The City Times - April/May 2022

The City Times

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City Times Intro Hello readers, Welcome to The City Times April/May edition.

Our What’s On pages are packed this month with lots of events!

If you would like to publicise your business or event in our What’s On section, please contact us using the details below.

Please do also remember to let our advertisers know that you saw their advert in The City Times.

Paul & Nick www.thecitytimes.co.uk www.moulshamtimes.com

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Regal Kitchens - Case Study

Mr and Mrs S visited Regal when their current kitchen was coming to the end of its life and as they live locally, they were aware of the location of the showroom. They considered using other local companies that had been recommended to them but felt immediately comfortable with the Regal staff who understood what they wanted to achieve from the project.

for a kitchen as it was all so perfect for what we wanted. The whole process was just flawless and communication was brilliant - being fussy, we changed a few bits, and Emma and Stacey just sorted it.

Installation was swift, tidy and done to such a high standard. The kitchen just looks amazing. Thank you!”

Regal Kitchens’ beautiful showroom in Chelmsford is situated at 2 Navigation Road, CM2 6HX and is open 7-days per week between 10am and 4pm.

The kitchen area is part of a large open-plan space and so needed to be in keeping with the style of the rest of the room. Our designer John visited the clients at home to start work on a design that would suit their family and lifestyle as well as including all the items on the clients’ wish list, which included a Quooker tap, fully integrated appliances and clever storage solutions for all their kitchen equipment.

The clients previously had an island and thought that they didn’t want to have one again as they felt it took away a lot of the space, but John reconfigured the size of the island to ensure good clearances on all sides to help with the flow of the room. The beautiful quartz worktop looks amazing in such a large piece (3.2m in length) and contrasts well with the Sand Gray cabinets which are concealing some special storage gadgetry as well as housing a full height fridge and freezer and their new 2 pyrolytic ovens, warming drawer and combi from Neff.

The clients also chose a top-of-the-range Quooker tap able to give them boiling, chilled and sparking water as well as regular hot and cold which helps suit their busy lifestyle.

Mr S says: “We visited Regal with a view to looking into a new kitchen and straight away we felt at ease in the showroom. We explained what we wanted to achieve and agreed for a site visit to see what we had. John came round and we both felt that John was on our side in terms of what we wanted, rather than what he wanted to sell. A week or so later the design was done, we chose the colours and appliances and Regal arranged for us to visit the granite wholesalers so we could see the detail in the worktop. We didn’ t go anywhere else to look Page 4

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Nick’s Music and Ramblings It is spring and also Easter time, so let’s hope it all gets better for us and the world from now on. Times have been hard for us with all these price increases making the cost of living unbelievably hard - I feel though that I am one of the lucky ones; I am by no way wealthy in any sense, but have always been frugal - I just hope you and I can manage. With all the problems in the world right now, we are so lucky when you consider places like the Ukraine and those poor people.

us all and got our toes tapping and people up dancing, with two people having travelled all the way from Germany for the show. Thank you Kokomo and Missfunktion for the entertainment.

On a brighter note, I have noticed that there seems to lots of festivals and events happening this year. It has been a long time coming so let’s hope it all goes ahead as there seems to be something for all, with gardening, children, animals, countryside, craft, vehicles, water, the Mud Race and much more. I see lot’s going on online all over the country. For me, this makes it a reason to get away in my caravan for a few days. I think there will a lot more people looking to stay in the UK too now, having discovered what a great place the UK is over the last two years when we were not able to travel abroad.

The next day it was off to Barleylands Blues Club to see The Fran McGillivray Band and some friends at the club. They played two wonderful sets and invited me up to blow my harmonicas on a few numbers as well. Thank you guys, we are looking forward to you playing at our charity day on Sunday 22nd May in Chelmsford. More about this next month, although you can check it out online for the full details - links are below.

We have some local elections coming up in some areas very soon, so let’s hope that if you are eligible that you do vote for the local councillor who best represents you and your area.

Do remember too that we also have the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations at the beginning of June - if you are celebrating this or know of any other celebrations or street parties going on then we want to know about them - see our contact details at the end of this article and on page three.

Music As you most probably know music has been one of my biggest passions for most of my life. I just love playing, watching and putting music on.

First I must mention a young lady I have known for many years who is now beginning to get the recognition she deserves: Roisin O’Hagan. Sunset Valley is the first single from a new EP which is just out and coincides with a trip to Nashville where she will be writing in preparation for a second EP to be released later this year. Sunset Valley is a real coming of age release for Roisin, and she is really looking forward to releasing plenty of new music throughout 2022. If you are a fan of Taylor Swift, Counting Crows or Sheryl Crow then I think you will love Roisin. You can find her on most social media platforms as well as YouTube and Spotify. You can also catch Roisin playing the main stage at this year’s Tennessee Fields Festival on 15th and 16th July in Chelmsford.

Black Frog Presents is pleased to be hosting the acoustic nights at the Orange Tree pub in Lower Anchor Street in Chelmsford. We have already put on two shows which have gone down really well and we are now looking forward to Connor Selby on Saturday 22nd April and the One Tree Hillbillies on Monday 16th May, plus Robin Bibi on Saturday 28th May. These events are free to enter and all start at 8.30pm. Do come along (we are busy booking more as I write this).

Now some reviews for you. First, we had Kokomo come and play - and wow, if you like jazz, funk or soul with a touch of blues it does not get much better than this 9-piece band. Missfunktion (Josh Graham and Hilary Cornell) opened the night and they were fab showing some amazing musicianship along with Hilary’s powerful and beautiful vocals - they blew everyone away. The audience wanted more, and with a bit of extra time that’s what they got! We will definitely be having them back.

Next up was Kokomo - after having to postpone from last year they finally made it! Boy, it was worth the wait, the stage was full of immense talent - in fact too many to name them all - they just wowed Page 6

Sadly, the next show was cancelled due to Covid - that should have been Cregan and Co, and we are working on dates for 2023 with them.

The following week was Voodoo Room - and what a night, with people having travelled from all over the UK to see them - they certainly did not leave disappointed. Voodoo Room are a power trio of brilliant musicians playing the music of Hendrix, Cream and Clapton, but doing it their way. There were far too many highlights to mention.

One act I have wanted to put on for a long time and have now managed to book is Hamish Stuart (Average White Band, Paul McCartney, Chaka Khan and currently Ringo Starr’s band). Opening the night, we had our mate Joe Anderton with the first outing of his new band, The Old Soft Shoe, which includes his buddy Connor Selby - these two seem to be inseparable (thankfully). Joe as ever was brilliant - this new band is one to watch. We were so impressed that we have booked them to play with Connor Selby in December. As for Hamish, well what a band, what players. And they were all so nice - and yes, they want to come back and play again, as they had a lot of fun getting almost everyone up and dancing. As soon as Hamish started singing it made me think of the Average White Band, as he was the ‘voice’ of that band.

The Orange Tree held its first acoustic show with Richard Townend opening the night. He played a mix of originals and covers that everyone seemed to enjoy. Some people who’d just popped in for a drink stayed as they wanted more of this great first night. Next up was The One Tree Hillbillies. The band had a couple of extra players on stage who I have not seen for a while. The audience and the band all had a great time and they are already booked in to return on Monday 16th May, so get there early if you want a seat as I am sure it will be packed again.

I have been along to the jam session at the Swan in Hatfield Peverel again and had fun watching and playing. This happens every Thursday night if you are interested, from around 8.30pm.

There’s lots going on this month - and with it being Easter there’s also plenty of beer festivals happening. For example, at the Woolpack - and it is also the 10th anniversary of the Ale House. Both are in Chelmsford and both are having music. I am sure there is lots more happening all over - and not just in Chelmsford - so keep your eyes peeled!

Remember too that if you have anything to say or an event that you think everyone should know about, then please send it to the editorial email address below.

It would be fantastic if you could share our magazines the City Times and Moulsham Times with others for us. We continue to publish both magazines in print and online at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia. If you are interested in advertising your business or event with us and our readers, then please contact us at ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk, or if you have a comment or an article, please send to editorial@itsyourmedia. co.uk and we will reply to you as soon as we can.

For all my Black Frog Presents updates and information on shows, go to www.linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresents or scan the QR code on our poster in this magazine.

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City Times Gardening April’s turning out to be such a great month for growing all sorts of things in the garden. At Capel Manor College we have, over the last few years, opted for a bed system when it comes to growing fruit and vegetables.

Beds can be any shape as long as all parts can be easily reached from the paths. Rectangular beds are the easiest to construct and should be 1.20m wide and no longer than 4m long to ensure easy movement from one side of the bed to the other. Beds can be raised, usually to a height of 15cm, with wood, bricks or concrete blocks.

Raising the beds ensures better drainage and a deeper topsoil. Paths should be wide enough to take a wheelbarrow, so at least 45cm. They can be left as earth but can be of any suitable material - eg, grass, bark, bricks, paving slabs or concrete.

For me, there are a few advantages of a bed system: • • • • • •

Planting can be denser since there is no need to walk between the rows. Even allowing for the paths, overall productivity should be higher.

Cultivation and harvesting can be conducted in most weather conditions as the soil is not walked on.

Crop rotation is easier to plan as areas are clearly defined.

Raised beds allow a greater depth of topsoil and better drainage.

Crop protection is easier with cloches or crop covers.

Compost, manures and fertilisers can be applied to just the areas in which the crops are to be grown and not wasted on pathways.

The natural structure of the soil is preserved as the soil is not

•

walked on and consolidated.

The bed system lends itself to the no-dig system.

On top of this, to derive maximum benefit from the growing, use all available space and have crops for harvesting all year round. The following are a few techniques that we use: Successional Sowing • Sowing the same variety at intervals so that the whole crop does not mature at the same time, for example radishes.

• Sowing different varieties of the same crop. Many crops have early and late varieties, for example potatoes.

Intercropping • Growing a fast maturing crop in the space between slower growing plants, eg, lettuce between brassicas or radishes between parsnips.

• The intercrop should not deprive the main crop of water or nutrients and it may be advisable to space the main crop a little further apart.

Catch Crops • Quick maturing crops planted in an area that Over 25 years experieince will be required later for a We will not be main crop. Plants suitable for intercropping may also beaten on price be suitable for catch crops.

• Trees • Pruning • Hedges • Roots Removed • Topping • Patios Green manures may be used • Rotovating • Turfing • Fencing • Garden Design • Decking as a catch crop to enrich the soil and keep it covered.

• Block Paving • Tar & Shingle • Guttering • Chimney Repairs

•

• Building Work• Roofing • Fascias & Soffits • Drainage solutions

We jetwash and re-seal patios and driveways

Strip Cropping • In this system, cloches are moved back and forth between two or three strips of adjacent land, so that they cover three or four different crops at their critical growth stages.

Check out this invaluable link to all things fruit, veg and herb growing: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own.

Whilst walking home from Capel’s Centre at Regent’s Park the other day, I could not help but admire the fabulous spring bedding schemes on show there. Immaculate displays maintained by regular dead-heading to keep plants fresh, compact and enabling repeat flowering… I hope you enjoy the images.

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Lastly, check out this link for further jobs for the garden as we move through April: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/april.

Happy gardening For any gardening tips please contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Capel Manor College, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4RQ by post (including a SAE), or email at tom.cole@capel. ac.uk.

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Mind, Body, Spirit & Wellbeing Festival - 21st-22nd May Tickets are now on sale for the Mind, Body, Spirit & Wellbeing Festival at Chelmsford City Racecourse on 21st - 22nd May 2022.

Join the fast-growing Mind, Body & Spirit Festival community across Essex and Suffolk for the fourth Life Arts event at Chelmsford City Racecourse. Purchase your tickets in advance at www.lifearts.co.uk or on the door when you arrive.

Inspiration

Festival organiser Chris Cozens explains the inspiration behind Life Arts Mind, Body & Spirit festivals: “As our lives have become increasingly busy and pressurised, we all need to find new ways to destress and to unwind. We offer people the space and time to relax and find peace within their increasingly busy lives.

“Be good to yourself this year. Join us at Chelmsford City Racecourse for the Mind, Body, Spirit & Wellbeing Festival 2022. You’ll also be helping to raise money for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.”

Making Time to Relax and Unwind

When we make time to relax and unwind, we start to look and feel differently. We become more accepting of ourselves and more patient and understanding with others. We start to notice the synchronicities in our lives. The impossible often becomes possible. We also listen to our hearts and make choices that better support our health and wellbeing.

Over 85 Stands With Many New Attractions Delicious food and drinks.

Crystals, jewellery and natural products.

Taster treatments, shamanic healing and readings.

FREE workshops, talks and demos, such as: • How to Heal Your Life • Astrology for Beginners • Herbs to Help us Reconnect • An Introduction to Mindfulness • Chiropractic and the Triad Of Health • How does CBD Work and How Can it Help?

• How to Balance Spirituality with Normal Life • Voice-Vibration Sound & Crystal Bowl Sound • Mediumship Demonstration (both days)

Event Information

Event times: 10am to 5pm.

FREE entry for under 16s.

Wheelchair-friendly event.

Raising money for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

Buy tickets in advance at www.lifearts.co.uk, or on the door when you arrive. Ticket prices include FREE admission to all talks and workshops - includes mediumship demonstration.

Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford, Essex CM31QP.

Experiences to Nurture the Heart and Soul

Throughout the two-day event there will be plenty of opportunities to destress and unwind with guided meditations, sound baths and relaxing therapies. As well as a wide range of natural skin products, you will also discover beautiful gifts, crystals and precious stones from around the world, handcrafted jewellery and spiritually inspired artwork.

New to Chelmsford this year, Guroots will be serving up smoothies, sweet delights and tea fusions infused with adaptogenic herbs and ’shrooms. They are definitely worth a visit.

Buddhist Bubble will be here again selling their beautiful statues, singing bowls and wall hangings. We also have Sweet Pink CBD selling handcrafted organic CBD products made in the UK. Or maybe you’d like to treat yourself and a friend to a tarot reading with Melayne Stone or one of our other gifted clairvoyants…

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Is White Rice Good for You? - By Lisa Whittle White rice is a controversial food in nutrition circles. On the one hand, some nutritionists say rice and grains are a nutritionally empty source of calories, phytates - and even toxins like arsenic.

Others consider rice a safe carbohydrate that few are intolerant too (ie hypoallergenic) and say it’s okay in moderation.

It fascinates me that it’s become derigeur in healthy eating philosophy to eat brown wholegrains with their fibrous husk and vitamin-rich germ inside, yet millions of people in the East and Far East - places such as India, China, Indonesia and Japan - are eating white rice as their stable carbohydrate and appear to be healthy.

Surely all these millions are people can’t be wrong? Why bother going to the trouble of dehusking it if it is better for you in its natural form as you would be in a western culture health food shop or indeed, supermarket?

Rice is certainly grown in a more natural, traditional form than other grains such as wheat. Wheat has been bred into hybrids and forms that produce high yield. The focus is more on profit and resistance to pests than nutritional qualities - hence this is one of the theories for why so many people are now intolerant to wheat, yet it has been a stable food for so many centuries if not millenia. Rice has been less tampered with or modified, if at all.

Whether or not rice is healthy for you could depend on your genetics. Genes could be why some cultures that eat rice as their primary source of carbohydrates are healthier and live longer than others who do not.

For some people, carbohydrates such as rice (or any grains) can raise blood sugar level which can, over time, put you more at risk of diseases such as diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular disease. How much this is a risk is thought to have a genetic link, and also linked to how much exercise you do. The more you exercise the more carbohydrate you can consume without risk. Studies have shown that the risk of blood sugar increase is reduced if the grains are eaten with protein, such as with beans, as it’s the tradition in many meals - think Caribbean ‘rice and peas’ or Indian rice with lentilrich dahl. The over-arching medical and nutritional advice is rice ‘in moderation’.

Here is a summary of facts to understand when deciding whether to consume rice:

• •

•

Due to modern farming practices, rice may be a better choice than wheat and other grains.

Both brown and white rice are gluten-free. Both brown and white rice are safe for people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and gluten sensitivity (unless cross-contaminated during processing, so always read the fine print on the labels).

So there is no reason to choose one over the other on this point.

All rice contains phytates as do all grains. These are effectively ‘anti-nutrients’ which can block the absorption of important minerals, such as iron for example.

Health Benefits of White Rice vs Brown Rice As for many, I have spent time agonising in the supermarket aisle over what kind of rice to buy. Long grain or short? Jasmine or Basmati? White or brown? As already mentioned, the given nutritional wisdom says brown rice has a higher nutritional content, since it still contains the bran and is less refined.

However, this is not the full story, because white rice compared to brown is actually lower in the nutrient-robbing phylates. It is the bran part that has most of the phylates, so with that removed, white rice can in effect provide more nutrients than can be absorbed.

White rice is also lower in oxalates which are also nutrient robbing substances. It is also lower in arsenic, the heavy-metal toxin, because that mainly resides in the outer bran layer. If you soak your white rice before cooking it this further reduces any arsenic within it.

All of these factors add up to white rice for those that are sensitive, being less inflammatory to the gut and body than brown rice.

Remember, individual health is always a factor when assessing dietary choices. Some people may do fine with phytates, while others need to avoid them due to their genetics or a specific health reason. Women in particular often see adverse effects on hormones from consuming too low a carbohydrate diet for too long. Of all the grains, white rice may be the safest option for carb consumption, along with sweet potatoes.

In my opinion, those on a high-nutrient diet devoid of inflammatory foods and who have an active lifestyle may do great with moderate rice consumption, such as with stir-fry or occasional sushi.

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The Power of Breath (Part Three) - Mandy Hayne Welcome to the third and final installment of The Power of the Breath - a practice in freeing up energy in the body, or releasing stagnation and blockages, a practice that can energise or calm, that can cool or heat the body, and that can give the mind a chance to quieten. This month we will look at two more pranayama (breathing) techniques - one of which is my favourite as it is super accessible but super effective. As before, take yourself to a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed and let yourself settle.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) Let your left hand rest on your knee and bring your right hand to your nose - place the tip of the index and middle finger between the eyebrows and rest the ring finger and little finger on the left nostril and the thumb on the right nostril. Use your thumb to close the right nostril and breathe in through the left. Close the left nostril and then open the right nostril and exhale. Inhale through the right nostril, then close. Release the left nostril to exhale. This is one round - continue for up to 5 minutes. You could use a normal rhythm of breath for this practice but I like to add a breath count - inhaling for 4, closing the nostrils for 2 and exhaling for 6. When you have finished, let the right hand relax down and breathe evenly through both nostrils for a few rounds of breath.

Box Breathing - My Favourite!

This breath uses an equal count for all four parts of the breath (the inhalation, the pause, the exhalation and the still point). You might start with the count of 3 and then increase to 4 or 5 as you become more comfortable with this practice. The breath in and out is through the nose. Inhale for 1, 2, 3 - pause for 1, 2, 3 - exhale for 1, 2, 3 - be still for 1, 2, 3 - continue for up to 5 minutes. You can practice this one anywhere for instant calm.

We’ll finish this series with a meditation. You could ask someone to read it aloud for you, or record yourself reading it so that you can play it back whenever you need to relax. Lie down, make yourself warm and comfortable, and relax. The Mantra is the Breath (taken from Thirty Paths to Stillness by Susan Johnson): “Follow the relaxation and allow the body to just be. Feel the entire body spread out across the floor, the body is sinking into a deep state of relaxation. Feel as though the body is drifting away and all you are

aware of is the breath coming and going. Visualise the colour indigo blue surrounding the body. Imagine this colour as a healing light; feel the coolness, the stillness, the peace that surrounds and enfolds you.

“You feel as if you are in a blue cocoon; a cape of blue velvet holding you, supporting you, allowing you to feel safe and secure. This healing light surrounds your aura whilst you relax. It is safe to allow the earth to support you, release and dissolve, surrender to the moment.

“Now just let the breath come and go; feel the rise and fall of the belly. Do not interfere with the sensation of the breathing, just witness the coming and going, the in and the out flow, the coming and going. Now take the attention to the nostrils and allow the breath to come into the nose. And as you exhale, hear and feel the sensation in the back of the throat. This is the Ujjayi pranayama; the sound is deep, still, steady and relaxed, like a baby snoring. Drift into the rhythm of the sound. You are beginning to feel the sound resonate deep within, allow the sound to become a vibration, allow the sound to become your mantra.

“The mantra is the sound of your breath; let the breath sign, feel it spreading throughout the chest centre, into the abdomen, down into the arms and legs. Allow the body to feel open to the sound, to the vibration as the breath breathes the body.

“Now as the breath deepens, feel the body go deeper into the sound, so that all you are aware of is the sound and the vibration, allow the sound to be your mantra. The breath is harmonising, the breath is calming, the breath is balancing, the breath is healing, the breath is life.

“Feel now the pause between the inhalation and the exhalation. Be aware of the still point. Allow the whole body to breathe in harmony with the sound. Link into your mantra, your own vibration.”

If you’d like to be guided through a similar meditation, I often like to close my classes at Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga with them - you’d be very welcome to join me.

A Presenter from Another Chelmsford - Chelmsford Community Radio We are very proud of our volunteer presenters, and this month we continue the introductions with Steve Chelmsford.

Radio Goldfield asked Steve if he would be interested in hosting his own show. Steve thought it might be a fun thing to try and said why not? The Mop Tops & The King, featuring the music of The Beatles and Elvis Presley, made its debut on Radio Goldfield on December 4th 2011.

After a year or so, Steve began searching for other community Steve ‘Chelmsford’ stations that might be interested in carrying his show. While surfing DiSalvo is the host the web in 2013 he discovered CCR in Chelmsford, UK. Matthew and producer of two Eaves, one of the people responsible for running the station, was shows heard on CCR, logged on that night and they began to chat. When Matt learned The Mop Tops & The Steve was from Chelmsford, USA, he was sold on the idea. Since that King (Wednesday day, Chelmsford, England has become more and more like a second 11pm) and The Steve home to Steve, a second home that he hopes to visit for the first time Chelmsford Show someday.

(Sunday 6pm). A lifelong resident of Chelmsford, Massachusetts in the USA, Steve has If you are interested learning more about Chelmsford Community always had a love for music, but his entrance into community radio Radio and our team of presenters, or getting involved with our shows came through a rather unlikely series of events. It began in 2008 or supporting our Radio Café, then please visit our website at www. while he was working at a remote test range in the Nevada desert. chelmsfordcommunityradio.com, or follow us on social media It was there Steve met ‘Dusty Fenders’, a free spirit who ran a small ‘@chelmsfordcr’ and ‘@radiocaféchelmsford’. café in the tiny town of Goldfield, population 250. Dusty also hosted his own radio show on the local community radio station, Radio www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com Goldfield, and proudly handed Steve a CD of his programme to listen www.facebook.com/ChelmsfordCR to. Dusty and Steve became friends. Fast forward to 2011 when www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia Page 13

Rotary Steps Up for Ukraine

The civilised world is appalled with the war going on in Ukraine which is having devastating consequences on the civilian population as families flee their homes. According to the United Nations some 4 million people, most of them women and children, have sought refuge in neighbouring countries and across Europe, while about 7 million more people have been displaced within Ukraine.

with more than 300 members. Ukraine Rotary formed a committee to help people affected by the crisis. It has launched an appeal to Rotary members worldwide for funds to provide basic necessities.

The city of Lviv has had an influx of people displaced from other cities around Ukraine. The Rotary Club of Lviv International, working with local authorities and major hospitals, created an online spreadsheet of relief items that can be accessed by people who want to help.

Members arrange for the donated items to be delivered to hospitals and coordinate storage with local warehouses.

Meanwhile Poland has taken in more than a million refugees and Rotary clubs all over the country created a central account for contributions. The Rotary Club of Olsztyn is collecting and managing donations for more than 150 Ukrainians who are staying at Ostróda Camp, a conference and recreation centre. Most of the occupants are unaccompanied children whose parents stayed in Ukraine.

Mykola Stebljanko is the editor of Rotary Ukraine and he set out what Ukrainian Rotary clubs are doing on the ground and what help they are seeking. “Firstly, to provide help to hospitals, where a large number of wounded civilians are being treated. They are in dire need of medical supplies. We have set up a special account and have received about US$100,000 from Rotary clubs and districts from around the world. We have already purchased and distributed medicine and equipment. We also have been approved for two disaster response grants.

“To coordinate humanitarian aid, Rotary clubs and districts are sending humanitarian aid via trucks, ships, and air carriers. We are rebuilding Rotary’s humanitarian hubs along the Ukraine borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. They have received all of the supply items and sent them across the border to our cities. Then, we have different hubs inside Ukraine near the border regions where Rotarians distribute this humanitarian help to the cities that are in dire need of help. Most of the items are clothes, food and medicine.

“To help families of Rotarians who want to leave the country. We have received many requests from Rotarians in Europe and America who would like to host our family members and relatives.”

The response has been impressive, with many organisations lending support - and Rotary is at the forefront having taken swift action working with Rotarians in Ukraine, Moldova and Poland to provide food, water, medical equipment and shelter for refugees whilst globally, clubs have donated approaching $7 million.

In addition, young Rotarians created a United for Peace site (www. rotaracteurope.eu/united-for-peace) that compiles information for refugees and volunteers. The site offers information about free rail, bus, and air transportation available to refugees and lists details about what is needed and how to help at specific national borders. It also has fundraising details for hospitals in the western Ukraine city of Lviv, as well as for clubs that are helping in various towns and for other organisations in the region. Using this site, shelter for refugees stranded at the border is coordinated. Volunteer hosts can sign up through an online form and specify how many people they can house and for how long. Begun as an initiative to help fellow Rotary members leaving Ukraine, it’s now being used by Rotary members all over Europe to offer help. A tool on the site links a demand for goods with available supplies. It was created within 48 hours after a team of 60 members from 10 countries met by video conference about how to meet the most urgent needs.

In Ukraine itself there are 62 Rotary clubs with about 1,100 members, and 24 Rotaract clubs (Rotary for the younger age group)

In the UK many truckloads of aid have been driven to Ukraine by ordinary - or should that be extraordinary - club members. Numerous ShelterBoxes have been donated through Rotary’s Disaster Emergency Relief plan. ShelterBoxes is an official partner of Rotary.

This is the Rotary effect where Rotarians in different countries work together on the ground to ensure relief is delivered quickly and gets to those most in need.

It is at times like this when disaster strikes, whether natural or manmade, that we see the true value of belonging to a worldwide service organisation. If you would like to get involved, please visit www. rotary1240.org or call me on 01245 260 349.

Stan Keller

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City Times Finance

Retirement - Questions to Ask Yourself

When Do I Want to Retire?

Your first question is one of the big ones: When do you want to retire?

What Will My Retirement Cost?

If you have an idea of when and how you’d like to retire, and what sort of lifestyle you want when you stop working, then it’s time to work out how much this will cost. Also, how much you will need to have saved by the time your final day at work arrives. Typically, retirees find that their day-to-day expenditure decreases, although you may want to spend more on leisure, entertainment and travel, which will affect your retirement cost.

Perhaps you love your job or your business and want to keep working? Or maybe you can’t wait to get out and start enjoying yourself... While financial considerations undoubtedly play a role in when you want to retire, other factors should need to be considered as well.

So, What Does This Mean for You? If you want to ensure that you have enough to live the lifestyle you want when you retire - and to maintain that lifestyle - you need to start planning now and not delay. Contact us to show you how to get started.

For example, if you’re hoping to spend time in the great outdoors during the summer, retiring in the spring could get you off to a great start. Other plans you have for early retirement may influence when the right time is for you.

Silvia Johnson Bsc(Hons), DipPFS, EFA, CertCII (MP) is a Director and Independent Financial Adviser at Royale Thames Wealth and provides independent financial advice to individuals and businesses.

Retirement - the word conjures different feelings for different people; some feel elation, some dread, but the fact is we should all be prepared. Read on for some important questions to ask yourself.

So, start by thinking about when you’d like to retire, but remember that other things will also influence your decision - such as whether it is financially possible.

How Do I Want to Retire?

It might sound like an odd question, but you should also ask yourself how you want to retire. The days of finishing work on a Friday and waking up ‘retired’ on a Monday morning are long gone. Lots of workers over 50 now want to blend work and retirement to create a transition phase. This could mean: • • • •

www.royalthameswealth.co.uk silvia@royalthameswealth.co.uk 07908 109 741 / 020 8720 7249 Royale Thames Wealth Ltd is an Appointed Representative of New Leaf Distribution Ltd which is authorised and regulated by Financial Conduct Authority number 460421. The value of your investment may go up as well as down and the value is not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Wills and Estate Planning are not regulated by the FCA.

Working part-time.

Working in a consultancy or mentor role.

Stepping back from the day-to-day running of your business.

Starting your own enterprise.

What Do I Want to Do When I Retire?

The notion of not having to work anymore may be appealing, but what are you actually going to do with your retirement?

The reason this is crucial is because it will impact the amount of money you’ll need to live the lifestyle you want. If your ambition is to travel the world, you’ll need more in the bank than if you just want to stay at home with your grandchildren. Your retirement might be an opportunity to finally relax or give you the time to head out on an adventure.

So, to understand what your pension pot might need to look like, it’s important that you think about all the things you’d like to do when work is no longer in the way.

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What’s On All events are correct at time of going to press. Please check with the venue for updates.

April

Friday 15th Chelmsford City Racecourse - Good Friday Race Meeting Civic - Dinosaur World Live Hot Box - Concrete Slugz + Ewan Whosarmy RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am session - £6 per session; to book a place, phone Sue Eddie 07794 543 147) The UB - Ben Hackett Woolpack - Beer Festival Saturday 16th Civic - Dinosaur World Live Civic - Rich Hall’s Hoedown Deluxe (14+) Hot Box - Rubber Soul RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Woolpack - Beer Festival Sunday 17th Acanteen - Bottomless Easter Bash Admirals Park - Chelmsford Ladies Circle Easter Bunny Hunt Civic - Dinosaur World Live Hot Box - Hugsta Bank Holiday Special Hylands Estate - Open Day Monday 18th Woolpack - Beer Festival Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night Tuesday 19th Beehive Business Centre - Dance Tropicana (salsa classes and social - 8pm) Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - Country Dancing (barn dance, 7.50pm, £2 - 01245 475 660) Woolpack - Quiz Wednesday 20th Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper Club: Dave Browning’s Jazz Cats (7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075) Civic - Forever in Blue Jeans Hyde Hall - Wildlife Walk Thursday 21st Civic - The ELO Experience Hot Box - Mrley + Nega Brandon + Bighead Tea Drinkers The Lion Inn - Chelmsford Comedy Club Friday 22nd Chelmsford Social Club - Sari Schorr + Happenin’ Boy Hot - Acid Under the Arches RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (see 15th April for details) The UB - Ben Eve Saturday 23rd Civic - The Magic of Motown Hot Box - Emjay Sessions Presents: The Skraelings + Alison Hyde Hall - Indoor Botanical Studio Photography Intense Records - Record Store Day Monday 25th Cramphorn - Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ Beehive Business Centre - Dance Tropicana (Bachata classes and social 8.30pm) Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night Tuesday 26th Cramphorn - Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ Beehive Business Centre - Dance Tropicana (salsa classes and social - 8pm) Old Court Theatre - Yes Prime Minister Page 18

Tuesday 26th (continued) Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - Country Dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660) Woolpack - Quiz Wednesday 27th Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show 2022 Cramphorn - Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ Hot Box - Tennessee Fileds Radio City Sessions Hyde Hall - The Curator’s Spring Walk Old Court Theatre - Yes Prime Minister The UB - Pub Quiz Thursday 28th Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show 2022 Cramphorn - Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ Hot Box - Pleasure Trap + Doctor Payne Old Court Theatre - Yes Prime Minister Friday 29th Chelmsford Social Club - Totally Blondie + Surfquake Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show 2022 Cramphorn - Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ Hyde Hall - Anglia Potter’s Exhibition Hyde Hall - Spring Craft and Design Show Old Court Theatre - Yes Prime Minister RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (see 15th April for details) Saturday 30th Chelmsford Social Club - Nine Lives R’n’R Club: The Jets + DJs Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show 2022 Cramphorn - Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ Hyde Hall - Anglia Potter’s Exhibition Hyde Hall - Spring Craft and Design Show Old Court Theatre - Yes Prime Minister The UB - The Laura Holland Duo

May

Sunday 1st Civic - The Tiger Who Came to Tea Beehive Business Centre - Dance Tropicana (salsa and Bachata afternoon and social - 2pm) Hyde Hall - Anglia Potter’s Exhibition Hyde Hall - Spring Craft and Design Show Hylands Estate - All About Dogs Monday 2nd Civic - The Tiger Who Came to Tea Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night Hyde Hall - Anglia Potter’s Exhibition Hyde Hall - Spring Craft and Design Show Hylands Estate - All About Dogs Tuesday 3rd Beehive Business Centre - Dance Tropicana (salsa classes and social - 8pm) Woolpack - Quiz Wednesday 4th Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper Club: The Essex Hot Five (7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075) The Friends Meeting House (Rainsford Road) Chelmsford Retirement Action Group - Beeleigh Mill Talk - (9.30am by Paul Chaplin) Hot Box - Will and the People

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Thursday 5th Civic - 90s Live!

Hot Box - Baxtr + Katy For Kings Friday 6th Hot Box - Live Transmission: Foxymop + Point Clear RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (see 15th April for details) Saturday 7th Black Bull - Shakster Records Anniversary All Dayer Chelmsford Social Club - Record Fair Civic - Sweet Caroline: The Ultimate tribute to Neil Diamond Hot Box - Flying Saucer + Goy Hyde Hall - Hyde Hall at Sunrise Orange Tree - Connor Sleby RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Sunday 8th Hot Box - Jazz Sundays with Zak Barrett & Friends Hylands House - Open day and farmers and craft market Monday 9th Beehive Business Centre - Dance Tropicana (Bachata classes and social - 8.30pm) Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club Night Tuesday 10th Beehive Business Centre - Dance Tropicana (salsa classes and social - 8pm) Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660) Woolpack - Quiz Wednesday 11th Civic - The Simon and Garfunkel Story Hot Box - The Hot Box Big Music Quiz Hyde Hall - Lawn Care for your Garden Thursday 12th Civic - Fastlove Hot Box - Hothaus Does: Eurovision Hyde Hall - What Now: Your Garden May & June Friday 13th Chelmsford Social Club - Osibisa 50th anniversary + Ramon Goose Hot Box - A/lpaca RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga ((see 15th April for details) Saturday 14th Civic - 15th Anniversary of Windmill Theatre School Hot Box - Jar Records Presents: Sheer + Grandad Hyde Hall - A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Fruit & Vegetables RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Sunday 15th Hylands Estate - Open Day Monday 16th Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club Night Hot Box - The Music in You (with Dr Jen Wills Lamacq) Orange Tree - One Tree Hillbillies Tuesday 17th Beehive Business Centre - Dance Tropicana (salsa classes and social - 8pm) Hot Box - Two Ways Home Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - Country Dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660) Woolpack - Quiz Wednesday 18th Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper Club: Ray Gelato & The Giants (7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075) Civic - The Sound of Music Hot Box - Loserhrs Presents: Zylvain + Ronin www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

Thursday 19th Civic - The Sound of Music Hot Box Friday 20th Chelmsford Social Club - Dangerous Daydream + The Homing Civic - The Sound of Music Hot Box - Cosmology Hylands Estate - The Stables Summer Series: Sephali Frost RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga ((see 15th April for details) Saturday 21st Civic - The Sound of Music RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Hylands Estate - The Stables Summer Series: Beans on Toast Sunday 22nd Chelmsford Social Club - British Heart Foundation fundraiser (from noon to 10pm with 12 acts playing) Civic - The Big Fest Mica Paris Takeover 2022

Please send any local events for inclusion in our What’s On guide from 19/5/22 to 19/6/21 to editorial@ itsyourmedia.co.uk

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The Development of Chelmsford (Part Four) - By Stephen Norris This article looks at developments in the area immediately before the First World War. It also looks at some developments in the town after the war.

Although Chelmsford’s industrial expansion was still in its infancy, the ordnance survey map of 1897 shows clearly the start of the urban spread of Chelmsford. In Springfield there were new houses around Springfield Green. On Springfield Road going out of town, there was much more housing on both sides. The Broomfield Ironworks (Christy’s) on Broomfield Road now had houses on both sides. Also on Broomfield Road, the new grammar school site was prominent.

There was also new housing along Rainsford Road. The top of New Street was still empty though, except for the field used for cricket and other sports. Admirals Park was already laid out and the Recreation Ground was clearly developed and tree-lined with a bandstand. At the back of the park was the water tower and main reservoir run by the Chelmsford Corporation. The Industrial School was set well back from Rainsford Road in large grounds. Rainsford Lane off Writtle Road was still completely in countryside in 1897.

What is now Old Moulsham was showing distinct signs of further development by the turn of the century. There were houses along one side of Grove Road, with a nursery still on the other, and houses had been built on both sides of Nursery Street. Oaklands was however still well out of the town. The Lodge now marked the beginning of the estate which went back to Longstomps Road. Crompton’s Arc Works now extended back from Anchor Street to Queen Street. St John’s Vicarage was still isolated on the Longstomps (Vicarage) Road.

Housing had started being built on Upper Bridge Road, Seymour Street and Wolseley Road off New Writtle Street by the railway line.

There were also some signs of development on the Baddow Road end of Van Diemans Road. In Lady Lane there were just 12 houses past Mildmay Road, but as yet there was no Manor Road. A local man John Janker (1902-1993) recalled it being a country lane with just a few houses on it. There were now also a few houses on the first part of Rochford Road and Goldlay Road. Janker also remembered two lodging houses in Moulsham Street - the Model and the Kettle. These mainly served wayfarers and were usually busy.

Tom Turner remembered the electric lighting in the town early in the twentieth century: “Arc lamps were fitted to high standards in the main streets while the side streets were lit by carbon filament lamps, about 30 watts, connected to wooden poles fitted in familiar cast iron pipes with overhead wiring and a curious type of lantern for the lamp to protect it.” The arc lamps had to be serviced almost every day: “This was carried out by two fitters who had to push around the town a ladder on a very heavy wooden truck, complete with tool box and spares.” The truck could weigh up to half a cwt and its ladder had to extend up to 25 feet to reach the arc lamps which were high to spread the light. Turner also recalled the time the council decided to substitute gas lighting for electric, but after a few years they reverted back to electric. Blondel electric lights were installed, and like the originals these were made at the Crompton Arc Works. Spalding’s photos of Moulsham Street and elsewhere in the town in the early years of the twentieth century show the rapid proliferation of phone wires and telegraph poles because of a big increase in the use of telephones.

In the early 1900s the first County Hall, red brick buildings in Duke Street, removed both the old Grammar School and the Coach and Horses Inn early in the new century. Tindal Square was much larger than it is today. It was still dominated by the Sebastapol cannon, the Judge Tindal statue and the Corn Exchange, but it also had numerous shops. In 1915 these included Orams the watchmakers and jewellers, and Collins the china and glass shop where the Midland Bank - now HSBC - stood. By 1930, Spalding Junior’s shop with its distinctive greenhouse (his studio) on the roof, had been replaced by Harrison’s the ironmongers. In 1937 this in turn had been replaced by the Employer’s Liability Assurance Corporation. Next to it was Bellamy’s the chemists. The gun was removed to Oaklands Park in 1936.

Spaldings photos of Tindal Street from 1916 - 1918, show the square had retained much of its character with the Spotted Dog and White Hart Hotel featuring prominently. His photos of Angel Yard behind the Spotted Dog did reveal however, just how much the area known as the ‘Yards’ was in need of repair.

The effect of Chelmsford’s dramatic industrial progress on the development of the town is well illustrated by the ordnance survey map of 1921. In 1907, boundary changes also had a big effect on the original size of the town. Hoffmann’s factory was three big buildings on the corner of Rectory Road and New Street, but it now went right back to the corn mill, and it also included extensive railway sidings. One of Spalding’s many photos of the Hoffmann’s works shows its own, very necessary, fire brigade in 1921. Another set of pictures shows its very large gas plant for power. On the opposite side of New Street was the new Marconi works. Houses had been built for workers on Marconi Road and Bishops Road. The area of Primrose Hill was now much more built up including Cramphorn Road and Nelson Road. Extensive building had taken place during the previous 20 years towards the railway line along roads such as Lower Anchor Street and Bradford Street. Along the railway, both sides of Upper Bridge Road were now built up.

After the First War, the Wells and Perry factory was still operating in Duke Street and the fire station remained on Market Road.

There was now a bowling green behind the Corn Exchange, and the Recreation Ground also had two well cared for greens. Barrack Square was now built up with the Star Co-operative covering most of it. The Congregational Chapel still fronted on to New London Road, and by the stone bridge was the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, which had been built in 1898 replacing the Cock Inn. It was demolished in 1971 to be replaced by Caters supermarket, later Presto’s. Also by the stone bridge in 1929 was the Pearl Assurance building, and off Waterloo Lane was the swimming baths. The Empire Theatre had been built on Mesopotamia Island.

On the High Street, the Regent Theatre was a prominent building going back a fair distance, and there was a football pitch on Kings Head Meadow. Spalding’s photographs between the wars show the wealth of public houses that remained in the town. The greatest concentration was still in Tindal Street, including the Spotted Dog. An inter-war Spalding photograph of Victoria Road South shows the Public Library, Museum and School of Art built in 1904 - 1906 and a needle shaped monument to those who fell in the Boer War which now resides in Central Park.

After the First War, both Wenley’s and Bolingbrokes secured steady expansion until the 1930s. Bolingbrokes had Father Christmas flown in to the town one year. Wenleys was the first shop in the town to have lifts installed in 1927. Both firms were badly hit by the depression of the 1930s however, as well as the rise of the chain stores with their greater buying power. Bonds, like Bolingbrokes, started as a drapery business. Its founder in the mid 19th century had been John George Bond, who died in 1924, when he was one of the few remaining original members of the town council. In 1890 a business review of the eastern counties said ‘few houses in the country can boast of so widespread and influential a patronage’.

During the 1920s, Bonds began acquiring neighbouring stores on the High Street and a Spalding photo of the 1930s shows the firm covering three shop fronts.

In the 1930s there was still a library above Boots in the High Street, and there was a Liptons store next to Woolworths (which is now a branch of Barclays). Next to Bolingbrokes was Luckin Smith, the grocer. Spalding’s photos show all the shops had window displays even the electricity shop. Before the Second War, there remained four butchers in the High Street. In the early 1930s crowds gathered on the corner of Springfield Road and the High Street to watch PC Henry Baker direct the traffic in a super efficient manner. Spalding’s photos show the inside of the Shire Hall after improvements had been made in the 1930s: ‘Inside, the ground floor has been refurbished to find room for the crown court and jury retiring rooms, but the great

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ballroom (or county room) upstairs remains virtually in its original state’.

Moulsham had become much more built up by 1921 and houses had been built on one side of what is now Vicarage Road. There were more houses on the Hamlet Road end of Lady Lane but still allotments going down towards Van Dieman’s Road. Off Lady Lane both sides of Roseberry Road had houses and one side of Bouverie Road was built on. Manor Road had been built up on both sides down to the Corporation depot. Houses had also been built on Braemar Avenue going towards Oaklands.

Several of Spalding’s 1928 photos show the large three story Pendeen house in Moulsham Street with very big ornate gardens at the back. Friars Place, a gabled house, remained a prominent building but it was demolished in 1930 to make way for a new road.

At the time of the First War, a number of gabled shops were still in the Old Friary, including Wright the butcher and Bellamy the chemist.

By 1933 Wright and Joseph Ellis, the bookseller, were still there as was the Windmill Inn. After the First War the Anchor Inn on Moulsham Street was a Wells and Perry pub, and the Rising Sun at the top of New London Road was owned by the Poor Law guardian, Alfred Conybeare.

Spalding’s photos reveal how far Brown and Son had developed their main premises at Coates Wharf at the town end of the Navigation

between the wars. They also show the imposing nature of the front of Marconi’s New Street works and how the masts dominated the town before they were taken down in the 1930s. The Marconi College in Arbour Lane in Springfield was well established by the 1930s.

There was further expansion at Hoffmann’s in the 1920s and 1930s, with huge new sheds with glass roofs being built and the railway sidings being covered over when they were no longer used. By the 1930s, the medieval cottages of New Street were showing their age having been patched up and repainted for centuries. Bishops Hall stood off Rectory Lane near the Bishops Hall mill by the river. It was demolished in 1928.

The 1930s saw major changes in Duke Street. By 1936 the brewery had been demolished. A large building next to it, Dorset House, previously known as Brewery House continued, first as a dentist, then a youth club, before becoming a ruin until it was finally demolished in 1981. The foundation stone for the new County Council block was laid in 1933 - when finished, the building was certainly not universally liked. In 1954, Nikolaus Pevsner, in his Buildings of England series, regarded the building as a ‘sad anti climax’: ‘The height of the building ruins the skyline of the town from many points by depriving the cathedral tower of its pre-eminence.’

The next article looks at early attempts at planning in the town.

Russian Ramblings - By Britain’s Oldest Angry Young Man HOLD THE FRONT PAGE: Vladimir Putin has been spotted smiling - a major event for humanity. The Hollywood silent movie star Buster Keaton was known as ‘Old Stoneface’ such was his hangdog demeanour. Until now, President Putin’s demeanour has mirrored Buster’s. But then Putin has much to smile about. Indiscriminately laying waste to swathes of another country to feed his obsession for power and his paranoia for the West. In doing so, he has become a world pariah whose murder of babies, women and the elderly, and the displacement of millions of innocent people has led to him becoming the best bet for a war crimes trial.

of Putin’s bully boys and unprecedented sanctions imposed by the West is having a slow drip drip effect on the morale of the Russian people and of the Russian army, but again Putin is indifferent to the suffering of his own people. Many are now ignoring his deranged propaganda lies and Mickey Mouse fake news designed to cover up any escalation of his ‘war’ that could be construed as a war crime.

Putin is now a modern day Rasputin. How can he not be when 50% of Rasputin’s name is the same as his?

Interestingly, a Russian multi-millionaire (or billionaire, but who cares) who lives in California has offered a bounty of a million dollars for anyone brave enough to arrest Putin. So one wonders how many hit squads are currently wandering around Moscow waiting for the opportunity to cash in.

Also, it is interesting that Putin’s good friend, China’s President Xi Jimping, has begun to distance himself from Putin calling his invasion ‘a war’ (the word is banned in Russia). Even more interesting is the anti-war demonstrations by Russian people who could hold the key to Putin’s demise. But then, so many unhinged despots are eventually kicked out from within their own ranks. This possibility may be the reason Putin sits at the end of a long table, at the other end of which are a group of his cronies sitting far enough away to dispel any thoughts of a Julius Caesar moment.

Clearly Putin has demonstrated that he is unhinged. His invasion is not going well thanks to the bravery and heroism of the Ukraine defenders and the huge supplies of weapons and equipment lobbed over the Polish border. Putin now is in his miscalculation mess too deep to withdraw. When he throws his toys out of his pram in the shape of his nuclear capability, the West has a sharp intake of breath. World War Three is poking its head over the horizon. When dealing with a madman, the more you push him, the more unpredictable he becomes. However, in Putin’s case his unpredictability could kill us all.

Putin’s paranoia and total indifference to the suffering he has created, ironically has also created a warped mindset regurgitating the dark days of the Russian 1917 revolution. Such is his violent suppression of public opposition to his invasion, that Russian prisons are rapidly filling up with Russian protestors. A lethal combination www.thecitytimes.co.uk

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A Year in the Life of the Mayor

Spot the Difference - 10 to find (answers on page 23) The Deputy Mayor and I attended Hylands Estate for the High Sheriff of Essex Awards Evening - congratulations to all those who received funds including Cool to be Kind, North Avenue Youth Centre, Support Through Court, and Open Road who were also awarded the prestigious High Sheriffs’ Shield. The Deputy Mayor and I chose to show our support for Ukraine by wearing their national flag colours I was feeling very uplifted by the performance of Shrek The Musical at Moulsham High School recently in their excellent performance studio. The Deputy Mayor and I were pleased to meet cast, crew and staff afterwards to thank them all for a very enjoyable evening of entertainment. Well done everyone involved and best wishes to those going on to study drama at University in September - based on your performances in Shrek I’m sure you’ll have very successful careers ahead of you.

The Mayoress and I were invited to the Welsh Society St David’s Day dinner at the County Hotel, where we enjoyed beautiful harp playing

by Rachel Bartels, keyboard and singing by Debs Allen-Morgan and Meinir Wyn Davies. The Guest of Honour was Fr Gildas, who kept us entertained with his stories of life in The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré. Diolch to everyone who made us feel so welcome and apologies to those who had the misfortune to be close by when the Mayoress and I tried to sing the songs in Welsh...

One Friday in March was a particularly busy day for me and the Deputy Mayor, we began the morning with a visit to my parlour from Majors Tracey and Ian Mountford from the Salvation Army. It was lovely to sit and chat informally about the needs of Chelmsford residents, hear about the wonderful work the Salvation Army do and has done - not just throughout the pandemic. We then went on to our next engagement at Lionmede Park.

The Deputy Mayor and I were joined by The Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst, my Chaplin Tom Page, other faith representatives, past mayors and current councillors to plant Lime Trees in Lionmede Park as part of #QueensGreenCanopy.

The Deputy Mayor & her Consort Ian had an enjoyable evening at the Civic Dinner of Cllr Julie Gooding, Chairman of Rochford District Council where £5,000 was raised by generous donations and a raffle and auction for the Ukrainian appeal.

I attended the very enjoyable Annual Museum Lecture in the Cramphorn Theatre organised by the Friends of the Museum.

The talk was given by Tony Crosby, Chairman of Essex Industrial Archaeology Group (EIAG) on Chelmsford’s industrial heritage.

Afterwards there was an interesting Q&A session, which I was happy to be a part of.

The Chairman of Essex County Council held his Civic Service in Chelmsford Cathedral. The Mayoress and I were pleased to attend to represent Chelmsford residents and businesses. After the ceremony we enjoyed a short reception, which enabled us to talk to councillors and other guests before moving on to our next engagement.

On a sunny Saturday morning the Deputy Mayor and her Consort Ian joined me for a preview of KIPPS by members of CAODS (Chelmsford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society). It was a real insight into the amazing amount of organisation and accurate timing that goes into putting on a show. Flash Bang Wallop… absolutely brilliant!

The 6th Chelmsford Beavers came to the Civic Centre to visit the Mayor’s Parlour where the Deputy Mayor and I were on hand to answer their questions and talk about the roles and history of the Mayoralty in Chelmsford. The recycled squirrel in the foreground of the group photo proved to be a great hit; we didn’t have a name for it until one of the Beavers suggested Acorn, so Acorn it is!

One Sunday afternoon the Mayoress and I visited the Moulsham Lodge Community Trust Knitting Group in Gloucester Avenue who meet monthly on a Sunday afternoon. All the ladies were knitting a range of things some for personal use and others for charity including a hat, daffodils, baby sets and Ukrainian sunflowers. My thanks to Jenny Brown and the lovely group of ladies who made us feel most welcome.

The Mayoress and I had the pleasure of attending the Lord Lieutenant’s Annual Cadet Forces Reception. It was wonderful to celebrate with cadets and guests from Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers, all the recipients were very deserving of the awards they received.

I was joined by Cllr Rose Moore and members of Chelmsford Town Twinning Partnership as we planted a lime tree as part of the #queensgreencanopy in Lionmede Park. The tree not only celebrates the Queen’s Jubilee, but also the links between our twin towns of Annonay in France and Backnang in Germany.

The Mayoress and I attended a Service of Commissioning of the City and West Mission and Ministry Partnership at Writtle All Saints Church one Sunday evening. John Perumbalath, Bishop of Bradwell, lead the Commissioning. Rev’d Julia Lacey from Church of the Ascension with All Saints sang a beautiful solo Armonia e amicizia (Handel).

I dropped into a SELEP Jobs Fair in partnership with Shaw Trust and others where it was a pleasure to talk to the staff from many of the organisations, including The County Hotel and Essex County Council all there to try and recruit and assist people back into work.

For International Womens Day I was asked to join with Women Together in Basildon to talk a little about the strong female influences in my life. After lunch we were shown how to make some simple jewellery, then had a go ourselves. I love the bracelet I made.

I was due to attend the Chelmsford Ballets production of Wind in the Willows with the Mayoress. Unfortunately, I tested positive for COVID-19 late that afternoon, a decision was made - as it was such short notice and so as not to disappoint those who had invited us - that the Mayoress attended on her own. She said it was a truly wonderful show and I would have loved it. I was so sad to have missed it and the opportunity to meet all those involved.

The Deputy Mayor hosted a group of community champions in the Mayor’s Parlour one Friday morning and Monday evening, where guests were able to view the many ceremonial items used by the mayoralty on civic occasions and ask questions over a cup of tea.

They were lively and enjoyable sessions with lots of questions.

The Deputy Mayor and her Consort Ian were delighted to attend the Mayor of Basildon Cllr David Dadds’ Charity Civic Dinner at The Magic Mushroom restaurant where approximately £5,000 was raised for his charities.

A wonderful afternoon of music, colour and food heralded the start of

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spring in the Holi festival in Central Park. The Deputy Mayor and her Consort Ian were happy to join the Chelmsford Hindu Society in their celebration of Holi, and were suitably adorned with coloured paint! It was very well attended and I was so very sorry to have missed it.

On Mothering Sunday the Mayoress and I were pleased to visit St Augustine of Canterbury in Springfield to open the Little Free Pantry.

This was followed by a short service for Mothering Sunday. We were both presented with daffodils from children in the congregation, then two beautiful bunches of flowers later at the reception that followed.

What a wonderful way to start the day.

Mothering Sunday was spent with some lovely mums and nans.

Afternoon tea with the Mayor (and Mayoress, Deputy Mayor, Linda, and Ian her Consort) was a fundraising event for my charities Helping Hands Essex, Sanctus, and Mid & NE Essex Mind. My thanks to everyone who came and supported the event, Jenny and her knitting group, Hayley at The Copper Pot Café and Moulsham Lodge Community Trust volunteers. We had two sittings, which were both well attended. A small raffle was organised and raised £125 (with Gift Aid) for the dec.org.uk Ukraine fund.

If you wish to invite the Mayor to attend an actual or virtual event, please email mayors.office@chelmsford.gov.uk.

Twitter: @chelmsmayor Instagram: Chelmsford_mayor Facebook: Mayor of Chelmsford

Chelmsford Library

Happy Easter to all our customers! Most of the clubs and events we ran before the pandemic are now back, so do come and see us there’s something for everyone!

The Deputy Mayor and her Consort Ian were delighted to attend an Offspringers performance of HONK at the Cramphorn Theatre. A joyful afternoon for everyone.

The Deputy Mayor and her Consort Ian visited Hylands Estate one Sunday morning. They officially opened the Hylands Stables Artists Studio Shop where you can purchase lovely and unique handmade items by all the resident Hylands artists. The Deputy Mayor, Linda, also opened the new and larger studio by jewellery designer and maker Tanya Krackowizer. Tanya makes bespoke commission jewellery and runs group workshops.

Wednesday 2rd March was National Covid Day of Reflection. The Deputy Mayor and her Consort Ian attended an outdoor lunchtime ceremony at Chelmsford Cathedral with the Salvation Army reflecting on COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. The Deputy Mayor and her Consort also attended the evening service with the Salvation Army and Lord Lieutenant, Jenny Tolhurst, as well as other mayors and Chairmen of local councils across Essex.

After a week of isolation, I was now Covid-free to join the rest of the mayoralty in a Saturday afternoon at the Civic Theatre Chelmsford watching the amazing CAODS (Chelmsford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society) production of KIPPS: The New Half a Sixpence Musical. A wonderful show with so much energy, and the sets and costumes were very good - this show was as good as any you would see performed professionally in the West End. Well done to all the cast, crew, and front of house volunteers. An absolute triumph!

I attended the (2-years delayed) ruby anniversary concert of the Wallace Singers at Chelmsford Cathedral on a Saturday evening, accompanied by the Mayoress. A varied programme of well-known songs and medleys were enjoyed by all.

The Deputy Mayor attended Thriftwood College for their Open Mic Night. It was a very enjoyable evening with some excellent performances.

Work Club: Every Thursday 10am-12 noon. Drop in and see us if you need help or advice with job searching, CV writing, online application forms, etc.

Learn My Way: A free 6-week beginners computer course for people who don’t know how to do anything on a computer, on Mondays 10am-12 noon.

Booking required.

Tablet Taster Sessions: Need help using your tablet or iPad? Our free 1:1 sessions with a computer volunteer will give you advice and guidance on how to get the best from your device (but not mobile phones). Held on first Thursday of the month, 11am-12 noon.

Booking required.

Community Tea Time: Drop-in every other Saturday, 10am-11.30am.

After choosing your books, come and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits with us.

Pens and Puzzles: Every Sunday, 11am-12.30pm. Free children’s drop-in session for puzzles and colouring.

Block Builders Construction Club: Every Saturday. 2pm-3.30pm.

Free drop-in session to get creative - big blocks available for younger children and smaller blocks for slightly older. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Baby and Toddler Rhymetimes: You no longer need to book a place so just come along (be aware though, that numbers may be limited for health and safety reasons due to space available).

For full details on all our events and services, and to book your places, please visit our website. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter or by subscribing to our newsletter - details on our website. www.libraries.essex.gov.uk

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Page 23

Can You Make a Difference in Your Community?

These clubs are for anyone to bring along their own device (laptop, phone, tablet) and be helped to understand it or do specific tasks.

Most of our clients are elderly, and need help doing things like making Zoom calls, filling out forms, setting up email and learning how to stay safe online.

Volunteer Office Administrator - Essex Respite and Care Association We are seeking committed and reliable administrators to help us in our Chelmsford office.

Climate Action Farm in a Box - Packing School Resource Boxes - 6th June 2022 One-Off Volunteering: Help The Country Trust (a national education charity) pack Climate Action Farm in a Box resource boxes to be sent out to schools to help them to learn about food, farming and climate change.

This is a great one to do as family, as a group of colleagues, or just as a simple and fun one-off!

Men’s Shed - Supervisor Chelmsford Men’s Shed provides a space for men to learn or practice woodworking and to talk, make friends and drink plenty of tea.

A warm welcome awaits men wanting to join, but we currently have a long waiting list. We need more supervisors so that the Shed can open more weekly sessions.

Supervisors support the session, help to promote friendly conversation, and make sure everyone is working safely. People skills, responsibility and a bit of knowledge around woodwork is important.

IT & Computer Club Assistants Are you kind, patient, a good communicator, and confident with IT? We need helpers for two community computer clubs on Friday mornings in Chelmsford.

If you are well-organised, good with IT, have excellent attention to detail and enjoy being part of a team, then please do contact us.

This is a great one if you’re looking to booster your CV or get office experience.

Puppy and Dog Socialiser - Medical Detection Dogs We are at the forefront of the research into the fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and bacterial infections. Our Bio Detection Dogs are trained to find the odour of those diseases in samples such as urine, breath and sweat. Our work has the potential to benefit millions.

We are looking for committed volunteers to help care for and train our dogs/puppies. This role is hard work but incredibly rewarding.

Trustees Needed - Multiple Local Charities Trustees play a crucial role in guiding charities, helping make plans and decisions, and making sure they stay on track. It is a fantastic opportunity to make real difference to the organisation you volunteer for. You don’t need prior experience, just enthusiasm, dedication and good judgement.

Trustee meetings are usually just 4 times a year, so this is a great role for people with busy lives who still want to help.

Please email volunteer@chelmsfordcvs.org.uk or call 01245 250 731 if you think you could help, or just want more information about volunteering.

Concrete Canvas 2022

Concrete Canvas, Chelmsford’s first ever street art festival, arrives this May!

Between Saturday 14th and Friday 27th May a number of sites across the city centre will become the canvas for some incredible murals, big and small, created by a line-up of internationally renowned street artists alongside some of Chelmsford’s very own talented local artists.

This new event is being brought to Chelmsford by the city’s Business Improvement District, Chelmsford For You, in partnership with Chelmsford City Council and Ignite Chelmsford. Local creative Candy Joyce has been appointed to lead on the project and bring the idea to life.

The aim is to give a new lease of life to ‘blank’ spaces whilst creating

a trail of inspirational Street Art that will remain for all to enjoy. The artists involved are currently engaging with a number of different groups across Chelmsford’s community, in order to inspire their designs to celebrate Chelmsford’s narrative and tell our city’s story.

Throughout the festival there will be the opportunity for you to get involved with a variety of workshops and digital street art experiences. Plus, once all the installations are in place, Concrete Canvas: The Launch Party will take to the city centre on Saturday 28th May, where you can expect live graffiti demos, art fair, public drawing wall, print workshop, live dance, DJs, and music.

Full details on Concrete Canvas are on the way, to stay in the know and for all those updates keep an eye on www.chelmsfordforyou. co.uk/concretecanvas and make sure you’re following Chelmsford For You on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, just search: ‘@ChelmsfordForYou’.

Advertising Testimonial: Great response!!

Thank you City Times for running my advertisement and designing a great advert.

I got a fabulous response and have taken on a super lady thanks to you.

I’ll give you another go when the time arises.

Tim Lloyd, CEO Holly House Business Centre.

Page 24

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CT Therapy - Chelmsford Therapy Rooms Hi everyone, I hope you’re keeping well! We’ve had quite a bit going on at Chelmsford Therapy Rooms, some of which I’d like to share with you today.

First of all I’m delighted to inform you that Chelmsford Therapy Rooms has won Best Private Counselling and Hypnotherapy Practice at the Global Health and Pharma Mental Health Awards 2022. At Chelmsford Therapy Rooms we strive to provide the best service that we can and to be recognised for this is always a fantastic feeling. The main thing is that we’re helping as many people as we can in our local area.

People are worried at the moment, worried about the energy crisis, worried about the war in Ukraine, worried about the rising cost of living. All of this on top of a pandemic and our own personal circumstances, is it any wonder that there’s a mental health crisis in this country?

According to the mental health charity Mind: • 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England.

• 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England.

The overall number of people reporting mental health problems has been going up in recent years. The amount of people with common mental health problems went up by 20% between 1993 to 2014 in both men and women. The percentage of people reporting severe mental health symptoms in any given week rose from 7% in 1993, to over 9% in 2014. The number of young women reporting common mental health problems has also been increasing.

Looking at mental health in the workplace, mentalhealth.org.uk states that working conditions and environment can have a huge impact on mental health and, equally, someone’s mental health can have a significant impact to perform well in their job: • 1 in 6.8 people experience mental health problems in the workplace (14.7%).

• Women in full-time employment are nearly twice as likely to have a common mental health problem as full-time employed men (19.8% vs 10.9%).

• Evidence suggests that 12.7% of all sickness absence days in the UK can be attributed to mental health conditions.

According to the House of Commons Library, NHS England’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (IAPT) aims to provide talking therapies for working age people experiencing common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

90% of those finishing a course of IAPT treatment in 2020/21 waited less than 6 weeks for their first treatment. (Less than 6 weeks could just as easily mean 5 weeks and 6 days, mind!) In most areas of England, patients waited three times as long between their first and second treatments than they waited for their first treatment. The average waiting time for a first treatment was 21 days while the average waiting time between first and second treatment was 53 days.

As you may already know, with private therapy you wouldn’t usually wait for longer than a week or so to get an appointment, and you certainly wouldn’t wait longer than that for another appointment unless you wanted to. I’m not trying to diss the NHS by quoting these figures, I have so much respect for those that work within IAPT and I’ve spoken to may a therapist that works within the NHS. The impression I get is that the mental health services run by the NHS in this country are overwhelmed. Some people don’t want to go to the NHS not just because of the waiting times, but they also don’t want to feel they’re a further burden on an institution that has already

done so much for us.

So, how about prevention of mental ill health at work? According to mentalhealth.org.uk: • Better mental health support in the workplace can save UK businesses up to £8 billion per year.

• Introducing a workplace intervention in the form of an employee screening and care management can not only help employees but also the business as a whole. According to an economic model, in a company of 500 employees where two thirds are offered and accept psychological treatment, an investment of £20,676 will result in a net profit of approximately £83,278 over a two year period.

• Promoting well-being at work through personalised information and advice, a risk-assessment questionnaire, seminars, workshops and web-based materials is also beneficial. For a company with 500 employees, where all employees undergo the intervention, it is estimated that an initial investment of £40,000 will result in a net return of £347,722 in savings, mainly due to reduced presenteeism (lost productivity that occurs due to an employee working while ill) and absenteeism (missing work due to ill health).

I’m aware that not everyone can afford private therapy, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t still be accessible to people. Therefore I have come up with a solution for local businesses that want to support the mental health of their employees. I’m launching a Mental Health Assistance Programme that offers counselling and psychological help to the employees of businesses signed up to the programme.

Businesses using the programme have a choice as to how much they put towards the therapy of their employees, based on affordability of the business and the employees own affordability. The business can pay for all of the therapy, 70% of the therapy, 50% or even 30%.

We have a flat fee that we charge per session and we can help you to negotiate how much you want to put towards the therapy. This way the business invests in the employee and the employee gets the help that they need. A happy employee is a productive employee, but a grateful employee is a loyal employee. Showing this kind of investment in your workforce is incredibly important. You show that your business is compassionate, caring, and ready to put your money where your mouth is. It shows empathy, something that is valued by employees exponentially especially when you consider the stresses of the past two years.

In addition to this, I own my own training company and have been training therapists for the last couple of years. As part of the Mental Health Assistance Programme I’m offering workshops and seminars, coping techniques and exercises, all to help employees - but there’s a catch.

I’m offering something that is unique to your business and your employees. I don’t like the idea of throwing some generic mental health stuff together. If your employees have specific worries or interest in certain topics, I’ll put something together that is bespoke, engaging, and ensure that your employees gain something really, really valuable.

If a service like this sounds as though it may be of interest, or you’d just like some more information on therapy, please contact me on the details below.

Jenny Hartill is a therapist and owner of Cloud9 Therapy and Chelmsford Therapy Rooms. She is a counsellor, hypnotherapist and mnemodynamic therapist and can help with a multitude of issues.

She is currently seeing clients face-to-face and via Zoom. Please see the website www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162 for further information on how Chelmsford Therapy Rooms can help you.

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Page 25

Crafts - By Magali Ellis and Scrap-Circle I have a question for you. When do you craft? Do you set time aside every week for crafting?

To be honest with you, I try to craft on a weekly basis, but I must admit that some weeks can get mega busy at work and then it seems impossible to find time to craft. I always come to regret not making the effort to take the time to craft.

Crafting is my stress relief, it empties my mind of all burdens or worries by focussing on pretty papers and making something out of them. There is no right or wrong in craft and mistakes can be undone or covered up. After all, what are embellishments for?

There is much to be said about the benefits of creativity, and I cherish the times I spend crafting. I like to do different things, for example knitting or crochet in front of the TV, paper craft at the weekends, I dabble in painting, I tried home furnishings and decorating, not forgetting gardening.

There is nothing more annoying than settling down to crafting only to find that life interrupts you and you have to pack or tidy everything up - that is why I love going on weekend craft retreats! You get to set up on Friday afternoons and leave your stuff on the table till the Sunday afternoon. You also get to meet new people who also love crafting and you end up sharing tips and techniques and having a good laugh together. Oh, and the great bonus is that all the food is cooked for you!

What’s Happening During a Craft Weekend?

1) Projects: A pack is waiting for you with all the resources you need for several projects. Full instructions are given so you can start the

projects in your own time or wait for the class time.

2) A Full Table: It’s always important to have room when you craft and you will have a 6ft table all to yourself! You can spread around and even have several projects on the go at the same time!

3) Machine Table: It’s difficult to bring everything, so to make life easier, I bring the die cut machine, a Scan N’ Cut and a foiling machine for everyone to use should they wish to. The foiling machine is my latest toy and I took it to my last retreat for everyone to have a go. There were many ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’!

4) Cakes: My best friend Pauline is a master baker and she always brings several trays of freshly bakes cupcakes to share with everyone.

5) Fun and Games: There is a bingo on Saturday evening with pressies to win, and there are several craft games and competitions during the weekend.

6) Crafting 24/7: The craft room is available all day and all night, so whether you are a night owl or an early bird, you can craft to your heart’s content. The weekend starts on Fridays at 5pm and ends on Sundays at 4pm.

7) Beautiful Surroundings: Grafham Water Centre in Perry, Huntingdonshire is by a beautiful lake, and many crafters go for walks around it, take pictures, or simply sit outside in the sunshine admiring the view.

So why don’t you come and immerse yourself in a crafting weekend?

Dates of Scrap-Circle Craft weekend retreats are 15th-17th July, 21st23rd October and 9th-11th December 2022. More details are on the website at www.scrap-circle.co.uk, or you can contact me at info@ scrap-circle.co.uk.

Spiritual Musings on the Incredibly Beautiful Orchid

The orchid is one of my favourite flowers and here is why:

The orchid is super resilient, they can go through alot of tough stuff, they get to the point where you think ‘that’s never coming back!’ then you give it some gentle care and love, wait patiently for them to recover, and slowly you start to see the appearance of a fresh bud starting to appear. It’s like magic, and also a great metaphor for life, in being kind and gentle to ourselves and patient. Recovery takes time, as does building up resilience, but it is so worth it in the end!

• • •

•

The smallest orchid is the size of a penny.

There can be 3 million seeds in one single pod!

Most orchids that you find in garden centres are already over a decade old, which shows the life and dedication to grow a beautiful orchid...

Most importantly, when your orchid looks like it is dead, the answer is that really truly, it is resting, see this as your reminder to rest and look after yourself too and wait patiently.

Here are some interesting facts I found about this beauty:

If you would like your own personal reading, please contact me on 07909 078 030.

•

By Mrs Sophia Silver

There are currently more than 25,000 different species of orchid (great for starting a collection).

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The Shire Hall History by Malcolm Noble

‘The plan for a new building produced by the county surveyor is such a one as promises to answer every public purpose.’

Quarter Sessions for the County of Essex 9th January 1789 - John Johnson.

On 7th October 1788, the Quarter Sessions decided that the existing Shire House was no longer fit for purpose. A committee was established under the chairmanship of Thomas Berney Branston, to determine whether upgrading might be possible or provision of a new building unavoidable. John Johnson, the County Surveyor conducted a survey of the existing structure. His report left no room for doubt.

On receiving it, the committee ‘resolved that the present Shire House might not be repaired so as to answer the public purposes of this county.’ John Johnson was required to produce a plan to build a new Shire House.

A feature of John Johnson’s Shire Hall was the use of Coade Stone.

This was an artificial stone, especially useful in moulding classical statues and the like. Coade stone was manufactured by Eleanor Coade of Coade’s Artificial Stone Manufactory, Coade and Sealy, and Coade in Lambeth from 1769. A famous example is the lion on Westminster Bridge. The Shire Hall’s neo-classical front elevation has a particularly distinctive feature. There are three plaques in relief, representing the principles of English law as ‘Justice’. ‘Wisdom’ and ‘Mercy’. The frontage itself was built using Portland stone.

The first meeting of Quarter sessions took place in the new Shire Hall on 9th January 1789. Shire Hall has been Chelmsford’s most important historic building, apart from the cathedral, ever since.

The interior of the building was arranged around requirements of the courts. Major alterations took place between 1901 and 1904 and minor repairs at different times to the County Room. The West Wing

was an annexe added in 1930. Today, the interior from the main entrance to the top floor reflects the Art Deco style, fashionable in the thirties, including installation of Crittall windows. This represented significant alterations carried out in 1936, especially to the foyer and the three court rooms. The exception is the County Room. This retains the neo-classical style as installed by John Johnson.

Inside Shire Hall The main access is from the front of the building, with a side door leading inyto the West Wing. The ground floor has a substantial foyer and two court rooms. There is a basement with holding cells. The first floor contains the County Room at 262 square metres, and a second floor court room. Otherwise, there are meetings rooms, offices and ancillary spaces.

To join Chelmsford Civic Society, please visit www. chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk.

Next month - 2012 to present day, and what will be the next chapter for this iconic Chelmsford landmark?

Tales From the Circle - By Sylvia Kent

Catching That Writing Bug Who doesn’t like a good read?

During the last two years of Covid lockdown, when folk were cooped up at home, libraries closed and many readers resorted to seeking out those neglected books hiding in nooks and crannies. Some folk became disenchanted with what was available. Several caught the writing bug themselves, deciding to dust down their keyboards and have a go at writing their first book.

So began this current flourishing wave of new authors who ordered some ‘how to write’ books from Amazon. But as most know, the craft of writing is not as easy as first appears, and becoming a published author is difficult for the amateur who sets out to create their first title from scratch. The business of creating words proves rather difficult without a spoonful of tuition and a pinch of inspiration to help them enter this difficult profession.

This is where the Brentwood Writers’ Circle enters the frame.

Upon previous instruction not to mix at our face-to-face monthly meetings, our Chair Colin Taylor and committee organised regular Zoom meetings. Although perhaps not quite the same, many of our

members continued working on their manuscripts over the last two years, some starting brand new writing projects.

As our 80th anniversary approached, our Vice-Chair Laura Burkin and former Chair Patrick Forsyth set to work planning our anniversary anthology to mark this special occasion. Laura is an experienced award-winning journalist, and Patrick continues his long-standing column work for Writing Magazine. Our anthology was in good hands.

Laura said: “Patrick and I put the call out to Brentwood members asking them for their best pieces of short fiction, poems and nonfiction. Reading through the stories and essays was a joy. While we had a theme of ‘The Arts’ (Brentwood Arts Council has always supported us), all the contributions were different and unique. The next step was editing, proof-reading and rereading, until our book was ready for publication. At the end of it all, this book will forever stand as a reminder of a very special group, where writers of all abilities brought their collective passions together to mark a very special occasion.”

Brentwood Writers’ Circle now meets at Bardswell Social Club monthly on the first Saturday at 2.30pm-4.30pm and welcomes new members. Our newly-published anthology A Circle of Words (price £6.99) is available from Amazon. Full details are on our website at www.brentwoodwriterscircle.com and www.sylviakent.blogspot.com.

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Page 27

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.

How many colours are there on the Greek flag?

What does ‘am’ stand for in the time 10.45am?

What would you do with a spinet?

What is stucco?

What and where is Rotten Row? From which creature was the dye sepia originally created?

Which was Sir Cliff Richard’s first hit single in 1958?

What year did The Battle of Hastings take place?

Grasmere is a village in which National Park?

Petrology is the study of what?

What kind of food is coley?

‘I took an arrow to the heart’ are the opening words to which 2021 song by Ed Sheeran?

What is Richard Gere’s middle name?

Which snooker ball is worth 5 points?

What year was the very first LP record launched?

Who did The Roundheads fight in the English Civil War? What was it that Liza needed Henry to fix?

What is the name of the river Thames as it reaches Oxford?

How long is the Henley Royal Regatta boat race?

Who were the 2 stars in the TV programme One Foot In The Grave?

21. Morello is a variety of which fruit?

22. Which is the world’s largest hot desert?

23. When did John Major become prime minister?

24. What is the value of ‘L’ in Roman numerals?

25. How old (in 2022) is Jeremy Clarkson?

26. What is the main diet of the American bald eagle?

27. Which common disease do you normally only catch once?

28. What is cayenne?

29. Which British prime minister is associated with phrase ‘Victorian values’?

30. Who was ‘The Golden Girl’ in the Bond films?

31. Which sport did Graeme Dott play?

32. What was the name of Tracy Barlow’s daughter, born in 2004?

33. What is the white of an egg called?

34. What do elephants do to improve their hearing capacity?

35. Where should a goalkeeper stand for a penalty shot?

36. Why are they called Belisha beacons?

37. The Beckhams got married in a castle in which country?

38. Who recorded Bridge Over Troubled Water?

39. What is formaggio?

40. What is an alternative name for the grey wolf?

(Answers on page 31)

Page 28

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We also design and supply: business cards flyers roller banners brochures In fact, almost anything that is printed!!

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Stargazing With Mark Willis - March/April

24th April 1957: BBC TV’s The Sky At Night programme aired its very first episode with presenter. Patrick Moore.

22nd April: Lyrid Meteor Shower.

New Moon: On 30th May and 29th June 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.

Saturday 7th May: Evening: Moon above the Beehive Cluster M44 in Cancer.

Mark Willis presents The Retro Chart Show on Chelmsford Community Radio on 104.4FM and also online at: www. chelmsfordcommunityradio.com every Monday morning at 10am.

16th May: 01:32 to 06:51 UT: Total Lunar Eclipse. Although still visible from the British Isles, the Moon will set while the Earth’s full shadow still covers the Moon.

www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com Twitter: @WillisWireless

Wildlife Corner - By Nick Green The nightingale is a fairly common summer resident and passage migrant and is restricted to southeast England including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and Sussex, holding some 70% of the British population. There has been a long-term decline from the beginning of the 20th century with climatic change on the breeding and African wintering quarters.

The fabulous song can be enjoyed on YouTube and xeno-canto.org. Unpaired males continue to sing at night to attract a mate. The warning croaks of adults with young can be heard on breeding sites until early July.

Some nightingales will now be on territory, and it’s a great time of year to hear and find them as the thickets and shrubs are not fully leaved. In 2020 some 6,700 pairs were estimated nationally, with Essex boasting 125 singing males in 2020 despite the lockdown restrictions (169 in 2019). For further information please refer to these websites:

Abberton Reservoir EWT: 2 red-necked and Slavonian grebes, longtailed duck, up to 11 scaup, various red kites. South Fambridge: red-breasted goose. Wallasea Island RSPB: 3-4 spoonbill, hen harrier.

Lower Ray Pits EWT: tundra bean geese. Rainham Marshes RSPB: spoonbill, Caspian gull, water pipit.

Nationally, the major rarities included the long-staying white-winged scoter in Lothian, the American belted kingfisher returned to Lancashire, white-tailed lapwing in Lincolnshire. Yorkshire: a drake Baikal teal, the black-browed albatross returned to Bempton Cliffs RSPB. The Egyptian vulture remained in County Roscommon, Ireland, until 13th.

To view both the City Times and the Moulsham Times magazines online, visit www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

Essex Birdwatching Society: ebws.org.uk. The annual Essex Bird Report publication is excellent.

Essex Wildlife Trust: essexwt.org.uk.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB): rspb.org.uk.

Nightingale - copyright Glyn Evans Selected March Highlights Plants: snow drops, daffodils, primroses, crocuses, cowslips.

Insects on warn sunny days: bees, hoverflies, butterflies including brimstone, peacock, small tortoiseshell.

Birds There several sightings of fly over white-tailed eagles. Early migrants included garganey, little ringed plover, osprey, yellow wagtail, sand martin, black redstart, ring ouzel.

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Quiz & Wordsearch Answers

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2 - blue and white Anti-Meridian (before noon) Play it, it is a musical instrument, also called a harpsicord Type of plaster used by builders Horse riding track in Hyde Park Ink of the cuttlefish Move It 1066AD The Lake District Rocks Fish Shivers Tiffany

15. Blue 14. 1951 16. The Cavaliers 17. A hole in the bucket 18. Isis 19. 1 mile 20. Richard Wilson and Annette Crosbie 21. Cherry 22. The Sahara 23. 1990 24. 50 25. 61 26 Fish 27. Shingles

28. Type of hot pepper 29. Margaret Thatcher 30. Shirley Eaton 31. Snooker 32. Amy 33. Albumen 34. Lift one foot off the ground 35. On the goal line and between the posts 36. After the MP, Hoare Belisha 37. Ireland 38. Simon & Garfunkel 39. Cheese 40. Timber wolf

RDS Renovations

Complete property services Established since 1974 www.rdsrenovations.co.uk Facebook @ rdsrenovations

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