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Wickford Town News
Festive Fun, Local News, and Community Highlights
Welcome to the November issue of Wickford Town News Magazine!
This edition is packed with festive spirit and important local updates to keep you informed and connected. As we approach the holiday season, find out more about Wickford at Christmas and the exciting Wickford Town Council Lights Switch On event happening on 16th November. Dive into heartwarming features like Cosy Dishes to Delight the Family and stay active with Find Your Active Essex.
We introduce Susan’s Law, highlighting a new milestone in justice, and showcase community stories such as recent fundraising efforts for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Learn about public health projects receiving new funding and discover how local initiatives like the Successful Refill Project are empowering Essex school pupils.
Whether you’re looking for safety tips from Neighbourhood Watch, interested in the Wickford Wildlife Society, or planning a visit to the Christmas Fayre, this issue has something for everyone. Stay informed and enjoy the upcoming festivities!
Editor of Wickford Town News enquiries@community-publishing.org
KAS Community Publishing hold no affiliations with the advertisers presented within this magazine and do not endorse any of the products and services advertised. Please direct all enquiries regarding the publication of Wickford Town News and its editorial to: enquiries@community-publishing.org
Our thanks go out to all of the fantastic local businesses for supporting Wickford Town News by advertising.
Wickford Market Relaunch
A Fantastic Day for the Community!
On Saturday, 5th October, Wickford Market celebrated its highly anticipated relaunch, and what a day it was! The heart of our community was buzzing with excitement, and we were thrilled to welcome back familiar faces, new visitors, and local traders for a vibrant and successful event.
A Big Thank You to Our Residents
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the residents who came along and supported this special day. Your enthusiasm and presence made the relaunch a resounding success. It was wonderful to see so many people coming together to celebrate the market, explore the wide range of stalls, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere that makes Wickford so special.
A New Chapter for Wickford Market
The relaunch marks the beginning of a new chapter for Wickford Market, with exciting changes and improvements designed to enhance the experience for both shoppers and traders. The market has been a cornerstone of the town for generations, and this refresh will ensure it continues to thrive as a hub for the community. With a fresh look, new stalls, and a renewed focus on local produce, handmade goods, and unique offerings, we are confident the market will remain a beloved feature of Wickford life.
Highlights of the Day
The relaunch event was filled with highlights, including live entertainment, provided by Jukebox Jules, HSD Dance, Talents Theatre School, face painting and balloon modelling from Moosh’s Funky Faces, superhero visits and a welcoming atmosphere that brought everyone together.
There was something for everyone to enjoy!
Looking Forward
We’re committed to making Wickford Market a thriving space for everyone. Going forward, we plan to build on the success of the relaunch with regular events, promotions, and activities to keep the market vibrant and engaging. Whether you’re a regular visitor or someone who has yet to experience all that the market has to offer, we look forward to welcoming you again soon! The Market will now be open on two days – Thursdays and Saturdays 9am to 3:30pm.
Once again, thank you to the residents of Wickford for making the relaunch day such a success. Your support and involvement are what keep the spirit of our town alive, and we are excited about what the future holds for Wickford Market.
Rotary Club of Wickford
Rotary says Thank You!
There’s a whole army of people living amongst us in Wickford who work hard in their spare time to make the town a more pleasant place to be. Who hasn’t seen the improvement in the town in recent years as a result of the efforts of these people, these unsung heroes of Wickford?
Rotary Wickford recently invited some of these stalwarts along to one of their meetings to say thank you to them for the efforts to make Wickford great.
Representatives from the Friends of Wickford Memorial Park, the Wickford in Bloom team with the Cemetery volunteers, and the Wickford Wombles and the River Conservation Trust came along to an evening at the Railway Club to get together for a social gathering and for us all to find out more about what we all do, and it was genuinely wonderful to see so many like-minded people all together.
It was with great pleasure that President Pauline presented Rotary “Community Champion” Awards to representatives of these various organisations to say thank you on behalf of Rotary for the sterling efforts of the teams.
Pauline said “It was lovely to be able to recognise some genuinely inspiring people who have made a fantastic difference to everyday life in the town, and we were grateful for the opportunity to thank them for their efforts. Long may they continue.”
Wickford in Bloom and the Cemetery volunteers are a group created with the aim of adding colour to our High Street and the town in general through flowers. The Friends of the Memorial Park meet regularly to develop features and areas of the park through horticulture, and have extended the park into the Beauchamps Meadow in recent years.
Wickford
The Wombles have long been responsible for keeping the town free from litter and work with the River conservation Trust to keep the river free from debris and rubbish. If any of these groups are of interest just check out their Facebook pages to find out more!
Introducing Susan’s Law
Have you ever felt uncomfortable trying to seek support as a carer?
Perhaps overwhelmed by the thought of professional support? We know that this is the case for many carers in Essex, which is why our Carers Voices team have introduced ‘Susan’s Law’.
As a team, we know that it can be very daunting trying to seek support or share experiences with professionals. It can feel like there are the overwhelming expectations in this sort of environment, which is why we have made crucial changes to make you feel confident to speak freely with us.
‘Susan’s Law’ is about creating a more comfortable and safe space for carers to talk about their experiences.
Background of ‘Susan’s Law’:
During a Healthwatch Essex focus group for unpaid carers, one carer (having found the free time and strength to have a break and seek support), verbalised that she felt out of place. Most other people attending were wearing lanyards or name badges as ‘professionals’. She also felt that the experiences of other carers were far more overwhelming and important than her own caring responsibilities.
This was a defining moment for our Carers Voice Team. From that day we vowed to create an environment of trust and level out the environment, so that carers felt the confidence to speak freely about their experiences without judgement.
Since this experience:
We still want to maintain professional standards and be welcoming, but through introducing ‘Susan’s Law’ we have made
these changes which we believe will help ensure all carers feel welcome.
• Offering alternatives from lanyards or official badges –we can provide sticky labels or cards for everyone to display their names, so that nobody feels insignificant in mixed groups of carers and professionals.
• Working on making Susan’s Law an official document – so that we can share this learning with others.
• Guiding the conversation and reading the room – ensuring that we hear experiences from all in the room and making sure that everyone knows their stories have equal value.
Celebrating Susan:
Without Susan’s bravery in speaking up about how she felt, we would not have known to make these changes. This is why we are celebrating Susan for her contribution and bravery to speak out about this experience, improving the support available for herself and for others. Thank you Susan!
Sharing Your Experiences
There are a number of ways you can share your own experiences with our Carers Voices team, through focus groups, surveys or one to one conversations. Find out more here –www.healthwatchessex.org.uk/carersvoices
Rt Hon Mark Francois MP Member of Parliament for Rayleigh and Wickford
Constituents who wish to speak with their local Member of Parliament at one of his twice monthly constituency surgeries are encouraged to telephone 01268 742 044 to enquire about future dates and to make an appointment. For any other enquiries please contact Mark Francois via: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA mark.francois.mp@parliament.uk markfrancois.com facebook com/MarkFrancoisRayleighandWickford/
Locals raise over £3,000 for charity
Over £3,000 has been raised for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.
Firstly, Silver End Bowls Club held a fun day attended by members, family, friends and neighbours, and the proceeds from the day were donated to the charity.
Jenny McDonald of the Bowls Club said “Members of the Bowls Club held a fun day to raise money for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. The event resulted in £1,041 being raised, which is totally amazing. Thanks to all who supported the event and well done to the team.”
Secondly, father and son, Andrew and Sam Barker have just completed the London to Amsterdam cycle challenge. The 335 miles ride took 4 days to complete, and the pair raised £2,000 for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Starting in Croydon, the first day’s ride through the Kent countryside provided the most challenging hills of the whole trip before a little respite heading down to Dover. The coastal route to Bruges was tough due to the 30mph head wind. The 3 miles promenade ride at Dunkirk delivered a full sand storm and nearly halted them in their tracks. On the third day, the ride to the Dutch city of Breda provided a scenic trip along the cycle paths next to the canals. On the final day the sun came out and a ride through Rotterdam, followed by even more beautiful canal paths, saw the challenge finish at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Andrew Barker said “Sadly last year our sister and aunt, Diane, passed away after a battle with breast cancer. A charity that she was very fond of and that gave her great support was the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity and we hope that we can still raise a little bit more for this great cause.”
Zoe Jay, head of the charity’s fundraising team said: “These are fantastic amounts, and every penny will go towards
supporting local people living with cancer. We could not offer the support that we do without the support of clubs like the Bowls Club and people like Andrew and Sam. We
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Successful refill project empowers Essex primary school pupils
Launched in January by Essex County Council in collaboration with Pupils Profit, The ECO Refill project enables primary school aged children aged nine and above to set up and operate their own monthly ECO Refill shops on school premises.
The ECO Refill project is fully funded by Essex Year of Numbers, a £1.5m initiative launched in September 2023 to help children of all ages thrive in numeracy.
As part of the project, Essex County Council provided each school with an enterprise training toolkit and students are tasked with writing a business plan, applying for job roles within the shop and learning to evaluate the effectiveness of their business.
Each shop also receives £200 worth of eco-friendly products to help kick-start their refill business. The project encourages children to practise and build their numeracy and life skills whilst also engaging them with greener habits. The initiative started in January 2023, with shops re-opening in September 2024 with the start of the new academic year.
For more information about the Essex Year of Numbers and to access resources visit www.essexyearofnumbers.co.uk
If you’re a school looking to get involved with The ECO Refill project, email essex.yearofnumbers@essex.gov.uk
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Wickford in Bloom
As the days get shorter the baskets in the High Street are beginning to look rather sad and will probably have been taken down by the time you read this.
This year we had 40 sponsored baskets and we very much hope we can do even better in 2025. We don’t have any idea of the cost as yet but will post on our Facebook page as soon as we know. Sponsoring a basket is a lovely way of ensuring flowers and colour in the High Street as well as raising awareness of a local business, family or organisation.
After being beautiful all summer inevitably the flowers in the planters are also coming to an end. Having said that, the begonias seem to have come into their own with the cooler weather and plentiful rain and are putting on a lovely colourful display at the moment. We plan to try and save the begonias to use again next year along with other plants yet to be decided on.
Wickford residentss response to our bulb appeal has been phenomenal and we have been given in excess of 100 kilos of mixed bulbs including daffodils, narcissi, crocus, iris and hyacinths. These will be planted in the High Street planters as soon as the summer plants have been taken out.
After Wickford in Bloom’s very successful year the committee have already started to plan the colour scheme and display for next year. We will be ordering our plants before Christmas from A.E. Harnetts and Son Nursery as they will grow the plants to order to ensure they are healthy and a good size when we come to plant the next May.
Our Wickford Cemetery group continue to clear beds of weeds, move plants and make plans. We know the hard work they are doing is very much appreciated by the people visiting the cemetery and recently the group have received a donation of two pansy baskets from Elm Farm Florists and Gift shop and a donation of £100 from S.Carter & Son Funeral Directors. Many thanks to Elm Farm and Carters for their generosity.
It is very encouraging when all the hard work the volunteers do is appreciated so when the Wickford Rotary Club invited Wickford in Bloom volunteers to a ‘bit of a do’ at the Railway Club we were delighted to accept.
Some of our volunteers were able to attend along with volunteers from the Friend of Wickford Memorial Park and the Wombles. It was a lovely evening at the Wickford Railway Club with an amazing buffet and framed certificates awarded. Graham Bradley accepted a Community Champions certificate on behalf of Wickford in Bloom Bloom, pictured above.
During the summer months Wickford in Bloom are out at least twice a week caring for the plants. Once again we have to say thanks to all our volunteers as none of this would be possible without the hardy souls
We are always happy to see new volunteers to help with the watering and deadheading. There is a reasonable amount of walking and carrying involved but all age groups are very welcome.
For any further information please email Wickfordinbloom@virginmedia.com, find us on Facebook @WickfordinBloom or if you see us out and about in our green hi-vis come and talk to us.
Donations are always welcome as we are a
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News Around
Another £500,000 for public health projects
Four unique public health projects have secured almost £500,000 funding. The funding comes from the Essex County Council Public Health Accelerator Bids (PHAB) major grants programme. The bids were chosen following assessment by a panel of experts.
The four successful projects are:
• Home Start Essex: to support a project which assists families to take a proactive role in improving their mental and physical health.
• Sport for Confidence: to support the Essex Learning Arena, which will provide learning opportunities to integrate physical activity into daily practice across workforce sectors.
• The African Well Woman Project CIC: to support a project focusing on the health needs of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) men.
• Braintree District Council: to launch Beat the Street in the district, a mass participation behaviour change programme which transforms activity level.
PHAB projects support the aims of the Essex Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Business Plan.
Through the programme, more than £4.6 million of grants have been awarded. The projects supported aim to improve the mental and physical health of Essex residents.
Applications open for fund to boost community safety
Local groups can receive thousands of pounds to improve safety in their communities.
The Essex County Council Community Safety Initiatives Fund (CSIF) offers £500 to £2,000 for new or existing community safety projects.
Projects could inspire public confidence, raise awareness and support community events. The CSIF aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour through community cohesion. The fund follows our 2023 Community Safety Survey. This showed 58% of residents saw anti-social behaviour in a 12-month period. 56% saw drug usage or evidence of drug taking.
Applications for the CSIF 2024 are open until 24th November. Find out more and apply online via consultations.essex.gov.uk/ equalities-and-partnership/communitysafety-initiative-fund-application-form
Community Diagnostic Centre gets official go-ahead
The new facility will deliver much-needed NHS diagnostic facilities to the borough. An NHS Community Diagnostic Centre now has formal approval to progress, as both Basildon Council and Essex County Council have signed off on detailed proposals for the site.
The decision was formally recorded by Basildon Council’s Cabinet Member for
Wickford Town
Culture, Sport and Community, Cllr Jack Ferguson, as the council entered into a development agreement with Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust and Essex County Council.
The new centre will be developed by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, to reduce waiting times for diagnostic tests including scanning and imaging facilities. The centre, formerly The Place, will also be home to a redesigned Pitsea Library and community spaces managed by Basildon Council.
The new building will enhance the appearance of the site and the new facilities will increase footfall into Pitsea - supporting local retail activity and reinvigorating the town centre.
The development agreement will now be signed and exchanged by all partners, confirming detailed specifications for the site and allowing partners to move forward with the construction timeline.
For updates on the new Community Diagnostic Centre and other council news, subscribe to our e-newsletter at www.basildon.gov.uk/keepintouch
Welcome to our Extraordinary Essex
Essex is an extraordinary county for many reasons. Essex County Council are proud to serve the people and communities that live, work and study here. They are what make our county truly unique.
Over the past three years, the council have achieved many successes. In the coming months they’ll demonstrate the real impact they’ve had on residents and communities through the commitments outlined in Everyone’s Essex – their plan for improving the county.
Recently, the spotlight has been put on Essex Social Care and the It’s My Life Festival. The ESC team has been running It’s My Life Festival for over 25 years. It brings
together young people in care from similar backgrounds so they can create lifelong memories.
The festival comes from our Children in Care Council and offers a range of activities for different age groups. This includes archery, arts, crafts, football, high ropes and much more.
Sheila Woodwood, Service Manager, explained why It’s My Life Festival is extraordinary, “The young people are extraordinary because they have faced and overcome challenges in their lives. They are extraordinary because we learn from them constantly. The energy they bring to things like this make it enjoyable for everyone.”
Watch the full video about It’s My Life Festival on our Extraordinary Essex channels.
LED streetlight upgrade project nearly complete
Essex Highways’ LED streetlight upgrade programme is nearing completion. So far, 131,254 streetlights have been upgraded across Essex. There are around 700 left to go.
The programme is expected to save £39 million in energy running costs over the next 25 years. The new units save around 80% in energy costs.
They also have a lifespan of 20 years. This will save taxpayers’ money as lamps need to be replaced less frequently.
Any older LED units have been made available to parish councils in Essex.
Residents can report issues with streetlights to Essex Highways.
Find out more about the LED streetlight replacement programme at www.essexhighways.org/replacement-byleds-programme
News from Wickford Town Council
Walk on a single side
If you are single and enjoy walking in our wonderful Essex countryside making new friends and renewing old acquaintances, why not join us on our next walk?
We meet on every second Sunday of the month throughout the year at various locations in Essex. Each circular walk starts and finishes for a drink and lunch at a friendly country pub.
Our walks are at a reasonably brisk pace, usually covering between 4-5 miles. There are no lower or upper age limits - our members’ ages range from their 30’s to 70’s, as long as you are comfortable crossing fields and woodlands, stiles and streams at a reasonable speed, you’ll be welcome.
We have been running walks every month since 2006 with an imposed break during lockdown and have raised over £5,800 for charity!
To find out more, please visit www.walk-on-a-single-side.org.uk.
own distributionin-house team Hand-delivered through letterboxes Choose all or part of our distribution run Leaflets to accompany the delivery of this magazine
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Friends of the Wickford Memorial Park Volunteer Group
Continuing articles on the Wickford Memorial Park - This month we are pleased to announce that our Chair Kim Oakes received a Highly Commended AwardGreen Category from The BBC Essex Make a Difference Awards.
Kim was nominated for the Green Award by Judith, one of our volunteers.
In May this year Kim received a phone call from Matt Mackay of BBC Essex to advise her that she was one of the four finalists.
At the Awards Ceremony in September, she received a Highly Commended Award for the park.
The Awards Ceremony was held at Hylands Place in Hatfield Peverel. It was a very special evening and we were honoured to be a part of so many wonderful volunteers’ groups Making a Difference around Essex.
The Awards Ceremony was attended by three other volunteers: Stephen Oakes, Judith Loman and David Webb.
Kim’s Comments:
“I’m very honoured and surprised to be nominated for this award. It is really a team effort with a fantastic group of volunteers (Friends of the Wickford Memorial Park).
Hopefully it will put the Wickford Memorial Park on the map and give kudos to Wickford. This is not just me it’s for all the volunteers, Park Staff and our Biodiversity Officer. Thank you to everyone.”
#BBCMakeADifference
Please look out for future events on Facebook using the Events Tab. We run our gardening groups every Wednesday and Saturday mornings (Saturdays will be resumed in the Spring) if you’d like to come along, no gardening experience necessary and there are tasks for all abilities. We have over a thousand members on our Facebook page - Please pop down for a chat or help you would be most welcome.
There are three car parks: Runwell Road (main entrance); Rettendon View and Highcliffe Road.
Councillor Derek Harrison contact via Town Council
Vice Chairman
Councillor Graham Bradley contact via Town Council
Councillors
Councillor Alan Ball 01268 526851
Councillor Simon Blake contact via Town Council
Councillor Eunice Brockman 07594 216528
Councillor Nigel Dermott contact via Town Council
Councillor Lee Dodds contact via Town Council
Councillor Graeme Ellis 07814 814844
Councillor Louise Gann contact via Town Council
Councillor Clare Gregory contact via Town Council
Councillor David Harrison 07305 614967
Councillor Nicola Hoad contact via Town Council
Councillor Sarah Marshall contact via Town Council
Councillor Stewart Mott 07964 077058
Councillor Andrew Neil contact via Town Council
Councillor Kim Oakes 01268 761899
Councillor Stephen Oakes contact via Town Council
Councillor Geoff Randall contact via Town Council
Councillor Geoff Whiter contact via Town Council
Councillor Stuart Allen 01268 284225/07415 440873
Councillor Alex Myers 07847 126792
Councillor Terri Sargent 01268 288766
Wickford Park
Councillor Alan Ball 01268 562851
Councillor David Harrison 07305 614967
Councillor George Jeffrey 07570 282997
Essex County Councillors
Wickford Crouch
Councillor Tony Ball 07867 676469
cllr.tony.ball@essex.gov.uk
Councillor Malcolm Buckley 01268 472586
cllr.malcolm.buckley@essex.gov.uk
Member of Parliament
Mark Francois 01268 742044
Mark.francois.mp@parliament.uk
News from Wickford Town Council
What to do in the garden in
November
It’s getting colder and wetter as we draw into November.
Trees are putting on their autumn displays and winter stems start to come into their own. As autumn turns to winter, your main jobs in the garden are mostly about protecting plants and structures from the wilder weather to come.
There’s still sowing and growing to do this month to keep the garden ticking over. Here is a list of the top jobs to do in the garden during the month:
Timely Tips
As the weather starts to get more wintry, your garden needs some protection:
• Insulate your outdoor containers from frosts. Use hessian or bubble wrap held in place with garden twine.
• Prevent containers becoming waterlogged by raising them off the ground for the winter using bricks or ‘pot feet’.
• Encourage hungry birds into your garden by investing in bird baths and bird feeders. Our feathered friends will keep garden pest numbers down and bring joy on a bleak winter’s day.
• Protect roses from wind-rock by pruning them by one-third to half their height. This will stop them swaying in strong wind and prevent roots coming loose in the soil.
In the flower garden
Here are your main jobs to do in the flower garden this November:
• Remove fallen leaves from around the base of any rose bushes which suffered from blackspot or rust this summer, to reduce the chance of reinfection next year.
• Continue to lift dahlia tubers, gladiolus corms and begonias tubers to store dry over the winter months. Remove the dead foliage before storing.
• Cut back the yellowing foliage of herbaceous perennial plants, and lift and divide overcrowded clumps to maintain their vigour.
• Cut a few stems of holly with berries for making Christmas garlands. It’s early, but now’s the time to do it before the birds eat all the berries. Stand them in a bucket of water in a sheltered spot where birds can’t take them.
In the vegetable garden
Here’s what to do in the vegetable garden this month:
• Lift parsnips after the first frosts, when their flavour will have sweetened.
• Prepare a perennial vegetable bed to plant up with rhubarb plants and asparagus crowns.
• Keep planting onion, shallot, and garlic sets. Dig over heavy soils adding organic matter before planting.
• Place a scaffold plank on the ground along the main access route into your plot. This allows access but prevent the soil compacting as you walk across it.
• Spread well-rotted farm manure across the surface of your vegetable beds to rot down over winter.
• Build a metal raised bed while the garden is clear to take the back-breaking bending out of vegetable growing.
• Stake top-heavy brassica and leafy green plants. Draw up some soil around the base of their stem to prevent wind from rocking the plant and causing damage to the roots.
• Check over your summer harvest of onions and garlic, removing any rotting bulbs immediately. The neck of the bulb is usually the first area to rot. Try using onion bags to improve air flow around the bulbs.
• Check stored potatoes and remove any that are rotting. Use hessian sacks to store your potatoes to allow the crop to breathe
Gardening tips supplied by Thompson & Morgan. For a full list of what to do in the garden in November and beyond please visit their website: www.thompson-morgan. com/in-the-garden-this-month
Research* shows that a combination of security actions provides up to 50 times more protection for your home versus no security.
A combination of WIDE actions is the most effective and recommended by police throughout the country. Additionally, at Neighbourhood Watch, we believe that neighbours keeping an eye out for each other is also key to preventing burglary.
WINDOWS: Lock your windows
INTERIOR: Put your interior lights on a timer
DOORS: Double or deadlock your doors
EXTERIOR: Put your exterior lights on a sensor
(N)EIGHBOURS: Keep an eye out for neighbours
*https://www ntu ac uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2019/02/research-reveals-best-burglarydeterrents,-and-identifies-those-most-at-risk Visit our website for more information on protecting your home!
What’s On
Bingo Night
Friday 15th
November, 6:30pm – 10pm at Wickford Junior School.
Wickford Primary School PTA are excited to announce a Bingo Night in support of the Wickford Primary School PTA!
This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled evening while supporting a great cause that directly benefits our school community. There will be:
• A professional host to keep the energy up all night
• Up to 8 exciting games of bingo (including musical bingo!)
• All bingo cards and dabbers are provided
• A mix of classic and quirky prizes - think of the best worst prizes you can imagine!
• Great music and plenty of laughs Feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks to enjoy throughout the event. All proceeds from the event will go to the Wickford Primary School PTA, helping fund important projects and activities for our students. Let’s make this event a success together!
There is only 100 tickets available £15pp, and are on a first come first served basis. BOOKING FORM
forms.gle/zPGRFx6QkaJTLyJZ6
*PLEASE NOTE, DUE TO GAMBLING LICENSES, THERE WILL BE NO CASH PRIZES
Infant and Toddler First Aid Workshop
Tuesday 19th
November, 7pm – 9:30pm at St Catherine’s Hall, Southend Road, Wickford, SS11 8DZ.
This course focuses on expectant parents, and parents of young babies up to pre-school age. The intention is not to provide attendees with a certificate, but to prepare you for real life scenarios which could occur at any time. The course is delivered by fully qualified trainers and costs £20 per person.
To book your ticket, please visit www.parents1st.org.uk/parents-1st-essex
Wickford Wildlife Society – Indoor Meeting
Wednesday 20th November, starting 8pm at St Andrews Church Hall, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex, SS12 0AN.
The speaker for the November meeting of the Wickford Wildlife Society will be Chris Gibson, conservationist and ecologist, who will present a talk on Gardening with Wildlife in Mind. Chris is a conservationist by profession, with 30+ years’ experience of statutory nature conservation in Britain. An ecologist by training; and a naturalist by inclination. His passion is communication, as a lecturer, tour leader, author and broadcaster, trying to convey some of his enthusiasm for the natural world.
There is adequate parking in front and behind the Church and tea and coffee are available during the interval. Doors Open at 7:45pm for an 8pm start. A small admission fee will apply - Members £2.00 and Non-Members £3.00.
Wickford Crafty Arts Fayre Christ Church, SS12 9FW
Sat 30th November CHRISTMAS FAYRE 10am to 3pm
ARTS & CRAFTS, CAKES, REFRESHMENTS, FACE PAINTING AND MUCH MORE!
VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS - CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE A FREE GIFT
** CHRISTMAS MINI PHOTO SHOOT BY THE AMAZING SNAP HAPPY BABIES**
**Book your child’s festive photo shoot by visiting: www.bookwhen.com/snaphappybabies
Wickford Town
Events With South Hanningfield
Village Hall
Christmas Fayre
Saturday 23rd November from 10am to 4pm. There will be lots of Christmas crafts and gifts on sale as well as festive refreshments and a Raffle. There will be over 36 craft and gift stalls including Books, Beauty, Cards, Cakes, Chocolates, Clothing, Crochet craft, Flowers, Christmas decorations, Crystals, Homeware gifts, Jewellery, Knitted craft, Personalised Christmas items, Sewn crafts, Sweets, Wooden items and more! FREE entry and refreshments available including Mulled Wine!
Christmas Shopping Trip to Ashford Outlet
Saturday 30th November. We will be going to Ashford Outlet for Christmas shopping! The cost will be £25 per person and include a seat on the coach as well as Prosecco and mince pies! Pick up and return to South Hanningfield Village Hall. To book, contact Sandra Graves, our Bookings Secretary, on 07396 546050 or email shvhall@gmail.com
Ladygate Scribblers.
Meets most Mondays (bank holidays excluded), between 2pm – 2:30pm at St Andrew’s Church Hall, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex, SS12 0AN.
If you fancy giving writing a try, why not come and join this friendly group one Monday afternoon to see if it’s for you. We offer a free taster week (parking at the church is payable) - until your registration is recorded with NCP, if you decide to join us regularly. Members pay £3 weekly (includes refreshments) for one and a half hours of non-critical writing and reading. We look forward to welcoming you to our group.
Pre and Postnatal Fitness Class
Every Tuesday, 10:30am-12:30pm at St Catherine’s Hall, Southend Road, Wickford, SS11 8DZ.
These group exercise classes are designed for both mums-to-be and new mums – come along and meet other local parents, feel fitter, have a drink and a chat. Classes are adapted to suit all fitness levels. Just £5 for four sessions. To book, head to essex.parents1st.org.uk
Third and Final Instalment In Thrilling Mason Made Trilogy.
Simon Marlowe, up-and-coming British crime thriller author and programmed author at the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival 2024 (Harrogate International Festivals), signs off his latest novel with a bang, in this mad, bad, and darkly comic crime meets spy thriller, ripping into everything you thought you knew about love and debauchery, politics and justice – and all washed down with a pint of schadenfreude!
Simon Marlowe is an up-and-coming British crime thriller author, and a selected author at theTheakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival 2024 (Harrogate International Festivals). A consummate wordsmith, he has excelled as a darkly comic crime author, with his fast paced and action-packed Mason Made trilogy. Like reading a Guy Ritchie movie with a Ken Loach conscience, Simon skilfully blends social and political issues to create a compellingly relevant narrative, on a par with the best in modern crime fiction today. Simon spent his formative years living in South London, indulging in political activism and music, graduating from a number of universities in politics, education and management. He eventually moved back to his home city in Essex, and after studying for a creative writing MA, settled down to developing as a writer. Since 2017, he has been successfully publishing, making people laugh, cry and scream!
Published on 26th NovemberThe Heart Is a Cruel Hunter is a standalone novel that follows chronologically from the end of Medusa And The Devil, making it the third and final instalment in the Mason Made trilogy.
Follow Steven Mason when he is left at his lowest, as he delves into the darkest and cruellest parts of our society, with
drug addictions, far-right conspiracies, warmongering, and more, in this crime thriller meets spy novel.
The Heart Is a Cruel Hunter reflects upon some of the key political issues that have plagued us in the last few years. The novel integrates Steven into a conspiratorial world, where ultra nationalism and the morality of war and its victims take centre stage.
Combining a topical and intriguing look into our society with the fast-paced and witty writing associated with the thriller genre, The Heart is a Cruel Hunter provides a wonderful interplay of the crime and spy genres, whilst maintaining Marlowe’s signature pseudo dirty realism of the two previous novels, delving even further into darker and more challenging spaces.
Blurb:
Steven Mason has an axe to grind, he just needs to work out who deserves it!
Falling fully into the darkness of Hell, Steven lives a crude, rude, cruel, and heartless life in the streets of Amsterdam, cutting himself off from his old life to indulge in drug-fuelled debauchery.
In an attempt to reestablish his criminal career during the coronavirus pandemic, he immerses himself into the blood and guts of conspiracy and Far-Right politics, war crimes and war criminals.
But nothing is as it seems, as Steven is propelled by covert love into festering darkness.
When faced with an ultimatum, in the form of becoming a member of the ruthless Bloodaxe gang, knee-deep in dealing and drug trafficking, will he pull himself out of the darkness he’s become so accustomed to? Or will he sink even further down?
The author says:
“The book is a conclusion to the Mason Made trilogy, so the inspiration goes way back four or five years, to when I formulated the journey protagonist Steven Mason was going to go on. I knew he wanted a better life for himself in The Dead Hand Of Dominique, I knew he would end up on an island in Medusa And The Devil, and I knew he would end up travelling around Europe in The Heart Is Cruel Hunter, the most political of the three novels in terms of narrative and underlying themes.
“T he intention was to use Steven as the classic anti-hero, to write page-turning thrillers that could be read on two levels, so the reader enjoys the story whilst also being offered the opportunity to consider more serious contemporary social and political issues - if they were so inclined. It helped solve my literary dilemma, as I was struggling to overcome a degree of didacticism, because I always have something to say. It was just a question of finding the right vehicle to drive the crime thriller genre, without putting people off! Along the way I have discovered my strengths as an author, especially the sardonic and comic side that compliments the rather dark, dirty realism that I tend to indulge my characters in. So, I have tried to pull decades of reading, decades of many creative pathways, to finally synthesise what I believe is distinctly Marlowe: a satirical dirty realist, with a touch of the surreal, indulging in the darker side of life.”
Published by Cranthorpe Millner Publishers, The Heart is a Cruel Hunter (ISBN: 978-180378-247-8) is published on 26th November and is available in paperback (£9.99) and Kindle format.
Social media:
Instagram: @simonmarloweauthor
X: @simon_marlowe
Facebook: Simon Marlowe Author
TikTok: @simonmarlowe5
Cosy Dishes to Delight the Family
As the chilly November winds roll in, there’s nothing better than a warm, hearty meal to enjoy with family.
In this edition, we’re bringing you four comforting recipes that celebrate the best of autumn flavours. Whether you’re craving a rich stew, a savoury bake, or a sweet treat to enjoy by the fire, these dishes are designed to bring warmth and satisfaction to your November evenings.
Cheesy
Leek and Potato Bake
Ingredients
4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
2 leeks, thinly sliced
200ml double cream
100ml milk
150g grated cheddar cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh chives, chopped, to garnish
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
2. In a frying pan, melt the butter and sauté the sliced leeks and garlic until soft. Set aside.
3. Grease a baking dish and arrange half of the sliced potatoes in an even layer at the bottom.
4. Spoon half of the leek mixture over the potatoes, then sprinkle with a third of the grated cheese.
5. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, leeks, and another third of the cheese.
6. Pour the cream and milk evenly over the top, season with salt and pepper, and finish with the remaining cheese.
7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
8. Garnish with fresh chives and serve.
Hearty Beef and Root Vegetable Stew
Ingredients
500g diced beef
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 parsnips, diced
2 potatoes, cubed
2 cloves garlic, minced
500ml beef stock
1 tablespoon tomato puree
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, to garnish
Method
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the diced beef on all sides, then remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Add the carrots, parsnips, and potatoes, cooking for a further 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomato puree and dried thyme. Pour in the beef stock and return the browned beef to the pot.
5. Bring the stew to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are soft.
6. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread.
Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto
Ingredients
300g arborio rice
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1.2L vegetable stock
50g butter
50g Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 fresh sage leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Toss the butternut squash cubes in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender.
2. In a large pan, melt half the butter over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
3. Stir in the arborio rice and cook for 2 minutes until the grains are coated.
4. Gradually add the vegetable stock, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly and allowing the liquid to absorb before adding more. Continue for about 18-20 minutes until the rice is cooked.
5. Stir in the roasted butternut squash, remaining butter, and grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Fry the sage leaves in a little olive oil until crispy and use to garnish the risotto before serving.
Spiced Apple Crumble
Ingredients
4 large cooking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
100g caster sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
150g plain flour
100g cold unsalted butter, cubed
75g brown sugar
50g rolled oats
Vanilla ice cream or custard, to serve
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
2. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the caster sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Transfer to a baking dish.
3. In another bowl, rub the cubed butter into the plain flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the brown sugar and rolled oats.
4. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling.
6. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or custard for a perfect autumnal dessert.
Fed up with clutter?
Is it time to reclaim your loft space?
If you have a growing family and are in in need of extra storage; or if you’re retired and looking for extra storage space with safe access, freeing up your loft space could be the solution you need.
For many homeowners, the loft is an underutilised area as it can be difficult and dangerous to reach, but additional storage space can be crucial for those with large families and limited other options. Freeing up a room, currently full of clutter, by boarding your loft space and adding safe access will save you a lot of trouble and expense.
Lofts have a large amount of usable space hidden up there, so accessing your loft and adding shelving can provide crucial storage.
I t’s not just about storage either - opening up your loft is a great opportunity to install better insulation which could reduce your energy bills by as much as 20%. With the rising cost of living, having a well-insulated home means savings all year round. In summer, proper insulation actually helps keep your home cooler, reducing the need for energy-consuming appliances like air conditioners.
Not insulating your house, can mean that not only are you experiencing larger bills than you should, you’re potentially contributing more towards greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing your carbon footprint.
A Smart Investment
Reclaiming and insulating your loft isn’t just about convenience - it’s an investment. Over time, you’ll more than make up the cost with the savings on your energy bills. Check with your energy supplier too in case they have any grants available.
How about some shelving too?
Installing shelving in your loft utilises the wasted space between roof trusses and is a cost-effective storage solution. No more crawling into eaves to retrieve boxes because you are able to safely stack boxes on the easily accessible shelves.
Not only that it also allows you better access to the loft floor.
Your next steps
Try to find a Which? Trusted Trader approved company that provides a free survey and quote service, to find out what is achievable with your loft area. The Which? Trusted Trader approval means they have been assessed by Which? and passed their stringent checks.
This also ensures that the company has full public liability insurance and that all the ladders and the work carried out comes with a Lifetime Guarantee.
Find Your Active
Physical activity offers more than opportunities to get moving.
It can encourage new connections, breaks down barriers and fosters a sense of belonging. No matter your ability, age, background there is a place for all to get active and find what works for them.
Inclusion extends to many different elements of physical activity. Following from the success of the Paris Paralympics, one important factor to consider is the accessible opportunities offered to those living with disabilities and long-term conditions. For many, there is a lack of knowledge about resources, clubs and support available for residents however by developing and enhancing these opportunities more people can engage and feel included.
In Harlow, Active Essex were able to work alongside Sport England utilising their Together Fund to facilitate regular Bounce trampoline fitness sessions for students at Harlow College. These students are all living with a disability and for them this experience has been invaluable as they can access a movement in a safe and inclusive environment. Not only has it become a form of weekly physical activity but also a wellbeing session.
Black History Month aligns with the focus on inclusion this month and it is an opportunity to celebrate the amazing black athletes that have inspired many. From historical figures like Jesse James to Great Britain’s Kelly Holmes, there is an overwhelming amount of black athletes who have paved the way for those looking to get active and try something new. Active Lives data has previously outlined the inactivity levels in black adults and by
addressing the reasons for possible exclusion we can begin to address these issues.
Addressing possible barriers to physical activity is something to onset from a young age and the Move With Us campaign is looking to challenge any stereotype or preconceptions associated with certain movements. The campaign encourages young people to find what works for them, regardless of ability, gender and background.
If we can support young people in exploring different movements in a safe and inclusive environment, positive experiences will be carried into adulthood. Girls can play football, boys can join a dance class and nothing is off limits if it makes them feel happy, healthy and positive!
Embracing physical activity can bridge gaps, celebrate diversity and make movement truly accessible and inclusive for all.
Go online and visit: www.activeessex.org/find-your-active
Guidance for healthcare professionals: www.activeessex.org/i-am-a-healthcareprofessional
Specialising in all things food with its AA Rosette Restaurant and stunning countryside setting.
Please see below our restaurant opening times: Breakfast
Monday to Friday: 7:30am - 10:30am
Saturday - Sunday: 8:00am - 11am Lunch and Afternoon Tea
Monday to Saturday: 12pm - 3pm
Sunday: 12:30pm-4pm Dinner
Monday to Saturday: 6pm-9pm
Our Festive Menu launches from 2nd December!
A set 2/3 course meal available at lunch and dinner and perfect for office get-togethers and friends gathering
Visit our website to view our events coming up! These range from Murder Mystery to Wreath-making, Bauble-decorating and Calligraphy to New Year’s Eve Dinner
Please contact us for more info: Telephone: 01268 422464
