A lawman with a Gun

A lawman with a gun rode into town today. It was not the first time. In fact he has been making regular visits.

Contrary to the image those words conjure up he was not a US Marshall - and he was armed with a speed gun.

Several times in the last few weeks this lawman has found a discrete position albeit wearing high visibility clothes and proceeds to checks vehicle’s speed as they travel through the village.

He checks 100 vehicles in a session and that can take hours because of the stops. Out of those 100 he expects around 10 to be exceeding the speed limit.

You may well be wondering to yourselves how much attention some of the motorists travelling through the village are paying if they don’t spot an officer dressed in fluorescent yellow, or do but don’t moderate their speed.

If a speeder is detected, depending on how badly they exceed the limit, the driver might be issued a ticket receiving a fine and getting points on their licence, or be required to take speed awareness advice.

It is not just speeders that get stopped. Recently a car and a motor cycle have been seized by the police during these checks because they were uninsured.

Now I know what you're thinking. "Did he get in 100 checks or 0nly 99?".

Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as he has a whole book full of speeding tickets and the fine can just blow your mind you've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" - Well, do ya, punk?

Stanford Rivers Parish Council Newsletter - Issue #25

New Councillors

The three new councillors were welcomed on board at the last PC meeting held in May. Basil Hollington, Robert Manning and Robert Jackson were all co opted to the council after being nominated for the vacant positions.

Vice Chairman Alan Buckley, standing in for absent Chairman John Glover, told the PC there were challenges ahead in the next term and the enthusiasm of the new members would be warmly received.

Robert Jackson took on the responsibility for dealing with highways issues while the others will have duties assigned over the coming term.

Best wishes were also passed to Heather Brady, the new district councillor representing the area at EFDC. Mrs Brady, part of the Conservative grouping on the council, took over from Di Collins, the long standing councillor for the Passingford ward who retired earlier this year.

Alan Buckley said he was looking forward to Mrs Brady attending the Parish Council in the near future and working with her to get the best outcomes for the residents of Stanford Rivers parish.

Electoral Register

The Annual Canvass of Electors form will arrive in June and parish residents have been urged to respond to ensure their views are represented at all levels.

It is now easier than ever to respond to the canvass form with the option of replying by phone, text, online, post or in person.

The first elections of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) takes place on November 15th this year and residents will need to be on the Electoral Register or they will lose the right to vote.

Also, being on the Council Tax Register does not automatically mean that you are on the Electoral Register as the two registers contain different information.

Stanford Rivers Parish Council Newsletter - Issue #25

New Councillors

The three new councillors were welcomed on board at the last PC meeting held in May. Basil Hollington, Robert Manning and Robert Jackson were all co opted to the council after being nominated for the vacant positions.

Vice Chairman Alan Buckley, standing in for absent Chairman John Glover, told the PC there were challenges ahead in the next term and the enthusiasm of the new members would be warmly received.

Robert Jackson took on the responsibility for dealing with highways issues while the others will have duties assigned over the coming term.

Best wishes were also passed to Heather Brady, the new district councillor representing the area at EFDC.
Mrs Brady, part of the Conservative grouping on the council, took over from Di Collins, the long standing councillor for the Passingford ward who retired earlier this year.

Alan Buckley said he was looking forward to Mrs Brady attending the Parish Council in the near future and working with her to get the best outcomes for the residents of Stanford Rivers parish.

Electoral Register

The Annual Canvass of Electors form will arrive in June and parish residents have been urged to respond to ensure their views are represented at all levels.

It is now easier than ever to respond to the canvass form with the option of replying by phone, text, online, post or in person.

The first elections of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) takes place on November 15th this year and residents will need to be on the Electoral Register or they will lose the right to vote.

Also, being on the Council Tax Register does not automatically mean that you are on the Electoral Register as the two registers contain different information.

Parish Council Annual Statement 2011/2012

Minibus Hire

Ongar Town Council has made its minibus available for the use of community organisations and groups within a 10 miles radius of the town. That easily includes Stanford Rivers.

All users must apply for a Section 19 permit from VOSA.

For further information, or to book, call Ongar Town Council at Banson’s Way, Ongar. Tel: 01277 365348 or email clerk@ongartowncouncil.gov.uk.

Toot Hill Horticultural Society Show - Saturday 4 August 2012

We are very pleased to confirm that we will be back on the old show ground at the bottom of Church Road for 2012. A big thank you to Bridge Farm.

We are also pleased to welcome back the Essex Farmers Pony Club Gymkhana and the fun dog show run by Theydon Mount Kennels.

We hope to see even more entries in the Horticultural Society Marquee to build on the bumper number of entries last year. Don’t forget there are lots of “open” classes to which anyone can enter even if you live outside the district.

This year many classes have an “Olympics” theme. A full set of classes and tips will be included in the 2012 schedule to be distributed locally and posted on the Show website towards the end of May.

In addition the show will have all the regular favourites including classic cars, side shows, stalls and falconry.

Refreshments are available at the Beer tent, Tea tent and BBQ.

In the evening we will be staging our annual after show party in the main marquee with dancing to a live ceilidh band. Call the number below for information about tickets. or check out the web site www.toothillshow.co.uk

Maurice Harvey - Show Committee 01277 366102

Church News - St Margaret’s Church Stanford Rivers

Despite the terrible weather and the refreshment marquee nearly floating away, the Spring Concert with the Brentwood School Band was attended by more than 100 people who all had a most enjoyable evening.

The talent shown by these young people was amazing and the school is to be congratulated on having such a wonderful group of ambassadors!

The following day the Jubilee Songs of Praise was held followed by bubbly and cake and a grand time was had by all. The choir sang Vivat Regina and it took me back to the day of the coronation very moving.

The flag waving to Land of Hope and Glory was reminiscent of the last night of the proms but our organ sounded much better-many thanks to David Pattrick and the choir for all their hard work.
It was a great start to the Jubilee!

Many thanks to all our supporters. We managed to raise over £800 over the weekend towards the restoration of the cross on the roof.

Quiz Night Success
Congratulations to the Friends of St Margaret’s who ran a very enjoyable Quiz night at the Green Man – so nice to see so many joining in.

Teas & Tours
Due to a lack of helpers we will not be running Sunday teas this summer but will be open for cream teas and church tours for groups. Call me on 01277 362501 to book.

Flower Festival
We will also be helping at the Flower Festival being held at St Andrews church
Greensted on 9/10th June — see you all there!