A DEMOLITION company has sprayed nearly one million litres of water on collapsing rubble following complaints about dust clouds.

Heard Demolition, which is clearing the remains of a former NatWest bank in Chelmsford to make way for a £64 million John Lewis, cinema and restaurant development at the back of Bond Street, has had two complaints from residents and one from a nearby pub.

To make amends it applied to Essex & Suffolk Water for a 'licensed stand pipe' to pump water from the ground, directly onto the rubble as it came down to stop any dust.

It has so far pumped nearly 900 cubic metres – equal to 900,000 litres – on the dust.

"We have tried to accommodate everyone and we also have a lunchtime break," said 27-year-old on-site manager James Bott.

The five-strong team stop work between 12.45pm and 2.15pm each day to give shoppers a dust-free lunch.

Father-of-one Mr Bott, who has been working on the demolition since July 8, said the team have had to delicately destroy the building's frame – constructed with reinforced concrete and steel – without touching the front of the old NatWest in the High Street.

Work with the 60 tonne pulveriser finished last week and Heard will remain on site clearing up for the rubble for another two weeks.

"It's been a bit more of an engineering exercise and a lot more thought had to go into it," said Mr Bott. "We would rather take the time on it than have to start over again and take it down by hand with drills."

He added that about 40 to 50 people a day flock to the demolition site to take photos.

Director Jim Heard, 36, said his team had been waiting six years to start the job.

"With the hot conditions making it so much harder it's put us all to the test.

"But we are making the best of a tough job and we are on track to have finished the demolition in seven to eight days so we've done really well," said Mr Heard, who set up the company when he was 17.

Essex & Suffolk Water spokesman Oliver Rogers said it was common for demolition companies to apply for a licensed pipe to extinguish dust.

"Heard Demolition hired it off of us and that is fine. It's a reasonable health and safety operation," he said. "But they have to have a reasonable usage."

BROOMFIELD'S batsmen set what is believed to be a record score for a 45-over innings as they thrashed a depleted Boreham II XI on Saturday.

Batting first, Broomfield's II scored an incredible 510-3 in their 45 overs, with 18-year-old Aaron Eglin making a brilliant 284 not out, and captain Jack Copeman – also 18 – scoring 110.

And in reply, Boreham – who were two men short – were dismissed for just 52, giving Broomfield an amazing 458-run win in the T Rippon Mid Essex League Division Nine clash.

Jack's dad Gary, who holds a number of roles at the club and is a regular for the seconds, told the Chronicle he believes it is a record score for the format.

Eglin's innings, which included 36 fours and 13 sixes, was all the more remarkable given that his previous highest score this season was just nine.

Copeman senior said: "I was there for part of it, and it was an incredible innings.

"Most teams would be happy to score 284 between them, so for Aaron to do it on his own is very impressive. Jack has been batting well, scoring a lot of 40s and 50s, but it was his maiden hundred.

"We think it's the highest score ever in the T Rippon League and we've had a look around and we don't think there are any 45 over scores anywhere that have topped it.

"Boreham were depleted, but it is still a brilliant innings."

Another club in the T Rippon League also enjoyed a memorable week with the bat, as all three of Little Baddow's teams had a batsman score a century.

Andy Newton scored 130 for their first team as they beat Rettendon, Rob Harris made 106 for the seconds against Boreham, and 17-year-old Jack Odell scored 114 as thirds beat Wickham II.

Club president Peter Linnett said: "It's a great achievement for a small club like us.

"We have around 45 members including our juniors and colts, so it is great to still be able to get three teams out every week."

FOR JOE Torpey this will sadly be his last experience as slave auctioneer as he retired at the end of term.

The English and Media Studies teacher has held a range of roles at Boswells, which is the only school at which he has taught in his 30-year career.

He told the Chronicle: "It's a nice school, nice area, nice students, nice staff – what more could you want?"

Joe, who is originally from north west London started at Bowells as an NQT in 1983.

He ran boys and girls football teams after school for some years, and has held roles as head of year.

He said: "I've always been lucky. I've always had great year groups, including my current Year Seven.

"I will miss the actual teaching – we are all performers really and I love standing up in front of a class performing.

"My wife is stopping work as well so we will have a lot more time to do the things we enjoy."

A YEAR after the publication of a prospectus designed to encourage billions in rail investment in the region, operators admit there is "no room to let up" as key schemes remain unfunded and unapproved.

The East Anglian Rail Prospectus, which was launched to make the case for regional rail investment in both Essex, and the whole of the East of England, identified the delivery of reduced journey times, and increased capacity on lines running through Chelmsford.

But looking back at these goals at a rail summit held in Westminster on July 16, the franchise operators admit these schemes have made "limited progress", despite successes elsewhere in the plans.

"We believe that if you look at these goals objectively you would say there is a lot more to do," said Jonathan Denby, head of corporate affairs at Greater Anglia.

"Our priorities are to secure funding and the delivery of these schemes which stand out as two aspirations for this decade.

"The rail summit was the chance to provide a snapshot of how we are doing and, also a re-affirmation that a co-ordinated approach, working alongside other stakeholders, is the way forward."

The report, compiled by an alliance of supporters including politicians, passenger groups and Greater Anglia, listed 21 projects across the region to improve railway infrastructure and services.

Published in July 2012, it was used as part of a successful bid to secure £2.2 billion of funding from Network Rail in January this year, a move hailed as the biggest investment in the region's railways since Victorian times.

A dozen of the goals identified in the prospectus have now either been achieved or been given approval to go ahead.

Among the successes are train-service punctuality which is now measured at 92.8 per cent, pilot schemes for print at home ticketing are being trialled along a number of routes, and "refresh" schemes have been delivered at over 90 stations.

But plans to increase line speeds along routes running through Chelmsford, and the introduction of "4-tracking" to improve capacity along a section north of the city remain on hold.

Support for this latter infrastructure scheme, which will facilitate plans for the new station at Beaulieu Park, was also forthcoming from local politicians speaking at the rail summit, including Witham MP Priti Patel.

"Adding a new track north of Chelmsford is critical to the whole of the Great East Main Line. Without that new capacity, commuters and freight services will be unable to fully benefit from more reliable services and quicker line speeds," said Mrs Patel.

"Around £3.7 billion could be added to the region's economy if our rail infrastructure and services are modernised and investment in the Great East Main Line in the Chelmsford area will unlock a large number of new jobs and growth."

The plans for a second station in Chelmsford had been agreed alongside the development from Countryside Properties for 3,600 homes, and a 40,000-square metre business park to the north of the city.

However the obligation upon the developer to construct the station does not extend to the upgrades needed to signalling, passing loops and tracks.

PERSISTENT drug dealing and violent crime has brought one Brentwood resident to the brink of despair – and she is now threatening to withhold her mortgage until she can switch it to a different property.

Laura Thomas, who has lived in Rollason Way for the past seven years, has outlined a litany of incidents that she says is making her and her partner's life unbearable.

In the past 18 months she said she has been subjected to what she described as "insufferable living conditions" – which she blames on several individuals who are tenants of the housing association Circle Anglia.

The 30-year-old public servant, who part-owns her property, claims that because of these tenants criminals are being attracted to the area.

Miss Thomas believes Circle Anglia has failed to address the problem and she is refusing to make any more mortgage payments on her Botham House flat, unless she can switch it to another property.

She claims she and her partner have repeatedly been the victims of postal thefts, with the most recent occurring in June this year, when she also had her purse stolen from outside her front door.

Miss Thomas also claims there is a persistent issue with drugs. In one of the most recent incidents, on July 7, she arrived home to find four youths sat on her car drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis.

When she challenged them she said they became intimidating. "The police attended and were extremely sympathetic and offered reassurance that they were doing all they could to combat the problem," she said.

"However, only so much can be done by the police and to eradicate the problem Circle would need to take more robust action against this behaviour.

"On July 8 I went downstairs to go to work and to check both my vehicles.

"Upon close inspection I saw damage to both cars on the paint work whereby someone had attempted to gain access and in the process, caused deep scratches and chips to the driver side on one door and both front doors on the other car."

Then at around 10.30am on July 13, Miss Thomas says she saw a half-dressed man covered in blood, waving a knife in the air, berating someone who was accusing him of stealing his drugs.

"I immediately contacted 999 to report what was happening," she said.

"There was obviously a lot of police activity and throughout this time I felt like a prisoner in my own home, as I was too scared to open the front door.

"This was a very frightening situation, which has resulted in myself being afraid to walk outside my own home."

She has now written to her mortgage provider warning she is stopping all mortgage and rental payments within the next month unless she can move.

She wrote: "I am fully aware that should I not receive the support I am asking for then the defaults on the mortgage and rental will lead to the property being repossessed.

"I shall be blacklisted and possibly have to declare bankruptcy.

"I would like to stress that this is not an easy decision to make or one I have taken lightly.

"However I feel I am left with no choice.

"I have to move from the property as my quality of life is becoming unbearable and my health and mental well-being is becoming affected."

Miss Thomas is not alone in her concerns.

Another man, whom the Gazette agreed not to name, said antisocial behaviour was a recurring problem.

He added: "We have got a massive drug problem down here and half the problem is to get people to speak out about it."

However, Paul Downie, who has lived in Rollason Way for seven years, was more sanguine.

The 45-year-old said: "I'm not saying for a minute there are not problems down here, but if people are refusing to talk because they are scared then that is daft. I think most of the problems originate from neighbours not getting on for whatever reason."

Adrian Shaw, group head of leasehold management at Circle Housing Group said: "We are committed to ensuring that all our residents have a safe place to live and are working alongside the police and local council to tackle anti-social behaviour at Rollason Way.

"Circle has installed a door stop to ensure that the main front entrance door automatically closes and will shortly be introducing CCTV in the communal areas."

A police spokesman said: "Police are dealing with the reports made by the victim and investigations are in hand. Police are aware of problems surrounding drug use and antisocial behaviour in and around that area and have an operation in place to target the Railway Square area.

"Patrols have been increased and PCSO are undertaking regular checks on the area. Anyone with any intelligence about criminal activity in the area should contact the Neighbourhood Crime team at Brentwood on 101.

"Undercover police work is taking place, but for operational reasons we cannot give any information at this time."

A TOY shop which has served Billericay for nearly 30 years will close its doors this summer.

From kites and Lego to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Moshi Monsters, the store has been selling toys since it was first started in 1984 under the name Pied Piper. It was purchased by Alan Badswell and his wife Janice in 2001 and renamed Toys n Tuck.

Mr Badswell, of South Woodham Ferrers, said: "People come in and say it is such a shame we're closing and that is true.

"We do have loyal customers that are sad we're going but there are others who have disappeared.

"If only I could just open the three months up to Christmas. That would be great," the 56-year-old laughed.

Toys n Tuck, on The Walk, High Street, will be closing in late August or early September.

Twenty years ago Mr Badswell started his business with five toy shops in Southend, South Woodham Ferrers, Maldon, Rayleigh and Billericay.

When Toys n Tuck, Billericay, closes Mr Badswell will have just one remaining shop in Southend, on which he will focus his efforts.

The father of two explained: "This is the only way we can make it pay – it has to be family-run.

"This probably represents retailing at the moment in a nutshell."

However, Mr Badswell looked back fondly over the years: "We have sold everything and anything depending on what's popular at the time.

"We had Furbees, when they first came round and again more recently, Thunderbirds and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Billericay has always done very well with girls' toys – perhaps that's because we had women staff doing the buying," he laughed.

He continued: "We used to do very well with dolls and a lot more traditional toys for girls like dolls' houses and prams but now they prefer fashion dolls like Barbie.

"At one time we used to have lots of outdoor toys before garden centres took on that trade. Over the years one of the biggest changes has been the way children come across toys because even 10 years ago there was a lot less choice on television.

"When the Teletubbies were big nearly every kid had watched it so those toys were very popular."

Mr Badswell explained that now children have much more choice over what they watch and many of the toys they want come from video games and the internet.

"We sell a lot of Skylanders toys, which interact with the computer game, and are similar to Pokemon, as well as Moshi Monsters which feature in an interactive web site.

"Meccano used to be very popular but not so much now," he added.

However, there was one enduring toy that the shop has sold from the start and is still popular.

Mr Badswell explained: "Lego is still a huge part of the business – the children can use their imagination.

"They've gone forward with their ideas too, for example they now have licensed products like Star Wars themed Lego.

Toys n Tuck also has kept selling traditional toys like kites and Hula Hoops.

"These things just go on and on, and of course paddling pools have been popular with this hot weather. In the winter we always do well with sledges – they are something we never have trouble selling.

"I think this is because there are quite a lot of hills in Billericay."

The Billericay store endured various problems which led to its closure.

Mr Basdwell explained: "We are 15 per cent down on last year and the town isn't big enough to support us.

"There has been an affect from Westfield at Stratford – it's so easy to get there from Billericay. When Toys n Tuck first opened Lakeside and Bluewater started to take people out of the town.

"As well as this the internet has grown and taken further business. Some people come in and scan items to see if they can buy them slightly cheaper online.

"Rent and rates are expensive too, especially as we're on the high street and these costs don't apply to online retailers."

Mr Badswell added that he would like the store to remain a toy shop: "We have tried to market it but we haven't heard anything from anyone so far.

"However, if someone wanted to run it as their own business without hiring staff they could probably make it work and make money.

"For us it's just one of those things – everything has to change over time."

CLAIMS that a major roadworks scheme digging its way through the middle of Brentwood could have been avoided have been dismissed by the company behind it.

The vast three-month project by UK Power Networks to lay a 33,000 kilovolt cable across the borough has been questioned by some councillors, who believe it could have been easily laid by the side of railway tracks between Brentwood station and Wash Road, in Hutton.

Among them is Liberal Democrat council opposition group leader Barry Aspinell, who has poured scorn on the plans and the prospect of weeks of disruption facing motorists, which he says could easily have been avoided.

UK Power Networks have also denied that the works are because of the imminent Crossrail works that will eventually lead to an extra tracks being laid at Shenfield.

Councillor Aspinell, who represents Pilgrims Hatch, said: "This could have been avoided if they had just put the line down by the side of the track. It would have avoided weeks of chaos and huge cost. It seems to me that this had to be done because the Crossrail project was going to mean the extra line was going where the cable is."

A UK Power Networks spokesman said: "The cables running alongside the rail track were installed in the late 1950s as a joint network between British Rail and Eastern Electricity (now UK Power Networks) to power both the railway and local consumers.

"There are many operational reasons why the cables cannot continue to remain alongside the track, the primary reason being that UK Power Networks wants to maintain the reliability of power supplies to 130,000 customers in the area.

"If cables are left alongside the tracks it leaves them exposed to attempted theft, as well as potential damage due to increased trackside rail improvements. If our cables are placed underground there is less likelihood of any damage through external factors.

"We have limited access to sites by railway lines when we need to carry out fault repairs and maintenance. The cables at this site are also beginning to deteriorate, and any damage or weakness could result in power cuts to thousands of customers.

"We always consider all options, including a new overhead power line, but it was not considered viable in this case. Overhead lines are a key part of our network but are mainly used in open spaces, and a number of large pylons would be needed across the area to support cables of this size.

"Both trackside lines and overhead lines would be a cheaper option in this particular case, but our priority is reliability of supplies to our customers.

"We appreciate that the motorists and residents will be inconvenienced by this vital project, so we have kept the local authorities informed of our work from the very beginning and are doing our utmost to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

"We are carrying out the work near schools during school holidays and, where possible ,we are not laying cables in the main arterial roads, but in residential streets where we are keeping residents fully informed of our plans.

"It would not be appropriate for us to comment about Crossrail's route plans. When the original plans for the UK Power Networks project were drawn up several years ago, it was merely considered a benefit to remove our cables to avoid any possible future diversions for the Crossrail project, but it has never been the primary reason for us carrying out this work, and therefore discussions have never taken place with Network Rail or Crossrail with regard to this."

A CARER says she feels robbed after her account was emptied by a team of conmen posing as police officers and bank executives.

Upset, distressed and "feeling like an absolute idiot", the Chelmsford woman, who does not want to be identified, was tricked by the fraudsters who withdrew £2,300 from cash points in Great Baddow.

She was first phoned by a fake Metropolitan policeman with a real constable's ID, which turned out to belong to a female officer, who claimed her card had been used fraudulently.

As they never hung up the phone, the tricksters hijacked all her following calls to what she thought were her banks and police before a bogus courier collected her 'cancelled' cards.

"I just feel very gullible and really stupid for going for it and every time I recall it I get very distressed and I don't know when I will get over it," she told the Chronicle.

"I feel robbed and really upset. I can't put into words how much it has affected me.

"I feel like an absolute idiot but at the time it felt so real.

"The stupid thing is that I never pick up a withheld call but I was expecting a bank call, my real bank, about a recent PPI claim."

On Monday, May 20, the woman was at home ironing when she got the call from people who claimed to be police. She believes other fraudsters on the same line then posed as bank officials.

"There was more than one person because I was speaking to different people with different accents. The police say they were professionals and that is what they do for a living," she added.

After giving her PIN numbers to cancel her HSBC, Santander, Barclays and Halifax cards, she phoned what she thought was the Metropolitan Police, who then told her they had a man in custody suspected of using her details for online gambling.

After a fake courier came to collect her cards to be terminated, the men took £2,300 across four cashpoints at Great Baddow's Vineyards shopping area.

The woman realised she had been the victim of a scam when she sent an 'incident report' e-mail to a supplied fake address, which bounced back.

"They shot themselves in the foot in the end," she said.

She has now been repaid all the lost funds by three banks, but not the remaining £300 from Santander.

"The reason I thought it was real is because I put the phone down on the original call and I dealt with it myself.

"I only handed over my details, after speaking to my husband and adult son, because all my banks confirmed the same thing," she said.

She praised Essex police for being "fantastic".

Police said there were 40 similar incidents in their catchment since January, mainly in Loughton and Chigwell, and 2,000 across the Metropolitan Police area, in the past two years.

A spokesman said: "Our advice is never give any personal details to anyone, especially over the telephone and to cold-callers."

Anyone who recognises these men or who has information should contact Essex police on 101.

CLAIMS that a major roadworks scheme digging its way through the middle of Brentwood could have been avoided have been dismissed by the company behind it.

The vast three-month project by UK Power Networks to lay a 33,000 kilovolt cable across the borough has been questioned by some councillors, who believe it could have been easily laid by the side of railway tracks between Brentwood station and Wash Road, in Hutton.

Among them is Liberal Democrat council opposition group leader Barry Aspinell, who has poured scorn on the plans and the prospect of weeks of disruption facing motorists, which he says could easily have been avoided.

UK Power Networks have also denied that the works are because of the imminent Crossrail works that will eventually lead to extra tracks being laid at Shenfield.

Councillor Aspinell, who represents Pilgrims Hatch, said: "This could have been avoided if they had just put the line down by the side of the track. It would have avoided weeks of chaos and huge cost. It seems to me that this had to be done because the Crossrail project was going to mean the extra line was going where the cable is."

A UK Power Networks spokesman said: "The cables running alongside the rail track were installed in the late 1950s as a joint network between British Rail and Eastern Electricity (now UK Power Networks) to power both the railway and local consumers.

"There are many operational reasons why the cables cannot continue to remain alongside the track, the primary reason being that UK Power Networks wants to maintain the reliability of power supplies to 130,000 customers in the area.

"If cables are left alongside the tracks it leaves them exposed to attempted theft, as well as potential damage due to increased trackside rail improvements. If our cables are placed underground there is less likelihood of any damage through external factors.

"We have limited access to sites by railway lines when we need to carry out fault repairs and maintenance. The cables at this site are also beginning to deteriorate, and any damage or weakness could result in power cuts to thousands of customers.

"We always consider all options, including a new overhead power line, but it was not considered viable in this case. Overhead lines are a key part of our network but are mainly used in open spaces, and a number of large pylons would be needed across the area to support cables of this size.

"Both trackside lines and overhead lines would be a cheaper option in this particular case, but our priority is reliability of supplies to our customers.

"We appreciate that the motorists and residents will be inconvenienced by this vital project, so we have kept the local authorities informed of our work from the very beginning and are doing our utmost to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

"We are carrying out the work near schools during school holidays and, where possible ,we are not laying cables in the main arterial roads, but in residential streets where we are keeping residents fully informed of our plans.

"It would not be appropriate for us to comment about Crossrail's route plans. When the original plans for the UK Power Networks project were drawn up several years ago, it was merely considered a benefit to remove our cables to avoid any possible future diversions for the Crossrail project, but it has never been the primary reason for us carrying out this work, and therefore discussions have never taken place with Network Rail or Crossrail with regard to this."

…In your dreams

1 - The subsidy and payment system for wind energy is about to be changed…upwards !!

The new Energy Bill proposes to replace the ROC system with what amounts to a guaranteed price called a 'Strike Price'.

Upto 3x higher than the current wholesale price for electricity, which is around £47 per MWh.

The proposal is for

£100 per MWh for on land wind,

£125 per MWh for solar

£155 per MWh for offshore wind.

The cost to the consumer will be about £4.3 billion in 2015/16,

Rising to £7.6 billion in 2020/21. see- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-energy-infrastructure-investment-to-fuel-recovery

The prices have been set deliberately high to encourage investors to build more wind farms, this could lead to the doubling of the price paid to windfarmers, ('renewables' milked us of £ billions last yr; see details on this site- http://www.variablepitch.co.uk/finance/ ).

2 - After years of telling us that little or no backup was required for 'renewables', the latest government wind scam, is that of using dirty diesel as backup, with all the environmental & pollution implications.

A new industry has now developed, where an entrepreneur buys large container based Gensets, puts them in a field, connect them to the grid & picks up a fat cheque, just for being available…. & another if they generate.

It is expected to cost us £1 billion a year by 2015, adding 5% to energy bills !!

There are advanced proposals to set up a system offering to pay up to 12 x the current wholesale price for electricity from standby generators owned by supermarkets, hospitals, data centers, in fact anyone who has one.

This extra standby generation is required because of the intermittency of wind & solar.

Read more here:-  http://tinyurl.com/k2vvasm

Over the last month the average production from wind has been less than 6 % of its stated capacity.

As I write this, the UKs 5,000 wind turbines are producing a mere 1 % of demand, (sewage & landfill gas is giving 2x as much).

see- http://www.ukpowergeneration.info/site/realtime& http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/

So much for the 'abundant free clean green energy' we were promised !!

3 - Now is the perfect time to write to the Rt. Hon Michael Fallon MP, the Energy Minister, about wind energy prices.

Further details + diy letter format here- http://tinyurl.com/nxjzzs6

Wind turbines-

Do they cost us money -YES
Are the subsidies a scam – YES

Are they a good investment for the developer – YES

Do they cut CO2 – NO

Do they give reliable energy - NO

Do they give energy security - NO

Are they fit for purpose - NO

Should we build more – NO

They are the wrong technology for the job, chosen by ill-informed politicians, not by engineers.

PS; I'm not a NIMBY…

But, I am proud to be a NIABY (not in anyone's backyard).

A YOUNG woman is warning other mums to be vigilant after she caught a man snapping pictures of her one-year-old baby girl swimming.

Maldon Promenade Splash Park rangers told the "short Asian" man to delete his photos immediately and to leave, after 26-year-old Abby Strathie reported him. For the full story, see our website www.essexchronicle.co.uk

"THERE'S German this afternoon – I'll need you to do that." Thirteen-year-old Megan Prosser looks at her slave expectantly.

"That's OK, I'm doing A-level German," smiles Alan Cousins, 17.

"And I've got a really girly bag," adds Megan Day, 13, "you will need to carry that around for me."

"OK," shrugs Alan.

"I've got Spanish on the top floor of A-block and I'll need a piggyback to get there," grins 13-year-old Jamie Tipp.

Alan grimaces: "That's four floors up! Well, OK."

Alan and his sixth form colleagues are getting their full instructions for the day having been bought by a form of younger children as slaves. The sixth formers are dressed as characters from The Matrix movie and have been paid £320 to do whatever the younger pupils bid.

The annual slave auction is an age old tradition at Boswells School. The climax of the school's sixth form charity week, it sees pupils aged from 11 to 13 use the cash they have raised in the preceding few weeks to bid for their chosen crew of sixth formers to follow them around for the day doing whatever they have bid them to do.

The much-anticipated day begins with the slave auction in the school's theatre.

Each slave crew picks a theme and dresses up, taking to the stage in turn to perform a song and dance, offering sweets and incentives such as the use of a car to collect McDonalds at lunch time, in a bid to achieve the highest bid.

Dan Struthers explained: "We chose The Matrix as we really like the film. We're chuffed we got £320 – we would have been happy with £100."

Fresh from having just been bought for £320, four girls dressed as characters from The Lion King, reflect on their duties for the day.

Megan Waterman, 17, said: "We are prepared. We know there will be bag carrying, note taking, a bit of homework. We have to do wha they want."

Another six girls are dressed as Oompa Loompas and Willy Wonka. They are disappointed in only achieving £70 but admit not having a car to fetch fast food is a drawback.

Cassie Heasley, 17, shrugs. "It's a fun day. We have been looking forward to it, probably for several years as you remember bidding for the slaves when you were in Years Seven and Eight."

The whole process is overseen by head of Year Seven Joe Torpey, who as tradition dictates has hired a Roman Emperor's costume for the day in order to undertake his duties as slave auctioneer.

He said: "This started longer ago than I care to remember. I love it when I'm up there running the auction. Today was a particularly good one – the timing was perfect. And the fundraising was great – they have collected more than £3,000."

In reality no cash changes hands with the funds raised going straight to the charity's coffers, which this year is for Springfield toddler Indie Smith who has Atypical Haemolytic-Uraemic Syndrome (aHUS), a condition which stops blood reaching her kidneys, causing sickness, diarrhoea and convulsions. Her family need to raise cash to fund drugs which improve her quality of life.

The two Megans are among the year's top fundrasiers.

Megan Prosser added:: "We went down to Lockside Wharf and offered to wash people's cars. One man gave us £20 to wash his Porsche and another just gave us £10 when he heard what we were raising money for.

"We collected more than £100 in less than two hours. We also ran a tuck shop, a sponsored silence and a cake sale – it all added up."

Back outside negotiations are still under way as to slave duty.

"We don't have a car," admits another of the Matrix team Alec Tyson, 16, "but we did bring our bikes in today, so we can fetch takeaways for your lunch."

"That's good," says Ben Carroll, 13. "We want you to do everything for us. You will be glad to go home at the end of the day."

GARDENERS compared crops to find out who grows the best grub at the Southminster Show at the weekend.

The event welcomed hundreds of visitors and competitors to three marquees for handicrafts, floral art and horticulture.

Punters turned up to see a motorbike stunt display, dog agility course, face painters, coconut shy and a display of vintage vehicles among attractions.

The winner of a drawing competition at Southminster primary school, Megan Davidson, was chosen as the show's princess with the two runner-ups, Stephanie Little and Laura Spatknon, as her consorts.

There is keen rivalry among competitors to grow the longest runner beans or straightest carrots.

Rick Pond, 47, from Asheldham, who won several awards for his vegetable yield this year, said: "People's noses can be put out of joint a little bit by the winners of each competition.

"Let's just say that things can get heated. I remember accusations of cheating in the past, but it's usually comical and good natured. It's all good fun really."

The show, held at the King George V Memorial Field, is the largest one of its kind in the Dengie, drawing more than 500 entries for the competitions.

Mr Pond said: "I put in a lot of hard work and I always try to win. I won a few of the categories, including the potato cup, but I don't want to show off too much.

"It is a fantastic show and a brilliant day out for the whole family. The people who organise it do a great job, you can see what it means to them for the show to be a success and it usually is."

Chairman Liz Smith, 59, from Southminster, said: "It was a great day out and even though it was hard work for everyone who was involved in the organisation it was well worth it in the end.

"A lot of people told me it was the best show for quite some time and everything went to plan.

"All of the entertainment was fabulous.

"As well as the traditional events there are marquees containing local organisations, a small farmers' market and of course commercial stalls.

"There was a really good, creative atmosphere and we all pulled together to make it a great day. Nisa supermarket sponsored the event and was fantastic."

TWO Romford students have clinched top awards after taking part in a year-long programme of professional development.

Ayesha McMahon and Charlotte Philpot were selected for Outstanding Achievement prizes in Havering College of Further and Higher Education's partnership with employment consultancy Our Talented Future – a scheme to offer future entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop their skills by working with professional mentors.

Ayesha, 20 from Rush Green, has just completed a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business while Charlotte, 18, is on the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Fashion course.

Their gongs recognise their commitment to the award process, their continual professional focus and proactive approach to working with the Our Talented Future team.

Ayesha said: "This scheme is so beneficial and I highly recommend it to students.

"Our Talented Future identifies your skills and aspirations to find you a suitable mentor, improve your CV and potential job opportunities."

Charlotte, who lives in South Ockendon, said: "The Our Talented Future Employability Award has been a huge support through my last year of college, helping me and giving me great advice and opportunities for future life."

Adam Watling, co-founder of Our Talented Future, said: "We have been extremely proud of the Havering College students we have worked with over the last academic year.

"The Employability Award has allowed us to embed a process which not only develops students' confidence and professional skills, but also provides a platform for our recruitment partners to engage with outstanding FE talent.

"We look forward to delivering the award in 2013/14 and working closely with Havering College to tackle the ongoing issue of youth unemployment by delivering further professional training and careers opportunities."

Havering College of Further and Higher Education is enrolling now for all courses starting in September.

There are courses for everyone from beginners to degree level, full-time, part-time and short evening courses.

For more information call the Havering College Threshold Services team on 01708 462801, e-mail information@havering-college.ac.uk or visit www.ourtalentedfuture.co.uk

A DEDICATED charity worker who has devoted her life to helping others is the first person to be awarded the Freedom of the City.

Freda Mountain, who has also been a Liberal Democrat councillor for Goat Hall ward for 26 years, was presented with the honorary award last Wednesday at a full council meeting.

Ms Mountain first knew she was to receive the award last summer, but the council wanted to wait until it was in its newly refurbished chamber before the ceremony took place.

"It came as a complete surprise – to my astonishment on the agenda, there was a recommendation for me to be given Freedom of the City," she said.

"Historically, people granted freedom of the borough were able to drive sheep over a bridge but today it couldn't happen due to health and safety aspects.

"Someone said I could have a sword too, but like the sheep it's archaic.

"The sheep I could do as long as they are plastic or helium."

Ms Mountain was given a scroll by the Mayor Trevor Miller and a bouquet from Deputy Mayor Cllr Jude Deakin.

The honour was last granted in 2007 to the late Councillor Delmas Ashford, when it was Freedom of the Borough.

Ms Mountain, who has lived in the city for 40 years with her husband John, has received praise and best wishes from her friends and constituents.

"I had so many letters and e-mails from people congratulating me, it has been absolutely wonderful," she said.

"On Wednesday evening, I had some invited guests in the gallery – it was so lovely to have a gathering of people I had been in contact with through my charity work and other organisations."

Ms Mountain was a trustee of Farleigh Hospice for 16 years, has been chairman of Age Concern Chelmsford for over 20 years, and currently acts as a trustee of Meadows Shopmobility, as well as being president of the Chelmsford Lighter Preservation Society.

She is also a member of the Galleywood Conservation Group and the Town Twinning Association.

She said: "I shall carry on doing what I am doing. It is wonderful to have been recognised, also for the people who have helped me and supported me.

"I was very, very proud."

Ian Wright, the Conservative councillor who nominated Freda, said: "It was purely because when I was mayor in 2004/5, everywhere I went I kept running across Freda – in schools, working for the elderly and so on – so I decided that somebody like that really needed to be recognised.

"I felt that it would show not only her but also all the volunteers who keep the community going that they are recognised, their hard work is worthwhile.

"She truly is quite a remarkable person – she just works her butt off for the people of Chelmsford."

AN AMBITIOUS and tenacious Cub Scout has camped, volunteered, lashed and canoed his way towards winning his best badge yet.

Ivor Welford, an Ongar Cub from Longfields, has been awarded the Chief Scout's Silver award, the highest award a Cub can get.

The ten-year-old is the first Cub Scout at the 3rd Ongar Cubs to win the award, which very few across the country have ever achieved.

A special ceremony was held at the Kelvedon Hatch-based Rope Runners, a highwire course, and the District Commisioner came down to do the honours.

Ivor said: "It was hard work but it was really fun. It was good when I was given the badge."

The younger of two sons, Ivor will now move up into the Ongar Scouts.

He added: "I am really looking forward to it."

Ivor's mother, Tanya Welford, could not have been prouder.

She said: "He is so ambitious and obviously I am really proud of him.

"He just tries everything.

"He volunteers to run stalls to raise money for charity, and he goes camping whenever he can.

"I am very lucky."

The 44-year-old, whose older son Oscar was also a Cub, explained how Ivor has been all the way through the system from Beavers when he was younger.

"He was at Beavers before he became a Cub and now, after a few taster sessions, he is moving on to the Scouts.

"Children need to do the things they do at Scouts, they need to be outside and away from the computer screen as much as possible. Luckily, we are blessed in Ongar as the Scouting organisation in the town is very good, but I know some places – as in Ongar before – don't have the provision."

Mrs Welford added she was very thankful to Lisa Portman, known to Ivor as Akela.

She said: "She puts so much into the Cub Scouts – we need people like her."

Ms Portman, who has been with the Cub Scouts since stepping in to stop the pack's closure in 2006, said: "Ivor is just incredible, he throws himself into everything and just has to do as much as he can.

"We are very proud of him and it is amazing that he has won this award. He already has an armful of other badges.

"We wish him the best of luck in the Scouts, and the remaining Cubs will miss him.

"He was a Sixer, which meant he was in charge of his Six – he led by example."

"I LOVE you" were the first words said by a cockatiel when reunited with his owners after flying a 15-mile adventure.

Sheldon took flight from his home in Northlands Park, Pitsea, and was sighted in Wickford and Billericay before finally being brought home.

The six-month-old cockatiel went missing on Thursday, June 27 when his owner, who would only give his name as David, was cleaning out its water bowl.

A visitor then opened the front door and Sheldon took the opportunity to fly from his cage and out the door.

The 36-year-old recalled: "It was horrible – all I could do was watch him fly into the distance."

However, rather than sitting and waiting for something to happen he launched a campaign to find the escapee.

A Facebook group was just the start for the bird enthusiast who created a Twitter account dedicated to finding Sheldon and also contacted all the vets in Kent and Essex so they could look out for his bird. He even bought a new mobile phone which he would use exclusively in the hunt for his feathered friend.

"People said we were mad and would never get him back," David explained.

He had reared Sheldon since he was an egg, owning both his mother and father, so he and his partner Laura, 25, were particularly fond of the bird.

They took no notice of the pessimists and carried on with their appeal to find Sheldon.

After days of no luck the first sighting of Sheldon was made on Monday, July 1 by a client of South Beech Vets, in Southend Road, Wickford.

David and Laura went to the tree where he had been spotted, near Wickford Memorial Park, with another of their four birds to try to coax him down, yet when they arrived he was not there.

They had several other sightings for a few days after but then there were no further calls and Sheldon owner's feared for the worst.

"We thought he had been killed – we started searching in the parks for feathers," explained David.

Yet the couple's luck was in, as on Saturday, July 6 a bird keeper in Outwood Farm Close, Billericay, got in touch who said they had caught Sheldon.

"It was amazing," said David.

"We were straight in the car and got there and there Sheldon was in their aviary. The first thing he said to me was 'I love you' and then he put his head down as if to say 'whoops I'm caught'.

"It's great to have him back," he added.

"Interestingly, now he mimics a jay and a magpie – sounds he must have picked up whist he was away."

David explained that Sheldon was found pecking at leftovers from other birds.

"We never expected him to go as far as Wickford or Billericay," David laughed.

Sheldon is now recovering from his adventure and is said to be happy and well. Since his disappearance David has been using the popularity of Sheldon's Facebook page in a bid to reunite other owners with their missing birds.

The Facebook page can be found at www.lovecockatiels.co.uk

TWO aspiring Army officers shrugged off the hottest weekend of the year by going for a bicycle ride... to Rome.

Cheered on their way from the O2 in London by family and friends, Craig Carter, 21, of Porchester Road, Billericay, and Nick Sava, 20, of Langdon Hills, Basildon, are cycling the 1,200 mile challenge for Help for Heroes.

The Brunel University students have been friends since they were 12 and wanted a challenge.

Their training regime started four months ago, but the pair are not experienced cyclists.

Mr Carter, who studies sports science, explained: "We only started cycling in our first year of university when we got our bikes."

However, the sporty duo are seasoned explorers, having travelled across Asia together and also sailed around Scotland. The friends also recently completed the Three Peaks Challenge.

The former Billericay School pupils plan to join the Army when they finish university, having been in the cadets from the age of 12 to 18.

Mr Carter said: "I have always wanted to join the Army – we both have – but decided to go to university first and see the world before taking on the commitment."

Mr Carter added: "My mum's worried – she thought I was a bit mad.

"But it's the sort of thing I've been doing for years, so she wasn't so surprised."

They plan to travel 100 miles a day and hope to get to Rome in 10 days, camping overnight along the way.

As they have no back-up crew they have to carry all their gear on their bikes.

"There is a lot that could potentially go wrong," said Mr Carter.

"Crossing the Alps will be tough and when we travel downhill at speeds up 55 miles per hour, if something breaks we would be in trouble.

"I'm a little worried about the heat too, as the last few days have been unbearable.

"Most of all I'm looking forward to it – it will be an amazing experience."

Mr Sava, who studies civil engineering, added: "I'm excited, I'm just looking forward to it.

"We have been aspiring to be in the Army for a long time, so it's a natural charity for us to support and something we have close ties to."

The pair explained that to help cope with the heat they will be cycling four hours, breaking for four hours and then cycling again for four hours, so as to avoid the hottest part of the day.

To date they have raised nearly £1,000 for Help for Heroes.

To sponsor them visit www.justgiv ing.com/London-to-Rome-H4H

THREE Lycra-clad cyclists are preparing to pedal two gruelling rides for charity – tackling a Texan desert and a 90 mile-a-day slog from London to Brussels.

The trio will take on the 350-mile journey from England to Belgium on September 25, but before that, two of the intrepid team will take on the "toughest ride on earth" known as Hotter 'n Hell Hundred.

Mike Ball, of Waltham Close, Ingatestone, is one of the pair taking on the ride on August 24, a 100-mile slog starting and ending at Wichita Falls in Texas.

He said: "It will be hard, we know that. It was a spur of the moment decision. We were having a few drinks and I just said I would go.

"Just as well, because if I have too much time to think about it I might not do it. The temperature will reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit."

The 49-year-old explained how the current heat wave has helped in training. He said: "It has been really hot these past few days, and despite it not really comparing, a relatively easy ride can be turned into a really hard slog.

"Water will be important and we are working out how much we need to pick up and take on. We will need to think about salt levels as well.

"It will be an incredible experience and I really cannot wait to get over there."

The second ride, in which all three men, who dubbed themselves "The Three Men in Lycra", will ride from the Olympic Stadium, in Stratford, to their final destination in Brussels.

Taking four days, and travelling through Brentwood and Ingatestone on their way, the journey will take in three countries, each presenting its own challenging terrain.

Mr Ball said: "Holland may be known for being flat, but the wind can be treacherous. If you have it behind you that is okay.

"However, if you have to push against it then it can slow you down massively. It may not be hilly but it won't be easy."

He explained how he had only just recently returned to the sport of cycling, saying: "I had not been out cycling since I was 30.

"The Olympics inspired a lot of people and I went and dug out my old bike. Since then I have noticed a huge increase in the number of people cycling. I have now got a new £1,000 bike and the difference between the old and the new is incredible."

Mike Ball will be riding with friends Jason Griffin and Brent Coulson on the September ride and with just Mr Coulson in America. Brent Coulson, 44, of Fryerning Lane, Ingatestone, said: "I have family in America and I just googled for bike rides in Texas and discovered the Hotter 'n Hell ride. Then a few weeks later Mike said he would do it as well, which is mad.

Jason Griffin, 43, of Chantry Drive, Ingatestone, said: "I am missing out on the Hotter 'n Hell ride, however, that is probably a good thing. We realised when we cycled to Paris last year that we could raise a lot of money."

The rides will both be for the charity Cure Parkinson's Trust and a charity auction took place in Ingatestone on Friday to help boost funds.

FEW people today can understand the fear and intimidation that an enemy zeppelin hovering 200ft over your home can bring.

During the First World War German zeppelins would fly over London on reconnaissance or bombing missions that would leave Londoners terrified.

For most of us these imposing warships seem like a relic from another age, but 100-year-old Hilda Yarker will never forget the day a zeppelin attack came close to killing her and her family.

"It was so scary, I remember my mum telling us to run, and we huddled together underneath the stairs. Looking back I suppose we were lucky," she said.

The bomb destroyed the other side of the wall at which they were sheltering, but thankfully her family remained safe.

Today's surroundings are far more comfortable – under the kind care of the staff at the Ashley House residential home in Moulsham Street, Chelmsford.

And last Monday Hilda enjoyed her 100th birthday with her family, staff and friends and Marks & Spencer donated a birthday cake and box of chocolates for free.

She said: "I'm so pleased to be having my birthday and everyone was excited about it."

Born in Deptford, south east London in 1913, her father was a deep sea fisherman so they moved to Hull in her early childhood.

Her first stop in Essex was at Galleywood before moving to a house in South Woodham Ferrers that had no electricity or central heating.

When she turned 16 she received a knock on the door from her next door neighbour.

"I had been living there for nine months when my next-door neighbour Cyril knocked at the door," she said.

"He asked to speak to my mum, and had come round to ask her permission to ask me out, things were a lot different back then.

"And my mother was pleased to see me become much more independent."

She married Cyril and had four children, Joyce, Betty, Sheila and Vernon, but sadly Vernon, 77, an ex-pilot with the RAF, is the only surviving sibling.

During the Second World War, Hilda worked for the War Agriculture Committee in South Woodham Ferrers, whilst Cyril joined the Home Guard and grew vegetables.

Her prized possession was an almond green Mini she bought in 1976.

She said: "I loved that car, I really did, and not everyone had a car then so I always loved taking trips in it."

Despite her age Hilda remains in good health and the staff at Ashley House joke that they take more tablets than her.

But her secret to long-life is enjoying a drop of whisky. "I worked in a pub so that's how I got to like whisky, I will have a little to celebrate," she said.