Moulsham Times - March 2023

MoulshamTimes

Welcome to the March edition. Firstly, an apology for the errors in the quiz last month; we endeavour to check the answers before publication but somehow this was missed, thanks to everyone who emailed in.

Remember to change your clocks this month - they ‘spring forward’ very early on Sunday 26th March!

The next edition will be out from March 30th We are fairly well booked up regarding front pages, with the next slots available now being July and August, but we are always able to place adverts inside the magazine.

Regards

Paul

Advertising & Editorial

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

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.

Chelmsford - By Vicky Ford MP

I was extremely sad to hear the tragic news that a 16 year old boy had died following a knife incident in the Waterson Vale area of Chelmsford. My thoughts go out to his family and residents.

It is a lovely part of our city, but last summer, residents told me that they were concerned about sporadic incidents of anti-social behaviour. I raised this with Chelmsford City Council at the time as they are responsible for managing the park, and they told me that an appropriate plan of action was in place to manage antisocial behaviour. Looking back, I wish I had pressed this harder.

Whilst this does appear to be a specific isolated incident, clearly more needs to be done. I would like to thank the many local residents who have made suggestions of improvements such as installing CCTV cameras, better lighting, and management of the undergrowth. The police will also be undertaking more activity in the area.

I have spoken with the Minister for Crime and Policing and the Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner about what actions have worked to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in other areas. A possible legal tool would be to put in place a Public Space Protection Order. These orders are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour. Councils have a key role to play in helping make local areas safe places to live, visit and work, and tackling anti-social behaviour must be a high priority.

It is very important that information about anti-social behaviour is properly reported on police systems so that the police can build as full a picture as possible. Please do use 101 or 999 or the online crime reporting system to report incidents.

The local councillor for Moulsham Lodge, Robert Gisby, and I met with Post Office officials to discuss the progress they are making to find a new location for a Post Office counter. They are in discussions regarding a few potential solutions. As these are commercial discussions the details are not public at this stage, but I will continue to focus on this, as I know how valuable Post Office services can be for residents.

The Roads Minister recently visited Chelmsford and I took him to the Army and Navy so he could see first-hand why it’s so vital we get the funding for the new junction.

The Outline Business Case for the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package was submitted in October. This includes improvements to park and rides, bus lanes and pedestrian and cycle routes as well as the new junction. We need £68 million of funding from the government to make all this happen. It was very helpful to show the minister the site. Replacing the junction is a vital priority and I will keep lobbying ministers at every opportunity.

If you have any issue which requires assistance, please do get in touch with me at vicky.ford.mp@parliament.uk.

Oaklands Infant School in the Community

The children of Oaklands Infant School are encouraged to think about their local community and the things they can do to make a positive impact. They have some super ideas which the Parents and Friends of Oaklands Infant School (PFO) try to help them action.

In February, to help ‘spread the love’, the children and their families donated to the local food bank. We were overwhelmed by the support, and on one single day collected over 200kg of food, which the PFO volunteers donated to Chelmsford Food Bank! A huge thanks to everyone for their generosity.

We also help the children to learn about sustainability and simple ways to support the environment. With that in mind, we will host a pre-loved sale in the school on Saturday 18th March from 10.30am until 1pm. The children will be learning about money and get the opportunity to be budding market stall entrepreneurs for the day. Please come along to check out the fantastic children’s clothes, toys and accessories on offer and pick up a bargain. We would love to see you there!

Trouble in Mind

I am a 52 year old woman who has suffered depression and anxiety most of my life, and I wanted to express how there is still so little help and support. In spite of mental health awareness, when it comes down to it there are still people who feel let down, either by the system or at their place of work.

For years now I have gone round in circles trying to get the right help, and I wonder how many other people feel the same. It seems that a trip to the doctor for help turns out to be a case of, ‘here you are, pop a pill, see you later’ along with the usual question, ‘are you stressed?’.

There is a tick-boxing system which is supposed to make the socalled experts able to arrive at some sort of conclusion. The fact of the matter is that you know what’s wrong with you and what help you need but it is continually falling on deaf ears - and before long you are addicted to the pills you are given.

I have sat at home many times feeling lonely and angry and want to scream or cry. So I thought it would be nice to be able to have somewhere to go; somewhere you could meet and talk to people like yourself, talk about your troubles, anxieties and share your experiences, and maybe give advice to others. If you would like to talk and are interested in setting up a group, please contact me on samantharose71@outlook.com. I would love to hear your ideas.

Samantha Rose Marven x

Vicky with Roads Minister, Richard Holden (left) and Cllr Anthony McQuiggan (right)

Mr and Mrs S had already decided to extend their home to accommodate a utility room, and decided it would also be a good time to renew their kitchen. After reading their online reviews it became obvious that they should visit the team at Regal.

The showroom tour gave them plenty of choice and eventually they concluded that the German handleless furniture would best suit their vision.

There soon followed a home visit, and with the help of designer John Martin they had some great planning ideas to mull over.

Visiting the showroom again, they opted for Concrete Grey and Concrete Anthracite. Regal was able to offer them a special slab of magnificent Cambria quartz imported from America.

The Quooker kettle tap, NEFF combination oven and induction hob combined with some clever storage solutions from Häfele and VauthSagel, have really enhanced their whole kitchen experience.

In the utility, they were delighted to get a boot room area, ensuring the new kitchen could be kept separated from the muddy outside.

Mr S says: “Beyond satisfied with the end result. Entire process has been stress-free and the installation (Dan) was stress-free too. The Schuller units are a brilliant quality. An unforeseen issue with electrical supply for one of the ovens was solved immediately with minimal fuss by Phil - and Emma’s cookery evening with her cooking us a meal and giving us tips on using the ovens (they do a whole lot more than you think), was a brilliant sign-off to the entire project. Really would recommend them. The fact that they are a local business makes it even better.”

Lifestyle Tips & Excercises to Help Shoulder Pain - By Chris at Forté Physical Health

Shoulder pain is a common ailment that affects people of all ages and lifestyles. It can occur due to various reasons - such as injury, overuse, arthritis, and other medical conditions. While seeking professional help is important in the case of severe or chronic pain, lifestyle changes and exercises can help reduce the symptoms in most cases.

Lifestyle Factors

Posture: Poor posture can lead to shoulder pain - especially if you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or using a computer. Ensure that you have assessed your work station and your shoulders are relaxed. Keep your computer screen at eye level, and adjust your chair and desk height as needed to prevent slouching.

Diet: Eating a well-balanced diet can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can contribute to shoulder pain. Avoid foods that are high in sugar, saturated fat, and processed foods, as these can increase inflammation. Instead, focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats.

Sleep: Proper sleep is crucial for healing and reducing pain. Make sure you are getting enough restful sleep each night.

Stress: Stress can cause tension and tightness in the muscles around the shoulders, leading to pain. Engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation to reduce stress levels.

Shoulder Blade Squeezes: Shoulder blade squeezes are a great exercise for strengthening the muscles between the shoulder blades, which can help alleviate pain in the shoulders. Sit or stand with your arms at your sides. Squeeze your shoulder blades together, hold for 5 seconds, and release. Repeat for 10-15 reps.

Rotator Cuff Exercises: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that support the shoulder joint. Strengthening these muscles can help reduce pain and prevent future injuries. There are many exercises that can help strengthen the rotator cuff, including external rotations, internal rotations, and scapular retractions. An osteopath can provide guidance on the best exercises for your specific condition.

Stretching: Stretching can help improve flexibility and reduce tension in the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. Some effective stretches for shoulder pain include the cross-body arm stretch, overhead triceps stretch, and doorway stretch.

Shoulder pain can be a debilitating condition that can interfere with daily activities, but there are many things you can do to help yourself. If you are struggling to make progress, or you want a personalised plan to speed up recovery, this is the sort of thing we help with in our clinic. Find out more here: www.fortephysicalhealth.co.uk.

Until next time, have a healthy and happy month!

Exercises

Shoulder Rolls: Shoulder rolls are an easy exercise that can help relieve tension and improve mobility in the shoulder joint. Sit or stand with your arms at your sides. Roll your shoulders up, back, and down in a circular motion, making sure to keep your movements smooth and controlled. Repeat 10-15 times in each direction.

Wall Angels: Wall angels are an effective exercise for strengthening the muscles in the upper back and shoulders. Stand with your back against a wall and your arms at your sides. Slowly raise your arms to shoulder level, bending your elbows to form a 90-degree angle. Slide your arms up the wall as far as you can while keeping your elbows in contact with the wall. Lower your arms back to the starting position and repeat for 10-15 reps.

MT Gardening

With the weather slowly improving - although there could still be a cold front coming in early March - a number of plants are starting to shoot. Climbing honeysuckles, box hedging and even a few roses are well underway. With this in mind, there a is a rush to get any pruning of roses completed, climbers tied in and trained. However, hold back on pruning evergreens such as a box, as it is still a little early and any pruning of these plants could cause regrowth. While in one sense this is good, we may still get a frost or two, and would cause any new shoots to die back. I always leave evergreens until at least mid-April to early May.

For those of you with bush roses, aim for a relatively hard prune to enable new growth to develop. All bush roses flower on new growth. Follow these step by step tips to success:

• Remove all dead, damaged and diseased wood.

• Remove all inward-growing and crossing stems.

• Cuts should be no more than 5mm above a bud and sloping away from it.

• Always prune to an outward-facing bud.

• Prune to create an open centre - ie, a goblet shape.

• Prune shoots to 15cm in height.

• Pull off any suckers at the base.

• Deadhead roses throughout the growing season.

• Prune stems back by a quarter in autumn to avoid wind rock.

As a Reminder

I) Cluster-Flowered (Floribunda) Rose

A cluster-flowered rose produces abundant clusters of flowers on its stems. The flowers are smaller (5-8cm) and somewhat flatter than large flowered cultivars. It repeat flowers from late June until autumn and cultivars are available in a wide range of colours and scents: Rosa (City of London) =’Harukfore’ and Rosa (Margaret Merrill)‘Harkuly’.

Ii) Large-Flowered (Hybrid Tea) Rose

Flowers appear singly or in threes on a long stem, and the blooms are large, ranging from 8-13cm across. They bloom intermittently in three flushes from summer to late autumn Rosa (Dawn Chorus)‘Dicquasar’ and Rosa (Peace) - Madame A. Meilland’.

Regarding the climbing honeysuckle (especially a recently planted one), plants should be kept well watered during the first year and topdressed with a balanced fertiliser to aid establishment. Mulch should be replenished annually to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Honeysuckles in particular benefit from the moist root environment provided by mulch. This could also help reduce problems such as powdery mildew. New shoots should be tied in where necessary.

For established types, I tend to cut shoots back by at least a third and even thin out very old unproductive stems to the ground. This will invigorate the plant. Do take care though, as this does rob the plant of much needed energy for growth. After pruning, plants are all fed with a slow release feeds, such as Growmore, and heavily mulched to conserve moisture and keeps weeds at bay.

Lastly, for the rest of March, consider looking at the following tasks:

• Finish pruning roses early in the month.

• Cut dogwoods, willows, cotinus and butterfly bushes right down to the base to promote vigorous new growth.

• Tidy up alpines as they start to flower, removing dead foliage, then mulch with grit to keep the foliage off damp soil.

• Make the first outdoor sowings of hardy veg, such as spinach, covering with cloches or fleece (also search out how else to protect young veg plants).

• Start hoeing veg beds as soon as the weather starts to warm up, as weeds will germinate quickly.

• Maximise the amount of light your house plants receive by moving to brighter spots, or choose house plants that will grow in

shadier spots.

• Try and keep house plants away from temperature fluctuations caused by draughts or central heating.

• Take down bubble insulation in the greenhouse once temperatures start to rise, to let in more light.

• Take cuttings from dahlia tubers planted last month to raise new plants.

• Check that tree ties aren’t too tight and that stakes are still firmly anchored in the ground.

• Prune out any wind-damaged branches on trees and shrubs.

• Cut back winter-flowering jasmine to keep it within bounds and encourage flowers next year.

Happy gardening

For any gardening tips please contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Capel Manor College, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4RR, or send an email to, tom.cole@capel.ac.uk.

Nick Garner’s Music & Ramblings

How the heck has this happened? We are into March already! This means that next month it is Easter. Wow, the time is flying by...

There is a lot going on at my house as I am getting it decorated and having new carpet fitted and the like. So busy times at the moment. It also means me having to get up early which I must admit I am not used to.

It is giving me more time to do other stuff though, and to Paul’s surprise we are able to get out to top up The City Times early! I am still running out of time though, but I suspect the more time you have the more you try to fit in.

Besides all the usual, I have at long last got a lock fitted to my bike so I have no excuse not to be using it and cut down on my pollution, so keep an eye out and be careful if you see me, as I may not see you and don’t want to run you over!

The Star and Garter has just reopened with Marc Mcleod at the helm, who was previously at The Orange Tree, The Eagle and Hind and the Clay Pigeon. He will be putting on some great live music as well, so why not pop in for a drink and to say hi to him and his team?

I went to the Light Festival at Chelmsford Museum the other week and l must say I was very impressed; there were hundreds of people in attendance and it was all very impressive, ending with live fire eaters. Well done to all involved - we need more events like this that are all-inclusive. Coming up, we have The 3foot People and Fling taster events in Central Park from 16th to 18th March. I am not surprised that most tickets have sold out, but you may still be lucky if you are quick.

We have local elections coming up in May, so make sure that you have registered to vote - and remember, you need to take ID with you, like a passport or driving licence.

I see we have The Beer Festival returning to Admirals Park this July from the 11th to 15th - it will be a bit smaller than the last one, but it will still surely be great. I have been asked to programme the music for it, so I hope I do a good job for you all! I am looking at local acts and have a few good ideas... I would especially like to get some folk and country artists. I have confirmed a couple of acts already and this will all be done under our Black Frog Presents banner.

We will all be getting our new Council Tax bill shortly, so I wonder what that will be going up to now? I also heard that the County Council have added £9 million for the repair of potholes in our county which is good news. It’s not their fault that weather has been so extreme of course, but these potholes are annoying - l suggest filling in the worst ones first and do it properly and so they do not reappear within a couple of months, which is a nationwide problem.

With Easter looming, it means the kids will be on holiday soon, so I would suggest checking out the What’s On pages in The City Times and also searching online, as there is bound to be plenty happening to keep them (and us!) entertained. Let’s hope the weather is decent so we can all get outside. It will also be a time for our gardens with it being springtime. I know I have been looking at mine as I have a big job to do out there this year after the house is finished inside.

Music

We are well and truly underway for this year and have had so many great shows already as I am writing this. We have had our first four with Nine Below Zero, Led Into Zeppelin, The Orbison Project and The

Overtures - all have been amazing and well attended, which is good to see for the artists.

By the time you read this, we will have also had John Verity of both Argent and Phoenix, and Del Bromham of Stray. If you get your copy of this magazine early enough, on the 3rd March we have Martin Turner, founder singer songwriter and bass player of Wishbone Ash, along with his brother Ted Turner. See the advert in this mag where you can see all the great acts we have coming up; so if you like Stevie Wonder, The Average White Band, Pink Floyd, rock ’n’ roll or Jeff Beck - we will have a show for you... and that just covers the next few weeks!

We’ve also been busy booking more acts for the Social Club and Hot Box too. For Hot Box we have so far confirmed: Tuesday 11th April two top folk acts from Finland on their European tour - Kadonnut Manner and Joose Keskitalo; both are award winners. On Thursday 8th June we have Bob Collum (from the USA but now residing in south Essex) and the Welfare Mothers. Back from Germany and back with us it is Matt Woosey, who Hot Box recently said had played one of their top shows ever, so do not miss him on Monday 12th June. On Wednesday 18th October, from Madrid we have Track Dogs, a great act that I have been after for a long time. They are currently on their UK tour and will be playing the Royal Albert Hall with Show of Hands as well. We have many more acts to come that we are just waiting to confirm.

We have also been busy booking for The Social Club as well. Those I can tell you about so far are as follows: If you like American rock then Take it Easy are the band for you playing everything from The Eagles to Springsteen and from Fleetwood Mac to ZZ Top and much morethey will be with us on Friday 28th April. On Friday 16th June, we have Town Of Cats who will get you up on your feet for sure with their mix of afro-beat, ska, latin, jazz, hip-hop and more. Many more acts on the way for you that we are just waiting to confirm.

There’s lots more going on all over our area of course, what with regular jams and open mics... To find out what is on where and when I again suggest check out the What’s On guide in The City Times and search the web too, as there is always so much available for our enjoyment. Take a look at our Black Frog Presents adverts in this mag as well to see some of the amazing acts that are coming to play at the Chelmsford Social Club and Hot Box.

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

Please note that you can get tickets for all our shows in Chelmsford from Intense Records, Hopsters and Chelmsford 4Good - please pay cash in person. Tickets are also available online from www. wegottickets.com/BlackFrogPresents, or via our ticket hotline at no extra charge: call or text 07508 496 411 and you can then pay at the advance price on entry to the show rather than the walk-up price.

For all Black Frog Presents gig updates and information, go to www. linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresents, or scan the QR code on the poster in this magazine.

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

We are organising the very successful Chelmsford Festival of Colours again this year on 11th March 23 at Admirals Park near Rascal’s Bay from 11am to 3pm. Last year 700 people attended the event so hurry and book your tickets now before it’s too late. Family fun and picnic in the park. There will be food stalls, organic coloured powder stalls and other stalls too. DJ with funky Bollywood Music and Dance and so much more fun.This is a Community event organised by a local charity and all are welcome to join.

Non-Spoiler Film Reviews - By Henry Godfrey-Evans

Unwelcome

I was wondering when one of these movies would show up. It was an absolute slog to get through the first hour or more. It felt like a CBBC drama, and not just because it was British.

It was in fact a horror movie, but it felt more like Spiderwick with adult gore and humour, and when I say horror I mean the kind where you can be a ‘hmmm, I don’t really do horrors’ person and still be absolutely fine. Translation: it wasn’t scary.

The comic relief characters were actually funny though, and it helped ease quite a boring film for most of it. However, the ending…

The last half an hour or so was so ridiculous and so surprising that I had a blast. I don’t know why - and I wouldn’t tell you if I did, in the spirit of keeping it a non-spoiler.

Was it enough for it to be worth it? I’d say no on the basis that there are better films, but if you like shocks then go for it. 52/100

The Fabelmans

What you probably already know about this film is that it’s about Steven Spielberg’s early life. What I should prepare you for is that it’s much more of a family drama, albeit a good one.

My opinion of the film was that it was just so very watchable, which isn’t always the case, even among selections of really good films. This had the easy-watch factor of a high school drama with more complexity.

I absolutely loved the way it taught the audience about old (admittedly now archaic) filmmaking tricks, and scenes of Steven directing his first films in high school were just brilliant.

I will say that I haven’t thought about the film much since, but as a piece of entertainment it would be an extremely good choice for you.

82/100

Plane

Let’s keep this very short. It’ll entertain, it won’t blow your mind. My brain took longer to reboot than my phone when the credits appeared, simply because I hadn’t used it for 2 hours.

The story is very average, Gerard Butler is slightly above average, some scenes were a bit too generic and others were very good.

40/100

Puss

in Boots: The Last Wish

Dreamworks’ animated films have always been so accessible for children and adults because they’re slapstick and eye-catching, but also the jokes are really funny. I found the central storyline quite samey, but expected nothing else.

We’ve all seen how technology has pushed CGI and animation. but storyboarding and style are much more important. Puss in Boots seemed aware of this, delivering some nice cinematography.

If you need something to watch with your kids for a Sunday afternoon, you’ll find yourself also feeling happy that you went.

79/100

The Whale

This film was basically only marketed as Brendan Fraser returning to acting as a snatch-and-grab for an Oscar. People were okay with it though, because all I’d heard from the US is that he was phenomenal.

…and he was very good. It became a spectacle to watch because of that context, but I can’t say I’d have had the same patience without it. The film was good - maybe even great for the right viewer, as it touches on some emotional subjects around self-seclusion and

weight troubles. I’d strongly suggest seeing if that resonates. A lot of the interactions between characters were hit or miss, featuring some filler scenes, cliches and then suddenly gold. It’ll be clear which is which upon seeing it.

70/100

Knock at the Cabin

These films are very different for a reviewer because they’re already interesting. A lot of the best films require some patience and focus, but the premise of this was quite easy to enjoy from minute one.

The constant worry is always that the shock and intrigue might be hard to sustain and that it all starts to fizzle out - and it did a bit. But, I was fully braced for the ending to be terrible and it wasn’t, so two thumbs up from me there.

If I’m speaking to someone who goes to the cinema for something to do, rather than an exuberant passion for film, then this should be your choice. It’s a gimmicky fun film but with better acting and more creativity.

71/100

Magic Mike’s Last Dance

I’ll keep this extremely brief (mostly because I’m close to my word count), the plot of Magic Mike’s third rendition was so basic and boring that I knew very early on that I wasn’t going to be that entertained.

However, I can’t say that Channing Tatum doesn’t have extreme talent in his particular niche and the screen presence to go with it.

25/100

Marcel The Shell With Shoes On

Based on a nifty short film on YouTube, it was adapted into a feature film. I accidentally found out that the early critic scores were insanely hig, so obviously expectations were lofty (not helpful for reviewers).

I left the cinema bored and disappointed. Now there were some fairly emotional subplots in the film, but for the most part it was the equivalent of listening to kids say funny things for 90 minutes, ie, entertaining for a little while, then excruciating.

I cannot understand the attention this is getting.

15/100

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania

Marvel is very easy to watch, I won’t bother challenging that. You can go and get your fix of build-up, problem and finale for two hours before returning to your lives. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that its formula has been stale for a long time.

You could probably do a ‘find+replace’ with every Marvel script and churn out most of their films from the last few years. The good guys always win, and the imperious antagonist always seems to be less powerful in the final fight.

I kind of get it though. It was reasonably funny and looked cool. 43/100

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

This went with the documentary style of filming and exposition, as Lily James witnessed her childhood friend’s arranged marriage. Much of the comedy was rooted in cultural differences between Pakistan and Britain, risky but nicely executed.

The comedy was good, but the romance was empty. I can’t go into detail, but it fell into the rom-com trap of being funny but boring, and once the film turned serious I became less and less interested.

Think that just about makes it as average as a film can get - but endings matter, so I’m docking some more points. 44/100

How to Avoid Tragedy? Invest in Our Young People - By

I’m sure you’ve all heard the heartbreaking news of a teenager losing his life in a fatal stabbing in Waterson Vale recently. My thoughts go out to the victim’s friends and family. I understand from Essex Police that this was a targeted attack, which, while obviously concerning and distressing for our local community, thankfully means it poses less risk to our safety.

Of course, it’s tempting to think otherwise. Crime in any form is worrying, but violent crime is far more - it’s horrifying. It brings out a whole range of emotions, from outrage to sadness, and from empathy to blame - and we do so often want to find someone to blame. How about the police? Maybe we should start with them. Surely there should be more of them, walking round our streets? I agree, it would be nice to see more ‘bobbies on the beat’, but even if we doubled or tripled the amount of police on our streets, they still couldn’t be everywhere at all times of the day. There are hundreds of streets, alleyways and footpaths in Chelmsford Central alone. With the greatest will in the world, the police could never see and hear everything.

What about CCTV? Surely that would fix it? How about we blanket the place with cameras? Catch the criminals in the act. In reality, the problems with that approach are huge. Setting aside the obvious privacy issues (do we really want cameras following us everywhere we go?), this simply isn’t a practical solution. It isn’t possible to cover every twist and turn - or, perhaps more importantly, to monitor them all the time, because if they aren’t being monitored, we can’t stop the crime from happening. Maybe though cameras would be a crime deterrent. If you stand a greater chance of being identified on CCTV as the perpetrator of crime, maybe you’ll think twice about committing the crime in the first place. But the facts don’t back up that approach either. Plenty of crime is committed in areas already with lots of CCTV coverage - so the deterrent idea isn’t a perfect approach.

So What Can We Do?

It may be tempting to think there’s nothing being done alreadyhumans have a terrible tendency to assume that if they haven’t seen or heard of something themselves, it doesn’t exist. But that couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to tackling crime. So here’s an idea of just some of the things that Chelmsford City Council are doing locally, independently and in partnership with other agencies, such as Essex Police, the Safer Chelmsford Partnership and the Violence & Vulnerability Unit (VVU) to address the dangers of County Lines, gang reprisals and exploitation:

• Engagement with schools - this includes proactive engagement, both with students and parents. Annually, the Community Safety Partnership delivers Crucial Crew to Year 6 students, which this year looked at exploitation.

• There are regular MACE (Missing and Child Exploitation) meetings, which cover our most vulnerable children.

• There are community events, such as one held at Springfield Parish Centre this February half-term.

• Teams engage with our two universities on safety issues such as drink spiking awareness.

• Essex County Council commissions various work and training.

• The Essex VVU (www.essexvvu.co.uk) provides a variety of services and has been campaigning on the dangers of County Lines, including the ways young people can become involved.

The above list is just a tiny sample of the wide range of activities that are already happening. But I think there is one thing that could make a huge difference that isn’t happening anywhere near enoughcentral government investment in youth services.

If we really want to prevent our young people from getting caught

Cllr Marie Goldman

up in gangs and crime, we need to fill the gaping holes in youth provision that gangs only too happily and easily rush in to fill. When young people have few structured activities to engage their time and capture their imagination, organised, criminal gangs are oh so quick at providing an alternative. In my opinion that’s a key reason why we’re seeing rising gang-related crime - and murders - on our streets.

We need far, far more investment into our schools. We need them to have the resources (money, time and qualified staff) to be able to offer a curriculum that truly inspires and enriches. We need sports clubs, music and drama on offer every day and all year round. They need to be inclusive and open to all. We need to support children’s mental health properly - not a sticking plaster, but genuine, readily accessible help. We need good quality buildings and equipment, staffed by well-paid people who have the time, energy and skills to be able to mentor, lead and inspire.

This isn’t just about schools. We need properly resourced youth centres and outdoor facilities that are open throughout the year, including term-time and school holidays. We need to teach our children the joys of the outside world, as well as the fun of connecting socially. We also need to remember that young people (actually, all people) need safe places just to be - to sit, to talk, to have fun - without being thought of as suspicious or that far-tooeasily-brandished label of ‘anti-social’.

I want to see all of this in our community. We can make it happen if we get a government that genuinely shares our vision of a society that truly wants to see positive change.

If we want to avoid tragedy, we need to invest in our young people. Keep well and look after each other.

Marie

Cllr Marie Goldman Deputy Leader, Chelmsford City Council City Councillor for Moulsham & Central County Councillor for Chelmsford Central Liberal Democrat marie.goldman@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk

Deadlines for the April edition:

Articles - 17th March

Print-ready artwork - 24th March

Pancakes, Praying and Praise!

On Shrove Tuesday (21st February) also known as Pancake Day, we held our Pancake Party at St Luke’s Church - it was great fun and we served 115 pancakes!

We had a fantastic team of helpers who got everything ready and kept the hot pancakes coming. There was a tasty range of toppings available - some people went for the traditional choice of lemon and sugar, and others wanted to see just how many toppings they could get on a pancake and still eat it!

remembering the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus, and will continue to pray about how we can best love and serve the people of Moulsham Lodge and Tile Kiln.

At the end of Lent comes Easter Day - a day of praise and celebration - the most important day in the Christian calendar when Jesus rose from death to save us all. We will be celebrating with two services this year (Sunday 9th April); a Dawn Holy Communion Service, which starts in the dark outside the church at about 6am and is followed by a cooked breakfast and Holy Communion Service at 10am. Everyone is welcome to join our services, just come along!

For more information about what’s happening at St Luke’s on Gloucester Avenue, Moulsham Lodge, please keep an eye on our Facebook page and our website.

Lucy Bubb

We had some craft activities available too; put a face on a pancake, draw your weirdest topping and a word search. No one was brave enough to do a pancake race, they didn’t want to waste the pancakes! Thank you to everyone who came along and joined in the fun.

Shrove Tuesday is the beginning of the 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter, and the tradition of making pancakes comes from families using up all the ingredients (commonly eggs, flour and milk) in their cupboards so that they could start Lent the next day (Ash Wednesday), a time of fasting and sacrifice. During Lent we will be

Curve Foundation Provides Students with Mental Health Support in Local Community

Since September 2021, Essex-based charity the Curve Foundation has been providing mental health support to students at Moulsham High School in Chelmsford. Although they are a very small charity, the impact they have made in a very small amount of time has been huge.

The Curve Foundation is a registered charity that believes mental health support should be accessible to all and a natural part of a child’s and young person’s life. The charity has made it it’s mission to make sure the children and young people of Essex are able to manage their own mental health effectively by offering a range of support and guidance to those who need it. Providing support to children and young people through regular interactive sessions, counselling, workshops and signposting has been the top priority over the past few years and they hope to expand their work in the year’s to come.

Lee Mathers, the Curve Foundation’s Operational Support Lead said: “The Curve foundation saw 102 students last year at Moulsham High School in Chelmsford, with no student going back to the school’s pastoral care team for extra support after their sessions. This is amazing and clearly a real difference is being made since the charity began working with the school.”

The charity’s plans don’t stop there, Lee continues: “We want to expand the services we provide to the children and young people of Essex, but we cannot do the work we do without the generous contributions of time, money and resources from many individuals and organisations. We are always looking for others to help us make a positive impact on the mental health of children and young people and ask that you get in touch with us if you would like to get involved.”

In 2021, a NHS England survey found that in just four years, children and young people who had experienced a ‘common mental disorder’ had increased to one in six. Since 2017, 39.2% of 6 to 16 year olds and 52.5% of 17 to 23 year olds have experienced deterioration in their mental health. Now with the current waiting list of 18 weeks to be seen by NHS services and decreasing funding for schools, the access to mental health support for children and young people is limited and already oversubscribed.

The Curve Foundation understands that it can be challenging for children and young people to open up about how they feel or what they are going through. The physical and mental impact experienced when things are left and unaddressed is excruciating and it can seem like there is nowhere to go.

The service offered by the Curve Foundation provides a safe space where service users can feel comfortable and build strong and lasting relationships with their peers. The charity also has a team of qualified mental health support workers and counsellors that work with students from Moulsham High School with varying mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and self-harm. Many of these children and young people are waiting for NHS treatment on the CAHMS waiting lists, but luckily the Curve Foundation is able to support them before they hit crisis point.

Can you help the Curve Foundation to continue to have a positive impact on more children and young people in your community?

Make a Cash Donation

By making a one-off or a regular donation to the Curve Foundation you’ll be helping the charity to support more children and young people from Chelmsford through mental health distress. You can donate on our website at www.curvefoundation.org.uk.

Volunteer Your Time

The charity needs volunteers to survive. Could you be a trustee or a fundraiser or help with raising awareness of our work? We need volunteers for an awareness stall at High Chelmer on Saturday 8th April. To help, get in touch by emailing, hello@curvefoundation.org.uk.

Take Part in Miles over Mind

Join the charity’s May fundraising campaign Miles Over Mind. Walk, run, cycle or even scooter 100 miles throughout May, as it is National Walking Month and Mental Health Awareness Week. Sign up at www. justgiving.com/campaign/milesovermind2023 or scan the campaign QR code and click on ‘Be a fundraiser’.

You can also register an interest in our new 2023 football tournament. Get in touch by emailing: hello@curvefoundation. org.uk for updates on our new up-and-coming 2023 local football tournament. Date and Chelmsford location to be confirmed.

If you’d like to learn more about the Curve Foundation, please visit the charity’s website at www.curvefoundation.org.uk, or follow them on social media.

CCR Latest News

Chelmsford Community Radio are pleased to share that they have been successful in their application to the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund. This fund has been designed to help organisations and practitioners to deliver a broad and exciting range of work and activity to engage with and bring residents together.

The money granted to Chelmsford Community Radio will be used to develop a Radio Drama Festival in the city, which will include workshops with children from local schools, listening sessions and a radio drama performance which will be recorded in front of an audience.

Chelmsford Community Radio broadcasts on 104.4FM online and also via their app and has about 60 active volunteer presenters aged between 15 and 80 - it celebrates its 10th birthday in the summer. CCR delivers a huge range of shows covering local issues, performers, unsigned bands, and acts as an accessible platform for people in the area, as well as providing radio or podcast training to the education sector and community groups.

It is a very exciting opportunity which embraces the broadcast heritage that Chelmsford is so very proud of - and hopefully gives a foundation to build on going forwards, providing access to local groups and individuals that can help share, showcase and celebrate some of the very talented creatives that our community has to offer.

The arts, cultural and creative projects, supported by the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund, will contribute to the Levelling Up Essex Strategy and play an integral part in the enabling of Essex County Council’s wider objectives as set out in Everyone’s Essex.

Details are still being finalised, but if you have any queries regarding the festival, please email admin@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com.

Hello to you all. Another month gone by already, I can’t believe how quickly time goes these days. I guess it must be an age thing and I am getting on a bit. Less said the better...

I had a wonderful surprise the other day. A few friends and I are passionate about one-liner jokes, and some years ago started meeting in our local pub to exchange them, much to the enjoyment of other patrons, who often joined in the banter. Just in case you are not familiar with the term, a one-liner is ‘a joke or a clever and funny remark or answer that is usually one sentence long’.

As a result, we decided to start an official group. We are called The CAVAS. We enjoy the occasional glass of wine, hence the reference to Cava, the Spanish fizzy drink, but it also stands for The Cooper and Vine Appreciation Society. Cooper being Tommy Cooper, and Vine being Tim Vine, both great comedians and excellent writers and tellers of one-liner jokes.

My granddaughter produced printed T-shirts with a CAVAS logo (thanks Evie) and we wear these at our meetings. My son tweeted Tim Vine a photo of the T-shirt, and he messaged back to find out more information about our meetings, and said he would like to join us one evening and could he have a T-shirt to wear... and the plot was laid to surprise us with a visit!

Well, to say we were surprised is an understatement. Tim turned up in the local pub, wearing his own CAVAS T-shirt, and spent the evening with us with his banter and fantastic one-liner jokes.

What a wonderful thing to do. He travelled from the other side of London to Chelmsford on a cold frosty night to give us a never-to-beforgotten night.

Tim was an absolute delight, and to make the effort for a few old chaps was so very kind. He is a talented and very nice man. Thank you to David, Micky, Evie and Dexter for organising all this. Also thanks to Paul.

It was recently reported that 42% of the population couldn’t remember when they last laughed. Well, watch a Tim Vine performance, and he will very quickly put that right!

You can see from the photo below how much we enjoyed meeting Tim. He of course is the one on the left with CAVAS members John, Steve and me. We have a fourth member, Dave, but unfortunately he couldn’t come along that evening, but we have given him a detailed account of the fantastic time we had.

Thank you so much Tim. Look forward to seeing you performing in Chelmsford in July.

Yet another animal story in the news this month. There is a bird, a Goffin’s cockatoo, that studies show can use tools to perform tasks. They are able to select the right tools and use them. Before any enterprising person is tempted to put these birds to work and pay them in bird seed, it should be pointed out that the experiment to prove this point was to give the bird a box containing a cashew nut, sealed with a membrane. The bird had to use a spikey type tool to pierce the seal, then use a longer flexible tool to fish out the nut. I’m thinking that this may limit the bird’s use as cheap labour. Who’s a clever boy then..?

I watch a fair bit of television and like lots of people I see. Recently, I watched Happy Valley. Quite often, we record the programme and watch it the next day. This is fine except when the final episode is reviewed in the papers the next day. I spent all of the Monday morning not reading my newspaper or listening to news bulletins in case the finale was given away. In my regular paper, the whole of page three was dedicated to this, but they did have the foresight to provide a warning on the front page. Thank goodness... This wouldn’t have happened in the old days. If you missed a programme you would have to go round asking if anyone else had seen it to give you a resume of what had occurred!

Bin End Chuckles - With Thanks to the One-Liner Genius, Tim I was at sea the other day and loads of meat floated past. It was a bit choppy...

I’ve just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I’ll tell you what, never again...

Stay safe and well.

Grove Road Evangelical Church

This time of the year is one Christians call Lent. It’s a period of about six weeks leading up to the Easter weekend - Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Some Christians see Lent as a very important time, while others may ignore it.

Lent is seen by some as an opportunity to take a look at themselves and compare their lives with what the Bible outlines as the pattern that we should be displaying in our lives, a pattern that supremely, and perfectly, can be seen in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. For some this will include for example, times of fasting, of studying the Bible more, of praying a lot more.

Others believe that such things should be an essential part of a Christian’s normal daily life, as each day we focus on becoming more like Jesus in how we think and act. We recognise how far we fall short of that aim, and so ask for God’s forgiveness and help to make us better tomorrow.

It is only through Jesus’s death on the cross that we can receive forgiveness. Only through his bodily resurrection that we can receive power and strength to be better people. We all know we fail to live up to what we want to be, so how far short must we fall of how God wants us to live!?

If you want to follow up on any of these thoughts, contact us at the email address below, or come and visit us at Grove Road Evangelical Church. We would love to help point you to Jesus and to discover what he can do for us if we trust in him and rely on his help. We meet on Sunday mornings at 11am. We look forward to seeing you.

Philip Loose, Senior Pastor

Grove Road Evangelical Church (Behind Tesco Express, Moulsham Street) www.grecuk.co.uk pastor@grecuk.co.uk

The Rose Collective Announces Their March Social Guest Speaker - Polari Prize Winning Author, Ian Eagleton

Polari prize winning author Ian Eagleton will be talking about his latest book Glitter Boy at The Rose Collectives’ March Social.

Who Are the Rose Collective?

The Rose Collective is a community of goal-focused individuals whose aim is to support ambitious women and allies. They do this by providing an inclusive network with a strong focus on wellness and professional development. Their themed monthly social is open to non-members and typically features guest speakers from within The Rose Collective community.

The theme of the March Social is resilience, and on this topic The Rose Collective has invited award winning author Ian Eagleton to talk about his new book Glitter Boy. The book follows James on an unforgettable journey about facing up to bullying and his own truths. Inspired from events in his own life, Ian writes a joyful, raw and timely novel about family, friends, enemies, and being true to who you really are. This event is also family friendly.

What Will Be Happening on the Day?

Come along to Fête at Greys Yard in Chelmsford on 11th March from 2pm to 4pm, and listen to author Ian Eagleton talk about the book and its journey to getting published. We will be talking about overcoming challenges including standing up to bullies and achieving your ambitions.

In addition to the author’s reading, there will be the opportunity to ask Ian questions and purchase a signed copy. There will also be some children’s activities on hand.

The event will be raising money for Micro Rainbow, a charity whose vision is to create a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people are free from discrimination, persecution, and have equal opportunities in life.

Ellen Freese, co-founder of The Rose Collective, said: “We are thrilled to have Ian join us to talk about Glitter Boy at our March social, which is open to non-members and family friendly. Overcoming bullying is something that many of us will face throughout our lives - in school, at home, the workplace and beyond. We are immensely proud to feature a book about standing up to bullying and to also be fundraising for the fantastic Micro Rainbow.”

Ian Eagleton said: “I am delighted to have been asked by The Rose Collective to join their March Social as a guest speaker, and thrilled that funds raised from the event will be going to Micro Rainbow.

“Having Micro Rainbow as the nominated charity is especially important to me as their work supports combatting some of the themes within my book, such as discrimination and bullying. These issues are particularly close to my heart, as both a teacher and father, and the promotion of inclusivity is something we should all strive for together.”

This event is taking place at Fête in Greys Yard, Chelmsford, on Saturday 11th March between 2pm and 4pm. There will be an afterparty for those wishing to continue socialising into the evening.

Tickets raising funds for Micro Rainbow are available to purchase now via The Rose Collective website store (www.therosecollective. co.uk). Pre-booking is highly recommended, though limited tickets will also be available for purchase on the day.

Tickets are priced at £5. Tickets can be purchased with a signed copy of the book to collect at the event for an additional £8. Tickets for under 12s are free.

The Rose Collective

www.therosecollective.co.uk

Facebook - www.facebook.com/rosecollectiveltd

Instagram: @rosecollectiveltd

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-rose-collective-ltd

Ian Eagleton

Twitter: @MrEagletonIan

TikTok: @ianeagletonauthor

Scholastic: www.scholastic.co.uk

Micro Rainbow: microrainbow.org thereadingrealm.co.uk

Flexibility, Mobility, Stability and Core Strength - What’s It All About?

With the wonderful influx of new year/new faces to the studio, I seem to be regularly answering common questions on some terms that are synonymous to pilates - ‘flexibility’, ‘stability’, ‘mobility’ and ‘core strength’ - what is this all about!?

Maybe you’ve asked yourself this before, so here is an explanation and a little more information on their part in keeping your body moving optimally and how pilates works.

Flexibility: what, why, how. Our muscles are like big elastic bands all around the body, contacting and relaxing and moving our bones and limbs, from the muscles in our arms to make a cup of tea to the muscles in our legs for walking or running. Flexibility is the range of stretch vs shortening that each muscle can do. Ideally our muscles work together giving effective movement daily. But if a muscle is too tight it can restrict entire movements. For example, rear thigh or hamstring muscles are commonly tight from sitting too muchcausing knees, hips and the lower back to not move properly and potentially causing pain. Pilates has highly recommended exercises for lower back pain; it addresses tight muscles and gives your body more chance to move effectively.

Have a Go*

A seated, forward-fold for hamstring (back of thigh) and lower back muscle flexibility: Sit on the floor, straighten right leg out in front (you may prefer to sit on a cushion or a chair), one leg bent tucked in front, put hands on right thigh and walk down the leg as far as able, then return and do this 10 times each leg.

Mobility: what, why, how. Closely related to flexibility, its about the range of movement we have at our joints, from between each vertebrae in our back to the big ball and socket of our hip. Feeling stiff often comes from poor mobility at your joints. Tight muscles, as above, cause restriction of a whole area, such as tight back muscles reducing movement of the whole spine from lower to upper back, and even the neck. In pilates, we commonly work on twisting movements which are fantastic ways to introduce better whole back mobility.

Have a Go*

Woodchop: Stand with feet wider than body, hands with palms together, reach up over right shoulder allowing chest to twist right too. Bring hands back down past left hip allowing chest to come with you. Repeat 10 times each side.

Stability: what, why, how. Not only do our muscles need to move freely, but with ability to contract when required to stabilise joints. If we try standing on one leg, the ankle, knee and hip joint needs all the leg muscles to hold and stabilise. This chain has to happen every time we walk, going from foot to foot!

Have a Go*

The Bridge: This is a common pilates exercise - try this version with single leg option. Lay on your back, hands to sides, knees bent, feet close to you. Tuck under your tailbone/buttocks and slowly lift them, watch your waist, keeping it still and horizontal at the top, try to lift one foot onto toes or even from the floor entirely! Try a few bridges lifting a foot at the top each time, keeping the pelvis still!

Core strength: what, why, how. Put all the above together with the effectiveness of the big and small muscles contracting when needed to support your body. In particular, core work wakes up and strengthens as many muscles around the spine as possible, meaning our lower back muscles don’t have to do it all, all the time and end up injured.

Have a Go*

Specifically challenging the strength of the abdominal muscle here: Sit on the floor with knees bent, arms out in front of chest (hold back of thighs if required). Tuck buttocks under you, begin to lean your body back slowly until you have rolled through the spine laying down entirely horizontal. Lift head and shoulders first and try to come all the way back to seated. It usually takes a few weeks to master this!

If you would like to chat to us at Hummingbird Pilates and Yoga about starting pilates, please don’t hesitate to call us on 01245 422 556 and say you’ve read my article in the Moulsham Times, or email info@hummingbirdpilatesyoga.co.uk.

At Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga Writtle our £45 unlimited month of classes is our most popular way to start (excluding specialist ante and post natal courses). For group classes (8 max), we don’t expect any experience, just a willingness to try - we offer classes for all levels. Join us in the studio or opt for an interactive Zoom class from wherever you are.

*don’t try anything without professional supervision if you have a back injury.

www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk

See you on the mat soon!

Erica xx

Chelmsford Takeover

Chelmsford Takeover is a brand new event landing in Chelmsford High Street on Saturday 18th March 2023.

Chelmsford For You have joined forces with Essex cosplayers to create the event in aid of raising funds for Little Havens Hospice, a fantastic local charity offering the best possible palliative and supportive care for children.

Get ready for Chelmsford city centre to come to life with familiar heroes, characters, cars and props from the worlds of film, TV and comics all located across multiple High Street locations.

Cosplay Groups

Walkabout characters from Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Doctor Who, Ghostbusters and more.

Show Cars

A range of show cars on display including the DeLorean from Back to the Future, The Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters, The Tumbler from Batman, Lightning McQueen himself and some surprise favourites.

Meet and Greet

Various actors from film and TV will be attending and available for photo and signing opportunities, including stars from Star Wars, Superman, Dr Who, Batman, James Bond, Blake’s 7 and more.

Activites and Workshops

They’ll be a range of activities and workshops lined up to immerse you even more; including lightsabre training, gaming bus, superhero cape making, hero and villain facepainting, a Geek Retreat area, model sculpting workshop, stalls, and cosplay fancy dress competitions. Plus free bus journeys with the Park & Ride service for anyone dressed up on the day, courtesy of Essex County Council!

Saturday 18th March

Chelmsford High Street

10am-4pm

All donations in aid of Little Havens Hospice

www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk/ chelmsfordtakeover

www.facebook.com/chelmsfordforyou

www.instagram.com/chelmsfordforyou

Pay on Investment Gains?

Capital Gains Tax is the tax on investment profits. You may have to pay it if you sell an investment held outside a tax-efficient account such as an ISA.

When you buy an investment and then sell it you may have (hopefully!) made a profit. That’s known as a capital gain, and you may have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on it - but only if the investment is held outside a tax-efficient account such as an ISA or Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP).

When Do You Pay Capital Gains Tax?

You’ll have to consider CGT when selling, gifting or otherwise disposing of any investment that isn’t held in a pension or ISA. CGT is chargeable for investments such as:

• Equity shares.

• Funds and investment trusts.

• Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

• Art, furniture, ornaments or collectibles.

• Secondary residential property, eg, a buy-to-let or holiday property.

Some assets are exempt, such as motor cars, wine (with less than a 50-year life), UK government bonds (gilts) and foreign currency for your own use. Your own home is also usually exempt, though if you have rented it out at any point it might only partly qualify for relief.

An exception applies if you transfer any asset to your husband, wife, or civil partner. This is CGT-free but the new owner ‘inherits’ any gain on the asset and may have to pay tax when they come to sell.

What Are the Capital Gains Tax Rates?

The amount of tax you’re charged depends on which income tax band you fall into. Basic-rate taxpayers are charged 10% on their realised profits, while higher-rate (and additional rate) taxpayers must pay 20%.

Not widely understood is the interaction of CGT with income tax bands. If you’re a basic-rate taxpayer, any gain over the allowance you make, when added to your income, could push you into the higherrate bracket. If so, you’d pay 20% on however much of the gain falls into the higher income tax band and 10% on the portion below it. If you are a Scottish taxpayer your CGT rate depends on the rest of UK income tax bands and not the Scottish tax bands.

There is an additional 8% to pay on gains on secondary residential property such as a buy-to-let or holiday property, making the CGT rates here 18% and 28% respectively. Meanwhile ‘business assets’, generally a share or interest in the company or firm you work for attract a flat rate of 10%, subject to meeting certain criteria - see more on the HMRC website here.

Tax on Realised Profits

You’ll only need to pay tax if your realised profits exceed the annual capital gains tax allowance. In the 2022-23 tax year, this is £12,300. However, from April the allowance falls to £6,000 and then to just £3,000 from April 2024.

For example:

If you bought shares for £10,000 and sell them this tax year for £30,000, then you’ve made a capital gain of £20,000.

If you have no other gains, this is reduced to £7,700 as the first £12,300 falls into the CGT annual exemption. For a basic rate taxpayer, the calculation is therefore £7,700 x 0.1 = £770.

If you make losses on your investments, these can be set against your gains, but they must be reported to HMRC. When you report a

loss, the amount is first deducted from the gains you made in the same tax year. If your total taxable gain is still above the tax-free threshold, you can deduct unused losses from previous tax years - so long as they have been reported to HMRC within four years of the end of the tax year that the disposal took place.

How Do You Work Out Capital Gains Tax?

In general, you deduct the cost of acquiring the asset (including any expenses such as commission) from the proceeds after costs. Complications can arise if an investment has been purchased or sold in stages, so you will need to keep good records or, if you have bought shares or funds in your investment account, refer to the ‘tax cost’ figure in your online valuation. Please note if you transfer investments into the service, your previous provider may not inform your new provider of the cost, so care is needed.

Broadly speaking, the cost of any share or fund is the total amount paid for the overall holding divided by the number of shares held. This means that, when calculating the capital gain on a sale of shares at the end of the tax year, you just need to know the total number of shares and total amount paid for them. There are examples and help sheets on the HMRC website that can help, but as with any tax issue if you are in any doubt, you should consult a qualified tax specialist. Although you usually acquire an asset through buying it, you might also have inherited it or received it as a gift. In these circumstances, you need to keep records of the value of the asset on the date you acquired it. If you inherited the asset, the executors of the deceased should have provided you with this.

How to Pay Less Tax on Investment Gains

1. Use Tax Efficient Wrappers as Far as Possible

The reduction in the capital gains allowance, from the current £12,300 to £6,000 next year, and then to £3,000 from April 2024 onwards, emphasises the need to use tax-efficient ISA accounts, or pensions, to house investments as far as possible. Any income is tax free, as are any profits, in an ISA account.

A potential consequence of the reduced allowance is more people will have to report gains to HMRC either via a self-assessment tax return or through the ‘real time’ service, so using an ISA can make life a lot easier.

If you’re over 18 and UK resident, you can pay up to £20,000 into a Stocks and Shares ISA each tax year to invest in shares, funds, investment trusts and more.

2. Harvest Some Gains

Those with significant capital gains, and therefore potential tax liabilities, could consider taking advantage of this tax year’s higher CGT allowance by selling down investments. You’ll need to do so before the end of the tax year on 5th April, as you can’t carry it forward to next year when the allowance drops to £6,000.

One option for existing shareholdings is a ‘Bed & ISA’ which can help use your CGT and ISA allowances simultaneously. It involves selling holdings and then buying them back in an ISA account. The sale crystallises any capital gain, so selling or partially selling an existing investment could help with tax planning by using some of your capital gains allowance while keeping your holding. Outside of an ISA or pension you are prevented from generating gains in this way owing to the 30 day or ‘bed and breakfasting’ rule explained on the HMRC website.

3.

Divide Assets

If you are married or in a civil partnership, it may be worthwhile transferring assets to or from your partner. You usually don’t pay capital gains tax on an asset you give or sell to your husband, wife, or civil partner, though they may have to pay tax on any gain if they later dispose of it.

This could give you the option of taking full advantage of two CGT allowances before they’re reduced in the new tax year. A couple, for instance, could realise gains of up to £24,600 this tax year (2022/23) without paying tax.

You could also divide assets to take advantage of lower income tax bands where one partner’s income is lower. This way there may be less tax to pay on a gain received outside of a tax wrapper.

Curious about our investment services? From online platform investing, to bespoke portfolios, Charles Stanley offers a range of services suited to your different needs.

Graham Austin, Chartered FCSI Investment Director

Graham.Austin@charles-stanley.co.uk

0207 149 6696

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

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

Charles Stanley & Co. Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 55 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 3AS.

Ode to Wellfit! - By Ola Adamolekun

My last article was about The Mediterranean Diet, and it was meant to be the first in a series of articles looking at different ways of eating (WOEs). However, due to circumstances definitely within my control, I’ve decided to write something totally different.

I think I wrote my first article for MT back in in 2020, just before covid. Since then, I’ve been on a journey, and it looks as if that journey it taking on a new direction again! As well as writing about all things health and fitness, I like to write about my personal experiences as well.

So, what exactly am I talking about?

Well, those of you that read my column know, I’m a Health and Wellbeing Coach/Personal Trainer. I work with both private clients and in the NHS. I also run a fitness class called Wellfit twice a week at St Paul’s Church in Chelmsford. I’m writing this article on 16th February 2023, and it is the last day that this class will run at this venue. On that note, I’d like to say a big thank you to St Paul’s Church for having us... who knows what the future may bring.

What Is Wellfit?

Wellfit is a fitness class that aims to be functional - ie, it crosses over into everyday life - and fun. I think we definitely have fun, but I just run the class - I don’t have to do the workouts! The aim is to get stronger and push yourself as far as you can go. If I’m honest, I’ve been amazed at some of the stuff that has been achieved.

It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with this group. They have inspired me, motivated me and given me confidence that I’m cut out for this type of work. I’ve seen then grow fitter, stronger, leaner and even meaner!

As a coach, sometimes it gets quite personal and your clients become like family. I’m definitely protective of my little group. We may be small, but we are mighty! I think since I’ve been running the group over the past 14 months or so, we have all evolved. They have embraced everything I’ve taught them and more.

I’ve seen people achieve their first push-ups, harder push-up variations (if I didn’t mention push ups, they’d never forgive me). I’ve seen people become more flexible and functional. One of the goals of the class is to do functional exercise that spills over into everyday life.

We use resistance bands and broomsticks (you’ll have to join to find

out what that means), kettlebells, dumbbells (sometimes) and body weight. We also like to incorporate mobility and flexibility which is so, so important for everybody. I’m an avid fan of Muay Thai and we have been known on occasion to strap on the shin guards and gloves for a bit of fun. I’m sure none of my regulars thought they’d enjoying kicking the living daylights out of each other when they signed up!

So why is Wellfit coming to an end? Well, it’s time to revamp it and try something different. New home, new challenges, but I’m keeping my regulars. So, if you are interested in having a bit fun while you get fit, then come and join us at Wellfit (I think I’m going to call it Wellfit ’23!). Email me at beencouragedwellness@gmail.com, or call me on 07859 583 242 for more details. We’re from Essex and we’re Well Fit!

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

The Singing Chef

Soooo, food is coming to O’Connors in Hall Street!

I am so excited to be back in a professional kitchen doing what I love. I’ts to be named after my late Nanny Wilson who passed away at the beginning of this year; she taught me how to cook all these delicious Irish classics. My uncle John joked at nanny’s funeral how ‘she could make a leaf of lettuce taste incredible!’) - and she could. I can’t wait to share her recipies with you.

There will also be my infamous traditional Sunday roast as well as regular pub classics, a trendy homemade smashed burger, and a sports bar basket menu. Watch this space for themed nights and Irish cheese and whisky pairing nights!

• Rinse.

• Place in slow cooker set to low for 4 hours.

• Cover with fresh water.

• Add 1 onion quartered.

• Add some whole peppercorns.

Serve with coleslaw, dill pickles, bread and mustard.

Sarah is a singing and vocal coach based in Chelmsford and offers singing lessons to people of all ages and abilities. She has a brand new website at www.chelmsfordvocalcoach.co.uk, or you can email her at sarahmtfood@gmail.com.

Ingredients

Irish corned beef (salt beef):

• 1kg brisket

For the brine:

• 1 tablespoon Prague Powder (pink salt).

• ½ cup salt.

• ½ cup brown sugar.

• 1 teaspoon whole coriander.

• 1 teaspoon whole mustard seeds

• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns.

• 1 teaspoon whole allspice.

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme leaves.

• 2 bay leaves.

• Cold water to cover.

Method

• Mix all ingredients together in the water. Add the brisket and make sure it is totally submerged.

• Brine for 5 days in a covered container in the fridge, turning every day and adding water if needed.

•

Behind the Doors of MLCT

Our community have supported us in our fundraising for our new front door and the amount has gone up significantly. We are now getting new quotes to replace the old one.

Behind the door we are busy planning events for 2023. If you would like to be part of our volunteer support team, please get in touch. There is always something to do.

February saw a team of volunteers come together to make drawstring bags for Baby Basics that operates out of Moulsham Methodist Church. They help needy mums-to-be by providing the essentials,

Next was a planning meeting for the exciting events that we would like to put on for the community. 16th March we have a talk on the work of the guide dogs association from 2-4pm. With spring around the corner our regular plant sales will also be returning. In May, we hope to put on a large screen for viewing the Coronation of the King with cream teas to purchase from the Copper Pot Café. Then 24th June sees the return of our successful WellBeing Day with a difference from 10am-3pm. As part of well-being, Chelmsford City Council has promised to provide table tennis equipment, boccia and indoor bowls for the use in the marquee. Challenges are already being set!

It has been very busy planning and we hope you can join us to make these events a success for the community. If you have any suggestions for events you would like to see, then please email us at www.mlct.org.uk. You can help to make a difference to your local community and make new friends as well.

www.mlct.org.uk

enquiries@mlct.org.uk

07434 678 999

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With sadness I begin this month by acknowledging the tragic incident which occurred in the ward at the beginning of half-term, which resulted in the tragic death of 16-year-old Andy Wood. My thoughts of course are with his family and friends. I must thank Essex Police for all that they have been doing, including the reassurance they have provided to local residents, which I know has been gratefully received. I have spoken to the residents who live in the vicinity of the assault almost daily since the event, I know how distressing this has been. Whilst we must not speculate about the circumstances around the incident or attribute cause, many residents have told me that they feared one day ‘something would happen’ and it’s hard to disagree given their concerns about incidents of gatherings, ASB, fire setting, vandalism and suspected drug dealing or use on the council land adjacent to Waterson Vale where they have asked the council to act to reduce these issues. Indeed, I have previously met on-site on at least three occasions,with council officers and councillors alike to discuss concerns.

Relating to these concerns, I asked a question at February Full Council meeting, where a disappointing response was received from the Liberal Democrat administration with a somewhat bemusing refusal of the Cabinet Member to answer questions or make commitments.

Where there are incidents of ASB or criminal activity, it is vital these incidents are reported so that localised challenges can be identified. I have been have asked about police numbers, which I am informed are now at an all-time high across Essex, and I will continue to do whatever I can to work with all parties to ensure that concerns are addressed.

Whilst the Army and Navy Project itself is not within CCC remit, in February I was glad to meet the Roads Minister Richard Holden MP along with Vicky Ford MP for an opportunity to talk about the project and it’s benefits to local area. The project is far wider reaching than just the junction and a significant injection of central government funding is required. I am hopeful of his support in unlocking this

much needed and very worthy investment. The same day, it was announced that the bus fare cap of £2 has been extended until the end of June 2023. This is great for traffic, for the environment and of course most welcome help with the increased cost of living.

Last month, I mentioned the Freighter House open day in Februarymy family and I attended and had a great time; it was an opportunity for children (and children at heart!) to sit in a wide range of vehicles, including refuge trucks and road sweepers, watch the recycling plant in action and find out a bit more about what happens to our waste and recycling. It was a very well attended and well received event, and I would like to thank the all involved in making this happen and the lovely welcome they gave to the children - hopefully this will be repeated next year and I would recommend a visit.

I’m really looking forward to celebrations for the Coronation of the King later this year - the 8th May is not so far away now so please don’t forget; if you want to host street parties etc requiring a road closure, the deadline for applying to the City Council is 26th March. It’s a bit involved to go into detail here, but all info is on the City Council website - short URL here: tinyurl.com/partyroadclosure.

A final note: last month I mentioned the changes to voter ID which have been issued by the Electoral Commission, who are (for those who insist on stating otherwise) an ‘independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK’ (Electoral Commission). So a reminder this month as we head toward May’s elections, to please familiarise yourself with the voter ID requirements at electoralcommission.org.uk or via the Chelmsford City Council website.

You can get in touch with me via Chelmsford City Council, through my Facebook Page (Cllr Rob Gisby) or via Chelmsford Conservative Association. Please do reach out - I look forward to hearing from you.

Stay safe, keep well, be kind.

Cllr Rob Gisby Conservative Ward Councillor for Moulsham Lodge

An Update from Moulsham Lodge Ward - By Councillor Rob Gisby

I recently noticed that vehicles were parking on the greensward at the side of Tile Kiln shops as one of the large wooden posts was missing. After reporting this to the Parks Dept at Chelmsford City Council I was delighted to see it being replaced a couple of weeks later. The result is that the daffodils are now able to flourish and bloom, instead of being squashed under tyres and not making an appearance. There was also fly-tipping around this area, with rubbish being blown across the car park. This has now mostly been cleared and it is much tidier.

About 20 years ago I joined members of the Residents’ Association, City Council and Mildmay School children in planting bulbs on green areas all around Tile Kiln - as you turn off Galleywood Road into Linnet Drive, you’ll see a lovely display of golden yellow daffodils thriving on either side of the corner, and around the estate there are many more daffodils and crocuses to spot. As the weather starts to improve and the days are getting longer, these welcome flowers are a reminder of spring and summer days to come. I was very pleased to see local resident Hazel Clark planting bulbs in the community flower beds opposite the Clay Pigeon pub which are now flowering and have

come across other residents planting flowers outside their properties to be enjoyed by all.

It’s very important to look after and enhance our local environment for all to enjoy and I’m planning a community gardening morning at the flower beds opposite the Clay Pigeon pub on Saturday 15th April at 10am - please join us in tidying up the leaves, weeding and if you have any spare plants we can add those in. I look forward to seeing you there, all members of the family welcome! Together we can make a positive difference to our neighbourhood.

Linda Mascot mascotlinda@gmail.com

Daffodils and Hope

I wonder, what gives you hope? At this time of year, I am always delighted to see the daffodils. They are such hope-filled flowers, aren’t they!? After the long winter, with grey skies and bare trees, at last the yellow-topped shoots peak out of the soil. Soon, usually after the first few sunny days of the year, a few flowers break out into bloom - joy!

They’re hopeful because they are the first flowers, but also because they point the way ahead to spring, promising more colour and life still to come. So much hope is held in this one flower.

Hope is hard to come by these days. It can feel like we’re limited to a kind of hope that feels like a Monday in January: grey, cold, and barely worth the word ‘hope’.

Hope for what? The end of the war in Ukraine seems a very long way off. The cost of living has been a crisis for so long now it appears there’s no way out. Strikes carry on and gather speed, trains slow and are cancelled. No joy here. No hope.

So, What Gives You Hope?

Because humans can’t survive without hope. We were made for something bigger than ourselves to hope in - the kind of hope that feels like the sunny, warm, August bank holiday Monday. You know the one - where the Daily Mail tells us that it’s hotter here than in

Majorca; where the days are long and school or work still seem a long way off; where we’ve had two ice creams on a packed beach. Hope that’s full of life! Full of joy!

It’s something bigger than ourselves. If we don’t have that kind of hope, in the end we’ll shrivel up and die.

Where Does Your Hope Come From?

Mine comes from Jesus Christ. The Son of God, saviour, lord, king, judge. Jesus is my hope. What do you think about Jesus? Did you know that he once said this: ‘Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’

Are you hopeless after a long winter? Come to Jesus. Are you weary with 2023 already? Come to Jesus. Are you not sure you’ll make it to the August bank holiday? Come to Jesus. You’ll find rest, hope, and joy.

Tim Goodall, Pastor, Tile Kiln Church

tim.goodall@tilekilnchurch.org.uk

07821 866 301

YouTube: tinyurl.com/y24qlkvx www.facebook.com/tilekilnchurch www.tilekilnchurch.org.uk

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Quiz Time - By John Theedom

What sort of creature is a stilt?

What is the name of the instrument that a doctor uses to check the sound of your body?

Filbert is an alternative name for which nut?

How many ghosts are at the start of Pac Man?

In the USA who, between 2018 and 2020 was voted America’s most admired woman?

How old was the nun who died in France on 17th January 2023 as the world’s oldest woman?

Which US actor delivered the line ‘the pellet with the poison in the vessel with the pestle, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true’?

What is a drouser?

What drink is nicknamed the green fairy? Which two fruits make up the soon to be rebranded fizzy drink Lilt?

What is the action that Mo Farah does after he wins a race?

Which country has the largest area of vineyards? On which TV programme is David Dickinson the leading light?

What does the acronym NIMBY stand for? Of which political party was Hugh Gaitskell a member when he died aged 56?

Who played the role of Frank Spencer in the BBC sitcom Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em?

In which year did The Monkees have a number 1 hit with I’m A Believer in the UK?

Karl Marx had a sister Onya, what did she invent? Which company uses a talking log in it’s TV adverts?

Which is the highest mountain in the world above sea level?

Which species of camel has two humps?

What is the nickname of the England Women’s football team?

What did Eric Morecombe get crowned as in 1971?

What type of beans are used to make baked beans?

Which are the two animals representing Pisces in the Zodiac?

How old was Gina Lollobrigida when she died in January 2023?

Chrometophobia is a fear of what?

Which popular vegetable was originally purple in color?

What is the name of the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland?

Of which US state is Atlanta the capital?

In 1965, Petula Clark had a number 1 hit in the US with which song?

Which former MP had the nickname Two Jags?

What is a double entendre?

What do the initials BAFTA stand for?

Members of the Unification Church are more commonly called what?

What is the anatomical name for the lower jawbone?

What was Vic Reeves’ birth name?

What is colcannon?

What is the fourth letter in the greek alphabet?

Where is the statue of Princess Diana and her two young sons?

Apologies: Last month’s quiz did not get checked as it usually does and there were a number of mistakes, we endeavour to always check all answers but somehow this got missed last month. Thank you to all who took the time to email in.

Trustees needed

Trustees play a crucial role in guiding charities, helping make plans and decisions and making sure they stay on track. It is a fantastic opportunity to make real difference to the organisation you volunteer for. You don’t necessarily need prior experience, just enthusiasm and dedication.

Trustee meetings are usually just 4 times a year, so this is a great role for people with busy lives who still want to help.

Charities in need include Farleigh Hospice, Millrace Furniture, The Ideas Hub, and Interact.

Knit and crochet for good causes - ladies’ knitting group in Great Baddow

Are you a keen knitter, or have you always wanted to learn? We are welcoming volunteers to join a new ladies’ only knitting group at Hamptons Sport & Leisure Centre in Great Baddow.

The group includes experienced knitters, complete beginners, refugees, older people, and ladies who’ve dealt with difficult circumstances or sad times. Over lots of coffee and cake we chat,

Little Edi Foundation

Little Edi Foundation is an Essex based non-profit charity, listening to the needs of the most vulnerable children and families.

We believe all children should have equal access to food, education and learning development, enabling them to reach their full potential and bridge the gap between children living in poverty and their wealthier friends. To achieve this, we listen to the needs of our local vulnerable families and help where necessary to get these children fed and into school with whatever they need.

We focus on creating development opportunities for disadvantaged young people from local areas and we do this in a number of ways.

Listening to the Community

It is a fact that there are children in the UK living in poverty. This may be where parents are unable to work due to illness, single parents or parents that both work but are still unable to make ends meet. We listen to these families with no judgement and help where we can to make these children feel they can go to school and not feel different. This may mean helping with school supplies like uniform, shoes or school club outfits. We supply educational toys for toddlers to get them ready for their school years.

Since the beginning of the covid pandemic, we have been contacted by many families who have needed help and support in the way of food and supplies for their children. With the help of our partnership with Fareshare, private sponsorship, and our loyal volunteers, we have been giving food and basic supplies weekly to children and families in Essex.

The charity is very grateful for a very generous grant from Morrisons Supermarket, which has enabled us to start an after school club for some of the children on the project, aged between 4-12 years. The club run a fun programme of activities, including crafts, trying different foods, learning new skills, growing in confidence and making new friends! The club is run by volunteer project workers, who are supported by young helpers and adults. As well as meeting weekly, we organise a monthly Saturday outing. The young people have already enjoyed a trip to Jump Street and we are all looking forward to a visit

create, laugh, and make things for good causes.

Community volunteer supporting older people - Independent Age Can you provide friendship, support, and encouragement to an older person who has no one else to talk to?

This may include meeting for a coffee and cake, going for a walk, accompanying them to an appointment or a club, helping them do their shopping, or just calling for a chat. We give you all the support and training you need, and this is a flexible role to fit neatly into your life.

Volunteering with young people at Essex Boys and Girls Club

The roles that we need support with can include supporting youth clubs, helping with activity days, arts days, and sporting events. So there are many different experiences you could have whilst volunteering with us, as well as many chances to participate in training!

Volunteer youth worker at InterAct

InterAct works with young people, families and carers, adults and communities - helping them to overcome barriers, aspire and achieve their potential. Our services provide fun, friendship and a range of activities for teenager aged 12-18 with disabilities and additional needs, helping them to develop their social and independent living skills. Thursday evenings.

Charity shop volunteers needed across Chelmsford

Please email the Volunteer Centre at volunteer@chelmsfordcvs.org.uk or call 01245 250 731 for more information.

www.littleedi.co.uk

to the Essex Police Museum in March. Other visits will be planned and we are grateful to members of the local community for their assistance and support of the group.

Answers

Michael Crawford

1967

The starting pistol Dreams Beds Mount Everest Bactrian The Lionesses Pipeman of the Year Harricot or cannellini Fish 95 Money Carrots Holyrood Palace Georgia Downtown

John Prescott

Play on words - a word or phrase that is open to two interpretations

British Academy of Film & Television

Arts

The Moonies

Mandible

James Moir

An Irish dish made of cabbage, kale and potatoes

Delta

Kensington Palace’s sunken garden