The City Times - January/February 2022

The City Times

Including: Boreham, Broomfield, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, The Walthams and Writtle 10,000 copies per month Issue Number 98 - January 20th - February 16th 2022

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City Times Intro 01245 698 045 07939 609 732 07548 944 727

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

We would like to wish our readers a very happy and healthy year ahead, and we hope we see things improving for us all.

A warm welcome to our new regular writer on tarot and crafts - see page 26. We also have fitness with Melissa on page 19!

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If you would like to publicise your business or event in our What’s On section, please contact us using the details below.

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

Paul & Nick

www.thecitytimes.co.uk | www.moulshamtimes.com Advertising Editorial Nick Garner Paul Mclean 07970 206682 01245 262082 / 07595 949701 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

it’s your media Ltd Disclaimer: It’s Your Media Ltd publish The City Times. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of It’s Your Media Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of It’s Your Media Ltd. Registered offices: 15 Hayes Close, Chelmsford. Reg No 9154871. Printed by Warners (Midlands) PLC.

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CT Therapy - Chelmsford Therapy Rooms Happy New Year everyone! I hope that you all had a lovely festive period and are going back to ‘normal life’ refreshed and ready for the year ahead! As I’m writing this, I’m not actually in Chelmsford at all. I am in fact in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. I’m staying here with my other half whilst some work is being done on the flat that I live in. I’m originally from West Yorkshire and still have family up here (and my other half lives here), so it made sense to take the opportunity to catch up with people whilst my flat is uninhabitable!

I moved to the south almost 20 years ago for various reasons, and since then have built a life and career I love with amazing friends in a wonderful city. As for the north, it’s blooming cold up here! And I’m reminded of the distinct change in attitudes between the people of Yorkshire and the people of Essex. I noticed this difference a long time ago, and it was one of the reasons that I stayed in the south, but I thought that it would make an interesting subject for an article.

Myself and others have noticed distinct variations between West Yorkshire and Essex. When analysed, these variations boil down to one specific difference...

Mindset.

We all learn our core belief systems between the age of 0 and 7 years old. Apart from the attitudes, moral codes and behaviours of our parents, we also take on societal roles and beliefs that are generally expected of us. It’s a sense that we get from the people around us. A ‘general feeling’ as many of my northern counterparts have put it when they’ve visited me in Chelmsford. Although it can be hard to change our core beliefs, we can change our mindset and attitude. We can change our ‘general feeling’ about life, if you like.

That’s what I did. 20 years ago my general feeling about life was not positive at all! But now it’s much improved, and I’d like to share with you why that is and how you can also start to change your mindset, attitude and your ‘general feeling’.

In order to distinguish the two mindsets that I’ve noticed between the north and the south, I’d like to share with you a saying that was passed down to me by my grandparents. In the north we ‘make do and mend’ - or, in your finest West Yorkshire, accent, ‘mek do an’ mend’.

This means if something is broken, just put up with it or try to mend it. I’ve noticed that by proxy this attitude has led to the belief that nothing ever gets better. When I moved to the south, I noticed the attitude was more along the lines of, ‘fix it, but whilst you’re there, make it better! Improve your situation and life improves with you’.

The overall attitude in the south seems much more positive. The general idea seems to be, ‘why put up with something when it can be improved?’ Whereas where I’m from in the north, this concept just doesn’t occur to most people; the mindset is very much, ‘this is your lot, don’t expect any better’. I’ve also noticed that northerners seem much more risk averse; they absolutely expect the worst to happen. For example, when I set up my first business, all of my northern brethren pretty much spent the first few years expecting me to give up, encouraging me to ‘just get a normal job’; or, if I came across an issue, saying, ‘well, this is what being self-employed is like; it’s always a struggle’. Conversely, my southern brethren gave me nothing but encouragement and support, no matter what their own personal situation was. If I came across an issue they’d say, ‘you’ll find a way to overcome it Jen; you always do!’

I’m very lucky to have the friends and family in my life that I do, even if my new positive attitude jarred with that of my northern brethren at first! But at the end of the day, life and the attitude you have towards it is a choice. I chose to stay in Essex and build my business

and help as many people as I can, no matter what. I choose to believe in myself; I choose to focus on the positive and filter out the negative. Once I realised that I had this choice, my attitude, my mindset and my general feeling about life began to change too. I’m not saying that these choices are necessarily easy. It starts with the small things. Here are a few suggestions to help you develop a more positive mindset: 1. Keep a ‘positivity diary’: Write down five positive things that have happened per day and why these things are positive. If you can create an emotional connection to this positivity, it’s much more powerful. This is where the ‘why it’s positive’ comes in. For example, if you enjoyed a nice cup of tea, why is this positive?

Do you like the warming feeling it gives you? Do you enjoy the taste? Is the tea associated with a positive memory?

2. Make a list of positive things: Make a list of all the positive things you can do when you are feeling negative. This is a version of a self-care plan. You take control and choose what you’re going to do that’s positive to change your mindset.

3. Go for a walk-in nature: Getting out in the fresh air can really change your perspective!

4. Make a list: Make a list of things you’re grateful for and add to it every day.

5. Take time out for yourself: Do some meditation or progressive muscle relaxation.

6. Talk to someone: This could be a therapist or a friend; someone who can help you to add some positive perspective.

7. Take time to analyse your mindset: Challenge that negativity! Could you view a situation differently? Instead of ‘oooooohhhhhhhhnnooooooo, I’ve got to do that shopping and I really can’t be bothered and it’s such an inconvenience’, perhaps look at why a trip to the shops would be of benefit to you. Is it a good form of exercise? Could you treat yourself to something?

8. Remind yourself that you always have a choice: If you just sit with yourself and tell yourself that you always have a choice, you’ll be surprised at how many choices come to mind. When we feel trapped in a situation or issue, it can stress us out and blind us to the solution. Remind yourself that you always have a choice and your unconscious mind will look for that choice.

Even if the answer, or the right choice, for you takes a while to come to you just trust yourself. You got this.

Jenny Hartill is a therapist and owner of Cloud9 Therapy and Chelmsford Therapy Rooms. She is a counsellor, hypnotherapist and mnemodynamic therapist and can help with a multitude of issues.

She is currently seeing clients via Zoom until the end of January when she returns to beautiful Chelmsford! Please see the therapist list on the website at www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162 to enquire about an initial consultation.

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

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Nick’s Music and Ramblings I hope that I find you all safe and well and hopefully looking forward to a good 2022 and a better year. We have been busy booking lots of acts for the coming year ahead, with a mixture of some great originals and some of the best tribute acts around. We still have a few slots yet to be confirmed.

We are sad to say The Rolling Clones and Rich Young have had to reschedule to Friday 8th July due to Covid. All tickets remain valid or you can get a full refund from your point of purchase.

Music We now have three acts due to play who have all been part of Paul McCartney bands. The first being our friend Robbie McIntosh who is also playing with Denny Newman on 13th May and then with his own band on 27th May. Howie Casey played sax with Wings and The Who as well as T-Rex and others - he brings to us his Beatles With Wings twelve-piece band, and we also have the 251s opening for them - we can’t wait. We have just confirmed Hamish Stuart who played with McCartney along with Robbie McIntosh, and was one of the key members and voices of The Average White Band. He is currently part of Ringo Starr’s All-Star band. Opening on the night we have Joe Anderton; as Joe says, it was Hamish who influenced him to pursue the guitar some years ago. We are certainly pleased that he did.

The Strawbs have sadly decided to retire and cancelled all shows with immediate effect. We have subsequently had to find a replacement and are thrilled to have got The Korgis featuring James Warren - you might remember Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime and If I Had You. The Korgis started out as Stackridge and they opened the first Glastonbury in 1970. Jolene Missing and Hippy Joe Hymashy (Hayseed Dixie) will be opening the night.

We have also got Spike, the front man of The Quireboys, playing a night for us too. He will be playing songs and telling stories from all his years on the road - this is sure to be a great show.

We have also booked Twister, the band that opened for Sham 69 in 2019 - Sham 69 even said that they should really be opening for Twister..! Twister will be headlining for us on May 20th with Mercury Rising opening for them.

We also have the Small Fakers and their originals act The Veras opening the night on 28th October, and just confirmed, we have Boss Acoustic who are an amazing acoustic tribute to Bruce Springsteen. we have seen Boss Acoustic and they are brilliant, so if you like Bruce Springsteen you will love Stein and the boys.

We also have Voodoo Room (if you like Hendrix, Cream or Clapton do not miss them). See our advert in this mag and visit our page at www. linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresents, where you can find out more about all those playing.

I have been going out to gigs and jams where I take along my harmonicas to blow. I most recently went to HotBox, where I picked up our Black Frog Presents Panic Award 2021 for best online event for our Isolation Festivals. I also went to The Cricketers in Westcliff to see Rosco Levee and friends which was a fun afternoon (see the photo). I also went to the Barleylands Blues Club a few times to see various acts - the most recent being the 251s who are also playing for us as mentioned above. I have a few festivals booked up and acts to go see iin the future, so here’s hoping all stays well.

I know there is lots of live music going on all over the place, but as always, it really needs you to come along and support it, whether it’s free or paid for.

Do look at what we have coming up this next month. We are all very Page 6

excited to have at last got Eddie and the Hot Rods with Dept S, and Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young (with Borderline Music opening on that night).

We’re also pleased to have Nicky Moore’s Blues Corporation due to play. Sadly, it looks like Nicky will not be singing due to health matters, but he does plan to be there on the night. We have the incredible Bex Marshall opening for them, so this is going to be a mind-blowing night.

Rosalie Cunningham

We have also just confirmed Rosalie Cunningham and her psychedelic to play on Friday 7th November.

We are thrilled to have agreed with these awesome guys as we love them, and we think they are on their way to heading to the top right now.

On Monday 7th February we have booked the One Tree Hillbillies for the Eagle and Hind along with Hippy Joe. This will be a free to enter gig at the pub in Gloucester Avenue in Moulsham Lodge. It all starts at 8.30pm and will be great fun as they are the best bluegrass act that we know of.

Ramblings I hope you all had a good festive season and are looking forward to 2022. We have now got the Omicron variant with us now which seems to be rampant but light in its effects. Hopefully this will actually help with the fight against any stronger strains - we are all fed up with it now I know. I still take all precautions and do lateral flow tests regularly along with wearing my mask. Both of my grandchildren got it before Christmas although their parents did not, but thankfully all seem to be doing well as do the rest of my family, although my elder brother and most of his family also got it but are now all ok. I kinda wish I had it too so as to get it out of the way.

I see plans are afoot for the coming year for the Chelmsford Festival (we will be part of this) and various events at the museum here and the one in Maldon and other venues. We also have the Queen’s Jubilee coming up and I have no doubt that will be a massive event, all being well of course.

We are staying positive that things will get better for us all as so many of us are chomping at the bit to get back to the new normal, as it will never be as it was before we know that.

Remember, if you have anything to say or an event that we should all know about then please send it to the editorial email address below.

It would also be fantastic if you could share our magazines, the City Times and Moulsham Times, with others for us. We publish both magazines in print as well as online at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia.

If you are interested in advertising with us, then please contact us at ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk, or if you have a comment or an article please send to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk and we will reply to you as soon as we can.

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

www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

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City Times Gardening Happy New Year! As we are moving towards pruning a number of woody plants this season, did you know that the arising’s (pruned material) can be used to develop new plants using hardwood stem cuttings?

Hardwood cuttings are stem cuttings taken from the current season’s growth that has become woody.

They are taken in the dormant season and are primarily used for deciduous plants, although some evergreen plants can be propagated in this way. The stems should be of pencil thickness.

Plants that can be propagated in this manner include Cornus alba (Dogwood), Salix alba (White willow), Rosa rugosa (Ramanas rose), Sambucus spp.

(Elder) and many bush fruit such as Ribes spp. (gooseberries and currants).

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We jetwash and re-seal patios and driveways

As with other vegetative propagation methods, viruses can be transferred when preparing cuttings.

Propagation Material Selection and Timing The parent plant selected for propagation should be healthy, vigorous, pest and disease free and true to type. Hardwood cuttings can be taken throughout the dormant season.

glasshouse, polytunnel or coldframe.

Growing Environment Hardwood cuttings can be rooted straight into improved soil or compost in a cold frame or in the open ground in a slit trench. They can also be propagated in longtoms in an unheated

Growing Medium If rooted in longtoms, the compost used should be JI No. 2 with extra grit.

Tools Secateurs are generally used to trim hardwood cuttings to length. A spade will be needed to make the slit trench and dibbers are used to insert the hardwood cuttings into pots.

Rooting Hormone All hardwood cuttings should be treated with a high strength rooting hormone to enhance the production of root initials. Rooting hormones may also contain fungicides, which reduce the chance of fungal infection.

Method of Taking Hardwood Cuttings • Select pencil-thick material in the dormant season.

• Make a sloping cut just above the proposed top bud.

• Cut horizontally to 15 - 23cm in length, dip in rooting hormone.

• Dig a trench - sand or grit can be placed in the bottom of the trench to improve drainage.

• Place the cutting in the trench and firm back the soil. Label and date.

• The rooted cuttings can be lifted the following autumn and lined out to grow on.

Cuttings may also be inserted into longtoms and then placed in a cold frame or polytunnel. Alternatively, they can be inserted directly into free draining soil or compost in a cold frame. Check out this link www.rhs.org.uk/propagation/hardwood-cuttings for more information.

Pests and Diseases Prevention of pests and diseases together with hygienic growing practices are vital. All growing surfaces should be kept clean and growing media and containers sterilised before use. Cuttings should be checked daily and any dead leaves or cuttings removed.

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Check out this link for January www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/ january/jobs.

Happy gardening!

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

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City Times Finance

2022 - Are You Ready to Take Charge of Your Retirement Planning?

Are you ready to take charge of your retirement planning in 2022?

Stay Calm and Take Advice A new year means new and fresh expectations, but whatever your plans and resolutions, do not let it stop you considering your retirement plans. Let 2022 be the year you ask yourself, ‘what’s next and are my plans adequate?’

1. What’s Your Plan?

You have worked tirelessly, made a lot of important and even irreversible decisions - don’t be afraid to look back but don’t lose sight of what lies ahead. Acknowledge where you stand with your savings. Confront your time-scales. Revisit your attitude to risk. Check your capacity for loss.

2. Keep At It Pensions are a long term investment, don’t lose your nerve - keep contributing if you can, or even increase or decrease payments.

Consider the option of your investments being bought at a lower cost so as to benefit from any market comeback. Remember, your investments can go up as well as down.

3. Cash Savings If you are in a position to use some of your cash savings, one option is to use this in the interim, so that your investments have some time to recover from any market fluctuations. That way you don’t have to sell your investments at a lower cost and won’t lose the opportunity for the values to go up again.

4. Details There are many different schemes, terms and conditions, different features and often minute but very important details that your independent financial adviser will be able to explain and help you make sense of so that you can make the best decision for your retirement.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Money Remember, your retirement savings will have to last you for potentially decades - don’t let the money run out. Plan for your income and expenditure. Think long-term and don’t be tempted to withdraw all of your savings at once. Cash-wise, inflation is your enemy number one.

6. Don’t Stay Still Have a plan but be prepared to be adaptable. Times are changing and not a lot is certain - if you stay flexible in your attitude to your plans so will your finances. Work part time? Work longer? Start saving more now? Ask your independent financial adviser to help you get where you want to be in retirement.

7. Get Help It’s imperative to get independent and impartial financial advice, tailored to your unique needs and circumstances to ensure that your retirement is on course and all your options are laid bare in front of you. Don’t try to DYI your future - contact us and get the right advice today.

Silvia Johnson Bsc(Hons), DipPFS, EFA, CertCII (MP) is a Director and Independent Financial Adviser at Royale Thames Wealth and provides independent financial advice to individuals and businesses. www.royalthameswealth.co.uk silvia@royalthameswealth.co.uk 07908 109 741 / 020 8720 7249 Royale Thames Wealth Ltd is an Appointed Representative of New Leaf Distribution Ltd which is authorised and regulated by Financial Conduct Authority number 460421. The value of your investment may go up as well as down and the value is not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Wills and Estate Planning are not regulated by the FCA.

Please send any local events for inclusion in our What’s On guide from 17/2/22 to 20/3/21 to editorial@itsyourmedia. co.uk

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Regal Kitchens - Case Study

When VG and her husband purchased their house for themselves and their twin children, they quickly realised that the kitchen was too small for their family. Not really knowing where they start, they spoke with builders and nationwide kitchen companies but really struggled to connect with anyone who could help realise their vision.

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

It was then that VG’s father reminded her who had helped with their kitchen 15 years earlier, so they booked an appointment with Regal Kitchens in Chelmsford.

Pretty quickly it was decided to remove a wall to really open the space up giving a wonderful 6m run of furniture. This allowed space for an integrated fridge, freezer, oven, hob, sink and dishwasher along the one wall, leaving a space for a beautiful island (1.8 x .9m) with seating and additional cabinetry and a good sized family table adjoined.

In the utility room, a larder was used to completely cover the boiler leaving room for a generous pantry and a ‘boot room area’. By stacking the washing machine and tumble dryer we were able to also put in a utility sink.

Mixing Dust Grey and Rose Pink cabinets with the Carrera quartz creates a vibrant, youthful, modern look and has been well received by friends and family alike.

The client says, “Regal have created the most beautiful and outstanding family kitchen for us. They worked very closely with us to get the design just right. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They worked tirelessly to ensure that the finish and fitting of the kitchen, appliances and flooring was perfect throughout. They also worked and communicated very well with the other tradesmen we had carrying out work on our home, which made us feel comfortable that there would be no unexpected issues cropping up with various parts of our home renovation. Everyone always asks who supplied our kitchen as it really is so beautiful and different (colours) to anything they have seen before. They most certainly are not an off-the-shelf company; Regal have created an amazing bespoke kitchen which we love.”

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The Rain Doesn’t Fall on Award-Winning CAODS - Celebrating 100 Years of the Joy of the Theatre CAODS, Chelmsford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, have been performing to audiences in Chelmsford for 100 years, and what a century it has been!

The first production of HMS Pinafore took place in April 1921 at the Empire Theatre, Springfield Road and was a huge success, but who could’ve imagined the success that would follow.

CAODS have had hundreds of members over the years, performed more than 165 shows, and endless memories and friendships have been made. It’s wonderful that we can celebrate this incredible journey 100 years on, even if slightly delayed!

After months of rehearsals, CAODS were extremely lucky to perform Shrek: The Musical in February 2020 to a full house at the Civic. Little did we know what was in store for the world in 2020…

Along with many of our fellow amateur societies, two of our shows were cancelled in the last year: Calamity Jane and Kipps, The Half a Sixpence Musical. We are pleased to announce that Kipps has been rescheduled for March 2022. We also had to postpone many of our 100th-year celebrations - a formal ball, which eventually took place in November and an afternoon tea, which was held in August and were both fantastic events for our members, old and new.

Although our celebrations may have been delayed, we would like to thank every person who has supported us, taken part on stage and behind the scenes - all contributing to the success and longevity of our wonderful society.

We finally returned to tread the boards at the Civic Theatre from 21st - 25th September to perform Sweet Charity, and we could not have been more excited to get back to what we love and share with our audiences. Sweet Charity and Shrek have both been nominated for the coveted Best Musical award in the East of England National Operatic & Dramatic Arts (NODA) Awards.

Now, CAODS are thrilled to bring the updated classic of Kipps The New Half a Sixpence Musical to Essex for the first time, to Chelmsford in March 2022!

Set in Edwardian Folkestone, the story of an orphan, overworked draper’s assistant, Arthur Kipps. Kipps is a charming but ordinary young man who, along with his fellow apprentices, dreams of a better world. When Kipps unexpectedly inherits a fortune that propels him into high society, it confuses everything he thought he knew about life.

glamorous, classy Helen, always on hand to improve Arthur. Kipps struggles with his new identity, but who should he listen to? With the help of his friends, Arthur learns that if you want to have the chance of living the right life, you need to make the right choices.

This new stage version of Half A Sixpence reunites the team of the smash hit stage adaptation of Disney’s Mary Poppins. Expect new songs and the classics we know and love: Half A Sixpence, If The Rain’s Got To Fall and Flash, Bang, Wallop!

Performances are Tuesday 22nd - Saturday 26th March 2022 at 7.30pm, and Saturday matinee at 3pm. Tickets are £20.

Don’t miss out and book your tickets today. We hope to see you there!

You can buy your tickets directly from the Civic Box Office, online at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres/whats-on/musicals/kipps-the-newhalf-a-sixpence-musical or over the phone by calling 01245 606 505.

Kipps is loved by two women - Ann, his childhood companion and the

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Ramblings Through the Silver Screen From Britain’s Oldest Angry Young Man Back in the 1960s I wrote a screenplay for a feature film called Will the Real Virgin Please Stand Up? With a title like that, I was asking for trouble. It was a simple story - A group of teenage boys have a day out at the seaside and meet a group of teenage girls. The rest of the story I leave to your fertile imagination. Just remember it was the 1960s.

Film producers of the day would pass their proposed scripts for assessment by the British Board of Film Censors (created in 1912). I was soon sitting in front of John Trevelyan, Secretary to the Board and watching him thumbing through my script and being very busy with a marker pen. He smiled at me as he scrubbed out 26 pages. It was kind of him to point out why he had removed those pages. I relate this humiliation to highlight a misjudged ‘censorship’ issue bedevilling today’s film industry within which I have worked for some 70 years.

Censorship can take many forms. For example: Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange was passed uncut for UK cinemas in December 1971 after which, it was downhill time, and British authorities considered the sexual violence in the film to be extreme. Several court cases blamed the film for the violent murders committed by young men. Christine Kubrick, Stanley’s wife, confirmed that the family received threats and protesters outside their home (are you listening JK Rowling?), leading to Kubrick’s request to withdraw the film from British release by Warner Bros in 1973. It was difficult to see A Clockwork Orange in the UK for 27 years. Only after Kubrick’s death in 1999 was the film theatrically re-released and made available on VHS and DVD.

Today, there is no British Board of Film Censors and therefore no censorship of films. In 1985 the BBFC was renamed the British Board of Film Classification, using an age-rating system as an advisory tool used by local councils. What a cop out! Bring back Mary Whitehouse (1910 to 2001) founder and first president of the National Viewers and Listeners Association and scourge of the British media and of the BBC. Hold the front page. News hot off the press. The Empire Strikes Back has been upgraded from a ‘U’ to a ‘PG’ rating by the British Board of Film Classification and Jaws has been pushed up from a ‘PG’ to a ‘12’ rating.

Just two of several films to have their rating changed so that our snowflake generation sensibilities are untainted by silver screen nasties. What nonsense! Scrap the present rating anomalies and revert back to the simplistic ‘U’, ‘A’ and ‘X’. Close down the Board of Film Classification and its tinkering with its silly rating letters and reinstate the grown up British Board of Film Censors to protect our moral film industry interests.

All of this nonsense unfortunately sits against a background of a sewer of social media pollution of minds and the filth and violence being seen daily by our young.

Derek

Chelmsford Community Radio On 18th January 2017, high above the rooftops of Chelmsford, a team of volunteers and officials set up and commissioned the transmitter for Chelmsford Community Radio 104.4FM.

organisations to reach even more people. We have brought people together using the companionship that radio brings. Linking up to form new opportunities and looking to progress further with helping our community.

Prior to this, the station had been broadcasting as an internet-only station and already built up a fair following. A real mix of passionate enthusiasts and newcomers from a range of backgrounds dedicated to provide Chelmsford with a truly local service, and what a ride it has been so far. The station had its official FM launch at 8am on Saturday 18th March and the first voice on air was Luke Barnard from Saturday Breakfast - a show he still presents today. The studio was filled with the two Station Directors, Hal MacLean and Matthew Eaves plus a whole bunch of supporters excited to see the station make the transition to FM.

We opened Coffee At The Mill and closed it again due to lockdown, and we ran a huge crowdfunder which saw the community that we support give back and help us keep going - something we are very grateful for. We rebranded the coffee shop as the Radio Café back in October and are working hard to keep it open in light of the challenging circumstances forced upon us by government restrictions.

This last 5 years has seen a few volunteers coming and going as life moves on for them. Many of our younger presenters who have moved on have found careers in the radio industry - something we are particularly proud of.

We’ve been delighted to welcome a whole host of guests onto the airwaves, many local bands and performers plus a few famous friends joining in here and there - but it’s always been about our community and the engagement within. We have strong roots in Chelmsford, our wonderful city and ‘birthplace of radio’.

We have also been lucky to attend countless events - some with thousands of people there. We were delighted to be involved with three huge firework displays in the city. Thank you very much to The Chelmsford Round Table, Motor Show Events and Rolling Stage Hire for inviting us to take part.

We’ve also run radio workshops and partnered with many local

We have also launched an app so that more people can stay listening to us while they are on the move. This can be downloaded from the app stores for both Android and Apple devices.

There have been several dual broadcasts with our friends at Hospital Radio Chelmsford and we have started a trend of producing a radio pantomime - our 2020 panto having achieved a Bronze in the Community Radio Awards. There are more dual broadcasts planned for the future and we will let you know in time when these will be happening.

We couldn’t do all of this without the support of our hard working volunteers, funders and the people around us who believe in what we do. The good news is that having been granted a 5 year extension of our FM licence, we can carry on growing and developing what we do.

With this in mind, if you have an idea or an inclination to get involved, then do get in touch and we will see what we can do. www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com www.facebook.com/ChelmsfordCR

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programme led by Rotary, so the world is nearly at the point of complete eradication of this paralysing and sometimes fatal disease.

Clean water, sanitation and hygiene: The best way of tackling this is through local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation and hygiene to more people every day. It’s not just a case of building wells and then walking away. Rotarians’ expertise with community leaders and educators is shared to ensure projects are long-term and sustainable.

Rotary Expands Its Areas of Focus Rotary divides the causes it supports into seven areas of focus: • • • • • • •

Peace and conflict prevention/resolution.

Disease prevention and treatment.

Water and sanitation.

Maternal and child health.

Basic education and literacy.

Economic and community development.

Environment.

The environment is the latest to be added to the list and it is one that is attracting a great deal of interest across the world, including from the younger generation, as we tackle climate change. But each area is important in its own right and interpretation is very wide.

Implementation could refer to local projects or global initiatives. What we take for granted in Britain would be deemed a luxury in developing countries such as the provision of fresh drinking water. That does not mean there is no work to do in our local communities, for example, improving literacy for those people who have slipped through the educational net which in turn could lead to poverty or crime.

A Brief Overview of Each Promoting peace: We all wish for a peaceful world and Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. Rotary has a training programme for adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas.

Fighting disease: Education is important to equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS and malaria. Prevention is critical and Rotary has helped set up clinics and the infrastructure that allows doctors, patients and governments to work together. This provides access to low cost and free health care in developing countries. I have written several times about Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign and the number of new cases in 2021 was only four, thanks in part to the mass national immunisation

Saving mothers and children: Nearly 6 million children under the age of 5 die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care and inadequate sanitation. Rotary expands access to quality care so that mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.

Supporting education: More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. The goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. Local Rotary clubs have helped provide school facilities in poorer countries enabling children to enjoy a proper meal and give parents more time to earn a living.

Growing local economies: Service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old are carried out. Advice and training are given to local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities which strengthen their economies and provide additional employment.

Protecting the environment: Rotary members are tackling environmental issues the way they always do, coming up with projects, using their connections to change policy and planning for the future. A whole tranche of ideas is already in operation which includes reducing food waste in Columbia, installing a hybrid solar, diesel and grid power system in Haiti, planting trees in the UK and abroad, and an organic farming project in Thailand.

All of these, in all the areas of focus, are merely examples and are the tip of the iceberg as individual clubs show foresight and enterprise in helping to build a fairer world. It is also very clear that the areas of focus are interlinked. Education improves health, improves the local economy, and saves lives.

Rotary understands that there is deprivation and community needs locally as well as in less affluent countries and that is why you will see Rotarians collecting for local good causes, providing dictionaries for year 7 children, conducting hands-on environmental projects such as litter-picking, or striving to raise awareness of community issues such as equipment for youth clubs. We can all make a difference and if you would like to learn more about joining a club in or around Chelmsford, please visit www.rotary1240.org or call me on 01245 260 349.

Stan Keller

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

January

Thursday 20th Quaker Meeting House - Medical Essex History Talk The Secret Garden - Chelmsford Breakfast Business Club Friday 21st The Bay Horse - It’s Not a Phase Mum Saturday 22nd The Bay Horse - Lord Nottingham Hot Box - San Remo Hyde Hall - Past and Present Sunday 23rd Cramphorn - Jewels (live from the Bolshoi Ballet) Hylands House - Wedding Preview Day Wednesday 26th Great Baddow Parish Hall - Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense Hot Box - Chess Tournament Thursday 27th Civic - That’ll Be the Day Eagle and Hind - Quiz Night Great Baddow Parish Hall - Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense The Lion Inn - The Chelmsford Comedy Club Friday 28th The Bay Horse - The Most Chelmsford Social Club - Eddie & the Hot Rods + Dept S Civic - That’ll Be the Day Great Baddow Parish Hall - Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense Hot Box - Shakey’s Sessions RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am - £6 per session - to book phone Sue Eddie on 07794 543 147) Saturday 29th The Bay Horse - The Signs Great Baddow Parish Hall - Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense Hot Box - The Third Sound Sunday 30th Hylands Estate - Wedding Show

February

Tuesday 1st Hot Box - Andy Bell Space Station Old Court Theatre - The Wind in the Willows Wednesday 2nd Hot Box - KA (plus support) Old Court Theatre - The Wind in the Willows Thursday 3rd Acanteen - Acomedy Club Civic - Come What May: The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge Eagle and Hind - Quiz Night Hot Box - Shakey’s Sessions Old Court Theatre - The Wind in the Willows Two Brewers - Gin Tasting Friday 4th Acanteen - Elton John Tribute Night Civic - Suggs: A Life in the Realm of Madness Old Court Theatre - The Wind in the Willows RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am - £6 per session - to book phone Sue Eddie on 07794 543 147)

Saturday 5th Civic - Money For Nothing Chelmsford Cathedral - Rock Choir Chelmsford City Race Course - Wedding Show Hot Box - Millie Manders and the Shut Up + Jore the Fortune Teller Old Court Theatre - The Wind in the Willows Sunday 6th Civic - Chelmsford Dance Spectacular Monday 7th Eagle and Hind - One Tree Hillbillies Wednesday 9th Hot Box - The Hot Box Big Music Quiz Thursday 10th Civic - Andy Parsons: Healing the Nation Eagle and Hind - Quiz Night Hot Box - Hothaus Drag Valentines Special Friday 11th Chelmsford Social Club - Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young + Borderline Music Civic - Mercury - The Ultimate Queen Tribute Hot Box - Tapeworms RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am - £6 per session - to book phone Sue Eddie on 07794 543 147) Saturday 12th Civic - Bublé Meets Sinatra: The Showdown!

Chelmsford Social Club - Los Pacaminos + Borderline Music Hot Box - Red Hot Riot + Lady Luck Lexy & The Riverside Boys RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Sunday 13th Hot Box - Jazz Sunday’s with Zak Barrett & Friends Thursday 17th Civic - Johnny Cash Roadshow Eagle and Hind - Quiz Night Friday 18th Chelmsford Social Club - The Blues Corporation + Bex Marshall Civic - Omid Djalili: The Good Times Tour Hot Box - Acid Under the Arches RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair Yoga (10.45am - £6 per session - to book phone Sue Eddie on 07794 543 147) Saturday 19th Cramphorn - Milkshake! Live - Milkshake! Monkey’s Musical!

Hot Box - Volleyball RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Sunday 20th Cramphorn - Status Update Hylands House - Open day and farmers and craft market

Please send any local events for inclusion in our What’s On guide from 17/2/22 to 20/3/21 to editorial@ itsyourmedia.co.uk

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Happy, Healthy You in 2022 - Mandy Haynes How many of you made New Year resolutions - and how many of you are still sticking with them? This year, forget all about New Year’s resolutions! Most are short-lived and are abandoned in the first month because they often start from an assumption that who you are or what you do is not good enough. Instead of starting 2022 with the usual ‘lose weight...’ ‘eat better...’ ‘drink less coffee...’ try something new. The yogic version of a New Year resolution is called sankalpa, which means ‘intention’, ‘purpose’ or ‘wish’. A sankalpa encourages you to look beyond the ego and encourages you to start with kindness and acceptance towards yourself, to look at where you would like to grow and evolve and what specific things need to happen to move you forward on your path.

If your sankalpa is to try something new or reignite an old practice, or you simply want to feel happier and healthier, why not try pilates and/ or yoga? Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga is the largest specialist pilates, yoga and meditation studios in Chelmsford, owned by Ellie Searle & Steve Johansen. At Hummingbird we believe that being positive and keeping your body and mind healthy are the secrets to a happy life. We’ve found that yoga, pilates and meditation have helped us to achieve our own balance and have equipped us to deal with anything that life chooses to send our way.

We have a truly holistic approach and are passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle, helping others and an ethical way of living. We’re advocates of regular meditation, yoga and pilates practices, but also enjoy a burger and a glass of wine, giving us a realistic approach to life.

When you come to our studio we aim to make you feel good from the moment that you step through our door. All of our classes are also live-streamed so that you can join our small group classes from the comfort of your own home. Although we are serious about our practice, Hummingbird is a place where you’ll hear laughter

emanating from the studios; after all our greatest ambition is that you feel welcome and amazing, and laughter is part of that!

We have a fun, friendly and flexible schedule to fit your busy lifestyle the first step to a relaxed and healthy body and mind.

We’d love to welcome you in 2022! www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk

Give yyrself a eat and visit...

Army & Navy

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

Located inside Moulsham Mill (Parkway, CM2 7PX)

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

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

Chelmsford Library

Happy New Year! We have gradually been restarting a lot of our events and activities, and hopefully this will develop as the new year progresses. We continue to follow government regulations regarding Covid restrictions to ensure your visit is safe and enjoyable.

The Winter Reading Challenge for children is continuing and alongside this we are running a children’s art competition - full details on our website. We can’t wait to see your entries!

Do your children enjoy jigsaws and colouring? If so, you’ll love our free drop-in Pens & Puzzles activity every Sunday from 11am-12.30pm.

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

The draft Everyone’s Library Service 2022-2026 has been published, which details how we intend to transform the library service over the next four years into a modern, vibrant and sustainable service for all. Do take the opportunity to have your say on the draft plan by completing the online survey: libraries.essex.gov.uk/ everyoneslibrary.

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We have computers, scanning and printing available to all customers, along with free wi-fi, photocopying and study spaces.

Don’t forget you can also recycle batteries and small electrical items at Chelmsford Library.

Find full details of all our events and services on our website at libraries.essex.gov. uk.

You can also follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ EssexLibraries) or Twitter (twitter.com/EssexLibraries) or by subscribing to our newsletter; details on our website www.libraries. essex.gov.uk.

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How to Start Your Fitness Journey (And Not Give Up!) It’s the new year and it feels as though everyone is on a health kick. But how do you even start to get fitter and healthier? And more importantly, how do you stick to it beyond January? personal trainer and pre and post natal coach, Mel from mrumfitness in Chelmsford shares her top tips.

1. Find a form of exercise you enjoy - don’t start training for a 5k if you hate running, and don’t sign up for a bootcamp class if you hate burpees! There’s a huge misconception that working out should be hellish and unenjoyable when really, any form of moving your body that you actually enjoy and look forward to doing is going to mean you’re more likely going to stick to it long term.

2. Plan your week. Create a schedule for yourself at the beginning of each week, allocating days where you know you can commit to training and stick to it. You will not feel motivated all of the time, but with a schedule in place, working out will soon become a habit that you don’t think twice about doing.

3. Set yourself goals but be realistic. It’s common to want to do it all at once (join a gym, go six times a week, stop eating XYZ...) and goal setting can help keep you motivated. But more often than not, you’re setting yourself up for failure by trying to achieve too much at once.

It’s best to start implementing one thing at a time and once you’ve adjusted to that, then add on the next goal.

you follow, which celebrity workout app you purchase, or whether you cut out carbs. If it’s not sustainable long-term you’ll be right back at your starting point before you know it. Eat your bread. Do your daily steps. Push yourself in your workouts. Eat nutritious foods. Drink water. Get 7-9 hours sleep per night. Repeat.

6. Don’t give up. Accept that you won’t see instant results or changes. It will take time - time which is going to pass by regardless of whether you start or not so you might as well try. Seek enjoyment in the process; challenge yourself to get stronger and more confident with exercises and movements. Take photos of yourself each month.

Write down the weights you lifted or the distance you ran. Look back and compare - see how far you have come and appreciate your progression. You’ve got this!

Instagram: @mrumfitness Website: www.mrumfitness.co.uk Photography: Jack Bingley Media

Next City Times Issue Deadlines: Articles - 7th February Artwork - 11th February Issue Date - 17th February

4. Throw the scales away! The number on the scale does not define you nor is it a reliable measure of your health and fitness. Instead, ask yourself, can I workout for longer than I could six weeks ago? Can I lift heavier? Am I more confident with the exercises I’m performing?

Do my clothes fit me better? Has my mental health improved? If the answer is yes to any of these, then you’re already improving in more ways than pounds on a scale can define.

5. Realise there are no quick fixes. It doesn’t matter which meal plan www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

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City Times History

The Development of Chelmsford (Part One) - By Stephen Norris ‘Cattle and sheep were still driven down the High Street until well into the twentieth century...’

The next series of articles look at the development of the town in the 130 years before it obtained city status. There is a lot of emphasis on the changes in the main features of the town.

The 60 years before 1945 saw a transformation in the town of Chelmsford. At the time of the 1881 census, Chelmsford was a small county and market town boosted to a small extent by being a centre of judicial administration. The rural area around the town was actually declining in population and the town itself was only growing very slowly. The foundation of an engineering industry from the late 19th century in the town caused an expansion both physically and in the population of the town. Between the two wars the growth of the town began to absorb rural parishes such as Springfield and Great Baddow.

In 1880 the town was a largely piecemeal jumble of medieval, Tudor and 18th and early 19th century developments. Early Roman settlements in Moulsham were unseen and largely unknown, not to be excavated until the 20th century. Successive ordinance survey maps from 1876 show the gradual spread of the town up through Moulsham and also along the Springfield, Rainsford and Broomfield Road. Although New London Road had been developed during the mid 19th century, housing was not built along its upper reaches until the end of the century.

In the late 19th century the beginnings of the influx of people into the town from rural areas started. The centre of the town remained laid out in a grid system that had originated in the 15th century, compressed as it was between the two rivers. Lying back from the main roads was a mass of often impenetrable yards and courts which remained more or less unchanged until well after the Second War. Spalding’s photos reveal the large number and variety of shops that existed in both Chelmsford and Moulsham.

The inter-war period saw a great expansion in working class council housing. A big increase in middle class housing also occurred in the town between the wars. Private development was largely unplanned with the Borough Council showing little interest in taking advantage of planning acts. The Rural District Council showed a much more positive attitude towards planning interventions before the Second War. Despite the industrialisation of the town, commentators, such as Fred Spalding junior, emphasised the rural orientation of Chelmsford between the wars with its important market and the wide variety of shops, serving those who came into the town from the surrounding areas as much as those who lived in the town. Even with these changes, a citizen of Chelmsford brought forward from 1880 to 1939 would have recognised the town on the cusp of the Second War. Those who were adults in 1945 would not recognise the Chelmsford of today.

The 1871 and 1881 censuses reveal the parish of Chelmsford, within the Chelmsford Union, to be a small town with its population barely only increasing by 567 to 9,885. For the censuses, the area of the Chelmsford Poor Law Union was divided into 62 districts with two special enumerators for Chelmsford prison and the workhouse. Both censuses were organised by WW Duffield, the clerk to the Chelmsford Board of Poor Law Guardians. As Superintendent Registrar of the union, he used 70 enumerators. The work cost a penny per head of the population.

Union District Great Baddow Little Baddow Boreham Broomfield Buttsbury

1881 2,055 549 902 855 452

Increase 41 65

Decrease 2 61 35

Union District Great Baddow Little Baddow Boreham Broomfield Buttsbury Chelmsford (inc.

Moulsham) Chignal St James Chignal Smealy Danbury Fryening Good Easter East Hanningfield South Hanningfield West Hanningfield Ingatestone Great Leighs Little Leighs Margaretting Mashbury Pleshey Rettendon Roxwell Runwell Sandon Springfield Stock Great Waltham Little Waltham Widford Woodham Ferrers Writtle

1881 2,055 549 902 855 452

Increase

9,885 224 134 974 704 520 404 234 430 926 753 125 526 143 302 720 814 393 466 2,528 565 2,349 580 300 613 2,412

567

41 65

1

28

20

7

Decrease 2 61 35 66 69 13 61 86 13 130 110 24 4 0 73 88 154 38 119 67 113 117 164 13

The total population of the Chelmsford Union in 1881 was 32,923.

This was a decrease of 849 on the 1871 census. Almost three quarters of the population lived in rural areas, and it is noticeable that a considerable number of parishes such as East and West Hanningfield, Great Leighs, Roxwell, Great Waltham, Little Waltham and Woodham Ferrers, experienced a major decrease in their population with the principal cause of decline being the agricultural depression. It was not until the two decades before the First War that the expansion of industry in the county town was able to take up the surplus population from the surrounding rural areas.

Some villages continued to decline - Great Leighs had lost another 140 people by 1900. Even the opening of the railway line through Woodham Ferrers for example, failed to halt that villages’ decline.

This stagnation of the population of the Chelmsford Union overall was followed by two decades of slow but steady growth. Chelmsford however, should be compared with the county as a whole, where the rapid expansion of metropolitan boroughs such as West Ham, caused the population of the county to more than double between 1851 and 1891 (369,000 to 785,000).

By 1901, the beginnings of important industry had began to result in the more rapid expansion of the borough’s population. In that census it was 12,627, but by 1921 this had increased to 20,769. Some of this was accounted for by the boundary changes of 1907. In this census, the population of the rural district was still slightly greater than the borough’s with 24,545. This growth was dwarfed by the rapid expansion of the county’s population, again particularly in the metropolitan boroughs. By 1911 the county’s population had almost doubled to more than 1,350,000.

By the time of the First War many of the population of the outer Chelmsford parishes - particularly Springfield, Great Baddow, Boreham, Broomfield and Writtle - worked in the borough at the big works. Boreham for example, which had a stable population of

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just over 800 in the last two decades of the 19th century, almost doubled its population in the first half of the 20th century. Danbury was another village which benefitted from proximity to the town and its available work. Despite the depression, the borough’s population continued to increase during the inter-war period and it was estimated at 35,500 in 1944. This increased population came from the rural areas and to a lesser extent from the distressed

areas elsewhere in the country. In addition, the borough’s birth rate, although lower than it had been, was still higher than the national average.

The next article looks at the changes in Moulsham and the New London Road before the First War.

Year 11 Student From Essex Wins Largest Youth Speaking Competition in the World Mayumi Staunton from Chelmsford County High School for Girls wowed a packed audience and panel of celebrity judges at the Cambridge Theatre, Covent Garden shortly before Christmas. Mayumi was crowned winner of Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! 202021 - the largest youth speaking competition in the world with over 9,000 young people taking part this year alone.

This year’s grand final judging panel comprised a mix of awardwinning journalists and high profile business people and celebrities, all known for using their voice to make a change: Martin Forde QC, lawyer and Windrush advisor; Xand van Tulleken, doctor and children’s television presenter; Emily Dean, writer, broadcaster and podcaster; Lois Mia Chapman, SnowWhite (@therealsnowwhite) TikTok star; Maggie Alphonsi MBE, broadcaster, and Maddeline Balogun, Jack Petchey “Speak Out” Challenge! champion 2020.

Mayumi’s speech, entitled Sorry Not Sorry, was centred around how girls are taught to over-apologise: “Instead of teaching girls to say sorry, worrying that things will go wrong, let’s teach them to say thank you, believing that things will go right.” Addressing the theatre, she continued “Let’s replace negative mindsets with positive ones; replace insecurity with confidence… I stand here in front of you unapologetically, and I’m not sorry for taking up your time with this speech. Instead, I’m thankful to you for lending it.”

Mayumi received £2,000 for herself and £3,000 for her school, Chelmsford County High School for Girls. Mayumi said, “I have never before felt more empowered and more heard. I really feel like I’ve made an impact and I’m so grateful to have met such incredible people along the way.”

Runners up in the competition included Samanta de Almeida Germano from Whitmore High School, Harrow in second place, and Solomon Sankoh from Gaynes School, Havering in third.

Conall Wainwright, from Chelmer Valley High School, who is also from Essex, was awarded fourth place for his speech which shared his personal thoughts and experiences of dyslexia.

Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! is designed and delivered

by Speakers Trust and is funded and supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation to encourage 14 and 15 year olds to develop public speaking and communication skills as well as building self-esteem and confidence. Now in its 16th year, over 9,000 young people in 249 state schools across 37 regions throughout London and Essex took part in this year’s challenge.

During the academic year, each school has received one free one-day workshop in public speaking and communication skills. The students’ confidence in speaking to an audience, without notes, is measured at the beginning and at the end of the day. During 2020-21, 77% of students have increased their confidence to stand up and talk to a group of people.

Gemma Juma, Deputy Chief Executive of the Jack Petchey Foundation said: “It’s been such an inspiring evening watching the

young people who have come so far in this past year perform live on stage to a room full of applause and cheers, especially after the last 18 months.

“Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! is all about giving young people the tools and confidence to be able to shape a positive future.

Each and every one of them should be so proud of all they have achieved, and we can’t wait to see what they go on to do next.”

Commenting on the evening’s speakers Russell Findlay, CEO of Speakers Trust said: “I feel privileged to see these young people’s transformation from their first public speech in front of a small group at school to stepping out on the stage at a West End theatre.

Watching their journey is as inspiring as hearing them speak on issues, where their voices need to be heard.”

To find out more about the competition, visit the website: speakoutchallenge.com.

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A Year in the Life of the Mayor

Spot the Difference - 10 to find (answers on page 23) The first day of December arrived, and Chelmsford Community Radio 104.4FM began to open their Advent calendar doors, which were all supported by local businesses in aid of the Mayor of Chelmsford’s charities. My thanks go to the following businesses who contributed:

• Beaulieu Wills and Estate Planning • Copper Pot Café • Beaulieu Wealth Management • County Hotel • Red Glazing Systems • Optimumav • UW • Chelmsford Twinning Partnership • DVH Design • Aquila • Chignals and Mashbury WI • Partyman • Tennessee Fields • Star Well Being • Ashley Bishop Coaching • Another Level Medispa • All Things Alpaca • Chelmsford BID • Backnang Twinning and Radio Club • Chelmsford Star Co-op • Heydi Party Decoration • Anglia Ruskin University • Chelmsford Karate Club • R & D Advisors

Enlightened was on again this year at Hylands Estate. It was a beautiful walk through the grounds which were lit up, and both adults and children loved it. The evening I went there was also a special Christmas shopping evening with the stable yard stall holders and others offering lots of gift ideas. A very magical evening with music and food too.

I accompanied the High Sheriff Simon Brice and his wife on a visit to Sanctus, one of my charities. We, along with the service users, received a warm welcome. It was lovely to see and hear about the excellent work the staff and volunteers do on a daily basis. The High Sheriff presented staff at Sanctus with a certificate of recognition of the work they do in the community.

I attended a joyful carol service this morning at Chelmsford Cathedral for Deaf and Deafblind People. Also in attendance were Bishop Guli and the Lord Lieutenant.

Each year the mayor gets to plant a tree to commemorate their year in office. This year I planted an English oak in Admirals Park near the playground. Not only is this ‘my tree’ but is also the first to be planted in the park for the Queens Green Canopy (queensgreencanopy.org) to celebrate her platinum jubilee in 2022. I was delighted that the Lord Lieutenant could attend and assist with the planting.

The Mayor of Brentwood invited the Mayoress and I to her carol service in Brentwood Cathedral. The mayors and chairs of councils across Essex assembled in the town hall and processed to and from the cathedral. Those who wear robes were asked to wear them for the service.

The first Saturday morning in December I visited the Christmas Fayre at the Church of Ascension with All Saints and the Christmas Festivities at Chelmsford Cathedral and the High Street. There were so many lovely things on sale I just had to buy a few pretty pieces. It was also lovely to hear the Salvation Army Band playing in the High Street... thats when you know Christmas has really arrived.

On the same afternoon, I visited the Church of our Saviour in Chelmer Village to open their Festival of Trees. Local groups dressed their Christmas trees in some very individual ways. We were entertained by

a group of young dancers whilst we had tea and cake.

That same evening, the Deputy Mayor, her consort Ian, the Mayoress and I attended the Old Court Theatre to see the Chelmsford Theatre Workshop members perform It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s a classic Christmas story and was an excellent performance.

I was in Hadleigh to attend a carol service at the Salvation Army Temple for the Mayor of Castle Point. It was a lovely service; somehow it isn’t Christmas until you’ve heard the Salvation Army Band playing carols... A collection at the service raised more than £1,000 for Cancer Research.

Cheeky Elves were hiding in Chelmsford city centre; did you find them all? Fun, exercise and laughter for the whole family are all great for our mental health - many signed up to this Mid and North East Essex Mind initiative in support of all the Mayor’s charities.

I attended the North Avenue Christian Centres’ Jubilee Café for Christmas lunch with my Chaplin Tom Page providing some carols before the meal. There were many local residents and members of several churches there to enjoy lunch, cooked and served beautifully by some very dedicated volunteers. Thank you for a lovely afternoon.

It was a real pleasure to join Age Concern Chelmsford for their Christmas lunch. There was a lovely atmosphere in the room as guests chatted, some meeting up for the first time in nearly two years.

We were treated to a delicious traditional Christmas meal, prepared and served by volunteers. All the elderly guests were given a present of a blanket and hot water bottle to take home.

Early in December, I chaired the Chelmsford City Council December Meeting, not in the Council Chamber but in the Grand Pavilion at Hylands House to maintain distancing for COVID-19. The agenda included Treasury Management Strategy Mid-Year Review, South Essex Parking Partnership Joint Committee Agreement, Neighbourhood Plans for South Woodham Ferrers and Writtle and Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles. I do hope we can return to the Council Chamber for the next meeting which will be primarily on budgets in February.

I spent a lovely couple of hours at Moulsham Infant School watching years 1 and 2 perform When the Angel Got Her Wings in their playground. The children spoke and sang very well - I don’t know how they managed to remember all the words to the many songs they sang. It was truly delightful. Well done everyone.

I attended Chelmsford Cathedral for the Farleigh Hospice Light Up A Life carol service. The Deputy Lord Lieutenant Susie Cornell and I also did readings. The Farleigh Choir was ably supported by the Salvation Army Band and music students from KEGS. An uplifting evening enjoyed by all.

The Deputy Mayor and her consort Ian took a stroll around Chelmsford taking in the lights as part of the Yuletide Stroll. The fees from the participants were kindly donated to the Mayor’s charities.

Many thanks to Anthony and enthusiastic guide, Alan.

Very early one Friday morning the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Rose Moore and I visited Freighter House to meet recycling, engineers, refuse lorry and street care staff to wish them a Merry Christmas and thank them for all the work they do keeping Chelmsford clean and tidy before they went out on their rounds. We also had the chance to sit in one of the Dennis refuse lorries, which we enjoyed.

Following on from Freighter House, the Deputy Mayor and I dropped by the indoor market on their Christmas jumper Friday to talk to the staff and the market stall holders. We also dropped in on the staff at Market Road Mobility Centre to wish them Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

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Page 21 www.thecitytimes.co.uk

The Deputy Mayor and I visited Action for Family Carers in South Woodham Ferrers. We joined in the fun with games and chair exercises to music. We drank tea and acknowledged their trusted charity award.

The mayoralty had the most wonderful Civic Carol Service in Chelmsford Cathedral. My thanks go to everyone who helped bring it together, the Cathedral and City Council staff, the musicians from the Salvation Army Band and the Timbrels, the organist Hilary Punnett, Chelmsford Community Gospel Choir, the dancers from Essex Dance Theatre, the BSL signers Lucy Dunhill and Beccy Mabey, the readers Major Mountford (SA), Emma Hughes (Sanctus) Jerry Wootton (HHE) Linda Mascot (Deputy Mayor) those who offered prayers led by my Chaplain Canon Tom Page, Sidra Naeem (Muslim Society) Smita Rajesh (Hindu Society) and Stan Keller (Jewish Community) and the opening Welcome and final Blessing led by the Dean of Chelmsford.

My thanks also go to Morrisons for supplying many of mince pies. It was a very special evening and meant so much.

I attended the KEGS years 7-9 service of Nine Lessons and Carols at Chelmsford Cathedral. The choir were lovely to listen to. They sang my favourite carol In the Bleak Midwinter beautifully.

Mayoral visit.

You can also follow me on social media: Facebook: Mayor of Chelmsford Twitter: @chelmsmayor Instagram: Chelmsford_mayor

I was very pleased to have been asked to officially switch on the lights at the Central Park Skatepark. It will really make a difference to the youngsters who use it. Well done Essex Youth Service and Chelmsford City Council for helping the young people achieve their dream of skateboarding in the winter months after school and/or work. You never know, we may have an Olympic champion in the making...

An early start was required as I attended the Rotary Bubbly Breakfast at Pontlands Park Hotel. The speaker Bishop Guli spoke about her early life and journey to Chelmsford. It was very moving, thought provoking and interesting morning.

It was a joy to watch Maltese Road Primary School years 5 and 6 at their carol service in the Parish Church of Ascension with All Saints.

They read well and all sang their hearts out and looked very happy.

The Deputy Mayor and her Consort were delighted to attend the Christmas Fayre at Hylands House, making candy floss, throwing axes and meeting Santa. Thanks to the volunteers who manned the stall selling Christmas items to raise funds for my charities.

The Deputy Mayor and her Consort Ian enjoyed the Christingle service at their local Tile Kiln Church which was also live-streamed for those unable to attend. Linda enjoyed singing carols this year and thanked church members for continuing to support their neighbours during the pandemic.

The Deputy Mayor and her Consort joined Beryl and the residents of Keene Homes for a Christmas carol sing-a-long. Fun times for local children at a Christmas party in Boreham arranged by Parish Councillor Chanel to raise funds for the church roof. This was attended by the Deputy Mayor and her Consort.

The Nine Lessons and Carols service was attended by the Deputy Mayor this year, who read the First Lesson.

I was sorry not to be able to attend my Chaplain Fr Tom Page‘s Eucharist, a Thanksgiving for his Ministry and his last Parish Ministry Service at Church of the Ascension with All Saints at the end of December. I was pleased the Deputy Mayor and her Consort Ian were able to attend in my absence. My very best wishes go to Tom on his retirement - so happy he can continue as my Chaplain until the end of my term of office in May 2022.

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful new year.

Please contact mayors.office@chelmsford.gov.uk if you’d like a www.thecitytimes.co.uk

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Chelmsford Window Gallery Presents...

The Window Gallery Chelmsford was set up in June 2018 to give local artists a space to display their work. We host a new exhibition every month.

Name: Teigh-Anne Shave Welcome to the Joy Germ Each of the 3D characters started as a water bottle filled with plastic that cannot be recycled. Essentially they are filled with rubbish!

The display tells the story of a germ fully in his head: worried, angry and stressing. He then becomes changed by a joy germ, a creature who fully sees with their heart full of compassion, love and nonjudgement. Their love starts to change the brain germ as soon as it lands. Pulled up by the joy germ they are held as the ‘infection’ spreads transforming it to see with it’s heart also, becoming a joy germ. They then go on to spread joy wherever they go too.

This is also a story of our own two sides and how we can ‘rescue’ ourselves with it being our own heart/mind. This work was inspired

by International Joy Germ Day (January 8th) which was started by Joan White in 1981 on her mother’s birthday to counter the statistical worst day of 9th of January.

Mental etc. All of it was to try to create a feeling of lightness, empathy or togetherness for improved mental wellness. This is what inspires me the most I think. Smiling is such an important action that we can take and so if my work does this to anyone who sees it then it has fulfilled its purpose.”

What do you do if you’re not inspired?

“I don’t know... not create? Haha! I’m usually working on something but the medium may change. I may write some of my silly little rhymes for a while or sketch out some ideas, or create in other ways like putting together retreats or work on the little yellow caravan that I take around the UK in the summer. There is always something to inspire me.

“I am most inspired when I have a big project to work on though that is going to be seen somewhere - like The Window Gallery or an art trail somewhere. I’m working on a book and have been for many years now - that is a great filler for around other projects.”

She proposed we spread kindness, compassion and laughter in abundance instead. I became a Joy Germer a few years ago and this character was created years ago when I started sending my nan postcards every day when she turned 100 and felt depressed. Each one had a face made of a heart for eyes (a hug) and a smile. She loved them and told me how they made her day! They made her smile and she felt loved.

For me, winter used to be very difficult. In all those years of depression I think I’d have benefited from someone saying, ‘you are loved’ and then I realised I could be that person. I figured we could all do with a little joy germ spreading right now, so created this piece to shine some light in the wintery month of January, spreading a different kind of infection - and with Valentine’s Day approaching, to let people know they are loved no matter what.

Our future selves are whispering in our ears... we just have to listen.

We shall be making smaller versions out of our own rubbish during the Recharge Retreat at the end of February - there are two spaces left! Details can be found on my website at www.tashave.co.uk.

When did you start making art?

“I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. I come from a very creative family and my grandad would teach me all about perspective, tone and how to draw from a very early age. After he died, I stopped creating for many years. Although I didn’t go to college to study art (for too many reasons to go into here) I did study computer studies and started my career in IT.” What sort of art do you create? Has this changed over time?

“I find this difficult to answer as I tend to find something I want to say and then this can take many forms whether that be sculpture, painting, spoken word, poetry etc. I would consider it all art. I feel like my art is storytelling. Yes it has changed over time - but I tend to create for the space I am offered. For instance, with the Window Gallery, I am able to create something that spans across a whole shop front which I have very much enjoyed. With the Tiny Trail with the Chelmsford Art Trail many years ago I created a series of miniature worlds in shoe boxes where the people were made from corks.”

What inspires you?

“The overall theme for my work is essentially to make people stop and laugh, smile or shift their thinking in some way. I feel this has been consistent over everything that I have done over the last 10 years especially in Chelmsford with The Share a Smile Campaign, Make it Page 24

Where do you practice art?

“I have a log cabin in my garden in Springfield although, after living in Chelmsford for 37 years, I shall be moving to Lincolnshire in the autumn of this year.”

Do you have any connections with the art community in Chelmsford?

“I am a member of Chelmsford Creative Collective and have been for many years, and also enjoy Ignite as a community. I think this will be the thing that I shall miss most about Chelmsford, as this area has really evolved since these groups came to be.”

How often do you create?

“I try to create something every day. Creativity comes in so many different forms though and I feel that being an artist is more of a way of being than a way of doing.”

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

“I find it fascinating the way we can manipulate materials and create something into being that before did not exist and my favourite part of it all is seeing the impact that the work can have on another. Even if that is a profound dislike to something. The best part overall though I think, is the act of creating and the power it takes to keep going despite the fear of whether someone else will like it - or whether they will reject you. That is quite profound I think. I make silliness, or at least that’s what I feel it is. Silliness is something we should all be doing more of to create mental wellness, I enjoy using art in other projects I do in holistic and laughter therapy, NLP etc in retreats I run.”

Where have you exhibited before?

“I have had work in various art trail exhibitions in Essex over the years including Chelmsford, Billericay, Maldon and Rochford as well as, of course, the Window Gallery.”

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

“No I don’t, because yes it is difficult to part with it. Haha! Seriously, I would rather turn my art into products and sell those than part with my original pieces.

“The work I’ve been creating over the last few years is to be displayed rather than to sell - like the last and this work for The Window Gallery. I am going to endeavour to get the Joy Germ piece that is displayed in this month’s window into other towns in the future, and have plans to turn the characters into ornaments to sell too. I very rarely part with an original though. I enjoy sharing the work locally though.”

What superpower would you have and why?

“I would like the superpower to create a different world. To create more compassion and for people to see hearts beating over anything else. For everyone to become joy germs overnight and to spread kindness, community and love. I wonder how the world would change if some more hearts were mended. Especially those who are in power.”

Instagram: @An_experiment_with_joy Facebook: @Teigh-anneShave Artist www.tashave.co.uk

The Birth of Brentwood Writers’ Circle - By Sylvia Kent discussions. A few soldiers from Warley Barracks turned up plus some elderly ladies - and the Brentwood Writers’ Circle was born!

I’m proud of being president of one of the UK’s oldest writing groups, Brentwood Writers’ Circle which started with a bang. Well, more of a bomb! A massive explosion at London’s Stationers’ Hall put this famous venue out of action in May 1941. Brentwood resident, Elizabeth Baxter, was angry that she could no longer meet her fellow members of her London group there, the Society of Women Journalists, founded in 1894.

Elizabeth was already a published author who ran Brentwood’s secretarial agency. She’d been warned that London was in danger of bombardment, but was nevertheless upset, so decided to start a local writers’ club.

Paying sixpence for a short advertisement in the Brentwood Gazette, Elizabeth invited aspiring writers to visit her home for tea and writing

Elizabeth became chairman and the BWC grew large enough to hire the Old House in Brentwood. Elizabeth’s personality attracted famous guest speakers including Vera Brittain, Ursula Bloom, Margery Allingham, and post-war, Douglas Adams, Lena Kennedy, Ronald Blythe, Colin Dexter, and Simon Brett among others, and the circle grew to 60 members.

Sadly, 1963 brought Elizabeth a debilitating illness and she entered Highwood Hospital and was a long-term patient. A young journalist Gyles Brandreth visited her and wrote his first article calling her ‘the most romantic person I know’ for Woman Magazine. Elizabeth died in 1974.

Covid prevented our 80th birthday celebrations last year, however we managed to produce a super anthology, A Circle of Words (£6.99 from Amazon).

For more details, visit www.sylviakent.blogspot.com

Can You Make a Difference in Your Community?

Covid Booster Vaccine Volunteers Needed The NHS need cheerful, welcoming volunteers to be stewards and helpers for people receiving their Covid vaccines. You will be directing patient flow, helping staff and assisting anyone who is worried or unsteady. You can choose your own shifts and will be working as a part of a friendly, motivated team.

Sew Reusable Sanitary Pads for Refugees and Vulnerable People Around the World This Chelmsford-based community group sews reusable sanitary pads and works with partners around the world to distribute them to women, girls and people who menstruate who are suffering extreme period poverty. Do you have some spare time to spare?

Weight Loss Advisers - Weight Management Drop-In, Danbury We need kind, friendly, non-judgmental people to give support and guidance for a community weight management drop-in once a week.

Full training provided. You’ll be in a team of 2-3, helping on Monday afternoons 12.45pm - 2pm at Danbury Medical Centre.

appointments.

Treasurer to Chelmsford District Scouts Chelmsford District Scouts need a reliable volunteer with previous experience of financial management to support them as treasurer.

This is fantastic opportunity to support an organisation which makes a real difference to young people’s lives.

Help for Young Homeless People NightStop is seeking drivers, chaperones, and short-term hosts to help desperate young people who need a safe bed, hot meal, and a warm shower for the night.

Trustees Needed Trustees play a crucial role in guiding charities, helping make plans and decisions and making sure they stay on track. It is a fantastic opportunity to make real difference to the organisation you volunteer for. You don’t need prior experience, just enthusiasm and dedication.

Volunteer Minibus Driver - Chelmsford Community Transport We are in need of kind, caring volunteers who can drive a 14 seater minibus. This enables our elderly and disabled neighbours to enjoy days out, do their own shopping, and attend healthcare www.thecitytimes.co.uk

Page 25

Crafts - By Magali Ellis and Scrap-Circle There are multiple benefits of crafting: it relaxes us, it helps put a different perspective to our daily life and gives our brain a welcome break from our frantic schedule. Whenever you are looking to picking up a new hobby, trying out something creative or looking for something to help your mental health and well-being, crafting is the answer!

However, the world of crafts can be daunting - there are so many different crafts and you can be left wondering what to do! How to start?

Well, it can be as easy as paper and pen: 1. Have you ever doodled while being put on hold on a phone call?

You are in good company! Doodles and zentangles are all the rage at the moment with some amazing talent out there.

2. Calligraphy is another option for you, and there are many sources you can use to learn how to write in different script fonts.

3. You can put the two together and do a bullet journal where you can be creative, doodle, and use many font styles in as well as organise your time.

A bullet journal is a diary that you create for your own needs and

2022 Tarot by Mrs Silver

Cards taken from The Starseed Oracle

by Rebecca Campbell and Danielle Noel.

Message to all beings - ‘Child of the cosmos we have become disconnected from the pulse of life, we need to remember that we are all in this together.’

purposes in mind. I always find the diaries in shops a bit too generic and I often need to add extra pages or rename sections and the result can look very messy! With a bullet journal and its dotted pages, you are free to create whatever diary you need in whichever form you need it to be. You may feel a bit nervous about starting one and it is fair to say that the dotted pages can be a bit scary. However there is a lot of help at hand, whether online or in workshops.

Why don’t you learn more about bullet journal with a fun introduction to Bullet Journal Workshop with your friends? I had a group of ladies who were meeting up and decided to do something new and fun together after the many lockdowns last year. It was just the perfect antidote to fight the depressing news and everyone had great fun learning about bullet journals. Why don’t you look at the ‘Crops & Workshop’ page of www.scrap-circle.co.uk? Or you can contact me to arrange a time at info@scrap-circle.co.uk.

and we can do this as often as we wish. You can create your own happiness.

To see what is in-store for you in this new year, email me at mrssophiasilver@gmail.com for your own personal tarot reading.

Blessed be.

Love, Mrs Silver

You’re not alone - ‘Come together! The time for isolation is coming to an end, we must now reach out to one another. We must remain open.’

So what should we concentrate on in 2022? Reading taken from The Good Tarot by Colette Baron-Reid.

Hierophant: A reminder to be committed to your spiritual practice/ self development. Daily rituals to enhance your being, such as practicing gratitude.

How to Practice Gratitude Everyday say aloud or write in a journal 3 things that you are grateful for. Here is an example if mine: • • •

I am grateful for my baby taking to their new milk.

I am grateful for the new year ahead.

I am grateful for my warm and cozy bed.

I like to activate the magical power of 3 by saying Thank you, Thank you, Thank you at the end.

Spiritual Nugget Accessing our inner happiness like children’s favourite Peter Pan, thinking of a happy thought along with a sprinkling of magic enabled them to fly.

We all have the ability to go within and to recall a happy memory Page 26

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Page 27

Quiz Time - By John Theedom

1. Who had the best selling album of 2021?

2. How many kings did Britain have in the 20th century?

3. What is the material madder?

4 US actress Elle Fanning has an unusual pair of high heeled shoes, what makes them so?

5. Researchers have just made a discovery using a large hen’s feather, what was it?

6. Which human activity is affected by Tourettes disorder?

7. With which sport is Harry Redknapp associated?

8. What is another name for a pantry?

9. You have heard of Dunmow Flitch, but what does ‘flitch’ mean?

10. When was Chelmsford given city status?

11. Which way does the water rotate when you pull out the plug of the basin or bath?

12. To which part of an animal does the term unguis apply?

13. Which is the world’s largest lizard?

14. Which is the largest joint in the human body?

15. What is the fundamental oath taken by doctors?

16. What was Ringo Starr’s original name?

17. What is the name for the punched holes round a postage stamp?

18. What was Nancy Reagan’s occupation before she helped with her husband’s political career?

19. In which musical do the characters Skimbleshanks and Growltiger appear?

20. What type of soup is Julienne?

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21. What is the difference between pommes and pommes-de-terre?

22. In which sport are competitors forbidden to play left-handed?

23. What is the value of the blue ball in snooker?

24. What is the name given to the killing of a brother?

25. Who gave his name to the seventh month?

26. On which island is the volcano Etna sited?

27. How did the Dead Sea get its name?

28. Americans say ‘walk slowly to pick it, run back to cook it’ - what is it?

29. In bingo, what is ‘key of the door’?

30. What, on your body are phalanges?

31. What was the title of The Beatles’ first single?

32. How is halitosis more commonly known?

33. What type of creature is a froghopper?

34. What is it called if you set fire to something maliciously?

35. What is the capital of Austria?

36. How many claws does a cat have?

37. To which body part does the word buccal apply?

38. What dogs does the Queen have?

39. In the Bible, how many people went on board the Ark with Noah?

40. Who is the Bishop of Chelmsford?

(Answers on page 31)

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Page 29

Stargazing With Mark Willis - January/February

Our Winter companions, Ursa Major and Orion Ursa Major is the constellation which contains the Plough which itself is called an asterism. Ursa Major is circumpolar, which means that it never sets in the UK. Orion stays in UK skies between January and March.

How to find Ursa Major (the Great Bear) also known as the Plough: youtu.be/rSLxBaM8Gms. How to find Orion: youtu.be/0FXRAzzFFQ8.

19th February: The galaxy M81, also known as Bode’s Galaxy, will be very well placed in the winter skies. Binoculars, 7x50 or 10x50, will give you excellent views. Even better, a telescope upwards of 150mm will yield an even better view of this 12 million light years distant galaxy.

To find it, look for the Plough which will be standing on its handle.

This video will make it easier for you to find: youtu.be/0ppORbRCkB8.

The advantage of knowing both the constellations, Ursa Major and Orion, is that they help you ‘star hop’, which is a great way to learn

the night sky.

Observing the Moon Winter is a great time to observe the Moon. Avoid observing the Moon when it’s full, as the direct sunlight flattens the lunar surface features. Conditions for observing tend to be best during the crescent, half or gibbous phases. This excellent website from presenter Pete Lawrence on BBC Sky At Night will explain very clearly the best times: www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/how-toobserve-the-moon.

New Moon: On 2nd February and 2nd 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.

Please feel free to email me with any queries and if you have difficulty with the above links. www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com Twitter: @WillisWireless mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

Wildlife Corner - By Nick Green The goldfinch breeds over much of the Western Palearctic from Portugal to around 96 degrees east from the boreal margins south to Mediterranean zones. In Essex, the species is a very common summer visitor and passage migrant - small numbers winter.

Otherwise, in Devon, a buff-bellied pipit.

Identification of this attractive finch is straightforward with the adults having a white, red and black face. The black wings have a broad yellow band with the upperparts being pale brown above, the underparts pale but with brownish flank patches. The vocalisations are typically ‘swilip’ - like our familiar swallow.

The old name of the goldfinch is thistle finch, so not surprisingly it is readily attracted to garden feeding stations with seeds. The species favours niger seed, but try other seeds like peanuts, sunflower seed hearts which most local birds will favour but please be aware of squirrels and cats… I’ve found short, strategically placed and natural branches of Holly and bramble make an excellent deterrent. All birds also appreciate a bird bath, so please also consider this.

Selected December Highlights In Essex, Dengie: 2 red-breasted geese; Bradwell and Canvey Point: little auks; Abberton Reservoir EWT: red-necked and Slavonian and black-necked grebes, up to 7 Bewick’s swans, long-tailed duck, scaup; Wallasea Island RSPB: 3 spoonbills, 10 white-fronted geese, hen harrier; Gunners Park, Shoeburyness: black guillemot (just the 13th county record), razorbills and guillemots, divers; Rainham Marshes: 3 caspian gull, 3 water pipit, RSPB, Dartford warbler.

Nationally, the major rarities included the long staying white-tailed lapwing in East Yorkshire, moving to nearby Lincolnshire across the Humber. Plus in Lancashire, the American belted kingfisher.

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Goldfinches copyright Glyn Evans

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Quiz Answers

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Adele 3 (George V, Edward VIII and George VI) Red pigment or dye Broken eggs in heels The first map of the ticklish areas of skin on the human body Speech Football Larder A slab of timber cut from a tree trunk or a side of bacon 2012 Clockwise (in the northern hemisphere) Hooves or claws Komodo dragon

14 Knee joint 15. Hippocratic oath 16. Richard Starkey 17. Perforations 18. Film actress 19. Cats 20. Clear soup with thin strips of vegetables 21. First are apples, second are potatoes 22. Polo 23. Five 24. Fratricide 25. Julius Caesar 26. Sicily 27. The salt is so strong that nothing can grow in it

28. Sweetcorn 29. 21 30. Sections of a finger 31. Love Me Do 32. Bad breath 33. Insect 34. Arson 35. Vienna 36. 18 (5 on each front plus 4 on each rear paw) 37. Cheek or mouth 38. Corgis 39. Seven 40. Guli Francis-Dehqani

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