WEST HANNINGFIELD PARISH COUNCILLithium-Ion Batteries Safety Campaign
Please click on the link below to learn more about safety issues raised by the charity Electrical Safety First:
The Three Compasses – Asset of Community Value?
If you believe The Three Compasses should be registered as an Asset of Community Value, please consider following the link below to register your interest.
Do You Want a Local Pub? – West Hanningfield Parish Council
But what is a Community Asset?
Community Interest: The asset must have a use that benefits the local community, such as a pub, village shop, library, park, or community hall.
Right to Bid: If the owner decides to sell the asset, the community has up to six months to prepare a bid to purchase it before it can be sold on the open market. However, this does not obligate the owner to sell to the community—they are still free to sell to whomever they choose and at whatever price.
Not a Guarantee: Listing a property as an Asset of Community Value does not stop it from being sold or developed, but it gives the community a chance to save it.
Five-Year Protection: Once listed, the Asset of Community Value status lasts for five years, after which it must be reapplied for if still relevant.
Council Decision: The local authority, in this case, Chelmsford City Council, determines whether an asset qualifies based on its importance to the community’s social interests or well-being. The Parish Council’s role is solely to submit the application if it reflects the will of the community.
Community Assets often offer additional services, such as post offices, shops, cafes, and would also support local suppliers and employment.
Victory In Japan Commemoration
Whilst VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still involved in bitter fighting in the Far East. Victory over Japan would come at a heavy price, and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) marks the day Japan surrendered on the 15th August 1945, which in effect ended the Second World War.
For many British people, the first knowledge they had of the war ending, was from newspaper headlines, which read “Japan Surrenders!” There were scenes of celebration redolent of those which Britain had experienced on VE Day, on the 8th May 1945.
For many of the Allied prisoners of war held by the Japanese, the physical and emotional impact of a brutal captivity would continue for the remainder of their lives. Some in West HAnningfield have witnessed the toll the dreadful conditions and harsh treatment had on the Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW). Even so, some of those former captives considered themselves fortunate to have been alive as almost 30 per cent of the inmates of Japanese POW camps died and 11,000 were drowned when allied forces sunk Japanese ships transporting FEPOWS to Japan to work as forced labour in coal and copper mines.
The Kohima epitaph:
When you go home
Tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
we will remember them.
Our D Day Memorials: Designed, Built and Erected By John Cousins
The much admired memorials that parishioners and visitors to our parish are unlikely to miss, were designed and erected by our dedicated Parish Handyman, John Cousins. It was all spontaneously on his initiative – and in his own time. They have been positioned as tribute to the British, Commonwealth and American Servicemen who so bravely played their part in the Normandy landings on D Day 6 June 1944. Far too many gave their lives or were seriously injured, but the landings were a success and heralded the end of World War II – for which we and our followers, must all be eternally thankful.
At the age of 19, John joined the Territorial Army and served for 26 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) TA, reaching the rank of Artificer Quartermaster Sergeant – addressed respectfully as “Q” by the soldiers – before retiring in 1995. In the following (almost 30) years, John’s memories of loyal comradeships forged by members of the armed services, have never faded; indeed John remains active in various military associations also attending the National Arboretum in Staffordshire during the REME memorial dedication, in the presence of the late Prince Philip, who he also met later at Buckingham Palace when carrying the standard of the Burma Star Association on behalf of his father. John’s father had served in various ships of the Royal Navy during World War II, from motor torpedo boats to an aircraft carrier; John also carries the standard for the Great Baddow Branch of the REME Association and Royal British Legion at appropriate memorial occasions.
In more recent times John’s REME TA unit provided support for the military presence in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands and Iraq. When asked of any vivid memories, John cited the televised harrowing scenes of the Sir Galahad troopship, when it was hit by Argentine missiles during the Falkland hostilities while carrying soldiers of the Welsh Guards. John had previously sailed aboard the Sir Galahad to take part in a military exercise in Europe.
John maintains that much of his early TA service, during the Cold War, was spent underground in nuclear shelters. Nonetheless various military exercises allowed him to see much of England, Scotland and Wales.
John recalled that while visiting France to visit war graves, he suffered “a heart issue”. He maintains that the action taken by his good friend, fellow traveller and co-member of the Great Baddow British Legion, Dick Shepherd, saved his life by applying first aid and speedily getting John to hospital. Such is the friendship forged between good friends with military training.
Obviously, John cares deeply in remembering the sacrifices made by members of the armed services, with so many giving the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for their countries, our lives and indeed, the world. Perhaps John is an example for all of us and for those that will follow. Lest we forget.
