RAMSDEN BELLHOUSE NEWS

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This is the page for local news, which could include results of recent events, things happening around the village, or items that you wish to share with the community.
To submit items for this page, email them to news@ramsdenbellouse.info including your name and contact details.

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On the 2nd of March a Women’s World Day of Prayer service was held at the Baptist Church Ramsden Bellhouse arranged by the ladies of the five churches in the area namely: St Margaret’s Downham, St Peter’s South Hanningfield, Christian Growth Centre Ramsden Heath, St Mary’s Ramsden Bellhouse and the Baptist Church Ramsden Bellhouse.

The theme for this year’s service was “Let Justice Prevail” and was prepared by the Christian women of Malaysia.
Our speaker was Reverend Jean Andrews.

After the service a time of fellowship was enjoyed with food prepared by the ladies and a very interesting display of pictures, cards and other items brought home from Malaysia by Margaret and Roy Radford who, had in the past, spent some time in that country.

You may be wondering what is the WWDP?
On the first Friday in March every year over 3 million people worldwide pray and worship together during this annual day of prayer, with a service prepared each year by the women of a different country.

This is always an exciting day as a great wave of prayer sweeps the world, beginning when the first service is held in Tonga and continuing around the world until the final service takes place some 35 hours later in neighbouring Western Samoa.   By then the service will have been celebrated in over 170 countries and more than 6000 services will have been held in the British Isles alone.

If you would like to know more about WWDP do get in touch with any member of our local churches.

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Isabel’s Drop-in Daffodil Day - March 13th 2012

In spite of being held on the 13th, Daffodil Day proved to be one of the most successful.

A steady stream of visitors “dropped in” to Bramhill throughout the day, with only lunch time being somewhat empty.
We were delighted to have visitors from Anvil House (even if we did have to bribe David with a cream bun to go home). There was a very relaxed and happy atmosphere and in all £419.50 was handed over to the Friends of St Mary’s.






This is not an outside event so, next year, don’t worry if it’s raining – no-one will force you to walk round a muddy garden.

Isabel C Johnson

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Annual Easter Bonnet Dance

The Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall Dance Section held their Annual Easter Bonnet Dance on the 8th April 2012, well attended by members who had various funny ways of expressing the theme.

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History of Ramsden 2012

“It’s the same old thing again” someone said.  Well! Pictorial history cannot change, though its interpretation can of course.

This Exhibition consists of a large collection of pictures, maps and documents of Ramsden and the surrounding areas.

So, it was the same old thing again, except for the star of Saturday’s show – a “Jovett Long 4” motor car, registered in 1926 to Mr Garvey of Glebe Road, Ramsden Bellhouse.  It has been lovingly restored by Antony Gouldsmith, who wished to learn all he could of its previous owners.   Many people (especially the males) enjoyed seeing it in the Village Hall car park and the owner left with photos and information on the Garvey family.

Apart from this, a steady stream of visitors came from all parts of Essex showing great interest. Some even came both days!   We brought it right up to date and into the future with the showing of the Ramsden website by Steve, Barbara and Clive.

The Visitors’ book is full of very complimentary comments, even though “someone” only came for the coffee and cake.   I have been organising this for more than twenty years, with the help of many willing helpers, especially Frank.   To them I say – thank you very much, together we raised £348 for our Village Hall but, more importantly, we gave a lot of people the pleasure of seeing the past of this area of Essex.

To see the photo gallery pictures, click here.

Isabel C Johnson

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Fun Singing Day

Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall is once again holding a Fun Singing Day on Sunday 7th October from 12 noon to 6pm.
Following on from the huge success of last year we will be singing songs from many of the most popular West End shows including Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music and Les Miserables to mention but a few.
To put everyone’s mind at rest there will not be any auditions or solos, group singing only, come along with your friends for a fun, relaxed and enjoyable afternoon.

Enjoy singing along with music from the brilliant pianist Claire Penfold.
Whilst the session starts at 12.00 and runs through to 6.00, if you can only make part of the session that is not a problem, bring along your own food for lunch, tea and biscuits will be provided FOC.
Entrance fee is £6.00.
Call Derek Jackson on 01268 710613 to reserve your place, tickets will be available on the door.
Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall is Located in Church Road on the corner of Glebe Road, opposite the village shop. (CM11 1RH)

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Village A.G.M. Report

This year's A.G.M. on Sunday 29th January 2012 opened at 3.00pm with apologies for absence and the presentation of last years minutes.   The Chairman then presented his report for last year, outlining the social activities and a résumé of the maintenance work carried out.   He ended with a thanks to the committee for their support and the effort that they and others put in to the success of the hall over the last year.
The Treasurer’s report was next to be presented, showing the present financial position.   After questions, the Secretary and the Bookings Secretary said a few words each.   The reporting stage of the AGM now over, the meeting turned its attention to the selection of next year’s charity.  

There were three speakers each supporting one of the following charities:
1) BASILDON WOMEN’S AID
2) THE J’S HOSPICE
3) WICKFORD PARKINSON SOCIETY
The selection was by a show of hands with THE J’S HOSPICE being successful as the next year’s charity.   This charity aims to offer all young adults aged 18 to 40 with a life limiting illness, the choice to receive the care and support that they need in the comfort of their own homes, so come on let us see what we can do for them.

This was then followed with the presentation of a cheque for £3,019 to a representative of last year’s charity, HELP FOR HEROES.

The final section on the agenda was the voting in of the committee to serve for the coming year.   The list below were proposed, seconded and voted in by the meeting.

Finally, questions from the floor were put forward to the committee for clarification.   The meeting then ended with refreshments and time for a chat.

NEXT YEAR’S AGM WILL BE HELD IN JANUARY 2013 - ALL ARE WELCOME.
PLEASE COME ALONG AND MEET US.