Moulsham Times - November 2022

Welcome to the November edition of the Moulsham Times

The clocks have changed and the nights are getting longer which can only mean one thing - only one more issue this year, so this is your last chance to advertise your Christmas events and anything Christmassy; the deadline for bookings is 24th November!

We are fairly well booked up regarding front pages, with the next available slot being July 2023, 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:

Chelmsford - By Vicky Ford MP

A hugely exciting weekend for Chelmsford infrastructure at the start of October as the new Beaulieu Bridge was carefully transferred, centimetre by centimetre, onto its new pillars in place across the A12 and the railway line. The largest piece of curved British steel infrastructure anywhere in the country, this bridge weighs 1,500 tonnes. The new bridge will be the access to the new railway station at Beaulieu Park and the North East Bypass. This is an absolutely key part of Chelmsford’s infrastructure and will open to road users next spring.

through Chelmsford has been around 94/95% - this is well above other parts of the network. Passenger numbers are now about 70% of pre-pandemic levels, which is below the experience of other parts of the Greater Anglia network. This may be because more people in the east of Essex are choosing to work from home either full-time or partially. Trains are at their most busiest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the timetables are now about 90% of prepandemic levels. Crowding is monitored daily and extra services and seats have been added since schools returned in September.

Since the end of the lockdowns I have been pressing for more services, especially where there have been timetable gaps, so I am always interested in feedback on the timetable.

If you do regularly travel by train and have specific comments about the service please do email me at vicky.ford.mp@parliament.uk.

Plans for the new Beaulieu railway station design also includes a passing loop so that fast trains can overtake stopping services. This will improve the reliability of train services all across the Great Eastern mainline, and more services will be able to operate.

Recently, I caught up with Jonathan Denby of Greater Anglia to discuss Chelmsford’s trains. The good news is that the final phase of the rollout of new trains is now underway. The first 108 new surburban trains are now operating and the final 30 will be rolled out by next summer. As well as having more seats, these new trains tend to be more reliable. In the past year the reliability of trains passing

Little Channels

Wedding Open Day

Are you currently searching for your dream wedding venue? Then why not visit Little Channels’ open evening on Wednesday 30th November between 4.30pm and 8.30pm? Our team of wedding coordinators will show you round the venue and discuss in depth about our all-inclusive wedding packages. We will also be joined by our resident DJ and some of our recommended suppliers. No need to book an appointment, you are more than welcome to just drop in. If you can’t make our open evening, we also offer private viewings throughout the week. If you would like to book a private viewing, please contact us on 01245 362 210, or email the events team at events@littlechannels.co.uk.

Discounts on Parties

Start the new year with a bang by hosting a party in our Bistro or Barn with our all-inclusive party packages. Throughout January and February, parties in the Bistro for up to 50 guests are only £799,

I would also like to thank all those who attended my recent Apprenticeship, Skills, and Jobs Fair at Anglia Ruskin University. It was absolutely buzzing with very many different companies and organisations taking part and showing the huge range of opportunities that are available for training, apprenticeships and careers. This is the third time I have organised this event and I am already looking forward to next year. If you want to know more, please drop an email to vicky.ford.mp@parliament.uk.

and parties in the Barn for up to 100 guests are only £1,449. Our party packages include venue hire, catering, and disco with our resident DJ. If you want more of a causal setting, then you are more than welcome to swap the DJ out for arrival drinks for you and your guests. For more information head over to our website at www. littlechannelswaltham.co.uk.

Afternoon Teas

If you’re looking to plan a special occasion, our afternoon teas are the perfect way to celebrate. From a range of sweet and savoury and catering for all your dietary needs, Little Channels serve traditional, luxury, and bottomless Prosecco afternoon tea 7 days a week. To book a table or to find out more information, please give us a call on 01245 362 210. As an alternative, you can order four traditional or luxury afternoon tea vouchers for the price of three online via our website for the perfect gift idea.

ROK Kitchen New on the Moulsham Street Scene

ROK Kitchen is new to Moulsham Street, but not new to food. Family-run Korean Street Food business ROK Kitchen began in 2015 starting out in Chelmsford Market just after the family had returned from living in Yeosu, South Korea.

Steve Chatfield (a chef of 25 years), who won Street Food Chef of the Year 2019, built up a successful award-winning street food business with his wife Kelly whilst raising their two children here in Chelmsford: “We cook homemade, delicious food inspired by the flavour combinations we experienced living in South Korea. After years of working on the street food scene all around the country at festivals, events and pop-ups, we finally felt ready to open up in the only road we felt would be right for us - Moulsham Street, where independent businesses are the heart and soul of the street.”

In 2021 the ROK sweet chili burger won Best Burger 2021 in The British Street Food Awards judged by Michelin star chefs and the public, beating 3,000 other street food stalls. ROK also picked up Southern Champions 2021, Street Food Champions 2021, and Best Wings 2021.

ROK Kitchen serves an affordable lunch menu which means that you can enjoy a good homemade rice bowl or baguette, and then maybe still come back for an award-winning burger for dinner!

The company believes in supporting other local businesses and tries to use as much local produce as possible - local art from Andrea TóthKiss, local speciality coffee from Mac and Me, local beer from The Brentwood Brewery… and that’s just the start.

Steve says, “ROK is an actively inclusive employer and employs adults with learning disabilities and autism in partnership with Essex County Council; this is a very rewarding part of our job and as former teachers, something we feel able to incorporate successfully into our business.”

You may have tried ROK’s food before at the Chelmsford Market, the Chelmsford Beer Festival, Fling Festival, The UB (where they have popped up regularly in their horse box trailer), The Ale House, or at many other food festivals around the country. They also trade regularly at Leather Lane Market in London, and Here East in Stratford. They also do private events.

“If you haven’t tried our food before, then do come and see us soon for lunch: 11am - 3pm on Monday to Saturday, or dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm - 9.30pm.”

You can also check ROK Kitchen out on social media by searching for ‘@rokkitchen’.

Phone 07783 107 309 for bookings, or email rokkitchen01@gmail. com.

Trade body The Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom Specialists Association (KBSA) held its annual conference with the winners of its 2022 Designer Awards at the Belfry on September 27th to 28th under the theme of Engaging Minds - Empowering Success. There was a variety of speakers from the housing industry, the metaverse, and performance psychology.

Regal Kitchens, based in Navigation Road in Chelmsford, scooped the highly sought after Customer Service Award which was collected by Business Development Manager Emma Mcloughlin, who said: “This is a wonderful surprise, we are very pleased to have been given this accolade. The fact that it is based on testimonials left by our happy clients means the world to us - because, Client is King.”

National chair of the KBSA Richard Hibbert said: “The standards this year were extremely high, reflecting the outstanding talent amongst members that we can all be proud of.”

Founded in 1978, The KBSA is the only trade association operating specifically for KBB industry, and represents independent kitchen, bedroom and bathroom specialists.

Why to Use a KBSA Member for Your Home Improvements

• Confidence that you are using a reputable and reliable company.

• Satisfaction that your chosen company meets the stringent membership criteria required by the KBSA.

• Quality in the service, design and installation of your home improvement project.

• Security in the knowledge that your money is protected.

• Delight in the end result!

Regal Kitchens showroom is situated at 2 Navigation Road in Chelmsford and is open 10am - 4pm 7 days per week.

www.regalkitchens.co.uk

MT Health: Are You over 30? You Need to Read This - By Chris at Forté Physical Health

Are you over 30? Me too. Well, I have news for you; you’re suffering from sarcopenia...

In an interview on Dr Chatterjee’s podcast, Dr Gabrielle Lyon explains that sarcopenia is the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength that afflicts us from our fourth decade onwards.

Although this happens to everyone, so it could be considered normal, the level to which it is happening in the modern world is excessive. Our comfortable, convenient lives are making us weak.

resistance training is just standing up from a chair. If you do HIIT training (high-intensity interval training), the more intense end of intensity could also be considered strength training.

In my clinic, we have shifted in recent years to prescribe more strength-based exercises in response to the latest research. Even when injured, it is important to find a way to add load and resistance to your tissues in a way that doesn’t cause pain.

If you are nervous about pushing your body to do hard things, feel free to ask us in the clinic for some advice, or you may want to invest in a personal trainer for a few months to learn the basics of strength training.

Remember, you won’t just be gaining the ability to lift heavier weights, you will also be looking after your hormones and therefore your whole body.

Until next time, have a healthy and happy month!

If pain and injury are holding you back, we can help in my clinic. We also like to discuss lifestyle factors, not just to get you out of pain but to live a healthy life with well-being as a priority.

If you want to learn more, go to fortephysicalhealth.co.uk, or you can say ‘hi’ at info@fortephysicalhealth.co.uk.

Working with Fear

Intentionally exposing yourself to activities or situations that scare you might seem like the last thing you would choose to do in your spare time - but when it comes to personal development, fear is the ultimate pathfinder. In 2022 we are in a crisis of comfort; pushing our limits and experiencing fear makes us feel alive. This, in my opinion, is the solution to the current mental health epidemic our society is facing.

Why is this a problem? Can’t our modern technologies do all the heavy lifting for us? Well, there are two big reasons why losing too much strength and muscle is harmful.

Firstly, strength has been shown to be the only element of fitness that reduces our risk of injury and helps us recover from pain. Cardio helps us live longer, and flexibility allows us to do more with our bodies, but neither reduces our risk of injury.

Secondly - and this is something I had totally forgotten about - our muscles are an endocrine organ! Our muscles don’t just move our bones, they also secrete and interact with hormones. Having healthier muscle tissue helps all sorts of bodily functions with the help of these chemical messengers. Well balanced hormones can improve your longevity, but they also make you feel better and have more energy on a day-to-day basis.

So, if we’re all afflicted with this condition, what do we do about it? Simple. Lift heavy things three days a week.

Heavy is a relative term and it is unique to you. A few days a week you need to do something that is hard. Dr Lyon deals with patients with a broad spectrum of health complaints. For some of her patients, she has them doing barbell work in the gym, but for others, their

Last week I travelled to Vienna, Austria to explore several activities that involve working with fear. My intention was to see what progress I could make in each arena, but also to map how the physical sensations of fear differed from one situation to another. The first session involved walking along the bottom of a very deep (5 metres) swimming pool carrying a 20kg dumbbell in each hand. This is called apnea training and is dangerous for obvious reasons so I was guided by an experienced coach called Max. At first I was only able to stand on the bottom for about 5 seconds before the feeling of pressure and tightness in my chest and the compulsion to head back to the surface became overwhelming. By the end of the session I was able to swim down, equalize the pressure in my ears, and walk some distance along the bottom holding the dumbbells. If you’re keen to read about how I explored three more fears (heights, cold, and emotional vulnerability) and gain more insight into the growth and benefits you can derive from this type of work, then you can read the full write-up on my blog at crossfitcm2.com/blog.

When did you last step outside your comfort zone? When will you next do something that scares you..?

www.crossfitcm2.com

MT Gardening

We are now heading towards the end of October and bursting into November. It’s been a lovely autumn so far with good dry(ish) days and some rain when required. As a result, it’s been a little manic in the garden to get all the necessary jobs complete. Here are just a few that I’ve been involved with so far...

It’s not too late to plant bulbs and corms for winter/spring interest. In fact, for tulips we’re coming into a perfect time. However, if you’ve still got a bag or two of daffodils, snowdrops, crocus etc, then get them into the ground or a suitable pot as soon as you can. I’ve been planting up borders with tulips using the following technique for Tulipa ‘Ronaldo’.

Aim to plant in groups of at least six or seven, as the more bulbs that are grouped together, the better the display. Typically, 25 to 50 bulbs may be needed to make an impressive show of one species. This method applies to spring, summer and autumn-flowering bulbs...

Assuming the border has already been dug over and prepared:

• If space allows, make a large hole with a spade. Work out the planting

depth by measuring the bulb from base to tip and tripling this length - this figure is the rough planting depth. The hole should be at least 3x the depth of the bulb so that when planted it is covered with about 20cm of soil.

• Fork over the bottom of the hole adding a couple of handfuls of grit or sharp sand.

• Place the bulbs in the hole with their ‘nose’ (or shoot) facing upwards. Space them at least twice the bulb’s own width apart.

• Replace the soil and gently firm with the back of a rake. Avoid treading on the soil as this can damage the bulbs.

• If the border is densely planted, then use a bulb planter or hand trowel to plant the bulbs individually. Ensure that the hole is deep enough and add some grit to the bottom of the hole.

For a little splash of colour, why not consider one of these fabulous shrubs? They’re great for any garden and most suitable for a container (at least 60 x 60cm): Check out these for winter interest:

• Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Beauty’: www.rhs.org.uk/ plants/49418/cornus-sanguinea-winter-beauty/details.

• Chimonanthus praecox: www.rhs.org.uk/plants/29215/ichimonanthus-praecox-i/details.

• Rubus cockburnianus: www.rhs.org.uk/plants/16128/rubuscockburnianus-(f)/details.

• Hamamelis mollis: www.rhs.org.uk/plants/8246/i-hamamelismollis-i/details.

• Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’: www.rhs.org.uk/ plants/99308/viburnum-x-bodnantense-dawn/details.

Its also been busy in the herbaceous areas of the garden. Here are just a few tasks to consider:

• Clearing away dead leaves lying on the soil surface around plants.

• Hand weeding the borders to remove all perennial and annual weeds.

• Removing the stakes, cleaning off soil and storing in a shed until spring.

• Try and leave cutting back old stems until late winter or around the middle of February as this will provide further interest and an overwintering home for beneficial predators and parasites (nature’s friends).

• Remove any dead plants and lift and divide any that have become woody and congested or have outgrown their space.

• Make good any lawns edges along the front of the border and reseed if necessary.

For other gardening tasks in October, check out this link: www. rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/october/jobs. For a sneak preview of next month’s tasks, check out this link: www.which.co.uk/reviews/ gardening-through-the-year/article/gardening-through-the-year/ gardening-jobs-for-november-aMkIV9c5CMov.

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.

A Snap and a Sting - By Holly Lucking

I was scrolling through recent news stories and found that the overall winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 was recently announced. Of course I was desperate to see the image that had won, and this year’s excellent winning entry was by Karine Aigner, only the fifth women to take home the top prize since it started 58 years ago. Every photograph taken by a wildlife photographer is captured by chance, and many have to wait for weeks, months, not days, to get that perfect photograph. As we all know, animals have a mind of their own!

You may have guessed it, but these tiny insects live close to or on cactus plants and they are found in south-west America and northern Mexico. Similar to the bees in the UK, they spend most of their lives flying from flower to flower collecting pollen, and are not likely to sting unless they feel threatened. They much prefer to return to their nests in the ground, and during the spring cactus bloom you will find them in thousands, covering large areas of land that can be equivalent to several tennis courts.

Karine Aigner was working on a ranch in south Texas at the time which allowed her to take such a photo, and she also took a video of all dug out nests which is an incredible sight.

When the cactus bees emerge from their nests, they are nearly mature enough to mate and the life cycle continues again. The females dig burrows in the ground where they make their nests after selecting a suitable spot, and construct it with nectar and pollen from cactus. Each burrow will form several compartments, each one for a single egg. The female then lays her eggs and seals the nest - after departing from her offspring, she will die shortly afterwards. Although sad, her offspring will hatch in just 14-16 days and continue on a life cycle similar to their parents.

If this article has piqued your interest, you will now have some background to the short but important lives these insects lead, and maybe you could even show off some of that knowledge to a loved one! It might even encourage you to take out your camera and try your hand at wildlife photography - just watch out for that sting while you are snapping!

Looking at the winning image, it’s hard not to believe you are looking at a snap from the latest animated movie. Karine Aigner captured the image with a macro probe lens that takes you into the heart of the action.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum. For further information and to enter the competition, please visit: www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy.

Karine Aigner (USA) gets close to the action as a group of bees compete to mate. ©Karine Aigner, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 - Overall Winner

Nick Garner’s Music & Ramblings

Hello, as this edition is out just before Sunday 30th October, I must mention our celebration for the late Claire Hamlin’s life. Claire was quite possibly the best female boogie-woogie pianist in the country and one of the best in the world. She was also one of the nicest people you could wish to meet. We sadly lost Claire after her cancer battle back in June and I could not let her go without a celebration of her life, and I am happy to say that many others agreed with me and wanted to join in. So far we have Claire’s bands - she was part of The Alley Cats, The Slammers and The Kingsmen - then there are those who she played with, like Zoot Money, Geraint Watkins (Slim Chance, Paul McCartney, Status Quo etc), Paddy Milner (Tom Jones) Diz Watson (Dr John, Diz and the Doormen), Janos Bajtala, and Todd Sharpville. We have the friends who knew and loved her; some are part of the house band, like Trev Turley, James Digings, Dave Woodcock and his band, King Lizzy. There will be more as well. Entry is just £10 with all money taken being split between Farleigh Hospice and the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity - two charities that were close to Claire’s heart. Doors open at noon and the music starts at 1pm and goes on until 10pm. You will be given a wristband so that you can come and go at will throughout the day. All the artists and crew are doing this for nothing so that all the money raised can go to the charities.

I think more than ever we have to think about taking care of our planet and look to alternatives. We cannot keep on the way we are I don’t know if you’ve watched Frozen Planet Two, if not I would recommend it as you will see what is happening out there. We can help slow it down or maybe even stop it if all the governments of the world and everybody else would act now. So let’s stop this fighting and get on with helping to save where we live now and not wait until tomorrow when it’s too late.

On a happier note, have you been to the Chelmsford Cathedral to see Luke Jerram’s artwork, Gaia, which has been hanging there? It is amazing and huge, measuring six metres in diameter. It was created from NASA imagery of the Earth, giving an exact recreation of the Earth’s surface. I was awestruck. While I was there, I found out that the previous evening Helen Sharman gave a talk - Helen was the first woman cosmonaut to visit the Mir space station in 1991. The talk was understandably sold out - I wish I had made it, damn...

There are also exhibitions going on at the Chelmsford Museum. I find that the museum is always a great place to visit at any time. I sadly missed the Science Festival, did you make it?

There is lots going on all over our area of course, check out the What’s On guide in The City Times. You can also check online. There is always so much happening all over Essex; if you look there is something for everyone, young and old.

Music

It has been another great month! We kicked off with Spike of the Quireboys with his mate Chris Heilmann - they played two sets and Spike mixed it with tales from his life on the road. We all loved it and we hope to book his original Quireboys band to play as well. Next up was our own Essex girl doing great, Rosalie Cunningham, who played only her second gig with this current line-up. I have to say, I would never have known - they were superb and everyone loved them as well as the opening act the Tuppenny Bunters, who were also great.

I went see Hayseed Dixie play in Colchester recently. As ever, it was a fine show. We had two hours of amazing hi-energy rockgrass with Hippie Joe Hymashy on mandolin and general mayhem. There was a new band to me who opened called These Wicked Rivers. I would describe them as heavy southern rock - I know that myself and my mate Shorts both really enjoyed them, and I want to get them here to play in Chelmsford if I can.

Next up it was our annual visit from Albert Lee and I think this was one of his best shows to date for us. I know that both he and the band had a good time as well.

One review left, and this gig was at The Orange Tree with Dave Sharp of The Alarm playing - I think it must be 2-3 years since he last played Chelmsford for us. The place was very busy with people having come from as far away as Clacton to see him. Dave as ever did not disappoint; the sound was excellent and his choice of songs and tales were loved by all - he will be back! We move on and I am now currently preparing for this week’s show with Police Dog Hogan...

If you get this copy of the Moulsham Times in time, then you may be lucky enough to still get a ticket for The Small Fakers on Friday 28th October - two days before our Claire Hamlin event. You can call or text on 07508 496 411 to reserve tickets which you can then collect on the door at the discounted price and pay by card or cash.

I have my first show at Hot Box on Monday 28th November with Matt Woosey. Matt is an Englishman living in Germany and he is a great singer-songwriter and well worth seeing - and at just £8.50 in advance well worth it we feel. If you are not familiar with him, look him up on YouTube - I think you will agree this is one to see.

We have just four shows left at the Social Club from November until the end of the year - but four great ones we think. On Friday 4th November we have Malcolm Bruce, the son of Jack Bruce of Cream who wrote and sang most of the songs. Malcolm is as talented as his dad and has invited Ramon Goose (who I’m sure many of you know) to play guitar, along with James Glessing (AKA Bill) on drums. This is going to be a bluesy rock night and you are sure to hear plenty of tunes you know and love as well. We thought Jay Stapley would fit the bill to open the night; Jay has played with Roger Waters, Mike Oldfield, Toyah, Kirsty McColl, Slim Whitman and many others, so you know this is going to be a good night.

We then move on to Friday 11th November when we have the Julie July band, who are a folk/rock outfit. They will also play a dreamy set of Sandy Denny songs that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end I am sure. To open the night, we welcome back the fab duo who are Dandelion Charm, their wonderful harmonies and beautiful 12-string playing will woo you.

On Friday 2nd December we have Ronnie Lane’s (Small Faces and The Faces) old band Slim Chance, and again we also welcome The Ugly Guys to open the night. Then to close this year off, on Friday 9th December we have our very own Connor Selby with his band - there will be a surprise to open the night as well...

If you have anything that you think could be of interest to our readers for either publication, then let us know at editorial@itsyourmedia. co.uk. It may be an event or a topic of interest. Or have you done anything unusual this year or are you planning something? If so, we want to know about it! And if you or someone you know might 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 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 the advance price on entry to the show.

For all Black Frog Presents gig updates and information go www. linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresents, or scan the QR code on my poster in this magazine. It would also be fantastic if you could share our magazines The City Times and Moulsham Times for us. We continue to publish both magazines online as well at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia.

IMPROVE YOUR HOME THIS WINTER WITH CHANDLER

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Chandler Materials - Your Local Supplier of Building Materials, Open to the Trade and Public

Chandler Material Supplies is a third generation family-owned builders’ merchant, operating out of a 3-acre site in Widford, Chelmsford. We are renowned for stock reliability and service, combining the range of prices of a major supplier with the friendly service of a local merchant.

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On-site we also offer a paint matching and mixing service - choose from thousands of colours to bring some colour to your indoor spaces. As well as this, we also have all the necessary decorating accessories to make life as easy as possible!

Our specialist plumbing team are waiting for you at their dedicated counter to help you with all your needs; nothing is too much to ask. If you can’t make it in to see us, our website, www.chandlermaterials. co.uk, features over 5,000 products - so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for and place your order today. Goods can be collected from our branch or delivered to the local area for free by our friendly delivery team.

Whether your project is big or small, we can help with it all. Contact your local one-stop shop today to see what we can do for you.

We pride ourself on our customer service - whether it be for advice or product information, our friendly knowledgeable team with over 450 years’ experience are always ready to help, regularly going the extra mile to help things run smoothly.

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Chandler Material Supplies, 91 Widford Road, Chelmsford, CM2 8SY. 01245 352 650.

PFE Express Raises £14k for Local Charities

A team of 24 people from PFE Express Ltd, the freight forwarding company based on Witham, took on the National Three Peaks Challenge and raised over £14,000 for local charities doing amazing and vital work. Team PFE attempted the formidable challenge of the ascent and descent of each of the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales to be completed within 24 hours. The total distance walked was 27 miles with an ascent of 9,800 feet. This challenge was a huge undertaking and a real test of physical endurance and mental stamina - especially since it was carried out over such a narrow window of time on very little sleep. The full team proudly completed all 3 Peaks, which is a phenomenal achievement.

PFE were committed to completing the challenge to raise a serious amount of money for a number of local good causes, and that is exactly what they did. They aimed to raise a minimum of £2,500 for each of their four chosen charities, but they smashed their target raising over £3,500 each for:

• AFFC (Action For Family Carers) - a charity based in Maldon that supports family carers across Essex.

• Next Chapter - a domestic abuse charity working across the areas of Tendring, Colchester, Maldon, Chelmsford, Braintree and Uttlesford.

• The Mid & North East Essex brand of Mind - catering for varying aspects of mental health for children of 5 years through to adults.

• Sanctus Homeless Charity - based in Chelmsford and supporting homeless and vulnerable people in Essex.

Adam Collins, Managing Director at PFE Express said: “Having worked so hard with their training over the last year, we are delighted that the team successfully achieved their goal. Everyone in the company got behind the fundraising, taking part in events such as bake sales, a pub quiz and even a raffle to win a day off work! It’s great to know that the money raised will be put to good use by the charities to help people in our local community.”

Here’s how PFE’s fundraising will support their chosen charities:

Mid & North East Essex: “We are currently investing in a brand new service supporting people across mid Essex who are living with a diagnosis, undergoing a diagnosis or experiencing feelings associated with personality disorder. This service will be completely funded from money that has been raised by fundraisers like PFE Express. We are also investing in delivering our new training programmes as we believe that providing companies and organisations with the tools to enable their employees to look after their own mental health and being able to support their colleagues in the workplace is key to raising awareness and eradicating stigma.”

Action For Family Carers: “£3,500 is a significant sum to a charity like ours. We currently run a number of services from our reserves as we simply don’t have sufficient grants or other income. That includes our Young Carer Clubs - these run regularly in 7 different districts across Essex and all but two of those have either insufficient funds to cover the costs or none at all, but we are committed to keeping them going and so use our reserves. A typical club costs £15,000 per year to run. Where we have additional income, we are able to take young carers on trips and to take part in activities during school holidays - for example, we ran 2 boat trips over the summer.”

Next Chapter: “£3,500 is a significant sum for us and buys us 5 hours a week for a year of professional support to our Next Chapter families. It enables us to provide one of our bespoke recovery programmes (either Hand in Hand

(parents), Tribe (children) or RISE (survivor)) for a full year which would support, on average, 96 survivors of domestic abuse.”

Sanctus: “This funding will go directly towards supporting our frontline services and keeping our doors open every day of the year. This is especially important as the cost of living crisis impacts our services. £3,500 could pay for 80 hours of 1-1 support sessions which provide specialist advice to help someone to turn their life around, plus 386 of our freshly cooked, nutritious meals which are served in our café 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”

Gloucester Avenue, City Centre and Gaia -

By Cllr Marie Goldman

Junction Protection in Gloucester Avenue

Lots of residents have been in contact with me over the last year or so about dangerous parking at the junctions of Gloucester Avenue, from Lucas Avenue (Loftin Way end) to Gordon Road. In January of this year I met with the manager of the South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) on-site in Gloucester Avenue to discuss the problem with him. A scheme was then submitted to add junction protection in these areas, proposed to be in the form of double yellow lines.

I have recently been informed that a scheme to introduce No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on these junctions has been approved in principle. The scheme will now be costed and presented for approval to fund and progress the scheme. I understand the next steps are as follows: If funding is approved, a Traffic Regulation Order will be drafted and once complete, the proposal will be published in a newspaper, and site notices will be erected in the affected roads on the day of publication. Following publication, any person may within 21 days write in support or objection to the proposal.

If there are unresolved objections to the proposal, the matter will be referred to the SEPP Joint Committee for a decision on the proposal. The committee can agree for the proposal to proceed as published, amended or withdrawn. Any person that submits a representation during the statutory 21-day period will be sent a copy of the committee report and invited to attend the meeting where they will have the opportunity to speak to the committee members.

It’s extremely frustrating that these things take so long to move forward, but I wanted to reassure residents that I have been checking that this had not fallen off the radar. I’ll keep you updated as things progress.

Broken Streetlights in Our City Centre

Did you know that at least two of the streetlights that (at time of writing) are not working in our city centre have been broken for four years?! There are dozens more that aren’t working either, including through the city centre parks.

Residents have been telling me on the doorstep that it’s making them feel unsafe, especially as they walk home from work or from the station.

I don’t think that’s good enough, so I’ve been challenging Essex County Council (ECC) to do better. At the October Full Council meeting of Essex County Council, I raised this issue with the Cabinet Member for Highways and have since followed this up in writing. One of the issues I understand ECC are facing is that they

are running out of light bulbs! Whatever the excuse, I think residents deserve better. You can watch my question and hear the response on YouTube here: bit.ly/3MDLOd5.

Gaia

Finally, I hope lots of you managed to make it to Chelmsford Cathedral to see the awe inspiring art installation known as Gaia. This huge, slowly rotating globe, suspended from the roof of the cathedral, was here for three weeks and arrived just in time to coincide with the launch of the Chelmsford Science Festival. I hope you were able to take part in at least some of the fabulous events that were scheduled to take place.

It can be very hard to get the word out about what’s happening in Chelmsford, and yet there really is a lot going on. It would be interesting to hear from you with your ideas about how we might be able to spread the word about these sorts of events - ideally in a costeffective way. Feel free to email me with your suggestions.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact me about this or any other local issues: marie.goldman@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk.

Keep well.

Marie

Cllr Marie Goldman Deputy Leader, Chelmsford City Council City Councillor for Moulsham & Central County Councillor for Chelmsford Central Liberal Democrat

MT History: Essex Prime Ministers - By Henri Lewi

In this current period of time when we are experiencing almost constant political turmoil, it is worth reminding ourselves that in the 200 years between 1800 and 2022 the United Kingdom has had only 10 sovereigns (Georges III and IV, William IV, Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI, Elizabeth II, and now Charles III), but during that time the United Kingdom has had 67 different prime ministerial appointments. Frequent changing of the prime minister is not uncommon, and even during our late Queen’s 70-year reign there were 15 different prime ministers, the first being Winston Churchill (born in 1874) and the last (as I write) being Liz Truss (born in 1975).

Since its inception in 1721 there have been 56 individuals that have served as prime minister in the United Kingdom, but the roll call reveals that there have been over 76 differing prime ministerial appointments who have served in the office. Many individuals will have served more than one tenure as PM, such as WE Gladstone who served 4 differing terms, or Margaret Thatcher who whilst serving for 11 years, won three consecutive elections, and William Pitt the Younger who was PM for over 19 years but on two separate occasions - firstly, between 1783 and 1801 and then again for a further two years between 1804 and 1806. Others have served two terms or more either consecutively or at differing times such as Benjamin Disraeli, Winston Churchill, Clement Atlee, John Major and Tony Blair.

The longest serving prime minister to date has been Robert Walpole, the man who effectively invented the role, wrote his own job description and remained in power between 1721 and 1740. In reality he was the First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons, and whilst not officially titled as ‘Prime Minister’ he is commonly accepted as the first holder of the post.

Today, whilst the prime minister retains the title of First Lord of the Treasury, and the Chancellor and Leader of the Commons are posts held by other members of the cabinet. Walpole was elected by Parliament as the man to steady the ship of government following the ‘South Sea Bubble’ fiasco, which exposed severe corruption in

the government. This financial controversy arose from the attempt by the government of the day and financial investors to float the national debt within the South Sea Company who were given a monopoly on trade within the southern hemisphere. Insider trading, bribery of parliamentarians and the passing of corrupt acts of parliament to allow the South Sea Company to sell and trade the debt, bedeviled the company dealings. After the dust settled following the collapse of the company, Walpole was ideally placed to take on the triple roles of First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons and effectively became the United Kingdom’s first prime minister.

Despite the size of the county and its growing population, surprisingly Essex has only had two elected MPs who have served as prime minister. Firstly, Winston Churchill who was MP for Epping became prime minister in May 1940, replacing Neville Chamberlain following the Nazi invasion of France. Widely regarded as one of the great wartime leaders, Churchill led a wartime coalition government until the July 1945 election. The constituency of Epping was abolished at the 1945 general election and Churchill stood and was re-elected as the MP for the then Essex constituency of Woodford. Churchill and his Conservative Party lost the 1945 general election and the Labour Party, led by Clement Atlee, swept into power.

Clement Atlee was prime minister from July 1945 until October 1951, firstly as an MP for the County of London (clearly not Essex) but the constituency was abolished at the general election in February 1950. Atlee was elected as the serving MP for Walthamstow West - which until the reorganisation of 1965 was firmly part of Essex. The Labour Party, led by Atlee, was returned to power at the 1950 election but with a much diminished majority.

In an attempt to improve their majority in Parliament, Atlee and the Labour Party called a snap election in October 1951, which they lost to the Tories led by the then Essex MP Winston Churchill who remained in office until 1955 when he resigned due to ill health and was replaced by Anthony Eden.

CCR Latest News

We are delighted to announce that we are finalists in the annual national Community Radio Awards.

The Chelmsford Community Radio has made the shortlist, which was whittled down from nearly 400 entries submitted across all the categories by stations from every corner of the UK.

Our 14-year-old Friday Drivetime Presenter Daisy Barker is shortlisted in the Young Person Under 25 category. We also picked up a nomination in the Arts and Creative Radio category for their 2021 pantomime, Untitled

The winners will be revealed in a ceremony in Bedford on the 19th of November. The evening event will follow the Community Radio Conference organised by the UK Community Radio Network.

Station Volunteer Director Matthew Eaves said: “We are delighted to have been recognised among many other stations doing great work across the UK.” He added, “We are delighted that Daisy and our panto have both been nominated for awards. Our station was set up based on inclusion and kindness; Daisy has demonstrated her willingness to engage with others of all ages and abilities in a kind and thoughtful way with her exceptional talent behind the microphone. Daisy will go a long way in life.

“The panto has brought the community together for some seasonal fun in a creative way. We are very proud of the writing team and all who performed.”

Martin Steers, Awards Chair, said: “It’s been another great year for community radio across the UK, entertaining, informing, and engaging local communities, the true purpose of local radio stations.

“As ever, it’s been a big challenge for our judges from across the industry as the quality of entries is better than ever - a real testament to all that community radio stations do in their areas.

“We wish Chelmsford Community Radio good luck and can’t wait to host the ceremony in Bedford next month.”

Please keep your fingers crossed for us and we will let you know how we get on in the next issue of Moulsham Times

wwwchelmsfordcommunityradio. com

Hello to you all. I hope you are enjoying the unseasonable weather. I hear that there is going to be a heatwave in November. I may have to get my shorts out again, na, probably not.

This year seems to going faster than ever - it’s nearly November already; I can’t believe it. The days are getting shorter too, no real surprise there to be fair, it happens every year. However, after the end of October how many people will say ‘five ‘o’clock and it’s dark already’? It would be more surprising if it stayed light!

Never mind. I don’t really like this time of year, the thought of all the rotten weather to come and the short days is not good. However, we can look forward to Christmas and 2023 and what they may bring. All the forecasts seem to be doom and gloom, but don’t forget these are made by ‘experts’. You know, the same sort of people who were so wrong during covid. So chances are that they’ve carried on with this level of accuracy.

The first animal story this month was in the news recently. A swan strayed onto the railway line and this stopped trains near Ascot for about an hour. A question here: Why did it take an hour to remove the swan from the line? They are hardly the quickest of creatures. I am a bit suspicious, so what are the chances that an enterprising railway worker chased the bird onto the line because the train was late anyway, and there were no leaves or snow on the line to provide a reason for the delays?

In another story Hampshire Fire Brigade reported that, I quote, ‘a cow was re-mooved from a tree’ after about three hours work. Now, I’m sure, like me, you’re wondering how the cow got up the tree in the first place. It would be a sight to behold. Apparently, the headline was a bit misleading and the cow had got it’s head stuck in a hole in the tree trunk, and was still actually on the ground. They said the whole situation was udderly ridiculous! I guess the cow must have mistaken it for a milking parlour and she couldn’t understand where the farmer was.

I see they are at it again. A new television programme is about to be released, and surprise surprise, little snippets are being picked up by the press. The programme is about the royal family - yes, again. Some of it is controversial, apparently. When are the news media going to realise that this is all to provide the production company with free publicity? It often happens. A celebrity appears on a chat show to describe their terrible childhood or awful marriage and then lo and behold, at the end of the interview the host explains the the guest has a new book out. Shock, horror. I didn’t see that coming. I don’t watch these programmes anymore. Anyway, back to the film about the royal family. If nobody watches it, they won’t do it again! I am going to start a group of protesters, it seems to be the thing these days.

Talking of protesters, I see this week that two people climbed the Dartford Crossing. Are they nuts? You wouldn’t get me up there if you gave me all the revenue from North Sea oil! However, I must ask why the bridge was closed for what was over two days. The cars on the bridge were nowhere near them, so where was the danger? I know people have the right to protest, but I wonder how these people got to the bridge in the first place. I don’t think you can walk there, so they must have used some form of oil for the transport.

There is a letter in my newspaper this week about the sad passing of Robbie Coltrane. The letter explained that during one of Robbie’s road trip television programmes, he visited Stony Stratford. Apparently, back in the day there were two pubs in the village, The Cock and the Bull. The drivers of the horse-drawn carriages would use them as a stopover. They would meet at one pub and swap stories and then go to the other to do the same. Hence the saying, cock and bull stories. I found that interesting. Am I sad or what?

So, Christmas is on the horizon. Cards and decorations are in the shops, though I’ve not seen any homes decorated with lights yet. I am guessing that this might be a dying tradition when the house owners see their ‘smart’ meters going bonkers when the lights are switched on. Sad, but a sign of the times I expect...

Going back to television programmes, I see they are at it again. I am beginning to think they do it on purpose. In a current very serious true life story, one of the characters is tall with short hair and a well trimmed beard. He is a policeman. Another character, who looks identical, at least to me, is a baddy. Now I could be alone here, but are they two different people, or the same person, who is both a policeman and a bad person? It’s got to a point where I don’t really care about the outcome of the programme, I just want to know - is it two blokes or one?

Bin End Chuckles

Thanks to John again (he must have hundreds of ‘em).

I lost interest in digging tunnels. It’s boring...

Making chemistry jokes is much harder these days, but I’m doing asbestos I can...

Stay safe and enjoy the November heatwave - if the ‘experts’ are right!

Grove Road Evangelical Church

Remembrance Sunday this year is November 13th. It is a day on which we can remember the sacrifices of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two world wars and in the many other conflicts that have taken place since then. Each year, the red poppy is used to remind us of those who have given their lives in the service of others. Why the poppy?

At the end of World War I, the fields of northern France and southern Belgium, which had been devastated by four years of fighting, started to recover. One of the first plants to bloom again was the red poppy, and it became a symbol both of the sacrifices men and women had made and of the hope that would flow from their sacrifices as the world returned to peace.

It’s just over a hundred years since World War I ended. As we look east across Europe towards Ukraine, we might ask ourselves where is the peace that was promised us in 1918? The poppy, a symbol

of peace and hope, sometimes might feel like a reminder of the absence of peace and the failure of hope.

Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, offers a deep inner peace to all who commit themselves to him. The Bible tells us that God will keep anyone in perfect peace whose mind is focussed on him… if they trust in him. Even when the circumstances of life feel like we are living in our own war zone, Jesus still offers us inner peace and a sure hope. Come and visit us or get in touch by email and find out more about this peace and hope that Jesus offers.

Philip Loose, Senior Pastor

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

Pilates and Mental Health - Could It Be the Perfect Match? -

Listening to a pilates 1-2-1 client this week got me thinking, what is my role as a pilates instructor, in a group setting, or 1-2-1 setting, not just professionally but also personally? I understand the body and how it works, or doesn’t, so I love to talk about it in my teaching. I get asked questions every day about wellness, getting fitter, and how to improve this or that niggle.

On this occasion I was being told that this client has never gone a whole week without back pain and now she was telling me she’d gone through nearly a month and felt so much better being able to sleep because of it and she was feeling much more productive because of that. I’ve always known my role was more than a job; when I was doing my fitness industry training nearly 20 years ago a great lecturer said that sometimes you’ll feel more like a therapist or even a best friend. Now, in current climes since we’ve all gone through some physically and mentally trying times, there has never been a time where that lecturer spoke more truth! I love the fact I get to work so closely and with so much honest emotion from people.

Pilates for mental health couldn’t be more of a perfect fit. Pilates as a 100 year old practise is set on core beliefs and structured foundations of principles. These core beliefs as words are simple, but when applied to the body and mind can be incredibly powerful. Flow, control, breathe - nice even just saying them. Pilates has a structure, whether said or unsaid in a class.

Our body in simplified terms has 2 systems: Our involuntary - things we don’t need to control like breath, heart beat, digestion, and the voluntary response - actions, our brain telling us tells us to move, walk and talk.

These systems are structurally intertwined and beneficial most of the time, but in the instance of some mental health compromises, our body goes into overdrive creating a fight-or-flight response and adrenaline floods our system making our heart race, breathing becomes erratic (panic attacks) our head ‘fuzzes’. We cant sleep, become uncontrollably emotional and irrational in action or words.

Losing control of ‘mental structure’ can send us into a difficult place to return from. It is undeniable that no one size fits all when it comes to managing mental health and its complicated variables. But if there is one thing that is proven to help stress, anxiety and internal worries it is regaining control of our breathing. Regaining structure. Physical exercise is also widely used as a tool for producing synergy between body and mind, when the mind, heart, breath are racing out of control even though you arent actually running a race, the

By Erica Foulds

gentle adaptable exercise format of pilates gives a perfect solution to moving in a calm, natural, biomechanically friendly way and breathing effectively. Pilates allows for most injuries - if you can’t stand then we can use a ballet bar to support you or we can sit. If you can’t sit then we can lay. If you can’t get to the floor then you work on your hands and knees, of course using cushions making a softer surface to rest!

Let’s do some movement to bring the breath and body together. Find a chair, sit tall, feet under your knees, hands in the lap and imagine balancing a cup on the crown of your head. On an inhale, shrug your shoulders to your ears, on exhale lower them fullyrepeat 5 times. Inhale look over the right shoulder, exhale return centre, inhale left, exhale centre - repeat 5 times each. Exhale run your hands down thighs to shins to ankles if possible, inhale return upright - repeat 5 times. Hold arms out sideways shoulder height, inhale fully rotate your upper body right, exhale return centre, fully rotate left, return to centre - repeat 5 times each way. Stand using chair for support if needed, imagine having a hoola hoop around your waist, circle slowly one way, then the other - repeat 5 times each way. Inhale reach arms fully to the ceiling, one arm at time if prefer to keep hold of chair, exhale to bring arms down - repeat 5 times.

At Hummingbird Pilates and Yoga in Writtle, we offer various levels of class, with 8 per class. With no experience needed and the chance to have a go at a slower pace, our Gentle Pilates Tuesday and Friday (10.30am or Wednesday 7.05pm) gives a wonderful introduction to movement such as above, working easy with whole body focus and breath.

All classes are also on Zoom for those who want to take part at home avoiding traffic, expensive fuel, or just fancy being in your own space. Or you can see me 1-2-1 for an hour to yourself for an introduction to pilates before a full class. Try our unlimited month for £45. Find us on Facebook or Instagram (search ‘@hummingbirdpilatesyoga’ or ‘Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga Writtle’). Email us at info@hummingbirdpilatesyoga.co.uk, or call 01245 422 556!

See you on the mat!

Erica x

CHESS Homeless Expand Accommodation of the Night Shelter

CHESS Homeless in Chelmsford has recently expanded its full capacity after receiving a £20,000 grant from Provide Community, a community interest company based in Colchester.

The charity works closely with other organisations in the area to support a range of people from those sleeping rough, sofa-surfing, or in temporary accommodation.

The money from Provide Community will allow the charity to provide a safe place during the day and all hours of the night. By increasing its services for homeless individuals, the charity is reducing the risk of physical and mental illness and reducing reliance on the local healthcare system and other pressures surrounding the NHS.

Robert Saggs, CEO of CHESS Homeless commented on the grant: “This project was always an opportunity for CHESS to help more vulnerable people, but we did not have the accommodation. Since then, we have been able to increase the property portfolio from 6 to 13 houses, and 32-bed spaces to 66-bed spaces.

“Due to the funding received through ECF and us being able to offer support 24/7, we have been able to engage with clients much better and with other partners that enabled us to work closely with the protect and vaccinate campaign.

“We now have a full-time staff member that is tasked with setting up daytime activities with clients that include training, workshops, and trips out that enable our clients to have a better outlook on life and give them a greater opportunity to succeed.”

The £20,000 received was part of Provide’s Community partnership with the Essex Community Foundation, a grant giving initiative that provides vital funding to charities, community groups and

organisations.

Provide Community’s Marketing and Communications Manager Elizabeth Delany commented on the important work CHESS Homeless do in the community: “Their work is so vital. The charity delivers not just emergency provision but long-term accommodation which has helped hundreds of people who have found themselves homeless. Throughout the year, CHESS takes referrals and the outreach team responds to the urgent needs of people on the streets, and as the weather is getting colder expanding the capacity of its night shelter is essential.”

MT Finance - Should I Overpay My Mortgage or Invest?

Although investing may generate higher returns than a loan’s interest cost, markets also come with the risk of losses. That uncertainty is a factor in itself, which can make the decision a very personal one.

With finances under pressure from the rise in the cost of living, here’s a handy investment checklist to help ensure your money is working as hard as possible.

Investors, who are also homeowners with a mortgage, face an ongoing choice through their financial lives - pay down the mortgage or invest excess cash and income instead?

It’s a simple question, but the answer really depends on personal circumstances: age and job status, the terms of the loan and the interest rate - and, very importantly, whether you are a risk taker or more risk averse.

Should I Overpay My Mortgage or Invest?

One thing is for sure, you’ll save thousands of pounds in interest by paying your debt down sooner. Mortgage payments are made up of two components; interest on the loan and a ‘principal’ amount, which goes towards paying down the outstanding balance. The longer you have the mortgage and the higher the interest rate, the more you pay in interest. This is especially true in the early years when the loan balance is larger, and you are proportionally paying a lot more in interest than paying down the capital balance.

Yet overpaying your mortgage, ie, paying more than you need to under the terms of the loan agreement, comes with an ‘opportunity cost’. In other words, had you invested the money could you have achieved a return in excess of the interest on the debt? Building wealth over decades by allocating capital to well-managed and growing companies has, historically at least, been a reliable way to grow wealth. However, to fully harness the power of the stock market and enjoy the benefit of compounded returns, you need to leave your money invested for a long time. We would generally recommend at least five years but longer if you are able to, and we would seek to discuss with our clients the various risk levels and options available over various timeframes.

At higher mortgage interest rates there is arguably less of an opportunity cost. It is one thing bettering a 2% or 3% rate with investment returns, but achieving upwards of 6% consistently is much more difficult. The higher the interest rates are the more it makes sense to repay debt as quickly as possible. That’s why high interest debts such as credit cards or personal loans should be repaid as a priority.

Rising Interest Rates

The current environment of rising interest rates is a worry for many mortgage holders, but much depends on the trajectory of interest rates in the future, not just the next couple of years. If inflation and interest rates stay high over the medium to longer term, then reducing debt is likely to be wise. However, it is also possible rates could come down quite sharply and the cost of mortgage debt returned to the low levels we have experienced for the past decade or so.

Whilst the data appears to show more stubborn levels of higher inflation, if and when this moderates, central banks can ease off hiking interest rates to tame runaway prices. Those applying for mortgages now, as well as those on variable rates, may face an uncomfortable period of higher repayment costs, but this might well abate in the medium term.

If you do decide to pay down or pay off a mortgage you must consider any penalties for doing so. Early repayment charges (ERCs) often apply during any fixed or discounted period and are usually calculated as a percentage of the amount you repay. Often, these are tiered

and fall away over time. Depending on the circumstances, it can be worth paying an ERC as the interest saving could be more than the fee incurred.

Pension Boost

One factor that might tilt the balance in favour of investing as opposed to overpaying your mortgage, is if you can get a significant tax uplift on the money you put in. In this regard, using a pension scheme really stands out.

Pension contributions benefit from tax relief which can supercharge your returns. Basic rate tax relief for instance, adds 20% to the value of your pot, and for higher rate taxpayers there is an even larger boost. If you have access to a workplace pension, your employer will pay in too, making it a really cost-effective method to save for retirement. This should be maximised to the greatest extent possible before investing elsewhere.

Some investors use this strategy to help pay off their mortgage, but you need to bear in mind that money in a pension can’t be accessed until a minimum age is reached. That’s 55 at present for personal pension schemes, but it is set to rise. Bear in mind too that pension rules, and tax relief, can change in the future. The longer you have to invest the more beneficial the investing route might be, especially when it comes to pensions.

To Overpay Mortgage or Invest? It’s Not Just about the Maths…

The answer to this quandary doesn’t necessarily lie in a spreadsheet. Although investing may generate higher returns than a loan’s interest cost, markets also come with the risk of losses. That uncertainty is a factor in itself. The peace of mind of lowering mortgage expenses and not having to worry about the performance of financial markets may outweigh the potential advantages of investing. It comes down to priorities and, quite possibly, how different routes make you feel. Although many people would consider it an inferior route from a mathematical perspective, prioritising a smaller mortgage over investing can make your financial position more resilient. It may give you greater control and more options, and it could reduce anxiety about an uncertain future. Plus when you overpay your mortgage the debt will shrink and you will have more disposable income, which could fund contributions into pensions or other investments.

However, if you are happy taking risks, compounding investment returns over long periods and investing as much extra money as possible can be a hugely powerful force - provided your investment strategy is sound, and you have a long enough runway ahead to deal with the inevitable volatility markets throw at you.

In summary, if your broader finances are in good shape - essentially that you don’t have lots of high interest debts to pay off and you have built up a fund for emergencies of around six months’ expenditureboth strategies can work well.

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.

Looking for a Venue?

St Luke’s, Moulsham Lodge could be just right. Great facilities for children’s parties, family occasions, fundraising events and concerts.

Ideally situated on Gloucester Avenue opposite the shops, with plenty of available parking, ramp access and a disabled toilet, plus a wellfitted kitchen and three separate spaces to accommodate small or large groups, including seated events which can accommodate up to 100 people.

Regular bookings also accepted, so if you are looking to start up a new venture (an exercise class, a craft group, etc) St Luke’s might just be the perfect place for you to begin.

For more information, have a look at our website: www.stlukemoulsham.co.uk/hall-hire.

For availability and bookings, please call 01245 251 589.

Where the Mind Leads, the Body Follows - By Ola Adamolekun

10th of October 2022 was Mental Health Day in the UK. This is relevant to me on three fronts - first as a Health and Wellbeing Coach, mental health is central to our wellbeing, as a PT, mental health is central to our physical health and as a Mental Health First Aider - mental health is key.

In some ways, we are blessed because we live in a society where mental health is now being discussed openly. There used to be a huge stigma around mental health, and it wasn’t discussed openly. I don’t mean we’ve reached the eutopia of mental health, there is still a lot of work to do but we’ve made a start.

As a Health and Wellbeing coach, a lot of my patients come to me with physical problems, however, a lot of them have underlying mental health issues as well. One of the things I do as a coach is to try and get to the cause of their problems and not just treat the symptoms.

At the Primary Care Network I work for, we have a mental health nurse and a mental health coach.

I am able to refer patients to them and we work together to get to the root of their problems.

My work is based around ‘the four pillars’ of health (I didn’t coin this term but it’s something I base my work on)nutrition, movement, sleep and stress.

All four of these can contribute to our lack of good mental health. Depression and anxiety which seem to go hand in hand are on the rise, changes to our lifestyle can have a positive effect on both of these conditions.

So how do the 4 pillars affect our mental health? I’m going to focus on my 2 favourites - food and movement.

1. According to dietdoctor.com, ‘In 2017, a small controlled

clinical trial found that people diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder who switched from a very poor quality modern diet to a Mediterranean-style diet experienced, on average, more relief from depression symptoms than those who made no dietary changes.’ Here is the link to the trial (www.nlm.nih. gov). The research is still in its infancy, but there are now more links between what we eat and how we feel. You can listen to a really interesting podcast from Zoe Science and Nutrition (from 11/08/2022) called How Food Can Improve Your Mood. Here is the link: youtu.be/ebzv-rQZzPE.

2. Movement. This is another area which can be really beneficial to our mental wellbeing. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and raises levels of the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine. Higher serotonin levels make us feel good. Dopamine helps create a sense of motivation. My colleagues and I are able to make gym referrals to our mental health patients. We are getting a lot of positive feedback on how exercise is helping them to deal with both anxiety and depression.

I know the NHS is under pressure, but there is help. If you’re concerned about your mental health, here are a few websites to start with:

Every Mind Matters (NHS): www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters

Mental Health UK: mentalhealth-uk.org

Mind: www.mind.org.uk

Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk

Men’s Health Forum: www.menshealthforum.org.uk

www.beencouragedwellness.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeEncouragedBeStrong

The Singing Chef

Steamed Jamaican Fish by Dane

This is the second time I have met Dane, both times he has been a true gentleman with knowledge of the sea and a love of his area, Buscabel, near Ocho Rios in Jamaica. Which by the way is one of the most beautiful parts of the world I have ever, ever been too! Dane has a 6 year old daughter. He taught himself how to cook here in Jamaica.

I am very lucky to have Jamaican friends with a house in Jamaica and I get to see a side of the island usually missed by tourists. Up here in the hills it’s absolutely stunning. I’ve been hiking this morning and have been shown all the different fruit trees by the most amazing and knowledgeable 12 year old, Jay. I am truly blessed to have these incredible people in my life. I’ll be sending them a copy of this month’s Moulsham Times

Ingredients

In the order listed, add to a pan of 1.5 cups water. Garlic powder.

Coconut milk.

Ocra.

Onion.

Potato.

Spring onion.

Green pepper. Carrot.

Scotch bonnet (or chilli of your choice).

Fish of your choice.

We had jack fish, skin fish and bulafish freshly caught by a friend of Danes!

Method

Cover and leave for 20 minutes - by the way, a Jamaican 20 minutes is not the same as an English 20 minutes (Dane did not mind me saying that)! Therefore cover and leave until you feel the fish is cooked.

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

Christmas is coming! Our talented community have been busy since July with needles, pins and fabric to create Christmas items made with love. Hence on Saturday 12th November at 11am until 2pm we are holding a Made With Love Christmas Fayre. There will be Christmas wreaths for your front door (a few pictured), handmade knitted items, macrame, jewellery, cards, candle, bags and lots of other gifts.

All proceeds will go to our New Door Fund - Santa will just have to use the old door until we can replace it! The line on our fundraising thermometer is rising slowly, but this event should hopefully see it raise a bit nearer to the top.

The Copper Pot Café will open from 9am to 3pm and you will be able to sample mince pies and sausage rolls which will be available to order for your Christmas events or family get togethers.

On Sunday 4th December at Moulsham Infant School, our choir New City Voices will be performing their Christmas concert with lots of Christmas songs to enjoy and get in the mood. The concert is at 3pm so that children can come along as well if they want to, and tickets will be half price for them. Tickets will be available from our website, or you could pop into The Copper Pot Café to buy tickets.

Maybe the new year will see us getting a new front door for easy access for everyone with wheels or four legs, as we are dog friendly as well!

www.mlct.org.uk

enquiries@mlct.org.uk 07434 678 999

An Update From Moulsham Lodge Ward - By Councillor Rob Gisby

This month, I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Mayor, Cllr John Galley. John was a dedicated public servant and bought his professionalism, exceptional knowledge, attention to detail and good humour the many roles he held, including most recently that of Mayor of Chelmsford. I personally owe John a great debt of thanks, as I grew up in Boreham where he was a parish councillor for many years and a great community figure. John was greatly supportive to me personally for which I am grateful. There have been tributes from across all political parties for this warm, public-spirited man. He will be greatly missed.

At the time of writing it’s still mid-October, but my children are already looking forward to Halloween. They plan to dress up and to decorate the pull along trolley we’ll take out on the night; as previous experience says they will run out of puff at the furthest point from home, so they can then hop in and enjoy the atmosphere. I’ll confess I’ve been reluctant to get into Halloween but the last couple years, seeing so many people out in the evening, looking at some pretty impressive displays around the area, meeting and talking to people and of course collecting sweets (the children not me!) it’s become a really nice event and far from the worst fears of trick or treat. This year also sees the return again of Ravenskull Manor in Lime Walk - a fantastic display raising money for Farleigh Hospice, which I am very much looking forward to seeing. If you took part in Halloween in the community this year in whatever way, I hope you had a safe and entertaining night.

Another highlight of autumn is Fireworks Night, which again is a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy a great British tradition. Whether you are attending one of the various local organised displays or doing something smaller at home, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable event and of course, that we all do so

with consideration for our neighbours. Families with pets and young families as well as many others can be particularly sensitive to the noise and many people approach fireworks night with a sense of trepidation.

I continue to work with the residents of Chislett Row to support them to influence the council to achieve a play scheme that meets the needs of all, particularly around antisocial behaviour. There remain some concerns, and I organised for Liberal Democrat cabinet member Rose Moore to meet with the residents a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, Cllr Moore was unable to address all of the issues as the play equipment has already been ordered, but I was pleased to see that our pushing for inclusive play equipment has been successful with a range of equipment ordered which meets more diverse needs.

I remain disappointed that the council was not more ready to consult at an early stage but grateful for the support of the police and community safety at CCC for their participation and support of residents. I remain committed to championing issues such as this.

On a completely separate note, I have been asked to share details of a free one-day self defence class for women and girls organised by Chelmsford City Council. This takes place on November 12th at the Chelmsford Sport & Athletic Centre. Details and the registration link are available on my Facebook page - search ‘@Cllr Rob Gisby’.

As always, 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

Tile Kiln Corner - By Cllr Linda Mascot

In last month’s edition, I featured a photo of Cllr John Galley, Mayor of Chelmsford, opening the newly formed Mildmay Primary School. Very sadly, Cllr Galley passed away in October after a short illness and I’d like to pay tribute to a wonderful man and public servant who represented the residents of Boreham both as a city councillor, parish councillor and school governor for many years. Cllr Galley always had a kind word for others and a very special sense of humour. My heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends at such a difficult time.

Local Childcare in the Heart of Tile Kiln

Our community’s very own preschool is conveniently located at Tile Kiln Church, opposite the Clay Pigeon pub, next to the shops and Mildmay Primary School. The pre-school stayed open throughout covid, catering for vulnerable children and those of key workers. Now they are open for little people who need care during school hours, and have limited spaces available. Admin Leader, Liz Parker told me: “We provide high quality early years care and education at an affordable price for children aged between 2 and statutory school age. Our high ratio of staff to children ensures that each child receives the care and attention that they need.

“Our latest Ofsted inspection declared that we are a ‘Good’ preschool. They said that children settle quickly in the pre-school and respond well to routines and expectations. They enjoy lots of challenging and stimulating activities that allow them to think and work through the process to achieve a result while learning and playing together.”

You can read the report on their website at www. fledgelingspreschool.co.uk, where you will also find recommendations from parents, the prospectus and other relevant information, such as funding.

If you are interested in booking a visit with a view to obtaining a place

The Leaves are Dying

This week I’ve had flu. My wife has had flu. My kids have had milder versions of flu. We’ve not had a fun week!

It comes at a time when the year is in it’s last throes. The darkness crawls in, the leaves on the trees burst in colour then drop and die, the wind has picked up, the temperature dropped.

We very rarely stop to notice this. We’re too busy, frenetic, frenzied. Almost as if to be busy is to give some justification to our existence. Being ill this week has meant that I’ve noticed a tree across the road from our home, which this week has grown increasingly colourfulreds, yellows, oranges, browns. It’s been fascinating - a different tone each day. Soon, of course, the leaves will drop and that will be that until the spring.

This has made me think about time. Time continues regardless of whether I’m ill or healthy. Time continues whether I want it to or not. My experience of time will continue until I die. Considering my own

for your child for spring term 2023, or at a later date, please get in touch either by emailing: fledgelings@fledgelingspreschool.co.uk, through the website, www.fledgelingspreschool.co.uk, or by phone on 01245 269 691. You can be assured of a very warm welcome - ask other parents!

Please get in touch if you’d like help or information on local issues by emailing mascotlinda@gmail.com.

Come and join us on Sunday 4th December, from 2pm-4pm for an ADVENTure - Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas, a time to prepare for the celebrations of the birth of Jesus!

Being part of our ADVENTure, there will be lots of Christmas craft activities for everyone, young and old, whether you think you’ve got craft skills or not - and you’ll be able to take your creations home with you.

There will be tasty festive refreshments to keep you energised and fun activities like a festive bran tub and raffle. We will also have quieter spaces if you would like to chat with others in a warm environment.

Our ADVENTure will be followed by our carol service at 4.30pm, a great opportunity to sing your favourite carols supported by our music group.

Put the date in your diary now and keep an eye out for posters and more information on social media - we look forward to welcoming you.

St Luke’s Church, Gloucester Avenue, Moulsham Lodge, CM2 9DT www.stlukemoulshamlodge.co.uk Facebook: @stlukesmoulshamlodge

death brings priorities, values, purpose, into sharp relief. How am I living? What’s the point of life? What’s going to happen when I’m gone? Previous generations and different cultures have lived with these questions much better than we do. And we do well to learn to think about our own death more often. It is the only guaranteed event in your whole life.

The Bible tells us that to remember that we die is to grow in wisdom: ‘Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom’.

Christians know that death isn’t the end. But the blunt reality of death teaches us wisdom in life. Have you considered your death? Have you thought through what’s going to happen then? Jesus Christ holds out hope to all who will one day die (that’s all of us) - have you considered his claims? It’s be wise to make sure you do.

Tim Goodall

Pastor, Tile Kiln Church

tim.goodall@tilekilnchurch.org.uk YouTube: tinyurl.com/y24qlkvx Facebook: www.facebook.com/tilekilnchurch www.tilekilnchurch.org.uk

Quiz Time - By John Theedom

What is the total value of the balls in snooker apart from reds?

Where in Essex is One Tree Hill?

Which local city is famous for its military connections?

Where is the birthplace of the Thermos vacuum flask?

Years ago, Essex claimed to have the only racecourse with a church in the middle, where was that?

What type of creature is a devil’s coach-horse?

What is a buff Orpington?

What does the term locum tenens mean?

From which language does the word yoghurt originate?

Who or what is a panhandler?

Who is Batman’s enemy who wears a bowler hat?

Who was Peter Pan’s friend?

In government circles, what is the OBR?

Which football club has the nickname Magpies?

Which UK city is home to SS Great Britain?

Francis Rossi is a member of which UK rock group?

Brad Pitt and Miss Jolie are having troubles, what is her first name?

What is Megham Markle’s royal title?

Who sang All About That Bass?

Who is the artist famous for the matchstick men in his work?

What is the name of Jeremy Corbyn’s son?

What is the meaning of the word, wintle?

How much will you have to pay for the new £5 nickel crown coin of Charles III?

What affliction is Jeremy Paxman now suffering with?

What do the initials HSBC stand for?

When measuring a horse, what units are used?

Which group is fronted by Marcus Mumford?

What was Ed Sheeran’s first number 1 UK hit single?

Who is the female star in the TV programme Money for Nothing?

Which comedian has just unveiled a portrait of Liz Truss with a sweary message?

Which actor has joined the cast of Eastenders as Freddie Slater?

What is esperanto?

Which BBC quiz show recently celebrated it’s 50th anniversary?

Eric Bristow is a former world champion in which sport?

Which town is Rishi Sunak’s constituency?

David Beckham has just struck a deal with the Qatari government for how much?

What are the 3 rivers that run through Chelmsford?

Whose birthplace might you be visiting at Stratford-on-Avon?

Who said, ‘You can’t get spoiled if you do your own ironing’?

The Isle of Tiree is part of which country?

(Answers on page 31)

Help Clara Get to Ukraine

Many people have been shocked by the ongoing events in Ukraine but also inspired by the resistance and resilience of the Ukrainians.

Four friends from Chelmsford have decided to do a bit more than just wear a badge to show their support. Tim, Jon, Mike and James are raising funds to buy a fully operational ambulance stocked with medical supplies and drive it 1,000 miles from Chelmsford to Wroclaw in Poland.

back.”

The team have already paid the deposit on their bus, Clara, which is named for one of their first main supporters.

People can make donations via their JustGiving page. The team are also planning other fundraising events such as a quiz night, and they would be grateful for any donations for raffle prizes.

Tim, who pulled the group together, said: “We’ll be met by people from the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Force who’ll then drive it across the border and donate it to Uman City Hospital, Central Ukraine. Once there it will be put straight into use, getting civilian and military casualties to the hospital.

“We know this will work - it’s been done several times before. There’s a real shortage of ambulances in Ukraine, many have been damaged or destroyed in the conflict. And sadly the need for medical supplies is ever increasing. That’s why we are aiming to raise the funds and deliver the ambulance as soon as possible, ideally before Christmas.

“Our target is to raise £10,000. The money will buy the ambulance, supplies and the costs of driving it there - fuel, insurance etc - but we’ll be paying our own expenses such as accommodation and flights

Paul Kerensa at Christ Church with First Broadcast

Back in 1898, Marconi chose a building at the end of Hall Street in the heart of Moulsham, to set up the world’s first wireless factory. The signs are still there to see today. 100 years ago in 1922 British broadcasting began in Writtle, and six months later the BBC was created.

Comedian Paul Kerensa is returning to Chelmsford to present The First Broadcast - part one-man play, part stand-up history, which eavesdrops on the conversations between Arthur Burrows and Peter Eckersley at The Marconi Company. These two eggheads had very different points of view of how wireless could change life on earth, today. Imagine... were these only fools the weakest link? Should they remain strictly pointless ghosts? Or shall we meet the comic relief and doctor who changed this country, all in the line of duty?

Please scan the QR code for the appeal on their JustGiving page. Do

Come along to Christ Church URC, 164 New London Road, at 7.30pm on Friday 11th November and find out as Paul Kerensa entertains and informs us (and perhaps educates too). Tickets cost £10 and are available through the Christ Church website at christchurchchelmsford.co.uk, or by phoning 01245 354 529 (choose option 2).

Tim, John, Mike and James with Clara

Quiz and Wordsearch Answers

Office of Budget Responsibility

Newcastle United FC

Bristol

Status Quo

Angelina

Duchess of Sussex

Meghan Trainor

LS Lowry Ben

To tumble or to capsize

£82,950

Parkinson’s disease

Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking

Corporation

Hands = 4”

Mumford & Sons

Sing

Sarah Moore

Joe Lycett

Bobby Brazier

An invented language

Mastermind

Darts

Richmond (North Yorkshire)

£150,000,000

Chelmer, Cam and Wid

Shakespeare

Meryl Streep

Scotland