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Post by rosegriffin on Jun 9, 2014 10:00:40 GMT
Message from St. Margaret's Church:
WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM! We, at St Margaret's Church, Bowers Gifford with North Benfleet are trying to make contact with descendants and relatives of those men from the two communities who died during the “Great War” of 1914 – 1918, and especially those who are named on the memorial in the Church, Victor Payne Clifford Payne Charles Polley James Franklin Wilfred Harrison Wilfred Ockenden George Reed North Benfleet did not (and still does not) have a memorial and we know of several men from what was the Parish of All Saints, North Benfleet who did not return. We would like to find out as much as we can about them too. If you have any information about these men please contact Helen Chapman on hchapman@st-margarets-church.co.uk or phone 07532209796.
We are planning a small exhibition about them, and the communities from which they came, to be held in the Parish Church, Church Road, Bowers Gifford over the weekend of 19/20 July 2014. The Church will be open 11.00am till 4.00pm both days and entry will, of course, be free.
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Post by rosegriffin on Jun 8, 2014 8:58:20 GMT
Here is some up-dated information about the current situation with regard to planning at both local and national level. As an example of local planning gone mad, Cheshire East reports that since the inception of the NPPF there have been twenty one appeals for developments of more than ten houses of which twenty were upheld. The one that was refused is now being reviewed. None of these developments were in areas designated in the local plan and it has cost Cheshire East £398,162 to fight them. It has now submitted a local plan which is being examined. Nationally, the Government has now decided to remove the zero carbon targets for housing projects below 50 houses. Although the intent is to make things easier for small building companies, there is nothing to prevent larger building companies putting in applications in tranches to benefit from the legislation. The Government has also amended its regulations to allow developers to renege on requirements for affordable housing on the grounds of financial viability. We are concerned that this will mean no affordable housing. The link to the relevant article is contained below: www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/05/developers-able-demolish-affordable-housing-provisionOn the 4th June 2014 three funding programmes, worth around £3 million, to support the development of new Community Land Trusts (CLTs) was launched in a House of Commons reception, see the link below: www.insidehousing.co.uk/development/boost-for-community-building-projects-across-england-and-wales/7004001.article A new petition for amendment to the NPPF can be accessed via epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/59376. We urge you to sign this, please. We would like to thank all those who responded to the review of the NPPF called for by the Committee for Communities and Local Government. Many of the concerns that we have been expressing for so long were echoed by organisations such as CPRE, the National Trust, Royal Society for Town and Country Planners and so on.
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Post by rosegriffin on Jun 5, 2014 14:34:56 GMT
Benbow members would like a photo of Hilda Westlake to hang in the Benbow Club. The Benbow Club and Westlake Park were given to the people of Bowers Gifford and North Benfleet by Mrs. Westlake when she had Westlake Avenue built. Mrs Westlake lived at Little Chalvedon Hall Farm and Westlake Park and Westlake Avenue used to be part of the LCHF estate. When she retired Mrs Westlake moved to a bungalow in Pound Lane. Do you know anyone who has a photograph of this lady which we might be able to copy? If so please contact Rose Griffin or Caroline Turner.
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Post by rosegriffin on May 31, 2014 14:07:12 GMT
Sorry, Lucy
I should have replied to this sooner. There have been two sightings of muntjac deer. One was a family in Eversley Road who got a picture of one on their security camera. They were going to try to find the photo for us to put on the website but we never received it.
The second sighting was at the Pitsea side of Little Chalvedon Hall Farm. A couple out exercising their dogs said that the dogs went into the hedgerow and chased out 2 muntjac deer.
No reported sightings of fallow or roe deer here though - but you are right they have been sighted in the Dry Street and Langdon Hills area.
Best wishes Rose
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Post by rosegriffin on May 27, 2014 17:09:44 GMT
Here's an extract from the April PC minutes
"PCSO Emma Spurr warned regarding bogus builders cold calling on vulnerable residents and extorting money for repairs to roofs that were not required. She urged residents to check that the builders were genuine before getting any work carried out.
“ Operation Seaford” had been set up to apprehend bogus callers as a number of residents had received phone calls from individuals purporting to be Police Officers and requesting bank details, which would never be the case. Residents were urged to be cautious when dealing with cold callers. PCSO Spurr advised an individual had been apprehended following reports of drug activities."
IF YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY LOCAL SCAMS THEN PLEASE LET US KNOW BY PUTTING A NOTE ON THE FORUM OR BY EMAIL ChairResidentsAssociation@outlook.com
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Post by rosegriffin on May 27, 2014 16:18:02 GMT
Well we've heard about an attempted robbery in Kelly Road and read on the Streetlife website about the attempted theft of a motorbike in Ilfracombe Avenue and another attempted robbery in Cornwall Road. However, when I contacted Emma, our community police officer, for an update she wasn't aware of these attempted robberies. Please report any attempted break-ins or thefts by phoning 101 (if it's not a 999 call !!! so that the police are aware and can advise or take action where necessary. Also, on the Streetlife website it states that there have been 16 robberies in Clifton Avenue which is in South Benfleet, and some people have read this as being Clifton Road in Bowers Gifford. Please let us know about any local thefts, burglaries, scams etc. so that we can warn other people. If you would like to put a message on the forum but are not sure how to do it then please don't hesitate to give me a call on 0780 804 1825 and I'll show you what to do Best wishes Rose
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Post by rosegriffin on May 14, 2014 10:13:14 GMT
Bowers Gifford & District U3A's main meetings are at the Benbow Club on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Each month we have either a guest speaker or some sort of entertainment. New members are welcome - £20 per annum, plus £1 for each main meeting (including refreshments). Non- members can attend up to 3 times at a cost of £2 including refreshments. Membership also enables you to join any of the sub groups - however, you can attend a sub-group once at the group leaders discretion.
Main Meetings:
• 28th May – Jean Stafford talking about her work as a magistrate; • 25th June - Jean Allen-King will tell us about “Growing Up in Bowers Gifford”; • 23rd July - Yvonne Williams from Gateway Radio; . 27th August - Derek Twidell will entertain us with a quiz
U3A also has a number of sub-groups which meet once a month. These include scrabble (Burnt Mills Road); Crotchet & Stitch (Pound Lane) Book Club (Felmores); Craft Club (Felmores and Bowers Gifford); Geography (London Road). The lunch club; gourmet dining; discovery group; walking group and local history meet at various locations. Non-members can come along to a sub-group once to help make up their minds on whether to join. Rose invites interested parties to join her local history group on 20th May 2.00 p.m. when we visit Southchurch Manor for a guided tour and talk on the history of this Lovely building and its surrounding gardens. For more information phone 01268 726475.
The next U3A walk will be in Bowers Gifford on the morning of Tuesday 3rd June.
If you are worried about coming along to on eof the main meetings on your own then please don't hesitate to give me a ring and I will make sure that I am around to meet you but we always have a "meeter and greeter" to welcome guests.
Hope to see you at U3A Rose Tel. 01268 726475 Mobile 0780 804 1825
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Post by rosegriffin on May 14, 2014 9:59:16 GMT
On 20th May at 2.00 p.m. the U3A local history group are paying a visit to Southchurch Manor in Southend. Our guide will be in full Tudor dress and will give us a guided tour of the manor house and its garden. Cost £2.90.
This visit is open to Bowers Gifford and District U3A members and non-members can attend a local history group visit once. It would be great to see some new faces.
For more information phone rose on 01268 726475 or email ChairResidentsAssociation@outlook.com
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Post by rosegriffin on Apr 22, 2014 12:09:52 GMT
Although the Planning Inspector has issued her report we will not know the content until after the Secretary of State has made the final decision. I was under the impression that the Planning Inspector's report would be made public (as I thought that this was the case regarding the Glebelands Appeal, in South Benfleet) but apparently that is not so.
The planning inspectorate has told me that the decision will be published on or before 27th June.........so a few more weeks to wait yet!!!
Let's keep our fingers crossed
Rose
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Post by rosegriffin on Apr 21, 2014 11:16:11 GMT
Bowers Gifford & North Benfleet Residents Association www.bowersgifford.org.ukEmail:ChairResidentsAssociation@outlook.com Planning Policy Team Planning Services, Basildon Borough Council St. Martin’s Square, Basildon SS14 1DL 1 April 2014 Re. Draft Core Strategy, PADC6 The Residents Association has taken a neutral stance with regard to the core strategy and has only acted as a communication vessel. Feedback we have received from residents is that: • The requirement to build over 16,000 houses in Basildon is too high. • If development has to go ahead locally it would be preferable for this to take place on the northern side of the A127. An appropriate location might be between the Dick Turpin Public House and Noak Bridge. • We understand that the farm land indicated in PADC6 has been “offered up” for development by its owners. We understand that the land on the northern side of the A127 has not been “offered up” and that this is the reason that development is to take place on the southern side of the A127. If this is the case, and development cannot take place on the northern side, then generally the feedback has been that these developments should have their own access routes from the A127 and possibly A130 so as to reduce the volume of traffic going through Pound Lane, Rectory Road and London Road. Burnt Mills Road would need to be significantly improved by widening and the addition of pavements either side. Such improvements should not be to the detriment of residents who live in Burnt Mills Road. • The historic and rural nature of Harrow Road and School Lane should be protected. Development should not be to the detriment of the residents who live in Harrow Road or School Lane. • Care should also be taken to ensure that residents living in Burnt Mills Road, Harrow Road and School Lane are protected from long term building works and any other adverse affects of development. • We are pleased that Little Chalvedon Hall Farm and the southern side of North Benfleet Hall Farm are not included in the strategic plan. Keeping this area open will ensure that the wild life corridor is maintained and minor roads will not suffer the brunt of the increased traffic. It will also minimise the adverse affects of local development on the majority of homes in the area. The council’s options are regarded as the “lesser of two evils” but neither is welcome. • A local organisation is actively trying to raise funds to buy back Little Chalvedon Hall Farm as a community farm. If this is successful it would provide an accessible green area for the benefit of all and would like to see this included in any local plan. • Infill building in the plotlands is welcomed by most of the plotland residents. However, there is concern about drainage, flooding and cars passing on single lane roadways. Builders/Developers of any proposed dwelling should be given some sort of information pack advising them that ditches should not be filled in and that the builder/the purchaser are responsible for maintaining and cleaning ditches on their property. Many plotlanders would like the plotlands to become a serviced area. If the area is not to be a serviced area then new residents should be made aware of the fact that they are responsible for the roads outside of their property. • The field belonging to the diocese on London Road, between the care home and the school, is identified as tier 1 development. Residents in the London Road and Ilfracombe Avenue strongly believe that if an application for planning is put forward for this site, part of it should be used to provide a school car park. Parents driving to the school from other parts of Essex echo this sentiment. However, most residents would strongly oppose any plan to build on the school playing field which is also identified in the tier 1 development area. • Whatever development takes place we have serious concerns regarding flooding as this has increased significantly in the last year. The Residents Association believes that Neighbourhood Planning is essential and would like to be involved. We know that we cannot control the number of dwellings being built but that Neighbourhood Planning would give residents a measure of control over quality, design and positioning of new dwellings. Yours faithfully Rose Griffin - Twidell Chair Bowers Gifford & North Benfleet Residents Association Phone: 01268 726475 Mobile: 0780 804 1825 www.bowersgifford.ork.ukTwitter - @northbenfleet
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Post by rosegriffin on Apr 17, 2014 11:43:27 GMT
Dear All
The visit by the Pearly King and Queen to U3A on 23rd April has been cancelled due to the king's ill health.
Rose Griffin- Twidell will now be giving a talk on the "Records Banned by the BBC" between the mid 1930s and mid 1950s - after an explanation of the BBC's policies, Rose will play you an extract from some of the banned records. See if you remember the name of the record and who sung/played it and then guess why it was banned by the BBC - some of the reasons are quite obscure
Venue: Benbow Club, Bowers Gifford, Pound Lane, SS13 2HN Guests welcome at a charge of £2.00 including tea and biscuits.
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Post by rosegriffin on Apr 17, 2014 11:40:13 GMT
Dear All
The visit by the Pearly King and Queen on 23rd April has been cancelled due to ill health.
Rose Griffin- Twidell will now be giving a talk on the "Records Banned by the BBC" between the mid 1930s and mid 1950s - after an explanation of the BBC's thinking, Rose will play you an extract from a few records. See if you remember the name of the record and who sung/played it and then guess why it was banned by the BBC -some of the reasons are quite obscure
Guests welcome at a charge of £2.00 including tea and biscuits.
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Post by rosegriffin on Apr 14, 2014 9:33:43 GMT
The U3A Local history group is paying a visit to St. Nicholas Church in Laindon on 15th April 2.00 p.m. We will be given a guided tour and talk on the history of this 13th century church. No charge but a small donation to the church would be welcome
On 20th May 2.00 pm we are visiting Southchurch Manor where a guide, in full Tudor dress, will give us a guided tour and tell us about the history of the manor. Afterwards we can get a cup of coffee and take a walk in the gardens. Cost £2.90 per person.
Non U3A members can come along once to a sub group but after that they would have to join U3A.
If you would like to join us at either St. Nicholas Church or Southchurch Manor then please contact Rose Griffin 01268 726475
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Post by rosegriffin on Apr 13, 2014 11:01:06 GMT
This time the attempted burglary was in the Westlake Avenue / William Road area on 22nd March about 2.00 a.m.
One of the children woke up when she heard a noise and alerted her mother. The family found the front door open but still secured by a chain. The attempted burglar(s) had gone.
Three "hoodies" were seen in the area during the day......did you see anything suspicious? If so please phone Essex police on 101.
Our community police officer has said that there have been a number of burglaries in the South Pitsea area lately and that we should all remain vigilant.
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Post by rosegriffin on Apr 13, 2014 10:55:16 GMT
Several questions were raised about parking at the 5th February meeting. Melissa McGeorge, Essex County Councillor, was present and said that she would raise the matter at the next Highways panel meeting.
I have heard back from Melissa to say that the Highways Panel Meeting was cancelled but that she would raise the matter at the next meeting.
On a slightly separate subject di d you see Derek's post about leaving valuables in cars....following a break-in into one of the mum's cars whilst parked in London Road
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