Moulsham Times - November 2024

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Delivered to 9000 homes and businesses monthly in Old Moulsham, Tile Kiln & Moulsham Lodge - Issue 143 - November 2024

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MT Welcome Hi readers, Welcome to the November edition of Moulsham Times.

The December issue will be our last issue of the year, so if you have anything Christmas-related to add, then that is the issue for you!

We have a few new advertisers this month: on page 5 there’s the fantastic Middleton’s Steak House & Grill who are offering a discount voucher, and on the same page, if you are considering an extension on your home we have Robson Everett who can help out with all things regarding planning and design!

If you would like to advertise in this magazine, please contact us for prices and also for distribution details. We can then send over all the information you will need.

Regards Paul Advertising & Editorial Paul Mclean 01245 262082/07595 949701 paul@moulshamtimes.com Disclaimer: It’s Your Magazines Ltd publish the Moulsham Times.

The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of It’s Your Magazines Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of It’s Your Magazines Ltd. Reg Co No. 12080535. Printed by Warners (Midlands) PLC.

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Chelmsford - By Marie Goldman MP

Sunday 12th October was 100 days since the general election. A lot has happened since then, so I wanted to give you a summary of just some of the things I’ve been up to since the lovely people of Chelmsford elected me as the first non-Conservative member of Parliament for 74 years (and the first liberal for 100 years!).

flew into my tent. One of them managed to get trapped between the bedroom inners and the outer canvas of the tent. Out of sight of the camera, my amazingly supportive husband was desperately trying to guide the tiny bird out to freedom. It was comical, but did make me realise that this is a side to the life of an MP that very few people ever get to see - trying to fit things in at all hours of the day, in sometimes strange locations.

July July was a bit of a whirlwind of emotions and, if I’m being brutally honest, not actually as fun-filled as you might expect. Following the general election on Thursday 4th July and the count that lasted into the early hours of the morning of 5th July, I had just a couple of days to get used to the idea of being an MP before heading straight into Westminster on the Monday morning. That first week was a melee of meetings, interviews, inductions, briefings, sessions in the House of Commons chamber, receptions, and not very much sleep. Which might all sound fun, but it came off the back of many months of hard campaigning and then six weeks of very intense activity after Rishi Sunak called the election. I’ll admit that by this point I was exhausted.

I remember taking an urgent call about Visa issues from my brand new (but very experienced) Senior Caseworker as I sheltered from the rain, having just stepped off a boat onto a quay to wait for onward transport to continue my journey home from holiday. As I commented about the situation, she told me this was often par for the course for MPs.

But there was a HUGE amount of work to do. Not least learning how Parliament works on a day-to-day basis and, of course, working out what staff I need and advertising for the roles.

Meanwhile, I was receiving hundreds of messages through every possible method of communication every single day. I joked that it became a bit of a game of whack-a-mole - no sooner had I dealt with emails in one inbox than several more appeared in another one.

When I turned my attention to that one, more came into the original one. And so on and so forth. I know that the vast majority of new MPs were in the same position and, as I have said before, that’s a terrible experience for MPs, but an even worse one for constituents.

Something had to be done as it was clear that I was never going to be able to catch up, let alone keep on top of that volume of correspondence (and don’t get me started on the paper-based stuff that includes regular copies of the newspaper China Daily that I never asked to receive, don’t want to receive, but can’t somehow seem to unsubscribe from! That ‘something’ was recruiting staff; so very early on I put together job descriptions for the key roles that I knew I needed to fill to get me going and I set up adverts.

In July, I (and some amazing volunteers who helped me out) put 728 emails into my caseworker system (helpfully called Caseworker, which also had to be bought, set up, and learnt). From that, we created 337 pieces of casework on issues as diverse as education, universal credit, immigration, crime and social care.

In the House of Commons, I attended the King’s Speech at the state opening of Parliament (I was lucky enough to be able to squeeze into the back of the House of Lords as the King delivered his speech), had various different meetings and attended debates in the chamber.

Back in Chelmsford, I met with representatives from organisations including the NHS, Essex County Council, Chelmsford City Council, and the police. I also attended various community events, including with one of the Chelmsford-based Hindu groups. I also recruited two members of staff, although both of them had notice periods to give in their previous roles.

August Parliament was in recess for the whole of August and yes, I did go away with my family on a camping holiday that had been booked for the better part of a year. But I took my laptop and there was hardly a day when I didn’t spend some time trying to deal with urgent emails.

On one memorable day I was holding online interviews via Teams all day. Just as the first interview was about to start, two little sparrows

In August, we opened 407 cases and dealt with 606 emails received through the casework system (although this is by no means the total number of emails I received, not all of which end up in Caseworker).

September September was the month where I really started to get going on parliamentary business. I delivered my maiden speech in the House of Commons and spoke in a Westminster Hall debate about special educational needs (SEND). I was the Lib Dem spokesperson in a general debate in the chamber about building safety, where I included examples of fire safety issues from right here in Chelmsford.

I attended Lib Dem conference in Brighton where I spoke about the importance of extra-curricular activities and, yes, SEND, at a panel debate. I met with ambassadors and dignitaries from Israel, Japan and Austria and had meetings with several different organisations, including Greater Anglia, the British Medical Association, the Music Venue Trust, the Post Office, Lloyds and the Salvation Army.

Back in Chelmsford, I viewed the impressive progress at Beaulieu Park Station, walked around the nearly complete new Beaulieu Health Centre and visited Farleigh Hospice. I also spoke with residents about outstanding remedial works on their flats and met several parents of children with SEND. In September, my small team received 1,048 emails into Caseworker, created 655 new cases and sent 609 emails. Again, this is just in the Caseworker system, and doesn’t include the many, many bits of correspondence outside of that. Please bear with us. I’ve got a genuinely fabulous little team, but we’re only human and haven’t yet been able to invent the power to add more hours to the day, so we’re still playing catch-up. If you need to get in touch and your matter is urgent, please send an email to marie.goldman.mp@parliament.uk and mark it as urgent in the subject.

October At the beginning of October, Parliament returned from conference recess. I’ve been getting stuck into my new roles, which now also include being the Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House of Commons. I’ve been raising issues in Parliament such as funding for local infrastructure projects including the Army & Navy and the A12 widening scheme.

I’ve also met with ambassadors from the Middle East to hear their thoughts on how the awful conflict there could be resolved. Among other things, I’ve visited local schools in Chelmsford and discussed future plans with the Essex County Cricket Club. I attended a Youth Voice day at ARU to hear what young people what politicians to do to help them feel safe and I’ve been out on patrol with Essex Police in the local area. As I type this on 20th October, so far this month, my team have received 414 emails into Caseworker, created 173 new cases, and sent 381 casework emails.

Thanks for reading.

Marie

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Regal Kitchens Case Study Mr and Mrs C are professional caterers, and were keen to replace their existing kitchen with a new one that was robust and could accommodate their cookery needs.

They consulted the high street chains but felt they couldn’t offer them the bespoke level of design they were looking for.

Living nearby and watching Regal’s new showroom being built during 2023, they thought it would be worth visiting to gather ideas and see what potentially could be possible in their space. After being impressed with the depth of knowledge and enthusiasm shown by the showroom staff, they asked to see a designer to start the transformation process.

They found the design meeting easier than they envisaged; the designer listened carefully to their ideas, as well as making his own suggestions which were gratefully received.

In keeping with their background, storage, appliances and the work surface were important decisions to be made. They opted for a chef’s pantry with internal electrics to house their smaller baking appliances and air fryer as well as some clever corner storage solutions and larder pull-outs to help give every item its own dedicated area in this busy family kitchen.

Careful positioning of the range cooker allowed for a 2-metre run of work surface, meaning catering for their large family is easily achieved. The large range cooker in conjunction with the NEFF Slide&Hide oven and combi makes cooking multiple meals simultaneously convenient and super fast - and as their kitchen leads onto an open plan space of living and dining room, they asked if we could include a glass shelved unit to keep memorable keepsakes

visible for their family and guests.

Mr and Mrs C love vibrant colours but were unsure if using a dark Laurel Green for the entire kitchen would feel too imposing, so they opted for a Bleached Stone solid wood shaker door on the majority of the kitchen units, reserving the richer colour for the tall furniture along one wall.

The white quartz worktops, herringbone wood-effect flooring and exquisite tiling really gives this kitchen the wow factor.

Mrs C said, “From the moment we stepped in to the Regal Kitchens’ showroom we were amazed by the design display and felt that it perfectly aligned with our aesthetic. Moreover, we were welcomed by diligent and polite staff who not only answered all of queries but also gave helpful suggestions to our kitchen’s layout and design.

“Thanks to the Regal Team, I have a kitchen that I can be proud of.

Many thanks and keep up the good work!” #whereclientisking

www.regalkitchens.co.uk | 279a Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, CM2 8LU | Where Client Is King 6 www.moulshamtimes.com

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The Shire Hall - By Malcolm Noble

‘Shire Hall is Chelmsford’s best building, thoroughly civilised.’

(Pevsner guide to Essex).

John Johnson was an architect employed as county surveyor of Essex. He was asked to design a building suitable ‘to answer every public purpose’. His plan envisaged a building in the classical style, with a Portland stone façade with three ionic columns. A distinctive feature was the addition of three Coade stone carvings representing justice, wisdom and mercy. The building has three court rooms and there are cells in the basement. Shire Hall was opened in 1791 and has dominated the top end of the High Street ever since.

Elected county councils were formed in 1888. In 1889, the first meeting of the newly constituted Essex County Council took place in the County Room, where all manner of civic events and private functions have taken place over the years. However, the departure of the Crown Court in 1982 and the Magistrates Courts in 2012 have led to Shire Hall standing empty and little used from April 2012 until now.

As owner of the building, Essex County Council considered possible ways forward. They appointed the developer Aquila to bring forward plans for the future of the building. However, Aquila did not obtain planning consent and subsequently withdrew from the project.

Chelmsford Civic Society had long argued for a community-led proposal that would ensure the preservation and restoration of Shire Hall. Last year, the City and County Councils worked together on a project that would bring momentum to aspirations for Shire Hall. This was the pedestrianisation of Tindal Square.

In August 2023, a charitable trust was formed with the aim of taking

over Shire Hall. Accordingly, an application for charitable status was submitted to the Charity Commission. This was successful.

Thus, the newly formed Essex Shire Hall Trust became a Charitable Organisation (ESHT).

The ESHT’s objectives are: •

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The preservation and restoration for the public benefit of the historic Grade 11 listed building known the Shire Hall Chelmsford and the education of the public in its heritage and the heritage of Chelmsford and the county of Essex.

The advancement of the arts for the public benefit through the public display and exhibition of painting and artwork of artistic merit at the Shire Hall, Chelmsford.

To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in Chelmsford and the surrounding area in the welfare recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their condition of life.

In October 2023, Essex County Council granted ESHT exclusive rights to prepare a business plan and terms of a lease. This had to be completed by the end of July 2024. In the event, the plan was submitted one week before the deadline.

At the same time, Architectural plans were prepared and presented to the City Council. ESHT had to secure planning consent. A preapplication review led to a positive response.

In my next article, I will provide an update on progress and give details of public consultation.

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MT Gardening

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The latter part of October has turned out rather well for gardening. Yes, its cooler and we have had a little rain, however, the autumnal colour from a myriad of plants has been spectacular. Plants such as Rhus typhina (stag’s horn sumach), Japanese maples, and late blooming dahlias and asters have been a joy. Whilst I was enjoying the colour display in a customer’s garden, I had noticed that the water in the pond had dropped. On closer inspection, it had sprung a leak! The dreadful truth was that I would have to do something about it sooner rather than later.

I would usually deal with plants in the spring in order that they benefit from the increasing sunlight and temperature when it comes to removing plants or splitting and dividing aquatics. The recovery period for the plants tends to be quick and there is minimal disturbance for anything else present. However, when deer rampage through your pond, which happens to be constructed from a butyl liner, there’s nothing for it but to save what you can and redo the liner or repair it. If you experience this, or have a pond leak, there is a process to follow to help minimise the impact on the plants and other life forms in the vicinity.

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If removing plants, leave them on the side of the pool for a few days in order that any fauna can gently slip back into the water.

Once this has been completed, compost what is to be discarded and check if anything needs repotting.

Planting in containers also helps prevent the plants from becoming too large and invasive. Aquatic containers have wide, flat bases to provide stability in the water, which is important for tall marginals on narrow shelves. They also have open lattice sides, allowing water and gases to circulate through the soil.

The container should be lined with close-weave polypropylene sheeting or hessian to prevent the soil from seeping out, although very fine mesh containers that eliminate the need for a liner are also available. Containers range in size and it is important to make sure there is sufficient room for root development.

Keep plants in the water from the pool as this will be teeming with life. Use any watertight container around. I’m currently using old sinks and large storage bins.

Now you are ready to drain the pond and either fix holes or replace and install a new liner. I’ll keep you up to date with the next article on my progress. In the meantime, check out this RHS link to pond care www.rhs.org.uk/ponds/care.

Other tasks to do in the garden: • Keep an eye out for cold snaps and be prepared to bring in tender perennials to overwinter. If you want to keep that new tender fuchsia, heliotrope or pelargonium, it would be wise to bring in now. I tend to take them out of the ground, if in a display, and pop into a porch or in a greenhouse clad with bubble wrap and keep watering to a bare minimum.

Any in free standing pots, bring the whole display in if space permits, and regularly remove any dead or diseased leaves.

• Collect leaves for leafmould.

It’ll take around 2 years to develop a very friable crumbly well-rotted mix, although I have found that it is usually useable much earlier than this. Pop leaves into bin bags and add a few holes, then store behind a shed if space is at a premium.

Alternatively, make a square or round frame from chicken wire or similar, supported at the corners or at intervals around the circle with stakes or bamboo canes. Locate in a sheltered part of the garden to ensure that the leaves are not blown away. Make your leaf heap as large as possible to hasten decay and moisten it periodically if it becomes dry.

• Keep food supplies up this winter by sowing corn salad, land cress and oriental salad leaves such as komatsuna, mibuna, mizuna, mustard and rocket. These will provide cut-and-comeagain leaves through the autumn and winter if covered with a cloche, coldframe or fleece.

Check out this RHS website for other garden jobs to do late this month and next www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/november.

Happy gardening For any gardening tips please contact Tom Cole, Freelance Horticulturist and online tutor (www.learningwithexperts.com) by email at tomcole8@hotmail.com.

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Halloween Clear Up After the Halloween festivities have come to an end, it’s essential to consider the impact on our environment and community. Beach School Explorers are organising a post-Halloween litter pick to give back and ensure that Old Moulsham remains clean and tidy.

Costumes, sweet wrappers and decorations often leave a trail of debris that can harm local wildlife and rivers. By gathering friends, family and neighbours for a community cleanup, you not only help preserve the beauty of our neighbourhood but also foster a spirit of community and environmental responsibility.

This edition of the magazine came out 31st October so if you have received it swiftly we look forward to seeing you on Friday 1st November at 10.30am at the underpass at the top of Vicarage Road to litter pick, get some sustainable crafting ideas for your litter and learn more about protecting the ocean! lisa@beachschoolexplorers.co.uk

This collective effort can transform the post-Halloween scene from spooky to sparkling, leaving everyone with a sense of pride in their community. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to continue the Halloween fun by dressing up in costumes while you clean!

Here is how Halloween contributes to plastic waste and solutions to be more sustainable: 1.

2.

3.

Sweet Wrappers: Most Halloween sweets come individually wrapped in plastic which end up in landfills. You could buy sweets in bulk and distribute them using compostable or reusable containers. Alternatively, offer biscuits or cakes.

Costumes: Costumes can be made from polyester, which is derived from plastic. Often, these are worn only once and then discarded, contributing to textile waste. Buy your outfits from charity shops, swap with friends or make your own costumes by upcycling existing clothing or make them from cardboard or waste materials.

Decorations: Decorations are commonly used and thrown away after Halloween. Try making your own lights from jam jars and tin cans. Make paper or cardboard decorations. Use leaves and pumpkins and make delicious pumpkin soup after.

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Nick Garner’s Music & Ramblings Not long to go until we start another year. To me, it only seems like yesterday that we were in the 1900s.

So much has happened in the past 24 years. I lost my love Margaret, and my two grandchildren were born.

I also started these magazines and got back into my music in a bigger way and worked for some charities. I also got old at 71, but I am still doing the music and stuff as normal. We have also had the pandemic with covid.

It has to mentioned again, the weather; though I am so glad I am here and not in Miami, as some of my friends over there have got away scott-free, while another couple had just a little damage, thankfully.

I don’t know your thoughts on the clocks going back and forth, but I do not think we need be doing this anymore - let’s hope that it stops before too long.

What is your opinion on fireworks? Again, my view is that they are too loud and go on for far to long including into the festive season.

When I was a kid I think it was a little different, they were not so loud and they seemed to be more organised. I know many of my age will likely agree. Why can we not have more silent fireworks? These days, they can terrify many humans and animals, both wild and domestic.

Fireworks should only be use in organised events in my opinion. Well, that’s the end of my rantings for now!

There is stuff beginning to happen for the festive season already. I have noticed some lights going up in town and we have Enlightened coming up in Hylands Park. It is magical to see, and not only for the children but for us over-grown kids as well! I have been to Enlightened for the last few years and always enjoy it. This year, I believe it starts at the end of November and goes on until 1st January.

The Chelmsford Museum seems to have quite a lot going on as well; have you seen the tree giveaway that the council is doing? Although the 1,400 may have gone by now for this year.

In Moulsham Street where Boots used to be, I see a new store is opening soon, so lets wish them luck. As far as I know the night club called ‘44’) is doing well. Bar Plus Essex is having a few problems sadly, but not of their own doing. They are running a place that is welcoming to all as well as the LGBTQ community. It is somewhere that is needed in the city I think and they welcome all in there.

Farmer, conservationist and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty has taken on an important new role as Visiting Professor at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). Jimmy is the much-loved presenter of programmes including Jimmy’s Farm, Jimmy and the Wild Honey Hunters, Jimmy Doherty in Darwin’s Garden, Jimmy’s Global Harvest, Museum of Life, Jimmy and the Whale Whisperer, Jimmy’s Big Bee Rescue and most recently Jimmy and Shivi’s Farmhouse Breakfast. Alongside his wife, he runs the popular Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park near Ipswich, which he has farmed since 2002.

Jimmy studied animal biology and entomology at university, and part of his role within ARU’s new Writtle School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Sciences will see him help to inspire the next generation of farmers and scientists.

In conjunction with Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, ARU will run joint education and research projects, which includes plans for a new PhD studentship in conservation.

ARU is home to approximately 40,000 students across a range of courses and campuses. After ARU merged with Writtle University 12

College in February of this year, the 370-acre campus on the outskirts of Chelmsford became ARU Writtle.

With an impressive reputation for animal, agriculture and horticulture courses, ARU Writtle features a campus farm that’s home to sheep, pigs and cattle, an Equine Training and Development Centre featuring stables and riding arenas and a state-of-the-art Canine Centre including hydrotherapy clinics. In total, there are around 200 different species at ARU Writtle, including reptiles, birds and small mammals.

Jimmy said: “I’ve had the incredible honour of being Chancellor of Writtle University College, and I’m thrilled that my connection with Writtle is continuing following the merger with Anglia Ruskin University.

“To be involved with Anglia Ruskin University is a real privilege. There are so many strong connections between the work that I do and the fantastic research and teaching taking place at ARU Writtle, so I can’t wait to get started in my new role of Visiting Professor, helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, farmers and conservationists.

“Science is obviously really important in young people’s education, but it’s vital to this region’s economy, bringing in billions of pounds in sectors like medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture. And also looking into the future of dealing with this climate crisis, it’s going to be the scientists that come up with the solutions.

“It’s also exciting to be taking up this role at ARU at the start of the Chelmsford Science Festival, as the theme of this year’s festival planetary health - aligns so closely to my own values of protecting the environment to allow everything to thrive.”

Professor Laurie Butler, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering at ARU, said: “We are immensely proud to be welcoming Jimmy Doherty to his new role within the university.

“Science and innovation have inspired Jimmy throughout his career journey, and we know that his knowledge, expertise and personal experiences will help to support and influence students across disciplines including the life sciences, animal behaviour, agriculture and conservation.”

Music As ever this is my bent sadly, I do not get to go to lots of other gigs as I always seem to be busy or just tired. I did get go to Zoot Money’s funeral the other week which was a good send off. I also saw some old friends there too and it was good to catch up with them. One, Dave Kelly of the Blues Band, has been booked to play for next year.

On a further sad note, it was very sad to hear that Matt Long of Catfish who was just 29 when he lost his battle with cancer, but I was sadly unable to make his funeral. Catfish first played for me in 2016

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for the Blues in the City Festival in Black Horse in Moulsham Street.

They soon outgrew such places and Matt and band went on to win many awards.

I have been to few gigs recently, at Barleylands Blues and at Hot Box. I also have been busy booking shows - to name a few, Chaz Jankel & Michael Messer, Leddra Chapman, Martin Turner and FM (who’ll be playing an acoustic tour). More info will follow in the next edition, or see the next City Times.

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

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

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

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

It would also be fantastic if you could share our magazines The City Times and Moulsham Times for us; just go to the websites for the online versions.

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Non-Spoiler Film Reviews - By Henry Godfrey-Evans Beetlejuice Beetlejuice People give Tim Burton a lot of stick, but his style is so unique.

The central characters were so boring and forgettable it actually irked me, it was my main motivation to record my review the next day.

It’s basically as zany and playful as films can get and it’s hard not to squeeze out a few laughs in this, even if it’s not your sort of thing.

It also has that fun Halloween feel to it; the music and the props actually get you feeling ready for the holiday.

It was also far too long for what it was, and I heard this story is actually meant to be a mini series. So the pacing must have been truly bent out of shape.

Catherine O’Hara was brilliant value and Michael Keaton put Jim Carrey levels of energy into the role. This just creeps into the rank of...

Terrifier 3 I imagine there aren’t many gore fanatics flicking through the Moulsham Times.

Never Let Go Think of A Quiet Place and then try and remember if you enjoyed it. If you did, then this is probably one for you.

If you are, then you probably enjoy the art of making these disgustingly violent, violent scenes look real, or maybe just fun and slapstick - that, it did do well.

To be honest I did spend a long time thinking it was just a gimmick.

This one being: ‘You mustn’t leave the house without a rope around your waist, or else the evil will get you’.

The clown was also very creepy, especially in the opening, and the opening in this was superb.

However, there were drastic decisions and exciting moments that gave it the unique flair it badly needed. I haven’t thought about it much since, but I remember loving the experience.

Megalopolis This film (and the one below) has made many headlines for being pure rubbish, which is always fun for a reviewer because any morsel that I end up enjoying is a bonus.

The enjoyment came in spades in the early parts - the comedy was genuinely brilliant in an ‘are they joking or being serious?’ kind of way.

However, the film gained momentum and the confusion built. I started to wonder if it suddenly and consciously decided to stop being hilarious and instead start being philosophical. By the time I got to the home stretch I was begging for it to end - and good endings matter.

Joker: Folie a Deux The Joker is a fascinating character and one we only learn fragments about despite the hours he has enjoyed on our screens over the years, played by many different actors.

As another page in his anthology, it’s incredibly interesting and full of depth, but it definitely took me some time to spot much of what the film was saying. I think most people turned up to watch this and turned hostile quite quickly and I’d suggest that many reading this would be the same.

I’d perhaps only recommend this to people who adore the character and want to see more perspectives. I really enjoyed it, especially upon rewatch.

Transformers One Another one I’d suggest for superfans. It takes us through the beginnings of Optimus Prime and Megatron, and for me this was fascinating as someone who only ‘sort of knew a bit’ about the Transformers universe.

Fundamentally it did seem very vapid, and the sadism made me feel very uncomfortable. But then I remembered that is what some people like, and so I begrudgingly gave it a few extra merits.

The Apprentice A magnificent Donald Trump impression by Sebastian Stan, and I mean proper, not the exaggerated ones that comedians do.

It had a lot of intrigue to it, as a lot of biopics/true crime media tends to attract. We’re interested in watching things that (mostly) really happened.

However I did struggle to find it that exciting. Things happened, sure, but there’s something about great biopics that tap into some magic.

This felt a little ordinary.

The Wild Robot Proper tear-jerker. It begins with a robot crash-landing into an island, and it’s built to complete tasks and assist households, but instead it stumbles around the jungle looking for a purpose.

I thought it was a wonderful ride. It’s a film that I think will turn mothers into an emotional wreck, I’m not a mother myself, but I found myself feeling every ounce of the impact.

What’s more the animation was exciting and the jokes were fun.

Unmissable as far as family films go.

Smile 2 It’s doesn’t stray too far from the modern horror style that some people dislike, lot’s of prolonged tension followed by jump-scares.

However I think this film proves that such a formula isn’t inherently bad.

Those long periods of tension are very strong and it does leave you shuddering when you experience it in an immersive cinematic environment.

The creepy smile thing that the characters do could be seen as a cheap gimmick, but it works.

It was a bit childish in most ways, but positively so. Packed full of thrills, storytelling and deep-voiced actors. It get better as it continued on too.

Overall, it’s a relief that films like this exist in the current horror climate.

Salem’s Lot A very old school interpretation of vampires. They had bright yellow eyes and skin that had a saturated blue hue. The result being ‘quite creepy’ - and those were the positives.

Authors note: I also film my reviews and upload them on my instagram. My username is Henrygodfreyevans. henrygodfreyevans@gmail.com

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The Theatre Connecting Our Community - By Cllr Charlene Adutwim

This month, I had the pleasure of attending a performance at Chelmsford Theatre with Cllr Jennie Lardge, the recently appointed Deputy Cabinet Member for Cultural Services. We were there to watch the much-anticipated hit show Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of). Fresh from its acclaimed run in London’s West End, where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, this audacious and hilarious retelling of Jane Austen’s classic love story did not disappoint.

It’s moments like this that truly highlight Chelmsford’s growing prominence in the cultural world, as the theatre continues to host a wide array of professional, national tours, alongside local talent and family favourites.

there will be a pre-show talk to introduce the sights and sounds of the performance to the audience, helping to ease any anxieties they might have. This kind of initiative demonstrates the theatre’s commitment to performances that are welcoming for everyone, and it’s heartening to see our local venues forming partnerships that create inclusive spaces.

As Cllr Lardge and I discussed the various offerings at Chelmsford Theatre, it became clear that this venue is about so much more than the shows that take place on stage. It’s a place where people come together, where creativity is fostered, and where everyone is welcome to explore their own talents and interests. Whether you’re attending a West End hit like Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), taking part in a backstage tour, or watching a sensory-friendly performance of Seussical, Chelmsford Theatre is a place where the entire community can feel a sense of belonging.

As we sat in the beautifully renovated Chelmsford Theatre, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far this venue has come.

For over 60 years, Chelmsford Theatre has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural scene.

Originally known as the Assembly Hall, the theatre began life as a multi-purpose venue and it has since evolved into a cultural hub that serves both local residents and visitors alike. The addition of the Cramphorn Studio in the early 1980s provided a space for more intimate performances, and the recent makeover has breathed new life into the frontof-house spaces, ensuring that the theatre remains a vibrant part of Chelmsford’s heart for many more years to come.

During the intermission, I had the opportunity to learn even more about the theatre’s past and its exciting future. I was introduced to Megan Crisp, Chelmsford Theatre’s new Creative Engagement Officer, who shared her enthusiasm for the wide range of opportunities the theatre offers the local community. Beyond its fantastic line-up of performances, there are backstage tours, lunchtime concerts, improvisation workshops, and stage makeup masterclasses. These events aren’t just for the professionals - they offer everyone in Chelmsford a chance to engage with the performing arts, whether as an audience member or as a participant. Megan also told me about the theatre’s work with local schools, encouraging children to take to the stage themselves, helping to nurture the next generation of actors, musicians, and artists right here in Chelmsford.

One of the things I’ve always admired about Chelmsford Theatre is its commitment to inclusivity, and this was reinforced when I spoke with Kate Diaz (formerly Kate Heavenor), a Scottish actress and television presenter who now calls Chelmsford home. She is passionate about making acting and theatre more accessible to everyone in our community. We had a wonderful conversation about Seussical (an upcoming musical presented by Springers) that she is involved in, which will be performed throughout November. What makes this production particularly special is that it will include a Sensory Adapted Performance - the first of its kind by an amateur company in Essex.

Kate explained that this adaptation goes far beyond the traditional ‘relaxed performance’. It has been specifically designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable theatre experience for neurodiverse individuals, or those with sensory sensitivities or behavioural expectations that might make attending a typical theatre performance difficult. Technical effects will be softened, the theatre will operate at half capacity to ensure extra space for those who need it, and

It’s this same sense of belonging that also drives Chelmsford City Council’s wider cultural strategy. By investing in spaces like Chelmsford Theatre and supporting initiatives that make arts and culture more accessible, the council is ensuring that culture and leisure are not just available, but actively welcoming to all residents.

Whether it’s the physical bridges we’re building, like the one across the River Chelmer that I discussed last month, or the cultural bridges being fostered at Chelmsford Theatre, our city is making real strides in creating connections that strengthen the community.

Cllr Charlene Adutwim Liberal Democrat charlene.adutwim@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk City Councillor for Moulsham & Central Chair of Policy Board Equality and Diversity Champion Skin

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15

Ignite Member of the Month:

Vignesh Vyas

Each month, Nikki Wilson interviews an Ignite Member, asking five simple questions, to find out what creativity means to them, and how they see culture and creativity, and its potential, in Chelmsford.

This month Nikki talks to Vignesh Vyas.

How would you describe what you do?

I would say I’ve got multiple sides to what I do. So I’m a filmmaker.

One part of what I do tends to be directing short films, music videos, feature length films, documentaries, all of those sides of things. I tend to usually write, direct, edit and do the cinematography for my films. Most of these films are produced through AV2 – a company where the co-directors are my brother Mahesh and myself. So that’s one part of what I do.

Then there is what I call the brand films – so I create and tell brand stories. And that could be individual stories, but also companies, brands, etcetera, so it’s not an advertisement, but it’s more about trying to tell why they’re different. So you might have, I don’t know, 10 entrepreneurs, but each entrepreneur’s vision and journey would be different. They might be having the same business or same kind of business, but what makes each of them unique? So I try to tap into that and tell their story in a very cinematic way.

And then I’m also an occupational therapist, and I specialise in mental health, and as part of that, and as part of my research, I’ve also worked towards what’s called therapeutic filmmaking, which is very much looking into using filmmaking to help individuals, to enable independence, so helping them with goal setting. Now, if I’m to speak about therapeutic filmmaking, it’s very much trauma informed, but it’s not trauma focused. So usually, most art therapy, or any kind of psychotherapy related work tends to be trauma focused, whereas mine is very much trauma informed, and it’s more goal focused. It’s very much looking at, okay, this is where you are, now where would you want to go or want to be – say in 2 years, 5 years etc…? Can we make a film on that? So I teach some skills about making a film on that particular individual’s journey and we then make the film.

That’s in a way, also bringing in the whole aspect of visualisation and helping individuals, you can say, manifest, which is sometimes considered as quite cheesy or cliche, but that’s in essence, what I try to do. I also work as the operational lead for the Mid Essex Recovery College, where I have a fantastic team that we work with, and we coproduce and co-deliver free mental health courses.

And who, or what gives you creative inspiration?

It’s very hard to pinpoint to just one, but I was really fascinated

by filmmakers like Terrence Malick, and I really liked his method and work. At the moment, I’m very much fascinated by an Iranian filmmaker who sadly passed away. His name is Abbas Kiarostami, and I love the way he makes films, and have been really inspired by his way of filmmaking. I’m also into the other filmmakers such as Scorsese, Nolan or Spielberg. Also there are Indian filmmakers like Satyajit Ray and Mani Ratnam. Over the last couple of years, I can’t necessarily say inspiration, but I’ve been drawn towards Jungian theories and Jungian studies, and very much kind of going into that aspect as well, which has opened up a really large avenue, for example, exploring the works of Ingmar Bergman, the filmmaker, and also Andrei Tarkovsky. Their films predominantly look at one’s psyche and truly exploring that. So that’s something that I’ve really gone into as part of my creative process.

Whenever I write stories or anything, I’m very much, I would say, musically led. So I’m not a trained musician, I don’t play any instruments, I don’t sing, none of that. But I really listen to a wide range of music. So, for example, scores by Thomas Newman, or there is a band called Hammock or Indian composers like A.R. Rahman, and both Western and Indian classical music really inspire me. And if I’m to go into books again, there’s a wide range that inspire me. I’m a huge fan of Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho,so, yeah, these books inspire me to tell my stories.

I’ve often noticed that what inspires me, or draws me the most in telling and listening to stories – that help us understand how someone becomes who they are. So it’s kind of that ongoing journey and what their life lessons are, and how they get to where they are.

So it’s very much drawn by that. So I kind of delve into listening to as many stories as possible. I’m always willing to listen to stories, and I’m also a keen storyteller.

If you could try any new creative or cultural experience or practice, what would it be?

I’m really picking up street photography again. I’ve very much been into photography, and really want to do it. As part of being a cinematographer, working with images has always been there, but I had stopped taking photos for quite a while. I’ve now restarted that, so that’s something I’m exploring at the moment and really getting into that.

I mentioned the director Abbas Kiarostami and his works, and he very much has a docufiction model. My films have usually been either based on true stories, or inspired by true stories, and sometimes it’s plain, straightforward documentary. However, I’m really going into this whole Docufiction side, getting real life individuals, let’s say, for example, if someone’s a carpenter, actually making them act and creating a story around their real-life scenario. They might not be an actor, but really directing them to act, and then making a film around that, whereby there is this real thin line, which kind of makes you wonder, okay, is this a documentary, or is this a fiction? And really kind of questioning that, but seeing it in a very, again entertaining or cinematic way. So, yeah, that’s, that’s something I’m trying to explore at the moment.

What excites you about creativity and culture in Chelmsford?

The more I kind of start exploring Chelmsford, what’s fascinating is what’s out there and untapped. I currently live in mid Essex but the creative side flourished for me personally after I started my role as the Operational Lead at Mid Essex Recovery college, which led me to get in touch with the Art Place and the Ideas Hub, and that just opened up these whole avenues of the creativity that’s out there.

From the street art to the amount of creative individuals that you walk past, for me, it’s a very fascinating place.

This may be deviating a bit from the question, but if you were to ask me, what are a couple of places that really inspire me, in Chelmsford I would certainly say the Art Place but another is the Oxfam bookshop next to Caffe Nero, and that, to me, is like a gold mine, and where I

16 www.moulshamtimes.com

tend to get a lot of inspiration. Also places like Chelmsford Museum,, I just love exploring there.There are also loads of amazing little cafes, which are again underrated, that are brimming with creativity and inspiration, and that’s just great. One example being Fête Grays Yard in Chelmsford.

And again, I’m not trying to promote it, but in my full time role working with the students who attend the Recovery College, we often very much say at the start of the course that “as much as we are here to teach, we are also here to learn from each other. We want to break that barrier about us being experts”, and that genuinely has been happening, whereby I’ve learned so much from the students – which has helped in my personal, professional and creative life. Now that has been truly inspiring. Learning from the students has helped me develop my thought processes and introduced me to things that I’m unaware of.

What would you like to see in Chelmsford that isn’t here yet?

What Ignite’s doing at the moment, I think it’s very much needed.

I did not know about Ignite, so when I came across the website, I was like, “why aren’t more people aware of this?” I think this is very much needed, a one stop shop where everyone can come together, know about each other, which is great. I’ve been really going through all your blog posts and stuff, and it’s just great to see the amount of talent that’s there.

I’ve been told, and I don’t know, I need to do more work on this, but I’ve been told that there is no Film Club in Chelmsford, so I think that’s a very interesting idea. We don’t have the licence to show

any mainstream films as part of the Recovery College, we do do film screenings, but then it’s mostly films available on YouTube – so it’s mainly short films.

Other than that, personally I think it’s an untapped territory at the moment, and I think with initiatives like Ignite and Culture Chelmsford and what the Ideas Hub is doing, and I also have to mention the CVS as they’re doing a lot of great work in the area. I think if everyone comes together, I do believe that would really help. The thing is not everyone knows each other, there are all these different things that are happening and slowly building up but I only came to know about the Sounds Good Festival maybe a week before that was going to happen. So I feel there is a need for more collaborative opportunities, more avenues to help pass on the messages and also for people to know and support each other. There’s a line in the song ‘Hero’ by the band Family of the Year – which is “everyone deserves a chance to walk with everyone else” – that’s it – that’s what I would like to see in Chelmsford.

Have a look at some for Vignesh’s work: Trailer for ‘The Long Walk’, currently playing at festivals and features a number of actors from Chelmsford - https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=rq2D6vaSFEo Vignesh Vyas brand video - https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qeS2-NAzaoY Music video showreel - https://vimeo. com/366599387/1a2275e5a1

The Singing Chef How to make a simple red onion chutney...

Method Fry: 3 large red onions or equivalent in 3 tablespoons oil.

have more and more gigs, and so feel it is time to pass my over gloves on to a new writer, I have thouroughly enjoyed writing for the Moulsham Times over the last few years!

Add: 3 tablespoons of sugar untill soft and sticky (20-30 minutes).

Stir in 3 tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar and take off the heat and store in a jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Trust me and add this to your next pizza or toastie - it’s a game changer!

It’s also supergood with cheese and a great basechutney to get experimental with before Christmas.

You could even give them as gifts.

Without trying to sound too ‘Jamie’, try adding raisins or spices like cinnamon, or fruits like apples or pears for a real Christmassy flavour.

I had a sourdough toastie with cheese and chutney, but it would have been even better with a homemade soup as well!

Next issue will be my last due to my workload in my day jobs. I also Remember to tell our advertisers you saw their advert in the MT

17

St John’s Moulsham - By Benson Hello my pawsome chums! I’m so excited - it’s nearly the start of Advent and I get to open my Advent calendar and have an extra treat each day - doggylicious!

to look really pretty with all the candles lit, and the Christmas story is going to be told in an interactive way. It should be so much fun. Plus, there’s refreshments afterwards - which is what a doggy stomach always wants to know.

This year is going to be my second Christmas, and I am looking forward to everything the season brings. Especially as I am now a fully grown pup, I get to appreciate it a lot more.

As I am now a big pooch, I want to take part this year - especially in the Nativity Story. So, I’ve been trying to find out about what animals appear in the Christmas story. My human told me it would not be right to have a dog portray Joseph… which I just think is dogist.

There’s so much going on over Advent, time really flies and before I know it, I’ll be opening the last door of my Advent calendar, hanging my stocking up, and preparing for Santa Paws to come.

At the beginning of Advent on Saturday 7th December, I’m going to St John’s Victorian Christmas Fayre. My human tells me St John’s on Moulsham Street is a Victorian church which opened in 1837. I doogled (doggy Google) ‘dogs’ in 1837. I was amazed to see that the Victorians loved their dogs and used to dress them up with big bows.

I asked my female human for a big red bow for the day to look like a Victorian dog and she said yes - I am going to look so handsome.

Then on the 8th December, St John’s has a family Christingle Service, where everyone gets to make their own Christingle and learn what each part means. Having paws, I find it hard to make and dogs need to be careful with oranges as it can upset our tummies. So, I’ll need lots of help at this service - which I’m sure I will get if I look cute.

The service I am really looking forward to is on the 22nd December which is St John’s Family Carols by Candlelight. The church is going

Though the gospels don’t mention any animals specifically, we can make a guess at what animals were around at the time. I was planning on being a donkey, but then thought I might be a bit small.

So, I have decided to be a sheep instead and my human has agreed, so I’m practicing my ‘baaaing’ though it’s coming out like a ‘baoof’ at the moment.

But as much as I’m looking forward to all the activities and food over the Christmas period. The thing I’m most looking forward to is spending time and seeing the people and animals we love and giving them all a doggy treat and watching their faces beam as they pat me on the head thanking me. But though the giving of gifts to each other is a human invention, it all began with God, who gave the biggest gift of all - his son, born in a stable and watched over by lots of animals including a dog (maybe!), who grew up to give his life for all of humanity.

Have a wooftastic Advent!

Paws for now, Benson

Grove Road Evangelical Church In the early 1960s, when I was young, one of my older brothers became interested in astronomy. He decided he needed a big telescope to study the universe with.

What better way than an advert in a national newspaper! The advert was printed, and my brother eagerly awaited the flood of replies. But, week after week, none arrived. The months went by. Still nothing!

Then, one morning, finally, a letter arrived. It was from a man who had a big telescope that he wanted to pass on to someone who would be able to make use of it.

One evening, some months after the advert was published, this man decided to visit his local fish and chip shop. In those days you often got your fish and chips wrapped up in old newspaper pages. As he unwrapped his purchase when he got home, something caught his eye. He spotted the word ‘telescope’, read the advert, and replied. So my brother got his big telescope at an absolute bargain price.

Was it coincidence that the man wanted fish and chips that evening?

Or that they were wrapped in the very page containing the advert? Or that he happened to notice the advert? Lots of coincidences!

Or was something else - or someone else - involved? In the Bible you will read these words: ‘The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.’ A good modern metaphor for casting lots might be you roll the dice. You roll the dice, but the outcome depends on God. Yes, God is at work even in the seemingly trivial things of life, in all those seeming coincidences. Come and find out more about the God who created the universe and who governs it every second.

We meet on a Sunday at 11am.

Philip Loose, Senior Pastor Grove Road Evangelical Church (Behind Tesco Express, Moulsham Street) www.grecuk.co.uk pastor@grecuk.co.uk 18 www.moulshamtimes.com

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19

Life at Moulsham St Luke’s...

This month, we celebrate the highs and lows of life as together we Remember. First, we remember the heroes of the two world wars, people who fought bravely and did not count the cost.

remembering this year will be for the places in the world where there is no peace, we pray that fighting will cease and negotiators will sit around the table and plan for a peaceful future.

Did you make it to our People of the Green concert, and Variety concert last month? They are great fun, and are a chance to showcase local talent, do come and join us at our future concerts.

Last month, we also held our first service celebrating our Grandparents and Grandchildren service, which was wonderful; we thank God for grandparents, so important in family life.

On Saturday 30th November at 4pm, we will join together to remember people in our families who have died, do join us for our annual Farleigh Hospice Light up a Life service.

For those with more energy we have our ADVENTure event on Sunday 1st December starting at 2.30pm - an opportunity to do some crafting together as we get ready for Christmas - leading into our carol service at 4pm. The afternoon will be suitable for all ages and we would love to see you there.

But there were many more heroes that we often forget: doctors and nurses, the stretcher bearers and the many animals who were caught up in it all too. We sing songs of Remembering (‘O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come’) and have shivers down our back as we hear the bugle sound the Last Post - we remember. Part of that remembering is a hope and a promise that we will never again experience the pain and suffering of long-term war. Part of our

Are you a quizzer and do you have a brain full of useful and useless knowledge? Then come along to our fundraising Quiz Night on Friday 22nd November at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are £5 per person, teams up to 8 people, and all are welcome whether you come on your own or as a team. For more information or to book a place, please email moulshamchurches@gmail.com. It should be fun and will help us push the total up for the roof - we are getting there. God bless you, Remembering.

Reverend Canon Stephanie Gillingham St Luke’s Church, Gloucester Avenue, Moulsham Lodge, CM2 9DT www.stlukemoulshamlodge.co.uk Facebook: @stlukesmoulshamlodge

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Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. As I write this, the weather is wet and quite cold, and I had to check the time this morning, as it was so dark.

Never mind.

We went abroad last week - to Wales!

We visited some friends who live in Abergavenny, a lovely market town just over the border. Like many of us, I am aware of the controversy over the 20mph limits in that country and experienced these on our visit. Now, I am all for slowing down in built-up areas, and do try myself to keep to a low speed in areas where they may be people around, especially children, and will do my best to drive at a speed that is appropriate.

But, being driven round the countryside last week, I was made aware of the disruption this causes. The main road into Abergavenny from the A40 is a dual carriageway. No houses, no junctions and, so far as I could see, no pedestrians and no bends. The speed limit was 70mph, but now is down to 50. Now, even if you agree that this is a good idea, and I do hope it saves lives, every other car on the day we used it, was passing me at speeds of 60 to 80. I am not exaggerating.

It felt like I was standing still, so what is the point of having a speed limit if nobody seems to adhere to it? As for driving on country roads at 20mph at regular intervals, it is very distracting to drivers to try and keep to the limits. I do hope they do not increase the number of these limits in England. Certain areas, around schools for example yes, but everywhere, I’m not sure...

Talking of going away, I am finding that the list of things I must take is getting longer and longer. Yes, clean clothes, washing bag and perhaps a couple of books, but now I have to add my medication after making sure I have sufficient to cover the time. This is now in an increasingly large bag and never seems to fit anywhere in the case.

To that add phone chargers, iPad chargers, hearing aid charger and on it goes. All this takes extra planning and, guess what, I still always forget something!

garden when I saw a tiny bird, maybe a finch, fly at full speed into a bush. Then, following closely, was a magpie, giving chase. As the finch banked round to go into its hiding place, the magpie missed it and almost flew into our neighbour’s wall. It cheered me up for sure, one up for the little guys.

Around the world, some interesting stuff is being reported. In June, a waxwork of President Abraham Lincoln melted after temperatures soared in Washington DC: ‘The head went first, then one of his legs dripped off its torso and a foot turned into a blob’ said the BBC. A wax head is being prepared to be reattached to the statue this week, local media has said. I started to think of which leaders who I think are a bit of a drip. I stopped thinking when I got to 55! I think that for some of them, a replacement head may be a good idea, so waxworks, if you have any spare, send them over...

I don’t mean this as a political view, but I find it interesting that the efficiency of government departments has been criticised for sometime now, although I think it has improved recently, but they were able to send out the changes to the winter heating allowance in a very short time after the announcement. Mmm! I have been doing quite a lot of driving in the last few weeks, including journey’s on the M1, M4 and the M25. I have got to say that it can be a bit scary. When I was working, I travelled up and down to the A12 most days and it was sometimes a bit frightening. However, motorways are something different. On some stretches, there are chevrons painted on the lanes and a sign suggesting that you should keep two chevrons between you and the car in front. If you obey this, it is inevitable that a vehicle will be right behind, within a couple of metres. Does nobody else see the markings or are they a figment of my imagination? As for undertaking, this is commonplace and the drivers seem to think that if they put on their indicators they can just pull out. Annoying. Just don’t get me on the subject of drivers who don’t seem to see the lane closed in road works. Moan over.

Bin End Chuckles I went to a pet shop recently to buy a spider. I was told that one cost £25. I said, I won’t bother, I can get one free off the web...

I asked the hotel reception to give me a wake up call. They said, you look a bit overweight and could do with some exercise...

Stay well and look after each other.

Candle Recycling Point

Tons of wax ends up in landfill every year from old wax melts that has lost its smell, candles that don’t smell as expected, candle odds and ends and those ones that don’t burn correctly.

This month’s animal news: Now, here’s a story I would not have expected to mention. Apparently, there has been increasing incidents of homing pigeons not getting home! This has resulted in the RSPCA having to collect the errant birds from people who have found them, the birds either having being genuinely got lost or exhausted, so that they can be rehoused, so to speak. It also seems that some owners don’t claim them as they can no longer afford to feed them. I have a slight problem with all this, as I thought that all racing pigeons have rings on their feet, with the owners details stamped on them. Perhaps the ones that get lost are not racing, but have just wandered out for a quick bit of exercise.

Anyway, all this reminds me of my dad, who once told me he knew a person who made a fortune selling homing pigeons from a market stall. By the time he made his money for the day, the birds were back at his home to be ‘sold’ again next week! My dad was a bit of a joker!

As I was writing this, I looked out of window that overlooks our back www.moulshamtimes.com

Throw them away no more instead drop them into Inlustris Gifts at 158 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford where they have a big box just awaiting to be filled and sent off to The Recycled Candle Company where the wax is sorted, cleaned and melted down to create new candles.

They will take any wax in or out of containers as they will be recycled as well.

If you loved the container your candle came in and want to keep it to repurpose it after the candle has burnt away, then simply fill the container with boiling water and leave to cool. This will make the wax rise to the surface and easily be removed. Then wash it hot soapy water and remove the labels and you have a fabulous container to use again.

21

CCR Latest News Our team of presenters have been out and about in the city again, attending careers fairs at Boswells and the William De Ferrers schools. Also, we recently took part in the Chelmsford Science Festival at the Anglia Ruskin University campus. It was an honour to attend the festival launch and bring along our German work experience student Lennard who has come all the way from our twin town, Backnang.

At the festival, we were delighted to be sharing a sneak-peak on the science of sound - offering interactive activities such as making sound effects or creating radio content. We also made lots of new friends and acquaintances along the way, sometimes inviting other participants on air. What an amazing time and as ever, we were touched by people’s kindness, pleased to meet listeners and share our vision of building a fantastic legacy for our city, affectionately known of course, as the Birthplace of Radio.

If you have events that you would like us to attend or promote, please do get in touch with us via our website at www. chelmsfordcommunityradio.com.

To enquire about advertising in our last edition of the year for December please email paul@moulshamtimes.com or call 01245 262082.

Tuesday Lunchtime presenter Lynne, with David Price from Science Made Simple 22 www.moulshamtimes.com

It’s My Boxercise Six Month Anniversary - Yay! Okay, Boxercise is only one of my many talents, but I’ve been focussing on it for the last 6 months.

I saw an advert for Boxercise instructor training pop up on my Facebook feed in January 2024 and decided to give it a go. As far as I was concerned it was a busman’s holiday. What could be better than 7 hours of boxing training? I was totally wrong - it was hard work, but it was fun and I met some nice people on the course.

3.

4.

goes out of the window. The first time it happened, I had to really think on my feet. Do I jump in and partner the odd one out? If I do that I can’t pay attention to the other participants. What to do?

You can’t predict where most of your customers are going to come from. My class is run in Springfield in Chelmsford, but I live on the other side of Chelmsford and so do a lot of my customers.

I tried to start a class locally but didn’t get any interest despite putting out polls on social media and talking to local people.

Social media does work. I get the majority of my customers from Facebook despite my love-hate relationship with social media. I tried leaflet drops, talking to local businesses and schools and all the other things we were taught on the Boxercise course, but the thing that worked the most was posting on community groups on Facebook.

After 6 months of hard work what happens next? I guess I’m going to keep on going. Numbers tend to fluctuate, but I’ve learnt from running various other groups that consistency is key. The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Here are a few: 1.

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Fast forward to April 2024, I launched my first 6-week Boxercise course, and I haven’t looked back since. So, what have I learned in my first 6 months?

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People are unpredictable - they register and then don’t show up.

A big shout out to my regulars who show up come rain, come shine - they are the salt of the earth.

It’s incredibly hard working with odd numbers. The way I like to teach my class favours even numbers - one on the pads and the other punching. If you don’t have even numbers, then that

5.

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Fun - most people train with a smile on their face even when it’s hard. mproved confidence, I wasn’t expecting this but that’s what people say.

Improved mental health - this is massive.

It’s a stress buster - after a bad day at work, what can be better than coming and hitting the living daylights out of a set of pads.

Finally - you get fitter. That’s a no-brainer.

If you want to give it a go, the next round of classes starts on 29th October 2024, but if you’re reading this in November, feel free to contact me - I’m sure I can accommodate you. And if you would like me to start a new class where you live, then let me know. I’m looking forward to the next 6 months.

www.beencouragedwellness.co.uk www.facebook.com/BeEncouragedBeStrong

Pilots? No Darling It Is Pilates - By Eleanor Searle Pilates is a type of exercise that I came across in my early 20s, having pushed myself to the limit pursuing the fastest possible time for 100 meters butterfly in the pool. My body was strong but tired; I had over trained coming from an era where sprinters had to train long distances and hard. Pilates was a culture shock for me as an athlete, as it was about technique and nurturing the body, working towards creating an optimum balance between muscle groups.

I had just finished my undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy and retired from swimming and had a body that needed to move but without the strain of the 14 years of heavy training that had come before.

Pilates was just the thing for me and my new career as a physiotherapist, as at the time it was in vogue for the treatment of back pain. It was my first post graduate course. Since then I have completed tonnes of pilates and physiotherapy courses, including a master’s degree in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Research moves on and the science behind the idea of core stability has run its course, despite a lot of writers still suggesting that is what we all need. Ultimately though, we all still need to get moving in a way where our body is gradually exposed to the challenge of exercise. We need to break out of those long hours of sitting and to move. Pilates can give you just that, using body weight or equipment to add challenge and build strength. www.moulshamtimes.com

Pilates can be tough; it does work on the muscles of the back and abdomen but it also works arms and legs. It is good for improving posture and balance and is great at getting people back into exercise after injury or illness. It is also very good for those sporty over-50s who are starting to find that they are not getting away with their old poor training practices and need to put in some pre-season training to keep going at the sport that they love.

My pilates is now far removed from what I learned 20 years ago and has become a hybrid exercise approach that applies the current physiotherapy thinking of restoring normal movement, working on functional movements and utilising deep breathing and relaxation techniques, along with some of what I learnt in the early days of my training, particularly about graded exercise. It has evolved to become more of a whole-body work out. It remains a great introduction to exercise for those who are not gym bunnies. It also, when well taught, helps those athletes struggling with aspects of their sport to find balance and work the muscle groups that they need to strengthen or lengthen to improve their technique. In short, it goes well beyond a flat tummy, but it will help you to get one of those too if you come often enough and align it with a healthy diet.

At Hummingbird, we offer small-group pilates taught by truly expert teachers; all of them have access to discuss individual cases with me where needed and as such we provide a unique opportunity for those who need that extra bit of support recovering from injuries, illness or surgery. We also offer 1:1 sessions for those that want or need a bespoke package. To try a pilates call book online at www. hummingbirdpilates.co.uk - and use code ‘HYPFREECLASS’ to try a class for free.

23

MT Finance - Tips for Parents Paying for University or Private School Fees As many students have begun their first term of university, the cost of education has come into sharper focus.

these different investment assets is the best way to reduce volatility without limiting the potential for a reasonable return. Investing small amounts regularly, through the bad times as well as the good, can also help even out the market’s ups and downs.

Many students will have recently undergone freshers’ week at university and taken an important step towards further education or vocational roles.

It can be a stressful time for students and parents alike, with anxiety over paying for university or private school fees being a significant concern.

3. Make Use of Tax-Efficient Products Tax planning is also instrumental when considering how to save for school and university fees. Utilising any available tax wrappers can be part of school fee planning if they are not earmarked for something else. For example, you can invest up to £20,000 a year in an ISA (or Individual Savings Account), so £40,000 for a couple. Cash ISAs can be used as a tax-free savings account, or you can choose a Stocks & Shares ISA to invest in the stock market and other assets.

University, it is often said, represents the best years of your life, but they can also be expensive, and costs are often underestimated.

Tuition fees and living costs can add up - to an average of over £60,000 over three years, it has now been estimated. Effective budgeting, student loans and part-time work can help students make ends meet, but long-term saving and investing in advance can help provide a valuable leg up or even allow your offspring to graduate debt free.

With respect to younger children, while many parents would like their children to be privately educated, even with the help of grandparents this can be too expensive. Fees vary widely from school to school, but the 2024 Independent Schools Council (ISC) Annual Census revealed the typical fee level is £6,000 per term for day schools, or £18,000 per annum, a rise of 8% on 2023. Only 6% of school children in the UK are privately educated, and although very much desired it may not be affordable, especially with the recent confirmation by the Labour government that VAT will be levied on fees.

Five tips to help pay for university or private school fees.

1. Start with Some Financial Planning Your children’s education is a valuable investment and early financial planning can make a big difference in covering the significant sums of money involved. When weighing things up, you will need to consider when you are likely to start paying fees, your future family plans, the estimated level of fees and increases, the potential use of student loans, as well as your income, assets and any possible inheritance.

You also need to consider your general attitude to investment risk, your current tax status and how this might change. You’ll also need to think about whether your preference is to invest a lump sum, a monthly amount or a combination of the two to meet the amounts required.

2. Consider Whether to Save or Invest History suggests that owning assets, notably equities (in other words investing in the stock market), is a good way to grow wealth over the long term, outpacing interest rates on secure investments such as cash. However, investing may not be appropriate or, in some cases, necessary.

Sometimes a cash-based savings arrangement can work quite well, and with more reasonable interest rates now on offer, this approach could have merit given it is a low risk approach. Investing money means taking risks, which won’t generally be suitable for short periods of under five years. To achieve a greater return than cash, all or some of the capital is exposed to potential losses. One route could be to keep five years of education fees in easily accessible cash, with the balance invested.

To maximise returns and minimise risk, you would ideally need to hold a well-diversified portfolio across the major investment types; UK and international equities, bonds and alternative areas such as commercial property or infrastructure. Spreading the money across

Junior ISAs could be a particularly good option to save towards university costs as they allow parents, as well as other family and friends, to build up tax-efficient savings and investments for a child.

Up to £9,000 a year can be put aside. The tax benefits are the same as an adult ISA - no capital gains tax, and no further tax to pay on income. Withdrawals are possible from the age of 18 when it automatically converts to an adult ISA, meaning the pot can be useful to help with the costs of education from this point.

4. Find Out How Grandparents Can Help Often, there is a discussion with grandparents where they wish to help fund school fees, due to the benefits of inheritance tax (IHT) savings.

Gifts of up to £3,000 fall outside of the IHT net. Also, IHT is not incurred by those who contribute a regular amount from their income, assuming the money donated does not affect the lifestyle of the donor and thus force them to use savings. If grandparents use their accumulated wealth to provide a regular income, then they can gift from this free of any IHT issue, though this should be documented properly.

Alternatively, a lump sum is free from IHT if the person making the gift survives for seven years, plus there are some trust arrangements that can be made if circumstances are more complex and the amounts involved are significant.

5. Protect as Well as Invest Remember to consider and review life, critical illness and income protection insurance. Should you unexpectedly fall ill or be unable to work through illness or injury, the financial planning goals for your children and their education could be compromised. Having in place the appropriate level of cover can offer reassurance and peace of mind for the future if anything were to happen.

It is important to plan ahead and take appropriate tax and financial planning advice to ensure you consider the various options to help secure your and your children’s long-term financial well-being.

Graham Austin, Chartered FCSI Investment Director Graham.Austin@charles-stanley.co.uk 0207 149 6696 The value of investments can fall as well as rise. Investors may get back less than invested. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this article is for general information purposes and is not a trading recommendation. Charles Stanley is not a tax adviser.

Nothing in this article should be construed as personal advice based on your circumstances. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal.

Charles Stanley & Co. Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 55 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 3AS.

24 www.moulshamtimes.com

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25

As mentioned in last month’s Moulsham Times, MLCTs The Christmas Market, Made with Love, is on Saturday 2nd November - there will be a marquee full of Christmas gifts and decorations.

Tickets for Breakfast with Santa will go on sale on 28th October and are likely to sell out quickly as they did last year. This year’s dates are Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December. There will be two sittings at 9.30am and 11.30am with space for 50 people in each sitting. See our website for details.

We would like to take this opportunity to provide a bit of an insight into our running costs, as we have had a couple of queries following our annual increase in hire charges. Whilst we endeavour to keep our hire charges low, especially for community groups, we have to make sure there is equitable consideration given so that we as a charity can provide a sustainable financial status all year round.

Our total running costs are around £15,000 per year with utilities taking up just over a third of that and of course electric and gas have increased threefold. We have to cover these costs somehow.

We survive on hire charges, donations and fundraising events like Breakfast with Santa. There is no magic pot of gold for non-profits and charities, and grants are difficult to obtain unless you meet

exacting criteria.

We also rely on our volunteers across a wide range of activities to help us deliver against our charitable objectives.

Charities rely heavily on volunteers who are the lifeblood of our communities.

If you can help in an way, especially volunteering, please get in touch.

New City Voices, our local choir, will be performing their Christmas concert on Sunday 8th December at St Michael’s Church, Galleywood.

Doors open 2pm for a 2.30pm start and tickets will be available on the door. They also have a Street Sing in High Chelmer shopping centre on the 16th November starting 2pm until 4.30pm.

The Copper Pot Café is open Monday - Friday from 8am till 4pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm. www.mlct.org.uk enquiries@mlct.org.uk 07434 678 999

An Update From Moulsham Lodge Ward - By Ashley Thompson & Simon Goldman Ashley Thompson and Simon Goldman, your two Moulsham Lodge councillors, are writing to you this month in sadness and disbelief at the decision

by Chelmsford Conservatives to renew their intentions to sell off John Shennan Field for development.

Let’s quickly re-examine the history of all this. The pressure on housing in Chelmsford as all over the country is very significant, and when the Conservatives ran Chelmsford before 2019, they included John Shennan Field in the Draft Local Plan. The Lib Dems opposed this. And then when we won control of the city, we took it out of the Local Plan and saved it from development.

There were various sound reasons we took this decision: 1. There’s very little green space in Moulsham Lodge. Public open space is vital for the mental and physical health of our residents.

2. The council have now planted thousands of trees to improve the environment and there is now a diverse population of wildlife, including sparrowhawks, due to these actions.

3. The local infrastructure would not take the pressures from building up to 200 houses here.

4. We need more houses, but we have already replaced the housing numbers lost by taking John Shennan Field out of the Local Plan in other areas. And in those other areas there’s far better infrastructure prospects also.

If you wish to see what the Conservatives feel about John Shennan there is a meeting on the 4th November at 7pm at The Civic Centre as this issue has been called in to The Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Ashley is leading the Lib Dems on this committee in his role as Vice Chair. Please do attend to show your support for keeping John Shennan as a green open space.

Please rest assured that we are NOT backing down on our current intentions to make John Shennan Field into a Local Nature Reserve in order to make any future development impossible by any party or group. We will fight for this green space all the way, and we would hugely appreciate your help and support in this.

That’s it for now. For any local issues, please do get in touch any time.

Take care. simon.goldman@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk ashley.thompson@chelmsfordlibdems.org.uk Follow us on the following platforms - search for ‘Chelmsford Liberal Democrats’ Facebook - www.facebook.com/ChelmsLibDems Facebook - search: ‘Simon Goldman - Moulsham Lodge Councillor’ Twitter - twitter.com/ChelmsLibDems

To advertise in our classifed section please email paul@moulshamtimes.com.

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Tile Kiln Corner - By Cllr Linda Mascot Last month I highlighted support for those affected by dementia in our local area and attended the Dementia Awareness Event at Tile Kiln Church.

This was really informative, attracted many visitors and showcased organisations to support families and carers navigate through the changes with their loved ones. I enjoyed speaking to local residents over tea and cake where Caroline Shephard from the church told me: “We are blessed in Essex with a wonderful network of caring and compassionate people who regularly meet with collective aim of making Mid Essex a Dementia friendly Community. A place where all can live their best life without barriers.”

Tile Kiln Church has been re-accredited as a Dementia Friendly Church.

They aim to welcome all and enable all to participate and integrate in church life and worship without barriers or discrimination.

As part of the Dementia Network,

and to mark World Alzheimer’s Day on 21st September, Tile Kiln Church recently hosted a Dementia Awareness Event.

Working in partnership with other organisations, people from the community were openly invited to come along and discover what is available without them having to trawl the internet alone at home.

This year, more than 80 guests had the opportunity to relax and chat informally over a cuppa with representatives from the 14 professional organisations attending. They were also provided with folders of information provided by many organisations not present. All who came along reported that they had found it a welcoming, enjoyable and informative afternoon.

If you would like more information, please do contact Tile Kiln Church via admin@tilekilnchurch.org.uk or pop along and meet them. Drop in for coffee on a Wednesday morning, or come on the second and fourth Thursdays - 2-4pm are safe all-age spaces, with people available who will happily listen and chat.

Pumpkin Spice What?

It’s getting colder, so time to get cosy!

There’s nothing like pumpkin spice latte for being cosy. Starbucks started it way back in 2003, and in recent years pumpkin spice has exploded. Not just latte now, not just in your high street coffee shop, but anything that smells - think candles and incense sticks; all pumpkin spice. But what’s unusual is that there isn’t always pumpkin in pumpkin spice latte/coffee/candle/ syrup. The debate rages amongst coffee shop owners about whether or not actual pumpkin is needed to make these cosy, warming drinks, or whether it’s just the spices. Can it really be pumpkin spice latte without the pumpkin? I dare not venture an opinion!

I do wonder however, whether that debate might give us an insight into our world at the moment, especially around Christmas. Much of our values in our culture are rooted in the Bible, Christianity, and Jesus Christ. At the same time, many people in our country have no time for the Bible, Christianity, and Jesus Christ. There’s a bit of a paradox here. Can we have the benefits of Christianity without Christ?

I am very happy to venture an opinion on this one.

Cut out Christ Jesus, and the values we are so proud of begin to crumble. Everyone is equal and deserving of respect? Well, absolutely! And that’s a value that comes from Christianity. It absolutely wasn’t there in the Roman Empire - just ask historian Tom Holland (and if you want to dig into this, his book, Dominion, is a great place to start).

What about the value of life as worth fighting for and saving, the basis on which the NHS is founded? Again, that comes from Jesus Christ and Christians. Very common in the Roman Empire was the practice of exposure of infants - leaving children out by the roadside to be taken, eaten by wild animals, or otherwise die in the elements, because they were unwanted (usually, they were also girls). The Roman world in which Christianity grew was brutal.

But Christians, because of Jesus Christ, shifted the whole culture over hundreds of years. We wouldn’t dream of leaving baby girls by the roadside as if they were an unwanted nuisance. But the values www.moulshamtimes.com

that underpin our love and care for baby girls comes ultimately from the Bible, Christianity, and Jesus Christ.

I just wonder whether we’re a bit too quick to take what we think of as the benefits of Christianity, but completely ignore or dismiss the centrepiece - Jesus Christ. And that’s especially so at Christmas. At the end of the day, pumpkin spice latte without the pumpkin probably isn’t really pumpkin spice latte. Just so, values of respect and equality and life and freedom without Jesus Christ are just not really true respect, equality, life, freedom.

Want to question my reasoning? I’d love to hear from you, contact me on the details below. And why not find out more about Jesus? Come along to one of our Christmas services - all the details on the poster next to this article. If you want to know more, or have any questions, please get in touch!

Tim Goodall, Pastor, Tile Kiln Church. tim.goodall@tilekilnchurch.org.uk www.tilekilnchurch.org.uk 07821 866 301 YouTube: tinyurl.com/y24qlkvx www.facebook.com/tilekilnchurch 27

Quiz Time - By John Theedom 1.

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What part of a deer or rabbit is ascut?

Manitoba is a province in which country?

What sport is played for the Davis Cup? Potage is another name for what?

What is devoré more commonly known as?

In maths, what does LCM mean?

The Daily Herald is the former name of which newspaper?

In computing, what does mpeg stand for?

Which character did Sean Bean play in The Lord of the Rings?

The band Sigur Ros are from which country?

Roquefort cheese is made from the milk of which animal?

How many Oscars did Steve McQueen, Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum win combined?

Who was the first person to speak in the original Star Wars film?

Which cyclist is known as the Manx Missile?

What is the pigment that makes plants green?

Which US president was a former director of the CIA? Which Titan carried the world on his shoulders?

What is measured using a pedometer?

How many British prime ministers served under Queen Elizabeth II? Brisbane is the capital city of which Australian state?

Whose full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts?

Who rode a horse named Aethenoth?

According to Mark Twain, what is ‘a good walk

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spoiled’?

Whose sculpture entitled Golden Calf sold for a then record price of £10.3 million in 2008?

Which Welshman won the first World Darts Championship?

How many players are there in a hurling team?

According to the proverb, whose wife must be above suspicion?

The phrase ‘pass the buck’ derives from which card game?

Who are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council?

Who succeeded Max Bygraves as host of Family Fortunes?

Which Lancastrian football club are nicknamed the Shrimps?

Stuart Goddard is the real name of which 1980s pop star?

Solanum tuberosum is the botanical name for which food?

Max Aitkin was the real name of which newspaper baron?

What was the name of Captain Nemo’s submarine?

Which jazz legend is the oldest man to have a UK number 1 single?

What children’s organisation was founded by William Smith in 1883?

What decade saw the creation of the NHS? What does pH stand for?

What does the Latin phrase ‘veni, vidi, vici’ mean?

(Answers on page 30 & 31)

Wordseach by thewordsearch.com

28 www.moulshamtimes.com

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Blake house craft centre Blake end Essex cm776ra Workshop 01371 879 699 07985661361 Retail 01371 879 696 Minibus and/or car drivers - Chelmsford Community Transport Can you help isolated people to get out and about? Getting out of the house makes a huge difference to a person’s quality of life, increasing independence and giving someone a new lease of life. We are looking for volunteers to drive our fully accessible minibuses, or their own cars.

CHESS volunteer - homeless shelter, Sleepover The Sleepover volunteer role is to interact with residents and be a listening ear for them. They also support the staff member in the operational running of the night shelter and in the event of any difficulties such as illness of a resident. The volunteer arrives at 8.45pm and leaves at 9am the following morning (10am on Sundays and Bank Holidays). Whilst covering a sleeping shift, overnight volunteers have the use of a designated, secure, temperature regulated room.

Community connector - Dementia Adventure We are looking for volunteers to promote Dementia Adventure, our mission and support services at local community events. Activities Include: Representing Dementia Adventure at local community events such as dementia and memory cafés, local dementia fairs, Women’s Institute, Rotary, U3A and similar groups/organisations, where appropriate, and if felt able, giving short talks (all resources provided) to individuals and groups within the area about the work we do.

Become a leader with Essex Volunteer Police Cadets!

We want to offer young people in Essex the opportunity to be a part of our Volunteer Police Cadet programme. We’re looking for local people, over the age of 18, to get involved in our Police Cadet programme as a volunteer cadet leader. Our volunteer police cadet leaders help to guide and inspire local teens, encouraging them to become good citizens. You do not need to have a policing background to be a cadet leader. In fact, we encourage those outside the police community to apply.

Care home volunteer – Melbourne area We are looking for volunteers who would like to befriend our residents on a regular basis. Our residents enjoy interaction by having conversations over a nice cuppa. You may even have common interests in music, activities or sense of humour. They enjoy some arts and crafts or games like darts - we even have a Wii with various games to play. They enjoy baking, and some enjoy being read to, using the computer, or simply watching films and having the company with them.

Charity shop volunteers – Farleigh Hospice We can offer flexible hours and tasks to suit you - either front of house, where you will be greeting, serving and assisting customers, or behind the scenes sorting through and preparing donations. You will have the opportunity to develop customer service skills and utilise good communication and interpersonal skills whilst working in a busy team with both volunteers and staff.

Deadlines for the December edition: Articles 20th November Artwork 22nd November

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Your Local Life-saving Charity Did you know that your local air ambulance service is a charity, relying on residents’ donations?

You might think that the helicopters of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) often seen flying overhead, are part of the NHS, but this free life-saving service provided 24/7 by helicopters and rapid response vehicles (RRVs) receives limited government funding and no National Lottery grants. It is thanks to local people and businesses across Essex and Hertfordshire raising funds for EHAAT that the charity can provide its vital medical emergency service.

Last year, their critical care team treated just over 1,900 patients, operating from two airbases in Earls Colne and North Weald.

Each critical care team consists of a pre-hospital care doctor, a critical care paramedic plus a pilot and co-pilot who rush their clinical colleagues to the scene of medical emergencies within minutes, carrying life-saving equipment to deliver advanced clinical care.

Usually, this equipment is only available in the hospital emergency department. Thanks to EHAAT and local people’s generosity, patients have received life-saving transfusions from the blood reserves carried on board the helicopters and RRVs. Many volunteers lend a helping hand to support the charity, all playing an important part. Jane Morton, EHAAT Volunteer Manager

says their time is hugely valued by the charity. She explains: “The core of our operations extends beyond our fleet of helicopters and advanced medical interventions, it’s the spirit of our supporters and volunteers that drive us forward.

“From helping in our charity shops to sorting treasures in our warehouses, picking up collection tins, giving engaging visitor centre tours and supporting events, every hour of volunteering makes a meaningful difference. Yet, it’s more than the tasks at hand - it’s about making connections and lasting friendships. Whether it’s sharing experiences, learning new skills, or stepping in to support community events, our volunteers not only impact our operations as a charity but inspire others and create positive change across our local communities.”

If you’re looking to give your time to help your local life-saving charity in the most meaningful way, please visit ehaat.org/volunteer and discover how your contribution can support their mission.

If you’d prefer to discuss how you can get involved or have any questions, EHAAT Volunteer Manager, Jane Morton, is just a call or an email away at 0345 2417 690, or jane.morton@ehaat.org.

Take a Look Through the Moulsham Lodge Camera Club Lens Sometimea we can’t see the wood for the trees, and with autumn upon us, it is perhaps a good time to focus on trees. How do we make our photos interesting when we are photographing a subject that doesn’t move? There are endless ways to solve this problem - at our Camera Club we learn to see the wood for the trees.

You can try these techniques with many other subjects, let your imagination run wild. A slightly harder challenge this month is to create intentional camera blur. This is achieved by gently moving your device just enough to achieve a blur that still shows what the subject is but doesn’t resemble an out-of-focus photograph.

On your next visit to the forest, or simply walking along a road, here are some ideas to try out this month.

1. Get close to the bark, photograph the textures, colours and possibly an insect.

2. Quite often there is a pond near by - take a tree reflection.

Which do you prefer? The simple woodland path or lens blur plus a dog and a person. Standard tree or blurred tree?

3. A road can be transformed with dappled light filtering through a tree.

4. Use colours - orange tree and orange coat framed by Chelmsford viaduct.

We will be happy to see new members for a free trial on Monday nights, Moulsham Lodge Methodist Church, 110 Lime Walk, CM2 9NJ. It starts at 8pm with tea and biscuits at 9pm and finishes at 10pm.

Liz Croxson moulshamlodgecameraclub@gmail.com 30 www.moulshamtimes.com

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www.charlieking.uk info@charlieking.uk 07796060163

Answers

1. Tail 2. Canada 3. Tennis 4. Soup 5. Velvet 6. Least Common Multiple 7. The Sun 8. Moving Picture Experts Group 9. Boromir 10. Iceland 11. Ewe 12. None 13. C-3PO 14. Mark Cavendish

15. Chlorophyll 16. George HW Bush 17. Atlas 18. Walking distance 19 15 20. Queensland 21. Barbie 22. Lady Godiva 23. Golf 24. Damien Hirst 25. Leighton Rees 26. Up to 15 27 Caesar’s 28. Poker

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29. USA, UK, China, Russia and France 30. Les Dennis 31. Morecambe 32. Adam Ant 33. Potato 34. Lord Beaverbrook 35. Nautilus 36. Louis Armstrong with What A Wonderful World 37. The Boys Brigade 38. 1940s 39. Potential of Hydrogen 40. I came; I saw; I conquered

31