Moulsham Times December 2020

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Issue Number 96 - December 2020

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MT Welcome Hi readers, Welcome to the December edition of Moulsham Times.

I would like to take a moment to thank all of our advertisers, writers - and of course you the readers - and wish you all a happy and safe festive period.

To advertise and reach 9,000 readers, please contact me using the details below.

Regards Paul

Advertising & Editorial Paul Mclean 01245 262082/07595 949701 paul@moulshamtimes.com

It’s Your Magazines Ltd Disclaimer: It’s Your Magazines Ltd publish the Moulsham Times. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of It’s Your Magazines Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of It’s Your Magazines Ltd. Reg Co No. 12080535. Printed by Warners (Midlands) PLC.

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Chelmsford - by Vicky Ford MP

At this time of year, we would normally be looking forward to Christmas, but I know that across Chelmsford many of us are worried about lives and livelihoods and are anxious and fatigued by the challenges this year has brought.

In Essex, the police are having to issue very few fixed penalty notices - this is because the vast majority of people locally are following the new COVID-19 regulations. It was tough going into Tier 2 two weeks ahead of the national lockdown, but it means we are in good shape compared with the rest of the country - and even compared with the eastern region. If there continues to be good compliance over the next few weeks, we should be in good shape to be in a lower tier of restrictions for Christmas.

Our Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, has told me that the extra officers we have in Essex are making a real difference.

There have been some great successes rolling up county drugs lines and taking drug and weapons off our streets. Crime across the county is now down by 6.3% county-wide in the last year, and by 5.3% in Chelmsford.

On the positive side, there is the news about recent success of two vaccines that are showing great promise and appear to be 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants. The UK has now secured access to 355 million doses of vaccines from a range of developers; these include vaccines that are being developed and trialled in the UK as well as other countries. No vaccine will be used in the UK unless it gets the full regulatory approval and is safe to use. The Health Secretary has confirmed that vaccination clinics, when established, will be open 7 days a week.

Our Mid-Essex hospitals have not seen the acceleration of Covid patients that they had earlier in the year - but sadly, there has been an increase in deaths. The situation is still precarious; we know other parts of the country have quickly found their hospitals overstretched and they have had to cancel other urgent treatments such as cancer treatments. It is extremely important that we work together to keep Covid levels down so that this does not happen locally.

The Chancellor has announced a raft of financial support and the furlough scheme has been extended - this has already protected the income of over 12,000 Chelmsford residents. There is also a package of support for the self-employed and cash grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses which are closed, as well as £1.1 billion for councils to further support businesses, on top of the £200 billion package of support the Government has committed since the beginning of the crisis. Despite the economic challenges, our Kickstart Scheme has already created over 19,000 jobs for 16-24 year olds in its first fortnight of operation.

Across Chelmsford, schools have been doing a great job in supporting our young people even with the challenges due to Covid cases. I would like to thank all school staff, parents, carers, children and young people for all they are doing. As Children’s Minister I am committed to free school meals. I have worked to increase the eligibility for free school meals and when schools were closed I launched the national voucher scheme. During the half-term holiday Essex County Council used the money provided by Government to run holiday clubs for vulnerable children. These will now be expanded locally over this Christmas and February half-terms. Essex has been given a grant of over £3.8 million by the Government to support food and essentials for hardest hit families and individuals over the winter.

From next Easter we will be rolling out the Government’s Holiday Activity and Food schemes across the country during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays of 2021, which we have been piloting for the past three years. These not only provide food, but also bring educational benefits, as we know that being engaged in enriching activities over longer school holidays helps to ensure that children are better able to re-engage with education when term begins.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, it is important that we continue to focus on tackling climate change and the Government will issue its first Sovereign Green Bond in 2021. This will raise money to help meet our net zero target and other environmental objectives including infrastructure investment and help create green jobs across the country. We have also recently created the world’s biggest marine conservation zone, announced plans for new national parks, and accelerated the roll out of electric vehicles. Do watch out for more positive news on environmental initiatives as the Environment Bill continues to work it’s way through Parliament.

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MT Health - Plantar Fasciitis Tips and Tricks - by Chris at Forté Physical Health Throughout our body, we have this wonderfully clever membrane known as ‘fascia’. It is the thin white sinew that, for most of history, anatomists have ignored and thrown by the wayside to get to the ‘interesting stuff’.

We now know that fascia is a hugely helpful structure and has all sorts of roles in making our function more efficient.

In some parts of the body, rather than have just a thin membrane of fascia, it is thick and tough. Due to fascia’s elastic properties, when it thickens like this it acts as a springboard to help create momentum using elastic energy rather than metabolic energy, so we get movement ‘for free’.

One such area in the body is the underside of the foot. We have a thick band of fascia that runs from the heel to the toes called the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia stretches when our foot hits the floor in walking, running and jumping and this creates an elastic recoil preparing us for our next movement. The plantar fascia also provides a place for the small muscles of the feet to attach to.

Perhaps most importantly, it’s packed full of nerve endings so that when our foot hits the floor the plantar fascia feeds our brain with valuable information about our surroundings.

All this amazing technology built into our feet comes with a downside.

When it gets injured, it’s a big problem! When the plantar fascia becomes strained and inflamed, we label it plantar fasciitis, and it is one of the most common foot complaints we see in the clinic.

Here I will run through a few little tips and tricks for helping it at home.

1. Roll Your Foot on an Ice Bottle Place a bottle in the freezer, then when you are watching tv you can sit rolling your foot on it with a tea towel over the bottle (or thick socks on) so it’s not super cold. In the early days of a new case of plantar fasciitis, the icing can help to reduce the pain associated with the inflammation.

One of my tutors at university liked using a circular bottle of vodka.

Vodka doesn’t freeze so you don’t have to worry about the bottle exploding, plus he got to drink it once his foot recovered!

2. Stretch Your Calves Anatomically, your calf muscles and achilles tendon are completely continuous with the plantar fascia. Tight calves are probably the number-one cause of plantar fasciitis, so stretch them regularly.

If you have an acute episode of plantar fasciitis, don’t stretch too much. With acute injury of any kind, I usually recommend only stretching to 70%. Always feel like you have a bit more in the tank.

3. Gentle Calf Raises The key word in this is ‘gentle’. Research suggests that gently loading the calf muscles with a calf raise (going up onto tiptoes) can help plantar fasciitis. It can be exaggerated by doing this with the balls of your feet on the edge of a step so that your heels start from below the level of your toes.

Although the research suggests this can be helpful, I have seen acute cases where this exercise is too much, so sometimes we hold back and recommend it further down the line when there has been some recovery.

Let your intuitions guide you - and only try this if it doesn’t cause pain.

4. Stretch Your Hips There is a strong correlation between the hips and feet in human movement. I nickname our hips our powerhouse, so if they are tight, they may not be loading effectively and taking extra work away from the feet.

Following a basic hip stretch routine online can help. You want to be targeting the glutes, adductors and hip flexors to keep the hips loose and the feet happy.

5. Use a Heel Pad or Orthotic In some cases, exercise isn’t quite enough, and your foot needs some breathing space to take the strain away. Here we suggest using a gel heel pad which you can buy in a pharmacy, or a basic orthotic.

This can help to take the pressure off the plantar fascia and therefore it makes all the other things you do to help it more effective. I put this one last because you should still be doing all the exercises to help it too!

In closing, although this is not a specific tip or trick, I often say that ‘pain is our best teacher’. If you have a new symptom, sometimes it’s your body’s way of trying to tell you something. Why has your foot become sore? Are you overdoing your training? Or are you being too sedentary so that your foot can’t cope with basic exercise? Do you need to lose weight? These are all questions that may help guide your recovery too.

I really hope that helps to shed some light on how you can help plantar fasciitis at home. This is something we treat in the clinic, so if you have any other questions, have a look at fortephysicalhealth. co.uk and you can read more about our Old Moulsham-based clinic.

Until next time, have a healthy and happy month!

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Regal Kitchens Case Study

Mr & Mrs Wilkinson Case Study Customers Mr and Mrs W had just moved into a large Edwardian property that had been previously renovated but not very sympathetically. They originally had a white gloss j-groove kitchen, but wanted something that reflected the overall look of the house and so went for a more traditional design. Mrs W was pregnant and incorporating the life of a family into the design was important for her when thinking of the future in their home.

Mrs W visited our showroom and immediately loved the In-Frame display which we had just finished at our Chelmsford branch. She also fell in love with the handmade shaker style kitchen which we had specially made for the showroom, the customer wanted a large open space as they wanted to maintain their social lifestyle as well as the new kitchen being practical for a growing family. The customer also asked Regal to carry out other building works within the property to help bring the designer’s creations to life.

We provided our clients with an exquisite, bespoke unique two-colour kitchen with an in-frame shaker-style door.

Their designer added clever storage solutions in the form of magic corners, le mans pull outs, as well as full larder pull outs and internal bins, he also incorporated an S-Box in Mr and Mrs W’s new quartz island for ease of use of smaller appliances. The cabinets in the client’s bespoke ornate mantle are fully working, therefore maximising storage space above their new range cooker. The island, finished in quartz, utilises an overhang to seat up to six people comfortably, and a wine cooler was added to the kitchen side so as to not affect the clean lines of the dining room in this beautiful open space. By removing a badly placed wall from an old extension we were able to open up the room. As the customer was pregnant she wanted a more open-plan environment so she could still use the kitchen whilst engaging with her family.

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Xmas at Intense Records 3 for 2 on Vinyl

This Xmas Intense Records are offering 3 for the price of 2 on all vinyl, just cut out the coupon on the advert in this magazine and bring it in! Offer ends Xmas Eve. We have thousands of new & second hand vinyl across all genres to choose from.

All I want for Xmas is a Turntable!!!

Turntable sales are still on the up so for Christmas we are stocking a range of turntables and speaker packages from leading brands such as Rega, Pro-Ject, Audio Technica and more. Packages start from just £189 and include a free selection of vinyl to get your collection started. If you already have your turntable then Intense can provide all the essential accessories to boost up your system from Vinyl Cleaning products to slipmats.

Used Vinyl! Buy & Sell!

Over the last few years Intense have been searching high & low for used vinyl collections and now boast a vast 2nd hand section with some classic albums from the 60s, 70s, 80s up til present day from favourites like the Beatles, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd & many more.

“We have thousands now across all styles from Rock to Funk, Soul, Metal & more, it’s a vinyl diggers treasure chest, you will need to pop in to see them! We are always on the hunt for more so give us a bell and we can pop round to price them or just bring them in.”

If you haven’t been yet, make sure you check them out here.

Intense Records, 33/34 Viaduct Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1TS 01245 347372 www.intenserecords.com

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MT Gardening The annual autumnal leaf show has drawn to a close and we now head towards the festive season. As we do so, we’ve got lots to do before having that sneaky mince pie and a wee dram! I use this month to clean through, prune, and lift and divide perennials. The latter being such a great way of sprucing up the borders and gaining a few spare plants for free.

Lifting and dividing perennials ensures that your borders and containers maintain vigour and maximises their display potential.

It’s also a process where the centres of perennial clumps that have died off, or have become just unproductive, can be removed and composted. This often leaves a few choice smaller clumps to replant in the same area or elsewhere in the garden. In addition, it gives us a surplus that could be further propagated for future displays.

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This is ideally done during the dormant season to reduce a check on the plant and allow time for it to regenerate for regrowth in the spring.

It’s a process that needs doing every 3-5 years, as by this time the plant has got congested, centres may have died off, flowering may have reduced and/or the plant has encroached on its neighbours.

The process is really easy and involves having minimal equipment and materials.

Follow these simple steps for success: 1. Use border forks and spades, hand forks and trowels, and a good pair of secateurs, a sharp knife, and a wheelbarrow or anything to hold plants and debris from the borders.

2. Go to the congested clump in question and plan what you’re going to do with the area once the plant had been removed. Is

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it for replanting smaller, younger sections back in the same place, removing totally to put elsewhere in the garden or for use in parts for containers and propagation?

Once clear, this is an opportunity to invigorate the soil; dig in to the area and mix through well rotted organic matter and roughly level with a border fork.

With the removed perennial clump to the side, push two border forks through the centre of it with the fork tines interlocked.

Then push both handles towards each other. As you do this, the clump splits in two.

Continue with this process to leave you with handwidth pieces.

Clean through new sections, trim back roots by half and remove any loose or damaged leaves and old stems, then position back on the border before planting.

Go for a spacing of around 30-45cm.

You’re now ready for planting with your hand trowel.

Ensure the plant is planted at the original depth and firm in place.

Follow this with a light watering to ensure root contact with soil Before bud burst in the spring, feed the bed with a compound feed such as fish, blood and bone, and mulch with well rotted garden compost.

Look forward to an invigorated display for the new season.

Lastly, check out this link for other jobs for the garden as we move through to December: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/december.

Happy gardening and keep safe!

For any gardening tips please contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Capel Manor College, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4RQ by post (including a SAE) or by email at tom.cole@capel. ac.uk.

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Chelmsford Community Radio Award Nomination November!

The Kids In Quarantine podcast, hosted

by Elsie (age 9) and Henry (age 7), has been featured on Chelmsford Community Radio 104.4FM and was shortlisted for a prestigious award this month. The Community Radio Awards 2020 has singled out the audio podcast as a potential winner by adding it to their nominations list. The audio showcase explores the COVID-19 pandemic through the eyes of kids.

Fingers crossed for December and the announcement of the winners!

Follow our social media accounts (@ChelmsfordCR) to find out details of our special Christmas programmes, as we’ll be putting on a radio pantomime again this year. We all know that it has been tricky for theatres to stage a panto in 2020, so our volunteers and their efforts will be even more special to hear.

We have some other special shows for the build-up to Christmas too. If you haven’t tried Chelmsford Community Radio 104.4FM already, well December will be a great time to tune-in!

Once again, we’ll be dual-broadcasting with Hospital Radio Chelmsford and helping to bring that service to a wider audience in Chelmsford.

Remember, all you need to do to support community radio in Chelmsford is switch us on and listen. Even better if you’re able to interact with us online through social media - and if you shop with the Co-op then please choose us as your local cause via your membership page: membership.coop.co.uk/causes/46876.

104.4FM in Chelmsford and online at www. chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

Deadlines for the January edition: Articles - 19th December Print-ready art work - 21st December Edition available from - 5th January

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Nick Garner’s Music & Ramblings Well first off how are you all doing?

I do hope that you are safe and well and coping with all this that is going on at present.

Where to start this month? I think I will tell you a bit about my teenage years in brief. After reading this, I think you will see why I ended up involved in the arts world...

It started with my elder brother who was involved with amateur dramatics. He then went to the West End in London for a while working in backstage areas. Although I would go along and help out at times, I did not get too involved.

I used to belong to a youth club, and I remember my mate Chris brought along their family house guest who turned out to be Richard Chamberlain, who some of you may well remember as one of the early TV heartthrobs playing the lead in Dr Kildare then later being picked to take a leading role in Ken Russell’s film The Music Lovers along with Glenda Jackson. He was great fun I remember and came to the local pub with us afterwards, though I have to say he was the worst darts player I have ever seen - even worse than me!

I spent most of my youth around Beckenham and Bromley in Kent as I grew up nearby in a small place called Coney Hall next to West Wickham. When I was 17 I moved into my first flat in Bromley with a group of friends. There was a band who used come around as a mate of ours, Bernie Frost, used to write with them. They had some early success being into the psychedelic scene and they had hits with Pictures of Matchstick Men and Ice In The Sun - yes, they were called Status Quo. Years later, I would put on John Coghlan, who was the original drummer, at Chelmsford City FC. We had time then to reflect back on some of those early days...

When I moved to Beckenham I shared a flat with the great Arthur Brown, he of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and the number one hit single Fire. Arthur is still going strong today I am pleased to say. In Beckenham there were so many musicians around me, although I did play myself, but wanted to become a guitar roadie as it paid more - so that’s what I did. Around me where the likes of Julie Driscoll and her husband Keith Tippets, as well as David Bowie and Peter Frampton.

Sparks lived close by and Gallagher and Lyle too, who were the first band that I really got involved with - Benny Gallagher and I are still good friends today. There was also the likes of Keith Christmas, Comus and so many more.

Two guys I am very much involved with still Barry ‘Buzz’ Fitzgerald, the drummer with Zero, and Steve Acworth and Bill Liesegang. Bill is a name you may not know too well, but just take a look at his history (courtesy of Discogs):

both worked in a music shop in Denmark Street in London. Bill had got an offer to take a band to Austria to play - but he needed a bass player, so he asked Mark and along with another good mate Davy Miller, off they went. They actually got ripped off big time and even had Mark’s kit stolen - he pledged revenge and got it...

They eventually returned home where Mark took to learning to play the bass properly. It came so naturally to him that they eventually went back to Austria and blew the other guy with his band off the stage - and Mark got his kit back! The rest is history for Mark, but I remember Bill telling me how Mark showed him his technique of slapping the bass. Bill and Barry also joined Jack Bruce in 2012 when he played my Blues in Town. It was the last time he played a Cream set before he sadly passed away. They had not rehearsed and yet they still blew us all away that night - more tales to come from that...

I have many more stories to tell from my youth, some of which I will put in here and some for the City Times. If you cannot find a physical copy, you can read them online at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia both past and present copies.

Some may wonder what have I been doing during the lockdown?

Well I have stayed indoors mainly and only gone out when I have needed to. Having a dodgy leg means I cannot walk too much sadly, so am getting little exercise. I am on the computer a lot if not working on the magazines. I am working on music of course, and my Black Frog project to put on live online concerts has plenty planned for the future (see links below). I have also been busy writing my own music for my Yes It Is project. I also have a new camera and have been busy getting to grips with that as well as my new music mixer for the big shows - I will be doing that from a screen now rather than pushing sliders, so I am moving right into the digital age (getting on down with the kids) - all I have to do is try and remember whatever I learn now!

I want to wish you all a safe and happy festive season and hope that we all have a better year and future to look forward to, as we will also be out of Europe as of the end of the year.

It would be fantastic if you could share our magazines the Moulsham Times and the City Times for us. We continue to publish both magazines online at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia.

If you are interested in advertising with us please contact us at paul@ moulshamtimes.com, or if you have a comment or an article, we would love to hear from you - please send to editorial@itsyourmedia. co.uk and we will reply to you as soon as we can.

For all my music live and online now you will at Black Frog Bands for all the info and links go to www.blackfrogbands.co.uk or www. facebook.com/blackfrogbands.

My new personal musical project page is www.facebook.com/yesitis.

He started his career as a bass player in David Bowie’s band at the age of 16. After then forming a band with Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) called The Shots and his own band called Xero, he had a chart hit single ‘Oh Baby’. He later toured with Nina Hagen and played as session player with Rod Stewart, Jack Bruce (Cream), David Bowie, Nina Hagen, Midge Ure, Bob Geldof, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Robert Fripp, Steve Hackett, Stewart Copeland, Transvision Vamp, Mark King and Boon Gould (Level 42), Phil Manzanera, Shara Nelson (Massive Attack), Lemmy (Motorhead) and Metallica.

Bill was responsible for Mark King playing the bass. Mark was a drummer and they 12

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Looking Forward to 2021

By Cllr Marie Goldman

By the time you read this, we will have emerged from lockdown 2.0 into the brave new world of…

Tier 2 restrictions - again.

I’m grateful, of course, that thanks to the efforts of everyone in Chelmsford we haven’t been placed into a higher tier, but the prospect of several more months of restrictions isn’t the cheeriest thing to dwell on.

So, I’ve decided not to. This is, after all, the 2020 festive issue of the Moulsham Times, so let’s focus on more positive things.

Traditionally, this is a time for looking back and reminiscing about the year just gone by. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I’m not very keen on that idea this year either! Yes, there were some nice things: beautiful weather, collectively clapping on the doorstep for our amazing NHS, discovering how easy it is to do video calls with family and friends all over the world, reminding ourselves how lucky we are to live in a city with so many parks and green spaces, and seeing first-hand how communities can come together to look after each other in times of crisis.

All good stuff, but I’d rather we look forwards. What positive events might 2021 bring to Chelmsford? Or at least, what would I put on my wish list to Santa for the coming year?

1. The British Science Festival in Chelmsford. This was supposed to take place in September 2020 at the Anglia Ruskin University, right here in Chelmsford for the first time ever, but has been postponed to September 2021 - I can’t wait! More details here: www.britishscienceassociation.org/british-science-festival.

CHRISTMAS DAY & BOXING DAY

5. Live Music. This isn’t a very specific wish - I don’t really care what genre of live music, I just want to have the opportunity to be in the same crowded venue as some very talented musicians and singers, and watch and listen to them do what they do best preferably with a glass of something nice in my hand. And I’d like to see far more of this happening in Chelmsford, too.

I don’t know how many of these things Santa will be able to make happen, but I’m keeping everything crossed.

So finally, I’d like to wish you, your family and your friends a very happy, healthy and safe festive period. Hopefully, we’ll all meet again in 2021.

Cllr Marie Goldman Deputy Leader, Chelmsford City Council

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2. The 3foot People Festival. 2019 was the festival’s biggest year, so at the City Council we were really looking forward to putting it on again this year, but instead we had to move to online-only as part of another national event. I’m very much hoping it can go ahead in 2021. Find out more here: bit.ly/3FootPeople.

3. The Skills Festival. Run by Chelmsford City Council and aimed at school children in Year 8, 2019 was this event’s inaugural year.

2020 was going to be much bigger, involving a lot more schools.

I’m hoping it will be able to make a return.

4. Pride and Fling Festivals. Full of bright colours, music and dancing, these are surely highlights of the city’s social calendar.

In 2019 these were such fabulous events - I hope they can return to our parks in 2021.

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13

MT Therapy: Chelmsford Therapy Rooms

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all safe and well! With us having entered lockdown number two, no doubt some of you are feeling some intense emotions.

Last month I discussed anxiety and the limbic system, using the biological model to explain how the brain responds to stimuli to produce an anxious reaction. Anxiety can feel like an intense emotion, but there are many other emotions that can feel intense to us too. Whether you’re feeling sad, upset or on edge, in this article I’m introducing you to a coping technique to help you to mange those intense emotions.

Using a Diary Card to Manage Intense Emotions Objective: To use the diary card tool to manage intense emotions and decrease the likelihood of engaging in self-harming behaviour.

You should know that the use of diary cards in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an effective tool if you have intense emotions or want to harm yourself, and it is a helpful tool for monitoring yourself on a day-to-day basis. Here are the ways a diary card can help you: 1. Recall: A lot can happen during the course of one week - or even during one day! When you complete a diary card every day, it helps you remember what helped you.

2. Notice Behaviour Patterns: You might do things repeatedly without even realising it. Completing a diary card can help you identify unhealthy behaviour patterns that lead to intense emotions and actions you might later regret. Once you identify these patterns, you can more easily change them.

3. Increase Self-Awareness: You might sometimes think: ‘I don’t know how I feel’ or ‘I don’t know why I did that!’ - completing a diary card can help you look at your behaviour to find the answers to these types of questions.

4. Skill Recognition: You might be learning new skills in therapy, or you might have things that you have found help you cope. You can acknowledge what helps you by describing what you are doing on your diary card.

5. Skills Recall: Looking at a diary card on a daily basis reminds you of what works, and increases the likelihood you will use them when you are having a hard time.

6. Trigger Identification: Completing your diary card will help you identify how people, places, thoughts, and things affect you.

7. Mindfulness: Completing a diary card helps you look at what you did well and recognise not everything is ‘bad’. Things that made you laugh or feel good also deserve acknowledgment.

8. Self-Validation: Sometimes it might be hard to validate yourself.

As you complete your diary card, you will become more aware of the healthy behaviours and skills you are using, making selfvalidation easier.

9. Progress Recognition: If you complete your diary card each day, you will see the changes you are making in your life. As the weeks and months pass, you can look back at your emotions and urges to see how they have changed.

Diary cards allow you to record your intense emotions, self-harm, substance use, or suicidal thoughts and urges. You can include skills you use to cope with these thoughts and behaviours. You can identify links between triggers, situations, thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

What to Do Below I have included an example diary card. You can use this as a guide and create a blank diary card for yourself. When rating your depression, anxiety, and anger from 1 to 10, note that 1 = none, to 10 = extreme - the ‘worst I have ever experienced’. Then describe the

specific actions you take.

Example Diary Card: Date: 20/11/2010 Depression: 6 Anxiety: 8 Suicidal Thoughts: No Anger: 2

Triggers: My cat jumped up and made me spill my tea everywhere.

I had to clean up so I was late to a Zoom meeting for work. My boss was there and I felt like he was judging me and I felt really anxious. I was supposed to zoom a friend tonight but I couldn’t face her, I feel really guilty and angry at myself.

Destructive Behaviours I Engaged in Today: I drank a bottle of wine and cancelled on my friend.

Skills Used (Self Soothing, Distraction, Mindfulness): I went for a walk.

Self-Soothing: I tried to calm myself by telling myself everything would be ok and I will calm down because I always do. i also told myself that being late to a meeting isn’t the end of the world and it wasn’t my fault.

Distraction: I walked outside and focused on the sights and sounds around me like the trees and the birds. It was hard to focus at first but I think I did ok.

Mindfulness: I used the square breathing technique for a few minutes.

Interpersonal Effectiveness: I contacted my friend and told her how I was feeling and apologised for cancelling on her. She understood and was really supportive.

Positive Steps I Took Today: I reached out to my friend; I used the coping techniques I’ve learned to help me when I’m feeling bad and I was kind to myself instead of getting frustrated and telling myself off Notes: I was really proud of myself for using skills to distract myself and pull myself out of moments of severe anxiety. I was feeling really down about myself, but at the end of the day I realised I did really well making myself feel better.

I hope this diary card helps some of you to cope better if you’re experiencing intense emotions. There are lots of versions out there, I got this one from Between Sessions Resources because I thought the first part was a great explanation of this coping technique. You can sign up at their website to receive emails with other resources that may be of help to you in this difficult and weird time. I did change the second half slightly to make it more relevant to today’s ‘lockdown culture’ by introducing Zoom etc.

Jenny Hartill is a therapist and owner of Cloud9 Therapy and Chelmsford Therapy Rooms. She is a counsellor, hypnotherapist and MnemodynamicTM therapist and can help with a multitude of issues. She and the other therapists at CTR, are seeing clients online via Zoom or Skype, but are now also beginning to see clients face-to-face. Please see the therapist list on the website, www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@ chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162 to enquire about an initial consultation. Alternatively, Jenny’s own company website is www.cloud9-therapy.co.uk, her email is info@cloud9therapy.co.uk and her telephone number is 07507 307 170.

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Moulsham Junior School

Diwali Day At the beginning of November, all six classes in Year 3 at Moulsham Junior School took part in our annual Diwali Day to mark the start of their topic on Hinduism topic. During the day, there were many exciting activities planned, including learning to sing a Diwali song in rounds.

The children also learnt why Hindus celebrate Diwali, made lanterns,

wrote acrostic poems, created rangoli patterns and designed mehndi hands.

During their Hinduism topic, Year 3 children learn all about the gods that Hindus worship and other aspects of the religion. Diwali Day helps to bring the topic to life, and children will certainly remember all they experienced and enjoyed during this special day.

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Personal Finance Clinic: How to Build a Pension Pot

stopping work for good.

Most people seek pensions advice when they are just a few years away from retirement. Sometimes, it’s when they are only weeks away from

In a perfect world, everyone would have their first pensions advice session when they are around 25. It sounds young, but in retirement planning, the earlier you start, the better!

Since we don’t live in a perfect world, I am going to give you some financial planning pointers that can be adopted at any age.

Join Your Work Pension Scheme Firstly, make sure you join the pension scheme offered by your employer. When you contribute to a defined contribution scheme through work, your employer will normally make a contribution on your behalf and you will also get tax relief on your personal contributions. This means that instead of giving your money to the tax man, it goes into your pension pot instead.

For a Basic Rate taxpayer, a £100 contribution to your pension will only cost you £80. If your employer is matching this, you would end up with £200 a month into your pension at a cost of just £80 to you personally.

Contribute Half Your Age The rule of thumb when you first start contributing to pensions is to halve your age and then turn that number into a percentage - and that’s the percentage of your salary that should be going into your pension each year.

So if you first start contributing at age 20, 10% of your salary should be going in (from all sources, such as personal contributions, employer contributions and tax relief).

If you first start contributing age 40, the figure should be more like 20% of your salary. You can see how much more difficult it is to build a decent retirement pot if you start contributing to pensions later in life.

Get the Risk Profile Right Your pension contributions will be invested within your pension account and you will normally (but not always) have a choice of funds to invest in.

Those funds will generally range from low risk to high risk with the lowest risk funds typically being less volatile than the higher risk funds. What this means is that performance on the lower risk funds will not normally move up or down by much over the course of the year. They might increase or decrease by a few percentage points, but they are not likely to swing wildly, although it’s worth noting that there can be exceptional market conditions that result in deeper falls even for relatively low risk investments.

Higher risk funds are typically much more volatile and the performance in any given year could swing up or down by 10%, 20% or even more. Over the longer term, higher-risk investments tend to perform better than lower-risk investments, although this is certainly not always the case.

If you are uncertain about how much risk to take, you may benefit from financial advice before investing.

Think About Your Future Self How much money does your future self need - or want - to live on in retirement?

The full State Pension is roughly £8,500 a year. It will help, but it’s not going to provide your future self with a luxurious lifestyle, so how much more will you require?

I ask my clients to decide upon three rough figures for retirement income. The first is the amount they absolutely need to receive in retirement, for covering the basics like bills and food.

The second is the amount they think they need for a relatively comfortable life. This covers the basics plus allows them to pursue hobbies, have an occasional holiday and enjoy a social life.

The third figure is a desirable income for retirement; the sort of income level that allows you to do all the things you want to do in retirement and not worry about money.

Once you have worked out these figures, you can determine how much you’ll need in your pension account to fund each of these income levels. You can then work out what you need to do between now and retirement to get to each of those income levels.

Perhaps you need to concentrate on reaching the minimum, or maybe you have worked out that an extra £50 a month of pension contributions between now and retirement will lift your future self out of pensioner poverty and into a comfortable retirement.

Review Your pension is an asset and like any asset, it requires regular maintenance. Make time, at least every few years, to review your accounts. Are the fees still good value, are the investments still working for you, does the risk profile need changing, should the pension be consolidated?

If you had £50k in your current account, it’s unlikely you would ignore it for 10 years, yet this is exactly what many do with their pension accounts.

Lauren Peters is a Senior Financial Consultant and Chartered Financial Planner at Brooks Macdonald Financial Consulting Ltd, 21 Lombard Street, London EC3V 9AH. She can be contacted via lauren. peters@brooksmacdonald.com.

If you have a one-off article of local interest that you wish to submit, please email paul@moulshamtimes.com

Nevertheless, younger people should consider investing in higher risk funds because they have a much longer time frame to retirement, whereas those who are only a few years from retirement should consider investing in lower risk funds.

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Hi everyone. Well, here we are again in lockdown. I realise it has to done, but it is still very disruptive and it’s sad that we cannot see our loved ones. However, if it results in this awful thing being beaten, it will be worth it. Good news is coming through about vaccines, so hopefully things will improve soon.

As in lockdown 1, staying at home means finding things to do - apart from watching my 50th box set. I had a go at DIY recently.

DIY is one of the many things I am not too good at. This project was to fit a new window blind. The easy bit was the unpacking - at least I thought it would be. It took me a while to get into the box, then to get the protection off, then to open the little plastic bag that had all the little bits in. They all ended up on the floor with some finding their way under the sofa. Once these were retrieved, over to the instructions.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t get on with these instructions that use diagrams rather than the written word. I understand why manufacturers do it as it saves them having to supply loads of pages in different languages - doesn’t help me though. As usual, I can’t understand the pictures. It should be easy, but my brain does not work that way.

The other thing is, I’m not good at the simple art of measuring. After carefully (well, I thought I was being careful) measuring the width, I managed to end with the blind being about 3mm too long. Have you ever tried cutting 3mm from the end of a blind? Not easy! Anyway, eventually, I got it to fit. Great. The blind is a series wooden slats, and you have to pull a cord at a certain angle to get the slats to drop. It didn’t work and it took me about an hour to get that sorted. It looks OK though. So what’s the next disaster, sorry, project?

Am I the only one who thinks that some advertisers are in a world of their own? I saw one today that was selling handmade wines. There was me thinking they crushed the grapes with their feet! Others talk of ‘hand crafted’ wine. What on earth does that mean? I suppose that it could refer to the fact that, when producing some upmarket wines, the grapes are picked by hand instead of used mechanised picking machines. I don’t know.

I don’t listen to much on the radio these days, maybe Pop Master or Jeremy Vine, but this week I was reminded of many of the radio comedy programmes that were on what is now known Radio 4, when I was young. The programme I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue has just been voted the best ever radio comedy show. Wow. I used to listen to that.

I was also a great fan of Round the Horne, Just a Minute, and The Navy Lark. I know most younger readers will not know what I am talking about - or believe that we didn’t have a television until I was 8 or 9 years old! Even then it was a 12-inch black and white screen and showed very grainy programmes. Until then, the Sunday afternoon highlight was listening or one or two of these radio shows.

I’m not sure if the humour would transfer to today. They were quite risque for the time, but nothing that would offend anyone. The good old days?

Bin End Chuckles: You’re supposed to say ‘break a leg’ to actors for good luck. Break a leg - it’s like saying ‘remember your lines’ to a 100 metres hurdler...

People need to stop telling me to stop sitting on the fence. Or maybe they don’t, I don’t mind really...

Stay safe, keep wearing the mask and take care. Hopefully we are on our way out of these dreadful times.

I was reading my favourite columnist, the Mail’s Richard Littlejohn, the other day, and he mentioned about someone getting the ‘Spanish archer’ - the El-Bow (getting the elbow) which I found very funny. Not quite cockney rhyming slang, but it did make me think how the cockney’s would name things in our current situation.

Perhaps, ‘Uncle Sid’ for Covid, ‘Billy Jean’ - vaccine. ‘Amelia Earhart’ - complicated chart. What about ‘London town’ for lockdown? ‘George Best’, Covid test, or ‘Waldorf and Bert’ (muppets), medical expert. ‘Mr Bean’, quarantine. ‘Christopher Lee’, PPE...

On the subject of words, the OED word of the year has been announced: ‘Lockdown’ (although my spellchecker insists that it’s two words). I agree that this has been used a lot, but I prefer ‘exponentially’. It’s now so common - I think it’s use has grown enormously, or, more accurately, exponentially!

Do you watch cooking programmes? I don’t, they drive me mad.

All these ‘celebrity’ chefs making meals that would not feed a fly, Filling? No. Attractive? Maybe. Appetising? No. They are meals that generally take ages to make and use little bits from jars of stuff that you will never use again. I’m sure they do taste nice, but it is not for me. I get annoyed; they produce these programmes because they must be relatively cheap to make, and they are mainly aired at prime viewing time, so compared with a big budget show or series, they just have to pay the chef, hire a kitchen and get members of the public to perform for very little reward. Money for nothing as Dire Straits famously sang.

Staying on the cooking (or is it baking?) programmes, I read today day that a celebrity chef was demonstrating how to butter toast. I think I already have that one covered. Put butter on knife, spread on toast!

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Sixties British Blues and R&B Boom: 9 - by John Power The Fairies This group from Colchester took their name in response to longhairs being referred to as ‘fairies’ by some sections of the public. The Fairies had begun as Dane Stephens and the Deepbeats playing gigs around Essex. Dane’s real name was Dougie Ord. Fred Gandy and John Acutt were on guitars, Mick ‘Wimps’ Weaver on bass and John ‘Twink’ Alder on drums. After the name change they brought out two singles: Any Time at All/Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright - the latter tune by the then little known Bob Dylan (often regarded as the A-side) in 1964 - and Get Yourself Home/Don’t Mind in 1965. The second single had Nick Wymer formerly of Nick’s Nomads as vocalist, as by that time Doug Ord had been given a jail sentence for manslaughter after a car accident. He worked as a scenery painter for a theatre in Colchester after his release.

The band member who made the biggest impact on the music scene was drummer ‘Twink’ Alder. The group’s management were also involved with The Pretty Things and by 1968 he played on the first rock opera S.F. Sorrow by the Pretties. Between then and The Fairies he had been a member of The In Crowd and then Tomorrow - one of the original psychedelic bands to emerge from the UFO Club in 19661967 - with singer Keith West, who’s Excerpt From a Teenage Opera made it into the top 10. The opera never manifested and Tomorrow broke up as a result, as the hit had diverted the group’s underground image, better represented by the single My White Bicycle about the free bikes left around Amsterdam by the Dutch Provo activists.

The group had also played at the launch of alternative newspaper International Times in 1967, and at the newspaper’s Free Speech Benefit at Alexander Palace in that year - The 14 Hour Technicolour Dream. In 1969 they played at London’s Olympia arena for Christmas on Earth with Jimi Hendrix headlining. Guitarist Steve Howe went on to play for both Yes and Asia and Twink remained firmly in the underground scene with Pink Fairies and gigging around with bands like The Deviants and Hawkwind as well as The Pretty Things, before moving to Morocco, marrying a Muslim girl, becoming a father and converting to that faith while broadening his drumming skills.

The Action The Action reached the peak of their popularity in the mod era and had quite a cult following as they sang harmony and used string instruments without a brass section covering mostly Tamla Motown classics. At first they had been known as The Boys when they formed in North London’s Kentish Town in 1963 with Reg King on vocals, Alan King on rhythm guitar and vocals, Mike Evans on bass, and Roger Powell on drums.

They played mainly in bars and in Germany at first, and then backed Sandra Barry calling themselves the Boyfriends on the single Really Gonna Shake in 1964. Later Pete Watson joined on guitar and the name change to The Action came about with a cover of the Wilson Pickett song, Land of One Thousand Dances and In My Lonely Room the result. It was on Parlophone and arranged by George Martin. Pete Watson left in 1966 after disagreements with manager Rikki Farr and Parlophone dropped them in 1967 - the year that psychedelia transformed the music scene. The new line-up changed to include Ian Whiteman on keyboards and Martin Stone (from Savoy Brown Blues Band, on guitar) and the sound became folk-rock psychedelia. By 1969 they were known as Mighty Baby, and signed to Head Records.

Alan King formed Ace in 1975 and they scored a US hit with How Long. In 1980 there was a compilation CD and in 1990. Paul Weller wrote the sleeve notes for a previously unreleased album, Rolled

Gold. In 1998 the original line-up reformed, played the Isle of Wight Festival, and gigged around for six years.

Gary Farr and the T-Bones Gary and his brother Rikki were sons of Welsh heavyweight boxer Tommy Farr. Gary was born in 1944 and died in 1994. He began as a folk-blues singer before putting the backing band together. They took over The Yardbirds slot at The Marquee and also played at the Crawdaddy Club. In 1965 they issued the EP Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem T-Bones on Columbia, produced by Giorgio Gomelsky.

There were a couple of other singles and a US appearance on Shindig! Keith Emerson, later of The Nice and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, joined the band on keyboards briefly. After 1968, Gary went solo. Brother Rikki was in music management and was site manager and compere for the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970.

The Clique The Clique were formed in 1963 in Harrow by John Rowe on lead guitar, Peter Westgarth on vocals, Adrian Stambach on bass John Kitchin on rhythm guitar and Trevor Roberts on drums. Brian Morris replaced Roberts in 1964. They had two singles released in 1965: She Ain’t No Good on Pye, and a 12-inch single We Didn’t Kiss, We Didn’t Love But Now We Do Do, also on Pye. In 2011 there was the 1964 Rave Up EP on Acid Jazz and in 1995 the CD The Complete Recordings 1964 to 1965 on Dig the Fuzz Records.

The Climax Chicago Blues Band Quite a late starter to be part of the blues boom, if old in years, the Climax Chicago Blues Band was formed in Stafford in 1969 by Colin Cooper on harmonica and vocals, Peter Haycock on guitar and vocals, Derek Holt on guitar, Richard Jones on bass and keyboards, George Newsome on drums and Arthur Wood on alternative keyboards. After 1972 they shortened the name to just the Climax Blues Band.

In 1970 they had moved to Harvest Records and became more rocky. Over the years there have been 18 albums, two US single hits, Couldn’t Get it Right in 1977 and I Love You that made number 12 on the Billboard charts.

Jones left in 1969 so Holt took over bass. Newsome left in 1971 and was replaced by John Cuffley. There have been 16 line-ups altogether so far, and they are still going, but three of the original members are sadly now dead: Cooper in 2008 aged 69, Wood in 2005 aged 76 and Haycock in 2013 aged 62.

Free Another group of late starters, Free were formed in 1968, but enjoyed a good pedigree, as old blues stalwart Alexis Korner gave them their name at a time when they were all still teenagers: singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke were 18, lead guitarist Paul Kossoff was 17, and bassist Andy Fraser only 15. Within eight months they had recorded their first album Tons of Sobs on Island Records.

By 1969 they were on their way to a successful career. The fact that this was two years after the beginning of psychedelia is testimony to the quality of their music, which put them above fashion fads. Kossoff and Kirke had already played in Black Cat Bones, an earlier blues outfit, and Rodgers had sung with Brown Sugar, but when Kossoff saw them he asked Rodgers if he would like to team up with him and Kirke. Alexis Korner recommended Andy Fraser as bass player, who had already played with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers at his tender age.

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Their second album was simply called Free, but it was their third album Fire and Water that contained the track All Right Now which reached number 2 in the UK singles charts and 4 in the US Billboard charts. The album itself then reached number 2 in the UK album charts, and 17 in the Billboard charts, and sold extremely well worldwide. However the fourth album, Highway only reached number 14 in the UK and 190 in the Billboard charts respectively.

In 1971 the hard drug problems of Paul Kossoff caused the band to split, but a live album, Free Live! was released to fill the gap until they reformed and tried to come to terms with Kossoff’s unreliability, and recorded Free at Last in 1972. With Kossoff still often unable to play at or even turn up for gigs, Fraser left later that year and was replaced by Tetsu Yamauchi, who had been in The Faces after Ronnie Lane left. Keyboardist John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick also helped finish Free at Last. Wendell Richardson from Osibisa replaced Kossoff on tour to promote the album in the US in 1973 before the group finally disbanded.

Rodgers and Kirke went on to form the highly successful Bad Company with Led Zeppelin’s manager and their record label for several albums. Fraser formed Sharks, and even Kossoff managed to function with Back Street in 1973 before he died in 1976, aged only 25. Andy Fraser died in 2015.

Rodgers and Kirke toured again as Bad Company from 2012 to 2016 and in 2017 Rodgers did a Free Spirit tour celebrating the music of Free.

The Groundhogs Formed in 1963 in London, The Groundhogs deserve a longevity award being still active in 2017, but that’s having had 29 members during those years with the inevitable breakups and reforms. They Groundhogs have altogether made 13 albums, being at their height during the seventies and even backed the Stones on tour. Tony McPhee, guitarist and singer, has been the only constant member of the ever-changing line-up.

Duster Bennett Duster was a young lad from Welshpool, Powys, who went to an art school near London and made his name as a one-man band with guitar, harmonica harness and bass drum foot pedal.

He recorded four albums for Blue Horizon Records helped by some of the original Fleetwood Mac (including Peter Green) and ‘Top’ Topham from the original Yardbirds. He was also in John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers for a while. There were three more albums on other labels plus later compilations.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy From St Luke’s & St John’s Did you know the Christmas Carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is one of our oldest carols dating back before the 16th century? It is also probably the Christmas carol we most often sing incorrectly; you might have thought washing socks instead of watching flocks might take the pole position, but let me explain.

Wishing you all much comfort and joy this Advent and Christmas time.

Gemma and the team at St John’s and St Luke’s

To begin with, the word ‘ye’ should never have found its way into the carol. It sounds suitably olde worlde, but grammatically is completely incorrect - a bit like using ‘you’re’ instead of ‘your’. The comma is also in the wrong place which changes the meaning of the opening line: It is not the gentlemen who are merry, but the blessing - so no more images of joyful rather tipsy men in top hats and cravats! The word rest is also confusing. Although we use the word to mean relax or sleep, back in the 1540s it meant to keep or remain. As for that word merry, it had nothing to do with the sherry, but a sense of being bountiful or well. Perhaps a better rendition would be ‘God bless and keep you gentlemen (let’s not forget the ladies though, times have changed on that one thankfully), let nothing you dismay’ which is exactly the carol we need for 2020!

The Church of England theme for Christmas this year is ‘Comfort and Joy’ taken from that carol. This year has been one of hardship and uncertainty, and Christmas is a time of celebration. I do still pray that we will find joy in it, but if joy is hard to come by right now then I pray for comfort and consolation.

We will be aiming to strike that balance in our Christmas services.

Church is going to be a little bit different for obvious reasons, though we are hoping to be able to hold some of our services at St Luke’s and St John’s. Some will be broadcast online and with some things we have the chance to try something different! We’ve got Advent Window trails happening in Old Moulsham, Moulsham Lodge and Tile Kiln (in partnerhip with Moulsham Lodge Methodist) from the beginning of December, bringing a little light and colour to these dark evenings.

We would love for you to come and join in with what’s happening!

Check out both churches on Facebook - search for ‘St Luke’s’ or ‘St John’s Moulsham’ - we’re easy to find. The pages will have up-todate info on what is happening - I would tell you here but it might all change depending on restrictions! www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

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Spot 10 Differences (Answers on Page 31)

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The City Times

Widford Lodge School Despite Covid restrictions not allowing pupils at Widford Lodge School to continue with many of their termly traditions, they have not let that stop them from coming together to support the local community and other children. Widford Lodge School has supported the Little Edi Foundation for the last few years and this year have increased the number of initiatives to support Little Edi Foundation’s work.

alongside mindfulness and arts and crafts activities. With most summer provisions closed due to COVID-19, this was a lifeline for their parents, but more importantly a chance for children to catch up on missed schooling in a relaxed environment and to have fun.

Over the summer, Little Edi ran their first summer school for local underprivileged children over four days of the holiday, and Widford Lodge were delighted to offer the school facilities to enable this to take place. The children had the opportunity to catch up in school subjects in which they had fallen behind, with the help of experienced teachers and supporters. There was sports, fun and games,

In November, pupils worked hard at home putting together appropriate contents for Christmas shoeboxes which they then donated to the Little Edi Foundation. The boxes contained toiletries, art supplies, toys and clothes, which will be sent overseas to the poorest children in rural Moldova, so they can feel special this Christmas. We were delighted to donate over 100 shoeboxes.

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In the autumn term, the Widford children and parents came together to collect food donations for the Little Edi. In total, four crates of tinned and dried food were collected from school by volunteers at the Foundation. “It took us hours to sort into order and 23 families had bags of food straight away that very day.” Tess from the Little Edi Foundation said. “Please let your pupils know how much they have helped other children in Chelmsford and we at Little Edi Foundation value the partnership we have with Widford Lodge.”

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The Singing Chef

This month, Christmassy chocolate truffles and Virgin Mary Truffles (for the teetotals and kids).

Christmas is fast approaching and this time of year I get immense joy seeing kids - both big and small light up with wonder and delight.

I experienced this in abundance today taking the most amazing, autistic teen (whom I see every week) to the most amazing Christmas tree which has been erected in loving memory of a friend’s father who passed away last month. WOW WOW WOW. We chose a decoration to take and added more supplied by my friend. It was just so magical and special. The tree is in Sydner Close, Great Baddow.

Feel free to go along and adorn it with a decoration.

Sarah is a singer and vocal coach based in Chelmsford and offers singing lessons to people of all ages and abilities. You can email Sarah at sarahmtfood@gmail.com or search for ‘Sarah Beth Vocal Coaching’ on Facebook.

Christmassy Chocolate Truffles and Virgin Mary Truffles This recipe makes, well, loads! I made a huge batch as gifts. Half the quantity to serve 4/6 after dinner.

Ingredients: 600ml double cream 400g dark chocolate 4 tbsp icing sugar 6 tablespoon of cherry brandy or any liqueur of your choosing Cocoa powder for dusting Half a teaspoon on sea salt PS: this is a 1-pan dish!

Method: • Boil your cream and take off the heat add the chocolate, icing sugar and liqueurs.

• Leave to cool and transfer to the fridge for at least 3 hours.

• Put the cocoa powder and salt in a bowl.

• Roll small amounts of the mixture into balls and dust in the cocoa and you’re done!

Simply leave out the alcohol for the Virgin Mary ones.

They can be kept in the fridge for a good few months - though who in their right mind could have these bad boys on hand for that long!?

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Quiz Time - by John Theedom

1. What is the name of Wallace’s dog?

2 What is the name of that big wheel on the London Embankment?

3. Which island in the Mediterranean was awarded the GC in WW2?

4. What group of animals are described as vulpine?

5. Scuttle is to sink a ship, but to what article does it also apply?

6. What beverage company has been using Santa Claus in its advertising since 1931?

7. What is the time difference between London and New York?

8. Which character in Greek mythology flew too close to the sun?

9. What well known Christmas carol became the first song ever broadcast from space in 1965?

10. In golf, what is a dogleg?

11. When was Britain’s first TV programme broadcast from Alexandra Palace?

12. What was Lulu’s birth name?

13. What are Pontefract cakes made from?

14. What connects ‘cochineal’, ‘cardinal’ and ‘pillar box’?

15. Which of the Teletubbies is purple?

16. When and where was the first Woolworth’s store opened in the UK? 17. Which instrument does the Irishman James Galway play?

18. In which ocean does the beluga whale live?

19. What is the term for growing plants in water instead of earth?

20. What do the initials CND stand for?

21. Apart from being an MP, what was Edward Heath’s other passion?

22. Who was the main star in the film Dirty Harry?

23. Which British King was beheaded in 1649?

24. When did the sixpenny piece cease to be legal tender?

25. Who is the younger brother, Bobby or Jack Charlton?

26. How old was Henry VI when he was crowned King of England?

27. What, in medical terms is systole?

28. What colour is ecru?

29. What was Engelbert Humperdinck’s birth name?

30. The island of Sark is in which island group?

31. Which sport did WG Grace play?

32. What are you doing if you are volitant?

33. In Greek mythology, who was the goddess of agriculture?

34. Who was the well known Butterflies actor who died in November age 93?

35. What nationality is the snooker player Neil Robertson?

36. What was the first name of the punk rocker Mr ... Vicious?

37. What is a raredos?

38 Which word connects ‘first’, ‘running’ and soul?

39. If your hat size is 7½, what is the circumference in inches?

40. What is the term for the art of making maps and charts?

(Answers on page 31) 24 www.moulshamtimes.com

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Moulsham Lodge Community Trust I was recently looking through some old MLCT event photos and it was very nostalgic. I thought that we’ve achieved rather a lot since we (around 300) of us assembled in the Catholic Church over 10 years ago to register our discontent at Essex County Council (ECC) closing the old Community Centre. Conversely, ECC became one our biggest supporters when we demonstrated some sound business plans and ideas where we could both benefit. Cllr Dick Madden, our County Councillor, has been a big supporter and became a trustee of MLCT at a critical point around the time we were setting up as a charity. I myself became a city councillor as I saw that this could help our cause in progressing our plan to get a community facility up and running in Moulsham Lodge.

Although we were two opposing political parties this was never a barrier to the aims of MLCT, in fact there were times when our respective party leaders thought we were working too closely!

Although now I’m a ‘retired’ councillor, I am still working closely with Cllr Dick Madden, as there some exciting projects coming up in the pipeline and one I wanted to mention in particular. Whilst we generate lots of ideas as a team, residents often ask us about including different things into our events and general monthly programmes. It is sometimes difficult to get projects off the ground though, as inevitably you need money to do anything. Recently we were asked to submit applications for some grant money ECC had available. Initially it could be used for any type of local project, however they soon added a criteria where the project had to include some element of ‘COVID Recovery’.

Two of the projects that have been around in the background are ideas to create a way to connect people that are isolated and lonely and an idea to create a local community TV channel. We thought that

there may be a way to combine both ideas as part of the application for the grant. The main problem was that quite a few people still have no access to smart phones/tablets and have no broadband or Internet access. Without this it would be difficult to connect people who most need it. Luckily we think there is a scheme available that could help bridge this gap and hopefully in the next couple of months we can develop this particular opportunity.

The idea for the Community TV channel is to provide a platform for people in the local community to share their favourite pastimes, talk about their hobbies, or talk about the good old days. Subjects could include just about anything - from cooking to calligraphy. One of the major strands for the channel would also be a to provide a platform for local musicians - be that solo or bands - and the ability to record, produce and broadcast this music. The idea is also to make this an interactive TV channel, whether that be live broadcasts or recorded.

We will hopefully trialling some of this over the Christmas period. If anyone has any ideas which we could use on the channel, please get in touch, as this is all about us as a community and a chance to be at the forefront of digitising communities throughout the UK. The team at MLCT wishes you all a happy Christmas. www.mlct.org.uk enquiries@mlct.org.uk 07434 678 999 Contact us by email: enquiries@mlct.org.uk Search for us on Facebook and Twitter

Comfort & Joy

‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost knocking at the door…’

Are you humming along?

The scene conjured up in those song lyrics is one of cosiness, warmth, love, comfort, joy. Not things we will readily associate with 2020 when we look back. And Christmas won’t be normal - not by a long shot.

We will all face the pain of absent loved ones; for some because of Government restrictions, but for many because they have passed away this year because of Covid. But Christmas can still be a time of comfort and joy.

The radical claim of Christians is that in Jesus Christ, God himself entered into the darkness and suffering and evil of this world. And so can offer comfort in the midst of sorrow and grief and pain - because he knows these things himself. He is the God of comfort. Comfort is needed when there is sorrow. If you are in pain, turn to him.

But the even more radical claim of Christians is that in Jesus Christ, God himself not only entered into our world and experienced what we experience, but that he also died and rose again to bring all suffering and evil to an end. Jesus Christ was raised to life and so death itself is even defeated! This is the hope, the certain promise of God, that Christians know to be true. That even thought death is a present reality, it is a beaten enemy. Joy comes because God’s new world, a world where there is no death, broke into this world when Jesus Christ was raised to life! It means that death does not have the final word - Jesus Christ does!

space to grieve loved ones who have passed away. Booking is essential please email me to book.

Secondly, our annual carol service will be wholly online this year. We invite you to log on to our YouTube channel for 6pm on Sunday 20th December and join us for carols and readings and choir pieces and more!

We at Tile Kiln Church pray that you will know the comfort and joy of the Lord Jesus Christ this Christmas, no matter what your circumstances.

Please get in touch!

Tim Goodall, Pastor I’d like to invite you to explore these things this Christmas.

Government guidance permitting, Tile Kiln Church will be running tim.goodall@tilekilnchurch.org.uk a number of Christmas services (see the dates on the poster). Let YouTube: tinyurl.com/y24qlkvx me highlight two: Firstly, our annual Blue Christmas Service, Sunday www.facebook.com/tilekilnchurch 13th December, 4pm. This is a quiet and reflective service offering 26 www.moulshamtimes.com

Tile Kiln Corner

by Cllr Linda Mascot elected as Deputy Mayor.

On Wednesday 13th May at the first ever virtual meeting of the Full Chelmsford City Council, Cllr Jude Deakin was elected as Mayor of Chelmsford, her Mayoress is her daughter Helen and I was privileged to be

Jude lived in South Woodham Ferrers with her two daughters Heather and Helen before moving to Chelmsford in 2006. She previously worked in logistics, recruitment, office management and as a carer.

A member of South Woodham Ferrers Town Council for approximately 15 years, only leaving when she moved to Chelmsford, Jude has represented Marconi Ward on Chelmsford City Council since 2007.

Since 2009 she has served on Essex County Council representing Chelmsford West, enabling her to progress casework through both councils, which she enjoys. Jude has served on various Essex committees, including Overview and Scrutiny, Corporate Parenting, People and Families, as well as being Chair of Chelmsford Youth Strategy Group. On the City Council, she has been Cabinet Member for Safer Chelmsford from May 2019 until May 2020.

“Chelmsford West is the city council wards of Goat Hall (so I’m the City Councillor for Tile Kiln) Waterhouse Farm and Marconi. It goes from the Running Mare down Galleywood Rd over into Tile Kiln down Wood Street (including the roads off it), Widford down Westway and Waterhouse Lane with the housing estates off on both sides. Plus Parkway over to Boarded Barns up to Broomfield Road to the bus and train station over to the ARU.” You have previously been Deputy Mayor, did you envisage yourself as becoming the Mayor of Chelmsford?

“I was delighted to be Deputy Mayor and very soon into the role I hoped that one day I’d get the opportunity to be Mayor.”

Obviously it’s not the mayoral year you were expecting - what have been the unexpected highs so far?

“Being able to attend events, albeit through Zoom, has been a bonus but actually attending events has been great. I’ve particularly enjoyed visiting schools, opening new businesses and thanking volunteers who helped out during lockdown. Most people are surprised to hear I’ve attended more than 80 official events since May either virtually or socially-distanced in person, although all the civic events have been cancelled due to restrictions. I share photos, videos and ‘boomerangs’ onto my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.”

What do you hope to achieve during your mayoralty?

“It’s a great honour to have been elected as Mayor for this great city and am looking forward to actively supporting local residents, businesses, community groups and charities during this challenging time. I hope the public will have a better understanding of the work my charities do. Obviously it would be good to try and do some interesting fundraising events for them - very difficult when we’re in lockdown and there is limited, if any, socialising.

“As I can’t attend so many events in person I’m about to record my third Chelmsford Mayor’s Podcast which you can hear on Anchor FM, Spotify and other platforms (just ask Alexa). Hopefully, the mayoral year will improve after Christmas as events slowly start happening again, in the meantime I’d like to wish all residents and their families health, happiness, prosperity and joy to you and your family in this festive season.”

Please email mayors.office@chelmsford.gov.uk if you’d like a mayoral visit.

How you can follow the Mayor: Facebook: search ‘Mayor of Chelmsford’ Twitter: @chelmsmayor Instagram: @Chelmsford_mayor

Jude has been a member of Chetwood Primary, William De Ferrers and Rainsford High School PTAs and was a school governor at Collingwood Primary, Rainsford High/St Peters College and KEGS. She is currently a member of Chelmsford Community Radio, a trustee of North Chelmsford Community Trust and a past trustee of Helping Hands Essex.

I asked Jude about her roles as Mayor, City Councillor and County Councillor.

What is the area you represent on the County Council? www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

Linnet Drive Christmas Lights Sue Sharp will again be illuminating the corner of Linnet Drive (CM2 8AX) and Dove Lane with her impressive display of Christmas lights during December. Sue explained: “The Christmas display has evolved over the last 15 years. There is always a theme from the North Pole to the toybox. I started the display in memory of my parents as I lost both at Christmas time and it takes my mind off things. The light display brings a lot of enjoyment to many people who have made it one of their annual traditions to visit. All monies raised go to a local charity. Lights are switched on daily from 3.30pm. Please feel welcome to walk up the path, being careful to socially distance.”

After such a challenging year that no one could have foreseen, I’d like to wish you and your families a merry and healthy Christmas with all best wishes for a happy New Year.

Twitter @lindamascot mascotlinda@gmail.com 27

28 www.moulshamtimes.com

Charity of the Month - Warm a Heart With Chelmsford Community Transport Local charity, Chelmsford Community Transport, have been providing affordable and accessible travel for older and disabled residents for over 20 years. With a fleet of 8 wheelchair accessible minibuses driven by DBS checked drivers and a car scheme run by volunteers, we can provide pre-booked door-to-door transport around the Chelmsford parishes for any reason, Monday to Friday. We can also provide transport to other Essex hospitals, subject to availability.

year, instead of asking for small gifts, we are requesting donations so that we can purchase gifts for our passengers and will distribute using our minibuses.

We can assist with transport to adult day centres, social clubs, medical appointments, shopping and more!

There is an annual registration fee of £18 for individuals and £24 for couples. Those with a disabled or concessionary bus pass travel free on our minibuses, and for those without a bus pass, our fare contributions are very reasonable.

Donations can be made by visiting our website or Facebook page or texting CCTGIFT followed by an amount to 70085 (eg, texting CCTGIFT2 will donate £2).

We are pleased to say that we are Covid-secure and have new procedures in place to protect our drivers and most vulnerable passengers; we are limited to 4 passengers per bus and cleaning is undertaken after every journey.

Warm a heart this Christmas and help the most isolated within our community.

Our services aim to overcome loneliness and isolation and is a lifeline to many who would otherwise not be able to travel or could struggle to access public transport.

To register for the services or for more information, call 01245 477 750 or visit www.chelmsfordct.org.

Every year we run a Christmas Gift Appeal and this year, more than ever, we need your help to bring a smile to our passengers. This

Centenary of the Moulsham War Memorial On a beautiful autumn afternoon on Saturday 7th November, a service of remembrance was held outside St John’s Church, Moulsham Street to rededicate the war memorial on the centenary of its original unveiling. The memorial had recently been restored and had the names reinscribed as many were becoming unreadable. It has also been cleaned and shone in the sunshine.

The Bishop of Bradwell, the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, led the service, ably assisted by Revd Canon Andy Griffiths as Priest-inCharge. Revd Gemma Fraser and Curate Revd Suzanne McCallister were self-isolating. The service was organised by Gemma and members of St John’s Church, with invitations being sent out to a number of interested local people and dignitaries. Sadly, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the church family and local residents could not be invited. The small congregation who were able to attend were of course socially-distanced.

Guests on the day included Mayor Jude Deakin and her Mayoress Helen Deakin, Deputy Leader of Chelmsford City Council Marie Goldman, and representatives of the Royal British Legion, Major David Swann and Mark Thompson. Chairman of the Trustees of the Essex Regiment Museum, Major Peter Williamson MBE read the lesson and Claire Hopkins, Group Scout Leader of 15th Chelmsford Scout Group, read the Gospel reading. Local historian Andy Begent was an important attendee as he had researched all the names on the memorial, and veteran Doug Killick had also researched many local soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. Representatives of the Church expressed their gratitude to Chelmsford City Council and the War Memorial Trust for facilitating and funding the restoration work on the war memorial, as well as to Louis Russell the stone carver who reinscribed the names with such precision and care.

The service was very moving, with all the names on the memorial being read out by members of St John’s Church. The Last Post was www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

The Mayor and Mayoress with Rt Revd Bishop Dr John Perambulah, Bishop of Bradwell and Revd Canon Andy Griffiths played and a two minute silence observed before the Reveille. The well known words from For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon were then read again by the Mayor: ‘They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old, Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn, At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them.’

Poppy wreaths were laid, prayers led by Andy Griffiths, and the National Anthem sung by all, before Bishop John gave the final blessing. It was certainly a poignant, thought-provoking service which will long live on in the memories of all those who were present. The service was later screened on the St John’s Church Facebook page and can be found there still if you would like to watch it.

Jacky Langley (Churchwarden) 29

Covid on Car Sales - by Simon Inglis As new car sales in Australia tumbled as they have in many parts of the world, used luxury cars have made the biggest mark as far as used car sales are concerned. I should know as I’ve bought two ageing BMWs I’d never have considered in 2019.

Back then, in 2019 when the world was ‘normal’ I had been carrying out a quite serious online relationship with the Mercedes CLS of circa 2011 to 2013 vintage. It had even grown to an enquiring email followed by a 100 kilometre drive to our closest Mercedes-Benz dealership.

Yet the rest as they say, is history. I’ve had two car loans in my life and both ended badly - the last one in tears as I lost $25,000 in Aussies in just 3 years. I loved the CLS but as my CLK had pretty much all the equipment levels plus more power I decided it could wait.

That secured the first deal. The second was more recent, almost the same model but with the hugely desirable ‘sport’ pack to pretty up the car - and lower it.

We now have an ‘Oxford Green’ BMW which I’m told is an unlucky colour. I’ve since referred to Google on this subject and the matter of green cars does have an interesting history! No bother to me though as I personally love it.

We are now left with an ageing fleet (and an unhappy wife, in all fairness correct in saying we now have one vehicle too many!), the value of all at their new list prices was some $360,000. That is an incredible sum to me for a depreciating set of assets, yet over the past three years, all up they have cost us about $20,000 to purchase.

All are very well optioned for their eras, and items such as the invaluable Bluetooth are simply upgraded at minimal cost. The BMW’s score a 4 star ANCAP rating, likely missing the full 5 stars as they are bereft of seatbelt reminders and suchlike. The other two still get the full 5 stars.

This is not an essay on bangernomics. All are cars that we really do like. All were carefully chosen despite us truly only needing three cars in total.

In Australia personally financing a car, while common, isn’t the norm I pretty much found it to be in the UK. Like in any modern country Aussies have about as much cash to spare as anybody else.

The used car fleet is markedly older here and with duties and tax rates many cars are much more expensive when new. In addition, tastes are different. Japanese and Korean cars dominate along with the new found craze for huge American utes. Sure, there are enough in Blighty looking ridiculous on small congested roads.

Yet our family sums up what has been well observed during COVID-19 and Melbourne and Victoria’s lockdown; that used luxury cars have depreciated to such a level that they have become affordable to many people and as a result heavily sought after.

For me, I’ve almost fulfilled a dream seen on a Top Gear episode some two decades back - that of a BMW E39 M5. Thanks to escalating prices, the rarity of sales and tremendous buyer demand, it’s quite likely E39 M5 ownership will pass me by.

Australia certainly has more space but many of these upsized Americans look almost as out of place when they dwarf a Mazda CX-5 let alone the ever popular Toyota Corolla.

Yet the new car market has really stumbled. With no clarity on electric vehicle policy from Canberra, we have nobody like Boris telling us that petrol or diesel sales have a used-by date. Rather, it is hard to see an end to fossil fuelled vehicles in a country as vast as Australia is.

Hybrids however, do dominate many new car sales with good logic.

Running the home/school/office cycle in city traffic on plug-in power makes a lot of sense, in theory at least using petrol or diesel for longer trips.

Yet as always its the luxury car market that takes the largest depreciation hit. With rust being a non-issue on pretty much anything under 15 years of age, it’s significant to think that Australian cars are very often, especially as used buys, better than their British counterparts.

Yet I do have an E39 M Sport! With knock-off Chinese mirrors and a rear quad pipe set, I’d be extremely convincing in owning the real article - until an observer notices the lack of a V8! Nevertheless, on a light note at least something good has come from a miserable year of job losses, home schooling and restrictions in leaving home.

As I write this, the UK has returned to lockdown while those of us in Victoria come out of it. Cars have served as my distraction from the greater worries in life.

Luxury cars such as a BMW 320i will come with many features missing from base European cars. Further up the rarity list, AMG or M badged cars are usually fussily maintained by the first, second and third owners. A car that once cost $100,000 is seldom neglected before old age and low mileage examples, while uncommon, can be found with a little patience.

We are now trying to plan the Christmas period with interstate relatives and my parents, whom I have not been permitted to see all year. My wife cancelled her overseas visit to see her own parents back in April just as Australia banned all international travel. When she can next visit is unknown. 2022 or 2023 now looks most likely at best.

I didn’t expect to purchase two old BMWs in 2020. The first was bought sight-unseen after a chat about it with an ex-pat Brit. Upon asking him about the car I teased an answer to the question ‘and how much would one of these go for in Blighty?’ The answer? ‘It wouldn’t go. As in there aren’t any... no, none... there’s always a bit of rot at this age...’

We enjoy our hobbies as much as we can, however 2020 has been most trying for so many of us. With this in mind, may I wish readers the very best, and a healthy Christmas and New Year filled with as much joy as we can all muster.

Season’s greetings, and blessings, to all!

30 www.moulshamtimes.com

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