The City Times - March/April 2020

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Easter Petting Zoo & Egg Hunt Including: Boreham, Broomfield, Danbury, Great Baddow, Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, The Walthams and Writtle 10000 copies distributed monthly

Issue Number 76 - 19th March - 16th April 2020

MONDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm Lucy 07801 433626 Danbury Village Hall, Eves Corner, Danbury CM3 4NQ 9:00am and 11:00am Sarah 07494 408634 Springfield Bees Preschool, Perryfields School, Lawn Lane, Springfield CM1 7PP 5:00pm and 7:00pm Emma 07738 278911 *NEW CONSULTANT* Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 5:00pm and 7:00pm Keeley 07930 231386 TUESDAYS TUESD Newlands Spring Community Hall, Dickens Place, Chelmsford CM1 4UU 9:30am Jennifer 07792 516866 Broomfield Village Hall, 158 Main Road (behind Angel Pub), Broomfield CM1 7AH 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Victoria 07823 441198

TUESDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm Samantha 01245 266442 Danbury Village Hall, Eves Corner, Danbury CM3 4NQ 5:00pm and 7:00pm Sarah 07494 408634 WEDNESDAYS Church Of St Augustine Of Canterbury, St Augustines Way, Springfield CM1 6GQ 9:30am and 11:30am Emma 07887 692906

THURSDAYS North Springfield Baptist Church, Havengore, off Pump Lane, Springfield CM1 6JP 5:30pm and 7:30pm Victoria 07823 441198 Newlands Spring Community Hall, Dickens Place, Chelmsford CM1 4UU 5:30pm and 7:30pm Jennifer 07792 516866 Moulsham High School, Brian Close, Chelmsford CM2 9ES 5:30pm and 7:30pm Helen 07710 112345 *NEW CONSULTANT* CONSU

Writtle Community Association, Longmeads House, 12-14 Redwood Drive, Writtle CM1 3LY 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm Jennifer 07792 516866

FRIDAYS The Church Of Ascension, Maltese Road, Chelmsford CM1 2PB 9:15am and 11:15am Samantha 01245 266442

Boreham Village Hall, Main Road, Boreham CM3 3JD 5:30pm and 7:30pm Hollie 07825 366586

Fit n Fab Studio, Village Square (Near Asda), Chelmer Village CM2 6RF 5.30pm Emma 07887 692906

Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield CM2 6EB 5.30pm and 7:30pm Helen 07710 112345 *NEW CONSULTANT* CONSU

SATURDAYS Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Springfield CM2 6EB 8:30am and 10:30am Emma 07887 692906

THURSDAYS Millennium Community Centre, Recreation Ground, Baddow Road, Great Baddow CM2 9RL 9:30am Samantha 01245 266442

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CT Welcome Hello readers,

Welcome to the March/April edition, and we hope you are all staying well.

Events listings are all correct as we go to print but may be subject to change due to current circumstances, so please check before you attend.

Remember that the clocks change at the end of March as we head into spring!

Please also remember to let our advertisers know that you saw them in this magazine.

Regards Nick & Paul

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Essex Police Celebrate International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day took place on Sunday 8th March - a celebration raising awareness about women’s health, striving to improve gender relations, promote gender equality and highlight female role models from various industries and backgrounds.

woman to row solo across the Atlantic in 53 days whilst raising awareness of plastic pollution.

Essex Police will be raising awareness and promoting a gender-equal workplace throughout March by sharing stories about their strong female officers and staff members, including the women that inspire them and their advice for women who are thinking about joining Essex Police.

LPA Chief Superintendent Tracey Harman shared her advice at the conference, saying: “I have been able to achieve so much and still bring up my two children. Essex Police has been fantastic in its flexibility, but also enabling me to take opportunities whilst still managing home and family. Often, we are our own barriers and put our own glass ceiling on ourselves.

The IWD attendees showing their support for #EachForEqual As part of the celebrations, more than 250 women and men from the Essex emergency services came together to take action for equality at Hylands House, Chelmsford on Friday 6th March at the International Women’s Day Conference 2020. The day was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate some of the inspirational women from different areas and roles in the force.

“I would advise anyone considering a role in the police to give it a go. Once you join there are so many departments to consider and the ability to try a lot of different roles during you career is immense.

You’ll be part of a big family and you cannot underestimate the friendships and interesting people you meet both out in the public, but also within the workforce.”

Whether you would like to become a police officer full-time, back the front-line as a staff member, or volunteer part-time as a special constable, Essex Police are looking for dedicated individuals to making a positive change to our community.

Feeling inspired? If you’re looking for a rewarding and diverse career where no two days are the same, join our strong women and be part of the Essex Police family. We are recruiting at www.essex.police.uk/ careers.

01245 698 045 07939 609 732 07548 944 727

Chief Superintendent Una Jennings, South Yorkshire Police The Essex Police Women’s Leadership and Development Forum (WLDF) worked together with Essex County Fire & Rescue, East of England Ambulance Service and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex to host the conference celebrating the #EachForEqual theme of the awareness day.

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The event featured inspirational talks from speakers including Chief Superintendent Una Jennings from South Yorkshire Police and Group Commander Nicola Lown from London Fire Brigade.

Una Jennings, who has been in policing for 18 years said: “‘Get out of your own way’ - that’s what my mother would say to me. My mother remains the most inspirational person to me. I put my head down and let the work speak for itself. It takes some maturity and time to realise I belong here as much as anyone else. The people that I get to work with everyday are some of the most exceptional people you’ll ever meet. You’re all heroes and heroines.”

Essex Police officers and staff also hosted informative workshops, including Specialist Operations PC Dawn Wood telling her tremendous story of the journey to become the second fastest

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Nick Garner’s Music and Ramblings During the month of this issue we will have Easter; how the this year is running away from us already!

Currently we seem to be in turmoil - well in fact the whole world is in turmoil - with coronavirus. It seems to me that if they look at all the other problems around the world this would not be the major blown out of proportion situation that I think it is. The world politicians seem to using this to divert from other matters - that is how I see it anyway. I can tell you that all my music events remain on until we are instructed otherwise. Just be sensible: wash your hands, use sanitisers - I hope we all are doing this anyway.

At long last it seems that the weather is starting to improve - we certainly do not need any more rain for a good while, which I think farmers and gardeners alike will agree with. The rivers are still running full too. I spoke with friends in the west country next to the River Severn and they have had it pretty bad with flooding, but thankfully the defences for the town of Upton have stood up this time and the town remained safe.

I have sadly also had funerals to attend in the last month and really hope that’s it for the rest of this year. Let’s hope that by the end of it we all have smiles on our faces and that we all have good times to look forward to, what with all this Brexit and virus stuff going on at present.

Music On to other matters now. My live music events have moved from the UB to the Compasses in Broomfield Road near to Chelmsford High School for Girls. Marc and his team are very welcoming and very cooperative, and I am finding that they always have a smile for everyone. This is great venue and I think it probably has one of the biggest rooms of any pub in Chelmsford, so ideal for hosting live events. They are also in the midst of getting the kitchen refurbished and they also have five chalets for letting out behind the pub. There is parking outside, and if that is full there are roads close by that are free to park in as well.

Jamie WIlliams and the Roots Collective played the Broadstairs Blues Bash for the first time in five years and we seemed to go down really well. They said they want us back too, so that can’t be bad! I got to play with a few friends who asked me join them on stage and Jamie and I played the big open mic session that they always run on the Sunday.

As I am writing this, I am off to Witham with Jan to see John Illsley of Dire Straits, as our friends Robbie McIntosh and Steve Smith are playing with him. We have our Jamie WIlliams show at the 100 Club on Wednesday 8th April coming up and you can also see the What’s On pages in this magazine for the Compasses line-ups. On 18th April we have Malcolm Bruce, the son of Jack Bruce from Cream - he is every bit as good as his dad as a musician. The day before on Friday 17th April at the football club, we have The Hot Rods and Department S playing a memorial show for Barrie Masters, and we look forward to having some special guests playing as well. For Friday 10th July I have booked the one and only Urban Voodoo Machine, with Steve Hooker as opening act. Band tickets are on sale now at just £12 in advance.

As I have said, do check out the What’s On listings. These are not just for music, but for everything open to the public. If you know of something going on then please check out the deadlines and drop an email to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk.

Jamie WIlliams and the Roots Collective has just played the first full band show of the year in Kent, and with the new songs added into the set we seem to have gone down a storm, also selling quite a lot of merchandise and taking orders for our new album which is out on 22nd May. We are now looking forward to the Essex launch show when we open for The Animals at Chelmsford City FC on Friday 12th June.

As ever, please do try to come out and support the great live scene we have in Essex, because if you do not - we may lose it. For more information on all of the above and more see the links below and pick up a copy of the City Times each month and go to the What’s On page to see what else in happening in your area. If you go to the local Facebook pages look for the ‘Events’ tabs where you can see who is playing and preview the up-and-coming acts.

Sadly, I have just heard that The Who have postponed their tour until the autumn and the Hideaway Festival here in Chelmsford has been cancelled; what is next we wonder? This is going to make for a bleak summer if this continues... As I have said, at present all my shows are on until we are required to do otherwise - we just ask that you take simple and basic precautions.

www.itsyourmusic.co.uk www.facebook.com/itsyourmusic/events Twitter: @itsyourmusic www.facebook.com/compasseschelmsford/events www.facebook.com/essexgigguide www.visitessex.com/events

There has been some great shows recently. We had the Jackson Line playing, who as ever were outstanding. We then played our first band gig of the year in Norwich which was epic - we went down really well with everyone up and dancing. On Monday 17th February we went to (what I still call) the Hammersmith Odeon for Eric Clapton’s tribute to his old band mate Ginger Baker. What an amazing show it was with Kofi Baker playing - he did his dad proud. We also got to see Steve Winwood, who was in Blind Faith with Eric and Ginger. There were many other names playing what was a fun event - we loved it; a real one-off show.

We recently had Roy Mette open for Imagine The Beatles at the football club. Roy wowed the crowd and they loved him just as I knew they would. Imagine The Beatles played two sets in two different outfits, and of course we knew all the songs which they delivered fantastically and had us all singing and dancing along - we will definitely be having them back.

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Wed

CT Gardening - by Tom Cole

following way: • •

• •

What a busy time we’re all having.

Loads to do, especially with pruning your plants. Shrub roses - which tend to flower on previous seasons growth and again on new - need pruning now if you haven’t done so already. In order to get them all set for the new growing season, they should be pruned in the

Remove dead, diseased and damaged growth.

Remove last year’s flowering wood either to the ground, or to where there is a strong well spaced vegetative shoot by cutting to an outside facing bud. Cutting to outward facing buds encourages greater airflow and as a result reduced diseases such as blackspot, rust and or mildew.

When pruning, take your time to stand back and look at the overall shape. Try to develop a goblet or vase form and always consider neighbouring plants.

Prunings can be recycled by chipping and shredding if free of disease. If not, pop into your municipal waste or incinerate.

Other key jobs for now: • • • • •

Complete apple and pear pruning; not forgetting any soft fruits.

As soon as growth occurs on fruit apply a general feed and mulch.

Continue to sow hardy annuals such as pot marigold or honesty for summer colour.

Spruce up decoratively planted containers - feed and top dress.

If you can do so, complete cultivation and seed bed preparation prior to sowing or planting.

If you haven’t done so also prune hard all of the following shrubs and climbers: • • • • • • •

Buddleja davidii (the butterfly bush).

Hydrangea paniculata.

Caryopteris ‘Kew Blue’.

Mid to late summer flowering clematis such as C. viticella, C. jackmanii and C. tangutica.

Spiraea japonica.

Sambucus (elderberries).

Salix (willow).

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Lastly, once ground has been prepared, plant onion sets and garlic.

Onion sets (immature bulbs) are selected that resist bolting, such as Japanese types and cultivars like Red Baron and Sturon. These are planted so that the neck is slightly proud of the soil surface at a spacing of 5-10cm apart in the row and roughly the same between rows (check for individual cultivars on the packaging). Whilst garlic cloves are planted at a depth of 5-10cm and spaced 10cm in the rows; again row spacing is around the same apart. If you’re able to get hold of elephant garlic (not true garlic, more leek-like) space these 15cm apart and rows 30cm apart. Depth is the same as for garlic.

All year round lettuce can be sown directly into prepared ground for eating. Alternatively, lettuce can be sown in window boxes. A couple of rows should give you a great supply.

Broad beans (‘Aquadulce’ and ‘The Sutton’) and peas (‘Meteor’) can be sown in trenches. Trenches are around 5-7.5cm wide by around 5cm deep. A couple of rows of beans or three of peas should work well. Add supports as growth emerges. Rather than let the peas mature to pods, eat the shoots packed with vitamins.

Happy gardening!

For any gardening tips contact Tom Cole, Horticultural Lecturer, Capel Manor College, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4RQ by post (including a SAE) or by email at Tom.Cole@capel.ac.uk.

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Page 9

CT Food: by Lisa Whittle Choose to Eat Plants

I have had a new love in my life in these last few weeks - I discovered the new Eat Plant Café in Moulsham Street, and it’s so good I’ve become a regular customer. Not only does it serve delicious clean-living organic food, it is also a unique hub of learning, inspiration and community about natural methods of being healthy.

As the name would suggest everything served in the café is made from plants. You might call it vegan, but Jennie and Steve, the husband and wife team who run it, prefer the term ‘plant-based’ hence the name Eat Plant Café. Jennie had stage 3 cancer in 2016 and made the decision to change her lifestyle to beat this. A big part of her approach was eating a nutritious plant-based diet and, sure enough, in six months her four tumours were gone and haven’t returned.

The ethos behind running the café is to share the knowledge and experience Jennie and Steve acquired along Jennie’s healing journey - as well as their delicious nutritious food. They do this with workshops on natural health-related subjects - so far I have been to Natural Health Hacks by Joe Wheeler and Natural Approaches to ADHD by Jacky Rands - both were inspiring, informative and made a great evening out (look on their website for their current workshop listings - they do 1 or 2 a week). But learning also happens informally because people get to hear about Jennie and drop by to have a chat with her.

sell it. But you can have an alternative that‘s better for you called Caro. Or you could try a delicious plant milk cacao latte or turmeric latte or one of the 15 types of herbal tea. Then there’s the thick and lush plant shakes such as mint choc chip and the cell boosting plant smoothies that come as ‘green’, ‘purple’ or ‘red’.

You might prefer to go for one of the many natural sugar cold drinks.

One that caught my eye is ginger and lime kefir, the health drink loaded with gut-friendly probiotics. I’m told you need a license to make it because it’s fermented. Eat Plant currently buys it in from a small producer - try it, it’s yum. The same applies to the fermented spicy kimchi that’s on the smashed avocado real sourdough - a probiotic with a kick and imaginative upgrade from standalone chilli.

The café is open 11-4pm Tuesday to Friday and 11-2pm Saturday and Monday. But every other Friday evening Eat Plant Café is offering a sit down dinner. Its something you book for on their website (so they know how many to cater for) and it’s something they plan to expand.

I went to the Thai evening dinner a few weeks ago and it was a real treat. Delicious and delicately flavoured Thai vegan red curry with broccoli, mushrooms and sweet potato followed by a vegan raspberry organic cheesecake that was to die for!

Jennie is a homeopathic natural health practitioner and also works with DoTerra essential oils. Steve has an engineering background.

They both trained professionally in making raw and plant-based food at The Wild Food Café in Covent Garden after being inspired by Jennie’s recovery. At first they provided food for private dining and small-scale catering at events, but when the lease on what was The Primrose Café came up they felt intuitively it was the right next move for them - luckily for us in Chelmsford.

All the staff at the café eat only plants themselves and are a font of knowledge to chat to. I pop in often for a takeaway wrap or plantbowl and get talking. The plant-bowls in my opinion are the pièce de résistance of the Eat Plant Café. They are raw, tasty and spicy and leave you feeling satisfied and glowing with health. They do three options - Mexican, Thai and Moroccan - and rotate them weekly, so every day for one week it will be Thai and then another week Moroccan and so on. The wraps are similar in contents but smaller and in a wrap.

If you feel like something hot, then go for the plant hotpot - and this is something different each day. My experience is that this is warming and filling without being stodgy. In fact there is no such thing as stodge in this café.

They serve the plant hotpot with ‘real sourdough’ bread - this is something that is mentioned a few times on the menu. Learning to make this is also the subject of one of the workshops. Apparently the sourdough you buy in the shops isn’t the real deal but a shortcut.

Real sourdough takes about five days to make and modern bakers don’t have that kind of time to wait - but the real thing is healthier because most of gut-irritating gluten is transformed in the sourdough process.

Vegan raspberry organic cheesecake to die for!

Finally you can’t leave without trying one of the café’s healthy treats.

My favourite is The Date Kiss. It’s a melty medjool date with almond butter and whole roasted almond nut inside double dipped in vegan chocolate…

If you sign up to the Plant Eaters’ Reward Card with your phone while you’re there, you’ll get a free treat of your choice next time - and the chance to earn Plant Points for each purchase of yummy healthiness that you buy in the future!

Maybe see you at a workshop soon! I’m aiming to catch the Raw Vegan Chocolate workshop in time for Easter…

Eat Plant Café 89 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 0JF 01245 263 810 www.eatplantcafe.co.uk lisactfood@gmail.com

Interestingly, this isn’t a café to go to for a coffee as such - they don’t

Page 10 www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

Sober IS Fun Comedy Night The Essex Alcohol Free Comedy Club returns to The County Hotel Chelmsford on Sunday 29th March.

Sober IS Fun was launched back in 2018 and was created to give a choice to people who wish to experience a great night out, but without the necessity of alcohol - or hangovers!

With a big change in recent social habits, Sober IS Fun is going from strength to strength, launching London’s only alcohol free professional comedy club in Bethnal Green last year.

Each show boasts 3 professional comedians - many seen on TV. The atmosphere at the events are second to none, with just pure unenhanced natural belly laugher ringing round the venues.

“What a great idea!” - Frank Skinner Why not join Sober IS Fun on Sunday 29th March and experience a night out without alcohol?

On the night, Paul McCaffrey, star of Impractical Jokers and fresh from his recent appearance on Live at the Apollo, will headline the show. Paul will be joined by the UK’s fastest rising comedian, Mark Simmons, who’s quickfire one-liner delivery saw him appear on Mock the Week last November. Holding the show together will be Suzy Bennett, from Jimmy Carr’s Comedy Idol.

Tickets are £20, with donations made to chosen charities. Book at www.soberisfun.co.uk.

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What’s on in the Area

March Friday 20th Bassment - Hip Hop Bingo Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Cramphorn - Annie Hotbox - Graves United Brethren - Borderline Saturday 21st Bassment - Asylum Takeover: Tirade + Blank Atlas + Slumber + Karmwud CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Weymouth Civic - Dad’s Army Radio Show The Compasses - Ouse Valley Singles Club Cramphorn - Annie Hotbox - TWINK live plus Q+A with Dust and the Dukes Sunday 22nd Foakes Hall, Gt Dunmow - Antiques & Collectors Fair (9.30am-4pm) Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Inspirational Sunday Talk: Breaking Through to the Soul Monday 23rd Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) Cramphorn - Le Mans ‘66 (12A) The Church of Our Saviour (Chelmer Village) - Essex Chordsmen Men’s choir rehearsal (7.45pm-10pm, free tasters - all welcome) Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Tuesday 24th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Cramphorn - The Annual Museum Lecture Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Inspirational Talk & Meditation: Respect Life Wednesday 25th Civic - The Chelmsford Ballet Company: Beatrix Potter™ Tales Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Thursday 26th The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: UK’s number 1 swing band, The Jive Aces (£17.50 via reservation) Civic - The Chelmsford Ballet Company: Beatrix Potter™ Tales Cramphorn - Wanted Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Relaxing Thursdays: Guided Meditation (7.15pm-8.15pm) Friday 27th Bassment - Mercury Rising Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - The Chelmsford Ballet Company: Beatrix Potter™ Tales Hideaways - The Small Fakers Hotbox - Fly Pan Am + Black to Comm United Brethren - Paolo Morena Saturday 28th Bassment - Club night CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v St Albans City Civic - The Chelmsford Ballet Company: Beatrix Potter™ Tales The Compasses - Medicine Hotbox - Jar Records: Ghostwood Shanks + Denial Twist + Skuft Wickham Bishops Village Hall - Jazz Club: Alan Gresty Jazz Band with special guests Pete Neighbour and Colin Bray (6.30pm for 7.30pm) Sunday 29th Civic - Come What May: The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge County Hotel - Essex Alcohol Free Comedy Club Hotbox - Junglistmini Monday 30th The Compasses - The One Tree Hillbillies Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) The Church of Our Saviour (Chelmer Village) - Essex Chordsmen

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Men’s choir rehearsal (7.45-10pm, free tasters - all welcome) Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Tuesday 31st The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Inspirational Talk & Meditation: Holistic Health (free admission)

April Wednesday 1st The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Dave Browning’s Jazz Cats (£15) Civic - Andy Parsons: Healing the Nation Great Baddow Parish Hall - Great Baddow Hospice Support Group lunch (11.45am) + Raffle and a Bring and Buy Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Exploring the Psalms, led by Rev Ian Moore (10am-12.30pm, £10) Quaker Meeting House - Chelmsford Retirement Action Group Thursday 2nd Bassment - Blues jam The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Civic - Legend - The Music of Bob Marley Cramphorn - Meeting Gorbachev (PG) Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Relaxing Thursdays: Guided Meditation (7.15pm-8.15pm) Friday 3rd Bassment - Shakey’s Sessions: The Lunar Pilots + Louise Parker + Megan Rose Cathedral - Lunchtime concert Civic - In the Air Tonight The Compasses - Big Joe Bone Cramphorn - The Peanut Butter Falcon Hideaways - Myopia album release Hotbox - Acid Under the Arches 2 Saturday 4th Alehouse - Record fair All Saints Church, Writtle - Writtle Singers, ‘Made in Essex’ Bassment - Club night CCFC (away) - Oxford City v Chelmsford City Civic - Rapunzel: A Tangled Musical Adventure Hotbox - Magic Seas + The Cult of Free Love + Superdrone Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Saturday Morning Workshop: Guide to Inner Peace Sunday 5th Cramphorn - Chelmsford Jazz Club James Scannell (sax, clarinet), Matyas Geyer (piano), Simon Woolf (bass) and Paul Cavaciuti (drums) Hotbox - Outergalactic Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Chillax: Walk in Meditation Space to Relax and Unwind (1st and 3rd Sunday) Woolpack - GC’s Jazz Club: Zak Barrett & Graeme Culham Trio (8pm) Monday 6th Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) The Church of Our Saviour (Chelmer Village) - Essex Chordsmen Men’s choir rehearsal (7.45-10pm, free tasters - all welcome) Mulberry House (Chelmsford Road, High Ongar, CM5 9NL) Nationwide Christian Trust: Time out with God (10am) Unit 16 (Ekersley Road, Chelmsford) - Judo class (1st lesson free - tel: 07768 364 435) Tuesday 7th Civic - The Take That Experience Cramphorn - Romeo and Juliet Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Inspirational Talk & Meditation: Forgiveness to Freedom Widford Village Hall - Natty Chatty Ladies Club (1.30pm)

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

Wednesday 8th The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: The Georgina Jackson Big Band (£20 via reservation) Civic - The Sooty Show Thursday 9th Bassment - Blues Jam The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Civic - The Panic Awards 2020 Golden Fleece - The Earnshaws Hotbox - Resonance: Open System Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Relaxing Thursdays: Guided Meditation (7.15pm-8.15pm) Friday 10th Bassment - Impious Spirit Live Showcase: Confession Cathedral - Lunchtime concert CCFC (away) - Welling United V Chelmsford City The Compasses - Max Bianco & the Blue Hearts Golden Fleece - Expose Hotbox - Beans on Toast Saturday 11th Bassment - Jar Records Live Showcase Golden Fleece - Ultimate 80s Hotbox - BBQT + Circadioan Sunday 12th Bassment - Feel the Fruit 1st Birthday Party: Love Juice Golden Fleece - The Jam Project Hotbox - Thee Lucifer Sams + Pete Bassman + Amon Acid Monday 13th CCFC (home) - Chelmsford City v Maidstone United Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Strictly Solo (learn how to dance, 9.15am & 11.15am) The Church of Our Saviour (Chelmer Village) - Essex Chordsmen men’s choir rehearsal (7.45pm-10pm, free tasters - all welcome) Tuesday 14th The Black Bull - Free pool Boreham Village Hall - Ballroom and Latin American Dance (classes for beginners & improvers - www.danceasy.co.uk) The Compasses - Charity quiz night Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Inspirational Talk & Meditation: Change Your Perception Wednesday 15th The Chichester Hotel (Rawreth) - Belvedere Jazz & Music Club: Essex Hot Five with Paul Higgs & Ted Beament (£12.50) Civic - Pop Divas Live!

Danbury Sports & Social Centre - Zumba class (10.45am) Golden Fleece - Karaoke Thursday 16th The Black Bull - Half price on main meals all day Civic -The Showstoppers’ Kids Show (3pm) Civic - Showstopper - The Improvised Musical! (7.30pm) Golden Fleece - Quiz night Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Relaxing Thursdays: Guided Meditation (7.15pm-8.15pm) Friday 17th Bassment - Club night Cathedral - Lunchtime concert CCFC - The Hot Rods (Barrie Masters memorial show) + Department S Golden Fleece - Hot Parade Hotbox - Lavinia Blackwall & Stilton + The Recreation + Leo C United Brethren - Emjay Sessions Presents: Brophy’s Law Saturday 18th Bassment - Asylum Takeover: Jellyfish & the Milkmen + Palps + Fielding’s Dream CCFC (away) - Bath City v Chelmsford City The Compasses - Malcolm Bruce (son of Jack Bruce of Cream) Golden Fleece - Sons of Southpaw Hotbox - Something Leather + Stealing Signs Sunday 19th The Compasses - Modern Soul all dayer (from noon) Cramphorn - Jewels Inner Space (124 Gloucester Avenue) - Chillax: Walk in Meditation Space to Relax and Unwind (1st and 3rd Sunday) (4pm-6pm) World Meditation Hour (every 3rd Sunday of the month) (6.30pm 7.30pm)

Writtle Singers Writtle Singers are preparing for their first concert of the new decade and we hope you will join us for this entertaining evening.

Made in Essex is a celebration of music written in and around Essex, from Byrd and Tallis to contemporary settings of folksong, Shakespeare and some crazy (and not altogether flattering!) poems about our very own county.

We hope you will join us for this diverse evening concert that will take place on Saturday 4th April at 7.30pm at All Saints Church, Writtle. Full information and tickets can be obtained from www.writtlesingers.org or call 07815 966 978.

With this event we are delighted to be participating in Essex 2020, a yearlong celebration of science and creativity.

Looking ahead, our summer concert, Algorhythms, will be held on Sunday 5th July at All Saints’ Church, Writtle. Please check our website at www. writtlesingers.org for further details.

Shoes and Shopping Do new shoes and shopping appeal to you? If so please come along to the Inner Wheel Club of Chelmsford Mildmay shoe and shopping morning, which will be held at Keene Hall (Galleywood CM2 8PT) between 10am and 12noon on 2nd May. As well the new range of shoes and sandals from Hotfooted, we have handbags, ladies’ clothes, greetings cards, gifts and lots more. Come along and see this season’s new stock. There will be coffee and our delicious homemade cakes too.

All the profits made at this event will go to our charity, which this year is Brentwood & Chelmsford Multiple Sclerosis Society. Do come along and join us and help support this local charity.

Events listings are all correct as we go to print but may be subject to change due to current circumstances, so please check before you attend.

Please send us your events for the next edition (for events between 16th April to 17th May) to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk

POP-UP SHOP IN BOND STREET

March sees the return to Bond Street of a popular pop-up shop in Chelmsford. The Bearded Gypsy’s Pop Up, also known as The Pop Up Club Ltd, is looking forward to another six-week residency following the success of their Christmas Pop Up last year. ​ The pop-up feature’s over 40 small independent businesses selling a huge range of products from handmade vegan candles, to a large selection of designer clothes, handmade jewellery, luxury pamper goods, prints and much much more.​ ​ The Pop Up Club was founded by Tillie Peel, a woman on a mission.

“With the changing face of the high street, consumers are crying out for something different. We specialise in making the most of public spaces, creating vibrant and unique events that provide much needed platforms to local independent traders and businesses, whilst also offering the consumer an alternative high street experience.”​ ​ Tillie and her Pop Up Club team identify and transform unused public spaces to add cultural and commercial value to the local area. “The aim is to flexibly use empty, potentially dilapidated and difficult spaces imaginatively on a temporary basis, and transform those spaces into attractive, vibrant, and unique community assets. We have a great relationship with the Bond Street team and love the potential the space brings!”​ ​

The pop-up, which launched on Saturday 14th March just in time for Mother’s Day and Easter, will also feature a series of workshops, including calligraphy and flower arranging, as well as free craft and storytelling sessions from local business Fable and Moon, to offer parents an alternative kids activity over the Easter holidays.​ ​ The window is hand drawn by local artist Carmel Green of the Safe Space Studio, and as you enter it feels nothing like an ordinary high street shop. All the furniture throughout - from stalls, shelves and tables - have been handbuilt. The unique layout and large wooden table make the pop-up feel like a hub to work, learn and socialise. ​ ​ Each small business has a small bio next to their products to learn about the person behind the brand, with stories about how they started and what this means to them. The concept shop puts a modern twist on maybe a more outdated unstainable way of shopping.​ ​ The pop-up is supported by Chelmsford For You and you can find out more information about the pop-up and businesses featured on Instagram: @thebeardedgypsystradefayre or @thepopupclubltd. ​ www.thebeardedgypsyvintageco.com​

Tillie Peel, founder of The Bearded Gypsy Vintage Co The Bearded Gypsy is an online and pop-up vintage fashion brand based in Chelmsford.

We also host events, a pop-up marketplace and shops for artists, designers and small businesses in and around Essex.

You can find us online at www.thebeardedgypsyvintageco.com and follow my business journey on Facebook/Instagram: @thebeardedgypsyvintageco @thebeardedgypsystradefayre Page 14

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r fe d f t O ite 5 n e im ÂŁ4 i Cl Unl for w s ) Ne Day shipapply r s 30 mbe(ts &c Me

In need of time for yourself?

Book now Pilates & Yoga Classes & 1-2-1s Pilates, Yoga, Meditation www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk 01245 422556 Reeds Farm Estate, Writtle, Chelmsford, CM1 2ST www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

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Wildlife by Nick Green Hares are most visible in winter from November to March, when unreceptive, near oestrous females are ‘boxing’ to ward off the unwanted attention of males.

Brown hares are indicators of a habitat-rich environment, but there is a threat from illegal coursing, which is the pursuit of hares with greyhounds and other hounds. Hare coursing was banned in the UK by the Hunting Act 2004, so if you should witness this event, please report to the police on 101.

Copyright Glyn Evans February weather was actually wet and windy thanks to storms Ciara and Dennis. We’ll never forget the extensive record flooding in the Midlands.

The brown hare (lepues europaeus) was introduced to Britain during Roman times. Brown hares do best in diverse arable habitats where a range of food is available. Where there are large areas of monoculture, like winter cereals, food is short during the summer.

Chelmsford Library News Are you the person who hasn’t used your local library for some time because you know you have overdue books and charges? Do not fear, from the 1st March to 31st March 2020 we are holding a book amnesty across all off our Essex libraries. Check under your beds, wardrobes and every nook and cranny in case a long lost borrowed book has been lingering there. Pop it back to us at the staff counter throughout the month of March and all fines on it will be waived. As this could mean up to 14 items, it is well worth a search.

Our usual £1.10 charge for a replacement lost library card will also be waived, so March is a great month to get to know your library again. Bring the whole family and take time to discover what Essex Libraries have to offer for all generations.

Essex Selected Wildlife Highlights: The Hythe: black redstart. Abberton Reservoir EWT: 6 great white egrets, 2 whooper swan, black-throated diver, black-necked grebe, 4 scaup, 3 long-tailed duck, ferruginous duck, ring-necked duck, 2 smew, 2 hen harrier. Hatfield Forest: 7 hawfinch. Bradwell BO: Dartford warbler. Wallasea Island RSPB: 3 great white egret, 4 hen harriers, 7 short-eared owls, 5 twite. Rainham Marshes RSPB: 5 Caspian gull, glaucous gull, 4 water pipit, 4 short-eared owls. Lea Valley: 2 cattle egret.

National Selected Migration Highlights: Scotland: white-winged scoter, Ross’s gull. Shetland: Tengmalm’s owl, snowy owl. Orkney Isles: Steller’s eider. Western Isles: Richardson’s cackling goose, snowy owl (St Kilda). Northumberland: black scoter, eastern yellow wagtail. Lincolnshire: Black-throated thrush. Suffolk: Bonaparte’s gull, eastern yellow wagtail. Bedfordshire: black-throated thrush (Whipsnade). Cornwall: Pacific diver, buff-bellied pipit.

at essexlibraries, and on Twitter: @essexlibraries.

Send your events to editorial@itsyourmedia.co.uk for inclusion on to the listings page!

As part of the Essex Book Festival, author Jess Kidd will be talking about her novel Things In Jars. It’s magical story telling from when the world was obsessed with the unusual. This event is being held at Chelmsford Library on Wednesday 25th March at 7pm. Tickets are £7, or £5 for under 27s, and available from Mercury Theatre (01206 573 948) or online at essexbookfestival.org.uk.

Are you looking for a room to hire for a meeting or interviews?

Depending on your requirements, we can offer our private Interview Room on the ground floor suitable for up to 3 people. We also have our newly refurbished Hub Rooms on the upper floor. These are 3 separate modern rooms which can be configured into a larger space if required. Catering can be arranged by yourselves via our Gather and Gather hospitality team.

To check on availability and prices, please email libraries.essex.gov. uk for more information.

We hope you enjoy using your local library. For any information on any of these events, visit libraries.essex.gov.uk, or follow us on Facebook Page 16

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Come and Join the Essex Chordsmen Essex Chordsmen is an all male acappella community, chorus singing in the barbershop style. The chorus meets for rehearsal every Monday evening at 7.45pm until 10pm (except bank holidays) at the Church of Our Saviour, Ashton Place, Chelmer Village, Chelmsford, CM2 6ST. If you want to sing just turn up! You don’t need to read music, you never have to sing on your own and we provide professional tuition. We sing a large range of popular songs including Adele to West End musicals.

All our music resources are online and we give you access with a password. We sing in four part harmony, so there will be a part that suits your voice. You can attend for six weeks free of charge.

Essex Chordsmen recently competed in the Chelmsford Festival of Competitive Music where we won both the Choir section and Barbershop Ensemble section. We have performed at the Mansion House and Drapers Hall in London, RHS Hyde Hall Gardens, Lakeside

Shopping Centre, and venues throughout Essex and beyond.

Essex Chordsmen are members of The British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) who have choruses all across the UK (www.singbarbershop.com). Barbershop singing is now truly international and is sung in over thirty countries, including China and Brazil.

“I get a real buzz from singing in this group, there’s nothing quite like it for raising the spirits!” - Paul (Secretary) “Come in worn out and go home feeling energised and looking forward to next week’s rehearsal” - Dave (PRO) “Come and sing with us; you will be assured of a harmonious welcome.” - Vic (Chairman) www.essexchordsmen.co.uk

Essex’s Country Festival Wins Inaugural UK Country Music Spotlight Award Dixie Fields, the boutique country music festival which took Essex by storm with it’s debut in 2019, won the first ever UK Country Music Spotlight award for the Best UK Festival at the awards on 23rd February. Beating off competition from some huge names such as Country 2 Country, The Long Road and The British Country Music Festival, Dixie Fields took the number one spot at a well attended awards show in London.

dancing as well as a full programme of live music.

Artists already announced for 2020 include The Wandering Hearts, Jackson Michelson, Kezia Gill and The Steel Blossoms.

In the festival’s first year it’s gained multiple award shortlistings, including in the British Country Music Association’s Best Original UK Festival category, and founder Georgie Thorogood being shortlisted for the Festival Woman of the Year award at the UK Festival Awards.

With only one running of the event in the bag so far, Dixie Fields was also voted 11th best out of 145 festivals in Essex in 2019 by the East Anglian Festival Network.

Located on land surrounding Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Dixie Fields garnered great reviews following the event in 2019 and returns for a second time from 10th-12th July 2020. With top artists from the USA joining the highest quality of UK artists, many from Essex, the festival provides a fantastic atmosphere for those wanting a fun weekend of music and attractions. 2020 will see a vintage fun fair, authentic American style street food and a return of the immensely popular line

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Ct History: Faith in the Chelmsford Area Since 1880 (Part Three) - by Stephen Norris Chelmsford Gets It’s Cathedral This article looks at how Chelmsford’s parish church came to become Essex’s Church of England cathedral and Chelmsford’s first three bishops up to and including the Second World War. The first discussion of a proposed Essex diocese came at a diocesan conference at Barnet in 1905, where the Bishop of St Albans asked for the separation of Essex from Hertfordshire. In 1906 a bishopric fund was set up to help with the cost of a new diocese and thirty five pounds had been raised by the end of the year. The town’s two newspapers thought the decision regarding the choice of cathedral town for the new diocese was almost a foregone conclusion. Others saw the issue differently, with the Essex Guardian thinking that Chelmsford came second to Colchester. It was the capital of the county but ‘had little else to commend it’. Colchester was the seat of the oldest recorded bishop and was the largest town in the extra metropolitan Essex. It also claimed to have a donation of £2,000 to go towards the upgrading of one of the churches. West Ham pointed towards the large number of new parishes in East London, whereas there hadn’t been one in Chelmsford. Woodford claimed to have two churches suitable for the cathedral and two houses suitable for a bishop to reside in.

Chelmsford, like Colchester, formed a cathedral committee which was headed by Frederic Chancellor. His son, Wykeham, was also involved and in 1907: ‘father and son communicated with a large number of gentlemen in the county’. Further publicity included a 12 page brochure extolling the virtues of the county town. Chancellor, in a letter to the Church Times, recognised ‘the needs of London over the border’, but he felt that ‘unless the bishop’s residence as well as the cathedral was at Chelmsford, the county districts will hardly recognise that it is an Essex diocese’. Each of the seven applicants sent a deputation of three to a small committee of the executive committee of the bishopric fund, which heard the case of each. 461 parishes in the county were sent voting papers to express an opinion on the issue - of these 383 were returned.

The voting was as follows:

1st preference 2nd preference 3rd preference Chelmsford 191 66 34 Colchester 101 77 38 West Ham 63 91 47 Woodford 13 28 31 Barking 8 25 53 Waltham 6 7 21 Thaxted 1 4 39 After the voting, the executive committee decided, not unsurprisingly, to recommend Chelmsford to be the cathedral town of the new diocese. Chelmsford had to wait a further 7 years to actually become the cathedral town with the final establishment of the new diocese.

A bishoprics’ bill which was necessary for a new bishopric, cathedral and change of diocesan boundaries was held up by the momentous issue of the time, the Parliament Bill. The stress of the delay almost killed the then Bishop of St Albans, Edgar Jacob. Eventually the bishoprics’ bill was abandoned but Chelmsford was included in similar legislation for Suffolk and Sheffield.

The first Bishop of Chelmsford, John Edwin Watts Ditchfield, was ordained late in life. He was brought up as a Methodist and began work as a local Methodist preacher in Manchester and Cumbria. After training for the full Methodist ministry, he found there was no place as a circuit minister. Unable to find a vacancy in the Transvaal he turned to the Church of England. Three years after being confirmed in 1888, he was working as a curate in Upper Holloway. Showing a lifelong tendency to overwork, he was sent on a sea cruise to Egypt and the Holy Land to recuperate. He became the vicar of Bethnal Green in 1897. Watts Ditchfield saw fifteen hundred people confirmed, was a successful fund raiser and was the chair of the local board of guardians. He was convinced that drink was the root of all evil. Apart from his sermons, he became a very effective speaker

for various missionary societies.

Watts Ditchfield was enthroned on St Georges Day 23rd April 1914.

The town had all its bunting out and schoolchildren, all given the day off, waved their flags. His sermon was mainly directed towards the 450 clergymen present in the cathedral but afterwards he mounted the gun in front of the Shire Hall and repeated the same message for the large waiting crowd. This occurrence was also followed by the next two bishops. Redgates on the Colchester Road had been bought by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners as the bishop’s residence.

Like his first two successors, he was on the evangelical wing of the established church. He was against aspects of the high church such as the burning of incense and the wearing of vestments, but said there must be a degree of give and take.

In the early part of his time he appeared to be rather inflexible and appears to have overestimated the power of a bishop to enforce changes on the diocese clergy. His early monthly letters to the clergy showed a rather menacing note to those who showed any doctrinal disloyalty - for example, in denying the virgin birth. He disliked memorials to the fallen in the First War being placed inside churches, but they were still placed there in many churches in the county. In Chelmsford Cathedral itself, a memorial was dedicated in 1921. Like most church leaders he was totally in support of the war, although he was opposed to clergy signing up for war service. In 1917 he said: “We as lovers of peace must resolutely oppose those who argue in favour of a premature peace, which would probably lead to another and probably even more disastrous war in future.”

Watts Ditchfield was disgusted however when certain newspapers started arguing in favour of revenge attacks on German towns after aircraft started killing women and children in English towns. He also considered it ‘a monstrous suggestion’ that Sunday evening classes should be suspended to save gas and coal. By the time he died in 1923 after he had delayed an operation to his appendix, his views had broadened. He still tried to ban whist drives in the diocese as a means of fundraising in the year before his death however.

In his years as bishop, most emphasis was placed on raising money to finish incomplete churches and build new ones, particularly in those metropolitan areas rapidly growing in population. He also established the long-term aim of raising vicars’ stipends, which were often as low as £250 per annum. Watts Ditchfield put a great deal of emphasis on the importance of retreats, using a house at Pleshey, which is still used for this purpose. This frequently put him into conflict with vicars like the diarist Andrew Clark, who was more concerned with his work in his parish. Clark opposed attempts to modernise the prayer book and refused to attend clerical meetings and ‘quiet days’. The Bishop’s evangelical fervour was matched by the principal landowners in Clark’s parish, Great Leighs, namely the Tritton family of Lyons Hall, but Clark tried hard to establish a working relationship with the village’s important benefactors.

Chelmsford’s second Bishop, Dr Frederick Sumpter Guy Warman, had been the Bishop of Truro and was a friend of Watts Ditchfield. His career path had followed a more typical route than his predecessor.

He went to public school, then Pembroke College, Oxford. Although he was only bishop for six years before becoming Bishop of Manchester, he further developed the diocese in its administration and pastoral care and achieved the first significant increases in stipends.

Warman was succeeded in 1929 by Henry Wilson, who was Bishop for over twenty years. Wilson came from southern Scotland and had been to Cambridge before taking an MA in Dublin. By 1934, Wilson was finding it difficult to fill some country livings, with an income of £350 and a large country house to maintain. By the time of Wilson’s resignation the Diocesan Sustentation Fund, which was used for church building and raising stipends, had risen to £50,000. Wilson tried to deal with the problem of how to respond to the Hadow Report on Schools, which meant that new church secondary schools would have to be established. Also, many existing church schools already needed a large amount of repairs. In 1929 it was estimated that the

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diocese needed £125,000 for new churches, £25,000 for new vicarages and £15-20,000 for reconditioning schools. The economic depression did not help, but by 1935, 15 permanent churches, 15 temporary or mission churches and 15 parsonages had been built, along with numerous grants to enlarge church schools.

Wilson took a more realistic attitude to church attendances than his predecessors. The church had to ‘look at things as they exist.

Instead of going to church on a Sunday morning the family get into the car and drive off for the day into the country or to the seaside’. He concluded however that the main reason why people do not observe Sunday by churchgoing is ‘because they do not want to go to church’.

In 1937 however he came out strongly against the new Divorce Act, arguing that religion should have an important role in the issue and that marriage should be lifelong. He felt the inclusion of prevalent cruelty as a possible cause of divorce ‘opened a very wide door’. In the post-war period the issue of re-marriages in church remained a big issue amongst the Essex clergy.

Wilson was very active during the Second World War. He strongly made the case for a Home Guard before one was established and then joined it immediately. When a German plane came down at Bishopscourt, Springfield, a strange tale went round that the Bishop had shot it down with his pistol! He had no doubt that Britain would not fall like France. ‘The fall of France came from within. No doubt the crooked scheming elements now called the fifth column are

Review: Her and the Change in Me Recently, a friend brought me along to this show at The Cramphorn Theatre in Chelmsford, describing it as a ‘one-woman comedy told in four voices discussing the menopause’. As she is in her menopause, I thought I should go along and support her. I am so glad I did. The show is written and performed by real life Essex pub landlady Debbie Baisden. Through the characters and her own hilarious relatable stories, I laughed tall the way through. By the end, I realised how much I had learnt about the subject; there is an educational slant that slots in without the audience even noticing.

For me, the show is a mix of stand-up and theatre with lots of audience participation. It runs for around an hour.

represented amongst us, but they are few in number, many of their representatives are shut up and none of their qualities are typical of our national spirit.’

He was strongly critical of the role of the Pope in both wars: “The Papacy is now as was the case in the last war and indeed always in the past four hundred years, anti-British and anti-democratic.” At the end of 1940 he said: “Had it not been for the miracle of Dunkirk and the victory of our airmen over the German air force it might well be that many of us would have to face a German firing squad or disappeared into concentration camps.”

Like other local leaders he was alarmed at the ‘grave moral collapse of our young people’ and Wilson suggested an 8pm curfew for girls.

Like most religious leaders he regarded the use of the atomic bomb at the end of the war as morally indefensible: “The use of this missile wiped out scores of thousands of young people and women, who were no more a target than are the people who read these words.”

He had no compunction in involving himself in politics, expressing disquiet at the general election result after the war which removed ‘an indispensible leader’. Wilson’s last big speech was on the dangers of Communism where he sought to guard against panic.

Next month’s article looks at Chelmsford’s post Second World War bishops.

In this performance we had the bonus of a post-show Q & A, where after a short interval, Debbie invited Dr Caroline Marfleet an advanced menopause specialist accredited by the British Menopause Society to the stage. The audience were then invited to ask questions.

It was remarkable how easy the space turned into a safe zone forum chaired by Debbie. Through comedy and engagement, the show has a fresh perspective on a subject matter I have never cared to learn about. Although the audience was mainly female, I did see men laughing (They are probably relieved to learn it’s not just them) As Debbie said, it’s a phenomenon that affects half the planet, so of course you are going to know someone who is in it.

Lisa Gregory

The Cookaholics Club at Regal Kitchens 1st April at 5.30pm Award- winning local kitchen retailer Regal Kitchens have been chosen by Neff to participate in an initiative named The Cookaholics Club. The Cookaholics Club is a locally based community of likeminded cooks, friends and food enthusiasts who share the same passion for cooking.

There will be sampling sessions of delicious food as well as a handson workshop to help give you the skills to prepare your own balanced dishes. This is a free event and everyone is welcome, however places are limited, so please email emma@regalkitchens.net to secure your spot ASAP.

Have you always wanted to know how to smoke your own fish? Want to learn about honeybees’s journey from hive to honeypot? Or bake bread with an expert baker?

Regal Kitchens have also recently won the highly sought after Customer Service award from the KBSA.

With the Cookaholics Club you can be inspired by the expertise of local food entrepreneurs with dishes cooked live in store using Neff appliances.

Emma Mcloughlin, Regal’s Business Development Manager, has just secured a date for their next Cookaholics Club meeting on 1st April at 5.30pm at Regal Kitchens, 2 Navigation Road, Chelmsford CM2 6HX, all about healthy eating and nutrition with local personal trainers Sam Blake and Charlotte Borg from SportFN.

SportFN has a very unique USP as it is run out of its own gym called FitBox in Chelmsford, which is an exclusive private based gym. FitBox offers a wide range of memberships to include 1 on 1 personal training, group classes, online support and its very own LEAN programme. Sam and Charlotte are both passionate about helping their clients achieve and maintain their health, fitness and mindset.

Founded in 1978, the KBSA is the only trade association operating specifically for the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom industry, and represents independent KBB specialists.

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!

To find out more information about different events planned at Regal Kitchen’s Chelmsford showroom, as well as details of their accreditations and awards received, visit the website at www. regalkitchens.co.uk.

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Therapy - by Chelmsford Therapy Rooms Hi folks, Jenny here! I’m taking a break this month from writing as we have some very important developments happening with Chelmsford Therapy Rooms that I need to focus on. I’ll update you when I can, but for now I’ve handed the writing baton over to some other therapists at CTR so that you can find out about their approaches.

This issue we have an article written by one of our Nutritional Therapists, Jane Hickey. She’s looking at a serious condition that affects women psychologically, emotionally and physically. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects many women all over the world, here is Jane’s article on this fascinating and serious subject: Today, as I write this article, it is International Women’s Day, with the launch of the 2020 campaign. A key area highlighted in the year’s campaign is empowering women through health education.

In support of that important aim, I’ve chosen to focus on one of the conditions that affects only women’s health.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), you are one of millions of women experiencing the impact of this hormonal imbalance on your physical health and wellbeing. Not only are the symptoms physically distressing, but it may also be having a powerful impact on your state of mind. Although the incidence of PCOS rose significantly in the 20th century, currently there is no cure and no specific drug, but the condition is managed with medications, which may be used ‘off-label’ to address specific symptoms.

The diverse range of symptoms of PCOS vary in severity. Curiously, it is not essential to have polycystic ovaries to have a diagnosis of PCOS and in fact the ‘polycystic ovaries’ are not cysts at all but are immature eggs which have failed to develop. A diagnosis of PCOS is given when other conditions have been ruled out and you have at least two of the symptoms known as the Rotterdam criteria. These are androgen (male hormone) excess, ovulatory dysfunction and polycystic ovaries (detected on a pelvic ultrasound).

An excess of male hormones is associated with acne and hirsutism (facial hair), characteristic of PCOS. The presence of acne or facial hair on skin is difficult to conceal and you may feel like avoiding social situations because of anxiety about your body image. This in turn may restrict your access to the support of a social network.

The diagnosis criterion of ovulatory dysfunction includes include infrequent periods, a lack of periods or a lack of ovulation. Some women with regular menstruation may not ovulate and other women with irregular menstruation may ovulate. Maybe you are having difficulty conceiving or maybe your menstrual irregularity is causing you doubts about your future ability to conceive. Although PCOS is a primary cause of infertility, some women have no problem conceiving and, with support, many women with PCOS are able to conceive and deliver a healthy baby.

As a feature of PCOS is obesity, weight gain is a particular struggle facing many, though not all, women with PCOS. Although the risk of insulin resistance is associated with increased adiposity (fat tissue), the risk is increased for all women with PCOS, regardless of weight.

You may be worried about the risk associated with weight gain and insulin resistance for developing diabetes type 2.

women the excess is activated by dysfunction in the adrenal glands which also make cortisol, a hormone produced in response to stress.

Excess adipose tissue may be the cause of excess androgens for some women. All women are affected by the chronic low grade inflammation which exists in PCOS. PCOS is not only a condition with physiological symptoms, but it also has an impact on psychological and social wellbeing, which may be caused by the emotional distress of the symptoms and concern about long term health risks of the condition. The risks of anxiety, depression and eating disorders are increased in PCOS. If you recognise that PCOS is having an impact on your mental health, there are therapists who can support you.

What Can Nutritional Therapy Offer You? A nutritional therapist will take a holistic case history of your health, to assess your individual needs and develop a diet and lifestyle plan for you. You are given clear recommendations which are explained, to empower you to take control of the diet and lifestyle choices which influence your health and which will contribute to improvements in skin symptoms, weight management and reproductive function.

You can improve your body’s defence systems to protect you against the inflammation of PCOS. Increase your intake of foods rich in antioxidants by choosing vegetables and fruits of all colours. Every day choose one or two portions of leafy green vegetable such as cabbage, spinach, watercress or kale. Add three portions of vegetables and fruits in at least two different colours, such as purple blackberries or aubergine, green broccoli or apples, red onions or tomatoes, orange carrots or sweet potatoes, yellow beets or pineapple, or white mushrooms or parsnips.

Because of the heterogenous nature of PCOS, there is not a single effective diet for women with PCOS and the benefits of generic advice may be limited. Through nutritional therapy, I support women with PCOS by creating an effective personalised plan based on an understanding of the root causes of the condition and a holistic assessment of specific symptoms, to address diet and lifestyle priorities for each individual woman.

Jane is a nutritional therapist and member of Chelmsford Therapy Rooms. If you would like to contact her you can do so on 07504 982 928 or email her at janehickey08@gmail.com. To find out more about Jane and what she offers you can visit her website at www. janehickeynutrition.com, or visit her therapist profile via the ‘Choose a Therapist’ tab on the Chelmsford Therapy Rooms website.

If you’re interested in seeing a therapist, Chelmsford Therapy Rooms has a range of therapists that can help with a multitude of issues, offering many therapies from hypnotherapy to counselling to nutrition. Please see the website at www.chelmsfordtherapyrooms. co.uk, or you can email info@chelmsfordtherapyrooms.co.uk, or call 0330 100 5162.

Although there is no cure for PCOS, it is a condition which can be managed. You can also support your physiological symptoms by diet and lifestyle choices. Insulin resistance is now recognised as a central characteristic of PCOS, and dietary choices are central to improving insulin sensitivity. Dietary choices support weight loss, and even modest weight loss has been shown to improve other symptoms of PCOS, including reproductive function.

PCOS is a condition with complex interactions between hormones, particularly reproductive and metabolic hormones. The root cause of the hormonal dysfunction may vary between women with PCOS. Although excess androgens which lead to the symptoms of PCOS are activated in most women by dysfunction in the ovaries, in some Page 20

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It’s Good to Play!

When you think about boardgames, you probably think about Monopoly, Cluedo and Risk. Or maybe draughts, chess and backgammon. Games that you play on a board, which you fold up and pack away when you have finished.

But actually, the ‘board’ in boardgames isn’t the thing you take out of the box. It’s the table.

Before there were tables, meals were served on planks of wood (or boards) on trestles. This is why a boardroom is a room with a big table. The people who meet about it are ‘members of the board’.

So boardgames are actually tablegames. Any game that can be played on a table is a boardgame - even if it doesn’t include anything we would normally think of as a board. Card games are boardgames. So is dominoes, and mahjong. Any time people get together at a table to be playful, they are playing a boardgame.

One of the things we want to do at Counter Culture Games is make people more aware of just how many games there are available and how many types of games there are. A lot of them don’t have boards at all. Carcassonne, for example, is a game where you build the board as you play by placing tiles. Catan is a game with a modular board, which changes every time you play. Dixit has cards with dreamlike images on them, and the game is about interpreting those images.

What they all have in common is they get people together, sat at a table, talking to each other face to face. In an increasingly digital world, there are fewer opportunities to get together like that.

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So Hum Café - New to Hummingbird PY! By Mandy Haynes On the 1st of February we opened the doors to Hummingbird Pilates & Yoga’s brand new café - So Hum! It is a bright, airy and welcoming space, not just for Hummingbird clients, but those who work on the farm estate and anyone else who fancies popping by.

Serving up amazing coffees, fresh juices, breakfast, brunch, lunch and snacks, there is something to tempt everyone!

I caught up with Catrina, Hummingbird’s ashtanga yoga teacher and the lady behind So Hum, to find out a bit more about it.

Hi Catrina! So, first of all, what does So Hum actually mean?

“So Hum is a mantra that means ‘I am that’ and is translated in vedic philosophy, as identifying oneself with the universe. Hum is, of course, also in the word Hummingbird which is a nice connection to the studio. There is also the saying that ‘we are what we eat’ and so ‘So Hum I am that’ fits well in that sense too. It came to me one day as I drove away from the studio.”

Why did you want to open a café?

“I have always dreamed of running a little café within a place where you could sell books or nice secondhand things. The studio wanted to provide a space for clients and staff that went well with their healthy living ethos and so the café seemed ideal. We wanted healthy food alternatives and as I am vegan we could provide a nutritional plantbased café.”

How would you like the space to be used?

“When I was thinking about opening the café, I wanted to create a community space for clients and staff to come and have a quiet space, place to chat and gather, to feed the body and mind with nurturing foods and drinks. Of course the café is open to those outside of the studio as well - everyone is welcome!

Ingredients: 225g soft dry medjool dates 60g almonds 60g cashews 2 tbsp maple syrup 2 tbsp melted coconut oil 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp chia seeds

1. Place cashews and almonds into food processor and give it a quick blast until nuts are small.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend together until you have a sticky paste.

3. Place in the fridge for about 20 minutes.

4. Then take 1-2 teaspoons of the mixture and roll into balls.

5. You can leave plain or roll in coconut or cacao powder for an extra treat.

Enjoy! www.hummingbirdpilates.co.uk

April/May Issue Deadlines: Articles - 1st April Artwork - 9th April

“There is also the possibility of the café being used by small local groups, such as book clubs. (If this is of interest to anyone, please contact us).”

How do you choose the menu?

“I wanted to cook different foods that work well with the seasons, to feed our bodies properly, as I feel that this is something we have lost quite a bit. So nice warm, grounding foods and drinks in the autumn and winter months, along with cakes and treats made from fruits and berries at harvest. In the spring and summer months we will be serving lighter, energising foods; more watery fruits, juices and smoothies.

“My aim also is to be as eco and efficient as I can with the food that I buy, making sure everything gets used up and nothing goes to waste. When I was planning this week’s menu I asked myself ‘what do I have that needs to be used, and what can I make with it?’. The result of this was a Mediterranean orzo salad, with homemade beetroot hummus and falafel. What I love about orzo pasta is that you can cook the pasta and then add anything that needs to be used up and serve it with a lovely amount of good quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh parsley - delicious!”

When it’s the café open?

“The current opening times are Monday and Saturday 9am-2pm and Thursday 10am-2pm. I also open on Wednesday for a couple of hours after the Mother & Baby and Postnatal Yoga classes so that the mums and babies can gather there.

“On days that the café isn’t open you can still treat yourself.

Choose a piece of cake, cookie, piece of fruit or protein ball and leave the money in the honesty box. Honestly so good!”

Finally, could you leave us with a recipe for your favourite energy ball?

“Below is the recipe for my date and nut energy balls.”

Page 22

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Spot 10 Differences (answers on page 31)

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Quiz Time - by John Theedom (answers on page 31) 1.

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What is a billet-doux?

If you are suffering with ‘agelast’, what are you unable to do?

When did Freddie Mercury die?

In the world of darts, what do the initials PDC stand for?

What exactly is a fosse?

Which american state is Jack Daniels whiskey commonly associated with?

In which year did Kylie Minogue have her first hit with I Should Be So Lucky?

In the 1990’s film Home Alone, how old is Macaulay Culkin’s character?

Stonehenge is in which English county?

A tallit is a fringed shawl in which religion?

In our modern world, what is ‘AI’?

Which word refers to the ancient right to cut peat for fuel?

A cover version of which Elvis song gave the Pet Shop Boys a number one in 1987?

What was Mr Biro’s first name?

What was Elizabeth Arden’s real name?

What is baleen?

For what purpose would you use an assegai?

Who famously sang Hello Dolly?

What was Dr Who’s robotic pet called?

What was the birth name of the American singer Cher?

Who was the singer of the song The Streaker?

What is ling?

23.

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How many masts does a brigantine have?

Which group released a debut single Wannabe in 1996?

Where will you come across a tarn?

Which year was the musical show The Wizard of Oz launched?

Neil Kinnock had a son who was MP for Aberavon, what is his name?

How did the playwright Joe Orton die?

When was the first BBC broadcast of Top of the Pops?

Britain has recorded the hottest December day ever, what was the actual temperature (in C or F)?

Who was the famous lady who did the first publicised entertainment broadcast for the Marconi Co? In cloth measurements, how many inches are there in an ‘ell’?

What is the meaning of ‘al fresco’?

What is the title for a person who trains hawks?

How many witches are there in a coven?

Who wrote the novel A Town Like Alice?

Who is the host of the TV game Britain’s Brightest Family?

Which word is common to wine and flowers?

Who is the absolute head of the Vatican City State?

What is the capital city of Wales?

The Chelmsford Festival Returns to Light up the City The city of Chelmsford will be alive with the sights and sounds of carnival this summer as the Chelmsford Festival returns from 13th June - 5th July 2020.

Kicking off the festival will be a celebration of radio at the Marconi Gala which will mark 100 years of radio. Commemorating the first radio broadcast, which was made in Chelmsford, there will be a series of special events on 13th-14th June to mark the technological breakthrough.

music will fill Central Park when In the Park turns up the volume on Saturday 27th June. Headlining will be ska/reggae band The Dualers who will be fresh from celebrating their recent top ten album, plus From the Jam, featuring original Jam bassist Bruce Foxton. Neville Staples, a founding member of The Specials, will also be fronting his own ska band.

The festival will culminate on 5th July with a special ‘green’ carnival which will take to the streets of Chelmsford. Revellers are encouraged to don a pair of roller skates, push a trolley, hop on a go-kart or create a new mode of transport and celebrate the city’s ingenuity and reputation for engineering excellence. Tony Morrison, the creative director of the festival explains: “Chelmsford has not held a carnival for a long time, so we want its return to be bold, exciting and kind to our environment. We’re looking for community groups and businesses to get with the party spirit, add some colour, noise and razzamatazz, and come along to celebrate and be part of the city’s culture.”

The carnival is also looking for people to get involved at all levels, Tony says: “We are looking for participants across the board, if you can paint, juggle, dance, bang a drum, walk, in fact anything, and you want to be part of this fantastic carnival atmosphere, then please just contact us.”

The festival will also include an art trail, special performance of Beyond the Microphone at Chelmsford’s Civic Theatre, the return of the much loved 3foot People Festival for pre-schoolers, and Essex Pride, which will celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Live

The Chelmsford Festival is supported by Big Wave PR and Essex 2020 and funded by Chelmsford City Council, One Chelmsford and Arts Council England.

If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring the carnival, then visit www.chelmsfordcarnival.co.uk. To find out more about the whole Chelmsford Festival, visit www.chelmsfordfestival.org.

www.chelmsfordthecitytimes.co.uk

Page 25

Local Arts for Art’s Sake - by Kenneth Louis Shepherd There are probably less art works which depict Essex views that most other counties. It is less dramatic than many areas of our nation and evan artists who have Essex roots often travel elsewhere to gain inspiration. An artist named Ivon Hutchins produced a work named Landscape Essex in 1946. To my mind it looks much too turbulent to portray our peaceful county.

We also have a watercolour drawing by Edward Ardizzone which shows Southend as it was in the 1950s. It is bright and lively and truly captivates the atmosphere of that place at that time.

A local professional painter named Harry Tate created many watercolour works which relate to Maldon where he was based.

One such hangs in the library in Maldon. Another is upon the wall of my home. It was presented to my late wife by Colin Osbourne upon her retirement from employment with the now famous Maldon Salt Company.

Dozens and dozens of ‘Sunday painters’ must have created works which relate to the beautiful views at Finchingfield, yet I think it is incredible that, to my knowledge, no leading artist has ever done so.

I have seen many fine works of art produced by amateurs that focus upon views of Maldon. They are of a very high standard.

Many of the works of John Constable have an Essex look about them although they are created over the border in Suffolk. The terrain is similar, as was the then lifestyle of its people in that era.

The only work of his that was produced in Essex, which I am aware of, is a watercolour and pencil drawing of Feering Church and Parsonage

created in 1841. He came here to undertake a portrait of a local big wig’s daughter which he reluctantly undertook. The man involved was one General Rebow who was a close friend of the artist’s father.

Constable was a friend of the Rev WW Duffield who was based in Feering, and while here he decided to produce the above mentioned work. He set up his easel in the nearby village of Southchurch and viewed it from there. The reverend was delighted with it and had it framed and it was hung in his drawing room. It is now in the Wentworth Art Gallery at the University of Manchester.

I feel that people like me who have chosen to live in a county unlike those who were born here have a greater right to boast about their connection than those who originate here. The famous artist named Elsa James who moved to Southend from London falls into that category. Her Forgotten Black Essex and her Black Girl Essex are interesting. Last October she had an art exhibition at the First Site Centre in Colchester.

I have seen an interesting work showing a stranded boat called Waiting for the Tide to Turn by mouth painter Mariusz Maczka which could be Maldon Essex but it isn’t.

The fact that this piece is shorter than those which I have inflicted upon you month after month supports the ideas which were expressed in the first paragraph. Perhaps you will know of such local works of a high standard which I have so far overlooked - If this is the case then please do let me know!

Big Smiles as Channels brings Art Participation to the People With the huge interest in art now being shown on television, budding artists will be encouraged to put brush to canvas at an innovative new event at Channels in Little Waltham on Wednesday 18th March when professional artist and qualified art teacher James Mackenzie hosts his Art & Sip night as the first in a series of events for both adults and kids, following a hugely popular inaugural Kids Arts Party during the February half term.

Having gained a fine art degree, James worked as a portrait artist before going on to teach art in secondary schools. Throughout his career, James has continued to paint both landscapes and his signature portraits which capture the extremes of human emotion. Now, with his runaway success at Channels, he is delighted to make his sessions in Essex a regular feature. James says: “I love to teach, and I’m so excited that we have booked in art classes for the rest of the year. Art should be for everyone.”

Art & Sip, which capitalises on the rising popularity of painting, will be an opportunity to mingle with fellow painters and enthusiasts, soak up instruction from a recognised artist and create a painting to take home. Following the massive success of the first Art Party, a complete schedule of new dates for all ages has now been confirmed.

Kids Art Party Available for ages 7-12 (£20 per child). The event includes an art class making a mosaic on canvas led by James Mackenzie, a drink and a biscuit plus a hot lunch. Adults receive a complimentary tea or coffee in the Brasserie.

All double sessions running at 10.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm4.30pm.

April 8th, 15th (Wednesdays) - Easter holidays May 27th (Wednesday) - half term August 3rd (Monday) 12th (Wednesday) - summer holidays October 27th (Tuesday) - half term Adult Art and Sip Cost is £45 per person and events run from 7.30pm-9pm.

April 22nd (Wednesday) May 20th (Wednesday) June 16th (Tuesday) July 15th (Wed) August 5th (Wednesday) September 16th (Wednesday) October 20th (Tuesday) November 18th (Wednesday)

“We’re not putting pressure on anyone to produce a masterpiece,” says Channels manager Katie Squire, “this is an opportunity for everyone to have a go or improve their painting skills. We are running the Kids Art Parties as a series of double sessions timed to fit in with holidays and half terms. There will be a cooked lunch/dinner for the children and we would suggest that they turn up in clothes which will survive a hot wash! We supply the paints and the canvas. The adult evening sessions will feature a hot buffet of delicious home-cooked food and a glass of Prosecco, which should encourage the release of those creative juices!”

To book this event, please visit www.artandsip.co.uk.

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D E N

O P T

S O P

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them I say: thank you and keep doing what you’re doing.

“Gloria’s work is invaluable in helping those who continue to be affected by poverty and she is a very worthy recipient of one of this year’s awards.”

Chelmsford Rotarian Recognised for Outstanding Volunteering in National Awards Gloria Nichols is being honoured by Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland with a prestigious Champions of Change award.

Champions of Change are part of Rotary’s Champions Awards, which are held annually to recognise the outstanding and inspirational humanitarian and community service of volunteers from around the country.

Gloria lives in Chelmsford but is actually a member of Brentwood Breakfast Rotary Club because that was where her employment was based. She is among just 12 winners who will receive their awards at a ceremony in Birmingham on Saturday 2nd May as part of Volunteer Expo - the UK’s new national show to inspire people to get involved in volunteering.

Gloria Nichols (left) with District Governor Pauline Dean announcing the results of her Mary’s Meals Backpack campaign

Mary’s Meals is a wonderful charity providing one good meal to some of the world’s poorest children every school day. Gloria has been instrumental in promoting and supporting Mary’s Meals’ Backpack Project across Chelmsford and Essex and beyond. She has coordinated efforts to provide school backpacks, kitted with everything a child may need during a school day, including educational items, clothing and water bottles.

This year over 200 backpacks were sent overseas to children receiving Mary’s Meals, particularly in Zambia. Mary’s Meals have expressed their grateful thanks to Gloria for all her incredible efforts.

The search for this year’s winners was carried out across Rotary’s vibrant network of over 1,700 Rotary clubs, with Rotary members and also members of the public having their extraordinary work recognised. This ranged from fitting prosthetic limbs on amputees in Pakistan to supporting adults with learning difficulties to gain employment opportunities.

Donna Wallbank, the National Rotary President said: “The Champions Awards is about giving those who pioneer, lead and support some amazing volunteering projects the recognition they deserve.

“The selfless and truly life-changing impact of our champions really demonstrates how we can make a difference and touch people’s lives.

“Rotary is certainly a place where people can turn their passion and ideas into lasting change. There are so many heroes out there and to

The award to Gloria is all the more extraordinary as she has herself suffered serious illness for a number of years and is reliant on dialysis three times a week. She has never made this a barrier to supporting other worthy causes and, like many Rotarians, she gets herself involved with all sorts of good causes. You will see her at the Brentwood Half Marathon on 15th March, not fit to run but still doing worthwhile tasks to help others along the way.

Gloria added: “I am actually overwhelmed to receive this award. Many club Rotarians do extraordinary work and so to be recognised as one of just twelve people in the country is amazing. I have to thank all the members who put my name forward.”

For more information about Rotary’s Champions Awards visit: www. rotarygbi.org/events.

It is interesting that this will be the first year of Volunteer Expo at the NEC in Birmingham. It is a public-facing event where voluntary organisations will have the opportunity of talking to the general public, to enthuse them to get involved. Admission is free and there are numerous high profile speakers throughout the three day programme which is from Friday 1st May till Sunday 3rd May. The show will include a 1,000 seat arena for speaker sessions with celebrity campaigners, an exhibition of 100 leading charities and over 40 interactive workshop and learning sessions. I must stress that you do not need to be a Rotarian to attend.

As part of this Volunteer Expo experiment, the National Finals of three Rotary Youth Competitions will be held on the Saturday and Chelmsford hopes to be represented.

One of our young vocalists, Ryan Wuyts, sponsored by Chelmsford Rotary Club, won through to the Regional Final in Cambridge which will be held on the 21st March so we wish him good luck.

Ryan Wuyts winner of the District We are also supporting our Young Musician Final, for vocalist instrumentalist district winner at Chelmsford Cathedral Justin Man from Bishop’s Stortford. They both performed magnificently at Chelmsford Cathedral recently to win their respective categories.

Chelmsford didn’t have any winners in the other two competitions, but as a district we will be cheering on our budding young chef and our senior and intermediate debating teams in the Regional Finals for Youth Speaks and Rotary Young Musician and hope they also progress to the national finals at the NEC. The winning Young Chef at the National Final last year did come from one of the clubs in our district, so a proud record.

The reasoning behind V Expo is to encourage volunteering across the whole sector, not just Rotary but it presents a chance to see Rotary in Action and hopefully may make you take the step of coming along to a Rotary meeting. Of course, you needn’t travel all the way to the midlands to find out about Rotary. You would be welcome at any of the clubs in Chelmsford and across the district, or just to get your toe in the water visit www.rotary1240.org, or call me using the good old fashioned telephone on 01245 260 349.

Stan Keller

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Stargazing with Mark Willis - March/April 22nd/23rd April: The Lyrid Meteor Shower usually tends to peak around these dates. The Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded meteor showers. According to some historical Chinese texts, the shower was seen over 2,500 years ago.

Camelopardalis is a large constellation and is fairly easy to locate in the sky by looking NW and then up 45 degrees. The space probe Voyager 1 is moving in the direction of Camelopardalis, though it will not be nearing any of the stars in this constellation for many thousands of years, by which time its power source will be long dead.

2nd April 1957: The first ever Sky at Night, presented by the late Sir Patrick Moore, was broadcast on BBC TV. 4th May: Mercury is quite a challenge (even I’ve only seen it once!)

However, tonight will be the best chance to see Mercury it is very faint compared with Venus.

5th/6th May: The Eta Aquarids is one of two meteor showers created by debris from Comet Halley. Sadly, this year is not favourable as it’s too low and it’s too near the nearly full moon. Worth pencilling in to next year’s diary when observing this will be very favourable.

7th May: Super Flower Moon (aka called Full Flower Moon by native American tribes). It is the fourth consecutive Supermoon in 2020. Its distance is 224,429 miles (361,184km).

Mars is getting brighter over the month moving from Capricorn into Aquarius.

New Moon: On 23rd April & 22nd May there will be a new Moon. This means the skies will be extra dark which is a great opportunity to see planets, galaxies and deep space objects.

As usual, email me with any questions about stargazing or the show.

Mark Willis presents Lite Bites every Tuesday at midday on Chelmsford Community Radio.on 104.4 FM and online throughout the world. www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com mark.willis@chelmsfordcommunityradio.com

Chelmsford Window Gallery Presents...

Founded in June 2018, the Window Gallery aims to make the view on Broomfield Road more interesting by giving local artists a space to display their work. We display a different exhibition of local artists every month.

room and it was kept under wraps until the morning of his birthday.

When he saw the mural he changed back into his pyjamas and got back into bed so that he could spend time with Scooby Doo! (Also, I get to paint life-size tigers!).”

What inspires you?

“Generally I’m inspired by other artists, whether they work in watercolours or oils, large or small.

Figurative art - from comic strips to landscapes - inspires me.

That is what makes being part of the Chelmsford Creative Collective important, I am able to see what other

Featured artist for March 2020 is Keith Hollingsworth of Murals by Wallworx: Who are you and what do you create?

“My name is Keith Hollingsworth and for about ten years I have been painting murals under the name of Murals By Wallworx. My work adorns the walls of private homes, schools and commercial and public places.

“The Creative Process: Following an enquiry I generally discuss ideas based around the theme chosen by the client. If the mural is to feature established characters such as those from a book or film, I research the characters or the client supplies images they would like reproduced on their walls. This is more likely to be the case with children’s bedrooms. If the theme is more expansive I will suggest ideas and produce ‘visuals’.

local artists are producing.

“It’s fabulous to see people’s wishes materialised, and in over ten years of painting murals I haven’t had a client whose expectations weren’t exceeded! So that is inspiration in itself.”

“For example, with the Four Seasons mural, the client’s initial idea was for a woodland scene, however I suggested that as the wall was so long (17 metres) it could be divided into the four seasons which made it more interesting.”

What’s the best thing about being a mural artist?

“Although I paint murals commercially and there are financial rewards, I get great pleasure from the reaction of the clients to the finished work. I painted a child’s bedroom with his favourite character, Scooby Doo. He slept in another room while I painted his

Murals by Wallworx can be found at: www.murals-by-wallworx.co.uk and on Facebook.

Coming up next at Window Gallery: April: Lynn Excell Exhibition May: Writtle University College Exhibition www.windowgallery.org

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