EXPERTS of Chelmsford's night-time economy are backing the Essex Chronicle's Every Action Has A Consequence campaign.

Following the unprovoked attacks on Urim Rama and Kiran Vadnagra, the authorities agree that more needs to be done to prevent drunken violence in the city.

Our campaign is run in conjunction with Chelmsford City Council's Safer Chelmsford Partnership, a forum that works to reduce violent crime.

The campaign, which launched in November, when Jamie Waters was jailed for the fatal one-punch attack on Urim Rama in Duke Street, started to gather pace this week with a poster launch in the city's biggest bars and clubs.

But Joe Ferrari, chairman of Publink, believes more needs to be done about bar owners offering cheap drinks.

Mr Ferrari said: "Alcohol and the overarching misuse of it is the problem here.

"Very few sadistic people want to go around punching people for no reason.

"What would help the situation is if alcohol was not sold so cheaply, and by pubs and by supermarkets.

"In this sense, maybe we deserve it because we are the architects of our misfortune because nobody wants to solve the problem.

"We need harsher enforcement against the people who break the licensing regulations."

Senior investigating officer on the Vadnagra case, Detective Inspector Anne Cameron, also believes the campaign can only help to promote better behaviour in nightclubs and bars.

DI Cameron, who specifically deals with high-profile cases, said she has witnessed many horrifying incidents and Mr Vadnagra's assault was one from which the police did not expect him to recover.

"Essex Police has seen a number of cases where somebody has died as a result of one punch," she said.

"While there is a perception that the offender has consumed alcohol, this is not always the case.

"There are people who just like to show off their boxing skills when somebody stands up to them. In this case, no one stood up to Bowers.

"Kiran has suffered significant injuries resulting in hospital care being required for the rest of his life.

"This also impacts on the family, who will be reminded of his attack every time they visit him.

"The campaign will remind people that their action can have a serious consequence to their lives, the lives of the person they attack and their families.

"When thinking one punch can kill, it is worthwhile to remember, keep your fists in your pockets."

Joint partner of the campaign, the Safer Chelmsford Partnership's community safety manager, Spencer Clarke, works tirelessly to promote the safe consumption of alcohol.

But he also admits educating people on the one-punch issue is a difficult one to tackle, as most of the offenders come from outside the county.

He said: "It is such a tragic situation, this one punch.

"You have to think about what sort of upbringing someone has had to do it.

"Maybe they have also been on drugs.

"It is tough because not only does it impact on the victim and the victim's family, but also the prosecuted's family and it must be horrific.

"The consequences have an impact on everything and it causes fear.

"We want people to come to Chelmsford, it has a great nightlife, we have a good CCTV team and a good relationship with the police – it is just not trendy to be drunk any more.

"My message to Kiran Vadnagra's family is that it was a tragic accident and whatever we can do to promote awareness around this issue we will.

"We have now begun using social media via Bluetooth on your mobile phone to send awareness messages about getting home safely or limiting your drink."

THE Chronicle's student reporters took to the streets of Chelmsford to ask the public: "Is a two-year jail sentence enough for an attack that means a man can no longer walk, talk or eat?"

The poll by Kristofer Sear, Natalia Day and Cameron Frost revealed 75 per cent of 320 people thought the sentence was too soft because on good behaviour the attacker will serve half the sentence.

Just under a quarter thought two years was the right sentence, while one per cent of people were undecided.

Janet Sedgwick, 65, a retail assistant from Moulsham, said: "It's terrible if you think of the family not knowing how he could turn out. It's such a shame."

Albert Jein, 52, an electric and gas supplier from Chelmsford, said: "It could be one punch or 20. It's very unfortunate."

Sam Wriggles- worth, 20, a charity worker from Boreham, said: "Though it's an unlikely event to happen, the police have got to do something about it. A year is just not enough, but I don't know what kind of rigmarole they've got to go through."

Danny Rising, 18, a retail adviser from Chelmsford, said: "There seems to be an increasing amount of petty crimes occurring.

"It may be a primal instinct to physically defend your loved ones. But random acts of violence I don't get, they're ridiculous."

Elliot James, 19, a retail adviser from Chelmsford, said: "I don't understand how people can be so violent."

Lawrence Blake, 25, a computer programmer from Chelmsford, said: "It's a worry, I've managed to avoid things, but you always hear these stories in Chelmsford. I don't understand what goes through someone's head, do they think of the consequences?"

Rosie Stramton, 22, a sales assistant from Chelmsford, said: "As time goes on I've noticed more and more of these fights.

"It's quite off-putting, you never want to be involved."

She added: "It's like some people just try to prove they're alpha males."

Philip Wagstaff, 52, a retired journalist from Chelmsford, said: "There's always been violence and I don't think it's getting any better.

"Perhaps you've got to look up the hierarchy, what is the Government doing? Privatisation of the prison service… you can see its effects, it's such a disgrace."

Keith Leverett, 69, retired, from Tollesbury, said: "A year is disgusting; in this day and age people are getting away with anything.

"Some people go into a bar or club and they drink so much that they lose all their respect. They think nothing of hitting someone."

Florence Lisa, 35, a charity worker from Kent, said: "A one-year sentence is absolutely diabolical.

"The justice system makes me sick, to believe people get off lightly for such things."

A TOP boss will face residents next month to be quizzed on the county's bus service.

Giles Fearnley, managing director of First UK, will visit Burnham-on-Crouch on February 1 to discuss local intiatives and respond to concerns regarding the service.

Ursula Benjafield, vice-chairman of the Dengie Hundred Bus Users' Group, who organised the talk, is delighted that Mr Fearnley has accepted the invitation. She said: "He's not just another corporate man, he comes from a bus family going back generations so really knows what he's talking about."

Mr Fearnley has previously shown an interest in developing more environmentally friendly public transport systems, as well as integrated ticketing between trains and buses to make public travel more economical.

First of all, however, the managing director will face disgruntled residents.

"There is real dissatisfaction in Burnham at the current performance of the 31X, the main bus leading into Chelmsford, with reports that it's often late, or sometimes doesn't show up at all, which is particularly difficult with the weather right now," said Mrs Benjafield.

The 31X service was scaled back in 2010, leaving many residents isolated.

Despite these concerns, other transport initiatives, arising as a result of a contract renewal last year, have proven a great success, in particular the "demand responsive buses" managed by Arrow Taxis.

Residents can call upon this service as needed, which will transport them from door to door and charge less than a taxi, though a little more than a standard bus ticket.

Despite only having been in operation since August last year, passengers say the scheme has greatly improved public transport on the route.

Mr Fearnley will answer questions on all these issues and more at the public meeting, which will take place at the town council offices at 12.45pm.

Anyone with questions relating to the 31X is asked to contact DHBUG beforehand at contact@dhbug.org.uk or on 01621 741177.

RESIDENTS will have their first chance to see and comment on plans to build 4,800 new homes in the district.

This week Braintree District Council launched the first of a series of consultation events to show local people their future housing proposals.

In September 2011, the authority committed to building nearly 5,000 new homes in the district by 2026, including 1,900 in Braintree, Bocking and Great Notley, and 1,700 in Witham.

The blueprints are available to download now and 12 events will take place across the region up to February 7.

Councillor Patricia Newton, cabinet member for planning and property, said: "We want to give everyone in the district the opportunity to see the draft plans and tell us what they think.

"This plan could affect you – so help us plan for growth in ways that best meet the needs of our residents."

Houses are spread evenly across the district apart from in three growth locations in Witham and in Braintree.

In Braintree, 600 new homes will be built off Panfield Lane, transforming the western edge of the town of 42,000 people.

Three hundred homes will be built in northeast Witham, near Rivenhall, and 700 to the south off Hatfield Road.

The plans also identify areas to be protected from development and sites that could be used for employment and retail.

They have been prepared over 16 months with Essex County Council and parish councils.

Ken Squibb, chairman of Convent Lane and Broad Road Action Group, ran a successful campaign to stop the land at Straits Mill, Bocking, from being considered as a growth location.

He said: "We dodged a bullet. We didn't want any of Straits Mill developed because we considered it part of our countryside."

The deadline for comments to the council is February 22.

Responses should be returned to planningpolicy@braintree.gov.uk or sent to Planning Policy, Braintree District Council, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree CM7 9HB.

To view the plans go to www.braintree.gov.uk/planning, visit Braintree District Council or attend one of the consultation events.

SOFT drinks giant Britvic's proposed merger with the producer of Irn Bru has been halted by the Government's watchdog for fair competition.

Shareholders at Britvic and AG Barr had agreed to join forces from January 30.

But the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has delayed the merger while it probes the deal, which it says could result in a "substantial lessening of competition".

Britvic traces its origins to a chemist in Chelmsford in the mid-19th century, and its 15-acre factory in Westway, with Art Deco clock tower, is an iconic sight in the city.

Britvic confirmed there will be up to 500 job losses in the companies' combined 4,000-strong workforce as a result of a merger, but said no decisions have been made on exactly where the cuts will be.

At Britvic in Chelmsford, there are 131 employees.

"Any job losses in the city are clearly something we don't want to see," said Chelmsford city council leader Roy Whitehead.

"We've already seen the loss of HMV and Jessops and we are working to try and improve this with new businesses arriving soon.

"The physical presence of the Britvic factory is an important thing, but on the other hand the idea of the merger is to become more efficient and to strengthen the business so it could be a positive thing. We just have to wait and see."

Despite 99 per cent of shareholders voting in favour of the deal, the move has been put on hold by the OFT.

In a joint statement the companies said: "We have been informed that the OFT is extending the timetable for its decision on the merger as it has not yet completed its review.

"As a result, the timetable for the implementation of the merger is being extended and the anticipated effective date of the merger will no longer be January 30, 2013, as previously announced."

Gerald Corbett, Britvic non-executive chairman, had seen the deal as an opportunity to create a "world class soft drinks company" which will have estimated annual sales of more than £1.5 billion.

He said: "The combination makes huge commercial and industrial sense, bringing together a host of iconic brands from Robinsons squash to Irn-Bru, as well as from the strong stable of Pepsi beverage brands, with very little overlap.

"A.G. Barr and Britvic are a fantastic fit with complementary strengths in products, channels and geographies and we will benefit from very significant synergies.

"Together we will create a bigger, better and stronger business for our consumers, customers and shareholders for now and the future."

SOBBING while a fire raged in the house behind her, depressed Ana Rego repeatedly told the men trying to rescue her: "I want to die".

But in sentencing the 43-year-old, Judge Charles Gratwicke said it was "merciful" no one had been killed or injured.

Rego, who is Portuguese, was jailed for four years for starting the fire that gutted her Braintree home. She had pleaded guilty.

On Saturday, August 25, 2012, Rego called her sister and sister-in-law to tell them she believed her partner, August Ribeiro, was taking away their children, aged 14 and 16, and that she no longer had a reason to live.

She then set two curtains ablaze at her semi-detached house on Rosemary Avenue, intending to end her own life. She was the only person in the house at the time.

The blaze then spread to neighbouring properties, first the home of Suzanne and Paul Skirrow, where they were spending the day with their four-year-old daughter and three other relatives, and then to that of Roxanne Gant, who was forced to flee to safety with her three-year-old daughter.

Neighbour Margaret Nield was with her son, visiting from London, when they were alerted by the sound of fire engines and alarm bells ringing.

"We could see smoke billowing and flames licking up the roof, it was such an intense blaze," said Margaret.

"It was a sunny day and there were families and people all around when it started. Thank goodness nobody was hurt.

"We watched a red-faced woman driving away in a police car, and later found out it was her who had allegedly started the blaze."

Rego was rescued from her garden by three teenagers, two of whom rushed from the nearby skate park once they realised someone was still at her property.

Che Thompson, Leroy Moran and Philip Oddy were each given a High Sheriff's award at Chelmsford Crown Court and were to be commended, the judge said.

Rego's house was destroyed whilst her neighbours' homes suffered substantial damage.

In the Skirrows' house ceilings collapsed and rooms were smoke-logged, whilst the uninsured Ms Gant was left facing repairs to doors, windows and furnishings.

Members of the shocked community have done what they can to help the stricken families with collection tins in the local Co-op.

"The families affected were regular customers at the store, and this is the sort of place where everyone knows everyone else's face," said store manager Caroline Roche.

"We wanted to help with all the possessions we knew they had lost, so we raised £500 in donations in the shop."

Rego was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court of six charges of arson, and recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

Judge Gratwicke told Rego: "The tragedy of this case is that there's really no proper explanation as to why you even behaved in this manner."

THE personal trainer who wrecked Kiran Vadnagra's life with a single punch in a crowded bar has been jailed for two years.

Nicholas Bowers, 26, of Barking, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday after the unprovoked attack in Hooga, a bar in Victoria Road, Chelmsford, last August.

The punch put Mr Vadnagra, a married father of three and owner of lettings firm Chelmsford Property Management, into a coma. He now cannot move or feed himself and is dependent on care for the rest of his life.

Bowers also pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to assaulting Mr Vadnagra's friend Mervyn Buwu, 34, by beating.

The court heard that Bowers first floored Mr Buwu with one punch, leaving him unconscious.

When Mr Vadnagra stepped forward he too was knocked down in the unprovoked attack at 2am on August 11.

Mr Buwu recovered quickly, but Mr Vadnagra was left in a comatose state until September and now lives at a care home in Brentwood, with his long-term future unclear.

Prosecutor Richard Scott told the court: "His prognosis is day by day, hoping he will get a little bit better each day."

Recorder Michael Ashe QC who jailed Bowers for two years said the defendant had convinced himself that Mr Buwu was someone who had threatened him in the past and panicked, walked up to him and punched him.

He said: "You have been a personal trainer and quite clearly you are very fit and you didn't realise the consequences of a punch. There was no provocation and there was a risk given your mood and temper that anybody in the vicinity could have been assaulted.

"Mr Vadnagra is a very different person as a result of these injuries."

Mr Vadnagra's wife Jean and current partner, Claire Islam, were in court with other relatives and Mr Buwu to see Bowers jailed.

The prosecutor said those close to the victim were "devastated" by what had happened.

Bowers was arrested at Stansted Airport on August 27 when he returned from a holiday in Turkey.

Mitigating, Stella Harris, said Bowers had written Mr Vadnagra a letter, and although it was not read out to the family she referred to its contents.

"He explains he deeply regrets his behaviour and he is sickened by it and is deeply sorry," said Miss Harris.

She said he had savings which he wanted to offer in compensation, but the judge said compensation should be left to any civil action.

Bowers has previous convictions for violence, including punching men in the face, and was on licence from a 28-month prison sentence for producing cannabis at the time of these assaults.

He has been serving the remainder of that term while awaiting sentence.

In a statement, Mr Vadnagra's family said: "Kiran is a very good family man with three children. He ran his own successful business, loved life and has many friends.

"Kiran loved family holidays, travel, socialising and had many things he still wanted to achieve and experience.

"Nothing prepares you for having to see a loved one like this. Kiran had severe double frontage brain damage. He cannot walk, talk, eat or drink. He is just a shell of the man he used to be.

"None of us knows what lies ahead."

TANKS, jeeps, trucks and many other eye-catching armoured vehicles rolled into Heybridge over the weekend for the annual Vintage Military Vehicle Winter Rally.

Held at the Mill Beach pub, the event welcomed private owners of rare restoration projects who put their vehicles on display to the public, giving the chance to educate interested visitors with their colourful histories.

It was the first opportunity in the 2013 calendar for military vehicle enthusiasts to meet and exchange advice.

Shaun Morgan, the organiser of the rally, estimated that the event attracted about 1,500 visitors to enjoy the 55 exhibits, a steady increase from previous years.

"We were really pleased with the turnout. There were lots of smiley faces and a lot of shivering too, but that could be solved by plenty of hot chocolate," he said.

"We had everything from Second World War Jeeps to military personnel carriers to a fighting vehicle from the 1970s, so it was a real mix."

Visitors were encouraged to sit in and experience the vehicles to imagine what life was like for the soldiers who relied upon them.

"What we really want is for people to picture themselves as the soldiers driving these vehicles, which are not always the most comfortable," said Sean.

To add to the atmosphere, visitors to the rally were entertained by dancers from the A2 Jive Club and live bands appearing at the Mill Beach pub.

BILLERICAY eased themselves away from the relegation zone with a vital win at bottom of the table Truro.

Jay May grabbed all four of The Blues' goals on Saturday in a victory made all the more impressive as they achieved it by playing with ten men for more than an hour.

Charlie Taylor was given his marching orders for a second yellow card for dissent in the 26th minute.

Things had started more promisingly for the forward when his fifth minute flick on was rammed home by May.

But the home side were then given a boost when Taylor was red carded midway through the half.

The Billericay striker had just been booked, along with City's Calron Hall, after an off the ball altercation, but then continued to mouth off at referee Steve Daly who gave him a straight red.

But it was Billericay that looked the more likely and May made it 2-0 at the start of the second period with a neat header in the 49th minute past Luke McCormick after a hopeful cross from Dave Collis.

Then Billericay skipper Rob Swaine gave away a free kick on the edge of the box.

From the resultant free kick in the 65th minute substitute Martin Watts gave City hope with a blistering strike, but almost immediately May completed his hat-trick.

The impressive Paul Semukula crossed to May who finished from close range.

Then May added a fourth after Truro we caught short at the back. A long ball over the top found the forward who lobbed the advancing goalkeeper and it was effectively game over.

Kieffer Moore did score a consolation second for City ten minutes from time, but it was too late.

WITH just one punch to the head, father-of-three Kiran Vadnagra spent weeks in a coma and will need permanent care for the rest of his life.

His attacker Nicky Bowers, 26, was sentenced to two years in jail for the unprovoked attack at Hooga Bar in Victoria Road, Chelmsford, but is likely to serve just half that sentence on good behaviour.

Mr Vadnagra, 50, of Althorne, suffered a brain injury and can no longer walk, talk or feed himself.

It comes after 27-year-old Urim Rama was killed with one punch in Duke Street in August last year – just a week after the attack on Mr Vadnagra.

His attacker, Jamie Waters, was jailed for five years in November for manslaughter.

This week the Essex Chronicle joins forces with the Safer Chelmsford Partnership to launch our Every Action Has A Consequence campaign, in a bid to highlight how confrontation can turn ugly as a result of too much alcohol.

With the support of pub safety group Publink, campaign posters this week started to appear in the windows of popular nightspots in a bid to remind people of the dangers of drunken violence.

Nick Harmston, manager of Evoke nightclub, said: "I have witnessed horrendous incidents in the past.

"And I think it is important to get the message across to people that one punch can kill.

"All it takes is for one person to do something wrong and it means that their life is ruined and the victim's too."

In a statement, Mr Vadnagra's family said: "He is just a shell of the man he used to be."

DOGS are literally Tina Delaney's life.

Not only does she own three, and has always worked with them, but she is also undertaking a PhD in canine matters.

When complete, Tina's research is likely to make fascinating reading for people interested in dogs worldwide as she is looking into the genetics that can relate to aggression in pit bull terriers, a breed banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

"In layman's terms I am looking at whether it is nature or nurture that makes a dog aggressive," said Tina, 44.

"I'm trying to define whether a pit bull, which is perceived as an aggressive animal, is always that way because of its genes or whether it is a result of its rearing."

Tina's job makes her uniquely placed to undertake this type of research. She is manager of the animal welfare service at Newham in east London, a role that includes dog licensing and enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Although under the Act it is illegal to own a pit bull terrier without a special licence, Tina says they are still prevalent, especially in the capital, while many people looking for a status dog are now turning to Staffordshire bull terriers instead.

"In Newham alone we seized 67 pit bulls last year and the Metropolitan Police seized 1,152. Due to the makeup of its jaw the pit bull is an amazingly powerful animal and if it does bite will cause significant injury. Because of this we have to ask is it really a domestic pet?"

Tina says she and her co-workers at Newham, which is recognised as a leading authority on dangerous dogs, have seen a significant change in the nature of the pit bulls they meet.

"Five years ago most of the pit bulls we came across were nice dogs, but that has really changed, and now only 50 per cent of them can be regarded as having a good temperament," she said.

"If you can identify genetic markers for aggression, we could breed out that aggression in certain breeds."

Tina is about half-way through her doctorate, which she is fitting around her full-time work.

She has been studying continuously for 12 years, starting her BSc science degree with the Open University at 32, then moving on to a masters, then the doctorate at Writtle.

Tina has obtained DNA samples from 90 pit bulls and undertaken 90 behavioural assessments, and is well on her way to her target of studying 100 animals in total.

She added: "Pit bulls have hardly been studied at all in the UK, and almost not at all at this level anywhere in the world."

JOBS are at risk at Chelmsford prison after the Ministry of Justice revealed the jail will partially close to save money.

Space for 132 inmates will be lost by April at HMP Chelmsford, in Springfield Road, as part of government plans to save £63 million on the cost of running prisons nationwide.

A decision over which areas of its four wings are to close will take place over the next few weeks and jobs are at risk, the Ministry of Justice confirmed on Thursday.

Prisoners left without a place will be sent to another jail, depending on the individual and the length of their sentence.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "In terms of job losses we will do everything possible to avoid job losses and redundancies by re-deploying staff and putting people on a Voluntary Early Departure Scheme where appropriate."

Chelmsford Prison is a male-only Category B and Young Offenders Institution (YOI), with roughly 650 prisoners.

It is one of three prisons in the country that will partially close, while six others in England will be shut completely.

HMP Bulwood Hall, a prison for foreign nationals in Hockley, along with prisons in Canterbury, Gloucester, Kingston, Shepton Mallet and Shrewsbury, will shut for good, while jails in Hull and the Isle of Wight will, like Chelmsford, lose some accommodation.

The decision is part of a major overhaul of the prison service which includes the building of Britain's biggest prison.

The new prison planned for either London, the north-west or north Wales, could hold more than 2,000 prisoners.

Four new mini-prisons, known as houseblocks, will also be built and are planned to be set up at HMPs Parc in South Wales, Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, The Mount in Hertfordshire and Thameside in London, which in total will hold 1,260 inmates.

Chelmsford prison governor Rob Davis could not speak to the Chronicle. The MOJ did not know what would happen with the surplus space at the city's prison.

But Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said in a statement: "We have to bring down the cost of our prison system, much of which is old and expensive.

"But I never want the courts to be in a position where they cannot send a criminal to prison because there is no place available.

"So we have to move as fast as we can to replace the older parts of our prison system.

"That's why we are moving ahead with immediate plans for new prison capacity, as well as closing older and more expensive facilities. It is also why I am now moving ahead with planning for the next generation of new prisons."

The programme is part of the Government's drive for new capacity to replace older prisons and so bring down the cost of operating the prison system.

Currently the cost of holding a prisoner in an older prison is often more than twice as expensive as keeping them in a new one, the MOJ says.

The Prison Officers Association, the union for many of the staff locally, was unavailable for comment despite repeated requests.

POLICE are hunting a pervert who walked into a girls' changing room at a top independent school and indecently assaulted a young pupil.

The girl was threatened with violence when the man approached her at Felsted Preparatory School, which educates students up to 13-years-old, shortly before 11am last Tuesday morning.

She managed to escape his advances and alerted a teacher, but the man escaped into the grounds of the private school, which charges up to £26,000-a-year.

Head teacher Jenny Burrett said that the girl and her family were currently receiving support from the school.

"I can confirm that an incident did take place at the school which is currently being investigated by the police," she said.

"Since the incident occurred, our focus has understandably been on the welfare of the individual involved and providing support to her and her family," she added.

Security at the 449-year-old school has since been tightened and parents at both the junior and senior school, which teaches children up to A-level, have been kept abreast of current developments.

Ms Burrett said: "In response to advice from the police, we have communicated with the pupils, parents and staff of Felsted Preparatory School and Felsted School with regard to the importance of personal security and have re-emphasised the school's security policies and procedures.

"We obviously have increased vigilance around the site and will continue to keep parents updated with the progress of the police investigation."

Subsequently, detectives have released an e-fit image of the man they would like to question in response to the assault.

Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Simon Werrett said: "This man's description is very detailed and distinctive in several ways. I am sure someone will recognise him from this e-fit.

"If you know this man then please contact my detectives. Also, if you were in the area of the school between 10.30 and 11.30am on Tuesday morning and saw a man matching the physical or clothing description given, please contact us."

The man is described as white, with crooked teeth, aged 30, about 5ft 10ins tall, with short, gelled-up brown hair.

At the time, he was wearing jeans, a blue hoodie with white tassels, and trainers.

Anyone with information in connection with this assault is urged to contact detectives at Shrub End on 101 or e-mail SOIT@essex.pnn.police.uk

BRENTWOOD Town travelled to Cricklefields in Ilford to meet Waltham Forest in this away Ryman North Division game on a bitterly cold, windy afternoon.

Perhaps the weather, combined with Premier League football on Sky TV, deterred many would be supporters as a gate of only 40 bothered attending the game.

However, by half time those that did attend probably wished they had not as this was no football feast .

Perhaps the pitch was a little heavy – something the majority of clubs at this level will need to get used to in the coming weeks – but the teams made hard work of the situation and a 0-0 scoreline just about summed up the first half and a bore draw looked to be on the cards.

Martyn Stokes, Alex Read and Steve Butterworth had first-half chances as Brentwood probably edged the first half but neither 'keeper was particularly busy.

In the second period, for a time, the tempo picked up a little. Shortly after the restart, a free kick to Brentwood from the edge of the box was met perfectly by Ryan Doyle but his headed attempt was directed straight into the safe arms of Forest's keeper Cain Davies.

Just after the half-hour mark, the home side's Manu Dagher incredibly dribbled through a packed Brentwood defence and unleashed an effort Town 'keeper Reece Ottley did well to parry away for a corner. The well-taken corner looked dangerous until the effort was blasted wide of the target.

The home side were beginning to take the initiative, sensing Brentwood were struggling to find the form that had taken them on a good run of results of late.

However, in the 81st minute, a break down the right hand flank resulted in new signing Ross Wall hooking a dangerous looking ball into the Forest penalty area but, again, the headed effort went straight to the home keeper.

Two minutes later, the predictable happened. Brentwood's defence failed to clear a Forest attack and Arian Retkoceri hit hard and straight from outside the box into the bottom right hand corner of the net to give the home side the advantage.

This was a lacklustre display by two teams who really did not look up for the game on the afternoon and was summed up by the relative inactivity of the two keepers.

Town manager Steve Witherspoon will be scratching his head and wondering how a team that performed a major comeback three days earlier against Romford, with two goals in time added on, failed to inspire a fight-back in this game.

CHRISTIANS across Essex took part in a mass prayer to ask God to help them solve the church's crisis over women bishops.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell, organised the day of prayer after the General Synod voted "no" to the appointment of women bishops in November last year.

At Chelmsford Cathedral, prayer began at 7.45am, before a congregation of 50 Church of England worshippers gathered for a Eucharist taken by the Bishop of Bradwell, John Wraw, at noon on Thursday.

Prayers at the Cathedral were held on the hour from 9am to 4pm, and prayer zones, with different interactive elements, were also laid out around the cathedral.

Prayers also took place at churches across the county in a mass event the Bishop hopes will help lead the church onto the right path for the future.

He said: "While we have got hundreds of women clergy, and the vast majority support women bishops, we do have a minority of people opposed to it.

"I do not want them to leave the church and do not want them to feel they are excluded.

"When it came to the vote we set the bar very high because in order to pass it, it needed a two-thirds majority. There are some who say that men and women are just different and they have different roles, and it is not appropriate for women to be bishops.

"I must tell you that I disagree with that.

"Also, there are some who say that Jesus only chose males as his disciples and also that we are part of a worldwide church and can only make it with everybody else.

"We care about that minority and we need to find a way to come up with a new agenda and at the moment we don't know quite how to do this. I hope this brings us all more understanding into each other's views, and although it drives me round the bend, they are still my neighbour."

A new group set up by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York will meet to plan new legislation on February 4, and the House of Bishops will meet too.

"The next Synod meets in July, so we hope by July we will have something to bring to them," Bishop Stephen added.

Reverend Chantal Mason, who has only been the chaplain to the bishop for a few months, was at the cathedral event.

She said: "Today, this day of prayer is about the church being compelled by God's love to come together.

"It is a day to pray that God will make real our desire for unity in 2013.

"We must learn to understand what it means to be a family knowing that we will stay together, whilst also working out our disagreements in love.

"We know that this will be facilitated through prayer for each other.

"In prayer, gender is of no significance and so as male and female priests, along with the whole church, we are all being called together to pray for our unity."

Officers investigating a fail to stop collision in Chadwell Heath are appealing for witnesses.

Police were called at 3.50pm on Wednesday January 16 to reports of a collision between a car and two children and two adults in Grove Road, Chadwell Heath.

The black Lexus (registration number S200 XUS) did not stop at the scene.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended.

A nine-year-old child is currently at an east London hospital with serious injuries. A one-year-old child was uninjured.

A woman sustained minor injuries and a second woman is believed to be uninjured.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information that may assist police should call officers at Chadwell Heath Traffic Unit on 020 8597 4874; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are particularly appealing for anyone who can help police trace the vehicle, which was reported lost or stolen later on Wednesday.

On Wednesday January 16 a man attended an east London police station and was subsequently arrested in connection with the inquiry. He was bailed to return in February pending further enquiries.

A COUPLE are heartbroken after doctors told them their six-year-old daughter has a rare ageing disorder and will not live past her teens – only to find out their unborn child has it as well.

Jodie and Luke Barden both carry the gene for Cockayne Syndrome, but only found out about Ella's condition recently after five years of tests.

The disorder affects one in 500,000 people, and sufferers have an average life expectancy of 12 years.

The symptoms include a failure to gain weight, an underdeveloped nervous system, small head size and extreme sensitivity to sunlight.

Jodie gave up her job as a graphic designer to look after her daughter, who cannot walk unaided and needs a wheelchair, and has also had to learn sign language.

"It was such a normal pregnancy and normal birth, it was all normal," said Jodie, 26, from Witham. "It was only after nine months that we realised she was not gaining any weight or height, she could not crawl and could only say 'ma and dadda'.

"Our lives were hospital appointments for five years, and still everything they tested for came back negative.

"When a geneticist at Great Ormond Street Hospital said it may be Cockayne Syndrome it was heartbreaking. I went back home and Googled it and unfortunately it was very fitting.

"It wasn't such a shock when they told me, I saw it coming, but after all my research I really did not want it to be that."

Jodie and her husband Luke, 27, also have a two-year-old son, Alex, who doesn't have the syndrome.

But when Jodie discovered she was pregnant, six months ago, they decided to get tested and discovered her unborn daughter also has the condition.

"I thought that because the condition was so rare, and also because I had a healthy baby, Luke, everything would be okay," said Jodie. "It was such a shock. It was unbelievable that this could happen again.

"We were not prepared for Ella, but at least this time we know how to bring up a baby with the syndrome."

Ella attends Southview School, a special school in Witham, which caters for her needs.

"We put her into a regular school for three months, but it was just not working. She could not last a full day," said Jodie.

"She absolutely loves it, and loves being around children with all kinds of disabilities who can understand her.

"Ella does not fully understand what is going on. I almost don't want her to know and we will come to that talk when we get to it. I cannot think about it, it is too upsetting. If I did I would just be a blubbering mess.

"I don't want to think about end of care plans and funeral arrangements. It is horrible.

"I have got to stay strong for my children."

Jodie and Luke joined support group Amy and Friends, where they heard about a young girl who reached 21 years old.

"When I heard this I thought there is hope, even though I know many don't make it into their 20s," she said. "Ella does not take medication, and has not shown any signs of deterioration so I am going to stay positive."

A DOG owner is furious after her pet was attacked by two Staffordshire bull terriers that she says had escaped from an unsecure garden.

Sue Pemberton, from Chelmer Village, had entrusted her friendly labradoodle Jack with his dog walker on January 2 when she claims the dogs burst out and attacked her pet, leaving him permanently scarred.

Metha Fardell, the dog walker who had picked Jack up that day along with her own dog, Jack Russell Poppy, recalls it as being one of the worst of her life.

"I heard a really disturbing noise from behind the fence and immediately had a bad feeling about the situation. The second I had turned around the first dog, I believe to be a Staffordshire bull terrier, had smashed through the fence and latched itself around Jack's neck followed by a second dog.

"Their owner appeared a few minutes later and was screaming and shouting at me. I was saying 'He's going to kill Jack get them off!', there was so much blood where Jack had been bitten."

It took seven people to eventually separate the dogs from Jack as passers-by jumped to his aid, she said.

Owner Sue said: "Luckily Jack is a big dog so he managed to get away without being harmed too seriously, but if it had been a smaller dog, or even a child, I don't even want to think about what could have happened. What if I'd been with my two-year- old? The Jack Russell actually leapt in to protect Jack when it happened, even though she's tiny."

Jack was left with staples in his ear and leg – and Sue with a £170 vet bill – but his owner is concerned that the same thing could happen again.

Sue immediately reported the incident to the police, the RSPCA and the dog warden, but as yet nothing has been done.

Although Jack has bounced back from the attack, his companion Poppy has been left shaken by her experience.

"I have to take Poppy for walks by herself now as she thinks every other dog is going to attack her," said Metha,

"We just want to make people aware of the potential danger," added Sue.

"We also want to thank all those people who stopped to help at the time of the incident We're really grateful."

Police are appealing for witnesses to call 101.

HEALTH bosses are looking for about 600 volunteers from the Brentwood area to sign up for a two-year study to help boost depleting blood stocks.

During the course of the Interval Study, which the NHS describes as "ground-breaking," scientists will monitor how taking blood from people at different time intervals affects their health.

Ahead of the research, volunteers will randomly be allocated to a time group and be expected to donate blood at the Crescent Road centre on time.

Men will be divided into appointments 8,10 and 12 weeks apart and women into 12, 14 and 16-week slots.

Each participant will be asked to provide an additional blood sample at the start and end of the two-year project and complete questionnaires every six months.

Donors who have already signed up to the scheme include Judi Duffy, 44, from St Kildas Road, in Brentwood, who has been giving blood since she was 18.

She has been placed on a 12-week timetable and expects to contribute her first sample for the scheme in March.

She said: "I don't enjoy giving blood, but I want it to be available for my friends or family, so I can't really expect it to be there unless I go out and give it.

"If this research is going to help or raise awareness, then that's good with me."

Sawyers Hall Lane resident Eric Lingard, 70, an 85-time donor has also signed up to the research. He explained why he hopes many other people will join him.

He said: "Basically we are desperately short of blood. There is nowhere near enough blood donors.

"I even told them I could give every eight weeks if they wanted me to, but they have put me on 12 weeks, which I think is because of my age.

"It's not ageism, it's just that the older you get, the longer it takes for your body to replace the blood."

Wendy Fleming, 73, from The Meadows, in Ingrave, added: "They are so short of blood, if we can give more effectively, because that's what they are really testing, to see what effect that can have, then that's great."

The research, being run by the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), will analyse a total of 50,000 participants nationwide to see if the length of time between blood donations can be tailored to suit people's age, weight, diet and inherited factors.

Dr Lorna Williamson, NHSBT's medical and research director, said: "We are constantly striving to make the process of giving blood as easy as possible whilst keeping our valuable donors as safe as possible. Hopefully this new study will be another step forward in achieving this by offering a modern, efficient service to donors based on strong clinical and scientific evidence."

Findings from the Interval Study are expected to emerge in 2015/6.

Donors must be aged 18 or over, have access to the internet and e-mail and be able to give blood at the Brentwood Donor Centre.

Visit www.blood.co.uk or www.intervalstudy.org.uk or call the centre on 0300 123 2323 to volunteer.

Applications close at the end of March.

A WELCOME boost is in store for Wickford as Basildon Borough Council has announced it will spend £1 million on the Nevendon Road regeneration scheme.

The council has also earmarked £100,000 for improvements to the town centre.

Basildon council will be working with developer, Lovell Homes, to redevelop 26 maisonettes and refurbish the shops in Nevendon Road, Wickford.

Funds from private developers totalling £3 million have been collected by the borough council since 2005.

Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, section 106 agreements mean developers must make community cash contributions, often to offset the impact of the development.

Conservative borough council member for Wickford Park, Don Morris, said: "The scheme involves putting new fronts on the shops, with a new canopy and roof to the Co-op and the fish and chip shop.

"There will also be redevelopment of the maisonettes to create a new estate.

"As well as doing this the town car park will be improved.

"We hope to bring the market onto the High Street on a more permanent basis. We have tried this a couple of times and it boosted the sales of the High Street stores by 30 per cent.

"It will help the stallholders as well as shopkeepers. Of course this will involve making some changes to the road, making it one-way or closing it temporarily while the market is open.

"We know from previous times we've done this that it really brings people into the town.

"It will be particularly attractive as we have free parking on a Saturday and a Sunday."

Mr Morris added: "I think traders will welcome the change and I think it will generally make Wickford a more pleasant place."

Pete Hamblin, the owner of the Motor Shop, Nevendon Road, said: "I don't think the changes are totally necessary but I do think it will improve the area. I've heard talk of the developments for a long time. I was under the impression they wanted to knock down some of the shops.

"As for the town centre, I think it's good that they're doing something, the High Street needs a bit of a facelift."

Rene Young, owner of In2Crafting, on the High Street, said: "Wickford could do with some attention.

"It will be good to see it happen as the town is in need of a revamp."

Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said: "This will be really good for the area and will provide Wickford with better shops and housing.

"The Nevendon Road regeneration scheme aims to resolve two issues, the shops and maisonettes.

"It will be a great investment as the housing is unpopular with tenants and many of the shops are in need of an overhaul.

"I am looking forward to seeing the quality of housing and the town centre improve which will raise the quality of life and benefit our residents, shoppers and local businesses."

Nick Read, owner of Stephens Bouquet, on the High Street said: "I wouldn't hold your breath for these changes. The council has been proposing to regenerate the town for the 18 years that I've owned my shop.

"I would be concerned if the market was brought onto the High Street for more than one day a week as it causes complete chaos to traffic."