The City Times - March/April 2019

The City Times

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Including: Boreham, Broomfield, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, The Walthams and Writtle

10000 copies distributed monthly

Issue Number 66: March 18th - April 18th 2019

Award Winning Local Kitchen Studio Celebrating Ten Years In Business.

On Saturday 23rd March 2019 Regal Kitchens will be celebrating their 10-year anniversary! To mark this occasion they will be hosting a LIVE NEFF cooking demonstration day between 10am and 4pm. All customers (whether existing, new or potential) are welcome to come along and sample freshly prepared food and enjoy complimentary drinks, along with expert advice from the friendly staff on the latest NEFF products and kitchen innovations.

There will also be a free prize draw where everyone attending will be given a chance to win kitchen equipment worth hundreds of pounds, plus everyone leaves with a free goody bag.

Regal Kitchens was founded in 2009 by Nicola and John Martin, and in their ten years so far, they have supplied over 1,000 kitchens.

They have been driven by a passion to create amazing spaces within people’s homes.

Today’s kitchens sit at the centre of

the home and need to be functional, but also give off the wow factor.

Regal Kitchens has recently won globally recognised awards from well known brands such as Hafele and Neff, both in recognition of their imaginative designs, unparalleled installation facility, and high customer service focus. With their exclusive ranges, Regal are proud to offer everything from a modest makeover to complete kitchen projects.

Other accolades won in previous years by the company include the kitchen industry’s Customer Service Gold Award, and the FIRA Gold Award for installation excellence, as well as now being recognised as a ‘Which Trusted Trader’ and an accredited member of the KBSA (Kitchens & Bathroom Specialist Association).

Why use a KBSA member for you home improvements?

• Confidence that you are using a

•

• • •

reputable and reliable company.

Satisfaction that your chosen company meets the stringent membership criteria required by the KBSA. Quality in the service, design and installation of your home improvement project.

Security in the knowledge that your money is protected.

Delight in the end result!

The showroom in Navigation Road has many working Neff appliances, working Insinkerator kettle taps and 15 kitchen displays featuring timeless, elegant and cutting edge design.

For more information about their upcoming celebration, contact emma@regalkitchens.net.

Regal Kitchens showroom in Chelmsford is open 10am-4pm 7-days per week. www.regalkitchens.co.uk

CT Welcome Hello readers,

Welcome to the March/April edition.

Spring must be on its way as there are many ads starting to appear on Facebook for forthcoming music and food festivals. Good to see too that The Fling and 3foot People festivals are both returning to Hylands Park this year.

Please remember to tell our advertisers that you saw them in this magazine!

Enjoy your month!

Regards Nick & Paul

www.thecitytimes.co.uk | www.moulshamtimes.com

Advertising Nick Garner 07970 206682 ads@itsyourmedia.co.uk

Editorial Paul Mclean 07595 949701 editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

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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 Printwize.

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CT Fashion - Spring in to Style Anybody else feel like they’ve walked into some scary, cunningly wonderful weather time warp? We’ve had the hottest days ever recorded in February, to now holing up for what feels like another Beast from the East - weather that even the most conservative of weather forecasters would say is a ‘rather turbulent run up to spring’. It seems we really do not know whether we are raining, pouring or going to the beach when it comes to the weather this spring. And with that, comes the ever-present (tell me I am not the only one, ladies) concern of what am I actually going to wear when it’s beer garden-flip-flops-and-cider weather one day, and batten-up-yourhatches-don’t-you-dare-leave-your-house kinda weather the next? It’s exhausting.

London Fashion Week 2019 has brought us some exciting new fashion entries to help us on our quest for the perfect spring outfit, and it promises us a season of fun fixes for the hopeful trendsetters out there. I’m under no illusion that the great British weather won’t throw us some ‘exciting’ surprises along the way, but here’s a rundown of what should keep you confidently clothed throughout spring and into - dare I say it - the bright lights of summer (let’s hope it’s as nice as it was in February, eh?).

Sensible Shorts: Shorts to strut your stuff in seem to be hot this spring/summer.

Emphasis on the sensible. The cycling shorts of yesteryear and the teeny tiny hot pants of yesteryears before that have thankfully exited the fashionista building.

Hallelujah. If not having to show off every inch of your thigh in the vein of ‘summer fashion’ is not something to raise a sweet cider to, then I do not know what is. Think tailored, knee length, loose fitting pairs worn with either a slogan T or satin shirt, coupled with chunky trainers or a sleek sandal. YES PLEASE to comfort and style. (Topshop, ASOS and H&M have some brilliant offerings).

Waterproofs: It seems that sensible is the theme of this spring/ summer and I tell you now, I have never been more grateful to the fashion gods for this piece of utter brilliance - ladies and fashionista gentlemen, I give you the humble (completely versatile and utterly delectable) waterproof jacket. Now what else do you need for a turbulent and unpredictable British spring that looks like summer that could turn to winter at any given wind change? Nothing. Nada.

Not one other thing. Yep. Those of you who have read my articles for a while will know I am a devout Primark waterproof fan, but now expect these to be popping up all over the high street. Go bright (like, yellow or fluorescent colours if you’re brave enough) or the sultry khaki or beige colours if you’re feeling a little under the weather.

Pleats to Meet You: Sorry, I really need to work on my puns, but I am just so pleats by the fact that pleats are here to stay this spring/

summer (sorry again). I’m not quite ready to give up my pleated midi skirts - and if you haven’t invested in one yet, now is the time to.

Topshop and Mango have some fabulous styles with fantastic prints. This time round expect them to be tighter than before, but if you’ve still got last year’s pleats - like me - drag them out and get them on! I’ll be switching my biker boots and oversized jumpers for camis and chunky sandals or plain T-shirts and…

Fancy Flats: These have found their way on to the high street and will be flouncing around for some time to come. The ones found on the catwalk were massive, bejewelled, some feathered, brightly coloured specimens - but don’t you worry; if loud flats aren’t your thing, there’s just the right level of fancy our there for us all. My favourites are found in Kurt Geiger there’s a pair called Nobu in the sale as I type for £39 in black or leopard print that I am trying my hardest not to purchase…

Neon Brights: Neon brights are here to stay too. Yellows, oranges and pink neon is currently dotted around the high street in the form of boxed jumpers and tailored blazers, and they are set to stay. If you’re feeling even more zesty, try mixing up two different neon brights to really state your arrival into spring/summer. New Look can be trusted for some great neon pieces, as can prettylittlething.com and Quiz.

Puffed Shoulders: These are set to still prop up our light jackets this spring/summer. I’m not sure if the weather will allow us to not don an over coat, or whether the puffed sleeves of this season will even be able to be kept at bay within a jacket, since this spring/summer the puffs are due to be bolder and more beautifully obstinate than ever.

Luckily, for those of us who like to be subtly but bolshily feminine, most of the puffed shoulder offerings found on the catwalk were found on pretty floral dresses with square necklines. Perfect. Though it is perhaps best to save the new and improved strong and bold puffed sleeve for a day when no coat is going to battle with your shoulders. A day when you’re sure we’re not going to encounter April showers. In March. Good luck with that.

Rebecca Forde is a writer with a penchant for fashion, great literature and drinking a lot of coffee. You can contact her by emailing rebeccaforde@hotmail.co.uk.

All Images: ©Miss Selfridge

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Chelmsford Library News This year we are celebrating 20 years of the Essex Book Festival.

We have seen some fantastic authors, both new and well established, come through our doors and this year is no exception. We are hosting Sarah Moss talking about her sixth novel Ghost Wall, which delves into the ever changing world of northern Britain in the 90s. Alongside Sarah we have a new author with her debut novel The Conviction of Cora Burns. This book is based on Victorian Birmingham with its violence, and nature vs nurture theme.

This event is on Thursday 28th March at 7pm at Chelmsford Central Library in Market Road. Please contact Mercury Theatre on 01206 573 948 or book online at essexbookfestival. org.uk. Tickets are priced at £7 (£5 for 27yrs and under). This is one of a number of author events happening throughout March, so please visit our website for further information or pick up a brochure from your local library.

For the younger generation we have the Spinning Wheel Theatre Company holding the Velveteen Rabbit at Chelmsford Library on Thursday 11th April at 11am. A magical show for all the family to enjoy. Tickets are priced at £6.50 and are available online via libraries.essex.gov.uk/events. Please note, this event is suitable for children aged 4 years plus.

With seeds kindly donated by B&Q, we are holding a Feeds and Seeds guerrilla gardening event on Tuesday 16th April from 10am -1pm at Chelmsford Library. Come along and make seed bombs and bird feeders, (via timed tickets available from our enquiry desk). We have a number of organisations attending, including RHS Hyde Hall, RSPB Chelmsford and Chelmsford Beekeepers. There is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. Come along and have a go at the brilliant crafts available, for which there is no ticket required.

Visit our website at www.essex.gov. uk/libraries for more information and to discover all the great services available at your local library.

To view both our magazines online visit www.issuu.com/ itsyourmedia

Music and Ramblings - by Nick Garner Chelmsford Arts and Cultural Festival Update We have just had a trustee meeting to agree what we are looking at doing during 2019 and 2020, so during this year we will be putting on and co-hosting some events in theatre, dance, art, music, storytelling, comedy and a small music festival in November in partnership with Black Frog at Chelmsford City Football Club. There will be a little more about Black Frog further on in my article. All this as well as being involved in The Great Get Together at the end of June in memory of Jo Cox the murdered MP. We, along with the Ideas Hub, will organise the Chelmsford event. Google ‘The Great Get Together’.

Music and Ramblings This month has not started well with the loss of three people I knew.

All younger than me as well. There was also the loss of some very well known people who lived in our area, most famous of course was Keith Flint of The Prodigy. All very sad. Let’s hope this is the end, though I doubt it is sadly. Please also remember that on Sunday March 31st we are holding a special memorial show for our very good friend Mike Lightfoot at Chelmsford City Football Club. This is a ten hour event with over twenty acts taking part playing all types of music from classical, to folk, to rock, to blues and Americana plus more.

You will see a list of all the acts playing in this magazine - and all for only £10 entry. All proceeds will go to the Basildon cardiac unit and the British Heat Foundation, and there will be a raffle and auction as there has been some great prizes donated for the cause.

We have confirmed some amazing acts for you at the football club this year. On 5th April we have John Coghlan’s Quo - John was the original drummer with the band for twenty years and seventeen albums, and he will be playing all the hits, along with some of the lesser known songs, of Status Quo. With Trevor Gentry’s Stony Road on the bill and Trevor having been part of John’s band in the past and now back in the fold, it will be interesting to see the same lead guitarist in both the opening and the main act.

In May we are welcoming back the one and only Albert Lee on Thursday 16th May. If you want to come along don’t hang around, as the last three times Albert has played the event has sold out - and tickets are selling fast again this year.

On June 14th we have Robbie Gladwell and the Sidemen. Robbie has played in Steve Harley’s Cockney Rebel, Suzie Quatro and also with Albert Lee, Dave Gilmore, The Rolling Stones and Percy Sledge.

On Friday 12th July we have Des Horsfall and his band Kuschty Rye. Des is a massive fan of the late Ronnie Lane, especially of his Slim Chance period, and while Des has played with many of the members of Slim Chance, he also has his own great band who will wow you.

This is the show to see if you like to sing and dance!

We take August off and September and October are still in the planning, but in November we have two shows in partnership with Black Frog who are a co-operative of nine acts coming together to help and promote each other without making a profit out of one another. Our first show is on Thursday 7th November with two Black Frog acts. Frankie Miller’s band Fullhouse will be playing - and they still have three original members in the line-up. Frankie was one of the UK’s most prolific hit songwriters back in the 70s and 80s with his own hits like Darlin’, Be Good To Yourself and Caledonia to name a few.

Dr Feelgood and The Motors in the past, and all the music is original.

A great line-up of top players.

On Sunday 17th November we have the Black Frog and Chelmsford Festival ‘mini fest’ at the football club with the other seven acts from Black Frog running from 1pm to 10pm. Entry will be just £20. Playing will be The Buzniks (John Bentley’s ex Squeeze bassist’s new band), Gregg Sutton (Bob Dylan bassist in the 80s and top songwriter for Joe Cocker - he wrote Stop for Sam Brown), Connor Selby Band (Connor Selby is tipped to be the new Eric Clapton), Robbie McIntosh (guitar for Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, John Mayer etc), Dangerous Daydream, a new band similar to Tom Petty who consist of Roy Mette and Mandie Graham (Rough n Ready, Roadhouse), also Jamie Williams & the Roots Collective and the Delta Ladies.

We finish 2019 with the welcome return on Friday 6th December of Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young, who will be supported by The Ugly Guys. This will be a blinding show and a great end to our year.

There is alway a lot going on in and around the city and surrounding areas. I must say the United Brethren (UB) in New Writtle Street Chelmsford in Old Moulsham seems to be taking the lead as the best free entertainment venue in the area. They host original live music and some of the best in covers and lots more. They feature live music a minimum of three days a week, along with Joe Anderton’s open mic sessions every second Wednesday of the month and Blues & Roots in the City hosting a monthly Thursday night.

The UB also sometimes has some acoustic Monday and Tuesday nights. I do not know of anywhere so dedicated to supporting music and live events - they also have storytelling and DJ nights along with great food and a top choice of drinks. They are also child and dog friendly.

Please ‘like’ our pages on social media and help us by inviting your friends to ‘like’ our pages as well.

As ever, please do try to come out and support the great live scene that we have in Essex because if you do not, we may lose it. For more information on all of the above and more, see the links below and go to our What’s On pages to see what else in happening in your area.

Check on the Internet see what’s on in your local area - Facebook is always good as is Twitter as well as your local papers and community boards.

The Chelmsford Arts and Cultural Festival: hello@chelmsfordfestival. org www.chelmsfordfestival.org Online festival programme: www.issuu.com/chelmsfordfestival www.facebook.com/chelmsfordfestival Twitter: @chelmsfordaacf www.bluesinthecity.co.uk www.facebook.com/bluesinthecitychelmsford Twitter: @BluesintheCity1 www.itsyourmusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/itsyourmusic Twitter: @itsyourmusic

Rod Stewart said that Frankie Miller is the man to bring him to tears with his beautiful soulful voice. Sadly Frankie himself can no longer perform, but in his place and with his full blessing will be Gregor McGregor who, if you close your eyes, is Frankie... The band were lucky to find him, as this made it possible to continue to go out and play Frankie’s great songs.

April/May Issue Deadlines: Artwork - 11th April Articles - 3rd April

Opening the night will be The SharpeeZ with the very best of maximum rhythm and blues. The SharpeeZ have been compared to Page 6

www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

Record Store Day Is Back This April

Saturday April 13th will be like Christmas Day for music collectors across the world as vinyl lovers unite at record shops everywhere to celebrate Record Store Day, where they will be able to get their hands on some of this year’s exclusive vinyl releases. The event will also be happening in Chelmsford’s very own independent record shop, Intense Records. This year will be particularly special as Intense celebrates it’s 20th anniversary!

As seasoned Record Store Day participants, Intense Records has seen this event grow year on year with a queue of customers lining along the viaducts by the train station, as the releases are only available in-store during the first week (and then released for online consumers thereafter).

There are hundreds of limited edition releases catering for every taste and genre, including artists like David Bowie, 808 State, Chic, Bronski Beat, Morrissey, Elvis Presley and heaps more - all will be on sale at Intense Records from Saturday 13th April.

This year’s offerings for the rock and indie lover include The Kaiser Chief’s first release Oh My God on 7”, a 10” vinyl from Mumford & Sons as well as a trio of exclusive releases from David Bowie including a picture disc vinyl of the album Pin Ups.

Dance music fans are in for a treat as Fatboy Slim releases a limited edition yellow vinyl of the hit Right Here, Right Now, and Chase & Status fans can get a limited edition double LP of the chart topping album No More Idols, as well as releases from Orbital, 808 State, Hospital Records and many more.

After the sudden passing of Keith Flint, Prodigy fans will surely be turning up in force to grab the limited edition double 7” gatefold vinyl from their latest album No Tourists.

Hip hop lovers can look forward to an exclusive double LP from The Streets, Remixes & B Sides Too, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five re-release their debut studio album The Message and also an LP & comic book release from Czarface.

You can check out all the releases now at www.recordstoreday.co.uk.

To make sure Intense are stocking your favourites, check out the new website at www.intenserecords.com, where you can register your interest and download your very own wish list and send it back to us at enquiries@intenserecords.com.

Open from 9am-6pm, Intense Records will be holding their annual special in-store event with live DJs, local bands, special guest appearances plus competitions, free giveaways, the Intense gourmet BBQ, hot and cold refreshments and much more.

For those that can’t make it on the day, Intense will be opening up especially this Sunday as well from 10am-4pm. The exclusive releases will be available in-store only for the following week, but any remaining stock will be made available online a week later on the 20th April at www.intenserecords.com.

For more info pop into Intense Records, 33/34 Viaduct Road, Chelmsford CM1 1TS (under the arches opposite the bus station).

CT Gardening - by Tom Cole

Now is the perfect time for taming your unruly plants and propagating plants for free!

•

Pruning can be roughly grouped into three types:

•

• • •

Formative Pruning: Carried out in order to develop the shape or form of the plant.

Routine Pruning: Carried out on a regular basis to promote flowering, fruiting or growth.

Renovation Pruning: Carried out when a tree or shrub has outgrown its allotted space or has lost its form. It may be at the cost of several years’ flowers, but is worthwhile in the long run. Renovation pruning is usually best carried out in late spring at the natural time for new growth.

Reasons for Pruning Prior to pruning it is important to try to identify plants correctly.

Perhaps consult a gardening book for further details on the pruning of a particular tree or shrub. Never prune a tree or shrub unless there is a good reason for doing so.

Pruning consists of removing part or parts of mainly woody plants, trees and shrubs in order to divert the energy of a plant to achieve a purpose.

Reasons for pruning can include: • To remove dead, damaged and diseased wood and so improve

• • •

the health and look of a plant.

To alter and improve the shape of a tree or shrub.

To maintain the vigour of the plant, encouraging new growth and the production of flowers and fruit.

To bring the plant under control where it is outgrowing its allotted space.

To remove any part of the plant that is not true to type, eg, some variegated plants will show reversion and this growth must be removed, as it will always be more vigorous.

To produce new growth or foliage that shows a better colour, shape or size.

This week the RHS L3 Practical Horticultural students have been pruning back the brightly coloured stems of willow; Salix alba var. vitellina ‘Britzensis’, a vigorous medium-sized deciduous tree of compact habit, with bright red young shoots and narrow lanceolate mid-green leaves and insignificant yellowish catkins with the young leaves in spring. The prunings can then be used to produce hardwood cuttings.

Hardwood Cuttings - Tips to Success • Select pencil-thick material in the dormant season.

• Make a sloping cut just above the proposed top bud.

• Cut horizontally to 15 - 23cm in length and dip in rooting hormone.

• Dig a trench. Sand or grit can be placed in the bottom of the trench to improve drainage.

• Place the cutting in the trench and firm back the soil. Label and date.

• The rooted cuttings can be lifted the following autumn and lined out to grow on.

Cuttings may also be inserted into long toms and then placed in a cold frame or polytunnel.

Alternatively, they can be inserted directly into free draining soil or compost in a cold frame.

01245 422804/07711 606561

20% Discount when you mention The City Times

Lastly, if you want to further your knowledge and understanding of these or other gardening jobs, please do consider one of our shorter programmes, for say 1 or 2 days, and give our Short Courses a call. We’ve got courses on construction (erecting fences, paving and brickwork), general garden tasks such as pruning, propagation (new for this year we’re running grafting courses), container gardening, successful care of lawns, and growing fruit and veg. For the professional, we have a whole load of competence certificates covering arboriculture, pesticide application and use of various machinery and equipment.

Happy Gardening!

For any gardening tips contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Writtle College, Chelmsford, CM1 3RR by post (including a SAE) or by email at tom.cole@writtle.ac.uk.

Page 8 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

CT Food: Abstinence Bar Review - by John Jacobs I tend to avoid reviewing the bars for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they’re an exercise in the science of cloning. It’s usually the same visionary dynamic, artistically distressed seating and walls adorned with lifestyle platitudes in twelve-foot graffiti art. Kind of like the northern line but with added menace.

Throw in a man-bun (‘tis the collective noun) of ‘mixologists’ lobbing bottles of Kahlúa to each other and hoping not to cause blunt head trauma and you’ve got yourself a ‘new and exciting venue’. Not really. Also, I feel wholly out of place. One gets the sense that I’m distinctly unwelcome in a space reserved for the city’s yoof. Indeed, I don’t think I ever was a ‘yoof’. If I were, I’ve certainly not yoofed in many years. Throw in a dance floor, spray tan and polyester Burberry knock-offs and you’ve got a ‘new and exciting opportunity for an electrical fire’.

It’ll be three and a half years since I hung up my metaphorical drinking trousers. I have no off switch. The danger was I’d find myself in Wetherspoons at 8:30am on a Monday morning with the extras from The Walking Dead. I’m not pious about it. It’s a choice, much like being a vegan but without the smug self-importance.

I am however bored. Not because I miss alcohol, but what keeps me at home in cardigan and slippers perfecting my cross stitch is the fact that on a night out I’m banished to the kid’s corner with a glass of watery syrup masquerading as a coke. If I’m lucky and I’m feeling reckless, I might extend that to an orange juice. Well, not no more; no sir, no way, no how. Every now and again something comes along that actually does bring something new.

In my former corporate life, we call this a ‘blue sky game changer’.

Abstinence on Dukes Walk opened its doors in December and as far as I know is the first of its kind.

with a huge range of drinks from, lagers, wines, sparkling bottles of fizz and even spirits, gins, vodka, rum and whiskey. All zero alcohol, all waiting for me to work through. Genuinely, it’s worth going just to try those. It’s a beautifully laid out design accommodating comfy seating, plenty of standing room and a stage. They even have an open-view kitchen area preparing a fresh menu of bar food. For me, the biggest selling point of Abstinence is the vibe (I used a yoof word there). Welcoming, warm, buzzing with people. And that’s the point in my humble opinion. No one was there to get as many pints in before last orders, no shots downed in a minute, no requirement for Dutch courage. The success of Abstinence - and I sincerely hope it is a huge success - is that it’s a place to go to see some of the best live acts around, whether that’s music or comedy, and to feel part of something uniquely wonderful. I popped in for a cheeky mocktail and got to see three of the best professional comedians on the circuit.

There’s a rich seam of events that Abstinence has over the coming months, so check out their Facebook page for news on those.

This is one of the most exciting new ventures Chelmsford has seen in a long time. I can give no better recommendation that to say go there.

Go there, take friends, enjoy, laugh and don’t worry about hangovers.

Have a great month.

Abstinence, Dukes Walk, Chelmsford, CM1 1GZ. Visit www.abstinencebar.co.uk or search Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Abstinence features yoga and holistic events, professional comedy nights, live music, quiz nights, tribute nights, a jazz club, salsa nights, LGBT nights, pool competitions, live DJs (and lots more).

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ge 10 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk Page 11

What’s on in the Area March

Saturday 23rd (continued...)

Friday 15th

Bassment - Come As You Are: Alternative Party The Black Bull - Steve Brewer (live music) CCFC - The Christians + Rich Young Civic - The James Bond Concert Spectacular by Q The Music Cramphorn - Wonderland High The Golden Fleece - Charlie’s Aunt Hideaways - White Raven Down + The Illusionist + Sea Wolves + Gallow Wood KEGS - Breast Cancer Now BIG PINK QUIZ United Brethren - Jar Records Presents: Magic Seas + Leo C

Saturday 16th

CCFC Home - Chelmsford City FC v Weston-Super-Mare Colchester Arts Centre - Undiscovered Final Cramphorn - Wonderland High The Golden Fleece - Ultimate 80s Hideaways - Whole Lotta DC + Hi-On Maiden United Brethren - Medicine & Barry Owens

Sunday 17th

Abstinence Bar & Restaurant - Open Mic Night (from 7.30pm) The Black Bull - Jazz Jam (4-7pm) Cramphorn - The Sleeping Beauty (pre-recorded from The Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow) Golden Fleece - MIND Charity Night with Fatality + Mercury Rising + Lawrence Crow O’Connors - St Patrick’s Day: Winston and the Lads Transition - Kundadance with Jack United Brethren - St Patrick’s Day: Barry Owens + Dave Ferras’ Porch Swing (2.30pm)

Monday 18th

Cramphorn - Jibber Jabber Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am)

Tuesday 19th

Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk)

Wednesday 20

th

Abstinence Bar - LGBT Café Broomfield Village Hall - Mid Essex Osteoporosis Support Group meeting The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Rag & Bone Club Civic - A Midsummer Night’s Dream (by The Chelmsford Ballet Company) Cramphorn - Freak Show Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am)

Thursday 21st

Abstinence Bar - Salsa Night Civic - A Midsummer Night’s Dream (by The Chelmsford Ballet Company) Cramphorn - Freak Show The Golden Fleece - Quiz night

Friday 22nd

Bassment - Come As You Are: You’re So Retro The Black Bull - Bingo Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - A Midsummer Night’s Dream (by The Chelmsford Ballet Company) Cramphorn - Freak Show The Golden Fleece - Man v Machine Transition - Cosmic Gong Bath United Brethren - Lady J & The Troublemakers

Saturday 23rd

Bassment - The Honkabillies + The Delta Jacks + The Southern

Page 12

Generals + Las Guadalupes CCFC Away - Truro City v Chelmsford City FC Civic - A Midsummer Night’s Dream (by The Chelmsford Ballet Company) The Golden Fleece - Steal Transition - Dirty Lobster (pop-up restaurant) United Brethren - Andy Twyman

Sunday 24th

Civic - We Love Musicals Transition - Spring Equinox Soirée United Brethren - Lizzie B (4.30pm) United Brethren - Tall Stories & Dark Tales (7.30pm)

Monday 25th

Civic - Springblast Cramphorn - Jibber Jabber Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am)

Tuesday 26th

Abstinence Bar - An Evening of Mediumship with Christina Green Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk)

Wednesday 27th

Abstinence Bar – LGBT Café The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Essex Hot Five with Paul Higgs Civic - Transitions Dance Company: The 2019 Triple Bill Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) St Cedd’s Hall - Chelmsford & District Welsh Society meeting (www. chelmsfordwelsh.org.uk)

Thursday 28th

Abstinence Bar - Salsa Night Nationwide Christian Trust - Girls Night Out - Mulberry House, Ongar Civic - Dan Snow - An Evening with the History Guy The Golden Fleece - Quiz

Friday 29th

Bassment - Come As Your Are: Indie vs Hip Hop Civic - A Celebration of John Denver Cramphorn - Orlando (presented by Dyad Productions) The Golden Fleece -Expose Nationwide Christian Trust - Retreat Day - Mulberry House, Ongar Transition - Dirty Lobster (pop-up restaurant) United Brethren - TGI Rubber Soul

Saturday 30th

Bassment - CODA: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin CCFC Home - Chelmsford City FC v Oxford City Cramphorn - Orlando (presented by Dyad Productions) The Golden Fleece - Blue Mantis Hideaways - Pink Floyd Tribute by Re|Floyd Transition - Dirty Lobster (pop-up restaurant) United Brethren - Black Dog Man (Denny Newman)

Sunday 31st

Abstinence Bar - George Michael Tribute Night CCFC - Mike Lightfoot (a musical memorial & a celebration of his life) Golden Fllece - Exposed Open mic acoustic Transition - Essex Book Festival Final United Brethren - Katie Forkings (4.30pm)

April

Monday 1st

Cramphorn - Jibber Jabber Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) Ekersley Road (Unit 16) - Judo class (1st lesson free - tel 07768 364 435)

Please note, all events are subject to change. Please visit the relevant websites or Facebook pages for more details

Tuesday 2nd

Cramphorn - La Forza Del Destino (live from the Royal Opera House) The Old Court Theatre - The Cut Girls

Wednesday 3rd

Abstinence Bar - LGBT Café The Bay Horse - Karaoke Night with DJ Prucey & Jeremy Levinson The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Gordon Campbell All Stars Octet (£15) Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show 2019: This Is Us Cramphorn - Salon Du Chocolat (14+) Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Great Baddow Village Hall - Farleigh Hospice Great Baddow Support Group lunch The Old Court Theatre - The Cut Girls

Thursday 4th

Abstinence Bar - Salsa Night (with live salsa music) Bassment - Bassment Blues Jam Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show 2019 - This Is Us Cramphorn - Rouse, Ye Women. Mary MacArthur & The Women Chainmakers The Golden Fleece - Quiz The Old Court Theatre - The Cut Girls

Friday 5th

Bassment - Come As You Are: Alternative Party The Black Bull - Bingo Cathedral - Lunchtime concert CCFC - John Coghlan’s Quo + Stony Road Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show 2019 - This Is Us Cramphorn - His Way: The Frank Sinatra Story The Golden Fleece - Sons of Southpaw Hidewaways - Bee Arnold + Point Clear + Motorcycle Display Team + MDT The Old Court Theatre - The Cut Girls Transition - Dirty Lobster (pop-up restaurant) United Brethren - Jar Records

Saturday 6th

Abstinence Bar - Saxsafi (live music) Alehouse - Record Fair Bassment - Dingus Khan The Black Bull - Open mic night CCFC Away - St Albans City v Chelmsford City FC Civic - Chelmsford Gang Show 2019 - This Is Us The Golden Fleece - Barney & The Rubbles The Old Court Theatre - The Cut Girls Transition - Dirty Lobster (pop-up restaurant) United Brethren - Felix Rabin

Sunday 7th

Abstinence Bar - Quiz Night Civic - The Tiger Who Came to Tea Cramphorn - The Golden Age (pre-recorded from The Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow) Golden Fleece - Asylum’s Sunday Service: Children of the Fuzz + Hybrid Kid + Slumber Sandford Mill - International Marconi Day United Brethren - Roy Mette (4.30pm) Woolpack - Johnny Withers Vibraphone + Graeme Culham Trio

Monday 8th

Cramphorn - Jibber Jabber Civic - The Tiger Who Came to Tea Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am)

Tuesday 9th

Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Civic - Walk Right Back - The Everly Brothers

Wednesday 10th

Abstinence Bar - LGBT Café Civic - Dinosaur World Live The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Georgina Jackson Quartet

Wednesday 10th (continued...)

Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Quaker Meeting House - Chelmsford Civic Society Talk: How Chelmsford became centre of diocese United Brethren - Open Mic Night (hosted by Joe Anderton) Thursday 11th Abstinence Bar - Salsa Night Civic - Dinosaur World Live Cramphorn - An Evening of Magic The Golden Fleece - Quiz night

Friday 12th

Bassment - Come As You Are: Alternative Party Cathedral - The Gin & Rum Festival Civic - Jimmy Carr: Work In Progress The Golden Fleece - Blow Hideaways - Shooting Gale + Lost on Broadway + KYU + Penancevill United Brethren - Paolo Morena

Saturday 13th

CCFC Home - Chelmsford City FC v Woking Civic - Alice in Wonderland The Golden Fleece - Illicit Hotbox - Emjay Sessions presents: Black Chapel + Ewan Whosarmy Intense Records - Record Store Day United Brethren - Keepinitsoulful

Sunday 14th

Abstinence Bar - Jazz Club with Zak Barrett & Friends Civic - Alice in Wonderland Cramphorn - Chelmsford Jazz Club - Matt Wates (sax) Leon Greening (piano) Julian Bury (bass) Matt Fishwick (drums) United Brethren - Rich Young (4.30pm)

Monday 15th

Cramphorn - Jibber Jabber Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am)

Tuesday 16th

Abstinence Bar - Fun Pool Competition Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk)

Wednesday 17th

Abstinence Bar - LGBT Café The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Enrico Tomasso’s Swing Six Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am)

Thursday 18th

Abstinence Bar - Salsa Night Civic - The Panic Awards Cramphorn - Where is Mrs Christie?

The Golden Fleece - Repertoire Dogs United Brethren - Blues & Roots in the City: Fran McGillivray Band

Friday 19th

Abstinence Bar - Easter Bank Holiday 80s Party Night Bassment - Come As You Are: Alternative Party The Black Bull - Bingo Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - Dr Feelgood The Golden Fleece - Scooby United Brethren - Big Joe Bone

Saturday 20th

Abstinence Bar - Open Mic Night Bassment - Wet Dream Records: Fruit Tones CCFC Away - Welling United v Chelmsford City FC The Golden Fleece - Beggar United Brethren - Lexie Green Band

Sunday 21st

Abstinence Bar - Open Mic Night Bassment - Rock vs Pop (live with Winston And The Lads) The Black Bull - Kids Easter party Golden Fleece - Exposé United Brethren - Playing for Keeps

Please send us your events for the next edition (for events between 18th April and 19th May) to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

The Chelmsford Ballet Company’s Past Member Event As part of The Chelmsford Ballet Company’s 70th anniversary celebrations, Sunday 3rd March saw the company invite its past members to join it for a day down memory lane. Past members brought their memories and memorabilia to share stories and archive material (such as photographs, newspaper clippings), and also enjoyed watching rehearsals, an afternoon tea and meeting the dancers as part of this special year.

The day formed part of the company’s year-long plans - to celebrate its history, stage its anniversary production at the Civic Theatre from 20th-23rd March, and look ahead to the next 70 years. The Chelmsford Ballet Company will present A Midsummer Night’s Dream and 70th Anniversary Celebrations accompanied by a historic performance from its past repertoire and choreographed by Annette Potter. Annette was appointed as Artistic Director 10 years ago, and 10 years later much of The Chelmsford Ballet Company’s success is attributed to her involvement with the company at many different levels.

The Chelmsford Ballet Company has a fascinating history, and many members have passed through its doors over the past 70 years. The

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company president, Elizabeth Baker, was a dancer with the company over 30 years ago. Another member, Kathy Gregitis, joined as a dancing member in 1967 and remains an associate member - her last show with The Chelmsford Ballet Company was in 1997. The company’s patron, Christopher Marney, danced with the company, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, and is now Artistic Director of Ballet Central. Another dancer with the company, Lee Mead, needs no introduction. Many of the dancers have also gone on to study at vocational schools such as English National Ballet School and Central School of Ballet, and then dance professionally.

Tickets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and 70th Anniversary Celebrations are on sale from the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford. Call the box office on 01245 606 505, or visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ theatres/whats-on/dance/a-midsummer-nights-dream. www.thechelmsfordballetcompany.co

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Hairy Monster - Random Thoughts My friend Roy has been a prepper for many years. For those of you who are unaware of prepping, it is a state of being prepared for doomsday - when the world descends into apocalyptic chaos and lawlessness. Roy, who lives in Yorkshire (wherever that is), built an underground shelter in his back garden which he keeps stocked with all the essentials for a long stay in the event of a nuclear war.

There are hundreds of cans of food, tins (yes, tins!) of distilled water, weapons to fight off zombies, a small generator for powering lights and heating and a very sophisticated system of ejecting waste products. He regularly has practice drills with his young family and they stay entombed until one of them gets bored - I should imagine after about 10 minutes.

I asked him if he has taken any extra measures to counteract the post-Brexit bloodbath as there is bound to be a breakdown in civilisation after March 29th - and he told me they’re going on holiday to Spain for a fortnight until things quieten down... A very measured response I feel. Hope when they return the dugout hasn’t been commandeered by the army.

The last Thursday of February in many European countries is known as Fat Thursday and is a national day of gorging on traditional goodies like doughnuts, pastries and cookies filled with cream, jam and fruit. Why, after more than 40 years in the EU, did we never adopt this celebration? I can’t help but think the result of the referendum would have been significantly different if we’d ignored trade deals, customs unions, backstops and other technical mumbo jumbo and concentrated more on the obvious benefits of eating Polish cakes, drinking French wine and eating Italian ice cream.

It is a myth that all people start to lose their memories as they get older. The reality is that we tend to filter out unnecessary or irrelevant information and concentrate on essential facts; like where we parked the car, which side of the road to drive on, whose turn it is to wear the false teeth and at what point on our walk to the playground did we lose the grandchildren. Another great bonus is that we develop the ability to feign interest in your problems, instantly consigning them to the waste bin of our minds. So please feel to tell me your innermost secrets - they will be safe with me for the five minutes or so that I choose to retain them.

- and is exceptionally eco-friendly as it is non-toxic, mould-resistant, waste-free and dirt cheap.

Mud can be used as a very effective facial treatment, tightening the pores, removing toxins and minimising blemishes. It’s also a good - but very messy - treatment for dandruff. Mud is extensively used in modern art and it’s a great form of expression for kids too (but probably best to restrict it to outside use). My motorcycle ride across the Sahara would have been much more fun if it had been muddy.

And what would be the attraction of mud wrestling without the mud?

Armed with all this positive information about mud, I phoned Jane to try to convince her that it’s something that she should embrace rather than dislike. After explaining to her the nature and results of my research at great length, there was a long pause before she said: ‘All very interesting, but I think you missed the point I was trying to make - it wasn’t mud I was talking about, it was Mud, that bloody awful pop group in the 1970s, I hated them’.

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I’m a little dismayed that the increased penalties for using a mobile phone when driving don’t seem to have deterred a large proportion of motorists. There are already more than enough distractions to cause accidents, so why increase the risk by having a pointless conversation with someone or texting them? My driving licence is one of my most valuable possessions - it has provided me with employment, enabled me to travel to places inaccessible to public transport and given me freedom of movement for over fifty years. The fact that I could lose it by making just two phone calls whilst driving is why I switch it off before I even start the engine. In an emergency it takes seconds to pull over and make a call. The thought of being reliant on public transport in Essex is too horrific to contemplate. Imagine having to talk to other passengers - the thought fills me with dread and horror.

If a gang of teenagers were to encourage a pet dog to attack another small creature, the public would be rightfully appalled at the barbarity and demand punishment for the perpetrators. Yet, if a gang of middle aged, upper class twits in red coats on horseback set a pack of hounds on a defenceless fox, it is somehow a ‘sport’. For me, this defines the class system in Britain.

It’s a while since I promised my friend Jane that I would write about her pet hate (mud) and being a man of my word I diligently researched the subject. It appears the origin of the word ‘mud’ is probably way back in the 14th century and is derived from the Dutch word ‘modde’, meaning wet or dirty. Mud is a fine-grained soft wet deposit occurring on the ground after rain and also at the bottom of ponds and lakes.

It has many uses, including the manufacture of mud bricks - or adobe Page 16

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Wildlife Corner - by Nick Green

February weather was again generally quite dry with a few frosts, but river levels remained low. Thanks to becalmed anticyclone conditions with southerly winds from mid-month, Wales recorded its highest temperatures for February. Unseasonal summer migrants were recorded from the Mediterranean including swallows, house and sand martins and chiffchaffs. These insectivorous species face a very tough time surviving. The 28th brought us rain at last!

National Selected February 2019 Highlights Shetland Isles: American pied-billed grebe, Tengmalm’s owl from Scandinavia (only the second British record in 30 years). Stranraer: ivory gull. Northumberland: American black scoter. Manchester: Blyth’s reed warbler. Wales: Ceredigion, king eider. Dorset: penduline tit. Cornwall: pacific diver, black-browed albatross. Isles of Scilly: eastern yellow wagtail, 2 red-rumped swallows.

The house sparrow is an abundant but declining resident, but is one of our most familiar birds. Introductions have been made across the world including New Zealand and Australia. It is widespread throughout the country, only being absent from the Scottish Highlands. Colour ringing has shown that an individual remains faithful to its breeding colony for life.

House sparrow declines have been apparent in rural areas perhaps due to more efficient farming and reduction in spilt grain and poisoning by toxic materials. Declines may be generally linked to increases in predators like sparrowhawks and magpies, but tawny owls and cats are also major predators. The species is now on the UK Red List for conservation. For your garden feeding station, sparrows will feed on sunflower seeds but prefer fat balls and peanuts and particularly live mealworms.

Essex Selected February 2019 Highlights Abberton Reservoir EWT: 5 great white egrets, 5 black-necked grebes, ring-necked duck, ferruginous duck, 8 scaup, 6 smew, 2 long-tailed ducks. Wallasea Island RSPB: 5 short-eared owls, 3 hen harriers.

Rainham Marshes RSPB: 2 Caspian gulls, 2 glaucous gulls, water pipit.

Male house sparrow (copyright: Glyn Evans)

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CT History 4 Early Chelmsford MPs: Ibbetson, Cecil, Beadel and Usborne - by Stephen Norris Prior to the major boundary changes in the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, Chelmsford had fallen within the constituency of West Essex. Between 1868 and 1885 this returned two members of parliament. Throughout this time these were the Conservative MPs Sir HJ Selwyn Ibbetson and Lord Eustace Cecil. In the 1880 election Ibbetson recorded 2,664 votes and Cecil 2,397, comfortably beating the Liberal candidate Buxton. Ibbetson was a regular speaker at Conservative meetings in the county town, sharing a platform (for example) with the owner of Hylands, Arthur Prior, at a meeting in the Shire Hall in 1883. Later that year he spoke again, blaming the Liberal government for the depression in agriculture, specifically their failure to limit the imports of livestock.

1885 saw the inaugural meeting of the Chelmsford branch of the Conservative Women’s Primrose League. Although nationally the league didn’t officially support women’s suffrage, its active role in the party did much to raise the political consciousness of women locally.

The following year, a Conservative Working Men’s Club was founded in the town. Meanwhile, the local Conservative Regional Association met for the first time at the White Hart Hotel in 1882. In 1884 the two local Liberal organisations, the Chelmsford and District Liberal Association and the Chelmsford and West Essex Liberal Association, sensibly decided to combine. A Chelmsford Working Men’s Liberal Five Hundred was also started in the early 1880s. The Liberals were often poorly organised but didn’t have any difficulty in getting people to attend meetings. One was held at the Corn Exchange in 1884, on the then current reform bill. ‘A few members of the opposition mustered at the back and created a disturbance during part of the proceedings: some of them were forcibly ejected’.

Under the government scheme for the redistribution of seats, the Boundary Commissioners held an inquiry in the Grand Jury Room of the Shire Hall in 1885. As a result, the Dengie Hundred was added to the new Chelmsford constituency and consequently removed from the Southend Constituency. For the resulting election the Conservatives selected William Beadel as their candidate. His first election was a lively affair with Beadel polling 4,221 votes and the Liberal candidate Martin, 3,071. The Weekly News reported “the election is being carried on with considerable vigour and both parties are confident of success. One of the features of the struggle is the defacing of election bills by each side’. Previously, rowdyism had broken up a Primrose League meeting. Before the election the following year the Liberals nominated John Kempster, who had the advantage to the constituency party that he offered to pay his own expenses.In the event, he withdrew and the 1886 election was uncontested. This was not before a soirée organised by the Primrose League had drawn 1,100 people. In 1887 the eminent local politician and administrator WW Duffield was asked to stand by the Liberals.

He was well known and the Essex Chronicle felt ‘he is a fluent speaker, had a good grasp of the political questions of the day and is personally popular on the Board of Health’. Duffield declined after evidently much thought. Beadel died in 1892 and his funeral was at Hutton.

The Irishman Thomas Usborne was adopted as the Conservative candidate. Usborne was born in Limerick and went to Harrow and then to Trinity College, Cambridge. Once again, the Liberals were insufficiently well organised to fight the by-election and he was returned unopposed. He considered Home Rule in Ireland, which of course he opposed, to be the only major question at issue in the general election which followed a few months later. The town had already seen several large meetings on the question.

In 1889 a group of Liberals met at the Corn Exchange to protest against the treatment of political prisoners in Ireland by the

government. ‘There was a crowded attendance, which included several Conservatives and Unionists and a large number of ladies’. It emerged that Usborne would be opposed by a Liberal, Dr Grigsby. In one week the latter spoke at Chelmsford, Sandon, Billericay and Little Baddow. After some rowdy meetings, Usborne polled 4,168 votes and Dr Grigsby, 2,799 - a comfortable majority of 1,369.

Usborne was one of seven Conservatives elected in the county: 4 Liberals were returned. The editor of the Weekly News hoped, rather forlornly, that the local Liberals ‘are not going to sleep again for six years’. Two years later, Usborne was receiving criticism from some quarters for treating his Chelmsford constituency as a sinecure seat.

Major Carne Rasch, who held the neighbouring constituency of South East Essex, came to his defence: “He did not attempt to ignore the fact that he has taken part in fewer divisions than any other Essex county member. There is a great deal of humbug talked about being continually in the voting lobby and that voting on every trivial question which comes before the House would neither benefit him, nor his constituency, nor his party.” He obtained a pair when absent. The editor of the Weekly News supported Usborne saying that he only spoke in the House on subjects which he had expert knowledge.

Despite the criticism, he was returned unopposed in the general election of 1895.

In 1899 the Mid Essex Conservative Association, meeting at the Crane Court rooms, received a letter from Usborne stating that he had decided to retire. He had recently helped greatly to raise funds for the Farming Relief Fund, for those who had suffered in the great storm.

Stephen currently offers the following talks about the history of Chelmsford to local organisations: 1. 4 QI Chelmsford MPs. 2. The Suffragettes in Chelmsford.

3. Chelmsford Lives, Memories of Chelmsford 1940s - 1970s (snippets of interviews with local people plus 100 photos in the background, for the Friends of Chelmsford Museum).

4. The Hoffmann Company in Chelmsford.

5. Life in the Wood Street workhouse: The Chelmsford Poor Law Union 1835 - 1871.

6. The poor and society: The last 60 years of the Chelmsford workhouse and infirmary.

7. QI Chelmsford councillors and mayors (in preparation).

For more information or to book Stephen, please email: stephen754norris@btinternet.com.

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Friends Support Chelmsford Industrial Trail The Friends of Chelmsford Museum have been pleased to see the progress that has been made with the Heritage Lottery funded project at the museum. The building work is now almost complete, the new Hive Café is already open and the revamped galleries are taking shape and will soon be opening to the public. The new displays will tell the long and exciting story of Chelmsford in new and innovative ways.

The growth of industry is a very important part of this story. Many Chelmsford residents once worked in important local industries such as Christy, Crompton, Hoffmann and notably Marconi and may therefore be interested to know of a new publication which provides an industrial trail and promotes the museum’s industrial collections.

This has been produced by the Essex Industrial Archaeology Group with support from the Friends, the Essex Heritage Trust and High Chelmer Shopping Centre.

electronic and engineering industries described in the trail. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the guide, it is available from Chelmsford Museum and from the Ideas Hub located in the Chelmsford Library at a cost of just £4.

The trail was launched by the Mayor of Chelmsford, Cllr Yvonne Spence, at what was to be the first special event held at the recently opened Hive Café which is in located in the restored drawing room of the Victorian part of the museum in Oaklands Park. It is a family run business which is already proving to be a great venue for visitors to both the park and museum (www.hivecafechelmsford.co.uk).

The industrial theme is continued in a current special museum exhibition titled The Clinker Connection - When Humans Change Nature. This features work by renowned Essex artist Billie Bond, a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors who has exhibited on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square. In the exhibition she uses clinker residue left over from industrial processes, such as brick making, which can still be seen used in early 20th century walls around Broomfield and Old Moulsham. The works displayed link this industrial heritage of the city to today’s consumer culture and explores the metamorphosis of time and matter. The exhibition ends on 31st March.

A further link to the industrial past of Chelmsford is the newly restored Crompton electric railway carriage that originally ran on Southend Pier, and which is now displayed in a large glass box located outside on the garden side of the museum.

The Chelmsford Industrial Trail is a revised, updated and extended version of the industrial trail which was originally published in 1987

by Stanley Wood. He was an ex-Marconi worker and long term resident of Old Moulsham who published his trail booklet as an educational tool for local people, visitors to the town, and teachers planning field trips. Wood believed Chelmsford to be a place with a great story and if you live here you should know the story and be proud of it.

The new version has been produced to mark the 30th anniversary of the original innovative guide. It takes you on a walk around the industrial sites of Chelmsford in two parts. The first to the south of the River Cam around Moulsham and the second to the north around Chelmsford centre, Springfield and Broomfield. This includes all those sites mentioned in the original version, for which evidence survives 30 years on, taking account of new research carried out during that time, and describes the changes that have taken place.

It also takes account of the broadened scope of industrial archaeology by including some of the more traditional industrial activities which Wood omitted, such as malting and brewing, and the surviving workers’ housing associated with particular industries.

The new cover shows a view of Chelmsford from Springfield Hill painted in 1847 by Samuel Colkett with the railway viaduct that had been built only five years earlier. This brought the railway to Chelmsford in 1843 and helped to establish here the emerging

If the story of Chelmsford’s industrial past interests you, then join the Friends in celebrating International Marconi Day at Sandford Mill on Sunday 7th April when the site will be open between 10am-4pm. The engine house and industrial displays will be accessible to the public and light refreshments will be available.

For details of all museum attractions and events visit www. chelmsford.gov.uk.

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Therapy - by Chelmsford Therapy Rooms Hi everyone! Jenny here. I have a very exciting announcement to make about Chelmsford Therapy Rooms, so this isn’t going to be a traditional type of article on hypnotherapy as I might usually write.

When I set up CTR and started meeting fellow therapists I realised that there was a great need for communication and support between therapists and business training. As therapists, we’re trained in the different modalities and approaches of therapy. We’re trained in empathy and how to assess and speak to a client. We’re trained in how to approach treatment and deliver treatment. We’re trained in ethics and boundaries. But many courses do not tackle the business of therapy, that is how to actually set up and run a private practice.

I’ve tried to help as many therapists as I could when they came through my door, offering advice and support on many areas of private practice and running a business (how to build a website, paying tax, advertising and marketing etc). It became clear that we needed something bigger, something local that therapists in the area could attend. So I set up regular networking meetings for local therapists.

I’ve been running these networking meetings for a couple of years now and have recently decided to expand them. I wanted to write about the newly expanded CTR Networking Events so that any therapists or trainee therapists reading this know they have somewhere to go for support and information. I also wanted to give you an idea of what these events entail, so you know what to expect!

So if there are any therapists or trainee therapists reading this, or if you know of any local hypnotherapists, counsellors, life coaches etc that would like to attend this event, here’s what you need to know...

At CTR we know that setting up and running your own private practice can be a very daunting prospect. We’re here to support you, inject some confidence and positivity and have you leaving knowing you can do this! Here’s what you can expect from our events:

so if there’s anything else you want to ask them you can.

Exercises to hone your business skills: We have relevant exercises for you and your colleagues to practise. We want to help you build your confidence and have something tangible you can take away with you to refer back to.

Positive takeaways: Aat the end of each event we’ll make sure you leave feeling confident, inspired and raring to go. So whether it’s a little hypnosis or meditation, or some positive affirmations, you’ll feel positive and unstoppable by the end of the event.

For information about any of our events, and for support and advice for therapists, join our Facebook group - ‘CTR Networking and Training’.

If you’ve read this article and are inspired to come to this event, then search Networking for Therapists on www.eventbrite.co.uk.

I’m passionate about helping fellow therapists thrive in their career.

If you’re a therapist, or trainee therapist, do feel free to book your tickets and come along to this event. We’re all in this together!

Jenny Hartill is a counsellor, hypnotherapist and owner of Chelmsford Therapy Rooms. She has experience in a multitude of issues but specialises in anxiety and self esteem. Please see the therapist list on the website www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or you can email info@chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162 to enquire about an initial consultation. Alternatively, Jenny’s own private therapy company website is www.cloud9-therapy.co.uk, her email is info@cloud9-therapy.co.uk and her telephone number is 07507 307 170.

Expert Guest Speakers: Every month we’ll have a guest speaker who gives their unique advice and support on the relevant theme. This month we’re delighted to announce that Neil Jordan, AKA Positive Neil, is a guest speaker at this event. Positive Neil is an expert and coach in mindset and how this can affect our lives and our businesses. Neil is on a mission to help as many people as possible develop their own ways of good thinking and meditation practices that will help improve their lives, reduce stress and develop more focus.

He is founder of The Good Thinking Club and has been coaching people in good thinking practises since 2004.

Training and support from your host: Your host is myself, Jenny Hartill, entrepreneur and therapist with my own private practice (Cloud9 Therapy), therapy room rental and referral business (Chelmsford Therapy Rooms) and business training company (CTRN Training). I have managed to build three successful businesses and now I want to show you how to do the same!

Themed meetings: Each networking meeting has a theme, this month the theme is Mindset and Motivation. Each event is aimed to help you at any stage of your career in private practice.

Support and contacts: You don’t have to just come to the meeting for a specific theme. You can come along to meet fellow therapists who have been through - or are going through - exactly what you are.

These networking events are designed to help you feel supported. We want you to know that we’ve got your back.

Get answers: Not everyone feels comfortable asking questions in front of everyone else. Don’t worry, we’ve got that covered! Firstly we have an ‘ask me anything’ box; write down your question, either to the guest speaker or to the host, and then anonymously put it into the box. We’ll then read out your question, without your identity being revealed, and you’ll get your answer. Secondly, the guest speaker and the host will mingle with you. You get to meet and interact with them, Page 20

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Let’s Start at the Top! - by Erica Foulds If you read my first article you already know that I am here to help you break down your fitness journey into goals and focuses that are effective, easier to achieve and that don’t require any fancy equipment.

If you are new to exercise and didn’t quite get around to a fitness resolution in January, then fear not - this could be a great place to start. There is no one size fits all beginning to exercise, but by starting at the top (literally) and working down, we have a good direction to follow!

Our physical skeleton is constructed of a number of key joints to allow every movement, action and the tasks that we carry out. Our shoulder joints for example, are involved in absolutely everything that our hands and arms do. Our arms wouldn’t be attached to our body if it weren’t for the shoulder joint - how would we make a fresh brew on Sunday morning, reply to that work email or hug a loved one if one of our shoulders - and potentially, arms - didn’t work? The muscles in and around our shoulders are connected to our neck vertebrae, they are anchored to our rib cage front and back, to our scapula (shoulder blade). They are the starting point of the biceps and triceps that move the arms, so those shoulders need to be shown respect!

Practise working the rear shoulder muscles with a back extension and rear fly: Lay on your front, arms down by your sides, palms face down. On your in breath lift your head, shoulders and chest from the floor whilst trying pinching your shoulder blades together. On your out breath lower to floor. During the lift, do not strain the neck to lift your head; you want to imagine you are looking in a mirror under your face at all times. Do this 10 times slowly.

If you are in need of some help with your upper body posture or would like any other help with exercise and fitness, Hummingbird can help with 1:1s or small group pilates and yoga classes. You can view our full list of classes and workshops online at www.hummingbirdpilates. co.uk, or email us at info@hummingbirdpilatesyoga.co.uk or call us on 01245 422 556.

This joint is classically a ball and socket joint with a huge potential range of movement. To be able to use its full potential though, the muscles of the front, back, top, inside and outside of the joint need to work in harmony. In our daily lives, rarely do we use all angles of that range - we do lots if not most things in front of us, sometimes reaching above us, but rarely things behind us. The front muscles of the shoulder therefore are often more dominant, they get stronger, get good at doing things, but at the same time get tighter and more worn out, while the back of that joint gets weaker, ‘forgets how to function’ and creating an imbalance.

Prolonged use of an imbalanced shoulder can result in unexpected pain or even injury, and commonly it isn’t until that pain gets so bad that we can’t function that we choose to do anything about it. Very often I see people with shoulder, neck and upper back pain due to a simple imbalance or over use of one part of the shoulder structure, but also people often can’t remember when it actually started.

If you are reading this and it sounds familiar, you might have a small niggle or something more that has been on and off for weeks or months. If so, then a) give these suggested exercises a go once a day (they should take approx 2 minutes each), or b) if you are struggling with long term pain that you just can’t shift, then contact our physiotherapist Ellie - because you could make things worse by doing nothing.

First of all, try some ‘snow angels’ to get your shoulders to move in their fullest range: Standing with your back against a wall, arms down by your side trying to keep your arms as close to the wall as possible, reach your arms out to the side and continue to move them upwards til they are over your head. If the front of your shoulder - where you pectoral muscle is - is tight, then your arms will probably come away from the wall pretty soon. Use that as a start point for how tight you are and with the exercises below, your range should improve. Do this 10 times slowly, it can get easier as the muscles warm up.

Practise ‘thread the needle stretches’ to combine a shoulder stretch with an upper spine twist: On your hands and knees, extend one arm out to the side, look at the hand throughout, continue to reach that hand up to ceiling until most of your torso is also twisted upwards. Keep the hand and arm on the floor straight to support you. Return the arm back to the floor but continue to ‘thread’ it through the space under your body until you are twisted down almost to the floor. Do this 10 times per arm.

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Hummingbird’s Yoga & Relaxation Retreats - By Mandy Haynes

Last year we launched our new yoga and relaxation retreats.

Designed and hosted by myself and our wonderful massage therapist Jo Warren, we are both excited to release the dates for the forthcoming retreats! With this in mind, I thought that I would take this opportunity to tell you a little more about what you can expect from a Hummingbird retreat.

Our retreats give you the opportunity to relax and unwind with a blissful afternoon of yoga and relaxation. Hummingbird retreats take place in our beautiful, purpose-built studios within a converted barn in the Essex countryside; the perfect setting for rest and relaxation.

Our retreats give you some quality time to yourself and whether you are new to yoga or have an established practice, I will guide you through a carefully thought out and flowing yoga practice to leave you calm and revitalised.

Each retreat has a theme, whether it be working with the seasons, focusing on a particular area of the body or based on a specific set of poses. The theme will inspire the retreat’s yoga practices. The first, more active vinyasa flow practice will work to energise, strengthen and enliven the body. The second will be dedicated to a deeply calming and replenishing practice, integrating restorative and yin yoga, to allow the body and mind to soften.

We’ll provide you with space to switch off, allowing you to benefit from rest and relaxation between classes and enjoy fresh juices, herbal teas and delicious organic fruits and snacks. This time is yours to

use however you feel the need - reading that book that you’ve been longing to start, taking some time to meditate, losing yourself in some mindful crafts or curling up under a blanket and simply relaxing.

You can enhance your retreat experience by booking a treatment.

Jo and I work together to develop the retreat’s theme, which Jo then carries through to the treatments that she offers. Jo is trained in Thai yoga massage, deep tissue, holistic, Indian head, and hot stone treatments, and so will be able to tailor her massage strokes, pressure and oils and meet your individual needs - either way, you’ll leave the treatment room feeling amazing!

The retreat will draw to a close with a deeply relaxing yoga nidra (‘yogic sleep’) or guided meditation, ensuring that you leave restored and well rested. We also give you a little bit of that retreat feeling to take home with a goodie bag containing a bespoke essential oil blend to evoke that feeling of relaxation, whenever and wherever you feel the need.

The next retreat is taking place on Sunday 14th April - we guarantee that it’ll put a spring in your step!

To book your space, head to the website www.hummingbirdpilates. co.uk. Click ‘BOOK CLASSES NOW’ and head to the ‘WORKSHOP’ section. Future retreat dates are also available online.

We can’t wait to see you there!

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Pilates, Yoga, Meditation Book your space online or call: Small Classes & 1-2-1’s www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk Inspirational Teachers 01245 422556 Friendly, Community Vibe Reeds Farm Estate, Writtle, CM1 2ST www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk Page 23

Charity of the Month - Meadows Shopmobility Meadows Shopmobility is a small but very important independent charity. It is run by co-ordinator Geraldine Roe and has 19 dedicated volunteers that man the office 6-days a week. There is a small team of trustees led by Lyn Wray, who is the chair person.

Shopmobility is all about helping people get around the city independently using a mobility scooter. We also offer wheelchair hire for accompanied users, and there is also an electric wheelchair in the fleet. ​ We run a membership scheme and the charity is committed to keeping the membership fees low, so it is affordable. We also offer a casual hire basis so that anyone visiting Chelmsford that needs help to get around can come and hire a scooter or a wheelchair just for the day - you do not have to be a Chelmsford resident to use the service. Anyone over the age of 16 can hire a scooter. Children can use the wheelchair hire scheme when accompanied by a parent/ adult. ​ You do not have to be registered disabled to use our service. Anyone with a mobility problem, be it temporary or long term can use the scheme. Scooter training and safety will be given upon casual hire and when taking out a membership. ​

​ or membership, holiday hire and casual hire fees. please contact the F office directly on 01245 357 097 or email meadowsshopmobility@ btconnect.com.​

The bookshop address is 4 ​ Market Road, C ​ helmsford​, CM1 1XA​ ​ The office is located on the ground floor by the disabled bays in the multi-story car park by the Odeon Cinema. The address is; Q ​ -Park Carpark​, Can Bridge Way​, Chelmsford​, CM2 0WP​. It is from this address that the scooters can be hired. ​ We are always in need of volunteers, and positions currently on offer are for a receptionist or a scooter operative. There are various shifts available either mornings or afternoons 4-hours per shift. We are also looking for volunteer trustees. The trustees oversee the running of the charity. If you are interested in any of the vacant positions, please contact Geraldine in the office on 01245 357 097.

We also offer a holiday hire service. We have 3 scooters that fold down to fit in the boot of a car and can also fit in a coach hold. There is a hire charge for this service and a deposit is required if you are not a member.

There is also a go-chair in the fleet which is for use around the home on a temporary basis. For example, after an operation or if a person’s own equipment has broken down. This chair is also very good if you are going on a cruise. It is light enough for aircraft travel and small enough onboard a ship, but it is for indoor use only. Manual wheelchairs are also part of the holiday hire scheme. Booking is essential as this is a very popular service.

We are a self-funding charity and we do not get grants or funding from any organisations. To help raise funds we run a second-hand bookshop. Every book is donated - we can also get cash for books that have seen better days and can be recycled. This shop is run by another team of dedicated volunteers, and we can collect large donations of books if required - call Geraldine in the office for details. ​ ​ e work closely with other charitable organisations that need our W services. It is in our charter to help everyone with a mobility problem get about the city, whether in their homes or to go away for that all important break. ​ We have a website at www.meadowsshopmobility.org.uk, or search for ‘Meadows Shopmobility’ on Facebook and please ‘like’ and ‘follow’ us for updates on our service. ​ The bookshop can also be found on Facebook under ‘Chelmsford Community Bookshop’ - look out for special offers running in store.

In March you can buy any hardback non-fiction book for £1 (unless otherwise priced). A ​ ll our social media will tell you about what is going on at the charity and our opening times. ​ Page 24 Please let our advertisers know you saw their advert in The City Times

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Spot 10 Differences (answers on page 31)

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Page 25

Not so Easy Quiz - by John Theedom 1.

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To vilify someone is to do what to them?

What colour is chlorophyl?

In which English county is Blandford Forum?

Who won the 2018 I’m a Celebrity Get Me out of Here contest?

From which country do we get lapis lazuli?

In snooker, who beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-4 in this year’s Masters?

How many oscars did the Titanic movie get?

What is the capital of Malta?

Apart from a make of car, what does ‘fiat’ mean?

Which animal can be either Bactrian or Arabian?

On which day of the week does Pancake Day happen?

What is wrong with you if you have hetero-chromia iridium?

How old was King George VI when he died in 1952?

A woonerf is what?

What is an odeum?

What is the capital of Nigeria?

To ‘exuant’ is to do what?

A simnel is what kind of cake?

What was the first name of the French painter M Matisse?

Which role does Barbara Knox play in Coronation Street?

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Bubble & squeak is made from which two vegetables?

Which PM followed Winston Churchill in 1945?

What is the house number of the Simpsons?

Chepstow Castle is on which river?

What number is on Herbie the beetle?

What is the name of the boss of Amazon?

What is an orison?

La Isla Bonita was a hit song for which singer?

What precisely is the crime of larceny?

How many times was the US actress Lana Turner married?

Who was the young lady involved in the ‘Clinton Affair’?

Which sport is governed by the Queensberry Rules?

How many wives has the present-day Ferdinand Porsche had?

What is a straw poll?

To what does the term salvo apply?

What is ennui?

A nit is the egg of which creature?

Who was responsible for the famous expression ‘Eureka’?

Where would you expect to find a chignon?

In which country is the port of Basra?

(Answers on page 31)

Local Charity Celebrates National Lottery Award On Track to Reopen to New Resident Clients Helping Hands Essex is celebrating an award totalling £270,000 over three years from the National Lottery Communities Fund. Along with support from the City Council, this grant has set the charity well on track to reopen to new resident clients in the summer.

The application to the Lottery highlighted the clear link between addiction, homelessness and mental health, and the gap in provision that persists in the publicly funded provision of needed accommodation and support.

HHE’s continuing mission is to promote recovery from alcohol abuse to the benefit of the individual, family and friends and the wider community. Since opening in 2012, it has developed to offer a full, structured programme to residential and non-residential clients in their early days free from alcohol. Residential clients are or otherwise face being homeless, while non-residents too have a particularly challenging history or domestic situation.

To mark these successes, Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford is joined HHE Trustees, and City Council Leader Cllr Roy Whitehead and Chief Executive Nick Eveleigh on Friday March 8th at the Abstinence Café in Chelmsford.

In a letter supporting the Lottery bid, Vicky Ford had said: “From conversations I have had with their clients I have seen first-hand the outcomes of the work that Helping Hands Essex does. Chelmsford may be a prosperous and growing city, but it has pockets of significant deprivation and its share of homeless and very vulnerable people. HHE looks beyond the early stages of recovery and continues to support clients in their gradual return to independent living.” She added: “The National Lottery supports good causes all across the UK and it’s great to see some of the money coming back to this excellent charity in Chelmsford.”

Chairman Val Chiswell values the support of the council and HHE’s several other funders: “Due to the intended redevelopment in the area we were required to move out of Brockley Road, where we had leased two empty houses from the council. We much appreciated our time there and their support and encouragement in our efforts to seek new premises. There are still things we need to finalise, but this and the tremendous grant from the Lottery mean our future is now more secure.”

Director Graham Pooley, who has been with the charity since before its opening and is himself in recovery, is upbeat: “This is a killer illness,” he says, “and to try to address it without a roof over one’s head has got to be doubly difficult, and for some, just not achievable.

It’s been hard to say no to potential new resident clients last year, but we and those who refer or signpost to us are now really looking forward to the future.”

Meanwhile, HHE is continuing its reduced interim programme for non-residents, and is now able to recruit volunteers and a small number of key additional staff, and to add to its trustee board. It welcomes donations in cash or kind. Visit www.hhe.org.uk and bit.ly/ biggiveHHE.

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Rotary Can Be Educational - Even for Its Own Members At a recent meeting of the Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club the title of the talk by Tom Harper was Murder at Any Cost. Even allowing for the fact that by the time Tom concluded his forty year police career he was a Detective Chief Inspector in charge of Essex Police’s Forensic Investigation, the title was still intriguing!

Another completely different example of gaining local knowledge was a fascinating talk by Tony Tuckwell on the history of New Hall School which he recently gave to the Rotary Club of Chelmsford. Henry VIII built Beaulieu Palace, now New Hall School, for his wife Katherine of Aragon and their daughter Princess Mary as a safe refuge away from the diseases in London. It became Mary’s favourite place because of the association with her mother.

In 1533 Henry tried to get Mary to accept his divorce from Katherine and summoned her back to London. Princess Mary wouldn’t be persuaded to return, so Henry stripped her of her royal title and she became Lady Mary. At the same time Henry reduced her household to a mere 160. Anne Boleyn didn’t like Beaulieu, partly because of the stained glass window celebrating the wedding of Henry and Katherine, so it ceased to be a royal palace.

Lady Mary lived at Hatfield House for a while with her half-sister Elizabeth, but was back at Beaulieu by the time Edward VI came to the throne in 1547. Henry, conscious of the line of succession, had reinstated Mary as a Princess before he died.

Tom used the example of a real, but anonymised murder case from a couple of years ago and showed how those involved in the forensic investigation strove to ‘use science as well as possible’ - the stated aim of all forensics at all levels in Essex policing.

His main focus however, was to show how the forensic expertise and resources, both scientific and human, involved in solving the case cost a huge amount of money: an expense which was very surprising to all the audience.

The Privy Council governing the country on behalf of the nine year old Edward orchestrated the Protestant revolution. Mary’s observance of her Catholic faith would be tolerated as long as it was low key.

However, Mary allowed masses in the Royal Chapel in the presence of her entire household together with prominent local Catholic families such as the Petres of Ingatestone Hall and the Ratcliff family of Woodham Walter. Aristocratic families would even send their daughters to be part of Mary’s household.

In 1550 there was a failed attempt to smuggle Mary to the low countries to be with her cousin Charles V. William Petre was sent to persuade Mary to be amenable to quell the rumours that she’d been trying to escape and she was allowed to remain at Beaulieu.

For most of us, our knowledge of forensics comes from fictional sources like television, films and novels, in which the cost of such work is rarely if ever addressed.

Tom gave us surprising information about the kind of costs which might be incurred in any such investigation. For example, taking DNA from the filter tip of a single cigarette butt might cost £295, the same price as searching a single item for blood. A pathologist’s examination of a victim would be in the region of £3,200.

The actual major costs of forensics in the case described by Tom included such staggering figures as £32,800 for taking blood samples, £29,400 for examining 60 cigarette butts and £29,550 for examining 3 knives from the murder scene and 30 from the home of suspects. The total cost for the forensics in this individual case came to £247,190.

Club members’ many questions included one about the outcome of the investigation. The murderer was ultimately identified after committing a further murder not long afterwards, with the entire investigation of both murders costing just under £10 million!

Such a huge figure would not have been guessed at by anyone not aware of the expenses incurred in such police work. Certainly, this case brought home to us the difficult decisions the police have to make when they are forced to balance the expectations of victims and victims’ families against the potential success of forensic testing within finite budgets.

Presentation to the Robotic Surgery Appeal at Broomfield Hospital When the Protestant Lady Jane Grey was declared Queen after Edward VI’s death in 1553, it was evident that the Princess Mary, as the rightful heir, would be a threat. Mary initially fled north but within nine days had returned to be Queen, but she never lived at New Hall again.

Rotary’s theme has always been ‘Service Above Self’ and there are numerous reasons to join Rotary, but this educational aspect is often overlooked. The social side, meeting like-minded people and enjoying interesting talks is a good reason on its own. To find out more, visit www.rotary1240.org or give me a call on 01245 260 349.

Stan Keller

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Stargazing with Mark Willis - March/April 20th March: The March Equinox, or the Spring Equinox, marks the first day of spring, as well as being the day when the days and nights are officially of equal length. From this moment on, the days will of course get longer, and we all feel we’re that much closer to summer.

21st March: Full Moon, Supermoon. The Moon will be at its closest point to Earth and will look larger and brighter than usual.

27th March (Morning): The Moon will appear very close to Jupiter and two days later, the Moon will appear very close to Saturn in the morning sky before dawn.

30th March: Mars is near the beautiful star cluster known as the Seven Sisters - or Pleiades, to give it its official title. An amateur astronomer on the BBC TV Sky at Night programme referred to the Pleiades as a supermarket trolley full of jewels! I have to agree! If you have access to either a telescope or binoculars then this is also a good time to spot Pleiades and also Mars, which will appear very close by at this time.

observing is to go to North Essex Astronomical Society’s public solar observing events.

Stargazing soon will gradually give way to another exciting aspect of astronomy, solar observing. The best way to get acquainted to solar

Twitter: @WillisWireless Email: mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

Remember - never, ever look at the sun through a telescope, binoculars or even a viewfinder. Permanent damage to your eyes will result.

New Moon: On Friday 5th April there will be a new Moon. This means the skies will be extra dark which is a great opportunity to see planets, galaxies and deep space objects.

As usual, email me with any questions...

Mark Willis presents Willis Wireless at the new time of 12pm every Tuesday afternoon on Chelmsford Community Radio on 104.4 FM and online at chelmsfordcommunityradio.com.

Chelmsford Creative Collective Chelmsford Creative Collective (CCC) is a growing group of friendly, local creatives. We have an active Facebook group where we share events, discuss collaborations and support each others creative endeavours. We also meet-up on the last Tuesday of the month from 7.30pm where everybody is welcome for a drink and a chat.

Check Facebook or email chelmsfordcreativecollective@gmail.com to confirm location.

Who are you and what do you create?

“My name is Julie Prendergast and I am a keen photographer. I have had an interest in photography for a number of years and during 2013/2014 I completed a Level 1 and Level 2 Diploma in photography from Writtle College. My areas of interest are nature, landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes, architecture, street photography and urbex. I particularly enjoy photographing sunsets and water.”

How would you describe your working process?

“I don’t have a working process as such. I plan outings with the intention of taking photos with my Canon camera, but often take photos with my iPhone when I am out and about and see something interesting.

Chelmsford has given me a lot of photo opportunities but I do also go further afield as often as I can as a solo traveller. I have recently been to Edinburgh, Tallinn, Helsinki and Budapest. A must for me is visiting Chernobyl as I love the abandonment and dereliction. I just won’t stay too long...”

Tell us about your most recent project...

“I was a volunteer photographer at the 2015 Chelmsford Marathon which was a great opportunity and valuable experience. I am always looking to expand my knowledge and experience of photography. I am also interested in collaborations and projects.

“I am due to have a display at the Chelmsford Window Gallery this summer and at the Ideas Hub at Chelmsford Library in September which I am looking forward to being involved with.”

Who or what inspires you to be creative?

“I get inspiration from other photographers and also the things that I see on a day to day basis. I often think - when I don’t have my camera of course - ‘that would make a really good photo!’

“Two famous photographers who inspire me are Steve McCurry, famous for the National Geographic Afghan Girl cover photo, and Sebastiao Salgado who is a Brazilian photojournalist.”

What does Chelmsford Creative Collective mean to you?

“If it wasn’t for Chelmsford Creative Collective, I wouldn’t be writing this! I think it is a wonderful way to connect with like-minded people,

collaborate and explore new opportunities.

I am involved with an organisation called Createxplore which is a community where amateurs and hobbyists with creative skills can meet other people, charities, community groups, clubs, small businesses etc who could use some creative help. This gives the volunteer the chance to use their creative skills and to help someone else.”

You’re stranded on a desert island with three items of your choice what would they be and why?

“I would take Foxy from SAS Who Dares Wins. I don’t think I would need anything else!”

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Quiz Answers 1.

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Slander Green Dorset Harry Redknapp Afghanistan Judd Trump 11 Valetta Decree Camel Tuesday Your eyes are different colours 56 A road shared by drivers, pedestrians and residents Music hall Abuja To leave the stage Rich fruit cake Henri Rita Sullivan Potatoes and cabbage Clement Attlee 742 Wye

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53 Jeff Bezos A prayer Madonna Theft of property 8 Monica Lewinsky Boxing 4 An unofficial or ad-hoc vote A group of shots Feeling of boredom Louse Archimedes In the hair (a knot of hair) Iraq

Spot the Difference Answers

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