The City Times December 2021 - January 2022

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The City Times

Including: Boreham, Broomfield, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, The Walthams and Writtle 10,000 copies per month Issue Number 97 December 16th 2021 - January 20th 2022

MONDAY New Consultant Millennium Community Centre Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9.30am & 11am Jenny 07737 713117

WEDNESDAY St. Augustine Church Off New Bowers Way, Springfield CM1 6GQ 9.30am & 11am Emma 07887 692906

FRIDAY Newland Spring Community Centre Dickens Place, CM1 4UU Next to Morrisons Car Park 9am Jennifer 07792 516866

North Springfield Baptist Church Off Havengore, Springfield, CM1 6JP 5.30pm & 7pm Heidi 07557 331671

Beryl Platt Community Centre Redwood Drive, Writtle CM1 3LY 3.30pm, 5pm & 6.30pm Jennifer 07792 516866

Change of Consultant Little Bears Nursery Maldon Road, Hatfield Peverel, CM3 2HS 5.30pm & 7pm Emma 07887 692906

Springfield Park Baptist Church Springfield Park Road. CM2 6EB 5.30pm & 7pm Heidi 07557 331671

SATURDAY Springfield Park Baptist Church Springfield Park Road. Chelmsford CM2 6EB 8.30 & 10am Emma 07887 692906

TUESDAY Bicknacre Memorial Village Hall Bicknacre Road, Bicknacre, CM3 4ES 9.15am Kay 07889143934 Broomfield Village Hall Behind the Angel Pub, Broomfield, CM1 7AH 3.30pm, 5pm & 7.00pm Heidi 07557 331671 Millennium Community Centre Baddow Road, Great Baddow, Baddo CM2 9RL 4pm, 5.30pm & 7pm Samantha 01245 266442 Danbury Village Hall Main Road, Danbury, CM3 4NQ 5pm & 6.30pm Paul 07900 570262

New Group from January 5th 2022 St Peter's Hospital Chapel Hall Spital Road, Maldon, CM9 6EG 5.30pm & 7pm Paul 07900 570262 THURSDAY Millennium Community Centre Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9.30am Samantha 01245 266442 Newland Spring Community Centre Dickens Place, CM1 4UU Next to Morrisons Car Park 5.30pm & 7pm Jennifer 07792 516866 Kelvedon Labour Club 75 High Street, Kelvedon, CO5 9AE 5.30pm & 7pm Jo 07879202891

Great Notley Community Centre Great Notley CM77 7US (Behind Prince Louis pub) 7.30 & 9.00am Heidi 07557 331671 United Reformed Church Hall Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4PZ 8am & 10am Paul 07900 570262

NOW BACK IN GROUPS WITH NO BOOKING REQUIRED!

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City Times Intro Hello readers, Welcome to The City Times December/January edition.

If you are reading this before Christmas - Happy Christmas! If you are reading this afterwards, we hope you had a good festive holiday.

New for this month, we have replaced Spot the Difference with a couple of wordsearches for bit of a change. Look out for them on page 28 along with the regular quiz!

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it’s your media Ltd 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 Warners (Midlands) PLC.

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After a quick web search revealed a significant lack of options, Gerry decided to take matters into his own hands. As an engineer and designer with over 50 years of experience and with a reputation as a bit of a ‘mad scientist’, Gerry felt he was up to the task and Snap Dragon Guitars was born.

Gerry started out by making his own personal guitars. He then found that he was getting interest from friends and other local musicians. From those small beginnings, Snap Dragon Guitars has gone from strength to strength. The company is now run out of a workshop in Chelmsford with Gerry’s son Sam managing production, alongside local guitar player Matt Wilkinson who deals with the set ups and making sure the instruments play their best.

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Page 3

Canon Tom’s E-Pistle Hello friends. Well, as we approach the end of another difficult year and prepare for a new one (hopefully better) may I ask this question: Have you been naughty or nice? It’s the kind of question that we often get as children around Christmas time and it gives Santa a little bit of edginess. Will he bring presents this year? Let me think; has my niceness outweighed my naughtiness?

Jack Petchey Foundation Launches Its Environmental Youth Survey The Jack Petchey Foundation has launched The Jack Petchey Environmental Youth Survey this month to find out what young people are specifically concerned about in their local environment, what they are already doing to positively impact it and what they, and their schools and clubs, need to be able to make a positive environmental impact.

As an incentive, young people that complete the survey will be automatically entered into a prize draw of £200 for themselves and up to £500 for their club or school.

This survey comes a few short weeks after COP26, where young people’s voices were often missed in the discussions. Indeed, with Actually, it’s a question we could all ask ourselves, and perhaps we such a keen focus on young people’s anxieties and fears for the might benefit from asking it a little more often than just once a year. future of the environment, very little research has been done into what young people think should be done to empower them to shape Many of us make New Year resolutions to do just that, to be better a better future for the environment. this year, to lose weight, to cut down on the things that aren’t so good for us, to be better people. All a lot tougher than they seem, yet The survey comprises four sections and takes around 10 minutes to we still do it year after year. complete. It is open to all young people age 11-25 from the London and Essex area.

I wonder why? When most of us know, even as we tell others what

our goals are for the new year, we still do it. Perhaps it’s because we Young people wishing to complete the survey should follow this link: have hope, the hope that this will be the year when we finally do it, when we achieve the goal or goals we’ve set ourselves. A new year, a www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8FYJ2W8. fresh start, a new me.

Plus, each young person that submits a survey will be entered into a I have to say, my plans for the New Year are quite different this time prize draw for £200 from the Jack Petchey Foundation. round as I shall be retiring from active parish ministry and later in the year, moving to Lincolnshire. It seems that my whole life will be about being and doing something new!

Schools and youth groups from London and Essex are encouraged to promote the survey to their members. If fifteen of an organisation’s members submit a completed survey, the group will be entered into a prize draw for a £500 grant prize.

In the meantime, may I wish you all well and I pray that you will enjoy the season of goodwill and extend it as far as you are able into The Jack Petchey Foundation will use this survey to explore the 2022. issues young people are facing to the media, decision makers and in their shaping of their own future programmes.

Tom

More Ramblings From Britain’s Oldest Angry Young Man Question! How many English football fans know where Qatar is? It is not a footballing country as we know it, but is a very rich Gulf State about the size of Yorkshire. Unlike Yorkshire, it is a desert country with desert heat and many other desert-related inconveniences. In 2022 this tiny country will host football’s World Cup. Dare I ask why any decision making football idiots thought it a good idea to let Qatar host this prestigious event? I think we all know the answer - MONEY. Sport is no longer sport, it is business. Over the years, we have seen the slow lingering death throes of competitive professional sport as it has been taken over by soulless sponsors and greedy private equity business people who have no interest in sport but milk it for everything they can while keeping a sharp eye on the share price.

Players, for example, are products to be bought and sold to the highest bidders and winning at all costs is the mantra they play under.

There are too many imponderables poking their heads over the parapet to make the 2022 World Cup a success - however one defines success in a desert state. How, for example, will Qatar host fans from 32 countries? Clashes of culture and lifestyles legal and illegal could be problematical.

Allegedly Qataris are not very demonstrative in public, so will rent-acrowd raise the crowd’s enthusiasm? With 1.3 million fans expected, two cruise ships will be leased to help with accommodation, and with only 130,000 rooms available, fans may have to sample the delights of camping under canvas.

There is, however, a serious hangover to this World Cup that will go down in football history as the 2022 World Cup, the organisers of which chose to ignore the scandalous mistreatment of the migrant workforce employed by Qatar to build the World Cup infrastructure.

Worse is the blatant hypocrisy of anti-racist TV football pundits who have refused to condemn the disgraceful and in many ways inhumane mistreatment of that workforce, which will be a curse on those families who lost their loved ones, victims of their mistreatment.

Some football people should all hang their heads in shame for their double standards regarding racial discrimination. Their words and symbolic empty gestures now ring hollow and should be ignored.

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

Page 4

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Page 5

Nick’s Music and Ramblings Here is hoping we have a good 2022 ahead of us all!

This is it then, the end of another year and one I think we will all be glad to see the back of. As I am writing this, yet another strain is raising it’s head, but let’s hope we have acted early enough and it is not as bad as everyone first thought it might be.

Sadly, because of Covid I had to cancel the last two shows of the year at the Social Club. With both of the acts coming from Europe, they feared they may get stuck here and not be able to get back to their homes for the festive celebrations - we will be rebooking both for future dates. We do plan to go ahead with next year’s shows and so far we have booked and confirmed 22 shows and have plenty more still to confirm.

The weather is ever changing as I am writing this, yet another storm is due they say (oh bliss). As I have said before, if this not the wakeup call that global warming is here now, I don’t know what is! I try to do what I can for the planet, although I must admit I am guilty as charged for using my vehicle too much but that is because of my dodgy leg (that is my excuse). I am an avid recycler and I take care of what energy I use at home and wear more jumpers rather than turn up the heating. I am also very aware of packaging and the waste that it creates. Remember, paper and cardboard comes from trees and plastic from oil. Please try to use more recycled items and packaging.

As I have also said, it is my grandchildren and their children who will suffer from our neglect, we must listen to them as they seem know better than we do about the damage we are doing to the planet. We must act right now not tomorrow, so please listen and act - your little bit really will help.

Music I must thank all those who manage to make my shows possible at the Chelmsford Social Club. Thank you Jim and the club for letting us put gigs on there and Paul my business partner for letting me advertise in our magazines. I must also thank my wonderful team and good friends: thank you Jevon, Josh, Mark, Jan and Sally; without you all it just would not work. The year is almost done, the bands and DJs are all booked for New Year’s Eve and lets hope we have good reason to celebrate.

Here in Chelmsford the Bassment is reopening under new management, so watch this space and let’s see what happens there.

The Eagle & Hind in Gloucester Avenue in the Moulsham Lodge area of Chelmsford is coming along nicely with Marc McLeod now managing it. He is a massive music fan and a great publican of many years in the area. He seems to be stamping his mark on the pub with great food and entertainment, from quiz nights to live sport and music. The pub is a good size with plenty of parking with shops close by which also have a good parking area.

It looks like Chelmsford is coming back to life, as are other places in the area like Maldon and Colchester. I see Epping and Harlow are getting busy as well now. We will need you all to come and support the entertainment being put on, so we and the artists can keep on going for you.

I have been busy booking acts in and I am busy talking with many more for the future. So far we have one festival day in June booked and I plan to do one or two more as well - so do keep track of Black Frog Presents for all our updates using the links below. I do very much like to put on varied artists performing all types of music.

As well as the Social Club In Chelmsford, I know that we also have the Eagle and Hind, the UB, The Fleece, Hot Box and the Bassment as regular music venues. There are others too that put on various stuff at different times. It is not all about music of course, it’s about the arts, and that includes the theatres and other spaces too.

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We have all sorts of festivals and entertainment weekends taking place throughout the year - and not forgetting the Chelmsford Arts and Cultural Festival which we at Black Frog Presents are going to be part of next year. I am quite amazed that I already have 22 events booked, right up till Friday 9th December 2022 with Connor Selby playing his Christmas show for us.

What else have we got coming up? We start with the Rolling Clones and The Sons of Illinois on 21st January. Then at last we finally have Eddie and the Hot Rods and Dept S with their tribute show to the late Barrie Masters on 28th January. February 11th sees back Los Pacaminos with Paul Young (yes, the real Paul Young) and we also welcome Borderline Music, a great Americana band. Another great band we welcome back, who will be playing their first show in seven years, is Nicky Moore’s Blues Corporation. Nicky has Parkinson’s, and he will be in attendance. He said, “I would not miss this...” and if he is able, he will sing with boys. With Bex Marshall opening, this has gotta be a good’un.

Next its Eric Bell, the founder of Thin Lizzy who played on Whisky In The Jar, with Stony Road opening. This next show excites me a lot; Howie Casey, who played at The Cavern when The Beatles did and went onto to play sax in Wings and with T-Rex, The Who, and ABC among others. He is bringing his 12-piece band Beatles with Wings.

Well, we know what they will play! Opening is the wonderful 251s.

The delayed show with Kokomo is now booked in for March 12th, on the night they will be playing the best of British soul with a starstudded band. 5.com will be opening on the night. Then it’s Cregan and Co returning with their first album to play for us, along with all the Rod Stewart, Cockney Rebel and Family hits that Jim played on and co-wrote. Opening for them will be the wonderful Richard Townend.

We also welcome back U2 Tribe where their guitarist Paul (‘The Edge’) actually features on the latest U2 album from a guitar session he played on back in 1991, over 20 years before he was in this band!

We are also pleased to welcome to Chelmsford from New York the great American blues singer Sari Schorr. Then it’s Totally Blondie, and they are really good. Hopefully this time we can go ahead, with local legend Denny Newman (who has a new album) and his star-studded band which includes Zoot Money, Robbie McIntosh, Mim Grey, Jeff Allen and Scott Newman.

This next band opened for Sham 69 - and the punk band asked, ‘why aren’t they headlining?’ - so now they are! Twister offer a bit of metal for you and the gig follows on from their highly successful tour with The Quireboys across the UK and Europe. This next act you all know.

He is one of my personal favourites and I hope yours also, it’s the Robbie McIntosh band.

Now, briefly, we also have: The Strawbs (the full electric band), part of the Chelmsford Festival, a full festival day (details to follow). We have the one and only Chesney Hawkes, The Feelgood Band, Lindisfarne, Albert Lee, Police Dog Hogan and Connor Selby. There are more dates to be filled and details will follow - all these dates are in the poster in this magazine. Do check out our social media for info on the opening acts for upcoming shows plus updates. All supporting acts are carefully selected.

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

For all my Black Frog Presents at Chelmsford Social Club updates and information and more, just go to www.linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresents or scan the QR code on the poster in this magazine.

www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

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City Times Gardening As I write this, its cold out there - and for me the ideal job is anything that keeps me moving such as digging, seed bed preparation and planting. At the moment I’m looking at a site to prepare for sowing hardy annual borders.

Hardy annuals are ornamental plants which are sown into the open ground, usually in April, and are grown on in their sowing position throughout the summer to provide an attractive display. Because no sophisticated facilities are required to propagate and grow on the plants, there is no cheaper way of providing a colourful display than an annual border.

Planning Borders need to be carefully planned to suit the scale of their surroundings. For example, in a border 100m long x 5m wide the tallest available annuals will be suitable for the rear, eg, Lavatera spp. (mallow), Helianthus annuus (sunflower) or for a bed, 5m x 1m annuals reaching 40cm (15in) in height is advisable.

It is essential to prepare a plan on paper beforehand. Informality of arrangement is usually desirable; aim for broad overlapping drifts with irregular but flowing outlines, of not less than 1 x 0.5m.

Some graduation of height is necessary from back to front - there is little point in burying a dwarf plant behind taller growing ones, but the border should not be mathematically graded. Generally, the taller plants should be at the rear and smallest at the front, but occasional irregularity should be introduced, particularly along the length of the border, or the final result will be too formal to attain its full effect.

Site and Soil Requirements Choose an open, sunny position with fertile well drained soil; contrary to popular belief, annuals, with a few exceptions such as nasturtium, do not thrive on poor soils. The site should be sheltered from cold winds.

Production of an Annual Border At this time of the year the border should be single or double dug in early winter when conditions are suitable, and perennial weeds should be treated with a translocated herbicide or removed by hand.

Organic matter may be added to improve soil structure and nutrient status.

The following spring, when conditions are suitable, hoe annual weeds and dig out or treat with herbicide any remaining perennial weeds.

The soil should be forked over, roughly raked level, light soils trodden to consolidate then raked to a fine tilth.

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A balanced fertiliser such as Growmore at a rate of 100g/m2, or blood, fish and bone at 70g/m2 may be lightly raked in.

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We supply and install real and artifical lawns Whilst you leave the site for a couple of weeks to create a stale seed bed (in order germinating weeds can be removed), the planting plan should be drawn out on the soil surface either using a cane or dry sand. Check out this super link for more information: www.rhs.org.uk/ propagation/sowing-seed-outdoors.

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Use a draw hoe to make parallel V-shaped drills, of a depth appropriate to each species in each planting area. This allows weed seedlings that germinate outside the rows to be easily distinguished.

Alternatively, seed may be broadcast.

Thinly sow the seed in the bottom of the drill, cover with soil and label. Water lightly with a fine rose.

Unit 1, The Paddocks, Highwood, Chelmsford, CM1 3PU Page 8

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The optimum time for sowing annuals varies with the site, soil, latitude, and with seasonal variation, but is usually March or April.

Here’s a sneak preview for January: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/inmonth/january/jobs.

On favourable sites, annuals may also be sown in September for earlier flowering the following year. Check out this link to explore a great range of examples: www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/annualsbiennials/sowing-spring.

Happy gardening and have a fabulous festive season!

Here’s are your jobs to complete for the remaining month of December: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/december/jobs.

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

City Times Finance

2022 - Your Financial Diary

What a year 2021 has turned out to be! I think it’s fair to say that most of us thought that this past year would look somewhat different.

What with the vaccine roll-out, passing of the Duke of Edinburgh, climate change summit, spike in gas and electricity prices, self-driving bus trials to name but a few, it has been a rollercoaster ride for many of us. We have been through a lot, physically, emotionally and economically. Whilst I cannot offer you any advice on your personal well-being, I can certainly give you some pointers to enable you to start 2022 in the same vein as you mean to go on with your finances.

January: Start to the year, take stock of your finances, outgoings and income and start planning from there. Make sure your selfassesment is completed by the 31st!

February: Time to begin tracking your budget. Decide on your goals, is it saving for holiday or new car? How do you achieve this - ISA, savings account?

Here’s to 2022: May it be prosperous, healthy and joyous one. A year truly worthy of celebration.

Silvia Johnson BSc(Hons) DipPFS EFA CertCII (MP) is a Director & Independent Financial Adviser at Royale Thames Wealth Ltd. https://www.royalthameswealth.co.uk silvia@royalthameswealth.co.uk 020 8720 7249 / 07908 109 741 Royale Thames Wealth Ltd is an Appointed Representative of New Leaf Distribution Ltd which is authorised and regulated by Financial Conduct Authority number 460421.

The value of your investment may go up as well as down and the value is not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

Wills and Estate Planning are not regulated by the FCA.

March: If you haven’t already, utilise your annual ISA allowance, currently £20,000 per person per year. Deadline is 5th April.

April: Check your existing investments - does anything need to be rebalanced, topped up or switched?

May: Revisit your budget - are you still on track? Identify any shortfalls.

June: Make sure you know what is going with your pensions. Do the underlying investments still reflect your attitude to risk? Is the performance adequate?

July: Relax a little. Let your independent financial adviser take care of your mid-year situation and discuss any concerns and plans.

August: Time to catch up with your emergency savings to ensure any unexpected bills or outgoings can be met without affecting your current lifestyle.

September: Review your plans; third quarter is the perfect time to take stock of what has gone according to plan, what has not, as well as what has exceeded expectations.

October: Depending on what you set out to achieve, you should be in a good position to reap the benefits of good financial education - your adviser should ensure you understand all your financial arrangements.

November: Consider your inheritance tax position - have you made the use of all your allowances and gifting options?

December: Hopefully you will be well positioned to enjoy your festive break and will be reading my articles this time next year! www.thecitytimes.co.uk

Page 9 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk Page 9

Regal Kitchens - Case Study

Mr and Mrs D had invested in an old building in their perfect location and had a great vision for their ideal kitchen.

A keen baker, Mrs D runs her own business providing a home baking range of Free From Mixes to help people with some food intolerances bake delicious muffins and cookies without worry. She had helped out at some of Regal’s Cookaholics events run by Emma at the showroom, so already knew about some of the different kitchen ranges on offer. She was pleased when she was introduced to senior designer John.

and still be mindful of the budgetary restraints and she also added: “From design consultation to delivery and then after care, Regal have been amazing, going above and beyond to help us realise our perfect kitchen. We really can’t recommend them enough, and we are extremely happy with our new kitchen.”

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

It became clear fairly early on that they couldn’t stretch to an in-frame kitchen, but were delighted when they saw a sample of a faux in-frame MDF door. This allowed some of their budget to be allocated to quality finishes and appliances such as the Neff flex-induction venting hob in conjunction with Neff Slide & Hide, creating the dream for a keen cook.

The white Corian contrasts beautifully against the indigo door, and the antique mirror splashback (as well as keeping the wall brick) adds a timeless feel to the whole room. The wine cellar housed under the floor is a great addition that our customers will use for years to come.

Mrs D said she is grateful that Regal were able to fulfil her dream Page 10

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Christmas at Intense Records Intense Records is situated under the railway arches by the train and bus stations and is the only independent record shop in Chelmsford.

Intense is a walk-in shop and also an online record store. Over the years, Intense has diversified, and now stocks - alongside its original passion for dance music - all other genres, from rock to pop, indie to jazz and everything in between, from artists such Prince, U2, Miles Davis, The Rolling Stones and many more. £5 off Vinyl When You Spend £20 This Christmas, Intense Records are offering £5 off when you spend £20 - just cut out the coupon on the advert in this mag and bring it in! The offer ends on Christmas Eve. Used Vinyl! Buy and Sell!

Over the last few years, Intense has 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 until the present day, from favourites like The Beatles, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and many more: “We have thousands of items now, across all styles from rock to funk, soul, disco and many more.

It’s a vinyl diggers’ 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.”

Chelmsford Record Fair Intense also organises the Chelmsford Record Fair at its new venue, Chelmsford Social Club behind Tesco in Springfield Road. The Record Fair has around 10 different sellers boasting a wide variety of records, and all genres. There are many gems and classics to be found! To keep you entertained while you browse, the fair has live DJs and PAs from some of the best local artists around. What else could you ask for? The next fair will be on Saturday 8th January from 10am4pm.

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You don’t need to give up your festive favourites with Slimming World’s Food Optimising Plan!

To lose weight you have to eat less, right? Well, not always. The kind of food you’re eating is much more important than the volume.

Swapping high calorie, unsatisfying foods (think chocolate, alcohol, pastries) for foods that are lower in calories and more bulky so they fill you up for longer is key to losing weight in a way that’s easy to live with.

Research shows that by basing your diet on foods relatively low in calories, like fruit and veg, and foods that are most filling - or satiating - like lean meat, fish, eggs, pasta and potatoes, you can actually eat a larger amount of food and feel more satisfied while losing weight.

Slimming World’s Food Optimising Plan takes away the tedium of

weighing, measuring and counting the calories in everything that you eat (and drink). Every week in their local group, members learn how to make healthier choices to satisfy their appetite and lose weight beautifully, without hunger or guilt. It’s based on an understanding of the science of energy density - an area of research which Slimming World has been actively involved in for over 25 years. Evidence shows that eating more low energy dense foods (foods that are lowest in calories per gram) naturally limits energy intake, reduces hunger and results in better weight loss.

If you’re vegan, vegetarian or just want to eat more plant-based meals, we are launching our brand new recipe book in January, Va Va Vegan - a brilliant collection of more than 60 delicious slimmingfriendly recipes to excite your menu and lose weight beautifully too!

Head to the website at www.slimmingworld.co.uk for more recipe ideas and group details - your nearest groups are on the front page!

Pavlova Wreath

Our spectacular edible wreath is just 3 Syns per serving, and you won’t believe how easy it is to make!

Turkey Risotto

This makes a great supper dish and a wonderful way of using up any leftover turkey.

For more recipes visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk/recipes Page 12

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If you would like to enter your child or school, then please contact Youth Service Chairman Peter Dowse on 01277 374 342, or email peterdowse69@gmail.com and he will ensure your request is passed through to the correct co-ordinator.

The Jewel in Rotary’s Crown Planning through runs through all Rotary events. When I was District Governor a few years ago I took great pride in the Rotary Youth competitions, which I described as ‘the Jjewel in Rotary’s crown’. I still believe this to be true and preparations are well in hand for the various competitions taking place in the new year. In fact, there are new competitions added to the list giving even more opportunities for youngsters covering a whole spectrum of pastimes.

Whilst entries to these competitions are now quite urgent, there is a host of other youth activities that Rotary provides, and if anyone would like to know specific details, then Peter Dowse would be able to give you more information.

Christmas is now imminent and in the last issue of City Times I wrote about some of the work being done by Rotary clubs in preparation. As we get closer to Christmas Day we see every other advert featuring turkey, minced pies or other items associated with the festive period.

The supermarkets and shops are stuffed with Christmas bargains and miraculously, garden centres are transformed into Christmas grottos. Who knew you could grow plastic trees?

Already Chelmsford Mildmay has shown off their new sleigh at Beaulieu Community Centre where they thrilled the kids and they will be making more appearances throughout December as well as brightening up Writtle All Saints Church. Santa also met excited children at the grotto in the Cathedral courtesy of Chelmsford Rotary Club.

Other pre-Christmas Rotary activities included a Wrap Up Essex initiative by Chelmer Bridge Rotary, where more than sixty coats were donated to women’s refuges across Essex, and a Donate A Dinner.

Unfortunately, the carol singing in High Chelmer and the Frost Fair at Hylands House were both cancelled because of current Covid restrictions.

There is still time to enter the following: Youth Debate: This is for secondary school students. It is open to all schools or scout/guide groups. The Intermediate Final is on 9th February and the Senior on 16th February.

Young Writer: The theme for this year’s competition is Environment. (ages 7-17) Young Photographer: Theme is Colours of Nature (ages 7-17).

Young Artist: Theme is Colours of Nature (ages 5-17).

Young Environmentalist: Tell us about your ideas to improve the local area through climate change and carbon reduction (ages 5-17).

Young Musician: This competition is open to anyone from 5-17 years old. The final will be at Chelmsford Cathedral on 19th February.

Young Filmmaker: The theme is Environment.

Young Chef: Preparing a three course meal.

All of these competitions offer winning students the opportunity to go forward to the district and national competitions.

However, there is much more to come in the next few weeks and Rotary is ready with pristine sleighs, freshly pressed Santa suits, (not forgetting his elves’ costumes), because at this magical time of the year children eagerly look forward to meeting the real Father Christmas. These days it is possible to follow the routes of the sleigh via an app, so precise planning is essential!

Whenever you see Rotarians navigating the streets or holding collection buckets outside supermarkets, please give some spare cash, as all proceeds go to local good causes.

Hopefully I will bring you a report of some local Christmas highlights in the next issue with an indication of where the fundraising was allocated.

The Christmas build up and the youth competitions early in the new year are again just two more examples of what Rotary does. If you would like to offer your support to Rotarians whose motto of ‘Service Above Self’ sums up the ethos of Rotary, then please visit www. rotary1240.org or give me a call on 01245 260 349.

Stan Keller

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

December

Friday 17th The Bay Horse - Rude & Reckless Civic - Beauty and the Beast Hylands Estate - Enlightened Hylands Estate - Pink Vanilla Events Christmas Madison Heights - Jingle Bell Bowl (to book call 01621 850 222) Madison Heights - Jingle Bell Skate (roller skate to disco lights & Christmas tunes) RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am - £6 per session - to book phone Sue Eddie on 07794 543 147) Saturday 18th The Bay Horse - P45 Civic - Beauty and the Beast Cramphorn - Pip’s Post Room Hot Box - Millie Manders & the Shutup + Jora the Fortune Teller Hylands Estate - Enlightened Madison Heights - Tea With the Elves and play session at Monkey Puzzle (to book call 01621 850 222) RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee mornings (10am to 1pm) Sunday 19th Civic - Beauty and the Beast Cramphorn - Pip’s Post Room Hot Box - Jar Records Presents: Lyena + The Horse Heads Hylands Estate - Christmas Farmer’s and Craft Market Hylands Estate - Enlightened RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Christmas Party (2pm - £5 members/£6 non-members - to book email sue.eddie@writtle. ac.uk) Monday 20th Civic - Beauty and the Beast Hot Box - Will and the People Tuesday 21st Civic - Beauty and the Beast Hot Box - Setting Sons + Modern Motive Wednesday 22nd Civic - Beauty and the Beast Cramphorn - The Nutcracker (pre-recorded) Hot Box - 7th Tier Presents: An Alternative Christmas Thursday 23rd Civic - Beauty and the Beast Eagle and Hind - Quiz Night Hot Box - Rubber Soul/Alison Friday 24th The Bassment - Shakey’s Sessions: True Courage + Hear Me Out + Adam Nichols Civic - Beauty and the Beast Hylands Estate - Enlightened RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am - £6 per session - to book phone Sue Eddie on 07794 543 147) Sunday 26th Hyde Hall - Boxing Day Walk Monday 27th Civic - Beauty and the Beast Hylands Estate - Enlightened Tuesday 28th Civic - Beauty and the Beast Cramphorn - The Father (12a) Hylands Estate - Enlightened

Wednesday 29th Civic - Beauty and the Beast Hylands Estate - Enlightened Thursday 30th Civic - Beauty and the Beast Eagle and Hind - Quiz Night Hylands Estate - Enlightened Friday 31st The Bay Horse - DJ Steph New Year’s Eve Bash Civic - Beauty and the Beast Hylands Estate - Enlightened RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am - £6 per session - to book phone Sue Eddie on 07794 543 147) Sunday 2nd Civic - Beauty and the Beast Hylands Estate - Enlightened Monday 3rd Civic - Beauty and the Beast Tuesday 4th Hyde Hall - Woodland Walks Thursday 6th Eagle and Hind - Quiz Night Hot Box - Resonance The Secret Garden - Chelmsford Breakfast Business Club Friday 7th Hot Box - Live Transmission RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am - £6 per session - to book phone Sue Eddie on 07794 543 147) Saturday 8th Hot Box - Panic Awards Presentation Evening RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee mornings (10am to 1pm) The UB - Bowie Night Sunday 9th Hot Box - Jazz Sunday’s with Zak Barrett & Friends Tuesday 11th Hyde Hall - Woodland Walks Wednesday 12th Hot Box - The Hot Box Big Music Quiz Thursday 13th Eagle and Hind - Quiz Night Friday 14th RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am - £6 per session - to book phone Sue Eddie on 07794 543 147) Saturday 15th Hot Box - Safe Nath & Tye Green Hyde Hall - Past and Present RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee mornings (10am to 1pm) Sunday 16th Hylands House - Hylands Estate Open Day & Farmers & Craft Market Monday 17th Patch, Grays Yard - Women in Businss Networking Tuesday 18th Hyde Hall - Woodland Walks Thursday 20th Quaker Meeting House - Medical Essex History Talk The Secret Garden - Chelmsford Breakfast Business Club Friday 21st Chelmsford Social Club - The Rolling Clones Saturday 22nd Hyde Hall - Past and Present Sunday 23rd Hylands House - Wedding Preview Day

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Gong & Sound Baths - Mandy Haynes In November, Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga were delighted to welcome the return of the super popular Gong & Sound Baths. Pre-pandemic, this monthly Sunday evening event always had an amazing turn out, and in recent months the studio received many messages asking for their return.

The gong is a sacred instrument producing the most diverse sound spectrum through vibrational waves which wash over the body as you relax. It has been likened to the universal and primordial Om sound.

The gong produces a sound unlike any other instrument; the sound waves facilitate brain waves going from an alert beta state to a deep relaxed, meditative state such as theta and delta. The gong waves help to clear away that which does not serve us; subconscious tension, stress, anxieties, and traits of the ego will be surfaced and washed away. Balance is achieved creating a change in consciousness such as positive thought patterns and homeostasis.

It is a profound and unique sound experience. The environment is taken over by the sound waves and is totally immersive.

Gong baths at Hummingbird are aimed to be hosted around the full moon each month, as this is often a time for letting go of things that no longer serve you. The session begins with some breathing exercises and a setting of intentions. The bath will include some Paiste gongs as well as wind gongs and other percussion instruments to aid the relaxation and sound experience. The bath closes with some time to experience a Shunyata period, an important space of silence to allow the waves to continue their work within the body and to allow ourselves to waken our consciousness.

People often find it hard to switch off or meditate, but this isn’t a prerequisite - the gong facilitates this state of relaxation, so no experience is necessary to attend a gong bath. The only thing you

need to do is book your space, arrive, make yourself warm and comfortable and listen.

The first full moon of 2022 falls on 17th January and is also known as a Wolf Moon. The name Wolf Moon is associated with early Native American tribes who observed hungry wolves howling at the moon outside their camps around the same time of year as this phenomenon.

If you would like to experience the unique sound immersion of the gong bath, you can book your space at www.hummingbirdpilates. co.uk - you will find the gong baths under Workshops. No membership is required, but you will need to create an account. It is certainly an evening event not to miss...

Please send any local events for inclusion in our What’s On guide from 20/1/22 to 20/2/21 to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Chelmsford Library The staff at Chelmsford Library would like to wish all our customers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Keep an eye on our opening hours over the Christmas and New Year weekends - speak to staff or see details on our website.

During the winter, we are running a Winter Reading Challenge to encourage children to continue to enjoy reading. On joining they will receive a giant bookmark and will get a stamp each time they read a book. When six stamps have been collected, they will receive a beautiful gold star sticker. Everyone who signs up will be entered into a prize draw to win some fantastic prizes, including signed books and days out. Just pop in and sign up - we’d love to see you!

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Our Baby and Toddler Rhymetime sessions will restart in the new year after the Christmas break - don’t forget to book a place (email chelmsford.library@essex.gov.uk) as they are very popular!

Are you thinking about New Year resolutions? Why not consider volunteering? Chelmsford Library would like to reopen its Work Club which supports people looking for work, offering help with CV writing, job applications, online job searches etc, and is looking to recruit some enthusiastic volunteers to help with this. See our website for more information: www.volunteeressex.org/opportunities/librarywork-clubs-computer-support-volunteer-12681, we’d love to hear from you.

Don’t forget too that you can pick up lateral flow Covid home tests from us, as well as hearing aid batteries.

To keep up-to-date, search for us and follow us on Facebook or Twitter or by subscribing to our newsletter - all details are on our website: www.libraries.essex.gov.uk.

Happy 2022 to all!

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Chelmsford: A Cultural Surprise - By James Goodhall Charles Dickens spoke most ungraciously of Chelmsford in 1835: ‘If any one were to ask me what in my opinion was the dullest and most stupid spot on the face of the Earth, I should decidedly say Chelmsford’. Naturally, this isn’t a sentiment I sympathise with.

Besides, things have changed dramatically since Dickens’ day.

Chelmsford now has a Prezzo and everything!

I should state from the outset that I’m a northerner, from the town of Huddersfield, no less - famed for being the birthplace of former Prime Minister Harold Wilson. It has a nice railway station and a shopping arcade with a ceiling comprised of parabolic mirrors... and that’s about it, aside from a boast that Huddersfield is purportedly the largest town in England, with huge swathes of open countryside to its name. Sounds very lush and pastoral, like something out of a Thomas Hardy novel. But as I write this, the first signs of winter are already here, with darkness setting in as early as 2pm, and gelid fingers of ice creeping down my back. Some days, it feels more like Huddersfield is twinned with the dark side of the moon! By way of contrast however, my recent trips to the city of Chelmsford have been rather like an extended summer holiday.

I was first drawn to Chelmsford earlier this year as soon as lockdown restrictions eased. A fateful reconnection with a girl from my past (on LinkedIn of all places) led me to make the great pilgrimage down the A1(M) to the happy suburbs of Essex, where we’ve been spending time together as a couple ever since. Typical really, as the good lady is originally from Bradford and thus a fellow northerner herself!

Following my first visit to the city, as well as subsequent visits since, I’ve been compelled to write about the time I’ve spent in Chelmsford - to put my thoughts, feelings and reflections down on paper. The experience hasn’t been so much a culture shock as a culture surprise. In musing titles for this piece, a number of appalling puns riffed through my head ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Thankfully, I didn’t go with either The Pilgrim’s Progress or worse still, The Only Way is Essex...

The first aspect I needed to get up to speed on was Chelmsford’s network of cycle lanes, which is more tangled than Shelob’s lair!

Chelmsford is deceptively large and can take some time to navigate on foot, hence the tendency of many Chelmsfordians to substitute walking boots for wheels. Trekking about the city centre on foot can be a fun experience in its own right, but ‘always mind your surroundings’ to quote Ra’s al Ghul in Batman Begins. In other words, get in your allocated lane or get mowed down by a jet-propelled Deliveroo cyclist. Either that or risk falling foul of one of Chelmsford’s myriad eScooter users, who can be seen hurtling up and down the city streets like irascible fire ants. I’ve not yet had a chance to ride one of these, though I’d like to (I’m constantly told, ‘no’). We don’t have them up north; they’re yet another innovation to have passed us by. From their neon orange branding, you could reasonably assume they’re standard issue to detainees of Guantanamo Bay. Better can be said however, of the standard of driving in Chelmsford.

Granted, the Army and Navy roundabout has a notorious reputation, and a chorus of beeps can be heard at any one time. But people seem to be generally chivalrous on the roads. I was delighted to be given way to every time at junctions. Or when crossing the high street on foot, I was similarly delighted to be waved across every time by a smiling motorist. In my neck of the woods, the maxim ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre’ is considered archaic - drivers instead opting for ‘manoeuvre, mirror (maybe)’. On my street, it’s more a case of ‘every man for himself’ and ‘pedestrians, keep your wits about you or start eating asphalt’.

Furthermore, I couldn’t help noticing how everywhere in Chelmsford is spotlessly clean. None of the architecture is despoiled by graffiti; nor is there any litter. Not so much as a stray crisp packet! Back on my stomping ground, we have litter aplenty. Take your pick. No, seriously, please do. It’ll help us out! What a nice change it made to walk through Tower Gardens and not see bags of canine excrement www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

hanging from the branches of trees like evil piñatas!

With regard to the people of Chelmsford, my initial impression was: ‘Wow, everyone here is so beautiful, fit and healthy!’ I glimpsed lycraclad stud muffins forming eye-wateringly difficult shapes in Admiral’s Park, and it seemed every other person hitting the streets was a dedicated runner! And there was me priding myself on being the right side of 11 stone. Seeing so many thoroughbreds around me - all ‘carved out of wood’, to quote Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club - left me feeling somewhat intimidated. Was I about to be bundled into the back of a van by the fat police for being a couple of pounds over?

It was then I clocked the Larger Men’s Clothing emporium sitting somewhat incongruously on one of the corners of Moulsham Street, and this left me scratching my head. In this realm of svelte athletic types, where exactly were these so-called larger men to be found?

I had images in my head of a holding pen somewhere... Certainly, it occurred to me that I might end up frequenting said emporium myself before much longer if I were to continue indulging in trips to the Little Café, Robinson’s Fisheries and Cake & Company on the same street.

It was then that my other half assured me Chelmsford wasn’t in fact a breeding ground for a race of superhumans, and people of all shapes and sizes can be found.

My maiden trip to the city centre was a riveting experience. I felt a little like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. My other half was working at the time, so I was left to my own devices for an hour to roam the city centre alone. It felt like I was on day release! In typical northern fashion, where did I end up for a bite to eat? You guessed it: Greggs. Out of all the eateries I could’ve visited!

Faced with an array of familiar-looking baked goods, I felt instantly acclimatised. Like when you feel out of your depth abroad, but then spot a McDonald’s. So, I ordered a sausage and bean bake, which tasted simultaneously comforting and disgusting. To make matters worse, a sudden gust of wind on Market Street meant I ended up wearing most of it.

Being a fan of the odd drink, I was soon thrilled to discover a multitude of real ale shops in the vicinity. Naturally, I sated my craving for a proper pulled Chelmsfordian pint with a selection of local brews, including Oscar Wilde, which was pleasing on two fronts: one, Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray happens to be my favourite book; two, it was a decent mild, which is a type of ale you don’t often see. Think the brewery missed a trick with the branding, though. Being a mild, they should’ve named the brew Oscar Mild - ba-dum-tish! My other half wasn’t convinced, however. One sip and she winced like she’d swallowed a mouthful of wet nettles. Citra-hopped IPAs are more her thing.

So now, only when I get to The Cricketers Inn after my three-and-ahalf-hour car journey, and when my lips finally meet with a glass of bubbling amber ale (brand name omitted for good measure) do I know I’ve truly arrived in Chelmsford...

I should stress this isn’t a sycophantic love letter to the city of Chelmsford, nor am I turning my back on my home turf, for home is where the heart is after all. But my heart is being tugged ever southward and consequently the rest of my body is following suit.

Next City Times Issue Deadlines: Articles - 10th January Artwork - 14th January Issue Date - 20th January

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City Times History

Transport in Chelmsford (Part Six) - By Stephen Norris The problem of traffic in the High Street was only going to be solved by pedestrianisation. In 1974 a new plan for the town’s road system involved the pedestrianisation of both Duke Street and the High Street. A limited scheme was introduced in 1981 applying previous Saturday restrictions to weekdays. It didn’t apply to buses and bikes however. By 1988, the complete pedestrianisation of a large part of the centre of town was being introduced boosted by the Meadows development, though it was not finished for another four years. Park and Ride schemes were obviously necessary, but the first scheme from Sandon, close to the A12, didn’t open until 2004. A second was opened in 2011 on Essex Regiment Way. In 1979 had come the bombshell that several large areas to the north and west of Chelmsford were being considered for London’s third airport. Initially it was thought the disused wartime airfield at Boreham might be a contender, but when the shortlist was announced it featured Willingale, nine miles from the town. From the start it was unlikely to be chosen, but local campaigners and farmers wasted a great deal of time and effort before Stansted was chosen.

Of course the choice of Stansted was not without implications for Chelmsford, especially when a second runway was later first mooted.

When Brown’s stopped using the Navigation in 1972, commercial trade on the Chelmer and Blackwater ceased. Timber companies were introducing new methods of packaging timber and this made the unloading of timber from large ships much quicker, but these packages wasted too much space on Brown’s barges and the company didn’t have cranes.

In 1973 the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Company produced a plan for reviving the fortunes of the Navigation. This involved boat trips down the canal, using licences to the owners of private boats and building landing stages along the canal. In 1998 the Navigation reached its 200th birthday as the second oldest navigation in the country. The National River Authority dredged the channel and new lock gates were built by the canal employees at Springfield. They used timber given by the Essex Wildlife Trust. Increased revenue was generated by these means, but the company fell into financial problems. Debts had reached half a million pounds by 2002 and it went into administration in 2003. The Inland Waterways Association agreed to take over the maintenance of the Navigation in 2005 as a subsidiary called Essex Waterways Limited.

Much of the work maintaining the Navigation is undertaken by a group of local volunteers. By 2003, Susan was the last wooden barge on the waterway. It was built in 1953 to the design of the old horse-drawn barges and it was flat bottomed because of the limited depth of water in the Chelmer. Susan was 55 feet long and 13 feet wide and built for Brown and Son. The use of an inboard engine was not a success because of the weeds on the river. It was used as a maintenance vessel after being acquired by the Inland Waterways association. The Susan was then owned by the Passmore Edwards Museum at Stratford before being acquired by the Chelmsford and Essex Museum, and it is now owned by a charitable trust and is undergoing renovation.

In the 1980s, the county town’s railway station was beginning to look increasingly worn and the narrow staircases were unsuitable for the large number of commuters. In 1983 a £1 million facelift was announced and the station was almost completely rebuilt. At the same time there were persistent calls for a second station in the Chelmsford area, or at least a halt to relieve some of the pressure on Chelmsford station. In 1984 there was a new bid for a relatively inexpensive railway halt at Springfield after a previous proposal had been rejected as too expensive. When Stevas met with British Rail, the company said costs would have to be shared with the County Council and that providing just a halt was not feasible. Support for the scheme appeared to be gaining momentum when a number of Springfield residents objected. Planners were saying that a second

station was essential because of the new houses to be built in Springfield. In the event, the scheme was vetoed by British Rail in 1988, citing the likely cost of at least £8 million. The following year the idea of a halt, this time at Pump Lane, was again on the table.

This would have served passengers arriving on foot, so that no parking would have to be provided. Despite the need being greater than ever, no progress was made in the 1990s. A new plan for a station at Beaulieu Park was proposed in 2000 to tie in with the new housing development there. This proposal has surfaced several times since and now may be moving ahead. In 2002 a new plan surfaced for a half a billion pound railway which would link north London and Stansted via Ongar and Chelmsford, thus reviving the idea for such a railway more than a century earlier. This failed, as did the idea to get Crossrail extended to Chelmsford, in addition to a proposal for a super-link through Essex to include Chelmsford, Colchester and Stansted.

In 2008, Essex trains were named the worst in the country and as a result of this NXEA lost the franchise. A recent survey has showed some improvement in consumer satisfaction under the new Dutch owners, but there remains a good deal of customer discontent. Over 20,000 journeys were made each day from Chelmsford Station (prepandemic). In July 2013 plans to increase line speeds along routes running through Chelmsford and the introduction of 4 tracking to improve capacity along a section north of the city remained on hold.

This means the envisaged station at Beaulieu Park remained a pipe dream.

The 1970s saw Eastern National cut a number of rural bus services and by 1980 it was making giant losses of £400,000. In 1984 it was announced that the company was to be privatised by being offered to the highest bidder. The county council were heavily subsidising the borough’s remaining rural routes. By 1986 deregulation had meant that Eastern National had lost the tender for the subsidised weekend services in Chelmsford and the surrounding villages - minibuses were already operating on some routes. In 1991 the Badger Line replaced Eastern National.

As early as 1994 a new bus station was planned for the town. The existing one was commonly seen as an eyesore. A £30 million pound development was envisaged next to the Civic Centre. This originally was to include an office block, a depot under cover and basement parking for 300 cars. A new plan in 2002 was to include offices, shops and homes as part of the scheme to redevelop the West End area of the town. The new bus station would replace ‘this smelly, scruffy embarrassment to our town’. By 2003 the plans had changed again with the depot set to move to the Westway. The Chelmsford Society was in favour of a proper bus to train interchange.

Chelmsford’s old bus station was finally demolished in 2005 and the new one opened in the beginning of 2007.

The new millennium saw new concerns about possible flooding in the centre of Chelmsford. A scheme to construct a flood barrier across the River Wid so that water could then be released gradually has been delayed because of the cost and the opposition of local villagers. It would be capable of holding 500 million gallons of water but it is envisaged that the barrier would only be needed on one or two days every ten years.

The early years of the new millennium brought forth the usual quota of schemes to head off the still likely possibility of gridlock in the town, despite all the supposed improvements. A number of people are worried that the building of a third shopping centre in the town would make the problems a good deal worse. In 2004 there was a proposal for environmentally friendly trams. The same year an electronic management system was introduced for the town’s traffic.

Members of the Chelmsford Civic Society and others felt that the town’s transport improvements, including the ring road and the town’s spaghetti junction, have removed a lot the town’s individuality.

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CT Therapy - Chelmsford Therapy Rooms Hi everyone, Jenny here, I hope you’re all well! We finally managed to build another room, so we now have three therapy rooms where we can see clients. I’m so very pleased that we will be continuing our expansion next year too. This all depends, naturally enough, on Covid, availability of labour and materials, and of course costs.

recordings and assignments, so there will be an option to be able to do this. However, I wanted to give people the chance to explore some of their issues in a unique and inexpensive way. In the debrief sessions you’ll have the opportunity to ask me questions and to further your learning on the workshops you’ve chosen. This isn’t a replacement for therapy by any means, but I wanted to find a way that I could help people to begin to feel better, even if therapy isn’t an option for you right now.

We’re coming up to the festive season and naturally this means unknown stresses as we all still do battle with Covid and all of the fallout of the pandemic. Lots of people have suffered in so many ways, whether physically, emotionally or financially. At Chelmsford Therapy Rooms we are of course dedicated to helping as many people as possible. As private therapists we have the luxury of being able to offer appointments to you quite quickly and we can usually be rather flexible. Personally, I’m not taking on as many clients as usual, because I’ve been working on other projects that I’d like to share with you today.

I’m working on these workshops at the moment to ensure I have them available next year. Keep your eyes peeled for the dates of the workshops and how to access them!

Not everyone can afford private therapy. I get that. Although I’ve been professing for years that private therapy isn’t necessarily as expensive as people think, there are of course those for whom private therapy just isn’t a viable option. I hear you. But I still want to help. I still want to help people who want to do something positive about their mental health, whether that’s understand it or challenge whatever it is that’s bothering them. So I’ve come up with a solution.

Next year I’m launching workshops on some common issues. These workshops will cover various topics, but I’m going to start with the two most popular concerns that I come across in my therapy practice: • •

In the meantime, I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and New Year!

Jenny Hartill is a therapist and owner of Cloud9 Therapy and Chelmsford Therapy Rooms. She is a counsellor, hypnotherapist and mnemodynamic therapist and can help with a multitude of issues. Please see the therapist list on the website, www. chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@ chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162 to enquire about an initial consultation.

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

Anxiety.

Imposter Syndrome.

These workshops will run regularly and if you choose to do a workshop on the specific week that it runs live, it is absolutely free. The workshops are based on a concept called microlearning, where each video is just a few minutes long and you have a brief assignment to complete in between the videos. Here’s a brief explanation of what each workshop will cover: Anxiety: Five Day Knowledge Burst Knowledge is power, and understanding leads to healing. In this 5-day microlearning workshop you’ll learn all about the biology of anxiety and the physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural symptoms. You’ll learn why anxiety feels so extreme and why some people appear to feel the symptoms of anxiety worse than others.

You’ll learn coping techniques, and there is a powerful bonus visualisation recording included to help you to feel calmer.

Imposter Syndrome: 5 Steps to Recovery Imposter syndrome can be devastating, not only from a career perspective as it holds you back from achieving your dreams, but also from an anxiety perspective. Imposter syndrome can hold you back socially and disrupt your sense of well-being in many areas of life. In this workshop you will face the causes and behaviours of imposter syndrome and learn a simple formula to uncover and overcome the main negative belief holding you back.

These workshops consist of a series of five short videos of only 5-10 minutes long, five short assignments that should only take up to 30 minutes, and a debrief session with bonus information and material. I’ll also include a visualisation exercise in the last video of each of these workshops, which means that this video will be longer, because the visualisation is 15 minutes long. You don’t have to do the visualisation then - I’ll include it as a separate recording so that you can listen to it in your own time.

I understand that some people will want to revisit the workshops and www.thecitytimes.co.uk

Page 21

A Year in the Life of the Mayor

Spot the Difference - 10 to find (answers on page 23) November was a very busy month with a variety of engagements.

The Deputy Mayor and I attended a Counter Culture Games night at the Radio Café in Moulsham Mill. We played 3 different games, but Bandido proved to be our favourite. The company, coffee and cake where all lovely.

Early in November the Mayoress and I opened the Moulsham Lodge Farleigh Hospice Christmas shop. We took advantage of being the first in and did some Christmas shopping. I returned to the shop later that afternoon with a friend, and we both bought some items.

The Deputy Mayor and her Consort Ian were delighted to visit the F. Cooke Pie and Mash shop in Moulsham street to celebrate their one year anniversary, it’s certainly been a challenging business year. They both enjoyed their pie and mash while they were there.

The Mayoress and I travelled to Harlow to attend the Civic Service for the Chairman of Harlow Council Cllr Clive Souter. The church was very colourful with the mayors in their red ceremonial robes.

can view both unveilings on this channel www.youtube.com/c/ chelmsfordcivicsociety. After the unveiling, Alan Pamphilon escorted a group of us around the cemetery to look at the graves of some people significant to Chelmsford.

Open Road celebrated its 30 years anniversary with a thanksgiving gathering in Chelmsford Cathedral. I was delighted to be invited; it was a truly uplifting evening.

We held a very successful Murder Mystery Evening fundraising event in Great Baddow Parish Hall. My thanks to members of Chelmsford Theatre Workshop who wrote and performed Malachai Stouts Family Reunion. It was a fun evening with lots of chatter around tables about who dunnit! Grateful thanks to all who attended. The event raised £570 for my charities.

One Sunday afternoon the Mayoress and I attended a HSS UK Parliament Week event at Hylands School along with Cllrs Rose Moore, Smita Rajesh and Dan Clark. There was an interesting debate on whether social media was good or bad for young people. A vote was taken and although close, the result was that it was bad for young people. I was invited to talk about how government and politics affects our lives and how to get involved with the decision makers.

The afternoon ended with a cup of tea.

What a really enjoyable evening at the Cramphorn Theatre watching Springers’ production of Little Shop of Horrors - great live music from the band and excellent performances from the cast. Making Audrey ll come alive was a stroke of magical inspiration. I loved it!

There was lots of fun in Chelmsford High Street at the Love Your Chelmsford stage for the beginning of the Christmas festivities, where I was pleased to officially open proceedings. I stopped at many of the stalls and enjoyed the street performers. My thanks to the many stalls who were collecting on behalf of my charities. I met some of the cast of the Civic Theatre panto Beauty and the Beast and even had a word with Father Christmas.

I represented the City of Chelmsford at the funeral service for the late Sir David Amess MP at St Mary’s Church, Prittlewell. It was a very moving ceremony.

I unveilled a blue plaque at 1 Dunn Side (on the Marconi Evolution site) dedicated to Godfrey Isaacs the MD of the Marconi Company and accompanied Alan Pamphilon and Marconi veterans on a tour around the old Power House and read the information boards across the site.

I was pleased to attend the AGM of the French Circle here in Chelmsford. After the business of the meeting was over, we all enjoyed some cheese tasting and a glass of wine. A very convivial evening.

My thanks to the Armed Forces, veteran’s, cadets, police, Salvation Army Band, RBL, Cathedral Choir, clergy, readers from the Muslim, Jewish and Hindu communities and many others who took part in the Chelmsford Remembrance Day Service. We were fortunate to have a dry morning and lots of people lined the streets to join in the service.

We will remember them.

Cemetery Lodge on Writtle Road was designed by Charles Pertwee and I was delighted to unveil a blue plaque on the building to recognise his achievements. Charles was also responsible for the design of Oakland’s House, plus Essex & Chelmsford Infirmary, along with other buildings on New London Road. You

Towards the end of November, the Mayoress and I attended the licensing service for Revd Simon Pearce officiated by the Right Revd Dr John Perumbalath at St Andrews Church, Chignal Road. It was so nice to see so many there to welcome Simon and his family on a very cold evening. We were all very grateful for the tea and cakes afterwards.

The mayoral group arrived in Backnang Germany to celebrate 30 years of town twinning. We received a wonderful warm welcome from the Lord Mayor, councillors, officers and members of the town twinning association. Herr Friedrich the new Burgermeister (Mayor) of Backnang and I were pleased to be re-sign the document where we confirmed the will to stick to this partnership - and in the future we will strive for its preservation and good European cooperation.

Representatives of both our town twinning associations as well as councillors and officers were present. The local newspaper also carried the story the following day, this is the link to the article: www.bkz.de/nachrichten/partnerschaft-wird-nach-30-jahrenerneuert-124795.html.

We had the opportunity to meet lots of people, visit a heritage centre, do a tour of the town, see a show in their theatre, visit a gin distillery, taste some local wines and beers, attend the local church on Advent

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Sunday and visit a primary and secondary school before returning to the UK. It was a successful and very worthwhile visit. We hope they will return the favour next year and come to Chelmsford.

solo pieces and the evening ended with us all singing carols; it was a joyous evening. I hope you all have a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year - very best wishes to you and your families.

Tuk Tuk Pan-Asian is a new business based in Moulsham Street. I was happy to say a few words then cut the ribbon to open the shop.

Afterwards, the all the guests went inside and sampled some lovely dishes including chili chicken wings, panko squid rings and chicken bao buns… all really tasty.

If you would like to invite the Mayor to an event, please email mayors.office@chelmsford .co.uk.

It was lovely to listen to the children of Ford End, Margaretting, Roxwell and Dame Tipping Primary Schools at their Carols by Candlelight service in Chelmsford Cathedral. Several youngsters did

Cllr Jude Deakin Twitter: @ChelmsMayor Facebook: Mayor of Chelmsford Instagram: Chelmsford_mayor

Chelmsford Community Radio Visit Backnang, Germany In November, Presenter Michelle took a break from Good Morning Chelmsford (Thanks to Ollie for covering) and visited Backnang in Germany. Backnang is twinned with Chelmsford and there is a very active twinning partnership team both here and over there, both of which work hard to boost relations and create opportunities for local people.

Michelle was invited to run a radio workshop with some students from the Max Born Gymnasium School, and the end result was a fantastic radio drama which is set to be broadcast on the Back to Backnang show in early 2022.

Part of the trip saw Michelle joining with the Chelmsford mayoral party who were visiting Backnang at the same time.

Michelle was invited to a lovely reception and sit-down meal where she had the chance to try some classic German dishes.

students from their radio club.

Chelmsford Community Radio is very proud to be working with the team in Backnang and delighted to be welcomed back again. If you are curious about what goes on there, you can listen to the Back to Backnang show every Sunday at 5pm, which is put together by the

raised in the café helps contribute to the costs of keeping Chelmsford Community Radio on the air, providing a wonderful resource for local people.

Please do come and visit us. You might even meet some presenters in there. It’s a great place for a catch up with friends and the cakes are amazing! www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com www.facebook.com/ChelmsfordCR

Give yyrself a eat and visit...

Army & Navy

P a r k Radio w Cafe a B&M y Aldi

Located inside Moulsham Mill (Parkway, CM2 7PX)

Enjoy a delicious range of hot and cold snacks and drinks whilst supporting a great local cause!

If you are interested in setting up a radio club for your school or running radio/podcasting workshops with us, then please do email admin@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com.

The Radio Café In case you haven’t heard, we have reopened our coffee shop, now called The Radio Café and located inside the reception area of Moulsham Mill. Our regular opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9am-4pm. Follow the café on Facebook and Instagram (@RadioCafeChelmsford) or Twitter (@RadioCafeChelms).

chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

The café offers a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks. Money www.thecitytimes.co.uk

Page 23

Chelmsford Window Gallery Presents...

The Window Gallery in Broomfield Road, Chelmsford was set up in June 2018 to give local artists a space to display their work. We host a new exhibition every month and you can see all of our previous exhibitions online at www.windowgallery.org and you can also earch ‘window gallery chelmsford’ for our YouTube channel.

Featured Artist November 2021: Mel Newing Art When did you start making art?

“I first started drawing in 2012, doodling and not expecting anything to turn out great. But, being that impressed that the art looked lifelike, I decided I should do some serious learning! So I enrolled on a course with The London Art College and taught myself the ins and outs.”

What inspires you?

“The animal kingdom and nature! Plus I love creating portraits of peoples furry friends, past and present. There’s a massive joy in watching someones face light up when they see a finished piece.

There’s a healing that takes place with art and this is very inspiring and gives me the boost to keep creating.”

How often do you create?

“I work full time for the Ambulance Service, so my art takes place on my rest days. I’m always doing something creative, whether on paper, canvas or computer. I find it pretty hard to sit and do nothing!

Although it can be hard to find the time to do everything I would like. If only we could create more time...”

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

“I always love watching something that I’m creating grow - the full process, from beginning to end, is very satisfying even if the finished piece doesn’t work or gets binned. You’re always learning new skills, always developing and bettering yourself in something. Being creative is just a very joyous bubble to be in. It’s meditative and there’s a great sense of achievement, after all the hard work and tears, when you can step back and say, I created that!”

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

“Mainly pastel animal/pet portraits, but I have also worked in graphite pencil, pen, acrylic and oil paints and inks. My style in each medium is always changing, evolving and improving. I’ve tried a lot of different materials in order to find what I really love doing but I will dip in to each medium depending on how I feel. Variety isn’t a bad thing sometimes, although I think you have to be careful to not spread yourself too thinly! I’m currently learning Affinity Designer and creating 3D computer art which I’m loving too. I’ve also been a part of creating two garden wall murals for my workplace. We lost a colleague, my old crewmate, to Covid last year, so a memorial garden was created where everyone can go and have a little bit of relaxed downtime before going back out on the road.”

Do you sell your work? If so, is it difficult to part with it?

“Yes, all my work is for sale and I’m lucky enough to get commissions too. It’s not too difficult to part with art - it takes up a lot of room! I’ve got some pieces which will stay with me, otherwise I would rather other people be able to enjoy my work.” melnewingart.co.uk Instagram: www.instagram.com/melnewingart Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelNewingArt

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The Pandemic Has Hit Drug and Alcohol Services Hard At Futures in Mind, we have seen a high increase of people referring into our service, either needing peer support for alcohol and substance addiction or mental ill health, after coming out of a very difficult 18 months. It’s important that people who are in recovery from alcohol or substance addiction and in need of mental health support aren’t forgotten while we start to get back to normal.

With the increased referrals into the Futures in Mind service, we are looking for enthusiastic and supportive people who would like to give back and volunteer within their community. Volunteers are an integral part to the running of Futures in Mind, ensuring the people using our service receive the support they need during their recovery.

Are you looking to give your spare time to support people recovering from alcohol and substance addiction, or supporting people with mental ill-health? Would you like to learn more about yourself and take time out of your day to help others?

We know that the pandemic has hit the public’s mental health hard as well as those who have been struggling with addiction; both of these groups haven’t been able to receive the support and socialisation they need to improve mental health or help with their recovery.

The Futures in Mind service offers a variety of community groups, activities, befriending and mentoring services, which are open to adults who would like to share their experiences with peers in a safe and welcoming environment. These activities span a wide variety of areas including, Dunmow, Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester, Basildon, Brentwood and Harlow, to name just a few.

has meant getting new experiences that have opened doors for me, enabled me to understand more about how the world works, and meet some very lovely people. As a result of my volunteering opportunities, I have completed training and studies that have taken my life and career in directions I never would have anticipated.”

He continued: “There’s the initial impact of working in a volunteering role with all the reward and enjoyment that it brings, and then there’s the wider impact on my life and philosophy. A definite win-win. It’s truly been transformative for me.”

If you’re based in Essex and are looking to spend your spare time volunteering wither you’re working, a student, retired or currently out of work, please visit our website at www.futuresinmind.org.uk/ work-with-us/volunteering-opportunities to apply for our volunteering positions.

Graham, a volunteer at Futures in Mind said: “Volunteering for me

Nightstop Essex: Launched Last Month in Chelmsford people arrive safely at a host’s home.

The launch of Nightstop Essex is the result of a partnership between Depaul, Essex County Council, Chelmsford City Council and Colchester Borough Homes. In Colchester, Nightstop Essex is being jointly delivered with Colchester Korban Project, a charity that provide supported housing for 16-25 year olds who have found themselves in crisis.

We ask for your support in spreading the word of Nightstop in the local community!

Nightstop prevents homelessness through community hosting. It helps young people aged 16-25 years old who are in immediate housing crisis by providing safe accommodation in the homes of trained and vetted volunteers called ‘hosts’. Nightstop hosts offer guests a spare room, a hot meal, a shower, and a listening ear, while the Nightstop staff team work with the young person to arrange longer-term accommodation.

While Nightstop Essex is a new service in the area, there is already a network of 30+ Nightstop services working to prevent homelessness due to the kindness of our volunteer hosts across the country.

To launch Nightstop Essex we are currently recruiting for the following: • Volunteer Hosts, who have a spare room and live in the Chelmsford or Colchester area.

• Volunteer Drivers/Chaperones, who would like to help young

Cllr Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council, said: “Nobody should have to live on the streets in 2021. Out of a growing concern about the level of homelessness in this country, the City Council has set up a homelessness forum. It brings together many different groups and organisations who all work together for the same aim - ending homelessness in Chelmsford.

“Bringing Nightstop to Chelmsford is an important part of that work and will give targeted help to young people who become homeless.

If you could give a young person a temporary home, you could save them from sleeping rough and stop them from needlessly spiraling into further difficulties. You could help to change their lives for the better in a big way.”

Nightstop FAQ: uk.depaulcharity.org/nightstop-faqs Depaul UK: uk.depaulcharity.org Colchester Korban Project: www.korban.org.uk

www.thecitytimes.co.uk

Page 25

The Friends of Chelmsford Museum Get Active Again!

The Friends of Chelmsford Museum, in common with most other voluntary organisations, saw its activities severely limited by the pandemic, with member participation reduced to meetings and talks by Zoom. However, widespread vaccination and Government relaxing of restrictions, along with the reopening of the museum after a long period of closure, has enabled the Friends to again plan a full events programme. This City Times report about the Friends, the first for many months, aims to highlight this revival of activities and to encourage future involvement with these events which are all organised to provide support for the museum.

In September it proved possible to hold the 2021 AGM at the museum. Officer reports were received and three new members elected to the committee, the experience that they being a welcome asset in the revival of activities by the Friends. It was followed by an informative and entertaining talk given by the President of the Friends, Lord Petre. He detailed the lives and experiences of his ancestors, particularly the 7th, 8th and 9th Lords, which culminated in the 1760s with the building of a new Thorndon Hall.

The first talk in the New Year will take place on Monday 10th January when Keith Lovell will present A History of Pub Signs, a picture gallery found across the country which reflects history, people and places, myths and legend. Please note the change to a Monday as our regular meeting day for talks at the museum, refreshments being served at 1.30pm and the talk commencing at 2pm. Further dates are the 14th February and 14th March for which speakers are to be confirmed, as are details for site visits in the spring to places of historic interest.

The cost per talk is £5.50 for members, with non-members also welcome at a cost of £7. For further information about the Friends, our activities, and how you can become a member, see www. friendschelmsmuseums.org.uk.

Chelmsford Museum is currently holding the third Chelmsford Open Art Exhibition in the Temporary Events Room. This is again a collaborative project jointly organised by the Friends with Chelmsford Museum curatorial staff. The intention of the exhibition continues to be provision for local artists, both professional and amateur, of a venue and an opportunity to present their art work to a wider audience.

Cllr Mascot and John Doubleday Opening the event artwork and meeting the contributors. Thanks to all the members of the Friends of Chelmsford Museum for the great support you give our great museum; the reason it’s so good is because of your collaboration.”

Congratulations are given to all the artists for their contributions to the exhibition, which are wide ranging in topic and style. It will be open until May to view and to purchase a picture that you particularly enjoy.

If you are considering family activities for the Christmas period, then why not pay a visit to Chelmsford Museum to see the exhibition? There is also a great deal to see and learn about Chelmsford in the main galleries and there are special children-orientated activities too, plus you can combine your visit with a break at the popular Hive Café. See www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/whats-on.

Love your museum, be a Friend.

Invited guests at the opening, both of which show a selection of the pictures At a preview event held on 22nd October, guests were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Linda Mascot, who then introduced the renowned Essex sculptor John Doubleday. He formally opened the exhibition, welcoming the initiative taken by the museum and praising the range and quality of the work. This had been entered by some 60 local artists, many of whom attended the event along with other invited guests including members of the Friends.

Cllr Mascot later said: “I enjoyed seeing such a high calibre of Page 26

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Page 27

Quiz Time - By John Theedom

1. What is the name of Boris Johnson’s current wife?

2. How long overdue was the library book that has just been returned recently?

3. At what age did Eva Peron die?

4 In 1938 Janet Walton became world famous for what?

5. What is ‘clinker’?

6. What is the human condition, temporomandibular disorder?

7. In TV sitcom Hi-de-Hi! who played the role of Gladys Pugh?

8. Which rich fruit cake is traditionally eaten at Lent or Easter?

9. Of which English county is Lewes the administrative centre?

10. Which large flightless bird can reach up to 40mph when running?

11. Street artist Banksy is purported to be from which city?

12. Who, where or what is a Bindi?

13. In which continent does the emu feel at home?

14. What was Freddie Mercury’s birth name?

15. Where was Ed Sheeran born?

16. Who is the leading character in the TV show For the Love of Dogs?

17. Which channel has Eggheads moved to?

18. When was London’s Tower Bridge officially opened?

19. In which year did TV cameras first appear in the House of Commons?

20. Who was the actor who starred in the Hulk films?

21. You know about The Cutty Sark, but for what purpose was it used?

22. What did the dragon say when he came across a knight in armour?

23. The actress Sue Nicholls (78), has played which part in Coronation Street for 40 years?

24. The Russians have launched an aftershave which has the smell of what?

25. What is grown in a paddy field?

26. Who was the second of King Henry VIII’s wives?

27. What is the nickname of snooker star Alex Higgins?

28. Who, what or where is zydeco?

29. What is the hormone produced when you have a loving hug and kiss?

30. In Greek mythology, what is a Pegasus?

31. What do you do with Oxford bags?

32. Who was the little boy in the nursery rhyme who ‘sat in the corner’?

33. Which is the odd one out - day, minute, second, hour?

34. What is a cleg?

35. Which animal is used to hunt for natural truffles?

36. Where can you get the best views in France?

37. Where in Chelmsford was the Corn Exchange?

38. Which game is played with a mallet, ball, 6 hoops and a peg?

39. Which local city is producing a film for a Festival entitled Horror-on Sea? 40. What was the name of the winner of the 2021 British Bake Off competition?

(Answers on page 31)

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Stargazing With Mark Willis - December/January

The Christmas Star: Many people expect a definitive answer about this question. After all, we know when Jesus was born, right?

Unfortunately, we don’t quite know when he was born. He was not born on 25th December.

Explanation 1: the Christmas star was a nova or supernova explosion.

Explanation 2: the Christmas star was a comet.

Explanation 3: the Christmas star was a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.

Explanation 4: the Christmas star was a stationary point of Jupiter.

Explanation 5: the Christmas star was a conjunction of Jupiter, Regulus and Venus.

I research this every year, just in case there is new information available. Sadly, we still cannot narrow it down further than the above 5 explanations.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a space telescope being jointly developed by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Around the time you’re reading this, it will have been launched (18th December 2021). The video tells you more: youtu.be/R1BbwUFj5eU.

3rd and 4th January 2022, Quadrantids meteor shower: watch the video here: youtu.be/kX_A2NbYTC0.

4th January 2022, Earth, perihelion: It always seems strange, as you defrost your car, scraping ice from your windscreen, when you know that the Earth has reached its nearest point to the Sun. The tilt of the Earth’s axis is inclined away from the Sun. Therefore, much more atmosphere for the energy of the Sun to reach us.

New Moon: On 2nd January and 1st February. This means the skies will be extra dark which is a great opportunity to see planets, galaxies and deep space objects.

Feel free to email me with any questions. Email me too if you have any problems with the links and I will email them back.

Merry Christmas! www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com Twitter: @WillisWireless

Wildlife Corner - By Nick Green With December and Christmas rapidly approaching, may I wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

After lockdowns, vaccines, flu jab, self isolation, face masks etc, let’s hope that the scientists are on top of ALL Covid variants and 2022 offers more hope.

The robin is familiar garden bird and is associated with Christmas due to Victorian Britain, as Victorian postmen wore long bright red tunics and became known as ‘robins’. From then, traditional Christmas cards have featured red post boxes and robins,

Nationally the other biggest rarity was still the long-staying whitetailed lapwing still at Blacktoft Sands RSPB in East Yorkshire. In Lancashire an American belted kingfisher led many twitchers a merry dance and there was a desert wheatear in Devon. There was an unprecedented influx of at least 8 Brunnich’s guillemots on the northeast coast, the nearest to Essex being an unfortunate moribund individual on the Norfolk coast at Wells Harbour.

In their natural habitat in woods, the species follows large animals like boar as they disturb the ground for potential food like insects and grubs. Similarly, in gardens and bird food stations, they favour suet fat balls, seeds (nyjer, peanuts, sunflower seed hearts), mealworms amongst others. All birds appreciate a bird bath, so please consider this.

Robin (copyright: Glyn Evans) Selected November Highlights Essex: 2 red-breasted geese on the Dengie; Bradwell and Canvey Point: little auks reported; Abberton Reservoir: red-necked and Slavonian and black-necked grebes, white stork, 4 Bewick’s swans.

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Quiz Answers 1.

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Carrie 73 years, borrowed from Fife in October 1948 33 - in 1952 She produced the world’s only surviving all-female sextuplets, Hannah, Ruth, Luci, Kate, Jennie and Sarah Stony residue from burnt coal Clicking jaw when you eat Ruth Madoc Simnel cake East Sussex Ostrich Bristol Hindu woman’s forehead ‘spot’ Australia Farrokh Bulsara Halifax Paul O’Grady Channel 5 1894 1989 Mark Ruffalo As a tea clipper between India and the UK ‘I love tinned food’ Audrey Roberts A cockpit of a Russian fighter, metal, leather and glass Rice Anne Boleyn ‘Hurricane’ Cajun music Oxytocin Winged horse Wear them - they are trousers Little Jack Horner Day (others are clock hands) Horsefly Pig Eiffel Tower (‘eyeful’, get it?)

On the edge of High Chelmer shoping centre Croquet Southend-on-Sea Guiseppe Dell’Anno

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