Deputy Manager Claire Cutts had a baked bean bath from 3pm on the day, with visitors to the nursery invited to make a donation of £5 in return for the chance to pour a bowl of baked beans over her. All proceeds will go to Comic Relief.

Jennie Gregory, Nursery Manager, said: "Claire has been with the nursery since it opened ten years ago so all the parents know her really well. We're certain many of them will join in the fun and take up the opportunity to pour custard over her – it's all good fun and also for a very good cause. The children are all very excited about being able to come to nursery in their pyjamas and have also enjoyed learning more about Comic Relief and the great work it does."

Kiddi Caru's Colchester day nursery has been providing premium quality childcare for children aged 0 – 5 years since it opened ten years ago.

For further information about Kiddi Caru please visit the website at www.kiddicaru.com, like us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/Kiddicaru - or call us on 01206 871700.

A 36-year-old woman has been killed in a road crash involving a tipper lorry in Maldon.

Police were called to a collision involving a silver Ford Fiesta, white and green Scania tipper lorry and black Renault Megane on the A414 Maldon Road at 10.50am on on Friday, March 15.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta, a 36-year-old woman from the Maldon area, was declared dead at the scene.

The lorry driver was uninjured. The driver of the Megane received minor injuries but did not need hospital treatment.

The road was closed for four and a half hours while officers carried out initial investigations.

Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk

Manager Glenn Pennyfather labelled Chelmsford City's performance against neighbours AFC Hornchurch as "inept".

Martin Tuohy, Kieron St Aimie, an own goal and Lewis Smith struck to inflict just a second home defeat of the season on the Clarets.

Anthony Cook made it 3-1 12 minutes from time, but City were unable to mount a fightback and were well beaten, to stay in fourth spot.

Pennyfather said: "Everything was missing tonight. Drive, desire, enthusiasm, ability. We just didn't have anything about us, and we got what we deserved. I'll make no excuses for the players.

"We were out-thought and out-fought. I hold my hands up and apologise to the supporters because that was inept a performance as we've had. I'm bewildered, disappointed and embarrassed. There was a distinct lack of fight, and I've said to the players that they should never, ever enable anyone to point the finger at them for not giving it a real go. But I thought we were second best for the majority of the night."

Cook's challenge on Chris Bourne early in the match meant the Clarets were up against it from the start, with Tuohy confidently smashing the penalty home to goalkeeper Stuart Searle's right.

Searle denied St Aimie an immediate second, but with nine minutes on the clock it was 2-0 when St Aimie competed for the ball in the goalmouth, adjusted his position and found the bottom corner to double his team's lead.

It was pretty much one-way traffic as Searle had to deny Tuohy, before Smith thumped a free-kick just wide.

City came out of the blocks much better in the second half and Aiden Palmer, Omer Riza and Jamie Slabber combined to set the latter up, but Joe Woolley was able to save well - and Smith almost made it 3-0 after coming in from the right but he shot wide.

The third goal was always going to be decisive and it came for the visitors on 71 minutes when Michael Spencer's cross hit David Rainford in the box and trickled over the goalline. 

But Cook did pull one back seven minutes later when his free-kick was deflected through a crowd of players and under Woolley.

However, hopes of a comeback were soon distinguished by Smith, who first saw a free-kick kept out by Searle before collecting Wayne Gray's flick on and rifling a low shot past the Clarets stopper.

David Bridges hit the crossbar late on, but it was a dismal night for the home side and a third defeat in four games.

Pennyfather added: "I don't want to take anything away from Hornchurch - they did a good job on us, worked extremely hard and punished us in the right areas. We didn't have an answer to it. We didn't look sharp at all, lacked that spring in our step and we didn't have a bite in our tackle. It's cost us, but now we're looking for a reaction. The great thing about football is that there's the next game, and now we move on to Bath."

CHELMSFORD Chieftains could be crowned league champions this weekend – but player-coach Gary Clarke is still taking it one game at a time.

After a defeat to nearest rivals Wightlink Raiders on Saturday, the Chieftains bounced back in style to trounce Bracknell Hornets 8-1 at Riverside on Saturday.

Results elsewhere mean the Chieftains are top of the National Ice Hockey League Division One South with a game in hand over Wightlink and Romford Raiders, and a pair of wins this weekend could secure top spot for the Chieftains.

They first entertain Cardiff Devils on Saturday, and then travel to Romford for a vital clash the following day.

If they win both and Romford also slip up at Milton Keynes on Saturday, and Wightlink lose at Invicta Dynamos on Sunday, Clarke's men will be crowned champions.

"We can't afford to think too far ahead," he said. "The fact of the matter is that we've got a job to do on Saturday first.

"If we don't do the job on Saturday then Sunday is irrelevant really.

"The game against Cardiff at home on Saturday is huge – we've got to make sure we come away with two points and then, from a fans' point of view I guess the exciting game will be the one at Romford.

"If we get four points this weekend we're pretty much there. It would certainly be nice to go into the final weekend as champions but we're just going to take it one win at a time.

"We've got four league games left, and at this moment in time they are all massive games."

After this weekend's double-header, the Chieftains round off their league programme next weekend when they travel to face bottom-of-the-table Solent & Gosport Devils before ending their campaign with a game Clarke hopes will be irrelevant – at home to Wightlink.

Clarke added: "It [the season] has gone very well. Most teams, if not all, have strengthened incredibly this year.

"It was always going to be a tougher campaign, which is all good for the game.

"We've been very consistent. We lost one cup final but we're in second, which is fantastic, and we didn't feature in any of the finals last year so that's an improvement, and obviously being in the top three all year has been brilliant as well."

THE vicar of a prominent Brentwood church which was once criticised for its art deco design is desperate to replace the building's rather inconspicuous front entrance.

Led by Father Garry Jenkins, the congregation at St George the Martyr, in Ongar Road, is rallying around to muster £100,000 to pay for a new porch.

The existing wooden structure, between the church and its hall, was erected 20 years ago as a temporary measure but is fast becoming decrepit due to age.

Over the years many visitors to the church have reported that while the place of worship, built in 1934, is hard to miss from the roadside, finding a way into the building is far from easy.

The main entrance, which faces onto Costead Manor Road, was a compromise on the original design because organisers behind the church's construction ran out of cash.

"It's a familiar story," revealed Fr Jenkins, who explained how the party behind the church had to scrap plans for a fancy facade and move to a 'Plan B'.

The 64-year-old also says building a permanent, larger entrance will make a real practical difference for regular users of the hall, such as the children and parents who visit the pre-school five days a week.

"It will help both the community and the church and mean all the parents, grandparents and children who come here each morning will be kept warm and dry while they wait for the classes to begin."

The drive for funds, which began a year ago, has yielded almost £20,000 – but is a long way from the £120,000 target.

Father Jenkins added: "The hall is used by all sorts of groups: retirement, choir, dance and the severely disabled.

"The new porch would be more obvious, conform to disability standards and have space for pushchairs and a disabled toilet.

"It would help the community and give work to local building firms, who could then use the Robin Hood shops and services."

He added that he was praying for a generous person – or lottery winner – to donate.

Fr Jenkins, who has been the vicar at St George the Martyr for 25 years, will be collecting donations outside shops in Ongar Road on April 20 and Harewood Road on April 27.

Church warden Mick Grimes, 57, said: "A new porch will enhance the church and make it more welcoming for the church than it does as the moment.

"A larger entrance could create more interest and perhaps people may decide to attend because it looks better."

Donations can also be given to St George's Fabric Fund c/o The Vicarage, 28 Robin Hood Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9EN.

HIS hand quivering slightly, Liam Ramsey took the lighted splint and ignited his Bunsen burner.

The 10-year-old stood back and smiled as he watched the mixture bubble and start to spit out tiny grains of salt.

"This is fun," he said.

"I've watched these types of experiments before but never had the chance to have a go at one myself.

"It's great we have the opportunity to do this."

Liam was one of 110 youngsters who are spending Saturday morning at school by choice.

They have volunteered to have a go at the series of masterclasses run at Brentwood County High each term, aimed at giving pupils in their last year at primary school a taste of secondary school life.

"We have been running the masterclasses for nine years now and they are open to 16 schools in the borough," said scheme administrator Jackie Hopgood.

"Each school is invited to send nine pupils: three who will do science, three who will do maths and three for ICT.

"The classes are very popular and we often get youngsters coming back for a second or third go."

In the science laboratory, Liam and classmates Sebastian Bloom and Isabelle Taylor, from Holly Trees Primary School, Warley made rock salt crystals.

"I like the fact that this is so practical and you get to try out things you will be learning at secondary school first hand," said Sebastian.

Isabelle said: "It's really educational but really fun too."

Philip Jones, the County High's STEM (Science, Technology and Maths) co-ordinator, ensured the three-hour session was packed with hands-on experiments, with the youngsters having the chance to try their hand at chromatography as well as the several stage rock salt experiments.

He said: "Everyone does their own experiments and has their own set of equipment, some of which they have never handled before.

"It gets them used to the way science is taught at secondary school and hopefully gets them excited about the subject."

Charlie Richards, 11, was so enthused by the masterclasses that he was back for the third time.

He said: "I enjoy them very much.

"I am coming to this school in September and I'm looking forward to it as I know a bit more about the school now."

His classmate at Warley Primary School, Ashley Harvey, 10, said: "It's really fun.

"I've never done anything like this before.

"I saw them do experiments when I came here for the open day, so it's great to be able to try it out myself."

In maths, youngsters got to grips with compasses to construct impossible shapes.

Teacher Carol Nicholson said: "For some pupils this is their first taste of geometry.

"We try to make it fun, engaging and exciting.

"The youngsters are really enthusiastic and their knowledge is very good as well.

"It's nice for them to show us what they can do – it makes them feel more confident when they come to secondary school."

Enjoying the challenge was Thomas Stafford, 11, from Blackmore Primary School.

He said: "I've done the ICT and science classes before and when I heard I was doing maths this time I thought it might be quite boring but it's really fun."

Jesse Sims, 10, also from Blackmore, said: "I've enjoyed learning about impossible shapes and can now go back and show everyone else at school what I can do."

Also on the table was Luke Savage, from St Thomas of Canterbury Junior School.

He said: "I thought we would be doing a lot of times tables but it's a lot more fun than that."

In ICT the children are getting to grips with SCRATCH, a piece of software which allows them to write simple programs to power their own animations.

They were overseen by Emma Derbridge, head of ICT.

She said: "This is an ideal way for pupils to learn how to program.

"They use blocks of code which they put into sequence to make their own animations move around the screen.

"Some have already used SCRATCH in their primary schools so we encourage them to take it a bit further."

Emily Bastin, 10, from Doddinghurst Junior School, said: "I've used this program before but it's nice to have a whole morning to create your own pictures and make them move around."

Jenna Selvey, 10, also from Doddingurst, said: "Most of the time this is easy to use and I'm learning a lot."

Chloe Bicknell, 11, from Ongar, said: "I've never used this before but it's really easy to pick up.

"I'm enjoying today as I've made some new friends."

West Horndon Primary School classmates Henry Wilkes and Michael Pappa, both 10, are both back for another class after trying one before.

Michael said: "The maths one we tried last time was fun so we asked to come again.

"I've learnt a lot about ICT this morning so it's been well worth doing this."

TWO brothers from Brentwood will run the London Marathon to raise money for the hospice that cared for their father in his final days.

Gareth and Matthew Urch, 33 and 37, will compete in the 26-mile race on April 21 around a month after entering the Brentwood Half Marathon on March 24.

Following the death of Peter Urch on November 2 from a rare brain tumour called glioblastoma multiforme, the brothers decided they wanted to raise money for Saint Francis Hospice, which helped to care for their father.

Peter was diagnosed with cancer last April and a tumour was removed through surgery.

However, despite a subsequent six-month course of radiotherapy, three new tumours formed.

He was given six weeks to live but died ten days later aged 69.

Gareth, of Spital Lane, said: "My father spent the last three weeks of his life in St Francis Hospice and they were fantastic.

"It relies on fundraising and we thought it would be nice to repay them for what they did for him.

"My brother and I were in King George's Park soon after our dad had died with our niece and nephew when we decided to do the marathon."

Gareth, an operations manager at Tomlins Garden Centre in Mascalls Lane, said: "When we first tried to enter we were told Saint Francis Hospice had closed their entries so we instead tried another charity called Help the Hospices, who are their sister company and work with various hospices in the area including St Francis.

"I explained our situation and they gave us two places straight away – we were delighted.

"I'm not really a runner, this will be my first race. I've wanted to do the marathon for years so it's great to be doing it for a charity which has helped us personally.

"We've got up to running 16 miles and are training three times a week with one long run and two shorter ones."

The brothers have to raise £2,000 each and are almost there.

Matthew, of River Road, works for Barclays in Canary Warf and the bank has said it will double the total the brothers raise.

He said: "Our sister, Jenni, has also been involved in the fundraising. She organised a quiz night on what would have been our father's 70th birthday on January 5.

"One hundred and fifty people came to South Weald Parish Hall – we made £1,000.

"The hospice was unbelievable and there was no comparison to the care he would have received in a hospital – they gave us so much support.

"So many people have donated because they knew my dad. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He had a lot of time for people."

To support the Urch brothers on their marathon run, visit http://www.justgiving.com/ MatthewandGarethUrch1

STEVE WITHERSPOON admits he is starting to look at next season after seeing his Brentwood side stretch their winless run to seven games.

The Blues failed to break down ten-man Harlow Town at a soggy Brentwood Centre Arena on Saturday, having to settle for a goalless draw.

They have scored just twice in their last seven, and a frustrated Witherspoon admits they need to find their shooting boots again.

"Whereas six weeks ago we couldn't stop scoring now we can't start scoring," he said. "It's very frustrating. We controlled the game in the second half, we got into some good areas but the final ball wasn't good enough at times, and when it was we found all sorts of ways of not hitting the target.

"Scoring goals wins matches. In all these games, except for the Maldon game, we've been in with a shout in every single one of them and it's frustrating.

"We pick the same players out on the pitch who were getting six goals, four goals, five goals but it just doesn't seem to be happening."

Brentwood made a strong start to the game, with their widemen particularly prevalent, but they lacked a cutting edge throughout the game, with the closest they came being when Steve Butterworth's second half effort was disallowed for offside – a decision Witherspoon was disappointed with.

"I thought the goal was a perfectly good goal, but the linesman's put his flag up and that's that," he added.

"But there wasn't enough quality performances to win the game of football.

"How many crosses did we put in in the first quarter of an hour? Seven or eight? But we didn't actually get on the end of any of them.

"That's what I said at half-time, where's the desire? It hurts to make those runs into the box but you've got to do it – when you get those crosses into the box, if there's four or five in there the percentage of getting on the end of it is higher."

The Blues still have five games in hand on fifth-placed Heybridge Swifts, but the 22-point gap is probably going to be too much to make up with 16 games to play.

And Witherspoon said: "You can turn it around, but we are looking at next year now, bringing certain people in and giving them a run, so at the start of next year they are ready for this standard of football. There are three or four in the U18s who will be coming in, blooding them, giving them 15 or 16 games and they'll be up and running for next season."

One positive for Witherspoon was that the game went ahead on a soggy day which saw many games around the county called off – avoiding the need to fit another fixture in to an already-congested schedule.

"People were over here from 9.30 in the morning working on the pitch and they did a fantastic job to get it on," he said.

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has agreed to help pay for a pedestrian crossing outside its latest Brentwood store.

The firm has said it would be willing to "make a financial contribution" towards the construction of a crossing outside the Tesco Express store it will be opening in Warley Hill.

The news is a boost for campaigners who say a crossing is needed to make the shop accessible to the 42 elderly and disabled residents who live at the nearby Beach Spinney retirement complex in Lorne Road.

The campaign was started by Liberal Democrat county councillor David Kendall after Tesco revealed it would be converting the former Warley Tavern into the town's fourth Express shop.

The supermarket's plans for the pub have divided opinion since they were first revealed in the Gazette on January 9.

Beach Spinney residents say the current volume of traffic on Warley Hill already makes it difficult for them to cross the road.

The new Tesco store would be around 20 metres away, although to access the nearest crossing, opposite Pastoral Way, residents would need to walk about eight times that distance.

Mr Kendall, who represents Brentwood South, has already briefed officers at Essex County Council's Highways Department regarding the need for a crossing and they have agreed to undertake engineering and speed survey work shortly.

Mr Kendall said this week: "I am very pleased that Tesco have confirmed to me that they will make a financial contribution towards the cost of a crossing because it will greatly increase the chances of it happening.

"I believe that a crossing near the store will be vital for customers that want to cross the busy road and I am determined to do all I can to try and make it happen.

"I know that some residents have genuine concerns about Tesco's opening at this location but as it is going to definitely happen I believe we need to make the most of this opportunity and ensure as safe an environment as possible for local residents."

An e-mail from Tesco to Mr Kendall said: "We would be willing to make a contribution towards the cost of a pedestrian crossing and our highways consultant will contact you."

ESSENTIAL equipment which could help save the lives of children has been installed at West Horndon Primary School after a huge fundraising effort.

Staff, parents, friends, relatives and the parish council joined forces to raise £1,000 to buy an automated external defibrillator.

Such devices can improve a person's chance of surviving cardiac arrest to more than 50 per cent.

Sarah French, whose children Rebecca, 9, and Adam, 5, attend the Thorndon Avenue school, is leading the fundraising campaign and ran the Brentwood 10k in October.

Mrs French is also the fundraising manager at SADS UK, a cardiac charity which is lobbying the Government to get a defibrillator into every school across the country.

She said: "I have worked at SADS UK for about four years now and we hear so often about parents who have lost children.

"They go to school in the morning and they sadly never come back home again."

Sponsors came forward to support the 38-year-old on her run, the school's parents association organised a quiz night and West Horndon Parish Council's Howard Memorial Trust, which provides small grants for worthy causes, also made an important contribution.

"I felt compelled to do this for the good of the community, as well as the fact that my own children are at the school," Mrs French said.

"I compare a defibrillator to a fire extinguisher in the sense that it should be on school premises to protect against loss of life."

Paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service visited the school yesterday to train staff on using the kit, which, when operated, features a series a voice prompts guiding the user through a lifesaving procedure.

So sophisticated is the technology that an electric shock will only be administered if absolutely necessary, according to the founder of SADS UK, Anne Jolly.

Through her nationwide Big Shock Campaign launched in 2010, Mrs Jolly and her team have already helped install the equipment into hundreds of schools including the Anglo-European School in Ingatestone and The Billericay School.

She said: "Every minute that goes by, the chances of a person in cardiac arrest surviving reduce by ten per cent, so treating someone as quickly as possible is vital.

"Using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) alone provides a 5 per cent chance of survival but using the defibrillator as well increases the chance of survival to over 50 per cent.

"This is why SADS UK is so passionate about putting this lifesaving equipment in place."

West Horndon Primary School head teacher Matt O'Grady said: "We are delighted to have been able to work with SADS UK to raise funds to have a defibrillator placed within the school.

"As a village school this will not only provide peace of mind for our staff and pupils but for the community as a whole.

"It is great that the children, staff and parents alike have been involved in fundraising in order to secure its arrival.

"You never know who or when someone will benefit from its placement here. I hope we never have to use it – but we will be glad to know its here – just in case!"

Kenny Davis scored twice as Braintree took another step towards safety with a 3-1 win over Stockport

The Iron moved eight points clear of the drop zone after their fourth consecutive victory, while the Hatters have now lost their last four at home and are just three points clear of the bottom four.

Dan Holman was denied a 28th-minute opener when his close-range effort was blocked by the feet of County goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell before Alan Massey headed wide from a corner in the last minute of the first half.

The visitors took the lead two minutes after the break. Holman broke through the Stockport defence down the left and placed an effort into the far corner of the net.

Six minutes later it was 2-0 as Davis was sent clear before chipping the on-rushing O'Donnell from just inside the area.

And on the hour-mark Lee Bullock fouled Dean Wells in the area and Davis converted the resulting penalty.

Alex Kenyon headed in a late consolation for Darije Kalezic's side, who have won just one of their last eight games.

A MAN has been charged with murder after a man was attacked in a car park in Grays. 

Liam Holden, 35, died from head injuries in the early hours of March 10 after the assault near Morrisons supermarket, London Road.

Mr Holden, who had been out with friends at the Euro Lounge, was described by his family as a gentle giant.

A family tribute read: "A much-loved son, brother, dedicated father and partner. Loved by all."

Owen Wood, 23, of Godman Road, Grays, has been charged with murder and is in custody, due before Southend Magistrates on Monday, March 18.

A second man, a 21-year-old also from Grays, arrested in connection with the murder remains on bail until May 22, 2013 pending further enquiries.

THREE women slept as a fire trapped them in their ground floor flat in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The fire started by the front door of the flat in Pennymead, Harlow, blocking their only exit.
The women told fire-fighters they did not remember hearing the fire alarm sound but had been woken instead by the noise of their cats.
They called fire crews at 1.10am and fire control operator Amy Gosling kept them on the phone until crews arrived.
Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus rescued them and gave them oxygen to treat them for smoke inhalation. 
A man in the flat above was also treated for smoke inhalation.
They used one hose reel to tackle the blaze and cleared the property of smoke.
Harlow Station Officer Steve Pritchard, incident commander, said: "The three women inside did exactly the right thing, they stayed in a bedroom with the door closed to keep smoke to a minimum.
"When we got to the property, we told them to stay inside until the fire was out and the flat ventilated, then it was a matter of leading them out to safety.
"Once Ambulance crews arrived at the scene, the casualties were left in their care."

A WOMAN was cut free from her car after a crash involving three vehicles on the M11.
Three fire engines were called to the southbound incident between junctions six and seven at 8.50pm on Saturday evening.
The woman was freed by 9.35pm and left in the care of paramedics. 

A FATHER'S hopes of running his first marathon since recovering from a life-threatening brain trauma have been dashed after he fractured his leg.

Kevin Smith, 46, who runs Jackson's Hair Design for Men in Galleywood, was given a 15 to 20 per cent chance of survival after suffering an extra-axial haematoma – a major bleed to the brain – when he fractured his skull in 2004.

"I fell backwards down some stairs – something so simple could have cost me my life," he said.

"I got to the last step, lost my balance and went backwards. It fractured my skull and a piece of bone went through my brain and caused a massive bleed."

Kevin was in hospital for 11 weeks after his accident and then underwent three-and-a-half years of intensive physiotherapy to regain the movement down one side of his body.

"When I came out of hospital, my right-hand side was all paralysed. I had minimal movement in my arm and my leg and I certainly couldn't work – I couldn't even pick a comb up in my hand," said Kevin.

Nine years later and having made a full recovery, Kevin decided to embark on the (second) biggest challenge of his life by running the London Marathon.

He was hoping to raise money for a charity called Headway, which helped him overcome the challenges he faced after the fall.

"I was in a bad place at the time and I really couldn't see a way out," said Kevin. "Headway really helped me through."

Encouraged by his girlfriend Emma and his six-year-old son, Daniel, Kevin set about training hard for the 26-mile course.

"When I first put my name down for it I thought, oh it's only five hours, and then I started training and thought, it's going to be a bit longer than that!"

But this week Kevin's hopes of raising £1,500 for the charity were dashed when his physiotherapist informed him that he has a hairline fracture in his right leg. "I am gutted," he said. "I've been training so hard for it but I've been told I can't train for 12 weeks. I'm absolutely broken."

But with the overwhelming support of his customers, friends and family, Kevin is determined to make the finishing the line if not this year, then next.

"Everyone has been so supportive so I'm hoping to get in next year," he said.

And despite this week's disappointing news, Kevin hopes to inspire anyone else who may have suffered a similar injury.

He added: "It does help people who have had a serious brain injury to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel."