The City Times - December 2019/January 2020

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The City Times Including: Boreham, Broomfield, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, The Walthams and Writtle 10000 copies distributed monthly

Issue Number 74 December 12th - January 16th 2020

Bespoke Kitchens in Essex Bespoke kitchens are strong, stylish, efficient and tailored to meet your individual specifications and design ideas.

While many kitchen businesses sell high quality kitchens, they are usually very standard in shapes, sizes, designs and fittings - meaning that your choices can be quite limited.

Although it may seem less complicated to order a readymade kitchen, there may be problems when it comes to fitting, as a readymade kitchen may not fit your exact measurements or blend in well with your existing interior. This can cause a lot of disappointment and may limit your choices further. With a bespoke kitchen, you have an endless choice of designs, shapes and sizes etc, because each and every part of your kitchen - such as fittings, cabinets, furniture and islands - are made from scratch.

Here at Regal Kitchens we pride ourselves on our ability to create beautiful bespoke kitchens for your perfect living space.

With a huge range of different colours, textures, materials, fittings and designs, we can craft your kitchen exactly how you want it. Our highly skilled team have extensive experience and craft each and every kitchen with precision and close attention to detail to give you the finest bespoke kitchen, which is both practical and flawless.

Many kitchen sellers may use the term ‘bespoke’ to promote their kitchens, but you may find that a lot of these sellers are using the word bespoke incorrectly. Just because some readymade kitchens can be personalised with your choice of colours and materials, doesn’t mean that it is really ‘bespoke’.

For a kitchen to be truly bespoke, it should be made from square one to meet the customer’s individual orders and

measurements. All of the shapes, sizes, designs ideas, fittings and materials etc, are chosen specifically by the customer and each bespoke kitchen is crafted to meet their personalised requirements. Bespoke kitchens are made of raw, high quality materials and crafted with close precision.

At Regal, we can help you from the very start with discussing your design ideas to crafting and completion of your perfect kitchen. Whether you prefer traditional styles or classic and country, we can craft your ideal kitchen with extreme care and an expert eye for detail. With regular testing and inspections of our kitchens, we can ensure the highest possible standards are met. This will ensure that your bespoke kitchen is strong, durable and stands the test of time. We are proud of our excellent communication and customer service skills and we take our customers needs seriously, no matter how big or small; keeping every client informed throughout every step of the process. Our use of high quality wood and materials means that you will receive a practical, stylish and efficient kitchen for you and your family to enjoy for many years.

If you would like any more information about our beautiful kitchens, please do not hesitate to contact us here at Regal Kitchens, where we can discuss your design ideas and help you get started on your dream kitchen project. We look forward to hearing from you.

Our showroom in Navigation Road, Chelmsford is open 10am 4pm, 7-days per week. www.regalkitchens.co.uk

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CT Welcome Hello readers,

FARM SH IXES OP BL

Welcome to the December/January edition.

We must say a quick thank you to Chelmsford Theatres this month, who have kindly given us tickets for some shows recently; the first was Friendsical which was very funny, and also Peter Pan which is well worth seeing - good family entertainment! Peter Pan is on until 5th January 2020.

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

Advertising Editorial Nick Garner Paul Mclean 07970 206682 01245 262082 / 07595 949701 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk Disclaimer: It’s Your Media Ltd publish The City Times. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of It’s Your Media Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of It’s Your Media Ltd. Registered offices: 15 Hayes Close, Chelmsford. Reg No 9154871. Printed by Printwize.

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If you are reading this before Christmas, then a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all our readers, advertisers and writers! If you are reading this after Christmas, then we hope you had a great festive break.

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Launch Day is Saturday 4th January 2020 Ongoing, Friday & Saturday will be Pie & Mash only from 11am to 4pm!

• Eat In or Takeaway Pie and Mash • As a Launch Day Offer all coffee, tea or fruit squash ordered with meals will be free.

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Telephone: 01245 268008 | Email: order.munch@hotmail.co.uk | Website: munchchelmsford.co.uk | find us on Facebook www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

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Biggest WI in Chelmsford Is Reaching out for New Members On Saturday 25th January, New City Girls WI will be in High Chelmer shopping centre in Chelmsford to meet local women and tell them all about what the WI can offer. Although many members enjoy the ‘traditional’ aspects of the Women’s Institute such as baking and crafting, lots of members prefer some more unconventional activities. New City Girls offer gin groups, photography and out-of-the-box activities that have previously included escapes rooms, axe throwing and kayaking down the River Thames.

Current President, Rebecca Cameron-McIntosh, says: “Our motto is Fun, Friendship and Education, and our programme for 2020 certainly reflects that. We’ve got salsa dancing, social evenings and speakers covering topics like local history and women’s health, as well as our ever popular Christmas Craft meeting.” She continues: “What’s great, is that even if an evening doesn’t take your fancy on paper, you still end up leaving having learned something and having enjoyed a cuppa, a slice of cake and a good natter with like-minded ladies.”

Rebecca says that the new year is a popular time for New City Girls: “We always get quite a few ladies join us in January or February as part of their New Year’s resolution to try something different. We love seeing new members and the stall in High Chelmer will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase what makes us unique to those that might be interested in coming along.”

the second Monday of each month (except August) in the pavilion next to Hylands House. Alongside the monthly meetings, there are also subgroups for members to join, ranging from gardening and crafting, to the choir and the Out of the Box group who have played at cowgirls on a rifle range, and gone zip wiring on a weekend in Wales.

No activity is off limits - if members can think of it, New City Girls will help get it off the ground.

New City Girls are also proud of their fundraising. Having previously worked closely with local charities such as Safer Places and Chelmsford Community Transport, they are looking forward to raising funds for another local charity this year.

For more information you can chat to members at High Chelmer on Saturday 25th January, or check them out on Facebook at facebook. com/ncgwi, or send an email to enquiries.ncgwi@gmail.com.

January/February Issue Deadlines: Articles - 2nd January Artwork - 9th January

Having formed in 2014, New City Girls WI is not only the largest Women’s Institute in Chelmsford, but with 250 members is also one of the largest in the country. With such a membership there is also a diverse range of backgrounds, ages and interests. They meet on

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Award Winning Solicitors Expands Its Chelmsford Office

Ellisons Solicitors has expanded its presence in Chelmsford with a move to a new office in the heart of the city’s business district.

NEW CHELMSFORD OFFICE Offering a full suite of commercial and personal legal services

The award winning law firm’s new base is a 2,100sq ft premises on New London Road and follows the firm’s celebration of a triumphant first 18 months in the city. Since opening, the Chelmsford team has grown rapidly exceeding all expectations. In its first 12 months, the Chelmsford office’s annual review reported a significant increase in transactions.

More recently, three of Ellisons’ Chelmsford team were named as Next Generation Lawyers in October’s Legal 500 rankings. They included Paul Forsyth (Partner, Corporate and Commercial), Scott Porter (Partner, Commercial Litigation, Insolvency and Corporate Recovery) and Lisa Dawson (Partner, Family).

The new office boasts capacity for 26 employees and will allow Ellisons to continue with its ambitious expansion plans.

Guy Longhurst, Managing Partner, said: “We’re thrilled to be extending our footprint in Chelmsford with a move to New London Road. It’s a well established area of the city for professional businesses and is very convenient for visiting clients, in a central location and with onsite parking.

115 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0QT

01245 847636 enquiries@ellisonssolicitors.com

www.ellisonssolicitors.com 9 Chelmsford 9 London 9 Colchester 9 Ipswich 9 Bury St Edmunds 9 Tendring Ellisons Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA Number 49336

“It has been an incredibly exciting first 18 months for the team.

The Chelmsford office has provided Ellisons with a location for the continued expansion of our practice and the further development of our International Business Team. Our success is a reflection of our consistent focus on client care and in providing straightforward, clear advice. The Chelmsford team are delighted with their new office and look forward to working with existing and new clients and contacts.”

Chelmsford was the sixth office opened by this historic firm, which traces its roots back to 1764. The expansion into Chelmsford was a natural progression for the firm, which has offices in Colchester, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Tendring, and overall it has almost doubled in size over the past four years.

For further information on Ellisons Solicitors, please visit www.ellisonssolicitors.com.

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Page 5

Nick Garner’s Music and Ramblings

Ramblings It’s that time again and 2020 is almost upon us. It is very true that as you get older the years do seem to fly by.

As the last edition came out we had just had the Black Frog Mini Fest at the football ground, which turned out to be a great day with lots of good music and lots of fun. Robbie McIntosh and his band headlined with Robbie having made a special journey from the north to play a special and a wonderful show. On Monday 18th November we were in Winchmore Hill London where we put on a night of music in the United Reformed Church, which was raising money for the local homeless - we raised almost £700. The venue was superb for sound and our hosts, the audience, and all who played were just fantastic.

The local micro pub even set up a bar in the corner of the church which went down very well (they also had some non-alcoholic beer for me which was good). We will be putting on more shows there as it is such a perfect venue. Vicars Melanie and Mark are both music and beer lovers too, and proved to be great supportive people. We are currently working on a special line-up to get it really going there.

It has got cold recently, brrrr, I feel it - I suppose it must be my age.

I have just got my heating allowance though so can now turn on the heating, bliss! Still, the cold does not stop me getting out and about.

I bought a few bits on Black Friday and Cyber Monday while sitting in the warm, but I did not go crazy (well, I could not afford to if I wanted to anyway!).

There are some great shows coming up soon and I’m also looking forward to seeing my family over Christmas - I do hope you all are as well. I have a few things lined up for 2020 already and Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective already has quite a lot of gigs and festivals booked, as well as a new album (that we are currently finishing off) for a spring release. We really hope to put it out on vinyl as well.

During this cold part of the year please do remember the homeless and those poor animals that get thrown out or are just neglected.

Let’s be caring and considerate.

Music I have been lucky enough to get two tickets for Eric Clapton’s tribute charity concert for Ginger Baker (drummer of Cream) in February for Jan and myself, we are very excited.

As I am writing this article, we are getting ready for a musical marathon at the UB and also Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young at the football club. As always, you will find all the listings over in the What’s On section of this magazine.

I am already booking for 2020 for both the football club the UB as well as Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective. We already have some great shows lined up for you.

For what’s left of this year at the UB we have a couple of special shows as well as some great DJ sets lined up. We have Andy Twyman on 14th December, Paolo Morena on 20th December with a special show, and then Playlister on 21st December to get you all dancing.

On Friday 27th we have a special show before the New Year with Kim and Lee. Kim is Kimberley Rew the man who not only formed Katrina and the Waves but also wrote the hits Walking On Sunshine and our Eurovision song contest winner Love Shine A Light. Since then he has not stopped writing and playing with Katrina, as well as with his own band with his wife Lee and Tony Hill on drums. We welcome them and their mix of originals and some sumptuous covers performed their way. There is nothing not to love about this band, so come on down and join in the fun with us all. We also have the beautiful Katy Forkings on 29th December to wow us all. To end of the year we have none other than Trev Gentry for the New Year’s Eve gig. Who else could they have chosen? This man is so good and so loved. With his cheeky smile and his array of great covers there is no one better to welcome in 2020 with.

After this, the UB will be taking a short break from music. Next year there will not be the regular Sunday Sessions event but live music starts again on Friday 10th January with Stephen Brian Leonard. His voice is amazing as is his songwriting and playing. On Saturday 11th January Bex Marshall and her band play before she returns to the States to open the 2020 Oscars and Grammys - and yes indeed; she is playing here in Chelmsford for free, so do not miss her!

There will be lots more acts announced over the coming weeks and months at the UB as the word is out that this is the place to be seen. Of course, Chelmsford also has the Hotbox, Bassment, and Chelmsford City Football Club. This city of Chelmsford is fast becoming a musical hotspot that everyone wants to play.

So far at the football club we have the following acts lined up: On 31st January we have Sham 69, 21st February sees Imagine the Beatles, 19th March we have Connor Selby (The Who warm up show), 8th May we have Albert Lee, then on 16th October it’s U2 Tribe, 13th November sees The Strawbs Acoustic 50th Anniversary Tour and then all the way to 11th December next year - Kokomo.... Of course, much more to be announced too.

I think you will agree it is looking good so far. Make sure you keep an eye on this publication for all of the latest about what is going on in and around our city.

As I mentioned, do check out the What’s On listings in this mag; not just for music, but for everything that is open to the public. If you know of something going on then please check out the deadlines on the listings pages and drop and email to editorial@itsyourmedia. co.uk.

As ever, please do try to come out and support the great live scene that we have in Essex - because if you do not, we may lose it. For more information on all of the above and more, see the links below and check out the City Times each month and go to the What’s On pages to see what is happening in your area. If you visit the local Facebook pages, look for the ‘Events’ tabs where you can see who is playing and preview all the up-and-coming acts. www.itsyourmusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/itsyourmusic/events Twitter@itsyourmusic www.facebook.com/theunitedbrethren/events www.facebook.com/essexgigguide www.visitessex.com/events

Come and Join Us! Do you suffer from the pre or post Christmas blues? Are you dreading the cold winter evenings? Are you open to new experiences?

If the answer to any of the above is yes, then do come and join us at Writtle Village Hall on Wednesday evenings (7.30pm) from 15th January 2020 for our WEA course - Voice of the People. The Folk Revival since the 1960s.

Learn something new in a nice and sociable atmosphere.

Refreshments will also be provided.

For further details and enrolment please visit the WEA website at wea-essex.org.uk/branches/writtle, or ring Anita Curtis on 01245 420 365.

Alternatively, come along on the first evening and if you enjoy your visit, you can enrol for the whole 10 weeks.

The WEA is an adult learning organisation that organises courses all over England with first class lecturers.

We look forward to meeting you.

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CT Gardening - by Tom Cole •

Is your garden winter-ready and fit for 2020? Not to worry if it’s not, as I’ve got some great ideas for getting you to a point where you can relax, unwind and enjoy the festivities later this month.

Before all that, I’ve got to let you all know that we’ve been really busy at Writtle University College over the last week. Christine Lavelle (RHS Horticultural tutor) led staff and students from both floristry and Horticulture in adorning the main entrance of the University College by putting up festive decorations. You’ve got to agree they’ve really made a difference, and they’re now doing the same across the main campus.

• •

•

• •

Clean off paths to avoid slippery surfaces. Don’t forget decking, which can be lethal in frosty conditions with debris build up.

Prune trees such as acer and birch, plus vines sooner rather than later to avoid bleeding.

Take hardwood cuttings of key deciduous and evergreen shrubs such as bush fruit, dogwoods and holly.

Prune free-standing apples and pears (not restricted types that grow against walls or fences - these are summer pruned). Aim for removing dead, diseased and damaged growth first. Follow this by removing any suckers and then work on creating an open centred shape for improved air flow. Lastly, just reduce any new growth by a quarter.

National Tree Week May have ended, but it’s still the perfect time for planting trees and shrubs.

Start to plan next year’s crops and order seeds.

Now for that garden and getting a few key jobs done and dusted.

Here’s a few to get on with: • •

It’s getting cooler, so check outside taps and don’t forget ponds as they start to freeze over.

Get green houses cleaned and insulated and for those with heaters - are they fully operational?

Lastly, if you want to further your knowledge and understanding of these or other gardening jobs, please do consider one of the following courses at Writtle University College:

01245 422804/07711 606561

For RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture (1 year, day release on starting September 2020), RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development (September 2020), RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance (this coming February - June 2020) and for RHS Level 2 and 3 Certificates in Practical Horticulture (September 2020) email tom.cole@writtle. ac.uk for information on availability of days and times.

If you’ve got more time we also offer full time Level 2 & 3 programmes and apprenticeship schemes. New for September 2020 we’ll be offering part-time garden design programmes. Contact ben. wincott@writtle.ac.uk for more information.

20% Discount when you mention The City Times

If you’d like a shorter programme for say 1 or 2 days, then give our Short Courses team a call. We’ve got courses on construction (erecting fences, paving and brickwork), general garden tasks such as pruning, propagation, container gardening, successful care of lawns and growing fruit and veg. For the professional, a whole load of competence based certificates covering arboriculture, pesticide application and use of various machinery and equipment.

We would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Happy gardening For any gardening tips, please contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Writtle College, Chelmsford, CM1 3RR by post (including a SAE) or by email at tom.cole@writtle.ac.uk.

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Star of True Blood and The Gifted Returns Home to Support the Reject Theatre Company Stephen Moyer, who starred as Bill Compton in HBO’s cult TV programme True Blood and who has more recently been seen on our television screens as Reed Strucker in Fox’s The Gifted, is a founder member of the Reject Theatre Company. He has returned recently to his roots to see their latest production of Abigail’s Party in rehearsals.

Stephen, along with Barry Hester and Kevin Richards, formed the group in 1988 before Stephen moved across the Atlantic to pursue his career in America.

On seeing the rehearsal this week, Stephen said: “What a lovely thing it was to see you working tonight, my lovelies. Warmed the heart of my cockles. You have a fab production on your hands and I hope to be there at show week.”

So, if you would like to see this fantastic, hilarious production of this classic seventies play, then get your tickets now before they all go. You can book tickets from www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres/ whats-on/drama/abigails-party.

Send your events to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk for inclusion on to the listings page!

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CT Christmas Food - by Lisa Whittle

Christmas is the traditional time for feasting with family and friends - a day of sumptuous food, Christmas decorations, party games and family fun. The nights are long and dark, its cold outside and warm inside and it’s pretty much the only time now that the world does stop - at least for one day (Christmas Day is now the only day of the year that Tesco is closed).

The food is a central feature; turkey of course (or nut roast if you’re me) with all the trimmings, the brussel sprouts, pigs in blankets, roasties, parsnips, stuffing, tasty gravy followed by Christmas pudding and brandy butter or trifle. Later in the day you might fit in a mince pie or two or a slice of yule log... things you only eat at this time of year - and plenty of chocolates of course!

I thought it might be interesting to look into what goes on at Christmas in other parts of the world and how we came to be eating these things at Christmas. I’ve come up with a selection of facts here, see what you think...

1. Many countries have Christmas Eve supper as their main meal of celebration at around 6pm. For example in Hungary, Iceland, Poland, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia to name a few.

2. The tradition of turkey at Christmas is thought to have started in the 1500s and rapidly spread throughout England in the 17th century, and it also became common to serve goose which remained the predominant roast until the Victorian era.

3. In Denmark, the traditional Christmas meal is served on 24th December and consists, according to one study, of duck (66% of households surveyed), roast pork with crackling (43%), turkey (only 8%!), or goose (7%).

4. In Japan, a successful advertising campaign in the 1970s made eating at KFC around Christmas a national custom. Its chicken meals are so popular during the Christmas season that KFC stores take reservations months in advance…

5. In Germany, the primary Christmas dishes are roast goose and roast carp, although suckling pig or duck may also be served.

Typical side dishes include roast potatoes and various forms of cabbage such as kale, brussel sprouts and red cabbage.

6. A Dutch Christmas tradition is that of ‘gourmet’, an eveninglong event where small groups of people sit together around a gourmet-set and use their own small frying pan to cook and season their own food in very small portions (a bit like the fondue parties of the 1970s). The host will have prepared finely chopped vegetables and different types of meats, fish, prawns and shrimps. It’s all accompanied by different salads, fruits and sauces. The origin of gourmet lies in connection with the former Dutch colony Indonesia.

7.

below). In Austria, the traditional Christmas meal dish is fried carp or goose or ham, served with gluhwein and chocolate mouse for desert.

10. The Christkindl is a Christ child who delivers presents in a magical way at Christmas, rather like Father Christmas.

Christkindl was started by Martin Luther at the Protestant Reformation in 16th-17th century Europe and many Protestants adopted this gift bringer. At this time the traditional date for giving gifts changed from December 6th to Christmas Eve. Christkindl was also adopted in Catholic parts of Germany during the 1800s and remains the main gift bringer in many Catholic countries in Latin America.

11. In Norway, the most common dish for Christmas dinner is pork belly side with proper crackling. Usually it is eaten with boiled vegetables, sauerkraut, lingonberry jam, potatoes, gravy, beers and a few shots of akevitt (similar to whisky). In the western parts of the country mutton ribs, is by far the most popular Christmas dinner.

12. In both Norway and Sweden the traditional Christmas dessert is rice pudding served with a cherry, strawberry or raspberry sauce, in which a whole almond has been hidden inside. The finder of the almond is anticipated to get married before next Christmas.

13. Christmas (or plum) pudding is the traditional end to the British Christmas dinner. But what we think of as Christmas pudding is not what it was originally like... Christmas pudding originated as a 14th century porridge called frumenty, that contained beef and mutton with raisins, currants, prunes, wines and spices. This would often be more like soup and was eaten as a fasting meal in preparation for the Christmas festivities. By 1595, frumenty was slowly changing into a plum pudding, having been thickened with eggs, breadcrumbs, dried fruit and given more flavour with the addition of beer and spirits. It became the customary Christmas dessert in the late 1600s.

14. In 1642 until 1660 Christmas was banned in England, Wales and Scotland by the Puritans. They thought Christmas was wasteful and that it lead to lots of people eating and drinking too much. Soldiers were even posted on the streets and confiscated any food they thought would be used to celebrate Christmas.

Although Christmas was officially banned, many people still celebrated it in secret. In the late 1640s there were riots in several big towns between people who wanted to celebrate Christmas and those who didn’t. When King Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, all the laws made between 1642 and 1660 were thrown out, so Christmas and the 12 Days of Christmas were restored and celebrated again in the United Kingdom.

Las Posadas is nine days of religious observance celebrated chiefly in Latin America, Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba and by Hispanics in the United States. It begins on 16th December and ending 24th December.

8. A traditional offering for Christmas in the Lebanon is sugarcoated almonds.

9. In Austria, Christmas Eve is the celebration of the end of the pre-Christmas fast that is usually only celebrated by Christians.

Christmas Eve is historically the day that the tree is decorated and lit with real candles, so that the Christkindl may visit (see Page 10 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

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What’s on in the Area

December Friday 13th Bassment - Asylum Christmas Party: Machine Gun Men + Settle For Less + Mr Happy Chainsaw + Laurence Crow Black Bull - Christmas Bingo Civic - Peter Pan The Compasses - Medicine Cramphorn - Santa in Love Golden Fleece - Beggar Hotbox - Chasms Braintree Bowling Club - Other Halves Dementia Support: Bowls at the bowling club United Brethren - Darryl Butcher Saturday 14th Bassment - Lemoncurd Kids’ Christmas Party Black Bull - Children’s Christmas party (1pm-4pm) CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Havant & Waterlooville Civic - Peter Pan The Compasses - Santa and Kids Christmas party (2pm) + Church In a Pub, local church carol service (5pm) + Old Skool Band (evening) Cramphorn - Santa in Love Galleywood Heritage Centre - Essex Society For Family History Meeting The Golden Fleece - 6 String Makeover Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Christian Men’s Breakfast with John Coles (10am) Millenium Centre (Great Baddow) - Other Halves Dementia Support: Christmas Party at the centre Transition - Patina Audio Café Presents: Resonance Trinity Methodist Church - Essex Police Choir Christmas Concert United Brethren - Andy Twyman Sunday 15th Civic - Peter Pan The Compasses - Musical carol service (5pm courtesy of Broomfield Road Evangelical Church) Cramphorn - The Nutcracker (prerecorded from the Bolshoi Ballet) United Brethren - Stephen Brian Leonard (4.30pm) Monday 16th Civic - Peter Pan Chelmsford Library - Other Halves Dementia Support: Crafts Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Transition - Yoga for Everyone Tuesday 17th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Civic - Peter Pan Transition - Power Yoga Wednesday 18th Civic - Peter Pan Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Golden Fleece - Christmas Carol Karaoke Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Lunchtime Special Transition - Mindful Yoga Chelmsford Thursday 19th The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Civic - Peter Pan Cramphorn - Christmas Jazz night The Golden Fleece - Christmas Office Party night: Frog on a Rocket Friday 20th Bassment - Rubber Soul Christmas party with special guest Dr Bob Jones Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - Peter Pan

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Friday 20th (continued...)

Cramphorn - Christmas Jazz night Golden Fleece - The Earnshaws Hotbox - Hush Silent Disco United Brethren - Paolo Morena Saturday 21st Bassment - Safe Nath + Drama Llamas + Joe Anderton + The Wealdstone Raider CCFC (away) - Chippenham Town v Chelmsford City Civic - Peter Pan The Compasses - DJ Aub’s Christmas Soul Party Cramphorn - Christmas Jazz night Golden Fleece - Ultimate 80s + Christmas Jumper Party Hotbox - Jar Christmas: Magic Seas + Ransoms + Tom Peplow Transition - Patina Audio Café Presents: Resonance United Brethren - Playlister Sunday 22nd Civic - Peter Pan The Compasses - Christmas all dayer with Christmas draw (2pm); JD The Soul Machine (live 7pm) Golden Fleece - Expose United Brethren - UB Christmas Party with Paul Dupree Monday 23rd Bassment - Saint Nick And The Naughty List Civic - Peter Pan Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Transition - Yoga for Everyone Tuesday 24th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Civic - Peter Pan The Compasses - Request night: you choose the music night Thursday 26th CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Braintree Town Civic - Peter Pan The Golden Fleece - Quiz night Friday 27th Bassment - Junior Jump And The Bottom Line Civic - Peter Pan The Golden Fleece - Grounds for Divorce United Brethren - Kimberley Rew & Lee Cave-Berry Saturday 28th Bassment - Bassment Club night Black Bull - Christmas quiz and raffle CCFC (away) - Billericay Town v Chelmsford City Civic - Peter Pan Golden Fleece - Kinetic Transition - Patina Audio Café presents: Resonance United Brethren - Ubeat DJ set Sunday 29th Civic - Peter Pan United Brethren - Katy Forkings Monday 30th Civic - Peter Pan Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) Hanging Gardens Nursery - Other Halves Dementia Support meeting Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Transition - Yoga for Everyone Unit 16 (Ekersley Road, Chelmsford) - Judo class (1st lesson free - tel: 07768 364 435) Tuesday 31st Bassment - Roaring 20s NYE Party!

The Black Bull - New Year’s Eve Party Civic - Peter Pan The Compasses - Senior Class + DJ

Please note, all events are subject to change. Please visit the relevant websites or Facebook pages for more details

Tuesday 31st (Continued...)

Golden Fleece - NYE Decades Party United Brethren - New Year’s Eve with Trevor Gentry

January

Wednesday 1st CCFC (away) - Braintree Town v Chelmsford City Civic - Peter Pan Thursday 2nd The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Civic - Peter Pan The Golden Fleece - Quiz Friday 3rd Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - Peter Pan United Brethren - Keepin’ it Soulful Saturday 4th Alehouse - Record fair CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Hemel Hempstead Civic - Peter Pan Transition - Patina Audio Café Presents: Resonance United Brethren - Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective Sunday 5th Civic - Peter Pan Woolpack - GC’s Jazz Club: Julian Stringle (soprano sax/clarinet) & Graeme Culham Trio (8pm) Monday 6th Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) Essex Chordsmen - Reheasrel @ The Church of Our Saviour, Chelmer Village Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) - Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Transition - Yoga for Everyone Tuesday 7th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) The Old Court Theatre - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Transition - Power Yoga Widford Village Hall - Natty Chatty Ladies Club (1.30pm) Wednesday 8th Civic - Peter Pan The Compasses - Elvis and Friends Quiz Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Golden Fleece - Karaoke The Old Court Theatre - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Quaker Meeting House - Chelmsford Retirement Action Group Transition - Mindful Yoga Chelmsford United Brethren - Joe Anderton’s Open Mic Thursday 9th The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day The Compasses - Elvis film matinée The Golden Fleece - Quiz night The Old Court Theatre - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Friday 10th Black Bull - Bingo Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - Cool2BKind Comedy night: Jonathan Pie + Ria Lina+ Luke Poulton + Andy Poole Hotbox - Shakeys Sessions: Saints Bay (+ TBC) The Compasses - Elvis tribute: Delvis Elvis The Old Court Theatre - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead United Brethren - Stephen Brian Leonard Saturday 11th Acanteen - Donna Summer Tribute Night Black Bull - Open mic night CCFC (away) - Hungerford Town v Chelmsford City The Compasses - A Different Kinda Elvis Hotbox - Bee Arnold + Harry & the Chicks The Old Court Theatre - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Transition - Patina Audio Café Presents: Resonance United Brethren - Bex Marshall Band Sunday 12th Cramphorn - Chelmsford Jazz Club: Leon Greening (piano), Dave Chamberlain (bass) and Steve Brown (drums)

Monday 13th Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) Essex Chordsmen - Rehearsal @ The Church of Our Saviour, Chelmer Village Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) - Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Transition - Yoga for Everyone Tuesday 14th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Transition - Power Yoga Wednesday 15th Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Golden Fleece - Karaoke Transition - Mindful Yoga Chelmsford Thursday 16th The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day The Golden Fleece - Quiz night Friday 17th Bassment - Undiscovered Heat Cathedral - Lunchtime concert United Brethren - Dave Jackson Trio Saturday 18th Bassment - Undiscovered Heat Black Bull - Skafonics CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Eastbourne Borough Transition - Patina Audio Café Presents: Resonance United Brethren - Big Joe Bone Sunday 19th Black Bull - Jazz jam

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Please send us your events for the next edition (for events between 16th January and 16th February) to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Christmas Just Got Intense!

Intense is the only remaining independent record shop left in Chelmsford, and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Situated under the railway arches in Chelmsford (near the train station and bus station), Intense is a walk-in shop and online record store. Over the years, Intense have diversified, stocking alongside its original passion for dance music, many other genres from rock to pop, indie to jazz and everything in between from artists such as David Bowie, Prince, Miles Davis, The Rolling Stones and many more.

Christmas Gift Ideas With people of all ages getting back in to vinyl, this will be one of the most popular gifts this year. If you don’t know what to get that special person, then we are here to help - we also sell vouchers, so recipients can come and choose for themselves. For those looking to start their collection or upgrade, we will be stocking a range of turntables and speaker packages from leading brands such as Rega, Pro-Ject and Pioneer, starting from just £189 - this also includes a free selection of vinyl. We have also launched a brand new range of tote bags and T-shirts with catchy slogans or images of popular artists including Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley and loads more.

Intense Advent Calender For Christmas, we always have some amazing deals on offer and this year will be no different! We will be bringing back the Intense Advent Calender featuring exclusive deals every day, from records and vinyl accessories to equipment and clothing. There’s a deal to be had for even the most discerning vinyl junkie.

Double Rewards For Christmas!

If you are signed up to the Intense In-Store Loyalty System, you will know that for every £1 you spend you earn 1 loyalty point, and when you reach 100 points you receive a £5 Intense voucher to spend on your next visit. In the lead up to Christmas, we will be doubling this to a massive £10 every time you reach 100 points. If you aren’t signed up its free to join - just ask in-store.

Used Vinyl! Buy & Sell!

Over the last few years Intense have been searching high and low for used vinyl collections and now boast a vast secondhand section with some classic albums from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s up to the present day from favourites like The Beatles, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and many more. We have thousands of records now, across all styles from rock to funk, soul, metal and much more. It’s a vinyl digger’s treasure chest!

We are always on the hunt for more, so give us a bell and we can pop round, or just bring them in.

If you haven’t been yet, make sure you check Intense out.

Intense Records 33/34 Viaduct Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1TS 01245 347 372 www.intenserecords.com

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Page 15

Wildlife Corner - by Nick Green

November weather was variable from cool and overcast and even wet at times. Winter was apparent with cooler temperatures, shorter days and even frosts. River levels still remained low. Return bird migration came to a trickle.

The Raven is found extensively throughout the Holarctic region. In Essex and southeast England it was once a common bird but the

species suffered severe persecution during the 19th century due, allegedly, to attacks on lambs and sheep. The last breeding record was in 1890 and the species was still considered a vagrant in 2007.

However, in Britain there has been an eastern extension in range and Essex subsequently has recorded many more sightings culminating in the first contemporary breeding record in 2014 in Hatfield Forest.

The Raven could be found anywhere in the county - look for a large corvid with a heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail. Typically, a bird is first located by its distinctive ‘kronk kronk’ call.

Essex Selected Wildlife Highlights The Naze: Pallas’s warbler, 2 shorelark, Lapland and snow buntings.

Abberton Reservoir EWT: 11 great white egrets, 3 Bewick swans, 2 spoonbill, little auk, 2 long-tailed duck, ring-necked duck.

Wallasea Island RSPB: 3 great white egret, 4 hen harriers, 7 shorteared owls.

Raven (copyright: Glyn Evans)

Chelmsford Library News

Christmas is just around the corner and many of us are thinking about what to buy our loved ones. We may be updating our mobile devices, which is exciting but can be scary at the same time. Will I know what buttons to press? If I press this will I lose all my data? Let us take away your fears - we run free computer/tablet sessions to enable you to have the confidence to keep in touch with friends and relatives worldwide.

New computer/tablet sessions start in January 2020, so if you are getting a new tablet or iPad for Christmas and are not sure how to use it, we run weekly sessions to help you set it up, along with how to do lots of fun things with it.

Sessions are 2-3pm on Thursdays with up to 4 people with two volunteer trainers to show you what you would like to know. New sessions start in January 2020. All sessions are free, but must be booked in advance on 0333 0132 634.

We also offer a computer course for complete beginners. This is on a Monday morning from 10.30am-12 midday and new sessions start in January 2020. Learn how to use a computer in the safety of the library, knowing that people are there to help you every step of the way. This is a 6-week course that is free, but must be booked in advance as we try to keep the numbers low.

Just a reminder that Chelmsford Library is holding our Christmas Community Teatime on Saturday 21st December. Come along for a cuppa and mince pie and make new friends between 10.30am11.30am - all the family are welcome.

For the younger generation, we run Block Builders Construction Club between 11am-12.30pm. Come along and let your imagination turn building blocks into mega castles! These sessions are run monthly in Chelmsford Library with the next one is on Saturday 28th December.

On alternate Saturday mornings, North Melbourne Library (at Dickens Place, Copperfield Road) run Block Builders Construction Club. These start at 10am-11.30am, and the next dates for your diary are 14th December, 28th December, 11th January and the 25th January.

These sessions are fun for all the family, so do come along and enjoy.

National Selected Migration Highlights Scotland: white-winged scoter, black scoter. Shetland Isles: snowy owl. Orkney Isles: Steller’s eider, Siberian rubythroat. blue rock thrush. Western Isles: snowy owl (St Kilda), brown shrike.

Norfolk: isabelline wheatear. Suffolk: eastern yellow wagtail.

Hampshire: American semi-palmated sandpiper. Cornwall: Pacific diver, paddyfield pipit (first for Britain), American buff-bellied pipit.

Isles of Scilly: American hermit thrush and rose-breasted grosbeak plus brown shrike.

For more information on these events, please visit libraries.essex. gov.uk.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/essexlibraries

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Military Charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, Appoints New Chief Executive Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is delighted to announce the appointment of Jon Bryant OBE as their next Chief Executive.

Jon joins the leading charity for severely injured Armed Forces personnel and veterans from his role as the Corps Colonel of the Army Air Corps, where he has delivered a wide range of support to serving personnel and veterans.

In a varied career, Jon has served in the Commando, Airmobile and Air Assault brigades and led a variety of flying units in peace and on operations. As a trustee and charity chair, Jon has intimate knowledge and experience of governance, fundraising and service delivery to beneficiaries, all of which Blesma feels will serve him well in his executive role with the Association.

Jon will succeed Barry Le Grys who moved on to head the Motability Charity in September.

In commenting on his appointment Jon Bryant said: “It is a huge privilege and honour to be selected as the next Chief Executive of Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, a charity that is in the vanguard

of helping our most injured Service people to lead independent and fulfilling lives. I look forward to working with the whole Blesma team as they continue to deliver the bespoke help and support for members that the charity is known for. I can’t wait to get started.”

Jon will be joining the team in late March.

About Blesma, The Limbless Veterans Blesma, The Limbless Veterans was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Blesma is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-servicemen and women who have suffered limb loss or the loss of use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. We support these men and women and their families in their communities throughout the UK and overseas.

Since 1932, Blesma has been the only national service charity that supports limbless veterans for the duration of their lives; just as we are still caring for our surviving World War II veterans, we also look after those who have survived complex trauma injuries through recent conflicts, accidents or illness, and will need our specialised support as they face the long journey ahead. Blesma aims to ensure that all serving or ex-servicemen and women who have lost sight, limbs or the use of limbs can lead independent and fulfilling lives and will not be failed, forgotten or left behind.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @Blesma, and search on Facebook: /blesma.

For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact: Lorna Dorrell commsmgr@blesma.org 02039 543 023 www.blesma.org

www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia Page 17

CT History: Chelmsford During the Great War Part 4 - by Stephen Norris One aspect of increased state control of the nation as a whole was on communications at home, especially with regard to the newspapers. Unlike the Boer War there was little reporting allowed on the war in the Weekly News and the Chronicle and no letters from the front were published. Clark’s diaries reveal that almost all the official news in Great Leighs was local. This didn’t prevent news of military successes and setbacks reaching the village quickly. In October 1914 Clark reported that the 12th Weekly News bulletin pinned up in the village ‘contained no reference to the sinking of a cruiser in the Straits of Dover, but that adverse item of news was widely known in the village on Sunday morning’. This was not officially confirmed by the Government until November 1917.

The lack of official news caused rumours to flourish, especially in the early stages of the war when Germans were thought to be everywhere, although the true number of German-born aliens in the area was actually very small. In a meeting at Great Leighs, villagers were told to watch for spies. The chairman, Tritton, said there were 50,000 Germans, Austrians and Hungarians in the country. “Of these a large number come week by week to the market at Chelmsford and elsewhere.” It was this type of fuelling of hysteria which led to five ’foreigners’ being seized supposedly attempting to poison the reservoir at Chingford. In 1914 another report which gained a good deal of currency in the Chelmsford area was that the Germans had actually landed.

Compared with the second war, crime was low in Chelmsford during the conflict. Special constables were however enlisted to protect the roads, bridges, telegraph posts, lakes and reservoirs. They were supposed to arrest anybody ‘speaking to the dishonour of the country’. There was usually a shortage of such constables, especially in the rural areas. The police themselves were ‘required to keep a register of every alien to make sure that no alien goes more than 5 miles from his address’.

By 1915 the borough council were taking the threat of air raids very seriously and took steps to deal with such an emergency.

Chelmsford’s Chief Fire Officer was adamant that the fire brigade could cope with two fires at once. The fear remained however that the Germans might use incendiaries which ‘would stretch the brigade’s capabilities beyond breaking point’. As a result, the fire brigade was enlarged by using military personnel and special constables.

Members of other local brigades were used and former brigade members were asked to rejoin. Fifteen volunteered their services without pay within a day and in return were insured by the council.

In October 1915 the fire brigade was called out five times but no damage was inflicted on the town. For air raids the specials were divided into five ‘piquets’ in different parts of the town. Watching posts included the police station, St John’s Church and one on the cathedral tower. Likely routes for evacuation of people in the Chelmsford area proved difficult to determine because moving people northward would have interfered with troop movements.

The GER, whose line passed through Chelmsford, was, like other railway companies, taken over by the government at the beginning of the war. Two months later the Essex Chronicle could report: ‘Not only have naval and military needs been met but the usual passenger service has been maintained with few exceptions.’ In a 1915 interview in the Chronicle with the General Manager of the GER, HW Thornton, it stated: ‘There are more trains in and out of Liverpool Street Station than any other station in the world.’ Between 6am and 9.30am there were 278 trains arriving and 75,000 passengers alighting. On a typical day 700 trains arrived over 24 hours. He described one particular ambulance train which was constructed for use at the battle front. Almost thirteen thousand people went to see it when it had been built.

Both councils in the area urged the government to compensate victims of air raids for damage to their property. In the event this proved barely necessary. Some threat came from the Zeppelins and later from German biplanes. The Germans made extensive use of

Zeppelins for bombing and scouting after the outbreak of the war.

People in the Chelmsford area got regular first hand sightings of the cumbersome giant airships because it was directly on their route to London. In the end, these bombing raids only had a psychological value and were not a military success. After blackouts were imposed, most bombs were dropped at random in East Anglia, including the Chelmsford area, and nearly all missed any target. One of the first of the super airships, the L33, reached Chelmsford by following the GER railway line on the way back from London. After coming under fire at Kelvedon Hatch it came down at Little Wigborough. The crew apparently warned villagers that the Zeppelin was about to be fired. A special constable came across the crew walking along the road. They identified themselves and were arrested. ‘The back of the airship had been broken in the fall and the covering of the immense gas bag had been burnt off but otherwise she was little damaged.’ A large crowd gathered, but the military were able to protect the remains which were studied by experts. Later, some of the details were incorporated into British airship design. The L33 was one of 14 or 15 airships which meandered over Eastern England on the night of 23rd-24th September 1916.

Miller Christy lived in the Chignals and was in the perfect position to see all the activity, as he lived not far from a landing strip from which planes took off to deal with the foe. A Zeppelin had tried to bomb this but had missed by more than half a mile. On the night of the 23rd of September he saw the L32 pass over his house on its way back from London: he described it as ‘wheezy’ and ‘slow of gait’. He then heard another, the previously mentioned L33, which was even more grievously injured than the first. Two anti-aircraft guns were firing at it, then a plane attacked the wounded Zeppelin. “Scarcely had I caught sight of these tiny tinkling flashes, before both sky and earth were suddenly lit up by an unearthly lurid red glare. In a second or two I saw that the glow came from behind the large cloud, a little below the spot I had been watching and was due to a Zeppelin slowly falling.

At once there broke out a mighty cheer. Every cottage, every man and women within miles, seemed to be cheering. Its flames lit up the whole neighbourhood. The airship fell very deliberately in stages.

At certain points the airship remained almost stationary blazing furiously. Material would drop out of the middle.” He guessed that the L33 had gone to ground just beyond Stock, 8 miles away, at 1.20am.

Looking out east, he saw another red glare from a Zeppelin blazing on the ground.

Police found articles in the fields at the back of his house: “To lighten the vessel the crew had to throw belts of cartridges, a large aluminium petrol tank, a tool box and the like.” Christy went to Billericay to inspect the wreck of the L32. There had been no survivors and the 22 German bodies had been put in a barn. All the crew had been clad in very thick clothing. He couldn’t get too close because of the military cordon and all the people there.

Such was the hysteria, that when the wreckage of one Zeppelin was being carried down Chelmsford High Street it was stopped by a crowd who took parts as souvenirs. The same lorry was looted again when it stopped for petrol and had to be defended by soldiers. During the month before, the L10 airship had managed to drop two bombs on Chelmsford but there was no damage. An attempt may have been made to destroy the masts at Marconi’s factory without success.

Christy was also well placed to report on the dawn of aircraft raids on London. Most of the Zeppelins, although they were capable of causing significant damage, were destroyed. He then observed a string of audacious raids by aircraft: “No longer one or two machines which just dropped a bomb or two, [the raids] were now made in squadrons of ten, fifteen, twenty or even more.”

In the early part of the war, planes had been used mainly for reconnaissance, but with technical improvements they were able to hold bigger bomb loads. Eventually the problem of synchronisation was overcome which ensured that machine gun bullets wouldn’t hit the planes’ propellers. The Gotha aircraft were the first bombers

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to be used from 1917 onwards. On July 7th Christy noted that 22 Gothas passed near his house. They were met by British planes, but the Germans went through because they were faster and more manoeuvrable. Percy Rainbird, a local man, remembered 40 German planes flying very low across Chelmsford on their way to London. On the November 11th 1918, news of the armistice and the end of the war spread like wildfire in the town. ‘The hooters of all the works were sounded and thousands of employees rushed into the streets shouting and cheering’ - nearly all the shops closed immediately. Flags were displayed everywhere from houses and ‘the streets were thronged with children for the rest of the day’. The Mayor even announced a general holiday.

At the Regent Theatre, before the commencement of the variety show, the orchestra played Rule Britannia which was taken over by the audience and this was followed by the singing of the National Anthem. As soon as the news became known, bell ringers rushed to the Cathedral to ring the bells. In the evening there were crowded services at the Cathedral and the London Road Congregational Church. No doubt the fact that the final outcome of the war was uncertain until well into the middle of 1918 added to the general feeling of jubilation. In Great Leighs, news of the armistice reached the post office - passed on from Chelmsford - the same day. A return to normality was by no means immediate. The severe outbreak of influenza, which affected the entire country, closed the town’s schools for a month. Chelmsford’s Food Control Committee also had to remain in operation because rationing and control of prices was still required. The bishop and local dignitaries were alarmed at the apparent outbreak of lawlessness and disregard for authority at the war’s close.

Early plans to include a war memorial in the town’s new municipal buildings caused an outcry from those who wanted something separate. It was also criticised by others as being too expensive and less necessary than working class housing. When the town’s memorial was finally unveiled five years to the day after the end of the war in front of Fairfield House, nearly all the surrounding villages had already erected their own memorials. This didn’t stop the ceremony being suitably grand with the whole council present and the Archbishop of Canterbury attending the memorial service at the cathedral. Most of the memorials in the rural areas were simple affairs, such as Writtle’s white cross.

Jonathan Pie at the Civic We are very excited to announce that Tom Walker (aka Jonathan Pie) has very kindly agreed to headline a gig for us at our very own Chelmsford Civic Theatre on Friday 10th January 2020 with all profits going to Cool to be Kind.

Jonathan Pie is a fictitious exasperated news reporter played by actor and comedian Tom Walker.

His videos have been seen across the world. His previous two tours have taken in venues such as the Hammersmith Apollo and the London Palladium and performances across the US and Australia.

Jonathan Pie has been described as ‘brilliant, brave, raw and analytical without forgetting to be funny’ by Ricky Gervais.

With over 1.2 million Facebook followers, his videos regularly achieve millions of views going viral internationally. His response to the election of Donald Trump was viewed more than 150 million times worldwide. So you will understand how excited and honoured we are about this!

Tickets are on sale now at £18 and can be purchased at the Civic Theatre Box Office.

The town’s big factories gradually returned to business as usual, letting their women workers go in favour of previous employees who had been promised their jobs back at the end of the war. Though people were reminded daily of the awful conflict by the wounded who sat on seats that had been especially erected for them around the town. Chelmsford’s branch of the Old Contemptibles Association was formed in 1928 and at one time had 300 members. Stan Brown was the last to pass away in 1987.

Stephen currently offers the following talks about the history of Chelmsford to local organisations: 1. 4 QI Chelmsford MPs. 2. The Suffragettes in Chelmsford.

3. Chelmsford Lives, Memories of Chelmsford 1940s - 1970s (snippets of interviews with local people plus 100 photos in the background, for the Friends of Chelmsford Museum).

4. The Hoffmann Company in Chelmsford.

5. Life in the Wood Street Workhouse: The Chelmsford Poor Law Union 1835 1871.

6. The Poor and Society: The past 60 Years of the Chelmsford Workhouse and Infirmary.

7. QI Chelmsford Councillors and Mayors (in preparation).

For more information or to book Stephen, please email: stephen754norris@btinternet.com.

View both our magazines at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia Page 19

Therapy - by Chelmsford Therapy Rooms Hello readers! It’s that time of year again - the festive season where we all get together and catch up with friends and family. Many of you will look over the past year with loved ones and evaluate how your year has been and what changes you wish to make in 2020. Perhaps you find yourself thinking ‘I really need to sort that out next year’ or ‘I want to feel better about ‘x’ next year’ or ‘I want to do ‘y’ next year’.

No matter what you resolve to do in the New Year, hypnotherapy can be of huge help. Whether that’s helping you overcome a fear or guiding you through a personal or emotional journey, or even just resolving to be more relaxed - in this article I’ll explore some of the common resolutions people make and how hypnotherapy can help with them: I’ll Lose Weight!

Have you overindulged and then realised it’s rather more difficult to stop overindulging than you thought? Perhaps you’ve decided that you want to lose weight and you think ‘enough is enough, I need to take control’. Hypnotherapy can be absolutely great for helping clients tackle weight loss issues, whether they’ve just got into a habit, lack will power, or have a certain mindset hypnotherapy helps you face up to why your weight is an issue. Please bear in mind that sometimes weight issues can be due to other, deeper rooted issues and a good hypnotherapist will talk through these with you. We help you to tackle these issues and you can talk through any concerns with your therapist.

I’ll Get over My Anxiety/Depression/Stress I have put these three issues under the same section because they all usually go together and definitely influence each other! For many people the festive season is less laughter and cheer and more stress and anxiety, leaving them feeling low and exhausted. I see this a lot, by the end of the festive season some people have simply come to the end of their tether and decided they have to learn how to deal with their mindset so that they can relax. Over-thinking is a common cause of anxiety, stress and depression. Whether it’s focusing on one or many things, clients come to me complaining that not only can they not stop thinking, but that their thoughts are negative, worrisome, random and even irrational. Hypnotherapy can help in many ways, but very simply just the relaxation part of it can make an immense difference. Sometimes we just have to learn how to switch off again!

I’ll Get over My Fear of Driving I’ve put this in a category of it’s own because of the sheer number of people I see with this issue. Clients call it ‘a fear of driving’, but actually this is usually a fear of being judged by other drivers or a fear of losing control. Hypnotherapy can help you to feel more relaxed when driving and to tackle the underlying issue of control or feeling you’re being judged. This feeling likely affects other areas of your life too, so you and your therapist could improve many areas of your life and help help you to feel better, and more calm, in general.

I’ll Overcome My Phobias Another common New Year’s resolution is to decide to get rid of a phobia. You can literally be phobic of anything, you can come to my practice and however silly you think your fear is I’ve probably treated it before and at the very least, I will likely know of it! The festive season can often bring things to a head and cause people to decide once and for all they are not going through another experience where they feel embarrassed about their fear. Hypnotherapy can be great for treating phobias, and usually I use it in conjunction with some counselling so ensure the client is as supported as possible and to gain the best results that we can.

I’ll Kick My Habits If you want to get rid of a habit, it’s likely a negative one. Therefore it’s not just a habit, it’s a self defeating behaviour and we need to figure out why you feel the need to indulge in this behaviour in the first place. There’s a pay-off. We need to find out what it is. Habits include things like nail biting, hair pulling, smoking and picking at skin.

I’ll Sort My Relationship Issues I’m including this in a hypnotherapy article because we do receive enquiries to do with relationships breaking down or people dating the same type of person over and over again (usually narcissists) and it all ends in misery. Just to be clear: we cannot ‘hypnotise your boyfriend/girlfriend to’ do anything, say anything, be anything other than the person they are. We can have an indepth discussion about who, what, when, why and how you keep dating people that either don’t make you happy or the relationship doesn’t work out. If you find yourself dating narcissists over and over again, you’re absolutely not alone (this is another incredibly common issue I see!) and we can find out together how and why this keeps happening and help you to make better choices in the future.

Just a little reminder; the hypnotherapists at Chelmsford Therapy Rooms are professionals. We are a double award winning private practice and we take professionalism and ethics very seriously. We want to look after you, make you feel safe, and help you to overcome whatever issues you want to.

Hypnotherapy is not about controlling or changing people. It’s about looking at your own mindset, patterns and behaviours and using hypnosis to improve your life in the best, most ethical way we can.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from all of us at Chelmsford Therapy Rooms!

If anyone is interested in seeing a therapist, I own and run Chelmsford Therapy Rooms. We have a range of therapists that can help with a multitude of issues. We offer many therapies from hypnotherapy to counselling to nutrition. Please see the website at www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@ chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162.

Munch in Corporation Road munch has been established in Corporation Road, Chelmsford for over 15 years with friendly, professional staff, some of whom have been here for years. We provide the local community with wholesome, freshly made sandwiches, rolls, bagels, toasties, paninis and baguettes, as well as salads and freshly prepared hot food to eat in or takeaway.

In addition we have a wide and varied selection of delicious platters of sandwiches, savouries, fruit and cakes for delivery to local businesses, as well as catering for local funerals and functions.

We are open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 3pm, but NEW FOR 2020 we will be opening till 4pm on Friday and 11am to 4pm on SATURDAYS for Pie and Mash only.

Telephone: 01245 268008 | Email: order.munch@hotmail.co.uk | Website: munchchelmsford.co.uk | find us on Facebook Please see our advert on page 3 as in the New Year we will be serving authentic ‘Eastenders’ Pie and Mash with Real Liquor (or gravy) every Friday and Saturday.

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

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New Year at Hummingbird - by Mandy Haynes The festive season is well and truly upon us and with the hustle and bustle that comes at this time of year, often our health and wellbeing go by the wayside. By the time the new year gets underway, we’re generally ready to kick start our fitness and mindfulness goals and we’re on hand to help you!

At Hummingbird we believe that being positive and keeping your body and mind healthy are the secrets to a happy life. We’ve found that yoga, meditation and pilates have helped us to achieve our own balance and have equipped us to deal with anything that life chooses to send our way. We have a truly holistic approach and are passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle, helping others and an ethical way of living. We’re advocates of regular meditation, yoga and pilates practices, but also enjoy a burger and a glass of wine, giving us a realistic approach to life.

When you come to our studio we aim to make you feel good from the moment that you step through our door. Although we are serious about our practice, Hummingbird is a place where you’ll hear laughter emanating from the studios; after all, our greatest ambition is that you feel welcome and amazing, and laughter is part of that!

Whether you’re new to yoga and pilates, or a seasoned practitioner, we have classes to suit everyone and every body!

We offer a wide range of pilates classes, so we are sure to have a class that is right for you, from Gentle Pilates, Pilates Progression, Ball & Band Pilates as well as one-to-one sessions. Pilates provides you with a whole body workout loved by sports stars and celebs.

Pilates builds core strength and improves your posture through a series of low repetition, low impact stretching and conditioning exercises. Pilates goes far beyond your core muscles providing you with a complete body workout. You feel muscles working that you didn’t even know that you had!

Yoga means union and the benefits of practicing yoga are endless.

Yoga improves your health and general wellbeing. It builds strength, flexibility and balance, improves posture, releases tension, increases blood flow and boosts immunity. More importantly, it leaves you feeling amazing and ready to take on the world. Yoga at Hummingbird gives you time and space to reconnect with yourself, encouraging you to relax, de-stress and live in the moment. We have a myriad of classes on offer: Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Pregnancy Yoga and one-to-one sessions.

As well as a jam-packed timetable of classes, we are also very proud of the range of workshops and events that we hold at the studio.

During 2019 we hosted yoga and relaxation retreats, pilates retreats

and a restorative yoga retreat. These blissful days have been a huge success and we will be excited to announce our 2020 retreat dates very soon.

If you’re looking to fast track your pilates workout, you might like to try a reformer course. The reformer is the most well known piece of pilates equipment. Reformer pilates does exactly what it says: reforms the body!

Our popular gong bath workshops use the sound of the gong to promote deep relaxation. Spaces are like gold dust so you need to be quick booking in!

The newest addition to our workshops is the Women’s Moon Circle.

Our Moon Circle will help to rebalance your energy, thoughts and feelings. Each month will have a theme, which reflects the seasons and the cycle of the moon. Our group is not for profit, it is a circle of women, offering hope, support and encouragement.

And finally, yoga teacher Catrina always dreamt of having her own café and very soon this will be a reality at Hummingbird! We hope that instead of catching up with your friends in the car park that you’ll enjoy the community space and wholesome goodies that we’ll have on offer. We’ll keep you posted with more details but we’re sooooo excited about finally being able to offer you something delicious and a nice space to relax and catch up in after class. You’ll be treated to some samples over the coming months while we work on getting the So Hum Café up and running.

Hummingbird has a variety of flexible membership options, so you’ll be able to find a package that is perfectly suited to you. Our online system enables you to book and manage your classes easily. You’re not tied to a regular class or time slot, as we realise that people need different things on different days and the ability to book classes around busy lives.

We currently have an introductory special offer of 30 days unlimited pilates and yoga for just £45! We hope that you’ll take advantage of this offer, as it gives you the chance to experience all the benefits of coming to Hummingbird on a regular basis. It also enables you to find the classes and teachers work best for you. Our clients tell us that this has been the perfect introduction to our studios and has helped them to choose the best membership option for them, helping them to get the most out of being a member.

We look forward to welcoming you soon! www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk

Samba at the Swan The weather outside was dull and gloomy, but inside the warm and welcoming Cygnet Room of the Swan Hotel in Maldon High Street, the atmosphere was completely the opposite for those who came to the recent Jazz Workshop Sunday.

some fun as well. The organiser, Terry Coiley thinks that from the comments received this was achieved and enjoyed.

Further information from jazzworkshopsmaldon@gmail.com

A Portuguese song in samba time, taught by jazz singer Tina May, was a surprise highlight of the morning singing session. Tina explained various breathing techniques, led an off-the-cuff singing blues jam, taught both the samba Todo Menino Do Pelo and an African song, and gave advice to all those who performed their favourite songs. Dave Brooker of Kind of Blue accompanied on the keys.

The singing session was followed by the afternoon all instrument one led by jazz musician and teacher John Seeley, who brought a small band of musicians along with him. The room was really swinging to the sound of saxophones, clarinet, keyboards, guitars, bass, ukulele and drums, as jazz pieces were analysed and performed.

The event gave a chance to explore, play and sing jazz music in Maldon under the guidance of inspiring session leaders but to have Page 22

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Local Arts for Art’s Sake - by Kenneth Louis Shepherd As a Christian, it is the religious aspect of Christmas which is important to me. But I am aware of and take part in its secular side.

The sort of event which I have and will take part in is similar to that displayed in a painting called The Revellers, which was created in 340BCE and found recently in a tomb in Italy. In a work by the naïve artist Niko Pirosmani, we see a sullen looking woman alone drinking a pint of beer. This sad event could well happen at this time of year, and Brugel’s Peasant Wedding looks similar to some Christmas parties which I have attended. As a townie my ideal Christmas scene is like that portrayed by Pissarro in his Boulevard Montmartre at Night. I find Thomas Kinkade’s Victorian Christmas too sugary for me.

I have never yet been to a Christmas happening which is similar to Delacroix’s Death of Sardanapalus...

This month, I intend to write about Nativity related art works.

A Madonna and Child which looks very naturalistic was created in the 6th century. They are surrounded by two saints, while angels hover around them. This can be found in the Monastery upon Mount Sanai in Egypt where it was originally placed.

One such work was created by Duccio du Buoninsegna in 1295 and it shows a mother with a melancholy expression. She is surrounded by saints and angels and she has that ‘I want to be alone with my baby look‘. In Cimabue’s version produced five years earlier, she is alone with her baby and looks more relaxed. In another version by him, which is great artistically, the baby looks far too big. This applies to many such works, Parmigianino’s Madonna with a Long Neck we have a long baby. In Domenico Venezaino’s version, several other persons are displayed and this causes confusion.

Piero Della Francesca shows us the holy family being entertained by musicians, as does a work of Fra Angelica. There is no Biblical back up for this. In Poussin’s Nativity scene, he places the birth in a classical building which is stupid in my opinion.

There are many other works of art which show the mother and new

born baby in the most surprising places. In a rose garden and in a meadow, for example. In 1435, Jan Van Eyck shows us a patron and contemporary of his with the tiny baby and its mother holding a conversation. I will not distract from the artistic value of these and other works, but I question their accuracy.

In a Nativity scene attributed to Hieronymus Bosch, we see a very Italian looking town in the background which contains a church!

Incidentally, the stable looks very unstable and some very shady looking character’s are hanging around. I would not like them to get hold of the valuable gifts given to Jesus buy the Wise Men...

We see a heavily pregnant Mary upon a horse being led by Joseph on the way to Bethlehem in an impressive modern work by Mike Torevell.

I like it. I also like the traditional work upon this subject created

by Landros Arvatitkis. The fact that this artist is a mouth painter is incidental.

Best wishes

Competition Time

I have a copy of my book, Job Opportunities, to give away. This was published earlier this year by the London based publishers Austin Macauley and can be purchased via Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles and elsewhere priced £7.99. I would be glad to autograph it for the winner.

To be in with a chance to win please email the answers to the following art quiz to paul@itsyourmedia.co.uk.

1. Which city did Lowry live and work in?

2. Which political party did Pablo Picasso belong to?

3. Where in England is there an art gallery related entirely to the works of Turner?

One lucky winner will be selected on 16th January 2020.

r fe d f t O ite 5 n e im £4 i Cl Unl for w s ) Ne Day shipapply r s 30 mbe(ts &c Me

In need of time for yourself?

Book now Pilates & Yoga Classes & 1-2-1s Pilates, Yoga, Meditation www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk 01245 422556 Reeds Farm Estate, Writtle, Chelmsford, CM1 2ST www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk Page 23

Spot 10 Differences (answers on page 31)

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Quiz Time- by John Theedom (answers on page 31) 1. A gibbet is also known as what?

2. On Strictly Come Dancing, what is Mr Tonioli’s first name?

3. Which country was the UK fighting in the Falklands War? 4. When and by which company were ringpulls introduced on sardine cans?

5. When were the House of Commons procedures first televised?

6. In which Austrian town was Adolph Hitler born in 1889?

7. How many furlongs are there in 880 yards?

8. Dermatology is concerned with which part of your body?

9. What was the first name of the actress Ms Gabor?

10. Jeremy Corbin has a son, what is his name?

11. The BBC has introduced a ban on the number of chips that can be served in their canteens, How many are they allowed?

12. Who won I’m a Celebrity in 2019?

13. TV personality John Humphreys is heading up a Daily Mail national campaign for what?

14. What is majolica?

15. When Tesla’s Cybertruck was unveiled to the public, an embarrassing moment took place what was it?

16. What is different about the island of Lindisfarne?

17. Which major British bank has just had it’s second IT ‘glitch’?

18. Two metal detectorists have been sentenced to 18 years in prison for stealing coins worth how much?

19. What is a female badger called?

20. What is Fred Flintstone’s wife’s name?

21. How many strings does a ukulele have?

22. Who was Liza Minelli’s mother?

23. P&O shipping line: what do the initials stand for?

24. For which product does Anna Ryder Richardson appear on TV ads?

25. Which article of clothing is a fedora?

26. What is the emblem of West Ham football club?

27. How did Elizabeth Taylor’s husband Mike Todd die in 1958?

28. Which type of fish is known as an Arbroath smokey?

29. What is the native country of the pheasant?

30. Which is the only man-made structure on Earth that is visible from the moon?

31. Whose biography is called Waxmaker Extraordinary?

32. Which bird lays the smallest eggs?

33. In Britain, how many old pennies were there in a tanner?

34. In Washington DC what does the ‘DC’ stand for?

35. In which musical did Sir Laurence Olivier take on a singing role?

36. What type of pastry is used for profiteroles?

37. What is the playing time in basketball?

38. How was King Harold killed in the fight with William the Conquerer?

39. Which plant takes it’s name from the Italian phrase for ‘beautiful woman’?

40 Which British newspaper tycoon was lost overboard from his yacht in 1991?

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Page 25

The Bearded Gypsy’s Christmas Pop-up Has Officially Opened Its Doors in Bond Street More than 30 makers, artists and designers from Essex, East Anglia & London have come together to offer shoppers in the city something a bit different to the usual chains.

With just 2 weeks notice they have transformed the empty space that was Zagger into an impressive showcase for local businesses.

something our city and customers want to see.”

The clean, modern and earthy aesthetics, as well as the hand-drawn shop window by local artist Lydia Packham Calligraphy, has been drawing people in since the opening on Saturday 30th November.

The pop-up shop is open every day until the end of the year, apart from Christmas Day.

It’s good for the area and the people in it, according to the 26-yearold businesswoman.

There will be a calendar of workshops available to book on to including candle, soap, and eco cracker making, as well as crystal mediations and gong baths.

“When we shop small,” she says, “money is more likely to stay in to our local economy, boosting education, fixing our roads, and helping local people make a living.

Tillie, who has been running The Bearded Gypsy’s Trade Fayre on Chelmsford High Street monthly all year, says: ”I’m thrilled to be on Bond Street with over 30 other small independent businesses by my side.

“Small businesses are also normally a lot more ethical and transparent about their sourcing or make their products themselves, meaning better for our planet too!”

“With shops closing left, right and centre, I really believe this is

(Photographs by Hiral Jethwa Photography)

Chelmsford Ballet Company at the Brentwood Centre The Chelmsford Ballet Company with be performing along side Ballet Central at Music for Christmas Concert on Saturday 21st December at the Brentwood Centre.

It is the biggest Christmas musical extravaganza in Essex. This concert is part of the Hutton & Shenffield Choral Society. They will be performing excerpts from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was specially created by Artistic Director Annette Potter as part of their 70th celebrations earlier this year.

Directed by Ballet Central Artistic Director Christopher Marney, Ballet Central will also present excerpts from their enchanting version of the classic Christmas ballet The Nutcracker.

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The Christmas Light-up day on Sunday 17th November in Chelmsford High Street also featured Rotarians led by the Chelmsford Phoenix Club selling mince pies and mulled wine at very reasonable prices.

Funds raised were split between the Mayor’s charity for the year which is Mencap, and The Rotary Foundation. £950 was raised for each of the two charities.

Rotary and Christmas A Perfect Partnership It is a cause of much frustration to me that when the public is asked what do they know about Rotary the answer is often: ‘Are you the people that come round the streets at Christmas?’ Whilst that is true to a degree, and several Rotary clubs have sleighs (but not in Chelmsford as it happens), like pets, Rotary is not just for Christmas although there is certainly a big Rotary presence at this time of the year.

A highlight of Rotary activity was the Frost Fair at Hylands House where the Rotary Club of Chelmsford constructed and manned Santa’s Grotto for three days from Friday 29th November to Sunday 1st December. There was a continuous line of children excitedly waiting to talk to Father Christmas and receive a gift. It was so well organised that the wait was never more than ten minutes during which time the children filled in a letter to Santa and posted it in the special Christmas postbox. Elves were on hand to help the children of all ages and make sure Santa and his reindeer didn’t go hungry, and the best part of all was that the profit made over the weekend will be presented to Kids Inspire, a charity based in Great Baddow. I don’t have the figures yet, but last year a magnificent sum of £800 was raised. This is especially splendid as entry to the grotto was only £5 per child which included a gift. The smiles and wonderment on the faces of the children was worth the entrance money alone.

The Christmas Concert in Chelmsford Cathedral on 26th November was yet another super evening’s entertainment with the aim of raising funds for End Polio Now and Dementia charities. It gave the opportunity for local young musicians and Youth Speak finalists to showcase their talents and there was also a special performance

by The Music Man Project, which is a group of young people with learning disabilities. All in all, a very emotional and successful evening.

Chelmsford Rivermead Rotary held its auction in aid of Barrow Farm Riding for the Disabled on the 24th November and raised £3,100!

What a result. John Spence who conducted the auction, movingly described how, as individuals, we all have a race over hurdles to run in life and that a person’s disability represents just one extra hurdle to jump. However, as a community we have a moral obligation to ensure that that extra hurdle is not unnecessarily high: the work of charities such as Barrow Farm RDA helps to reduce a little the height of that extra hurdle, and the amount raised goes some way to enable them to continue their good work. This sums up Rotary’s approach give support where it is needed.

So yes, Rotarians are the people you see around at Christmas, but Rotary is so much more besides, because for Rotary there aren’t twelve days of Christmas, more twelve months of Christmas. Every day there is something going on and therefore Rotary is looking to the future for like-minded people to help run these events. If you have a bit of time on your hands, or are willing to put aside a little time (because I know we are all busy), then please contact me by email at: communications@rotary1240.org, or phone on 01245 260 349. You are assured of a warm welcome when you visit a Rotary Club.

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Stargazing with Mark Willis - December/January 21st, 22nd December: Ursids Meteor Shower, peaks tonight. This shower produces about 10 meteors an hour. This shower is the remnants of Comet Tuttle.

isn’t possible to confirm this because the information in the Bible is insufficient. But it is the favourite!

22nd December: Winter Solstice: The shortest day. From this day the nights will begin to be shorter and the days longer.

3rd, 4th January: Quadrantids Meteor Shower: Yellow and blue in colour. 90 meteors per hour.

10th January: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: Visible from much of Europe.

26th December: Annular Solar Eclipse: The media sometimes gets this wrong. Saudi Arabia, India, Sumatra and Borneo. So not visible from the UK.

New Moon: On 26th December, 24th January and 23rd February 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.

The Christmas Star This a favourite at planetariums! The most likely explanation of this impressive star is that it was a line-up of two planets called a triple conjunction. There was a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces in 7BCE/BC (-6). First in May, looking east from Persia/ Babylon, then in September/October, looking west over Jerusalem/ Bethlehem from Persia/Babylon, and finally in December looking south directly over Bethlehem if you were in Jerusalem! Sadly, it

As usual, email any questions to mark.willis@ chelmsfordcommunityradio.com.

Mark Willis presents Willis Wireless at the new time of 12pm every Tuesday afternoon on Chelmsford Community Radio on 104.4 FM and online at chelmsfordcommunityradio.com.

Twitter: @WillisWireless

Chelmsford Creative Collective - Jack Browning Chelmsford Creative Collective (CCC) is a group of friendly, local creatives. We have an active Facebook group where we share events, discuss collaborations and support each others’ creative endeavours.

We meet on the last Tuesday of the month at a local pub. Please check Facebook, or email chelmsfordcreativecollective@gmail.com for details. Everybody is welcome for a drink and a chat.

Introducing one of our artists: Who are you and what do you create?

“Hey! Im Jack Browning, I’m 21, and I’m a touring musician and an artist. Aside from country and blues music, I create expressive portraits and landscapes. I use colour and form to give my subjects, be they people or places, a sense of being alive, so that the work elicits in the viewer the same emotions I felt when first encountering whatever it is I’m referencing. I’m a chronic sketcher and a sucker for the American West In particular.”

so distant future.”

How would you describe your working process?

“Its pretty sporadic if I’m honest! I created a massive amount of work in 2017, and then in 2018 focused on nailing the basics and therefore created less.

This year I’ve really not put out a great deal publicly, but I’ve been trying to improve on the fundamentals in my sketchbook. I’m happy to say though I’ve some exciting plans for the not

Who or what inspires you to be creative?

“As far back as I’ve been painting, my work has tended to be grounded fundamentally in using personalities I find exciting and interesting. This has been people I know personally, though I’ve found my most successful works have been of my favourite musicians, so you can say I’m inspired by music primarily.

“I’ve been lucky enough to meet some cool people through playing music and making art, like presenting to Ty Taylor of US band Vintage Trouble his portrait and The White Buffalo (famous for the Sons of Anarchy soundtrack). I’ve had work recognised by bands like Kiss and Motörhead online, which for me was a bit of a fangirl moment!

“Lately I’ve had country music inspire me to explore the history and the literature of the American West and I’m finding creating work about this real cool.”

Tell us about your most recent project.

“My most recent project, aside from a portrait of Willie Nelson, is the kindling of an exploration into portraying narratives from the Old West, inspired by real history, the people that inhabit it, and it’s literature.”

What does Chelmsford Creative Collective mean to you?

“Ever since starting to play music and create art in and around Chelmsford, I’ve always felt this affinity to a receptive, respectful and supportive community. When I’ve not had the confidence to finish a piece or display or whatever, it’s normally been someone in the collective telling me to do it or giving me advice or critique. I’m proud to play my small little part in this great phenomenon.”

You’re stranded on a desert island with three items of your choice what would they be and why?

“I thought about this way too long! I think a Swiss army knife, some kind of canteen and a Cormac McCarthy book...it can’t get any worse, right?!”

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Guillotine Bruno Argentina 1995, by John West 1989 Braunan am Inn Four Skin ZsaZsa Tommy Six Jacqueline Jossa Tree planting Tin-glazed, highly decorated pottery The ‘bullet-proof’ window got smashed in the demo It is a holy island TSB £12 million Sow Wilma Four Judy Garland Pacific & Oriental Conservatory Insulations.

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