Ingatestone, Fryerning & Mountnessing Parish News Magazine Issue 08 October 2023

Ingatestone, Fryerning & Mountnessing Parish News Magazine

Before the leaves turn golden and the air carries a hint of autumn’s crispness, we bring you another vibrant edition of our Ingatestone, Fryerning, and Mountnessing Parish News.

It’s a season of change, and within these pages, you’ll find the latest updates from our beloved parishes.

The News Around will keep you informed about the latest developments in our area, from community initiatives to important updates. The What’s On will guide you through upcoming events that promise to fill your calendar with exciting gatherings.

Join in celebrating a significant milestone as Ingatestone Elim Church marks its 90th Anniversary and prepare for a delightful shopping experience at Ingatestone’s Artisan Market.

We’ve got some insights into the New Government Guidance regarding RAAC in schools and updates on the New Waste Service launching this autumn.

Here’s to embracing the changing season... Happy reading!

Editor of Ingatestone, Fryerning & Mountnessing Parish News

enquiries@community-publishing.org

Ingatestone's Artisan Market

Artisan Ingatestone will take place from 10am Saturday 11th November in and around the Community Centre and the High Street, with a range of special offers and workshops.

The Artisan Ingatestone Market will feature:

• A festive shopping event at the Ingatestone Community Centre, with at least 25 stalls from local hand-picked high quality artisan makers, both indoors and outdoors. The market will include performances from musicians both in the High Street and at the Community Centre.

• Activities and workshops for children and adults at the Community Centre and in retailers’ premises in the High Street. Some activities will be free, others paid for. All will be facilitated by experts.

• Special Offers from retailers, through the village High Street.

Ingatestone & Fryerning in the Tour of Britain

Excitement in Ingatestone as the Tour of Britain cycling race passes through.

Many residents turned out to cheer on the riders, even though it was one of the warmest afternoons of the year.

Some of the children complained that they had waited half an hour in the sun but the cyclists went past in 30 seconds!

Many watchers had brought chairs to watch from and some even had ice creams. Plus, Union Jacks were well in evidence.

The cyclists were photographed here at the Ingatestone end of Fryerning Lane and they went up the hill to Fryerning and then on to Blackmore to eventually arrive at Harlow.

The winner was Holland’s Danny van Poppel of the Bora-Hansgrohe team, second was Vernon Ethan of Great Britain.

Photo Credit: Freddie Norton

New government guidance launched on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete

Latest regarding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in schools:

Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said:

“Essex is a large county and, collectively, we have responsibility for educating circa 220,000 school aged children and young people, across an estate of circa 550 schools.

“54 schools are currently identified as having known RAAC within Essex, requiring immediate action as a result of the change in Department of Education (DfE) policy made on Thursday 31 August 2023. Up until that date, for schools for which Essex County Council is the responsible body, we had been working with the DfE to manage RAAC in these settings.

“We have been working over a number of years to understand the extent of RAAC across the maintained school education estate and take action when it has been identified.

“Of the 54 schools on the list, 15 are local authority-maintained schools. 14 of these schools are able to open due to mitigation measures having been put in place.

“Unfortunately, one maintained school will need to close temporarily due to the severity of the RAAC across the school building. Parents have been communicated to around arrangements for the start of the school term. We are working tirelessly with the school to find an appropriate solution as quickly as possible.

“The remaining 39 schools are academies, for which the academy trust is the responsible body. We have been working closely with academy trusts and the DfE to understand the impact and provide support where necessary.

“The council has always been diligent in ensuring that we have surveyed schools and ensured that when RAAC issues have been identified we have taken necessary action. We are confident that there are no additional maintained schools that have RAAC. In light of changing guidance and the latest information, like many other Local Authorities we will be reviewing our data and undertaking further surveys if necessary to ensure all RAAC is identified and then addressed. We expect academy trusts will do the same.

“I would like to acknowledge that for pupils, parents, school staff and education colleagues at the council this isn’t the start to the Autumn term you expected or will have wanted. I can reassure you that across the council we are doing all we can to support schools to manage the situation and get affected children safely into schools and learning as quickly as possible.”

To see a list of the affected schools in Essex check out www.essex.gov.uk/ news/2023/new-government-guidancelaunched-reinforced-autoclaved-aeratedconcrete-raac-schools. This is a definitive list as of 5th September at 9am. It precedes any other information that is in the public domain.

Mountnessing Village Hall

Mountnessing Village Hall is situated by the Mountnessing Windmill.

It is a lovely busy community hall which is also available to hire for private events. Please see our website: www.mountnessingvillagehall.com or email Dawn Parker on booking@mountnessingvillagehall.com for booking information.

Some of the regular activities are as follows: -

Mountnessing Senior Citizens Club

This group meets twice a month on the 2nd and fourth Thursday of the month at 2pm in the Village Hall.

It’s an extremely casual friendly meeting where you can get to chat to friends old and new over a cup of tea.

We have bingo and a raffle and an easy quiz to kick things off. New members made very welcome.

For more details contact Sue 07974 174713

Brentwood Organ & Keyboard Club

Join us at our monthly concerts on Tuesday afternoons (usually the 4th Tuesday) at Mountnessing Village Hall. Concerts are performed by a different professional every month using their own keyboard system which gives them a whole orchestra at their fingertips. Many styles and genres are played at each concert - jazz, easy

listening, classical, pop, big band, swing, film themes, songs from musicals etc. Something for everyone to enjoy. Concerts start at 2:15pm (doors 1:45pm). Entry at the door is £5 for members, £7 for guests (cash please) including interval refreshments.

Tuesday 26th September – Mark Thompson

Tuesday 24th October – Nicholas Martin

Tuesday 21st November – Mark Spafford

Tuesday 12th December – Xmas Concert –Chris Stanbury

See www.organfax.co.uk/clubs/ brentwood or Jean on 01277 824380

Little City

Role play adventure for kids. Please contact Lucy Huartson 07823 322296 email lucy@littlecityuk.com

4th Wednesday morning of the month:

27th September

25th October

22nd November

Little Monkees Play Arena

Meet every Friday through term time for 4 months to 3 years. Call 01277 211065 or 07837 170602 Email info@littlemonkees.com

Teenie Rockets music sensory group Contact Kayleigh Marshall on 07925 348695 or email kdean3848@hotmail.com for session dates.

Billericay Mayflower Bridge Club

Meet on a Tuesday evening from 7pm. Please contact John McCoy 07474 267160

Moore Art

This art group is a former watercolour landscape class that lost its teacher several years ago, and have carried on as a group without tuition. We develop on our own and support each other in different projects. Some members do pictures, some do cards or both. It is a very sociable group and we usually get together for a meal at Christmas. Meetings are every Wednesday afternoon.

Please contact Leila on 07790 288209 email leilamoore@hotmail.co.uk

RNLI Quiz night

Will be held on Friday 13th October, from 7pm. Quiz starts at 7:30pm. Along with the quiz costing £10, there will be a backwards bingo costing £5. Please pay cash on the night, and bring your own drink and nibbles.

Contact Jane Jones by email brin_jane@hotmail.com

The Shaftesbury cycling club

Meeting every Wednesday evening. Please contact Laurence Bellamy on 07825 686998

Hotfooted shoe sale

The sale will be returning on the morning of 27th October for the second of their visits this year.

St Giles Autumn Fayre

18th November 2023 at 11am. This fayre is in aid of St Giles, Mountnessing parish church and is offering a variety of stalls including gifts, cards, cakes, raffles, second hand books, toys and bric-a-brac, along with refreshments of a range of home-made soups, rolls and desserts

We also have a number of activities lead by the Shenfield U3A, including singing, art classes.

Please contact Gill Bitschine by email on gillbits@btinternet.com

Tel: 01277 549 027

Mob: 07856769007

Email: newleaf.landscapes@outlook.com

Sign up to renewable electricity and fix your tariff as the Essex Energy Switch returns

The Essex Energy Switch is back, helping local communities come together to take the hassle out of searching for a better energy rate.

The Essex Energy Switch is a group buying scheme for gas and electricity. It is free to register and there is no obligation to accept an offer. The more people that register, the greater the collective buying power of the group.

All Energy Switch suppliers must provide 100% renewable electricity. This will help to reduce carbon emissions in the county. Registering for the Energy Switch is quick and easy. Taking part helps you avoid searching for the best deals as all the hard work is done for you.

The amount of money saved varies depending on factors such as the current tariff, payment method and consumption. Savings, or where there are no savings, are displayed in the personal offer received. While there is no guarantee that an offer will be the cheapest, the model aims to ensure most people are offered lower

annual energy bills than they are currently paying or are available at the time of the offer.

Registration for the Essex Energy Switch is free and only takes five minutes. Preapproved energy companies will bid at an auction to see who can offer the lowest energy tariff. Those registered will receive an offer once the winning bidder is chosen. There’s no obligation to switch. For customers who decided to proceed, the process is taken care of by the winning supplier.

Register online via www.bigcommunityswitch.co.uk/essex landing or by calling the Big Community Switch registration line on 0800 048 8439 to register and receive correspondence by post. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm. Those looking to sign up should have a recent energy bill to hand.

Ambitious £250m Climate Action Plan is approved

Essex County Council’s Cabinet has approved an updated Essex Climate Action Plan. This will help us tackle climate change and improve the Essex environment.

The revised plan will see us commit an extra £50 million in funding between now and 2025. This brings the budget for the whole plan to £250 million.

There are six core themes in the plan. These are:

• land use and green infrastructure

• energy

• built environment

• transport

• waste

• community engagement

ECC adopted the original plan in November 2021. It followed the recommendations from the Essex Climate Action Commission’s report, Net Zero: Making Essex Carbon Neutral.

The new plan removes commitments which have been delivered. It also adds in new ones to the remains goals, and sets out the achievements already made.

Read more about ECC’s progress online via www.essex.gov.uk/news/2023/ambitiousps250m-climate-action-plan-approved

St Johns Hall, Mountnessing

St Johns Hall in Church Road, Mountnessing is available for private hire.

It is ideal for family gatherings and school class birthday parties, to a maximum of 60 people. Please contact Dawn Parker 07984 791941 for bookings. The hall also has a variety of regular activities such as:

Shenfield U3A

Have a history group who meet on the afternoon of the first Wednesday of the month, and a canasta group meet on the first Friday afternoon of each month.

Please contact Jean Williams on 01277 228653 or email shenfieldu3amembership@outlook.com

Mountnessing Gardening Club

The garden club meet either at the hall or for garden visits on the first Thursday afternoon each month. The next hall meeting is on 5th October at 2pm. Just come along or contact Pam on 07761 256718

Dance classes

Saturday mornings for ages 4-18 in Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical Jazz and Modern at St John’s Hall.

An informal and friendly dance school catering to all levels of experience and abilities, with the opportunity to participate in our annual shows!

Our classes are small and fun, supportive and respectful, and we pride ourselves in our ability to teach strong technique from a young age, and help develop those who are late starters.

Primary Class (4-7yrs) 9:15am - 10:15am

Junior Class (8-12yrs) 10:15am - 11:15am

Senior Class (13-18yrs) 11:15am - 12:55pm

Find out more at www.thedance-co.co.uk

Contact Lydia – info@thedance-co.co.uk

Forget me not Day care

Lots of fun activities, and soft sports giving, and are designed to promote health and wellbeing to members whilst providing respite to family carers. From 10am to 3pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please contact Tracy or Leah on 07940 231609 or email thefmnclub@gmail.com

Hutton Flower Club

Looking for new members for our friendly flower group 10:30am to midday on Thursday mornings.

No experience necessary just a love of flowers, coffee and a chat. Please contact Val on 07986 797287 or email valgib@tiscali.co.uk

Strengthening healthcare services for our community this winter

As part of the NHS’s winter preparations, senior clinicians and partners across the health and care system have been developing plans to make the best use of healthcare facilities and resources this winter.

Plans include changes to:

• increase and reconfigure inpatient community rehabilitation beds that support people who need short-term bed-based rehabilitation services after a spell in hospital. This includes stroke and more generalised rehabilitation beds.

• relocate the birthing unit run from St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon – which sees an average of six births a month – to the William Julien Courtauld Birthing Unit (WJC) in Braintree.

Increasing and reconfiguring inpatient rehabilitation community beds

Inpatient community beds are used to support people who are not yet well enough to go home and to care for people who need additional rehabilitation, including those who need support following a stroke.

These services need to meet the changing needs of our residents and ensure they receive the right

support at the right time and in the safest place for them.

The changes will see an overall increase in the number of beds used for stroke rehabilitation meaning hospital beds will be freed up for patients who need urgent care.

Sustaining a safe and high-quality service is no longer possible at St Peter’s due to the condition of the building. It has deteriorated in recent years and is no longer the best place to deliver inpatient care. Bayman Ward at Brentwood Community Hospital will therefore provide 25 beds for stroke rehabilitation in modern, high-quality accommodation replacing the 16 beds at St Peter’s.

Outpatient services such as diagnostics and screening will still be provided from St Peter’s for the local population in Maldon.

Relocating midwife-led births

Maternity outpatient appointments will continue at St Peter’s in Maldon, but people wanting to give birth in a

midwifery-led unit will use the Willian Julien Courtauld (WJC) birthing unit in Braintree or Broomfield Hospital instead.

Midwives will continue to support families to choose the best place to deliver their babies.

Deborah Goldsmith, Director of Midwifery at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We want to provide families with the best experience when they are having their babies, and the modern, purpose-built facilities in Braintree will allow us to do exactly that. Unfortunately, we had to regularly close the facilities at St Peter’s, but using the birthing suite at WJC means we will be able to offer a safer and more reliable service.”

Local staff will be front and centre of transition plans to ensure all patients’ needs are met.

The changes are scheduled to take place in the autumn of 2023 in preparation for the winter when demand for care is expected

to increase and the NHS will be under the most pressure.

Dr Matt Sweeting, Interim Medical Director at Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board and a Consultant Geriatrician, said: “We owe it to patients and the public to get this right. This plan comes as part of comprehensive and collaborative efforts to improve healthcare facilities and resources this winter. The changes offer several advantages, including being able to accommodate a larger number of patients and ensuring that they get the care they need in the right place, at the right time.

“Our main aim is to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients in high-quality facilities.”

Residents who would like to be included in any future conversations around the longer-term plans for stroke rehabilitation, intermediate care, and maternity services, should email mseics.getinvolved@nhs.net

Ingatestone, Fryerning

Essex businesses continue to have access to 12 hours of free support

Windows. They look amazing now they’re sparkling clean!

Join our network of SEND support in Essex Essex County Council are encouraging clubs, groups and organisations to join the Essex Local Offer. This provides information on support for people aged up to 25 with Special Education Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

Essex County Council have renewed our contract with Backing Essex Business for a third year. This service offers up to 12 hours of free and impartial business advice for local entrepreneurs.

Businesses can:

• access finance and receive advice on funding

• discover mentoring and networking opportunities

• find training programmes and workshops

• receive guidance on marketing and branding

• learn about strategic planning

The service is delivered by Let’s Do Business Group and funded by Essex County Council. It has already offered tailored support to 844 businesses across a range of sectors. These include fashion, hospitality, technology and logistics. Support has helped to safeguard over 700 local jobs.

Over the next year, Backing Essex Businesses aims to engage even more entrepreneurs. The team will continue to offer successful programmes, such as the Group2Grow Network Programme. Businesses can also expect new initiatives, including additional training and sector-specific events.

Visit the Backing Essex Business website to access support: www.backingessexbusiness.co.uk

Ingatestone Village Sign cleaned

The signs in the village received a much-needed scrub thanks to window cleaners G J Cannon

It includes advice if you’re new to SEND and a range of local groups and activities that offer support. The site currently lists over 350 services, groups and activities which offer different types of support. These include play centres, sport clubs and employment support.

Clubs, groups and organisations can offer support in different ways. This might be as full-time provision or during dedicated SEND-inclusive sessions.

Joining the Essex Local Offer is free and there is no limit on the size of club or organisation that can join.

Find out more and request to join the Essex Local Offer: send.essex.gov.uk/ contacts/getting-listed-website

Exciting News:

Recycling Sacks Now Available at IFPC Office!

Blue & White

IFPC are delighted to share some fantastic news with the community! Following dedicated efforts in collaboration with Brentwood Borough Council, IFPC have announced that they now have blue and white recycling sacks in stock, both in small and large sizes.

If you require these recycling sacks (either

one type or both) and would like to collect them from the office, they kindly request that you provide your name and proof of address. It’s important to note that availability is limited, so act fast to secure yours.

Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Thursday. To ensure availability, we recommend calling in advance at 01277 676759

Curious about what items can be recycled and which bags to use? Want to know how to request a replacement from Brentwood Borough Council? Head to www.brentwood.gov.uk/recycling for more information.

Together, let’s continue to make our community greener and more sustainable!

Celebrating Glenys Vallis: A Remarkable Nominee!

Heartfelt congratulations are being extended to Glenys Vallis, the dedicated soul behind the Fundangles, Musical Bingo, and Singalong groups at Seymour Pavilion (and neighbouring areas), which bring comfort and joy to individuals coping with dementia and their devoted caregivers.

Glenys Vallis has been nominated for the prestigious BBC Essex Make A Difference Awards in the Volunteer category! This recognition is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those facing the challenges of dementia.

To hear Glenys’s inspiring story, check out her audio interview on BBC Sounds via www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0g7l5kt

For more details about the Awards and to support Glenys in her incredible journey, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ articles/3M4QTQxVtH3z7nbyZjDDS4p/ make-a-difference-awards

Let’s join hands in celebrating Glenys Vallis, a true beacon of light in our community,

and wish her the best of luck in this well-deserved recognition!

Small grant applications open for £7.5m public health programme

Applications are now open for the small grants element of the Essex Public Health Accelerator Bids (PHAB) programme. PHAB is a new £7.5 million grant programme. Grants are available to voluntary groups, charities, NHS bodies, councils, schools and more. Organisations can now apply for a small grant between £500 and £15,000. These will be awarded to projects that improve the health of residents across Essex. Project should align with the priorities in the new Essex Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Business Plan (www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-careand-health/health-and-wellbeingservices)

There is no deadline to submit a small grant application. This may change depending on the volume of small grant applications received. The major grants element of PHAB was launched during the summer, attracting interest from 75 organisations across Essex. A number of these will now go through to submit a second stage application. The first major grants will be awarded in November. The second round of the PHAB major grants scheme opens on Monday 6th November and closes on Friday 1st December.

Find out more about PHAB or submit an application at www.essex.gov.uk/phab

New waste service launching this autumn

From Monday 27th November 2023, Basildon Council will introduce black wheelie bins and reusable sacks for all households in the Basildon Borough. Distribution will begin mid-September and every household will receive a 180-litre black wheeled bin for non-recyclable residual waste. The two-weekly collection will replace your weekly black sack service. We are introducing black wheeled bins to significantly increase the amount of waste in the borough being recycled and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

Households will also receive two reusable sacks - one white for plastics and cans and the other blue for paper and cardboard, which will replace your weekly pink sack service. The new reusable sacks, which are collected every week, will separate recycling to meet new government legislation, and are carefully designed to not only secure your waste effectively but also to be durable and sustainable, ensuring long-lasting benefits for our environment.

Councillor Kevin Blake, Cabinet Member for Environment, Carbon Reduction and Waste Enforcement said “I am pleased we have made the decision to introduce black wheelie bins and reusable sacks - the new services aims to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill by 25%, a massive reduction in the amount of emissions the borough produced by its waste. This will be a massive step towards reaching the Council’s 65% recycling rate target by 2035.

“Residents told us they were in favour of wheelie bins during consultations in summer 2022 and winter 2023. The new containers will reduce the amount of litter on

our streets through reducing split bags, and will encourage residents to change behaviour and recycle their waste. If residents recycle all they can, there should be very little left to go to landfill. “The larger reusable sacks eliminate the need for single-use pink plastic bags. These reusable sacks are designed to stay grounded, reducing the risk of litter and promoting a greener environment. This removes 10 million single use plastic bags from production every year. We will keep residents updated on their new containers and how to use them ahead of launch in November.”

Residents are being asked to store their new bin until the new service begins. Waste and recycling services remain the same until Monday 27th November 2023.

There are no additional charges for this service.

Find out more here

www.basildon.gov.uk/collectionchanges

Regular information will be shared in the coming months - stay up to date by signing up to our free email newsletter at www.basildon.gov.uk/ keepintouch

For updates and reminders on your waste and recycling service, download the free Our Streets Basildon App

www.basildon.gov.uk/ ourstreets

We are one of the only Family Law teams in the country to have a fully emb e dde d family consultant, who works alongside our me diators to offer an enhance d exp erience.

How does mediation work?

The mediator facilitates open communication and guides you towards mutually acceptable solutions. A family consultant provides additional support with emotional and psychological aspects that may impact negotiations.

• It offers a cost-effective and amicable way to reach fair and sustainable agreements.

• You set a pace and agenda that suits you.

•

Solutions are tailored to your needs.

• You can involve your children in the process and enable their voices to be heard.

• The mediator’s experience, skills and understanding to solutions that work for you.

• Financial advisers can provide neutral assistance.

Why is Family Law Partners different?

•

We offer fixed-fee packages for mediation.

• We offer access to a family consultant.

• We skilfully guide your discussions towards an agreement.

• We reality check possible outcomes with you.

• We ensure decisions are balanced and safe.

Louise Buttery: 01376 653149 / 07423 631288

louise@familylawpartners.co.uk

www.familylawpartners.co.uk

Louise Buttery is our specialist family law solicitor in Chelmsford, advising clients in Essex, London and nationwide.

October’s culinary magic: spooktacular recipes

As the leaves turn and Halloween approaches, we’re delighted to present a selection of frightfully delicious recipes perfect for busy families with children.

From spine-tingling Spooky Mummy Meatloaf to comforting Pumpkin and Sage Risotto, our collection offers something for everyone. Dive into the world of delicious treats, including the Vegan Stuffed Bell Pepper Jack-o’-Lanterns and the Chocolate Spiderweb Cupcakes – all crafted with passion and precision. These step-by-step guides will help you conjure up unforgettable, Halloween-themed dishes that will leave your family spellbound.

Spooky Mummy Meatloaf

Ingredients

500g minced beef

1 onion, finely chopped

1 egg

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tube refrigerated croissant dough

Sliced black olives for eyes

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C. In a bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.

2. Shape the mixture into a mummyshaped loaf on a baking sheet.

3. Unroll the croissant dough and cut into thin strips. Wrap the strips around the meatloaf to make it look like a mummy, leaving gaps for the eyes. Place two sliced black olives on the mummy for eyes.

4. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the meatloaf is cooked through and the pastry is golden brown. Serve with spooky sides for a Halloween-themed dinner.

Pumpkin and Sage Risotto

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Arborio rice

1 small pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and diced

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup white wine

(optional)

4 cups vegetable broth, kept warm

2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped

1/2 cup grated

Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Olive oil

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, and sauté until translucent.

2. Add Arborio rice and cook for a couple of minutes until it’s lightly toasted.

3. Pour in the white wine (if using) and cook until it’s mostly absorbed.

4. Begin adding the warm vegetable broth, one ladle at a time, stirring frequently. Wait until each ladle is mostly absorbed before adding the next.

5. After about 15 minutes, add the diced pumpkin and continue cooking and stirring.

6. When the rice is creamy and the pumpkin is tender, stir in fresh sage, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with extra sage leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Jack-o’-Lanterns Ingredients

4 orange peppers

1 cup cooked quinoa

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

1 cup diced tomatoes

1/2 cup diced red onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp chili powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

Olive oil

Vegan cheese for garnish (optional)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Carve jacko’-lantern faces into the peppers using a small knife.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic and red onion until softened.

3. Add diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, and cooked quinoa. Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes until everything is well combined.

4. Stuff each bell pepper with the quinoa mixture and place them in a baking dish.

5. Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 25-30 minutes until the peppers are tender. If desired, garnish with vegan cheese for a gooey topping.

Spiderweb Cupcakes Ingredients

12 chocolate cupcakes (store-bought or homemade)

1 cup chocolate ganache (melted chocolate and cream)

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Black icing gel

Method

1. Dip each cupcake into the chocolate ganache to coat the top.

2. While the ganache is still wet, use a toothpick or skewer to create a spiderweb pattern by starting from the centre and drawing circles outward.

3. Place three white chocolate chips in the centre of each cupcake to resemble spider eggs.

4. Use black icing gel to draw legs on the “spiders” coming out from the chocolate chips.

5. Allow the ganache and icing to set. Serve these spooky cupcakes at your Halloween party!

Brentwood Freegle

Welcome to Brentwood Freegle

- Give & receive unwanted items for free!!

What is Freegle?

Freegle is an online platform with a huge social, economic and environmental benefit - it allows you to give and get items for free in your local community. It’s easy to sign up and really simple to use. Best of all though, it’s kind to the planet as it can save pre-loved items from going to landfill. These items can range from children’s toys, to bicycles, mattresses and furniture.

There are currently 13 local Freegle groups across Essex, with over 85,000 members. In 2022, 408 tonnes of ‘stuff’ was reused through the platform, saving an estimated 208 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

How does it work?

First of all, find your local Freegle group. The Freegle group closest to Ingatestone, Frynerning and Mountnessing is the Brentwood Freegle. Once signed up:

• Post a message offering an item

• Other people will see it and can reply to you

• Choose who to give it to and arrange collection with them

• You’ve decluttered, made someone’s day and saved an item from landfill!

You can also search or browse the items offered, or post a request for something that other people might have.

Please keep it Free and Legal - All items must be offered and requested for free, and all items must be legal to give away.

Join the Brentwood Freegle community today via www.ilovefreegle.org/explore/ Brentwood-Freegle

Health Inequalities Fund Launch for Basildon and Brentwood

We are pleased to announce Brentwood CVS and Basildon, Billericay and Wickford CVS have partnered with The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Partnership.

To offer an exciting funding opportunity for local voluntary and community groups to support projects that take an innovative and collaborative approach to reducing health inequalities and the unwarranted variation that exists in Brentwood and Basildon boroughs.

The Health Inequalities Fund 2023-24 aims to improve population health and health care, tackling inequalities in outcomes and helping NHS to support broader social and economic development in line with the Core20PLUS5 approach.

Funding will be available to non-profit voluntary and community organisations based in Brentwood and Basildon for projects that address the underlying causes of health inequality at a local level. There is no limit to the amount of funding applied for and the projects should be completed by end of March 2024. They should target and reach out proactively to the most deprived communities and develop solutions that are population focussed – breaking down barriers between statutory and non-statutory organisations and the residents they serve. A joint statement from both Brentwood and Basildon CVS CEOs – “This is a wonderful opportunity for our local groups in Brentwood and Basildon to apply for project funding that addresses the health inequalities in our neighbourhoods to build stronger, healthier and thriving communities”.

For more information and guidance notes please click here or contact Arsen at funding@brentwoodcvs.org.uk if you are based in Brentwood or Pippa at admin@bbwcvs.org.uk if based within Basildon.

Ingatestone, Fryerning

A new season with Ingatestone & District Camera Club

Fridays, 7:35pm for 8pm prompt start at the Seymour Pavilion.

Visitors are welcome at all meetings. Talks by external speakers – £3 for members/ £4 for non-members, collectable on the night. Set Competition Subjects are: “Leading lines”, “By the Seaside” and “Abstract nature”.

Upcoming Talks:

6th October – Zoom Talk: The Art of Macro with Tony North.

13th October – Affinity Photo / Luminar demo with Peter Ball. Deadline for digital images (inc those for prints) to be sent to the projectionist

20th October – 2nd Club Competition@ Open Subject S2 and raffle with Harold Mousley.

27th October – Practical Camera Evening: Bring Cameras and Tripods.

3rd November – Talk: “Ten Top Tips” with Daniel Bridge.

Upcoming shows with Ingatestone Community Cinema

Elizabeth – 19th October

1998 critically acclaimed epic of the Queen’s turbulent and treacherous rise to power. Tickets are £4.00 for IFCA members and £6.00 for non-members and can be purchased from the IFCA office or call 01277 352064. Office opening hours are 10am to 1pm, Monday to Thursday.

The true story of three aboriginal girls who embark on an escape from a remote settlement and a 1500-mile journey to find their way back home.

The doors open at 2pm with the film starting at 2:30pm.

Tickets are £4.00 for IFCA members and £6.00 for non-members and can be purchased from the IFCA office or call 01277 352064. Office opening hours are 10am to 1pm, Monday to Thursday.

Rabbit Proof Fence – 16th November

‘Master Byrd’ at Ingatestone Hall

Saturday 21st October, 4pm – 8:30pm at Ingatestone Hall

A new play by Brean Hammond.

Starring

Vincent Franklin, with live choral

interpolations by The Renaissance Singers. William Byrd died in Essex on 4th July 1623. Four hundred years later, as the musical world celebrates his genius, the Renaissance Singers raise their voices in this new short play.

Remarkably, the performance happens in the very place where the play is setIngatestone Hall, still owned by the family who sheltered and supported Byrd: the Petres.

We are delighted that the great composer will be embodied by the superb actor Vincent Franklin, whose television work includes Happy Valley 2 and 3, Doc Martin,

Bodyguard, Cucumber, The Office, Twenty Twelve, The Thick of It and Decline and Fall and whose film work includes Topsy Turvy, Peterloo, The Bourne Identity and Allelujah!

We hope you will join us, for a unique experience in a space the composer would have known well.

There are two performances, at 4pm and 7pm. Book early via www.renaissancesingers.com/concerts

OMD’s Halloween Festival

Sat 21st October - Tue 31st October, 10am – 5pm at Old Macdonald’s Farm, Weald Road, Brentford, CM14 5AY FREE Pumpkin with each child entry including under 2’s ... Plus...

Spooky Ghost House

Meet our Dragons

Magic School (each child receives a magic wand)

Glitter tattoos

Pumpkin Patches

Animal petting & feeds

Rides

Doggy dog

Rollercoaster

Find out more or book: www.omdfarm.co.uk

Teenie Rockets Pumpkin Bash

Monday 24th October, 9:45/11am at Mountnessing

Village Hall

Suitable for children aged 2 months - 3 years.

45 minute session.

Fancy dress encouraged

Music, dancing, and bubbles

Halloween-themed sensory play

Spooky lights

A free small gift for every paid ticket

£9 per child. BOOK NOW - SPACES WILL SELL OUT

www.bookwhen.com/teenierockets

FireCar is a road safety programme aimed at engaging and educating road users.

Our FireCar is an Audi S3 performance car generously donated by Group 1 Automotive. This valuable partnership allows our road safety team to engage with our target audience which primarily (although not necessarily exclusively) is young 18 - 35 year old performance car (‘cruiser car’) enthusiasts, who are among the highest-risk road user groups. FireCar is a unique programme in Essex to directly engage with this target audience. Essex has significant and growing issues with street racing activities, which have required Police enforcement activities. These activities are a risk not only to the drivers but also to others who often gather in significant numbers to watch. FireCar has provided the opportunity to positively engage and educate these road users, using the publicly respected and trusted Essex County Fire and Rescue Service brand.

The purpose of the FireCar is to attract the interest of road users (predominantly male) who aspire to own this kind of vehicle, to start a discussion about the car and its potential performance and then to educate and inform the audience about risk and consequences while driving on the roads.

The FireCar is used with the intention of achieving a genuine two-way dialogue with drivers, passengers and event spectators and influencing behaviour around the following messages:

• Being a responsible driver

• Understanding risk and consequence

• Sharing the road

• Avoiding inappropriate road behaviour

• Preventing anti-social and dangerous driving

If you are holding an event and would like our FireCar to attend, please contact our road safety team at rtc.reduction@essex-fire.gov.uk

you w i th th e p ro t ec t io n y ou n ee d o r b e a s e n ergy - e ff icie nt as i t on c e was . Ta k e a m i nut e to c h ec k you r hom e to s ee i f an y doub l e g l a zi ng has f aile d? Tak i n g a c t io n n o w c an p re v e nt futu re f i n a n cial p ro b le ms .

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Chris Miller it became clear that these

values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Chris commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”.

Ask

31 degrees and still they play

On Sunday 10th September and in 31 degree temperatures, Stones Athletic YFC Purple Panthers U10/U11, a girls’ team that play 7 v 7 friendlies, had a great game, although a little warm!

Photographs show the U10/U11 teams, under the management of Emily Warren and Lucia Possami.

Nick Holmes the Chairman of Stones Athletic Youth Football Club said how pleased he was that ladies football was back and growing. Stones has girls’ and ladies’ teams from under 7s right through to seniors so if your interested contact them on www.stonesathleticyfc.com/ contact

Photo Credit: Freddie Norton

Take a look around the building

Exhibition of church life

Historic Photos and Items

Hope Cafe Open - all free!

www.ingatestoneelimchurch.org.uk