The City Times - August/September 2020

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City Times Intro Hello readers, Welcome to the August/September edition. We hope you are all staying well.

It is great to see more of our regular advertisers back and also some new ones!

If you would like to write an article for this magazine or advertise in it, please get in touch via the details below.

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

Advertising Nick Garner 07970 206682 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk Editorial Paul Mclean 01245 262082 / 07595 949701 editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

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City Times Food Weight Loss Hacks! - by Lisa Whittle

What if you’ve put on a little weight during lockdown? What’s the best way of losing it? Having put on a few pounds myself I’ve been looking into the best ways of shifting it. We all know, in some form or other, this involves eating less and moving more - fewer calories going in and more calories being used up. But what if there are a few tweaks that could make weight loss more efficient, successful and long lasting; in a word - easier. I believe there are.

Before we go on to the weight loss hacks, let’s go through the basics that need some respect for a diet to work and to last.

Healthy weight loss is 1-2lbs a week - more to begin with in the first week or two.

Losing weight faster than this, either by extreme calorie reduction or extreme exercise, leads to hunger in the following weeks and the chances are that you will put the weight back on and quite possibly more - so called ‘yo-yo dieting’.

Weight loss really needs to be part of a lifestyle change - you will need to continue the changes you have made to lose weight into your normal life, otherwise if you go back to your old ways the weight will most likely go back on.

There are different approaches nutritionally to weight loss and different ones work for different people. For example, a low fat diet may work for you (but still make sure you get your essential fatty acids, aka omega 3, or risk depression), separating your carbohydrates from your proteins and eating them at different meals may be your thing, which is thought to make digestion healthy with fewer toxins created. The ketogenic diet or ‘paleo’ has become popular in the last decade where carbohydrates are shunned in favour of protein and fats - this can be effective for weight loss, but eating a high protein diet can be detrimental to long-term health (consider the world’s ‘Blue Zones*’ - these have the highest concentration of the longest living people and have been found to universally have a high carbohydrate, low protein, high vegetable diet). Counting calories may suit you, making sure you use more calories in a day than you consume (I knew someone who worked out on cardio machines making sure he burned off an equal number of calories in relation to any indulgences he may have had that day - that way he could eat what he liked). Finally, the 5/2 diet of intermittent fasting - eating normally for 5 days and restrict your calories to 500 for women and 600 for men on 2 days - is known

to have significant health benefits. There are different versions of this method, the best allow for a true fast of 18 or 20 hours, so for example, eat lunch then don’t eat again until breakfast. Or have an early dinner and don’t eat again until a late lunch the next day. The fasting stimulates AMPK in the body - a switch in your body from storing to burning fat.

Consider kickstarting weight loss with a healthy detox, such as Jason Vale’s juice detox or Ross Bridgeford’s alkaline reset cleanse. It is a very real phenomenon that once you have reached middle age, and hormones have dropped and metabolism slowed, losing weight is not as easy as it once was - extra measures are needed to gain any progress. This is particularly true for post-menopausal women who see a rise in the stress hormone cortisol at this time, which makes it harder to lose weight.

Any period of prolonged stress can have a similar effect. As stress hormones flood the system, fat is both harder to lose and easier to put on, particularly around the middle. Metabolism slows and blood sugar becomes more unstable, easily leading to eating more and poorer food choices. It explains how counterintuitively lower intensity exercise is a better way of losing weight than arduous, intense exercise - fewer stress hormones are released.

Plenty of sleep can help weight loss because of its stress reducing effect. Fat around the middle that gathers as we age in both sexes is a sign of the particularly dangerous internal fat that gathers around our organs. You can in fact look quite slim on the outside but still have this internal fat on the inside - so called TOFI (Thin on the Outside Fat on the Inside). So slim people; no reason to be smug!

Our bodies aren’t expecting to be eating when its dark outside - don’t eat too much too late in the evening; it doesn’t get digested well and leads to more weight gain.

Eating refined sugar and anything containing it puts on weight like nothing else. Do everything to keep your insulin levels down and your blood sugar stable. As blood sugar spikes, the body rapidly stores this, much of it turning to fat.

There have been many scientific experiments showing the value of drinking plenty of water for aiding weight loss - the messages of hunger and thirst can get mixed up in the body leading us to think we are hungry when in fact we need water. A little water before a meal works to make you feel full up too, so you eat less. But don’t do this in extremes as your digestive enzymes will not work as well, meaning you won’t get the nutritional benefits from your food.

Portion size is of course, key. Although eating less at each meal can be hard at first, your body will get used to this in a few days - and eat

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slowly and chew thoroughly. There is evidence to say slower eating (meaning eating over a period of 20 minutes) gives a greater feeling of satisfaction. Bearing this in mind, this simple advice of ‘eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full’ goes a long way.

Now the Weight Loss Hacks…

For flicking the internal switch from fat storage to fat burning (increasing AMPK) we have a few options: • • • • •

CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) - 3,000mg spread through the day.

2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (the natural sort with the good bacteria, ‘mother’, is best) taken in water or juice morning and night too if you can manage it.

African mango supplement - 300-1,200mg a day.

Resveratrol supplement - 1,000mg twice a day.

Raspberry keytone - 1,000mg twice a day.

For Supressing Appetite • Garcinia cambogia - 500-1,500mg half an hour to an hour before meals.

• Chia seeds (and also flaxseeds) fill you up - take 2 teaspoons (35 calories) a day: grind them up to release their omega 3 and soluble fibre content.

• Capsaicin supplement or cayenne pepper, powder or tincture (read label for dose).

For Increasing Metabolic Rate • B3 (Niacin) - 500-2,000mg a day (can cause a skin flushing effect for 30-60 minutes).

• Raspberry keytone - 1,000mg twice a day.

• Capsaicin supplement or cayenne pepper, powder or tincture (read label for dose).

ADVANCED METAL FINISHERS LTD

NB: These are not to be confused with amphetamine type ‘diet pills’ which raise metabolic rate via adrenal stress. Caffeine, guarana and even green tea extract are to be avoided to for similar reasons. They can cause stress to the body and it is likely you will put the weight back on later.

Sugar Alternatives • Yacon syrup: It’s actually good for you! It’s about half as sweet as honey and doesn’t get absorbed by the body.

• Stevia: Likewise, its virtually calorie free but does have a slightly bitter aftertaste.

• Xylitol: Has around half the calories of sugar and bacteria and fungus doesn’t like it, meaning reduced risk of tooth decay or candida overgrowth.

Right Breathing to Lose Weight So-called ‘over-breathing’ is common and leads to more stress hormones and over 300 potential symptoms, including anxiety, headaches and weight gain - particularly belly fat. Put simply, the more we take in oxygen the less easily the oxygen attached to the red blood cells actually gets to our body cells where it is needed. This hunger for oxygen can lead to more over breathing. The mechanism is all about not enough carbon dioxide. There is a brilliant method of breathing called ‘Buteyko’ after the doctor in Russian who discovered it, which reverses this and is particularly good for reducing asthma.

A surprising benefit from wearing your mask for the COVID-19 pandemic means you breath in more carbon dioxide from your own breathing out and this helps reduce over breathing. Learn more about Buteyko breathing at www.oxygenadvanage.com. *

See The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner (www.bluezones.com)

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Nick’s Music and Ramblings We are happy to be back with the second edition on the streets since the lockdown. So far all is well with me as I hope it is with you? The summer has arrived and boy, is it hot right now. I’m trying to keep the windows and curtains closed as I learned when I lived in Spain to not let the hot air in - and most of us do not have air conditioning either.

Now a bit of a rant: Why oh why do people go to the beach and pack in like sardines and leave their rubbish for others to clear up? Clear up after yourself and do not dump it beside a bin because it is full - TAKE IT HOME WITH YOU! I have long thought about these areas where we have problems, like beaches, parks and high streets etc.

Why not video them and have big screens and shame them all?

There; I am sure the only the complainers will be offended, just a thought.

The country is opening up more and the only way to keep it like this is to still be cautious as it is not over yet. Although we cannot see the virus, believe me it is still very much here.

My daughter and her husband went to Ibiza (minus the kids as they did not want to fly - I don’t blame them). They had a great time and said they have had just 22 cases and one death in Ibiza, but they still have to quarantine themselves for two weeks on return (although she has plenty to get on with and her work are fine with it). We do maybe need to sort out where is safe and where is not safe.

There is a great new food outlet to Chelmsford outside The Compasses every Wednesday in Broomfield Road (near the girl’s school). They are there for just three hours from 5pm to 8pm and it’s called StrEat Pizza by Galvin. Now I have eaten many pizzas in Italy and these to me are the best I have had. The dough is made fresh and stretched in front of you and then cooked in a 400 degree oven with kiln dried oak - it is perfection! You will find them on social media and at www.streatpzzabygalvin.com. Emile is the son of Chris Galvin of The Green Man, but he has done all of this off of his own back without any family help, which I think is great.

There are of course many other great food outlets in the city. The Golden Fleece has had a recent lockdown makeover and by all accounts is serving great food, as are the many independents to be found in Chelmsford - mainly to be found around the bus station area as well as the city end of Baddow Road, and of course Moulsham Street. If you have any particular preferred tastes or dietary requirements, I am pretty sure somewhere can cater for you in our city. I know I have plenty of choice as a non-meat eater. I know that also many of surrounding areas where we go also have amazing eateries too, so check out your own local area.

Something I have just been hearing about while writing this article is the sad death of three puppies found in a cardboard box in a layby in Rochford by a cyclist who saw one of them peering out. Sadly one was already dead and the other two died later. They were only about eight weeks old and believed to have come from Hungary. It does not matter where they are from as there are lots of illegal puppy farms here in the UK. I remember once we were on our way to a gig and met in Brentwood where I noticed some cars with cages full of puppies in them. We called the police and RSPCA and were pleased to see as we left that they pulled them over. Lets hope they got their comeuppance. I find it amazing that the penalties are so menial as these are living creatures as we are and have rights surely, yet the penalties seem so small that the risk becomes worth it. I would lock them up and throw away the key as the animals cannot answer back.

If you want a pet of any type, the first thing to do is to consider whether you care for it correctly over a period of many years. Do you have the space and correct environment and can you afford the potential vet fees? Next thing to do is to research how to care and look after your pet and where is best to go that is 100% trustworthy to get your pet. I personally would go to a rescue centre - that is where my last dog came from. Before I was allowed to take him, they came and checked me out which I was quite happy with.

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You must think about your potential pet’s life expectancy too, if it is a parrot or tortoise, they can often outlive you! Remember a pet can be your best friend, but they rely on you to look after them, so take extreme care in how, where, and who you go to for any kind of pet or advice. A pet needs to be cared for by you for its whole life and is not a novelty for you and to just be thrown away when you get bored.

Music At last music. There is now some live music happening in outside areas. I am being choosy as to where I go and only to those I know who are taking the right steps in social distancing and care. So again check out your local social media which is normally where the best and most informative information can be found.

I went to Gravesend in Kent the other Sunday to watch The SharpeeZ play and record their show. We also filmed it for our Black Frog pay-toview project. The SharpeeZ will be the first act and it will be available to view very soon. The show celebrated 15 years of the band and there will also be a celebratory live album called Live at Leo’s Red Lion (Fifteen Years On 2005 to 2020). You can find out what else is happening in and around the area via the links below.

My next trip is to Hatfield House to see Los Pacaminos on 23rd August. Pubs with gardens are starting to put on more outside shows - as long as the weather holds up of course. I do not expect to see any inside shows this year sadly, hopefully early next year we can all start up again. As long as we all abide by Government guidelines, we may get back to gigs and festivals sooner rather than later. Remember that all potential and already planned live performance events are suffering, such as drama, dance, comedy, exhibitions etc etc.

So let’s hope we reach our ‘new normal’ soon. Please stay safe, stay well, and be vigilant - and we will beat this and then maybe go on to saving our planet... but that is another matter for another time.

It would be fantastic if you could share the online mag link for us. We will continue to publish both magazines (Moulsham Times and City Times) online at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia. If you are interested in advertising with us please contact us at ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk If you have anything to tell us we would love to hear from you. Or maybe you have an article or perhaps any comments. Either way, just send an email to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk.

Black Frog Bands: For info and links go to www.blackfrogbands.co.uk The Isolation Festival Facebook page: www.bit.ly/3cDoCYW YouTube: www.bit.ly/3dEG4wK Yes it Is: My new band page is at www.facebook.com/yesitis

Please send all your events for inclusion in our listings from 17/9/20 to 18/10/20 to editorial@ itsyourmedia.co.uk

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Mimosa 100% Eco-Friendly Salon

Jennie Lawson has been a local business owner for over 9-years.

Jennie founded Mimosa Beauty at the age of 21 and has gone from strength to strength, not only with business expansion but with her expansive vision for the future. Having grown up spending a lot of time in the ocean and being able to swim before she could walk, when the business expanded in 2017 and moved to 142 New London Road, sustainability and eco-innovation was at the forefront of the redesign.

Creating a beautiful sanctuary while keeping the planet at the core.

Jennie likes to spend her spare time away from the salon scuba diving and exploring the underwater world.

Mimosa Beauty, the multi-award winning bespoke salon in Chelmsford, Essex is championed by Jennie’s focus as a skin expert - but more importantly, it’s a retreat from the world, the place to rejuvenate body, mind and soul.

Mimosa Beauty has been transformed into the UK’s only 100% eco-friendly salon, so you can rest easy knowing that self-care isn’t coming at the expense of the environment. Jennie has done her utmost to create an ecofriendly sanctuary, from the way towels are washed right through to the type of soundproofing in the walls.

Mimosa Beauty is also a 100% landfill free using local company with green recycling. This means that every single thing that goes into the bins gets recycled - not even the wax goes into landfill.

Mimosa is also the only salon recycling their PPE which is critical in this time of ‘disposable waste’.

• • • • • • • •

Eco paint covering every inch of wall.

86% recycled carpet covers the stairs and hallways.

Sustainable laminate on all the floors/coconut matting in the entrance hall.

LED lighting.

Skin care products that support sustainability in their packaging.

Bamboo toilet roll.

Soundproofing in the walls and floor along with frosted triple glazing in all treatment rooms for heat retention and sound.

Eco innovation library which is available for clients before and after their treatments (pre-covid). The library is full of business, self-care, mindfulness, travel and beautiful recipe books so

clients can be inspired before they leave to continue their mindfulness and self-care at home.

Jennie is still hands-on in the salon and specialises in skin science, known as the ‘skin geek’ for her amazing results for acne and many other skin concerns. She has also been recognised for her outstanding contribution to the industry for her work with the transgender community helping with facial hair removal pre and post transition. As lockdown prevented salons from opening, Jennie has kept her clients’ skin in top shape with her postal skin kits and online webinars along with online consultations.

“Skin-care doesn’t need to be complicated, it involves looking at a person from a holistic (whole) perspective, understanding their lifestyle as much as their concerns. There is a lot to be said for someone’s mental wellbeing as well as just the products they apply to their skin.”

This is why in January 2020 Jennie launched the Mimosa Sanctuary, an online programme that encompases wellbeing and self-care in the palm of your hands, with weekly modules on how to create a more beautiful life using ritual based practices to create a calm in this very chaotic world.

Jennie’s Skin Tips • Double cleanse at night - always! First cleanse removes the day, second cleanse actually cleanses your skin.

• Water-based cleansers are the best in 90% of cases.

• Hydration is the key to skin success.

• Stress is the number one issue to healthy skin function. www.mimosabeauty.co.uk www.mimosasanctuary.com

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City Times Gardening August is turning out to be a very hot month, however wetter, cooler weather could be on it’s on the way! This has got my thinking again about plants suitable for the extreme weather we’ve been having. Here are a few favourites: Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ is a succulent evergreen perennial with rosettes of deep blackish-purple leaves and large panicles of small, starry, bright yellow flowers in early spring.

Although flowering after a period of prolonged drought, it’s got to be the foliage that wins me over every time I see and use it. This is a perfect plant for the patio or south facing windowsill. Use a compost with good drainage if using this plant, with additional grit. As this plant is not 100% hardy you’ll need to bring it in before the frosts and keep on the dry side.

Enjoy it and don’t be afraid to weed it out if it gets too carried away.

Perovskia atriplicifolia is an ideal plant that is fairly compact and great for the front or middle of a sunny border. Its silvery stems are clothed in finely cut grey-green leaves and topped with hundreds of purple-blue flowers from late summer. For me it’s a plant that is ideal for extending the season of interest in the border. For best results, cut back in March to the permanent framework of the shrub. After pruning, apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant. A super companion plant with grasses, rudbeckias and echinaceas.

Euphorbia myrsinites is an evergreen perennial with trailing leafy

Erigeron karvinskianus is a perennial, forming wide mats to 15cm in height, with narrow hairy leaves and daisy-like flowerheads 15mm in width, opening white but soon turning pinkish over a long period in summer. Known as Mexican fleabane, this is a plant that will take over any crack or crevice in a rockery, in walls, gaps in pathways. I use this in hanging baskets as a mat and trailing perennial. It has a deep root system once established, enabling it to cope with drought.

stems to 35cm in length. Leaves slightly fleshy, bright glaucous green, flowers yellow-green, in clusters 10cm in width with milky sap - small flowers held within cupped, often colourful bracts. Take care to wear gloves when maintaining this and any other euphorbias as all parts are highly toxic by ingestion. A perfect plant for the front of a rockery, ideal in hanging baskets with a very open, well drained compost in full sun. Prune flowering stems to the ground once they’ve died off, retaining new vegetative growth for future flowers.

All these plants work well in containers using soil based gritty compost. Check out this link for other drought resistant examples: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=397 and this one for other jobs in the garden as we move through August: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/ in-month/august.

Happy gardening and keep safe!

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 by email at Tom.Cole@capel. ac.uk.

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Wildlife - by Nick Green July weather proved to be rather dry with the hottest temperatures of the year recorded.

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to strike on an international and national basis. The UK death toll surpassed 46,000. Chelmsford town centre became more active with some shops opening with restrictions slowly being lifted or relaxed.

Butterflies recorded: Small and large whites, small tortoiseshells, holly blues, meadow browns, gatekeepers, commas both large and small and Essex skippers and peacocks. I recorded a ringlet in my Chelmsford garden.

The swallow is a common summer visitor and passage migrant. The first migrants appear mid March, but the main arrival is during April.

The species builds its nest in permanently open buildings and is well distributed throughout the whole of Britain. Most swallows tend to nest in barns and outhouses, like for example porches and garages.

The long northern summer means that two, perhaps three, broods can be raised with favourable weather. Autumn passage starts in late July but the highest counts of migrants occur in September and early October at reservoirs, pits and along the coast. There can be some late records and a juvenile frequented Abberton Reservoir in early January 2020.

You can see a juvenile swallow pictured right - note the dull reddishbuff throat, short tail streamers and upperparts with minimal blue gloss.

Surrisingly, a juvenile lammergeier of all things turned up in the Midlands! Research showed that it was in fact part of a release

Juvenile Swallow (copyright: Glyn Evans) programme in the Alps and this was a wandering bird.

Similarly, on the Isle of Wight there is a release programme of juvenile white-tailed eagles and a bird at the time of writing is touring Norfolk!

Meanwhile, a black-browed albatross surprised visitors to the seabird colonies at Filey Brigg, soaring above the cliffs and appearing at eyelevel!

Keep safe. Keep alert.

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Welcome to StrEat Pizza

by Galvin StrEat Pizza by Galvin is an artisan street pizza company that specialise in authentic Italian style pizzas. We use only the best ingredients available, many of them from Italy!

Our 400oC wood oven is fuelled by kiln dried oak that gives the pizzas a unique flavour that is only obtained through a wood fired oven. We make our bases with a 48-hour fermentation to give great flavour and a crisp finish.

The best San Marzano tomatoes are used for our tomato base and we use our local East Anglian suppliers for our seasonal vegetable toppings.

Where to Find Us The Compasses: Broomfield Road, Chelmsford - Wednesday 5-8pm Flitch Green: Great Dunmow - Thursday & Saturday 5-8pm Galvin Green Man: Howe Street, Chelmsford - Friday 5-8pm We advise pre-ordering your pizzas to limit your waiting time. We will take your order and allocate a time for your collection. Alternatively, you can put your order through via WhatsApp and we will have your wood fired pizza ready for you when you arrive! Pre-order lines open Tuesday - Friday midday-5pm on 07596 263 517.

We are also available for private functions, weddings, parties and festivals. Please feel free to email us at streatpizza@outlook.com, or call us on 07596 263 517.

We look forward to welcoming you soon Emile & Louise www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk Page 11

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Record Store Day Is Coming!

Record Store Day 2020 will be like Christmas Day for vinyl lovers as they hunt down exclusive vinyl at Chelmsford’s only independent record shop, Intense Records by the bus and train station. The event grows year on year with a queue of customers lining up by the viaducts. This year it will be a little different though...

Due to the pandemic, RSD has been rescheduled from its regular spot in April and split into 3 dates each on a Saturday August 29th, September 26th & October 24th - to reduce the amount of queuing on one particular day.

The manager of Intense reluctantly tells us: “Unfortunately there won’t be a big instore party this year as social distancing rules will still apply, but we will still be providing the same good vibes, products and service.

but still enjoyable day.

“We will also be limiting the amount of people in the shop at any one time and how long they spend in the shop. We will do all we can to make it a safe,

“We will be open from 8am-5pm after which, all the releases go online from 6pm! For those that can’t make it on the day, Intense will also be opening up especially on Sunday the 30th from 10am-4pm.”

There will be hundreds of limited edition releases catering for every taste and genre, including artists like New Order, Pink Floyd, Soft Cell, Madness, Suede, Motörhead, Bastille, The Cure, Mansun, The Specials, plus offerings from labels like Trojan Records and heaps more.

David Bowie is always the most popular and most sought after for RSD and he has two releases this year with ChangesNowBowie and I’m Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74) both available on vinyl or CD. Dance music fans are in for a treat too with releases from Fatboy Slim, Future Sound Of London, D Mob, Strictly Rhythm and loads more.

You can check out what release are coming on what date by visiting www.intenserecords.com - you can also submit your wish list too.

For more information, pop into Intense Records, 33/34 Viaduct Road, Chelmsford CM1 1TS (under the arches by the bus station).

Alternatively, call them on 01245 347 372 or check out their website, www.intenserecords.com.

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City Times History

Chelmsford in the Second World War (Part Three) - by Stephen Norris The Home Guard was originally formed as the Local Defence Volunteers to deal with the perceived threat of invasion being led by a vanguard of parachutists. Some months after the Bishop of Chelmsford Henry Wilson had floated the idea, Anthony Eden announced the formation of the LDV in 1940. Wilson was one of the first to join up as part of the overwhelming local response. He had said “the descent would take place where troops were not stationed but my town guards would be at hand in every district.”

The zone headquarters for the new Home Guard was the Territorial Army offices in Market Road. The first parade of the 1st Chelmsford LDV group took place on the 8th of June. Initial organisation was carried out by a Major Wilkes, who was a local engineer in Chelmsford, with the volunteers grouped into four companies each with a company commander. Many volunteers were ex-servicemen from the First World War. They were supposed to use pillboxes but at the start of the Home Guard few had been built. There were supposed to be 58 in the Danbury area but only 17 had been constructed.

The Home Guard joined with police in checking identity cards, because Chelmsford was in the restricted zone. The Chelmsford battalion had few weapons at the beginning and even borrowed some rifles from KEGS that had been used for training. After a year however, the local strength stood at 1,631 for all ranks, for which there were 1,378 rifles, and when conscription was introduced for the Home Guard, the local numbers rose to 3,000. There were regular exercises such as those in September 1941 when the Home Guard took the role of the enemy with hand to hand fighting in the street, storming the Shire Hall and the police station. In May 1942 there was a tragic accident during an exercise when a 61 year old woman in Navigation Road was killed after she had stood outside her door to watch the spectacle. What was supposed to be a smoke bomb was in fact a homemade real explosive. The authorities had no idea who made it. From 1942 local Home Guard men of the 6th battalion were transferred into the anti-aircraft unit because there was a shortage of men for the AA batteries.

George Brown worked for Hoffmann and joined the Home Guard unit there and went for shooting practice on his days off. Eventually he was given a uniform. The main job was to defend Hoffmann’s if it was attacked. He saw his main duties as light relief from work, learning about map reading and weaponry. Towards the end of the war he patrolled the River Chelmer railway viaduct. In the early days of the Home Guard, Len Appleton was drilled in the County Hall car park with no uniform or weapons. Peter Hebdon joined the Marconi company of the Home Guard in May 1942, by which time the ‘Dad’s Army’ image had virtually gone. He got to use a wide assortment of weapons including Browning automatic rifles, Sten guns, Spigot mortars, hand grenades, sticky bombs and plastic explosives.

Hebdon guarded the ammunition dump at the Territorial Drill Hall in pitch black conditions. He witnessed a German plane destroyed by a rocket from one of the new AA rocket batteries and was later trained to join one of the latter which was based at the Recreation Ground.

branches of the local Home Guard developed included a signal section in which the main element was experts from the Marconi factory. The 6th battalion even had its own band. Chelmsford’s guard worked well with the local ARP, particularly on the nights of the incendiary raids when guard men were heavily involved doing rescue and salvage work.

The rural Home Guard faced similar problems to those in the town.

‘Uniforms and weapons were practically non-existent when the first men assembled for instruction; shotguns, pikes and pick axes served as makeshift arms and armbands with the letters LDV were the only uniform’. The men paraded three times a week because there were ammunition dumps around the village which needed protecting - they manned road blocks and patrolled vulnerable points. In Roxwell just 40 men patrolled the village and the big surrounding area.

After Operation Overlord and with it the removal of the threat of invasion, absenteeism in the guard increased, possibly made worse by petty new official instructions. The final parade for the Essex Home Guard took place at Chelmsford Cathedral on Sunday 19th of November 1944. 900 members were present representing all the county’s units.

It was recognised from the start that the fire services would play a vital role in protecting the town. By 1941 the Essex Chronicle thought the fighting services were well organised with equipment centred on groups of shops. Recruiting sufficient numbers for the Auxiliary Fire Service was always a problem however, with conscientious objectors often being offered places because it counted as a useful occupation. In 1940 there was a protest by brigade members at the inclusion of several ‘conchies’ in their ranks. By that time the Auxiliary Fire Service had 78 members in the town with 19 trailer pumps and 19 towing vehicles. There was a desperate need for mobile canteens and sleeping accommodation for both the fire brigade and the auxiliary service, and a recommendation that the two forces amalgamate met with some resistance but was eventually carried out, and a second fire station was erected at the police headquarters at Springfield.

While fire watching remained voluntary, there was a big shortage of recruits in the town. It meant staying on duty at night on top of a building, often in cold or freezing conditions. In February 1942 there were 56 streets without fire guards. By October of that year some women were refusing to do fire guard duty, after an element of compulsion had been introduced. The Council’s Fire Guard Committee agreed saying there were sufficient men available ‘without forcing women to do the work’. Fire guarding increasingly lost out to the more attractive proposition of joining the Home Guard.

The training for the AA batteries was severe and many of the men did not stay long. For this reason the commanding officers of the AA batteries were chosen with care. The batteries shared the local air space with the RAF night fighters, and all the defences were used in the two big incendiary attacks on the town in 1943. There were no serious Home Guard injuries on the second raid of May 13th when 13 people were killed in the town. Hebdon slept in one of three Nissen huts when there were no enemy planes about. The flying bombs had to be left for the Mosquitos and Typhoon fighters because they ‘came in too fast for us to load and fire’.

1943 saw the headline ‘Fire Guard Boys Save the Cathedral’. The Essex Chronicle was probably only allowed to report the incident because it was good propaganda for fire brigade recruitment. Three boys aged 18, 17 and 15 were on fire brigade duty on the Cathedral roof during an incendiary raid when 79 1-kilo incendiaries fell in the vicinity of the Cathedral. They put out one which fell on the northern roof. According to the Chronicle, John used the stirrup pump and Albert fetched the water. ‘The bomb blazed away and became lodged between beams and matchboarding.’ One boy got a hacksaw and hacked away at the piece that was still burning. Pieces of the roof and melting lead fell into the Cathedral. ‘The fire was out within seconds... These young men saved the Cathedral.’ The BBC was told to do a feature on the incident but actors played the three boys.

Chelmsford Cathedral Chapter gave each boy £15, a lot of money then. Privately, the boys regarded the incident as a laugh: it only took half a bucket of water to extinguish the fire...

Evidently not everybody enjoyed being in the Home Guard. In November 1942 came the first local prosecution of a person for being absent from Home Guard duty (compulsory Home Guard duty was not ended until 1944). Apart from the AA battery, other specialist

The local fire services were severely criticised after the two incendiary raids. This was in part due to the damage to the 5,000 gallon water carrier on the site of the old Wells and Perry building in Duke Street.

The Marconi and Hoffmann factory fire brigades arrived promptly

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at the fire at Archer’s suet factory and dealt with it efficiently. There were severe delays in the fire service pumps getting to the bus station in the second raid however. The one hour delay was a factor in the building being gutted and 80 buses wrecked.

In 1944 the Regional Commissioner Sir William Spens paid a surprise visit to Chelmsford in response to an unsatisfactory report from an inspector. He had a conference with the Mayor which led to the resignation of the Chief Fire Officer. The fire guard regime wasn’t relaxed in the town until March 1945.

For fire protection the Rural District Council (RDC) divided the large area into four districts. At the outbreak of the war the rural Auxiliary

Fire Brigade was desperately short of equipment having only a single heavy trailer pump, 6 light trailer pumps, 20 manual pumps and 35 hand pumps.

In May 1940 a much needed temporary fire station was built at Great Baddow. The RDC negotiated a reciprocal agreement with Billericay whereby each council would help with the others fires and in September 1940 three of the four district fire services went to the aid of outside areas: Great Baddow went to Tilbury and Shellhaven, Ingatestone went to Thames Haven and Great Waltham went to Purfleet.

• • • • We have some positive news despite the current situation and restrictions: Chelmsford Heritage Open Days will be taking place this year with a ten day festival in September.

The event this year however will be a bit different to previous years, as together with Essex 2020 we have come up with a programme that is unlike anything seen before.

•

Video tours of our historic Hylands House and the majestic Shire Hall.

A real Hidden Nature Draw staged at Writtle University.

The Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral will give us a virtual guided tour of this famous building.

A Manifesto for Essex exhibition organised by the Essex Book Festival.

The grand finale will be a production from the Electric Voice Theatre.

To screen the virtual events, we now have our own fabulous YouTube channel and this can be found at www.chelmsfordhod.co.uk or by searching ‘Chelmsford Civic Society’ on www.youtube.com.

Yes, there will be visits to some of our great buildings - but these will be virtual. Outside events are very much the order of the day and there will be lots of these, including some hidden nature walks and self-guided trails.

The great new attractions are all from the creative input we have received and this has resulted in some really special events.

The dates of this free Festival are between 11th and 20th of September. Here are few highlights just to whet your appetite: • • • • • • • •

Heritage Free Art Friday. Free artworks that will appear around our city just for that day.

Some amazing new video footage depicting stories from our local people’s past.

City Centre Scavenger Hunt. A real history discovery trail.

Marconi celebration events, including virtual walks and talks together with an audio tour.

Virtual lectures on Pioneering Women of Science and the Chelmsford Heritage Triangle.

Real and virtual tours of our Bronze Age enclosure in Springfield.

An online tour of the Chelmsford Museum On Air exhibition.

Actual guided tours of the Hidden Nature of Galleywood Common.

All events are free, but some of the events are bookable, see chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk for more information on all the events.

Chelmsford Heritage Open Days events are co-ordinated by the Chelmsford Civic Society and sponsored by Chelmsford City Council and the National Trust.

Scan the QR code and subscribe to our YouTube channel

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City Times Finance COVID-19 and Your Money - Divorce or Dissolution of Civil Partnership

The worst of the pandemic is now in neutral - or hopefully in reverse - gear, so life is regaining shape. Still, life goes on and with it, our personal relationships that may have been changed in unprecedented ways.

For some this means growing closer, for others - further apart. The close and constant contact with ourselves is challenging enough, but we don’t live in a vacuum. Navigating new challenges with unforeseen circumstances, the aggravation of pre-existing tensions, may lead to the painful (or perhaps even joyful) decision to part company.

Emotional and psychological challenges aside, it is imperative to concentrate on the practical side too. The starting point is to pinpoint all the figures and then work out a solution that will meet everyone’s needs.

Pensions Know the right approach and your rights. With the correct expertise you should not need to give up your entitlement. Depending on complexity of your situation, you have several options: 1. Pension sharing orders: ‘a clean break’ where a pension is ‘split’ so that a percentage share of the spousal pension is awarded to the other party.

2. Pension offsetting: value of the pension is offset against other marital assets, eg, you keep your pension and your ex gets the home, savings or investments.

3. Pension Attachment: comes into force on retirement, direct payment from one’s pension pot into the ex-spouse’s.

4. Individual agreements: these set out any specific or special arrangements you agreed.

It is worth remembering that the State Pension may also have to be shared. Your basic State Pension and the New State Pension are not shareable. However, it is possible to use the former spouse’s National Insurance contributions record to increase the other half’s State Pension provision, whilst ensuring that the affected spouse will not have their own pension reduced.

Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney Have them professionally reviewed, as they will need a complete rewrite following your divorce.

Have Your Financial Settlement Confirmed via a Court Order Your hard-earned money should be protected against any future claims by your ex-spouse.

And finally, good luck! It takes courage to effectively start your life over again, financially as well as emotionally, and it is imperative that in the case of the former, you seek expert financial advice. We are here to listen and help, whatever stage of your life you are at.

Silvia Johnson BSc(Hons) DipPFS EFA CertCII (MP) is a Director & Independent Financial Adviser at Royale Thames Wealth Ltd. www.royalthameswealth.co.uk silvia@royalthameswealth.co.uk 020 8720 7249 07908 109 741 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.

Are you involved in a charity?

Send in an article; we feature one a month!

Please supply to 800 words introducing the charity and covering what the charity does.

Additional State Pension can also be shared on divorce, but if you plan to remarry (never say never?!) this arrangement ends.

editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Property - Marital Home and Other Properties Coronavirus has brought the housing market to an interesting junction - values, demand, supply and mortgage availability are far from certain. Don’t rely upon your home as a bargaining strategy.

Investments and Savings It’s not clear how long it will it take for financial markets to recover to pre-covid level - exercise caution when dividing this type of assets.

Business Assets Business valuations pre-pandemic will have to be revalued, accounts brought up to date. Particular business strategy may no longer be suited to post-covid world.

Employment or Self-Employment Maybe you or your spouse have been furloughed, are facing a redundancy, or if self-employed perhaps struggling to find work. The impact this might have on the overall picture cannot be overstated.

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Chelmsford Brew Co The Chelmsford Brew Co journey started in 2014 with a series of pilot batches that quickly got out of hand... Many kegs were filled and many bottles enjoyed! The wheels were set in motion for a brewery in 2016 and a site was identified - it just had to be Brewery Fields, the site of the original brewery in Great Baddow in the 1800s.

We officially got the keys on the 4th September 2017 and we have been brewing there ever since.

The vision for the brewery has always been to create beers that are very well made with a unique signature. We have managed to achieve this with our unique chemistry and well honed methods.

All we want is for people to enjoy the beers and have a good time with friends and family. It has never been our mission statement to to say things like ‘we are going to lead a revolution in craft beer’ - this has already happened, and craft beer is not a new invention. Most of the popular new styles are in fact decades old if not older, but were only enjoyed by a small minority of beer lovers. The increase in craft beer popularity has helped shine a light on the endless amount of fascinating creations that inspire further curiosity.

The brewery is owned and run by the Oelofse family and the production team consists of Hans Oelofse: our Head Brewer, Thinus Oelofse: Assistant Brewer, Samantha Flaum: our American Brewer, Jakob Deist Oelofse: Director of Business Development, and Sunet Oelofse: Customer Service and Office Manager.

We have a shop at the brewery as well as a webstore with a delivery service, we also have a taproom at the brewery to enjoy fresh beer onsite.

As soon as circumstances allow, we will again welcome people back to the brewery to have drinks onsite as well as opening up our brewery tours once more. For the moment however, we are happy to deliver - or come and see us to buy at the brewery shop.

01245 476 267 info@chelmsfordbrewco.co.uk www.chelmsfordbrewco.co.uk Facebook: @chelmsfordbrewco Instagram @chelmsfordbrewco

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City Times Fitness

Hummingbird is Reopening - by Mandy Haynes

It has been a long 4 months since we had to close the studio doors and move our classes online with Virtually Hummingbird, and now we are finally able to open the doors and welcome you back to our wonderful studios.

Healthy living is at the heart of our Hummingbird ethos and we want to be able to provide you with a safe space to practice in. With this in mind, we have reduced the class sizes and have specific spaces marked out for your mats (you will need to bring your own mat and equipment to class) giving you 2 metres of space to practice in. Our Facebook and Instagram pages have a video showing you what to expect when you return to the studios.

Our exciting new schedule looks like this: Monday 9.30-10.30am - Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Steve - Studio 2 (8 spaces) 11am-12pm - Beginners Hatha Yoga with Steve - Studio 2 (8 spaces) 7-8pm - Hatha Yoga with Steve - Studio 2 (8 spaces) Tuesday 10.30-11.30am - Gentle Pilates with Erica - online (12 spaces) 6-7pm - Pilates with Erica - online (12 spaces) 6.30-7.30pm - Beginners Hatha Yoga with Steve - Studio 1 (7 Spaces) 7-8pm - Intermediate Pilates with Erica - Studio 2 (8 Spaces) Wednesday 6-7pm - Intermediate Pilates with Erica - Studio 2 (8 spaces) 6.30-7.30pm - Hatha Yoga with Steve - online (12 spaces) 7-8pm - Guided Pilates Practice with Erica - Studio 1/online (5 studio spaces/100 online spaces) *Erica will be in studio but also live streamed online but not recorded* 7.30-8.30pm - Candlelit Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Mandy - Studio 2 (8 spaces) Thursday 10-11am - Gentle Yoga & Relaxation with Vikki - online (12 spaces) 11.30-12.30pm - Beginners Hatha Yoga with Steve - Studio 2 (8 spaces) 6-7pm - Intermediate Pilates with Sarah - online (12 spaces) Friday

10.30-11.30am - Gentle Pilates with Erica - online (12 spaces) 6.30-7.30pm - Chill Out Yoga with Steve - Studio 2 (8 spaces) Saturday 8-9am - Wake Up Vinyasa Flow with Mandy - Studio 2 (8 spaces) 9.15-10.15am - Intermediate Pilates with Erica - Studio 1 (8 spaces) 10.30-11.30am - Pilates with Erica - Studio 1 (8 spaces) 11am-12pm - Pregnancy Yoga with Vikki - online (book direct with Vikki) Sunday 10-11am - Guided Yoga Practice with Steve - Studio 2/online (5 studio spaces/10 online spaces) *Steve will be in studio but also live streamed online but not recorded* Our new look schedule is perfect for those of you who wish to practice with expert teachers in the studio - or when you can’t make it to us, in the comfort of your own home. This is ideal for those who are now working part of their week in the office and the remainder at home - you can choose a virtual or studio class depending on what best suits you. We will be adding more studio classes in September and our renowned Pilates Reformer Courses are also set to return then.

We are still running our amazing introductory offer of 30 days unlimited classes for only £45 - whether you’re completely new to the wonderful world of pilates and yoga or a seasoned practitioner, this is the perfect way to experience the variety of classes and teachers on offer, both online and in the studio.

We look forward to seeing you soon and rebuilding our studio and community together - we are so excited to have the studios filled with some serious practice and laughter again!

Next month, we will continue with our Yoga Practice at Home series.

To find out more about our reopening and amazing offers and membership options, head to www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk and follow us on Instagram and Facebook - @hummingbirdpilatesyoga.

Canon Tom’s E-Pistle

Hello everyone. A couple of weeks ago I found myself feeling a bit low, but it only took a few messages by email and telephone from some lovely friends to improve my outlook. The other spirit lifting thing was a Zoom service with the lovely folk at Okeley Nursing Home; they’re a great bunch and I’ve promised to try and learn a couple of hymns on my ukelele so we can have music (I use the term loosely!) next time.

Christians shouldn’t always feel that they have to reinvent the wheel and do things in a particularly ‘Christian’ way. Far better, it seems to me, to just offer our help to those that are already engaged in the work and just be Christians who join in with the many good things that are already happening. It does cheese me off a bit that we Christians sometimes seem to think we’re the only ones who know how to do good - that’s clearly not so. So if you’re the kind of person who likes to get stuck in and do things for others, why not look around at the many voluntary groups in our area and offer your support? They’d be very glad of it, I’m sure.

I was thinking however, that if the lockdown can have the effect of making me - a generally positive and upbeat kind of person - feel a bit down, how must it be for those who suffer from depression? It really must be a priority for us to keep a caring eye on those we know who are prone to bouts of depression or low spirits. I know that there has been a lot of talk about mental health in the press over the past few months, but we have to do our bit to make sure it isn’t only talk and that there is some action to back it up and to practically support those who have suffered and may still be suffering in this way.

Tom

I’m not suggesting that Christians set up some kind of support group in their parishes (although if the will were there, we could do such a thing I’m sure). Rather that, as individuals, we could offer our help to people and groups that already exist and already have some expertise in this area.

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City Times Wellbeing

Therapy - by Chelmsford Therapy Rooms Hi there everyone! I hope that you’re all well and the vast majority of you have been able to enjoy the easing of the lockdown. Some of us at Chelmsford Therapy Rooms have gone back to work face-to-face with strict guidelines in place. Because of this - and the fact we’re currently receiving enquiries mostly for face-to-face therapy - in this month’s article I’d like to update you all on where we are in terms of offering therapy from Chelmsford Therapy Rooms.

All of our therapy rooms are able to offer the 2m distance at all times.

We have excellent ventilation onsite for all of the rooms and we have two sanitisation stations situated 2m apart in reception; one for clients and one for therapists. Each station also has disposable face masks available to those who wish to use them.

In addition to this, I have provided 70% alcohol wipes in the rooms to wipe down any surfaces that clients and therapists have touched, as well as a spray for the furnishings that has a very high (above 70%) ethanol level so this will disinfect the furnishings too. I’ve asked that the furnishings be sprayed at least 5 minutes before anyone else sits on them to ensure that any contaminant is disinfected. This spray is also in the waiting room. We have an excellent cleaner who gives us a full deep clean regularly on top of this.

Here are the rules to follow when visiting us onsite: First of all, it is up to the client to decide whether seeing a therapist face to face is a necessity, or whether they are happy to have therapy via an online video platform like Zoom or Skype, or via telephone.

This is a conversation I urge the therapists to have with their clients regularly so that they have a clear plan as to how their clients wish to move forward with their therapy.

For clients who feel that seeing a therapist in person is something they want to do, I have put measures in place to ensure that therapist and client maintain the Government’s safe distance of 2 metres apart at all times. I have measured 2 metres (or 6 feet) from the doorway entrance to the reception area and marked this with hazard tape.

I have asked all therapists and clients to follow this procedure when visiting CTR: 1. The front door should be left on the latch so clients can let themselves in. At least one window in the therapy room should be open to allow plenty of ventilation, as per government guidelines.

2. Therapists must stand behind the hazard tape well away from the client as they enter. The client sanitises their hands at the sanitisation station provided on their left as they enter the premises. Therapists must also sanitise at the station provided behind the hazard tape. The client can then go straight through to the therapy room to sit down.

3. Once the client is seated, the therapist goes through to the therapy room and sits down.

4. When the therapist needs to take payment after the session, all therapists have been given guidelines on how to do this safely.

5. When the client’s session has finished, the therapist can leave the room first and stand behind the hazard tape, or the client can leave first and go straight to the sanitisation station at the front door. The client then should sanitise their hands again, and the therapist does the same before the client leaves and the therapist is free to sanitise the therapy room.

6. Alcohol wipes have been provided in the therapy rooms as well as extra hand sanitising gel and furniture spray. Therapists are required to sanitise all surfaces that they and their client have come into contact with; this includes door handles in the therapy rooms, toilet area, and the front door, as well as tables and the fabric sofa/chairs. Hard surfaces are wiped down after every

session. Fabric surfaces are sprayed with the 99% ethanol spray provided.

I have carried out a risk assessment and pinned the certificate to the wall with details filled in. It is the law that therapists should do a risk assessment before returning to face-to-face work. I am currently running courses for therapists at CTR on how to do risk assessments to ensure that our therapists that do decide to return to face-to-face work do so ethically, legally and safely.

Of course not everyone is comfortable working face-to-face yet, and that’s fine. The vast majority of therapists at Chelmsford Therapy Rooms are offering therapy online still via Zoom or Skype or another online medium, as well as over the phone, and I envisage that this will continue for the foreseeable future.

If anyone is interested in seeing a therapist, Chelmsford Therapy Rooms has a range of therapists that can help with a multitude of issues both online via Zoom or Skype, or some of our therapists are now working face-to-face. Chelmsford Therapy Rooms offer many therapies from hypnotherapy to counselling to nutrition. Please see the website at www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162. Chelmsford Therapy Rooms is owned and run by Jenny Hartill, an Integrative Counsellor, Hypnotherapist, and Mnemodynamic Therapist who is happy to answer any questions.

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A Year in the Life of the Mayor This is a very different time to be carrying out mayoral duties as events have been cancelled and fundraising is proving challenging.

The Deputy Mayor and myself have taken this opportunity to support local organisations either in person or virtually, and these have included a visit to reopen the Farleigh Hospice Shop in Gloucester Avenue, attending a virtual team meeting with the City Council’s Housing Department to thank them for the amazing work they have done and continue to do finding shelter for rough sleepers during COVID-19 lockdown, in addition to their day-to-day work.

I also chaired the first City Council Focus Group on anti-racism. The Meeting of Many Minds discussed various aspects of everyday racism and will focus on the use of arts and culture to embrace and promote the positives of diversity. Meeting of Many Minds is so-called as it is based on the Chelmsford motto ‘Many Minds, One Heart’.

Another enjoyable virtual visit was Moore’s Bridge Cub Pack Zoom meeting, I was asked to talk about how one becomes a mayor, my charities, as well as about the chain and the badge.

One engagement I could attend in person with Council Officers and other councillors was the socially distanced opening of the play area in Andrews Park, North Melbourne. The area has been completely redesigned and the children couldn’t wait to get in and start playing.

To celebrate the reopening of Essex Dance Theatre in Great Baddow the whole mayoral group visited and I was delighted to present the Jack Petchey Challenge Award for Courage and Endeavour to Lily-May, aged 14, from Maldon. In July 2019 she very successfully took ISTD dance exams in all genres and Lily-May auditioned successfully for the Essex Dance Theatre - the County Youth Dance Company.

That summer Lily-May had a sudden illness that left her needing a specialist operation which she had to travel to Germany for. LilyMay’s parents then had two and a half months to raise £42,000 and through a whirlwind of community fundraising activities, they did just that! Lily-May was the outstanding winner of the Jack Petchey Award for 2020. She has been through a traumatic time and this has not dented her will to live a normal life, congratulations to a welldeserved winner and a very brave young lady.

difficult to speak with passion to a camera, as you can’t feed from the audience.

The winner of the Digital Final was Blessing from Westcliff High School for Girls and the runner up was Rose from Chelmsford County High School for Girls. Very well deserved.

I have also visited CCTV staff at the Civic Centre control room, staff at Chelmsford Crematorium, staff at the Community Hub and the Parks Department to say thank you for the work they have continued to do during this difficult time. They have all carried on working whilst we have stayed safe at home.

The CCTV staff are the eyes in the city and they deal with over 9,000 incidents each year. Last year this led to over 400 arrests. I also officially unveiled new CCTV cameras in Admirals Park which give coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with representatives from the City Council Parks and Community Safety departments, Essex Police, local councillors and residents.

Before the school term ended I took part in a virtual Q&A session with Year 6 pupils at Baddow Hall Junior School who were in a ‘bubble’ and asked many interesting questions. The Deputy Mayor attended the virtual prize-giving with Chelmsford Sea Cadets, and we both attended the virtual garden party and AGM of the Chelmsford Town Twinning Partnership without leaving our respective houses.

Another visit ‘in person’ was to see the great work The Wilderness Foundation do in Chatham Green to support young and vulnerable children and young adults in personal growth, improving mental wellbeing, helping with resilience and employability.

I also had the opportunity to read a children’s story The Little Cockroach (which is on YouTube) and was interviewed for the Kids in Quarantine Podcast.

This year I was invited to be one of the judges at the virtual regional final of the Speak Out Challenge which provides free communication skills to Year 10 students in every state school in London and Essex.

Through the Jack Petchey workshops they empower over 20,000 young people each year. We had a really enjoyable time listening to the wide-ranging topics and I was particularly impressed with the way we were carried on a journey in many of the speeches. It’s so

Thanks to Andy Poole and Landlord Scott for arranging a quiz at the newly reopened UB in New Writtle Street for my charities - it was great fun, although my team came last!

Stay safe and keep well.

Facebook: Mayor of Chelmsford Twitter: @ChelmsMayor Instagram: Chelmsford_Mayor

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Chelmsford Heritage Open Days 11th - 20th September

Pioneering Women Talk Hidden Writtle Friday 11th @ 7pm University Draw Live on Zoom Saturday 18th Book Via Eventbrite Book Via Eventbrite

Live Events

Marconi Audio Tour Throughout HOD Stream via YouTube

City Centre Heritage Heritage Drawing Trail Portraits from Sunday 13th Scavenger Hunt the Past 1pm Throughout HOD Sunday 13th & 18th Via Civic Web Site Via Civic Web site Via Civic Web Site

Hidden Nature of Springfield Lyons Heritage Triangle Talk Essex Book Galleywood Common Saturday 12th & 19th, Tuesday 15th @ 7pm Festival's Tuesday 15th Sunday 13th,& 20th Manifesto For Essex Live on Zoom Book Via Eventbrite Book Via Eventbrite Book Via Eventbrite Throughout HOD

Virtual Events Via You Tube

Marconi Virtual Walk Friday 11th 10am

Springfield Lyons Tour Saturday 12th 10am

Chelmsford Museum Non Conformist “On Air” Exhibition “Within these walls” Tuesday 15th Wednesday 16th 10am 10am

Shire Hall Virtual Tour Saturday 18th 2pm

Hylands House Virtual Tour Sunday 19th 10am

Heritage Free Art Friday 11th & 18th Via Civic Web Site

Marconi and the Battle of Britain Friday 18th 7.30pm Live on Zoom Book Via Eventbrite

Military Vehicles Tour Saturday 12th 2pm

Chelmsford War Memories Sunday 13th 10am

Tour of the Mayoral Parlour Monday 14th 10am

Hidden Nature Danbury Church Thursday 17th 10am

Sandford Mill Nature Reserve Friday 18th 10am

Chelmsford Cathedral Tour Saturday 19th 10am

Electric Voice Theatre Presents...

Sunday 20th 2pm

www.chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk | www.chelmsfordhod.co.uk www.eventbrite.co.uk | www.facebook.com/chelmsfordcivicsociety

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Sir Tom Moore: National Hero and Rotarian He is the inspiration to a nation. A man who, in the darkest hours of the COVID-19 pandemic, provided a sense of much needed hope and determination. On the eve of his 100th birthday Captain Tom Moore captured the spirit of the world with the simplest of gestures.

Tom’s 100th birthday walk for the NHS was targeted with completing one hundred 25-metre laps of the garden at his Bedfordshire home to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together. With just a walking frame to assist, following treatment for cancer and a broken hip, he aimed to complete 10 laps a day...

What began as a quiet, selfless gesture on April 6th, rapidly snowballed into an inconceivable fundraiser which captured the hearts of the nation, attracted world media attention and 1.5 million donations. Suddenly, everyone knew who the charming and modest Captain Tom was and his life story was being told across the globe.

He even featured on a cover version of the song You’ll Never Walk Alone with singer Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir. The recording went straight to number one, selling almost 36,000 copies in the first 48 hours. Captain Tom became the oldest person to have a number one entry in the UK singles chart, beating Tom Jones!

By the time the campaign closed on his 100th birthday on April 30th, he had raised £32.79 million! In her birthday card to him Her Majesty the Queen wrote: ‘I am so pleased to know that you are celebrating your one hundredth birthday on 30th April, 2020. I was also most interested to hear of your recent fundraising efforts for NHS Charities Together at this difficult time. I send my congratulations and best wishes to you on such a special occasion. Elizabeth R.’

been inspired by her father’s walk.

The family has now set up the Captain Tom Foundation: “This is about inspiring hope where it is needed most, supporting those people in hospices, those who are bereaved and those who are combating loneliness,” she added. “So life has not stopped for Captain Tom. He continues to reach out to all of those people who need some hope in their lives.”

Sir Captain Tom is an optimist: “I have always believed that tomorrow is going to be a good day. That’s what people should do. Things will get better. Never ever worry yourself to the state about how terrible things are because soon, and it will happen, things will get better.”

You’re never too old and never too young to join Rotary. Call me on 01245 260 349 to hear about Rotary opportunities in the district.

Stan Keller

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On July 17th at Windsor Castle, special arrangements were made for the Queen to knight the nation’s hero. Arise, Captain Sir Thomas Moore! Commenting on the honour, he said: “We must take this opportunity to recognise our frontline heroes of the National Health Service who put their lives at risk every day to keep us safe.”

Captain Tom’s Rotary record is less well known. It was only during a presentation in June via Zoom, of a triple ruby Paul Harris Fellowship, that this very proud Yorkshireman revealed his Rotary roots. The Paul Harris Fellowship is one of Rotary’s most prestigious honours.

Named after the organisation’s founder, it recognises those who have made substantial contributions to society, humanitarian efforts and charitable works. On receiving the award from President of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland, Donna Wallbank, Captain Tom said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed by this honour that you have given me. I am thrilled that I have had so many honours and the one which I have got from Rotary is certainly a star amongst them all.” He added: “Rotary certainly has touched my life.” In the 1980s he joined March Rotary Club. “I have been well established with Rotary for a long period of time for which I have been absolutely thrilled and honoured to be a member. Now to become a member again is something which is absolutely special, as far as I am concerned.”

President Donna Wallbank praised Captain Tom for the tenacity, courage and passion he’d shown throughout his life. She added: “But particularly now, when the nation needed a positive focus, because your focus became one which the world followed. And one which we, in Rotary, wish to recognise, as you truly are a person of action and one of inspiration.” Captain Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said that the family had loved seeing the success and achievements of other fundraisers, young and old, including Rotarians who had www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

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City Times Fun Spot the Difference

Page 26 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

10 to find(answers on page 31)

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City Times Art Chelmsford Window Gallery Presents...

Window Gallery - Broomfield Road, Chelmsford The Window Gallery Chelmsford was set up in June 2018 to give local artists a space to display their work. We usually host a new exhibition of local art in out window every month. Whilst these physical exhibition are on pause, we are creating virtual exhibitions instead.

This also means we can join forces with musicians to find the perfect song for each video.

Featured Artist - Delia Keddie When did you start making art?

“I took a year out in 2019 to concentrate purely on art.”

What sort of art do you create? Has this changed over time?

“I like to create work that has not been seen before and is not in ‘fashion’.”

What inspires you?

“People, music, my children.”

What do you do if you’re not inspired?

“Play music VERY loudly!”

Where do you practice art?

“In my kitchen at home since my garden studio was taken over by the children.”

How often do you create?

“Last year was most days when not trying to build a social media following (my weakness).”

Where have you exhibited before?

“I am resident artist at The Magic Mushroom restaurant in Billericay (a fine place to eat).

I have exhibitied at Espacio Gallery in Shoreditch, Penny Black Gallery in Brentwood, and took part in The Chelmsford Art Trail 2019.”

Do you sell your work?

If so, is it difficult to part with it?

“I have sold most of my original paintings and love that they are being enjoyed and seen by others. I have some favourites that it was difficult to say ‘bye ‘bye to, but I have limited edition giclee prints to keep me company.”

What superpower would you have and why?

“To stop time every once in a while. Time flies by so fast!” www.deliakeddieart.uk Instagram: @deliakeddieart Facebook: @artist5050 www.windowgallery.org

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

“Being alone!”

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www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

Quiz Time - by John Theedom 1.

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What is footballer Jackie Charlton’s brother’s name?

Who was the first actor to play the role of Dr Who? In which profession must you belong to one of the ‘Inns of Court’?

For which musical instrument was James Galway famous?

What is the job of a campanologist?

What was the name of Robert Maxwell’s yacht from which he ‘fell’?

Which city is known as The Big Apple?

How old was Olivia de Havilland when she sadly died recently?

What article of clothing is a mantilla?

RTE is the official broadcasting service of which country?

How many feet are there in 0.9144 metres?

What is the colour of the flower forgetme-not?

In football, for which Premier League club does Che Adams play?

What connects, ‘dab’, ‘farm’ and ‘second’?

What year did Ike and Tina Turner divorce after 16 years of marriage?

What is the name of the young man who was killed on his motorcycle by an American woman driving on the wrong side of the road?

At the Oval cricket ground in London, what is the large structure next door?

The song Some Enchanted Evening is from which musical?

In which decade was the actress Una Stubbs born?

20. What dessert can be a mess?

21. What nationality was the cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers?

22. Which author was the creator of the character Peter Rabbit?

23. Which year did the IRA end 30 years of violence and disarm?

24. What does the word ‘puling’ indicate?

25. Which English queen has the same name as a type of plum?

26. Which musical instrument does Andre Rieu play?

27. What does a dendrologist study?

28. Who is Johnny Depp’s ex-wife who has appeared in a UK court recently?

29. Who is the patron saint of music?

30. What is Madame Tussauds in London renowned for?

31. What is the Essex born Sally Gunnell internationally famous for?

32. If an animal is described as saurian, what type is it?

33. What is the singer Adele’s surname?

34. In which area of the UK is the TV programme Doc Martin filmed?

35. A gurney flap is used in which popular sport?

36. How many times was film star Doris Day Married?

37. What exactly is a linn?

38. In which English county are the White Cliffs of Dover?

39. What, currently is the official London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge?

40. What kind of animal is a ringhals?

(Answers on page 31)

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Page 29

Stargazing with Mark Willis - August/September Neptune opposition: Although this was on 11th September, the planet is still very bright (though only through a medium or high telescope} and visible all night long. Look south east towards the constellation of Aquarius and with at least binoculars or a telescope, you’ll see Neptune as a distant blue spot.

Whirlpool Galaxy: While you’re looking at Mizar, look directly below it in a telescope and you will see the Whirlpool Galaxy, M51 which was discovered on October 13th, 1773, by Charles Messier. This discovery was made in 1845 by William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, using a 72inch (1.8m) reflecting telescope at Birr Castle, Ireland.

Google Planet Neptune, Voyager to see very detailed pictures of this planet.

New Moon: On 19th August and 17th September, 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.

Through September Mars: At 18:30 looking south east, Mars is in the night sky and is on view for much of the night.

Jupiter: Jupiter is on view for most of the evening during August.

Saturn: Saturn is on view until it sets around midnight. Both planets are west south west.

The Plough constellation or The Great Bear (Ursa Major): In the Plough’s ‘handle’ or the Bear’s ‘tail’ there are 3 stars. Starting from the end, Alkaid, which is 210 light years and Mizar which is 88 light years distant. This is what can be confusing about constellations.

Often, the stars that look very neighbourly, are much further apartfrom each other than they are from us!

Email me with any questions at the email below.

I normally present LiteBites every Tuesday at 12 midday on Chelmsford Community Radio.on 104.4 FM and online throughout the world. Sadly, I am in the vulnerable group. I hope to return to the airwaves as soon as I can. www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com Twitter: @WillisWireless mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

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Classifieds Quiz Answers 1.

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Bobby William Hartnell Barrister Flute Bell ringing Lady Ghislaine New York, USA 104 A scarf Republic of Ireland 3ft Pink, pale blue and white Southampton Hand 1976 Harry Dunn Gas holder frame South Pacific 1930s Eton Barbadian Beatrix Potter 2005 Whining, whimpering

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Victoria Violin Trees Amber Heard Cecilia Wax models of famous people The only woman ever to hold 4 major track titles concurrently: Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Lizard Adkins Cornwall (Port Wein) Motor Racing (the cover over the driver’s head) 4 (Al Jorden, George Weilder, Martin Melcher and Barry Conden) Waterfall Kent Kensington Palace A snake

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