End-to-End

The Parish Magazine of Rivenhall

and Silver End

Butterflies in Rivenhall End

Where did all those Puppies Come From!

July 2015 50p

Our Services this Month

July 2015 5th July 5th Sunday after Trinity

9.30 am St Francis Holy Communion 11.00 am St. Mary’s Children’s Service All Age

12th July 6th Sunday after Trinity

9.30 am St Francis Morning Prayer

11.00 am St Mary’s Holy Communion (Sunday School)

19th July 7th Sunday after Trinity 9.30 am St Francis Holy Communion

11.00 am St Mary’s Matins

26th July 8th Sunday after Trinity

9.30 am St Francis Morning Prayer

11.00 am St Mary’s Holy Communion

Church Contacts

Priest-in-Charge Rev. Paul Watkin 01376 583930 psgw100@aol.com

Churchwarden Maureen Scollan 01376 517863

Churchwarden Peter Hope 01376 502605 Rivenhall Contact Carole McCarthy 01376 512781

Silver End Contact Ruth Aitken 01376 583846

Please hand articles for the magazine to Peter Hope or contact by email peterhope@utilitywarehouse.org.uk by 18th of the month.

Rivenhall Website www.stmarysrivenhall.co.uk St Francis Silver End Website www.st-francis.org.uk/

Rivenhall School www.rivenhallprimary.co.uk/

If anyone has any Suggestions for Photographs or wants to con-

tribute a picture for the magazine cover please sent to my email address above.

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STORMY WEATHER—Reflections on Mark 4 35 –End

When I was 20 years old I had a boyfriend who was a keen yachts-man Every weekend and on summer evenings we would head to Mal-don and sail his father’s 33 foot wooden yacht I became quite a good helmsman and crew and we spent holidays sailing up the coast to Fe-lixstowe and the river Orwell

Then came the big adventure .We decided to sail across to France. In those days there were no mobile phones no sat navs and no ship to shore radio. Our parents I am sure were very concerned but to us it

was such a great idea

Four of us went on the trip, full of excitement One of the crew had completed a navigation course and so with the help of a paper map we set sail.

The forecast was set fare with winds veering force 5 to 6. This sound-ed ok so. off we went . Navigating the shipping lanes was scary with

large vessels bearing down on us, before we turned away from them taking account of the laws of the sea. About 2 hours into our journey the wind got up and was blowing force-7 Our little boat was tossed about The distance across to France sounds quite short( 21 miles as the crow flies 25 from Dover to Calaise) but on that night it seemed a long, long way and I was very frightened the rough sea can be a very lonely place an enormous expanse of darkness and the time past slowly. Then suddenly through the darkness we saw lights , land

ahead. Little did we realise that we had been blown off course and in-stead of landing at Calais we ended up along the coast in Belgium on Bastille Day a celebration dating back to 1789 I felt very relieved that we had found somewhere to land and realised that the firework dis-play was not for us but part of the day’s celebrations !

When we left Maldon we had no idea that we would experience a force 7 storm However on the sea of Galilee, storms like the one described

in our Gospel reading today are very common. It is a relatively small area 13 miles long ,seven miles wide but it is 150 feet deep and the shoreline is 680 feet below sea level Because of this and the fact that it is surrounded by mountains it is susceptible to sudden storms Winds sweeping across the land come up and over the mountains cre-ating downdrafts over the lake. This combined with a thunderstorm that appears suddenly over the mountains the water stirs into violent

twenty foot waves .The sea can be calm one minute and violent the next These storms do not usually happen at night .

Mark Chapter 4 verse 35 to the end recalls a miracle that happened one night when the disciples were taking Jesus across the lake

The disciples who were fishermen by trade and did not expect to ex-

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perience a storm that night Jesus had spent the day preaching and he was tired , once on the boat , he quickly fell asleep. This re-minds me of that night many years ago when we set sail We were tossed about by the wind and the heavy seas and just like the disci-ples I was frightened.

I think there are two things that stand out in this Bible passage The authority that Jesus commands and how much like us the disciples were. They were shocked at Jesus reaction, just as we would be, ordinary people brought suddenly into close contact with God’s pow-er in their lives. As the waves and storm increased out of control Jesus was woken up to see the panic and anxiety of the disciples who then witness the power and authority greater than the wind and waves or of anything else in the created world The dramatically hushed and tamed sailing conditions shock the disciples as they re-alise God’s power and authority

I wonder was the storm the Disciples experienced a natural storm?( It is unusual that these storms occur at night on the Sea of Gali-lee) Maybe God sent the storm to teach the Disciples to trust Jesus

Throughout our lives we experience many storms, some greater than others. Things can be fine one minute and the next , every-thing can be turned upside down Storms in life may bring with them fear, anxiety and pain At the time we think” how am I going

to get through this where will I find the strength?”

Maybe we are suffering from an illness or a loved one is terminally ill Maybe we have a financial problem or have lost our job This is when we can feel alone. We do get through the storms of life with God’s help and become stronger people as we grow in faith. The Bi-ble reading helps us to understand that Jesus is always there to help us ,calming our hearts and minds. When I have been through a diffi-cult time in my life, I often think “however did I get through that“ The strength that we find comes to us through God just when we need it .

So next time you go through a storm or hear about an earthquake or some other disaster. Remember Jesus is there We don’t have the luxury of seeing him as the disciples did but through faith and pray-er he will be there to help us through any storm

Calm me Lord as you calmed the storm Still me Lord keep me from harm Let all the tumult within me cease

Enfold me Lord in your peace Clare Hope

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Collects and Readings July 2015

5th July 5th Sunday after Trinity

Children All Age Worship 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Mark 6:1-13

Collect

Almighty God, send down upon your Church

the riches of your Spirit,

and kindle in all who minister the gospel your countless gifts of grace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12th July 6th Sunday after Trinity

Holy Communion with Sunday School

Amos 7:7-15

Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29

Collect

Creator God, you made us all in your image:

may we discern you in all that we see,

and serve you in all that we do; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

19th July 7th Sunday after Trinity

Matins Psalm 23 Anthem

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Collect

Generous God, you give us gifts and make them grow:

though our faith is small as mustard seed,

make it grow to your glory and the flourishing of your kingdom;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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26th July 8th Sunday after Trinity

Holy Communion 2 Kings 4:42-44

Ephesians 3:14-21

John 6:1-21

Collect Lord God, your Son left the riches of heaven

and became poor for our sake: when we prosper save us from pride, when we are needy save us from despair, that we may trust in you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

RIVENHALL VILLAGE HALL BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS

To Book Rivenhall Village Hall in Future Please Ring the Booking Line on 07749 657 390

From the Registers May / June 2015 Baptisms

31 May 2015 Neil Dunn—Connie Rose Vaughan

7 June David Carl Rose—Daisy Belle Gray

14 June Megan Howard—Amelie Florence Maughan

Weddings - None

Burials - None

The 50/50 Club

The May winners were:

1st Mrs A Green, 2nd Mr P Turner, 3rd Mrs G Frost

RIVENHALL PARISH COUNCIL

NOTES OF THE ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 2nd JUNE 2015

Present: Cllrs. Abbott (Chairman), Anderson, Bills, Clark, Prime,

Turner and Wright.

Also present: Parish Clerk and 2 members of the public.

Public Forum

The following matters were brought to the attention of Members:

Traffic speeds along Park Road and the need for protection for

5

residents. This will probably require a BLHP bid.

Matters for Discussion

Rectory Lane

Following the recent public exhibition Bellway would like to make a brief presentation to the Parish Council to provide an update on the scheme for development of land off Forest Road. It was agreed to invite Bellway to the July meeting, pointing out that the public have a right to attend also.

It was agreed that the Clerk contact ECC, BDC, WTC and the BLHP regarding the suggestion for vehicle restrictions so that the Protected Rectory Lane can only be accessed from Rickstones Road, although walking and cycling access would remain from both ends.

ECC bus & passenger transport strategy – local network meeting

Cllr. Prime will be attending on 3rd June.

ECC Statement of Community Involvement – Public Consultation

The consultation period runs until 25th June. It was agreed to send any comments to the Chairman, then for a draft response to be circu-lated prior to an official response being sent to ECC before the dead-line.

County Highway Maintenance

Potholes repaired along Oak Road.

ECC to undertake a safety audit regarding the warning signage north of the Railway Bridge in Oak Road.

A large number of roads will be subject to patch repairs in the BDC area over the summer.

Various lighting stubs have still to be removed/replaced – reported to

ECC.

ECC are to be requested to trim back the hedge along Rickstones Road and the bushes along the Academy boundary fence.

Maintenance

Bulbs to be planted in the new grass verge along Rickstones Road – July agenda item.

PRoW 38 requires some attention at its junction with Church Road.

A request is to be made to BDC for a map indicating their land owner-ship within the parish.

Planning

New Applications

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15/00594/FUL: Timber framed annexe building within the garden,

Rickstones Farm House, 300 Rickstones Road.

Members raised no objection to this application.

15/00634/FUL: Two-storey side extension, 318 Rickstones Road.

Members raised no objection to this application.

Planning Results:

15/00431/FUL: Rickstones Academy – three canopies.

Application granted by BDC.

Ongoing Planning Issues

BDC Local Plan

An initial BDC Local Plan meeting to be held 11th June. There have been reports in the local press of additional sites being included in the District as a whole subsequent to the closure of the Call for Sites

in 2014; the Chairman will enquire if any of these are within Riv-enhall Parish.

Rivenhall Airfield - Bradwell Quarry

The next liaison meeting to be held on 25th June.

Essex Waste Development Plan

Essex County Council and Southend-on-Sea Unitary Authority are working to prepare a joint Replacement Waste Local Plan. A parish council briefing to be held 19th June in Chelmsford. The main focus of the event to be the Revised Preferred Approach, which will go out to public consultation later in June. Cllr. Wright to attend.

Proposed Colemans Farm Quarry Application

The Chairman has requested clarity from ECC regarding the pro-

posed access to the quarry via Little Braxted Lane and the junction with the A12 slip road, particularly bearing in mind the Maldon LHP proposed scheme to narrow the junction with the A12 slip road to help reduce HGV use of this narrow and historic rural lane. ECC Cllr. Rodney Bass has also expressed concerns regarding this proposed access.

Braintree District Local Highways Panel

a. 7.5T weight restriction, Oak Road – Currently being re-assessed.

b. Church Road layby at church – Scheme completed

c. Extended 30mph limit along Church Road – Scheme agreed.

d. Church Road/Oak Road HGV signage – Scheme to be linked with

7

a.

e. Grass verge outside 51-53 Oak Road – Scheme agreed.

The next BLHP meeting is scheduled for 25th June and it has been confirmed that the budget figure for 2015/16 is the same as that for 2014/15.

Reports from PC Representatives

The Chairman is enquiring regarding works needed on local public

footpaths and the stock of equipment and supplies.

Information exchange and items for the next Agenda:

The Clerk will register the Council on the Essex Police “Action

Fraud Alert” website.

The grass surrounding the salt bin at the top of the roadway leading to the Beech Road garage site needs cutting – Green-fields have identified the problem.

The Clerk will send a list of Parish Council meeting dates to the new District Councillor Bowers with an invitation for him to at-tend.

Motor cyclists have again been reported using the fields off

Rickstones Road and along public right of way in the parish.

HGVs using Oak Road and failing to negotiate the Railway

Bridge remains a regular problem.

Dates of future meetings

Tuesdays 7th July and 4th August, both in Rivenhall Village Hall start-ing at 8pm.

Sky Notes July 2015

The term “once in a blue moon”, meaning a rare event, is sometimes used to describe a month when there are two Full Moons. This occurs because the orbital period of the Moon around the Earth is slightly shorter than our calendar month.

So the first Full Moon of July occurs in the early hours of the 2nd. Then on the 31st, we get our second Full Moon of the month

The Full Moon of the 2nd is close in the sky to the dwarf planet Pluto, though the latter is not visible in anything other than a powerful tele-scope as it is so remote and faint. But it is a reminder of the most

8

high profile space event this month – the flyby of Pluto by the NASA New Horizons spacecraft on 14th July. At the time of writing, the first colour images have been sent back to Earth showing little Pluto to be orange in colour. This data takes over 4 hours travelling at the speed of light to reach Earth – by comparison the Sun is “only” 8 light minutes away from us.

At the start of July, Jupiter and Venus are still very close together in the sky, low down in the West in the late evening twilight. The pair slowly separate but become more difficult to see as the month progresses, eventually becoming all but lost in twilight.

Saturn remains visible fairly low in the South West in the late even-ing throughout July and will be joined by the gibbous Moon on the 25th and 26th.

With New Moon on the 16th, the middle of July will bring the best nights for star gazing. This is a good time of year to view the Milky Way, made up of parts of the spiral arms of our own galaxy. A dark sky is needed and for those than can stay up, the streetlights now go off at 1am. At this time the Milky Way will be arching overhead and then down towards the South and in very good conditions it is possible to see some structure, which is partly due to huge clouds of dust obscuring parts of the background myriad faint stars. Due to

this intervening dust, and because it is difficult to see the whole structure of our galaxy looking from the inside, we don’t know ex-actly how many stars there are in it. Estimates vary between 100 billion up to 400 billion. And our Sun is just one of them !

Sky Watcher

Recipe of the Month Supplied by Ann Clark

Spanish Omelette or Tortilla

This is a great thing to cook as you can do a large amount or a small amount, and use whatever you like as ‘fillings’ The

main thing is that it is an omelette with additions. For 2 hun-

gry people use an 8 inch frying pan. There are varying ways to do this dish, but I like the easy way best. So, for the basic

recipe you will need cooked new potatoes, cut into small

chunks, and cooked onion, just fried in a little butter, as

brown as you like.

Put some oil in an 8” frying pan, and add the potatoes and

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onions until hot and just browning. Give them a shake. Mean-

while break 5 eggs into a bowl, add seasoning to taste and whisk. Add the potatoes and onions to the egg mix. Put the pan

back on the heat and add more oil if necessary. Mix the pota-

toes and eggs etc. well and add them to the pan.

Turn the heat down to low immediately and wait. Be patient, it can take 20 mins or more. It needs to slowly cook. When there

is almost no liquid egg left on the top turn it over. This can be

done using a plate; put the plate upside down on the fry pan, turn

the pan over holding the plate snugly over the top. The omelette should now be on the plate – then put the pan down and gently ease the omelette back into the pan. Give it about 2 mins then turn the heat off and leave for a couple of minutes if you can. It should be cooked through but moist in the middle. If you are on your own have

half for lunch, then the other half with salad for tea.

Now be adventurous and add whatever you like best. I like mush-rooms, peppers, courgettes, you can use sweet potatoes and bacon too sometimes! If you use a large pan just size up the amounts. Depends on the size of the eggs but 2 per person is about right.

Slice it up, wrap in cling film and take on a picnic. Chop into cubes and

eat with your favourite dip. If you have a family member that comes home late, I find it disappears mysteriously overnight!

You can even make a sweet one with raspberries or nectarines, and

serve with cream! Enjoy.

Microsoft Windows 10 arrives on 29

July do I need it? Windows 10 is the latest operating system for PC’s Smart Phones and Laptops and according to Microsoft will be the last operating system

that Microsoft will ever release. This reflects changing technology in the computer world and this may come as a surprise too many.

The big question is do I need to upgrade and what will it cost?

Well the good news is that for most of us the upgrade will be free yes free! how is that possible you ask? If you are running a computer with Windows 7 or Windows 8 or8.1 then the upgrade is completely free and will be available as a download from Windows Update on the 29th July 2015.

10

Now the more difficult question why do I need it?

Well The software promises a major overhaul in terms of several functions, not least the return of the familiar Start menu removed in Windows 8, it comes with a new customisable space for a user’s fa-vourite programs (apps)

Microsoft is also seeking to give users a more traditional Windows experience that incorporates both touch, keyboard, and mouse in-

puts. Other new features include a search option on the taskbar and Start menu; a new quadrant app layout; and a new task-view button on the taskbar.

The key thing for the average user is that unlike windows 8 when you use a Mouse and Keyboard the look will be familiar to users of Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. When I heard this I went phew! thank goodness for common sense. For much of the last

couple of years I (Speedy Broadband) have been helping people who have bought a Windows 8 laptop and found the user interface im-possible to get to grips with. It’s ok for the kids out there but for us old timers it was a completely alien experience. To correct this it was necessary to install some non-Microsoft software to get back what had been removed. As you can imagine Microsoft were inundated with complaints and they soon realised that as with Windows Vista

they had made a big mistake.

Back to the main question why upgrade? The best reason is “security”, just recently I have been inundated by customers with computers that have been the victim of a browser hijacking. These nasty programs take over your Internet experience to the extent that you cannot surf the net because of all the adverts being thrown up on screen. Whilst this can be fixed it is not fun and requires some

degree of technical knowledge to sort out.

Security will also be improved because Windows 10 will be a fully supported operating system for at least the next 10 years as such it will receive full security updates whenever needed. The new design will also incorporate the latest techniques to deal with the Malware software writers and make their job harder. Believe you me scam-ming is a full time job for millions of people around the world and it is one of the ways that terrorist organisations make a living to fund their operations.

Another good reason is that after a short period Microsoft will start to charge for Windows 10 and so you will either have to buy a new computer to get it or pay around £60 for the privilege.

11

Finally if you want Windows 10 then look along the bottom of your main screen and find the symbol in the start bar on the right hand side that is shown at the top of this article. Click on this symbol and you will be invited to accept the upgrade after July 29th. Note I will be upgrading a number of my computers and will report back in the Sep-tember magazine on how things have worked out so either take the plunge or wait for my report.

Peter Hope www.SpeedyBroadband.co.uk

End to End Nature Care.

Many of you will have explored the River Walk in Witham from time to

time, or even used it just to get from A to B, and the Nature Care

group have looked at various aspects of it over the years, particularly

its glowworm population. It is managed by a Working Group under

the auspices of Witham Town Council, alongside other nature re-

serves in the area (Whetmead, James Cooke Wood) and has dedicat-

ed staff who maintain it based on the Working Group’s direction.

On the evening of 3rd June we were lucky enough to be given a little

guided tour of part of the River Walk by Sue Manning, a member of

the Working Group. First we went to the wet meadow alongside Mill

Lane between Guithavon Road and the bowling green. Sue explained

how careful management, particularly resisting the urge to mow as

promoted by those who find anything other than a trimmed green-

sward anathema in an otherwise quite urban area, has resulted in the

flourishing of many unusual and attractive plants. We were able to

see for ourselves the southern marsh orchids, marsh marigolds and

ragged robin in flower at the time (there are some photographs on

our website).

Having walked as far as Guithavon Road and viewed the interesting

murals of local buildings on the road bridge parapets, we returned

and continued over Bridge Street, onto the section leading to Maldon

Road. The Working Group have worked alongside Essex Wildlife Trust

to rejuvenate part of the old river channel which loops off the main

channel here and, despite some initial concern as the works created

some disturbance, ultimately the results have created additional habi-

12

tat for many species and the resulting island was ablaze with a variety

of wild flowers.

Finally we were invited back to Sue’s home, the garden of which leads

down to the river where she has infrared cameras set up to film noc-

turnal wildlife, most especially otters. Many people are surprised to

learn that otters inhabit the river in Witham but the species has made

a very successful comeback over recent years and nowadays the vast

majority of waterways form part of an otter’s territory. Sue has lots of

footage of local otters as well as other nocturnal river wildlife taken by

her motion-activated system, which all present very much enjoyed

watching. It was a fascinating evening all round.

In July our survey work is in full flow, with glowworms and the Na-

tional Plant Monitoring Scheme to the fore. But we also enjoy our very

convivial summer social evening and a few general amblings where

there is no specific purpose other than to see what we find and enjoy

an evening stroll in pleasant natural surroundings. For more details of

01 July 19:30 Glowworm surveying. Meet at Cressing Railway Station on Bulford Mill Lane (TL777202). We will amble in the local area before

completing the survey after dark. Bring a torch.

08 July 19:30 Summer Social at Stovern's Hall Farm. Plant and invertebrate surveying in Wilson's pond, plant survey of Rickstones Road verge,

plus a Committee meeting and a social evening - bring a bottle and/or nibbles.

15 July 19:30 Ambling in the White Notley area. Meet at the Cross Keys pub, White Notley (try not to park in their car park though as we would fill it up).

Followed by glowworm surveying at Cressing.

22 July 19:00 for

19:30

Danbury Common. Meet at 19:00 at Stovern's Hall Farm to car share or at 19:30 in the Armoury car park, just past the Cricketers Arms

(TL779046) in Danbury.

29 July 19:00 for

19:30

National Plant Monitoring Scheme at Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough CO5 7RZ. Second visit. Meet at Stovern's Hall Farm at 19:00 to car share or at Abbotts Hall at 19:30. Bring hand lens and

plant ID guides.

05 August

19:30 Silver End Pits for wild flowers and dragonflies, etc. Meet at the Western Arms. Followed by glowworm surveying at Cressing.

13

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Scottish Country Dancing

Rivenhall Village Hall 2nd & 4th Monday of the month, 7.30 -10pm

Great for fitness and a good laugh too!

Call Sue on 01206 303338

Rivenhall Carpet Bowls Rivenhall Village Hall Every Thursday 7.30pm – 10pm

Come along for an evening of fun with this friendly club.

The Ark

It's Open House at Rivenhall Village Hall

Meets most Saturdays 2pm - 4pm (see calendar for exceptions) Come along with friends for Tea, Coffee & Cake

Have fun with Arts, Crafts & Puzzles

Meet new friends, all ages welcome Sponsored by the Seventh Day Adventist Church

Tel: 07538 599584 or email info@rivenhallark.co.uk

Coffee Morning Rivenhall Village Hall Every Friday 9am – 12 noon

Tea, coffee, cake and a chat with friends

Table Tennis Rivenhall Village Hall 2nd &4th Monday of the Month 2pm – 4.30pm, Entry £3 Membership of Witham and Braintree U3A required £15 pa visit the Witham and Braintree U3A website or for

further information please call Gerry Gunton 01621 819682 or email guntongerry@aol.com or visit the table tennis page on the village hallwebsite www.rivenhallvillagehall.co.uk

Bingo!

Saturdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm Rivenhall Village Hall, Entry 50p

Bring a friend for an evening of

fun!

Everyone Welcome Call Jack on 01376 514255

Riventots Pre-school Rivenhall Village Hall

Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 3.30 p.m (Mon 9.15–1.30) Lunch if required 12 noon – 1pm Call Ruth on 078 111 04813 or email r.clary@tiscali.co.uk

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Bird nests removed Cowls Fitted

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Advanced City & Guilds Qualified

Free estimates – No obligation All building work considered Can also make items to order

also 'curtain poles, tiling, flatpacks,

kitchens, doors, sheds etc, no jobs too small'

Contact 01376 515987 or 07889 110962 (9am – 5.30pm) Answer phone at other times

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Jeremy Larke

Television

Services

Telephone: 01376 513645

Mobile: 07947 601619

Email: telerepair@aol.com

All Televison Systems Catered for Freesat, Freeview, Sky

Installations & Repairs To all makes and models

Full Plasma & LCD Fitting Service

Wall Mount Brackets Supplied and Fitted

Aerial & Satellite Dishes Fitted

Freeview, Freesat & European Channels

View and Control Your Sky in Oth-er Rooms

Aerial and Telephone Extension Points Installed

Don’t Delay Call Today

Janet C Davies Dip. F.D. M.B.I.F.D

BRAINTREE & KELEVEDON’S LADY FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Offering a full and Comprehensive Funeral Service

Telephone 01376 339300

For a Personal and Caring 24 hour service Local Chapel of Rest at Fern House 72 Coggeshall Road Braintree and

Victoria House, Trews Gardens, Kelvedon Funerals are arranged and carried out in the Traditional Manner but

With ‘The Gentle Touch’

Pre payment Plans available—Floral Tributes arranges—Woodland Burials Bereavement Care—Low Cost Simplicity Funerals - Memorials—Printing

Catering—DWP Funerals

Part of the Hunnaball Family Group Members of the National Association of Funeral Directors

21

Feering Flower Club

Do you love flowers? Why not come along and join us for one of our meetings held

on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Feering Community Centre 7pm for 7.30pm

Entry non-members £7 members £4.50

Watch a demonstrator Friendly chat and exchange ideas Sale Table Refreshments

For more information contact

Sue Banting 01376 571050 Pat Clark 01376 512418

www.feeringflowerclub.co.uk

22

DAVE’S PLUMBING SERVICES

Taps, Radiators,

Bathroom Suites &

General Plumbing

Tel: 01376 501577 Mobile: 07973 306693

ANGLIA TREE SERVICES Specialist tree surgery

Residential & Commercial Customers

CROWN REDUCTION FELLING TOPPING

HEDGE TRIMMING ALL GARDEN WORK

STUMP GRINDING

For a quick, tidy and friendly service call:

Tel: 01621 892831

Mob 07779 386388

7 DAYS A WEEK EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLEFULLY INSURED

Contact us

62 Braintree Road

Witham

Essex CM8 2BY

01376 500038

01376 520568

Opening Times: Mon– Tuesday 8.30 am –6.30 pm Wednesday- 8.30 am—8.30 pm Thurs—Fri 8.30 am—6.30 pm Sat 8.30 am –12 Noon

A friendly caring practice for all your pets.

Visit our website for more details and to register your pet online

Www.brookendvets.co.uk

SPECIAL O.A.P. SURGERY

Thursday Mornings

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Philip Little

Property Maintenance Magician

Local service at local prices

Knowledgeable and friendly

07973 129808 or 01376 515257

Based in Rivenhall End, nr. Witham

Karen’s Foot Practice Your Feet In Safe Hands

Nail Trimming and File

Fungal Nails

Corns and Callus

Ingrowing Toe Nails

Verruca etc.(Diabetics Welcome)

Home Visiting Service

Foot Health Professional MAFHP MCFHP BSc Tissue Viability

30 Years Nursing Experience CRB Checked Fully Insured

01376 521134 07712 611022

Registered Member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals

24

Two “Gadabouts” go to Duxford. (PART 1 of 2)

A brief story of two middle aged “semi-retired kids” going on a “Silver End Gad Abouts” trip to Duxford.

We have only known each other for about 31/2 years through End 2 End Nature Care group. We share interests in aircraft and cars, my preference is cars in general, military aircraft and model making, Martin’s line is vintage aircraft, restoration of cars and planes.

It started in early Feb when I returned home from my part time job,

picked up the the mail – and the End to End magazine that Carole (McCarthy) had popped thru the letterbox with her usual diligence. I flicked through it and put aside until the weekend.

Along came the week end, land ooking through the mag again, my attention was drawn to “8th April, Imperial War Museum, Duxford”, and proceeded to read in detail the advert;- “to book ring Denise”. Despite me having been into airplanes and military paraphernalia since

a kid, and having lived in Essex for 38years, unlike Martin, who’d visited Duxford many times, I’d only been there in relation to work on two occasions, not as a visitor, so I thought I’d grab this opportunity. Rang Denise and left message as instructed in the advert, requesting 2 tickets (for myself and Martin although I hadn’t asked him). I informed Martin by text later.

Days later I received Martin’s response and unfortunately a voicemail from Denise advising the bus was full, but to ring back if I wanted to take a cancellation. Hopes dashed, not to be I told my mate. (Even though Martin had been previously, but not recently, we were both a little demoralised).

I rang Denise asking for two cancellations, which was fine by Denise.

In the middle of March, I received a call from Denise advising spaces had become available. I returned the call and booked them straightaway, asking how and who to pay. Two days later a cheque was put through her letterbox, Denise called back with all the details.

Then came the day, the Mini-Bus turned up on time, 09.30 am, with just (our), two spare places still available.

The driver said it was only a couple of us going to Duxford the others are going shopping in Cambridge.

During the journey, we talked excitedly (again like kids), about what we thought might be going on and what we may see.

We arrived at Duxford just 20 minutes after opening, at 10.20, another guy, and to my surprise, 2 ladies got off with us.

The Queue was only 10 mins so I took advantage of Airfix club discount

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and got Martin & I in for one (£18) adult ticket – (every little helps!!).

Bought a Duxford guide and went out to the bright sunshine.

We made a quick recce of the plan of the camp and off we went.

First - “Aerospace” – upstairs –history of flight, Its not just aeroplanes. It’s how things work. All kinds of flight, controls, air pressure, weather, science museum type stuff that you can all have a go at.

Kids with adults get clipboards and questions – the answers are to be found in the information plates or on each of the relevant displays.

From the upstairs viewing balcony we spotted the planes we wanted to see and we quizzed each other on what the planes were, (just like kids!!).

Even if you’re not into planes – you’d recognise nearly all the ones in there from war films, news reels of the sixties and seventies, all the different eras, and news making first and last flights, the Lancaster bomber, (and a rather spiffing old chap in flying suit and a chute with

a handlebar taches, inviting you to listen to his stories of the bombing raids etc), Concorde, Vulcan, TSR2, Comet 4, Special Operations Executive Lysander etc etc. You can get close up to them, touch them, see how big and small they are. All the while you feel and hear the sound of planes’ engines taking off, flying over and landing – not knowing if outside for real or inside on tape loop!!

I was like a kid again, all the while checking my colour card for the

right colours to paint my model kits!!. Martin and I saw a van version of a 1950’s Vanguard car, built like a tank, coincidently my dad used to have one back in the day!!

Looking upwards, there are planes hanging from the roof, like a Harrier that actually fought in the Falklands, a Canadian fighter jet, heaviest of its time for a single seater.

We spent about 21/2 hours just in that building.

Thoughts turned to lunch and locating a picnic table adjacent the runway we sat down and unwrapped our respective food and drink parcels – low and behold, engines running, taxiing, two seater spitfire, a Russian 2nd world war fighter, a tiger moth and a DH dragon rapide, the latter both being bi planes.

Over the radio visitors are being invited to take flights at unknown

costs in the Spitfire, Rapide and the Tiger Moth….

To be continued………..

Note For Colour Pictures that accompany this article

“see back cover”

26

Silver End

Gad Abouts We don’t have any memberships, these are

DAY TRIPS FOR ALL! Wednesday 8th July - Southend on Sea, Essex £14 Wednesday 5th August— Aldeburgh & Thorpeness £22

To book your seat:

Please call Denise on 01376 583055 AFTER 7:00PM

(If no reply please leave your name & telephone number)

Please enquire about pick up points.

Trip dependant on a driver being available. Program may be subject to change depending on numbers and costs.

Your Village Agent will be at the Rivenhall Coffee Morning on the last Friday of each Month

*Benefits/welfare advice *Support in the

home *Support for carers *Volunteering

opportunities *Housing *Social & Leisure information *Transport *Loneliness & isolation *Supporting Local Groups *Bereavement *Home adaptations *Form filling support * Free confidential advice when you’re not sure where to turn

Please feel free to pop along have a chat & find out more about our

service or perhaps tell me about a group or event in Rivenhall. If you would prefer a visit at home please just give me a call on either of the

numbers shown. I hope to meet you soon. Lydia Howat

(Lydia.howat@vaessex.org.uk) Freephone: 0800 9775858

Mobile: 07540 720606 www.villageagentsessex.org.uk

Village Agents are employed by: Rural Community Council of Essex Registered Charity No. 1097009 Company Limited by Guarantee No. 4609624

RIVENHALL GARDENING CLUB

The monthly meeting was held on Tuesday 9th June 2015, in Rivenhall village hall. Chairman, Mrs. Pat Clark, welcomed

27

members and introduced our speaker for the evening, Spencer Christy, from Lauriston Farm in Goldhanger. The farm is situated on the Blackwater estuary and comprises 225 acres, 25 of which is salt marsh and 85% designated as a site of scientific interest. It is a Biodynamic Farm using Byodynamic Organic techniques and philosophy and is home to rare breed cattle and sheep. The North Ronaldsay Sheep is small and robust and very rare. It is from the Orkney Islands though originally from Russia. Skins are made into sheepskin rugs and the wool travels to Wales and Scorland for various processes before returning to Essex as the finished product for knitting and weaving. There are 35 head of cattle, again a rare breed and producing excellent milk. Only homeopathic medicines and herbal remedies are used on the animals. Natural bee keeping is practised and vegetables and fruit grown organically. Manure is composted in an unusual but totally organic way. The untreated material is packed into small horns from the cattle and the horns

buried. When they are dug up the material is a small plug of sweet smelling goodness which is mixed with water and sprayed over a large area, likewise silica which is ground down to a fine powder and used in much the same way. A little goes a long way! Mr Christy also spoke to us about the effect the moon and its position in the sky had on planting and growth and there is a calendar for planting available. His talk was fascinating and prompted several questions from members.

COMPETITION RESULTS

Horticultural 1st Cyril Philpott 2nd Don Scott 3rd Faith Murton

Domestic ( honey biscuits ) 1st Pat Clark 2nd Shirley Bacon 3rd Sue North

Flower of the Month 1st Don Scott 2nd Maurice Bacon 3rd Faith Murton

No evening meeting in July as an afternoon visit has been arranged to Beeleigh Abbey at Maldon. The SUMMER FLOWER SHOW will be on SATURDAY 11th JULY, doors open at 2.15 pm. Entries should be with the Show Secretary by Wednesday 8th July. Everyone is most welcome to

come and enjoy the colourful display of flowers, the homemade cakes and tea, raffle and plant table. No meeting at all in August but we look forward to seeing you on

the 11th . For further details contact the Club Secretary 01376

512781.

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Poetry Corner Comforting Words

Sometimes, memories are like rain showers

Sprinkling down upon you Catching you unaware. And then they are gone,

Leaving you warm and refreshed

Sometimes, memories are like thunderstorms Beating down upon you,

Relentless in their downpour.

And then they will cease, Leaving you tired and bruised

Sometimes, memories are like shadows Sneaking up behind you, Following you around. Then they disappear,

Leaving you sad and confused.

Sometimes, memories are like comforters Surrounding you with warmth,

Luxuriously abundant. And sometimes they stay,

Wrapping you in contentment

Rivenhall Gardening Club SUMMER SHOW

Rivenhall Village Hall 11th July 2.15pm Entrance Free

Competition displays Fuchsias Roses Sweet Peas Home Made Cakes

Raffle Plant Table Photography Rivenhall Gardening Club is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society

and British Fuchsia Society For more information contact Club secretary Mrs McCarthy 01376 512781

29

SMILE LINES Maths Lesson

The only place where you can buy 64 water-melons without anyone wondering why.

Advice to Young Clergy on Preaching `Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness consists in its ability to stick to one thing until it gets there.

Technical Trouble

The vicar at a local church experienced some technical problems with the sound system one Sunday. Instead of starting the service as usual with `The Lord be with you', he said, `There's something wrong with the micro-phone.'

Not hearing this, the congregation responded: `And also with you.'

**********

I used to have a fear of hurdles, but I got over it.

I'm reading a book about anti-gravity; it's impossible to put down.

I'm glad I know sign language; it comes in handy.

If towels could tell jokes, they would probably have a dry sense of humour.

I was going to look for my missing watch, but I could never find the time.

I often get a lift from an old school friend who always drives in reverse gear - we do go back a long way.

Car thefts / Open Windows

We all do it, walk away from the car and with our back turned to the car press the button on the key to lock it, never thinking that it may not lock. Yet a simple thing like looking at the car as you press that button to get the confirmation of it locking with lights flashing, or just pulling the handle to check it is locked can prevent a lot of thefts of or from motor vehicles. Why does it not always lock, it could be fault, battery running low, user error or some individual with device

to block your signal nearby. In any case Lock it, Check it and we can prevent some crimes.

If you have cars of different values, where possible park the higher value car in your garage. When parking a car on your driveway ensure it is well lit and park the lower value car in front of the higher

30

value car, as the thieves are more likely to target high value cars and will be deterred if they can’t easily drive such a car away from the scene. Locked gates and collapsible posts on the driveway will also deter the thief. With high value cars consider the fitting of a tracking system.

As cars become more and more advanced and rely more and more on computers to manage their systems our thieves become more

technical too. To cater for both the technical and less technical thief use the locking system on your vehicle and look to the good old fashioned “Krook Lock”, steering wheel, or pedal lock to supplement it, it has a great visual deterrent.

Lastly before you turn in for the night check that all doors, ground floor windows and easily accessible windows are closed and locked. PVCu doors – don’t forget that the door is not fully locked until you have lifted the inside handle and turned the key. If you have an intruder alarm and can do so activate the downstairs zone. To stop the burglar getting to the vulnerable windows and doors to the rear ensure that side gates are closed and locked.

Please also ensure that you put your car keys somewhere safe and out of sight, when you return home. Put your car keys in a drawer (preferably one that is noisy to open) or some other secure place,

but don’t take them up to the bedroom with you.

Ol’ Blue Eyes comes to

Braintree Museum!

On 21st July Braintree District Museum will be offering you the chance to enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of swing. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s birth, Jeff Short & His Musicians will be returning to the Museum with their new show, ‘Simply Sinatra’. Join us as we journey through Sinatra’s career in music, featuring some of the crooner’s best known hits such as ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ and ‘New York, New York’. The event will be held at the Museum from 1.30 – 4.00pm. Tickets are £16 per adult and include light refreshments. They can be purchased in advance from Braintree Community Transport by telephoning 01376 557 883 or direct from Braintree District Museum. Call the Museum on 01376 325 266 or email us at info@braintreemuseum.co.uk for more details. The show is already selling well so be sure to book early! Braintree District Museum, Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm. £16 per ticket.

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Saturday 25th July 1pm –5pm

“Conker Park” (behind the Co-op) Silver End

Traditional Summer Fete

SEUFC are proud to host the annual

This year we are raising money for Silver End Amateur Dramatic Society

Teddy Tumble Bouncy Castle Craft Activities Bean Bag Game Nail Painting

Cross Bar Challenge Tombola Golf Coconut Shy Lolly Stick Game

AN INVITATION TO A CONCERT

on

THURSDAY 9TH JUL

At 4.30 - 5.30 pm

ST MARY’S CHURCH, RIVENHALL

by

RIVENHALL CHILDREN’S CHOIR

FREE ENTRY

REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE

PERFORMANCE WILL INCLUDE SONGS FROM ‘OLIVER’, ‘ANNIE’

and ‘THE LION KING’

ALL WELCOME

A retiring collection will be taken in aid of ‘A World at School’

32

Probably the best Tradditional Jazz Band

the country!

Performing in the Pavilion at the stunning location of Braxted Park, Braxted Park

Road, Essex, CM8 3EN Tickets: £15.00 each and may

be purchased from: Sue Copsey 01621 892697 Mike Puttick 01621 816830

Cash licensed bar—Bring your own nibbles—Round tables of 10, why not make

up a party? - Ample car parking

Jazz in the Park

with The Pete Allen Jazz

Band

7th July 2015 @ 7.30 pm - doors open 7 pm

Celebrating the 900th Anniversary of All Saints’ Church,

Great Braxted. All Saints’ is situated within the four and a half mile brick wall of

Braxted Park. All profits are for church funds

www.pewterallenjazz.com www.braxtedpark.com

St Francis Church Silver End

Saturday 18th July 7.30 pm

Back By Popular Request

THE WITHAM SINGERS (Elements)

Tickets £8 Inc Strawberries & Cream and a Glass of Wine

Contact Clare hope on 01376 502605 for details

Organisations in Rivenhall

Clerk to Parish Council Keith Taylor 516975 Email parishclerk@rivenhallparishcouncil.net meets every first Tuesday Age Concern (Witham area) Margaret Prime 514255 End to End Nature Care Simon Taylor 01621 810141 Gardening Club Carole McCarthy 512781 Meets on 2nd Tuesday at 7.30pm in Village Hall Carpet Bowls Mick Marshall 512836 Meets every Thursday at 7.30pm in Village Hall

Playing Fields Association Mick Marshall 07749 657390 Spread Your Wings Dance Acam Laura Pearson 01376 741317 Facilities Hire of Village Hall Pauline Marshall 07749 657390 Or email rivenhallvillagehall@gmail.com Hire of Henry Dixon Hall Dot Taylor 571551 Mobile Library 8th 22th July Beech Road 4.10 to 4.30. p.m.

Oak Stores is open Mon to Fri 6.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat & 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. Sun The proprietors are Sam and Kirsty Norman 618659

Organisations in Silver End

Clerk to Parish Council Mrs B. M. Temple 618464 Email parishclerk@silverendparishcouncil.gov.uk Bowls Club Roy Howard 583222 Children’s Centre Sarah Mason 587960 Neighbourhood Police Chris Abbott 07791398227 Congregational Church Sharon Gray 583913 First Responders Mel Gymer 585535 Friendship Club Ruth Aitkin 583846 Silver End Gad Abouts Denise Sullens Smith 583055 Gardening Club Julia Bushnell 584337 Guiding Group Carol Hutchings 07857 663959 Neighbourhood Watch Judy Hill 07896 975839 Scouting Group Denise Sullens Smith 583055 St Mary’s Church (R.C.) Vivian Phillips 583598 Tennis Club Jason Cairns 584581 Workers Educational Assoc. Brian Gillion 583706 Luncheon Club Helen Thomson 583255 Doctors Surgery 583387 Silver End Heritage Society Jackie Nesbitt 585702 Silver End United Football Club Mark Edgell 07906554210 Web Site www.silverendunitedfc.co.uk

Post Office in Co-op - please note that it closes at Lunchtime Library: Tues & Thurs - 2pm to 6pm Saturday 9am to 1pm

Some Pictures From the Gad abouts visit to Duxford as you will

have read in the body of the magazine the Silver End Gad

abouts had a visit to Duxford earlier this year. Her are some pictures that accompany this article