Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...

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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine
          April 2020

    Produced by St Bartholomew’s Church
     www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk
Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
Unfortunately, this event can no longer proceed as
the Church will not be open during the day. We hope
that it can be rearranged for a later date.

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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
Church Services for April
Taking advice from the Church of England, services are being
suspended for the time being. Some alternatives will be offered:
Sundays
We will be offering a live 10.30 am online service (on Facebook Live) for
Sundays where there is no church gathering. For those without Facebook,
copies of the service content can be emailed out, or paper copy collected
from St Bartholomew’s Church welcome area.
We are looking into the possibility of holding a Sunday service outside (no
chairs or communion and single use service sheets disposed directly
afterwards). More to come on that once guidance is sought.
Wednesdays
We are hoping to be able to offer a Service of Prayer at 10.15 am, by using
an online video platform called ‘Zoom’. This can be accessed from a
computer, smartphone or, apparently, even a normal telephone. You can
download Zoom from http://zoom.us .
Church Closed
Following the latest guidelines, St Bartholomew’s and St. Nicholas’ will be
not be open at any time.
Home groups
We are recommending to groups to cancel in-person gatherings for the time
being. We hope that this recommendation will be able to change soon. We
would encourage groups to try to meet/catch up virtually.
Pastoral care
In any time of uncertainty and difficulty it is important to look after each other
- please do get in touch if you need any kind of support - whether practical or
emotional. We will pass along needs as they emerge. Staying in regular
contact with each other would be great.
Out of sight does not mean out of mind
Should you wish to receive prayer ministry, have someone to
chat to (or even visit where appropriate) or be signposted to practical support
then we at St Bartholomew’s Church would be delighted to help.
Email revhilary@btinternet.com or call 01621 892867

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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
Parish Register
  Baptisms None

  Marriages None

  Funerals Jeanne Gearing (93)       23rd March
                                     At Chelmsford Crematorium

                   Parish Contacts
Revd Hilary        The Rectory, 1 Church Road,    01621 892867
Le Sève            Wickham Bishops CM8 3LA
                                                  Hilary’s day off
Priest in Charge   revhilary@btinternet.com       is Friday.

Revd Derek Clark   The Leas Farm                  01245 380627
                   Wickham Bishops Road
Associate Priest   Hatfield Peverel               07860 235778
                   CM3 2JL

Barry Cousins      3 Harvey Road                  01621 891355
                   Great Totham CM9 8QA
Churchwarden
                   barry.j.cousins@gmail.com
Graham Wingrove    8 Arbour Lane                  07398 025442
                   Wickham Bishops
Churchwarden       CM8 3NS

Peter Bates        10 Church Green                01621 893173
                   Wickham Bishops
Magazine Editor    magazine@churchinwickhambishops.org.uk
Kath Adkins        kathrynadkins@btconnect.com    01621 891143

Church Hall
Bookings

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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
Letter from Reverend Hilary

Last month’s letter (March 2020) focused on the
importance of meals for bringing communities
together. It even included an invitation to come along
to the Celebration of the Passover Meal – just before
Easter.
Exactly the opposite effect is being had now because of the spread of the
coronavirus. The meal is now cancelled. ‘Lockdown’, ‘self-distancing’,
‘isolation’ and ‘suspension’ of events is normal.
In the middle of Lent, forty days (which can be translated as
‘quarantine’), Christian believers are invited to set apart time to go
deeper into self-awareness, God and this life we share; allowing
ourselves a new openness in understandings. It is no coincidence that in
this season we hear the story of a woman fetching water from a well*.
She is isolated because of her race (she is a Samaritan), gender and her
unconventional sexual behaviour. In spending time with her (their
dialogue is longer than any other in the Gospels) we really see that
Jesus tells us that God’s deepest nature is to seek to communicate with
us – to connect. She receives a new self-understanding so life-giving she
runs to tell her village community that she has met someone who makes
her wonder if he is God’s chosen one (the Messiah).
The varied experiences we are currently having are illuminating in all
sorts of ways. Managing sickness, thinking about what support we need
or can give, checking in on the vulnerable and taking care of children
might be making us busier; especially true for our frontline public
services notably medical and health care professionals. Saving travel
time by working from home might be giving others of us more reflective
time (or time to fit in household chores in our breaks). However much we
might be physically ‘self-distancing’, it is possible that in quieter times we
are brought into a deeper intimacy with the Giver of Life - the One that
brings wholeness and healing (if not physically then spiritually).
May those of you who are well continue to keep so. Those cut off
because of sickness or vulnerabilities remember that out of sight need
not be out of mind. Communicate. Email. Use the phone.

                                                  … continued on the next page

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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
We as a church are offering support in prayer, keeping in touch by
phone, visiting if you are self-distancing rather than self-isolating, posting
Sunday sermons, hymn links and prayers onto our website, keeping the
church buildings open for quiet reflection and signposting enquiries about
practical support Explore the wonders of skyping and other modern
technologies that mitigate isolation. Rather than being ‘together/apart’
let’s find ways of being ‘together/together’ where response to human
need is compassionate and life giving. (Some ways of doing this are
suggested below. Several villagers have been practically supporting the
unwell).
Whatever suffering we are undergoing, the Easter event anticipates that
the power of life and love is far greater than death. Jesus makes it
through to the other side of the cross to what we call the Resurrection
(‘rising again’). Let’s look to that joy when we rise to meet again ‘on the
other side’.

  *John 4.5-42

So how can we all help ? …
Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford writes:
Our whole community has a distinctive role to play; a role which goes
beyond public health. We want to share with you some guidelines that
Rev Caroline Beckett has written for her own church in Brightlingsea and
which we’d encourage you to share with yours:
1) Check on your vulnerable friends and neighbours. Would you know if
they were self-isolating? Do you have each other's phone numbers? A good
time (and good excuse) to swap contact details with your neighbours.
2) Don't stockpile, or people with medical conditions who need extra toilet
roll, painkillers, face masks or hand gel all the time will suffer if they can't
get them or the prices become ridiculous. Also, face masks only stop an
affected person passing on the virus if ‘they’ wear one, most of them will
not stop you from getting it if ‘you’ wear one. As for hand sanitiser, your
chances of avoiding the virus are increased if everyone else can keep their
hands clean as well so sharing is better than hoarding.
3) If you have these resources, consider who you could share them with.

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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
4) Some people who are self-employed or have no sickness cover in their
contract will suffer financial hardship if they have to self-isolate. Consider
giving to charities like Foodbank that will support them.
5) Stay calm and help keep others calm.
6) Challenge racism: it is ugly and unnecessary. This virus does not target
and is not caused by a particular race, just because someone has a different
accent does not mean they have just come from abroad and it is hurtful to
minorities if they are unfairly treated with suspicion.
7) Make a plan for if you have to self-isolate. Think about the support you
might need. Help vulnerable people you know to do the same.

To this I would add:

   Beware of bogus callers and scams. There have been reports from
    other areas, of door-step callers visiting people offering ‘Coronavirus
    Test Kits’ whilst actually trying to gain access for criminal purposes.

   Keep yourself fit and healthy - plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh
    air and exercise. It won’t prevent you catching the virus but will give
    your body a better chance of overcoming it.

   Consider displaying a red card (or similar) in your window if you are self-
    isolating, to indicate to others that you are and that you may need help.

   Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help if you need it.

You may consider completing a card such as this:

Distribute it to neighbours who may need help or send it (by email
preferably) to either Rev Hilary or the Parish Council - both will be pleased
to receive your offer of assistance.                                  (Editor)

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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
`The Arts Society
            Blackwater                        WICKHAM BISHOPS JAZZ CLUB

                                               We regret that Jazz Club
                                                has been cancelled for
Meeting Cancelled - provisionally                       April.
 rebooked for 10th September
        Vaux le Vicomte
  “Fit for a King”: The Inspiration            Please check our website
behind Versailles Palace & Gardens               for the future events
           Ian Swankie
  Visitors welcome - all enquiries to
    Jennifer Allen 01621 891589               http://wickhambishopsvillagehall.com/
                                                           jazzClub.php
         Visit our website
www.theartssocietyblackwater.org.uk
                                              Contact Peter on 07548 775777
                                              or wickhambishopsjazzclub@gmail.com

                                               Wickham Bishops Men's
WICKHAM BISHOPS ART                               Badminton Club
      GROUP

 We are looking for new members to
              join us.

       We meet on Wednesdays                   We are a social badminton club
          from 2 pm - 4 pm at                   and play at Wickham Bishops
  St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall and           Village Hall on Tuesday evenings
             are a friendly,                  at 8pm and welcome new players
 informal group with varying abilities.                of all standards.
            Please contact
                                               First few weeks are free and
       Jenny on 01621 891246                        yearly subs are £60.
      or Rita on 01621 891130.                 Just turn up on the night or
                                              email Bill on billfacey@aol.com
  We look forward to meeting you.                  for more information.

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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
Tony Walkden ...
I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all my dear friends in the
village, who came and supported the family, at Tony's funeral. You
contributed to a marvellous send off, with which Tony would have been
delighted. Your kind and generous donations, to the Alzheimer's
Society, amounted to a fantastic £450, which was gratefully received
by the charity.
Thank you all so much, again.
                                                      Joan Walkden

Women’s Christian Fellowship ...
The meeting in February coincided with Ash Wednesday, so after the
morning service, coffee and hot cross buns were served by the
committee. Following this, to save members going home and returning,
it was decided that soup and sandwiches would fill the gap before the
meeting, which were well received.

This led to a very packed hall for our speaker, Sarah Connolly who
came along with her lovely dog Chipper to tell us of her work training
puppies for Guide Dogs. Sarah told us the history of her previous pups
and whether they made the grade or not. Puppies are introduced to all
the sights and sounds of everyday life including public transport. About
twenty per cent do not pass the very rigorous training for various
reasons, and those that do are matched up to suitable recipients, not
necessarily those at the top of the list as each person has their own
specific requirements.

It was a very interesting afternoon and Chipper, who is an eleven
month old Golden Retriever cross, won everyone's heart.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday April 22nd at the usual
time of 2.30pm when the subject is "Circumnavigation of the World by
Container Ship," this promises to be another fascinating afternoon but
as I write this may change due to the restrictions on the ongoing
coronavirus situation. Keep safe and well.

Denise Yelland

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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine April 2020 - Produced by St Bartholomew's Church www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk - St ...
News from Great Totham Primary School
       www.greattotham.essex.sch.uk

School News

Year 6 - Life in Ancient Greece Day
Year 6 had the opportunity to experience a day in the life of
Athenian citizens, during the battle of Marathon.

In the morning, Year 6 children did a variety of activities; pot
making, mosaic making, charm making and had an opportunity to
become a Greek doctor, using herbs to make cures for a range of
common illnesses. During the afternoon, the children separated into
groups and practised a range of plays and dances for an afternoon at
the theatre. Rather delightfully, they were also able to sample a
range of Greek foods, served by a host of slaves. The day was
interesting and a great learning opportunity. Thank you to all the
parents who helped by providing costumes and those who gave up
their time on the day.
                                            By Jake B and Lauren

                                  10
World Book Day 2020
On Thursday 5th March the whole
school celebrated World Book Day.
The children and staff made a
fantastic effort with their costumes
and enjoyed discussing their favourite
books. Each class took part in a variety
of book themed activities throughout
the day.

Tag Rugby Tournament

                                 Maldon Rugby Club hosted a
                                 tournament for local schools.
                                 We gained muddy hands and knees
                                 and a first place!
                                 Well done team!

Netball Friendly
We welcomed Woodham Walter
Primary School to GTPS to play a
friendly game of High 5 Netball. We
had fun and we hope to have more
friendly matches with them in the
future.

Dates for the Diary
Saturday 16th May 2020 – Sponsored Walk (10am start)
Saturday 13th June 2020 – Summer Ball
Friday 10th July 2020 – Summer Fete (5-8pm)
Please contact the school office for further details

                                  11
A trip to Eyam …                              (A recollection by the Editor)

I must have been around seven or eight years of age when our class at school
went on a trip to Eyam, in the Peak District of Derbyshire. A school trip was, in
itself, an unusual occurrence in the 1950’s.
In the year 1665, Eyam was a thriving village at the heart of Derbyshire’s lead-
mining industry. Alexander Hadfield, the village tailor, ordered some rolls of
cloth from London and when they arrived, his assistant found them to be damp
and musty. So, he attempted to dry them in front of the fire. Unfortunately, the
cloth carried fleas which in turn carried the deadly bacteria of bubonic plague.
Within days, the assistant, his two step-sons and then the tailor himself had
died, to be followed by five more in the following month. Then 23 the next
month and it soon became clear that an epidemic had hit the village.
When an outbreak of plague occurred in London, the more wealthy fled into the
surrounding countryside in an attempt to avoid becoming infected. But this
simply spread the disease into a wider area. In Eyam, the terrified locals united
behind their rector, The Rev William Mompesson. He argued that they should
quarantine themselves, allowing nobody to enter or leave the village – fully
knowing that many would not survive. Most had wanted to go to Sheffield, the
nearest big city, but he persuaded them that to do so would be to risk countless
more lives when the north had not suffered as London and its surrounds had.
Instead he ordered families to bury their dead in their own plots, not the church
burial ground, and later suspended church services, allowing only open-air
gatherings.
Survival was tough. The villagers were supplied with food by those who lived
outside. People brought donations of food and left them at the parish stones that
marked the start of Eyam village. The villagers, in turn, left money in a water
trough filled with vinegar to sterilise the coins. All manner of possible plague
cures were put forward, including live frogs, while “some say a dried toad will do
it better’’. People were advised: “All should studiously avoid dancing, running,
leaping about, lechery and baths’’.
Around 260 villagers died, probably over half of the total population though exact
figures are not known. For the dying, though, there was indignity and suffering,
thankfully for just a few days; for the dead, not even the dignity of a funeral
service. The rector’s own wife, Catherine, was one of the victims and the only
one to be buried in the churchyard. Especially moving are the Riley Graves,
about 1 km from the village centre. Elizabeth Hancock had to carry or drag the
corpses of her loved ones, dig a grave and then bury them. It was a well-trodden
path, for she lost her husband and six children within a few days of each other.
Yet she herself survived - some people were genetically immune to the plague.
Thankfully, despite our present troubles, we have advanced medically and
socially, and no-one has to bury their family members in the garden. But spare
a thought for the brave people of Eyam who faced a challenge like our own, over
350 years ago.

                                        12
Wickham Bishops Flower Club ...
Our recent meeting was the A.G.M. After the usual business, we
were pleased to welcome Wendy Munnion to demonstrate “and the
winner is …”. Her colourful designs were really lovely and
brightened up a very wet evening.
Our meeting in April will be on Tuesday 28th at 7.30 pm. In Great
Totham Village Hall. This time it will be a workshop - a spring
basket. Everyone is requested to provide their own choice of
flowers and basket. Some foliage will be available but any ‘spare’
will be welcomed. A small charge of £5 is requested to help cover
the hire of the hall.
All are welcome - visitors and members.
Wendy Blagrove - Chairman

    Scarecrow week. Saturday 30th May – Sunday 7th June
Although the Garden Festival has been cancelled because of the virus
outbreak, we are still holding the first ever Wickham Bishops
Scarecrow Week and invite you to join in with the fun. To inspire you,
the theme is ‘Our Planet’ but local societies, organisations, clubs and
businesses are invited to create a scarecrow that represents or
promotes their activities in some way.
Scarecrows are to be erected in front gardens or common areas where
they can be seen from the road or footpath
to create a Scarecrow trail.
To get a registration form and full details
about Scarecrow Week and the children’s
Scarecrow Week poster competition, email
wbscarecrowweek@gmail.com or phone
Rick and Jane on 01621 928071. More
information will be available on the
“Unofficial Wickham Bishops Facebook
page” and at Wickham Bishops library.

                                   13
Here are two opportunities to keep fit whilst
      raising money for our local hospices.

      As both take place in the open, there is a lower
      chance of their being cancelled, than for many
      other events.

Pedal for The J’s 2020 ...
The popular annual cycle ride, Pedal for The J’s, is returning to
Chelmsford on Sunday 3rd May. Cyclists have a choice of three rides -
15, 35 and 50 miles - through the beautiful local countryside, all starting
and finishing in Admirals Park.
The ride raises money for
The J’s - part of the Havens
Hospices charity - which
supports young adults with
complex or incurable
conditions and their families
across Essex.
Pedal for The J’s appeals to
people looking for a
relaxing, scenic ride as well
as experienced teams from
cycling clubs. Last year,
around 900 keen cyclists signed up and raised just over £31,500 which
helped to pay for a range of services including tailored nursing and
emotional care, advice and social activities.
Organisers at Havens Hospices are hoping to see 1,000 bicycles at the
start line on 3rd May and they are very grateful to Beaulieu in
Chelmsford for sponsoring this event for the sixth time.
Sign up now at www.havenshospices.org.uk/pedal
At the time of writing, this event is still going ahead but for the latest
information, please check the above web address.

                                      14
On Sunday 17th May the residents of mid
Essex are being invited to dust off their
walking boots and join Farleigh Hospice
for the charity’s annual Walk for Life
2020!
Walkers can choose between two scenic
routes taking in the peaceful towpaths of
the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation:
a leisurely 12km ramble from Paper Mill
Lock, or a more challenging 24km from
Heybridge Basin. Dogs are also
welcome to join in the fun!
Dominique Brunning, Fundraising Manager for Farleigh Hospice said:
“Walk for Life has been running for 27 years and its popularity has grown
year on year. On the day you will enjoy a beautiful walk along the
picturesque waters of mid Essex, crossing six bridges and passing 11
locks. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the spring air, get fit and help
raise money for your local hospice. All the money raised from this event
will go towards helping people living with a life-limiting illness or
bereavements, across mid-Essex, free of charge.”
“Nature and wildlife is at the heart of this beautiful walk and that is why
we have been working hard to make this event as eco-friendly as
possible; from environmentally sourced promotional materials, wooden
medals, to no longer using plastic water bottles and encouraging our
regular supporters to reuse their Walk for Life t-shirts. We want to protect
the very environment that makes this event so special!”
There is a £20 registration fee for adults and £8 for under 18s (under
16’s must be accompanied by an adult). All walkers will receive a t-shirt,
walker number and a medal.
To register visit www.farleighhospice.org/walk or call Farleigh Hospice
Events team on 01245 457354.
Please check the website for the latest information.

                                     15
Great Totham Women’s Institute ...
At our March meeting we welcomed Chocolatier Sarah Knights and her
colleague Lisa McKecknie from the Chapel Chocolate House.
After attending a course on chocolate making twelve years ago Sarah
decided to set up her own business and has expanded this over the last
few years, now making and selling her chocolates from premises behind
Poplar Nursery in Colchester.
She also sells to local hotels and farm shops and runs workshops,
demonstrations and courses.

Sarah explained the methods of tempering chocolate and enlisted the help
of one of our members to mix the chocolate. She emphasised the
importance of having the chocolate at the correct temperature. Using the
mixed chocolate, she demonstrated the various consistencies of the
chocolate and showed us how to fill the moulds.
She then passed round various samples of chocolate from the very dark to
milk chocolate. Our opinions differed about which ones we found the most
appetising. We were also given a sample of her strawberry and basil
chocolate which she has entered for a competition.
After the meeting we were given the opportunity to purchase some of her
wide variety of products which include truffles, pralines, bars and lollies. A
mouth-watering evening which we all enjoyed.
Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, held on the second Thursday
of the month at 8pm, in Great Totham Village Hall. For further details you
will find Information on our website www.greattothamwi.weebly.com or
email greattothamwi@gmail.com

                                      16
Wickham Bishops Women’s Institute ...
At our meeting February meeting on the 27th, we listened to a talk by
Andrew Wiltshire called ‘Humorous Hassle’. Andrew informed us that his
bushy moustache was a family tradition going back generations!
He was formerly a businessman and went on to tell us about many
instances that tickled his fancy over the years such as an aeroplane sales
team who wanted to extol the plane’s virtue of longer distance by having
the word FARTHER on the fuselage but the door was left open and the
“HER” was unseen!
Andrew kindly donates all of his speaker’s fee to the Salvation Army
Homelessness Charity, which is close to his heart.
Our March meeting will be on Thursday 26th at 2pm. As well as tea and
cake there will be a talk by Janet Brewer titled “Gossip from Pharaoh’s
village”. If you would like to join us, be sure of a warm welcome.
If a month between meetings is too long to wait, we also have a weekly
craft meeting every Friday afternoon from 2 to 4 pm in the same venue,
St Bartholomew’s church hall, which is very relaxed and everyone enjoys a
cup of tea and a catch up. Also there is a walking group that meets
opposite the WB Village Hall on Monday mornings at 9.30am for
approximately an hour walk around the area.
For more information about WBWI please call our secretary Sharon
on 01621 891631.
Jayne Kneale

Men’s Assembly …
A group of local men meet on the second Wednesday of each month
for an informal evening of discussion, beer and refreshments.
No rules, no membership forms to complete, just £12 on the night to
include two drinks and some top-notch bar snacks.
We had hoped to have a triumphant return to the newly opened Mitre
Bar this month, but under the circumstances, Men’s Night will be
cancelled until conditions return to ‘normal’.
For more details please contact Lester Firkins on 01621 892913 or by
email: lesterfirkins@me.com

                                    17
From the Parish Council …
A general meeting of the Parish Council was held on the 3rd of March
and an extra general meeting was held on the 20th. The minutes of
both meetings can be found at www.wickhambishopsparishcouncil.org
The annual village ‘Litter Pick’ planned for 28th March has been
cancelled, as has the ‘Saturday Surgery’ planned for the 18th April.
Unfortunately our Parish Clerk is leaving us at the end of April, to start
on new projects. She will be a hard act to follow but if anyone is
interested in applying to fill this vacancy the brief details are: 13 hours
per week, working from home and attending monthly meetings as
required. Pay is on the Local Government banding scale 5 - 17 (£9.97
to £12.39 per hour) depending on qualifications and experience. If you
would like to know more, our current clerk Liane Rowlands, would be
happy to talk with you - her contact details are given below.
The next General Meeting of the Council is due be held at 7.30 pm on
Tuesday 7th April in the Village Hall boardroom and a Planning
Committee meeting on Friday 17th April at 11.30 am, but it is highly
likely that both of these will be cancelled. Please see the website for
the latest information. If you wish to comment on a planning
application, you can do this either by letter to Maldon District Council or
via their website.
Councillors may be contacted individually, or via the Parish Clerk on
07542 190176, or by email
                   info@wickhambishopsparishcouncil.org
If you are self isolating, the Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood
Coronavirus Support Network can help! Please get in touch if you
need:
 shopping / urgent supplies  dog walking
 mail collected to post         prescriptions collected
 newspaper deliveries           a friendly ‘stay connected’ phone call.
Please call:
               Claire Wood: 07919 561949
               Karen Routledge: 07912 647893
               Lisa Clampin: 07791 397160

                                     18
Council Tax - A Message From Your Parish Council ...
Residents will have noticed from their recently received Council Tax
Demand Notice that the Wickham Bishops Parish Council precept has
been increased by around 20%. Whilst this is a substantial increase in
percentage terms, it is very little in actual money terms. For a band D
property, the change is from £17.03 in 2019/20 to £20.39 in 2020/21,
an actual increase of £3.36 per year or approx. £0.34 per month over
the 10 months of Council Tax payments.
The Parish Council considered very carefully at its Finance Committee
meeting in November 2019 and full Council meeting in December 2019
whether an increase could be justified. It decided it was justified, for
the following main reasons:
    Some funds need to be earmarked for the work being undertaken
     arising from proposals by Essex County Council to close the
     Library. £1,000 has been budgeted for this in the coming year
    Another £1,000 has been budgeted to allow for professional
     representation in respect of any major planning development
     proposed for the village. The Parish Council hopes this will not
     be needed but it needs to be prepared for that eventuality
    In the event that the Library is saved for the community, the
     Parish Council has budgeted £800 for a new noticeboard outside
     the Library.
The Parish Council is conscious that it needs to spend your money
carefully and wisely and it has worked hard to ensure that increases in
previous years were kept to minimum. In some years there were no
increases with the Parish Council preferring instead to use its cash
reserves, for example in commissioning expert reports for the
Neighbourhood Plan. We now need to start slowly replenishing those
reserves. Of the 34 Parish and Town Councils in Maldon District,
Wickham Bishops has the fourth lowest band D precept.
Please contact the Parish Clerk on info@wickhambishopsparishcouncil.org
or 07542 190176 or any Parish Councillor if you have any queries about
this.

                                   19
This event is very unlikely to be held on the date given
above, but it is hoped can be held later this year.
Ruth would like to hear from those who would wish to
attend, so as to be able to plan accordingly.

                             20
REMEMBER
THE CLOCKS GO FORWARDS ONE HOUR
 AT 1 am ON SUNDAY 29th MARCH

      21
Back Words …

 In almost five years of editing our Parish Magazine, I am
 certain that this issue has been by far the most challenging.
 There has been no shortage of information, but the situation
 seemed to change by the hour as first one, then another, event
 was cancelled.
 The next issue is likely to be very short on content as so many of
 our village groups have been unable to meet. So, if you have
 any interesting tales to tell, photographs to share with others or
 reminiscences of our village, I would be pleased to receive them.
 In the meantime, I wish you a very Happy Easter, however you
 are able to celebrate it, and I hope that you remain healthy.
                                       Best Wishes

        Items for the May 2020 magazine should be submitted to the editor by
                          Thursday 16th April 2020
                   Please send items by email if possible to:
                 magazine@churchinwickhambishops.org.uk
              or place in an envelope marked ‘Parish Magazine’
             and deliver to 10 Church Green, Wickham Bishops
     Priority goes to church events and information connected with Wickham Bishops.

  If you would like to place an advert in this magazine please contact
      John Mason on johnmasonwb@aol.com or Tel. 01621 927066

         For enquiries regarding distribution of the magazine, please phone
                          Jayne Jennings on 01621 891396
                © Wickham Bishops & Little Braxted Parochial Church Council (PCC)
Published by the PCC of St Bartholomew Wickham Bishops and St Nicholas Little Braxted. The views
expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the PCC nor can the Church guarantee the
credentials or performance of any of the advertisers within this publication.

                                               22
“Thank you to Esme Clark for this splendid drawing”
                        23
Should you need help in these difficult times, please contact:
                   Rev Hilary Le Sève on 01621 892867
            Liane Rowland (Parish Clerk) on 07542 190176
    (please note that these numbers may not be answered immediately so leave a message)

 The Wickham Bishops NCSN whose details appear on page 18

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