'Decorate A Bell' Competition December 2011

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the entrants in our ‘Decorate A Bell’ Competition. The Bennetts Funeral Directors office windows at Fern House, 120 High Street, Brentwood and 2 High Street, Billericay were an explosion of colour during the weeks running up to Christmas.  From Glitter to Stickers, Crayons to Paint our festive Bell design window was an instant eye attraction for all those passing by.

Brentwood Prize Winners

Category A Age 4-7

1st    Abbey Sibthorpe         2nd Alice Mackim         3rd Allayah Joseph

Category B Age 8-11

1st    Minnie Whale              2nd  Nathan Jobiolu      3rd Reece Cambell

Catergory C Age 12+

1st   Christine Richardson    2nd  Chris Stuckey       3rd Tina Tellis      

Billericay Prize Winners

Bennetts Open Day 24th September 2011

The aim of the Bennetts Funeral Directors Open Day in Brentwood was to open our doors and hopefully give an insight and relaxed approach to all areas of our business which, when needed, can be a very emotional and difficult time.

Our day started with the arrival at 11am of our Mayor Cllr Joan Holmes, her escort Cllr William Lloyd, the Deputy Mayor Cllr Ann Coe and her husband Paul Barrell by horse drawn carriage, and what a glorious sunny day it was.

The premises at Fern House, 120 High Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4AS were packed with exhibitors from Jane and Tracey, fantastic members of a choir, singing in the archway entrance, to yoga demonstration classes in our chapel and many displays.

Dr Bill Webster offered support and seminars on ‘Adjusting to Life’s Changes’ which were extremely popular.  Our thanks goes to the local Brentwood Police and Fire Service who made time to be with us during their very busy day.

There was a display from True Dove Ways and as the pictures show, some of our Bereavement Group ladies had the opportunity of releasing the Doves as a personal tribute to their loved ones, a very moving moment.  Our thanks go to the lades for their help in manning the Refreshment stand and selling Raffle Tickets which raised funds for our charity of the year, Crossroads Care.  Guests were able to take a ‘free tree’ away to plant and collect information from all our stands.

For all those who attended and supported the Bennetts Funeral Directors Open Day, we thank you.

2011 Community Projects

Our chosen charity for 2011 will be Crossroads Care.

Crossroads Care is Britain's leading provider of support for carers and the people they care for.
In and around Brentwood, Basildon & Districts, Crossroads has been helping carers for more than 25 years. They work with over 100 individuals and their families, helping carers make a life of their own outside caring. The trained professional staff provide flexible services to people of all ages and with a range of disabilities and health conditions. The staff provide a few hours respite ‘me time' for Carers providing peace of mind in the knowledge that their loved one is being looked after by trained, caring, support workers.

There services currently include:

• Care at home for adults or children with a disability
• After School Clubs for children aged 5-19years with a disability
In Brentwood and its surrounding parishes, they offer:
• A weekly Day Care centre for older people
• A Young Carers Club for carers aged 8-18 years

There will be a retiring collection for them at our Memorial Service on 8th May 2011 and at the Arthur Bennett Memorial Trophy Day at Central Essex Bowls Club in June 2011.

Royal British Legion

Enthusiastic to support the work of the Royal British Legion, Bennetts sponsor publication costs for the Regional Members Handbook.  In addition to the sale of poppies at our offices, Bennetts also transform their premises front windows in Brentwood and Billericay, every November, to assist the Legion in their effort to maximise public awareness of the local and national Poppy Appeal.

During the period of Poppy appeal, members of staff regard a Haig Fund lapel poppy as regular feature of their uniform.

On Remembrance Sunday, Bennetts are represented at the Town War memorials in Brentwood and Billericay.  Since created by the Haig Fund, a British Institute of Funeral Directors wreath is laid by our representatives.

The Brentwood Branch of the Royal British Legion union flag pall, was provided and presented in 2002 by Bennetts.

Childrens Christmas Competition

Every December we hold a competition for the local children to enter, this year it was to name Santa's Reindeer, and this years prize was the reindeer gift stocking with assorted items.  Pictured is our winner for 2010 Jack

Schools Window Competition

In 2001 We developed a competition for local Schools, which remains ongoing today.

Since the planning, implementation and commencement of this project, we have, periodically written to local Schools inviting them to design a window display for the front of our Brentwood or Billericay premises.

Selected at random from the entries we receive, the School chosen is invited to design artworks depicting a subject of our own choice such as Summer.

In return the School chosen benefits from a financial donation toward their art department, a certificate for each participant, with Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates for the three artworks we deem the best also a framed copy of the local press release photograph.

This immensely rewarding project has brought the young and old to our window. 

Brentwood Citizens Advice Bureau

In 2003, Bennetts became involved with the Citizens Advice Bureau Jubilee House Appeal to raise much needed funds and local awareness for such a worthy cause. Jane Bennett also was invited to become a trustee for the Brentwood Citizens Advice Bureau, this she duly did until 2007. The Citizens Advice Bureau offer impartial advice to thousands of local people each year on issues such as debt and housing, unfortunately though, the bureau each year need more funds to sustain them as grants from central government and local authorities are reduced, therefore local branches need to raise funds through various means just to allow them to operate.

Brentwood in Bloom

Bennetts Funerals have supported Brentwood in Bloom since 1999 by sponsoring the Best Religious Ground category in the annual competition. Other local businesses sponsor different categories. The Brentwood in Bloom committee of which Jane Bennett is a member support the local council and approach local business for support. Bennetts funerals have also entered the annual competition for the best commercial premises. They have won and been runners-up in this competition on several occasions.

If you want to find out more about Brentwood in Bloom, have any suggestions for horticultural or environmental projects or would like to get involved, then contact Peter Baggott Brentwood in Bloom Chairman, via 01277 352650.    
 

Essex Wildlife Trust

We have been corporate supporters of the Essex Wildlife Trust since January 1992.  We willingly display their posters for local events and sponsored the printing of the leaflet for Warley Place, its such an interesting place to visit.

As our on going commitment to the Essex Wildlife Trust, Bennetts have committed to help minimise the effects of climate change by helping to offset carbon emissions by donating towards pollarding the willows at Essex Wildlife Trust Chigborough Lakes Reserve.

Bennetts Funeral Directors are proud to support Fairtrade and appreciate their representative, Caryl Kwei, presenting Jane Bennett with their Certificate during our Open Day on Saturday 24th September 2011.