Great Baddow Man Killed In Car Accident

March 2014

 (Kailen pictured with fiancee Charlotte and son Freddie)

Kailen Spreadbury, aged 20, was tragically killed in a car accident on the A1114 Essex Yeomanry Way, Great Baddow on Saturday March 1st. He was pronouced dead at the scene at 1pm.

His partner Charlotte was flown to The Royal London Hospital by air ambulance and remains in a serious condition. Their 9 month old son, Freddie, who was also involved in the collision, was released from hospital unharmed.

Kailen, the son of Warren and Karen Spreadbury, attended Baddow Hall School and Great Baddow High School and was scouted to play football for West Ham FC from the age of six. He later had a spell in the Chelsea youth team and also played for Chelmsford City Colts before settling to play for his local team Great Baddow FC at the age of 16.

Kailen was a hugely popular young man and devoted father. RIP Kailen.

Blue Lion Pub Up For Sale

February 2014

The lease for the Blue Lion pub in Tabors Hill, Great Baddow is up for sale. The pub is owned by Punch Taverns and has been run by current landlords Dave and Ann Heelis for 8 years.

The Punch Taverns website states that the new tenants will be required to pay 'ingoings' of £76,550. On top of that the rent is £35,506 per annum.

Rumour has it that the Blue Lion will be transformed into another Indian restaurant -  the 3rd for the village.

Wash Out For Football At Baddow Rec

February 2014

Many parts of the UK have had their wettest January since records began over 250 years ago with parts of the west country such as Somerset suffering severe flooding. Whilst Great Baddow has not benn affected as badly, the rainfall has still been significant.

The football pitches at Great Baddow recreation ground (photo above) have been waterlogged for several weeks now with not a ball kicked since mid December 2013.

Top Marks For Baddow Establishments

January 2014

The Essex Chronicle has just published the food hygiene ratings for businesses throughout Chelmsford. The ratings are judged from a top mark of 5 down to zero. A large number of popular Chelmsford restaurants scored a lowly 1 including the Empire Chinese in Springfield Road.

Several Great Baddow restaurants scored the top mark of 5 including the Great Baddow Millennium Centre (photo above) www.facebook.com/BaddowClub, Pontands Park Hotel, Russells Restaurant, the White Horse pub, New Orientel House (chinese in Vineyards) and Baddow Tandoori.

All ratings can be found at the Food Standards Agency website.

New Great Baddow Sign

November 2013

Great Baddow has a new village sign. It was created by metal-work craftsman Dan Rawlings and is situated opposite St Mary's Church at the junction with The White Horse pub.

The Marconi-themed sign replaces the old one which fell down eighteen months ago because of the mast rotting away.

Storm Hits Great Baddow

October 2013

On the morning of October 28th 2013, like most of the UK, Great Baddow was hit by a severe storm that caused damage to trees and property.

This photograph was taken in Baddow Hall Avenue where a fallen tree completely blocked the road.

New Nets For Great Baddow Cricket Club

October 2013

Chelmsford City Mayor (and Great Baddow Parish Councillor) Trevor Miller officially opened Great Baddow Cricket Club's new nets in the Recreation Ground on Saturday, September 28th 2013.. He is pictured with Great Baddow Cricket Club President Peter Tuxhill, his wife the Mayoress Maureen Miller and members of the clubs colts.

The club's head coach, David Byford, said that the three bay synthetic practise area was the culmination of 14 years hard work at the club. It is hoped that the new facility will help Great Baddow Cricket Club to continue to grow and achieve further success.