27 April 2018: Calling local voluntary groups, charities and businesses!

The countdown has already begun for Rochford District Council’s annual Wild Woods Family Fun Day at Hockley Woods which is taking place this year on Saturday 14 July 2018.

The council are offering voluntary and charitable organisations, as well as businesses, the opportunity to have a market stall at the event to support the Wild Woods Day focus of recycling, sustainability and protecting the local environment. Organisations that produce up-cycled arts and crafts, organic goods, or promote green and healthy living are just some examples of the kind of stalls the council would like to attract to the event.  The cost for voluntary and charitable organisations is £20, Artists, Designers and Craftspeople £30, and for businesses £50 - this includes your own Market Stall and cover.  The event, now in its 15th year regularly attracts over 3000 visitors so it would be a great chance to promote your organisation, business or club to thousands of prospective new customers/members.

For more information or to book your stall please contact the FULL Event Production Ltd on wwd@fulleventproduction.com - Please note that there is a limited amount of stalls available therefore if you would like a stall it would be best to book as soon as possible.

Even if you don’t want to be a part of the Marketplace, make sure you put the date in your diary and come and join us for one of the most popular events in the district’s calendar.

27 April 2018: Rayleigh Windmill reopens its doors!

Rochford District Council is pleased to announce that the Rayleigh Windmill has reopened its doors after it’s recent sail restoration, with an exciting range of art exhibitions to look forward to starting from 2 May.

The landmark building will be open Wednesday’s from 10am until 1pm and weekends from 1pm until 4pm until the end of September, for those who either want to view the exhibitions or simply marvel at the historic building and its fascinating history.

Rayleigh Windmill, in Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh, is accredited by Visit England as a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction and has also become a popular venue for weddings and other celebrations.  We advise checking our website before you travel, as private events can interrupt usual visiting hours.

There will also be some special events in May hosted at the Windmill. The Windmill will take part in National Mills Weekend on Saturday 12 May and Sunday 13 May. On 13th May, Mills on the Air will be broadcasting live from the Windmill. On 28th May, the Windmill will be open 12pm-4pm to coincide with the opening of Holy Trinity Church’s Tower, with the volunteers dressing up in traditional costume at all these special events. We are always on the look out for enthusiastic volunteers to join our passionate volunteer team, so if you are interested in volunteering with us please contact Leisure and Cultural Services on 01702 318120.

Rochford District Council would urge everyone to pay a visit to this beautiful historic building – particularly if you’ve never visited before. Entry is FREE and a minimum £1 donation per person is encouraged.   This year will see a wide-ranging exhibition programme on the second floor of the Windmill, including a chance to meet some of the artists at work:

Wednesday 2 May – Wednesday 30 May

Dave Gilmore – Fur, Feather and Fakes: On display will be a number of paintings of wildlife and domestic animals, both recent and past. Also on display will be what Dave calls honest fakes. These are paintings done in the style of L.S. Lowry who rose to fame with his depiction of normal working class people and his own distinctive way of painting the human figure. Dave Gilmore will be painting in the Windmill each day the Windmill is open excluding Saturday 12 May.

Saturday 2 June – Wednesday 27 June (joint exhibition)

Maria Hickey – Colours of Sri Lanka: Maria who is based in Southend, volunteers with the Open Arts Charity and is honoured to have her first solo exhibition in Rayleigh Windmill. ‘Colours of Sri Lanka’ combines photography and artwork inspired by Maria’s recent trip to the country. Her images capture the beautiful people and vibrant landscapes of the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Saturday 2 June – Wednesday 27 June (joint exhibition)

Compass Photography Group: Shru and Mike formed Compass Photography Group after studying Photography at Writtle College. Both are passionate about creating images in different genre, aiming to bring out the best in their subjects, be it Macro images or landscapes. At the Windmill Mike will display a collection of images captured last year around the dramatic coastline of Orkney and Shru will display a selection of pictures of flora and fauna. We feel these images complement the lovely setting offered by Rayleigh Windmill.

Sunday 1 July – Wednesday 8 August

John Harwood: John started drawing and painting after early retirement. Having enrolled in evening classes, he started sketching with pencil and charcoal, moved to watercolours and then finally to oils. In Leigh-on-Sea he ran his own gallery for a while selling landscape and receiving portrait commissions. John is a member of Southend Art Club, he has won awards at the Beecroft for both his portraits and landscapes and acts as group leader for local portrait painting workshops.

Saturday 11 August – Wednesday 29 August

David and Qiong Morley: David and Qiong Morley’s artworks are inspired by their time travelling together in China. The artwork reflects Chinese mythology and traditions, including good fortune, happiness and wellbeing. The exhibition presents paintings and drawings by local artist David Morley and calligraphy by Qiong Morley from Hunan, China. Qiong and David will also be displaying silks and explaining about the Chinese silk culture from Qiong’s time at the Silk Museum in Hangzhou.

Saturday 1 September – Sunday 30 September

Emma Hendry: Emma is a visual artist currently in her  3rd year of a BA (Hons) Fine Art Degree at South Essex University. Her work focuses on illustrations using acrylics as well as abstract pieces. She undertake commissions as an artist specialising in pet portraiture. Over recent years her work has changed due to the artistic influences of artists such as Emma Hart and William Morris.

Due to private events the Windmill will be closed on the following dates. Please check before visiting as these dates are subject to change and opening times may vary: May 19,26, June 16, 23,30, July 7, 14, 21,28,  August 5,18,  September 8,22,29

For all the latest news and updates make sure you like the Rayleigh Windmill Facebook page and  follow @RochfordDC on Twitter.

23 April 2018: Calling local businesses for sponsorship opportunity!

The countdown has already begun for Rochford District Council’s very first wedding fayre as they prepare to open The Old House in Rochford as the latest wedding venue in the district.

The council are offering local businesses the opportunity to sponsor different aspects of the event  which is taking place on 20 May and promises to be a day to remember which includes local celebrity Su Harrison from Heart making a special guest appearance.

This is a great opportunity for businesses to promote their organisation to hundreds of prospective new customers and share in the publicity in the lead up/day of the event.

For more information please contact the Rochford District Council Leisure Team on leisure@rochford.gov.uk by no later than 7 May 2018.

Even if you don’t want to be an official sponsor, make sure you put the date in your diary and come and join us as we officially open up this beautiful new venue.

11 April 2018: New Council Reception Opening Hours

From 16 April 2018 Rochford District Council will be changing their reception opening and closing times in Rochford and Rayleigh.

The new hours are as follows:

Rayleigh Civic Suite:  Mon-Thurs    9am to 5pm     Fri -    9am to 4:30pm

Rochford, South Street:   Mon-Thurs    8:30am to 5pm    Fri -    8.30am to 4:30pm

The council have reviewed the opening hours of the reception areas to ensure that resources are being used more efficiently and will remain contactable from 08.30am till 5.30pm (Monday –Thursday) and 5pm on Friday via email, web chat, our social media channels Facebook and Twitter and telephone, as normal.

9 April 2018: Candidates standing for district elections

Residents in the Rochford District can now view the names of all candidates standing in the upcoming elections on our website at www.rochford.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections/upcoming-elections

Poll cards were delivered to properties across the District between 27 March and 2 April. If you haven’t yet received your poll card, especially if you have recently moved house, you may not be registered to vote. You do not need to take your poll card to the polling station (unless you have an anonymous registration) but you do need to be on the Electoral Register to vote in all UK elections and referendums. You are not automatically registered even if you pay council tax.

The last date to register for the Elections on Thursday 3 May 2018 is 17 April.

You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or you can contact the Election Office on 01702 318187.

If you are unable to go to the polling station on May 3 or would prefer to vote by post or proxy, the deadline for applying for a postal vote or to change existing absent vote arrangements is 5pm on 18 April.

You can apply for a proxy vote up until 5pm on 25 April. However if you have a medical emergency or are called away unexpectedly for work or service reasons after this date contact the Election helpline on 01702 318187 as you may be eligible for an emergency proxy vote.

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