Your local Co-operative update The Fairtrade Issue Free Counselling & Advice - page 9 Photography Competition - back page Spring 2015 Free to Story members text - page x Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Limited at the heart of Essex Contents 3 What you’re talking about... This issue it’s Fairtrade 4 Food shops What your local store has been up to recently 5 Member’s Recipe Is this the most Fairtrade cake in the world? 6 Department Stores The latest from the Quadrant 7 Look who’s talking! Coffee morning speakers and Quiz dates 8 Travel Centres Member Events and our destination of the season 9 Funeral Services Free counselling and bereavement support 10 Out and about What we’ve been up to in the community 11 Overseas Our efforts to assist developing countries to help themselves in Europe and Africa Chelmsford Star has been supporting fair-trade since before the distinctive green and blue FAIRTRADE Mark was introduced in 2002. Over 200 Fairtrade items are now available across our stores, a number which has greatly increased since the likes of Cadburys and Nestle began incorporating Fairtrade chocolate into their products. If I’m going to buy something, and there is a Fairtrade option available, it makes sense to get it. It makes a huge difference to people who are less fortunate. Danielle, Member There used to be a belief that Fairtrade items didn’t taste as good as their counterparts, but the likes of Ben & Jerry’s and Nestle are helping to dispel that myth amongst my customers. The extra funds from our Fairtrade wine has enabled our village to build its first Secondary School! 13 Member Only Vouchers Discounts just for you! Daniela Cedron, Vineyard Owner, Argentina 15 Members’ question time We answer your questions 16 Photography Competition Get your work featured in a national exhibition AND a calendar! The two-finger Kit-Kat is the second most popular Fairtrade product in the UK, and provides an income for thousands of farmers on the Ivory Coast. Nestle Our move to Fairtrade has the impact of tripling sales for cocoa farmers in Ghana, opening up new opportunities for thousands more farmers to benefit. Cadbury Adam, Store Manager 12 Schools & more Recent support for local schools, plus details on how you can help lead a multi-million pound business! 14 Where are we again? A list of our trading outlets 2 Did you know? Congratulations to our latest Member of Month winners; Mrs Hegarty from Wickford, Mrs Kerridge from Galleywood, and Mr Harness from Melbourne (pictured, on left). www.chelmsfordstar.coop We can take pride in the fact Chelmsford was the first town (now city) in Essex to be awarded Fairtrade status. Malcolm Wallace, Chelmsford City Fairtrade Campaign Welcome... Welcome to a new year and a new issue of STARLIGHT magazine. With Fairtrade Fortnight taking place in February, this issue has a distinctly fair-trade flavour, but you’ll also find contained within details on the latest member-only deals (including our new Community Boost initiative), competitions, and updates on what we’ve been up to this quarter. This is also the time of year where we work out the annual member’s pay-out, so you’ll find details of our AGM and also how YOU can get more involved in our Society too. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2015, Get in touch! Kevin Bennett - Head of Membership What you’re talking about... If you would like to contribute to future issues, or contact us on any other matter, you can reach us in a number of ways... Fairtrade Everyone knows fair-trade is ‘good’, some people know it’s ‘something to do with paying farmers more’, but hands up those who aren’t entirely sure what fair-trade is or does? Items that are fairly-traded are those that are ethically sourced from around the world, ensuring no person is exploited and no land or habitat is damaged. If the production of these items meet a set of social, economic and environmental standards, they are awarded with the globally recognisable ‘FAIRTRADE Mark’ by the Fairtrade Foundation. With this mark comes the promise that the producers get a better price, that the working conditions are fair, that the environment in which they work is protected, and that the farmer or worker’s community can develop and thrive. This development is paid for through a Premium; bonus money paid on top of the Fairtrade minimum price that can only be used to improve their local communities, such as through investment in their schools, sanitation or health-care. For you, Fairtrade probably means choosing one brand over another. For them, Fairtrade means lives are worth living. If you’d like to find more on the subject, visit fairtrade.org.uk or consider attending our Fairtrade Evening on 25th February in Chelmsford Quadrant (see page 6). Starlight Magazine, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society, 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0LS e [email protected] www.chelmsfordstar.coop TXT 60777 followed by the word STAR and your message Freephone 0800 2540404 @CStarCoop /chelmsfordstarcoop Your local Co-operative update... 3 Food Stores Moulsham: Bocking: Our store in Church Street recently had a bit of a make-over, but as the shop is so important to local residents, determined employees managed to keep a temporary shop open in their warehouse whilst the main store was closed for refurbishment. Our store in Moulsham Lodge has received a substantial makeover, taking in feedback from a recent resident survey to change the layout and include more local food suppliers. Our Society President, Pauline Dodd, reopened the store with the help of Cooper Bear and store manager James (far left). Galleywood: Farewell to Marion Smee, who has worked at our store in Barnard Road for over 40 years. Marion said, “I’ve loved working at this store. I’ve made countless friends over the years, and will miss all the customers very much.” Springfield: Our Havengore store donated a children’s hamper of goodies to the local Parish Council for their annual panto in January. The ‘Chaplin’s Gold’ production of Cinderalla went extremely well, as did our hamper! Over in Torquay Road, our employees have been helping out local call-centre 1 Easy Call who have put together survival bags for Chelmsford’s homeless, with the assistance of community card holders CHESS. The store donated ringpull cans of soup and fruit. Canvey: Our store in Meppel Avenue donated refreshments to local Hawkesbury Pre-school for their Christmas Bazaar, which raised thousands for the school. They also donated drinks to the nearby Our Lady of Canvey Church. Nearby, our Long Road store handed over a full set of Goodness Gang characters to Sharon Lawrence, who won them after entering the competition in the winter issue of this magazine. 4 Meadgate: Westlands: Residents of Thetford Court benefited from a few raffle donations for their Christmas party. The sheltered housing is directly opposite our Forest Drive store, and its residents are frequent visitors. /chelmsfordstarcoop Another store to receive a refit was our shop in Meadgate Avenue, where crowds gathered after a 10 day closure to receive free goody bags. It was reopened by Margaret Bloomfield, who has worked in the store for nearly 17 years (far left). Store manager Drew (far right) said that “with the extra chilled space and new coffee machine, we now have much more to offer”. NEW IN! Food Stores The Most Fairtrade Cake Ever Made? One of the recent entries in our Fairtrade Cake competition used more Fairtrade ingredients than any we’ve seen, and goes to show some of the products available. Can anyone out there create a recipe using more than the 12 Fairtrade products used here? The number of local food producers we stock continues to grow, with three new businesses now selling wares in our food stores; A Fairtrade Rich Fruit Cake by Robert Jones Ingredients • 9 oz plain co-operative flour • 8oz co-operative butter • 8oz Fairtrade brown sugar, from Mauritius • 4 co-operative free-range eggs • A teaspoon of co-operative salt • A teaspoon of fair-trade mixed spices • 12oz Fairtrade sultanas, from India • 12oz Fairtrade raisins, from Chile • 6oz Fairtrade dried apricots, from Pakistan • 6oz Fairtrade prunes, from Chile • 6oz Fairtrade dates, from Egypt • Fairtrade tea, from India or Africa • 2oz Fairtrade walnuts, from Pakistan • 2oz Fairtrade cashew nuts, from India • 2oz Fairtrade almonds, from Pakistan • 3oz glace cherries / 2oz candied peel • A tablespoon of black treacle • The co-operative brandy pRobert went on to marzipan and ice his fruitcake, as his family had it for Christmas. The Muffin Makery Company supply gourmet muffins handmade in Essex. Preparation: • Finely chop the apricots, prunes and dates, and marinate them overnight in the tea. Method: • Mix the butter and sugar, adding the flour gradually. • Finely chop all fruit and nuts, and add them slowly - along with the preprepared marinated fruit, peel and black treacle. Mix, and pour into oven-proof bowl. Verstegen Spices & Sauces, based in Colchester, make a delicious range of sauces in less wasteful portion sizes. • Cook for 3 hours at 140º C, then a further hour at 130º C. • Sprinkle some brandy on the bottom of the cake when cooled, and decorate with halved almonds and a dash of Fairtrade white sugar. Slice and enjoy! FAIRTRADE QUIZ! When: Sat 14th March, 7.30pm Where: St Andrew’s Church hall, Chignall Road / £5 per person (max 8 per team). For more information call Malcolm on 01245 601373 Your local Co-operative update... Meanwhile, Howlett’s Hall Venison & Game are a familyrun farm in the Essex countryside, sourced from animals that are free to roam. 5 Toys were us this Christmas Soiree Raises Funds Our Chelmsford department store has held a French-themed shopping evening, with the help of local Rotary Groups. The event saw over 200 flood the store, to witness an exclusive fashion-show and receive unique discounts whilst drinking bubbly, and it raised £1,618 for our charity of the year, The J’s Hospice. 25th Chelmsford Quadrant is March planning another shopping evening on 25th March, with the aid of Essex WI, and tickets are available from customer services for £10. Online Clearance Did you know that we now stock a selection of clearance furniture in our two department stores? You did? But did you know that many of these items can now be reserved online? Check out the clearance page on our website. With top brands, low prices and a speedy delivery, what have you got to lose? Our Braintree store is fast becoming THE place to get the latest toys and entertainment in the area, with their ‘Toytown’ department proving extremely popular this Christmas. With the best of Lego, Disney, Hasbro, Playmobile and more available, and often at large reductions, it’s no surprise! Remember to pop in and check it out next time you’re passing. 25th February An Evening of Fairtrade Our annual Fairtrade event will take place on 25th February in our Chelmsford department store, as part of our Fairtrade Fortnight celebrations (23rd Feb 7th March). During these two weeks all co-op societies across the country highlight the multiple benefits of buying fairtrade items, whether that’s food, clothing, flowers, furniture... The list goes on! As usual, the evening will include a selection of Fairtrade food samples, plus a talk from a Fairtrade Producer. Tickets are available from the store for £6, or reserve a spot by emailing [email protected]. From start to finish, your service was always friendly and helpful. A BIG thank you!. Mr Williams, Braintree 6 @CStarCoop Up-Cycle! Instead of re-cycling, try up-cycling – also known as ‘giving new life to old items’. We work in a number of ways to reduce waste, and we can help you do the same. Old Furniture? Call the Lighthouse Furniture Project who will collect – for free – your unwanted furniture to pass on to low income households or refuges. 01277 222050 Old Clothes? If they’re still clean and wearable the J’s Hospice want them. Call us on 0800 2540404 and we’ll direct you to the nearest store to drop them off. Old Books? We now have three ‘Book Swap’ stations that are always after new stock, with the added benefit that you can take an unread book in return. Drop them off at either department store or our Writtle food shop. Old coins? Any out of date or foreign coins or currency can be taken to either travel department, who will collect them for J’s Hospice. It’s not all food, you know... Chelmsford Quadrant is home to NOMADs, a brand stocking fairly traded fashionable clothing, but if you’re after something fairtrade that we don’t stock check out the Fairtrader Co-operative’s webshop (www.fairtrader.coop). It sells a range of fairly traded non-food items, such as accessories and jewellery. Tell them we sent you! Membership Exclusive Deals! pAmanda is the owner and manager of Chelmsford-based salon Hairitage, one of several hairdressers offering discounts to our members. Members are now benefiting from a number of unique offers in an initiative we are calling Community Boost. Dozens of local, independent businesses and franchises are now providing special offers just for you, whenever you spend over £10 in your local store and swipe your membership card. The scheme not only provides you with a huge extra set of benefits, but also helps support the Essex economy. Hence the name. Local business owner Amanda Lucia said, “We received dozens of vouchers within the first few weeks, and the majority were from new faces. I’m very happy to be taking part!” Other than the cost of providing the deal, there is no charge to businesses wishing to join up, so if you know of any who may be interested tell them to get in touch! Poppy Power Coffee Mornings... Big thanks to Sue Skinner (right of pic), regular at Chelmsford’s coffee club, who knitted dozens of poppies to sell for Remembrance Day, and raised over £100 for the Royal British Legion and J’s Hospice. Braintree: 10.30am every Thursday 5th Feb Essex Police Museum 19th Feb The Dengie Project 5th March The Dogs Trust 19th March RSPCA Danaher Home 2nd April Organic Gardening Club 9th April Local Artist Kay Marie Chelmsford: 10.30am every Monday 16th Feb Farleigh Hospice Craft Group 23rd Feb Metal Detecting 9th March Essex Retired Police Dogs 23rd March Victim Support 13th April Swan Care and Repair 20th April CVS Craft Group There was a lot of love for the charity Guide Dogs when they visited our Chelmsford coffee morning recently, and our members collected £100 for them. All members are welcome to join us for a free cup of tea or coffee. For a full list of speakers, see the membership pages of our website. Two Christmas Crackers Over 100 attended our Christmas dinners this year, with meals and drinks supplied in both department stores, as members came to celebrate the season together. Crackers were pulled, sprouts were eaten and carols were sung, and the membership team were on hand to ensure a good time was had by all. Fish ‘n’ Chip Quiz: 11.30am Braintree 26th February Chelmsford 23rd March Braintree 23rd April Enjoy a fish and chip dinner for just £3.99, accompanied by one of our famous quizzes! Your local Co-operative update... 7 Travel Destination of the Season... Amsterdam Spring is the perfect time to visit the bustling city of Amsterdam, as this is when their world-renowned tulips are in full bloom. Our member Chloe Brown, from Witham, visited for three nights and recommends it. “It’s a 50 minute flight from London Southend, and I flew low cost so it didn’t break the bank.” Where’s Cooper? Chloe fit in canal rides, windmill tours, Anne Frank’s house, even the Van Gogh Museum and the Heineken Brewery. “It’s easy to get around. You can hire a bike, or catch a tram.” Our deal: • 3* city centre hotel • Flights from London Stansted • 3 nights in April £300pp *correct at time of print Member Day Trips: Cooper has been all over the place since our last issue: uCooper went to the X Factor Finals in Wembley with Chelmsford member, Leia Jennings... LE TOUQUET - French market and shops (via Eurotunnel). When: 24th April, Cost: £40 pp Inc: Coach travel and entrance. KEW GARDENS When: 10th May 2015. Cost: £27 pp (members) Inc: Coach travel and entrance. pHe joined some of our members for Christmas dinner... t He popped to Brussels for the day... HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT & THAMES LUNCH CRUISE When: 20th June, Cost: £37 pp Inc: Coach travel, entrance, Thames Cruise. uAnd he spoke about his work at Chelmsford Star to the European Co-operative Campus. THE SHARD & BOROUGH MARKET When: 11th July, Cost: £44 pp Inc: Coach travel and entrance. HARRY POTTER MOVIE TOUR When: 1st August. Cost: £51 per adult / £43 per child Inc: Coach travel and entrance. Call 01245 490290 for more information on any of these, or to book your seat. 8 Freephone 0800 254 0404 For more updates on Cooper’s adventures, follow him on Facebook/CooperTravel. Why Pre-pay? Funeral Services Free counselling We are now offering courses of one-toone counselling sessions, again free of charge. To find out more, email [email protected] or call one of the branches directly. Help Is At Hand This can be a tough time of year for those who have lost someone close to them. If you know of someone struggling, they may benefit from one of our free bereavement groups. We set up and now support several friendly and informal meetings; Braintree – Christ Church, London Rd. Every Tuesday, 1.30pm – 3.30pm. Chelmsford – The Link (next to Trinity Methodist Hall), Rainsford Road 1st, 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm Ingatestone – Parish Room, Stock Lane 1st Tuesday of the month, 10am – 12pm Writtle – The Village Hall, The Green 1st Thursday of the month, 2pm – 4pm Our Chelmsford-based bereavement group were entertained by Nick Milbank, husband to Family Liaison Officer Jane, at their pre-Christmas meeting. They later held their annual Christmas lunch at the Miami Hotel, along with members of the Ingatestone support group, whilst members from Braintree celebrated closer to home. It’s not a nice thought, but unfortunately our death is the one thing in life that is guaranteed. With funeral costs rising all the time, many people are now choosing to pre-pay to take advantage of today’s lower prices, leaving nothing for their families to worry about when the time comes – regardless of how far away that is. There is no minimum or maximum age, no medical is needed, and payments can be made in a lump sum or by spreading the cost over up to 36 months. We also offer peace of mind by protecting the plan against inflation by covering any shortfall when it is needed. If this is something you would like to investigate, please contact your local branch. Don’t forget the discount voucher on page 13, that will save you £75! To find out more about our services offered, view our online film at: www.chelmsfordstarfunerals.co.uk Remembered Our annual Remembrance Service was held at St Luke’s Church Hall, Moulsham Lodge, in December. A Royal British Legion bugler played The Last Post, a lone piper performed Amazing Grace, whilst local soprano Jane Parker led the masses with Christmas Carols. pSoprano Jane Parker and her daughter Grace. This popular event, which has had to move location to cope with the increased number of attendees, allows people to light a candle to remember a loved one, and leave messages for them on a specially blessed tree. Where we are:Braintree 01376 551951 Broomfield 01245 353978 Danbury 01245 221444 Great Baddow 01245 268993 Great Dunmow 01371 875542 Ingatestone 01277 350988 Writtle 01245 422622 email: [email protected] pGordon Leonard, Standard Bearer & Bugler from the Royal British Legion, Reverend Canon Carol Smith, Corinne Cadey, Craig Jackson and the Piper at the event. Your local Co-operative update... 9 Community Volunteer Support The Star of Essex We are proud to have presented the ‘Star of Essex’ award at this year’s Pride of Essex Ceremony to Angela Lodge. Angela (left), a trustee for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, has raised tens of thousands of pounds for a number of local charities over the years. She received the trophy from our President, Pauline Dodd, and musician Rick Wakeman. Angela said, “I am delighted to be chosen for this award. It is totally unexpected, and it really hasn’t sunk in yet!” We were on hand to support this year’s Volunteer Awards, held at Hyland’s House and run by Chelmsford’s Centre for Volunteer Support. The awards recognised some of the local people who freely give their time and talents to help others across the city and its villages, and winners included Ray Cooper, who received a Long Service Award for over 55 years volunteering with Chelmsford Amateur Boxing Club. Homes Needed There are many pets looking for new homes at this time of year, but in the meantime charities such as Wallace Kennels, Cats Protection and the RSPCA are looking after them. All three charities have benefitted recently by our support. Have you room in your home for a new four-legged friend? Our Cats Protection supporters have raised £127 on their community cards recently, with the charity withdrawing a cheque to help them with their increased costs over Christmas. The charity wish to thank everyone who helps by holding one of their cards. You can find your local centre via www.cats.org.uk. The RSPCA Daniher home were beneficiaries to a number of boxes of toys and treats for pets small and large, as members and employees bought or donated items to give out to the animals over Christmas. To get in touch, call them on 0300 111 4321. Meanwhile, as previously reported, our Writtle store donated over £100 worth of dog food to Wallace Kennels. You can reach them on www.wallacekennels.com Many pet rescue organisations – such as The Dogs Trust (01268 535050) - are offering free neutering and deals on micro-chipping, which will soon become a legal necessity for dog owners. Don’t put it off! If you are thinking of getting a new pet this year, please consider rescuing one from one of these organisations. 10 www.chelmsfordstar.coop Cheque Presentation Our friends at the Macular Society were presented with a cheque for £300 at their AGM in January, raised by their supporters who hold Community Cards. They intend to use it to help fund their Skills For Seeing training, helping people to use their limited vision more effectively. Out & about in your local community pMembers of the fledgling Mobu Ke Khuata (translated as ‘soil is gold!’) Co-op during planting season. Overseas Support Who Bears Wins Many of our Quadrant teams took part in ‘Bring Your Bear To Work’ Day in November, raising money for Children In Need. Who Do You Support? If you wish to raise funds for a local school or charity, you might want to get hold of one of their Community Cards to use the next time you shop with us. We currently assist over 340 Essex-based fund-raising organisations, a full list of which is available on the Community pages of our website in handy alphabetical order. If your favourite isn’t on there, you can also download an application form and apply to set one up on their behalf! Whilst our members allow us to do tremendous work supporting communities in Essex, simply by using our stores, Chelmsford Star Co-op is also proud to assist communities overseas. We are now entering our third year working with a village in Lesotho, a land-locked kingdom in Africa, helping to set up an agricultural co-operative. Their new co-op will not only help feed the country and allow them to be self-sufficient instead of reliant on others, but also enable them to trade abroad and create a sustainable economy. We’ve also been assisting organisations such as The Co-op College to help set up a new universally-recognised training unit for European co-op members and employees. There are thousands of worker and farmer co-ops, particularly in rural areas, that have no access to formal or vocational training. This new qualification will teach them to run a more successful co-op business, which will in turn benefit thousands of poorer communities across the continent. pCasur Tomato Co-op, one of hundreds of Spanish agricultural co-operatives that will benefit from the new qualification. pOur Head of Membership speaks to the European Commission to encourage funding for the qualification’s development. Your local Co-operative update... p Cooper joins one of the translating teams at the Commission Assembly in Brussels. 11 Schools & more Winter Gardens Primary School benefited from a Community Card cheque worth £157, thanks to card-holding parents and teachers. They are adding it to their ‘new IT equipment’ pot! Other schools and playgroups recently benefitting from cheques or donations are Scallywags Day Nursery, Whitecourt School, Thiftwood School, Hawkesbury Preschool, Perryfields Infants and Melbourne Park Primary. Our Writtle store manager, James donated over 300 mince pies to Hyland’s School for their Christmas Carol Concert. The concert also featured pupils from a number of local primary schools, and Hyland’s were good enough to let everyone know where the supplies had come from! Find Out More 11th With our AGM coming up on 11th May, it won’t be long May until members receive their annual dividend payout, or ‘share of the profits’, so make sure you keep using your card at every transaction to reap the maximum benefit. At the meeting, in addition to updating members on our developments, trading, and how we invest your money, we’ll also be revealing the results of our member elections. Want to put yourself forward? There is still time to get involved. Get in touch! Chelmsford Star’s Youth Council benefitted from some life-skills training when they last met, thanks to a course on Public Speaking provided by a tutor from Benson’s Business & Leisure. If you are under 22 and interested in finding out about our Youth Council, get in touch. We Need You! 10th If you feel you could be a good candidate to represent March our members, why not pop along to our informal ‘Meet The Directors’ event at our Chelmsford quadrant store on the 10th March? We’ll let you know your options, how you can help our Society, and what is in it for you. All members are welcome, and there is no pressure. From the Archives ReCycle The van we provided local charity ReCycle: Bikes For Africa has been put to good use recently, when they picked up approximately 50 bikes from our friends at Anglo European Co-operative Trust school, in Ingatestone. Their International Curriculum Mananger said, “The bikes will improve the educational and employment opportunities for 50 African families, whilst at the same time preventing waste in the UK.” 12 /chelmsfordstarcoop This photo has recently been discovered showing some of our employees in the doorway of the Chelmsford department store, promoting a sale on shoes. From the outfits, we estimate it to be in the 20’s. As always, if anyone has any information to add, or old photos of your own, let us know! Savings for you... This voucher entitles our members to... This voucher entitles our members to... 10% off £50 off Membership No. 633174 Minimum spend £5. Only one coupon per purchase. Excludes PayPoint, mobile top-ups, postage stamps, SIM cards, fuel, cigarettes, tobacco and lottery. Voucher valid until 31st May 2015. Part of Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Limited STARLIGHT FOOD VOUCHER SPRING15 eg.Spend £10 and receive £1 off your bill Membership No. 633174 Minimum spend £500. Not in conjunction with any other offer. On new orders only. Voucher valid until 30th June 2015. Part of Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Limited STARLIGHT FOOD VOUCHER SPRING15 any item of furniture, beds or carpets purchased in any of our food stores ✂ This voucher entitles our members to... A Free Airport Lounge upgrade £75 off ✂ This voucher entitles our members to... 633174 Min. spend £399 per person. Not in conjunction with any other offer. Voucher valid until 30th June 2015. Part of Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Limited STARLIGHT FOOD VOUCHER SPRING15 Membership No. Membership No. 633174 Not in conjunction with any other offer. Voucher valid until 30th June 2015. Part of Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Limited Your local Co-operative update... STARLIGHT FOOD VOUCHER SPRING15 any Funeral Plan purchased on any holiday purchased 13 Address list ‘quadrant’ department stores: 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0LS • 01245 490101 George Yard, 9/15 Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 2QA • 01376 321303 The co-operative food stores: 40 Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1JA • 01245 345490 25/27 Exchange Way, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1XS • 01245 266752 164/170 Meadgate Avenue, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 7LJ • 01245 354759 372/376 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9RA • 01245 493900 83 Barnard Road, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8RS • 01245 474591 Beehive Lane, Westbourne Grove, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9RP • 01245 357761 156 Gloucester Avenue, Moulsham Lodge, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9LG • 01245 258089 15 Havengore, Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 6JP • 01245 262923 14/15 Torquay Road, Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 6NF • 01245 347868 108 Kings Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2BB • 01245 353630 47/49 Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 7BU • 01245 440316 Trent Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2LQ • 01245 258585 26 Melbourne Parade, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2DW • 01245 347774 17 Bridge Street, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3EY • 01245 421148 78/82 Forest Drive, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2TS • 01245 258855 3/5 Spreadeagle Place, Ingatestone, Essex CM4 9EA • 01277 353124 1 Fingrith Hall Road, Blackmore, Ingatestone, Essex CM4 0RU • 01277 822231 62/64 Woodland Avenue, Hutton, Brentwood, Essex CM13 1HH • 01277 228042 16 Main Road, Danbury, Essex CM3 4NQ • 01245 227733 42 Challis Lane, Braintree, Essex CM7 1AN • 01376 321615 14 @CStarCoop 62 Church Street, Bocking, Braintree, Essex CM7 5JY • 01376 326516 174/176 Cressing Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 3PL • 01376 320952 203/205 Mountbatten Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 9UL • 01376 334479 1 Panners Parade, Priory Lane, Great Notley, Braintree, Essex CM77 7AE • 01376 334644 115/117 Ferry Road, Hullbridge, Essex SS5 6ET • 01702 232388 Post Office facilities: 16 Main Road, Danbury, Essex CM3 4NQ • 01245 222001 35/39 Masefield Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 1AA • 01376 348083 Funeral Services: 78 Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SS • 01245 353978 216 Main Road, Hawkwell, Hockley, Essex SS5 4EG • 01702 204939 348 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9RA • 01245 268993 (corner of Beehive Lane) 7/8 St. Peter’s Terrace, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AP • 01268 768833 60 The Green, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3DU • 01245 422622 157/159 Nevendon Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0NY • 01268 766999 57A Main Road, Danbury, Essex CM3 4NG • 01245 221444 493/495 Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS12PH 01702 461550 6 Clare Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 2PA • 01376 551951 85/87 West Road, Shoeburyness, Essex SS3 9DT • 01702 290679 159 Church Road, Thundersley, Benfleet, Essex SS7 4EN • 01268 753908 47 High Street, Ingatestone, Essex CM4 9DU • 01277 350988 10 Jutland House, White Hart Way, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 1WX 01371 875542 173/175 Long Road, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0JD • 01268 693004 The co-operative travel branches: 12 Pauls Court, Meppel Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 9RZ • 01268 690092 ‘quadrant’, 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0LS 01245 490290 12 Stanford Place, Princess Margaret Road, East Tilbury, Essex RM18 8YP 01375 857786 14/16 Calcutta Road, Tilbury, Essex RM18 7QU • 01375 843401 ‘quadrant’, George Yard, 9/15 Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 2QA 01376 551444 Customer Service facilities: 3/4 Canterbury Parade, South Road, South Ockendon, Essex RM15 6NH 01708 852488 ‘quadrant’, 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0LS 01245 490101 105-105C Mungo Park Road, Rainham, Essex RM13 7PP • 01708 520984 ‘quadrant’, George Yard, 9/15 Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 2QA 01376 321303 The Sorrells, Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex SS17 7DZ • 01375 642129 Petrol filling station: 372/376 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9RA • 01245 493900 Off licence: 210 Main Road, Hawkwell, Hockley, Essex SS5 4EG • 01702 207577 Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Limited 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex. Registered Number: 973R, Essex. email: [email protected] www.chelmsfordstar.coop Members questions If you have a question you’d like answered, get in touch! Question Question I am a Chelmsford Star member, but I occasionally make purchases in co-op stores outside of Essex. Am I still entitled to points? – Mrs C. Porter, Stanford-le-hope I am a member of another co-operative society. Can I still have access to your Community Boost member benefits? – Ms C. Ford, Canvey Answer If you shop with other societies you are entitled to whatever points they are offering their own members, although it does take longer for them to register on your Chelmsford Star account. this Societies typically communicate or once r othe each to on informati twice a year. It is worth noting that this year The Co-operative Group’s points have no value because they made no profit. Answer Unfortunately not, as you need a Chelmsford Star membership card to receive them. We are only able to negotiate deals and incentives on behalf of our own stores. Similarly, we wouldn’t necessarily be able to accept incentives offered by another society. Question My local dry cleaner wants to find out more about your Community Boost scheme. Is there a criteria to meet, and who can she contact? – Ms L. Emberson, Braintree Answer Any local, independent business or franchise can apply to join the initiative, but there are some criteria –such as not duplicating deals with existing partners, and meeting our own values. It is free, apart from the cost of providing the deal, and so far feedback from those taking part has been positive. Contact Kevin in the Part of Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Limited Question I understand I will rec eive my share of the profits in May. Do I have to spend it straig ht away? – Mrs K. Frain, Galle ywood. Answer No, you can save the money for a rainy da y if you’d rather, it is entirely your cho ice. All we ask is you use your card at least once every two years so we can keep your account active. Question I made a large purch ase in February, but have bee n told this won’t be included wit hin this year’s annual payout. Why is this? – Mrs D. Howa rd, Braintree Answer Although you ’ll receive your share of our profits after the AGM in May, it is calculated based on what you’d earned by the end of our financial year – which is the 31st January. This is becau se we need our members to approve our suggested payout at the meetin g. Membership team on [email protected] for more info. Your local Co-operative update... 15 Photo Competition We’ve an exciting opportunity for the amateur photographers amongst you. Chelmsford Star is sponsoring the National Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition when it comes to Chelmsford Museum later this year, and we’ve negotiated space for twelve entries from our own members to be included within it! The winning photos will also be used in a 2016 calendar, which we will sell in all our outlets. All photos of wildlife will be considered (so no pets, farm or caged animals), but they should be taken within Essex. To enter, email a hi-res digital image to: [email protected] stating the name of the photo and where it was taken. Alternatively, you can post 8x6 matt photographs to the address below: Chelmsford Star Photo Competition 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford Essex. CM2 0LS The final deadline is 30th September 2015. Good luck!
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