CROSSRAIL, clearing icy paths, and "bringing the village feeling" back to Shenfield are just some of the issues facing a new campaign group which is desperately hunting for a secretary.
In just six months, the Shenfield Environmental Partnership (SEP) has recruited 60 volunteers and secured £1,609 from Brentwood Borough Council for the installation of a bench and a bike rack in Hutton Road.
The group has been set up to take responsibility for work carried out by local authorities such as hedge trimming.
Chairman John Newberry revealed how SEP, which is non-political, will pick up the sort of chores carried out by parish councils in other neighbourhoods.
The 66-year-old retired police officer, of Rochford Avenue, said: "Our mission is to bring back the village feeling and get the community working together, and to bring all age groups together.
"We do not have a parish council so we are trying to get ourselves on a level footing with parish councils and we want to support residents, traders, social groups, churches, anyone that considers themselves part of Shenfield."
The organisation, which meets on the first Thursday of every month at Shenfield Library, also exists to report problem walkways and roads to the borough council and to secure funding to improve Shenfield's environment and facilities.
After receiving a grant for £1,609 from the Brentwood Localism Share Fund, the group is now organising the storage of salt bags, which it will use during the winter to treat frozen pavements and pathways, particularly outside the homes of the elderly.
But the committee has still not managed to find a secretary.
Mr Newberry said: "The secretary would take on the ancillary work of the committee.
"We will need letters sent out, the usual sort of work of a secretary.
"Living in Shenfield is the number one priority."
The next meeting will take place on February 7.
If you want to be the secretary call Mr Newberry on 01277 210675 or e-mail newbers@sky.com
