The City Times - Feb/Mar23

Hello readers,

Welcome to The City Times February/March edition. After nearly 10 years, we are very sad to say that Stan from Rotary is retiring from writing for us - we thank him for over 100 articles about Rotary and all the excellent causes that they support and participate in.

Please email ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk to enquire about advertising space. We are currently fairly fully booked for front page ads, but have plenty of space inside.

Please do also remember to let our advertisers know that you saw their advert in The City Times.

Paul & Nick

www.thecitytimes.co.uk

Advertising Nick Garner 07970 206682 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Editorial

Paul Mclean 01245 262082 / 07595 949701 editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

it’s your media Ltd

Nick’s Music and Ramblings

Well it’s February alreadythe year is flying by! What a start we have had too - we have lost a few greats already and the weather is going bonkers.

It’s so sad that we are are losing so many great artists. To me, it seems there are far too few around who can replace them. Some of those had lived to a good age though, like Burt Bacharach and Gina Lollobrigida both in their nineties, while Lisa Marie Presley was just 54. There is just too many to mention them all. I hope that it slows down. It is not just the famous, it’s everyone - I keep seeing on social media people are losing loved ones and good friends and it is not all down to covid so much these days.

I see that the Fling and the 3foot People festivals are back this year which is fantastic. There are also warm-ups planned for Central Park which I think is a huge bonus. I wonder if we might get Street Diversions or maybe the Chelmsford Spectacular back... It is good to see the Chelmsford Festival is still going, after I started it a few years back, under the guidance of Edith and Tony. It’s continually growing and going from strength to strength and becoming a great family festival, and includes a wonderful carnival parade. In Writtle we have the Writtle Jazz Festival to look forward to as well, and now there’s going to be a one-day folk festival in August; I should be helping with some acts for that one. I hear Creamfields the electronic festival is set to remain here for a few years, and I have also heard we have the Sausage and Cider Festival and Fake Fest too. Who knows what other festivals may be coming to Chelmsford soon...

Hot Box is great. It’s not just for gigs mind, it may surprise you to know that has a regular chess night and opens as a bar in the afternoons and evenings with the largest selection of spirits in Essex - and it is so friendly. Close by is Intense Records, with a massive selection of vinyl records and much more. And now we have Radio City, a new craft beer shop as well as the Ale House.

The Ideas Hub and the Art Place are amazing too, and put so much on. Did you know that the Ideas Hub and Chelmsford Museum have just held a light parade in the museum grounds? And do you know of all of the events that Steam Museum near Maldon puts on? Then there is Hyde Hall near South Woodham Ferrers too, and we have so much more going on in other places. Oh and I nearly forgot the sailing barges and all that is around Ongar, Stock and Ingatestone.

As you know, I think we should be concentrating on growing our city and the surrounding areas - like trying to get more independent shops opening. If we want to attract people to the area we need the diversity. I think we need more places for all types of entertainment and our museums need to be given more publicity - we do not even have a tourist information point. We have Chelmsford Cathedral to be proud of as well and the new theatres. We could do more to promote all the areas around us to give outsiders a reason to want to visit the area and spend some money. I think both councils and other bodies should be expanding the work they do with Ignite and similar organisations to involve many more groups and businesses to promote Chelmsford and the surrounding area for visitors.

Paul and I decided to increase our reach and we have now started to put The City Times into Ingatestone, Stock and Ongar and so far we have been well received. If you know anyone in any of those areas who may like our mag or be interested in advertising, please let them know that it is now out there for them. They can of course contact us for more information via the details at the end of this article or on page 3 of this magazine.

Music

It has been a busy time for me since the last edition. I have put on the first shows of the year and have been out and about. I went to the last Rock & Blues Festival in Skegness with some friends, and it was great - so many amazing acts both new and old and new, and some who are soon to be playing for me - not just at the Social Club, but at Hot Box too. There will be more about the Hot Box shows soon, as we kick off there in April on Tuesday 11th with two top Finnish folk acts.

We launched our year with a great show featuring Nine Below Zero and Al Perez over from the States. Al played a stripped back set with his brother, and both played acoustic along with a keyboard player. They went down really well and sold lots of CDs. Nine Below Zero hit the stage and played the whole of the Third Degree album which is now 40 years old! They added a few favourites in at the end as well. It was a packed room and both the band and audience had a great time. The band want to come back in the future and of course we want them back! I also went to see my buddy Robbie McIntosh play in London with his band in the last month. As ever, they were great and we are sorting out a future date for Chelmsford.

A quick note to let you know that Eric Bell has had to move his date with us from Friday 21st April to Friday 2nd June - all tickets are valid for the new date. We also need to remind you that Chris Jagger has sadly cancelled his show with us for now.

We have just booked a fabulous tribute to the late great Jeff Beck on Good Friday 7th April. On the night we will also have a couple of our very own local greats playing as well in the form of Phil Hilborne and Connor Selby - and there will be surprises on the night for you...

We have some excellent gigs coming up this month. We have ‘the best covers band in the world’ (according to Elton John) The Overtures, who are playing Friday 17th February. Then we have the Verity Bromham band, which is John Verity of Argent and Del Bromham of Stray - a great night for the rockers on Friday 24th February.

Then on Friday 3rd March it is Martin Turner, the man who formed Wishbone Ash and wrote most of the songs and also sung them. Yet another great night will be on Friday 10th March with Some Kinda Wonderful, who are Noel McCalla (ex-Manfred Mann’s Earth Band and Derek Nash) on vocals with his band. Derek is also part of the Jools Holland band. As if all that is not enough, we have the voice of The Average White Band, Hamish Stuart, who was also part of Paul McCartney’s band and played with Chaka Khan. For the last 17 years he has also been a member of Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band. There is more to come this year of course, so do keep your eyes and ears open.

It would be fantastic if you could share our magazines The City Times and Moulsham Times for us. We continue to publish both magazines in print and online at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia. If you are interested in advertising your business or event with us then please contact us at ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk, or if you have an event or want to comment on anything or have an article that could be of interest, then please send to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk and we will reply to you as soon as we can.

For all updates and information on Black Frog Presents shows at the Chelmsford Social Club and other venues, go to www.linktr. ee/BlackFrogPresents or scan the QR code on our advert in this magazine. You can also pre-book for paid shows with a text or by calling 07508 496 411, and then pay cash or card at the door at the advance price without commission.

See page 19 for the up-and-coming gigs at Chelmsford Social Club

We have made it to February! I don’t know about you, but January has felt like it was never going to end and Christmas seems like a lifetime ago! The children are back at school and have forgotten about the fortunes that were spent on them and already want more... Myself and my partner have both joined the gym as we are ‘shredding for our wedding’ - our local gym in Maldon has had some fantastic deals on with no joining fees and a reduced rate, so it was a no-brainer for us. January is the best time to snap up deals and discounts like this that usually go up in February - and every pound counts these days right?

This month we invested in an air fryer from Tesco on Clubcard prices. I was very sceptical, as being a chef I tend to like what I like, but my goodness, I haven’t looked back since getting it and I haven’t turned my oven on once this month! I can literally cook everything in it.

We are very lucky that in our local town of Maldon we have some fantastic restaurants. Our favourite restaurant being Sark, which serves fresh Turkish food, and offers a lunchtime special for two courses for under £10 which is fantastic. They have opened a new restaurant called Paparazzi, also based in Maldon, which we are trying for the first time this week. Again, it’s very reasonably priced and looks so glamourous - the décor is beautiful so I shall report back!

Onto this month’s recipe which is again on the theme of saving

money and not spending hours prepping. Its healthy and doesn’t compromise on flavour - this dish would work perfectly on Valentine’s Day which is just around the corner. Pork fillet is such an underrated joint of meat, and it’s very cheap - I paid £3.10 for a whole fillet. If that were beef fillet for the same size it would have been well over £50. The fillet is very lean and has no fat.

Pork Fillet with Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients

• Pork fillet (they come in different sizes but a whole fillet usually serves 4).

• 250g mushrooms.

• 300ml crème fraîche.

• 2 cloves garlic.

• ½ pint of chicken stock.

Recipe

1. Heat the frying pan with a small amount of oil - get it very hot and sear the whole pork fillet on each side, this keeps the juices and flavour in whilst cooking.

2. I then put this into my air fryer on 170 for 20 minutes or 200 degrees and 25 minutes in the oven. You can eat pork fillet slightly pink, but add more time if you would like it more well done.

3. Chop the mushrooms and garlic and fry in a pan. Once fried for a few minutes add stock and reduce.

4. Once reduced for 10 minutes, add crème fraîche and season well with salt and pepper.

5. Serve with rice and/or your favourite veg or potatoes.

I hope you enjoy this quick easy meal that can be a quick midweek meal or a posh Valentine’s Day feast.

Lauren xoxox

Eat Better to Feel Better - By Demelza Rayner

Hello. For those of you who didn’t see my last column, I’m a qualified nutrition and health coach based near Chelmsford in Essex. I’m here each month to share some of my top tips for developing healthier eating habits so that you can feel the best version of yourself. In this issue, I’d like to bust one of the most common myths around weight loss - ‘eat less and move more’. It really isn’t that simple and, more often than not, following this principle will just leave you frustrated and unhappy.

The key to sustainable weight loss can be split into three equally important areas: what you eat; how you eat; and when you eat. Please be assured that deprivation is not, and should not, be part of any healthy eating plan.

1) What You Eat

Keep hunger and cravings at bay by ensuring each meal contains a good source of protein. If you start your day with a bowl of cornflakes and a glass of orange juice then your blood sugar level will rise rapidly, making the body work harder to bring it back into balance and triggering the release of stress hormones. What’s more, it will lead to sugar cravings that will start the cycle off again. A better choice would be an omelette (choose your favourite filling), or a couple of large tablespoons of natural yogurt topped with berries and mixed nuts.

2) How You Eat

Rushed meals or meals eaten ‘on the go’ play havoc with your body. The digestive process begins as soon as you smell the dish in front of you, prompting the release of stomach acids that can help to

break the food down. By taking a couple of deep breaths before eating and chewing the food carefully, your digestive system is better equipped to deal with the food you’re consuming - plus you’re less likely to suffer from all those uncomfortable digestive issues such as reflux or bloating. In contrast, if your body is in a stressed state (such as when you are rushing your meals) and it’s having to deal with big chunks of food, it simply won’t absorb all those essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs to thrive.

3) When You Eat

It surprises many people to learn that it is possible to lose weight simply by changing when they eat rather than what they eatalthough changing both will get better results!

The secret is to give your body a break from food overnight for a 12-hour window. This means that if you eat your dinner at 7pm, you should wait until 7am to eat your breakfast. In between these times you can drink water, herbal teas and black tea. You don’t need to commit to doing this every day, even just three times a week can make a difference and helps to break unhealthy food habits, such as evening snacking.

I hope you’ve found the information above useful. This really is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to achieving sustainable, long-term weight loss. If you’d like to know more, I’ll be holding a clinic open-day on Thursday March 17th, so email me at hello@ demelzaraynernutrition.co.uk if you’d like to book one of my free 30-minute health reviews on that day. Otherwise, please visit my website at www.demelzaraynernutrition.co.uk.

Pork Fillet with Mushroom Sauce - In an Air Fryer!

Be who you’ve always been... an animal lover

City Times Gardening

I’m in the mood for buying fruit for a new bed this year and want to look at a few alternatives to apple or strawberry. Don’t get me wrong, I love all things fruit but want a challenge.

Many fruits that were not grown in this country until recently are now widely available, such as blueberries, while others come and go in popularity, such as gooseberries. Here’s a brief mention of a few more types of fruit worth considering.

Cherries

Cherries are top fruit and produce small fruits surrounding a stone. Two main types of cherry may be cultivated in gardens:

• Sweet cherries (Prunus avium): These are dessert cherries, eg, ‘Early Rivers’ and ‘Stella’ AGM. Both are self-fertile so no need for an additional plant for pollination.

• Acid cherries: These are for culinary use, eg, Morello - also self -fertile and can be picked when young and red for stewing or left until black and bittersweet. The flesh is dark red.

All are hardy deciduous trees. Of the two, acid cherries are the less vigorous. Overall, there are fewer reliable dwarfing rootstocks available for cherries than with other top fruits; the sweet cherries are inherently vigorous plants and this can present problems in cultivation in smaller gardens. Cherries are grafted onto Colt,‘Gisela 5 semi-dwarfing rootstocks or Malling F12/1, a vigorous rootstock. On the whole, acid cherries are easier to grow and manage. The cropping season for cherries is limited.

Cherries can be heavy cropping but are easily spoilt in wet weather. They must be picked when fully ripe with the stalk intact and used or frozen immediately as they do not store. Sweet cherries require full sun, but acid cherries are suitable for training on a north facing wall as a fan.

Something I’ve grown in clients’ gardens are blueberries, however, not my own… until now!

Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Blueberries are soft fruit and can be considered as a type of bush fruit.

Blueberries must have acid (pH 4.0-5.5) moist but well-drained soil with a high organic content to succeed and should never be subjected to drought. As my soil has a higher pH, I’ll be using large half barrels with ericaceous peat-free compost, planting them and the leaving for at least 2-3 years to establish a strong bushy form. By this time they should be cropping well, the key is not to overly let then dry out in summer, and so thick mulches of the same composts will be much needed and appreciated by the plant. No support system is required. The other wonderful thing about these plants, is that they are evergreen and have good strong autumn colour.

A small range of cultivars are available, and all of the following are suitable for growing in containers.

• Duke AGM: Stocky bushes produce good yields of medium to large fruit of excellent flavour. Duke flowers late but crops early, so is especially good for northern areas where the growing season is short. It is partly self-fertile.

• Nelson: A mid to late season cultivar that is very hardy and selffertile. The large fruits and good flavour make it useful for the home fruit garden.

• Spartan AGM: Very hardy, early to mid season, Spartan bears large fruits with a sweet, tangy flavour. To crop well, this cultivar needs another blueberry cultivar nearby.

Blueberries ripen from mid-summer and crop through to late summer depending on the variety. They should be picked when soft and a blue-black in colour and with a waxy bloom. Pick over the plants several times as not all the fruit ripens at the same time. The fruit can be kept for a few days after harvesting, or up to three weeks in the fridge. Blueberries can also be frozen.

And lastly..

Grapes (Vitis Vinifera)

Grape vines are deciduous woody climbers with tendrils and can be

classified as soft fruit. They are sun-loving plants requiring warm, sheltered positions to flourish or the protection of a glasshouse. Black cultivars are more likely to require protected cultivation than white types, as the latter have a shorter ripening season. Production of grapes for dessert purposes is much more likely to succeed under glass in the British climate.

Grapes need to be harvested carefully, as handling them destroys the ‘bloom’ on the fruit. They should only be harvested once the ripening period has finished and sugars have formed in the fruit. This may be several weeks after full colour has developed on the fruit. They cannot be stored for long periods following harvest.

Heavy yields can be obtained providing a regime of winter and summer pruning is maintained that establishes a healthy cropping framework of older wood. The plants also need to be kept cool at the roots with a plentiful supply of moisture and potassium.

I can highly recommend the following local suppliers: www. pomonafruits.co.uk and kenmuir.co.uk.

Check out this link for all things grapes: www.rhs.org.uk/fruit/grapes/ grow-your-own.

Check out this link for other tasks to do this month www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/february.

Happy gardening

For any gardening tips please contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Capel Manor College, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4RR, or by email at tom.cole@capel.ac.uk.

Mr and Mrs S had already decided to extend their home to accommodate a utility room, and decided it would also be a good time to renew their kitchen. After reading their online reviews it became obvious that they should visit the team at Regal.

The showroom tour gave them plenty of choice and eventually they concluded that the German handleless furniture would best suit their vision.

There soon followed a home visit, and with the help of designer John Martin they had some great planning ideas to mull over.

Visiting the showroom again, they opted for Concrete Grey and Concrete Anthracite. Regal was able to offer them a special slab of magnificent Cambria quartz imported from America.

The Quooker kettle tap, NEFF combination oven and induction hob combined with some clever storage solutions from Häfele and VauthSagel, have really enhanced their whole kitchen experience.

In the utility, they were delighted to get a boot room area, ensuring the new kitchen could be kept separated from the muddy outside.

Mr S says: “Beyond satisfied with the end result. Entire process has been stress-free and the installation (Dan) was stress-free too. The Schuller units are a brilliant quality. An unforeseen issue with electrical supply for one of the ovens was solved immediately with minimal fuss by Phil - and Emma’s cookery evening with her cooking us a meal and giving us tips on using the ovens (they do a whole lot more than you think), was a brilliant sign-off to the entire project. Really would recommend them. The fact that they are a local business makes it even better.” #whereclientisking

Chelmsford Community Projects and Residents Set To Benefit from Lit Fibre’s Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband

Ahead of Lit Fibre turning on its service in Chelmsford this month, Andrews says: “We are delighted to be working closely with local community groups and events across Essex, including the Chelmsford Light Parade, to educate residents on full-fibre internet and why it’s not only faster but cheaper and more reliable than existing services. Our team are on the ground in Chelmsford, Clacton and surrounding areas to show the difference that Lit Fibre can make by connecting these towns.”

According to the Lit Fibre study, on a typical day Essex homes have an average of seven devices connected to the internet, meaning that reliable and fast internet is vital for homes across the county. However, almost one third (29%) are frustrated by their existing internet provider multiple times each week, and over half (53%) would change their provider for faster speeds; whilst 43% say that cheaper internet and 42% a more reliable service would make them switch.

As ISP Lit Fibre announces the rollout of its 10gb-capable full-fibre network in Chelmsford, an Essex study reveals hopes that full-fibre will boost digital access, community projects and business in the county.

Community ISP Lit Fibre is to commence the roll out of its ultrafast full-fibre network across Chelmsford this month as a county-wide study reveals 29% of Essex residents are frustrated by their internet multiple times each week.

As part of its investment into Essex, Lit Fibre asked local communities for their opinions on existing internet services available in the area and whether they understood the benefits that ‘gold standard’ full-fibre broadband will offer to homes across the county.

The study reveals that getting full-fibre internet to people who have not had access before is seen as the joint leading benefit of fullfibre connectivity (43%) alongside it having a positive impact on community projects. This is closely followed by 38% saying it will improve local businesses.

Once live, homes throughout the city will have access to Lit Fibre’s symmetrical 100mb, 500mb or 1gb packages, delivering speeds up to 18-times faster than current broadband services. Those who register their interest via litfibre.com will receive additional discounts on their introductory prices.

Lit Fibre has immediately taken on board resident feedback into its plans for Essex by partnering with Ideas Hub Chelmsford for the Chelmsford Light Parade, which happened earlier this month.

Stephen Andrews, Lit Fibre’s Community Manager for the East, believes there is much to be done to help residents in Essex understand the benefits that full-fibre can bring, and to show how easy and cost-effective it is to switch.

Now Is the Time to Say Goodbye

After about ten years I have decided to hang up my pen. I have been writing a page about Rotary since the very first issue of The City Times, as well as until recently in Moulsham Times which goes back even further.

To say Rotary has been an important part of my life from the time I joined in 1996 would be an understatement. Many people would say that if you cut me in half you would see Rotary imprinted in me like a traditional stick of rock.

Rotary has given me many wonderful experiences and I have been involved at all levels. At grassroots, I was part of the redevelopment of the Chelmsford Club serving as president during Rotary International’s centenary year in 2005 and more latterly, joining Dunmow.

At district level I had many roles. Apart from a stint as Community & Vocational Chairman, I was magazine editor for 18 years, Public Relations Chairman for many years, Conference Chairman and updated the by-laws. Pretty varied as you can image, and then this culminated in being elected District Governor responsible for 60 clubs and nearly 1,500 Rotarians.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as helping people and making even a small impact through Rotary’s youth schemes, or at the other end of the age spectrum, seeing the smiles on the faces of senior citizens at an afternoon tea or a visit to the pantomime.

Over the past couple of years, I have taken more of a back seat - not because of a lack of energy, but rather I am somewhat concerned as to whether Rotary has the same relevance today. There are so many charities duplicating Rotary’s work, so many volunteers willing to come forward for one-off projects, that Rotary needs to find a different approach. Sure, there is a relaxation in dress code, in the frequency of meetings, in dispensing with a mandatory meal, but these changes are still not attracting younger people in sufficient numbers.

Over the years it has been part of my job to change the public perception of Rotary as being an organisation for older men, but I have to admit I have had limited success if I look at the current age profile. However, I hope that others will think that I have made a positive contribution to Rotary over the years.

Moving still further up the echelons of the Rotary ladder to Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland I was elected onto the national Public Image Committee and then beyond to become an Assistant Public Image Co-ordinator for Rotary International.

There have been so many highlights, but amongst the most outstanding memories I have are the gatherings abroad where I got to meet fellow leaders from all over the globe, showing what a small world it really is and how so much of what we do comes from shared values. A few years ago I was the local representative in Chicago to update the Rotary legislation, which was intended to move Rotary forward to meet new challenges.

I thank our publisher for the forum to promote Rotary, and unless I am allowed to write an occasional article about something special in the world of Rotary, I will sign off now with a few photos of my highlights.

Stan Keller

Voting at the Council on Legislation in Chicago

Involving the children at the Mushroom Centre

Collecting for polio at Hylands Park

What Is Stopping You from Accessing Financial Advice?

If you are deciding to seek regulated financial advice, you may be wondering about many things - but according to research you may fall into one of the categories below. If so please read on. The facts behind the numbers are not always easy to comprehend, so let’s take a look at some of the statistics in more detail to help clear up some misconceptions.

1. They say: 35% think they can take care of their finances*

We say: everyone is different and some absolutely can while others may need help - but advised clients are, on average £47,000 better off after 10 years***. Even if you are not easily impressed, it’s hard not to see value in that!

2. They say: 47% think financial advice is too expensive*

We say: Most clients that approach us do not know how much advice actually costs, what it includes or why some advisers use different charging structures, eg, fixed fee, hourly or percentage of the investment or mixture thereof.

3. They say: 45% believe that advisers are only interested in selling you something*

We say: We have legal responsibility and duty of care to only ever recommend products tailored specifically to your needs. Simply put, we are not sales people!

4. They say: 17% simply don’t like discussing their finances*

We say: speaking to us advisers is no different to asking your doctor or solicitor for help; we are simply financial experts, we love helping others and we don’t bite!

5. They say: 41% of respondents opine that advisers only provide advice on products that earn a commission*

We say: In reality we do not get any commission for recommendation on pensions, investments and retirement income products.

6. They say: 29% don’t trust advisers*

We say: did you know that 8 out of 10 advised clients say that trustworthiness is one of their advisers top 3 qualities?** What say you!?

7. For those 22% that think financial advice is not for them* Research indicates that 1.5 million individuals would probably look for advice if they knew how advisers can help - knowledge is key!

You may be one of the 15% who don’t think financial advice is for someone like you* - let’s have an initial chat to see if and how we can help you with managing your money and plan for the future.

*Source: Exploring the Advice Gap, April 2021, Royal London customer research.

**Source: Feeling the Benefit of Financial Advice, September 2020, Royal London customer research.

***Source: What It’s Worth - Revitalising the Value of Financial Advice, December 2019.

Silvia Johnson BSc(Hons) DipPFS EFA CertCII (MP) is a Director & Independent Financial Adviser at Royale Thames Wealth Ltd.

www.royalthameswealth.co.uk

silvia@royalthameswealth.co.uk 020 8720 7249 / 07908 109 741

Royale Thames Wealth Ltd is an Appointed Representative of New Leaf Distribution Ltd which is authorised and regulated by Financial Conduct Authority number 460421.

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

Wills and Estate Planning are not regulated by the FCA.

Promoting Rotary on the radio

Making friends across the nation

Accepting an achievement award

Rambling through Royalty - By Britain’s Oldest Angry Young Man

What is it about rich American women who seek sanctuary with our royal family as a safe haven from the politics and corruption endemic in their own country?

Let us start with Winston Churchill’s mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, née Jenny Jerome, daughter of an American millionaire. Of course, we must thank her for producing, arguably, Britain’s greatest citizen. Enter Bessie Wallis Warfield Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. In 1935, Wallis had been presented in court to the outrage of the royal family who were shocked by her marital history. As an American socialite, she was waiting for her final decree for her second divorce when on December 11th 1936 her husband, the Duke of Windsor, broadcast a farewell (abdication) to his people. He and Wallis then decamped to Europe. Wallis’ first marriage in 1916 was to US bavy officer Earl Winfield Spencer Jnr, divorced 1927. Her second marriage in 1928 was to Ernest Aldriitch Simpson, divorced in 1937. She finally hit the jackpot when in 1937 she married Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor. He died in 1972. Wallis died in 1986.

Enter Californian-born Meghan Markle, an actress previously married to American film producer Trevor Engelson. After three years they separated in August 2013. Meghan met Harry on a blind date in 2016 and they married 19th May 2018 in Windsor Castle. So much for the fairy tale.

It was not long before the hard reality of the situation burst on the scene. It soon became clear that Harry had morphed into a pawn for Meghan. Harry’s protestrations about ill-perceived treatment of Meghan by some at the Palace and elsewhere, began to affect Harry’s judgment in domestic and royal matters. Interestingly, both Harry and Edward VIII abandoned their royal duties for love. As Harry began to vent his anger on anyone within range, Meghan slid into the

Chelmsford Library

With spring on its way, there is a lot going on in Chelmsford Library. Here are details of a few of these things:

Warm Welcome Initiative

We would like to welcome you to come and use our library as a warm space. There are comfortable seating areas and free wi-fi, and we offer community tea times on alternate Saturday afternoons and every Wednesday morning from 10.30am - do come and join us for a hot drink and refreshment. We have information about help during the cost-of-living crisis and can direct you towards any additional advice you may need. There will always be somebody to talk to and somebody to listen.

background. Harry then announceed that he was writing a book to expose those whom he thought were shafting Meghan and himself.

As Harry continued to throw his toys out of his pram, my question is, who the hell was supposed to be looking after Meghan and Harry, or was it Palace policy to leave them alone to dig their own hole?

Meghan accused the Palace of planting tales about her to keep the heat off the royal family. Surely, telling Harry to shut up would nip that inconvenience in the bud. Unfortunately, M and H have created a litany of self-indulgent adventures, one of which is the comfort of $100 million courtesy of Netflix (who must now, following the lukewarm six hour television marathon, be looking for ways to sneak some of it back). The Times summed up Harry’s memoir under the heading ‘A Wounded Prince’ as a sad tale of anger, pain, provocation and plain stupidity.

Harry’s petulant answer? ‘Book too revealing? You should see what I left out’.

Unfortunately, Harry forgot to leave out his damning admission that whilst in the army he had killed 25 Taliban on duty, compounding the problem by calling his victims chess pieces removed from the board. Even the Taliban complained. But according to military circles, Harry has ’betrayed military’s trust like he has betrayed his family’.

After Harry’s book - which I understand contained many inaccuracies - was released to the public, Harry’s popularity fell to a record low. Worse, Gen Z has lost patience with softboi Harry. I am afraid that for Harry and Meghan the game is up. Take your pathetic whining back to California before Meghan does a runner.

Work Club

Are you looking for employment, in need of help with creating or updating your CV, assistance with job searching and online applications or advice on interview skills? Then book an appointment for our Work Club on Thursday mornings. We have knowledgeable volunteers and staff ready to help.

Full details of all our events and services, including dates and times and how to book your place, are on our website there are too many to list here!

You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter or by subscribing to our newsletter; details on our website.

libraries.essex.gov.uk

Creative Writing Group for Children

Our creative writing group is for children aged 8 to 13 who are interested in creating, improving or just sharing their work. With a

relaxed approach, we aim to be a supportive place for those who want to create. Book your place and come along and have fun every fourth Saturday of the month - next one is 25th February.

Refelcting on Nine Years as Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral

We arrived here in Chelmsford on New Year’s Day 2014. Probably not a great day to move house as even tracking down somewhere to eat that evening was a challenge!

Chelmsford looked very different back then. What we think of today as Bond Streetthat whole area

around John Lewis - was simply a massive (and very ugly) informal car park. That is almost impossible to remember now. And of course the population has continued to grow; not simply outer estates like Beaulieu Park, but office block after office block being turned into flats. That has mostly been good news for the city centre, but it feels quite challenging for the provision of public services like GP surgeries.

In those early years Chelmsford felt like a big town rather than a small city. But a whole range of things - including John Lewis, and population growth, and lots of new restaurants, and (I would inevitably suggest) the growing profile of Chelmsford Cathedral as public space for all - has created a new sense of our civic life together and the things that make this a good place to live.

Indeed, the Queen’s visit in May 2014 felt like part of all that. Yes, Her Majesty’s visit was to mark the centenary of Chelmsford Cathedral, but it really felt like her personal endorsement of our status as a city. It has been great over the years seeing the knitting together of so many networks in the city centre, and certainly from the cathedral’s perspective, the Gaia installation in October 2022 felt like a great celebration of that as each day we saw 4,000 people enjoying this beautiful space.

My ministry as Dean has not been just about Chelmsford of course. As Dean I’ve had a brief right across the churches and communities of east London and Essex (ie, the ancient county of Essex). It’s been fascinating getting to know extraordinarily diverse places and people from Saffron Walden to Southend and from Canning Town to Clactonon-Sea.

Inevitably, I need to say something about the pandemic. I went on my first ever period of study leave in October 2019. Apparently clergy are meant to get these every 10 years, but in 30 years this hadn’t come my way! It was amazing. I spent two months back in Oxford, reading, writing, talking, walking. That was followed by a family Christmas in France at the community of Taizé, and New Year with our Slovenian in-laws in Ljubljana. That was wonderful and followed for me by a 30-day silent retreat in North Wales, which was a really life-changing experience. I guess I had all sorts of ideas about what happened next when I got back to Chelmsford. But three weeks later the first lockdown began.

As many people have noted, it is hard now to remember the sequence of the lockdowns or quite how it all fitted together. We all had both very different and quite similar experiences. Similar because we lost the same freedoms. But different because our circumstances were different. I was deeply aware of the loneliness of so many. At the same time many of us found ourselves in lockdown with quite a few members of our family and that too could of course have its stresses.

As a priest, the most difficult aspect of lockdown was the funerals. Every part of it was difficult. You couldn’t meet the family face-toface. Numbers were massively restricted. We couldn’t sing. And even if it wasn’t a covid-related death, it was treated as if it might have been. I think we all worked very hard to make it a genuine human experience, but it was very hard.

For so many of us lookdown also brought us Zoom. A really helpful technology, but eventually the days came to be crammed with 6, 7, 8, even 9 or 10 hours of Zoom calls. It was exhausting. By contrast, another technology was really transformative for many churches and certainly for the cathedral: the discovery that we could live-stream services and teaching and that people actually wanted to be part of it! The enduring gift for the cathedral is that every day, some 20 to 30 people join in a simple morning prayer service live-streamed from the cathedral, and they have become a real community, praying for one another, looking out for each other.

Now, we are all still living through the post-pandemic period. We are still a bit battered. I guess the big thing has been learning that quite a lot has changed permanently - that maybe ‘normal’ never was normal. That’s going to take quite a long time to get used to in the cathedral, the city and the diocese. Yet, I leave the cathedral in good heart with a vision for the future and a sense of promise.

As for me (and my wife, family and cat), we are off to a small village in East Sussex where I’ll be the half-time parish priest. This isn’t about stopping or even slowing down, but developing a new rhythm where I am able to have deeper space to read, prayer, write, think, reflectan invitation to greater solitude, stillness and silence that goes right back to the beginning of my calling. Another exciting step on the adventure!

Nicholas Henshall

February

Friday 17th

Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: The Overtures

Chelmsford Theatre - Tap Factory

Hot Box - The Tier Lauch Party

Saturday 18th

Chelmsford Theatre - Dreams of Fleetwood Mac

Chelmsford Theatre - Carl Hutchinson: Watch Till the End

Hatfield Peverel Village Hall - The Jam Project

Hot Box - Ghost Car

Village Hall (Wickham Bishops) - Wickham Bishops Jazz Club:

Paula Jackman’s Jazz Masters (6.30 for 7.30pm - contact Pete: wickhambishopsjazzclub@gmail.com - 07548 775 777)

Sunday 19th

Chelmsford Theatre - Chelmsford Dance Centre Specatular

Hylands Estate - Open Day

Monday 20th

Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night

Sandon School - Scottish Country Dancing (7.30pm - 9.30pmwww.sandonscotdance.org.uk - sandonscotdance@gmail.com)

Tuesday 21st

Central Baptist Church (Victoria Road South) ECC Retirement Fellowship monthly meeting (2-4pm - new members welcome)

Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - Country Dancing (barn dance - 7.50pm - £2 - 01245 475 660)

Woolpack - Quiz

Wednesday 22nd

Hot Box - Radio City Sessions: Alyssa Bonagura + The Jackson

Line + Eddy Smith

Trinity Methodist Church - Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust, will be speaking (7.45pm)

Thursday 23rd

Chelmsford Theatre - Jimeoin: the Craic!

Chelmsford Theatre - NT Live: Othello

Hot Box - Uber Jam

The Lion Inn - The Official Comedy Club

Friday 24th

Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: The Verity/ Bromham Band

Chelmsford Theatre - Showaddywaddy: 50th Anniversary

Concert Tour

Hot Box - Hinge + Bo Weevil + No Time to Waste

RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga

Saturday 25th

Chelmsford Social Club - Little Dave & the Sun Sessions

Chelmsford Theatre - The Carpenters Story

Hot Box - Three Birds Blind EP Launch + Dean Frost

Sunday 26th

Chelmsford Theatre - Syd Lawrence Orchestra: In the Mood for Miller

South Hanningfield Village Hall (South Hanningfield Road CM3

8HL) - Table Top Sale (9am -1pm - vallisc@aol.com)

Tuesday 28th

Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - Country Dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)

Woolpack - Quiz

March

Wednesday 1st

Friends Meeting House (Rainsford Road) - CRAG Retirement Group (monthly meeting - 9.30am - First visit free)

Wednesday 1st (cont...)

Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music

Supper Club: Dave Browning’s Jazz Cats Sextet (7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075)

Thursday 2nd

Chelmsford Theatre - Dreamcoat Stars

Hot Box - Open System

Friday 3rd

Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Martin Turner (ex-Wishbone Ash)

Hot Box - Stark + MetroGlow + BrokenAtoms

RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga

Saturday 4th

Chelmsford Theatre - Come What May: The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge

Chelmsford Theatre - Pinocchio

Hot Box - Boogie in the Box

RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)

Sunday 5th

Chelmsford Theatre - Act First

Monday 6th

Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club Night

Sandon School - Scottish Country Dancing (7.30pm - 9.30pm - www.sandonscotdance.org.uk, sandonscotdance@gmail.com)

Tuesday 7th

Old Court Theatre - Stockholm

Woolpack - Quiz

Wednesday 8th

Chelmsford Theatre - An Evening with Joe Cornish

Chelmsford Theatre - Danny Baker: At Last... The Saudage

Sandwich Tour

Hot Box - The Big Music Quiz

Old Court Theatre - Stockholm

Patch - Talk on the London to Clacton-on-Sea railway (7pmemail info@chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk to book)

Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music

Supper Club: The Essex Hot Five (7.45pm - to book, call Phil on 07850 607 075)

Thursday 9th

Chelmsford Theatre - Abigail’s Party

Hot Box - Open Mic Night

Old Court Theatre - Stockholm

Friday 10th

Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Some Kinda Wonderful (celebrating Stevie Wonder)

Chelmsford Theatre - Abigail’s Party

F Cookes (Moulsham Street) - An Evening of Soul & Motown with Michael Winchester

Old Court Theatre - Stockholm

RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga

Saturday 11th

Chelmsford Theatre - Abigail’s Party

Old Court Theatre - Stockholm

Hot Box - Vigilantes

RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)

The UB - Playlister

Sunday 12th

Channels Estate - Wedding Show

Chelmer Valley High School - 2023 Lace and Craft Fair

Chelmsford Theatre - Mary Cassatt: Painting the Modern Woman

Hot Box - Jazz Sundays with Zak Barrett

Monday 13th

Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club Night

Tuesday 14th

Sandon School - Scottish Country Dancing (7.30pm - 9.30pmwww.sandonscotdance.org.uk - sandonscotdance@gmail.com)

Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)

Woolpack - Quiz

Wednesday 15th

Chelmsford Theatre - Cinderella: The Chelmsford Ballet Company

Hot Box - Control Voltage (electronic music open mic)

Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music

Supper Club: Julian Stringle & Dominic Ashworth Qnt (7.45pmto book phone Phil on 07850 607 075)

The UB - Pub Quiz

Thursday 16th

Central Park - The 3foot People Festival Party

Chelmsford Theatre - Cinderella: The Chelmsford Ballet Company

Hot Box - Ignition: Existentialist + Mechro Morph + Xenomyiasis

Friday 17th

Central Park - The 3foot People Festival Party

Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Hamish Stuart (Average White Band)

Chelmsford Theatre - Cinderella: The Chelmsford Ballet Company

Hot Box - Model Man

Saturday 18th

Central Park - The 3foot People Festival Party

Central Park - Fling Cabaret Extravagasm

Chelmsford Theatre - Cinderella: The Chelmsford Ballet Company

The Swan (Bicknacre) - Music Bingo

Sunday 19th

Chelmsford Theatre - Making Headway

Hylands Estate - Open Day with Hot Box Live

Chelmsford Theatre Launches Membership Scheme, Café and 2023 Panto

Chelmsford Theatre has announced a brand new membership scheme, the opening of its first ever café, and the release of tickets for its 2023 pantomime production. The announcement follows the transformation of the theatre’s front-of-house spaces during a six month refurbishment programme.

New Membership Scheme Rewards Theatre Goers

The launch of the theatre’s very first membership scheme will allow all theatre goers to access some brilliant benefits while supporting the arts at their local theatre. Whether you visit Chelmsford Theatre twice a week or twice a year, the rewards on offer will give you better access to a world of entertainment. There are two tiers to the membership scheme. At £35 and £55 annually.

Chelmsford Theatre

Members can be among the very first to snap up tickets with priority booking for selected shows. They’ll also get access to special member offers, free ticket postage, waived transaction fees and will receive exclusive membership newsletters.

For the most dedicated supporters, £55 a year grants Chelmsford premium members all the above benefits, as well as a 20% discount in the theatre café, a 10% discount in theatre bars, and flexible ticket exchanges.

How to Join the Membership Scheme Memberships help theatres to achieve more. They help support our productions, community events, and education workshops; allowing more people than ever before to access and enjoy the arts. To purchase your membership, visit Chelmsford Theatre’s website, call the box office on 01245 606 505, or visit the box office in person.

Our Chelmsford Plus and our Chelmsford Premium membership holders can also benefit from £5 off Chelmsford Theatre membership. To find out how to access this discount, visit the theatre website.

First Ever Café to Become ‘Cultural Living Room’

The theatre’s new café is now welcoming customers daily from 10am-3pm from Monday to Saturday. The opening marks a milestone in Chelmsford Theatre’s vision to become a ‘cultural living room’ for the city. The intimate and cosy café provides an additional space in the theatre for people to socialise while grabbing a drink and a bite to eat. A varied menu of savoury

delights and sweet treats will be available to satisfy you from breakfast through to mid afternoon. Enjoy products locally sourced from Tiptree Patisserie and Brownbread Bakery, plus a range of vegetarian and vegan options. The café will also offer a wide range of hot drinks, perfect for the current cold months.

Throughout the summer, you can also soak up the sun while enjoying refreshing drinks and salads on the new outdoor terrace.

Councillor Marie Goldman, Chelmsford City Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Connected Chelmsford, says that with these latest announcements, Chelmsford Theatre continues to evolve into a cultural venue that meets the needs of the city: “With the café now open, Chelmsford Theatre has realised its ambition to become an all-day venue, ready to welcome people across the city and beyond for socialising, workshops, classes and shows. With the new membership scheme, our most frequent visitors will also receive more value for money while getting the chance to support the city’s cultural heart. I’m looking forward to seeing Chelmsford’s cultural groups, residents and workers utilising the theatre’s new spaces in the coming years.”

Annual Family Panto Now on Sale

The new membership scheme has arrived just in time for the online release of tickets for Chelmsford Theatre’s much-loved annual panto. The 2023 pantomime will be Jack and the Beanstalk. Previously due to be presented at the theatre in 2022, the show will now be performed on the main stage from 1st December 2023 to 7th January 2024. This traditional pantomime brings a classic adventure presenting singalong songs, glitzy costumes, hilarious jokes and uplifting dance routines.

Book your tickets now to see hapless Jack, his mother the dame and their beloved cow discover a handful of magic beans and a larger-than-life beanstalk inhabited by a ferocious giant!

Lee Henderson, Theatre Director, is looking forward to hosting the long-awaited production of Jack and the Beanstalk: “It’s been so great to welcome people back to our beautiful, refurbished theatre and to see some fantastic reactions to the makeover from our audiences. We’re thrilled to now be launching the return of our much-loved pantomime; the annual panto is such a big tradition at Chelmsford Theatre and the team have such fun hosting it and listening to families laugh, shout, and sing each year. We can’t wait to see another lively show this December.”

www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Steve McQueen’s Great Escape Motorcycle Restored

Just as The Wicker Man eventually gained cult status thanks to late night BBC TV screenings, many wide-eyed youngsters will have entered adulthood with Steve McQueen firmly etched in their minds thanks to numerous Sunday afternoon TV screenings of the 1963 classic, The Great Escape. Before we had too many channels to cope with, movies became household names thanks to television and an annual grand showing as the afternoon movie (sorry, ‘film’) on Christmas Day and Boxing Day across the United Kingdom throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

In fact, The Great Escape was voted third (behind It’s a Wonderful Life and Wizard of Oz) in a poll which asked people to name the films that they would most like to sit down and enjoy together over Christmas.

Most likely, if you were to ask any of those pollsters what they remember most about that film, they would undoubtedly say ‘the motorbike scene’ and especially the moment where Captain Virgil Hilts - nicknamed the ‘Cooler King’ due to his many foiled escape attempts leading to a night in the cooler - jumps that barbed wire fence on the Triumph (though this particular scene was actually performed by McQueen’s stunt double, Bud Ekins).

For the film, renowned motorcycle mechanic and pinstriper, Von Dutch, disguised the TR6 Trophy as a German BMW R75.

So what a major coup it is for Triumph to get hold of that actual motorbike to put on display at their Triumph Factory Visitor Experience. The fully restored Triumph 650cc TR6 Trophy can now be seen at the visitor centre which opened its doors on November 1st in 2017. It joins the Speed Triple ridden by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible II and three Scramblers from Jurassic World, but for pure class, McQueen’s bike surely overshadows them all.

Actually getting the motorbike to what might be seen as its rightful home required a bit of luck too, as is often surprisingly the case when retrieving classic film-based modes of transport - but let’s leave a rather fascinating story behind the fleet of Minis from The Italian Job for another day...

The TR6 Trophy had languished for decades in the wilderness before being fully restored, and rumour has it that the bike was used by a farmer to herd his cows before being left to gather dust in a barn for many years.

This isn’t just any old restoration though, 95 per cent of the bike’s original parts have remained as the restoration project sought to bring the Triumph back to its full 1962 spec - though wisely, the dents and dings from filming have been left alone.

The bike’s restorer, Dick Shepherd, said that the TR6 Trophy is actually in full working order too. Shepherd bought the bike from a farmhand that had inherited the now priceless machine following the death of the farmer, before embarking on what is a very impressive restoration project.

The lengths that Shepherd went to in an effort to maintain the bike’s authenticity are admirable, even managing to keep the original rear tyre. Shepherd did admit though, that repairing the original front mudguard was ‘a challenge’ due to the amount of rot present after so many years of neglect.

If you want to go and see this piece of cinematic history (and why wouldn’t you) then you can visit the Triumph Factory Visitor Experience for free in Hinckley, Leicestershire - call them first to make sure the motorbike is on show, as it has been temporarily occasionally removed from display in the past.

While you’re there, you may also want to take advantage of a full Triumph Factory Tour for £25 (book in advance online at www. triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/for-the-ride/experiences/factory-visitorexperience).

By Sean Neylon

Image: triumphmotorcycles.co.uk

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A History of Sport in the Chelmsford Area Part 5 - By Stephen Norris.

Hockey was another sport which was followed by women as well as men in Chelmsford. The Chelmsford Hockey Club was formed in 1898 and from the start was open to women joining as well as men, and photo evidence shows that there were mixed teams as well as single-sex ones. Herbert Marriage, the tenant of Moulsham Lodge, gave permission for the use of a field behind the tennis courts. Subscription was two shillings and sixpence for tennis players and five shillings for non tennis players. Ladies games were played during the week and men’s and mixed teams played at the weekend.

The ladies teams often featured well known names in the town, particularly the Whitmores, the Bodkins and the Marriages, and KEGS Old Boys also provided a team. In 1900, the Chelmsford club moved to the New Street ground. After the New Street ground was sold in 1912, Old Girls of Chelmsford High School decided to form a ladies club in the town. A field behind Widford Hall was initially used, but in 1924 the club transferred to Crompton’s Athletics ground at Wood Street. Well known town families in the team at this time included the Christys and the Cramphorns. The ladies travelled to away games by a variety of means, bicycle, pony and trap, motorcycle, car or train, and often two large cars were used. By the 1930s the club was attending Easter hockey festivals at Bournemouth, Ramsgate and Southend. During the war, matches continued right up to October 1940. The men had played at New Writtle Street, sharing the ground with the Cricket Club since 1922/3. In the previous decade they had played at various venues including Springfield.

Organised rugby made a surprisingly late entrance to the Chelmsford area. In 1920 six men sat down at the Saracens Head Hotel to form Chelmsford Rugby Club. The first pitch was off Baddow Road, near the present Army and Navy roundabout - and was shared with a herd of cows! The club then moved to another pitch in Wood Street and in the 1930s the club transferred to Writtle. One or two players took to arriving by plane, from which they would disembark already changed, just to demoralise the opposition! The club did though have difficulty in attracting the best local players who often preferred to go to the more prestigious London clubs.

Skating had long been popular in the Chelmsford area on frozen ponds. Just before the First War, there were certainly two skating rinks in the town - one near the railway station and one on the old Coleman and Morton foundry site on New London Road. The latter ran a programme of competitions and also a fancy dress carnival. The county roller skating rink was a popular meeting place for young people and, managed by Albert Duke, it probably continued until the Second War, when it was used by Marconi for the assembly and testing of radio equipment. They still had a valve depot there in 1964. Skating was also allowed on the Recreation Ground lake in the Edwardian period when it froze. Harold Orrin even remembered skating to work at the Arc works when the water froze.

Boxing had a long tradition in the county town, and as early as 1882 the Essex Amateur Championships were held in the Shire Hall. In the Edwardian period there were regular boxing evenings in the town, including one at one of the skating rinks in 1913. During the interwar period there were regular tournaments put on at the Corn Exchange by the National Sporting Club. Various town dignitaries including the mayor were often present. There was also a regular scouts boxing event. In the 1930s boxing and judo exhibitions were held to raise money for carnival funds and these often featured well known current boxing celebrities. The Essex Home School often gained considerable success in junior boxing tournaments.

Earlier in the 19th century, quoits was popular as a game in the Chelmsford area, particularly in Springfield. In the late 19th century there was a pitch behind The Carpenter’s Arms on Broomfield Road, and it was also played at Link House Farm in West Hanningfield: ‘The quoits were about the size of a ten plate with a notch for the forefinger on the underside’. A hen’s feather was placed in the opposite square and players threw at the feather. Hoffmann had a pitch on their sports ground until about 1939.

Billiards was popular in the town in the late 19th century, and a billiard tournament was held at the Phoenix Coffee House in 1884. The game was still regularly played after the First War, when players played for the Pretyman Cup (named after the local MP) at the Hoffmann Athletic and Social Club in 1920. Six years later the cup was played for at the Marconi Club when it was won by the Chelmsford YMCA. The sport was also popular at the Conservative Club where snooker was also played, and 1923 there was the first mention in the local papers of a snooker tournament held there.

Of the other minority sports, netball was being played at Crompton’s Wood Street ground by 1923. The year before, the Weekly News reported on a badminton match played between Chelmsford and Colchester at the Drill Hall.

The Boer War showed up the lack of fitness of many young people. Even before this however, gyms were being established in the area, and the Chelmsford Gymnasium was formed in 1891, and KEGS had its own gymnasium by 1894. The log books of the local junior schools at the turn of the century showed that increased emphasis was being placed on fitness. Even in the Chelmsford workhouse in Wood Street, the children were expected to be kept fit. As early as 1878 the Inspector of Workhouse Schools complimented the schoolmaster on the drills carried out by the children, as well as their exercises with dumbells.

Well before the Second War, the exclusivity of many sports in the Chelmsford area had been removed by increasing leisure time, especially on Saturdays, and the role of the big three works in making a wide variety of sports affordable to working people. These firms had also played their part in blurring the distinction between amateur and professional which had been so important to the cycling and athletics enthusiasts in Robert Cook’s day.

You are invited to join hundreds of singers who will raise the roof at Chelmsford Cathedral when the whole audience joins the cathedral organ and choir, the Chelmsford singers, an acapella folk group, and an instrumental trio join to turn folk songs into hymns on 4th March.

The From Pub to Pulpit concert celebrates Vaughan Williams and has an even greater significance for Chelmsford. In 1903, just a few miles away at Ingrave, he heard his first folk song - and that influenced his subsequent work as one of the country’s best and most popular composers.

The concert features acapella folk group Broomdasher, instrumental trio Coracle, led by Paul Hutchinson of the legendary Belshazzar’s Feast, and all the other singers, joining in at the top of their voices in tribute to Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The 20-date tour of cathedrals, minsters and significant churches has been picked as a ‘Highlight of the Vaughan Williams Festival Year’ by The Times, The Guardian, Gramophone and The Living Tradition folk magazine. Tickets are available from the Chelmsford Cathedral.

Vaughan Williams was a well known collector of folk songs, and it all started at Ingrave when he heard farm labourer Charles Potiphar sing Bushes and Briars. For him, it summed up ‘the essence of Englishness’ and he went on to collect more than 800 folk songs, many of which appear in his work, from symphonies to choral pieces, brass band and opera.

He even borrowed the tunes from some of the working peoples’ favourite songs to use for some of the best hymns in 1906’s English Hymnal that he edited.

Chelmsford Takeover

Chelmsford

Takeover is a brand new event landing in Chelmsford High Street on Saturday 18th March 2023.

Chelmsford For You have joined forces with Essex cosplayers to create the event in aid of raising funds for Little Havens Hospice, a fantastic local charity offering the best possible palliative and supportive care for children.

Get ready for Chelmsford city centre to come to life with familiar heroes, characters, cars and props from the worlds of film, TV and comics all located across multiple High Street locations.

Cosplay Groups

Walkabout characters from Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Doctor Who, Ghostbusters and more.

Show Cars

A range of show cars on display including the DeLorean from Back to the Future, The Ecto1 from Ghostbusters, The Tumbler from Batman, Lightning McQueen himself and some surprise favourites.

In the second half of the concert, Broomdasher and Coracle take the audience on that musical journey ‘From Pub to Pulpit’ to discover some of those songs. Starting with an acapella folk song, the tune goes through dance tune variations before gloriously climaxing as everyone joins in with full-blooded renditions of the hymns.

They include To Be a Pilgrim, and I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, transformed from the folk songs Our Captain Calls and The Murder of Maria Marten

“We’re really excited about bringing this concert to the spiritual home of folk music for Vaughan Williams,” said From Pub to Pulpit director John Palmer. “Our aim is to raise the roof with voices at every concert and I’m sure we’ll do that with extra volume, harmonies and excitement at Chelmsford.”

Meet and Greet

Various actors from film and TV will be attending and available for photo and signing opportunities, including stars from Star Wars, Superman, Dr Who, Batman, James Bond, Blake’s 7 and more.

Activites and Workshops

They’ll be a range of activities and workshops lined up to immerse you even more; including lightsabre training, gaming bus, superhero cape making, hero and villain facepainting, a Geek Retreat area, model sculpting workshop, stalls, and cosplay fancy dress competitions. Plus free bus journeys with the Park & Ride service for anyone dressed up on the day, courtesy of Essex County Council!

Saturday 18th March

Chelmsford High Street 10am-4pm

All donations in aid of Little Havens Hospice

www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk/chelmsfordtakeover

www.facebook.com/chelmsfordforyou

www.instagram.com/chelmsfordforyou

Have Your Say on Proposed Expansion of Chelmer Valley Park and Ride

Plans form an important part of the £81 million Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package and Essex County Council’s strategy to encourage safer, greener and healthier travel.

A public consultation has been launched about proposals to expand the existing Chelmer Valley Park and Ride site.

The 500-space expansion, which is planned as part of Essex County Council’s Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package, is needed to help accommodate a forecast increase in Park and Ride demand in the future.

Passenger numbers are increasing again following the COVID-19 pandemic and there is significant growth planned, including in the north Chelmsford area and the Braintree district.

Therefore, it was always anticipated Chelmer Valley Park and Ride would need expansion in the future and land for the expansion was safeguarded in the Chelmsford Local Plan.

In March last year, when Essex County Council decided not to take forward proposals for a new Park and Ride site in Widford as part of the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package, it provided an opportunity to fund the Chelmer Valley Park and Ride expansion.

Under the proposals, the expansion would be made to the east and slightly to the north of the existing site, which is located off the A130 Essex Regiment Way.

Once expanded, it would have approximately 1,500 parking spaces in total, including designated electric vehicle, disabled and parent and child spaces.

Various pedestrian and cyclist improvements would be made throughout the site and additional new cycle lockers would also be provided to promote cycling between the Park and Ride, new housing

areas and the city centre.

A public consultation about the proposed expansion was launched on Monday 30th January 2023 and is open for six weeks, closing on Sunday 12th March 2023.

Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: “Park and Ride remains a crucial part of our strategy to encourage people travelling into Chelmsford from outside of the city to use an alternative means of transport than driving.

“It offers a quick and easy way to travel into the city centre and reduces the number of cars on the city’s roads, helping reduce congestion and improve air quality.

“Although Park and Ride passenger numbers have fallen since the pandemic and many people’s working patterns have changed, use of our Park and Ride sites is growing and we expect demand to increase significantly in the future because of planned growth in the area. By expanding Chelmer Valley Park and Ride, we can ensure there is enough capacity to meet this future demand.

“This public consultation is your opportunity to comment on these proposals and help shape the final scheme before a planning application is submitted this summer.”

To find out more about the Chelmer Valley Park and Ride proposals and complete the short consultation survey, visit www.essex.gov.uk/ armyandnavy.

Essex County Council is also hosting a drop-in consultation event at High Chelmer Shopping Centre in Chelmsford to allow people to meet the project team and ask any questions. The events will take place from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 25th February 2023.

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose - By Steve Johansen

This month, I’m going to focus on a seated twisted pose, called Half Lord of the Fishes, or sometimes simply called Seated Twisted pose, in Sanskrit it is Ardha Matsyendrasana (ARD-ah Mats-yun-DRAHSuh-nah). Ardha translates as half, Matsya means fish, Indra king, and Asana pose.

I love to use this pose at the end of my practice, as it is a deep and restorative twist, that both strengthens and rejuvenates. It improves spinal mobility, stretches the thighs, piriformis and glutes, and relaxes the shoulders. It also allows you to focus on your breath. During the pose you feel the ribs expand and contract with each breath, helping you to develop a mindful, calm, meditative breath.

As with all spinal twists, take it slowly, easing gently into and out of any spinal rotation. We often feel that we twist all the way through our spine, from top to bottom, but in fact most of the twisting motion happens in the neck and mid back. The more space that you can create by sitting a little taller, the more twist you’ll get. The real trick in any of twisting yoga poses is to not force it, but to learn how to relax - especially the neck and shoulders.

Where to Start

As with many sitting poses, start in Dandasana (dun-DAHS-anna) or Staff pose. As the name suggests we should be sitting up straight with all our muscles engaged. Sit taller with each inhalation, as you lift the crown of the head to the ceiling. Relax your shoulders, with each exhalation, creating as much space between the tops of your shoulders and ears. Extend your legs straight out in front of you, flex your feet, drawing the toes toward you, activating you calves and tops of your thighs - hands should be gently resting by your side. Lift through your sternum with each inhalation to sit a little taller. Let your shoulder blades role downwards, and towards each other with each exhalation, then find your Dristi, an unfocused gaze, and introduce your, long slow, steady breath.

To get into Half Lord of the Fishes, keeping both sit bones grounded, draw your right leg in, and cross it over the left leg. Your right foot should point straight forward. Allow all four corners of the foot to be connected to the ground. The easiest option is to have your right ankle by your left calf, drawing your ankle further up to the outside of your knee or to your thigh, to make the pose a little more challenging. Take your left hand to your right knee, keeping your elbow up at the same height as your hand. Instead of pulling your right knee to the left to achieve the twist, gently draw your left elbow forwards to twist your torso, as you breathe in sit a little taller, and relaxing your shoulders with each out breath, as you ease into the stretch in your right hip.

On your next inhalation, sit a little taller and stretch your right arm forwards palm facing outwards, and sweep upwards to reach up towards the ceiling, as you exhale draw your left elbow forwards to intensify the twist, as you stretch your right hand backwards, and around behind you. Place your thumb as close to your tailbone as possible, turning your fingers to face backwards, to help you relax your shoulder, or wrap your right arm around your waist to your left hip, palm facing outwards, turning the head to find a Dristi over your right shoulder at the back of the room.

Try to hold the pose for three to five breaths. With each inhalation, notice not just the front ribs expanding, but the sides of your ribs expanding and stretching as you sit a little taller. With each exhalation allow yourself to relax deeper into the twist, letting the shoulders blades roll down your spine with each exhalation. Repeat on the other side.

I hope that you enjoy this pose as much as I do. Next month I aim to share a short video link with you for those that would benefit from seeing me teach pose, or you’re always very welcome to join me at my studio.

www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk

Little Waltham Gardening Club

The Down to Earth Community Allotment Project was the title of the February meeting of the little Waltham Gardening Club. Carolin Rogers of the Wilderness Foundation gave an excellent presentation advising that the positive power of wilderness can change lives. We cannot keep taking away from the earth and must give something back.

Founded in 1976, the Wilderness Foundation aims to help both young people and children, through local schools, supporting mental health and educating over 6,000 every year on how they can help the environment.

As well as their base in Chatham Green, they also have allotments in Melbourne as it’s been shown that gardening on a regular basis can reduce stress and increase well-being. They have raised beds for wheelchair users and of course are always on the lookout for volunteers.

The next meeting of the Gardening Club is the AGM to be held on 1st March when the club will be 40 years old. Before that, we have a flower arranging workshop on the 16th February in readiness for the Spring Show. The annual Spring Show will be held this year on Saturday 8th April. Further details on our website www. littlewalthamgardeningclub.co.uk.

Can You Make a Difference in Your Community?

and decisions, and making sure they stay on track. It is a fantastic opportunity to make real difference to the organisation you volunteer for. You don’t need prior experience, just enthusiasm and dedication. Trustee meetings are usually just 4 times a year, so this is a great role for people with busy lives who still want to help.

Social media volunteer at Millrace Furniture Restoration

Giving advice Level 1 & 2 - Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau

Are you a good listener? Can you give calm, thoughtful advice and assist people accessing information?

This role is assisting clients by phone to help resolve their practical issues/problems.

This could be by researching and providing them with information, signposting to other organisations, referring clients to other services and charities, or arranging for the client to receive full advice from one of our experienced advisers.

You will receive full training and constant support and advice. You are not expected to know all the answers!

Minibus driver for Abberton Rural Training

Would you consider volunteering to be a driver for us at Abberton Rural Training? The driver would need to be over 25 with a full clean driving licence and someone who can be friendly, patient and considerate to our elderly passengers. In between dropping off and collecting, you would be welcome to stay with the group and enjoy learning about horticulture and land-based studies!

Trustees needed

Trustees play a crucial role in guiding charities, helping make plans

We are looking for a volunteer to help develop and update our social media, to advertise and promote our work, and to assist in the development of our website and overall online presence. Millrace Furniture gives support, lessons, and practice skills to help people who are recovering from mental ill health.

Volunteer youth worker at InterAct

InterAct works with young people, families and carers, helping them to overcome barriers, and to aspire and achieve their potential. Our services provide fun, friendship and a range of activities for teenagers aged 12-18 with disabilities and additional needs, helping them to develop their social and independent living skills. We need friendly, responsible volunteers who can encourage teenagers to have fun and explore their potential.

Volunteer fundraisers - Medical Detection Dogs

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to detect the odour of human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s and COVID-19. Our dogs are saving lives now and have the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives in the future.

Do you enjoy fundraising or think you might? Would like to get out and about and chat to people about our work? Then perhaps become a fundraiser for Medical Detection Dogs!

Introducing Andrew Alton-ReadChelmsford Community Radio

Continuing our series on our presenters, this month we introduce Andrew Alton-Read...

Hello I’m Andrew Alton-Read, I present The Music Capsule every Sunday between 7pm and 8pm every week. Each week I look at the history of an artist or band, how they began in the music business and broke into the industry. I play a selection of their music and talk about their life.

Past artists have included; Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Kylie, Tom Jones, Sam Smith and bands such as Queen, The Beach Boys, ABBA and Snow Patrol,

A little bit about me: I am a local Essex boy and I was born in St John’s Hospital in Chelmsford. From seeing my first pantomime at the Civic Theatre at 5 years old, I fell in love with theatre. I started singing in the local church choir in Galleywood, then later joined the local amateur dramatics society, Chelmsford Young Generation - a performing society for young people. I performed in many productions. Next, I studied at Southend Technical College in performing arts, then worked for Newpalm Productions, the local rep at the Civic Theatre.

I auditioned for drama school at 17 but was told I looked too young and to get some life experience. I then auditioned for Warner Holidays and Shearing’s Holidays and was successful, working around the country for the next seven years entertaining people. I then was given an opportunity to perform in pantomime and bid

farewell to the holiday hotels and camps. I next took the plunge and started auditioning for drama schools again and was successful at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama gaining a Masters in Acting Musical Theatre.

An actors life is like a rollercoaster, or simply described as a marathon more than a sprint. I have been lucky enough to work in theatre, television, film, voiceover and radio.

I fell into radio presenting by accident after attending an open evening held by Chelmsford Community Radio. I decided to shadow a presenter as I did not have previous experience in radio. So, when I was offered to present my own show, I decided to jump at the chance and grab it with both hands!

The idea of The Music Capsule came as I enjoy listening to a variety of music and always wondered the history behind the artist. I thought why not put the two together, music and history and let listeners learn about their favourite stars.

Along with radio I have been lucky enough to produce, direct and write for theatre and film. My most recent project, The Long Walk, is a short film based on a true story about a young boy’s struggle with mental illness and how it affects both himself and those around him. We are thrilled to have in the film Michelle Collins from EastEnders and Coronation Street and Daniel Casey who was Sergeant Troy in Midsomer Murders. Through this film I hope to help others who have suffered and for others to understand more about how mental illness can affect anyone of us.

Tune into The Music Capsule every Sunday at 7pm on 104.4 fm or online at www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com. See you there!

Crafts - By Magali Ellis and Scrap-Circle

I have recently tried something new: sewing in paper craft. To me, sewing and scrapbooking are two different crafts and I dabble in both. I treated myself to a quilting workshop a few years back and got inspired to make quilts for my grandchildren. However, putting the two crafts together had never occurred to me till a friend of mine showed me the pages she did.

There are several ways to include sewing in scrapbooking. You could use a sewing machine and sew several pieces of paper together. A warning though; the paper fibre will clog up your machine and the needle will blunt with heavy use.

Another way is to punch out the holes by hand using a pokey tool or a cricut or scan ’n’ cut machine. Then you hand sew with embroidery threads.

Finally, you could decide to do false stitching and draw the stiches in felt tips. Easier to do and equally as effective!

It can be used in specific areas, for instance going over the stem of flowers or branches in foliage. It totally immerses itself with the layout and looks incredible! Equally as effective and stunning is to use sewing as highlights to your page, maybe as a colour accent, surrounding a paper feature. You could also use sewing to make embellishments or clusters of papers to be used as embellishments. Another sewing feature can be found in dies which are cutting the paper with a stitching pattern. This looks especially stunning on

cards because the print of the die is so delicate!

I mentioned at the beginning of the article that I only started using sewing on my pages because a friend showed me the pages she had made. There are so many different techniques that I am now using thanks to the times I have been crafting with my friends. I know from the feedback of the craft retreats I organise that everyone goes back having tried new techniques and equipment.

There are so many aspects to scrapbooking that it is difficult - and expensive - to buy it all. Craft days and craft weekend retreats are one of the best ways to enjoy trialling out new things without having to invest heavily in them. On top of that, the influence of other crafters is undeniably vital for our creative process, so if you would like to feel challenged in your craft, why don’t you check out our different craft events?

There is plenty to choose from at Scrap-Circle: craft days every month at Highwood Village Hall just next to Chelmsford, craft weekend retreats in Perry, Cambridgeshire (21st-23nd April, 13th-15th October and 8th-10th December) and you can even splash out on our Craft Cruise from Southampton to Spain and Portugal (4th-13th August). Check all details and information on my website at www.scrap-circle. co.uk.

Ideas Hub Chelmsford - Pillar of Chelmsford Community

What I find most fulfilling about the Ideas Hub is the way it is embedded within the community. It’s like mycelium, which mushrooms grow from. All you can see is the mushroom itself, while hidden from the eye the tiny threads of mycelium run through the forest connecting much of the eco-system together symbiotically. Just like the Ideas Hub, working hard to foster mutually beneficial relationships between the people of Chelmsford and local organisations, whilst the work of the Ideas Hub is itself supported by so many local organisations and residents. The Ideas Hub’s motto of ‘By the community for the community’ is most appropriate.

The Art Place, a creative community space at the heart of Chelmsford, opened in the Meadows Shopping Centre in October 2020, and it keeps on growing (liked a new mushroom). The shop area allows local artists and traders to sell their creative work and gives them, and us, an income. Giving artists a platform to express themselves and be part of the local community is rewarding, and we’ve witnessed the fulfillment this brings.

The workshop area allows us to run creative workshops, including Sunday Explore and Discover workshops for children, which help them explore their creativity and discover their talents. Keep an eye out for the new school holiday workshops (lots for teens), and opportunities to take part in great local events, including the Chelmsford Festival (3rd June to 9th July) and Chelmsford Carnival (2nd July).

The café area hosts a variety of social events in a safe and welcoming space to connect, learn, and grow, including monthly LGBTQ+ socials, and trans socials in partnership with Not A Phase, a trans-led grassroots charity dedicated to awareness, campaigning, and funding new initiatives.

This work couldn’t happen without our amazing volunteers, donations, and sponsorships and all those providing us with support, for which we are extremely grateful.

You can help by ‘liking’ The Art Place pages on social media and sharing our posts to help spread the word. Traditional word of mouth is still a great advertising medium, so please tell your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours about The Art Place. Every little thread of mycelium is vital to the survival of the community.

If you’re interested in a space for selling your crafts, please contact us at theartplace@ideashubchelmsford.org.

If you’re interested in gallery or exhibition space, please contact us at artplacegallery@ideashubchelmsford.org,

For more information regarding workshops and/or running your own workshops, please email Sofia at sofia@ideashubchelmsford.org.

Or to volunteer, please email: volunteer@ideashubchelmsford.org, and for donations or to discuss sponsorships, email edithmiller@ ideashubchelmsford.org.

If you are interested in taking part in Chelmsford Festival and/ or the carnival, including wanting to run your own event, build a float/inspiration for a float, please contact: tony@chelmsfordfestival. co.uk.

The whole ‘mushroom’ provides a safe, inclusive and nurturing space with mush room for everyone!

Edith Miller, CEO & Indigo Moon, Communications Manager

www.ideashubchelmsford.org

Autumn - watercolour painting by Ukrainian Chelmsford artist Eugenia Chepurna - £70

Interior Design Tips for Your Home - By Tania

February is the month of love. Get your bedroom snuggle ready! Warning: Getting out of bed in the mornings might get even harder...

Set the Scene

Declutter and tidy up. This will make your room feel less stressful, fresh and clean.

Lighting is really important to create the ambience in the room; use warm soft light and candles in the evening. Use dimmable ceiling lights, and table or bedside lights for reading... Beware though; white bulbs can be too bright and harsh.

Feature Wall

Paint or paper? First decide how you want the room to feel. Deep hues are perfect for creating a dreamy atmosphere. Go for cool and calm with neutral colours. Try a sophisticated look with dark navy (Neptune’s Ink paint), or black paired with parchment. Go for warm and cosy by adding terracotta and brown tones. Make a scene with a mural wall. Perhaps a lush jungle paradise or midnight blue and silver birch wallpaper for a woodland effect (Cole & Sons).

Plush Carpet or Rug

Imagine getting out of bed in the morning and sinking your toes into a soft deep pile carpet, giving you a sense of luxury. A rug works well on a wood floor creating some warmth and texture. Go for drama by choosing a pattern or print.

New Bed?

Typically, most mattresses should be replaced every 6-8 years. As your mattress gets older the original comfort and support will diminish. It’s also key for a good night’s sleep, otherwise you can be left feeling tired throughout the day.

Freshen up Your Bed Linen

Consider the fabric, weave, and ease of care if you decide to buy new sheets and duvet covers. Don’t forget some linens and cottons are much harder to iron and will easily crumple.

Pile on the Pillows

By adding more pillows to your bed you can transform the look and add texture. Create further interest with waffled and cotton bed linen, faux fur pillows. Sainsburys stock Habitat bed linen at affordable prices.

Add a Comfy Chair and Mirror

Mirrors work well in dark corners, or if your bedroom has little natural light, by helping to bounce the light around and illuminate the space. Add a comfy chair; choose velvet for a touch of luxury, linen for a relaxed look, leather for style. Throw a cozy blanket over the arm ready for curling up with a book.

Strike a Balance

Dark curtains will make a bold statement in a light coloured bedroom. You could try matching the curtains to the shade of your bedding to tie your design together.

Get In Touch For design and style advice. Our services include decluttering, colour consulting and interior styling.

Book your free consultation on 07979 66 33 39, or email info@ saltmarshinteriors.co.uk.

Tales from the Circle - By Sylvia Kent

Since my introduction to The City Times magazine, there’s been interest from readers and writers, some of whom recognise the idea of releasing that book they feel has always lurked inside them. The writing industry - in all its different ways - is strange, delightful and exhausting! Some authors struggle for years to get published, while others manage to see their work in print seemingly overnight. But this is rare!

It’s a fact that seeking people of like-mind often helps authors succeed in this difficult way of life. Some writers work hard - perhaps not in their proverbial garret - but often alone. Many wish they could meet others of similar persuasion. This is where a writers’ circle can help.

Last year, Samantha Scott, an Essex-based author joined Brentwood Writers’ Circle and outlined her work to date writing books for children and young adults. She soon discovered other BWC members who wrote in a similar genre.

Sam said: ‘I awoke on my 40th birthday and asked myself ‘what can I do this year that I’ve never done before?’ The answer was - I’m

going to run the London Marathon and write a book!” Two enormous challenges - both of which she completed that year. She later became a fully qualified personal trainer and yoga teacher, and more recently completed a creative writing course.

Samantha’s first book was aimed at young readers. Sophie Spirit and the Batting Manor Mystery was released in 2021 and is selling well. This was followed by invitations to visit bookshops and local schools in Wickham Bishops.

She said: “When I perform public readings, one question crops up regularly - did I always want to be a writer? Strange as it seems, I have to say, no. I did love Enid Blyton and Winnie the Pooh stories, but when I reached my teens I saw a movie called The Omen and my reading habits changed forever. Horror quickly became my favourite genre and the late James Herbert became my favourite author.”

From that point, Samantha’s successes have grown. Her second children’s book called Saving Shrin Gala was released last year, followed by Sophie Spirit and the Tower of London Treasure Samantha’s latest book, House of a Hundred Doors, has just been released by The Book Guild and she is delighted with excellent reviews. Her books are available from Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles, WH Smith and all good book shops. Follow her on Facebook by searching ‘Sam Scott Author’.

Brentwood Writers’ Circle meets monthly at Bardswell Social Club, Brentwood on the first Saturday, 2.30pm - 4.30pm and welcomes new writers.

www.brentwoodwriterscircle.com www.sylviakent.blogspot.com

Bed and accessories from The Cotswold Company

Quiz Time - By John Theedom

Which shop is due to move in to the old Debenhams building?

What was the Lone Ranger’s horse called?

A Brazilian huntsman is a type of what?

In the TV show, who were Father Ted’s colleagues?

How many points does a sycamore leaf have?

What did the ‘owl & the pussy-cat’ dine on?

Which Dutch town is famous for it’s blue pottery?

Which Suffolk town does Ed Sheeran live?

What is a passiepied?

Which famous bear came from Peru?

What is the white of an egg called apart from albumen?

How many strings are there on a double bass?

Which part of an elephant has 40,000 muscles?

Which digit is your pollex?

Who designed Oaklands House, now Chelmsford Museum?

Who founded Amstrad?

Who invented the glider?

Figaro is a type of what vegetable?

Which Teletubby is purple?

What is Worzel Gummidge?

(Answers on page 31)

Which is the slowest swimming stroke?

Where do mosquitoes lay their eggs?

What is blue vinney?

In the northern hemisphere, which direction does the water rotate when you pull the plug out?

What is three eighths of 96?

Which wedding anniversary is Ruby?

What number is represented by the Roman letter ‘D’?

To what would a codicil be added?

Who or what is a ducat?

In which country was the first football World Cup Final held?

What is a twitcher?

With which sport is Silverstone associated with?

How many of Henry VIII’s wives were called Anne?

In the 19th century, what was a velocipede a prototype of?

What is a noctule?

Which Latin phrase means ‘time flies’?

In which city was Boris Johnson born?

What is a baldric?

What is the key number in a game of pontoon?

What did Thomas Sheraton design?

Stargazing With Mark Willis - February/March

On 20th February around 8.30pm looking due south you’ll see Orion, the Hunter. Below Orion’s belt you will see a misty patch. This is the Orion Nebula, which is a stellar nursery. To the right of Orion, higher up in the sky, you’ll see Mars. It’s a new Moon tonight, so you’ll have a very dark sky (providing there’s no clouds!) Mars is currently moving further away from us, but it is still very bright and you will even see its red colour too.

20th February 1962 - On This Day: US spaceman orbits Earth. The first American to orbit the Earth has landed safely in the Atlantic Ocean. Marine Lieutenant John Glenn, 40, travelled about 81,000 miles (more than 130,000km) as he circled the globe three times at more than 17,000 mph (27,000kph).

23rd February: Earthshine on the waxing crescent Moon. We often think of the Moon as being highly reflective. The light we get back from the Moon is the same as the light reflected back from an asphalt road. Earthshine is where the ‘darker’ side of the Moon is lit and becomes visible.

20th March - Spring Equinox: ‘Equal nights’ is a pretty literal translation. The length of the day and night becomes equal on this day. From this day forward, nights become shorter and days become longer.

24th March 1965 - On This Day: Millions watch the space probe crash into Moon. Ranger 9 beams live pictures of the Moon to ordinary Americans as it hurtles down to crash on the surface.

New Moon - On 20th February and 21st March: 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

Wildlife Corner - By Nick Green

The Met Office stated that 2022 was the fifth warmest year on record, despite that cold snap experienced before Christmas.

The tawny owl is a common sedentary resident and is widely distributed throughout Britain and mainland Europe from Portugal east to Korea. There are about 20,000 pairs in Britain. It’s generally a woodland species, but also found in farmland and gardens with enough trees to provide secure nest and roost sites. Tawny owls frequent habitat with lookout posts, woodland with clearings, hedges and gardens with mature trees. The species readily takes to nest boxes.

Tawny owls are heard hooting from late autumn through the winter months, resident pairs often duet. The ‘kee-wick’ call is territorial. Most pairs start nesting mid-March, but late February is not unusual. Asynchronous hatching increases survival if there is a poor food supply, as indeed just like the barn owl. The species mainly feeds on small mammals like mice and voles.

British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Tawny Owl Nest Box Instructions www.bto.org/sites/default/files/tawny-owl-nest-box-plan.pdf

Check also Amazon for a selection of nest boxes.

Selected Essex January 2023 Highlights

Butterflies: Red admiral at Chelmsford B&Q on 6th January!

The Naze: Eider, 2 snow bunting. Abberton Reservoir: 2 great northern divers, black-necked grebe, female long-tailed duck, 12

scaup, redhead smew, 4 Bewick’s swans, 4 great white egret, white stork, up to 11 Caspian (probably best site in Britain) and 3 yellow-legged gulls, 53 curlew, 15 ruff, short-eared and barn owls, peregrine, merlin. Wallasea Island RSPB: 1-2 spoonbills, 1,800 golden plover, 2 hen harrier, 3 short-eared owls. Rainham Marshes RSPB: Caspian gull, 5 water pipit.

Tawny Owl (copyright: Glyn Evans)