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Issue Number 105 - 18th August - 15th September 2022
Hello readers,
Welcome to The City Times August/ September edition.
There is still lots going on around Essex in the coming month with Heritage Open Days, Street Eats ‘n’ Beats and Green City Festival in Chelmsford.
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Wow, this weather - it has been very hot and as I am writing we are still desperate for some rain, not just to cool things down but to help fill our reservoirs and replenish our fields and gardens.
I had a great Saturday the other week, the second part of which I will talk about in the music section of my article. I met up with my brothers and sister and sister-in-law for the first time since the pandemic, although I have seen my elder brother and his wife. We met at our parent’s grave in High Ongar as usual, which we tidied up and then went for lunch before going our separate ways once more. We all vowed that it must not be so long until we meet again.
With all this political wrangling going on for new leaders and what ever, I just hope they do not lose focus on the important things - like running the country and saving the planet and listening to us; we are the ones they are all supposed to represent.
Music
My shows at the Chelmsford Social Club have finished for now until we return on Friday 2nd September with Chesney Hawkes. We then return with a full programme until the end of the year, and I am already busy booking for 2023. We have some amazing and varied shows coming up for you, but more on that in future editions.
I also continue to book for The Orange Tree. On Monday 15th August we have The One Tree Hillbillies returning, and then on Saturday 3rd September we have The Sonic Journeymen with Izzy from Florida, who this time will be joined his wife Jaquie and of course our own Jevon from Brightlingsea. You may remember these previously from playing the UB. This will be a fun evening I have no doubt. On Saturday 17th September Connor Selby returns to play another solo show; I don’t need to tell you how good he is... Did you go to Pearl Jam at BST Hyde Park? Connor and his band played at that and it was fantastic.
We had Ruth and Dave (That Blue Patch) play at the Orange Tree recently - a great duo who play the sort of covers that you least expect to hear, in their own inimitable way. Those who were there really enjoyed the night. We will definitely have them back.
We have just had a great 3-day mini festival in Central Park in Chelmsford. I went to two of the three days, the first day featured The House and Garage Orchestra and it was very good.
I then went on the Saturday after my family gathering to the Ska and Reggae Day. I was very lucky, as I had been given VIP passes so I got to be at the front. It started with The Style Councillors who I really liked and am now looking to book for next year. Next up was a Special Kinda Madness tribute, who again delivered the goods and went down well. Then it was the turn of Death of Guitar. A first for me and they were again very good. We then had the mighty Aswad play. I have not seen them live for years, but they are as good as ever - as were Bad Manners. Buster was on top form and gave a show that thrilled us all. The Dualers too were great, and the audience loved them. In fact, they seemed to love all the acts who played.
Next up was Sunday, and the final day
of this mini fest. I was looking forward to catching up with some old friends such as Jools Holland and members of his band. Some of them and I go back over 40 years with. We got there before it all started, and boy it was hot, although we did have a few welcome spots of rain later on.
The afternoon started with a DJ playing some great vinyl, and I could already see this was going to be busier than the day before. I got to see quite a lot of friends there which I kind of expected. Sunday had just two bands playing. There was also Beverley Knight who l have not seen play before. What a great entertainer she is - and an amazing singer. She had a top band behind her, I and I think all of the packed park loved her. I got to go backstage between the acts to meet up with my old friends with the potential for a few new acts to play for me in Chelmsford hopefully next year.
Jools took to the stage for a two hour show with a roughly 20-piece band along with his long-time collaborator and good friend Gilson Lavis who he goes back to Squeeze with (which is when I first met them both). Jools’ kid brother Chris was on Hammond and Derek Nash was on sax (Derek is playing for us in March next year). Jools and bad were joined by singers Louise Marshall, Ruby Turner and special guest Eddi Reader. This was an amazing big band who put on a spectacular show. I did hear from some people in the general arena that they felt that chairs should not be allowed at the front which I would agree with, as most festivals have standing only at the front to allow for dancing.
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For all Black Frog Presents updates and information on my shows at the Social Club or The Orange Tree, go to www.linktr. ee/BlackFrogPresents, or scan the QR code on our poster in this magazine.
If you have been feeling tired and listless in the intensely hot temperatures, you may well have heard that it can help to make sure you are drinking enough water. Dehydration can sneak up on you and be present even when you think you have been drinking plenty - you may need more. This has been my experience a few times in the hot weather. I have felt wiped out, then drunk nearly a litre of water even though I wasn’t thirsty, then come back to life like a wilted plant!
Hydration is complex and many factors play a part including having enough electrolytes. I have been hearing people describe feeling shaky, dizzy, having palpitations, headaches, strange pains including heart pain in otherwise healthy people or just feeling ‘odd’ and unwell, confused even. All of these can be resolved by enough water and also electrolytes - often the missing link. Elderly people are particularly at risk.
This depends how we define hydration/dehydration. We could think of it as enough fluid to ensure you are not clinically dehydrated and in need of medical help - we could think of clinical dehydration as showing the symptoms listed above (although they could be caused by not enough electrolytes if you are drinking plenty of water but losing a lot because of the heat through evaporation and sweating). In this case all fluids you drink play a part including the fluids within food you eat, such as fluid-rich foods such as juicy fruits like oranges and salad vegetables, tomatoes and cucumber.
But we could also think of hydration in terms of optimal hydrationwhat your body really needs to work at its best and you to feel lighter and more energised. Becoming optimally hydrated can actually take two whole weeks…
What I didn’t know, until I read a book 20 years ago called Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by Dr F Batmanghelidj, is that the body goes into a coping state if you are not drinking enough for optimal hydration and in that state you don’t feel thirsty and perhaps don’t even like water! It’s like a human design fault - the more dehydrated you are the harder and more unappealing it can be to drink water.
So to get going you just have to force yourself to drink it - and it gets easier as the days go by until you actually enjoy it. The book says drink at least 2 litres of plain water a day spread through the day. This level of plain water triggers the body to let go of a coping state it has got into - it will start to let go of a cholesterol layer it has put around all the cells of your skin, connective tissue and muscle - most of your body. This layer is to prevent water loss but interferes with the free movement of nutrients into the cell, and waste out across the cell wall.
When you first start drinking more water your body won’t remove this layer, it takes five days of drinking two litres for your body to trust you are ‘out of the desert’ and assume you now have regular access to water. So around day five your experience of water will change - the cells in your body will begin to absorb it like a sponge and you will find you really enjoy drinking it. You may even look younger as the cells of your skin are plumped up! You will feel less tired and come to life somehow.
But even if you have gone through this process and are a regular water drinker the very hot conditions we are experiencing will mean you do need to drink more. This could be up to 3-4 litres of plain water a day.
Now let’s add in electrolytes in to the picture. These are the mildly electrically charged minerals our body needs in high quantities - sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and
bicarbonate, also zinc. They actually help the body absorb water into our cells. They come from our food and circulate in our blood and are used by our nerves for transport of nerve impulses and muscles for the correct working of the muscles. If you think about the importance of nerve impulses and muscle functioning (and remember your heart is a muscle), for the correct working of your body, you will see how important electrolytes are. Without them you can’t think properly, move, digest or do just about anything.
Our modern diet tends to have too much sodium from salt and not enough potassium, which mainly comes from fruit and vegetables, so we don’t tend to think we can become short of sodium - but it can happen when the temperature is hot, and it is lost through sweating. If it’s hot and you are drinking enough water (really drinking enough) but still feel ‘meh’ and not quite right it, could be time for more electrolytes.
1. First of all think natural salt - sea salt or natural pink Himalayan rock salt has extra minerals along with the sodium chloride which makes it much more useful for our bodies. When you are sweating and hot, this is an excellent excuse for a salty snack that you might otherwise think is a health no-no to replenish your sodium levels. Think crisps with sea salt, or salty olives and feta cheese, or twiglets, or sea-salted nuts... My go-to is M&S own-brand sea salt and vinegar crisps… yum! I also dip veg like tomatoes, celery and cucumber in a pile of sea salt. When you need salt it is particularly satisfying to eat. Our body has a natural instinct for what it needs; it will instantly feel strengthening and fortifying - and you will know when you have had enough as it will stop being quite so satisfying.
2. Dr Batmanghelidj actually recommends putting a small pinch of mineral rich sea salt or pink Himalayan rock salt in your water bottle to increase your electrolyte intake.
3. Natural coconut water is another electrolyte rich drink - but do drink water too. In hot weather adding a small pinch of mineral rich salt to this can enhance its beneficial effect.
4. Eating juicy electrolyte fruit like water melon and oranges and salad veg like cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes.
5. Drinking pickle juice is becoming a popular way of getting electrolytes - drinking the juice of pickled gherkins or pickled onions or red cabbage for example is thought to provide a significant dose. A similar but perhaps more convenient option is drinking a few dessert spoonfuls of good quality apple cider vinegar.
6. Electrolyte drinks can also be useful and widely used by sportspeople. I am not talking here the rather unpleasant powder associated with restoring minerals after having diarrhoea. They vary a lot in taste and quality and ideally go for a low or no sugar option. They can be particularly helpful for the elderly, especially where heart function is an issue.
7. My personal favourite is Ultima Replenisher but also Revival Rehydration and Recovery. You can also make your own electrolyte drink - see below...
DIY Electrolyte Drink
• One medium glass of water.
• Juice of half a lemon.
• ⅛ to ¼ of a teaspoon of pink Himalayan rock salt or mineral rich sea salt.
• 2 teaspoons of raw honey, ideally local if possible.
NB: If you suspect you’ve developed heat exhaustion or developed severe electrolyte loss and you’re suffering from severe cramping or lightheadedness, or a rapid heartbeat, seek immediate medical attention. A
DIY electrolyte drink: easy and effective on a hot day
doctor can monitor your hydration level and electrolyte balance and administer the appropriate intravenous fluids.
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Phew, what a month for heat! I trust all are keeping well, drinking plenty of water and taking care with these intense temperatures.
Take care with watering your plants. Do so either first thing in the morning or during the latter part of the day - there’s no point in watering midday as most of the water will evaporate. Also getting any water on leaves before it has time to evaporate can lead to scorched leaves, blanched/ pale leaves and dieback. Opt for fewer, but longer waterings in conjunction with a good level of mulching material. Consider recycling ‘grey’ water to add to your supplies. Check out this link to water conservation www.rhs.org.uk/ garden-jobs/water-collectingstoring-and-using.
An alternative is to really look long and hard at your garden spaces and pre-empt by using plants that are more suited to longer periods of dry and warm temperatures. Check out this link: www.rhs.org.uk/ plants/for-places/drought-resistant for more info.
Anyway, good luck with the rest of the month. Here are a few choice
tasks that I’ll be undertaking over the next few weeks:
It’s that time of the year when a number of plants have produced a good batch of seed. On a dry, warm day go out and start to collect seed heads that have turned brown/light in colour - this is usually around 2 months after flowering. Some seed is collected when well developed but immature and green, such as Anemone nemorosa and Calendula officinalis. I would also be vigilant about the health of the plant that I am accessing, to avoid spreading any pest and or diseases.
I’ve just started to collect the rounded disc shaped seeds from honesty (Lunaria annua var. alba). As they are mature, I can sow now, pop into a cold frame (or by the back of the house/patio/balcony). They’ll be ready for moving on in the spring for flowering that year. Check out this link for more: www.rhs.org.uk/propagation/seedcollecting-storing.
Aside from harvesting to propagate new plants, I do like honesty for its translucent seed heads. I’ll retain a few of these for autumn/ winter interest and food for local fauna. I also do this for Phlomis russeliana for its tall flower spikes containing lovely, darkened seed areas. These will be fine until February, when the plant will be raised to the ground. These are also very good for lacewings to overwinter; their larvae are voracious feeders of aphid and the adult is a great pollinator. See this link for more info on lacewings: friendsoftheearth. uk/nature/lacewings-your-pest-control-heroes-garden.
For those tomato growers out there, if your plant has reached the roof of the greenhouse, or its just got too tall and space is limiting, take out the top (always doing so by cutting cleanly above a junction). This will concentrate any expenditure of energy towards the remaining flowers/trusses as they form into fruitlets. Don’t forget to continue feeding, removing any leaves at the base and excessive growth to aid in fruit ripening. And don’t forget to water - they’re very needy!
Another group of plants requiring good levels of water and potashrich feed are peppers - both chili and sweet. This is a long season crop, but worth the wait. Avoid erratic watering to avoid the nutritional disorder called ‘blossom end rot’ Find out more on that here: www. rhs.org.uk/problems/blossom-end-rot.
Lastly, it was great to see so many of you at the most recent RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show. So many questions on the first day that I attended!
For those looking ahead, check out this sneak preview for September gardening tasks www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/september.
For any gardening tips, please contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Capel Manor College, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4RR, or email tom.cole@capel.ac.uk.
Mr and Mrs C already knew that they wanted to make a bold statement with their new kitchen.
They visited the Regal Kitchens showroom and found that the Laurel Green door from the Italian painted collection was exactly what they were looking for. Designer Stacey worked tirelessly to design the kitchen, incorporating a tricky stair wedge which can sometimes be unsightly.
Regal’s fitter, did an excellent job and the client is over the moon with the end result.
#whereclientisking
www.regalkitchens.co.uk
2 Navigation Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6HX
The customer has a very busy family and lifestyle and so wanted to include as many clever storage solutions as possible to maximise ease of use. The Blum Space Tower is ideal for storing food and giving everyone (including the children) easy access, and it was decided to include full height cabinetry along one wall to ensure there was plenty of room to house the cooking equipment. Mr and Mrs C chose a marble-effect laminate worktop which really contrasts against the dark green cabinetry and antique brass handles, and a traditional tap adds a luxurious feel. A full set of Neff appliances means that cooking is not a chore - and we love the pop of orange, which really finishes this wonderful project.
An amazing kitchen and a great place for a family to congregate. Ian,
The current economic and financial landscape is not easy to navigate and it is imperative that you think about the costs you are likely to incur when you decide to retire, as well as what provision is needed to maintain comfortable retirement.
You know what lifestyle you desire once you stop working, but do you know how much you need to have saved by the time your planned retirement date arrives?
Typically, retirees usually tend to spend less - for instance, the mortgage might be paid off and commuting costs are a thing of the past. On the other hand, you may wish to spend a little more on pursuing leisure activities, entertainment or travel. Consequently, a common rule of thumb is that you should target a retirement income that is around two-thirds of your current income. Of course, the actual figure is linked to your retirement plans and is completely individual to you, and your independent financial adviser will be able to help you formulate solid financial plan tailored to your circumstances.
Health is always vitally important and must be considered in the context of your retirement plans too, as it will affect the level of income and expenditure required. For some this may mean increased need for a long term or specialist care. Again, planning is essential.
Next, you should think about how long will your money need to last.
You need to understand not only how much income you need each year but also how long you may need to generate that income for. Generally, with life expectancy rising, it is not uncommon to spend 20, 30 or even 40 years in retirement, so it’s imperative to plan ahead to ensure you have sufficient income for a considerable amount of time.
In short, the sooner you start to plan for your retirement the more likely you are to be prepared and enjoy the lifestyle you desire.
If you would like to discuss any of the above, please contact us to see if we can be of help.
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.
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
Farleigh Hospice is celebrating its 40th birthday with an exciting weekend of fun, family-friendly activities in September.
The charity provides free hospice care to people affected by lifelimiting illnesses and bereavement across mid Essex. On Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September it will be opening the gardens of its hospice building in North Court Road, Chelmsford CM1 7FH for a fête and its annual cycle ride.
Garden Fête and Heritage Display
There will be plenty to enjoy - including live music, food, refreshments, a bar and a variety of exciting stalls - as well as fun for the family with a petting zoo, garden games and face painting.
You can also find out more about Farleigh’s history through the charity’s Heritage Display showing four decades of the people, milestones and memories that have made Farleigh the hospice it is today.
This will take place on 7th September, 12-4pm. Entry is free. For more information, visit www.farleighhospice.org/gardenparty.
There are three scenic routes consisting of 20, 50 or 100 kilometres. All routes start and finish at Farleigh Hospice in Chelmsford. The shortest distance is a family-friendly route that is ideal for the beginner or younger cyclist, while the 50km route passes through all eight of the beautiful Essex Rodings. The 100km course goes through the Rodings, the picturesque villages of Thaxted and Finchingfield and then follows 35km of the 2014 Tour de France route.
It costs £20 to cycle the 20km route, £30 for the 50km and £40 for the 100km. Children under 18 can cycle for free, but they must register and be accompanied by an adult. This is a fundraising event so Farleigh is grateful to everyone taking part who gets sponsored.
If you’re not a keen cyclist, you can still help make the day a big success as an event volunteer.
This will take place on 18th September. For more information or to book, please visit www.farleighhospice.org/cycle.
In May this year, Meadows Shopmobility was nominated for the Tom Hiller award, which is organised by ShopMobility UK. Tom Hiller was the founder of the National Federation of Shopmobility, and the award was created after he died in 1991 to keep his name alive and to recognise the outstanding work of local Shopmobility services.
On June 8th at the awards evening, we found out that Meadows Shopmobility were this year’s winners. The award was collected by Charles Bowen-Davies and his wife Linda, who are both long-standing volunteers for the charity.
This award means a lot to our small self-funding charity. We kept going during the pandemic, a very small team of volunteers and our co-ordinator kept the doors open for anyone that needed access to essential shopping in the city.
The volunteers are the heroes of the charity. They turn up week on week, giving up their time to run the office and to help those that need our services. This award is recognition of all that the volunteers accomplish.
Like a lot of charities these days, Meadows Shopmobility is struggling to survive. Our membership is down and is still recovering from the closures during the pandemic, and people are still not coming out to shop at pre-pandemic levels. Our income is the lowest it has ever been, and it is not easy to attract volunteers and we desperately need new trustees to help take the charity into the future. Despite all this, we still open 6 days a week and do our very best for those that need help. We are appealing for volunteers and trustees. We work closely with Chelmsford Voluntary Service, and if you feel you could offer help in any of these areas, either contact the CVS or contact us directly.
We offer a holiday hire scheme - a unique and innovative service. We have 5 scooters available that can fold down to fit in the boot of a car, and these are also ideal for coach outings. This is a very popular service and it is recommended to book early to avoid disappointment. There are charges involved which are tailored to the length of required hire. We also have holiday hire wheelchairs available too, and we regularly help people who have broken limbs with long-term home hire.
For getting out and about in the city, we have several different scooters for people to use, and we also have comfortable wheelchairs for around the city use.
Chelmsford City centre is a lovely vibrant place to visit, and using a scooter to get about is easy in the pedestrian zones and the shopping centres. Central Park in Chelmsford is also a beautiful place to sit on a scooter for a while and watch the world go by. Many cafés and restaurants have alfresco seating available too, so you can pull up on the scooter for refreshments. You can cover the whole city area on a scooter, from the top of the High Street to Bond Street and beyond
into Moulsham Street. Pop along the river paths to go to the out of centre shopping areas of Riverside, Chelmer Retail Park and along to Moulsham Mill area. There is also a lovely café in Moulsham Mill, the home of Chelmsford city public radio. Using a scooter to aid mobility really does give you independence and freedom.
“I joined the scheme as a user in 2010 as I had lost my health due to a long illness. My daughters had been pushing me in a wheelchair for some time. I discovered Meadows Shopmobility when I saw someone go past me on a scooter, so I got my daughters to wheel me to the office and I joined the scheme there and then. This charity gave me my life back and I was able to get out again on my own.
“The service gave me back my confidence to get out and about alone. I didn’t use up all my energy struggling to do chores in town, and it enabled me to get out of the house and know that I could then go home and take care of my daughters, instead of them having to take care of me. I was 47 at the time; I will never forget that feeling of freedom and independence. It was life giving in so many ways.
“When my health improved, I became a volunteer. A year later I became the manager’s assistant and now I run the service as the only employed person of the charity. I have been employed with the charity for 10 years now.
“I absolutely love my job and I encourage all those that hesitate to use a scooter to come and try our services out. You will not regret it!” Geraldine
Roe, Co-OrdinatorOur main income comes from the Community Bookshop in Market Road, Chelmsford. The shop is entirely run by volunteers and is open from 10am-4pm, Monday to Saturday. In the shop there is a plethora of reading material to suit one and all and every week there are special offers available. The shop can take small donations of books, up to two shopping bags full at one time. Larger collections can be made by arrangement only via the office by calling 01245-357 097.
The bookshop has its own Facebook page too - search for ‘Chelmsford Community Bookshop’. Like and follow the bookshop to find out about the special offers.
Meadows Shopmobility is based in Qpark multi storey car park by the Odeon Cinema - we are on the ground floor by the disabled bays, where we have been for 20 years - it is our 21st birthday next year, and we will make it a year to celebrate!
meadowsshopmobility.org.uk
Search on Facebook: ‘Meadows Shopmobility’ meadowsshopmobilitycio@gmail.com
01245 357 097
Thursday 18th
The Clay Pigeon - Poker night & quiz
Hotbox - Bee Arnold
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Lion Inn - Chelmsford Comedy Club
Friday 19th
Beeleigh Abbey Gardens - Open Day
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Hot Box - Bee Arnold
Hyde Hall - Pantaloons Outdoor Family Theatre: Wind in the Willows
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
Saturday 20th
Chelmsford City Racecourse - Ministry of Sound Disco
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
Sunday 21st
Hylands Stables - Sunchaser
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Hylands Estate - Open Day & farmers market
Monday 22nd
The Clay Pigeon - Bingo night
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Tuesday 23rd
Bardswell Social Club (Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14
4TJ) - Spike’s Place Jazz Club: Simon Spillett Quartet
Hot Box - Ural Thomas & The Pain
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - Country Dancing (barn dance - 7.50pm - £2 - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 24th
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
UB - Big Entertainment Quiz
Woolpack - 80s bingo
Thursday 25th
Hot Box - HotHaus Drag Broadway Bevy: musicals night
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
The Clay Pigeon - Poker night & quiz
Friday 26th
Bassment - Casino
Black Bull - Shakey’s Sessions: Kill Bosco + Rachel Brooks +
The Penny Antics + James Gold
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Hot Box - Stealing Signs + Lyena
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
Saturday 27th
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Oddfellows Arms - Brit Invasion
The Jazz Centre UK (Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Ave, Southend, SS2 6EX2) - Spike’s Place Jazz Club: Mick Foster
Quartet
Sunday 28th
The Bassment - Wonderland (9pm - 4am)
The Courtyard - Wonderland (2pm - 9pm)
Gardeners - Shakey’s Sessions: Porcupine Kiss + Lost Without Cause + Hearmeout + The Whomp Rats
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Monday 29th
The Clay Pigeon - Bingo night
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Tuesday 30th
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - Country Dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 31st
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Woolpack - 80s Bingo
September
Thursday 1st
Acanteen - Comedy Club
Hot Box - Resonance Open System
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Friday 2nd
Chelmsford Social Club - Chesney Hawkes
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga
Saturday 3rd
Central Park - Street Eats ’n’ Beats 2022
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Orange Tree - Sonic Journeymen
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
Sunday 4th
Hot Box - Jazz Sundays with Zak Barrett and Friends
Hylands Estate - Dinosaurs in the Park
Monday 5th
The Clay Pigeon - Bingo night
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night
Tuesday 6th
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 7th
Woolpack - 80s Bingo
Thursday 8th
The Clay Pigeon - Poker night & quiz
Friday 9th
Acanteen - Goldie
Chelmsford Social Club - Emma Wilson Blues Band
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Hot Box - Glue Trip
Patch - Pockets, Pinafores and Practical Hats: Dressing a Woman for War Talk (7pm - chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
Saturday 10th
Black Bull - Shakey’s Sessions: Alison + Bodi + The Disney Guy
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Fête - Famous Faces Play Chelmsford Photo Exhibition with live music (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Geek Retreat - Kapow! A History of Comic Books (12pmchelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Geek Retreat - Furry Fashionistas & Cosplay Creatives: The Art of Dressing Up (3pm - chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Geek Retreat - Dungeons, Dice & Dobble: A Brief Introduction to Board Games (5pm - chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Hot Box - Point Clear + George Sanders & Parallels + Luke Fisher
Patch - All Things Marconi (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
All events are correct at time of going to press. Please check with the venue for updates
Saturday 10th (continued)
Springfield Lyons Bronze Age Guided Tour (chelmsfordhod. co.uk)
Village Hall (Wickham Bishops) - Wickham Bishops Jazz Club: Allen Beechey and the Young Stars of Jazz (6.30pm for 7.30pm - contact Pete: wickhambishopsjazzclub@gmail.com or 07548 775 777)
Sunday 11th
Chelmsford Mosque - History Day (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Pleshey Castle Guided Tours (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Springfield Lyons Bronze Age Guided Tour (chelmsfordhod. co.uk)
The Meadows - Tea Without Borders (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Monday 12th
Acanteen - Curved Air
The Clay Pigeon - Bingo night
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night
Tuesday 13th
Patch - Lets Talk Windrush (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Hot Box - Big Music Quiz
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 14th
Hotbox - Bishop Nehru
Patch - The History of Hoffmans Talk (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Woolpack - 80s Bingo
Thursday 15th
Woolpack - Beer Festival
Friday 16th
Chelmsford Social Club - The SharpeeZ & The Dirty Strangers
Friday 16th (continued)
The CloudFM County Ground - The History of Essex Cricket Club Talk (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Hot Box - Oscillate
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
Woolpack - Beer Festival
Village Hall (South Hanningfield) - Bingo evening (7pmcomedy bingo, bring own drinks. Tickets - £8 - call 07396 546050 or email shvhall@gmail.com)
Saturday 17th
Chelmsford Museum - Military Vehicle and Essex Yeomanry Day (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
The Courtyard (Baddow Road) - Happy Days (live music & DJs)
Farleigh Hospice - Garden Fête and Heritage Display
Hylands Estate - New World Festival 2022
Hylands Estate - National Country Show Live
Orange Tree - Connor Sleby
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
Springfield Lyons Bronze Age Guided Tour (chelmsfordhod. co.uk)
Woolpack - Beer Festival
Sunday 18th
Hot Box - Jazz Sundays with Zak Barrett and friends
Farleigh Hospice - Cycle for Life
Hylands Stables - Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective
Hylands Estate - New World Festival 2022
Hylands Estate - National Country Show Live
Hylands House - Restoration Exhibition (chelmsfordhod.co.uk)
Springfield Lyons Bronze Age Guided Tour (chelmsfordhod. co.uk)
“Brian gets it spot onthe music business and the cub journalist’s world. Read this romp in one sitting.”
Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel)
Once upon a time when a British prime minister was ditched, his deputy - more often than not the Chancellor of the Exchequerinherited the poisoned chalice. Fast forward to 2022. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been deposed.
What followed his demotion to interim Prime Minister pending the election of a new leader of the Conservative Party who would also be the next British Prime Minister, made Britain once more the laughing stock of the western world.
Eleven politicians sprang out of the House of Commons woodwork to fight among themselves to grab the poisoned chalice of Prime Minister. None of them was worthy of that honour. There was not one big hitter among them, for it is a ‘big hitter’ that is desperately needed right now to get Britain out of its malaise and back on track as a major player on the world stage.
I deplore the Americanisation of British politics and, in particular, the television debates where the contestants make fools of themselves as they promise the world and deliver a dustbin. They are an embarrassment and should never be near a television camera, but then their egos demand exposure to the public - it is not a pretty sight.
Gone Too Soon is an Essex based bereavement support group for parents who have lost a son or daughter of any age, in whatever circumstances, if recent or a while ago.
The group was launched in July 2017 by Lyn, as she wanted to make contact and talk to other parents who were in a similar situation and had also lost children. She had lost her son Tony in April 2015. He was 35 years old and died as a result of a brain tumour.
Monthly meetings take place in The Chantry Centre, Chantry Way, Billericay, CM11 2AP from 7pm-9pm. Parking is in the High Street or in the main car park. Prior to new parents coming to the meeting, Lyn encourages them to give her a call, and she is also happy to meet up on a one-to-one basis to introduce herself, as she knows how daunting it can be to walk into a room full of strangers and share something so personal.
There is a bond between parents who have lost a child, and talking to someone who can relate and understand the feelings helps you to realise you are not alone, as it can be a very isolating place to be. The death of a child is probably the most devastating experience any parent will go through and it is not something you get over - but in time you can come to manage it.
At Gone Too Soon, parents are given a warm and friendly welcome in a safe environment. Refreshments are provided and the meetings are made to feel very informal.
For more information and a chat, give Lyn a call on 07387 805 406, or email lyn-currie@hotmail.co.uk. Or visit www.gone-toosoon.online.
I try to imagine how any of them would deal with Putin and the war in Ukraine, or with unfettered control of immigration (which Priti Patel has singularly failed to deal with and therefore should be put out to grass), with the monumental cost of living, the law and order failings by the police, social services and the weary ‘lessons’ that are never learned and throwing vulnerable children and adults back into the arms of grooming gangs, who the police and authorities are seemingly too scared to apprehend.
Of course, the Conservative Party has shot itself in the foot too many times through slease, lies, corruption and financial wrongdoing (love that word). Whoever wins the poisoned chalice will follow in the footsteps of Boris who with his behaviour, lies, buck passing, demeaning of his position as Prime Minister and failure to read ‘the small print of life’, has led Britain to the edge of mediocrity.
I have met many MPs during my work over the years, including being hand-bagged in a commons room by Margaret Thatcher. Since attaining the age of maturity when I was 21 years old, I have voted for the Conservative Party - but, I have to say the present Conservative Party is the worst of all I voted for.
The New World Festival had its debut last year and was a fantastic day. It has been put together with the unbelievable will and determination of someone who is trying to make a life-long dream come true. He fought through the pandemic and adverse weather conditions to make a truly epic day happen.
Floyd T is a top class DJ and partnered building company owner, (Concept Contracts) with a determination to do things right. Floyd has a heart made of dance music; something he wants to bring to the good people of Chelmsford with another epic line-up this year featuring many top dance DJs.
This year he has more support with the emergence of the New World Fest family, a group of determined and dedicated people based around his supporting family and true friends, all wanting to see the dream come true and to give local residents the opportunity to get involved and to work at the festival to gain free tickets, money and experience.
By joining the New World Fest family, you will help bring work, entertainment, the arts and general well-being to the area. To do this and/or receive your free tickets, contact info@newworldfest.com. We offer the companies of Essex the opportunity to sponsor the festival and give them - along with the sponsors we already have - the ability reach a large audience.
You can earn commission on any tickets sold, by signing up to become a representative at skiddle.com/reps
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is well underway. We have enjoyed welcoming so many families to the library. There is still plenty of time to take part, so don’t hesitate, come and see us!
Gadgeteers continues right through the summer holiday to encourage children to keep reading and enjoying books, and we reward them with stickers (some smelly!) plus a certificate and a medal.
Gadgeteers is all about science and inventions, so come along to our Science Wednesdays on every Wednesday in the holiday, from 10am12 noon at Chelmsford Library. We will have fun science-themed activities to do, such as make your own slime, learning about static and aerodynamics, code an Ozobot and much more! This is a drop-in event. Also for children, Block Builders Construction Club is every Saturday and Pens and Puzzles every Sunday. See the website for details and times.
There is always a lot going on at the library. Here are details of some of our upcoming events:
Scam and Fraud Aware Event: Saturday 20th August 2pm-3.30pm.
Help and advice on keeping safe online and spotting scams and fraud. A drop-in event run by Essex Police.
Crochet Club: Every Tuesday, 10am-11am. Whether you are a beginner who wants help getting started, or an expert who wants to meet other crochet-minded people, this club is for you. Booking required.
Work Club: Every Thursday 10am-12 noon. Do you need advice and support with online searching and applying for jobs, CV writing? Then just drop in and see us.
For full details of the above and all of our events and services, visit our website at libraries.essex.gov.uk. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter or by subscribing to our newsletter - all details on our website.
This article looks at developments in the town towards the end of the 20th century.
The first High Chelmer Shopping Centre opened in 1973, with a fountain in the centre. John Marriage bemoaned the reduction of Tindal Square to little more than a traffic junction and in particular the demolition of the Corn Exchange: ‘It was a great loss to the character of the town when this building of character was destroyed in 1969 as its rather run down condition made it ideal for activities unable to afford high hire charges’. Marriage was also concerned at how little had been done to conserve the best of the past, and he he wrote in 1982: ‘A whole side of Tindal Street, one of the town’s most interesting streets containing a wealth of old buildings, was demolished to make way for the present blank uninteresting wall of a large underused service yard. This destruction was an act of pure vandalism, needlessly perpetrated and is now still mourned by older Chelmsfordians’. Marriage felt that the merger of the two Chelmsford districts, bringing in as it did councillors who took a wider view on what was important in the development of the area, came just a few years too late to save a lot of what was individual about Chelmsford. He felt that Mesopotamia Island, swept away as part of the remodelling of the two rivers in the town, could and should have been saved. The channels which created the island were filled in by the River Authority in the early 1970s.
Marriage also thought that Moulsham Street, another street like Tindal Street with a large number of buildings worth preserving, was also under threat. In 1973 a private company put forward a big scheme to redevelop a large part of the street. Fortunately, this company folded before the scheme could get underway. Despite it being a conservation area, a number of buildings of historical interest in the street disappeared in the later 1970s. National Heritage money at the end of the 1980s saved some of the oldest cottages, including several with Tudor overhangs, but many were still lost. In the new millennium the street retained some of its individuality, but more could have been done.
The town’s conservation movement did manage to preserve most of the features of Gray’s Brewery on the Springfield Road near the High Street after it had appeared that they would disappear. Initially Debenhams wanted to knock down the old listed brewery and build an extension to their then present complex. Eventually, part of the old brewery was kept and converted into 9 small shops.
After the completion of Parkway in the 1970s, the West End part of the town was in serious decline. In 1985 the newly formed Civic Trust vowed to improve the area. In 1997 a scheme was introduced to partly pedestrianise the area. It wasn’t until the new millennium that some improvement was introduced to this part of town. The first plans for the new bus station drew severe criticism from the Chelmsford Society, but what was actually built was a significant improvement on the initial plans. A new public square, now renamed Marconi Square, should be a focal point for leisure use, but this has yet to be consistently the case. The Marconi statue was moved to the Square from the Record Office in 2007.
One man who did his best to keep at least some individuality in the buildings in and around Chelmsford was Fred Willett, who was an expert in the ancient craft of pargetting, which involves ornamental designs on plaster reliefs. Also an accomplished painter, he taught himself the craft of pargetting in the 1930s. Operating out of a side street in Chelmsford, he continued his work for over 40 years and his handiwork can still be seen on houses throughout East Anglia as well as in the Chelmsford area. Examples of his work included the design of a cricketer on the wall of a house fronting on to the main street in Writtle. He completed works for a number of brewers, for example, the 6 Bells at Great Waltham.
A number of the rural parishes were more successful in preserving
their identities. In Great and Little Leighs after the 1920s, when farmers had been quite happy to sell land to builders without any controls and with no planning permission then needed, the villagers formed the Great and Little Leighs Protection Society to preserve the village way of life.
After the Second War, Writtle was in danger of becoming another suburb of Chelmsford, like Springfield and Great Baddow, but was saved by the operation of the green belt that has kept it separate from the town. Keeping the village shop was often seen as a key issue as was the development of a community hall and other amenities.
1971 saw the first Essex County Council plans to turn Woodham Ferrers from a small rural parish into a new town with a predicted population of 9,000. Two years later the ECC made a compulsory purchase order for 1,000 acres at what was to become South Woodham Ferrers. Opposition to the scheme on environmental and cost grounds led to a public inquiry, but the Government approved the scheme the following year, partly because it lay between two major centres of employment in Basildon and Chelmsford. The borough agreed to the development because if they hadn’t, the equivalent number of houses would have to be built elsewhere in the district. By this time the projected number of expected residents had risen to 20,000. Work started on the project in 1975 and by 1983 there were 7,500 residents.
Much was made of the 1,300 acre development on the banks of the River Crouch. The town bordered on a 300 acre country park and 200 acres of further open spaces and playing fields. Its shops were arranged carefully in courtyards. Despite this attractive layout many of the residents in the original village refused to use the new amenities. When the town was completed, it won many plaudits until rising unemployment towards the end of the century limited its success story.
By the early 1980s, the prediction that the redevelopment of the centre of Chelmsford would lead it to being a quiet and deserted zone in the evening had come true. ‘The town that dies in the evening’ was the comment of Councillor Lander. The new centre was becoming a ‘precinct of fear’ with older townsfolk wary of entering the area at night. By 1983 the shopping centre was already proving too small for the needs of super stores, with supermarkets such as Sainsbury moving out of town. The centre was already being described as ‘tatty’ with its openness leading to much vandalism at night. A 2 million pound facelift eventually included sealing the renovated shopping centre in the evening and removing the fountain from the centre.
The second shopping centre for the town was planned in 1985 on land in Kings Head Meadow. This also involved a new road over the two rivers and a new car park. Work started in 1989 and The Meadows finally opened in 1992. As early as 1985 a third shopping centre was planned for the large empty space down to the river. Several planned developments came to nothing before the new millennium.
Another scheme, this time involving the John Lewis Partnership, received planning permission in 2012. The revised plans mean that the new development could rival Westfield at Stratford. The year 2012 also saw progress on two other proposed developments. Firstly, planning permission was been given for Waitrose to return to the town by developing the Royal Mail site on Victoria Road. This development was to include a new mosque. Even well before these developments, the town was voted one of the best shopping centres in the south east.
Progress was also finally made on the old Anglia Ruskin site. In the new plans there were also pedestrian routes either side of the Anne Knight building. Work on this was underway in 2013, and the
refurbished
By 2012 plans for the gasworks site have come to nothing and the latest scheme for this area, by the retail owners of Bluewater, collapsed in 2010.
The new millennium saw the disappearance of two of Chelmsford’s best known names, Bolingbroke and Wenley. Both adjacent shops were completely gutted by fire in 1947. Quick work by those on the scene enabled much of the stock to be saved, and the customers of both shops were honest enough to pay back their debts even though the shop’s ledgers had been destroyed in the fire.
Post-war restrictions meant it was several years before the shops could re-open, but when they did they were both modernised.
Wenley’s now had a top floor restaurant that could seat 100 people and new fire regulations meant that passages had to be created through the walls between the two buildings.
This gave Richard Wenley an idea and he went to Wray Bolingbroke to see if he would be interested in a merger. Both families admitted later that their businesses would not have survived separately. It was a further two years before work began on joining the two shops together with the creation of a single trading floor.
In the late 1990s the shop closed its High Street site and moved to a site in Springfield. The business moved again to premises on the Parkway near the Army and Navy in 2001. This was finally closed in 2006.
Do you have 30 minutes to 1 hour spare a week? Would you like to support someone in your local community by calling them for a chat or meeting them for a walk or cup of coffee? Age Well East provides Befriender Volunteers with training, an enhanced DBS check and an allocated Friendship Coordinator for support. The pairing of a Volunteer Befriender and client is based on shared interests and locality.
“I look forward to visiting my friend and it makes me happy knowing that I am making a positive difference to her life. She struggles in social situations but now feels relaxed in my company and we often have a giggle!”
Over 80,000 people in Essex are thought to feel lonely. With around 3.9 million people confirming that television is their main company in later years.
But it’s not only people in later years who feel lonely. Loneliness can also happen when you feel misunderstood, or singled out by unordinary life events, a health condition, or other unique circumstances. It is known that spending long periods alone can cause feelings of loneliness, fear, anxiety and depression.
If you would like to find out more, refer someone or yourself to receive the Age Well East Befriending Service, or to view the volunteer befriending opportunities available, visit www.agewelleast. org.uk or call 0300 37 33 333.
The Age Well East Befriending Service supports anyone who is aged over 18 and living in Essex. They offer both volunteer friendship and local community groups and activities.
“I feel like my volunteer saved my life. She is cheerful and we always end our conversations laughing. I do not know how I would have gotten through without her.”
“I feel like I had lost all confidence and was anxious about accessing my local community again. Having my Befriender Volunteer by my side when I entered the community group for the first time made me feel more confident and he helped me meet new people.”
It’s been a wonderful time for sports fans recently. After the country had been captivated by the success of the Lionesses winning the UEFA European Football Championship, extensive coverage of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham then put some of the lesser supported sports into the spotlight.
It will be interesting to see whether showing the lawn bowls para final will have a positive or negative impact on the sport. It is great that people in their seventies can still compete at high levels, but to focus on their ages will do nothing to alter the public perception that bowls is just for old people - much like Rotary. On the plus side, that particular final was a boon for inclusivity to counter both ageism and for people with disabilities. The perceptive viewers who watched some of the other bowls matches on the television would have appreciated the skill required to win a gold medal, and this was epitomised in the Ladies’ Pairs final between England and Australia which was 18-18 after the final end. On the extra end to determine a winner, it was the Aussie lady who produced a stunning shot with her last wood to remove the shot bowl and take the gold for Australia. All four women were in their twenties or thirties. Similarly, in the Men’s Triples gold medal match, it was played with great skill, great sportsmanship, great excitement - and none of the players were very old!
Rotary suffers from the same preconceived image as bowls, and this viewpoint is equally not entirely correct. Whilst it is true that Rotarians can be older as there is nothing to stop anyone making a contribution to the community, Rotary also has many younger people amongst its global membership of 1.2 million.
Whilst not at international standards, Rotary also has its own games and these cover a wide range. Our district alone covers sixty clubs and there are competitions for all levels of activity - including tennis, badminton, indoor and outdoor bowls, darts, snooker and that great mainstay, golf. In addition, whilst not strictly sports, there are interclub cups for cribbage and dominoes which still engender friendship and a competitive spirit. There is even one competition where a club can issue a sporting challenge for anything not covered elsewhere, so, for example, this could be petanque, tenpin bowling or Swedish kubb. Anything is permissible if you use your imagination.
Success breeds success and the Commonwealth Games and women’s football will stimulate people to get back into active sport, whatever their age. We always hope for a legacy from these major games. Apparently, in the week following the women’s final a thousand youngsters aged between 18 months and 8 years signed up with Little Kickers to play football, of which 21% were girls, due to the positive role models they had just witnessed. Somehow, I doubt whether bowls will enjoy a stimulus on that scale but I do feel that there is the opportunity for people of all ages to give it a go - just as I hope they will understand that Rotary is an organisation for everyone to work together.
Highlighting sporting prowess of people in their seventies shows that whatever age you are, if you enjoy reasonable good health, you can still make a difference through sport and this goes equally for volunteering and Rotary is one avenue where you can make both of these things happen. If you would like to find out more please visit www.rotary1240.org, or call me on 01245 260 349.
Stan Keller
independent outlook, have integrity, and enjoy being part of team.
Drivers for elderly peoples lunch club - Great Baddow
Can you spare a couple of hours on your Tuesday lunch break? Are you kind, patient, and able to drive?
GAIA Exhibition Host - 12th - 30th October 2022 at Chelmsford Cathedral
Chelmsford Cathedral will display Luke Jerram’s spectacular artwork, Gaia, for 3 weeks between the 12th and 30th October 2022.
Gaia is a touring artwork of planet Earth, measuring six meters in diameter and featuring detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The replica of Earth will be suspended two meters above the ground, filling the nave of the Cathedral. Volunteers are needed to help us deliver this exciting art installation.
Age Well East - Could you have a chat and a cup of tea with a lonely person in Chelmsford?
Do you have one hour spare a week? Could you support someone by calling them for a chat, or meeting them for a walk or cup of coffee? Just a small bit of your time could make a world of difference to someone who has no one else.
Volunteer in Chelmsford Prison by joining the Independent Monitoring Board
Inside every prison there is an Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) - a group of ordinary members of the public doing an extraordinary job. Their role is to monitor life in their local prison and ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained.
Training and full support are given. Applicants should have good communication skills, demonstrate social awareness, maintain an
We need cheerful, helpful volunteers with their own car to safely drive elderly people to and from a weekly lunch club in Great Baddow, Chelmsford.
Ladies Knitting Group - Knit for Good Causes
Are you a keen knitter? Or have you always wanted to learn how?
We are welcoming volunteers to join a new ladies knitting group at Hamptons Sport and Leisure Centre in Great Baddow.
The group includes experienced knitters, complete beginners, refugees, older people, and ladies who’ve dealt with difficult circumstances or sad times. Over lots of coffee and cake we chat, create, laugh, and make things for good causes.
Men’s Shed Supervisor
Can you spare 3 hours a week? Chelmsford Men’s Shed reaches local men who feel socially isolated or just want to meet other like-minded men in a friendly and non-judgemental setting. We need volunteer supervisors so that the Shed can open more weekly sessions.
Supervisors support the session, help to promote friendly conversation and encourage users to use the Shed effectively and in safe use of equipment. Full training will be given and support will be offered during your time as a supervisor. Knowledge of woodwork would be an advantage.
Continuing our introductions series about our shows and presenters, this month it’s time for Ovation
Ovation is the newest and fastest growing show on Chelmsford Community Radio. It is the home of #allthingstheatreit’s not just an arts show, but brings the very best that performance has to offer over the airwaves.
Host Ian Gilbert, affectionately known as Gilly, has been working within the arts in a variety of capacities for over 20 years and is as passionate about live arts as ever before.
“Ovation is the home for passionate theatre lovers in our community, bringing people of all walks of life together,” says the show’s host.
The show gives a platform to local societies who wouldn’t usually get the chance to share what they can bring to a live audience whilst giving listeners the opportunity to geek out to some of the most loved musical theatre tracks and some new ones as well.
Being a loved part of the Chelmsford Community Radio, the muchacclaimed weekly theatre show has enjoyed a growing fan base over the past year. Though there are other theatre shows on other stations, Ovation is set a part by its community focus on local, Essex societies and Ian can frequently be spotted supporting societies and cheering them on from the audiences. The show is also a great place for those who wish to be a part of the amateur dramatic and musical theatre scene in Essex and need a helpful and friendly introduction.
Ovation encompasses everything that is exhilarating and intoxicating about live performance - full of fantastic show tunes, details of local performance dates, and hosted with infectious fun and energy. It will not disappoint and is not to be missed!
To join the celebration of #allthingstheatre, catch Ovation live on Thursday 8pm-10pm only on 104.4fm or via the CCR 104.4 app and your smart speaker. You can also head over to @ovationradio on Instagram and Facebook and @ovation_radio on Twitter for global theatre rumours, news and reviews.
www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
Despite having taught at Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga for almost 5 years now, until a couple of months ago I had only ever been to a single pilates class! If I’ve been able to attend a class that I wasn’t teaching, I have tended to stick to yoga; it’s what I know and love!
However, I recently joined one of pilates teacher Erica’s classes and have since alternated between her Wednesday 6pm Intermediate Pilates class and Steve’s 6.15pm Hatha Yoga class.
There are definitely some similarities between yoga and pilates; some poses are the same or similar, moving between shapes is linked with the breath and there is focus on both stretching and strengthening. It took me a while to get used to the different names for poses that are similar in yoga - Child’s Pose becomes a Shell Stretch, Boat Pose is an Open Leg Balance, Plow Pose is a Rollover, Chaturanga is a Plank Push-Up. The other thing that surprised me at the end of my class was that we finished standing up! I’m used to finishing lying down in Savasana, often with some form of guided meditation or relaxationSavasana lovers beware, this is not a part of a pilates practice!
The day after pilates I can always feel the muscles that were worked in the class, ones that even in yoga are I don’t always engage, or certainly not in the same way. I don’t think this is necessarily a pilates teacher thing, perhaps more of an Erica thing, but the way she describes where you should be feeling the movement, or the way in which you should be moving is so poetic and really helps to create an image in your mind. It helps to maintain concentration, keep you engaged and really get the best from the exercises.
Pilates has a focus on building core strength and low impact stretching and conditioning exercises, making it an ideal class for those rehabilitating from operations or injury; Erica has several students in her classes doing just that, and I have seen the variety of modifications she offers to ensure that everyone is included and is finding a way of moving that supports their recovery.
There are several pilates classes on the schedule at Hummingbird. Here’s how Erica would describe them:
Gentle Pilates: Perfect for those first timers or for starting your journey with us at the studio and learning the basics. Great for back injuries or post-operative recovery as well as ante and post natal.
This month we shall be looking at ways to empower your life!
Firstly, do you remember circling the Argos catalogue when you were little of all the things that you wanted? Or if you were like me, all the things you hoped to get in your home when you were grown up!
Well a manifestation board is exactly the same. Simply find yourself a nice sized cork board and place somewhere prominent where you will see it often. Next look for a representation of what you would like to manifest. For example, I have always dreamed of having my own boat - nothing too fancy but just big enough for me, the hubby and kids
Mixed Level Pilates: All levels welcome. A stretch with flexibility, some strength and activation and a whole body pilates workout.
Intermediate Pilates: Activate your core, reset your posture and energise your whole body.
I have yet to meet many people who are equally into yoga and pilates, but if you’re a diehard yogi or are yet to try pilates, I urge you to try out a class! Erica teaches her classes 4 days a week at the studio and online - I know she’d love to see you!
www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk
A slimmer who has transformed her life by losing 2½ stone - twice - is using her success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.
Sarah Cardy from Chelmsford, aged 38, joined her local Slimming World group in Springfield in March 2019 and dropped from a size 18 to a size 12 within 11 months. She reached target in February 2020, and after having a baby in April 2021 she has lost 2½ stone and is very nearly back in target. Now Sarah has trained as a consultant for the weight loss organisation and is helping others like herself.
The latest Government figures reveal that around 1 in 4 adults are obese and it is estimated that by 2034 this will increase to 1 in 3. 65.9% of the Essex’s population is now overweight or obese, and Sarah says her new role has never been more important.
Sarah says: “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost the weight without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of our own consultant. I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight when I first joined.”
Sarah’s group is held at Springfield Park Baptist Church every Saturday at 8.30am or 10am from 30th July 2022.
to hop on and get away for a bit. So on my board I shall place a picture of my ideal boat. Now every time you see the pictures on your board say thank you three times for each of the things that you have received. Yes I know you haven’t received them yet, but that’s how manifestation works - we have to act like it’s already ours and to be as grateful as we possibly can for it being so.
Another fabulous way you can empower your life is by being prepared. I offer 1-2-1 sessions in spiritual life coaching where I teach you the tools and skills to be the best version of you. I use many modalities, including Reiki and Oracle readings. To book a reading with me please call 07909 078 030 and quote ‘City Times’ for 20% off a full reading.
Also join me at the Bay Horse pub and learn how to read your own Oracle. Oracle reading lessons are £40 when quoting ‘City Times’. As always, love and blessings.
Mrs Silver xxx
I enjoy July and August, it’s the summer season and the school holidays. What is not to like? On top of it all, the weather this year is being exceptionally hot for the UK, and I confess to enjoying the warm days relaxing in my garden!
So why oh why is the craft world so obsessed with Christmas at the moment? Have you noticed? It’s all over social media and craft TV channels. It seems so unnatural to even think about Christmas in the heat of the summer. I know that the retail industry is always a step ahead on seasons and I understand the logics behind it, but it still feels odd to be shopping for Christmas papers and embellishments when all you really want is an ice cream.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, it’s one of my favourite times of the year and I love shopping for people I love. I also do make my own Christmas cards and, while it does take more time than just buying them, I don’t usually start making them much before the October half-term.
Maybe people like to get organised, or they want to see this year’s Christmas trend. But I must confess that it has always amazed me to see so much frenetic activity around the Christmas craft in August. So, it got me thinking: am I missing out? Maybe it’s FOMO catching up with me?
With half of the year gone, maybe I should be turning my craft ideas to something a bit more Christmassy. My autumn and December craft weekends are obviously full of exciting Christmas projects and I have just developed 4 new projects for the Craft Days at Highwood Village Hall for the autumn.
Our next craft day is on Saturday 27th August and the project is an envelope book which is ideal to record a weekend away.
On Saturday 24th September, we will be making a home decoration project with a framed layout.
On Tuesday 25th October, we will be making 16 Christmas cards using only 2 sheets of paper.
On Saturday 26th November, we will be making an Advent calendar. And for our last craft day of 2022, on Saturday 17h December we will be looking at making a 2023 perpetual calendar.
You can book your place on the website at www.scrap-circle.co.uk and choose whether you would like to do the project or not. You can come along and do your own crafting. You will never guess what craft I am doing at the moment... In the wake of the second heat wave - I am doing crochet! Yes, you read it correctly! Maybe I am as mad crocheting with wool in August as those thinking about stocking up on Christmas papers and embellishments!
Let us enter into the Christmas spirit then with a little sale that I will be having a sale of all Christmas stuff from 15th August till 31st August. Use the code ‘XMAS’ at the checkout to get an extra 10% off your order.
Although our Writers’ Circle is based in the centre of Brentwood, attracting local writers to Bardswell Social Club on the first Saturday of the month at 2.30pm, many members live in surrounding towns and villages.
Every single person is unique but many of our team, we have been delighted to discover, possess some surprising talents well away from the computer keyboard. At the heart of our circle is the person who keeps us on our toes with what is happening in our world of writing and publishing. This is Julie Gowers our publicity aficionado, who produces our super monthly newsletter Write On
Julie happens to be a superb professional artist, who has always enjoyed writing as much as drawing. At an early age, she was producing illustrated stories. In primary school, one form teacher often asked her to tell the class a story at the end of the day, and she remembers thinking one up during the time it took her to walk from her desk to the front of the classroom. She can’t recall a time when she wasn’t writing stories, keeping journals or sketching and painting.
Julie chose to study art and design, and after gaining a BA and a postgraduate certificate in education, she taught art and ceramics in a secondary school.
After leaving teaching to study history of art at Warwick University, Julie combined her chief interests - writing and art. She returned to teaching and became Head of Art in a secondary school, enjoying encouraging young people in their artistic development and devising learning tools and composing worksheets. Julie has written educational plays for a theatre company that were performed in primary schools and restaurant reviews for a food and drink magazine.
In the 1970s she became interested in computer technology, recognising the potential of digital imaging as an exciting new medium. She taught Photoshop to an advanced level in an adult education centre for several years for which she wrote several course manuals. She now employs these skills in editing the Brentwood Writers’ Circle’s newsletter. For Julie, image making remains indivisible from creative writing; she uses words and grammar as devices for invention and the expression of ideas and observations in a similar way to how she uses physical media and the visual elements when selecting and shaping images and artefacts.
Brentwood Writers’ Circle welcomes visitors and new members. Full details at www.brentwoodwriterscircle.com.
In nature, what is a waxcap?
Where is there a life-size statue of HM the Queen on her favourite horse Burmese, to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee?
From where does the term sideburn originate?
What is the meaning of the word esculent?
What nationality is Julian Assange? BNLP means what?
What is significant about June 21st 2022?
In which year did Princess Diana give birth to Prince William?
What diseases are MMR?
Who is the new presenter on Channel 4’s Countdown?
What is the job of a mahoot?
The Glastonbury event is held at which farm?
In which year did Judy Garland star in The Wizard of Oz?
Of which group of islands is Alderney the third largest?
Which actor is playing the role of Elvis Presley in the new epic Elvis?
What is the Tibetan name for the abominable snowman?
Who was the Welsh poet who wrote Under Milk Wood?
What was Adam Faith’s real name?
For what are Wiley Post and Harold Gatty famous?
Which car brand uses a lion motif in its badge?
What do the Americans call an ice cream scoop?
Who played the title character in the TV sitcom Blackadder?
Which snooker player has the nickname ‘The Whirlwind’?
Sage is a shade of which colour?
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was written by which author?
When is St Swithen’s Day?
Which perfume did Sarah Jessica Parker launch in 2005?
What nationality is the tennis player Jelena Jankovic?
In the Harry Potter books, Harry has a scar on his forehead - of what?
In which part of the UK is Renfrewshire?
Where does the food polenta come from?
What is a mazurka?
What are the pieces of bread you dip into your boiled egg called?
If you are attending RADA, what do the initials mean?
What is the name of the village in TV’s Emmerdale?
What is the name of the cathedral in Paris that was damaged by fire?
From what material is a hula skirt made?
How many points is the pink ball in snooker worth?
What do astronomers call the North Star?
(Answers on page 31)
14th August - Saturn at Opposition: The beautiful planet Saturn will be fully illuminated by the Sun while being at its closest point to Earth. It will also be visible all night long too, making it a wonderful opportunity to see this ringed planet. If you have a telescope look out for Saturn’s moon, Titan. It has a very thick atmosphere and lakes, not of water, but of liquid methane and ethane. On Earth, methane is used for the production of ethylene for making plastics, anti-freeze and detergents. So I won’t recommend going swimming on Titan!
15th August - Jupiter and the Moon: a ‘close’ encounter. Of course, Jupiter is many millions of miles distant from the Moon. A very good way to easily locate Jupiter, courtesy of the Moon!
16th September - Neptune at Opposition: This is the most distant planet from Earth. Tonight, it gets to be at its closest point to Earth. Even the best amateur telescopes can only reveal Neptune as a blue dot. The four outer planets have one thing in common - you cannot land on them, as they have no solid surface. See Neptune here: www.
jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia02210-neptune.
26th September - Jupiter at Opposition: Many people say that Saturn is their favourite planet. But, Jupiter too is a visually stunning planet.
Being closer to Earth, using telescopes of 6 inches (150mm) or 8 inches (200mm), you will see good details of Jupiter’s bands and the Great Red Spot.
New Moon: On 27th August and 25th 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.
Please email me with any questions. I will be happy to answer these, or forward them to an astronomer.
www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
According to the BBC, July in southern England was the driest ever recorded. The 18th-19th saw a heatwave with temperatures reaching a record breaking 40oC plus. My Chelmsford garden lawn is parched brown - but on the 20th there was a 20 second rain shower!
The Spoonbill with a long spoon shaped bill is an uncommon passage migrant and rare winter visitor. The species usually winters and migrates from and to southwest Iberia. In the 15 years since the publication of The Birds of Essex (Wood 2007), numbers of this species have been increasing in all seasons. Within Essex, it has now bred within the heronry at Abberton Reservoir for the first time in 2021 and again this year in 2022, with two young fledged each time. The species has also bred in small numbers in Norfolk and Suffolk. At Wallasea Island RSPB, One to four now regularly winter here.
In white breeding plumage, the adult is distinctive with a pinkish bill with a yellow terminal band on the tip, yellow chin, buffy-yellow breast band and a slight, spikey crest. A juvenile has a pinkish bill with black tips to the flight feathers.
When feeding, a spoonbill slowly walks forward with an open bill swept from side to side (much like an avocet) looking for small fish and shrimps.
Selected County July Highlights
Butterflies included holly and common blues, peacock, small tortoiseshell, gatekeeper, speckled wood, small and green-veined whites. Around the county, scarcer delights included purple emperors, white admirals and silver-washed fritillaries.
Dragonflies included emperor dragonfly, white-legged and banded demoiselles and southern hawker.
Abberton Reservoir: The heronry attracted much attention with nesting grey herons and little egrets, the pair of spoonbills and 5 cattle egret nests. Up to 18 great white egrets were also present but breeding has not yet been confirmed. Wallasea Island RSPB: 2 immature spoonbills and a remarkable 158 Mediterranean gulls.
It’s the longest day of the year, Summer Solstice 1982
Measles, Mumps and Rubella
Colin Murray
Looking after elephants
Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset
1939
The Channel Islands
Austin Butler Yeti
Dylan Thomas
Terence Nelhams Wright
The first round the world flight in a single engined plane, from New York
Frost formed from a cloud
Peugeot
Roll dipper
Rowan Atkinson
Jimmy White Green
Lewis Caroll
15th July
Lovely Serbian Bolt of lightning
Scotland
Italy
Dance Soldiers
Royal Acadamy of Dramatic Arts
