We had to set off at 06.30 (not another early start!) on May 12 to be there for 07.00 for Car Park marshalling duty at the Council Car Park under the Town Hall, so, as instructed, we headed for that Car Park where we were due to meet Brian Wellman, and park there ready for the stallholders. But …. nobody there, and the barrier was closed with a sign – “not open until 09.00”. Somebody at the Council had got their wires crossed and despite all Danny Lovey’s detailed arrangements to have it open only for the stallholders between 06.00 and 09.00, the message got garbled – a case of “send three and fourpence we’re going to a dance!” if you recall that old WWI story.
So off we went to the multi-storey car park and then walked back again in our club Hi-viz vests. Brian soon arrived, as did a steady stream of stall holders wanting to park and get out to their stands in the Town Square. “Danny’s chasing the Council” he said, “it will be fixed soon”.
But the stall holders kept arriving – what to do? Then suddenly, without a warning, the barrier rose and we could start letting the cars in.
Phew! Mutiny averted!
Roger went down into the car park and Peter stayed on top to direct stall holders in, and to give the public, who usually parked there on a Saturday, the bad news that it wouldn’t be open to them until 9 o’clock to give priority to the stallholders.
We stopped all the cars, letting pass those with stallholder cards, but turned away members of the public. Most took it in good heart, understanding that priority had to be given to the exhibitors with only one awkward driver demanding to be let in.
“You’re Rotary” he said, looking at the logos on our vests, “you can’t stop me using the council car park”. But we held firm, told him we’d photograph his car and him, and pass it to the council and they would decide if they would take it further. He moved aside but waited to see what happened. As the volume of traffic dropped, we let him in. He’d obviously had second thoughts, “Thank you” he said!
By 9 o’clock there were no more stallholders arriving, and our shift was over so we wandered into the square to look at the event.
In the Square, pitches had been marked out for the various charities and community groups who were participating, and everyone sported a gazebo and enthusiastic volunteers. It was very well organised and laid out.
We exchanged greetings with Danny Lovey and other Concord members we knew and wandered around the 60 odd stalls - there was really good interaction with local people and progress was made in raising awareness of their organisation, with donations taken, and hopefully leading to new members.
Things all seemed to be going to plan. The public were being attracted to the stalls showcasing local charities and community organisations, as well as the few retail stalls, a children’s carousel ride and two great performances marching through the Town Square and performing from the Essex Army Cadet, Drum and Flute band.
On top of this, there were splendid demonstrations throughout the day from the youngsters of the Maru Karate Kai; stirring performances of well known songs from the George Hurd Choir and a memorable performance from the Tribal Belly-Dancers, as well as the Essex Marching Corps, and the Basildon Operatic Society, etc. etc.! Well done to all the performers.
And what was that huge food truck in the corner – Danny’s Snacks!
Our congratulations to the Rotary Club of Basildon Concord – another excellent initiative which really delivered on its promise!
more Members turned out to support Rotary Club of Basildon's fundraiser in Thundersley
more We support Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower's Christmas Market
more As usual we supported a community event by supplying six volunteers to man the gates for Round Table’s 2023 Fireworks display at Lake Meadows Park.
more A delegation of members had a great evening supporting Basildon Rotary Club's 2023 Handover event
more We supported Basildon Concord's fundraiser in Benfleet
more We supported our daughter club in collecting for this charity
more Saturday 28th January saw the Chantry Centre packed to capacity for the annual Billericay Town Rotary Club quiz. Our team was Michael, Les and Val, paired with three from Billericay Mayflower - President Mark Chambers, plus Barry and Angie Fagg
more Members supported Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower's premier event - the Christmas Market
more Nine Members of our club and partners supported our friends from Basildon Rotary Club at their Charter Dinner
more Many members supportedRotary Club of Billericay Mayflower's fundraising event
more A Murder Mystery night raising Money for Rotary Club of Billericay Town's Charitable Causes.
more We helped prepare and then supported the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower on the day
more We joined Basildon Rotary Club in celebrating their Charter Evening
more We entered a team in the Rotary Club of Billericay Town's virtual quiz in aid of the local charity BOSP, and scoop the winner's prize.
more We support the Rotary Club of Billericay Town which has a fundraising venture to manufacture Covid-19 Face Coverings.
more Rotary Club of Billericay are delighted to support the Billericay Lions Santa Sleigh collections again this year.
more A most enjoyable night with our friends at the Rotary Club of Basildon, and £265 raised for Mercy Ships.
more Billericay's new Rotary Club is Chartered
more A most enjoyable night with our friends at the Rotary Club of Basildon, and over £300 raised for Children in Need,
more We win the Satellite Rotary Club of Billericay Town Quiz night in aid of Headway Essex
more President Peter Greene and Wendy, Patrick Rothon and Carol, and Roger Kettle and Sarah all enjoyed Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower's hospitality at its 2018 Charter Night.
more Rotary Club of Billericay Town Quiz Night raises over £700 for Charity
more 70 participants enjoyed a very successful Charity Race Night at Laindon - 8 Races, 8 horses each, but ... we didn't get enough winners! Never mind - the charities were the real winners!
more On May 13, we supported the Rotary Club of Basildon Concord’s Mayfest. We reciprocate the help and support provided to us by other service clubs whenever we are able.
more Members work with other Rotary clubs including travelling to Harwich to advise on the use of conventional and electronic tools to spread the word about Rotary
more Basildon's 56th Charter Night
more Joining Basildon Concord Rotary club to help them raise money for charity, for fellowship and ... for a good night out!
more Fellowship at Wickford Rotary Club and a worthwhile charity
more A major exhibition on the centenary of WWI, featuring contributions from the Western Front association and four local Billericay Junior schools - Buttsbury, Quilters, ST Johns, St Peters.
more Club Members supported the Rotary Club of Ongar's heritage event in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the local St Clare Hospice.
more Members of our club helped Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower, our daughter club, collecting over £2300 for the Nepal Earthquake Appeal.
more The District organized quiz to raise awareness of Rotary, raise money for Lancaster School and make an attempt on the World Record for the most people at a quiz. We sent along a team to participate. A great time was had by all.
more Joining Ingatestone Rotary club for to help them raise money, for fellowship and a quiz, and almost triumphing!
more We supported the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower's fundraising event - an Italian Quiz Night with a team of club members and their wives.
more Billericay Reading Rooms celebrates its 150 Year Anniversary.
more Club Members supported two major local fundraising events, organised by others, on Sunday May 18th. 2014. The Rotary Club of Basildon Bike Ride and the Billericay Fun Walk.
more Supporting Basildon Rotary Club at their fundraising Concert.
more Several Billericay club members are among the Trustees of our town's Cater Museum and Christine Brewster, the well-liked and respected Curator of the museum for over 11 years, came along to give a most interesting talk to the club about the museum's achie
more Bonus distribution for the Fun Walk - this year an extra 60%.
more And he didn't even get wet.
more The Billericay Art Trail 2013 brings together artists, retailers, caterers and community groups of Billericay to showcase the talents of local artists and to encourage more people to visit the wide variety of facilities in the town.
more Many members of Billericay Rotary Club supported the St. Luke's Hospice Events Group by supporting its fundraising Charity Race night.
more Club members enjoyed a social outing in a good cause - supporting the Rotary Club of Basildon in their Charity Firewalk by sponsoring walkers, and cheering them on at the event.
more Members travelled to Lord de Ramsey's garden in Abbots Ripton to support this major Charity Garden and Food Show.
back These pages describe our activities in support of other organizations raising funds for those in need or supporting our local community.