Moulsham Times - March 2025

PAVING YOUR WAY TO A PERFECT GARDEN

MT Welcome

Hi readers,

Welcome to the March edition of Moulsham Times. This month the clocks will change, so summer really is on its way!

We have new advertising this month with Golden Fry in Moulsham Lodge (right) and we also feature a couple of great events at Meadowcroft Garden Centre near South Woodham Ferrers (see page 11). If you have not visited Meadowcroft before, it has a huge site with loads going on! Do please remember to try and support our advertisers.

Our next issue will be out from 1st April. If you would like to advertise in this coming edition, please contact us for prices and also for distribution details. We can then send over all the information you will need.

Regards

Paul

Advertising & Editorial

Mclean 01245 262082/07595 949701 paul@moulshamtimes.com

Latest News

We like to showcase, share and celebrate wonderful things at Chelmsford Community Radio. We are very excited to tell you that our Friday Lunchtime and Sunday Selection presenter, Andrew Alton Read, is taking part in this years Strictly Air Ambulance contest at the Brentwood Centre on Saturday March 15th

The event is a big part of the charity’s fundraising and contestants are asked to help out with this. So far, Andrew has raised over £1,000 by running a quiz night at the Globe Pub back in January, and he is now looking for our listeners’ support in bumping up that total in anticipation of what should be a spectacular evening featuring a dazzling mix of dance and glittering performances.

Many of our listeners will be aware of Andrew’s theatrical background, starting out with the Young Gen amateur dramatics group. He then went on to work at holiday camps and hotels, and later trained at a drama school in London. Andrew has since appeared in theatre, TV, film and radio. Andrew has also created an award-winning short film to raise awareness of mental illness called The Long Walk.

Believe the Hype

I’m always on the hunt for delicious, spicy comfort food from local home cooks and so, on my quest, I remembered Coconut Sambol by Mudith Mathanga, based in Springfield.

Coconut Sambol offers a weekly changing menu of authentic Sri Lankan dishes, available as hot takeaways or cooled dinner boxes for reheating. I’m not sure why it’s taken me this long to order, but I’m now thinking of making it a weekly habit. I contacted Mudith and was met with a friendly, helpful message detailing the menu and how to order. We also chatted about our shared idea for bringing traditional flavours to Chelmsford.

This week’s menu included Sri Lankan devilled chicken, potato and green bean curry, yellow rice, kale and coconut mallung, chilli paste and papadoms, and black pork curry as a special side.

The usual option is a dinner box (£7 per person), or a hot takeaway (£25). This week, only dinner boxes were available, which worked well for us as I was ordering to eat the following day - I ordered 2 dinner boxes and a double portion of black pork curry, which came to £22. The portions were generous and the variety was perfect for trying different dishes.

The black pork curry was the standout - tender, flavourful, spicy with chilli and black pepper. The coconut mallung and potato and green

If you would like to go and cheer Andrew on, alongside professional dance partner Jody De’Ath, on their quest for the glitterball, then make sure to grab your tickets over at ehaat.org/strictly - tickets start from £20.

Dress up in your best attire and get ready for an unforgettable night of fun. Plus, you’ll also have the chance to win some amazing raffle prizes, including a week in the Highlands! You can keep up with all the latest by following the event on social media.

Andrew and Jody have been training hard over the last few months, persevering with a grueling schedule and overcoming injury. The best reward is knowing that they have made a significant contribution to this non-government funded charity. If you can’t make it, please do wish them luck by making a donation using the QR code: ‘ehaat.org’.

chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

bean curry brought back memories of traveling in Sri Lanka, with authentic, vibrant flavours - how food should be (unlike the bland offerings from some chain restaurants) and served as a fantastic hangover cure from the night before.

What story do you aim to tell with your food?

“I wanted to introduce some of our Sri Lankan flavours in Chelmsford and Sri Lankan food promoting healthier eating. Very light and cooked from scratch. I am passionate about food around the world, but Sri Lankan cuisine is very unique. Vibrant dishes with lots of flavours. Of course we love our seafood too.”

Do you have a food memory from childhood?

“I grew up from childhood in Galle, south coast of Sri Lanka - very beautiful colonial seaside town, where food is very different to the rest of the island. We were part of the kitchen when we grew up and we had to do small bits to help my mum; she was an amazing cook and I learned a lot from her. There is no proper Sri Lankan restaurant in Chelmsford, but quite a few in London and elsewhere. So I thought to start with small home-cooked food from my kitchen, registered by the local council, to show people traditional Sri Lankan dishes.”

What’s your guilty food pleasure?

“I love any food around the world. I travel a lot, local food is my favourite, cooked in authentic way.”

Any advice for aspiring food businesses?

“You need to be aware of the food safety/health regulations and of course personal hygiene, and seek help and advice from your local council and other local organisations. Be presentable and friendly with people and open about everything.”

I’m already looking at ordering again; everything was delicious and you can just tell when it’s been cooked with passion. Remember that orders for Friday collection need to be placed by Wednesday and can be made via Facebook (search ‘coconut sambol’) or WhatsApp on 07853 171 769. Collect from CM1 - Springfield in Chelmsford. More at @parlour_presents or www. parlour-catering.co.uk.

If you’re a local food or drinks business and you’d like to shout about it, drop me an email at parlourcatering@gmail.com.

www.parlour-catering.co.uk @parlour.homecooking

What Worktop Material Is Best?

Firstly, lets dispel the myths: You should always use a chopping board (wood or plastic), and a trivet (for hot items) and clean them regularly with gentle and appropriate cleaning products!

There is not a magical material that is 100% resistant to scratches, stains and heat.

Now let’s talk about the most common options…

Quartz

Quartz is the current most popular option for kitchen worktops and splashbacks. It is highly scratch and stain resistant and comes in a huge variety of colour and styles and can look incredible. You will always have visible joints where necessary but hardly noticeable if done well.

It doesn’t need resealing and the long-term maintenance is very low. If looked after, they should look great for 15 years plus, and not cost the earth.

Natural Stone

Granite may be out of favour, but it’s a fabulous material with all of the properties of quartz worktops, plus the inimitable look and feel of a natural material. It will have visible joints and need resealing though.

Marble worktops are beautiful and instantly convey luxury (as they should at the price!) but aren’t hugely suitable as they can stain (they are porous to varying degrees) and scratch and mark easily. They do look lovely though…

Be aware: natural stone can vary from the very cost-effective to the ludicrously expensive!

Solid Wood

Solid wood can look amazing, feels beautiful and - with the right care - can last many lifetimes. The downside is that wood does need to be looked after! I recommend re-oiling every year or two - a process that can be done in a day, but does require a little skill. Wood is porous, stains, marks and scratches, but is incredibly renewable and, if you’re willing to accept the marks, this becomes part of its character and can last 100+ years.

Seen as the cheap option, laminate worktops have been around for over 70 years and they have been used extensively in that time because they are cheap, hard-wearing and versatile.

Laminate worktops can look great if well designed and when chosen wisely - but, unfortunately, they can fade, scratch, chip and burn if care is not taken. Laminate is well worth considering if your budget can’t stretch to the more expensive options, or if you’d rather put that extra money into the furniture or appliances.

Porcelain

A modern contender that is growing rapidly in use and popularity, porcelain worktops can look stunning! The price may vary a lot from brand to brand, but it’s mostly at the higher end. They carry all the same downsides as quartz, but they are incredibly hard-wearing and come in some striking colours and styles.

The biggest drawback is that the pattern is normally only on the surface making edges more prominent. This can be a design choice but is well worth noting.

Tiled Worktops

Once ubiquitous in the USA (and still popular there), tiles can look great bringing texture and interesting finishes to the kitchen - but for hygiene and cleaning reasons they can be a nightmare! My opinion is just - no.

Other Materials

Concrete, glass and a few other more exotic or unusual options all come up from time to time, but haven’t really caught on because they are only really suitable to specific designs, specific clients and very specific budgets…

Which Worktop Is Best?

Sadly, there isn’t a simple answer - but your kitchen designer should be able to advise which is going to be most suitable for your project to meet your tastes and needs.

It is mostly subjective, but as with so many things, I always recommend being informed, open-minded and going with your heart, mind and wallet.

Laminate

Chelmsford Male Voice Choir 75th Anniversary

Chelmsford Male Voice Choir is delighted to announce that we shall be celebrating our 75th anniversary in April this year and will be performing a special Anniversary Charity Concert in Chelmsford Cathedral together with Braintree Voices Choir at 7pm on Saturday 26th April 2025, under the direction of our Musical Director, Sue Edwards. The evening will be in support of local charities and tickets will be available on our website at www.cmvchoir.co.uk and also on the door.

Whilst the current Chelmsford Male Voice Choir was formed in April 1950 by Bill Gane (eventually succeeded by his son Jack), the choir can trace its origins back to 1903 when it sang to raise funds for British troops fighting in the Boer War, and it existed in various forms between the two world wars.

In 2015, the choir became a registered charity, the aims of which are to promote the appreciation of choral music in all its aspects. These aims are achieved primarily by performing concerts, and the choir has helped several charities in Essex to raise thousands of pounds for good causes, and we are proud to wear the crest of the city of Chelmsford.

Our Concert Manager Alan Cowell will be pleased to discuss arrangements of how we can perform to support local fundraising activities at concertmanager@cmvchoir.co.uk.

We perform in various local venues, which has included previous concerts in Chelmsford Cathedral, and have appeared twice as guests of London Welsh Male Voice Choir in the 2014 and 2016 Festivals of Male Voices at the Royal Albert Hall as part of a massed choir approaching 800 singers on stage in front of a capacity audience of 5,000.

Variety is the hallmark of our concert performances, and our

repertoire ranges widely, from choral works such as the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Verdi’s opera Nabucco, to classics from Les Misérables and South Pacific, and arrangements of music by Elton John. Our aim is for our audiences to enjoy experiencing live, fourpart harmony, as much as we enjoy performing the music.

We currently have just over 40 members drawn from many walks of life, but we are always seeking to expand the choir with new members to add an extra dimension to our range and abilities. Whilst we are not a church choir, we currently meet regularly to rehearse in Trinity Methodist Church, Rainsford Road at 7.30pm every Tuesday evening.

The benefits of singing can vary from person to person - everyone can experience and enjoy singing in their own unique way and it can have many positive effects on overall well-being. In particular, singing is good for the brain - it aids memory retention which is important as we age, as well as improving your breathing. As Icelandic singer Bjork has said, “Singing is like a celebration of oxygen”.

If you have ever heard a male voice choir and wondered what it’s like to be part of one, or perhaps you enjoyed singing at school but have never taken it beyond that (apart from singing at football matches!), then why not come along and give it a go? Whether you’re a tenor, baritone or bass - nothing ventured, nothing gained!

No prior music knowledge or experience is necessary, just the ability to enjoy singing in tune along with the rest of us. Many of us meet up after a rehearsal at least once a month over a drink in The County Hotel opposite and we’ll even buy you a pint if you decide to join!

More information about the choir can be found on our Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/ChelmsfordMVC.

Chelmsford - By Marie Goldman MP

Fighting for Democracy, Public Services, and Inclusive Employment in Essex

The past few weeks have seen some major developments in Essex, from policing and local democracy to vital public services and inclusive employment. As always, my focus remains on ensuring that our community’s voice is heard and that our services are properly funded, fairly run and accessible to all.

Visits Across the Constituency

I’ve met with lots of different organisations and groups of people in Chelmsford over the past few weeks. These have included: East of England Ambulance Service Operations Centre, Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS), Broomfield Hospital, the Cornish Bakery, Radio City Social, the PIP Assessment Centre, a business roundtable hosted by Backhouse Solicitors, Woodcroft Nursery, and Chelmsford Foodbank in Grove Road.

If you’d like to hear more about what I’m doing on a regular basis, including more information about some of these visits, please do follow me on Facebook (www.facebook. com/MarieGoldmanLD) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ mariecgoldman).

Defending Democracy: Essex County Council Elections Cancelled I am deeply disappointed by the Labour Government’s decision to agree to Conservative requests to cancel the Essex County Council elections this May. This move is nothing short of an attack on democracy, denying Essex residents the chance to hold their local representatives accountable. With huge challenges in areas like special educational needs and adult social care, now is precisely the time for fresh leadership and local decision-making.

Instead, county councillors will remain in power without a renewed mandate, making significant changes without the democratic oversight of voters. To make matters worse, while the government has announced a one-year delay for some areas, Essex faces a much longer delay of two to three years. Why should we wait even longer than others? We need a serious debate about what this means for democracy in the UK.

Policing and Public Safety: A Win for Essex PCSOs Last month, I raised the issue of funding for Essex’s PCSOs in the House of Commons, concerned about the future of neighbourhood policing. I’m delighted that the government has responded by doubling funding for neighbourhood policing, securing the future of PCSOs in our county. This is a vital victory for Essex communities. Our PCSOs play a key role in keeping our streets safe, and I’ll continue working to ensure they get the support and resources they need. While additional funds have now been released, the details still need careful scrutiny. I met with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable to discuss what this means for local policing. I remain committed to supporting our brilliant officers, PCSOs and Community Policing teams.

Public Services Under Pressure: Ambulances, Council Debt, and Taxpayers

Public services across Essex are under immense strain. I recently visited the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust at their Chelmsford Emergency Operations Centre to see the frontline of emergency care. Watching 999 calls being handled in real time was an eye-opening experience, reinforcing just how vital these services

are. I want to thank the team for their incredible professionalism and dedication under pressure.

At the same time, I am increasingly concerned about financial mismanagement in local government. I raised this issue in the House of Commons, questioning whether Essex taxpayers will be left paying for debts racked up by poorly run Conservative councils elsewhere. Thurrock has already faced financial disaster, and now residents across Essex could see higher taxes and reduced services as a result. There should have been a plan in place before the decision was taken to cancel the elections.

Housing and Infrastructure

Housing remains a critical issue, not just in Essex but across the UK. In mid-February, I joined ITV Anglia’s Late Edition to discuss the urgent need for more affordable homes in Chelmsford and beyond. With a target of 1.5 million new homes across the country, we must ensure that developments are well-planned, properly funded and benefit local communities.

I’ve been pushing for a the funding we need for the infrastructure to support homes around Chelmsford, including for the Army & Navy and the A12 widening scheme.

Inclusive Employment: A Success Story in Chelmsford

It was inspiring to meet Michael, an employee at The Cornish Bakery in Chelmsford, who is supported by Essex Cares Limited (ECL). Michael shared how difficult it had been to find work, with many employers unwilling to give him a chance due to his disability. Seeing him in action at the busy café, it was clear what an asset he is to the team. His story highlights why inclusive employment matters - every individual deserves the opportunity to contribute, gain independence and be valued for their skills. Huge thanks to The Cornish Bakery for leading the way in creating an inclusive workplace. This aligns with my wider support for fair employment and training opportunities.

It was also a pleasure to meet the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), which has now made Chelmsford its home. CIPHE plays a key role in raising industry standards and supporting plumbing and heating engineers across the UK. It’s fantastic to see such an important organisation investing in our city.

Looking Ahead: Standing Up for Essex

From securing more funding for policing and saving our PCSOs to challenging attacks on democracy and supporting inclusive employment, the past few weeks have shown the importance of speaking up for our communities. There’s still much more to do - on housing, public services and making sure Essex residents aren’t left paying for others’ mistakes.

Whether in Parliament or out in our community, I’ll continue working to ensure Essex gets the attention, investment and fairness it deserves.

Marie

Get Your Garden Spring-Ready With

Chandler Materials

Spring is just around the corner, bringing brighter days and the perfect opportunity to transform your garden into a space you’ll love. Whether you’re planning a complete garden overhaul or simply refreshing your outdoor area, Chandler Materials is here to help.

Conveniently located just off the A12 in Widford, Chelmsford, near the picturesque Hylands Park, Chandler Materials is a small, family-run, independent merchant that has become a trusted name for high-quality building products and outstanding customer service. We pride ourselves on being a one-stop destination for everything you need to make your building and landscaping projects as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Chandler Materials stocks an extensive range of industry-leading brands, ensuring you have access to the best materials on the market. From porcelain paving and block paving to composite and timber decking, aggregates and decorative stones, we have everything under one roof to help you create the garden of your dreams. Whether you’re designing a sleek, modern patio or a rustic retreat, our range offers something to suit every style and budget.

Our landscaping display is a must-see for anyone looking for inspiration. We’ve carefully curated it to showcase the latest trends and timeless classics, giving you ideas to bring your outdoor vision to life. You’ll find a variety of textures, colours and finishes on display, allowing you to see and feel the quality of the products before making your choice.

Planning a project doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our team of knowledgeable and friendly staff are on hand to guide you every step of the way. We’re happy to provide expert advice on materials, quantities and practical solutions to ensure your project goes smoothly. Plus, with our delivery service, you can have everything you need brought directly to your door.

As a family-run business with strong roots in Chelmsford, we understand the importance of providing personalised service. It’s this approach that has helped us build a reputation for reliability, quality, and care over the years. When you choose Chandler Materials, you’re not just buying products - you’re supporting a local business that’s passionate about helping its customers succeed.

Spring is the season of renewal, and there’s no better time to get your garden ready for warmer days and outdoor entertaining. With Chandler Materials by your side, you’ll have everything you need to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space that you can enjoy all year round.

and discover how we can help bring your project to life. Alternatively, contact us to discuss your requirements or arrange a delivery. Let’s make this spring the start of something special for your garden!

Chandler Materials - supplying quality materials to the trade & public. www.chandlermaterials.co.uk

MT Gardening

Late February to early March is an exciting time in the garden and the perfect moment to prepare for the growing season ahead, starting seeds indoors, pruning shrubs, or planting early crops.

The days are lengthening and the first signs of spring, like snowdrops and budding leaves, bring fresh energy to your space. Whether you’re tending borders or dreaming of new planting ideas, this in-betweentime is filled with promise. Take advantage of every mild day to get outside and enjoy the simple joys of gardening!

With this in mind I’ve gathered myself up and need to get on with cleaning through mixed border, exploring the lawn (what’s left of it!) and blitzing planted containers to keep them in tip top condition.

Lawn Care

At this time of year the lawn takes priority. Late winter and early spring are crucial times to prepare your lawn for a healthy growing season. Follow these steps to give your lawn the best start as temperatures warm up:

For the remainder of February (late winter maintenance):

• Inspect the lawn.

• Walk the lawn to check for waterlogging, bare patches, moss and any signs of disease.

• Avoid walking on frozen or waterlogged grass to prevent damage.

• Remove debris.

• Rake up fallen leaves, twigs, or other debris that may have accumulated over winter.

• Clear away any moss to improve airflow.

• Check for drainage issues.

• If water is pooling, lightly aerate the lawn using a garden fork to improve drainage.

• Avoid heavy aeration if the ground is still frozen.

• Tackle moss and weeds.

• Apply a moss killer if moss is prevalent.

• Spot-treat weeds with a selective weed killer, but avoid heavy treatments this early in the season.

For March (early spring care):

• First mowing: On a dry day, give the lawn its first light cut, setting the mower blades to their highest setting. Only mow when the grass is dry and avoid cutting too short to reduce stress on the lawn.

• Aerate if needed: If the lawn feels compacted, aerate it with a fork or aerating tool to improve root oxygenation and drainage.

• Scarify (lightly): If your lawn has a buildup of thatch, gently rake or scarify it to remove dead grass and moss, encouraging healthy growth.

• Overseed bare patches: Sow grass seed on any bare or thin patches. Rake the area, sprinkle seed evenly and lightly press the seed into the soil.

Fertilise

• Apply a slow-release lawn fertiliser to provide nutrients for spring growth. Go for a propriety one containing good levels of nitrogen as a ‘greening agent’.

• Avoid over-fertilising, as this can promote weak, leggy growth.

• Check pH levels: Test your soil’s pH. If the lawn is too acidic, consider applying a light lime treatment to help balance it.

• Edge the lawn: Tidy up the edges with a half-moon edging tool or spade for a neat, defined look.

• Monitor weather: Be mindful of frost. If frosty nights are still frequent, hold off on mowing or treatments to avoid damaging new growth.

Other Gardening Tasks for February and the start of March

Continue to clean through beds and borders removing any debris accumulated over the winter period. Large areas of leaves could be removed and composted.

Don’t be too keen to remove everything. Leaving some leaves and prunings in planted beds and borders is a beneficial practice that supports a healthy garden ecosystem. Avoid piling thick layers of leaves, which may smother plants or encourage slugs. Consider leaving stems of herbaceous plants standing until late spring, then trim them once new growth emerges. Some solitary bees and other pollinators use leaf litter or hollow stems as winter homes.

Winter containers are often still providing interest in February and March, but they also need a little attention to ensure they remain healthy and transition smoothly into spring. Key for me is to:

1. Ensure drainage holes aren’t blocked, as waterlogged roots can lead to root rot.

2. Remove faded blooms from any winter-flowering plants, like pansies or violas, to encourage further blooming.

3. If the soil level has settled, add a thin layer of fresh compost or soil to give the plants a nutrient boost and improve water retention.

4. Add a light mulch layer, such as bark chippings or gravel, to protect roots from frost and maintain moisture balance.

5. If you have early spring bulbs, such as crocuses or dwarf daffodils, tuck them into gaps in your containers for added seasonal colour.

Lastly, take a look at this RHS link for February: www.rhs.org.uk/ advice/in-month/february and for March: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/inmonth/march

Happy gardening - and here’s to a year of enjoyable gardening!

For personalised gardening advice, feel free to contact Tom Cole, Freelance Horticulturist and online tutor, at tomcole8@hotmail.com or visit www.learningwithexperts.com for online RHS courses.

Nick Garner’s Music & Ramblings

That is half term done with and the mock exams are also nearly over too - then it’s the real exams ahead... Both of my grandchildren are doing exams this year, and my granddaughter is also learning to drive. It’s a bit scary that she is now old enough to do this, being 18 this year - and my grandson is 15... Where does the time go?

Easter is nearing and spring is definitely on its way as the day and nights are gradually getting lighter. We’ve even been having a few warmer days which have been fabulous.

Have you paid to have your brown bin collected yet and do you think it is fair? I am someone who would only need the service quite infrequently but there does not seem to be an option for this - I just hope it does not lead to more fly tipping.

The annual PANIC Awards are happening again - PANIC are a not-forprofit event with all monies raised going to charity. Currently, we are waiting for the voting to open, so do take a look: it’s not just music but also involves theatre, comedy and so much more. Sadly I cannot attend the awards this year as I am putting on a show at Hot Box that night, but I want to wish all the nominees the best of luck!

The BBC are opening the nominations for the annual Make a Difference awards too. This is for anyone who you think has gone that bit further to help someone or to help many others, and for those who you think are your ‘local heroes’. These are normally awarded in September, so do check this out as well - I think it really is a wonderful way to say thank you.

I see the Writtle Jazz Festival is returning at the end of July and I see this year its taking place at Old Chelmsfordians in Roxwell Road.

There is lots more going on all over the area too, so if you have anything you want to share, then please let us know and we can hopefully get it in the mag for you - see the contact details below and on page 3.

It is good to see that Moulsham Street seems to be thriving with business again. I just wish the High Street would take a look and maybe reduce the rents and rates and help fill up the empty spaces with independents.

Music

As I am writing this article, I am getting ready to go to see Indigo at the O2 on Sunday for Milk Fest, which will feature lots of top British blues artists. Incidentally, Milk Fest is organised by the band The Milk Men who are playing for me at Hot Box on Sunday 6th April. This is to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity - I will tell you more about this later; I just know the event is going to be great.

I have many great shows coming up, so please do take a look in this publication or online to see all those I have booked so far for 2025and there is a lot!

We have started this year with a bang featuring Hamish Stuart and his band for our first show at the Social Club. Opening for Hamish was Joe Anderton with his latest project Greene, and both acts were superb. Then it was off to Blues at Barleylands to see Jon Amor who blew me away. Next it was back to Hot Box where I had the Tim Aves band Leavin’ Trunk play on a superb and very busy Sunday afternoon.

Back to the Social Club and we had Rostock open a night with a great set followed by Re-Floyd, who of course played Pink Floyd superbly

The following week, we had Heartbreak playing the music of Tom Petty, which was just magical. Next it was back to Blues at Barleylands for the first gig in over 12 years for Hokie Joint. As it tiurned out, this turned out to be the club’s busiest gig - and rightfully so, I say!

Rostock

It was then back to Hot Box for Blues Box and another Sunday afternoon with Greg Coulson - a stunning keyboard player who had a great guitarist with him too, plus all those fabulous songs; just a shame we did not have a few more attending.

Then we had FM opening their first acoustic tour since 1992 - and wow, what a night! We all loved them and the band loved playing for us, and once again they will be back. They had an audience who travelled from all over who all went away smiling...

Please do remember to support all the live events whatever it might be - especially in your local area - to help keep events and the acts, as well as the venues, going. If you can, please do book in advance as it really does make a difference to the organisers and the acts.

If you have anything that you think that could be of interest to our readers for either publication, then please let us know by emailing editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk. It may be an event or a topic of interest, or have you done anything unusual or are you planning something? If so, we want to know about it! If know of someone who may wish to advertise with us, then please ask them to contact ads@ itsyourmedia.co.uk and we can send over the full details.

You can get tickets for all our shows at The Social Club in Chelmsford from Intense Records, The Hop Beer Shop and Chelmsford 4Goodplease pay cash in person when you buy from them as well. Tickets for all shows, including Hot Box, are also available online from www. wegottickets.com/BlackFrogPresents, or via our ticket hotline at no extra charge - call or text 07508 496 411 and you can then pay at the advance price on entry without any commission as well to the show rather than the walk-up price.

To find out more about Black Frog Presents and our shows go to www.linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresets or scan the QR code in our adverts.

Re-Floyd

Charity shop manager

We are seeking a dedicated, responsible volunteer who would like to play a leading role in managing a charity shop in central Chelmsford. This would mean helping out on the till and with donations, but also unlocking and locking up, cashing up and helping us keep a rota of volunteers.

Please get in touch if you fancy a fun, varied role with a bit of a challenge.

Charity Shop Assistants

We are also seeking new volunteers to work alongside the above! Please get in touch if you can dedicate one morning, or one afternoon a week to our little shop.

Trustees Needed

Trustees play a crucial role in guiding charities, helping make plans and decisions and making sure they stay on track. It is a fantastic opportunity to make real difference to the organisation you volunteer for. You don’t need prior experience, just enthusiasm and dedication. Trustee meetings are usually just 4 times a year, so this is a great role for people with busy lives who still want to help.

Treasurer at Hearing Help Essex

Hearing Help Essex exists to alleviate the isolation and loneliness that hearing loss can bring. Our award-winning team of staff and volunteers provide services across the county supporting over 8,000 individuals each year. We are currently seeking to appoint a treasurer to join our Board of Trustees.

Could you help someone with dementia do the things they love? - The Alzheimer’s Society Side by Side is a service to help people with dementia to keep on doing the things they love - and try new things too!

They meet up with a volunteer, decide what they’d like to do and do it together. Side by Side is a fun, friendly, super-flexible volunteering opportunity through which you’ll receive expert training and support to develop within your role.

Drivers for elderly peoples’ lunch club - Great Baddow Can you spare a couple of hours on your Tuesday lunch break? Are you kind, patient and able to drive?

We need cheerful, helpful volunteers with their own car to safely drive (mainly elderly) people to and from a weekly lunch club in Great Baddow, Chelmsford. The lunches are every Tuesday at St Mary’s Church in Great Baddow from 11.45am to 1.15pm.

The Great British Spring Clean

The Great British Spring Clean is between the 15th and 31st March 2025 and is organised by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign. It encourages everyone to clean up their community by picking up litter.

The Environment Belongs to Everyone

This year, Keep Britain Tidy are spreading the word that the environment belongs to everyone. We all have a role to play and this year, the message is simple - they want to encourage pride in communities during the Great British Spring Clean and beyond. Last year, 74% of participants who completed the post-campaign survey told them that they would encourage other people they know or meet to litter-pick.

Litter-picking is a simple action that anyone can do to make an immediate and visible difference to the environment where we live, work and play. In fact, 97% of people surveyed after 2024’s campaign agreed they felt they had made a difference to their local area and 86% said they felt part of a national movement that is taking action to tackle litter.

Litter Harms Wildlife

The RSPCA has partnered with Keep Britain Tidy for many years on

the Great British Spring Clean. The RSPCA (‘@RSPCA_official’) records thousands of incidents of animals affected by litter every year. Join by searching ‘@KeepBritainTidy’ and ‘#GBSpringClean’ and make the world a little safer for wildlife.

Beach School Explorers have pledge to collect 100 bags of litter for the ‘#Bigbagchallenge’.

If you would like to join one of our litter walks in Old Moulsham or at a local park or beach, please email us lisa@beachschoolexplorers. co.uk or look out on social media for ‘#litterheroes’ cleanups in the area.

#Lovewhereyoulive keepbritaintidy.org/GBSpringClean

Non-Spoiler Film Reviews - By Henry Godfrey-Evans

Presence

The camera represents a spirit that follows people around the house, listening to conversations and witnessing drama.

It’s sort of a gimmick, but the conversations are just about realistic enough for you to get a bit sucked in and wonder what the point of it all is. Things get a bit dark and - to be honest - I was all for it.

Hated the build-up but there was a payoff.

Flight Risk

Just the epitome of a cheap movie commonly found on streaming, but there’s a whole market for these kinds of films. People just want a fun, easy to follow plot that they can tune in and out of.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I got a little engaged. It was like when you’re scrolling through social media and you see a random clip of a random film; you just keep wanting to know what happens next.

Obviously it leaves very little impression and you forget almost all of it straight away, but it was fairly entertaining.

Companion

They spoil the premise in the trailer and maybe it would be better if you didn’t know - so I won’t tell you.

However, I will say it’s a film about how scary technology is, except it takes things a little less seriously than Black Mirror. Which I quite liked.

It is much more how you’d imagine your dumb mates would be in the instance of a horrific event - unserious and stupid. I don’t mind it.

September 5

It is about the very first time an act of terrorism was broadcast on television. The footage is taken directly from that day while the narrative takes place in the producers’ room.

When do we do the close-up? When do we announce things? Should we keep the cameras rolling? That sort of thing.

Truthfully, it’s so fast-paced and dynamic that you just get addicted. Moments of suspense are just perfectly poised and I loved it.

It probably only just earns the 5 stars, but there are eons between this and a 4-star film.

The Brutalist

3 and a half hours with a 15-minute interlude, so that rules out quite a few of you already.

But seriously… it is interesting, it’s entertaining and superbly acted. It’s not enough to justify spending an afternoon in one spot though.

I’ll also say that it has qualities that you’ll never find in another film, but I just don’t know if you lot will like it..

Here

This film is shot from the corner of the room, the angle never changes once. However, it zooms back and forth through time, watching different generations of families in completely irregular patterns.

It moves through scene to scene by opening up small windows into the future or the past, before it envelops and takes over. I think the film is just about clever enough with this trick to make it interesting.

It poignantly addresses themes about time passing by. I was surrounded by over-65s and I’d probably agree that this is the film’s target audience.

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy Comedy works best when the cast clearly likes their job - and British comedy is the best in the world.

It was quite safe humour but very effective, and then joint with that were some sad themes about moving on after a long-term partner.

The emotion was - in my humble opinion - extremely prolonged towards the latter end of the film. That’s not to say it wasn’t well done, but I’m not sure how I felt about the length…

More Hugh Grant in the next film, please.

Heart

Eyes

People have been raving about this slasher for its quality of gore, and there is something fun about horrific violence set on a day like Valentine’s Day.

However, the jokes were - at best - pretty good, but the characters had nothing to them at all. I don’t mind shallow comedic/violent films, but don’t make me sit through flat emotional scenes that you haven’t earned.

It was very watchable but underwhelming far too often.

Captain America: Brave New World

There’s not a lot of curiosity in superhero films now, it was once a ‘marvel’ to see beloved comic book characters impossibly cast onto a big screen and perform action scenes. The novelty has worn off which has exacerbated the drop in quality quite a bit.

Once again, the characters have boring conversations between decent, but samey, fight scenes. The quality it did have came from the stardom. Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford were given dull lines of dialogue and made them a bit more impactful.

To any actual Marvel fans reading - yes. the Hulk stuff was cool and nicely animated. Possibly worth watching just for that if you are that kind of fan.

Author’s note: I also film my reviews and upload them on my instagram. My username is Henrygodfreyevans.

henrygodfreyevans@gmail.com

Visiting Westminster - By Cllr Charlene Adutwim

Your Voice, Your Future: Have Your Say on Chelmsford’s Local Plan

One of the most important aspects of my role as a city councillor for Moulsham and Central is ensuring that residents have a voice in shaping the future of our city.

Having lived in Chelmsford for almost a decade, I put myself forward for this role to be part of shaping its future for generations to come. Whether it’s through casework, community engagement, or advocating for better services, I am committed to making sure your views are heard. Participating in the consultation on Chelmsford’s Local Plan - a document that will influence development and growth in our area for years to come - is a great way to have your say.

For the past two years, I have had the privilege of chairing the Chelmsford Policy Board, which oversees policy development and reviews key council strategies. One of our biggest responsibilities is monitoring and shaping the Local Plan. This plan sets out how Chelmsford will grow, ensuring that we meet the needs of residents while protecting our environment. We are now in the third and final round of public consultation before submitting the plan to a Government-appointed Planning Inspector. This is your last chance to have your say before it moves to the examination stage.

What Is the Local Plan?

Chelmsford’s Local Plan is a strategic document that shapes the city’s growth. It identifies where new housing, employment, and infrastructure will be developed and ensures that land is used effectively. It also sets policies to protect our green spaces and heritage sites.

Why Is It Changing?

The current Local Plan was adopted in May 2020, and we have made significant progress in implementing it. However, national requirements mean that we must regularly review the plan to ensure it remains up-to-date. This review extends the plan’s timeframe to 2041 and ensures that Chelmsford continues to have a say in where and how new development happens. If we do not keep the plan current, we risk losing control over planning decisions, which could lead to developments that are not properly supported by infrastructure such as schools, healthcare and transport links.

Planned growth is important. Without it, we risk having developments imposed on us that don’t align with what our city and communities actually need. By reviewing the Local Plan together, we can ensure that Chelmsford grows in a way that benefits residents and businesses alike.

What Growth Is Needed?

To meet demand up to 2041, we need to allocate sites for approximately 4,233 new homes and 162,646 sqm of employment space. This growth builds on the allocations in the current plan and will be distributed across Chelmsford, avoiding the Green Belt. The revised Spatial Strategy (Policy S7) reflects feedback from previous consultations and new evidence gathered since 2022. We are not considering growth in the Green Belt.

Proposed Development Across Chelmsford

Central and Urban Chelmsford: The city centre remains a focus for housing, employment, and retail. Existing allocations west and east of Chelmsford will continue, supporting sustainable transport options like walking and cycling.

North Chelmsford: The Chelmsford Garden Community remains a key growth area. Additional allocations include a new site at Ford End

and extensions to two employment areas.

South and East Chelmsford: A new garden community at East Chelmsford (Hammonds Farm) is proposed, alongside a strategic employment site. Smaller allocations are planned for Bicknacre and East Hanningfield, with existing allocations in South Woodham Ferrers, Bicknacre and Danbury being maintained.

How to Get Involved

The consultation runs from 10am on Tuesday 4th February 2025 to 4pm on Tuesday 18th March 2025. This is your final opportunity to provide feedback before the plan is submitted for examination. All the comments to the previous consultations have been carefully considered by officers and a ‘You Said We Did’ report has been produced. Comments from previous consultations in 2022 and 2024 will not be automatically carried forward, however, so now is the time to express them if this is still needed.

You can view the consultation documents and submit your comments in the following ways:

• Online: The council’s consultation portal at www.chelmsford.gov. uk/planningpolicyconsult (preferred method).

• Email: Send a completed Pre-Submission Representation Form to planning.policy@chelmsford.gov.uk.

• Post: Send your response to Spatial Planning Services, Chelmsford City Council, Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JE.

Paper copies of the documents are also available at local libraries and at in-person exhibitions in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre.

What Happens Next?

Once the consultation closes, all responses will be submitted to the Planning Inspector alongside the Pre-Submission Local Plan and supporting evidence. A summary of the main issues raised will be published online.

This is a significant moment for Chelmsford, and I encourage you to take part in shaping our city’s future. Your feedback is crucial in ensuring that new development meets the needs of our community while protecting the character of our city. Let’s work together to create a thriving, sustainable Chelmsford for generations to come.

Charlene

Cllr Charlene Adutwim Liberal Democrat

charlene.adutwim@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk

City Councillor for Moulsham & Central Chair of Policy Board Equality and Diversity Champion

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and after celebrating my own mother last month, it’s only right that I take a moment to champion another incredible woman - my amazing wife, Emily Pirathapan!

My food journey took a turn for the exciting when I met Emily. She introduced me to the beauty of British cooking and a love of all things vegetable-based, broadening my palate beyond my traditional Tamil roots. From that fusion of flavours, not only was Rose and Lily Club born, but so many incredible meals were shared. Now, it’s time to share the one meal my daughter and I whip up for Emily every Mother’s Day - our legendary Spicy Roast Chicken with all the trimmings!

Why This Dish?

Emily loves a good roast chicken and lucky for me, she loves a bit of spice too! So, we take the best of both worlds and fuse classic British Sunday roast flavours with a kick of aromatic spices. The result? A juicy, flavour-packed roast with just the right amount of heat - perfect for a special occasion meal.

But the chicken doesn’t shine alone! The supporting cast includes golden garlic cumin roast potatoes, smoky peas and chorizo, sweet maple carrots, oven-roasted tenderstem broccoli, a fresh pickled salad, and our so-simple gravy. Every element brings something bold and delicious to the plate!

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 1 whole freerange chicken.

• 2 tbsp Rose and Lily Eastern Roast Curry Powder.

• 3 tbsp natural yogurt.

• 1 tbsp olive oil.

• 4 garlic cloves, minced.

• 1 tsp cumin.

• Juice of 1 lemon.

• Salt and pepper to taste.

For the garlic cumin roast potatoes:

• 1kg baby potatoes, halved.

• 2 tbsp olive oil.

• 1 tsp cumin seeds.

• 4 garlic cloves, crushed.

• Salt and pepper to taste.

For the peas and chorizo:

• 200g garden peas.

• 100g diced chorizo.

• 1 tsp smoked paprika.

For the sweet maple carrots:

• 4 large carrots, sliced.

• 2 tbsp maple syrup.

• 1 tbsp butter.

• Pinch of sea salt.

For the oven-roasted broccoli:

• 200g tenderstem broccoli.

• 1 tbsp olive oil.

• ½ tsp chili flakes.

• Salt and pepper.

For the pickled salad:

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced.

• 1 cucumber, sliced.

• 4 sprouts, sliced.

• 8 cherry tomatoes, quartered.

• 2 cooked and sealed beetroot, chopped.

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar.

• 1 tsp sugar.

• Pinch of salt.

For the gravy:

• 500ml chicken stock.

• 1 tbsp flour.

• 1 tbsp butter.

• Drippings from the roast chicken.

Method

1. Marinate the chicken: Rub the chicken all over with the yogurt, curry powder, olive oil, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight is even better!).

2. Roast the chicken: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the marinated chicken in a roasting tray and cook for 1 hour 20 minutes, basting occasionally. Alternatively, just cooking the legs should take around 45 minutes. Cooking times may vary for different size birds! Once golden and juicy, let it rest before carving.

3. Crispy roast potatoes: Slice the potatoes into halves or quarters, place in salted water and bring to the boil. After 5 minutes at the boil, strain and fluff up to get all the gnarly bits. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, cumin and garlic. Roast at 200°C for 40 minutes, turning every 15 minutes through for extra crispiness.

4. Peas and chorizo magic: Fry the chorizo until crispy, then add the peas and smoked paprika. Cook for 5 minutes until everything is beautifully coated.

5. Sweet maple carrots: Glaze the carrots with butter, maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Roast for 30 minutes at 180°C until caramelised.

6. Broccoli boost: Toss the broccoli in olive oil, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Roast at 200°C for 15 minutes.

7. Quick pickled salad: Mix the vegetables with vinegar, sugar and salt. Let sit for at least 15 minutes for that zingy crunch.

8. The finishing touch - gravy! In a pan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Add chicken stock and pan drippings, stirring until smooth. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.

Time to feast! Carve up that succulent, spice-infused chicken and serve it with all the vibrant sides.

This dish is bold, comforting and packed with flavour - just like the amazing women we celebrate on Mother’s Day.

So, whether you’re treating your mum, your partner, or yourself, this meal guarantees smiles, full bellies and happy hearts. Enjoy!

Want More?

Follow us on Instagram by searching ‘@roselilyclub’ for more delicious fusion recipes, spice blends and behind-the-scenes kitchen magic!

The Haunting of Thorndale Wood - By Holly Lucking

“This is a stupid idea. Why did we agree to this?”

My brother is scared and when that happens, he tends to lash out with words.

“You were the one who wanted to prove you weren’t scared of anything. I’m just here to keep mum and dad happy.” The vices of being an older brother. There are only three years between us but it could be three thousand for how different we are. Michael cares what everyone thinks about him, always terrified of being left out whereas I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks about me. Messy hair, tatty jeans ’cause we couldn’t afford new ones, my obsession with birds that isn’t ‘boring’ or ‘weird’.

“You didn’t have to come, Jamie. I can do it alone. I’m no baby.” I muse it over, and nod. “True you’re not a baby, but I’m not stupid enough to let you be out here alone. What if the rumours are true and this wood is haunted?”

As I speak, the air suddenly turns crisp, the heat and light from the campfire fading, the chillier it gets. It was fun when we arrived in the daylight and set up camp, building the fire and pitching the tent. My belly’s full from all the sausages and eggs we cooked in the pan and the thought of one more marshmallow has me ready to hurl.

“Did you hear that?” Michael cries suddenly, shooting across the short length of the tent and gripping my arm tightly.”Someone’s out there.” Straining my ear against the stretched khaki fabric, I listen closely for any unfamiliar noise in this setting. Nothing. Jake and Ryan have my brother scared silly with their stupid tales of this place that are no more real than the boogeyman or abominable snowman. Every town has urban legends passed down through the generations, and ours just so happens to be a big creepy wood that nobody will go into after sundown. Bad things happen to those who ignore this one golden rule, and here we are practically laughing in the face of superstition and betting whether we’ll still be alive to tell our tale on the morrow.

“No one’s out there. A rabbit or

fox perhaps, but I promise you that it’s not going to be anything dangerous enough to maul you in your sleep. Get in your sleeping bag, Michael, and try to get some sleep.”

The pout on his face is not pretty, huffing as he slowly crawls back to his side of the tent and unzips his sleeping bag. “I know what I heard. I just hope it comes for you in the middle of the night so I can prove you wrong.”

“You and me both,” I sigh with an eye roll, jumping into my bag and lying down. I don’t know if I’ll sleep right away but I’m exhausted from the hike to get here, especially with the burden of all the equipment on our backs. That, and Michael insisted we take the entire toolbox as a weapons arsenal.

Just as I’m nearing the peak of sleep, I hear a shuffle just outside. Instinctively my eyes flick open and stare at the warped branches as their shadows are given life by the nearly dead fire. It would probably be a good idea to go outside and add some more sticks to burn to see us through ’til daylight, but something inside tells me to stay put. Suddenly I see the unmistakable shape of a person stalk past the tent, so shocked that I sit bolt upright so my head hits the stretched canopy above.

“What is it?” Michael murmurs, sounding as if he’s on the brink of sleep. If I tell him, he’ll likely never sleep again.

“I... I think you might be right.” My mouth is so dry I can barely swallow, a heat rising in my cheeks that makes me feel watched. We are the prey.

“I’m always right,” Michael hisses, ever so carefully and quietly crawling his way towards me. We are stronger together, ready to fight and protect one another if it comes down to it. Who am I kidding? Michael would be out that door without a second glance.

There it is again. The air has changed, the wind whistling at such a horrifically pitch that every hair on my body is standing to attention.

We need to do something. We can’t just sit here and wait for

whatever it is to get brave enough to enter this tent. Or worse, claw it to shreds around us. Looking down, I see something shiny in Michael’s hand and realise he has gone for the hammer.

“Why did you bring the hammer to bed? You weren’t gonna use that on me, were you?” “Only if you snored too loud,” my brother drawls with a nearsinister smile. “No, of course not. I did it for protection, and I bet you’re glad now I did.”

I won’t admit it but I am. All I have is a torch, heavy enough to cause damage given the right swing behind it.

“On my say so, we unzip this tent and run for home. No matter what happens or what you see, just keep running. Understand?”

Michael is nodding like a bobblehead before I even finish, so jacked up on adrenaline that his eyes are the size of marbles. His breath is deep and raspy, barely controlled as his fingers shake around his knucklewhitening grip on the hammer. I want to tell him to stay in here and let me investigate alone, but he’s no coward. He’d never let me out there without someone having my back.

“Ready?” I ask, looking him dead in the eye.

“Ready.”

The zip is open in a second and we are falling through the opening, screams rising from the base of our lungs. We’re not terrifying but we’re determined, and we stop dead when Jake and Ryan appear in front of us, rolling amongst the fallen leaves like they’re about to wet themselves.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I cry at them, tempted to lunge my torch at their stupid laughing faces. “It was you all along?” “Of course it was us,” Ryan manages to splutter through the fit of giggles. When they finally get to their feet, Michael stalks over and shoves them hard in their chests.

“That wasn’t funny one bit. The only reason we came is because of your stupid dare. I’m never doing anything you say ever again.”

“Okay, okay, we’re sorry,” Jake says, holding his hands up in surrender. It’s funny how those who say they’re sorry never sound a bit sorry. “It was just a bit of fun.”

“Not for us. Do anything like that to us again and you’ll regret it.” Jake and Ryan are in Michael’s year at school, three years younger than me so they know I mean it. No empty threats or promises.

“You’ve got it. Now can we get in the tent? It’s freezing out here.” Before I can protest, all three of them are darting for the sanctuary of the tent and are wrapped in the sleeping bags when I join them.

“We’ll all just have to share, I guess.” Michael has unzipped my sleeping bag and has given it as an offering to the pranksters to wrap around their shoulders while he sits snug with his own duvet engulfing him.

“I’ll be sharing with you then.” Cuddling close to Michael, I steal half and drape it around me to try and stop my bones from shaking. I’m not going to lie, this night is really scary... not that I’ll admit it out loud. They got me good and from the way Michael is shaking like a leaf beside me, I’d say they got his good too.

There isn’t much room when we all lay down to sleep, all sharp elbows and lanky limbs nudging each other. We don’t all go quiet for some time, and even then, I’m sure not all of us are asleep. Michael sits bolt upright all of a sudden, scaring us all to death as the whole body of the tent shifts as we jump. “Did you hear that?”

I’m about to tell him that I wasn’t born yesterday and to lie down before he gets chucked out of the tent when I hear it. I don’t know what it is but it’s big and loud and getting closer.

Ryan and Jake have gone still, the colour draining from their faces so they look ready to be sick. Both look to me for help, protection, big eyes full of fear pleading for me to help them. This isn’t them. Somebody else is out there... or something.

Families thrive on tradition. Parties and celebrations that take place annually hold us all together. Lent is a very important season in the church; it starts with a reminder that we are people who mess up, but that we are willingly forgiven.

The celebrations start by using up things in the store cupboard, giving us pancake day. Come and join us for our Pancake Party on Tuesday 4th March from 3.30pm - 5pm.

Ash Wednesday is the next day, and at 10am we will gather to say sorry, to receive a pardon and a cross of black ash which is painted on our forehead. It is important to know that we are forgiven.

This is the lead into the six weeks to Easter. Some people will give up something to help them focus their mind on God through this period, others will take something on, perhaps reading a book which will help their well-being and encourages some stillness.

We would love to see you, come and tell us what you are doing. Looking back at last month, thank you to those who came to our American Line Dancing Masterclass led by Joani St Cliere from Fitness4Everyone. I was very impressed with people’s skills; it was great fun. Yee haw - I had cowboy boot envy!

Our Pudding Evening also went well. We had an amazing selection of 18 puddings to try. Thank you for joining us. Look out for our next one, hopefully in the summer.

Happy Mothering Sunday to all our mums and carers. Mother love is so important. Come and join us to say thank you, on Sunday 30th March at 10am.

God bless, Reverend Canon Stephanie Gillingham

St Luke’s Church, Gloucester Avenue, Moulsham Lodge, CM2 9DT www.stlukemoulshamlodge.co.uk Facebook: @stlukesmoulshamlodge

Hello everyone, welcome to March. The days are getting longer - no surprise there then, and the weather warmer. Perhaps less cold might be more accurate.

First of all this month, a cautionary tale. I always thought that l am careful with unexpected or scam phone calls, but I nearly got caught the other day.

I dare say we have all had them and have sorted them very quickly, cutting them off. On this occasion, I was expecting a call from someone not in my phone book, so when I received one, I picked it up. She was calling from Tesco Mobile. First flag: I should have noticed that she did not call me be my name. She explained that as I had such a good payment record, they were giving me a discount. Second flag: why would they do that?

Anyway, she then said they could give me a free iPhone 15 as well. Third flag: too good to be true. By now I am getting a bit suspicious so I declined. What about a free Smart watch? I hesitated. She went on to asked my favourite colour, which I foolishly told her. Fourth... Oh you know what I mean. This went on and when I said I wasn’t comfortable, she gave her name, employee number and a phone number to call to check. She said she had my bank account details and gave me the last three digits of the sort code and account number, then asked me for the others.

At last I woke up and cancelled the call.

I visited Tesco Mobile and explained all this to one of the staff, he was very good and at at no point did he make me feel silly. He spoke to the security people and was able to change my security details. I had already changed my password.

He also confirmed it was a scam.

Lesson learned, I hope. These people are very clever having spent lots of money on systems and training to take money from people.

I must admit I could not see what they were going to gain from my Tesco Mobile account, but I asked someone at my bank. He explained that at the end of the call they would say they would send me the watch, but they needed my credit card details to pay for the postage (or similar), Ah, so that’s what they were really after!

I was just pleased that while she was on the phone to me for about half an hour, she was not scamming anyone else.

Supermarkets! I know I have talked about this before, but I seem to get in the wrong checkout queue almost every time these days, so while waiting the other day, I had a brainwave. Some people like to have a conversation with the checkout staff. I don’t really have a problem with that, but often I have a trolley full, too big for the self service ones, so have to join the normal ones. I get a bit frustrated sometimes. So, why don’t supermarkets have a couple of special checkouts for those customers who like to have a bit of a chat? They could even call them, wait for it, Chat Checkouts. Catchy eh? The people in the queue would be like-minded people, who might even join the conversation with those next in the queue. That way, you would only use this checkout if you were not in a hurry and just looked forward to a nice little chat. Sorted!

The first of this month’s funny animal stories is about horses. It seems that Aberystwyth University is developing a method, using touchscreens adapted to horses noses. Why, I hear you ask? Well, it seems that researchers believe that using the touchscreen for a test could identify stress, sleeping problems or even depression in horses. Now, before I read the details, I thought that the horses were using the touchscreens to spell out words, but it seems not.

It’s a shame, because I imagined someone asking, through the

touchscreen, if the horse is likely to win its next race, or maybe why they lost the last one.

Then the horse would reply using it’s nose, “It was that nasty number eleven, he cut straight across me at the third fence, guv”. Perhaps not.

The Civic Society presented an interesting talk recently about the escape attempts at the famous Colditz prison in the Second World War. Some of the attempts to escape were ingenious. I guess we have all seen the film. It was on every Christmas for years. Interesting to note that a man on a motorcycle going over the fence did not feature...

There were people from several other countries at Colditz, but they were all kept separate for most of the time, and many foreign inmates were also digging tunnels and escaping.

A few of the prisoners even built a glider high in one of the top rooms of the castle. It was almost completed when the prisoners were freed by the allied troops, but a replica has since been built and was launched and successfully flew quite a long way. Fantastic!

Bin End Chuckles

Why was the baby snake crying? Because it had lost it’s rattle...

What is a marsupial’s favourite drink? Cola-Koala...

Stay well and look after each other.

Grove Road Evangelical Church

The Christian season of Lent begins this year on March 5th and runs all the way to the night before Good Friday. What is Lent? The word ‘lent’ comes from an old English word for spring and is related to our modern word ‘lengthen’.

As a Christian season, Lent covers 40 days leading up to Easter and is based upon the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. In the wilderness, Jesus faced many challenges - and won them all! So, as we face the many challenges in our lives, it is worth learning about how Jesus lived his life and about how we can live ours like he did.

Lent is often thought of as a time when we ask: ‘What am I giving up for Lent?’ It is also seen by some Christians as a time for fasting and prayer, just like Jesus fasted and prayed during those 40 days in the wilderness. While those things may all be helpful in many ways, the most important thing we can do as Christians during Lent is to dedicate ourselves to learning about living our lives in the way Jesus wants us to.

At our church we are dedicating six Tuesday evenings during Lent to that aim. These sessions will be on the theme Living as a Disciple of Jesus and take place at our church on these Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm, on March 11th, 18th and 25th and April 1st, 8th and 15th They will be informal times of reading what the Bible says and of discussion. All are welcome to attend these study sessions. More info can be found on our website at www.grecuk.co.uk/lent2025.php.

We look forward to seeing some of you during the Lent season.

Philip Loose, Senior Pastor

www.grecuk.co.uk

pastor@grecuk.co.uk

Grove Road Evangelical Church (Behind Tesco Express, Moulsham Street)

MT History: Made in Dagenham: Sandie Shaw

With all the talent shows on television now, it is amazing how, historically, any musician was able to find fame. However, the Ford Motor Company hasn’t been the only thing to bring Dagenham in Essex its fame; it has produced many well-known actors, sporting legends and musicians.

Sandra Ann Goodrich was one of these stars. She was born on 26th February 1947 and grew up in Dagenham as an only child with her hardworking parents. After leaving school she went to work at the local Ford factory.

Subsequently she found some part-time modelling work, but her real career took off when she entered a talent show. The prize was a chance to perform in London at a charity concert. This was the turning point in Sandra’s life. Her performance was noticed by none other than the singer Adam Faith.

He realised that she had potential and introduced her to his manager, Eve Taylor. Realising that she would be better off with a stage name, Sandra was renamed Sandie Shaw. Luckily Eve managed to win her a recording contract with Pye Records in 1964.

Teaming Sandie up with songwriter, Chris Andrews, he wrote her first single As Long as You’re Happy Baby. Unfortunately, this song failed to make the charts. Her second attempt was Always Something There to Remind Me. This proved much more fruitful and became a number 1 hit in the charts in the autumn of 1964.

Several subsequent top 10 hits followed and Sandie enjoyed regular appearances on Top of the Pops. By this time, the sixties were in full swing and Sandie was the girl leading the way, being well known for performing barefoot.

The Long Walk - a Short Film, Raising Awareness of Mental Illness

Coming to Galleywood Heritage Centre (Galleywood, Chelmsford, CM2 8TR) on Saturday 12th April at 2.30pm will be The Long Walk - a multi-award winning short film created to raise awareness of mental illness. Based on a true story told through the eyes of the sufferer and his family, the movie stars Michelle Collins (EastEnders) and Daniel Casey (Midsomer Murders) as the sufferer’s parents.

A young teenage boy suffers a trauma in his life and is catapulted into the world of psychosis. Later in life he suffers another psychotic episode and ends up on the streets of London to be helped by unexpected kindness. This is a heartbreaking film full of hope.

The film is certificated as a 12A, so any child attending would need to be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets cost £10 each with 10% going to a mental health charity in Essex. To book, please email info1thelongwalkfilm@gmail. com.

After the film, there will be Q&A giving you the chance to ask questions to the creator of The Long Walk, local Galleywood actor Andrew Alton-Read.

By 1967 her record sales were dwindling, so she was asked by the BBC to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. Sandie was invited to sing five songs with the public voting for the one she was to perform, Puppet on a String.

She wasn’t keen on it herself but it was obviously a hit with other nations and she won the Eurovision Song Contest. This record also gave her a third UK number 1 hit; in fact, Sandie had more number one hits than any other female in the 1960s.

Sandie also started her own brand fashion label in 1968 selling clothes and shoes. Although she did have a few more hit songs, one of which inspired a song by The Smiths 15 years later which was called Heaven Knows I’m Missing Him Now. 1972 saw her contract with Pye come to an end.

Despite retiring from pop stardom, she co-wrote a musical, took to the stage in a couple of productions, Hamlet and Joan of Arc, and started writing children’s books. Sandie has been married three times, the first marriage was to fashion designer Jeff Banks and although they had a daughter Gracie, they divorced after 11 years.

Sandie, now a grandmother of four, returned to music in recent years and appeared with Jools Holland on his tour in 2011. Nowadays, she lives a quiet life with her husband, running her own business and occasionally performing for charity.

So Sandie’s life came full circle, when from humble beginnings in Dagenham and her first job at Ford, it seemed quite fitting that she was asked to sing the theme tune to accompany the film Made in Dagenham - because she was; quite literally.

If there is a topic you would like me to cover, please get in contact via paul@moulshamtimes.com

Welcome to the Wellness Adventure

By the time you read this, we’ll be at the beginning of March. So far, it’s been a rollercoaster of a year in the life of this ‘healthpreneur’ so I thought I’d give you a quick update on some of the things I’ve been doing.

One of my plans for the first 90 days of this year way to try and work out how funding works. Both of my current seated exercise classes started out from funding from Essex County Council and Active Essex (thank you!). I’m now running these classes privately. The good thing about getting a project funded is that you have a security net while you get things off the ground and you also have the backing and support of the funder. The biggest help I got by my funders is how they helped with advertising the service.

One of my biggest grips is how the people that need me the most can’t afford me - despite being in the health and fitness industry and wanting to help as many people as possible, I’m still a business and I must make a living. Funding helps people that may not want to part with their hard-earned cash experience what I have at a discounted price or even for free. Then they can decide how invaluable I am and pay me what I’m worth.

Okay, enough about that. This year, I was fortunate enough to be invited to bid for some funding from Culture Chelmsford and I to my surprise, I was awarded some money to partially fund a small project. Now, I wasn’t awarded the full amount I requested so I had to scale my plans back a bit. However, over February 2025 half-term, I’m running a free programme for school-age children alongside a colleague and friend.

It’s a 3-afternoon programme combining Bhangra dancing with wellness. Obviously, I’m not about to start teaching Bhangra dancing (big up Preet Learning and her wonderful Bhangra style). However, I will be running the wellness part of the programme and we’ve called it the Wellness Adventure. There’s going to be Bhangra dancing at every session. Over 3 afternoons, I’ll be teaching kids about nutrition, exercise and sleep. Due to my love of all things boxing, the exercise session will be Boxercise.

The reason I chose this project, and this demographic is because the health of our children is as stake. Childhood obesity is at a record high, and this generation is one of the first predicted to die before their parents due to ill health and long-term conditions. It’s vital that we start to educate our children about adopting a healthy lifestyle from a young age.

I pride myself on incorporating fun into anything I do. This is especially important when dealing with kids. So, I’m having to learn to speak their language and make the sessions as fun as possible. Fingers crossed I get the message across. I’ll let you know how it goes in my next article. Wish me luck!

www.beencouragedwellness.co.uk www.facebook.com/BeEncouragedBeStrong

My mum walked into my kitchen on Sunday and handed me an article, saying perhaps you can base your next article on this. I always advise my children to listen to their mum so felt that I had better lead by example.

Mum as always, was giving good advice and there in the Sunday Times was one of the last people you’d expect to be waxing lyrical about the benefits of pilates, albeit in his own unique way...

Jeremy Clarkson was explaining how he’d taken up pilates, specifically reformer pilates, as he didn’t want to die! A bit dramatic, but after a heart attack and the new lease of life given to him by cardiac surgery, he was trying to stay alive so that he could enjoy more time with his grandchildren. He reported numerous fitness failures but seemed to be surprising himself with his enjoyment of pilates.

I have certainly found that the reformer has great appeal, particularly with men who like cars and machines - the pulleys and springs, which add resistance and challenge to a pilates workout, seem to tap into their love of mechanics. Perhaps I am being naive, as Jeremy also described it as a ‘sex orgy dungeon table’.

To find out more visit our website, www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk. Reformer Pilates... For Those Desperate Not to Die! - By

Still, he reported that he wasn’t ‘unenjoying’ it and was feeling parts of his body work that he didn’t know existed. His instructor made him laugh, which is easy with such a piece of kit, and I have read a further article that he has written this week - so he is still alive...

In all seriousness though, staying fit and healthy to see our children or grandchildren grow up is high on most people’s lists. Exercise of any sort will help achieve this goal, but pilates can be a great and fun way of doing it, particularly as you get older and other forms of exercise may have become more difficult.

At Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga we specialise in exercise rehabilitation for the over 50s. Our small group classes and one-to-one sessions are expertly tailored to keep people fit, strong and healthy, while working around any health conditions or injuries.

We offer one-to-one pilates reformer sessions with Erica Foulds who has 21 years’ experience as a personal trainer and 12 years’ experience teaching pilates for those like Jeremy who are investing in their health.

We also run reformer classes taught by Sarah Walsh, a PE teacher of 26 years, with 15 years of pilates teaching. However you choose to try pilates, at Hummingbird, you’re in safe hands!

MT Finance - Six Essential Tips to Manage Money Better

Cash plays an important role in everyone’s financial plans; it provides a cushion and can help you reach your financial goals. Whether you are building up an emergency fund or have a short to medium-term objective such as saving for a car, wedding or house deposit, here are some tips to help you manage money better.

1. Work Out How Much to Put Aside as an Easy-Access Emergency Fund

You don’t want to have to sell investments - or even worse, have to borrow money - in the event of an emergency such as an urgent car or home repair. That’s when having an emergency fund to cover life’s unexpected twists and turns really counts.

How much to keep as an emergency fund is going to depend on circumstances such as how secure your employment or selfemployment is, your ongoing expenses and the various things that could realistically happen unexpectedly. As a rule of thumb, you also should keep enough to pay your essential expenses for three to six months in case of unemployment or ill health. You should be able to cover costs like energy, mortgage or rent, travel and food costs. That way should the unexpected happen, you’ll be ready.

2. Choose the Right Type of Savings Account for Your Goals

Once you have an emergency fund set aside, setting up a longer-term savings account can be a good goal to focus on next, as this could allow you to earn additional interest on your money saved. Getting the most out of your savings account starts with considering your financial goals and how soon you might need to access your savings. When choosing your savings account, you have a few options, including easy access, notice or fixed term.

Although fixed-term accounts usually pay the highest interest rates, they usually don’t allow you access to your money under any circumstances before the agreed term is up. So you need to be sure you can tie your money up for the specified period. A fixed-term account may be appropriate for planned spending in one or two years’ time, say, such as school fees, or the purchase of a new car. However, it won’t be right for an emergency fund or shorter-term spending. If you don’t know when you’ll need the money, you should stick to an account that can be readily accessed.

3. Allocate Pots for Different Goals

Having multiple accounts can help you manage your money to help you achieve these different financial goals with varying timelines. This can help you to keep your money organised and separate for different purposes. For example, you could have an instant access account for your emergency fund, a separate one for your holiday savings and a fixed one attracting a higher rate for your house deposit if your planned purchase is further into the future.

Earmarking different pots with clear goals can also help you stay motivated to stick to your savings plan and resist the temptation to spend the money on something else. With Charles Stanley Direct Cash Savings it’s easy to mix-and-match a range of instant access, notice and fixed term products that can be used for different goals with a single account identification and sign in process. For many a combination is likely to be a good strategy, depending on how much you value flexibility and access versus maximising return.

4. Maximise Your Interest

For much of the past 15 years, shopping around for the best interest rates on savings hasn’t mattered that greatly. With interest rates at very low levels, there wasn’t much to be gained by shifting your money around. That’s now completely changed. Average savings rates are now much higher, making it more important than ever for savers to be active with their cash. No matter the amount you have, you’ll want to make sure every penny of your savings is attracting the best interest rate possible because the best rates available out there are much, much higher than the worst!

There’s now billions of pounds languishing in accounts paying paltry

rates compared with what’s on offer elsewhere. Banks sometimes offer attractive rates only to cut them, sending savers back to square one. Similarly, when fixed rate deals come to an end, they typically roll over into a far less rewarding easy access account if you do nothing, so it’s important to keep on top of when your fixed rate expires and have a target for your cash lined up.

When considering easy access accounts the aim should be to get the best rate available and if something trumps it you can always switch again later on. For fixed rates there can be times when it pays to wait a little, for instance when Bank of England interest rates are set to go higher.

5. Protect Your Savings

If you have larger amounts in cash, you need to be aware of the protection you have for your savings in case the bank or building society you use fails. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) guarantees the first £85,000 you have saved, or £170,000 for a couple, per UK-regulated financial institution. Importantly, this is not per account. If you had two accounts with the same bank, your money would only be safe up to the first £85,000 per person.

To guarantee your money’s safety beyond these thresholds, you’d need to spread it across multiple institutions. However, beware that some banks operating a separate name or brand share a banking licence with another and therefore share a FSCS registration. For example, Halifax and Bank of Scotland are both owned by Lloyds Banking Group and share a licence, so you are only covered up to £85,000 across the pair. In contrast, RBS and NatWest are both owned by the NatWest Group, but each bank has its own banking licence, so their limits are separate. An online savings platform makes it straightforward to keep within the thresholds and spread your money around while still maximising the interest rates you receive.

6. Remember Investments Are Usually Better for the Long Term While cash is an important part of your financial plans it shouldn’t dominate them. That’s because in the longer term too much in cash doesn’t provide enough return to consistently beat inflation, especially after tax. If you have some money you don’t need to touch for at least five years and are wondering how best to beat inflation during that time, think about investing it as it’s the far more effective way to grow wealth.

You should only invest your money if you can afford to wait out any fall in its value, but in the longer-term share markets have a much better record of outpacing inflation than cash. By housing your chosen investments in a Stocks and Shares ISA, you can maximise your returns by sheltering them from tax. You don’t have to be a financial expert to invest as there are simple, packaged investments known as ‘funds’ that can match your objectives and how much risk you want to take with your money.

Graham

Austin, Chartered FCSI Investment Director Graham.Austin@charles-stanley.co.uk 0207 149 6696

The value of investments can fall as well as rise. Investors may get back less than invested. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this article is for general information purposes and is not a trading recommendation. Charles Stanley is not a tax adviser.

Nothing in this article should be construed as personal advice based on your circumstances. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal.

Charles Stanley & Co. Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: Ropemaker Place, 25 Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9LY.

The Friends of Chelmsford Museums present The Annual Museum Lecture at Christ Church Hall, New London Road Chelmsford on Friday 21st March 2025 at 7.30pm.

‘...that honourable and gentlemanlike house’

A History of King Edward VI Grammar School Chelmsford 1551 to 2001 by Tony Tuckwell, former Headmaster and author of its history. Tickets cost £10 and are available from Eventbrite or, if still available, on the door (cash or cheque only).

Two of the commissioners who oversaw the transfer of monastic property to Henry VIII in the 1530s were Chelmsford brothers, Thomas and Walter Mildmay. But Henry was wary of destroying the chantries - private chapels endowed by wealthy families to chant masses to speed the tortured souls of their dead through Purgatory to Heaven. Many of their priests also provided schools for local boys and these were popular. The Mounteney Chantry in Chelmsford churchyard was one such.

On Henry’s death in 1547, 9-year-old Edward VI’s Puritan Privy Council was adamant that the chantries must go. They were a papal invention with no scriptural basis. The council would preserve those schools that went beyond the 3Rs and taught classical languages. Walter Mildmay was recalled to decide the survivors, and the rest would be dissolved and their endowments used to create additional schools.

So, in 1551 new grammar schools emerged. Chelmsford Free Grammar School was one such for up to 60 boys from Chelmsford and the hamlet of Moulsham. It taught Latin and Greek grammar plus the articles of faith of the new Church of England. It was endowed with ex-chantry lands in Essex and its governors (elsewhere usually the town corporation) were uniquely four named Essex knights, the two Mildmay brothers, Sir William Petre and Sir John Tyrell and their male heirs in perpetuity. The school was housed in a former Dominican friary by the River Can that had been given to the Mildmays by Henry VIII.

In its first 100 years, it notoriously beat one boy to death and the school building collapsed, requiring a transfer to a new site opposite the Parish Church. Bound strictly by its royal charter, its narrow curriculum failed to attract many pupils. It was not alone. By 1700 many grammar schools were near closure - great days were still far

Tony Tuckwell read history at St Peter’s College, Oxford and subsequently taught at schools in Portsmouth before moving on to a Deputy Headship in Sale and then the Headship of King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS) in Chelmsford from 1984-1999.

In this millennium, he has researched and written That Honourable and Gentlemanlike House; the history of King Edward VI GS, Chelmsford; New Hall and its School; Coming of Age, the life and times of Chelmsford Cathedral; Small is Beautiful, the story of Messing Village School and Life is for Living, the story of Acorn Village, Mistley. He is well-known as a speaker on historical themes throughout Essex and north London and is currently Chair of the Essex Branch of the Historical Association. He has also been a keen walker, including the Essex coast and the Thames Path.

Well, the year is certainly going quick with February already gone, so now we are already thinking of the year ahead and what events we are planning to hold. The first event will be a Spring Fayre on Saturday the 17th May.

Much like our Christmas Fayre, there will be lots of stalls offering a wide range of products. Our Men’s Shed will be out the front and will be holding some demonstrations and a chance to build a simple project. We are adding additional gazebos to accommodate more stalls and to offer more choice. If you are interested in booking a stall please email events@mlct.org.uk.

This April will see a new support group, Stroke Recovery UK come to MLCT - It starts on Thursday the 3rd April from 12 noon to 2pm and runs on a weekly basis. The information below is from their website. If you are interested or know someone who you think it could help, then please pass on the details. www.strokerecoveryuk.uk.

“Our mission is to provide support and resources to individuals on their path to stroke recovery. We understand that the journey can be challenging, which is why we are dedicated to personalised care tailored to each individual’s needs. Our team is here to foster hope and resilience, empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and regain independence.

“We believe that recovery is not just about physical healing; it also involves emotional and psychological support. That’s why we offer a range of resources, including educational materials, support groups,

An

and one-on-one counseling to help individuals navigate their unique challenges. Together, we can build a strong community that encourages growth, understanding, and healing. Join us as we work towards brighter tomorrows and a fulfilling life, poststroke.”

We are also supporting SANCTUS with food donations for their homeless charity, see www.sanctus-home.com for details. Just pop into the Community Station and the basket is located in The Copper Pot Café. Thank you.

The Copper Pot Café is open Monday - Friday from 8am till 4pm and Saturday from 9am - 3pm.

www.mlct.org.uk enquiries@mlct.org.uk 07434 678 999

Update From Moulsham Lodge Ward - By Ashley Thompson & Simon Goldman

New Post Office Coming to Little Asia Grocery Store Exciting news for Moulsham residents - a new post office is set to open at the Little Asia Grocery store on the parade!

For some time, the area has been without a dedicated post office and many locals have expressed the need for this essential service. While the exact opening date is yet to be confirmed, what is certain is that this addition will be a welcome convenience for both residents and businesses in the community.

We have been told that the new post office will provide a much needed facility for posting parcels, banking services and other postal essentials. Many have found it challenging to travel further afield for postal services and the introduction of this new branch will make everyday tasks much easier. Local business owners and residents

alike are looking forward to the convenience and accessibility this new location will provide.

In addition to this great news, we have also been speaking with local residents about parking issues on Gloucester Avenue and surrounding roads, particularly during school drop-off and pickup times. The increased congestion has led to frustration among homeowners and many have raised concerns about blocked driveways and difficulty navigating the roads safely.

We kindly ask parents to be mindful of residents when dropping off and picking up children. Finding alternative parking spots, walking where possible, or considering car-sharing could help ease the congestion and make the area safer for everyone.

Working together as a community can help improve the situation and maintain good relationships between residents and parents.

We will provide further updates on the post office opening as soon as more details become available. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts on the parking situation or suggestions for improvement, we encourage you to get in touch. Your input is always valued as we strive to make Moulsham a better place for all.

That’s it for now. For any local issues, please do get in touch any time. Take care.

simon.goldman@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk ashley.thompson@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk

Follow us on the following platforms - search for ‘Chelmsford Liberal Democrats’ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChelmsLibDems

Facebook: search ‘Simon Goldman - Moulsham Lodge Councillor’ Twitter: twitter.com/ChelmsLibDems

Tile Kiln Corner - By Cllr Linda Mascot

Recently your local Lib Dem councillors and MP Marie Goldman have been contacted by local residents and the Headteacher of Mildmay School with serious concerns after a child was involved in a collision with a car - an incident which highlights the urgent need for proper safety measures. Tile Kiln is a densely residential area with significant parking issues that obstruct visibility for both drivers and pedestrians, particularly in Linnet Drive. Every day a high volume of children and parents navigate this dangerous stretch of road yet previous calls for action have been ignored.

This junction has poor visibility for both pedestrians and vehicles with limited double yellow lines around Plane Tree Close and timed parking restrictions opposite in Linnet Drive. With a restricted view to pull out from the junction and cars increasingly travelling too fast along this stretch of Linnet Drive, it makes for a hazardous junction and unsafe crossing point for pedestrians.

I first campaigned for a safe crossing in 2011, as this crossing point is used by many children and parents crossing to and from Mildmay Primary and Moulsham High School. The crossing was turned down in favour of yellow lines, but now this dangerous junction needs to be looked at again with the lines extended and a safe crossing to prevent further accidents.

I recently joined local councillors Hazel Clark, Simon Goldman, Ashley Thompson and MP Marie Goldman at the junction to look at possible options and offer their support for safety improvements.

Cllr Clark has set up a petition to implore Essex County Council Highways to make this junction safer for all users and told me: “For over 30 years residents have called for a zebra crossing here to protect the many children and families who walk to and from Mildmay Primary School. Essex County Council need to prioritise the safety of our children and install appropriate road safety measures such as a zebra crossing to prevent further accidents.

“We have discussed the situation and how we could approach ECC for action that would limit the risk to children crossing here. So far the County Council have agreed to undertake a pedestrian and

vehicle count in Linnet Drive opposite Plane Tree Close and another in Goshawk Drive opposite Robin Way. However, the council have said they can only do this when they have available funds.”

In the meantime, I will investigate further parking restrictions which may make visibility clearer for divers and pedestrians.

Here is a link to sign Cllr Clark’s petition asking for Essex County Council to make road safety in our area a priority: www.cmld.org.uk/ linnetcrossing.

mascotlinda@gmail.com

Pausing Amidst the Pancakes

I am the eldest of four - two sisters and a brother. When we were growing up, my brother and I would have a pancake eating competition every time Shrove Tuesday rolled around.

The competition emerged innocently enough, sharing how many we’d eaten, me (as I’m older) generally delighting to have eaten more pancakes than he did. But, as these things do with brothers, serious competing soon became the norm and soon enough, he was beating me hands-down every year!

Well, talk about a classic case of utterly missing the point! Nowadays, it’s all about the pancakes. But that wasn’t why Shrove Tuesday started. Shrove comes from the word ‘shrive’ which means absolution following confession. In other words, the day was set aside for taking a good long look at ourselves, recognising that we so often live for ourselves (which leads to a lot of mess!), confessing this to God and (crucially) receiving forgiveness from God.

My brother and I could probably have done with good long look at our motivations as we sat, bloated, after our pancake marathon! Not least, for the sake of our poor mum who cooked all these pancakes for us! We’d missed the point.

I wonder if there’s anything in your life where you’re missing the point? I sometimes speak to people who completely miss the point of Jesus Christ and church - often thinking it’s all about rules and morality.

Somehow they’ve missed Jesus’s words when he said: ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’. You can find that in John’s gospel, chapter 10, verse 10. Too many people think that Jesus Christ comes to spoil things - but that utterly misses the point.

This Shrove Tuesday (it’s 4th March this year), can I encourage you to pause and take a look at your life - would you say that your life is abundant and full? If not, what’s missing? And what if you’re missing the point of life and of Jesus? Some things are too important to risk missing the point.

If you want to know more, or have any questions, please get in touch.

Tim Goodall, Pastor, Tile Kiln Church.

tim.goodall@tilekilnchurch.org.uk 07821 866 301 YouTube: tinyurl.com/y24qlkvx Facebook: www.facebook.com/tilekilnchurch www.tilekilnchurch.org.uk

Quiz Time - By John Theedom

What connects jacket, plate and service?

The White Sea is part of which ocean?

What is a beaver’s dwelling called?

Which Labour MP was very noisy?

A fencer can be a person who uses a sword or what else?

What is another name for a cotton reel?

Orlando Bloom was married to which model from 2010 - 2013?

What is a nebula?

What colour is the fruit of the mangosteen tree?

What exactly is a tanga?

Helvetia was the Roman name for which country?

What car did Steve McQueen drive in the movie “Bullitt”?

What is another name for Ursa Major?

Which two US states start with the word ‘North’?

Which football team play their home games at the Crown (or Wham) Stadium?

Who succeeded David Coleman as presenter of A Question of Sport?

Portmerian served as ‘The Village’ in which 1960s drama?

Who is the patron saint of children?

What is another name for a traditional beer jug made out of stonewear?

In EastEnders, what was Kat Moon’s maiden name? In the book of Genesis, who was the second son of Jacob and Zilpah?

Which group’s first number one hit was All I Have To Do Is Dream?

What were the christian names of flight pioneers, The Wright Brothers?

What are Drizella and Anastasia Tremaine more

commonly known as?

Craig Philips was the first winner of which reality TV series?

Maggie and Brick are the central characters in which play by Tennessee Williams?

A 1965 newspaper advertisment asking for ‘four insane boys, aged 17 - 21’ led to the creation of which pop group?

Which former ‘Neighbour’ played King Edward VIII in The King’s Speech?

David Bowie played Nikola Tesla in which magicallyinspired film?

What ocean liner, nicknamed The Great White Whale, served as a hospital ship in the Falklands War?

Which 1994 Eurovision Song Contest interval performance went on to become an international sensation?

What is the largest internal organ in the human body?

Louis Armstrong sang the theme tune to which Bond film?

Which French heroine was known as the Maid of Orleans?

Which group had a 1986 hit with Manic Monday?

Which African country has the largest population?

Which educational establishment has the initials LSE?

Which former Miss Ohio won the Oscar for the Best Actress in 2002?

The musical Jersey Boys is based on the works of which group?

Who was the British Prime minister during the Suez Crisis?

Take a Look Through the Moulsham Lodge Camera Club Lens

Get Out Get About

Last month I suggested an indoors challenge - mainly due to it being cold outside. This month therefore it is only right to set an outside challenge in the hope that the weather is a little kinder.

Once outside find something rather ordinary - it can be anything. For example, this storage bin with a dog’s stick on it is fairly ordinary. What is interesting is the small white dots on the top created by some frosty temperatures overnight. Once you have found your own ordinary object all you need to do is move closer.

The second photo shows the pattern from above having moved closer. Now move in again - both body, arm and mobile/camera. Tap on your screen to focus and admire the detail which was not visible before you moved closer.

Having completed your project outside, move back indoors and

Answers

towards the kettle. Make a nice warm drink, move to a comfy chair and have a play around with the settings on your mobile or camera. The fourth photo is produced from the mobile. You’ll be surprised at what you find.

If you enjoyed this task then maybe you will feel like moving around on a Monday evening and joining us at Moulsham Lodge Methodist Church, 110 Lime Walk, CM2 9NJ. We start at 8pm, with tea and biscuits at 9pm and finish at 10pm. We look forward to meeting you.

Liz Croxson

moulshamlodgecameraclub@ gmail.com www.moulshamlodgecamerclub. co.uk

Accrington Stanley

Sue Barker

The Prisoner

St Nicholas

Makes a structure around your garden

Bobbin

Miranda Kerr

Giant cloud of dust and gas in space

Purple when ripe

Very brief bikini

Switzerland

Ford Mustang

Great Bear

Dakota and Carolina

Stein

Slater

Asher

Everly Brothers

Wilbur and Orville

The Ugly Sisters

Big Brother

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

The Monkees

Guy Pearce

The Prestige SS Uganda

Riverdance

Liver

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

Joan of Arc

The Bangles

Nigeria

London School of Economics

Halle Berry

The Four Seasons

Sir Anthony Eden