A review of 2017 in Halstead - part 2

July

In July, an independent survey revealed Elizabeth Courtauld doctors surgery was ranked one of the worst in the region.

The patient satisfaction survey showed only 29 per cent said the surgery was easy to contact, while only 67 per cent rated it good.

The findings came amid growing frustrations at patients inability to get an appointment at the surgery.

Patients were reportedly left to queue outside the building each morning in the hope they could see a doctor.

Freshwell Health Centre, in Whethersfield Road, Finchingfield was rated as the top surgery in the Halstead area, with 96 per cent of its patients rating it good.

Meanwhile the popular tv programme Celebrity Antiques Road Trip returned to Halstead’s Antique Centre for the fourth time.

The team were welcomed to Townsford Mill and marvelled at the array of antiques on offer at the centre.

Liz Johnson, one of the UK’s most successful Paralympic athletes, also joined the BBC’s team during filming. 80 dealers are said to still be trading from the centre.

August

In August, there was sad news regarding a popular figure in the town.

Former Halstead FC player and manager Shaun Bailey revealed how he felt like he was losing his identity because of a growing brain tumour.

Mr Bailey had been diagnosed with the tumour three years ago and despite hope it was shrinking, a new scan revealed it was growing once again.

Mr Bailey had played for Halstead Town FC between 1993 and 1996 and went on to become manager in 2000. He won two Jewson Premier League titles and a Jewson League Cup during his spells with the club.

An arson attack at a farm in Great Yeldham caused £6,000 worth of damage.

It took firefighters close to 24 hours to fully extinguish the fire at Topplesfield Hall.

50 tonnes of straw were understood to have been destroyed.

It was thought a group of youths who were spotted at the scene moments before the fire began may have been responsible, however no arrests were made.

It led to warnings from landowner Libbie Ketley that people should stay away from the farm and not climb over the straw bales.

September

Plans to build 205 new homes along Sudbury Road were approved by Braintree Council, much to the anger of many residents in Halstead.

More than 1,300 people had signed a petition that objected to Gladmans Development’s proposal, but the developer was given the green light after months of debate.

Speaking after the decision, numerous Braintree councillors insisted their hands were tied due to the absence of a local plan in the area, as well as a lack of objections submitted by county hall and Highways bosses.

The town’s newest supermarket, which had created 40 new jobs in the town, was officially opened at 8am on September 21.

Crowds of people waited with anticipation outside the Lidl store along Kings Road ahead of its opening.

Town celebrity, 100-year-old Gladys Hale, who is affectionately known as Bubbles, was given the honour of cutting the ribbon and opening the shop The new store boasted a bakery and public toilets, while also paying homage to the town’s history with two murals on the side of the building.

October

October saw the volunteers of Halstead in Bloom crowned winners of Britain in Bloom.

It followed another successful defence of the town’s Anglia in Bloom crown earlier in the year.

Halstead was named joint winner of the town category at Anglia in Bloom and continued its excellent form in national and regional horticultural competitions.

Long-serving Halstead in Bloom member Joan Gibson also earned special recognition by claiming the Community Champion award.

A petition was launched as town councillors looked to join up with business owners and campaign for improvements to be made to the River Colne.

James Killbury, owner of the Halstead Antiques Centre in Townsford Mill, launched the petition in a bid to restore the river to its former glory.

Concerns about low water levels and the river banks in the town were raised with the Environment Agency, who insisted it was better to leave it as it is and not increase the risk of flooding.

November

Yet another Co-op ram raid made the headlines in November with the store at Weavers Court, Halstead, forced to close for a day after a gang stole a free-standing cash machine from inside.

A transit van was used to smash through two sets of doors during an overnight break in, before the thieves left with tens of thousands of pounds.

Another robbery at the Earls Colne Co-op a week later, and a spate of burglaries across Halstead, led to calls for something to be done about the apparent increasing levels of crime in the town.

A pub rescued by the community celebrated as it marked its official opening with a party.

The Kings Head pub in Pebmarsh was saved by 350 people from the community who had donated their own money in order to reopen the facilities.

Along with grants from Essex County Council, £350,000 was raised in total.

The money went towards refurbishing the building.

It also allowed new tenants Stewart and Debbie Fraser to reopen the pub to the public - a year after it had been closed.

December

In December, heavy snowfall saw much of Essex covered in a blanket of white.

Several schools were forced to closed for a few days, while the residents of Halstead were praised for volunteering to help those attempting to drive up High Street in the icy conditions.

The former public toilets in Chapel Street were finally converted into retail units and moved into by a dry cleaning firm.

Gorgeous Dry Cleaning began trading at the start of the month and a kitchen supplier will fill the other unit in the new year.

The former toilets had been closed to the public for 12 years and were sold by the town council after they had been unable to justify spending the £103,000 needed to refurbish and reopen the facilities.

Following fears after Halstead had seen a spike in crime, MP James Cleverly moved to reassure residents everything was being done to tackle the issue. A 53-year-old man and a 17-year-old man were both charged with burglary offences.

Both Essex Police and Mr Cleverly went on to insist despite the increase, the Braintree district remains a relatively low crime area.