PAVING YOUR WAY TO A PERFECT GARDEN
Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, Stock, Ongar, The Walthams, Ingatestone & Dengie
City Times Intro
Hello readers,
Welcome to The City Times April/May edition.
We have two long weekends this time of year, firstly Easter and then May Day, along with a special anniversary in 2025 of the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).
There are lots of VE Day anniversay events happening locally, including on the 5th May in Chelmsford city centre (see the advert on page 15). Plus, Chelmsford Civic Society has an event in Tindal Square on Thursday 8th from 2pm - 5pm, and we have also seen events at Roxwell and Beaulieu. If you are looking for any events to go to, pop a search in Google for these two.
Please also remember to tell our advertisers that you saw their advert in The City Times, as it really helps both them and us to know that their adverts are working.
Paul & Nick
www.thecitytimes.co.uk www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia
Advertising
Nick Garner 07970 206682 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk
Editorial
Paul Mclean 07595 949701 editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk
It’s Your Media Ltd
Disclaimer: It’s Your Media Ltd publish The City 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. Registered offices: 15 Hayes Close, Chelmsford. Reg No 9154871. Printed by Warners (Midlands) PLC.
Well now, we are in April and spring has sprung at last! I have sadly been to two funerals recently, both people who were involved with charities that I supported and worked for. The charities they helped are the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity and J’s Hospice. Both were very good and lovely people; Graham Hart and also Beryl Hastie. RIP both of you. I am so pleased that I knew you both.
My son-in-law has family in Burma, and thankfully we have just heard that they are all safe from the earthquake. My thoughts are with all those that have been lost and all those who have been affected by it. I have also been hearing of other disasters that have happened around the globe - thankful where I live, we have been safe so far.
There seems to be lots of events all over the country, with Easter coming up and then the May bank holiday where we will have the Maldon Mud Race and then the 80th anniversary of VE Day. There will be lots planned for this with lot’s of street parties happening. There will be much more going on to celebrate this great event - let’s just hope that some of the warring factions around the world can reflect and just stop their wars as so many are suffering.
29th March would have been my 50th wedding anniversary If I had still been married - although we are still friends. I remember that it was snowing; though this year it was sunny all day. It is funny, I can remember quite a lot from around that time, but ask me about yesterday and l have little chance of remembering much! Talking of remembering, do remember that if you wish to comment or have something you think would interest our readers, then please email editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk.
Music
I have booked another couple of shows; first for my Blues Box at Hot Box on Thursday 2nd October where I have booked the return of The Dirt Road Band to play for us again. Tickets are on sale now - we know this will be a busy one.
I have also tempted out of retirement the legend that is John Coghlan, original drummer of Status Quo. Trevor Gentry was part of his band for a while and they are still good friends and have agreed to play on Friday 31st October. Tickets are on sale now. Coghlan and Gentry will play Quo songs from John’s time in the band and some chosen covers from that era as well.
A superb Spanish guitarist from Spain is playing at Hot Box. Iago Banet is known as ‘the Galician King of the Acoustic Guitar’ and he is playing on Friday 16th May. Sadly I will have to miss this as I have Leddra Chapman playing that day which I am very much looking forward to. We do have so many great acts coming up at The Chelmsford Social Club and Hot Box just take a look and get booking before we sell out.
I have been lucky to attend and put on some superb shows recently. I’ve recently put on John Hackett - what a great band and show that was. Next up, we had The Small Fakers return and will be getting them back for next year as they played a superb show. I saw The Dirt Road Band too and rebooked them.
Back to Hot Box for my Blues Box with the Dave Kelly Band, he of The Blues Band. He did also play some slide with the Allman Brothers back in the day when The Blues Band opened for them - Greg Allman would join in with them on his Hammond organ as well.
Back again to The Social Club with Danny and the Champions of the World, with Luxury Holiday opening. Both bands blew us all away and we will definitely be rebooking both of them.
I then went to Blues at Barleylands to see The Bad Pennies - always a good band. There was also the special double-header sold out show with Alice Armstrong who has also just won the European Blues Challenge. So big congratulations! Also on the bill was Kyla Brox and her superb band - what a great afternoon that was.
We had an outstanding sell-out show at Hot Box the other Sunday afternoon with The Milk Men playing. What a fantastic show it was and I’ve already rebooked them for next year - they even invited me up to blow some harmonicas with them which I loved.
Please do remember to support all the live events whatever they are - especially in your local area to help keep events, the acts and the venues going. If you can, please do also book in advance as it really does make a difference to the organisers, venues and the acts.
If you have anything you think that could be of interest to our readers for either publication, then please let us know by emailing to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk - it may be an event or a topic of interest. Or have you done anything unusual or are you planning something? If so, we want to know about it. If know of someone who may wish to advertise with us, then please ask them to contact ads@ itsyourmedia.co.uk and we can send over the full details for this mag and the Moulsham Times
You can get tickets for all our Black Frog Presents shows at The Social Club in Chelmsford from Intense Records, The Hop Beer Shop and Chelmsford 4Good - please pay cash in person when you buy from them as well. Tickets for all shows including Hot Box are also available online from www.wegottickets.com/BlackFrogPresents, or via our ticket hotline at no extra charge - call or text us at 07508 496 411 and you can then pay the advance price on entry and without paying any commission as well for the show rather than the walk-up price. To find out more about Black Frog Presents and our shows go to www.linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresets or scan the QR code in our adverts.
City Times Food!
As we enter April, I can safely say how welcome the lighter, longer evenings are! At this time of year we perhaps start thinking about barbecues - and the children can play outside as last. Which for me means less mess in the house!
I love summer food, and by this I mean fresh easy salads and meat or fish grilled or cooked on the BBQ! I love saving money and feeling that we have got a lot of our money - who doesn’t?
What I like to do is go to the supermarket mainly in the evening and hitting the meat and fish counter - at this time of the evening they are often reducing product prices, as otherwise the items will need to be thrown away. We then freeze the meat and fish and then just defrost when we want. By doing this it also makes me try different types of meat and fish.
Most supermarkets will fillet fish for you if you ask them and prepare it ready to cook. The fish will be cheaper if sold whole, but always do ask for them to prepare it for you if you are unsure.
I do love having a stock of meat and fish in the freezer, as it is so quick to throw together with potatoes, rice or even just salad. A lot of sauces and marinades can also be made well in advanced and frozen in batches.
This month, I wanted to share a quick easy recipe that can be cooked on the BBQ or grill - I serve it with the most beautiful mango salsa! I use metal skewers but wooden would work fine, just be careful they don’t burn.
So, here is my jerk chicken with mango salsa:
Essex Food - By Krista
Hello everyone! It’s been a fantastic month for Essex; Saffron Walden was voted the best place to live in the UK, and Chelmsford has been named the best place to live in the east of England. I’ve lived in Chelmsford for around eight years now and love life here. There is so much to see and do and so many amazing local businesses.
This month, I visited somewhere that I have been meaning to try for a long time. The Bagel Queen is a bright pink and purple food truck, parked in a layby on the A131 - you can’t miss it! The truck is owned by Hilary who serves made to order beigels, specially brought in from Shoreditch, with a variety of tasty fillings to choose from.
I ordered the salt beef and brisket stack, generously filled with tender meat, melted cheese and crunchy gherkins, nestled inside a deliciously soft beigel. I couldn’t resist ordering a side of mac and cheese bites and a homemade mini egg blondie for dessert.
Let’s find out more about The Bagel Queen…
What inspired you to open your business?
“Well, it was a lockdown baby really. I was a beautician and covid meant I had to close the doors to my customers. I had recently moved to Felsted, and during the first few months of lockdown I found myself single with a house to pay for and children to feed.
“I’ve always been passionate about cooking, so decided to build on that. When my late husband was alive, I used to make beigels for him and his friends, which is where my nickname ‘The Bagel Queen’ originated from.
“I chose to plough my savings into the food truck that you see me in today. It’s hard work, but I love my job and my customers, who are not
Ingredients
For the chicken:
• 2 tbsp jerk seasoning.
• Juice of 1 lime.
• 4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes.
• Yellow pepper chopped.
• Rocket leaves to serve.
For the salsa:
• Mango chunks.
• Red pepper chopped.
• Spring onions - 4 sliced.
• 1 red chilli finely chopped.
• Lime juice 2tbsp.
• Fresh coriander to garnish.
Method
Mix together the jerk seasoning, olive oil and lime juice. Toss the chicken in it and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 20 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
Make the salsa by mixing all the ingredients together with some salt and pepper. I love the fresh coriander in this dish.
Heat the grill or barbecue to medium. Thread the chicken onto 8 metal skewers divided by the yellow peppers - aim for 3 of each per skewer. Cook for 8 minutes each side until cooked through and lightly charred. Serve with the salsa and rocket leaves.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do, let’s hope the weather stays kind to us for the rest of the month.
just customers but friends.”
Where can we find you?
“I’m open five days a week on the A131/Braintree Road and will be attending the monthly foodie’s festival at Hylands House.
“We cater for events and have had the privilege of working with Rolls Royce, Porsche, and even catering for the wedding of Ed Sheeran’s private chef - a real feather in our caps!
“This summer, we’re catering for four weddings, all of which are customers which is a huge compliment to be chosen to help with their special day.”
Search for ‘The Bagel Queen’ on Facebook for regular updates on locations and opening times.
A131/Braintree Road CM3 3LB
Follow me for more local foodie finds by searching ‘@thehungrykp’.
April is when the garden truly wakes up. The days are longer, the birds are in full song, and the soil is warming under the sun. It’s a time of transformation; buds bursting, bees buzzing, and borders beginning to bloom. Mid to late April is one of the busiest and most rewarding windows in the gardening calendar. Whether you’re nurturing a neat veg patch, cultivating a wildlife haven, or tending a pocket-sized courtyard, now’s the time to dig in. Here’s your step-by-step guide to making the most of this vibrant season.
1. Prepare Your Borders
1. Start by weeding your beds thoroughly. Use a hand fork to tease out dandelions, bittercress and other early opportunists.
2. Fork in organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure if you haven’t already. This boosts structure and feeds your soil.
3. Apply a mulch (composted bark or garden compost) around emerging perennials, keeping it clear of the crowns. This suppresses weeds and retains moisture ahead of summer.
2. Sow Hardy Annuals
Hardy annuals bring quick, colourful joy to borders and containers. Now is a great time to sow directly into well-prepared soil.
1. Rake your chosen spot until the soil is fine and crumbly. Consolidate the seedbed to improve water retention and then one last rake to even out the site.
2. Scatter seeds like Nigella, Eschscholzia (Californian poppy), Calendula, and cornflower in drifts.
3. Lightly rake over, water gently and label your rows. Thin seedlings later to allow airflow and strong growth.
3. Support Tall Perennials Early
Do this by staking now - you’ll avoid damage later.
1. Identify plants like Delphinium, Peony, and Aster that will need support.
2. Place canes, hoops, or natural twiggy sticks around them early while they’re still small and manageable.
3. As they grow, gently tie in the stems using soft string or twine.
4. Prune and Train Climbers
With new growth appearing, it’s the moment to give climbers structure.
1. Tie in new shoots of clematis, roses, and honeysuckle to trellises or wires.
2. Prune back any frost-damaged or overly tangled stems.
3. Feed climbers with a balanced fertiliser and mulch to lock in moisture.
5. Tidy and Divide Spring Bulbs
If your snowdrops or Narcissus are congested, it’s time to act.
1. Wait until flowers have faded but leaves remain green.
2. Lift clumps with a fork, gently separate the bulbs and replant them straight away at the same depth.
3. Water in well and mark the area for next year.
6. Feed Hungry Plants
A general purpose feed now will pay dividends in summer.
1. Apply slow-release fertiliser around the base of roses, shrubs and fruit bushes.
2. Rake lightly into the surface soil or water in a liquid feed for a faster boost.
3. Consider organic feeds like seaweed, chicken pellets, or comfrey tea for a gentler approach. This would be great for the bulbs lifted in the previous point.
7. Get the Vegetable Plot Growing
Mid to late April is prime time for sowing veg seeds.
1. Direct sow hardy veg like beetroot, carrots, chard, lettuce and spinach. Cover with fleece if nights are chilly.
2. Plant out onion sets and early potatoes if not already done.
3. Harden off greenhouse-raised seedlings (brassicas, leeks, broad beans) by placing them outside during the day and bringing them in at night for a week.
8. Care for Lawns
After winter, the lawn may need a little TLC.
1. Rake out moss and thatch with a spring tine rake.
2. Aerate compacted areas with a garden fork and brush in sharp sand.
3. Apply a spring lawn feed and, if needed, overseed bare patches with a suitable grass mix.
9. Watch for Pests
April is when vine weevils, slugs and aphids begin to stir.
1. Check new shoots for aphid clusters and squish or spray them with organic soap.
2. Look under pots and along borders for slugs. Use beer traps, wool pellets, or copper tape to manage them.
3. If using biological controls (like nematodes), apply now while soil temperatures are rising.
And finally, pause and take it all in. The scent of the soil, the buzz of bees, the first tulip unfurling - these are the rewards of a gardener’s springtime hustle. Every job you do now sets the scene for a summer full of life and colour. So grab your gloves, pour a cuppa for the shed and step outside. Your garden’s ready - and so are you.
Happy gardening!
For personalised gardening advice, feel free to contact Tom Cole, Freelance Horticulturist and online tutor, at tomcole8@hotmail.com or visit www.learningwithexperts.com for online RHS courses.
What Is the Process of Buying a New Kitchen With Just Fitted Kitchens?
This month, we take you through the steps of purchasing your kitchen with Just Fitted Kitchens.
Visit Our Showroom
The first step in the process is to visit our showroom. We are open 7 days a week by appointment - just giving us a quick call before visiting (even on the day you want to come) is usually enough notice.
We will spend time showing you the quality of our kitchens and talk to you about your must-haves and the ideas you have for your project. If you have plans, please bring them along and we can get the design underway with you - but not to worry if you don’t have plans; once you have been in to see us, we will arrange to come out and take measurements.
During that first visit we can give you guidance on what everything will cost.
Receive Your Preliminary Designs
We usually send preliminary designs via email and then ask you to come back in and see us to talk through the costing options. The reason for this is there are always so many variables on costings, and also so that we can make design changes on our CAD system whilst you are there.
There is no pressure to buy at any stage, you are not dealing with any salespeople, just the experienced owners of the business who want you to be happy and unpressured in your decisions.
What Happens if You Decide to Go Ahead
At this stage, we ask for a £250 initial deposit. We then get you sample doors in any colours you are interested in, along with booking any viewings to granite yards to view worktop slabs, plus we help you with appliance choices (we don’t supply these but advise and help you buy them online so you get the best deal).
You can then go to the handle wholesaler to choose handles and generally start to put together those essential choices.
Once all that is in place, its time for us to begin manufacturing your kitchen, which takes about 4-6 weeks.
Next month we will talk about the installation process so don’t forget to check back...
Steve & Julie
Just Fitted Kitchens
A New Era in Pain Relief: MBST Therapy Now Available Locally
A groundbreaking advancement in pain relief and rehabilitation has arrived in Essex, and it’s already transforming lives. VITAL Health, a forward-thinking osteopathy clinic based in Tiptree, is the first in the region to offer MBST Therapy - a cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment designed to help people living with arthritis, chronic pain, and degenerative joint conditions.
And the best part? It’s already working.
What is MBST?
MBST stands for Magnetic Resonance Therapy. It uses gentle electromagnetic waves to stimulate the body’s own repair and regeneration processes, especially in joints, bones, and soft tissue. Unlike many conventional approaches - which often rely on medication, injections, or even surgery - MBST is completely pain-free and has no side effects or downtime.
Patients simply lie back in a comfortable treatment chair while the machine does the work. It feels a bit like having an MRI scan, only quieter and more relaxing. A full course is usually completed overseveral days, and many people begin to noticeimprovements within a few weeks of finishing treatment.
Already widely used across Europe and backed by impressive scientific research, MBST is now available in Essex thanks to VITAL Health - who have invested in the technology after seeing its potential to genuinely change lives.
Local People, Real Stories
Since launching MBST at their clinic, the team at VITAL Health have been amazed by the feedback from local residents.
Michelle from Tiptree had struggled with sciatica and pain in her hip for years, something she described as a constant “bee-sting” sensation. “It was a very gradual change after my MBST treatment, but after 8 weeks the feeling started to fade and then disappear. I also had constant sciatica in my right leg and intermittent in my left - both have gone. My spine feels so much better, more stable. This has enabled me to enjoy riding my horse again.”
Jackie, also from Tiptree, had endured more than three decades of chronic back pain. Despite nerve injections and even procedures to burn the nerve endings, nothing had brought lasting relief - until now.
“Since having MBST in January, I now enjoy walking without being in excruciating pain. I’m seriously thinking about having MBST on my shoulder next, to save me from needing another shoulder replacement.”
Common Questions About MBST
Naturally, people are curious about how this all works. Here are a few of the most common questions the team at VITAL Health hear: Will it help me?
MBST has been shown to help with a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, sports injuries, sciatica, disc problems, and general wear and tear in joints. Everyone is different, which is why VITAL Health always begins with a thorough consultation. Is it safe?
Yes. MBST is completely non-invasive and doesn’t involve any medication or injections. It’s also suitable for people with metal implants or joint replacements, subject to assessment. How quickly does it work?
Some people feel improvement within days, others over a few weeks. The effects are often long-lasting and continue to build over time. Is it available anywhere else locally?
At the time of writing, VITAL Health is the only clinic in Essex offering MBST Therapy.
A Word from Daniel Trussler, Clinic Director
“As a registered osteopath, I’ve spent years helping people manage pain and improve mobility through manual therapy and rehabilitation. When I saw the results a colleague was getting with MBST down in Bournemouth, I was so impressed that I decided to
And Linda from Colchester had been worried that severe knee pain would ruin her long-awaited holiday cruise. She struggled with stairs, limped constantly, and couldn’t sleep.
“Before MBST, my knee caused me to limp and kept me awake at night. I struggled to walk up and down stairs, and it affected my hip on the other side. The treatment was completely pain-free and relaxing—I found it a great excuse to read! Since the treatment, I no longer limp, I’ve been able to sleep all night, and I can walk up and down the stairs.”
invest and bring the technology here to Essex. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. MBST is a fantastic addition to the hands-on treatment and exercise-based care we already offer - and the results we’re seeing speak for themselves.”
Want to Learn More?
If pain is holding you back, MBST might be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. Whether you’re struggling with knee pain, back problems, or early signs of arthritis, this gentle, science-backed therapy could help you move better, sleep better, and enjoy life again.
To find out more or book a consultation, contact VITA Health in Tiptree. The team will take the time to understand your needs and guide you through your options with care.
Poems by
Martin
May
May, May, it’s finally here
Who will be our May Queen?
Who would like to volunteer?
From spring to summer
Everything’s in bloom
The trees are flowering
They’ll be green soon
Does anyone know what Whitsun is?
We know we like a day off
And it’s called bliss!
May is such a special month
The start of summer
It comes around once
So enjoy it while it lasts this year
And you will have so much to cheer!
martin.kilbey@gmail.com
Barnaby Chinnock is a photography student, currently in his final year of study at
UWE Bristol. Dedicated and determined, he will walk from the doorstep of his family home in Essex all 300km to Southville, Bristol.
This is a tremendous part of an effort to raise £14,000 for the UWE Photography Graduate show YOLK, which is a fundamental aspect of graduation. Both a celebration of the brilliant projects they have nurtured and an opportunity to showcase it to a wider audience as they enter the unknown and often uncertain industry. So far, students have collaboratively raised money through clothing and bake sales, print auctions, pub quizzes and exhibitions - and now of course, Barnaby’s walk.
Beginning on the sunny morning of April 8th, it’s expected to take about 14 days. Barn has dedicated time to the thorough planning of his journey, whilst balancing the workload of final projects at university.
It is on this note that the choice to walk
Epping Ongar Railway
After a busy winter period carrying out essential maintenance, your local railway is back with a bang!
In April, we ran our popular Easter Egg Hunt, with Bertie Bunny and the Spring Diesel Gala with several visiting locomotives. We have planned many more exciting events for the rest of the season, including our 160th Anniversary Weekend and the Ongar Show on 3rd and 4th May, Wartime and Rationing Weekend on 14th and 16th June, Classic Car and Motorcycle Show on 6th July, and the ever-popular Real Ale and Cider Festival on 25th, 26th and 27th July. Full details of these and other events are available on our website at www.eorailway.co.uk.
Volunteering
Would you like to embark upon an interesting and worthwhile volunteering career during 2025 and beyond? We have vacancies in all departments, such as locomotives, guards, buses, stations, bar and catering, buildings, track, lineside vegetation maintenance, etc. If you like dressing up, you can help during our Halloween, Christmas and other period events such as the Wartime and
such a distance is made clear; his final project has inspired a great personal admiration for ‘Englishness’. How is the English identity formed? The interactions between ourselves and the landscapes surrounding, the stoic, steadfast and stubborn nature of rural England that has nurtured all upon it for centuries, but more often than not we forget we belong to.
Barnaby streams this thinking into the beauty of villages, his work creates tender stories that tell of vibrant and yet ordinary encounters with village folk, where desire for the picturesque is found everywhere, and the rituals that form the Englishman remain cornerstones to village life.
This walk symbolises personal growth, the ability to pursue connection to our foundations in such a fast paced worldperhaps inspiring others to do the same however they can. Of course, the final outcome of the show, after so many students have collaboratively tailored a beautiful space, will no doubt be a triumph. A deep breath after such hard work through their degree. Barnaby has a Go Fund Me for the walk. There’s more information on YOLK social media to find out more.
gofund.me/353c910f barnsphotography.co.uk www.instagram.com/yolk_uwe
Rationing Weekend.
For further information please email: volunteering@eorailway.co.uk. Alternatively, go to our website and click on ‘Support’ and check out the membership and volunteering options.
We would love to hear from you!
Please support the Epping Ongar Railway - it’s part of your heritage!
April
Tuesday 15th
Central Baptist Church (Victoria Road South) - ECC Retirement
Fellowship monthly meetings (2-4pm. New members welcome) Hot Box - The Only Way is Melee Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660) Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 16th
Chelmsford Theatre - Craig Revel Horwood: Fab-U-Lous Hot Box - Arizona Acoustic
Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper Club: TJ Johnson Quintet (7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075)
The Swan (Maldon) Bewick’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Club, Rant ‘n’ Rave
Thursday 17th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz Night
Chelmsford Theatre - Rat Pack Live
Ignacio Lopez: Señor Self Destruct Hot Box - AWAP + Knocked for Six + Eliminnae the Middleclass Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
Friday 18th
Chelmsford Theatre - Dinosaur World Live Hot Box - Rooskin + Beach for Tiger + Isla Rico RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga
Saturday 19th
Chelmsford Theatre - Dinosaur World Live
Chelmsford Theatre - Farm Boy
Chelmsford Theatre - Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Friends: Kool Story Bro
The Compasses - Karaoke
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm) Hot Box - The Brian and Friends Jazz Ensemble
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Wickham Bishops Village Hall (CM8 3JZ) - Wickham Bishops Jazz Club: The Bateman Brothers Jazz Band ‘It’s Trad Dad’ (6.30 for 7.30pm)
Sunday 20th
Chelmsford Theatre - Farm Boy
The Gardeners - Open Mic
Hot Box - Hot Box Guitar Club
Monday 21st
The Ale House - Beery Bingo
Chelmer Village - Pilates classes (carolinesdanceandpilates.co.uk)
Chelmsford Theatre - Viggo Venn
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Tuesday 22nd
Chelmsford Theatre - Far From the Madding Crowd
Chelmsford Theatre - Menopause the Musical 2 Hot Box - Chelmsford Creative Collective Monthly Meet Up Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Wednesday 23rd
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope
Wednesday 23rd (continued...)
Chelmsford Theatre - Murder Trial Tonight: The Doorstep Case
The Golden Fleece - Karaoke
Hot Box - New Music Wednesdays: Lady Grey and The Earls + If Not
Now
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Thursday 24th
Courtyard - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Richard Herring: Can I Have My Ball Back?
Hot Box - Blues Box at Hot Box: Borderline Music Co
Friday 25th
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Broadway Clash
Chelmsford Theatre - Showaddywaddy
Chelmsford Theatre - Josh James: Doin’ Alright
Hot Box - Monumental + Groovy Psycho
The Oddfellows Arms - Karaoke
South Hanningfield Village Hall - St George’s Day Chas and Dave tribute act (doors open from 7pm. Tickets £15 each - bring your own drinks and food. To book, please call Sandra on 07396 546 050 or email shvhall@gmail.com)
Saturday 26th
Chelmsford Theatre - The Phantoms starring Lee Mead
Chelmsford Theatre - Andrew Lawrence: Still on the Naughty Step
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
Hot Box - Reverie Sons
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Sunday 27th
The Ale House - Quiz
Chelmsford Theatre -
The Gardeners - Open Mic
Hot Box - Blues Box at Hot Box: Pearl Handled Revolver
Monday 28th
Ale House - Beery Bingo
Chelmer Village - Pilates classes (carolinesdanceandpilates.co.uk)
Chelmsford Theatre - Sophia
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Sandon School (Sports Hall 2) - Scottish Country Dancing (7.309.30pm - all abilities welcome - www.sandonscotdance.org.uk)
Tuesday 29th
Hot Box - Evan Williams + Damp Matches
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 30th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
The Golden Fleece - Karaoke
Hot Box - Louise Parker
Madison Heights (Maldon) - Open Mic
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Old Park Meadow - Meditation (to book call 07906 653 666)
The Wheatsheaf - Music, Movie & TV Quiz
May
Thursday 1st
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz night
Chelmsford Social Club - Social Ballroom Dancing Evening Courtyard - Karaoke
Golden Fleece - Quiz Night
Hot Box - u5aint: In Groove We Trust
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
Friday 2nd
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Atomic Rooster
Chelmsford Theatre - Barb Jungr Sings Dylan & Cohen
Hot Box - Affection Place ft. Dave Formula + Metroglow
Chelmsford Social Club - Record Fair
Chelmsford Theatre - Justin Moorhouse: The Greatest Performance of My Life
Chelmsford Theatre - The Worst Princess Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
The Station Arms (Southminster) - Darren Jones
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Sunday 4th
The Ale House - Quiz
Chelmsford Theatre - The Worst Princess
Chelmsford Theatre - Andre Rieu’s 75th Birthday Celebration
Gardenders - Open Mic
Hot Box - Blues Box at Hot Box: The Baker Moore Band
Monday 5th
Chelmsford Theatre - Andre Rieu’s 75th Birthday Celebration Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Sandon School (Sports Hall 2) - Scottish Country Dancing (7.309.30pm - all abilities welcome - www.sandonscotdance.org.uk)
Tuesday 6th
Chelmsford Theatre - T-Rextasy Hot Box - The Only Way is Melee
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 7th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke
Chelmsford Theatre - Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess
Friends Meeting House (Rainsford Road) CRAG Retirement Group (monthly meeting 9.30 for 10am. First visit free)
The Golden Fleece - Karaoke
Hot Box - Resonance Open System
Madison Heights (Maldon) - Open Mic
Old Park Meadow - Gardening Club and coffee morning
Old Park Meadow - Meditation (to book call 07906 653 666)
The Wheatsheaf - Music, Movie & TV Quiz
Thursday 8th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz night
Chelmsford Social Club - Social Ballroom Dancing Evening
Chelmsford Theatre - Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party
Chelmsford Theatre - Chris McCauseland: Yonks
Courtyard - Karaoke
Golden Fleece - Quiz Night
Hot Box - Blues Box at Hot Box: Vix and the Bleeding Hearts
The Oddfellows Arms - Quiz
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
South Hanningfield Village Hall (CM3 8HL) - 80th Anniversary of VE Day Film Show (6pm - free entry event - refreshments available and beacon lighting during the evening. For any enquiries, please call Clive on 07891 653 238)
Tindal Square - Chelmsford Civic Society VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebration (2pm - 5pm)
Friday 9th
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Geno Washington & the Yo Yo’s
Chelmsford Theatre - Nabil Abdulrashid: Urban Battuta
Hot Box - Dark Wave Rising
Saturday 10th
Chelmsford Theatre - Get it On!
The Compasses - Karaoke
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
Hot Box - Box of Hotness Silent Disco
Hot Box - Soul, Northern Soul, Disco & Motown
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Sunday 11th
The Ale House - Quiz
Gardeners - Open Mic
Monday 12th
Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club
Sandon School (Sports Hall 2) - Scottish Country Dancing (7.309.30pm - all abilities welcome - www.sandonscotdance.org.uk)
Tuesday 13th
Central Baptist Church (Victoria Road South) ECC Retirement Fellowship (monthly meeting 2-4pm. New members welcome)
Chelmsford Theatre - La Cocina (15)
Little Baddow Memorial Hall - The Arts Society: The Art of State Ceremonial MusicTalk (www.theartssocietymidessex.org.uk)
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
Patch (Grays Yard) - 3 Men Without a Boat Talk with Tony Tuckwell (email info@chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk to book)
Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660)
Woolpack - Quiz
Wednesday 14th
Chelmsford Theatre - Carousel
Hot Box - The Big Music Quiz
Thursday 15th
Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz night
Chelmsford Social Club - Social Ballroom Dancing Evening
Chelmsford Theatre - Carousel
Courtyard - Karaoke
Golden Fleece - Quiz Night
Hot Box - Ignition: Fought a Bear Once + Sinners in the City + Dudesmell
Old Park Meadow - Yoga (to book text 07711 947 199 or visit bookwhen.com/beckysallows)
The Rising Sun - Quiz night
Friday 16th
The Black Bull - Shakster Records 18th Anniversary
Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: Leddra Chapman
Chelmsford Theatre - Carousel
Hot Box - Iago Banet + Armoured Man
Saturday 17th
The Black Bull - Shakster Records 18th Anniversary: Lemon & Lime + The Number 22 (more tbc)
Chelmsford Cathedral - Chelmsford and District Welsh Society present its Annual Concert (with the Godre’r Aran Male Voice Choir and soloists at 6.45 for 7.30pm start. Tickets £25 on 07356 053 540 or email concertorganiser.cdws@gmail.com)
Chelmsford Theatre - Carousel
Chelmsford Theatre - Michelle Shaughnessy
Cold Norton Village Hall - After-Eight Social Club Disco Dance (www. aftereightsocialclub.chessck.co.uk - Mike 01621 856 219)
Hot Box - Com-unity Roots Double Six Dominos (2pm)
Hot Box - Red Nights: Alternative Goth ‘n’ Roll Cabaret
Station Arms (Southminster) - Andy Broad
The Wheatsheaf - Karaoke
Wickham Bishops Village Hall (CM8 3JZ) - Wickham Bishops Jazz Club: Pete Lay’s Gambit Jazzmen (6.30 for 7.30pm)
Sunday 11th
The Black Bull - Shakster Records 18th Anniversary: Risen Ashes + Prudence Retro Revival + The Peasants (more tbc)
Venues are in Chelmsford, unless mentioned in the listings as being elsewhere.
Helen Rollason Cancer Charity News & Events
Cycling and Gardens
It’s not too late to register for our Ride For Helen cycle event on Sunday 11th May. The routes range from 6 miles to 100 miles through the Essex countryside, so there is something for everyone, from families to experienced cyclists. All routes start and end at The Crix in Hatfield Peverel where there will be support, music and refreshments on offer.
On Saturday 24th May, we have Hatfield Peverel Open Gardens. Join us at our centre on The Street in Hatfield Peverel for tea, cakes and a plant sale before setting off to explore picturesque gardens in the village.
A Vintage Summer Outing
We have two vintage days with lots of stalls, live entertainment, music, entertainment for children, vintage cars and a range of food and drink caterers. This is on Sunday 13th July at Cressing Temple
tBarns and on Sunday 24th August at Layer Marney Tower. Come along with your family or friends for a fun nostalgic day out, and dogs are welcome too.
Details and tickets for all our events are on our website - www. helenrollason.org.uk/events.
Thank You
Thank you to those who raised money for us in April: Those who ran in the London Marathon, the organisers and visitors of Maldon Beer Festival, Chelmsford Rugby Club, Brightlingsea Rotary, Hoddesdon Women’s Club and many more people. We are so grateful.
If you would like to know more about the support we provide, you can also call us on 01245 382 888.
Dates of Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Events
Saturday 10th May: Donation Day at our centre in Hatfield Peverel from 9am to 12pm. Bring along your preloved items. Parking available.
Sunday 11th May: Ride For Helen cycle event starting at The Crix in Hatfield Peverel.
Saturday 24th May: Hatfield Peverel Open Gardens.
Sunday 13th July: Vintage and Makers Day at Cressing Temple Barns.
Sunday 24th August: Marvellous Vintage day out at Layer Marney Tower.
Advertise on our classifed page for just £28 + VAT per issue
In terms of education in the local area, much of the debate in the 1970s was dominated by whether the town’s two grammar schools should remain selective.
Norman St John Stevas supported the 90% of parents who wanted the Moulsham schools to be co-educational, after the county council had originally decided to keep the sexes separate. It went coeducational, with the option of reversing back if the parents wished by the end of the decade. A decision to close Ingatestone Secondary School, which had only been opened in 1959, was also postponed after public pressure. Continued increased population led the area to follow the vogue for large schools and an extension was carried out to the Sandon School to enable it to accommodate 1,320 pupils. Extension plans for Moulsham School were scrapped however, and it stayed at 10 form entry. The new Boswells School increased from 2 to 8 and eventually 12 forms of entry. Hylands Comprehensive School was formed out of an expanded Westlands School, eventually rising to 1,320 pupils. New primary schools were approved at Beehive Lane, at Great Baddow and at Danbury Park and Bicknacre.
In 1973 the Essex Education Committee voted in favour of the two Chelmsford selective schools remaining single-sex selective schools; each would remain at 3 forms of entry and accommodate only 5% of pupils in the area. Essex County Council was to stick resolutely to its policy of keeping the two selective schools in the area, whilst turning the rest of the area’s secondary schools comprehensive. The fact that the area’s two selective schools only took a small proportion of the total number of pupils helped them to maintain this strategy, legitimately arguing that the comprehensives did take a wide range of abilities.
After a prolonged battle, which went to the Minister of Education, Margaret Thatcher, the Mid Essex Technical School merged with Broomfield School. The performance of the new comprehensives was hotly debated and a local newspaper had to apologise for an inaccurate article when it alleged pupil violence at the giant Great Baddow comprehensive. The mid 1970s was a difficult period for education in the Chelmsford area generally, with teachers finding it difficult to get accommodation, which led to a shortage. Essex as a whole was low in its average spending on pupils and its pupil teacher ratio at primary school level was 1:28, the highest in the South East: in the secondary list Chelmsford had the second highest ratio.
After 1974 the new Labour government wanted to complete the move to comprehensive education. The Education Minister wanted a pledge from the County Council that it would remove all its grammar schools after 1978. Stevas spearheaded the opposition to plans to scrap the local selective schools. Local Liberal councillor Bob Battey criticised Stevas, saying Essex was creating a ‘super selective process’ for the very small minority going to grammar schools. The Tameside decision by the Law Lords allowed local grammar schools to continue there and gave the two Chelmsford schools hope, but a new education bill would force ECC to come up with plans for full comprehensives.
Before the end of the Second War, the governors of KEGS had to consider the Butler Act. They had the choice of taking voluntary aided status, which would have given maximum independence or voluntary controlled status, which would lay the school open to maximum interference.
One problem was that the endowments now brought in only a little income. The separation of pupils at the age of 11 meant that the preparatory school would have to disappear. The change to voluntary controlled status proved too much for the head Norman Squier, who found the regulation under the new regime irritating and he retired in 1949.
Under the new head, Nigel Fanshawe, the school would flourish, but
initially it had to recover from the war. The buildings were filthy and there had been no maintenance. ECC wanted a three form entry school with 500 pupils and a ‘fast stream’ was established to enable the A level students to take the Oxbridge entrance exams.
In the early 1950s the foundation governors were restored as a governing body separate from the managing governors. It was found that the local authority had kept no proper spending records and a new scheme of management was not agreed by the local authority and the Charity Commissioners until 1966. The ‘baby bulge’ began to have a affect on pupil numbers in the late 1950s and in 1957 the school became 4 form entry, with numbers topping 640 the following year. An inspection in 1955 was generally good but noted that the hall was too small, and pressure of numbers meant that for four years KEGS used the Rectory Lane Youth Centre. For a short period, the school also used the disused Friars School before the construction of Parkway started.
Fanshawe thought the numbers entering the two sixth forms would plunge if KEGS and the Girls High School were merged at sixth form level as mentioned earlier. To an extent KEGS was always in control of its own destiny because, unlike the girls’ school, the Broomfield Road site belonged to the foundation trust and not the county council. In 1976 the Church of England made the suggestion that KEGS and the High School might become voluntary aided C of E schools, but the fact that parents would have to give £600 per annum meant that this was never a serious proposition.
The Butler Act changed the Girls High School radically because it had not become a grant aided foundation and could no longer charge fees. Its preparatory school had to close in 1947. Because the war had prevented scheduled extension to the buildings, the accommodation problem became increasingly severe in the 1950s and the huts and prefabs became a permanent feature. By 1958 the pupil roll had risen to 584 and space was at a premium with 30 girls packed into rooms designed for 18. In 1959 plans were submitted for a three storey block consisting of a hall, kitchen and library, as well as music, art and science complexes, which finally allowed the huts and prefabs to go. The new accommodation was actually built in 1961 and also included extra sporting facilities. It had celebrated its jubilee with a service at the cathedral in 1957.
By 1977, KEGS had announced its intention to go independent; this would have turned the clock back 33 years when it was an independent grant aided school. This route was not open to the girls’ school because it had no endowment funds of its own and did not own the site. If the go-ahead to abolish the two schools had been given by Shirley Williams, the move would have cost KEGS 2-million pounds - this would have been the cost of compensation to the ECC for equipment and buildings supplied to the school. The foundation governors couldn’t have raised that amount of money and it would have had to revert to a fee-paying school.
Plans for the Girls High School to become a mixed-ability comprehensive were found to be impractical by the DES. Then the DES vetoed the plans by KEGS to go independent and also a plan to convert the girls’ school to a Church of England comprehensive.
In October 1977 the government threatened to take the County Council to court for failing to meet the latest deadline for phasing out selective schools in breach of the 1976 Education Act. A further deadline was set for October 1978, but KEGS had decided to go independent irrespective of whether the Conservatives won the coming election. The County Council managed to successfully argue that yet another deadline for September 1980 was impractical. At the beginning of 1979 a further deadline was set for September 1981, but the election of the Conservatives settled the issue for the foreseeable future.
This month we feature Nita Jhummu who presents City Talk. Nita is a much-loved and respected part of our team at Chelmsford Community Radio. We are incredibly proud of her great work in supporting the Chelmsford Community, giving a platform to hundreds of guests over the years.
She says of her original journey into the world of radio: "I’ve always been a 50% numeric person and 50% creative person, and when I started working in financial services I was looking to do something outside of work which used my creativity. I've always listened to the radio since I was born and thought I’d give it a go. Radio had helped cheer me up when life had been tough, such as times of being quite ill or when feeling lonely so I knew what a powerful medium it was and thought I could connect with people.”
Nita spent a few years learning the ropes on hospital radio and then joined us soon after she won Presenter of the Year at the Hospital Radio Awards in 2017 seeing it as a positive move forwards. In 2019, Nita made it to the finals of the BBC Essex New Voices contest. She has also made the finals of the Community Radio Awards 4 times, including as part of our 2019 election coverage. She lists her main influences in radio as Chris Moyles from his Radio 1 days for 'being
Two of our shows picked up awards recently at the annual PANIC Awards for arts, culture and entertainment in Essex, which took place at Chelmsford Theatre.
Best Radio Show was The Movie Mull, weekly chat and conversation about cinema on a Monday night and hosted by a revolving team of expert analysts with regular guests, and Best Regular Event went to Transmission Live @ Hot Box, which is essentially an element of our weekly Wednesday alternative music show hosted by Paul Dupree, which covers our revolutionary broadcasts of live events from the Chelmsford venue and in-house digital studio sessions.
Congratulations to all involved, as well as the many nominated in other categories.
Stand by for more new features of our outreach to the wider Chelmsford audience, including our first silent disco session, a much requested event
a genius' but also LBC presenters James O’Brien, Nick Abbot and Sheila Fogerty for their use of language, and in additon also to James O’Brien for his fairness, and Nick Abbot for being clever and very quick witted. “I really respect Sheila Fogerty as I think it’s more difficult for female presenters than males even in this day and age, she has a great tone of voice and being a woman, I think the callers argue with her more than the male presenters, but she handles it so well.”
Nita's passion for radio and experience in listening to some very strong role models helped her form the idea behind City Talk. She explains, “I’d done years of music shows and wanted to challenge myself. It’s much harder to do a speech-based show than a music one and also the type of show I do where you have to switch from one topic to the next in a short space of time! I also thought there was a need for a talk show which focused on Chelmsford and its people only. I think we are one of very few stations (or the only station) that has a speech show which covers Chelmsford issues, talks to Chelmsford councillors, Chelmsford charities, Chelmsford celebrities, Chelmsford actors, and Chelmsford authors etc - all in one show. Lots of shows focus on one area but this show does it all.”
The topics and guests vary each week. Of the countless guests that have been part of City Talk over the years, Nita cites some of her favourites as Mike Nolan (because she’s a massive Eurovision fan) also broadcast journalist and author Nick Wallis who was talking about his then visit to Chelmsford for a talk on the Post Office scandal. Nita is always happy to welcome new guests on her show, so if you would like to be part of her conversation then do get in touch via studio@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com - or just listen... Tune in every Monday from 8pm.
www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
amongst our listeners, which will take place at Hot Box on Saturday afternoon, 10th May.
Switch between channels, dance to your favourite tunes and enjoy the party provided by City Sound DJs without the usual loud noise. Open to all ages, but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Advance tickets just £10 from the dice.fm website, or at the venue on the day.
If you would like any topic raised on air, would like to use our facilities to make a point, or perform to our growing audience, or a feature on you or your business, or advertise regularly for a small fee, let us know at studio@ citysound.radio.
Catch us live 24/7 on citysound.radio, on our website, on our app downloadable from your app store, on your smart speaker (‘play City Sound Radio’), or on numerous radio apps. City Sound - The Voice Of Chelmsford
Extended Tree Pose -
By Steve Johansen, Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga
I love a balance pose and looking back over my previous articles, I found that the second column that I ever wrote was Tree Pose. Time then to explain to you how to do that advanced version: Extended Tree Pose.
Tree Pose has lots of variations, which require different levels of skill. Gardeners often say that there is a tree for every garden and as a yoga teacher, I feel that there is a tree pose perfectly suited to you!
Dancing Tree Pose, Willow Tree Pose, Extended Tree Pose all challenge your balance, encouraging you to stand on one leg and focus on maintaining body alignment and even breaths. Dancing Tree is, as it sounds, a dynamic balance - akin to a tree swaying in the wind. Willow Tree, as the name suggests, encourages you to arch over. In my daily practice, I always include balance exercises, which are particularly important as we get older. I particularly enjoy Extended Tree Pose, which shifts the centre of balance in a playful and challenging way.
Extended Tree Pose - Beginners
Where to start:
• Start in Tadasana (tah-DAHS-anna) or Mountain Pose.
• Standing tall, strong and immoveable like a mountain.
• Strech your hands down to the floor, palms forward by the side of the hips.
• Lift the crown of the head to the ceiling to stand as tall and strong as you can.
• Relax your shoulders downwards, creating space between your shoulders and ears.
• Find your Dristi, at eye hight in front of you, to maintain your mental and physical focus.
• Establish long slow, steady even breaths.
• Ideally with each inhalation find strength and on exhalation for ease and relaxation.
To Get Into Extended Tree Pose
On your next inhalation:
• Keeping the knees soft, slowly transfer your weight into the four corners of your left foot.
• Lift the right knee up level with your hip, keep you ankle under knee, flex your foot.
• Hook the fingers of your right hand under the inside the right thigh just behind the knee.
• Maintain your focus on your Dristi and the four corners of your left foot.
• Make sure that your weight hasn’t shifted to outside of your foot. If this has happened, you have probably lifted your right hip.
On your next exhalation:
• Keep your Dristi steady, your right arm straight to maintain the alignment of leg and torso.
• Without twisting the hips, allow your right knee to turn outwards as far as you can.
• Notice how this affects your centre of balance.
• Keep your core strong and lengthen though the spine to help your balance.
• Stretch your left arm outwards to counterbalance your right leg.
• To challenge yourself further, lengthen out your right leg.
www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia
• Use your steady breath and Dristi to maintain your balance for 3 to 5 breaths.
Come out of the pose on your next inhalation:
• To come out of the pose, move one thing at a time, to help keep your balance.
• Keeping the foot flexed bend your right knee, until the ankle is below the knee.
• Lower the left arm back to your side.
• Drawing your right knees to the front, pausing before lowering your foot to the floor.
I like to hold Extended Tree Pose for 3 to 5 long, slow breaths. This involves using inhalation to achieve strength and steadiness and exhalation to calm the mind. Balancing on one leg while extending the other out to the side helps to maintain that focus and balance. Remember to repeat on the other side.
Teacher Tip
Be patient; it takes time to develop your sense of balance. Start slowly, doing one thing at a time, standing with you left fingertips just touching a wall, before raising the right knee and placing the right hand on the inside of your knee, once you feel comfortable draw the right knee outward.
For more challenging variations, once you feel confident, you can extend your leg straight out in front and hold onto your ankle or big toe with the same arm, before turning the leg outwards and the opposite arm out as a counterbalance.
For those of you who feel like you would like to know more of the benefits of Extended Tree Pose or how to incorporate this pose within your practice, join me at my studio and let me guide you. Book in online and use this free pass code, HPYFREECLASS. If you’d like to be reminded how to do more basic balance poses, such as Tree Pose, or any other poses that I have guided you through in my column, please check out my blogs at www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk.
Extended Tree pose full
Easter Bunny’s Showcase With Special Guest Magic Dave!
Join us this Easter holiday for a fabulous event where we’ll be having an Easter-themed story time and Easter-inspired craft making and colouring.
This event will also include a live children’s magic show with professional family entertainer and magician Magic Dave!
Events will take place on Wednesday 16th April at Danbury, Chelmsford and North Melbourne Libraries - these events are suitable for families with children 3-11 years old. Tickets cost £6 - please note that all children attending will need a ticket but supervising adults don’t need a ticket, this is limited to 2 supervising adults per ticket. Book your tickets on our website: libraries.essex.gov. uk/events.
Seated Exercise Sessions at Chelmsford Library!
Seated exercise boosts strength, flexibility and mobility,
Market stall for children’s mental health charity
Like a charity shop, but on an indoor market stall! We are looking for dedicated volunteers to help run our indoor stall at Chelmsford Market which raises fund that go to Kids Inspire.
If you can do a half-day a week, then please get in touch.
Volunteer Telephone Befriender at Essex Home Help Service
Essex Home Help Service are looking for volunteers to support with our Telephone Befriending Service at our our friendly offices in Ford End, Chelmsford for 2 hours per week.
Telephone befriending is a supportive and reliable scheme that enables friendships to be built through volunteers for people who may otherwise be completely isolated.
empowering our senior community to stay active and independent while having fun and making new friends whilst exercising.
Join our seated exercise instructor every Tuesday at 10am for a free session of seated exercise (funded by Active Essex). We advise to book your place on our website as spaces are limited but walk-ins are also welcome: libraries.essex.gov.uk/events.
Starting Your Family Tree Sessions
Interested in finding out about your family history? Then why not come to one of our Starting Your Family Tree sessions!
These sessions are small, friendly groups of people where you can start your own family tree with free access to online resources like Ancestry, Find My Past and The British Newspaper Archive.
This group meets every second Saturday of the month from 10am to 12 noon and it’s free, but booking is required either by email at chelmsford.library@essex.gov. uk or in person at the library.
Broomfield Hospital Community Hospital support volunteer Carers First needs volunteers to help run our information stand at Broomfield Hospital, involving talking to patients and their families and handing out information about how Carers First can help.
Community first responder
Our community first responders (CFRs) are volunteers who are trained to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work. Their aim is to reach a potential life threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives, providing care and comfort until help arrives.
No previous medical knowledge needed, all training is provided.
Join the Millrace Foundation Board of Trustees
Are you passionate about mental health and looking to make a real difference in your community?
The Millrace Foundation is a small charity providing a supportive and creative environment for people experiencing mental health challenges. We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees.
Crafts - By Magali Ellis and Scrap-Circle
Are you new to crafting and don’t know where to start? Where do you get help and advice from? Much like anything new, it can be a bit daunting to start off your crafting journey. But fear not, we are here to help!
First of all, crafters are generous and friendly people. It is not uncommon that someone forgets to bring something specific to craft days or retreats. Just say the word and you will have several people coming to the rescue, offering the use of their equipment, a bit of their stash or advice on how to proceed.
Secondly, the craft world - although sometimes competitive - is allembracing. So whatever your style, people are always encouraging and cheering you along. When people get stuck for ideas, or just cannot get what their page is missing, ask around and people will come to you with suggestions.
Thirdly, most retreats have projects. Whether they are classes or self-paced, instructions are given and you can follow them to produce pages, cards or books. The creator is usually on-site and you can ask them for further clarifications should you need to. They are more than happy to help out!
Finally, there are workshops you can enrol to. These are great to work on a small project and in the same way as the retreats, you will have everything you need to complete it: paper, embellishments, ribbons, etc… And you will be able to borrow and use the organiser’s inks, stamps, dies and more.
The Art Place @Meadows Shopping Centre: More Than a Shop - Community, Caring, Learning, Hope and Love This month, we have an article on some interesting local art history.
Before we dive in, just a quick reminder that the Art Place runs a number of workshops every week. Booking is via Eventbrite (search ‘The Art Place’) or if there are places left on the day, you can register/pay at the till. Some are £5 and others are free.
Local Art History:
Rosemary Rutherford (1912-1972)
Rosemary Rutherford spent part of her childhood in Broomfield when her father became a vicar in 1929. She attended the Chelmsford School of Art, followed by the Slade and Westminster Schools of Art. Rosemary taught art at St Cedd’s School in Chelmsford until the late 1930s, while establishing her reputation. During this time, she exhibited paintings alongside contemporary artists such as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and John Piper.
During WW2, Rosemary put her career on hold to help her father resettle evacuee and refugee children in Broomfield. She continued to practise her art, painting portraits of the children. Her painting Two Refugees, 1940 can be seen in Chelmsford Museum.
Rosemary also recorded the changes in Broomfield at this time, drawing wartime gun emplacements, searchlights, listening devices, army drills and camps in the village. This was alongside her wartime
Therefore, if you want to learn or start a new craft such as scrapbooking, mixed media, journalling, bookmaking, knitting, embroidery, crochet, book folding, look no further: we, at ScrapCircle, can help you out.
We believe that face-to-face meetings are better than YouTube videos, because when you come to our craft days, you get to meet like-minded people who will help you with an individual approach to suit your needs. All you need to do is reach out and email us at info@ scrap-circle.co.uk with your requests and questions and we will get in touch.
Most workshops and classes will take place during our monthly Saturday craft days in Highwood near Chelmsford and you will have 2 formats to choose from:
1. You can either come for a 2 hour taster session between 10am and midday for £10 or:
2. You can come for the full craft day + project, 9.30am to 4.30pm, for £28.
Let us know you are coming and which craft you are interested in so that we can plan your session. Check our website for dates: www. scrap-circle.co.uk.
We are here for you and we look forward to welcoming you in the crafting community!
service, where she drove a mobile canteen to support gun batteries on the east coast. Later in the war, she joined as a Voluntary Aid Detachment to the Red Cross, carrying out basic nursing duties in Cheshire and Gosport, Hampshire, where she continued to record her wartime experiences in her art.
During this time, Rosemary also started designing frescoes for churches. Initially, she studied the art of fresco in Chichester, before producing a trial fresco of The Last Supper on the wall of the vicarage garden (later demolished) in Broomfield.
In 1941, Rosemary created a fresco for the ringing chamber of Broomfield Church entitled Christ Stilling the Storm. When Broomfield Church was damaged in 1943 by a bomb falling in the churchyard, Rosemary painted a watercolour showing the damage.
After the war, Rosemary retrained as a stained-glass art designer to replace windows damaged in the conflict. One of her early commissions was at Broomfield Church in 1951. She designed stained glass windows for a further 25 churches in England and three in New Zealand. Rosemary died in 1972 aged 60. You can see her fresco on Tuesdays and Thursdays’ morning at St Mary with St Leonard, Church Green, Broomfield.
If you’re interested to learn more, on 17th May at 2pm, Neil Wiffen and Dr Cathy Pearson will give a talk on Broomfield at War, based on their research as part of VE DAY 80 Commemorations, and for more events see: citylife.chelmsford.gov.uk/posts/chelmsford-tocommemorate-ve-day-80-with-special-city-centre-event.
Text courtesy: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-theatres-andmuseums/blue-plaques-information-boards-and-public-art/blueplaques-in-chelmsford.
This article was written by Elena from EKM Gallery.
For more information about our work, projects, workshops and support offered, please visit: www.ideashubchelmsford.org and follow us on Facebook by searching ‘The Art Place Chelmsford’ (for The Art Place) and ‘Ideas Hub Chelmsford’ for the charity in general, and on Instagram by searching, ‘Art Place Chelmsford’.
Photo courtesy: The Weston Family Archive
Interior Design Tips for Your Home - By Tania
Love Where You Live!
Now the clocks have gone forward and its officially spring, and there’s no better time to give your home a new lease of life, as this time of year signifies ‘a time of rebirth, renewal and new beginnings’.
Whatever your budget may be, there are many options for giving your home a vibe of positivity and new energy.
My Tips for This Month
Make an entrance: It’s the first place you see when you come in to your home - make it feel bright and welcoming. If your walls are looking scuffed and the door mat has seen better days, these are things you can easily start on. Etsy and Oliver Bonas have some really funky door mats. You could refresh the walls (however big the space in a fresh white or pale pastel colour). A slimline console table with storage baskets underneath will hide and clutter. Add a vibrant faux green plant or a real one if you are good at keeping up with watering it.
Refresh the bathroom: Bathrooms are limited as they are harder to change unless you are already in the process of doing so. You can however give the room a deep clean, add a few accessories, new bathmats or shower curtain - towels in a different colour will make a huge difference.
Kitchen clutter: Clear the surfaces, get rid of any items you don’t use or haven’t used for years. If storage is an issue make it look better with storage jars and baskets. If you have a tea and coffee making area you could add new mugs and jars. Small items can transform a drab look.
Fitted storage units: Bedrooms and lounges are areas that we spend a lot of time in and can benefit from having fitted units or shelving to make use of any areas that could do with a storage solution. For
instance, you could add shelves with cupboards underneath.
Alternatively, full length wardrobes made to fit awkward spaces are great especially if you can incorporate a few shelves or drawers inside.
Freshen up a piece of furniture: If you have a chair that’s looking tatty or a side table that you were thinking of replacing, why don’t you take a look at reupholstering or painting with a chalk paint, eg, Annie Sloan’s paint collection?
Bookshelves don’t need to be boring: You can colour co-ordinate the books, add your record collection, use the shelves for a photo opportunity... the list goes on.
If you know a carpenter, you can make the storage to your specification and colour without spending a huge amount of money.
If you would like any advice on interiors, we offer a consultation free of charge. Our services include interior design, colour consultation and styling.
07979 663 339 info@saltmarshinteriors.co.uk www.saltmarshinteriors.co.uk
Tales From the Circle - By Sylvia Kent
With yet another busy Brentwood Writers’ Circle gathering on Saturday last, it was a pleasure to welcome a bevy of new faces to our April session at Bardswell Social Club.
This was a greatly anticipated meeting, when our in-house judges gave results of our latest BWC writing competition - The Jack Kendall Award. I found it a great privilege to present the three winners with their diplomas and awards. The theme was unusual: to write a story related to a popular modern song. Much to the admiration and dedicated musical status of The Beatles, many competitors chose their familiar songs from the past as their theme choice.
Eventually, our judges selected the clever contribution by one of our regular members, Janet Howson who won first place. And the story behind the hit song from 1966 - why, Eleanor Rigby. Donna Burkert came second and Randal Smith third (both relative newcomers to BWC).
Many writing tutors agree that entering competitions are useful ways in helping rookie writers to learn more about the discipline of creating short stories and learning ‘on the job’. Numerous members of our society have succeeded in picking up a trophy or two via competitions locally and national, which have given that much needed inspiration and confidence in their writing skills.
Essex libraries have always played a strong part in supporting writing (and reading groups) and there are numerous writers’ circles operating in our county. These days, many such sessions also operate via the web.
As an example, on Saturday 26th April, a former BWC chair, experienced author Colin Taylor, will be offering help to new writers in exploring how to begin and where to gain experience.
Colin is a short story writer for adults, children’s picture books and stories for older children. The session will last for two hours (2pm-4pm) at Billericay Library at 143 High Street Billericay CM12 9AB. Entry is free, but as space is limited, application is first come, first served.
Book by visiting libraries.essex.gov.uk/events/199499, or call 0345 603 7628.
Brentwood Writers’ Circle meets monthly at Bardswell Social Club, Weald Road, Brentwood. Next meeting will be 2.30pm on Saturday 3rd May with speaker, Andy Stuart, author of novels dealing with WW1. Check all details via our website, www.brentwoodwriterscircle. com.
With a total of 19 gold medals, which former swimmer and cyclist is Britain’s most successful paralympian?
Which conservative peer and former deputy prime minister was nicknamed Tarzan?
What is the meaning of the word reprobate?
In the USA which is the ‘Hoosier’ state?
In Cats, the characters move around a set designed to look like what?
Which berry is regarded as a hybrid of the North American blackberry and the European raspberry?
Which sport appears in Alice in Wonderland?
The actor Yul Brynner was born in which country?
The sword-bill is the only bird with a beak longer that its body - what type of bird is it?
What was the name of Roy Roger’s horse?
The Andy Capp cartoon has appeared in which daily newspaper since 1957?
A standard case of wine contains how many bottles?
In A Christmas Carol, how many ghosts visit Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Day?
In which American city was Martin Luther King Jnr assassinated?
In 2019, who became the first knighted individual to win the Rear of the Year competition?
Adge Cutler was the original front man of which band?
In 1990, what became Elton John’s first solo UK number one single?
Bunny Ears, Old Lady and Saguaro are all types of what plant?
A sliotar is the ball used in which sport?
The Cutty Sark was built to carry what cargo?
On 30th November 2021, the England Women’s football team beat Latvia by what score line?
Paris’s Pont de Arts bridge is regularely covered in what, put there by couples as a show of love?
Cinnabar, Bongong and Dingy Footman are species of which animal?
Where on a horse is its poll?
The United Nations HQ is in which city?
Jarlsberg cheese originated in which country?
Which Radio 1 DJ was nicknamed The Big Hairy Cornflake?
Which member of The Goodies appeared as a computer operator in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory?
How many members sit on a jury in Scotland?
What was ET’s favourite candy/chocolate bar?
Morwongs and lumpsuckers are what type of animal?
French, butterfly, the spiderman and eskimo are all types of what action?
What word can be an American or a severe pulling action? Hotlips Houlihan, Hawkeye Pierce and Maxwell Klinger were lead characters in which comedy series?
Which English actor/singer was born Michael Dumble-Smith in 1942?
An inglenook is a recess or a partially closed space that adjoins what?
How many books are there in total in the Bible? Who had a hit with Shake it Off?
The adjective pavonine relates to which animal?
Who was the original host of Desert Island Discs?
Trump’s Sweeping Tariffs, the Car Industry and How the Classic Car Has Been Saved
In sweeping changes, President Trump has produced figures showing all the tariffs that he has (so far) announced, affecting worldwide trade. While many in the UK might reluctantly concede that the UK leaving the EU has spared us from a tariff of 20% (the UK has a tariff of 10%), it could be worse - China (currently) has 34%. But how does this affect the automotive industry?
US tariffs on all foreign-made cars imported to the USA will be 25%; this went live overnight on April 2nd 2025. A similar situation will soon be the same for car parts, which will potentially make those who already own foreign-made cars in the USA and have breathed a sigh of relief, take a sharper intake of breath with any future wear and tear on their vehicles.
The immediate result of such sweeping changes has left many manufacturers in a moment of confusion just as it has for many countries. While some countries have reciprocated, sparking a potential trade war, some have taken stock hoping to avoid assisting a worldwide recession. Meanwhile, Coventry-based Jaguar Land Rover has temporarily paused shipments to the United States while it considers its options. This is certainly no easy decision, as the USA is the second largest export market for cars from the UK, sitting behind the EU.
Concern might arise as to how prices could potentially rise due to the USA being such a high importer of UK-built cars; a trade worth - according to the Department for Business & Trade - in excess of £8.3billion during the third quarter of 2024.
Part of Trump’s reasoning is to make the USA more independent and help US-based manufacturing prosper, and indeed Nissan has now paused plans to scale back manufacturing in Tennessee and is also considering moving some of its Japanese manufacturing to the US. Yet, when you also consider that automotive giant Stellantis will temporarily shut down some manufacturing in Canada, we can see that such tariffs are going to cause an automotive manufacturing storm.
Is there any good news to be found here? Well perhaps; if we peer through the immediate clamour, it turns out that classic cars will survive the 25% tariff as long as they are classed as being 25 years or older, meaning that any car built before April 2000 will result in the regular 2.5% tariff.
Why so? We could be cynical here and point out that President Trump is a classic car lover and owns such prestige items as a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud (the prequel to the Silver Shadow) from 1956, as well as being a former owner of a 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster, which he sold a year ago for $1.1 million. But perhaps the classic car world is simply an area that he is very aware of that will probably not affect any nation’s desire to try to negotiate better tariff deals - which as a businessman, is probably what Trump has wanted all along.
Sean Neylon Courtesy of Smart Motoring magazine smart-motoring.com
Images: lamborghini.com, rolls-roycemotorcars.com
Solar Observing As the nights grow shorter, the opportunity for observing stars and planets is confined to much later times. If it’s a work or school week, this can be tricky.
The Sun is our nearest star, and so greater understanding of the Sun is a great help to understanding more about distant stars. Fun fact: Our Sun consumes 5 million tonnes of its fuel every second! Don’t worry though. There’s enough fuel to last another 5 billion years.
Warning - never look directly at the Sun. Never look through a telescope, binoculars or even a telescope viewfinder. You must use filters, otherwise permanent damage to your eyes will result.
You can, however, safely view the Sun through a telescope provided it has either a (very expensive) hydrogen filter fitted, or a white-light filter, made from glass or a polymer like mylar, which fits over your telescope objective lens (the front one). Don’t be put off buying
Youngest Grumpy Old Man
Last month I spoke about Dr Who and how it was going. Well I’m going to do the same this month but with a different programme. This month I will talk about James Bond and this seismic shift in its owners. Amazon had brought MGM before and now have obtained EON too. I’m a big fan of James Bond so I have concerns.
James Bond has been going on for 62 years now and has spanned 25 official movies. They have 6 official men who have played him. Men want to be him and women want to be with him. There are two sides to Bond - firstly, the fans who like it and the others who hate it.
The haters will say it’s all outdated and has misogynistic themes. They say it has formulaic plots where Bond faces a powerful villain, gets in a romantic entanglement and saves the world. James Bond can sometimes have an inconsistent theme. You have Roger Moore as a light-hearted Bond, then much later in the franchise you have a grittier, darker Bond in Daniel Craig.
For me, watching Bond is a great bit of escapism. I’m a big fan of Daniel Craig and he is my favourite Bond at this time. Though I was never a big fan of Roger Moore. My favourites from each Bond are Goldfinger, Sean Connery, Live and Let Die from Roger Moore’s era (with great theme music from Wings). Licence to Kill from Timothy Dalton’s era, The World is Not Enough from Pierce Brosnan and Skyfall from Daniel Craig’s era. George Lazenby only had one and it was pretty good.
So what will Amazon do with Bond? They might dilute it with endless spin offs, they might not. I do know they are hoping to get a new Bond movie out ready for Christmas 2027. Generally, studios do like to bring out a Bond movie near Christmas. Currently, this time period will match the length (or more) of the last time Bond took a hiatus. The last time was 1989-1995. Who will be the new Bond?
KFC Advert
Has anyone seen the KFC adverts? The latest one is the worst. If you haven’t seen it, it has a cult-like theme with a man who is turned into a piece of chicken - a chicken leg I think. Plus, they had one before
the much cheaper polymer or mylar types. As long as you carefully store them so that they don’t get damaged, they will work well. It’s advisable to inspect them to ensure there’s no holes in them. If in doubt, dispose of them and buy new ones. I would advise periodically replacing them after using a few times.
Most astronomy clubs and societies hold solar observing days where you can (safely) observe the Sun.
23rd April: The Lyrid Meteor Shower is at its maximum. This year will be better as the Moon will be nearing a waning crescent phase. The best time to watch this is around midnight and from as dark a sky as possible.
New Moon: On 27th April and 27th May there will be a new Moon. This means the skies will be extra dark, which is a great opportunity to see planets, galaxies and deep space objects.
As usual, email me with any questions. www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
Mark Willis also presents The Retro Chart Show on Chelmsford Community Radio on 104.4 FM and also on the web: www. chelmsfordcommunityradio.com
about worshiping a chicken and people have gone crazy. It does stand out and gets noticed. They might, though, lose a lot of people who will be put off by the adverts!
Old Park Meadow Quiz Night Takes Off for Farleigh Hospice Sky Dive
Old Park Meadow’s recent charity quiz night was a resounding success, raising over £1,900 towards Tom’s charity tandem skydive in support of Farleigh Hospice. Over 100 attendees packed Old Park Meadow’s Lodge, eager to test their knowledge and support a worthy cause. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as teams battled it out for the coveted quiz champion title with the Cows claiming the title. In addition to the quiz, attendees enjoyed a raffle with fantastic prizes. The generosity of local businesses and individuals who donated prizes was fantastic, thank you to The Rose Garden, Dorringtons, Great Garnetts and Alec’s Restaurant. Thank you also to Plenty of Thyme for the amazing ploughman’s - it was absolutely delicious!
“We are overwhelmed by the incredible support shown by our community,” said Tom Millar of Old Park Meadow. “The quiz night was a fantastic evening, and we are thrilled to have raised such a significant amount for Farleigh Hospice.”
Farleigh Hospice relies heavily on community fundraising to continue providing its vital services. The funds raised from the quiz night and Tom’s sky dive will make a real difference in the lives of those cared for by the hospice.
Old Park Meadow extends a heartfelt thank you to all who participated in the quiz night, donated prizes, and contributed to the fundraising efforts. Their generosity and support have made a significant impact on Farleigh Hospice and the individuals they serve.
All that is left to do is for Tom to jump out of the plane in June. if you would like to donate, please click on the following link: www. justgiving.com/page/skydivetom. Thank you.
Quiz & Wordsearch Answers
Dame Sarah Storey
Michael Hesseltine
Unprincipled
Indiana
Landfill/junkyard
Loganberry
Croquet
Russia
Hummingbird
Trigger
Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror
Twelve
Four: Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future
Memphis
Sir Andy Murray
The Wurzels
Sacrifice
Cactus
Hurling
Tea (it was a tea clipper)
England 20 - Latvia 0
Padlocks
Moth
Head, behind its ears
New York City
Norway
Dave Lee Travis
Tim Brooke-Taylor 15
Reese’s Pieces
Fish
Kissing
Yank
Michael Crawford A fireplace 66
Taylor Swift
Peacock
Roy Plomley
