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

Rayne - National Winner of the Village of the Year 2006/07 - ICT Category

Local News !

• Twinning Association AGM at the Swan 8:15pm Friday 20th January. 
  
  
• Rayne Gardeners AGM & Talk on Monday 23rd January 8:00pm at Old School Room.   If you are interested, please turn up - all welcome.   After the formal business John Walker will give a presentation on the subject of 'Soil'.   The March meeting on the 26th will be a talk on 'Propagation' by visiting speaker Margaret Willis.
  
  
• Lost and Found !, If you were a wiseman at the Christmas Nativity at All Saints Church on Christmas Eve and are missing a lovely gold coloured hat, please contact Kay on 01376 322118, who has it safely tucked away !
  
  
• PLEASE NOTE - RAYNE COMMUNITY INFORMATION POINT (details at the bottom) is now open in the afternoon on Mondays 12:30pm-3:00pm and in the morning on Thursdays 9:30am-12:00 noon.
  
  
• Mobile Library Times.   The mobile library operates from Witham on a two week cycle (Rayne is week 2).  It stops at Symmons Close on alternate Tuesdays at 14:25 to 14:40 and at Rayne School 15:00 to 16:00.   Date for the next few months are ~ 3,17,31 Jan.   14,28 Feb.   13,27 Mar.   10,24 Apr.   8,22 May   19th only in June.   [- due to Queen's diamond jubilee on 6th - I hope they give you 2 weeks credit !! ]
  
  
• Battery Recycling is now possible at the Community Information Point.   We have a battery recycling point which is operated by Braintree District Council, for all household batteries.   Please bring them in to the CIP during opening hours:-
  Mondays from 12:30am-3:00pm and Thursdays 9:30am-12:00 noon.
  Batteries should not be thrown in household rubbish and should be taken back to the shop where they were purchased or to a recycling point.
  
  
• Telephone / Computer Scam   A few people in the village have reported that they have had telephone calls from someone with a foreign accent asking them to visit a web site.  I had two in the space of a few hours, both claiming to be from 'The Computer Department'.  No reputable company would ring you without giving the name of the company first.  In one case they used the excuse that they had detected that their PC had a virus and in the other case that their broadband speed was slow.  The web sites that they instructed them to go to would have installed Trojans and viruses on their PC.  In one case when the person informed them that they knew it was dangerous to go to that site the caller became aggressive.  If they ring you, DO NOT GO TO ANY WEB SITE THAT THEY SUGGEST. 
  
  If you can, please note down the web address and email it to Simon - simtib@gmail.com, as it may help him identify and remove the virus from PCs that did go to the address.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• RAYNE COMMUNITY INFORMATION POINT is open in the afternoon on Mondays 12:30pm-3:00pm and in the morning on Thursdays 9:30am-12:00 noon.  The Parish Clerk - Sarah Cocks - 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 - Sarah Cocks - rpc@Rayne-essex.gov.uk
  http://www.rayne-essex.gov.uk/contact_us.html