Around town magazine rayleigh edition january 2016

G H L E I R A Y 6 2 0 1 0 1 .

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CONTENTS 6 14

6 Mark Francois 10 Nature Notes 12 Martin Lewis 15 Know Your Tradesmen 21 18 Recipe 20 A View from the Church 22 Rotary Club / Lions Club 24 Around Town Sports 26 The Cook Report 27 Competition!

27 Useful Numbers Political Update

EWT Volunteer Neil Sumner

10

Money Saving Expert

Hockley Flooring

WI Christmas Recipe

EssexMaintenanceApr14 07 April 2014 15:38:43

Rev. Mike Lodge

Organisations Around Town

Focuses on Darts

Get Out and About Around Town

Winner

Edition 26

To advertise contact our Sales Team today, details below. Booking deadline for our February edition is: Thursday 14th January

Copyright 2016. Around Town Rayleigh is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine.

Opinions expressed in Around Town do not necessarily represent those of the editors of Around Town Magazines. Around Town Magazines are published by Black Square Print Media Ltd produced by Black Square Litho Ltd.

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cast my vote in the House of Commons recently in favour of such airstrikes and I wanted to take this opportunity to explain why.

MARK FRANCOIS ConservativeParliamentary MP for Rayleigh & Wickford

The question of whether to allow RAF aircraft to bomb ISIL (Daesh) targets in Syria has been controversial. I

We were already involved in airstrikes alongside our Coalition allies in Iraq.

What was at stake was not the principle of airstrikes themselves, but whether the RAF should be allowed to extend these strikes into Syria too, including the ISIL headquarters of Raqqa.

This action has the strong legal basis of a UN Security Council Resolution, No 2249, which calls for “all necessary measures� to prevent further terrorist attacks by ISIL.

Our Coalition allies are already involved in airstrikes in Syria, with both the United States and Russia now attacking ISIL targets, as is France, in the aftermath of the horrific attacks which we witnessed in Paris. ISIL is an implacable opponent which has already planned terrorist attacks against the UK too, a number of which have already been foiled by our own security services.

I believe that given the murderous nature of ISIL, as we also saw in the attack in Tunisia, we need to stand with our Coalition allies in carrying the battle against ISIL to its heartland, by attacking targets in Syria too.

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Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile!

It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows.

The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services.

Managing Director Chris Miller feels that it’s all about service.

‘Our product is simple.

If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving

people money, although that obviously helps.

Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’

Cloudy2Clear service Rayleigh and Chris is finding that his approach

is a major factor in his success.‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense.

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The Hockley Flower Shop

Nature Notes Written by Neil Sumner

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Project2_Layout 1 01/12/2015 12:14 Page 1

24 HR EMERGENCY

SERVICE • Tree Pruning • Shaping • Precision Felling • Thinning • Stump Grinding • Ground Maintenance • Dead Wooding

Unsurprisingly, a year list starts on New Year’s Day and many birders will rush around to tick the local birds to get that list started. In Essex, some have achieved a list of 100 or more species on New Years Day, not possible in many counties.

Comparing lists year by year does allow us to see trends in population changes. Counting species on certain sites and making repeat visits does make the lists more useful, but that is more like surveying, valuable to conservation work.

The numbers of winter birds fluctuate, being affected by many factors: the success of breeding in their summering grounds and the weather and availability of food where they bred or en route.

This year, it has been nice to hear a few Siskins on my local patch as they were scarce there last year.

More exciting was the Short-eared Owl flapping and gliding over Bowers Marsh, one of many around our coast this year. These are winter visitors possibly from Scandinavia and their numbers vary according to the abundance of Field Voles, their main prey. At the same site, Stonechats perched on the fence are a feature of the mild weather as these birds suffer in harsh winters.

Call us now:

Scanning the wetland landscapes under our big skies you often see huge flocks of ducks and waders rise from the lagoons and soggy fields.

Then you have to look for the Marsh Harrier or Peregrine Falcon which has put up these birds. This is one of the spectacles I enjoy every winter, especially when we run the Bird-Watching weekend from the Fellowship Afloat lightship at Tollesbury next month. Please email me if you want more details of this event, or see: www.tinyurl.com/ zwc78tr

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Wishing you A Happy New Year and one filled with the wonders of nature.

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“So, you’re the Twitcher are you?” If everyone who said to me that was forced to donate a few quid to local conservation, we could dig a few more ponds or plant a few more hedges. What is a Twitcher?

According to Wikipedia, Twitchers are committed bird-watchers who travel long distances just to add a species to their “life list”, “year list” or other lists.

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11

BANK ACCOUNTS Fancy some free cash in time for Christmas? Well, those generous bowler hatted ladies and gents at your bank are giving it away. Quite literally, they will to pay you up to £150 to switch bank account - and, as it can also improve the service and features, grab it.

The bank account switching market is red hot, with many banks willing to pay for your custom – and you should get the money in time to boost your Christmas kitty.

Here are the 10 need-to-knows.

Q. You’re talking about switching, but I’ve heard all types of horror stories?

Martin’s A: Much of that is a legacy opinion from a few years ago. We’ve just celebrated the second birthday of what’s called ‘seven-day switching’, and that’s made the process easier. I did a poll of 100s of people on my Facebook page who’d tried it and 82% said they found it ‘easy and hasslefree’, while only 4% experienced problems.

In practice, when you apply for a new bank account, assuming you’re accepted, three things happen within seven working days: 1. All standing orders and direct debits are moved for you.

2. Your old account is closed.

3. All payments to your old account are autoforwarded for three years.

Yet still far too few people try it – last year only 2% changed bank accounts – strange as my mailbag is full of people complaining about their banks. So my message is stop bitching and start switching.

Q. OK, so it’s easy, but what’s this about free money?

Martin’s A: Many of the challenger banks (those who want to break the dominance of the old ones) want you to switch to them so much they’re willing to pay you to do it.

There’s a full rundown and eligibility criteria atmse. me/bankaccounts. But, in brief, here are the current top picks: - The Clydesdale Bank (Cbonline.co.uk) Current Account Direct gives a free £150 – the cash comes

within 70 days of switching and paying in £1,000.

Other benefits: pays 2% AER interest on the first £3,000.

- FirstDirect.co.uk gives switchers a free £125 (or more via some websites) – cash comes within 28 days of switching and paying in £1,000.

Other benefits: It’s won every customer service poll I’ve ever run, 92% rate it great, it has a linked 6% regular saver, 0% overdraft up to £250.

- Halifax.co.uk/Reward gives a free £125 within three working days of switching.

Other benefits: Pays £5 each month as long as you’re in credit.

- Themarksandspencer.com current account gives a free £100 M&S gift card (or more via some websites), within a month of switching.

Other benefits: Unlike other accounts, you don’t have to pay in a set monthly amount (see next question) linked 6% regular saver, 0% overdraft up to £100.

MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UK DON’T HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT Q. Can anyone get these?

Martin’s A: You’ll be credit scored to get these.

Though most people who have an existing bank account should be fine (unless it’s a basic account).

Yet to get the bonuses, you normally need to use their switching service and have a couple of direct debits or standing orders set up. Plus with First Direct and Clydesdale, you must meet a minimum pay-in requirement, equivalent of £13,200 a year – effectively a way of requiring you to earn a set amount.

If you have irregular income, M&S is the only one not to demand this.

Q. Aren’t there also accounts that pay high interest on your savings?

Martin’s A: Yes that’s another form of competition, and if you have higher savings, that is likely to be more lucrative in the long run than grabbing the switchers bonuses.

The big one is theSantander.co.uk 123 account – it pays up to 3% cashback on certain household bills and up to 3% AER interest if you have between £3,000 - £20,000 in it. Its £24 a year fee is rising to £60 in January, yet if you’ve got over £5,000 savings and earn some cashback, it’s still likely you’re winner (full analysis of if it’s worth it in mywww.mse.me/santanderfee blog) If you’ve less, thelloydsbank.com Club Lloyds pays 4% AER interest if you’ve £4,000 to £5,000 in it and both TSB.co.uk andNationwide.co.uk pay 5%, but only on up to £2,000 with TSB and £2,500 with Nationwide for the first year.

Q. Once I’ve switched and got the free bonus, can I switch again to another bank account?

Martin’s A: Yes, there’s nothing stopping you continually switching. But remember, you’ll be credit scored every time you open a bank account, so try to minimise opening too many accounts in a short space of time, especially if you’re going to be applying for credit in the near future, like a mortgage.

Q. I hate banks - are there any other options?

Nationwide, as mentioned above, is a building society, so it’s owned by its members, and it’s got decent offers. Or see if your local credit union (a local savings and loans co-op) is one of 500 that offer bank accounts via ABCUL at findyourcreditunion.co.uk

martin L E W IS Money Saving Expert

Q. I’m often in the red – can I switch to a 0% overdraft?

An overdraft’s a debt like any other, so if you often go into it, cutting its cost makes it easier to clear.

FirstDirect.com has a £250 0% overdraft, and you can put the £125 it pays switchers towards clearing the overdraft too – a big boon.Nationwide. co.uk/flexdirect may give a bigger 0% overdraft, credit score depending, but only for a year. It’s 50p/day after, so aim to clear it before then.

Q. What if I can’t get a bank account?

Sadly, more than a million people in the UK don’t have a bank account. For all the top pick deals above, you’ll need to pass a credit score.

Yet if that’s not going to happen, there is a way.

As long as you’ve ID, you should be able to get a no-frills, no-overdraft service, though you need to ask the right way.

When applying, ask for the specific account by name – otherwise you could get forms for standard accounts, then get rejected. The better options include Barclays.co.uk Cash Card and Cooperativebank.co.uk Cashminder (not available to bankrupts).

Even though there’s no overdraft, they can still fine you if you try to spend more than you’ve got, so you must manage it carefully.

10

EssexMaintenanceApr14 07 April 2014 15:38:43

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CP Shutters Custom Plantation Shutters

Chris Petrou founded CP Shutters over eight years ago, after many years of working with one of the country’s biggest electrical retailers. CP Shutters offer market leading interior shutters, wood shutters and Custom Plantation shutters to customers across Essex.

Based in Westcliff-on-Sea, Chris and his team are incredibly proud of the products and services they offer. Danielle Druce,

who works with Chris in the Westcliff shop, said ‘Chris is an absolute master of most trades and has chosen to focus and specialise solely on designing and installing Custom Plantation Shutters, it is all we do. By specialising in one product we can always exceed customer expectations.’

Having managed to expand the business through mainly recommendations, CP Shutters are looking to open more shops in the next few years to widen their

customer base and create job opportunities for skilled carpenters and apprentices looking to work in retail.

Danielle said ‘Chris is a very inspiring man to work for and above all he is familyorientated which shows in the way he treats all his colleagues and customers’.

CP Shutters is Trading Standards Approved and offers free surveys. Visit their website www.cpshutters. co.uk for more information.

To feature your business contact: 01277 658444 or sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk

CP Shutters

Custom Plantation Shutters Specialists Trading Standards Approved with a shop offering prices as low as the internet, free installation, seven years trading history with over 3000 Custom Plantation Shutters installed, offering a five year warranty on both product and workmanship, you can certainly Buy With Confidence, just as our many reviews say.

Our shop is open Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm Sundays by appointment only.

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15

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e. sales@hockleyflooring.co.uk 9 main road, hockley, essex ss4 4qy w. www.hockleyflooring.co.uk 9 main road, hockley, essex ss4 4qy hockley_flooring_a5_flyer.indd 1

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Nokes & Co, Squire House, 81-87 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9AS 01277 633971

16

07949 266321

mark@nokesandco.co.uk

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ELECTRICIAN With 34 years experience, we can help with any electrical issues! » » » » » »

Fault Finding Extra Sockets Lighting Showers Fuse Boxes Garden Lighting

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FREE ESTIMATES

REPAIR SPECIALIST

Glass & Glazing Services Single & Double Glazing Repair Specialist

EMERGENCY CALL OUTS NO JOB TOO SMALL OR TOO BIG WE DONT CHARGE THE EARTH

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07885750744 or 07874225752 deb1956@hotmail.co.uk

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For all local garden maintenance - friendly & professional.

Tim Poulter

info@essex-bathrooms.co.uk www.essex-bathrooms.co.uk

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RECIPE

Indian Apple Chutney Ingredients: 5lb Cooking apples (peeled and cored) 2 Tablespoons of salt 18 Fluid oz malt vinegar (or amount to get right consistency) 20oz Soft brown sugar 8oz Raisins 8oz Sultanas 1 Teaspoon of mustard seeds 2oz Fresh ginger root peeled (easy with teaspoon) and sliced 4 Or so garlic cloves peeled through a garlic press if possible 2 Teaspoons of chilli powder

Method: 1. Slice the apples and lay them on a dish and sprinkle with half of the salt.

2. Place half of the vinegar in a pan, add the sugar and stir over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved.

3. Bring to the boil until a thick syrup

5. Add all the apples and simmer until tender.

6. Add the rest of the ingredients including syrup and cook until the right consistency to bottle.

is made.

4. Place the other half of the vinegar in a pan.

Tip Needs to mature some weeks before use.

See more at: www.thewi.org.uk If you would like your recipe to appear in Around Town Magazines then contact our sales team on: 01277 658444 or email: sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk

HANDYMAN DAVE For all your general property maintenance, call Dave! » » » » »

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On site survey Full installation service

01702 203 186 We are a Hockley based family run business

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19

form of a dove, descends towards Jesus.

Revd Canon Mike Lodge

From Birth to Baptism… and a journey into life…

Following on from Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the New Year brings us the remembrance of His Baptism, not as a child, but at the beginning of his work on earth as an adult.This was no ordinary Baptism, but one that was to surprise and challenge, performed by another extraordinary individual, John the Baptist.

We know that John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, who ate locusts and wild honey. He appeared in the wilderness,speaking to many excited and noisy people who were eager to hear the message that he brought to them,the banks of the River Jordan lined with many enthusiastic onlookers. The message, though, was a thought-provoking one, calling the people to turn their backs on all the wrong in their lives, to seek God’s forgiveness, and to be baptised; washing away the past to enable them to begin new lives with renewed purpose.

John knew Jesus well; after all, they were cousins, but he recognised Jesus as very special, telling the people that Jesus would baptise them even more powerfully than he could.Nonetheless, then and there, Jesus asks his cousin to baptise him along with everyone else. This is to be a baptism like no other in front of all the crowds, and, as Jesus emerges from the water,God declares him to be his Son and the Holy Spirit, in the

The baptism of Jesus is in many ways puzzling.

Why did Jesus, who had done nothing wrong, need to be baptised for the forgiveness of sin?

Although mystery remains surrounding this event, it is a key moment in history, and has deep meaning.The image of the Holy Spirit as a dove and the waters recall the first creation, as this Spirit-filled Son launches a new creation.

Jesus’ baptism declareshis identification with humanity and anticipates his death for the sins of the world and his rising from the water points to his resurrection, which will bring eternal life, here and now.

Baptism for us today, as individuals, is possible at any time as a personal response to God’s love - a desire and a commitment to respond to God’s call to follow the example of Jesus Christ. It is also a celebration, a time to come together with family and friends; remembering that we are loved by God, are part of a wider community, affirming in public that we are Christians, followers of Jesus.

At the point you are baptised, you may be either fully immersed in water, as Jesus was in the river Jordan, or you may simply have water poured on your head!

And if you are a parent of a child, Baptism (or Christening, as it’s sometimes called) can be the start of an amazing journey of faith. Over the years to come a journey you’ll share together by being there for your child to talk to about the bigger questions of life – questions about hope, faith and love, praying for your child through the ups and downs of their faith journey, showing them practically how to make those good choices in life and helping them to learn more about their Christian faith.

It is by the power of the Holy Spirit; that same Spirit that descended upon Jesus at his baptism, that we can, and will, be strengthened and guided on a journey into life…

With God’s rich blessing for 2016...

Yours in the love of Jesus.

Parish Office 01268 742151 info@parishofrayleigh.org.uk

www.parishofrayleigh.org.uk

LOWER BARN FARM

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ROTARY CLUB OF RAYLEIGH MILL A Happy New Year to you all from the Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill.

Looking back to the end of 2015, the club had a busy December starting by supporting the Christmas Lights switchon in Rayleigh and at the Hullbridge Christmas Fair. At both events we were able to chat to people and explain what Rotary does in the community. We introduced a new competition based around a rotating dartboard which seemed to be well accepted by the public.

We had a social evening at CJ’s Bowling in Hockley where all the Rotarians were in danger of being beaten by an Inner Wheel wife until one of our members drew on all his Lawn Bowls experience to just edge ahead!

Our annual Christmas Dinner dance at The Rayleigh Golf Club was once again a great event and enjoyed by all who attended.

Based on the success of our Associate membership scheme in 2015, we hope to be able to welcome more new members to the club this year. To see what we do, look up ‘Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill’ on Google or Facebook or give Carl Watson a call on 01268 778376.

RAYLEIGH LIONS CLUB The Lions club of Rayleigh attended the Christmas Lights switch on in Rayleigh, Hockley and Hullbridge. We will be announcing next month news of the main benefactors of the money raised during the November firework display and these events. Thank you for your support and a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

However in order for us to carry on this good work we urgently need new members. If you have just a few spare hours each month and would like to find out more about The Lions please contact us on 01268 775068 or via our Facebook page or website.”

22

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DARTS

While Gary Anderson joins an elite group of Darts World Champions to win back to back World Championships, darts still manages to split the sporting enthusiasts as to whether it is a game or in fact a fully fledged sport.

I don’t want to incur the wrath of any local darts lovers by my opening statement, as I mean to provoke debate as an outsider looking in to the challenging world of darts.

A sport by definition is any where an individual or a team compete by way of physical exertion and skill. However, while I accept the concentration levels must be exhausting, as well as the repetitive strain it puts on your posture and arms/wrists. I struggle to on the other hand accept the physical element.

I will start with the obvious; the level of physical exertion does not seem to be much, especially comparing it to the other more physical sports.

Darts does seem to be changing and the current stars will be replaced with future stars that will perhaps display a healthier exterior, however it is the skill aspect that perhaps leads me to believe darts is more of a game than a fully fledged sport.

I will explain by stating my ‘beginners luck’ theory. Any sport than have a crack at and on the first time of doing so if I can achieve a high score, surely it has to already be considered easier than other pursuits. Darts I feel falls into the bracket as bowling, we have all had days at Hollywood bowl where it seems to be raining

strikes and this is why is it a great game that we can pick up and put down, still enjoying it each time we go.

A sport and to become a professional sportsperson should surely mean a talent separating you from the rest, years of training of a young age perfecting the art of achieving a high score. I can and have by luck hit high scores in darts having only played a handful of times; however I could not go play a local game of Rugby or Tennis at a club without being considerably embarrassed.

From the above, you may think I am not a darts fan, however quite the contrary, when the darts is on the television I am usually glued, as the rules are simple and the atmosphere is enough to hook anyone in. Also, while Sky Sports insists on showing Poker and fishing, I certainly think it has a place on our sporting channels, I just somehow doubt the physical dedication and sacrifices are anywhere near where they should be to be regarded a professional sportsperson.

However the buzz is undeniable and all over Essex there are local pubs hosting matches and it provides a means of socialising as well unlocking that competitive nature. The Railway Pub in Billericay have a team, as do many others in neighbouring towns. Please visit the website below, to find your local side and find out where they play and on what night. www.wddl.org.uk

Put the spotlight on your local sports team, contact Zaki Hasan, via email, zaki@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk

Mu Jan st En uar d y 3 st 1

Telephone: 01268 921769 Service House, West Mayne, Basildon, Essex SS15 6RW

The

Cook Report Written By Jo Cook

Department for Transport review of Greater Anglia service provides New Year hope for disgruntled commuters With Christmas and New Year festivities truly behind us, lots of local residents will be back to work and embarking on their daily commute this January. With rail fares rumoured to rise by 1.1% for 2016, lots of workers will be questioning its value for money, as they experience delays, cancellations and overcrowding daily, all the while battling cold weather conditions, on the Greater Anglia Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street line.

The Department of Transport have recently concluded a three month public consultation on the service and have now made recommendations to the bidders for the franchise, with a new agreement expected to begin from October 2016. Results show the main issue for passengers in punctuality and capacity, with six in ten passengers calling for a reduction in first class seating in trains and more frequent services to and from the City. The DFT has said more services to and from Southend Victoria will be a condition of the new agreement, with other franchise requirements including improved communication during

26

disruption and a proactive approach to planning for unexpected problems.

Abellio, which currently operates the franchise, National Express, and First Group are all in the running for the initial nine year contract.

Aimee Donnelly, 26, a legal secretary who commutes to Canary Wharf each day from Billericay said, ‘On a daily basis the trains are overcrowded (in rush hour) and when the trains are delayed, which is frequently, you may not even be able to get on the train and if you can, the only thing holding you up is the people you are squashed between. The first class carriages are barely used, cutting them would benefit a high number of people and make the daily commute much more pleasant’. Despite this, the DFT are not imposing the reduction of first class carriages on the new operator.

However, they are confident whoever wins the contract will do all they can to improve services for their passengers.

The report said ‘The department does not specify first class provision as it is an unregulated fare and the decision is left with operators to take a commercial view on the first class offering. We recognise that operators may therefore take the opportunity to remove first class but we are confident that they will deliver the right balance of services for their passengers.’

With a few months ahead between now and the new agreement, there is set to be some tough journeys ahead for commuters like Aimee. However, other travellers remain optimistic.

Derek Monnery, chairman of the Essex Rail Users Federation, said ‘I am encouraged by what the DFT is saying and what they are expecting. They seem to be well aware of the problems and what the deficiencies are with the current service’.

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#AroundTownSelfie Competition!

In response to last month’s competition, we enjoyed all your #AroundTownSelfie images received – some of which were very entertaining! So as not to embarrass anyone, we have decided not to publish the winning photo, however we are delighted to confirm the Jason Manford Comedy Club Tickets was won by:

Faith Kathryn Meadows Congratulations to you and thanks to everyone who entered the competition!

01277 658444

admin@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk /AroundTownMagazines

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UTILITIES Anglian Water 0345 145145 Electricity – Power Supply Problems 0800 7838838 Gas – Urgent Calls / Gas Escapes 0800 111999 Minicom – Transco 0800 371787 Thames Water (Supply or Wastewater Services) 0845 9200800 Three Valleys Water 0345 823333 Water – Essex & Suffolk Water 01245 491234 VETS YourVets Vets4Pets Rochford Veterinary Surgery Downes Vets Medivet LIBRARIES Rayleigh

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27

INTRODUCING THE NEW

FORD MUSTANG Performance and refinement personified: the new Ford Mustang is available as a Fastback or Convertible, with the option of a 2.3-litre EcoBoost or 5.0-litre V8 engine. Iconic status comes as standard.

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Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Mustang Range: urban 10.1-20.1 (28.0-14.1), extra urban 6.8-9.6 (41.5-29.4), combined 8.0-13.5 (35.3-20.9). Official C02 emission 108g/km. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.