Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, Stock, Ongar, The Walthams, Ingatestone & Dengie area
City Times Intro
Hello readers,
Welcome to The City Times March/April edition.
Easter is just around the corner along with the May bank holdiays and also the 80th anniversary of VE Day, so there will be lots going on around Essex and the rest of the UK - more about this next month!
Now that the weather is beginning to improve, there’s plenty more to do outdoors - have a look out for Nuclear Highropes on page 7 and Meadowcroft on page 9...
Please also remember to tell our advertisers that you saw their advert in The City Times, as it really helps both them and us to know that their adverts are working.
Paul & Nick
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I know, but I have to mention it - yes, the weather. It has been very changeable recently from warm to very cold and then wet, and from calm to very windy and there’s even been a bit sleet. At least the days are getting longer now and the clocks will go forward at the end of the month. I have buds appearing and some daffodils coming out so spring is nearing thankfully and the days are getting warmer - let’s hope it lasts.
Where I live in Chelmsford, the council is now starting to charge to empty the brown bins, which l think is ok but it gives us just the one option - an idea I have had, for those of us who do not need the bin emptied every two weeks, is to do a different coloured sticker and charge less to have it emptied every four weeks. Just a thought, as could save on a potential increase in fly tipping.
The PANIC Awards is back and the event will be held at the Chelmsford Theatre on 2nd April. I have been nominated as Promoter of the Year, but l will not be able to attend the event as I will, as usual, be putting on a show. This event raises money for local good causes which is great, so hats off to the organisers for that. If you are interested in finding out more or in voting, then do look them up on social media as their website is quite out-of-date at present.
I am noticing annual special days, like Shrove Tuesday - also known as Pancake Day - and International Book Day where lots of schools get involved with children dressing up as their favourite characters. We have also just had International Women’s Day - in celebration I went to a special gig with two amazing female acts co-headlining it. It will also shortly be St Patricks’ Day which is celebrated all around the globe. Then of course we have the very important Mothering Sunday on 30th March - and as the next edition is coming out it will be Easter which also means the schools will be off again.
I hear that Chelmsford Museum is set to charge £4 for all over 18-year-olds from the 2nd April. They will offer a membership scheme at £20 a year which will give free entry for the year and a 10% discount in the Hive Café. It is still free to visit Oaklands Park and to use the car park for up to two hours per visit.
I have just heard our entry for 2025’s Eurovision Song Contest; why do we bother if we can’t get someone decent with a great song? Sam Ryder was very good but since then and before him I think we have just not bothered. Why not use acts like McFly or Busted?
Music
Coming up on the 28th March is the 5th anniversary of my first of 12 Isolation Festivals, which I put on via live streams with 195 acts during lockdown. I had many great artists take part, including Hazel O’Connor, Demi Marriner, Robbie McIntosh, Chesney Hawkes, Louise Goffin (daughter of Carole King) and many more. But onto the present, and I am very excited by the gigs I have coming up which you can see in my adverts and online.
I have put on some great shows since the last edition came out. I will just name some of them rather than go on about them too much. I put on ReFloyd and Rostock and all of us loved both acts. Heartbreak came next playing the music of Tom Petty - and we will definitely be having them back. Then on to Blues Box with the Greg Coulson duo who were just amazing and we all loved them.
Now back to the Social Club and we had FM opening their UK
acoustic tour with us, who blew us all away - they want to come back and we definitely want them back. Next up was Derek Nash and the Funk Experience, who were all top players - and with Louise Marshall on vocals it was a spine-chillingly great gig. Louise has recently returned from touring with Dave Gilmour as his main backing vocalist, and we could all hear why.
Then it was back to Blues Box with Innes Sibun who came with his band the Engine Room. They were the same band that backed New York blues artist Sari Schorr. Innes and band have a new album out called The Preacher, which I can highly recommend - and wow, what a show! These guys are on another level. I am so lucky to have so many great acts willing to come and play for us here, and there’s lots more to come.
I’ve recently been to Blues at Barleylands a few times where I saw Jon Amor, who is also playing for us later this year. This was a great gig. I also saw Hokie Joint who are back - and as ever, they’re are still great. Finally so far, I got to see Will Wilde who is surely the king of the harmonica - he’s also playing for us soon. I also went to Indigo at the O2 for Milk Fest, which raised money for the Brain Tumour Charity which is run by the Milk Men. There were 8 acts playing - and with 3 of them (including the Milk Men) playing for me soon, it was a very enjoyable day.
I have now confirmed Martin Harley to return for Blues Box on Monday 10th November - we are all so looking forward to this. For the same month, Limehouse Lizzy is selling really fast - and its not until Friday 21st November! I can see this one selling out as we are almost half way there already. All of our shows so far have been amazing, and we’re really looking forward to what’s coming up.
There are many events going on around our area, including beer festivals, poetry nights, chess and gaming nights. To find out more, see the What’s On guide or go online.
Please do remember to support all live events whatever it might be, especially in your local area. This helps keep events, acts, and the venues going. If you can, please do book in advance as it really does make a difference to the organisers, venues and the acts.
If you have anything you think that could be of interest to our readers for either publication, then please let us know by sending an email to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk; it may be an event or perhaps a topic of interest. Or have you done anything unusual or are you planning something? If so, we want to know about it. If you know of someone who may wish to advertise with us, then please ask them to contact ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk and we can send over the full details for this and the Moulsham Times
You can get tickets for all our Black Frog Presents shows at The Social Club in Chelmsford from Intense Records, The Hop Beer Shop and Chelmsford 4Good - please pay cash in person when you buy from them as well. Tickets for all shows including Hot Box are also available online from www.wegottickets.com/BlackFrogPresents, or via our ticket hotline at no extra charge - call or text us at 07508 496 411 and you can then pay the advance price on entry and without paying any commission for the show rather than the walk-up price. To find out more about Black Frog Presents and our shows, go to www. linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresets or scan the QR code in our adverts.
City Times Food!
As February ends, we enter March - how lovely is it to have some sunshine at last? I’m really enjoying lazy mornings at the weekend, and my favourite - a brunch! My go-to brunch at home is most certainly poached eggs and avocado on toast - quick and easy! I add lemon juice and a few chilli flakes with lots of salt and pepper to my avocado to jazz it up.
My top tip for the perfect poached egg is to source really fresh eggs; local farm shops are the best. First, bring a pan of water to the boil, and just as it reaches boiling point with a spoon stir the water to create a whirlpool - this helps the egg white attach to the yolk. Turn the heat down to a simmer and crack the egg into a small bowl - I find this easier to slide the egg into the pan this way. Then cook for 3 minutes.
Being a professionally trained chef, I’ve always cooked French and traditional cooking. However, I’ve been experimenting with new styles and techniques, and as you know if you’ve read my previous articles, I love a dish that is fast, tasty and doesn’t cost loads to make - and that the whole family can eat, because at dinner time who wants to be cooking 4 different dinners?!
Let’s talk rice... I’ve been making a lot of rice dishes at home with my children, as it’s a nice way to get them into cooking and is a firm winner in our house. We have a rice cooker at home and I would really recommend investing in one. I use a Jamie Oliver rice cooker and it makes perfect rice everytime - they are pretty cheap to pick up.
The dish I want to share with you today is high in protein, vegetables and spices. I love this dish because you can literally throw in any spices, veggies, fish or meat that you have at home. A lot of the ingredients are already in my store cupboard which keeps costs right down. I hope you enjoy my recipe this month.
Essex Food - By Krista
Hello everyone! Can you believe that we’re already in March? The days are getting longer, spring is just around the corner and the clocks will be changing very soon.
This month, I visited a new spot near Maldon where you can enjoy a peaceful walk along the waterfront, admire the colourful beach huts and indulge in some delicious food. Osea View Café is a hidden gem that has recently reopened after undergoing a complete revamp. Owners Janie and Wilf have transformed the former Tiptree Tea Room into a stylish new eatery, offering an all-day breakfast menu, brunch options, and fresh local seafood - all with some of the best views in Essex.
We visited on a sunny day and enjoyed a long walk along the Blackwater Estuary before heading into the café for lunch. With so many delicious options on the menu, we couldn’t decide what to order, so we opted for a variety of dishes to share. We started with the locally sourced scallops from the special’s menu, served with samphire and black pudding, which was fantastic.
We also had a prawn, crayfish and avocado open sandwich, as well as a breakfast classic; eggs royale. I couldn’t help but notice the pancakes at the table next to us too, which looked great - a must-order on my next visit!
Lauren’s Spicy Sausage Rice
Ingredients:
• 6 polish sausages chopped (we use kabanas).
• 1 onion finely, chopped.
• 1 green pepper, chopped.
• 2 stick of celery, chopped.
• Two thirds garlic, crushed and chopped.
• 1 tsp smoked paprika.
• 1 tsp thyme.
• ½ tsp oregano.
• ½ tsp basil.
• Cayenne pepper to taste.
• 250g long grain rice.
• Tinned tomatoes.
• Bay leafs.
• Half a litre of chicken stock.
• 250g prawns.
• Coriander and parsley to garnish.
Method
• Fry the sausages until golden - set aside in the oil they produce.
• Cool the celery, onion and pepper in Fry Light or a glug of olive oil until soft (about ¾ minutes) then add the herbs, spices and garlic and cook for a few more minutes.
• Stir in the rice and coat around the other ingredients.
• Add the tin of tomatoes, bay leaf, stock and cook for 12 minutes until the rice is cooked - you may need to add more chicken stock along the way.
• Add the cooked sausages and prawns and combine and cook for ¾ minutes.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and coriander.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do and I look forward to catching up next month.
The café is dog-friendly, so grab your walking boots and your 4-legged companion and head to Osea View. You won’t regret it. Free parking is available at Osea Leisure Park - just enter your registration number into the iPad when you arrive at the café. www.oseaview.com
Goldhanger Road, Maldon, CM9 4SA
Foodie News
Writtle Foodies Market have rebranded as Essex Foodies Market and have partnered with Hylands Estate in Chelmsford for their monthly open days. The market will take place outside Hylands House on the second Sunday of each month and is organised by Hannah and Jess - local business owners of Xodough and Butter & Scotch - places that are well known for their mouth-watering sweet treats.
You can expect delicious food, drink and craft items on sale, all from small local businesses, and you can explore inside Hylands House.
Additionally, there will be family-friendly events taking place, including storytelling, live music and craft activities. Follow ‘Essex Foodies Market’ on Facebook or Instagram for more information.
Hylands Park, London Road, CM2 8WG
For more local foodie finds follow me on Instagram by searching ‘@thehungrykp’.
Are You Looking for an Exhilarating Experience This May? Look No Further Than Nuclear Races Rush Weekend - a Must-Do Event
The award-winning Nuclear Races is based in Brentwood, Essex and offers fun, muddy obstacle races suitable for everyone.
Join us on the 10th and 11th May for an action-packed weekend! We offer a race for adults, families and kids - and for those who dare, the Oblivion Endurance Race.
Run or walk, the choice is yours. We guarantee you will have a muddy fun time, climbing obstacles, hitting the party and water zones. Foam, slip and slide and our famous Travelator features on all the courses, and everyone will receive a finishers’ medal. The price of your ticket includes car parking, hot wash-downs, secure bag drop, changing rooms and photos.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of an exciting Nuclear event! To register, simply visit www.nuclear-races.co.uk.
March is a month of new beginnings in the garden - longer days, warmer sunshine and the first real signs of spring bursting into life. Buds are swelling, early flowers are putting on a cheerful display and the soil is waking up after its winter slumber. It’s the perfect time to shake off the cold, grab your tools and get stuck in! Whether you’re sowing seeds, pruning shrubs, or simply enjoying the fresh air, there’s a real sense of excitement as another growing season gets underway. So, let’s dust off those gardening gloves and make the most of this vibrant, hopeful month!
With this in mind, I thought it would be great to propagate a few colourful woody stems to increase my stock and share with friends and family. This is the perfect time to take hardwood cuttings of dogwoods, willow and ornamental blackberries. At this same time, each of these examples can be pruned hard to keep them young and producing
vibrant colourful stems for next winter.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to pruning and taking hardwood cuttings from Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, Salix alba var. vitellina ‘Britzensis’ and Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’. These plants are valued for their brightly coloured winter stems, and proper pruning ensures vibrant growth year after year.
Pruning (Best Done in Early to Mid-March)
• Gather tools: Use sharp secateurs for thinner stems and loppers or a pruning saw for thicker growth. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
• Assess the plant: Look for the previous year’s growth, which will have the brightest colour. Older wood becomes dull and less vibrant.
Hard Pruning by Coppicing
• Cut back Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ and Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
to 5-10cm above ground level. This encourages fresh, colourful stems.
• Salix alba var. vitellina ‘Britzensis’ can be coppiced in the same way, or you can leave a framework of 2-3-year-old stems and cut back to a low framework of around 30cm.
• Shaping and maintenance: Remove any weak or crossing stems to keep an open structure. If you want a taller plant, leave some older stems unpruned. Don’t throw away the arisings as these will be helpful with my next task.
Taking Hardwood Cuttings (Best Done at the Same Time as Pruning)
• Select suitable stems: Choose strong, straight stems from the previous year’s growth, about the thickness of a pencil.
• Cut to size: Trim each cutting to around 20-30 cm in length.
• Make a straight cut just below a bud at the base.
• Make an angled cut just above a bud at the top (this helps distinguish the top from the bottom).
• Prepare for planting: Remove any soft growth at the tip. If the cuttings are thick, lightly scrape the base to encourage rooting. This will increase the surface area for rooting. I tend to find that a rooting hormone powder or liquid (you can purchase these at any good garden centre) applied to the base of the cutting will assist in rooting.
Planting the Cuttings
• Insert cuttings into a trench in well-drained soil, leaving the top third exposed. Space them about 15cm apart.
• Alternatively, place them in pots with a mix of gritty compost.
• Aftercare: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Rooting will occur over the next few months, with new shoots appearing in spring.
• Rooted cuttings will be ready for lifting later in the year; around September/ October where they can be planted out or potted using a general purpose peat-free potting compost.
Other Gardening Tasks for March Prune all roses if not done so already. For example, modern day bush types that flower on present season’s growth are best cut hard by reducing last year’s flowering growth to just in front of the older wood. Always cutting to an outward facing bud to avoid potential congestion later in the year
Plan for Summer Flowering Displays
Check out those catalogues or pop to your local garden centre to scour the seed dispensing stands. Hardy annuals are a fantastic way to bring vibrant colour to summer displays, and they can be sown directly into the soil in spring for an effortless, long-lasting show. Consider some of the following:
• Calendula officinalis (Pot Marigold) - cheerful orange and yellow daisy-like flowers that thrive in most soils.
• Eschscholzia californica (Californian Poppy)delicate, papery flowers in fiery shades of orange, red, and yellow.
• Papaver rhoeas (Corn Poppy) - classic wild poppy with vivid red blooms, great for a naturalistic look.
Or these for colour and their ability to attract pollinators into the garden:
• Phacelia tanacetifolia - a pollinator magnet with beautiful lavender-blue flowers.
• Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower) - vivid blue flowers loved by bees and butterflies.
• Limnanthes douglasii (Poached Egg Plant) - yellow and white flowers that attract beneficial insects.
Lastly, take a look at this RHS link for March www.rhs.org.uk/ advice/in-month/march.
Happy gardening - and here’s to a year of enjoyable gardening!
For personalised gardening advice, feel free to contact Tom Cole, Freelance Horticulturist and online tutor, at tomcole8@ hotmail.com or visit www. learningwithexperts.com for online RHS courses.
Just Fitted Kitchens -
Independent kitchen retailer Just Fitted Kitchens was established 20 years ago and has been based locally in Writtle since its inception. Situated on the Reeds Farm Estate (tucked away) but with 10-plus displays, a range of worktops and creative designs, its definitely worth a visit. Steve and Julie offer great enthusiasm and a wealth of experience in the kitchen industry.
All of their kitchens are individual, but follow current trends. Just Fitted Kitchens is aimed at the middle-market, but offering high quality kitchens at very affordable prices.
All of their doors are made from solid wood (usually oak or ash) and are painted in the factory in any colour from any paint chart with a hardened paint finish - no vinyl wraps.
Being within a farm estate and to ensure you time to chat through your ideas, they open by appointment 7-days per week - this also keeps overheads down which can then be passed on to customers.
Being in complete control of manufacturing of their products, this offers customers a wide choice in both terms of style, colour and the ability to make cabinets in any height or size - each being totally bespoke to each job.
Just Fitted Kitchens’ vast experience in design, installation and project management puts them a cut above your regular high street kitchen retailers.
The company uses a local team of tradesmen and can offer a startto-finish service, including electrics, plumbing, plastering, minor building work and flooring - all project managed by Steve and Julie.
What are their customers saying?
“We recently had our new kitchen with Just Fitted as part of a kitchen extension. From the beginning, Steve worked with us to design the kitchen and the layout to maximise space, function and storage and was able to give great advice on what would and wouldn’t work. He was alway conscious of budget and never tried to upsell, keeping us informed of quotes as we changed things along the way. We were able to include a bespoke seating area which is fab!”
“Steve liaised and worked with our builders and came on-site when needed. The installation went smoothly and the fitting was excellent including the appliances and work top. Julie’s communication throughout was perfect and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. We’re utterly thrilled with our new kitchen - it’s now the proud heart of our home!”
“After going backwards and forwards for a couple of years trying to work out which kitchen firm to use, we decided against the mainstream nationwide firms and chose Just Fitted Kitchens instead.”
“We are really pleased to have made the right choice. Steve’s design and Julie’s excellent project management made the process so smooth. Trades are subcontracted, but the fact the team of tradespeople know each other well and clearly work together all the time meant that everything was handled seamlessly.”
“Both Julie and Steve have been exceptionally responsive in dealing with any queries. Now booking them to fit cabinets in our larder.” So for a friendly informal chat, some advice or a design for your new kitchen give them a call on 01245 230 787 and be sure to visit www. justfittedkitchens.com or find them on Facebook.
Record Store Day Is Coming!
Record Store Day 2025 returns on Saturday 12th April at Intense 2 in the Meadows Shopping Centre, Chelmsford High Street.
There are hundreds of limited edition releases catering for every taste and genre, including special releases from Oasis with Time Flies, and Liam Gallagher Acoustic Sessions, Kasabian, Sam Fender, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure and David Bowie.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Blur’s iconic album The Magic Whip with a special, half-speed mastered limited edition zoetrope picture disc.
The younger generation will be queuing up early for Charli xcx, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift, plus Fred Again and Gracie Abrams.
Other ones to watch include Jamiroquai, Rage Against The Machine, Wu Tang, Streets, and Fatboy Slim.
You can check out what release are coming out on www.intenserecords.com and submit your wishlist there too so we know what you are after.
For our worldwide customers the releases go on sale online after the weekend on Monday 22nd at 8pm.
Intense #2 at Unit 11, 42-47 High St, Chelmsford CM2 6FD 01245 976 027 www.intenserecords.com
Chandler’s Welcome Marie Goldman MP to Widford
How the building materials’ supply chain is evolving to support house building and existing homes and trading prospects for 2025 was the focus of a constituency visit by Marie Goldman MP.
The MP for Chelmsford visited Chandler Material Supplies, a longestablished business in the city, to see how it helps her constituents to build new homes and improve existing properties.
Marie Goldman MP, former Deputy Leader of Chelmsford City Council, was welcomed by Julie Chandler (Managing Director) and Ben Chandler (Finance Director).
Touring the branch, she was shown examples of the everyday trade essentials and value-added products available to Chandler’s customers in Chelmsford and Southend. The MP also heard how merchants and their SME customers have managed with higher prices and rising fuel, labour and other costs.
Concluding her visit, Marie Goldman MP, said: “It was a pleasure to visit Chandler Material Supplies who have been serving the Chelmsford community so well for decades.
“I want to thank Julie, Ben and their team for providing such a valuable, friendly and knowledgeable service to the building trade across Chelmsford and beyond and for taking the time to explain to me the challenges they face.
“I was keen to learn about how they are supporting new apprentices to learn the vital skills that we need in the building industry. I wish the apprentices every success for the future.”
Ms Chandler explained that her business, founded in the 1950s, want to invest and grow. But the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s changes in her Autumn Budget do not encourage that anymore. In addition to Chandler’s own viewpoint, they find that, amongst their SME customers, there is a general belief that the Westminster government is not on their side.
Changes to Employers’ National Insurance Contributions, National Minimum Wage rates and Inheritance Tax Business Property Relief all come into force in 4 weeks’ time. Consequently, Chandler’s and some of its trade customers are contemplating curtailing opening hours,
altering shift patterns and freezing recruitment - including not taking on new apprentices.
Julie Chandler, Managing Director, commented: “We were pleased to welcome Marie today and show her how Chandler Materials has evolved since we began in the 1950s. It is great to have our MP take an interest in local firms like ours and offering her insight and support to help Essex businesses to keep going.
“Running a successful business is far harder than it was back then. The burden of regulation and taxation on today’s owners makes it more difficult and time-consuming to be a financially stable business, offering good jobs and paying our way as a good local employer.”
During the visit, Julie Chandler was presented with a Long Service Award to recognise her 44 years of dedicated service to Chandler Materials, prior to her impending well-earned retirement at the end of March 2025.
Marie Goldman MP meets 3 apprentices: Lauren Penney (Chandler’s), Sam Loomes (Chandler’s) and Ben Scobie (BMF) who arranged the visit
Brett Amphlett (BMF) and Marie Goldman MP listen to Ben Chandler (Finance Director) talk about insulation and the depth required in home extensions and loft conversions
Marie Goldman MP presents a Long Service Award to Julie Chandler (Managing Director)
The visit was another arranged by the Builders Merchants Federation as part of its industry and parliament programme.
The aim is to show MPs the role, value and importance of merchants in delivering for their customers and communities.
www.chandlermaterials.co.uk
Marie Goldman MP concludes her visit with Ben Scobie (BMF), Ben Chandler (Finance Director), Lauren Penney (Operations and Marketing Manager), Sam Loomes (P&H Apprentice), Julie Chandler (Managing Director) and Brett Amphlett (BMF)
Preet Bhangra, in Chelmsford, opened its doors to the local community on Sunday 2nd March, as part of the national Let’s Dance movement. This fantastic initiative, spearheaded by Angela Rippon CBE, is all about raising awareness for the benefits of dance on both physical and mental health, bringing people together through dance and encouraging those that don’t usually dance to give it a go.
Bhangra is both a style of music and a genre of dance, originating in Punjab (India/Pakistan). This traditional Punjabi folk dance is high energy and lots of fun. The rhythm of the dhol (drum) will have you clapping along, moving your body and smiling!
At this family-friendly bhangra dance session, which took place at Beaulieu Community Centre in Chelmsford, the room was packed with participants ranging from 3 to 70 years old. They took part in a fun, energetic bhangra session which truly catered to any age and any ability. This was shown by families joining in with members having autism, non-verbal communication, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Everyone felt comfortable and included to take part and enjoy themselves together in a safe, uplifting environment.
Gurpreet, who leads the classes along with her young children’s enthusiasm and input, said: “Let’s Dance is about encouraging everybody, from older people to teenagers to toddlers, to embrace the
Poems by Martin
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joy and benefits of dancing. The lively, high tempo beat of the dhol means that you can’t help but feel happy and want to jump up and clap along! This is the joy and freedom I want others, of all ages and abilities, to see, hear and join in with. When you are dancing your mind and body are free! Preet means ‘love’ in Punjabi, I really hope that through these sessions a love for bhangra and the joy it brings spreads to those that didn’t even know it existed.”
Ella, one of the 10 year old participants said, “I really enjoyed bhangra dancing. I hope I get to do more and learn more. It was so much fun!”
Vicki, came from Tiptree with her 3 year old daughter, and said, “It was such a lovely session to bring people together.”
Maria, one of the parents, had this to say: “What a lovely group. There was lots of different ages, races and abilities in the room. Preet is a great coach who makes it easy to learn and includes everyone in the fun!”
Gursharan attended with her 3 year old daughter and said, “I loved it! Thank you so much for providing this in Chelmsford. It’s somewhere I can go with my daughter, so we can dance together, like I did with my family growing up. It bought back so many childhood memories for me.”
Preet Bhangra aligns with the Let’s Dance mission of:
• Raising awareness of the benefits of dance.
• Making dance easy, fun and accessible.
• Uniting communities by bridging divides through the joy of shared movement.
Gurpreet talked about this last point in particular: “These all-inclusive community classes allow all abilities and age groups to participate in Punjabi folk dance, which they may never have known about!
“I have seen the need for exposure to seeing and knowing about different cultures, to foster inclusive mindsets. I’ve always found the art forms of music and dance to be such a great way to break barriers in a non-threatening way to (sometimes) difficult conversations.
“By including everyone and providing exposure and access to this dance style (and other cultural dances) can open up conversations and connections naturally and authentically. We need to see more of this.”
Callum, Active Essex Navigator for Chelmsford, also attended and said, “I loved it! It was an amazing family club. Everyone had a smile on their face the whole time!”
For more information about bhangra classes and workshops, please email: preetbhangrauk@gmail.com or check out Instagram by searching ‘@preet.bhangra.uk’.
Chelmsford Male Voice Choir 75th Anniversary
Chelmsford Male Voice Choir is delighted to announce that we shall be celebrating our 75th anniversary in April this year and will be performing a special anniversary charity concert in Chelmsford Cathedral together with Braintree Voices Choir at 7pm on Saturday 26th April 2025, under the direction of our Musical Director, Sue Edwards. The evening will be in support of local charities and tickets will be available on our website at www.cmvchoir.co.uk and also on the door.
Whilst the current Chelmsford Male Voice Choir was formed in April 1950 by Bill Gane (eventually succeeded by his son Jack), the choir can trace its origins back to 1903 when it sang to raise funds for British troops fighting in the Boer War, and it existed in various forms between the two world wars.
In 2015, the choir became a registered charity, the aims of which are to promote the appreciation of choral music in all its aspects. These aims are achieved primarily by performing concerts, and the choir has helped several charities in Essex to raise thousands of pounds for good causes, and we are proud to wear the crest of the city of Chelmsford.
No prior music knowledge or experience is necessary, just the ability to enjoy singing in tune along with the rest of us. Many of us meet up after a rehearsal at least once a month over a drink in The County Hotel opposite and we’ll even buy you a pint if you decide to join!
More information about the choir can be found on our Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/ChelmsfordMVC.
Our Concert Manager Alan Cowell will be pleased to discuss arrangements of how we can perform to support local fundraising activities at concertmanager@cmvchoir.co.uk.
We perform in various local venues, which has included previous concerts in Chelmsford Cathedral, and have appeared twice as guests of London Welsh Male Voice Choir in the 2014 and 2016 Festivals of Male Voices at the Royal Albert Hall as part of a massed choir approaching 800 singers on stage in front of a capacity audience of 5,000.
Variety is the hallmark of our concert performances, and our repertoire ranges widely, from choral works such as the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Verdi’s opera Nabucco, to classics from Misérables and South Pacific, and arrangements of music by Elton John. Our aim is for our audiences to enjoy experiencing live, fourpart harmony, as much as we enjoy performing the music.
We currently have just over 40 members drawn from many walks of life, but we are always seeking to expand the choir with new members to add an extra dimension to our range and abilities. Whilst we are not a church choir, we currently meet regularly to rehearse in Trinity Methodist Church, Rainsford Road at 7.30pm every Tuesday evening.
The benefits of singing can vary from person to person - everyone can experience and enjoy singing in their own unique way and it can have many positive effects on overall well-being. In particular, singing is good for the brain - it aids memory retention which is important as we age, as well as improving your breathing. As Icelandic singer Bjork has said, ‘Singing is like a celebration of oxygen’.
If you have ever heard a male voice choir and wondered what it’s like to be part of one, or perhaps you enjoyed singing at school but have never taken it beyond that (apart from singing at football matches!), then why not come along and give it a go? Whether you’re a tenor, baritone or bass - nothing ventured, nothing gained!
March
Saturday 15th
Chelmsford Theatre - Whipped Up
Chelmsford Theatre - Disco Inferno
Chelmsford Theatre - Lucy Porter: No Regrets! The Compasses - Karaoke
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm) Hot Box - Andy Poole’s Riddled with Booze Orchestra
Maldon Town Hall - After Eight Social Club Disco Dance (doors 7.30pm - admission £10. Optional fish & chips can be ordered and paid for on door. No bar so you can bring your own drinks & nibbles. www.aftereightsocialclub.chessck.co.uk or 01621 856 219)
Old Court Theatre - Touching the Void
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
South Hanningfield Village Hall (CM3 8HL) - St Patrick’s Ceilidh with Yardarm Ceilidh Band (doors 7pm, tickets £8, cheap bar, raffle. To book email vallisc@aol.com or phone 07891 653 238)
The Station Arms (Southminster) - Del Bromham
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Wickham Bishops Village Hall (CM8 3JZ) - Wickham Bishops Jazz Club: Alan Gresty & friends, with guest appearances from Colin Bray on vibes & Pete Neighbour from USA on clarinet (6.30pm for 7.30pm - contact Pete, wickhambishopsjazzclub@gmail.com, 07548 775 777)
Sunday 16th
The Ale House - Quiz
Chelmsford Theatre - Dances Through the Decades Gardeners - Open Mic
Hot Box - Guitar Club
Monday 17th Ale House - Beery Bingo
Chelmsford Theatre - Dances Through the Decades Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Tuesday 18th
Chelmsford Theatre - Dances Through the Decades
Chelmsford Theatre - Miles Jupp: On I Bang
Chelmsford Theatre - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Hot Box - Open Mic Night
Wednesday 19th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Dances Through the Decades
Chelmsford Theatre - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
The Golden Fleece - Karaoke Hot Box - Oceanvein + External Karma
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning Old Park Meadow - Meditation (to book call 07906 653 666)
Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper Club: Julian Stringle/Pete Neighbour Quintet (7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075)
The Wheatsheaf - Music, Movie & TV Quiz
Thursday 20th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz Night
Chelmsford Theatre - Dances Through the Decades
Chelmsford Theatre - The ELO Experience
Chelmsford Theatre - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Courtyard - Karaoke
Hot Box - Ignition: Opensight + Hoof! + Nymphic
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
Friday 21st
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Small Fakers + The Veras
Chelmsford Theatre - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Chelmsford Theatre - Dances Through the Decades
Chelmsford Theatre - Luke Combs UK: A Tribute
Chelmsford Theatre - Daniel O’Reilly: Court of Character
Hot Box - Shed +The Oscar Nominated + Crisis with A Y
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
Saturday 22nd
The Black Bull - Shakey’s Sessions: Serendipitous + Metroglow + IC7 + No Idea
Chelmsford Theatre - Dances Through the Decades
Chelmsford Theatre - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
The Compasses - Karaoke
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
Hot Box - The Old Guard III
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
Village Hall (South Hanningfield, CM3 8HL) - Christmas Fayre
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Sunday 23rd
Chelmsford Theatre - Dances Through the Decades
Chelmsford Theatre - RBO: Romeo and Juliet
Chelmsford Theatre - Iain Stirling: Relevant
The Gardeners - Open Mic
Hot Box - Jason McNiff Trio
Monday 24th
The Ale House - Beery Bingo
Chelmer Village - Pilates classes (carolinesdanceandpilates.co.uk)
Chelmsford Theatre - Only the River Flows (15)
Chelmsford Theatre - Antiques and a Little Bit of Nonsense
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Tuesday 25th
Chelmsford Theatre - Sorcery (15)
Chelmsford Theatre - An Audience with Dame Prue Leith
Hot Box - Ho Box Waxes Lyrical
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Wednesday 26th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Chris McCauseland: Yonks
The Golden Fleece - Karaoke
Hot Box - Control Voltage: Electronic Music Open Mic
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Thursday 27th
Courtyard - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Harry Hill: New Bits and Greatest Hits
Chelmsford Theatre - Harriet Kemsley: Everything Always Works Out for Me
Hot Box - Jamie Williams + Andy Sharrocks
Friday 28th
Chelmsford Theatre - Lou Sanders: No Kissing in the Bingo Hall
Chelmsford Theatre - Markus Birdman: Gutter
Hot Box - LYRA + Katy For Kings
The Oddfellows Arms - Karaoke
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
Saturday 29th
Chelmsford Theatre - Russel Hicks: Happy to be Here
Chelmsford Theatre - Omid Djalli: Namaste
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Sunday 30th
The Ale House - Quiz
Chelmsford Theatre - Josh Berry: Best Man
The Gardeners - Open Mic
Hot Box - Black Frog Blues Box presents: The 251s
Monday 31st
Ale House - Beery Bingo
Chelmer Village - Pilates classes (carolinesdanceandpilates.co.uk)
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Sandon School (Sports Hall 2) - Scottish Country Dancing (7.309.30pm - all abilities welcome - www.sandonscotdance.org.uk)
Tuesday 1st
Chelmsford Theatre - NT Live: Dr Strangelove
Chelmsford Theatre - Awake My Soul
Hot Box - The Only Way is Melee
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 2nd
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - The Panic Awards
Friends Meeting House (Rainsford Road) - CRAG Retirement Group monthly meeting (9.30am for 10am. First visit free)
The Golden Fleece - Karaoke
Hot Box - Black Frog Blues Box presents:The Dave Kelly Band Madison Heights (Maldon) - Open Mic
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Old Park Meadow - Meditation (to book call 07906 653 666)
Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper Club: Rag ‘n’ Bone Club (7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075)
The Wheatsheaf - Music, Movie & TV Quiz
Thursday 3rd
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz night
Chelmsford Social Club - Social Ballroom Dancing Evening
Chelmsford Theatre - Luke Wright - JOY Courtyard - Karaoke
Golden Fleece - Quiz Night
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
Friday 4th
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Danny & The Champions of the World
Chelmsford Theatre - Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians
Chelmsford Theatre - God of Carnage Hot Box - HotHaus HotShots Pagent
Saturday 5th
Chelmsford Social Club - Record Fair
Chelmsford Theatre - God of Carnage
Chelmsford Theatre - Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
Thaxsted Church (Watling St, Thaxted CM6 2PE) - Chelmsford Singers and Felsted Choral Society are pleased to announce their joint performance of George Frideric Handel’s Israel (7pm)
The Station Arms (Southminster) - Chris McLeod
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Sunday 6th
The Ale House - Quiz
Chelmsford Theatre - RBO: Turnaround Gardenders - Open Mic
Hot Box - Black Frog Blues Box presents: The Milk Men
Monday 7th
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Sandon School (Sports Hall 2) - Scottish Country Dancing (7.309.30pm - all abilities welcome - www.sandonscotdance.org.uk)
Tuesday 8th
Chelmsford Theatre - Mushroom Theatre: Get Ready
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Patch, Grays Yard - The last 12 months of the war up to VE day Talk with Andy Begent - email ingo@chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk to book
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 9th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Mushroom Theatre: Get Ready
The Golden Fleece - Karaoke
Hot Box - Nuns of the Tundra + Santu Madison Heights (Maldon) - Open Mic
Wednesday 9th Continued...
Trinity Methodist Church (CM1 2XB) - National Trust meeting (talk by David Simmonds about JA Baker, Chelmsford-born author whose work influenced the Essex Landscape, starting at 7.45pm)
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Old Park Meadow - Meditation (to book call 07906 653 666)
The Wheatsheaf - Music, Movie & TV Quiz
Thursday 10th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz night
Chelmsford Social Club - Social Ballroom Dancing Evening
Chelmsford Theatre - Strong Enough: The Ultimate Tribute to Cher Courtyard - Karaoke
Golden Fleece - Quiz Night
Hot Box - Black Frog Blues Box presents: Roy Mette
The Oddfellows Arms - Quiz
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
Friday 11th
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Who’s Next Chelmsford Theatre - Pam Ayres: Doggedly Onward
Chelmsford Theatre - Mess!
Saturday 12th
The Black Bull - Shakey’s Sessions: Park Drive + Elysium + The Viral Breakdown + The White Gates Band
The Compasses - Karaoke
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
Hot Box - Tapestry: A Tribute to Carole King
RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm)
The Station Arms (Southminster) - Del Bromham
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Sunday 13th
The Ale House - Quiz
Gardeners - Open Mic
Hot Box - Arcane Moon + MDT
Monday 14th
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Sandon School (Sports Hall 2) - Scottish Country Dancing (7.309.30pm - all abilities welcome - www.sandonscotdance.org.uk)
Tuesday 15th
Central Baptist Church (Victoria Road South) - ECC Retirement Fellowship monthly meetings (2-4pm. New members welcome)
Hot Box - The Only Way is Melee
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 16th
Hot Box - Arizone Acoustic
Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper
Club: TJ Johnson Quintet (7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075)
Venues are in Chelmsford, unless mentioned in the listings as being elsewhere.
If you have an event between 15th April and the 18th May for the next issue, then please
Mini Wonders Children’s Physiotherapy Clinic Receives Visit From
Chelmsford MP, Marie Goldman, recently visited Mini Wonders Children’s Physiotherapy Clinic in Little Baddow. Mini Wonders is a specialist clinic dedicated to treating children and young people with a wide variety of genetic conditions, neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental disorders.
During her visit, Marie engaged in discussions about the clinic’s services, which cater to children not only locally but also from regions as distant as Wales and the Scottish Highlands. Mini Wonders specialises in treating neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and acquired brain injury. Their approach aims to create a safe and empowering environment, fostering positivity
and determination among their young patients. The Chelmsford clinic is equipped with advanced equipment, including the Therasuit, vibration plates, electrical stimulation
MP
devices like Walkaide 2 and Omni Hi Five, interactive gaming setups, and Spider Therapy. Additionally, they offer community services, delivering expert physiotherapy directly to homes, gyms, hospices, or schools.
Recognising the challenges faced during the transition into young adulthood, Mini Wonders has introduced a transitional service to support young people moving into the next chapter of their lives.
Marie’s visit highlighted the vital role that Mini Wonders plays in the community, offering specialised care and support to children across the UK. Her engagement underscores the importance of such services in enhancing the lives of young individuals and their families.
If you would like to learn more about our services, please contact us at 07796 466 269 or email us at info@miniwonders.co.uk.
A History Education Part 9 - By Stephen Norris
The immediate education problems in the Chelmsford area after the Second War were not going to be improved by closing schools. They were caused by the rapid growth of population in the area, which would necessitate new schools, coupled with the severe financial constraints of the post-war era. The latter meant that no new schools were built immediately.
In 1952 the Ministry of Education and the County Council were blocking a new primary school on the Chignal Estate and a new secondary school at Broomfield. The Rainsford and Moulsham secondary schools already had almost 2,000 pupils between them. Overcrowded Conditions in Mid Essex ran the headline in a 1954 edition of the Weekly News. School space was only 65% of the standards set by the Ministry that year. In the Chelmsford area 3,510 pupils were taught in classes of more than 40 and 2,166 in classes of more than 45 and 850 in classes of more than 50 or more.
A report to the Mid Essex Executive committee had already outlined the slum conditions in which thousands of children were being educated. It had cited the gross overcrowding, primitive sanitary conditions, lack of modern drainage and leaking roofs in a number of schools. Although the financial conditions in the country as a whole had greatly eased by the mid 1950s, it was several years before this resulted in the necessary new schools in the Chelmsford area. Councillors repeatedly claimed that new towns such as Basildon and Harlow were receiving preferential treatment.
Seven new schools were put forward for the Chelmsford area in 1954, including secondary schools at Sandon and Broomfield and junior schools at Great Baddow and Melbourne Park, but two years later several building projects put forward by Mid Essex were still being blocked by the county. By this time the post-war baby boom was beginning to affect the school intake and there would be a serious shortage of places, even if the building programme was carried out. The reserve building programme needed to be put into operation as well.
In October 1956, Rab Butler opened the Broomfield Secondary School. Broomfield was designed to take 450 boys and girls and was described as ‘light and airy’. By this time, the county’s capital spending on education was second only to London. In the early 1960s some of the closures of village schools anticipated 15 years earlier did finally come about, but in most cases they were replaced by new schools, for example at Great Baddow and Boreham.
As early as 1963 the Mid Essex education executive discussed the idea of transforming the area’s secondary education system into a comprehensive one with a mixed ability intake. In the early post-war period, the Chelmsford area had followed the tripartite system with a number of secondary modern schools, a technical school and two selective schools. At this time the comprehensive issue was not the controversial one that it was to become, with even some Conservatives giving support to the idea.
In Mid Essex, the grammar, technical and second modern schools would have been substituted by 8 much bigger comprehensive schools. KEGS and the Girls’ High School were to be combined into a junior college for A level students. Broomfield, Westlands, Sandon and Moulsham Schools were to become 8 form entry and Rainsford and Boswells Schools were to become 10 form entry. The proposals came from a sub-committee, but were actually passed by the whole executive, provoking a furious response in the readers’ letters columns of the local papers. Not surprisingly, nothing came of these proposals, but at the end of 1964 an early 11 to 18 comprehensive was opened at Great Baddow, with a proposed sixth form of 120. The John Payne School, which had opened in 1959 as a Roman Catholic school, took its first steps towards becoming fully comprehensive in 1965 and its extension was to lead to a doubling in of its size.
From the mid 1960s, the Labour government began encouraging
the introduction of comprehensive schools and the phasing out of grammar schools and in 1966 the Mid Essex Executive voted 16 votes to 5 in favour of a scheme which would have set up 12 comprehensives in the Chelmsford area, 10 of which would have been co-educational, including a new school at Barnes Farm.
The committee voted by 13 to 10 to retain KEGS and the Girls’ High School as single-sex schools but to phase out selection by 1973. This led to an immediate public meeting at the Shire Hall. Public pressure led to a further scheme the following year where the two selective schools would only combine at the sixth form stage. A previous proposal to combine KEGS and Rainsford School was abandoned.
Parental opposition meant that by July 1967 Mid Essex was the only area in the county not to have submitted a comprehensive scheme to the ECC. In June 1970 Mr W Primmer, the Mid Essex Divisional Educational Officer stated, “all Chelmsford’s schools must go comprehensive. Only if selective schools go will we have genuine comprehensive education.”
The election of a Conservative government in 1970 changed everything. Edward Heath’s new government did not attempt to roll back those changes in education that had occurred, but supported the retention of existing selective schools. This enabled the controlling Conservative group on the County Council to keep the remaining selective schools, including KEGS.
Old Park Meadow Hosts Charity Quiz Night!
Can you, with seven other team members, become Old Park Meadow’s inaugural quiz champions?
We are excited to invite you to our charity quiz night on Friday 4th April 2025 at 7pm-9pm, where we aim to raise money for Tom’s skydive with Farleigh Hospice. Tickets are £15 - to book a table or join a team, please email events@oldparkmeadow.co.uk.
One of the Old Park Meadow team, Tom is taking on the challenge of a skydive to show his support for Farleigh Hospice. This incredible organisation provides vital care and support to individuals and families facing life-limiting illnesses.
By taking part in this thrilling fundraiser, Tom aims to raise awareness and crucial funds for Farleigh Hospice to continue their invaluable work in the community.
To aid him raising money, Old Park Meadow is hosting a charity quiz night. Every donation, big or small, will make a significant difference in the lives of those who rely on their services.
Introducing...
This month we introduce presenter James Green.
James is one of the station's younger presenters, who joined us last summer to satisfy a curiosity to try out radio broadcasting, and picked things up pretty quickly. He loves listening to all the new music and guessing which ones will take off with the latest trends and make it into the charts. He lists Coldplay as one of his favourite bands but has yet to see them live - he's still waiting for his dad to take him (hint hint!).
He loves all things Formula 1 and farming - quite a combination! Of Formula 1, James says his favourite drivers are Lando Norris and Chelmsford's very own Ollie Bearman - and absolutely on his bucket
City Sound is proud to welcome Ben Parks, local commentator at Chelmsford City FC to our roster of presenters. He will be presenting an hour show called City Sports every Wednesday from 7pm, with news and features about the club and the wider sports scene, supported by guests bringing their own views to the show.
Chelmsford City FC has long been a focal point of sports fans in the city, who have seen many ups and down at New Writtle Street, ground-sharing at Billericay and Maldon and their current home at Melbourne.
However, they have always had a solid and loyal following, regardless of their fortunes and Ben will be broadcasting the new show specifically for them. Good luck to him!
Three of our shows have been nominated for Best Local Radio Show in this year’s PANIC Awards, celebrating the best in local arts and culture - our theatre show, Ovation, our film discussion show The Movie Mull, and our alternative local music and live performance show, Transmission
Good luck to all of them at the awards ceremony which is being held at the Chelmsford Theatre on April 2nd. You can vote for your favourite y using the form on the PANIC Awards’ Facebook page (www.facebook.com/panicawards) and buy tickets for the awards event from www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk.
If you would like any topic raised on air, would like to use our facilities to make a point, perform to our growing audience, provide a feature on you or your business, or perhaps advertise regularly for a small fee, let us know by emailing studio@citysound.radio.
list is to see them live in action at the British Grand Prix (hint hint again, dad).
James got into farming after getting the opportunity to drive a tractor around a farm during harvest last year and also loves watching Clarkson's Farm
Catch James on the Fresh Friday show from 10am on Fridays, where you can hear him showcase all the station's new music. You can also listen to him leading the Saturday Breakfast show alongside his dad (sorry about the jokes!) and the rest of the SB crew.
www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
Catch us live 24/7 on citysound.radio, on our website, on our app downloadable from your app store, on your smart speaker (‘play City Sound Radio’), or on numerous radio apps.
City Sound - The Voice Of Chelmsford
Reclining Big Toe Pose - By Steve Johansen, Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga
Reclining Big Toe Pose is sometimes called Lying One Leg Stretch. In Sanskrit it’s called Supta Eka Padanguathasana (soup-TAH pod-anggoosh-TAHS-anna). Supta means ‘lying’, Eka is ‘one’, Pada is ‘foot’, Angustha means ‘big toe’, and Asana is ‘pose’.
Reclining Big Toe Pose is considered by many to be a beginning level supine pose and even the name suggests this, basically laying on your back and raising one leg straight up to the ceiling to reaching up to hold on to the big toe, stretching the glutes, hamstrings and curves while pressing the lower back into the mat to provide support and stability to the lower lumber region. While this sounds easy enough, for most people just straightening the raised leg is difficult and getting hold of the ankle (let alone the toe) is almost impossible.
On the plus side, this is a fantastic pose for keen runners and walkers or for people who spend a lot of time sitting behind a desk, because all these activities have a tendency to tighten the hamstrings and glutes that over time can contribute to tension and discomfort in the lower back. Reclining Big Toe Pose allows you to stretch all the muscles in the back of the leg, without overstretching them - and because you are lying on your back when practicing this pose, the lower spine is supported, allowing you to gently stretch the hamstrings whilst focusing on releasing the tension in the muscles of the lower back, which has a calming effect on the mind.
This is why I almost always practice this pose every time I get on my mat, sometimes at the beginning, when I’m feeling like I need a softer approach, mostly during the cool-down at the end of my practice.
Below, I’m going to describe how to practice this pose in an adapted and softer way to gain the most out of it, especially for those people with tight hamstrings.
Where to Start
• Start in Shavasana (sha-VAH-suh-nuh) or Corpse Pose. Laying down on your back with the legs extend straight out.
• Your hands should rest palms up gently by the side of the hips and let the back of your head rest gently on the floor.
• Relax your shoulders downwards, creating space between your shoulders and ears.
• Establish a long slow, steady breath to relax and quieten your mind.
To Get Into Reclining Big Toe Pose
On your next inhalation:
• Draw the knees up, to a 45-degree angle, so the toes of your feet rest on the mat.
• Then arch in your lower back pressing down into the mat.
• Engage the core muscles by drawing in the pelvic floor and belly button.
• Lift your right knee upwards so the knee is above the hip, then straighten the leg.
• Place your fingers behind your right thigh, knee, calf, or ankle if you can.
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• Flex your foot. Your calf will tighten and engage your kneecap and the front of your thigh.
• This will stretch the backs of your thighs, the hamstrings, perhaps drawing the leg back.
On your next exhalation:
• Keep your core strong and length though the spine.
• Resist the temptation to interlace the fingers, or to press the left foot into the mat. Using just the strength in the fingers against the back of the right leg.
• Draw the right leg forwards towards your head and let yourself just relax into in the pose for 3 to 5 breaths.
Coming out of the pose, on your next inhalation:
• To come out of the pose, keep the core strong, bend the knee, and realise the foot too the floor.
• Straighten your legs out and giving them a little shake. Then repeat on the other side.
I like to hold this pose for 3 to 5 long slow breaths using my inhalation to find strength, lengthening the spine and extending the heel to the ceiling and flexing the foot. On the out-breath, I use just the strength in my fingers to ease myself deeper into the stretch...
Teacher’s Tip:
• At first you may find this pose difficult, especially if the hips and hamstrings are tight, but over time and with practice you will be able to draw the leg further and deeper into the pose.
• If your hamstrings are very tight, you may not be able to reach behind your thigh, in this situation, use a strap over the ball of your foot, to help straiten the leg and flex the foot to stretch the hamstrings.
• When your able fold your leg forward easily, you can reach your hand up, wrapping your index and middle finger around your big toe. Let the weight of your arm draw you deeper into the stretch. For mor fun, take hold of your little toe joint, this will tighten your calf and stretch the hamstrings even more.
For those of you who feel like you would like to know more of the benefits of Reclining Big Toe Pose or how to incorporate this pose within your practice, join me at my studio and let me guide you into this fabulous pose. Use this free pass code, HPYFREECLASS. My gift to you.
www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk
CHESS Homeless – Supporting Homeless Adults in Chelmsford &
CHESS Homeless are a Chelmsford-based charity who have supported homeless adults in Chelmsford and Essex for over 30 years.
Started back in the 1990s by Churches Together in Chelmsford as a soup run, CHESS now provides temporary accommodation and 1-1 support for around 60 adults across 10 properties in Chelmsford and Epping. The CHESS mission is to seek to ensure that people who find themselves homeless are supported in ways that enable them to move forward purposefully and in good health.
We work with each service user to look at the reasons why they became homeless, and to help them get their lives back on track.
This is BR’s story: “There was a time when I thought I had reached the end of the road. Homeless, addicted, and lost in a haze of bad choices, I was beyond saving. The weight of hopelessness was suffocating, and the world seemed to offer no way out. But in the deepest darkness of my life, a small little ray of hope from CHESS Homeless shone through offering me a bed at the winter project.
“At first, it was just a flicker of action - choosing to accept the help, choosing to let someone in, choosing to face the pain instead of running from it. The path wasn’t easy and it wasn’t quick. There were setbacks, tears and moments where the temptation to give up felt overwhelming. But each day I made the decision to do the right thing; no matter how small, life began to change.
“I started to see the cracks in my darkness where light could shine through. I found people who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. I found strength and hope through CHESS. Slowly, piece by piece, I rebuilt a life I am proud of - a life filled with purpose, stability and gratitude.
“If you’re in that same dark place, I need you to know that change is possible. No matter how far down you’ve fallen, there is a way back up. It starts with one step, one choice to believe that you are worth saving. Keep moving forward, even when it’s hard, even when you stumble.
‘Life doesn’t just turn around; you turn it around. And I promise, when you do, the view from the other side is more beautiful than you can imagine. Hold on to hope and never stop striving for the life you deserve. You are stronger than you know, and your story isn’t over.”
In addition to providing accommodation and support CHESS also runs an Outreach Team which is part of the Streetlink network. Any alerts we receive via this route we will attempt to make contact with the individual, look at their needs and provide emergency help in the form of warm clothes, food, sleeping bags and even tents in some cases, as well as working with them to provide longer term solutions.
All of these items are provided through the donations of local businesses, individuals, social groups and other supporters.
If you see someone sleeping rough and are concerned, you can also make a Streetlink referral either through the CHESS website www. chesshomeless.org, or at www.thestreetlink.org.uk.
Over the past year CHESS has been developing one of their existing sites to convert it from an old motel into 24 new units of selfcontained accommodation with CHESS’s dedicated support team onsite, as well as a communal space for residents to socialise. Residents will be able to access educational sessions including IT skills, DIY and job advice to help build their confidence back.
The Turning Point development is a £3m project and a huge milestone for CHESS, as well as being the first accommodation of this kind in Essex. Funding for this project has come in from various sources, including SHAP (Single Homeless Accommodation Project),
trusts, local authorities and generous individuals who support our mission.
Although the new site will be operational in spring 2025, we are still seeking funding of around £108,000 to install solar power to make the site as energy efficient as possible.
Rob Saggs, Chief Executive Officer of CHESS Homeless, commented: “The redevelopment of the temporary hostel into brand new homes will be game-changing for us as a charity and the level of support we can offer to people moving on from homelessness. This will be a safe and secure environment, where our residents can rest, heal and move forward with purpose. Our thanks go to all the partners that have made this happen so rapidly and gifted their time to the project.
“CHESS currently has 10 properties which provide temporary accommodation and support services to around 56 adults whilst helping them to regain control of their lives.
“We
How We Are Funded
quite bleak.”
CHESS receives its funding from trusts and grants, local authority bodies, businesses, schools, churches, social groups, individual supporters and through various fundraising activities and events. We also receive physical donations of food and goods which we distribute to our service users and rough sleepers.
CHESS is only able to continue our work because people like you understand that homelessness is a community issue that requires a community response. Whether you are an individual, business owner, or a member of a church or other organisation, there are so many ways you can get involved.
www.chesshomeless.org
Stay Up-To-Date - Make a Donation
On Facebook search for ‘chesshomeless’. On Instagram search for ‘chess. homeless’.
On LinkedIn search for ‘chess homeless’.
are excited to be expanding our homeless provision by another 24 individual homes for vulnerable people, particularly in the midst of a housing crisis when the outlook is
Dads and Doughnuts!
Calling all dads, granddads, uncles, male carers and guardians!
Starting from Saturday 1st March at 10am, come along to Dads and Doughnuts with your babies and toddlers for a fun rhyme-time where we’ll be singing nursery rhymes and reading stories encouraging you to spend quality time with your children (mums are welcome, too!). And yes, there will be doughnuts with a sugar-free alternative being provided. This is a free event, suitable for children under 6 years, no booking required.
Winter Reading Challenge 2025
A huge thank you to all the families who took part in this year’s Winter Reading Challenge and helped our friendly dragons find their way back
Help us run a parent and toddler book club
Do you have a love of reading and storytelling? Can you help spark a young child’s love of reading? Can you bring stories and rhymes to life through your enthusiasm?
We are seeking responsible, enthusiastic volunteers who can help us launch and run a new parents and toddlers group at the our Community Bookshop.
Charity shop manager
We are seeking a dedicated, responsible volunteer who would like to play a leading role in managing a charity shop in central Chelmsford. This would mean helping out on the till and with donations, but also unlocking and locking up, cashing up and helping us keep a rota of volunteers.
Please get in touch if you fancy a fun, varied role with a bit of a challenge.
Charity shop assistants
We are also seeking new volunteers to work alongside the above.
home from the cold!
Don’t forget that anyone who completes the Winter Reading Challenge can enter themselves into the prize draw by scanning the QR code on the certificate they receive. There is a great range of prizes available for the prize draw, including tablets, art and craft kits, book tokens and dragon-themed toys. Find more details and full terms and conditions on our website: libraries.essex.gov.uk/news/ winter-reading-challenge.
Love Essex, Go Green, Get Reading!
We’re excited to announce that Love Essex is teaming up with Essex Library Service to bring a curated collection of e-audio and e-books on Borrow Box to Essex residents, focusing on waste reduction, recycling and sustainable living.
If you’re interested in how you can adopt sustainable ways of living or want to find out about some of the issues, do take a look at our booklist. The list covers a wide range of topics, including reducing plastic use, composting, sustainable cooking, repairing items, and embracing a minimalist lifestyle. You can view our Go Green booklist on Borrow Box - all free to borrow with your library membership.
Please get in touch if you can dedicate one morning or one afternoon a week to our little shop.
Volunteer receptionist
Are you passionate about helping others? Do you want to make a real difference in people’s lives?
Renew Counselling is looking for a dedicated, welcoming and organised volunteer to join our friendly team in the role of Volunteer Receptionist.
Minimum commitment of 3 hours per week (with flexible timing).
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.
Trustee meetings are usually just 4 times a year, so this is a great role for people with busy lives who still want to help.
We are currently recruiting for: Farleigh Hospice, The Millrace Foundation, Essex Youth Build, Interact; Essex Community First Aid, RAF Association, Essex Scouts, Santcus Homeless Charity, Cool to Be Kind, The Wilderness Foundation, Essex Garden Trust, City of Chelmsford Mencap, South East & Central Mind.
Please call the Volunteer Centre for more information.
Crafts - By Magali Ellis and Scrap-Circle
Are you new to crafting and don’t know where to start? Where do you get help and advice from? Much like anything new, it can be a bit daunting to start off your crafting journey! But fear not, we are here to help!
First of all, crafters are generous and friendly people. It is not uncommon that someone forgets to bring something specific to craft days or retreats. Just say the word and you will have several people coming to the rescue, offering the use of their equipment, or a bit of their stash or advice on how to proceed.
Secondly, the craft world - although sometimes competitive - is all embracing. So whatever your style, people are always encouraging and cheer you along. When people get stuck for ideas, or just cannot get what their page is missing, ask around and people will come to you with suggestions.
Thirdly, most retreats have projects. Whether they are classes or self-paced, instructions are given and you can follow them to produce pages, cards or books. The creator is usually onsite and you can ask them for further clarifications should you need to. They are more than happy to help out!
Finally, there are workshops you can enrol to. These are great to work on a small project and in the same way as the retreats, you will have everything you need to complete it: paper, embellishments, ribbons, etc… And you will be able to borrow and use the organiser’s inks, stamps, dies and more.
The Art Place at Meadows Shopping Centre: More Than a Shop - Community, Caring, Learning, Hope and Love
Chelmsford Remembers: A Themed Exhibition for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day
This spring, The Art Place is hosting a special exhibition in partnership with Chelmsford For You, to honour the city’s wartime history. This is part of Chelmsford’s commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day). The exhibition runs from 15th April to 15th May and will showcase residents’ memories, family photographs, eyewitness accounts and rare artefacts.
Chelmsford played a vital role in World War 2, and visitors can find out more about the important role played during the war and many the contributions of its people to the ultimate victory.
If you have family stories, letters, photographs, or memorabilia from the wartime years, you are warmly invited to contribute to the exhibition and play a part in preserving this heroic history.
To participate, email communityexhibition@ideashubchelmsford.org. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a meaningful event that celebrates, shares and keeps alive the memory of Chelmsford’s important contribution for future generations!
A Local Artist: Alistair Gillan (JAG)
Jag Gillan is an artist captivated by the mind’s power - its resilience, ambition, and ability to transcend reality through dreams. His work blends traditional artistry with advanced technology, creating pieces that embody both strength and imagination.
With over 25 years in the creative industry, Jag has mastered various disciplines, including graphic design, animation and video production. However, fine art remains his true passion. His intricate compositions tell layered stories, often incorporating smaller images within larger portraits to add depth and complexity.
More than just visual representations, his works reflect narratives of
Therefore, if you want to learn or start a new craft such as scrapbooking, mixed media, journaling, book making, knitting, embroidery, crochet, book folding - then look no further: we at ScrapCircle can help you out.
We believe that face-to-face meetings are better than YouTube videos, because when you come to our craft days, you get to meet like-minded people who will help you with an individual approach to suit your needs. All you need to do is reach out and email us at info@ scrap-circle.co.uk with your requests and questions and we will get in touch.
Most workshops and classes will take place during our monthly Saturday craft days in Highwood near Chelmsford, and you will have 2 formats to choose from:
1. You can either come for a 2 hour taster session between 10am and midday for £10.
2. You can come for the full craft day + project 9.30am to 4.30pm for £28.
Let us know you are coming and which craft you are interested in so that we can plan your session. Check our website for dates: www. scrap-circle.co.uk.
We are here for you and we look forward to welcoming you in the crafting community!
endurance, emotion, and human aspiration.
A pioneer in merging art with technology, Jag embraces artificial intelligence as both a tool and a collaborator. By integrating AI into his process, he expands artistic boundaries, exploring new textures, structures, and forms that bring unexpected dimensions to his work.
This innovative approach allows him to challenge perceptions while staying rooted in storytelling.
Through digital paintings, large-format prints, and AI-assisted creations, Jag continues to engage and inspire a growing audience. His art invites viewers into a world where resilience and dreams intertwine, offering a striking visual exploration of the human experience.
This article was written by Elena from EKM Gallery
For more information about our work, projects, workshops and support offered, please visit www.ideashubchelmsford.org and follow us on Facebook by searching ‘The Art Place Chelmsford’ (for The Art Place) and ‘Ideas Hub Chelmsford’ for the charity in general, and on Instagram by searching, ‘Art Place Chelmsford’.
Interior Design Tips for Your Home - By Tania Dadd
Here goes….
Hello Spring!
You can’t deny that the sun making an appearance after the rainy grey days we have recently endured definitely lifts your spirits, especially for the prospect of warmer months ahead.
My design tips this month are for the start of the spring season, to hopefully inspire you to bring some fresh, uplifting ideas to your home.
• Decorate your front door with a wreath: Wreaths are not just for Christmas! If you decide to make one yourself you can change it to suit the seasons. Spring flowers and blossoms will look stunning but are short-lived, a faux wreath will obviously last longer.
• Swap winter cushions for something lighter and brighter: Introducing color through cushions and throws is an easy way to bring some fresh engergy and lightness in to the room. Pastel colors and florals will bring the spring in.
• Roll out a lighter rug: Thick furry rugs can go away with any cushions or throws. Add a warm yellow colour or go for a natural feel sisal, jute or seagrass rug, these will also add texture.
• The good old fashioned saying, ‘spring clean’ is appropriate for this time of year. Take the opportunity to declutter and reorganise what items you have on display. Pack away any winter things or if they have served their purpose give them to charity or sell.
• Add fresh scent to your room: Citrus-based fragrances, as well as rosemary, jasmine and honesuckle, are natural scents that create a garden-like feel indoors.
• Spring flowers and plants allow you to add some pots to the front of your house, alternatively the entrance hall or kitchen,
which will give your property a boost of vibrant color and freshness. If you don’t want to break the bank, a bunch of daffodils in a vase on the table will look simple but stunning for not a lot of money. Hydrangeas in a pot will look beautiful indoors and can then be planted in the garden after, where it will be great to see them coming out year after year. Don’t forget pots on patio areas and add a few spring flowers or bulbs.
• Wallpaper: If you are in need of decorating or just fancy a change, a natural-inspired wallpaper will certainly give you a sense of renewal, which is, after all, what spring is all about.
• Table accessories: You could consider floral plates and napkins or maybe coloured glasswear (green or pink seem to be in all of the shops right now). A tray made from woven natural materials and candle holders in pastel colours will give a dowdy surface an uplift.
• Add a pop of colour to the bathroom, as these rooms tend to be smaller. Bathmats, towels and a small vase of flowers will add some interest. You could go bolder and paint the walls in a vibrant color.
• If you want to go all out as they say, then artwork could be changed for pieces that reflect the energy of spring, such as beach pictures or lively natural paintings.
At this time of year we can feel like we need to do a bigger make over or refresh which can sometimes be daunting if you are not sure where to start.
If you would like any advice on interiors, we offer a consultation free of charge. Our services include interior design, colour consultation and styling.
07979 663 339 info@saltmarshinteriors.co.uk www.saltmarshinteriors.co.uk
Tales from the Circle - By Sylvia Kent
Spring Is Here - At Last!
“It’s strange how a change of any kind - even seasonal - can affect a writer’s disposition. One minute you’re planning to enter a writing competition but possibly have no strong inspiration, and the next, the sun is shining and ideas come flooding in!”
At least this is what one of our members of Brentwood Writers’ Circle, said on Saturday last when we were all gathered at Bardswell Social Club where fellow writers, poets and latterly, one screenwriter, were gathered. Words are our business and their importance and imageries within this special workshop were chosen by our Chair, Helen Finch and Julie Gowers. Descriptions are vital in every aspect of both prose and poetry in our continuing efforts to entertain, inform and inspire. With the presence of some new members who are working on some mind-blowing genres, Saturday’s afternoon was not to be missed.
What often starts out as a mere collection of like-minded individuals, on occasion, turns out to become a magical miscellany of excellent prose and poetry. That is, often unexpectedly, the joy from a writing circle gathering.
Along with many other creative notions, writing is not as easy as some people seem to think. Talent may naturally be present but constant practice is wise if a budding writer really wants to see their work published. Fortunately, many BWC members have been traditionally published and others have self-published their work successfully online. Congratulations to all!
When our Writers’ Circle reached its 80th birthday in 2021, becoming one of the UK’s oldest writing groups, we published an anthology with appreciative support from Brentwood Arts Society (BAC). This book, A Circle of Words, contains a super eclectic mix of narrative-fiction and non-fiction, plus a little poetry.
I think it represents some pretty good examples of our members’ creative work. Copies are still available via our website at www.rentwoodwriterscircle. com.
Remember, we meet on the first Saturday of the month at 2.30pm4.30pm at Bardswell Social Club, Weald Road, Brentwood (first visit is free).
Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Hyacinth from Keeping up Appearances share which surname?
Behind the Candelabra was a biographical film about which pianist?
The Mendip Hills lie in which English county?
Chicories are closely related to which other vegetable?
Sid Vicious was the bass player in which punk band? Sigas, gerenuks and impalas are all species of which animal?
Butterhead, Batavia and Winter Density are all types of which vegetable?
Which car company makes the Jazz model?
How many minutes are there in one degree?
Focaccia, pita and brioche are all types of what?
Errol Brown was the lead singer with which group, named after a drink?
Snooker players Neil Robertson and Eddie Charlton come from which country?
Which London Underground line has the most stations?
What type of animal is called a chameau in French?
Whose biography Dear Fatty is written as a series of letters, mainly to friends and relatives?
A castrated horse is known as what?
How did French revolutionary Joan of Arc die?
Who was chosen to be Lord Mayor of London on four occasions, 1397, 1398, 1406 and 1419?
Prior to a name change in 1990, what were Snickers bars called?
What type of creature is a sculpin?
In rhyming slang, what does ‘rabbit & pork’ refer to?
On a calculator, what does the AC button stand for?
The brothers Matt and Luke Goss formed which ’80s pop
band?
Including dewclaws, how many toes in total does the average cat have?
In darts, what score is known as ‘bed & breakfast’?
From which protein are human hair, nails and skin made? By area, what is the largest country in the world?
Ferrero Rocher and Nutella are both a mix of chocolate and which nut?
Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Party Boy and Wee Man are performers in which stunt crew?
Frequently heard at sports events, Hit The Road Jack was a 1962 hit for which bues singer and pianist?
Which fictional detective, played by Alan Davies, lived in a windmill?
Mandy, Zac and Charity are members of which soap opera family?
Which tennis legend was, during his career, known as the Superbrat?
Who is the only president of the USA to win more than two presidential elections?
Stonefish, Toadfish and Tadpole Rebecci are all characters in which Australian Soap opera?
Madonna made a record 85 costume changes in which 1996 musical film?
Moon, Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva are the children of which musician?
Found on the island of Sicily, which is the largest active volcano in Europe?
Cuboid and calcaneous bones are found in which part of the body?
The adrenal glands are situated atop of which organs in the human body?
29th March - Partial Solar Eclipse
March Equinox: On 20th March the Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of autumn (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.
The next total solar eclipse in the United Kingdom is on Saturday 23rd September 2090. However, if you didn’t want to wait that long there will be a total solar eclipse in Iceland and Spain on 12th August 2026 - the first totality in mainland Europe since 1999.
This partial eclipse will be visible throughout Greenland and most of northern Europe and northern Russia. It will be best seen from Canada with 93% coverage. More info here: www.rmg.co.uk/whatson/online/solar-eclipse-march-2025-uk-live-stream.
Youngest Grumpy Old Man
Columnists in The Sun and other news outlets have been going on about Dr Who with rumours that it could be curtains for our beloved Time Lord. The show has been going, on and off, for over 60 years now.
I grew up with Doctor Who and I’m a big fan of the show. My generation has seen a certain amount of classic who and NuWho. I also got to see my first regeneration from Tom Baker to Peter Davison. If you have to ask me who my favourite doctors are, these have to be Tom Baker and David Tennant.
If you ask me who are my favourite villains, then the Master would have to be top - he is Moriaty to Doctor Who’s Holmes and the opposite of what the Doctor stands for. The daleks come next, and Davros.
Doctor Who has had problems in its past too but managed to get over them. The screening days and the times and the lengths of some episodes did not help. The hiatus was in the Colin Baker era. I did actually get to meet him and get his autograph at a convention many years ago.
Then, in 1989 just after Sylvester McCoy finished the 26th season of Doctor Who the show was finished on TV for a while.
Did we think it would ever be back? It was kept alive in the fans’ hearts through clubs and videos, but it was 7 years before a movie was subsequently made, which wasn’t too bad and grew on you over the years. That was in 1996. Thought it might have been a kickstart but it wasn’t. Another 9 years had to pass before we got Doctor Who properly back on television. 2005 was the year to be precise. The show was snazzier and more polished.
The show was going well for years, then it started having problems. Lead writers left and sometimes tried different ideas that seemed not to work. Also the characters were changed about a bit; that was perhaps being progressive but seemed not to work either. It is straying too far from its roots too quickly. Which is a shame.
22nd and 23rd April - Lyrids Meteor Shower: The remnants of comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher which was discovered in 1861. Peaking on 22nd - 23rd April, this is best viewed from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Lyra, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Mars is in Gemini, becoming dimmer as Earth draws away. It is an evening sky object, close to the stars Castor and Pollux, also known as the Heavenly Twins.
Jupiter is an evening sky object, until just after midnight the binary star t Tauri, about 400 light years distant from Earth. Jupiter continues to dim as it moves away from opposition.
New Moon: On 29th March and 27th April there will be a new Moon. This means the skies will be extra dark which is a great opportunity to see planets, galaxies and deep space objects.
As usual, email me with any questions: mark.willis@ chelmsfordcommunityradio.com. And don’t forget to put your clocks forward by one hour at 1am on 30th March.
Mark Willis also presents The Retro Chart Show on Chelmsford Community Radio on 104.4 FM and also on the web: www. chelmsfordcommunityradio.com.
We just don’t know what will happen with Doctor Who. The BBC is saying it is not going to be cancelled, but Disney are not committing to a series after the one coming in April.
Quiz & Wordsearch Answers
Bucket
Liberace
Somerset
Lettuce
The Sex Pistols
Antelope
Lettuce Honda
60 Bread
Hot Chocolate
Australia
District Line (60 stations)
Camel
Dawn French Gelding
She was burned at the stake
Dick Whittington
Marathon Fish Talk
‘All Clear’
Bros
18, 5 on each front and 4 on back feet
26
Keratin
Russia
Hazelnut
Jackass
Ray Charles
Jonathan Creek
The Dingles in Emmerdale
John McEnroe
Franklin D Roosevelt
Neighbours
Evita
Frank Zappa
Mount Etna
Foot
Kidneys
