The first port of call for anybody seeking information about the village or the activities within the village.   Links to local businesses and village groups plus general information.

New to the Website 28th May           Wildlife Reports updated.   18th May           Neighbourhood Watch updated - Crimestoppers.   16th May           Twinning updated.   16th May           May Rayne W.I. meeting report.   plus various updates to this page, the Village Diary or Directories. Minor changes are not noted here.

Local News !

• The Booking Hall Café is now open daily from 8am to 5pm, including Sundays and bank-holidays to the end of September.   Sarah is an Escoffier-trained chef, so food is home-cooked, coffee is Fairtrade, eggs free-range, and produce is local and organic where possible.   Rayne Station has been given a new lease of life!   The Booking Hall Café opened on April 4th.   Robert and Sarah Branch welcome you to to breakfast, lunch or afternoon cream tea, or simply to have a coffee and relax and watch the world go by.
  
  
• Visit To Verberie 2-4 May - What a wonderful weekend we had!  We set off early on a sunny Saturday morning for our biennial visit to Verberie - 41 of us including several families with children from Rayne School who we were delighted to welcome into Twinning.
  
  After an effusive warm welcome by our host families we visited the Cistercian Monastery, founded by Louis VI in 1137, at Fontaine Chaalis.  The abbey is now a romantic ruin, but the chapel had been restored and the museum contained a wide collection of objets d'art from around the world.
  
  In the evening we attended a Welcome Reception, hosted by the Mayor of Verberie, in the Chateau d'Aramont, Verberie, before returning with our hosts for an evening meal.
  
  On Sunday we drove to Paris and enjoyed an interesting guided tour of the Chateau of Vincennes, learning about its place in French history before having lunch in a restaurant overlooking the River Seine.
  
  Catching a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower as we left the restaurant for the Paris Floral Park, we were then free to wander through the beautiful parterres of flowers and the various pavilions while the younger members enjoyed the activities provided.
  
  After our reluctant farewells on the Monday morning we drove back to Rayne, spending a few hours in Le Touquet for lunch, followed by shopping in a hypermarket before catching the ferry back to Dover.
  
  Once again a thoroughly enjoyable visit, enjoyed by everyone - our newest members having been overwhelmed by the warmth of our reception and already talking of the return visit to Rayne Next year.
  
  

  If you are interested in becoming involved in Twinning, please contact Betty on 345810 or Sheila on 326742. 

  
  
  
• Neighbourhood Policing - There have been some recent alterations to the Neighbourhood Policing Team for Rayne.   Shalford Police Station is now closed, therefore the 01371 851632 telephone number is no longer available.  Rayne comes within the Three Fields Ward again, and our Police Community Support Officers are now based at Braintree Police Station.
  
  The former telephone number for Braintree Police Station (01376 551312) is being phased out and the number to call for non emergencies is 0300 333 4444 (this is based in Chelmsford).   The good news is that our P.C.S.Os can still be reached on their mobile 07973 703810.  If there is no-one on duty at this number when you call, you can leave a message and someone will call you back.
  
  
• Rayne Email Newsletter has been in operation for a while.  Until now it was necessary to send an email to be added to the mailing list or to unsubscribe or to change your email address.  Now this part of the process has been automated and selecting EMAIL NEWSLETTER on the menu to the left under 'Village Life' will take you to a screen where you can add or change your address.   Why not join the mailing list for news in the village.   An average of one email per week is sent, so you won't be inundated with emails.
  
  
• Nominate a Neighbour Packs - These packs are aimed at reducing distraction burglaries and promoting your safety at the front door.  The packs are available free of charge from the Community Information Point.
  
  
• Rayne Forum ~ This is where you can comment on life in Rayne, put forward your ideas or ask for help on any subject at all.  So if you have anything to say, say it here or just go and have a look to see what others are saying.
  
  
• Village Postcards Postcards with scenes of the and village which have been obtained by the Rayne Village Society are on sale at the Village Post Office at a cost of 28p each.
  
  
• RAYNE COMMUNITY INFORMATION POINT is open (Mon and Thurs 10:30am-1:00pm).  The Parish Clerk - Pippa Potter - is available for consultation regarding Parish Council matters or other advice where possible.
  Do you want to check out the Village or Parish Council web sites, or look for something on the internet but don't have access to a computer?   You can use the computer when the Community Information Point is open and a booking system is in operation to ensure everybody has a chance of logging on.   Don't worry if you need help, a taster session with a member of the Web Steering Group can also be booked.   For more information, or to book your place, contact the Clerk 01376 552489.   Mobile Phone Contact - You are also able to send text messages to the same number.
  The Parish Clerk - Pippa Potter - clerk@rayne-essex.gov.uk