The City Times January/February 2017

Chelmsford Beer & Cider Festival

No Open on11p m

Wednesday 15th - Saturday 18th February King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS) Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 3SX

The City Times

Including: Boreham, Broomfield, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, The Walthams and Writtle 10000 copies distributed monthly

Issue Number 40: 20th January - 17th February 2017 TUESDAYS Broomfield Village Hall, 158 Main Road, (behind Angel Pub), Broomfield CM1 7AH 3.00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Victoria 07823 441198

MONDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow, CM2 9RL 9:00am, 11:00am and 1.00pm Lucy 01245 262457 Springfield Community Centre, Perryfields School, Lawn Lane CM1 7PP 5:00pm and 7:00pm Angie 07814 992628 Church of Our Saviour, Ashton Place Chelmer Village CM2 6ST 5.30pm and 7.30pm Emma 07887 692906 Hatfield Peverel Infant School, Church Road, Hatfield Peverel, CM3 2RP 2R 5.30pm and 7.30pm Lesley 07973 239899 Sandon Village Hall, Woodhill Road, Sandon CM2 7SQ 7:00pm Lucy 01245 262457

Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 3.30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm Samantha 01245 266442 WEDNESDAYS WEDNESD Church Of St Augustine Of Canterbury, St Augustines Way, Springfield CM1 6GQ 9:30am and 11:30am Emma 07887 692906 Life Church, Hall Street, off Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 0HG 5:30pm and 7.30pm Angie 07814 992628 Boreham Village Hall, Main Road, Boreham CM3 3JD 5:30pm and 7:30pm Bobbie 07813 324599 Writtle Community Association, Longmeads House, 12-14 Redwood Drive, Writtle CM1 3LY 5.00pm and 7:00pm Jennifer 07792 516866 Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield CM2 6EB 7.30pm Emma 07887 692906

WEDNESDAYS St Michael's Church of England, Junior School, Barnard Road, Galleywood CM2 8RR 7:30pm Sarah 07494 408634 THURSDAYS THURSD Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9.30am Samantha 01245 266442 Newlands Spring Community Hall, Dickens Place, Chelmsford CM1 4UU 5.30pm and 7:30pm Jennifer 07792 516866 North Springfield Baptist Church, Havengore, off o Pump Lane, Springfield CM1 6JP 5.30pm (Session Full ) and 7:30pm Victoria 07823 441198 SpringHealth Leisure Club, Brian Close, Off Gloucester Avenue, Moulsham Lodge CM2 9DZ NEW SESSION 5.30pm and 7.30pm Claire 07852 638666

FRIDAYS The Church Of Ascension, Maltese Road, Chelmsford CM1 2PB 9:15am and 11.15am Samantha 01245 266442

SATURDAYS Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield CM2 6EB 8.30am and 10.30am Emma 07887 692906

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CT Welcome Hello readers Welcome to the January/February edition. We would like to wish you all a healthy and happy 2017 Firstly, a thank you and a welcome. Sadly, Emma Smith is leaving us after many great fashion columns! We would like to thank her for all her hard work over the last few years and we are delighted to welcome Rebecca Forde who will be taking over from her - see her first article on page 4. We also welcome Ellie Searle who will be writing about physiotherapy.

Regards Nick & Paul

www.thecitytimes.co.uk | www.moulshamtimes.com

Advertising Editorial Nick Garner Paul Mclean 07970 206682 07595 949701 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

it’s your media Ltd

Disclaimer: It’s Your Media Ltd publish Chelmsford 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 Printwize.

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Page 3

CT Fashion - Braving the Bargain Jungle – How to Be Savvy in the Sales Well, it’s officially over. The tree has come down, the dec’s are in the loft and we are already a couple of weeks into our New Years’ resolutions. If you’re anything like me, you may have accidentally slipped up with one or two of those already (who really needs to eat kale every day, anyway?) You definitely know you’ve stumbled into January when you’re walking through town and you see a plethora of ‘SALE’ signs in the shop windows, with shoppers dragging out their heavy loot, wide grins pasted on their faces. Love it or hate it, there is something to be said about sales shopping; that sensation of getting a good bargain and the elation you feel when a top/skirt/dress you saw full price is slashed down to less than half price - it’s almost priceless.

But how can you be sure you’re really getting a bargain? This year let’s make sure we’re really using the sales to our advantage and make sure that we’re not just buying into a retail ruse. Let’s be honest, you may not have a lot of cash to spend at this time of year and it’s important to spend it wisely. It’s time to be sales shopping

savvy with the following tips: 1. Firstly, have a plan of action. Make a mental - or, if you’re like me and partial to pen and paper, actually write - a list of things you know you want from the sales. If you want a designer piece, like a handbag or timeless pair of boots, be clear on how much you’re willing to spend. Setting yourself a budget before you leave for the sales is also a great way of staying on track.

2. Make sure you’re buying things for the right reason. In January, we can be quite impressionable and inwardly optimistic perhaps you really want to buy a stylish, staple top, but the ‘you’ you’re trying to create in this new year would really go for the sparkly sequin number that should really only be kept for Christmas. Be true to yourself and choose things you know will suit you. It’s not a bargain if it sits in the wardrobe until your summer clear out.

3. January is the time when shops drag out their old stock in the hope of flogging last season’s (or even last year’s or the year before’s) pieces. Go for the classic cuts and colours that will last - things that you know will complement things you already own. Before you buy an item, imagine where it might fit in your wardrobe and what it would go with. If you can’t come up

with anything, it’s likely to be an impulse purchase that you might regret.

4. Shop online and look for further discounts - sometimes shops have a different amount of stock online, and they can have different prices for the same products on the shelves. Make sure that if there’s something you really want, that you have a shop around before you commit to the purchase especially if it is one of the more expensive pieces.

But how can you be sure you’re buying things that will really stand the test of time? Here are some staple items you could look for if you do decide to combat the sales - the types of pieces that will last you all year and make sure your sales spending is worth suffering the icy weather for: 1. The blazer: Think classic colours such as navy, grey or black and choose a cut that suits you (I personally like a long-line cut, with a belt to bring in my waist). The beauty of a blazer is that they can be teamed with pretty much anything; blazers smarten up a jeans and t-shirt combination, they can be worn over a pretty tea dress to add sophistication and of course, they’re perfect as workwear with smart dresses and heels.

(Check out Wallis at Debenhams’ Grey Zip Midi Blazer - now half price at £20. Item No.36194_241585003).

5. The button up shirt: Shirts don’t need to be kept for work, they can make a casual outfit look crisp and sophisticated.

Try plain, light colours such as cream or white that could even be worn under a jumper or layered under a dress (Dorothy Perkins offer some really attractive, affordable styles. Currently in the sale: Twill Tab Shirt at Debenhams, now only £12. Item No.33678_67238782).

6. Classic flat or trainer: Everybody needs a comfortable shoe, especially in January when everything feels that little bit more difficult. If you’re partial to a trainer, choose white lace ups (a la Victoria Beckham) or if you’re not a huge sportswear fan, aim for a comfortable black or nude timeless loafer.

Styles that will keep you strutting right through to spring: (Kurt Geiger Lace Up Trainers now £25 at Debenhams. Item No.33678_67238782. Carvela Flat ‘Mingle’ Loafer now £49.

Item No.58958_7630000799).

(All prices correct at time of going to print) © Photos: Copyright Debenhams Rebecca Forde is a writer with a penchant for fashion, great literature and drinking a lot of coffee. She writes for pleasure on her blog and is creator of Scribble Panda - a small business offering tutoring and writing services. You can contact her by emailing rebeccaforde@hotmail.co.uk or by checking out her blog at fordethought.wordpress.co.uk.

Page 4

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Music by Nick Garner

Hi all and a very happy, healthy and musically filled 2017 to you all!

I hope you all had a good time over the festive season, I know I did.

We have already kicked off 2017 with a bang at the Bassment on Saturday 7th January, where we had two young local musicians play a double headline show to a packed house which was great to see.

People turned up who had seen and heard about them and everyone went away saying what a great night they’d had.

We started off with the Connor Selby band, Connor is just 19 years old and his playing ability and technique is astounding - it’s amazing that someone so young has so much talent in his finger tips.

Not only is Connor good on the guitar, but he also writes great songs. His band are all very experienced musicians who love to play with him and even include his old music teacher from school on bass - Andy Corby. Jon Getty is on second guitar and Rob Shearer on drums. The style is more on the heavy side of the blues, likened to Led Zeppelin and Cream - and I think they are as good.

and loved guitarists. I hope you can see why we are so excited and with his tour starting to sell, we think you’d better be quick as this is about the smallest gig on his tour! At only £23 for the show it’s certainly a great price to see Albert Lee and his band.

We also have two other great show’s coming up shortly at the football club, with Rebecca Downes (winner of the UK’s Best Female Blues Vocalist and Emerging New Artist of 2016), plus the Dove & Boweevil band who were multi-award nominated in 2015 and 2016. This is a double headliner at Chelmsford FC on Saturday 28th January.

Then on Friday the 24th February we welcome Zoot Money and his Big Roll band. Zoot was a favourite at the Chelmsford Corn Exchange back in the sixties and he played there many times. This is his first time back in Chelmsford for a quite a few decades.

Blues in the City has some good gigs coming up, starting with Todd Sharpville and his band on Thursday 16th February. Todd’s band always consists of some of the best musicians around and this is a great line-up of Mark Mondesir on drums (Jeff Beck), Jake Field on keyboards (Joe Bonamassa and Sandi Thom) and Matt Round on bass (Van and James Morrison). This show is the world preview of songs from Todd’s new album Medication Time, recorded in the USA last year and set to be released this spring. It was produced by Duke Robillard and features top American guest musicians Larry McCray and Sugar Ray Norcia.

We then had 20 year old Joe Anderton and his band. Joe is an all round talent, but as well as playing guitar he also plays bass, drums, harmonicas and keyboards. His style differs to Connor’s, leaning more towards the lighter blues with touches of country and Americana. Joe also has a wonderful band backing him; they are Trev Turley on bass, Dave Tettmar on drums and Andy Hayes on second guitar.

On Saturday 18th March I am putting on the 3rd Essex Delta Blues Day at the Bassment which will run from noon to midnight nonstop over two stages. We will have 18 acoustic and electric acts playing. All the money taken on the door will be going to charity, so all the acts will be playing for free for which I am very grateful for (as I do normally like to pay musicians!).

Until now Guthrie Govan was our world renowned local guitarist, but I think we now have two more just waiting for that break - and I aim to do all I can to help get them both seen and gain the acclaim around the world that they deserve. So keep your ears and eyes open for them.

As ever, please do try to come out and support the great live music scene that we have in Essex, because if you do not we may lose it.

Paul, Trevor (Chelmsford City FC Chairman) and I are really happy that the man that Eric Clapton once described as the world’s best guitarist - double Grammy Award winner Albert Lee and his American band contacted us to say we could offer him a date to play. We jumped at it, so on Thursday 2nd March you can see him live. There will be no support for this show and you can find all the details in the advert in this magazine. Albert, for those who do not know, started out as guitarist for Chris Farlowe’s band the Thunderbirds, back in the sixties. He then formed Heads Hands and Feet with Chas and Dave.

He went on to play with the Crickets, Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton, the Everly Brothers, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, Hogans Heroes and many more. Albert Lee really is one of the world’s most respected

I know there is lots more going on all over the city and surrounding areas, so if you check out our What’s On guide you will find most of them listed - and if you know of anything coming up, whether it is a jam or open mic session or any other kind of gig, please let us know and we will list it for free.

For more information on all of the above and more see the links below and check out our What’s On page to see what else in happening in your area.

Nick www.bluesinthecity.co.uk www.facebook.com/bluesinthecitychelmsford Twitter: @BluesintheCity1 www.itsyourmusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/itsyourmusic Twitter: @itsyourmusic

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CT Gardening by Tom Cole Climbers and wall shrubs need regular pruning in order to promote flowering and maintain both form and habit. The timing of pruning is crucial. If a plant flowers before June it flowers on previous season’s wood and therefore should be pruned immediately after the blooms fade; the wood that develops after pruning in the summer and autumn will flower the following year. If it flowers later in the year it flowers on this season’s wood and should be pruned in early spring to allow time for the flowers to develop.

Another group of plants vying for your attention shortly are the perennials. If you haven’t done so already, start to plan ahead for the growing season. Take a look at these tips for success (take care though as a number of tasks are best done from March onwards):

The majority of climbing roses are ‘modern climbers’, they flower on this season’s wood. Rambling roses flower on previous season’s wood, their training is more informal and pruning can amount to a thorough dead heading.

Weeding Regular weeding will be required, particularly in the spring and early summer.

For climbing roses, establish a permanent framework of canes to train along a wall or fence as horizontally as possible, this increases the number of flowers by breaking apical dominance. Once the framework is established, cut the laterals back to three buds from the main cane and remove one or two of the older canes to ground level in spring. Dead, diseased and damaged wood should also be removed.

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20% discount when you mention The City Times Free written quotes and advice 10 year guarantee on all work 25 years experience Unit 1, The Paddocks, Highwood, Chelmsford, CM1 3PU

Fertilisation An annual application in spring of a balanced fertiliser such as Growmore at 100g/m² or blood, fish and bone at 70g/m².

Staking This is best carried out before required. Materials used range from pea sticks or lengths of hazel coppice, to bamboo canes and metal linking stakes. Staking should be as unobtrusive as possible to allow the natural form of the plant to develop and should be 15-30cm shorter than the ultimate height of the plant. I’ve started to do this now and have combined it with the next task… division.

Division Herbaceous plants require regular division to keep them floriferous and healthy. This is carried out in the autumn or spring. Take a look at this link for further information: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/ profile?pid=363.

Irrigation Irrigation may be necessary in prolonged dry periods or when plants are establishing. Ground level irrigation systems such as porous pipes use water efficiently and do not damage flowers and foliage. As with all irrigation a thorough soaking is preferable to a light sprinkling, in order to encourage plants to develop deep root systems.

Dead Heading Dead head where possible as this will encourage a longer flowering season - grasses can be cut down shortly, or if looking poor now then cut them down to just above the soil surface. Avoid cutting down evergreen rushes and sedges - just rake through with fingers and compost lose material only.

Pests and Diseases Monitor and treat pests and diseases accordingly. Commonly occurring problems include aphids and powdery mildew.

Mulching An annual application of a layer of leaf mould, well rotted farmyard manure or garden compost helps to reduce weed seed germination and conserves soil moisture and improves soil structure. Add mulches in the spring to a depth of 10cm (4”).

Good luck and happy gardening!

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

Page 8 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

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Page 9

CT Food By John Jacobs

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to the first City Times food page of 2017. Only another eleven to go until Christmas... I’ve already seen Easter eggs in the shops; do we need marketing to be this front loaded? A perfunctory straw poll of me says not.

Before considering the downward slide into chocolate based cloaca fodder, we’ve all got to live up to the demanding expectations of our December 31st promises. I’m very fortunate, I have all I could need or want, nevertheless a six-pack and fewer nasal hairs wouldn’t go amiss. I therefore purchased a gentleman’s magazine. Not the type one used to find in hedges back in the 1970s, but one of the ‘achieve those solid abs in ten weeks’ type magazines. The one that a year ago told all men to grow lengthy beards and invest in eyebrow tweezers because the orthodox priest garden gnome look was ‘in’. The magazine that is now suggesting I wear a leatherette choker instead of a tie. I draw the line here (incidentally, whilst we’re off point, I actually had a paid assignment last month - modelling cravats. The face is dodgy but I give good neck).

homemade and heartfelt. A fact you’ll understand when you see how knackered they both are from cooking 24/7. Success hurts. I popped in to try some of their spanakopita and was treated to a selection of stuff one can only describe as ridiculously moreish. Honestly, leave the insulin at home and try the grape preserve. We wish them every success.

Get writing, team Chelmsford. Send me you recipes and award recommendations and anything else food related that we can look to including in our magazine to cctfood@gmail.com.

Have a great month.

Why am I wittering about this? It was while walking Scooby D Jacobs this morning through Hylands Park that I spotted the boot camp attendees being put through their paces. There were literally dozens of happy exhausted people and much like my gym, I suspect come August there’ll be three - maybe four if there’s nothing on the telly.

That is why I have committed to being a wee bit healthier. I’m also committed to bringing you the best of food in the city with more reviews and awards for the best Chelmsford has to offer.

Over the next ten months, we, the team at the City Times, will be visiting restaurants, bars, coffee shops, tea rooms, cafés, burger vans and anything else (with a hygiene certificate) that we can locate. I’ll be penning news and reviews of what’s new and established and trying to find the best of the best. We’d also like your recommendations for your favourite places to eat and hang out. At the end of the year we’ll team up with our panel of foodies and decide on who will receive the inaurgural City Times Food Awards. We’ll publish the details in next month’s issues. There’ll be numerous categories from best takeaway, best dining experience, best homemade food - and best use of seasoning to hide dodgy ingredients.

There are a number of new venues lined up for 2017, so it’s with pleasure that we feature the first of those, namely Stella’s Little bit of Greece on Moulsham Street. A family owned and run business that opened last month to promising reviews. It’s a coffee shop and bakery making authentic Mediterranean pastries, capturing the artisan vibe of Moulsham perfectly. Owners Stella and her husband Kosta are both originally from Greece and just like the most successful independents in Chelmsford, their food is entirely Page 10 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

Beer by Simon Tippler of roundtowerbrewery.co.uk Tryanuary & The Winter Beer and Cider Festival.

January, or as we’ve been calling it Tryanuary (www.tryanuary.co.uk) is nearly over. This isn’t about drinking more, it’s about trying something different, tasting something new and experiencing something interesting. With that in mind, a couple of years ago #Tryanuary was set up by a beer enthusiast on Twitter.

The main idea is to promote local beer, try something new and tell your friends about it.

This month we’ve mainly been trying some of the craft keg offerings in The Ale House, which although not very local (but watch this space) has been very interesting.

We’ve also been getting ready for the Chelmsford & Mid Essex CAMRA 15th Winter Beer & Cider Festival (Wednesday 15th February - Saturday 18th February) by brewing great new beers for you to try.

Brian is keeping the main beer selection under wraps, but you can guarantee that there will be a fantastic selection as usual from local breweries and also from around the country. To go with the beer there will be, as always, mouth watering food from local caters, Hopleaf.

Make sure you get along to it to try out some beers that you’ve not had before and possibly some that you won’t see in this part of the country again for a while.

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What’s On in the Area

January Friday 20th Asylum - Undiscovered: Caution the Band + Gallow Wood + Raz + Sans Wilfred + Tiffany Psycho Bassment - Mother’s Jam Presents: Foxtrot Oskar + Mad Panda Fleece - Funky Bamalam Star & Garter - Fishing 4 Robots Saturday 21st Asylum - Undiscovered: Cannon + Hemmingway + Ivory Towers + Beckie + Hannah Paris + Luke Fisher Bassment - Saturday’s Alright for Dancin’ Black Horse - The Hopkirks Fleece - The Stents Maldon Town Hall - Dick Whittington panto’ Star & Garter - The Strides Sunday 22nd Bassment - Sunday Funday Cramphorn - The Sleeping Beauty (live from the Bolshoi Ballet) Museum of Power - Wassail: Beer, food stalls, folk music Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm) Tuesday 24th Civic - That’ll Be the Day Wednesday 25th Bassment - Independent Venue Week: Bare Traps (more TBA)

The

Black Horse At the Black Horse - This January/February Sat 21st Jan - The Hopkirks Fri 27th Jan - KARAOKE - with the Babbage Crew Sat 28th Jan - The Coyotes.

February Sat 4th Feb - Aces and Eights Fri 10th - KARAOKE - with the Babbage Crew Sat 11th - Just Kidding Sat 18th - Monkies Wedding.

Fri 24th - KARAOKE - with the Baggage Crew Sat 25th - Rural Outcasts.

165 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 0LD Phone: 01245 492954 ww www.blackhorse2015.co.uk

blackhorsechelmsford Page 12

Wednesday 25th (cont...)

Civic - That’ll Be the Day Cramphorn - Lunchtime concert Thursday 26th Asylum - Hemingway Presents: On the Pulse Bassment - Independent Venue Week: Freak + The Horse Heads Fleece - Quiz night Star & Garter - Acoustic Jam Friday 27th Asylum - Whoremoan + Sickfist + Myopic Empire Bassment - Independent Venue Week: Animal Noise + The Witch Kids + Vera Lones Black Horse - Karaoke with the Babbage Crew Civic - John Shuttleworth Cramphorn - Hunt for the Wilderpeople (12A) Fleece - Steal Maldon Town Hall - Dick Whittington panto’ Star & Garter - Fast on the Draw Saturday 28th Asylum - Bearfist EP Launch + Jackknife Seizure + Mercury Rising Bassment - Independent Venue Week: Muertos + Lo Chief + Magic Seas Black Horse - The Coyotes CCFC Home - Chelmsford City v Truro City CCFC - Rebecca Downes + Dove & Boweevil Civic - Room on the Broom Fleece - Head Maldon Town Hall - Dick Whittington panto’ Star & Garter - Kopy Katz Sunday 29th Bassment - Sunday Funday Civic - Room on the Broom Cramphorn - Clark Tracey Quintet with Daniel Casimir, Chris Maddock, James Copus and Harry Bolt Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm) Tuesday 31st Cramphorn - II Trovatore (Live from the Royal Opera House) February Wednesday 1st Bassment - Wallop! - City Of Mine + Jon Ruskin + Alex Fox + Paul Barke Thursday 2nd Bassment - Gringo Star + Mandeville + Mantango + Third Dart Fleece - Quiz Night Friday 3rd Asylum - Litter of Kings + Violent Sky Bassment - Shakey’s Sessions: Shakey’s Sessions - Cohaagen + Sick As Funk + Buddy Lee Dickens + Calum McFee Cramphorn - The Girl on the Train (15) Fleece - Fake 80s Star & Garter - Electrum Saturday 4th Asylum - Analog Bombs Bassment - Bassment Blues Jam Black Horse - Aces and Eights Civic - Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge Star & Garter - Shoasis

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

Sunday 5th Bassment - Sunday Funday Civic - Chelmsford Dance Centre Spectacular Cramphorn - Swan Lake Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm) Woolpack - GC’s Jazz Club with guest, Tim Huskisson (clarinet/ keyboards) & Graeme Culham Trio Tuesday 7th Civic - Hysteria Cramphorn - Things to Come (12A) Wednesday 8th Bassment - Let It Happen! Indie Club Night Civic - Hysteria Cramphorn - Lunchtime concert Thursday 9th Asylum - Acoustic Night: Stephen Rudd + Matt Buckle + Jamie Haines Bassment - Jazz Funk: Roberto Manzin (saxophone) & Paul Higgs (trumpet) Civic - Miles Jupp Cramphorn - My Scientology Movie (15) Fleece- Quiz night Star & Garter - Mojo Moon Friday 10th Asylum - Undiscovered: Three Foot High + Party at Your House + Origami Noise + Castaway Bassment - Electric Jam: Rodney Branigan + Paolo Morena & Friends Black Horse - Karaoke with the Babbage Crew Cramphorn - Frank Sinatra The Movie Years Hylands - Music and Words of Love Star & Garter - Indigo Hammer Saturday 11th Asylum - Steve Hooker Bassment - DMO + Sound Mirrors Black Horse - Just Kidding Civic - Some Guys Have all the Luck Star & Garter - Solar 9 Sunday 12th Bassment - Sunday Funday Woolf Works (pre-recorded from the Royal Opera House) Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm) Monday 13th Altered States presents: The Turnpike Troubadours/The Southern Generals Tuesday 14th Bridget Jones’s Baby (15) Wednesday 15th Bassment - JAR presents: Harper + Raz + Monna Vanna Cramphorn - Lunchtime concert Kegs - Winter Beer & Cider Festival Thursday 16th Bassment - Blues In The City: Todd Sharpville + Roy Mette Fleece - Quiz night Kegs - Winter Beer & Cider Festival

Friday 17th Bassment - ChangesTwoBowie CCFC - Third Annual Clarets Legends Evening Cramphorn - Dare Devil Rides to Jarama Kegs - Winter Beer & Cider Festival Star & Garter - The Stents Saturday 18th Asylum - Jukebox Monkey + Thirteen + Atlas Bassment - Teresa Of Calcutta Black Horse - Monkies Wedding Civic - Academy of Ancient Music: M&G Classical Concert Series Kegs - Winter Beer & Cider Festival Star & Garter - The Mint United Brethran - Jamie Williams Collective Sunday 19th Bassment - Sunday Funday Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm)

Please send us your events for the next edition (for events between 17th February and 19th March) to: editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Chelmsford Winter Beer & Cider Festival Chelmsford & Mid-Essex CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) invite you to join us sampling the delights of real ale and cider with particular emphasis on winter brews at King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS), Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 3SX (near the Chelmsford bus and railway stations) from Wednesday 15th Saturday 18th February, from noon to 11pm each day.

We give you the rare opportunity to try Bartram’s Brewery’s very special Comrade Santa Bartram’s Egalitarian Anti Imperialist Soviet Stout at 8.5, fruity porters, marvellous milds and a full range of real ales straight from the cask.

With over 170 to choose from over the course of festival week, there will be something to please everyone from crisp golden ales, pale ales, bitters, old ales, barley wines with an amazing range from around the country as well as many award winning Essex beers.

The cider bar theme is Fruit ‘n Spice & All Things Nice with a great range of special spiced and fruity ciders, many making an appearance at the Chelmsford festival for the first time. For the romantics out there we have Biddendens Red Love, a truly lovely red luscious cider and many favourites back by popular demand.

FREE for non-members before 6pm and £3 entry after 6pm. Join CAMRA at the event to enjoy free entry to beer festivals and many other benefits. Visit the Membership Stand for details of the Festival Offers, including FREEBIES!

As well as Essex wines from the Felstar Vineyard, we have soft drinks available and various foods at all sessions.

Our charity is CHESS which supports the homeless people of Chelmsford, providing much needed food, clothes, shelter and support. So please give generously into the buckets provided.

Add to your collection or start one with the souvenir tankard or glass for only £3. Or we offer a refundable glass deposit of £3, which you could also donate to the CHESS charity.

hire · sales · install · events sales@eventsoundandlight.com www.eventsoundandlight.com

01245 863 863

Quiz Time - Answers on Page 19 Round 1: London 1. What football club is the oldest in London?

2. Bow Street Runners formed in London in the 1750s are known to us today as what?

3. What famous address is located at postcode SW1A 2AA? 4. Name the river that flows directly outside the 2012 Olympic Stadium?

5. Name the famous jazz club located at 47 Frith Street, Soho?

6. Name the home counties bordering London?

7. What does Paul McCartney wear on his feet on the cover of Abbey Road?

8. What was the name of Dirty Den’s poodle?

9. Name the largest of London’s subterranean river 10. Canary Wharf is in which London borough?

Round 2: Music 11. Who sang with Paul McCartney on We All Stand Together?

12. Who went from being a mechanic in Neighbours to a number one selling singer?

13. What did Elvis Presley never give at a concert?

14. Which popular UK band takes its name from a fictional doctor in Barbarella?

15. Which Jagger/Richards record was at number one in the UK singles chart when England won the World Cup? 16. In The Beatles’ song, When I’m 64, what are the names of the three grandchildren?

17. Rod Stewart’s Sailing was used for a documentary about which ship?

18. Which group took their name from the road where they lived?

19. Which Steve Coogan show used an Abba hit as its title?

20. Which group took their name because they were all huge Manchester United supporters?

Round 3: Real Names (Name the celebrity from their real name) 21. Curtis James Jackson III 22. Peter Gene Hernandez

23. Adam Richard Wiles 24. Andre Romelle Young 25. Declan Patrick Aloysius Macmanus 26. Chaim Weitz 27. Marvin Lee Aday 28. Richard Melville Hall 29. Stanley Kirk Burrell 30. Stevland Hardaway Judkins Round 4: Friends 31. What are the names of Ross’s wives throughout the show?

32. What does Phoebe get tattooed?

33. Who played the keyboard?

34. What is the name of Ross’s monkey?

35. Who was the last to turn 30?

36. Which friend does Ursula date?

37. How many babies were born throughout the seasons?

38. Which friend had no siblings?

39. What were Phoebe’s triplets names?

40. What was Bruce Willis’ character called?

Round 5: General Knowledge 41. Which spice contains crocin?

42. Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams formed which British pop band?

43. What is the name for a word or phrase that is spelled the same forwards?

44. Who had a sword called Excalibur?

45. How many rooms are there in the original version of the game of Cluedo where the murder can take place?

46. The Ivory Coast is the world’s largest exporter of which bean?

47. Which actor once came in second place at the 24 Hours Of Le Mans?

48. Which famous fictional character had a brother named Mycroft?

49. What would you be eating if you ordered pamplemousse in a French restaurant?

50. In 1985 which three acts had hits in the British top 20 with a song entitled The Power of Love?

Looking to extend your property?

By Mike Otter

Adding an extension may seem daunting but with the right advice you can gain the extra space that you want whilst increasing the value of your home.

Key to achieving success is establishing what works best for you, your property and your budget.

At GPO Designs we'll guide you at each step in the development process from the capturing of initial ideas, the production and refinement of plans and through the planning and building control stages. Understanding a design from conventional line drawings can be difficult which is why we work with a three dimensional design system and produce colour visuals as standard -see examples of previous jobs at our Facebook page www.facebook.com/GPODesigns.

GPO DESIGNS Planning for your property Drawings and Building Plans for Planning Permission and Building Regulations: ♦ Extensions ♦ New Builds ♦ Garage Conversions ♦ Loft Conversions ♦ Barn Conversions

Our design service starts with a consultation at your property where we discuss and help to develop your ideas.

Measurements and photographs are then taken to allow us to draw up detailed plans. We communicate with you throughout the design process and only once you are completely happy with the design will we then submit the plans to the Local Authority for approval. We produce plans and details for planning permission, permitted development and building regulations applications.

Our aim is to provide a high quality service at the best possible price. We offer fixed rates for our services and these can be found on our website: www.gpodesigns.co.uk. So if you are looking to build a new house, add an extension or a garden room, or if you want a loft, garage or barn conversion, call Mike or George for a free no obligation quote on 01245 835855, or visit our website for further details of our full range of services. We offer daytime, weekend or evening appointments to suit you.

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CT Business

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Business Interview - Michael Tracy Fabrics by Tom Bosher This month I had the pleasure of Interviewing Michael and Tracy from Michael Tracy Fabrics Ltd. Here is what they had to say about their business.

So when did you open the business?

“We opened the business just over 2 years ago back in September 2014.”

What made you decide to start this? Was it something you had a career in or is it a hobby turned career?

“Well I have done dress making for as long as I can remember, then around 16 years ago I started doing it as a career working from home.

After training Michael up on the dress making we had the opportunity to actually open the shop, so it was more progression, we had the workshop at home and then felt there was a need in the area for good fabrics so took the opportunity.”

Can you tell us about the range of fabrics you supply?

“Ok, we concentrate on dress making rather than craft and furnishing fabrics so we do bridal, fashion, costume and dance fabrics. Because we are small we can’t keep as much stock as we would like, but if people ask for something we will always try to source it for them.”

Would it be fair to compare your dress making with Savile Row Bespoke Tailoring? I say this because of your design, making and fabric sourcing services.

“Well, Savile Row would be more tailoring and we don’t tend to do that, we are more women’s dress making. We have really done everything from bikinis up to wedding dresses. Bridal and special occasion is more our specialist area. Saying that, since we have opened the shop we have had requests for all sorts of weird and wonderful things as well as clothes, we tend not to say no to anything.”

So do you also provide the accessories for dressmaking?

“Yes we do haberdashery as well so we have zips, threads etc but we can always source what ever the customer would need, this also helps us build up our range that way.”

Where do you source your fabrics from?

“Various places, we have several different suppliers which are all in England, we don’t import anything. We are always on the look out for new suppliers however to keep our ranges up to date.”

So what makes you business unique?

“I think certainly our personal service, the fact that we are willing to look for fabrics if we don’t have them in stock, we will always try our very best to help people find exactly what they are looking for.

We give a lot of free advice if people aren’t quite sure what they are doing. We will spend a lot of time with customers going through things and explaining anything that they need a bit of help with. They are welcome to come in anytime, so yes our personal service is what I think make us unique. We like to say once your gone you’re not gone, you can always come back, our advice doesn’t cost anything.”

Do you run any classes here for people interested in sewing and dressmaking?

“Yes. We run a sewing club every Tuesday night from 6:30pm 9:30pm, its £10 for a session and you can do what ever you want. It’s a drop in club so you don’t have to sign up for 6 weeks or anything like that, you can just come along on the night. The people that come

like the fact that they are not tied down to anything, if you can’t come one week it doesn’t matter. You can bring you own projects and get help with them, learn to do pattern cutting or using the machines. You can do anything from sewing on a button to making your own wedding dress. There is no limit on what people can do.

Come along tell us what you want or are trying to do and we will do our best to help you. It’s fairly new as we started it around October time, but It has been great fun and we have some lovely ladies that come along and we have a good laugh.”

What does the future hold for Michael Tracy Fabrics?

“We hope to expand and we would like to increase our ranges of fabrics. We are always looking for new fabrics and there are so many more we would like to get in. To us everything is fabric; we love it and would love to be able to supply everything. So yes, to increase but also to expand on the lessons. We love people coming in to learn new skills - teaching people how to do it themselves is great to do. Sewing had slowed down for a while but now it is becoming very popular again.”

Finally, what made you open up in Chelmsford?

“We are local. It wasn’t an easy choice as it is a lot cheaper to go elsewhere but we really did feel Chelmsford needed a business with the services we supply.”

It was great meeting up with Michael and Tracy to learn more about what they do. Michael and Tracy are yet again another great example of a thriving local Chelmsford business.

For regular updates please see their Facebook page at www. facebook.com/michaeltracyfabrics, or visit their website, www. michaeltracyfabrics.co.uk.

bestofchelmsford What is thebestof Chelmsford? The answer is we’re more than we may seem. At one level we’re here to promote and support the best local businesses not just in Chelmsford city but the surrounding areas as well. We want to get our businesses noticed and more importantly used, we strongly believe in ‘buy local’. It means that more of the £ you spend in our local area remains locally. This helps our local economy and employment prospects and encourages new businesses and helps to retain existing ones. We’re not a web directory with endless lists, we only wish to work with a limited number of each business type. We know all our members personally.

That’s the business side of things. We are also a community hub working with organisations which are important to local people. We want to make people aware of the great things that volunteers do on behalf of their charities and societies which make a difference to the lives of local people. We also want everyone to know what’s happening in our area from bootfairs to sewing circles, our events pages are packed with details. These pages are free to post events on so if you’ve got something happening get in touch with us. We can help.

The bestofChelmsford - there’s more to us than you think.

Call us on 01245 701 020 or email us at chelmsford@thebestof. co.uk.

Page 18

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Quiz Answers 1.

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Fulham Police Downing Street Lea Ronnie Scotts Essex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Berkshire Nothing Roly Fleet Tower Hamlets The Frog Chorus Kylie Minogue An encore Duran Duran Out of Time - Chris Farlowe Vera, Chuck and Dave HMS Ark Royal All Saints Knowing Me Knowing You Simply Red 50 Cent Bruno Mars Calvin Harris Dr Dre Elvis Costello Gene Simmons Meat Loaf Moby MC Hammer Stevie Wonder Carol, Emily and Rachel A lily Ross Marcel Rachel Joey 7 Chandler Chandler, Leslie and Frank Jr Jr Paul Stevens Saffron Take That Pallindrome King Arthur 9 (Kitchen, ballroom, conservatory, dining room, billiard room, library, lounge, hall and study) Cocoa bean Paul Newman Sherlock Holmes Grapefruit Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Jennifer Rush and Huey Lewis and the News

Physiotherapy by Ellie Searle Let me introduce myself: I am Ellie Searle, an expert Physiotherapist living and working in Chelmsford. I run Stretch Physio, a private practice in Writtle and I am Kellie Jones’ partner at Hummingbird Pilates and Yoga. I also work in the NHS as an ESP physiotherapist, which is a specialist role where I can order MRI scans, x-rays, ultrasound scans and blood tests to help the diagnosis and treatment planning of patients with complex problems.

I have Masters and Undergraduate Degrees in physiotherapy and am passionate about the importance of good health, wellbeing and doing what you can to help yourself.

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to write for the City Times and hope to inspire you to be fit, healthy and active. I’m going to use my column to share with you some top tips on how to manage common aches and pains. I’ll cut through the medical jargon in research

papers and news stories to give you up-to-date information on the problems that affect so many of you. I’ll offer you science based advice to help you to recover from pain and keep doing the things that you love.

I believe that no matter what, given the right help and advice, most people can live happier, healthier lives free from pain - or at least, with the right tools reducing the impact that pain has on their lives.

I’ll sign of today with one of my favorite quotes by AJ Reb Materi: “So many people spend their health gaining wealth, and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health.” For most of us, living a healthier lifestyle would avoid so many of the most common health problems so if I can inspire you to be healthier this new year - I’ll feel that writing to you once a month will be worthwhile! www.stretchphysio.co.uk info@stretchphysio.co.uk 01245 505 866

www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

Page 19

therapy by Jenny Hartill Hypnosis has been around for a lot longer than you might realise. As it’s a new year I thought I would give you all a little background to the origins of hypnosis, yes they may seem a little weird to us today but hopefully also an interesting read.

We can trace the use of hypnosis as far back as ancient Egypt. We know this because the Demotic Magical Papyrus depicts a young boy being led into a trance like state so that he could contact the gods. Reportedly, the ancient Egyptians would use slaves to receive prophecies and visions as well as converse with the spirit world and one of the ways that they apparently did this was to encourage the slave to stare into a flame until they went into a trance like state where they would be able to ‘contact the spirit world’.

Using the flame of a candle in this way is rarely used today, most hypnotherapists use the more conventional approach of progressive muscle relaxation and then a deepener.

Mesmerism was an early form of hypnosis (named after Franz Anton Mesmer born 1734). Although Mesmer has been highly credited with his devotion to his patients, unfortunately some believe he is also where the weird and wonderful myths around hypnosis began.

To demonstrate why, here is an example of one of his theories and subsequent experiments: Franz Mesmer firmly believed that disease was caused by an imbalance of an invisible magnetic fluid that was contained in all living and non-living things and he initially treated his patients with magnets. He surmised that the body must have two poles like a magnet and must, like a magnet, be emitting an invisible magnetic ‘fluid’. According to Mesmer, disease was due to some interruption or maladjustment in the flow of this ‘fluid’ and it therefore be cured by correcting the flow. Mesmer used an apparatus which he called a baquet, an oak tub filled with iron filings and broken glass. Protruding from the wooden top were dozens of bottles with the necks pointing in the direction of the patients. Placed inside the bottles were many iron rods whose purpose, according to Mesmer’s theories, was to spray magnetic rays on the subject. These bottles were filled with supposedly magnetised water.

The patients gathered round the baquet, each holding the hand of the patient on either side, the whole party forming a kind of ‘magnetic ring’. Ethereal soft music would play and the lights dimmed. Some of the patients would start singing during these strange seances.

Inevitably, a few patients experienced spasms or a ‘crisis’ after which they would emerge from the experience feeling improved in health.

Now, if that ain’t a little strange, even for the 18th century, I don’t know what is!

Next we move on to James Braid, The Scottish surgeon who coined the term ‘hypnotism’ in his unpublished Practical Essay on the Curative Agency of Neuro-Hypnotism (1842) as an abbreviation for ‘neuro-hypnotism’, meaning ‘sleep of the nerves’. Braid fiercely opposed the views of the mesmerists, especially the claim that their effects were due to an invisible force called ‘animal magnetism’, and the claim that their subjects developed paranormal powers such as telepathy. Instead, Braid adopted a skeptical position, attempting to explain the mesmeric phenomena on the basis of well-established laws of psychology and physiology. Hence Braid is regarded by many as the first true hypnotist as opposed to the mesmerists and other magnetists who preceded him.

Braid ascribed the ‘mesmeric trance’ to a physiological process resulting from prolonged attention to a bright moving object or similar object of fixation. He suggested that ‘protracted ocular fixation’ fatigued certain parts of the brain and caused a trance - a ‘nervous sleep’ or ‘neuro-hypnosis’. Later, Braid simplified the name to ‘hypnotism’ (from the Greek ὕπνος hypnos, ‘sleep’). Finally, realising that ‘hypnotism’ was not a kind of sleep, he sought to change the

name to ‘monoideism’ (‘single-thought-ism’), based on a view centred on the notion of a single, dominant idea; but the terms ‘hypnotism’ and ‘hypnosis’ have persisted.

Reportedly, James Braid developed his technique of hypnosis after witnessing a stage performance by the travelling Swiss magnetic demonstrator Charles Lafontaine in November 1841. Throughout the 20th century, despite adopting the term ‘hypnotism’, stage hypnotists continued to explain their performances to audiences by reference to supernatural powers and animal magnetism.

Stage hypnotists have shocked and impressed us with their seeming control over their subjects and because of this hypnotherapy to many, even in the 21st century, is still an enigma. Some don’t understand what it is, what it involves and the benefits hypnotherapy can have.

Some are simply too afraid to even entertain the idea of a hypnotic trance. Although stage hypnotists seem to do amazing things and because we want to believe in amazing things, this has led to certain myths about hypnotherapy and hypnosis.

I am a qualified hypnotherapist with distinction, my qualification is HypDipCS meaning Hypnotherapy Diploma with Counselling Skills (although I also have an advanced diploma in counselling and psychotherapy) and I have come across many a myth. I still encounter people who are shocked and impressed at my ability to hypnotise people. I am still surprised that people continue to believe in stage hypnosis, that hypnotherapy is in any way similar to stage hypnosis!

We are therapists, we wouldn’t be regulated by professional bodies and have actual real-life diplomas if we weren’t here to help people.

Does Derren Brown have a diploma in hypnotherapy? No he does not.

Is he a hypnotherapist? No, he is not. He is a very talented performer who uses the theories of hypnosis to great effect, but what he does and what hypnotherapists do are completely different. Remember, hypnoTHERAPY. In the dictionary ‘therapy ‘means: ‘treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder’. Hypnosis has it’s roots in this from Mesmer, and before him Father Maximilian Hell who got Mesmer interested in magnetism. Hypnosis may seem like a weird and wonderful thing that is completely out there. In fact in modern times, due to the fact we can now monitor brain waves, we can prove that hypnosis is the most natural thing in the world. In fact, you are in a state of hypnosis each time you are about to drift off to sleep. Hence, everyone can be hypnotised. You experience it everyday.

If anyone is interested in seeing a therapist, I own and run Chelmsford Therapy Rooms. We have a range of therapists that can help with a multitude of issues. We offer many therapies from hypnotherapy to counselling to nutrition. Please see the website www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@ chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162.

Hypnotherapy, Counselling, Nutrition

Call 0330 100 5162 to book an appointment or email info@chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk

Page 20

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Page 21

Fitness and Well-Being

New Year’s Revolution - Re-Love-Ution by Kellie Jones Happy happy 2017 everyone! It has been an incredibly different holiday period for me this year due to feeling so healthy, happy and grateful.

With my #selfloveplan well underway I actually taught some classes over Christmas for the first time ever, not because I needed to but because I was so excited to actually feel energetic enough to want to give. This is totally due to taking a radically different approach to how life should be and making my own rules about how I want to feel each day. I sincerely hope and pray that you are healthy and happy too as we enter not just a new year but what I strongly believe to be the start of a global paradigm shift, (a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions).

New Year’s resolutions seem to be something that we have had to do alone with our own willpower and if we fail to keep it up then we are somehow lacking in strength of character, (see meaning below). This approach is just destined to bring about a feeling of ‘not good enough’.

Resolution noun: 1. A firm decision to do or not to do something.

Synonyms: intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, aspiration, design, purpose, object, plan.

2. The quality of being determined or resolute.

Synonyms: determination, purpose, purposefulness, resolve, resoluteness, single-mindedness, strength of will, strength of character, will power, firmness, firmness of purpose, fixity of purpose, intentness, decision, decidedness.

Revolution noun 1. A forcible overthrow of a social order, in favour of a new system.

Rebellion, revolt, uprising, mutiny, rising.

One of the most noticeable changes I have witnessed by spending purposeful time taking care of myself, is the effect it has had on those around me. I am certain that part of the positive changes for me have come through choosing to spend more time with those that raise my energy and less time with those who deplete it. There is something incredibly energising and almost euphoric when you have received as much love and support as you have given. How would it be if we were to overthrow the social conditioning of the past few thousand years by rebelling against feeling bad! The prime message of the Hummingbird animal totem is: ‘The sweetest nectar is within’. They remind us to seek out the good in life and the beauty in each day, not something that is actively encouraged by our current social systems!

At Hummingbird we aim to do everything in our power to alter the course of that, not just by offering classes and workshops but to grow a community where we support each other’s recovery, from the feeling of not being good enough to feeling amazing, connected and recognised for our individuality.

To find out more go to www.hummingbirdyoga.co.uk, or call 01245 422 556 or just get started by downloading the Hummingbird Pilates Yoga app at Apple or Google Play.

3 Ne M 0D w em a C l be ys ien r Un t O (T s & h lim ff C 's i ap p pl f ite er y) o r d £3 5

For the past 2 years I have been on an intense journey of self-study or what yogi’s know as the 4th Niyama, Swadhyaya. We can often go through life without looking deeply within ourselves. The yogi is encouraged to engage in self-reflection by analysing the impact we have on others through our thoughts, words and actions. With a noticeable rise in the popularity of yoga and meditation, it is clear we

are searching for more than just a quick fix. According to a 2016 Yoga in America study there are 36.7million US yoga practitioners - up from 20.4million in 2012!

Pilates, Yoga, Meditation Book your space online or call: Small Classes & 1-2-1’s www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk Inspirational Teachers 01245 422556 Friendly, Community Vibe Reeds Farm Estate, Writtle, CM1 2ST Page 22

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Time to give HIIT a miss? some form of HIIT.

Now that we’re into the new year, I’m sure many of you will have started some sort of exercise regime - and just like a seaside fortune teller using their astonishing ability to balance probability, I’m going to guess that your new exercise regime is probably

HIIT is an acronym for High Intensity Interval Training, whereby high intensity bouts of exercise are interspersed with lower intensity periods of rest or recovery.

Now before you marvel at my divine ability as a clairvoyance and beg me to read your palm, I must confess that the reason I knew your new exercise regime would be a form of HIIT is because nowadays you simply can’t set foot in a gym without someone banging on about its super powers.

Go on social media and you see celebrity personal trainers and their devout followers evangelically banging on about HIIT, HIIT and blimmin’ more HIIT. In a bid to seek refuge from this bombardment, you switch on the TV only to find another personal trainer trying to flog you a fitness DVD which surprise, surprise is all based on HIIT - but is all this fuss warranted?

On the face of it probably yes. Search the internet for its benefits and more fitness professionals appear extolling its virtues than a Premier League footballer has cars! According to renowned fitness expert Brad Schoenfeld, HIIT trumps traditional steady state cardio’ (running, jogging, cycling at ‘lowish’ intensities) because it burns more calories and requires about half the time. (There are numerous other benefits too and I urge you to check out Brad’s website for more info on this www.lookgreatnaked.com).

However, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention at this point that equally renowned expert Lyle McDonald refutes the grandness of many of these claims. Check out his excellent website for more info on this - www.bodyrecomposition.com.

So, is there a down side to HIIT? Oh yes, there most certainly is and it can mean different things to different people. For example, if you’re new to exercise and approach training in a balls-out type of manner, HIIT, if done in the high doses and at the frequency that many personal trainers recommend, can lead to overtraining and injury and even quitting altogether.

Conversely, if you have what in polite society is described as a laissezfaire attitude towards training and you approach HIIT with the same level of motivation as a prisoner on death-row, you’ll end up doing low intensity work for even less time than if you were doing steady state cardio. In which case you may be better off sticking to steady state cardio and forgetting about HIIT altogether.

prudently. If you’re a beginner, in a bid to stave of injury and overtraining, keep the work time relatively low and rest high, something like a ratio of 1:4 work:rest is generally a good starting point and as you get fitter try to reduce your ratio of rest.

But if you don’t enjoy the ‘go hard or go home’ training approach then don’t do HIIT. The key to effective training is sustainability and if HIIT doesn’t float your boat stick to the steady state cardio’ as there may not be that much of a difference between that an HIIT with regards to calorie burn after all.

In conclusion…

HIIT is a welcome form of training which I personally utilise a lot with my own training, but just because its espoused incessantly by social media fitness ‘experts’ it most certainly doesn’t mean it’s the only way or the correct way to train given an individual’s circumstances!

I approach HIIT with my clients in much the same way as I approach watching comedian David Walliams. Given the right circumstances HIIT can be very effective - just as (at times) David Walliams can be very funny. But unfortunately, his persona based largely on ‘is he straight/is he gay’ soon becomes very boring and hard for my head to handle, just as too much HIIT becomes too hard for many people’s bodies to handle!

To book your free personal training session, or to book a place at my boot camp class, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

If you enjoyed reading this, please tell your friends and please follow me on social media too!

Thanks for reading!

Matt matt@mlrpt.co.uk, www.mlrpt.co.uk, 07939 316 401, www.twitter. com/mlrpt, www.facebook.com/mlrpt, www.twitter.com/mlrpt.

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Rubbish. Sprinters always perform HIIT and they’re really fit and don’t suffer from overtraining!

I hear this argument lots and up to a point it’s correct - sprinters do largely train using HIIT and as a former sprinter I should know.

But believe me, a large amount of our training was not performed using the ridiculously tough protocols which many personal trainers advocate for fat loss.

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No, our training was based largely around working at ‘maximumish’ levels for anywhere between 10 - 30 seconds with recoveries of up to 3 - 6 minutes in between. So overall, far less intense than many people might think.

So, it’s all a question of Intensity then?

Yes, and personal preference. HIIT has many benefits if used

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by Stephen Norris - Crompton Company Part 3 This article covers the history of the Crompton Company from the opening of its new works in Writtle Road to the Second World War including its merger with the Parkinson Company.

The firm experienced a particularly bad year financially in 1896 when it made a loss of £10,000. Although this was largely due to the fire, even before this the firm was struggling to get a return on its capital investment. In 1898 Crompton commented: “Two years ago the demand for small generating plant closed up... Consequently all the machinery that we used for manufacturing the smaller class of generating plant seemed likely to remain idle”. Some of the directors were evidently worried. Crompton argued that the move would save on transport costs because the new works would be nearer the railway line. The new works were being built using non-flammable materials but other economies had to be made.

A works at Hove had to be sold because this was making the domestic appliances that were not selling in any appreciable quantities. Other subsidiaries were sold in the following few years and competition was increasingly fierce. Crompton tried to get an agreement with his fellow manufacturers to try to get better terms from their municipal buyers. During March 1898 an agreement to strengthen the position of the manufacturers was agreed. In practice this attempt at oligopoly control had little effect. A new attempt in 1902 floundered because firms like British Westinghouse, that were bigger than the Crompton Company, were not party to the agreement.

For several years in the early 1890s the Crompton Company found it difficult to borrow money. In 1888/9 £25,000 was raised on 5% debenture shares but an attempt to raise another £25,000 later in 1890 was less successful. By March 1891 only £10,800 of them had been sold. In the autumn of 1891 the company attempted to sell £50,000 of preference shares but they sold badly, forcing the company a year later to try to sell £100,000 of ordinary shares.

Another £100,000 debenture issue was never completely sold.

Crompton’s, like other firms in the industry, had to borrow to finance stock, work in progress and loans to purchasing companies. The company was hampered by the period of production being long and by the fact that payments were never made until the plant had been working some time. These were the reasons that potential shareholders didn’t always see the company as a gold plated investment. Crompton didn’t have the access to the type of industrial banks that were prevalent in Germany or the patronage of a financial powerhouse like the Morgan interests which supported General Electric in the United States. These financial difficulties caused a deterioration of the relations between the old partners in the original firm, Crompton and Albright, and the new commercial directors.

These disagreements caused Albright to resign in 1898. Crompton stayed to look after the technical side, but took progressively less part in the commercial affairs of the company.

There was a massive shift in the running of the company as engineers ceased to manage it; this was carried out by businessmen who saw management of the company as their function. This change was illustrated by a speech by Lord Emlyn, who by 1898 was chairman of the company: “In the early days, there was a great deal of experimental work to be carried out... It required a great deal of application and attention on the part of those who were responsible for technical details and there is no doubt that while the technical side of your business has been developed to the very highest state of efficiency, the business side got into a somewhat confused condition.” The board resolved to appoint a General Manager “who would not be a member of the board but open to every possible criticism”. Doubtless Emlyn was right to a considerable extent and mistakes had been made.

Some technical developments had been followed by the company without consideration of profit and loss. The establishment of an electric cooking and heating department was an example of this.

Crompton thought this department was going to be more important than electric power. Emlyn thought the answer was a rigid separation between the two sides of the business, the technical and the commercial, not the development of commercial engineers.

Undoubtedly business problems played a part in Crompton getting involved with the army again. He was asked to lead a corps of electrical engineers to South Africa during the Boer War. Many of the men in the corps came from Chelmsford with a recruitment office established in the town. Crompton was responsible for some good bridge building, lighting and telegraph repairs. The company’s searchlights were extensively used and Crompton’s involvement in the war led him to design wagons for the transport of supplies and lightweight engines for hauling guns. All this meant he spent less time on electrical work for his company.

While he was away, an extension of the new Writtle Road Arc Works was carried out. The main area of the works was increased by 50%.

The following year the board bought an additional ten and a half acres adjoining the works. Part of the old Anchor works was still being used by the Chelmsford Electrical Lighting Co with their generating station positioned there. By this time, over one thousand workers were employed at the Writtle Road works, having doubled in the previous decade. The depression of 1904 led to the works laying off a number of workers, but a £40,000 order from Calcutta and a new contract with the Admiralty saved the firm from serious difficulties.

This didn’t prevent the company from posting a low dividend of two and a half percent. Despite its overall expansion the company, like the rest of the electrical engineering industry, was affected by the trade cycle. Two years after this business low the company’s order books were full.

During the Edwardian period, Crompton’s reduced involvement with the company led to him extending his other interests. He had been one of the founders of the Royal Automobile Club. Crompton was a judge at the first Motor Show in 1903 and the first President of the Institute of Automobile Engineers in 1907 and he was an adviser to the Ministry of Transport from its inception. Crompton also developed a fully electric omnibus. His technically inquisitive nature never left him and he investigated the problem of road surfaces. Before 1914 he was busy establishing an international consulting practice on road construction, but unfortunately the war put an end to this venture.

Crompton’s concern at the lack of standardisation in British industry led to his involvement with the establishment of the Engineers Standardisation Association.

During the First World War the Chelmsford works was a controlled establishment under the Munitions of War Act but still produced some electrical equipment for use in the war. During this war the firm increased its output by 96%. The company exploited its position to the full and was subjected to the excess profits tax. Like the other major works, the company was threatened by an acute labour shortage as workers joined the army. By the end of the war there were hundreds of women working at the factory. As in Chelmsford’s other big firms, all the workers who went off to war were promised that their jobs would be given back to them when they returned and as a result of this most of the women lost their jobs after the war.

As with Marconi however, their manual dexterity meant that they retained a foothold at the works. By the 1930s a third of all workers at the main works were women.

While Crompton ran the company, he had taken a strong anti-union stance and had done his utmost to prevent the Amalgamated Society of Engineers from getting a foothold at the Chelmsford works. After he left, the company’s increased unionisation was accompanied by several instances of industrial unrest as workers in the major works in the town were increasingly affected by the vagaries of cyclical economic activity. A strike of moulders at the works in 1920 disrupted production for some months afterwards.

1920 saw a short lived post-war economic boom, which led the

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company to not being able to meet all the demand for its products.

September of that year saw a dispute between the Electrical Trades Union and the National Employers Federation. Crompton had hundreds of ETU members and although some workers left the union, the firm made it clear that they would impose a lock-out if a dispute started. In the event the national dispute was settled. Two years later however, the deep recession which affected electrical engineering as much as other industries led to a real dispute. This led to a lock out of workers at the Arc Works as well as at Marconi. During the General Strike, the firm managed to carry on comparatively unaffected despite restrictions on the supply of coal for the foundry used by the firm.

The merger of the firm with F and A Parkinson Limited of Guisely, Yorkshire occurred in 1927. An amalgamation of some type was well overdue. The first two decades of the century had seen a strong movement towards concentration in the electrical engineering industry. By this time the Crompton Company was a fairly small and uncompetitive concern. In 1919 the Armstrong Whitworth Company had proposed a limited merger with the firm, but although they bought some shares in the Crompton Company, this came to nothing. Parkinson was a fairly new company concentrating on the manufacture of alternating current motors. In terms of capital assets, Crompton was by far the bigger company with shares worth almost half a million pounds. Parkinson’s shares, in contrast, were worth only £83,000. The latter however, was the more profitable company, with profits averaging almost £33,000 in the previous two and a half years. Crompton’s profits had averaged just over £21,000 over the three previous years.

The company’s shareholders accepted the deal immediately. It was agreed that what was needed was a stable board of directors, although Crompton returned to the board in 1928. The merger was followed by an increase in exports, but competition was intense and prices low. Despite this, the year after the merger the new firm’s profits were £70,000 which compared favourably with the previous year’s total profits of the two separate companies combined. The years following the merger saw the company expand their Chelmsford works considerably so that by the time of their diamond jubilee in 1938 it covered fourteen and a half acres. In total 1,400 men and women were employed at the works. The firm also had works at Guisely, plus the British Electric Transformer Company at Hayes and the Derby Cable Works. Nationwide, the firm employed 5,000 people. By this time the firm was producing AC and DC motors and generators, auto synchronous machines, switchgear instruments, ceiling fans, transformers and lamps. The firm had increased standardisation and there was an increased use of conveyors in production at Chelmsford.

office boy, but his parents paid for him to go to evening classes four nights a week to train as a draughtsman and he was then assigned to a drawing board. Mrs Sybil Olive worked for the firm when it was taken over by the government in the Second World War. She helped make winding gear for planes, which was purely manual work.

There were a wide variety of women on the production lines. Olive had a ‘posh’ lady on one side of her and a country girl on the other. Before the Second World War the TGWU did not allow female members, but Olive became a shop steward during it. She had to work one month day shifts and then one month nights. Conditions were poor and the pay low, lower than the men. The men were not helpful to the women when they were new to the work.

Crompton’s Arc Works was bombed many times during the war but no serious damage was done. Crompton had moved from London at the start of the war back to his native Yorkshire and he died in February 1940. During the war the Writtle Road works were targeted a number of times by German bombers, but little damage was caused.

February/March Issue Deadlines: Artwork - 9th February Articles - 3rd February

Despite the depression the company generally performed well in the 1930s. In 1936 profits rose by £110,000 to £353,000. The dividend rose to twelve and a half percent. All its factories, including Chelmsford, were operating at full capacity. In 1938 there was a link up between Callender’s Cables and Construction Co Limited, which fell some way short of a merger. This made sense because there had been a good deal of competition between Callender and Derby Cables, a subsidiary of Crompton Parkinson.

By the 1930s every male worker could qualify for a pension at 60 instead of, as previously, at 65. This could be up to half his salary.

Female workers were also being admitted to the scheme. One of the other features of employment at the Arc Works was that, although there were numerous examples of long service, many workers had spells at the other major works in the town. Philip Bartlett for example worked for the company in the 1930s, but after a spell unemployed he went to work for Hoffmann during the war. Cliff Bohannon worked for over twenty years at different times at both Crompton Parkinson and Marconi. Many however, worked their way up the company’s employment ladder. Vic Hales first got a job with the company as an www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

Page 27

Rotary - Polio Bears Raising Money Someone in the hierarchy of Rotary thought it would be a good idea to give every club a bear to use in any way they thought appropriate to raise money and awareness of Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign. Bears are being distributed by the District Governor as he visits individual clubs, so some have had theirs since the beginning of July, the start of the Rotary year, whilst a few have still to receive one.

Here is a progress report of what the 5 bears in Chelmsford have been up to so far.

Chelmsford Mildmay was very fortunate in that DG Terry Dean visited the club early in his year bringing ‘no name’ polio bear with him. The initial fundraising was to run a competition to name him (£1 a suggestion) which led to the name of Fred Bear. He lives with President Brenda Stroud who keeps his social diary. Club members can rent his time to take him out for fundraising and awareness raising. He has done a fair amount of both - his highest earnings so far was when guest of honour at a member’s wedding. Fred has already built up a substantial email correspondence, some comical, some serious, including conversations with people who are not members of Rotary. So far, he has raised £380 and rising.

Since becoming the newest member of Chelmsford Phoenix, Susie Bear has really been getting around. Her first engagement was the district conference which she attended along with her doppleganger, Club President, Kathryn. Since her first engagement, she has made appearances at club meetings and other events. She did us proud at the District Council meeting by getting a seat in the Ken Buck Ice bucket, helped planting crocuses at Hyde Hall, got involved in a broadcast at BBC Essex and was even a competitor at Hadleigh Castle race night. All the activity tired her out and she decided to take a holiday in the sun. She had a good week being centre of attention in sunny Benidorm (we have numerous photos in her bathing togs). Since returning from her holiday she has again thrown herself back into the swing of things. Susie helped out at Children in Need and at the end of November she welcomed the Mayor to the annual mulled wine stall In Chelmsford as part of the Christmas lights event. That gave Susie a taste for such lights and at the beginning of December she joined other members of the club on a weekend jaunt to Prague. Susie had certainly been a busy bear since joining the club, but in that she is really only keeping pace with the other members.

Miguel from Chelmsford appears to like a tipple. Here he is helping to sell raffle tickets at Chelmsford’s Jazz Night. He was given his name after suggestions were put into a hat. Apparently someone has a Spanish boyfriend.

Chelmer Bridge have named their bear Roger. He has only recently joined the club so hasn’t been up to much yet but we are sure he will soon become one of the most active members.

The other Chelmsford based Rotary club is Chelmsford Rivermead but we have no news at all on their bear. Perhaps he or she is very shy and has not yet made a public appearance.

There is of course, a serious message behind this fun way of raising funds. Eradication of polio has been Rotary’s principal aim since 1985 when 1,000 new cases every day - yes, 365,000 cases a

year - was the norm. Now we are down to just 35 cases in 2016 so the job is nearly done, but to complete the promise Rotary made all those years ago, there needs to be one final push. The virus is so virulent that until there are NO new cases there is every likelihood polio will return in great numbers - and immunisation is difficult in the three remaining endemic countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. To keep the message fresh, the bears were someone’s good idea and there have been so many ways the bears have been used to raise awareness of the project in Chelmsford and beyond.

If you think you would like to get involved with Rotary whilst having a great social life with new found friends visit www.chelmsfordrotary1240.org or call me on 01245 260 349.

Stan Keller

Wildlife Corner

by Nick Green

December actually experienced some rainfall and frost, but Essex’s reputation as the driest county remained untarnished and river levels remained low.

The hen harrier is a fairly common passage migrant and winter visitor to Essex. Unfortunately at its breeding grounds further north, there is habitat destruction and persecution.

Grouse moors and paying customers, gamekeepers and hen harriers do not mix. The adult male is mainly grey with black (primary) flight feathers while females and juveniles are mainly browner - all birds have a distinctive white rump. The best chance of seeing this attractive species is mainly on the coast, but inland records are not unusual. In winter, the most regularly visited county site must now be Wallasea Island RSPB in the Southend area - the habitat not surprisingly supports a healthy vole population, hence the supporting cast of marsh harriers and short-eared owls.

Please google ‘Wallasea Island RSPB’ for visiting details.

Recent Essex Wildlife News The most noteworthy December 2016 bird news: A waxwing invasion alas did not materialise, but there were scattered reports of small numbers around the county. Otherwise selected highlights include great white egret, glossy ibis and white-fronted geese at Vange Marsh RSPB. And recently up to 9 short-eared owls and 4 (1 male please see photo above) hen harriers at Wallasea Island RSPB, twite and corn buntings. The Thames and Blackwater estuaries have excelled with common and velvet scoters, long-tailed ducks, grebes and divers.

The star county rarity of the month undoubtedly was the American slate-coloured Junco hyemalis on the 8th, the first record at West Mersea, that only a few lucky local birders could appreciate.

Abberton Reservoir. Recent winter visitors recorded include blacknecked and slavonian grebes, scaup, up to 7 smews, 3 bitterns and a Bewick’s swan. Star bird was another American species in the form of a male ring-necked duck on a few days.

National rarities: In Cornwall the long-staying Hudsonian whimbrel still remains. December 2016 will be remembered for 2 rare, longstaying.thrushes with a (Siberian) dusky thrush in Derbyshire from 4th and a (Mediterranean) blue rock thrush in Gloucestershire from 27th.

The former constitutes the 12th British record - and the latter normally winters in sub-Saharan Africa…

Male Hen Harrier (copyright Jeff Delve)

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Stargazing with Mark Willis - January/February 2nd February, 19:05: Looking south west and upwards at roughly 45 degrees, you will spot the Moon. Tonight it has Uranus on the right.

(Uranus is a very dim object, so you will need binoculars). Below that, and very bright and visible to the naked eye, Mars and then Venus.

The International Space Station will rise (19:08) above the horizon and will appear to move very close to Venus. It moves quite fast!

a planet which orbits Spica had a super telescope they would see Bonnie Prince crowned King Charles III of Great Britain.

10th February, 20:00: Looking east and east-south-east, you will see a virtually full Moon. Just below it, you will see two bright stars.

Regulus, lying almost directly beneath the Moon

As usual email me with any questions….

15th - 16th February, 06:00: Looking south-southwest you will see Jupiter appearing on the left side of the Moon. On 16th February, Jupiter will be on the right side of the Moon. Immediately below you will see Spica, 250 light years distant from Earth. If an alien from

Is Your Dog the Answer to the New You? Pawfect inspiration to improve your life in 2017!

What would you really like to achieve in 2017 and will you stick to it?

Perhaps you would like to get fitter, get out and meet new people or even begin a new career but need that special someone to give you a hand? According to a poll for Bupa last year, 26% of Britons planned to make a New Year Resolution in 2016 but the vast majority (88%) failed, so if you have big plans for the year ahead and are a dog lover, then perhaps you have a very surprising but effective life-coach right on hand!

Barking Mad Chelmsford, a local service provider of 5* rated dog care, has been inspired by the ITV television show This Time Next Year, which sees everyday British people achieve huge personal goals. It prompted the dog holiday specialists to think about how hard it can be to make changes and how inspirational and motivational dogs can be. JW Stephens famously said:

28th January & 26th February: New Moon. These dates are an excellent opportunities to search out distant planets, stars, galaxies and open clusters.

Mark Willis presents Willis Wireless every Monday at 7pm on Chelmsford Community Radio and also online.

Web: www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com Twitter: @WillisWireless Email: mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com the opportunity to become a ‘host’, looking after dogs while their owners are away at a time that suits you. This arrangement is fully insured, easy to take part in and comes with full 24 hour support.

If you would like more information on joining the host community in Chelmsford, please give me a call or send me an email and I will be happy to have a chat to you. Call on 07703 388 009 or email me at emma.wallace@barkingmad.uk.com.

Barking Mad are searching for the most inspirational story of a dog lover’s goal for success in 2017 and would love to follow their story throughout the year. Does this sound like you or someone you know?

Please send them a message on their Facebook page or email karen@barkingmad.uk.com. They’d love to hear from you!

Emma Wallace 01245 330 463 07703 388 009 emma.wallace@barkingmad.uk.com www.barkingmad.uk.com

“Be the person your dog thinks you are!”

If you feel that you lack confidence and that you will never achieve your dreams, look towards your canine best friend. Dogs see us as pack leaders worthy of worship and live in the moment, without worrying about the past. To your dog, you are their whole world and they have total belief in your abilities.

By involving your dog in your plans for 2017, Barking Mad believes that you will have far more chance of success than just by setting goals.

Dogs are now being widely recognised as motivational. The Kennel Club has launched a Bark and Read initiative, where children benefit from practising their reading to dogs! The Kennel Club states that reading to a dog “enhances self esteem, motivates speech and inspires children to have fun and enjoy the experience of reading.”

Similarly, the University of Stirling is so convinced by the benefits of human - dog interaction that they have set up Paws for Progress as part of their behaviour and evolution research. Young offenders are taught to improve rescue dogs’ behaviour to provide ‘positive and rewarding interactions’. Working together with the dogs meant that the young offenders gained ‘increased self achievement of targets and goals.’

If you want to improve your health and fitness levels, exercise can be far more enjoyable if you involve your dog! How about extending the length of dog walks or taking up a new activity, such as dog agility? Or if you feel like you would like to meet new people, how about brushing up your dog’s skills by joining a training class, or varying your dog walking route and chatting to other dog walkers?

Don’t worry if you don’t have a dog of your own, Barking Mad offers

Writtle Singers continued the theme of journeying from their last concert into their Christmas concert with songs and readings about angelic visitations, hastening shepherds, star-led kings and the flight into Egypt. Simon Harvey played the organ as the audience filed into the candlelit church and accompanied several of the carols. The audience was invited to sing some Christmas favourites and children from the audience joined the singers on stage for Away in a Manger.

Many of the choir had a busy run into Christmas with performances at the Writtle Christmas Tree Festival and at Copped Hall in Epping. There was one last rehearsal to collect and sing through music for our next concert, Langlais Messe Solennelle and Duruflé Requiem, on Saturday 4th March 2017.

In the meantime, if you fancy giving your grey matter a workout, we will be holding our annual quiz night on Saturday 11th February 2017 at 7pm at the Christian Centre. Tickets are £6 per person with teams of up to 8 people and we will provide nibbles and a raffle. Tickets are available by calling 07941 961 392.

We wish you all a Happy New Year and hope to see you at one of our events in 2017.

For details of all Writtle Singers’ activities, please visit www. writtlesingers.org.

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