BILLERICAY Town head for cup glory this Saturday with the bonus of £4,000 prize money at stake when they take on Ryman League Premier Division side Enfield Town.

But manager Craig Edwards is adamant that his side won't be taking the opposition lightly because the visitors to New Lodge play one level lower adding: "There's never any easy cup games.

"They will want to come and try and put one over us because we are favourites but as you've seen in the FA Cup at the weekend it's who is on their game on the day and I will make sure we are this Saturday.

"Although establishing ourselves in the Blue Square Bet South is always our priority this season it's still nice to have a cup run.

"There's no pressure on the players like in a league game but they will want to do well and progress while the prize money is important for the club."

Edwards expects to have a full squad available for the game although he already has his eye on next Tuesday's rearranged league game at Dover Athletic.

The original game last Tuesday was called off after 16 minutes due to a floodlight failure and the league initially insisted it was rearranged for this week.

"We appealed against the decision and thankfully commonsense prevailed and we go back there next Tuesday," he said.

Edwards went on: "Having under a week to rearrange everything was just not enough and I was really impressed with the turn out and commitment of our supporters last Tuesday.

"Many of them took half days off work to go to the game and it cost them a lot of money to get there either by coach, car or train.

"The players also needed to take half days from work.

"It just wasn't fair on everyone at such short notice when it wasn't even our fault that the game was abandoned in the first place.

"The rules state we have 42 days to replay the game but obviously not when Dover start throwing their weight about.

"I hope as many fans as possible make the trip again on Tuesday because their vocal support is important to the players and they appreciate it."

Edwards was disappointed with his side's goalless draw at home to Weston-super-Mare on Saturday but in the end was satisfied with gaining a point.

"They were a difficult side to beat with a strong defence and they made it hard for us," he said.

"We made substitutions in the second half to try and change things and get a breakthrough but it didn't happen."

Edwards confirmed that two players have left the club this past week – experienced defender Greg Oates and on loan striker Duran Reynolds who has returned to Dagenham & Redbridge.

"Greg doesn't want to be sitting on the bench at this stage of his career and I can fully understand that," explains Edwards. "He needs and wants to be playing.

"He's a great lad and has been an excellent servant to the club over the two years and a bit he's been at New Lodge and he goes with our thanks and good wishes.

"I hope he finds a good club because he's still a good, experienced player."

A PERSON was forced to move house after neighbours attacked their home, another was too afraid to return to work after being bullied by colleagues, and another was refused treatment by a local dentist - all because they are living with HIV.

These are some of the stories made public by the HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust's centre in Essex, in a bid to raise awareness of the high level of stigma that persists around the condition locally.
The centre is calling on people across the city to sign up for its World AIDS Day campaign on December 1 called Stand Up, Stand Out, and raise funds to combat HIV-related stigma locally.

In 2009, a national study¹ reported that over a third of people with HIV had experienced discrimination in the previous year, whether from members of their own community, from doctors or other healthcare professionals, or even from other family members. Fear of discrimination can have a profound effect on individuals, preventing them from being open about their condition, and inhibiting the open discussion needed to challenge society's lack of understanding about HIV.

Sarah Fuhrmann, Regional Manager for Terrence Higgins Trust in the East, said: "Thirty years on from the beginning of the epidemic, HIV remains surrounded by a level of stigma unmatched by any other medical condition. All over the country, our centres come into contact with people who have been routinely discriminated against in the workplace, barred from venues and services, disowned by their families, attacked and sometimes seriously hurt, all because they have contracted a virus that can be easily controlled with medication. This needs to change.

"We are calling on Essex to get behind this year's World AIDS Day campaign, and help us make a dent in HIV-related stigma locally. You can be as loud and proud as you like, whether its taking on a sponsored challenge, holding a fundraising event, or just buying a red ribbon to show you care. The funds you raise will help us spread the message that people with HIV need support, not judgement."

For further information on Stand Up, Stand Out, please visit www.tht.org.uk/worldaidsday. To get involved locally, please contact Terrence Higgins Trust in Essex on 01206 798 595, or email info.colchester@tht.org.uk.

SPEAKING after the case, DC Peter Sutton, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate Fraud Squad, said: "Bowerman's criminality touched the lives of over 250 people and netted him in excess of £7.5 million.

"Some of his victims suffered more than once as he continued to abuse their trust whilst he fraudulently raised funds to feed his insatiable appetite for gambling and to finance a lavish lifestyle way beyond his legitimate means.

"The cynical way in which Bowerman exploited the trust of his victims is the worst example seen by the case office in over 28 years of police service.

"Bowerman has caused considerable financial hardship and loss to his victims from which many are likely never to be able to recover."

Speaking to the Chronicle after the case, one victim in his 40s, who lost £200,000, said: "I will not be in the financial position I was at when he comes out. He's got off very lightly.

"It's all very well setting up charities. What's next – will he discover God?"

Another victim added: "He's had two years to think about how to get his sentence lighter."

A CONMAN who swindled £7.5 million from more than 250 would-be investors, including a Premiership footballer, a terminally ill cancer patient, his next-door-neighbour and his mother, has been jailed for eight years.

David Bowerman, a former mortgage adviser, wooed friends, family and business associates with promises of huge returns as part of a Ponzi scheme, where investors are paid false dividends from the money paid into the scam.

The 35-year-old used the cash – including £400,000 from the Manchester City goalkeeper Richard Wright – to fund a gambling habit and a string of Caribbean cruises, sports cars and summer soirees.

He also stole £36,500 from his mother after accessing the cash from her online bank account.

Prosecutor Antony Swift told Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday that Bowerman, who was formerly regulated by the Financial Services Authority, "systematically" and "cynically" defrauded those close to him of huge sums of money.

"The reason he was able to get away with it for so long was because he had personal acquaintanceships with many of these people," said Mr Swift.

"They understood he had the backing of a wholly established financial firm but he was acting completely independent of them, without their knowledge or participation."

Over a five-year period, between 2005 and 2010, his victims included his next door neighbour, the father of his fiancée, who handed over his £110,000 life savings, and a terminally ill cancer patient.

In a victim impact statement read to the court the female patient said her loss had left her with "anxiety, stress and sleeplessness".

The court heard that Bowerman, who previously worked as an investment and mortgage adviser at Callaway Sykes Associates, in New Writtle Street, was £1 million in the red and invented increasingly elaborate scams to conceal his losses.

"The defendant was in trouble," said Mr Swift. "He was a million in debt as a result of his gambling habit and he needed to set up different methods of obtaining money so he could hide the fact from his existing victims that he was losing money."

The principal scam, which accounted for £6 million of the fraud, involved potential investors paying into a gambling company called Shearer Hare, which promised huge returns but, in essence, operated like a Ponzi scheme.

He hired staff, office space and created bogus bank statements to create the illusion of a genuinely profitable business.

The biggest victims of the scam included Peter Stroud, the former chairman of Chelmsford City Football Club, who lost more than £1 million.

"They appeared to have amounts of cash at their disposal and the defendant needed larger amounts of cash to keep his various balls in the air," said Mr Swift.

"He told them that this particularly special betting syndicate was guaranteed to make money."

On top of the Ponzi scheme, Bowerman also fraudulently sold bonds and ran a bogus loan scam, promising customers the chance to improve their credit rating.

In addition, he stole £36,500 from his mother Cynthia Bowerman by making 35 unsolicited withdrawals from her bank account.

As well as funding his gambling habit, the court heard that Bowerman spent vast sums of money funding a lavish lifestyle.

He spent £80,000 on three Caribbean cruises, £38,000 on an Audi sports car, £81,000 on an Aston Martin and £28,000 on a BMW.

The court also heard that he bought his fiancée a Mini for Christmas.

Bowerman, of Bramwoods Road, Chelmsford, handed himself in to police on August 11, 2010. In September this year he pleaded guilty to 32 counts of fraud and one count of theft.

Christopher Kerr, mitigating, said that his client felt "shame" and "remorse" for his actions but that it was the result of an "acute and chronic gambling addiction".

"He's well aware of the very great loss, both financial and emotional, that he has caused," said Mr Kerr.

"He did believe he could turn all of it around by gambling.

"He accepts that this belief was without foundation and was deluded."

Jailing him, Judge Charles Gratwicke said: "The effects of your dishonesty has flown into the lives of a considerable number of people, all of whom have been effected in an adverse way."

CHELMSFORD City FC are relishing a money-spinning FA Cup trip to League One side Crawley Town after beating Colchester United in front of a record crowd on Saturday.

The Clarets beat the League One side 3-1 in front of a capacity 3,061 crowd, the club's largest gate since they moved to Melbourne six years ago.

The last time the Conference South club defeated a team from the Football League was in 1968, when they beat Oxford United 1-0 in the cup.

Coincidentally, Chelmsford City lost their next round match against Colchester United 2-0.

But after 44 years of hurt, the Clarets avenged their defeat and, in the process, secured a second round trip to League One high fliers Crawley Town.

Crawley Town hit the headlines in 2010/11 when they made their way to the fifth round of the FA Cup, before they eventually lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"This is probably the best result we've ever had, and don't forget Colchester are a team three divisions above us," said club chairman Mansell Wallace.

The club automatically pocketed £18,000 for advancing to the second round and took in approximately £15,000 from gate receipts.

If the game against Crawley Town is televised then the club, currently sitting second in the Conference South, would be set for a further £75,000 windfall, boosting their promotion prospects.

And if the Clarets can scrape a draw against Crawley and bring the West Sussex side back to Essex, then the club could stand to make £140,000.

"It's massive for us, especially for a club with a budget like ours," added Mr Wallace. "It allows us to keep challenging for the league."

It means that club bosses can pay the £4,000-a-month debt on their stadium in Melbourne without having to trim their playing budget.

Chelmsford City historian David Selby, said Saturday's victory was "one of the biggest games ever" and "certainly the biggest since the move to Melbourne".

"The cup run has provided the club with significant additional funds and it's really welcome," he added.

HUNDREDS of Santas are getting ready to take part in a 4K fundraising run for St Clare Hospice next month.

Organisers of the fourth Santa Run, held at the Secret Nuclear Bunker, in Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, hope as many as 300 Santas will join in the fun on Sunday, December 9.

St Clare Hospice events fundraiser Grace Clutton said: "This year we are holding the Santa Run at the Secret Nuclear Bunker where our Santas will have a brilliant course around the tracks there with the option of a few obstacles if they wish to challenge themselves."

Registration costs £15 for adults (16 years and over) and £5 for children. There is a family price of £35 for two adults and two children.

Every adult signing up will receive a free Santa suit and every child to sign up will receive a free Santa hat.

The run starts at 11am with the Santas either running, jogging or walking the course.

It is hoped the event will raise £12,000 towards the £2.8m needed by the Hastingwood hospice each year to be able to continue to provide free care to its patients and their families.

Refreshments will be available and the Secret Nuclear Bunker and Rope Runners will be open after the run if supporters want to make a day of their visit.

Booking for Rope Runners is advisable and can be done on the website roperunners.co.uk and entering the promo code 'CLARES' at checkout.

A PYROTECHNIC display will light up the Ongar night sky as part of a Guy Fawkes celebration.

Rockets, Catherine wheels and Roman candles will be the stars of the show at the annual fireworks night on Friday.

Organised by the Ongar Round Table, the demonstration is being performed by professional display team Starburst.

The evening will be staged at Chipping Ongar Primary School and will feature children's rides, hot food, popcorn, and a beer tent also serving mulled wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Profits will be divided between Round Table charities and the Greensted Road school.

The gates open at 6.30pm.

No dogs are permitted, apart from guide dogs and visitors may not bring their own sparklers.

A limited number of tickets are available in advance from Ongar High Street estate agents John Sear.

Advance prices are £10 for a family (two adults, two children), £4 for adults and £3 for children. On the gate it costs £5 per adult and £3 per child.

For more information visit www.ongar.roundtable.co.uk

SHARING a hot drink and a biscuit, the members of Tollesbury's Silver Threads Club are pleased to have a haven where they can catch up with friends and escape winter's chill.

Last year, 600 elderly people in Essex died as a result of the cold, and clubs like this offer a vital lifeline to many pensioners living alone and struggling to pay their heating bills.

This week sees the launch of the Essex Community Foundation and the Chronicle's Surviving Winter Appeal, which aims to raise cash to provide aid to elderly and vulnerable members of our community during the cold months.

Last year, Chronicle readers helped raise more than £35,000 for the appeal. The money was shared out to organisations like Silver Threads, but this year we hope to raise even more.

Jean Arthur, one of the club's presidents, said: "Our group is massively important to our members and if we didn't run it some wouldn't leave the house.

"Winter can be hard for people, a lot of our members don't drive and so don't like going out but we offer them somewhere warm to come and meet.

"We always have warm drinks and biscuits so the club is a haven where people don't have to worry about their heating bills or being alone and I think they really appreciate that."

The appeal encourages members of the public to donate their winter fuel payment – a sum of money paid to everyone aged over 60 regardless of their income – to help with winter heating bills.

Mrs Arthur, 79, who started going to the club 20 years ago, when her husband Colin died, added: "We received £1,200 from the appeal and used it to go to a pantomime and have a Christmas lunch. It really allowed us to go out and have some fun."

Find out how you can support the appeal on pages 4&5

THE leaders of today inspired the leaders of tomorrow at a conference aimed at helping teenage girls reach the top of their game.

Four women who are at the pinnacle of their chosen careers, three of whom are former pupils, dropped into Chelmsford County High School for Girls to give speeches and run seminars and workshops for 160 students, aged 14 and 15.

Girls from Boswells School, in Springfield, and St John Payne School joined those at the grammar school for the Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow Conference, which even heard from former Dragons' Den star Rachel Elnaugh.

Maria French, assistant head teacher for pastoral support, who arranged the event with Katharine Adams, head of Year 11, helped by a team of students, said: "The students here today are young women who are taking their education seriously, who are growing up to be the dynamic, confident, articulate leaders of tomorrow.

"These girls are the antithesis of those seen in The Only Way is Essex, girls who care about what is in their heads and their hearts, rather than simply about what they look like."

The day began with key note speeches from all four guests, who talked briefly about how they had reached the lofty positions they hold.

Former Dragon Rachel Elnaugh, who formed the company Red Letter Days, urged the students to be brave saying: "It's about your mind-set.

"You have to see life as an amazing adventure. You do not know what is going to happen next, but you need an underlying faith that it is going to work out."

Mitra Janes, diversity and inclusion manager at Ford, revealed that appearing confident was the key to leadership, admitting that, although she looked cool and composed during high level meetings, inside she felt far from in charge.

Students were able to choose to attend two seminars led by the guest speakers and, in the afternoon, take part in practical workshops, which included learning to eat healthily on a budget, belly dancing, learning about adventurous travel and public speaking.

Katherine Williams, 16, said: "The issues being discussed here today are not ones we talk about on a daily basis, but they are so important.

"It is a real inspiration to hear the guests talk so honestly about their battles to get where they are, the obstacles they still face, and how they get over them."

Alice England, 15, who goes to St John Payne School, said: "I've never been to anything like this before. I did not know what to expect.

"It is really exciting to hear these woman speak, and makes you realise how much you can achieve if you really want to."

Megan Lyon, 15, added: "For me, the fact that three of these woman went to this school is a real inspiration.

"It shows what Essex girls can achieve.

"Mitra works and lives in Brentwood, the home of Towie, yet she could not be more different from the image that the programme portrays.

"Some of my older friends do not want to put Essex on their CVs for fear of being labelled.

"I'm hoping that image will change soon."

Lydia Evans, 15, was one of the students who helped set up the conference, supervising refreshments and decorations and putting together packs for delegates, all on a very small budget.

She said: "I think the biggest challenge for us will not be barriers stopping us getting to the top of our professions, but being able to juggle motherhood with a career.

"Rachel Elnaugh has five sons and talks about finding the balance between work and home life.

"I think that is something that we could find hard to manage."

A RECORD number of companies have registered to attend Chelmsford's biggest business networking event.

The Chelmsford Showcase for Business has had over 800 individual reservations for the ten seminars and two networking business events, even before reaching the end of October. This is expected to exceed 1,000 by the time of the event at Anglia Ruskin University on November 14.

Organiser Mike Smith promises it will be a productive and rewarding day.

He said: "With such an excellent variety of up-to-the minute topics from some great speakers, I hope delegates coming to the Showcase and, in particular, attending these seminars will leave with some new ideas, fresh thinking and the motivation to make their businesses even more successful."

The event, organised by Chelmsford City Council, is an opportunity for local businesses to meet while promoting economic growth in the new city.

The breakfast briefing and Essex Chambers of Commerce networking lunch are both already at full capacity.

Numbers are higher than in the previous four years, but there is still time to register.

There will be 41 exhibitors and ten seminars, with the director of the British Chambers of Commerce, John Longworth, as the guest speaker at the business lunch. Last year about 400 business people attended the event, which has a new layout this year with more organisations taking exhibition space and with business advisors on hand to provide one-to-one advice to new and existing businesses.

To secure your place register now at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/showcase

A "CAREER criminal" who held supermarket staff at knifepoint before embarking on a police chase down the M11 has been jailed for five years.

Lee Tedstone, 37, drove a stolen car to the Lidl supermarket in Rayne Road, Braintree, armed with a kitchen knife.

He walked into the store brandishing the knife, which had a nine-inch blade, and held it to the neck of cashier, Gareth Thomason, "with words to the effect of 'open the door or I will blow your head off'."

Tedstone then grabbed fellow worker Shantelle Fallowfield by the arm and walked her to the staff room before he put the knife to the throat of Glynn Guppy, who opened the safe.

Having grabbed more than £1,800 in cash, Tedstone then headed back towards the stolen Ford Fiesta in the Lidl car park.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, prosecutor Stephen Rose said: "The process of evacuating the store began and some attempt was made bravely by the staff to contain the defendant in the staff room but he forced the door to exit the premises."

A member of the public tried to block Tedstone as he left the car park but the robber rammed his way past the car and sped away towards the M11. He drove – without a driving licence or insurance – through a number of red traffic lights, smashed into parked cars and reached speeds of up to 90mph on the M11 on August 10 last year before crashing into a line of police cars, and being apprehended.

At Chelmsford prison Tedstone attacked another person – this time fellow inmate Rhyse Montgomery.

Mr Rose continued: "It seems he had been there less than an hour – barely long enough for anyone to know who he was – when this defendant had walked with purpose towards Mr Montgomery and he deliberately cut into his throat with a razor blade.

"He was later seen attempting to sharpen a plastic knife that was also found in his possession."

Mr Montgomery was rushed to Broomfield Hospital where doctors stitched the 2.5cm-deep, 3cm-long wound.

Tedstone, who is from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, had stolen the car from a woman in that town who was away on holiday at the time.

He has a long history of offending, and has already served a 10-year sentence in jail for robbery.

After a variety of psychiatric tests he has been held at Ashworth high security hospital since his arrest.

Defending, Daniel Jerome said that Tedstone was responding well to treatment for psychosis and that he would be moved to Belmarsh prison as soon as sentencing was complete.

Judge Christopher Ball QC said: "This was for all those members of the public a nightmare – a terrifying event unfolding before them with an out-of-control and threatening, and knife-wielding offender."

He added: "Mr Tedstone's record is appalling. It's a career of crime – a life of crime.

"I'm quite satisfied that it's the abuse of narcotics over and over that has led to the instability that now underpins his personality."

Tedstone, wearing a blue and white tracksuit and flanked by three guards in the dock, was sentenced to five years in jail for the first indictment of robbery, possession of a bladed article, dangerous driving and handling stolen goods to run concurrently with his second indictment of GBH.

Tedstone was told however, that he will not be released from prison until medical staff, prison officers and the courts believe that it is safe for the public to do so.

THE public are being invited to give their ideas for Shire Hall at a special open day on November 24.

The Grade II-listed building at the top of Chelmsford High Street continues to be used for weddings and public meetings, even though the magistrates' court moved to a new courthouse in New Street, opposite the police station, earlier this year.

Now Essex County Council, which owns the building, has launched a public consultation to gather ideas for potential uses and is inviting the public to visit.

Councillor Dick Madden, chairman of the Shire Hall Reference Group, said: "Following discussions with the Mayor of Chelmsford, I felt it would be a great idea to hold an open day, so that residents can get a real sense of this historic building, which has played a key part in the civic and judicial life of Chelmsford.

"Hopefully, it will give people an idea as to what the building could be used for, as well as the constraints of the building."

Shire Hall was built in 1791 and was designed by county surveyor John Johnson.

It was kept the same for over 200 years, apart from in 1930, when the main staircase had to be replaced.

The Chelmsford Ideas Festival last month, organised by the environment group Changing Chelmsford, discussed potential uses.

The public came up with a variety of ideas, including a community centre, a tourism information centre and even an art gallery.

For those who cannot attend the open day, have your say at www.theshirehall.com or e-mail shire.hallconsultation@essex.gov.uk before February 15, 2013.

NEW York in the 1930s will be recreated on the stage of a Brentwood school next week when pupils present their annual musical.

Guys and Dolls, the Broadway hit of the 1950s, is the 2012 offering from Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School, which has proved so popular among the girls that there are two separate casts.

Each will perform on two days of the four-date run, which begins on Monday.

Head of drama at the Queens Road School, Sarah Barton, said: "Last year we staged Hairspray, a modern musical, so this year we decided to go for a more traditional production.

"It has proved to be a huge hit with the students who clamoured for parts, and as we have so many talented girls we thought the best way to include as many students as possible was to have two casts.

"There are a total of 55 girls involved, ranging in age from 11 to 18, and an orchestra of 15 and as we only auditioned in September they have all had to work really hard to make sure the production was ready in time."

The girls gave up two days of their half term to rehearse the show, which will be performed in the evenings from November 12 to 15 for family and friends, and on two matinees for fellow pupils and children from local primary schools.

Nicole Robinson, 17, who is playing female lead Miss Adelaide, said: "I find the whole process of being part of a production quite exciting. You have to commit yourself fully to attend rehearsals which end up being the priority in your life.

"It is a very good way of getting to know pupils from different years who share the same interests."

Lucy Dayson, 11, auditioned and won the part of Harry the Horse.

She said: "Everything is really professional, and completely different to anything I've done in the past. Productions like this one are a good way of meeting pupils in other years, and being a part of something like this makes you have more confidence on stage."

18-year-old Annie Adams, taking part in a school production for the first time, plays male lead Nathan Detroit.

She said: "I am so glad I had the opportunity to be part of such an amazing production and to leave on such a high. Even though the production takes up so much of your time it is definitely worth it and is such a brilliant experience.

"I have got to know so many people, even people in the younger years, which I would not have had a chance to know otherwise. My time at this school has given me the confidence to take part in such a big production."

A SPRINGFIELD schoolgirl has swapped the classroom for the studios of Hollywood by starring as the young Angelina Jolie character in a new Disney blockbuster.

Isobelle Molloy, 12, will play the young version of the title character, Maleficent, based on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale.

The actress will fly to Los Angeles on November 14 to screen the special effects for the film, which Walt Disney Pictures plans to release in 2014.

Isobelle, who trains at Tomorrow's Talent in Little Waltham, has already filmed her scenes for the film at Pinewood Studios.

"I am really happy with how it all went," she said.

"I met Angelina. She's really nice. We were talking about her contact lenses because we both wear them.

"She showed me hers and then she said 'if you need any help just ask me'.

"It is funny because my mum was saying that I look like Angelina before I even knew about the film.

"It is a big compliment to be picked because that means I must really look like her."

Isobelle was filming on and off for three weeks in October.

Because she was missing out on school a tutor was hired for her.

She said: "Filming was amazing, I was a fairy so I had to have harnesses put on me and fly.

"I even had my own trailer and it said 'young Maleficent' on the door.

"My character could be seen in two different ways. She's not evil but not happy, but that's all I can say, I'm not allowed to give too much away. I know I have to wait a long time to see myself on the big screen, which is a shame, but I cannot wait."

Isobelle only recently finished a stint in the hit West End musical Matilda for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

She won a full scholarship to the famous Redroofs Theatre School, in Maidenhead, Berkshire, after the director saw her play the lead in Matilda.

She now spends four days a week at the school and lives in a hotel with some of her classmates.

"Film is very different from the stage, where if you do something wrong you have to carry on, but with film they shout 'cut, let's do that again'.

"Both are amazing in different ways and I love both of them."

Maleficent is directed by Academy Award winner Robert Stromberg, who was production designer for Avatar and Alice in Wonderland.

"The first two auditions they gave me a completely different script because they did not want anyone finding out about the film," she said.

"I did not have a clue what I was auditioning for.

"I am always busy, lots of auditions for big things and small things, I am never left twiddling my thumbs.

"But my family are the ones who keep me grounded, I am definitely not a prima donna."

Mum Leanne Cornwell, 38, is very proud of how professionally Isobelle has taken to the working world.

She said: "It is really exciting stuff; she's been a busy girl.

"I do not think she realises the enormity of it all. She just takes it in her stride.

"I cannot wait to see Isobelle on the big screen. It is a dream role, it really is.

"I think she got her Angelina Jolie looks from me!"

THE Chronicle has another 24 copies of Chelmsford's edition of Monopoly to give away in time for Christmas.

The city's own version of the game has been a huge success with expats from as far away as China buying copies.

After our initial giveaway of 10 copies, which attracted hundreds of competition entries, we've managed to get our hands on another two dozen games for readers.

The makers of Monopoly, Winning Moves, held an event at Hylands House last month to celebrate the launch of the special edition version of the game, which celebrates Chelmsford's new city status.

The public voted in their droves for their favourite spots in and around the city to be immortalised on the board in place of the legendary London streets – and it has proven to be even more popular than anticipated.

Publicist for the game , Graham Barnes, said: "Sales of the game have exceeded expectations.

"We are absolutely delighted about the popularity of the board.

"We have calculated that between half and two thirds of Chelmsford homes this Christmas will be playing the board."

The Chronicle was voted into Fleet Street's traditional spot, and Hylands House replaced the prestigious Mayfair square, while Chelmsford Cathedral, local schools and the Marconi communications empire were also recognised.

And with requests coming in from all over the world, hundreds of former Chelmsfordians will also be reminiscing about their home town over the festive period.

"Ex-pat sales have been buoyant with people originally from Chelmsford, including a languages teacher in China," added Graham. "The crown jewels of Chelmsford have been spread far and wide."

FROM City trader to market trader, Mark Neal has swapped his suits for sweaters as he embarks on a new job on Chelmsford Market.

Mark, who only a couple of months ago was working with interest rates and stock indexes, now offers his customers a range of mugs and picture frames.

His market stall, Home Boutique, which sells "shabby chic" homeware, is a far cry from his stressful job in the City.

The 30-year-old, of Upper Bridge Road, Chelmsford, said: "I am used to seeing five or six screens around a room and sitting at a computer screen every day, so this is a big change for me.

"I definitely have gone from one type of market to a very different type of market.

"The financial market was getting tougher and tougher.

"The last six months I was going into work and not making any money and I was really stressed, so they were the main reasons why I left."

Mark worked as an independent trader in financial futures for ten years at Tower Trading Group, which has offices in London and Chelmsford.

He fell into the job by complete chance when he attended a golf day as a 20-year-old.

"I left school whilst doing my A-levels and started working at a law firm part-time where I became an office junior and then a trainee legal executive," said Mark.

"I was on the golf day with our secretary and her husband who told me to pack it all in for a career as a trader and join their company.

"My mum probably would have been happier if I had stuck with the law."

Mark was happy to swap his high salary job in the City for an 'easier life' on the market.

He would be in the office at 6.30am and work until about 6pm every day for over nine years.

And as an independent trader, Mark said he was trading his own money and not the company's.

"It was a very stressful job and the market was getting harder," he said. "It had been good fun but I never got to speak with people, I was always by myself.

"I have really enjoyed meeting the public. One woman told me about how her dog died and started crying the other day. That is something I have never dealt with before.

"And all the traders on the market were obviously interested in me and could not understand why I would pack it all up."

When he left his old job, Mark spent seven weeks at home with his three-year-old daughter Jessica.

"The time off made me realise just how stressed I was before and finally I could relax. Then I said I am really ready to get stuck in to this," he said.

"I am also just in time for the Christmas rush, so it is perfect timing."

Mark lives in Chelmsford with Jessica and his wife, Fran Betteridge, 30, who works as a fashion buyer for clothing company, Lipsy in London.

He said: "Jessica often comes to see me in the market and is very popular. She is the star of the show and definitely a good way of attracting people to the stall."

City manager Glenn Pennyfather said: "It's a great day for the club, quite an historic one and it's the third successive season we've made the second round so I must be doing something right!

"It's a dream come true for everyone and to beat a quality side such as Colchester United and one of our nearest Football League sides in what was a real local derby was fantastic.

"I've watched them three times this season so I knew what to expect and I was just hoping our lads responded," he said. "We knew we had to press them hard from the start, nullify their key players and I picked my side with pace and that's what we had from the start. I was a bit worried and nervous when having deservedly taken a two-goal lead they get a goal back, and it's a tremendous free-kick from which they scored, because that gives the other side fresh impetus, but we kept believing in ourselves, playing our football, keeping our composure, which was important.

"The icing on the cake was Jamie Slabber's third goal and it showed what I've known all along, that's he a quality striker."

"When we were 1-0 up we might have stung them into a bit of action but we got our game plan spot on today. We knew we had to stop them playing. They're a really good side in good form. I'm delighted with how we went about our work and when we got the second goal you start to believe.

"This is just rewards for the last couple of years where we've reached the second round and – no disrespect to the sides we've played – they haven't been money spinners and the dream tie you expect. But today was a dream tie. My players were magnificent."

"This result really puts the club on the map again. I have a young side and for those players it was a great opportunity to put themselves in the shop window, and a chance of playing at a higher level."

Two-goal scorer Donovan Simmonds said: "I really can't believe it because I didn't expect to be in the starting line up and then I'm in there and score two goals and put the club into the next round – it's the greatest game of my life.

"I think I could have scored a hat-trick because had I been selfish for third goal I think I would have scored but I saw Jamie was in a better position than me and I'm glad I found him as he took his goal brilliantly.

"Up until this game I had not scored for City but I was always confident of my ability and knew if I scored one I'd score again," he said. "I hope I can now keep my place and score more goals.

"I want us all to enjoy the cup run, but getting promotion remains the top priority for everyone, although I want us to enjoy this cup run, because not many players have such a chance"

Tony Butcher, City's scoring legend, said: "It was a fantastic performance and a great victory. The players were outstanding and the better side won and they fully deserved it. They never let Colchester take hold of the game – I thought we'd do well to get a draw but the players showed great character and ability.

"After my 44-year wait to erase the memory of my game for City when we lost 2-0 to Colchester at home in the FA Cup, this performance couldn't have been better – that defeat has irked me over the years, now I feel much happier we've put the record straight. The players were magnificent."

U's manager Joe Dunne was full of praise for City's victory: "This is the worst day of my football career and I'll never really get over it. City fully deserved it on the day, they were the better side, played so well and made us look inferior. I've no excuses and good luck to them in the next round."

Robin Tilbrook, English Democrats, 54, from Willingale, near Ongar. A solicitor, Mr Tilbrook is the national chairman of the English Democrats and a past president of the Mid-Essex Law Society.

He said: "What we are campaigning for is for England to have a fair voice in the way the government runs the country.

"There is going to be a serious reduction in the ability of Essex Police to deliver services (due to budget cuts). That needs to be resisted and as Police Crime Commissioner I would resist that."

Andrew Smith, UKIP, 63, from Epping. He has a degree in economics and statistics and is a qualified chartered accountant.

He said: "It gives me the experience to deal with the huge budget cuts facing Essex Police, which are not going to go away anytime soon. I want Essex Police to be trusted by the public and to refocus on the side of the victims."

Linda Belgrove, Independent, 58, from Tendring. A businesswoman, Ms Belgrove has been a member of the Essex Police Authority for four years.

She said: "I am very concerned about policing being influenced by party politics. Party politics is part of life but it has never been part of policing."

Valerie Morris-Cook, Labour, 54, from Thurrock. Ms Morris-Cook is the general manager of a logistics firm and is also deputy leader of Thurrock Council.

She said: "I am an ordinary woman from an ordinary background who has worked hard all her life. I think this election is a huge opportunity for us to bridge the gap between the police and public, and give residents and businesses a voice at the top table."

Mick Thwaites, Independent, 56, from Southend-on-Sea. Mr Thwaites served on three police forces over 34 years, holding the positions of assistant chief constable, head of traffic and head of operations.

He said: "People want to see cops out on the streets, reassuring them and making them feel safe. When they call the police they want them to attend – it's not difficult.

"I don't think it should be a political position – it should be an independent post. The people of Essex should determine policing priories."

Nick Alston, Conservative, 60, from Chelmsford. After studying at Cambridge he was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Navy before spending 30 years in operational defence and security work.

He said: "This is an opportunity to reconnect the public with the police – to get the police back in touch with us all. I'm convinced the police want to get there too."

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