Roy standing infront of his screen with the IWA logo projected from his digital projector.
Photos by John Bowen
The Danbury Society in 2006
The Inland Waterways Association by Roy Chandler
This was held on Thursday, 23rd March 2006 in the Church Meeting Room.
Draft Report.
Chairman introduced Danbury Society Member, Roy and reminded
the large audience of Roy's involvement over the years including
presenting a similar talk some 12 years ago.
In his introduction, Roy said that things had moved on quite a lot in those 12 years.
In presenting the background to the IWA involment with the Chelmer & Blackwater Canal he sketched it from its inception in 1791 to passing into Receivership in 2002. In November 2005 the IWA formed a limited company to prevent it from passing into Liquidization where the Receiver would have opened the lock gates and sold off everthing to repay the Creditors.
Roy showed pictures from 1992/3 when many locks were either broken or in a bad state to nearer the present day where they have been brought up to full working order and now daily by leisure craft. Much of this work by skilled volunteers.
Planning years ago seemed to ignore the potential of making Chelmsford the "Venice of Essex" - but Roy said that was changing.
After a lovely cup of tea/coffee and homemade cake supplied by Glad Deamer & Jean Brown, Roy answered many question.
In replying to one, it appears that the banks are planted with Willows for making Cricket Bats. These take a little over 10 years to mature.
Roy also gave a longer Planning view of the centre of Chelmsford showing how it had improved more recently. He was keen to point out however, every Planning Application needed to be checked to ensure that the Waterways were being correctly used.
A very interesting presentation - thank you Roy and your Wife for her support.
The Spring Walk
This was on Sunday, 7th May from
the Community Centre Top Car Park.
The walkers assembled on a sultery afternoon to walk on ground which had about 22mm of rain on it during the past 24 hours. Where the sun had shone on the ground it was dry but was sticky under foot in the shade. Unfortunately a couple of dogs who normally do the walk are now just too old so had to stay in the car as one of their masters joined the Walk.
Under threatening skies 14 walkers led by David & Wendy Moore set off on the Society's' Annual Spring Ramble from Mayes Lane car park. Carrying a variety of protective rainwear the route took the party down Coleman's Lane and up into Lingwood, then across the Ridge onto a muddy Postman's Lane. A refreshment break was taken at Little Baddow playing field before contining on.
David then sucessfully navigated the party though the maze of footpaths in Blakes' Wood and across Riffams Chase to arrive at a magnificent display of Bluebells by the Scouts Camp.
The final leg of the 5 miles walk took the ramblers back to
Lingwood and up the hill to the car park.
Fortunately, the rain stayed off and the macs and brollies were
not needed!
Thanks for a good walk.
Write-up by David Bolwell, Committee Member.
Unfortunately, this year there is no Annual Coach Outing - first time in 30 years.
This was held over the Bank Holiday Weekend, Friday the 25th to Sunday the 27th August.
The Danbury Society Annual Art Show was headed by Glad & John Deamer
and her band of willing helpers.
Thursday the 24th produced 1/2inch of rain in the morning so it
was a good thing that Chairman, Curt Brown had organised
a large band of helpers to get the screens to the Village
Hall. First time in memory (30 years +) that it has rained
on Hanging Day. Some 425 original oil, watercolour, silk
& pastel paintings were however successfully hung. It
was noted that this year large paintings seemed to order of
the day.
The Exhibition Days were fine for the many viewers.
The Village Hall with the banners flying to attract punters.
Photograph taken of the Pre-View prior to opening at 12 noon. Glad Deamer (front left) is seen talking to a painter.
The Tea Ladies, Wendy Diss & Jean Brown, so essential to the running of a successful show.
John Deamer (left) and Doug Nichols looking after the Portfolio stand during the afternoon. This is an opportunity to purchase a first class painting to put your frame on it to suit your decor.
Writtle Artists spotted seated while looking at the paintings and talking to passing Artists. Notice the many large paintings.
The Artists are the people who make the show - without them there would not be one. They paint the pictures, bring them and if the do not sell, have the job taking them back to the studio.
Photograph taken of Silke, a Danbury Artist returning a large painting to her studio. Lets hope it sells at the next Exhibition. Thank you for Exhibiting it at Danbury - it caused quite a bit of interest.
Thank you very much Glad & John Deamer for all the work you put in on behalf of the Danbury Society. Thanks also to all the Stewards & Helpers who made this, the 34th Exhibition such a social & commercial success.
Bakers of Danbury, from Eves Corner collected & returned the Art display screens - our grateful thanks to their helpful driver, Steve Cole who's professionalism & knowledge of his lorry was appreciated.
The Autumn Meeting.
This was on Thursday, 21st September
in the Church Meeting Room when Mrs
Linda Scoles presented her talk entitled "The Yanks are coming".
This was an American's View of a life in an English Village.
Linda first leapt onto a chair to enable everyone to see her.
She explained that she came to England in 1971 with her
Husband (Jim) who
was a Major in the American Air Force at one of the bases in
Suffolk but had no intention of staying on the base, but to
live "with the locals".
She told many interesting stories of how she assimulated into the English way of life at Great Barton and the many houses she lived in.
Unfortunately her Husband died in 2001 & but she had decided to stay in England and set up a business to support herself & her Daughter. This also involved her with another series of events which she told with relish.
The audience enjoyed a cup of English Tea & Cakes at the break-time. Afterwards, Linda answered many questions which proved that she had stimulated thoughts on country life that we in Danbury sometimes take for granted.
A very interesting talk presented in a very enthusiastic manner - thank you Linda and we trust you will continue to enjoy Engalnd.
The Autumn Walk
This was on Sunday, 22nd October
Only 12 Members met in the Top Car Park as it was a dreadfully wet day.
Wendy & David Moore, David Bolwell & Mr & Mrs Sharp plus a few stawarts enjoyed a very wet walk.
A fuller write-up is promised from Mr Sharp.
The Annual General Meeting
This was on Thursday, 23rd November in
St John's Meeting Room at 8pm.
At the short AGM, Curt Brown was re-elected
Chairman with the existing Committee, enbloc.
The Treasurer, Bob Booker Proposed that the Constitution
be amended inline with the Charity Commissioner's recomendations: -
"To promote the general charitable benefit of the inhabitants
of the Danbury area by provision of such financial and/or
material benefit as the Trustees for the time shall
determine". This was unanimously carried.
The Chairman & Dave Bolwell said that the Christmas Tree
would be erected but would only be lit for the night of the
Carols on Thursday 13th December. Afterwards everyone is invited
to the URC Church Hall for mince pies, tea/coffee.
Curt Brown then introduced Mike Logan-Wood of the RSPB who said
his presentation would be called "The Secret Life of
Garden Birds".
Using his Kodak Carosell, he showed a beautiful series of slides
taken by a RSPB Member. He showed Blackbirds, Song Thrushes,
Robins, Wrens and the Finch family. He told interesting stories
and facts about them all. The humble House Sparrow was
very heavily in decline mainly due to Unleaded Petrol producing
a chemical which acted as an Insect Killer. These are needed
to feed the young Sparrow.
Mike finished off the first part by showing the Starling
and explained it's roosting flight.
At the refreshment break members of the RSPB had a stall
loaded with Christmas Cards & items to sell.
John Collins dispensed a nice wine with the Ladies
suppling a range of Cheeses, Bread & Butter. Very nice.
After the Buffett, Mike told the large audience to origins of
the RSPB and said that Danbury has one of the highest
number of trees in Essex & therefore enjoys a large
number of birds. Members also feed the birds in
their garden and so encourage them to stay all year round.
Curt Brown thanked Mike for a most intesresting and
well presented evening.
Christmas Carols around the Tree at Eve's
Corner. A very fine tree was donated by Mr Bernard Stripp of
Fretton's Lodge and erected
by David Bolwell, Members of the Danbury Society and Robin,
Groundsman from The Parish Council on Friday, 8th December.
On a very windy but dry night a large congregation gathered
around the tree beautifully lit by a generator which
hummed away in the background.
The Salvation Army led the singing with amplification provided
by Eddie of The Mission.
Afterwards many people walked down to the URC Church
Hall in Little Baddow Road for Mince Pies, Tea or
Coffee and a chat in the warm.
Thanks to all who helped and to Silvia and Caroline and
the URC Church for your hospitality.
Post Meeting Note.
The "Carols" were originally arranged by the Danbury Society when
at Christmas a candlelight procession left the four Churches
in the village and wound their way to the illuminated
Christmas Tree at Eves Corner to sing Carols, the music
supplied by the Salvation Army Silver Band. The increase of
traffic on the A414 meant that this was too dangerous & so
Eve's Corner wa chosen as the meeting place.
This year we had a problem.
We then lit the tree with coloured lights over the festive season.
A colourful sign of Christmas ------ PEACE and GOODWILL.
The power supply for the lighting of the tree has always been
obtained locally. However, this year the previous supplier,
because of the teenage problems at Eves Corner no longer
permitted the Society to use this supply.
The Society investigated alternate sources,including other
properties and from a local electricity suppliers. These were
all unsuccessful.
We decided therefore to go ahead and erect the tree and light it
for the Carol Service using a petrol-generator to supply
the power.(This is not practical for long periods)
This year the tree was kindly donated by Mr Bemard Stripp.
Dave Bolwell organised the erection, aided by rest of the
Committee acting as manual labour and Robin the Parish
Council groundsman, who weighed in with his JCB.
After the tree was erected it suffered damage due to the
cutting of the guy ropes and uprooting of the protecting stakes by the local vandals.
These were repaired and the "Carols around the Christmas Tree"
went ahead.
Our thanks to all the Committee who all work hard for the
Society and the Maldon Salvation Army, also to the Parish
Council and Robin.
There has been a teenage problem of vandalism in the centre
of the village in the evenings for some time, (including
damage to the Village Sign. This has been repaired & reinstated by
Bakers of Danbury - Thank you). The Parish Council and the
Police are fully aware of this problem,and are trying to
sort it out.
A snag occurred, the petrol generator unfortunately stopped
half way through the carols - the Band played on and the
generator was restarted.
The carols were led by the Rev. Dr Blyth. It was well
supported by over 100 or more singers.
We would like to thank the Maldon Salvation Army band
together with the URC Ladies who provided coffee and
mince pies afterwards
Many of us contribute to this operation to bring and spread
the joy of Christmas to the people of Danbury, but as explained
we did have our problems.
We hope to solve our electricity supply during the year, but we
may have to move the Carols around the Christmas Tree to
another venue.
Please support the Danbury Society Activities
Daffodil Planting Dave Bolwell is in charge of planting another
few hundred Daffodils in the verges around Danbury during
late September/October.
The problem in past years is that no sooner have we planted them
something happens whereby they are dug up again by the
Chelmsford Borough Council workmen or their Contractors doing
an authorised task! During 2005 this was the upgrade of the A414.
However, Mr Andrew Vale, ECC Highways, has promised the Parish
Council & The
Danbury Society that he will arrange to "make good" where
the Daffodils do not come up in 2006 due to the A414 Up Grade.
This is a very generous offer which has been readily accepted.
David Bolwell will identify & organise the new planting areas.
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Aims of The Danbury Society
To involve the residents of Danbury in interests and
pursuits to enrich village life.
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Here
Copyright (c) Danbury Society 2007
The AGM was then brought to a close.
Mike Logan-Wood & picture of a Starling.
Mike Logan-Wood, back left and the RSPB Stall.
Danbury Society Ladies & the Buffett.
Dave Bolwell incharge of the sound system.
The new tree.
Photos taken by John Bowen
The poster informing the residents
of the impending Carols Around The Tree event.
The Salvation Army leading the singing.
A section of the large audience who attended.
We have erected the tree at Eves Corner for the last 30+ years.
(Curt Brown personally has been involved in this since 1977.)
Some of these teenagers are from families who live
in the village.
To ensure that changes in the Village are undertaken with sensitivity
to the character of Danbury.
To protect the natural beauty of the local landscape and to promote
its maintenance and care.
To Work for the preservation and protection of buildings and features
of interest in Danbury.
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Last revised:-25th November 2007 - added Carol Post Service Note.