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If you believe you might have something to add to auction please contact our friendly team today.
MT Welcome
Hi readers,
Welcome to the May edition of Moulsham Times
We have two bank holidays this month for most of us (although or delivery people will still be out and about!)
Check out a new competion (just for fun - no prizes) on page 20, and also take a look at page 5 for a chance of getting a free meal at Chelmsford City Bowl!
If you would like to advertise in this magazine, please contact us for prices and also for distribution details. We can then send over all the information you will need.
Regards
Paul
Advertising & Editorial
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
The expansion of government-funded free childcare for two-year-olds started in April and it will be rolled out to younger children over the coming year - this will be a big help to many families in Chelmsford. I visited one of Chelmsford’s outstanding nurseries and was enormously impressed by how happy the children were. Like many other nurseries, they are looking to expand so they can take on more children.
I have had very senior level meetings with Essex County Council on improving services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). There has been a great increase in the level of need, with more children presenting with SEND than ever before. Government funding to meet SEND needs has increased by 60% over the past five years, and now is around £10.5 billion each year.
In Essex, the number of children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) is more than double previous levels. Around 400 new EHCP applications are received each month which has resulted in a backlog. The council has now recruited 46 members of staff and plan further steps to significantly increase capacity and reduce the backlog.
Four new state-funded special ‘free’ schools are being built in Essex, including two in Chelmsford. The government has allocated Essex a further £20 million of capital funding which can be used to build more specialist hubs in mainstream schools.
On the subject of building works, the construction of Beaulieu Park Station is progressing well and it remains on track to open next year. Once open, fewer cars will need to drive into central Chelmsford to access the main station. This project is funded using part of a £250 million grant which I worked to secure from government. Also underway is the new Army and Navy junction which is going through planning, and a new north east bypass.
Local GPs have told me how the new online appointment booking service and new Pharmacy First service are both helping patients. 15 Chelmsford pharmacies have signed up to the scheme, including
all pharmacies in the Moulsham area, which means you can now go direct to your pharmacy for a range of common conditions. In the Chelmsford constituency, there are 40 more full-time-equivalent direct patient care staff working in general practice than prepandemic. Waiting times at Broomfield and other local hospitals have also decreased considerably compared to 12 months ago.
I have been working with our Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, on tackling the organised criminal car theft gangs active in Essex, where Fords and Range Rovers are particular targets. From April 1st car theft is a specific priority crime for Essex Police with a new dedicated serious crime unit and a stolen vehicle intelligence unit. Essex Police have successfully recovered over 650 stolen vehicles worth over £14 million in the past six months and made many arrests.
The following measures can deter car thieves: De-activate passive entry systems, keep keys in a Faraday bag or tin, lock gates or bollards, use a ‘sleeping fob’ battery or park a more valuable car behind a less valuable car. Please do report all suspicious behaviour or theft immediately, as this makes a significant difference to disrupting gangs and making arrests.
World Earth Day Everyday!
This year’s World Earth Day theme is Planet vs Plastics. We encourage the children and wider community to celebrate the Earth everyday.
On Sunday 21st April 2024, we had a Moulsham Community Litter Pick which I’m hoping will become a regular event. You can organise your own litter pick by getting in touch online with ‘Love your Chelmsford Litter Pick Request’.
Here are some other easy and entertaining ideas you can do regularly to help make the world a better place.
Shop Local Moulsham has a wonderful range of independent cafés, shops and restaurants you can use. If we don’t use them we lose them!
Charity Shops
Buy less, buy better and buy pre-loved fashion. Chelmsford has an array of charity shops with some amazing treasures to be found. Spend the day encouraging your children to donate old toys and buy pre-loved toys. They will love it!
Go for a Walk
Walking everyday is good for your mental and physical fitness, and we have some wonderful parks in Chelmsford.
Have you visited Oaklands Park and Chelmsford Museum, and watched the bees and learnt about our fascinating local history? It’s all free and has a wonderful local café called The Hive.
Did you know that Chelmsford Park Run is in the top ten busiest park runs in the world? And did you know there is also Park Walk at the same time? This is every Saturday morning at 9am in Central Park, Chelmsford. There is also a lovely local café in the park for afterwards.
Every Day Is Earth Day and we can all do something to protect our wonderful planet.
Lisa
Use the Library
We are so lucky to have a fantastic library in the centre of town. Look out too for local library events.
Regal Kitchens: Where Client Is King
Celebrating 15 Years of Excellence: Regal Kitchens Ltd
In an industry where innovation meets craftsmanship, Regal Kitchens stands tall as a beacon of excellence, celebrating 15 remarkable years of transforming houses into homes. Since its inception, Regal Kitchens is synonymous with quality, creativity and impeccable service. As it marks this milestone, it’s not just a celebration of longevity but a testament to its unwavering commitment to culinary artistry and customer satisfaction.
Founded on the principles of precision and passion, Regal Kitchens has continuously raised the bar in the kitchen design and installation sector. From sleek modern layouts to timeless classics, each project undertaken by Regal Kitchens is a fusion of functionality and elegance, tailored to suit the unique preferences and lifestyle of their clients.
What sets Regal Kitchens apart is its relentless pursuit of perfection. Over the past 15 years it has honed its craft, leveraging cutting-edge technology and staying abreast of emerging trends to deliver kitchens that are not just spaces for cooking, but havens for inspiration and connection. Every cabinet, storage solution and appliance is curated with utmost care, ensuring durability without compromising on aesthetics.
Beyond their prowess in design, Regal Kitchens takes pride in its personalised approach to customer service. From the initial consultation to the final installation inspection, clients are guided through every step of the process, ensuring their vision is brought to life seamlessly. It’s this attention to detail and dedication to
exceeding expectations that has garnered them a loyal clientele and accolades aplenty over the years.
As Regal Kitchens reflects on its journey so far, the company remains committed to innovation and excellence. With an eye towards the future, it continues to explore new materials, techniques and design concepts, staying ahead of the curve to redefine the art of kitchen craftsmanship.
As it raises a toast to 15 years of success, Regal Kitchens extends heartfelt gratitude to their clients, partners and dedicated team members who have been instrumental in their journey. With unwavering determination and a passion for perfection, it looks forward to shaping the kitchens of tomorrow for many more years to come.
Regal Kitchens showroom is located at 279a Beehive Lane in Chelmsford, with plenty of free parking immediately outside. The showroom is open every day from 10am to 4pm.
Hello all. I hope you are well. April is turning out to be a bit wet and cold - I even had to get my hat out of storage for MT deliveries. I had already put it away for the summer, but that turned out to be a bit premature!
Well, it’s back to normal for us after our trip to the Algarve. We had a great time with visits to Seville and Lisbon amongst others. The Portuguese people are very friendly - and an added bonus was free house wine in the hotel restaurant. Great! The weather was good, in the early twenties, which meant the temperature as we came out of Stansted airport was a bit of a shock.
To start with this month, see the photo on the left: I was in a shop in Chelmsford recently and saw these items for sale. Yes, they are Father Christmas hand washes. I’ve heard of shopping early for Christmas, but how early is early? Or are they left over from last Christmas? I checked to see if it was April 1st but no.
It was reported this week that Thames Valley Police were left confused by a bird when it convincingly mimicked the sound of the sirens on their cars. It’s so accurate, they were left thinking that the sirens on their cars were faulty. They thought the bird was a starling but I guess it was a member of the flying squad!
April Fools day jokes: I am not a fan, but here are some of the pranks, as reported in the press...
Dartmoor search and rescue team announced that sheep were being deployed to search for people who get into trouble over the bank holiday weekend. They will be wearing a hi-vis bandana and a bell round their necks, so that casualties could hear them coming. A spokesperson explained that they are domesticated and adapted to our hill conditions, and they come with their own jackets and don’t need to carry food or water. They didn’t mention the sheep dog which has to keep them in order.
Swiss police announced the newest weapon in the war on drugs. Sniffer chickens. The new flock of drug chickens joined the squad after a successful training phase. Cheaper (see what they did there) than dogs, the chickens also lay a daily egg to contribute their cost effectiveness. I guess the chickens would be flying high!
Aldi announced that is was looking for contestants for a new reality dating show. It is called The Love Aislesland. The supermarket chain invited potential applicants to tell them why they deserved to find love in the aisles. But in a follow-up post - after midday when the opportunity for playing April fools jokes traditionally expires - the company said it was cancelling the show, as it had not been shown to their legal team. I wonder if it would have been one of their special buys?
Reading my newspaper, I see more adverts for things I didn’t know I needed. There is a full page ad for a ‘super smart watch’. Now, as soon as I see the word ‘smart’ I immediately get worried. As I have mentioned before, smart things mean that I will have trouble using them, or it turns out that someone has a different meaning of the word ‘smart’ to me. It does lots of stuff. Keeps track of your blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sugar levels, steps taken etc etc. It does not mention that it tells you the time, although it does say it is a watch.
It also receives calls, answers your phone, receives messages...
Already I am thinking that this watch looks like it’s about, at most, one and a half inches in old money. I cannot read the digits on an iphone which is about three by six inches!
Also, if I were rushing to get somewhere and want to check the time I am going to see my blood pressure, followed by my sugar levels and messages and the rest, before I find the time - by which time I will be late. I know, there’s nothing wrong with this smart watch. It’s all to do with me getting old, and grumpy!
Another full page ad is for complete patio potato collection. Firstly, I wonder what patio potato’s are. As I read further, they are not ‘patio’ potatoes but normal potatoes, three types of common ordinary ones but grown on a patio, silly me. They come in a tub and you put in some compost and top it up and in about 12 weeks, you have potatoes Just one problem, what if you don’t have a patio?
Bin End Chuckles
A couple from old ones from the great Tommy Cooper:
Two cannibals eating a clown. One says to the other ‘Does he taste funny to you..?’
Doctor, I’ve broken my arm in two places, the doctor said: ‘well don’t go back to those places...’
Stay well and look after each other.
MT Gardening
In late April and early May, gardeners should focus on preparing their outdoor spaces for the upcoming growing season. Tasks include weeding and mulching to keep beds tidy and suppressing weed growth, planting a variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs, pruning dead or diseased branches from shrubs and trees, feeding to provide essential nutrients for active growth, and monitoring for pests and diseases to prevent damage.
This period marks an exciting time for gardeners to nurture their plants and set the stage for a vibrant and productive garden throughout the spring and summer months.
Aside from the key tasks above, it is still a perfect time to plant. This year I’m gapping up my beds and borders with a range of perennials to give added interest throughout the season. The plants you select will depend on the type of planting scheme you wish to create whether it is a traditional herbaceous border, a mixed border, a naturalistic planting scheme, a woodland or meadow.
The factors you need to consider are:
• Soil type: Drainage and pH.
• Aspect: Sun and shade. Most flowering plants require good light levels. Foliage plants tolerate shade better.
• Exposure: Herbaceous plants are damaged by wind. On exposed sites choose sturdy, low growing plants.
• Frost: Be aware of frost pockets if growing slightly tender plants
• Season of interest: The choice of plants will depend on the length of flowering period required. It is important to consider how the plant looks when not in flower. Early flowering plants,
such as poppies or lupins, can look untidy later in the season.
• Backgrounds: A dark background such as a Taxus baccata hedge makes an excellent backdrop, but if the backdrop is too busy it will distract from the herbaceous plants.
• Astrantia major ‘Claret’: www.rhs.org.uk/plants/62713/ astrantia-major-claret/details.
• Phlomis russeliana.
Once you have started to consider a suitable range, prepare a planting plan showing planting positions. Most perennials are sold container-grown, or some may be bought online as large plug plants in plastic cells.
Check the plants over, removing any weeds or liverworts from the surface of the compost. Trim off any dead or infected material. Water the plants thoroughly, then:
• Set the plants out according to your plan.
• Dig a planting hole about twice the size of the container. Remove the plant from the pot and loosen the sides and base of the of the root ball with your fingers.
• Place the plant in the prepared hole, backfill with soil making sure the plant is at the correct level. Firm well. Lightly loosen the surface of the soil with a hand fork and water in thoroughly.
Here are a few other tasks for late April/ early May:
1. Pest and Disease Management: Keep an eye out for signs of pests and diseases in your garden. Early detection is key to preventing widespread damage. Consider using organic methods such as hand-picking pests, introducing beneficial insects, or spraying with insecticidal soap if necessary. Also, ensure proper sanitation practices to minimise the spread of diseases. Check out this RHS link to all things pests and pathogens, including box blight and box tree caterpillar - yes, the latter is with us already - www.rhs.org.uk/science/plant-healthin-gardens.
2. Fertilising: As plants begin their active growth phase, they can benefit from a boost of nutrients. Apply a balanced fertiliser to perennials, shrubs and trees according to package instructions. Avoid over fertilising, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers or fruit. My tried and tested method is to use fish, blood and bone for a slow release and any seaweedbased liquid feed for any plants in containers.
3. Pruning and Deadheading: Trim back any dead or diseased branches from shrubs and trees. Additionally, deadhead spent flowers from plants to encourage new blooms and maintain a tidy appearance. Be sure to prune spring-flowering shrubs after they finish blooming. Pants such as forsythia, kerria, any winter flowering clematis, eg, Clematis cirrhosa, and the heads of all bulbs that have completed their season.
Happy gardening
For any gardening tips please contact Tom Cole (Freelance Horticulturist and online tutor for #learningwithexperts) by email at tomcole8@hotmail.com.
Nick Garner’s Music & Ramblings
Did you vote? I did and I hope that you did too as we all need to vote if we are eligible - no matter who you vote for! This vote was for our next Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex. Some areas in the country are also voting for their local councillors, but not us in Chelmsford this time.
I have to mention it - the weather: what is going on with it? That’s all I will say this month.
We have two bank holidays this month, and this will also mean the summer half-term. Yes, already it’s crazy that time is flying by. My caravan is fixed so I can now have some trips away hopefully, as l really do need a break - not far, but just away from it all for a couple of days to refresh.
Hot Box had a good shot in the arm with Fat Boy Slim playing a sellout show for them as a fundraiser - one of many more events planned. We cannot afford to lose this place, as they are not just about music - they do so much more than just music. It is also just so cool - there is nowhere like it quite it in the area.
I have been out and about again, mainly for music of course, but I hope to get out more for social pleasure as the weather improves. At present, most of my so-called ‘free time’ is taken up with the magazines or music! I need to get life back now I’m 70 - time is on the wrong side for me so I should use it wisely. The only problem is (before some of you say it) I may not be that wise. I am wanting to go to places and but being able to afford the fuel to go to them is another thing. Locally it’s not so bad as I can walk or cycle or even use my bus pass - I just need to get enthused to get out. When you are on your own it can get pretty lonely and hard to get motivated at times.
As we move into spring and approach the summer, we will hopefully see more events for all the family happening outside, so keep your eyes and ears open for these and we try to list as many as we can in The City Times
Please do remember if you have any comments or something of interest to say, please email editorial@itsyourmedia.com and then our editor will see if he can put it in to either The City Times or Moulsham Times
Music
Not that I am obsessed by music (tee hee) but it has been part of my life for just over fifty years now. I have booked two more shows for Hot Box. The first is the fabulous Bex Marshall and her band for Sunday 22nd September, and then we have the Del Bromham Band (he of Stray) with the Stray rhythm section - he will tell tales and play lots of great music: this will be on Sunday 6th October. Both shows are in the afternoon and the doors will open at 3pm and the shows will start somehwere between 4pm and 4.30pm. I am just waiting on one more to confirm for the Social Club in December, then that is fully booked - though I may add a couple more for Hot Box.
I went to Barleylands for some Saturday afternoon blues to see some friends play. Gentleman Tim and the Contenders, and the Mike Ross Band. I also went to The Station Arms in Southminster to see (and play with) Del Bromham and Connor Selby. I have also been to Witham to see Barry’s Blues Band - a great Sunday afternoon to being entertained by Manny Fizzotti, an Italian living in London, before heading up to Wivenhoe to see Zoe Schwarz Blues Commotion play a great show. I also went to Ipswich to see Dennis and Mark from Nine Below Zero play as a duet in an ex-church - it was freezing, but they made up for it as Mark gave a masterclass in playing the harmonicas. They blew us all away.
I put on my first gig of the year at Hot Box the other week with a good audience to see The Ugly Guys, and Craig Joiner. Both acts were
superb. In fact, I have now booked Craig to open for Slim Chance on my birthday on Friday 27th September as he was that good.
I also went to the 100 Club in Oxford Street at the end of March to see the launch of Joe Anderton with his very new band, Greene, playing their first ever gig. They were not the headliners, but they probably should have been! You will know Joe from playing solo, and also with his buddy Connor Selby, in and around Chelmsford. The name Greene is taken from his mother’s maiden name.
If you think along the lines of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, you are getting close. The songs and their stage presence was great. You can witness the band’s Chelmsford debut when they open for Hamish Stuart - he of the Average White Band, Paul McCartney, Chaka Khan and for the past 24 years as part of Ringo’s All Starr Band.
Hamish is the man who made Joe want to head to the stage and play back in 2012, when Joe with his dad saw Hamish play live. I cannot recommend this show highly enough - two world class bands playing on Friday 12th July! I suggest you get your ticket early before they are all gone.
There’s losts going on all round, so do remember that we list a good amount of events in The City Times’ What’s On pages.
If you have anything you think that could be of interest to our readers for either publication, then please let us know by emailing editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk. Have you done anything unusual or are you planning something? If so, we want to know about it. If know of someone who may wish to advertise with us, then please ask them to contact ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk and we can send over full details.
You can get tickets for all our shows in Chelmsford at the Chelmsford Social Club from Intense Records, Hopsters and Chelmsford 4Goodplease pay cash when you buy. Tickets are also available online from www.wegottickets.com/BlackFrogPresents, or via our ticket hotline for both the Chelmsford Social Club and Hot Box at no extra chargecall or text 07508 496 411 and you can then pay the advance price on entry to the show rather than the walk-up price.
For all Black Frog Presents gig updates and information go www. linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresents, or scan the QR code in the poster in this magazine.
It would be fantastic if you could share our magazines The City Times and Moulsham Times for us too - just go to our websites for the online versions.
Shire Gate Scaffolding Walkway Removal
About a year ago I stood at New Writtle Street entrance to Shire Gate and told residents that I was very pleased to have finally secured agreement for the ugly and dilapidated scaffolding walkway to be removed - but it’s still there. The good news is, I am told that it will finally be removed this month.
Ever since I was first elected in 2019, this issue is something that has often been raised with me by local residents. Many assumed that it was supposed to be a temporary means of escape for those living in Century Tower and would be removed when the remaining two towers from the same planning permission were built. Stating the obvious again: they haven’t been built and the walkway is still there.
However, when I brought together officers from Chelmsford City Council, the fire service and Century Tower’s management company, it was made clear that the purpose of the walkway was in fact to provide a safe means of access to the building for the fire service in the event of a simultaneous one-in-a-hundred-year flood and a fire in Century Tower. At a site meeting, everyone agreed that given the walkway’s derelict state and changes in fire regulations, it would be good to find an alternative way of making sure everyone was safe without the need for this structure. So, the fire service did some investigation and agreed an alternative plan with the building’s management company. This was agreed early in 2023.
I’m not really sure what has taken so long to put plans in place for its removal. I’ve been chasing updates on this about once a month for the past year - at some times more frequently, even enlisting help of senior officers at Chelmsford City Council to move things along, as I know how important it is to local residents.
I’ve now been told that a company called Brent Barker will remove the scaffolding, timber and the ballast bags, with works likely to commence in early May starting at the New Writtle Street end. I look forward to this monster finally being gone.
for their ground, which include increasing their stadium capacity, creating new and improved facilities for players and conferencing, and finally building the remaining two towers that were originally envisaged to be built swiftly after Century Tower.
It’s very early days and there are lots of hoops to jump through before those proposals can become a reality, but it’s very encouraging to see the drive, enthusiasm and vision from the club, as well as the support from residents, to secure and safeguard the future of Essex cricket right here in the heart of Chelmsford.
In the meantime, there are some very exciting firsts happening already for the ground. They have just overtaken Leyton County Ground for holding the most Essex first-class matches at the Cloud County Ground.
Even more significantly and excitingly, last month Essex was granted a Tier One professional women’s team from the 2025 season. It will be fantastic to see how the women’s game grows in Essex off the back of this. Bring it on!
A resident recently contacted me about the overgrown hedges alongside the cycleway in Chislett Row. I’m grateful to all residents who alert me to these issues. In this case, the resident had reported the issue to Essex County Council who had failed to inspect it within the timeframe they had specified. I’ve now chased this up and have been assured it will be looked at, but that as it is now bird-nesting season, works can’t be done just yet. That’s fair enough, but it would have been better if these works were programmed in to not coincide with this event, which does, after all, happen every year. We can live in hope, I guess.
Anyway, please do report these sorts of issues on the Essex Highways website at the link below, and if you don’t get a suitable response, please contact me to chase it up: www.essexhighways.org/tell-us.
Keep well.
Marie
Chelmsford City Councillor for Moulsham & Central ward Essex County Councillor for Chelmsford Central division office@mariegoldman.uk
Exciting Times for Essex Cricket
Right next to Shire Gate is the Cloud County Cricket Ground, home to the Essex County Cricket Club. I recently attended a meeting with local residents to hear about the exciting new plans they have
Chislett Row Cycleway - Overgrown Hedges
Non-Spoiler Film Reviews - By Henry Godfrey-Evans
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
It is actually interesting to watch studios reinvent the wheel with their new tools. They did actually conjure up a very cool looking villain, who was introduced very well in the opening scene.
I remember finding some of the funniness a little bit more funny (using superhero films as the baseline), but still nothing all that great.
The Persian Version
A deep dive into a family, their culture, and some of the traumas that made them who they are today. It felt oddly educational, and very natural. I was very much enjoying watching it all flourish.
The weird decision it made however, was the disappearing off into these daydreams (flashbacks) that just lasted far too long. It’s like they underestimated the present tense.
Enjoyable and charming, but felt really long in the end because of that. Shame.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Not as low-brow as it sounds, but for the most part it is as monotonous as it sounds.
They started to do a bit of an ‘ageing Kong’ storyline which was fascinating, but quickly turned into mindless punching, running and energy beams.
Some characters were quite funny, but I was completely numb by the end.
Mothers’ Instinct
Exactly what it says on the tin, but surprisingly I was swept up by such a simple focus. What happens when such strong maternal instincts create a paranoia which just takes over everything.
I can’t go into a lot more detail, but Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain deliver extremely well, so it’s worth it.
Monkey Man
Solo man with a vendetta that leads to lots of fist fighting and creative camerawork. The cliché brings down the rating a notch, as does some of the background that they use to ‘top it up’.
The action itself? It’s okay, fine - it is very, very strong. It’s got the gritty, dirty tactic-style of fighting, and then some slightly more choreographed stuff later.
Would have been a 4-star review if the plot/emotion was a little more unique.
The First Omen
Not for the faint-hearted, but for everyone else, enjoy the yuckiness because they do it well.
It sounds and looks viscerally real, overall a good job filmmakingwise. It does just lump into a big, cold pile of uninteresting scripts though…
It’s all well and good getting ‘all of the above’ right, but if you could almost watch the film in a foreign language and not lose a lot, then you’re just perpetuating the stereotype about horrors.
Seize Them
A film for all the 10-year-olds who managed to sneak into the theatre.
The toilet humour of Horrible Histories without the education or
the actors. I thought it might be unserious enough to enjoy, but it genuinely looked like no effort had been made.
I laughed a couple of times and it just annoyed me because it ruined my conviction.
Civil War
It’s not about the war, or the politics even. It is actually about photojournalists who look for the most traumatising things for the perfect shot.
It’s actually a very simple dynamic between the characters, some who have been in the game for a while, others who have far too much ambition.
The actors, the cinematography, and the overall interest was really, really enticing. Bravo.
Back To Black
Expected this to be really naff, a fast-forward through someone’s life, with a bit of behind-the-scenes and a cheap love story.
Actually they centralised the romance, and built the music around it. The chapters of Amy’s life felt so connected to the tracks and it worked very nicely.
Marisa Abela is spot on, Jack O’Connell was tremendous and the costume/make-up was expertly done.
It’s still a biopic, but a huge kudos to how natural this all felt moving along.
The Trouble With Jessica Felt like a play set at a dinner party. Passive-aggressiveness is flying around and people are glaring through their wine glasses.
Then there was the curveball, taking you to places that were ludicrous but funny.
If you don’t like dark comedy then you will HATE this film to its bones, but the style will also fit some like a glove. I was roughly in the middle, but I enjoy anything unique.
Abigail
This went downhill. I had such high hopes too. We were introduced to a bunch of characters in an odd situation and it was kind of intriguing.
Then the blood and the scary stuff happened, and it was very generic. There wasn’t any hilarious cartoon gore or a villain that looked extremely scary.
However, the child actor, Alisha Weir, is fantastic. Sometimes I’m glad I watch mediocre films just to see new actors flourish.
Challengers
The chemistry within all 3 sides of the love triangle was just magnificent. It was funny, intimate and addictive to watch. You sense there was a real effort nailing those moments. Utterly passionate but beautifully flawed.
Away from the romance, the sport was great. There was clear exertion and evidence of practise from the actors.
I wouldn’t call this the perfect film but I wouldn’t change a damn thing. Totally surprising.
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Why Don’t Men Group-Exercise? - By Ola Adamolekun
By the time you read this article, I would have started a new Boxercise class in Springfield in Chelmsford on 30th April (sorry - shameless plug). But during the promotion and marketing of this event, I noticed a significant statistic - women outnumber men 4:1 when it comes to attending fitness classes.
Now, I haven’t just plucked this statistic out of the air. It was quoted on the EMD UK website. EMD stands for Exercise, Music and Dance. They call themselves ‘The National Governing Body for Group Exercise’ - who knew?
A survey from November 2015/16 showed that ‘almost 3 million men had taken part in active gym sessions in the previous days compared to 2,204,500 for females. Fitness classes showed a much more significant difference with 1,722,200 for men compared to 4,613,900 for women.’
Why is that? Looking at my fitness classes, seated exercises and even Boxercise classes, most participants are female. I would like to have more men especially in my Boxercise classes. Even trying to find pictures of men participating in group exercise was difficult - they all
seem to be female-focussed.
Now, I’ve written articles, blogs and social media posts extolling the benefits of group exercise but, despite its numerous benefits, there remains a noticeable absence of men in many group exercise settings.
So, I spoke to a few guys and here are my findings:
1. Group-exercises still suffer from the ‘Jane Fonda’ image of the ‘80s. I know that whenever I say ‘Jane Fonda’ all my ladies know exacting what I mean.
2. The locations; community halls, gym studios, church halls. I’m not sure that men find these locations particularly inviting. Maybe if they were held outdoors, or on gym floors etc, they would appeal more.
3. The type of classes - a lot of fitness classes are music-focussed e.g. Zumba, Body Pump, Body Combat etc. Maybe men think this is too female-focussed. Besides, men are less comfortable moving to the beat - especially in the company of lots of women.
4. The ‘lone wolf’ mentality - for some men, the gym is a sacred space - a fortress of solitude where they can unleash their inner beasts without distraction. Sometimes a man just wants to lift without an audience.
There are some areas though where men are more comfortable, eg, martial arts classes, combat sport, calisthenics and CrossFit. Maybe men just express themselves differently when it comes to group environments.
To all the men out there: it’s never too late to join the group-exercise revolution! Whether you are a seasoned gym goer or a fitness newbie, there’s a group workout waiting for you. Take the first step towards a healthier, happier you by exploring local fitness classes, inviting a friend to join you, or seeking out online communities for support and motivation. Or if you prefer, come and join my Boxercise class in Springfield!
Supporting Little Edi Charity, Courtesy of Chelmsford Lions Club
For Easter, Chelmsford Lions Club asked supermarkets and some customers to contribute to help the Little Edi Foundation that provides support for disadvantaged young people. This charity, based at the Chelmsford Community Hub in Melbourne Avenue, gives direct help to children and their families in the local area. The foundation organises development opportunities and provides experiences that enrich childhood. We were pleased to assist their Easter Egg Hunt by collecting Easter eggs kindly donated by Asda and Tesco, and with permission from Morrison’s store at Regiment Way, we collected over 100 eggs generously donated by customers entering the store. More eggs were contributed by the local Co-op store. The Easter Egg Hunt held at the Blessed Sacrament Church was well-attended by children, batched into of age groups.
Lion Stanley Brown also organised raffles in local pubs that raised funds for local causes, including providing sports equipment and a defibrillator sited at the Red Beret pub. A quiz was also held raising funds to support the Motor Neurone Disease Association. At our monthly Wednesday Business Meeting, some members received 40-year membership certificates recently. Newer members were also recognised, having joined the Lions in the past 3 years.
If you would like to do something for your community, whilst having some fun with like-minded people, please take a look at our website at www.chelmsfordlionsclub.org.uk, or search for the Facebook page. Our future activities include contributing marshals at local sports events like the Chelmsford Marathon, stands at village fairs and a
magic night.
The Chelmsford Lions Club Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number is CIO-1185328.
Chelmsford Lions and Little Edi Foundation team with Morrison’s Charity Champion, at the Regiment Way store
Chandler Material Supplies Expands Its Reach
Chandler Material Supplies, a revered name in the building supplies industry, proudly announces its acquisition of Essex Timber & Plywood, a well-established timber specialist based in Southend. This strategic move signifies Chandler’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings while fortifying its presence in the region.
As a third-generation family-owned and operated business deeply rooted in the Chelmsford community, Chandler Material Supplies has always prioritised local partnerships and customer satisfaction. With a sterling reputation for quality materials and exemplary service, Chandler has become synonymous with reliability in the area.
Essex Timber & Plywood brings ten decades of expertise and a reputation for supplying top-tier timber products at competitive prices. Renowned for their vast range of sizes, including lengths up to 7.2 meters, ETP has earned the trust of tradespeople, contractors and DIY enthusiasts alike. Notably, ETP distinguishes itself by stocking unique timber products rarely found elsewhere and maintaining exceptional standards of quality and customer care.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Essex Timber & Plywood into the Chandler family,” says Julie, Managing Director at Chandler Material Supplies. “This partnership allows us to combine our strengths and resources to better serve our customers and drive housebuilding and renovations in the region. Together, we’re ready to boost service quality and broaden our product range.”
The acquisition will see Essex Timber & Plywood gradually diversifying its inventory to include a broader range of building materials, while continuing to excel in its speciality timber products. Customers can expect an even more comprehensive selection, coupled with the same outstanding customer service and efficiency they’ve come to expect.
Aaron, Branch Manager at Southend, expresses enthusiasm about
the collaboration, stating: “The team at Essex Timber & Plywood is excited to embark on this new chapter with Chandler Material Supplies. We look forward to expanding our stock ranges and meeting the evolving needs of our valued customers.”
Customers can anticipate seamless transitions as both the Chandler and Essex Timber & Plywood teams remain with the business, ensuring continuity of service and familiar faces in the branches. With over 450 years of combined experience at Chandler’s Chelmsford branch and over 100 years at Southend, customers can trust in the expertise and dedication of the teams.
For more information about Chandler Material Supplies and Essex Timber & Plywood, visit their respective websites at chandlermaterials.co.uk and essextp.co.uk.
St John’s Moulsham - By Benson
Hello my pawsome chums, it’s me, your favourite puppy, Benson! I’m quite sad at the moment. My best puppy friend Irwin has moved away. He has gone off to do an important job.
He’s begun his training to be a guide dog, to help people who don’t have good eyesight to be able to get around safely. I’m really proud of Irwin and how helpful he’s going to be to someone. But I do miss our play times together.
I have been learning that dogs do lots of helpful jobs. I recently have met an assistance dog called Bailey. I’m not allowed to play with Bailey when she is wearing her vest as she is working and it’s important to let her work. Bailey has an important job - she helps spot when her human is unwell and tells her family. She also provides lots of love and comfort to the family.
When my human takes me for a walk around Oaklands Park, I make sure we walk past the K9 statue. It’s a memorial to all the helpful dogs who served in the police and armed services across the country. Unfortunately, some died while working and some due to illness. I have a sniff to say hello to the two dogs on the statue (although they never respond - which is just rude) and remember those who had been so helpful that they had given up their lives.
I’m also a helpful dog - though my humans sometimes disagree. Soon I’m going to begin formal training to be a therapy dog. My role will be to accompany my female human in her role as Chaplain at ARU University, and also in her pastoral visits around the parish. Currently I’m only at the university because I’m still a puppy and get so excited I sometimes jump up to say hello (naughty I know). But once I’ve learnt to control my puppy enthusiasm, my female human says I can accompany her more. I love going out with her because we meet so many different humans. I get to enjoy lots of smells and everyone makes a fuss of me, and occasionally we go and get a puppuccino (which is the most important and scrumptious thing in the whole doggie world). But I also bring comfort to humans when they are sad. I offer really good hugs and provide company by lying beside them and allowing them to stroke me.
I’m learning that it’s important to be helpful - my female human helps a lot of people through her work and so do all my friends at St John’s. Whenever I go in, I always spot people helping others. Whether that is making someone a cup of tea, sitting, and providing companionship, or using people’s skills and giftings to help people learn a new skill.
The Bible, the holy book for Christians, tells us that we should encourage each other and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). This is what I observe whenever I go to St John’s. At Jublilatte, our community café, on the second Thursday of each month there is a craft group, which always make lovely craft - I would like a go but I’m all paws and no thumbs. Then every Monday if you like to test your ‘little grey cells’ to quote my friend Poirot a poodle from Braintree, there is a game of scrabble. I give it a pass as it exhausts my puppy brain. So, I just stick to a drink and a treat in the café. Everyone is welcome to St John’s - we’re fully inclusive, even to dogs!
Till next time, stay pawsitive.
Benson
Jublilatte is 9.30am - 11.30am every Monday and Thursday
Grove Road Evangelical Church
Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of work going on at our church on Grove Road, not far from the Moulsham Street Tesco Express. Most of the work happening at the moment is taking place internally, so you might not have seen how the changes are progressing. It is mostly building improvements, electrical rewiring, and so on. There’s still plenty more to do! If you’re passing by, why not drop in and see what’s happening? Why are we doing it? Some of the work is to bring it up to modern standards and safety. But the real aim is to make our building a more pleasant, modern, useful and welcoming environment. We want to be a beacon of light to our community in an age when, in the opinion of many diverse groups, things are growing much darker.
As Christians we have no hesitation in saying that Jesus is the Light of the world. The Light who reveals and points us to the only true God, and who is himself the only way to that true God. The Light who reveals to us what God’s infinite and perfect love is really like, in action not just philosophical ideas. The Light who reveals to us absolute and objective truth to give us a solid and sure foundation to our understanding of the universe, of our purpose in life, of ourselves, of our relationships.
Now you might disagree with us. Or you might be curious and want to find out more. Or you might be searching for answers to the things I’ve just outlined. Well, come along then! Observe us, talk to us, discuss with us, get to know us. But even more important than that, come along and get to know Jesus. We look forward to seeing you, especially at our Sunday morning 11am meeting.
Philip Loose, Senior Pastor Grove Road Evangelical Church (Behind Tesco Express, Moulsham Street)
www.grecuk.co.uk pastor@grecuk.co.uk
Smart-Motoring is a motoring news blog bringing you the latest features, stories and information from the motoring world. smart-motoring.com
Paul McCartney and Wings Chelmsford 1972 Tour Bus Heads to Auction
52 years ago, Paul McCartney and Wings had just released their debut album, Wild Life. Not so long after, McCartney and Wings, along with their road crew and the McCartney children, embarked on a Cliff Richard-style Summer Holiday tour of Europe in a doubledecker bus. Wings Over Europe began in Ollioules in France and headed off into West Germany (as it was back then) through Scandinavia and back to West Germany. The tour lasted from early July 1972 and finished in West Germany at the end of August the same year.
For someone as famous as Paul McCartney, such a wacky idea for a tour would surely be thrown out at the first meeting these days in a world of the internet, but in 1972, Wings Over Europe could get from A to B in relative peace. Just as well when you see the brightly decorated WNO 481 psychedelic tour bus.
Now, half a century on, the tour bus is heading to auction courtesy of Car and Classic auctions. The bus has been professionally restored to 1972 specifications with the restoration being completed in 2022, the same year that it was also used as a music stage at the NEC Motor Show.
This rare auction exhibit is just one of many wonderful classic vehicles that can be found on Car and Classic who are an expert sales and auction company for specialist vehicles. Follow the link in the footer to see some of the mind-boggling array of amazing vehicles - including classic motorbikes like a 1967 Norton Atlas Café Racerthat Car and Classic currently has on its books.
The status of the Wings Over Europe tour was enhanced by the fact that The Beatles has decided to stop touring in 1966 (aside from the rooftop concert above their offices in Savile Row in 1969) before finally breaking up in 1970. Wings previously played live before Wings Over Europe began, but this was a much higher profile series of events.
Looking back, McCartney hinted that the open top double-decker would be perfect for the band and crew to be able to get a bit of sunshine, as the weather was expected to be good while the band was touring. The 1953 Bristol KSW5G bus is just one of three custom painted vehicles that directly relates to The Beatles, along with George Harrison’s mini and Lennon’s Rolls Royce - although in the case of the bus, the psychedelic paint was actually removed after the tour as it went back into regular work. Currently, the tour bus has now been lovingly restored to a very high standard and even has a genuine Wings 1972 touring trunk thrown in for good measure, courtesy of Denny Seiwell, Wings’ original drummer.
The bus’s chassis is a KSW5G which was built by Bristol Commercials in 1953, with the body created by Eastern Coachworks with a closed upper deck. Initially, the bus was put to regular use in my own hometown of Chelmsford in Essex. The custom open-top conversion was originally created in 1966, where the bus was reconfigured to be used to ferry holidaymakers in and out of Butlins in Clacton.
When McCartney took ownership, the bus was put to good use on Wings Over America, where the bus and band travelled 7,500 miles during that summer. Interestingly, the bus was then returned to normal service after the tour, with Roger White then saving the bus from the scrapyard and restoring the bus and the Wings psychedelic paintwork with the blessing of McCartney.
It’s said that McCartney and Wings began working on the James Bond theme for Live and Let Die while on the tour bus; a movie I watched as small boy at a cinema just minutes away from Eastern National’s bus station in Chelmsford shortly after.
By Sean Neylon
Courtesy of Smart Motoring magazine smart-motoring.com
Images: carandclassic.com
The Chelmsford Club
We are excited to announce the 140th anniversary of Chelmsford Club, a beacon of community and inclusion nestled within a Grade 2 listed Victorian mansion in New London Road, the heart of Chelmsford. Since our inception, we’ve been dedicated to providing a welcoming space for individuals from all walks of life, fostering connections and offering a range of benefits that cater to diverse interests.
As we mark this significant milestone, we invite the local community to join us in celebrating our rich history and vibrant present. At the Chelmsford Club, members enjoy a plethora of amenities, including:
• A members bar offering reduced price drinks.
• Access to our members’ eatery with an all-day menu.
• Opportunities to compete in snooker/billiards competitions.
• Free use of informal spaces, drop-in hub, and hot desking facilities.
• Access to bookable private spaces and rooms.
• Enjoyment of our garden and free parking (limited spaces).
• A full calendar of events, including weekly happy hours and catered events.
• Exclusive access to our private wine cellar.
• Reciprocal membership with other esteemed clubs.
• Corporate membership options with access to cricket club game.
Additionally, we pride ourselves on providing a unique and safe environment, equipped with keycard entry and CCTV surveillance, ensuring our members’ peace of mind. At the Chelmsford Club, you’ll find not only a sense of community but also inclusion in a fraternity of mixed-discipline capable professionals.
To celebrate our anniversary, we extend an open invitation to local residents and press to explore our club and discover first-hand the myriad opportunities for connection, collaboration and camaraderie that await within our walls. Whether you’re seeking a place to unwind after a long day or looking to expand your professional network, Chelmsford Club offers something for everyone.
Join us as we toast to 140 years of excellence and look forward to many more years of fostering meaningful connections and creating cherished memories.
www.thechelmsfordclub.co.uk
The Chelmsford Club
108 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0RG
Lets do a competition; no prizes just kudos for the winner that takes their Moulsham Times the furthest away from Chelmsford! I have not set the bar very high with this one - Oulton Broad is 83.6 miles from Chelmsford...
Send your photos to paul@moulshamtimes.com and we will feature the best and furthest locations!
CCR Latest News
Hello to all of the Moulsham Times Readers, isn’t time flying by… hopefully we are in for some much warmer weather now and those summer clothes can be dusted off again. Things are pretty busy at Chelmsford Community Radio, the station is a vibrant hive of activity as ever with some very special projects starting to gain pace.
According to a Department of Education analysis, Essex falls fairly low in the country rankings for adults with basic maths skills, and Essex County Council (ECC) are all about leveling up which in the long term will give our county a fairer economic outlook going forwards. With this in mind, we are delighted to be working with ECC to help support their fantastic Multiply Scheme.
Multiply in Essex is a government funded initiative aimed at raising skills in maths for adults aged 19 and over. So far, over 4,000 adults have been trained, but there is still more to be done and the focus is now on helping people acquire and integrate maths skills into their daily lives, whether it is progressing in their careers, managing their finances, helping their children with schoolwork or just feeling more confident about working with numbers.
We’re keen to encourage listeners that maths is more than numbers and equations - it is a key to unlocking potential in various aspects of everyday life.
To start things off, back at the start of April we were lucky to involve
Friday Drivetime presenter Daisy Barker in being able to speak to maths legend Bobby Seagull.
Over the next year we will be bringing you some more great guests linked to the Multiply Scheme, from ambassadors, to course providers and even those who have succeeded with taking the courses and improved their confidence.
We will also be supporting some special events with other Multiply partners.
If by reading this, we’ve inspired you into learning more about the Multiply Scheme and how you can apply, please visit www. essexopportunities.co.uk/multiply. www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
Never a Truer Word Has Been Spoken! Ignite
I thought that I would share with you a quote that resonates with me, and that I feel we would all do well think about: ‘Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness’ (Edward Stanley). We are all so busy being busy that although we understand the importance of exercise for our overall health and well-being, so many of us are too busy to make the time to do any. In my physio clinic I often help those who are suffering with illness or injury - and if they could turn back the clock, would do things differently to prioritise their health. Although it is never too late to feel the benefits of exercise, it’s certainly a case of the sooner the better in preventing serious issues associated with long-term inactivity.
Some people have good intentions and others no inclination whatsoever, but most share the common thread of being far too busy. Edward Stanley’s quote really is food for thought - if we don’t put the time in to improve our overall health and well-being, our lives may be turned upside down by preventable ill health. We all know that the beneficial effects of exercise are massive and far reaching, from gut busting to mood boosting and improved sleep patterns. Many of us wish to look, feel or sleep better, but these are things that many fail to move from their wish list into action.
The guy or girl that you last admired walking down the road who looked stunning may have been blessed by the gods with unachievably good genes, but is also very likely to be someone who has found time to exercise, and as such is making the most of the genes that they have been blessed with. Therefore, to help you to go from wish list to reality, I am giving you a free class pass, HPYFREECLASS, to help you to kick start some activity at my studio, Hummingbird Pilates and Yoga. Go to www.hummingbirdpilates. co.uk and click ‘book now’ to use yours. We have loads of classes throughout the week and are sure to have a teacher and time to suit you - however busy you are...
Ellie
Member of the Month
Ignite Chelmsford is a free network for creative individuals and businesses in the borough. Each month, Nikki Wilson talks to an Ignite member who is doing something interesting.
This month we recognise Gareth Roberts, who founded Project in the Paint when he moved to Chelmsford in 2008.
This exciting initiative transforms under-loved and under-used basketball spaces.
“Using the basic ‘broken window theory’, which suggests that if you look after a space well and make it look more appealing, people respect it more. There’s more eyes on the space and that in turn makes it less likely to attract antisocial behaviour.
“The aim was to make safer, more inviting spaces to give UK grassroots basketball a chance to grow and allow more people to get involved in the game, as well as offering opportunities for established and up-andcoming artists to create their art on a huge canvas.”
Read more:
MT Finance - How to Pay Less Tax in 2024
Despite the recent announcement of cuts to National Insurance in the Autumn Statement and Spring Budget, you could end up paying more tax in the 2024/25 tax year.
Since 6th April 2024, the dividend allowance was reduced by 50% from £1,000 to £500. This could mean a significant tax bill for those holding income-paying investments outside of an Individual Savings Account (ISA) and Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). The capital gains tax (CGT) allowance has also halved to £3,000 - down from £12,300 a few years ago. For investments incurring a gain, you will pay either 10% or 20% on any profits over your CGT allowance, depending on whether you are a non, or basic rate taxpayer (10% tax on gains) or a higher-rate tax payer (20% tax on gains).
It’s also expected millions will now have to start paying tax on their savings interest, as interest rates have gradually risen to their highest levels in 15 years. Tax on interest can range from 20% - 45%, depending on your tax band, so it’s essential to shelter your savings and investments from tax wherever possible.
How to Save Tax
By switching from general investment accounts to ISAs and SIPPs, you can protect yourself from having to worry about whether your trading activity is going to land you with a large tax bill. You can make any number of changes to your investments, even significant ones, without incurring capital gains tax. Investment income received within an ISA or SIPP is also free of tax.
Have you taken advantage of the tax allowances available to you yet? Here’s how to save tax with an ISA or self-invested personal pension (SIPP) for the 2024/2025 tax year.
Four Tax-Saving Tips for 2024
1. Open a Stocks and Shares ISA
A Stocks and Shares ISA is a type of investment account where individuals can invest in a variety of investments, such as shares and bonds, to generate a return on their investments.
The main benefit of a Stocks and Shares ISA is tax related. Any gains you make from your investments, and any dividends paid out, are tax free, so you won’t be subject to Income Tax and CGT. In a world where taxes are rising, it’s important to take advantage of government incentives where possible.
Our Stocks and Shares ISA is flexible so you can access your money at any time. You can add and withdraw your money through the year, providing you don’t go over your annual allowance.
You can shelter up to £20,000 from UK tax each year. The earlier you start adding to your ISA allowance, the more time your investments have to grow.
2. Start a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
A SIPP is a type of pension that lets you select investments from a much wider range of options than most workplace pensions. This means the potential to achieve a stronger return and build up your retirement pot quicker over the long term. Of course, investments can fall as well as rise so there’re no guarantees.
Making use of pensions such as a SIPP is one of the best ways to save on tax. You benefit from growing your investments without having to worry about paying UK Income Tax or CGT. Another benefit of the SIPP is that you receive between 20% and 45% tax relief on your personal contributions as an incentive to save towards your retirement. It means £1,000 added to your SIPP could cost you as
little as £550.
As with most pensions, you usually need to be at least 55 (rising to 57 in 2028) before you can access the money.
3. Transfer from a General Investment Account
With major cuts to the CGT and dividends allowance, it’s sensible to shelter your investments from tax by making a significant shift from holding investments in a general investment account to ISAs or SIPPs.
The process involves selling investments in a general investment account, transferring the proceeds to an ISA or SIPP and then reinvesting into the stock market. This can be into the same stocks (known as a Bed and ISA), or a different stock of your choice. Please note: selling investments in a general investment account could be subject to CGT and that dealing charges may apply when buying and selling holdings.
Why not consider consolidating your investments under one roof?
It’s easy to lose track of your pension pots and other types of investments accounts you’ve built up over the years.
4. Review and Rebalance Your Investments
The start of the tax year is a good time to spring clean your finances and review your investments and rebalance your portfolio, if necessary.
Rebalancing involves selling some of your investments that have performed well, and reinvesting into areas which haven’t done so well. This helps to restore the weighting in your portfolio between shares and bonds to stay aligned with your risk appetite and investment goals. Rebalancing is an important exercise for any investor, particularly if you’re holding investments outside an ISA or SIPP.
Top slicing your investments that have done well can contribute towards utilising your CGT allowance for the current tax year. Unlike losses, which can be carried forward into future years, profit is taxable in the same year as you crystalise your gain, so it makes sense to use your CGT allowance each year where possible.
It’s also a good idea to review your investment strategy from time to time, especially in the years leading up to retirement. Talking to an investment professional can make sure your investments stay aligned to your changing 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. Charles Stanley is not a tax adviser.
Nothing in this article should be construed as personal advice based on your circumstances. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal.
Charles Stanley & Co. Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 55 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 3AS.
The Singing Chef
As money keeps getting tighter and food more expensive, I’m constantly looking for ways to save money and preserve leftover food that I have.
After looking at how much a jar of sun-dried tomatoes costs in Tesco the other day, I decided to never throw away a tomato or a piece of fruit again.
These items often go off, especially as the weather gets warmer and we leave fruit out. Air fryers are an amazing and you can air fry fruits and vegetables and then preserve in oil or freeze, and they are the incredibly versatile and ready for action in salads, sauces, or just on toast.
Preparation
The trick is to slice fruits like citrus and sprinkle each side with some sugar as they can become quite bitter once cooked. Other more savoury fruits, like tomatoes (I don’t want any letters!) and vegetables sprinkle on salt and leave on a rack to lose a little bit of their water before cooking. 30 minutes should do it, then spay with oil.
Cook at 180 degrees for 12-15 minutes in air fryer or fan oven.
Seal in containers and freeze or keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Use citrus in Cocktails or Tea!
I had the tomatoes with parsley on toast and added the peppers to a lasagne All equally gorgeous
Copper Crafters
On the first Saturday of each month from 10am until 2pm, the Copper Crafters meet and make all sorts of things - Christmas goods, Easter items...
Or as recently, various items to be passed on to others by an Essex group - United in Kind (UiK).
In April, we put all these UiK items together for pickup. They include; tote bags for those leaving Broomfield Hospital, small end of bed blankets to help dementia patients in Broomfield to recognise their beds, shaped pillows for patients leaving Broomfield after major breast surgery, fiddle blankets to occupy people with dementia and much more!
If you want to join us, just turn up at Moulsham Lodge Community Trust on the first Saturday any month. If you want to chat first, ring Jenny Brown on 07443 427 225 or Jane Gutteridge on 07936 441 306.
On the 8th June we will be celebration our 10 year anniversary at the
Community Station and there will be a BBQ from around 3pm until around 9pm. We plan to have a licensed bar for the evening from 7pm till 10pm, when it will be adults only.
It will be a chance to catch up with friends, family and neighbours and the rest of our community and celebrate our 10 years in the old police station.
If you’ve never experienced a silent disco, then it will be the ideal time come and try it out! Everyone gets a pair of headphones and you can listen to one of 3 music channels - this could be non-stop ABBA, ‘50s, ’60s and ‘70s, or even classical. Who knows, as we haven’t decided yet! It can be very funny watching everyone dancing to different beats. The great thing with a silent disco is that you don’t bother the neighbours with loud music and you can have a chat without having to shout above the music. So do come and join our party on Saturday the 8th June.
Copper Pot Café is open Monday - Friday, 8am till 4pm, and Saturday from 9am - 3pm.
Your two Chelmsford City Lib Dem Councillors for Moulsham Lodge, Ashley Thompson and Simon Goldman, have been amazed by the level of community spirit shown last month in the wake of the terrible fire in one of the flats over the shops on Gloucester Avenue.
Two families were affected by the blaze, on Tuesday 9th April, when an e-bike left on charge caught fire. Thankfully, the residents were able to be evacuated swiftly and came to no harm, but the lower flat was severely damaged and the upper one also experienced smoke damage. Whilst The British Red Cross have supported the families, the response of the local community has been nothing short of remarkable. Charlotte, the landlady from the Eagle and Hind, has been central to marshalling all the donations - a real shining example of the sense of togetherness and community in Moulsham Lodge which has outlasted covid and continues to those in need in our area.
The life of the community continues in other ways too, and we are particularly being enriched culturally by the work of St Luke’s Church in Moulsham Lodge. On Friday 17th May at 7.30pm the church hosts the latest in a series of community concerts showcasing local music talent of all ages and styles. Then on Saturday 22nd June from 7pm the same church hosts Anglia Singers, who are based at Anglia Ruskin University campus in the city centre. When Ashley isn’t helping the residents as a councillor, he is also a professional pianist and he will accompany the university choir from the piano. Do come along to show your support and enjoy the music.
A quick update on the junction protection along Gloucester AvenueThe lining contractor has scheduled the works to install double yellow lines for all of Gloucester Avenue to be carried out between 13th - 24th
Ashley Thompson & Simon Goldman
May, but these lines cannot be legally enforced until 27th May.
Besides supporting the residents of Moulsham Lodge, Ashley and Simon both have other roles at the council which gives us broader responsibilities in the life of the city. For example, over the past year, Ashley has been Vice-Chair of The Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This is a very valuable aspect of the workings of the council as it gives councillors of all political affiliations and none the chance to delve into the details of the policies the council is passing, in a way that just isn’t possible at Full Council meetings. Maybe the best comparison for those of you who follow politics at Westminster would be to think of Overview and Scrutiny like a House of Commons Select Committee.
Meanwhile Simon has been carrying out his role as Cabinet Deputy for Economy and Strategic Projects, as well as being a representative on the Business Improvement District board (BID). Both are vital positions to help Chelmsford develop and plan for the future. The BID, also known as Chelmsford For You, put on some of the amazing events in the city centre, like the Concrete canvas or last month the brilliant High Street takeover by all of the cosplayers. If you would like to know more about what we do then please contact us or come and talk to us at our monthly surgery, first Saturday of every month at The Copper Pot.
For any local issues, please do get in touch any time.
Take care.
simon.goldman@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk ashley.thompson@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk or follow us on the following platforms: Chelmsford Liberal Democrats
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChelmsLibDems
Facebook: Simon Goldman - Moulsham Lodge Councillor
Twitter: twitter.com/ChelmsLibDems
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Tile Kiln Corner - By Cllr Linda Mascot
I was fortunate to be invited by my dear friend, Former Mayor, Councillor and Freewoman of the City of Chelmsford, Freda Mountain, to visit the Age Concern Lunch Club and Day Centre in Cottage Place, Chelmsford to join the visitors for a seated exercise class and then lunch.
Freda has been a trustee of Age Concern for many years and is hands-on at the centre most days. The day centre supports older residents of Chelmsford and surrounding districts by providing home cooked, freshly prepared food - a delicious 2 course meal for £7, with seated exercise classes on Mondays from 10.45am - 11.30am. They also plan special trips and meals out and have previously visited pantomimes, had steam train and boat trips. During covid, volunteers delivered meals directly to doors of the older people, which really supported them through the pandemic and made sure they were keeping well.
During my visit, I saw two Community Transport buses bringing people to the day centre after collecting them from their homewhich is a great service for those unable to drive themselves or access public transport.
I really enjoyed chatted to the visitors, staff and volunteers at the centre - all have a lovely time and really enjoy the meal (I had steak and kidney pudding which was delicious). I took the opportunity to thank Freda, the kitchen staff and volunteers for all the great work they are doing to support the older generation.
If you know any elderly people would benefit from a hot meal and friendship, this daily lunch club is situated behind the Cathedral in the city centre.
For those who struggle to shop or lose the inclination to cook and maybe suffer from social isolation, the daily meals ensure a nutritious balanced hot meal and ensure the company and friendship of others.
For further information please call 01245 262 589 during mornings or email, ageconchelmsford@gmail.com.
Linda Mascot mascotlinda@gmail.com
BBQs, Jesus and a Community Day
What will you be up to over the bank holiday weekends in May? I suspect there will be many of us keeping a close eye on the weather, wondering if we can crack out the BBQ for the first time this year. Perhaps to gather some friends, join with the family, and share a meal together, cooked outside over the flames of the BBQ - there’s just something about food that encourages friendship, community and joy.
Did you know that Jesus Christ enjoyed eating with friends and strangers alike? So much, in fact, that some people started calling him a glutton and a drunk! You can read about that here: www. biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%207&version=NIV.
Over food, we relax, we’re more laid back and we’re ready to chat. Many of the most important things Jesus said, he said over food. Evening meals where he talked about who he was and what he was going to do when he died on the cross. Morning BBQs on the beach, cooking freshly caught fish, as he explained to his friends what his resurrection meant.
As you barbecue across the summer, here’s a question to consider: What would Jesus talk to you about if he was at your BBQ? What would you want to talk to Jesus about if he were at your BBQ? I’d love to know your answer - let me know on the details below.
At Tile Kiln Church, we’ve got our own celebration coming up, which we’d love to invite you to. Our Community Day is fast approaching, this
year coming on Sunday 2nd June, 11am-2pm. We’d love to invite you to join us at Tile Kiln Church for free tea, coffee, cake, some activities for children, and (as we hope for sun!) space for you to bring your own picnic - or if you prefer, buy lunch from one or two food vans (not yet confirmed, but we’re hopeful!).
This year we’re joining with the Big Lunch (www. edenprojectcommunities.com/the-big-lunch) which encourages communities to gather for friendship, food and fun. We’d love to see you!
Who is the MP who has been banned from driving for 1 year for 7 speeding fines?
What is a corniche?
Which song penned by The Gibb Brothers
Provided Barbara Streisand with her only UK number one single in the 1980s?
Which members of the big cat family collect in a ‘leap’?
Which country has the shortest coastline in the world?
What is Salisbury Plain primarily used for?
How many bridesmaids did Princess Diana have?
What is halitosis?
In which museum does the Mona Lisa live?
How is London Cathedral now known?
What is another name for a natatorium?
How many were present at the Last Supper?
In pottery, what is slip?
What can be a 5-card game, a smooth wooly surface or a sleep?
Which cartoon character was the ‘Fastest Mouse in Mexico’?
Which branch would you hold out to seek peace?
What does the acronym TESSA stand for?
What are ‘Spode’, ‘Bow’ and ‘Chelsea’ all types of?
In what capacity did Boy George work for in the
What shape is a sumo wrestling ring? What would you buy from Stanley Gibbons? Which tree usually provides the wood for the Highland Games caber?
Which island is in the Bay of Naples? What would you do with a futon?
What is added to egg yolks and vanilla to make advocaat?
Vera Welch sang under which name?
Who is buried in the Arc de Triomphe?
Where is the world’s oldest toyshop?
Who wrote Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?
Which animal has the longest pregnancy?
Which racecourse is near Bognor Regis? What type of fruit is Laxton Superb?
What word links an ice cream holder and a musical instrument?
What is red wine made with that white wine is not?
Where would you hurt if you were kicked on the tarsus?
What is lowered by a beta blocker?
A percheron is a breed of which animal?
How many years of marriage are celebrated with a sapphire anniversary?
Who is the patron saint of housewives? On which island did Queen Victoria die?
(Answers on page 30 & 31)
Minibus Drivers - Chelmsford Community Transport
Can you help isolated people to get out and about? We need friendly, patient volunteers to help drive our minibuses so that elderly and disabled passengers can get to social clubs, shops and medical appointments.
Our passengers cannot travel without the help of people like you and our service is a real life line to them.
One-Off Volunteer Day - Great Baddow Races - 19th May
The Great Baddow Races are a hugely fun day out held for the benefit of local charities. We need some lovely, enthusiastic race marshals to help guide runners along the correct route, give out water and medals, sign people in and out, and loudly cheer along!
Volunteers would need to be onsite at The Recreation Ground in Great Baddow for 8.30am until 12 noon.
Please volunteer for a fun day in the sun that will support our local charities!
Steward Volunteers for D-Day event at Beaulieu Park - 6th June
Chelmsford Garden Community Council is proud to be hosting an event to commemorate D-Day on 6th June 2024 at Channels Park, commencing at 7pm. There will be refreshments, activities and music and the event will culminate in the lighting of a beacon. We need 15 volunteers to assist with the stewarding of this event.
Volunteer Telephone Befriender at Essex Home Help Service
We are looking for volunteers to support with our Telephone Befriending Service.
This service is designed to be supportive, reliable and enable friendships to be built for people who are socially isolated. You will come into our friendly offices in Ford End, Chelmsford for 2 hours per week to make telephone befriending calls.
Puppy & dog socialiser - Medical Detection Dogs
We are looking for caring and committed homes that can support our puppies and young dogs during their socialising and training journeys.
We provide food and equipment for the young dogs and cover all veterinary costs. You will have 1:1 support from your local Socialiser Trainer and Volunteer Coordinator.
Coffee Group Facilitator/Volunteer - Reach Out for Mental Health
We need reliable, organised volunteers to help run a new coffee afternoon for clients experiencing mental health issues and who may feel isolated and lacking support.
This would be an ideal opportunity for someone who has experience of these issues themselves and is looking to give back whilst gaining valuable experience of running a support group.
