Made In Essex - Issue #25

Everything that’s good about Essex Outdoor Living PAGE

PAGE Food

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12 Male grooming

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Wartime discovery trails Take pictures on World War Two heritage walks in Essex and enter a competition

FRIDAY 10 APRIL 2015

ISSUE 025

Cudmore Grove in East Mersea

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OOKING for outdoor activities now the warmer weather has finally arrived – why not take in some of the many heritage trails in Essex.

Six scenic trails, taking in views along the stunning Essex coast and countryside, have been put together for walkers, tourists and school children to explore as a part of the World War Two Heritage Project.

Take the kids out to walk the trails and discover the surprising sites and

stories about Essex’s Second World War past – and if you take photos on your walk you could win a prize by uploading them to the Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/arts.essex1 Four photos will be chosen and the winning photographers will each win a copy of the book published by the WWII Heritage Project: The Occupied Coast, Living in the Shadow of the Atlantic Wall.

Anyone can enter the competition which will be open throughout April.

All the photographer needs to do is identify the name of the trail on which the photo was taken when uploading it.

The six trails are: Bowers Gifford; Cudmore Grove, East Mersea; Fobbing; Ford End/ Hartford; Saffron Walden and Walton-on-the-Naze WWII trails.

Essex as a county has a rich wartime heritage, and the county council has been recording sites since the early 1990s.

More than 3,000 defence sites were built in Essex during World War Two

Dr.Winifred van Rensburg

and around 750 still survive, some in surprisingly good condition.

They are strung across the county, many half-hidden in hedgerows, woods and fields, guarding quiet country lanes, beaches and open marshes.

All the trails are on footpaths, roadsides or publically-accessible land.

Information boards, leaflets and, for Smartphone users, an app provides interpretation and historical detail.

For more information, go to worldwar2heritage.com/en/routes.

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17 PROPERTY

30 WEEKEND

34 MOTORING

38 SPORT

NEWS NATIONAL GARDENING WEEK

Contact information Write to us: The Editor, Made in Essex, 20 St Thomas Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4DB

@MIEnewspaper madeinessexnewspaper Tel 01277 833130 email enquiries@madeinessex.net website madeinessex.net News newsdesk@madeinessex.net Sport sportsdesk@madeinessex.net EDITORIAL Editor charlotte.civil@madeinessex.net Motoring Editor chris.manning@madeinessex.net Designer sharon.thornhill@madeinessex.net ADVERTISING Tel 01277 833130 email display@madeinessex.net classified@madeinessex.net recruitment@madeinessex.net Circulation Tel 01277 833130 email enquiries@madeinessex.net If you do not wish to receive a copy, please email or call us directly with your address and postcode.

It’s a gardener’s world out there

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ARDENERS across the county will be flexing their green fingers and celebrating National Gardening Week from April 13-19, with events and activities to get the nation involved.

In celebration of the week, Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Garden Hyde Hall in Essex, will be hosting a Spring Gardening & Wildlife Weekend to get the whole family growing.

From Saturday April 18 to Sunday April 19, there are plenty of activities to encourage visitors of all ages, to have a go at gardening, with talks and demonstrations from experts, and wildlife advice from the RSPB, Essex Wildlife Trust and the Hyde Hall resident bee-keeper.

There will also be a static falconry display and the chance to stock up on plants at the Essex Plant Heritage Fair.

On Friday April 17, the garden will also be taking part in National Open Gardens Day, and throwing open its doors for free.

National Gardening Week was launched four years ago by the RHS and since then it has grown into the country’s biggest celebration of gardening. Thousands of people, gardens, charities, retailers, culture and heritage organisations and groups get involved and this year there are more than 200 events taking place across the UK. In celebration of National Gardening Week, Ian Le Gros, Curator at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, has a few tips to

FUNDRAISING

Charity chariot for marathon WHEN Colchester resident David Morris decided to run the Brighton Marathon, he didn’t want his friend, Robert Green, to be left out.

Robert, who is deaf and has cerebral palsy, has been a wheelchair user all his life.

So David, with the help of his daughter’s youth group, designed a ‘race chariot’ in order to push Robert around the 26-mile route. The completed chariot will be revealed on the day of the marathon, this Sunday, April 12.

David said: “Running a marathon can be difficult and challenging but doing this race together will make it that much more rewarding for us both.”

David Morris and Robert Green ready for marathon run

The pair are raising money for the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS). When asked why Robert and David chose to donate to NDCS, David said: “I first became involved with deaf awareness after my daughter, who is hearing, attended a primary school where all students were taught British Sign Language.

“We then met Robert at a local deaf and hearing church, and have come to know each other well.

“Robert experienced many obstacles when he was a child due to his deafness, such as trouble communicating with teachers, isolation and poor self-esteem.

“But the National Deaf Children’s Society is campaigning to make sure that every deaf child gets the support they need and won’t have to go through what Robert experienced.”

David and Robert have already completed some exciting fundraisers for the marathon, including a quiz night with live music.

They also organised and a coffee and cake morning at Earl’s Colne Baptist Church, near Braintree, where they had a male friend dress up as a ‘hairy Mary Berry’ to judge some of the cakes.

So far, they have raised just over £1,100 and have a target of £4,000. To donate visit justgiving. com/bslmarathon/ There are more than 45,000 deaf children in the UK and the National Deaf Children’s Society helps deaf children and young people thrive by providing impartial, practical and emotional support to them and their families, and by challenging governments and society to meet their needs.

For more information visit ndcs.org.uk

Flowers and vegetables can make so much of a garden get everyone growing at home, whether they have a large garden or just a window box: n Look after your lawn by giving it a trim if it’s started to get long. Mowing little and often is better than cutting it very short and letting it grow back. You can also use a spade (if you lack an edging iron) to tidy up the edges of the lawn by creating a little ‘gutter’ around the lawn, and preventing grass from creeping from the lawn into the borders. n Sow carrots and beetroot in containers this month for a quick harvest of tender, tasty baby roots – simply pull, trim and rinse them, and cook them whole. Similarly, sow spring

onions in pots for flavouring salads and garnishes. n As the temperature starts to climb, remember to increase the amount of water you’re giving to your houseplants and add a little liquid fertiliser. n Get the kids involved and plant some early peas. Great in pots, or in a flower bed, the seeds can be sown now, ready for picking and eating, fresh from the pod, in early summer.

Support them as they grow with twigs from the garden or string and sticks. n Annual flowering plants, such as pot marigolds and nasturtiums, can be planted outside now to brighten up any sunny container or border, and are

also great to add to salads for colour and flavour.

For full details about events during National Gardening Week, visit nationalgardeningweek.org.uk.

For full details about events at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, see rhs.org.uk/hydehall.

See more gardening tips from the Royal Horticultural Society on page 14

ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Vote awareness campaign BASED on data from the last census, approximately 7.5 million people will have moved home in the UK in the last 12 months. Recent research by the Electoral Commission indicates that of these, only 40% may be registered to vote, compared to 93% of those who have lived in the same place for 16 years or more.

As part of its national public awareness campaign ahead of the General Election on Thursday, May 7, the Electoral Commission and MoneySavingExpert.com are teaming up to encourage as many people as possible to register at their current address.

The Commission is also working with a number of other organisations, including Confused.com, Spareroom.co.uk, Chancellors Estate Agents, Bradleys Estate Agents, National Housing Federation, Jackson-Stops Estate Agents, LSL Property

Services, DCH, Arun Estates, London and Country and Principality Building Society and has created a toolkit and resources to help them spread the word.

The campaign launched on April 8, 2015 across digital channels and will use the hashtag #MakeTodayTheDay. Previous research by the Commission has also suggested that 44% of those not registered to vote mistakenly believe that they are - highlighting the need for people to double check if they are registered.

People can check if they are registered to vote by getting in touch with their local authority and they can find the necessary contact details by going to www. aboutmyvote.co.uk.

Anyone who wants to vote at the General Election must register by April 20 and can do so online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

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Spring recipes by Tutti Grille

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NEWS CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

NEWS

Hamper help boost for hospice shorts

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TAFF from Barclays Bank recently spent the day at Saint Francis Hospice, helping to create prize hampers for the fundraising team.

The Home Solution specialists Jayne Laouami-Baigent and Sibby Muchena, who work in Romford and Enfield respectively, visited the hospice in Havering-atte-Bower recently and made up Easter-themed prize hampers that will be used in raffles and with gamecards.

The Barclays colleagues’ support could raise up to £4,000 for patient care as they are able to get matched funding of up to £1,000 each for the hampers they have made.

Once the hampers were ready, the fundraising team and Barclays staff delivered them to local pubs and GP practices.

Jayne said: “It was good to be part of something that will raise money, as the hospice simply wouldn’t be here without donations. I learnt a lot

about the hospice too – including the way they support the whole family of the patients in their care.”

Sibby added: “Volunteering at the hospice has widened my eyes to the range of services Saint Francis Hospice offers. For example, I didn’t realise about the extent of the work that’s carried out in the community, I thought everything happened here!”

Hospice fundraiser Michelle Gower, who worked alongside the Barclays staff, said: “It was great to have some extra hands to pack up the hampers and the ladies from Barclays were keen to learn about the hospice and help out. We are very grateful for all the support we receive from corporate supporters such as Barclays Bank who offer employees matched funding or paid time off for volunteering.”

To find out about how you can support the hospice visit sfh.org.uk or call 01708 771427.

n BRENTWOOD MUSEUM The themed exhibition at the Brentwood Museum this year is Victory, which celebrates the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Newspapers, uniforms and artefacts from the period give a nostalgic reminder of the war years.

The museum is located at Cemetery Lodge, Lorne Road, Warley and is open on the first full weekend of each month.

Barclays colleagues Jayne Laouami-Baigent (centre) and Sibby Muchena (right) help Saint Francis Hospice fundraiser Michelle Gower pack up some fundraising hampers

DIABETES UK

Anthony’s marathon challenge SHENFIELD man Anthony Moore is taking on the challenge of the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday, April 26 to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK. The 44-year-old joined Team Diabetes UK because his wife Lisa was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 30 years ago and he hopes to not only raise money but also awareness about the condition.

All Diabetes UK runners will receive fundraising and training advice, crazy hair and a personalized Diabetes UK running top.

After crossing the finish line, they will be invited to the post-event Cool Down Party, Anthony Moore is running the London Marathon for his wife Lisa and Diabetes UK

where massage therapists will be on hand to ease those aching muscles.

Anthony and his fellow runners will be cheered on as they reach 12 and 24 miles to give them some extra encouragement on their journey towards the finish line.

The landscape gardener hopes to raise more than £500 with the support of family, friends and colleagues.

He said: “Diabetes is an incredibly misunderstood condition that not managed properly can lead to serious complications. It has not always been easy for Lisa but she copes brilliantly and like her, by staying healthy you can enjoy a long and productive life.

“Diabetes UK do a brilliant job supporting individuals and their families offering help and advice as well as raising money for research. I would love there to be a cure for Type 1 diabetes and I hope the money I raise will go a tiny way to making this possible.”

Anna Schlerf, Diabetes UK Fundraising Events Manager, said: “Running the Virgin Money London Marathon is a major achievement for anyone. We are really grateful for Anthony’s fundraising efforts, and wish him the very best of luck.

“Diabetes is a serious life-long health condition that affects 3.8 million people in the UK, including an extra 630,000 who have Type 2 diabetes but have not yet been diagnosed.

Diabetes, if not properly managed, can lead to serious complications such as blindness, kidney failure and amputation.’’

To sponsor Anthony visit justgiving.com/ Anthony-Moore262

n MENTAL HEALTH New research has found that an art studio set up to help people recovering from mental health is significantly improving their health and well-being.

An Open Arts studio run by Essex County Council at Hadleigh Old Fire Station, offered taster sessions in visual arts, drama, film and photography.

Over a year period members’ comments indicated renewed confidence, motivation and decreased social isolation.

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NEWS SPORTING INITIATIVE

AWARD FOR LOCAL FOOD PRODUCER

NEWS

Top award for potato grower shorts Essex-based Fairfield Farm voted Essex Producer of the Year

Ping! in the city THIS Summer you will be able to play table tennis at popular locations around the City of Chelmsford when fifteen free-to-use Table Tennis tables are installed for up to 10 weeks from June.

Chelmsford is just one of a handful of regions that have been selected to be part of Ping! funded

by Sport England and run in partnership with Table Tennis England.

If you live in the area and think an outdoor table tennis table would work well in a park or green space near you please email your suggestion to csaw@chelmsfordgov. uk or visit chelmsford.gov.uk/ping.

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OLCHESTER crisp maker and potato grower, Fairfield Farm, is celebrating this week after being voted Essex Producer of the Year at the East of England Co-Op Awards 2015.

The third-generation potato farm run by husband and wife Robert and Laura Strathern diversified into making premium artisan crisps back in 2006. The crisps use the farm’s own potatoes which are then produced in the purpose-built on-site factory. Many of the flavours they use are locally sourced such as Wicks Manor Bacon, Aspall’s Cyder Vinegar, Essex Honey and Suffolk Salami.

Voted for by more than 13,500 members of the public online, by post and in-store, the annual awards celebrate the quality and diversity of more than 140 growers and producers who contribute to the Co-Op’s ‘Sourced Locally’ range.

“We are delighted to have been voted as Essex Producer of the Year,” says Robert Strathern, founder of Fairfield Farm Crisps. “It’s really satisfying for all members of our team on the farm, production and sales to gain recognition for all the hard work they put in on a daily basis.

“There are so many great producers in Essex, so being named the best is such an achievement for a small business like ours,” continues Robert. “It’s also a fantastic pat on the back to know that our products have such a strong and loyal following in the county.”

n WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE Hannah Parkinson from Ingatestone has been chosen to be a member of the International Service Team at the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan. Hannah who is a member of 1st Doddinghurst Guides, will attend as a volunteer to help Scouts and Guides from all over the world who will be attending the event. On being chosen Hannah said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity.” n CLASSICAL CONCERT The Essex Chamber Orchestra (ECHO) is performing this Sunday April 12 at Lord Riche Hall, Felsted School in Dunmow.

Conducted by Andrew Morely music such as Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and Dvorak Symphony No.7 will be played. Tickets on the door from £8. Concert starts 7.30pm.

Robert and Laura Strathern

n COUNTRY SHOW Enjoy jousting and horseback stunt display, archery and a paintball firing range at the Robin Hood Country Show at the Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, from May 3-4.

Tickets: Adults £10, Children £3. To book visit www.robinhoodcountryshow.co.uk.

TALENT CONTEST

Live music IS the Spirit Factor?

IF you think you’ve got a certain star quality or talent, then you should try your luck at the Spirit Factor 2015.

The talent competition now in its third year, is going from strength to strength and previous competitions have seen some amazingly talented boys and girls who have gone onto shows such as the X-Factor such as Sam Callahan, Molly Rainford, who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent and last year’s Voice contestant, Luciee Closier, all of whom have wowed television audiences with live performances.

Spirit Factor was started in 2009 by Vocalist and Event Manager Kat Price. “I created this event to give people wanting to get into the music industry opportunities that I didn’t have when I was learning to perform and sing. It gives people both young or old, those new to music or perhaps revitalising an old career the tools to come

along and perform.” Kat adds: “We want local musicians and singers to come along, network to meet new people and learn to appreciate listening to music they wouldn’t normally listen to at home.

We have tried to make Spirit Factor as fair as we possibly can by keeping it free to enter for all contestants and if we do have to sell tickets we like to give back to our local charities.”

The Spirit Factor has a £1,000 prize fund.

The most recent winner was operatic sensation Courtney Abrahams, 15, from Aveley who beat off 13 contestants in the final of the competition which took place in Upminster in February.

So this year, the search is on once again for another rising star.

Heats begin on May 7 in Chingford. For details visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ spiritfactor2015, email info.kat.events@gmail. com or call 07817 853 645.

Former finalists of the Spirit Factor; Sabrina, Courtney, Lizzie Jo, Ami Harman, Mind the Gap & Dan Russell

5 Flip-flop ready male grooming

MARITIME FESTIVAL

Page 12

NEWS

Shipshape in Southend shorts The first ever Southend-on-Sea Maritime Festival drops anchor in June

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WEEKEND of nautical but nice activities for all the family is promised this summer in Southend-on-Sea when the Maritime Festival comes to the seaside town, June 6-7.

Organised by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the event will be held to celebrate the fascinating maritime history and heritage of the town during two lively days featuring free events which will take place along the seafront.

There will be live music including plenty of sea shanties being performed, celebrity chefs’ offering cookery demonstrations, wine tasting opportunities and history talks and re-enactments.

Local fisherman have also been invited to chat about their ancient and often perilous trade. Little ones too can revel in seaside fun with sand castle and sculpture making and sea shell decorating.

Want to take to the waves - how about trying your hand at rowing? Or head up Pier Hill to the nearby Royals Shopping Centre and unleash your creative side by designing your own deckchair.

The festival will celebrate Southend’s maritime history and heritage For more details visit: www.southendmaritimefestival.co.uk.

Made In Essex LPA Ad - April 2015.pdf 1 01/04/2015 11:05:21

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Being a lawyer is about more than just knowing the law.

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n TRANSPORT PROJECTS Transport projects across Essex are set to receive a major funds boost following the news that Essex County Council’s Local Growth Fund (LGF) will receive an allocation of money from The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP). Projects set to benefit include Colchester Park & Ride, the Basildon Borough including the redevelopment of the town centre and bus networks including the unitary areas of Southend and Thurrock. n FILM FESTIVAL It may not be the French Riviera but the sun was shining in Southend-on-Sea yesterday, for the launch of the programme for the 2015 Southend Film Festival. This year’s event (now in its seventh year) will see more than forty films both old and new from across the globe screened over five days (May 21-25).

The Gala opening on May 21 will be the World Premiere of Age of Kill, an edgy thriller featuring a host of British stars (Martin Kemp, Phil Davis to name but a few). For more details: www.southendfilmfestival.com.

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NEWS GOING GREEN IN ESSEX

How to Eat and Drink Green in Essex

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EW people realise that the way we eat and drink has more of an impact on the environment that the cars we drive or even the planes we use for our holidays.

The good news is that you don’t have to be into kale and spinach smoothies to eat and drink green in Essex, there are plenty of ways that you can minimise the environmental impact of your diet that are tasty, easy on the waistline and good for the pocket. If you’ve already explored renewable energy options in your home, such as solar panels, and would like to do more, then it might be a good time to take a look at what’s in your fridge.

Find a home for leftovers A staggering 20% of all food that we buy is wasted. The average family is chucking out £60 each month.

All this food that is produced, but not eaten, causes water and energy to be wasted as well as money. In order to help your family to reduce your food waste, you can try downloading a food waste app from the Unilever food solutions website. The app helps you monitor your food waste, identify the times when food is likely to be wasted, and even find new recipes for those squishy tomatoes at the back of the cupboard!

Try going veggie a couple of times a week Eating veggie just a couple of times a week is good for your health, good for your bank account and good for the environment. Though it may not be obvious, the production of meat depends on vast quantities of oil and gas, more even than we use to fuel our cars, so eating vegetarian is one of the simplest, cheapest and most effective ways that you can help the planet. A report from the United Nations suggests that reducing the amount of meat we consume is key to preventing climate change, as well as famine and fuel poverty in

developing nations. Try eating at Cafe Dharma for a veggie-friendly option in Southend-on-Sea. Grow your own!

There’s nothing greener than growing your own fruit and vegetables, which is not only a good way to lessen the environmental impact of the food chain, but also a good way to de-stress after a busy week at work.

If you don’t have space in your own back garden, then be sure to check the Chelmsford City Council website to see if they have space.

Having your own allotment allows you to produce fresh seasonal produce, provides a space for local wildlife to thrive, and can also be a useful educational tool to teach your children about the environment.

Buy your food from local farmers’ markets You can’t beat market food for freshness and flavour, the fact that buying local comes with a whole host of environmental benefits is simply a welcome bonus. Farmers’ markets take place throughout the county most weekends and are jammed pack with every kind of conceivable produce grown right here in our fair county. For details of those nearest to you visit www.essexfarmersmarkets. co.uk.

Cut down on plastics Switch out plastic bags for a reusable one when doing your food shopping, and use tap water rather than the bottled stuff. Millions of barrels of oil are needed to create the plastic bags we use each year, and when we’re done with them, they end up in the ocean and wreak havoc on the marine life.

For more details on why and how to go Green visit www. greenresourcecouncil.org/greenresources/why-go-green. For renewable energy solutions visit www.completerenewables.co.uk.

7 Gardening tips and inspiration Page 14

DANCE SCHOOL NEW PREMISES

Adagio is a driving force in dance Mayor Vicky Davies with some of the Adagio pupils

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DAGIO School of Dance welcomed Mayor of Brentwood, Vicky Davies to the long-awaited opening of its new premises on March 26.

As the leading Classical Ballet School in Essex under the direction of Principal Bronwen Patching, the school promotes excellence and access into the world of ballet through dance education with the aim of inspiring a life long love of dance in every pupil.

The premises, formerly a car dealership and workshop located at 661 Rayleigh Road, Hutton CM13 1SS, now offers pupils at the school five state-of-the-art studios, changing rooms, a homework room and a shop.

Adagio whose ethos is to ‘dream, aspire, achieve and excel’ offers a progressive dance curriculum in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz and Musical Theatre for students of all ages and levels. The school has achieved immense success in the world of ballet in the UK and pupils have also competed in European competitions as well as their UK counterparts.

For more information on Adagio call 01277 224345 or email admin@ adagioschoolofdance.co.uk.

Roald Dahl’s classic adventure comes to the Mercury Theatre

A very peachy production THERE’S a very special treat in store for families this August, when children’s storytale classic James and the Giant Peach comes to Colchester’s Mercury Theatre.

This is just one of many great productions that feature in the theatre’s 2015 Summer season.

James and the Giant Peach will play out for three weeks of the school summer holidays (August 7-30) and is certain to put smiles on faces.

This stage adaptation of Roald

Dahl’s brilliant tale is directed by Matthew Cullum, director of last year’s hit family drama Friend or Foe and features Mercury favourite Dale Superville as one of James’ insect friends.

Commenting on the forthcoming production Matthew said: When the Mercury asked me to direct it I thought what a ridiculous, funny and brilliant adventure - let’s do it!”

To book call 01206 573948 or visit the website www.mercurytheatre. co.uk. Tickets from £10.

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NEWS WELLBEING

Slimming consultant strikes gold

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WEIGHT loss expert from Chelmsford has struck gold for the exceptional work she does in helping more than 100 people to lose weight at her local group every week.

Victoria Darnell, who runs the Broomfield Slimming World group has been awarded ‘Gold’ status by the national slimming club because of her success in supporting slimmers to reach their dream weight and the super service she provides to members.

The accolade is given to Slimming World Consultants who consistently have 100 or more members in their group over several months, and the service they provide is so good that members come back week after week because they wouldn’t miss their session for anything.

It also places Victoria in the top five per cent of the organisation’s 3,500 Consultants, meaning Broomfield is home to some of the best slimming support in the UK. It is the first time the award has been achieved by a Chelmsford Consultant.

Victoria said: “I am delighted to have received the ‘Gold’ award. I absolutely love my job, I’m passionate about helping people to transform their lives by losing weight. Seeing them succeed is reward enough, but being given this recognition for the

whole group really is the icing on the cake.

“This award belongs to the Broomfield group’s members. They’re the ones who make our group the success it is, with their fabulous commitment and wonderful support they give each other every week, and, obviously, their impressive weight losses following Slimming World’s Victoria, centre, and some of Food Optimising her Broomfield slimmers eating plan. They make the group a fun, been more important that overweight people get the buzzy place to be and I can safely say I always look support to make changes to and lead healthier lives – forward to going to work. I truly believe I have the both for themselves and future generations.” best job in the world.”

To join the Broomfield group, which is held every With obesity at record levels everywhere, Victoria Tuesday at 3.30pm, 5pm and 7pm at Broomfield is thrilled to have helped put healthy weight loss Village Hall, either pop along or give Victoria a call on the map in Chelmsford. She adds: “It’s never on 07823 441198.

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NEWS

in brief n MALDON MUD RACE One of the most unusual events takes place on Sunday April 26 at Promenade Park, Maldon - the Maldon Mud Race. This fun spectacle attracts competitors from all over the world. The 300 entrants, many in fancy dress will raise around £55,000 for nominated charities and attempt to beat the current 3 minute, 30 second record which sees competitors race to be the first to complete a 400 metre dash over over the bed of the River Blackwater.

For more information or to enter call 01255 822 172 or visit www. maldonmudrace.com/apply. n LIVE MUSIC The Bardswell Social Club, Weald Road, Brentwood, is presenting an evening of live music this Saturday April 11. Performing on stage will be London-based piano/guitar and vocal duo Double or Nothing covering many genres from Pop and Rock to Country and Musical Theatre. Doors open 7.30pm, admission from £2.

SUMMER FESTIVAL

Artists announced for Fling Festival THE Fling Festival is a unique summer festival of live music, cabaret and curiosity taking place on Saturday July 4 at Hylands Park in Essex.

This year marks the festival’s seventh anniversary and sees the exciting addition of VIP camping; allowing festival goers to continue this exclusive party with alluring late night entertainment and Sunday morning activities.

Headlining this year’s music-fest will be worldrenowned Dub Pistols.

Fronted by Barry Ashworth the Dub Pistols have worked with The Specials, Madness and have taken their “mighty reggaematic bass-driven live machine” around the world.

Also topping the bill are Renegrade Brass Band regarded as “the best brass band working out of Britain” (according to Craig Charles, BBC 6 Music), who

combine eight horns with two percussionists, scratch DJ and live MC bringing their raw brass sound and high-energy live show to The Fling Festival crowd. BBC6 Music’s Shaun Keaveny will also be making a very special DJ set appearance and the Festival also welcomes Leddra Chapman, hailed as

one of the most gifted young songwriters in Britain today.

Comedy, cabaret, side-shows and other performances will take place throughout the day. Tickets from £22. Camping including VIP access and Sunday activities from £53.50. www. flingfestival.com.

New Lakers Bar & Restaurant opens at Southend Airport PASSENGERS flying out of London Southend Airport can now sit, relax and dine in style at the new 180-cover Lakers Restaurant & Bar which opened in the departure lounge last week. Named after legendary

Sir Freddie Laker, who based his famous Skytrain service at the airport in the 1960s, the 460 square metre air-conditioned restaurant which took £1million to develop, offers free Wi-Fi, plus a phone/laptop charging

bar. Decor reflects the heritage of the airport and includes framed pictures of Sir Freddie.

Dishes cater for those wanting lite bites or something more substantial from Fresh Fruit Platters to Fish ‘n’ Chips.

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Aloe Vera ‘miracle plant’ Page 16

BASILDON LIBRARY

Sensory area aids learning skills

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F YOU are looking to give your child a learning boost, help someone with special needs or simply wind down after a stressful day, a new sensory area at Basildon Library could be just what you need.

The sensory area, created inside the children’s section of the library, is made up of many The new sensory area at Basildon library

components, including an ultra-violet light panel, a story sound board, interactive light panel switches, a tactile mirror, and an infinity tunnel.

Chelmsford Library has already been successful in creating a sensory area, so the staff at Basildon were keen to create their own in the south of Essex.

The local Children’s Centre in Basildon came on board with the project from the beginning and offered financial assistance to get the project rolling.

Sensory areas have many benefits and appeal to users of all age ranges. They are ideal for relaxation and creating interest, improving motor skills, encouraging communication, and aiding learning through cause and effect.

Advice from Inclusive Communication Essex (ICE), which supports the communication needs of people with learning disabilities, led to a second pot of funding from Essex County Council’s Adult Services. ICE has also purchased some extra equipment for the area.

Carolyn Peters, Customer Services Supervisor at Basildon Library, said: “We already have bookings to use the space and there is much excitement among our customers and local partners. We are now in the process of promoting the space and working out the best way to manage it, using it to its fullest potential.

“All of the team here at Basildon are extremely excited and proud of this project.

There is nothing like it anywhere locally and we are hoping it will prove of great interest, not just locally, but to Essex libraries as a whole.”

NEWS

shorts n OUTDOOR MAKEOVER Is your outdoor space in need of some sprucing up after the winter months.

Enter a competition to give yours a refreshing new look. Joining forces with Heart FM, Jeyes are giving away three outdoor makeovers – each including a six hour spruce up from a Jeyes contractor, a patio furniture set of garden table and four chairs, a Jeyes Outdoor product bundle plus £500 cash. To enter visit heart.co.uk/win/jeyes-fluid-gardenmakeover/ n RECYCLING CASH Four Councils have been awarded almost £900,000 of government money as a result of support from Essex County Council.

Braintree, Epping Forest, Harlow and Tendring Councils have been given the money from the Department for Community and Local Government’s (DCLG) Recycling Reward Scheme to increase their recycling rates by offering incentives such as shopping and loyalty rewards.

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NEWS

Hundreds flock to Essex Thames Tunnel job event

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NEWS

THAMES TIDEWAY TUNNEL

ORE than 600 people attended an event at the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury keen to learn more about exciting career opportunities in the maritime industry linked to the £4.2bn Thames Tideway Tunnel project.

Some 460 registered their interest to work on the Thames Tideway Tunnel and pursue a long-term career in the maritime sector, while the organisers believe many more people who were unable to attend went online to register their interest at www. jobsinmaritime.com The tunnel – dubbed super sewer – will upgrade London’s antiquated sewerage system, creating thousands of jobs and

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hundreds of apprenticeships.

The project is searching for the next generation of maritime workers to support the construction and to build their maritime careers.

Jobs in Maritime, the chosen partner of Thames Tideway Tunnel, is inviting anyone interested in a maritime career to attend a series of events where they can learn more about the super sewer project, meet some of the people involved, find out about job roles and register their interest in job opportunities when construction starts. The Tilbury event was the second to be organised.

Two more are planned, on April 30 at the University of Greenwich, London and May 28 at Harwich, Essex.

Peter Green, Chief Executive of Jobs in Maritime, says: “Tilbury was a huge success and attracted people from a variety of backgrounds, including those who already work in the port, fishermen from Southend, people from Lowestoft who work in the offshore renewables sector plus college students and jobseekers recommended to us

by Jobcentre Plus.

“We have received very positive feedback from these visitors and also from the maritime businesses who were here to promote the career opportunities that the Thames Tideway Tunnel project will offer and to encourage a new generation of people to start a sustainable seagoing or shoreside career.”

ENJOYING THE BIG DAY

Making the bes Christmas We all tend to reminisce after the festive season about our fabulous family get-togethers.

But sometimes it’s the embarrassing and unfortunate encounters that stick in the mind.

Prospective candidates at Tilbury finding out Life Coach Vicky Kelly founder of Yolsk and writer more about job opportunities at the Thames Tunnel project Simon Edge, give us their verdicts onTideway how to cope

legacy that is about more than Enabling works begin on Peter added: “It’s never too seeking.Tideway Just be cheerful and calm, just a cleaner river. the Thames Tunnel in late to consider a career in shake it off!

It will ensure the continuity 2015and andjust construction begins the maritime sector so even if caught inofan employment and skills in 2016No at one morewants than to 11be sites you areChristmas. in employment at the AHH, that within the UK alongargument the river.between two people development moment, perhaps bored with Family gatherings, the in-laws, theythe love dearly. Do not get drawn maritime sector, helping Over eight-year your 9 toand 5 office routine and alcohol stressful catering into to taking sides. individuals to develop construction period, the Instead decide looking for an What exciting career arrangements. could go to be the independent voice of long-term careers within project will create thousands change, wrong? I’d urge you to find reason, who 2023, can see Beyond thethat both the industry. Find out more outFortunately more aboutI these new like my in-laws of jobs. points valid. thamestidewaytunnel.co.uk. willare create a lasting opportunities.” (although whether they count as project 11 LIFESTYLE 29 WEEKEND 33 MOTORING 38areSPORT in-laws as we not married is a Help out grey area).

CONSUMER There are usually one or two However, lifeCOUNCIL has broughtFOR uponWATER Page 14 members of the family who me many times when I’ve had to Est. have the most to do. This can be associate with the company of 1975 incredibly stressful for them. Offer people who are a little “trying” to help out and do it now. water customers. in holding water A NEW shall weteam say. So I have a few Paul Quinn is Paul Quinn, I know mycompanies account of consumer Mum startstoher tips, to help make this the best an environment to ensure they watchdogs is ready given your Alison Dedicoat, Gill preparations Christmas in are possible Christmas and sustainability for the challenge Holmes and Richard services November, sodelivering there maythe well be professional who circumstances! of championing the Powell, will represent customers expect. things that need doing well in go wrong, worked forand the then ask yourself: “They are before looking interests of water customers of Severn advance, not just an hour can I do, to ensure that this probl FULLY INSURED • ALL WORK GUARANTEED • FREE ESTIMATES • NO DEPOSITS TAKEN Environment Agency Be diplomatic TrentifWater, South to the customers in Central you sit downforward to the main meal. If resolved/prevented” and its predecessors and write do NO SUB-CONTRACTORS USED • OVER 10,000 HAPPY CUSTOMERS CANNOT BE WRONG! As a general rule of thumb, providing for and Eastern Staffordshire Water, you make lifechallenge easier forofsomeone, 36ofyears. a list solutions, repeatedly ask ADVERTISING IN YOUR YELLOW PAGES AND THOMSON LOCAL FOR OVER 35 YEARS someone hasEngland. a problem with you, The Consumer Cambridge Water, a strong and effective Alison Dedicoat you’re pro-actively reducing yourself “what else?” until you’v it’s their problem. It’s something Council forthe Water Anglian Waterthe and voice for customers is a former policy stress, and the likelihood of exhausted the options. to do with way someone else SPRING (CCWater) manager at the arguments. throughout the treated themhas in the past, orEssex the and Suffolk DEALS ON region.” appointed four local Water.

Consumer Council mood they are in on that day.

ALL NEW Bernard Crump, They will press consumer advocates for Water. She was What they want, forper youcent to ROOFS landing on surfaces, minimising ItDo willsome help reduce cent via aclosely sneeze andis50 watercongestion companiesand to to work with Central and Eastern also previously be offended or drawn into it (on a troubleshooting the risk of infecting others. to open up your airways. via contact, to CCWater, HAVE you ever felt that everyon the hand region’s waterso it is essential Chair for make sure they are project manager subconscious level) so that they can Spend a bit of time in advance Lower your body humidifier. maintain good by said: washing is having a magical “Our localUse a roomdelivering value for companies andhygiene to for the Water Act Christmas w createfrequently. even more reason to feel bad, They having a think about what could temperature. The flu virus can Maid in hands work tomoney kill germs Essex.qxp_Maid in Essex 04/08/2014 13:29 Page 1 you’re stuck in one room with th and and improving ensure they are acting consumer advocates 2003 at Ofwat. Her • Roof Repair Specialists, All Leaks Cured or powerful, orsteamy whatever they are cause your body temperature a hot, old people wishing it was all ove play a crucialbacteria. role their customer service. qualifications in Take the best interests of shower. include • New Tiled Roofs & Velux Windows EPDM Rubber Flat Roofs to rise to 38C, so keep yourself Sitting inResources the same old room w MSc Water • Long Lasting Alternative To Felt • High Performance Felt Flat Roofs cool. a load of oldand friends and relatives DISCOUNT WHEN Technology • Made To Measure With No Joins Drink plenty ofQUOTING fluids.

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OBE is Vice Chair down to eat till two or three o’clo Then call us on: A syrup is the most suitable basic the aches and pains. rice, Head of• Commercial & Treat of the Institute Industrial Experts everyone wantsofto sit in front of WE OFFERformulation VERY COMPETITIVE for coughsPRICES to coat & theWILL Take Materials maximum Used strength Ibuprofen y Studies at•Hull Environmental TheYork Best Quality the telly afterwards, it’ll be dark BEAT ANY GENUINE WRITTEN ESTIMATE! throat, reduce the irritation and soothe 400mg tablets which provide effective says: “The only way Managers you know and it and you’ll never get • 24 Hour Emergency Repairs, 7 Days Assessors (IEMA) the cough reflex. and strong pain relief. oid the seasonal germs Domestic Cleaning and Ironing Much better to go beforehand and Chair ofin Wild Don’t take antibiotics.

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Vicky’s verdict

Make your next holiday an active one

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NEWS

Simon’s verdi

Lifestyle PAGE

14 Gardening

Travel Luxemburg PAGE 28

writing

Kids board games PAGE

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An education in creative Maggie Freeman grew up in Trinidad moving to England when she was 10. Her second historical novel Daughter of the Sea, was published last month by Endeavour Press

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’VE always loved telling stories. As a child, I’d tell them to my sister in the early morning as we lay in bed. After supper I’d tell them to my cousins by the glow of the fire as we sat in the front room with the curtains closed and the light out.

Then when my sons were young I’d tell them stories. That’s when I started to write them down.

Two of them were published, space fantasies because that’s what the boys loved.

That led to my teaching Creative Writing in Adult Education in Essex - some-thing I’ve done now for years. I really enjoy it - it’s good to help people find what they want to say, and to give them the tools to express themselves.

Everyone can write if they really want to.

Writing is a conversation where you can’t see

your reader. It’s a secret place where you can express yourself without worrying about what anyone else thinks. Where you can explore how you feel about the world, or how you would like it to be.

But writing and publishing are different worlds.

Publishers need to make money out of their authors. For ages I couldn’t find one who was prepared to gamble on my work.

I’d begun to write mainly novels for adults - poetry as well.

Then an educational publisher used an extract from one of my children’s novels in a reading book. I asked if I could write for them. They said yes.

I’ve written 10 reading books for primary age children so far, and they’ve been good fun. I like the challenge of writing to a strict word limit, to interest and entertain children aged between six and ten. It’s so important that they should want to read, and to find out about the world around them. And I’ve learnt a lot along the way, about scaffolding and Archimedes, animal conservation and other things. I’ve learnt to enjoy doing research.

Doing research has turned my failure at getting my novels published into success. I’ve had two novels published now. They’re both historical romances set in the Tudor period or just after.

Daughter of the Sea, my latest one, tells the story of Mary, a fictional daughter of Sir Francis Drake.

Born in the Spice Islands, as a teenager she is

Maggie’s new book, farleft, Daughter of the Sea, above an illustration from her children’s book The Mouse and the Magic Socks published by Ransom

sold by her mother to a Chinese sea-captain.

She goes to live in Melaka, and eventually sets off to England in search of her father. It’s available on Amazon - type in Maggie Freeman and Daughter of the Sea and you’ll find it.

I’m just researching my next novel now. I’ve been reading about the great Forest of Essex.

Next time you’re stuck on the A12, imagine yourself there several hundred years ago. You’re surrounded by great oak trees. A breeze is rustling the leaves.

Sunlight dapples through them. You hear a wolf howl, then the jingle of harness.

Who is riding toward you?

So you want to write…

1. Find something you want to write about - a character or a story or a dream. Something from the present, past or future - real or fantasy. It’s up to you.

2. Every story begins at a moment of change.

3. Some people plunge straight into writing their story. Others plan carefully. I’m half way between the two. If I have a rough plan, I’m less likely to get lost on the way.

4. When your reader opens a book, all they can see is black squiggles on paper. You have to make your world come alive for them. Do this by using all your senses. Not just sight, but touch and taste, hearing and smell, just as we interpret the real world.

5. Make things happen.

For more details on Maggie and her books visit her website maggiefreeman.info

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Beauty

Protecting your

peepers…

Eyes are the first place to show signs of ageing, so whether it’s puffiness, dark circles or crows feet, here’s our pick of the top lotions and potions to help keep those little niggles at bay.

Celeb favourite Kim Kardashian says Bio-Oil is her secret skincare saviour and that it helps to prevent wrinkles around her eyes. Built into a daily skin care routine, Bio-Oil can be applied all over the body, including the face. Bio-Oil (from £8.95, 60ml, available from Boots)

Best for dark circles Manuka Doctor ApiNourish Age-Defying Eye Cream (£9.99, 15ml, manukadoctor. co.uk) Best for crows feet Dr Organic Snail Gel Eye Serum (£12.99, 15ml, Holland & Barrett) An eye serum that combines Snail Secretion Filtrate with the active Proteolea. This unique active ingredient is

clinically proven to reduce wrinkle depth, rejuvenating the skin by six years in four weeks.

Avene thermal spring water to help soothe irritations, redness and itching.

Best for sensitive eyes Soothing Eye Contour Cream (£9.50, 10ml, Boots) This soothing cream has been specifically formulated for the most delicate and sensitive area of the face. It contains a high percentage of soothing and anti-irritating

Best for puffy eyes Trilogy Eye Contour Cream (£26.50, 20ml, John Lewis) Trilogy Eye Contour Cream restores and revives the delicate skin around the eye contour area, helping banish puffy, tired eyes.

Male grooming LIFESTYLE

Flip-Flop Ready

With the ski season coming to an end, the holiday season is taken over by the sun seekers after a long winter. And we are of an age where it’s clearly not just women who have a summer grooming regime to make sure they’re looking presentable on the beach.

Men are not just keen to hit the gym and fit into their chinos, but to have their hair, skin and feet looking their grooming best. At MENACE Male Grooming & Barbershop in Shenfield they see an increase in demand for ‘look-good services’.

Founder and expert male groomer, Matthew Norris explains “throughout the colder months, our feel good services (i.e massage and cut-throat shaves) are definitely

our most popular. But as we approach holiday season, the look good services (waxing, facials & pedicures) are the most sought after services”.

When preparing for a holiday the priority is and will always be a haircut. Men often tend to go shorter for their ‘holiday haircut’. Unless you’re going to the desert, the hair being a few millimeters longer won’t really make that much

of difference in the heat.

However, a style that is easy to maintain can make a big difference whilst on your travels.

It’s 2015, and it is now almost unacceptable to not groom our body hair. A back wax is the most popular service in the treatment room at MENACE, and for just £25, it can transform your beach appearance. Be sure to follow aftercare advice, and you won’t be

struggling for volunteers to rub sun cream into your smooth hairless back.

For men, summer often means one thing, flip flops! But these are not to be worn with jeans. Just like you shouldn’t wear formal shoes with shorts.

Now to get those feet flip ready, a small course of pedicures is a must. If you have excess hard skin, opt for a Callus Peel add on, then the missus really has nothing to complain about (well almost nothing). If you suffer from dry feet, most men do, a good foot cream most evenings before bed can make a

real difference.

Be sure to dry your feet properly, out of the shower and out of the pool and sea, to avoid athletes foot, often picked up in the changing room.

Finally, and not just for summer, but make sure

you have two eyebrows.

One of the cheapest services in the salons, but definitely one of the most effective. There is no need for ultra feminine brows, just two tidy, neat eyebrows instead of one hairy slug – giving your eyes depth and definition.

OFFER FOR MADE IN ESSEX READERS

3rd off of a Back & Shoulder Wax –

usually £30, for readers £20 (T&Cs – once per customer, valid until the end of May 2015)

MIE Male Grooming Beach Special – Men’s Wash Cut & Finish, Back & Shoulder Wax, and a Pedicure & Foot 3rd off a Massage - £49 instead of £74.

(T&Cs – once per customer, valid until end of May 2015 with a £10 upgrade for use on a Saturday)

Menace Male Grooming, 196 Hutton Road, Brentwood, Shenfield, Essex 01277 202448/menacegrooming.co.uk

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Fashion

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1. Top £34 Trousers, ABOUT, £40 (www. about-underwear.com) Infused with SILK PROTEIN - cooling and breathable.

2. S lingback yellow heels Chie Mihara £200 www.chiemihara.com 3. Taifun oversized jumper £55 www. gerryweber.com/en/collections/taifun 4. Yellow and white slingback sandals Carlo Pazolini £155 www.carlopazolini.com 5. 6 0% wool 30% silk 10% cashmere colour block crew neck silver and citrus sweater, Johnstons Of Elgin £175 www.johnstonscashmere.com 6. Joseph Ribkoff yellow dress £205, www.josephribkoff.com 7. Floral wedges Tamaris, £44.99 www.tamaris.eu

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Summer White & Neutrals 1. Sleeveless body ABOUT, £28 (Enriched with Aloe Vera keeping skin moisturised during wear) www.about-underwear.com 2. C ross body bag, Carlo Pazolini £195 www. carlopazolini.com 3. White brogue-style shoes Carlo Pazolini, £155 www.carlopazolini.com 4. Pale taupe pashmina/scarf Johnstons of Elgin £175 wwww.johnstonscashmere.com 5. Evella_RoseGold watch STORM, £99.99, www.stormwatches.com 6. Striped skirt, Taifun £85, www.gerryweber. com/en/collections/taifun 7. White dress Marc Cain, £219, www.marc-cain.com

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Gardening Get out LIFESTYLE

and grow!

It’s National Gardening Week (April 13-19) and the Royal Horticultural Society are encouraging people to get out and grow!

Potting pansies

Easy to grow Bleeding Hearts

A

PRIL is such a fresh and pretty time of the year in the garden, fully relieving us of any signs of winter.

It’s also time to spring into action as warmer days and longer daylight hours encourage plants to grow. Horticultural Team Leader Christine Woodhouse shares her gardening know-how for this glorious time of year

Essential jobs for April

• Tidy up from winter. Continue to cut back any perennial plants, clear fallen leaves and any early flowers leftover from winter that are littering the borders.

• Dig over areas where there foot prints have compacted the soil and feed with a fertiliser such as Vitax Q4.

• Add a mulch around your plants to lock in moisture. A good tip is to mix together a bag of compost and some fine bark. You end up with is a good soil conditioner that looks attractive too.

• Tie up any clematis as they start to shoot using string or plant ties so they don’t get heavy and flop.

• Start to spray your roses once a month for black spot fungus to keep them looking as fresh as possible through the year.

• Dead head any remaining daffodils as they finish. The leaves can be left to die down naturally as

Lawn care

get you started? Why not head for Hyde Hall to see the many beautiful Time to brush the dust of spring flowers that adorn the your lawnmower. Your borders. Feel free to chat grass will definitely to the gardeners and need a trim if you get tips to make your haven’t started gardens glorious this already, as it will be actively summer. growing.

Pop in over the However, if weekend of April winter has 18-19 and you’ll left it full of discover a range Lawn care moss, rake it out of special events for and then scatter the Spring Gardening & some top soil (widely Wildlife Weekend. available in any garden For further information go to: centre). Finally, over-sow with www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall. Hyde some grass seed. The April showers Hall is open daily from 10am. From will soon work their magic and your the A130 head towards South lawn will be looking beautiful in no Woodham Ferrers. time at all.

Grow your own

There’s nothing tastier than a home grown carrot, so why not give them a go? You can sow carrots in rows under fleece or cloches, or even a large pot if you’re tight on space.

And don’t forget to plant out your seed potatoes as soon as they start to sprout.

Grow your own carrots all that lovely energy will help next year’s flowers.

• Uncover outside water pipes and find those hose reels and watering cans as it won’t be long until they are needed.

• Close taps on water butts to harvest water for your pots.

Architectural beauty

I love the fresh green shoots of the Japanese shield fern that start to

Christine Woodhouse

Here comes summer

Start to sow summer annuals for the borders. They should be ready for planting out in May. A shoot at this time of year, unfurling real favourite of mine is Cosmos their delicate fronds. This striking deciduous fern has triangularElm Farm ‘Daydream’.

In heated greenhouses, or sunny shaped fronds, coppery-red when windowsills sow seeds for hanging young and maturing to dark green. baskets. Try things like petunias, busy Lizzies and bedding geraniums Quick fix in small plug trays.

For instant impact and colour plant pansies and violas in pots. They will continue to flower right through Take inspiration from Hyde until late spring and then you can Hall swap them for summer bedding.

Still need a bit of inspiration to

About Christine Woodhouse

Christine Woodhouse has been at Hyde Hall for 10 years, five of which as a team leader. She said: “I find it very rewarding working at the garden and enjoy teaching the trainees.” When not at work she can be found in her own garden which she describes as small, shady and challenging.

Outdoor living The Great Outdoors

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Solar Round Rattan Lanterns from £8.99, Wyevale Garden Centres

Get ready to be Inspired by these new quirky pieces and give your garden a stunning makeover, says Robin Collingwood

NOW’S the time to turn your attention outside: whether you’re green fingered and fancy some new planters or maybe you’re just looking for some instant colour with some striking accessories. This year the garden is set to be the new living space so make sure yours is bang up to date.

Crystal Pillar Candles, £4.99 each Wyevale Garden Centres

Dahlia Arbour, £349, Marks and Spencer

Cancun outdoor cube in turquoise and moss green, £49.95, Cuckooland

Vintage green metal table, £75, Marquis & Dawe

Henley by Kettler Mosaic Table £349, Round Basket chair £125 and accessories all John Lewis

Set of three planters by Garden Trading, £50, Amara Extra large outdoor lantern, £60, BHS

Owl planter, £7.99, Homebase

Tesco barrel BBQ, £70, Tesco Direct

Above: Harlestone lounging set (incl.

2 armchairs, table with glass top, sofa & cushions), £1,099 Wyevale Garden Centres

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GARDEN Malmo Chimenea, 150cm, £99.99

Moretta Rocking chair, £70, B&Q

Get the most out of our your garden with a trip to Wyevale Garden Centres who have six branches in Essex - Upminster, Stanway, Springfield, Rayleigh, Ongar and Braintree. Pick up must have plants for the season, garden furniture and accessories and much more….

Burgon Traditional trug, medium from £19.99 filled with various bulb packs from £3.99

Wilko metal wall planter, £6, Wilkinson

Large Cement-look ball, £12, Sainsburys

Royal Palaces Baroque Print gardener glove, £12.99, wellies, £29.99

Large Glass Lantern 38cm, £29.99

Mexican Azteca chimenea, x-lrg £99.99

STOCKISTS Amara www.amara.com B&Q www.diy.com BHS www.bhs.co.uk 0344 411 6000 Cuckooland www.cuckooland.com Dotcom gift shop www. dotcomgiftshop,com 0208 746 2473 Homebase www.homebase. co.uk 0345 077 8888 John Lewis www.johnlewis. co.uk 03456 049 049 Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com 0333 014 8000 Marquis and Dawe www. marquisanddawe.co.uk 01925 767611 Sainsburys www.sainsburys.co.uk 0330 123 1962 Tesco Direct, www.tesco. com, 0800 323 4050.

Wilkinson www.wilko. com 01474 535311 Wyevale Garden Centres 0344 272 3000/www. wyevalegardencentres.co.uk

16 LIFESTYLE

17 PROPERTY

30 WEEKEND

34 MOTORING

38 SPORT

Wellbeing

Aloe to the aid

If you want to maintain a healthy digestive system, Aloe Vera could be for you says Bob Blake OFTEN called the Miracle Plant, the Silent Healer, the Burn Plant or even the Medicine Plant, this amazing medicinal herb has been benefiting mankind for nearly 4000 years.

George Ebers first discovered its antiquity in 1862 in an ancient Egyptian papyrus dated 3500 BC and other researchers have found it was also used by ancient Chinese and Indian cultures. Greek and Roman physicians such as Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder used it to great effect and legend suggests that Aristotle persuaded Alexander the Great to capture the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean to get its rich supply of aloe to heal his wounded soldiers. The Egyptian Queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra also rated it highly as a beauty therapy.

Although there are over 200 species of aloe the most potent is Aloe Barbadensis Miller and is the only one that is entitled to be known as aloe vera or the true aloe.

For any product to work effectively aloe

needs to be the principal ingredient so you must look for products with a substantial aloe vera content.

The inner leaf gel contains at least 75 known nutrients which include vitamins, minerals, long-chain sugars, enzymes and 19 of the 20 amino acids that we need, qualities and antioxidant properties which help firstly to prevent injury to epithelial tissues and then promotes their healing when they are damaged.

Antioxidants fight the destructive ‘free radicals’, the unstable compounds produced by our metabolism and found in environmental pollutants. They are thought to cause various ailments including some cancers as well as contributing towards the ageing process.

Our largest epithelium is our skin but also included are the lining of the gut, the bronchial tubes and the genital tract. This is why it works just as well on damaged skin as it does on an inflamed bowel or in asthma

because it works on surfaces and membranes rather than solid organs.

Its natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action combined within its nutritional constituents promote cell growth and therefore healing.

However, it is not only helpful for those with underlying conditions as most people report a greater sense of wellbeing. This is due to aloe’s second effect on the immune system which you may say becomes balanced or fine-tuned and therefore more efficient at defending the body from attack.

Taken daily it is one of the best nutritional supplements available. Forever Living Products are proud to lead the way in bringing these benefits to people around the world.

Aloe Vera Gel

Imagine slicing open an aloe leaf and consuming the gel straight from the plant.

Well, you can come as close as possible to doing just that by drinking Forever’s Aloe Vera Gel. Their patented, stabilised aloe vera gel is ‘essentially identical’ to the fresh gel of the inner leaf and it was the first to receive certification by the international Aloe

Science Council. Just pour come into a glass and you’ll see the rich cocktail of pulp and liquid that shows that this is an authentic product.

Aloe Vera Gel contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals including the rare vitamin B12 - one of only two vegetable sources available. This makes Aloe Vera Gel a vital supplement for vegetarians and vegas. Folic acid is also found naturally in the gel. Together it provides seven essential amino acids which are directly linked to cell growth and which cannot be manufactured within the body from other sources.

There are so many nutrients in the drink, one thing is certain Aloe Vera Gel has had a profoundly positive influence on the health and lifestyle of many. This positive influence is in part due to the adaptogenic nature of the gel - different bodies draw different benefits according to their need for nutritional supplementation.

Even those who have no particular ailment report that it provides a good healthy lifestyle and an increased sense of wellbeing.

For more details on the benefits of Aloe Vera and Forever Living Products visit www.hwss.co.uk or call Bob Blake on 07747 742578.

Aloe FOREVER More people are turning to alternative natural health care products, and as a result, aloe vera is attracting attention as it can provide many benefits for our health and lifestyle.

For more information on ordering products or joining the team please see below.

Dawn Hagger Tel: 07943 103355 E: dhagger7@gmail.com

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You could increase your budget, raise money and/or clear debts, leave a nest egg for the family & undertake home improvements.

Douglas Allen - Property Of The Week

*Under the “Home For Life Plan” you will be granted a lifetime lease for your protection

BRENTWOOD | 01277 218 525

View of the paddock from Blomfield House View of the paddock from Blomfield House

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BRENTWOOD, PRICE £795,000 4 Bedroom Detached House.

Vaulted Lounge & Galleried Mezzanine Area.

Double Detached Garage.

Douglas Allen, Brentwood - 01277 218525

b lom f i e l d Ho u s E , S w i s s l a n d H i l l , D or m a n s Pa r k , R H 1 9 2 N H b lom f i e l d Ho u s E , S w i s s l a n d H i l l , D or m a n s Pa r k , R H 1 9 2 N H

Brentwood, Romford and Chelmsford’s Comprehensive Homes Supplement A charming five bedroom, five reception room family home with over 5000sqftsqftof living accommodation A charming bedroom, five available receptionwhich room adjoins family home with• over 5000 of living accommodation There is alsofive a 2-acre paddock the land Guide price £2million EPC = B There is also a 2-acre paddock available which adjoins the land • Guide price £2million EPC = B am pm Open Friday - Monday 11 - 5 • Tel: 01342 774850 Email: sales@mdh.uk.com • www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk Open Friday - Monday 11am - 5pm • Tel: 01342 774850 Email: sales@mdh.uk.com • www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk

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s in most new businesses, desire hat could trumps need. Setting up a be more property portfolio satisfying from scratch can take years and, as in most than stepping businesses, the secret of success outside your

Retirement properties TelephoneDownsizing, P3, and homes to suit retirees, P8-9 is, perhaps, not so secret after all. door to pick What follows is a road map of how one client 01277 833130 your own t h i s s e a s o n ’s mu s t h av e

Email Address enquiries@madeinessex.net Website www.madeinessex.net

b lom f i e l d Ho u s E , S w i s s l a n d H i l l , D or m a n s Pa r k , R H 1 9 2 N H A charming five bedroom, five reception room family home with over 5000sqft of living accommodation There is also a 2-acre paddock available which adjoins the land • Guide price £2million EPC = B Open Friday - Monday 11am - 5pm • Tel: 01342 774850 Email: sales@mdh.uk.com • www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk

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SALES MANAGER: Jessica Ali 01277 833130

built a portfolio (although I have changed some home grown details to protect the innocent!) vegetables?

Cultivating your own nosh is

View of the paddock from Blomfield House

So, in the first instance, Billyseems (let’s to call certainly one trend that never gohim away. that, mainly because that’s his name!) bought In fact, sales of vegetable seeds are on the his first property in 1983 in cash (earned up thanks to the likes of TV programmes

from trading), inwith a Home Counties such street as River Cottage, Hugh Fearnleytown.

Within four years, property had Whittingstall extolling the virtues prices of digging increased 63% (1983-87) and he sold it and your own by patch. bought a new main residence and two buy-toIt doesn’t matter whether you have a large lets. He then moved out of the main residence garden, a small patio or even just a balcony and rented a tiny flat for himself, his then - simply adjust the scale of your operation partner and their daughter. He let the main accordingly and choose plants that will thrive in property out as bedsits. A tough call, but it the type of conditions you have available. suited the market at that time.

Try and make life easier, too, initially by You will recall that, between 1989 and 1993, choosing vegetables and salads that are Hyde is committed to tackling thequick housing property prices fell off a cliff and interest rates and easy to grow, so even if you have shortage and reducing some ofminimal these shot up, but by 1996, prices were recovering. or even no gardening experience, you will still impacts by: Billy then re-mortgaged all three properties and achieve a successful harvest with little effort.

• Developing 1,000 mixed tenure homes a bought two more. In 1998, he married and his The idea is not to put yourself off for life, but to year with a focus on increasing this further wife sold her house. With the proceeds, they bought three more properties. His brother then • Delivering quality management services joined the party and they bought a further three across all tenures and uses

How to start a kitchen garden Creating your own kitchen garden is not as hard as it might seem. Richenda Oldham sows the seeds for a future veggie harvest.

‘overnight’ property success – as easy as it sounds?

UÊ Design and layout Plan your vegetable plot with care. You want to make it as easy as possible to manage, because there is a fair We believe that the answer to delivering more We have the financial capacity, A1 Moody’s Choosing a site amount of planting, weeding, watering, tying homes, particularly ones that are affordable credit rating and the highest validation When deciding where you are going to put your up and harvesting involved. or are available for low cost ownership, is to from the Homes and Communities Agency. work collaboratively with local authorities. A Equally, our reputation for innovation and veggie patch, there are a number of factors to be UÊ Try and create paths, which are wide enough partnership approach allows local authorities creativity in designing new solutions for considered first if you want to achieve optimum for a wheelbarrow, all the way around the delivering affordable homes means we are to match their assets with our experience of results: beds • After 1997 (when I got involved), he only his rents to improve the fabric of his business mixed tenure development and regeneration, an ideal partner for local authorities.

UÊ Go for a sunny site with good drainage - a UÊ Use gravel or paving slabs to stop the paths to create housing and communities in the rented to professionals. (literally). In fact, he invested and was willing We are committed to communities and south-facing spot is ideal becoming muddy most cost-effective and sustainable way.

• Up until 2008, when interest rates fell, he to be patient before reaping the benefits of his places for the long term, supporting our Choosing what to grow really is the fun • Maximising life chances for residents UÊ As a result, plants will be more disease UÊ Raised beds, made from scaffold planks, are made little income the portfolio. investments.

True very partnerships can from be achieved in a developments with high quality, coordinated part.through Hyde Plus’ support service You don’t even have to grow plants resistant and have better flavour more ergonomically friendly to bad backs Innumber other words, on a £5.25m portfolio, with My view on his portfolio is that it’s time to from scratch. Buying young plants, of ways: management services. These core objectives UÊ Avoid shade and overhanging trees or UÊ If you are short on space consider growing • Retaining a strong financial covenant and cultivated by someone else doesn’t make as a registered provider distinguish us from £3m in mortgages, with rents of £189,000 move on. IHT (inheritance tax) alone would be • A joint venture model with sharing of risk shrubs vegetables vertically, such as beans, gourds, you commitment to invest for the future any less of a gardener. If you do have other market housing developers. and interest of £150,000 (at 5%), gross profit circa £1m and at age 63, there needs to be an and reward time to nurture plants from seed, then a UÊ Don’t plant next to hedges, as the soil will cucumbers or melons was £49,000 but, over the 22 years, capital end game. In other words, sell.

We are open to ideas, so let’s do more to good tip is never to start earlier than is tend to be dry UÊ Containers are another alternative if you don’t • Sharing the build programme: Hyde appreciation is say £2m.

The portfolio is now So, what can we take from Billy’s experience: recommended on the packet. Here are a work together, pooling resources, ideas and UÊ Plan how you are going to water your much in room develops and sells the commercial few suggestions for good growers: worth £6m.

• have Investing property is a business. Do ambitions, to create homes for people that elements of a mixed tenure scheme and the vegetable patch if there is a dry spell.

Will you UÊ Improve your soil addingbest generous need them the most.

• For the record, one of the properties he your research as by to where yields can be UÊ Courgette UÊ Rhubarb local authority develops and retains some or need to install an outdoor tap? helpings of manure and fertiliser every year bought in 2007 is still below the purchase obtained and best possible capital growth – UÊ Cucumber UÊ Spinach all of the affordable/social homes, to deliver UÊ Garlic UÊ Tomatoes price now. look beyond your locality. an ongoing revenue A classic English kitchen garden Runner beans will need a simple UÊ Jerusalem UÊ Strawberries • Consider itclimbing as a long game.

- growing your own food is both frame to support them UÊ Sweetcorn artichoke We look forward to working with you • Hyde acts as the development and/or exciting and satisfying they grow • Prepare forasmuch higher interest rates (oh, by UÊ Climbing beans, UÊ Salad leaves And for those who like statistics... in the future.

To arrange a meeting, sales agent for the local authority the by, you could consider borrowing against peas and broad From Nationwide’s house Price survey please contact: • Traditional regeneration projects beans your main residence, since rates will be lower Period Average UK Percentage Simon Vevers – but do you have the nerve? Also, make sure price change change • Stock transfer opportunities Development Director, Regeneration you tell your lender why).

1983(Q2) – 1987(Q2) £27,386 > £42,987 +56% simon.vevers@hyde-housing.co.uk Pick the leaves on lettuces, leaving • Sit down and work out your return, after all 1987 – 1993 £42,987 > £51,918 +20% the roots, so the leaves can re-grow Tom Shaw income and costs. Repeat the exercise on a 1993 – 1998 £51,918 > £58,403 +12% Development Director, South Coast regular basis and manage both sides of the 1998 – 2001 £58,403 > £87,638 +50% tom.shaw@hyde-housing.co.uk accounts.

2001 – 2008 £87,638 > £174,514 +99% properties (all on a shared basis).

• Hone your skills – do a decorating/joinery/ Mike Johnson 2008 – 2012 £174,514 > £164,955 -5% His wife managed the redecoration bookkeeping course. It will save you money, Development Director, London and Kent mike.johnson2@hyde-housing.co.uk and maintenance of the properties.

• In the first 25 years, he rarely could afford to unless your marginal earnings and time Between 1998 and 2001, property prices rose go on holiday. Remember, unless you sell to are of higher value than the cost of a by some 50% and he re-mortgaged the whole release capital, the margin between income tradesperson. portfolio (well, in fact, I did) and bought another and mortgage interest costs is not necessarily • Sell, if you see better opportunities elsewhere five properties and we repeated the operation in that high.

– why don’t landlords do more of that?

2006 (by then, property prices were up by 70%, • He is also resilient and tough. He did use • Look to build partnerships with friends and approximately). His property portfolio was 21 solicitors as and when tenants couldn’t (or family – but do choose carefully.

Tomatoes are ideal Baby courgettes homes. The yield at that time was circa 7.5%, wouldn’t) pay. He could and would face up • Plan your exit. for growing in are delicious, as but interest rates were 6.5% on average. to difficult tenants.

• Remember that having ten properties can small spaces suchHe also maintained his are the yellow asto balconies which Right now, interest rates are at an all-time low properties high standards. I guess he actually be less risky than flaowers, couple – butcan be stuffed – profits are flattered and frankly exceptional. married well! reinvest profits to bring down mortgage Capital appreciation is back.

• He also bought in the best streets, in the borrowing as quickly as possible. best part of town. It may reduce initial yield, • Don’t be put off by the naysayers. but it maintains yield (better tenants) and, There is lots of evidence that investors buy some points you should know: • Billy managed all the properties himself and in the long run, produces higher capital at the top and sell at the bottom, for various saved, say, 10% per annum in agent charges. appreciation. I also believe that, once the reasons. Property is illiquid, compared with Up until very recently, he undertook all ‘London effect’ is over and investors look shares, but consider price movement over the maintenance work himself. further afield, his part of suburbia will do past year. Hunt for likely value!

• He worked full-time as a healthcare worker – very well. I mention this, because I think that Finally – take independent advice. And talk to this is a “switched-on” guy with ambition and is where growth will happen next. your spouse – believe me, it’s a joint effort. guts (and a vision).

The key point of this story is that Billy Lawrence Watts is a chartered financial • He invested every penny of profits back into managed his outgoings by using his job to planner with HBB. Contact 07982 235543, his properties. pay for day-to-day living costs and reinvested 01727 862477

What to plant

give yourself a rewarding experience, save some money, be sustainable and enjoy yourself!

can you make a lot of money quickly with a property portfolio, asks finance expert Lawrence Watts

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Brentwood

Price £795,000 Brentwood

Price £750,000 Brentwood

Offers Over £650,000

• 4 Bedroom Architectural Designed Property

• 4 bedroom bungalow with 3 receptions

• 2 bedroom semi-detached house with 2 bathrooms

• Vaulted Lounge, Extensive Accommodation

• En-suite shower room & conservatory

• 2 receptions & GF cloakroom

• Double Garage

• Summerhouse, side & rear garden

Brentwood: 01277 218525

D(64)

• Extensive frontage, secluded garden & outbuilding

Brentwood: 01277 218525

E(49)

Brentwood: 01277 218525

E(41)

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Warley

Price £499,950 Brentwood

Price £465,000 Pilgrims Hatch

Price £355,000

• 2 bedroom GF apartment with 2 bathrooms

• 4 bedroom semi-detached house with garage

• 4 bedroom semi-detached chalet style bungalow

• Large open plan living accommodation

• GF shower room & 1st floor bathroom

• GF shower room & 1st floor en-suite shower room

• 2 allocated secure parking spaces

• Ideal For High Street & station

• Rural views, detached garage

Brentwood: 01277 218525

F(25)

Brentwood: 01277 218525

D(63)

Brentwood: 01277 218525

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D(60)

AGED OVER SIXTY? SIXTY? AGED AGED OVER OVER SIXTY?

With a ‘lifetime lease’* With a ‘lifetime ‘lifetime lease’* With a you could see alease’* With a ‘lifetime lease’* you could see see a to 40%. you could a reduction of up you could see a reduction of up to to 40%.

40%. reduction up You couldof increase your reduction of up to 40%.

You could increase your You could increase your budget, raise money You could increase your budget, raisedebts, money budget, raise money and/or clear budget, raise money and/or clear debts, and/or clear debts, leave a nest egg for the and/or clear debts, leave a&nest nest egg for forhome the leave egg the familya undertake leave a nest egg for the family & undertake home family & undertake home improvements. family & undertake home improvements. improvements. improvements.

West Horndon

Price £350,000

• 2 bedroom semi-detached chalet bungalow with loft area • 2 Receptions, extended • Rural views to rear, garage

Brentwood: 01277 218525

E(42)

Price £540,000 Warley

£360,500

Price £365,000 Hutton

£244,000

4 bedroom apartment with en-suite Own garden & parking Convenient for Brentwood railway station C(72)

3 bedroom semi-detached house with loft room 2 receptions, contemporary fitted kitchen Detached garage & conservatory E(51)

01277 218525

01277 218525

*Under the “Home For Life Plan” you will be granted a lifetime lease for your protection *Under the the “Home “Home For For Life Life Plan” Plan” you you will will be be granted granted aa lifetime lifetime lease lease for for your your protection protection *Under *Under *Under the the “Home “Home For For Life Life Plan” Plan” you you will will be be granted granted aa lifetime lifetime lease lease for for your your protection protection

BRENTWOOD | 01277 218 525 BRENTWOOD BRENTWOOD || 01277 01277 218 218 525 525

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SIMILAR PROPERTIES REQUIRED FOR GENUINE DISAPPOINTED BUYERS! Walnust Close, Steeple View

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West Hanningfield – OIEO £325,000 We are delighted to be marketing this SEMI-RURAL CHARACTER COTTAGE. The home offers three reception rooms, fitted kitchen, utility room, study, three double bedrooms, en-suite to master plus family bathroom, off road parking and an attractive rear garden. Viewings Saturday 11 April.

T LE

SIMILAR PROPERTIES REQUIRED FOR GENUINE DISAPPOINTED TENANTS!

Hutton Burses - £699,995 Located within 1 mile of Shenfield station is this DETACHED, FOUR BEDROOM family home. This spacious property offers three reception rooms, two family bathrooms, a mature garden, carriage driveway and a detached garage.

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Brentwood

Brentwood - £295,000

A two double bedroom DETACHED COACH HOUSE STYLE APARTMENT located on this hugely popular modern development. The property offers a fitted kitchen, dual aspect lounge plus TWO car ports.

We are delighted to have recently joined Feefo – a completely unbiased feedback site and have already commanded a 5 star rating!

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Blackmore

Unbiased All feedback received, both positive and negative, is displayed publicly on the Feefo website. Whilst it is wonderful to get glowing reviews, consumers accept that not every company gets it right every time and a company can be measured on how good they are by the way they respond to their clients when things dont quite go perfectly.

Blackmore - £650,000 Situated in the heart of this picturesque village is this four/five bedroom link detached family home.

The property is beautifully presented and could suit couples or families alike, offering flexible living accommodation including a fully fitted study in bedroom four.

Independent Feefo is a wholly independent company, established to provide an opportunity

for e-commerce businesses such as to outsource the role of collecting genuine customer feedback about the overall service experience and the quality of the products purchased. None of the feedback received is manipulated or edited to favour the retailer what we receive is what is displayed.

Just some of the comments that we have received:

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professional and provide an excellent service which puts other estate agents to shame. I’d have absolutely no hesitation in using them again and have recommended them on a number of occasions. Experts in their field and nice people too.!”

St Thomas Road Brentwood CM14 4DB brentwood@thehomepartnership.co.uk 01277 218821

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Brentwood

GUIDE PRICE £350,000

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 11TH APRIL 2PM - 3.30 PM - NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY 16 WEST PARK HILL, CM14 4NZ. Extended 3 bedroom semi detached bungalow with raised views over mature south facing gardens. This double fronted property is in need of some modernisation and affords its new owner a fantastic opportunity for further development.

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Brentwood

£695,000 GUIDE PRICE £325,000

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 11TH APRIL 11AM - 12.30 PM - NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY 4 WEALD ROAD, CM14 4SX. Located just off Brentwood High Street and within just a short walk of Brentwood’s mainline station, stands this well-appointed 2 bedroom end of terrace cottage which is available with no onward chain. Viewing is strongly advised.

IN HA C ING O N-G O NO

£515,000

Doddinghurst

WELL PRESENTED AND EXTENDED FAMILY HOME A well presented and extended four bedroom detached house, situated in a pleasant cul de sac location, with lounge, dining area, third reception room, large kitchen/breakfast room and en-suite to master bedroom. Offered for sale with no on-going chain.

N DE R GA R EA ’R 8 7

Blackmore

PRICE GUIDE £695,000 £540,000-£560,000

A BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED FOUR BED DETACHED HOUSE A beautifully presented 4 bedroom detached house with a superb UPVC conservatory with under floor heating. En-suite dressing & shower room to the Master. 78’ rear garden. Extensive off street parking. Luxury kitchen.

S IOU C A SP

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TY PER O PR

Brentwood

£325,000

SOUGHT AFTER GALLERIES DEVELOPMENT

This simply stunning ground floor one bedroom apartment offers fantastic accommodation in terms of both size and standard. Internally it boasts a 10’6 x 8’10 reception hall, laying adjacent to a 23’3 bedroom and 22’10 sitting room, this apartment offers a truly spacious feel throughout.

DS UN O GR ED N LAW

Brentwood

£335,000

Surrounded by impeccably kept communal lawned grounds, with various pathways and seating areas, this stunning two bedroom ground floor apartment forms part of a Victorian conversion, just minutes from Brentwood’s bustling High Street.

IN HA

Doddinghurst

£410,000

POPULAR TREE LINE TURNING

An extended two bedroom semi-detached house benefiting from a double garage to the side and offering scope for further extension (subject to planning). Bay fronted lounge, dining room, fitted kitchen, conservatory and bathroom, whilst the first floor offers two bedrooms and a modern shower room.

G IN W VIE

SPACIOUS APARTMENT WITH PRIVATE COURTYARD

C ING O -G ON O N

Brentwood

ED VIS D A

Kelvedon Green

£250,000

A TWO BED MID TERRACE HOUSE WITH GARAGE IN BLOCK

Situated in a pedestrianized court yard is this two bedroom mid terrace house which benefits from UPVC double glazed windows, a through lounge with French doors to garden and a separate garage in a block.

EN RD A G AR E ’R 70

£355,000

A TWO BED DETACHED BUNGALOW FACING OPEN FIELDS

Finished to a nice specification is this two double bedroom detached bungalow facing open fields, with luxury kitchen and bathroom and own driveway leading to a detached brick built garage. The property is vacant and therefore offered with no on-going chain.

Doddinghurst

£625,000

SITUATED IN ONE OF DODDINGHURST’S PREMIER TREE LINED TURNINGS

A refurbished four bedroom detached house which features a particularly nice contemporary kitchen with appliances, en-suite shower room & separate luxurious family bathroom. The property is complimented by a deep road frontage with block paved parking for several vehicles and a mature 70’ rear garden.

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30 WEEKEND

LIFESTYLE

34 MOTORING

Food

38 SPORT

On a plate…

Dominic Spencer,

with Executive Chef of Unchained Restaurants operating restaurants from Essex to Edinburgh including Tutti ‘Tuscan Grille’ at Freeport Braintree

W

HAT is your first food memory?

Angel Delight (Strawberry!)

It was a treat if we were unwell!

Who has influenced your cooking the most?

No-one in particular, but if you are open to learning then you are influenced by lots of different people.

Why did you become a chef?

I discovered that I could cook – and manage to get everything ready at the same time!

Spinach & feta filo pie

Where did it all begin?

At home – when it became clear that I could cook better than anyone else in the family, I was quickly given the job of cooking at weekends and during school holidays.

Who are your favourite chefs?

That’s easy – Nigel Slater.

Everything he does is soooo simple! And also The Barefoot Contessa, an American food cook/writer.

What is your favourite dish/ ingredient?

Dominic Spencer Favourite dish is anything with sea bass, and I love capers.

What is your favourite herb?

Coriander – it livens most dishes up.

What’s in your fridge at home?

Capers, homemade butter, prawns, little gem lettuce (I make a salad every night with this, walnuts and vinaigrette), yoghurt, salami, white wine and cream. Cheese, fruit juice, Bon Maman jams and marmalade, and lots of pickled stuff.

Your worst kitchen nightmare?

I dropped a whole cooked salmon on the floor when I was transferring it onto a

serving dish. I had nothing to replace it with.....

Best cooking tip for a novice?

Keep it simple, and get all your ingredients ready before you start. Give yourself plenty of time, and don’t try out new recipes when you are in a hurry!

What’s your last meal on earth, if you had the chance to choose?

Lobster with lemon mayonnaise, then barbecued rack of lamb with asparagus, and crème brulee. Preferably cooked by someone else!

Tutti Grille, Freeport Designer Village, Charter Way, Braintree, Essex, CM77 8YZ - 01376 552910 / tuttigrille.com

Spring Recipes created by Tutti Grille

Cannellini Bean Bruschetta/Dip

Ingredients

1 tin cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 1 clove garlic, finely sliced 30g chopped parsley 3 tbls olive oil Juice of ½ lemon 1 ciabatta roll

Method: Heat garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and add cannellini beans to warm through.

Remove from heat and mash gently. Stir through parsley, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and

lemon juice.

Slice ciabatta roll diagonally and brush each side with olive oil. Cook on a hot griddle for 1 minute each side, and then top with the cannellini beans, or serve on the side.

27

Gorgonzola Mushrooms (Gorgonzola Funghi) Ingredients 100g chestnut mushrooms, halved 2 tbls olive oil 1 cup double cream 30g Gorgonzola cheese, cubed 1 ciabatta roll 30g chopped parsley

Method: Cut the top off the ciabatta roll and scoop out the inside. Place in oven to warm through for a few minutes.

Heat olive oil and mushrooms together for 1 minute. Add cream and gorgonzola and

continue to cook for around 5 minutes, until cream is bubbling and cheese has melted.

Remove roll from oven, lift lid and fill ‘bowl’ with mushrooms and cream. Sprinkle with parsley, place the lid on top and enjoy quickly!

Gorgonzola Mushrooms (Gorgonzola Funghi) Ingredients

100g chestnut mushrooms, halved 2 tbls olive oil 1 cup double cream 30g Gorgonzola cheese, cubed 1 ciabatta roll 30g chopped parsley

Method: Cut the top off the ciabatta roll and scoop out the inside. Place in oven to warm through for a few minutes.

Heat olive oil and mushrooms together for 1 minute. Add cream and gorgonzola and

continue to cook for around 5 minutes, until cream is bubbling and cheese has melted.

Remove roll from oven, lift lid and fill ‘bowl’ with mushrooms and cream. Sprinkle with parsley, place the lid on top and enjoy quickly!

Spring Chicken (Pollo e Asparagi) Ingredients 2 chicken breasts, sliced horizontally and flattened 12 asparagus spears 2 large baking potatoes 1 cup double cream 1 lemon Olive oil Salt

(Bruschetta

Fagioli Cannellini)

Method: Cut baking potatoes into thick slices, dry carefully and coat with olive oil. Place in oven (200 degrees) for 20 minutes.

Grate lemon zest over chicken slices, then roll chicken around 3 asparagus spears. Place on baking tray with the overlapping side down, then brush with a little olive oil and season with a pinch of salt.

When the potatoes have been in the oven for 20 minutes, add the chicken and asparagus and cook for a further 10 minutes.

Whilst chicken is cooking, heat the cream in a small pan, with a tablespoon of lemon zest and the juice of half of the lemon. Allow to bubble and then remove from the heat.

Remove the potatoes from the oven, and place on a plate. Top with one of the chicken and asparagus bundles, and pour over two tablespoons of the lemon cream.

Red Pepper Pasta (Pasta Pepe Rosso) Ingredients 1 red pepper, cut into large cubes 2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced 12 black olives 6 basil leaves 1 tin chopped tomatoes with chilli ½ teaspoon salt 2 sheets lasagne, halved and cooked according to instructions 2 tbls olive oil Method: Cook garlic and red pepper on a low heat in the olive oil. Add the basil leaves and

then the chopped tomatoes. Add one cup of water and simmer slowly for 20 minutes. Add the black olives and salt, and cook for a further 5 minutes. If sauce appears too thin, then continue to cook for another ten minutes. Remove from heat and discard basil leaves.

In a bowl, place a large spoonful of sauce and top with one slice of lasagne. Add another spoonful of sauce, and then another slice of lasagne. Continue to layer sauce and pasta until you have a top layer of sauce. Garnish with basil.

Pinoli e Basilico (Roasted Pine Nuts with Basil) Ingredients 1 bag of pine nuts 3 tbls olive oil ½ teaspoon salt 8 large basil leaves

Method: Preheat oven to 180. Roll up basil leaves into a long tube and slice finely. Mix all ingredients in a baking tray and ensure generously covered in oil.

Cook CAREFULLY for around 5-6 minutes until pine nuts are toasted and basil is crispy.

Place entire contents of tray (including oil) in a jar to keep fresh.

28 LIFESTYLE

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34 MOTORING

Travel

38 SPORT

It’s one of the smallest countries in the world - 51 miles long and 35 miles wide - but the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg punches well above its weight as a tourist destination

Sunrise Lodge

Tiny but beautifully formed Mike Pickup and wife Gilly enjoy the delights of Luxembourg

M

Y EXPLORATION base was the village of Vianden. Set on the banks of the river Our, it is dominated by a theatrical-looking medieval castle perched high on a rocky outcrop, giving the village the appearance of a Disney film set. The castle is being skilfully renovated, both inside and out, there is a new visitors’ centre and it is well worth the walk up the steep village streets or, in summer, a ride on the chairlift. The views from the top are stunning.

French author Victor Hugo was a regular visitor between 1862 and 1871. Like us he was impressed with the place and recorded its beauty in poetry and prose. Hugo did a great job of putting Vianden on the map.

His house, by the bridge linking the two halves of the village, is a popular tourist attraction.

Vianden is also the centre for walnut production and each year, on the second Sunday in October, the village streets are closed to traffic for the walnut festival. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of goodies including walnut milk, confectionary, cheese, bread, sausages, and the potent walnut liquor brandy. It’s so strong and readily available that

all leave at the nearest hospital is cancelled and a fleet of ambulances are on stand-by at the edge of the village.

Less than an hour’s drive away, past fields and farms, is the capital - confusingly also named Luxembourg. It started life as a tenth century fortress on a rocky outcrop with steep drops to the river below, making it simple to defend.

Easily explored on foot I visited the Grand Ducal Palace, the official residence of the reigning monarch Grand Duke Henri, the relaxed and safe atmosphere of Luxembourg underlined by the solitary guard on duty. Also well worth a visit is the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall). It was built as a Franciscan Priory and converted to its current use in 1838.

The city is a great place for retail therapy, offering quality goods at excellent prices, although ladies should dispense with heels and wear flat shoes due to the cobbled streets.

Internationally, Luxembourg is probably best known as a banking centre and home to the European Courts of Justice. These more recent developments have taken place on another rocky promontory

linked to the old town by a bridge.

I drove across to take a look at the new concrete and glass structures, but there is so much more to see in this great little country.

The Moselle river forms a natural boundary between Luxembourg and Germany, so I hopped over to Trier.

Dating back to the first century BC, it is Germany’s oldest city. A number of Roman buildings still exist, most notably the ‘Porta Nigra’ or Black Gate, built around 200 AD. I enjoyed looking at the remarkable range of old buildings wandering along its traffic-free streets.

river I was welcomed to one of the vineyards and given a detailed tour and description of how the grapes are harvested and the wine produced. We witnessed some wine being turned into Cremant, a smooth sparkling wine made using the ‘methode champenoise’.

It would have been impolite not to have enjoyed the generous samples we were offered, but make sure that if you are visiting by car you have a designated driver!

Just when we thought we had seen it all, Luxembourg sprang another surprise in the form of Little Switzerland. There are no mountains here, just wooded The banks of the Moselle are hills, trails, a much-photographed home to many vineyards, the main waterfall and the overhanging product of which is Riesling, for Perekop Rock. Climb it if you dare! which Luxembourg is famous.

This is the outdoor recreational part Having ventured back across the of this unique little country and great for hiking and Cycling along the mountain biking.

Moselle River

Despite being dwarfed by its neighbours France, Germany and Belgium, Luxembourg is proudly independent. Its motto is ‘We want to remain what we are.’ This delightfully different little country is well worth a visit.

LUXEMBOURG Ideal for a short break, long week-end or more, Luxembourg is easily accessed by road and rail, and just a 75 minute flight from London City Airport. Coach holidays to Luxembourg are also provided by many companies.

For more information on Luxembourg go to www. visitluxembourg.com For direct flights from London City Airport visit www.luxair. co.uk and for details of coach holidays go to www. findacoachholiday.com

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30 WEEKEND

32 TV & RADIO

34 MOTORING

Russell Grant’s Weekly Horoscopes

ARIES March 21st - April 20th

Pour your energy into collecting facts, acquiring skills and asking questions. Knowledge is power.

Someone who claims to be an expert will be exposed as a fraud. Always double check the facts. It won’t be difficult to spot people who are telling tales to get you on their side. If you’re going to pay someone to do work, you want to be sure they are capable of doing the job. Protect your interests and do some background checks. You’ll be glad you took this extra ounce of precaution.

If you need money to go to school or travel you should apply for a loan or a grant. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Don’t be daunted by lengthy paperwork.

Give yourself enough time to answer questions in a clear, thoughtful manner.

Someone who has experience filling out such forms could give you some helpful advice. You have tremendous potential. It’s time to fulfil it. Adding to your qualifications, volunteering or working in a foreign land will make your confidence soar.

LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd

Working hard and being an industrious producer will bring in a bonus or prize. It fills you with pride to see that you are making progress and moving onward and upward in life. Now that you’re sitting pretty, try setting some new goals. Launching your own business, embarking on a health regimen and making more time for creative pursuits are among the possibilities. Resist the temptation to rest on your laurels. Great things are ahead if you push yourself a little harder.

CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st

LEO July 24th - August 23rd

Follow through with career plans.

You may not feel ready to land your dream job, but other people think differently. It will take time to learn everything you have to know, so be patient. You’re bound to make mistakes in the early stages. If anyone criticises you, it’s because they’re jealous. You’ve got what it takes to be a prominent figure in your desired industry. Keep drawing on your enterprising and adventurous spirit. It will help you meet challenges and become a respected individual.

SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd

It feels like you’ve been placed in the middle of a difficult dilemma.

Seeing both sides of the issue is difficult, because you can’t really throw your full support to a particular party. If someone asks you to speak up on their behalf, be truthful about your stance.

Make it clear you will not give anyone your full endorsement. Your reputation is on the line. Fortunately, an attentive romantic partner will help you forget these problems. Spend as much time as possible with your amour.

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st

VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd

SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st PISCES February 20th - March 20th

Taking a more active role in financial affairs is strongly advised. If you are living with someone who is irresponsible with money, it would be wise to keep separate accounts. Make sure your fund is password protected and cannot be accessed by anyone else. You work too hard to put your resources at risk. If you are in debt, take this opportunity to consolidate your bills and lower the interest rate. Slowly, but surely, you’ll get your economic freedom back. Be patient and stay focused.

You’re brimming with energy but beware of burnout. Be selective about the work you accept and the company you keep. Stay away from anyone that is always acting superior.

Although their experience is impressive, you also bring valuable things to the table.

The last thing you want is to be sidelined because you have a different background.

Fortunately, a more progressive group will welcome you with open arms. When in doubt, get together with people who are smiling and having fun.

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd

You’re willing to fight for your beliefs. Joining a cause, campaign or crusade will put you on the path to romance. Don’t be surprised if a like minded enthusiast asks for a date. You are a study in contrasts, which is stimulating. You will never know what to expect from your new partner. Are you already in a relationship? Your quest for justice will impress your amour. Things will become a lot more passionate in the bedroom. You’re never more alluring than when you follow your heart.

Puzzles CLUES ACROSS

1 Seed that follows command to open? (6) 5 Takes a break, having a day in France

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these puzzles

38 SPORT

surrounded by rolling sand (8)

10 Made Solution to Crossword 3 a phone call and spoke (4) 11 Enrage a repeat sex pervert (10) CROSSWORD NO:3 12 Grain, and what to do with it, we hear?

SOLUTIONS (MIE ISSUE 24) (6)

13 Gave someone a ring and

made a suggestion (8) 14 Recent recruit finally deserts to fight in irregular army – becoming this? (9) 18 Secured return of silver money... (5) 19 ...money that gives difficulty to the French (5) 20 Experienced peacekeepers found west of the river (9) 24 Steps taken by those who get their skates on? (3,5) 25 Drink some Schweppes with liqueur (6)

You are busy working, which makes you feel virtuous. Sinking your teeth into an engrossing project makes time fly. You still have responsibilities at home. Take time out from your busy world of work to check in with a child or elderly relative. Even having dinner together can keep your bond strong.

While it’s admirable you have such a great work ethic, you have to strike a healthy balance between your public and private lives. One sphere feeds and nurtures the other.

If you have too much on your plate, ask for help. Nobody will judge you or think badly of you.

You might even create resentment if you insist on doing every aspect of a job all by yourself. Your colleagues want to contribute, too. By pretending their contributions are unnecessary, they’ll feel rather left out and devalued. You should be building bridges with your fellow workers, not burning them. Adopt a more cooperative attitude. Collaboration will enhance your chances of success.

You’ll be torn between doing your own thing and spending time with friends. Although it’s nice to be popular, you do feel in need of a little peace and quiet. Try to strike a healthy balance. Set aside a few hours to read, listen to music, exercise or whatever else lifts your spirits. After you’ve had some alone time, you’ll crave the company of your nearest and dearest. Be sure to attend a big birthday celebration. Your friend will be so disappointed if you fail to appear.

If you’re thinking about moving don’t rush into anything. Events are moving quickly. What seems like a good place to live now could look very different in a few weeks.

Instead of looking for a home, focus on finding what your money will buy in various neighbourhoods. This will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run. An unexpected promotion or career change will alter your housing needs. Fortunately, you’re flexible and can adapt to the shifts with little anxiety.

CROSSWORD NO:4

26 External cell tissue in nerve-ending to trap gas (10)

27 I happen to kiss a goat! (4) 28 Government department makes attempt to conceal a ruse that’s gone wrong (8)

29 Neat drives (6)

CLUES DOWN

2 Learned English and Italian in an uncultured environment (7)

3 This does not describe a posh girl who is in prison endlessly (7)

4 Merseyside? (7) 6 As was Troy by Greeks, ultimately, in action (9)

7 Maiden perhaps might get the upper hand (9)

8 Drove, we hear, with good judgement – showing this (4-5)

9 Firm has to rearrange dates quickly (9) 14 In 1999, make a mistake over English

SET BY ALBERICH. Source: www.alberichcrosswords.com

coat with elastic material (9)

16 They’re discovered by pupils (9) 17 Describes a Dutchman giving rebuke

books – causing hilarity (9) kindly? (9) 15 Upstanding father wears short protective 21 Their properties should be permanently

frozen (7)

22 Martial law upheld without resistance

by Eisenhower (7)

23 Fallout can be expected from this type of family? (7)

34 MOTORING

32 WEEKEND

38 SPORT

Weekend TV

10 FRIDAY 10 APRIL FRIDAY APRIL FRIDAY APRIL BBC1 BBC1 BBC1 6.00 6.00 Breakfast Breakfast (S) (S) 9.15 9.15 Neighbourhood Neighbourhood

6.00 Breakfast (S)Homes 9.15 Neighbourhood Blues (R/S) Under Blues (R/S) 10.00 10.00 Homes Under the the Hammer Hammer Blues (R/S) 10.00 Homes Are Under the Hammer (R/S) The Coming (R/S) (R/S) 11.00 11.00 The Sheriffs Sheriffs Are Coming (R/S) (R/S) 11.00 The Sheriffs Are Coming (R/S) 11.45 Fake Britain (R/S) 12.15 Bargain 11.45 Fake Britain (R/S) 12.15 Bargain 11.45 Fake Britain (R/S) 12.15 Bargain Hunt (R/S) 1.00 News 1.45 The Edge Hunt (R/S) 1.00 News 1.45 The Edge (S) (S) Hunt 1.00 News 1.45(R/S) The 3.30 EdgeHome (S) 2.30 Escape to Country 2.30 (R/S) Escape to the the Country (R/S) 3.30 Home 2.30 Escape to the(R/S) Country Home Away from 4.15 Flog It! Away from Home Home (R/S) 4.15(R/S) Flog3.30 It! Alnwick Alnwick Away from Home (R/S) 4.15 Flog It! Alnwick Castle (R/S) 5.15 Pointless (S) 6.00 News Castle (R/S) 5.15 Pointless (S) 6.00 News Castle 5.15Show Pointless 7.00 The (S) 7.00 (R/S) The One One Show (S) (S) 6.00 News 7.00 One Show (S) Sue 7.30 A of 7.30 The A Question Question of Sport Sport Sue Barker Barker 7.30 A Question of Sport Sue Barker hosts the sports quiz hosts the lighthearted lighthearted sports quiz with with hosts the lighthearted sports and quizPhil with team captains Matt Dawson team captains Matt Dawson and Phil team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell.

(R/S) Tufnell. (R/S) (R/S)The 8.00 EastEnders 8.00 Tufnell.

EastEnders The Carters Carters attempt attempt to to 8.00 EastEnders The Carters to put aside as put their their differences differences asideattempt as Stan’s Stan’s put their differences aside condition deteriorates.

(S) condition deteriorates.

(S) as Stan’s condition deteriorates.

(S) 8.30 Masterchef (S) 8.30 Masterchef (S) 8.30 (S) for 9.00 Have 9.00 Masterchef Have II Got Got News News for You You (S) (S) 9.00 I Got News You (S) 9.30 Mrs Boys (R/S) 9.30 Have Mrs Brown’s Brown’s Boysfor (R/S) 9.30 Brown’s Boys (R/S) 10.00 News 10.00 Mrs News 10.00 10.25 This 10.25 News This is is BBC BBC One One HD HD 10.25 is BBC One HD Show 10.35 The Norton 10.35 This The Graham Graham Norton Show (S) (S) 10.35 The Graham Norton 11.25 Would I Lie to You? (R/S) 11.25 Would I Lie to You? Show (R/S) (S) 11.25 Would I Lie to You? (R/S) 11.55 EastEnders (R/S) 11.55 EastEnders (R/S) 11.55 EastEnders (R/S) 1.50 (S) News 1.50 Weather Weather (S) 1.55 1.55 News 1.50 Weather (S) 1.55 News

10 BBC2

BBC2 BBC2 6.15 6.15 Homes Homes Under Under the the Hammer Hammer (R/S) (R/S) 7.15 7.15

6.15It! theDouble Hammer Flog Trade Secrets. bill (R/S) 8.15 Flog It!Homes Trade Under Secrets.

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SATURDAY 11 SATURDAY 11 SATURDAY APRIL APRILAPRIL 11 BBC1 BBC1 BBC1 6.00 6.00 Breakfast Breakfast (S) (S) 10.00 10.00 Saturday Saturday Kitchen Kitchen

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(S) 10.10 News News 10.10 10.10 10.30 Match 10.30 News Match of of the the Day Day Highlights Highlights of of the the 10.30 Match of the which Day Highlights day’s includes day’s games, games, which includes of the day’s games, which includes Tottenham against Aston Villa and Tottenham against Aston Villa and Tottenham against Aston Villa and Arsenal Arsenal at at Burnley.

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11.55 The Football League 11.55 The Football League Show Show (S) (S) 11.55 The Football Show(S) 1.15 for Week 1.15 Weather Weather for the the League Week Ahead Ahead (S)(S) 1.15 Weather for the Week Ahead (S) 1.20 News News 1.20 1.20 News

6.00 9.00 Breakfast 7.30Marr Match of the (R/S) The Andrew Show (S) (R/S) 9.00 The (S) Andrew Marr Show (S)Day (R/S) Andrew Marr 10.00 The Big (S) 11.00 Sunday 10.009.00 The The Big Questions Questions (S) Show 11.00(S) Sunday 10.00 The Big Questions (S) 11.00 Sunday Politics (S) Motd2 1.00 Politics (S) 12.15 12.15 Motd2 Extra Extra 1.00 News News Politics (S) 12.15 Motd2 Extra 1.00 News 1.15 1.15 Bargain Bargain Hunt Hunt (R/S) (R/S) 2.00 2.00 Formula Formula 1: 1: the the 1.15 Bargain Hunt (R/S) 2.00 Formula Chinese Grand Prix Highlights (S) 3.55 Chinese Grand Prix - Highlights (S) 3.551: the Chinese Grand Prix Highlights (S) 3.55 Escape to the Country (R/S) 4.25 Points of Escape to the Country (R/S) 4.25 Points of Escape the Country 4.25 View (S) Songs Praise (S) 5.15 View (S)to4.40 4.40 Songs of of(R/S) Praise (S) Points 5.15 of View (S) 4.40 Songs(R/S) of Praise 5.15 Pointless Celebrities 6.05 News 6.20 Pointless Celebrities (R/S) 6.05(S) News 6.20 Pointless Celebrities (R/S) 6.05 News 6.20 This is BBC One HD 6.30 Countryfile This is BBC One HD 6.30 Countryfile (S) (S) This is BBC One HD 6.30 Countryfile (S) 7.30 Masterchef (S) 7.30 Masterchef (S) 7.30 (S) 8.00 Antiques (S) 8.00 Masterchef Antiques Roadshow Roadshow (S) 8.00 Roadshow (S) ill 9.00 Poldark Jim 9.00 Antiques Poldark With With Jim gravely gravely ill in in Bodmin Bodmin 9.00 jail, Poldark gravely ill ina Ross and Dwight launch jail, RossWith and Jim Dwight launch a Bodmin jail, Ross and Dwight launch a (S) desperate mission to save him. desperate mission to save him.

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11.30 FILM: The Last Castle (2001) 11.30 City FILM: The Last Castle (2001) Prison Prison 11.30 FILM: LastRobert Castle (2001)and Prison drama starring Redford drama The starring Robert Redford and drama Robert Redford and James Gandolfini.

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ITV CHANNEL 4 CHANNEL 5 ITV CHANNEL 4 CHANNEL 5 ITV CHANNEL 43rd Rock CHANNEL 5Wright Stuff 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 Good Good Morning Morning Britain Britain (S) (S) 8.30 8.30 Lorraine Lorraine 6.00 Countdown Countdown (S) (S) 6.45 6.45 3rd Rock from from the the 6.00 Milkshake Milkshake 9.15 9.15 The The Wright Stuff 11.10 11.10

6.00 Good Morning (S) 8.30 Lorraine (S) 9.25 Jeremy Kyle (S) This (S) 9.25 Jeremy KyleBritain (S) 10.30 10.30 This Morning Morning (S) Jeremy Kyle This Morning 12.30 O’brien (S) (S) 2.00 Rinder (S) 9.25 12.30 O’brien (S)(S) (S)10.30 2.00 Judge Judge Rinder (S) 12.30 (S) (S) 2.00 Judge Rinder (R/S) 3.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (S) (R/S) 3.00O’brien Dickinson’s Real Deal (S) 4.00 4.00 (R/S) 3.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal (S) 4.00 Tipping Point (S) 5.00 The Chase (S) 6.20 Tipping Point (S) 5.00 The Chase (S) 6.20 Tipping Point (S) 5.00 The (S) 6.20 Party Broadcast (S) 6.30 (S) Party Election Election Broadcast (S)Chase 6.30 News News (S) Party Broadcast 6.30matters News (S) 7.00 Emmerdale Jacob into 7.00 Election Emmerdale Jacob(S)takes takes matters into 7.00 Emmerdale Jacob takes matters into his own hands.

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(S) 9.00 Train Africa 9.00 Slow Slow Train Through Through Africa with with 9.00 Griff Slow Rhys Train Jones Through Griff Rhys Jones Griff Rhys Jones GriffAfrica Rhys with Jones Griff Rhys Jones Griff Rhys Jones attempts five remarkable train attempts five remarkable train attempts five remarkable journeys Africa. journeys across across Africa. (S) (S)train journeys(S) across Africa. (S) 10.00 10.00 News News (S) 10.00 (S) 10.40 FILM: First 10.40 News FILM: Rambo: Rambo: First Blood Blood (1982) (1982) 10.40 FILM: First (1982) Action adventure with Sylvester Action Rambo: adventure withBlood Sylvester Action adventure with Sylvester Stallone.

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6.00 Double Countdown (S) 6.45 Rock from the Sun. bill 7.35 Everybody Loves Sun. Double bill (R/S) (R/S) 7.353rd Everybody Loves Sun. Double bill 8.00 (R/S) The 7.35Morning Everybody Raymond (R/S) Line (S) Raymond (R/S) 8.00 The Morning LineLoves (S) Raymond (R/S) 8.00 TheFour Morning Line (R/S) (S) 9.00 (R/S) 9.25 in 9.00 Frasier Frasier (R/S) 9.25 Four in a a Bed Bed (R/S) 9.00 9.25Me. Four in aepisodes Bed (R/S) 10.30 Come Dine Five 10.30Frasier Come (R/S) Dine with with Me. Five episodes 10.301.10 Come Dine with Me. Five (R/S) Jamie’s Comfort Food (R/S) (R/S) 1.10 Jamie’s Comfort Foodepisodes (R/S) 1.45 1.45 (R/S) 1.10 National Jamie’s Comfort (R/S) 1.45 The Festival (S) Four in The Grand Grand National Festival Food (S) 5.00 5.00 Four in The Grand National Festival (S) 5.00 Four a Bed (S) 5.30 Coach Trip (S) 6.00 The a Bed (S) 5.30 Coach Trip (S) 6.00 The in a Bed (S) 5.30 Coach Trip (S) 6.00 The Simpsons (R/S) 6.30 Hollyoaks (S) Simpsons (R/S) 6.30 Hollyoaks (S) Simpsons (R/S) 6.30 Hollyoaks 7.00 Includes sport weather.

7.00 News News Includes sport and and(S) weather. (S) (S) 7.00 Includes sport andRhodes weather.

(S) 7.30 Unreported World Seyi meets 7.30 News Unreported World Seyi Rhodes meets 7.30 Zimbabwe’s Unreported World Seyi Rhodes meets brave comics Zimbabwe’s brave comics who who are are Zimbabwe’s brave comics who are satirising the country’s politicians.

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7.55 Party Broadcast (S) 7.55 satirising Party Election Election Broadcast (S) (S) 7.55 Election (S) (S) 8.00 Marvel’s Agents of 8.00 Party Marvel’s AgentsBroadcast of S.H.I.E.L.D. S.H.I.E.L.D. (S) 8.00 Agents 9.00 Gogglebox (S) 9.00 Marvel’s Gogglebox (S) of S.H.I.E.L.D. (S) 9.00 Gogglebox (S) 10.00 Alan Carr Alan is joined by Russell 10.00 Alan Carr Alan is joined by Russell 10.00 Alan is Williams. joined by (S) Russell Brand and Maisie BrandCarr and Alan Maisie Williams.

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11.10 (S) 11.10 Brooklyn Brooklyn Nine-Nine (S) (S) 11.10 Nine-Nine (S) Erotic 11.40 FILM: (1995) 11.40 Brooklyn FILM: Showgirls Showgirls (1995) Erotic drama drama 11.40 FILM: (1995) Erotic starring Elizabeth (R/S) starringShowgirls Elizabeth Berkley.

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(R/S) 4.45 House Neighbour Next Door (R/S) 4.45 House Neighbour Next Door (R/S) 4.45 House Neighbour Next Door (R/S) Doctor.

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BBC2 BBC2 BBC2 6.15 6.15 Animal Animal Park Park (R/S) (R/S) 6.45 6.45 FILM: FILM: The The

6.15 Animal Park (R/S) 6.45 FILM: The Magic Box Biographical drama Magic Box (1951) (1951) Biographical drama Magic (1951) Biographical drama starring Robert Dona.

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12.00 FILM: The Private Lives of 12.00 FILM: The Private Lives of Pippa Pippa 12.00 FILM: The Private Lives Pippa Lee (2009) Romcom starring Alan Arkin.

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SUNDAY 12 SUNDAY APRIL 12 SUNDAY APRIL APRIL 12 BBC1 BBC1 BBC1 6.00 6.00 Breakfast Breakfast (S) (S) 7.30 7.30 Match Match of of the the Day Day

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Community radio station Phoenix FM broadcasts live programming from 7am to midnight every day to Brentwood, Billericay and surrounding areas on 98.0FM and www.phoenixfm.com Thursday, April 9 7.00am The Breakfast Show with Mike Porter in association with Saint Francis Hospice 10.00am Eat My Brunch with Michelle Ward in association with Chigwell Bifold Doors and Windows 1.00pm One 2 Three - local news and chat with Flora Blathwayt in association with Affinity Wills 3.00pm Drive with Keith Rogers in association with Papa John’s Pizza 6.00pm Words and Sounds - book reviews and readings with Christopher Stagg 7.00pm GR80s - music and guests from the 80s with Xanthe Bearman 9.00pm 50 Shades Of Chay - indie and alternative music with Chay Appleyard 11.00pm Cultura Brazil - news and music for the

local Brazlilian Community (in Portuguese) with Ezequiel Cassol

12.00pm Between The Lines - local sports news with Steve Robertson 2.00pm Sport Extra 3.00pm Phoenix FM Sport with Chris Hood 6.00pm Turn It Up - the latest dance music tunes with Vixter 8.00pm Phoenix Fridays on Saturdays in association with Papa Johns Brentwood featuring live sets from local bands 10.00pm From The Underworld - blues and rock with Brian Ager

Friday, April 10 7.00am The Breakfast Show with Mike Porter 10.00am Eat My Brunch with Michelle Ward 1.00pm One 2 Three - local news and chat with MIke Jones 3.00pm Drive with James Phillips 6.00pm Gary Casserley 8.00pm Friday Night Extra with Patrick Sherring 10.00pm The Weekend Ignition with Brad Acton indie and alternative music Sunday, April 12 7.00am Sunday Breakfast with James Moloney 10.00am Sunday Best with Andrew Babicz Saturday, April 11 12.00pm Sunday Lunch with Tony Smith - pop, 7.00am The Breakfast Show with Rob Harvey R’n’B and dance hits and live studio sessions 10.00am Feelgood Saturday with Alan Johnson

2.00pm Steph’s Sound Wave - music with Steph Cawthorne 4.00pm Sunday Vibes - relaxed tunes with James Phillips 6.00pm Brentwood’s Only Alternative - indie, alternative and local bands with Eddie Curry 8.00pm 33rpm - alternative music and album tracks with Chris Siviter 10.00pm Cut The Cord - music through the decades with Chris Sullivan Monday, April 13 7.00am The Breakfast Show with Mike Porter 10.00am Eat My Brunch with Michelle Ward 1.00pm One 2 Three - local news and chat with Scott Ross 3.00pm Drive with Keith Rogers

6.00pm All That Jazz - jazz music from the 40s to the present day with Adam Dyer 8.00pm A Journey Through The Years In Music with Gary Casserley 10.00pm The Interesting Alternative Show avant-garde and progressive rock with Steve Davis and Kavus Torabi

Matt Hines 10.00pm Sonder - music across many different genres with Tracy Morter

Wednesday, April 15 7.00am The Breakfast Show with Mike Porter 10.00am Eat My Brunch with Michelle Ward 1.00pm One 2 Three - local news and chat with Bob Simpson Tuesday, April 14 3.00pm Drive with Keith Rogers 7.00am The Breakfast Show with Mike Porter 6.00pm Midweek Matchzone - local and national 10.00am Eat My Brunch with Michelle Ward football news with Chris Hood 1.00pm One 2 Three - local news and chat with 7.00pm Body Talk with Mel Watson in association Scott Ross with Spire Hartswood Hospital 3.00pm Drive with Keith Rogers 6.00pm One For The Road - rock music with Alex 8.00pm Curveballs - indie, alternative, rock and local bands live with Nick Field Hoggett 8.00pm Nightswimming - alternative music with 11.00pm The Playlist

33

Kids board games

Bored no more!!

Board Game Club’s Lesley Singleton selects some of the best board games for kids

drills. But overloading the trolley means it could collapse, while removing an object the wrong way might send everything flying.

Keep your nerve – and your shopping – intact to triumph. Kids will love stacking their trolleys with everyday items as directed by the dice, knowing that every move counts.

Lift It! (Coiled Spring) - £25 – The Happy Puzzle, www.happypuzzle.co.uk A belly full of laughs building game where players strap a crane to their foreheads and attempt to recreate the projects shown on the cards! Players lift different-shaped building blocks into place to form the correct structure, within the given time limit, scoring points for correct blocks and completed projects. Only nerves of steel will earn you victory – and that’s a lot to do with the pressure-inducing jumping timer! A thrillingly original game of construction like nothing else.

SpongeBob Shell Sham (Tactic Games) – £14.99 - Amazon Released to coincide with the new SpongeBob SquarePants movie, SpongeBob Shell Sham is a clam-catching game for kids aged 5-8. Use a fishing rod to catch as many SpongeBob SquarePants characters from the sea as you can and count how many clams they brought you.

The player with the most clams at the end wins the game.

My World Ships Ahoy! (Gibsons Games)

Turbo Words (Joluet Games) - £29.99 – Amazon, www.joluetgames.com A fast paced word game with a devious side.

Play simultaneously to fill individual word boards with letters to gradually create words and score points. Additional game tiles include symbols which let players sabotage their opponents by blocking words and spaces, or stealing their letters, and there’s an optional in-game timer to speed things up too! A fast, fun, interactive game for the whole family, with an element of frustration when your opponents ruin your plans!

Shop ‘Til You Drop (Paul Lamond Games)

- £14.95 - Amazon A trolley dash with a difference... A roll of the dice determines what gets dropped in and taken out of the trolley – from teddy bears, combs and cars to hats, hamburgers and

– £6.99 - Amazon One for the younger children now... So you want to be a pirate? Well pick a ship, pick an imaginary pirate for your arm and be the first pirate to fill your ship with all six coins (and be sure not to walk the plank!). My World games are a fun, colourful way for children aged 3+ to learn about the world and have been developed in conjunction with child psychologist and play specialist Dr Amanda Gummer.

There’s also a handy posting slot at the top of the box so that children can post their pieces and help with clearing away.

Smart Ass (University Games) - £19.99 -

Toymaster The ideal trivia game for kids who can’t wait to shout out the answer, even when it’s not their turn. Each question has ten clues, the first player to shout out the correct answer wins the round and takes a step closer to being the ultimate ‘Smart Ass’. For ages 12+, 2-8 players.

Chicken Charades (University Games) - £19.99 - Toymaster A delightfully silly spin on the age-old classic game of charades. It’s lightning fast – you only have ten seconds to act out the charade – and there’s a quirky twist: you must use the rubber chicken to act out your word! Be the player with the most points to win the game.

For 3+ players aged 8 and over.

Dobble Kids (Esdevium) - £12.99 - Amazon A slightly simplified version of Dobble, the popular picture-matching game – this brand new version is aimed at bringing the fast and furious fun to children as young as four.

Dobble Kids follows the same game-play: players compete in any of five simple but hilarious mini-games where they must be the first to find (and shout out) the one matching animal picture between their card and another! The eye-catching game tin includes a slightly smaller pack of round cards which now feature six well-known animals, and each card has only one match with every other card in the deck, ensuring addictive and frantic game-play all round!

Pie Face (Rocket Games) - £17.99 –

Amazon Taking messy play to a whole new level, Pie Face has a tasty surprise in store for the whole family! A truly original yet silly game,

after loading the throwing arm with delicious squirty cream or a wet sponge, players take turns to slide their head through the mask, spin the spinner and turn the handles... who will end up with pie on their face? Nobody knows until the very last second when the arm springs into action!

Shuffle Disney Cars (Cartamundi) – £6.99 - Amazon Cartamundi’s Shuffle range combines playing cards with an optional free smartphone/ tablet app that adds a whole extra dimension to the game play! Shuffle Disney Cars is inspired by popular characters from the hit movie – race your Cars Racers through the city, overtake the other teams and refuel as you go. The Cars app adds to the action by bringing in random events (like turbo boosts) or obstacles (like oil slicks) to make your race go faster or slower.

motorıng Merc pickup

First of its kind for the premium maker, Page 36

Chris Manning

Motoring Editor

Teutonic tourer

Four wheel drive BMW 335d xDrive is an estate tourer with a difference, Page 35 FOR EVERYTHING THAT’S GOOD ABOUT MOTORING

34

‘Whoever first used the word ‘grunt’ to describe a car’s performance could have thought of it with the BMW 335d in mind’

Practical and loads of fun

W

OW! Yes, if it’s wow you want, here’s the car: BMW’s 335d xDrive. Of course, there are loads of cars that can wow us, but this one also offers so much more, especially, in the Touring version tested, practicality for the family driver.

The car weighs well over two tons (even with BMW’s ‘lightweight’ engineering) and has 313hp at 4,400 rpm. This is an impressive, but not huge, figure.

But the torque! 630Nm coming in from a mere 1,500 rpm and with you up to 2,500 rpm is the big driving force in this car getting you into supercar territory with a zero to 62 mph figure of just 4.9 seconds.

Whoever first used the word ‘grunt’ to describe a car’s performance could have thought of it with the 335d in mind.

The noise helps, too. BMW’s brilliant in-line six cylinder engine emits a big-grininducing audio sensation that can be all too intoxicating.

That’s when you slam your

By

TOM SCANLAN foot down and let the 8-speed automatic transmission do the changes quicker than you can blink.

The brakes cope admirably with whatever’s asked of them. They are ventilated disc all round and it really is remarkable how these little pieces of material can haul up such a hefty lump’s huge momentum to a safe stop in a short distance; in itself, full-on braking is almost as much fun as flat-out acceleration.

In more relaxed driving, the car is perfectly quiet. A little road noise, yes, as usual, from the tyres on some road surfaces, because the sounddamping efficiently keeps out the rest; OK, there’s just some slight wind-noise at high speed, too.

The electric power steering, which is rack-and-pinion, is another plus on this car’s list. Again, we’re examining a heavy car on fat tyres, yet BMW’s engineers have done

the maths beautifully to give the driver just the right amount of feel for all types of driving.

It’s never too heavy, never too light. The handling, too, is excellent, on the Adaptive M-Sport suspension, an option at £515.

Not just for the driver, but for any passenger, there’s one more and perhaps the most important aspect: comfort.

The combination of the car’s suspension and its seats has to be just right so that you don’t have to keep shifting about as the miles go by on a journey.

High marks to the 335d here, again, then, because, once settled in to the right position, I could just there for ages.

The Touring version being an estate car, opening the boot reveals a very-nicely finished space, not the biggest on the overall estate car market, but useful and adaptable nonetheless. xDrive is BMW’s term for four-wheel-drive. This is can be included in the long list of safety features to be expected in such a car.

Under the company’s

BMW 335d x-Drive M-Sport Touring (£41,895) i Car Facts

Model: BMW 335d xDrive M Sport Touring Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cylinder in line developing 313hp of power and 630Nm of torque Transmission: Eight-speed auto, four-wheel-drive Performance: Maximum speed 155mph, 0-60, 4.9 seconds Economy: 50.4 mpg official combined, 41.3 mpg on test CO2 emissions: 135 g/km Price: £41,895

Find your

Essex dealer Sytner, Harold Wood 01708 371 234 Cooper, Chelmsford 01245 895037 Fairfield, Leigh on Sea 01702 420111 Cooper, Colchester 01206 931796

35

TEST DRIVE BMW 335d x-Drive M Sport Touring

Efficient Dynamics’ heading, features included are Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and reduced rolling resistance tyres. These efficiencies help to keep expenses down a little.

However, the toughest job for BMW’s diesel designers has been to meet the very latest Euro6 exhaust emission rating. It must be said that to get the figure from this 3-litre

unit down to 143 g/km is a real achievement (of course, some other manufacturers can claim the same). The annual road tax is therefore only £130.

Internally, the BMW offers smart looks, a plethora of neat instrumentation, controls that feel good to use – light yet solid – and high-grade materials. In this sector, competing against the other big German marques, there’s

nothing remarkable in that; but it IS all there and use of digital technology is plentiful. This car offers a hugely entertaining driving experience with very competitive running costs in terms of fuel emissions as mentioned and fuel consumption: I got an overall indicated 41 mpg. Not so many years ago, people would have laughed at such a suggestion for such a car.

ININBRAINTREE AND MALDON BRAINTREE AND MALDON Over 150 vehicles currently in stock Over 150 vehiclesAND currently in stock IN BRAINTREE MALDON - ALLMAKES MAKES - ALL - -

Over 150 vehicles currently in stock www.questmotorgroup.co.uk www.questmotorgroup.co.uk

www.questmotorgroup.co.uk IN BRAINTREE AND MALDON ALL MAKES FINANCE-AVAILABLE AVAILABLE - COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY - PART FINANCE - COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY - PART EX’SEX’S Price Reg Number Over 150 vehicles currently-in stock FINANCE AVAILABLE - COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY PART EX’S

Site Year Plate Model

M B M B B B B B B M B B M B M B B B M M B B B B M B B M B M M M B B B B B

07 11 12 12 13 10 07 07 05 06 09 09 06 10 07 05 05 09 08 08 11 10 11 11 10 07 07 10 11 07 12 09 11 14 11 10 12

57 Seat Altea Reference 1.9TDi 5DR,91k Red Was £4,995 Now £3,995 EX57GNV REDUCED! www.questmotorgroup.co.uk 61 Mazda 2 1.4 TS2 3dr MAKES Hatch 18k-- Met Grey Was £6,995 Now £6,495 EY61KNE REDUCED! ALL MAKES -- ALL 12 Vauxhall Agila SE Automatic, 8K, White WAS £7,995 Now £7,495 HW12KCV REDUCED! FINANCE AVAILABLE COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY PART EX’S REDUCED! FINANCE AVAILABLE COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY PART EX’S 62 Seat Exeo 2.0 Tdi CR SE Tech 4dr Saloon 58k Met Black Was £9,995 Now £9,295 KY62MYW 13 Isuzu D-Max 2.5 Eiger Diesel Auto Pick Up 20k Met Silver Was £16,495+VAT Now £15,995+VAT EX13BWA REDUCED! 60 Isuzu Rodeo 3.0 Denver Max Plus Auto Pick Up 40k Met Silver *NO VAT!* £14,995 EX60DNU COMMERCIAL 07 Isuzu Rodeo 2.5 Denver Max LE Double Cab Pick Up 61k Met Blue *NO VAT!* £11,495 EN07KYE COMMERCIAL 56 Citroen C3 1.4 Desire 5dr Hatch 60k Met Black £2,995 EN56PYB 05 Peugeot 206 1.4 S Semi-Auto 5dr Hatch 44k Met Silver £2,995 EN05XRA 59 Vauxhall Meriva 1.6 16V Design A/C, 60K, Black £3,495 BJ56TNZ 09 Citroen C2 1.2 Rhythm 3dr Hatch 31k Met Black £3,995 LG09SYX 09 Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 Design 5 dr 88K Met Blue £3,995 KN09EAC 06 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Active, 5 Door, 65K £3,995 EN06UEP 60 Fiat Panda 1.0 Active 5dr Hatch 43k White £4,195 EK60LZF 07 Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.8 SX, 50K, Silver £4,250 ET07PXC 05 MINI One 1.6 3dr Hatch 61k Met Green £4,295 HK05BEU 55 Jaguar X Type 2.0 SE Diesel 4dr Saloon 70k Met Silver £4,495 AF55SLU 09 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 Active 3dr Hatch 25k White £4,495 EA09VVM 57 Peugeot 308 SE 1.6i 5DR,58K, Blue £4,495 EN57OVD 08 Citroen C4 HDI Exclusive, 97K, Blue £4,495 GL58GWN 11 Citroen C3 1.4 VT 5dr Hatch 56k Met Red £4,895 MA11LFT 60 Citroen C1 1.0 Splash 5dr Hatch 49k White £4,895 AF60LMV 11 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr Hatch 53k £4,895 EX11GVL 11 Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LT 5dr Hatch 34k Met Silver £4,995 LT11WDS 10 Vauxhall Agila 1.2 Club A/C, Silver, 30K £4,995 ET10CFK 07 Vuaxhall Corsa 1.4 Design Auto 5dr Hatch 30k Met Grey £5,195 RV07URF 57 Ford C Max 2.0 CDTi 136 5dr MPV 61k Met Silver £5,395 CE57YDF 10 Toyota IQ 998CC, 3 door, Red, 25K £5,695 BG10EWM 11 Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi 2 5dr Hatch 35k Met Red £5,995 LD11UBU 07 Saab 9-3 Convertible 1.8 Vector Sport, 55K, Blue £5,995 WLZ9333 62 Fiat Panda 1.2i Easy 5DR, A/C, 27K, Deep Red £5,995 WR62ZZL 09 Fiat 500 Lounge 1.4 3 Door, White, 20K £6,250 EY09UKB 61 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Excite 3dr Hatch 25k Met Blue £6,295 EX61HCE 14 Peugeot 107 Allure 3dr Hatch 19k Met Blue £6,495 EK14KXY 11 Vauxhall Zafira 1.7 CDTi Excite MPV 77k Met Blue **1 OWNER, FSH** £6,995 EN11NWD 60 Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge Semi-Auto 3dr Hatch 25k Met Grey £7,395 WN60VGO AHatch FAMILY BUSINESS SINCE 1924 12 Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge 3dr 21k £7,395 ET12NSY

FAMILY BUSINESS BUSINESS SINCE 1924 AAFAMILY SINCEMALDON 1924 BRAINTREE BRAINTREE MALDON A FAMILY BUSINESS SINCE01621 1924 BRAINTREE MALDON 01376 321456 876900 01621Park, 876900 01376 321456 287 Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2QN Wycke Hill Business Maldon, Essex, CM9 6UZ 01376 321456 01621 876900 BRAINTREE MALDON 287 Rayne Rayne Road, Braintree, Braintree, Essex, Essex, CM7 CM7 2QN 2QN Wycke Wycke Hill Hill Business Business Park, Maldon, Maldon, Essex, CM9 CM9 6UZ 6UZ 287 Road, Park, Essex,

www.questmotorgroup.co.uk 01376 321456 01621 876900 www.questmotorgroup.co.uk www.questmotorgroup.co.uk

287 Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2QN Wycke Hill Business Park, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6UZ

287 Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2QN Wycke Hill Business Park, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6UZ

www.questmotorgroup.co.uk

36

38 SPORT

MOTORING

Mercedes-Benz reveal pickup vehicle

B

EFORE the end of the decade, Mercedes-Benz will expand its product range into a promising segment by launching the first pickup from the German premium manufacturer.

Thanks to their versatility, allround utility, and payload of around one metric ton, pickups are popular across the world and thus have good sales potential.

The mid-size pickup segment is currently undergoing a transformation worldwide. More and more pickups are being used for private purposes, and commercial as well as private users are increasingly asking for vehicles that have car-like specifications.

Mercedes-Benz is the first premium manufacturer to respond to this market shift by developing its own pickup.

It will initially be targeted at markets in Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and Europe, all of which are posting sustained growth in this segment.

“The Mercedes-Benz pickup will contribute nicely to our global growth targets,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division.

“We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value.”

The Mercedes-Benz Vans division is responsible for the new vehicle.

With its many years of experience in developing, manufacturing, and marketing vehicles that are used commercially as well as privately, Mercedes-Benz Vans is ideally suited to enter the midsize pickup segment and launch a MercedesBenz pickup on the market for the first time in the company’s history.

Current models such as the V-Class and the Vito demonstrate that Mercedes-Benz Vans has the high level of expertise to successfully serve customers from a wide variety of private and

Qashqai popular fleet SUV THE new Nissan Qashqai has been named best mid-sized SUV at the Fleet News Awards 2015.

The prestigious award underlines the British-built model’s all-round appeal to fleet operators and company car drivers.

In 2014, almost 27,000 Qashqai were registered to fleet customers in the UK, helping Nissan’s corporate sales team to its best ever passenger car volume of 63,358.

The Qashqai is now the fifth bestselling fleet car in the UK. Presenting the award, Stephen Briers, Editor-in-Chief of Fleet News, said: “The Qashqai has appeal across all sections of fleet, from user-choosers to Motability users. It is a compelling

proposition as both new and used – with very strong residual values – and is an excellent allrounder with competitive fuel consumption and CO2 emissions plus a high-quality interior. New engines introduced by Nissan last year have made a great car even better.”

Barry Beeston, Corporate Sales Director at Nissan Motor (GB), said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award as it recognises the enormous impact the Qashqai has made in the fleet sector.”

He added: “It’s now more than a year since the Qashqai was launched and, despite increased competition, it continues to top the polls and pick up industry awards.”

Popular fleet vehicle, the Nissan Qashqai

Mercedes-Benz pickup

commercial sectors.

Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, said: “As part of our global strategy, the pickup is the ideal vehicle for the international

More info from HPI CAR check provider, HPI, is bringing dealers a new level of insight into the potential cost of vehicle acquisition and resale, with the addition of MOT and Tax information to its vehicle provenance and mileage verification services for the motor trade.

In addition to confirming if the vehicle is Taxed or untaxed and the due date, HPI will give dealers an overview of the vehicle’s 6 and 12 month Tax rates, as well as monthly direct debit costs for 6 and 12 months, where applicable. HPI will also confirm if a vehicle has a current or expired MOT, its expiry date or if no details are held by the DVLA.

expansion of our product range with a newly developed model.”

“We can perfectly serve customers looking for a vehicle that offers a high level of utility and at the same time

has the comfort, safety, and design of a Mercedes-Benz passenger car.

“We will design our brand’s first pickup according to this recipe for success.”

Duo-tone paintwork for available for new SVAutobiography Range Rover LAND ROVER will unveil the Range Rover SVAutobiography at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, adding even more luxury, design sophistication and performance to an enhanced line-up.

Speaking ahead of the model’s world premiere, Land Rover’s Design Director and Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern said: “With the SVAutobiography we have taken the opportunity to optimise the Range Rover’s luxury execution and precision while delivering beautiful detailing that considerably enhances the customer’s experience of our flagship vehicle.”

Exclusively crafted at Special Vehicle

Range Rover SVAutobiography

Operations’ (SVO) Technical Centre in the UK, SVAutobiography features unique exterior design enhancements, an exclusive premium leather interior with unique trim finishes and the option of a 550PS 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine for the first time.

As a result, the SVAutobiography is the most luxurious and powerful series-production Range Rover in the model’s successful 45-year history.

Available in standard and long wheelbase derivatives, customers are also able to specify a unique duo-tone body colour option. The combination of Santorini black upper body and nine colour choices for the lower body create true distinction and individualism.

37

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38 SPORT

Weekend Football Tottenham v Aston Villa West Ham v Stoke Burnley v Arsenal QPR v Chelsea Millwall v Watford Sheffield Wed v Charlton Crewe v Leyton Orient

Southend v Tranmere Carlisle v Dag & Red

FOOTBALL

Haines nets as Clarets end winless run

M

ARK HAINES’ superb volley handed the Clarets a derby victory as they battled from a goal down to record the three points.

The goal, which came right on the stroke of half-time, was Haines’ first goal of the season and just his third for the club in 195 appearances.

That strike built on Marvin Ekpiteta’s stab home after terrific work by Academy graduate Harry Morgan, cancelling out Anthony Church’s 16thminute header.

Rohdell Gordon then made sure of the three points when he smashed home a penalty just after the hour mark, following James Bransgrove’s foul on Michael Cheek, before Academy graduate Hugo Skepelhorn stabbed home seven minutes from time.

There was potential for a Stortford revival when Church headed in his second of the game late on, but it was too little too late as the Clarets recorded their second win in ten games, ending a run of three straight defeats.

Mark Hawkes made just one change to the starting eleven that suffered a sucker-punch defeat at Sutton United with Sam Gregory replacing Mason Spence on the left wing. City looked to bounce back from the 1-0 weekend defeat that saw Kevin Amankwaah’s 94th-minute winner separate the sides.

Chelmsford City Bishops Stortford

4 2

Vanarama Conference South Division

But it was Stortford who started the game the liveliest, fashioning a couple of early chances that threatened to break the deadlock. First was Ben Marlow – his strike did however curl far wide of an upright - and then Bobby Joe Taylor saw his free-kick blocked by the wall.

Taylor, on-loan from Cambridge United, wasn’t fazed though when Anthony Church was brought down on the right by Rohdell Gordon.

Taylor stepped up to drill in a free-kick which was met by ex-Claret Church as he headed in his 10th goal of the season with superb power.

Stortford’s form of late has been nothing short of superb considering they looked doomed at the start of the season as relegation from the Conference looked a realistic prospect. Since the turn of the year Rod Stringer’s men have produced some much-needed results, with Saturday’s 2-1 victory over St Albans City securing their League status for another season.

For all their early possession and one goal advantage they were made to pay for sitting back a little after Church’s 16th-minute opener. Harry Morgan’s direct ball allowed Marvin Ekpiteta,

SPEEDWAY

‘AWESOME’ LAWSON STARS

LAKESIDE Hammers revenged their defeat in Norfolk earlier in the week, with a 51-39 victory over the King’s Lynn Stars at The Raceway on Good Friday.

The star of the show for The Hammers was Richard Lawson, who scorched to a paid Maximum including three victories over GP Star Niels Kristian Iversen.

The Cumbrian was backed by a solid display from Edward Kennett, the fast starting Kim Nilsson and some great team riding from Hammers skipper Andreas Jonsson.

Iversen started the meeting with victory in Heat 1, when he passed the quick-gating Nilsson on the second lap, with 16-year-old Robert Lambert keeping Jonsson at the back.

Lawson secured his first victory of the afternoon in the second running of Heat 3, keeping Shlein at bay.

Heat 4 saw a second shared heat with Kennett taking first, although Boxall had been holding second until he overcooked it on the second bend. Nilsson again led from the gate for a further shared Heat 5, before Iversen took his second race win in next.

Heat 7 saw the Hammers increase their advantage,

when Lawson swept round the first and second bends to join Jonsson at the front.

Nilsson popped from the gate in Heat 9, before Lawson got the better of Iversen in the 10th, to leave the Hammers eight points up as they entered the final third of the meeting.

Heat 11 saw a great battle between Jonsson and Bjerre with the Dane challenging throughout.

Boxall and Kerr replicated this in the next heat, with the Hammers guest leading the King’s Lynn reserve until lifting on the home straight of lap 3 allowing Kerr through.

Boxall fought back neatly sweeping past Kerr on the entry to the second bend of

the last lap, to take victory.

Lawson continued his great gating in Heat 13, increasing the gap between himself and Iversen, with Jonsson in hot pursuit.

Schlein took victory over Nilsson in the penultimate heat, and with Bech retiring the Stars were still in with a shout of an away point.

Lawson and Jonsson had other ideas however, showing fantastic team riding in Heat 15, delivering a final maximum for The Hammers and the full Elite League points.

Hammers Co-Promoter Jon Cook said: “I gave Rich the nickname ‘Awesome Lawson’, but today he was even better than that!’’

Pic: Chris Manning

Richard Lawson was on top form for Lakeside Hammers

who was unmarked in the area, to draw the two sides level just shy of the half-hour mark.

That goal came just after James Bransgrove repelled Rohdell Gordon’s snap-shot, but the Colchester United loanee could do little to prevent Ekpieta’s flick-on from hitting the net.

The Clarets appeared to seize the initiative following the equaliser – Joe Ward and Gordon looked to make active contributions as they drove forward – but the final ball was severely lacking.

Skipper Mark Haines struck just before halftime however as the Clarets edged in front, and it was in spectacular fashion.

Stortford managed to survive a couple of well-worked corners but could do little with Leon Redwood’s ball into the box as Haines’ volley nestled into the far corner.

That was Haines’ first goal of the season but it was well worth the wait and got the City fans purring.

The second-half was somewhat uneventful

for large parts, but the Clarets did add to their lead when Michael Cheek was brought down by James Bransgrove, forcing the referee to point to the spot.

Up stepped Rohdell Gordon whose spot-kick hit the underside of the bar to give Bransgrove, who escaped with just a booking, no chance as he dived the opposite way.

Cheek went close to furthering the advantage when he pounced on a loose ball, only for James Bransgrove to dive low and palm away.

It was a day to remember for League debutant Hugo Skepelhorn as the club’s Academy graduate added a fourth when he poked home on the slide, beating the onrushing Bransgrove.

Church did pull one back late on for Stortford as he headed in his second of the game, although the Clarets managed to hold on as they returned to winning ways ahead of next week’s trip to relegation-threatened Farnborough.

ADAM MAY

Stanley goal lifts Blues to third SHERWIN Stanley was again the hero for Brentwood, coming off the bench to score a second half winner that lifted Blues into third place in Ryman North.

It took until the 72nd minute for the home side to break down a resolute Dockers defence but it was a goal worth the wait.

James Love won a header in the middle of the park and found Alex Akrofi who hit a first time pass to Sam Bantick who played a perfect ball across to Stanley who produced a fine finish at the far post.

Blues had been frustrated not to get a first half lead. R Robbie Rees shot just wide in the fourteenth minute after a good build up between Danny Dafter, Alex Akrofi and Tom Richardson.

Then Tilbury centre back Jake Pooley produced a near-

Brentwood Town 1 Tilbury 0 Ryman Division One North

miraculous clearance to deny Tom Richardson on the goal line after Dafter had headed a free kick at goal. Akrofi leapt high to head a Bantick corner against the cross bar in the 25th minute with Rees firing the follow-up just over the bar from 20 yards out.

Dafter had another header from a Rees free kick blocked on the line while Akrofi was unlucky again in the 40th minute when he won another header only to see Jack Carlile clear of the goal line.

But Tilbury went close on the stroke of half time when Neil Richmond hit a decent chance over the bar.

Richmond had another half-chance in the second half but Blues generally dominated with Akrofi’s pace troubling the Dockers defence more as they began to tire.

After Stanley’s strike, Tilbury strove hard to get back in the game but Akrofi had a chance to increase the lead right at the end, shooting over after Rees had put him through.

With other results going Brentwood’s way on Easter Monday, it now looks very likely that they will secure a play-off place in the next couple of weeks.

With four league games left to play, Blues have a sevenpoint lead over sixth-placed Wroxham who have played one more game.

MARTIN VOLLER

Romford fighting relegation after defeat ROMFORD and Thurrock were well balanced early on until out of the blue Lewwis Spence let fly from 30 yards to give the hosts the lead, which they doubled in the next five minutes.

On the half hour Romford were back in the game when Loui Hazelwood slotted a fantastic pass behind a Thurrock defender for Tyrone Scarlett to dink the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the back of the net.

Into the second half and Aaron Omand had already produced a good save before

Thurrock Romford

6 2

Ryman North

he was forced into a second, but this time the rebound fell kindly to Thompson after a goalmouth scramble and he poked home on 53 minutes.

Six minutes later and it was four for Thurrock after a quick counter attack when Spence hit the ball into the bottom corner to get his second of the game.

On 71 minutes Ross Wall made it five for Thurrock

before a Ryan Imbert effort summed up Romford’s season when he outjumped the host’s keeper but his powerful header bounced up and hit the bar before going over.

Thurrock made it six eight minutes from time when substitute Jordan Clarke beat the offside trap and shot low into the net.

So with Cray winning again, Romford fall into the relegation zone, and with only three games remaining must pick up some points, starting with Saturday’s home match against Thamesmead.

39 Calling all local teams... If you want to highlight your team’s results, match reports or news, email sportsdesk@madeinessex.net

Ladi Brown on the attack for Leopards

BASKETBALL

Big Cats eyes set on play-off trophy to complete double

W

HILE his team have already won the NBL Division One title, Leopards coach Robert Youngblood is looking for his side to complete the double by winning the play-offs.

The Big Cats host Bradford Dragons in a quarter-final match-up at the Brentwood Centre on Sunday at 4pm, and Youngblood clearly isn’t satisfied with just winning the league: “We’re not done yet,” he said, “There’s three more games and we need to win them all so we can walk out with the play-off trophy.

“I’m not saying that the first two trophies aren’t important, but the last two are the ones that people remember.”

The Dragons were tipped to do well preseason, but several close defeats early in the campaign – including a 63-61 defeat against the Big Cats at Brentwood – derailed their challenge and they were left sweating on other results before sealing eighth spot in the table and a place in the play-offs.

Leopards also won 75-63 on the road in

Manchester Magic Essex Leopards

81 57

NBL Division One

Bradford to complete a double over the Yorkshire side.

With another big crowd expected at the Brentwood Centre, tickets are available through www.leopardsbasketball.co.uk and there’s also a chance for children to book a place on the pre-game “train with a Leopard” coaching clinic.

The Big Cats will be aiming to reach a record-breaking fifth straight Final Four, and the prize for Sunday’s winner is a semi-final against either Kent Crusaders or Reading Rockets in Sheffield on Sunday, April 19.

Following Sunday’s game, Youngblood’s team will be presented with the Division One trophy and their winners medals before the action moves to the café/bar area at the Brentwood Centre for the MVP awards and auction.

It was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s

Show for Leopards on Saturday as they wrapped up their league campaign with an 81-57 loss at Manchester Magic – their heaviest defeat of the season.

With little to play for, and facing a team who were still chasing the runners-up spot in the league, Leopards were second best all evening and after Matic Zupanc had tied the score at two the hosts reeled off seven straight points to take a lead they would never lose.

A pair of Ladi Brown free-throws kept the visitors in touch, trailing 20-12 at the first break, but with Youngblood running his bench they were outscored 27-13 in the second period to go into the locker room 47-25 down.

Zupanc sunk a trey to open the third period, and the Big Cats shaded the quarter 14-13 before Magic won the fourth period 21-18 to wrap up the win.

Ladi Brown led the Leopards for the first time with a 13 point, 10 rebound doubledouble, with Lawrence Brown and Zupanc has 11 points apiece and Byron Richards 10.

DAVE RYAN

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

Swimmers in synch with medal success CHELMSFORD Swimming Club sent their synchronised swimmers to compete in the annual regional synchronised swimming competition held at Stevenage and were rewarded with gold, silver and bronze medals.

Synchronised Swimming is a very strenuous and skillful sport because competitors need strength and flexibility to perform the routines, and the synchronised swimmers from Chelmsford Swimming Club have been training twice a week to perfect their routines.

In the regional competition they took part in both the figure competition, where they perform set movements to the judges, and in the set routines, with routines designed for solo competitors (where you synchronise with the music) and in the duets (where you synchronise with a partner and the music).

The competition is split into ability levels, with Skill Level 0 being the less experienced swimmers up to the higher levels of Skill Level 3 and 4.

The club had much success’ including Maia Card-Gowers (U12 years) who came second in her figures section in the Skill Level 0.

Then in the 13 years +, Georgia Harman came third with her solo in the Skill Level 0 and Evie Reynolds came second with her solo in the Skill Level 1.

There was further success in the duets with Claire Kelly and Anna Leinemann coming in first place in the Skill Level 0 to the music Walk like an Egyptian.

In the Skill Level 1 duets there was another gold medal for Emily Jennings and Jenny Chandler and a bronze for Evie Reynolds and Lena Leinemann.

Club Coach, Laura Neary is delighted with the results, and said: “We are very proud of the girls achievements and our recent successes at both county and regional level.

“This was a brilliant result as the girls have really worked on technique and achieved such high places due to the hard work put in during training sessions” The Synchronised section of the club has been growing rapidly over the last few years and train regularly at Riverside Ice and Leisure and are always on the look out for new members.

She added: “It is great to see so many young swimmers looking to try synchronised swimming as a new sport and our doors are always open on a Tuesday night for potential new members to come and watch us train or to meet the coaches.”

For more information on the club contact chelmsfordswimmingclub.synchro@yahoo. co.uk

The Chelmsford Swimming Club Synchronised swimmers team with their medals

2020 Made in Essex FP 340x264.qxp_340x264 07/04/2015 11:16 Page 1

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Marco Polo departs Tilbury: 18th Apr 2015, 7 nights

Astor departs Tilbury: 23rd Apr 2015, 8 nights

Tilbury - Amsterdam (Netherlands) - Ulvik* - cruise Hardangerfjord - Eidfjord - Flåm - cruise Sognefjord & Nærøyfjord - Bergen - Tilbury.

Tilbury - Invergordon - Portree (Isle of Skye) - Tobermory (Isle of Mull) - Dublin - St. Mary’s (Isles of Scilly) Honfleur (France) - Tilbury.

Inner Full Fare Saver Fare NOW! from £939 £569 £449

Outer Full Fare Saver Fare NOW! from £1289 £799 £599

Marco Polo from Tilbury Voyage to Canada & Greenland, 24th July 2015 36 nights from only £2579 Autumn Voyage to Canada, 7th September 2015 17 nights from only £1339 Baltic & St Petersburg, 11th October 2015 13 nights from only £679 European Rivers & Cities, 24th October 2015 6 nights from only £379

Magellan departs Tilbury: 10th Jul & 1st Oct 2015, 8 nights A marvellous opportunity to sample the hospitality of five diverse Scandinavian cities in one unique cruise itinerary.

Whether you choose to wander through historic city streets, visit world-renowned museums, take a leisurely sightseeing tour, or indulge in a little retail therapy to find that unusual gift or souvenir; this cruise promises something special every time you step ashore.

Tilbury - Amsterdam (Netherlands) - Hamburg (Germany) Helsingborg (Sweden) - Copenhagen (overnight, Denmark) Aalborg - Tilbury.

Standard

Standard

Inner Full Fare Saver Fare NOW! from £1099 £659 £499

Outer Full Fare Saver Fare NOW! from £1519 £919 £729

Superior Inner Full Fare Saver Fare NOW! from £1369 £829 £689

Superior Outer Full Fare Saver Fare NOW! from £1819 £1099 £909

& 0844 998 3919

Inner Full Fare Saver Fare NOW! from £1159 £759 £499

Outer Full Fare Saver Fare NOW! from £1409 £919 £599

Magellan from Tilbury Amsterdam & Antwerp, 4th June 2015 3 nights from only £199 Scottish Isles, Faroes & Edinburgh, 8th August 2015 8 nights from only £649 Autumn Gardens, 25th September 2015 6 nights from only £379 Canaries & Madeira, 23rd October 2015 15 nights from only £849

www.cruiseandmaritime.com or see your ABTA Travel Agent

Terms & Conditions apply. Subject to availability and may be withdrawn without notice. Prices are from and per person based on two adults sharing a twin cabin and excludes gratuities at £5pp per 2020 night. †Not included on cruises of less than 6 nights. *Technical call. Land by launch or tender. Operated by South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd trading as Cruise & Maritime Voyages.