Ceremonial Handover

We reported a few months ago that Billericay Rotary Club agreed to accept the honourable and civic-minded responsibility for the three Billericay signs (from the Billericay Society).   These fine signs mark the main entrances to Billericay along Stock Road, London Road and Noak Hill Road. 

We think it appropriate to recognise the contribution which that society has made to our town over so many years, and reproduce below the essence of a brief history recently published in “The Resident”.

It was formed in 1935 to protect the character and future planning of Billericay’s local heritage buildings and Green Belt. 

Over the years

• It erected and maintained the three “Welcome to Billericay” town signs on the main cardinal roads into town, starting in 1953 for the Queen’s Coronation. (These are the three signs the Rotary Club is taking over).
• In 1960 Mrs Cater, president of the Billericay Society, opened the Cater Museum, in memory of her husband, who was interested in the development of the town along with Harry Richman who wrote the book “Billericay and its High Street”. The Society also published the “Billericay History Series” of five booklets on different aspects of the town.
• In the 1970s the Society had the High Street made an official Conservation area, helping to preserve all buildings of architectural interest.
• The Society identified significant buildings in the High Street and identified them with numbered plaques.  The “Billericay Town Trail’ is available from the Parish Council.
• The Society started the “Town Culture Walks” detailing the interesting story of the development of the town.  From the time it was drowned by the river Thames passing over with the Anglian Glacial ice sheet, to Iron Age burial remains, a Roman settlement, the Chapel of Ease 1342, the Peasants Revolt of 1381, and the Pilgrim Fathers leaving in 1620, and much more.
• In 1968 the Billericay Society led a campaign with the help of the Billericay Town Council to have the land at Sun Corner given a protected status, and in 2012 for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the “Queen Elizabeth II Field” was designated a Fields-in-trust and is protected in perpetuity for the people of Billericay.
• In 1960 the Society issued a map detailing the many footpaths in and around Billericay with information on their location. In 2008 the Society sponsored a more detailed town map called “Billericay circular walks”. Since then the Town Council have issued further walk maps.
• The Society conducted regular walking surveys, on overgrown footpaths that would have become unusable, the stiles and bridges damaged and dangerous. The Society regularly reported the condition of footpaths to the Public Rights of Way Officer.

Whilst it is sad to see the close of the Billericay Society, we are glad to take on this civic responsibility on behalf of our town.

In Safe Hands

On November 15 President Les Sheppard, Peter Greene and Peter Strong met with Chairman David Bremner, Vice-Chairman Doug Smith and Treasurer Julie Smith to accept formal handover of the responsibility and those remaining maintenance funds which the society used to maintain the signs.

Chairman of the Society David Bremner said “I am delighted that the Rotary Club of Billericay has agreed to assume ownership and responsibility for these signs.  I am sure they are now in safe hands.”

Our grateful thanks to David, Doug and Julie and all the members of the Billericay Society for all they have done for our community over the years.