The City Times November/December 2017

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Issue Number 38: 18th November - 15th December 2016

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CT Welcome Hello readers Welcome to the November/December edition.

Remember to check out our What’s On page for lots of Chrismas events this month for all ages.

This month, on December 3rd we have two great tribute acts at Chelmsford City FC - The Jam Project and Who’s Next! So start your Christmas season early with a great night of live music and partying!

Remember to send your events (between 16th December and 15th January) to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk for the next What’s On section.

Regards Nick & Paul www.thecitytimes.co.uk | www.moulshamtimes.com

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

it’s your media Ltd

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

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Page 3

CT Fashion - John Lewis – Menswear Continuing with my John Lewis special, this month I will be concentrating on the guys. Menswear trends this autumn/winter are similar to last year; the layering trend is not going anywhere and the reason this trend has staying power is simply because it’s stylish and practical. On the catwalks we saw polo shirts being layered over everything, but on the high street, it works best with a t-shirt, then an open shirt, then bomber or hoodie, then a crombie or peacoat on top.

As a rule of thumb, start with your thinnest layer and work up to your thickest. For a smarter layered look, start with a slim fit polo neck and maybe add a satin-look bomber and then add a thick topcoat. Other pieces and trends to look out for include parkas, puffers, beanie hats, joggers, sweatshirts, hoodies, check and plaid shirts, bomber jackets and polo necks (ribbed and fine knit). Shoe-wise, it’s all about the ankle boot - whether they are chukka boots, Chelsea boots or red wings, they are big news this autumn/winter.

For those of you who haven’t ventured in to John Lewis yet, you will find the menswear section on the ground floor. Some of the brands featured are Levi’s, Barbour, Gant, Ted Baker, Diesel, Denham, Hugo Boss and John Lewis’ own label.

Whether you want to invest in some smart work clothes or something casual for the weekend or a combination of both, John Lewis have it covered. Let’s take a look at what they have to offer.

John Lewis Best Picks John Lewis have selected some iconic pieces from their own label, to make it super easy if you are after something classic that will not go out of fashion. So whatever your age, you should find a great investment piece from their own label.

John Lewis Donegal Wool-Blend Overcoat, (navy) - £150, John Lewis 2 in 1 Peacoat (charcoal) - £150, John Lewis Stripe Oxford Shirt (navy) - £35.00, John Lewis Gingham Melange Check Shirt (purple) - £38.00, John Lewis Quilted Nylon Jacket (navy) - £95.00, John Lewis Lumsden Straight Leg Chinos (black) - £40.00, John Lewis Made in Italy Cashmere Scarf( red) - £50.00.

Jeans For Jeans head to Levi’s or Diesel or Denham. There are loads of different styles to choose from. If you are not looking for jeans, how

about cords? Levi’s do great 511 cords - Levi’s 511 Slim Fit Corduroy Trousers (harvest gold) - £70.00, they look great with white old school trainers and tan leather boots.

Jackets For a vintage classic, but also great everyday jacket, the Levi’s Vintage Sherpa Trucker Jacket, Movin’ & Shakin’ (£110), is one of my favourites. Its also fur lined so will keep you toasty warm when it gets really cold.

If you fancy a bomber jacket this season, but one that’s a great all rounder - fantastic for weekends and evenings out - you can’t go wrong with the Diesel J-EDG-Clean Jacket (blue) - £150.00.

For a smart jacket for work and everyday use, head to Ted Baker; the Ted Baker Chile High Neck Jacket (grey) £279.00 For something classic, their Peacoat is definitely worth a look and perfect for work; Ted Baker Biza Wool-Blend Peacoat (charcoal) - £299.00 Jumpers For the ultimate luxury, try the John Lewis Made in Italy Premium Cashmere Hoodie, at £99.00. For weekend, take a look at Lyle & Scott Space Dye Crew Neck Sweatshirt (navy) at £75.00. Looking for a smart jumper for work? The John Lewis Made in Italy Merino Cashmere Jumper in Light Blue at £49.00 will fit the bill and it comes in a variety of colours.

Tees & Shirts For the weekend, there are some fantastic t-shirts and shirts.

The North Face Easy Short Sleeve T-Shirt (navy/green) - £25.00, Fred Perry Breton Stripe T-Shirt (service blue/steel marl) - £35.00, Barbour Sea Graphic T-Shirt (white) - £29.95 - and for something a tad warmer, Levi’s Barstow Western Check Shirt (sun dried tomato) £65.00.

Accessories If you are being careful with your wallet and would like to update your wardrobe with a couple of great accessories, then Barbour is the brand you should consider. They have a wide range of scarves in vibrant checks and some stylish gloves and hats.

Barbour New Tartan Lambswool Scarf (multi-coloured) - £27.95, Barbour Brodie Check Lambswool Fingerless Gloves (navy) - £21.95.

This is just a small selection of what they have to offer, for more fantastic men’s clothing and accessories, head down to John Lewis, Chelmsford.

Emma Smith is a personal stylist. She offers personal shopping and wardrobe planning. You can contact her via her website www.emmasmith.co.uk or email; emma@emmasmith.co.uk or emmapersonalstylist@hotmail.com.

Photos - Copyright Barbour

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Las Iguanas Now Open!

Las Iguanas takes up residence in the exciting new Bond Street retail and leisure development, alongside John Lewis and Everyman Cinema. The vibrant restaurant décor takes its inspiration from the team’s most recent travels in South America, with double height windows overlooking the river, a quirky island bar, cheerful yellow shutters and ornate woodwork doors. Both the decoration and the food showcases the tropical flavours and colours of Rio, providing an invigorating space where you can relax in comfy booths against a backdrop of sunshine shades of yellow, sky blue and turquoise, whilst admiring the big bold graphics dancing across the walls inspired by street art in Buenos Aires.

The menu at Las Iguanas is carefully developed by a team of passionate foodies, discovering unique flavour blends and inspiring recipes from across Latin America, and bringing them life through high quality, fresh ingredients. The new winter menu additions are no exception - colourful new Taco Planks offer five fresh fusions to top a classic tortilla, whilst Corn & Habanero Fritters are set to spice up the tapas menu with a sticky chilli jam to rival the winter heat of Rio. Alongside these, a dish for sea-food lovers makes a comeback onto the mains menu: Sea Bass, Crab & Prawn on a bed of aromatic herbs.

Punctuating your journey through Latin America with an addition to the puddings is the new Kahlua Chocolate Cortado, where layer upon layer of deliciousness in a pot tempts with condensed milk and chocolate and coffee liqueur, topped with the Brazilian classic dulce de leche, waiting to be dipped by a cinnamon sugar-dusted churro sweet indulgence to warm up winter.

And that’s not all; Las Iguanas are 25 this year and the birthday celebrations continue with two-for-one on 25 cocktails all year round to get you in that party spirit. Sample the tastes of Brazil with a Caipirinha or two made from Las Iguana’s very own Magnifica

Cachaça made in sugar cane fields just outside of Rio. Be spoilt for choice with brand new cocktail choices including Watermelon Margarita mixing Olmeca Tequila, watermelon and lime and Yuzu Samba that combines Las Iguanas Magnifica Cachaça with Yuzu, pineapple and lime. If you really want to get the party started, why not bring plenty of friends and try the sharing cocktails served up in big glass skulls and kitsch pineapples!?

So spice up your winter and head down to Las Iguanas Chelmsford, where you are sure to find a reason to celebrate!

Las Iguanas, Unit 4k, 123-125 Bond Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1GD Phone: 01245 809 793 Website: www.iguanas.co.uk

Music by Nick Garner

Here we go, the last month of the year - and before I talk about the music, I got invited to the opening to two restaurants recently, one being the fantastic Galvin Brothers’ Green Man in Howe Street. I did not know what to expect but had heard they’d spent £2million on renovating and extending it. I have to say I was very impressed, the work they have had done is superb and the old part is also fantastic and not only are they all great people, but the food is superb as well.

They have four Michelin stars between them and the ales are really well kept and there is a choice of three different ones on the hand pumps. They are very much part of the community and invited the whole village to this special event which was a nice touch. I wish them well and I think the food is reasonably priced as well.

The following night I was invited to Las Iguanas, although this is part of a very large chain, I have never been before and the welcome was very friendly and they were eager to please which was nice. The waitress was very clued up and she told me that they have tasted everything on the menu and had it all explained to them. I must say I enjoyed it all and with the Brazilian music and the guys in their costumes it was a fun and pleasurable evening.

Back to the music now and two great shows to tell you about - if you missed either it is a sad loss for you. Firstly, at Chelmsford City FC, the Jar Family. A first for Essex and it will not be the last. Wow these guys are amazing! In the six piece band there are five solo singer songwriters who all take turns at singing their songs. They swap around instruments as well and the music varies from blues to folk to country and rock. They were so exciting and so much fun, everyone loved them and seemed impressed at how great and entertaining they were, so keep your eyes and ears open for the Jar Family as we are sure they are on the way up to the top.

Next it was the return that many had been waiting for - and Wille and the Bandits did not disappoint us. The Bassment was packed and the great thing is that there were people of all ages there as well.

They played two sets and previewed quite a lot of their new CD, Steal, which has its official release in January 2017. We were lucky they had some with them on the tour and they sold well. When the CD has its official release (and if the record company gets behind them) they will become one of the world’s great bands, they have all worked and played so hard to get where they were today and have played to 20,000 at the Cropredy Festival this year getting a standing ovation, as well as touring with Status Quo and Deep Purple. In fact, Don Airey liked them so much he asked to play on Steal. Let’s just hope we can still get them to come and play for us in Chelmsford next year.

By the time this edition of the City Times comes out we will have had two more shows, but we still have two more left for you that we are putting on. At Chelmsford City FC on Saturday 3rd December we have

the Jam Project followed by Who’s Next - so if you are a Weller and co fan or a fan of The Who, these are the best tribute acts around, so check out the advert in this magazine for full details and get your ticket before they are all gone.

Following that, we are off to the Bassment on Wednesday 7th December for the return of the Bad Influence duo, Val and Richard Hayes. I need say no more about them because you should already know how good they are. We also have Mississippi MacDonald playing as well, so another very special booking to end the year on.

Again, check the advert for full details of the show. From next year we are moving the Blues in the City night to Thursday nights, so make sure you make a note of our dates.

Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective have a couple of shows in Chelmsford coming up too as a trio. On Saturday 10th December we are playing at the United Brethren (the UB) in New Writtle Street. We will start the mayhem at about 9pm and will play a lot of different material that we also play as the full band, so do come on down to this great refurbished and friendly venue. Next it is our big Christmas show at the Ale House on Saturday 17th December. Be warned there will be lots of dancing, great live music and fun and laughter as well as lots of great booze to enjoy in another of the city’s great venues.

There is of course lots more going on in and around the city, so check out the What’s On page and if you know of any kind of event that is open to the public, just let us know and we will list it details and dates again are on this page.

Remember too that if you play and are not in a band or are playing solo, there are lots of open mics and jams happening all over the county. So go out and give it a go and enjoy! They are also great to just go and watch as you never know who may turn up - at the Bassment Blues Jam a while back, Suzi Quatro not only played but she also sat and took the door money as well!

As ever, without you coming out to watch and support live music we will lose it.

Keep up to date with Blues in the City at www.bluesinthecity. co.uk, www.facebook.com/bluesinthecitychelmsford, Twitter - @ BluesintheCity1.

For the live music at Chelmsford City FC go to www.itsyourmusic. co.uk, www.facebook.com/itsyourmusic, Twitter - @itsyourmusic.

Page 6

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With Support From

Saturday 3rd December 2016 At Chelmsford City Football Club, Salerno Way, Chelmsford, CM1 2EH - Doors 7.30pm

Tickets £13 in advance, £15 on the door.

Available from Chelmsford City FC or call 01245 290959 Intense Records, 33/34 Viaduct Road, CM1 1TS The Hop Beer Shop, Moulsham Street, CM2 0LD www.wegottickets.com/event/350316 ww

CT Gardening by Tom Cole Propagating herbaceous perennials by division is fast and reliable.

After dividing, each propagule should have an established root and stem system and will often have fully functioning leaves as well. This allows for rapid establishment and development of the new plant, which therefore requires only minimal care and attention. All plants produced in this way are genetically identical to the parent plant. The main disadvantage of this method is that only a few plants can be produced from the parent plant at any one time and diseases such as viruses can be passed on.

Herbaceous perennials can be divided to increase stock or to rejuvenate old plants. The best time to propagate by this method is during the dormant season just after leaf fall or prior to bud burst. The parent plant selected for propagation should be healthy, vigorous, pest and disease free and true to type.

Divided propagules can either be planted directly into the final planting position (for example when dividing plants in the herbaceous border, lined out in a nursery bed and lifted when grown) or placed in pots or containers to establish as container grown plants.

In all cases the soil or growing medium needs to be: •

Friable

• • • • •

Moisture retentive Well drained and aerated Fertile Of a suitable pH Pest and disease free

The type of container will vary according to the size of the propagule taken. Small propagules like Aster spp. can be lined out in a seed tray, while larger specimens like Hosta spp. can be potted directly into large 2l pots. Hygiene is important to prevent the spread of fungal diseases. Pots and containers should be washed in disinfectant and left to dry.

Propagules should be treated as the adult plant with regard to protection and hardiness. Hardy plants can be lined out directly outside or given minimal protection under cloches or in a cold frame. Hardy herbaceous plants, which are dormant in the winter, may resent being brought into growth too early in a warm greenhouse.

Method of dividing herbaceous perennials Dig up the parent plant from the border or stock bed. Shake or wash off excess soil. Separate large clumps into sections using a pair of border forks back to back. In the case of very tough clumps with densely interwoven roots, a spade can be used to chop the clump into sections. Smaller or less dense clumps may be teased apart by hand.

Large clumps can be progressively divided to obtain the maximum number of independent propagules with roots, shoots and leaves.

Alternatively the clump may be split only a few times to produce larger, more mature daughter clumps.

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Trim excess leaves to minimise water loss by transpiration and thereby reduce transplanting shock. Excess and damaged roots can also be trimmed to ease planting and lining out. Dead leaves and material should be removed to reduce the chances of infection.

Pests and diseases Because the propagules obtained from division are independent fully functioning plants with roots, shoots and often leaves, they tend not to be as vulnerable to pest and disease attack as cuttings and seedlings. They will suffer from the same range of problems as the parent plants though and should be treated for such attacks in the same way. Until the roots are fully re-established, rotting off can affect the propagules and care must be taken to ensure good drainage and avoid over watering.

If you have a spare moment and want to discuss courses with the team at Writtle College, we do have an information event this coming Saturday on 19th November 2016 (10am - 2pm). These are ideal for those looking to study a college-level course including post-GCSE, certificates, diplomas and apprenticeships, or who want a specific short course such as pruning or fruit and veg growing.

Good luck and happy gardening!

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

Page 8 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

Looking to extend your property?

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

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

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

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

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Santa is coming to Eleflora

Santa will be in his grotto from Friday November 18th 2016 and would love to meet the good Boys and Girls of Chelmsford. While the children see Father Christmas, why not take a look at our Christmas Trees, Wreaths and decorations we have to offer. Children’s rides, Hot Chocolate, Mince Pies, Mulled Wine and Santa may even bring his reindeers £10.00 Per Child Gifts for all children.

To book your childs place Call: 01245 231074 Email: sales@eleflora.co.uk Web: www.eleflora.co.uk

A donation of £1.00 from every child entry will be made to Children’s Cancer UK

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Page 9

CT Food With John Jacobs At heart I’m still a ten year old who gets excited at this time of year.

All Hallows’ Eve has been and gone and fireworks have lit the sky for another year. Does anyone remember penny for the guy? We don’t see that nowadays. For you younger readers, it’s where children would raid their parents closet for clothes to stuff with newspaper and roam the streets demanding money with menace. Such fun. It’s now perfectly safe and acceptable to mention the C word, but lets not forget the true meaning of Christmas; namely time off work, cream based liquors and food that tastes entirely of brandy. Frankly, I love it.

I start planning my Christmas around about the last week in August when I become slightly bored with daylight and smiling at barbecues.

I begin to meander off on to a path of lit trees, comfy jumpers and mince pies.

Most of you will know that historically mince pies were typically a mixture of minced meat, suet, fruits and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. I tried making this traditional version once. I urge you not to - it tastes like a mince pie but with a subtle hint of disgusting.

Looking back, this year has seen a huge change in Chelmsford’s food scene. The city’s growth has brought new restaurants like Carluccio’s, Turtle Bay and Bourgees along with new independents vying for our gastronomic pound, the strength of which is now regulated by Waddingtons. What we haven’t seen are new experiences, concepts, excitement and diversity. Some old friends have gone, Bake ‘n’ Grape on Broomfield Road sadly closed its doors this year after a difficult time on a highly competitive high street, as did Verde’s on Duke

Street. An Italian restaurant that had been a staple for theatre goers for many years, now replaced by - an Italian restaurant to be a staple for theatre goers. I make my subtle point.

The phenomenon that is Deliveroo has made its way beyond the M25 and is now a noticeable addition to the evening traffic. For those of you not familiar with the brand, like Just Eat and Hungry House, food is ordered through a website or via an app at which point delivery is guaranteed to your door fifteen minutes before you ordered it. I exaggerate. Deliveroo is not without its faults and is regularly compared to Uber for its lack of employee benefits, though a recent legal ruling in relation to employee rights should make the next twelve months interesting. To be honest, I’m okay to pay a little more for my takeaway if it means a living wage, holiday pay and accident insurance for those involved in the chain.

If you want to find those gems, check out theculturetrip.com which lists the 10 restaurants you should try in Chelmsford. I wholeheartedly agree with almost 3 of them. Nevertheless, what does 2017 hold for us here in our fair city? It seems this begins and ends with the Bond Street development with Jamaica Blue and Byron Burger. No doubt more will follow, but until then and until our bumper Christmas edition, have a happy November gastrongnomes of Chelmsford. See you next month with the idiot’s guide to an easy Christmas dinner.

Beer by Simon Tippler of roundtowerbrewery.co.uk There are certain places that are known to have a good beer scene going on. For example, Norwich is famous for being a fantastic destination for beer lovers with locations such as The Fat Cat, The Norwich Tap House or The St Andrew’s Brew House and in May they even have their very own City of Ale celebrations. Earlier this year, Sheffield declared itself ‘The Worlds Best Beer City’ and it is well known that Bristol and Manchester also have beer related events and are fostering a burgeoning beer scene. Here in Chelmsford we have two fantastic beer festivals organised by the local CAMRA branch, as well as having some great beer festivals run by some of the local pubs.

Recently, a few people have mentioned to me that they feel that Chelmsford is on the cusp of becoming known as a beer destination.

This is a reflection of the quality of beer available in local pubs, which in no small measure is due to the diligent work put in by some of our local landlords (good work chaps and chapesses). Obviously by making a list I will inevitably miss someone off, so I’m just going to say... you all know the places I am talking about.

In the last quarter of 2016 there have been some new developments in the beer scene in Chelmsford. Firstly, the opening of Master of Alcohol, a new bottle shop on Wells Street (near the station) who are stocking a great range of beers from the UK and around the world alongside many hard to source spirits. Many of you will already know that the United Brethren, just off Moulsham Street, has had a major refurbishment and is under new management. They have strong ties with Pin Up brewery in Brighton and as such sell a range of their cask and keg beers alongside other guest beers. Soon to be opening is the Bottle Bureau which is located at the top of Waterloo Lane in what was previously 59 New Street and before that, the Hot House. This promises to be a bar with a range of foreign lager, great craft keg and a good selection of bottles. Also in High Chelmer for the run up to Christmas there is a Pop Up Adnams Shop selling a selection of their goods. It is worth popping in there as they often have samples for you

to try before you buy, especially of their rather nice gin!

Lastly, don’t forget that we will be running the Round Tower Pop Up Bottle Shop at the brewery at Robjohns House, Navigation Road Chelmsford, CM2 6ND on Saturday afternoons in December!!!

The festive season is fast approaching and all of us at Writtle Singers are looking forward to our annual Christmas concert at All Saints’ Church, Writtle. We are rehearsing a varied seasonal programme and we would love to share it with you.

The church will look beautiful in the candlelight and coupled with the lovely sounds of voice and organ, you cannot fail to leave the concert full of seasonal good cheer (not to mention a few seasonal refreshments). The programme will consist of many well known and some not so well known - Christmas carols plus some seasonal readings, and you will have a chance to join in the singing too.

The concert will be on Sunday 11th December at 5pm and will be the perfect start to Christmas for all the family. Book online at www.writtlesingers.org, or purchase from James Dace and Son in Broomfield Road, or from members of the choir - or by calling 07815 966 978. We look forward to seeing you there.

On Saturday 11th February, we will be holding our annual quiz night in the Christian Centre. This is always great fun and is a chance to pit your wits against competing teams, to enjoy a fish or chicken and chip supper, and to take part in the raffle. Tickets will be on sale in the new year from the same website, so get a team together and join us for another great evening.

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www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk Page 11

What’s On in the Chelmsford Area

November Friday 18th Asylum - Lost Revelation + Arcane Militia + Motorcycle Display Team + CreTura Bassment - Mother’s Jam presents: Sparklebone + Inexitus + Otoko + Lionhead Cramphorn - The Full Monty Fleece - The Stereojacks Saturday 19th Asylum - Hell Feeder + Interceptor + See You in Reno Bassment - Secret Company + Kiera Court CCFC Away - Bath City v Chelmsford City Civic - The Roy Orbison Story Cramphorn - The Full Monty Fleece - Red Leaf Three Elms - Steak night Sunday 20th Asylum - Bilk + Jump Stone + State of Millenia Bassment - Sunday Funday Cramphorn - Les Contes D’Hoffmann (pre-recorded from the Royal Opera House, London) Galleywood Heritage Centre - Remembering 1916, free WW1 exhibition (10am to 4pm) Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm) Monday 21st Chelmsford City Racecourse - Race night Tuesday 22nd Cramphorn - The Nice Guys (15) Wednesday 23rd Bassment - SJ Denney (more tbc) Cramphorn - Lunchtime concert Thursday 24th Bassment - Americana Night: Curse Of Lono + The Southern Generals Fleece - Quiz Night Chelmsford City Racecourse - Race night Star & Garter - Acoustic Jam Friday 25th Asylum - Sophie Lancaster Fund-Raiser - Anarchistwood Bassment - Mantango + Leyline Pass + Paul Dale Hyde Hall - Magic of Christmas Fleece - Barney & the Rubbles Star & Garter - Andy Robinson Band Saturday 26th Asylum - Charity Northern Soul Night Bassment - The Chase Taylor Hootenanny (Chelmsford City Racecourse - Christmas Gift & Food Fair Fleece - Scooby Hyde Hall - Magic of Christmas Star & Garter - Indiscreet Three Elms - Last tapas night of the year Sunday 27th Bassment - Sunday Funday Chelmsford City Racecourse - Christmas Gift & Food Fair Chelmsford High Street - Christmas lights switch on Galleywood Heritage Centre - Christmas Craft Market Hyde Hall - Magic of Christmas Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm) Page 12

Wednesday 30th Bassment - On The Pulse Xmas Party!

Cramphorn - Lunchtime concert December Thursday 1st Bassment - Bassment Blues Jam Chelmsford City Racecourse - Race night Fleece - Quiz Night Star & Garter - Acoustic Jam Friday 2nd Asylum - Helldown + Proscrenium + Fatality + Return of the Rev Guy Bassment - Shakey’s Sessions: Joanavarc + The March Fleet + Fyresky + Barton Young Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Fleece - Beggar Hyde Hall - Magic of Christmas Star & Garter - Rockhouse Saturday 3rd Ale House - Record Fair Asylum - The Noise Before Christmas with Deniers Bassment - The Lemoncurd Kids Xmas Takeover!

Chelmsford Cathedral - Caprice Christmas Nowell Chelmsford City FC - Who’s Next + The Jam Project CCFC Home - Chelmsford City v Hungerford Town Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Cramphorn - Comedy Club 4 Kids Fleece - Break for Cover Hyde Hall - Magic of Christmas Hylands House - Crafts for Christmas Star & Garter - 2nd Delivery Sunday 4th Bassment - Sunday Funday Cramphorn - Chelmsford Jazz Club Hyde Hall - Magic of Christmas Hylands House - Crafts for Christmas Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm) Woolpack - GC’s Jazz Club: Zak Barrett Saxophone & Reg Webb Monday 5th Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Tuesday 6th Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Cramphorn - I, Daniel Blake (cert tbc) Wednesday 7th Bassment - Blues in the City: Bad Influence Duo + Mississippi MacDonald Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Cramphorn - Lunchtime concert Three Elms - Start of our fabulous christmas menu Thursday 8th Asylum - Barbora + Habu + A Bribe For the Ferryman Bassment - Christmas Wallopalooza!: Stealing Signs + Where Fires Are + Faers + Rome Champino Chelmsford Cathedral - Lights of Love carol service Chelmsford City Racecourse - Race night Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Thursday 8th Cramphorn - The Nutcracker (live from the Royal Opera House)

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

Thursday 8th Continued...

Fleece - Quiz Night Star & Garter - Mojo Moon Friday 9th Asylum - Shakey’s Sessions: Steve Foster-Pilkington Band + Rolled Up Sleeves + Calico + Porcupine Kiss Bassment - Electric Jam Xmas Party presents: Paolo Morena + Morrissey & Marshall + Black Chapel Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Cramphorn - Fire at Sea (12A) Fleece - the Heaters Star & Garter - Tirsty Work Saturday 10th Asylum - Double Barrel Bassment - Mandeville EP Launch: Midnight Barbers + Hot Dreams + Third Dart Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Cramphorn - Santa in Love Fleece - Skamite Star & Garter - Lithium United Brethran - Jamie Williams Trio Sunday 11th Bassment - Sunday Funday Central Park - Reindeer Trail Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Cramphorn - Santa in Love Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm) Monday 12th Cramphorn - Santa in Love Tuesday 13th Bassment - Ministry Of Mojo Blues Fundraiser!

Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Wednesday 14th Bassment - Jazz Funk Xmas Special!

Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Cramphorn - Lunchtime concert Three Elms - Live jazz quartet (8pm) Woolpack - Essex Skeptics Talk - The Church of Fear - Inside the Weird World of Scientology with John Sweeney Thursday 15th Bassment - Live Indie Rock Chelmsford City Racecourse - Race night Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Cramphron - A Hologram for the King (12A) Friday 16th Ale House - Jamies Williams & The Roots Collective Asylum - Last Known State + Wax Colour + Violent Sky Bassment - Rubber Soul presents: Eddie Piller (DJ set) Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Cramphron - Larry Berkovitz & Zak Barrett Xmas Jazz Fleece - Expose Star & Garter - VT11 Saturday 17th Asylum - Ed’s Birthday Bash & Xmas Party with Distorted!

Bassment - Xmas Party (with very special guest) CCFC Away - Weston-super Mare v Chelmsford City Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Fleece - The Earnshaws Star & Garter - The Locals Sunday 18th Bassment - Sunday Funday Civic - Jack And The Beanstalk Craphorn - The Nutcracker (pre-recored from the Bolshoi Ballet) Star & Garter - Open mic/jam (3-7pm)

The Three Elms Chignal St. James CM1 4TZ

For a cosy Christmas in a traditional country pub with a great atmosphere warmed by our log fire Our Christmas menus are now available to view and pre-order on our website the-three-elms.com 01245 443151

Star & Garter Live music every weekend (See listings for gigs)

Real Ale Hand Pull Ciders Free Wifi Free Pool on Monday’s www.facebook.com/star.garter.792

Happy Hour Monday - Friday 5-8pm 159 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 0LD 01245 690034

Please send us your events for the next edition (for events between 16th December 15th January) to: editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Galvin Green Man opens in Chelmsford Acclaimed Michelin starred chefs and restaurateurs, Chris and Jeff Galvin, have opened the much anticipated Galvin Green Man pub in Howe Street, Chelmsford. Set in 1.5 acres of riverside meadow amidst beautiful countryside with the river Chelmer flowing close by, Galvin Green Man marks a return home for Essex born Chris and Jeff, who remain the only brothers from Great Britain to be awarded a Michelin star. With the Galvin Green Man they bring their unique take on the quintessential British pub home, to serve as a hub at the heart of the community.

The interior of the pub has been stripped back to allow the original features to shine through. From the restored wooden beams which date back to 1314, to the horses mounting block outside, each aspect of the design has been thoughtfully executed to create a subtle and inviting setting that blends history and modern day.

Traditional materials such as authentic tartan fabrics, leathers and timbers have been used throughout to reflect the rural setting. The adjacent main dining room features a vaulted glass roof and doors that look out onto the neighbouring farmland. Two stunning fireplaces serve as a focal point for the space while oak dining tables add to the rustic charm, creating a warm and intimate dining environment.

The Green Man also hosts four private rooms on the first floor for up to 16 guests each in collaboration and celebration of local businesses Adnams Southwold, Marriage’s Millers, Essex County Cricket Club, and Countryside Properties. Each room has a unique identity showcasing the company’s individual styles. As a community led pub, the private dining rooms will serve to highlight the importance of locality and celebrate the heritage and success of these homegrown brands. On Sundays, the private rooms at Green Man offer a Host a Roast menu, allowing diners to customise their roast dinner with a variety of meat options according to party size.

Served with traditional accompaniments, main dishes include wood roast corn-fed Norfolk black chicken, stuffed saddle of lamb and slow roast beef brisket.

The Green Man is one of Essex’s oldest pubs dating back to 1314.

The once derelict building has undergone a sympathetic £3 million renovation to see the pub restored to its former glory, whilst the addition of a glass roofed 90 cover dining room has brought the pub right up to date. Styled very much as a Great British pub with the option to dine, the Green Man is of particular importance to the Galvin team. Not only as a homecoming for Chris and Jeff, but also to co-directors of the Galvin Pub Company, Warren Geraghty and Alex Piombino, who have worked alongside Chris and Jeff for over 20 years.

The menu centres on pub food using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Warren Geraghty, along with Head Chef Jack Boast, have worked with Chris and Jeff to create a menu full of comforting pub classics. Signature dishes from the main dining room menu include Colchester crab mayonnaise, watercress and rye bread, Rosanna onion and smoked bacon flat bread, Roast Dingley Dell pork, bakers

style potatoes, Dorset scallops, garlic and parsley butter and game pie with braised red cabbage.

The bar serves a selection of craft ales with a strong emphasis on working in partnership with local craft brewers such as Adnams Southwold, Ridleys and a calendar of guest ales. The concise wine list has a focus on English and European bottles with a number of wines also available on tap, allowing for top quality wines to be poured straight from the winery to the glass without any risk of oxidation.

Galvin Green Man, Main Road, Howe Street, Great Waltham, Essex, CM3 1BG. Phone: 01245 408 820 Website: www.galvingreenman.com Email: betty@galvinpubco.com

If you love your vinyl then you will be well aware of Record Store Day, a special celebration held in April, when independent record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music.

Artists and bands release special limited edition records with vinyl junkies queuing round the block outside their local record shop to get the hands on material by their favourite artists. The people behind Record Store Day decided to mark another special day on the calendar, Black Friday. This year it falls on Friday 25th November and Intense Records in Chelmsford will be taking part.

December/January Issue Deadlines: Artwork - 9th December Articles - 2nd December

Record Store Day’s version of Black Friday is an excuse to celebrate both the exclusive releases and artists themselves and the special indie record stores who carry them. This year, Intense will be stocking a whole host of exclusive releases from iconic artists including Faith No More, Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks, RUN DMC and a whole heap more..

These rare and in demand titles will be available on the day in store, so make sure you get down to Intense early before they sell out! If you cant make it on the day, they will be listed on the intense website, so check out intenserecords.com/music/record-store-day.html to see the full range of products.

As it’s a special day, Intense will be opening at 9am and to help those stuck at work, we will be staying open for a full 12 hours closing at 9pm that night. Local bands, artists and DJs have been invited down to perform at the shop, plus there will be food and refreshments.

For more on the event and to see whose playing check the Intense Records Facebook page at www.facebook.com/IntenseRecords.

Intense Records can be found just round the corner from Chelmsford train and bus station under the arches along Viaduct Road, in between the Ale House and Asylum.

For more information contact 01245 347 372 or pay a visit at 33/34 Viaduct Road, Chelmsford CM1 1TS www.intenserecords.com.

If the Black Friday vinyl fix wasn’t enough to ease the cravings, make sure you check out the Chelmsford Record Fair the following week on Saturday 3rd December, held at The Ale House just a few doors down from the Intense store. Held monthly, you can expect good beer, burgers, live DJs, guest bands and loads of that lovely black plastic from a selection of record collectors. If you are lucky, there may be some of these rare Record Store Day releases still available from the Intense stall, go check it out! Search facebook.com/ chelmsfordrecordfair.

• Professional local eye care • Bespoke service • Over 20 years experience as a qualified Optometrist • Proud to provide that individual attention to detail • Friendliest caring team in Chelmsford Call now to make an appointment with Nicky

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T. 01245 352803

www.broomfieldopticians.co.uk

Phoenix Futures celebrates Full Circle official launch

On the 19th October over 100 Phoenix Futures staff, volunteers and service users, together with local criminal justice, social care and health professionals gathered at Chelmsford Baptist Church to celebrate the official launch of the new service, Full Circle (delivered

by Phoenix Futures in partnership with North Essex Partnership NHS Trust).

Full Circle was commissioned in April 2016 to work with offenders with complex and additional needs across the whole of Essex and will aim to help service users address any substance misuse or mental health issues - alongside working with people who have learning disabilities or any other needs that if left unmet are likely to increase the risk of (re)offending.

Full Circle will meet with the offender and will work creatively to support them to engage with local services who will offer help and support. Full Circle also works within HMP Chelmsford delivering drug and alcohol support for prisoners whilst they are in custody, including support for those with complex needs. Full Circle offers a comprehensive package of support for prisoners including group work, oneto-one work, acupuncture, yoga and peer mentoring. They will encourage a seamless transition from custody into the community to minimise the risk of reoffending.

The launch day was action packed! It began at 11am with all invitees having a cup of tea with homemade cakes which were made by the team themselves in a Full Circle Bake Off! This enabled everyone to peruse stalls set up around the venue highlighting the new service and what can be offered. Attendees heard speeches from Karen Biggs (Chief Executive of Phoenix Futures), Ben Hughes (Head of Commissioning: Public Health and Wellbeing), Melanie Pellicci (Full Circle Service Manager), Sharon Payne (North Essex Partnership Trust, Criminal Justice Mental Health Team Manager) and a Full Circle service user who candidly explained the need for Full Circle, what the service meant to her and how it had helped her achieve her goals.

A delicious lunch followed, kindly prepared by Essex Support Advice and Mentoring Service (SAMS) service users. Following the meal in the afternoon, everyone was encouraged to take part in a variety of interactive workshops which were put together by the staff of Full Circle from both the Community and HMP Chelmsford.

Workshop topics included: The Cycle of Change, Alcohol Units, Identifying Drugs, and Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. The workshops were able to reflect how people who suffer with mental health and learning disabilities struggle each day.

A great day was had by all.

These questions have been taken from The Ultimate Pub Quiz Book compiled by Scott Stevenson and published by Apex Publishing Ltd. The book is priced at £6.99 (paperback) and £3.99 (eBook).

Answers on page 31.

Which former Ugandan dictator died in 2003?

What French-made missile is thought to have caused the most damage during the Falklands War? Which Austrian born French monarch was executed in Paris on 16th October 1793?

Russia declared war on which country on 8th February 1904, subsequently known as the first great war of the 20th century?

Which British Prime Minister became Lord Avon?

Who was British Prime Minister at the outbreak of World War II? What American University was founded near Boston in 1636?

On 16th September 1620, Puritans left Plymouth for America on which ship?

In 1907 Robert Baden Powell started which organisation?

According to Homer, the Greek goddess Aphrodite was the daughter of which god?

In what century was Joan of Arc born?

In what decade of the 20th century was the UK’s National Health Service launched?

Which royal house followed the Tudors?

According to the Catholic Church, the saints, Anne and Joachim are the grandparents of who?

What year was the battle of Waterloo?

In World War II, what country occupied the Channel Islands?

What bird was the emblem of ancient Athens and appeared on its coins?

In ancient Egypt, death was the penalty for killing which animal?

In World War II, what happened on 7th December 1941?

According to Greek mythology, who was the first woman on Earth?

What ship left Boston for Genoa in 1872 and was found abandoned four weeks later?

Who was Prime Minister of Britain when Queen Elizabeth II came to the thrown?

Which king had been Prince of Wales for sixty years before his coronation?

Which royal wedding took place on 30th July 2011?

According to Napoleon, what does an army march on?

In 1886, the Prince of Wales opened a road tunnel under which river?

Who died on Coniston Water in January 1967?

Which age came between the Stone Age and the Iron Age? The women tried at Salem in Massachusetts in 1692 were accused of what?

Robert I of Scotland was also known by what name?

Who is said to have laid his coat across a muddy patch of ground for Queen Elizabeth I to walk over?

According to the Bible, who was raised from the dead by Jesus?

Who founded a training school for nurses in London in 1860?

Which King of England was the only legitimate son of Henry VIII? What was the main cause of the American Civil War? Who shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald?

In which century was the gunpowder plot?

Ivan IV of Russia is more commonly known by what name?

Lazar Houses were used to treat people with which condition?

Which skin tight one-piece garment was named after France’s most famous acrobat of the 19th century?

Of which native American tribe was Geronimo the chief?

To whom was King Louis XVI of France married?

Between 1577 and 1580, who sailed around the world in the ship which started its journey called the Pelican and finished it as the Golden Hinde?

Who opened the first of ninety homes for orphans in 1870 and had the slogan ‘No destitute child ever refused admission’?

What famous department store opened in Oxford Street in London in 1909?

The Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998 in what city?

Henry VIII was buried in Windsor Castle along with which of his former wives?

From whose action does the phrase ‘turning a blind eye’ come from?

Emily, Sylvia and Christabel were leading suffragettes from the same family. What was their surname?

Who was England’s first Tudor king?

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CT Business

sponsored by:

Business Interview - The Stair Climbing Company by Tom Bosher This month I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Persey from The Stair Climbing Company. Here is what he had to say about the business.

our website and social media campaigns to support operators of the stair climbers.”

So how long has the company been going?

“We have been running for around three years now. It started off as a commercial enterprise dealing with businesses. We then expanded into the personal mobility market, which has seen our business go from strength to strength.”

How are you finding the feedback from the people that are using them?

“Brilliant. We do get a lot of feedback particularly from the many events we attend. For example, we were asked to supply a machine at a wedding venue in Rochdale. This was to help an elderly family relative who had suffered an injury just prior to the wedding and was unable to climb the stairs as there was no lift. We supplied the stair climber and this very effectively solved the issues on the day, we even got a mention in the Manchester Evening News, which was fantastic - this produced great feedback. It’s particularly pleasing for us to know that our product has made a real difference to people who need some help. It’s also great to see just how impressed and indeed stunned people are when they see it in action.”

Can you tell us a little about the product?

“Our main products are split into two sections. A commercial product which allows us to move anything up to 1,000kg in weight up and down stairs - currently we have people hiring these across the Docklands light railway to Crosslink. The main part of our business concerns personal mobility for which our products are perfectly suited. There are currently two categories of machine in this range. The first is called the Sherpa which is quite appropriate. This is a tracked stair climber which is designed to allow access for people in wheelchairs particularly in larger staircases, for example in English Heritage buildings, schools or care homes. Our other stair climber range are named the Yak. They have a seat but they also combine the ability to attach a wheelchair to it. This has proved to be perfect for residential homes and smaller staircases. Both our stair climbers have to be operated by someone but they are very user friendly, smooth and designed once again to meet the demands and needs of the people that would look at buying, or hiring them.”

Do you have any events coming up to show the products off?

“Coming up in November on the 23rd (10am to 3pm) we have an event at The Dutch Barn in Ford End near Dunmow, which is where our offices are located. Anyone can come along for tea and cakes and you will have the opportunity to try our machines out and see them in action. We’re sure everyone who attends will be pleased they came.”

So what is the future for The Stair Climbing Company?

“Well the future for the company is to develop our product range.

We are aiming to add a seat to our Sherpa model and we are very much aware that we need to be innovative all the time. In that way we provide the best there is for our customers, consistently. We certainly want to promote our products across the whole of the UK. We would like every facility nationwide to know about our products and how they work and can be of benefit to those who need that assistance.”

It was great meeting Chris, and seeing yet another example of a dynamic, and thriving, local family run business right on our doorstep.

So who came up with the idea and what was the inspiration?

“Originally it was the idea of David Woodthorpe. David is my father in law and he had a company which was focusing solely on commercial stair climbers. Then Emma, his daughter, came on board and she started focusing on the personal mobility side which she realised could fit well within the existing business structure that existed. We managed to secure a contract with a stair climbing company in Italy giving us exclusive rights to their product in the UK. Just like us, they are also a family run business that been established for 25 years. It’s amazing when you go out to Italy, you see stair climbers everywhere and that is what we would love to see here.”

Do you sell these machines, or are they available just on a lease basis?

“All our machines are available for short and long term lease and to sell. We have these options to suit everyone’s individual needs. After all everybody has different criteria and personal circumstances.”

What are the servicing arrangements? If a machine breaks down how quickly are the repairs carried out?

“It is very seldom that we have any issues with our machines but on the rare occurrence there is an issue to machines which are leased, we are happy to come out to remedy the situation. Most issues are not due to the mechanics of the machine itself, as each machine is hand made in Italy to the highest standard. On the odd occasion we do have a machine which may not be operated correctly, this is often something we can remedy over the phone or using SYKPE. As well as a thorough training session in person, we also have online videos via Page 18

www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

bestofchelmsford

This Christmas when you’re thinking of what to buy, perhaps think about where to buy it from. The best answer is to buy locally.

By doing this you’ll have a positive impact in a number of different ways. When you buy from a local business you get to know them and their other customers. You’ve got your own network, part of the local community. You’ll also help to grow our local economy because some of every £ you spend with a local independent business is far more likely to remain in the local economy than if you spend within a large chain store - and even more so than if you buy online from a huge retailer.

Successful independent businesses can also boost local house prices. Independent businesses add character to our streets and provide shoppers with greater choice. It’s great to have something different, but without our local independents this is a much more difficult task.

Knowledge of the products they sell is another advantage that local independents have over their larger cousins. They tend to know more about the stuff they sell and are often more able to advise their customers as to the right purchase for them.

So from us at thebestofChelmsford, have a great Christmas and please remember to make a great Christmas for our local independent businesses that help to make our city the best. Our message is BUY LOCAL from your local super heroes!

Why not join us at the home of great local businesses, offers, events and much more? Visit us at www.thebestof.co.uk/chelmsford or call 01245 701 020, If you would like to be interviewed by Tom, please contact editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk or Paul on 01245 262 082.

www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

Page 19

therapy by Jenny Hartill Last time I wrote about when to seek therapy, today I’m going to tackle another common issue affecting whether or not someone acts upon their desire to feel better. It’s very common for people to do or think the following:

• • •

• Talk themselves out of seeking therapy (‘the therapist will think I’m being silly…’)

Believe that the therapist will ‘mess with my mind...’

‘I can’t afford it’ or ‘I don’t have time...’

Private therapy just doesn’t occur to the person as an option, or they believe it ‘isn’t for them...’

In terms of the first point, we absolutely categorically will NEVER think you are being silly. Believe me, we’ve seen it all! There’s nothing you can tell us that will make us judge you, think you’re being an idiot or shock us. No matter what you may think of yourself or your issue, or what other people may have said about it, what’s important to us is that we do everything we can to help you. If it’s bothering you, we believe you are absolutely justified in seeking help and therapists absolutely want to help!

Now to look at the second point - a hypnotherapist is NOT going to ‘mess with your mind’. I’ve had many a reaction to my job being a hypnotherapist - ‘Oh wow - you can hypnotise people! Oh my god! that’s sooooo amazing!’ As if I have some sort of superpower. Firstly the ability to hypnotise someone is not a superpower. I don’t do chemical equations or long division, just as a mathematician doesn’t hypnotise people for a living. However, I can learn long division and chemical equations, just as a mathematician can learn hypnotherapy.

I would also like to draw your attention to the second part of that word - hypnoTHERAPY. Therapists are trained to help you feel better: In the dictionary the word therapy is defined as ‘treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder’. You don’t necessarily have to be rocking back and forth sucking your thumb to have a mental disorder.

One of the most popular issues I deal with is overthinking, where people obsess over a subject or their mind doesn’t seem to shut up.

Everyone suffers with this at some point in time, whether or not you decide to seek help for it is up to you. However, that is point I’m trying to make - therapists are here to help not ‘mess up your mind’. You need to find a therapist that you know is a professional, someone who can prove membership and insurance. This is why at Chelmsford Therapy Rooms all therapists are vetted, so you can be sure you’re getting a professional. And someone who is fully trained, supervised, insured etc is NOT going to mess up your mind! You don’t have to believe all of your worries, sometimes it’s better to challenge them so you can make healthy, balanced choices and decisions in life. That’s what us therapists want to help you with.

Next, the old ‘I can’t afford it’ or ‘I don’t have time’. It’s true that hypnotherapy can be more expensive than counselling and it does take at least an hour per week usually. Look at it this way; would you make time for the love of your life each week? My friends and I have a rule - if somebody says they’re interested in you but they won’t make the time to see you or even communicate with you and donate even some of their time, they’re not worth the effort. So, how much is your mental health worth to you? Some of my clients do have to save up over a period of time so that they can come and see me for a month or two. I commend them! Not only is taking the step to see a therapist brave, it is especially so when it is something you wouldn’t normally be able to afford and therefore it’s a massive investment!

So ask yourself this, how much time and money are you spending on maintaining your current coping mechanisms? How much money do you spend in the pub/on cigarettes/on food? How much time do you spend thinking about getting better? Instead of spending hours in the pub every night could you give up an hour a week to see a therapist and change your life forever? The money and the time issues are just

another way of you talking yourself out of getting better. Sit down, make a budget and make a schedule. Then see if you really can’t afford it or don’t have time. Give yourself a chance to be realistic about feeling better before writing off private therapy - and writing off yourself!

My last point is about private therapy not occurring to people as an option or people believing that it’s ‘not for them’. The main thing I see a lot in my private practice is people who have been to the NHS but have not had the help they needed. There seems to be something programmed into people where anything, be it mental or physical health issues, causes them to immediately go to their GP. The problem is that the NHS is completely overwhelmed with people with mental health issues. I’ve had people with serious anxiety issues - where they shake with fear and wonder whether to end it all because of how awful they feel - being told it would take 9 months to see a therapist on the NHS. 9 MONTHS. The client in this situation that came to see me said she had to come to seek private therapy because she wasn’t sure she’d still be alive in 9 months. She left therapy after 3 months cured of her anxiety disorder. Had she had waited her 9 months she would likely have been offered 6 weeks of therapy.

Many of my self-employed therapists working from Chelmsford Therapy Rooms have left the NHS because they couldn’t work with the clients the way they wanted to. They feel it’s their ethical duty to see a client for as long as they need therapy - not for as long as the NHS says they can have therapy. Private therapy is for everyone.

It doesn’t discriminate. On the NHS, you are assessed and sent to whoever they deem is a ‘suitable option’. This includes sending anxiety sufferers with severe social anxiety to group therapy. In private practice we do of course assess you, but we can give you the level of help and care that you need and respond to those needs as you get better. I’m not saying don’t go to your GP, I’m saying go to your GP and discuss the options - all of them, including private therapy. It’s only fair that you have as much information as possible before making a decision. With private therapy we can usually see you very quickly. I aim to see new clients with 24 hours to 1 week tops.

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

The Chase Taylor Hootenanny On Wednesday 5th October, we woke up to the sad news that Chase Taylor, a much loved, larger-than-life character and bouncer at the Bassment, had passed away suddenly in his sleep that night.

On Saturday 26th November, the Bassment have teamed up with Chase’s brother Lance and a few close friends to create a party the big man would have been proud of!

The Chase Taylor Hootenanny will be a celebration of his life, with comedy from Mike McClean (The Big Breakfast (C4) Mad For It (ITV) Shameless (C4) The Office (BBC), Live PA’s from Triggah and E1 and DJ sets from Mat Format, Mark Batson and Danny Bounce.

Chase loved Marvel and the superhero scene, so the event will be Heroes vs Villains fancy dress.

Doors are from 8pm with £5 entry and donations (getting you a Chase mixtape to take home), going to Chase’s son and family.

Full details can be found at facebook.com/BassmentBar.

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Slimmer Loses 2 Stone A slimmer who has changed her life by losing 2 stone is using her success to re-shape her career too by helping others transform their lives and achieve their own weight loss dreams.

Jane Iskander joined her local Slimming World group in Chelmsford just 18 months ago and dropped from 12 stone 7lbs to 10 stone 7lbs and is now at her chosen target weight.

At the time she joined Slimming World, Jane was experiencing depression, anxiety, low self esteem and loss of confidence, although she had a good job, supportive family and friends. Jane said: “I have an ongoing chronic medical condition, I was working very hard and getting stressed. I didn’t want to do anything or see people, I always felt sad, slow and fat and hated my body. I had no energy for the exercise which I knew would benefit me both physically and psychologically.”

In the past 18 months I have focused on self care through joining Slimming World, accessing psychological support and starting to get more active and I now feel free to love me again. I love my body and it is repaying me with improved health, wellbeing and happiness!

“Friends and work colleagues have commented on my new found confidence saying ‘you seem more confident and happier in your skin and even more twinkly eyed!’ I also went on a week long yoga holiday and have bought (and enjoyed wearing) a bikini!”

Jane said: “I feel stronger and prouder of myself than ever” so much so that she decided to train as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at their national training academy in Derbyshire. Now, members at the group are getting ready to welcome her as their new consultant when she takes over the group on 9th of November.

The latest government figures reveal that around one in four adults are obese and it is estimated that by 2034 this will increase to one in three. At a time when almost 30% of the Essex population is now overweight or obese, Jane says her new role has never been more important.

“Weight is a huge issue across the UK. When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I didn’t imagine I would end up helping other people to lose weight, but now I just can’t wait to get started. After losing 2 stone and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to their own target.

“Before I arrived at my first group I was very anxious, but I was pleasantly surprised, I wasn’t ready for quite how friendly and supportive the consultant and the group were. I probably seemed rude to them as I was nervous and my anxiety kept me very quiet!

“The support is really the most important thing in a Slimming World group, it helps to us feel that you’re not alone. I was supported by my consultant to decide on my own goal weight, I wasn’t told what I should weigh, and although 2 stone may not sound alot, I couldn’t have lost it without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own consultant and group.

Like a lot of people, Jane had tried to lose weight so many times before by following a wide variety of diets, but they were never sustainable because she would always get tired of restricting what she ate. Jane thought she was destined to be unhappy with her weight for the rest of her life, but when her sister lost weight with Slimming World and invited Jane to join her, it was different. It doesn’t feel like a diet. The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods across all the food types, there is no need to deprive yourself, you don’t get hungry and no foods are banned, so there’s no deprivation. Jane couldn’t believe she had found a way to lose weight without limiting herself.

“I eat more than ever! The Slimming World programme allows me to eat normal meals with my partner - no special foods or silly restrictions! I love the Slimming World website which I use to find new and different meals and recipes to incorporate in my life!”

In her career to date, Jane has been involved with the physical and mental health and wellbeing of individuals and groups as a registered occupational therapist working for Health and Social Services and continues to work part-time for a charity. She believes this experience will help her to fly in her new role. “As a consultant, my role is to create that warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others, obviously I’m a little nervous about my first evening, but I couldn’t be more excited to get started!”

Like Jane, all Slimming World consultants are members who lost weight at their local group. There are currently around 4,000 Slimming World consultants across the UK and Ireland running 15,000 groups. Consultants receive training in Slimming World’s healthy eating and physical activity programmes and learn how to use the power of group support to empower members to take control of their own weight loss journey. Consultants also learn how to build a successful community-based business. Jane says she can’t wait for the new challenges that running her own business will bring. “For me, becoming a self-employed franchisee was a great option. I wanted a job that was flexible and could fit around my already busy life, so launching my own Slimming World group was an ideal option - I feel like I’ve got a brand new career and I can’t wait for my first group!”

Emma Lodge, who runs her own Slimming World group and manages Jane as a Team Developer, says: “Slimming World consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others. With Jane’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour, I just know that she’ll be an amazing boost for members, supporting them all the way to their chosen target weight.”

Jane Iskander’s Slimming World group will be held at Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield, Chelmsford CM2 6EB every wednesday at 7.30pm from 9th November 2016.

For more information or to join Janes’s group either pop along on 9th November, or call her on 07960 435 604.

“Over the past 18 months as a member and as vegan I have experienced and have a unique understanding of the challenges slimmers can face, I am vegan by choice and for myself, my job is to support Slimming World group members in their own choices too. That is the beauty of Slimming World, it can work for everyone!

This is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. Agreeing targets, sharing recipes and other ideas. Working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey.” www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

£29 9

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Fitness and Well-Being

Autumn = Transformation

by Kellie Jones

Wow! The beauty of autumn is so distracting this year after such a lush summer which has produced an amazing abundance of colour. I think maybe I noticed it even more because when I left for LA we were experiencing an extended summer and then on returning from 30 degrees of pure sunshine every day, it was suddenly a different season. I truly believe that my jet lag was affected by the change in light, as autumn days and nights become more equal, we miss the longer days and literally have to be inside more. The leaves dropping to the ground like some kind of crispy glitter remind us that nature’s cycles are like a mirror of our lives. Shedding things that no longer serve us, letting go of burdens and maybe the impermanence of everything.

Sound events have become really popular as the need for balancing our stress hormones becomes greater. Sound helps to facilitate shifts in our brainwave state, entraining our normal beta state (normal waking consciousness) to alpha (relaxed consciousness) and even reach theta (meditative state) and delta (sleep - where internal healing can occur). Our next Gong is on 13th November and pretty much every Sunday nearest to the full Moon throughout the year. The full Moon pours down an extreme amount of energy and to receive positive effects we need to be in a calm state of mind.

Another tool I use is to fill myself up with new knowledge and uplifting information. I no longer listen to the bad news. I attend workshops and seminars as well as reading books and listening to podcasts. This month, we have an awesome workshop on Wednesday 30th November - Fear, Use It or Lose It with Richi Watson and David Saville. These two transformational coaches skillfully facilitate shifts in perspective and patterns which will empower you to create the life you want to live! I also run my own #selfloveplanunderway workshops which you can find on Facebook or meet-up.com.

So if you need some help with your season of transformation, go to our website for more info, www.hummingbirdyoga.co.uk, or give us a call on 01245 422 556.

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

Someone said to me this week, “depressing isn’t it?” in relation to the weather. I suppose if you allow your perspective to go there then it will be true, but I prefer to look for a bright side and prepare myself by using all the feel good remedies in my Mary Poppins bag! This maybe anything from what I eat, what I read, what I listen to, what class I attend, what therapy I choose and even who I spend my time with! I booked myself in

for group meditation and a healing treatment with the wonderful Sam Hull at The Natural Health Sanctuary 2 days after arriving back from my trip to rebalance my energy. Luckily we were running a Gong Bath in the same week, so I got to completely restore myself with some sound healing too.

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

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Motivation, Motivation, Motivation You’ve probably read loads of articles from fitness professionals giving advice on how to motivate you to lose weight, gain muscle or indeed do both. Well in this article I’m going to approach the whole issue of motivation from a different angle... From the angle of the people working within health and fitness industry and what actually motivates them.

Straight off, I’m going to start at the bottom of the culpability pyramid and begin with the social media supplement sellers. Unless you’ve ‘done a Chilean miner’ and been stuck underground you can’t have helped notice a Facebook ‘friend’ trying to sell you some sort of nutritional supplement or another. In many cases these individuals hold no official nutrition qualifications, they just - at best - have a misguided yet overwhelming urge to help people become healthier and at worst - and I’m afraid to say in most cases - they just have an overwhelming desire to make a very tidy profit by selling you overhyped, overpriced products (incidentally, a bit like the last two David Haye fights!). Anyway, unlike your average Bargain Hunt contestant, I’m not against making a profit, but it must be done ethically and when these social media supplement sellers seem more intent on getting you to sell their products rather than just buying them, it leaves me much like a dog who can lick its own bits - with a sour taste in the mouth.

Next on my ascending list are the scientists. Not all scientist I hasten to add, just the ones who receive funding from a certain sports nutrition company to carry out research into one of its products - and surprise surprise, for some reason or another the results often prove very positive for the company who are paying the often underfunded scientist. Now I’m not saying that these scientists are dodgy and their investigations flawed, I’m just pointed out that there could certainly be a strong case made for a conflict of interests, and it certainly distorts the evidence base. After all, you don’t bite the hand that feeds you!

Next up, and right at the top of the culpability pyramid, are the government. In theory, our government introduces legislation and guidelines on nutrition after seeking advice from expert scientific committees and similarly interested groups. However in reality things are a little darker with big businesses and corporate money getting involved too. According to Professor David Miller at the University of Bath, big business may be so good at influencing our ministers that our governments current nutrition guidelines may be flawed. David Cameron - and more recently Theresa May - have spoken about curbing this lobbying-style activity, but I fear we’ll be seeing Justin Bieber advertising stair lifts before this happens!

Take home message…

Just like an agnostic kid forced to go to Sunday School, question everything, whether it be the motives of a Facebook friend trying to sell you some cure-all pills, or the scientific claims made by a company on the benefits of its products. Question what’s in it for them and unfortunately nine times out of ten it will come down to one thing - money! The problem with the health and fitness industry is that it is a huge financial pie with a relatively low barrier to entry - in that gaining a qualification as a fitness professional is not particularly difficult and the level of scrutiny which supplements must undergo before being brought to market is surprisingly low too. With such a big financial pie on offer it’s unsurprising that lots of people want to get their grubby little mitts on a piece. So be wary of where and whom you get your advice from!

Thanks for reading. To book your free trial personal training session or to book a place at my bootcamp class (every Saturday morning 8am at Baddow Recreation Ground), please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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

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Broomfield Branch Royal British Legion Celebrated it’s 70th Anniversary Broomfield Branch Royal British Legion celebrated it’s 70th anniversary with a commemoration service held at the parish church of St Mary with St Leonard in Broomfield. The branch and Chelmsford Branch Standards were paraded. Also the Women’s Section gave thanks for 68 years of service to the armed forces community and Laid Up their Standard into the keeping of the church. A letter of congratulation from Her Majesty the Queen was read out by the branch Chairman. The service concluded with the exhortation, bugle calls and the Kohima Epitaph.

Saturday night at the Legion added to the celebrations with drink prices that were nearly 70 years old and birthday cake.

The branch was founded in September 1946 by ex-servicemen returning from the Second World War who felt the need for a club with a sense of sharing and belonging.

In its early days, the branch had a nomadic life until 1951 when Chelmsford Rural District Council leased the former Broomfield Water Pumping Station to the Legion for a peppercorn rent. The building was totally uninhabitable - a maze of gullies, pits, old rusting machinery and rubbish and there was no lighting, heating or sanitation. In what is now the car park stood the water tower that had supplied the village with spa water since 1913. It has been claimed that it was this same water that made the Broomfield girls so pretty.

A small but enthusiastic group of members worked in the evenings and at weekends to make the building habitable, at the same time raising funds to pay for the materials they were using. Then years later after so much hard work on a building that did not belong to the Legion, the lease was terminated. The then Secretary was asked to undertake negotiations to purchase the property but not to pay more than £1,000. The fact that there was virtually no money in the bank was considered no obstacle to negotiations and in January 1963 the sale was completed for £850.

prepare the site, erect the building, install electricity and sanitation and reinforce the floor to take the weight of the snooker table.

Eventually the Broomfield British Legion Social Club was born.

In 1989 an extension was added and the main hall refurbished.

Members in their spare time built the BBQ area and erected a flagpole.

The branch and club still flourish in Broomfield’s Saxon Way. At the recent 70th Annual General Meeting, a Gold Badge for Meritorious Service to the Royal British Legion was presented to Jack Carrington

by County President, Bob Villa. Jack’s service to the branch included Branch Secretary, Press Officer, organising the 50th anniversary celebrations of the end of the Second World War by the presentation of commemorative mugs to Broomfield school children (the presentation being made by an American colonel sent from the American Embassy for that purpose and subsequently entertained at one of Broomfield’s old houses, Scravells) and the branch’s own 50th anniversary service and parade.

Also recognised on the occasion by presentation of Certificates of Service were David Judd and Peter Watson and a posthumous County Certificate of Service to Eddie Evans. Eddie and his wife, Audrey, had served the branch for many years. Eddie as Secretary, Chairman and lately as President, in addition to numerous ancillary tasks such as opening up and maintenance. Regretfully Eddie was called to higher service in June this year to join his beloved Audrey before the presentation could be made. Bob Villa acknowledged Eddie’s service and commitment to the Legion at branch and county level (he had also been County Chairman and a member of the County Conference Committee) before presenting the certificate to his family.

Malcolm Taylor Branch Chairman Broomfield Branch RBL

A few years later an ex-RAF hut that had seen service at Dover appeared on site. Once again, the call went out for volunteers to

Police Choir Helping Local Charites On 17th December, Essex Police Choir are returning to Trinity Methodist Church, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford CM1 2XB for their annual Christmas Charity Concert, which will see the choir performing a first half of songs from their repertoire and a second half of carols and Christmas music.

This year’s chosen charities are The J’s Hospice and Chelmsford & District Cardiac Support Group who will be presented with cheques at the event.

New members are encouraged to come along for a few weeks to see if they like what we offer and do not have to read music - although they must be able to hold a tune! If anyone feels the urge to join a friendly, supportive band of singers then you should visit the website for further information at www.essexpolicechoir.co.uk, or email at joinus@essexpolicechoir.co.uk, or contact Chairman Mark Lawrence as above.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets costing £10 each which includes a hot drink and a mince pie. Whilst tickets can be bought on the door the concert is normally a sell-out, so they can be pre-ordered by emailing tickets@essexpolicechoir.co.uk, or contacting Mark Lawrence on 07802 414 793.

The objective of the choir is to enable charities, churches and other organisations to raise money for themselves, and the choir have helped raise over £300,000 since their inception.

The choir rehearses each Tuesday evening from 7.30 - 9.30pm at Police HQ in Chelmsford with just a short break in August and Christmas and all music and uniform is provided.

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Kid’s Page - Spot the Difference

10 differences to find. Answers on page 31

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by Stephen Norris - Crompton Part 1 “Circumstances directed his attention to electric lighting” RE Crompton and the Crompton Company in Chelmsford, part one.

Colonel REB Crompton (1845 -1940) was not only an internationally known electrical engineer, but his company was closely interwoven with the industrial development of Chelmsford. He was responsible, according to the Essex Chronicle, for Chelmsford becoming the first town in England to be solely lit by electricity. Although he, like Marconi, was more an adaptor of inventions than an inventor per se, Crompton’s contribution to the new fields of electric lighting and electricity generation was immense. Although they were not financially a success, he developed and patented a wide range of electric domestic appliances. His stress on the need for standardisation in industry and transport unfortunately fell on deaf ears. Although by the time of his death, the company (then Crompton Parkinson) had a number of factories. Crompton himself always said the one at the original Arc Works was closest to his heart.

The firm itself was, like many electrical engineering concerns at the time, never wildly successful financially. This often led to a good deal of tension between the directors of the company and those responsible for technical progress. Although not the size of Hoffmann’s or Marconi in Chelmsford, the Crompton factory still employed 2,300 people in the 1950s. Its importance to the town was still sufficient for Stevas, the Chelmsford MP, to lead a delegation to the House of Commons when the factory in Writtle Road closed in the 1960s. In its early days the Crompton Company played an important role in creating a pool of skilled engineering labour in the town.

Crompton himself also significantly encouraged the development of the other works in the town, especially Clarkson and Marconi.

Although in certain respects, he was very paternal towards his employees and this led him to provide good working conditions for them compared with many late Victorian employees, his anti-trade union stance was the cause of some degree of industrial unrest at the factory which continued after he retired from the company in 1912.

Rookes Evelyn Crompton was born at Thirsk in North Yorkshire. His parents were cultured and widely travelled. He was the fifth son and his father was a country squire who was interested in engineering, while his mother was a good musician who was descended from the diarist John Evelyn. Crompton senior received a commission from the army during the Crimean War and took the 11 year old Rookes to Gibraltar. RE actually went to Sebastopol and received a medal and a Sebastopol clasp. From 1854 until 1864 he went to Harrow, where he was assessed as only ‘fair’ at science, although in his holidays he built a steam road engine called Bluebell. After going to Paris to learn the language, he joined the Rifle Brigade, which led to a period of military service in India. Crompton sent home for his tools and the incomplete engine and set up a mobile workshop in which he made dog carts. He was soon put in charge of the regimental workshop, where he met RW Thompson, the inventor of the pneumatic tyre.

Together they worked on a steam engine to replace the bullock trains.

The new engines enabled the mechanical transport of supplies, tents and the heavy baggage of the regiment. Twenty years later Lord Roberts remembered this contract when he put Crompton in charge of transport in the South African conflict.

Crompton, however, was disappointed that his superiors didn’t show more interest in steam road transport. When he returned to England he decided to go into business to develop further his steam road engine. This led him to buy a third of THP Dennis’ firm in Anchor Street, Chelmsford after he had married.

An ironworks had been first opened in Anchor Street in 1815 by a John Bewley. This was taken over by his son in 1843 and was later called the Anchor Street Works. THP Dennis, an ironmonger in Chelmsford High Street, took over the site of the ironworks to manufacture high pressure steam valves and hydraulic equipment.

It was this that attracted Crompton. Dennis continued in business

after his partnership with Crompton was dissolved, becoming a limited business in 1904 and still carrying out general engineering as well as decorating. The firm was responsible for the first telephone installation in Chelmsford.

Initially, road transport was uppermost in Crompton’s thoughts, although he had conducted some electrical experiments at school.

At this time steam was the only type of power on the road and the internal combustion engine wouldn’t be developed for another 20 years. He introduced new methods of moulding in the ironworks using semi automatic machine tools, but circumstances directed his attention to electric lighting instead.

Crompton had relatives who ran an ironworks in Derbyshire. He designed a mechanised foundry but it needed to operate on three shifts and therefore through the night. To light the mine he initially imported Serrin arc lamps and Gramme generators but he found these unsatisfactory. He then decided to start the production of electric lighting equipment at the Chelmsford works. Arc lamps produced light from an electric arc struck between two carbon rods.

Crompton designed a new improved lamp which he patented in 1879.

He met Emile Burgin, a Swiss engineer, and they worked on a new type of generator.

The first Burgin generator was produced at the Chelmsford works in 1880. Crompton took over the whole of the works for the manufacture of electrical plant. In March 1879 he had employed AP Lundberg, a Swedish engineer who was married to an English woman, to be his first foreman of the electrical apparatus shops in part of the Anchor Ironworks and it was soon renamed the Arc Works. Crompton then worked to improve the Gramme generator.

The compound windings could provide constant voltage without needing continuous attention. These were patented by Crompton and Gisbert Kapp, an employee, in 1882. They disagreed about the size of castings and armature needed for the generators. Crompton used laminated conductors in the rotating armature and compound windings to strengthen the magnetic field which surrounded it.

Despite the opposition of Kapp, the generator was successful and this was the beginning of the Crompton dynamo. Kapp went on to design dynamos for other companies.

Crompton based his first arc lamps on Serrin’s. He improved the mechanism which kept the gap between the carbon rods constant and placed it above the lamp so that it cast no shadow downwards.

The principal problem with these lamps was that they could not operate in a series and initially every lamp had to be supplied with its own generator. Crompton and Kapp also patented voltmeters and ammeters to measure the flow of electricity. Colonel Crompton later played a leading role in the introduction of international standard measurements of electric currents.

In 1880 Crompton met Joseph Wilson Swan, originally a chemist, who had developed an incandescent filament lamp, the forerunner of the electric light bulb. Crompton immediately saw the potential of his rival’s invention but rather than be intimidated he went into business with him, becoming a director of the Swan United Electric Co. This was founded in 1882 because the demand for lighting needed more working capital than the first Swan Company and Crompton’s own company could provide. Crompton and Co. started producing lamp fittings and generators for Swan’s lamps. Many of Crompton’s first installations included both arc and filament lighting.

By June 1881, the Essex Chronicle was reporting that a new electric light shop was being erected in Anchor Street. The work was progressing day and night, using Crompton’s own lamps.

In September of the same year Norwich City Council accepted Crompton’s tender to light some of the city’s streets, though the contract for £400 was less than half of some experiments elsewhere.

Six months later it was reported that the scheme had been a great success.

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In October 1882 the Chronicle contained a detailed article on the firm: “These works promise to add materially to the prosperity of the town.” Orders were increasingly rapidly. “One of the commissions is to light the Guildhall with electric lamps.” The company was about to light the Mansion House. It had won two gold medals at the Paris exhibition, one for the Crompton lamp and one for his adaptation of the Burgin machine. He had lit Kings Cross Station and made mining lamps using Swan’s incandescent design. The Kings Cross installation was the first in which one generator supplied more than one arc lamp - twelve four thousand candle power lamps were suspended ten metres above the platforms. Four Crompton - Burgin engines each supplied three lamps, while a fifth engine supplied two large lamps in the station forecourt. Crompton also supplied lamps for the terminal stations in Glasgow. He had already taken out a patent for a solid system of underground mains with tubular conductors. The Chronicle noted as early as October 1881 that “it is rumoured that four or five residents of Chelmsford have a scheme under consideration for establishing electric lighting with the Crompton Lamp.”

Before the end of 1881, Crompton had lit football matches at Kings Meadow, Chelmsford, this involved 1,200 yards of wire. In 1881 he had also lit the Crystal Palace Exhibition with arc lamps and produced a paper on how it was done. Crompton also lit the Law Courts, the first really large installation with incandescent lamps. Windsor Castle was lit by electricity in April 1882 and in later years, Crompton used to relate the story that Queen Victoria slapped his face for saying that electric lighting was better than gas. Berechurch Hall, near Colchester, was the first time a private house had been lit throughout with electric light. Building workers, who were working on the house at the time, eventually went into business as master contractors for the wiring of houses.

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In 1882 an Essex Chronicle reporter was given a guided tour of the factory. There were 70 or 80 “hands at the works”. There was however, a shortage of skilled workers and because of this, new men were drafted in from Leeds, Ipswich, Colchester, Woolwich and Silvertown. Crompton was certainly worried by this shortage and started an apprenticeship scheme. “Besides the workmen, there were several young gentlemen, whose parents, believing in the future of electric light, have gladly availed themselves of the opportunity of apprenticing themselves for a term of three years to this new profession, with the understanding that they shall doff their coats to it and master it from top to bottom in a thoroughly practical manner.

“As time goes on it may be supposed that native talent will make itself of more value in the more technical branches of the work that is carried on.” In an interview to commemorate his 90th birthday, Crompton recalled that he had tried importing a few Yorkshire men because the local workmen were not easy to train, but he found that these soon got a bad name because they were in the habit of getting drunk on a Saturday. For this reason Crompton set about securing young men in the immediate neighbourhood.

Apart from his apprenticeship scheme, Crompton was also interested in the welfare of his workers. He was one of the first employers to provide a well furnished factory canteen as well as baths and wash houses and a social and recreational centre for his employees. The Crompton sports ground in Wood Street was regularly used for the United Works Sports days in the Edwardian period.

By this time there were sixteen lathes at the works driven by steam and six worked by treadle. Gun-metal castings were obtained from the Dennis part of the works. These castings were used in the lamps and the fittings and iron castings were also obtained from Coleman and Morton.

Rotary Gets Behind World Toilet Day Yes, it is another of those World Days for everything you could think of - and lots that wouldn’t have ever crossed your mind. But whilst it sounds very amusing to have a day designated to toilets there is a serious issue behind it. One third of humans do not have the luxury of a proper loo and this has a huge impact on disease so we do need to promote the importance of global sanitation and hygiene.

There is actually a separate Rotary group set up to look at water and sanitation and in its early years the focus was mainly on water. Now however, the realisation is that sanitation is just as important, maybe even more so and water and sanitation is one of the official six areas of focus for all Rotary clubs to consider supporting.

Such a basic human need - everyone visits the toilet several times a day. Yet, the impact of inadequate (or no) sanitation, especially on women, is devastating. One in three women worldwide risks shame, disease, harassment and even attack because they have nowhere safe to go to the toilet. Some 526 million women have no choice but to go to the toilet in the open.

This has to be an irresistible challenge for the developed countries to address! Rotary has always been at the forefront of basic humanitarian needs and in fact, the very first Rotary public service project instituted in Chicago in 1907 was the construction of public toilets.

Even in the UK a lack of decent toilets at work and at home has a severe effect upon businesses through problems in the workforce: Poor health, absenteeism, attrition, reduced concentration, exhaustion and decreased productivity. Investing in good toilets in workplaces and schools so that women and girls have clean, separate facilities to maintain their dignity and to manage menstruation or pregnancy safely, can boost what is often referred to as the ‘girl effect’ - maximising the involvement of half the population in society.

Years ago I had the idea of writing a Guide to Toilets, but I didn’t pursue it. Now I have come across a Lonely Planet publication called Toilets: A Spotter’s Guide which lists some of the world’s weirdest and most spectacular loos. I always knew there would be a market.

Another good idea down the loo!

However, back to the serious side; in 2013, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated November 19th as World Toilet Day. World Toilet Day is coordinated by UN Water in collaboration with governments and partners such as Rotary International. The target is to ensure that everyone everywhere has access to a toilet by 2030.

This makes sanitation a global development priority.

If you would like to find out more about the work of Rotary and the clubs near to you, please visit www.rotary1240.org. We are always looking for like-minded people who want to put something back into the community whilst also making a lot of good friends. Alternatively, pick up the phone and call me on 01245 260 349.

Stan Keller

If you would like to be our charity of the month please email editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

GREAT NEW OFFERS BEST SERVICE Toilet humour - Photo credit: ONE - Bruxelles Chelmsford Rotary clubs support this issue in a number of tangible ways besides sending funding. Chelmsford Phoenix Rotary organises a Walk4Water event every year which involves local community groups such as the Scouts. As well as raising money it raises awareness of the hardships faced by people without running water.

Carrying water barrels 6km a day is commonplace, so the aim is to provide water pumps or at least containers on wheels so that transporting heavy water is slightly easier.

Chelmsford Rotary club has been involved with several water and sanitation projects in Pakistan which have provided toilets in schools and sanitation facilities to the extended neighbourhood. One such project is underway at the present time and overall through the efforts of Chelmsford Rotary somewhere in the region of 20,000 people now have access to clean drinking water. It’s not just restricted to fundraising as local Rotarians actually visit the sites at their own expense to ensure the money is being spent properly and when the projects are completed they receive the grateful thanks of thousands of children.

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Wildlife Corner by Nick Green October experienced some exceptional weather as prolonged easterly winds were experienced all the way from at least Moscow and the Urals! Rainfall remained typically low following our spring and summer.

browed warblers, shorelarks, etc.. Best bird was probably a very elusive dusky warbler at Wivenhoe on 23rd.

The Essex Wildlife Trust Centre café (just north of the Layer-de-laHaye causeway on the B1025) and butties and cake can be still recommended!

Nationally, in Cornwall the dalmatian pelican and Hudsonian whimbrel still remain.

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sales@eventsoundandlight.com www.eventsoundandlight.com Siberian Accentor at Easington, Yorkshire.

Copyright: Richard Howard The Siberian accentor (the same size as our dunnock or hedge accentor) breeds in North Siberia and usually winters in south-east Asia, yet the exceptional easterly weather displaced many to the west.

Britain/Ireland which had never recorded any occurrences, incredibly reported at least NINE records.

The first was at Scousborough, Shetland, on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th saw a number of rich twitchers (birders dedicated to see a single species anywhere in the UK) fly from the Midlands to Shetland. However, Thursday 13th saw a long staying individual at Easington, East of Hull, which many birders travelled to see as they realised this may be their only opportunity to observe.

On an average autumn there may be a few records from Scandinavia to scintillate the UK twitcher, but October 2016 was to blow all records away. Even the national press has picked up the excitement and extraordinary national occurrence. UK records have also come from Cleveland, Saltburn, Durham, Hendon, Shetland (2), Fair Isle (2) and Orkney. European records have from Germany, Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania amongst others extraordinary!!

Essex Wildlife clubs include: Essex Birdwatching Society - www.ebws. org.uk RSPB - www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ chelmsford Essex Field Club - www.essexfieldclub.org. uk Essex Wildlife Trust - www.essexwt.org.uk/ get-involved/local-groups/chelmsford Recent Essex Wildlife News The most noteworthy October 2016 bird news showed: Autumn passage reflected the easterly winds with migrants like ring ouzels, yellowPage 29 Please let our advertisers know you saw their advert in The City Times

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Stargazing with Mark Willis - November/December November - Two constellations are wonderful guides to the rest of the night skies. Firstly, Orion is now above the eastern horizon. Secondly, the Plough, which in Britain never sets below the horizon.

very well placed and appears especially brilliantly during December.

From 1st - 5th December both Mars and Venus run alongside the Moon as it crosses the sky.

Orion, the Hunter, is an impressive sight. The top left hand star is Betelgeuse. Soon, Betelgeuse will run out of fuel and then collapse under its weight, the fate of all stars including our own sun. One day, probably in the distant future, Betelgeuse will flare up in the sky, perhaps to become as bright as the full moon and visible in daylight.

The Geminid meteor showers reach their peak on 13th December when up to 100 meteors can be seen each hour. This is one of the most active meteor showers of the year.

29th November and 29th December - New Moon, which means lovely dark skies and a chance to see galaxies, star clusters and the more distant planets.

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

December - Mars begins to be more favourably placed around this time. Mars, although our closest neighbour, is small and therefore not so big through a small telescope. Venus, our other neighbour is

A Night Under the Stars Sleeping out for the night might be fun, but for many people this is an every night reality.

Every year CHESS hosts its own Sleep Out in the grounds of Chelmsford Cathedral and this year they want as many people as possible to join them on 25th November to make this the biggest and best sleep out.

CHESS, based in Chelmsford, provides a night shelter for up to seven homeless people which is a direct access hostel, meaning that many homeless people can apply for admission. The shelter provides food, drinks, hygiene and laundry facilities to the residents and also provides food, drinks, sleeping bags and washing/hygiene facilities to the many rough sleepers in the city and surrounding areas.

The charity also has four move-on shared houses which serve as a further step towards independent living.

As usual, email me with any questions.

Web: www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com Twitter: @WillisWireless Email: mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com During the winter months, Chess also runs a winter project providing the many rough sleepers with food, drinks, sleeping bags and a bed for the night, normally in one of the local church halls.

Anyone can take part, however people under 18 cannot take part individually - a responsible adult must complete the registration for minors either online or on the night and accompany them for the sleep out.

Lindsay Hurrell, CHESS Fundraiser said: “The Sleep Out event is a way for people to experience what it is like sleeping rough for the night, especially this time of year when the weather is getting colder.

We want to encourage as many people to grab a sleeping bag and join us for a night and at the same time raise much needed funds for the charity.�

For further information and to register to take part in The Sleep Out, visit www.chelmsfordchess.org/sleepout. All funds raised from this event will enable Chess to carry on supporting even more homeless single adults from Chelmsford and Essex.

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Quiz Answers 1. Idi Amin 2. Exocet 3. Marie Antoinette 4. Japan 5. Anthony Eden 6. Neville Chamberlain 7. Harvard 8. Mayflower 9. The Boy Scouts 10. Zeus 11. 15th 12. 1940s 13. The Stuarts 14. Jesus 15. 1815 16. Germany 17. Owl 18. Cat 19. Attack on Pearl Harbour 20. Pandora 21. Mary Celeste 22. Sir Winston Churchill 23. Edward VII 24. The marriage of Zara Phillips and

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Does living near Moulsham High School affect nearby house prices?

This is the time of year that pupils here in Moulsham nervously prepare for their GCSE’s and A-Level’s. This made us think about the effect of schools on property prices in our area. As you all know, there are many factors that contribute to the value of your home besides its size and location. Things like crime rates, transport links, shops and general amenities all have a noticeable effect on the value of your home. However, proximity to a good local school is one of the biggest ancillary factors, especially for parents. When it comes to buying, education, rather than location, is more often than not the deal maker for this particular demographic.

It’s hard to say exactly when school league tables began to have such a bearing on property prices, but there is growing evidence of a strong link between a good school report and the demand for housing close to it.

In fact many property hunters are willing to overlook the shortcomings of the property itself and spend beyond their original budget to be a good schools’ catchment area.

Did you know that for some house hunters, the search for a property actually begins on the Ofsted website, rather than with the local agents? It’s no coincidence that property portals have invested heavily in displaying the proximity and performance of schools on each property listing. Some local schools also publish information on schools listed as outstanding, giving the names of streets that fall within the catchment area.

We decided to take a look at the properties surrounding the best performing schools across the whole county. We found that on average, properties which were within 1km of a good secondary school sold for 8.4% more than the rest of the housing stock in 2015. Perhaps more interestingly, these same properties had increased in value by 5.2% more than the rest over the last decade. Now of course there are other factors at play here,

The link between prices and school performance is strongest for primary schools because of their smaller catchment areas, which get smaller the better the school performs.

However, secondary schools also have a big effect.

but the impact of the schools will certainly be a major factor.

But how big is the impact on CM2?

Well, one of the best performing schools in the area for 2014-2015 GCSE’s was Moulsham High School.

So far in 2016, the average price of properties within a 1km catchment of this school was considerably higher. In comparison, properties within 2km of the school had on average value significantly less.

But are there any downsides to living near a school. If you are thinking about buying such a property, you might be concerned about traffic congestion. From the conversations we have had with out clients, they don’t see it as a problem. They say it’s only at the beginning and end of the school day (whilst we are working) and the schools are closed for big chunks of the year.

If you want to know more, please pop into our branch and we will give your some friendly advice on finding your perfect home close to a good school. If your children are preparing for their exams, we wish them lots of luck!