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CT Fashion - New Clothes Resolutions: What to Promise Your Wardrobe this Year ‘New Year, New Me’ - if I had a pound for every time I heard or saw this phrase in the last few weeks I would be sipping cocktails in Mexico. Sadly, I am confined to my house by the blustering winds, dark evenings and zero bank account funds, wondering whether it really is worth spending any time making New Year resolutions... Do they really make us happier, better people? I feel like I have heard them all. There are the usual: eat more healthily, do more exercise, spend more time with family… and over the past week I have heard some others: ‘I want to say yes to DO THINGS more often,’ a friend of mine said. Ironically, another said, ‘I want to learn how to say no more.’ My boyfriend, head in hands, announced: ‘I am going to stop buying ridiculous things this year!’ (I’ll believe that when I see it - you should see what is parked on my drive...). But one thing’s for sure: the New Year’s resolution is a personal thing. I’ve decided I’m changing mine up this year - my New Year’s resolution is fashion focused. I’m making promises. Promises to my wardrobe and its luxurious inhabitants - my clothes are going to be so much happier in 2019. Maybe yours could be too? Here are my 5 steps to a wonderful wardrobe this year: 1. I Pledge to Buy Less, Wear More: It is a scientific fact that spending money on ourselves makes us happy, and let’s face it, January can be pretty miserable. So what do we do? Buy a ‘few bits’ to make us feel better. A few impulse buys later and you’re knee deep in Primark shopping bags wondering where it all went wrong. My suggestion? Stay away from the shops and go to what you already have. I have not stepped foot in a shop since the beginning of January because… 2. I Pledge to Revive My Old Favourites: I can’t be the only one who has clothes from 5 years ago still waiting patiently to be reacquainted with sunlight? I am on a mission this year to wear clothes that haven’t seen the light of day for a few years but are still perfectly wonderful pieces of clothing. I will also be thinking about ‘relegating’ (that sounds mean - I don’t want to offend them) certain pieces to work wardrobe, or loungewear, or casual wear rather than ignoring their existence (also mean, but true). They - and I - would be so much happier if they were being worn than just sitting in a wardrobe. Next, I plan to allocate some time to piecing outfits together, and once I have done this… 3. I Pledge to Organise and Categorise: Anybody else got a spare room that is in fact a ‘bedrobe’ (a bed laden with various attire) or a ‘floordrobe’ (a floor laden with various attire)? When in a rush, the last thing you want to do is put all your clothing back where they should be - and you know where it is when you leave it on the chair/bed/dog, right? Well, I plan to organise the whole of my wardrobe with sections for work/rest/play and those areas in between. I have also taken the initiative of putting all of
my holidaywear in a SUITCASE (yes, I know, what an innovative idea!) and then I popped it in the loft - out of sight, out of sacred wardrobe space. Win win. I’ve also got an accessories box just waiting to be filled with stuff from the bottom of my actual wardrobe. It will also mean that I… 4. Pledge to Have a Spring Clean: By ‘spring clean’ I mean a clear out. I am going to be brutal. I probably don’t need 687 T-shirts of varied shades but similar cut. It is highly unlikely I will find time in my life again to wear a fluorescent orange cowboy hat. I’m planning on getting some of my friends around, and having a clothes party. The idea is that everyone brings some clothing they don’t want in the view that they might find something ‘new’ they like from someone else’s wardrobe. As they say, ‘one girl’s trash is another girl’s treasure’. There are rules. You must be sure you don’t want the stuff you’re offering up (no one wants clothes envy of clothes that were actually yours), and make sure the pieces are clean and in good condition (sounds obvious - but I have seen holey socks at one of these before!). If a clothes party isn’t your thing, you could always run your old but good stuff up to the charity shop to be bestowed upon the next keen fashionista (that’s adulting AND saving the planet right there). 5. Finally, as variety is the spice of life, once I have sorted my wardrobe… I Pledge to Rotate My Outfits: We are all creatures of habit. There have been times in the past when colleagues have said to me: ‘It must be Wednesday, because you’re wearing that dress/skirt/scarf again!’ This is horrifying. The only way I can rectify this is by taking steps 1-4 and then actually taking time to mix up my outfits. A friend of mine actually rotates her outfits in the wardrobe - one out, one in the wash, the next one ready at the open of the wardrobe. I’m just going to promise to go to bed with an idea of what to wear tomorrow so to save a mad dash in the morning and ensure I don’t go back to my usual ‘easy wear.’ I’ll let you know how I get on - and I hope I have inspired you to consider a fashion focused resolution. As they say, ‘happy wardrobe, no floordrobe’ (or something like that). Rebecca Forde is a writer with a penchant for fashion, great literature and drinking a lot of coffee. You can contact her by emailing rebeccaforde@hotmail.co.uk. All Images: ©Debenhams
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MONDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9:00am, 11:00am,1:00pm, 5:00pm & 7:00pm Lucy 07801 433626
WEDNESDAYS Church Of St Augustine Of Canterbury, St Augustines Way, Springfield CM1 6GQ 9:30am and 11:30am Emma 07887 692906
Springfield Community Centre, Perryfields School, Lawn Lane, CM1 7PP 5:00pm and 7:00pm Angie 07814 992628
Writtle Community Association, Longmeads House, 12-14 Redwood Drive, Writtle CM1 3LY 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Jennifer 07792 516866
TUESDAYS Broomfield Village Hall, 158 Main Road (behind Angel Pub), Broomfield CM1 7AH 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Victoria 07823 441198 Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, 9R Great Baddow CM2 9RL 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm Samantha 01245 266442
Life Church, Hall Street, off Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HG 5:30pm and 7:30pm Angie 07814 992628 Boreham Village Hall, Main Road, Boreham CM3 3JD 5:30pm and 7:30pm Marie 07988 426728 Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield CM2 6EB 5.30pm and 7:30pm Elise 07979 816486
WEDNESDAYS St Michael's Church of England, Junior School, Barnard Road, Galleywood CM2 8RR 7:30pm Tracy 07584 676670 THURSD THURSDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9:30am Samantha 01245 266442 North Springfield Baptist Church, o Pump Lane, Havengore, off Springfield CM1 6JP 5:30pm (session full) 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 0344 897 8000 FRIDAYS The Church Of Ascension, Maltese Road, Chelmsford CM1 2PB 9:15am and 11:15am Samantha 01245 266442 SATURDAYS Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield CM2 6EB 8:30am and 10:30am Emma 07887 692906　
Music and Ramblings - by Nick Garner Ramblings Well here we are in the depths of winter - where did that last year go? As we head into 2019 we tend to wonder what is going to happen. One event that I know for sure that is going to happen is our second Chelmsford Arts & Cultural Festival in June, from 21st to 30th. We are busy beavering away in the background hopefully gaining more sponsors and more support with the aim of bringing you a bigger and even more exciting festival this year. We are about to have some pretty important meetings and after these, we will be able to tell you more of our plans for 2019 and beyond. Music and Stuff Another great year at the football club culminated with Limehouse Lizzy as well as Connor Selby and Joe Anderton (who were all superb and played to a full house). We plan to carry it on into 2019 and beyond. So we start with ChangesTwoBowie and The Delta Ladies on Friday 18th January. Then on Friday 15th February we have the amazing Robbie McIntosh and his band. Robbie is currently playing with both Mark Knopfler and John Illsley (both of Dire Straits) and in the past he has played with The Pretenders and Paul McCartney as well as many more greats. Opening the night will be Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective; whilst being long time friends with Robbie and his band, the music also fits the bill very well. All details can be found in this edition of the magazine. On Friday 15th March we have The Christians playing, with Rich Young as their special guest. Then on Sunday 31st March we have a very special tribute to a good friend, Mike Lightfoot. This will be a special 10-hour event running from noon to 10pm. We have artists and acts coming from all over to play and pay tribute to Mike and help raise funds for the Heart Foundation and the Basildon Cardiac Unit. Everyone involved is doing it for free so all the ticket money can be donated to the two causes. On Friday 5th April we have John Coghlan’s Quo. John was the original drummer with Status Quo and was in the band for 20 years. Opening the night will be the wonderful Stony Road. On Thursday 16th May, we are thrilled to welcome back - for the fourth time now - Albert Lee, who will be performing as part of his 75th Birthday Tour - though to see and talk to him you would never believe his age! Albert will also have the live album CD for sale which he recorded with us back in 2017 on sale as well. I am currently also just finalising details for a new act for the 12th July, Des Horsfall’s Kuschty Rye. Des has played with loads of people over the years and if you loved Slim Chance you will love this show. We are also working on scheduling the last few gigs of 2019 and hope to have them finalised very soon. I should also mention that there is a new venue that has opened in Chelmsford called Hideaways. After a bit of a delay they are now opening their doors to what we hope will work well in conjunction with all the other live music going on in the city. We wish them well.
The UB in 2019 The vision of the owners, and in particular Scott Malaugh, is to have a great pub with great draught and keg beers, along with fine wines and an awesome choice of gins - and fantastic fresh food too of course. Add to all fo this is the high quality entertainment - this now must be the best free venue in the area with at least three days each week containing live music - sometimes it can be as many as five or six days a week. Not just music either; there are storytelling events too, but the UB also wants to expand into other areas of live entertainment. There is now a monthly open mic session on the second Wednesday of each month hosted by Joe Anderton. Blues and Roots in the City have moved here too of course, on every third Thursday of the month. Don’t forget the new acoustic Mondays as well.
The live music ranges from the best covers acts to original music including jazz, funk, blues, bluegrass, pop, folk and country. The venue has acts coming over from the USA as well as all across Europe - and all the shows are free to enter. Sometimes we put a pot around as the acts are worth more than the pub can give, and giving a little extra can encourage them to return. As well as all the regular events, the third UB Fest will occur once more over the August Bank Holiday and they are looking forward to bigger and brighter things for the future. Check out the UB on Facebook at facebook.com/theunitedbrethren. There are lots of great live events happening in and around the city, with comedy events seeming to be on the increase. I am also starting to see some poetry events popping up as well as storytelling. Great stuff. There are more arts and creative groups appearing too, one of these worth mentioning is Ignite. Please ‘like’ our pages on social media and help us out by inviting your friends to ‘like’ our pages as well. As ever, please do try to come out and support the great live scene that we have in Essex, because if you do not - we may lose it. For more information on all of the above and more, see the links below and go to our What’s On pages to see what else in happening in your area. You can also check the Internet to see what’s on too - Facebook is always good as is Twitter plus your local papers and community boards. The Chelmsford Arts and Cultural Festival: hello@chelmsfordfestival. org www.chelmsfordfestival.org Online festival programme: www.issuu.com/chelmsfordfestival www.facebook.com/chelmsfordfestival Twitter: @chelmsfordaacf. www.bluesinthecity.co.uk www.facebook.com/bluesinthecitychelmsford Twitter: @BluesintheCity1 www.itsyourmusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/itsyourmusic Twitter: @itsyourmusic
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CT Gardening - by Tom Cole
Happy New Year! To burn off all the excesses of the festive season, why not plant a new hedge? You’ll get healthier as a result and contribute greatly to the diversity within your garden. It needn’t be a full blown hedge, but could be used for other reasons. Hedges can carry out a number of functions, including: • • • • • • • •
Increased privacy. Boundary definition. Added security. Screening for eyesores. A ‘foil’ or back drop. Ornamental features - eg, topiary. Shelter from wind. Habitats for wildlife.
The optimum time for planting is autumn. Though right now through to the spring is the next best choice.
Plants can be purchased as bare root, container grown or root balled. Most hedging plants are planted in single rows with the plants spaced 30 - 60cm apart. Hornbeam and beech hedges are usually planted in a double row. The rows should be spaced 30cm apart and the plants 30cm apart.
There are many different plants suitable for use as hedging material. They must all be tolerant of trimming, be compact and fairly dense in habit. They need to be quite tough too, as hedges are often neglected as far as watering and feeding are concerned. When choosing a hedging plant consider the use for which it is intended and make sure that it will be suitable. For example, a hedge planted to improve privacy should be an evergreen. A hedge intended to keep people out could be prickly or have thorns. Informal Hedges Informal hedges are suitable for gardens where a more relaxed or cottage style is desired and may be allowed to grow loosely - they are often grown for their flowers. Plants that can be used include shrub roses such as Rosa rugosa, compact growing Philadelphus such as P. ‘Manteau d’Hermine’ and in mild areas, hedges of Fuchsia magellanica. They are usually only trimmed once a year during the growing season, but this must be carried out with the flowering season in mind.
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Follow these steps for preparing any area for planting: Soil Preparation • Weed. Remove all weeds from the site. A total translocated herbicide may be used to treat perennial weeds as they are difficult to eradicate once the hedge is planted. • Cultivate. Single dig a strip of ground 1m in width (1.5m for a double row). On a large site, a rotary cultivator will make the task easier. Organic matter such as spent mushroom compost can be added to improve the soil. • Firm the soil to remove any air pockets. • Rake level.
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Planting • Using a tape measure and short canes, mark the planting stations. • Dig individual planting holes ensuring they are large enough to easily accommodate the root system or root ball. • Apply a base dressing of fertiliser such as bonemeal at a rate of 70g/m2 and incorporate into the soil. • Holding the plants at the right height, backfill taking care to firm the soil to remove any air pockets. • Water thoroughly. • Mulch with material such as bark chips to a depth of 10cm.
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Maintenance Spring • Fertilise. Apply a top dressing of balanced fertiliser such as Growmore at a rate of 100g/m2 • Once frosts have passed trim the hedge. Summer • Irrigate when necessary - leaky pipe systems are particularly suited to use with hedging. • Check for pests and diseases and treat accordingly. • Trim again if necessary.
Autumn • Plant new hedges or ‘gap up’ if required. Winter • Remove heavy snow fall from hedges. Lastly, if you’re interested in developing your theory or practical horticultural skills as a keen amateur, or someone wishing to pursue a change in career, why not contact us for more information? Come along and chat to teaching staff Saturday 19th January between 10am and 2pm. For RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture, email christina. lavelle@writtle.ac.uk for information on availability of days and times. For RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture (1 year, day release), RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development (September - February), RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance (Starting 14th February - June 2019) and for RHS Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture, email tom.cole@writtle.ac.uk for information on availability of days and times. We also offer a very comprehensive range of short courses in gardening. Follow this link for further information: writtle.ac.uk/ ShortCourses. Happy Gardening For any gardening tips, contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Writtle College, Chelmsford, CM1 3RR by post (including a SAE) or by email at tom.cole@writtle.ac.uk.
Hens Looking for New Homes! Fresh Start For Hens is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers for the purpose of rehoming ex-commercial egg laying hens. We have approximately 100 collection points across England and Wales, and the Chelmsford collection point is not far from Chelmsford crematorium on the Writtle Road. We regularly have rehoming days, the next two are on Saturday 26th January and Saturday 2nd February - we currently have 5,000 hens needing homes! When commercial hens reach 18 months, they are considered to be no longer profitable for the farmer and are sent to slaughter, so we work with farms to offer an ethical alternative. On rehoming day, the volunteers catch and crate the hens who are then transported to the collection points ready to be rehomed. All hens are reserved through the website to ensure that the correct number of hens arrive at each collection point. Rehomers are asked to donate £2.50 per hen to cover the cost of van rental, fuel and vet bills for poorly hens. They are given a collection time and asked to bring a suitable carrier. Animal crates or cardboard boxes with air holes are perfect. Hens do not need much space to be happy. They just need somewhere safe and dry to sleep and lay eggs and a little place to scratch around and maybe sunbathe. There is a wealth of information on the Internet regarding chicken keeping, and our volunteers also run social media pages and will always give good advice to new owners. Please see www. freshstartforhens.co.uk or search for us on Facebook to reserve your new pets.
CT Food: Diets - by John Jacobs It’s that time. We’re all thinking it - I know I am. it’s a new year, new you, so time for the diet the one we’ve been saying since October that we will start on the first of January so that the extra mince pie is acceptable... I kept telling myself this on the eleventh or twelfth helping. My wife makes ridiculously addictive mince pies, and each one of those has reformed itself around my stomach like a buoyancy aid. I feel in these times of enlightenment that it’s acceptable for this middle aged man to talk about ruining the line of his designer jeans with festive excesses. I encourage this wholeheartedly - even if that heart is partially blocked with pie. I had a rather successful time with Slimming World two years ago, so I’m heading back there with a guilty look and a resigned acceptance that morbid obesity is unflattering, not Rubenesque. I confess to doing what I do and looked for a quick ‘kick-start’ diet to accomplish rapid weight loss before waddling into the group. This led to some research, most of which ceded utter nonsense, clinically impossible, or indeed galactically stupid fads for anyone not trained in self-defibrillation. I never learn. A quick fix for those with resources could indeed mean having the pounds clinically vacuumed off, but I resent giving Sir James Dyson another business opportunity. In any event, he’s busy designing a car of the future. I hope it’s cordless. The problem we have is that the quick fix stems from the immediacy of our world. We’re told to get our beach bodies ready, though for me that means chronic sunburn and emaciation through enduring food poisoning. I’m just trying to be ‘fit in my shirts’ ready. So we grown sentient intelligent human beings discard common sense through the most powerful of values, hope. So here are some of the most ridiculous diets we, the same post-neanderthal free-thinking rational folk, will resort to. To avoid any doubt, if you’ve ever tried any of these idiot diets, obesity is the least of your problems. If you’ve been affected by any of the following, you can request a fact sheet from www. desperateandgullible.com. Happy January team. In order of stupidity… Number 1: The Fletcher Diet Developed after it’s namesake, Horace Fletcher recommended that you chew your food at least 100 times or until it becomes liquid. The constant chewing would trick your body into thinking it’s full faster. Perfect if you are a fly or want a jaw like Sophie Ellis Bextor and the bite power of a hyena. Number 2: The Baby Food Diet As you may have guessed, it involves eating processed, puréed baby food. Not clever. Adults and babies need completely different nutrients and thirty jars of baby food per day will in no way satisfy your dietary needs. After a week, just like a baby, you’ll also need a massive nappy to catch the results of this semi liquid diet. Good luck there... Number 3: The Tapeworm Diet No really. This has been floated as a genuine possibility. Swallow a tapeworm which acts as a parasite and feeds off your body. When you want to get rid of it, you swallow a pill that will paralyse and starve the tapeworm. Apart from the obvious grossness of this, where, pray tell, does one pick up a parasitic flatworm in say, Chelmsford? Thinking obliquely, asking for the tapeworm section in Sainsbury’s is likely to result in being sectioned. Avoid at all costs. Number 4: The Cookie Diet Sounds awesome doesn’t it? Regrettably, this is not the type of
cookie one imagines with chocolate chips and a dollop of ginger syrup, but a special type of cookie developed in a laboratory by one Dr Segal. At roughly the cost of a Maine lobster for twelve ‘special’ biscuits, this diet comes straight from the Hand-Over-Your-Cash-Fatso laboratory, USA. Number 5: The HCG Diet I saved the best to last. Brace yourselves. Are you sitting down and strapped into your heavy-weight bearing sofa? Advertised as ‘the weight loss cure they don’t want you to know about’, the HCG Diet involves injecting human waste fluids into your system each day. Taste prohibits me from being too specific, but you get the gist. I may or may not reach my target weight by March. I may or may not care but one thing I can absolutely guarantee, with absolute certainty, as night follows day, all of you - bar none - are now googling the HCG Diet. Bon appétit, glorious city. John Jacobs is feature writer and author of Amazon bestseller, Snow Goose, which is available in paperback and as Kindle download.
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Tips f
Movement is medicine and motion is the lotion! Get up, wriggle, stretch, move. Your body will thank you for it!
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What’s on in the Area
January Friday 18th Bassment - You’re So 80s (free entry & 50% off all drinks before 11pm) CCFC - ChangesTwoBowie + The Delta Ladies Civic - Real Diamond: The Jazz Singer Tour Faces - Robert Lamberti as George Michael The Golden Fleece - Handle With Care Hideaways - State of Millenia + Zen Motel + The Waterfalls + Arron Norman United Brethren - The Ugly Guys Saturday 19th Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Dry January Sober Saturday (party night with resident DJ’s playing 80s - present day) Bassment - Indie Alternative Disco (from 11pm) CCFC Home - Chelmsford City FC v Dartford Civic - Dance From Now On Essex County Cricket Club - Beginners’ Photography Course Galleywood Heritage Centre - Essex Society for Family History monthly meeting The Golden Fleece - Lithium Star & Garter - Fast on the Draw United Brethren - Robin Bibi & Tony Marten Sunday 20th Civic - Dance From Now On Cramphorn - La Bayadere (live from The Bolshoi Ballet) Star & Garter - Open Mic United Brethren - Conor Selby (4.30pm) Monday 21st Cramphorn - Jibber Jabber Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo, learn how to dance (9.15am & 11.15am) Tuesday 22nd Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Cuban Salsa Night Special with Salsa Serpiente Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Cramphorn - The Queen of Spades (live from the Royal Opera House) Wednesday 23rd The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: The Harlem Meer Cats Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am 11.30am - beginners welcome!) Thursday 24th Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Salsa Class with Salsa Serpiente The Golden Fleece - Quiz night Hideaways - Mercury Rising + Elysium Sky + Gallow Wood + Hollow Illusion Page 12
Thursday 24th Continued... United Brethren - Clean Sneak Friday 25th Bassment - Indie vs Hip-Hop! (free entry & 50% off all drinks before 11pm) Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Cramphorn - Wilson and Wakeman Faces - Nya King as Whitney Houston The Golden Fleece - The Hit List Hideaways - Sans Wilfred + Highway Culture + Greyscale + Litter Of Kings United Brethren - Jar Records Saturday 26th Bassment - The Mike Lenson Band (+ Indie Alternative Disco from 11pm) CCFC Away - Dulwich Hamlet v Chelmsford City FC Civic - Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge The Golden Fleece - The Earnshaws Star & Garter - The Stents United Brethren - Dave Ferras All Stars Sunday 27th Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Open Mic Night Transition - Visionboard Workshop (10.30am) Transition - Doorways - Looking back, moving forward (11am) Transition - Drum Worshop (3pm) United Brethren - Rich Young (4.30pm) Monday 28th Chelmsford City Council Chambers - Holocaust Memorial Day (free admission, but you must register in advance by email: events@chelmsford.gov.uk or phone 01245 475 444) Cramphorn - Jibber Jabber Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo, learn how to dance (9.15am & 11.15am) Wednesday 30th Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Board games evening with Counter Culture Games The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Salud ‘Tom’ Jobim, Georgia Mancio & Mark Crooks Qnt Cramphorn - La Traviata (live from the The Royal Opera House) Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am 11.30am - beginners welcome!) Hideaways - Minerva Falls + Unit 33 + Sun Seth + Emir Thursday 31st Bassment - Independent Venue Week: WDR - Circus Cannon + Oh Maddie + Memory Boy + Children Of The Fuzz Civic - That’ll Be The Day! The Golden Fleece - Quiz Hideaways - Mount Cape + North House + Ewan Whosarmy + Alan Dreezer
Please note, all events are subject to change. Please visit the relevant websites or Facebook pages for more details
February Friday 1st Bassment - Independent Venue Week: Shakster Records - The Kubricks + F.O.X (more TBA) Civic - That’ll Be The Day! The Golden Fleece - The Nook United Brethren - Rough & Ready Saturday 2nd Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Saxsafi vocal and sax fusion Bassment - Independent Venue Week: WDR - Black Doldrums + Sun Scream + Sleep Eaters + The Horse Heads (+Indie Alternative Disco from 11pm) CCFC Home - Chelmsford City FC v Hungerford Town Civic - European Union Chamber Orchestra The Golden Fleece - Reptilia Hideaways - Lucy Can’t Dance (Bridal Launch Party & Fashion Show) United Brethren - Dodobones Sunday 3rd Civic - Sinatra, Sequins & Swing: The Capitol Years Live! Golden Fleece - Essex Spartans Super Bowl Party United Brethren - Frank Statesboro (4.30pm) United Brethren - Celtic & Vikings Tall Tales & Short Stories Woolpack - GC’s Jazz Club: Mick Foster Baritone Saxophone & Graeme Culham Trio (8pm, free admission) Monday 4th Cramphorn - Jibber Jabber Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo, learn how to dance (9.15am & 11.15am) Civic - Hans Rey - Riding Life Wednesday 6th The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Mick Foster’s Quartet Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am 11.30am - beginners welcome) Thursday 7th Abstinence Bar & Restaurant -Tommo’s Big Fat Sexy Quiz Bassment - Bassment Blues Jam Civic - Trust Fast Health, with Dr Michael Mosley The Golden Fleece - Quiz Writtle Library - The Philadelphia Story (1940) Friday 8th Bassment -Rock vs Pop! (free entry & 50% off all drinks before 11pm) Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - Endless Love (the most popular love songs live in concert) The Golden Fleece - Kinetic Transition - The sounds of Love United Brethren - Spencer Taylor (album launch) Saturday 9th Bassment - 2 NON Blondes presents West Weston’s Bluesonics (+ Indie Alternative Disco from 11pm) CCFC Away - Torquay United v Chelmsford City FC Civic - Thank ABBA For The Music Hylands House - Photography Workshops
Saturday 9th Continued... The Golden Fleece - Beggar United Brethren - Tanya Piche Blues Band Sunday 10th Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Zak Barrett presents a night of live jazz Civic - Chelmsford Dance Centre Cramphorn - Chelmsofrd Jazz Club - Alan Barnes with Robin Aspland, Andrew Cleyndert and Sebastiaan de Krom United Brethren - Nick Garner & Jamie Williams Monday 11th Cramphorn - Jibber Jabber Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo, learn how to dance (9.15am & 11.15am) United Brethren - One Tree Hillbillies Tuesday 12th Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Galleywood Heritage Centre - Scrabble group meeting and tea room open Wednesday 13th The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: International Singing Star Peter Grant (£15) Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am 11.30am - beginners welcome) United Brethren - Open Mic Night hosted by Joe Anderton Thursday 14th Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Valentine’s Latin Salsa Party With Live Music Bassment - Gringo Star (Atlanta, USA - UK tour) + Mandeville + Third Dart The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: UK’s no 1 swing & jive band, The Jive Aces (£15) The Golden Fleece - Quiz night Friday 15th Bassment - You’re So 90s! (free entry & 50% off all drinks before 11pm!) CCFC - Robbie McIntosh & Band + Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective Civic - Whitney - Queen of the Night Cramphorn - The Nightingale of South Bank The Golden Fleece - The Company United Brethren - Martin McNeill Bottle Neck Blues Saturday 16th Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - 80s Party Night Bassment - Foxymophandlemama (Pearl Jam tribute) + Havokira + J-Mack Gray (+ Indie Alternative Disco from 11pm) CCFC Home - Chelmsford City FC v East Thurrock United Civic - Buddy Holly and The Cricketers Galleywood Heritage Centre - Essex Society for Family History monthly meeting The Golden Fleece - Red Leaf United Brethren - Joe Anderton & Conor Selby Sunday 17th Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Open Mic Night Cramphorn - The Improv Party United Brethren - Denny Newman (4.30pm)
Please send us your events for the next edition (for events between 14th February and 17th March 17th) to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk
CT Business: Count Our Blessings - by Lindsay Whitehouse This will be my final column in this magazine. I have enjoyed writing reviews of local businesses, but I feel that now is time to look at business in the city from a different perspective. Right now, I would like to explore why the high street is under threat and what can we do about it.
Firstly, many landlords relied upon tenants signing long leases and taking all the business risks, leaving the landlords to sit back and enjoy high income with no real effort. No one can blame them, if market conditions allowed them to act this way, so be it. Corporate pension schemes have traditionally invested in high street property. Those schemes like to minimise risk, so the long lease culture suited them. Additionally, the government has not helped small businesses to thrive and prosper by continuing with the current model of business rates, which is outdated and does nothing to encourage start-ups. Any potential new high street business has to find money up front and they are therefore immediately paying local tax before they are even earning. A change of emphasis so that some tax is on turnover rather than rent would certainly help. The inexorable rise of digital business has also impacted significantly on high street sales. The council has done much in recent years to improve the High Street. The developments in Chelmsford are phenomenal and in my view have massively improved the city centre. However, the council need to stay agile and responsive to the needs of businesses and shoppers in these times of great change. More park and ride slots would help. Accelerating the provision of short-term accommodation for the homeless and eradicating rough sleeping is another must-do task. There seems to be much doom and gloom in the country right now. I believe we should focus on the positivity of our success, locally and nationally. Our wonderful city has done really well in recent years to enhance its offer and attract more shoppers. Although, we need to ask if we have maybe reached the absolute maximum number of cafĂŠs and restaurants right now... Time will tell. About half of the businesses featured over the last year operate outside the city centre high street, but they will face the same pressures. So, what do businesses do to survive and prosper? They cannot compete on price with the multi-nationals. However, they all strive to deliver the highest levels of customer service. Additionally, many of them are innovative in various different ways. Some of their practices make excellent text book studies for my business students, and every business can learn from some of the examples that follow. Lucking Undertakers have a very agile business model to reduce stock and equipment holding to an absolute minimum, whilst enjoying a positive and healthy cash flow. Similarly, Mantle Property Developers keep costs to a minimum but do not skimp on standards. They, like Lucking, work with partner organisations to ensure that their customer needs are met, but they do not have a heavy pay roll commitment to satisfy, so their cashflow is positive. In terms of relationship and partnership marketing where the business voluntarily promotes the work of other organisations, CameraWorld are in the fast lane. They realise that for their business to prosper, they need to cherish smaller partners who are part of the overall economic business mix. Thriving amateur camera clubs are good for CameraWorld business, so they do all they can to help. It is important to know your audience and target them appropriately, and in that respect the Moulsham Tap knows who they wish to attract. Their operating model tends to buck the trend compared to recent pub and bar openings. However, they work hard to know and meet the needs of their customers. Kip McGrath is another business that knows its audience and can offer what they need. Additionally,
this is a business with a social conscience and a desire to put something back into the community - what a great selling point... A unique product or service gives a business clear differentiation. Counter Culture steal a march on everyone in that respect, there is nothing like it anywhere near. The business is also looking to develop brand loyalty because they recognise that repeat business and personal referrals are vital to ensure their survival. In business, a good deal is only a good deal if everyone benefits. McCartney Estate Agents epitomise that ideal. Their charges are not the cheapest around, but the overall amount of money they get for their customers is right at the top end. The need to respect the bottom line is vital, and McCartney give their customers a fantastic bottom line. Consequently, they get lots of referrals and repeat business, so they offer a great model for others to aspire to achieve. Reputation and reliability are vital; customers need to know that when they have a problem it will be sorted. Few businesses can better Len’s Lawnmowers or ATP Heating in that respect. They do exactly what it says in their adverts. All of the businesses I visited have room to improve in some areas - all would benefit from taking an external look at how they operate. That is easy for me to say of course: I know that when you are running your own business you can become so entrenched in it that it becomes more and more difficult to separate yourself from the day to day operations in order to take a higher level look at your strategy and market developments. When I had my own business, I sometimes fell into the trap of spending all my time and energy on the daily running that I missed part of the bigger picture. That is the biggest challenge for our smaller local high street businesses. They also need to maximise technology, anticipate market trends, upgrade what they offer in terms of the best product and service - although not necessarily the lowest price. They need to show they deliver value for money. I salute these entrepreneurs who add value and choice to our world. If they go, then we will miss them. Running your own business remains probably the most difficult and precarious way of earning a living. However, it also offers the highest potential rewards. Local businesses offer a differential that gives them the edge and long may they continue. Chelmsford is England’s newest city, and the presence of the big multi-nationals underpin its importance. However, without the smaller local businesses that add value, we will be diminished. I urge all readers to support local businesses, as without them our high street will wither away to nothing. Editors Note: We would like to thank Lindsay for all his great articles. If you would like to write business articles for us, including interviews with our advertisers, please email paul@itsyourmedia.co.uk.
February/March Issue Deadlines: Artwork 7th February Articles 30th January
February Food & Blues Weekend 22-24th February 'Beat the winter Blues @ The Three Elms 3 nights of live music &Fabulous Food.... See website fb for more details.... facebook.com/thethreeelms | www.the-three-elms.com | 01245 443151 Chignal St. James, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4TZ Coming soon... Easter ale & cider mini Fest...19-22nd April...
Would you like to write for us? We are looking for someone to take over from Lindsay to conduct business interviews etc... Please email paul@itsyourmedia.co.uk
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Hairy Monster - Random Thoughts So That Was 2018 • It was a bitterly cold start to the year. We complained. • It was a very hot summer. We complained. • It was a year that saw England almost win the FIFA World Cup. If it hadn’t been for the Belgian, Croatian and French teams cheating by playing better football, the cup would have been ours. • Some famous people died. • Some famous people were born - but we don’t know who they are yet. • The NHS was in crisis - which has become its normal status over the last few years. • Politicians shouted, heckled and insulted each other in Parliament and then complained about the lack of discipline in schools. • Somebody invented a pointless toy that gripped the imagination of young people for almost a week. Nobody can remember what it was called or what it was supposed to do. • Lots of people starved to death, were killed or displaced by wars that we don’t understand. • The word ‘refugee’ took on a sinister new meaning. My Predictions for 2019 • The Queen wins Grandmother of the Year competition, because anyone who challenges her would be guilty of treason. • Angelina Jolie sells some of her adopted children to raise funds for the National Rifle Association. • Prince Philip is appointed UN Ambassador for Equality, Diversity and Racial Harmony. • Nigel Farage converts to Buddhism. • Russia wins the Eurovision Song Contest with a punk version of The Stars and Stripes. • Cadbury’s launch a new confectionery - called Novi Choc, it does not sell well. • In summer we have weather - we all complain. • Noel Edmonds becomes Brexit minister - he has to decide if it’s
•
• • • • • • •
deal or no deal. The price of plastic hits an all time low - the industry folds. The only source is the plastic waste floating in the Indian Ocean India becomes the richest country in the world, scraps its steam trains, buys diesel-electrics and joins the 20th century. Prince Charles stops talking to his plants, they grow twice as fast. Jedward win Mastermind. Chelmsford is stripped of its city status when the council sells all its holdings to a Nigerian property company for some magic beans. Putin, Trump and Kim Jong jointly win the Nobel Peace Prize. They argue about who takes the trophy home and declare war on each other. In Chelmsford, the new Army and Navy flyover collapses as the mayor’s car travels over it on the inaugural crossing. Boris Johnson says something stupid, racist, misogynistic and homophobic. His approval rating soars. Sepp Blatter creates an alternative football world cup. In return for absolution from the Pope for past misdemeanours, he only allows the Vatican City to enter the competition. They lose after scoring an own goal.
It may be possible that none of these predictions materialise, but farfetched though they may seem, far stranger things have happened over the last year. I can, however, accept no financial liability whatsoever for any losing bets placed on the basis of my predictions. (The editor told me I had to issue that disclaimer). Canvey Island is hit by Tropical Storm Clive. Nobody cares. Black Friday is brought forward to include August and extended till February. DFS has a never-to-be-repeated sale. Three times. Finally, I would like to thank my good friend Jane for suggesting I write about her pet hate - mud. Maybe next month, Jane.
Wildlife Corner - by Nick Green
Apologies for no December article but I was down with flu - despite the flu jab…
The goosander is a locally common passage migrant and winter visitor to Essex frequenting mainly freshwater lakes, reservoirs and rivers, though coastal records are not unusual. This diving duck is a member of the sawbill family (as red-breasted merganser), so called because of the characteristic long serrated bill used for catching fish. The species breeds above 50 degrees N, and in Europe is common in Iceland, Ireland and northwest Britain to Scandinavia and northern Russia.
Essex Record Office west to Admirals Park. The goosander used to be a regular winter visitor to the lake in Central Park, but I fear the two fountains may now cause too much disturbance. The adult male is stunning with a distinctive large, green-black head and upper neck, black back contrasting with gleaming white underparts (often tinged pink). The legs are bright red. Essex Selected December 2018 Highlights Abberton Reservoir EWT: 12 great white egrets, ferruginous and ringnecked ducks, 6 smew, 2 long-tailed ducks; Hanningfield Reservoir: 2 tundra bean geese; East Mersea Cudmore Grove CP: 1 shorelark; Wallasea Island RSPB: 5 short eared owls, 3 hen harriers. National Selected Highlights Shetland Isles: pied-billed grebe, eastern yellow wagtail, dusky thrush; Orkney Isles: Tengmalm’s owl; St Kilda: snowy owl; Northumberland: American black scoter, Bonaparte’s gull; Anglesey: American royal tern; Kent: Hume’s warbler; Isles of Scilly: eastern yellow wagtail, desert wheatear.
rom
Drake goosander (copyright Jeff Delve)
Tips f
In Essex, our main reservoirs are the favoured localities - I saw 91 at Abberton on 1st January 2019 from the B1026 Layer-de-la-Haye causeway! Locally, the River Can can attract birds anywhere from the Page 16
Feeling tight? Be like a cat! Yawn and stretch from the tips of your toes to the tip of your nose :) www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
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Isle of Wight Gems On a recent visit to the island, it occurred to me that there were a lot of odd names that brought mischievous thoughts to my mind, here are some of them. Ryde: Where you walk a lot. Needles: That you can’t thread. Newport: That you can’t bottle or drink. Freshwater: You definitely cannot drink. Cowes: You are unable to milk. Whale Chine: I didn’t see a single whale. Rookley: No crows to shout about. Wellow: Actually quite high. Whippingham: Nobody abusing pigs here. Godshill: I don’t remember seeing a church. Totland: Not a free whisky on offer. Wroxall: Lot of folks got seasick here. Branstone: You could get in a pickle here. Compton Bay: Where a cricketer kept his horse. Gurnard: Saw a lot of funny faces here. Alum Bay: Left a nasty taste. Dunnose: Locals totally unaware. By John Theedom
hire · sales · install · events
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Spot 10 Differences (answers on page 31)
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Therapy - by Chelmsford Therapy Rooms Happy new year everyone! Jenny here. I hope everyone had a lovely festive season. Did you know that hypnotherapists don’t all have the same training? That’s why it’s important to check that your therapist is a member of a professional body such as The National Hypnotherapy Society, the General Hypnotherapy Register, or the National Council for hypnotherapy. A more comprehensive list can be found on the hypnotherapy directory here: www.hypnotherapydirectory.org.uk/content/accreditation.html. Anyway, I thought it might be helpful for me to explain some of the basic tools that the vast majority of hypnotherapists use so that you’re more familiar with what to expect. The Hypno-Voice: Your hypnotherapist will change the tone of their voice when they hypnotise you. This is to aid your relaxation. Each therapists hypno-voice differs depending on the therapist, but most therapists are trained to make their voice sound monotone. Some claim the idea is to ‘bore’ the client into hypnosis. Personally, my hypno-voice is melodic. I like to think I’m gently soothing clients into hypnosis rather than boring them! The PMR: I haven’t met a therapist that doesn’t perform a PMR. PMR stands for Progressive Muscle Relaxation. It’s where the therapist will encourage you to relax your body one bit at a time. There are various ways of doing this. Some therapists will simply say ‘imagine the muscles at the top of your head relaxing… this relaxation moves down your face to your nose…’ and then they carry on along these lines until the relaxation reaches the tips of your toes. Some therapists will ask you to imagine a relaxing light. If your therapist is aware of your learning modality they might specifically match your PMR to that, or they might simply give you a few options and you can choose the one that you prefer. The Deepener: This is where the hypnotherapist will relax your mind. Again there are various ways of doing this, but it always involves some form of imagination. For example, a very popular deepener is to ask the client to imagine they’re walking down some stairs. Personally I tailor my deepener to match something the client will find enjoyable, for example, stairs at a Spanish villa, stairs leading down to a forest, stairs leading down to a beach etc. Some therapists may just ask you to ‘imagine yourself twice as relaxed as you are now... imagine how you look… how you feel’ and do this over and over. A hypnotherapist can get very creative with a deepener - personally, I’ve created deepeners where the client is throwing logs on to a fire (‘you will feel more and more relaxed with each log you throw onto the fire… see the log burning… and feel more and more relaxed’), or even walking through a library. By the time your hypnotherapist has reached the end of your deepener you should be in a light trance.
you would like to make to your subconscious mind. There are lots of different ways of doing this. For example, your therapist might ask you to imagine yourself in a difficult situation that you would like to overcome but feeling completely calm and relaxed. This reprogammes your mind to identify feeling calm and relaxed with the situation instead of feeling negative. It’s called Imaginal Desensitisation. Or your therapist might suggest that you’re more attracted to fresh veg and fruit rather than donuts and chips and then suggest reasons as to why this is. It really depends on the unique issue you have brought to therapy. In hypnoanalysis, the therapist and client communicate whilst the client is in trance. For example the therapist might ask a client to go back to a memory and describe what they see. There are lots of different reasons a therapist might use hypnoanalysis, from overcoming a negative memory to letting go of something. The idea is to help a client understand and overcome their own psychology. The Re-Orientation: This is where the hypnotherapist brings the client out of the hypnotic trance back into a conscious, waking state. The easiest way to do this is to count to five. personally I say ‘five - you can open your eyes’ just to make sure the client has returned to the room! I hope that’s been helpful and informative. Until next time :-) Jenny Hartill is a counsellor, hypnotherapist and owner of Chelmsford Therapy Rooms. She has experience in a multitude of issues, but specialises in anxiety and self esteem. Please see the therapist list on the website www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162 to enquire about an initial consultation. Alternatively, Jenny’s own private therapy company website is www.cloud9-therapy.co.uk, her email is info@cloud9-therapy.co.uk, and her telephone number is 07507 307 170.
It’s important to remember that different people have different susceptibility to hypnosis. Some people find it very difficult to be hypnotised (myself included), and some find it incredibly easy and will be in a trance before the end of the PMR. Hypnosis becomes easier with practice, once you’re familiar with the process you’ll find it much easier to relax into a trance state. The Special Place: Before beginning work with the client some therapists will relax their client further by asking the subconscious mind to imagine the special place. This is a place where you feel completely relaxed - and it might not be where you expect it to be! The two most common place choices I have come across are either a beach (usually a memory of a holiday triggers this) or the client’s bedroom. Remember that your special place can change, and this is fine. Mine used to be Lake Windermere (for the last 8 years) but recently (last week) changed to a sun bed by a pool in Menorca (holiday last year). Your therapist might use the special place towards the end of your therapeutic work before the re-orientation. The Work: This depends on the type of therapy you’re having. Two of the main types are suggestion work and hypnoanalysis. Suggestion work is where the hypnotherapist suggests positive changes that Page 20
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Buying and Selling Preloved - What’s Not to like? Most people want to make choices which are more ethical and less likely to cause harm to others or to the planet. But sometimes it’s too time consuming or too expensive. Often it feels like we don’t know enough to weigh up all the pros and cons of a particular issue or choice. However, reselling your own unwanted items and purchasing preloved, secondhand or used - whatever term you prefer - ticks all the boxes.
Connection, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Mulberry, Miu Miu, Prada, Ted Baker and Versace.
If the event on Sunday goes well, then we are aiming to make Rock My Wardrobe a regular event. We would love to see you there. Tickets are available by visiting rockmywardrobe.com and clicking the link to Eventbrite and if you use code RMWMT25. the tickets are half price.
Buying preloved is recycling, so reduces landfill. It puts money in the pockets of sellers which allows them to make new purchases and so helps to keep the economy going - and it means we all get to try things we might not otherwise try. Which explains why reselling and buying preloved is so popular that online resale sites are multiplying eBay, Etsy, Depop, Vestiaire Collective, to name a few. Resale sites are all especially busy at this time of year as people sell unwanted presents as well as things they no longer use or wear. But there are risks with online buying and it’s just not as much fun as shopping and leafing through rails of clothes. So we have created Rock My Wardrobe to plug that gap. Rock My Wardrobe is a one-day event where individuals can sell their unwanted designer, high end high street and vintage clothing and accessories - anything from a single item to a wardrobe full! Our first event is on Sunday 3rd February at Croxtons Mill - an intimate venue over two floors which will have a boutique feel. Sellers who are confirmed for February will be offering a wide range of brands including All Saints, Burberry, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, French www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
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Sir Frederick Carne Rasch, a Notable Chelmsford MP - by Stephen Norris This is the first in a number of articles on the lives of, hopefully interesting, local politicians.
Rasch was born in London in 1847, the only son of Frederick Carne Rasch a well known barrister. Although the name ‘Rasch’ is considered German, his name was descended from a line originating in the Danish Duchy of Schleswic in Holstein. After being educated at Eton and Trinity College Cambridge, Frederick served for ten years in the Dragoon Guards. He then became a captain and honorary major of the 4th Battalion of the Essex Regiment. Rasch was a JP, a deputy lieutenant of Essex and a county alderman for Essex. He stood unsuccessfully in an election for a division in Yorkshire in 1875. In 1886 he was elected MP for south east Essex. During the agricultural depression, Rasch came out in favour of continued free trade. Unusually, he was in favour of the voice of the agricultural labourer being heard, in addition to those of the landowners and tenant farmers. Rasch also came out against the continual emphasis on MP’s attendance in the Commons and participation in debates just for the sake of it, listening to proceedings taking much longer than they needed to - speeches he said should be far shorter. In 1899 the Mid Essex Conservative Association, meeting at the Crane Court rooms, received a letter from the sitting Chelmsford MP Thomas Usborne stating that he had decided to retire. He had recently helped greatly to raise funds for the Farming Relief Fund, for those who had suffered in the great storm. Carne Rasch was immediately asked to move from his existing seat. Rasch showed his popularity by defeating a lacklustre Liberal candidate, CS Henry, by 4,975 votes to 1,849. Almost 7,000 people voted out of a total electorate of just over 10,000 - Rasch had polled more votes than any previous candidate. The result was the signal for a euphoric torchlight procession. Rasch had been a popular MP in south east Essex, but if anything this popularity now increased. A month later Major Rasch ‘proceeding on the Broomfield Road came upon
some men who were at work with a steam roller belonging to the Essex County Council. As he was passing, the men asked him whether he did not think they ought to come under the Working Men’s Compensation Act, so as to be entitled to compensation in case of accident.’ The Weekly News was impressed: ‘Major Rasch immediately contacted the Home Secretary. A reply is imminent. In the meantime he will keep pegging away.’ Rasch was by no means a typical landowning, hunting, Conservative of the period, although he was a member of the Beefsteak Club along with ‘the great and good of Chelmsford’. Rasch was a long time supporter of an eight hour day for workers saying that this was necessary ‘to give the masses that condition of life which is the aim of all true social reformers.’ He was however, against the raising of the school leaving age from 11 to 12 because he thought it would put too much pressure on parents who depended on their children’s wages. It was for his trenchant views on military inefficiency, especially in the Boer War, that he is perhaps best known. He desperately didn’t want his beloved military to make the same mistakes in another, perhaps greater conflict. Perhaps it was as well that he died before the main tragedy of the Great War occurred. Rasch was made a coronet in 1903. In 1906 he scored another victory in the general election, but this time it was a very close run thing. He polled 4,915 votes but his Liberal opponent Dence received 4,461. His majority of 454 was reduced from 3,129 in 1900. The 1906 election was the first where locally the women’s suffrage issue played a part. Afterwards Rasch held a huge victory dinner with a record 730 diners. In May 1908 he returned to the Commons after a long absence due to illness, but in August of that year he resigned from representing the constituency after 22 years in the House of Commons overall. Major Rasch died in October 1914 at his beautiful home of Woodhill, Danbury. It was fitting that some of the funds made available after his death were used to finance a memorial in the town towards those who had lost their lives in the Boer War.
Photos sent in by Doug Bacon. Left both Chelmsford from above 1920. Above top Chelmsford Life in 1938 and below that 1960. Page 22
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Happy New Year From Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and have a very Happy New Year! This article is not about New Year’s resolutions and the concept of ‘New Year New You’, but will let you know what we’ve got happening at our pilates and yoga studio this year if you’d like to come and try pilates and yoga with us.
At Hummingbird Pilates and Yoga we now offer Absolute Beginner Yoga and Pilates Workshops. These 4-week workshops will give you a great grounding in the principles of pilates or yoga and will teach you in small groups, in a fun and supportive way. Our new workshops have been designed especially for those of you with no experience of pilates or yoga who wish to understand the concept and learn some key exercises or poses. The movements will be broken down so that you understand how to perform them to the best of your ability, finding the exercises or poses that work best for you and ensuring that you feel confident that you’ve mastered the correct techniques.
Starting next month, Mandy Haynes and Eric Foulds will be taking over my column as our resident yoga and pilates experts, sharing their enthusiasm for yoga and pilates and inspiring you to practice yourselves. By Eleanor Searle
The workshops are taught by our expert teachers, who will give you plenty of individual attention and support as you learn the basics. Everyone will be starting at the same point and the poses will be progressed gradually, helping you to find the perfect level of challenge for you. We hope that these workshops will inspire you to take part in regular pilates or yoga practice. At the end of the workshops, your teacher will help you find the perfect class to continue your practice. We also have a host of new classes in this new year, so we are sure to have the perfect class for you. Check out our website for more information at www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk and select the ‘Book Now’ button at the top for our full schedule. Additionally, for those of you who want a bespoke lesson, we have special offers availible on 1:1 sessions, enabling you to learn at your own pace and achieve your goals with tailor-made sessions.
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Pilates, Yoga, Meditation Book your space online or call: Small Classes & 1-2-1’s www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk Inspirational Teachers 01245 422556 Friendly, Community Vibe Reeds Farm Estate, Writtle, CM1 2ST www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk Page 23
50 covers, alongside an outside garden with a further 40 covers. There will also be a counter full of freshly made bread, pastries and cakes available alongside Paddy & Scott coffee to have in, or takeaway. Freshly made salads and sandwiches will be available to takeaway, offering healthy convenience at lunchtime in Chelmsford. The upper floors of the building will host the new restaurant. Stretching over two floors, with 170 covers, the restaurant will offer Watkin’s take on modern British dining, served as sharing and small plates alongside a grill menu, which will feature the great Hereford beef that made Chop Bloc so popular. The ground floor kitchen will close in the evenings to make way for the Grays Yard Bar. This will be open from 5pm serving draught beer from Camden Town Brewery, alongside an extensive craft beer menu, wine list, bar snack menu and the best cocktails in town, prepared by bar manager Jamie Bunker.
Following a successful four years trading as Chop Bloc, the original owners behind the steak concept have announced that they are closing the restaurant in January to make way for their new concept; Grays Yard. Daniel Watkins has been appointed as the head chef for the new opening. Daniel has previously worked at the Frog in Hoxton, alongside Adam Handling. Before that, he worked as head chef at The Anchor in Hullbridge where he held a Bib Gourmand. He has also previously run the kitchen at The Waterfront in Chelmsford. Daniel says: “I’m very excited about returning to Chelmsford, and where better than the Grays Yard building, the 18th century building with the modern work and design carried out by Dave and Steve is amazing, Grays Yard is very much going to tick a lot boxes.” Grays Yard will be split into three distinct venues, offering different menus and spaces for their guests. The ground floor Kitchen & Café will be an all day dining venue which later converts into the Grays Yard Bar in the evening. The upper floors of the restaurant will host a more formal dining experience where guests can sample small plates of modern British dishes, alongside the grill menu with meats and vegetables roasted over wood to infuse them with a fantastic flavour. Steve Patten, one of the brother owners of Chop Bloc, now Grays Yard says: “The last four years trading as Chop Bloc has been great. We have seen the city evolve, and with new operators coming to the city and others leaving, we have seen a maturing of the dining scene in the city. We wanted to evolve our offering, and having met Daniel earlier this year, we felt that working together we could offer Chelmsford something much more unique.” Dave Patten says: “We wanted to move away from chain restaurant feel of Chelmsford and offer a quality dining experience whilst still catering to the casual daytime market. The city has a lack of quality independent places to grab a great coffee, sandwich or salad to go, and that is what we are offering on our ground floor. Then upstairs people will be able to revisit Daniel’s cooking which having evolved over the years, was the key to the success behind iconic local venues such at The Anchor and before that, The Waterfront. “In a sea of chains and forgettable dining experiences, Chelmsford deserves its destination venue, but at an affordable price and that is the thought process behind Grays Yard.” On the ground floor the Kitchen & Café will be open as an all-day dining venue. From coffee first thing in the morning, through to breakfast and lunch. The kitchen & Café will be serving great fresh food via counter service in an informal casual setting. There will be
Ben Hyde, general manager of the newly imagined Grays Yard says: “My last two years at Chop Bloc has been fantastic, and this evolution of the business will allow us to welcome more guests into this great historic building. We are just finalising our preparations and look forward to welcoming back guests, old and new, to see our new look. And of course, Daniel’s great new dishes!” Grays Yard will be open from late January. For more information visit graysyard.com. Grays Yard, Grays Brewery Yard, Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6QR.
Writtle Singers We enjoyed a busy and successful autumn and winter season beginning with our November concert, Northern Lights, on November 17th, which included the choir’s first experience of singing in Icelandic as part of our programme based around Scottish and Scandinavian Music. Writtle Singers were delighted to contribute to the family afternoon at the All Saints’ Church Tree Festival with a selection of Christmas carols. This was followed by an enthusiastically received Candlelit Christmas Concert on 12th December in All Saints’ Church with organist Simon Harvey and readers from the choir - the programme included a number of seasonal pieces with a French theme. Finally, to wrap up our term, the choir was delighted to be invited to sing in the inaugural Civic Carol Service in Chelmsford Cathedral. We now look forward to 2019. Though our open rehearsal will have already been held on January 14th by the time you read this, we would still be delighted to welcome any keen singers with choral experience who may be interested in joining our friendly chamber choir. Quiz Night We are holding another quiz night on February 23rd in the Christian Centre. Last year’s quiz and supper was well attended, where we all enjoyed the opportunity to test our knowledge on a range of subjects and enjoy an inclusive supper. Full details will be on our website, but you can also call 07770 884 913 for more information. Earth Hour Earth Hour 2019 occurs on the evening of our spring concert, Night Watch, on Saturday 30th March, which will include music for vespers. We plan to incorporate the Earth Hour theme into our concert. We do hope to see you at our forthcoming events. More information is available on the website at writtlesingers.org.uk.
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Browbeater Quiz - by John Theedom (Answers on Page 31) 1. Who is the only British prime minister to 20. In which year did the wearing of seat be assassinated?
belts become law?
2. Who or what is a grimbarian?
21. A pedant is what kind of person?
3. In 1986, Anita Dobson had a UK hit
22. Apart from a name, what is beryl?
song, what was it? 4. Who is the current King of Belgium? 5. What are maracas used for?
23. Gangling is a term for a person who is what? 24. Who or what is a vamp?
6. Michael Barrymore’s real name is what? 25. what does ‘PBS’ stand for in the name 7. What are the teeth of a walrus called? 8. What is meant by the term ‘To bob to Royalty’? 9. To ‘look askance’ is to look how? 10. Which part of your body could be referred to as noggin? 11. In Greek mythology, which youth fell in love with his own reflection? 12. What is a male hawk called? 13. In which TV series does Captain Hastings feature? 14. How many pounds are there in 1.5
of TV channel, PBS America? 26. What can be a shoveller or a scoter? 27. What is the official title of The Mona Lisa? 28. How many times has Jim Davidson been married? 29. When is twelfth night? 30. Which year did women get the vote? 31. What is the correct name for a whaling spear? 32. In the song, which flowers came from Amsterdam? 33. What is the young of the wombat called?
stones? 15. Where do the waloons live?
34. What is a young badger called?
16. What is the currency of South Africa?
35. What is a sierra?
17. Which holiday island in Europe has no
36. Where would you wear a galosh?
vehicles except for a single tractor? 18. From which flower do we get the spice saffron? 19. What was the Christmas number one in 2018?
37. Why is it called a ‘plumb bob’? 38. Nubuck is a kind of what? 39. A habit is worn by who in the course of their work? 40. What is a ‘Jamaican pepper’?
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New Year: A Time to Reassess Values New Year is obviously the time to make and break your resolutions. When you made them, I am sure you did so in good faith, but equally there is normally no real conviction behind them. After all, everyone else will be making the same ones and they’re not serious about them either. All the usual stuff such as go to the gym, dry January, lose weight... Have I missed any from the list? I bet that this short list covers about 90% of resolutions! In Rotary there is a different purpose for reflection at the start of the new year. We think back on what we have achieved through the year and resolve to do more in the twelve months ahead. It is a time to think about what is important to us. First of all, there is the family. We are grateful for those we love and who love us in turn. But what do mean about ‘family’? Is it confined to our relatives or does it include other Rotarians, sometimes referred to as the family of Rotary - people from all walks of life working together to make the world a better place? As an organisation, Rotary is worldwide - in 200 countries actually - and very often a club in one part of the world will work with other clubs from opposite parts of the globe to bring about change.
you would see Rotary in action. I mentioned Santa’s Grotto at the Frost Fair at Hylands House. I am delighted to report that besides bringing great joy to hundreds of local children, a cheque for £800 was presented to Kids Inspire - a Chelmsford based charity which helps disadvantaged children. The carol singing in High Chelmer raised £413 and the mulled wine stall at the Christmas light up made about £1,750 which will be donated to the Mayor of Chelmsford’s charities. Going back a little further in time, the Rotary Remembrance Day Poppy Pin made a staggering £22,615 available to the Royal British Legion and Poppy Scotland. The poppy pins started as an idea here in Chelmsford, so demonstrates exactly what I said above about working together rather than as an individual. There are other examples of Christmas fundraising I could cite, but I am sure you get the idea. It is not all about fundraising however, because you cannot put a price on the delight of many elderly local residents who were treated to a day at the pantomime a couple of weeks ago. All of these projects will give us a wonderful sense of self-satisfaction, a glow for the new year and the impetus to make a determined and meaningful resolution to give back more to the community. Something you could also enjoy. Visit the www.rotary1240.org or give me a call on 01245 260 349 to find out more. Stan Keller
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Anne Moriaty, President of Chelmsford Rotary Club presents a cheque to Katherine Loveday of Kids Inspire As we make our reflections, we think about other charitable organisations that we support to whom we generously give our time, talent and financial contribution so that they too improve the lives of others. Is this also part of the Rotary family? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals doing wonderful things for good causes, but how much more effective might their efforts be if they could use the means and know how of Rotary? Working together creates a synergy that allows one person to make a difference, and when we work together and commit ourselves to a cause there is no limit to what can be achieved. Well, of course, anyone can become a Rotarian and draw upon these resources. There is a club near you: In Chelmsford there are five clubs in the city itself and they meet at different times of the day and on different days, so anyone can find one that is convenient. To find out more details, visit www.rotary1240.org. You could be wondering what you will get out of it yourself. Before Christmas I wrote in this magazine about some of the things where
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Stargazing with Mark Willis - January/February Looking south west you will find the Orion constellation (constellation meaning a group of stars). Orion is really easy to spot in the night sky; on the opposite side of the night sky is the Plough or the Big Dipper. The more constellations you know, the easier it is to navigate your way around the night sky with what is called ‘star hopping’. Visit the website washedoutastronomy.com, as this is described here wonderfully. 21st January - Morning: There is s Supermoon and a total lunar eclipse. The Supermoon looks huge, and when the lunar eclipse has become total, the Moon appears to look more like Mars, very red in colour. While you’re up stargazing, looking south east you will see two very bright ‘stars’. These stars are not stars at all, they are in fact, planets. The uppermost one is Venus and the bottom one is Jupiter. You may recall that these two planets are in very different parts of our solar system. Venus is the second planet out from the Sun and Jupiter is the fifth planet. You may have guessed why Venus and Jupiter appear close together when in fact they are not. If you have a clear bowl you could mark the outside with a V and then on the opposite side of the
bowl mark the opposite side with a J. When you look through the bowl V and J will look like they are close together. Stars and Planets: I often get asked what the difference is between stars and planets. Jupiter is often described as a ‘failed star’ so perhaps this may be responsible for the confusion. Stars shine, planets don’t. Planets are visible because of the sunlight reflected from them - they have no light of their own. New Moon. 4th February and 6th March: These are the best times to observe faint objects, such as galaxies and star clusters, because there is no moonlight to interfere. As usual, email me with any questions... Mark Willis presents Willis Wireless at the new time of 12pm every Tuesday afternoon on Chelmsford Community Radio on 104.4 FM and online at chelmsfordcommunityradio.com. Twitter: @WillisWireless Email: mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
Chelmsford Creative Collective Chelmsford Creative Collective (CCC) is a group of friendly, local creatives. We have an active Facebook group where we share events, discuss collaborations and support each other’s creative endeavours. We meet on the last Tuesday of the month at a local pub; please check Facebook, or email chelmsfordcreativecollective@gmail.com for details. Everybody is welcome for a drink and a chat.
Tell us about your most recent project... “My favourite project this year was illustrating a book for my friend Henry Baroche. It was fun to work in collaboration and to create images that suited the style and content of someone elses words. The book is available on Amazon at amzn.to/2GPpyi0.” Have you got any workshops, exhibitions or other events coming up?
Introducing the founder of CCC, Candy Joyce. Who are you and what do you create? “My name is Candy Joyce aka Flipping Zombies. I create zombie dolls, DIY voodoo dolls, creepy bears (at www.flippingzombies. co.uk) and macabre illustrations which are available at Redbubble (www.redbubble. com/people/ FlippingZombies). I also run the Window Gallery and am a trustee for Chelmsford Festival.”
“A couple of my paintings are currently in the group exhibition at Chelmsford Museum. “At the Window Gallery I curate and display a new exhibition every month, showcasing the work of talented local artists. Januarys exhibition will show the work of TeighAnne Shave, Andrea Pannell, Sam Reilly and Jenny Swaby. February will feature paintings by Keith Bird and pottery by Linda Luckin.”
How would you describe your working process?
What does Chelmsford
“Fairly slow, methodical and controlled. In fact I want to break away from this a bit so have bought myself a new sketchbook in which I am challenging myself to do quicker, freer sketches and drawings, going along to life drawing and drink and draw sessions helps with this.”
Creative Collective mean to you?
Who or what inspires you to be creative?
“Duct tape, a lighter and Bear Grylls, because they would be super useful.”
“My weird toys are inspired by my love of horror movies and zombies. A lot of my illustrations are inspired by my other favourite things; nature, wordplay and booze!”
“When I first moved to Chelmsford about 3 years ago I struggled to find other creative people, so I created the CCC group to help myself and others find a community.” You’re stranded on a desert island with three items of your choice what would they be and why?
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Quiz Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.
Spencer Percival A person from Grimsby Anyone Can Fall in Love Phillippe Playing music Michael Parker Tusks To curtsy With disdain Head Narcissus Tercel Poirot 21 In Belgium The rand Sark Crocus LadBaby - We Built this City 1983 Stickler for detail
22. Blue/green gemstone 23. Tall & lanky 24. Seductive woman 25. Public Broadcasting Service 26. Wild duck 27. La Gioconda 28. 5 29. January 6th 30. December 14th 1918 31. Harpoon 32. Tulips 33. Joey 34. Cub 35. Mountain range 36. On your feet (waterproof overshoe) 37. Because lead is plumbate 38. Calfskin 39. Nun 40. Allspice
Spot the Difference Answers
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