Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, Stock, Ongar, The Walthams, Ingatestone & Dengie area
City Times Intro
Hello readers,
Welcome to The City Times February/March edition.
Spring is on its way and a few warmer days and lighter evenings are appearing, Before long it will be summer!
Our next edtion covers Easter, so if you have an event coming up, please remember that we can list them free of charge in our What’s On section; check pages 16 and 17 for the dates we will be covering in our next issue.
If you wish to advertise for the Easter holiday period, please email ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk to enquire about advertising space.
Please also remember to tell our advertisers that you saw their advert in The City Times, as it really helps both them and us to know that their adverts are working well.
Paul
& Nick
Nick Garner 07970 206682 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk
01245 262082 / 07595 949701
Nick’s Music and Ramblings
Here we are in month two of the year, and with half-term about to begin what will the weather be like? We have had everything so far thrown at us this year.
I note that the PANIC Awards have returned. PANIC helps to raise money for the mayor’s charities while presenting awards to different areas of the arts that the public vote for. You can find PANIC on most social media channels.
I see that the new Chelmsford station development is moving along quite well at Boreham, though still no start as far as I can see at the Army and Navy. I have to say I find Chelmsford to be crazy with traffic a lot of the time, where many other towns and villages we go to (except for Maldon) seem to run quite well. If you know any differently, please let us know our details are below. Since the magazine has expanded its reach, Paul and I both enjoy driving around the area taking the magazines to the old and new, like the Hanningfields, the Dengies, Stock, Ingatestone and Ongar.
I think that if this milder weather continues I will get by bike out and start to get fitter hopefully, as I very much need to. I will also be getting a bit fitter setting up for the new shows as I have a lot booked in already. I am also getting my caravan sorted out ready for some fun this year as I have been more inspired watching the likes of Johnny Vegas and Paul Merton getting into it all. I do have some festivals planned and booked already. I would also like to do some other trips away to try and relax and enjoy as I have both National Trust and English Heritage memberships that l should be using more. Though just going local can be a lot of fun, so maybe I will explore more areas nearer to me.
My thing is music of course - most of my life revolves around it. If you enjoy things being live, whether it’s spoken word, dance, music, theatre, talks etc, then please go and support whatever is happening and wherever it is. I have recently travelled to the north and the south of our county and into London and further afield and I never regret it. So please support it or lose it - whether the events are small, medium or large they all need supporting. There is so much that is free to enter and others that are very affordable. Museums are mostly free as are many galleries.
If you have any ideas for things to do or places to go, we want to know about them! Then we can list any events in our free What’s On guide in here. Or maybe you could write a short article? All our details are below and can also be found on page three.
Music
I have been lucky to go to a few live shows recently in London as well as locally. I went to Camden to a new venue for me, called The Forge, where I visited the London Blues Festival to see Nine Below Zero do their Three Kings show, which is more of a guitar festival with Zac Schulze and Robbie McIntosh joining them along with Chris Rand on sax. It was a superb show and I did like the venue. The only downside was that I found someone stole one of my hubcaps and I know that as they are all cable tied on. I have also been to Barnes in south west London, Colchester, Southend, Barleylands and of course Chelmsford, mainly for music.
As this edition comes out Black Frog Presents will be putting on our second show of the year. We also have lots of further great acts planned - not only for the Chelmsford Social Club, but also at Hot Box. There is also lots more going on all over the place and not just his area. I suggest you go online to seek out what you are interested in. I am sure you will find plenty to entertain you.
Since the last edition, swe have confirmed more for Hot Box - the dates are now on the advert and online. We have The Ugly Guys on Sunday 7th April (note that the doors open at 2pm and the show starts at 4pm). They will be with Craig Joiner who was the guitarist for Rhino’s Revenge and has his own band called Romeo’s Daughter. Solo, he is more Americana/folk and we love him. We also have John Otway with his big band, and those who like their blues will adore Ben Tyzack of the Spike Drivers and Guy Tortora - two guys who both originate in the States and are now living over here.
Then Calum Ingram returns with his band and a new record which is getting deserved rave reviews. The next night we have the superb Malcolm Bruce who you may have seen recently playing with Sons Of Cream as his dad was Jack Bruce who was bass player, vocalist and the main song writer for Cream. Malcolm’s daughter Maya Sage is opening and we think you will love her voice.
Next up, we have The SharpeeZ - if you like Dr Feelgood you should love these guys playing original music. This band is full of the cream of the R’n’B scene.
Towards the end of the year, we have Tim Edey and Clive Carroll returning, then we have Robbie McIntosh returning to play another acoustic show - but this time he will be joined by his old band mate and good friend Hamish Stuart (from Paul McCartney and the Average White Band, Chaka Chan - and for the last 21 years as part of Ringo Starr’s band). Robbie is of course from The Pretenders, John Mayer, Norah Jones, Tom Jones etc. They will be playing The Beatles as well as their own music, and this will be only the second time they have done this.
Now onto the Chelmsford Social Club. Besides all the shows you know of, we also have, all the way from New York, The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams. We love them, but if you don’t know them then do check them out on YouTube. We also have The Deborah Bonham Band; this is the sister of the late John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. Recently, Robert Plant joined Deborah and band on stage, so who knows what may happen. We also have Roy Mette and his band opening this show. Albert Lee is returning too, performing for us for the eighth year and as good as ever. See all the details on our poster and get booking!
Do keep an eye on my Black Frog Presents website and social media pages for updates, as we are so nearly full for the year already.
Remember too that there is lots of live stuff happening all over Essex and beyond, so please do go and support it - as if we don’t, we might well lose more venues, as that is what happens. This would mean we will start to lose the acts as well, as artists won’t be able to earn a living. This doesn’t just affect music, it is all types of live shows of all genres, from theatres to village halls - and all of us in between.
If you have anything you think that could be of interest to our readers for either publication, then please let us know by emailing editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk - it may be an event or a topic of interest. Or have you done anything unusual or are you planning something? If so, we want to know about it. If you know of someone who may wish to advertise with us, then please ask them to contact ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk and we can send over full details.
You can get tickets for all our shows at The Social Club in Chelmsford from Intense Records, Hopsters and Chelmsford 4Good - please pay cash in person when you buy. Tickets for all shows are also available online from www.wegottickets.com/BlackFrogPresents, or via our ticket hotline at no extra charge - call or text 07508 496 411 and you can then pay the advance price on entry to the show rather than the walk-up price.
For all Black Frog Presents gig updates and information go www. linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresents, or scan the QR code on the advert on page 25 in this magazine.
City Times Food!
Is it just me or did January feel like it went on forever?! Christmas and New Year feel like a distant memory already. The gyms have emptied and the fad diets have been broken. I was thinking about what I wanted to talk about this month, touching on from last month with healthy meals and quickness. I’ve spent a lot of time coming up with new recipes this month and the recipes I’m going to share are a game changer in my household.
We are all human and we all have takeouts, so I took my girls to McDonald’s the other week and I cannot believe the price increase - and the quality of the products didn’t reflect on the price I had paid! This got me thinking about recreating something at home that wouldn’t cost silly money and that we could all eat.
One of my daughters likes a burger and the other likes chicken, so I’m actually going to share both recipes that I came up with as I loved them both so much! Not only is this cost-effective but so much healthier.
First I want to share my burger tacos:
Ingredients (Serves 4)
• 4 wraps of choice.
• 1 onion, finely chopped.
• 500g lean mince.
• 1 beef stock cube.
• 40g tomato purée.
• 1 tsp English mustard.
• 1 tsp garlic granules.
• 3 large handfuls of of iceberg lettuce.
• 3 tomatoes chopped.
• 60g mozzarella grated.
• Burger sauce to serve.
• Gherkins to serve.
Fry your mince and half your onion for 2-3 minutes.
Essex Food - By Krista
I love discovering places to eat and drink around Essex. Follow my journey on Instagram by searching ‘@thehungrykp’.
January has been long and cold, but I have still managed to get out of the house and eat some fantastic food. Here are my recommendations for you to try this month.
Layalina, Billericay
On the busy High Street of Billericay you will find Layalina; a beautiful restaurant serving authentic Lebanese food with a modern twist.
Having opened its first restaurant in Knightsbridge, London in 2009, Layalina opened its second restaurant in Billericay in 2021 and has continued to impress the locals with tasty, colourful food ever since. The interior has a romantic feel with soft lighting and a stunning bar area where you can order a hand crafted cocktail, or you can try a Lebanese beer.
My favourite dish is the ‘kibbeh’, a delicious starter which contains bulgar wheat, pomegranate molasses, pine nuts and minced lamb. Layalina offers a set lunchtime menu Monday to Friday, bottomless drinks alongside afternoon meals at the weekend, and starting from 1st February there will be live music every Thursday evening. Visit www.layalina.co.uk to book your table.
Fry for a further 4 minutes and crumble your stock cube, add the tomato purée, mustard and garlic. Mix well and cook on a high heat for 2 minutes. Add your mozzarella on top.
Grill your wraps, then divide your lettuce, tomatoes, mince and remaining onion.
Add your gherkins and burger sauce.
This recipe honestly tastes so good and doesn’t take much time at all. The flavours in the mince really tastes like a naughty burger!
The second recipe I wanted to share is probably my favourite dish I’ve come up with soo far! This is my take on honey bbq chicken tenders:
Ingredients
• 4 chicken breasts.
• 1 tbsp paprika.
• 2 eggs, beaten.
• 200g cornflakes crushed.
• 5t bsp bbq sauce.
• 3 tbsp honey.
• 60ml water.
Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Slice your chicken into strips and season with salt, pepper and paprika and dip into the beaten eggs. Then coat in the smashed corn flakes.
Place on a lined tray and spray with fry light.
Whilst your chicken is cooking make your glaze. Add the bbq sauce, honey, and water to a pan and heat on a high heat for 3 minutes.
When the chicken is cooked, pour your glaze over and serve. I serve this with chips and coleslaw.
I hope you enjoy both these quick and easy alternatives.
Kaani Kaana, Chelmsford
If you do not want to go out in the cold weather but still want restaurant quality food, then I have just the place for you. Kaani Kaana is an Indian and Bangladeshi takeaway which opened its doors to Chelmsford in November 2022, and has quickly become one of the city’s favourite eateries. It is a family-run business with a passion for excellent quality food and giving customers an experience to remember.
When collecting your food from its stylish Duke Street location, you will be welcomed by the friendly team and can enjoy a cup of chai tea on the velvet sofas whilst your order is prepared. There are so many delicious options on the menu to choose from, and even a full range of vegan food. I highly recommend the ‘Gosht pastry’, which is puffy pastry filled with melt-in-the-mouth lamb, and the okra fries which are the perfect accompaniment to your curry.
Kaani Kaana won not one, but two awards in 2023, Best Takeaway In Essex and Best Takeaway In the Country - and has just been nominated for another! This is definitely the place to try next time you are craving an Indian takeaway. You can order via www.kaanikaana. com or on Deliveroo.
City Times Gardening
Despite the lingering chill, this month presents ample opportunities to revitalise outdoor spaces. From pruning dormant trees and shrubs, to planning early sowings, February marks the beginning of a journey towards a flourishing garden. With careful attention and thoughtful action, this month sets the stage for a bountiful and beautiful landscape in the months to come.
For me, this month will see a lot of pruning. From climbing roses (and all other types), top and soft fruit and many an early flowering shrub and climber. Pruning will help to maintain form and structure… and potentially increase flower and fruit production. With this in mind, here are a few groups I’ll be dealing with in the next few days:
Climbing Roses
The majority of climbing roses are ‘modern’ climbers - they flower on this season’s wood. Rambling roses flower on previous season’s wood and their training is more informal and pruning can amount to a thorough dead-heading.
For climbing roses, establish a permanent framework of canes to train along a wall or fence as horizontally as possible, this increases the number of flowers by breaking apical dominance. Once the framework is established, cut the laterals back to three buds from the main cane and remove one or two of the older canes to ground level in spring. Dead, diseased and damaged wood should also be removed.
Clematis
Clematis are divided into three groups for the purposes of pruning:
Group 1
Early flowering clematis such as Clematis montana, C. alpina, C. armandii, C. macropetala and their cultivars are fairly vigorous and require a large area in which to grow. They flower on previous season’s wood and require little or no pruning. They can be pruned hard as a renovation measure but are not guaranteed to survive this!
Group 2
Large and often double flowered Clematis such as C. ‘The President’, C. ‘Nelly Moser’, C. ‘Niobe’, C. ‘Vyvyan Pennell’ flower on both this and last season’s wood. They have two flushes of flowers, in June/July and September/October. In February, cut all stems back to the first pair of healthy fat buds and remove dead, weak or damaged stems.
Group 3
Late flowering clematis such as C. ‘Jackmanii’, C. ‘Hagley Hybrid’ C. tangutica and C. viticella flower on this season’s wood.
Wisteria
The pruning of wisteria encourages flowering and keeps size in check. Formative pruning in the first ten years is important to develop the shape of the plant. A permanent framework should be developed, the laterals being tied in along strong horizontal wires.
Routine Pruning of Wisteria
Wisteria is pruned twice a year - once in the winter and again in summer.
Winter Pruning
The aim of winter pruning is to encourage flowering spurs to develop. This is achieved by shortening the sub-lateral shoots back to four buds and these four buds will develop into flower panicles in the spring. Dead, diseased and damaged wood should also be removed. This group is easy to prune, cut back to a bud 15 - 30cm above soil level in the spring before new growth commences.
Pruning Flowering Shrubs
Shrubs can be divided into several groups, each of which requires a different approach with regard to pruning. It should be noted that the numbering of these groups is not consistent between reference books.
Group 1
This group contains shrubs which flower in the period January to late June. Shrubs in this group flower on the previous season’s growth. Pruning takes place immediately after flowering and involves removing completely old worn out stems and cutting back wood which has flowered to strong young stems. Weak and crowded shoots should be thinned out. This applies to any of the following: Kolkwitzia amabilis, Kerria japonica, Ribes sanguineum, Spiraea arguta, Buddleja alternifolia.
Here are a few other jobs for late January/early February:
• Divide congested clumps of herbaceous perennials and grasses to make vigorous new plants for free.
• Cut away all the old foliage from epimediums with shears, before the spring flowers start to develop.
• Plant bare root fruit bushes, trees and canes, as long as the ground isn’t frozen.
• Improve the soil by spreading garden compost or well rotted manure over beds and forking it.
Embracing these tasks with enthusiasm and dedication ensures that each plant, flower and vegetable bed receives the care it needs to thrive. With the promise of spring lingering in the air, effort invested now promise to yield a garden bursting with life and colour .
Tom Cole FCIHort; online tutor for Learning with Experts, horticultural lecturer (previously Capel Manor College & Writtle University College), RHS Associate and on the RHS Speakers list. Message your garden questions to: tomcole8@hotmail.com.
Regal Kitchens Scoop Top Award for Customer Service for Third Year Running!
Each year for the past 9 years, The Trusted Business Community Association, an International Business Community, has held its annual awards for those within its membership.
The association was founded and developed over the past 11 years by the founder and now Director, Sean Hewitt, an Essex-based business entrepreneur who’s vision to support small business owners on a global scale has been realised over this time. Each member has an onboarding process to pass before the esteemed membership can be achieved. However, once inside the circle of trust there are simply so many benefits to showcase your business as the go-to organisation in your industry sector. The annual awards is just one of them!
At the end of January, Regal were invited to attend the annual awards ceremony and were over the moon to find out that they had won the Customer Service Gold Award, pipping some very tough competition to the top spot! This award was based solely on testimonials submitted to the judges by Regal Kitchens’ previous customers.
Business Development Manager, Emma McLoughlin said, “We are thrilled to have received the Trusted Business Community Gold Award for Customer Service!
“We are grateful to our customers who took the time to vote for us with some amazing comments, which helps to show new clients that we live by our company motto, ‘Where Client is King’.”
Regal Kitchens beautiful showroom is in Beehive Lane and open every day between 10am and 4pm.
BRAINTREE MEWS CARE HOME
Peace of Mind Awaits
Moving into a care home can be overwhelming. At Braintree Mews, our team guarantees a stress-free and joyful transition for new residents and their loved ones. We take pride in providing exceptional standards of residential, dementia and respite care to each resident’s care needs, and our communities are designed to be warm and welcoming, offering a sense of security and assurance that you or your loved one will receive the utmost care.
Enjoy 8 days for the price of 7 when you stay during January, February or March 2024*
01376 778088
Church Lane | Braintree | CM7 5SE
*T&Cs apply. Please visit averyhealthcare.co.uk/peaceofmindawaits for more details.
Chelmsford Male Voice Choir Supports Local Charity Essex Dementia Care
Chelmsford Male Voice Choir has a long history of performing in and around Chelmsford, and their concert performances and repertoire cover a wide spectrum, from choral works, to arrangements of pop classics, and songs from the shows.
In 2015, the choir became a registered charity to promote the appreciation of choral music in all its aspects, primarily by performing concerts whilst also raising worthwhile funds for a variety of good causes.
For 2023, the choir collected funds for Essex Dementia Care, generously donated by those attending concerts in Chelmsford. The importance of this support was underlined as one of the choir’s principal members in his early ‘70s decided to retire from the choir after many years of valued membership due to his dementia. The choir were therefore delighted to present a cheque for £550 to Essex
Old Park Meadow
Old Park Meadow Natural Burial Ground first opened back in September 2017 in a secluded area of countryside between Great Dunmow and Chelmsford, Essex. A natural final resting place full of wildflowers and young woodland, it is a space that visiting family and friends can return to and enjoy together. Families can say goodbye in their own way and have the opportunity to have whatever kind of funeral they would like for their loved ones. We offer funerals with no time constraints and no fixed rules or formats - everything can be completely personalised, whether it’s a burial, ash interment, service, or wake, and all are held in the heart of nature.
Our journey began on former farmland, where Old Park Meadow embarked on a remarkable transformation. The vision was to cultivate not only a final resting place, but also a vibrant and sustainable natural environment. Over the years, we have planted more than 3,500 trees, nurtured 500 meters of native hedgerow, and sowed the entire 34-acres with a blend of grass and wildflower meadows. This conscious effort has led to the creation of a thriving nature reserve, where every aspect of our flora and fauna plays a pivotal role in bolstering the local ecosystem and providing a refuge for wildlife.
Chelmsford Library
There’s always a warm welcome at Chelmsford Library which is free for all to use. Why not come and see what we have to offer? If you are not a library member and would like to join the library and use all our services, just bring some ID with you that has your name and home address on it.
Children’s Activities
Block Builders Construction Club is every Saturday 2pm - 3.30pm. Get creative! Just come along, build and have fun! There are bigger blocks for younger children and smaller blocks for slightly older children. No booking required.
Other regular children’s activities include Rhymetimes and Storytimes. Check on our website or in the library for details of times and any booking requirements.
Community Tea Time if you enjoy a cuppa and a friendly chat, then come along to our free
Dementia Care on 16th January 2024.
Kelly Bleasedale, Senior Manager for EDC, attended the cheque presentation and said, “We are most grateful for this kind donation. As a small charity we rely on this type of generous support which helps us to assist more people with dementia in the community. Thank you for making me feel so welcome at the event and inviting me to attend your amazing rehearsal. I look forward to attending one of your concerts in the future.”
Founded in 2006, Essex Dementia Care has helped countless people with dementia to maintain an active and social lifestyle through activity centres and 1-to-1 support in Chelmsford, Braintree and surrounding areas.
More information about Chelmsford Male Voice Choir can be found at www.cmvchoir.co.uk.
If you would like to book the choir to perform, please email Concert Manager Alan Cowell: concertmanager@cmvchoir.co.uk.
You can contact Essex Dementia care on 01245 363 789, or visit the website at, www.essexdementiacare.org.uk.
With guidance from the Essex Wildlife Trust, we strategically placed wildlife boxes throughout our expansive grounds, creating ideal conditions for various species to flourish. A notable success has been the establishment of a breeding pair of barn owls in our Wildflower Meadow area, a testament to our efforts and the trust’s invaluable guidance. Furthermore, we have tailored the habitat of our resident barn owls to meet their specific needs. Our ponds and fields, with the continued expertise of the trust, have evolved into thriving ecosystems that provide a sanctuary for the diverse wildlife that now calls Old Park Meadow home.
The evolution of Old Park Meadow displays the seamless integration of natural burials, eco-conscious practices, and the flourishing wildlife that benefits from our commitment to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of our grounds.
Community Tea Time, which is held every Wednesday 10.30am - 11.30am. Just drop and our volunteers will give you a warm welcome, hot drink and biscuits.
Work Club
Are you looking for support, help or advice with job searching, job applications, CV writing, etc? Then come to our Work Club which takes place every Thursday morning by appointment; just email chelmsford. library@essex.gov.uk or call in to book your slot.
Tbe library has free WI-FI and computer use, you can recycle your small electrical items, batteries and printer ink cartridges, there are photocopying facilities and study spaces. There are also rooms to hire. For more information on all our events and services, including dates and times and how to book, just visit our website: libraries. essex.gov.uk. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter or by subscribing to our newsletter - details on our website.
Backnang for You Street Party Swabian Style -
No introduction to your German twin city of Backnang would be complete without mention of what town citizens lovingly refer to as the ‘fifth season of the year’. By that we mean the Backnang Straßenfest - a street party so unique, so convivial, so superlative that, thanks to Backnang, it even has its own designation in the Duden, the standard dictionary of the German language.
Swabians, generally speaking, do not like to boast, but the colossal dimensions of the Straßenfest - going strong for over 50 years now - is something of which the locals are unabashedly proud. For four days straight at the end of June, wedged into that sweet spot where spring rains give way to summer swelter, the downtown district transforms into a massive club scene. From six stages, party goers can listen and dance to a wide variety of music ranging from beloved Schlager songs, to brass band ensembles, trending dance party hits and exotic melodies from the world music scene. A dedicated ‘youth mile’ and an emerging artist’s song competition round off the musical highlights while a few blocks away at the fairgrounds gleeful screams and flashing lights mix in the air with the unmistakable scent of cinnamon and spun sugar.
No matter which venue you choose, you can be sure that local beers and regional wines will be flowing freely, and to keep things somewhat sober, there will be plenty of rib-sticking Swabian fare on offer as well as a multicultural assortment of dishes from around the globe.
Hopefully by now your party appetite has been sufficiently whetted. If so, the Partnerschaftsverein Backnang-Chelmsford invites you to visit Backnang this June 21st - 24th. For more information and for tips on planning your stay, please contact us directly by emailing, backnangforyou@gmail.com. We would love to see you there! backnangforyou@gmail.com
Does Your Food Fuel Your Music Performance?
As a professional musician, there’s no doubt that you know what it has taken you to get here. You know what has fuelled your journey, from talent to passion to years of intense training to determination to succeed. But what has fuelled you at the heart of this journey?
As fuel for life, food provides you not only with the energy but with the nourishment for your body and your mind, for the demands of daily life. The efficient functioning of every system in your body depends on the right nutrients. When the demands of daily life are increased, so are the demands for nutrients. No elite athlete would train or compete without a food plan to support their athletic performance. Athletes know about the impact of nutrition on their performance. Athletes choose the foods which nourish their body for their best sports performance. Although musicians may not face the intense physical demands of sport, music performance is highly demanding. Musicians also depend on nutrients to fuel their music performance. A typical diet in today’s world is low in nutrients and your food may not be providing you with the nourishment to fuel your music performance. The principle of sports nutrition, to support optimal performance, is also relevant for musicians.
Nutrients contribute to the health of systems for music performance, such as the muscles, joints and tendons of your musculoskeletal system, or the responses of your nervous system. The stress response of your sympathetic nervous system, traditionally a response to danger, prepares you for your music performance. Initially, the principal player in your stress response is adrenaline, reacting quickly to mobilise your body and focus your mind. To sustain this response, another principal player, cortisol, takes over. Your stress response, with a key role in enabling your music performance, depends on nutrients including Omega-3, vitamin C and magnesium.
Omega-3, helps to makes your stress response effective and is protective of your nervous system. While Omega-3 is often low in a modern diet, a rich food source is oily fish (sardines, mackerel,
Youngest Grumpy Old Man
I have lived in Chelmsford for 10 years now. I like Chelmsford. I have previously lived in Sudbury, Long Melford, Witham and Canvey Island. Like anywhere you live, there will be good and bad points.
I bet we all are not a fan of Chelmsford traffic. As the city grows and grows so does the strain on the road network. It can get quite busy and frustrating being stuck in traffic jams. Our city is not alone in this, visited Braintree near Christmas last year and got stuck in a notorious bottle neck.
I believe Chelmsford has an above average amount of shops. We can lose some like Debenhams and Clinton’s. But something does come along and takes their places. Places like The Range and Ninja Warrior have replaced lost shops. I think we have enough shops that we don’t have to keep travelling out of the city for our desires. We are not too far from Lakeside and Westfield either. I do think we need more industrial estates to house warehouses and distribution centres. Braintree has been growing its industrial estates and we are getting left behind. With the growing city you need places for the residents to work in.
We will be getting our sixth McDonald’s in Chelmsford soon. Do we need more? I just don’t know. Is McDonald’s trying to catch up with the Costas in Chelmsford?
We have a just okay football team in Chelmsford City FC. Our city’s team are the nearly-men and the final hurdle seems a bridge too far. We can get in the playoffs but lose straight away or the next game. I would like to see them in the National League, but I don’t think I’ll see it in my life time.
Thomas Indergardx
anchovies, trout, salmon, herrings). Two to three portions of oily fish a week is likely to provide you with a helpful amount of Omega-3. Vitamin C protects your nervous system and helps to regulate stress hormones. Vitamin C is found in a wide range of fruits (oranges, blackcurrants, strawberries, kiwi) and vegetables (broccoli, peppers, potatoes). Your 5 a day carefully helps keep your vitamin C topped up.
Magnesium is used heavily in your stress response and is also needed to calm the stress response for relaxation and recovery. Foods high in magnesium include leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Daily portions of these foods is a way to ensure the meals on your plate include magnesium. While you can find nutrients such as Omega-3, vitamin C and magnesium in foods, these sources may be variable and some foods may be missing from your diet. For specific high doses, supplements are a good alternative, especially if your diet is low in particular nutrients or if your demand for a nutrient is high. Please be aware that some supplements are not suitable if you are on medication such as blood thinners or blood pressure lowering medication. Supplements are variable in strength and quality and advice from a nutritional therapist helps you to decide which supplement may be right for you.
While a diet rich in nutrients is likely to have benefits for your music performance, greater benefits are achieved with a focus on nutrients for your specific requirements. A personalised food, supplement and lifestyle programme places you at the heart of your plan, with personalised recommendations to fuel your music performance.
If you are interested to find out how a nutrition programme for musicians could help you, I offer a free online well-being review.
To book your review get in touch with Jane: 07305 531 583 jane@janehickeyutrition.com
At M. Lucking & Sons, we’re proud to have been serving communities of Chelmsford and the surrounding areas for over 360 years. As an independent, family-owned business we have all the regional knowledge and years of experience to make sure everything runs smoothly. We also work in partnership with Golden Charter so you have a simple way to plan ahead with a pre-paid funeral plan. Contact us today for more information and our friendly staff will be happy to help. 195 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0AE. Call: 01245 353733
February
Friday 16th
The Blue Boar (Maldon) - Brooks WIlliams
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Nine Below Zero + The Zac Schulze Gang
Chelmsford Theatre - The Makings of a Murderer
Chelmsford Theatre - Primary School Assemble Bangers Live! Hot Box - Dirty Donations
Old Court Theatre - Consent
Saturday 17th
Chelmsford Theatre - Queenz: The Show With Balls
Chelmsford Theatre - As She Likes It
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm) Hot Box - Andy Poole’s Riddled with Booze Orchestra Old Court Theatre - Consent
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
The Station Arms (Southminster) - Andy Broad
Stock Village Hall - Ruby Robinson
Wickham Bishops Village Hall (CM8 3JZ) - Wickham Bishops Jazz Club Baby Jools and The Jazzaholics (tel: 07548 775 777)
Sunday 18th
Chelmsford Theatre - Ministry of Science Live 2024
Hylands House - Open Day
Hot Box - Jazz Sundays with Zak Barrett & Friends Star & Garter - Sunday Jams (4pm)
Monday 19th
Chelmsford Theatre - Ward Thomas
Chelmsford Theatre - Musical Theatre Masterclass
Chelmer Village pilates classes - (carolinesdanceandpilates.co.uk)
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night
Sandon School (Sports Hall 2) - Scottish Country Dancing (7.309.30pm - all abilities welcome - www.sandonscotdance.org.uk)
Tuesday 20th
Central Baptist Church (Victoria Road South) - ECC Retirement Fellowship monthly meeting (2-4pm - new members welcome)
Chelmsford Theatre - Theatrical Make Up Masterclass
Hot Box - Open Mic
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (book by texting 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance - 7.50pm - £2 - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 21st
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Most Haunted
Chelmsford Theatre - Peppa’s Cinema Party
Chelmsford Theatre - Vittorio Angelone Hot Box - Independance
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper Club: Rag & Bone Club 7 Piece Swing Band (7.45pm - to book call Phil on 07850 607 075)
Thursday 22nd
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz night
Chelmsford Theatre - ABBA Forever Chelmsford Theatre - Pop Princesses
Chelmsford Theatre - Peppa’s Cinema Party
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book, text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz Night
Friday 23rd
Chelmsford Cathedral - 80s Silent Disco
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Take it Easy - The American Classic Rock Show
Chelmsford Theatre - Swinging at the Cotton Club Hot Box - Jamies WIlliams and the Roots Collective RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
Saturday 24th
Chelmsford Social Club - The Chargers and DJ Jiver Soo
Chelmsford Theatre - A Beautiful Noise
Hatfield Peverel Village Hall - The Jam Project Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
Sunday 25th
South Hanningfield Village Hall (CM3 8HL) - Table Top Sale (9am-1pm
- vallisc@aol.com or phone 07891 653 238)
Hot Box - Uber Jam
Monday 26th
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Tuesday 27th
Chelmsford Theatre - Kiss Me Kate
Chelmsford Theatre - Painting the Modern Garden
Hot Box - Hot Box Waxes Lyrical
Patch Places - Life and Times of the High Street (info@chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk to book)
Wednesday 28th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Kiss Me Kate
The Fleece - Wonky Wednesday Karaoke
O’Connors - Open Mic
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Old Park Meadow - Meditation (to book call 07906 653 666)
Thursday 29th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz Night
Chelmsford Theatre - Kiss Me Kate
Hot Box - Arizona Acoustic
The Lion Inn - Chelmsford Comedy Club
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
March
Friday 1st
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Transmission - The Sounds of Joy Division
Chelmsford Theatre - Kiss Me Kate
Chelmsford Theatre - Wanted!
Hot Box - Hutch
Radio City Social - Alternative Karaoke
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
White Hart (Little Waltham) David Bowie Tribute Night
Saturday 2nd
Chelmsford Theatre - Kiss Me Kate
Chelmsford Theatre - The Shock of the Old
Chrostchurch - Essex Symphony Orchestra
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
Sunday 3rd
Chelmsford Theatre - The Sooty Show
Chelmsford Theatre - Connor Burns: Vertigo
Hot Box - Qubik (album launch) + Alien + USRNM
Star & Garter - Sunday Jams (4pm)
Monday 4th
Chelmer Village pilates classes - (carolinesdanceandpilates.co.uk)
Chelmsford Theatre - Shakespeare Schools Festival
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Tuesday 5th
Hot Box - Open Mic
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit
bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 6th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Rave On Friends Meeting House (Rainsford Road) - CRAG Retirement Group (monthly meeting 9.30 for 10am. First visit free)
Hot Box - Very Odd Quiz
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper
Club: Dave Browning’s Jazz Cats (7.45pm - to book, call Phil on 07850 607 075)
Send in your events from 15th March to 21st April to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk
Thursday 7th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz Night
Chelmsford Theatre - Mike Wozniak
Chelmsford Theatre - The PANIC Awards (see page 23)
Golden Fleece - Quiz Night
Hot Box - Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
Friday 8th
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Verity/Bronham Return
Chelmsford Theatre - Aurie Styla: The Aurator Tour
Chelmsford Theatre - Taylormania
Radio City Social - Metal Night XV
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
Saturday 9th
Chelmsford Cathedral - Caprice Spring Concert
Chelmsford Theatre - One Night in Dublin Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm) Hot Box - Sweet Crisis
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
Sunday 10th
Chelmsford Theatre - The Bon Jovi
Experience
Chelmsford Theatre - Rubbish
Shakespeare: Romeo & Julliet Hot Box - Jazz Sundays
Monday 11th
Chelmer Village - pilates classes (carolinesdanceandpilates.co.uk)
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Sandon School (Sports Hall 2)
- Scottish Country Dancing (7.309.30pm - all abilities welcome - www. sandonscotdance.org.uk)
Tuesday 12th
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen. com/beckysallows)
Patch Places - John Aldridge and his time as Alderman, plus AGM (info@ chelmsford civicsociety.co.uk to book)
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 13th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke Hot Box - Big Music Quiz
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Old Park Meadow - Meditation (to book call 07906 653 666)
Trinity Methodist Church (CM1 2XB) - NT Group AGM (7.45pm - The Bryan Saunders Collection of Tools, and the items he made on display at Coggeshall Grange Barn)
Thursday 14th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz night
Chelmsford Theatre - Cracking Golden Fleece - Quiz Night
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen. com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
Friday 15th
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog
Presents: Led into Zeppelin
Chelmsford Theatre - Think Floyd Hot Box - Sharp Eyes
Saturday 16th
Chelmsford Social Club - Chelmsford Craft Beer Festival
Chelmsford Theatre - Matt Forde Inside No 10
Chelmsford Theatre - False 9: The Reality of Women’s Football
Galleywood Vineyard - FIsh & Chips with the Winery All Stars
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
Hot Box - Stark + Giuseppe Morena
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
The Station Arms (Southminster) - Del Bronham
Wickham Bishops Village Hall (CM8 3JZ) - Wickham Bishops Jazz Club - Alan Gresty and Friends (tel: 07548 775 777)
Sunday 17th
Chelmsford Theatre - The Little Prince Hylands House - Open Day
Hot Box - Jazz Sundays with Zak Barrett & Friends
Star & Garter - Sunday Jams (4pm)
The first engagement of 2024 saw the Mayor joining the Winning Women in Chelmsford networking meeting at Patch, where she heard about the mutual support given to all participants in their chosen fields of work. She spoke to the group about local organisations who offer help and potential funding for some of the projects they were undertaking and recommended some like-minded social media sites to follow.
Chelmsford Rotary Clubs held their Young Musician competition at St Cedd’s School. The talented finalists in the vocalist and instrumental categories were really exceptional and the Mayor was delighted to congratulate and present trophies to winners Katherine O’Hanlon and cellist Osaank Bhatt, who will go forward to the District Finals in March at Brentwood Cathedral.
The Mayor and her Consort, son Joe Mascot, had a great night at the Bam Bam Boogies Hip Hop panto at Chelmsford Theatre. The 60-strong cast of dancers, aged from 6 to 53 years, celebrated 50 years of hip hop in this vibrant performance of the best of street dance with joy resonating through the auditorium from this upbeat and joyous show.
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League held their Annual Closed Tournament Finals night at Old Chelmsfordians Sports Club which the Mayor and her Consort, husband Ian, were pleased to attend. Seven matches were played - the men’s singles semi-finals, men’s singles final, junior singles final, veterans singles final, men’s doubles final and ladies single final which meant it was an action packed evening of exciting competitions. The Mayor was delighted to present trophies to the winners and congratulated them on their sporting prowess and incredible fitness with some competitors taking part in 3 matches during the evening.
Baby Basics Chelmsford is a registered charity run by Joelle and her team of amazing volunteers with the aim of supporting vulnerable families and their new-borns by donating Moses baskets full of essential items for both the baby and mum-to-be. The Mayor joined HM Lord Lieutenant, Jennifer Tolhurst at Moulsham Lodge Methodist Church for their Fanfare for the Future event celebrating 300 Moses basket donations and handing over baskets to referring professions. Local knitters and crafters also contribute items, and it was a real community event to celebrate the hard work of the volunteers during the past four years. If you are able to contribute to the starter packs with baby items or toiletries, email babybasicschelmsford@ gmail.com or find their wish list here: www.amazon.co.uk/babyreg/3JGNZEXHSMH0X.
Essex Dementia Care launched its new activity group at All Saints Church, Christian Centre in Writtle. The Deputy Mayor was delighted to be invited to the inaugural meeting and enjoyed joining in with some of the activities. EDC will be offering support and fun activities in Writtle every Monday.
Six students and their tutors were visiting Anglo European School from Frankfurt, Germany. As part of their visit, they requested a visit to the Mayors Parlour to understand a little more about how our system works. The Deputy Mayor was happy to welcome them and explain about the traditions, the ceremonial and the community roles carried out by the Chelmsford Mayoralty.
The Mayor really enjoyed attending The Boswells School Year 7 production of We’re off to See the Wizard! These talented young people only joined the school last September and their performance was fantastic - so much fun and enthusiasm. She thanked all involved with the production for a lovely evening and is off to buy some red converse so she can tap her heels - ‘there’s no place like home’.
Chelmsford Speakers Club, part of Toastmasters International, meet regularly at Anglia Ruskin University. The Deputy Mayor Cllr Jude Deakin went along to their recent Speakathon and was interested to hear vastly different speeches from six speakers, all at different
stages in their public speaking. Jude later gave out awards to some of the members and expressed her thanks for a very enjoyable evening.
Chelmsford YMCA, the Mayor’s chosen charity this year, hosted a quiz night which raised more than £500. It was a lively evening which was enjoyed by all who attended.
The Mayor was invited by Jo Roberts, CEO of The Wilderness Foundation, to see how their therapy programmes are helping to transform the lives of vulnerable children, young people and adults through nature immersion. Projects and therapies educate and inspire people, highlighting the positive impact of nature and social well-being during challenging times in their lives. The programmes aim to equip and enable people to navigate their futures successfully.
The Mayor was the Mystery Reader at Hatfield Peveral Infant School and Nursery, where she enjoyed reading The Rainbow Fish to the two reception classes, handed out glittering sequin ‘scales’ and talked about the importance of kindness. She also spoke about her role as Mayor of Chelmsford and the children asked many questions which she was happy to answer.
The Chelmsford Singers conducted by James Davy, performed a choral concert with a chamber ensemble and soprano Samantha Hay, at Christchurch performing Annelies by James Whitbourn. This powerful choral work contained translated excerpts from The Diary of Anne Frank and the Mayor found it particularly poignant as it was performed on Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Mayor was invited to join the Tamil Pongal Celebrations at St John Payne School. She enjoyed watching all the traditional cultural performances and eating a traditional South Indian meal as well as hearing about all the educational programmes and youth groups supporting the Tamil speaking community in Chelmsford.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor attended the Holocaust Memorial evening, and it was an honour for the Mayor to speak and take part in the lighting of candles to remember those who lost their lives. It was both interesting and harrowing to listen to Ruth Barnett MBE recount her memories of coming to England on the Kindertransport and so important to listen to the living testimony of survivors to help educate us and our young people.
Chelmsford Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) held its Charity Update and Networking Meeting which the Mayor not only attended, but was privileged to present the CVS Chelmsford 4 Good Certificates of appreciation to local companies who have been outstanding in their support of good causes.
Chelmsford Lions Club held a cheque presentation evening at St Augustine’s Church in Springfield on Thursday evening where many charities benefitted from receiving donations collected during December when the Lions took out their Santa Sleigh around the streets of Chelmsford. The amazing amount of £12,500 was passed on to the charities, including £575, with £310 from Chelmer Ladies Club for the Mayor’s Charity - YMCA Essex.
It was a lovely evening and the Mayor was very grateful to receive such a generous amount. Chelmsford Lions are a fun and friendly charitable club who will always welcome new members and do so much for their local community.
Thank You
We are thrilled to share that a staggering £3,734 was raised for YMCA Essex by the very generous audiences who attended Chelmsford Theatre’s 2023 panto! Thank you so much to the kind audiences who contributed to this fantastic sum! Thanks also to the outstanding Jack and the Beanstalk cast, who highlighted YMCA Essex’s critical support for children, young people and families during each performance.
The Mayor would like to thank the local businesses for supporting the Mayor’s Advent Calendar in conjunction with Chelmsford Community Radio 104.4FM raising over £670 for YMCA Essex.
Support the Mayor of Chelmsford and her fundraising for YMCA Essex. Caprice Spring Concert is on Saturday 9th March at 7.30pm in Chelmsford Cathedral. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk.
Hold These Dates!
Mothering Sunday Afternoon Tea: With the Mayor at the Copper Pot Café, Moulsham Lodge Community Centre, Sunday 10th March. A great gift for mum! Tickets available very soon.
The Mayor’s Black Tie Charity Ball: On 11th May at Chelmsford City Football Club. Tickets available soon.
A Change of Genre for Local Author Sheila Norton
During the twenty-odd years since my first novel was published, the support from local Chelmsford readers, booksellers, libraries, and media like The City Times, has been amazing. So I’m delighted to tell everyone that my twenty-fifth novel, A Good Enough Mother, is published by Boldwood Books on 13th March.
In this story, the main character, Jess, is a young, working single mum, alone in the world apart from her two little children. Should she trust the older couple who’ve moved into the flat below hers... trust them with her precious children? Or is she making a terrible mistake, putting her kids at risk and proving her dad was right all along: she was never good enough to be a mother?
Readers of my recent novels will have become used to my ‘cosy’ stories set in fictitious Devon villages, so they might wonder why this new book seems completely different! Actually, since I’ve been a published novelist, I’ve changed from writing romantic comedies to stories set in the 1960s, to books narrated by cats, or with pet themes, to the recent cosy stories. I’ve also changed publishers a couple of times, done some self-publishing, have changed agents as my previous one retired, and once even (briefly) changed my name!
I think it’s good to try something different. Writers, like actors, can become typecast if they always stick to the same thing. Fashions in books - like everything else - do change, and on signing with my new publisher I was asked if I’d like to try writing issue fiction. I had to ask what it was! Actually, it’s not as different as it sounds. These stories are still character led, and family-based, but there are issues or dilemmas faced by the characters, and the stories are very emotionally charged. But I’m still keen to ensure a happy or hopeful outcome at the end!
You can buy A Good Enough Mother as an e-book, paperback, hardback, large print or audiobook either online from sites like Amazon, or by ordering it from any bookshop, or from your local library. Please do let me know if you enjoy the story, via the Contact Me page of my website www.sheilanorton.com, or by leaving a review on Amazon. Thank you everyone, as always, for your support.
A History of Leisure and Entertainment Part
This article deals with the establishment of the Civic theatre and the recent history of the Chelmsford museum.
In the immediate post war years Chelmsford still hadn’t been provided with a permanent civic theatre. The Chelmsford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society continued to use the Regent and a repertory company used the previously disused Empire cinema on the Springfield Road. The C.A.O.D.S. used the early Civic Theatre and celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2010. It now had a thriving independent junior section. By the mid 1950s pressure for a theatre in the county town was slowly building up. Seventy people turned up to a first meeting at the Cathedral Hall where a Chelmsford Theatre Association was formed. “We want a nice little 500 seater theatre.” By 1958 the petition for a theatre had reached 10,000 signatures. The Empire cinema was considered first, but by 1960 a new theatre was being built in Fairfield Road as part of a Civic Centre, which was to include the council’s assembly rooms. Its facilities were limited but better than the local papers had expected, with seats for 600. Its green room and two large dressing rooms could accommodate a cast of 50 – 60. There was a projector room for showing films and a room for a buffet and bar. Amateur productions were encouraged from the start by the council. In 1961 it gave £2,000 to the Chelmsford Theatre Association which had been so influential in finally obtaining a theatre for the town. It was also given three months rent free use of the theatre. The Civic Centre finally opened in May 1962. Initially there was just a thirteen week season of plays and there was immediate pressure to extend it. Its most expensive seats were seven shillings and sixpence and the cheapest one shilling and sixpence. During the following year there were two 12 week seasons each given to a different repertory company. Despite audiences initially being high, the theatre soon had difficulty in attracting sufficient people because of having to compete with television, now in most homes, and bingo. A drop in audiences in 1965 caused the season to be reduced to four months. In 1966 plays were being performed to a half empty auditorium. By 1968 the new director of the theatre, John Ridley was asking the council for a higher subsidy to support the theatre and enable an extension of the season. Some seriously thought that the theatre might have to close, which of course led to a short lived rush to go to the theatre. In 1972 the council finally gave the go ahead to convert the existing facilities, which included the assembly rooms, to a purpose built permanent theatre. The alterations included an extension to the orchestra pit and the establishment of two theatres, the Civic and next to it the smaller Cramphorn, which opened in 1981. In 1991 the two theatres were making a profit when many were struggling to survive. This was undoubtedly due to good management by New Palm productions. In 1996 a short lived repertory theatre, the Rainsford opened in Fox Crescent with a lottery grant for lighting and other equipment. By the new millennium it was increasingly clear that the Civic was not big enough to support expensive productions and attract well known acts but it survived to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2012. The Chelmsford Theatre Workshop still puts on a variety of productions at the Old Court Theatre in Springfield Road opposite Chelmsford prison.
Today the Chelmsford Museum is a major attraction for visitors to the town, especially since its extension opened in 2010. In the 1960s, however it had been criticised for “being Victorian in every way”. Its curator had replied that the council were now spending more on the museum and attempts were being made to reduce the vandalism which had played a part in the fall in the number of visitors. Its collection had been changed in the 1950s to concentrate more on exhibits from Chelmsford and Essex. In 1973 Princess Margaret opened the Essex Regimental Museum, which was an extension to the existing museum and was built to house the military collection from Warley barracks, where it had previously been displayed. During 1986 there was discussion about moving the museum exhibits to the library buildings at the Civic Centre. Oaklands, would then have become a centre for the visual arts. The Essex Regimental Museum would have transferred to Hylands House and a new Industrial Museum would have been provided. After this came to nothing, in 1991 it was decided to tell the story of Chelmsford’s history in a £75,000 permanent display.
7 -
By Stephen Norris
Later, permanent displays of a Victorian kitchen and the later history of Chelmsford, ‘including the town’s music and leisure scene’, were added. Oaklands also had displays of pottery and glassware as well as natural science display rooms featuring local birds and geology. As early as 1982, the council were discussing a big extension to Oaklands house. By 1988 Sandford Mill had been acquired by the council and was being used to store surplus museum artefacts. Gradually the Mill was developed to house large industrial exhibits and was used primarily for educational purposes. In 2006 plans were announced for a £3.5 million extension to the Museum which it was hoped would see the return of some of the Marconi Archive to the town. Despite some opposition from the Victorian Society to the plans when it opened in 2010, the new extension doubled the size of the Museum. It houses the permanent ‘Bright Sparks’ exhibition, which shows how the rise of the big three firms transformed the small market town, which was Chelmsford in the late nineteenth century. The extension also houses the Essex Regiment Museum. Its new interactive displays were a far cry from the dusty old museum of 50 years ago. In 2011 – 2012 there were 60,000 visitors to the museum a big increase on previous figures. The museum’s display of ceramics and pottery now included ‘Chelmsford Cissies’ by the Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry, which the Museum bought for £8,000 in 2004. Perry was born in Chelmsford and grew up in a town which he later described as ‘soulless’. Although he was untrained he remains the only current potter you will see displayed in art galleries. Perry was added to Who’s Who in 2007, along with Anthony Marwood, the K.E.G.S educated violinist. In 2013 he delivered the Reith lectures.
Chelmsford’s Museum also contained some of the work of Lynton Lamb, the illustrator and painter who lived the later part of his life at Sandon before dying in 1977. It also housed some of the work of Edward Bawden a leading light in the group of Great Bardfield artists until his death in 1989. Early in 2013 the museum presented a joint exhibition of two artists who were both born in Chelmsford in 1956, Wladyslaw Mirecki and Paul Rumsey. Mirecki has painted a large number of watercolours of Essex and Suffolk. Rumsey’s drawings cover dark subject matter, often inspired by folktales and mythology using charcoal and ink.
Charity of the Month - AI-Anon
About Al-Anon
Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire is there for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking. Our members provide meetings in all major towns and cities and are committed to being there for you when you need help. Whatever your relationship with the drinker, you will find other people who have similar stories to tell. You will realise that you are not alone. Listening to the shared experiences of others may help you find the confidence you need to deal with the effects of someone else’s drinking.
You will find it is possible to rediscover happiness, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Your anonymity is protected by using first names only. You will not be asked to reveal your surname or any other details about your identity or that of the drinker. Anything discussed within an Al-Anon meeting is treated as confidential, including your presence at the meeting. We are widespread, with more than 700 groups throughout the UK and Eire alone.
If getting to a meeting is not easy for you, you are welcome to join an online meeting. These are organised by the World Service Office (WSO) and accessible via the UK website: www.al-anonuk. org.uk. Al-Anon meetings are free. We only accept donations from members towards running costs and literature so that we can be selfsupporting. We only give what we can afford.
What We Are Not
Al-Anon is not a therapy group. We don’t offer counselling or advice or try to explain your experiences. We are not a religious organisation and welcome those of all faiths and none, treating everyone as equals. We discourage discussion about religion, politics and other outside topics. Above all, Al-Anon is about helping you to find solace with and support from others who have been affected by their relationship with a drinker.
Who Is It For?
Many people come through our doors for help with coping with a problem drinker. They include close and distant relatives, friends and colleagues. Whatever relationship they and the drinker share (or once shared), even if the drinker has since stopped drinking, left the family or died, they are welcomed with open arms. Because alcoholism affects the whole family, almost anyone can seek solace within an Al-Anon Family Group meeting. Alcoholics Anonymous exists for the drinker when they are ready to seek help.
Supporting the Immediate Family
Sharing a home with a problem drinker affects everyone in a different way. Often it can be difficult to bring up problems at home or to even focus on your own feelings when so much is going on. Al-Anon meetings are a safe place where you as a son, daughter, wife, husband, partner, mother or father of a drinker can come together and talk about your own concerns and feelings. If you don’t feel able or willing to talk, that’s OK too. Whatever your story or background, you won’t be judged or made to feel unwelcome by fellow members. Distant family, friends and colleagues are welcome. As a family illness, the effects of alcoholism ripple out beyond the immediate family. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins can also be concerned about what is happening.
Friends may be deeply affected by a drinker’s behaviour. After all, they will have shared experiences with them - positive and negative - and may have been brought into their confidence. Drinkers’ friends can be challenged by many conflicting feelings. Guilt for not being able to help (or for helping too much), a sense of responsibility for their welfare, a deep care for their well-being and anger at past behaviour.
Sharing a Common Bond
Al-Anon’s fellowship of members includes people from many different backgrounds, each sharing their experiences of alcoholism within the family, talking about challenges and supporting one another in changing their lives for the better. If you feel your life is or has
been affected by another’s drinking, Al-Anon is for you. We strongly recommend you attend an Al-Anon meeting and find out how we can help.
Getting Help From Al-Anon
Many of our members took their first step towards a better life when they decided to attend an Al-Anon Family Groups meeting. There are over 700 Al-Anon groups throughout the UK and Eire where you will be welcomed with acceptance and understanding. When family life with a problem drinker is chaotic, an Al-Anon meeting can provide a much-needed safe haven in which to share experience, strength and hope.
Contact Our Helpline
Our friendly helpline volunteers, who are all Al-Anon members, are available 365 days a year between 10am and 10pm on 0800 0086 811 to answer questions in complete confidence. You are more than welcome to simply turn up to an Al-Anon meeting. Click on ‘Find a Meeting’ for details of a meeting near you. Many members prefer to call our confidential helpline first.
Virtual Online Meetings
Although most Al-Anon members prefer the closeness and safety of a physical meeting space, we understand that this is not always convenient for everyone. These follow the same principles as faceto-face meetings, including a commitment to anonymity and can be accessed via the website www.al-anonuk.org.uk and then ‘Find a Meeting’ or by contacting the Helpline: 0800 0086 811.
Al-Anon Literature
We have a wealth of Al-Anon literature to help you, offering insight into all aspects of dealing with the effects of another’s alcoholism. Visit our shop to browse our selection of books, booklets, leaflets and pamphlets. Literature is also available to buy at meetings. Getting help starts with taking action. Calling Al-Anon or simply turning up at a meeting could be the first step towards changing your situation for the better.
How Do I Get Help?
We want to make it as simple and easy as possible for you to get to a meeting where you will find others who have also had family members or friends who are problem drinkers. The best way to find out what Al-Anon is all about and how we can help you is to attend a meeting. You can either use our ‘Find a Meeting’ link at www. al-anonuk.org.uk or call our helpline: 0800 0086 811 using our ‘Find a Meeting’ option. With over 700 groups spread across the UK and Eire, there is likely to be an Al-Anon Family Groups meeting accessible to you. All meetings are free to attend and open to anybody affected by another’s drinking. Simply come along at the day and time listed.
Contacting Our Helpline
Our free, confidential helpline is available every day of the year (even on Christmas Day!) from 10am to 10pm. Please call 0800 0086 811.
Alateen
For further information and meeting details contact the General Service Office on 020 7593 2070 (10am-5pm - Monday - Friday). Alateen is for teenage relatives and friends of alcoholics. Alateen is part of Al-Anon.
We believe alcoholism is a family disease that affects everyone in the family. Alateen meetings are for 12-17 year olds. They meet to share their experiences of having, or having had, a problem drinker in their lives. They help and support each other.
By attending meetings, young people gain an understanding of the illness and feel benefits of realising they aren’t alone. They learn that they did not cause this problem and that they are not responsible for the person’s drinking or behaviour. By sharing their experiences, they find solutions to their problems and have hope for the future.
Plank Pose - By Steve Johansen, Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga
Plank is a famous - and some would say infamous - pose commonly used in fitness training, boxing and of course yoga. I add a challenging Plank Pose into my daily practice, making me focus my body and mind, developing concentration and determination. I’m sure it has helped me to translate these strengths into other areas of my life, as every month I challenge myself to sit down and write, as I am extremely dyslexic but passionate enough and determined enough to overcome this and share my passion for yoga with you.
The reason Plank Pose is so widely used is that it will tone and strengthen almost every part of your body, improve posture and even boost your metabolism. It exercises and strengthens everything from your feet, legs, core, back, neck, shoulders, arms and wrists, and develops your small stabiliser muscles, developing coordination and improving your balance. All of which can translate well into most activities of daily life.
Within our yoga practice, Plank Pose is the 6th pose in the Sun Salutation or (Surya Namaskar), where we keep the arms straight for a moment, before lowering down to High Cobra Pose. Plank is not just about what we do with our the bodies, it’s about the our mind, developing concentration and determination to maintain a strong pose.
There are number different versions of Plank. We are going start with Forearm Plank, which is the easiest version to maintain and then I’ll talk about the harder, Straight Arm Plank.
Where to Start
For both versions of Plank, I like to start in Extended Childs Pose, this will help establish a good foundation and the right distance between the hands and feet. Start by kneeling towards the back of the mat, knees hip width apart, big toes touching, allowing the torso to relax over the thighs. Stretching the arms forwards and keeping elbows off the mat, spread the fingers as wide as possible, little fingers touching the side of the mat, middle finger pointing forward, press through the fingertips and knuckles. Find your Dristi, an unfocused gaze, just beyond your fingertips. Introduce your three-part breath, breathing slowly and evenly in and out through your nose, to help establish mindfulness.
Forearm Plank: On your inhale, roll forwards shoulders above wrists, then lower your elbows down, press your hand into the mat as you stretch them forward. Keep your elbows under your shoulders as you roll your shoulders backward, this will help prevent injuries and stabilise your shoulders. Your hips should still be in the air at about shoulder height. Tuck your tailbone to the backs of your knees and you will feel your core engage. Keep the core active as you tuck your toes. Press your heels backwards lifting the knees off the mat as you straighten your legs. Congratulations, you’re in Forearm Plank! Hold for a few breaths, then lower your knees down to the mat. Repeat 3 times.
Arm Plank: Start in Extended Childs Pose and again
on your inhale, roll forwards shoulders above wrists. Draw your elbows towards each other, helping to stabilise and strengthen the shoulders. Tuck your tailbone to the backs of your knees, engaging your core. Now tuck your toes, press your heels backwards, lifting the knees off the mat and straightening your legs. Hold for 3 breaths, then lower your knees down to the mat. Repeat 3 times, to develop the strength and focus on your breaths.
The world record for Forearm Plank for men is 9 hr 38 min 47 seconds set by Josef Salek from the Czech Republic on 20th May 2023. The women’s record stands at 4 hr 19 min 55 sec set by a Canadian, Dana Glowacka in 2019. Although, I wouldn’t recommend trying to match that on your first go!
Instead, if you do decide to practise at home, take it easy and enjoy yourself. Alternatively, learn to develop the perfect Plank by joining me for a Hatha yoga class at Hummingbird Pilates. Here is a free pass code ‘HPYFREECLASS’ - so there really is no excuse not to try!
Straight
The long running celebration of local live entertainment returns for 2024 with the live awards show at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford on the 7th March.
If you are involved with, support, or simply love to watch live entertainment in the central Essex area, then you should be getting involved with the PANIC Awards - the more people that get involved, the more we can raise for charity and the more we can support and promote the local community.
The only event of its kind, it is a ‘sort-of-mini-Oscars-ceremony’ celebrating and promoting those involved with local live entertainment, raising money for the Mayor of Chelmsford’s chosen charities and dishing out awards to the great and good of central Essex’s cultural community.
The awards are mostly voted for by the public with a round of nominations followed by final voting to decide the winners with a cross-cultural board having a weighted vote to keep everything balanced.
The awards themselves are only a small, gloriously fun part of the overall aim of the PANIC Awards; the overall aim is to let people know just how much amazing entertainment exists in our incredible area, recognise those who put their time and effort into making it happen and celebrate the brilliance of our creative communities. We have been lucky enough to witness our amazing winners (and nominees) go on to incredible things over the nearly two decades of the awards and we can’t wait to see more in the future.
This is all wrapped up in a vastly entertaining live show with awards being giving, amazing live musical performances and the return of our incredible host - actor, comedian and local celebrity Andy Poole.
The categories of awards cover bands, solo performers, venues, theatre productions, acting, DJs, podcasts, radio shows and, if someone wants to be in the running, all they must do is get friends, family and fans to nominate them via our nominations form. The nominations form can be found on our Facebook page (www. facebook.com/panicawards) and tickets for the live show will be on sale through the Chelmsford Theatres website from mid-February.
The categories of awards are as follows:
• Band of the year.
• Venue of the year.
• Solo/duo of the year.
• DJ of the year.
• Best regular night.
• Independent promoter of the year.
• Comedy night of the year.
• One-off event of the year.
• Independent theatre production of the year.
• Independent musical theatre production of the year.
• Director of the year.
• Lead actor.
• Lead actor in a musical.
• Supporting actor.
• Local podcast/radio show.
• The Brian McGovern Community Spirit Award.
• The PANIC Rising Star award.
• Outstanding contribution.
The PANIC Awards is a fun, non-profit event that encompasses everything great about local live entertainment but it only survives thanks to our incredible sponsors (Including The Home Cinema Company, Three River Kitchens, Radio City Beer Works, Anver Anderson, City Sounds, Voodoo Keller Bar, Paul Dupree Radio Life, The City Times and more) and more importantly, those wonderful people who see the live show, so please get a ticket and come along. Tickets will be on sale from the 18th February from the Chelmsford Theatres website - www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk.
By getting involved, you might win an award, have a fabulous night out or discover just how much there is to do, see and enjoy in central Essex - and all whilst helping to support the local community and a fabulous charity. If you would like to get involved, have any questions or if you own or know of a local business that would like to sponsor an award, do get in touch at the details below.
thepanicawards@gmail.com www.facebook.com/panicawards
Introducing Luke Woolley - Chelmsford Community Radio
This month, we introduce Luke Woolley:
I embarked on my radio journey at the Gateway Saturday radio club in Basildon, where I assisted with various Gateway radio shows behind the scenes. Transitioning to Chelmsford community radio in 2018, I was trained to man the system and launched my own show One Year On reflecting on the changes and constants over the past year. Post-pandemic, I steered my show towards a new direction with Monday Night Mayhem, drawing inspiration from the whimsical chaos of my childhood idols, Dick and Dom from Dick and Dom in the Bungalow
Beyond the CCR studios, I channel my passion for broadcasting and content creation into my YouTube channel, Tapenerd, where I craft videos, and produce beats and songs on Logic Pro. In my downtime, I enjoy attending shows in London, with Back to the Future currently holding the top spot in my list of favorites.
Being a member of CCR not only allows me to engage creatively but also fosters connections within my community, a sentiment highlighted during the annual CCR pantomimes, where group recording sessions forge strong bonds. A standout moment in my radio journey was when Michelle from CCR orchestrated a surprise soundbite featuring Dick and Dom, leaving me in awe of the unexpected connection you can achieve in community radio.
You can listen to the Monday Night Mayhem show every Monday from 11pm or on catch-up via our mixcloud page.
www.chelmsfordcommuntiyradio.com
Can You Make a Difference in Your Community?
School Engagement colunteer at Kids Inspire
The friendly and supportive Community Engagement team are looking for volunteers to support the delivery of primary and secondary school assemblies and workshops on mental health. This role might suit those looking to train as/or having retired from being a teacher, youth worker, or other professional supporting children and young people.
New Sanctus Charity Shop - volunteers needed Sanctus Homeless Charity is opening a new charity shop (Second Chance @Sanctus) opposite our existing premises on Broomfield Road (near The Ship pub). We are looking for volunteers to work 4 hours shifts (am and pm) Monday to Saturday. It is a small shop, selling good quality clothing with a modern interior.
Wing Treasurer - Essex Air Cadets
We are looking for a team player with good interpersonal skills, and (ideally) some experience of simple (receipts and payments) bookkeeping to become our new treasurer. This can be done in your own time, except for 2-4 team meetings per year.
Friends of Hylands House Bookshop volunteer
Can you help the Friends of Hylands House by volunteering in their Bookshop? You will be given lots of support whilst working alongside other friendly volunteers. There are a number of vacancies for both morning and afternoon sessions throughout the month including weekends. Please note: In order to become a book-team member you must first become a member of the Friends of Hylands House.
Director at Local Hospice Lottery Ltd at Farleigh Hospice
Make a real difference in our community - could you be a director at the Local Hospice Lottery Ltd?
Do you have lottery, fundraising, marketing, workforce development or other relevant experience? Could you commit some of your time on a voluntary basis regularly to LHL and help it achieve its aims? If you are seeking a challenging, but rewarding role that truly makes a difference, then please get in touch.
Puppy and dog socialiser - Medical Detection Dogs
We are looking for caring and committed homes that can support our puppies and young dogs during their socialising and training journeys. We provide food and equipment for the young dogs and cover all veterinary costs.
Crafts - By Magali Ellis and Scrap-Circle
People often ask me lots of questions about my craft kits: What’s in them? How often do I send them? Are they worth it? Is it really for me? Let me take the time to answer those questions.
• You will receive any of my kits quarterly, which means that they are sent every 3 months; consequently, your subscription goes out every 3 months too. Delivery dates will vary depending on how quickly the stock is released by customs and the dates of new collections. But on the whole, you will have three months to play with the craft supplies before the next kit arrives. What you don’t want are kits piling up because they are delivered too frequently (like monthly or bi-monthly).
• A kit offers you a fantastic value for money. If you were to add up all the items in your box individually, they would always total so much more than when bundled in a kit. On top of that, you do not pay for P&P when you subscribe to a kit. It is a win-win!
• Each kit is accompanied with illustrations of pages and cards to inspire you, so even if you don’t know where to start or you are a craft beginner, and you are wondering if it’s something for you, you will get a stepping stone to creating your own layouts! Plus there will be more examples on my website for you to use.
• A kit is a collection of a coordinated range of items: designer paper collection, plain cardstock, stamps, dies, stencil, embellishments, felt tips or inks. Collections are slightly different from each other so you will not receive exactly the same items from one quarter to the other. It is the joy of opening a parcel and having a surprise!
At Scrap-Circle, you will have a choice of 4 different kits:
We are in Meadows Shopping Centre. More than a shop; offering community, learning, hope and love.
Focus on February Community Exhibition
As February kicks off, our focus turns to LGBTQ+ history month. Since 2005, it has been celebrated every February in the UK. It allows us to pay homage to activists, trailblazers and allies who paved the way for progress today. Icons like Oscar Wilde, Marsha P Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and many other individuals fought for visibility, acceptance and equal rights.
Pride is made of a range of different identities. LGBTQ+ History Month reminds us to appreciate and celebrate the mix of identities within the community. It understands that LGBTQ+ people face more challenges when aspects like race, gender, and money are involved. By recognising and embracing this mix in Pride, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies aim to create a welcoming movement that uplifts everyone.
According to a Stonewall study, half of LGBTQ+ people have experienced depression, and three in five people experienced anxiety. In addition to this, one in eight LBGTQ+ people aged 18 to 24 have attempted to end their life. It is crucial to recognise that the fight for equality is far from over- the celebration serves as both a reflection on the progress made and a call to action for the challenges that lie ahead. “When I first heard about Marsha P Johnson and the revolutionary movement begun by a single gay drag queen at Stonewall Inn, I was inspired,” says volunteer at The Art Place, Purdey Roberts-Morgen. “Her story made me want to rise up, to fight any injustice that I saw. Her story made me feel seen, like I wasn’t alone in this mess. I hope one day these people and their stories will be celebrated with the same volume as their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts” they said.
February’s LGBTQ+ exhibition at The Art Place allows you to understand what pride means to those who are part of the
• Paper Kit has a designer paper pack, cardstock and a felt tip and is £20 (every 3 months).
• Have a Go Kit has the designer paper kit, cardstock, a stamp and a pack of die cuts and it is £24 every 3 months.
• Craft Away Kit has the designer paper kit, cardstock, a set of stamps, a die and a pack of die cuts and is £27 every 3 months.
• Treat Yourself Kit has the designer paper kit, coordinated cardstock, a set of stamps, embossing folder or stencil, a die and a pack of die cuts and is £36 every 3 months.
• Journaling Kit is a collection of the designer paper, 3 felt tips and labels. It is £15 every 3 months.
Still hesitating? Every new kit subscription taken before the end of March will include a FREE stamp!
All details are to be found on www.scrap-circle.co.uk.
community and celebrating the courage historical LGBTQ+ figures had. The exhibition offers the opportunity to comment. Do drop in to tell us what Pride means for you/who is your icon for courage and bravery to support LGBTQ+ rights. This month’s exhibition is until the 28th February and features artwork from full time Essex artist, Sirena Hart.
The Art Place is an Ideas Hub Chelmsford’s project. Ideas Hub Chelmsford is a registered charity concerned with supporting well-being in Chelmsford.
Community exhibitions coming soon:
• March: Body Positivity.
• April: Senses.
If you would like to input ideas for the design of one of the coming soon exhibition because it is a subject that matters to you, and/or enter a piece of art, and/or share an experience, please contact: communityexhibition@ideashubchelmsford.org.
For more information about our work, projects, workshops and support offered, please visit www.ideashubchelmsford.org and follow us on Facebook: The Art Place Chelmsford (for The Art Place) and Ideas Hub Chelmsford (for the charity in general) and on Instagram: Art Place Chelmsford.
Grace Riley
Ian McKellen - by artist, Sirena H
Interior Design Tips for Your Home -
Breathe Some Positive Energy Into Your Home
It’s still the start of a brand new year, we have just got the January blues out of the way, so I thought this would be a great time to focus on bringing some positivity into our homes.
You might ask ‘what’s the best way to bring positive energy into your home?’ The answer is, ‘by making your home a place you love where you enjoy waking up and coming back home to’. If you can’t sit still or feel like you have too much to do when you get home, it can be a sign of negative energy in your home. Creating an environment that achieves a balance in your living and working spaces can also maximise your potential for success in all areas of your life.
Tips For Creating Positive Energy
If you want to breathe more life into your living space, see the following tips:
• Let some fresh air and sunlight in (easier said than done at this time of year), But just opening the window for a short while each day will help purify the air. Sunlight coming through your window has mood-boosting effects.
• Declutter any areas that feel they are over cluttered with furniture, storage or things in walkways and doorways.
• A lick of paint - Choose light colors for walls and décor, white and cream are known for their calming and uplifting effects, creating a peaceful and welcoming vibe.
• Add some plants, not only do plants help purify the air but they also bring a sense of life and growth. Good luck plants include Peace lilies, spider plants and aloe vera.
• Make the living room warm and welcoming for relaxing, family times and entertaining guests. Update the cushions on the sofa,
• Pick an upbeat scent to invite positive energy, lavender oil, rosemary or orange in a diffuser can make the room smell fresh and bright.
• Sleep well! If you sleep well, this is a sign of positive energy. If you are stressed it can cause insomnia and sleep disturbances.
• Make sure your bedroom is clean and free of clutter.
• Get in to a relaxing bedtime routine with a bath if you have time before bed. Switch off gadgets. Make sure the room is not too bright - blackout curtains are great for the spring and summer.
Pop in for a free chat!
If you need any advice on how to elevate your home, pop into my new design office in Maldon at 17 Kings Head Centre.
Our services include interior design, colour consultation, decluttering, and styling.
Book your free consultation: 07979 66 3339.
info@saltmarshinteriors.co.uk www.saltmarshinteriors.co.uk
Tales From the Circle - By Sylvia Kent
What a strange business this writing business is turning out to be! Many potential writers have the talent, but not perhaps the experience of seeing their work published. This is where a tried and tested writers’ group is useful and we are fortunate in Essex to learn of many such groups who have the ability to help newcomers to the craft.
With yet another Brentwood Writers’ Circle gathering last Saturday, we were happy to welcome newcomers to our regular monthly meeting and it was a huge pleasure also to greet not just one, but two speakers, to our Bardswell Social Club in Brentwood. Malcolm Burgess is already a well known professional writer and journalist and a long-time friend of BWC. He and Maggie Freeman provided a Question & Answer opportunity with Malcolm interviewing Maggie, who is not only a novelist, creative writing tutor and a published poet, but has a lifetime’s experience in all forms of writing. Her books and anthologies are displayed on numerous Essex libraries’ bookshelves.
Maggie’s latest book is a captivating story about the two powerful wives of King Canute (994-1035). From this historical novelist, comes this brilliantly researched and tumultuous novel of power, passion and revenge. We learn of the dangerous period of the early 1000s, then under persistent attack by Viking raiders.
Canute marries Elfgifu to win her kinsmen’s support, but then for reasons of politics, he marries Emma, sister of the Duke of Normandy. The fight for the English throne for each of their sons commences - a battle that will tear England apart and reveal the very heights - and depths - of human nature.
The Wives of King Canute is a novel that will appeal to both fiction and history lovers with its sweeping panorama of the AngloSaxon, Viking and Norman worlds. Maggie Freeman is the author of many historical novels, including Daughter of the Sea and The Clock Mender
Maggie said: “This novel’s been a long time in growing. From my visiting the British Museum’s amazing Viking exhibition way back in 2014, which reawakened my childhood fascination with all things Viking, to reading, discovering the story of King Canute’s two wives, and thinking, now there’s an interesting conflict - to imagining the characters, because there’s very little written about them, so I had free rein; and what an intriguing journey it was, bringing them to life!’ (maggiefreeman.info) Full details at www. brentwoodwriterscircle.com.
Quiz Time - By John Theedom
What word can be a pancake and to waste time?
What is the armourment used by a submarine?
Who are the rock group, ….. Street Preachers?
If descent is coming down, what is going up?
What year was Woodstock music festival held?
What type of creature is a lhasa apso?
Who won the first series of American Idol?
Where will you come across a brae?
What was the now defunct TV news and information service?
What was the Tom Jones & Mousse T hit ….. Bomb?
Apart from a Ford car model, what else can be a sierra?
What is the Welsh beauty spot the ….. Penninsula?
Honolulu is in which US state?
What is gazpacho?
What is a sombrero?
Who played guitar on Michael Jackson’s Beat It?
What is the term for a written assurance?
What is the famous Canadian waterfall?
On which island is the town of Ryde?
What is the first name of the Cabaret star Ms ….. Minnelli?
Who famously built a wooden ark?
Who was the male star in Notting Hill?
Who, where or what is Ming?
What is the stage name for Peter Gene Hernandez?
Who is the actor who is pushing for a ban on dangerous knives?
The Americans recently launched a space rocket; how many years is it since their last one?
How old was Franz Beckenbauer when he died recently?
What country is the birthplace of golf?
In what year was All Creatures Great and Small first broadcast on BBC 1?
What is the Dutch word for a wooden clog?
To which animal does the word ‘piscine’ refer?
Who had a face ‘that launched a thousand ships’?
What is the real name of the rapper Ja Rule?
What is vertigo?
Where would use an ampersand?
Staunch is what type of action?
What is the name of the singer, Pixie ….. ?
What is the title for a Jewish religious minister?
What are the flat areas of East Anglia called?
What was the name of Destiny’s Child’s debut album?
(Answers on pages 30 & 31)
Stargazing With Mark Willis
This month’s theme is where we use the Moon to easily locate other objects in the sky.
Pleiades was described by a lady who was receiving help in using her telescope from the astronomers on the BBC TV Sky At Night programme. She described the Pleiades as a ‘shopping trolley full of jewels’. I wish I’d thought of that!
These days, the Sky At Night programme is broadcast monthly on BBC 4 (as well as iPlayer) which has many other science programmes you might like.
16th February: Moon and Pleiades: Pleiades is a star cluster about 444 light years distant from Earth.
20th February: Moon forms triangle with Castor and Pollux: Castor is about 51 light years and Pollux is about 34 light years distant from Earth. If aliens who lived on a planet near Castor were able to pick up our TV signals, they’d be seeing Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, and those near Pollux would be watching the debut episodes of Baywatch
Wildlife by Nick Green
It’s official: 2023 was the planet’s warmest year on record, according to an analysis by scientists from the UK National Geographic and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Along with the historic heat, Antarctic sea ice coverage dropped to a record low in 2023. We can only hope COP 26 has an international influence and elected politicians (in a general election year) must take moral responsibilty and respect the increasingly pressured natural environment.
Threats to Our Native (Honey) Bees Asian hornet: I highlighted these introduced pests in the October edition of The City Times (available at www.thecitytimes.co.uk).
Pesticides: there are 3 neonicotinoid pesticides including thiamethoxan used on sugarbeet, all banned by the EU. The UK Government in its infinite ignorance and short-sightedness has still permitted the sale for the FOURTH year running, showing a typical lack of urgency and ignoring human health and the environment.
Please help protect out humble bumble bees
Bees are major pollinators for agricultural, economically vital crops and many native plants. If you are incensed by this bureaucratic stupidity, please join national campaigns organised by 38 Degrees and/or Greenpeace.
Feed the Birds
Ideal foods include fat balls, peanuts, sunflower hearts/seeds plus niger seed for finches. Consider also scraps of bread, but also the risk of squirrels, rats and foxes! Apples are also favoured - I impale halved apples on my hedge twigs or on the ground and this attracts thrushes
or One Foot in the Grave.
13 March at 20:30 - Crescent Moon right of Jupiter: Looking west, quite low down in the sky. The light of the dusk will compete with this, as the darker it gets, Jupiter begins to sink lower down in the night sky. About 8:30pm is about as good as it gets.
20th March: Spring Equinox: The days and night are of equal length. The following day, the days will get longer and the nights, shorter.
New Moon: On 10th March and 8th April, 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.
As usual, email me with any questions.
www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
and even wintering blackcaps. A birdbath/waterbowl is always welcomed, but please remember to break the ice in frosty weather.
Essex Avian Highlights January 2024
Colchester: Around 20 waxwings. Abberton Reservoir EWT: American canvasback (still present), 10 scaup, 4 smew (1 drake), 2 velvet scoter. Heybridge: the American very rare northern waterthrush attracted some 3,000+ visitors between 4th - 22nd! Southend Pier: white-billed diver (another first for the county) plus 5 great northern and around 20 red-throated diver plus auks. Wallasea Island RSPB: 2 black-throated divers, 3 spoonbill, hen and marsh harriers, 11 shorteared owls, wildfowl and waders.
Quiz & Wordsearch Answers
Fritter
Torpedo Manic
Ascent
1969
Breed of dog
Kelly Clarkson
Scottish hillside (slope/brow)
Teletext
Sex Mountain range
Gower Hawaii
Spicy Spanish cold soup
Mexican hat
Eddie Van Halen
Guarantee
Niagara Isle of Wight
Liza
Noah
Hugh Grant
Chinese dynasty
Bruno Mars Idris Elba 50 78
Scotland 1978
Klompen
Fish
Helen of Troy
Jeffry Bruce Atkins Snr
A fear of heights (and an Alfred Hitchcock film) ‘&’ instead of ‘and’ Stop a flow
Lott
Rabbi
The Fens
Destiny’s Child
