Psychic night!

On Thursday 11 February 2016 after the success of last year Great Bentley Pre-School has arranged another Psychic Night with Stephanie Carr. This year we also have Kitty-Rose coming along. Kitty-Rose is a gorgeous boutique in West Bergholt which stocks the most beautiful clothes, accessories, jewellery, gifts, home accessories, etc.

This is a ticket only event with tickets costing £10, it will be held at Great Bentley Village Hall. Doors open; 6:45pm for 7:30pm.

If you would like tickets please come along to Great Bentley Village Hall, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday between 9:00 and 4:00.

We are pleased to notify you that Highways England has today launched a public consultation on proposals for a Lower Thames Crossing, a new road crossing of the River Thames connecting Kent and Essex.

The proposal is for a new road which would connect the A2/M2 in Kent with a tunnel crossing east of Gravesend and Tilbury, before joining the M25 between junctions 29 and 30. There are three route options north of the river in Essex and two south of the river in Kent.

Find out more and have your say

This is your opportunity to let us know your views before we make our recommendations to the Department for Transport later this year. If you would like to find out more please visit our website www.lower-thames-crossing.co.uk where you can:

• View and download maps and other information about our proposals
• Provide your views by completing our online questionnaire
• Find out about one of our events where members of our team will be on hand to answer your questions.
• Find out where you can view the proposals at a location in your area where copies of consultation materials, maps and questionnaires are available.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0300 123 5000. Please provide your response by 24 March 2016.

Martin Potts

Consultation Manager

Highways England

Three organisations have joined forces to encourage the vital movement of wildlife across the Tendring District – and they want your help!

Essex Wildlife Trust, Tendring DC and Butterfly Conservation have come together to deliver the ‘Buckthorn for Brimstone’ campaign. Read more… Buckthorn for Brimstone Press Release 180116

The County Council has programmed a number of temporary road closures over the next three months. Did you know you are able to track the schedule of roadworks by visiting www.roadworks.org. You can even set up an email alert at a frequency to suit yourself.

(photo credit: Bentley in Bloom)

The note in the link provides information about the different communities living in Essex. This information was produced by Essex County Council, and is intended to increase understanding between communities; Facts about new communitiesmyth-busting

(photo: One of a series of Kindertransport memorial statues by Frank Meisler) 

Local residents are invited to one of the Big Care Debate engagement events that are taking place in March. The purpose of these events is to find out from the public about their experiences of accessing health and social care across north east Essex and how they believe communities could further support local people to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Follow the links to view the stakeholder letter and event poster; Stakeholder letter – Big Care Debate 2 and Big Care Debate Poster.

(Photo credit: Pippa Drew) 

Essex residents who want to quiz PCC Nick Alston or Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh are being given a unique chance to put forward their questions as both men take part in a live webchat. In recent months the PCC and Chief Constable have made major announcements about the future of Essex Police. These announcements have included changes to local policing including a reduction in PCSO numbers, the proposed closure and sale of police stations and changing and modernising how the public contact police. The live webchat will be taking place on Monday January 25 from 6pm to 8pm and people can join in by logging on to http://essex.police.uk/talkbacklive.

Please follow the link to view the latest Rural Services Network Newsletter;

Bentley Green Players are preparing for the May production of Abigail’s Party. They are looking to cast 3 females and 2 males. Auditions will be held in the Church Vestry on 8 February 2016.

This photo showing a glistening village hall was taken just after sunrise this morning by one of our commuters. Let’s hope, said commuter parked in Station Car Park and not at the Village Hall.

(photo credit: Pippa Drew)