Moulsham Times October 2017

MoulshamTimes

Covering: Old Moulsham, Moulsham Lodge, Tile Kiln and surrounding area

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Limehouse Lizzy at Chelmsford City FC 14th October

Issue Number 57 - October 2017

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MT Welcome

Please call Michael on:

07976 693457

Hi readers, Welcome to the October edition.

or email Info@m-specservices.co.uk

The clocks change at the end of this month, though it doesn’t seem like 6 months ago that they changed for the lighter evenings!

If you are looking to advertise anything to do with Christmas, the next edition would be ideal!

Enjoy your month!

Regards Paul & Nick

Electrical Installation & Maintenance M-Spec Services based in Chelmsford cater for all your electrical requirements, no job is too big or too small. You are always guaranteed a professional service at competitive rates.

Deadlines for the November edition Articles - 13th October Print ready art work - 20th October

• Smoke Alarm Installation • Fault Finding • CCTV & Fire Alarms • Fuseboard Upgrades • Access Control & Intercom Systems • Rewires • Test & Inspect Certification

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Disclaimer: It’s Your Media 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 Media Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of It’s Your Media Ltd. Reg Co No. 09154871. Printed by Printwize.

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MT Therapy By Chelmsford Therapy Rooms - This Month Heidi Livermore Hi, readers. I’m Heidi Livermore of New City Counselling. I live and work in Chelmsford and have seen lots of changes in our city since first living here in 1980.

own perspectives.

Jenny Hartill has been writing her therapy page to inform and enlighten you about her work, and now she has giving the other therapists who work from Chelmsford Therapy Rooms the opportunity to do the same, but from our

So, first I’ll describe the kind of counselling that I do and then explain how it can benefit you.

There are many different varieties - or modalities - of counselling.

The modality I primarily work in is called person-centred counselling.

This would seem fairly obvious, as there is a limited market for cat-or furniture-centred counselling! In the world of counselling however, ‘person-centred’ is pretty specific.

You may have heard of Carl Rogers (if you google him, you’ll find loads of information about him and how he worked). He is generally thought to be the founder of person-centred therapy. Through his work with children and adults, he came to a few conclusions about what helps people to thrive, how we can lose our direction, and how therapy can help us get it back again.

Carl Rogers felt that we automatically know what’s best for us and what makes us happy in ourselves right from the start. When we’re babies, this likely amounts to feeling well fed, warm and comfortable.

But as we get older if we wake up the house at 2, 3 and 4am every night for a snack, a chat and a cuddle, then whoever’s on the night shift looking after us may well become a bit irritable and let us know about it.

Though we need those irritable night shift people, don’t we? We want their approval and love. So perhaps what we really want gets set aside and we learn to have a favourite teddy bear or blanket to keep us company instead of our sleepy (and grumpy!) night shift.

In counsellor-speak it’s known as ‘moving from an internal to an external locus of evaluation’. In regular-speak its known as ‘I will do my best to make you happy even if it makes me unhappy’. We do it every day, sometimes we do it a lot (if you disagree, have a think; we’ll look at it again in a minute!). So, as we grow up, very often the emphasis shifts from pleasing ourselves to pleasing others.

Rogers thought that how we feel about ourselves (our self-worth) develops during our childhood by the ways in which we interact with our parents or carers.

As we become adults, we can often lose sight of what we need to be happy. One of the ways we sabotage ourselves, which you might recognise, is our delightful habit of putting other people first. Not only because we’re kind and lovely people, but we also want to be liked by pretty much everyone and pretty much all the time.

Let’s look at our relationships with family, friends and colleagues: How often do we find ourselves doing things for people that we’d really rather not do? Maybe those things are an inconvenience to you, maybe you feel like you can’t be bothered as you’d rather have a Netflix and cake session, whatever. We all do it, we all get cross about it and we all carry on doing it as if it is a dodgy badge of courage or it gets us a lot of gold stars in some imaginary Good People Book.

The people we are putting ourselves out for likely have no idea that

we’re making such an effort, so perhaps they don’t appreciate us as much as we would expect. We get resentful, and they have no idea what’s wrong with us. By now, we would feel quite silly saying something like ‘I wish I hadn’t traded the chance to go to my child’s sports day to stay behind at work to do something or other that didn’t really matter in the first place and which nobody can remember now!’. So we seethe in silence and take on the brave and pointless attitude of a martyr. So attractive. Not; and it makes us feel great.

Well, no.

If you think about it, perhaps you might recall a time when somebody has been a bit off with you, and you can’t fathom why…

Of course, we would have total anarchy if we spent every second of every day putting ourselves first, but sometimes we need to get that balance back. We need to value ourselves before we can expect anyone else to do the same.

Rogers felt that one of the ways to achieve successful therapy was if the relationship between counsellor and client included what he called the ‘core conditions’. These conditions are, in counsellorspeak, empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard.

In regular-speak, these conditions amount to me being able to understand what you’re going through as if I was looking through your eyes, both of us being genuine and honest in our sessions, mutual respect and integrity and not being judgmental.

In counselling, these core conditions can be really valuable to clients.

Counselling is all about you and what’s going on in your life. If it’s important to you, then it’s important to me. Nothing is too big, too small, or too anything to bring in to our sessions. You can bring along every feeling you’ve got - past or present - and feel free to express that real bit of you that maybe doesn’t get out to play very much. We can look at those bits that aren’t working too well in your world and think about how you’d like them to work.

Some people just need a little bit of a spring cleaning session to sort their thoughts and feelings out. They come in for a couple of sessions and then they’re ready to jump back into their lives, complete with a few new insights or strategies to use. Other people prefer to go more in depth; to look at how their patterns in relationships, lifestyles and careers started out and understand how those patterns keep repeating themselves and how to recognise them. It’s up to you. You can have a few sessions, try out what you’ve been thinking of in the real world and see how it works for you. You can pop back every now and then for a top-up session if you like. No pressure.

If this sounds like something you’d like to explore, please get in touch on 07933 242 000, or by email at heidi@newcitycounselling.co.uk - I look forward to hearing from you.

Life T M Hack

When cleaning windows, squeegee one side vertically and one side horizontily, you will then find it easier to see which side is streaky!

Vicky Ford the MP for Chelmsford It’s been a busy few weeks back at Parliament with more than a few late nights.

want the insurance ‘rule book’, which covers all insurers in Europe, to continue to apply in the UK immediately after Brexit. The Withdrawal Bill is intended to cover exactly this type of situation.

This week the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill was the subject of heated debate in Westminster and much media speculation.

There is a huge amount of devil in the detail, and in some areas the laws can’t just be cut and pasted across as so many changes are needed. The bill gives Government ministers powers to make technical changes. However I believe that where changes are significant, these need to be discussed openly - especially with those who may be affected; this is important for many jobs nationally and locally. The bill is still in draft form and will need some amendments in its next ‘committee’ stage. I will be working on these in the weeks ahead.

The bill is not another vote on whether we remain in or leave the EU, it is about converting the many important laws currently made at European level into British laws on issues like consumer rights, online payments and product safety. As well as more complex matters like copyright, counterfeit medicines and even cyber security.

We need to make sure these laws still exist in order to avoid massive uncertainty for businesses and consumers.

I recently met some of the insurance companies based in Chelmsford. The UK is home to the world’s largest insurance market and local employers estimate that around 2,000 jobs in Chelmsford are in this sector. It is important for them to be able to continue trading with other insurers and customers across all of Europe. They

This will mean more late nights, but after a summer of delays on the trains (which I am fighting to get improved) I was pleased to find that the 22:38 from Stratford managed to get me back in Chelmsford on Tuesday for just past 11pm!

Please do email me on vicky.ford.mp@parliament.uk with your thoughts.

From County Hall - by Cllr Dick Madden

Summer is coming to an end, but through the summer assorted roads and footpaths have improved in our area.

This summer alone ECC Highways crews have resurfaced more than 3 million square metres of road across Essex; the equivalent of more than three times round the M25 or the entire area of the city of London.

Engineers have now completed this year’s programme of surface dressing, which can only be done during the warmer months as works can be adversely affected by rain and cold weather.

We now have to wait through the winter until the warm weather returns before more work is carried out on our roads and footpaths.

Some good news regarding Oaklands Museum: The museum has secured £1.44million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help redevelop its historic wing in Oaklands Park. The museum will be exhibiting their plans for the new wing with a fresh exhibition, Chelmsford Museum Is Changing, at the museum from 16th September - 22nd October for members of the public to view free of charge. Please attend if you can.

The Victorian House historic part of the museum will close in early January 2018 to allow the old displays to be removed and the development work to commence. For those of you who fondly remember childhood visits to this part of the museum, this will be the last opportunity to revisit the museum as it is - you may want to take your children, and I will take my grandchildren to have a final look.

For your information the museum’s modern wing, housing its collection of Marconi, Hoffman and other artefacts and interactive displays from the city’s industrial heritage, plus the Essex Regiment Museum, will remain open during the renovations.

This month, Chelmsford City Council introduces a new approach to dealing with antisocial behaviour and nuisance begging in the city centre by introducing Community Protection Warnings to try to stop unduly threatening or intimidating behaviour, while also encouraging those who are begging in order to fund addictions to sign up for rehab.

As I have indicated in previous months, begging and soliciting money

in a threatening or intimidating way has become a major problem in Chelmsford city centre. This summer, the council has continued to receive an unusually high number of complaints about antisocial behaviour, including people approaching lone pedestrians at night and asking for money, using abusive language and sitting beneath cash machines.

In August, the council supported local charity CHESS Homeless’ Spare Change or Real Change? campaign, which asked passers by to volunteer or donate to homelessness charities rather than giving money. Many people who beg do so to fund an addiction. Money from begging is spent on fuelling the addiction, a vicious cycle which then leads them to beg more and in some cases, behave aggressively.

Even after being housed, some people continue to beg to support drug or alcohol habits.

To disrupt this cycle, the council will issue Community Protection Warnings to individuals, which may lead to prosecution if antisocial behaviour continues. When someone known to have an addiction is given one of the notices, they will be given the option to avoid further action by signing up to a rehab programme. People begging in Chelmsford have already received verbal warning of the new approach.

These notices will allow the council and other agencies to respond to each case individually by assessing whether the person’s behaviour is unacceptable. We can then consider their particular circumstances in how the notice is worded, rather than relying on blanket legislation like Public Space Protection Orders. Where people need support, we can use the notice to encourage them to use the help available.

The notices are not targeted against homelessness - our duty and wish is to help people in difficult circumstances. Most people who become homeless do not beg, and we also know that some people begging aggressively in Chelmsford are not genuinely homeless. We are enforcing against the antisocial behaviour which a number of people - both homeless and non-homeless - are currently engaging in around the city centre.

Let us see what progress is made over the next few months.

Be safe.

Dick

6 www.moulshamtimes.com

The Moulsham Tap by Jim Hollas and Ben Norton A new craft beer and artisan gin bar will shortly be opening on Moulsham Street situated next door to Tesco Express. Business partners Jim Hollas and Ben Norton have been planning the venture for the last six months; they are both passionate about craft beers and gins and Ben is a part owner of the recently established Leigh on Sea Brewery. The former shop is currently in the process of being refurbished and we are hoping to open at the beginning of October.

We aim to provide an extensive range of craft beers sourced from throughout the country, and indeed from as far afield as Belgium, the USA and New Zealand. However we will also be supporting local breweries and in particular the Brentwood Brewery, Mighty Oak Brewery (Maldon) and the Leigh on Sea Brewery. Whilst all of our beers will be sourced from traditional non-corporate micro-breweries, we will be utilising the latest technology to store/serve the beer utilising the key keg system. This will mean all our beers will be served slightly chilled and will have a head (no warm flat beer in this bar!). There will be a minimum of 12 craft beers on at any one time with an additional six craft ciders. We will also be looking to stock an extensive range of bottled and canned craft beers and ciders which will be available to drink in the bar or to takeaway. If you are not sure about which craft beer to choose from, we will be offering beer flights which will enable you to choose three different craft beers at any one time in a third of a pint glasses.

The other side of the business will be focusing on artisan gins. We will be stocking a bespoke range of specialist gins predominantly produced by micro distilleries from around the UK. Whilst we do not aim to have the largest selection in the area, we can promise that the gins that we stock will be fairly unique, and our staff will be trained to ensure that the gins are paired with the most suitable tonic and garnish so that you can enjoy the ultimate G & T or gin cocktail.

Essex Industrial Heritage fair

The second Essex Industrial Heritage fair at the Wat Tyler Country Park on 7th October is being held to recognise and raise the profile of the rich industrial landscape of the county.

Whilst we will not be providing hot food, there will be a select cold food menu to include locally sourced pork pies and scotch eggs, as well as an extensive range of cheeses and cold meats.

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In recent years, large numbers of traditional factories and industrial sites have closed and familiar structures and buildings demolished or converted for new uses. However, this has been matched by a growing recognition of the need to respect this industrial heritage. It has resulted in efforts to retain important buildings, including (where possible) their contents for future generations to appreciate, along with the recording of structures and preservation of documents relating to the industries.

Wat Tyler Country Park is the site of the former Noble Explosives Factory, and surviving features can be seen on a park trail along with other historic buildings that have been moved to the site. In the main visitor centre on the day, representatives of Essex groups, museums and sites involved with industrial heritage activities will provide displays and be available to talk to visitors. The interests are wide ranging, embracing traditional industries like milling, malt, brickmaking and shoe making; infra-structure projects such as railways and water supply, and the more recent engineering and electronics industries to be found in Chelmsford.

Chelmsford Civic Society and Friends of Oaklands Museum will be representing our city at the fair, highlighting Chelmsford’s rich industrial heritage - Marconi, Hoffmans, Cromptons and Clarksons.

Representatives from Marconi Heritage and Veterns, Mike Plant, Stephen Norris (author of A Borough to a City) and David Buckley (of Friends of Chelmsford Museum) will be in attendance to engage with visitors.

Entry to the fair and on-site parking is free. There is also a large café offering a wide range of refreshments and amenities for a great family day out. So why not come along between 10am and 4pm for an interesting and enjoyable day? www.moulshamtimes.com

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MT Fitness The Best Core Exercise That the Fashionistas Don’t Even Know They’re Doing!

When I was a young lad it was all the rage to carry a record bag over your shoulder and bowl around like a famous DJ. The fact that most of us had never even held a vinyl record in our lives, let alone owned enough records to even half fill such a bag was irrelevant. Record bags were the thing, so we went with it.

More recently, the trend in bags has turned to holdalls or barrel bags (you know, those largish bags that you hold down by your side, not over your shoulder). These bags have done wonders for developing the core strength of many of the fashionistas that carry them because of a phenomenon known as contralateral loading.

Contralateral loading describes the process by which holding a weight on one side of the body causes the muscles on the opposite side of the body to work harder. For example, holding a heavy bag in your right hand will cause the muscles on the left side of your core (particularly the lateral core) to contract to keep your body steady.

Great, but why is this useful?

Professor Stuart McGill one of leading experts on back pain firmly believes that dedicated core training is essential for improving/ maintaining spine health, and while most people find it relatively easy to exercise the muscles of the anterior and posterior core by performing plank and bridge variations respectively, many find it difficult to exercise the muscles on the lateral side of the core.

A common way of doing this is by performing the side plank. But the

trouble with this is that many people (especially beginners) find it difficult to muster the strength to even adopt the position in the first place. Then, of those that can, many find it puts too much stress on their shoulder rather than working the lateral side of the core as it is supposed to. Therefore, using the using the contralateral loading method to exercise the lateral core is a very viable alternative.

How to do it…

Grab a heavyish weight or object in your right hand and walk forwards for roughly 30-45 seconds. Whilst walking, don’t allow the weight to pull you down to your right by focusing on keeping your nose over the line of your belly button. Rest, and repeat with the weight in your left hand. As you get stronger, begin walking for 5 seconds longer each time.

Many thanks for reading.

Matt For more balanced exercise and nutrition advice, or to book your free personal training session please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Also, if you enjoyed this please tell your friends, oh and follow me on social media too... matt@mlrpt.co.uk www.mlrpt.co.uk 07939 316 401 www.twitter.com/mlrpt www.facebook.com/mlrpt

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Could That Knot in Your Back Be Rib Joint Pain?

As you can imagine, something we hear all the time in an osteopathic clinic is how many ‘knots’ people say they have in their backs.

Knots can occur anywhere, but a particularly common area is in the upper back, and it will be these that I am mostly discussing today.

Before I dive in too far, what on earth is a ‘knot’ in a muscle anyway?

Well, it turns out that we don’t know! There are a few theories and when science is on the fence, I generally go with the idea that it’s a bit of all of them.

Some say it is down to changes in the nerve supply which tells the muscle to tighten locally. Others say it is a build up of calcium and other minerals. New imaging studies which show it is simply a tightening of muscle fibres and that the other two theories may be redundant.

The true mechanism of how massage works is also still under debate, but it is easy to see how it could affect all three of these things. By touching the body, massage communicates with the nervous system.

The pressure applied could flush out fluids containing the possible calcium build up, and it could warm and lengthen the muscle fibres themselves.

Whatever the mechanism, we know massage to be very helpful in the breakdown of these so-called knots, and it can lead to feelings of improved flexibility and reduced pain.

However, we commonly get patients in the clinic who come in and say something along the lines of ‘no matter how much I massage this knot in my back, it never goes away’.

Interesting; could there be something else at work here?

In the upper back, just an inch or so away from the centre of the spine, is where the ribs attach. Our top ribs are surprisingly high and sit just under the collar bone, and our lowest ribs are where you imagine your kidneys to be. We have 12 ribs each side and all of them attach to the spine. The top 10 ribs also attach to the sternum at the front, but the lowest two don’t have this attachment and they are what we call ‘floating ribs’.

The rib joints have to be mobile as it is the flare of the ribs that creates a pressure change in our lungs and causes us to draw in a breath. The ribs also have to absorb shock and trauma and protect our vital organs. With all mobile joints however, there is the possibility of injury. Commonly, the rib joints can be strained when force travels through the arm; like when a dog pulls on a lead, or with an awkward lift and twist. I’ve even treated new mothers for rib joint pain after holding their babies for long periods of time.

When a rib joint is strained, the muscles around it can tighten to protect it which feels rather knotty, and in some cases the rib joint itself can twist slightly.

This is called a ‘subluxation’ and is surprisingly common and nothing to worry about.

Subluxations are easily treated with manipulation, but the important thing is to figure out why the problem happened in the first place. For example, a twist in the spine may put too much force through one particular area, or there may be a lifestyle factor which overuses the upper back (like having to use a mouse a lot at work), or maybe a history of trauma like whiplash has caused the rib joint to sublux.

As always, once we know what the cause is, the treatment plan builds itself. We use massage to deal with the muscle, manipulation to deal with the rib and then exercise and lifestyle advice to deal with the root cause of the problem.

If you have any questions about this, or think that those knots are a bit too stubborn for your liking, get in touch at 01245 522 360, or take a look at our website at www.fortephysicalhealth.co.uk. We also put out lots of videos on our Facebook page, so you can try to help yourself with stretches and exercises and keep the niggles at bay.

Have a healthy month!

MT Gardening It’s proving to be a much cooler September compared to last year, and plants of all types are either finishing off their fruiting or dying back for winter. For me, amongst many other jobs to do this month, my main consideration is for the greenhouse and vegetable garden.

This is also a great time to take stem cuttings of salvias and penstemons.

Insert prepared terminal shoots of around 5-7.5cm in length into modular trays containing a suitable propagation compost. Pop watered-in cuttings onto a propagation mat or in a propagator with hood to maintain some humidity. If you have any thermostatically controlled propagators, then cuttings may only take 4-6 weeks with a temperature of 18-21 degrees C. Any greenhouse tomatoes should have lower leaves removed and watering reduced to force ripening... there’s still a few weeks left.

For those with vegetable areas or allotments, think about the following this month: • •

Regarding the greenhouse, I have just started to remove the old shading and am in the mood for a deep clean to raise light levels and also to declutter anything not worthy of keeping through to next year.

Benches have been cleaned and ready for some sowings of winter salads; these can be planted out later or potted up in window boxes. I’ve also cleared an area for sowing hardy annuals for flowering next year, such as honesty and love-in-the-mist.

•

• •

Cut down yellowing asparagus foliage and mulch bed with well rotted manure.

Plant new strawberry plants for fruiting next year; bare rooted types are ideal for planting now and over winter will produce well developed roots. Feed well in spring for best results using tomato or rose fertilisers.

This year has been a great year for squashes and pumpkins. For the best results raise fruit onto straw as they ripen. When ready to harvest, leave around 4cm of stem attached and bring inside to dry off before storing.

Plant garlic and hardy onion sets.

Lift late main crop potatoes and leave on the surface to dry before storing in a cool dark place in sacks.

If you want to further your knowledge and understanding of these and other gardening jobs, perhaps consider one of the following courses at Writtle University College: For RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture (1 year, day release), RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation & Development (September - February), RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance (February - June 2018) and for RHS Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture, email tom.cole@ writtle.ac.uk for information on availability of days and times.

Happy gardening.

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Music and Blues & Roots in the City by Nick Garner Welcome to the autumn, I cannot believe it’s here already; where has the year gone? An update on Chelmsford Arts and Cultural Festival 2018: I cannot say too much, but we have been having some important meetings and are gaining a lot of support. We have a few more meetings to go then we can let you know more. All I can say is, we are very excited by what is happening.

We have another good new venue that is putting on live music on the last Friday of each month - The Clay Pigeon in Tile Kiln. They also have six big screens for all the sport and also serve great food.

October is quite busy musically at the football club and the Bassment.

We start with two at the football club, with Wille and the Bandits playing on Tuesday 3rd October which is always a great show. This year they have a top Australian artist supporting - Claude Hay. Doors open at 7.30pm and it all kicks off at 8.15pm.

Saturday 14th October we have LimeHouse Lizzy (the world’s best tribute act to Thin Lizzy). They have been playing for 25 years, so longer than the original band in fact! They will of course play all the hits. The show is selling well, so don’t delay in getting your tickets.

Support is from our very own Chelmsfordian, Joe Anderton and his band - they are on the up, playing all over the UK and we all believe that Joe and his band are destined for great things.

A warm welcome back to the Bassment on Thursday 19th October for the Fran McGillivray Band, who always deliver a great show. Vicki Martin of the Delta Ladies will also be playing a solo set, so this will be a fun night.

We had a great show at the Bassment on Saturday 9th September, starting with two Chelmsford guys collectively known as Stu’s Front Room. They played a great set of original music and with some humour in their banter, they went down very well. Keep your eyes peeled to see if they are playing near you at all, as they are well worth going to see.

Next up was Malcolm Bruce, who I have seen before playing bass and keyboards. He is as exceptional as you might expect being the son of the late Jack Bruce. This was a first seeing him play guitar - and wow, again he is amazing. We were all stunned, with people saying this was one of the best gigs they have ever seen! He had Ollie Usiskin on drums, formally drummer to Sir Christopher Lee (the actor) and Marco Panzarella on bass. They played a mix of Malcolm’s original material from his new album, Salvation, mixed with some classic

Next we have a two day special at the Bassment; starting on Friday 27th October we have none other than Elles Bailey returning as part of her tour for the launch of her new album, Wildfire, which is fantastic.

Support will provided by the Jamie Williams Collective (that’s the four of us without drums). Doors open at 7.45pm and the show starts at 8.30pm.

Entry price for Elles is £10 - and for day two (with four bands from 3pm to 9pm) it is £10 in advance or £12 on the door. If you want to buy tickets for both days, we are offering a special price of £18 - so a 10% discount. Day two Halloween; we are gonna rock the Bassment with four great bands, starting with Heavy Load who are three members of Split Whiskers playing classic rock covers. Then we have the up-and-coming The Hot One Two from Cambridge - everything these guys do gets a massive response. With their original songs they sound like a classic 70s/80s rock act - a cross between AC/DC, Iron Maiden and the Rolling Stones.

Next, we have the return of Red Butler, who are sounding better than ever with the addition of Dan Spellman on second guitar - he is is also now lead vocalist as well. He does a great job and along with Alex, Charlie and Mike they rock big time.

Next we have the Dirty Strangers, best described as the Clash meets the Rolling Stones, the first time we saw them in London the late Bobby Keys (sax player with the Rolling Stones) and Brian James of the Dammed were playing with them. They are a top act and we never know if they will be on their own or if Keith Richards or Ronnie Wood or Brian James may appear with them, This will be a great start to your Halloween - doors will open at 2.15pm.

There is of course lots more happening all over Essex and if you let us know we can list it in the City Times for free as long as it is an event that is open to the public. It can be a jumble sale, live music, charity or open gardens. Let us know by emailing editorial@itsyourmedia. co.uk.

blues which his father also used to play, and some which he wrote for Cream. We will definitely be getting them back to play again.

Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective have been busy playing all over.

We finished the festival season with two in one weekend. First we played the Hastings Seafood & Wine Festival to a near capacity crowd of 600 people which was great fun. We then played on the Sunday at Paddleswick near Folkestone. The weather was kind to us as we were outside and again it was a lot of fun. We still have a lot of shows to play this year and are now finishing off our album for release in early 2018. We are also playing at the Railway Hotel in Southend on Sunday 22nd October from 7.30pm.

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As ever, please do try to come out and support the great live scene that we have in Essex, because if you do not we may lose it! For more information on all of the above and more, see the links below and pick up a copy of the City Times and go to the What’s On page to see what else in happening in your area. If you go to Facebook page ‘events’ you can preview the up and coming acts. www.bluesinthecity.co.uk www.facebook.com/bluesinthecitychelmsford Twitter: @BluesintheCity1

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MT Baking by Alison Motley

I’m sure most of us try to eat our recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, but sometimes an apple can just seem a bit boring - and we all need a sweet treat now and then. It’s easy to use both fruit and vegetables in your baking to add fibre, protein and nutrients, and their natural sweetness and moisture means you can often reduce the sugar and fat content of your bakes.

I’ve also made parsnip and pumpkin cakes, but to be honest all the grating can get a little tiresome. This pumpkin cake recipe does away with the grating as the pumpkin is roasted and then pureed. Roasting the pumpkin naturally sweetens it and the resulting cake is moist and luscious, perfect served as dessert with Greek yogurt or crème fraiche.

For a quick fix, fold frozen fruit into a cake batter. Frozen berries are usually much less expensive then fresh and you can always add just a few fresh ones to the top of the cake for decoration. Alternatively, think about bottled fruit; I love the Morello cherries you can buy in jars - they have a fantastic flavour, need no preparation apart from draining, and are much cheaper than fresh.

Happy baking!

Of course, it’s great to use fresh fruits when they are in season as they tend to taste better and are relatively inexpensive, especially stone fruits such as plums, peaches and nectarines.

If you like desserts but don’t want anything too unhealthy or rich, you can’t beat peaches, plums or pears. Drizzled with a little honey or sprinkled with brown sugar and spices, maybe a slug of sweet wine or liqueur, crushed ginger or amaretti biscuits or a knob of marzipan, baked until soft and browned and served with a dollop of fat free Greek yogurt or crème fraiche - my mouth waters just thinking about it. I often think fresh figs can be a little tasteless, but drizzled with honey and baked they take on a whole new flavour and texture.

Roasted Pumpkin Cake 1 small pumpkin, about 1kg in weight 150ml plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 150g mixed dried fruit/sultanas/currants/raisins Juice and zest of 1 orange 1 tablespoon liqueur (eg Brandy, Amaretto, Cointreau or similar) 3 eggs, separated 200g caster sugar 175g plain flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon ground star anise 1 teaspoon ground ginger Icing sugar, for dusting

To add crunch, consider using dried banana or coconut chips or airdried apple or pineapple, or for the ultimate fruit flavour freeze-dried fruits like strawberries and raspberries add an intense flavour and colour. However, these tend to be very expensive so maybe save them for decoration only.

1. Preheat oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6. Cut the pumpkin into chunks and remove the seeds. Toss the chunks in the 1 tablespoon of oil and roast for 45 minutes until very soft. Scrape the pumpkin flesh from the skin and mash it to a puree. Leave to cool.

2. Reduce oven temperature to 170C/Fan 150C/Gas 3. Grease a 20cm loose bottomed round cake tin and line it with baking powder.

3. Mix together the dried fruit, orange juice and zest and liqueur in a small bowl and leave to soak.

4. In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin puree, 150ml oil, egg yolks, sugar and the soaked fruit mix.

5. Sieve the flour, baking powder and spices into the pumpkin mixture and stir in.

6. In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks and then gently fold them into the pumpkin mixture.

7. Pour the batter into the cake tin and bake for 50 minutes until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

8. Leave the cake to cool in the tin, then remove and dust with icing sugar before serving.

When it comes to vegetables, carrot and courgette cakes are classics, and chocolate and beetroot is a brilliant (if messy) combination.

I would love to hear from readers with anything baking related. Drop me an email at motleybakes@aol.com.

Dried fruits, such as currants, raisins and sultanas, are often used in baking, but also consider dried apple, pineapple, mango, papaya, blueberries, strawberries, apricots, cherries or cranberries. To plump up dried fruit and to add more flavour soak them in fruit juice, alcohol or tea before using.

Dried dates, prunes and figs or fresh mashed banana are great to use to replace sugar or fat, but don’t just swap the ingredients, find a good recipe or try replacing a quarter of the fat or sugar with the fruit to start with. If you are using fresh banana or maybe a fruit puree you will also need to reduce the amount of liquid in your recipe.

Traveller’s Tales: Ireland by John Power Our first trip to Ireland together - although there had been many for both of us separately before - was with the romantic notion of taking a gypsy caravan around western Eire, but in reality it nearly killed us both. Brenda was still driving in those days, around 1994. So we set off in her station wagon, first to Hereford where my son Joe lives. We met him in a pub by Symonds Yat near Ross-on-Wye where the M50 ends and being the nearest place to our route and campsite. In the morning we carried on across South Wales to Pembroke to pick up the ferry to Rosslare in County Wexford. The crossing was shorter than anticipated, so I had to wake Brenda who had fallen asleep, to disembark the car from the hold and drive out into the Emerald Isle.

From Rosslare we went north and camped in a field further on, near Enniscorthy.

Free camping was still common in those days and we were directed to a suitable field by a local, and followed by a group of inquisitive and friendly kids.

The following day took us to Kilkenny, one of the local strongholds for the Power clan for approaching a millenium. We found it a very lively town on our arrival, as for that year it had been chosen for the annual Irish Fleadh music festival, so a carnival was in progress with the Carnival Queen and her entourage being driven among floats through the town and all the pubs rang out to the sound of pipes and bodhrans. We camped in a football-cum-hurling stadium that had been dedicated to the camper’s use. As the campsite emptied on the Sunday, condoms left around denoted that many young folk were choosing not to observe the papal teachings to be fruitful and multiply.

Once packed up in the morning we headed north through Carlow towards Dublin and camped in a village on the outskirts of the capital. In a pub nearby, we were befriended by a couple; he an English ex-pat and she a native to Ireland who worked in a bank in Dublin. They offered to take us into the centre on her way to work, then pick us up afterwards. That was an offer too good to refuse.

Before we left the pub I got a short lesson on local loyalties when I said that I preferred Murphy’s Stout to Guiness. Murphy’s is brewed in Cork and Guiness in Dublin. I was told, with a smile, “You don’t say that sort of thing around here...”

Making use of our banker friend’s offer of a lift into Dublin, we wandered around and took in the tourist sights like Grafton Street and the Penny Bridge over the River Liffey, noting many wall plaques on buildings denoting former occupation by famous Dubliners, and had lunch in the old Knights Templar’s quarter know as Temple Bar, now refurbished into a trendy restaurant area.

We were intrigued to see what ‘the Traditional Irish Cookery’ advertised would be like and how many ways of cooking Irish stew and taters there were. Brenda wanted to go to the Guiness brewery in the afternoon and our route took us past the General Post Office in O’Connell Street, and I had to explain the bullet holes and the Easter Rising against English rule of 1916. When we got to the brewery everyone was leaving early as it was Friday and we never got our tour of the buildings that Brenda had hoped for. So we went into the nearest bar and encountered further signs of Irish nationalism with the unwelcoming look from the barman at the sound of English accents. When we sat down and looked at the photos on the wall we saw a gallery of portraits of heroic old Irish republicans like Padraig Pearce, Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera. I managed to slip in my surname and snippets of Irish roots into conversation somehow and the atmosphere gradually lightened. So we ambled back to the

appointed bar our banker friend had indicated as the meeting place and chatted about our day with her before she drove us back to the campsite and village pub again for the evening.

The road heading westward out of Dublin was the N6 to Athlone and Ballinasloe and on to Galway on the west coast, where we stopped in bed and breakfast at a little cottage overlooking Galway Bay so we could see the Sun go down as the old song demands. After a quick look around Galway, we had to think of heading back inland to the farm where we were due to take the horse drawn caravan out from.

The farm where the fleet of imitation gypsy caravans, which had been built by the local blacksmith, were run by an enterprising young farmer who called the business Into the West.

Each van had the bed crosswise at the front inside behind the drivers’ seats, with a large cupboard underneath to sleep children if there were any on board. Cupboards for clothes, crockery, cuttlery, pots and pans were there for those who wished to cook for themselves on a solid fuel stove, which doubled as a heating source if the weather turned cold in the evenings. There was a fold-down table and seating for four people between the bed and the back door. Our horse was called Kelly, a name that came to Ireland with descendants who had undertaken the ancient journey of the gypsys across Europe from Rajastan in India, and who worshipped Kali, the black goddess, that they disguised as Black Madonnas across Europe to prevent religious persecution. We were given instructions on how to fit the bridal and harness to Kelly to harness him to the shafts at the front of the van. That didn’t stop the dear hefty young animal making a break for it when he realised more quickly than me that his bridal wasn’t on properly. Luckily he was caught by a farm hand, who like Kelly was probably used to gullible townies.

The route which was set out for us took us around six pre-arranged farms in a figure of eight. At the crossover point we saw an identical van moving in the opposite direction. Our route took us around the picturesque Slieve Aughty mountains, and for a while alongside Lough Derg - an inland lough created by a valley widening out the mighty Shannon River. A gale was blowing as we passed this length of road and we were suitably regaled with tales of sinking ships by locals when we stopped in a pub at Mount Shannon, while Kelly had a nosebag for lunch.

Other settlements along the route included Portumna, (appropriately) Power’s Cross, Gorteeny, Gort and Loughrea. One farm lent us bikes to cycle to a pub on one evening and we were star struck to see the Milky Way in all its glory above us - not drowned out by the usual light pollution that prevents townies seeing this visual feast. Not quite so easy was seeing the road as we’d not been given torches with the bikes.

Our penultimate night was at a swish new farm where the farmer was pleased to show us around. We had to hide that we were not so pleased to see the pig barn where sows and piglets were kept in railed pens on concrete and straw, with no opportunity for exercise.

The farmer referred to them as bacon, not living creatures. The following day we were passing through a sleepy little village when Kelly started to kick up his hind legs. When we left the original farm one of the questions that I asked was “what happens if Kelly loses a shoe?” “Aah, don’t you worry he won’t lose a shoe, and if he did we’d have a blacksmith out to you straight away...” was the reply.

The farmer proved to be wrong, as we found that Kelly’s agitation was due to trying to kick off a horseshoe that was coming loose. In kicking his hind legs up he managed to bring one down on the wrong side of a shaft, and although he was a gelding, that must have hurt badly. So he kicked again until both legs were between the shafts and took off like a race horse - despite the weight of the wagon - up over the pavement, where he could have turned the van over which would probably have killed all three of us. But mercifully, that didn’t happen and I eventually calmed him and slowed him with the reigns and hand break before dismounting to pet and further calm the poor beastie.

The crockery and cutlery and Brenda however had been thrown to and fro, and she was pretty badly shaken up. The village folk heard it all and quickly phoned Into the West farm who were as good as their word and came fairly promptly with a blacksmith.

But we walked Kelly to our last stop, and all the last leg back to the original farm the next day. When Kelly was out of harness and released to his mates in the paddock, his winnowing told of his joy at being home again, and we decided that we wouldn’t put another poor animal through such a trial again. Its possible to reflect that Kali is the killer of egotism, and her namesake, our horsey friend, nearly went further than that with us!

We motored back east the following day through Nenagh and Thurles, past the Rock of Cashal, to Cahir, Clonmel and Carrickon-Suir to that other historic home of the Power clan in Waterford, and after some looking around the home of Waterford Crystal, on to Wexford, where we found the only Indian restaurant we had seen in all of Eire, which served Tikka Masala with so much food colouring that Brenda’s plate was positively fluorescent pink.

We then parked the car with a few bottles for company on the Wexford beach and listened to the radio and watched the seascape darken until we fell asleep in the car until the morning, before the short ride to the ferry and journey through Wales and Southern England to home.

It wasn’t our last trip to Eire. Our second took us south after arrival to Cork then on to Killarney, and on to the far south west around the Ring of Kerry. We flew to Galway a second time and got around by public transport in Connemara up to Westport, finding the Irish Euro Tiger expensive.

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Moulsham Schools

Year 6 Production (Jessica, 6, ‘Sturgeon’) “What I like about the production is how many people have improved through the run-throughs and the fantastic acting skills.”

(Joshua, 6, ‘Kemp’) One of the most enjoyable and pleasing events which takes place each year at Moulsham Junior School is our Year 6 production.

Children are invited to audition for the main parts and all children take part in the performance - this can be a logistical nightmare in itself as we have 150 children to cast!

The children and staff work incredibly hard and astound me each year with their polished, professional performances. This year’s production of Oliver! was no exception, and we have lasting memories of the songs echoing through the corridors.

“Our Oliver! production is definitely the most fun thing (well one of) that we have done. It has been so much fun learning lines and songs. Once we all got our costumes on, it looked great.” (Emily, 6, ‘Kemp’)

The children clearly enjoyed themselves too:

“Our Oliver! production is one of the best productions we’ve had. It is definitely fun and a great thing to do. At least one person in every class has a main role and everyone is a part of it. There are many things to do so everyone is busy and hard working.” (Amsha, Fatima, Haniah, 6, ‘Kemp’)

“I think the production is a great way for everyone to express their talents.” (Erin, 6, ‘King’)

I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a few budding actors and actresses of the future amongst the cast!

“I like the production because the costumes are amazing and the music is really quick and fun. I also love all of the dancing involved.”

Mrs Marie Staley, Headteacher

Moulsham Infant School Growth Mindset What is mindset and why is it important? Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck from decades of research on achievement and success - a simple idea that makes all the difference. Dr Dweck realised that there are two mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.

In a fixed mindset, children believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits.

In a growth mindset, children believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Teaching a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity and increases achievement.

Growth mindset is embedded at Moulsham Infant School with these five statements: We haven’t learned it... yet.

We always keep trying.

We learn from our mistakes.

We succeed when we take small steps.

Challenges are good for our brains.

It is also enhanced by our shared school vision.

Lorraine Cannon, Headteacher

18 www.moulshamtimes.com

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www.moulshamtimes.com 19

Do You Find Yourself Complaining a Lot About… Well, Anything and Everything Really? by Mark Roberts Are you happy in your work, or do you constantly moan about your boss, colleagues, or your general working conditions? How often do you groan at the headlines in the newspapers, or find yourself shouting at the TV as the world seems to slip into even greater turmoil?

Do you pay a lot of negative attention to your local environment, noticing the decline in local services? Do you feel constantly tired, or generally weary? Do your family and close friends think you are grumpy? Do you think you are grumpy? If any, or all of the above apply to you, plus any other general negativity that you may care to add, then you may just be raging against the machine…

Ok, so ‘the machine’ represents the system and nature of the society that we all live, breathe, eat and work in. Every now and then for various reasons, we can find ourselves resisting the machine and the perceived impact that it is having on our lives and general wellbeing. In most cases this is just a passing phase and normal service resumes quite quickly. But what if it isn’t just a blip and it starts to become a more chronic condition? Well, in those cases it is worth scratching below the surface and digging a bit deeper to see what’s really going on.

If any of this means anything to you, then I urge you to start scratching - for your own sake and for those around you. With a degree of introspection, you are likely to find that you are just stuck in a rut; pedalling the same old hamster wheel. When you are stuck in this way, life can appear to stand still, the walls may feel like they are closing in, preventing personal growth.

You have almost certainly reached a plateau in your life where nothing is changing. The surrounding scenery, the backdrop to your life, has become familiar to the point of boredom and you are starting to fight back. you realise that you want more - much more! There is no need to despair, because help is at hand and I urge you to read on…

In the first instance, you need to recognise the signs. If you haven’t noticed them yourself, then hopefully a close family member or a good friend has pointed out your less than positive attitude.

Alternatively, reading this article may give you pause for thought.

Let’s take a leap of faith here and assume that you have recognised the symptoms and you want to do something about it.

they have been dealt with, but the reality is usually something quite different. In many cases the problems are just lurking below the surface waiting to raise their head when you least expect it.

Accept Acceptance is the more passive ally of rejection. With rejection at least, there is some attempt to deny and suppress your negative feelings. Acceptance on the other hand, does exactly what it implies and you simply succumb to the negativity, in the belief it is simply the way your life is meant to be - your lot, if you like. It represents total surrender and can lead to low self-esteem, feelings of disempowerment, or possibly more serious mental conditions.

Needless to say, I do not recommend this route.

Change It is never too late to make changes, whatever your stage in life.

When you know that things are not right and not serving you well, then making changes can often be the best way forward. Most people know what they don’t want, because they don’t want what they already have! The big question to ask is ‘what do you actually want to change?’ This can be a bit of a poser and is a common theme in coaching interactions. My tip is don’t over complicate it. Where possible, discuss your concerns with your partner or a close friend. As the saying goes: ‘a problem shared can be a problem halved.’ It may also invite some creative thinking.

Quite often, very little effort is required to rectify what can be essential ‘quality of life issues’. Just making small changes can be the key that opens the door to a whole new world of different, lifeenhancing activity. It could be as simple as taking walks, joining a local club, or a social group. It is the ‘doing something different’ that makes the difference. If you always do the same things, it’s a safe bet that you will always get the same results.

Go on, give it a go! Make those changes now and do something different. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

To your success…

For more about Mark Roberts, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/intelligentlifestrategies.

What next?

In my experience, there are three routes you can take, each with different consequences: Reject, accept, or change. Let’s consider each of those.

Reject Rejection is often the most common route, where you try to reject your negative feelings, hoping they will go away. It does seem to offer the least path of resistance. I am being slightly cynical because ‘the least path of resistance’ is my euphemism for inaction; it is more about being stuck in your comfort zone even though it is presently uncomfortable. It is the predictable ‘devil that you know’, leaving you in no doubt what to expect. It seems to be the safest option and you continue in the hope that things will get better.

They often do of course, in the short term at least. Therein lies the challenge; because as things improve you think 20

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Live Music Friday 27th October 9pm Rough 'n' Ready Karaoke on the last Saturday of the month

Food available ever y day We also cater for private functions 26 Robin Way, Chelmsford, CM2 8AS Call us on 01245 358971

Opening times Mon - Thurs - 1pm - 11pm - Food 1pm-8pm Fri - Sat 12pm - 1am - Food 12pm - 8pm Sun - 12pm -11pm - Food 12pm - 6pm

Wine Corner Jonny Merlot is in France this month ‘researching wines’ - or so he has told us..!

Anyway, here are some bin end chuckles while he is away as we know you love them!

A ham sandwich walks into a bar and orders a beer. Bartender says: “Sorry we don’t serve food here...”

I used to have a job at a calendar factory, but I got the sack because I took a couple of days off...

5/ 4

of people admit that they’re bad with fractions...

What has four legs, one foot and one head?

A bed!

Young Builder of the Year awards 2017 qualifications specialising in bricklaying, and have benefited from work experience that we have managed to source for them.

We wish both Harvey and Kyron the very best of luck on the 18th October and are proud to see them on the way to accomplishing their dreams of carving out a successful career and future for themselves in the construction industry.

Essex Youthbuild are proud to announce that we have two finalists in the prestigious 2017 Young Builder of the Year Awards. Harvey Baker and Kyron Dalton have been nominated in the 14-18 year old category and will attend Kyron at work at Essex Youthbuild the awards ceremony to be held at the House of Commons on 18th October. They are amongst the 21 finalists in this UK based competition.

www.essexyouthbuild.co.uk

Jane Cosh, Manager of Essex Youthbuild said: “to have one person shortlisted is a huge honour, but to have two is an amazing accomplishment. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of both the students and their instructors that they have managed to achieve such recognition.”

Harvey on completion of a work experience The Young Builder of the project Year Awards celebrate the achievements of young people who, despite having to overcome personal barriers, have succeeded in training for and/or gaining employment in the construction industry.

Harvey and Kyron are both working towards industry recognised 22

www.moulshamtimes.com

Christ Church in New London Road Can I change your mind?

I would not want to suggest that I myself could say or do anything that would make you change your mind about what you think on any particular subject.

However, the question as to how I might try and change the attitudes and thoughts of the people of Chelmsford is something that I quite often think about.

He has spent time with Palestinians, Dalits in India, people in Nicaragua and working on the Street Kids World Cup (did you even know there was one?) and when he comes to Christ Church for his concert he will, I am sure, talk about something that will challenge you and me.

There are many around us who are very caring and concerned for the community, but sometimes even those who seem to be the most caring and considerate think and believe things that I want to challenge.

If you’d like to come along but can’t afford a ticket, let me know and you can have one on me!

How can I challenge those thoughts and beliefs?

If you can’t make that night, then can I encourage you to keep an eye on the Moulsham Times. Check out the church’s website, or ask for a regular copy of our newsletter and community magazine.

To start with, may I invite you to join us at Christ Church United Reformed Church on Friday evening, 6th October, when we have the Rev Garth Hewitt in concert at the church at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at £10 and £5 for students/unemployed are available from the Church Office 01245 354 529, or via 164cm2office@gmail.com.

Garth is someone who always challenges me whenever I hear him talk and perform, because he is someone who stands up against many injustices there are around the world. www.moulshamtimes.com

Best wishes Rev Mark Meatcher, Interim Moderator at Christ Church URC Email: revd.meatcher@gmail.com.

23

Rotary Sends Disaster Aid When disaster strikes, Rotary clubs really come to the fore organising aid, shelter and other immediate needs. The world has certainly seen its share of devastation in recent weeks, both natural and man-made so it’s been a busy time organising help for those who have suffered.

Rotarians from Chelmsford clubs were out on the High Street on Friday 15th September collecting for victims of Hurricane Irma which laid bare many Caribbean islands. Thousands of people there lost their homes, their businesses, their possessions and in some cases even their lives. Here in the safety of Britain with its temperate climate we don’t experience the weather extremes, nor are we always aware of the standard of living in the Caribbean. It sounds glamorous but in reality, much of the population lives in very poor accommodation that is unable to withstand the ferocious winds.

The people living there are certainly not all wealthy tax exiles, and assistance and money is targeted to reach the people most in need.

offer would be better served in poorer areas. Nature doesn’t pick and choose whom to affect, although a better standard of housing may alleviate some of the effects of the winds. As I write this I see that Hurricane Maria is gaining momentum and may wreak further devastation in the Caribbean.

When the hurricane struck between the 30th August and 12th September, many Rotary clubs, Chelmsford included, sent a Shelterbox to the area. A Shelterbox consists of emergency items that are needed in the immediate aftermath of a disaster such as tents, water filtration units, blankets, and so on. The contents vary according to the nature of the disaster and the particular country affected. Shelterbox was originally part of Rotary but is now a standalone charity in partnership with Rotary and, in fact, I have been in contact with them over the last few months to organise a talk by them to all the local clubs.

Another humanitarian disaster aid company also in partnership with Rotary and run by Rotarians started in 1992 called Aquabox.

This is on similar lines and contains blankets and sheets in addition to cooking utensils, tools, children’s clothes and toys, because sometimes people just lose everything and it helps to normalise life again and perhaps even bring a smile to a child’s face.

It’s no good waiting for disasters to happen and then trying to react.

It just wouldn’t be fast enough, so Rotary pays for a store of such aid boxes which can then be dispatched at a moment’s notice to the countries affected. As I alluded to above, some disasters are man-made. Take the situation in Myanmar, for example. People are having to leave their countries of origin and so there are thousands of refugees desperate for the basics. Rotary is non-political but steps in when it sees a need and usually assistance is given from a club abroad to a Rotary club in the affected area so aid, whether money or tangible items including food, is guaranteed to get to the right people.

We also saw on the news recently how Hurricane Harvey had ripped through south east Texas causing untold damage. American Rotarians were prominent in their help for the victims there but in the main, clubs here took the view that whatever help they could

Of course, Rotary is not the only organisation sending aid, but it can always be relied upon to be there. The Rotary clubs of Chelmsford Phoenix, assisted by two other Chelmsford clubs, would like to thank all members of the public who donated on Friday. It ensures more funds are available for the next disaster.

If you would like to know how you can make a difference by being part of Rotary then visit www.rotary1240.org to see a range of projects currently being undertaken by local clubs - by all means, not all about fundraising. You may be inspired to come along or alternatively, give me a call on 01245 260 349.

Stan Keller

Life T M Hack

When ironing a button up shirt, turn it inside out to easily iron the buttoned area.

Spot the Difeerence (answers page 31)

Music Quiz - Answers on Page 31 1.

2.

3.

4.

Ronan Keating was a member of which boyband?

What was Take That’s first UK number one?

Who originally recorded A1’s hit Take On Me? Of which boyband was Dane Bowers a member from 1997-2000?

5. Which single gave East 17 their only UK number one?

6. Which boyband featured the three sons of The Jackson Five’s Tito?

7. Which famous producers were behind Brother Beyond’s best selling single The Harder I Try? 8. Bobby Brown, ex-husband of the late Whitney Houston, was a founding member of which boyband?

9. Which cover of a George Michael hit gave Robbie Williams his first solo success after leaving Take That?

10. Who featured alongside Maroon Five on their US number one Moves Like Jagger?

11. Which song by JLS was the 2010 Children in Need charity single?

12. From which musical does the song Love Changes Everything originate?

13. Originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964, which group took Tainted Love to the top of the charts in 1981?

14. Who wrote the music for the opera The Love for Three Oranges?

15. Which song gave both Tab Hunter and Donny Osmond UK number one hits?

16. Which blues artist features on the U2 hit When Love Comes to Town?

17. Which song title gave hits to Huey Lewis, Jennifer Rush and Frankie Goes to Hollywood?

18. For which Baz Luhrmann movie did Love Is in the Air provide the theme?

19. Which song by Leona Lewis was the best selling single of 2007?

20. The cast from which TV show had a hit with Everlasting Love in 1998?

21. Who recorded the 2014 platinum selling album Caustic Love?

22. The Doris Day hit Secret Love came from which movie?

23. Which song gave Dusty Springfield her first solo hit single in 1966?

24. Which group had hits with The Love Cats and Friday I’m in Love?

25. Which British comedian had a minor hit with Harvest of Love?

26. The 2015 single by Ellie Goulding Love Me Like You Do featured in which movie?

27. Which was the first single by the Black Eyed Peas to feature Fergie as a full member of the band?

28. What was the title of the multi-platinum album released

by Michael Buble in 2009?

29. Love is All Around was a major hit for Wet Wet Wet, spending 15 weeks at number 1, but which group wrote and originally recorded the song?

30. From which musical does the song People Will Say We’re in Love come from?

31. With what record did The Supremes have their first UK number one single?

32. What famous record producer was responsible for the early hits of The Ronettes and The Crystals?

33. Of which group is Kelly Rowland a member?

34. Whose debut album released in 1993 was entitled Always and Forever?

35. Which female pair said Yes Sir I Can Boogie in 1977? www.moulshamtimes.com

36. Which Irish girl group had four UK number ones in 199899?

37. Who was described as the first girl group to top the Billboard Hot 100 when their 1960 single Will You Love Me Tomorrow reached number 1?

38. Which 90s US girl group were made up of daughters of The Beach Boys and Mamas & Papas?

39. Which group had hits with Remember (Walking in the Sand) and Leader of the Pack?

40. Of which female group was Lisa ‘Left-Eye’ Lopes a member?

41. Which girl group became the first group entry to win The X-Factor in 2011?

42. Which girl group had hits with Jimmy Mack and Nowhere to Run? 43. Of which girl group was former Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon a member?

44. Which hit record by The Toys was based on Bach’s Minuet in G Major?

45. Who was the first of The Spice Girls to have a solo number one hit?

46. Which sisters reached number 2 in the UK in 1984 with Automatic?

47. What was the name of the boy band that competed against Girls Aloud in Popstars The Rivals?

48. Which member of the Beverley Sisters married England footballer Billy Wright?

49. The Appleton sisters were members of which 90s chart topping group?

50. Which girl band collaborated with Fun Boy Three on the top five hit It Ain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It)?

Star & Garter

Opening Hours Sun -Thurs 12pm-11pm Fri - Sat- 12pm-12am

Live Music This Month October 2017

Sunday 1st - Open mic/jam Thursday 5th - The Phil Ball Band Friday 6th - Storm Saturday 7th - The Kopy Katz Sunday 8th - Open mic/jam Friday 13th - Adrenalin Saturday 14th - The Locals Sunday 15th - Open mic/jam Fri 20th - Dead Man's hand Sat 21st - TBC Sun 22nd - Open mic/jam Thurs 26th - Acoustic jam Fri 27th - Fast on the draw Sat 28th - 4 play Sun 29th - Open mic / jam 159 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 0LD

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27

All About Moulsham Lodge & Tile Kiln

Moulsham Lodge Community Trust MLCT needs volunteers to survive, to help deliver our plans to the local community, to do odd jobs, to cut the grass, do a bit of painting, to help on coffee mornings. Many of our volunteers just help us once a year at our annual event. It doesn’t matter how often people come and help, we appreciate every single minute that someone can help us with our never ending list of jobs.

Walk Club is every Tuesday, 9.30-10am (weather permitting). All ages and abilities are welcome. We meet outside the front of the MLCT Station just before 9.30am.

Can you spare an hour here and there? If you can we’d love to see you at the Community Station, just get in touch, or drop in at a Tuesday morning coffee morning and we can talk about our volunteering opportunities.

The Copper Pot coffee morning runs every Tuesday morning (after Walk Club) from 10am to 12pm. All are welcome. A small donation is needed if you have refreshments but otherwise free!

Family History Club: Would you be interested in finding out about your family history? If so, please get in touch as we would like to know the level of interest before we decide to set up a club. We can offer access to family history websites and the use of a computer while you are here, or you can bring your own laptop and use our Wi-Fi. We anticipate making a very small charge for the club to cover subscriptions, printing etc.

Our CEO Mark Springett only recently discovered a maternal great grandad who fought and died in the Great War of 1914-1918, along with quite a lot of his social history; where he lived, what he did and the trouble he got into! He then went on to discover lots of military details from his paternal great grandad, discovering he lived in the shadow of Colchester Castle at one point. The journey included the mysterious world of Essex Records Office which will be a key source of information in finding out details about your family. We would hope to arrange a visit for people who have never been and need to know how ERO operates.

Santa’s Breakfast will be returning this year, so just a heads up to look out for booking details fairly soon.

Work is continuing at a pace on our new toilet and treatment room and we hope to have these finished by the end of September. The treatment room will be available for hire. Full details for this will be available in the next issue of the Moulsham Times.

On Friday 6th October from 7pm, MLCT are hosting a Farleigh Fashion Show to raise funds for the charity. If you are interested in modelling for the catwalk, or wish to join us for a fun evening, please get in touch. Details can also be found on our Facebook page.

On Friday 20th October, together with the Eagle & Hind, MLCT are hosting An Evening of Clairvoyance with Lorraine Goodfellow (tickets available via our website). Private readings are available prior to event; please see the website www.gkmeetandeat.co.uk/locations/ eagle-and-hind-chelmsford for details.

If you have any questions or queries regarding any of the events listed, please get in touch at enquiries@mlct.org.uk.

If you have any queries regarding hiring a space at MLCT, email us at bookings@mlct.org.uk. www.mlct.org.uk 07411 808 731 Twitter: @MLCTStation Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ MoulshamLodgeCommunityTrust/ enquiries@mlct.org.uk

Cllr Mark Springett - Moulsham Lodge Ward Your Views and Suggestions Are Being Sought

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is money which replaced Section 106 requirements. It is the developers’ contribution when he builds new houses, and the money contributes to infrastructure and community facilities.

To get more technical, CIL is applied to all residential and retail developments that add one or more new homes or more than 100sqm of floor space. CIL is charged at a rate per square metre and varies according to land use, charitable-led developments are exempt.

CIL regulations require Chelmsford City Council to allocate 15% of their income to spend within the neighbourhood of the contributing development - known as Neighbourhood Allocation and a further 10% be available for those areas which have a Neighbourhood Plan, such as a parish or town council. These monies go to a parish or town council who have have a say on their local priorities.

Wards NOT in a parish area like us, and there are 9 areas in all, do not now have the benefit of allocating money to spend on schemes, like the parish areas. The Council have decided that all the areas that are NOT parished are formed into a neighbourhood group. The wards of Moulsham Lodge and Goat Hall (Tile Kiln) will be known as the South Group and will be asked for your views on the priorities 28

and schemes you would like to see in our area. The Neighbourhood Allocation of CIL could be spent on quite a wide range of projects, it allows for the local community to decide what they need to help mitigate the impacts of development. The themed areas identified are shown below with ideas for the sort of thing they are looking for.

• • • • • •

Community Safety Awareness (eg. CCTV, anti-fraud/scam) Community Services Event (eg. community centre or education) Open Space & Parks Outdoor Gym (eg. community gardens) Sports and Recreation Initiatives (eg. playgrounds, healthy living) Streets and Public Spaces (eg. street furniture, public art) Travel and Transport (eg. road layouts, footpaths)

At the moment, South Group has no money allocated. However, there are some small areas of development within our area that will generate CIL and that we can help decide how it is spent.

All your views and suggestions would be most welcome, and this is an opportunity for you to be involved. Please contact me using any of the contact details below with your ideas.

My blog site will have a bit more information with links to City Council documents that explain the scheme in a lot more detail. mark.springett@chelmsford.gov.uk 07411 808 731 Twitter: @markspringett www.markspringett.com (blog)

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Tile Kiln Corner - by Linda Mascot The start of a new academic year in September can be a daunting time for anyone going to a new school, but imagine what it’s like taking on a new headteacher role? Dominic Mulholland was appointed Head of Mildmay Junior School for the start of the Autumn Term and has already received a warm welcome from staff, governors, parents and pupils. I asked Dom before he started to introduce himself...

“My background in art means that I am acutely aware of the pressure from outside of schools to focus on the core curriculum.

It also means that I am strongly opposed to the narrowing of the educational experience of all children. It will be our intention for all the children who attend Mildmay Junior School to live up to the motto on our school emblem and achieve Excellence through Enjoyment by ensuring that the strengths of all children are identified and nurtured, not only those that lead to scores in league tables.

“I’d like to start by thanking Linda Mascot and the Moulsham Times for this opportunity to introduce myself to the community. I am a firm believer that all schools need to work with, and for, the community they serve in order that there are positive relationships that will live long in the memory of the families whose children pass through the school on their educational journey.

“I hail from the north of England, Warrington to be precise, and trained to teach via a PGCE programme at De Montfort University, Leicester having completed a degree in Fine Art. I began my teaching career as an NQT Art Teacher at Mayflower High School, Billericay in September 1997 and have therefore just completed my 20th year in teaching, having served as Deputy Headteacher at both Chelmer Valley High School, Broomfield, and Philip Morant School & College, Colchester, before that - totalling 13 years in school leadership.

“Unusual as it may seem, I have been working towards a transfer to the primary sector for a couple of years and have been supported by a number of colleagues to achieve this goal.

“The opportunity to apply to take on the role of headteacher at Mildmay Junior School presented itself at the perfect time, and all the signs having been appointed to the role are that the school is a perfect fit for me. I have already enjoyed working with the governors and the existing staff in order to arrive fully prepared for the challenges ahead. I am now looking forward immensely to a strong and positive relationship with the children and families of the school. www.moulshamtimes.com

“I should say that my own two children are entering Year 6 and Year 3 at another Chelmsford Junior School this September, and so it is with the hat of both educationalist and parent that I take on this role, sharing in the concerns and tribulations of the parents here at Mildmay Juniors.

“As time permits, I do continue to paint and draw for my own satisfaction, I’m also a keen reader and will happily discuss a variety of genres with anyone who wishes to pass the time of day on this subject. With northern roots, I am a Liverpool football supporter with high hopes for 2017/18 and as a child of the seventies, I’m a Star Wars nerd; indeed my rendition of Darth Vader’s opening lines from Star Wars Episode IV during the school council interview panel, may have been what tipped the balance in the governors’ decision to appoint!

“At the time of writing, I’m a few days from my official start date and feeling both nervous and tremendously excited - actually it’s usually one or the other, a bit like an unpredictable roller coaster.

Nevertheless, I feel that this is the very beginning of a great new chapter in my career and cannot wait to get going.”

Thank you Dom, I wish you all the best in your new role. mascotlinda@gmail.com Twitter: @lindamascot

29

Sing Out Loud Is Changing Lives North Essex is alive with the sound of music thanks to a woman whose life has been transformed by singing.

After the break up of her marriage and being diagnosed with ME, Karen Hughes decided to start Sing Out Loud, a community singing group in Colchester and Chelmsford. She has never looked back.

It’s well known that singing can improve your well-being both physically and psychologically and Karen is living proof of the health benefits.

“I decided to start Sing Out Loud after a low point in my life,” said Karen. “Through singing and being involved in Sing Out Loud, I became more confident. It also brought ‘me’ back to life, inside my own skin. For a long while, it felt like my body was walking round, but I was so very broken, and fragile inside, that I didn’t recognise myself.

“Now, I know I must carefully manage my time, and energy. I run Sing Out Loud on a voluntary basis, and know my limits, so occasionally, I say ‘No - at least, for now!’”

As you walk through the door to join Sing Out Loud in Colchester or Chelmsford, you feel the friendly atmosphere and are welcomed by smiling faces of all ages, singing with voices of all ranges and abilities.

You needn’t read music to join, as the songs are learnt by ear. With

guitar accompaniment, you will learn songs - from Eric Clapton and The Beatles, to folk, plus songs from the shows, or tunes from the 1930s, 1960s, and contemporary melodies. Some of the songs have harmonies or are sung in rounds. During tea break members can chat and to get to know each other.

Liz Allen, 63, of Chelmsford said: “There’s a lovely friendliness at Sing Out Loud. At some groups the members aren’t friendly, but here, everyone is welcome, whatever your talent or ability.”

For Grace Perkins, 87, of Colchester, Sing Out Loud is her one night out each week. She said: “I love it and look forward to going, all week.

Everyone is lovely and friendly. You meet some nice people and we all enjoy ourselves. It makes me feel uplifted and alive and I’ve made some new friends.”

Sing Out Loud enjoy performing at local fund raising events and festivals, so do ask if they’re free for your event next year.

This autumn, Sing Out Loud will sing at the Chelmsford Library Fun Palace Festival (7th October), and, at a Showcase in London (21st October), as one of several non-auditioned community choirs. A return to The Cramphorn Theatre, Chelmsford, is also planned on 11th October.

All are welcome to the Sing Out Loud groups and you don’t have to audition to participate. The groups meet for 10 weeks during term time at The Quaker Meeting House, Colchester, CO1 1NF on Mondays at 7pm for 7.15pm, and at Grove Road Evangelical Church, Chelmsford, CM2 OEY on Thursdays at 7.15pm for 7.30pm.

For details, phone 07853 132 633 or email info@sing-out-loud.co.uk, or visit their website www.sing-out-loud.co.uk.

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