We have over 50 years’ experience in the industry and have seen most types of windows and doors over the years and rarely find a problem we can’t solve.
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Wickford Town News
Brighter Days and Bigger Updates in Wickford!
Welcome to the Wickford Town News, now arriving every two months!
By going bi-monthly, we’re bringing you even more local news, events, and community updates in one go, ensuring you stay informed and engaged without missing a beat.
In this edition, we celebrate spring with What to do in the Garden in May and delicious Springtime Flavours for April and May. We highlight fantastic local initiatives like Wickford in Bloom, the Healthier Habits Hub, and Essex Councils Uniting to Scrap Fly Tipping. Plus, don’t miss details on Undercover Festival and St Andrew’s Church Max Blake Exhibition.
With inspiring stories, important updates from the Wickford Town Council, and plenty of ways to get involved, this issue is packed with all you need to know. Enjoy the read, and we’ll see you again in two months for another exciting edition!
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
Local hospice service recognised with national award
Local hospice service that supports patient choice at end of life recognised with a national award.
A group of Essex hospices is celebrating after being officially named the winner of the ‘Best Not-for-Profit Working in Partnership with the NHS’ at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2025, in recognition of their outstanding dedication to improving healthcare and effective collaboration with the NHS.
The Hospice Collaborative Partnership, which includes Farleigh Hospice, Havens Hospices and St Luke’s Hospice, working alongside NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), was announced during a ceremony at Evolution London on 20th March 2025, hosted by Rachel Parris and Marcus Brigstocke.
The event, which featured 23 separate categories, was attended by representatives from the NHS, the private sector, the third sector, and individuals from non-clinical backgrounds to celebrate the importance of positive partnerships and acknowledge how they underpin the future sustainability of the NHS.
The Hospice Collaborative and the ICB were recognised for the innovative “Hospice Rapid Access Service” – a 24-hour hospice-inspired care pathway for adults across mid and south Essex that provides patients with a choice in where to receive care as they approach the end of their lives, whether that’s in a hospice, care home or in the community.
The service promotes patient choice, helping patients achieve their preferred place of care and death, which improves their quality of life and reduces anxiety for their families.
The service also helps to ease demand on health and social care systems by reducing hospital admissions and stays.
In its first year, the Hospice Rapid Access Service cared for more than 1,100 patients, delivering 33,376 nights of care, preventing hospital admission or intervention, equating to 91 hospital beds per day.
In the community, the teams delivered 216,954 hours of care for patients in their own homes, easing pressure on NHS colleagues and facilities.
The service delivers rapid and appropriate care, achieving this on average in three days from the original referral to the Hospice Rapid Access Teams.
We are delighted that the Hospice Rapid Access Service has been recognised through this prestigious national award. Since its inception 20 months ago, the Hospice Collaborative has made significant progress in delivering an equitable model of care across mid and south Essex, with the needs of patients at its very heart. Everyone at Farleigh Hospice is incredibly proud that through this successful collaboration, we are ensuring that patients receive the highest quality care, in the most appropriate setting, at the end of their lives.
For more information on End-of-Life care across mid and south Essex, please visit: www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/health/ support/end-of-life-care.
Wickford Rotary Club Kicks Off
the Year with Success
After a busy end to 2024, during which we supported Santa on his visits to Wickford, we are delighted to share that with your generous support, we raised an incredible £6,005 for the Spotlight Radiotherapy Appeal at Southend Hospital (www.spotlightappeal.org).
This appeal aims to raise £600,000 to fund specialist equipment that will enhance the delivery of radiotherapy treatment for people in our district. For the second consecutive year, your contributions have helped raise over 1% of the target annually. Well done, Wickford!
One of the core passions of Rotarians everywhere is the Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s own global charity, which raises and distributes over $100 million annually to support humanitarian and educational projects worldwide. The Foundation consistently receives top ratings on Charity Navigator, with 94p of every £1 going directly to charitable causes.
Among its most significant initiatives is the global effort to eradicate polio, a vaccination programme launched in 1979. Since 2009, Bill Gates has partnered with Rotary to match fundraising efforts, significantly accelerating the fight against this disease (www.endpolio.org). Today, polio remains endemic in only two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, thanks to mass immunisation efforts across the globe.
Each year, Rotary in Essex and East Herts District hosts a Foundation Lunch to celebrate this cause and raise awareness and funds. During the recent event, Rotary Wickford was recognised as one of the largest contributors in the District last year to the Foundation’s End Polio Now fund. Rotarian Peter Carter, Foundation Chair for 2023-24, was honoured to receive a certificate acknowledging Wickford’s contribution to this global effort. Once again, we couldn’t achieve this without your support!
Thank you for your continued generosity, and we wish you a happy and healthy 2025.
We’ve also received a few enquiries about what we do and how to get involved with Rotary. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact us via email at info@wickfordrotary.org.uk or visit our website at www.wickfordrotary.org.uk
Wickford
Essex councils unite to scrap fly tipping
County-wide campaign launched to reduce incidents and impact of fly tipping. Local councils are being supported by Essex County Council, the Environment Agency and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to jointly tackle fly tipping.
Fly tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land which doesn’t have a waste licence. This could include leaving items by a bin or outside a closed charity shop, recycling centre or donation bank.
Household waste has been found in over 60% of fly tips across the county in the past three years, costing Essex taxpayers around £1 million to clean up in 2022-23. Most reported fly tips also occur on highways or council land.
A new campaign was recently launched to equip residents with the knowledge and tools to dispose of household waste responsibly.
Healthier Habits Hub
Free non-judgemental guidance will be available for wellbeing topics including mental health, weight management, substance misuse and sexual health.
Each event will have free giveaways and free tea and coffee available too. Free resources will be available, including:
• exercise taster sessions and demonstrations from Active Essex
• free oral health resources
• support to stop smoking
• winter warm packs
• advice on courses with ACL.
If you have any questions about the Healthier Habits Hub, please contact HealthierHabitsHubs@essex.gov.uk
The participating councils will also work closely to increase visible enforcement and share intelligence across the county.
The Leader of Brentwood Borough Council and Chair of the Clean and Green Committee, Councillor Barry Aspinell said, “Fly tipping is a crime that damages the environment and drains public resources.
In Brentwood, we are committed to tackling this issue head-on by working collaboratively with the Police and others across Essex to strengthen enforcement, while ensuring residents dispose of their waste responsibly, as they should do. This campaign informs and empowers residents to act, ensuring those who dump waste illegally are held accountable. I urge all residents to do their part to report fly tipping when they see it and dispose of waste properly. Together, we can make Brentwood cleaner, greener and free from fly tipping.”
Essex residents can visit www.loveessex.org/flytipping to find out more about fly tipping and the new campaign.
Come to a Healthier Habits Hub in Brentwood
At Laindon Community Centre, Aston Rd, Laindon, Basildon, SS15 6NX on:
• Tuesday 13th May 2025, 11am – 3pm
More events across Essex are being confirmed, check back on www.essex.gov.uk/news/2025/ healthier-habits-hub for more dates.
HEALTHIER HABITS
The 2025 Muddy Awards Finals Are Open
The regional finalists are revealed!
Now in their 12th year, The Muddy Stilettos Awards are back! 2,205 finalists have just been announced as the best independent lifestyle businesses across 35 Muddy counties, including 105 in Essex, chosen by their customers and Muddy Stilettos readers.
From the first round of Essex nominations across 21 lifestyle categories, only the top five with the most nominations in each category have made it into the finals. Voting closed on 15th April 2025, with customers, friends and family having voted for their favourite business, including four new categories of Best Family Experience, Best Sports & Fitness Instructor, Best Wellbeing Specialist and Best Women’s Style.
Readers can track votes by clicking the live updates page to see the Voting Cocktails which show up-to-date percentages of votes achieved by each finalist in each category.
Muddy Stilettos is the biggest luxury lifestyle site outside London, reaching 4.4 million women every month across 35 counties to make the most of where they live, with insider information on unique and wonderful things to do locally. The Muddy Awards are free to enter, and with 515,000 votes last year make them the UK’s most prestigious lifestyle business awards, providing well-deserved publicity and kudos for winners in each and every county.
To view the list of 2025 finalists head to essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/ finalists
The winners will be announced on 30th April 2025. Every regional winner will automatically go forward to the ‘Winner of Winners’ National Muddy Awards. So not only do businesses in Essex have the chance to win a regional crown, but they are also in with a chance of being selected as the overall Muddy National Winner!
For those who wanted to show their support for local businesses, voting was permitted across all of the 21 categories:
MUDDY AWARD 2025 CATEGORIES
BEST ARTS, CULTURE & THEATRE
BEST BAR
BEST BEAUTY SALON/CLINIC
BEST CAFÉ
BEST FLORIST
BEST HOTEL (30+ rooms)
BEST BOUTIQUE STAY (less than 30 rooms)
BEST CASUAL DINING
BEST CHILDREN’S BUSINESS
BEST DESTINATION PUB
BEST FAMILY EXPERIENCE
BEST FARM SHOP/ DELI
BEST SPORT & FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
BEST HAIR SALON
BEST LIFESTYLE STORE
BEST LOCAL FOOD/DRINK PRODUCER
BEST EVENT VENUE
BEST RESTAURANT
BEST WELLBEING SPECIALISTS
BEST WOMEN’S STYLE
BEST YOGA/ PILATES STUDIO
Finally, as an added bonus one lucky business has the chance to win a £3,000 cash prize to spend on their business as they wish in association with Tide Banking.
If you’re ‘In Love With Local’ please get behind our prestigious Awards and help our local businesses in Essex.
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 markfrancois com mark.francois.mp@parliament.uk facebook com/MarkFrancoisRayleighandWickford/
Adventures in Joy: An exhibition by Max Blake
2nd May – 25th July 2025, St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0AN.
View the exhibition and hear Max speak about his work at ‘Unveiled’, the arts & performance evening at St Andrew’s Wickford, Friday 2 May, 7.00 pm.
St Andrew’s is usually open: Sat 9am12.30pm; Sun 9.30am-12 noon; Mon 2-3.45pm; Tue 1-4.30pm; Wed 10am-12 noon; Fri 10am-1pm. www.wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/ whats-on.html
“Adventures in Joy” presents the most recent work produced by artist and cleric Max Blake. It includes some of the work he has developed through his studies of Icons, as well as his experiments in a more abstract and surreal direction. Max explores his own deep imagination, which is fed by his wide knowledge of religion and reflections amongst other things.
As a man of faith, much of his work expresses an exploration of the Christian faith. Over recent years, Max has studied Byzantine and Coptic Iconography and he has used this study to develop his own interpretations of the icon. Much of Max’s work is highly detailed and the viewer can find many hidden details, people, faces and shapes in his work. This creates a joyful adventure for the eye through bright and vivid worlds. Max uses a range of media including oil paints, inks and coloured pencils.
Max Blake was born in East London in the early 50s and then grew up in Basildon. After graduating as a teacher, Max taught art in secondary schools across south Essex. He also worked with children with anxiety and children with special needs. He was ordained deacon followed by priesting in the early 2000s. Although he is now retired, Max still works as a retired priest with Permission to Officiate in the United Benefice of Horndon, Orsett and Bulphan.
As well as artwork Max has also illustrated book covers and books for children. He continues to exhibit his vibrant works in various locations, including the Well House Gallery in Horndon on the Hill and St Catherine’s Church in East Tilbury. www.wellhousegallery.co.uk/art/max-blake
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Members receive a personalised programme specifically built around individual needs with regular 1-2-1 reviews keeping members on track.
We aren’t just a gym, we are a whole lifestyle package revolutionising women's health and fitness.
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity News &
Events
Summer days out.
We have some great events this summer, starting with our Ride For Helen cycle event on Sunday 11th May. The routes range from six miles to 100 miles through the Essex countryside, so there is something for everyone; from families to experienced cyclists.
We have two vintage days with stalls, live entertainment, music, vintage cars and a range of caterers. On Sunday 13th July at Cressing Temple Barns and on Sunday 24th August at Layer Marney Tower.
Details and tickets for all our events are on our website at www.helenrollason.org.uk/events
Hatfield Peverel Open Gardens
Do you live in Hatfield Peverel? Could you open your garden to help us raise valuable funds for the charity? We are looking for more gardens, and they do not have to be ‘Chelsea Flower Show’ standard.
Open Gardens is on Saturday 24th May. Our centre will be open on the day to collect maps of the gardens, and we will have tea, cakes and a plant sale.
Dates of Helen Rollason Cancer Charity events:
Saturday 24th May – Hatfield Peverel Open Gardens.
Sunday 13th July – Vintage and Makers Day at Cressing Temple Barns.
Sunday 24th August – Marvellous Vintage day out at Layer Marney Tower.
If you would like to know more about the support we provide, you can also call us on 01245 382888.
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The Health, Care and Wellbeing of Young People who are Care Experienced in Essex.
Are you a young person in care or have you left care in the last five years? What are your concerns and worries? Do you know how and where to get support? How has your access to health services been affected by being in the care system?
As part of our Hidden Homeless project, we are looking to talk to people who have experience of the care system to find out what’s important to them regarding their health, care, and wellbeing and discover what works and what needs improvement regarding this.
If you are currently, or have previously been, involved in the care system, we would like to hear from you in whichever way suits you best; this may be meeting for a face-to-face chat, or communicating by phone, email, or video call.
We hope to raise awareness of the needs, as well as contribute to improving outcomes, for people involved in the care system, as we understand that there may be additional barriers and issues which affect you accessing and engaging with the services you need.
If you would like to find out more or have a discussion and perhaps feed into the project, please email sara.poole@healthwatchessex.org.uk or call 0300 500 1895 and ask to speak to Sara. Complete anonymity is assured for anyone who is willing to take part.
News Around
Healthwatch Essex Carers Voices Mental Health & Wellbeing survey
Health and wellbeing are central to ensuring carers can sustain the support they give to the cared for over a prolonged period, sometimes, a whole lifetime. Carers often tell us they are at breaking point, physically and mentally exhausted with no respite and very little time nor energy to self-assess and acknowledge when their mental health and wellbeing deteriorates, the pressure becomes too much, and many become overwhelmed. Those that do acknowledge their mental health and wellbeing are at risk, often do not know where or how to access the appropriate support. The aim of our survey is to ask you, the carers about your experiences of mental health and wellbeing both good and bad. What you tell us will help shape and influence better awareness of mental health in the caring community and improve support for everyone. We know and appreciate there is a stigma and discrimination around speaking out but the feedback you feel you can share will give us a clear picture of current mental health issues and we value your participation. Whilst we know the mental health and wellbeing of the cared for has a direct impact on the carer, our survey focuses on the carer’s mental health and wellbeing and we welcome your feedback via www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/K5MFID
£6 million boost to tackle fuel poverty in Essex
Essex has been awarded £6 million to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions over the next three years.
The money is from the Warm Homes: Local Grant, managed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. We bid for funding with the district, city, borough and
unitary councils in the county. It will be used for measures including heat pumps, solar panels and insulation.
Applications to receive help from the Warm Homes: Local Grant in Essex will open in the summer. Homes will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This will determine which energy efficiency measures can be installed. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is aimed at low-income and vulnerable households. This includes both owned and rented properties. The new grant is the first step to help deliver the Warm Homes Plan. The plan will help up to 300,000 homes across England find ways to save money on energy bills. It will also help to heat homes with cleaner energy. The partnership bid for funding did not include Basildon Council which submitted its own bid.
Fire service urges Essex residents with hearing loss to book free Home Safety Visit
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) is encouraging residents who are deaf or
Mental Health & Wellbeing survey
Wickford Town
have hearing loss to take advantage of free home fire safety visits and specialist alarm installations to help keep them safe in their homes.
Many people with hearing loss are at serious risk if they do not have the right alarm in place. Standard smoke alarms provide vital time to escape in the event of a fire, but for those who suffer from hearing difficulties or remove their hearing aids at night, hearing a smoke alarm warning can be a challenge. To make fire safety advice more accessible, ECFRS has launched a new British Sign Language (BSL) translated video on its website. The video explains the sensory smoke alarm offer and how residents can book a free home safety visit. You can view the video here: www.essex-fire.gov.uk/ sensory-smoke-alarms
New name for programme finding lung cancer
An NHS programme targeting lung cancer is changing its name to the NHS Lung Cancer Screening programme.
Previously known as Targeted Lung Health Checks, the programme detects cancers earlier when treatments are easier and more likely to be successful.
While there is a new name and logo, nothing else has changed. The Lung Cancer Screening programme aims to save lives by catching lung cancer in the earlier stages when
treatment has a greater chance of success. By screening people who are at higher risk, cancers in the early stages can be detected before there are any obvious symptoms. The programme offers free screening to smokers and ex-smokers who are aged between 55 and 74. In mid and south Essex, the lung screening programme has been operating in Thurrock, Southend, Basildon, Wickford, and Brentwood. Residents living in those areas who meet the eligibility criteria can still attend their screening at any time by contacting the service.
Lung cancer screening initially launched as a pilot back in 2020, and since then the Government has announced plans to roll out the programme nationwide. The NHS in turn has announced the name change in order to be more consistent with other national NHS screening programmes. Research also shows that the name Lung Cancer Screening is better understood.
Basildon Council unveils 13 new homes for local residents
As part of Basildon Council’s 5 main aims for 2025, the council has unveiled 13 new properties for council residents on low income
Recently, 13 new homes in Pound Lane, Basildon, were officially handed over to Basildon Council. The new properties have been constructed by Indecon Building Ltd, a local Basildon company, to facilitate the need for more homes for local people.
The council submitted a planning application for the scheme at Pound Lane in 2021, following a consultation process which was approved in 2022. The planning application included the demolition of six existing Airey houses and made way for the construction of a new two-storey block containing eight one-bedroom flats, and five two-bedroom houses, with associated landscaping and car parking for residents.
Wickford in Bloom
Two months have gone by since our last article – the first day of spring has arrived and the clocks have moved forward to signify British summer time.
The donated bulbs are blooming and looking very beautiful and they certainly do brighten up the High Street even on wet and gloomy days. There are all shapes and sizes of flowers and the blue hyacinth are just coming out to join in the show. We planted the tiered planter with smaller crocus and little tete e tete daffodils and it has been a riot of colour.
Finding enough money has always been a struggle for us and we have mentioned before that we were talking to Wickford Town Council about funding. Wickford Town Council realise just how much residents and
visitors enjoy seeing the flowers in the High Street and we can confirm that it has been agreed by the Councillors that the Council will provide Wickford in Bloom with up to £10,000 from April 2025 to March 2026. This money will pay for the summer planting, additional lamp post brackets, unsponsored hanging baskets, tools, equipment, compost, fertiliser, additional plants, insurance, licences and so on.
We have already ordered extra lamp post brackets and the baskets will now stretch from the Texaco roundabout, Lower Southend, through the High Street to Bourne Hall in London Road.
This summer there will be 50 hanging baskets and we have already had a very good response from our sponsors, particularly from the local businesses that have supported us from the beginning. Each hanging basket costs £130 including VAT to sponsor and this includes a sign with the sponsor’s name, logo, website, etc. The sign remains on the lamppost from mid-May to October. The signs are taken down when the baskets have finished flowering and are removed for recycling usually in early October.
If anyone would like to sponsor a basket or would like more information please email our treasurer Louise Petley wickfordinbloom@gmail.com.
The Wickford in Bloom cemetery group have started their regular Sunday morning gardening sessions again and have been hard at work planting shrubs, painting fences and creating an alpine garden. They also have a palatial new ‘bug
hutch’ to encourage the pollinators and insects.
The garden is unrecognisable from the scruffy, weedy garden they started with and we know visitors to the cemetery are delighted with the new look. It is a beautiful peaceful place and the group have lots of plans for future garden maintenance and improvements. The committee get involved with all sorts of events not just gardening, and this year Louise and I attended the Basildon Borough Volunteer Awards 2025. Basildon Borough holds an annual event to celebrate and recognise volunteers in the borough and this year, along with others from Wickford, Wickford in Bloom was nominated for a voluntary group award. The ceremony was held at the Towngate Theatre in early March and it is clear that there were some amazing volunteers giving their time to some very worthy projects from feeding families, raising thousands of pounds for their charity, sports, arts and giving baby equipment to families in need to name a few. We didn’t win in our category but it was a very enjoyable evening including performances by a choir from the Billericay Men’s Shed, the Performance Lab and the La Dance la Fantastique. Basildon Borough is also involved in a government initiative to increase urban greening and all the borough’s town centres now have planters and in some places, trees. Wickford has been given three large planters which are now outside Cossons bakers and two medium size planters which are flanking the Wickford Town Council notice board outside Peacocks clothes shop.
Wickford is unique in the borough in that we already have 50 planters of various shapes and sizes spread around the High Street. It was a bit of a challenge for us to find places for them as they are very big and can only go where Essex CC have given permission. However, with a bit of shuffling things about they are now in place. We were also given compost and some grasses and ferns to go in them.
The old wooden planters in Market Lane were very dilapidated and rotting away. They were regularly vandalised, sat on and the plants pulled up so we decided to cut our losses and ask the Council to remove them whilst we had the opportunity. The area looks a bit bare now and we would like to think that maybe in the future the planters will be replaced but no long-term decisions have been made about this.
We have always wanted to make it easier for people to see what we do and to keep in touch so we are very pleased to announce that our new web page is up and running. Please have a look for up-to-date news and dates for future work parties at www.wickfordinbloom.co.uk. If anyone has any particularly good photos of the High Street flowers or the cemetery please send in to us by email and we will post them on the website
We are always pleased to see new volunteers who are willing to lend a hand with watering the planters. Last year we watered on Wednesday evening and Sunday morning with additional work parties as needed. No particular skills or equipment are needed but there is a reasonable amount of walking and carrying involved.
The dates and times of our work parties are advertised on our Facebook page and on our website.
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.
Friends of the Wickford Memorial Park Volunteer Group
Exciting new project for the Memorial Park!
The Stumpery Garden
We have wanted to have a Stumpery Garden for a few years. This was project that was on our wishlist.
There is a wetland area in the park which used to be the bend in the river before it was straightened years ago and is still very boggy.
It will provide another area of interest in the park. A Stumpery will contain, stumps, logs and wetland plants which will add another biodiversity area for wildlife. (An example of a Stumpery Garden is pictured below.)
It will provide a natural habitat for insects, frogs, toads, birds, hedgehogs, etc.
The Basildon Councils Biodiversity Officer will be leading the project with input from the Friends Volunteers.
We have been promised a grant for £6,000 from the Wickford Area Committee and are looking forward to receiving it. We are very grateful for all the support from Borough Councillors.
Please keep an eye on the events tab if you want to help. We run our gardening groups every Wednesday and Saturday mornings if you’d like to come along. No gardening experience is necessary and there are tasks for all ages and abilities.
We have over a thousand members on our Facebook Page. Please pop down for a chat or to help – you would be most welcome.
There are three car parks: Runwell Road (main entrance); Rettendon View and Highcliffe Road.
Please visit our website, www.friendsofwickfordmemorialpark.co.uk or search Friends of the Wickford Memorial
Local South Essex Young Bands Will Be At
The Heart Of Undercover Festival
2025!
As the popular Undercover Festival (now in its 13th year) makes its debut at Battlesbridge, South Essex on 26th and 27th September, organiser Mick Moriarty decided to make young local bands a focus of the event.
“Young punk-influenced bands are coming to the fore even more now, and I see a very vibrant young scene with a purpose. I know a cracking band when I see one, and there are plenty appearing in South Essex! The Meffs (Southend) and Bilk (Chelmsford) are currently making huge strides, and coming up behind them, there’s a lot of young talent, just bursting to get out there,” he explains.
Undercover Festival’s early days were at Bisley in Surrey. Mick says: “When I decided to move Undercover Festival to South Essex, I found a venue that is quirky, outside the box, and with camping, just what I was looking for to get the Bisley feel of Undercover Festival back.
“Once I got the date for the festival sorted, I wanted to include a couple of local bands, and I was blown away by the rich vein of local bands coming up strong behind The Meffs and Bilk. I’m so pleased to have several of them playing for us at Undercover Festival 26th & 27th September.”
Amongst the bigger names appearing at the festival (Skids, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Subhumans, Menace, Popes Of Chillitown, Dakka Skanks, Eastfield, Codename Colin, East Town Pirates) the following young local bands will share the stage:
“Dharma Hounds are a band that I am excited to bring to Undercover and I love their new release ‘Blokes’,” enthuses Mick. “You look at a band and say yeah, they have something, that’s what I see with Dharma Hounds.
“Another band playing who have a great ‘can do’ attitude, which I love, is Destroy The Idols. I am getting more and more into them as I listen to their tracks; it’s a shame they are on first at the festival, but someone has to, and I always say start it strong. Get there early you won’t be disappointed!
“Rat Hole impressed a lot of people at Rebellion Festival last year with their cheeky punk songs and hilarious banter,
and I had many folks saying ‘Mick – you have to book them!’ A few weeks later, I made the decision to confirm the venue for the festival, and booking Rat Hole fell exactly into place.
“Monumental are a talented mod/ indie revival band with original songs influenced by 60’s mod, through to the mod revival of the 70’s, and the Britpop era of the 90’s. I thought I’d add them to the line up as something different. They are REALLY good, and have much more of an edge than just a mod thing.
“Hinge are a band that I really like the look of, a no messing, straight up, beer bottle clinking, four-piece punk band from Billericay. They are influenced by 90’s skate punk, with a cracking sound.
“There will be several other excellent bands from Essex playing, a tad older, but I reckon the five above are excellent, and will show everyone travelling to South Essex for Undercover Festival what a happening local punk scene it
has – make sure you check them all out!”
Tickets (£79) include camping, showers, parking and novel attractions found at no other UK festival, such as a motorcycle museum, record shops and vintage sellers. An on-site guest house and campervan access are also available. Merchandise stalls, a reasonably-priced festival bar and food stands will also be on-site.
The Showground (Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, Battlesbridge, SS11 7RF) is easily accessible by road, rail and bus.
A limited number of tickets are available online from Gigantic or in-person at Undercover gigs (Guildford), Intense Records (Chelmsford), Fives Record Shop (Leigh On Sea), Sounds of the Suburbs Records (Ruislip) and Dirt (Norwich).
While Undercover Festival is hitting the road after a run at Guildford’s The Suburbs at the Holroyd, the venue remains home to Undercover’s regular gigs, with at least 20 booked in for 2025.
Springtime Flavours for April and May
As the days grow longer and the gardens start to bloom, spring is the perfect time to refresh your meals with bright, seasonal ingredients.
April and May bring Easter celebrations, May Day gatherings, and lighter dishes as we transition into warmer weather. These four delicious recipes capture the essence of spring, featuring fresh produce and simple steps for stress-free cooking. Whether you’re hosting or enjoying a quiet meal, these dishes are a must-try!
Easter Roast Lamb with Rosemary and Garlic
Ingredients
1.5kg leg of lamb
4 garlic cloves, sliced
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
150ml lamb stock
Asparagus and Pea Risotto
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
300g risotto rice
125ml white wine
1 litre vegetable stock, kept warm
150g asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2cm pieces
100g frozen peas
50g Parmesan, grated
25g butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
2. Use a sharp knife to make small incisions all over the lamb and insert garlic slices into each.
3. Mix the rosemary, olive oil, mustard, salt, and pepper into a paste and rub it all over the lamb.
4. Place in a roasting tin and roast for 1 hour 30 minutes for medium, basting occasionally with lamb stock.
5. Rest for 15 minutes before carving. Serve with roasted vegetables and mint sauce.
Coronation Chicken Salad
Ingredients
2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
3 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
1 tbsp mild curry powder
1 tbsp mango chutney
1 tbsp sultanas
1 tbsp flaked almonds, toasted
Juice of ½ a lemon
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Mixed salad leaves, to serve
Method
1. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, yoghurt, curry powder, mango chutney, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir in the shredded chicken, sultanas, and almonds.
3. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.
4. Serve on a bed of mixed salad leaves or as a sandwich filling.
Rhubarb and Strawberry Crumble
Ingredients
300g rhubarb, chopped
200g strawberries, halved
75g caster sugar
1 tbsp orange juice
100g plain flour
50g rolled oats
75g unsalted butter, cubed
50g light brown sugar
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan).
2. Toss the rhubarb and strawberries with caster sugar and orange juice, then transfer to a baking dish.
3. In a bowl, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the oats and brown sugar.
4. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the fruit and bake for 30 minutes until golden
What’s On
Monthly Quiz Night
Thursday 24th April, 7pm – 10pm at Posh Boys Brewery and Taproom
Think you’ve got what it takes to be crowned quiz champion? Join us for our Monthly Quiz Night which takes place on the last Thursday of every month!
• Entry Fee: £5 per team, with all entry money going to the winning team!
• Fun Bingo at the End: After the quiz, stick around for a lively bingo round with a £20 bar tab up for grabs!
• Interactive Quizzing: All done on an easy-to-use app via your mobile phone, featuring:
- Picture rounds, music, multiple-choice, correct order, nearest answer challenges. - Plus spine the wheel, go wild mode, evil mode!
• Personalised Fun: Every team gets their own sound and photo displayed on the big screen!
It’s going to be a night of laughter, competition, and interactive fun – perfect for teams of friends, families, or colleagues. Grab your phones, bring your A-game, and let’s make it a night to remember. Don’t forget to stick around for bingo fun after the quiz! See you there! Cheers, Danielle & Vince.
Classic Car Show
Sunday 11th May, 10:30am – 12:30pm at 84 Runwell Road, SS11 7HR
Join us for a fantastic Classic Car Show at Silvanna Court, proudly arranged by Bombers
Detailing since 2019!
Everyone is welcome –residents, families, and the local community, to enjoy a morning filled with stunning classic cars, great company, and delicious food. Food & Drinks:
• Bacon & Sausage Baps
• Tea & Coffee
Come along, admire some incredible vintage cars, and make unforgettable memories with us! We can’t wait to see you there! Spread the word & invite your friends!
Craft and Gift Fayre
Saturday 7th June, 10am – 3pm at Christ Church, Wickford
Lots of beautiful hand-crafted stalls, local businesses showcasing their items. Great opportunity to shop local and buy a bespoke gift for friends, family or yourself! Cakes and refreshments available.
• Free parking
• Free entry
• Wheelchair access
Hope to see you there!
Wickford Town
SEND Parent Support Group –Anxiety, Autism, ADHD, etc.
Monday 9th June, 9:30am – 11:30am at Miracle House, The Wick
Come along to Miracle House, Silva Island Way, Wickford to meet our Family Support Team. Space is limited, so please reserve a place.
Drop in at any time from 9.30am to 11.15pm and have a chat with other parents and the MyOTAS’ (My Own Time And Space) team about neurodiversity (autism, adhd, dyslexia, dyspraxia, anxiety issues, OCD, PDA, Sensory Processing Disorder, etc.), including diagnostic process, support at school, benefits you may be entitled to claim, distressed behaviour and mental health issues. Everyone is welcome, from anywhere in Essex, whether your child is at school or home ed. No diagnosis is required.
If you wish to book a 1:1 appointment with a member of the MyOTAS team, to discuss things privately, please complete this referral form and we will be in touch to book you in. forms.office.com/e/AnQr0TdviS These support sessions are funded by the Essex Carers and Health Inequalities Funds.
Infant and Toddler First Aid Workshop
Tuesday 17th June, 7pm – 9:30pm at St Catherine’s Hall, Southend Road, Wickford, SS11 8DZ. This course is for expectant parents, grandparents and carers of young babies up to pre-school age. Our hands-on workshop will equip you with the confidence to handle real-life emergencies.
The course is delivered by fully qualified trainers and costs £25 per person.
To book your ticket, please visit www.parents1st.org.uk/parents-1st-essex
Pregnancy and Postnatal Fitness
Every Tuesday, 10:30am12:30pm 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 with your baby 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 www.parents1st.org.uk/ parents-1st-essex.
Riding lessons with Pony Pals Club
Saturdays and Sundays, 9am – 6pm at 11 Browns Avenue, Wickford
We take from under 4s to a weight limit of 11 stone. Hats included, riding boots must be worn and can be hired for £3 on top of the £22.50 fee for the lesson.
Neighbourhood Watch
The PCC recently met with Neighbourhood Watch to look at plans for 2025, much of which were formulated following the P.C.C.s Crime Survey in 2024. One of the Commissioner’s key objectives is to tackle vehicle crime.
This can be broken down into two groups.
1 Chancers and opportunists thefts from vehicles.
2 Very sophisticated serious targeted crimes of high-end make cars often with keyless ignitions.
CHANCER & OPPORTUNIST VEHICLE CRIMES FROM PARKED CARS.
You must not under any circumstances whatsoever leave anything on show in a parked car. Absolutely nothing.
These crimes are avoidable and preventable. When parking your vehicle anywhere especially at home for last park up for the night we want you to use the five second rule.
Park safely and securely and ensure your vehicle is locked. Then just stand for five seconds and look in through the car windows. Can you see anything? If you can then so can a criminal and you may become a victim of a crime.
Outside your home, at the cinema, at the railway station and large shopping centres and supermarkets. In truth anywhere! Leave nothing on show! Sometimes we need you to think like a criminal! These crimes can be avoided.
Vans carrying tools and equipment, especially those that it is impractical to unload each night are at risk. Park as safe and secure as you can. If the van has rear doors park with them tight up against something so the doors cannot be opened even if they were forced.
Both National and local TV stations carried news item recently that thefts from vehicles are millions of pounds a year.
A MORE TARGETED CAR THEFT.
These car thefts are of the more high-end range BMWs, Audi, Mercedes, Range Rovers. The thefts are very targeted, and criminals will arrive at an exact known location with make, model, registration number and location. These are not criminals who walk the streets at night looking for vehicles. The criminals will arrive knowing exactly where to go, normally in the very small hours of the morning in the darkest times. They will be dressed mostly in black with balaclava/ski marks, they will be carrying backpacks that contain laptop-type reader devices and they will try to read the car keys situated inside your property. Leaving keys on hall tables and the bottom stair at home could be disastrous!
These teams of criminals will operate in three or fours. One drives the vehicle that brings them to an area. Another will work the key reader device and two to remove the vehicle. Recent intelligence shows on the odd occasion they have targeted cars nearby to each other. We are talking of a very slick and professional operation. You can see the lights go on in the car and the engine starts and it’s gone. You are talking likely less than two minutes.
Ensure the vehicle is locked, consider a steering lock device. Do not leave keys on hall tables. Store keys in a Faraday Box or Pouch. The box and pouch are very cheap to buy even the steering lock will not break the bank in the scheme of things when you balance the cost of vehicles. If you can, block garage cars in with other vehicles.
SEEK DEALERSHIP ADVICE TOO ON ANTI THEFT DEVICES.
Number plates are often removed and thrown away nearby as are often any personal items left in the cars.
On both these crimes, it is essential that if by chance and good luck you look out of your window and see people trying car doors or standing around with devices – do not hesitate to use 999 immediately! This is ‘crime in progress’ or ‘crime about to happen’.
A LESSER CRIME IS THEFT OF NUMBER PLATES.
Those thefts can involve stealing fuel from vehicles on a drive or a garage forecourt to a fuel ULEZ trips or Dartford tunnel runs. Frustratingly, sometimes these crimes go unreported due to the low financial loss but they should always be reported. Just occasionally those number plates can be used in a far more sinister and serious crime. Thank you for your support. Stay safe, secure, alert and vigilant.
What to do in the garden in May
May is arriving and the days are getting warmer and longer.
Summer is on its way and it’s time to tidy up spring plants, plant out summer flowers and get planning for autumn.
There are plenty of flowers and vegetables to sow and grow in May. Or read on for a comprehensive list of other garden jobs to get on with this month:
Timely Tips for May
1. Start planting out summer bedding plants towards the end of this month in warmer parts of the country. For more information about growing bedding plants, head over to our hub page.
2. Look after your finished spring bulbs for next year. Once they’ve gone over, resist the temptation to cut back the foliage. Instead, let it die and break down on its own and add liquid fertiliser all around the clumps. This will give you an even better display next spring.
3. Remember to open greenhouse vents and doors on warm days. You can also damp down your greenhouse on hot days to increase humidity and deter red spider mites.
4. Optimise your watering regime –watering early and late to get the most out of your water – and start collecting and recycling water whenever possible.
In the Flower Garden in May
• Thin out drifts of hardy annuals.
• Harden off half-hardy plants by leaving them outside during the day and bringing them back under cover at night for 7 to 10 days before planting outdoors.
to keep them in top condition. Protect them from late frost under cover. Try planting petunia ‘Pegasus Wine Splash’ for cascading stems of brightly spotted blooms. Find more advice and tips about keeping your hanging baskets looking amazing across the seasons on our hub page.
• Harden off dahlias and tender exotics such as canna ‘Tropicanna’ lilies for planting as soon as the risk of frost has passed.
• Continue dividing herbaceous border perennials to improve vigour and create new plants.
• Divide established clumps of hostas as they come into growth.
• Trim back spreading plants such as aubrieta, alyssum and candytuft (Iberis sp.) after they’ve flowered, to encourage fresh new growth and more blooms.
In the vegetable garden in May
• Continue earthing up potatoes. Read our potato growing guide for detailed advice on how best to do this.
• Harvest asparagus spears when they are no more than 18 cm tall.
• Thin out direct-sown vegetables such as spinach, carrot and lettuce seedlings, then water the rows well.
• Harden off outdoor tomatoes, courgettes and pumpkins for planting early next month.
• Protect carrots from carrot fly by covering with horticultural fleece or enviromesh.
• Pinch out the growing points of broad beans as soon as beans start to appear at the base of the plant to reduce the risk of blackfly attack.
• Weed around your onions and garlic to reduce competition for nutrients and water. Apply an onion fertiliser to boost growth.
• Make supports for your runner beans, using 8 ft (2.4 m) bamboo canes.
• Support pea plants with twiggy sticks or pea netting.
• Keep on top of weeding — weeds will compete with your vegetables for precious water, light and nutrients.
Looking after your lawn in May
• Apply lawn weedkiller to your lawn this month.
• Feed your lawn with a high-nitrogen fertiliser to encourage healthy green growth.
• Water the grass during hot weather — that’s particularly important for newly seeded or turfed lawns. Never allow new lawns to dry out.
• Lower mower blades to their regular summer-cut height.
• Continue sowing lawn seed and repairing bare patches in the early part of the month.
• Postpone mowing newly sown grass until it reaches 3 inches in height and make sure the mower blades are on a high setting.
• Install lawn edging to keep edges tidy and smarten up beds and borders.
Other jobs about the garden in May
• Feed pond fish little and often.
• Remove duckweed and blanket weed from ponds, and thin out both pondside perennials (if necessary) and submerged oxygenating pond plants. Leave any removed weed beside your pond overnight to allow insects, snails and other pondlife to escape back into the water.
From your armchair in May
• Keep a diary of which seeds you’re sowing and planting to help you stay on top of things throughout the year. Refer back to our handy seed sowing times guide for more information.
• Take time out from all your hard work to relax and enjoy the garden now that the warmer weather has arrived.
In the Fruit Garden in May
• Protect strawberry plants with straw (to control weeds and lift the berries off the ground) and netting (to keep birds off the fruit). Visit our comprehensive hub page for more info and advice on growing strawberries.
• Harvest rhubarb, picking only one-third of the total amount of stems.
• Hang pheromone traps in stone fruit trees from May to August to monitor plum-fruit-moth activity.
• Hang pheromone traps in apple trees to reduce codling moth.
• Keep young fruit trees well-watered while they are putting on rapid growth.
• Remove blossom and fruits from newly planted fruit trees to help them establish properly during their first year.
• Regularly check the centre of gooseberry bushes for green gooseberry sawfly caterpillars — they will quickly skeletonize leaves if not removed.
• Erect garden netting around soft fruit plants to prevent birds eating your crop.
• Clip evergreen hedges or low-growing hedging now.
• Control the heat in your greenhouse with blinds or shade paint.
For more tips, go online and visit www.thompson-morgan.com.
• Hang fly traps throughout the greenhouse to monitor levels of whitefly, thrips and other pests.
Celebrating 7 Years of Life Chiropractic Wickford!
Hello, Wickford community!
I’m Dr. Stefan Gospodinov, Doctor of Chiropractic and Director of Life Chiropractic Clinic in Wickford.
Deep tissue and Sports massage is not just a remedy for pain; it’s also a gateway to feeling younger, healthier, and less uncomfortable.
Seven years ago, my wife Abbie and I, alongside our incredible chiropractic team, embarked on a journey to provide outstanding care to the people of Essex. Today, we are immensely proud to have helped thousands of clients improve their health and well-being.
At our modern, purpose-built clinic, we are committed to delivering the highest standard of chiropractic care with the support of our experienced professionals and state-of-theart facilities, including:
• On-site X-ray facilities
• Free on-site parking
• Comfortable and modern treatment rooms
• State-of-the-art chiropractic equipment
• Equipped rehab centre for injury recovery
• Shockwave therapy for joint pain, tendons, and soft tissue complaints
• Easy access via bus and train routes
Our clinic has a rich history, having once been home to one of Wickford’s main GP practices, The London Road Surgery. Since taking over the building, we have worked tirelessly to transform it into a warm, welcoming, and professional environment for our patients.
Opening Life Chiropractic Wickford was the perfect opportunity to bring expert chiropractic care to the local community, and over the years, we’ve had the privilege of helping people of all ages – from newborns to seniors – regain mobility, reduce pain, and enjoy a better quality of life.
Here are just some of the conditions we can help with: • Back Pain • Headaches & Migraines • Sciatica • Neck Pain • Arthritis
• Hip Pain • Knee Pain • Shoulder Pain
• Heel Pain & Posture Problems
It has been an incredible journey, meeting so many wonderful people in our clinic and out in the community at local events. Abbie and I, along with the rest of our dedicated Wickford team, would love to welcome you to our clinic to experience the benefits of chiropractic care for yourself.
Thank you for supporting us over the past 7 years - we look forward to many more years of helping you live healthier, happier lives!
To celebrate this milestone Birthday we have a great offer for all residents of Wickford...
