168/169 Moulsham Street
01245 355792
City Times
www.robinsonscatering.com
Chelmsford
The
See Inside for a Chance to Win Fling Tickets
Including: Boreham, Broomfield, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, The Walthams and Writtle 10000 copies distributed monthly Issue Number 20: 15th May - 19th June 2015
CT Welcome
Next Issue Deadlines
This month we have a great competition for you; as media sponsor for The Fling Festival, we have a pair of VIP tickets to give away - see page 11 for details.
Artwork 11th June Articles 5th June
Welcome to our 20th issue,
What else is new? We are now venturing into Maldon, so look out for the magazine in and around the town. If you wish to advertise or contribute articles please email us at: ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk. We are pleased to be sponsoring Heritage Open Days this year, which is organised by Chelmsford Civic Society on behalf of Chelmsford City Council. There will be more information in coming issues about this.
Walking Guide to Chelmsford Pubs Reprinted
Regards Nick & Paul
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk, www.moulshamtimes.com Advertising Nick Garner 07970 206682 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk
Editorial Paul Mclean 07595 949701 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 Imagery UK.
Free ring back service Free text back service 4 - 8 seater vehicles
Discount applies to metered fairs only. The voucher must be given to the driver to receive the discount. Expiry 30/6/15 City Times
The Friends of Chelmsford Museums is pleased to announce the reprinting by popular demand of A Walking Guide to the Pubs of Central Chelmsford and Moulsham: Past and Present, which was first produced in 2013 in collaboration with Chelmsford and Mid-Essex CAMRA branch. The guide takes the form of a handy A5 sized 16 page illustrated pull-out leaflet. It provides the names for some 90 licenced premises that research has shown have existed in the High Street, Moulsham Street, Duke Street, Tindell Street, New Street and the town end of Springfield Road over the past 500 years and is packed with fascinating details about changes of name, people that ran them, famous connections and historic events that have taken place. The cover shows a reconstruction of the High Street based upon the Walker map of 1591 at which time Chelmsford had “many fayre innes …”. In Tindell Street alone it is known that every building down one side, where now there is only the High Chelmer precinct, was at one time or another a named drinking establishment. Elsewhere, some of these pubs survive and continue to provide a convivial atmosphere and fine beers. The guide costs 75p and is available from Chelmsford Museum located in Oaklands Park, Moulsham (proceeds from the sale will enable the Friends to support the museum’s activities). It can also be obtained from some public houses in central Chelmsford (including The Cricketers, The Queens Head, The Orange Tree, The Railway Tavern and The Hop Shop) and will be available at the CAMRA Summer Beer Festival in Admirals Park, 7th - 11th July. Love Your Museum, be a Friend: www.friendschelmsmuseum.btck.co.uk
Page 3
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
CT Fashion -
Build Your Summer Wardrobe
At the time of writing this, there is still a chill in the air and it feels a bit optimistic to be talking about summer clothes, but a month is a long time for our great British weather and things change, so I am going to work on the basis that by the time you are reading this, it will be balmy and warm and this will make perfect sense.
If you have wandered down our high street recently, you will find that the womenswear summer collections are now in our stores, they will be adding to their summer collections with new styles as the season progresses, this is called ‘High Summer’ then. When summer has barely even began, the shops start bringing in their autumn collections. That’s the way fashion works, it’s a fast turnaround, so the customer is never bored and can always buy the latest trend. So the moral of this story - if you are lucky enough to have planned a late summer holiday - is don’t leave your shopping until August, as there won’t be any summer stock left, although you may pick up a cheeky bargain. So around now would be the optimum time to go through your summer wardrobe and decide what should go and what should stay. What gaps are you left with? What do you need to focus on when out shopping? Usually you won’t need to shop for a whole summer wardrobe, you may have lots of workwear but nothing to wear on a weekend. You may have your clothes sorted, but you may lack accessories, maybe you only need to buy for your holiday. Think of your summer wardrobe as four different sections; your work wardrobe, your weekend wardrobe, your holiday wardrobe and your occasion wear. You don’t need four different collections of clothes, what you need is a selection of clothes and accessories that are interchangeable, wearable and work for our weather, as well as abroad. Plan outfits in advance in your head, or have a trying-on session. Do it for your working week, or for your holiday - it will stop you panic buying and save time. Summer Essentials… You May Already Have Some of These Ballet pumps, Some linen or cotton shirts (in white or pastel colours), pencil skirt and cropped trousers (in navy, black, or a neutral colour), lightweight blazer in a neutral colour, denim jacket, a couple of work dresses (shift or wrap or shirtdress), tunic dress, flat leather sandals, platform sandals or block heel sandals, Converse trainers (or similar pumps), waterproof jacket (or kagool), a selection of cardi’s (in brights or pastels), plain or patterned kimono-style cover up, boyfriend jeans, vest tops and t-shirts (patterned and plain), sunglasses, sun hat, maxi dress, summer print trousers, mid-length skirt, occasion wear dress, shorts, swimming costume (or bikini) and a summer bag (like raffia, pastel leather or denim). High Street Best Buys for Summer AUTOGRAPH Pure Linen Easy to Iron Twin Pockets Belted Shirt Dress (T504552) £49.50 (great for work and weekend) - M&S. LIMITED EDITION High Cut Slingback Court Shoes with Insolia® (T029420) £25.00 (great for a wedding or work) - M&S.
Tailored crop pants £34.95 - Gap. These trousers from Gap are the best work trousers ever and there’s a style for every body shape. They also could be worn on a night out with a boho-style embroidered top. 1969 sexy boyfriend denim shorts £34.95 - Gap.
AUTOGRAPH No Peep™ Pure Linen Easy to Iron Shirt (T504727) £35.00 - M&S. This great work/ weekend shirt comes in lots of colours, including pale blue and yellow. Plunge V-Neck Cami £16.00 (bright yellow) - Topshop. Vienna Woven Ballet Flats £18.00 Topshop. Palm Leaf Print Strappy Jumpsuit £42.00 - Topshop. High Apex Slip Topshop (10K05HT0M) £28.00 - Topshop. Stripe 4-in-1 trapeze dress £39.95 - Gap. This dress is a very easy everyday dress and can be worn in 4 different ways. Leather bow crossbody £39.95 - Gap. Perforated leather clutch £24.95 Gap. Stripe straw clutch £14.95 - Gap. Jungle Palm Trousers £36.00 Warehouse. Plain Cami £18.00 (in black) Warehouse. Sporty Gladiator £38.00 (comes in black or brown) - Warehouse. Chambray slip-on sneakers £29.95 - Gap. Star Embroidered Cross Body Bag £28.00 - Warehouse. Pocket Vest £10.00 (in blue) - Warehouse. Palm Print Vest £16.00 - Warehouse. Bandeau Maxi Dress £32.00 - Next.
Photos courtesyt of Next and Primark
Pineapple Punch Tieside Bikini Bottoms £18.00 - Fat Face. Pineapple Punch Twist Tankini £28.00 - Fat Face. Pineapple Punch Ruched Bikini £ 22.00 - Fat Face.
LIMITED EDITION Western Denim Jacket (T693049J) £45.00 - M&S.
Vest (code 8236164) £4.00 (black and white print) - Primark.
Aviator glasses - Fat Face or Primark.
Vest print £ 4.00 (white with black birds) - Primark,
Slim Cropped Trousers £34.95 - Gap.
Emma Smith is a style advisor and lives in Chelmsford. She offers personal shopping and wardrobe planning. Email her at: emma@ True Straight Trousers £34.95 - Gap. emmasmith.co.uk. Website: www.emmasmith.co.uk. Page 4 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
MONDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
THURSDAYS
Springfield Community Centre Perryfields School Lawn Lane CM1 7PP 5:00pm and 7:00pm Angie 07814 992628
Writtle Community Association Longmeads House 12-14 Redwood Drive Writtle CM1 3LY 5.00pm and 7:00pm Amanda 07796 893392
North Springfield Baptist Church Havengore, off Pump Lane Springfield CM1 6JP 7:30pm Victoria 07823 441198
Millennium Community Centre Recreation Ground Baddow Road Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9:30am, 11:30am and 1.15pm Lucy 01245 262457
Sandon Village Hall Woodhill Road Sandon CM2 7SQ 7:00pm Lucy 01245 262457
TUESDAYS TUESD
Broomfield Village Hall 158 Main Road (behind Angel Pub) Broomfield CM1 7AH 3.30pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Victoria 07823 441198 Millennium Community Centre Recreation Ground Baddow Road Great Baddow CM2 9RL 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7:30pm Samantha 01245 266442
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 Angie 07814 992628 Boreham Village Hall Main Road Boreham CM3 3JD 5:30pm and 7:30pm Glynn 07984 049777 Springfield Park Baptist Church Springfield Park Road Spingfield CM2 6EB 7.30pm Emma 07887 692906
NEW CONSULTANT from 4th June Newlands Spring Community Hall Dickens Place Chelmsford CM1 4UU 7:30pm Jennifer 07792 516866
Chelmer Village Hall Chelmer Village Way (Next to Asda) Chelmer Village CM2 6RE 7:30pm Emma 07887 692906
FRIDAYS
The Church Of Ascension Maltese Road Chelmsford CM1 2PB 9:30am Samantha 01245 266442
SATURDAYS
Springfield Park Baptist Church Springfield Park Road Spingfield CM2 6EB 8.30am and 10.30am St Michael's Church of England Emma 07887 692906 Junior School, Barnard Road, Galleywood CM2 8RR 7:30pm Emma 07887 692906
Blues in the City and Music News It is May already - where does the time go? There is lots beginning to happen right now. We have just had the amazing Cosmic Puffin Festival number 8, it was packed and has raised thousands for charity again. We have also had the first Soundstock Festival, which I hope has done well. To find out where the festivals are, best to either pick up a free copy of Grapevine magazine, or go online and look at either Festival Calendar or E festivals. Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective are pleased to be headlining the Stow Blues Festival on Saturday 6th June, which will be the third of eight that we have booked so far this year across the UK. Back to The Bassment and our regular monthly events. On Wednesday 10th June we have and all girl night with the return of the
fabulous Lexie Green and The Sheri Kershaw Band - it will be a night to remember for sure. The first Thursday of each month sees The Bassment Blues Jam, which is always fun - and you never know just who may turn up and play... We have confirmed our lineup for four festivals, two of them in conjunction with It’s Your Music. The first being The Fling Festival on Saturday 4th July followed by Brownstock, where we have booked all of the great lineup for the Saloon Bar Stage. The next two after these will be the 5th Blues in the City 3 Day Festival from 2nd to 4th October, which this year is raising money for Remus Horse Sanctuary. I must of course thank the sponsors who help to make it all
possible: Ad Bly Construction, A&M Tiling, Recognition Express, Sign Masters, Chelmer Web Design, Round Tower Brewery & It’s Your Media. The next is another new one for us The Bassment Blues Day on Saturday 28th November with eight amazing acts playing on two stages over nine hours from 2pm to 11pm. There will be more information about this event over the coming months. To be kept up-to-date, please visit our website: www.bluesinthecity.co.uk or search Facebook for Blues in the City Chelmsford or on Twitter: @bluesinthecity1. So much more goes on in the city as well, just check out the What’s On guide in this magazine to find out who is putting on what and where. Walthamstock is on Saturday 27th June and May sees the Shakster Records Weekender from 23rd to 24th at The Fleece. Also, from the 23rd to 25th July at The Fleece is Bay Days. There are many other festivals in the area, such as the Leigh Folk Festival at Leigh-on-Sea (the biggest open air free folk festival in Europe) from 25th to 28th June. Asylum have a charity fundraiser at the end of the month and the OG Fest is over the August bank holiday weekend. If you know of any more great musical events happening, then please email: editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk. We will do our best to get them listed for you in this magazine. Keep supporting live music, because without your support we just might lose it. Please see the adverts on page 31 for more details and please support our sponsors if you can! Nick Garner www.bluesinthecity.co.uk
Page 6
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Does Exactly What it Says on the Tin by Simon Culleton
Jam First by Buscall & Flynn’s
We have been trading for almost two and a half years now and to be quite I have been researching for these past honest, if I had £1 for every time I have overheard a heated debate between two days into the world of advertising customers at Buscall & Flynn’s Tearoom, and far from being numbed and I would be a very rich lady! The culprit dulled by the experience, I now feel responsible for these population dividing compelled almost to the point of discussions is the centrepiece of the addiction to fill my life with products that I was previously, blissfully ignorant traditional cream tea..... THE SCONE! Or is that scone (rhymes with John)? of. How did I ever survive without the Confused? Me too! Electron? A lightweight, adjustable, solar powered head torch (midnight Some say that it depends where you come from. trips to the toilet will never be the Here down south, we are more likely to say scone (rhymes with Joan) same again). Or the newly designed compact, travel friendly, easy and the further north you get the posher the pronunciation (think to use trouser press - the days of creased trousers on holiday are Hyacinth Bucket!!) I searched online and found that the birthplace over. Come Sunday, if my credit card allows, I will be the envy of my neighbours as I glide across my lawn (all 10 square meters of it) on the of the scone is in fact Ireland and they pronounce it scone (rhymes brand new Mountford 450cc lawn tractor which can cut a football pitch with John) and they of all people should know. to the accuracy 3mm and as the advertisers assured me, will save Your location also has a a great deal to do with the next debate; Jam valuable time for other recreations… (pub). first or cream first? Most of us know this has something to do with Devon and Cornwall right? Well apparently if you come from Devon Advertising has been with us for almost as long as there have been products to promote. The first recorded advertising artifacts discovered it’s cream first, then jam and if you come from Cornwall its jam first, then cream. My personal preference is the Cornish way, jam then in this country were of Roman paintings (bill-boards) advertising forthcoming Roman entertainment: (A must see, fun for all the family, cream, but that may have something to do with my Auntie Sue who side splitting - quite literally - gladiatorial fight to the death, performing lives in Newquay! for one night only.) Yet it wasn’t until people could read, that But what do you think? advertising as we know it today really took off, ‘Have you used Pears’ soap today?’ was the first catchy advertising pun in the mid 19th A traditional cream tea here at Buscall & Flynn’s comes with two century. ‘Have you washed at all?’ might have been more accurate. freshly baked scones, which can be plain or sultana (another debate The use of ‘word play’ is still most prominent in present day advertising entirely!!) clotted cream, Tiptree jam and a pot of tea or coffee. Because there are two beautiful scones included, you could have and without consciously knowing it, we all unwittingly advertise products in our everyday language. We no longer search a word on the one the Devonshire way and the other the Cornish way and decide which one you like best! Either way, they are totally scrummy and all Internet but ‘google’ it; we seldom vacuum our houses but ‘hoover’ the nicer if you are sitting in out secret garden in the sunshine like I them (I seldom do either). In Germany, the spoken word for breakfast am right now writing this. cereal is ‘kellogg’s’ and in Australia the given name for a vegetable spread is ‘vegemite’, which of course are all product names. When we realise that we have been duped into advertising a product just by referring to them, it can be like Vegemite and leave a bad taste in our mouth. Yet in the world of advertising, there is no such thing as bad advertising, although clearly some companies can make mistakes and inadvertently advertise something entirely different from what was originally intended. A shop in the US which allows children to exchange old toys for new ones advertised this on it’s shop front but forgot to space the words which now read: KIDSEXCHANGE and a town in Australian called Yass was proud to finally get it’s first McDonald’s. The large capital M logo was placed on the road sign which promoted it’s opening times read as ‘MYASS open at 6am’. Yet with an estimate £467 billion spend on advertising world wide, it’s safe to say it’s here to stay - and it works too. Here in the UK businesses can expect a £1.79 yield for every £1 spent on advertising, so it is no wonder that companies are investing ever more to entice us towards their products. Subliminal advertising is a relatively new form of seduction which is to say, the ability to plant a thought within the subconscious (I never knew I had one) and if successful, subliminal advertising will not only persuade us to buy a product, but convince us that it was our decision to buy it in the first place. (so that’s why I bought those flared trousers). Have you ever been to the cinema and ran out to the kiosk with a sudden urge to buy a cold drink? Well if subliminal advertising had anything to do with it, it wasn’t just the Coca-Cola advert set amongst an arid desert scene which prompted your sudden need, but perhaps the word ‘thirst’ that was subliminally slipped into the text of the adverting poster that you inadvertently read as you queued to get in. So here is my attempt, albeit crude, Simon is wonderful to subliminally splice in a hidden message Simon is wonderful into the last part of this column Simon is wonderful and hopefully if successful, you will all have Simon is wonderful an enduring thought towards me... or maybe I am just like Marmite… simon@limepad.com
Open 6 days a week serving breakfast, lunch, Afternoon Teas, Cream Teas and Cakes
Homemade Cakes and Scones baked on the premises Freshly made sandwiches, jacket potatoes, full english breakfast and panini’s. Afternoon Tea & Cream Teas served every day Locally sourced produce Garden (Dog friendly)
74 Springfield Road Chelmsford CM2 6JY www.buscallandflynns.co.uk 01245 283377
Page 7
Open Mon - Fri 7am to 4pm Sat 9am - 4pm We are located opposite Tesco's in between Cycle King and Warren Evans
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
CT Gardening by Tom Cole Even the smallest town garden can be transformed into a haven for wild flowers and animals with a minimal amount of sympathetic management. Such natural oases can form vital habitats, providing food, shelter and breeding sites for animals. They also link rural and urban areas together and act as wildlife highways and stop-off points. Less than 1% of Britain’s 22,400 species of insects are garden pests, and many are beneficial pollinators and predators or parasites of garden pests.
Ways to Encourage Wildlife in the Garden When planning and managing a garden for wildlife, here are just a few simple guidelines that should be followed: 1. Turn over as large an area as possible to wildlife. The bigger the wildlife garden, the more balanced and stable it will be as a habitat. 2. Provide a variety of habitats to increase the range of animals and plants that can be found in the garden. Many animals require more than one habitat to complete their life cycle. For example, many butterflies will feed on nectar plants in the garden but will only be passing visitors unless you provide a food plant for the caterpillars, such as a patch of young stinging nettles in full sun. Birds may require berries and seeds for food, as well as nesting and
roosting sites such as a hedgerow or a clump of mature tree ivy. 3. Provide cover and protection for your wildlife. Lightly clipped hedges, lush pond side vegetation, ground cover and log piles will all provide shelter. 4. Link habitats together and provide wildlife corridors. Often shy animals will not risk being exposed and end up being trapped in one area of the garden. For example, frogs will not venture out onto a close cut lawn. By planting up the back of the pond with a lush bog areas frogs will come out of the pond to feed on slugs and insects and if the bog garden then leads to the vegetable plot or herbaceous border, they can help with natural pest control there too. Hedges can act as wildlife corridors connecting the garden to other wildlife oases and highways outside the garden such as canals, woodlands and railway embankments ensuring a steady flow of animals through your garden. 5. Avoid excessive tidiness. Allow plants to seed to provide food for seedeating birds. Leave vegetation and dead wood stacked in a shady spot to provide over-wintering sites for insects and amphibians. Where safety and disease considerations allow, dead branches may be left as insect habitats and nesting sites for birds and bats. 6. Reduce the use of fertilisers and pesticides and be tolerant of some disease and pest damage. Where available use biological controls and/or short persistence or selective pesticides. Strive to achieve a natural balance and recycle garden waste, thereby completing the nutrient cycle. 7. Use local plant stock where available. Often native plants sold by your garden centre or seed merchant have been grown from seed from the continent and could well be European subspecies which differ genetically from our own indigenous plants. Wild flowers are protected by law and should not be collected. Good luck and happy gardening!
Spring is here don’t delay call today!
20% discount when you mention City Times
For any gardening tips, why not contact Tom Cole, Head of Faculty for Land & Environment, 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
CHELMSFORD GOLF CLUB (FOUNDED IN 1893)
MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ONE OF THE OLDEST TRADITIONAL, PRIVATE MEMBERS’ CLUBS IN THE COUNTY. A BEAUTIFUL PARKLAND COURSE, DESIGNED BY JAMES BRAID AND HARRY COLT. A HIDDEN GEM TUCKED AWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF CHELMSFORD.
WE WELCOME LADIES, GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS AS MEMBERS.
• Full Membership • 3 Month Trial Membership • Starter Membership • Cadet Membership FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON CHELMSFORD GOLF CLUB AND MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CONTACT THE CLUB DIRECTLY.
TEL: 01245 256483 EMAIL: OFFICE@CHELMSFORDGC.CO.UK WEBSITE: WWW.CHELMSFORDGC.CO.UK
30th June 2015
Page 9
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
May. The month of seasonal produce’s heavy hitters asparagus and Jersey News. For me it’s the month I was born and for the last ten years I’ve spent the lead up to my birthday looking back and wondering what if..? I’m sure I’m not alone in this - fruitlessly questioning questionable decisions I can do nothing to change. What I can change (and resolve to do this every birthday) is me. Every Saturday I watch from my window as the Chelmsford Parkrunners quickstep their way through Central Park, my wife shuffling amongst them in her lycra sports gear. I have decided that in the coming months I will become one of them. I say, ‘coming months’ as one cannot simply jump into these things. At my tender age there are additional considerations, one’s knees, stamina, BMI, the fact that in running gear I resemble a bag of doughnuts. There are other considerations; tobacco, takeaway addiction and single malt scotch have not merited a physical frame ideal for exertion and indeed, give me the aerodynamics of a sofa, so there’s a little work to be done before revealing myself to the other four hundred or so participants. Now, kind intelligent City Times readers, I am in no way considering several weeks of chowing down on mung beans and tofu in the hope of slimming down to a size zero, but what I will do is ferry my robust man-sized frame into Chelmsford Market and actually spend a little time considering buying food that has not at any point maintained a steady pulse or indeed, comes coated with a secret blend of herbs and spices. No longer will my only joy in shopping for vegetables be to point out the spelling mistakes
CT Cooking by John Jacobs
log onto: www.parkrun.org.uk/ chelmsfordcentral. Should you see me, please say hello and ensure you have Broomfield A&E on speed-dial. As always, I look forward to reading your recipes, restaurant recommendations or ideas for new a wonderful ways to cook. These can be sent to: cctfood@ gmail.com. If you have any mung bean and tofu recipes you’d like to submit, send them to The Guardian. Have a great month everyone. Mixed Fruit Danish This is probably the simplest delight that you can put into your food repertoire and can fill any kitchen with the heart warming aroma of baking. Also you don’t need to be Mary Berry to pull this off and impress your nearest and neediest. There are really only 2 ingredients: Ready-made puff pastry and the filling of your choice. I used a mixture of mincemeat left over from Christmas and some chopped dried fruits. It combines to make a moist sugary mix that melts whilst in the oven.
and random use of apostrophes much beloved by greengrocers. Naturally embarking on this endeavour with the utmost seriousness I have, of course, diligently researched what the best breakfast should be before taking to the trail for a five kilometre trek. An abundance of slow release complex carbohydrates, rich antioxidants, low content unrefined sugars,
reduced glycaemic substances and refined starches. As I have absolutely no idea what any of that means, I’ve baked an enormous Danish pastry and covered it in icing. I believe this is what the helpful folk in the local health food shop had in mind. If any of you are interested in joining the joyous spectacle that is Chelmsford Parkrun,
Method Lay the pastry on a flat surface and spoon your fruit mixture down the centre. Cut 2cm strips outwards on the exposed pastry and fold those strips over the mix alternating as you go to give a criss-cross pattern. Brush a light coating of beaten egg over the pastry to add a glaze and then pop in a hot oven until browned. I used an icing sugar mixed with a squeeze of lemon juice to form a paste to pipe over the pastry once cooled to decorate. Easy.
View all of our magazines online at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia Page 10
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Roundtower Celebrate 100 Brews by Simon Tippler of roundtowerbrewery.co.uk Here at Round Tower Brewery, we recently celebrated our 100th brew. Our first brew, Tippler’s Gold, captured by the Essex Chronicle in January 2013, seems like it happened only yesterday and as our 100th brew approached, we started to plan a really special beer to celebrate. Some of our really outstanding beers have been our stouts which, although appealing to only a discerning set of real ale drinkers, have always been considered among the best of their type. Our regular 4.3% stout and our Christmas 6% stouts have always been well received, so we thought that we would make an extra special stout for the 100th batch.
For a chance to win a pair of VIP Fling Festival tickets, please answer the following question: What was the name of Paul McCartney’s band in the 1970s? A: Legs B: Wings C: Arms
W in a P of VIP air Fli Festiv ng al Ticke ts
Please email your answer to: competition@itsyourmedia.co.uk. Ticket terms can be found here: http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ticketsterms-conditions. The winner will be drawn on 18th June and the winner will have 5 days to contact us - if they do not, the draw will be taken again. Email addresses will not be shared or sold, but will be added to our list of magazine recipients each month, please state on the email if you wish to opt out. Good luck!
It seems only fitting that this commemorative batch should be an 8.9% imperial stout, which will be named #100. The grain we’ve used is similar to that of our standard 4.3% stout, but by reducing the amount of water in the batch the beer changes completely, making the end result a more deeply flavoured, richer and stronger beer. It was a very limited batch and all the casks have been pre-sold! We plan to bottle a small amount which you can expect to see for sale in The Hop Beer Shop on Moulsham Street later on in the year. This strong and rich stout, like excellent red wine, will improve with age and we plan to hold on to the batch until we believe it is ready, so you’ll have to keep an eye out later on in the year for its appearance. #100 isn’t the only specialist beer that we’re working on. Our latest project has been to age some beer on oak in a similar way to the way single malt is aged. We are still in the early stages of this experiment, but there will be plenty more unique beers developed over this summer. These will also be released in very limited runs of both bottle and cask. To find out more about our short run beers make sure you sign up to our newsletter at: www.roundtowerbrewery. co.uk.
If you are interested in advertising in any of our publications, please call 07970 206682 or email: ads@itsyourmedia. co.uk. Page 11
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
What’s On In Chelmsford May Friday 15th Asylum - Wonk Unit + Jo Carley + The Old Dry Skulls Bassment - The Vryll Society + Double Headed Jester + Edison Square Chelmsford Cathedral concert – Swift Singers (12.30pm) Civic Theatre - Pirates Of Penzance Fleece - Kinetic Med Fusion - Soul Sax Saturday 16th Asylum - Sacrilege + Forged in Black Civic Theatre - Pirates of Penzance Bassment - Elixir + B-Side Disco Central Park - Fair Chelmsford City FC - The Rat Pack is back Essex v Surrey - The Essex County Ground - Natwest T20 Blast Fleece - Summer Garden Party - 1pm Nicola Collis, 2pm Jakob Deist, 3pm Mark Corbett, 4pm Marcus Brown, 5pm Hilary Cornell, 6pm Oink, 7pm The Flying Vees, inside at 10pm Barney & The Rubbles Love + Lite Wknd - See advert on page 31 Marconi Ponds Open Day Med Fusion - Jazz night Sunday 17th Boyton Hall - Essex Young Farmers Country Show Central Park - Fair Chelmsford City FC - Bingo Civic Theatre - Rock Around the Sixties Edmund Carr Great Baddow Charity Races Hylands House - Book fair Love + Lite Wknd - See advert on page 31 Tuesday 19th Civic - Absent Friends Wednesday 20th Asylum - Stiv Cantarelli + The Silent Strangers + Penny Antics Bassment - Ethno Jam Latin, Jazz, Folk, Fusion Civic Theatre - Absent Friends Cramphorn Theatre - Lunchtime concert Hylands - Nordic Walk Thursday 21st Asylum - Nss58 + Habu + Blue Nevus Bassment - The Fellowship with Guthrie Govan Civic Theatre - Lee Nelson - Suited and Booted Fleece - Quiz night Friday 22nd Asylum - James Cottriall + Tall Dark Friend Bassment - IC7 + The Everglows + special guests Chelmsford Cathedral - Whitgift School Pianists 12.30pm Chelmsford Cathedral - ‘High Flight’ The King’s Singers 8pm Chelmsford City FC - An Evening with Barry Fry Chelmsford French Cirlce Concert - Sandon Village Hall 8pm Cramphorn Theatre - Love is Strange (15) Fleece - Adrenaline Med Fusion - Music Circus Saturday 23rd Asylum - Sophie Lancaster Foundation Charity all dayer
Saturday 23rd Continued Bassment - Dojo + special guests Chelmsford City FC - Fundraising Quiz Night (Families in Focus) Fleece - Shakster Records Big Weekender Sunday 24th Bassment - SDM vs Moh Teef - No Monday’s, No Problems Chelmsford City FC - Bingo Civic Theatre - The Glenn Miller Orchestra Fleece - Shakster Records Big Weekender Med Fusion - Midnight Oil Jazz Tuesday 26th Central Park - Uncle Sam’s American Circus Old Court Theatre - Earthquakes in London Wednesday 27th Asylum - Comedy Night Bassment - Armchair Committee + City Of Mine + special guests Central Park - Uncle Sam’s American Circus Cramphorn Theatre - Lunchtime concert Hylands Park - Scrapbook Safari Old Court Theatre - Earthquakes in London Thursday 28th Asylum - Mister Jones + Joseph Smith + Joe Harvey + Tim Smith + Salman Mirza Bassment - Club Static Lazy Day + The Machismo’s Central Park - Uncle Sam’s American Circus Fleece - Quiz night Old Court Theatre - Earthquakes in London Friday 29th Asylum - Failing to Fly + More Than Most Bassment - Rubber Soul: 60s R&B, Northern Soul, Motown Central Park - Uncle Sam’s American Circus Essex v Somerset - Natwest T20 Blast Chelmsford Cathedral - Billroth String Quartet (12.30pm) Fleece - Steal Med Fusion - Paolo Morena + Jordan Gray Old Court Theatre - Earthquakes in London Saturday 30th Asylum - Hung Like Hanratty + Born to Destruct Bassment - The Mike Lenson Band + Emily Lynn + Richard Capener Cathedral - Spirit of Life Festival at Chelmsford Cathedral Central Park - Uncle Sam’s American Circus Chelmsford Cathedral - Spirit of Life Festival 9.00am - 4.00pm Chelmsford Museum - Wildlife Fun Day Civic - D’ukes Fleece - Acoustic in the garden: 2.30 Alfie Tobin, 3.30 Herbie Duo, 4.30 Matt Raymond, 5.30 Jamie Williams. 10pm Scooby Hylands - Horse Logging Experience Med Fusion - Rachel Brooks Old Court Theatre - Earthquakes in London Sunday 31st Central Park - Uncle Sam’s American Circus Chelmsford City FC - Bingo Essex v Leicestershire (4 days) Hylands - Peter Rabbit + Benjamin Bunny
June Tuesday 2nd Civic - Chas and Dave - On the Road Tour Wednesday 3rd Asylum - With a Vengeance + Tacitus + Before the Wake Bassment - Jazz Funk with Vasilis Xenopoulos (Saxophone) Cramphorn Theatre - Lunchtime concert Civic Theatre - The Searchers Hylands - Nordic Walk Thursday 4th Asylum - Static Alice + Rollin Machine + Jade Bassment - Bassment Blues Jam Chelmsford City FC - Supporters Quiz Night Civic Theatre - Katherine Ryan - Glam Role Model Cramphorn Theatre - Birdman (15) Fleece - Quiz night Lion Inn - Comedy Club Friday 5th Asylum - Shakster Sessions - The Chorus + The Sandpilots Bassment - Rowntree Records Presents Chelmsford Cathedral - David Goodenough (organ) - 12.30pm Fleece - Indigo Hammer Hylands Park - The Extreme Stunt Show Med Fusion - Music Circus Saturday 6th Asylum - Silent Divide + Invein Bassment - ICYMI Launch Party with very special guest Civic Theatre - Jackson Live Fleece - 2.30 Amy Westney, 3.30 Richard Townend, 4.30 Hilary Cornell, 5.30 Andy McClaine and Dom, 10pm Scooby Med Fusion - Roy Mette Sunday 7th Chelmsford City FC - Antiques Fair Chelmsford City FC - Bingo Cramphorn Theatre - Chelmsford Jazz Club Hylands - Farmers and Craft Market Hylands - Vintage Wedding Fair Woolpack - GC’s Jazz Club - guests: Ted Beament & Andi Hopgood. Tuesday 9th Civic Theatre - AIDA – A Disney Musical Cramphorn Theatre - Testament Of Youth (12A) Wednesday 10th Bassment - Blues In The City - Lexie Green + Sheri Kershaw Chelmsford City FC - Quiz Night Civic Theatre - AIDA – A Disney Musical Cramphorn Theatre - Lunchtime concert Cramphorn Theatre - La Bohéme Hylands - Nordic Walk Thursday 11th Bassment - Acoustic Underground Civic Theatre - AIDA - A Disney Musical Essex v Gloucestershire - Natwest T20 Blast Fleece - Quiz night Friday 12th Asylum - Luke Fisher + Get Loose + Gavin Chapell-Bates Bassment - Fling Festival - Last Band Standing Final
Friday 12th Chelmsford Cathedral Concert - Charlotte Rowan - 12.30 Civic Theatre - AIDA - A Disney Musical Cramphorn Theatre - Ex Machina (15) Fleece - Turbulence Med Fusion - Leanne Louise Saturday 13th Asylum - Birthday Bonanza Bassment - Hoedown with The Delta Jacks & friends Fleece - Acoustic: 2.30 Famous for Nothing, 3.30 Stevie Brown (swing set), 4.30 Oink, 5.30 Stevie Brown Chelmsford Social Club - Juke Box Jive Civic Theatre - AIDA - A Disney Musical Hyde Hall - Essex Women’s Institute Country Fair Hylands - Essex Country and Craft Show Marconi Club - Mind, Body and Spirit Festival Sunday 14th Chelmsford City FC - Bingo Cramphorn Theatre - Ivan The Terrible Essex v Derbyshire - The Essex County Ground Hyde Hall - Essex Women’s Institute Country Fair Hylands - Essex Country and Craft Show Hylands - Wedding Preview Day Marconi Club - Mind, Body and Spirit Festival Tuesday 16th Cramphorn Theatre - The Green Ray (12A) Wednesday 17th Bassment - ADProject & special guests Cramphorn Theatre - Lunchtime concert Thursday 18th Bassment - Bitterscene presents Piney Gir & special guests Birketts Race for Business Cramphorn Theatre - Foxcatcher (15) Fleece - Quiz night Friday 19th Asylum - Beneath the Reef + Young and the Blue Bassment - Shakster Records presents: Tom Hingley (INSPIRAL CARPETS) + The White Gospel + special guests Chelmsford Cathedral lunchtime concert - Cathedral School Essex v Glamorgan - Natwest T20 Blast Fleece - Red Leaf Med Fusion - Soul Sax Saturday 20th Asylum - Trash Monroe + Royyy Bassment - Club Static - The Franklys + Vendettas & special guests Civic Theatre - Stage Door Fleece - Garden Acoustic: 2pm Mr Blues Guy, 3pm Jamie Williams, 4pm Martin Mcneill, 5pm Justin Hopper - from 10pm Begger Little Waltham Open Gardens Med Fusion - Jazz With John and Dom Sunday 21st Civic Theatre - Stage Door Hylands - Summer Solstice Art in the Courtyard Little Waltham Open Gardens
Shakster Records has a special charity event over the May Bank Holiday weekend at the Fleece. The event will raise money for Shivs 3 Wishes and another charity tbc.
Please note, all events are subject to change. Please visit the relevant websites or Facebook pages for more details.
Bands playing include The March Fleet, The Delta Jacks Louise Parker, Katy Forkings, The Kubricks and Inimenter.
Please send us your events for the next edition, for events between 19th June and 19th July to: editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk.
Page 13
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
CT Business
sponsored by:
Hop Beer Shop Interview by www.modernmint.co.uk This month, we put down our work with Modern Mint and popped down Moulsham Street to speak to John at The Hop Beer Shop. We got to try a beer or two as well, lucky us...
The Hop Beer Shop is a micropub. For those of you that don’t know, this is what the micropub association tell us they are: “A micropub is a small freehouse which listens to its customers, mainly serves cask ales, promotes conversation, shuns all forms of electronic entertainment and dabbles in traditional pub snacks.” Fabulous. This trend for micropubs seems to be growing incredibly fast - in fact, the 100th micropub in the UK opened its doors in March of this year, and we are set to see many more open before the end of 2015. Are we seeing the start of a new pub culture? “It is basically a small shop which supplies beer, an intermediary between larger chain pubs and being at home. Although limited in other choices (there is no music, no television, no games or jukebox) because the place is open, yet small, comfy, nice and simple, it means everyone is on the same level and it promotes a good atmosphere for chatting and conversation. We are effectively a free house so can decide what we serve, so can be offering different beers all the time. “The idea seemed right at the time and ideal for Moulsham Street - I’d run pubs for twenty years and I didn’t want to do that again and food is difficult to make money
on, so I thought I would try doing this. The overheads are low, it is small and simple so doesn’t need a lot of people to make it work, the hours are better because you shut down at an earlier time (it is nice closing at 9pm, there is a real sociable aspect to the hours…) “Although we have people come in to buy our unusual bottled beers, to find gifts for people, or take something away for a dinner party, micropubs really are a place to go for a chat and to meet people.” How much work was involved in setting up? “My background is in building and carpentry, so I built, or put in, all the stuff myself cooler unit, fridges, glass washer, all the tables, seats and cool room.” If you do get a chance to visit, check out the tables and seating - John did it all! He was even putting up a shelf when we went in to do the interview! And where did the name come from? “We named it after an ingredient from the beer - The Hop Beer Shop. The shop was originally a music shop. We did toy with the idea of calling it the Hip Hop Beer shop…” When did you open John? “We started planning months before we opened, but opening day ended up being November 24th. We had a brilliant first month to Christmas, now perhaps we are back to normality…?” What was it like when the first person walked in through the door?
“The very first customer was Nick actually, one of the owners of The City Times! He has been very supportive from the start. And as I said, the first month we had lots of interest, so it was a good start…” What does the future hold for The Hop Beer Shop and yourself? “We want to stay going down the local route with the beers - craft beers from the many Essex breweries, beers from Cambridge, Norwich - anything UK-based. At the moment, it is a mix and match attitude, because we are so new. I want to keep it varied and give people a different choice. “It might be that I do pork pies or something in the future, but with a micropub really what you see is what you get. We now offer a little wine and someone asked for a rose but we haven’t done that yet. “Also, I’m on my own at the moment so it would be good to have someone to help me out.” If you are interested in setting up your own micropub, there is plenty of help to be found at the micropub association website: www. micropubassociation.co.uk. Better still, start your research by taking a wander down Moulsham Street and pop in and say hello to John at The Hop Beer Shop - and try a beer… or two. He is open Tuesday to Saturday 12-9pm and Sunday 12-4pm. You can also follow @ HopBeerShop on Twitter and his website is: www.thehopbeershop.co.uk.
A Vintage Boutique and a Reinvention
This month, I met with Danielle Tyler of Pearl’s Attic. The interview was not at all what I had anticipated and I was blown away by her story. Danielle established Pearl’s Attic in June 2014. Pearl’s Attic is a quirky vintage clothing boutique which is mobile, so the shop can come to you! Danielle sources high quality vintage and retro fashion and accessories. She works alongside jewellery designer Debbie Cutting, from Cutting Fashion Ltd. Together they have created their own collection of vintage-inspired jewellery under the label Precious Pearls. Her website reveals an absolute treasure-trove of gorgeous dresses, handbags and other irresistible goodies for magpies like me and as she outlined her business, I was already
mentally planning my own Pearl’s Attic party so I can feast my eyes on her collection first hand!
Danielle is no newbie to the world of retail and buying. She was a buyer for a number of prestigious companies before establishing her own. Danielle’s story begins as a third year university student studying media and business, unsure of what she wanted to do and a little disillusioned. She was working part-time at this point for a kidswear boutique and in this role she was exposed to the world of buying when she was taken by her boss to a major buying event to choose stock for the shop. Danielle absolutely loved it and the penny dropped - THIS was what she wanted to do! Danielle’s first role was for BHS kidswear as a buyer’s admin assistant. She worked there for 21/2 years and loved it. She was promoted to assistant buyer and then went to Bay Trading as junior buyer on accessories
Page 14
before moving on to Sit Up TV (who ran channels like Bid TV & Price Drop): “Working in TV shopping was really exciting - I could actually see my collections selling before my eyes on the TVs we had in the office.” She worked there for 2 years and then moved on to work for Tesco (central Europe) working as a hosiery buyer. She stayed with Tesco for two years, but as time passed, it became increasingly clear that the environment was too corporate for her. “It was all about price and volumes rather than creativity and relationships and I felt I was losing site of what I had loved about buying.” Danielle then managed to land her dream job with Figleaves.com as a swimwear buyer. “I was delighted - I was finally in a role that fitted with my values, working for and with some inspiring women. I was able to be myself. I loved it.” If her circumstances had not changed, Danielle would definitely have stayed. However, this was not to be. Danielle married her childhood sweetheart
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Terry in February 2012 and they decided to start trying for a family. The future was looking very bright at this point. However, Danielle and her family were about to face the toughest year of their lives. Despite leading a very healthy lifestyle, Danielle’s mum was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. It started with a cough and was not discovered until she was in the late stages. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to cure it. “Mum remained positive throughout. Her bravery was like nothing I have ever experienced.” Soon after her mum’s shock diagnosis, Danielle and Terry had found out they were pregnant - and expecting identical twins! Finally some positive news for the family. However, they were soon to be dealt another blow - their babies had twin-totwin transfusion syndrome. This is where the babies receive unequal blood flow and nutrients putting them both at great risk. Danielle had to have weekly scans with a London specialist to check on the progress of her babies and all the while her mum’s health was worsening. Her twins were due in September, but in May 2013 Danielle was lying next to her mum, who was now fully asleep and being cared for at home by her family and Macmillan nurses, when she realised her waters had broken. She had no choice but to leave her mum, knowing it was very likely she would not see her again. “I told mum that I had to go. I had to take care of the boys - mum took a deep breath as if to say, ‘you go’ - and that was the last time Danielle saw her mum. Danielle was transferred to St George’s Hospital in London and her mum died that night. Listening to Danielle tell her story was very surreal - we had only just met and here we were sitting in Costa, drinking tea and I was being given a window into an incredible personal story by such a brave and resilient woman. Losing her mum was completely devastating, but Danielle and her husband were also facing the real possibility they may also lose their babies.
did not respond to treatment and continued to decline. Danielle and Terry were once again faced with the very real possibility they might lose their son. He was transferred to Royal London Hospital where he suffered a cardiac arrest - a truly terrifying moment for Danielle and Terry. The medics managed to revive him and he was then immediately transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where he received specialist care. From this point, on he began to slowly improve and amazingly made a full recovery in a matter of weeks. “I prayed so hard to my mum every time we were faced with these terrifying moments and every time the boys have pulled through. I believe that she must be watching over them to keep them safe and strong. They most definitely have her fighting spirit.” From this point, on the twins have made terrific progress and Danielle and Terry have managed to have a somewhat more stable life (thank God!) However, it was clear that the twins were too vulnerable for using childcare and therefore Danielle had to reassess her career. “I loved my job as a buyer and I have always had an interest in fashion history and vintage style, so I decided to combine my skills and interests. I made a business plan. I had a budget of £300 to go and source my first stock. I bought a rail and organised my first party at my sisters’ house in June. I had launched!” And the name? “I have a glamorous aunt called Margaret. She worked for Shell in London from the 1950s right through to her retirement in the late 1990s. She was gifted some amazing items on her travels (jewellery, handbags, scarves... all of the finest quality) and these were all stored in her loft. So really, the name, Pearl’s Attic, was truly inspired by Margaret’s loft!”
Danielle’s business has gone from strength to strength. Her strapline is ‘bringing you vintage glamour with a vintage price tag’ - “I want to try and offer great quality but at reasonable prices.” She regularly invites customers to hold Pearl Parties in their homes, holds pop-up shops and also attends vintage fairs and fundraising events with Danielle had an emergency c-section on the her mobile boutique. The Precious Pearls 29th of May, 14 weeks early so as to give jewellery line them both a chance at life. She gave birth to has proven twin boys - Teddy and Barney - Teddy was 1lb very popular 10oz and Barney was 1lb 7oz. Utterly tiny. and Danielle has recently Their little lives continued to hang in started a new the balance for many months. As they collection, Little were so premature they had a number of Pearls, which complications and hurdles to overcome. is a unique However, one by one they slowly but surely gift collection ticked them all off. They came home on 4th designed for September 2013 (1 day after their due date) little girls. with Barney still on oxygen. Danielle also offers a bespoke The boys continued to make steady progress sourcing service and Danielle was beginning to plan a return whereby she to work. However, at 9 months old, the boys will track down both caught viral pneumonia. They were specific items for admitted to Broomfield Hospital but Barney people and as Page 15
a result of this, she has worked with brides sourcing dresses and vintage accessories for weddings. “The timing was right for me to take this leap and try something new. I’m at an age now where I know who I am and what is important to me. I have met some inspirational women along my journey so far and hope to take lessons from all of them and apply them to the way I live my life. My mum used to say: “You are where you want to be!” and right now this is exactly where I want to be! Thank you mum for giving me the courage to go for it!” Interviewing Danielle was very humbling. She is clearly an incredibly resourceful and talented young woman who has faced THE toughest couple of years and yet has created a wonderful business as a direct result of it. Many people would have crumbled, but she has shown incredible strength. It was such a privilege to hear her story. If you would like to have a gander at Danielle’s gorgeous collection, please visit: www.pearlsattic.co.uk or find her on Facebook and Pinterest. If like me, you fancy holding your own Pearl’s Attic party, Danielle asks that you have a minimum of 8 guests. The host gets a free gift and receives a 10% discount if the total spend is over £100. Go on, you know you want to! If you are a woman who has reinvented her career and would like to be featured in my column please get in touch at: linda@ bunintheovenbirthing.co.uk.
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Chelmsford Community Transport (CCT) and Chelmsford Centre Supporting Voluntary Action (CSVA) are working in partnership to run this charity shop to raise funds for both charities. Using the Chelmsford 4 Good ethos, we will also offer other local charities the opportunity to share space to sell their goods and raise awareness of their cause so that they have their own city centre shop space on a week by week basis. Many local charities are small and struggle to raise their profile or
fundraise in their local communities. Chelmsford 4 Good works to support local good causes and to help businesses locally to support their community too. Keep checking our window for news of when your favourite local cause is coming to this space, or visit the Chelmsford 4 Good website at: www.chelmsford4good.org.uk. Where does the money go? CCT and CSVA are resourcing the shop and splitting costs and the money raised between their two charities. When we have another ‘charity in residence’ in the front of the shop, we will advertise this clearly and all of the proceeds raised from their area will go direct to that local charity. Thank you for supporting local good causes!
The Broomfield U3A
photography, geology, canasta, walking to name a few.
The Broomfield U3A will be three years old in June 2015 and they have been three very successful years with membership ever increasing.
We have interesting speakers every month. Ones for the future are: Fakes and Forgeries, Giggly Pig Organic Farm, Treasure Beneath Our Feet - and many more.
The U3A, or University of the Third Age, is an organization for people no longer in full time employment providing educational, creative and leisure pursuits in a friendly environment.
Our meetings are held every second Wednesday of each month (except August) 1.30 - 3.30pm in Broomfield Village Hall. New members are always made welcome. Full details can be found on website at: www.u3asites.org.uk/broomfield.
We have about eighteen activity groups within our U3A including
Thistle Dry Cleaners 174 Moulsham Street Tel 01245 287919 www.thistledrycleaners.com
We are wedding dress cleaning specialists. We will clean your dress and if you require pack it in to a preservation box. Prices start from: Clean only £55 Clean + Box £110
-------------------------------
£15 off with this voucher CT
Larger Mens Clothing Size Opening Offers s Tops from £10 1XL to Shirts from £15 8XL Jeans from £20 Open Trousers from £20 Mon - Sat 206 Moulsham Street 9am-6pm 01245 356057 Quality Attire for the larger Gent
Now open in Moulsham Street
Page 16
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Stewarts
‘The friendly little blue tea shop in Tindal Street’ 01245 265766
Need a wheelchair? We loan wheelchairs and other equipment. The loan is short-term and whilst there is no charge, we do ask for a donation. For loan or sales call
01245 280283 0844 412 2772 redcross.org.uk/bheequipment
AVAILABLE TO BUY £65
£510
£70
£170
If you are looking for a truly independent, family run tea shop, serving great tasting freshly made food, come and find us!
15% off
Bring this advert to receive 15% off of your total lunch bill, eat in or takeaway
We are tucked behind the High Street, near the cathedral and next to Allegro Music. We look forward to welcoming you. Freshly made sandwiches, baguettes, jacket potatoes and paninis and a great range of homemade cakes (gluten and dairy free available). stewarts deli and tearoom @4tindalstreet
Heritage Watch Leads in Protecting the Past Influential figures in Essex’s heritage industry came together on St George’s Day to launch a new police initiative aimed at protecting the past. Heritage Watch is an Essex Police led partnership between agencies that are committed to protecting our heritage and encourages members of the public who want to preserve community assets to join. The watch group will look to exchange information and put in practice crime prevention advice in order to prevent heritage crime, which can range from unauthorised development to theft of historical artefacts. The launch took place in Stow Marie’s Great War Aerodrome in Purleigh, where attendees had the opportunity to see the on-site museum and vast collection of planes. Attendees were invited to find out what Heritage Watch hopes to achieve, under the brightly decorated Airmen’s Mess, complete with Union Jack bunting to celebrate St. George’s Day. Partners including the police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, Historic
England and the National Trust heard how Essex Police will work with partners to preserve community assets. The watch scheme looks to maintain and preserve important places of interest. This is to prevent any crime that may damage assets beyond recovery, which may lead to the loss of a piece of history. Dominic Petre of the Historic Houses Association said he was “very pleased” about the initiative, adding: “When heritage is lost, it is lost forever. Crimes against heritage are not just crimes against the owner. They are crimes against future generations and culture in general.” Chief Superintendent Carl O’Malley said: “In Essex we have some really significant sites, from the Roman remains in Colchester to Audley House in Saffron Walden. “The key element for any watch scheme is to involve a broad range of different partners and bring them together. Through expert advice and assistance, we can all help one another. It is about communication, sharing, understanding and reporting.” Stephen Armson-Smith, who has co-ordinated Heritage Watch, added: “Our scheme has been inspired by the ones launched by Cheshire Police and Hertfordshire Police. “What we’d like to see are different Heritage Watches across other counties nearby. That way information and best practices can be provided and shared.” Other launches bringing further attention to Heritage Watch have been scheduled throughout the county over the summer months.
Page 17
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
CT History
A Leper Colony in Chelmsford! An interesting local health institution which lasted most of the twentieth century was the St Giles leper colony, which was later given the title of a hospital. Hansen’s disease had long been eradicated in Britain, but British sufferers caught it while in the tropics. When set up in 1914 at Bicknacre by a group of doctors and clergy, it was the only place in Britain designed specifically for the care and treatment of the disease. All funds had to be provided privately. Various events were held to create an endowment fund, such as a play performed at the Corn Exchange. In the early years, the institution was subjected to a serious NIMBY campaign. Local traders wouldn’t even deliver groceries and essential supplies and the first patients had to arrive in blacked-out cabs. Relations with the people of Bicknacre gradually improved, with bread and meat being delivered to the door rather than thrown over the fence. Patients went shooting in the woods for rabbit and pigeon. In 1923, the Marconi Company gave St Giles a wireless, which was particularly useful for blind patients. Before the second war St Giles was run by several different religious orders. St Giles was given the status of a hospital in 1969, after leprosy had been declared a notifiable disease in 1951. Most of the hospital’s costs were born by the NHS. but voluntary contributions were still important. The heavy expense of running the hospital led to St Giles being sold to the housing association, Springboard, in 1984. The original residents did not welcome the newcomers who were mentally or physically handicapped. A Channel 4 documentary on the institution did not give a rosy picture. By 2005 St Giles was no longer a hospital, having been re-classified as a hostel. Hansen’s disease patients still got the specialised care they needed, although there had been no new patients for ten years. Most sufferers had jobs in the local community. In 2014 St Giles celebrated its centenary with a St Giles in Bloom gardening competition. Stephen Norris
Not sure what to do or where to go? Check our What’s On guide on pages 12 and 13.
Record Store Day Review by Stephen Alden By the time I arrived at Intense Records on Viaduct Road in Chelmsford, the all-day party was in full swing! Vinyl record sales have reached their highest level for nineteen years. Today was no ordinary Saturday, today was Record Store Day 2015! This is the day when independent record stores across the United Kingdom run special promotions in honour of the object of desire that is the vinyl record. Intense Records has been run by husband and wife team Jon and Jennie Davies serving the Chelmsford music community for sixteen years. Entering their shop I was met by Jennie, whose enthusiasm for all things vinyl and club-related is infectious. This is very much a grassroots community enterprise that
supports up-and-coming and developing DJ/MC and producer talent from Essex. The twinbarrelled vaults make up the clubwear store as well as the vinyl and DJ supplies store which contains a DJ performance area and private listening booths. Varied music genres are made available within vinyl (both twelve and seven inch) and selected compact disc formats. There is also a comprehensive secondhand vinyl record section, which is well worth browsing as you are sure to discover some hidden gems from the last half century of the music industry. For example, I managed to secure myself a welcome blast from my own past, the new romantic masterpiece that is Prince Charming by Adam Ant
(circa 1982). Live entertainment to supplement music browsing and customer purchasing was provided by the cream of local DJs and MCs, including Mark System, GHOST, Villem and McLeod and LSB. Refreshments of burgers and hot dogs with beer were provided - greatly appreciated by the vinyl loving crowd outside in the backyard. The top sellers that made the till bells ring at Intense Records on the day were The Prodigy, Cypress Hill, The 1975, The Doors and The Who. Other special issues available consisted of an EP of Saturday Night Fever by The Bee Gees, the long awaited new single by Bryan Wilson, formerly of the
Beach Boys and 12 inch EP of Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. Get Customised, the bespoke print and promotions company run by Jennie that shares it’s home with Intense Records, also received many enquiries and picked up new orders. Get Customised provides a mix of event business cards, flyers and posters, personalised t-shirts and hen/stag party dress. I made sure that I did not leave there before picking up my limited edition Record Store Day t-shirt at £9.99! I would recommend Intense Records - all audiophiles are sure to discover their own little piece of music history!
Mind Body and Spirit Charity Festival Returns to Chelmsford It’s back! For the second year, a major mind body spirit event that ‘loves to give back’ is taking place in Chelmsford. Chris Cozens of Life Arts, has teamed up again with Paul King and the European BuddhistHanmi Association to provide a weekend packed with complementary therapies, gifts, spiritual guidance, health advice, meditation space, workshops and healing music. The Chelmsford Mind Body Spirit Festival, taking place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June, 10am till 5pm at the Marconi Social Club, is a not-for-profit event dedicated entirely to raising funds for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Last year’s event was so well received and supported that this year the festival promises to be even bigger, even better, and has even more reasons to come and experience something fresh and inspiring in your life!
Visitors to this year’s event can expect to find over 70 stalls, 24 workshops and talks and a wide range of stage performances. Here are some of the highlights...
mediums, clairvoyants, a signature graphologist and psychic astrologer, as well as rune and angel card readers. For some much needed TLC, you’ll be pleased know the festival includes free spinal checks from a chiropractor, facial massage from holistic healers, spiritual surgery, Reiki treatments, head neck and shoulder massage, reflexology, hot stone massage, Indian head massage and crystal healing… phew! Other attractions include feng shui, coven crafts, natural eco washing and homeopathy, natural wellbeing products, raw crystals, angel pendants, original textile silk and batik jewellery, fossils and amethyst geodes, tarot cards, and jewellery. Then there is the music! The headline act, performing live on stage both days, is the world-renowned singer songwriter Lucinda Drayton. Her album A Hundred Thousand Angels has sold over 100,000 copies all over the world. Her intention is to create a sound with beauty and depth that can enhance spiritual awareness and transformation. The other talented musicians on stage will entertain and gently relax you with their unique melodies, using voice, guitar, flute,
Whether you want to learn a new skill, talk to someone knowledgeable and passionate about healing, find a holistic course to enrol on, life coaching, spiritual guidance, natural therapies, clairvoyance or meditation, or buy gemstones, organic skincare or art, you can find it here.
You can also find the very essence of what the festival personally means to Chris too. “I admire Helen Rollason so much and the charity that is her legacy. They work with complementary therapies in a similar way to me, so to support this charity is very close to my heart and touches the soul. Like so many of us, I have lost people close to me due to cancer and fifteen years ago I worked with my first cancer patient. Desperately needing something for herself, she found being treated with Indian head massage, infused with Reiki “gave me peace, space and relaxation. I have always felt it a great honour and privilege to have been part of that experience and those moments have stayed with me ever since.”
The festival kicks off with a live demonstration of the new Aura Video System - head to the stage for that one - and you’ll be able to catch the colourful and lively performances of Kula Tribal Belly Dance on both days! Inspirational and talented speakers will be holding workshops throughout the weekend. Saturday includes Introduction to Herbcraft, Powerless or Powerful, the Choice is Yours, Washing and Detoxing with Natural Rresources, a mediumship demonstration and Crystals and Their Connection with Children to name but a few! Sunday promises delights such as clairvoyant demonstrations and talks on Top Skincare Instant Youth Tips, Faery Magic, Demonstration of Spiritual Surgery, What is Reiki?, Connecting with the Goddess and Relax, Revive, Thrive. Visit the Buddhist Empowered Space to experience a special kind of healing calmness! There are free 20 minute sessions throughout the weekend, where visitors can just come in, sit down, close their eyes and feel the stresses of everyday life melt away in this special place. In our Readers Room, you will be able to choose your favourite reader for spiritual, soul and astrological guidance. Amongst the personally selected readers are international
mandolin, drums, piano and saxophone. There is no denying that this weekend promises to be enlightening as well as jam-packed with plenty of browsing and entertainment! But that’s not all the festival has to offer to visitors… Chris Cozens, who established Life Arts in 1998, has been organising mind body and spirit events since 1999 and ensures all exhibitors are selected by merit, integrity, experience and professionalism. The aim is to bring a fabulous programme of events, with something for everyone, together in once space. The result is an energising, enlightening and positive experience for all.
Page 19
Entrance: 1-day pass - £3.50 adults £2.50 concessions 16s and under - free (accompanied) 2-day pass - £5 adults £4 concessions, 16s and under free (accompanied). Visit: www.lifearts.co.uk for a full weekend programme guide. MIND BODY AND SPIRIT FESTIVAL IN CHELMSFORD SUPPORTING HELEN ROLLASON CANCER CHARITY - Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June, 10am till 5pm each day at the Marconi Social Club, Tydemans (off Beehive Lane), Chelmsford CM2 9FH. www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Hypnotherapy by Jenny Hartill
Following on from my last article, today I will look at some memory techniques. Last time I mentioned how hypnosis can help by taking the client back to the day the memory was created in order to retrieve specific information. What if you want to train your brain to remember something specific though? Firstly I will look at a technique called NLP. Neuro Linguistic Programming was developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. Its creators claim a connection between the neurological processes (“neuro”), language (“linguistic”) and behavioural patterns learned through experience (“programming”) and that these can be changed to achieve specific goals in life. As I mentioned last time, in hypnotherapy I use NLP to determine what learning modality best suits the client, to recap, the modalities are:
1. The brightly coloured carpets and rugs displayed around you, or perhaps the drab colours or weird patterns that make you think “who would buy that??” 2. The music playing in the shop that makes you want to either dance around or turn it off. 3. The different textures of the carpets and rugs that make you want to roll around on them like a labrador puppy, or touch every conceivable texture as this is the only way to decide which carpet you like. Personally, I would be the labrador puppy whilst simultaneously getting confused at all the various colours and designs!
Visual: the client learns and responds better to visual stimuli Audio: the client learns and responds better to sounds Kinaesthetic: the client learns and responds better to physically ‘doing’ something or to touch rather than images or sound. In terms of memory retention, if the client is trying to remember something using their preferred learning modality they are in theory much more likely to retain the information. This is because the information, when presented in their preferred learning modality, is much more attractive to them and therefore they are more likely to feel ‘connected’ to it. For example, if you are revising for an exam and your preferred learning modality is Visual, theoretically you are much more likely to retain the information if you use bright colours, diagrams, highlighter pens, anything colourful and creative. If your learning modality is Audio, taping your notes and playing them back to yourself, or perhaps even listening to your favourite music whilst revising, may help memory retention. If your learning modality is Kinaesthetic, physically re-writing notes or devising a game you can play around the subject content, or using different textures of paper, could help you remember the information. Some people have two learning modalities that are almost neck and neck, for example my primary learning modality is Kinaesthetic but only by a whisper, my secondary modality is Visual so therefore when I revised for my driving theory test, I wrote notes and used highlighters and different coloured pens. Also, in the hazard perception part of the test, I got a reasonably high score - probably because this section of the exam appealed to the kinaesthetic nature of my learning modality. I did pass the theory too though - for the record! The key to remember with learning modalities is that they also work the opposite way. For example, a person with an audio learning modality may be more bothered than most if they hear a piece of music they hate, sometimes to the point where they feel extremely uncomfortable and have to get away from the offending track! The best way to test your learning modality is to go online and search for a test, however a very quick test you can do that should give you a good idea of your preferred learning modality is this quick visualisation exercise:
Imagine you’re in a carpet shop. What do you notice first:
Once you know your learning modality, you can plan your revision. Look at what you have to revise and try to team your primary (and secondary) modalities to fit the subject. I have treated clients that seemingly do not understand a subject, or claim they cannot remember anything, but actually it’s just they have no interest in the subject because it has been presented in their least prevalent learning modality. If you don’t like what you’re revising, try looking at it through the eyes of your primary (and secondary) learning modalities - it really can make all the difference! Once you have done your revision and you’re ready to sit your exam, there’s another very important component to memory that will help you remember the information. Sometimes people can get so stressed out that they seemingly go blank when they sit the exam. The trick here is to try to relax. Some people work particularly well under pressure, but when that pressure gets too much our fight or flight system will kick in and the only thing your subconscious mind wants to do is to keep you alive. The exam paper becomes the tiger in the room and all you want to do is run away. Why on earth would you be able to remember that equation you struggled to understand in the first place if your subconscious is concentrating on keeping you alive? Living is more important than algebra, according to your brain, and your brain doesn’t understand it’s only an exam that you’re scared and stressed about. So, employing some stress relieving techniques usually helps amazingly with memory. Try to focus on the positive, do something you find relaxing and try not to obsess over it. If you’ve done all you can, that’s great. Your mind is a wonderful, talented thing - trust it! You may not remember everything, but hopefully you will remember enough to get that pass! For more information on hypnosis or counselling you can go to my website: www.counsellinginchelmsford.co.uk.
M.Martin Ltd
Pest Prevention Services Reputation of excellence with over 15 years experience Mice, Cockroaches, and commercial Business 24 Hour Call Line…. 7 days a week….52 weeks of the year BPCA RSH Diploma Part 2 Qualified Technicians Rapid Response Child and pet friendly service techniques Call the Best….Call Whelan Pest Areas Covered Include: Southend, Colchester, Chelmsford and all surrounding villages Tel: 07894 516522 Email: martin@whelanpest.co.uk Website: markmartinpestpreventionessex.co.uk
Page 20
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
It’s Time to Grease the Groove by Keith Porter
both independently come across, was the concept of ‘greasing the groove’.
I remember having a really good chat with my barber a while back. You see, Jamie - one of the owners at Man About Town - has mastered the art of client chat. I suppose that comes with constantly having to make small-talk with whoever plops themselves down on the chair in front of you each day. Anyway, I ended up training Jamie for a while to help him build strength, and we would talk for ages about different training techniques. One of those ideas, which we’d
Greasing the groove as a training term is largely credited to strength guru, Pavel Tsatsouline. It’s a mouthful, but if you’re serious about strength, Pavel is one of the best there is, and is an expert at taking difficult concepts (such as the neurological explanation behind ‘greasing the groove’) and making it a catchy, easy to understand phrase like, um, ’greasing the groove’. So what is it? Let’s say you can currently do one pull-up, and set yourself the target of doing 10 strict pull-ups where you grab
some kind of bar over your head and pull your entire body weight up to that bar until your chin touches it before slowly lowering yourself back down. It’s one of the most demanding bodyweight strength moves that you can perform, and takes time and effort to get to grips with. A traditional approach would be to have you work on pull-ups once a week, going until you can’t pull yourself up anymore at all. Greasing the groove would be doing one pull-up when you spot a pull-up bar. And then the next day, doing the same. Each time there is an opportunity to perform a pull-up, you do it, gradually building up, until your body and mind get used to the
motion required to perform it perfectly. Think of it as like learning a language. If you only use it once a week you’re going to struggle your way through it and be exhausted at the end. If you immerse yourself in the language and take multiple opportunities each day to practice, you’ll be fluent in no time. What move could you apply this idea to in your own workouts? To find out about personal training, drop me a line at: keith@liveasimplelife.co.uk, or find me online at: facebook.com/ livesimple.
Downward Dog Down Under and Jet Lag Relief by Kellie Jones By the time you read this I’ll be on the other side of the world! My wonderful mother is helping to crank up the #selfloveplanunderway project by giving me 3 weeks of ‘me time’ at her beautiful house in Sydney, Australia. Part of the deal is walking her dog by the water, (see pic below), whilst she and my stepfather cruise around Europe, so my serotonin, melatonin and vitamin D levels will be stocked up. Having done this journey many times, I’m highly aware that the jet lag can thwart the first few days. Mum is only around for my first 3 days to show me the ropes, so I’ve done a bit of research on how to avoid it. Water, water, water! Dehydration occurs due to the low humidity and recycled air. Drink as much water as you can fit in, use a hydrating moisturiser, face spritz and hydrating eye-drops. Coconut water is a tasty way to replenish lost nutrients and electrolytes, so invest in some at the airport if you can. If you can’t resist the free alcohol, (that would be me!), then back every glass up with water.
To eat or not to eat, that is the question? 24 hours is a long time to avoid terrible aeroplane food that generally is full of salt, sugar and not much else. Salty, processed foods will just contribute to that puffy, bloated feeling. The best suggestion seems to be pre-ordering vegan meals and taking a supply of nuts, seeds, bananas, avocados, dried fruit - basically take your own food! Also yoga, pilates and meditation can help of course. So I’ve amused myself greatly with the thought of striking a downward dog pose in the aisle and maybe a headstand in my seat to alleviate the boredom, but realistically, the advice is to just move. Get up and find a spot for a few stretches, (in the loo if you’re shy). Wear comfortable, unrestrictive clothing your can breath in, (it’s yoga pants for me). Doing regular pilates will help you last longer in good posture before you start wanting to try curling up in a small space. Download a meditation on your iPod/iPad/ phone, stick your headphones in and breath.
Shoulder stand or legs up the wall will help to flush out toxins and restore circulation helping to lessen any swelling in the legs and feet. Downward dog will stretch out your back and hamstrings after sitting for so long. Cobra pose will help relieve
spa near the Opera House and a meditation day retreat. I’ll have a huge kitchen and fridge to stock up with wonderful energizing food and I’ve even found a place to learn djembe drumming so I’ll hopefully be my best self ever by June!
any bloating and opens up the heart and lungs to rejuvenate the blood. Finally a lovely Yoga Nidra session will help to stimulate your melatonin levels which are reduced by the body clock rhythm being disrupted.
If you would love to know more about Yoga Nidra and Restorative Yoga, we have a workshop in May and a new class on Friday mornings at Hummingbird, so make sure you sign-up for our newsletter to stay informed at: www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk.
On arrival: Your bloodstream will be a little starved of oxygen I have already planned ahead during the flight, up to 20% to fill my time up with plenty of See you all in the summer! less, so Pranayama breathing yoga sessions, stand-up paddle exercises will help re-oxygenate. boarding, a trip to my friend’s Page 22 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
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
Garden Furniture Now in Stock
Page 23
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Fairtrade by Sarah from Blooming Felt Here at Blooming Felt we are proud to support Fairtrade suppliers wherever possible.
When Blooming Felt started out back in 2007, we were very lucky to find a supplier in Nepal that believed in looking after their staff and paying them fairly. We are still working closely with that supplier today and are pleased to say that due to the large orders we place with them, they have been able to increase their workforce and provide work to many local females who have young families to support.
the inhalation of these fibres and ensure their staff are not exposed to unnecessary health risks. Employees are paid a fair wage, meaning they are able to support their families and maintain a high standard of living. Regular family outings are organised and at least once a year, a picnic is organised for all members of staff and their families. Our supplier, whilst looking after their own staff, is also keen to support the local community and therefore donates a percentage of their income to a local orphanage and a care centre for physically disabled people. They even organise a road cleaning programme to ensure that their local neighbourhood is a clean and pleasant place in which to live.
Fairtrade means not only paying suppliers a fair price for their goods and services, it also means that we are supporting small communities of people in their everyday lives. Our supplier provides a managed daycare service to their staff so that they are able to work without worrying about their children. They organise health camps and medical programmes for all of their employees. Working with wool and fibres for such a large part of their day, means employees could inhale small fibres which isn’t good for their health. Our supplier provides every employee with a dust mask to minimise
As you will be aware, Nepal suffered a devastating earthquake recently. Thousands of people lost their lives, their homes and their businesses. Our supplier suffered damage to their business premises. Over 30 of their staff lost their homes and all of their belongings and one member of staff is still missing. Here at Blooming Felt we are keen to help our supplier and their employees in whatever way we can. We are currently running a fund-raising campaign and are donating 15% of all sales back to our supplier so that they can distribute the money to their staff and help those most affected get back on their feet again. Nepal is a very poor country - £100 will provide shelter for a family of 4 for a year. If you would like to help with our fund-raising efforts, do please place an order through our website, www.bloomingfelt.co.uk. We guarantee every penny raised will go to our suppliers and we know it will be well received and well spent in helping their staff rebuild their lives. Please help us to help the lovely people of Nepal. Thank you!!!
Page 24
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
CT Wildlife Corner by nick Green Spring is definitely in the air with blooming hedgerows and budding and leafing trees, along with flowering plants like primroses, bluebells, cowslips and many others.
As I write, April again has proved to be rather cool, so bird migration has been rather slower than expected. On the warmer days, insects are becoming more obvious. Particularly bees and even the odd butterfly is on the wing, including brimstones and orangetips (even Immature male Peregrine by Glyn Evans in my Chelmsford garden) plus small tortoiseshells and peacocks. The Butterfly Conservation Organisation does a tremendous job for butterflies and moths, as well as other insects - discover the best insect-friendly plants for your garden at: butterfly-conservation. org/292/gardening.html.
dawn chorus continues to swell.
In January I was amazed to see a male peregrine fly south down Moulsham Street. I’ve since learned that this immature bird has overwintered and been roosting on a building in town! This fast-flying raptor has been recorded stooping on its avian prey at speeds of up to 240mph! Peregrines are breeding on the cathedrals of cities like Norwich, Salisbury, Derby and Chichester, so let’s hope our bird hangs around and finds a mate… Forthcoming Chelmsford wildlife club events include: RSPB - Chelmsford and Central Essex Group: www.rspb.org.uk/ groups/chelmsford. Essex Birdwatching Society website has all details: www.ebws.org.uk. Essex Wildlife Trust - Chelmsford Group: www.essexwt.org.uk/getinvolved/local-groups/chelmsford. Essex Field Club: www.essexfieldclub.org.uk. Recent Essex Bird News The most noteworthy April news is of a pair of black-winged stilts that graced Bowers Marsh RSPB from 11th-21st. Garganey ducks were recorded from several sites. Wallasea Island RSPB reported 3 dotterel and a Montagu’s harrier, whilst Holland Haven reported a red-rumped swallow.
In April, the returning summer bird species included warblers like Abberton Reservoir, south of Colchester, has recorded summer common and lesser whitethroats and nightingales plus swallows and visitors like swifts, nightingales, yellow wagtails, cuckoos and sand martins and the first swifts appeared at the end of April. Early common terns. The Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT) Visitor Centre off the breeding species, like tawny owls and grey herons, are feeding B1025 can supply the latest news - and a hot cuppa! Please visit: chicks. At the lake in Central Park, despite the urban environment, www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/abberton-reservoir. a pair of coots have successfully reared a brood of six chicks! The Page 25 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Page 26
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Crafty Chocolatiers I love keeping myself busy and active. In-between dancing, roller derby, being a Guide leader and a mother of two young girls (one with special needs), I know how difficult it can sometimes be to find new and interesting children’s party ideas that are fun and memorable. That’s one of the reasons I started my chocolate party business. It’s a fun and unique party experience at your own home or hired venue. Each party begins with some information about the origins of chocolate and how it gets from ‘bean to bar’ (the educational part of the party to keep the grownups happy!). The children get to taste different types of Belgian chocolate and make lots of tasty chocolate treats (such as bespoke lollies and chocolate pizzas). They design the packaging and take everything home in party bags (to maybe share with the family!). Crafty Chocolatiers parties are fun, yummy and I do ALL the work! Each party package includes printable party invitations, plus all the ingredients, materials and party bags. There is no mess either, as I come equipped with everything required, tidy up at the end and take it all back with me. I also offer chocolate workshops for clubs and groups (please contact me for details), plus drinks and chocolate fountains and bespoke celebration cakes. Most dietary requirements can be catered for. So, if you are looking for a creative kids party idea call me (Penny) on 07850 895369, email info@craftychocolatiers.co.uk or visit my website at: www.craftychocolatiers.co.uk.
Family Friendly Funnies Just changed my Facebook name to ‘No one’ so when I see stupid posts I can click like and it will say ‘No one likes this’. I wondered why the frisbee was getting bigger, and then it hit me. If practice makes perfect, and nobody’s perfect, why practice? Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be. Team work is important; it helps to put the blame on someone else.
Spanish, traditional and designer Children's clothing from newborn up to 12years. Specialising in making your children the best dressed.
If you ever get cold, just stand in the corner of a room for a while. They’re normally around 90 degrees. Q: Why did the scarecrow get promoted? A: Because he was outstanding in his field. To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
07850 849 705
Mon-Fri: 10-4pm - Sat: 10-5pm Sun: Appointment only 14 Edwards walk, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PS
hire · sales · install · events
01245 863 863
sales@eventsoundandlight.com www.eventsoundandlight.com
Page 27
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
CT CHARITY
Brainwave Children’s Charity offers therapy to children with disabilities and additional needs to help them reach their potential. The charity started out in 1982 in Bridgwater, Somerset and they have since then opened a south east of England children’s therapy centre in Witham, Essex and a north west centre in Warrington, Cheshire. Families come to their centres for a two day initial assessment where two therapists see one child and their parents. The therapists assess the child in every way and then devise a structured exercise therapy programme to suit the individual needs of each child. Some of the children they see cannot walk, talk, hear, sit up or feed themselves, whilst some are fed through a tube in their stomach and can have up to fifty seizures per day. What makes Brainwave different is that their therapists, after the initial assessment, then show the parents how to do this therapy at home which empowers the parents to take an active role in their child’s development. They also supply all the therapy equipment needed and the results they see with the children are amazing. It costs Brainwave £3,500 per year per child to keep on their exercise therapy programmes and they do not receive any government funding and have to look at ways of raising all our own funding. This could be holding their own events, supporting third party events, donations, companies and groups choosing Brainwave as their charity of the year. They also have a guardianship scheme whereby companies, groups or individuals pay £3,500 for a year’s therapy for one child. In return they get a profile of the child, up to date reports on the child’s progress, invitations to any supporter events, a six monthly newsletter and a tour of a centre. In some cases, the parents ask to meet their child’s guardian and these meetings have proved to be very happy occasions.
My First Marathon Part 2 by Jo Sullivan I did it!! I am of course referring to the London Marathon 2015!! Over a week later and I still have fantastic memories of the day, and I’ve (almost!) forgotten the pain.
Let me start from the beginning. If you read my previous article you will know I’ve been training hard for the last few months for the marathon and finally completed my last run a couple of days before the big day. On Saturday 25th, I nervously packed my bag and headed off to London to check into a hotel to avoid the stress of commuting on the day. After a surprisingly restful night’s sleep, I woke up early and headed down to Greenwich Park. At this stage I had to leave my boyfriend and enter the runners only area which increased my nerves ten-fold! As I was waiting to cross the start line, I got chatting to other runners about their experiences in training and reasons for running - the sense of camaraderie was very emotional. Crossing the start line was a surreal experience; I was actually running the London Marathon! The first 10 miles or so, I ran with a couple of girls also supporting Anthony Nolan and the time really did fly by. The fancy dress runners were amazing and my hat goes off to them - especially the rhino’s and the t-rex!
A couple of recent testimonials from two families: From Harrison’s parents: “Brainwave is like a ray of light and every time we come here the support is inspirational. The therapy programme that we get as a result of being at Brainwave has really assisted Harrison to grow stronger in everything he does. We can’t wait to see you all again soon.” From Aiden’s parents: “Fantastic, we cannot thank Brainwave enough for the help. After one day, we have already seen improvements and we’re looking forward to the therapy sessions and reassessments. More than anything, we now feel positive about our son’s future and what he might be able to achieve! The support we have received has been amazing and straight away we felt at home.” If anyone would like to know more about Brainwave and the work they do, OR can hold a fundraising event for them, OR would like to join their Friends of Brainwave Group, please contact: Gerry Gould on 07725 956014 or 01268 561784, or email gerrygould@brainwave. org.uk. website: www.brainwave.org.uk. was amazing, we encouraged each other to keep going and soaked in the atmosphere of the amazing crowd who supported us the whole way. The run down Birdcage Walk and The Mall was incredible, the crowds are roaring and you feel invincible and crossing the finishing line is just the most amazing feeling - you feel like a superstar! They say ‘pain is temporary, pride is forever’ and this really is true. The pain you experience round the course hurts, you want to give up, but the sense of pride you have on receiving your medal is like no other, and I can honestly say it was one of the best days of my life. I need to say a huge thank you to my amazing boyfriend, friends and family who have supported me over the last few months, and to Anthony Nolan for providing (the noisiest!!) cheering points round the course and the post-race massage which was heaven! I’ve raised over £2000 to support Anthony Nolan in the lifesaving work they do - so thank you and congratulations to my friends Danielle Marie Conroy and Emma Andersen who also completed the marathon.
Running over Tower Bridge was an amazing experience, the crowds were wild and the views were stunning over the Thames, I loved every second and that feeling carried me for another few miles. At mile 19 I had to stop and walk for a while as my legs were pretty sore but as I was with a friend at this point we had a lovely chat and the time again went very quickly. We walked/ran for another few miles safe in the knowledge that every painful step was a step closer to the finish! In the following hours after the marathon, whilst sitting in the pub Seeing my family and friends round the course at miles 12, 16, 17 sipping a glass of bubbles, I said: “never again.” However, I have just and 18 really did boost my spirits and when I unexpectedly saw them signed up to the ballot for 2016 as I want to experience it all over again at miles 25 and 26 I was so happy, I really forgot about the again! pain and just went for it! Sharing those last few miles with a friend Page 28 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
ÂŁ799
CT
wh 10% 3k en y Off g o pro of B u bu y il d thi uct tong s a wit dv ert h
Authentic South African Biltong, Droewors, Boerewors, pork sausage & other groceries sold in the UK
www.mrbiltong.co.uk Unit 7F Reeds Farm Estate, Roxwell Road, Writtle, CM1 3ST
01245 421232
Page 29
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
Stargazing with Mark Willis Looking north, you can see the Summer Triangle. Two of the stars, Vega in Lyra and Deneb in Cygnus, are nicely visible. The third star, Altair in Aquila, becomes more visible during May. The term ‘Summer Triangle’ was coined by the late, Sir Patrick Moore in one of his early Sky at Night TV programmes. The name stuck, although it still remains unofficial.
As May gives way to June, you end up having to go to bed very late if you want get in any decent star gazing! During the increased hours of daylight, you could turn to solar observing, (safely!). Galileo invented a completely safe way of observing the sun. He lined up a small telescope to project the image of the sun onto white card. If you make one of these solar viewers, you would end up with a nice, crisp image of the sun, showing on the viewer’s card. Take a look at this link. There’s very good advice on how to make one of these and how to observe. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/ how-to-look-at-the-sun
WARNING: never, ever look at the sun directly. Never through a telescope or even the finder scope. Blindness will result. Make sure children don’t get near the telescope. That goes for binoculars too! Observing the sun (safely!), can tell us a great deal about the universe. When we see stars at night, we are almost certainly seeing the sun lighting and heating distant planets. Almost certainly, we have to assume that some of these worlds will have life on them. We haven’t found it yet, but to assume that we are the only life forms in the whole universe seems to be such a stretch! Next time in City Times Stargazing with Mark Willis - A spectacular dance of the planets and New Horizons nearly at Pluto! Mark Willis presents Willis Wireless every Monday at 7pm on Chelmsford Community Radio. Web: Tweet me: Email:
www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com @WillisWireless mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
Sign Up to the World’s Biggest Quiz
Excitement is mounting as the date for the attempt to get Essex in the Guinness Book of World Records gets closer. This fun day for all the family is being organised by Rotary clubs in the district and is aimed at getting the most people at a quiz at the same venue at the same time.
Centre, Mercedes-Benz Chelmsford, Iain Ramsay Dental Surgery, Graphic Impressions Printers, Waitrose, Phoenix Financial Services and 77 Agency IT.”
So, of course, you have to find somewhere big enough to stage such an event and what could be better than Roots Hall, home of Southend Football Club, who are having such a successful season. By the date of the quiz, they may have secured promotion either automatically or via the play-offs, so fingers crossed that it will be good news all round.
Tickets can be obtained online at: www.rotarybigquiz.org or from any Rotary club in Essex. A list of these clubs can be found on www. rotary1240.org or email enquiries@rotarybigquiz.org,
We need to get 2,500 people to participate to beat the record. Everyone loves a quiz, so the Rotarians behind the attempt are optimistic but with that number of people it needs people to book in advance rather than just turn up on the day. What day is that? Saturday 6th June - and the time of the event has been fixed at 12pm to 4pm to give people coming from all over Essex time to get there comfortably but still have the late afternoon and evening to enjoy the rest of the day by the seaside. Because it’s a family day, tickets have been priced at just £2 each! Where else can you get a whole afternoon’s entertainment for that price? The questions will have something for everyone, young and old, so it might be a good idea to bring the kids along to help, but not essential. Food outlets will be open, or you can bring your own. It all adds to the fun. As most people know, Rotary is a worldwide charity and the profits for this event are going to the Lancaster Special Needs School in Southend, a really worthy establishment doing terrific work for local children with serious disabilities. Rotary supports local, national and international projects and on the 6th June you will be able to see a flavour of what Rotary does, particularly in Essex. It is about putting something back into the community, whilst also making lots of lasting friendships. If you feel you would like to be part of an organisation that makes a positive difference to the lives of so many people, there will be members at the Big Quiz who you can chat with to give you more information about the benefits of joining. Rotary District Governor, Stan Keller, comments: “This is absolutely a win-win day. It puts Essex firmly on the map, it benefits a terrific local charity and the whole family can join in. It is yet another way of how Rotary works in the community. We are also extremely grateful to our sponsors who ensure the money raised will go to the Lancaster Special Needs School and they are worthy of mention: Alton Garden
Everyone is welcome; to break the record we need adults, children, your friends, neighbours, work colleagues - anyone with a pulse. Now is the time to book.
See you there!
Classifieds SCRUFTS K9 DOG GROOMING & ALL THINGS CANINE UNIT 7 BEEHIVE BUSINESS CENTRE BEEHIVE LANE CHELMSFORD CM2 9TE 0333 121 2559 INFO@SCRUFTSK9.CO.UK www.scruftsk9.co.uk FREE FOOD DELIVERY TO YOUR DOOR LARGE RANGE OF HANDMADE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS AND SHAMPOOS
Advertise on our classified page for just £25 + VAT per issue.
Page 31
Highwood Tree Care
All types of trees lopped, topped, shaped and crown reduction. All sized trees dismantled and taken away. Also Hedge trimming etc..
01245 422712/07711 606561 www.highwoodlandscapes.co.uk
www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk
4 Widford Grove £395,000
Extended semi detached house Four bedrooms Cul-de-sac position Parking for two cars
Widford Road £545,000
Brand new detached house Three/four bedrooms En suite to master Off street parking
Rutland Road £225,000
End terraced house Three 1st floor bedrooms Two reception rooms 70ft rear garden
Property of the Month Mildmay Road £480,000 • Character Edwardian semi • Four/five bedrooms • 75ft rear garden • Garage in block
Beehive Lane £279,995
• Victorian semi detached house • Two reception rooms • Two bedrooms • Approx. 100ft rear garden
Main Road £284,995
Victorian character house Two bedrooms Two reception rooms • West facing 100ft rear garden
Orchard Street £275,000
Two double bedrooms Large lounge/diner Fitted kitchen Double glazing