Barbara Bowen used to teach at the Greensward Academy but swapped the board marker for a paintbrush and has been successful ever since, twice winning awards at the Essex Open Art exhibition and exhibiting in both London and Essex.

Her new exhibition, entitled “Rayleigh and Beyond”, takes place at the Windmill in August and Barbara says she hopes it will make people look at where they live from a new angle.

She said: “This exhibition has plenty of different works to look at including art cards, paintings and drawings as well as 3D work.

Among the main pieces are two large canvases showing aerial views of the county from photographs I took while taking off in an aeroplane from Stansted Airport.

I want people to look and think about the area in which they live in a different way. Among the other exhibits are 3D wooden image blocks depicting views of Rayleigh, such as the Dutch Cottage and the Windmill; even though they are familiar landmarks, I wanted to present them in a different way.”

Ever since she swapped classroom studies for the artists’ studio Barbara has been successful. She gained a degree in Fine Art and has exhibited at venues in the City of London, Greenwich, Burnham and Rayleigh as well as the Leigh Art Trail.

Barbara said: “I’m looking forward to exhibiting at the Rayleigh Windmill, it’s challenging because of its rounded shape and I hope people come along and enjoy the work. “

RAYLEIGH AND BEYOND – An art exhibition by Barbara Bowen will be on at the Rayleigh Windmill on the following dates:
Opens Wednesday 4 August 2010 from 10 am-1pm
Saturday 7 August 1pm- 4 pm
Sunday 8 August 2pm – 4 pm
Wednesday 11 August 10am -1pm
Sunday 15 August 1-4 pm
Admission to the exhibition and the Windmill is free.
For more information about the Windmill visit: www.rochford.gov.uk/windmill
For more on Barbara Bowen visit: www.barbarabowenartist.com

The Rochford District Council Chairman’s Charity Golf Day takes place on Friday 17 September. The Chairman, Councillor Derrick Stansby, has joined forces with Ballards Gore Golf and Country Club to host the annual event, which is now in its fourth year.

Players taking part in the event will enjoy a steaming hot coffee and delicious bacon rolls followed by an 18-hole round of golf. Afterwards there will be a full three-course meal and presentations made by the Chairman to the winners.

The day costs just £42 and all proceeds will go to the Chairman’s Charity, the British Heart Foundation.

If you would like to take part or just come along for an evening meal, please contact Julia Mitchell, Rochford District Council on 01702 318144 for more details.

The scheme beat stiff competition and crowned Rochford the most enterprising place in the region.

Now in its sixth year, the nationwide competition run by Enterprise UK rewards cities, villages, towns and neighbourhoods that have tackled the economic downturn head on and are successfully creating jobs, boosting local business and nurturing entrepreneurial talent as the UK emerges from recession.

Shop at my Local won 2010’s regional stages of the Enterprising Britain competition in recognition of its work encouraging more local spend in the Rochford area not only to provide local businesses with an increased customer base but also to help the local economy by retaining local spend.

Once a business has signed up to the scheme, they will have access to local suppliers through an online network and are given the opportunity to advertise on the Shop at my Local website which provides direct access to local residents.

Shop at my Local have worked with businesses in Rochford to provide an incentive for residents to shop locally through rewards and vouchers. It also encourages businesses to sign up to the pledge of the scheme to provide high level customer service and work towards creating a cleaner and greener community

In a little over 12 months since it launched, 336 businesses have signed up to the Shop at my Local scheme and 331 shoppers pledged to shop locally. The scheme has also delivered training for 44 local businesses in the area. 

Councillor Keith Gordon, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Tourism, Heritage, the Arts, Culture and Business at Rochford District Council said:

“Winning Enterprising Britain for the East of England is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted to have been recognised for our work in making a difference to our local economy, bringing change to the area, creating jobs and transforming the community. Our initiative doesn’t stop here though – we will continue to champion enterprise and look forward to the national finals of the competition.”

During August Shop at my Local will go up against the other eleven regional finalists from around the UK for the Enterprising Britain 2010 national title. The overall winner will then go on to represent the UK at the European Enterprise Awards next year.

Commenting on the success of Shop at my Local Sheila Childerhouse, Deputy Chair of the East of England Development Agency said:

“The success of Shop at my Local demonstrates what can be achieved if people work together to improve the social and economic prospects of their community. We are confident that their great example will encourage other organisations to do more to support entrepreneurial behaviour in the region that will continue to benefit generations to come.”
For more information about the 2010 Enterprising Britain competition go to www.enterpriseuk.org/enterprisingbritain.

Children were able to enjoy all the free activities including swimming, basketball and tennis on a day which was organised as part of the nationwide London 2012 Open Weekend Initiative, starting the countdown of two years to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympics.

Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Tourism, Heritage, the Arts, Culture and Business, Councillor Keith Gordon, said “It was fantastic to see such a great turn out and so many children enjoying playing sport and having fun.

It was a great way to mark the official countdown to the Olympics so keep an eye out for lots more events and activities the Council has planned as we get closer to the start of London 2012”.

The fun day also kicked off the Council’s new 2010 Summer programme, which includes a full programme of sports and art events for the Summer holidays. There is a wider choice of events than ever before, with more than 300 different activities so why not try something different this year, there is plenty to choose from including golf, cheerleading, tennis, trampolining, street dance and nail art. 

New for this year and for all those budding astronauts out there, is the Outer Space Mobile Workshop, where you can make your very own space mobile using out of this world images, arts and crafts.

Also, back by popular demand are the Rochford Play Rangers. Funded by the Big Lottery, the Play Rangers will be touring the parks and open spaces across the District. The scheme is FREE of charge and there is no need to book, just turn up and join in.

Councillor Gordon added: “The Council is committed to offering a wide range of activities for young people in the District. Each course is designed to increase the participant’s skill level whilst having lots of fun”. 

For more information on how to take part in any of the activities, and for a full programme of events visit http://www.rochford.gov.uk/holidayactivities

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has turned down appeals to build hundreds of new homes on land in Rochford and south Hawkwell.

An appeal by developers to build approximately 330 dwellings in south Hawkwell and another appeal to build approximately 326 homes on land at Coombes Farm, Stambridge Road, Rochford have been turned down by the Secretary of State.

Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation, Councillor Keith Hudson, said: “We could not have received better news.

The Council’s approach to limited development in appropriate and sustainable locations has been accepted by the Secretary of State, supporting this Council’s rejection of inappropriate, ad hoc development in our green belt.

It also clearly demonstrates that the Secretary of State, his officers and Inspectors are listening and taking account of the wishes of local people. I am indebted to our officers for their sound guidance and advice in encouraging us to proceed with our Core Strategy, which has proven to be such a powerful weapon with which to defend the quality of life of our residents.”

Crowds of visitors filled the Old Fire Station over the two days to see the exhibition which provided a fascinating insight into how Hockley and the surrounding areas were affected by the Second World War.

Among the artefacts that were assembled by Hockley Parish Council were uniforms worn by English, American and German soldiers, gas masks, ration books, a plate with the amounts of food that had to feed a family member living on rations and an actual Jeep used during the War.

The event, run by Hockley Parish Council, had something for everyone over the two days, with a special Salvation Army memorial service on the second day.

Hockley Parish Councillor, Shirley James, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all those who worked so hard on this event and especially thank those who contributed their personal memories and stories”.

The rations for one person

A gas mask on display at the show

2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Guiding and the Windmill is playing host to a display of fascinating items to mark the occasion.

Among the objects on display are uniforms from the history of Guiding as well as an interesting timeline.

The Guides display is on at the Windmill until Sunday, August 1 2010.

Since 1910 Guiding has had a fascinating history, for example did you know that in 1919 Guides acted as messengers at Versailles for the signing of the Peace Treaty? Or that during the Second World War, at the request of the Ministry of Food, Guides demonstrated ‘blitz cooking’ and made emergency fireplaces from the bricks of bombed houses?

It’s just one of a packed programme of exhibitions and events at the Windmill, which recently received recognition from the national tourist body, Visit England, as a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction. The Windmill has also received Accreditation status from the Museums, Libraries and Archive Council (MLA) – the national agency responsible for developing museums, galleries, libraries and archives.

The Windmill is open through to and including September on Wednesdays: 10am to 1pm and Saturdays and Sundays: 1pm to 4pm. Although do check www.rochford.gov.uk/windmill and the noticeboard outside the Windmill to confirm opening times.

Saturday 7 August 2010
7.30pm start

All proceeds to the Chairman’s Charity – British Heart Foundation

Tickets £8 (includes fish & chip supper) bring your own drinks and nibbles

Please book :
Julia Mitchell
Rochford District Council,
South Street, Rochford SS4 1BW
Tel: 01702 318144 or e-mail: julia.mitchell@rochford.gov.uk

Bouncy castles and lots of fun for all the family is coming to Great Wakering Primary School on August 25.

The Rochford District Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) is gearing up its Third  ‘Information Day’ on August 25, 11am to 3pm at Great Wakering Primary School, High Street, Great Wakering.

This is a joint event combining the Great Wakering Primary School’s inflatable Fun Day and Rochford’s LSP Information Day.

Not only will there be bouncy castles and other inflatable fun but there will be the opportunity to find out more about services provided by LSP partners that are available in the local area including free bicycle tagging by Neighbourhood Watch. 

Partners involved in the event include Rochford District Council, Essex County council, NHS South East Essex, Essex Police and a variety of our Voluntary Services partners who will provide information ranging from, the advantages of staying healthy to what benefits residents may be entitled to.

The LSP has hosted a number of events that have been taking place right across the District throughout the year.

This is an opportunity for residents to come along, find out what services are there to be used and will also give the opportunity for residents to tell the Council what they think.

The week is Britain’s biggest school sporting event and the idea is to get as many schools and children to take part in an exciting week-long celebration of school sport.

On the 29th June, The Sweyne Park School hosted a Mini Olympics event for St. Nicholas Primary School and Glebe Junior School and UHI.  The event aimed to bring the magic and anticipation of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the pupils, and to inspire them to do more sport.

The idea of the day was also to embed the seven Olympic and Paralympic Values, which are friendship, respect, excellence, courage, determination, inspiration and equality.  In total fifty-eight key stage two pupils attended the event and twenty year nine pupils acted as team leaders.  Pupils were split into teams who have competed in the Olympics and Paralympics. The teams then rotated round a carousel of Olympic and Paralympics activities. Each team was led by two year 9 pupils from The Sweyne Park School.  Teams accumulated points and the overall winner was Spain.

During the event pupils had the opportunity to meet Alex Dowsett who is an international road cyclist who has trained with Lance Armstrong and is an Olympic hopeful.

The winning team received medals which were presented by Debbie Patmore of Lloyds TSB who sent the following email after the event, “I would like to thank you and your team for making my time at Sweyne Park School very memorable. It was so good to see children having so much fun and clearly enjoying themselves whilst being active.”  Every child who took part received a certificate, Lloyds TSB merchandise and stickers.

On the 13th July another event took place for Key Stage 1 pupils with forty-six in attendance and twenty, year nine pupils acted as team leaders.  This time it was Mexico who came out on top.

The 2 events were thoroughly enjoyed by all the children who attended and were made possible by funding from activerochford, the Community Activity Network for the Rochford District.

Chair of activerochford Dave Record commented, ‘We were delighted to be able to support these events and that so many of the pupils were able to try a variety of Olympic and Paralympic activities. activerochford is committed to delivering further projects across the District inspired by London 2012’