A snapshot of life in the village
1987 - 2007

 

 

1999

Darby and Joan retire gracefully after Fifty Years

Declining membership has compelled the Galleywood Over 60's club to close, after providing fellowship activities for Pensioners in the village for over fifty years. Starting life as the Darby & Joan Club, and meeting on Saturday afternoons, the first meeting was held in October 1948 with Mrs Chilcott in the chair. The wide variety of activities arranged over the years included outings, seaside holidays, handicraft shows, bazaars, luncheons, entertainments and many interesting speakers. The club became increasingly popular as the size of the village grew, reaching its maximum of 120 members in 1974 when Mrs Pollard was elected chairperson. For many years the club was supported by other village organisations who provided refreshments and served on the committee, although this arrangement came to an end in the late 80's. David Cook became chairperson in 1983 but membership started to decline during the early 90's as other interests took over and even the change of name to Galleywood Over 60's and meeting on a weekday failed to attract more members.

The club held its last meeting in September 1999 after serving the community for 51 years.

David Cook, Chairperson 1983-99

Library gets computerised

The library has re-opened after a major facelift. Newly decorated, with new books and carpet, the branch is now connected to the County computer database for the first time. Users can now get information about the full range of books and services available on E.L.A.N.- Essex Libraries Automated Network. Tickets are now read by computer as books are issued, and readers can place orders for books on the computers in the library and access their own records. The computers are also equipped with multi-media encyclopaedias which are useful for children doing their homework.

Parish Meeting Gets Fit for Life

Parishioners attending the Annual Open Forum meeting found themselves taking some unexpected exercise this year. Following the Chairman’s welcome, Parish clerk, Jane Head, gave a fitness demonstration and presentation with the theme - 'Are you fit for Life?'. Supported on stage by a group of ladies from one of her fitness classes, Jane persuaded everyone in Keene Hall to get up out of their seats and indulge in several minutes vigorous bending and stretching to music. This may have prompted many to give serious thought to their answer to Jane’s question!

The meeting continued with reports on Parish activities. The Planning committee had turned down a request for the proposed second house at the Walters Farm site to have an access from Keene Way. The development is likely to go ahead with the previously granted access to Watchouse road. The Parish council maintains its objection to the erection of a communications antenna on the reservoir site at the top of Beehive Lane. Plans are well in hand for the refurbishment of Jubilee Park. The first major work will involve levelling the dip in the ground and draining the surface water. A Tarmac area with a basketball goal is to be installed to cater for the growing popularity of this sport. PC Kevin Bailey presented his report on policing during the year. Restructuring within the force has led to the withdrawal of a regular patrol by a beat officer, although Galleywood will continue to have an identifiable officer as a contact point within the community. Policing within the Parish will be more intelligence led and directed in future. Neighbourhood Watch is now linked to Moulsham Lodge Police Station via a computerised E-mail system called C.O.L.I.N.

A millennium calendar has been produced by the Parish Council and copies were on sale at the price of £2.50. Featuring colour pictures of local scenes, taken by Ron White, 50 copies were quickly snapped up by the end of the evening.

Royal Invitation

The work of conservation volunteer Stan Church has been recognised at a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by the HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Stan devotes much of his time to all aspects of conservation and he was chosen to attend the launch of the 40th anniversary of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and was one of six representatives from Essex to be introduced to the Duke.. He lives in Well Lane and is a member of Galleywood Common Association. As a keen cyclist he has been concerned with the establishment of marked cycle routes from Galleywood into the town centre.

Thriftwood wins another Trophy

The Stanley Barnett Award for conservation initiatives has been won for a second time by pupils from Thriftwood School in Slades Lane. Delighted pupils gasped with disbelief when the result was announced at County Hall. The award acknowledges their efforts and creative flair through their successful greetings card business, Creative Cuts. Year 11 pupils help design and colour a variety of cards for special occasions ranging from Christmas to Easter which are then sold at nursing homes, day centres, coffee mornings and craft fairs. Staff at the school see the project as developing strong communication skills for special needs children. The £500 voucher top prize will be added to the £750 already won for winning the Mid Essex special needs category to buy stationery for the school.

1999

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