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CT Welcome Hello readers,
Welcome to the April/May edition. Our What’s On pages are almost full again so lots going on over the coming month! Take a look and you will find a great variety of events on pages 12 and 13! Remember to tell advertisers that you found them in The City Times! Enjoy your month! Regards Nick & Paul
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CT Fashion - Heat up Your Work Wardrobe Anybody else get really excited when the warmer days start to become more frequent? I love this time of year - the days are getting longer and brighter (sometimes), people don grins for no reason at all, the first whiff of BBQ season will happen soon and before you know it, you’ll be thinking about getting that swimsuit on for your summer holiday (sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, but let’s face facts here!). As well as all this to look forward to, lazy Saturdays in the pub garden are also getting closer and you can almost taste the fish and chips, and perhaps even the ice cream laden stroll down Southend Pier. Bliss... The only problem is - and I don’t want to sound like a summer shunner here - but with warmer weather weekends there also comes warmer weather work days - and these are not as much fun. Especially if you haven’t prepared to switch up work wear to accommodate the higher temperatures, and - shock, horror - you work somewhere that doesn’t have air conditioning. Yes, these workplaces do still exist (sob). Are you baking at your desk in a pair of black trousers and a synthetic shirt that is now so stuck to you that you’re considering charging it rent? Roasting yourself in the car on the way home as you curse the (once loved) all black, leather interior? We’ve all been there: the work wardrobe warmer weather conundrum... What do we choose to wear to work on the days we’d normally slap on a maxi and sit in a park/ garden/beer garden (delete as appropriate) if we had the time to do it? Never fear, I have the answer. With the following tips we can make 2018 the year you strut into the work place with a smug smile - you’re going to be totally work wardrobe warm weather ready. 1. The Tailored Trouser: Think ‘paper bag’ style or high-waisted long line cropped trousers with a tie waist and wide or peg leg, then match with either a plain white T-shirt and pointed flats; Dorthy Perkins and ASOS have some beautiful, affordable styles in neutral colours. I’d recommend you go neutral on bottom and you can then go as daring as you like on top. If you’re feeling particularly snazzy you could get a matching blazer co-ord set: I have seen some gorgeous ones in Warehouse. 2. The Pleated A-Line Skirt: There are still some stunning high-waisted styles on the high street this spring/summer (that were around last season too score!) that can be worn with either a cami or a light T-shirt and light blazer. Go for this season’s colours: pastels such as lilac or green and team with some flat nude courts or sandals if your workplace allows it (you lucky thing!) 3. The Pretty Cami: Again, it depends on your workplace’s shoulder policy, but having a strappy but smart cami top below a light blazer is a great way to stay cool this summer - see Topshop for smart and sophisticated styles. If camis are a no-go, you could opt for tank tops with a thicker strap or a short sleeved T-shirt; paler, softer tones of pink, blue or white teamed with either a
pair of culottes or a high waisted skirt would look work wonderful. 4. The Dainty Blouse: In the past, blouses have had a bad rep for being frumpy and functional. Not these days: pussybow ties, keyhole necklines, ruffle front, and demur slits have revived the blouse. Florals and pastels are in this season - find some great picks in Debenhams and River Island. 5. The Light Blazer: The old faithful blazer can get you through the summer months and maybe (if you’re clever) right through to autumn. This season’s prints are very vibrant (see Dorothy Perkins for some fantastic styles). You could opt for a more ‘lairy’ blazer teamed with a neutral skirt, culottes and top. I have a red one in my wardrobe from Mango that is just screaming for a bit of sunshine. 6. The Right Underwear for the Job: Skirts. Dresses. Love ’em or hate ’em, you’ll definitely loathe them when you’re warm, sticky and not really enjoying the closeness of the old pins. Try some comfy undergarments - by this I mean some long line shorts or shapewear that is comfortable to slip on beneath your tighter skirts but can be worn with bare legs to let your skin breathe. And… you’re totally ready for the two mile walk to the office/station/shops... or bar. For the Boys… There’s nothing worse than watching your girlfriend/wife/neighbour you talk to occasionally walking off with BARE LEGS when you’re forced to don trousers and shirt, right? I feel for you, gentlemen. Try some of the following to get you through the warmer day: 1. The Short Sleeved Shirt: Yep, not rocket science I know, but shorter sleeves generally mean a little more air to the upper limbs. If you’re not a fan, you could try rolling up the sleeves of your old faithful shirts, and - if the boss allows it - work on opening your top buttons. Just not too much, brother - there’s only room for one Simon Cowell in this world. 2. The Ankle Grazer Trouser and No-Show Sock Option for Those Not Able to Get the Pins out Completely: not for the faint hearted this one, but done well it can be very effective in keeping you cool. Try a pair of chinos that are slim or straight leg and then either roll them up or buy slightly shorter than you usually would. Next, take a smart pair of shoes - tan or brown - and some noshow socks (Primark sell these in abundance). Rebecca Forde is a writer with a penchant for fashion, great literature and drinking a lot of coffee. You can contact her by emailing rebeccaforde@hotmail.co.uk. © All Images: Oasis
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All Things Music - by Nick Garner Chelmsford Arts & Cultural Festival Update Firstly we want to let you all know that the charity commission have granted us charitable status - yes we are now officially a charity! Suzi Quatro is our first patron, and we have also just had confirmation that Gilson Lavis has accepted our invitation to also become a patron. Gilson you will know as being the drummer with Squeeze and he has since had many years as the drummer with Jools Holland. He is also a great portrait artist who has recently been exhibiting in New York. Gilson is hoping to possibly exhibit at the festival, but he also has an exhibition scheduled for London at the same time. We, the six trustees, are really pleased with both of these notable people giving their support to our charity and festival. Things are moving fast and coming together with venues and stages booked, marquees organised and all sorts of artists being confirmed. We have our branding done and our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and websites are all up and running. And our first run of posters are starting to be put out as a sponsorship pack. If you know of anybody who may be interested in sponsoring the festival please let us know. All the details are at the end of this article. Tillie from Bearded Gypsy tells me she has had lots of enquiries regarding traders wanting to take part in the craft, street food and vintage fair that will be part of the festival on the 23rd and 24th of June. We must also thank Candy and Jennifer for all their hard work and to Jenni and Jan who are organizing the parade for the start of the festival as well. Without these and the other volunteers we could not do it - this is already becoming so big and exciting... We have a few more big meetings lined up in the coming weeks and will have more to announce very soon. All I can say is that there will be lots of dancing, lots of art, lots of music and storytellers and so much more - including circus acts and the Maldon Festival. Music Albert Lee is completely sold out as predicted, so please do not turn up hoping to get in as sadly we will have to say sorry, but no! We had a great night last month with Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective launching our new album Diff’rent Gravy, which should now be available in all major record stores or from us at any of our gigs. We played the whole album for our set in the order it appears on the album and I have to say it went down very well - as well as the beer that Round Tower brewed for us! After we played it was the turn of The Pretty Things who are currently on their farewell tour. They were superb, playing music from right across their long musical career from the early blues, to the psychedelic era and on to rock. It was an honour to share the stage with them and they were lovely people as well. We also had a special night at the Bassment with Denny Newman (formally with the Mick Taylor Band) and Dave Kelly of the Blues Band - it was a packed venue for this show. The evening was opened by Roy Mette playing solo and debuting a lot of new material - superb as ever. Next Denny and Dave took to the stage joined by a great rhythm section and they did not disappoint. Denny playing great along with Dave and his fantastic slide work made this a night to remember. On Friday 18th May we have American Blues legend Larry Garner at Chelsmford City FC with the Norman Beaker Band backing him. Larry has won countless awards over the years and has also been inducted
to the Blues Hall of Fame. He is also a very funny man, and with Norman and his band behind him we know that this is going to be a superb evening. Opening the night will be Mississippi MacDonald with the Soul Fixers - this is a new band that Mississippi MacDonald is playing with. We are looking forward to seeing them as the album is great. At the Bassment on the 24th May we welcome back The Sharpeez with Connor Selby and Joe Anderton supporting - another fine night of music will be had, we are sure. Panic Awards We have just had the 2018 Panic Awards night at the Civic Theatre in Chelmsford raising money for Kids Inspire. It was a fun filled night with lots of local acts playing live and lots of awards presented for music, comedy, theatre promoters and venues and more. If you didn’t know already, you would be amazed at just how much Chelmsford has to offer and I am proud to be a small of it all. As ever, please do try to come out and support the great live scene that we have in Essex, because if you do not - we may lose it. For more information on all of the above and more, see the links below and go to our What’s On pages to see what else in happening in your area. Check around the Internet - Facebook is always good as is Twitter and your local papers and community boards. hello@chelmsfordfestival.org www.facebook.com/chelmsfordaacf www.bluesinthecity.co.uk www.facebook.com/bluesinthecitychelmsford Twitter: @BluesintheCity1 www.itsyourmusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/itsyourmusic Twitter: @itsyourmusic
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WEDNESDAYS Boreham Village Hall, Main Road, Boreham CM3 3JD 5:30pm and 7:30pm Bobbie 07813 324599 MONDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9:00am, 11:00am and 1:00pm Lucy 01245 262457
Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield, CM2 6EB 5.30pm and 7:30pm Claire 07852 638666
Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9R 5:00pm and 7:00pm Lucy 01245 262457
St Michael's Church of England, Junior School, Barnard Road, Galleywood CM2 8RR 7:30pm Tracy 07584 676670 THURSDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9:30am Samantha 01245 266442
Hatfield Peverel Infant School, Church Road, Hatfield Peverel, CM3 2RP 5:30pm and 7:30pm Sarah 07494 408634
North Springfield Baptist Church, Havengore, off Pump Lane, Springfield CM1 6JP 5:30pm and 7:30pm Victoria 07823 441198
TUESDAYS Broomfield Village Hall, 158 Main Road (behind Angel Pub), Broomfield CM1 7AH 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Victoria 07823 441198
Newlands Spring Community Hall, Dickens Place, Chelmsford CM1 4UU 5:30pm and 7:30pm Jennifer 07792 516866
Springfield Community Centre, Perryfields School, Lawn Lane, CM1 7PP 5:00pm and 7:00pm Angie 07814 992628
Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm Samantha 01245 266442 WEDNESDAYS Church Of St Augustine Of Canterbury, Canterbur St Augustines Way, Springfield CM1 6GQ 9:30am and 11:30am Emma 07887 692906 Writtle Community Association, Longmeads House, 12-14 Redwood Drive, Writtle CM1 3LY 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Jennifer 07792 516866 Life Church, Hall Street, off Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HG 5:30pm and 7:30pm Angie 07814 992628
Moulsham High School, Brian Close, Chelmsford, CM2 9ES 5:30pm and 7:30pm Claire 07852 638666 FRIDAYS The Church Of Ascension, Maltese Road, Chelmsford CM1 2PB 9:15am and 11:15am Samantha 01245 266442 SATURDAYS Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield CM2 6EB 8:30am and 10:30am Emma 07887 692906
CT Gardening - by Tom Cole
If you haven’t done so already, check all of your pots and containers for vine weevil larva. These small ½-1cm grubs have brown heads and a segmented body. They feed on root systems causing the plant to wilt, collapse and potentially die off. This is definitely true for perennials such as heucheras, cyclamen and clump forming herbaceous plants. Grubs can be removed to bird tables as a great source of protein for the local bird life, but unfortunately this won’t get rid of all of them.
At this time of year, for greater success you could use the systemic neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid as a liquid drench applied to the compost where ornamentals are grown (note that this can’t be used on edibles). This will give around 4 months’ protection. There are other methods, such as the use of a biological controls using nematodes which are also available. However at this time of year it’s still a little cold for this to be 100% effective. If vine weevil isn’t a problem, then spruce up your containers with a blast of new colour or totally change the display. I’ve recently done this by using camellias, anemones and Gaultheria procumbens; a lovely creeping evergreen with red fruits at this time of year. Compost is key to the plant’s success. In this case ericaceous compost should be used. What I’ll do at the end of the year is add early spring flowering bulbs such as snowdrops, dwarf daffodils and crocus. Other Tasks to Get on With: • This is an ideal time to prune early winter flowering shrubs such as fragrant bush honeysuckles, mahonias and deciduous viburnums. For the best results I take out the old flowering wood to the ground or to where new growth has emerged and reduce the new growth by a third to outward facing buds. If the plant is still congested, take out 2-3 buds of the oldest growth right to the ground. This will invigorate the plant and also reduce disease buildup. • Prick out or pot on seedlings into good quality potting compost. I’ve just done this for honesty seedlings which will flower later this year. • Pot up tender perennials such as fuchsias, bedding geraniums and heliotrope. Use fresh multi-purpose potting composts and place on warm window sills to promote new growth. Some of the new growth can be used as softwood stem cuttings. • Once chitted, plant out potatoes - but watch out for drops in temperature if shoots emerge above ground; earth up to protect or use horticultural fleece covers. • Towards the end of the month start to prune evergreens. Take care though with box plants that the foliage is dry when pruning, as blight can be spread when leaves are wet. If you want to further your knowledge and understanding of these or other gardening jobs, why not consider one of the following courses at Writtle University College?
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For RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture (1 year, day release), RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development (September - February), RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance and for RHS Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture email tom.cole@writtle.ac.uk for information on availability of days and times. We also have loads of other programmes on offer. Pop in and see us on Saturday 21st April 2018 for our next information event. Happy Gardening For any gardening tips contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Writtle College, Chelmsford, CM1 3RR by post (including a SAE) or by email at tom.cole@writtle.ac.uk.
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CT Food - by John Jacobs
The sugar tax has arrived. Years of campaigning and the intervention of our local lad Jamie Oliver have led to government intervention to protect us from ourselves and our children from the evil indoctrination of major corporations luring them into the Child Catcher’s steel cage of rampant obesity. I get that. The tax will see drinks containing 5g of sugar per 100ml taxed at 18p per litre, and those with more than 8g per 100ml taxed at 24p per litre. So, ultimately what does this mean? Well, not an awful lot if your thing is fried chicken.
gender neutral, lead free, smokeless zone of non-judgmental entertaining rhetoric.
Now, London Mayor and serial tweeterer (is that a word?) Sadiq Khan’s new planning strategy says fast food outlets should not be allowed to open within 400m of schools to combat childhood obesity. I love this kind of hard hitting rhetoric backed by well meaning experts amounting to absolutely nothing.
Ingredients 800g Desirée potatoes, peeled and coarsely grated. Salt and freshly ground black pepper. 3 spring onions, very finely chopped. 2 garlic cloves, peeled and very finely chopped. A small handful of fresh dill, chopped. 1 large egg, lightly beaten. Low calorie cooking spray. 450g smoked salmon.
When independent housing market analysts drew a 400m ring of tofu around a map of all London schools, they found that the only places where new fast food outlets would theoretically be allowed would be in the middle of Regent’s Park or the River Thames. Giving up sugar is really tough. It’s everywhere and in everything. Low fat yoghurt, ketchup, fruit juice, granola, flavoured coffee, ice tea, tinned fruit, cereal bars, baked beans. Those are just where the added sugars dwell. When you include natural sugars, that only leaves celery and polystyrene packing pellets. A reduction in our sugar intake is of course a good thing, assuming you eat too much to begin with. The tax will no doubt cause a change in our psyche in a similar way to that of the levy on plastic bags and anonymising cigarette packets. Let’s be honest though, not all the advice is overly clear. For example, drinking 3 litres of water a day is fine if you’re a camel, but much of our water intake comes from food. Despite the fact that the body can only process a finite level of vitamins, 56% of adults in the UK take some form of supplement. I’m not going to preach about moderation - what you eat is entirely your affair and we at the City Times are a non-pious, apolitical,
So to do our bit, I’m including a recipe that is sugar free and Slimming World friendly (other diets are also available). Figure Friendly Sugar Free, Non-Fried Potato Latkes with Smoked Salmon. These rosti style starters are of eastern European origin with a little egg to bond them together. I used smoked salmon, but they are extraordinarily delicious with rare roast beef. Makes 12 (4 servings).
Method 1. Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C Fan/Gas 5. Place the potatoes in a clean tea towel. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible, repeat with a fresh tea towel, then place in a mixing bowl and season. 2. Add the spring onions, garlic, dill and egg. Combine all the ingredients using your hands and divide into four portions. 3. Place a non-stick frying pan over a high heat and spray with low calorie cooking spray. Spoon one portion of potato mixture into the pan and press down with a spatula. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, then transfer to a large non-stick baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining three rösti portions, then cook all four in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until golden. Have a great April, team Chelmsford.
Maldon Man Unveiled as New Restaurant Manager for The Works, Chelmsford Charismatic father of four, 48 year old Mark Percival from Maldon, has been unveiled as the new restaurant manager for The Works, opening in Springfield Road on Monday 30th April. Having spent three years in Greece and over 20 years in South Africa working in the café and restaurant industry, Mark says the food business is his natural ‘calling’ so he is hoping to bring his wealth of experience, flair and a little personality to Chelmsford in his new role. “You fall in love with the restaurant industry and it is very much a calling in my mind having worked in bars, cafés and restaurants. The last business I ran was a fusion restaurant, which was very much a family experience. We were one of the first places to have a dedicated arts and craft area for children to enjoy, so I know how important the restaurant experience is for the whole family.” Commenting on why he is getting involved with family-run business The Works (which will be adding to its portfolio of existing restaurants in Aylesbury and High Wycombe next month), Mark said: “Being part of the restaurant industry does take up a huge part of your life, so you really have to love what you do. I took some time working nineto-five to support my daughters when they were younger, but they’re
now in their twenties and living their own lives, so about six months ago I started to think about what I really wanted to do. “I saw the advert on a local site, sent my CV in and got a call from the Operations Manager, Tom (Bolton). There was an instant attraction there, even on the phone. The excitement about the new restaurant opening was incredible between us and then when I jumped on the website to see what the business was all about, I emailed Tom the same day and said sign me up! “Having spent a week training in the Aylesbury restaurant with the team recently, there is a stunning vibe here. Everything from the décor to the brand’s personality and the way they’re putting it all together is infectious. The Works’ entire ethos is centred around family, directly and indirectly. You feel as if you are part of a huge extended family, which is what I think is important nowadays for any restaurant business, whether you’re a customer or a member of the team. I am very much someone who wants to meet our customers and to get to know them and joke with them. Being part of the whole customer service experience is crucial in my book.” He added: “I am really looking forward to getting stuck in to the preparation work for the Chelmsford opening. We are already recruiting for our team including assistant managers as well as front and back of house staff. It’s an exciting time for everyone involved and we can’t wait to open our doors and put a big smile on the face of Chelmsford!”
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What’s on in the Area
April Friday 20th Bassment - Underwater Boys + Mandeville + Stealing Signs + Third Dart Civic - West Side Story The Golden Fleece - Break for Cover Star & Garter - The Stents Writtle Sports & Social Club - Rotary Jazz night Saturday 21st Bassment - The Mighty Fallen + The Shouty Petes + Infinity Lands Brewers Arms (Bicknacre) - Murder Mystery at Brewers Arms CCFC Home: Chelmsford City v Havant & Waterlooville Civic - West Side Story Cramphorn - Comedy Club 4 Kids Galleywood Heritage Centre - Essex Society For Family History Chelmsford Group Meeting The Golden Fleece - Definately 90s Star & Garter - Fast on the Draw The Transition - From Anxiety to Freedom Workshop The Transition - Yin Style Baguazhang Martial Art Workshop United Brethren - The Dave Ferra Allstar Band Sunday 22nd The Transition - Yin Style Baguazhang Martial Art Workshop Star & Garter - Open mic/jam United Brethren - Sunday Sessions: Big Joe Bone (3pm) Tuesday 24th Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) CCFC: Home: Chelmsford City v Bognor Regis Town Cramphorn - The Greatest Showman (PG) Galleywood Heritage Centre - Talk: Family History Revealed The Transition - The Millennials Profit CLUB Wednesday 25th CCFC - Albert Lee (SOLD OUT) History Walk - Chilling Tales of Chelmsford - Chelmsford High Street (starts 7.30pm) Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show The Chichester Hotel, Rawreth - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: ‘Bennett to Buble’ - Kevin Fitzsimmons Quintet Thursday 26th Bassment - Peace Productions: Roisin O’Hagan + John Paul Elliot + Joe Anderton + Beth Marie Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show Cramphorn - Alice The Golden Fleece - Quiz night High Chelmer - Swap until you Drop! Friday 27th Bassment - WDR Presents: Melt Dunes + Drugstore Romeos + Ghost Music + Magic Seas Cathedral - Lunchtime Concert Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show The Golden Fleece - Hit Parade Star & Garter - Storm United Brethren - Paolo Morena Page 12
Saturday 28th Bassment - V90s! The Riddled With Booze Orchestra performs classic 90s V Fest anthems CCFC Away: Eastbourne Borough v Chelmsford City Central Park - Street Food & Craft Beer Festival Chelmsford City Racecourse - Main Event Wedding Show Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show The Golden Fleece - The Luminectric Star & Garter - Dead Mans Hand The Transition - Laughter Yoga United Brethren - Rough & Ready Sunday 29th Central Park - Street Food & Craft Beer Festival Chelmsford City Racecourse - Main Event Wedding Show Civic - The Golden Thread Galleywood Heritage Centre - Spring bird walk & table top sale Star & Garter - Open mic/jam United Brethren - Sunday Sessions: Wolf & Warne (3pm) Monday 30th Civic - Jon Boden and the Remnant Kings United Brethren - One Tree Hillbillies
May Wednesday 2nd Bassment - Dayz Of Purple & Orange: Dreamweapon Civic - Ballet Central The Chichester Hotel, Rawreth - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: ‘It’s Clazzical’ - Julian Marc Stringle’s 10 Piece Ensemble Hyde Hall - Little Acorns Thursday 3rd Bassment - Bassment Blues Jam Cramphorn - Manon (live from the Royal Opera House, London) The Golden Fleece - Quiz Star & Garter - The Phil Ball Band Friday 4th Bassment - Shakey’s Sessions: Guilt Coins + Hannah Paris + Grandma’s Waffle Velocity + Louise Parker Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Faces - Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross Tributes The Golden Fleece - Scooby Hyde Hall - Spring Craft Fair Star & Garter - Two Bob Short United Brethren - Reggae Dave DJ set Saturday 5th Alehouse - Chelmsford Record Fair Bassment - Saturday’s Alright For Dancin’ Civic - A Brave Face Galleywood Heritage Centre - Billericay Model Railway Group Exhibition The Golden Fleece - The Heaters Hyde Hall - Spring Craft Fair Star & Garter - TBC United Brethren - Playlister
Please note, all events are subject to change. Please visit the relevant websites or Facebook pages for more details
Sunday 6th Bassment - New Town Kings + Faintest Idea Civic - 5678 Elite Dance Competition - Chelmsford 2018 Golden Fleece - Expose Grange Barn, Coggeshall - The Guild of Essex Craftsmen Spring Craft Weekend Hyde Hall - Spring Craft Fair Star & Garter - Open mic/jam United Brethren - Keeping it Soulful DJ Set Woolpack - GC’s Jazz Club: guest - Neale Ridding (flute/sax) & Gabriel Keen Trio (8pm) Monday 7th Grange Barn, Coggeshall - The Guild of Essex Craftsmen Spring Craft Weekend Tuesday 8th Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Galleywood Heritage Centre - Talk: Some Aspects of the Petre family in Essex Wednesday 9th The Chichester Hotel, Rawreth - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Gunther Kumayr & Vasilis Xenoplous Quartet Thursday 10th Bassment - Jazz Funk with The Dan Banks Quintet Civic - Brian Conley The Golden Fleece - Quiz night Friday 11th Bassment - CCR Showcase: SJ Denney (full band) + Silent Natives + Mr B & The Wolf + Sam Eagle + George W Appleton Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Cramphorn - Fred and Ginger (A Perfect Partnership) Faces - Freddie Mercury and Rod Stewart Tribute Night The Golden Fleece - Frog on a Rocket Star & Garter - Rockhouse Saturday 12th Bassment - Caught In A Wave + Roisin O’Hagan (more TBC) Chelmsford City Racecourse - Essex Fine Food Show The Golden Fleece - Acoustic Sessions (3.30pm) - Cakehole Mafia (9.30pm) Star & Garter - The Strides United Brethren - Martin McNeill Sunday 13th Chelmsford City Racecourse - Essex Fine Food Show Cramphorn - Chelmsford Jazz Club Clark Tracey Quintet Galleywood Heritage Centre Exhibition History Walk - Chelmsford Pioneers - Starts Anglia Ruskin University (2pm) Star & Garter - Open mic/jam United Brethren - Sunday Sessions: Bill Mead & Loz Netto (SharpeeZ) (3pm) Tuesday 15th Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www. danceasy.co.uk) Civic - Oklahoma Cramphorn - Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella (12A)
Wednesday 16th The Chichester Hotel, Rawreth - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Gordon Campbell All Stars Octet Civic - Oklahoma Thursday 17th Bassment - WDR Presents: Middlemist Red + The Psychotic Monks Civic - Oklahoma Cramphorn - Austen’s Women The Golden Fleece - Quiz night Writtle College - Art and Design Show 2018 Friday 18th Bassment - Greyhaven + Ivy Bay Civic - Oklahoma Cramphorn - Austen’s Women The Golden Fleece - Grounds for Divorce Face - Kenny Thomas Star & Garter - Hit Parade Writtle College - Art and Design Show 2018 United Brethren - Andy Twyman Saturday 19th Bassment - Lack Of Afro Chelmsford City Racecourse - Dirty Dancing on behalf of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Civic - Oklahoma Galleywood Heritage Centre - Essex Society for Family History Chelmsford Group The Golden Fleece - Acoustic Sessions (3.30pm) Hyde Hall - Wildlife Weekend Star & Garter - TBC United Brethren - Booga Red Writtle College - Art and Design Show 2018 Sunday 20th Civic - Sinatra and Me Hyde Hall - Wildlife Weekend Star & Garter - Open mic/jam United Brethren - Sunday Sessions: Robin Bibi (3pm) Writtle College - Art and Design Show 2018
Please send us your events for the next edition (for events between 18th May and 17th) to: editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk
CT Business: It Looks Good, It Feels Good, It Is Good - by Lindsay Whitehouse So you are in the market for an essential household product, what buying criteria do you follow? Would you be tempted by a product that would not wear out or deteriorate? Would it help a little bit more to know that buying this product would save rubbish being buried as landfill? If you are still unsure, how about buying a product that was designed and manufactured in the UK? If you are still undecided (why would you be?) this product needs the minimum maintenance, just a couple of washes a year.
sheer weight can often make them droop and put pressure on their post. These gates will stay in position and put virtually no pressure on the posts. So no more scraping on the ground and finding them difficult to close following heavy rain.
The products are all designed in house at Hybrid Fencing under the lead of their Managing Director, Tim White, a toolmaker, designer, and entrepreneur who lives in Dunmow and has spent 40 years as a design engineer. Hybrid Fencing operates from premises on Rolls Farm not so far from Hatfield Peverel. Your SatNav when set to CM3 2RA will take you there.
By now you are thinking, what is the downside? Well there isn’t one really. All the plastic material is made from recycled UK plastic waste. It follows an extrusion process (look it up on wiki if you are that keen to know what it means). Even this recycled material can be recycled later if need be.
Hybrid Fencing designs and manufactures maintenance free fencing, gates, posts, boards and trellis. They have also designed a unique product called Edjmate, which fixes artificial grass firmly in place without the need for an expensive concrete base. I have seen and touched the things made there, I am totally convinced that the products speak for themselves. Their strength, simplicity, lightness, durability and quality are all key selling points. I am about to plan a couple of days for me to paint and treat a wooden fence, panels and posts in my garden. It is a job I am not looking forward to. It will be messy, time consuming and will waste a few nice sunny summer days. It also risks me making a mess on my decking which will require me to clean it all thoroughly afterwards. If I had known about these products 2 years ago when I bought my wooden fencing, then you can be certain I would have bought from Hybrid Fencing. I would have paid a bit more cash upfront, but measured out over just the next 10 years, I would have saved huge amounts of time and a bit of money as well. However, these products live for a lot longer than 10 years; a reasonable estimate is that they last a couple of hundred years.
The products are substantially lighter than traditional wood so they can be fitted in much less time. I easily lifted one of the gates, which is as strong as my timber gate. It is so light that it will be easy for one person to fit. Heavy wooden gates often need a lot of labour, and their
Wooden panels are often slatted in to a concrete post and concrete will fail over time, bad weather will accelerate its decline. Hybrid Fencing’s posts are made of galvanised steel which will outlive concrete. Fitment of these posts is very much quicker as well. Time is money as we all know, so saving time adds to the money saving costs of these products when measured over a reasonable time span.
Tim realises that for the business to grow the trade need to use more of these products. Tom Waller from Chelmsford Fencing Limited (www.chelmsfordfencing.co.uk) said: “It’s great to be able to offer our customers a British manufactured product that not only looks superb but is made from recycled plastic that would for the most part normally go to landfill. It’s truly innovative and will last indefinitely with little or no maintenance. Our customers love it.” For house owners who need their fencing sorted out just ask your contractor to source from Hybrid Fencing and you can be sure that you are receiving fantastic locally designed and UK made products. From a business perspective Hybrid have tried to cover all the angles: All designs are protected by design registration and trademark, meaning that no one can copy them. There is enough stock to supply immediate demands, but the manufacturer can make items to order and have them delivered within a couple of weeks. There is no money tied up in purchase of an expensive workshop. Working premises are rented. The business therefore does not need a return on capital investment. The cash flow is positive and relatively uncomplicated.
I always look for the USP (unique selling point) of a business for this series of articles. Hybrid Fencing has more than one. Firstly the product is uniquely designed - Tim developed the idea from what he saw when he was in the United States of America and the UK does not have much to compare. Secondly, the product appeals to customers who value our environment, because only recycled materials are used. Thirdly, Brexit should if anything, strengthen the business because it is entirely UK based. There will be no fall out from any future trade tariff wars. Finally, whilst Hybrid are selling a product, what they are really doing is selling you, the ordinary citizen, the chance to gain time. No longer will you have to spend time checking your outside areas or repairing them, or treating them, or sourcing someone else to do it all for you. Once the products are in place you sit back and relax. How good is that? Buy back some leisure time! Hybrid Fencing: Rolls Farm, Terling Hall Road, Chelmsford, CM3 2RA. Vist their website at: www.hybridfencing.co.uk, or call 07812 775 845.
Star Studded Gala Coming to Chelmsford
This month the Civic Theatre will welcome stars from the BBC and ITV to a glittering gala show hosted by BBC presenter and performer Bridget Metcalfe. The Golden Thread will be a celebration of life’s journey, from the innocence of childhood, through the hope and heartbreak of adolescence, to the wisdom of old age, told through music and dance.
Special guest performers include the winner and semi-finalist of ITV’s The Voice Kids UK respectively, Jess Folley and Jess Richardson, who will be singing some of their biggest numbers. Jess Folley, who was mentored by Essex star Pixie Lott, regularly performs at festivals and concerts and is working on her first EP which she hopes to release later this year. Jess said: “I’m so looking forward to taking part in this amazing concert and performing in front of an Essex crowd!” The show will feature many local talents, including John Pierce, a highly acclaimed operatic tenor who has performed internationally as well as for HRH Prince Charles. After stepping in to perform a last minute concert dressed in his day job painting gear, John became known as ‘Painterotti’ and was described in the New York Post as having “an operatic voice worthy of the MET”. Dance performances from Essex street dance group, Bam Bam Boogies and local inclusive group, Dance 21 promises to make the show an electrifying and diverse event.
like red carpet events, then this is for you!” The show, produced by John Hessenthaler of OEP Live!, takes place on Sunday 29th April. Tickets are available online at www.chelmsford. gov.uk/theatres and from the Civic Theatre box office on 01245 606 505.
ARE YOU TIRED OF THE UPKEEP AND REPAIR OF YOUR OLD WOODEN FENCING? INTRODUCING; "FIT AND FORGET" MAINTENANCE FREE GARDEN FENCING MANUFACTURED IN THE UK. FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC! * LOOKS STUNNING! * CHOICE OF 4 SUPERB COLOURS! * FITS INTO YOUR EXISTING CONCRETE POSTS! * WILL NEVER ROT, SPLINTER OR NEED TREATING!
The Golden Thread will raise money for the Mayor of Chelmsford’s three charities; City of Chelmsford Mencap, Age Concern Chelmsford, and Columbus School and College. Katy Forkings, solo winner of Essex Undiscovered 2017 and one of the show’s stars, says: “I feel very privileged to be asked to take part in the Mayor’s gala and to be able to support three fabulous charities.” BBC Essex’s Bridget Metcalfe, who will also be performing in the show, said: “This is a star studded gala evening with music, song and dance and featuring ITV star Jess F from The Voice Kids UK, the winner of Welsh Singer of the Year John Pierce and many more. If you www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
4 Colours Available We are based in Terling just outside Chelmsford, so why not visit us to see and feel the quality of this superb product and how it will transform your garden. Rolls Farm, Terling Hall Road, Chelmsford, CM3 2RA We are available 7 days 9-5pm. Please call 07812 775845
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Beer - by Simon Tippler of Round Tower Brewery
Beer Duty Some of you may know that microbreweries currently pay beer duty (the tax paid monthly on the alcohol that is produced) at a rate of 50% that of the big breweries. This has enabled many breweries to start up and be competitive in the market when they are producing small volumes of beer and are not able to access the economies of scale that come when your production volumes are significantly larger. Progressive Beer Duty has been a concept that started in Bavaria in Germany, has helped smaller breweries be competitive, encouraged variety and supported local communities by enabling small local production. The European Union adopted Progressive Beer Duty and made it into a rule that allows member states to provide the discount for their brewers. Many countries adopted it in its fullest capacity of up to 200,00hl whereas when the UK enshrined it in law in 2002 they set the upper limit of the 50% discount at 5,000hl. It took many years of lobbying to get the law changed and it is this that we have to thank for the variety and quality of the beer that is now widely available around the country. However, the larger breweries have been feeling the pinch from the increase in microbreweries for years and as the general economy has stagnated they are feeling it more and more.
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As such, a selection of the larger breweries have formed a lobbying Find us on Facebook: ActivitotsEssex group and are calling for a scrapping of Progressive Beer Duty. If this were to happen then I am sure that you would see many of the smaller breweries falling by the wayside. We all know that large business can exert a lot of influence when it comes to lobbying Let your active tot be an and they are already trying to get CAMRA and SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) to back their cause. Only time will tell as to how this plays out, but there is a lot of worrying discussion currently going on in the brewing industry.
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Hairy Monster - Random Thoughts
According to my (limited) research, we in the UK don’t make the top 10 of European countries when it comes driving standards. I always thought the Belgians were the worst with their seeming inability to understand the complexities of using their indicators or navigating roundabouts, but we lose out on our intolerance of other road users, our random lane changing and our impatience. I have to say I’m guilty of being exasperated when driving behind a slow moving caravan or a horse box. I fail to see why the latter drive so slowly - horses have four legs for stability and if I can stay upright on a number 71 bus as it hurtles round the Army and Navy Roundabout, why can’t our equine friends stay balanced on the slightest bend..?
One group of drivers I will make allowances for however, is the learner fraternity. We were all there once, stalling at traffic lights, rolling back on hills and colliding with pedestrians on zebra crossings. I know of someone who drove into the back of a learner at a road junction last year and blamed her for not moving off quickly enough. He maintained her guilt despite the fact that she was actually on her driving test and the examiner was a witness for her when it came to the ensuing insurance claim. There is a condition called ‘illusory superiority’ which is essentially the philosophy that ‘everyone else is an idiot’. According to a survey a few years ago, 80% of British drivers questioned felt their driving ability was above average. Clearly this is impossible, but try telling someone he/she is a lousy driver and the response will be dramatic and possibly physical. If it’s a BMW or Audi driver they will probably also sue. I was staying at a friend’s apartment while he and his wife were on holiday and I was warned that one of his neighbours would almost certainly use their allocated parking space knowing they were away. In the event that he did so, Graham advised me to place an ‘impolite notice’ on his windscreen. Arriving at the complex after a ten hour
drive, I discovered his prediction was correct. Despite the fact that it was 3am and all I wanted to do was sleep, I found the energy to remove the component parts of my mountain bike from the back of my car and assemble it there in the underground car park. I then padlocked the bike to the offending vehicle’s door handle and placed a note on his windscreen explaining my action and asking him not to disturb me before noon. To his credit he observed my condition and duly sent his wife (yes, really!) to ask me to remove the padlock - something about having had to take the kids to school by bus that morning I recall her mentioning. I heard from Graham that my actions seem to have had a positive effect on his neighbour who now neither parks in his parking space - nor talks to him anymore... Result! I’m a confirmed animal lover (not so keen on humans possibly) and any sort of cruelty appals me. Having a conversation with some Spanish friends recently, we hit - inevitably - on the subject of bull fighting. Two of them felt that it was an acceptable form of ‘sport’ whilst most of the others agreed with me that it’s a cruel and abhorrent spectacle which is an anachronism in the 21st century. One argument that the pro-fight couple used was that the bull was killed cleanly and quickly and compared this to the barbarity of our English tradition of fox hunting where the creature is ripped apart by hounds. It appears that despite the 2004 ban on hunting, there are frequent ‘accidents’ on ‘trail hunts’ and few - if any - prosecutions. find it horrific that it has been proposed that there could be a vote to overturn this ban in the future. As the Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe once said: ‘It is cruelty. I am against the chase, the cruelty involved in prolonging the terror of a living, sentient being that is running for its life’. I sincerely hope we never take a backward step into the 19th century.
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26 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0DG
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Wildlife Corner - by Nick Green In March, the weather continued wet. The river levels remained high and we enjoyed 2 bouts of snow and more of rain! Temperatures struggled to reach double figures and slowed bud and blossom development. Insects were in short supply and I feel sorry for all insectivorous migrant birds like sand martins, swallows and warblers, amongst others. The only bird migrants I’ve seen are chiffchaffs and sandwich terns. Plants still in flower include daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops and hyacincths, but magnolia trees remain in bud. In a long, cold winter and/or a late spring as now in 2018, bird garden feeding stations really are of great importance. Bird feeders come in a variety of forms including domed, wire mesh, perspex, plastic, etc.. Preventing squirrels accessing your feeders is a good idea. Recommended food stuffs include fat balls, sunflower hearts, niger seed, pinhead oatmeal for robins, mealworms - dead or alive. Putting food on the ground may be good for finches but rats may also be attracted. Putting seed or apples on the ground may attract finches but beware again of rats. By attracting commoner birds like chaffinches, greenfinches, goldfinches, great and blue and long-tailed tits, starlings, robins and house sparrows to your garden, there is always a chance of attracting something rarer like bramblings and siskins. I was very lucky to see a serin at a friend’s bird feeding station on 26th March that stayed for just 15 minutes.
Male Serin (copyright Jeff Delve)
The serin has spread throughout Europe and is a rare passage migrant to Essex but is occurring almost annually in recent years.
snowy owl. Scotland: American white-winged scoter at Musselburgh. Shetland Isles: an American pied-billed grebe. Norfolk/Lincs: snowy owl.
Chelmsford Library News New Babies New Parents Are you a new parent or grandparent? If so you are very welcome to join us for our new Rhymetime session aimed at newborns, new parents and grandparents. This is an exciting new venture and will be for half an hour between 3.30pm-4pm every Wednesday for the next 6 weeks, held in our new modern and bright Children’s Library. Refreshments will be available. Already a parent and want to still meet other mums and dads? Then join us for our regular Baby and Rhymetime sessions (term time only). On Tuesdays and Thursdays (either 10.15am or 11.15am), enjoy songs and stories with which you can join in along with your children. We also have the children’s hub in the old registrar offices with trained staff on hand for advice and baby weighing facilities. Buzzing Bumblebees is a fun way of improving your English if you are looking after preschool children. Come along and join in the fun between 10am-11am. Next sessions: Friday 27th April and Friday 25th May. How about enjoying songs and stories in another language? Spanish Rhymetime is held on Friday’s 2pm-2.30pm (term time only). Come along and meet new people and start to learn a new language. Kids Craft Club is held monthly. Next sessions: Friday 20th April & Friday 18th May. Come along and let your imagination create amazing crafts. All of these events are held in our new Children’s Library - please pop along and enjoy the new space. We are now recruiting volunteers for our Summer Reading Challenge. Are you aged 14 and above and enjoy working as part of a team? Closing date for this is Sunday 14th June 2018. Enrol early to get your first choice of library. Find out more at libraries.essex. gov.uk. For more information on all of our events and services, please visit libraries.essex.gov.uk, or follow and like us on our new Chelmsford Library Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ ChelmsfordCentralLibrary.
Local Wildlife Societies Essex Birdwatching Society: www.ebes.org.uk Essex Wildlife Trust: www.essexwt.org.uk Essex Field Club: www.essexfieldclub.org.uk RSPB: www.rspb.org.uk Recent Essex Wildlife News The most noteworthy March 2018 news: Hawfinches continued to be seen at various woods all around the county. Abberton Reservoir: great white egret, male ring-necked duck, smew. Rainham Marshes RSPB: 2 water pipit, little stint. Clactonon-Sea: white-spotted bluethroat on 22nd. Wallasea Island RSPB: whooper swan, 4 white-fronted and pink-footed geese, 2 scaup, 2 hen harrier. Southend area: 2 different serins. Southend Pier: an American Franklin’s gull on 9th. Nationally, notable selected highlights included: Cornwall: Pacific diver. Isles of Scilly: snowy owl. Pembrokeshire: Page 18
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Therapy - by Chelmsford Therapy Rooms Following on from my article last month on The Best You Expo, this month I’m looking at how hypnotherapy can help clients with self esteem issues. Self esteem is the lack of belief in oneself which can lead to many areas of your life being affected. For example a lack of esteem could hold someone back from fulfilling certain life goals because they don’t have the self belief to pursue their dream when the journey gets tough. Lack of self esteem can be caused by many different factors. It’s very important to ascertain these factors and to find out which are external and which are internal and how they’re affecting the client. Examples of external and internal factors are as follows:
If anyone is interested in seeing a therapist, Chelmsford Therapy Rooms has a range of therapists that can help with a multitude of issues. We offer many therapies from hypnotherapy to counselling to nutrition. Please see the website www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk or you can email info@chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162.
External: The client may have been told many negative things. For example that they are worthless, ugly, fat, a failure, or have never been praised no matter what they have achieved. This leads to the client eventually believing what they are being told, even if the opposite is true. The most amazing, lovely people in the world could be told so many times by various people negative things about themselves and this can lead to disastrous consequences. Internet trolling is a good example of this.
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Internal: The client tells themselves many negative things. For example that they are worthless, ugly, fat, a failure or perhaps have never acknowledged any of their own achievements. This leads to the client believing wholeheartedly everything negative they tell themselves, even if the opposite is true. People around them might tell them what an amazing person they are but they never believe them and may think these people are ‘just being nice’.
April/May Issue Deadlines:
Next I would need to find out how long this issue has been affecting the client, has this esteem issue been triggered by an event or is it more of a long term issue? This is important because if the esteem issue has been caused by something in particular, this can be used in the hypnotherapy screed to remind the subconscious mind that it was an isolated incident and then prompt the subconscious to remember/ think about all of the wonderful achievements and qualities the client has. If this is more of a long term issue I would need to dig deeper, and then once I feel I have found all that I can that is relevant to their esteem issue, I can use this to build an effective hypnotherapy screed. I could use hypnoanalysis to explore further into the subconscious if the client doesn’t remember or doesn’t know where their esteem issues developed. The screed would be a suggestion screed; after an appropriate PMR (progressive muscle relaxation) and deepener has been delivered I would begin the suggestions. Although the screeds are very personal to the client, one of the popular ways of delivering this type of hypnotherapy is to have the client imagine a blackboard or a whiteboard with all the uncomfortable labels they have been given/ given themselves in the past written on it. I would then have the client imagine wiping the words off the board and writing some positive things about themselves on the board instead. Because some clients genuinely have no idea of some of their positive qualities, these would have been discussed earlier (usually I have to tease the positive labels and qualities out of the client!) and then I use these in the screed. Alternatively I could use a radio; the client imagines all the uncomfortable labels they’ve been given being played on the radio and they turn the volume down so they can’t hear them anymore. When the client turns the volume back up, they hear all the positive labels and things they have achieved and these are more important because they are true (again, these are suggested). Either method depends on the client’s learning style (audio, visual or kinaesthetic). If you feel your life is held back because you are suffering from low self esteem, remember that most of the labels you give yourself (or perhaps have been given cruelly by others!) are not true. It might be a good idea to see a therapist as they will encourage you to be honest with yourself and face the negativity you feel that is affecting your esteem. Remember, you don’t deserve to suffer in silence, everyone deserves to feel positive about themselves and their lives.
Chelmsford Therapy Rooms is owned and run by Jenny Hartill, an Integrative counsellor and hypnotherapist, who is happy to answer any questions!
Artwork - 2nd May Articles - 10th May
Fun for a Fiver Continues Fancy a chance to win tickets to Essex Sausage & Cider Festival for £5? RAFFLE Fundraising for UK Lyme Disease & ME Research: see lymeresearch.uk for trial details, including a free health check by top class London experts and investinme.org. PRIZE: 2 tickets for Essex Sausage & Cider Festival on Saturday 26th May 2018. Tickets are available from Coopers Sandwich Bar in Tindall Street (CM1 1ER) & via PayPal (lucas.bedlam@outlook.com). Ticket Prices: £5 (per strip of five tickets). There is no maximum on ticket number purchases. Or buy your tickets by payment via PayPal to lucas.bedlam@outlook.com Please include your name, phone number/email address in the notes to receive your ticket numbers. Last entry is noon 11th May. Winners announced 13th May. The winner will be required to collect their tickets from CM1 the 1416th May. Please also join us at Lucas Be on Facebook and Instagram for updates of future faundraising events and to see winners announced. We are also organising a fundraising evening this autumn for UK Lyme Disease & ME research. Details will be shared on Facebook and Instagram in the summer. The evening will include dinner, an auction with a difference and music. We are interested to speak with people/companies who would be interested in sponsoring this evening. We are also requesting people with a talent or skill (eg personal trainer, gardener, painter and decorator, handyperson etc) who will be happy to volunteer that skill or talent free of charge to a person in Chelmsford to help raise funds for Lyme & ME research. Please get in contact via Lucas Be on Facebook.
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Quiz Time - by John Theedom 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.
Where is the oldest wooden church in the world? What colour is cochineal? What is the name for a male goose? Who was Hattie Jacques married to? Which year did King George VI die? Who or what is an aviatrix? What is the diameter of the Big Ben clock face? In early Eastenders, who played the part of Dennis Watts? What is the real colour of an aircraft’s black box? In Roman numerals, what does ‘D’ represent? Where in the world is Motown? Give another name for arum? In which year was the Compulsory Driving Test introduced? Pencils are usually marked HB or similar, what does the ‘B’ stand for? In which country did the dodo live before it became extinct? In The Bible, what is a leviathan? What wood was used to make Noah’s Ark? Where will you find a dado? In Dad’s Army, what is the civilian job of Private Pike? Who wrote ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’? A lumpsucker is what kind of animal? Which character in Coronation Street is played by Conner McIntyre?
23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.
When was the law introduced requiring front seat belts? Which is the longest river in the world? In which UK city is The Royal Crescent? Which type of nut is the most radioactive? What does the labrador mean in Spanish? On a lady’s hairstyle, what does the word perm mean? ‘Who Loves Ya Baby?’ was the catchphrase of which TV star? Why is a toy bear called teddy? Why is it called a signet ring? What is bantu? What are ex-president Clinton’s first names? A chevron is what shape? What is a squirrel’s nest called? Who wears a biretta at work? In which English county is the city of Ely? What is the name of the troubled vicar in Emmerdale? In which English city is The Radcliffe Hospital? What is a fennec?
Ansewrs on page 30 Apologies, in the last edition there was an incorrect answer, the Limpop River is in Africa not Asia. Well spotted by one of our readers!
Wilderness Foundation Receives Royal Support The Wilderness Foundation UK are deeply honoured to be listed as one of seven charities selected by Prince Harry and Ms Megan Markle to receive donations in place of gifts to celebrate their wedding on 19th May 2018.
The couple have chosen to redirect the generosity of the public towards causes which they have been particularly interested in over their lives to date. The Wilderness Foundation UK are based in Chatham Green near Chelmsford. Their base is a 400 acre farm owned by Strutt and Parker Farms - a key partner. The foundation reaches over 5,000 young people and adults each year with most of these coming from Essex. Jo Roberts, CEO of the Wilderness Foundation, said: “We are deeply touched and honoured that Prince Harry and Ms Markle have chosen to support The Wilderness Foundation and its beneficiaries. As the world’s population grows exponentially, the planet’s remaining wild places and resources are coming under increasing threat. It has never been more important for us as humans to protect the planet that gives us life. Whilst teaching conservation values, we in turn use the positive power of nature to support and recharge the lives of challenged and vulnerable young people and adults.”
Prince Harry visited The Wilderness Foundation in September last year, where he met students from Felsted School engaged in environmental education, mindfulness and connection to nature workshops. He even tasted nettle tea made by enthusiastic young people who were loving the freedom and space of having classes in the woods.
He then spent time around a camp fire talking with a range of graduates from the TurnAround and Out There Academy programmes. All the young people had come from painful and complex backgrounds, most having experienced some form of grief, being in care, and or mental health problems - significantly, anxiety and depression. Jo Roberts said: “The royal visit from Prince Harry left everyone feeling very seen, heard and understood. His ease and natural warmth touched us all. He is also very knowledgeable on conservation issues and the impact of disconnection from the natural world. On meeting our teenagers from TurnAround, he was deeply compassionate of all of their stories and very quickly built rapport with the group. They had all been through wilderness therapy programmes and personal development workshops and had graduated with positive changes to their mental wellbeing, employability or action in further education. “Young people, mental wellbeing and conserving nature are causes that the couple have championed. These are all themes at the heart of the Wilderness Foundation.” Donations will be used to grow the numbers of young people whose lives are changed through our programmes and to expand environmental education. Donations can help to support London schools who struggle to afford transport to attend the Chatham Green Project and spend time in the outdoors and wild nature. Donations will also be used to offer more one-to-one support and therapy to young people who are urgently in need of help. Donations will help the foundation spread the reach of their programmes to meet more numbers of students for all programmes, including growing young adults in environmental leadership programmes. For more information, please visit www.wildernessfoundation.org.uk.
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Have You Noticed yet or Have You Been Asleep? by Kellie Jones
Noticed what? What do mean by asleep? What I really mean is, have you shifted your attention to more feeling good thoughts and things, or are you still caught up in the bubble of bad news that may be fit to burst any day now? I mean this with no judgement if you are unaware of a better way of being just yet, I am just hopeful that you may pick up this article and it somehow helps to shift your attention for a little while to a better feeling place of possibility, that just takes a little practise.
Slowly but surely I am seeing more positive messages and a lean towards a kinder, more loving media appearing on the shelves and in my news feed. Now this may be just because my radar is set towards love over fear, therefore I only look for and allow this into my field of awareness. But I think I could be right in thinking that there is definitely a trend towards a more peaceful, fulfilling lifestyle on our horizon. On my coffee table right now, apart from my usual yoga magazines, is a whole selection of titles that have tempted me to pick them up and take them home to indulge in. Happinez, Breathe, In The Moment,
The Simple Things and Flow with subtitles such as ‘dream big’, ‘sparkle more’, ‘shine bright’, ‘make time for yourself’, ‘escaping’ and ‘positive, wise & loving life’! These fabulously created publications are deliberately encouraging us to be more selfish so that when we are selfless we are not left with a completely empty fuel tank, depleted due to giving too much and not receiving or giving enough to ourselves. With the rapid rise in popularity of plant based diets, yoga, meditation and sound healing this can only lead towards generally happier, more peaceful people which allows us the energy to be kinder and more compassionate to others. So I know that there are some strong opinions out there, that my decision to switch off the bad news and only listen to good could be considered ignorance, but I am willing to receive the negative views in a bid to experiment on behalf of mankind! I am in no doubt that the overwhelming amount of scary, fear inducing news and increase towards awareness of every terrible thing that may be happening anywhere and everywhere in the world is leading towards a massive meltdown for us humans. It seems the larger majority have become complacent that this is just the way it is and continue to put up with it, but there is most definitely an increase in people who see a different way. They say if you can dream it you can create it, hence the rise in books and retreats teaching lucid dreaming! So maybe just for today, turn off the news, choose a happiness magazine instead of a bad-news-paper, sit and just breathe for a while, take a walk in the park, speak about nice stories for a day and see what effect it has on you and those around you. Obviously we can help you with this at Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga, or you can email me for info about getting your own #selfloveplanunderway! Either way I promise you can feel happier, regardless! Find out more at: www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk or www.kelliejones. me/work-with-me.
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Pilates, Yoga, Meditation Book your space online or call: Small Classes & 1-2-1’s www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk Inspirational Teachers 01245 422556 Friendly, Community Vibe Reeds Farm Estate, Writtle, CM1 2ST www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk Page 23
The History of Marconi in Chelmsford: Part Six - by Stephen Norris The reorganised company after the war was in a good position to exploit its long standing connection with the BBC. In radio the BBC, like other stations, faced the problem after the war that had been building up before the conflict: the airwaves were becoming increasingly crowded. The company did some research into an FM station, and in 1947 the BBC gave an order to the company for an FM transmitter. A new BBC transmitting station using this started in 1950. The station also used antennae and a feeder system designed and made by the company. Marconi also researched the development of high powered unattended stations using air cooled valves made by its sister company EEV. Before the war, Marconi had produced television equipment for the BBC in a joint venture with EMI. At the end of the war the two companies proposed abandoning the 405 lines system for the 525 which was standard in the US. The BBC declined to adopt this and resumed their television service from Alexandra Palace using their old equipment in 1946. Before the war the company had concentrated on sound equipment for their part of the joint venture, now as part of English Electric there was nothing to stop Marconi producing television tubes. This was a gamble because it meant the dissolution of the Marconi - EMI partnership for television equipment and it was by no means certain that there would be a demand for televisions. Marconi experimented with camera design using image orthicon technology initially developed in the United States. One of the effects of this research was the remodelling of the Marconi valve laboratory into the English Electric Valve Company. Although it was part of the EE group and was very much a Marconi sister company, it has its own story and development through to the present where it still exists as the thriving firm e2v. It is therefore dealt with separately in the next chapter. For the second transmitting station erected near Birmingham, the BBC used EMI’s vision transmitter and Marconi’s high powered sound transmitter. They had tendered competing contracts however, and the partnership was dissolved in 1948. Sales of Marconi’s first TV camera were slow but then the second version, the Mark 1B, was accepted by the BBC who started using them for outside broadcasts. The company could start relying on EEV valves and didn’t have to be dependent on American models. In 1951 after the development of the Mark 2 camera, the company broke into the foreign market supplying complete television systems in Canada, Spain and Bolivia. These included transmitters, antennas, cameras and studio equipment. The company then designed a new camera around a newly developed EEV four and a half inch image orthicon. By 1956, after considerable teething problems, these Mark 3 cameras were being used by the BBC. Progress was such that Marconi and EEV won a joint engineering award at the American Emmys for their development of the new camera and tube. It was the first time such an award had gone outside the United States. As early as 1953 Marconi had given its first demonstration of colour television, although it was another 13 years before a colour television service arrived in this country. As in the past with its tradition of training sound engineers, Marconi set up the world’s first studio entirely for training purposes. Considerable sales of colour television equipment were built up well before colour television was launched in this country in 1967. Marconi was awarded the contracts for the new Crystal Palace station that was needed to replace the old Alexandra Palace station. Some of the old equipment from the previous station found its way to Chelmsford, where it was added to the collection of company historical exhibits. The new station began transmitting in 1956. Marconi also benefitted from the establishment of the new Independent Television Authority in 1954. In that year the new authority ordered three vision and three sound transmitters from
the company, and other orders came in from the new programme companies. This influx of orders caused another temporary crisis at Chelmsford with the company full to capacity. Marconi completed the first station at Croydon in seven months, and within three years seven other stations became operational. During the 1950s the company also carried out a great deal of research into closed circuit television, including underwater work. Its main use however was in heavy industry particularly in steel works and power generating stations. The company also carried out research into improving high frequency communications between countries and continents. Marconi of course had a tradition in this going back to 1900. In 1959 for example the company obtained a one and a half million pound order from the US for a microwave telephone and telegraph system to link the US Air Force with Great Britain. The company received a major contract in 1964 for communication equipment to aid the search for North Sea oil. It provided a GPO radio telegraph system for many mobile drilling rigs and two shore stations, one at the Humber and one near Aberdeen. The 1960s saw the beginning of the introduction of a satellite link into high frequency transmissions. To begin with, the company concentrated on providing ground stations for the satellites. The American end of the first Telstar broadcast used Marconi cameras. Britain’s first spaceship was ‘guided towards the stars’ by the Marconi direction finding equipment. Incidentally it was also equipped with Hoffmann bearings and Crompton Parkinson electrical circuits. As with sound broadcasting, the company continued to develop its marine communication after the war. Marconi International Marine Communications Ltd continued its practice, long established over more than 50 years, to provide ship owners with a rental and maintenance system. The company had over 250 depots all over the world, from which company technicians operated, to carry out maintenance and repairs on the equipment ship owners had hired from the company. Marconi applied developments in radar to mercantile shipping. The radio locator system proved very popular. Marconi was given the order to re-equip all lighthouses around Britain with new radio beacons. By 1964 the organisation of the company into semi-autonomous divisions had worked so well that company turnover was ten times what it had been in 1947. Manufacture was carried on at numerous establishments but nearly all of them were within a few miles of the original New Street works. In 1954 however, a new factory was built at Basildon and in 1960 the company acquired an existing one at Wembley. The Baddow laboratories successful research into microcircuits led to a new factory being established at Witham. Marconi’s expansion of its television interests led to a new plant in Waterhouse Lane being established in 1964. The production of components at Writtle was switched to a bigger factory at Billericay. In 1968 the radar division moved from New Street to the then empty Crompton-Parkinson factory in Writtle Road. Part of that site also came to be used by the separate EEV Company and Marconi was able to give jobs to 150 of the remaining 900 Crompton Parkinson workers. The Marine Company moved to Westway, Chelmsford in 1963. By 1962, at any one time there were 500 apprentices either at the local ‘tech’ (Mid Essex Technical College) or Marconi College in Arbour Lane. Most new Marconi apprentices stayed at the Brooklands hostel. They spent six months at the Apprentice Training Centre doing very basic tasks such as drilling, filing, welding and painting. This was followed by the first six months at the Mid Essex Technical College and by the end of the four year course only a few of the starting batch remained. Overall, the 1960s were successful years for the company, with order books generally full and over half of all production being exported. Industrial relations were not always harmonious by this time however.
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In 1967 for example, nearly 1,500 workers at New Street walked out over a claim for longer holidays and a pay increase. This dispute covered all the hourly paid staff and was an illustration of the growing gap between them and salaried staff.
of companies, including EEV, but not Marconi. As a result of these and later mergers, the conglomerate became well established on the FTSE top 100 shares index. By 1983 EMI was the largest private employer in the UK with some quarter of a million workers.
In 1967/8 English Electric was initially the target of a takeover bid from the Plessey Company but eventually accepted a rival bid from the General Electric Company (GEC). The origins of GEC went back to an electrical goods wholesaler started by a German living in London in the late nineteenth century called Gustav Binswanger - the company acquired its first factory as early as 1888. The following year it was incorporated as the GEC Limited and later became well known for its motto ‘Everything Electrical’. In 1900 it became a public limited company. It owned the Osram Lamp Company. GEC expanded rapidly during the first war producing radios, signal lamps, and arc lamp carbons for searchlights. During the inter-war period, the company moved into heavy engineering and was heavily involved in the creation of the national grid.
Weinstock showed little interest in the developing fields of computers, microelectronics, mobile phones and consumer electronics - the very fields in which Marconi should have had a real technological advantage. He stood by the areas which had previously been successful for the group: defence, electricity generators and phone exchanges. At the end of the 1980s he deliberately entered into joint ventures with a number of foreign companies to make it difficult for the company to be taken over.
During the Second War EMI was involved, like Marconi, with the development of the cavity magnetron for radar. Post-war the company grew at a slower pace until Arnold Weinstock became managing director. After internal reorganisation and cut backs, Weinstock embarked on a series of mergers aimed at rationalising the whole of the electrical industry. In 1967 EMI acquired AEI, itself an industrial giant. 1968 saw the merger with English Electric, covering a number
CT Fun Fact
Leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time.
The Power Is in Your Hands – Experience the Magic of Baby Massage with Basking Babies If only there was an easy way to help soothe your baby, provide genuine relief from wind and colic and help them to sleep more soundly. Well we have some news for you - there is, and it is no secret! The answer is baby massage. The trend to attend baby massage classes may be a relatively recent phenomenon here in the UK, yet baby massage is an ancient practice that goes back millennia in many areas of the globe. In parts of Africa for example, babies are welcomed into the world with a massage directly after birth, whilst in India, baby massage techniques are passed down from mother to daughter. In other countries too, for example Russia and Nepal, baby massage is common practice. Why is baby massage so popular? Because the benefits are wide ranging and incredible. Research tells us that touch is as important to a child as food, and spending quality time close up with your baby during a massage will only enhance and strengthen the bond between you. As you massage your baby, you stimulate pressure receptors in your baby’s skin that send signals to her brain to release the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin makes us feel relaxed and calm and has the added bonus of reducing cortisol (stress hormone) levels. High levels of cortisol can hinder immune function, therefore massage not only helps to relax your baby and keep her happy, but it helps to keep her healthy too. Every new parent longs for more sleep. While it is only natural for new babies to wake in the night to feed, the ultimate desire is that they go back down nice and quickly so you can catch a few hours before the next wake-up. You’ll be pleased to hear that babies who are massaged regularly show significant improvements in their sleep patterns. Spending just ten minutes a day massaging your baby could
gain you hours more sleep at night. Worth it? We think so! Any parent whose baby has experienced trapped wind or colic will probably agree there is little worse than feeling helpless while listening to the pained cries of their child. Once again, baby massage comes into play. Moves designed to release trapped wind, relieve constipation and tone the digestive tract are all covered on our courses and individual sessions, so you can prevent and alleviate this scenario. Basking Babies Baby Massage run a range of regular courses in Chelmsford and all across Essex, suitable for parents with babies from birth to active crawling: Introduction to Baby Massage: Perfect to complete when pregnant to benefit from positive touch as soon as baby is born. Baby Massage Course: Learn a comprehensive baby massage routine over 4 weeks designed to soothe and relax both you and baby. More Massage: Regular weekly class available for our baby massage course graduates to continue to enjoy the magic of baby massage. Colic Prevention & Alleviation: One-off session to learn a specifically tailored baby massage routine to help prevent and alleviate wind, colic and congestion. Baby Massage for Dads: A unique baby massage session specifically for dads to enjoy and bond with their babies. We also offer one-to-one home visits for anyone who would like to learn the art of baby massage in the comfort of their own home. To find out more about your nearest classes and instructor, visit www. baskingbabies.co.uk or contact jess@baskingbabies.co.uk.
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Why Not Try Chelmsford Park and Ride for Stress-Free Shopping?
For prices, route and times see www.essex.gov.uk/parkandride. Please note there is no service on Sundays or Bank Holidays unless otherwise stated.
CT Fun Fact The Facebook ‘Like’ button was originally planned to be named the ‘Awesome’ button. Instead of circling around looking for a parking space, why not sail along dedicated bus lanes into the city, bypassing the traffic? On Saturdays, the adult fare is only £1.50 and children under 16 years travel for free. On weekdays, adults pay £3.50 each. Your ticket lasts all day. Concessionary pass holders travel free from 9am Monday-Friday and all day Saturdays. Choose your favourite space at Sandon (just off the A12, CM2 7RU) or Chelmer Valley (A130 Regiment Way, CM3 3PR). For online tickets, download ‘First Bus mTickets’ from your app store.
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CHESS Homeless Announces Mid-Summer Concert with Men2Sing CHESS Homeless, the charity who supports homeless single adults from Chelmsford and Essex, announces its to host a mid-summer concert at Danbury Mission Church on Saturday 30th June from 7pm. The evening is set to be one that is both enjoyable and relaxing and will consist of a stunning performance from male voice choir Men2Sing, who are known for their varying repertoire of music, including modern and older style music including Queen, Elton John, Michael Bublé and ELO, along with pieces from West End Shows. For further information on Men2sing please see www.men2sing. org.uk. Homelessness is a community wide issue and is on the increase. Unlike other homeless charities, CHESS offer its clients an end-to-end service, by taking people off the streets and potentially giving them employment. We aim to empower people to move on in their lives to become independent
members of society.
Lindsay Hurrell, CHESS Fundraiser, says: “We would like to thank Danbury Mission for allowing CHESS to host this concert at their church and we are also truly thankful to be partnering again with Men2Sing for what is set to be an evening of great musical performance. Our last concert in 2016 with Men2Sing received fantastic support from individuals. We hope the local community will support us again, so that we can raise awareness and funds to continue supporting vulnerable single homeless adults from Chelmsford and Essex.” Tickets are £12 each which includes light refreshments. For further information and to download a booking form please visit www. chesshomeless.org/event/mid-summer-concert or can be purchased over the phone via 01245 281 104. About CHESS CHESS is the only local registered charity in Chelmsford which provides a 9-bedroom night shelter serving single homeless adults from Chelmsford and Essex. Alongside the night shelter, CHESS has an annex and four ‘move on’ shared accommodation properties. This enables the charity to support up to 32 individuals at a given time. CHESS provides individuals with a warm bedroom, home cooked meals and washing/hygiene facilities. Of equal importance, CHESS provides one to one support, counselling, advice on applying for benefits and CV writing skills. The charity works closely with outside organisations and can point individuals in the direction of these agencies should they need support following addiction etc. CHESS has a Social Enterprise company called Wingspan Works, which offers employment to those who have been through the CHESS Programme of Change, those who have been long term unemployed and those who have been through the judicial system.
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Why I Love Rotary
I received this article from a member of the Rotary Club of Chelmsford and it highlights what one can gain from becoming a Rotarian, so I thought I would share with the readers as I encourage others to get involved. “As a chartered accountant, I am busy throughout the year, but there is a time of particular pressure in the months of December and January in the run up to the annual tax return filing deadline. During those hectic weeks, at 12.30pm each Thursday it is a particular pleasure to leave the completion of tax returns, the chasing of those neglectful clients whom have failed to submit their details, the queries from my fellow partners and the many other tasks that occupy my working time, for a couple of hours and exit the office to attend the weekly meeting of the Chelmsford Rotary Club. “In those two hours I find a complete and relaxing contrast to my working day. There is the chance to spend time with my fellow Rotarians and to converse with them over a variety of subjects, whether it be the news of recent days or sporting or other reminiscences. In these days of social media it seems sitting, talking and listening with one’s fellow human beings has become a thing to be avoided, even scorned, for some. I hope I am not totally out of step with modern thought when I say I find it a great pleasure, particularly in a setting like the Rotary Club. “I will have been a member of Chelmsford Rotary Club for ten years this summer, and over that period have made a great many friends, some alas no longer with us. I was welcomed into the club when I joined, invited to sit with different members each week and soon got to know them and more importantly, to enjoy their company. Without wishing to appear vain in any way I hope they may have enjoyed my company as well! “After a couple of hours at Rotary, with a meal followed by an interesting talk organised by our excellent speaker secretary, I return to work refreshed and energised for the next challenge thrown at me. I have heard it said that working people cannot spare two hours out of their day to attend something like Rotary; that view is rubbish in my opinion, because of the de-stressing effect my weekly Rotary meeting has. Quite simply, I greatly enjoy the fellowship of Rotary, and that of course is one of its key objectives.
in its motto: ‘service above self’. Our club satisfies the motto in a variety of ways, and fund raising is key to that, whether it be for the funding of a local youngster going to do voluntary charitable work overseas, our annual pantomime trip for some of the local elderly, or our joint project with a Rotary Club in Pakistan. Before last Christmas I had a couple of stints collecting at a local supermarket and the railway station, and it is something I always find an uplifting experience. Again there is the chance to interact with one’s fellow human beings, and I am always warmed by the generosity of the donors. “Being able to do something to help my fellow human beings, even though it is in a very small and insignificant way, is an equally important factor in why I so enjoy being a Rotarian. It also serves as a regular reminder to think and consider the needs of those less fortunate than myself. Social care is an important point on the government’s agenda, and I cannot help feeling it has become much more important because of the gradual eroding of what, for want of a better expression, can be described as community spirit since the end of the Second World War. The seemingly endless advance of science and technology has perhaps in certain cases created a single-mindedness to which the ideals of Rotary are an important counterbalance. “Since I joined the club in 2008, although my working life has remained in Chelmsford, I now live 60 or so miles away in Suffolk. Despite that, I can easily envisage a situation when my working life is done where I will continue to journey up the A12 to attend the weekly meeting on Thursday lunchtimes and other club events. Quite simply, the pleasure and benefit I get from my membership of Chelmsford Rotary Club will be well worth that small effort. Rotary, alas, is saddled with an incorrect image, being viewed by some as merely a dining club. I know it is much more than that, namely a place where like-minded people meet to share fellowship, and most importantly a force for good in the community, local and beyond.” I hope that has whetted your appetite for involvement with Rotary, so please give me a call on 01245 260 349 to chat about the next step for joining or visit www.rotary1240.org. Stan Keller
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WOW! Some Me Time Beckons! by Eleanor Searle
before they arrived.
Motherhood is an amazing, mindaltering experience and opportunity to see the world through a new set of eyes. You have some of your happiest times and also some times when you’re put to the test. All of a sudden your little bundle is dependent on you for everything and its so easy to forget who you were and what made you ‘you’
A happy and relaxed mummy definitely goes a long way towards having a happy and relaxed baby - and although (at the time of writing this) long past its deadline due to a baby with colic, in my house, we’re all pretty content most of the time. Not worrying about the little things, not comparing myself to anyone else and going with the flow helps a lot. So does having a babysitter and an hour to myself every so often! Hopefully, this month I’m going to get my hair done so that I look a bit more like my pre-baby self, have a girls’ night out and have the opportunity to do some uninterrupted yoga and pilates practice. If the latter sounds like just the sort of thing that you need too, then you’re in luck! Competitions Starting in April 2018, we’re running competitions on social media giving you the opportunity to win a month of unlimited pilates and yoga at HummingbirdPY worth £89! All you need to do is follow us on social media: like, share, hashtag and repost our competitions to your friends and you’ll be in with a chance of winning this and loads of other amazing, life changing, ‘me time’ prizes!
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Good news is that it’s not just for the mums among you, but anyone who’d like to join our community and try their hand at some yoga, pilates or meditation. So what are you waiting for? Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter - and enter!
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Stargazing with Mark Willis - April/May 21:00 UT: (From mid-April onwards): Looking north east, the spring constellations are very much in evidence. the Plough, aka the Great Bear, is ruling the roost. It appears almost upside down this month. There are two wonderful galaxies to look out for very close to the Plough. The best way to locate them is to go online. Or if you have a ‘goto’ telescope you can program it to find them. The Whirlpool galaxy is a mere 60,000 light years away and the Pinwheel Galaxy (also known as M101 or NGC 5457) is a face-on spiral galaxy distanced 21 million light-years. April 22nd, 23rd - Lyrids Meteor Shower: The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. April 29th - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation: The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 27 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise. May 9th - Jupiter at Opposition: The giant planet will be at its closest
approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. New Moon: On 16th April and 15th May there will be a new Moon. This means the skies will be extra dark which is a great opportunity to see planets, galaxies and deep space objects. Fancy looking through a telescope and seeing planets, the Moon and galaxies? North Essex Astronomical Society holds free public stargazing nights. More details on their website: www. northessexastro.co.uk. As usual, email me with your questions…. Mark Willis presents Willis Wireless every Monday at 7pm on Chelmsford Community Radio on 104.4 FM and online at chelmsfordcommunityradio.com. Twitter: @WillisWireless Email: mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Announces New Patron Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is delighted to announce the appointment of its latest patron, Mr Dan Snow. A committed supporter of the site since May 2017, Mr Snow said: “This vital heritage site is an extraordinary place; a moment in time captured for posterity and commemoration. It must survive. Not only as a tribute to those that served in the conflict, but also as a salute to the early aviators that our nation relied upon across the 20th century”
Dan graduated from Balliol College, Oxford, with a first class honours degree in Modern History. A highly respected historian and television documentary maker, Dan presented his first programme in October 2002 going on to make an eight part documentary series called Battlefield Britain which won a BAFTA Craft Award. He has presented on many of the state occasions such as the 200th anniversary celebration of the Battle of Trafalgar, Beating the Retreat, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two and the 90th anniversary of the Armistice and Trooping the Colour.
Railways and Operation Grand Canyon with Dan Snow.
Dan has also travelled through war zones in Congo and Syria to make programmes about the historical context of those conflicts. He has also created History Hit TV, a subscription based video streaming site, offering a selection of history documentaries. Dan Snow is the youngest son of Peter Snow, BBC television journalist, directly related to Channel 4 news reporter Jon Snow and great grandson to Sir Thomas D’Oyly Snow, a British infantry general during World War I. Ian Flint, CEO of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, said: “Having Mr Snow advocating us is a wonderful coup for the trust. We are very proud to be linked to Dan and welcome his support. Being so invested in preserving and celebrating our national heritage, he is an ideal patron for us.” Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome boasts Europe’s largest collection of Royal Flying Corps WW1 buildings which were not adapted for further military use later in its history. During the summer season, it is open to the public from 10am - 4pm everyday except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Pre-arranged group visits, including coach trips, need to be made by appointment.
His TV credits include 20th Century Battlefields, Britain’s Lost World, My Family at War, Rome’s Lost Empire, Battle Castles: 500 Years of Knights and Siege Warfare, Locomotion: Dan Snow’s History of
For more information about visiting Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, please visit www.stowmaries.org.uk.
Quiz Answers
21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Greensted, Essex, England Red Gander John Le Mesurier February 6th 1952 Female pilot 23 feet Leslie Grantham Orange 500
11. Detroit, Michigan USA 12. Cuckoopint or Jack-in-thepulpit 13. 1934 14. Blackness 15. Mauritius 16. A giant 17. Gopher Wood 18. A rail in a room at waist height 19. Bank clerk 20. William Wordsworth
Fish Pat Phelan January 31st 1983 River Nile Bath, Somerset Brazil Worker Abbreviation for permanent waving 29. Kojak (Telly Savalas) 30. After US President ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt
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31. Signet is a wax seal, so ring used to imprint your logo on to hot wax 32. Swahili language 33. William Jefferson 34. Vee, as in uniform stripes 35. Drey 36. A clergyman - it is a hat 37. Cambridge 38. Billy Mayhew 39. Oxford 40. A small fox
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New Aviation Themed Album from Local Band
Essex Acoustic trio, Stuck in the Middle, recently launched their new album Fun Flight and Music. The album, which features covers versions of well known songs, has taken over a year to complete and also includes three original songs by members Angela Gardner, Jon Greaves and Julian May. It follows on from their debut album Picture This that was released in 2016.
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This collection of 13 songs with an aviation theme also includes the single Stow Maries (All Those Years Ago) that pays tribute to Captain Claude Ridley, the first commanding officer at Stow Maries Aerodrome in Essex. The album is available from the site shop at Stow Maries Aerodrome and Badgerbeats, 38 Quest Place, Maldon (www.badgerbeats.com). For further details on the band and their new album, email jongreaves@live.co.uk and visit Facebook - www.facebook.com/stuckinthemiddle1
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