Moulsham Times September 2015

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MT Welcome

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Dear readers,

Welcome to the September issue. This month we are putting on a couple of music events.

Firstly, if you loved the Small Faces, the Faces and Humble Pie, then you need to make sure you get a ticket for Pie Face on 20th September at Chelmsofrd City FC (see the advert on page 16). Secondly, there is the Blues In The City Festival in aid of Remus Horse Sanctuary (you can read all about them in the next City Times available 18th September). The festival is from Friday 2nd October to Sunday 4th October.

We would also like to apologise for the misinformation in last month’s allotments article.

We have spoken to the company that manages the allotments and unfortunately there are none currently available and there is a waiting list. Apologies to Kemsley and any readers for the error.

Regards, Nick & Paul

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Homeward Bound (Well via Russia) Dan’s Update You Can Follow Me At: www.Danskeates.com I arrived on the east coast of Australia with 1,000 miles left to ride before my adventures were due to end in Sydney. My feelings were all over the place; excited at the prospect of spending time with family and friends and depressed about my travels ending and concerned as to how I would rebuild my life at home. My feelings bounced from one to the other for the week or so it took to arrive at my destination.

My Russian girlfriend lives in Moscow and at the last minute suggested I visit her before coming home, so with that in mind I had the idea not to end my adventure just yet. I would airfreight my bike to Moscow and ride home from there. Now I was smiling, it felt like the perfect way to end my travels.

I lived in Sydney 25 years ago, so I spent a week reminiscing, spending time with new friends, riding over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and taking pictures with my bike in front of the Sydney Opera House as well as visiting many other places. With the help of a former Australian superbike rider we carried out some repairs to my bike, crated it up and took it to a cargo company at Sydney airport.

I arrived in Moscow early on a Friday morning having spent the past 22 hours flying here. Wow, I am in Moscow, I can hardly believe it, one week earlier I was planning going home and here I am in Russia. Over the following week, Maria introduced me to her friends and showed me this fascinating city. Red Square, Gorky Park, the Kremlin and so much more, I’m loving it.

It was the first time I had airfreighted my bike and I couldn’t find anyone else in the biker community who had flown a bike into Moscow, this meant I had to negotiate the process myself. Not many people in Moscow speak English so without the help of Maria it would have been very difficult, even with Maria’s help and employing a customs broker it took 6 1/2 hours and an £80 bribe! As I rode away from the airport into Moscow I was so pleased I had taken the decision to come to this amazing country, so very different to anywhere I had previously been.

I had met Max, who lives here in Moscow, in Kathmandu in Nepal and later we had ridden through Myanmar. When he found out I would be in Moscow he offered beer and a secure workshop to keep my bike in. It’s all about the people.

In 5 days time I ride west for the first time in nearly 18 months. I’ll ride through the Baltic countries, Poland, Germany, Belgium and then France before finally arriving home in England.

Many Australian bikers contacted me offering a bed for the night as I passed, so for the remaining 2 1/2 weeks in Australia I had company and I was shown the best route to ride down to Sydney. I could have taken the easy option of riding straight down the Pacific Highway - a boring motorway - but it didn’t feel like the best way to end my journey, so I headed inland and crossed mountain after mountain through dense forests. The roads were empty and for the last 100 miles into Sydney I rode down they famous Putty Road, a road that twists and turns through a beautiful, mountainous landscape. It was such a great way to end my travels.

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From County Hall by Cllr Dick Madden

In my capacity of representing the areas of Old Moulsham, Moulsham Lodge and the city centre as your councillor on Essex County Council, I have recently been asked by residents of our area: ‘as the Cabinet Member for Adults and Children on Essex County Council what do you do?’

To assist you all, below is a sample of the areas I am held to account for on behalf of all residents of Essex, There is also a budget of £515 million pounds. I hope some of the information is of use to you as an individual or assists your nearest and dearest plus friends and neighbours.

All the areas I have indicated below impact our residential area of Old Moulsham, Moulsham Lodge and the city centre, so when I am considering what is best for the residents of Essex, I am thinking of you all as well.

This is my world of being the Cabinet Member for Adults and Children at Essex County Council.

NHS England’s Success Regime The Chief Executive of the NHS, Simon Stevens, announced on 3 June that Essex (including the unitary areas of Southend and Thurrock) is one of three areas that is within the NHS Success Regime. The other areas are Cumbria and North, West and East Devon. The Success Regime is for those health economies that face particular challenges to their sustainability.

Essex partners welcome this announcement and we have been in discussions with colleagues from our NHS England regional office. We believe that this is an excellent opportunity to address some of the deepseated challenges that our health economy faces and we look forward to working with local and national health partners to pursue an ambitious change programme.

Essex is relatively wealthy and healthy and we have some good health and care services across the county. Despite this, all parts of the Essex health and care system are under strain: •

•

Three of our five acute trusts are financially challenged and there are performance issues and pressures across all acute hospitals. Basildon Hospital has emerged from special measures, but there are major problems and pressures currently being experienced at Colchester Hospital, Broomfield, Princess Alexandra and Southend hospitals.

Essex has a growing and ageing population. 19% of the Greater Essex population are over 65 (much higher than national average) and Greater Essex is expected to have a 52% growth

•

•

in this age group by 2031, rising from around 323,000 residents to close on 491,000.

Primary care is also under pressure.

Almost half of our GPs are due to retire within 15 years. A quarter of GP practices are ‘single-handed’.

We know there are clear interdependencies between the health and care sectors. Almost 50% of admissions to residential care in Essex are via hospital discharge.

We therefore welcome the opportunity of the NHS Success Regime to work collaboratively with our local health partners and with national regulatory bodies to address the challenges we face and believe it can transform our health system and put it on to a sustainable footing. The views of patients and clinicians will be critical throughout this process.

A programme director will soon be appointed to work with us and we will soon be meeting with all partners to take this forward. The first phase of the work will be a diagnostic phase to look at the issues. The Success Regime also offers us access to resources and support, as well as challenge, to help us pursue the changes - and possible new models of care - that might be needed.

I am liaising closely with the relevant scrutiny committees and I have attended both HOSC and People and Families Committee in July to give them the latest information that we have. I will of course keep all members informed and up to date.

Increasing Independence - Housing At ECC, we believe in focusing on what someone is able to do, rather than what they can’t. It’s a philosophy at the heart of our Increasing Independence programme working with people with disabilities and their families to redesign health and social care services so that they enjoy the same life aspirations, opportunities and outcomes as everyone else. A number of key contracts have been awarded in recent weeks.

We have recently entered into an agreement with support and housing provider, Dimensions, to deliver an innovative service which is helping people with disabilities to find suitable accommodation, increase their independence and save Essex County Council money.

Finding suitable accommodation is a challenge, particularly if you have additional challenges, and people often need support to navigate their way through the process.

The service is targeted at adults with a learning disability, mental health problems, or people recovering from substance misuse problems. It acts as an intermediary, offering a named person to co-ordinate between individuals, landlords, social workers and commissioners through the entire process.

The housing brokers identify requirements,

find suitable properties and bring all parties together offering expert guidance, reassurance and ongoing support - leaving our social workers to focus on where their time is needed most.

Evaluation of the pilot scheme showed that the service more than paid for itself by delivering savings as a result of increasing customer independence. For example, one young couple - in residential care at a cost of £4,000 per week - formed a relationship and wanted to move in together. The broker identified a private landlord, negotiated the rent to an affordable level, worked with the social worker to identify a support provider and liaised with all of them to ensure the move went smoothly, with a saving to ECC of over £150,000 per year.

Employment In May we awarded a new contract to awardwinning social enterprise Realise Futures, to help 150 adults with disabilities into paid employment over the next three years. This county-wide service will help adults with disabilities match their skills and aspirations with the needs of local employers and then support them in their new roles, with ongoing coaching and training.

Sensory Service From July, Essex Cares Sensory Service will be working with the county’s voluntary sector to develop and deliver a wide range of services for people with visual and hearing impairments.

There are currently an estimated 180,000 people in Essex living with a sensory impairment and the numbers are expected to grow to over 210,000 by the year 2020.

An extensive review of current services (including feedback from those who use them) highlighted the need for a coordination service to ensure that people receive support at the right time and to ensure that services are provided to the same standard across Essex.

Our increasing independence programme is supporting people to help themselves by working with people with disabilities (and their families) to design health and social care services that support them with being independent and leading the lives they want.

Together, we can increase their confidence by enabling them to develop skills they can use to make decisions for themselves and lead more self-reliant independent lives and help their loved ones in the process.

We’re already delivering real life-changing examples of how we can make a difference by offering priceless peace of mind for older parents and life-changing triumphs for their children, as the following examples show.

Early Intervention Contracts for Early Intervention have now been awarded and services started on 1st June. These services are Parenting Support,

Young People Risk Behaviour programmes, Counselling and Mediation and Coaching and Mentoring. This early help is for families who are not accessing statutory services and aims to reduce the demand on those services by preventing any problems becoming worse. There is a research programme aligned to these services where the economic case for early intervention will be developed.

Children and Young People’s Plan The re-write of the Children and Young People’s plan for 2016 and beyond, was launched at the Junior Takeover Day on Friday 19th June. Commissioners worked with 35 young people asking them to think about what they perceive to be good outcomes for themselves, their families and their communities. They were then asked to undertake the difficult task of prioritising these outcomes. Unknown to the young people, their work was being brought to life by artists who were ‘secretly’ located in the library. The afternoon session moved to the library where the young people were shocked, excited and fascinated to watch the artists continue to bring their ideas to life as they fed in their ideas around communities.

We will now build on that work to continue a dialogue with families across Essex about the Children and Young People’s plan.

Children’s Centres A report was agreed at cabinet recently to extend the Children’s Centres contracts for one year, for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017. In total, the contracts amount to around £9.9m maximum for that period.

The Early Years Review revealed how complex children’s services are for children and families to navigate due to various complementary services being delivered by a number of providers within the early years system. The fragmentation of services across multiple contracts and providers increases the risk that children and families may fall through the net and that services are not identifying needs and targeting resources as fully as they could if services were more integrated and collaborative.

Commissioning an integrated service will make it easier for families to navigate and find the most appropriate services, reduce risk within the system and may also lead to efficiencies through a rationalisation of resources, specifically, management costs and overheads resulting from a lead provider or carefully managed consortium.

In order to align all relevant contracts to facilitate commencement of an integrated service model from April 2017, the intention is to continue commissioning all the existing services falling within the scope of the new model in their current form until the end of March 2017. This will ensure system stability, continuity of service delivery and extends the opportunity to continue to test the learning from the Early Years Review work. This will also minimise risk to provision during the procurement of a new integrated pre-birth www.moulshamtimes.com

– 19 health wellbeing and family support provision service model.

For the purposes of the extensions, it is intended that the contracts are extended with the level of service delivery for the children’s centres remaining unchanged and continue to have a focus on providing both a universal offer providing access to information, advice and guidance, and a targeted offer of early intervention and preventative services for families with children up to the age of 5.

Youth Offending Service (YOS) and Divisional Based Intervention Team (DBIT) YOS performance (validated by the Ministry of Justice) on re-offending indicates strong performance is being achieved, exceeding both regional and the national rates. There are a number of reasons for this and we have been doing a great deal of work on the nature of the interventions we deliver (especially around the use of group work and involvement of family members in the planning and delivery of court orders) and consider that good performance is in part attributable to this. This year, a renewed approach is being made to involve victims of crime (known as restorative justice) and this is anticipated to further impact upon reoffending rates.

The YOS is delighted to have been awarded the Restorative Service Quality Mark by the Restorative Justice Council for England and Wales. This was an externally audited process and there were a number of file reviews and interviews with staff and young people as well as victims. There are only a small number of YOTs who have been awarded the charter mark.

don’t go on to enter care - so good news!

Fostering and Adoption In the financial year 2014/15, 95 children left care through adoption and a further 84 were matched with adoptive families. This level of activity was a slight reduction on the year 2013/14 and currently the adoption service continues to see a fall in the number of children being approved for adoption by the courts. This will translate into fewer children being placed for adoption this year in Essex; a trend that is being seen around the country as the courts make significantly fewer Placements Orders.

The new process for assessing adopters, which was introduced in July 2013, is now well embedded. During 2014/15, 86 Essex households were approved to adopt, with the vast majority being approved within the 6 month statutory guidance timescale. The small number of children we have waiting for families are all members of sibling groups, are of school age, or have complex health needs.

Where right for young children, we have continued to pursue early permanence by placing babies with families approved as foster carers but who will be able to adopt the baby if the decision is made that adoption is the right plan for them. This avoids all the upheaval of a further move for the baby.

As always, recruitment of foster carers for teenagers and children with complex behaviour and health needs remains

DBIT continues to go from strength to strength and is currently doing an internal ‘stocktake’ to just make sure that we are maximising all of the opportunities to reduce the number of reactive and inappropriate admissions to care, thus enabling young people to stay within their own family network.

Recent analysis of performance has indicated that over 80% of young people who have received a DBIT intervention 7

challenging and I encourage you to promote this wherever possible within your divisions.

A new fee paid scheme has been launched to recruit skilled carers to provide short breaks for children with disabilities - further information is available on the ECC website or please contact me. We are currently assessing 40 new families as foster carers.

Last financial year we were pleased to create 74 newly approved fostering ‘beds’. However once we allow for foster carers’ retirements and other reasons for moving on, the net increase is 18 beds. We are very grateful to a group of our foster carers who act as ambassadors and accompany our social workers on the initial visits to enquirers, so that they can hear at first-hand what fostering is all about.

Domestic Abuse The DA Board received a near final version of the Joint Commissioning Strategy for Domestic Abuse and its underpinning activity plan on 11 May. Work to review and refine the underpinning activity plans continues alongside work to deliver against its outcomes, some illustrations of recent progress include: Perpetrator Programmes Working in partnership with Safe Lives and Social Finance to act as one of four national pilot areas for a new approach to perpetrator change programmes (the others being London, Sussex and Wales).

In the first instance, this pilot will focus on Tendring and Colchester. The pilot is based on a 1:1 caseworker model, employing 3 caseworkers and endeavours to work with high risk individuals identified by JDATT (joint Domestic Abuse Triage Team). The approach seeks to understand the full picture of perpetrator needs and then works out how to address these.

Domestic Abuse Health Sub-Group The Great Essex Domestic Abuse Health Sub-Group (DAHSG) now meets regularly to progress our agenda regarding case finding and support in health settings. Work is in the design phase and to enable this 3 health based infrastructure, posts have now been appointed - these include an NHS DA health lead role, a countywide training coordinator position and also health representation within the Joint Domestic Abuse Triage Team (JDATT) and MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences). A piece of evaluation/market analysis is also being commissioned to inform the development of a specification for health based commissioning priorities for domestic abuse.

Community Based Services for Victims Following the development of the specification, the tender exercise has now been completed. The specification was developed via a multi-agency Task & Finish Group and seeks to shift the service away from an approach where refuge is the default solution towards a model which has a greater focus on outreach and a broader focus than accommodation needs. We remain on target www.moulshamtimes.com

to launch the new service in October 2015.

Health and Social Care Integration Innovative joint working in Mid Essex through a 100 day challenge with Nesta* This has led to some impressive results and will now be rolled-out across Essex. Results include: •

•

Overall hospital admissions were down by 7% in Maldon, 29% in Chelmsford and avoidable admissions down by 9% in Braintree compared with 2013.

Estimated reduction in GP appointments of 9%.

*Nesta (formerly NESTA, National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) is an independent charity that works to increase the innovation capacity of the UK. New Models of Care are Being Developed Business cases are currently being developed with Castle Point and Rochford, Basildon and Brentwood and West Essex CCGs which will set out each CCGs proposals for integrated working. These are expected to be completed between October and December 2015.

In West Essex, empowered multi-disciplinary locality teams which are organised around natural communities of approximately 30,000 - 40,000 people, will be accountable for the well-being and health of the whole local population. The strategic intent is to form an Integrated care organisation bringing closer together key elements of primary, community, secondary, social care and mental health services.

Basildon and Brentwood CCG are progressing the development of an Accountable Care Organisation (ACO) for adults who live in Basildon and Brentwood, integrating services currently commissioned separately by the NHS and ECC. The ACO would assume responsibility for the services and funding of community and mental health services and in the case of the hospital, a novation of a significant proportion of the contract currently held by the CCG. The ACO would have two main objectives: 1. Improve outcomes for people in Basildon and Brentwood.

2. Improve system sustainability.

In Castle Point and Rochford, a programme of work has begun to align the current health care system to commence the transition to establishing a more person-centric and outcomes-focused model of care. This includes the development of four locality hubs in 2015/16 and a care co-ordination pilot - incorporating community services, primary care, community pharmacy and 3rd sector (Age UK).

New Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Model The new model will form a service that was commissioned by 10 different organisations

to one that is commissioned singly (with West Essex CCG lead commissioner). It goes live in November and will integrate tier 2 and tier 3 CAMHS services.

Meals on Wheels Essex County Council helps provide meals to over 900 people in need. This is something we choose to do - to look after those most in need.

The council contracted Sodexo in 2012 to deliver the meals service for the whole of Essex, but that contract will expire on 30 September. The contract coming to an end will mean an end to the current prices. Until September, we will have been paying 2012 prices.

Therefore, cabinet agreed last month to enter into a reduced-coverage contract with Sodexo. This means that 120 people will not be receiving a service through Sodexo from 1 October 2015.

For about two-thirds of these 120 people affected, ECC will advise each person on what is available in each area, and work with them to ensure they get a meals service that is right for them. Options for meals for these people will include: • • • •

Hot meals delivered locally - local providers are ready to increase capacity.

Casserole clubs (as part of the national network).

Lunch clubs (where locally active).

Frozen meals from suppliers (eg Wiltshire Farm Foods) - ECC will ensure people have microwaves and freezers, to prepare a hot meal themselves.

For the remaining one-third of the 120 affected, with higher needs and capacity issues or those where an alternative isn’t suitable to their needs, a delivered frozen meal would be prepared by a care professional, as a part of their care package.

I want to assure everyone that no person receiving Meals on Wheels will be worse off.

On the contrary, ECC will improve the service, giving people greater choice and flexibility of the service they receive.

In many ways, those 120 people will help us fine-tune how a more community-based Meals on Wheels service would work across Essex into the future.

Local voluntary and health groups, and community providers will identify suitable services, such as lunch clubs, help with meal preparation and purchase of suitable equipment. By involving local groups with residents both at home and in their neighbourhood, as well as looking after their nutritional needs, they will also be able to identify those at risk of social isolation and help involve them in existing strong communities.

BE SAFE - Dick Madden 8

Do You Want to Be a Good Samaritan?

Why not help people in your local community to get to hospital appointments by taking them in your own car?

Uttlesford Community Travel is looking for volunteer hospital car drivers to provide transport to and from appointments - both at local hospitals and doctors’ surgeries and those further away.

Our drivers are contacted by a member of our staff asking them if they can cover trips. The drivers then ring the patient the day before the appointment to confirm arrangements. The patient pays you 45p per mile, calculated from your home address.

It’s a great service to provide to the community, but we are in need of more volunteer drivers. Can you help us out?

If you think you can, please ring a member of our team on 01371

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From The House by Sir Simon Burns MP - InterAct’s Aspire Centre Garden Project

building at Moulsham Mill.

During the summer recess, I was delighted to attend the launch of InterAct’s Aspire Centre Garden Project. It was a privilege to support such a great local project in the space behind the organisation’s main

When InterAct first developed the Aspire Centre, attempting to maintain the garden area proved difficult. However over time and through focused work, first by developing a vegetable patch and some flower beds, progress was made and more volunteers came on board. Eventually some young adults which the organisation supports with special needs, were invited to weekly sessions so they could enjoy gardening, gain skills and knowledge and build relationships with other gardeners. This Thursday morning session quickly become established as the Garden Club.

At the same time, InterAct was approached by Graham Construction, who were building the new road bridge at the Army and Navy, to see if they would like to work with them in the hope of leaving some form of positive legacy within the local community. Through their community liaison coordinator, links were established and in conjunction with Writtle College, the Garden Project very quickly became a reality.

A wonderful garden has now been designed which will include a wildlife area, vegetable patch, patio and activity space, a stream and pond, as well as a peaceful place for reflection and time out. The garden will be sustainable and - where possible - recycled material will be used. Graham Construction have agreed to supply or help to source materials, machinery and manpower as well as build longer lasting relationships with local businesses and organisations. It is also hoped that the relationship with Writtle College will develop and that horticultural classes can be provided to the people InterAct supports and the garden can provide students at the college with useful practical experience.

It is well recognised that gardening can have a positive impact on physical, mental and emotional well-being and can help people with special needs, as well as those who have mental health problems or are recovering from physical illness.

I was delighted to be able to support this wonderful initiative and look forward to seeing how the project develops over the next 12 18 months. The benefits it will bring to the young people and adults that InterAct supports, as well as their families and carers, will be immense and I wish everyone involved all the very best.

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MT Gardening

It’s nearly time to think about planting bulbs for colour later this season. Bulbs can extend the season of interest and really create a short to medium term splash of colour. There are just a few things to consider for success.

Drainage is the most important factor when growing bulbs. Bulbs do not like cold waterlogged soil. Poorly drained soils can be improved with the addition of organic matter and coarse sand or grit. The majority of bulbs prefer a sunny position, although some are suitable for a woodland setting.

Bulbs should be planted with twice their height of soil above them (the planting hole should be three times the height of the bulbs). If planted too shallow, they may freeze in a bad winter and the flower bud will be destroyed.

Spacing: Small bulbs - (crocus, snowdrop) plant 2.5 - 5cm apart.

Larger bulbs - (Narcissus spp.) plant 5 - 10cm apart.

Bulbs may be used in the following ways: • Naturalised in grass.

• Naturalised in mixed or herbaceous borders or bedding displays.

• Rock gardens, alpine houses, sinks and troughs.

• Outdoor containers, pots, tubs, window boxes and hanging baskets • Indoor decoration in bowls and pots.

Factors influencing the choice of bulbs: • The intended use (see above).

• The site conditions - soil, aspect, drainage.

• Flowering period required - bulbs can be in flower almost every month of the year.

• Flower colour required.

• Size of the area to be planted may dictate choice of bulbs as some bulbs are very expensive.

Try naturalising bulbs - which simply means the permanent planting of bulbs in a grassed area or border - the usual intention is for them to spread and colonise an area.

Bulbs must be chosen that can compete with the grass eg: • Narcissus pseudo-narcissus (wild daffodil).

• Crocus tommasinianus.

• Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop).

• Anemone blanda (windflower).

• Fritillaria meleagris (snake’s head fritillary).

• Hyacinthoides non-scripta (bluebell).

The foliage should be left for at least 6 weeks after flowering so that the leaves can photosynthesise and next year’s flower bud can form.

Mowing off the leaves weakens the bulb and may prevent flowering the following year. The most suitable bulbs are therefore those that flower early in the year before regular mowing is necessary.

Bulbs should be thrown on the ground and then planted in groups where they fall. They should not be planted too thickly, as they increase naturally. Plant different species or cultivars in separate drifts; the best effect is obtained from a broad sweep of one species or variety. Late flowering species may follow on from early ones.

I tend to find an area of turf, cut and roll it back, soil is forked over and the bulbs planted with a trowel before replacing and firming the turf. If the soil is very heavy, organic matter or sharp sand can be added.

Annual maintenance of naturalised bulbs: • Bulbs will need feeding in poor soil. Top-dress with sulphate of potash at 70g/m² as shoots are emerging. Never use high nitrogen feed as this produces leaves at the expense of flowers.

• In a very dry spring/early summer, bulbs may need watering.

• Do not mow grass until at least 6 weeks after flowering has finished.

• Never use selective herbicides on grass planted with bulbs.

• Avoid spiking and slitting the lawn during annual maintenance.

• Avoid walking on the area when bulbs are in growth.

Bulbs in the Shrub Border The shrub border is a good place to grow bulbs that do not compete well with grass, eg Eranthis hyemalis (Winter aconite). As the soil is relatively uncultivated apart from weeding, it is an ideal place for growing bulbs which can be left undisturbed to increase and colonise. Choose Leucojum aestivum (Snowflake) or Erythronium dens-canis (Dogs tooth violet) for shady areas under the canopy of the woody plants or Narcissus ‘Thalia’ in areas that receive plentiful light.

Break up the soil and incorporate well-rotted compost or leaf mould.

Add sand or grit to the bottom of the planting hole on heavy soils as bulbs are prone to rotting. Once planted, an annual top-dressing a balanced fertiliser is beneficial.

Summer is here don’t delay call today

10

Bulbs in the Mixed and Herbaceous Border Borders containing herbaceous plants are more intensively cultivated as many plants require frequent lifting and dividing up to maintain their vigour. This regime does not suit bulbs such as crocus, snowdrops and cyclamen as they prefer not to be disturbed, but some of the more robust taller bulbs can, however, be satisfactorily grown in these areas.

Bulbs suitable for mixed and herbaceous borders: • Allium giganteum.

• Camassia spp.

• Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (Montbretia).

• Fritillaria imperialis (Crown imperial).

• Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus.

• Lilium regale.

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Grrreat All About Dogs Show Comes to Hylands Park

For the first time, the pawsitively fantastic All About Dogs will take place in the spectacular setting of Hylands Park, promising the perfect day out for canine enthusiasts.

Over the jam-packed weekend of 26 - 27 September, the UK’s largest fun outside event dedicated to pampered pooches, will provide just about anything a dog-lover could wish for.

Situated in the grounds of the stunning Grade II listed property in Chelmsford in Essex, the show will feature entertaining demonstrations by Orsett-based Conquest K9, which offers a nonstop action display of amazing agility, criminal and control work as well as fire jumps to an entertaining commentary.

Meanwhile, fun filled Kidigility by Lone Wolf Agility, will see working sheepdog Faze and his fluffy sidekick Suga, entertain the crowds with their amazing jumping skills.

On Saturday, the East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club will demonstrate the fun side of the breed with a fast and furious agility show highlighting amazing tricks and obedience skills.

There’s also plenty of ‘have a go’ games and competitions, offering the chance for you and your pooch to try your hand at hurdles, fly ball, lure, agility obedience tests and even Scruffts. Why not be the envy of your other doggy friends and enter the best in show? All breeds are welcome to take part with a trophy being awarded to the winner and

rosettes for the runner-ups.

Elsewhere, the show’s extensive lineup of trade stands will sell a whole range of dog products, from beautiful collars and comfortable beds to new coats and specialist dog foods. It also features stacks of expert grooming or behavioural advice from top canine professionals as well as shopping for even the fussiest of pooches.

Aztec Events director Matt Upson said: “We’re delighted to extend our series of All About Dogs shows to Hylands, as the glorious parkland offers a picture-perfect backdrop for dog walkers. Whether you have a loveable scruffy mutt or a small pampered pooch, our dog shows are always popular as they offer a great day out for the entire family and the chance to spend the whole day treating your dog. If you’re a dog lover you’d be barking mad to miss it!”

For more information or to book discounted advance tickets where kids go free, visit: www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk. On the gate tickets are priced from £9 for adults and £5 for children.

When: Saturday, 26 and Sunday, 27 September 2015.

Where: Hylands Park and Estate, Greenbury Way (A414). Follow AA signs for entrance. Doors: 9.30am - 5pm.

Parking: FREE. Dogs: Permitted on a lead. Must have full and up to date inoculations and you must clear up after your dog.

BRING YOUR DOG!

SAT 26TH & SUN 27TH SEPTEMBER ONE OF THE UK’S

EST LARG EVENTS! DOG

SHOW DAY GATE PRICES: Adults: £9.00 OAP: £9.00 Accomp Children (under 16): £5.00

ADVANCED DISCOUNT PRICES: Adults: £7.00 OAP: £7.00 Accomp Children (under 16): FREE

9.30am - 5.00pm Both Days

www.moulshamtimes.com

BRAND Scruffts Dog Show NEW SHOW Have A Go Activities Competitions & Prizes COMING T O Entertainment & Demos ESSEX! Doggie Trade Stands Fun Dog Games Pet Dog Show GO Dog Agility FREE oked Online Bo n he W K9 Aqua Sports

KIDS

Contents correct at the time of printing

Hylands Park, London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 8WQ

Book your discounted tickets online today!

www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk For exhibitor information please call 01702 549623 11

Star & Garter Opening Hours Sun -Thurs 12pm-11pm Fri - Sat- 12pm-12am

sun trap beer garden

Live music every weekend

August September Fri 28th Fast on the Draw Sat 12th - Lithium Sat 29th - Adrenalin Sat 19th - Thirsty Work Sat 25th - Rewind September Sat 26th - Stony Road Sat 5th - 7786

159 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 0LD 01245 600009

Walk For Nipper 15th August 2015

On Saturday 15th August, 30 people from The Anchor pub did the Walk For Nipper from Heybridge to Chelmsford to raise money for Help for Heros. At 9am, after receiving a lift from South East Coaches to Heybridge, Nipper’s mum cut the ribbon to start the walk.

The first walkers had started arriving at The Fox and Raven from around 1pm. In the evening after the walk at the Anchor pub, £1169.60 was raised for Help for Heroes via a BBQ and a raffle as well as other activities and sponsorship. This total is expected to top £2000 with further sponsorship from the walk.

To write us a letter please email editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Pleased call Michael on:

07976 693457 or email Info@m-specservices.co.uk

Electrical Installation & Maintenance M-Spec Services based in Chelmsford cater for all your electrical requirements, no job is too big or too small. You are always guaranteed a professional service at competitive rates.

• Smoke Alarm Installation • Fault Finding • CCTV & Fire Alarms • Fuseboard Upgrades • Access Control & Intercom Systems • Rewires • Test & Inspect Certification

Call Michael on

01245 830811 / 07976 693457 12

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Quiz Time - General Knowledge! (Answers on Page 31) 1. Chelmsford achieved city status in 2012. Which other two towns in the UK were also awarded this?

23. Where is Victoria, the capital of the province of British Columbia, Canada, situated?

2. The father of which actress narrated the children’s TV series The Magic Roundabout?

24. Which singer was known as The Big O?

3. Who were the Three Men in a Boat from the television series?

4. Who is England’s longest reigning king?

5. What is the most easterly point on the UK mainland?

6. And the most westerly?

7. Which group sang about Vienna in the 1980s?

25. Which anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta is being celebrated this year?

Thansk to Pat for this month’s quiz.

If you would like to submit a quiz to us on a subject of your choice please email us editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk If you have an idea about another entertaining puzzle for our readers for example a crossword or similar please also pop us an email.

8. Which US city is known as ‘Beantown’?

9. Who wrote the Millennium Trilogy of books?

10. Which Shakespearian actor narrates the children’s TV show In the Night Garden?

11. What is the smallest US state by area?

12. And the largest?

13. What are the full names of the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

14. What fruit is also known as a Love Apple?

15. What is the longest river in France?

16. According to Michael Jackson, what does PYT stand for?

17. Who wrote the Count of Monte Christo?

18. What is the capital of New York state?

19. What is a smooth peach called?

20. How fast can an elephant run?

21. In which Spanish city would you find the - as yet uncompleted cathedral known as La Sagrada Familia?

22. Which river flows through Budapest and Vienna?

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13

MT Baking by Alison Motley

I am amazed by some of the ingredients that are called for in some recipes these days aimed at the home baker - freeze dried raspberries, pomegranate molasses and agar flakes to name a few!

If you can afford to buy (and will use) these sorts of things then great, but for lots of us, one of the attractions of home baking is that we can provide family and friends with stuff that tastes better and is usually cheaper than shop bought equivalents and thankfully lacking some scary sounding additives and preservatives.

When I have the time (and energy!) I love to bake bread. It contains only a few basic ingredients and costs pennies compared to over £1 for something similar in the supermarket.

However, it’s quite a time consuming process, so this month’s recipe is a quick cheese bread that uses baking powder rather than yeast as a rising agent. It’s lovely warm and served as a starter or with some soup, but is also great cold for packed lunches. As usual feel free to vary the cheese and chutney; you can also make it using cheese and Marmite, which kids (and some adults!) seem to love.

Meanwhile here are my top ten tips for baking on a budget: 1. Check the cost per kg of dry ingredients such as sugar and flour in the supermarkets, as bigger bags are not always better value.

You are better to buy small bags if a large bag is simply going to sit in your cupboard and go out of date.

2. Look out for reductions on dry ingredients you use a lot and stock up, just check the use by dates.

3. Don’t be afraid to use supermarket own or budget brand flour, dried fruit etc.

4. Don’t spend a fortune on expensive chocolate for baking; just buy what you can afford.

5. Use fruit and vegetables that are in season - not only will they be cheaper but they will taste better.

6. Don’t buy expensive cake decorations; instead think citrus peel, nuts, flowers, grated chocolate or sweets.

7. Batch-bake so you don’t have the oven on for just one thing and freeze the surplus.

8. Don’t be afraid to use baking margarine rather than butter for cakes, the results are surprisingly good.

9. Don’t feel you have to have an electric mixer or lots of flash equipment. Use what you already have. For example, use a clean jam jar for a cookie cutter, or a wine bottle as a rolling pin.

10. Choose recipes with a short list of ingredients - or ingredients you already have - or know you will use again. Alternatively, think about cheaper substitutes you might be able to use instead.

Happy Baking!

Cheese and Chutney Whirls (Makes 12) 300g self raising flour 1/ 2 teaspoon baking powder Grind of fresh black pepper 50g cold butter, cubed 125ml full fat milk and 50ml water (or 175ml skimmed milk) 200g full flavoured hard cheese - eg mature cheddar, grated 75g tomato chutney 1. Preheat oven to 220C/fan or 200C/gas 7 and line a baking tray with baking or greaseproof paper.

2. In a large bowl mix the flour, baking powder and black pepper.

3. Add the butter to the flour and rub it in with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs.

4. In a jug mix the milk and water.

5. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and gradually mix in the milk and water with a metal knife to form a soft, but not sticky dough.

6. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly until it forms a ball.

7. Roll out the dough to a rectangle approx 35 x 25 cm in size.

8. Spread the dough with the chutney and sprinkle over the cheese.

9. Roll up the dough using one long side until you have a large cigar shape.

10. With a serrated knife, cut the cigar shape into 12 slices approx 2.5-3cm wide.

11. Place the slices close together on the baking tray so they are touching. You may like to make a flower shape by putting 1 or 2 whirls in the centre of the baking tray and arranging the remainder as petals around the outside.

12. Bake for 25 minutes until cooked through and golden. You may need to cover the top of the whirls with foil if your chutney contains a lot of sugar and starts to brown too quickly.

13. Carefully peel off the paper and eat warm or leave to cool on a wire rack.

Tastes best on the day it is made, but will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge.

I would love to hear from readers with anything baking related!

Drop me an email at motleybakes@aol.com or take a look at www. motleybakes.co.uk.

NEW WRITTLE STREET CHELMSFORD CM2 0RZ 01245 901637

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER RAT PACK TRIBUTE WITH TONY JAMES FROM 8PM RAFFLE 11PM

In September

12TH SEPTEMBER - PURPLE STAR KARAOKE 19TH SEPTEMBER - CHARLIE DUO ACOUSTIC 26TH SEPTEMBER - OINK!

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15

Blues In The City by Nick Garner Before I talk about our festival, I must review the last midweek event. On Tuesday 11th August, we had the amazing Robbie McIntosh of Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, John Mayer and The Pretenders to name a few. Robbie played with his best mate Steve Wilson.

Both will be playing the Blues in the City Festival as well.

They wowed and stunned the audience with a great set, as did Joel Fisk and Geoff Johnson who were the support. All in all, it was an amazing night. Next month Joel is back to headline with Jon Amor. Between them and their various bands, they have 10 nominations in the British Blues Awards, so you will want to be there on the 9th September - Dave Ferra will be supporting following his great set at Brownstock for us.

Blues in the City Festival 5 is from Friday 2nd October to Sunday 5th October. Yes, it has been five years since I started this - I find it quite surprising really that I am still doing it, but hey, what else would I do?

Blues in the City is a not for profit festival and this year’s charity is the wonderful Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary and animal centre that provides care and rehabilitation for 200 horses, ponies, donkeys, cows, sheep and cats in the heart of the Essex countryside.

It costs in excess of £400,000 to run the sanctuary every year, which is funded solely by donations, and with your help they can give these animals the best possible care so that they can eventually be rehomed or enjoy a home for life at the sanctuary.

If you have never visited them, it is well worth popping along.

You can find out more about them and their open days at www. remussanctuary.org. If you any good prizes you can donate for our raffle, then please contact me on 07970 206682 to help raise more funds.

Without our great sponsors, we could not put the festival on. AD Bly Construction Ltd do groundworks on some of Chelmsford’s big new builds, including the new John Lewis site. AD Bly Construction are also very proud to announce that they have been awarded a certificate of Performance Beyond Compliance in their first year as a member of the Considerate Constructors Scheme. Three of their sites were audited over a twelve month period against the schemes five sections of their code of practice. AD Bly scored 7 or more out of 10 in all sections to be awarded this recognition.

We are also sponsored by SeaBro Ltd Scaffold Contractors from Southend and when you look at their client list, you see how large and well respected they are - take a look at www.seabro.com.

Also we have sponsorship from A&M Tiling in Rainsford Road. A&M Tiling is a family run business in Chelmsford, Essex established in 1977. Their reputation is built solely on recommendations and customer service and they pride themselves on their friendly, honest and professional advice. Their staff are qualified to assist you on all aspects of your tiling needs (www.amtiling.co.uk).

Also sponsoring are Sign Masters, who provide our banners and t-shirts for the festival. They provide bespoke high quality, design, manufacture and installation services to ensure effective signage and branding schemes for retail outlets, offices, restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues.

With over 15 years experience, Sign Masters are able to assist with all your signage requirements including shop fascias, menu systems, full colour prints, vehicle graphics, banners, t-shirt printing and large format printing. Their one-stop-shop for signage, marketing and print products allows customers to create a strong and widely recognised

brand identity.

Then there is Recognition Express, who have kindly provided our badges this year. If you’re a business or organisation looking for a promotional expert in and around the Essex area, they can help.

From name badges to promotional items, corporate clothing to signage, business gifts and staff awards to large full-colour banners and displays, Recognition Express are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of customers. They pride themselves on excellent customer service, quality products and a reputation for long-term customer satisfaction. Their professional team made up of industry experts will also provide a fast, local and personal service.Take a look at their products and services pages for their full range of capabilities at www.re-essex.co.uk.

Event Sound and Light. Without them we would not have a show at the Social Club, so thank you for providing us with a great sound rig.

I cannot recommend them highly enough. Whether you have a small party or want to put on a massive event, these guys will fulfil all your needs with an excellent stress free service www.eventsoundandlight.com We also have Chelmer Web Design who look after our website for us and if you are looking for a website, then look no further as they are one of the most competitive around - www.chelmerwebdesign.com.

Round Tower Brewery are the only brewer in Chelmsford and always come up with a great beer specially brewed for the festival www.roundtowerbrewery.co.uk.

It’s Your Media; well I am only half of this, so my big thanks to Paul for allowing me so much space to promote my events in our magazines: Chelmsford The City Times and the Moulsham Times.

The bands and venues are all listed in the adverts with the relevant timings. I must thank all of the venues for putting on the acts and supporting us once again. I also have to thank all of our volunteers, including sound and stage crew and Jan; without you (putting up with me) I could not do it.

To find out more about the bands, google them or go to our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bluesinthecitychelmsford.

We start on Friday at the Social Club (doors open at 6.30pm) with a party and three great acts playing - Split Whiskers, Will Johns & Roadhouse. Saturday we begin in the pubs with Howlin Mat, the Jack Hutchinson Band, the Dove & Boweevil Band and Joel Fisk & the Breakdown. Then it is off to the Social Club again, where doors open at 6.15pm. Here we have Rosco Levee & the Southern Slide and then the legendry Slack Alice. The headline act is Robbie McIntosh, returning with his full band - the great Robbie McIntosh Band.

Sunday the last day and we start with Ben Smith, Katie Bradley Band, The Sharpees, Mumbo Jumbo, Karena K and Steve Pablo & friends, then it is party time as we close with the great Malaya Blue.

(See advert opposite for the times and locations).

Many of this year’s acts have been nominated for the British Blues Awards and they are all playing at greatly reduced rates for us. Most of these acts you would normally only find in larger venues or at festivals.

Tickets for the Social Club nights are £15 each or £25 for the two nights. They are available from the Hop Beer Shop in Moulsham Street or the Ale House in Viaduct Road, or from me or at any of my events. If you visit our website - www.bluesinthecity.co.uk - you can follow the online ticket link.

So it’s now full steam ahead and no looking back, so let’s have a great and successful festival with lots of great live music and raise lots of money for the Remus Horse Sanctuary!

Self V Exhibition Raises £3500+ For Little Havens Childrens Hospice

Now in its fifth year, the exhibition was a great success around 300 people attended the evening at Hylands Pavillion on the 14 August.

Self portraits from Ed Sheeran, Tiny Tempeh and portraits by artist in residence, James Wilkinson, proved very popular on the night.

Along with a fabulous raffle and music from Just Millie, Irie J and many more, it was a fun evening.

Organisers James Wilkinson and Angela Lodge said: “We are delighted, the exhibition gets better and better every year, many thanks to everyone who supported the event”.

www.moulshamtimes.com

17

Essex Rock Music Biography The Fairies by John Power Although Sandie Shaw, a Dagenham girl, had scored the first hit record for Essex in 1964, in the clubs at that time there was also a thriving beat and blues scene in the wake of the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Colchester’s finest were best known when they adopted the name Fairies, in a ‘fingers up’ to the nickname applied to the postmod generation of longhairs.

The group were originally called Dane Stephens and the Deepbeats.

Dane’s real name was Dougie Ord and he was accompanied by Fred Gandy and John Acutt on guitars, ‘Wimp’ Weaver on bass, and John ‘Twink’ Alder on drums. You could see them in youth clubs or supporting other bands at the long lost and lamented Chelmsford Corn Exchange before the name change and a couple of singles: Any Time at All, backed by a then virtually unknown Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice it’s Alright - which many people regarded as the ‘A’ side - in 1964 and Get Yourself Home/Don’t Mind. Doug Ord sang on the first single but was replaced on Get Yourself Home/Don’t Mind in 1965 by Nick Wymer, from Nix Nomads, while Doug spent time in jail for manslaughter after a road accident. When he emerged, Doug became a scenery painter for Colchester’s Mercury Theatre.

Things - jammed and recorded with various groups, including the Deviants until they morphed into the Pink Fairies, where he occupied the drummer’s stool full-time after lineup changes. He joined ex- Pink Floyd genius and founder Syd Barratt in Syd Barratt’s Stars for three gigs before it became clear that Syd’s mental health had become so bad from the over-use of LSD that he could no longer perform live.

Twink also played in lesser known bands like the Fallen Angels and the Rings, as well as Twink and the Fairies and doing crossover gigs with Hawkwind and Motorhead too. He retired in 1977 and spent many years in Morocco studying the local culture.

The Pretty Things continue to gig into 2015, with Phil and Dick from the original lineup chasing their 70th birthdays. A planned Pink Fairies reunion in 2012 failed to materialise, but a collection of their songs was published in 1998 as Mandies and Mescaline at Uncle Harry’s.

Unreleased studio recordings and the live recording of Tomorrow’s contribution to the 1967 Christmas on Earth event, headlined by Jimi Hendrix at London’s Olympia, also appeared in 1998 as the 50 Minute Technicolour Dream. This took its name from another International Times Free Speech benefit gig in 1967 at North London’s Alexandra Palace with a cast of thousands and called The Fourteen Hour Technicolour Dream. It was described by the News of the World as being like ‘the last rites of a dying tribe’, but which actually turned out to be the birth of the hippie generation. John Lennon attended.

If you wish to advertise in this magazine or Chelmsford the City Times, please email: ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk The member of the band who made the biggest impact on the music scene was drummer John Alder, always referred to as ‘Twink’.

The group’s management, which included a couple of Chelmsford lads, also managed the Pretty Things formed by early Rolling Stone, Dick Taylor (not to be confused with the later Mick Taylor) and Sidcup Art School mate, Phil May. Keith Richards had been another Stone at Sidcup Art School. Dick Finished his art studies rather than risk the precarious life of a rock musician. Not the best career move as it turned out! Twink was to join the Pretty Things in 1968 after their third line-up change and had previously played on their second album, Get the Picture, in 1965.

He stayed until 1969 and played on their first ever (before the Who’s Tommy) rock opera SF Sorrow.

En route he had been in the In Crowd and Tomorrow.

The latter group, with singer Keith West, had had chart success with An Excerpt from a Teenage Opera with a backing choir - which lost the band support from the rock audience. It never resulted in the projected opera.

Previously, and more importantly, Tomorrow were the centre of the cyclone which was the emergence of London’s psychedelic underground as it emerged into daylight, playing at the launch party for International Times and became regulars at the earliest psychedelic nightclub, the UFO Club, in Tottenham Court Road. They released a couple of singles - My White Bicycle (about the free bicycle system organised by their contemporary Amsterdam beatniks/hippies) and Revolution, as well as an album. Tomorrow guitarist Steve Howe went on to be a virtuoso with best selling 70s band Yes and then Asia.

Twink was by then well established in the underground band scene, and - apart from the work with the Pretty

www.heritageopendays.org.uk Hylands House

Essex Records Office

The Chelmsford Club

Pleshey Castle

13th September 10am-4pm Hanbury Exhibition No booking required

12th September 10am-4pm Tours on the hour 033301 32500 to book

10th September 10am-2pm Tours max 15 people Booking via eventbrite.co.uk

Mansion House/RBS

Chelmsford Museum

Chelmsford Cathedral

13th September 10am-5pm Tours 2pm, 3pm & 4pm To book call 01245 605700 Salvation Army

11th September 10am-5pm The museum is usually closed on a Friday but IS OPEN for HOD YMCA

11th September Recital and tour 12.30pm-2pm

11th September 10am-2pm Tours 10.30am & 12pm Booking via eventbrite.co.uk

Galleywood Heritage Centre

Guy Harlings

The Peter Edwards Museum

13th Septmeber 11am-4pm Local photographic archives, maps and documents Essex Police Museum

12th September 10am-3pm Access the old part of the building including the gardens Sandford Mill

12th September 12pm-4pm The museum tells the story of the history of the police in Essex Historical Walk

11th September 11am-4pm Tours at 11am, 1pm & 3pm 01245 475498 to book

County Hall

12th September 11am - 1.30pm 13th September 12pm - 2pm Chelms Chelmsford Cricket Ground Moulsham Mill

10th & 11th September 10am-4pm Council chamber, foyer & artwork depicting the history of Essex

10th, 11th & 12th September Tours 10th 3pm & 5pm Exhibition Mortars, Mills & Marriages no booking required

13th September 2pm Walk with guide Alan Pamphilon Booking via Eventbrite.co.uk

12th September 10am-4pm The history of the church and the Mildmay Almshouses

FULLY BOOKED 11th September Two tours max 9 people Booking via eventbrite.co.uk St Michael’s Church Galleywood

10th, 12th & 13th September 10th 3pm-6pm, 12th 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm, 13th 9am-4pm Little Waltham

Parish Flower Festival 12th September 11am-5pm 13th September 2pm-5pm

co-ordinated by

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11th & 12th September Tours at 3pm both days. Booking via eventbrite.co.uk

supported by

kindly sponsored by

St John’s Church

kindly sponsored by

19

MT Therapy by Jenny Hartill

Over the last couple of years I have written articles from the point of view of the issue presented. I have had lovely comments on how interesting these articles are to read.

However, there still seems to be some confusion over the therapeutic process - what to expect from a therapist and why people suffer with various issues.

Therefore, in order to allay any fears over the therapeutic process and to explain where various psychological theories stand on the development of certain issues, I am going to write a series of articles on different psychotherapeutic theories to aid readers understanding on exactly how the therapeutic process has evolved to be the complex entity it is today. The reason I say complex, is that there are loads of different psychotherapeutic models and theories out there used in counselling. Your therapist may be trained in and use lots of them, or they may specialise.

Please don’t rock up to a therapist and say: “I want to use blah di blah therapy because I read an article on it” - therapy is something that grows and evolves. By all means mention the type of therapy you’re interested in, indeed there may be a specific therapy that is very suited to you, but there also may be lots of them, but the most important aspect of therapy is to have a positive relationship with your counsellor.

I’ll start our journey through the world of psychotherapeutic theory with a guy called Carl Rogers. He developed Person Centred Therapy, one of the most common approaches to counselling used today. The main characteristic of person-centred therapy is that the therapist listens without trying to provide solutions. The therapist creates an atmosphere in which clients can communicate their feelings with certainty that they are being listened to by a non-judgmental individual, therefore creating a trustful relationship where the client can be open about anything they wish to discuss. Another main concept of Person Centred Therapy is that it views the client as their own best authority on their own experience and also as being fully capable of fulfilling their own potential for growth. It recognises however, that achieving potential requires favourable conditions and that under adverse conditions individuals may well not grow and develop in the ways that they otherwise could.

Rogers observed that behaviours of individuals in therapy lean towards those that maintain and enhance themselves. Through analysing this observation he came up with the idea of the ‘actualising tendency’ and it’s involving of motivation, expansion and enhancement. This then formed the basis for his thinking about therapy, human development, personality and interpersonal relationships. He stated: “In client-centred therapy, the person is free to choose any directions, but actually selects positive and constructive pathways. I can only explain this in terms of a directional tendency inherent in the human organism - a tendency to grow, to develop, to realise its full potential.”

Therefore Self Actualisation is one of the main, if not the main, theoretical construct of person centred therapy. In my early articles I mentioned a guy called Abraham Maslow, he developed Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in the form of a triangle with our most basic needs at the base (physiological needs like food, water, shelter) going all the way up to safety needs, love/social needs, esteem needs and Self Actualisation at the top. Here are a few characteristics of a self actualised person (according to Maslow): •

• • • • •

• •

• •

others. This leads to forming an acceptance of themselves and others.

They do not automatically conform. They have no problem with questioning convention and regulation.

They are spontaneous, they appreciate the unexpected. They react to surprises positively, whether good or bad.

They are not necessarily moralistic per-say, they stick to their own morals even if these clash with others.

Empathic, they understand other people’s experiences on a deeper level.

That being said, they don’t need to have many deep relationships themselves. Because of their deeper understanding of people from an empathic point of view, they appreciate the quality of their relationships with people rather than quality.

They are self-governing and uncontrolled by the world that surrounds them.

Therefore, they can also support themselves emotionally. They appreciate that sometimes they need to be alone. They do not rely on other people to provide them with emotional support constantly (for example needing to be told they are beautiful all the time to boost self esteem).

When a problem arises they see it as just that, a problem. They don’t focus on themselves, they focus on what needs to be done.

They have the ability to laugh at themselves and their problems but due to their empathic nature do not laugh at the misery of others.

Carl Rogers created other theories to help explain person centred therapy. Another one of his theories centres around what he calls the ‘self’. In very basic terms the ‘self’ is an awareness of being, or of existing. Rogers also created a theory as to how the self is formed.

As a result of interaction with the environment and particularly as a result of evaluational interaction with others, the structure of self is formed - an organised, fluid, but consistent conceptual pattern of perceptions of characteristics and relationships of the ‘I’ or the ‘me’ together with the values attached to these concepts. I am also a hypnotherapist and in hypnotherapy there is a very similar concept where the self is formed out of a belief system and the belief system is formed by our experiences, perceptions of others’ experiences and perceptions of relationships - eventually leading to how we react in certain situations and relationships.

If I can be of any help or if anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me via my website: www.cloud9-therapy.co.uk.

Art Exhibition

We are having an art exhibition on the Saturday 26th September from 10am - 4pm and Sunday 27th September from 10am 3pm at the community centre at Moulsham Lodge (The old police station opposite Gloucester Avenue shops).

Art work by two local artists, photography and pottery, with all items for sale.

A great time to buy that special gift for Christmas!

Refreshments will be available.

They don’t over-react or under-react to life, their perception of life is authentic and accurate and they are unbiased in their perception of others.

• They recognise their own limitations and the limitations of 20

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Planning for Success and Staying Focused In my last article I identified that coaching raises personal awareness, leading to clarity of thought and the knowledge that your inner resources are sufficient to achieve the success you desire. Of course, there will be challenges and obstacles to overcome along the way and good coaching will keep you focused and motivated to stay on track.

In many cases the challenges that arise can be anticipated and coaching will help you to make a thorough assessment of your current situation. The assessment, once completed, can be overlaid against your goals, providing a clear vision of the route that needs to be taken, enabling you to predict some of the major hurdles ahead. The great thing about this is if you can predict the challenges, you can plan and develop strategies to overcome them.

Whilst considering this aspect of planning for success, I began thinking about two features of coaching that are key in helping you to maintain focus, keeping you motivated and help you through the challenging times.

Practising Gratitude When reviewing your current situation it is worth taking note of the abundance you already have. I know that it is easy to think of abundance in terms of material wealth, which is fine if you have it. However, it comes in so many other forms: Consider for example the love of family members, the quality of your relationships with close personal friends, career, health and happiness to name but a few.

Dig deep and recall the good things you already have and how they impact upon your life. Make a list of them and review it regularly to remind you of everything that is already working well. When you are doing this, give personal gratitude for the abundance you already have and know that in doing so you will bring more into your life. I find it helpful to make this a mantra at the start of everyday. You will be surprised at how good it makes you feel, setting you off on a solid footing for the day ahead.

Celebration Obstacles are more or less a given on your route to success and as already identified, with good planning, most will have been anticipated. Others however, will just rear up in your path when you least expect them. For those anticipated challenges it can be extremely motivating to plan some form of celebration to act as a mile stone of your achievement. It will certainly help you to maintain your focus knowing there will be a reward to look forward to.

For those unexpected challenges that appear in your path, review your previous success in overcoming challenges and know that you have the talent and stamina to deal with whatever comes along. In some cases, you will find that a slight detour is the answer, enabling you to sidestep the obstacle and then quickly resume your journey.

Then celebrate!

To your success‌ For more about Mark Roberts, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/intelligentlifestrategies.

If you would you like to write for any of our magazines, or have a one-off article to send us, please email: editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Wine Corner

Hi everyone, hope you are all ok. It’s a nice summer’s day as I write this month, so I’ve spent the last two hours trying to find the sun lotion - got it now, but the sun’s gone in. Going to be one of those days I feel.

This month I thought I would pick out my favourite ten wines. You may have noticed that I generally do not drink expensive wine, so my choice will be affordable to most people, I think.

My favourite red, you won’t be surprised to hear, is Malbec, especially the ones from Mendoza in Argentina. You can get a decent bottle for about £6, but prices can be a lot higher for some of the finer varieties. It goes well with rich meat dishes and is ideal for barbecues. There are also some very nice wines from Chile and the original producer, France. The vines were actually brought to South America from there in the 1850s. When the phyloxera (a pest that attacks vines) all but destroyed the French vines, Argentina’s thrived and it is now the world’s largest producer of Malbec. The wine is dark purple and has wonderful tastes of dark fruits. Lovely.

The next red is Rioja, from north west Spain, mainly from the tempranillo grape. It is a good match for seafood. It is thought that the earliest evidence of these grapes is in the first century. As well as the reds, there are very nice white and rose versions, but for me the red is the best. The flavours are fruity with a touch of vanilla, the result of ageing in oak. Some bottles are wrapped in plastic wire.

This was originally gold wiring and was designed to make it difficult for forgers to decant the wine and replace it with a cheaper version.

Again, about six quid a bottle even for a Gran Reseva.

Shiraz is known as Syrah in France. It is a different taste to the first two, but still with fruity flavours. It is best drunk with things like stew.

It is produced all around the world and I particularly like those from Chile. Available from about £6.50, it is a good buy.

cold with food, or just a nice refreshing tipple sipped in the garden in the sun. Or better still on the banks of Lake Garda in Italy overlooking the water.

Fruity (lemony - is that a word?) flavours, good with light fish and meat. This can be found for less than a fiver, and on some special offer under £4 - can’t beat that.

Sauvignon blanc. Now, a lot of people go nuts for New Zealand wines and the Malborough region of that country produces very good quality white wines.

Goes well with slightly acidic dishes. Personally however, I prefer the French or South American products. They suit my palate better, though I may be in the minority here I have to say. Chilean Sauvignon blanc is usually between £6 and £8.

Viognier with its apple and apricot flavours is lovely. Good with chicken. Produced globally, there are good examples from Australia and again Chile. Probably between £7 and £8.

Chardonnay is a bit like Merlot in terms of it’s availability and is just as reliable. It tends to give a fruity flavour and I can definitely sense butter. It works well with full flavoured food especially when roasted or grilled. The name seems to have been adopted by some people.

Not a bad sounding name I suppose, but it must be very distracting for someone of that name in a pub forever hearing your name, expecting to see a friend and find it’s the bloke next to you ordering a drink!

Pinot noir is originally from Burgundy in France and is a popular wine from a number of countries. Try it with lighter flavoured meats. I am particularly taken with ones from California. It’s generally a bit more expensive (say £12) but the ones from Burgundy are often very good and can be purchased for around £8.

Finally Chinon Blanc. A great wine, especially those from the Loire Valley in France. A light wine and easy to drink with almost all seafood. Sometimes can be a bit cheaper than its rivals.

Merlot. Good old Merlot. This is a very popular wine and I would be amazed if it was not in every pub that sells wine in the country.

It is nice with almost any meat and fish dish. A very reliable wine, although it can taste slightly different is some places, you can be assured that it will be ok and a perfectly respectable glass of wine to order if out with strangers. It can be bought for a fiver.

What do you call a raw fish dish that sings great rock’n roll?

Sushi Quatro!

I’ve been thinking again. I have started to notice that some shops use terms that initially suggest they are good for the customer, but on reflection could not be. Take the term ‘home made’ when used for all manner of things. Now, I think that this is meant to suggest that this will be better quality. However, when you think about it, is this true?

If something is produced in an industrial environment, it is subject to loads of rules and regulation for cleanliness, cleaning between batches and such like. Regular checks for example. If something is made in the kitchen at home, I doubt the premises are inspected, the family pet may be sat on the floor, all sorts of things can be happening. So, is home made better? I’m not sure now. Another term used, often in electrical outlets is ‘manager’s special’. Now this is probably supposed to convey that it is a good deal for the customer.

But if it’s the manager’s special, it may suggest that it is dearer not cheaper, that’s why it’s special to the manager.

I think I must have too much time on my hands these days to be thinking of these things!

Bin end chuckles.

Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees?

Because they are really good at it.

Keep calm and carry on drinking (in moderation).

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Pinot grigio or Pinot gris. Lovely easy drinking wine, light and delicious 22

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Chelmsford Rotary Club Lends a Helping Hand In this country we take many things for granted. Turning on a tap and getting fresh running water fit to drink, sanitation and hygiene, reading a book and going to school are all elements of a civilised society and yet this is far from the case for the majority of the world’s population. The situation is very much the haves and the have-nots.

In the developing world, it is hard to imagine the lengths people have to go to just to avoid dying of thirst or starvation and we all see the advertisements on the television asking for our donations. By being part of Rotary, I find this is a much more effective way of helping those less fortunate because any money collected goes direct to a partner Rotary club in the recipient country and is not wasted on administration. Rotary is also much more hands-on with its help.

Education is the key to alleviating poverty. If children receive an education they will be in a position to change the infrastructure in their neighbourhoods. They will create jobs, they will become farmers able to grow food to support whole communities, they will improve their health service, new industries will grow and the need for world aid will be reduced.

Malala Yousaftzi, the young Pakistani girl who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, is a tremendous inspiration as to what can be achieved and I heard her speak at a conference about education in Pakistan, especially for girls. You may recall that she was deliberately targeted and shot by the Taliban merely for being a girl and attending school.

My own Chelmsford Rotary Club, in partnership with the Sahiwal Central Club in Pakistan, has taken up the challenge of improving some of the very basic facilities in the primary schools (mainly girls) of Sahiwal District and quite often its nearby villages in the Punjab.

This activity, in the form of individual projects, has been going on for more than twelve years. The total number of children benefiting from these projects has risen to and exceeds seven thousand.

unsuitable for drinking and injurious to the health of the school children and staff. Water turbines, water tanks, all associated piping and water drinking points will be installed. Clean drinking water will be accessed by drilling extra deep boreholes.

At present, the junior classes use mats for seating in their class rooms. We intend to provide 250 small plastic chairs and tables for them and also update the primitive washrooms which are in a dilapidated state and inadequate for the needs of the schools. There will be a new free-standing block of six toilets, while the existing facilities will be renovated and repaired as necessary.

The final parts of the current project are to ensure that one school is provided with a first aid kit housed in a cabinet together with furniture for the school library. All of this is scheduled for completion by the end of 2015 and a Chelmsford Rotarian, Mo Sadiq, is co-ordinating the work.

Chelmsford Rotary Club is proud of what it has been able to achieve so far. Can you imagine the outcry if children in our local schools were expected to sit on mats? Education should be a fundamental right of children everywhere. We can’t change the world overnight, but we can say that we have made a difference to more than 7000 children in a far off land.

If you would like to know more about what Rotary does and how you can be part of it, please visit www.chelmsfordrotary1240.org or phone me on 01245 260349.

Stan Keller

Join Us For the Ruby World Cup This Year!

Our latest project is similar in its aims to its predecessors. The two girls schools which qualify for our latest project both lack clean drinking water. At the moment there are just two hand pumps (one in each school) that provide saline drinking water which is actually

Deadlines for the October edition Articles - 14th September Print ready art work - 20th September www.moulshamtimes.com

18th September to 31st October

Plus football on Sky Sports and BT Sport

7 Hall Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0HG 01245 299 126 www.oconnorschelmsford.com 23

MT Charity -

Local Family Proud to Help Charity That is Helping Their Son by Taking Part in Wheels for Wilderness

Michael enrolled on the Wilderness Foundation’s TurnAround programme in April this year after experiencing some personal and social problems that were significantly holding him back in life. After a few months he is meeting with his mentor regularly, volunteering on a regular basis, regularly attending all workshops and events associated with the project. The main outcome so far is improved relationships at home and with his peer group.

He and his family have decided to support the charity by taking part in their annual sponsored bike ride, Wheels for Wilderness, on Sunday 6th September and are keen to encourage others to register and take part. Michael and his dad are taking part in the longer 45 mile route, which starts at Chatham Green and follows country lanes and smaller roads throughout the beautiful countryside of mid-Essex.

His mum and two sisters are going to cycle the special 8 mile family route.

TurnAround works with young people who are in personal difficulty and vulnerable over a long period of time. Ranging from a variety of backgrounds in domestic violence, criminal behaviour, drugs and alcohol abuse, problems leaving long term care and for most a history of deep family problems, they all come willingly onto the programme to literally turn their lives around and work on a positive future.

The programme works with wild nature activities, wilderness trails and canoe journeys in remote parts of Scotland, one-to-one mentoring and personal development workshops. The programme focuses on helping young people to keep going with education and training and work, with an average of 83% of graduates moving into jobs.

Research by the University of Essex evidences the significant changes in the participants in terms of increased confidence and greater self esteem, skills to be resilient to the bumps and bashes life offers and most importantly, reinforced by skilled mentors, is the connection between action and consequences.

The project promotes positive connections to self, others and stewardship of the natural world.

“TurnAround promotes a sense of personal control over the choices we make in life and promotes the view that the future has a lot to do with what we make of it,” said Jo Roberts, CEO of the Wilderness Foundation.

“Although no one who comes on the programme has had an easy start in life, they can have a greater say in what kind of parents they eventually want to be, what they do with their life and how they manage themselves and their relationships. We offer tough love on the programme with a lot of straight talking but a lot of kindness and care. Our agenda is to help young people develop and grow and honesty is the best policy in order to achieve greater awareness of what behaviours are not working for someone in the long term and what changes they need to make to achieve their goals.

uk or telephone: 0300 123 3073 or visit: www.wildernessfoundation. org.uk.

About the Wilderness Foundation Based in Chatham Green, Essex, The Wilderness Foundation UK works primarily to seek social and individual transformation for the most disadvantaged in our community. Throughout our work we engage our participants in the positive outcomes from spending time in the wilderness and wild and through facilitation by outdoor educators, and therapists. We aim to respond to the issues facing our lives today, as well as seeking creative solutions for a viable and sustainable future for a growing population.

We have a focus on researching and sharing evidence demonstrating the social benefits of a connection to nature and believe in educating and explaining the reason why it is so important to balance the needs of nature and people. In order to achieve our goals, we have innovated a range of youth programmes to help vulnerable disadvantaged young people to make positive life changes and gain independence, skills, a sense of belonging and generosity, plus educate up to 3,000 school children at our Chatham Green site about food, farming and sustainability. All of our work is evaluated and we work very closely with The University of Essex to conduct robust and published outcomes to share with others.

To this end, for over 30 years we have been connecting people with wild places through our pioneering programme of initiatives.

For further information please visit: www.wildernessfoundation.org.uk or call Jo Roberts on 0300 123 3073.

For further information on TurnAround please visit: www.wildernessfoundation.org.uk/what-we-do/social-programmes/ turnaround, or call: 0300 123 3073.

Registered charity number 1118493 (England and Wales) SCO41697 (Scotland). A company limited by guarantee. Company number 06003527.

Free ring back service Free text back service 4 - 8 seater vehicles

“Michael is making a big effort to get involved in the local community and recently volunteered at the charity’s allotment project in Melbourne. The whole TurnAround team are immensely proud of his efforts to be involved and make the most of life and the opportunities given to him.”

If you would like to support the Wilderness Foundation and take part in Wheels for Wilderness on 6th September, please email the charity at: info@wildernessfoundation.org.

Discount applies to metered fairs only.

The voucher must be given to the driver to receive the discount. Expiry 30/9/15 Moulsham Times

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Kid’s Page by Alexander Aged 6.

SNOW LEOPARD TIMMY the

INVESTIGATING PEOPLE AND PLACES ACROSS ESSEX

ESSEX POLICE

Welcome to Timmy the Snow Leopard’s page.

This time Timmy has investigated Essex Police.

About 3,600 police ofEicers (men and women) work for Essex Police.

The most senior person in Essex Police is Stephen Kavanagh. He is called the Chief Constable.

Sometimes the police visit schools to teach the pupils about what they do. nnn Here are some facts about Essex Police:

1. The Essex Police badge has three swords on it.

2. Nearly 60 dogs work with Essex Police..

3. Essex Police also uses horses, bicycles and boats.

The police force that covers Essex is called Essex Police. The police in Essex have to look after all the people of Essex as well as airports including Stansted and Southend and roads like the M11, M25, A12, A127 and A13.

Most people know that in case of an emergency you can call the police on 999.

However if there is a non-­‐ emergency you can speak to the police by calling 101. If you are interested in the police then there is an excellent museum in Chelmsford. You can try on police uniforms here and even have your Eingerprints taken.

If you would like to see Essex Police in action then ask an adult to show you the website http://www.essex.police.uk/about.aspx ng adi

*Source -­‐ Essex Police websitefor re

my

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Ami’s Diary

I had an amazing time acting in the Zombie Movie called Ice-Scream. I had to be on location near Gatwick at 7:30am so we had to leave really early to get there.

I played one of the zombie children who work for the ice cream man who was played by Jon Campling from Harry Potter. He is also filming with Tom Cruise at the moment. It took 3 hours to do all the make-up and I had three layers first was the white base, then the coloured face paint and then the wet ‘blood’ which they also squirted in my mouth so it dribbled out, which was disgusting and tasted like soap, but great fun.

We had to act lots of scenes and on the second day of filming the weather was bad, so we were cold and wet from being in the wind and rain, but it was worth it as I got another IMDb credit which made my actor ranking go up.

There were some great photos taken of us in our make-up and the Channel 4 crew who are filming the documentary of my agency filmed us being filmed. They also interviewed some people after the filming and I was one of them.

Apparently the documentary is going to be on TV in October and one of the episodes is going to be about the zombie movie from when we did the casting to the filming and the interviews. I was really tired after two days of filming and frightened a few people on the way home in the car, as I still had my zombie makeup on!

I was asked to go to a casting for a job filming in Croatia for a week. But the first day of filming was when I was traveling back from my holiday so I couldn’t go to the casting. But I got cheered up as I went to see Chelsea FC with my grandad as we got tickets from Marcelo who works for the team. We met him after the game in the players family area and gave him a lift home. He gave my grandad John Terry’s shorts he’d signed for him which was awesome.

Funnies Why don’t cats like online shopping?

They prefer a cat-alogue.

What did the cat say when he lost all his money?

I’m paw!

Did you hear about the cat who swallowed a ball of yarn?

She had a litter of mittens!

Did you hear about the cat who drank 5 bowls of water?

It set a new lap record!

If there are ten cats on a boat and one jumps off, how many cats are left on the boat?

None. They were copy cats!

How many cats can you put into an empty box?

Only one. After that, the box isn’t empty!

What does a cat like to eat for breakfast?

Mice Krispies!

What is a moggy’s favourite colour?

Purrrrrrrple!

What does a cat like to eat on a hot day?

A mice cream cone!

Where is one place that your cat can sit, but you can’t?

Your lap!

Facts You May or May Not Know (All Sourced from the Web) This month, cats: Ancient Egyptians first adored cats for their finesse in killing rodents - as far back as 4,000 years ago.

Maine Coons are the biggest breed of house cat. They can weigh up to around 24 pounds.

Today, cats are living twice as long as they did just 50 years ago.

Teeth of cats are sharper when they’re kittens. After six months, they lose their needle-sharp milk teeth.

In homes with more than one cat, it is best to have cats of the opposite sex.

They tend to be better housemates. www.moulshamtimes.com

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27

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Moulsham Lodge Community Trust As a charity, we are always on the lookout for additional funding or indeed, support in other ways. So it it always very welcome when a local business offers their support. Mack Mazda is a family run dealership with a very local presence across the road from the Community Station in Gloucester Avenue. Mack Mazda made a significant contribution to our Family Fun Day at the end of May and sponsored the event, allowing us to provide the rock climbing wall, which proved to be a very popular attraction. The photo shows Scott Fogharty, the general manager of Mack Mazda, presenting a cheque to some of the trustees.

On the same day that Mack Mazda presented the cheque to us, we were holding a work day (which is why we look a little underdressed) as there are still various DIY jobs to be done. So trying to do a few in one day by getting a few people together can move things on quite quickly. We repaired the main gate, cleared a narrow strip of land which we hope to turn into a unique garden space, cleaned and weeded the car park and painted and put shelves up along with 28

many other jobs. There are still a few more jobs to do so we will let you know when we do another work day, as many hands certainly do make light work.

As a new community centre, we are trying to offer differing opportunities to our users and residents. As part of this objective we are in the process of planning a lady’s health & well-being awareness day to coincide with Breast Cancer Month in October. We have chosen Saturday 24th October 2015 from 10.00am - 2.00pm, at the Community Station. There will hopefully be a full range of advice and information available as well as a few fun activities which you can take part in.

More details will appear in the next edition of the Moulsham Times.

Interested in improving your painting or drawing skills in a relaxed environment? we have an art teacher starting new classes in September, covering portraiture, landscape, still life and perspective - if you are interested, please contact Janine direct on: 07510 308055.

MLCT contact details - Mark Springett - phone: 01245 602272, mobile: 07842 069950, email: enquiries@mlct.org.uk, web: www. mlct.org.uk.

Remember to tell our advertisers you saw their advert in the MT

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Mildmay Almshouses by Roger Louth, Clerk to the Trustees of Chelmsford United Charities Standing atop a little hummock and looking down onto Moulsham Street is one of Old Moulsham’s historical gems.

Facing Braemar Avenue, the terrace of 6 redbrick houses looks quite ordinary - and given what it is, that is as it should be. This ordinariness means that many passers by do not realize they are walking past a bit of Moulsham’s history. For those who do glance up, they see the first tantalizing clue: High up on the building a stone plaque reads ‘Founded by Thomas Mildmay Esq of Moulsham Hall 1565. Rebuilt

by William Mildmay Esq of Moulsham Hall 1758’. So what is this building? That is a question many people have asked which prompted the erection of the second plaque a couple of years ago which provides the name ‘Mildmay Almshouses’ to what is one of the oldest residential buildings in Chelmsford.

Almshouses have existed for over 1,000 years. Originally, they were provided by monasteries to accommodate travellers and later extended to give permanent homes to the elderly and those in need. When the monasteries were dissolved by King Henry VIII, other people stepped in to ensure the continued provision of these homes for the poor. One of these benefactors was Thomas Mildmay, Lord of the Manor of Chelmsford and Moulsham, who established the almshouses in the will he made just before he died. This act of charity was not without a touch of irony for Thomas Mildmay had been actively involved in - and derived some of his wealth from - the dissolution of the monasteries.

The first almshouses were 6 cottages somewhere towards the town end of Moulsham Street. In 1616, Thomas Mildmay’s grandson (Sir Thomas Mildmay) moved the almshouses to the present site where previously there had been a medieval and Tudor leper hospital and poor house. Sitting in the midst of fields and orchards, somewhat apart from the hamlet of Moulsham, the wattle and daub building continued to provide homes for six almspeople for some 150 years until William Mildmay replaced it in 1758 with the redbrick building you see today. This building has the classical features of the period of a pediment, proportion and symmetry (hence the blank windows) and has been described as ‘six neat brick buildings... in the modern taste’.

The only significant alteration to the building was made in 1965 when kitchens and bathrooms were added at the rear. Although these additions are not architecturally attractive, they were necessary to bring the one-bedroom houses up to modern standards and fortunately are hidden away from public view. The building has witnessed the huge changes of the last 250 years but remarkably still does what it was designed to do - providing homes for people in need. Although the surrounding fields and orchards have long www.moulshamtimes.com

since given way to urban development, the communal garden of the almshouses provides a pleasant open space for residents and in recent years, the trustees have opened up the garden to the public as part of the annual Farleigh Hospice Open Garden event.

The Mildmay Almshouses were originally run as part of the Mildmay estate but when Sir William Mildmay died in 1771 leaving no male heirs, the inheritance passed down the female line. This, in turn, led to the Mildmay family moving away from Chelmsford and in Victorian times, the estate was broken up and sold off, with administration of the Mildmay Almshouses passing to the church authorities. In 1912, under a scheme of the Charity Commission, the Mildmay Almshouses became part of a new charity called Chelmsford United Charities which merged together 11 charities that provided almshouses and other relief to the poor of Moulsham and Chelmsford (the oldest of these charities dating back to 1520).

Almshouse residents were provided with homes for free - before the arrival of the Welfare State they had no means to pay for their accommodation anyway. Even after the introduction of National Assistance (housing benefit) at the end of the 1940s, the trustees were determined not to charge residents, even though they struggled to repair and maintain the almshouses from the charity’s slender resources. To make ends meet, the charity’s other almshouses in Church Street were sold (as part of a slum clearance scheme) and the other charitable activity - the distribution of ox meat and herrings to the poor of the parish at Christmas - was ended. This left the Mildmay Almshouses as the charity’s sole activity. It was not until 1965, when the new kitchens and bathrooms were added, that the trustees accepted that the residents would have to make some payment for their homes. This takes the form of a monthly maintenance contribution, as an almshouse resident is not, in legal terms, a tenant paying rent but rather a beneficiary of the original will or trust having been duly appointed by the trustees.

Today the aim of almshouses remains much as it was originally - to provide ‘homes for life’ for people in need. According to the National Almshouses Association, there are 2,600 groups of almshouses throughout Britain, one-third of which are listed buildings (the Mildmay Almshouses are Grade II listed buildings). Although twothirds of almshouse groups are relatively small - 10 units or less - all told, almshouses provide over 30,000 homes. Probably the best known almshouse group, established by King Charles II for former soldiers, is the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, which is home to the Chelsea Pensioners.

It is a tribute to Thomas Mildmay and his family that the almshouses they bequeathed have, throughout the years, provided homes to many people in need. As we celebrate the 450th anniversary of the foundation of the Mildmay Almshouses, the trustees remain committed to continuing to offer to residents these much-needed homes for life whilst maintaining this historic building.

As part of the nationwide Heritage Open Day on Saturday 12th September 2015, there will be a display about the Mildmay Almshouses in St John’s Church, Moulsham Street, which will be open throughout the day.

29

Volatile Descent: A Detective Carter Mystery by JR Blake - Part 9 Last time we saw DCI Maslow’s friend John Wood step into a trap.

In this episode, we begin to unravel what’s really been going on...

Everyone’s ears were ringing as they all clambered up the hillside looking for John. Eventually they found him. He was not in a good way. With the ambulance called, Dr Looker (coroner by name but still a doctor by nature) tried desperately to stem the bleeding. John was already unconscious, which it occurred to DS Carter was likely a good thing. This was probably not an experience he wanted to remember.

“What is it about you and explosives?” DC Reid asked jokingly, trying to lighten the mood, “that’s two cases in a row involving some sort of loud bang!”

DS Carter gave DC Reid a look that said, “be quiet now before our boss blows us both up” but DCI Maslow was clearly more concerned about his friend - trying to talk to him, praying he would come round. He didn’t like the idea of his friend being unconscious.

He needed to know if he was ok. Maslow’s efforts seemed to have an effect. John began to come round...

“ERIC! Car…NOW!” DS Carter demanded.

“I love it when you’re assertive...” DI Carter replied and they both jumped in the car and sped off the meet the owners of the B&B. Dr Looker sat by John Wood’s bedside. There wasn’t much she could do now. They’d had to remove his leg. As she sat thinking about what she may or may not find when they passed the leg to her for examination, she reflected on how utterly morbid she could be. Was this normal? Looking forward to receiving a blown off leg?

Probably not, but then she may well find some evidence that could link to the perpetrator the incident.

As she sat waiting, her mind started to wander... Did they do a good job of the amputation? Would there even be enough of the limb left to provide any evidence? Did he clip his toenails recently?

That could be embarrassing if they’re still in tact... Dr Looker was broken from her train of thought by somebody coming into the room. Dr Looker turned, what a relief! Someone John Wood knew, a good friend, she could leave him in good, safe hands when she left to perform her autopsy. Or... Limb-topsy would probably be more accurate. She greeted the visitor:

“…Where’s Dave??” he asked croakily.

“What? I dunno mate, he was with us, he wasn’t hurt.” Maslow replied.

“Dave, you have to find Dave...” he continued before falling unconscious again.

“I’m so glad you’re here, would you mind looking after poor John here whilst I check up with the surgeons?”

The ambulance arrived. Dr Looker shouted something at them about his condition, DS Carter probably should’ve been listening but she was thinking. Why did the first thing John said happen to be about David Thomas? Why was he so important? She thought for a few seconds...

Tune in next time to see the dramatic conclusion of this case...

Reid recognised that look, that was the ‘DS Carter’s in deep thought and is about to come up with the thingy that breaks the case wide open so we can arrest whoever and go down the pub’ look. He waited. He noticed Maslow watching Carter too. DI Eric Carter came marching up to them with an army of people; police officers, detectives and forensics - he’d even brought their own coroner just in case John Wood had kicked the bucket whilst he called the incident in. He set everyone else to work, sent the (very peeved off at no dead body) coroner home and then he also stopped to watch DS Carter. He was as familiar with this look as anyone, especially after being married to her for years.

Evidence was flying through DS Carter’s mind. Who’d died, who hadn’t, who knew what, everyone’s behaviour and emotional and cognitive reactions. What was it that was bothering her? There was something she was missing, something obvious - and then it hit her.

Carter experienced a flashback, everyone else had been scanning the horizon or each other. But not David Thomas. He was focused on one spot - as if watching for something. He’d disappeared just before they met on the hill. He’d met them there. He didn’t travel with them. She turned to DCI Maslow.

“Sir, what degree did David Thomas gain at university?” She asked quietly, already knowing the answer.

“Some sort of engineering degree, why?” Maslow replied. Carter suddenly seemed to snap out of her trance...

“Eric, did you get hold of that contact from the B&B?” She asked her ex-husband.

“Yes, charming girl called Lisa…”

“Call her, arrange a meeting with the owners of the B&B NOW. Reid, I want you to call the university where David Thomas, John Wood, Benjamin Closer, Stephen Jones and DCI Charles Maslow gained their degrees. Get a copy of the degrees and a module breakdown, I want copies or at least any evidence of any special studies they did, I also want you to find out when David Thomas started work at the hotel and if any of the other boys ever worked there, got it?”

“Yes ma’am!” Reid replied. No way was he arguing with her in this sort of mood.

“Not at all, it would be my pleasure” David Thomas replied with a smile.

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