Christmas Carols At The Vineyards

December 2011

Back By Popular Demand - Christmas Carols At The Vineyards takes place on Wednesday 21st December 2011 at 7.00pm. Come along and sing your favourite Christmas carols with the Salvation Army Band.

This is the second year for this event. It began in 2010 and proved a huge success.

Chelmsford City Replay At Baddow Club

December 2011

The Great Baddow Community Centre will be showing Chelmsford City's 2nd round FA Cup replay against Macclesfield Town live on TV on Wednesday 14th December 2011 (ko 8.05pm). The Great Baddow club has many City supporters eager to see if their local team can become FA Cup giant killers!

City drew 1-1 with Macclesfield at Melbourne Park (highlights above) in the first game and now face a trip to Macclesfield to face their League Two opponents in the replay. The winners will be rewarded with a home 3rd round tie against Premier League side Bolton Wanderers.

Members of the Baddow Club will watch the game free, guests need to be signed in by a member.

Inside the members bar at the Great Baddow Community Centre. Expected to be packed for Chelmsford City's FA Cup Replay.

Great Baddow Residents Lose Fight Over Marrable House

November 2011

Angry Great Baddow residents have lost their battle to stop a new care home being built in the village.

The planning committee meeting held at the civic centre on 15th November was full to capacity with residents united against plans to demolish Marrable House at The Vineyards and replace it with a care home. The 1960's building has been described by locals as an 'eyesore' and was once voted in the press as 'one of the ugliest buildings in the country' but new plans are felt by many to be out of keeping and too big for the area.

Amidst angry scenes, the committee voted in favour of the plans for a new Marrable House and 58 extra care flats on Maldon Road. The development will result in the loss of eight trees and reduced parking from 210 to 175 spaces.

Meeting To Decide On Marrable House

November 2011

Great Baddow residents interested in the proposed redevelopment at Marrable House, The Vineyards are reminded that the Chelmsford Borough Council Planning Committee will be holding a meeting at 6.30pm on November 15, 2011 at the Civic Centre to discuss the planning application and to decide its fate. All residents are welcome to attend.

The planning application reference nunber is 11/01093/FUL. Please click here for full details.

A Little Bazaar - A Shop With A Difference

November 2011

'A Little Bazaar' the secondhand shop in Maldon Road, Great Baddow has recently celebrated its first birthday. Many Great Baddow residents will remember that it was once the location of a Lloyds Bank branch.

The shop has become popular in the village and sells a range of antiques, china, glass, furniture, jewellery and clothing. A Little Bazaar also provides a service allowing customers to sell their own unwanted items for a commission. The shop is owned by Paul Goodman, a resident of Great Baddow.

New BMX Track Opens In Baddow Hall Park

October 2011 

The new BMX Pump Track in Baddow Hall Park was officially opened on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Riders won their fight to bring a track to the village in March, despite letters of opposition and concerns about anti-social behaviour being received by Chelmsford Council.

The planning application, put forward by Chelmer Housing Partnership, was approved but planning bosses warned if any problems arise from its use the council could shut it down.

Materials used to build the 50m by 30m track will enable riders to ride, jump, pump and perform stunts in a safe environment.

The term “pump track” describes a track that has been designed to reduce pedalling and will instead use the pumping action of a rider’s body weight and leg compressions to propel them round. It also includes a variation of jumps to suit all levels of ability.

Decision Expected On Vineyards Development

October 2011

Chelmsford Borough Council are this month expected to make a decision on the future of Marrable House - the derelict building at the Vineyards.

The planning application details are as follows and can be viewed at the Chelmsford Borough Council website.

Redevelopment of site (with demolition of existing building - Marrable House) to provide 58 extra care residential flats with ancillary facilities in two new buildings; one to replace Marrable House and the other fronting Maldon Road, vehicle parking; refurbishment of ramp, temporary access and parking area, re-organising of existing parking areas and landscaping.

The planning application reference nunber is 11/01093/FUL. Please click here for full details.

Great Baddow Library Celebrates 20 Years

September 2011 

Great Baddow library will be celebrating 20 years at its current location on September 5th, 2011. (Tel: 478032).

The High Street building was the result of a long campaign to move it from its former location in Bell Street. It was opened on September 5th, 1991 by Councillor Paul White, Chairman of Essex County Council.

The celebrations will include a display of the library's history, stories and songs for the under-fives and competitions for adults and children.

The photograph below shows the former library building in Bell Street. It is now used as a function room by Great Baddow Parish Council.

Great Baddow Charity Shops Huge Success

August 2011

The Little Haven Charity Shop in the Vineyards, Great Baddow smashed all its targets by raising £112,000 for children with life limiting illnessses in its first year. The charity shop opened in July 2010 and receives generous support from the people of Great Baddow. As well as the steady stream of donations and customers the shop is staffed by 30 volunteers from the local community.

The Little Haven Charity helps around 170 Essex families, 20 per cent of whom come from Chelmsford.

Noakes Place, Great Baddow

July 2011

Photographs in July - Noakes Place - this area of park is next to the Great Baddow Recreation Ground. In the distance you can see the Great Baddow Community Centre.

This photograph also taken in Noakes Place shows Roberts Court in the background, a residence for the elderly accessed from Baddow Road.

Ponds in Noakes Place.

New Opening Times At Great Baddow Library

 June 2011

With effect from Monday July 4th, 2011 Great Baddow Library will have new opening hours. It will now be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Tel: 478032.

Great Baddow Library has been at its current location in the High Street for almost twenty years. It was opened on September 5th, 1991 by Councillor Paul White, Chairman of Essex County Council.

Many residents will remember that previously the library occupied the building in Bell Street (below) now named the Bell Centre and used by Great Baddow Parish Council as a meeting room and hiring out as a function room.

Great Baddow Charity Races 2011

May 2011

  

The start and finish line in Great Baddow Recreation Ground

The home straight! 

Participants run up Tabors Hill past the Blue Lion pub just minutes from the finish.

Huge crowds lined the streets of Great Baddow for the Great Baddow Charity Races which took place in the village on Sunday May 22, 2011. The day was warm and sunny with a strong breeze making for just about perfect running conditions. The event is now in its 27th year and has been organised for the past 16 years by The Rotary Club of Chelmsford Mildmay.

Starting and finishing in the Recreation Ground, there is a 10 mile race for the serious runners and a 2 mile fun run for others to join in.

The 10 mile race is run under the regulations of UK Athletics/BARR. Over the years the event has grown in stature and become a well respected race in the road running calendar.

This years winner was Paul Molyneux of the Springfield Striders winning in a time of 53 minutes 42 seconds.

Olympic Flame To Pass Through Great Baddow?

May 2011

The Olympic Flame could pass through Great Baddow on its way to Chelmsford as part of the Olympic Torch Relay. Final details of the exact route have yet to be announced. What is known is that the Olympic Flame arrives in the County town on Friday, July 6 2012. An evening celebration will be held, possibly at Hylands Park, and is expected to attract 15,000 visitors.

With one year to go until the Olympic Flame arrives in the UK, London 2012 has announced the first 74 locations welcoming the Flame during the 70-day Olympic Torch Relay.

The Torch Relay will start from Land's End on May 19 2012, carried by 8,000 inspirational torchbearers. It will come within an hour of 95 per cent of the population of the UK.

The torchbearers will be members of  the public nominated for their work in the community. If you know someone from Great Baddow who you believe deserves this honour you can nominate them at the  London 2012 website

Great Baddow Celebrates The Royal Wedding

April 2011

 

Millions of people throughout the UK enjoyed an extra bank holiday on Friday, April 29th when Prince William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. It was estimated that 2 billion people watched the event worldwide.

In Great Baddow, several street parties were organised to celebrate the Royal Wedding. The photograph above shows preparations being made in Tyrells Way. Thankfully, the weather was dry with sunny spells.

Beer Festival At Blue Lion

April 2011

Landlords Dave and Anne Heelis celebrate their 6th anniversary at the Blue Lion pub this month.

Since April 2005 they have built the pub up into a fine establishment. Well known in the village for its great food and selection of beers, the Blue Lion has recently also caught the attention of real ale lovers by stocking up to 5 guest ales that have been very well received.

The Blue Lion will be holding Great Baddow's first Beer Festival from Friday, April 29th until Monday, May 2nd. There will be a hog roast, bouncy castle and of course, numerous real ales and ciders. Definitely worth a visit!

BMX Track Gets Go Ahead

March 2011

 

The Chelmsford Borough Council Planning Committee approved the construction of a BMX track at Baddow Hall Park. It will measure approximately 50m X 20m and be enclosed with a perimeter fence.

Old Photographs of Great Baddow

 March 2011

This is a photograph taken at the Cricket Ground adjoining Baddow House, Great Baddow in 1892.

The team are as follows:
First Row:     
F.Blanks, John Wilson, Wilson (Snr), William Lawes
Second Row:
T. Stock, W.Newman, J.Bush, E.Sharke, Avery, Brewster, S.H.Sharman, Tommy O'Linn, T.Ruffell
Third Row:
Dennis, Jack King, William Simmons, R.Terry, John Ockendon, Frederick Linn, Petter Hills, Charles Gowers
Fourth Row:
Stevenson, Charles Pixley, Coachman at Baddow Park, Pixley (Snr), Jimmy Linn, George Carter

Great Baddow Brass Band, 1906. Standing on the extreme right of the photograph is a Mr Shorter who was landlord of the Kings Head pub in Maldon Road, Great Baddow. Band practice was held at the pub.

 

 Great Baddow Carnival 1945

Great Baddow Carnival 1945 (marching past St Mary's Church)

 Henry Ambrose and Ted Jarvis at the Great Baddow Carnival 1945

High Street, Great Baddow

 

Junction of Vicarage Lane/High Street (where the village sign is situtated)

Junction of High Street/Bell Street

 

High Street, Great Baddow

(house on the right is now a childrens day care centre)

A flood in September 1958 caused widespread damage in Great Baddow including at the bakery.

Well House, High Street, Great Baddow was demolished in July 1961. It dated back to 1675.

Junction of Vicarage Lane/High Street (White Horse pub on the left)

Kings Head pub, Maldon Road, Great Baddow

 

Proposed BMX Track At Baddow Hall Park

February 2011

The Chelmsford Borough Council Planning Committee will decide the fate of a proposed BMX track to be constructed at Baddow Hall Park. It will measure approximately 50m X 20m and be enclosed with a perimeter fence. A final decision is expected in March 2011. Great Baddow Parish Council are in support of the development.

Some local residents living close to the park have expressed concern over the extra traffic and parking problems the BMX track will cause. There are also no toilet facilities in the vicinity.

The current childrens play area at Baddow Hall Park.

Kings Head Pub Re-Opens

February 2011

After being closed for just a week the Kings Head pub in Maldon Road re-opened on Friday February 11, 2011 with another new manager.

Kings Head Pub Closes Down Again

February 2011

 

The Kings Head pub in Maldon Road, Great Baddow barely made 6 weeks trading since re-opening on December 22, 2010 having closed for business again on Saturday, February 5, 2011.

With two other pubs in the central part of the village (the Blue Lion and the White Horse) and with ever increasing beer prices it begs the question - does the village really need three pubs?

The price of a pint of lager at the Kings Head was £3.20.

Yasmin Indian Restaurant, Baddow Road

February 2011

The popular Indian restaurant in Baddow Road was formerly the Carpenters Arms pub. Take a look at a photograph from the 1970's here and compare it with the photograph below.

The Yasmin Indian Brasserie is open 7 days a week including bank holidays. There is also a take away menu. Tel: 01245 299188.

Marrable House - Over 100 Attend Meeting

January 2011

Over 100 Great Baddow residents attended a meeting held at Sandon School to discuss the future of Marrable House at the Vineyards, Great Baddow.

Rubicon West, owners of the Vineyards, put forward their revised proposals via a slide presentation (their original proposals were rejected by the Chelmsford Borough Council planning commitee in 2010).

These include a rebuild on the Marrable House site and a new building parallel to Maldon Road. The new proposals have reduced the scale and height of the original plan and set the building back from the road - thus saving the trees.

In the discussion that followed, serious concerns and objections were again raised about the project. Most residents who attended would like to see the redevelopment of Marrable House in a suitable style in keeping with the village and no new building in Maldon Road.