The City Times - February/March 2020

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Issue Number 76 - 13th February - 19th March 2020

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CT Welcome Hello readers,

Welcome to the February/March edition.

At last the days are getting longer and already the daffs are beginning to show their flowers; spring is on its way!

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Essex Police Welcomes the First New Officers of the Decade Essex Police held their first Passing Out Parade of the decade welcoming 68 new officers into the force.

The new recruits completed their training by proudly passing out during a special ceremony surrounded by their family and friends at Essex Police headquarters in Chelmsford. They were welcomed into the force by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills, Deputy Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Jane Gardner and other chief officers.

Mr Harrington was also joined by an extra special guest, 11-year-old Cameron, who is undertaking his Duke of Edinburgh Award and has been invited to be a journalist for the day with his local hero, the Essex Police Chief Constable.

The 68 officers started their journeys in the Essex Police College and have been put through their paces over the last 18 weeks as they trained to become police constables. Their journey started in Chelmsford but it will take them across the county, as the officers are posted to different stations to help keep Essex safe.

At the ceremony, after pledging their commitment to protect and serve the residents of Essex, they were welcomed into the force in front of their loved ones. Mr Harrington welcomed them and thanked the officers for their hard work during their training. Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “It’s an honour for me to welcome and congratulate another 68 new police constables in to the Essex Police family.

“The passing out ceremony is a celebration at the culmination of 18 weeks intensive training before our new officers go out on patrol to serve our communities by helping people, keeping them safe and catching criminals.

“The officers passing out today are our first recruits for 2020. They are starting their journey in a new decade with Essex Police, ready to join their colleagues on the frontline. We are all excited to see where

their journeys will take them with the force.”

Together with chief officers, the officers thanked the trainers and staff for their support and hard work during their 18 weeks at Essex Police College.

During their training, the 68 new officers held fundraising events for their chosen charity. All intakes chose to raise money for Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity which provides emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness. Together they raised a total of £4,332 and were able to present a cheque to a representative of the charity.

Essex has always been a great place to live and work and the police force gives people the chance to have a career where you can save lives, lock up criminals, deliver justice to victims and really make a difference to our communities.

Officer numbers at Essex Police are at a four year high with more than 3,000 full-time equivalent police officers, as well as the fastest growing special constabulary in the county with more than 500 special constables.

Essex Police want even more people to be part of their journey. If you want a life changing career this new decade that is both challenging and rewarding, you could ‘Fit the Bill’ as a police officer. To find out more about starting your journey, joining the police family and helping to keep Essex safe, visit: www.essex.police.uk/fitthebill #FitTheBill.

Want to fight crime and live your ‘Other Life’? Volunteer to become a Special Constable and make a positive change to your community today. Specials have the same powers and equipment as regular police officers, and are valued, supported and integrated into the wider policing family. Find out more at: www.essex.police.uk/specials #MyOtherLife.

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Is Planning a New Kitchen on the Horizon for You in 2020?

Whether you are planning a complete redesign or just want to modernise what you already have with some easy updates, here are 5 ideas to get you started.

Clever Storage Devices In a time when we strive to declutter for our overall wellbeing, storage is key. Nowadays we seem to need so many things in our kitchens, from ingredients to cooking equipment, to help prepare meals.

Well placed, concealed storage is a saviour for the aesthetic of our kitchens. John Martin, Head Designer at Regal Kitchens in Navigation Road, Chelmsford, predicts that one of the most desired design features in 2020 will be the kitchen larder.

Rather than being tucked away in a closed off cupboard or utility room, larders and pantries are taking centre stage this year: tall pull out larders that can hold all your dry goods in one place and can easily be seen will make you more organised and less wasteful when shopping.

Greens and Blues

For a long time, the interior design colour of the moment seems to have been grey, but dark blues and exciting greens look set to overtake it in the popularity stakes. With Pantone choosing Classic Blue as its colour of the year in 2020, you’ll be likely to see a lot more of it in interiors magazines and featuring on property development shows on TV. Navy kitchens look elegant and stylish. Always think about contrasts when it comes to colour to maintain a balance between light and dark.

Statement Floors The trick here is to let the floor do all the talking, and keep everything else relatively minimal. A modern kitchen can be styled with handlefree cabinetry in one of the colour tones that feature in the tiles.

Statement tiles can be extremely effective when zoning an openplan kitchen. They can contrast beautifully against wooden planks or carpet which can help bring warmth to the bright space.

Avoid wall cabinets with statement floors - use open shelves instead and top any strong colour base units with a sleek white work surface.

Open Shelving In kitchen design, the use of raw materials which are rich in tones and texture will definitely continue to rise in popularity for 2020 and will still be in keeping with an ‘industrial style’ Having some open shelving with crockery, pans or dry food stuff on display can be a nice way to add charm and character, especially if you’re not a fan of a sleek and clinical look. This is also a good trick in smaller rooms, where the light and space can make your kitchen feel a lot bigger. Having some open shelves is a welcome chance to release your inner interior designer.

Wherever it is in your kitchen, leaving some space for artwork, plants and other decorative objects helps the room look less functional and more lived in.

If you are in the market for a new kitchen during 2020, why not visit Regal Kitchens large showroom, where knowledgeable and friendly designers are on hand to help you transform your space and create your dream kitchen?

You can find Regal Kitchens at 2 Navigation Road, open 7-days per week between 10am and 4pm.

You can also expect to see more green in kitchens going forward; this could be in the form of accents or wallpaper, but its increasingly likely to take the form of tiles and cabinetry in emerald tones and forest greens.

The trend for bold dark hues was prominent throughout 2019 and as we move in to 2020, green kitchen cabinetry is set to be a new, key style. Green can be equally dramatic and luxurious when used in the kitchen and many manufacturers have started producing cabinetry in deep forest greens which can be balanced out with latte shades, smoky glass and soft metallics to bring opulence to the kitchen. Design aspects like lighting and worktops, or even accessories, help to bounce the light around the space and offset the heavier hues.

Statement Lighting Lighting has more freedom within the modern kitchen than it did a few years ago. Statement pendants are being used to finish most open-plan living spaces. While the use of spotlights or down-lights are still key, there’s a trend for making the kitchen feel more like our living rooms - lighting plays a key role in this.

Stylish light fittings will look great whether they’re switched on or off, but its also worth bearing in mind how light can affect the mood of a room - the colour of your lightbulbs will make a big difference. It is also worth including some lighting that’s bright and functional so that you can see what you’re doing when preparing food and another fitting for a more ambient glow when its time to relax.

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Nick Garner’s Music and Ramblings Ramblings First up this month is a mention for my daughter, who I am so proud of and love to bits. She is up for a promotion in the jewellery shop where she has worked for seventeen years now - as their diamond expert no less! She is married to someone who she has known since she was just 3-years old and they have two adorable children who are now almost eleven and thirteen. It does not seem possible that she will be 44 this year, and my wonderful son will be 48. They are both fantastic hardworking children, and myself and their mother could not be more proud of them and our son-in-law.

was Tim V’s Sham 69 who have been at it for an awfully long time now. They played all the classics and hits and got the audience up and pogoing - and even some were dancing!

Chelmsford has seen some mixed weather recently; wet, dry, windy, warm and cold - do not suggest that this is nothing to do with global warming now please.

That same night at the football club we have Imagine The Beatles who are one of the top Beatles tribute bands around - and of course, you will know every song they sing! Opening the night will be Roy Mette: I thought long and hard about a suitable support for this night, and Roy is the only one who could do this.

Music I have been very busy with band stuff as usual. With our new album coming out later this year I have been booking us gigs and helping with the PR. We are also about to go and shoot some videos - it is a mad time: as soon as I step back from a couple of things, I seem to take on more stuff!

We had a great Burns Night at our friends Dave and Moya’s place in Kent. They, like Jan and I, do not eat meat - they made vegetarian and meat haggis and I must say most of the guests preferred the vegetarian option. We played games including tossing the cocktail stick which was a real laugh. We first met Dave and Moya at Fairport Convention’s Cropredy Festival back in 2009 and have remained firm friends ever since - and yes, we go to Cropredy every year still and all meet up and park together. We are especially looking forward to this year as we are also playing the Fringe Festival on the Friday.

Gig-wise, the year got off to a good start with Bex Marshall on at the UB - she is also playing at the Oscars in the USA this year too. We then had the Dave Jackson Trio, Big Joe Bone and then a very special night when Robbie McIntosh and Steve Wilson played. The pub was full of musicians who all came to see Robbie playing and blow everyone away with his own songs as well as a great choice of covers.

There were youngsters there too, who the band took time out to talk to, which they found so encouraging. They also want to come back and play again, so keep your eyes and ears open for later in the year.

That Blue Patch, a duo I know and love, played the other Saturday and everyone in the pub loved them. This is why I love to bring new people to the city to see the amazing acts.

I went to the Hot Box for the first time at the weekend and I must say the venue is great and just what the city needs. It has great people running it and an amazing sound system. I will definitely be going back - and their choices for rum and whisky is second to none.

Friday 14th is Valentine’s night at the UB, and we have William (Woody) Dashwood over from Amsterdam - don’t miss him, he will definitely put a smile on your face. The Saturday sees something new with singers and songwriters talking about and singing their own songs. Then on Friday 21st is Martin’s Emjay Presents night with Steo Wall and Michelle Ward - this will be fab.

Coming up on March 19th at the football club we have Connor Selby (The Who tour warm up show) plus Danny Boy Piper. Then on April 17th we have The Hot Rods memorial tour in memory of Barrie Masters plus guests Department S. On May 8th we welcome back Albert Lee for his annual visit to the club. Then on June 12th we welcome back The Animals and friends; I think this could be their last tour now. We (Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective) will open this show using this as our Essex album launch for Do What You Love, which will have just been released. I am just waiting on confirmations for July. Looking way ahead to autumn, on September 18th we have a man who we have wanted for a long time, Eric Bell. Eric is the man who started Thin Lizzy and played on Whiskey in the Jar. It’s the 50th anniversary of the band and who better than the man who started it all to come and play those great hits for us. Friday 16th October sees U2 Tribe back playing all those great U2 songs for us.

Heading into winter, on 13th November we have The Strawbs acoustic 50th anniversary tour: Dave Cousins along with Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk playing acoustically. Dave Cousins is the man who started it all back in 1963 as the Strawberry Hillbillies before changing the name to The Strawbs in 1967. I remember seeing them play David Bowie’s Free Festival in Beckenham in 1969, they also introduced us all to Rick Wakeman, and their two most notable hits were probably Part of the Union and Lay Down. Special guests for this show will be Jolene Missing and Hippy Joe (Hayseed Dixie). To close the year we have asked Kokomo back as they were stunning before and we know you wanted them back, so here they will be on Friday 11th December.

Do check out the What’s On guide in this magazine. It’s not just for music but for everything that is open to the public. If you know of something going on then please check out the deadlines in the listings and drop an email to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk to get it included.

As ever. please do try to come out and support the great live scene we have in Essex because if you do not, we may lose it. For more information on all of the above and more, see the links below and pick up a copy of the City Times each month and go to the What’s On pages to see what else in happening in your area. If you visit the local Facebook pages, look for the ‘Events’ tabs where you can see who is playing and preview up-and-coming acts.

Sham 69 We also had our first gig of the year at the football club. We started with a bang with Twister, a Durham-based metal band that verge on punk. We will be having them back again; great songs, great playing and great stage presence as well as being really nice guys. Next up

www.itsyourmusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/itsyourmusic/events Twitter@itsyourmusic www.facebook.com/theunitedbrethren/events www.facebook.com/essexgigguide www.visitessex.com/events

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CT Gardening - by Tom Cole

If like me you have a fruit tree, you’d better get on with pruning it before the buds burst in spring to avoid disappointment. It’s an ideal time to prune apples and pears, however with ‘stone’ fruits, such as cherries and plums, these are best pruned when in active growth; either in full leaf or at harvest time to avoid silver leaf and bacterial canker.

When pruning unrestricted forms (free standing trees, not espaliers or fans for example) it is essential to first establish whether it is a tip bearer or a spur bearer. This can be done by consulting a reference book, such as The Fruit Expert by Dr DG Hessayon. If the cultivar is unknown, fruit may be sent to a specialist centre for analysis, or the fruiting habits may be observed. Pruning takes place in winter between November and January.

Pruning Spur Bearers Prune back all laterals to between two to six buds from their base (depending on vigour).

The leader should be shortened by about one third.

Pruning Spur Bearing Apples

Pruning Tip Bearers Lightly trim excessively long laterals but keep pruning to a minimum, focusing on thinning out any overcrowded laterals.

Pruning a Tip Bearing Apple Alongside this, irrespective of whether it is a spur or tip bearer, it goes with saying that dead, diseased and damaged growth should always be removed cleanly. Any suckers should be cut as close as possible to the root system. Lastly, crossing branches should be cut out or reduced to an outward facing bud in order to improve air flow and reduce pest and disease.

For more information go to www.rhs.org.uk and search for ‘apple and pear pruning’.

Other jobs for the month: • • • • •

New plants may still be planted, and older ones divided.

Sow half hardy annuals in a cold frame or greenhouse late in the month.

Cut back ornamental grasses from the end of the month onwards. Leave evergreen types such as Carex spp. and Luzula spp. - run your fingers through and remove loose stems only.

Take care of frosty conditions by using horticultural fleece, cloches etc.

Protect brassicas as soon as you plant them with netting material to keep pigeons, flea beetles and cabbage white butterflies later this season.

01245 422804/07711 606561

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We also offer a very comprehensive range of full time and short courses in landscaping, design and garden maintenance. Here are a few coming up: Grafting - Propagating Your Own Fruit Tree plus How to Take Hardwood Stem Cuttings and Layer Plants (Saturday 22nd February) and Allotments and Smallholdings - Spring and Summer (Saturday 14th and 21st March). Follow this link for further information: writtle.ac.uk/ShortCourses.

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

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Page 9

CT Food: Cosy Country Gastropubs - by Lisa Whittle

We still have a couple of the colder months to go. What better to beat the winter blues than eating out in a cosy country pub next to a roaring log fire. Perhaps combine a pub Sunday lunch with a walk in the country? There are quite a number of country gastropubs in the area that would fit the bill and have open countryside nearby. Here are some of the best I have found: 1. The White Hart Inn, Margareting Tye: This is a traditional country pub near Ingatestone and is known for its outdoor ‘pods’ for sitting in. It serves a range of country pub fare, tasty Sunday lunches and creative vegetarian options and, of course, has a wood burning fire. It’s closed on Mondays (except bank holidays) and it’s possible to book a table online.

(www.thewhitehart.uk.com)

2. The Fox & Raven, Springfield: Full of rural charm with a lovely view over Baddow Meads and the river, but only 6 minutes from Chelmsford town centre. This pub has an extensive and wide ranging menu, including a dedicated vegan menu with 6 options, an open fire. It is open every day.

(www.vintageinn.co.uk) 3. The Fox & Goose, just off the A414 outside Writtle: A country gastropub, with exposed oak beams, open fire and conservatory dining room. This was the pub that gave me the idea to write this, so impressed I was. It doesn’t serve food all day during the week, so do check timings, but it does also have The Bakehouse next door which is open from 8am for coffee, cakes and pastries.

4. The Hare, on the A1060 at Roxwell: A rustic country pub with full dining facilities for breakfast, lunch and dinner from an imaginative traditional menu. It recommends booking but will do its best to get you seated if you drop by. It is open every day and of course has an open fire.

(www.pieandpintinns.co.uk) 5. The William B (full name The William Boosey) in Hatfield Peverel: A a country pub with a contemporary edge to its décor.

It is a refurbished 17th century coaching house and serves a wide range of food. It has a wood burner in the bar area and a suntrap ‘secret’ garden. It is popular for Sunday lunch. Easy to access from the A12 (Junction 20).

(www.thewilliamb.co.uk) 6. The Six Bells, Boreham: A highly regarded and down-to-earth gastropub and people come from far and wide for its home cooked food. On the day I visited I was told they only have the roaring open fire alight on really cold days or else people swelter from the heat. I will return on a cold day for a dose of extreme cosiness.

(www.sixbellspubandrestaurantboreham.co.uk) 7. Lion Inn, Boreham: This is a large local gastropub well known for its the delicious food, especially Sunday lunches. Its popularity does mean it gets crowded and noisy and it is popular with groups and party bookings. It’s on the outskirts of Chelmsford near walks and views and it’s a popular place to stay too.

(www.lioninnhotel.co.uk)

7. The Old Windmill, South Hanningfield: A full of character with its flagstone floors, oak beams and wood fires. The menu

is adjusted each day and can be viewed after midday on its website. Its been serving the locals since 1799 and looks particularly cosy as you drive by at night. A great location for country walks and nearby views of the reservoir. (www.oldwindmillpub.co.uk)

9. The Rose & Crown, Great Waltham: One of just a few independent pubs, this gastropub has been popular for many years and has a lovely friendly atmosphere. It has a varied menu, open fire and a 10% discount for NHS staff (its not that far from Broomfield Hospital). (www.roseandcrowngreatwaltham.com) 10. The Cricketers Arms, Danbury: Another popular traditional village pub and restaurant with views over the common, particularly stunning at sunset. Its Sunday lunches are in particular demand, but it stops serving at 4pm on Sundays and the pub closes at 6pm. Likewise, there is no food on Mondays to give the chefs a break.

(www.cricketersarmsdanbury.com) 11. The Bell, Woodham Walter: A popular and attractive country pub serving a wide variety of contemporary and traditional British and home cooked food. It’s a good idea to book, but they will try and fit you in. There are a number of vegetarian and vegan dishes and if you plan ahead and tell them you are coming, they will ensure there is plenty for you to choose from.

(www.thebellwoodhamwalter.com)

12. The Square & Compasses, Fuller Street, Fairstead: This is a 17th century beamed inn priding itself on its locally sourced homecooked food and peaceful location with views over the Ter Valley.

It has game such as pigeon, pheasant and venison from local estates and sources fresh fish and crab from the coast - and of course, it has open fires.

(www.thesquareandcompasses.co.uk) 13. The George & Dragon, Mountnessing: This is a contemporary country gastropub with open fires and an inviting, extensive menu including a dedicated vegan menu. It’s near country walks and fresh air. It’s one of the few pubs in the area under the Premium Country Pubs brand of catering giant Mitchells and Butler. Well worth a visit.

(www.thegeorgeanddragonbrentwood.co.uk) lisactfood@gmail.com

MENORCA HOLIDAY VILLA WITH PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL FOR RENTAL

• Close to Es Castell, restaurants, bars and amenities • A short 15 min drive to gorgeous beaches.

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Page 10 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

ART PARTY

Après Ski Party

WED 19TH FEBRUARY

10:30am-12:30pm in the Essex Barn

Get your FULL ON SKI GEAR on !!! and join us for this one off winter party

Includes an art class making a mosaic on canvas led by James Mackenzie, a drink and a biscuit plus a hot lunch. Adults receive a complimentary tea or coffee in the Brasserie.

SAT 29th FEBRUARY 2.30-5.30 pm Channels Patio

£20 per child (ages 7-12) Book your place at: www.artandsip.co.uk

Beer, Wine, Cider, Glühwein, Toffee Vodka & more Snack food available 2.30 - 5pm Restaurant Open for dinner 5.30 - 9pm Bookings recommended All the FUN of a proper Après Ski Party !

Chef’s Choice

Mother-in-Law Brunch

Wine Night

21ST MARCH 11am-1pm

FRI 20TH MARCH AT 7pm

Add Bottomless Prosecco for £20

Indulge in our ‘One Night Only’ special menu created by our talented Head Chef Dan Pitts and learn about all the wines perfectly paired by our wine expert John Linton from Grape Passions. Tickets go fast so don’t wait to book! £45 per person

Mother’s Day Lunch 22ND MARCH 12pm-5pm 3 courses £29.95 2 Courses £24.95

Includes a 5-course meal with wine for each course

Includes a gift for mum

To find out more or book your place at any of our upcoming events please call:

NNELS

01245 440 005

Discover special events & menus at:

www.channelsestate.co.uk

CHANNELS Bar & Brasserie

Channels, Pratts Farm Lane East

CHAN

Little Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 3PT (Entrance by the Park & Ride)

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Wed

What’s on in the Area

February Friday 14th A Canteen - Anti Valentines Party Bassment - Impious Spirit Showcase Black Bull - Bingo Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - Carpenters: Voice of the Heart Cramphorn - Abigail’s Party Hotbox - JAR Records presents: Glue Men + Blue Mean Eyes and Laurence Crow Braintree Bowling Club - Other Halves Dementia Group: bowls United Brethren - William Woody Dashwood Saturday 15th A Canteen - Valentines Live Jazz Bassment - Bassment Club Night CCFC (away) - Dorking Wanderers v Chelmsford City Civic - Flo and Joan: Before The Screaming Starts (14+) Cramphorn - Abigail’s Party Eagle & Hind - Skafonics Hotbox - Safenath Hideaways - Skamite United Brethren - Spencer M Taylor’s round table event Sunday 16th Civic - The Glenn Miller Orchestra Cramphorn - Chelmsford Jazz Club: Nat Steele’s Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) plus from the USA Grant Stewart Hotbox - Sophie Clayton (a one woman stage show featuring cabaret and much much more) Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - World Meditation Hour (6.30pm-7.30pm) Monday 17th Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Tonbridge The Church of Our Saviour (Chelmer Village) - Essex Chordsmen rehearsal Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Ideas Hub (Chelmsford Library) - Other Halves Dementia Group: Coffee Tuesday 18th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Civic - Menopause The Musical 2 Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Inspirational Talk & Meditation: Clear Your Mind (7.30pm-8.45pm) Wednesday 19th Cramphorn - The Good Liar (15) The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Mick Foster Quartet ( £12.50) Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Golden Fleece - Karaoke Thursday 20th The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Civic - We Love Little Mix Cramphorn - Her and ‘The Change’ in Me (16+) Golden Fleece - Quiz Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Relaxing Thursdays: Guided Meditation (7.15pm-8.15pm) Friday 21st Bassment - Bassment Club night Cathedral - Lunchtime concert CCFC - Imagine the Beatles + Roy Mette Civic - Thank ABBA for the Music Cramphorn - Frozen 2 (PG) Hotbox - Undiscovered Solo Heat United Brethren - Emjay Media: Steo Wall + Michelle Ward

Page 12

Saturday 22nd Bassment - Bassment Club night CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Slough Town Civic - Kojo Anim Presents: The Taxi Tour Cramphorn - Undiscovered Bands Heat Hotbox - Nero Kane + Beverly Moon Village Hall, Wickham Bishops (CM8 3JZ) - Jazz Club: Bob Dwyer’s Bix and Pieces Jazz Band (6.30pm for 7.30pm - 07548 775 777) Sunday 23rd Cramphorn - Heritage Monday 24th Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) The Church of Our Saviour (Chelmer Village) - Essex Chordsmen rehearsal Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) IZUMI Maldon @ Madison Heights - Other Halves Dementia Group: Chinese buffet lunch Tuesday 25th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) CCFC (away) - Wealdstone v Chelmsford City Civic - Shrek: The Musical Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Inspirational Talk & Meditation: Release Your Potential (free admission 7.30pm-8.45pm) Wednesday 26th The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: The Allure of Peggy Lee (£12.50) Civic - Shrek: The Musical Thursday 27th The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Civic - Shrek: The Musical Cramphorn - Swan Lake (pre-recorded from the Bolshoi Ballet) Golden Fleece - Quiz Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Relaxing Thursdays: Guided Meditation (7.15pm-8.15pm) Friday 28th Bassment - Asylum take over Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - Shrek - The Musical Cramphorn - Sorry We Missed You (15) Hotbox - Molchat Doma United Brethren - Michael Oretel Band + Matt Woosey Saturday 29th Bassment - Bassment club night CCFC (away) - Hampton & Richmond Borough v Chelmsford City Civic - Shrek: The Musical Hotbox - Rubbersoul Millenium Centre (Baddow Road) - Other Halves Dementia Group: Fish and Chips United Brethren - Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets)

March Sunday 1st Civic - Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday (3-6yrs) Cramphorn - Chelmsford Jazz Club: Vasilis Xenopoulos Quintet (featuring Quentin Collins) Hotbox - ‘Speak Up’ On Mental Health Part 2 (open mic) Woolpack - GC’s Jazz Club: Simon Hurley & Graeme Culham Trio Monday 2nd Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) The Church of Our Saviour (Chelmer Village) - Essex Chordsmen rehearsal Civic - Mark Beaumont (12+) Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am)

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

Monday 2nd (continued...)

Chelmsford Library - Other Halves Dementia Group: Crafts Unit 16 (Ekersley Road, Chelmsford) - Judo class (1st lesson free - tel: 07768 364 435) Tuesday 3rd Civic - Havana Nights Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Inspirational Talk & Meditation: Inner Resillience (7.30pm-8.45pm) Widford Village Hall - Natty Chatty Ladies Club (1.30pm) Wednesday 4th The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Jeff Hooper Big Band (£20 - reservations only) Civic - Revenge Quaker Meeting House - Chelmsford Retirement Action Group Thursday 5th Bassment - Blues Jam The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Civic - Buddy Holly and the Cricketers Cramphorn - Joker (15) Golden Fleece - Quiz Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Relaxing Thursdays: Guided Meditation (7.15pm-8.15pm) Friday 6th Bassment - Shakey’s Sessions: The Royals + 5 ’n’ Drive + Aquilea + The Teaheads Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - The Sound of Springsteen Cramphorn - The Strange Case of Jekyll & Hyde Hotbox - Helicon + ThirdDart United Brethren - Longy & the Horns Saturday 7th Alehouse - Record fair Bassment - Skafonics CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Concord Rangers Civic - Live at the Civic Theatre: John Robins + Kiri Pritchard-McLean + Ivo Graham + Angelos Epithemiou Cramphorn - Undiscovered Solo Acts Final Christ Church URC (164, New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0AW) Essex Symphony Orchestra concert Hotbox - Homeboy Sandman + Skrabl + The March Fleet + Danny Bounce United Brethren - Stony Road Sunday 8th Cramphorn - STELLA: A Story of Women, Their Men and Astronomy (12+) Monday 9th Cramphorn - Close Encounters of the Third Kind (PG) Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) The Church of Our Saviour (Chelmer Village) - Essex Chordsmen rehearsal Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) - Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Tuesday 10th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Cramphorn - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (U) Old Court Theatre - Constellations Wednesday 11th The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Genius of Duke Ellington - Sarah Moule Qnt (£12.50) Cramphorn - Mat Irvine: BBC Visual Effects Wizard Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Golden Fleece - Karaoke Old Court Theatre - Constellations United Brethren - Joe Anderton’s Open Mic Session Thursday 12th The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Cramphorn - Mat Irvine: BBC Visual Effects Wizard Golden Fleece - Quiz night Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Relaxing Thursdays: Guided Meditation (7.15pm-8.15pm) Old Court Theatre - Constellations Friday 13th Bassment - Impious Spirit Showcase Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Cramphorn - Ian McNabb: The Icicle Works (16yrs+) Hotbox - Emjay Sessions Preznt: Sweet Crisis + Little Triggers + Jack

Friday 13th (continued...)

Browning Old Court Theatre - Constellations Braintree Bowling Club - Other Halves Dementia Group: Bowls United Brethren - When Rivers Meet Saturday 14th Bassment - Jar Records CCFC (away) - Dartford v Chelmsford City Civic - Bowie Experience Cramphorn - Hanging Hooke Hotbox - Bad Blood Old Court Theatre - Constellations United Brethren - St Paddy’s Day with Medicine & Barry Owens Sunday 15th Civic - Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - World Meditation Hour (6.30pm7.30pm) Monday 16th Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) - Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Leas Hub (Chelmsford Library) - Other Halves Dementia Group: Coffee Tuesday 17th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Cramphorn - Annie Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Inspirational Talk & Meditation: Living in The Now (7.30pm-8.45pm) O’Connors - St Patrick’s night: Winston and the Lads Wednesday 18th The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Simply Swing with Steve Pert (£15) Civic - An Audience with Cannon and Ball Cramphorn - Annie Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Golden Fleece - Karaoke Thursday 19th The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Civic - The Simon and Garfunkel Story Cramphorn - Annie Golden Fleece - Quiz night Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Relaxing Thursdays: Guided Meditation (7.15pm-8.15pm) Friday 20th Bassment - Bassment Club night Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - Russell Kane: The Fast and the Curious (SOLD OUT) Cramphorn - Annie United Brethren - Borderline Saturday 21st Bassment - Asylum Takeover CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Weymouth Civic - Dad’s Army Radio Show Cramphorn - Annie Hotbox - TWINK live plus Q+A with Dust and the Dukes United Brethren - Ouse Valley Singles Club Sunday 22nd Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - World Meditation Hour (6.30pm7.30pm)

Please send us your events for the next edition (for events between 19th March and 19th April) to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Victoria’s on Target for Lifelong Success An inspirational slimmer who lost 3st 7lbs as a member of Slimming World and has kept the weight off for nearly 10 years, has reached the finals of a national competition to celebrate her achievement.

After losing weight herself, Victoria Darnell now runs her own Slimming World groups in Chelmsford supporting members to make healthy, lifelong changes and achieve their dreams.

supporting others to achieve their weight-loss dreams and decided to train to become a Slimming World consultant. Now she helps slimmers at her groups which are held Tuesdays in Broomfield Village Hall and North Springfield Baptist Church on Thursdays.

Victoria says: “Before I lost the weight, I could never imagine doing some of things I do now, my confidence has increased so much. My worries about my weight consumed me and I found it very difficult to do many simple things I now enjoy, like playing with my children.

“Overweight and pregnant with my first child, everything was so hard, and I was the mum who sat on the park bench watching as my son ran around as I couldn’t join in. During my second pregnancy I still attended group and had an amazing healthy pregnancy and I was the mum who went down the slides in the play areas, as I had no fear I would get stuck!

Victoria was one of 30 consultants from across the UK and Ireland to bag a place in the finals, which celebrates consultants who have successfully adopted a new healthy lifestyle and acknowledges the under-recognised achievement of keeping weight off in the long term.

All Slimming World consultants have lost weight following the plan and learning new healthy habits at a local group. On joining she weighed 14 stone 1lbs, but estimates at her heaviest over 15 stone and found both her health and confidence were suffering. So in January 2010 Victoria joined a local Slimming World group, reaching her target weight of 10st 8lbs in August 2010, and she has kept it off ever since - an incredible 9 years 6 months.

She follows Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan and says: “I joined Slimming World and realised early on that I would still be able to eat and enjoy real food without ever feeling hungry or deprived. It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle and I knew that this was the plan for me.

“Since joining Slimming World it’s as though a whole new world has been opened up to me. I might have lost weight, yet I’ve gained so much more. I have a new zest for life and, of course, my own business! My Slimming World group was such a key part of my journey that the opportunity to do something for people in a similar situation just seemed perfect. I’ve learned so much at the Slimming World Training Academy and benefited from the advice of some fantastic trainers who have bags of experience when it comes to helping people to achieve their weight-loss dreams. I used to think that losing weight was one of the best feelings ever - I was wrong though because helping others and watching them transform, grow in confidence and do things they’ve always dreamed of is even better!

“Of course, losing weight is just one part of the journey - being able to keep it off is another equally important step. Making the finals of this national competition is such an honour.”

Anyone wanting to find out more or get support with their own weight loss, is welcome to join Victoria’s group - or any within the Chelmsford area. To find out more visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk, or call Victoria on 07823 441 198.

“I can still enjoy all of my favourite dishes and I discovered loads of new recipes from my group each week, along with how to prepare and cook things differently. My children have also learnt how to food optimise and as a family we enjoy all the favourites like chips, spaghetti bolognese, roast dinners and burgers.

“Sharing tips and ideas in group, urging each other on to achieve our goals or being there to lift each other up when the going gets a little tough is what groups are all about. I know that’s been a key part to my success. 10 years on I still attend group most weeks and learn something new every time!

“I was apprehensive when I first walked through the doors of my Slimming World group, but it is without doubt one of the best decisions I’ve ever made; I have such a positive outlook on life now. Slimming World helped and encouraged me to be more active and 4 years ago I started running which now has escalated from couch to 5km to completing 100km ultra marathons!”

A few years after achieving target, redundancy led to a change in career. Victoria discovered a passion for Page 14

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MONDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow, CM2 9RL 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm Lucy 07801 433626 Danbury Village Hall, Eves Corner, Danbury, CM3 4NQ 9:00am and 11:00am Sarah 07494 408634

TUESDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow, CM2 9RL 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm Samantha 01245 266442 Danbury Village Hall, Eves Corner, Danbury, CM3 4NQ 5:00pm and 7:00pm Sarah 07494 408634

Springfield Bees Preschool, Perryfields School, Lawn Lane, Springfield, CM1 7PP 5:00pm and 7:00pm Emma 07738 278911

WEDNESDAYS Church Of St Augustine Of Canterbury, St Augustines Way, Springfield, CM1 6GQ 9:30am and 11:30am Emma 07887 692906

Millennium Community Centre, RecreationGround, Baddow Road, Great Baddow, CM2 9RL 5:00pm and 7:00pm Keeley 07930 231386

Writtle Community Association, Longmeads House, 12-14 Redwood Drive, Writtle, CM1 3LY 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Jennifer 07792 516866

TUESD TUESDAYS Newlands Spring Community Hall, Dickens Place, Chelmsford, CM1 4UU 9:30am Jennifer 07792 516866

Boreham Village Hall, Main Road, Boreham, CM3 3JD 5:30pm and 7:30pm Marie 07988 426728

Broomfield Village Hall, 158 Main Road (behind Angel Pub), Broomfield, CM1 7AH 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Victoria 07823 441198

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Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield, CM2 6EB 5.30pm and 7:30pm Hollie 07825 366586 St Michael's Church of England, Junior School, Barnard Road, Galleywood, CM2 8RR 7:30pm Lena 07939 675034

THURSDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow, CM2 9RL 9:30am Samantha 01245 266442 North Springfield Baptist Church, Havengore, off Pump Lane, Springfield, CM1 6JP 5:30pm and 7:30pm Victoria 07823 441198 Newlands Spring Community Hall, Dickens Place, Chelmsford, CM1 4UU 5:30pm and 7:30pm Jennifer 07792 516866 Moulsham High School, Brian Close, Chelmsford, CM2 9ES 5:30pm and 7:30pm Emma 07738 278911 FRIDAYS The Church Of Ascension, Maltese Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2PB 9:15am and 11:15am Samantha 01245 266442 Fit n Fab Studio, Village Square (Near Asda), Chelmer Village, CM2 6RF 5.30pm Emma 07887 692906 SATURDAYS Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield, CM2 6EB 8:30am and 10:30am Emma 07887 692906

Page 15

L Mus ive ic Frida Every y Satur and day

1 Bridge Street, Writtle, Chelmsford, CM1 3EY 01245 422 891 www.pakwaan.co.uk Mon-Sat 12pm-2.30pm & 5pm-10.30pm Sun 12pm-10pm

Chelmsford Library News

When the day is cold and gloomy a good book is the perfect solution.

This can be the ideal time to pop into Chelmsford Library to pick up the latest bestseller or browse our Express Zones which are designed for people on the go. These are situated by the entrance doors with the self-service machines close by and friendly staff on hand to help with your choices.

Saturday 15th February is Love Your Libraries Day. Come along with all the family to enjoy a day of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) - this is a day for exploring new ideas for all ages. Our staff will be hosting a stand in the High Chelmer shopping precinct for you discover what is on offer at this free event.

On Tuesday 18th February during the school half-term, we carry on the theme of STEAM from 10am to midday in our Children’s Library as a free drop-in event. This is aimed at children aged 5 and above, so come along and make your own glider and discover how far it can travel through the air! We will also be holding one of our famous treasure hunts which always prove popular with the whole family.

Everyone is welcome - and you never know what you may learn about the world we live in.

essex.gov.uk and www.essexbookfestival.org.uk. www.facebook.com/essexlibraries Twitter: @essexlibraries

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

Essex Book Festival has become a popular and renowned event throughout the county. This year’s Essex Authors Day is being held at Chelmsford Library on Saturday 7th March. This day is aimed at enabling local authors to meet other aspiring writers of all ages.

Seminars are £5 each and the networking session is free. To book the seminars, or reserve your place at the networking session, visit essexbookfestival.org.uk.

For more Information on any of these events visit libraries.essex.gov. uk or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information on these events, please visit www.libraries.

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FEBRUARY THRIFTING

‘It doesn’t have to be new to be awesome...’

For over 6 years now I have bought secondhand clothes as my main way to shop, I love it! I find it fun and also saves me money. There’s always some mild risks to charity shopping, I have sometimes left the shop and realised there is a small hole, broken zip or missing button. Nearly always the clothing is never brand new and you do have to check everything more carefully. To help you navigate the secondhand shopping world I thought I would give you some of my best tips and hacks.

1. Don’t skim the rails. You’ll never truly find what you are looking for in a charity shop by just quickly skimming the clothes and not paying attention to the details. I tend to bunch up the clothing at one end and then pull the hangers down one by one, sometimes you find items you wouldn’t have normally seen as it was blocked by another item. It sounds time consuming, but you can do it pretty quickly.

2. Inspect for holes and stains. It seems obvious but there have been times I have been carried away and not checked. If you are handy with a needle and thread that’s great, but a nasty stain can be a problem and sometimes mean a waste of money. Remember flaws like this are a good reason something may have been donated to Photo by Kat Jones the shop. Good places to check are armpits, crotch, knees, sleeves, and elbows.

3. Try on the clothes. If you are buying for yourself please get yourself in that fitting room and try that dress on. There’s always the possibility of no returns and no one likes the hassle to return something. This is one of the greatest things about real life shopping and being able to try before you buy. Experiment and try on more - you might surprise yourself and the obvious choice may not end up the best choice. Look for easy to slip on and off items for trying things on and clothes you feel good in. If you look good you’ll feel happier and have more patience and confidence.

4. Have a plan. Okay, I don’t mean some OTT schedule for your day, but do set out your route for the charity shops, so you don’t waste time wandering around aimlessly. Make sure you bring a water bottle with you, keep hydrated and maybe have somewhere you can sit have some brunch halfway through to refresh yourself.

5. Be fussy. I mean it. If something is just a few pounds don’t buy it just because it’s cheap - it may just get stuffed in the wardrobe never to come out again. You might not find anything, not all trips are as successful as the next. Trust me, I’ve left empty-handed many times.

Wearing second hand By The Bearded Gypsy Vintage Co

6. Have fun! Thrifting is fun, an adventure and a way more satisfying than normal high street shopping experience.

One last top tip! I recommend the Calm app for the journey in and out of your shopping destination. Pop in your headphones and indulge in some self-care whilst treating yourself to the shopping trip.

Tillie Peel, founder of The Bearded Gypsy Vintage Co The Bearded Gypsy is an online and pop-up vintage fashion brand based in Chelmsford.

We also host events, a pop-up marketplace and shops for artists, designers and small businesses in and around Essex.

You can find us online at www.thebeardedgypsyvintageco.com and follow my business journey on Facebook/Instagram: @thebeardedgypsyvintageco @thebeardedgypsystradefayre

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Ct History: Faith in the Chelmsford Area Since 1880 Part Two - by Stephen Norris This second part of my history of faith in the Chelmsford area concentrates on churches.

In the late 19th century the Chelmsford and Moulsham parishes were part of the Diocese of St Albans, but prior to 1874 they had been part of the Diocese of Rochester. St Mary’s was basically the church of a prosperous medieval town. Today the church (now of course the cathedral) mainly dates from the 15th and 16th centuries.

It was a gothic design with flint work predominating, and during the alterations carried out in the 1980s, remnants of a 13th century church were found. The nave of the church had been reconstructed after parts of it had collapsed due to gravediggers undermining one of the piers in 1800 - this event features in a painting that is on display in the newly reopened museum.

In 1880 a new chancel screen was erected ‘to the memory of the late Archdeacon Mildmay’. The 1876 ordnance survey map shows the church surrounded on three sides by graveyards and noted that there were pews and seating for 1,000. Various galleries had been removed in 1867 and 1873, also in 1873 an outer north aisle was added with the organ chamber and vestries. In 1882 Frederic Chancellor designed and donated a new south porch as a gift. He aimed to restore it to be as it was in 1424. Work started in 1884 on a number of alterations proposed by the Bishop of St Albans that included the raising of the chancel floor and the erection of choir seats. During 1887 there was public subscription to restore the tomb in the churchyard which was in memory of three women who had perished in a fire in 1808. In 1899 a new timber roof replaced the old one.

After St Mary’s became a cathedral in 1914 (see part 3 next month), there were immediate demands to alter and extend it, but this was delayed because of other priorities in establishing the new diocese.

After the death of Bishop Watts Ditchfield the demand for alterations coalesced around the need for a suitable memorial to him. Although serious consideration was given to building a permanent house of retreat, eventually it was decided to make major alterations to the chancel. The architect Charles Nicholson had originally produced plans which would have led to the cathedral doubling in size and altering its whole character as the second smallest cathedral in the country after the one in Derby. Companion towers would have been built to add to the original single one. A strong argument against Nicholson’s plans was the huge cost of the proposals for what was still a young diocese. The actual alterations carried out added all of fifteen feet in an easterly direction to the chancel and two bays.

A statue to Watts Ditchfield was also erected. 1929 also saw new building in the form of new vestries and a chapter house and the organ was moved away from the north aisle, and a £20,000 donation in 1932 was partly used for renovation of the organ. In 1934 a report

by Wykham Chancellor, Fred’s son, outlined that extensive repairs were needed to the nave. Johnson’s work had stood the test of time but there were ‘loose and defective patches all over’ and repairs were started immediately. The sculptor Harley Jones completed 16 stone carvings on the outside of the cathedral, including the one of St Peter on the south east corner of the transept which faces Bradwell. After the war, in 1953 the south porch was altered to include a memorial to the friendships forged between US forces and the people of Essex between 1942 and 1945.

In 1954 came the first proposal to develop the cathedral precincts, arising out of the Minoprio Plan for the town (see the town development articles which will appear later next year), which wanted to clear the area around the cathedral so that it could play a more prominent role in the skyline. Plans were prepared that involved again a larger cathedral and the Council paying part of the cost, as well as the compulsory purchase of 27 cottages on the north side of the cathedral. Strong public opposition to the scheme and the abject failure of a £50,000 fundraising scheme for the borough meant that the original plan didn’t go ahead.

Initially, the money raised only allowed work on restoring the tower

to continue, but by 1961 enough had been raised to allow other internal work to start. The condition of the south porch was one factor resulting in the appeal being extended yet again. Financial plans for a new headquarters of the diocese in New Street, next to Guy Harlings - the cramped mansion previously used as the headquarters - had to be abandoned in 1977. However the period did see Beryl Dean embroider the cathedral banner and the colourful hanging beneath the east window comprising a patchwork of 1,250 individual pieces.

In 1982 a £400,000 appeal was set up for improvements to the cathedral. Bishop John Trillo managed to achieve agreement amongst the diocese authorities that what was needed was not a big extension, but internal improvements that would give the building more flexibility and make it less dark and forbidding. The borough gave £20,000 towards the cost, and restoration work on the tower and windows was carried out first. By 1983 the initial amount had been raised, but costs had risen to over half a million pounds. The money was used to install a new under floor heating system, a new stone floor and the replacement of the old pews with movable chairs.

John Moses, the provost, said: “We have a parish church cathedral and we want to make it less like a parish church and more like a cathedral”.

A sanctuary was moved from the East End wall to the central position in the area previously occupied by the choir, who transferred to the east end wall. The high altar, which had been dedicated in 1931, was shortened and placed in the new sanctuary area. Two side chapels, to St Peters and St Cedd, were transferred from the east to the west side. In 1991 another cathedral appeal was launched, this time for a new organ and bursaries. After a century of use the former had broken down and was beyond repair threatening the future of the internationally known choir. During 1994 a new nave organ was installed, the first in an Anglican cathedral for more than thirty years.

It has 2,600 pipes, the smallest of which are ¾ inches long and the longest 16 inches. The choir remained in the chancel but this necessitated the building of another organ. The diocese acquired the pipe work of an 1844 organ and this became the basis of the new organ in the chancel. In 1995 Princess Margaret visited the cathedral for the unveiling of the two organs and the establishment of an organ foundation. The north transept where the previous organ stood now houses the Tree of Life. This is a 20 foot painting by Mark Cazalet unveiled in 2004 depicting an Essex oak in high summer bloom, though it is dying on the left side.

In 2000 yet another appeal was announced for the restoration of the cathedral. £800,000 was needed for renovation work and this had risen to £1.25 million by 2003. This was needed for repairs to the roof, masonry and stained glass. £75,000 of this was to come from the congregation, who had to find another £1.30 a week on top of their existing weekly payments. £200,000 was promised by pledges and grants and £50,000 was raised on a single gift day. Bishop John Perry opposed a £100,000 donation by the Masons but was overruled by the diocese authorities. In 2004 the Duke of Kent paid a return visit to the town to see the cathedral’s latest improvements.

These included a new vestry, a new learning centre at Guy Harlings, the diocese office, a new lighting and sound system in the cathedral itself, as well as the restoration of the east window and the reroofing of the north transept.

In Mousham, the parish church of St John’s had not been built until 1841 to a design by Thomas Webb, with a transept and chapel added in 1851-2. The tower, including the clock, was built in 1883 when the nave was enlarged because congregations at the church were beginning to grow rapidly. A fund raising entertainment was held at the Shire Hall and permission for the work had to be obtained from the Charity Commissioners. There were occasional demands towards the end of the century for a second church to be built in the parish.

In the late 19th century, Chancellor designed and carried out improvements to St Mary’s church and many other Essex churches in the Chelmsford area. He oversaw for example the complete

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restoration of St Mary’s at Fryerning in 1869. The modern glass in the nave of this church now includes the memorial to Airy Neave MP, who spent his early life in the parish and was killed by an INLA bomb in 1979. Chancellor also helped to restore All Saints Church in Springfield in 1881 and was also involved in restoring St Martin’s at Little Waltham between 1882 and 1884, when the north aisle was added.

In 1862 Arthur Prior, the then owner of Hylands House, employed well known church architect Sir Piers Aubyn to build a replacement for the existing church of St Mary’s at Widford. Eleven years later he instructed Aubyn to build the church of St Michael and All Angels at Galleywood. Widford had been gothic in style but St Michael’s, the larger of the two, was in the decorated style, featuring yellow brick with bands of red. The latter was unique amongst English churches having been built in the middle of Galleywood racecourse. It stood over 200 feet above sea level and could be seen from miles around.

Other notable churches include St Mary’s at Broomfield because of artist Rosemary Rutherwood’s work; she designed four windows and painted the fresco on the ground floor. St Mary the Virgin at High Easter has a window made in 1931 commemorating the two Edward Gepps, father and son vicars at the church between 1848 and 1916.

The chancel of All Saints Church at Writtle was restored after two fires in 1974 and 1991. A church at Essex’s last new town, Holy Trinity at South Woodham Ferrers, was built as an ecumenical church which is shared by Anglicans, Methodists and Roman Catholics. St John’s church at Danbury was rebuilt in 1951-2 after being damaged during the war. All Saints Church in Chelmsford was built originally as a temporary mission church for the new Boarded Barns estate in 1930.

Next month’s article looks at how the towns parish church acquired cathedral status and Chelmsford’s first three bishops.

Coaching As A Gift! by Karen Hughes With 11 years’ experience running community singing groups, Karen Hughes improves people’s lives. As a Certificated Transformational Coach, qualified at Advanced Coach level, she now facilitates change, one person at a time.

As a life and career coach, Karen coaches creatively whether or not you believe you are creative. Her clients gain clarity, confidence, self-belief and move into the future they want, rather than remaining stuck. Karen feels humbled to observe people change and develop, week by week.

Great Baddow Races 2020

She says: “I am so inspired by the effects of coaching, that during this year, I’ll GIFT 100 people a no-obligation 90-minute Deep Coaching Conversation (10 GIFTS monthly)! As we start the decade by planning your future, I’ll extend my skillsets, through helping you!

“Do you wish to explore or deepen your creativity? Maybe you’re struggling with life or career issues (in any sphere)? Or are you approaching retirement (our biggest career change), undecided what to do with all that time? If so, I can help you.

“Why not meet for an initial coaching session at OAKhouse, Maldon High Street (I’m there once a week), or make an appointment?”

For full details, please email info@creativecoachingcommunity. co.uk, or join the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ CreativeCoachingCommunity.

Not many events draw in participants and supporters from the nine counties surrounding Essex and involve local people in the Galleywood, Great Baddow and Chelmsford areas, but the annual Edmund Carr Great Baddow Race, to be held this year on Sunday 17th May, is one such event.

circuits the Recreation Ground and has always been a family event - some even with pushchairs, their occupants and dogs competing!

Rest assured that all finishers in both races receive a medal and there are trophies for all age group winners, even for those indomitable athletes in their 70s!

Since the 10-mile race began in 1982, it has risen to become an important BARR* Gold Standard contest for serious runners in the road racing calendar. The event is held at the Great Baddow Recreation Ground amid a fairground atmosphere where stalls, children’s rides and food and drink outlets are stationed to attract families who can also participate in the 2 Mile Fun Run, all held in secure surroundings and ideal for those young budding athletes often accompanied by their parents.

Although the races are organised by Chelmsford Mildmay and Chelmsford Rivermead Rotary Clubs to benefit local charities, runners in both races can collect sponsorship for their own projects or charities. With the availability of Baddow Races printed T-shirts and early-bird rates still available,gplease go to www.baddowraces. co.uk for full information and the entry portal. *

British Association of Road Races

The 10-mile course from the Recreation Ground weaves in and out of Galleywood and finishes back at the start line, The 2-mile race

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

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Therapy - by Chelmsford Therapy Rooms One of the most common questions I’m asked in my therapy room is ‘do you think I’m repressing something?’ - repression isn’t necessarily responsible for all mental health issues, but it can contribute somewhat. Repression is one of the Ego Defence Mechanisms first identified by Sigmund Freud. Ego Defence Mechanisms provide coping strategies that reduce the anxiety the person feels around a situation rather than altering the situation itself. As powerful as our subconscious minds are, they can only alter what goes on inside a person but not outside of them.

Freud considered repression to be the most important ego defence mechanism, and also the most basic. Here is the definition of repression: Repression is a kind of forgetting, it pushes something away so that it does not create intense anxiety in the immediate present.

Most often repressed are emotions, impulses and memories that are too disturbing, scary or painful to be carried in our conscious awareness. Memories carrying an element of guilt or shame are also often repressed. These emotions are always felt around an incident, they have no validity in the outside world. It’s all about interpretation - for example, the person that is made to feel guilty for underachievement when, in reality, there is no need for them to feel that way will experience the same disturbing memories as the person who knows they never really did their best - only the emotions associated with the first person’s memories may be more intense.

There’s a problem with this wonderful ego defence mechanism though. According to Freud, when we repress memories we are very seldom totally successful. Even though we may not be aware of it, these memories threaten to break into our conscious mind and wreak havoc with our emotions and our behaviours. Perhaps all humans are subconsciously aware of this? That would explain the number of people that ask me if they’re repressing something! If we have repressed something, we may not be aware of the the influence these repressed memories can have on us, even when they remain locked away in the subconscious mind most of the time. For example, those that have recurring nightmares or perhaps are dreaming of an ex or a dead relative, or even someone they work with, could be repressing memories from the past causing them anxiety in their daily lives without them being conscious of it.

Every person is capable of repression. In some cases repression can be useful for a person’s wellbeing. For example, knowing to keep away from a certain type of person because of bad memories associated with a personality trait - we don’t need to remember the disturbing incident in which we learned this particular lesson but our subconscious will let us know when to avoid them, perhaps by giving us a ‘gut feeling’. Many people learn the art of repression in childhood and carry on practising it into adulthood and although this is a main coping mechanism for most people, refusing to talk about difficult incidents and our feelings around them have been proven to cause serious emotional and physical problems as the mental and physical stress builds up inside of us. In fact people who are able to talk about about painful incidents are more likely to be physically healthier than those who have no support network or have a more engrained tendency to repress memories. When therapists engage clients in hypnoanalysis, they are searching for those repressed memories and emotions. Sometimes clients can recall the situation, but not so much the emotions attached to it. Sometimes the client can recall feeling certain emotions but not so much the situation around it. Either way, in order to erase their anxiety, both situations must be addressed.

In many of my articles I’ve referred to the Initial Sensitising Event the fact that the experience of a particular event, or single trauma, had sparked anxiety or fear in a person. It is also possible that a series of lesser events can accumulate to cause anxiety in the subconscious mind of the person. This is called Cumulative Trauma.

In these cases where accumulation of lesser traumas has led to

anxiety. This anxiety is not always repressed, instead it can be identified in the client by the therapist via the coping strategies they have employed throughout their life that have become part of their personality or nature. This will often manifest in avoidance or a tendency to react to similar situations in the same way, but often the client is not fully aware of this. In effect, the real emotions that are attached to the situation are the subjects of repression. The outcome of this is that the person will use the behaviours and thought processes to avoid or cope with similar situations in the future.

Cumulative Trauma can be divided into two types: Simple Cumulative Trauma: This is where there’s a repetition of a negative idea or situation. Often originally occurring in childhood, the child will not be able to argue with a repetitive statement about themselves and therefore they take this into their subconscious and into their belief system. This is very common in clients that suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy, where the message is repeated by figure of authority in the child’s life, which adds to the situation.

Compound Cumulative Trauma: This type of Cumulative Trauma is what I refer to sarcastically as ‘The Mercy of Fate’. This type of trauma occurs when the client has been subjected to a series of events out of their control that leads to feelings of insecurity, for example a series of deaths, disasters, illness etc. The person often feels a lack of faith in life. Usually these traumas are obvious to the therapist when taking a case history, but not necessarily obvious as a cause of anxiety to the client.

Do you feel you’re suffering emotionally from trauma or repression?

Therapy can be incredibly helpful by helping you explore these emotions in a safe space. We can also help you to feel calmer and more positive about whatever it is you’re going through, or even just about life in general!

If you’re interested in seeing a therapist, at Chelmsford Therapy Rooms, we have a range of therapists that can help with a multitude of issues. We offer many therapies from hypnotherapy to counselling to nutrition. Please visit www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162.

Gone Too Soon Bereavement Support Gone Too Soon is a bereavement support group for parents who have lost a son or daughter - of any age, and in whatever circumstances, whether recent or a while ago. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at French Martini, 2 Western Road, Billericay, CM12 9DZ from 7pm - 9pm.

Come along and meet other parents who you can relate too and who will understand how it feels to lose a child. You will be given a warm and friendly welcome in a safe environment.

For further details, please call Lyn on 07387 805 406 or email lyn-currie@hotmail.co.uk. www.gonetoosoon.online

Page 20

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Supported Employment Upbeat Life was created as an enterprise back in 2007 after I had been through many tough years. I’ve been a businessman for most of my working life, however in 2002 I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

My journey with this illness has been an interesting one.

just don’t seem able to get the right mindset to reach their goal.

We all have the right to become the best possible versions of ourselves and get the mind you need to live the life you deserve. I am extremely proud of the people who work in my organisation and I absolutely know they share my passion of empowerment and enablement for all.

We offer many services, including community support, a supported employment service and various coaching services.

My first marriage was failing and in 2007 with the future looking bleak, I made a serious attempt at taking my life. Many would believe that it was a very bad day and yes to a point it was. It was also a day when I realised that I could not get any lower and I decided to set out to change my life.

In 2008 my neurologist delivered the news that I was now secondary progressive and there were no drugs available to halt the development of SPMS. In his opinion with the way the disease progresses, I would be in a wheelchair by 2012. This did start to become my reality and I used the wheelchair more and more. However, one day whilst out in my wheelchair I was looking across the estuary near where I live, I heard a voice inside me say ‘fight back’.

It was a surreal moment of clarity!

I began to research and learn as much as I could about the condition I had. With this newly acquired knowledge I started to formulate a strategy to take back control of my mind and body. I studied exercise, diet, functional movement and mindset practice.

It is not a quick fix, and even to this day I still learn more about elements that can improve my health and wellbeing. I am now happy to report the wheelchair is parked in the garage and only comes out on the odd occasion.

In 2019, Upbeat Life became a Not for Profit Community Interest Company.

My mission, and that of my team, is to provide the best possible support to people who have a disability, a learning disability, or

We all have dreams and aspirations, so dream big and make them your reality!

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(Call Carlie on 07568 961 719) We are an Essex-based community care service that strives to provide the best possible support in a personcentred way to people with a learning or physical condition. Our aim is to enable you to achieve your goals at a pace that suits you and to move forward to take an active part in your community. We will always do our best to signpost you towards services that are appropriate to your needs and support you in doing this.

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Page 21

The Warrior Poses - by Mandy Haynes As I mentioned in September’s article on Vinyasa Flow Yoga, I will often base and theme a class around a certain set of poses. One of the most common groups poses used in yoga are the Warrior poses; These have some of the basic foundations of a good, solid asana practice.

From squared hips to wide stances, to balance, and from your core to your legs and your upper body, these poses have it all. Another great quality to these poses are their accessibility - they’re approachable for most bodies and are less intimidating than some of the more advanced postures, while still being brilliant for building strength, confidence and body awareness.

The Sanskrit word for warrior is ‘virabhadrasana’ (veer-ah-bah-drahsanna). There are three primary Warrior poses - I, II and III, and then variations of these.

shoulder opener, we are being allowed to turn our attention and focus inwards and taught to surrender as we bow into the pose.

Next time you move into one of these poses in your yoga class, maybe you’ll be reminded of the physical and mental benefits of these powerful, confidence building poses and look to find that balance of sthira and sukha.

To find out more about the joys that Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga has to offer, take a look at our website: www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk.

Chelmsford Singers

Chelmsford Singers’ next concert will be on March 28th at 7pm at Brentwood Cathedral.

These poses are aptly named after a fierce warrior from Hindu mythology, Virabhadra, who is said to symbolize our inner ability to overcome ego and ignorance. The poses challenge and test us but in doing so bring us strength, focus, confidence and courage.

They and musical director James Davy will be performing Briggs’s Requiem and other works with the Chelmsford Sinfonietta and choristers from Chelmsford and Brentwood Cathedrals. They will be accompanied on the organ by Hilary Punnett.

These poses can be practiced as stand alone postures or synchronised from one to another (directly or with other poses in between) in a vinyasa flow sequence. The fact that they are so common in most people’s practice means that the correct alignment and benefits of these poses often get overlooked or taken for granted.

Tickets are £15 adult or £5 for under 18s, and can be purchased from chelmsfordsingers.co.uk, choir members, or call 01245 469 141.

In particular, Warrior I and 2 can be held for long periods of time - they are more or less full body poses that can work nearly every muscle you’ve got. Instead of being complacent in these poses, they can be used as a practice in finding ease within effort. One of the key principles of yoga asana is the balance of sthira (meaning steadiness and effort; being strong and active in a pose) and sukha (meaning ease; finding softness, comfort and joy within a pose) and the Warrior poses can teach us this. When holding these poses it gives us the opportunity to practice finding where you can release or dissolve excess tensions as you continue to hold what needs to be held for stability and integrity within the pose. For instance, if tension starts to build in your neck and shoulders in this pose, can you release it as you continue to hold the powerful lunge position of the legs. This can work on a mental level as well as the physical one - are you holding onto any unnecessary stresses or tensions in your life? Where can you learn to relax, while you hold strength in other areas?

Chelmsford Singers have a reputation for producing quality music since 1912. James Davy is organist and Master of Choristers at Chelmsford Cathedral. The Chelmsford Sinfonietta is a professional chamber orchestra.

Physically, these poses strengthen the feet, hamstrings, quadriceps and gluteus, build core power and work the chest, shoulders and arms. They are energising and powerful.

Emotionally, they are great for opening the heart (Warrior I) and developing courage and inner strength.

Warrior III is all about balance and stability and is therefore often a challenging pose for many people. Physically, your standing leg will be working super hard as you balance all your weight upon it, you’ll be accessing the muscles along your spine to hold your upper body long and straight and engaging your core muscles. How well you balance in this pose could change on a daily basis as it doesn’t just rely on strength. Your mood, emotions and hormones can all affect your focus and ability to balance. The balance aspect of this pose on the physical level can also be mirrored on an emotional level - it can teach us to stay balanced with our emotions and practice staying emotionally poised in the midst of challenge.

Two other Warrior poses to mention are Reverse Warrior and Humble Warrior. The physical benefits of Reverse Warrior are that it strengthens the lower body whilst providing a deep stretch for the side body and improving flexibility in the spine.

In Humble Warrior, as well as physically being a deep hip and Page 22

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r fe d f t O ite 5 n e im ÂŁ4 i Cl Unl for w s ) Ne Day shipapply r s 30 mbe(ts &c Me

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Spot 10 Differences (answers on page 31)

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Quiz Time - by John Theedom (answers on page 31) 1.

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What is a dingle?

Where was the 1986 World Cup held?

Who plays the part of Michelle Conner in Coronation Street?

In which country is Lake Maggiore?

Who was the composer of The Warsaw Concerto?

Who was the off-beat artist who nearly suffocated while giving a lecture in a diving suit?

Which actress is playing the role of Grizabella in the latest version of Cats?

Over which body of water was Glenn Miller when he disappeared in 1944?

China is currently suffering from a disease which is causing a shortage of which popular meat?

Which group sang the song Money, Money, Money?

Which year did Ronnie Barker die?

What is an aba?

Apart from a joiner’s tool, what is a plane?

In 2019, how old is Carol Vorderman?

What is salve?

What nationality is the singer Beyoncé?

What is the name of Eamonn Holmes’ wife?

Which model of Boeing plane has been grounded after 2 serious crashes?

In the Philippines recently, 11 people died from drinking which type of wine?

Who is the MP for Southend-on-Sea? Who is the drunken woman who tried to open the door of an aircraft In mid-flight?

Apart from politics, what is Ed Milliband’s claim to fame?

What sport does Ernie Els play?

How many Oscars has Glenda Jackson won?

How many sides does a rhombus have?

How did the Queen describe the year 2019?

In the recent flooding in the UK, which was the most appropriately named village?

The TV show The Good Life starred Richard Briers and Felicity Kendall, but what were their character’s names?

How much does BBC’s George Alagiah get paid per year?

31. How many dots are used in each letter in the braille system?

32. What is the local name for Ayers Rock in Australia?

33. How old was Tommy Cooper when he died on stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre?

34. In which London Hospital was Prince Philip cared for recently?

35. Apart from the horse race, what is an ascot?

36. Why would you follow a spoor?

37. On the ITV programme The Chase, how old is ‘The Beast’ Mark Labbett?

38. What is the angel shark more commonly known as?

39. What is the National Tree of California, USA? Football 1996 World Cup winner Martin Peters recently died, how old was he?

40. If you have become Amish, what have you joined?

Error: Apologies, in the last edition the answer to question 10 should have been Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut.

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Local Arts for Art’s Sake - by Kenneth Louis Shepherd One of my favourite TV programmes is Britain’s Lost Masterpieces in which experts attempt to prove that a certain work of art is not rubbish, but a genuine work by a famous artist. I hate it when they are wrong!

These items are often found hidden away in the most unlikely places. The opposite is true of items of architecture which we may pass daily without knowing that they are of historic or artistic value.

In some cases, criminals have sometimes stolen lead from public pieces and melted the lead down to be sold.

I must have passed Rodin’s Burghers of Calais in Parliament Square a thousand times before I realised its importance. The Great Totham Village Hall is a large rendered barn like building with arcading along the side walls. This was designed by the incredibly famous Arthur Haygate Mackmurdo. He resided in area for many many years.

The fact that several of the items which he produced are now in American museums across the pond proves that he is internationally famous.

This man lived 1851-1942 and was a part of the Arts and Crafts movement. He also advocated social reforms. He founded the Century Guild of Artists alongside Selwyn Image. He worked alongside John Ruskin and they travelled to Italy together. He also created items which were in the style of William Morris. He was incredibly versatile and was also a cabinet maker producing Art Nouveau furniture. A beautiful chair which he created in this style is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, as is a hanging scroll which he made.

Ruffins in Great Totham, which is now a listed building. He also designed the modernist Savoy Hotel in London and the music at the Health Exhibition, London.

In 1883 he wrote and designed a book which relates to Wren’s London Churches, and the design of the cover is wonderful. As a writer, I am aware of the importance of this.

There are many fine buildings in Essex that are, for various reasons, found to be of interest. But are there treasures hidden away, unknown to us and also perhaps the experts? Great works of art may easily be currently collecting dust in an attic, but buildings are there for us all to discover.

So the next time that you pass a pleasant looking, unassuming bulding, consider that some expert, currently ignorant regarding its existence, may possibly descend upon it excitedly when so informed...

Its utilitarian purpose is not of importance. It could simply be the last outside loo in the nation.

As a result of this thought process, tomorrow, when I stagger from the Tap Room in Maldon I will look around more! Incidentally, much of the information that I have gleaned about Mackmurdo was gained from local historian Stephen Nunn.

He often worked in metals; a watering can which he designed in now in the Indianapolis Museum of Art. He also designed at least twelve upmarket properties in London, including 25 Cadogan Gardens.

There were others in Hampstead and Enfield and he created Great

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After the Holocaust, the international community adopted a legal definition of the crime of ‘genocide’. They wanted to make sure that never again would the crimes of the Holocaust be allowed to happen.

However, these further genocides demonstrate an abject failure of humanity to learn.

Rotarian Leads Holocaust Memorial Day Event

Rotarians are by nature public spirited individuals and therefore it is no surprise that they get involved in community work outside of Rotary. The Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration in Chelmsford was organised by myself - I am also the Chelmsford Jewish Community Chairman as well.

The commemoration arranged on behalf of Chelmsford City Council was held in the City Council Chamber on Thursday 30th January before a packed audience who heard the personal story from Henri Obstfeld BEM, who was a young child in Holland during the Nazi occupation.

In my closing speech, I gave examples of anti-Semitic outrages that have occurred over the last twelve months in Europe, America and closer to home in London and Essex. I stressed how important it is for the younger generation to carry forward the message of speaking out against all forms of discrimination and that it is incumbent on each of us to cultivate dialogue, promote respectful engagement and challenge racism and discrimination wherever it occurs: antiSemitism, race, colour, gender, disability or any other reason.

I also thanked Chelmsford City Council for hosting the event, all the speakers and participants, and everyone for coming to Stand Together, the theme for 2020. Another year without much cause for optimism, without any let-up in discrimination and hate crimes, but on a positive note I could praise Chelmsford for continuing to be a beacon of tolerance and an example to all on what a community should aspire to be.

The varied programme included contributions from many students from Chelmsford schools. Five pupils from King Edward VI Grammar School enacted a powerful scene from the play Ghetto by Joseph Sobol, and there were readings from New Hall and St John Payne students, and two excellent pieces of music by Felsted and KEGS boys.

Further readings were presented by the Mayor of Chelmsford, Cllr Bob Massey, MP for Chelmsford Vicky Ford, Cllr John Jowers, Chairman of Essex County Council and pre-selected members of the community.

L-R, Mayor of Chelmsford Cllr Bob Massey, Stan Keller Chairman of Chelmsford Jewish Community, Henri Obstfeld Principal Speaker and Vicky Ford MP for Chelmsford

In a moving Memorial Candle Lighting ceremony, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex representing the Queen, lit one of the six candles and the other five were lit by representatives of various branches of the local community.

With the passage of time it is getting increasingly difficult to get a survivor to speak about their experiences in the concentration camps, or how they were wrenched from their families by escaping to England on the Kindertransport, or being hidden by non-Jewish families within occupied countries. In Chelmsford we have been very fortunate in having different survivors over the past thirteen years when Holocaust Memorial Day was first instigated in the city (still a town at the time). Some of these brave people have now passed away, but in the harrowing television coverage leading up to HMD, several of our previous visitors were interviewed still lucidly remembering the horrors of the time. The message is always the same: It must never happen again.

Yet there have been a number of genocides since the Nazi persecution, including Rwanda, Darfur, Cambodia, Bosnia and Rohingya. Whilst these atrocities are rightly remembered on HMD, they are not on the industrial scale of the Holocaust which targeted Jewish people throughout Europe just on the basis of their religion, and most frighteningly we are experiencing a rise in anti-Semitism again.

A group of Rotarians supporting Holocaust Memorial Day Peace and Conflict Resolution is one of the six areas of focus in Rotary and, in fact, February is the month dedicated to this goal. There are six universities around the world offering peace programmes and the one based in the UK is at Bradford. In addition, Rotary finances peace scholars and currently we have one studying at Essex University who will be giving us a talk on the 23rd February, the 115th birthday of the founding of Rotary International. Rotary is taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension and lack of access to education so perhaps one day when we say ‘Never Again’ it will ring true.

The audience hold up programmes with the message: We Will Remember Rotary is looking for new members from anyone who wishes to put something back into the local community. This can take countless forms, speaking out against discrimination, helping organise youth competitions, tackling literacy and water problems, literally anything no matter what. No job too large, no job too small, so if you want to learn more about Rotary in your area visit www.rotary1240.org or call 01245 260 349.

Stan Keller

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Stargazing with Mark Willis - February/March Whenever the planets are a little shy, it’s a very good idea to turn your attention to the Moon. The best time to observe the Moon is 6 to 9 days after the new Moon. (The dates of the new Moon are given at the end of this article).

Nothing really prepares you for its stark beauty - it’s completely devoid of colour. I spotted a range of hills called the Apennines which peak at over 5km high. At the end of these hills there is a large crater called Archimedes which is 81km wide. If we put Chelmsford in the centre of this crater, it would take in the following towns, North: Haverhill in Suffolk. South: Rochester, Kent.

The North Essex Astronomical Society hold monthly public stargazing sessions and these are free (there is a charge for the car park though). For more details visit: www.northessexastro.co.uk then go to ‘events/Great Notley Information’.

9th March, 17:48 UT: Full Moon and ‘Supermoon’ (so called because the Moon looks larger than usual). Native American tribes called it The Full Worm Moon as, at this time, the ground will have softened and the earth worms would have appeared.

20th March - The March Equinox: on this day the length of the day and night are of exactly equal length: it is also the first day of spring.

24th March: A great time to observe Venus. The planet is on this day at Greatest Eastern Elongation, or in English, at the highest possible point in the sky to observe.

New Moon: On 23rd February and 24th March there will be a new Moon. This means the skies will be extra dark which is a great opportunity to see planets, galaxies and deep space objects.

As usual, email me with any questions about stargazing or the show.

Mark Willis presents Lite Bites every Tuesday at midday on Chelmsford Community Radio.on 104.4 FM and online throughout the world. www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

Chelmsford Window Gallery Presents...

Founded in June 2018, the Window Gallery aims to make the view on Broomfield Road more interesting by giving local artists a space to display their work. We display a different exhibition of local artists every month.

Featured Artist February 2020: Simon Bragg When did you start making art?

“Around 2012.”

What inspires you?

“I’m inspired by all sorts, from seeing other artists work, or just seeing a photo.”

What do you do if you’re not inspired?

“Lots of YouTube and Instagram.”

Where do you practice art?

“In my home studio.”

How often do you create?

“I always have something on the drawing board.”

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

“I love it when you start of with a blank piece of paper, and end up with piece of art created with your own hands.”

Where have you exhibited before?

“I have exhibited in Chelmsford, Danbury, Langford, Maldon and Harlow.”

What superpower would you have and why?

“Time travel. I would love to go back in time and see first hand how things used to be.”

Instagram: @simonbragg-art Facebook: Simon Bragg-art

What sort of art do you create?

“Realism with pastels.”

Has this changed over time?

“Yes, my journey started of with airbrushing.”

Coming up next at Window Gallery: March: Keith Hollingsworth Exhibition April: Lynn Excell Exhibition www.windowgallery.org

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Quiz Answers 1.

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