THE master of teaching maths and science to children, TV presenter Johnny Ball, dropped into a Chelmsford school to present a fun interactive lecture and present prizes to A-level students.

A regular fixture on the box in the 1970s and 1980s, and the dad of DJ Zoë Ball, Johnny spent an afternoon and evening at Great Baddow High School to help launch its new science specialism.

The star of shows such as Think of a Number, Think Again and Johnny Ball Reveals All, started by giving pupils an interactive lesson in what he called beautiful maths, explaining in uncomplicated terms various fundamental mathematical concepts.

"You should aim to see more than is actually there," he advised the pupils.

Isobel Wells, 14, said: "My mum told me she remembers Johnny Ball being a presenter on TV when she was young, so I made sure I sat near the front so I could tell her what he says. I've also got to get his autograph for her."

The school's head of maths, Marc Lewis, said: "Johnny was a massive part of my growing up and my interest in maths and science, so it is great he was able to be with us tonight."

After his lesson, Johnny opened the school's A-level presentation evening, addressing the audience of 250 students and parents.

He advised the youngsters to "seize life and wring every moment from its opportunities".

Headteacher Carrie Lynch said: "Earlier this term we announced that we had taken on a second specialism in science; we have been a specialist's sports college since 2002 and have an outstanding reputation in this area.

"We are equally proud of the academic achievement of our students – represented at tonight's presentation evening.

"Science is another area of strength in the school with high levels of achievement; the sciences are popular at A-level and many of our students go on to science-based degrees, so Mr Ball was an obvious choice when we were looking for a speaker to celebrate this new phase in the school's development."

A relative of a hospital patient who had a heart attack was told by a nurse that was not the case, it is alleged.

Gertrude John's case goes before the Nursing and Midwifery Council on Monday (January 5), for four misconduct charges while she was a staff nurse at Broomfield Hospital's Emergency Assessment Unit.

While working on the ward between August 21, 2012 and October 21, 2012, John is accused of causing distress to a patient's relative, displaying unprofessional conduct toward colleagues, and making medication and record keeping errors.

After a patient suffered a heart attack, John is alleged to have told a relative this was not the case, speaking to them in a "rude and / or abrupt manner".

In a separate case, John is said to have spoken a senior nurse in a loud and aggressive manner, and allegedly laughed when told a fellow nurse felt frightened and threatened by her behaviour.

John is also accused of giving a patient the wrong amount of a drug treating and preventing blood clots, as well as not questioning why they were taking more of another drug used in cases of deep vein thrombosis and artery blockages.

She is further said to have arrived for an early shift at the unit when she was down for nights.

John started work at the hospital in November 2011, but was sacked in January last year.

She appealed against the dismissal but the decision was upheld.

The Conduct and Competence Committee substantive hearing is expected to last one week.

A mental health nurse is also due before the same committee for allegedly creating a comprehensive care plan for a patient after they had died.

Naushad Nojeeb is said to have posthumously created the plan in November 2012 at Broomfield Hospital.

His case, expected to take three days, is expected to start on Wednesday, January 28.

A £500,000 airport-themed education centre is on track to open at Stansted Airport in March 2015, with construction work now under way.

Aerozone will give young people from local schools, colleges and community groups an insight into the kind of careers available at the airport, and aims to boost skills in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Classrooms will be based in an old admin building, and there will also be a space dedicated to the airport's history, going back as far as the Second World War, when Stansted was a US Air Force base.

The airport's head of construction and development, Matt Allen, said: "Engaging with young people, particularly those living in areas close to the airport, is a vital part of our community work. We want to encourage and inspire young people to think about what the airport does, why it does it, and the career opportunities that could be available in the future.

"We recognise the growing importance of tackling youth unemployment and we've already implemented a range of initiatives to support young people into jobs at the airport. With high youth unemployment across the UK and a shortage of local skilled employees, the Aerozone - along with our employment academy - will equip future employees with skills that will help them find work, at airports or with another employer."

So, the verdict is in, and you've picked your favourite places in and around Chelmsford to buy fish and chips.

Readers put forward dozens of suggestions, and they were whittled down to just 10, before you voted for the one who you thought should batter the competition

Scroll down to see the winner

10. Danbury Fryer, Danbury, 4%

9. UK Fish Bar, Maldon, 4%

8. Fish 'n' Chick'n, Melbourne, 5%

7. Mrs Cod, Moulsham Street, 6%

6. Broomfield Fisheries, Broomfield, 7%

5. The Gold River, Chelmsford, 9%

4. The Fish Shop, Bridge Street, 12%

3. Mr Fish, Galleywood, 14%

A PORTUGUESE work ethic combined with a traditional English flavour may not be the most conventional combination for a chip shop, yet it's one that has certainly served Mr Fish in Galleywood very well for 15 years.

The shop's manager, Miguel Nobrega, was pleased to have been recognised as one of the city's top three fish and chips shops.

He told the Chronicle: "It's good news and we're very happy with what we do here. It's a family effort, and I also have lots of support from friends too.

"I've been around fish and chips since moving to England, when I was eight years old. Experience counts."

In February of this year, Mr Fish moved to its present location in Watchouse Road. Miguel believes the move has improved trade dramatically.

2. Martellas, Chelmer Village, 15%

THE modern day business owner has to show dedication to their work far beyond the norm. And nobody exemplifies this better than Gary Buxton and his twin daughters Laura and Ellie.

They showed their devotion to the business, in the face of desperately trying circumstances involving Gary's wife and the girls' mother, Amanda.

Two years ago, Amanda suffered a series of heart attacks that led to her having 13 cardiac arrests.

Throughout all of this and the ensuing recovery period, Martellas remained open for business.

The Buxtons' hard work has not gone unnoticed by Chronicle readers, and this thrilled Gary.

He said: "First place would've been better, but we're very happy our work has been recognised."

Pitsea and Leigh-on-Sea residents can also enjoy the Martella treatment at Gary's two other outlets.

1. Robinsons, Chelmsford, 18%

WITH more than 112 years of serving the city through war, recession and a world of change, Robinson's in Moulsham Street is still going strong.

On being told his business had topped our poll, Paul Robinson, the shop's manager, said: "I am over the moon. "We work hard at sourcing the best goods in order to make the best food."

Founded in 1902, Robinsons has seen four generations at the helm and each have been taught in a time-honoured tradition.

"The secret is making our own batter," confesses Paul, 35.

"It's something we did on day one, and still do to this day. There is a technique and system, that's been tried and tested."

Robinsons commitment to staying ahead of the game has led the business to exciting plans for a restaurant to come to Chelmsford.

Paul remains tight-lipped on specific details, but promises it will have the hallmarks of what has made the chip shop such a success.

Stargazers have been advised to look towards the east tonight (January 4) to catch a glimpse of the first meteor shower of the year.

The Quadrantid shower will peak at around 2am GMT, but the best viewing hours are expected to be between for a few hours between midnight and 6am.

However, experts warn the brightness of tonight's full moon could make it difficult to see the stars,

The name comes from the now extinct constellation Quadrans Muralis. NASA estmates up 80 meteors an hour will be seen at its peak this evening - matching the amount seen at the Perseid and Gemini meteor showers.

Police have released an e-fit image of a man they want to trace in connection with an attempted burglary in Witham.

Two men are reported to have been knocking on doors in Barwell Way one afternoon asking about a car for sale. 

After failing to get an answer at one house, one suspect then entered the property by the back door. 

The householder went downstairs to find the man in her kitchen and when she challenged him he ran off. Nothing was taken during the incident, which took place between 4pm and 4,30pm on Friday, November 14.

Both men are then believed to have fled up the Blackwater Trail.

If anyone recognises him they are asked to call PC Thomas Lennon at Braintree Police Station on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Firefighters spent this morning (January 3) tackling a large fire at a house in Westcliff amid fears it could spread to neighbouring properties.

The blaze, at the three storey detached house in Kings Road, took hold by 6.30am and it was further 40 minutes before it was brought under control.

The house was badly damaged and the roof has collapsed. Essex Fire and Rescue has not confirmed whether anybody was in the property at the time.

Assistant Divisional Officer Mark Turnbull said: "There had been reports of an explosion prior to our arrival and the first crews on the scene found an already well developed fire with multiple seats on all three floors of the house.

When we first got here there were flames coming out of the windows.

"Crews faced a difficult task getting on top of this fire and they have done an excellent job in bringing it under control.

"There was a real danger that this could spread to neighbouring homes but crews hard work and professionalism has contained the fire to the house where it started and prevented it spreading."

He added: "We have the fire under control and we're now working to extinguish the blaze."

THE heavy rain has seen off matches for Essex Chronicle sides across the Ryman League today (Saturday).

Heybridge Swifts, Maldon & Tiptree and Witham Town have all seen their encounters postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

In the Vanarama Conference South, Chelmsford tweeted ahead of their home match against Farnborough: "At the moment pitch is playable. Currently no inspection planned. Obviously if the rain gets heavy things could change."

Braintree travel to Chester tomorrow in the Vanarama Premier.

A serious four vehicle crash has shut the southbound M11 at Harlow this afternoon.

Several people are said to have suffered serious injuries as a result of the smash, which happened just before 1pm this afternoon.

The Highways Agency says the road is likely to stay shut until at least 6pm this evening.

Motorists are now being diverted around the crash scene on a 39 mile route that takes them via Chelmsford.

Leaving the closed M11 at Junction 7, Harlow, they are being directed along the A414 towards Writtle.

When they reach the roundabout at Widford Church, they are being directed down Three Mile Hill, past Hylands Park, and back onto the London-bound A12.

Drivers will the re-join the clockwise M25 at Junction 28, the Brook Street roundabout.

A Boxing Day arson attack on a mediation shop in Chelmsford caused £5,000 worth of damage.

Detectives have today issued a description of a suspect they want to trace, following the incident at Innerspace in Gloucester Avenue.

Firefighters found the shop's doormat had been set alight when they reached the scene shortly before 5pm.

Considerable smoke damage was caused inside the shop.

The suspect is believed to be a white man, who was wearing a beanie hat, cream coloured coat, blue jeans and black trainers. 

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Dan Bennington, said: "The motive for this attack is still under investigation and if anyone saw anything suspicious in the area at the time or has any information that could help our enquiries I would ask them to call me at Chelmsford Police Station on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Detectives are looking to trace these distinctive items of jewellery, which was stolen from a house in Chelmsford during the week before Christmas.

Officers have this afternoon released these images, in the hope jewellers, pawnbrokers or second hand goods shops may recognise them.

They were stolen from a house in First Avenue on December 18, between 9.30am and 7.55pm.

Burglars smashed a rear window to get in before then forcing open a door inside and carrying out an untidy search of the house. 

They then forced a window to the front of the house to get out.

Among the items taken were some gold-plated Concorde cufflinks, an antique pearl and ruby ring, a gold ring that looks like a belt, and a gold ring with a masonic symbol on it. 

Detective Sergeant Phil Greaves, of Chelmsford CID, said: "All of these items are quite distinctive and I'm confident if anyone was offered these pieces for sale that they would remember them. 

"If anyone knows of the current whereabouts of this jewellery or has any other information about this break-in I would urge them to call me at Chelmsford Police Station on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

A young man was punched in the face during an assault in Braintree during the early hours of Sunday.

The 24-year-old, who lives in the Braintree area, was attacked at around 3am in Market Place, near The Bull pun.

He suffered cuts and bruising to his face and needed dental treatment for damage sustained to his teeth.

Two men are believed to have been involved in the assault. 

They were both white, around 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in tall, of slim build and in their early to mid 20s. 

One of the men had short brown hair and was wearing a white top and a long brown coat. 

The other had short blond hair. 

Investigating officer, Pc Clair Ward, said: "Witnesses we have spoken to already have said they believe that several people caught some of what happened on their mobile phones and there is video footage out there. 

I would urge anyone who may have recorded any of this incident or has any information to get in touch with me at Braintree Police Station on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Chelmsford City 6, Farnborough 2

(Vanarama Conference South)

CHELMSFORD City delivered another display of their firepower with a 6-2 victory against Farnborough which made it 13 goals scored in their last three games and sent them third in the table.

Boro surprised their hosts with an early goal from Louis Theophanous against the run of play before City skipper Mark Hughes volleyed home a sumptuous strike to level matters.

Michael Cheek managed to get the last touch on Jaanai Gordon's low cross not long before half-time to put the hosts into the lead. It was Cheek's 20th goal of the season on his 50th appearance for the club. That took his overall tally to 32 goals from those 50 games – a very healthy return from the Clarets striker.

He returned the favour to set up Gordon just after the hour mark for the West Ham loanee to ensure he has scored in each of his first four games since joining the club.

Michael Richens smashed home a goal from distance to give Farnborough hope with ten minutes to go. However, that disappeared when Gordon added his second before goals from Rohdell Gordon and substitute Nicky Nicolau sealed the game in the final moments.

The ground staff at Melbourne Park had worked tirelessly to get the game played on a day when much of the local football was wiped out by the heavy rain. The referee Wayne Porter allowed the club a 3.15pm kick-off time, to give them more time to sponge up the most sodden areas of the pitch.

Mark Hawkes, never one to tinker much with his side anyway, was not inclined to mess around with the team that saw off Ebbsfleet superbly on New Year's Day. The only change was an enforced one, with Marvin Ekpiteta coming in for the injured Yado Mambo.

Rohdell Gordon was hoping to impress yet again, having extended his stay from Sky Bet League Two side Stevenage the day before until the end of the season.

Farnborough came into the game in 18th spot, having experienced an upturn in form with two wins and a draw from their last three matches.

Chelmsford started confidently in the opening exchanges, but it was the visitors who struck first on seven minutes after an error in the City defence. The ball was given away just outside the Clarets' box and Theophanous rounded Bradley Watkins before slotting home from a tight angle.

Michael Cheek did well to send a header across goal three minutes later, which Farnborough goalkeeper Dillon Barnes palmed out, but there were no Chelmsford players supporting the big hitman.

Farnborough's Dan Bennett had the ball in the Clarets' net from a header soon after, only to see it ruled out for offside.

Moments later the same player managed to slide away a shot while falling in the box, which had Watkins scrambling across his goal as it rolled inches wide of the right post.

Then came Hughes' moment of sublime technique on 25 minutes, no doubt honed as a youngster at Tottenham Hotspur.

Jaanai Gordon saw his show deflected off a Farnborough defender and out towards the edge of the box. There was Hughes waiting to wrap his foot around the falling ball, catching it sweetly and sending it arrowing into the bottom left corner of the visitors' goal.

On 38 minutes, Cheek slid home his milestone goal, reaching Jaanai Gordon's low cross ahead of the sliding defenders.

The striker almost had his second two minutes into the second half when he latched on to a through ball, turned his man and rolled a low shot just past the right post.

Farnborough had the ball in the Chelmsford net moments later after Duncan Culley curled a low effort around Watkins, but the flag was again raised for offside.

Jaanai Gordon made things more comfortable for the hosts on 62 minutes, played in by Cheek's incisive through ball, and he delicately clipped the ball into the net over the arms of Barnes.

He was denied a second on 77 minutes when he ran through again on the right, but Barnes dived bravely at his feet to thwart him. Moments later, the keeper held on well to Cheek's powerful low effort from distance.

Culley went close for the visitors on 78 minutes, sliding the ball just wide from a low cross to the back post.

Farnborough were given hope on 80 minutes when Richens curled home a fantastic 30-yard curling effort that Watkins could only stand and watch fly past him into the net.

However, Jaanai Gordon ran clear and buried his second on 89 minutes before Rohdell Gordon jinked his way through on the edge of the box and smashed home a low effort a minute later.

The game was wrapped up when Nicolau found himself in acres of space to fire home fellow substitute Joe Ward's low cross in added time.

CHELMSFORD CITY: Watkins, Girdlestone, Toner, Hughes, Ekpiteta, Sawyer (Smith 74), Redwood, Jaanai Gordon (Ward 90), Cheek, R Gordon (Nicolau 90+1). Subs not used: Jake Gordon, Freund. Att: 687.

Could there be a better start to the year than this? Tonight's National Lottery jackpot will make one lucky winner £9.2m richer!

The draw was made during tonight's National Lottery, Win Your Wish List, so, are you ready?.

And of course, 50 lucky people entered into a raffle draw could also find themselves £20,000 better off.

Checked your ticket for the New Year's Eve lottery yet? Lotto made more than 200,000 winners, so just in case you haven't - the numbers were 12, 18, 22, 37, 38, 49, and the bonus ball 35

Lotto tickets can be bought daily until 11pm, or 7.30pm on draw days. 

Lotto, EuroMillions, and Lotto HotPicks sales then reopen at 9pm. Thunderball reopens on Fridays and Saturdays at 9pm.

A FAR-RIGHT nationalist movement is mobilising its ranks for a protest outside Chelmsford Magistrates' Court tomorrow (January 5) when its leader appears on trial.

Britain First says it will crowd outside the New Street court from 9am on Monday as Paul Golding enters the dock.

The 32-year-old, of Sprucedale Road in Swanley, Kent, is charged with harassing Munazza Munawar at her home in Hepburn Close in Chafford Hundred on April 3.

He is also charged with "wearing uniform signifying association with a political organisation, namely his Britain First uniform".

Yet Golding claims he only visited Ms Munawar's address to expose a man he believed was an Al Qaeda terrorist. He denied the two charges at a preliminary Basildon Magistrates' Court hearing in September.

In a 1,300-word message on the group's website, deputy leader Jayda Fransen condemns the Crown Prosecution Service's case and asks members to donate to Golding's legal fees.

"Will you stand with Paul considering all the grief, aggravation and danger he has endured for our sake?," writes Ms Fransen.

"This is perhaps one of the most serious e-mails we have ever sent out and Paul is depending on good solid patriots like you helping him beat this ridiculous attempt to silence him or worst still, lock him up so he cannot cause them any more embarrassment."

Britain First, an offshoot of the British National Party formed in 2011, has marched and campaigned against mass immigration and what it believes is the "Islamisation" of the UK.

The group has more than 600,000 "likes" on social media site Facebook.

Dover politicians Charlie Elphicke MP, a Conserviative, and Clair Hawkins, Labour, condemned the group as "racist thugs" and troublemakers when Britain First marched through the Kent town in September.

Police oversaw a 50-strong march by the English Defence League, also a far-right nationalist party, from the Wheatsheaf pub, beside the magistrates' court in Chelmsford, in August 2012, when residents condemned their actions too.

WHILE fridges all over Essex are still packed to bursting point with leftover Christmas and New Year food, there are some people in the county who consider eating to be a luxury.

For families dependent on food banks, there will be no turkey sandwiches or Christmas chocolates left over, no stuffed-to-the-brim feeling this week; just the cold, hard reality of a situation that has left thousands of local people unable to afford to feed themselves, a third of which were children, in the past year.

"We have a lot of people coming in because of benefit delays and low income, which always hits people harder over Christmas," said Sarah Maddox, voluntary publicity officer for Braintree Area Foodbank, which has three centres in Braintree, Witham and Halstead.

Though food banks are no solution to the poverty that leaves people having to choose between heating their homes or feeding their children, the three-day emergency food packs do make a difference to those in dire need.

"Over Christmas, as well as the food we provide, we also added some Christmassy treats like cake and chocolate. We had one girl come in who cried when she saw we had put some Christmas things in her parcel. She said she just wasn't expecting that kindness," Mrs Maddox continued.

Braintree Area Foodbank is just one of the local charities to benefit this year from Essex Community Foundation's Surviving Winter Appeal in conjunction with the Chronicle, receiving £1,000 from the fund.

And so far this year, Chronicle readers have raised more than £8,000 for the appeal, which has distributed to elderly and vulnerable people around Essex.

"As well as food donations, we also have expenses ourselves like electricity, heating and lighting to pay for, plus all of the admin we do – so for all of those things, any money we get is gratefully received," Mrs Maddox explained.

"The money from the Surviving Winter Appeal makes a big difference in letting us continue to function.

"The difference it makes to people is huge. It's also the kindness people miss out on – people can come and have that here. No one will judge you.

"We provide three days of emergency food for people, and we get clients in all kinds of situations.

"If a family gets hit by an unexpected bill, it could be that they can't afford to buy food as well as pay it.

"I met one gentleman who had an accident at work, had to take time off sick and then had his pay cut to statutory sick pay.

"He had a wife and children, and a mortgage to pay, and he had never had benefits in his life but he suddenly ended up being referred to a food bank."

Although a beneficiary of the Surviving Winter Appeal, the Braintree Area Foodbank centres run year-round, with different centres open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, offering assistance to those in need of food.

"It's incredible the amount of people who also turn up to donate food," Mrs Maddox said.

"It's what we survive on really, food deliveries from the public, schools, churches, especially around harvest festival time, we get a lot of donations.

"People have really hit rock-bottom when they come to a food bank. When you can't feed yourself and your family you are desperate.

"We have people coming back months after they have been to us with a bag of food, and they'll say 'you really helped me out when I needed it and I wanted to give something back'."

These two young men were caught on camera at the same time two 15-year-old boys were attacked in Chelmsford High Street.

One of the victims was punched in the head by two assailants, while his friend was also struck in the head after refusing to hand over his mobile phone to two suspects who tried to snatch it.

Both suspects are described as being in their late teens. One was black, around 6ft 2in tall, of slim build, with cropped black hair. The other was described as being of Mediterranean appearance, 5ft 9in tall, of average build with dark messy hair.

Neither boy was badly hurt during the assault on October 31 but they were both left upset by the attacks.  

Anyone who recognises the suspects is asked to call DC Martin Amundsen at Chelmsford Police Station on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A woman remains seriously ill in hospital with "non-life threatening injuries" after she was caught up in yesterday's five vehicle pile up on the soundbound M11.

The road was fully re-opened at 7.20pm yesterday (January 3), six-and-a-half hours after the smash, which police believed occurred in slow moving traffic on the slip road on the approach to junction six with the M25.

There was an initial collision between a Nissan Micra and a Skoda Octavia, before a Volkswagen Passat then collided with a Ford Mondeo and a Ford Fusion. 

All the vehicles were travelling on the M11 towards London. The incident caused chaos for motorists, who were diverted through Chelmsford once the road was partially re-opened.

Eight people were taken to the Royal London, Whipps Cross and Basildon Hospitals for treatment. All but one of the casualties has now been released following treatment.

Officers at the Chigwell Road Policing Unit are appealing for any witnesses to this serious collision to contact them on 101.