NEWS FOR BROXTED & CHICKNEY

from the Five Parishes' Magazine

JULY 2006

BROXTED PARISH COUNCIL

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 12th July at 8.00 pm in the Village Hall. The Council always welcomes members of the public to its meetings.

The minutes of all Council meetings are posted on the village notice-boards, and they and much other useful information can be viewed on this website.

GREAT EASTON SCHOOL REUNION

Ann Craigie (née Staines) is holding a reunion of all ex pupils and staff of Great Easton CoE Primary School on Wednesday 30th August at 7.30 pm onwards at The Stag, Little Easton. Ann hopes that as many ex pupils as possible will be able to get together for a buffet supper and to reminisce with each other and any members of staff who can bear to face them again! Her brother Richard who was at the school in the 70s will be there but brother John is abroad and may not be able to get back.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Ann on 01604 787503 so that she can organise catering. Dress code: gym slips and short trousers are optional!

PEOPLE

CONGRATULATIONS

Jean and Alan Russell are proud to announce that they have once again become grandparents. To Robert and Emma, a son, Milo Alexander Thomas, born on the 8th May and to Lee and Sarah, a daughter, Ruth Lilian Jane, born on the 19th May. Two cousins for Josh and Courtney.

BEST WISHES

to Terry Reed and Michael Barker who have both recently had an operation. We hope you will both soon be fully recovered.

FAREWELL

We are sorry to say Goodbye to Tim and Deborah Bishop who left Elgon in May. We wish them every happiness as they settle in their new home.

THE COUNTESS OF WARWICK'S COUNTRY SHOW 27th/28th AUGUST

Children's Fun Run

On the first day of the Show, Sunday, there will be a 1 km fun run for children aged between seven and fourteen years, broken down into three age groups: seven to nine, ten to twelve, and thirteen to fourteen years. The run will commence promptly at 2.05 pm.

Lyn Cox has very kindly donated three cups to be known as the John Cox Memorial Cups in memory of her late husband. These will be perpetual trophies, one being awarded to the winner of each age group. In addition, prizes will be given to the first, second and third placed in each group.

Entry is open to children from within and beyond the Five Parishes and costs £1 per runner. Entry forms will be available from each of our parish correspondents from the 15th July (see village sections). They will also be available for collection from each church in the Five Parishes from the same date. Entry forms and fee must be returned by midnight on Saturday 20th August to: Mrs Lisa Smith, Hyfields, Little Easton, Great Dunmow, CM6 2JG.

Get into training now, children! This might mark the start of a possible place for you in the 2012 Olympics!

Grand Draw

Duncan Willoughby is now arranging distribution of tickets for the Grand Draw. The first prize is a magnificent Moorcroft vase, No 1 of a limited edition of 300, called Shimba Hills and featuring gorgeous giraffes in a wonderful African setting. This is valued by Moorcroft at £935 and is set to become a collector’s piece. Other prizes include two cash prizes of £200 and £100, car radio, generous vouchers for meals at The Starr Restaurant in Dunmow and the Whitehall Country Hotel in Broxted and a Christmas Hamper from Marks & Spencer. Duncan can be contacted on 01371 870396.

Volunteers

The number to contact to offer help as a volunteer is Charlotte Chambers, PA/secretary of the Volunteer Bureau on 01371 872840. Don’t put it off – contact Charlotte now – your help will make a tremendous contribution and help to ensure another really successful Show.

THE FRIENDS OF THE FIVE PARISHES

As the Magazine went to press, the glorious gardens of the Old Vicarage, Broxted were geared up to welcome the gathering of members of The Friends. A report follows next month!

THE FRIENDS OF THE FIVE PARISHES 50% CLUB

With this copy of the Magazine you will find an application form for the 50% Club. There are two more Cork Sundays before the beginning of the new round of draws in September. Just £12 per year buys a chance a month throughout the year until the end of August 2007; fill in the form to join or to renew your subscription.

The winner of the May draw was Frank Bennett.

SSE – WALKING TO WIN ON 10th JUNE

Sunshine, and a clear blue sky, greeted over 300 walkers at The Old Vicarage, Broxted, at the start of the fifth annual Runway Ramble. The Photocall was a great success, everyone being decked out in their own themes, such as ear defenders, face masks, posters, placards etc., all relevant to the air, noise and traffic pollution which would result if Stansted Airport was ever expanded.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their walks (many being sponsored for SSE) and the day was rounded off at the Finish with hot/cold drinks and cakes at the SSE Teashop.

Stuart Walker organised the event and he would like to thank everyone in the Five Parishes who took part, and all those who helped. His very special thanks go to the farmers/landowners who cleared footpaths for the walkers, and to those who also helped in other ways. No names, but you know who you are, and your help/co-operation is much appreciated.

Many thanks also to the landlords/ladies of both Three Horseshoes (Duton Hill and Molehill Green), The Swan in Great Easton and the Prince of Wales, Broxted, for providing much needed facilities. Finally, Stuart’s appreciation goes to John Bacon who offered parking on Bell Meadow, and very particularly to the two Michaels, who provided the most magnificent setting for the Start and Finish at The Old Vicarage.

The campaign is to show people what could be lost forever if Stansted Airport was expanded. Stuart says SSE is slowly, but surely, winning this battle, they will continue "Walking to Win" every year until they have finally won and says thank you to everyone who continues to support them.

GARDENS OF EASTON LODGE

Events in July start with a Sculpture Day with Antonia Hockton on Saturday 1st July, an opportunity to create your own carvings; tickets £40. On Friday 7th July musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra and pupils from seven schools will create a musical voyage at the Gardens; tickets £4.80 adults £2 children. Saturday 8th July sees a return of The Great Gatsby Party, now an established favourite at the Gardens with the Bright Stars of Jazz making a welcome return; tickets £12 in advance, £15 on the night. On Sunday 9th July there is an opportunity to see stunning cars in classic surroundings at the Bentley Drivers Car Club.

Details of all these events obtainable on www.eastonlodge.co.uk or from the Box Office on 01371 876979.

LAZY SUMMER EVENING PICNIC CONCERTS

The Champagne Picnic at Little Easton Manor on Saturday 12th August will feature from America Viscount Oliver’s legendary Four Tops and also Earth, Wind & Fire and the Barry White Show tribute. Tickets £18.50 before 1st July, £20.50 after that date.

Picnic concerts at Little Bardfield Hall (near Thaxted) continue the Classic Gold summer with The Way It Was featuring the Glenn Miller Sounds of Swing Orchestra on Saturday 19th August. On Saturday 26th August stars from West End musicals present an evening entitled Musicals under the Stars and on Sunday 27th August Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen entertain along with Eric Delaney and Rosemary Squires. Tickets £15.50 in advance, £20.50 on the night.

Tickets from Dunmow Travel, local Tourist Information Centres or from Classic Gold Events on their credit card ticket hotline 01279 815464 or 09064 700899 (calls charged at 60p per minute) or by post from them at Bayley Walls House, Stansted, CM24 8SP.

TRICIA'S DAY

Tricia's Day commemorates Janet Spivey's daughter, Tricia, and her commitment to doing all she can to help children with cancer. This year's event will be held on Thursday 3rd August in the gardens at Ashgrove House, Church End, Broxted. Admission will be £3 per person including top quality food. All proceeds will go to East Anglia Children's Hospices. Anyone who wants to help a worthy cause whilst enjoying themselves in pleasant surroundings and good company is welcome to attend. It all starts from midday.

GREAT EASTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

I wrote earlier in the year about the forthcoming residential visits for the older children. I am now pleased to report that all the children in Years 5 and 6 participated and that they have returned with new skills and a better knowledge and understanding of themselves and the areas they visited. At the Bradwell Outdoor Education Centre the children in Year 5 learned to canoe, sail, and climb high ropes as well as further developing their crabbing, cycling and kite flying abilities. They experienced working with expert instructors in teams and assisted with the chores in the dining room and dormitories. The Year 6 children experienced five days of living in a youth hostel in a converted warehouse, which is part of the original Coalport China Works complex on the banks of the River Severn at the head of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site. Whilst in the Gorge they visited the Jackfield Tile Museum and made a tile-panel that will decorate one of the walls at school. The atmosphere of the Victorian era was relived at Blists Hill Victorian Town, where the highlight was dressing up as Victorian school-children and walking to the school for a morning of lessons under the threat of the cane! Another highlight was the ascent of the Wrekin, a local hill that is 407 metres above sea level, giving panoramic views of Shropshire and the Welsh border. We are most fortunate that we have staff members and governors who are prepared to leave their own families and accompany these visits.

Supporting children through their education journey can be a bewildering experience as everyone offers advice and the media proclaim the latest ‘horror’ about schools. We are trying to support parents with this by running a six part ‘Parenting Workshop’ on Thursday mornings at school, and a Maths Workshop to explain how we learn about number. We have also written a booklet that explains the ‘new’ approaches such as using empty number lines and the grid method for multiplication.

Finally as the school year closes, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us and particularly the parishioners who attended the Holy Communion services in school. We are also touched by the many anonymous donations of Tesco and Sainsbury vouchers that are posted to us. It is very much appreciated and I can assure you that they are put to good use. We wish all the children in Year 6 every success as they leave us for their secondary schools. Please join us for their Leavers' Service on Thursday 20th July at 11.00 am at Great Easton Church.

Gill Hopkins

Headteacher

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Saturday 1st July	School's Bouncy Castle Fun Day
Saturday 1st July	Sculpture Day at Easton Lodge
Friday 7th July	Musical Voyage at Easton Lodge
Saturday 8th July	Great Gatsby Party at Easton Lodge
Sunday 9th July	Bentley Drivers Car Club at Easton Lodge
Friday 14th July	School's Snail Race Night
Thursday 3rd August	Tricia's Day, Broxted
Saturday 12th August	Lakeside Champagne Picnic, Lt Easton
Sunday 20th August	Last entries for Children's Fun Run
Sun/Mon 27th/28th August	Countess of Warwick's Country Show
Wednesday 30th August	Gt Easton School reunion
Saturday 9th September	Friends of Essex Churches Ride & Stride