VOLUNTEERS collected dozens of bags of rubbish for the first of the Big Brook Street Clean Ups – a series of sessions to give Brentwood's western-most entrance a much-needed facelift.

Over 20 people cleared 50 bags of fly-tipping, and around 40 bags of rubbish and recycling, including old boots, broken bits of metal and panes of glass.

It was in April that the Gazette announced plans to help give Brook Street a much-needed makeover.

Some of the ideas could later include inviting schools to design a new look and using volunteers to clear up litter and plant new trees long the verges near the Shell garage and Holiday Inn.

The Saturday morning cleanup was organised by South Weald councillor, Ann Coe who announced in April that she would be using part of her ward budget to help fund the day.

She has also instructed planning officers to serve notices on the owner on the cottages next to the petrol station, to force them to tidy them up.

She said: "It was a great success and I'd like to thank all of those who came and took part. We even had residents from Ingrave and Hutton join in.

"The efforts have made a real difference and I'm looking forward to the next event in the autumn, when we'll be planting some flowers to brighten up the verges."

The volunteers were joined by Brentwood MP Eric Pickles, council leader Louise McKinlay and Conservative councillors from across the borough.

Ann added: "This is a key entry point to our Borough and the plans we have over the coming months to brighten it up, will ensure it's an area we can all be proud of."

In addition to the work carried out by the volunteers, Ann is also working with the council's planning department to take action on the state of the cottages next to the petrol station.

Ann said: "We're doing all we can to get the owners to deal with the matters."

Details of the next action day will be coming forward shortly. If you would like to take part call 01277 312500.

A TINY new arrival at a farm in Billericay has proved that good things really do come in small packages.

The latest newborn at Barleylands Farm, Barleylands Road, is a Dexter cow, the smallest of the European breeds of cattle.

The minute moo stands at just 55cm and was born on Tuesday, July 9 to his mother Primrose. She is a veteran at eight years of age and is also of the miniature breed.

Farm manager David Finkle explained that the breed, which is half the size of most cows, is quite rare and had dwindled in numbers as they were not financially viable for most farmers.

Recently however the Dexter has become more popular with smallholders due to the breed's placid nature. Mr Finkle is a huge fan of the breed himself, having been given his first Dexter when he was just eight years old.

A dwarf of the cow world, the black male calf is as of yet unnamed but is proving to be quite a character.

Mr Finkle said: "His mother is shy and protective but he is already brave.

"I'm really fond of Dexters – my grandmother bought me one for my birthday."

The week-old calf and his mother have been enjoying finding shade from the sun under the willow tree in their paddock.

They join two larger counterparts at the farm, two teenage Hereford heifers who are red and white and much bigger in size.

Mr Finkle explained: "He will be here for a long time and all summer for people to see.

"He is getting on well and taking milk from his mother and starting to learn what grass is. We make sure his mum gets extra special treats to keep the quality of her milk high and we have doubled her food rations."

The calf is not the only new-born at the farm park as a very late lamb has also made her first appearance in the world at Barleylands.

Referred to as a Cuckoo-Lamb, in reference to the bird's late laying of eggs, the young sheep was born the same day as the calf. She is also black in colour and is part Suffolk part Jacob.

Mr Finkle said:

"Sheep born this late are very unusual but the lamb and her mother have had no problems and she has already almost doubled in size."

Taking after his father, this lamb is very lazy, which Mr Finkle explains is typical behaviour of Suffolks: "They have ridiculous attitudes."

Readers are invited to take part in Barleylands' up-and-coming competition to name both the calf and lamb.

Enter on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/barleylands or by visiting the farm.

A SMALL rural retreat in the Essex countryside has beaten stiff competition from across the county to be crowned the Best Kept Village in its size category of the 2013 Essex Village of the Year contest.

It may lack even a small shop or post office but the tiny village of Pleshey, near Chelmsford, makes up for it with warmth and community spirit according to residents, who have been delighted to also achieve third place overall in the awards from the Rural Community Council.

"For such a small village to get third place in the overall competition is jolly good and we're all very proud of ourselves," said resident Kate Holland, who nominated the village for the accolade earlier this year.

"Everybody knows everybody else here which you either love or hate, but all of us absolutely love it.

"When I was interviewing people ahead of the application what really came across was the depth of love of people for the village. There is something really special about it."

Despite having fewer than 300 inhabitants, the Pleshey social calendar is bursting with everything from yummy mummy groups, a choir and social circles for the elderly, to running groups departing from the village pub – one of the many things that impressed judges on their hour-long walking tour.

"You could never get bored here, we might be small but there is always something going on to get involved with," said Christine Carpenter, who arrived in the village six years ago after spotting the cottage of her dreams in a newspaper.

"It's such a beautiful place and I have never been anywhere so friendly. I think it really deserves the award."

Following a lengthy application form, a ten-minute presentation and a guided tour for the judges, representatives from the village were invited to attend a presentation ceremony at Writtle College last week, with no clue as to how well they had performed.

"The presentation and tour went well, and we gave the judges coffee and croissants, but as we're such a small village we didn't really dare hope to win as others had so many more facilities," added Kate, a parish councillor and mother-of-two.

"When we found out we were just so proud and delighted, it was wonderful news."

For another resident the award confirms three happy decades spent in the Essex idyll.

"When I moved in 30 years ago I didn't realise how lovely the community was but I quickly found out, and what a great place it is to live," said Helenmary Stark.

"I have seen it change and evolve over the years but it has always retained its heart at the centre of it all."

Villagers will now decide together how best to spend the £250 prize money from the competition.

"This competition showcases so much that is good about rural life in Essex today. Our judges were enormously impressed by the enterprise, commitment and sheer hard work of the dedicated volunteers who do so much for our rural communities," said Nick Shuttleworth, from the Rural Community Council of Essex.

"It was great to hear new ideas and plans for the future at each of the finalists."

A SOCIAL media-savvy shop owner took to Twitter to post a picture of suspected shoplifters in a bid to fight back against the "selfish" criminals and warn others.

After two women stole several items of baby clothing and a toy rabbit from his store on Ongar High Street, Colin Purcell logged on to the Twittersphere to spread the news.

"They came in on Thursday, they distracted me by trying to pay for small things with a £50 note and managed to steal several items," he said.

"It was clear that they might come back so I wanted to warn others. I checked through my CCTV, which had caught them in the act, and then I tweeted the picture.

"I knew a lot of the other traders followed me on Twitter and thought others would be able to watch out for them.

"The more people who know their faces the less likely they will be able to steal from others."

The 34-year-old, who has had his eclectic gift and homeware shop, When Skies Are Grey, since October, said: "It was the first time we had been stolen from. It was annoying, as a small business you don't want any sum stolen from you, especially starting out – it has an impact," Mr Purcell said.

"The criminals don't think or care about anyone else, they are selfish and can cause real damage.

"The quickest way of getting the news out was over Twitter, which a lot of shops are now using.

"Every business should be on Twitter, Facebook and all forms of social media, they are a great way of drumming up trade and keeping everyone informed."

On discovering the crime, Mr Purcell's first thought was to warn others. Eeny Meenie Miney Mo is a children's clothing boutique and toy store along the road.

Mr Purcell, who tweets as @Whenskiesrgrey_, said: "I thought they might be targeting that sort of item. I phoned Natalie, the owner of the shop up the road, to let her know. I knew they sold baby clothes and that she had been shoplifted from just a few weeks ago."

Natalie McCarthy, of Bowes Drive, Ongar, said: "We are very grateful for Colin giving us a heads-up. It was very thoughtful.

"With the picture on Twitter you can keep an eye out."

Essex Police said they would like to speak to the two women.

A police spokesman said: "Two women entered the shop and stole several items of baby clothing valued at £40. The women are described as eastern European and spoke with foreign accents."

MINISTER for Transport Simon Burns has hit back at claims he is once again using a taxpayer-funded chauffeur to drive him from Chelmsford to Parliament each day.

At 7am on July 11, the MP was photographed arriving at the House of Commons in a car – just months after he promised to stop using the £80,000-a-year ministerial vehicle and commute to and from London by train instead.

But the 60-year-old insists he continues to use the train between Chelmsford and London.

He said: "From January 21 that car has never driven me home."

Explaining his travel movements, Mr Burns said: "On Monday I drive up in my own car with my red boxes from Chelmsford and I stay in London as the Commons end up finishing very late, depending on the votes."

The ministerial red boxes contain official sensitive departmental documents, which Mr Burns says cannot be carried on public transport.

"On a Tuesday and Wednesday, it depends – if I'm not doing something work wise, I come back to Chelmsford.

"If I haven't got a box I'll take public transport.

"I'll go back to work via the train from Chelmsford.

"There will be one return journey a week when I drive my own car."

The rail minister added that he was always back in Chelmsford on Thursday nights.

Mr Burns said that he only used his ministerial pool car to get to his London accommodation when the votes in the Commons finished late on Mondays, and for other departmental duties and appointments around the capital.

He said: "The job does come with a pool car for the department – it drives me from the Department for Transport to the House of Commons.

"We have eight minutes to get to the division lobby when a vote starts and you cannot walk from the department in that time."

Mr Burns made the decision to use the train after the Mail on Sunday reported in January that he used a chauffeur-driven car to make the 35-mile journey to and from his Chelmsford home to central London, as revealed in the Chronicle two years earlier.

The story was picked up by most national newspapers and sparked a huge backlash from angry rail commuters.

This week the Mail Online accused Mr Burns of breaking his promise after he was photographed in the ministerial car again.

It claimed he stayed overnight in London for a few days a week and used the ministerial car to ferry him from his base in the capital either to his office in the Commons or his minister's office at the Department for Transport.

However, Mr Burns said that while he stays in the capital for at least one night a week and uses the car to get to his accommodation in London late at night, he does not claim expenses for it.

He said: "I am not charging the taxpayer any money for staying in London as I do.

"As I am the rail minister, I am not charging the taxpayer for using the trains from Chelmsford as I could."

Reacting to the recent claims, he added: "The most important thing is whether I'm doing a proper job or not."

AN after-school club that has changed the lives of children with special needs across the area for three years will be forced to close within three months if it does not secure funding.

The weekly activity group, organised by the charity Crossroads Care Brentwood, Basildon and Districts, has given youngsters with physical and mental disabilities the chance to join activities alongside other children in a similar position.

Catering for those aged five to 19, the group meets at Castledon School, Bromfords Drive, Wickford.

In April last year Essex County Council's £36,000 grant came to an end and since then the charity has been forced to ask parents for a small contribution. They have paid the rest of their outgoings from their dwindling reserves.

The group is now pleading with Basildon Borough Council to provide the funding they say they promised three years ago.

Bob Collum, 43, of Latiner Drive in Basildon, works as a learning support assistant. His son Jack is autistic and has been attending the club for three years.

Mr Collum said: "Jack loves going there.

"It provides opportunities for kids to try things with their peers. It gives them a chance to be themselves.

"When they are taken out with Crossroads there are a lot of staff and they get to visit all sorts of places. We have to pay a fee but it's still a bargain.

"There's nothing else that's quite like Crossroads. Because it's based in the school environment it's something the children feel comfortable with."

Paul Barrell, 51, a trustee at the charity, said: "We've been let down on numerous occasions, we were promised funding from Basildon Council but now they're trying to deny it."

He explained that as well as the after-school club the group works with young carers and provides dementia services. These services receive dedicated National Lottery funding but are also at risk if the after-school club continues without funding.

"We're looking at three months before the club has to close. We have the other services to think about too and we have to be careful not to go bankrupt.

"The difference a club like this makes to peoples' lives is just amazing. The club is good for the parents too - many of them are in a tough financial situation, so the services we provide can help them improve their life opportunities through taking up part time work or spending some quality time with their other children and partners."

The club is run by three qualified staff from Crossroads Care and a number of trained volunteers.

Mr Barrell explained that as many as 30 children have attended the group at one time. They meet on Tuesdays and the fee since April is £12.25 per session.

He added that as well as seeking funding from Basildon Council the group welcomes any businesses or groups that would support their worthy cause.

A spokesman from Basildon Council said: "I am not aware of Basildon making any promises to the group.

"If they require revenue funding, my understanding is that it is an Essex County Council function. The only funding Basildon Council has available is for community projects but not for revenue funding.

"We offer small grants to organisations and the one off Community Investment Fund if the club fit the criteria we would welcome a bid from them. Otherwise the CVS may be able to help the group look for alternatives.

"Sadly, revenue funding is becoming more and more difficult to obtain that is why volunteers are so essential in the current financial climate."

To discuss fundraising opportunities with Crossroads Care Brentwood, Basildon & Districts, call 01277 201789.

AFTER gluing thousands of leaves to a 1950s-inspired flower jacket, a Chelmsford floristry team has scooped silver at this year's Hampton Court Flower Show.

Part-time students, lecturers and technicians at Writtle College are celebrating the medal after masterminding their piece entitled Rock Around The Clock.

Further education lecturer Elain Thackray said: "The team has worked exceptionally hard to make this beautiful exhibit.

"There were hours of design and preparation at the college and 15 hours of putting the exhibit together on Sunday – including gluing thousands of everlasting stachys leaves to the jacket and around 1,000 fresh cerise pink carnations to the skirt.

"A member of the team has also gone up to the show every day to replenish the flowers and to ensure it is looking its best for all the visitors over the week, whose feedback has been brilliant."

All the carnations seen on the skirt were attached one by one, while the juke box in the background is made from foam, with a wooden base and decorated with both chrysanthemums and carnations.

During the six-day show, which finished on Sunday, three Writtle students also boasted a "how to make floral Knickerbocker Glories" stand – before also meeting the Duchess of Cornwall.

A CALL to the community and local businesses to help spruce up a Brentwood school has seen a surge of response.

With a limited budget for redecoration but a wish to provide all pupils with bright fresh classrooms, when they return to school in September, head of Shenfield High School Carole Herman put out an appeal to the public.

"We may not look like Hogwarts, but Shenfield can create its own magic." she has declared to members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Shenfield Environmental Partnership and the school's own PTA.

Armed with paintbrushes rather than wands, a team of volunteers have stepped forward ready to head into the classrooms this summer holiday.

Mrs Herman said: "Since we have become an academy we have attracted a degree of funding that has allowed us to make several improvements but our resources are finite and there is still a long way to go before we will be satisfied that the quality of our learning environment is the best it can be.

"We would like to accelerate our progress so we have launched the 'adopt a room' campaign asking people to donate their time, goods or money to help overhaul the school.

"We have had an amazing amount of interest, and have now got eight different offers of time or money, which is wonderful."

Mrs Herman said the volunteers will be in school this summer alongside paid contractors. Work is already underway on building an extension to provide further sixth form study space and an additional drama studio.

Other cash from Government grants and the school's own coffers is being spent on improved security, creating a dedicated social and dining space for GCSE students, and re-surfacing the car park accessed from Oliver Road.

Among those who have pledged to help is Nicky Eaton, aunt of pupil Alby Robinson, who was severely disabled as a result of a car accident when he was 11. Now 18, he has taken GCSEs and BTECs at the school on Chelmsford Road.

Nicky has recruited her sisters, brothers-in-law and parents to help transform room C8 where pupils with special needs spend their break and lunch times.

She told the Gazette: "We really wanted to give something back to the school for all the work they have done helping Alby.

"I heard about the appeal and stepped forward asking if we can adopt C8 as it's a room where Alby spent a lot of his time. Alby loves the school – he does not want to leave – so it's lovely that we can help them in some way.

"I think it's a fantastic idea and I really hope more people come forward to give up their time to help the school."

John Newberry, chairman of the Shenfield Environmental Partnership, is also rallying a group of volunteers.

He said: "The 'adopt a room' project is another step forward in bringing students and the community together, which we feel would be of great benefit for all.

"I am building a list of our able bodied members to help physically and those who may be able to help with materials."

The new Peter Jones Academy, part of Havering College, based in Brentwood High Street, has also stepped forward. Tutors have set up a scheme whereby from September their painting and decorating students will come into the school at weekends and holidays to update facilities.

Duane Randall, head of construction at the college, said: "Our painting and decorating students gain enormously from their involvement in various community projects. We are pleased to be able to help our friends at Shenfield High School through their 'adopt a room' scheme.

"The painting and decorating project will help the students complete their work placement hours and the school will benefit from a skillful makeover."

Parent Andrew Worth, told the Gazette that he and fellow members of the school's Parent Teacher Association had agreed to give the school a cash donation for materials and were in discussions as to the amount.

He said: " We are in full support of the campaign and think it is a brilliant idea."

The Ford Motor Company at Dunton has pledged a team of up to 24 employers who will spend two days working hard at whatever tasks need doing.

A 12-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl can now eat and drink again, go to school and enjoy sleepovers for the first time after her father gave her one of his kidneys.

Matthew Fletcher, 44, of The Street, High Easter, donated the organ to his beloved daughter Hope in April – despite him having an incompatible blood type.

Mr Fletcher, who is the head of sixth form at Helena Romanes School in Great Dunmow and watched his daughter throw javelins at their sports day on Tuesday, has raised £60,000 to date as part of the Always Hope fund.

A tribute show fundraiser at the village hall this Saturday, organised by villager Brian Hockley MBE, will hope to provide the sum a massive boost.

"Hope is great. She never once moans and never questions why she has to be put through this. She is an inspiration to me, she is fantastic," said the father-of-two.

"She hadn't been able to eat for two and a half years, eating through a pump into her tummy in her sleep, but the day after hospital she started eating and hasn't stopped.

"Before she couldn't go on sleepovers, she had to go to bed at five or six o'clock, couldn't stay in school and couldn't go out for meals."

Hope was born with dsypraxic kidneys, which means both organs were unable to take nourishment from food.

She was placed on 13-hour-a-day dialysis and could not walk, yet in 2003, her grandad Roger Lees donated a kidney.

She came out of the transplant in good health, but after nearly four years she was back on the food pump with her kidney failing.

Just 18 months ago her father opted to donate his kidney, despite him having the wrong blood type.

While he was operated on at Guy's and St Thomas' hospital in London in April, and while Hope was in Great Ormond Street, the 12-year-old soon became the first person to receive an incompatible kidney at her second attempt.

Hope, who has a twin sister, Eve, underwent five operations in five weeks, including a plasma exchange.

"I can't tell you enough how determined she is, even the people in the hospital were amazed. She is weeks ahead of other children who have had this transplant," added Mr Fletcher.

"We now just hope she thrives and grows and lives a normal life."

Mr Fletcher, who is running the London Marathon next year, hopes to take families he has met through Great Ormond Street on holiday with money from the Always Hope fund.

But he said it was thanks to his wife Beth and the village's support that the fund had reached such a total.

Mr Hockley's fundraiser will feature performances from tribute acts dedicated to Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. It will take place at High Easter Village Hall this Saturday at 7.30pm.

Mr Hockley said that he was expecting about 100 guests.

Tickets cost £10 while children under 13 can go for free.

To add your name to the NHS Organ Donor Register call 0300 1232323, text SAVE to 84118 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.

BRAINTREE Area Foodbank has fed 2,000 people since opening its doors to the needy in April 2012.

By April this year, the foodbank had handed out 12 tonnes of nourishment to 1,500 people, through its three existing distribution centres at St Andrew's Church in Halstead, and the Baptist Church and Christ Church in Braintree, and has fed another 500 in the past couple of months.

In April the network opened a fourth distribution centre, in Witham, to respond to the growing demand for the meals it provides.

Alan Pinnell of the Braintree Area Foodbank, said: "It's hardly a cause for celebration, but it does mean we're meeting a real local need.

"We've seen numbers steadily increase since we opened in April last year and, with the welfare changes coming in, we expect to see even more as those start to bite.

"With 700 people in eight months last year, this year we've seen about 1,200 people already come through our doors."

The Trussell Trust, a Christian charity that helps those across the UK in poverty, warns the upcoming school summer holidays could now see a large number of children going hungry, as more than a quarter of parents suffering from some form of food poverty said they were unable to provide food for all the meals their children needed during the school holidays.

Chris Mould, chairman of the Trussell Trust, said: "Trussell Trust foodbanks have recently seen the biggest ever increase in numbers turning to us for emergency food, and foodbanks across the country need more support to cope with demand.

"We're meeting parents who've gone hungry for days in order to feed their children, and school holidays are always especially difficult with many budgets stretched to breaking point."

The warning comes as the biggest ever foodbank collection, at Tesco stores across the UK, was held last weekend. In December last year 2.4million meals were donated in a similar drive.

Braintree Area Foodbank was part of this drive, and held collections at three Tesco stores last weekend, with more than 4.5 tonnes of food donated – working out at around three days of supplies for 415 people.

Research carried out by foodbanks charities the Trussell Trust and FareShare over the last year found that 21 per cent of parents in the UK are struggling to feed their children.

According to the study, 15 per cent of people in the East of England are skipping meals to feed their family and rely on others for food.

TERRIFYING, exciting, brave or stupid? Bull running can be called a variety of things, but for six members of Ongar Rugby Club, it was a perfect weekend in Spain.

The annual excursion to Pamploma, now in its third year, is becoming a regular part of the club's calendar, with organiser Ben Whateley-Harris taking the reins.

The 30-year-old, who lives on Ongar High Street, is captain of the rugby club. He said: "It was amazing, incredible and exciting – the third time is definitely the best so far.

"You don't have time to be scared. .

"The festival atmosphere is incredible.

"The adrenaline just keeps you running, ducking, diving and swerving to dodge the bulls. I recommend it to absolutely everyone.

"Even if you don't want to join in the run it is worth it as a spectator alone.

"It is hard to describe the experience to someone who hasn't been there.

"It feels like you're going into a football stadium and then the rush comes and you're getting squeezed and squashed before suddenly you are in the stadium.

"It is packed out and everyone is cheering, you can hear the roar as you come out. It is an unforgettable experience."

When it came to the reasons behind the trip, it could have easily been cheese not bulls that the rugby club members were running away from.

Mr Whateley-Harris explained: "We were looking for something to do that was a little bit different, something that was a bit more adventurous.

"We were going to go to the Gloucester Cheese Roll. It was something a bit dangerous and exciting. However, we couldn't all get the time off.

"Then we looked into the bull running and realised a week out there in Pamplona was the same price.

"The first time was mad, it was over so quickly and you didn't have time to think. The second time, with that little bit more experience, you can try and get to the right places and watch the others do.

"The third time was definitely the best so far. I am hoping the fourth time will be bigger and even better."

Ian Springate, 22, of Ongar Road, Stondon Massey, also went along for the ride: "It was scary, adrenaline crazy and just incredible to do.

"There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity and I am not sure which side we fall."

CHARITY workers are frustrated by increasing levels of theft from shops in Billericay.

Several stores on High Street are concerned by the amount of goods being snatched from outside their doors. Employees say these thefts have increased and believe this may be due to the changes to the value of rags, meaning that the public can now easily make money from old clothes.

Charity shop workers try to encourage the public to bring donations directly into the shop during opening hours, but often bags of secondhand clothing and other pre-owned objects still get left outside overnight or at the weekend.

Mandy Smith, assistant manager at Cancer Research on High Street, says the thefts have been going on for years.

The 50-year-old explained: "We're losing out on a lot of stock – people have said we've had donations piled half way up the window and when we come in there's hardly any left.

"They have even taken photos to show us how much there was.

"People have also come in and asked if we've sold something they brought when we have never seen it."

Mrs Smith, who lives in Rayleigh, says the thefts happen several times a week, as far as she is aware, and mostly at the weekend.

She and her colleagues are concerned about the loss of income for the charity.

She explained: "We must be losing quite a lot of money over time.

"I am really frustrated by it – it's left out for us and we don't get a chance to go through it and find what's there. Many things aren't worth a lot but there's often something valuable in the bags.

"It's been going on for the four years I have worked here, but it's recently got worse, and no one does anything about it. The police try but it's difficult to monitor when people leave donations outside.

"Now the public are allowed to get money from rags and I think this has made it worse."

For instance, Cash 4 Clothes, a company who offer money in return for second hand clothing, will pay £5 for every 10kg bin bag of clothes.

Staff in Sense, also on the High Street, echoed Mrs Smith's sentiments, explaining that items often go missing from outside their store.

Mrs Smith continued: "They leave a mess as well - there's stuff all over the place when they take things from the bags.

"Once I found a bloke trying on stuff in the window and when I arrived he ran off.

"People go round the back and go through the bins so we've even started putting our stuff in Greggs' bin so they can't find it.

"One policeman caught some people but most of the time they get away with it."

Employees from a third charity shop in the High Street also confirmed that donations left to them were taken, but they did not wish to be identified.

Speaking of the thefts, Sergeant Paul Costin said: "A lot of it is overnight opportunists, they take the stuff that they know is suitable for sale – they know that the shops leave them out the back.

"If it becomes a worrying trend that we need to pick up we will. A lot of the charity shops are empowering themselves – trackers are a very good way of monitoring this.

"A lot of the shops protect themselves by doing this," he added.

A PLUCKY university graduate who resorted to handing out her CV to random commuters travelling to London in a bid to find work has finally been offered a job at a Maldon recruitment firm.

Luisa Downey, 23, from Colchester, has been struggling to find employment since she left Essex University in 2011 with a 2:1 degree in English literature and drama.

In the last few months Luisa has been catching the 6am train from Colchester and getting off at Marks Tey, Kelvedon and Witham, paying £8 a time, to hand out CVs.

But after hearing about her predicament Caroline Seear, MD of Maldon recruitment firm, Red Recruit, has offered her a job as an international recruiter.

"I know that the job market is really competitive, I had already done countless applications for jobs so I knew that I had to come up with an idea that was slightly unconventional just to grab people's attentions.

"I thought that handing my CV to commuters going to London would be a great way of not just getting my name out there but also showing that I'm serious and committed to getting myself a job," said Luisa.

Luisa had previously started a Twitter account and uploaded a film to YouTube as part of her 'Keep Calm and Employ Me' campaign.

"The message I wanted to get across to everyone was that I mean business, I'm not here to mess about, let's do this! I can't believe all of the attention that I have received, everyone has been extremely positive.

"I'm desperate to get started and even though I was only just interviewed, I'm really excited about the opportunity, " said Luisa.

Luisa has also been on national TV and radio talking about her attempts to find work and when Caroline Seear MD of Red Recruit and Red Recruit Global heard of her plight she knew she wanted to meet.

"When I heard about the story I immediately empathised with Luisa, and after meeting her I can say that I just think that she is brilliant and just the sort of person that I want to employ. I knew straight away that Luisa was someone that deserved a chance.

"What a great idea and attitude Luisa has. I have worked on a voluntary basis getting women back into the work place and know that there is a great untapped pool of people with very good skills. Who wouldn't be impressed by this young lady?

"I thought it was very admirable of Luisa handing out the CVs like she was, because if I didn't have a job that's what I'd be doing."

Caroline has said that she has had an issue with finding the right applicants for the jobs she has available.

She said: "I'm looking for someone with some real get-up-and-go and by judging some of the applicants to the jobs I've advertised that seems to have got-up-and-gone."

Caroline, who has been managing director at Red for 11 years, said: "We are a global recruitment company, so we will be able to offer the chance for travel and a good career in recruiting. Luisa will be following our graduate training and development programme, where we establish people's strengths and weaknesses and work on their strong points."

A CHELMSFORD school has been named in the top 10 in the country for getting students into Oxford or Cambridge universities.

Latest statistics show St John Payne RC School is the only non-selective state school in Essex on the list after five per cent of its sixth form pupils who take A-levels got places in the country's top two universities.

Head of sixth form Stella McKenna told the Chronicle: "Our success rate of getting into Oxbridge has been high for many years.

"I think the secret is we teach A-levels very well here giving pupils five lessons a week from our most experienced teachers and we have a support programme set up to help them with their applications. We encourage our students to aim high."

St John Payne shares seventh place with schools such as The Blue School in Somerset and Hills Road Sixth form College in Cambridge in the chart, which is part of a dossier of statistics published by the Government looking at what happens to young people post-16.

The Education and Employment Destination data is based on the 2010/11 school year, the latest available, when five of St John Payne's 100 sixth formers got Oxbridge places – the school's best ever performance.

But over the last decade at least one or two students have got into Oxford or Cambridge each year.

In recent years the school has achieved the best A-level results of any non-selective state school in Essex, yet has maintained its open door policy for its sixth form, meaning students do not need a minimum GCSE score to secure a place.

Michael Farrell, deputy head, says Oxbridge is more open to state school applications than ever before.

He said: "The two do differ. It is easier to obtain an interview at Cambridge. However those who gain interviews at Oxford seem to have a greater chance of being offered a place.

"The interview process is very rigorous and daunting – it is often not just one interview but three or four.

"Therefore we offer all pupils who are applying the chance to have a mock interview with our most experienced staff, and we also run trips to Oxbridge open days and give them detailed advice on their written application forms."

Antonio Borelli, 21, from Maldon was one of the class of 2010-11, who won a coveted Oxbridge place. He has just gained an upper second class geography degree at St Peter's College, Oxford, and is now job-hunting.

He said: "Oxford is not the stuffy, elitist institution that many people may imagine it to be.

"The academic side is very intense as you have eight week terms during which you have to work very hard but you are being taught by the people who write the text books in your subjects.

"It's very hard to sum it up but Oxford offers something for everyone and whatever you want to be or whatever you want to do, you can find it there."

From this year's cohort student Rebecca May, who has just sat her A-levels has an offer from Oxford to read languages.

DAWN Henning of Fairfield Rise won the Best Kept Small Front Garden category and came second in the Best Kept Small Back Garden category.

The 47-year-old project manager at Northern Trust explained that she enjoys using her garden to unwind from work and juggles her horticultural hobby with her other interests which include dancing and teaching hockey.

She said: "The back garden was rubble when I moved in two and a half years ago so the plants are still quite young.

"I have always loved gardening but never been an expert. I knew nothing when I first started – I met a man selling plants at a school fete and he has been helping me with my gardening ever since.

"I have been going back to him for 15 years," she laughed.

Her award-winning front garden boasts roses, hebes, lavender, penstemons, ceanothus and chrysanthemums as well as hanging baskets and potted plants.

Speaking of her success Miss Henning said: "I still don't know what I'm doing – if I like something I keep it but if I don't I won't."

Her back garden has an abundance of species including edible fruit like strawberries and rhubarb as well as Japanese asa. The tranquil space also showcases a water feature, decking area and pergola.

Miss Henning added: "My nieces love the garden and I'm hoping to inspire them to get into gardening.

"I could spend all day every day here – the day before the judging I was in my garden from 9am until 9.30pm."

BUTTSBURY Junior School on Norsey View Drive were proud to be awarded Best School Vegetable Patch and were placed third in Best School Garden.

The 20-strong team of year five and six pupils from the gardening club helped tend their impressive vegetable plot which offers a crop of cauliflower, broad beans, runner beans, carrots and spring onions, to mention just a few.

Their World War Two-themed garden also caught the judge's eye which included a herb garden and an Anderson Shelter.

Cliff Slater who teaches year fives at the school explained that the children use the vegetables for cooking.

Fran Cripps who is a higher level teaching assistant also helps with the young gardeners. She added that the children really enjoy uncovering the vegetables they have grown themselves.

Mr Slater said: "When they dig up the potatoes it's like their finding nuggets of gold," he laughed.

Sam Ross, 10, said: "It's good to eat the vegetables you've grown."

DANNY Gould of Newlands Road had made an impressive display in a small area and bagged himself Best Vegetable Plot, Best Hanging Basket and came third in Best Kept Small Front Garden.

His hanging basket was packed with bright colours and flowers split over the edges of the container hiding it completely.

The 41-year-old listed endless vegetables and fruits he grew in the space including potatoes, cabbages, giant white onions and beetroot.

He explained that he had been gardening seriously for the past five years and has even changed career due to his new found love of horticulture.

He now owns and runs Gouldy's Gardens where he creates gardens and builds vegetable beds and green houses.

The father-of-one said: "I don't see it as a job – it's so rewarding."

ST PETER'S Catholic School, Coxes Farm Road, was awarded Best School Garden.

Teacher Louise Downey explained that a year four child designed the area which was funded by the friends of the school.

The garden is multi-sensual and the children enjoy the wildlife which settles in the space including the mini-beasts which live under the logs.

The gardening club, which consists of five pupils in year three and four, enjoy tending to the plants and vegetables, many of which have been grown from seed.

Eight-year-old Archie Hepburn said: "I like discovering new species of plants – I am extremely happy that our garden won."

His fellow pupil Anya Dunbar, 8, added: "I like planting and seeing if there are any vegetables that have grown."

MARY Pellatt of Little Norsey Road won Best Kept Large Back Garden, came second in Best Garden Design and third in Best Wildlife Garden.

The retired maths lecturer at Havering College explained that she has entered the competition for the past five years.

She said: "I have always gardened and have a huge variety growing and lots of perennials which are easier than putting things in every year.

"My husband, Mike, helps out too – but I don't let him near the plants," she joked.

Her 100-foot garden is a spectrum of colour and features a pond with waterfall at the end of the space.

Part of Mrs Pellatt's interest in gardening comes from her love of wildlife and she explained that she sees lots of wild animals in her garden including badgers, foxes and squirrels.

She said: "I like to create something that looks like you want it to look.

"I love hebes they have a lovely way of changing colour.

"In the summer I am kept busy with the garden and in the winter I enjoy looking into my ancestry," she added.

Miss Hoyle said: "I'm so excited about the show, I've done a few beauty pageants but this one is the most important to me. It's a really well-known event and the best thing about it is that it also fits in with my philosophy about being green."

Young women from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be vying for a chance to represent their country along with more than 100 others at the world finals of Miss Earth, one of the biggest international beauty events.

"The thought of being up there answering questions is quite scary and I've got to prepare an outfit made out of totally recyclable materials, which I think I'm going to enjoy," said Miss Hoyle.

Brother Alex, 16, and parents Terry, 68, and Gwen, 55, will be making the trip up the M1 to support their daughter.

Miss Hoyle, a nursery practitioner, said "All my friends and family are up for coming up so it will be pretty spectacular if I win. My brother has taken a keen interest too, now he has realised the amount of pretty girls on show."

Finalists organise tree planting events and get involved with community projects through Girls4Trees, which gives funds generated through the Miss Earth final to UK projects.

The winner will receive prizes including a collection of Aqua Green Eco swimwear made from recycled material, a photoshoot, five outfits from Tcharakoura, a wardrobe of gowns to wear at the world final, Earthnicity natural cosmetics, an Annibee eco bag and a makeover.

Along with the title of Miss Earth the overall winner will have the opportunity to work as an ambassador for environmental protection campaigns worldwide and promote animal protection and environmental awareness.

THE FAMILY and friends of an Essex firefighter who was left fighting for his life after a neck hold went wrong during a martial arts class are canoeing from Liverpool to Chelmsford to raise money for his rehab.

Matt Rodrigues Dos Santos, 28, will be canoeing 250 miles with four friends next month to raise funds for his brother Mark, who suffered two strokes, a cardiac arrest and pneumonia after collapsing in the training session he was teaching in Maldon in April last year.

Mark, 38, who has worked at Brentwood fire station for over a decade and was Blue Watch's fitness instructor, also had two brain operations, survived cardiac arrest and endured months of rehab to learn to walk and talk again.

But last week he finally returned to his family home in Great Totham and he is now learning to be independent again.

He needs occasional assistance with washing and changing into his clothes, as he is still regaining his physical co-ordination.

Mark's friends and family are looking to raise money to help pay for his rehabilitation by canoeing from Liverpool, where Mark grew up, before finishing in the centre of Chelmsford.

The rowing event, which will start on August 11, is expected to last around six days and cover 255 miles along 150 canals.

Matt, a 28-year-old worker at Chelmsford's Phones 4u who lives in Great Totham, said: "It's called 'The Hard Way' – if my brother could have done it, he would have said 'Let's do something different rather than a marathon'.

"The first thing people think is that he cannot speak but he can – it is the physical side that he cannot do. He was the fitness instructor for the fire brigade, he had made the fitness programme – not being able to be independent was hard for him."

Matt hopes that the money raised will also be used to aid his brother, whose hobbies include Brazilian jujitsu, snooker and football, on the road to recovery in other ways rather than care.

"In the house at the moment there is a garage building that we are looking into converting into a small gym, so that Mark can be more independent," Matt said.

Two people will be in the canoe paddling, while another two will drive to the next destination where they will switch places, whilst a fifth person will be on standby should anything happen.

Along with Matt, the people taking part are: Chris Donoghue, Alan and Paul Trees, and Kieran England.

Dave Shepherd, a firefighter on Blue Watch at Brentwood and a colleague of Mark's, said: "It sounds fantastic.

"Mark is just an all-round great bloke – he's still got that spark and a sense of humour despite what's happened."

The paddles will hit the water on Sunday, August 11 in Ellesmere Port and finish on Friday, August 16 in Chelmsford.

To donate or to find out more, search on Facebook for "Thehardway2013".

TOPPINGS and stuffed crusts littered the Radisson Blu Hotel at Stansted Airport as a group of Braintree children went head-to-head against a rival school in a pizza cook-off.

Four students from Tabor Academy visited the Radisson to take on pupils from St Mary's School in Bishop's Stortford in a duel of culinary skills – and came out triumphant.

The Tabor students were selected from 45 other academy entrants to the school's pizza design competition to decide who went into the final versus St Mary's. At the hotel the students were introduced to a chef from Filinis, who gave them a brief talk about what he was looking for in a winning pizza before they eagerly got to work.

Winner Amy Thomas, created a Moroccan-themed pizza, combining chicken with traditional ingredients, such as preserved lemon, ras-el-hanout and apricots. Karen Ditzel, head of design and senior Brunel tutor, said: "Amy was over the moon, the subtle amounts of cinnamon and cumin she used to make the judges mouths water and ultimately crown her as the Radisson Blu Pizza Challenge winner, were amazing. Amy also won the school's Year 7 heat of Masterchef in the last few weeks too, so I believe we may have a new culinary champion here at Tabor."

Her triumphant creation will now feature on the Radisson's very own menu.

Miss Ditzel said: "I was truly impressed by the team spirit of my students as they all congratulated her and complimented her on her winning dish."

Other entrants included Molly Barltrop, who created the 'Chocolate Mayhem' dessert pizza containing jelly beans and marshmallows, with a peanut butter stuffed crust.

"Kian Culham created the 'Hot Boy Challenge', using every known hot chilli under the sun – it certainly made for an interesting tasting during the judging," added Miss Ditzel.

Chloe Hiskey made the 'Ooh La La', pizza with a combination of pepperoni, brie, chives and basil.

"It was an amazing treat for the taste buds, she had the judges in raptures," added Miss Ditzel.