 14th Sept Sturrick Lane - vehicles on premises 14th Sept Cherrywoods - theft from motor vehicle 14th Sept Robin Close - investigation 15th Sept A120/A133 - Vehicle pushed off road by lorry 15th Sept Plough Road - theft from shop 15th Sept Strurrick Lane - suspicious males on premises 16th Sept Larkfield Road - Assault 17th Sept A120/A133 - ANPR hit 22nd Sept Thorrington Road - concern for welfare 22nd Sept Colchester Road - bus on fire 23rd Sept Heckfords Road - concern for welfare 24th Sept Colchester Road - suspicious vehicle 24th Sept De Vere Estate - call on welfare check
PCSO PARKING INITIATIVE
7th Sept Thorrington Rd Pavement parking 7th Sept Sturrick Lane Pavement parking 8th Sept Weeley Rd, Aingers Green Pavement parking 8th Sept Plough Rd Pavement parking 8th Sept The Paddocks Pavement parking 9th Sept Plough Rd (x 3) Pavement parking 9th Sept Plough Rd 11th Sept Plough Rd Pavement parking 11th Sept New Cut 11th Sept Plough Rd 15th Sept New Cut (x 3) 16th Sept Plough Rd Pavement parking 16th Sept New Cut (x2) 16th Sept Plough Rd 17th Sept Plough Rd 17th Sept New Cut 17th Sept Plough Rd Pavement parking 18th Sept New Cut (x 3) 19th Sept Weeley Rd Pavement parking 20th Sept Plough Rd (x 3) Pavement parking 20th Sept New Cut (x 3) 24th Sept Larkfield Rd Pavement parking 24th Sept Thorrington Rd Pavement parking
CHRISTMAS
CRAFT FAYRE
Sunday 3rd
December 10 am – 4 pm
Great Bentley Village Hall
Free admission
A hall full of various craft stalls, a super raffle & tombola
Teas, sandwiches and cakes available all day.
All funds going to the Village Hall
refurbishment project.
Bev Adams 01206 250 724
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YOUTH FOOTBALL The new season is well underway and as usual it’s a mixed bag across the age groups. In line with FA rules we can't publish results in the younger age groups, on the whole though the coaches are all very pleased with the progress that the children are making. Sometimes it’s hard when you're so involved to remember that the children are all young and aren't professional players and expect them to be able to perform to their best every week. There's no denying their enthusiasm and determination to get better. I have been pressed into refereeing a couple of times recently, once was for Matt's under 16's in a cup game against Frinton and Walton. Although Frinton are in a league lower than our boys Bentley went about their game in a very professional way "pressing" their opponents from the start. I must say I was really impressed with their performance and the 18 or so goals they scored probably don't fully reflect their domination of this game. I was told afterwards by both Matt and Steve that they weren't really that happy with the way that they played. I must say if they keep this level of performance up they'll be bagging more trophies at the end of the season. A mixed start for Neils u18s with 2 defeats & 1 win in the league. Then their most recent game was a fantastic cup tie v Rowhedge, that finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, which then had to go to extra time, but unfortunately Bentley lost out in the end, 5-3. Neil’s u15s have struggled, but performances are better and with a couple of new signings plus a new kit, thanks to Paul Ponders Cash Exchange, their 1st win could soon be on the horizon. At under 11's it appears that both Matt and Richie have been put up against the wrong opponents with Matt's reds finding playing the better Blues teams a real challenge whilst Richie's charges are scoring pot loads of games against the weaker Red teams. All very puzzling which hopefully will be sorted out in the second half of the season. Thanks for reading, Scott
DRIVING INCIDENT I was driving home towards Great Bentley on the Great Bentley Road from the Thorrington railway crossing. I passed Lufkins Farm where Horizon Travel park their buses and proceeded down Thorrington Road and saw two cyclists on racing type bicycles riding side by side at an ordinary leisurely speed chatting to each other. There are a lot of bends and it was unsafe to pass them so I decided to stay well back because I did not want to worry them. We came towards a significant dip in the road and they accelerated, still side by side, and it was unsafe to pass them. We entered the 30 mph zone and there they were cycling side by side at a leisurely pace once again. There were vehicles coming in the opposite direction so it was unsafe pass. When we came to Sturricks Lane I could see no vehicles ahead or coming down Plough Road to turn left and I accelerated up to 30mph to overtake and it would have been safe until one of the cyclists deliberately accelerated away preventing me from safely moving over to the left hand side of the road as I approached the junction with Plough Road. There were no vehicles coming down Plough Road so there was no visible danger ahead. Suddenly, a car turned left out of the road that comes from the Red Lion without looking and I had to take evasive action and we avoided a collision. My evasive action was to move to the left knowing that the fast cyclist was just behind me.
My contention is that the cyclists intentionally cycled side by side and then accelerated when I overtook to cause an accident. I think they may have had cameras on their helmets and they were trying to create and then capture the dangerous situation on camera.
I suspect that there is nothing that you can do because I do not know the cyclists. The driver who turned left from the Red Lion road would not have been able to see me because it is a blind left turn and he would not have expected a vehicle on the wrong side of the road. Had I not successfully evaded the car there would have been serious casualties. I am sure my car would have flipped and I could have suffered serious injury.
If nothing happens I have learnt one thing - I will not overtake there again just in case someone, that can not be seen, might turn left from the Red Lion road. Christopher Harper
BENTLEY GREEN PHARMACY
We will be having our usual selection of gifts for Christmas
available in store.
Please call in to view the selection.
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Mobile Library Consultation 19 September to 6 November 2017 People value their mobile library service but use has nearly halved since 2010/11. Seven of the nine vehicles are old, unreliable and nearing the end of their working lives. The time is right to look again at how we provide these services. This seven-week public consultation asks for residents’ views about how we create a new service which is a better fit with people’s lives across Essex. The ambition is to have a service which suits users, is flexible enough to help volunteers set up community libraries, and supports volunteers to deliver books to people at home, helping to end social isolation. Also our ambition is to have a service which does not waste money, by having mobile libraries parked in places and at times when no-one visits, which happens on occasion now. Proposals Criteria for redrawing mobile library routes using the two newer, larger vehicles:
• That the location is two miles or more from a library building
• That the stop has been consistently used over the previous six months
• That there are no other stops nearby serving the same community. Where two or more stops serve one community the most popular and/or accessible stop will be kept.
Other proposals being consulted on are:
• Each stop will last for at least 30 minutes
• Changing frequency of service from fortnightly to either three-weekly or four-weekly
• Whether to change the days and times that mobile libraries will cover. They currently run five days a week (Tues-Sat). Options are to run six or seven days a week and to run later in the day.
The survey also asks whether people are interested in:
• Helping to set up a community library
• Volunteering for the Home Library Service
• Being involved in future engagement or can suggest venues for community libraries How can people respond? Please encourage people to respond online at libraries.essex.gov.uk (links to all information and survey, hosted on www.essexInsight.org.uk). Printed consultation packs will also be available at all libraries and mobile libraries for people unable to respond online. Also available: braille and large print copies; current timetables and list of potential stops if criteria applied, by district/borough; children’s survey for under 16s, EasyRead survey for people with learning disabilities; draft equality impacts and needs assessments (to be updated after consultation). Timetable 19 September – 6 November: Consultation runs November – December: analysis of results and preparation of report to Cabinet 23 January: Cabinet decision : 1 May: deadline for implementation of Cabinet decision Great Bentley has 4 stops.
Birch Avenue, Hall View Road, Larkfield Road. The Paddocks & crossroads, Aingers Green
Alresford has 2 stops.
Orchard Road Village Hall
Brightlingsea has no stops but does have the library in New Street.
St. Osyth has 5 stops Priory Park Vyntoner House The Bury St. Clairs Road Village Hall
Thorrington has 2 stops
Hazell Close Red Roofs
Cllr. Alan Goggin. DipDFS.Certs CII(MP & ER) Mobile Telephone number – 07860519117 Landline home - 01 206 30 8023
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Christmas is coming! Clacton Choral’s tradition, to begin each December with a rousing Christmas concert, will get everyone in the mood this year, with the famous ‘Messa di Gloria’, which Puccini composed as a graduation piece in 1880, when he was just eighteen years old and so impressed by Verdi’s opera ‘Aida’, which had premiered just a few years previously.
The ‘Messa di Gloria’ is a real gem for the choir to sing, with its glorious operatic tunes and rousing choruses; haunting arias; key changes; sudden switches of mood and fantastic fugues, all of which go to building the excitement, with Stephen Smith playing the organ. After an interval, where mulled wine and mince pies will be available, the audience will be treated to a lovely selection of carols, including four audience carols to sing along with the choir, and there will be a setting of ‘Silent Night’ written by the choir’s Musical Director, Gillian Dulieu, with solo tenor and baritone voices. And if this weren’t enough delight for one evening, St James’ Church has replaced its traditional wooden seats with 250 new upholstered ones, so do come along, to start your Christmas in grand style and comfort too! Saturday 2nd December 2017 at 7.30pm at St James’ Church, Tower Road, Clacton on Sea, CO15 1DA. Tickets are £10, including programme, from 01255 221511 or email [email protected] or on the door
ADVERTISING IN GREAT BENTLEY PARISH NEWS 2018
WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE SAME SIZE
SPACES WHICH WILL COST £50 OR £80 PER YEAR
PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR ASAP FOR AVAILABILITY
Mary Maskell 01206 250524
WIN A TURKEY VOUCHER FOR £50
Kindly donated by Hubert’s Happy Healthy Turkeys
See page 9 In aid of St Mary’s Church
£1 per square
on sale from members of the church
Winner announced on Sunday 10th December
Please contact Rosemary Branch 250137
or Mary Maskell 250524
THANK YOU Thank you to everyone who helped with shopping for those without transport, when the Tesco Express store was closed for refurbishment. Thanks also to Danny at the butchers and Liz at Deli-licious for stocking essential items for shoppers. A final thank you goes to Lynda at the Plough Inn for selling newspapers. How sad that on the very first day someone stole the money. I hope if you are reading this that you will put the money through the door. Thanks everyone for supporting these businesses, Ed
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Great Bentley Village Hall Plough Road
Looking for a venue for your party, your wedding, your club?
Need a conference room for a meeting, a product launch, a workshop? Want a hall for a toy fair, food festival, an art show?
Then please contact us and we’ll try to help, perhaps arrange a viewing of the hall. We have a large main hall and two smaller side rooms available for hire.
Included in the hire is the use of a car park, a kitchen if needed and full facilities. Broadband and WIFI are now available, along with CCTV and
parking controls for security
For further information on the hall or to make a booking contact Shelley 01206 252385
www.greatbentleyvillagehall.co.uk and on Facebook
FOOTBALL CLUB NOTES
Results and Fixtures 2017-18: Border League Division 1: (2pm unless stated) 30th Sept Home Wormingford Wanderers Res. (Essex Junior Cup 1) 1-1 (3-2 pens); 7th Oct Home Gas Recreation Res, 1-0 14th Oct Home West Bergholt Res. 4-0 21st Oct Home Brightlingsea Regent Res. (Essex Junior Cup 2) 3-0 28th Oct Away Bradfield Rovers (3pm) 4th Nov Away Lawford Lads 11th Nov Away Southend Rangers (Essex Junior Cup 3 1.30pm 18th Nov Home Brightlingsea Regent Res. 25th Nov Home Alresford Colne Rangers Res. Border League Division 3: (2pm unless stated) 30th Sept Away Colne Athletic, 1-10 7th Oct Away Dedham Old Boys Res. 1-3 14th Oct Away Rowhedge, 1-4 21st Oct Away Oyster 4-4 4th Nov Home Hatfield Peverel Res. (Reserve K.O. Cup, 1.30pm) 11th Nov Away Bradfield Rovers Res. 18th Nov Away Wormingford Wanderers Res. 25th Nov Away Tollesbury North Essex Veterans League (2pm unless stated) 30th Sept Home Oyster 4-2 14th Oct Away Silver End (Essex Veterans Cup) 0-8 21st Oct Away Halstead 4-3 28th Oct Home Stanway 11th Nov Home Marks Tey (League Cup 1.30pm) 18th Nov Away Stanway
The 1st Team had a month of four wins, but achieved in very different ways. When third division Wormingford Reserves rolled up for their Essex Junior Cup-tie with a bare eleven men, and did an old fashioned ten minute warm up of having a fag and belting the ball at the keeper, they didn’t seem much of a threat. But after leading for an hour they eventually held us to 1-1 after 120 minutes of gruelling football, and it needed a couple of terrific penalty shoot-out saves by Greg Waltham to see us into round two. By contrast, a near flawless example of how to adapt to a Bentley breeze in round two, ended with a 3-0 victory against Brightlingsea Reserves. Next up - a trip to Southend Rangers on 11th November. The Reserves became one of a list of teams to go down by double figures at Colne Athletic, but they ended a run of defeats with a 4-4 draw at Oyster. This topsy-turvy game saw us go 3-0 up and then 4-3 down before snatching a point in the last minute. It’s worth nothing that we fielded four 16 year olds in this game and, with an appropriate amount of experience alongside them, the results should improve as the season goes on. The Veterans are going well in the league with three straight wins after the opening day defeat. Their only blip was an 8-0 County cup defeat at Silver End, where the hosts were able to call on the likes of recently retired Witham Town players, who were a bit too quick for our old boys. Player availability is a bit of an issue with the vets, but we have a number of occasional players signed on to fill the breech. Just a word to wish our trusty pitch marker, Bill, a speedy recovery after his recent op. We look forward to seeing him out there again when fully fit.
Lucky Team Winner October:
C. Johnson (Barnsley) £25.
Stoner
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DIARY FOR NOVEMBER
Thurs 2nd PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, 7pm Planning:
7.30pm Parish Council Meeting
Sat 4th LADIES BREAKFAST, Vestry Room, 9am
Sat 4th METHODIST CHURCH AUTUMN FAYRE, 10-12 noon
Mon 6th DEADLINE FOR MOBILE LIBRARY CONSULTATION
Tues 7th BENTLEY GREEN LADIES CLUB, Village Hall
Wed 8th AUTISM COFFEE MORNING, 1.30, Village Hall
Thurs 9th HISTORY SOCIETY, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Thurs 9th GT BENTLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL OPEN DAY, 1-2pm
Sat 11th SHORT MEMORIAL SERVICE, War Memorial, 11am
Sun 12th REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY, St Mary’s Church, 10am
War Memorial 11am, See page 5
Mon 13th CHORAL WORKSHOP, Watershed Studio, St Osyth, 10.30-3.30
Mon 13th MAGAZINE DEADLINE
Tues 14th ART CLUB, Village Hall, 7.30pm, AGM/Committee Meeting
Wed 15th CAKES FOR ST HELENA HOSPICE to Marion, 26 Pine Close
Thurs 16th PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP, 6.30pm Village Hall
Sat 18th HALF-DAY CHRISTMAS CUPCAKE WORKSHOP,
10am - 1pm, St Andrews Hall, Stanway, CO3 8LR
Tues 21st GARDENING CLUB, Village Hall, 8pm
Wed 22nd THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, Village Hall
Thurs 23rd EWT Group, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Fri 24th MAGAZINE COLLATING, 9am, Vestry Room
Fri 24th WINE TASTING GROUP, 01206 252157
Sat 25th CHURCHYARD CLEAR UP DAY, Starting at 9.30am
Sat 25th FRIENDS OF CHURCHYARD 100 CLUB Launch, Vestry Room
Sat 25th SPECIAL ROADSIDE CLEAR-UP, Meet in V. Hall Car Park, 9am
Tues 28th ART CLUB, Design and make a Christmas card or decoration
Wed 29th FRIENDS OF THE GREEN AGM, 7pm, Vestry Room
Wed 29th VILLAGE SHOW AGM, 8pm, Vestry Room
