WINTER 2019 / ISSUE 87

News and views from and

CITY www.chelmsford.gov.uk

Actionlife on Town centre Protecting homelessness policing nature Page 4 Page 5 Page 13

Let’s help our city breathe...

This autumn, Chelmsford City Council large species, selected to do well in the ecological emergency. We have set a announced ambitious plans to plant a sites where they are planted. Tree planting target for the Council’s activities to be tree for every resident in Chelmsford season is generally mid-November to late net-zero-carbon by 2030 and this is a huge over the next ten years. March, when trees are dormant. step towards achieving it.” There are currently over 176,000 people The next step will be to identify the best To make a real difference, villages, towns living in Chelmsford, South Woodham places to plant them. and counties will all need to work together. The scheme is supported by County Ferrers and the surrounding villages and This follows Chelmsford’s declaration of a Council, who in October announced the Council has pledged to install a tree for climate and ecological emergency in July. separate plans to plant 375,000 trees across each of them somewhere in the area. Councillor Stephen Robinson, Leader of the the county over the next five years. Creating a vastly greater canopy of Council, says, “Planting trees and woodland woodland across the Chelmsford area, on a mass scale is a crucial element of our Find out more on page 12. the trees will be a mixture of small and action plan to address the climate and

We can’t wait for Essex 2020

What’s so special about 2020 for Essex? MESSAGE FROM ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL: Well, it will mark 100 years since the singing of Dame Nellie Melba was transmitted from a little hut in Chelmsford to become the first ever entertainment broadcast, thanks to the wireless radio inventions of an entrepreneur called Guglielmo Marconi. It’s also the centenary of Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society – so an important year for our city. Beyond Chelmsford, it will have been 200 years since Darwin’s HMS Beagle landed in ; the 300-year birthday of the Naze tower in Walton; and the 400-year anniversary of the Mayflower setting sail to the new world with many passengers from Essex, one of whom went on to found the State of Connecticut. So Essex has a proud history of innovation. However, in this important year, we also need to look to the future. What’s being invented and created now? What pioneering ideas are shaping the society we live in today – and what could you do with your own creativity and inventive spark? That’s what Essex 2020 is all about... Continued on page 14. 2 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk How local government works

Councils are responsible for many vital services, from collecting their area’s rubbish and recycling to deciding what can be built.

To the residents who use these services, local government can seem bafflingly complex. It can be Keep up-to-date with decisions and difficult to know who to go to about which issue – the City Council, or the County? – and although meeting dates. Follow us on Facebook councils are democratic, meaning the people have a say in big decisions, not everyone knows how and Twitter @ChelmsCouncil. to make their voices heard.

Why are there two councils in Chelmsford? How are these decisions made? All these meetings are public and are listed Most areas in the country have three ‘tiers’ of The Cabinet – a group of councillors from the online. Anybody can come along – please let local government. majority party – is responsible for the running us know in advance if you would like to ask a of the Council. Just like Government ministers, question, so Councillors can make sure they First, there’s the county council, which sits just different Cabinet members are assigned have all the information to answer you. underneath national government and looks different areas to take care of, like ‘Safer Is the Mayor the boss of the council? after the whole area. It represents the people Chelmsford’ and ‘Greener Chelmsford’. who live in the whole county. In our case, this is Not in Chelmsford. The head of the Council is Essex County Council. The Cabinet meets regularly to make most of called the Leader – that’s currently Councillor the key decisions of the Council and to answer Stephen Robinson. Secondly, there’s the district council, which is questions from the public. The full council (a also called a borough or city council. This sits meeting of all 57 Council members) only meets The Mayor – currently Councillor Bob Massey just under the county council and represents four times a year and makes decisions on the – carries out ceremonial duties and chairs the people who live in a specific, smaller area. very strategic issues. meetings. They’re non-political, so they can’t In our case, this is Chelmsford City Council. make decisions about council business. There are also committees which deal with Thirdly, there are parish and town councils, specific matters, like Planning, Audit and In some cities, like London, the Mayor has a which take care of and represent a village Governance. different role and is more involved in decisions. or town within the city. Not every area in Chelmsford has a parish council, but most do. Who do I talk to about…? All of these councils are elected by the people in their areas. Both the City and the County The City and County Councils deal with different areas. If you have a problem or question, the Council need to have a headquarters where their best place to start is on the relevant council’s website, as you can very often find the answer or staff work and where members of the public can report an issue quickly online. come to talk to them. Chelmsford happens to be the ‘county town’ of Essex, which means that Chelmsford City Council for: Essex County Council for: the County Council is based here as well as the Abandoned cars Adoption and fostering City Council. Air quality Adult education Allotments Blue Badges How big is ‘Chelmsford’? Bins and collections Care for the elderly The City Council doesn’t only look after the city Business rates Childcare Building control and dangerous structures Cycling centre. It’s responsible for a much wider area Car parks Drains and is just named after its biggest settlement. CCTV Education and schools If you’ve received this copy of City Life, you’re in Chelmsford Cemetery & Crematorium Essex Records Office the Chelmsford area! Council tax and associated benefits Footpaths What do they each deal with? Dog litter Gritting Empty homes Highways (including pavements) Some things are best dealt with by an Environmental health Incineration organisation which can co-ordinate work across Fly-posting Lampposts a bigger area. For example, it makes sense that Fly-tipping Libraries roads – which cross many districts – are looked Graffiti Park and Ride after by Essex County Council. Homelessness Parks (some – check who manages it) Housing Potholes Other services are provided by the City Council Leisure centres Recycling centres (tips) for the people of the Chelmsford area only. Litter Registry office What do the Councillors and staff do? Licenses (most) Road safety and roadsigns Chelmsford Museum and Sandford Mill Roads Council staff are responsible for the day-to-day Parks (some – check who manages it) Social services work of the authority. They do everything Parking tickets and permits Trading standards from answering customers’ calls to inspecting Pest control Travellers housing, processing invoices to organising Planning Youth services events, from writing City Life to collecting Public toilets your recycling. Recycling Street nameplates (but not roadsigns) See upcoming public meetings, The Councillors are responsible for deciding how Sports find out who does what and these staff work. They make the big decisions Street sweeping more at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ and set the policies that govern what the Council Taxi licenses your-council prioritises, where its budgets are spent and how Theatres it carries out its work. Voting and electoral roll Councils are democratic organisations, which means that the Councillors are all elected by I’ve got an idea for how the OR I want to talk about OR I still don’t know the people in their areas. It also means that the Council could do things differently. a local issue who I need to talk to. public has a say on major decisions – that’s why Start with your local Ward Councillor. You can find their contact details by entering your you’ll often see the Council asking people to postcode under ‘my home’ at www.chelmsford.gov.uk take part in consultations before the Councillors make a decision. www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 3 Developing Chelmsford

Chelmsford secures £218m via Housing Infrastructure Fund On Saturday 17 August, the between Chelmsford, Braintree, Stansted government announced that two Airport, South Essex and the Lower Thames Inspector Chelmsford projects had been Crossing. It will also relieve traffic through approved for government funding White Hart Lane in Springfield. considering Local of £218 million via the Housing This essential infrastructure will create Infrastructure Fund (HIF), following a greater links between Chelmsford, Braintree, Plan after Main bid prepared jointly by Essex County London and the other surrounding Essex Council and Chelmsford City Council. towns, unlocking potential for investment Modifications and more opportunities for local jobs and The two projects to be awarded are the businesses and leisure. What does that mean? new Beaulieu Railway Station, located just The Local Plan is an important and hefty north of Springfield, and the Chelmsford The funding allocated from the Housing document which sets out how much, and North-East Bypass, a brand-new road Infrastructure Fund must be spent by where, development will take place in the between the A12 and A131. 2024/25. This means that the railway station – currently in the planning phase – must be Chelmsford area until 2036. The delivery of a new railway station at completed within this timeframe. Beaulieu will support the emerging Garden Every local area is required by Community in North East Chelmsford. The Securing £218 million funding for these Government to build a certain number new station will reduce the need to travel two projects is a massive step forward in of homes. Having a plan means we can to the current Chelmsford Railway Station, delivering the required infrastructure for work intelligently to make sure there’s reducing pressure on this facility – which is Chelmsford’s new Local Plan. It’s the last enough infrastructure to support what’s the busiest two-platform station in the UK piece of the jigsaw, helping the Council to being built and ensure the area stays well- outside of London. make sure that the new homes which we balanced. Without a Local Plan, planning are required by the government to build are permissions have to be granted according The North-East Bypass will relieve congestion properly supported by sustainable transport to national planning policies, which means on local roads from people travelling networks and job opportunities. those homes could be built without the right roads, facilities and transport networks around them. Every Local Plan has to be approved and found ‘sound’ by an independent Planning Inspector. The Main Modifications are a set of changes made after the plan was last considered by the Inspector: they address issues that the Inspector found during the examination process. Making the modifications is necessary before the Plan can be found sound. Everyone in Chelmsford had the opportunity to comment on the modifications during a consultation which ended in September. All the comments were then published and submitted to the Inspector. The Inspector is now reading them all and will consider them before she Encouraging developers to help presents her conclusions on the Local Plan in a report. people live well If her report finds that the plan is now Where you live and what surrounds you is essential to your wellbeing. Your ‘sound’, the Council will be able to start environment, the house you live in, your job and whether you have opportunities to using it to guide planning decisions learn and grow all contribute to how happy and at ease you feel. across the Chelmsford area. The report is expected by the end of this year. Now a new accreditation scheme is rewarding The assessment will be carried out by City Chelmsford’s growth has recently been developers who take particular care to think Council officers alongside experts from the recognised by the Government, who about these factors. The Livewell Development County Council, Sport and a Quality designated the area’s first Garden Village accreditation has just launched in Chelmsford Review Panel, who will look at evidence and in North East Chelmsford and awarded and will only be awarded when a new carry out site visits to make their decision. a £218 million Housing Infrastructure development shows commitment to improving Fund to deliver a new rail station and health and wellbeing. Find out more at Chelmsford North East Bypass. The accreditation will not be given lightly. www.essexdesignguide.co.uk/ Developers will have to go through a two-stage supplementary-guidance/livewell- assessment process to decide whether their development-accreditation/ Follow progress on the Local Plan at development meets certain criteria. Those which www.chelmsford.gov.uk/new-local-plan pass will then be awarded bronze, silver or gold accreditation. 4 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Helping Chelmsford Helping the homeless is top priority The national picture of homelessness is worsening. In 2018, housing charity Shelter recorded 320,000 people as homeless in Britain. That’s a 4% rise on 2017, equivalent to 36 people losing their homes every day. In Chelmsford, the City Council’s housing solutions team exists to help residents who are Can you spare threatened with homelessness. The authority also works with experts in partner organisations to help with wider issues, from individual cases of abuse or addiction to structural problems like lack three hours? of affordable housing. Chelmsford Men’s Shed project reaches out to local men who, for ‘Hidden homeless’ whatever reason, are feeling socially When we hear the word ‘homeless’, our first isolated or fancy meeting like-minded thought is of somebody sleeping on the others in a friendly, non-judgemental streets. People who have no roof over their setting. The Men’s Shed is a place heads at all are in great need. There are also where you can learn or practice a many other people who form the ‘hidden practical skill, like woodworking, chat homeless’ – those sleeping in cars, on friends’ and drink plenty of tea! sofas or in temporary accommodation. To A warm welcome awaits men wanting to properly deal with the issue, the Council must join the Shed and it’s so popular that there’s find ways to work that will help all of these currently a waiting list. More volunteers are people, as well as working to stop them from needed so the Shed can open more weekly becoming homeless in the first place. Realistic – but ambitious sessions. Each session lasts for a maximum New ideas are needed of three hours and is led by a volunteer Councillor Stephen Robinson, Leader of the supervisor. Last year, the Council supported 127 Council, said, “Homelessness is one of the most Supervisors support the session, get friendly pressing issues that we face in this country today. households to stay in their homes or find new conversation going and help everyone to Although the causes of each case can be complex accommodation. Now we want to extend use the Shed and its equipment effectively our work and do more to help people in this and helping people can take time, I strongly and safely. Full training will be given and challenging climate; and to do that, we need believe that nobody should be without a home. support will be offered during your time as new ideas and new ways of working. “We’re realistic, but also ambitious – although a supervisor. During October, the Council invited views there is no ‘quick fix’ and we won’t be able to If you have a genuine interest in other and ideas from residents, businesses, charities solve homelessness overnight, I believe that people and in woodworking and a desire to and organisations all over the city to help we can make a real, big difference to a lot of help, this could be the perfect volunteering build its new Homelessness Strategy. The new people and make our services better over time. opportunity for you. Strategy will steer the actions of the Council’s “It’s great that so many people have shown staff and Members, guiding how they work to they care by taking part in the consultation. For further details please contact: reduce and prevent cases of homelessness in The ideas and suggestions we’ve received Chelmsford Men’s Shed, the city. might just spark something that helps c/o Centre Supporting Voluntary Action 01245 351888 The Council has a statutory (legal) duty to hundreds of people in Chelmsford.” [email protected] help people in certain circumstances. You can read the full strategy at https://chelmsfordshed.wordpress.com/ However, the strategy sets out its aims to go www.chelmsford.gov.uk/housing/ about/ beyond that by: homelessness. • building a stronger network of support to Have your say The Chelmsford Shed is a project run by prevent homelessness Centre Supporting Voluntary Action, which is Did you know that meetings of the Council’s the working name of Chelmsford Council for • identifying and developing more options for committees are public? Find out more about housing and temporary accommodation Voluntary Service. Registered charity no. 1112483. how it works – and how you can get involved Company limited by guarantee. Registered in • helping people to stay in their homes – on page 2 or at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ England no. 05586169. your-council.

No need to travel into town to see us Do you have a question about something If you find it difficult to make the journey the City Council deals with, but find because of mobility issues, a young family, it hard to reach the Civic Centre in personal challenges or anything else, the Chelmsford? The Mobile Customer service is here for you. Information Service (MCIS) is a free service We can supply you with free replacement from the Council which offers help and recycling sacks (subject to availability), chat advice to communities all over the area. to you about how to seek help with housing benefit or council tax, help you to report The helpful, friendly MCIS team visits village environmental health problems and provide halls, shops, post offices and churches on a information on things to do, local issues and particularly appreciated by 88%. We’re pleased schedule. Seventeen communities are visited much more. that the service is still very highly valued in the every month, focusing on places where public community and that visitors are so happy with it. transport is less frequent. This way, we can A recent survey showed that 97% of people using the MCIS think the service is excellent make sure that people with the greatest need To see if the service is visiting your area soon, for advice and support can access information and the other 3% rated the service ‘good’. please visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/mobileinfo about Council services locally. The locations and face-to-face contact were www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 5 Safer Chelmsford Spot It, Stop It The Spot It, Stop It Scheme was launched in October to raise awareness of child exploitation to businesses and the licensed trade. Sessions were delivered aiming to increase knowledge on how to look out for the signs and report concerns.

Chelmsford is a safe area, with a thriving encounter youths every day, are the eyes business community of shops, restaurants and and ears of the community and may witness attractions. It also has as excellent transport something that points to exploitation – links, which make it a great place for young especially if they know how to spot it. people to go out, meet and have fun. The sessions help to keep children safe by Unfortunately, we must always be alert to the making sure that people on the ground know Following the success of the initial launch, more possibility that some individuals are looking how to spot and report signs. This can be used businesses will now be signed up to the scheme to groom young people in order to exploit to combat and interrupt the exploitation of so we can work together to make Chelmsford them. Local businesses and taxi drivers, who children and young people. an even safer place for young people. Meet the new Town Centre Team City Life interviewed Sergeant Graham Thomas and PC Lily Erskine, who are part of ’s new Chelmsford and Town Centre Team.

How long has the Town Centre Team What does the average working day been going? look like for you? Graham – Since 23 July. The team is made up Lily – Days depend on demand and resourcing of one Sergeant and eight officers. Four are but typically a shift will involve partnership allocated to Chelmsford city centre, two to meetings, proactive activity to tackle issues like South Woodham Ferrers and two to Maldon, gangs and responding to intelligence as quickly but we all work together as a team to solve as possible. us direct patrols and problems in all three areas. policing activities. Even How would you describe your job to a if we’re not able to get What do you love about Chelmsford? ten-year-old? out at the time of the report, it will help us see Graham – The diversity and variety from a Graham - We go out and catch bad people the bigger picture. As policing point of view and the challenges it with a view to locking them up so they can’t members of the local brings. Having worked here for 14 years, I am commit crimes or hurt anyone. And I certainly public ourselves, we’re passionate about the area and the people who don’t eat any doughnuts! all passionate about live here. What do you think are the most reducing crime and ASB. Lily – The communities that support us to important things people need to Lily - Every piece of make Chelmsford a better place to live and know about crime? information that you provide us with helps build work. It’s the only place I have policed. It’s a a picture and could be the missing part of the good introduction and great to feel that the Graham – The public are our eyes and ears, so jigsaw, so please report it. public want us here to make Chelmsford a it’s important that you always report any crime safer place. or antisocial behaviour incidents. This helps Night watch On Saturday 5 October, council Some offences were spotted on the night release to officers and new police Town Centre and were met with enforcement action. local press and posted on Team worked together in a special Officers were on the lookout for anti-social social media night of action in the City Centre. behaviour, littering, flyering and smoking about the in smoke-free zones. Spot checks were Officers from both services could be seen Month to raise carried out at the taxi ranks to make sure no patrolling in pairs, chatting to the people awareness. unlicensed taxis were operating. visiting the city centre and making sure they Did it work? were having a safe, pleasant evening out. At The night was a success and in the future, the same time, seeing officers out in number it’s expected that similar activity will happen What does having a Purple Flag reminded anyone with ill intentions that the at least twice a year. We won’t announce when mean? Answer is below. police were present. it’s going to happen – so next time you’re 1) The city’s parks are some of the most As well as keeping people safe, officers planning a night out in Chelmsford, have a attractive in the UK. are also responsible for protecting the great time, look after yourself and if you’re one environment and wildlife from human actions. of the few who commit offences, think twice! 2) The High Street is a busy place all year round. Anti-littering messages were projected onto October was Purple Flag Awareness Month, so the high street, reminding people that the an image of a purple flag was projected onto 3) Chelmsford’s city centre is a particularly

offence carries a £150 fine. the High Street too. The Council also sent a safe place to go for a night out.

for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and residents. and visitors of wellbeing and safety the promoting while culture and entertainment dining, of mix diverse and vibrant a providing for Chelmsford has retained the purple flag accreditation for several years, awarded to an area for its evening and night time economy provision, recognised recognised provision, economy time night and evening its for area an to awarded years, several for accreditation flag purple the retained has Chelmsford 6 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Chelmsford Culture

Support the theatre that the people cried out for Have you been to Chelmsford City Theatres before? If not, why not? Chelmsford Theatres is in the heart of the city’s west end and has a rich and diverse programme of events that cater to children and adults alike.

More recently we have participated in our The Cramphorn Theatre, a smaller venue next first co-production outside of the panto, door to the Civic opened in 1982, thanks to Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, with Alderman T.J.D Cramphorn, six times mayor of West End performer and Holby City actor Chelmsford, who left part of his estate to the Lee Mead, which was an amazing venture Council in 1912 to provide another building that broke the mould for us. ‘likely to advance’ the County Town. The CTA considers that Chelmsford now has a theatre Our theatre has also had a co-produced complex in which it can take pride. pantomime for many years, but did you know how this wonderful theatre came As Jimmy Carr said on his most recent to be in the first place? In 1961, the visit, please use your local theatre. It is Chelmsford Theatre Association petitioned understandable in the current economic to get a theatre built in Chelmsford, as climate that times are hard, but if we as a there were many other places around Essex community don’t support this wonderful whom already had an accessible venue. resource that we have so close to home, all This petition proved successful and in of the CTA’s hard work could be lost in a May 1962, a civic hall, known as the Civic moment; much quicker than it was gained. Theatre was erected as an all-purpose If every resident came to visit twice a year, venue. It was not until 1973-4 that the it makes all the difference. Please continue council committed the building to exclusive supporting your local theatre and keep the theatre use by raking the floor as part of a history of ours thriving for years to come. refurbishment programme, made possible due to the inclusion of the Chancellor Hall. A plea for dramatic and musical events had been made as early as 1893.

One of the Renowned artist is the subject of a new exhibition at Chelmsford Museum this winter.

The illustrator and designer, who was born in Braintree, is regarded as one of the most influential artists of his generation. Bawden worked in many different media and is as well known for his scenes from Aesop’s Fables as his is for distinctive wallpapers. On the 30th anniversary of his death, the show is hoping to give fresh insights into this Image Essex artist’s great talent for storytelling and credit: introduce a new generation of young visitors ‘Estate of to his work. The exhibition is free and runs Edward from 16 November to 1 March. Bawden’

Fact file • Bawden was dismissed by his art school • He studied alongside Henry Moore and tutors as “a terrible painter” Barbara Hepworth • He was famously modest, saying he wasn’t • He was a war artist in Ethiopia during the an artist but just someone who “made dirty Second World War marks on paper” • He was one of the famous Great Bardfield • He refused to draw any distinction between Artists who lived in the village during the fine art and design mid-20th century YOUR CHELMSFORD LEISURE TIME GUIDE

CITYlive!

at Riverside Festive family ice skating sessions 1 to 24 December 2019

Festive family ice skating sessions Weekends throughout December, plus the 19, 20 and 23 December and Christmas Eve at Riverside ice rink

From £7.50 per person or £22.50 for a family ticket Additional £1 skate hire per person chelmsford.gov.uk/christmasatriverside WINTER/SPRINGSPRING 2019 DECEMBER 2019 MARCH APRIL PERFORMANCES AT VARIOUS TIMES LUNCHTIME CONCERT XMAS JAZZ Fly with Peter, Tinker Wednesday 18 at 1.00pm Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 Suggested donation: £1.00 at 8.00pm. Sat mat: 3.00pm LUNCHTIME CONCERT LA FORZA DEL DESTINOBell, Wendy, JohnTHE GOLDENand AGE PANIC AWARDS Wednesday 20 at 1.00pm Tuesday 2 at 6.15pm Sunday 7 at 4.00pmCRAMPHORN STUDIO Thursday Tickets:18 at 7.45pm £20.00 Matinee: £15.00 Suggested donation: £1.00 Tickets £14.50 Concessions:Michael £13.00 to NeverlandTickets £14.50 Concessions: £13.00 Tickets: £8.00CRAMPHORN STUDIO CIVIC THEATRE CHELMSFORD PICTURE HOUSEand meet theCHELMSFORD villainous PICTURE HOUSE CIVIC THEATRE A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S LUNCHTIME CONCERTCaptain Hook,WALK friendly RIGHT BACK – THE DREAM & 70TH ANNIVERSARY Wednesday 3 at 1.00pm Smee and theirEVERLY band BROTHERSJANUARY STORY 2020DR FEELGOOD CELEBRATIONS Suggested donation: £1.00 of dastardly pirates.Tuesday 9 at 7.45pm Friday 19 at 7.45pm BY CHELMSFORD BALLET CRAMPHORN STUDIO A soaring pantomimeTickets: £24.50 Concessions:LUNCHTIME £23.00 CONCERTFormed CHINESEin NEW in EssexYEAR in the early 1970s, Dr. Feelgood COMPANY CIVIC THEATRE Wednesday 8 at 1.00pm featuring magnificent remains GALAone of the most popular Wednesday 20 – Saturday 23 at SALON DU CHOCOLAT Suggested donation: £1.00 scenery, dynamicLUNCHTIME CONCERT and excitingSaturday rhythm 25 and at 7.30pmblues acts 7.30pm. Saturday matinee at 3.00pm STORYTELLING EVENT dance routines,Wednesday 10 atCRAMPHORN 1.00pm STUDIO in the world.Tickets: £12.00 Tickets: £13.50 – £18.00 (depending on Wednesday 3 at 8.00pm Suggested donation: £1.00 Tickets: CIVIC£23.00 THEATRE Concessions: £21.00 performance) This intimate storytelling salonstunning costumes, an NATIONAL TRUST TALKS CRAMPHORN STUDIO CIVIC THEATRE CIVIC THEATRE celebrates the relationshipabundance between of comedy, Wednesday 8 at 7.45pm GISELLE DINOSAUR WORLDTickets: LIVE£5.00 Sunday 26 at 3.00pm FREAK SHOW cocoa nibs and forbidden plentyliterature… of audience Tickets: £15.00 Concessions: £13.00 Wednesday 10 – MembersThursday £3.0011 Tickets: £14.50 Concs: £13.00 Wednesday 20 – Saturday 23 participation and heaps CRAMPHORN STUDIO at 11.30am & 2.30pm(Box Office 01245 350955) CHELMSFORD PICTURE at 8.00pm of fairy dust! Tickets: £14.00 GroupCRAMPHORN rate: £8.50 STUDIO HOUSE Tickets: £15.00 CIVIC THEATRE CRAMPHORN STUDIO Tickets: £24.00 CHELMSFORD LUNCHTIME CONCERT Concs: £21.00NATIONAL TRUSTJAZZ TALKS CLUB Wednesday 29 at 1.00pm MAYOR’S CHARITY CONCERT – Wednesday 10 at 7.45pm Leon Greening Trio (Relaxed Concert 2.15pm) WE LOVE MUSICALS Family £78.00Tickets from £3.00 Sunday 12 at 12.15pm Suggested donation: £1.00 Sunday 24 at 2.30pm & 7.00pm Box office: 01245 350955 "Peter Pan” is CRAMPHORN STUDIO CRAMPHORN STUDIO Tickets: £14.00 CRAMPHORN STUDIO CIVIC THEATRE presented by special THE LAUGHTER arrangement withAN EVENING OF MAGIC SPRINGBLAST Thursday 11 AprilACADEMY at 7.45pm – THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Monday 25 at 7.00pm SAMUEL FRENCHTickets: LTD, £13.50 Concessions:IMPROV £9.75COURSE Wednesday 29 at 7.45pm Tickets: £10.00 a Concord TheatricalsCRAMPHORN STUDIOMonday 13 7.30pm The Illegal Eagles return to the Civic in 2020 for CIVIC THEATRE Company Tickets: £90.00 for 8 week7 DRUNKEN NIGHTS JIMMY CARR –course another outstanding show LUNCHTIME CONCERT Tuesday 23 at 7.45pm WORK IN PROGRESSCRAMPHORN STUDIO promising more of their Wednesday 27 at 1.00pm Friday 12 at 8.00pm Tickets: £22.50 Concessions: £20.50 trademark musical prowess, Relaxed Concert to follow at 2.00pm NEW Tickets:SEASON £21.00 LUNCHTIME CONCERTCIVIC THEATREacute attention to detail and Suggested donation: £1.00 CHELMSFORD SCOUTSTO & BE ANNOUNCEDACIVIC WHOLE SOONTHEATRE Wednesday 15 at 1.00pmLUNCHTIMEincredible CONCERT showmanship. CRAMPHORN STUDIO GUIDES GANG SHOW Suggested donation: £1.00WednesdayTickets: 24 at 1.00pm £27.50 TRANSITIONS DANCE Wednesday 3 – Saturday 6 at 7.15pm ALICE IN WONDERLANDCRAMPHORN STUDIO Relaxed ConcertConcs: to £25.50 follow at 2.00pm COMPANY Saturday matinee at 2.15pm Saturday 13 – SundayTHE ROLLING 14 STONESSuggested donation:CIVIC THEATRE £1.00 Tickets: £13.00 Concessions: £8.00 Wednesday 27 at 7.30pm at various timesSTORY CRAMPHORN STUDIO Box office: 01245 352211 Join Alice down the rabbit hole in Tickets: £18.00 Concessions: £12.00 Friday 17 at 7.45pm CIVIC THEATRE her magical adventures through CIVIC THEATRE Tickets: £26.00 Concs: £24.00ROBERT WHITE: Wonderland in this brand-new DAN SNOW – AN EVENING MARY MACARTHUR & THE CIVIC THEATRE THE TANK TOP TOUR staging of Lewis Carroll’s family WITH THE ‘HISTORY GUY’ WOMEN CHAINMAKERS Saturday 27 at 7.30pm favourite! JACK PETCHEY’S Thursday 28 at 7.30pm Thursday 4 at 8.00pm Known for his brilliant timing and Tickets: £14.00 Concessions: £12.00 Tickets: £16.00 Concessions:PERFECT PITCH£14.00 anarchic performance style, join Tickets: £26.00 CIVIC THEATRE CIVIC THEATRE CRAMPHORN STUDIO Saturday 18 at 7.00pm Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Robert Tickets: £5.00 LE CORSAIRE Sat 30 November* FRANK SINATRA – HIS WAY White, as he embarks on his debut A CELEBRATION OF JOHN CIVIC THEATRE UK tour. Friday 5 at 8.00pm DENVERWILD ROSE (15) Tue 3 December Tickets: £20.50 Friday 29 at 7.30pm Tickets: £16.00 Concessions: £15.00 LUNCHTIME CONCERT IRON SKY – THE COMING RACE (15) Fri 6 December CIVIC THEATRE Tickets: £24.00 Concessions: £22.00 CRAMPHORN STUDIO Wednesday 22 at 1.00pm CIVICA SEASON THEATRE IN FRANCE (12A) Thurs 12 December Suggested donation: £1.00 ROY ORBISON & CRAMPHORN STUDIO THE NUTCRACKER Sun 15 December* THE TIGER WHO CAME THE TRAVELLING ORLANDO TO TEA THAT’LL BE THE DAY WILBURYS EXPERIENCE WHITE CHRISTMAS (U) Mon 16 December Friday 29 & Saturday 30 at 7.30pm Sunday 7 – Monday 8 at various Thursday 23 & Friday 24 Friday 31 at 7.30pm THEBased GREAT on the satirical DICTATOR 1928 novel (PG) Fri 24 Januarytimes at 7.30pm Tickets: £24.50 Concs: £22.50 by Virginia Woolf this comedic tale Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this CIVIC THEATRE GISELLE Sun 26 January* Tickets: £27.50 Concs: £26.00 explores the immortal poet and what delightful family show; packed with CIVIC THEATRE oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs Tickets:it means £6.90 to find Concessions: our place in the £5.90 world SHELL SHOCK whilst remaining true to who we are. and clumsy chaos! THE GREAT DICTATOR Tickets:* £14.50 Concessions: £13.00 Friday 31 at 8.00pm Tickets: £15.00 Tickets: £14.00 Family: £50.00 (PG) Tickets: £16.00 CRAMPHORN STUDIO CIVIC THEATRE Friday 24 at 7.30pm CHELMSFORDTickets: JAZZ £6.90CLUB Concs: £5.90 Concs: £14.00 Sunday 14 at 12.15pmCHELMSFORD PICTURE CRAMPHORN STUDIO SPECIAL OFFERS... Tickets: £16.00 MembersHOUSE £12.00 THE SEEKERS GREATEST HITS THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO MOST PERFORMANCES:CRAMPHORN STUDIO Sunday 28 at 7.45pm £7 Full-time (FE/HE) students and registered unemployedLUNCHTIME CONCERT Tickets: £24.50 Wednesday 17 atA 1.00pm£1.50 fee is applicable perCIVIC THEATRE oC ourChelmsford cardholder discount Suggested donation:transaction. £1.00 All details correct CRAMPHORN STUDIOat time of going to print. RENT – CYGAMS GB Group Booking discount available (One in every ten free) Monday 29 April – Saturday 4 May at Programme subject to change. WHERE IS MRS CHRISTIE? 7.30pm. Saturday matinee at 3.00pm Prices vary. PM Pick ‘n’ Mix offer PREMIUM SEATS available Thursday 18 at 7.30pm Tickets: £16.50 – £17.50 (depending on on most Cramphorn Studio Please check the Check our website or contact the box office for infoTickets: on £14.00 performance) performances. website for details. special offers. CRAMPHORN STUDIO CRAMPHORN STUDIO

KEY TO GENRES: COMEDY l DANCE l DRAMA l FAMILY l FILM l LOCAL l MAGIC l MUSIC l MUSICALS l TALKS KEY TO GENRES: COMEDY l DANCE l DRAMA l FAMILY l FILM l LOCAL l MUSIC l MUSICALS l TALKS

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THE JIVE ACES ABIGAIL’S PARTY LUNCHTIME CONCERT MAT IRVINE: Wednesday 12 – Saturday 15 Wednesday 19 at 1.00pm BIG BEAT REVUE BBC VISUAL Saturday 1 at 7.30pm at 7.30pm Suggested donation: £1.00 EFFECTS WIZARD Tickets: £20.00 Concs: £18.00 Tickets: £15.00 Concs: £14.00 CRAMPHORN STUDIO Wednesday 11 at 7.00pm & CIVIC THEATRE CRAMPHORN STUDIO Thursday 12 at 7.30pm CHELMSFORD DANCE WHITNEY: QUEEN OF WE LOVE Visual Effects wizard Mat Irvine CENTRE SPECTACULAR THE NIGHT LITTLE MIX talks about the quarter of a Sunday 2 at 2.00pm Thursday 13 at 7.45pm Thursday 20 at 6.00pm century he spent at the BBC. Tickets: £18.00 Tickets: £27.00 Concs: £25.00 The ultimate Little Mix WEEK Tickets: £10.00 CIVIC THEATRE CIVIC THEATRE party, with all-live vocals, 8-15 MARCH 2020 CRAMPHORN STUDIO breathtaking costumes and LUNCHTIME CONCERT THE CARPENTERS – an impressive light and Check out shows with Wednesday 5 at 1.00pm VOICE OF THE HEART video show. this icon to see what Suggested donation: £1.00 Friday 14 at 7.45pm Tickets: £16.50 we have in store! CRAMPHORN STUDIO Tickets: £24.00 CIVIC THEATRE CIVIC THEATRE NATIONAL TRUST TALKS SARAH AND DUCK’S Wednesday 5 at 7.45pm BIG TOP BIRTHDAY Tickets: £5.00 FLO AND JOAN Sunday 1 at 1.00pm & 3.30pm Members £3.00 Saturday 15 at 8.00pm Tickets: £13.00 (Box Office 01245 350955) Following last year’s sell- CIVIC THEATRE CRAMPHORN STUDIO out shows, musical comedy IAN MCNABB: sisters Flo & Joan have a CHELMSFORD THE ICICLE WORKS OLIVER – new hour of their dark and JAZZ CLUB Friday 13 at 7.30pm RARE PRODUCTIONS waggish songs to parade Vasilis Xenopoulos Tickets: £16.00 Thursday 6 – Saturday 8 about the place. Sunday 1 at 12.15pm CRAMPHORN STUDIO at 7.30pm. Sat mat: 2.30pm Tickets: £15.00 CRAMPHORN STUDIO Tickets from £15.00 CIVIC THEATRE BOWIE EXPERIENCE CIVIC THEATRE THANK ABBA MARK BEAUMONT – Saturday 14 at 7.30pm FOR THE MUSIC AROUND THE WORLD Tickets: from £23.00 CIVIC THEATRE WHAT A Friday 21 at 7.45pm IN 80 DAYS Tickets: £24.00 Concs: £22.50 Monday 2 at 7.30pm HANGING HOOKE WONDERFUL WORLD CIVIC THEATRE Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 Tickets: £18.00 Concs: £16.00 Saturday 14 at 7.45pm at 12.00pm & 3.30pm UNDISCOVERED – CIVIC THEATRE Tickets: £14.00 Concs: £12.00 This is an amazing romp BANDS HEAT HAVANA NIGHTS CRAMPHORN STUDIO through the universe where Saturday 22 at 7.00pm Tuesday 3 at 7.30pm DR MAGGIE you can get your hands on Tickets: £5.00 Tickets: £28.00 Concs: £27.00 ADERIN-POCOCK the stuff of creation! CRAMPHORN STUDIO Meet & Greet (plus ticket Sunday 15 at 7.30pm Tickets: £8.00 6.00pm start): £58.00 Tickets: £17.50 CRAMPHORN STUDIO KOJO ANIM Saturday 22 at 7.30pm CIVIC THEATRE CIVIC THEATRE Tickets: £20.50 LUNCHTIME CONCERT ANNIE – OFFSPRINGERS CIVIC THEATRE CHELMSFORD Wednesday 4 at 1.00pm Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 JAZZ CLUB SHREK – CAODS Suggested donation: £1.00 at 7.30pm. Sat mat: 2.30pm Nat Steele’s Modern Jazz Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 CRAMPHORN STUDIO Tickets: £16.00 Quartet (MJQ) plus Grant at various times REVENGE CRAMPHORN STUDIO Stewart Tickets: £20.00 Wednesday 4 at 7.30pm AN AUDIENCE WITH Sunday 16 at 12.15pm Friday matinee: £15.00 Tickets: £21.00 CANNON AND BALL CRAMPHORN STUDIO CIVIC THEATRE CIVIC THEATRE Wednesday 18 at 7.30pm THE GLENN MILLER LUNCHTIME CONCERT BUDDY HOLLY AND THE Tickets: £21.00 Concs: £19.00 ORCHESTRA Wednesday 26 at 1.00pm CRICKETERS Meet & Greet: £26.00 Sunday 16 at 3.00pm (Relaxed concert at 2.00pm) Thursday 5 at 7.30pm CIVIC THEATRE Tickets: £24.00 Concs: £22.50 Suggested donation: £1.00 Tickets: £20.00 Concs: £18.50 CIVIC THEATRE CRAMPHORN STUDIO THE SIMON AND CIVIC THEATRE GARFUNKEL STORY MENOPAUSE NATIONAL TRUST TALKS JEKYLL AND HYDE Thursday 19 at 7.30pm THE MUSICAL 2 Wednesday 26 at 7.45pm Friday 6 at 7.30pm Tickets: £25.00 Concs: £23.00 Tuesday 18 at 7.30pm Tickets: £5.00 Members £3.00 Tickets: £14.00 Concs: £12.00 CIVIC THEATRE Tickets: £31.00 (Box Office 01245 350955) Students: £10.00 CIVIC THEATRE CRAMPHORN STUDIO DAD’S ARMY CRAMPHORN STUDIO RADIO HOUR THE SOUND OF Saturday 21 at 7.30pm SPRINGSTEEN Tickets: from £18.00 A FREE pre-school theatre club Friday 6 at 7.45pm CIVIC THEATRE For talkers,walkers, dancers, singers, jumpers, Tickets: £24.50 Concs: £22.50 LUNCHTIME CONCERT CIVIC THEATRE noise makers and instrument shakers with a Wednesday 25 at 1.00pm new theme each week! UNDISCOVERED – (Relaxed concert at 2.00pm) SOLO FINAL Suggested donation: £1.00 Mondays in the Civic bar. Please contact the Saturday 7 at 7.00pm CRAMPHORN STUDIO box office for details. Tickets: £5.00 BEATRIX POTTER TALES CRAMPHORN STUDIO – CHELMSFORD BALLET WHAT’S CHELMSFORDat CITYChelmsford City TheatresON LIVE AT THE CIVIC COMPANY theatres ON Saturday 7 at 7.30pm Wednesday 25 – Saturday 28 WHAT’SSUMMER WANT TO BROWSE OUR 2018 AUTUMN SPRING AT CHELMSFORD CITY THEATRES Tickets: £20.00 at 7.30pm. Sat mat: 3.00pm WHAT’S ON2018 2019 SEASON BROCHURES FROM CIVIC THEATRE Tickets: from £13.50 THE COMFORT OF YOUR SOFA? STELLA WANTED

ERIC & ERN The Gruffalo’s Thursday 26 at 7.30pm Child Sign up today at chelmsford.gov.uk/mychelmsford Sunday 8 at 7.45pm MATTHEW BOURNE’S CINDERELLA Russell Watson to get our brochures delivered to your door. Tickets: £14.00 Concs: £12.00 Tickets: £14.00 Concs: £12.00 AND MORE! THE ONE WHERE IT A Brave Face COMES TO CHELMSFORD! CRAMPHORN STUDIO CRAMPHORN STUDIO

Peter Pan PANTO IS NEARLY HERE! Check out pages 30 to 31 Box Office 01245 606505 www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres @chelmstheatres chelmsfordtheatres chelmsfordtheatres

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history-hackers-coming-soon-flyer.indd 1 18/11/2019 15:33 www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 11 Chelmsford Business Skills Festival is a hit for schoolkids “What do you want to be when you grow up?” We all remember being asked this question. Some of us might have answered with absolute Free advice for certainty, sure of what we wanted to make of our lives. The rest of us probably blurted out new businesses the first job we’d heard of and liked the sound of: “Teacher!” or “Doctor!” or “Carpenter!” If you’re a new business owner, Oddly enough, you very rarely hear a child or even just thinking about say, “I’d like to be an HR executive,” or “a starting up your own enterprise, horticultural gardener” – or, indeed, “I want you’ll know how important it is to work for a local council”! Yet thousands of to never miss an opportunity for us find fulfilling, enjoyable careers in areas we good advice. never even knew about as children. Sometimes Chelmsford City Council is working we also take a path that doesn’t suit us at first with the experts from a company called and have to retrain later in life. Colbea to provide free, one-to-one During the summer, the Council held guidance for start-up and early-stage an all-new event which gave Year Eight businesses in our area. schoolchildren a chance to find out exactly what’s involved in new careers. With two enterprise centres in , Colbea has 35 years’ After the popular 3Foot People and Fling Twelve - and thirteen-year-olds could talk to experience of helping fledgling Festivals had finished at Hylands Park, the real employees and try their hand at sample businesses to find their feet. It’s now tents, fencing and food trucks stayed for an activities including planting herbs with a branching out to work across the whole extra day to host the Skills Festival. The site gardener, using First Aid on a stretcher of Essex. Chelmsford is the first new which had hosted musicians and comedians dummy with paramedics, discovering VR tech location and has already seen two very over the weekend was filled with stalls with Teledyne e2v, discovering how children’s useful and well-attended sessions. showcasing all kinds of careers. play sessions are run with playworkers, and much more. The one-to-one workshops will be held every month and offer bespoke, Schools across Chelmsford were invited and impartial advice at no charge. You’ll we received glowing feedback from the two receive advice on business planning, which attended: Moulsham High School marketing, funding applications and Chelmer Valley. Ms Fletcher tweeted, and more. “Wonderful event for our Year 8 students... loads of interactive events, students buzzing and great fun had discovering a variety of Sessions are held at the Civic Centre, different future opportunities.” Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JE. To find out when the next one is and to The Council has already started planning book your fully-funded appointment, for next year's event and is exploring ways please call 01206 548833. to provide more opportunities for children deciding on their career choices.

Building award for Council and University A new medical education facility has received national recognition for work carried out by Anglia Ruskin University and Chelmsford City Council’s building control team.

The university’s new state-of-the-art School of • Sudbury Stables in , ‘Best Extension Medicine won the ‘Best Educational Building’ or Alteration to an Existing Home’ category in the LABC Awards. • Nissen Huts in Pleshey, ‘Best Change of Use The School attracts students from all over of an Existing Building or Conversion’ the country to come to Chelmsford to train to become doctors. It collaborates with five • City Place in Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Now it is complete, the university has a new NHS hospitals, a mental health trust and more ‘Best Small New Housing Development’ multi-storey teaching building which includes an anatomy lab, an auditorium, two skills than 60 GP surgeries to give students real-life • Heron Gate at The Vineyards, Great classrooms, other learning rooms and GP rooms, experience. Taught by a dedicated faculty Baddow, ‘Best High-Volume New Housing alongside visiting clinicians from the NHS as well as a staff office space, one-to-one rooms Development’ Trusts and general practice, students receive and a meeting room on the second floor. an excellent education in their journey to The project was overseen by the Council’s becoming doctors. building control department throughout. Find out more about the Council’s building Officers worked with the contractor to ensure control service at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ Four other Chelmsford projects were planning-and-building-control/building- any potential problems were spotted early and shortlisted, but were not selected to go control through to the LABC Finals: fixed quickly. 12 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Greener Chelmsford Let’s help our city breathe (continued from front page) Like hundreds of other places across the UK, Chelmsford has declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency. This means that we formally recognise the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions.

What’s the big emergency? A study by Forest Research (2018) found that the tree canopy cover in urban Chelmsford is In October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel just 13.8 per cent. This is lower than the UK on Climate Change published a 'Special average of 16 per cent, which means we need Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C.' The to plant 43,400 new trees to meet the average. report describes the enormous harm that a We also wish to plant 148,000 new trees, 2°C average rise in global temperatures is equivalent to 71 hectares of new woodland, likely to cause, including heatwaves, flooding to uplift the tree cover to 20 per cent and and the loss of most coral reefs. Currently, the ensure that there is a tree for every resident in Feed your garden world is headed for a 3-4°C rise. Chelmsford over the next ten years. with the best However, the report also confirms that limiting Can you help? global warming to 1.5°C would be enough to In a complicated world, it’s always avoid or reduce this damage. The Panel stated Is there an unloved stretch of land near nice to find something that has no that this is still possible, with ambitious action you that would benefit from tree, copse from national authorities, civil society and the or hedgerow planting? Please email downside. private sector. In May, Parliament declared [email protected] with Recycling food waste and garden a climate emergency and the government the location, description and a postcode if clippings is great, but if you have a has set a target of reducing the UK's carbon possible. Photos are welcome too or – if you’re garden, composting it at home is even emissions to zero by 2050. feeling really creative – why not sketch or better. Fresh compost makes brilliant paint the landscape you’d like to see and send food for your garden, helping to keep the Why trees? us a photo? soil balanced in nutrients, moisture and Planting trees is one of the biggest – and We’ll need to check who owns the land and pH and suppressing plant disease. Not cheapest and simplest – ways to tackle the ask them before we plant anything, and it only that, it’s the most environmentally- climate crisis. As trees grow, they absorb and may take some time as this is a ten-year plan friendly thing you can possibly do with store carbon dioxide emissions. Research has – so don’t be disheartened if you don’t see your organic waste. been published estimating that a worldwide anything appearing straightaway! We're often asked "Why do I need to planting programme could remove two-thirds compost when my waste will break down of all the carbon emissions that humans in landfill anyway - and why should I worry have caused. when my local council does food waste collections?" Trees also: • provide homes for wildlife Some areas, like roadside verges, need to When organic stuff like food scraps is put • encourage native and bee-friendly plants, be kept open for visibility. These are vital for in your black bin, it gets sent to landfill which create habitats and food for other biodiversity and are a sanctuary for all kinds of and buried where air can’t get to it. So life creatures, especially bees. This spring, look out as the waste breaks down, it creates a • buffer the noises of roads and for wildflower patches in your area and tag us in harmful greenhouse gas – methane – which damages the Earth's atmosphere. surrounding people your photos @ChelmsCouncil! • soak up water in places that tend to be However, when you compost the same soggy waste at home, it’s above ground where City Life is made from recycled material. • shelter us from winds and extreme weather there is oxygen. Oxygen helps the waste It’s Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) to decompose aerobically. That means • provide shade and absorb heat in high certified, meaning that for every tree used, hardly any methane is produced, which is summers more than one is replanted. Please recycle good news for the planet. • reduce air pollution it when you’re done reading! Even when you recycle clippings and • create beautiful, calming places to spend scraps in your garden and food waste time and to exercise bins, it’s still not as good as composting (although better than throwing it in the black bin). Home composting means the waste is turned into plant food in your own composter, with no need for trucks or machines to take it away and process it – so you’re also helping to reduce CO2.

Why not join 1.6 million households across the country and start composting? There’s an art to getting the best compost, which is what makes it so fun. Check out Recycle Now’s starter tips at www.recyclenow.com/reduce-waste/ composting www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 13 Greener Chelmsford Did your recycling day change recently? Managing a big area like Chelmsford involves solving a lot of puzzles! One of these is how to get the recycling and waste collection trucks round to every house, while using as little time and fuel as possible so the service is efficient and environmentally-friendly. Since the last time the routes were planned in 2012, there have been some changes to the city’s layout and roads. New homes have been added and the rounds were no longer as efficient or reliable as they could be, so this autumn they were reviewed. Free your Some changes were made, which meant that some of you saw a change in which day your recycling and waste was collected on. Christmas tree! Chelmsford City Council recently undertook route optimisation, which meant some residents had a change in the day their recycling and waste was collected on. Apart from this, no other changes Your Christmas tree will stand faithfully were made. in your home, brightening your winter days and filling your rooms with the Just moved to the area or lost your printed calendar? Check your collection days online at scent of pine. www.chelmsford.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/check-your-bin-day If you use a real one and can’t plant it outside, show it some appreciation once Christmas has passed and release it through recycling. It will be chipped and used in parks and gardens around the Chelmsford area, helping other plants to grow. On 11 and 12 January, a team of staff and volunteers from Farleigh Hospice will be making their rounds from door to door, collecting Chelmsford’s Christmas trees in return for a donation to the charity. Every penny raised will make a huge difference to those living with a life-limiting illness or bereavement. All Farleigh Hospice’s services are free and without the generosity of the local community they wouldn’t be able to care for nearly 4,000 people every year, help carers and families and offer bereavement support. HowOver to the lastrealistically century, plastic has become reduce part of everyday your life. From bottles Don’t bin your tree; do some good for the and bags to plastic pots, tubs and trays our lives are full of it. We’re becoming a world and recycle. You’ll need to book for plastic planet. But we don’t have to – if we reduce our consumption and recycle. the collection, which you can do from now plastic pollution until 8 January. Please register online at www.farleighhospice.org.trees or by calling PlasticThe plasticwas only problem invented in 1907 – just 112 years ago, but it has swiftly become interwoven with our everyday life. Now that we know what a danger 01245 457411. From the sea to the land, Earth is becoming a Plastic Planet. it presents to our environment, we have a responsibility to reduce, reuse and Most of the plastic waste in the UK doesn’t actually end up recycle it wherever we can. 79% in our oceans, but a lot is disposed of in our environment – ‘Green’burned awareness or buried inis landfillbecoming sites. more We are mainstream, leaving a legacy but ofsadly of theit’s plasticstill the waste case ever that created most newplastic products waste you on ourbuy planet – from that a willpack take of biscuitsyears to putor aright. bottle ofis water still in to our a environment.new jumper or a television – contain plastic in their packaging. Our lives are full of it. CAN YOU 1. Want to make a difference,Cutting but finddown that on single-useplastic reduction plastics seems like a huge task? Start with our easy steps to instantly kick some plastic out of your day: Look at the packaging AFFORD whenCARRY you’re A REUSABLE in the supermarket USE and YOUR pick OWN items CUP with less. REMEMBER YOUR WATER BOTTLE Many cafés in 2. Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.REUSABLE There are BAGS plenty of places TO THROW Download the ‘Refill’ app Chelmsford are offering Place them by the front toto refillaccess it free when tap water you’re out in discountsChelmsford or rewards – just check out www.refill.org.ukdoor or leave them in for a list. £150 AWAY? 3. Sonay the no go to plastic straws in restaurants. At home, metal onesthe are car a great alternative. 4. SSAYwitch NO to TO a STRAWS reusable coffee cupCARRY – many YOUR outlets LUNCH give you a discountSHOP LOCAL for using it too. ManyAlternatively, disposable use your cups look likeIN Apaper, REUSABLE but actually contain andplastic choose and loose are items nearly impossibleown metal or to bamboo recycle. CONTAINER rather than those straw and use a real knife and wrapped in plastic 5. Try not to use plastic cutlery. forkKeep instead a fork of plastic at work for your lunchtime salads. 6. Ditch the foil and clingfilm for a reusable lunchbox. 7. ChangeThe your recycling makeup gap wipes toDespite reusable a huge washable rise in recycling pads. rates over the past few years, there is a big difference between what we are Want to do more? The Love Yourrecycling Chelmsford and what Programme we could be. runs We regularstill only river recycle clean-ups 58% and of our plastic bottles - that’s a 42% gap. This is the recycling other environmental volunteering events. Why not come join us in the fight against litter gap. We need to close it by recycling as much as we can. and plastic42% pollution? Head to @LoveYourChelmsford on Facebook for more information. BIN YOUR LITTER OR FACE A FINE OF UP TO £150 www.loveessex.org 14 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Essex 2020 We can’t wait for Essex 2020 (continued from front page)

In 2020, Chelmsford and the rest of Essex are coming together to celebrate our shared future. Our county is hosting a year-long celebration of Science and Creativity, with the highlight being the incredible British Science Festival coming to Anglia Ruskin University. The year will be packed with events of all sizes celebrating the way these subjects link together to make the most of human inventiveness. The programme is being pulled together now and is set to include everything from science competitions and projects for serious inventors to plays, exhibitions and workshops where you can try something new. Opportunities like the British Science Festival coming to your city don’t come around very often. Essex 2020 is Chelmsford’s chance to shine as the capital of Essex and your chance to do something you’ve never done before. Keep your eyes peeled for more details! Would you like to get involved? Chelmsford City Council and partners are still accepting applications from local individuals, schools, colleges, groups and businesses who would like to run an event, initiative or scheme under the Essex 2020 umbrella. This could be a chance for you to put something on that you’ve always dreamed of, with free help and advice available. The City Council has launched a small grant fund and series of workshops to support those who want to get involved. We can bring you together with others who share your goals to make your plans come to life.

For information on events, eligibility and criteria for the grant, to see what other people are working on, or to submit an idea, please visit www.ignitechelmsford.org.uk

If you have any questions about Essex 2020, please email [email protected] and we’ll get back to you.

When science and theatre collide Chelmsford City Theatres has an Visual Effects wizard Mat Irvine pays us a to Nigerian parents in the late 1960s, she exciting programme of events planned visit on 10 and 11 March to tell us about the changed school 13 times and struggled to throughout the year to celebrate 2020: quarter of a century he spent at the BBC. Does show her potential through what was later A Year of Science and Creativity. Keep the word ‘K9’ ring a bell? If you’re a Doctor recognised as dyslexia. Her dream of space an eye out for a couple of STEAM- Who fan, you’ll be familiar with his work travel helped her to smash the glass ceiling related highlights next spring, as we because K9 the ‘mechanical mutt’ was one of and she counts designing some of the optical Mat Irvine’s many creations. As well as working equipment for NASA’s Webb telescope, hear from two extraordinary people. with everyone’s favourite Timelord, Mat has TV presenting and educating children about contributed to other much-loved shows such space among her many achievements. Science as Rentaghost, Edge of Darkness, The Sky at Dr Aderin-Pocock comes to the Civic Theatre Technology Night, Tomorrow’s World and Robot Wars. on 15 March – call the box office on 01245 606505 or visit [email protected] Engineering It’s hard to find a more inspiring story than for tickets. Arts that of our next speaker. Celebrated scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s love of space Maths began when she was a child. Born in London www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 15 Essentials

Council Meetings directory Members of the public are always welcome enquiries... to attend meetings and can ask questions or make statements on anything for which CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE LEISURE, SPORT & CULTURE the Council or Committee is responsible Chelmsford Riverside Ice & Leisure (confidentiality restrictions allowing!). Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Centre 01245 615050 CM1 1JE www.chelmsford.gov.uk/riverside December 2018 General Enquiries/ South Woodham Ferrers Audit & Risk Committee Wed 18 December Main Number: 01245 606606 Leisure Centre 01245 605600 www.chelmsford.gov.uk/swflc January 2020 24 hour payment Chelmsford Sport & Planning Committee Tue 14 January phone line: (01245) 606555 Athletics Centre 01245 605666 Chelmsford Policy Board Thu 16 January www.chelmsford.gov.uk/csac Governance Committee Wed 22 January OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCIES Dovedale Sports Centre 01245 605685 Cabinet Tue 28 January Homelessness and www.chelmsford.gov.uk/dovedale Regulatory Committee Thu 30 January other Emergencies: (01245) 606644 Chelmsford Civic Theatres 01245 606505 February 2020 Noiseline: (01245) 606200 www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres Overview & Scrutiny Committee Mon 10 February Parkwatch: (07831) 189918 Museums 01245 605700 Planning Committee Tue 12 February Out of Hours Dog www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums Full Council Wed 26 February Warden: (01245) 606511 Hylands House 01245 605500 Regulatory Committee Thu 27 February www.hylandsestate.co.uk Monday to Friday, 4.45pm to 11pm, March 2020 Weekends and Bank Holidays, 9am to 11pm. www.chelmsford.gov.uk Cabinet Tue 3 March Chelmsford Policy Board Thu 5 March OPENING HOURS We publish details of services, activities and events within our area on Planning Committee Tue 10 March Office and telephone enquiries: the website. Governance Committee Wed 11 March 8.45am to 4.45pm (Monday - Friday) Check regularly for up to date news and Audit & Risk Committee Wed 18 March Offices open at 10am on the last information on all Council services. Regulatory Committee Thu 26 March Wednesday of the month to allow for You can also: Make payments, staff training. request services, report problems... Dates correct at the time of going to print but are ! and much more. subject to change. Please check times at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/councilmeetings Christmas Opening Hours

Chelmsford City Council Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre** Monday 23 December 8.45am - 4.45pm 5.30am - 10.00pm Christmas Eve 8.45am - 2.30pm 6.00am - 4.00pm Christmas Day CLOSED* CLOSED Boxing Day CLOSED* CLOSED Friday 27 December CLOSED* 6.00am - 4.00pm Saturday 28 December CLOSED* 6.00am - 9.45pm Sunday 29 December CLOSED* 6.00am - 9.00pm Monday 30 December CLOSED* 5.30am - 10.00pm New Year's Eve CLOSED* 6.00am - 4.00pm New Year's Day CLOSED* CLOSED Thursday 2 January 8.45am - 4.45pm 6.00am - 10.00pm * If you urgently need to speak to someone about homelessness, please call the Council’s out-of-hours line on 01245 606644. If you have an out-of-hours noise complaint, please call 01245 606606 and select option 2. ** These times are for the centre in general. Please check online for timings of specific bookable activities, as these may vary. Council Chamber

Would you like an audio version of City Life? City Life is available on CD or mp3 format. To get a copy in another format, please contact Chelmsford City Council's Corporate Communications Team on 01245 606900 or email [email protected]. Audio and digital versions of City Life are available on our website at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/life. For the latest news and information from Chelmsford City Council, please visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ Help? news, follow us on Twitter @ChelmsCouncil or keep up with news by liking @ChelmsCouncil on Facebook. Need this in a different format or language? Call 01245 606900 or email: [email protected]

City Life is published by Chelmsford City Council, City Life is available in alternative Printed on Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford CM1 1JE. formats including large print, environmentally audio and other languages. friendly paper. If you have any comments or feedback regarding City Life, please write to the Editor Please call or email the contact at the above address, email [email protected], or call 01245 606900. numbers, left. 16 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Winter in Chelmsford Shop independent at Chelmsford Indoor Market The city’s indoor market has stood in its present location, near the central library, for around 30 years. It’s a lively place, full of colour and independent spirit – and to keep it at its best, the Council has invested in plenty of improvements this year. The building was becoming a bit dark Meet the superheroes of history and old-fashioned and needed some TLC in Catch up with Chelmsford’s historic challenge is free and starts on the first and out. Now the works superheroes this Christmas at Saturday of the school holidays. are finished, you can Chelmsford City Museum. Back in If you’re in need of sustenance after all shop and trade in a the summer, the museum introduced that sleuthing, the Hive Café has plenty of much brighter, more young visitors to characters with festive treats to keep you going and outdoor modern environment. special powers based on stories from adventures await in Oaklands Park once Improvements included the city’s past. From 21 December, you’ve recharged your batteries. There’ll new external shutters, be more appearances from our team of a new false ceiling, families will be able to follow new energy-saving the adventures of three of these superheroes in 2020 – keep an eye out for Maximus early next year! brighter lighting, new ancient wanderers: Chameleon – the external signs to help mischievous Tudor heroine and twins you find your way Echo and Motion from Chelmsford’s The History Hackers challenge runs around, cladding and more recent industrial past. between 9am and 5pm from Saturday redecoration throughout. 21 December until Sunday 5 January at The market is home to over 50 independent Pick up a History Hacker booklet for a brand Chelmsford Museum. For more information new challenge that will take you on a journey businesses, many of which have been passed about History Hackers and everything else down from generation to generation. It boasts through the ages with a quiz to complete happening at Chelmsford City Museums, and a sticker and postcard to collect when some of the finest eateries in Chelmsford as visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums you finish your quest. The History Hacker well as some fabulous fresh produce stalls, including fruit & veg, cheese, a butchers’, fresh flowers and plants. If you haven’t already visited before, you’ll also find many non-food stalls, including a big haberdashery stall, cycle repair, babywear, wool, health foods, Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration key-cutting and watch battery services, along The annual Holocaust Memorial Day with a pet food stall and two great card shops. Commemoration is organised by the There are also many other unique traders Chelmsford Jewish Community and offering excellent customer service. supported by Chelmsford City Council to With easy access from the bus interchange, car remember the victims of the Holocaust parking in High Chelmer and the station only during World War Two and other five minutes’ walk away, Chelmsford Indoor Market is a great place to come to eat and genocides. shop. Don’t be shy – come on in! Everyone is welcome to attend the commemoration event on Wednesday 29 January 2020 at 7pm in the Council Chamber located at Chelmsford City Council, Civic Centre, Dukes Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JE. MESSAGE FROM ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL: Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day of remembrance for the millions of victims Community urged to consider killed in the Holocaust and other genocides and travel options after flyover closure is marked each year on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. 2020 marks Road users in Chelmsford are being About 450 spaces are available at Sandon the 75th anniversary, and this is a significant encouraged to plan ahead and use Park & Ride before 10am. Adult tickets cost milestone made particularly poignant by the different forms of transport after it was just £3.60 a day or £18 a week. Alternatively, dwindling numbers of survivors who are able to announced the Army and Navy flyover the Chelmsford local bus network and good share their anniversary. would not reopen. walking and cycling routes are available. For more information about travel options, please The theme for HMD 2020 is Stand Together. Essex County Council, who look after visit www.essex.gov.uk/travelplanning. It explores how genocidal regimes throughout roads in Chelmsford (see p2), announced in history have deliberately fractured societies September that the flyover would stay closed Meanwhile, work continues at pace to assess by marginalising certain groups, and how after a detailed engineering report revealed options and identify a long-term solution that these tactics can be challenged by individuals new defects within its concrete foundations. would improve the junction, while avoiding putting pressure on other roads in the city standing together with their neighbours and The County Council is now in the process of centre, as we know that the road network in speaking out against oppression. appointing a contractor to safely remove the structure as soon as possible. Chelmsford is already at 96 per cent capacity in the peak periods. Admission to the commemoration is free To help manage congestion in the shorter but must be booked in advance. Places are term, various measures are being put in place For more information about the Army and limited, so please book early by calling 01245 and the community has been urged to play Navy scheme and regular updates, please visit 475444 or online at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ its part by avoiding peak periods or switching www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy or follow holocaustmemorial to other transport such as bikes, buses or @EssexHighways on Twitter. walking where possible.