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Carpet Bowls
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Garden Society
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History Society
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Dance Classes
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Women's Institute
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Golf Society
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Yoga
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Babies and Toddlers
Group
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Spanish classes
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Tai Chi
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Slimming World
Ridgewell Airfield
Farmers' Markets
A farmers' market is held on the second Saturday of each
month (except August) in the village hall from 9.30am to 12
noon. A wide range of local, seasonal produce for sale.
There is a Cafe offering bacon rolls, teas, cakes and coffee.
For more information, call Nicola on 01440 785204.
Ridgewell airfield was built during WWll and first used by 90
Squadron of the RAF. In 1943 they were replaced by the
American Air Force. “THE 381st”. Over TWELVE HUNDRED
servicemen died in operations from this field. There are
memorials at the first building on the left on the
Ridgewell/Great Yeldham road after the junction on the
left, to Tilbury Green.
T
he 381st Bomb Group epitomised the tremendous
courage and sacrifice made by the men of the United States
Army Air Force under the most difficult operating
conditions and against every single manned and unmanned
anti-aircraft device that Germany could range against
them, including air-to-air bombs and rocket projectiles.
After 22 months of combat and the loss of 131 aircraft, the
381st licked its wounds and finally departed the shores of
Britain forever.
The airfield now has a
commemorative association
which is dedicated to the
memory of the men of the
381
st
squadron.
More
information is available on
http://www.381st.com
Ridgewell
Coronation
Village Hall, which was
erected
by
public
subscription
to
mark
Queen
Elizabeth
II's
Coronation in 1953 and
extended and upgraded to
mark the Millennium.
It serves as a focal point for many clubs and activities. The
hall has a well-equipped kitchen, ladies and gentlemen's
toilets, disabled toilet, junior toilet, baby changing facilities
and a football changing room. Outside there is a playing
field, hard-standing with basketball net as well as play
equipment (swings, slide, climbing frame). The hall has its
own car park with space for 15-20 cars.
Directions: From the A1017, turn into Drury Lane which
bisects the main village green. The hall is situated a few
hundred metres on the left.
The post code for the hall is CO9 4SL.
Clubs and Societies
For a small village, Ridgewell has a surprising amount of
things going on. There are clubs and societies to suit all
tastes.
Ridgewell has a popular gliding club. It is a small, friendly
club operating from the airfield just outside the village.
Anyone interested in the club’s activities are welcome to
visit the club and families are very welcome.
The club operates one day during the week - which used
to be Wednesdays, but they now pick the best looking
day according to the weather. Flying also takes place on
Saturdays and Sundays on days during the summer
months whenever the weather is good enough to fly.
Ridgewell is only licensed for gliders and a nominated tug
aircraft.
While flying is in progress access has to be restricted but
visitors are welcome. However, there are no public rights
of way on the airfield.
People wishing to have access for other recreational
activities than gliding, that do not conflict with gliding
operations, cause annoyance to our neighbours or
breach our Planning Permission, are very welcome, and
are invited to join the club as social members.
Essex Gliding Club
Ridgewell Village Hall
Ridgewell News
Ridgewell has it’s own quarterly Newsletter
and a Parish Community website.
More information is available from:
www.essexinfo.net/ridgewell-parish-council/ridgewell-news
Page 29
Focus Spring 2016