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Noasis Playing at CCFC See Page 19
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MT Welcome
Hi readers
The decision has been made and we are coming out of the EU, we wonder what lies ahead of us now only time will tell. We have Noasis one of the top tribute acts playing this month (see page 19). Robbie McIntosh one of the world’s top guitarists returns to Chelmsford see page 16. Let’s hope for better weather with lots festivals coming up this month. We have the Summer Beer festival, The Fling and Brownstock in our area and many more across the UK. Enjoy summer! Regards Paul & Nick
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What’s Happening at Marsh Farm This Summer... Teddy Bears’ Picnic
If you go down to the farm this 9-10th July, you’ll be in for a BIG surprise! This year we will be joined by the Gruffalo for some fuzzy fun and games! Plus there will be exciting storytelling and photo opportunities. Summer Holidays Be sure to bring your little ones down to Marsh Farm during the 6 week holiday for our Summer Spectacular, which is taking place every day. Prepare yourself for magic shows, animal displays and milking demonstrations. Play in our extensive indoor and outdoor play areas and run wild in our enormous inflatable village.
We also have a HUGE new outdoor adventure play frame! Over 6 meters tall with 3 tall towers, climbing nets, slides and bridges. KidsFest Taking place on Sunday 14th August is our family favourite event. This year we have some new areas including Superhero School, the Big Pirate Show, and sporty activities such as have-a-go Free Running and Monkeynastix. Popular children’s characters including Chase + Marshall from PAW Patrol, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Lloyd Warbey (from Disney’s Art Attack), Rastamouse and Da Easy Crew and Little Grey Fergie the Tractor will be entertaining crowds on the main stage.
There are hours of fun to be had, with bouncy pillows, a sand-pit, tractor town, tractor and trailer rides, den building, pony grooming and much more!
Jaw-dropping attractions include Mad Science, Happy’s Circus - and World Champion Bike Stunt Rider Ben Savage is BACK with his Savage Skills display, plus Bubble Inc - the Guinness World Record Holders for the BIGGEST BUBBLE, as well as graffiti artist Danny Bench, who will be creating live art on a VW car!
NEW Attractions!
Did You Know...
The whole family will love getting lost inside our massive Maize Maze! Spanning across 4 acres, this labyrinth crop field will leave even the most expert puzzle professionals scratching their heads! Can you find the middle? Those lucky enough to crack the maze will discover a tasty treasure in the centre - then you just need to find your way out!
Marsh Farm now has a day nursery on site! Twizzle Tops Day Nursery cares for children aged 6 weeks - 5 years old. We are open from 7am - 7pm, 5 days a week, offering half day and full day sessions. For more information, please call 01245 321 552, or visit www. marshfarm.co.uk.
Quiz Time - General Knowledge by John Theedom (Answers on Page 31) 1. What are the punched holes around a postage stamp called? 2. Who is the patron saint of fishermen? 3. What are herbivores? 4. Trichology is the study of what? 5. What is the Paris underground train system called? 6. In Washington DC, what is DC? 7. What does a campanologist do? 8. What was Mazawatee? 9. What are hieroglyphics? 10. Where in your body are your adenoids? 11. In the NHS, what is an SEN? 12. What is the covering on a Battenberg cake? 13. How many make up a ‘Quorum’? 14. Which country created Canvey Island? 15. Who did Rupert Murdock marry recently? 16. Which famous tennis player recently admitted to taking drugs? 17. What colour is albino? 18. What is the CPS? 19. Which pop group did Bill Wyman play with? 20. What was Hulk Hogan’s sport? 21. What were Sir Winston Churchill’s middle names? 22. Where in the world is Myanmar? 23. What is the difference between a psalm and a hymn? 24. What is the meaning of ‘ersatz’? 25. Which snooker ball has the longest name? 26. What is a Pumi? 27. What is the rear of a ship called?
28. In Corrie, What was the name of Stan Ogden’s wife? 29. Who was The Green Party’s first female MP? 30. Which Ford car is named after an island? 31. Name one of the Marx Brothers (there were 5)? 32. What was John Lennon’s wife’s name? 33. what is the real name of Michelin Man? 34. What name is given to an area in which olives are grown? 35. What year was the Omagh bombing? 36. What is the name of the American with a very strange hair-do, who is running in the Presidential elections? 37. Where was the Necropolis Railway? 38. Where was the world’s first purpose-built motor racing track? 39. What is Dr Christian Barnard most famous for? 40. What is converted into alcohol during brewing?
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From County Hall by Cllr Dick Madden
By the time you read this article we will all know the result of the European Referendum, which during the Stay In or Leave campaigns, we witnessed both sides attempting to persuade us with too many unknown consequences. I am a politician but sometimes I felt the predictions, suggestions and rhetoric was like ‘trying to knit with fog.’ Whatever the outcome of the vote, be assured, ‘we ain’t heard the last of it.’
comment. This week my beautiful sister-in-law Christine lost her fight with a terminal illness. Our hospital takes a bit of a battering on occasions but I want to salute the staff and management of the hospital for the care and compassion they provided to Christine and all her family. The nursing staff of Felsted Ward were a credit - THANK YOU. What of Christine? May her soul and all the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
If you haven’t read or heard, we at ECC have, following legal submissions of ideas and how they would be funded, found a party to lease the Shire Hall and prepare to open it up again. After 4 years, the developers (Aquila from Chelmsford), will commence to restore the interior of the building - subject to planning permission of course - and make the interior spaces to be available for commercial purposes but most important on my part, also community use. You will hear about restaurants and other commercial ideas, but remember it must have community use as well. I am pleased with the outcome but will keep you updated on progress.
Dick Madden
BE SAFE
Where Shire Hall is situated at the top of our High Street, there is a considerable amount of development; the restaurant quarter, John Lewis department store, the High Street itself and not forgetting the proposed Riverside development. I march through our town centre from building site to building site but be assured our city is vibrant and all this excellent development will make our city even VIBRANTER... (no such word, but it’s going to be good). I end on a sad note but a hearty
From The House by Sir Simon Burns - Access All Areas One of the many things that I often do whilst in Westminster is attend briefings by charities on campaigns that they are running and I recently attended one organised by Guide Dogs.
Guide dogs are trained to support the independence of their owner and legislation confirms their rights to have equal access to places, businesses and services. However, despite this, some owners have reported that they have been refused access to a place, business or service because they have been accompanied by their guide dog. Recently several of these cases have attracted significant media attention. A UK-wide survey recently highlighted that discrimination of guide dog owners was widespread with nearly three quarters of respondents (74%) having experienced an access refusal - 48% had been refused access within the past year. One respondent said: “Access refusals make me feel awful. Very much like a second class citizen who is not wanted by society no matter who or what the business is. It’s as if we should be stuck away and never seen again.”
Whilst the survey found that restaurants, newsagents, pubs, supermarkets and theatres had all refused access, they did find that there was more of a problem with some taxis and private hire vehicles. Although many taxis and private hire vehicles fully and automatically accept people with guide dogs, the survey did identify some drivers who refused to accept a dog in their vehicle and I have seen a distressing video which outlines a number of excuses that were given. The Department for Transport’s Best Practice Guidance on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing recommends that local licensing authorities work with the industry in their area to improve drivers’ awareness of the needs of disabled people. This includes encouraging their drivers to undertake disability awareness training and is one of the recommendations that the Guide Dogs Access for All campaign is seeking to see implemented. The campaign also wants to see better enforcement of access refusal by relevant authorities, for example through mystery shoppers. It also wishes for there to be greater awareness and staff training in all public facing businesses and services. Whilst there is clearly a large amount of good practice already in existence, further steps can be taken to help guide dog owners and I hope this campaign helps raise awareness of the problems they continue to face.
6 www.moulshamtimes.com
The Gospel According to Caroline I love being outside and am currently really missing a garden as I now live in a flat. Recently, I went on a silent retreat weekend at Clare Priory in Suffolk, where they have an amazing garden with many nooks and crannies so visitors can find their own hideaway. It was lovely weather when I arrived, so I headed for the Cottage Garden where I knew there was a bench I could chill out on. I laid down and all I could hear was the sound of the birds, beautiful. As I drifted off to sleep in the sunshine it made me realise not just how busy our lives are but also how noisy they are. How rarely it seems, do we have the opportunity to just sit and relax and enjoy an outdoor space and listen to birdsong. God who created heaven and earth, did so, so that we may live and enjoy that creation. In our overly busy lives, we really should find time to smell the flowers and listen to the birds, and relish in the healing qualities of doing so. To find out what we exciting things are happening at Christ Church, visit our Facebook page: Christ Church URC Chelmsford, or our website: www.christchurchchelmsfordurc.org.uk. Caroline Brown, Church Family and Community Worker, Christ Church United Reformed Church.
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MT Fitness
Stag Do Fitness Lessons Recently I was invited to friend’s stag do - a weekend away in Bournemouth. Owing to the soon-to-be groom being such an erudite, debonair young man, he had many, many friends clambering to be part of the festivities (either that or they just fancied a weekend away on the lash). Either way this led to a bit of dilemma for the best man, for he was a stressed control freak and wanted to plan everything down to the most minor detail. This became glaringly apparent when making travel arrangements - he wanted to hire a coach so that everyone could travel together. However, this was never going to happen, some were of course happy to travel by coach but some wanted to go by train and others wanted to drive. This caused the best man to worry like an Olympic sprinter with the drug testers at the door, for he wanted everyone to arrive at our destination all together at the same time.
Thanks for reading, Matt matt@mlrpt.co.uk www.mlrpt.co.uk 07939 316 401 www.twitter.com/mlrpt www.facebook.com/mlrpt www.twitter.com/mlrpt
Movement is Medicine How do humans move? What happens if things go wrong? How can we compensate if things don’t function the way they used to? Should we be moving the way we do in the modern world, or are our chairs, computers and cars messing us up? These are all questions that seem simple, but they are the nuts and bolts of what I find most fascinating and allow me to help others in my work. So how is movement a form of medicine?
Fast-forward to the actual stag do itself and oddly enough, despite the best man’s endless worrying and attempted interfering with everyone else’s travel plans, every single person arrived at our destination at more or less at the same time (give or take half an hour) whatever mode of transport they took.
What we are finding (I say ‘we’, but what I really mean is super-smart medical researchers) is that every single system in the body relies on us moving frequently.
The Obligatory Strip Bar (It Is a Stag Do After All) Later that evening as the rest of the stag-do were enjoying the adult art provided by the extremely friendly ladies in the strip bar, I of course opted to wait outside (I had to put that in just in case my wife reads this). It dawned on me that I could draw parallels with the best man’s travel saga and people trying to reach their fitness goals, in that there are multiple paths to the same destination.
I should clarify, that by ‘movement’, I don’t necessarily mean exercise. You can’t exercise without movement, but you can move without exercise. This seems obvious but it helps guide us in the choices we make when it comes to movement.
Just as some of the lads in the stag party preferred taking the train rather than the coach, some people prefer high intensity interval training (HIIT) to low intensity, long distance training. Likewise, just as some of the gentleman chose to travel by car rather than coach, some people enjoy doing one set of as many repetitions as possible when weight training as opposed to doing multiple sets. Anyway the examples are endless and I think you get my drift. Tabata Training There are numerous studies out there which back up one form of training over another and the vogue method of training at the moment seems to be Tabata training which is great if you enjoy working really, really hard. However, if you don’t and you prefer a perhaps more sedate form of training, this is obviously not for you as you are not likely to do it and therefore reap any of its benefits. I of course have my preferred methods of training which work for me, the trick is to find which method works for you. Perhaps British Olympic rowing legend, Sir Steve Redgrave puts is best with his take on training. When discussing the huge success he enjoyed using different training regimes employed for each of his Olympic gold medals (which included HIIT, low intensity high mileage training, training with weights, not training with weights) he said: “It probably doesn’t matter a great deal about how we train, we just need to do a lot of it and with plenty of variety.” For help finding your perfect training programme and to book a free trial session, or of course just to find out what the hell Tabata actually is (don’t worry, once you know the whole truth about it you won’t be that impressed), please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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Our heart, our brain, our hormones, our digestion, our muscles, our joints - you name it, they need us to move to be healthy.
You see, what we’ve found with movement is that there are two main ingredients that nourish our system. Firstly, the movement should be pain-free, and secondly, we should try to move in as many different ways as possible. My wife thinks I’m mad because for no apparent reason I’ll crawl down the hallway instead of walk, or walk up the stairs 4 at a time, or on my big toes, or brush my teeth standing on one leg. ‘Why do you do that, you fruitloop?’ I hear you ask! Well our brain LOVES new movement, it helps it to thrive. It keeps our muscles strong for all the different and unexpected tasks life throws at us, and by twisting and turning it helps keep our joints loose. And this is all by making (admittedly rather odd) choices around the house. I do choose to go to the gym as well, but I appreciate that’s not for everyone. All I hope is that with this article and my little admission of what a strange person I am, I have encouraged you to test your movement a little. There are no rules other than it has to be painfree, but really, just make it up! Try doing the washing up with your left hand, close drawers or cupboard doors with feet not hands, walk on your heels, try all sorts of things. It’s food for the brain, it helps our balance, our strength and our joint health, and you never know, it may even make you smile... :) Any questions, please get in touch at: chris@fortephysicalhealth.co.uk www.fortephysicalhealth.co.uk 01245 522 360
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O STEOPATHY & S PORTS M ASSAGE IN C ENTRAL C HELMSFORD We’re here to help... Back Pain Sports Injuries Joint Pain Muscle Strains Sciatica & more... Michelle Hancock Osteopath
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MT Gardening
I took a look back through my diary and past articles and without exception I usually write about water conservation and mulching at this time of year... Well, I think for the time being we’ll be OK! It’s wet, wet and very wet. That aside, harnessing this additional water by using water butts and adding to them with rain saver devices will definitely help you as we continue into the height of summer when hopefully it will be a little drier. With all this spare water and warm weather, it has led to a huge increase in plant growth which creates a maintenance opportunity. Additional pruning of excess growth and also the tying in of young long shoots will be required. I’ve just stepped out into the back garden and the likes of Rosa Veilchenblau; a vigorous rambler with glossy mid-green foliage and large sprays of slightly fragrant, semi-double flowers 2.5cm in width, purple-violet with an occasional white streak, fading to greyish-lilac in summer, has produced masses of shoots that if not tied in will bend and crack. Simply tie into supports temporarily now and then prune them routinely in February/March next year.
Another range of plants vying for your attention are the myriad of climbers, especially early spring flowering types like Clematis montana. C. cirrhosa and C. armandii, which will need to be trimmed to the shape of their supports, only cutting harder if they have outgrown their allocated space. Others such as C. viticella are coming into bloom and just need their limbs tied to supports to keep them from collapsing and smothering other plants. They will also benefit from cutting by half after flowering which will encourage another flush of flowers later this summer. When tying in plants to supports, take care not to trap leaves between knots and always ensure that you twist string between support and stems to reduce rubbing and potential wounds developing. I then follow this with a slip knot and tie off securely in order that the knot doesn’t unfurl. Lastly, excess water can leach nutrients from the ground and or away from plant roots in containers. As a result lower leaves may become yellow and overall growth stunted or may lead to death of roots. Ensure you top up with additional liquid feeds or better still use pelleted products such as Osmocote - ensure the feed is more biased to supplying potassium/potash for flowers and fruit, or is higher in nitrogen for leaf and shoot growth. To avoid root death, ensure plants aren’t sitting in water for too long a period; simply raise pots off ground onto decorative feet or stand on bricks, as this will aid water flow and improve aeration around the root zone. Good luck and happy gardening! For any gardening tips, contact Tom Cole, Senior Horticultural Lecturer, Writtle College, Chelmsford, CM1 3RR by post (including a SAE), or by email at tom.cole@writtle.ac.uk.
Please 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
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Moulsham Open Gardens - Sunday 26th June 2016 Moulsham Open Gardens in aid of Farleigh Hospice took place on the 26th June. Here are some photos of the day. 11 gardens and locations were open to the public for the day.
Celtic Folk bad Shurig - Shurig.com - James 07800 515659
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11
Rotary Wheel Continues to Revolve
Do you remember me writing an article about the new Rotary year and me taking over the role of District Governor? Hard to believe that was two years ago. Time passes in a flash. It has always been my motto to do what you can whilst you are able as you never know what’s round the corner, so that being the case my time is divided between family, work, Rotary and leisure in that order. My wife, Sheila and I have eleven grandchildren, all very young and we don’t want to miss out as they grow up - but we still find time to help others through Rotary. Rotary is the world’s largest service organisation and does wonderful things and yet it is starting to struggle for numbers in this country. There are many reasons for this and certainly Rotary is not alone in discovering that the younger generation has less inclination to join and commit on a regular basis and so Rotary has addressed the situation with several initiatives to
comply with modern work practices.
Just recently the GO! Scheme has been introduced. This stands for Growth Opportunities and it introduces new ways to become involved with Rotary without the time commitment called for in the past. The emphasis is on service rather than just meetings, so it is what one does when available, rather than tick boxes of attendance. Gone is the need to attend weekly meetings involving a meal. Gone is the need to wear ties and jackets. I should stress that Rotary is for men and women so couples are encouraged to become involved together and this adds considerably to the social side which is so important. Quite simply, why would anyone want to belong to a club that they don’t like? Under the GO! Scheme you can become an Associate Member this offers a ‘try before you buy’ option without the initial financial commitment. Another new measure is to become a Friend of Rotary which means you help out when you can and as you see the difference you are making, you choose to become a full member. Traditional clubs are encouraged to become flexible and innovative. This means changing dates, times and frequency of meetings so everyone can become involved. They can also set up a satellite club which runs independently but is connected to the mother club. E-clubs are now springing up and these meet on-line. Obviously it is a case of what suits the individual. Many people like the old style clubs and enjoy a meal with friends whilst going about Rotary projects, so there is something for everyone. One more new type of membership available is to become a Corporate Member, where your company joins and nominates up to four employees to become Rotarians. Certainly Rotary is trying very hard to attract like-minded people to join so it can continue the wonderful work it does in local, national and international fields. There is no age barrier, so if you are in work or newly retired you will find Rotary a fulfilling way to use some of your spare time. If you would like to know more about these new ways of joining a club near you (and remember there are five clubs in Chelmsford alone) then visit www.chelmsfordrotary1240.org or give me a call on 01245 260 349. I will be more than pleased to point you in the right direction. Stan Keller
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Broomfield Opticians - Broomfield Road Broomfield Opticians is a family run independent opticians, we can provide a comprehensive eye examination for all our patients, supported by the latest diagnostic instruments. The practice has been established for over 35 years at the present location. The current optometrist, Mr Anish Chauhan, has had over twenty years of experience within the optical field. He has gained valuable experience working with patients of all age groups and problems and has a sound optometric background.
WE ARE HIRING! Are you friendly, organised, enthusiastic and caring?
Our aim is to provide you with that first class personal service and attention, which might sometimes be lacking from the High Street. So why not just come in and have a chat with our team and see what we can offer you?
Twizzle Tops Day Nursery at Marsh Farm is looking for qualified Early Years Practitioners & Team Leaders
Being independent, we are devoted to the highest standards of eyecare and to quality eyewear. We stock a wide range of designer and non-designer spectacle frames. We also supply a very large range of spectacle lenses, specialising in high index (thin) lenses and varifocal spectacles. We are also a Varilux Specialist Centre.
Offering a competitive salary & development training
Broomfield Opticians also specialises in fitting contact lenses. We can assess your suitability for wearing them, explain the different options available to you and then provide you with lenses that give you clear and comfortable vision. As an independent practice we are not tied to any particular manufacturer. Hence, we have at our disposal literally hundreds of different types of contact lenses. This gives us the freedom to fit whichever lenses are likely to be most appropriate and healthy for a given patient. We can even supply custom disposable contact lenses. We are committed to providing a quality service through our high standards and expertise. Our caring and friendly staff will ensure that every patient receives a personal service to suit their needs.
Please send your CV to katie.davies@twizzletops.co.uk Tel: 01245 429238 www.twizzletops.co.uk Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park, Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex • Home visits available on request. • All eye examinations on ground floor. • Good parking facilities with wheelchair access. We are open Monday - Saturday, with late night opening on Tuesdays.
We offer many different services including: • • • • • • • •
A full NHS or private eye examination. Large range of frames including ultra light titanium, designer frames, classic styles and contemporary rimless - all at prices to suit your pocket. All major brands of lenses available. Contact lens fittings. Children’s eye examinations . Private Digital Retinal. Spectacle repairs. Photography and diabetic eye screening.
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MT Baking by Alison Motley
We all lead busy lives and even with the best will in the world we don’t all have the time to bake from scratch. With (hopefully!) some warmer weather in the summer months it’s nice to get out and about, and as much as I love to still eat cake in the summer, I don’t feel so much like spending hours in a hot kitchen baking. So this month I thought I would put together a few baking cheats and short cuts. Nothing beats a home-made cake, but there is nothing wrong with using one or two ready-made ingredients or elements to make the whole process a little easier.
Bread mixes are also really convenient. Add seeds, herbs and spices to make loaves more interesting, or top rolls with grated cheese before baking. Bread mixes can be used to make great home-made pizzas and any spare dough can be popped in the freezer.
Let’s be honest, making any type of pastry from scratch takes quite a while and requires a cool kitchen so not ideal if it’s hot. Puff pastry is probably one of the most time consuming and it requires a lot of butter! Ready-made chilled or frozen pastry is probably my favourite baking cheat. Not only is it economical and easy to use, but it always gives consistently good results (which cannot always be said of my own pastry!). This Provencal Tart is really quick to whip up and bursting with sunny flavours. It’s beautiful hot from the oven with a salad but can also be served cold and you could easily vary the fillings depending on what you have to hand.
Happy baking!
Some of my other favourite baking cheats are meringues and prebaked pastry cases. These can be filled with fresh fruit, whipped cream and a drizzle of liqueur or fruit curd to make a quick summer dessert, or try dipping mini meringues in melted chocolate. Savoury tarts can easily be made using a few bits from the fridge and a blob of good quality mayonnaise. Cream cheese is another of my favourites. It can be used to make easy cheesecakes, tart fillings, cheese sauce, ice cream and cake frostings, and frozen fruit is perfect for popping into muffin and cake batters and often less expensive than it’s fresh equivalent. There is nothing wrong with making an easy all-in-one cake and topping it with ready-made frosting or perhaps lemon curd and whipped cream. A brilliant instant frosting for cupcakes can be made by topping them with a couple of marshmallows 5 minutes before the end of their baking time. The marshmallows melt and caramelise into a gloriously sweet sticky frosting. There are also some great cake and cookie mixes available and these can always be elevated to something special with dried or fresh fruits, nuts and chocolate chips and a home-made frosting. How about adding a teaspoon or two of instant coffee to chocolate cookies or a little rose water to a lemon cake mix? A fun and colourful birthday cake can be made by adding sprinkles to a vanilla cake mix.
If all else fails and you don’t feel like baking at all, how about knocking up a quick no-bake refrigerator cake or cheesecake? My guilty pleasure is topping a crushed ginger biscuit and melted butter base with butterscotch Angel Delight - so wrong, but oh so right!
Provencal Tart (serves 4-6) • • • • • • • • • • • •
1 block ready-made puff pastry. 2-3 tablespoons Dijon mustard. 1 courgette, thinly sliced. 1 small red pepper, chopped into large chunks. 1 small ripe tomato, sliced. 1 small red onion, thinly sliced. Handful of black olives, halved. 1 tablespoon olive oil. 2 teaspoons dried mixed herbs. 100g Gruyere or Emmental cheese, grated. Beaten egg or milk for glazing (optional). Fresh basil to decorate.
1. Preheat oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. Cut a piece of baking paper slightly larger than a flat baking tray or Swiss roll tin. 2. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, gently roll out the pastry onto the baking paper to a rectangle approximately 1cm thick. With a sharp knife score a border 1cm in from the edge all the way around the rectangle. Prick the pastry inside the border with a fork and then chill the tart case for 10 minutes. 3. In a large bowl mix together the vegetables, the olive oil and the herbs. 4. Remove the pastry case from the fridge and spread the mustard over the pastry base inside the border. 5. Spoon the vegetables onto the pastry case. Brush the pastry border with a little beaten egg or milk. 6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the pastry is risen and starting to brown and the vegetables are soft. Top with the cheese and return to the oven for 5 minutes until the cheese has melted. 7. Decorate with fresh basil leaves. 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.
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Essex Rock Histories: Depeche Mode/Yazoo/Erasure by John Power What links these three groups (apart from the use of synthesisers to create music) is Vince Clarke and a school which no longer exists. That school was Nicholas School in Basildon, which merged with Laindon School in 1998 to become the James Hornsby School. As the site of Nicholas was where the James Hornsby School grew, there is a plaque in the school hall marking where Depeche Mode played their first gig. The band, over the years, has included Vince Clarke, Andy Fletcher, Martin Gore, Alan Wilder and Dave Gahan - joined later by Christian Eiger on drums and keyboards from 1997 and Peter Gordeno on keyboards, piano, bass and backing vocals since 1998 for touring, which has followed the release of each new album. In 1997 Clarke (on vocals) and Fletcher (on bass) were playing together calling themselves No Romance in China, while Martin Gore played acoustic guitar in a duo, which later became a trio, called French Look between 1978 and 1979. By 1980 the two groups merged into a trio called Composition of Sound, with Clarke on vocals and guitar, Gore on keyboards and Fletcher on bass. Clarke and Fletcher switched to synthesisers that same year after being influenced by Kraftwerk, Human League and OMD. Clarke also heard Dave Gahan singing at a local youth club and asked him to join as vocalist. ‘Depeche’, like a dispatch, means ‘news report’ and a ‘mode’ is a fashion, so ‘bringing news of a new fashion’, that is what they chose to call themselves and played their first gig at Nicholas School where they had been pupils. Dreaming of Me was their first recording in 1980, followed by New Life which reached number 10 in the singles chart and got them onto Top of the Pops. They didn’t send demos to record companies but took them personally and insisted they were listened to. Another DIY tactic included carrying their synths to the TOTP studios by train. Obviously an advantage that these new, lighter instruments had over the Hammond organs and mellotrons of the ‘old guard’. Their third single, Just Can’t Get Enough, was also a top ten hit. The first album, recorded as Some Bizarre Album in 1980 was released as Speak & Spell in 1981. At that time Vince Clarke left the band, destined to team up with Alison Moyet - another Nicholas girl - in Yazoo. The remaining trio then recorded A Broken Frame. Clarke was replaced by Alan Wilder on keyboards and drums, creating a line-up that would last for 13 years. Other Mode records of the 1980s included the Construction Time Again 1983 (album), the single People are People - which was a top ten hit in several countries, a live video in 1985, Black Celebration in 1986 (album), when they were adopted as cult figures by goths and Music for the Masses in 1988 (album) - appropriately titled, as around that time a US gig at Pasadena Rose Bowl was in front of a 60,000 crowd. By the 1990s they were a popular band worldwide, producing albums like Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion. Alan Wilder left after the Devotional Tour in 1995. Ultra, in 1997, was a trio album again. Rock excess also began to show its effects in 1996, when Dave Gahan ‘died’ briefly of a drug overdose in Los Angeles. Although pronounced dead at the scene, he was successfully revived. It was not a suicide attempt but an overdose due to excessive drug use chasing pleasure and occurred in a social setting. Martin Gore was becoming alcoholic and Andy Fletcher suffering from depression. So it was time to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and in 1998 they set out on the Singles 86 to 98 Tour. In 2001 it was the Exciter album and tour. Playing the Angel came out in 2005, Sounds of the Universe in 2009, Delta Machine in 2013 and another video in 2014. Dave Gahan was fronting a trans-Atlantic band from New York and England called Soul Savers in 2015. This seems to be a project on the side and Depeche Mode are likely to continue in future incarnations.
Yazoo Yazoo (or Yaz as they were called in the US) were formed in 1981 when Alison Moyet placed an advert in a local Basildon newspaper for people to form a band at the same time as when Vince Clarke had left Depeche Mode. The advert was answered by Vince, to a somewhat bemused Alison who had known his former band mates by going to the same school at Nicholas Comprehensive; she had been in the same class as Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher. Both Alison and Vince had played in local punk bands and she wasn’t sure how it would pan out, but was willing to give it a try. Together the duo recorded two albums: Upstairs at Erics which reached number 2 in the charts, and You and Me Both. Clarke was on synthesiser and Alison contributed her soulful vocals. They also had four singles that reached the top 3 in the UK, and one, Situation, that was a hit in the States. Alison admitted that she was old fashioned and preferred rhythm and blues and soul singing and didn’t feel a synthesiser was sufficient backing for what she wanted to do, so they split up in 1983. Yazoo had been a good showcase for Alison’s talent and she went on to produce the kind of music she excelled at, while Clarke was joined by Andy Bell to form Erasure in 1985 - again with Clarke on synth and Bell on vocals. In 2008, 25 years after their split, Yazoo reformed for a nostalgia tour and both their albums were re-released, and again in 2011 they teamed up to do three songs at a music festival. Erasure Erasure’s first single, Who Needs Love Like That, was released in 1985. They continued to chart with four further hits. Altogether, between 1986 and 2007, they had 24 consecutive top 40 singles in the UK and three top ten hits in the USA. They have sold 25,000,000 albums worldwide, with Bell drawing a large gay fan-base to their following.
Music and Blues in the City by Nick Garner June started busy and there is going to be no easing up for a while yet. As a band, we are starting to get very busy, so for Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective, it is onwards and upwards - find us at www. jwroots.co.uk. As I write this, 3foot People Festival and The Fling Festival will have all happened as will the Leigh-on-Sea folk festival - the largest free folk festival in Europe - and we will have voted in or out of Europe. The Bassment recently played host to The Lemoncurd Kids album launch and Blues in the City also had a great night with two tremendous acts. Andy Twyman is a one man band playing drums, guitar and harmonica and also singing. He writes most of his own music which is mostly comical and often about food and chickens; he always has the audience laughing and enjoying his show. Teed Up closed the night. This is a new band made up of some greats that have previously played with such luminaries as Dave Gilmour, Taj Mahal, Eric Bibb and Albert King. They did not disappoint the audience with Steve Roux’s amazing guitar playing and singing and with Ray Drury pumping the Hammond organ and Steve Browning and Bernie Fox driving the rhythm section - it was a night to remember and they are a band to watch out for. On Saturday 18th we had a true legend play at Chelmsford City FC, none other than the great Chris Farlowe with The Norman Beaker Band. The evening started with Roy Mette’s 60s Project; they have only played a few shows so we did not know what to expect, but being Roy we were not disappointed at all. He has recreated the 60s sound and feel with his own original songs and the audience loved it and the feedback has been very positive. Then the headliners hit the stage starting with The Norman Beaker Band playing a few numbers - Norman has a great voice and his band have played with many big artists like Larry Garner, Ruby Turner and of course Chris Farlowe. In fact, BB King said that Norman is like the ‘white Freddy King’. Norman has also produced many big artists in his time and he and his band still play all over the world. Next, Chris hit the stage with that voice - what a voice, he still has it at 76 years old. They played a straight 90 minute set. Chris is also a very funny man and he and Norman bounce off each other. Often Chris would alter the lyrics in a song to include Chelmsford, and during Cry Me a River he put in ‘Cry Me the River Chelmer’ which made everyone laugh. He sung his classics, Out of Time and Handbags and Gladrags, which most of the audience sang along to. By the time the music finished, there was a standing ovation - and they will be coming back, as both the audience and the band had a great night. There is lots more going on and one special night I am putting on (at the Bassment on Wednesday 13th July) is Robbie McIntosh, who is without doubt one of the world’s top guitarists and one of nicest people you could ever want to meet. Robbie has played with Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, Thea Gilmour, Tom Jones, Mark Knopfler and John Mayer. Robbie will open the evening with a couple of others joining him on stage, then he will join Wilson. Wilson are Steve Wilson’s band. I can tell you that they are fantastic, having supported them in London recently - their sound is similar to Crosby Stills Nash and Young with smooth harmonies and the great sound of Robbie’s guitar playing. This is a night not to miss and all for just £10 entry. On July 29th at Chelmsford City FC we have none other than Noasis, who are said to be about the best tribute band to Oasis that there is. When they appeared on Eastenders playing at the Queen Vic people were tweeting Liam and Noel thinking that this was the real band
and asking if they had got back together! (See the advert on the page opposite for full details of the gig and where you can get your tickets from.) There is lots more happening all over the area, so check out our sister magazine, Chelmsford the City Times, for our What’s On guide. Help keep it live by going out and watching live music in our city. www.bluesinthecity.co.uk www.facebook.com/bluesinthecitychelmsford Twitter @BluesintheCity1 www.itsyourmusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/itsyourmusic Twitter @itsyourmusic
Film in Chelmsford Filmmakers have been turning books into films for decades now, with notoriously mixed responses by critics and audiences; often the films aren’t true to the books which spoils it for die-hard fans, or the film can’t convey the depth of backstory present in the books. Now we are seeing multi-platform media being turned into film. Comic books are a major example, TV series being repurposed for the big screen and now even films based on games. Video games, apps and online games are the most recent example to get the adaptation treatment and this week I experienced a cinema trip unlike any I’d had before. I was persuaded to go and see Warcraft: The Beginning, the first major motion picture from the Warcraft universe. Warcraft is a complicated world - it started as a PC game, books were written and board games created and eventually it became one of the most successful online games ever. It is pure fantasy, orcs and magic and giant wolves, but I’ve always been curious about it and decided it would be a good starting point for these articles. I saw the film in 3D on the Imax screen in Empire Basildon - the first time I’ve ever seen anything in Imax. The cinema was good quality, the sound was mind-boggling and the 3D images were outstanding. I knew little about Warcraft, but my boyfriend is a dedicated fan and he adored this film. I’m dubious about most remakes; the live action Disney craze in particular concerns me and I am yet to be convinced otherwise, but Warcraft was a thoroughly enjoyable experience - for newbies and addicts alike. I didn’t need prior knowledge of the franchise, I was absorbed by the glorious and uniquely visual world unfolding on the screen, but seeing how impressed my other half was says alot for the filmmakers, as I know he was doubtful that the film could live up to his glowing childhood memories. I admire the bravery of filmmakers trying new things, sometimes film can give new life to old favourites and in the case of Warcraft, the technology now available in filmmaking can re-imagine something already loved by millions into a whole new experience. So one point for the remakes; I’ll have to go and watch the new Jungle Book now and see if we can even the score. Caitlin Lupton
18 www.moulshamtimes.com
MT Therapy by Jenny Hartill
Last time I gave a brief explanation of CBT and today I’ll be writing about how I use CBT with anxiety. Anxiety and anxiety related issues form my main client base. Anxiety is something that is incredibly wide spread because every person on the planet will likely feel anxious at some point in their life. This is because anxiety is an evolutionary tool that we have developed over the eons to keep us alive. Problems with anxiety arise when an individual feels overly anxious in situations where they shouldn’t - or normally wouldn’t - feel anxious. The reason CBT is so effective with treating anxiety is very simple: Anxiety disorders are always, ALWAYS about mindset. Even if the person is ‘pre-disposed’ to feeling anxious, this is more than manageable with the right techniques because the anxiety mindset is what makes anxiety so unbearable. Let me give you a few examples of what an anxiety mindset is: Catastrophising: The person imagines or assumes the worst possible outcome. Negative Scenario Building: The person imagines various scenarios in which the worst thing will happen, convincing themselves one of these scenarios will happen. Believing ‘if it’s bad it will happen to me’. Fear of feeling anxious. Expecting to feel anxious in certain situations. Feeling the need to be in control of everything. Belief they cannot cope. Negative outlook. All of these things are about mindset because everything is being generated by certain thought patterns. When I treat a client with anxiety I will ask them to give me their emotional, physical, cognitive and behavioural symptoms of when they panic/are anxious. This allows me to see how I can best use CBT. For example, if the client has specific cognitive thoughts that run along the same lines (for example obsessively worrying about health, their job, other people etc) and their behaviours follow a similar patterns (for example avoidant behaviour) I can then use CBT to match the cognitive and behavioural symptoms with the correct coping techniques. Knowing the emotional and physical symptoms lets me know how their cognitive thoughts are affecting them as this usually will then lead onto the behaviour. It also allows me to help the client connect how their thoughts make them feel and to help the client challenge these thoughts. I’m going to use a specific example here so you can see how I help the client do this: Let’s imagine Client A has come to me with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, so they are anxious of many things but the worst fear at the moment is of the anxiety itself and of having a panic attack. I am going to use CBT to help the client challenge this fear. This scenario happens A LOT in my therapy room: Me: What thoughts do you have regarding the anxiety? Cient A: I just keep thinking, what if I have a panic attack? Me: Answer the question. What if you have a panic attack? What will happen? Client A: I’ll panic and it will be awful, I’ll feel horrid like I’m going to die. Me: Have you ever died from a panic attack? Client A: No. Me: So, what are you afraid of then? Client A: It’s just so awful! Me: I know, but how do you feel when the panic attack is over? Client A: Better. Me: So the panic attack always goes and you feel better? Client A: Yes, but I’m always afraid it won’t and I’ll feel like that forever! I wont be able to cope! Me: But the panic attack always goes, and actually it is physically 20
impossible for your body to have a panic attack forever. Your body doesn’t have the ability to produce enough adrenaline for that to happen. Client A: But I’m always afraid that will happen! Me: Based on what we’ve talked about, the fact it is physically impossible for you to have a panic attack forever and based on the evidence that the panic attack always eventually goes, is your fear a valid one? Client A: No, I suppose it isn’t. Me: So, what’s the point in believing it then? Client A: There isn’t one. Me: So, would it be more beneficial to concentrate on the fact the panic attack will go or is it more beneficial to believe something that won’t happen - ie: that you’ll have a panic attack forever? Client A: I suppose I should concentrate on the fact the panic attack will go... ...Boom. The client is already thinking about their panic attacks differently. I have used logic and evidence to show the client their unhelpful and inaccurate thinking. The client can then use this technique to help them face certain situations in which they fear they will have a panic attack. So, next I would discuss with the client how their environment affects and influences their behaviour, and how their behaviour affects and influences their environment. For example, if the client feels so anxious they end up in bed all day, I would look at things the client could do to help them cope with life but not from underneath their bed covers! I would discuss with the client what this behaviour is achieving, crucially does it make them feel better? The answer, of course, is usually a resounding no. Therefore we would need to look at more constructive behaviours that will help the client, encouraging the client to focus on the behaviour rather than expecting to feel anxious. I use lots of techniques to help with this including for example reinforcement, where the client performs a different, more positive and constructive behaviour (like, doing the washing up) and then reinforces that they have achieved something, they are ok, they were able to perform this behaviour and nothing bad happened. The trick then is to combine the cognitive techniques with the behavioural ones and as the client evolves (gets better) the techniques evolve also. The above is an example of what I might typically get in my therapy room and does not refer to any specific client. The use of CBT in the situations described is my own personal style in just two examples, CBT is a very broad discipline with many interpretations - these are just examples of how I would use CBT in those situations so you can see a brief snapshot - I use CBT in lots of other areas too, in lots of different ways but since I treat a lot of anxiety related issues I thought it best to use examples like these. If I can be of any help or for more information about counselling and/ or hypnotherapy services please visit www.cloud9-therapy.co.uk.
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What’s Holding You Back? By Mark Roberts Are you achieving the success that you expected in life and if not, why not? Possibly you have read through the stack of self-development books now gathering dust on the bookshelf, or maybe you have made an initial foray into that collection of ‘get-fit-quick-build-6-pack-abs in two weeks’ DVD collection, which you didn’t even know you needed until you saw the advert. Then, as the weeks or months have passed by, your level of motivation to go on slowly dwindled, leaving that dream of a new, successful and possibly ‘ripped’ you, disappearing fast into the past. Other dreams, by the way, are also available, so please feel free to insert your own version here. So, what is holding you back from achieving your dreams? Well, there are a number of good reasons why your initial levels of motivation may have dropped, whatever the challenge you decided to undertake. I have set out the 5 most common reasons, encountered by me below: 1. Aversion Theory: Simply put, this is where you are running away from the circumstances you don’t want. This is very common and turns up in many coaching situations. It is of course a normal reaction to want to move away from an unwanted situation, but unless you have a plan, your final destination may prove to be as undesirable as the one you have just left. In this case your chance of achieving success will at best, be random. The following short adage sums this up for me: ‘fail to plan - then plan to fail.’
Fear of failure. Fear of moving away from the status quo - stuck in your comfort zone! Fear of success - coping with new responsibilities. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of (insert your own personal fear here).
Those are the top 5 most common themes that I have encountered in a coaching setting, so it is possible they may also be holding you back from the success you deserve. The first four can usually be dealt with quite successfully through due diligence. By this, I mean taking time and undertaking the necessary groundwork to ensure that what you think you want is right for you, at that moment in time. If you can tick those boxes, then make a plan to succeed. The last area, FEAR, will be the subject of a future article, so until then... To your success… For more about Mark Roberts, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/intelligentlifestrategies.
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2. Wrong Goal, Wrong Time: This one frequently rears its head in combination with Aversion Theory, because it is usually based upon a knee jerk decision. If you are at a point in life where things don’t seem to be going so well, it can be easy to reach out for the first new shiny thing that draws your attention. It usually doesn’t take too long before you recognise that it wasn’t right for you, making it easy to give up on. The solution here lies in the old saying: ‘all that glitters is not necessarily gold.’ 3. The Goal is Too Big: There is nothing wrong with having big dreams and setting big goals - as a coach, I thoroughly recommend it! However, it is important to recognise the benefits of having a good strategy that will lead you to success. As the saying goes, ‘the only way to eat an elephant is one piece at a time.’ In essence, it is helpful to have a path that incorporates ‘process goals’ - these allow you to take small achievable steps, making it easier to move on to the next stage. Without process goals, the challenge - like the elephant - may start to look too big and impossible to digest, leading to disillusionment and failure. 4. Failing to Act: Taking action is the only way that success can be achieved. It is great to have big dreams, but if you don’t give that dream some legs, it will only ever remain a dream. Reasons for not taking action can sometimes be connected to other ‘lacks’; some of those ‘lacks’ may be linked directly to the goal and others may be connected to your personal circumstances. Here are just a few possibilities: A lack of knowledge - did you undertake sufficient research? Unrealistic goal-setting - was it just fanciful day-dreaming? Low motivation - are there other more pressing things going on in your life? Are your basic needs being met? Fear - see below. 5. Fear: I have left this one until last, but in fact, it is one of the most significant factors that can scupper success. Fear rears its head in a number of guises and I have listed some of the most common here:
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Sunday Buffet Adult - £8.50 Child - £4.50 1pm-6pm
Wine Corner
Hello everyone, hope you are all OK. The weather is warming up now and it feels even warmer in a waterproof, which I seem to be wearing more and more frequently. The Crete trip seems a distant memory now, but I’m looking forward to going to Scotland soon. Bit worried about the weather though, no similarity to the hot climes of Crete unless we are very lucky - and the local wine will be a bit scarce. Then why am I going to Scotland? Well it’s the scenery, the lovely lochs and ancient buildings and... whisky! As the few days of summer must be due about now, how about a nice barbecue? There are lots of wines suitable for drinking outside in the summer. If you are having a light meal with salads and say fish, a nice Pinot Grigio always goes down well. White wine should not be too chilled. A couple of hours in the fridge will do but make sure you keep it cool on the patio table. Just for a change, perhaps try a light red. Italian ones fit the bill, especially those from Veneto in the north. Take a risk and put it in the fridge for an hour before you drink it, you will be surprised how refreshing it can be. Beaujolais can be treated the same way. I have noticed that when we have a barbecue, or go to someone’s house to have one, it is often the male of the household who is doing the cooking. Now I don’t want to appear non PC, but in some of these cases (I include myself here), the males cooking skills can be left wanting. So I started to think about this. If you are not sure what you are doing, it is best to use the most suitable appliances, having read the instructions, (unlikely) and take care to make sure everything is fully cooked through. I am not sure that an open fire (or barbecue as it’s known) is a suitable appliance. You need to make sure the timings are followed to avoid unfortunate consequences the following day. As you know, the timer on a barbecue is the chef’s watch, if you are lucky, and the minor task of checking the watch at the start is often missed. One of the most scary things about cooking in the garden occurs when, after an indeterminate length of time, the chef shouts, ‘can anyone remember when I put these burgers on?’ So where is all this leading? Well, barbecue cooking is actually quite difficult. The heat across the cooking surface (especially a charcoal one), can vary considerably, making it very hard to get everything cooked at the same rate and to keep it warm.
but it can be 40% abv. A few of these and they change the evening dramatically, and can result is what I call ‘armoured’ sausages. Black and hard on the outside, hardly cooked inside. I know we must not drink and drive, but I wonder if each barbecue sold should have a don’t drink and cook warning on it! Going back to the wines, some professional food writers pair Sauvignon blanc with grilled flavours. Always nice. Try the ones from the Loire or Chile. Rosé is always nice cold. The ones from the Languedoc are a bit drier than those from the Loire, so it will depend on your preference. A lot of famous grapes come in Rosé form, including Rioja from Spain. Makes a nice change. Going back to the Whisky, there are number of cocktails that can use this spirit, but don’t be tempted to use single malt. The benefit of its lovely smooth taste will be lost in the other flavours. A good blended whisky is fine and is often on offer at £15 per litre. Keep an eye out. I like the sound of Whisky Royale, a mix of whisky, apple shnapps and ginger ale. I reckon that sounds refreshing with ice. What about a John Collins? A mix of whisky, lemon juice and soda. Finally how about this one, whisky, tomato juice and Worcestershire and Tabasco, not sure about that one myself. So get out into the garden, relax, and get someone who knows what they are doing to cook the food whilst you enjoy a tasty cocktail! Bin end chuckles. Is a solicitor who becomes a cook, a sue chef? Remember, stir-fry chefs come from all woks of life. Keep calm and carry on drinking (in moderation...)x
es e uc tor a S S w e in e N ad M all
So, in summary: The male of the household, often unskilled, is trusted to cook the meals, he is not sure how long things are going to take, or how long they have been cooking for and probably takes the odd slurp of alcohol over a longer period than expected. He is dealing with hot coals or a gas range, perhaps getting more wobbly as the evening progresses. He may have a long apron with a silly picture on it which is almost always exactly the right length to blow into the coals and catch light. It can be a cooking nightmare. So look out. Incidentally my wife has just read this and suggested that I should not assume that every male barbecuer (I think I’ve made that word up) is as inept as I am. A bit harsh but probably true! Another popular item at a barbecue is a cocktail. Very refreshing, very pleasant taste, but often very strong. Once you have mixed up to three spirits or liquors with some very tasty mixers it can be lovely, 22
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Exciting Times Ahead at Chelmsford City FC It has been a busy and exciting time for Chelmsford City Football Club this year. With a potential investment in the pipeline from Jade Global Group Ltd and the appointment of Rod Stringer as our new manager, next season is set to be one to remember for Clarets fans. However, before the season even kicks off we have our much anticipated pre-season friendlies to look forward to, with visits from West Ham, Colchester United and Southend United. Details of all our home friendlies and ticket prices are below.
THE CLARETS LOTTERY Get involved and be part of a winning team!
Friendlies
Chelmsford City Football Club Melbourne Community Stadium, Salerno Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 2EH. 01245 290 959
West Ham XI, Friday 15th July (7.45pm) Colchester United, Sat 23rd July (3pm) Southend United XI, Wednesday 27th July (7.45pm) Dover Athletic, Saturday 30th July (3pm) Prices There will be no advanced ticket sales for any of the four matches, with all games requiring you to pay on the day at the turnstiles. West Ham XI, Southend United XI and Colchester United: Adults: £10 Concessions: £7 12-18: £3 Under 12s: Free Dover Athletic: Adults: £5 Concessions: £5 12-18: £2 Under 12s: Free
For as little as a pound a week and with over a thousand pounds worth of prizes each month, The Clarets Lottery is a great way of raising funds for you and the football club. If you pay by a yearly standing order you get one month free! For more information contact Beverley or Chelsea on 01245 290 959. You gotta be in it to win it!
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£29 9
Please note that only cash is accepted on the turnstiles. www.moulshamtimes.com
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INCORPORATED IN THE CHELMSFORD & MID-ESSEX CAMRA RECOMMENDED PUB GUIDE 2016 The LocAle Trail will be launched at the Chelmsford Summer Beer & Cider Festival in Admiral’s Park, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2PL. The festival runs from Tuesday 5th July until Saturday 9th July with the LocAle Trail continuing until Wednesday 30th November 2016. In summary, the LocAle Trail operates by a customer purchasing a pint or half-pint of real ale, cider or perry, preferably made in Essex, and requesting a sticker from the bar staff as evidence that they have participated in the LocAle Trail at that pub or restaurant. The stickers, specific to each participating pub or restaurant, and the Locale Trail Entry Forms (enclosed in the Recommended Pub Guide 2016) will have been hand delivered in advance of the LocAle Trail commencing, along with other CAMRA campaigning publicity such as CAMRA Membership Form and benefits, LocAle, Whatpub and Cider & Perry Campaigning. Further details, such as the rules, terms and conditions and prizes to be won, are on the LocAle Trail Entry Form. Pick up your copy at the festival or from a participating pub - there are many in the Moulsham area. Participants are encouraged to score the beer they drink on whatpub.com (details in the Recommended Pub Guide) so the data can be used for the selection of worthy pubs for the Good Beer Guide. Prizes relate to the effort involved, so Do More to Get More! GET THE BEST AT CHELMSFORD BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL You will be spoiled for choice with lots of luscious LocAles (brewed locally in Essex) and an amazing choice of 300 real ales including some interesting Welsh beers with tongue twister names! More so when you have had a few! There are Festival Specials for beer and cider, so make the most of this unique opportunity to sample something unique and to meet the experts, including the Brewers Question Time (in association with Chelmsford Community Radio) at 14.30 on the opening day Tuesday 5th July. You can sign up for tutored beer tasting with leading experts Jane Peyton, Sophie de Ronde and Melissa Cole and learn from local historian Siobhan McGinn who will be sharing her knowledge of beer in the First World War. See cbcf.info for details and to book ahead to avoid disappointment. Vote for your beer/cider/perry of the festival. MORE FOOD: All the expected but plus the unexpected - biltong, burgers, Caribbean, curries, fish’n’chips, hot dogs, Japanese, Mediterranean, Olives ’n’ Things, Mexican, Pipers Crisps, sandwiches and even salad! All food stalls are committed to providing gluten-free and vegetarian options. The biggest - and many would say the best - cider bar in East Anglia has grown! Look on the bright cider life! New for 2016 we have a rainbow cider scale with the red being very sweet ranging to violet being very dry, so you queue where you see what you want is on
sale, plus the taste and appearance stickers on colour coordinated cask cards help you to choose from the range of 110. We re-stock throughout the week, with extras and specials on Saturday. Essex Wine from Felsted Vineyards, International Beer and the Family Fun Day on Saturday 11th July add to the fun. This year, the charities are the Essex Respite Care Association and Kids Inspire, so please support them if you can. Soft drinks are free with a donation to the charities encouraged, plus raffles and donation of glass refund money all help. Claire Irons, Publicity Officer, Chelmsford & Mid-Essex Branch Campaign for Real Ale.
Live music at The Anchor Friday 29th July
Sax on Fire Free Entry
151 Moulsham Street Chelmsford CM2 0LD Phone: 01245 250865
Music from Bad Manners, The Specials, Madness and more...
Ami’s Diary
I had my photographs taken to update my agency portfolio and also my Spotlight profile, which is what casting directors use to pick who they want to see for an audition. Some commercial jobs only allow actors who are members of Spotlight, as you need professional credits to be a member so they know you are experienced.
I received the set information for the filming of the new zombie production of eight episodes being released next year. I have been cast as a Fast Kreepa in the second episode, which is a really physical zombie role, as I will be running and chasing. Knowing how long each scene takes to film, I think it might be tiring! Also, it is being filmed in Nottingham so it’s a long way to travel, but I’m looking forward to having all the special FX make-up as it looks amazing. The actors are all going to be photographed and have a recorded interview so that we can add it to our show reels. This helps you then get other roles as it shows what experience you have - it is like a job CV as a film. I am then going on holiday to Devon in our motorhome which I am really excited about as I am going to a surf school for five days. I really enjoyed body boarding in France last year, so I am hoping I have enough balance to stand up and surf for real. Then when I get back, I’ve just got time to re-pack before I go on a cruise around the Mediterranean. I’m looking forward to seeing the shows on the cruise as I might want to perform on cruise ships when I am older so I can perform which I love - and see the world all at the same time.
Family Friendly Jokes Which insect loves sport? A cricket! What animal is the best cricket player? The bat! Why was the car not allowed to play rugby? It only had one boot! Why didn’t the bicycle play rugby? It was two tyred! What is a ghost’s favorite position in soccer? Ghoul keeper! Why can’t Cinderella play soccer? Because she’s always running away from the ball! When is a baby good at basketball? When it’s dribbling! What runs but never moves? A fence! How do you start a firefly race? Ready, set, glow! What race is never run? A swimming race!
Sporting Facts Football is the most popular sport in the world. Over one billion fans watch World Cup football on television. Football players run an average of 9.65km during every game. Only Americans and Canadians call football ‘soccer’. Goalies didn’t have to wear different coloured shirts from their teammates until 1913. The first women to play in the Wimbledon tournament wore full length dresses. Wimbledon is the only major tennis tournament still played on grass. The world’s first tennis club was founded in Leamington Spa.
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The oldest rugby club in the world is Dublin University Football Club, founded in 1854. Rugby is the national sport of 3 countries; Wales, Madagascar and New Zealand. A try is called a try because originally, crossing the line meant you could ‘try’ for a kick at the goal. Host Greece won the most medals (47) at the first summer Olympic Games in 1896. The first winter Olympic Games were held in Chamonix, France in 1924. Due to the two world wars, there were no Olympic Games in 1916, 1940 or 1944. London hosted the summer Olympics in 1908, 1948, and 2012, making London the only city to host the event on three occasions.
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All About Moulsham Lodge Moulsham Lodge Community Trust Congratulations to MLCT Trustee Jenny Brown. Volunteers across Essex have been recognised for their life-changing activities and commitment to the community in an annual volunteer awards ceremony.
to hear from you. Come along on the 11th and find out from the MLCT team what volunteering opportunities we have for you to get involved in. Get in touch: enquiries@mlct.org.uk @MLCTStation 07411 808 731 mlct.org.uk
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Jenny, 2nd left, with the rest of the MLCT team The second Who Will Care? Awards took place recently at Chelmsford Civic Centre to celebrate vibrant communities and individuals that are supporting each other and recognise volunteering in Essex. The Who Will Care? Awards recognised the unsung heroes in Essex, from across the generations. Jenny received the award for Individual Volunteer in the 18 and over category and was recognised for her involvement in a number of local groups including MLCT.
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MLCT have a couple of thank yous to make. Firstly St Luke’s church: For the last two years St Luke’s have kindly offered MLCT the chance to run the Community Fun Day, The Rev Canon Carol Smith of St Luke’s founded the Fun Day in 2008 and has been a great success ever since. We are already looking forward to next year. The second thank you is to our local pub, the Eagle & Hind. They have supported the event for the last two years and have run their own events to raise money for MLCT. We would like to thank all of the staff at the Eagle & Hind for all their hard work and tell them how much we appreciate everything they have dome for us.
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MLCT are running a volunteer evening, yes we’ve extended Volunteers Week! (from 7pm) on Monday the 11th July at the Community Station. Whether you can volunteer once a year at our Community Fun Day or more regularly for one of our new or ongoing projects, we would like
Cllr Mark Springett - Moulsham Lodge Ward Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who has sent their kind wishes to me following my hospital visit and some key hole knee surgery, I’m still recovering, but hope to be on my feet pretty soon. Hopefully I can now get up to date with my emails with apologies to those who I have been late responding to.
The City Council have introduced a new cabinet position - Information Technology. I have been appointed to the Shadow Cabinet for this role as well as my existing Shadow Cabinet role for Parks & Waste Management - in next month’s article I will explore what this new role is all about. By the time you read this, the UK will have decided on whether we remain or leave the EU. Personally, I was disappointed to see some pretty ugly campaigning going on in the name of politics on both sides of the debate. What most people wanted were facts, what we got was a desperate collection of sound bites, most of which couldn’t be verified one way or the other. Whatever happened, IN or OUT, I hope we can go forward and work together for the benefit of EVERYONE.
Well, after last month’s article about parking issues my ‘mail bag’ was a bit fuller! I recently attended a residents meeting with a local organisation also in attendance, this was to discuss major parking issues in our area. Typical solutions will be yellow lines (both single and double) and residents-only parking and possibly traffic calming measures like speed limits and speed humps. But before these are considered, the authorities will have to analyse the impact of each of these in the Best regards - Mark local area, as each option has implications for changing behaviour in the surrounding area, that is, it will displace cars to adjoining roads Contact: cllr@markspringett.co.uk, Twitter: @markspringett, phone: causing problems where they didn’t exist. Hopefully we can arrive at a 07411 808 731 (call or text). sensible and acceptable solution for all. 28 Remember to tell our advertisers you saw their advert in the MT www.moulshamtimes.com
Tile Kiln Corner by Linda Mascot Tile Kiln’s street party to celebrate the Queen’s official 90th birthday could easily have been a washout as a grey drizzle enveloped the morning of Sunday 12th June. Luckily’ us ’Kiln-ites are full of community spirit and that was evident in abundance as Royalthemed showstopper cakes arrived for the bake-off in the church, where cream teas were being served while children laughed and played happily. Robin Way neighbours rallied with large gazebos joined together as a symbol of solidarity against the inclement weather. As the clouds parted and the sun made an appearance, so did the barbecues and hog roast at the Clay Pigeon Pub with the all-day disco supplying the cheery backbeat to the whole day. A mention must go to residents - Heydi for the patriotic balloon
displays and Skevi, who, with her family, cooked enough Greek food to feed a small principality (delicious it was too) and generously shared with family, friends and neighbours. Despite the rain returning with a vengeance in the evening, spirits remained high and people decamped to the pub. Mike Shah, landlord of the Clay Pigeon enthused: “I think it’s been lovely, we should have it every year, it brings the community together.” My sentiments too, I had a very enjoyable time talking to friends and neighbours old and new, the smiles and laughter of all ages made for a great day. Thanks to Emma at Tile Kiln Church, Mike at the Clay Pigeon for organising the event and Jo Cope for photographs. Email: mascotlinda@gmail.com Twitter: @lindamascot
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Oaklands Infant School: Dads Day On 21 June, Oaklands Infant School held its annual Dads Day. This event gives pupils the chance to bring their dads to school to have some fun and get competitive! st
Dads and their children competed in teams to build the tallest structure possible using only five sheets of newspaper and sellotape, and then took each other on in a hands-free doughnut-eating contest. Face painting was another popular activity with children given free rein to paint their dad’s face - lots of dads sported the results of their children’s creativity! Outside in the sunshine, families tackled an obstacle course, played football and basketball, used super soakers to knock down plastic ducks and enjoyed a barbeque and biscuit decorating. A dads tug of war completed the day
Massive Family Gathering Camping Trip - West Fest! Local twin sisters Nicky Ruddock and Jacky Langley, 59, both of Chelmsford, decided to organise a family reunion to celebrate what would have been their late mother’s 100th birthday on 16th June this year. (Pat and Bernard West had retired from Harold Wood to White Courts in the 1980s and then Pat lived at McMillan Court, Chelmsford until she passed away in 2001). It was also Nicky and Phil’s 10th wedding anniversary, so she took the lead in planning the event to celebrate that too. The family had got so huge that they couldn’t meet up in each other’s houses any more, or even at weddings, so it seemed a good way of getting together. All the family love the countryside and as Nicky and Jacky both enjoy regular trips to Suffolk in their VW camper vans, the idea for West Fest was born. In all, 54 members of the clan gathered at the White Horse campsite in Edwardstone, Suffolk, with just a few older or less hardy ones staying in local cottages. The 54 were all the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of Pat and Bernard West plus their partners. The oldest was their brother John West, 76, who travelled from Cornwall to be there and the youngest Beryl Lepley at 5 months. Only two members of the family were unable to make it! The weekend was a great success and the weather didn’t spoil the fun. Friday night saw cars arriving from all over the south of England, with tents being erected late into the evening after the M25 and A12 caused long delays for many. But everyone pitched in and helped, getting more excited as each new family arrived! The pub laid on a meal for all 54 on Friday evening - a mammoth task - and a range of activities was organised to suit all ages over the weekend. The oldies headed out in a convoy to nearby Lavenham and enjoyed looking round the Guildhall and taking over the café there. Younger members headed for a local pool or stayed on site and had fun together playing massive rounders and football games. While everyone else was having fun, Nicky and husband Phil manned the BBQ all day to produce slow cooked lamb and beef which were enjoyed by all at a massive BBQ that evening. Of course most of the weekend was spent catching up on all the family news, but the family all love games so many little groups formed and reformed to play these, including a scary vampire game, at midnight around the campfire! There was another event taking place at the pub that weekend, with bands playing all day Saturday, which only added to the festival atmosphere. Some of the youngest members of the clan had never met, but they all got along like a house on fire! Altogether it was a brilliant weekend, Pat West would have been delighted that everyone met in her honour and it is hoped that this will be an annual event from now on, but possibly on the other side of the Dartford Crossing next time! By Jacky Langley Cartoonist/illustrator Colin Blundell - local cartoonist/illustrator for hire. Comic strips designed, kids bedrooms, personalised cards, books illustrated, prints ad cards for sale at The Ideas Hub. Contact: 07742 078 590.
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Quiz Answers 1. Perforations 2. St Peter 3. Animals that eat vegetation 4. Hair & scalp 5. The Metro 6. District of Colombia 7. Rings bells 8. Tea 9. A form of writing using pictures 10. Throat 11. State Enrolled Nurse 12. Marzipan 13. Any fixed number of people 14. Holland 15. Jerry Hall 16. Maria Sharapova 17. White 18. Crown Prosecution Service 19. The Rolling Stones 20. American Wrestling 21. Leonard Spencer 22. Far East (formerly called Burma) www.moulshamtimes.com
23. Psalm is a sacred song and hymn is a song of praise 24. A copy of something, or a fake 25. Yellow 26. Hungarian dog 27. Stern 28. Hilda 29. Caroline Lucas 30. Capri 31. Chico, Groucho, Harpo, Zeppo and Gummo 32. Yoko Ono 33. Bibendum 34. A Grove 35. 1998 36. Donald Trump 37. London to Brookwood, (for transporting the dead from London) 38. Brooklands, Surrey in June 1907 39. World’s first human heart transplant operation 40. Sugar
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