TRICK OR TREAT

Nine of them aged between seven months and eight years old were entertained to a special tea, after school, at Carolyn and Phil Fairchild's house where appropriate Halloween food was served including spooky cakes and biscuits made by Kerry.

Carolyn with, the help of eightyear- old daughter Mollie, decorated the house with lots of creepies, hanging objects and pumpkins whilst seven-month-old son Jude watched mesmerised. Then they played games including the musical pumpkin game designed by eightyear- old Joseph Bladen. All the children dressed up and their costumes were excellent.

This very excited little group then came along with their mothers and fathers to "scare" us all, and there were squeals of delight when two "grown-up" ghosties appeared when they knocked on one door, but of course they were instantly recognised - you cannot fool eight-yearolds!

Then they went to Franklin Road to see what must have been the spookiest house in the village, Karen and Neil McLellan's, the notice on the post at the front of the house read "Be prepared to be scared", and it certainly was scary.

Neil had lights all over the house, cobwebs hanging everywhere, a smoke machine, sound effects included cackling noises, tinkling glass, thunder and lightning, ghoully sounds and music. Even strobe lighting. It was like a ghost train.

Thank you Neil for all your hard work and for really getting into the "spirit" of things.

By 7.30pm all the little ones were back home safely and I have been told that they all slept well that night!

Sadly someone thought it clever to smash the pumpkins that some residents in the road had put outside their houses for decoration.

Some people get their "fun" in strange ways.

LADIES' AFTERNOON CLUB

On the very day the Queen's Speech was delivered in Parliament, we were extremely fortunate to have a talk given by Brian Curtois, who had been a former Parliamentary correspondent.

He began by telling us how he had been interested in politics since childhood, from the time when he enjoyed listening to broadcasts on the radio and had visited the Public Gallery to see Winston Churchill speak.

His ultimate goal was to report from Parliament but he had to make a start somewhere and began work as a newspaper reporter, firstly for a tiny newspaper in Hornchurch and later for the Ilford Recorder, reporting on matters of local interest. He also got to know the local MPs in the area and his biggest story was the fire at the Harrison Gibson store.

When working back in London, working for the Press Association, he took an early telephone call breaking news of the Great Train Robbery and covered the story to the last day of the trial. He also got to report on the celebrity wedding of Peter Sellers to Britt Ekland.

Eventually, he applied to the BBC for a job as a general news reporter and was sent overseas to cover the aftermath of the Middle East war and the troubles in Northern Ireland in the late 1960s, where he met and interviewed Ian Paisley.

He later worked on Late Night Extra, alongside DJs like Alan Freeman and Terry Wogan, before finally becoming a Parliamentary correspondent. He would sit in the Press Gallery with other reporters, taking notes, before returning to his office to make his broadcasts.

He gave us an insight into early reporting methods and provided an interesting account of different MPs he had interviewed when they were starting out on their Parliamentary careers.

His reporting career spanned over 30 years and his Parliamentary reporting began in 1970 when Ted Heath was Prime Minister, finishing in John Major's time.

Among the many politicians he got to talk to were a young Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

He also gave an amusing account of three encounters he had with Margaret Thatcher, including one at Number 10.

Brian often appears in old TV clips and, when he views himself on TV, finds it amusing to think that he is already being regarded as archive material!

On Tuesday December 4, we shall be holding our Christmas luncheon at the Ferry Boat Inn. Members are requested to arrive at noon for 12.30pm.

AUTUMN FAYRE

At the Autumn Fayre held in the village hall on Saturday, November 3, there were many stalls and a variety of games for the children.

The hall was soon crowded with a warm buzz of conversation, while people enjoyed a free cup of tea, or even an excellent hot dog. The morning was voted a great success and raised £1,000 for church funds.

The colouring competition was well supported and the winners were Joseph Bladen and Callum Watson - well done. The lucky programme was number 232 and belonged to Liz Armstrong, recently of Franklin Road and Jack Goode won the children's free raffle.

Kath Miles and Molly Armstrong won the shuffleboard prizes, completely outplaying all the boys!

Thanks are due to all who helped in any way. Thanks too to all those who supported the event on the day and spent their money so generously.

DOWN AT THE FERRY BOAT

Tomorrow evening, Thursday November 15, the annual knockout darts competition is being held at the Ferry Boat Inn Will Shirley Braithwaite retain her championship crown? Last year, to her amazement, she knocked out champion Vic.

There are already many names on the list in the pub, but there is still time to add yours. It is £5 to enter and half of the money will go to the winner. The other half is going to Essex Air Ambulance.

Go along for the 8pm start even if you don't take part - it is sure to be another fun evening down at the pub.