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News and forthcoming events

STOP PRESS !!!!!

News headlines

1. We could have Superfast Broadband in the village within 2 years!!! But we need as many residents to complete the online survey as soon as possible to support our cause. If you want much quicker downloads and better internet access please spend a few minutes completing the survey. It could make all the difference. Click here for access to http://www.superfastessex.org/.

2. 'Active Maldon' - opportunities to get 'actively' involved across the District (25 May - 8 June). See District News below

3. Community Forum meetings (30 May at Maldon Town Hall - 7.30pm). See District news below

4. Your views are needed about the health and social care facilities in Maldon. Please see District news item below

5. Details of Council Tax rates for next year 2013/14. See District news below.

6. Need help to manage your new 2013/14 Council tax payments? See offers of help from the Council and the Citizens Advice Bureau. See District News below.

7. See Mundon news below for details of the 'creative writing group' and 'knitter natter' which meet in the White Horse.

. 8. Want to nominate someone in the NHS for an award ??? See item in District News (Feb 2013)

9. NHS non urgent telephone number coming soon - April 2013. Telephone 111 for NHS help and advice. Details below in District News (Feb 2013)

10. Please see Neighbourhood Watch section for details of concerns regarding

i) 'Rag & Bone' vans - see warning in 'scams' paragraph in Neighbourhood Watch section (May 2013)

ii) your help in completing a survey on crime and safety in Maldon district (April 2013)

For details of headline articles, see entries below - where applicable.

NEWS

Mundon News

Creative Writing Group

The writing group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the White Horse from 11am to 1pm. Contact Village Agent Christine McDonald FREE on 0800 977 5858 to find out more.

Mundon 'Knit and Natter' on Wednesdays!

The new craft group for Mundoners, and anyone connected with the village, met recently to collect and knit more squares to be sewn together to make blankets for the ‘fish and chip babies’ in Uganda. The ‘fish and chip babies’ are called as such because they have no clothes and are wrapped in fish and chip paper only. Mothers are encouraged to come to a collection point to collect their blankets and socialise.

The Knit and Natter group meets at the White Horse pub on the 1st and 3^rd Wednesday afternoon of the month. It is timed to be open to all ages, to set up around 12.30pm allowing time for a pub lunch or a cup of tea or coffee beforehand (and during) and finish at 2.30pm in time to pick up children from school. If you are an experienced crafter, or want to learn to knit a square or garment – do come along and learn. We were very fortunate at the first session to be joined by experienced craft tutor Jenny Pratt, who aims to join us whenever free. A small donation of around £2 per session is collected for group expenses including postage costs. If you are interested just turn up on or on the first and third Wednesday thereafter or telephone Tilly Green on 07534990944 or Village Agent Christine McDonald FREE on 0800 977 5858 to find out more.

Success at Crufts ! Congratulations Christine ! (March 2013)

Congratulations to Christine McDonald and Coast (full name Champion Bitcon Gold Coast at Northey Junior Warrant) who won four classes and Best Hungarian Vizsla Male at Crufts. It was the sixth consecutive year he has been exhibited at the show. He has also won the Challenge Certificate for best male Vizsla at ten other shows plus several awards as a working dog. Most of all he likes to lie in front of the fire and find hidden slippers in return for sausage treats!

Community News - Published in Local newspapers (May 2013)

1. Neighbourhood Watch - Essex Police have reported that some unlicensed collectors are taking scrap metal items from peoples gardens and sheds without consent of the owners. Please report any thefts to the local police. Details of vehicles, registrations if possible, descriptions of persons involved would be very helpful if known or witnessed.

2. Mundon WI (April 2013)

At the April meeting Diane Leggett donated beautiful flower arrangements for raffle prizes. Mrs Leggett has been invited to exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show this year. Jenny reported on the County AGM. Future events will include a Bluebell Wood picnic and lunch at Hyde Hall. The flower of the month competition was won by Pam Dorrington. Jenny Beale was 2nd and Penny Hull 3rd.

Mundon Information Service - Latest Bulletin

A new joint venture has been set up between the Parish Council, website, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator and Village Agent.

The service will be circulated by email, with additional information available on the Parish Council website. If you would like to sign up to be included in distribution list, please contact the clerk Ann Huchison on 01621 850826 or Village Agent

Email: christine.mcdonald@vaessex.org.uk; Mobile: 07540 720608.

Mundon website. Parish Councillor Derek Hall has created and run a web site for the village, which attracts hits from as far away as Columbia and New Zealand, in addition to several hundred from the UK. The site includes information on Parish Council activities, village features and references, and a gallery of photographs. It can be easily reached by using your search engine to find ‘Mundon Parish Council’. Alternatively, type: http://www.essexinfo.net/mundon-parish-council/.

Mundon Church : Volunteers always needed to clean inside and tidy outside church. No appointment necessary! Contact Christine McDonald if you can help.

Enquiries about religious services in the parish should be directed to Maldon St Mary’s rector, Fr Louis Darrant Email: rector@stmarysmaldon.org.uk Tel: 01621 857191. Please note the church does not have a Marriage Licence.

Parish Council meeting: 18 June 2013 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

District News

Active Maldon

Active Maldon is an organisation that is made up of partners from the health, education, local authority and the voluntary sector in the Maldon District and they would like to encourage the residents of the District to become more socially active and get involved in physical activity or sports and make a real lifestyle change.

Active Maldon is part of Essex Active Sports and Sport England, Active Maldon also focuses on health and well-being which is a major contributor to helping residents of the District to become more active. There are a number of projects which are being delivered throughout the year in partnership with other organisations.

Saturday 25 May at Riverside Park, Burnham-on-Crouch we will see Urban Games take place.

Starting 5 June, Blackwater Leisure Centre, Maldon, Active Life sessions for 50+ Wednesday mornings 9am – 12.30pm.

Saturday 8 June at Promenade Park, Maldon will see the Activity Taster Day being delivered by the local sports clubs that use Promenade Park in Maldon.

June to September, Active Maldon has developed a number of Led Cycle Rides which will take place around the Maldon and Burnham on Crouch area. These rides will be led by the Maldon and District Cycling Club and the CTC cycling organisation.

All of the Active Maldon activities, taster sessions and projects will have a health and a social element to them. Active Maldon recognises that having fun and socialising whilst enjoying an activity helps us to become healthier and fitter

Community Forum Meetings

Maldon District Council is keen to listen to your views and learn about the issues affecting your area.

In order to do this, the Council is piloting a Community Forum which will initially hold two meetings and will be open to anyone who lives or works in or around the Maldon District.

The first of these meetings will be on 23 May at the Memorial Hall, Southminster and the second will be held on 30 May at Maldon Town Hall and both meetings will start at 7.30pm.

Everyone is welcome, and if you wish, questions can be raised in advance by contacting Cally Darby on 01621 875714 or on the night.

Maldon District ranked 5^th most peaceful district in England and Wales (April 2013)

The UK Peace Index released on Monday has highlighted that the Maldon District is the fifth most peaceful local authority area in England and Wales.

Fiona Marshall, Chief Executive of Maldon District Council; said “This is really encouraging news and I believe it is a testament to the character of our community and the proactive and preventative work undertaken by the Maldon District Community Safety Partnership”.

The UK Peace Index scores are based on levels of violent crime, homicide, public disorder, weapons crime and the number of police. The top five most peaceful local authorities in England and Wales are:

1. Broadland, Norfolk 2. Three Rivers, Hertfordshire 3. South Cambridgeshire 4. East Dorset 5. Maldon, Essex

Your views wanted about Health & Social Care services in Maldon (April 2013)

The Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group are undertaking an assessment of the community health and social care services in the area. This is known as a Health Needs Assessment (HNA) and it will form part of an evidence-base for commissioning services, i.e. buying health and well-being services on your behalf, and making sure the CCG get the optimal use out of the current health estate, i.e. the buildings and locations in which healthcare services are provided

The survey can be completed online athttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q86B3CX and will take around 15 minutes to complete

NHS awards - How to nominate someone who has given you or a loved one extraordinary service.

Click here for details

NHS - a new non emergency telephone number - 111 - will be coming into operation in April 2013

Click here for details

Council Tax rates 2013/14

Faced with significant reductions in future government funding, along with increased demand for some Council services, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, at their meeting held on 22 January, agreed to recommend to Council on 7 February a council tax increase for the District Council element of that charge of 1.99%.

This less than inflation increase would mean that a householder with an average Band D property will see the District Council portion of their annual bill increase by £3.38.

It is also proposed that the fees and charges made by the Council remain largely untouched with a freeze on fees such as car parking charges which the Council recognises have a direct impact on our residents, visitors and businesses in the town.

Cllr David Sismey, Chairman of the Council’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee said; “The Council is committed to protect the highly valued front line services we provide to our residents, and this increase will ensure that we are able to continue these services without making any cuts to the level of service provided. For example, maintaining the refuse and recycling collections on a weekly basis.

“A detailed review of the budget and procurement management has identified savings of £400K for 2012/13 and savings of £250K for 2013/14.

“Due to the projected additional cuts in central government funding of £240K in 2014/15, we will continue to find efficiencies and savings as part the Council’s drive to ensure medium term financial sustainability for the Council and its residents.”

Press Office Maldon District Council

01621 875853 | www.maldon.gov.uk

Council and Citizens Advice Bureau advise residents to plan ahead for new council tax scheme

Click here for details

Savings on home insulation - Maldon District Council announcement (August 2012).

Click here

Essex Police Station opening times (Sept 2011).

Please see below a letter explaining why reductions to opening times are occuring together with a map of the existing Police stations.

Chief Constable's letter (Aug 2011) Police Station map Click on heading.

EVENTS

Activities in Maldon District - (See http://www.maldon.gov.uk/events/full )

Maldon Markets