Rovers Dog Rescue –finding ‘furever’ homes

According to PDSA, 27% of adults have a pet dog, with an estimated 10.2 million dogs across the UK.

It’s clear to see we are a nation of dog lovers, but with that comes an unfortunate amount of dogs abandoned and left to fend for themselves.

Rovers Dog Rescue is a small home-run dog rescue in the Essex countryside who help to give our four-legged friends a better quality of life and chance for a forever home.

All of the dogs that come through the rescue are microchipped, vaccinated, neutered, where age applicable, before rehoming. We caught up with Rebecca from Rovers Dog Rescue to find out a little more about the important work they do, and how local readers might be able to support them.

Rebecca told us:

“There are two of us running the show, one of us in Billericay and the other out towards Ongar. We do not use kennels and rely heavily on our amazing band of fosterers spread out through Essex who take the dogs into their homes.

“There they can be fully assessed, vet checked, neutered, and vaccinated while we look for a new home for them which we vet and home check for suitability.

“Our dogs come from dog wardens, dog pounds, vets, public hand-ins and breeders and 2022 was particularly hard and just before Christmas we had 9 puppies in from 2 separate litters, Christmas was chaos in our houses!”

For our readers who would like to support the rescue through donations, whether it’s food, money to help with huge vet bills, or dog items such as collars, fleeces and toys etc, they are always greatly appreciated.

“The one thing more important than anything is our need for foster homeswe can’t do what we do without them,” poignantly added Rebecca.

To find out more or to get in touch visit the rescue on Facebook at Rovers Dog Rescue

Businesses invited to help create 300 new apprenticeships in 2023

The Essex County Council Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service (EALTS) and the newly launched Essex Apprenticeship Hub are asking large businesses to pledge to create 300 apprenticeship opportunities in 2023. This follows a successful year, during which the service supported 240 apprenticeships. This exceeds its pledge to create 100 opportunities between March and December.

The EALTS enables large Essex-based businesses to donate up to 25% of their apprenticeship levy to a smaller business. Smaller organisations can sign up to the service, set their objectives and be matched with a larger business. Both businesses are supported by a team of advisors, who will provide practical guidance.

The apprenticeship levy is a tax paid by employers to help fund apprenticeship training costs. The EALTS helps larger employers avoid returning unspent levy to government.

Since the service was launched, it has attracted pledges from organisations like Timpson and the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

Cllr Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “The EALTS plays a key role in our Levelling Up agenda, helping trainees to access good jobs after completing their apprenticeship. It also strengthens the economy by creating new networks, bolstering supply chains, adding value and filling skills gaps.

“We look forward to creating new opportunities in 2023 and supporting our businesses and partners to welcome apprentices on board.”

Find out more about donating your unused apprenticeship levy or receiving a transfer online via www.essexalts.co.uk

Read more about Essex apprenticeships on the Apprenticeship Hub via www.essexopportunities.co.uk/ apprenticeship-hub

Wickford Memorial Park - War Memorial, Heroes

Arboretum, Remembrance Ave

January’s edition of the magazine gave an overview of the Wickford Memorial Park and the volunteers group.

Over the months we will be breaking down areas in the park with more information. This month we are looking at three areas as you come into the park from the main Runwell Road Entrance. There are three car parks: Runwell Road (main entrance); Rettendon View; and Highcliffe Road.

War Memorial

The War Memorial is situated just outside the main gates in Runwell Road Entrance. The Memorial itself was built and moved into place November 2011. Every year the Remembrance Parade is held at the Memorial. The Friends Group have planted the borders of the Memorial and planted thousands of daffodils leading to the main road.

Heroes Arboretum

This area to the right of the main gates is dedicated to venues where servicemen have fallen and the site of the Beacon. These commemorative trees have been planted in remembrance to the Wickford men who sacrificed their lives in World War I, there is an information board by the Beacon.

Arboretum will be a lasting tribute to their courage and determination.

Each tree represents a battle of campaign where the men fell.

The Friends Volunteers have planted thousands of bulbs in the area across the back and around each tree and wildflowers at the base of the wall.

We have also refurbished two benches, which have been installed by the council and Carter and Ward erected a black mesh along the back fence to hide their compound.

The Beacon

The Beacon was installed inside the main gates in time for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Friends Group helped co-ordinate the flower tributes for the Queen’s funeral. We expect it to be lit again for the Coronation in May.

The shrubs and plants inside the Beacon area were planted by the Friends Group.

Remembrance Avenue

The Remembrance Avenue is a tree lined pathway, each tree dedicated to a fallen serviceman. Each tree has a plaque. Full details of the history of them can be found on the Wickford War Memorial Association: Wickford War Memorial Association - Home (www.wickfordmemorial.com)

(They maintain the records of the servicemen and women, plus civilians that died in the wars.)

Please visit our website: www.friendsofwickfordmemorialpark.co.uk or Facebook: Friends of Wickford Memorial Park