AN ACTION day to clear up the area around the Hutton Community Centre has been shot down as a PR stunt for the Tories.

There has also been renewed concern about the amount of money being invested into refurbishing the Harrison Close venue with the intention of opening it up to community groups.

The project has already seen several spats in and outside the chamber with claims that taxpayers' money is being used for a Tory party vanity project in Hutton.

The council has already wrestled back the site from the former tenant of the centre built by public subscription in the 1970s, Hutton Community Association, after it had not paid ground rent since March 2012.

Some have shown surprise that the leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Louise McKinlay, has found £165,000 of public money for this project in her own ward when services have been cut.

More than 30 volunteers turned out on Saturday morning for an action day at the Hutton Community Centre which was cleared of debris and broken equipment, and overgrowing weeds.

Mrs McKinlay who represents the Hutton North ward said: "The morning was great and I would like to thank all those who gave up their free time to help.

"It's made a real difference."

But there has been concern that not enough oversight is being placed on the project.

Councillor Mike Le Surf said: "It just seems like a PR stunt for the Hutton Tories to try to promote what a great project it is."

A THUG who brutally punched and kicked his pet dog in a Chelmsford park has been told he can never own animals again.

Christopher Davies, 35, repeatedly punched his pet Staffordshire cross named Max on the muzzle, before delivering upper cuts to its lower jaw with a mobile phone and landing kicks in an unprovoked attack.

The entire incident, which took place in Central Park, was caught on CCTV cameras.

"The cameras captured the incident and it was quite clear the dog was being beaten for no apparent reason," said Paul Brookes, Chelmsford City Council's public health and protection services manager.

"The footage was shown to a vet who agreed that the animal would have suffered, and an officer from animal welfare also had the view that further action needed to be taken as it constituted an unprovoked attack."

Davies of Darnay Rise, Chelmsford, is the first person to be pursued by Chelmsford City Council using the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which allows local authorities to intervene and prevent cruelty to animals.

The dog Max was quickly removed from Davies' home the next day where it appeared very anxious and had a high temperature, which could have been as a result of stress.

At Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on June 4, Davies was given a 12-week suspended jail sentence and barred from ever keeping animals again after the attack on April 7.

But Davies failed to show up to his own trial on May 21 and he was found guilty in his absence of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. A warrant for his arrest was issued.

A week later Davies returned to court, citing a family bereavement as the reason for his previous absence, and he was also told to pay £1,000 legal costs.

"This attack was brutal, in a public place where children were present," said Anne Brewer, chairman of the magistrates' bench.

Defence lawyer Kate Armstrong, acting for Davies, told the court that he knew it was not the way to treat a dog and that he had expressed remorse for his actions.

Cllr Ian Grundy, Chelmsford City Council's cabinet member for safer communities, said: "This prosecution sends a clear message that abuse of animals will not be tolerated in Chelmsford."

Following the sentence, which strips Mr Davies of ownership of the abused Staffordshire Cross, the dog is now in kennels awaiting rehoming by the council.

Can you give Max a home? Call the Newsdesk on 01245 602721.

FIRE stations all over Essex opened their doors at the weekend to give people a behind-the-scenes look at what they do.

Crews from Braintree, Maldon, Burnham-on-Crouch, Newport and Grays stations were among those that put their equipment on display and showed children around their fire engines.

Speaking about the day, Braintree's Station Officer, Steve Wintrip, said: "It was a very good day – we deliberately coincided it with the Braintree carnival. We were inundated all day, we had static displays and a demonstration of cutting a car up.

"We gave the children the opportunity to squirt a low pressure hose at a wooden house and the appliances were on display for the public to look around and sit in, and look at the equipment we have. We had a couple of calls while the public were there too – ironically we had a car accident in Braintree, right at the end of the day."

The station also managed to raise £1,052 for the Fire Fighters Charity, which helps improve the quality of life for injured and retired fire fighters.

Chelmsford fire station will open its doors to the public on June 29 from 10am to 4pm.

A MUSICIAN from Billericay spoke on Basildon Hospital Radio of his upcoming album, which will raise money for cancer research.

Kev Walker, frontman of The Kev Walker Band, appeared in an interview with Frank Toohey on May 29.

Listeners heard the story of Mr Walker's musical journey from the start up until the forthcoming launch of his band's latest album Biding My Time.

During the interview, he said: "Many families have been hit by cancer, mine included.

"The words of the dozen songs on the album obviously have a special meaning for me – and hopefully to others.

"In my own special way, I'm trying to give something back to both Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, which have truly helped my family over the last dozen years and which I hope will benefit from sales of my album when it is released."

His band's album will be launched on July 29 and he will be performing at The Basildon Towngate Theatre on August 10 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £7.50 and proceeds go towards The Macmillan Nurses Trust Essex and Cancer Research UK.

Call the box office on 01268 465465.

WITH the summer sun finally making the odd appearance, the green fingered among us are starting to reap the rewards of hours of gardening during inclement weather.

With this is mind, the organisers of the annual Brentwood in Bloom competition are still on the look out for entries – and those looking to show off their horticultural skills are being urged to enter sooner rather than later.

Jane Bennett, the chairman of the In Bloom Strategy Group, said: "The aim is to get everyone working together to make Brentwood an even better place to live and work by encouraging a brighter environment."

This year's categories are as follows:

First Entry Front Gardens – This category is for first time entrants. The judges are looking for good colour combinations and overall attractiveness in the design

Best Front Gardens – This category is for front gardens which stand out from the rest with a variety of plants and a well-tended lawn. The judges will also be looking for environmental benefits

Premier League Gardens – This category is for previous winners who are inspiring other gardeners with their attention to detail and attractive designs

Best Residential Accommodation Gardens – This category is open to public and privately owned commercial residential properties. The judges will look for attractive displays which provide a stimulating environment for the residents

Best Maintained Religious Grounds – This category for churches and other religious institutions will recognise the efforts made to enhance their grounds, particularly where the congregation is involved

Best Kept Business Premises – This award is open to all businesses apart from public houses and will be judged on their attractive, tidy premises which improve the street scene

Best Environmental Entry – The judges will select from every entry into all the classes and select the one which best benefits the environment

For all of these categories, entries need to be in by June 17 for judging during the week commencing June 24. The winners will be announced on July 7.

There are two other categories that have a later entry closing date: The Best Kept Public House Front and Best Kept Public House Beer Garden – Classes will be judged on providing attractive, well maintained displays together with a litter free exterior that enhances the local area.

For more information about the competition, write to Jane Bennett at Bennetts Funeral Directors, 120 High Street, or call 01277 265167.

BIG and small community projects in Billericay and Wickford will be boosted as up to £1million in funding will be shared across groups in the borough.

Basildon Borough Council has announced the launch of the Community Investment Fund to help kick-start groups and projects in Basildon.

Grants of over £100,000 could be made available to the right projects and community groups will be invited to apply for grant funding of £2,000 upwards if they can demonstrate how they can create opportunity in the borough.

Terri Sargent, cabinet member for community services at Basildon Borough Council, said: "We hope to help as many groups as possible.

"We're looking for any kind of project, big ones and smaller ones and in doing so allowing communities to help themselves improve their area.

"However, there will be specific criteria and it is strict –we want people to think about the project, it should be something to help the community."

The council will be holding a launch event for the Community Investment Fund in July, the date is yet to be confirmed, and from there they will visit the towns in the Basildon borough, including Wickford and Billericay, to show the community that this funding is available.

The council already gives small grants of up to £2,000 to community groups but this one-off scheme will open up greater opportunities.

Councillor Sargent continued: "We want to bring a bit of innovation to things – we want the tax payers to be satisfied that the money has been spent on something worthwhile. We want to spend every penny of this money and it's the real humdingers that will get through."

Stuart Sullivan, cabinet member for resources at Basildon Borough Council, said: "We will be asking community groups to put in bids of £2,000 and upwards.

"We will look carefully for evidence that the group involved is doing their bit and that the project will benefit the local community. For bids over £10,000 we will be looking for rigorous business planning and some level of match funding as well.

"There will be clear criteria set out for groups to meet before they apply."

Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Borough Council, added: "The overarching priority of this administration is to improve our borough and with that the lives of our local people.

"We believe the best way to do this is to help people to help themselves – it's the difference between a hand up and a hand out. That is what creating opportunity is all about."

The deadline for applications from charities, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations and community groups is Tuesday, January 14, 2014.

To apply visit www.basildon.gov.uk/communitygrants or for more information on small grants contact Janet Light, Basildon Borough Council's funding officer, by calling 01268 204303 or e-mailing janet.light@basildon.gov.uk

FOUR dedicated volunteers from Havering are being celebrated and thanked by Saint Francis Hospice for their long-standing support.

Ron Ayris, from Upminster, Mary Campbell, from Romford, and Paul Freedman MBD, from Hornchurch, were each presented with a certificate to mark more than 20 years' service.

Ron drives patients between home and the day hospice and also helps the estates team, Mary helps with fundraising and Paul helps out on the inpatient unit serving refreshments and talking to patients and families each Christmas.

The four were honoured at the hospice on Wednesday, June 5 – the first of three thank you evenings that coincide with National Volunteers Week.

Ron, 86, originally started volunteering for the hospice after his sister-in-law was cared for.

"Over the 20 years I reckon I've driven 46,000 miles on behalf of the hospice and I'm still happy to help now," said Ron.

Joyce Jones, from Upminster, has been a volunteer since 1988, a year after her husband died.

She began her volunteering work at the hospice as a ward visitor but later joined the bereavement counselling team before working in the hospice shop where she can be found on Tuesday evenings.

"I feel the hospice is the most valuable thing we have in this area" she said. "At the hospice patients are given individual care and allowed to live comfortably."

Gill Wendelken, voluntary services manager, said: "Volunteers are a valuable part of Saint Francis Hospice and the life experiences they bring with them are priceless.

"The support of people willing to give their time for free and share their skills enables us to care for so many patients and relatives a year and keep up with the administration, gardening, fundraising and other areas they support."

AN INITIATIVE to encourage more people to get on their bikes was launched in Braintree this week.

The campaign started by CTC, a national cycling charity, will see thousands of people jump on their saddles for National Bike Week, which runs from June 15 to 23.

To celebrate, Cycles UK in Braintree, will be holding group events that set off from the store in the town centre to explore the nearby scenery.

Richard Monk, CTC cycling development officer, said: "It will be a gentle cycle ride that's designed to help people rediscover the pleasure of cycling so we won't go too far or too fast."

Funding for these events comes from Active Braintree and Braintree District Council.

There will also be free bike checks on offer so participants can get breaks and tyres looked at for free.

Rides will be held every Wednesday starting on June 19 and start at 11am outside Cycles UK in Braintree town centre. Any age group, fitness level or cycling ability are encouraged to take part.

For more information about National Cycle Week visit www.bikeweek.org.uk

TRIBUTES have been paid to a grandfather who spent his retirement delivering emergency medical supplies after he died following a battle with cancer.

Rob Richards, 70, from Writtle, volunteered for Essex Blood Runners, an organisation which transports blood, drugs and donor organs between hospitals in Essex and the south east.

Mr Richards spent three years delivering vital supplies on his Honda Deauville motorbike. He was diagnosed with bone cancer in May last year, but continued his work with the Blood Runners right up until his death last week.

His son, Steve, 30, said: "He was massively into his motorcycles; he was always out tinkering with his bike and blood running whenever he could.

"By blood running he felt he was giving something back. He used to take part in Essex Air Ambulance charity runs and the next step for him was to start blood running as soon as he retired.

"It was something he had always wanted to do, he was always doing something to help other people; he was a very selfless man and an all-round nice guy.

"He wanted to do as much as he could, it's a great loss to everybody and seeing the reaction on Facebook you start to realise how many people were touched by him."

Before his retirement, Mr Richards worked for the same construction company for 38 years, eventually becoming an area manager at the firm.

"In 38 years working at the same company he only had half a day off. He just got on with it and battled until his last day, he didn't complain once," said Steve.

"He was going right up until the week before he passed. He wouldn't let anything get him down, he didn't want to let his illness get the better of him."

Essex Blood Runners co-ordinator Carol Peacock said: "Rob went above and beyond the call of duty. Any time we needed someone in a hurry, Rob was always willing to go out and help others. He did as much as any of our volunteers.

"He was always just a phone call away. Rob was like having the dad I never had; you could talk to him about anything.

"Rob was always helping me to find new members and he will be a great loss. All my blood runners are close to my heart, but Rob especially so. We will struggle without him."

When he attended events with the Blood Runners, Mr Richards would often bring his old Triumph motorbike as a way to raise interest in their cause, now son Steve plans to do the same.

"Everything that dad enjoyed was focused around motorcycles, now I want to do my bit and carry on what dad did and keep using his bike as a showpiece at Blood Runners events," he said.

Mr Richards' funeral will be held at the Chelmsford Cemetery and Crematorium on Wednesday, June 19.

People are asked to make donations to Essex Blood Runners rather than bring floral tributes.

Essex Blood Runners are always looking for both volunteers and donations.

To find out how you can help, call 07581 471859.

A NEWBORN baby had an unusual arrival into the world after landing inside a pair of trousers when her mother gave birth in a hospital car park.

Autumn Jarrett weighed 5lb 9oz when she was born on Monday to proud 26-year-old parents Jessica Rowland and Lewis Jarrett outside Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford in-between two parked cars.

Mr Jarrett, who lives in Braintree and is a care worker, said: "We just pulled up in Broomfield car park and she started getting a contraction.

"We were about to get out of the car and when she stood up, another contraction came on, but it felt like she had to go to the toilet.

"She started to panic and really feel like she was going to have the baby."

Mr Jarrett then ran into reception and yelled for help whilst grabbing a wheelchair.

"Literally as I got back, Jessica's waters broke – she was in the car park in-between two cars," he said.

"She started screaming quite loudly and a woman ran over because Jess was screaming that the baby had come out in her trousers. From what I could see, the woman held the baby in the trousers, making sure it was safe and supporting it. She was the real hero on that one.

"Afterwards, they rushed out with the bed and they put the baby on top of Jessica with the cord attached and we got her up and they took it from there.

"It was absolutely perfect, but strange. I'm still in shock at the minute."

Speaking about the help which they received, Mr Jarrett said: "Broomfield Hospital was absolutely fantastic – each and every individual performed a miracle and we can't put into words how much gratitude we have."

The couple were so indebted to the woman who initially helped that they named the baby's middle name after her: Jacqueline.

The woman was 31-year-old Jackie Draper, who lives in Great Baddow and works as a carer for the elderly.

She said: "I was walking back to the car with my partner and it didn't register to us until we heard the blood-curdling scream.

"I've had three children myself so I know that scream – my instinct was to grab between her legs to help the baby.

"At that moment the head started to come out – Jessica started saying 'She's out,' and I saw the baby coming down her leg.

"It was complete maternal instinct and really magical. I've never been at the other end of it."

Despite the unusual circumstances, Miss Draper felt that going over to help was the natural thing to do.

"I love to help regardless of whether or not it puts me out of my way," she said.

"It's how I was brought up and it came up trumps yesterday.

"I'm just so glad that mum and baby are safe and that everyone's alright."

Another helping hand beside Miss Draper was 55-year-old Ron Brummitt, who works in the reception area.

He helped comfort Jessica throughout the birth.

"I ran at about 1,000 miles-an-hour. I could hear terrible screams of panic.

"Because the baby wasn't actually out, I was rubbing the woman's back, comforting her and keeping her calm.

"When she screamed 'The baby's coming!', we assisted with undressing her so we could get to the baby.

"It bought a tear to my eye – you're on cloud nine to think you've been there to help someone to fetch another life into the world," he said.

Karen Taberham-Huggins, outpatients services manager at Broomfield Hospital, said: "I was really proud of him. He's taken his job one step further."

It is believed that this was the first car park birth at the hospital.

VICARS are being encouraged to embrace social media in order to spread the word of God and get more people going to church.

Bishop of Chelmsford the Right Rev Stephen Cottrell has recently taken to Twitter, following in the mouse clicks of lots of his fellow clergymen.

He said: "I've only been tweeting a month. I like it. You can chat, pass on news, make comments, and feel involved with things as they happen."

The Bishop, who also posts poems online, is following in the footsteps of a number of his clergy from across the county who are active on social media, including a vicar of 15 years who runs four parishes around Dunmow.

The Rev Tim Goodbody, 47, who is vicar of St Mary's the Virgin Church in Stebbing and the parishes of Lindsell, Great Saling and Little Saling, is a busy man – but with a Facebook account covering events happening at his churches, he still manages to connect with his flock.

Utilising his own Facebook page more for work than personal use, he has a number of his congregation added and he has found that he can offer comfort more easily and immediately than via e-mail.

"I would say I do a lot of pastoral work – if people say 'I am going to hospital', then I can send them a message saying I'll pray for them," said the Rev Goodbody, who first got into social media in 2008.

"It is a very immediate way of connecting people – they check their Facebook once an hour."

It is not only when people are sick that social media comes into its own, but also during some of the happiest occasions that he is privy to, such as wedding preparations.

He said: "I will get to know a couple about a year before the service.

"During that time I tend to communicate with them through Facebook and then when the wedding happens I say 'Tag me in photos' – through that happening, I've picked up another couple of weddings."

Alongside Facebook, he is also a user of Twitter, going by the handle @RockinRev66 due to his love of music.

In the future, he hopes to get his congregation involved by giving his Stebbing church its own Wi-Fi connection, allowing them to tweet during his sermons.

But even now, he encourages it: "I said in a sermon that if you were tweeting, I wouldn't mind."

He is not against other forms of communication either: "I am aware of people who pray together over Skype – it is real-time proper interaction."

He feels that social media has helped raise the church's profile and increase its presence. "Since we have had Facebook and a website, we have had a lot more contact from people outside of the fringes of the church. I once booked a wedding through Twitter!"

CHELMSFORD hair salon, MACK, celebrated their fifth anniversary at their Moulsham Street salon with a charity fun day in aid of a sick little girl.

The Indie Smith Fund raises money to help cover the costs of treatment for Indie, who was diagnosed with the rare and incurable kidney condition, Atypical Haemolytic-Uraemic Syndrome (aHUS), two weeks before her first birthday.

Indie, two, of Chelmsford, was invited to take part in a clinical research study, which trials the drug Eculizumab, to keep her out of hospital.

But she now has less than a year of treatment remaining and the only option after it has finished is to move to dialysis.

The event included a number of fundraising activities at the salon, such as a cake and tuck shop, raffle and a sponsored chest wax of one of MACK's male staff members on June 27.

Holo Clothing set up shop at the salon, selling a range of jewellery, bags and accessories, with all commission raised going towards Indie's fund, which needs to raise £250,000 for a year's drugs.

In addition, £5 of all customer service bills on the day were donated to the charity.

Tina Mack, Director of MACK hairdressing, said: "The day was a huge success and everyone who came along had a great time celebrating with us.

"We are overjoyed that we have managed to raise a fantastic £1,500 for such a deserving cause and hope our donation goes some way to improving Indie's quality of life."

Three Barking& Dagenham College students have been awarded a £5,000 grant from Jisc, a charity which provides digital services for UK education and research, to help with their business idea Classnet.

Alison Wright, 32, from Havering, Saloum Jobe, 20, from Basildon and Kieran Wright, 20, from Havering, who are all studying Access to IT at the College, were encouraged to enter their idea in the charity's 'Summer of Student Innovation Project' by their tutor, Arfaat Shah.  To enter they had to provide a five minute Youtube video highlighting what their business was all about.  Their idea, Classnet, is an academic social website which offers an entirely new virtual learning environment.  It aims to help college and university students in their studies.

The idea was awarded the most 'likes' online, which put the team through to the second round where a panel of experts in developing innovative ideas in education decided which projects would be funded.   The team were told of their success this week.

Commenting on the news, Kieran said: "We were delighted to find out that we had been given the grant.  It's a huge amount of money, which will certainly be put to good use developing the idea – we can't wait to see Classnet 'out there' being used by students across the country.  We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Barking & Dagenham College for their support. We couldn't have done it without this help, our tutors have really pushed us to excel and it's paid off!"

Thanks to the funding the team will now spend the Summer developing Classnet, and be further helped by experts in developing and education, who are set to help and encourage all teams to grow and develop their business ideas.

Their tutor, Arfaat Shah, commented: "We are all really proud of what these students have achieved.  They have worked really hard on Classnet, which is such a great idea and has huge potential.  I am confident we will see much more of these students and Classnet in the future as they all go from strength to strength."

David Kernohan, programme manager, Jisc, says: "We're really happy at Jisc to be supporting a variety of projects as a part of the Summer of Student Innovation. Out of the 36 entries this was the strongest FE based proposal. ClassNet is a simple and potentially useful idea with a very strong user focused approach. It's an issue that every student faces and it would be refreshing to have a student focused take on it – I think we will learn a lot from how this team gets on."

All three of the Classnet innovators, who are currently completing their studies at Barking& Dagenham College, have secured university places, from this September, to study computer science.

East of England Ambulance Service received almost 5,000 calls during last weekend's heatwave - over 1,000 calls more than the weekend two weeks ago.

The service, which covers Essex, along with Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk received 4,972 calls over last weekend, where the temperature rose to 27 degrees in Chelmsford on Sunday.

This is compared to the weekend of June 29 and 30, when the service received 3,857 calls.

Despite receiving only one officially heat related call last weekend, due to the categories of the ambulance's 999 call system, calls to faints and collapses could also have been due to the hot weather.  

Neil Storey, Director of Emergency Operations said: "Our ambulance crews can be very busy at this time of the year, attending calls from people who might have overdone it in the heat.

"The warmer weather is something we all take advantage of, and by following just a few simple precautions, people can enjoy the sun safely. 

"People should ensure they have enough medication, and take the necessary precautions to prevent the effects of heat exposure."

East of England Ambulance Service has also given the public tips to stay well in warm weather: 

• Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. If it's safe, open them for ventilation when it is cooler
• Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn't possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
• Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.
• Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.

TWO drivers escaped unhurt when their cars collided on a dangerous road set to be used by 9,500 lorries supplying the new Middlewick Wind Farm. A white van and a blue Renault collided just before 8.55am at the junction of Lower Burnham Road and Rectory Lane on Tuesday last week, but no one was injured. It is the same route on which lorries delivering building materials to the new wind farm near Southminster will travel. At peak times, one lorry every four minutes could pass through.

Last month another crash occurred at the same junction forcing the road to be closed for six hours when a motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital.

Brian Beale, chairman of Southminster Parish Council, said: "It's a notorious accident blackspot with a reputation for nasty accidents. Whoever thought of that route needs to be taken away in white coats.

"There have been many accidents there over the years, I just can't believe that Essex County Council has taken that route. Why not carry on down the road and turn left at Ford's corner (Summerhill Burnham Road), whoever suggested this just doesn't know the road."

The trucks will be taking narrow rural roads carrying up to 20 tonnes of building materials, such as crushed stone or construction equipment such as mini- diggers and cranes, whilst building the nine-turbine Middlewick Wind Farm.

Kay Maudesley, a parish councillor from Southminster, said: "I know that at the very same spot a cyclist was killed not so long ago. I'm just concerned about the safety of the children crossing the road. The pavement gets narrow and children don't have the same road sense as an adult."

The route suggested by Essex County Council was discussed at a public meeting last Thursday in Southminster's memorial hall with representatives from Essex County Council and Blue Energy, who run Middlewick Wind Farm.

About 180 members of the public turned up and some expressed doubts about the route.

Martin Park, the concerned landlord at the Station Arms Public house, in Station Road, Southminster, said: "There are a number of issues surrounding the plans. The roads are not designed to take that much traffic. The parking allocation the council is talking about just doesn't make sense. There are schools nearby and the chances are that the lorries at points down the road will have to mount the curb to let others past, the pavement is small anyway. There must be another way."

Cllr Beale added: "Essex County Council planned the route. They didn't consult anyone, and they gave permission for the road to be used. I cannot believe they didn't consult us."

Essex County Council's plans for a clearway in Station Road, Southminster, would mean residents would have to park in either the Old King's Head car park or in the station car park.

An Essex County Council highways officer said: "Consultation with the public regarding the planning application for Middlewick Wind Farm would be the responsibility of the planning authority, Maldon District Council.

"Whilst Essex County Council (ECC) is not required to hold a public consultation regarding the Construction Traffic Management Plan, ECC officers were happy to attend a public meeting organised by Southminster Parish Council on June 27, to discuss the parking elements of the CTMP.

"Essex County Council understands the developer intends to consult with residents on the revised parking restriction proposals."

A SHETLAND pony will be trotting her way through a 5km charity run to raise money for cancer research.

Luna will tackle the Race for Life course at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, next month along with owner Leigh Perry, who raised the three-year-old from birth.

The 31-year-old home and leisure manager at Morrisons in Witham said: "She's quite a brave little lass and so outgoing. I don't think she's ever been scared by anything before.

"She really likes people, she is full of character, and sweet, and everyone will love her."

It will be the first time either has taken part in a charity event – Leigh decided to take Luna because "the novelty factor will hopefully raise more money than just me on my own".

Little Luna, who is 34 inches tall from her withers – the highest point on her back – will be wearing her sweatband and Race for Life fairy wings for the jaunt.

Leigh, of Honeysuckle Way, Witham, also has a personal reason for wanting to take part after her great aunt died of the disease only last week.

"It's got a bit more personal and given me an incentive to raise more money," added Leigh.

The duo will be walking together and the main challenge will be ensuring the cheeky pony does not get bored – or leave Leigh behind.

"The biggest danger will be if I slip up and she carries on without me.

"Everyone will want to stop and meet her so it could take me a long while to complete the course, but that doesn't really matter.

"It's all about taking part and raising as much money as possible."

Leigh has taken Luna her on long walks, including Frinton beach and Mersea Island, in preparation.

The pony lives with another Shetland, Herbie, 12, and three horses in Terling.

"I was always obsessed with My Little Pony so I have now got living ones," said Leigh, who hopes to train Luna to be a therapy pony, working with sick and elderly people.

Leigh is confident Luna will be able to do at least most of the Race for Life course, having once escaped from her field with Herbie and another equine pal and ended up covering about five miles.

Leigh and Luna have raised about £100 so far, but hope to get around £500.

To sponsor them for the race, visit www.justgiving.com/Luna-Shetland.

NOW open for almost 12 months serving up hot food, mugs of tea and a place to rest Sanctus @ Nicole's cafe in Chelmsford is a sanctuary for many in the city who find themselves having hard times.

Owned and established by Stephen Turoff, a spiritual healer, the cafe in Broomfield Road has been dedicated to providing free meals for the homeless and needy full time since summer 2012. But with an estimated £65,000 price tag attached to the service the centre relies on donations and volunteers to keep running.

"We've been busy ever since we opened and I often serve lunch for 25 to 30 people each day," said Caroline Wizik, who has managed the cafe ever since its transformation from a sandwich bar into a soup kitchen.

"I get everyone pitching in to chop veg and peel potatoes – I'm not their mother and I expect everyone to help.

"We don't get any money from anyone, at the moment it's almost all funded by Stephen and just rent alone isn't cheap."

Without refuge in the city centre cafe during the harsh winter months those who sit and talk over mugs of tea agree their experience would have been even more bleak.

"I've been staying at the night shelter but we have to leave by 9am each morning and a few of the guys mentioned they were going down the cafe," said one man, who did not wish to be named.

"At first I was reluctant as I didn't want to spend the few pennies I had on another cup of tea but then they said it was free, that we could just come and sit here and it's such a godsend."

To allow this vital service to continue fundraisers have organised a musical 'Tea on the Lawn' on July 21 with all monies raised donated to the Sanctus Charity.

Featuring performances from soprano classic Jackie Pittman, jazz singer Mike Summers' and rock chick Nicolette Street the event at Tofts Chase, Little Baddow, will also feature a cake and canapé stall, BBQ, and smoothie bar.

For information and to purchase tickets go to www.sanctus-home.com

RAVI BOPARA is hoping to maintain his fine recent form for the rest of Essex Eagles' Friends Life t20 campaign after his man of the match display against Kent.

The England all-rounder was joint top scorer with 39 as the Eagles posted 180-8 in Monday night's clash at Chelmsford.

And he then followed that up with three wickets to help skittle the visitors out for 118 in reply.

It follows on from an excellent start to the international one-day season, where Bopara helped England reach the Champions Trophy final and almost inspired a T20 win against New Zealand.

"I'm feeling good with the ball and bat at the moment," he said. "I'm keeping things very simple and just backing myself. The Champions Trophy has given me quite a lot of confidence.

"It was important that I came into this competition in form because T20 is a tough game. If you get behind the rate and you're not feeling good about yourself, it can be a very long month.

"It's important that you start well, I've started well and hopefully it can carry on.

"We've got a very good chance, you've seen our team, you've seen the way we've performed, we've put a lot of runs on the board in all games and we've beaten Kent by a long way.

"In T20 cricket, winning a game by ten runs is a big win and over the last couple of days we've just shown how strong we are."

Bopara, who was due to have a scan on a side strain on Tuesday and could miss Friday night's home game with Middlesex, was delighted with the win over Kent, but admits the week ahead is going to be tricky for his side.

After the game with the Panthers, Sussex arrive on Sunday before a trip to the Oval to face in-form Surrey awaits on Monday night.

And Bopara added: "They're all good sides.

"Even Kent are a good side, there's not much in it in T20 cricket and it only takes one over to change the whole course of the game.

"It's always close, the smaller they are, the closer the games are – it doesn't matter who the teams are or what sides you're playing, it's always been a close game.

"This was a very good win, ideal for Chelmsford and the fans here because they love it when we win here.

"It's always a good atmosphere here. We've got a strong crowd who always back us and they didn't fail to impress."

Bopara was named as Essex's captain for the recent LV> Challenge game against England at Chelmsford, and he admits that was a great honour – and a game in which he enjoyed being given the chance to impress.

"I love captaining Essex," he added. "It's one of the things I've always wanted to do since I was quite young, and to get the opportunity to do it against England is an honour.

"I got in during the second innings, had a bit of a bat.

"Batting for an hour there has helped, just lining up the ball and it's helped me come into form for the T20."

The much-anticipated Ashes series begins at Trent Bridge today, and Bopara has not given up hope of forcing himself back into the Test reckoning.

When Australia last visited in 2009, Bopara was in the Test side, and coach Paul Grayson said last month that he believes the 28-year-old can get into the frame.

And Bopara said: "My ambition is to play for England in all forms of cricket, I think that should be any young lad's ambition and it will be until the day I retire."

In the recent T20 with New Zealand, the crowd could be heard chanting Bopara's name to the tune of the White Stripes' Seven Nation Army, and he admits that it was a moment to cherish.

He added: "That was pretty good, actually it's one of my most memorable moments on a cricket field.

"We didn't go on to win, but I really enjoyed that day and thanks to those supporters."

THE Warley-based head of Britain's biggest Bengali TV channel is facing jail for laundering some of the profits of a £3 million "crash-for-cash" scam.

Channel S boss Mohammed Ferdhaus, 40, accepted at least £500,000 into bank accounts under his control, knowing the money had been conned out of insurance companies.

Prosecutors say Ferdhaus was aware the money was being generated by a team of fraudsters led by his brother Samsul Haque.

Haque, now 28, is serving a five-year prison sentence for engineering 123 bogus insurance claims worth around £3 million.

Many of the luxury motors – including Mercedes, Jaguars and BMWs – were damaged at crash-for-cash drinking parties at Haque's garage in Tottenham, north London.

As music blasted, they rammed the cars into each other and if the damage was insufficient they finished the job with a baseball bat.

On Monday Ferdhaus admitted playing a shadowy role behind Motor Alliance, a firm which raked in at least £1.17 million during the four-year con.

The media mogul had previously denied involvement in the scam, but changed his plea to guilty just as he was due to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Prosecutor David Aaronberg QC said: "The understanding is the basis of the plea is on knowledge rather than suspicion, and the acceptance of a minimum amount of £500,000.

"The allegation against him is that he played a background role behind the company Motor Alliance, including receiving funds from the fraud."

Abdul Haque, 33, another of Ferdhaus's brothers, was also accused of laundering money from the insurance scam.

But prosecutors dropped the charges when it was revealed that handwriting on the bank forms filled out in Haque's name actually belonged to Ferdhaus.

Kevin Toomey, defending, asked for sentencing to be deferred for psychologists to assess the ongoing impact of an incident in which Ferdhaus was kidnapped and held hostage.

"It is primarily for a psychological report into this defendant and the consequences of a very serious attack upon him in May 2011," he said.

Ferdhaus was snatched at gunpoint outside his TV station offices in Walthamstow, east London, and repeatedly issued with a £250,000 ransom demand.

When he refused to pay, the kidnappers hung him upside down and poured boiling water over his head, as well as threatening to rape his daughter.

In February last year, businessman Mohammed Hussain, 44, was found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap, blackmail and assault causing grievous bodily harm after a month-long trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Ferdhaus was freed on bail by Judge Michael Gledhill QC until his sentencing hearing on September 13, but was warned he could face jail after admitting money laundering.

The judge said: "I am adjourning sentencing for two reasons, firstly in order for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

"Secondly, in order for a psychological report to deal with the incident which led to you suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, how that is affecting you now and how that affects you in the short term and long term."

The judge said all sentencing options will be considered, including custody.

Ferdhaus, of Prettigate Farm, Little Warley Hall Lane, admitted possessing criminal property between July 19, 2006 and October 31, 2010.

Samsul Haque, of Lydford Road, Maida Vale, west London, was given five years in October 2011 after he admitted conspiracy to defraud between November 13, 2005, and October 16, 2008.

His lieutenant, Rosul Yusuf, 33, was jailed for four years, while Shalim Miah, 29, received two years behind bars and Halimur Rashid, 28, was jailed for 15 months.

Nazruislam Muhammad Rahman, 32, and Noveed Akhtar, 40, both of whom were named in bogus claims made by Haque's gang, were given 12-month sentences suspended for 12 months.

Paul Ellis, 37, who pleaded guilty to providing six driving licences to Haque, was given a six-month sentence suspended for 12 months.

Ellis and Rahman were ordered to carry out 100 and 140 hours of unpaid work respectively.

CRAIG EDWARDS admits he will be happy either way after his side were handed an FA Trophy trip to either Barkingside or Guernsey.

Both sides are newly-promoted to Ryman Division One level, and Edwards will take his side to one of the two in the first qualifying round on October 19.

If big-spending Guernsey win, it will mean a trip on a plane for Edwards' Blues for the tie, but the altogether shorter trip to Barkingside would be a sentimental one for the Town manager.

"Barkingside is the first side I ever managed at," he said.

"I had fantastic success there and I look forward to either of those ties.

"Guernsey would be a big crowd, they're an up and coming club.

"To fly to the game would be a good experience as well.

"If Barkingside turn them over it will be a great experience for me as well.

"I think it will be the first time I've ever gone back to play against Barkingside.

"I was manager for two years there, I had unbelievable success and it would be the first time I've ever played them, so that would be good as well."

The FA Cup threw up a home tie with fellow Ryman League Premier Division outfit Leiston, and Edwards admits it will be a tough one to overcome.

"Probably at this stage of the competition you'd hope for a team from a lower division, but it is a home draw.

"Leiston have spent a lot of money so it'll be a tough game."

Edwards' men began their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Witham, before beating Waltham Forest 3-2 on Monday night.

Great Wakering Rovers await tonight, before Romford visit New Lodge on Saturday afternoon.

And after that game, Edwards admits it will be decision time over a number of trialists currently with his squad.

He added: "After this week we should have all the trialists sorted out, then we've got four weeks to gel before the start of the season.

"I've been very pleased with how it's going.

"Obviously, we've got a completely new squad.

"I've only retained three or four players from last season, so it's going to be a bit of trial and error.

"That's how it is with trialists.

"We're pleased with the number of people we have got in, and we'll see how it pans out.

"The new signings have all settled in well. You wouldn't believe the team's not been together that long.

"The team looks fantastic, they're a very fit set of lads. All we've got to find out now is if we've got enough good footballers, but I'm quietly confident we're going to be all right."