THE arrival of the future monarch was a blessed relief – not just for the happy couple, but for the hundreds of press photographers and cameramen from around the world that had been suffering for two days in hellish weather.

Brentwood's own seasoned royal lensman Arthur Edwards was not alone in wishing the birth of the future king would come sooner rather than later, as desert sun turned to almost tropical rain.

It was a world away from the day Prince Charles appeared with William in 1982, when a relatively small smattering of cameramen and press photographers waited patiently outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital for the first glimpses of the second in line to the throne.

Back in June 1982, the only TV crews outside the hospital were the BBC and ITV.

But since then, the global interest in the royals has exploded, no more so than in America, where each of the big networks sent teams of photographers and cameramen to cover the arrival – perhaps the most covered in history.

Since joining the Sun as royal photographer in 1977, Mr Edwards has photographed seven royal weddings, four funerals, and six royal births.

The 72-year-old said: "To be honest, it was a relief when it was all over – we were there for two days.

"The first day it was unbearably hot and then the second it was raining – it went from blazing heat to like being in a South American rainforest."

The day the baby was presented to the world, on July 23, was in stark contrast to the day that Charles took William home at almost the same age as his son is now, with little more than a handful of people waiting outside

For Mr Edwards, who lives in Hutton, the event had been building up to international fever pitch ever since Kate and William's wedding, when about four billion people tuned-in round the world.

He said: "I've never known such a fever over an event with the Royal family.

"There were crews from Mexico, Japan, Hungary, Poland; it was unbelievable and, of course, the Royals are absolutely huge in America – all the main networks had crews there.

"I think you can link this with the wedding of William and Kate – it caught the imagination of the world and you can't argue that with four billion people watching it across the world it wasn't a very special event."

He added: "It has been amazing – the public's opinion has grown higher and higher.

"Who knows what it would be like if Diana was still alive? One thing's for sure, she would have been a very glamorous gran."

DISCOUNT designer goods store TK Maxx is in talks about leasing a unit at Brentwood's long-awaited William Hunter Way development.

The Gazette can reveal that the High Street store is talking to developer Stockland about a spot in the multimillion- pound as yet un-built retail complex.

The project has stalled somewhat since Brentwood Borough Council agreed planning permission for 79,000sq ft of retail space, a multistorey car park and cinema in February 2009.

In a brief statement to the Gazette yesterday (Tuesday), the Australian developer said: "Stockland can confirm that they are in legal negotiations with TK Maxx to take a lease of a store in the William Hunter Way development."

TK Maxx sells designer brands with discounts of around 50 per cent but shoppers have to rummage to find what they are after, and may not find their own size in the styles they like.

The chain has attracted some well-known celebrities including the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Council leader Louise McKinlay said: "I welcome the news that Stockland are in legal negotiations with TK Maxx as part of the William Hunter Way development.

"Should they come to Brentwood, it would mean a new store in the town, which would be a great asset to the existing retail offer.

"This is particularly welcome as the planning permission is due to be reviewed in September."

The announcement has also been welcomed by Clive Othen, chairman of Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.

He said: "We would welcome new business to Brentwood on the premise that it brings increased footfall to the shopping potential of the town.

"This type of business has been established elsewhere and has been very successful – we would be quite happy to see them and consider them as a new member."

Building work on the project can only commence when 66 per cent of the retail floorspace has been let – a figure which has proved difficult to reach in the past four years.

Marks & Spencer has already signed up for 26,000sq ft, while Next and H&M have previously expressed interest.

Mrs McKinlay will now be calling an extraordinary council meeting to discuss the renewal of planning permission on the site, rather than just have it considered by the planning committee.

She said: "As this is such an important issue for the town, I and four additional members of the Conservative group have written to the mayor, calling for an extraordinary council meeting so that the renewal of permission can be fully debated in public, by all members of the council.

"This will take place once the public consultation period has been concluded."

Brentwood First councillor Russell Quirk is among a group of councillors who claim that the authority could have walked away from its deal with Stockland last year.

He added: "I think it is a failure of the administration that the deal has not happened and that we are still waiting for the development to start.

"We should go back to the drawing board and start again because we are flogging a dead horse that fell at the first hurdle years ago."

What do you think about TK Maxx coming to Brentwood? Have your say at www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk

A VICTIM of the perilous pothole known as the "Devil's Crater" has been awarded almost £1,500 in compensation after an eight-month battle with Essex County Council.

The concrete chasm, located on the A113 in Stanford Rivers, laid many a car's tyres and wheels to waste during the winter.

James Bent's car struck the gaping fissure at the end of December and since then he has been pushing the council to foot his £1,400 repair bill.

After the authority denied responsibility for the incident, Mr Bent, 23, set about gathering his evidence for court.

He said: "They claimed to have taken all reasonable steps but I believed this wasn't the case as the pothole had claimed many other victims.

"I set about making Freedom of Information requests to the council and discovered that it had a long list of consistent problems.

"The drainage on the road was not good enough and this is what led to the pothole forming.

"This was a problem that had been reported to the council on several occasions.

"Just weeks before I struck the pothole it had already been reported to the council and had not been fixed."

The pothole damaged Mr Bent's Honda Civic, buckling the wheels, taking out two tyres and damaging his suspension.

Mr Bent was finally awarded his payout of £1,500 last week and he encourages any other pothole victims to follow suit and not give up.

"If it wasn't for the evidence I had gathered they would never have paid out," he said.

"You have to keep pushing them.

"It seems that they just deny claims as a matter of course to try and cut costs.

"The council would save far more money if they just fixed the road properly in the first place.

"If everyone who is also in my position does what I did it will force them to fix our roads.

"It really shouldn't have taken this long to get what I was due by right."

Mr Bent, who lives in Chelmsford but travels through Ongar five days a week, explained the process of taking the council to court.

He said: "After I had gathered all my evidence I filed a claim online – it is that easy to do now.

"I submitted my evidence and the council had two weeks to supply a defence.

"They instead delayed it further by asking for three weeks but their eventual defence was nothing really.

"I was then awarded the money by the County Court who found in my favour, adding £50 on top as interest.

"I am obviously over the moon to get the money but this should not have happened in the first place."

The Gazette covered Mr Bent's bid back in March while also reporting on 12 victims of the very same crater in February.

A spokesman said: "Essex County Council will not comment on the specific details of individual cases.

"All compensation claims received by Essex County Council are investigated fully and costs are only paid if the council feels they would be held liable in court for having breached their statutory duties as the Highway Authority to maintain the highway.

"All claims are given the same legal consideration, whether the claim is for minor damage to a vehicle or for personal injury."

BASKETBALL: Essex Leopards have announced they will play a third of their 2013-14 home games at Southend Tennis and Leisure Centre.

While the Brentwood Centre will stage 14 of the Big Cats' 21 home games, including the pre-season match-ups with Team USA on Friday, September 6, and London Lions, on Sunday, September 22, the Garons venue will play host to seven games during their campaign.

The Big Cats defeated Bristol Academy Flyers in a thriller at the Southend venue last season, and an encouraging crowd has persuaded them to return when Brentwood is unavailable.

Robert Youngblood's team will begin their defence of the National Trophy at Southend on Sunday, September 29, when they host Bradford Dragons .

"We're pleased to be coming back to Southend," said Leopards' chairman Fred Dicker. "Considering we had very little time to promote our game there last season, we had a very good crowd and both the old Leopards and Pirates were well supported in Southend. We hope the people of Southend will turn out in force to support us, and that some of our fans from Brentwood will make the trip."

A full fixture list is available at www.leopardsbasketball.co.uk

ESSEX Eagles missed out on the chance to book their place in the Friends Life t20 quarter-finals with a last-over defeat to reigning champions Hampshire Royals.

After being put in to bat, Owais Shah top-scored with 63 as the Eagles made an imposing 182-5 in their 20 overs.

But they were hindered by a six-run penalty for slow over rate as the Royals got home with four balls to spare.

It is the second time this season the Eagles have been hit with a penalty for bowling too slowly, with Sussex having gained 12 runs at Chelmsford earlier this month.

That one proved not to be costly, but this one made Hampshire's target two from the final over instead of eight.

The win put Hampshire into the quarter-finals, but Essex could still have joined them, depending on not only their performance against Surrey last (Wednesday) night, but also the result of Hampshire's game with Middlesex.

Hamish Rutherford got Essex off to a flying start with 22 from 13 balls, while Greg Smith ended up playing a watching role in an opening stand worth 24.

Smith made 11 from 16 balls before falling with the score on 69 as Shah took the bull by the horns, smashing six fours and four sixes in his 43-ball knock.

Ravi Bopara made 15, before Ryan ten Doeschate (28), James Foster (19) and Graham Napier gave the innings some late impetus to ensure the holders would need to score at more than nine an over to win the match

Opener Michael Carberry starred with 54, James Vince made 17 and Jimmy Adams 12, but Essex were well in the hunt until the penalty runs.

Reece Topley made a pair of breakthroughs by dismissing Sean Ervine and Adam Wheater in consecutive balls, but Neil McKenzie and Liam Dawson saw the Royals home.

The President's Cup at Maldon Golf Club provided back-to-back wins for 22-year-old Sam Clark, who continued his fine run of form with victory in the Maldon Gold Club.

Four-handicapper Clark had won the club's scratch championship the previous week and followed this up with victory in the newest of the official club competitions.

The President's Cup was inaugurated in 2011 in recognition of the huge contribution made to the welfare of Maldon Golf Club by club president Tilly Pink and her late husband, Leslie.

Pink was on hand on Sunday to present the cup to the winner.

The final results for the 2013 event were: 1 Sam Clark net 67, 2 Garth Milford net 68, 3 Leon Griffiths net 70 (c/b), 4 Jim Scott net 70 (c/b), 5 Mark Hinton net 70.

The weekly prize for the nearest the pin on the par three, fifth/14th hole went to Alan Buckingham.

In the Maldon women's section, the Doe Cup scheduled for July 23 had to be postponed, because of inclement weather, and will now be played on Tuesday, August 27.

A TRADITIONAL British country show will celebrate its 60th birthday this weekend with more than 1,500 visitors expected.

The long-running Toot Hill Show, which features everything from a Royal Horticultural Society garden show and classic cars to dogs herding ducks, has been organised by one Stanford Rivers resident for the last six years.

Maurice Harvey, 48, of School Road, has become an integral part of the event. He said: "It is an integral part of the calendar and means a lot to the community.

"The area wouldn't be the same without the Toot Hill Show.

"The dog and duck show will be new this year along with ferret racing and hopefully it will be a good bit of fun.

The show was born out of the Stanford Rivers Horticultural Show, which was first staged more than a century ago. This precursor to the Toot Hill Show had everything from flowers to steam engines and became a key part of the annual calendar.

The first Toot Hill Show was held in 1953, with hundreds of entries in several categories, and was remarkably successful, growing year on year.

This success has been down in part to the involvement of the local community, who often donated equipment and their services free of charge.

Phillipa Giles, of London Road, Stanford Rivers, has been a member of the organising committee for the last 20 years.

The mother of two, who works at The Woodman pub, in Stanford Rivers, explained how the show has expanded.

She said: "We have cups and medals to award in several categories, we are no longer just about the flowers.

"We are in the 21st Century now and we want everyone to have fun and come along.

"We have the traditional stalls like a coconut shy but we also have the climbing wall and bouncy castles.

"The cups are a key part of the show's history and really represent our community.

"We have those donated by local pubs, and those donated by the families of people who held the show dear.

"I got involved to give back to the community – the show is a key part of it and, especially in rural areas, it gives us a chance to get together and have fun."

The anniversary show will be held between noon and 5pm, at Bridge Farm, Stanford Rivers, on Saturday.

For more information, visit www.toothillshow.co.uk

SEVEN members from Braintree-based triathlon club Born2Tri took part in the Ironman Austria event last weekend.

The gruelling event consisted of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.

The team's long preparation had begun back in the winter of 2012 with some long, gruelling brick sessions in the most awful of weathers, freezing cold lake swims and finally with icy, snowy conditions for the runs.

Once they had got to Austria and the event they discovered that an additional 200 competitors had been included for a mass start of 3,000.

B2T's first member, Matt Shingleton arrived at the finish in a fantastic time of 10.31, followed closely by Martin George in 11.33.

Stewart Tanner was home in 12.06, with Andrew Baldwin back in 12.11, shortly afterwards, Terry Stroud in 13.35 with Mark and Teresa Harman home in 15.03.

All the B2T Team would like to thank their families, children and friends for all the support and encouragement not only during the training, but more importantly during the race itself.

THE former owner of Great Leighs racecourse says allegations by current-affairs magazine Private Eye that he is the reason the course has been denied fixtures are "pathetic".

A July 26 Private Eye article claims the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) rejected chairman Keith Brown's 2014 fixtures application because former owner John Holmes was involved.

The former millionaire's dream of running Britain's first new racecourse in 80 years turned into a nightmare when its main creditors, the Royal Bank of Scotland, called in administrators in January 2009, less than eight months after it opened.

Mr Holmes was forced to declare himself bankrupt owing almost £25million and had two properties repossessed.

"To use me as an excuse for the rejection is rubbish and pathetic," said Mr Holmes, 62.

"I have never lurked in the background. I have worked tirelessly to help support Great Leighs to see racing return but why I would want to be associated with something that I failed in I don't know. I am not involved now and won't be in the future."

Mr Holmes is now a consultant to Great Leighs' betting partner BETSI Ltd.

The Private Eye article highlighted how Jill Turner of Great Leighs Holdings, Mr Holmes' long-standing girlfriend, was pictured in a Chronicle article in April. Yet Ms Turner was needed to help with the ground's floodlights planning application, while Great Leighs Holdings Ltd is in charge of handing over land from the old owners to the new.

"There are bigger issues than my involvement," said Mr Holmes.

"There is nothing underhand and I don't believe Great Leighs has had a fair hearing.

"It's a fantastic racecourse in a fantastic position. Its competitors should have concerns if it's allowed to continue."

The BHA have also refused an 'around the table talk' about their verdict, according to Mr Brown.

"If we're being hung out to dry because of what happened in the past that's very, very wrong. It's totally wrong to imply we have any connection with the previous owners," said the 70-year-old grandfather-of-five from Ingatestone.

Mr Brown added: "I have seen Mr Holmes probably twice in the last 18 months."

The former Racecourse Association chairman added: "We have tried to appeal to the BHA to reverse their decision but so far we have failed to do so. We are now seeking legal advice.

"There has been a huge reaction from people in this area who are really, really upset that it's not taking place. Not a day goes by without people commenting on it."

A BHA spokesperson said: "We've made it very clear to Great Leighs that the process had been concluded. We see no reason why another meeting to allay any more concerns is necessary.

"We are of course always open to other applications for next year and we will always work with applicants and assist them."

New owner MC Racetracks also had its first bid for fixtures rejected in May last year.

A SIX-year-old boy was thrown out of a Braintree Tesco shop by a security guard for not wearing a T-shirt.

Paula Seaborn, 44, of Whitley Avenue, was shopping in the Marks Farm store with her son Harry last Sunday, when she was asked to cover him up or leave.

"We went past the checkouts and heard someone behind us say 'excuse me', I turned around and a lady security officer said 'I'm going to have to ask you to leave the store'.

"I asked why and all they would say is that it was store policy.

"They said that if he put something on they would let us stay but I didn't have anything with me, it was such a hot day.

"I wasn't going to kick up a fuss in front of him, but I refused to leave until he picked out a toy."

Harry was then made to wait outside the shop with his father Colin, 43, while Mrs Seaborn paid.

"It's ridiculous and it's a ridiculous policy – kids that age go to the beach or the shops half-naked all the time – he wasn't harming anyone, he's only six," added the mother-of-five.

"We've never had a problem like this before and he's been in the same store without a T-shirt quite a lot in the past."

Mrs Seaborn put in a formal complaint via the company's customer service site and received a phone call to say Tesco would be looking into the matter.

A Tesco spokesman said: "We do usually ask that all customers are clothed when shopping, including children, but on this occasion we were happy to let our customer and her son finish choosing a toy before paying and leaving, which our customer seemed happy with at the time."

GOLF: Five Lakes Golf Club held the annual 36-hole men's doubles open for the Eddie Curtis Memorial Trophy, which John Redden and Tom Rothery retained. The competition was open to all male golfers with active handicaps.

The morning greensomes saw some very competitive scores, Billy Millar (7) and Stuart Hempstead (11), and Alistair Hall (14) and Tony Jordan (14), returning 36 points to be just outside the main prizes.

Second place saw home team Mike Godwin (14) and Stuart Sturdy (24) also on 36 points, while first overall in the morning were John Curtis, son of Eddie, (28) and N Anderson (4) with 40 points.

In the afternoon's betterball event, the breeze strengthened to test the competitors even further. Four pairings scored 37 points.

Dave Hyams (10) and Gary Borthwick (10) were just outside the prizes, while second place went to Chris Hamblion (3) and Billy Coe (7).

First were Dave Morris (16) and Richard Ledworth (10), also with 37 points.

Overall, the main prizes were contested by M McCarthy (20) and R Calvert (24), who scored 73 points to take third place.

A LIGHTNING bolt took out a Heybridge Basin man's 50 foot fir tree during a violent storm.

The tree in Colin Flatt's back garden was chopped in half last Monday as huge storms raged over Essex.

Mr Flatt, 73, who lives in Harfred Avenue, said: "The thunder and lightning was really noisy that night so I was up and looking out the window.

"It was about 4.30am when I saw it hit and take out the tree.

"It was just so bright, it lit up the bedroom. It was almost like a bomb had gone off in my garden. I know things like this happen all the time but you never think that it will happen to you."

Mr Flatt's partner Melanie was also woken by the storms that night, which also took out the couple's electricity.

She said: "It was quite a blast. We were up because of the noise anyway then I heard an almighty crack and everything went white."

The tree fell down, just missing the shed and creating a large mess of broken branches and leaves, but remarkably left no charring or burn marks, just a sharp crack in the wood.

Mr Flatt, a former professional footballer who played for Southend, Leyton Orient and Barnet, said: "I feel lucky because it didn't hit the house – God only knows how bad the damage would have been then. It's just a huge inconvenience now, it took out a lot of my electrics so I'm busy trying to get everything up and running again.

"We have had no TV which can be pretty annoying and we've got to replace all of the equipment that has been damaged – you don't realise how much you miss things until they are gone.

"It has been a lot of hard work clearing the mess after the lightning hit and also hard work getting my life going again."

POLICE have been forced to return 70 lawnmowers to a convicted burglar after they could not prove they were stolen.

Magistrates fined Irish expat Tom Edwards, 51, of Robin Way, Chelmsford, £110 after he was caught drunkenly stumbling down the street with his neighbour's lawnmower in a wheelbarrow on June 21.

At 3am that night, police raided the unemployed grandfather's shed before telling local media 70 lawnmowers had been recovered and appealing to members of the public who may have had gardening equipment stolen to come forward.

But they were all returned to Edwards after he revealed that he actually buys broken lawnmowers online for as little as 50 pence, before fixing them and selling them on.

"I am gutted that I did it and I am sorry for any inconvenience I caused," said Edwards, a father-of-five, who said his daughters were in tears when police carried out the raid.

"But the 70 lawnmowers are not stolen and it feels like humiliation.

"Now all my neighbours are turning away from me because they think I've stolen 70 lawnmowers. Some are saying they're talking about me at Neighbourhood Watch.

"I still don't know why I did it, I was drunk."

Edwards says he is sorry for breaking through the garden gate in Widford Road before raiding the resident's garage and unlocked Volvo parked outside.

During the incident, Scott Swanick, 37, was at home across the road putting his son to bed when he heard his neighbour's car door slam.

Mr Swanick, who owns a storage company, called the police who told him to follow Edwards but not approach him.

"He was hammered and his trousers were falling down to his ankles," he said.

"He was wheeling my neighbour's garden tools and lawnmower in a wheelbarrow, he was all over the place.

"This guy wasn't being discreet, it was quite comical.

"I'm surprised they have returned all his lawnmowers, although it would take up so many resources for the police to try and identify everyone who has had one stolen."

Mr Swanick followed Edwards up Widford Road, where the police arrived and arrested him.

Mr Swanick's 61-year-old retired neighbour, who does not want to be identified, said he forgot to lock his Volvo that night.

Edwards, who is originally from Roscommon, visited the victim's home three days later to apologise but says neighbours told him to leave.

"I don't believe he wants to say sorry. I phoned the police up and said do me a favour and tell him to go away.

"I said I don't care if he gets two years or ten weeks in jail, I don't want to be his buddy," said the victim, who suffers from heart and lung problems.

Edwards pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court last Wednesday to theft and burglary.

He was fined £110, given a 12-month community order and an electronically tagged curfew between 9pm and 7am.

Craig Tipper, mitigating, said: "He found the garage open and the keys in the ignition of the car and thought it was going to be scrapped. There was no damage caused."

The court also heard how Edwards had been unemployed for four years after a nervous breakdown, following his marriage break-up and the collapse of his London-based plant hire and groundwork business.

A police spokesman said: "While a number of items were seized following Mr Edwards' arrest, police were unable to establish whether these were stolen and as such these were returned."

A CARPENTER who jumped into the North Sea to rescue a drowning woman has been praised by emergency services for saving her life.

Scott Mayson, of Galleywood, had been walking along the coastline at Clacton on Thursday when he heard the screams of a woman pleading for help.

The 42-year-old didn't think twice before throwing his bag and shoes to one side, and jumping into the water after her – a decision which Essex police and coastguards agree undoubtedly saved the victim's life as she battled the rough waters.

"I was in Clacton on holiday and spending a few days with my friend Steve, we were simply heading back from a walk along the coast when I heard a voice screaming for help," said Scott.

"I immediately threw down my rucksack, and took off my flip flops so I could swim out after her. The water was quite choppy and she kept taking mouthfuls of water down as she was distressed and panicking.

"At first I tried to help her back to the shore but then it dawned on me just how far out from land we were so I just tried to keep her calm until a boat arrived."

Exhausted and shaking with fear, but alive thanks to Scott's quick thinking, the woman was pulled into a rescue vehicle and treated for shock back on dry land.

"She came over briefly and thanked me for helping her, which meant a lot as I know there is nothing worse than being out in the water alone and scared," added the father-of-one.

"My first thought when I heard the screams was just that she must be frightened out of her life so I didn't think twice about it, someone was in trouble.

"I haven't actually swum any distance for a long time but my father's training from our childhood just kicked in – he had taught me diving and that the most important thing was to relax in the water.

"I just thought about my daughter, and how I would feel if anything was to happen to her."

A spokesperson from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "It's almost certain that this passer-by saved the woman's life but he did risk his own by going in the water to save her.

"We want people to have fun and enjoy our coast but to do this we all need to respect the power of the sea.

"HM Coastguard recommends that you don't attempt to rescue someone you see in difficulty in the water, instead call 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard.

"But if you do make the decision to attempt a rescue, we would always advise taking something into the water with you to aid your floatation."

"SAVE our way of life" was the message from residents who are concerned that plans for new housing could turn their historic village into a full-scale town.

As revealed exclusively in the Gazette on June 26, senior members of Brentwood Borough Council believe around 3,500 homes will need to be built in the area between 2015 and 2030 – with up to 1,500 earmarked for West Horndon.

The village has been put forward due to its "location (being) well-served by existing and proposed local services and facilities".

West Horndon Parish Council chairman Anthony Crowley warned the prospect of such wide expansion would ruin the village.

"It would decimate West Horndon, it wouldn't exist, it would change it, it's as simple as that," he declared.

"We all have to be realistic that change is needed; that change can progress a village, but at the level they are taking is simply ridiculous.

"I was astonished the way it's been set out and the way West Horndon has been singled out is not right.

"We're picking up 43 per cent of the entire Brentwood suggested number of houses.

"You have to question why that is.

"This is crazy – they are discussing the prospect of trebling our village."

Mr Crowley said he was greatly concerned that the infrastructure in the area would not be able to cope with the proposed changes.

Speaking of the area's "packed trains" and "near-full school" he asked: "People here love their village – the question now is would they love their town?"

While the plan promises to protect green belt land as much as possible, district councillor Linda Golding, who represents Herongate, Ingrave and West Horndon, joined the villagers' protests with her own war cry: "Major development on green belt – over my dead body."

She added: "I'm totally and utterly against these plans if there's a small bit of green belt that's not affecting anyone then in small ways I've no issue with certain developments there but to take four very large fields – it's obscene. The infrastructure will have to be in place first – you can't extend without it.

"I want the residents to know their county, district and parish councillors are there for whatever fight they want us to put forward."

Following an initial consultation meeting at St Francis' Church hall in Thorndon Avenue on Thursday evening, at which residents discussed the plans, husband and wife Ian and Lisa Atkinson of Dunmow Gardens questioned the council's commitment to the consultation period.

"We've been here 17 years and we want to live in a village not at own – it's about quality of life," said Mrs Atkinson. "Where was the chief planning officer on Thursday?"

Scott Cooper, from nearby Bulphan, said most people in the area do not feel part of Brentwood due to the lack of transport links to the town.

"When we walk out of our house in the morning we know our neighbour, the milkman, the postman, and when the council don't grit our roads in the winter we take care of ourselves," he said.

"I think this is going to change everything – until they actually come and see the area properly I don't see how they can make these plans."

Jennifer Candler, head of planning at the borough council, said: "The borough has to make provision for growth, including homes and jobs, over the next 15 years through the plan.

"The preferred option which is being consulted on is for concentrating development within urban centres and with managed growth at West Horndon.

"If growth at West Horndon were to go forward it would be supported with the necessary infrastructure and improved community facilities.

"At the moment we are out to consultation to seek the views of all communities across the Borough on the plan proposals. At the end of the consultation period all responses will be considered. A number of consultation events are planned throughout the consultation period."

Brentwood Borough Council is consulting on its draft Local Development Plan from July 24 to October 2. Have your say at www.brentwood.gov.uk/localplan

BARRIE Drewitt-Barlow, one half of county's most recognised gay dads, has praised the Queen's ratification of gay marriage but said it is "bitter sweet" as Christian churches still opt against the ceremony.

Britain finally legalised gay marriage when the Queen gave her royal stamp of approval on July 17 after the bill was introduced in January.

The Queen's approval of the Marriage Bill clears the way for gay marriages, the first of which are expected to be conducted by summer 2014.

But religious organisations will have to "opt in" on performing gay marriages, and the Church of England and Catholic Church are not willing.

"It is like someone giving me a sweetie with the wrapper on and telling me to suck it," said father-of-five, Barrie, 42, from Maldon, who had a civil partnership with partner Tony, in 2006.

The couple made history in 1999 when they became Britain's first gay surrogate parents and have now fathered five children through surrogacy.

"We are happy for gay marriage to be recognised – in that sense it is a big step. But it is actually a small step because it is something we still cannot actually do.

"We need to convince the church that it is the right thing for our community for them to recognise as practising Christians.

"I am a Christian – a practising Christian – my children have all been brought up as Christians and are part of the local parish church in Danbury.

"I want to go into my church and marry my husband.

"If I was a Sikh I could get married at the Gurdwara, liberal Jews can marry in the Synagogue – just not the Christians.

"It upsets me because I want it so much – a big lavish ceremony, the whole works, I just don't think it is going to happen straight away.

"As much as people are saying this is a good thing I am still not getting what I want."

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow announced that gay marriage had become enshrined in law – the day after the bill to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales cleared Parliament.

The Bill allows gay couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies in England and Wales, and couples who had previously entered into a civil partnership can now convert their relationship to a marriage.

"We have a civil partnership, me and my husband Tony," said Barrie, who owns a surrogacy centre in Chandlers Quay, Maldon, and is about to open another in Los Angeles.

"The only way forward for us now is to make a challenge in the courts against the church.

"It is a shame that we are forced to take Christians into a court to get them to recognise us.

"But we don't want to force anyone into marrying us – it is supposed to be the happiest day in my life and that would make me miserable and would spoil the whole thing.

"Aren't Christians meant to forgive and accept and love?"

BULGING busts are all the rage in Brentwood, thanks to TOWIE – and now one salon claims women can achieve this look using suction rather than surgery.

The owners of Crème de la Crème, in High Street, are offering customers a 72-hour boob job for £50.

Women to whom the Gazette spoke this week gave the news a mixed reception, with some saying it was unnecessary and others noting it was an interesting alternative to surgery.

The salon has been run by Rebecca Morris, of Witham, and Audrey Noden, of Braintree, since August last year and they are very excited about the new procedure.

They believe they are the first salon in the town to offer the treatment.

Mrs Morris, 38, explained that the non-surgical breast lift, which promises to give female clients a larger and uplifted chest, works through 'stretch therapy' and uses micro currents to give a boost.

The procedure lasts up to 30 minutes and involves the use of suction cups, which massage and manipulate the tissue.

The technology has been developed by a UK firm called Episoft and is sourced from Fabulocity London. Episoft has been researching the method for three years and claims it is an entirely safe procedure.

Janet Meslek, 50, is a therapist at the salon who recently completed her training in the treatment.

She explained: "Everyone is interested in it – there's quite a buzz. We only found out about it last year when we were showcasing our services at the NEC Beauty Show in May.

"People came to us who had had it done and we couldn't believe the results.

"It can cater for your needs whether you want just a lift or an increase in size, or both.

"I've had it once and it did work – it's not painful, it feels more like the area is being squished so it's just uncomfortable. You may be left with some redness and a little bruising."

Vicki, 20, of Brentwood, was having the procedure done when the Gazette visited Crème de la Crème.

She explained: "I would love to have bigger boobs. At the moment, I'm a 32D but I'd like them to be bigger – I always have.

"It feels a bit itchy," she explained when the procedure began.

As the treatment went on she became more uncomfortable, adding: "It's a bit painful now – my chest feels really tight. It feels annoying rather than really painful though, a bit like having a tattoo."

On finishing the treatment, she rushed off to have a look. They look so much bigger," she said. "They are sore and feel quite heavy, but they look a cup size bigger, definitely."

The enhancement lasts for up to three days, 48 to 72 hours, but if 12 sessions are taken it can last for up to two years.

The recommended cost of the procedure is about £80, but Mrs Noden, 45, explained they will offer it for £50 per session, with discounts for block bookings.

The Gazette asked plastic surgeon Venkat Ramakrishnan, of Prime Hospital Consultants, for his opinion of the new procedure.

He said: "There have been different attempts to do non-surgical enhancements. The problem with similar methods to this is that the breasts will shrink back and they won't go massive.

"I don't think anything other than breast surgery using quality implants will work – this is the most predictable and effective way."

A BRAINTREE man committed suicide by drinking a concoction of poisonous plants he liquidised in a blender, an inquest heard.

David Corney, 39, was found dead at his home in Braintree, where he lived alone, on December 3 last year.

He had suffered on and off from depression for many years, a fact unknown to his mental health supervisors.

Mr Corney had not been taking his medication and began to distance himself from his mother, stating he was working away in Birmingham, but this was not true.

A friend first raised alarms about his behaviour when Mr Corney began researching the toxicity of certain plants.

"Clearly he knew quite how poisonous they were, he'd gone into detail about it.

He took a deliberate action, he prepared these plants and used a blender with a clearly thought out intention, knowing it would result in his death."

In a post-mortem examination carried out by Dr Kamel at Broomfield Hospital, the cause of death given as ingestion of a toxic substance.

The police concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances connected with the death.

Mr Corney left two handwritten notes to his family, and it is believed he had been planning and researching toxic plants for around three weeks.

On closing the New Bridge House hearing in Chelmsford, coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray read out a letter submitted from Mr Corney's family.

"When David was on form, his smile was out, he was the jester who made everyone laugh, but he was unhappy in his own skin," it read.

In her closing remarks Mrs Beasley-Murray added: "He clearly had lots of nice qualities and was clearly loved by his family.

"I hope you can keep the happy and positive memories about him."

A RETAIL supervisor has beaten thousands to be named as one of Britain's top male slimmers after shedding a dramatic 12 stone in weight.

Simon Stancevic, from Broomfield, now stands almost half the man he was after dropping from 25st to 12st 13lb, and gaining a place in the top 10 for Slimming World's Man of the Year 2013 contest.

"I had always struggled with my weight but there was a point where I was big and happy, and then things just got worse for the last four years prior to my weight loss," said Simon, who was known affectionately as 'Big Si' by friends at Chelmsford City Footballs' Supporters Club.

"Then after Christmas 2010 I made the usual resolution to diet but the difference this time was the shock factor of stepping on the scales – I couldn't believe what I weighed.

"Before I wasn't thinking about my weight as an issue but it had crept up on me and just daily life was a struggle, even walking somewhere I'd end up sweating, and I couldn't take part in sports although all my mates were involved in them."

Accompanied by his mother, who has also lost three stone on the regime, Simon finally took the decision to join a slimming group in Springfield despite some initial scepticism.

"To be honest if it wasn't for her encouragement I wouldn't have gone as I thought it wasn't really a place for young men," said the 25-year-old.

"I remember it was a dark Monday evening when I first went along, I was nervous but then I went in and never looked back.

"The plan wasn't viewed as a diet, but rather a permanent lifestyle change and I thought the approach was really fantastic. I could still eat meat, pasta, and even drink beer at the weekends, but all in moderation.

"We as a family had always enjoyed food and cooked well, so it wasn't as if we'd been eating takeaways and ready meals all the time. On a trip round the supermarket now we'd probably put all the same items in our trolley, but we'd just cook and prepare them really differently."

After more than two years of healthy eating and regular exercise Simon, who lives at home with his parents, reached his goal weight in March of 13st 3lb.

"It was amazing to reach the goal weight, I had never wanted to be the centre of attention before as being big attracted enough attention as it was, but when I began being noticed at the class, and outside, for my weight loss that began to change," added Simon, who has a degree in marketing.

And thrusting him further into the limelight Simon reached the final 10 in the competition for Slimming World's Man of the Year 2013, travelling up to Derby to present his story in a bid for the top spot, only narrowly missing out to a fellow contestant.

Clare Morris, who runs the Chelmsford group, said: "I hope Simon's inspired a lot of other men in Chelmsford who'd like to lose weight to go for it."

WHEN Audrey told me about the treatment, I thought it was a fantastic option for women who had considered having shape-enhancing surgery.

I am a fan of the natural look but was interested to see if the hype was true and, as the treatment is non-invasive, there was nothing to lose.

The ladies at the salon were very friendly. Having seen Vicki have the treatment before me, I felt more confident that there was little pain involved.

However, I found the process to be rather painful and 20 minutes passed by very slowly.

Yet Janet, who carried out the lift, was good at taking my mind off the pain.

I could see a marked difference following the treatment, with a more uplifted and larger appearance which lasted for a couple of days.

However, the process did leave some bruising and redness.

I was invited to go through the full ten treatments, but it's not something I would choose as I am happy with my size.

However, I think if someone really wanted a bigger bust it would be worthwhile.

It is undoubtedly a safer option than the knife.