The City Times - Aug/Sep 2023

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MONDAY Millennium Community Centre Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9.30am & 11am Jenny 07737 713117 St Augustines Church, Off Beardsley Drive, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM1 6GQ 5.30pm & 7pm Emma 07887 692906 TUESDAY Broomfield Village Hall Behind the Angel Pub, Broomfield, CM1 7AH 3.30pm, 5.30pm & 7pm Heidi 07557 331671 Millennium Community Centre Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow, CM2 9RL 4pm, 5.30pm & 7pm Samantha 01245 266442

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Issue Number 116 - August 17th - September 13th 2023

WEDNESDAY St. Augustine Church Off Beardsley Drive, Springfield Chelmsford, CM1 6GQ 9.30am & 11am Emma 07887 692906 Beryl Platt Community Centre Redwood Drive, Writtle CM1 3LY 3.30pm, 5pm & 6.30pm Jennifer 07792 516866 Springfield Park Baptist Church Springfield Park Road, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 6EB 5.30pm Sarah 07726 418287 THURSDAY Millennium Community Centre Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9.30am Samantha 01245 266442 The Church of Ascension Maltese Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2PB 6pm Jennifer 07792 516866 from Thursday 7/9/23 back to Newlands Spring Community Hall, CM1 4UU – Next to Morrisons Car Park at a new time of 6.30pm

FRIDAY The Church of Ascension Maltese Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2PB 9am Jennifer 07792 516866 from Friday 8/9/23 back to Newlands Spring Community Hall, CM1 4UU – Next to Morrisons Car Park SATURDAY Great Notley Community Centre Great Notley CM77 7US (Behind Prince Louis pub) 7.30am & 9am Heidi 07557 331671 Springfield Park Baptist Church Springfield Park Road. Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 6EB 8.30am & 10am Sarah 07726 418287

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City Times Intro Hello readers,

Parkwood Plumbers

Welcome to The City Times August/September edition.

There are still plenty of summer events to come: take a look at our What’s On guide to see what is happening locally.

Our online copies of the magazine are now available on our web site www.theciytimes.co.uk.

If you want to advertise, please email ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk to enquire about our advertising space.

THERE’S NO PLUMBING JOB TOO SMALL, SO PICK UP THE PHONE AND GIVE US A CALL!

Please do also remember to let our advertisers know that you saw their advert in The City Times.

Paul & Nick www.thecitytimes.co.uk Advertising Nick Garner 07970 206682 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk Editorial Paul Mclean 01245 262082 / 07595 949701 editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

It’s Your Media Ltd Disclaimer: It’s Your Media Ltd publish The City Times. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of It’s Your Media Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of It’s Your Media Ltd. Registered offices: 15 Hayes Close, Chelmsford. Reg No 9154871. Printed by Warners (Midlands) PLC.

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Self-expression is an essential part of being human; we have a need to feel understood and music is a powerful way of getting our feelings across to those around us. Writing your own song or composing an original piece of music is an amazing achievement! But it’s really only the first part of the process... To truly get the most out of the experience, you need to share your music with others.

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Nick’s Music and Ramblings Many young people are currently waiting for their exam results; my granddaughter being one of them. So now we all wait with baited breath for the results and my positive vibes are going out to everyone waiting.

So, this is our so-called summer.

After last year it’s hard to believe the weather here in the UK when you look at Europe and the heatwaves going on and, sadly, the fires in some places.

Luckily as I am writing this there is sunshine and warmth, whereas the other day it was wet, cold and windy. If this is not down to the global warming I don’t know what is. I am doing all I think I can - are you? Is your local authority doing all they can as well? If not, let them know that they need to do more.

I along with a friend, had a meeting with people from the theatre and council to see how we can work together to help promote our area - an area well worth visiting and coming to. Sadly, I have not heard back from them. I am almost at an end of my tether and not sure what to do as they only seem to be interested in themselves which l find very sad. I did point out that getting people to come to the area would not only benefit our venues which includes museums and galleries etc, it would also benefit hotels, B&Bs and other accommodation venues, food outlets places and our shops. I believe it would also help with employment too. Visitors bring money to the area. I think I am right here - what do you think?

When I look at the council’s social media it does not do what it should do in my mind. Chelmsford For You is pretty good and is run

by BID, which is the part of the Business Improvement District, but this seems to be about ‘Chelmsford’ which is right for them. Maybe this needs to be taken on by the County Council, as I feel we need to promote the whole of Essex as the county has so much to offer. So maybe that will be my next port of call. If you can suggest otherwise or have any thoughts and would like to get involved, then please let me know.

There are of course events coming up over the next few weeks in our area - see our What’s On guide or search the web and I hope you can find what you want.

Go Ape has now opened, as has the indoor Ninja Warrior. Have you been to either yet? If you have, then let us know what you think of them.

We have Green City coming up in Chelmsford, and as far as I know it is all free and will be worth a visit with plenty for the kids and for us adults to do and learn from. As you know, ‘being green’ is one of my big passions.

I have recently been away on my travels. First to Kent to visit the Chickenstock Festival which was a lot of fun, but sadly we got very wet on the Sunday afternoon, so it was back to the caravan for a couple of hours then back out. I stayed to the bitter end and had a great time meeting friends old and new. I left there and with my caravan and went to see my mates in Gosport for a couple of nights, and then it was on to the Wickham Festival.

Alas, that did get very windy and wet again but it did not stop me!

I was there to photograph my friends and others who were playing - and there was lots, including Midge Ure, The Zombies, Tim Edey, Merry Hell, Show Of Hands, The Afro Celt Soundsystem and many more. It was so wet and muddy that I had to get towed off the field with my caravan! Although I needed a bit of a tow at Chickenstock too, but it was not the same as this with so much mud.

I am now off to another festival in Kent - A New Day Festival. Again, a good few friends are playing there too. This is a first for me and I am told it is set in the beautiful surroundings of pretty gardens in Kent.

Music We recently had the beer festival return to Chelmsford, which I think was a good success - I got to book the music which seemed to go down well. I then had Hamish Stuart play a stunning show along with Katy for Kings opening. It was a great night and really should have been rammed. The following night, I went to see an old friend from the States play called Hamilton Loomis, who l have not seen for some time. He and his band were great as ever.

I am so pleased to confirm that Del Bromham will be opening for Terry Reid and his band in October. For those who do not know, Del is the founding member of Stray who are still going strong today and will have a new CD out shortly. We also have opening for Mike Ross at Hot Box along with Stone Thieves. If you don’t know them check them out, as this is real bonus for us all.

In Writtle we had the recent Folk/Country and Jazz Festival weekend.

I was not here sadly, so cannot really comment except that I know on the Saturday they had the same awful weather that I had where I was.

I have just to been to the August Theatre in Lavenham where I saw Creedence Clearwater Revival. This was lovely, as it was outside but under a marquee with open sides. They have a wonderful full programme with all types of music and comedy taking place. Maybe more places could look at this model and do something similar around the county.

As I return at the beginning of September, I am getting ready to start again at Hot Box and The Chelmsford Social Club. I have also booked The One Tree Hillbillies into the Star and Garter in Moulsham Street for Monday 4th September from 8.30pm. The next day we have The Ugly Guys and guests at Hot Box for the launch of their new album which I have and it’s great. This show is a fundraiser for Hot Box with all the ticket money going to their survival fund, so please do come along.

On Friday September 8th we kick off at The Social Club with the D’Ukes, a truly wonderful ukulele band led by Dave Warren. See our advert in this magazine for who else we have coming up for the rest of 2023. I am busy booking for next year as well now and hopefully will announce more acts very soon.

If you have anything you think that could be of interest to our readers for either publication, then please let us know by emailing editorial@ itsyourmedia.co.uk - it maybe an event or a topic of interest. Or have you done anything unusual or are you planning something?

If so, we want to know about it. And if know of someone who may wish to advertise with us, then please ask them to contact ads@ itsyourmedia.co.uk and we can send over full details.

You can get tickets for all our shows in Chelmsford from Intense Records, Hopsters and Chelmsford 4Good - please pay cash in person when you buy. Tickets are also available online from www. wegottickets.com/BlackFrogPresents, or via our ticket hotline at no extra charge - call or text 07508 496 411 and you can then pay the advance price on entry to the show rather than the walk-up price.

For all Black Frog Presents gig updates and information go www. linktr.ee/BlackFrogPresents, or scan the QR code in the poster in this magazine.

It would be fantastic if you could share our magazines The City Times and Moulsham Times for us. We continue to publish both magazines online as well at www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia.

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City Times Food!

School’s Out for Summer - By Lauren Capp I can’t believe that the summer holidays are now upon us!

As I considered what I wanted to talk about this month, I decided on sauces.

In my previous articles I’ve touched upon dressings, but I wanted to talk about pasta sauces this month. I know that my kids and other parents I have spoken to tell me that most nights the kids ask for pasta, which can get a bit boring if it’s the same thing every time!

We all like convenience. How easy is it to buy a pasta sauce from the shops? The problem with these sauces is that they are full of so much salt and other things that aren’t great for us. By making our own sauces we know exactly what is going into them. It’s also a great way to hide vegetables! We eat with our eyes and children often decide that they don’t like something before they even taste it due to its appearance. You can pack these sauces with as many vegetables as you like and blend it all up and they will never know - plus the more vegetables you use the more flavour there is.

To start the sauce, chop the garlic and onion, fry them off then add your veggies. I like to use courgette, carrots or what ever I have in the fridge that needs using up. Throw it all in (add some herbs too if you like) with 2 tins of tomatoes and cook this until the veg is soft. Add this to your blender and you have your basic sauce, It’s so cheap and full of flavour!

My recipe this month involves a pepper sauce which is served cold.

It’s quick and easy and can be made in advance which I find so helpful being the school holidays. I used pork tenderloins, but you

can use chicken breast, duck or what ever meat you like to.

Ingredients Serves 2: 4 pork tenderloins/ chicken breasts/ duck breast.

1 tbsp olive oil.

Fresh rosemary.

Fresh sage.

60g mayonnaise.

Jar of red peppers.

1 clove garlic.

2 handfuls or rocket.

40g almonds.

Lemon juice.

Season the meat with salt and pepper. Then heat the oil in a pan and fry the meat if using pork for 3 minutes on each side - chicken will take longer, add the fresh herbs.

Once cooked, cover with cling film and allow to rest (resting the meat is so important to make the meat relax and more tender and juicy).

Whilst your meat is resting add the peppers, mayo and garlic into your blender and whizz up.

Put your sauce into the bottom of a bowl, and place the meat on top.

Drizzle with lemon, add rocket and almonds and serve.

Eat Better to Feel Better - By Demelza Rayner It’s the middle of August, which means that now is the perfect time to supercharge your morning routine and build new healthy habits before the kids go back to school. Here are my four top tips for starting the day feeling healthy, energised and ready to face anything!

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1) Get Some Morning Light At this time of year, mornings should be warm and bright, so get the whole family outside for breakfast. Morning light helps to set the circadian clock, not only letting your body know it’s daytime but also programming the body to fall asleep easier at night. This may be less attractive in winter, but even a quick five minutes outside in the morning with a cup of tea or coffee will still make a difference to sleep and mood.

•

2) Start the Day With Water Make your first drink of the day a glass of water. This helps to rehydrate your body after a night’s sleep, improving your alertness and energy levels. Insufficient hydration is a key factor in headaches, poor concentration and is a main cause of heat exhaustion. It also causes sluggish bowel function and weight gain as it’s very easy to mistake thirst for hunger.

3) Have a Good Breakfast This doesn’t necessarily mean a large breakfast, just something savoury with protein that will keep your energy levels stable throughout the morning. Many breakfast cereals are full of sugar - even those widely promoted as ‘healthy’ such as Special K… and don’t even get me started on the new KitKat cereal! If cereal is the only way you can start the day, opt for Shredded Wheat or Weetabix both are high in fibre and have very small ingredients lists.

Other quick and easy breakfast ideas include: • Full-fat natural yogurt/Greek yogurt with a handful of berries and a sprinkling of nuts/seeds/spices.

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•

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Overnight oats with chia seeds and mixed fruit.

Or, for something warming, sardines on one piece of wholegrain toast.

Vegetable omelette with cheese.

Porridge with a sprinkling of cinnamon.

4) Finally - and I know this is going to be a little ‘woo-woo’ for some - pick one mantra for the week and repeat it either out loud or in your head every morning. The following are three such examples: ‘I am capable of accomplishing anything I set my mind to.’

‘I will not let fear hold me back.’

‘I love and respect myself just the way I am.’

We all have self-doubt at times - it’s part of being human. But the way we talk to ourselves in our own head enables us to be our biggest cheerleader or our worst enemy. Be kind to yourself, encourage yourself as you would a friend and there’s no end to what you can achieve!

I hope you’ve found the above tips helpful - if you’d like a free, informal chat about how nutrition and lifestyle medicine can have a positive impact on every aspect of your life, simply drop me an email at hello@demelzaraynernutrition.co.uk, or visit my website at www. demelzaraynernutrition.co.uk.

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City Times Gardening On my walk with Ruby, my border terrier of 5 years, we often take in the sights and sounds of the rivers Heritage and Orchard located west of Sawbridgeworth, Herts (www.rhso.co.uk/index. php). If you ever find yourself in the area, take a walk through and wonder at the sheer range of tree fruits being maintained by the volunteers. The orchard sits on what was once the river’s nursery, founded by John Rivers in 1725 and, when it closed in 1987, it was the oldest garden nursery in the UK. If you grow fruit trees in your garden (whether its in the ground or in a container) and they have the ‘Rivers’ name in the cultivar section of the botanical name, they were developed here. Such fine examples as the apple ‘Early Rivers’ and Plum ‘Rivers Early Prolific’ are present. At this time of year, of course, they are all producing their fruit. Walking through the plum

section, a number are very heavily laden and nearly ripe for harvest.

At this time of year you could thin the fruit (only if the tree is a particularly heavy cropper) to give individual fruits room to develop and to help reduce the weight on the branches thinning also improves flavour and helps prevent biennial cropping. Thin to 8cm apart once the stones have formed.

In addition to this, I have also had to prop up heavily laden stems to stop any chances of bows tearing off and creating huge wounds likely to be infected. With plums, only prune to shape, or to remove excessively vigorous and awkwardly placed growth. Mature trees may require some thinning.

As well as thinning out fruit and the potential harvesting of early types, it is also a suitable time to routine prune. I tend to combine this with any that require harvesting. Prune during August rather than the winter months to reduce the spread of the fungal disease Silver Leaf and the bacterial disease Bacterial Canker.

With Silver Leaf, remove and burn infected limbs, cutting 15cm below the stained wood. Trees can often survive attack from silver leaf.

Avoid the use of sealant paints, as this is not currently recommended by the industry. This is due to the fact that both diseases can be trapped between the paint and plant tissues and left to go unchecked and fester.

With Bacterial Canker, prune 60cm below sucken lesions (cankers) and burn or put into your green waste. An alternative control would be to use less susceptible cultivars of stone fruits such as cherry ‘Merton Glory’ and plum ‘ Marjorie’s Seedling’. In both cases sterilise tools and equipment before going onto a related tree. (Jeyes fluid works well).

Other Jobs to Consider This Month As we have had a rather wet month, weeds are still growing furiously.

Root them out as soon as you see them with hand forks to reduce their spread and always apply a suitable mulching material such as leaf mould to supress further germinating weed seedlings.

Autumn is now just around the corner and soon it will be perfect for planting bulbs for autumnal and spring colour. Scour those catalogues and start to place orders.

Collect annual seed from cornflower and honesty. Store in paper bags and place in a plastic sealed container and pop in the fridge until required.

Look at this link for gardening tasks for August www.rhs.org.uk/ advice/in-month/august.

Happy gardening For any gardening tips please contact Tom Cole by email: tomcole8@ hotmail.com.

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Old Park Meadow

Old Park Meadow Natural Burial Ground offers a natural, peaceful, and personal way of saying farewell.

The setting at Old Park Meadow gives us the opportunity to cater to every and all needs. Whether you are religious or not, would prefer a burial or ash interment with or without a service, a celebration of life or intend to have a catered wake afterwards. Old Park Meadow is open to any request. Everything can be completely personalised, from the type of memorial plaque to the music at the service. Reserving a plot in advance is also possible.

At Old Park Meadow we are committed to caring for the environment. We have endeavoured to create wildflower meadows and young woodland that are both sustainable and beautiful. With advice from the Essex Wildlife Trust, we are creating a nature reserve that makes sure all our flora and fauna contributes to the surrounding ecosystem, providing a haven for local wildlife.

With traditional burial grounds becoming overcrowded, the blossoming, vibrant and sustainable lands of Old Park Meadow offer a stunning alternative to say goodbye.

Old Park Lodge is our venue for services and wakes, the Lodge has the capacity for over 200 guests and its glass surround gives a spectacular view of the countryside.

The large reception area also gives access to a kitchen and restrooms, while the building is fully equipped with a hearing loop, accessible toilets and is step-free, making it suitable for all.

For more information vist www.oldparkmeadow.co.uk, or call, 01245 806 332. www.thecitytimes.co.uk

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Regal Kitchens - Case Study - Mr and Mrs E

Having completed projects for them in their two previous homes, it was probably no surprise that that Mr and Mrs Emerson contacted Regal Kitchens when they bought a new property in Benfleet, Essex.

John Martin senior designer at Regal explains the design: “By opting for the Schuller furniture, we were able to integrate the extractor above the induction hob yet keep the bottom of the wall cabinets in a straight line, creating a modern unfussy look. We ordered the handleless trims in brushed metal to compliment the seamless strips joining the NEFF oven and combi. Putting the sink in the island meant that we were able to keep that big kitchen feel without demanding the cook has to jog a marathon to create every meal.

“By housing the freestanding wet appliances in a bespoke deep and wide larder and duplicating that in front of the vertical beam, we were able to hide the structural support, giving us generous storage as well as creating a symmetrical look to the area & clearly defining each zone. A free-standing wine cooler, a twenty-four-bottle wine rack, a worktop ice maker and wall cabinets with built in LED lights creates a barkeeps dream area without compromising on the homogenous feel of the room.

“Our clients had previously enjoyed the unrivalled capabilities of NEFF products in their previous two Regal Kitchens; this time they opted for a pyrolytic single oven, microwave-oven combi, flexinduction hob with hidden extractor, under-counter fridge and freezer as well as dishwasher to complete their beautiful new space.

“The counter tops are 40mm Schuller laminate to co-ordinate with the top cabinets with a warm grey Alusplash wall covering. The statement piece is the beautiful island worksurface, made from 20mm Cambria Quartz - it contrasts wonderfully in thickness, colour, material and look with the other tops as well as lightening the impact of the sophisticated, dark base furniture. The huge piece not only covers the integrated dishwasher, bins, sink, compulsory kettle tap it still leaves room for additional storage, pop up electrics and seating for four! Really creating that elusive wow factor.”

Mr E said: “The whole experience with regal Kitchens was first class.”

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

www.regalkitchens.co.uk | 2 Navigation Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6HX | Where Client Is King Page 10

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Rambling With the Beeb

- By Britain’s Oldest Angry Young Man

Can anyone tell me what, exactly, Gary Lineker does to justify being paid up to £1,354,000 by our alleged cash-strapped Beeb? As I see it, he sits with some over-the-hill football mates watching a football match and making asinine comments about it rather like a group of old men in a pub - but in Gary’s case, very rich old men.

However, Gary’s ‘voluntary huge pay cut’ of £400,000 from his then £1,750,000 salary, left him with a current pittance of £1,354,000 to play with. Perhaps he would tell us which charities he supports, if any.

The Beeb is not the Beeb my generation grew up with and it will never be that entertaining again.

The streaming competition is now too entrenched. When I switch on my television to watch a specific programme, I object to being bombarded by dozens of programmes and films. many of which I have not heard of with actors I haven’t heard of, before I can find the one programme I switched on for. American programmes and films are a no-no full of Marlon Brando mumbling. I understand that some viewers are switching to sub-titles. I have abandoned commercial television altogether. I confess to being technology senile which doesn’t help much. However, I have built a library of DVDs covering my favourite films and documentaries that I can dip into when The Beeb is tempting me with a galaxy of repeat programmes and films, some of which are so old the actors have died.

I am reminded of the late football manager, Brian Clough, who, when

Chelmsford Library

Summer Reading Challenge Our Summer Reading Challenge - Ready, Set, Read! - is well underway, with lots of children signing up to enjoy books over the summer and earning rewards for doing so! It is a free reading challenge for all children - sign up and read or share 6 books over the summer holiday with stickers awarded for each book completed.

On completion of the challenge, certificates and medals will be presented. It’s not too late to take part, so just come in and see us!

Keep an eye on the website and social media for activities and events linked to the Reading Challenge during the summer holiday.

Friday Crafts Come along to enjoy some fabulous craft making sessions every Friday during the summer holidays! There are two sessions, 10am - 11am and 11.30am - 12.30pm. This event is free but booking is required; just book a ticket for each child attending. We hope to see you there!

Lots of other events are still taking place so do check out our website for details of these.

These include Summer Rhymetimes, Community Tea Time, Work Club, Crochet Club, Block Builders Construction Club - there’s something for everyone!

he wanted to talk with one of his players had to also talk with the player’s agent, the player’s mother, the player’s kids and the player’s pet parrot. Cloughie didn’t stay in management long.

The great Blackpool and England player Stanley Matthews, the football dribbler king, met his match when playing for England against West Germany. He transfixed a big German defender and dribbled the ball clean through him and raced away. During the return match, he came up against the same big German defender. He dribbled his way through his man and raced away only to discover that he hadn’t got the ball, the German had the ball, having sussed out Stanley’s dribbling feats.

Too many of today’s players play to the television cameras to show off their dubious talents. Stupid actions are copied by kids as they run around parks and playing fields pretending to play to the invisible cameras.

Excuse me while I attempt to remember the fun growing up with friends when playing football in roads, alleys and any open space. A street lamp as a goal post and a folded coat as the other goalpost topped up with a virtual crossbar the height of which was dictated by the height of the goalkeeper.

All swept away by car ownership.

For more information and details of all our events and services, including dates and times and how to book your place, just visit our website at, libraries.essex.gov.uk. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter or by subscribing to our newsletter - details on our website.

t o p s s i th n i e s i t Adver e City Times in Th 135 + VAT for £ Promote your business to thousands of local people every month!

We also have computers with printing and scanning facilities, study spaces, photocopying, and free WI-FI. You can pick up hearing aid batteries from us and you can also recycle your used batteries, small electrical items and home printer ink cartridges here at the library just bring them along and put them in the appropriate recycle bin!

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The City Times Reach 10,000 readers in mid Essex!

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What’s On All events are correct at time of going to press. Please check with the venue for updates

August

Friday 18th Acanteen - Magic Mike Million Dollar Men Chelmsford Theatre - Blood Brothers Hot Box - Khary RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga Saturday 19th Chelmsford Social Club - Johnny Wildheart & The Blue Lights + The Blazin’ Aces Chelmsford Theatre - Blood Brothers RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Star & Garter - 3s a Crowd Sunday 20th Hot Box - Rockeoke Star & Garter - Jam Session Monday 21st Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night Tuesday 22nd Hot Box - Rat Boy Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance - 7.50pm - £2 - 01245 475 660) Woolpack - Quiz Wednesday 23rd Black Rabbit, Maldon - Karaoke The Lion Inn - Chelmsford Comedy Club Thursday 24th Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz Night Hot Box The Rising Sun - Quiz night Friday 25th Black Bull - Shakey’s Sessions Chelmsford Theatre - Dragons & Mythical Beasts The Golden Fleece - The Nook RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga Saturday 26th Star & Garter Monday 28th Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night Tuesday 29th Hot Box - Three Rivers & Friends Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660) Woolpack - Quiz Wednesday 30th Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper Club (1920/30s ‘Cotton Club’ band The Harlem Meer Cats - 7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075) Thursday 31st Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz Night Chelsmford Theatre - Voodoo Room: A Night of Hendrix, Clapton and Cream Hot Box - Uber Jam The Rising Sun - Quiz night

September Friday 1st Acanteen - Mama Mia tribute, The Dynamos Chelmsford Cathedral - Tribute to Hans Zimmer and John Williams Hot Box - Square Wave + Bloodline + The Ska’d RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga

Saturday 2nd Chelmsford Cathedral - Tribute to Hans Zimmer and John Williams Hot Box - Whom By Fire + Spencer M Taylor & the Groovy Psycho RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Wheelers Hill (Little Waltham) - Bring the House Down Festival Sunday 3rd Chelmsford Theatre - Whitney: Queen of the Night Hot Box - Blacks’ Myths Star & Garter - Jam session Monday 4th Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club night Star & Garter - One Tree Hillbillies Tuesday 5th Chelmsford Theatre - Georgie Crarol Hot Box - The Ugly Guys (album launch & Hot Box Fundraiser) Woolpack - Quiz Wednesday 6th Black Rabbit, Maldon - Karaoke Hot Box - General Knowledge Quiz Friends Meeting House (Rainsford Road) - CRAG Retirement Group (monthly meeting - 9.30am - first visit free) Thursday 7th Black Rabbit, Maldon - Quiz Night Chelmsford Theatre - The Magic of Dance Hot Box - Resonance Open System The Rising Sun - Quiz night The Riverside Inn - Essex Game Developers Meetup Friday 8th Chelmsford Train Station - Marconi Walk (www.chelmsfordhod. co.uk) Outside Chelmsford Prison - The Sometimes Secret History of Chelmsford Prison (www.chelmsfordhod.co.uk) Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: D’Ukes (ukulele band) Hot Box - Sunfruits + Children of the Fuzz Patch (Grays Yard) - Voices at Times of Crisis (www. chelmsfordhod.co.uk) RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Chair yoga The White Swan (Bicknacre) - Beer Festival Saturday 9th Central Park - Streets, Eats ‘n’ Beats Fest 2023 Chelmsford Theatre - Lionel Chelmer Gate Youth Centre - Eco Podcast Workshop (www. chelmsfordhod.co.uk) RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Springfield Bronze Age Enclosure Tour (www.chelmsfordhod. co.uk) The White Swan (Bicknacre) - Beer Festival Sunday 10th Chelmer Gate Youth Centre - Eco Podcast Workshop (www. chelmsfordhod.co.uk) Chelmsford Museum - War History Day Hot Box - Jazz Sunday with Zak Barrett and friends Outside Chelmsford Prison - The Sometimes Secret History of Chelmsford Prison (www.chelmsfordhod.co.uk) Springfield Bronze Age Enclosure Tour (www.chelmsfordhod. co.uk) Star & Garter - Jam Session The White Swan (Bicknacre) - Beer Fest

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Monday 11th Outside Chelmsford Prison - The Sometimes Secret History of Chelmsford Prison (www.chelmsfordhod.co.uk) Hot Box - Chelmsford Chess Club Patch, Grays Yard - My Blue Plaque Challenge (www. chelmsfordhod.co.uk) The Rising Sun - Autumn Glow Paint Party Tuesday 12th Civic Centre - The Show Must Go On Walk(www.chelmsfordhod. co.uk) Galleywood Heritage Cente - Galleywood Common Walk (www. chelmsfordhod.co.uk) Galleywood Heritage Cente - Galleywood History an Illustrated Talk (www.chelmsfordhod.co.uk) Hot Box - Mike Ross + Aaron Gardner Widford Village Hall (turn left at Chandlers) - country dancing (barn dance, £2 - 7.50pm - 01245 475 660) Woolpack - Quiz Wednesday 13th Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Karaoke Hot Box - Music Quiz Outside Chelmsford Prison - The Sometimes Secret History of Chelmsford Prison (www.chelmsfordhod.co.uk) Patch (Grays Yard) - Street Art & Grafitti: Where Did it Begin? (www.chelmsfordhod.co.uk) Rettendon Lodge (Battlesbridge) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Supper Club (from the Syd Lawrence Orchestra Chris Dean & Jo Marshall Quintet - 7.45pm - to book phone Phil on 07850 607 075) Thursday 14th Black Rabbit (Maldon) - Quiz Night Chelmsford Theatre - Sophie McCartney: Tired & Tested Hot Box - Floral Image The Rising Sun - Quiz night Friday 15th Chelmsford Social Club - Black Frog Presents: The Kast Off Kinks - (ex members of the Kinks & Rubettes).

Hylands - National Country Show Live Patch, Grays Yard - Hylands House an Illustrated History (www. chelmsfordhod.co.uk) Saturday 16th RAFA Club (Hall Street) - Coffee morning (10am to 1pm) Springfield Bronze Age Enclosure Tour (www.chelmsfordhod. co.uk) Star & Garter - Dub (jazz all dayer) St John’s Church - Open Day Tindal Square - Heritage through the Arts Wickham Bishops Village Hall (CM8 3JZ) - Wickham Bishops Jazz Club (6.30 for 7.30pm - Dave Browning’s Jazz Cats wickhambishopsjazzclub@gmail.com - 07548 775 777) Sunday 17th Chelmsford City Racecourse - Wedding Show Hot Box - Rockeoke Hylands House - Events Through the Years Hylands - National Country Show Live Springfield Bronze Age Enclosure Tour (www.chelmsfordhod. co.uk) Star & Garter - Jam session

Cool to be Kind Cool to be Kind joined Chelmsford CVS, along with over 30 other organisations, for volunteers’ week at VOLFEST 23 in June. The main aim of VOLFEST echoes that of Cool to be Kind and their work on Street Support Chelmsford, which is to show all the good that can come from our community working together. Cool to be Kind are urgently seeking trustee and fundraiser volunteers, so if you are keen, please get in touch!

There are a range of volunteer opportunities and donation requirements that can be viewed on Street Support Chelmsford’s ‘give help, what’s needed’ page (scan the QR code on the image).

And volunteer opportunities can also be found via Chelmsford CVS. Did you know that volunteering can create a sense of belonging and face to face volunteering can reduce the feeling of isolation?

Times are hard but if you can spare some time, it could really help to change a life for the better.

Why Not Come To Writtle Village Green to Feed the Ducks?

While you are here you may like to attend our new tutor course on art appreciation entitled Art Enspired By East Anglia. This is a ten week course of one and a half hours each on Tuesday morning in Writtle Village Hall, Writtle Green, CM1 3DU starting on Tuesday 19th September 2023.

This course examines artist representations of our beautiful region during the 19th and 20th centuries and includes old masters like Constable and Turner alongside the more contemporary artists like Maggi Hambling.

We have a very experienced lecturer, Susan Pownall, who will lead our discussions in a very relaxed environment. The fee for the course is £60 and you can either enrol online at www.wea.org.uk or by telephoning 0300 303 3464.

I look forward to meeting you in Writtle.

Anita Curtis

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Could Humans be the Next Endangered Species?

Is it possible that humans are on the way to becoming an endangered species? The alarming facts presented by Shanna Swan (Count Down) suggest that this could happen startlingly soon.

Posing this threat to survival of the human species is the declining fertility health of both men and women. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition affecting women’s fertility, is becoming increasingly prevalent. The incidence of another condition which may also affect a woman’s fertility, endometriosis, is high. Significantly, men’s sperm counts, tested in western countries, have dropped by more than 50 per cent in the last 50 years. Whether your interest is motivated by a global concern about survival of the species or by the personal pain of fertility difficulties, you may be wondering how this tidal wave can be turned. For millennia, fertility has supported survival of the species. How has this changed?

While fertility has a global purpose, supporting population growth and genetic survival, fertility does not have to be the purpose of everyone’s life. A range of factors, including social, biological and economic, have led to changes in family structure and fluctuations in family sizes since the baby boom years of the mid 20th century.

The introduction of the pill in the early ‘60s was transformational in allowing women unprecedented control over their fertility and increasing their freedom for choices in life. Although the birth rate has dropped since the middle of the 20th century however, this is not the change threatening survival of the species.

While fertility may bring personal meaning to the lives of many, fertility has not always been a choice for everyone. The first in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in the ‘80s was another transformational event, creating options which had not previously existed to support fertility. This led to further advances in assisted reproductive technologies, offering an increased range of options to overcome fertility challenges. Fertility journeys may now be supported by the appearance of workplace benefits, for staff on fertility journeys with IVF, egg freezing or surrogacy. With this additional support for fertility,

how can there still be a threat to our survival?

Many men and women are waiting until they are older to start a family. While age is known to have an impact on fertility, however, difficulties in conceiving are also affecting increasing numbers of younger people. Age is not the factor causing this tidal wave of fertility difficulties. The evidence is clear that fertility is being overwhelmed by a hostile environment of toxins and chemicals, stress and poor diet.

This is the change threatening survival of the species. Hormones are being disrupted. cells are being damaged. If fertility is to be rescued, global changes are needed in the environment.

But is there anything you can do as an individual, to improve your own fertility? While science may have some powerful answers, it’s time to remember the part that nature plays in facilitating your body’s inherent ability to recover. There are steps you can take to support your fertility. The global environment may be out of your control but aspects of your personal environment are within your control, especially your food, which has a powerful influence on your health and your fertility. You can take some simple proactive steps to support your fertility, nourishing and protecting the cells which will become sperm or ova. Stick to 3 meals a day and cut out the snacks (likely to be processed foods such as biscuits, muffins, croissants, crisps, chocolate), unless you have a specific health reason to need snacks between meals. Cook at least some of your meals from scratch, choosing organic ingredients whenever possible and methods such as steaming or baking (rather than frying, especially deep frying). Eat your 5 (or more) a day, choosing vegetables and fruits which are fresh, seasonal and local.

Jane Hickey is the co-creator of Preconception Nutrition programmes with Regan Heatley. As BANT registered Nutritional Therapists, they help men and women to improve their fertility. If you would like to find out how Jane or Regan can help you with a personalised programme, please visit preconceptionnutrition.com.

Residents Rally to Save Historic Local Pub The Roxwell Chequers Community Benefit Society Ltd has announced the launch of a community ownership offer aimed at saving the historic Chequers Pub in Roxwell. This initiative follows a passionate community meeting held last night, where residents and other stakeholders came together in a heartfelt endeavour to protect this much-loved local landmark.

The Chequers Pub, a building of major historic and community significance, has been a cornerstone of Roxwell village life for over 250 years. The pub was recently designated as an asset of community value, reaffirming its importance to the local people and area, while on the national scale its quality as a traditional timber framed building is recognised by its Grade 2 listing.

To safeguard its future the Roxwell Chequers Community Benefit Society Ltd is now seeking pledges from residents to become coowners of the pub, with a direct stake in its preservation and future success.

Emma Swift, Community Engagement Officer of the Roxwell Chequers Community Benefit Society Ltd said, “The Chequers is more than just a pub; it is the heart and soul of Roxwell. This share offer not only

allows us to save an important part of our heritage, it also provides a unique opportunity to secure its future for the long term and for all members of our community to become custodians of a place that has been cherished for generations.”

Essex County Councillor Mike Steel wrote in support of the project, “This is a great example of the community coming together for the benefit of its residents. It is clear that the community spirit in Roxwell is very active.”

Gillian Darley OBE, author of Excellent Essex who has known Roxwell for many years, said, “This initiative brings energy and enterprise to Essex. And the support of the local community for co-ownership of The Chequers would add generosity to the mix.”

Norman Robinson, Chair of Chelmsford and Mid-Essex CAMRA, praised the initiative, saying, “The community’s efforts to save the historic Chequers Pub in Roxwell exemplify the resilience and unity that make our local pub culture so special. This initiative not only preserves a cherished local institution, but it also underscores the vital role pubs play as a community hub in our rural villages.

On behalf of the Chelmsford and Mid Essex Branch of CAMRA, I wish them every success in their efforts to reopen The Chequers in Roxwell.”

All residents and anyone interested in preserving Essex heritage are encouraged to come forward and pledge their support. With the community’s help the Chequers Pub will remain a vital part of Roxwell’s vibrant village life and a draw for visitors from all over Essex and beyond for generations to come.

More information about the share offer, including how to make a pledge, can be found at savethechequersroxwell.co.uk.

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Page 17

A Year in the Life of the Mayor The Mayor Cllr Linda Mascot and Deputy Mayor Cllr Jude Deakin were pleased to attend the Southend-on-Sea City Council Civic Service with Mayor of the City of Southend, Cllr Stephen Habermel, and really enjoyed hearing The Music Man Project with Southend Vox Choir performing Music Is Magic.

The Mayor attended the Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services (ECVYS) AGM and celebration of their work. During the event, they officially opened their Memorial Garden for Sharon Sellens, and some of their amazing members and organisations spoke about their work with the young people of our county. It was a great event to be invited to and to hear all the marvellous work our youth volunteers do up and down the county.

The Mayor and her Consort were honoured to have been invited to the Remus Horse Sanctuary’s 40th anniversary celebration with a Royal visit by their Patron, HRH Sophie, the Duchess Of Edinburgh. The High Sheriff Charles Bishop and Deputy Lieutenant Vincent Thompson were also in attendance.

Sue Burton, owner and founder of Remus has dedicated her life to rescuing and giving a permanent home to many different mistreated animals including horses, donkeys and goats. To donate please go to www.remussanctuary.org.

The Mayor and her Consort dropped in to see the Beyond the Rainbow exhibition at Chelmsford Museum Co-curated by Pride Essex and the Museum - exhibits of memorabilia, moving testimony and artwork as well as a timeline of milestones including changes in law to support the LGBTQ+ community. A very informative exhibition.

The Deputy Mayor attended the funeral of the former Mayor of Chelmsford, Trevor Miller. The service was attended by his widow Maureen and close family and friends, and was poignant for Jude as she had served as Deputy Mayor to Trevor in 2013-14.

Chelmsford Science & Engineering Society’s Annual Technology Competition for Schools (TEXPO) saw teams of students from local schools competing with their ideas and prototypes at ARU. The Mayor and her Consort found it both interesting and informative speaking to the students about their projects which ranged from reusing crisp packets for insulation to a device with sensors that warns of overhead railway lines sagging. It was great to see such emerging STEM talent and teamwork from young people.

At the Annual Skills Festival run by Chelmsford City Council and hosted

by Writtle University College, the Mayor and her Consort saw first hand how the event was inspiring around 1,000 Year-8 pupils before they choose their GCSE options and gave them hands-on experience of many different jobs with fun activities from 50 employers and organisations.

The Mayor really enjoyed watching Writtle CARDS performing Murdered to Death. This murder mystery drama was very funny, full of red herrings, had excellent characterisation and was very well cast.

Well done to all involved with the production.

New Hall School held its annual Exhibition Day for Years 9-11. The Mayors Consort Ian accompanied the Deputy Mayor to this event held on the front lawn of the school. There were many awards presented to the year groups and several performances from the pupils throughout Page 18

the ceremony. The Head Boy Samuel and Head Girl Felicity gave thoughtful farewell speeches before handing their chains of office onto the new incumbents.

The Chelmsford Walking Carnival was a bright and busy event that the Mayor and her Consort were happy to join. They walked with Chelmsford CVS, holding some of the silk flags made as part of the C100 Chelmsford mobile celebration of community, creativity, environment and volunteering. There were 100 silk flags created to illustrate local stories, splendidly held aloft at the front of the carnival procession which started at Riverside and culminated in Oaklands Park where everyone enjoyed a large stage full of people, music, colour and a large range of food stalls.

Later in the afternoon was the Civic Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the mayoral year in Chelmsford Cathedral, which included multi-faith Sikh and Hindu prayers. Essex Dance Theatre performed a beautiful, enigmatic dance during the service as well as Baddow Hall Junior School’s choir singing Mr Blue Sky, I Am What I Am’, and When I Grow Up. The Mayor is very grateful to the Interim Dean of the Cathedral, The Very Rev’d Paul Kennington and the Cathedral choir, Andy Drake, CEO of YMCA Essex, Mayor’s Chaplain, James Bell, The Chelmsford Hindu Society, Sikhs of Chelmsford, Chelmsford Air Cadets and Chelmsford Sea Cadets for their contributions to such a lovely service.

The Mayor and Consort Ian met a group of Essex Wing Air Cadets on their water safety training evening at Paper Mill Lock. Ian joined the cadets on a paddle board whilst the Mayor chatted to Flight Lieutenant Elly Shipley about this training and how it builds resilience and encourages teamwork within the Cadets.

Sanfest was a celebration of music, drama and dance by students at The Sandon School which the Mayor attended with her Consort and son Joe Mascot for the evening. Headteacher Andy Weaver was justifiably proud of all the performances, thanks to the dedicated Drama, Dance and Music teachers as well all the talented students who performed so well.

The Mayor was particularly delighted to open the Baddow Hall Schools PSA Summer Festival as it’s where she works in her day job as Inclusion Manager. The sun shone on the many stalls and pupils in the choir performed as well as a talent show. Thanks to the PSA who organised the event, the many volunteers on the stalls and all the parents who attended to support the school.

The High Sheriff of Essex Charles Bishop and his wife Nellie hosted a Garden Party in Braxted on a lovely sunny afternoon with music by Essex Marching Corps. The Mayor and her consort enjoyed a pleasant afternoon hearing about the Essex Community Foundation which provides financial support for voluntary and community organisations which are charitable in purpose.

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The Mayor was delighted to revisit her own infant school, Moulsham Infant School, to officially open their Summer Fayre. New City Voices we’re singing in the sunshine and the stalls were buzzing with people, the barbecue was particularly welcome as the Mayor was going on to 3 more engagements that afternoon. Well done to Moulsham Infants Smile (support Moulsham Infants Learning Experience) to putting in such a successful event to help enrich the children’s school experience.

Mahanaim City Church held their Annual ROAR conference at Sandon Village Hall on Saturday, where the Mayor and her Consort were given a very warm welcome at this joyful event by Pastor Frederick Wireko. Cllr Mascot gave a speech and was presented with a lovely portrait sketched by Victur Mangbon which was gratefully received. Alison and her team welcomed the Mayor and her Consort to Jesters Day Nursery and Pre-School Beaulieu to help celebrate the 4 year old preschooler ‘Deers’ graduating from Danbury, Bicknacre and Beaulieu nursery settings. She was happy to meet Pluto and Poncho the Alpacas from All Things Alpaca and had some delicious carrot cake from The Dessert Kitchen. Cllr Mascot was delighted to see great examples of early years practice and looks forward to returning to read to the children in the near future.

ESAA English Schools Athletics Association held their 42nd Track & Field Cup Final at Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre schools event which the Mayor and Consort were pleased to attend.

Congratulations to the winning schools who were presented with their trophies by Deputy Lieutenant Hugh Toler.

It was with sadness that The Mayor heard that her good friend, Youth & Community Pastor at Tile Kiln Church, James Bell and his wife Rachel will be leaving to take up a new post as Chaplain at Edge Faith Ministries in Chesterfield. Tile Kiln Church held a community day to celebrate and give thanks to James and Rachel which the Mayor and Consort were pleased to attend to wish them well. James will continue as the Mayor’s Chaplain for the remainder of the annual term until May. The Mayor and her Consort attended Chairman of Rochford District Council, Cllr Jack Lawmon’s Garden Party at The Lawn in Rochford where the raffle raised more than £500 for his charity SCAF, which supports carers and families.

Essex Police held their Annual Awards ceremony for Contact Management staff at Essex Police HQ where the Mayor was delighted to help present the awards and thank staff for long service and commendations for outstanding service with Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Nolan. Contact Management Staff and Officers in the Force Control Room carry out a crucial role as they are the first point of contact for 999 calls supporting the people of Essex at their time of need, the Mayor expressed her gratitude on behalf of the residents of Essex for the outstanding service they provide.

The Mayor and Consort were pleased to attend the Greater Essex Careers Hub Enterprise Awards Ceremony at Hylands House to recognise and celebrate the work that businesses and volunteers undertake to improve and deliver education, information, guidance and advice to young people in Essex Schools.

The Chief Executive of Chelmsford City Council, Nick Eveleigh, joined the Mayor and her Consort in the Mayor’s Parlour for tea and cake to present certificates and thank previous city councillors for their www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

service to the residents of Chelmsford.

The Mayor was delighted to attend Chelmer Valley High School’s vibrant performance of Matilda The Musical where she received a very warm welcome. Everyone involved in the performance had worked hard and it was great to see how young people and teachers across the drama, music and art departments have produced such a brilliant show - the first whole school production since 2019; thanks to all involved.

The Mayor and Consort were pleased to attend The South Hanningfield Summer Show which the Mayor was honoured to officially open. The event is organised by local volunteers who are raising money to continue refurbishing the Village Hall. There were many gift, craft and refreshment stalls with Shenfield Model Railway display in the hall. There was a full programme of events going on throughout the day which included Irish dancing, singing and wood turning demonstrations. The Mayor spent time talking to Rayleigh Air Cadets who did a good job of marshalling traffic. She spent an enjoyable afternoon watching the entertainment and buying homemade chutneys, earrings and a necklace from the craft stalls.

The Talent Pool Academy was started 14 years ago to support children who were struggling in education, Meena Kumar offers tuition for all ages from prep to A level and has recently expanded her business to Chelmsford sharing the space at Munch Cafe. The Mayor was pleased to watch students performing in a talent show and present awards for their achievements.

The Mayor and Consort had a great morning at the Hylands Open Day - a vibrant event with Urban Food Festival providing a large variety of delicious street food on offer, music was by Hot Box, and childrens games and craft were sponsored by Friends of Hylands House as a welcome addition to the other activities on offer. It was good to see such an iconic venue packed with all ages enjoying the entertainment. The Mayor took the opportunity to have a coffee at the shiny newly refurbished deli café in The Stables and couldn’t resist buying different items from the variety of stalls and Stables craft units, including hand poured candles by LJ Rayner and a handmade peg bag from Cosima’s.

Muthamil Academy held a celebration event in Writtle Village Hall where the Mayor and Consort were invited to hear about how they teach the Tamil language, arts and culture with singing, dance and yoga classes online to help unite the Tamil speaking people in a strong and supportive community. They enjoyed a delicious Indian meal and chatted to people who had travelled from neighbouring counties to join this event. The Mayor joined others in lighting a candle to signify the start of the event with other honoured guests including Deputy Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Appu Srinivasan and Chelmsford City Cllr Vetri Pappa.

Essex Dance Theatre held their Annual Showcase, Dance is Who We Are, at Chelmsford Theatre over 2 performances.

The Mayor and her Consort are no strangers to EDT as their son and daughter were both part of this welcoming dance community for many years, with their son Joe going on to gain a Performing Arts degree and become a professional dancer under the guidance of Principal Debbie Holme. The annual show was flawless in its energetic performances from all involved across many dance genres and was thoroughly enjoyed by the Mayor Linda Mascot and husband Ian. Congratulations to all performers and choreographers for an excellent show.

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A History of Leisure and Entertainment Part 1 - By Stephen Norris The next tranche of articles in the coming months, covers the various changing types of leisure activities and entertainment in the Chelmsford area over the last 130 years.

In the late Victorian and Edwardian period, most of the entertainment in Chelmsford was provided for the upper class of the rural area and the middle classes in the town. These of course were in the main the only people who had both the leisure time and the income to follow the wide variety of pursuits available. Many of the concerts had a religious connection but were held at a wide variety of venues besides St Mary’s Parish Church, with the Corn Exchange, the Shire Hall and various church halls also used. Visiting theatre companies regularly reached the town with Fred Spalding Junior promoting a variety of plays, musicals and pantomimes, usually at the Corn Exchange, because Chelmsford had lacked a permanent theatre since the early Victorian period.

A unique feature of Chelmsford life was the Odde Volumes which appealed to the intellectual pretentions of a number of Chelmsford aesthetes. The ordinary Chelmsford working class man had an extraordinary number and variety of public houses in which to drink.

In Tindal Street alone there were 14 drinking establishments in the late 19th century. Twice a year the Chelmsford worker could go to the town’s fair. The cautious approach of the new municipal authority meant that Chelmsford was late in getting its public library and its first public park. The rapid expansion of the big three firms in the town saw the establishment of the works outing as a highlight in the calendar. During the inter-war period, the social clubs of these firms often dominated the out of work activities of their employees. By the outbreak of the Second War, Chelmsford had no less than five cinemas. In their early days all of these to a greater or lesser extent combined live entertainment with the celluloid variety. At the start of our period, Hylands, as the biggest estate in the Chelmsford area, played a part in the entertainment of many people in the area, with fêtes, harvest festivals etc.

In 1890 The Essex Chronicle was bemoaning the county town’s lack of a public recreation ground, two years after the opening of one in Colchester. In August a memorial signed by 44 citizens in favour of a public park was passed on to a small committee of the borough council which was set up to investigate the matter. By 1893 a number of different possible sites were being discussed, including one off Springfield Road. The Chronicle was worried that a park would add to the borough’s debt, bringing it close to its allowed maximum of £71,000 when there were other things the fledgling borough needed, like an improved sanitation system. It quickly became enthusiastic again when a public subscription was launched by the Mayor, Frank Whitmore: eventually over £1,500 was raised.

The land covering what is now basically Central Park was acquired on a 21 year lease. It was to cost one and a half pence in the pound on the rates to maintain it. The recreation ground was opened in July 1894.

That year the Chelmsford Town band, the West Essex Band and the Industrial School Band, all played at the ground to large crowds. There was a discussion as to whether the park should be open before 12pm on Sundays, with some thinking it would deter people from going to church. The Weekly News thought you couldn’t force people to go to church.

It was extended in 1898 and in the same year the council purchased the site from the trustees. By 1902 walking in the park was very much part of the summer for Chelmsford citizens: ‘During the summer the Chelmsford recreation ground has looked very charming for gay flower beds, the lake with its swans and ducks and the shady walks have proved most attractive’. The Weekly News pointed out that a number of people had come to a concert deliberately without their purses and that because of the presence of a number of ‘yahoos’ in the park, the caretaker had to carry a cane with him! During the First War, Bell Meadow was laid out as part of the recreation ground. In the 1920s, regular dances were held in the park.

During the 1880s, there was a wide variety of musical entertainment available for middle class patrons in Chelmsford. In one week in 1880

for example, there was a musical glee concert at St John’s, Moulsham, a concert, lecture and recitation at the Mechanics Institute, a concert of sacred music at the Shire Hall by the Chelmsford Town Band and a series of recitals for the Infirmary at the Shire Hall to raise funds. In addition, the West Essex Band gave a concert at the Corn Exchange as well as one in Broomfield. The town band gave another concert in front of the Shire Hall.

For the upper classes and the county set, there were balls held at the Shire Hall such as the County Ball held each year and a Bachelors Ball which was also popular. There were also subscription balls such as the one that took place in 1884, when the Chronicle reported ‘a company numbering about 130 was present... Dancing commenced shortly after 9 o’clock to the strains of Mr H Byford’s quadrille band and was kept up with spirit until between five and six in the morning’.

The first festival of choirs was held at St Mary’s Church in 1881 and became an established part of the Chelmsford calendar. In 1884, 15 choirs took part at the church and the festival grew into the Essex Musical Association which was formed in 1906. Their first competitions and concerts were held at the Corn Exchange but the Association’s events were extended to include the Shire Hall in 1911. The Association also put on orchestral concerts. A 1913 performance of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring provoked a strong response. The audience shouted, booed and whistled drowning out the music and forcing the composer to hide backstage. There was an increase in the participation of Women’s Institute choirs during the inter-war period. The Association gave increasing prominence to contemporary British composers such as Holst, Delius, Vaughn Williams and Armstrong Gibbs from Danbury.

Gibbs was born at the Vineyards, Great Baddow in 1889. He was brought up by five maiden aunts after his mother died when he was two. His prodigious musical gifts were evident at an early age and his aunts wanted him to obtain a musical education abroad, but his father, the soap and chemical manufacturer, insisted that he receive a public school education.

After going to Winchester he read history at Cambridge, whilst also receiving composition and harmony lessons. Adrian Boult was so impressed with Gibb’s music to a play called The Crossings that he funded Gibbs for a year he spent as a mature student at the Royal College of Music. There, he studied conducting under Boult, composition under Vaughn Williams and was given a part time teaching post. Gibbs moved to Danbury in 1919 and set up a choral society which took part in the EMA festivals. After one of his compositions was played at a festival in Bath, he became an adjudicator and later the Vice President of the National Federation of Music Festivals. Gibbs then combined touring the country, adjudicating festivals, conducting and composing. He also conducted the Danbury Choral Society and sang with the church choir. During the Second War he went to the Lake District, where he wrote his third symphony, Westmorland. He returned to Danbury after the war and reformed the choir. Gibbs was mainly known for his songs for solo voice but also wrote music for the stage, religious music and a great deal of chamber music, much of which remains unpublished. He continued composing and conducting until his death in Chelmsford in 1960 and is buried with his wife in Danbury church.

One notable artist with close connections to Chelmsford was Alfred Bennett Bamford (1857-1939). Born and bred in Romford, Bamford went to the Camden School of Art before becoming Art Master at the newly formed Chelmsford County High School for Girls, where he was the only male teacher. He was responsible for the largest collection of sketches of Essex, including a number of watercolours of Chelmsford.

Bamford was also passionate about the military and he belonged to the Volunteers of the Essex Regiment. By 1897 he had risen to Honorary Major. He retired from the regiment in 1901, but was put in charge of a prisoners of war camp during the First War. The Chelmsford Museum houses a number of his paintings, including Old Houses, the Friars, Moulsham Street.

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Child’s Pose - By Steve Johansen, Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga This month I’m going to be talking about Child’s Pose, Balasana in Sanskrit, which is pronounced as (bal-LAHS-anna). I often use this pose as a counterpose for Cobra Pose, which as you may remember I talked about last month. Child’s Pose is a resting posture where your hands are by your feet and your forehead rests on the mat. It allows you to reconnect with your breath, to slow it down, especially after a fast paced flowing sequence. It works equally well as a preparation, to focus and steady your breath and mind, ready for more challenging poses.

In my practice, it is a key pose because in its extended version (Extended Child’s Pose) it sets, you up in the ideal hand and foot position for Downward Facing Dog Pose and Plank Pose.

good foundation for you practice, and the right distance between the hands and feet.

Child’s Pose as a Resting Posture Start by kneeling towards the back of the mat, only this time with the knees together, big toes touching. On your next exhalation, bring the hands by the knees and lower the torso, relaxing the abdomen over the thighs. If you can, rest your forehead on the mat in front of your knees, your hands can stay where they are, elbows tucked into your sides.

Alternatively, reach your hands back to your feet, palms facing upwards, allowing your shoulders to roll downwards. This will highlight your breathing, because your knees and thighs will be pressing against your belly and ribs. It will slightly restrict your breath in the front of your body, helping you to focus on breathing slowly and deeply, into the sides and back of your torso, thereby helping you to focus on your three-part breath. Stay here and try to breathe for 5 or more breaths.

If you’re new to yoga you may struggle to rest your forehead on the mat, in which case rest the forehead, on folded forearms, or a yoga block or pillow. If your buttocks lift off your heels as you lower your head, place a pillow or yoga block between your sit bones and heals of the feet, allowing you to fully relax into Child’s Pose.

For those of you who would benefit from seeing both versions of Child’s Pose taught in action, you can find a video on our at Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga Facebook page both pinned to the top and as one of our reels.

While Child’s Pose does not particularly require physical strength or lots of practice to achieve, it is often hard for beginners to do comfortably, luckily there are a few variations that make it easier.

While I can now do the full pose with my knees together, I still prefer to practise it with my knees wide and my big toes touching, giving my hips and knees a bit more space to let my hips sink lower onto my heel, allowing me to relax fully into the pose. Many people struggle to rest their forehead on the mat, in which case you can rest the forehead on folded forearms.

Alternatively, book now and join me at the studio using this free pass code HPYFREECLASS. My gift to you.

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Where to Start Dynamic Extended Child’s Pose Start by kneeling towards the back of the mat, knees slightly apart, big toes touching. On your next exhalation walk the hands forward, lower the torso, to relax the abdomen over the thighs, keep walking the hands forward, stretching the arms out and keeping elbows off the mat, spread the fingers as wide as possible, little fingers touching the side of the mat, middle finger pointing forward, press through the fingertips and knuckles, especially the index finger and thumb. Find your Dristi, an unfocused gaze, just beyond your fingertips just as you would with Downward Facing Dog Pose. This will help establish a

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Chelmsford Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (The Charity That Supports the RAF Family)

News and Events The RAFA Branch and Club can be found in Hall Street (off Moulsham Street) and welcomes serving RAF personnel and those who have served and are now retired or need assistance in any way. The branch and club are members of the RAF family and are now involved with restructioning the club to widen its appeal to the public and RAF veterans. Club activity include Friday morning chair yoga, Saturday coffee mornings and ferocious Friday evening table tennis, after which the club bar becomes the centre of attention.

For further information contact the Branch Secretary, Derek Threadgall ex-RAF on 07712 378 320, or email dthreadgall1165@ gmail.com.

Events 16th September Battle of Britain Commemoration/Open Day. 30th September Wings Appeal fund raising event.

Looking for a Venue to Hire?

Then St Luke’s Church, Moulsham Lodge could be just right for you.

Great facilities for children’s parties, family occasions, fundraising events and concerts.

St Luke’s Church is ideally situated on Gloucester Avenue opposite the shops, with plenty of available parking, ramp access and disabled toilet, well-fitted kitchen and three separate spaces to accommodate small or large groups, including seated events which can accommodate up to 100 people.

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

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

For availability and bookings, please call 01245 600 225, or email stlukesmoulshamhallhire@gmail.com.

St Luke’s Church, Gloucester Avenue, Moulsham Lodge, Chelmsford.

CM2 9DT

Friends Of BCRT - Postage Stamp Appeal & More! (Bone Cancer Research Trust)

Friends Of BCRT can raise funds from any unwanted obsolete postage stamps, whether it is a single 1p stamp or a book of 1st and 2nd class.

We know that over the next few months (or years!) you will be discovering that odd stamp in the drawer or amongst the Christmas cards that you didn’t write, so if you can not be bothered to use the Royal Mail exchange service, please think of us.

They can be sent with all your other used stamps and horizon labels, collections, etc, to Friends Of BCRT, 20 Bowers Road, Benfleet, Essex, England, SS7 5PZ, or email charitystampappeal@gmail.com for more information. www.issuu.com/itsyourmedia

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Can You Make a Difference in Your Community? people who can hold a good conversation. You could be chatting about similar interests or learning about each other’s lives. Whatever the conversation you’ll be having a positive impact.

Organisers and fundraisers - Read Easy Read Easy is a charity that teaches adults how to read and write. We are looking for enthusiastic people who can help us in organising venues, liaising with local businesses and spreading the word in the community. We are also seeking someone who is financeminded, who enjoys networking, and is comfortable approaching local businesses to use their skills, and to raise valuable funds.

Care home mobile shop volunteers - Cherrywood Grange We are looking for 2 volunteers for our friendly care home to attend once a week to come and run a mobile shop for our residents on a Tuesday from 10 am - 2pm. You will need to be able to communicate well as there will be a lot of involvement and socialising with our lovely residents.

Telephone befriender - Deafblind UK Deafblind UK members have combined sight and hearing loss and many can feel lonely or socially isolated.

We offer a free telephone befriending service where we match volunteers with one of our members to have a weekly 30 minute chat together. We are looking for confident, empathetic and friendly

Trustees needed Trustees play a crucial role in guiding charities, helping make plans and decisions, and making sure they stay on track. It is a fantastic opportunity to make real difference to the organisation you volunteer for. You don’t need prior experience, just enthusiasm and dedication.

We are currently recruiting for: Age Concern, Farleigh Hospice, Millrace Furniture, Essex Youth Build, Interact, Essex Community First Aid, Support 4 Sight, RAF Association, Chelmsford Education Foundation.

Volunteer Support Youth Worker - InterAct As a Volunteer Support Worker you will work closely with InterAct staff and other volunteers to support young people with learning disabilities and additional needs. This could include meals out, cinema and bowling. Your encouragement and support will enable members to develop important life skills, allowing them to become more confident and independent.

Volunteer Garden Support - Abberton Rural Training We are seeking volunteers to help us to open up our garden at our new Community Garden and Orchard at Avon Road Allotments, to be used by other members of the local community, who would like to access the garden to improve their health and well-being.

Introducing Mark Willis - Chelmsford Community Radio Continuing our series introducing our presenters, here is Mark WIllis...

In 1950 I was born in Chelmsford and have lived here all my life. Little did I know that about 64 years later in 2014, I would join Chelmsford Community Radio. My programme was the third live programme ever to be broadcast on Chelmsford Community Radio on the internet. Three years later, Chelmsford Community Radio would begin broadcasting on 104.4 FM. My early life was consumed with radio. Soon after I became a teenager, Radio Caroline began broadcasting from 3.5 miles off the coast of Frinton-on-Sea. It was wonderful being able to listen to pop music all day and most of the night. I wanted to become a radio DJ. Sadly, my epilepsy got in the way of that ambition, as well as driving.

Instead I had a record deck, a microphone and a stack of records. (which kept me permanently poor!) I had saved up for a good tape recorder, so I could at least produce radio programmes and play them back.

I was lucky to get a job working in a music/record shop in 1965 with James Dace & Sons Ltd. This was a job which I really enjoyed so much. The business owner, Mr. Hickman, even let me use his expensive hi-fi equipment to listen to music during my lunch hour. I

did listen to a lot of classical music to show willing, but I ended up loving it as much as jazz and pop music.

One year in 1967, I got the chance to visit Radio Caroline. The very enterprising owners of the boat, the Lady Kent, realised that this was a wonderful increase of trade for their company. We came alongside the Mi Amigo and talked to the DJs. Plus, I met my first ever girlfriend!

Much later, in 1999, I joined Hospital Radio Chelmsford. And then 15 years later, Chelmsford Community Radio. We are all volunteers, and that is our strength. We enjoy it.

My other hobbies are astronomy as well as other sciences, cooking, (I’ve been a vegetarian since 1988. Tony Blackburn is also a veggie, so I am in good company!). I also love drawing, and I also sing in the choir of Anglia Ruskin University, the Anglia Singers. I’ve had several chances to sing with the choir and the Trianon Orchestra at the famous concert hall, The Snape Maltings.

When I first took on the Retro Chart Show at Chelmsford Community Radio, I thought that with me being 73, this might be outside my abilities and my comfort zone. I have never worked so hard on a radio show before, ever. But, I think it has been worth it. The show has evolved and I really enjoy it.

Mark Willis presents the Retro Chart Show every Monday morning at 10 on Chelmsford Community Radio, 104.4 FM, or online at chelmsfordcommunityradio.com, and also on our Android and Apple iPhone apps. chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

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For more information please call us on 07970 206682 or email ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk Ideas Hub Chelmsford - The Art Place

The Art Place: 2 for the Price of 1 When you buy a gift from The Art Place in the Meadows Shopping Centre, you are supporting a local charity - The Ideas Hub Chelmsford. This enables the charity to deliver its wide range of local work, all aimed at supporting the well-being of Chelmsford residents.

At the same time, every gift you buy from The Art Place also supports a local crafter. All together sales from The Art Place support over 150 crafters. For every gift, 75% of the price goes directly to the crafter, and 25% goes to the charity to cover its costs and charitable work.

The personal stories help to bring this to life. Please let me introduce you to some of The Art Place’s crafters: Purple Rose Pottery A ceramics studio based in Great Bentley, Essex.

Suzanne Webb has been working with clay for over 20 years. Her passion is creating texture within the body of the clay and using glazes that enhance those textures to make usable and beautiful pieces. Suzanne loves to use glaze colours which link to nature and Mother Earth, which is where she gets her inspiration. The glazes are all food safe which makes them both attractive and functional. Each piece is lovingly handmade, involving multiple processes, two kiln fires, and a lot of patience!

Dino’s Clay Elena says: “I’m from Chelmsford but haven’t always lived here. I’m a volunteer at the Art Place and also a student. One of my hobbies is making earrings and art. I started my brand mainly selling crystals and expanded to creating earring designs. People liking my jewellery and appreciating what I make inspires me to make more designs.”

Page 26

Sove’s Flowers Sophie Duggan is the creator of Sove’s Flowers. Born in Ilford, Sophie worked in retail, then three years ago she discovered floristry and began studying the subject at Writtle College. Her other love is animals, including working with horses and dog walking. She now works in gardening alongside beginning her business creating dried and fresh flower bouquets for weddings and events. She aims to make her business as eco-friendly as possible.

Glass and Light Studio Kat Jurczenko moved here from Poland, where she trained as a building contractor 15 years ago. Although she has always made things, 8 years ago Kat saw a piece of art made of glass so beautiful it gave her some inspiration to make her own creations. Her work is a special hobby, which she does alongside her day-to-day work in nurseries, and provides a great opportunity to use her creative energy and inspiration.

The Art Place is definitely a must-stop in Chelmsford to buy gifts with prices for all budgets, ranging from £1 to £1,000.

If you are interested in becoming a trader with us, please send an email with photos of your crafts to, theartplace@ideashubchelmsford. org. If you want to know more about our charitable work, please visit www.ideashubchelmsford.org.

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Interior Design Tips for Your Home - By Tania Dadd Wallpaper Is Back….

No longer just for a feature wall or a couple of alcoves, the latest trends are showing wallpaper is going up everywhere, sitting rooms, hallways, bedrooms, bathrooms and even kitchens.

In any room, the walls are the largest surface - this can feel a bit scary and intimidating. Carefully consider what look you would like to achieve and what the room is used for before you consider which pattern or design you would like.

Through using wallpaper, you can create interest and inject personality into your home.

Here are my tips: • If you want to make a statement then go for it, be bold!

• Do a whole room instead of a feature wall.

• Choose your wallpaper before your paint colour.

• Wallpapering the ceiling can also pack a great decorative punch.

• Get samples to try in your room before you buy the whole roll.

• Wallpapering a steamy bathroom or kitchen? vinyl is a good choice as it can withstand humidity.

• Check batch numbers if buying more than one roll as they need to match up.

• Measure carefully how much you need.

• Prepare the walls first, fill holes and cracks for a smooth finish.

• Paint the woodwork before hanging the paper.

Brand McKenzie Wallpaper I recently met up with Kerry McKenzie of Brand McKenzie wallpapers, We went through her exciting new collection. I must say I really loved all the designs but if I had to pick my favorite...

This design, Funfair, comes in different shades that would make a fantastic statement anywhere. As you can see from the photo here, it has been used in a cloakroom. The detail is incredible, each time you look you see something else you haven’t spotted before.

If you need some advice on how to elevate your home, please get in touch by visiting www.saltmarshinteriors.co.uk.

Our services include interior design. colour consultation, decluttering and styling.

Book your free consultation: 07979 66 33 39.

Or email info@saltmarshinteriors.co.uk.

Tales From the Circle - By Sylvia Kent Brentwood Writers’ Circle members enjoyed a special afternoon on Saturday last with our very own Jim Reeve as speaker. Jim has written and published a number of books over the last few decades, mainly devoted to local history of Chelmsford, Basildon, Wickford and other Essex towns. Alongside this work, he is constantly creating stories, some of which he enters for competition.

During Jim’s talk, he mentioned the anticipation, fun and often success of entering writing competitions, particularly the Jack Kendall Trophy which Jim won several times over the last few years.

Jack was a highly regarded chairman a number of years ago and this special competition in his memory is a highlight of our BWC year.

We encourage our members to enter all genres of writing competitions which are listed in current editions of The Writing Magazine and The Writers’ Forum (both available from WH Smith and other stores). Also, there are often ‘open’ competitions

further afield, via the International Society of Women Writers and Journalists, based primarily in London. Although this organisation was founded in 1894 to be for female professional journalists, men were eventually admitted twenty years ago. We are now planning our 130th anniversary in May next year (full details will appear on our website www.swwj.co.uk). For listeners of BBC Radio 4, there are also opportunities for entering a story, play or poetry in some of their regular invitations (www.bbc.co.uk).

As most of us know, there’s no doubt that writing competitions give you a chance to flex your brain and writing muscles. The more you write, the more you learn about yourself, writing techniques and your abilities as a writer. From entering (and hopefully winning), you will gain confidence in your writing abilities which can be crucial to growing yourself as a writer with the aim of becoming a published author one day. Those who have judged your work will get to know your name as a writer that will be someone to follow. The old adage is true: you’ve got to be in it to win it!

So, do come along to Brentwood Writers’ Circle at the Bardwell Social Club on one of our first Saturdays in the month (full details at www. brentwoodwriterscircle.com) and learn more about us (first guest visit is free). www.sylviakent.blogspot.com

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Quiz Time - By John Theedom

In which year was the best known video game Pac-Man released?

2. What is Postman Pat’s surname?

3. Donald Trump’s model in Madame Tussauds Waxworks has hair made from what?

4. Who sang The Never-Ending Story?

5. How many minutes are in a full week?

6. Which former world champion snooker player was nicknamed ‘The Pocket Dynamo’?

7. What is the US term for an aubergine?

8. The Tory party has been given it’s biggest gift in 22 years. How much was it?

9. What was George Osborne’s birth name?

10. How did young Bonnie & Clyde die?

11. What is the foliage and stems of the potato plant called?

12. What does SATs stand for?

13. How many bones do we have in an ear?

14. What is doggerel?

15. What was the surname of the character Compo in Last Of The Summer Wine?

16. Apart from a leaf in a book, what else can be a page?

17. How many Grammys did Tina Turner receive?

18. What is the main transport in Venice?

19. In which county is the famous WW2 Bletchley Park?

20. On a recent BBC interview, Elon Musk said his dog is CEO of his companies, what is the dog’s name?

21. What is the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world?

1.

22. In 1977 what did the Chinese government lift

its ban on?

23. Who replaced Jeremy Paxman on TV’s You

Decide?

24. What is the pupa of a butterfly called?

25. Who was the first female MP to sit in the

House of Commons?

26. Who was the Ms Black, singer who died in

2015?

27. What is the currency of Thailand?

28. What was the real first name of Harold

Macmillan?

29. How many faces does a dodecahedron have?

30. Who became the youngest ever heavyweight

world boxing champion in 1986?

31. Which designer created the Mini and Morris

Minor?

32. According to the saying, ‘He who pays the

piper, calls the …..’

33. What is the monetry unit of Hungary?

34. What was the former name of Sri Lanka?

35. Apart from the sport and a sweet, what else

can be ‘polo’?

36. What is the first name of The Beatles’ Miss Rigby?

37. If you have just masticated something, what has happened?

38. What nationality is Russell Crowe?

39 What was Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite flower?

40. How old is the model Naomi Campbell?

Wordseach by thewordsearch.com

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(Answers on pages 30 & 31)

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Autumn Art Exhibition at St Mary’s Church, Great Dunmow Following last year’s successful event, members of Dunmow Art Group will be bringing some colour to the town with an Autumn Art Exhibition at St. Mary’s Church.

Great Dunmow, in October.

The Autumn Art Exhibition will be held at St. Mary’s Church, Church Street, Great Dunmow, open to the public, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 7th October and 12.30pm until 4pm on Sunday 8th October.

Entry is free and there will be refreshments and a raffle available.

Audrey McNeill, chair of the Dunmow Art Group said: “We’re delighted to bring our members’ work to the beautiful location of St. Mary’s Church once again and bring some additional colour to the autumnal month of October.”

There will be a range of artworks for sale in a variety of styles from original oil paintings, acrylics and watercolours, to collages, mixed media, ceramics, prints, textiles, gifts and cards.

Dunmow Art Group has a long history of supporting artists and art lovers in Dunmow and the surrounding area and has a regular programme of weekly art meetings and monthly visiting artists and workshops.

For further information on Dunmow Art Group please contact dunmowartgroup@gmail.com.

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Stargazing With Mark Willis 31st August: At 02:35, Saturn will be easy to spot as it’s 2.5 degrees from the Moon, (putting it another way, it is at ‘three o’clock’ from the Moon).

A 150cm (6 inch) telescope will reveal the rings of Saturn. Although the planet will appear small, if the seeing conditions are good, you will be able to make out the rings and some of the bands. Saturn is just past opposition, so it’s still worthwhile seeking it out.

Astronomical telescopes usually come in 3 sizes: • 150cm (6inch) • 250cm (10 nch) • 300cm (12inch)

distant planets, provided that they are above the horizon.

There are two astronomy groups that hold public observing nights that I know of: If you live in Chelmsford (or north of): www.northessexastro.co.uk If you live further south in Essex: www.cpastro.club Check out their websites for the most up to date information.

Uranus and Neptune: A number of people have asked can these planets be seen with the naked eye? In theory, Uranus is visible with the naked eye. However, your eyesight has to be excellent. Neptune, is most definitely beyond naked eye visibility.

Both planets are visible using binoculars. I would strongly recommend a tripod. Most binoculars these days are tripod mountable. Now that autumn isn’t that far away, many astronomy groups have public observing nights. These groups will definitely help you see these

New Moon: On 16th August, 15th September and the 14th October there will be a new Moon. This means the skies will be extra dark which is a great opportunity to see planets, galaxies and deep space objects.

Please feel free to email me with any astronomy questions. www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

Wildlife by Nick Green July 2023 experienced variable, mainly wet weather and proved to be one of the wettest on record with a succession of frontal systems - this after one of the driest and hottest Junes. Crops could not be harvested and were rotting in the fields.

The red admiral is a common butterfly, migrating from North Africa and continental Europe to the UK. It’s widely recorded in Britain and Ireland with a 25% increase in in distribution since the 1970s. However, with climate change the species may now hibernate and overwinter. It often frequents gardens but visits habitats as diverse as seashores to mountain tops, nectaring on buddleia, lavender, ivy and rotten fruit amongst others. Eggs are laid mainly on the common nettle and hatch from July onwards.

This year Butterfly Conservation conducted a public survey from 14th July to Sunday 6th August and some 200,000 Red Admirals were recorded, a massive increase of 400% on the same period last year (2022).

Red Admiral butterfly (copyright: Glyn Evans) For further information, please visit the website: butterfly-conservation.org.

Selected July 2023 Bird Highlights Essex: Abberton Reservoir EWT: the heronry boasted breeding grey herons, a pair of spoonbills raised four young (third successive breeding year) plus little and cattle egrets. The first UK black-winged kite was recorded this May in Wales. The second appeared in Norfolk from 19th then drifted south briefly to the Felixstowe area in Suffolk on 20th, then appeared the next evening at St Osyth on 21st. It was found next day on 22nd at Colne Point much to the delight of many twitchers.

Typically it moved off about 9.30am.

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Quiz & Wordsearch Answers 1.

2.

3.

1980 Clifton A mixture of squirrel, human and yak hair 4. Limahl 5. 10,080 6. Graeme Dott 7. Egg plant 8. £5m (Mohamed Mansour) 9. George Gideon Oliver Osborne 10. Killed in a police ambush in Louisiana in 1934

10.

11. Haulm 12. Standard Assessment Tests 13. 3 14. Irregular rhythm 15. Simmonite 16. Servant 17. A full total of 12 18. Gondala or vaporetto 19. Buckinghamshire 20. Floki 21. Mexico City 22. The writings of

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

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34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

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40.

Ceylon Neck of a shirt Eleanor Chewed it New Zealander Lily of the valley 53

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