an irreverent look at Writtle Village, Essex, its people and goings on!
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This site has been updated on December 2006


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Contents
Welcome Page

     


2006

From the Writtle PC

 



2004

History of the Bells

New Bells June Dedication

Writtle Fun Day

2003

Broadband Easter meeting


Writtle Annual Meeting

Writtle Local Elections

 Wear Pond Expansion

New Visitor to Writtle

Broadband
Writtle Update

December 2002
They don't apply to me

Italian Job

Police Presentation

Previous issues


A Lid too Far

On the Buses Update

Village Meeting

Teddy Bears
Aerial Runway

Golden Jubilee Celebrations

Residents Association Meeting



Polo Shirt Offer

 April 2002
The Queen Mother

On the buses in Writtle

 The Hunting debate

 Feb 2002
Lodge Road
Traffic Calming


Fang-id

Feedback results

Police Picture

2001 fete
Cheque Presentation


2001 Archive
 Dec 2001

Christmas Fable

Community Policing Writtle Style

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Festive Gruel 

 July

Pooper Snooper for Writtle?

Writtle Fete

All Saints Bell Appeal Barndance

Hannibal the Terrapin of Wear Pond


The Great Post Box debate Update 

Election Results

The Wheatsheaf Charity Golf Day Pictures 

 May
Writtle Parish Annual Meeting

The Great Post Box debate

The Green After the Circus

Albania Calling

Election Information

Teddies Galore!

All Saints Bell Appeal

Wheatsheaf Charity Golf Contest







 

Previous Issues
April, May

Dog Poo
and related matters


Road traffic,  
a  problem?


On Writtle pond 

Fuel Prices etc

What is Art? 

What is Philosophy?


"On the Buses"
in Writtle

Recently the new style Chelmsford Bus service was launched.  Air conditioning, double glazing, security video and lots more gizmo's not to mention the pretty new paint scheme. But at what price?  The Essex Chronicle had reported that Mr. Steve Smith, general manager of First Chelmsford, had said that more wardens, higher parking penalties and higher car parking charges will be aimed at encouraging more bus use.
Are the Bus companies going to set parking charges and penalties? 
I wonder how many empty car-park spaces there are at First Chelmsford?

This months letters on the subject of public transport

From Andy Champ
andy.champ@virgin.net

I work in the centre of Chelmsford and have lived in Writtle for just over 8 years now. I have tried all methods of travel into Chelmsford and gave the buses up as the worst method ages ago. Too many mornings waiting and waiting at bus stops both to and from Chelmsford for a service that is too expensive. I am fortunate enough to still be fit enough to be able to cycle and have found that cycling to Chelmsford is by far the best way of travelling, it's virtually cost free, it's pollution free and it keeps you fit (provided I don't get knocked of my bike again when travelling past Hylands School) When oh when is there going to be a cycle path ???? But I suppose that's another story


From Mike Collins

Sir

Not only are the local buses unreliable (waits of 20 minutes plus seem common) and very expensive, they are an organisational nightmare once you are lucky enough to board one.

No travel cards seem valid for them so for each journey you have to present cash to the driver - OK in principle but useless in practice. No one seems to have the right change and the drivers (mainly good blokes and girls on the customer interface level) seem to be selected for their inability to count, pick coins effectively from a tray and pass them on to passengers.

Further, as the bus gets nearer to Chelmsford, the average age of the passengers attempting to board the vehicle rises steeply to the high 80s/low 90s level and although we owe these citizens much for their courage and fortitude during the war etc., an average wait of 10 minutes per stop as they fish myopically through their pouches and purses for groats, doubloons and thru' penny bits does get a tad frustrating.

The other main irritation of the buses is that tribe of people who think that the seat next to them is for use as their personal luggage rack. On boarding at Chelmsford's state-of-the-art bus station, for example, your first impression may be that the bus is full of people. But look again. Only HALF the bus is full of people because the other HALF of the seating is full of carrier bags, brief cases, rucksacks and other portable paraphernalia. The main culprits tend to be middle class women whom I fully realise are NEVER in the wrong about anything at all and who glare inimically at you if you attempt to take a seat next to them. Ladies, please, have some consideration (although, of course, you're not in the wrong).

These, esteemed sir, are my observations on the 45 bus route through our delightful hamlet.
I remain your disgruntled servant.
0.
Michael Collins

 

 
 

Village Links
www.writtlevillage.co.uk     www.writtleringers.org.uk   www.writtle-village.com
www. writtlepc.co.uk   www.wheatsheet.co.uk    www.branchline.org  
 Wheatsheaf Public House