CHAIRMAN Mansell Wallace believes Dean Holdsworth's experience helped to make him the stand-out candidate to become Chelmsford City's new manager.

As well as a playing career that saw him make more than 500 Premiership and Football League appearances, the new Clarets boss has already won the Conference South in his days with Newport County.

He left Newport for Aldershot in 2011, and managed the Shots in the Football League until February, when he was sacked after a poor run of form – although they were 20th when he left, and were subsequently relegated under Andy Scott.

He has signed a two-year deal to become the full-time manager at Melbourne Stadium, and Wallace is delighted to have got his man.

"He's been there, done that, got the T-shirt," Wallace said. "He's a class act, he's very professional, he's done all his coaching badges.

"He's got great motivation, he's very technical in the way he does it, the fitness levels are carefully monitored, there's a lot of weights involved and they are going to be at their peak.

"When you listen to him you realise how he won the league because he's so professional."

His former club Newport passed Aldershot on their way into the Football League, and Wallace believes Holdsworth's experience at a higher level is another reason why he was the best candidate for the job.

"It's a good coup," he added. "I think he'd like to take us through like he did Newport.

"He's got a motivation, he's very ambitious and I think he'll perhaps take us up to another level and then springboard off somewhere else, he's proved he can do it.

"He's won the league, but he's also managed at the higher levels, which is important because there's no point in winning the league and having only been at this level and then find it's a big culture shock.

"He is full-time, it's the first time we've done that [while I have been chairman] because Glenn [Pennyfather] was always part-time, but Dean will be full-time and he wants to get very much involved with the youth set-up, bring more players into it which is obviously exciting for the club."

Holdsworth's first task is to build a squad for next season, and Wallace believes it will take a couple of years before Holdsworth has completely shaped the squad as he desires.

He said: "He will be starting with almost a blank canvas, we haven't signed on any players specifically to give the new man a blank canvas to work with.

"It's going to take two or three years to get the team together, there will be some that stay, some that move on and we'll get others in to replace them.

"We've got to accept that it's going to be up to a three-year plan."

One of Wallace's main reasons for sacking Pennyfather was that things had "stagnated", and he believes Holdsworth's arrival has brought a buzz to the club.

"The pre-season friendlies will be very much more exciting than they have in the recent years," he added.

Braintree Town captain Kenny Davis has signed a new one-year deal with the club as manager Alan Devonshire steps up his preparations for next season.

Devonshire has also added two new faces to his squad after announcing the arrivals of Chez Isaac and Jordan Cox.

Midfielder Isaac, 20, has arrived from Conference South Boreham Wood, having started his career at Watford.

And striker Cox spent time with Aveley last season, as well as turning out for the Iron.

Devonshire said: "Kenny has kept me up to date over the past few weeks and has spoken with a couple of other clubs, but he's a shrewd lad and has decided his future's with us – I'm delighted."

The Iron have also announced they will face three Football League clubs in pre-season friendlies.

Southend United will visit on Wednesday, July 10, before Portsmouth are at the Amlin Stadium six days later.

Colchester United are the visitors on July 20, while Devonshire will also take his Conference Premier side to Witham, Leiston, Lowestoft Town and Histon.

WORKING practices at Brentwood Borough Council are languishing in the 1970s and need to be modernised to reflect residents' expectations and lifestyles.

That is the claim of Councillor Russell Quirk, who wants the authority to extend its working hours and allow its services to be accessible more frequently.

He has put a formal motion to the council about this, yet his suggestion has been rubbished by Conservative council leader Louise McKinlay – who says he is lagging nine months behind her own plans to transform working practices at the town hall.

Mr Quirk, who represents Hutton North, said most working people only found time to call council services once their own day had ended.

He said: "I think we are doing taxpayers an enormous injustice that you can't speak to anyone after 5pm Monday to Thursday, and after 4.30pm on Friday.

"I can't believe this has not been addressed before but I want to drag us kicking and screaming from the 1970s and ensure that we understand that we need to do things to reflect the modern era.

"I don't think it is too much to ask of a council that you are able to speak to someone on urgent business until 6pm Monday to Friday and between 9am to 1am on Saturdays.

"It's unbelievable that you can't get to speak to anyone after 4.30pm on a Friday.

"Imagine not being able to speak to a utility company or an insurance company after then."

Mr Quirk added that the council could use private sector firms to take messages out of hours and believes that better automatic telephone menus could serve residents better.

However, Mrs McKinlay, who also represents Hutton North, gave Mr Qurik's motion short shrift.

She said: "This is a motion that doesn't cover all aspects, is nine months out of date and is already being worked on as part of the transformation.

"In addition, Russell Quirk has previously voted against this."

"His motion is out of date, is only half the answer and we are already dealing with it."

Mrs McKinlay said that between 2013 and 2016 it will be easier for customers to access services.

"Our new ways of working will not just be about longer working hours but the use of a one-stop shop and better use of the internet," she said.

"All of this is underway.

"It begs the question why he voted against this when it was discussed."

Cllr Quirk though said he believes Cllr McKinlay is using vague rhetoric to cover all eventualities.

He said: "Louise has never proposed to extend the working hours of the council.

"If you find any evidence of that I'll eat my socks.

"I don't deal with vague rhetoric, I deal with specifics."

BATMAN, Robin, Mr Bean, Mario, Bob the Builder and dozens of other famous or weird and wonderful characters paraded through the streets of Chelmsford and then three schools.

As part of an annual tradition, sixth formers at Moulsham High School donned fancy dress for their last ever formal day at school on Thursday.

They walked from Oaklands Park, to their school, via the neighbouring Moulsham Junior and Infant schools, where pupils gathered to watch and wave.

The walk was a particularly poignant one for Moulsham High's head boy Olli Smith, 18, who was dressed as Batman.

He told the Chronicle: "I've been making this journey for 14 years, first as a pupil at the infants, then at the juniors and now the high school. Now it's coming to an end."

"This is a day to reflect on the past seven years, and on the future to come, said fellow pupil Hugh Pickering-Carter, 18, who was dressed as Mr Bean, complete with sidekick Teddy. "It's been quite moving the past week or so thinking that our school days are now over."

When they reached Moulsham High the students enjoyed breakfast served by head Mark Farmer and were given time to chat and sign each other's autograph books ahead of a few formal speeches, before they left to begin their study leave.

The students will only be returning to school to sit their A-level exams.

AN UNMISTAKABLE landmark of Chelmsford, the looming face of the Britvic clock tower has welcomed visitors to the city for more than half a century.

But following the announcement last week that the bustling Westway factory is to close, placing more than 200 jobs at risk, this icon of Essex industry appears suddenly precarious.

And if the drinks giant goes ahead with current proposals, the doors of the factory could close as soon as the beginning of 2014. "I am shocked and very disappointed by the devastating news that Britvic is relocating out of Chelmsford," said MP Simon Burns following the announcement to close two of the company's factories, with the other planned closure in Huddersfield.

"The company has been part of Chelmsford for 150 years and this will be devastating for those people and their families who will be out of work as a result of this decision."

Concerns over the possible loss of jobs had arisen earlier this year when Britvic took a step closer to its merger with Irn Bru producer, A G Barr.

The company confirmed in January there would be 500 jobs axed within the companies' combined 4,000-strong workforce as a result of the deal but no specifics were mentioned until the publication of their interim results last Wednesday.

Following the shocking news that Chelmsford would be among the planned closures, Mr Burns held an urgent meeting with representatives on Friday where the prospects of those currently working for the drinks giant were discussed.

"I was reassured that they will do all they can to help as many people as possible to find alternative employment when they close the factory in Chelmsford next year," he added.

"They will be using an outplacement company to assist members of staff in preparing their CVs and providing other help to assist people finding alternative employment. They are determined to provide as much help as possible to all their workforce at what is a difficult time."

But even if some individual jobs are saved, the impact upon Chelmsford's wider business prospects are bleak, with the 15-acre factory on the Widford industrial estate one of the largest employers in the area.

"The city council is surprised and disappointed by this announcement, as Britvic was founded in Chelmsford and has enjoyed a long association with the city," said Chelmsford City Council's cabinet member for planning and economic development, Neil Gulliver.

"Chelmsford has bucked economic trends and remained a good place to do business throughout the recession, and we are confident that new investment and growth will continue."

Indeed, the decision has been described as a "bitter blow" for both the local economy, and the workforce by trade union Unite, which represents the 227 employees at the Chelmsford site.

"The threat to the jobs at the three sites is a very bitter blow for the workers and their families. We want to analyse the company's statement fully and consult with our members," said Unite national officer for food and drink, Jennie Formby.

"It should be remembered that this is a very profitable company and could well afford to keep all these operations going.

"Unite will be doing all it can in the coming weeks to support members through this difficult period."

Regional officer Dave Turnbull is set to hold talks this week with Britvic management with the aim to lobby against the proposed closure.

"We are holding talks with the management with the aim to strongly make the case to keep the Chelmsford site open and to safeguard the jobs of our members," Mr Turnbull said.

TREND-setters swarmed to a Chelmsford shopping centre to bag the best vintage finds at a fundraising fair. Katy Woodgate is the woman behind Bobby's Girl Vintage fairs, inspired by her late grandfather Bobby.

The 30-year-old from Great Baddow wanted to raise funds for the hospital that took care of her granddad in his final days. Having worked in events management and studied art, design and photography at Writtle College, Miss Woodgate has always loved vintage style and realised that holding fairs would combine her strengths.

She held her second event in High Chelmer for three days across the bank holiday starting on Saturday, May 25, following the success of her first event at the Marconi Club in April.

This event raised money for Southend Hospital, which took care of her grandfather who died two years ago aged 87.

She explained: "Bobby's Girl was named after my granddad who was given excellent care by Southend Hospital. This second fair is raising money for Broomfield Hospital and I have gone into partnership with High Chelmer. All profits made will go to the hospital, including those from the charity boxes."

At the fair there was a vast range of vintage goods from fashion accessories, hats and ceramics, to a hair stylist and shabby chic furniture, as well as a tea room offering cakes and refreshments.

Miss Woodgate explained: "They are all small businesses which sell vintage goods and are based in Essex. Some are from Kent and there are a real variety of people here. It's a great opportunity for those that may not be able to afford shop rents, and it gets everyone under one roof."

Explaining her love for all things vintage, she said: "I found I was waiting for the next big fair to come along and that's why I decided to start my own."

Vintage-lovers Brenda and Giles Scotland from Braintree were among the many shoppers enjoying the fair.

Mrs Scotland, a 43-year-old health worker, said: "We go regularly to vintage fairs.

"We love to get old, original one-offs, as there will usually be things no-one else has."

Sarah Fairhurst, 34, from Southend, had set up her vintage jewellery stall at the fair. She said: "I love vintage and the whole era and it's great to support charity at the same time.

"The vintage world is like a little community. Everyone is friendly and it's so popular. It's amazing the amount of people who come to these fairs."

Miss Woodgate said she was very pleased with the way the fair was going.

She added: "I've had some fantastic comments and Bobby's Girl is just getting bigger and bigger."

The next fair organised by Bobby's Girl will be held at the Marconi Club on Sunday, July 28.

For more information on the events or if you would like to volunteer at a future fair, contact Miss Woodgate by e-mailing bobbysgirlvintage@hotmail.co.uk

AFTER nearly 29 years running the Cross Roads corner shop in Witham, Raj Patel and his wife Rita have hang up their pricing gun and left the much-loved store.

"We took over on December 5 1985," recalls Mr Patel, who will be greatly missed by his loyal customers after retiring last Friday.

"It's been a happy time and at the same time when you're living with people for 28 years you get attached, then when you leave it's heart-breaking.

"I've seen people grow up in the shop. Some of the paper boys are really upset we're leaving.

"So many of my customers, they come in and I treat them like they are in my house. I change light bulbs, sort out locks and recommend tradesman for some of the pensioners.

"I always help them no matter what time it is, I treat them like they are my parents.

"Every day is different; I'm always there for the community if they need any help, that way they can see somebody is there for them," Mr Patel told the Chronicle.

Mr Patel moved to England in 1974 at the age of 21 and started work in a bottle packing warehouse, then in a mattress factory in London.

Prior to his arrival in London, Mr Patel set up his own catering business in India, providing food for hostels in the Mumbai area of the country.

"I wanted to work for myself and get a better job and earn more money, so I took over the corner shop.

"I worked doing labour at the age of 13, 14 and people that work that hard always work harder and harder because they know what real hardship is," said Mr Patel.

This intense work ethic has taken its toll on Mr Patel and he says ill-health is forcing him to quit the shop.

Mr Patel, 59, said: "I feel sore a lot, but sometimes when you have your own business you have to just get on with it.

"But I had to make a decision whether to retire or not because I have got a problem with my back.

"But somebody else will be taking over, and I'll show them what to do and how to help people, so hopefully not much will change."

After his final day working in the shop Mr and Mrs Patel will be going to stay with their daughter, who is a solicitor, in Newbury Park, London.

"She works away a lot and doesn't live there all the time so she said we can stay there for as long as we want," added Mr Patel.

CHILDREN in Witham were able to learn valuable life-saving skills from the St John Ambulance Witham Badgers on Saturday.

Fourteen children aged five to 10 years old taught basic first aid to 14 members of the public, including what to do at the scene of an incident, how to check someone's airway and how to treat cuts and bleeding.

The children also read 'Bertie and Friends', a story with a health and safety message.

Martin Wood, Badger leader said: "It was a very good and enjoyable day, the kids really enjoyed the story reading and they all had great fun.

"We believe every young person should have the opportunity to learn first aid and this event will teach them some basic life-saving skills.

"It's also a chance for youngsters and their parents to find out more about the wonderful opportunities offered by St John Ambulance Badgers."

For more information about Witham Badgers call Martin Wood on 07880 784259 or e-mail badgers-witham@sja.org.uk

SOMERSAULTING off scaffolding and skating on half pipes may not be something you see every day but when the Urban Games came to Burnham on Crouch street sports took over.

Around 100 children and young people came to watch freerunning, cheerleading, skateboarding, beatboxing, street football and basketball on Saturday.

Since the success of last year's event the Urban Games were held for a second time this year at the Riverside Park.

The day showcased the more unusual sports and activities for those who may not be interested in traditional ball games.

The Street Team, a network of groups and individuals who practice urban activities, helped put the event together.

A 27-year-old-man from Brentwood known as Big Fen is behind The Street Team and spoke to the Chronicle about the importance of the Urban Games.

He said: "It's about performing and interacting with young people.

"I've travelled around the world doing basketball tricks before I set up this company and now I bring lots of street sportsmen together."

Gary Grant is one of the individuals involved with the Street Team and was showcasing his talent in street football.

He explained: "Street football involves more tricks than normal football.

"When you have the ball you do something to impress the crowd, it's a bit like an MC battle between players."

The 27-year-old from Witham added: "It's still about the goals but it's more entertaining."

Luke Haddrell, ten, is from Southminster, and was impressed by both the street football and free running.

He said: "I want to try freerunning but I can't at the moment as I've broken my collar bone. In the future I'd like to have a go."

There were two freerunning groups at the event giving demonstrations and workshops, Seven Free Run and Traceur.

Rabin Beeloo works for the latter, a group based in Chelmsford.

The 33-year-old from Galleywood has participated in the sport for four years and explained what it involves: "It is a form of movement that involves getting through obstacles using vaults.

"When we teach we use gym equipment as well as the environment outside – it's not a roof top thing and it's safe as we don't push ourselves to do things that are too hard.

"Anyone of any age can do free running – there are no barriers. I started as I was looking for a new activity to do as I already cycled and ran – this was something different."

He added: "The great thing about freerunning is that we all do it together and push each other to progress – we're like a family."

Dan Fulcher, 21, is a co-founder of Seven Free Run and is from Burnham. He has been pursuing the sport for five years and explained why he enjoys taking part.

He said: "I like the fact that it's different and there's a sense of achievement when you try new things.

"It's great to get more kids more active – off the PlayStation and outside."

Rachel Lote, 23, and Jake Smith, 21, had joined the event with their one-year-old son David.

The couple from South Woodham Ferrers were pleased to see activities for young people in the area.

Miss Lote said: "We're really enjoying it – you've got to get kids out and there's not usually much for them to do around here. I particularly like the look of free running."

Mr Smith added: "I'm a skater myself but have a fear of heights so wouldn't do free running," he laughed.

One of the acts attracting a lot of attention was Contrix, a beat boxer from Greenwich.

The 20-year-old explained that he had been performing since he was nine years of age.

He said: "I practice every day while listening to music and will be performing a lot this summer."

Another crowd puller was the girls from New Wave Sports Dancers, a group from Brentwood, who combine cheerleading with dance.

Natasha Trzebinski, 25, lives in Leigh-on-Sea and teaches at the school.

She said: "This will be a good way to attract new members and we hope to let people have a go if they want.

"Cheerleading has grown in popularity – the American style has come over and people want to see it here too."

Vicky Ayris helped organise the event on behalf of Maldon District Council, alongside her colleague Tai Ajaya, who is also a leisure and sports development officer.

She said: "Everyone was welcome to join this free event in Burnham and we are pleased with how it's gone.

"The games aim to get people outside and active and doing something different from usual.

"The skate park has recently been refurbished and so if young people weren't aware they will be now.

"It's been busy since quite early with skaters, scooters and BMX's, so it's seems to have gone down very well."

HAVERING has a new young leader.

Princess Bright, 17, was elected by her peers in an online vote.

Princess, who lives in Romford, attended her first official meeting at the Town Hall on May 15, following her election on May 10.

The Coopers' Company and Coborn sixth-form pupil has five deputies; Peace Ugbeikwu, Marhia Fayyaz, Stacey Button, Alex Kirby and Ryan Fernandes.

It is the first time Havering has appointed such deputies.

Princess follows in the footsteps of last year's young leader, Alicia Murphy.

Princess said: "I'm delighted at the outcome of the election and the fact that young people of the borough exercised their right to vote.

"All the hard work of my deputies and I paid off, from visiting schools to handing out leaflets for the campaign. I am overwhelmed.

"I feel passionate about my new role as Havering young leader and I am determined to give it all it takes to make a success of the role.

"It is a privilege to represent all young people in the borough and I will play a vital role in ensuring that decision-makers listen to the views of the younger generation."

Princess attended the Albany Business and Enterprise Academy in Hornchurch, where she was deputy head girl, house leader, school council leader, business and enterprise squad leader and deputy sports captain.

She is now doing her A-levels.

Princess is also heavily involved in the community. Along with her father she helps to run free maths tuition for young people at myplace in Harold Hill and she is a youth leader at the Redeemed Christian Church of God whereby one of her responsibilities is fundraising for local charities.

She also plans to organise a fundraising event for children's charity Richard House.

Her role includes representing her peers at the Havering Youth Congress as well as across London and the rest of the UK. Princess will also be responsible for putting across the views and needs of young people to politicians and decision-makers.

She will also advise Havering councillors of the issues affecting young people, attend ceremonial events and develop ideas and work with organisations to improve the lives of young people living, working and studying in Havering.

AN 82-year-old grandmother is fighting for her life after she fled from her kitchen with her body engulfed in flames.

Italian expat Valeria Bohannan, of Skerry Rise, Broomfield, suffered severe burns after a cooking accident on Saturday afternoon.

With her clothes on fire, she ran screaming from her front door before her quick-thinking neighbours say they soaked her in water.

Daughter Fiona Grant, 56, said: "We are still waiting to hear news from the hospital, it could go either way.

"It's a huge shock."

About four fire engines, four police cars, an ambulance and a helicopter rushed to the incident shortly after 1.25pm, before Mrs Bohannan was taken to Broomfield hospital.

Julian Norrington, 67, was painting his fence in his home opposite when she emerged from her doorway.

He said: "All of a sudden I heard her shouting, 'Help, help, I'm on fire,' so I ran across and tried to put the fire out as best I could.

"I wrapped her up in my coat to start with and, while my neighbour held her up to stop her from collapsing I went back inside to get water.

"She kept shouting, 'I want to sit down, I want to sit.'

"I then went to my garage and got my fire extinguisher while my wife phoned the fire brigade and that was it.

"It's something I don't want to ever see again. It was terrifying to see someone standing there in flames. The fire had burned her clothes off."

The pensioner added: "I acted on instinct. You can't just stand there and not do anything.

"If I hadn't done something, she wouldn't still be alive."

Neighbour William McClements, 74, who has known Mrs Bohannan for 36 years, said she was a "lovely" woman.

"I came out from my house and she was sitting on her chair but surrounded by medics. She just waved at me and she seemed fine. "She couldn't feel any pain at the time," he said.

"She is a lovely woman and it is a terrible shock."

Another 38-year-old shocked resident reported seeing smoke billowing from the house.

An Essex Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called at 13.23pm with a duty manager, hazardous area response team vehicle, rapid-response vehicle, ambulance and air ambulance attending.

"The casualty was a woman in her 80s who suffered serious burns to a substantial area of her body.

"Crews worked hard to treat and stabilise the woman before conveying her to Broomfield Hospital."

The precise cause of the fire is still unknown.

A DAD had to fork out more than £500 on repairs and taxi fares after his car was damaged by a pothole the day before he was due to take his sick daughter to hospital.

Colin Bailey's Ford Galaxy was wrecked by the crater in Running Waters, Brentwood, just hours before he was due to take Tilly to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to test new medication.

Tilly, 15, is battling neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease (Nomid) and regularly has to go to hospital in her father's specially designed Motability car.

Father-of-two Mr Bailey, 42, of Hutton, was driving home from his mum's house in Herongate when the accident took place.

He was left struggling to find a replacement vehicle late into the night – and was later landed with a repair bill for more than £500.

Mr Bailey blames Essex County Council for what happened.

"The council are a disgrace," he said. "That pothole has been there for weeks and weeks but nothing was done.

"If you try to go around it you could veer over the white lines. It's caused damage now and nothing but hassle we just don't need. We've got enough going on. We can't operate like the normal everyday family – our lives are more complicated.

"It's caused us major disruption. We pay our council tax but nothing is being done."

After the incident was highlighted to the council, the hole was filled in what Mr Bailey described as a "pretty shoddy" fashion.

"It's no more than a lump of tarmac put in there and flattened out," he said.

"They've done a lot of work in the area recently but they are always having to come back out.

"Why do they keep having to resurface the roads? They need to react quicker and do the work properly.

"How long until someone gets hurt? They don't seem to care about the fact it causes damage and not just financial damage – it can cause damage to people too.

"It took two days to get the car back and on the night it probably took three or four hours of our time."

Mr Bailey said it was fortunate that a family friend and taxi driver helped them to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

A council spokesman said: "An Essex Highways Inspector has carried out a site assessment of the area.

"A temporary repair was made to the road defect last Thursday to make it safe.

"A permanent repair to this road defect located in Running Waters will be made at the end of this week."

TAKING a break from work in the Essex community, Sister Moira travelled to Westminster earlier this month to lobby Parliament over global poverty.

The canoness was one of hundreds of members of religious orders who met their MPs on May 15 to push for action on global hunger, as part of the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign.

"I believe the resources of our world are given to us to share justly and generously, not to use selfishly for ourselves. It's an appalling scandal that there's so much hunger in the world," said Sister Moira.

"I regularly visit our sisters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and I have seen many children there with malnutrition and adults dying from starvation. Big demonstrations, like the religious lobby, make the government acknowledge that people from all backgrounds have a right to share the plenty we have on our planet, that they're prepared to take part and that the world is watching.

"We hope and pray that our politicians will not just listen to us, but will act to defend the poorest and most vulnerable in our world. As long as one person is still hungry, our work is not over."

Labour party leader Ed Miliband and international development minister Alan Duncan were among more than 40 MPs who met the religious lobbyists.

"I warmly endorse the IF campaign. It's a very easy campaign to remember: it's about aid, it's about tax and it's about transparency," said the Labour leader.

TEACHER Andy Green put away his marker pen for the last time on Friday after spending 40 years of his career at the same Chelmsford school.

Great Baddow High has not only been a workplace for Mr Green, 61, but also where he met his wife, made many lifelong friends and where his four sons were educated.

He told the Chronicle: "I have been very, very happy here. Some people ask me why I have not wanted to become a head but I did not want to have to take my job home with me.

"I will miss the school. A lot of staff are my personal friends and I will miss their daily camaraderie as well as being among the children.

"My four sons: Nick, Dan, Alex and Lawrence, have all been through the school, and I've worked under four different head teachers.

"I'm now teaching a third generation – yes I have pupils telling me I taught their gran or granddad. It does make me feel old!"

Norfolk-born Mr Green, who is president of Chelmsford Rugby Club, joined the school in 1973 after graduating from Loughborough University.

Also starting on the same day was trainee home economics teacher, Sue, who later became Mr Green's wife.

Starting as a PE teacher Mr Green, of Boreham, who was successfully nominated by his fellow teachers to be a torch bearer for the Olympics last year, switched to science when in his 30s.

"I decided the cold February mornings were too much for my legs," he laughed.

At the school he worked his way up from teacher to head of year, and then deputy head, a post he took on in 1992.

Retiring just short of his 40-year anniversary – so he can catch the British Lions on their tour of Australia – Mr Green estimates he has seen around 10,000 youngsters pass through the school.

He said: "I can't go anywhere around Chelmsford without bumping into someone I've taught."

Looking forward to travelling more – the tour of Australia will be followed by a fortnight in Los Angeles to visit son Dan – Mr Green also plans to play more golf.

He will also keep his hand in by doing consultancy work and continuing his role teaching on a Saturday at an attendance centre.

THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for a primary school by the staff of Ongar Sainsbury's.

Chipping Ongar Primary School was presented with a cheque for nearly £3,700 after a year's partnership with the store came to an end on Friday.

"It has been a really great partnership and they have helped so much, not just with the money but with donating prizes and food to help out at our own fundraisers," said Heidi Wood, chairman of the Chipping Ongar Primary School Association.

"We would like to work with them again and have enjoyed every minute of it. They've been great and all their hard work has been greatly appreciated.

"We have applied to be their partner again in next year's scheme and hope that the voters will choose us."

She added: "The first thing the money will go towards is getting a covered bike shed put in."

COPSA was partnered with Sainsbury's under the store's Local Charity Partner initiative, now in its fifth year.

Kelly Waplington, a Chipping Ongar Sainsbury's spokeswoman, told the Gazette: "All the staff have really enjoyed working with the school.

"The voting has closed and a lot of the staff are hoping it will be the school again, but we will have to wait until a decision has been made on June 6."

She added: "Customers and colleagues at Sainsbury's Chipping Ongar have played a big part in the success of the Local Charity Partner initiative."

A HORSERACING TV channel is eagerly waiting to see if Great Leighs racecourse will be granted fixtures this week so it can reopen.

If successful, At The Races, which is co-owned by TV giant Sky, will broadcast all the races after agreeing a deal with new owners MC Racetracks earlier this month.

The broadcaster added that without the 74 floodlights, which the course was given permission to use last month by Chelmsford City Council, it would still have signed the deal.

At The Races chief executive Matthew Imi said he was excited at the prospect of working with the Great Leighs chiefs.

"Great Leighs has huge potential, both in the domestic and international marketplace and we very much support them in their endeavours to start racing again," he said.

"They will offer high-quality, year-round flat racing and we believe that this will yet again prove to be a highly attractive venue for owners and trainers.

"When you combine this with the progressive and ambitious thinking of the management team and the enthusiastic patronage of those living within their catchment area, it really should be a recipe for success."

At The Races, which delivers pictures from 27 UK racecourses and 26 Irish racecourses, will broadcast the Essex meetings to betting shops as far as India and the Far East.

Marketing director James Singer said the fixture list would prove attractive as it will "fill their gaps".

The 41-year-old director said: "They're likely to have a very attractive set of fixtures because it's all-weather racing, adaptable to certain times of the week.

"With floodlight entertainment, we can broadcast when the UK wouldn't otherwise be able to do so. We can fill the gaps in our broadcasting."

Mr Singer admitted that due to the wet weather this year, meetings across the country have been abandoned – something to which Great Leighs will be immune with its all-weather surface.

"The international aspect in order to accommodate different time zones is very important to the market overseas," said Mr Singer, who refused to comment as to whether he thought Great Leighs would be granted fixtures for the 2014 season.

The British Horseracing Authority is expected to make a decision this week.

Great Leighs chairman Keith Brown, 70, said he was very pleased to have made the deal with At The Races.

"Promoting our fixtures to ATR's large and quantifiable domestic broadcast and online audience would enable us to market with great effect the benefits of racing at Great Leighs.

" Their knowledge of, and relationship with, the international customer base is second to none," said the Ingatestone-based horse enthusiast.

Great Leighs Racecourse opened in 2008, becoming the first new track in Britain for 81 years, but went into administration in January 2009.

New owners MC Racetracks had a fresh application for racing denied last year, but will find out imminently whether its latest bid is successful.