Wickford Town News - Issue 09 July 2023

Wickford Town News July 2023

Wickford Showcase

Find out more on page 4

Wickford Wildlife Society Find out more on page 10

Getting to know your local Councillors Find out more on page 26

Summer of Volunteering Find out more on page 32

Keep Children Active this Summer Find out more on page 42

ISSUE 09

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Town News

Q O U TE

Enjoy the thriving community with Wickford Town News It’s not just the kids that will be excited over the summer holidays, we’ve all got plenty to be excited about too!

From the fantastic Community Showcase free event on 19th August on Wickford High Street which many of us are looking forward to, to the new £7.5m grant that has been announced by Essex County Council to support residents’ health, the community of Wickford is well and truly thriving! All the best bits of news and events are in this issue for you to enjoy. If you’re a local charity, group or club and you’ve got something you want to share with your community then do get in touch because we always endeavour to support local organisations.

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As you read this, we are preparing the late July- late August edition of our magazine, for any article submissions, and reader comments please make sure you get this across to us before 3rd August! Enjoy the sunshine and don’t forget your SPF!

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Wickford Showcase Head to the High Street on Saturday 19th August to enjoy a fun-filled family day out.

Meet a host of Superheroes, marvel at the Batmobile and enjoy street entertainers, free face painting, music, demonstrations and the Wickford Wander Trail.

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Plus find out about many of the community groups in the town, who will be on hand to chat about the work they do in Wickford.

Everyone is welcome, come and join in! The High Street will be closed to traffic for this event.

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Wickford Town Council Statement from the Town Council re: Wickford Market Since being formed as a Shadow Town Council in October 2021 and later a full Town Council in May 2022 we have tried to engage with Basildon Borough Council as an interested party regarding the operation of Wickford Market.

It was only in May this year that we were invited to an online meeting with Essex County Council and Basildon Borough Council to discuss the situation appertaining to the permanent closure of the High Street for the Market to continue. Although there are no bus stops in the High Street the bus companies had objected to the permanent closure. At that meeting it was at the suggestion of the Town Council that a meeting be held with the bus companies to discuss their objections.

We were further informed that legal advice had been sought from a KC who said that if it went to a public enquiry, which would be needed to overcome the bus company objections if they aren’t voluntarily withdrawn by them, it was likely it would be lost. The decision was therefore made that the High Street Market would close and move on a temporary basis to Market Lane/Woodlands Road until a permanent location could be found.

Wickford Town Council, subject to conditions, had shown an interest in taking over the operation of the High Street Market with a view to enhancing it. We wish to convey our thanks to the stallholders that have served us over the years and hope that they will be able to trade well at the temporary location and it will not be long before a permanent location can be found for the Market Town of Wickford.

A hastily arranged meeting was held on 14th June when the Town Council were informed that the bus companies had refused to a meeting.

Councillor Derek Harrison Chairman, Wickford Town Council.

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The MUST care plans also involve use of red

New initiatives improving trays and jug lids, in-line with the Protected Mealtime practices. patient care at our There is a focused campaign on recruiting hospitals more feeding buddies, and we’ve recruited a Protected mealtimes, new specialist cutlery and feeding buddies, all helping to improve patient experience at our hospitals.

Patients are trying out new stainless-steel knives, forks, and spoons, specially designed to assist individuals who may face difficulty in holding regular cutlery, on Florence Nightingale and Pasteur wards at Basildon Hospital, Bardfield ward at Broomfield Hospital and Chalkwell ward at Southend Hospital. Based on patient feedback, the cutlery will be made available on other wards soon.

Additionally, new bells, which are paid for by Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity, are now installed on wards and will be rung at the beginning of each mealtime. These new bells let the patients know that their meal is coming and that they will not be interrupted or sent for treatment during this time unless necessary.

We have also relaunched Protected Mealtimes at Basildon and Southend hospitals in January. This involves stopping all non-urgent activities during a specified time so that the nursing staff can assist patients with their meals. Red trays and jug lids are used to identify patients who need additional help or special diets. Families who wish to support their relatives with mealtimes are also able to sit with their loved ones and help them.

The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) has also been rolled out at our hospitals to monitor patients’ nutrition and give a quick response to certain conditions.

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nutrition trainer who will teach the Feeding Buddies about the nutrition of the meals given to patients, help to emphasise the importance of a balanced diet, and offer ways of motivating patients to eat.

There are now four trainers across Basildon, Broomfield, and Southend hospitals.

Interactive sessions with the new trainers will help the volunteers in patient care.

Marilyn Glass, an experienced Feeding Buddy and Patient Liaison, expressed her enthusiasm about the new trainer joining her team. She said:

“A feeding buddy role is very important and fulfilling. We make a difference to patients by encouraging them to eat and drink while engaging in conversation.

And specialised training will benefit all of us who are genuinely passionate about helping patients.”

Marilyn is an 11-year veteran Feeding Buddy who has been serving the Trust with great dedication. Recently, she had the opportunity to meet with Anna Firth MP, and was recognised for her commitment to patient care and passion for continuous learning.

Currently, there are 90 Feeding Buddies across the Trust’s three hospitals. Though this number is below the level before the pandemic, residents are encouraged to volunteer and participate in this programme, and the Trust aims to recruit 200 volunteers by the end of this year.

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Wickford Wildlife Society The Wickford Wildlife Society was formed in 1984 and offers local people the chance to see indoor wildlife presentations on a wide variety of topics and visit some of the excellent nature reserves and wildlife areas for which Essex is famous.

During the autumn and winter months, indoor meetings are held locally in St Andrews Church Hall, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex, SS12 0AN, on the third Wednesday of every month. These usually consist of a slideshow presentation by a wildlife expert or enthusiast, on a variety of topics, from plants to insects, geology to ornithology, and covering Essex and many “wild” places throughout the world. In addition to the indoor presentations, we hold an annual social event in December, where the AGM takes place, usually followed by a Quiz and a chance for members to show their own photographs and exhibits.

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These indoor meetings start at 8.00pm and end at around 10.00pm. Car parking is available in the Church car park, and refreshments are available. There is a small charge for each meeting of £3.00 for non-members and £2.00 for members.

For many members, the highlights of the programme are the outdoor meetings which mainly take place during the spring and summer months, although we normally have a winter bird watching trip to ensure we don’t get too comfortable! Outdoor trips are normally on Sunday mornings, and we meet in the Wickford Council Central Car park. For most of these outdoor meetings, we aim to be back in Wickford for around 1.00pm - unless specifically mentioned in the Programme.

If you are interested in learning more about your local wildlife and visiting some of the excellent wildlife sites in Essex, please visit our website at www.wickfordwildlife.co.uk or email us at info@wickfordwildlife.co.uk

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New £7.5m grant programme to support residents’ health Essex County Council have announced a new £7.5 million grant programme.

The Public Health Accelerator Bids (PHAB) programme will launch later this year. It will support projects designed to improve residents’ health and tackle health inequalities.

PHAB will offer organisations funding across two grant funding streams, these are: • small grants under £15,000 • major grants over £15,000 Grants are available to voluntary organisations, charities, schools, councils and more.

The programme will fund projects supporting the aims of the new Essex Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Plan.

Lucy Wightman, Director of Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities at Essex County

Council, said: “The programme will focus on supporting the communities in Essex with the worst health outcomes and supports our commitment to reducing health inequalities across the county and improving residents’ health”.

The council are looking for applicants that have the expertise to deliver innovative public health projects and we are excited to see the impact the successful bids will make to the lives of people in Essex.

Applications for the small grants and first round of the major grant will open on Monday 4th September. Groups can submit an expression of interest in the major grants from Tuesday 1st August. More information will be available at a new dedicated website which will launch in the coming weeks.

There will be more than one round of applications for the major grant funding. In November, organisations will receive the first grants.

Email PHABApplications@activeessex.org if you have questions about the programme.

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Leader of Essex County Council announces changes to the Cabinet Councillor Kevin Bentley has announced changes to the Cabinet at Essex County Council.

This includes portfolios moving between members, title changes and three current Deputy Cabinet Members becoming Cabinet Members.

These changes came into effect on 1st July.

The Essex County Council Cabinet is: • Councillor Kevin Bentley - Leader • Councillor Louise McKinlay - Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Levelling Up and the Economy • Councillor Beverley Egan - Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Early Years • Councillor John Spence - Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and ICS Integration • Councillor Tony Ball - Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Life Long Learning and Employability • Councillor Lee Scott - Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport • Councillor Chris Whitbread - The Chancellor of Essex The three Deputy Cabinet Members appointed to Cabinet from 1st July are: • Councillor Peter Schwier who will be Climate Czar and Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling • Councillor Tom Cunningham who will be Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy • Councillor Mark Durham who will be Cabinet Member for The Arts, Heritage and Culture

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W i c k f o r d Town News

Deputy Cabinet Members

From Saturday 1st July some Deputy Cabinet Members will now be known as Special Lead Members. Theses members are deputies to the leader and have responsibilities for devolution, transformation, major infrastructure projects and freeports and highways communications. Special Lead Members appointed are: • Councillor Graham Butland • Councillor Derrick Louis • Councillor Lesley Wagland • Councillor Holly Whitbread Other Deputy Cabinet Members as of 1st July are: • Councillor Mark Platt - Deputy Leader and Deputy Cabinet Member for Levelling Up and the Economy • Councillor Jane Fleming and Councillor Jaymey McIvor - Deputy Cabinet Members for Health, Adult Social Care and ICS Integration • Councillor Laureen Shaw - Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport • Councillor Andrew Sheldon - Deputy Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Life Long Learning and Employability • Councillor Bob Massey - Deputy Climate Czar and Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling • Councillor Lynette Bowers Flint - Deputy Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Early Years Read more about the Cabinet and how decisions are made at www.essex.gov.uk/ running-council/how-decisions-are-made/ cabinet

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News Around Opportunity to apply for funding for a 2024 Jack Petchey Intern!

The Jack Petchey Foundation is delighted to announce that they will be part-funding year-long internships for up to 30 young people at 30 different youth organisations across London and Essex in 2024, and that their Internship Programme is now open for applications!

Youth organisations (charities or CIOs) working with young people in London and/or Essex, with an income between £150,000 and £5,000,000 are eligible to apply for a grant to help fund a twelve-month paid intern, starting in March 2024.

Applications will close on Friday 8th September at 5pm.

For more head to www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/ opportunities/internships

RideLondon to return to Essex for the next three years

Essex County Council has reached a three-year agreement to host Ford RideLondon for the next three years (2024 to 2026).

The agreement includes the Ford RideLondon-Essex mass participation events and two stages of the Ford RideLondon Classique.

Ford RideLondon is organised by London Marathon Events. To date, the London Marathon Foundation has awarded Essex £1.75 million in funding, to inspire physical activity and promote cycling and walking in the county.

The funding is managed by Active Essex and 18

has already supported more than 15,000 residents to take part in funded activities since May 2022. Essex will remain one of the London Marathon Foundation’s core funding areas for the next three years.

The Ford RideLondon Classique brings world-class sport to the county while the Ford RideLondon-Essex mass participation rides raise millions of pounds for good causes each year.

Hosting Ford RideLondon is part of Essex County Council’s organisation strategy Everyone’s Essex: a plan for levelling up the county which aims to help people keep healthy and active and promotes active travel as part of the move towards net zero.

Funding applications for Find Your Active small grants has reopened. Organisations, groups and instructors can apply for funds of up to £3,000. More details are on the Active Essex website at www.activeessex.org/findyour-active/fund

New summer of volunteering campaign launches across Essex

Essex County Council is launching a new campaign encouraging residents to volunteer this summer.

On Monday 3rd July the summer of volunteering campaign was launched, inviting more residents to get involved and support their community by volunteering.

Ahead of the campaign launch, Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Levelling Up and the Economy, joined volunteers cutting back undergrowth in Hutton on Friday 30th June.

Councillor McKinlay said: “On my recent visit to Hutton I joined volunteers to cut back bushes to ensure it is easier for people to walk down the pathway.

It’s a great example of how people can get involved this summer in volunteering.

Wickford Town

Spending a small amount of time can really help to improve local areas”.

Volunteering for even a few hours can make a huge difference to communities across Essex.

The benefits of volunteering include a sense of pride, an opportunity to make new friends and the chance to learn new skills. Find out more about volunteering in Essex at www.essex.gov.uk/jobs-andapprenticeships/volunteering

Care sector recruitment campaign ongoing as free training offer announced

Fully-funded healthcare training is now available to anyone in Essex looking to enter or upskill in the care sector.

It will help those already working in care or new to the sector reach their career goals without the added pressure of training costs.

The training is funded by the council’s Nightingale Care Bursary and run by the council’s adult education service, ACL Essex.

This new training offer is complimented by a wider council campaign, Your Career Matters.

It aims to promote the range of opportunities on offer and showcase the benefits of working in care.

There are plenty of courses available which include: • apprenticeships • short courses for specialist skills • diplomas and certificates in health and care • fast track management courses Discover more about the Nightingale Care Bursary at www.aclessex.com/nightingale Find out more about the Your Career Matters campaign via www.workingforessex.com/ blog/careers-in-care-your-career-matters

Summer of Culture launches in Essex Essex County Council have launched a summer programme of free and low-cost

events, exhibitions and festivals.

The events are made possible by our Arts and Cultural Fund. The fund supports the county’s cultural and creative sector.

Events available this summer include: • community activities • music festivals • food festivals • gallery exhibitions • digital workshops Take a look at the full list of events in the Essex Summer of Culture Guide 2023 at www.explore-essex.com/culture/soc-guide

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service goes live with new Control system

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service launched a brand new and modern Control system on 27th June.

The new system, known as Guardian Command, will be used in the Control Room to manage response to incidents even faster and more effectively than ever before.

One of the benefits to the new system is that it will bring a more robust, all in one place for radio communications, mobilising and management system for audio recording.

The change to the new system comes with specialist new equipment and a video wall in the Control Room, which will assist with effective mobilisation and incident monitoring.

Provided by Airwave and Motorola, the system is already being used successfully by other UK Fire and Rescue Services, including Bedfordshire.

The team are looking forward to using a system which provides a foundation for improved resilience and ways of working.

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Tools with a Mission in Wickford I want to introduce you to a small charity called Tools with a Mission, hereafter called TWAM. Their mission is empowering people with the tools that create livelihoods and transform lives.

A network of Tool Collectors fetch and receive tools from industry and the general public, and store them ready for collection by vans that travel a regular route to pick up the tools and take them back to head office at Ipswich (and now Rugby) for sorting and re-furbishing.

They are then packed into trade kits to teach skills such as carpentry and tailoring and sent off to skills centres in Africa. When they graduate, the trainees can apply to TWAM for their own skills pack containing all the tools they need to begin working for themselves immediately.

TWAM’s work targets the most vulnerable members of society, those living in extreme poverty and facing terrible hardship. They need a sustainable way to generate their own income and gain their independence knowing they will be able to feed and educate their families every single day.

Currently TWAM operates in 5 countries, sending out a staggering eighteen 40ft. containers a year packed tight with tools and equipment gifted to the trainees on graduation.

They also care deeply about helping local communities and involving local people here in the UK. Their volunteers are with them every step of the way, from driving their vans, to collecting tools from the public, to re-furbishing them or just helping out in the office.

The definition of “tools” is very wide! The majority are familiar high quality hand tools that have been manufactured in UK for hundreds of years. But, in addition, power tools are also required for those areas with electricity, including ones as diverse as knitting machines and welders!

The lady with the sewing machine is called Astridah who lives in a very rural area, and was only able to access her sewing machine and training thanks to a mobile skills training group formed by one of our in-country team members.

The carpenter on the next page is called Chris who teaches students in a group that aims to prevent them becoming illegal fishermen, a big problem in this part of the country as they live next to a large lake.

They are both from Zambia.

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Of special importance are sewing machines for tailoring. Often it is the women and who are left trying to provide for large families due to absent fathers. By training them in tailoring they can earn a proper living that results in the education of both boys and girls, thus ensuring the maximum chance of them growing into successful working adults.

Here, with fewer young people going into trades, tools that have been used by the previous generation end up in scrap bins, or landfill! This does not have to be so – anyone having surplus tools, due to retirement, house moves, bereavement etc just need to contact TWAM to find their nearest Collector to relieve them of all their tools, no matter how rusty!

TWAM collects tools from carpenters, mechanics, builders, electricians, welders, plumbers’ tailors and more. Plus all the haberdashery items such as buttons, needles, pins etc. The full list can be found at www.twam.uk/donatetools Your local collector in Wickford is Richard on 07951 702293

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Wildlife in the ParkFriends of the Wickford Memorial Park - Volunteer Group Continuing on our tour of the Memorial Park - this month we will be looking at the Wildlife in the Park and how we are working with the Bio Diversity Officer to attract extra wildlife.

We have already installed many bird boxes and Bug Hotels around the park. Two of the larger Bug Hotels are installed in the fenced Wildflower area.

The flowers attract different insects including butterflies, bees, ladybirds, grasshoppers and of course this will attract the birds.

We have installed a small water source in the middle of the area.

There are smaller Bug Boxes in the Home Front Garden, which were made by our Woodland Warriors; a children’s charity who meet in the park on Saturdays.

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Also in the Home Front Garden our Bio Diversity Officer obtained four Sand Bee Planters. These are filled with sand and in one side, have small holes for solitary bees to hibernate during the Winter. This year we planted with layers of tulips, in the top six to eight inches of sand, and recently sowed different seeds for summer plants: cosmos, cornflowers, marigolds, nasturtiums and Californian poppies.

The planting of the Home Front Garden has been designed for all year display, bringing something to the garden for every season, and providing pollinators for all the birds and insects.

On the Beauchamps Meadow there is the huge Wildflower Meadow, these seeds were sown by the Council, using a special seed drilling machine. The whole area is buzzing with life.

There are also plenty of resident birds to see too, Blackbirds and Robins are in the hedgerows and scrub together with Dunnocks.

One bird seen recently that may be breeding here is a Linnet – a lovely bird of the countryside. Other birds to look for are Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long Tailed Tits which are very common in this area. In the fields you

will see Magpies, Crows and Woodpigeons and you could be lucky in the early morning and see a Green Woodpecker on the ground feeding on ants. And along the river you could be lucky to see a kingfisher.

Butterflies seen already in Beauchamps Fields this year are Orange Tip, Brimstone, Small White, Peacock, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood. Holly Blue and Common Blue should be emerging in better weather together with Gate Keeper, Ringlet and Meadow Brown.

One species to look out for is the Marbled White. This was quite a rare butterfly in Essex at one stage, confined to Hadleigh Downs in our area but has spread, possibly due to climate change, and is breeding in many areas of Wickford. It would be a good record if found here.

The two inline ponds are already attracting pondlife, dragonflies and damselflies and we have recently seen ducks too. There are mole hills and muntjac deer, badgers and foxes have been spotted in and around the treeline, which is also home to many squirrels.

We planted a triangle of whips designed to form a dense shrub area to provide habitat to smaller vertebrates. And behind the orchard there are plans to build a wildlife hill made with concrete, wood and covered with grass for animal habitat: hedgehogs, mice, lizards, slow worms.

Giddings Copse is part of the park although not ancient, it is very old!

There is an Evening Bat Walk planned for 10th August. Please see our Facebook page or website for more details.

And the Bio Diversity Officer has plans for ‘Raptor Boxes’ to be installed on the pylonsOwls.

There has been a Relaxed Mowing Policy introduced this year to help with protecting wildlife in the park. The more formal areas will be cut as normal: football/cricket pitches and the Ave of Remembrance. Other areas will be left long with pathways cut through.

The park has already started attracting more wildlife and can only go from strength to strength.

We run our gardening groups every Wednesday and Saturday mornings if you’d like to come along, no gardening experience necessary and there are tasks for all abilities.

There are three car parks: Runwell Road (main entrance); Rettendon View and Highcliffe Road.

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

Bat Boxes are planned this year in Giddings Copse woodland.

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Centre of Excellence that helps heart condition patients leave hospital sooner receives award A pioneering procedure that has already helped over 100 patients with irregular heartbeats leave hospital more quickly after surgery has been recognised with an award.

The award was given to the world-renowned Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC), part of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, by the Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Association at the Palace of Westminster in June.

It now means that the Essex CTC, where the procedure was a UK first, has been recognised globally as a Centre of Excellence for the condition, which is an abnormality in the rhythm of the heart which affects approximately 2-4% of adults.

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Patients can now move within two hours and can be discharged within four hours, half the time that recovery used to take, and avoiding the need to stay overnight.

The procedure involves the use of a new groin closure system known as Statseal, which stops bleeding after heart procedures to manage abnormal heart rhythms. Rhoel Peralta, Catheter Lab Associate Practitioiner at MSE Hospitals said “Our efforts and success prove that we can all play our part for patients and make a difference, and this acknowledgment reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional care to our patients.

“We are thrilled to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence and AF Healthcare Pioneers. I am part of a much larger team where everyone came together and worked tirelessly.”

That team are led by Consultant Cardiologist Dr Neil Srinivasan, who was also the co-author of the case study along with Dr David Farwell, and Dr Ajay Sharma.

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Getting to know your local Councillors – Cllr G. Bradley Hello, I’m Graham Bradley and I am one of your Wickford Town Councillors, I was also honoured to be voted in for the 2nd year running as the Vice Chairman of the Council at the recent Full Town Council meeting back in May. I was born and brought up in Wickford and went to school at Hilltop Infants/Juniors and then Beauchamps High school, my first job was just outside Wickford at GEC Marconi in Basildon prior to then moving into a career in Telecoms where I am now a Project Manager.

Around the mid 90s I joined Essex Police as a Special Constable and was based in Wickford, it’s one of the reasons I am passionate about the Special Constable scheme, of which

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Wickford Town Council joined soon after its formation in May 2022. I am married with 2 children who both went to Wickford schools, and as a family are regular users of the town’s shops and businesses and hence for all these reasons, I have a real passion for our town.

I have been involved locally with several voluntary positions such as on Wickford at Christmas where I was initially the treasurer, I have helped with Wickford Carnival, the River Crouch clean ups, litter picks with the Wickford Wombles and helped to arrange previous High St clean up events. I am now the Chairman of Wickford in Bloom which only started in 2020 and we have plans to try and brighten up the town and make it a welcoming place for residents to enjoy and hope it will enhance the town and potentially increase footfall to benefit businesses.

I hope the Town Council can help in a small way towards making improvements in Wickford and this was one of the main reasons I got involved in the project to form a Town Council back in 2018. One small project was to get noticeboards installed around Wickford, and these are now in place so please use them to see details of Town Council business, meeting dates, local information, etc.

Parish/Town Councils have many powers, however they are also a very good way to have a close link with Basildon Borough and Essex County Councils, as well as other local stakeholders, such as Essex Police, and hence all of this I believe can be a benefit to Wickford to help give the town a voice.

I believe the Town Council can be a positive for Wickford and can help to bring focus on the town, however Rome wasn’t built in a day! So please be patient and keep following the updates via the noticeboards, Town magazine, website, and social media posts. You can also attend the Town Council meetings held each month which again are advertised via the formats shared above. As a relatively new Town Council I really would like the community to engage and help direct what the council can do locally for Wickford. If you have ideas or suggestions, please let the Council know and if its within the powers of a Parish Council then it can certainly be looked at and discussed.

In summary, like you I have the same frustrations regarding many of the local issues we all see and experience day to day.

However, like many of you I am also just a local resident who wants to see Wickford be the best it can be, and with a positive mindset I believe the Town Council can help in some way to achieving that.

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Foster Carer shares experience as an LGBT couple June was Pride Month, and in celebration Essex County Council highlighted foster carers from the LGBTQ+ community and encouraging others to consider fostering vulnerable children.

The council needs to recruit 60 foster carers every year to offer children a safe, secure and nurturing home where they can thrive.

The council are urging carers from all backgrounds to step forward.

Carers are welcome from any age, sexuality, ethnicity and family type including LGBTQ+, married, single or retired.

Currently, only 2.5% of all our foster carers are from the LGBTQ+ community.

Jason and his same-sex partner, from Coggeshall in North-Essex, have been fostering for three years.

Jason felt the need for a new direction in life and was keen to experience family life through long-term fostering placements.

Since Jason welcomed his six-year-old foster son into the family he has enjoyed the benefits of bringing up a vulnerable child in care.

Jason said: “I love seeing our foster son progress at school, meeting friends, building his confidence and playing sports. It’s great to know that my partner and I are helping to shape his life. It’s a joy to see a young lad grow and enjoy a normal family life, becoming a part of society where he wasn’t before.

“As a same-sex couple, we never felt any different. From the outset we felt supported

by Essex County Council. We were assigned a social worker and we buddied up with similar households where we all keep in touch.

“It’s like Essex County Council are waving a magic wand. They work so hard behind the scenes to offer training, support, guidance and networking opportunities so we can be the best foster carers possible.

“My outlook on life has changed so much, I’m a lot happier and I have a lot more flexibility in my day. I can work alongside fostering. We thought it would be the opposite, that our usual life would disappear, but fostering has changed our lives for the better.”

Jason’s advice for other people considering fostering is to “have patience, energy and allow time for yourself”. He adds “always have a positive outlook too!”

We offer a variety of fostering opportunities including long-term, part-time and respite care.

Find out more about fostering with us at www.essexadoptionandfostering.co.uk fostering and when the next fostering information event is taking place via www.essexadoptionandfostering.co.uk/ fostering/events

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Not only will you be giving a brighter future to teenagers and young adults with cancer but also a future to bees, wildlife, and the environment.

Your very own handmade, native bag of Beebombs to sow A special thank you print to frame Updates on how your donation is changing lives

Your gift of a donation is vital in helping to give a brighter tomorrow to young people living with cancer

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Effortless Evening Eats We all know the feeling, it’s summer, we don’t feel like eating too much, but we know we need something! Here are three enticing recipes (serves 4) perfect for summer – whether it’s firing up the grill or celebrating the season, these recipes cover it all.

Feel free to adjust the recipes as needed, adding your own touch or incorporating local ingredients. These recipes are designed to be simple, flavourful, and suitable for the ecoconscious reader who values both taste and sustainability. Enjoy the summer vibes with these delicious creations!

Grilled Lime And Herb Chicken Skewers: Ingredients 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 limes (juice and zest) 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh coriander, chopped 1 tablespoon honey Salt and pepper to taste 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks 1 red onion, cut into chunks Skewers (pre-soaked if using wooden skewers)

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Method 1. In a bowl, combine lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, coriander, honey, salt, and pepper.

2. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and place them in the marinade.

Stir to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

4. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, alternating with the bell pepper and onion chunks.

5. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has grill marks.

6. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.

7. Serve the grilled chicken skewers with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and garnish with additional chopped herbs, if desired. Enjoy!

Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: Ingredients 4 large portobello mushrooms 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 large tomatoes, sliced 4 slices mozzarella cheese Fresh basil leaves Balsamic glaze Salt and pepper to taste

Grilled Vegetable And Quinoa Salad: Ingredients 200g quinoa 400ml vegetable stock 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 courgette, sliced 1 red onion, sliced 200g cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil Juice of 1 lemon 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 280°C (180°C fan).

2. Clean the portobello mushrooms and remove the stems.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper.

4. Brush the mushroom caps with the olive oil mixture and place them on a baking sheet.

5. Bake the mushrooms for 10 minutes.

6. Remove the mushrooms from the oven and top each cap with a slice of mozzarella cheese, a tomato slice, and fresh basil leaves.

7. Return the mushrooms to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8. Drizzle the stuffed mushrooms with balsamic glaze before serving. Enjoy!

Serve the caprese stuffed portobello mushrooms as an appetizer or a main course. Enjoy the delightful flavours!

Method 1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a saucepan, bring the vegetable stock to a boil and add the quinoa. Cook according to package instructions, then remove from heat and let it cool.

2. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

3. In a bowl, toss the sliced bell pepper, courgette, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.

4. Place the vegetables on the grill and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are tender and lightly charred.

5. In a large bowl, combine the grilled vegetables with the cooked quinoa. Mix well to combine.

6. Adjust the seasoning if needed and garnish with additional parsley. Serve the salad warm or chilled. Enjoy!

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Opportunities include supporting Essex Libraries or becoming an ACL Digital Champion. There are a range of local volunteer opportunities in Essex below: • gaming Guru in Maldon www.volunteeressex.org/ Volunteering in Essex is a great opportunity opportunities/gaming-guru-12986/ to support your local community.

• trustee for mental health charity in Braintree, Chelmsford and Maldon With a variety of opportunities there www.volunteeressex.org/opportunities/ is something to suit everyone’s skills, trustee-11951 experience and availability. Volunteers in • walk volunteer in various parts of Essex Essex work in a wide variety of roles, from www.volunteeressex.org/news/walkoffering companionship to people who are volunteers socially isolated, to providing practical help in • reading coach in Harlow and the community.

Chelmsford www.volunteeressex.org/ Get that feel good feeling this summer opportunities/volunteer-readingWhether you’re looking to volunteer for a coach-13684 couple of hours or more, your efforts can Discover more opportunities at volunteer make a huge difference to your community.

Essex (www.volunteeressex.org), where you The benefits of volunteering include: can search based on your location, interests • helping others in your community and specific activities.

• a sense of pride Volunteering isn’t limited to opportunities • opportunity to make new friends posted online, you can find a cause you • learning new skills and gain work care about and start making a difference experience today. Whether that’s helping an elderly • building confidence neighbour or litter picking, create your own opportunities to support the community.

Summer of volunteering with Essex County Council

Where to volunteer in Essex

There are several volunteering opportunities at Essex County Council (www.essex.gov.uk/ jobs-and-apprenticeships/volunteering).

Celebrate your local Volunteers

You can show your appreciation for local volunteer groups with the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. The award is given to volunteer groups across the country to recognise the incredible work they do. If you have a group in mind, make a nomination online at kavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-anomination/about-nominating

Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service, Saving You Money.

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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.

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

For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit www. cloudy2clear.co.uk.

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 ÀQDQFLDO FULVLV LQ GXH WR WKH 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”.

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Improvements to the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust estate Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are working to improve their estate to ensure that patients are being treated in safe and modern surroundings.

The CQC found that waiting times between referrals and treatment, and the time it took to admit, treat, and discharge patients were not in line with national standards.

For diagnostics equipment, x-ray equipment has also been replaced with brand new machines, which will provide better-quality images and faster diagnosis, allowing them to see patients more quickly.

Mammograms have been replaced at each of their hospitals. There are two new machines at Basildon Hospital, a new mammography room at Southend, while we will also refurbish a mammography room at Broomfield Hospital. This new equipment will help the hospital to treat those patients who have been waiting the longest.

Since then, the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust have completed schemes to make their inpatient environments better, with new buildings and equipment. These will help staff to see patients more quickly and in more appropriate surroundings, improving their experience.

The Estates sprint of their Foundations for the Future programme has now begun, with senior oversight from managers and regular reviews in place to ensure that estates issues are resolved quickly.

Over 20 years of experience for all building and roofing needs

Boladele Oso, Senior Project Manager in Capital Projects, said: “The projects we are delivering mean that our staff and patients have access to state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities. These will improve the environment for our patients and give them a better experience, while helping our clinical teams to deliver the best possible care.”

The fourth catheter lab at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre has been opened and they are in the process of replacing a 22-year-old MRI at Basildon Hospital. The project includes creating a patient waiting area, an assisted patients changing facility, and three bed-holding bays that will improve patients’ dignity.

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3 Tips for Creating a Summer of Unplugged Fun With the prevalence of technology in our lives, it’s becoming increasingly important to provide children with opportunities for unplugged fun.

Summer is the perfect time to encourage kids to step away from screens and engage in activities that foster creativity, imagination, and real-world interactions. To help you create a summer of unplugged fun, here are three tips to get you started.

Foster Outdoor Exploration:

One of the best ways to disconnect from technology is by immersing oneself in the wonders of the great outdoors. Encourage your children to explore nature by organizing outdoor adventures. Plan family hikes, camping trips, or visits to local parks where children can discover wildlife, hike trails, or have a picnic surrounded by natural beauty.

Encouraging outdoor exploration not only promotes physical activity but also stimulates curiosity, imagination, and a sense of wonder.

Encourage Creative Play:

Unplugged fun offers an opportunity for children to tap into their creativity and imagination. Provide them with open-ended toys, art supplies, and craft materials to spark their creativity. Encourage imaginative play by setting up a dramatic play area where children can create their own stories and scenarios. Foster their artistic side by organizing art projects or encouraging them to write and illustrate their own stories.

These activities not only engage children’s minds but also allow for self-expression and problem-solving skills development.

Embrace Family Bonding:

Summer is an ideal time to strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.

Plan regular family activities that promote togetherness and connection. Have family game nights, where everyone can participate in board games or card games. Engage in outdoor activities such as gardening, cooking, or DIY projects, where children can actively contribute and learn from their parents.

Emphasize the importance of quality time spent together by organizing family outings to zoos, museums, or local events in your community.

By implementing these three tips, you can create a summer of unplugged fun that allows your children to disconnect from technology and engage in meaningful, real-life experiences. Encouraging outdoor exploration, embracing creative play, and fostering family bonding will not only keep children entertained but also nurture their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Remember, the key is to provide a balance between screen time and unplugged activities, allowing your children to reap the benefits of a well-rounded and memorable summer.

For more tips on keeping kids active this summer, check out our handy guide on page 42.

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What’s On Baby Buggy Fit

Every Thursday till 17th August, 11:00am – 12:30pm at Wickford Memorial Park

Join Parents 1st Essex for a Buggy Walk for postnatal parents in Wickford Memorial Park (meet at the café in the park).

Runs every Thursday for 6 weeks. Cost: £5.00 one off payment.

Those who have never exercised before are particularly welcome so why not give it a go?

You might surprise yourself!

Enjoy some outdoor exercise whilst meeting other local parents.

These sessions are designed to help you to keep healthy after birth and to meet other local parents.

Some benefits include: -Improved mental health & wellbeing -Increased fitness -Less back pain -Improved quality of sleep Speak to Sally, our friendly fitness trainer to find out more. Telephone: 07818 091 042 or book online.

Watering! With Wickford in Bloom

Every Sunday, 9:00am – 10:00am at Market Lane, Wickford

secateurs you’re welcome to bring, but no equipment is required.

Charity summer market

Saturday 29th July, 11:00am – 3:00pm at View Garden Centre, Old Chelmsford Road, Wickford From 11am Saturday 29th July, View shopping village will be hosting a charity market.

All the usual cabins will be open along with lots of extra stalls, run by some very talented crafters including crystals, face painting, crochet, personalised items, clothing and so much more.

Summer Fête at Silvanna Court

Saturday 12th August, 11:00am – 1:00pm at Silvanna Court, Runwell Road

Join Silvanna Court on Saturday, 12th August for an afternoon of fun.

• Variety of Stalls • BBQ, Popcorn, & Candyfloss • Bouncy Castle & Facepainting • Raffle & Tombola FREE for all to attend!

The Meadow Croft Food & Drink Festival

Please arrive at 9am to help water, dead head and tidy flowers. If you have gloves and 36

12th – 13th August, 10:00am – 4:00pm at Meadow Croft Garden Centre Meadow Croft Garden Centre will be hosting a selection of some of the finest artisan food & drink suppliers that can be found, the majority of which are based locally.

Wickford Town • Artisan Food & Drink Stalls • Asian Cooking Demonstrations with @Essexcookingman • Wine Tasting with @Essexwineman • Craft Ales & Beers • Local Wine & Spirits • Live Music • Mini Golf • Craft Stalls Live music from the brilliant D’Ukes, Blazin Aces, Taylor De Mundo, Brad Luff, Josh Brough, Morgan Metson and more!

Fun for the whole family. Entry paid on the gate.

• Adults - £3 • Group of 4 - £10 • Under 16’s - Free

your 8-year-old is particularly dexterous and artistic, then they will be fine. Take a look at their Facebook page to see the workshop and the amazing items they help you make. www.facebook.com/gweniems In the past children have created mandala painted terracotta pots, pen holders, keyrings, coasters and an active volcano!

Sessions take place on alternate Mondays/ Tuesdays - activities are duplicated the following week, so it is best to book all Mondays or all Tuesdays, to avoid creating the same crafts twice.

You do not need a diagnosis of anxiety or autism/adhd/dyslexia/dyspraxia etc. to attend this group. If you feel it will benefit your child/ teen’s mental health and help them to make friends, then please book them in. We keep the sessions small, with a max of 5 children/ teens, plus parent/carers.

We will provide biscuits and water and tea, or coffee for adults. A parent/carer is expected to stay with the child/teen during the session.

The cost for this session is £6.50 per child, which includes all the materials. Sessions are offered at this reduced rate as the costs are subsidised by MyOTAS, using grants received from Local Giving and the Co-Op Community Fund.

David’s Kitchen at Bradfields Farm

Saturday 19th August, 11:00am – 2:30pm David’s Kitchen will be at Bradfields Farm along with other local producers for a Farmers market. There will be a full range of jams, chutney, chilli sauce, alcoholic jams and cordials and a lot of new lines. There will be many farm-based activities for all the family to join in with, so make it as family day out.

Mindful Crafts for Socially Anxious and/or Neurodiverse Children/Teens

Monday 14th August, 4:30pm – 6:00pm at Rose Court, Russell Gardens, Wickford, Essex, SS11 8QG Join Emma and Gwen of Gweniems in their beautiful garden workshop to enjoy quiet, relaxing crafting sessions, where your child can create amazing things, chill out and make new friends. Age Range 10-16 but flexible - if 37

Airdrying your clothes

Saving Pennies in the Summer Season Summer is back, and with that comes the scorching sun, warm weather and emptier pockets, sound familiar?

With the kids off school for the majority of the summer and the increased opportunity to socialise, the season of sun can easily burn a hole in your pocket; so, what can we do to try and save more or spend less money during the summer season?

Any home-owner will tell you just how pricey the bills are and how most of their income is spent on their own four walls. The average household’s monthly electric bill, according to eyeonhousing, is from around £50 a month and upwards and the average gas bill is roughly the same at around £49 a month, so keeping these bills down during the summer is a tough challenge, but not impossible.

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We suggest airdrying your clothes rather than using a dryer, not only will it help save money on the bills due to using less electric, but it will help keep the overall quality of the clothes too. Dryers can shrink clothing, pull out fibres, and drastically fade the colours, whilst airdrying will help keep your clothes for longer.

BBQ in the Garden

Very similar to saving money on the electric bill, cooking outside using a BBQ will not only add that beautiful chargrilled effect to your food, but not using the oven, be it gas or fan, is only going to help keep those bills down.

You can buy cheap portable BBQs if you don’t already own one.

Visiting Farm Shops

Summer is the season where produce is bountiful and as cheap as it’s going to get due to the increased amount of stock. Instead of visiting the supermarket, why not pay a visit to local farm shops and green grocers and get your hands on some deliciously fresh food and save yourself some pennies at the same time!

Cheaper Days Out

Summer usually equals spend, spend, spend.

However, there are a number of activities that include the whole family and can either cost very little or even better, nothing at all.

Days out at the park with the whole family are easily arranged and can cost as little or as much as you want, you can take a pre-arranged picnic basket with everything to last the day, from home-made sandwiches to home-made ice lollies.

If you travel a lot by car or public transport why not switch to a bike for the summer months and save what you would usually spend on travel, if you don’t own a bike, and it’s not a tremendous journey, why not walk your journey instead!

Armed with these tips and a bit more research you can become the money saving expert of Summer.

OP E

Museums all over the country have free entry so days out to the Science Museum, or the Natural History Museum, or any of the museums offering free entry will be an amazing and fun-filled day for the entire family. Local libraries often run summer reading programmes that feature challenges.

N

AYS A WEEK D 7

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Check out our top tips to stay on top of your

Stay on top of your health health this summer below!

Control Travel Sickness during your Summer If you’re prone to feeling sick when Holiday you travel then there are various remedies When the long-awaited summer holiday finally comes around, you’re likely to be so excited that nothing else is on your mind other than your holiday.

During the lead up to your trip, when you’ve been so busy focusing on the latest season’s fashion, the best exchange rates, and what tourist attractions you’ll be visiting, our health can quite easily fall to the bottom of the list of things to think about. Of course, no-one anticipates falling ill during their holiday and the last thing that’s going to be on your mind is whether you’ve packed paracetamol, plasters, and compression socks, but a quick visit to your doctors or a chat with your local pharmacy before you jet off can help you to avoid some of the most common illnesses which could potentially ruin your well-deserved break.

Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Each year, DVT affects around 1 person in every 1,000. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that develops within a deep vein in the body, usually in the leg, which causes pain and swelling and may lead to complications such as pulmonary embolism.

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available. There are a lot of over the counter medications which can be purchased but do be sure to have a quick word with the pharmacist if you are taking any other medication to ensure that whatever sickness tablets you buy do not affect any existing medication which is being taken. When taking travel sickness tablets, it’s worth noting that alcohol should be avoided. On top of this, if possible, ensuring there is a good level of ventilation and encouraging the sufferer to look out of the window instead of reading a book and playing games will help to reduce the symptoms.

Being inactive for long periods, for example during a long journey, is one of the risk factors of DVT so to help reduce the risk, if possible, have a walk around or try to do leg and calf exercises every 30 minutes. Wearing compression stockings and loose clothing from the waist down, as well as staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water also helps to reduce the risk.

Don’t get sunburnt

The majority of us enjoy catching a lovely tan when we’re on holiday however there are safe ways to go about it. To avoid red, hot and sore skin from sunburn and an increased risk to skin cancer, it is recommended that children wear a sunscreen with a rating of at least SPF30 and adults SPF15- make sure you have the correct sunscreen for your holiday and you bear in mind what location you’re travelling to. Sunscreen should be applied liberally before going out in the sun and reapplied every couple of hours throughout the day. Following a day in the sun, apply aftersun cream or spray and drink plenty of water to cool down, prevent dehydration and sun stroke. If you do get sunburnt, keep the skin covered away from direct sunlight until the skin has fully healed, take painkillers to help reduce any pain and cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel.

Stay stomach bug free

Top essentials to pack for your holiday health kit: check Travel sickness tablets check Compression Stockings check Painkillers check Antiseptic check Wound-Cleaning Gauze check Sterile Dressings check Bandage Tape check Plasters check Tweezers check Scissors check Thermometer check Antihistamines check Ear Drops check Eye Drops check Sun Cream check After Sun check Insect Repellent check Insect Bite Treatment check Anti-diarrhoea Medication check Rehydration Sachets check Water disinfectant check Medication for pre-existing medical conditions

It is very common to suffer from sickness and diarrhoea on holiday when contaminated water or food has been consumed. Following the rule of ‘cook it, boil it, peel it or forget it’ and making sure you practice good hygiene on holiday will help you avoid the chances of cholera. Do make sure to pack some re-hydration sachets in your first aid kit should you contract the disease and speak to a local pharmacist about anti-diarrhoea pills.

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5 Exciting Activities to Keep Children Active Over the Summer As the warm days of summer approach, parents and caregivers face the challenge of keeping children engaged and active during their break from school.

Encouraging physical activity not only helps children stay fit and healthy, but it also fosters their social skills and promotes a love for the great outdoors. To help you make the most of the summer months, here are five exciting activities that will keep children active and entertained while creating lifelong memories.

Outdoor Adventures:

Take advantage of the sunny weather by planning outdoor adventures. Organise a family hike in a nearby park or nature reserve, encouraging kids to explore their surroundings while enjoying the fresh air.

Additionally, you can plan a scavenger hunt, where children search for specific items like leaves, rocks, or flowers, adding an element of excitement and curiosity to their outdoor experience.

Sports Galore:

Summer offers the perfect opportunity for children to engage in various sports.

Encourage them to try out new activities such as swimming, football, basketball, or tennis. Many local community centres or parks offer sports programs or summer camps where children can learn and participate in different sports, keeping them active and helping them develop teamwork and coordination skills.

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Creative Water Play:

Water activities provide a refreshing way to keep children active and cool during the summer months. Set up a sprinkler or a slip ‘n slide in the garden for endless hours of fun. Alternatively, visit a local pool or water park for an exciting day of swimming and water play. These activities not only provide physical exercise but also help children build confidence in the water.

Bike Rides and Roller-skating:

Encourage your children to get moving by exploring their neighbourhood on bikes or roller-skates. Plan family bike rides, ensuring everyone wears helmets and follows safety guidelines. Roller-skating is another excellent option, providing a fun and challenging way for children to improve their balance and coordination while enjoying the summer breeze.

Nature Crafts and Gardening:

Combine creativity and physical activity by engaging children in nature-inspired crafts and gardening projects. Gather materials like leaves, flowers, and twigs during your outdoor adventures, and use them to create unique artwork or nature-inspired jewellery.

Additionally, involve children in gardening activities, allowing them to plant, water, and care for their own small garden. This hands-on experience not only promotes physical activity but also teaches them about responsibility and the natural world.

Summer is a wonderful time for children to explore, learn, and have fun while staying active. By incorporating these five exciting activities into their summer routine, you can ensure that your children have a memorable and active break, fostering their physical development, creativity, and love for the great outdoors. So, gear up, get outside, and let the adventures begin!

• • • • Our charity supports neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia etc.) children and young people and their families within Wickford, Basildon and across Essex, through 3 pillars of activity:

1) Children’s activities – inclusive and

accessible small group sessions including Woodland Warriors, Mindful Crafts and Yoga.

The provision of inclusive and accessible activities, in a low-pressure environment enables children and young people to make and maintain friendships, build their self-esteem, learn life skills and improve their emotional well-being.

Wellbeing walks Face to face and online support groups Signposting to other relevant services Provision of useful resources.

Feedback from our families:

“A nice respite from daily life out in nature”

“Very welcoming and wonderful for the soul” “I got a lot of very useful advice and tips” 3) Increasing awareness in the

community and with service providers to increase acceptance of autism, neurodiversity and mental health issues.

We feel passionately that awareness and acceptance from the community helps our young people to feel supported and have a sense of belonging in their local area.

If you are a parent or carer of a neurodivergent young person (with or without a diagnosis), or if you are just interested in learning more, you can access a FREE online copy of our ‘Supporting your Neurodiverse Child’ book written by parents for parents.

“It answered the questions I didn’t know I needed to ask” To find out more about our charity please visit www.myotas.org, where you can also find links to view and book our events.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, or fundraising for us, please email info@myotas.org

“Lovely relaxed and calm environment” “Inclusive and really fun” 2) Family support – Empowering parents to better understand and support their children through • 1:1 support • Training events

Please mention Wickford Town News when responding to advertisements

W i c k f o r d Town News

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Unleashing the Power of Savings with Solar Panels Solar panels are more than just an eco-friendly trend—they’re a wise financial investment that can yield substantial long-term benefits.

As renewable energy continues to gain momentum, homeowners and businesses are increasingly recognising the significant financial advantages of going solar.

Why should you get solar panels installed?

Reduced Energy Bills By generating your own clean and renewable energy, you can significantly decrease your reliance on the grid. This results in lower energy bills, especially when combined with The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

According to the Energy Saving Trust solar power can reduce your energy bills by £610 (Based on 3.5kWp system / 10 panels) a year!

Alongside this, your energy costs become more predictable and less susceptible to market fluctuations. This stability offers financial security, allowing you to allocate your resources more effectively.

Return on Investment (ROI) Installing solar panels is an investment that offers attractive returns. While the upfront costs may seem significant, solar panels pay for themselves through energy savings over their lifespan. In many cases, homeowners can recoup their initial investment within 5 to 10 years and enjoy decades of free or significantly reduced energy costs.

Government Incentives and Tax Benefits The Government recognises the importance of promoting renewable energy adoption and provide incentives to offset the cost of installing solar panels. These incentives include grants and zero rate VAT. Increased Property Value Studies have shown that homes equipped with solar energy systems sell at higher prices.

Buyers are increasingly attracted to energy-efficient homes with reduced operating costs - they demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, making your property more appealing in the real estate market.

Long Lifespan and Low Maintenance Solar panels are designed to be durable and require minimal maintenance – they are built to withstand the elements and typically come with warranties ranging 20 – 25 years.

Routine inspections and occasional cleaning are usually sufficient to keep them operating at peak performance, translating to long-term financial savings.

Additional Revenue Streams Depending on your location, you may have opportunities to generate additional revenue through solar panel installations.

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Furthermore, in some regions, renewable energy credits or certificates can be sold, allowing you to monetize the environmental benefits of your solar energy production.

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5 Budget-Friendly Family Staycation Ideas for Memorable Fun Planning a family vacation can sometimes strain the budget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create lasting memories right at home.

Staycations offer a fantastic opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones without breaking the bank. With a little creativity and planning, you can embark on a budget-friendly staycation filled with excitement and relaxation. Here are five ideas to inspire your family staycation:

Backyard Camping Adventure:

Transform your garden into a campsite and experience the joys of camping without leaving home. Pitch a tent, roast marshmallows over a fire pit, tell stories under the stars, and enjoy an evening of stargazing. This simple yet memorable activity allows you to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors while still having access to the comforts of home.

Movie Marathon Madness:

Transform your living room into a cosy theatre and host a movie marathon for the whole family. Set up a popcorn station, prepare some homemade snacks, and create a line-up of everyone’s favourite films.

Spend the day snuggled up on the couch, immersing yourselves in a world of movies and laughter.

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Explore Local Treasures:

Discover hidden gems in your own community by becoming tourists in your own city. Research local attractions, museums, parks, or historical sites that offer free or discounted admission. Spend the day exploring these places, learning about the history and culture of your area, and enjoying new experiences right in your backyard.

Culinary Adventures:

Transform your kitchen into a culinary playground and embark on a journey of gastronomic exploration. Plan a themed cooking day where each family member can choose a dish to prepare. Experiment with new recipes, bake delicious treats, and have a family feast to savour the fruits of your labour.

This activity not only encourages creativity but also provides an opportunity for family members to bond over shared meals.

DIY Family Olympics:

Organize a mini-Olympics in your backyard or local park. Create fun and friendly competitions like sack races, three-legged races, water balloon tosses, or Frisbee challenges. Award medals or create homemade trophies for the winners. This activity promotes friendly competition, teamwork, and physical activity, all while creating lasting memories.

Creating a memorable family staycation doesn’t have to be expensive. By embracing these five budget-friendly ideas, you can enjoy quality time with your loved ones, create lasting memories, and discover the joy of exploring and having fun right at home.

Remember, the key to a successful staycation is to be present, embrace the moment, and make the most of the time spent together as a family.

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