Welcome to Billericay

Everybody has seen them, but who gives them a second thought?

They are the fine signs which mark the principal entrances to Billericay along Stock Road, London Road and Noak Hill Road.  

They were put up by the Billericay Society and maintained by them using a handyman with whom they contracted this work.

The increasing age of the members of that Society has unfortunately led to its closure this summer and has highlighted the question as to the future ownership of the signs.

The Billericay Society would have celebrated its 86th year in 2021 having been started by a small group of enthusiasts in 1935.  At various stages over the years the Society has been responsible for the fabrication and maintenance of these signs, two constructed of hardwood and the third of metalwork (replacing the original wooden one in May 1993).   All three signs were fully refurbished in 2020 in preparation for the 400th anniversary celebrations of the sailing of the Mayflower.

An offer we cannot refuse

This August we were approached with an invitation to inherit the ownership of the signs and consequently, by implication, responsibility for their ongoing maintenance.  After discussion, the club agreed that it would be an honourable and civic minded action to accept this invitation and at the September Council meeting, members agreed to accept the Society‘s offer subject to the following terms:-

A small tablet or plaque will be obtained by the Society and appended to each sign recording the provenance, new ownership, and date of transfer to Rotary.

For publicity, arrangements will be made for recording the handover of ownership for publication in the club’s newsletter and the local press.

The Society will supply the Rotary Club with a £2,000 lump sum for us to finance the future maintenance of these signs.

The Billericay Society has told us that the handyman has expressed a willingness to work with us in future years and we will be provided with his name and contact details.   A benefit will be his knowledge of the finishing materials, colouring and sealing of the signs’ surfaces.   

As a guide this year’s maintenance costs (first for two years) amounted to £300 plus VAT.

Concerning insurance, the Society advises that there is no record of the signs being accidentally damaged or vandalised.   Consequently, they suggest that insurance is an unnecessary expenditure but this matter is left to the discretion of our Rotary Club.

Welcome To Join Us

These are the qualifying points for the transfer of ownership.

 When the Society Chairman, David Bremner, returns from holiday by the beginning of October we look forward to that handover meeting with him and the Vice-Chairman, Doug Smith.   We will welcome them as guests of the Club at a future lunchtime meeting.

Footnote: Possible speakers: Perhaps they might be persuaded to give us a summary of the Billericay Society’s history and notable highlights.

By Peter Strong