MAKING it in the world of modelling has never been easy – yet for one teenager from Billericay this dream has moved a step closer to becoming a reality.

Kei Sharman, 15, has dreamed of becoming a model for the past two years and next month she will be strutting her stuff in the final of a national competition to find the next star of the catwalk.

The Mayflower High School student will be facing off against 33 other girls in the grand final of Top Model UK 2013 – a competition which her family hopes will act as a springboard to the big time.

Kei, who lives off Norsey Road with her mum Sally, dad Fred and brother Tate, 19, will be competing in the commercial category of the competition, the finals of which will take place at the Hilton London Metropole hotel on April 12, 13 and 14.

She earned her place in the finals after impressing a panel of industry judges at an audition in the capital in September.

Looking ahead to the finals, Kei said: "At the moment, I feel more excited than nervous, although I think nearer the time I will get more nervous.

"If I win I think I would be shocked but obviously over the moon too."

Kei, who is currently studying for her mock GCSEs, said she was surprised yet pleased to have made it as far as she has in the competition.

"I was really chuffed to get through the audition," she said. "I didn't think I would have a chance because there were girls there who were older than me and who I thought looked better.

"I was conscious that I was one of the younger contestants but I guess you can never be sure what the judges are after."

She might be young but Kei is certain that modelling is the career for her.

"I've wanted to be a model for about two years now," she said.

"You get to wear all the latest fashions before they come out in the stores, which makes you feel special, plus you get to meet all the make up artists and I really do follow what they do."

Kei acknowledged that the modelling world has a reputation for catty behaviour but insists this is not something she would get involved in were she to make the big time.

"I want to be a different type of model," she said.

"I want to be myself and be true to myself and not follow what other people do."

She added: "My friends have all been very supportive and they have all been there for me."

Her mum Sally said: "If Kei won I would be over the moon because, for her, it would be a dream come true.

"It would give her a good chance of fulfilling her ambition to become a catwalk model."

As well as giving aspiring models the chance to make the big time, Top Model UK 2013 raises money for the charity CHILDREN with CANCER UK.

You can vote for your favourite finalist for a small fee online by visiting the website www.top modeluk.com

WICKFORD'S swimming pool will be refurbished and public toilets will be renovated after Basildon Borough Council agreed to invest more than £1 million.

The cash injection comes on top of the £500,000 the authority has previously pledged to improve the town centre.

Besides improvement to the Market Road pool and the lavatories in Woodlands Road, a more frequent High Street market will be introduced.

The pool will see a complete overhaul, with a fitness suite being constructed above the current building and improvements to the pool to give easier access and increased pool usage.

The work will be paid for by revenue raised from the sale of council-owned land in Radwinter Avenue for housing.

As well as this, in 2015 a large Sainsbury's store is set to be built in the space that is now occupied by the Co– operative supermarket.

Councillor Malcolm Buckley, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is a big project to regenerate Wickford.

"There are a number of projects to get excited about that we will now be taking forward, including a more regular High Street market, an extension to the swimming pool to create a new fitness suite, and the opportunity for a major new supermarket on the current Co-op site.

"The biggest investment will be into the pool to make it a modern facility with disabled access."

Work will start towards the end of the year.

Mr Buckley added: "The continental markets on the High Street have been very well received and we aim to make them much more regular.

"This will involve making sure the High Street is safe for pedestrians.

"We want to make sure that the markets have a beneficial effect on traders and businesses. It will bring more people into the town and more custom for the shops from extra visitors."

The council's cabinet approved a regeneration strategy on March 8 and work on the town market, toilets and town centre will be completed by April next year.

Council leader Tony Ball said: "The regeneration of Wickford town centre is a priority project for the council and it is vital that a strategy of regeneration is agreed to prevent the current risk of further decline."

CAMPAIGNING residents will continue to fight plans for one of the UK's biggest solar parks to be built on their doorstep.

The proposals for 60,000 solar panels stretching almost 90 acres on rural land in Little Braxted, near Witham, have appalled people nearby.

The neighbours have only been infuriated further by the claims of developer Lightsource in last week's Chronicle that it made every effort to contact the people affected and was "disappointed" that attendance at a public consultation was so poor.

Lorna Setter, who contacted many residents in advance of the town council meeting to inform them of the plans, said: "I am bemused to learn that Lightsource's Business Development Director has rejected allegations that they failed to consult with the local community, claiming that they had made a "real effort" to contact people in the community before the public consultation.

"The majority of residents in Little Braxted and Wickham Bishops who are directly affected by this huge solar farm application received no notification whatsoever.

"The first they were made aware was when a flyer arranged by myself was distributed throughout the village."

The campaigners claim that the only publicity for the poorly attended public consultation on November 15 last year was in a free weekly newspaper only distributed to residents in central Braintree, nearly 12 miles from Little Braxted.

In addition, a list of those in receipt of one of the 57 Lightsource information packs distributed show that 22 were either business premises belonging to Mr Speakman, who owns the land designated for the park, or his tenants, Mrs Setter claims.

"Lightsource's claims that they want to engage with the local community are disingenuous and cynical," she added. "As the truth is that they have sought to keep as many people in the dark over their plans for as long as possible.

"You saw the strength of feeling among locals at the Wickham Bishops Parish meeting.

"Did that look like a group of people who have been kept well informed and consulted?

"I am staggered that Mr McGuigan, the business development director, has the audacity to make such dishonest claims when we can prove these not to be true," added Mrs Setter, who lives with husband Philip in Wickham Bishops in view of the proposed panels.

The campaigners estimate they have delivered 600 leaflets to the surrounding area to keep local people informed of the development.

But since the meeting of Wickham Bishops Parish Council on Tuesday, March 6, where councillors recommended unanimously to reject the plans, they have heard nothing from Lightsource.

In a letter to Maldon District Council the campaigners express their concerns about the impact of the "foreign" and "alien" panels on the landscape and nearby Whetmead Nature Reserve, as well as the desirability of the area for walkers.

Wol Staines, whose property in Ishams Chase directly overlooks the proposed site, points to a map where crosses mark the spot at which his view is "destroyed" by the thousands of 1.6m-high panels.

"For many years me and my wife opened up our gardens to the public because part of the appeal of this area is the beautiful view and that will be ruined," he said.

"We know this is a David v Goliath battle, and we are certainly the 'Davids', but we will fight on."

HUNDREDS of dog walkers have objected to being banned from part of a 'dog-friendly' café.

Hutton's Courtyard Café at the Stables Visitors' Centre in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, banned dogs and their owners from sitting in the courtyard, a popular place for dog walkers.

Since the news was announced last month the Chronicle has been inundated with letters and comments from dog walkers outraged by the decision.

Linda Mascot is a Chelmsford City councillor but spoke to the Chronicle as a dog walker, and described the new patio area designated for dogs as "awful".

"I have never, ever, heard of or seen any problems with dogs at the café. It is absolutely appalling," she said.

"I went up to the café and one of the members of staff came out the back. She said they are unhappy about it because people just aren't using the courtyard."

Another outraged dog owner is Brentwood borough councillor Karen Chilvers, who set up a petition against the ban, stating that human rights have been breached and questioned the lack of public consultation.

In three days it received 353 signatures.

John Brandler, 58, owns a picture gallery in Brentwood, and comes to Hylands Park on a regular basis with his dog before using shops in the city centre.

"We have spoken to people who come from 15 to 20 miles away to walk their dog," he said.

"I'm amazed that the council, who are supposed to be working for small businesses, want to bankrupt this family-run firm.

"This means we don't go to Hylands and if we don't go to Hylands we don't go to Chelmsford and spend money there.

"Are they going to close all the streets in Chelmsford in case someone trips up on the pavement?

"It's nothing to do with health and safety – I think it's disgraceful, it's unsubstantiated."

But it does not look like the decision is likely to be reversed.

Councillor Nicolette Chambers, cabinet member for parks, said: "The decision was taken because we monitored the situation in 2007 and decided that dogs were to be allowed in that area but over the years we have experienced problems with a small number of irresponsible dog owners."

Cllr Chambers, who is a dog owner herself, said that there have been six "serious incidents" which have caused injury or damage to café property, one of which happened when a woman broke her wrist and her watch after an incident involving a dog.

"Over time it has become unmanageable," she added.

"We can't have this – we have a duty of care."

She did, however, say that there has been positive feedback as well as the negative, adding that the use of toilet facilities in the new patio area will be reviewed.

"The reaction has been very mixed.

"There have been a very vocal minority who have made their feelings very clear but as well as the criticisms we have had good feedback.

"We were always taught that a dog has to keep its place.

"You can't have dogs where there are children in public. It's very sad that people have reacted the way they have."

More letters pages 16&17

GLENN PENNYFATHER was delighted after his side rewarded a hardy band of volunteers who got the game on with a demolition of Farnborough.

A call went out to supporters to help rid the pitch of surface water on Monday afternoon, and seven turned up to ensure the game went ahead.

And their efforts proved to be well worth it as their side recorded their biggest win of the season.

Pennyfather said: "They are fantastic. My thanks go out to them from all of us at the club.

"Fair play to all the volunteers that came out – they played their part tonight.

"Supporters and volunteers do that, we all appreciate how important they are to us, not only the vocal support during the game but also in situations like this when we need help and out of the goodness of their heart they come down here and they managed to get the game on and thankfully we've rewarded them with a good result and a good performance."

City could have fallen behind but for goalkeeper Stuart Searle, who kept out Richard Peniket's effort and then saw Jack Ainsley keep out Dan Bennett's rebound.

And the Clarets made the most of that let-off as they raced into a three-goal lead within half an hour.

All three of the goals came from balls in from the left flank emphatically headed past Ross Worner in the visiting goal.

First Justin Miller converted David Bridges' corner, then Michael Bakare scored from a superb Aiden Palmer cross, before Kenny Clark dived in to net from another Bridges corner.

Kyle Vassell rattled a post, and although Bennett spurned another good chance, Chelmsford were always looking the more likely side to score.

Early in the second half it was four when Miller's long throw was headed goalwards by Rob Edmans but looped off Alan Inns and in off the post.

Bakare headed in his second after well-worked short corner, and missed a great chance for his hat-trick before having another effort saved by Worner but that was followed up by Bridges to make it six.

Farnborough sub Nic Ciardini hit the post while the lively Bakare was denied by a fantastic Worner save late on as City claimed a comprehensive win.

Pennyfather added: "It was a good all-round performance and if Michael Bakare had his shooting boots on he could have had four or five himself.

"But I'm not complaining, I'm delighted with the performance, I'm delighted with the result."

Chelmsford: Searle, Ainsley, Palmer, Haines, Clark, Whight (Simmonds 76), Vassell (Ward 83), Bridges, Bakare, Miller, Edmans (Slabber 80). Unused subs: Fagbohun, St Louis-Hamilton.

Chelmsford are at home to Maidenhead on Saturday and then host relegation threatened Eastbourne Borough on Monday.

THE leader of Brentwood Borough Council has unveiled plans to dramatically cut the number of meetings in a bid to improve efficiency within the Town Hall.

One of the major changes proposed by Councillor Louise McKinlay will be a reduction in the number of council panels responsible for making decisions.

The new streamlined governance structure will be modelled on three executive committees.

The main change will be seen in the new community services committee, which will incorporate the existing environment, housing and health and retail, community and culture panels.

In addition, the performance and resources committee will replace the asset, infrastructure and localism panel.

The quasi-judicial panels – a statutory requirement – namely planning, licensing and audit, will remain.

Mrs McKinlay said the new decision-making structure would save the taxpayer money, because there would be seven fewer meetings each year.

The amount which would be saved has not yet been quantified however.

Mrs McKinlay, who represents Hutton North, added that the new system would produce faster decisions.

She said: "It will stop repetition, it's more joined up and it will lead to a better and more efficient council.

Mrs McKinlay said meetings "may not necessarily be longer" as a result of the changes.

The independent remuneration committee, that looks at councillors' allowances, is to report on how each will be remunerated following the changes.

Mrs McKinlay said: "The remuneration panel will take a look at everyone's allowance and each will reflect the responsibility and time that is needed.

"The panels will be pretty meaty but the overall cost will go down."

Reacting to the news, Liberal Democrat opposition group leader David Kendall said: "Our big concern is that the community services committee will have a lot of issues on it.

"I can see that meeting turning out to be very long and that maybe items are going to be rushed through."

Brentwood First leader William Lloyd said: "Fewer Council meetings, longer delays in getting decisions made, no costs for what these new arrangements will cost, the current changes mirror attempts to lighten a ship that is already sinking."

Labour group leader Mike Le-Surf said: "We would prefer to stay with the old committee system.

"There is a reason why there are different panels for different areas of work."

A WOMAN has died in a road crash involving two cars near Brentwood.

Officers were called to Coxtie Green Road, Coxtie Green following a collision involving two cars, a Jaguar and a Ford Fiesta, at about 4.55pm on Thursday March 21.

The driver of the Jaguar, a 52-year-old woman from the Romford area, died at the scene.

The Fiesta driver suffered shock but was otherwise uninjured.

The collision happened near to South Weald golf course and a section of Coxtie Green Road was closed until about 10.30pm while initial police investigations were carried out.

Any witnesses or anyone with information about events leading to the crash should contact the Essex Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk
 

The by-election in Gooshays Ward, Harold Hill, was won by Lawrence Webb, of UKIP, who will now join Councillors Pat Murray and Keith Wells in representing the ward.

Councillor Webb won with 39 per cent of the vote. Labour's Christine McGeary followed with 27 per cent of the vote and the Conservative Party candidate Marcus Llewellyn-Rothschild won 13 per cent of the vote.
 
Turnout of the by-election was 20.62 per cent.

Braintree will check on leading scorer Dan Holman and Ryan Peters ahead of the visit of Alfreton.

Ten-goal striker Holman and defender Peters were both forced off through injury during the first half of the 2-2 draw with Nuneaton on Thursday night and are doubts for a game which comes less than 48 hours later.

Manager Alan Devonshire may make changes anyway for his side's third of four home league games in the space of eight days.

James Mulley returned to the squad against Nuneaton after recovering from a dead leg and the midfielder may go back into the starting line-up on Saturday.

Alex Woodyard and Aaron Wickham replaced Holman and Peters respectively against Nuneaton and may come into contention for starting roles, while defender Ryan Watts is also an option for Devonshire.

Club captain Kenny Davis is likely to be recalled if he can recover from the knock that forced him to miss out on Thursday.

Alfreton's on-loan goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is likely to reclaim his place between the sticks.

Pickford was selected for the England Under-19 squad this week which forced him to miss a midweek Derbyshire Cup fixture.

However, with regular goalkeeper Phil Barnes still recovering from a thigh injury, Pickford will return to the Reds' starting XI this weekend.

Manager Nicky Law will check on the fitness of defender Darren Kempson, who has been struggling with a groin injury and has missed the last couple of matches. Adam Quinn may again deputise at the heart of the Alfreton defence.

Striker Nathan Arnold will be pushing for a start after being relegated to the bench for the 3-2 win against Gateshead last weekend.

"THEY have been mendacious and my constituents have been messed around."

These are the words of Brentwood's Conservative MP Eric Pickles – words he this week aimed squarely at Network Rail, the authority responsible for the United Kingdom's railway network.

Mr Pickles said the firm had reneged on its promise to build a temporary footbridge over the railway near Ingatestone to provide an alternative crossing following the closure of Footpath 37 in 2011.

The MP, who is also the local government secretary, says Network Rail assured him that a footbridge would be built, writing to him in February to say: "The project team aims to have a confirmed date for the installation of the footbridge in the next couple of weeks."

However, earlier this month, the company told him that there is in fact no money for a footbridge, suggesting instead that a pedestrian underpass scheme would be developed.

Footpath 37, which has crossed the railway line at Ingatestone since 1840, was closed to the public in September 2011 after Network Rail said pedestrians using the crossing had "insufficient sight lines".

Mr Pickles said the firm appeared to have no intention of ever installing a footbridge at the site, describing its project team as non-existent.

"They have produced solutions which were never practical, not costed and which they never had the intention of doing," he said.

"They have been mendacious, they have been negligent as to the truth and my constituents have been messed around."

John Saxton, the secretary of campaign group PROWL 37, said: "I totally endorse Eric's view of things.

"A temporary footbridge we all thought would have looked rather silly because it would have been incredibly high.

"It would have been feasible but not very sensible."

When the Gazette first reported the closure of the footpath in October 2011, Network Rail told the Gazette that it would be shut temporarily "while mitigation measures, including a possible replacement subway, are identified and implemented".

The pathway, which runs between Heybridge Road and Ingatestone Hall, has remained closed ever since and later this month, the firm will be applying to Essex County Council to extend the closure further.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "We acknowledge that we need to improve our communications with interested parties and will seek to remedy this situation.

"The proposal for a temporary footbridge, when considered in more detail, was deemed to be not viable.

"The option for a subway is something that we are developing along with other options.

"As things stand, we are seeking a viable solution to enable local users to cross the railway safely."

Eric Pickles column page 18

SOME 1,500 youngsters, 40 primary schools, nine secondary schools and four whole days of indoor sports, make up the Chelmsford Superstars Festival.

Running for approximately seven years, the event is open to all Year 4 children in the borough giving them a chance to compete in eight different sporting activities against youngsters from other schools.

Pupils from between six and eight schools spend half a day at Melbourne stadium enjoying running, ball skills, and speed stacking activities overseen by trained volunteer students from the city's secondary schools.

"It's a really fun event which all the children seem to really enjoy," said Sara Robson, School Games Organiser with the Chelmsford School Sports Partnership which organises the annual event.

"The activities are designed to test pupils' speed, agility, strength, fitness and hand-eye coordination. We look out for children who could be gifted and talented in sport.

"Every child gets a score for each event and at the end of the session we announce the winners. We keep a note of their names, and keep in touch with their schools, and try and get them extra coaching over the next few years."

The Chronicle dropped in on the final day of the festival when 275 youngsters from schools in the Springfield area were competing.

Mia Jackson, eight, from Springfield Primary School is trying her hand speed stacking.

She said: "I've done this before in PE lessons. It's fun. I like it here as you get to try lots of different challenges.

Sophie Gosden, nine, from Perryfields Junior School in Springfield, said: "I was really excited about coming here. You get to exercise and do lots of sporty things."

Enjoying the running races is Niyi Fakoyede, nine, from Trinity Road Primary School.

He said: "I like taking part in this sort of thing. You meet other kids, some of whom you have seen before and some you haven't."

Jamal Nyakudya, from the Bishops C of E and RC Primary added: "I like the running best as I'm good at that, but I also like taking part in different sports."

Former classmates, Mia Burton, 12, now at Boswells and Adam Norton-Steele, 13, now at King Edward VI Grammar School both remember coming to the event when they were at Perryfields Junior School.

They are here today as Year 8 volunteer helpers.

Mia said: "I remember having fun and getting taught by older pupils. I think that's what inspired me to be a Play Leader at primary and a Sports Leader at secondary school.

Adam said: "I remember being the top scoring boy on the day I came here.

"I was very pleased as I was competing against so many other children. I feel quite nostalgic coming back here today."

ONE lady is flying the flag for the 'big and beautiful' in Essex with her plus size clothing store.

Karen Hanlon, 49, has opened up Generous, a shop for larger women and men in Maldon, after tiring of the lack of choice on the high street.

"I'm a big lady myself and I got fed-up of having so much trouble getting the right clothes, so I decided to do it for myself," said Karen, from St Lawrence Bay.

"It's a subject I've always been passionate about and, as I turn 50 this year, I thought now was the time to make it happen.

"I don't think there's anything else like this in Essex at the moment."

The small store opposite Wantz Road stocks the latest fashions for women up to a size 30, and XXXXXL for men with extra-wide collars catering for a niche market that has been neglected for too long, according to Karen.

"People are just so excited about the opportunity to come in and try stuff on rather than simply being forced to buy online," she said.

"They're jumping up and down with glee at what we have on offer," added Karen, who launched the shop in December last year.

Previously working in the customer service department of Point Graphics, a publishing company, Karen had always found herself frustrated at the lack of choice for larger people.

"It did take some time to find suppliers who could provide me with the fashions I wanted," she said. "But now I have quite a few I deal with in the UK. I've just returned from an exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham where I made even more contacts.

"People will be surprised at just how trendy we are. I'm a proper girl and I like to dress up, so I source clothes I would want to wear myself," she said.

Karen cited her 19-year-old son as one of her inspirations for launching the boutique.

Myles stands at 6ft 3ins tall and has always struggled to find outfits to fit his large frame.

"Me and my family have often found it difficult to shop on the high street.

"But now I hope Generous can cater for bigger people by providing fashionable, high-quality clothes for men and women.

"We're the little shop with big options."

A COUPLE who first laid eyes on each other as children at Sunday school are celebrating 60 years of wedded bliss.

Jean and Stephen Toms marked their Diamond anniversary with a surprise party put on by their children Andrew, Mary, Paul and Michael, and grandchildren Joel, 18, Nathan, 15, Hannah Griffiths, 22, Ester, 6, Deborah, 4, Jesse, 18, Joanna, 16 and Sarah, 14, on March 16.

They first met during the 1940s at Stephen's father's church, Chase Cross Baptist Church, in Romford.

"If I hadn't been bombed out from the war, I might never have moved to Romford and we may never have met – it all happens for a reason," said Jean, 82, of Donald Way, Chelmsford.

"I was sent along to the Sunday school and that's how we met, we were only 11 or 12-years-old.

"We were friendly with each other but of course at that age you don't know you will end up marrying the guy."

"We've always been together," said Stephen, 82. "Apart from the time I joined the air force, but they sent me back after 37 days because they said I wasn't fit enough."

In 1953, Stephen and Jean decided to tie the knot where they first met.

Stephen added: "Attached to the church was a smaller building at the front which had asbestos, but because everyone thought it was a much nicer space we got married there – in asbestos."

The couple moved to Hertfordshire where they stayed for four years, and had two children, Andrew, 57, and Mary, 55.

Stephen then noticed advertisements on the train and in the newspaper about houses in Chelmsford, and thought it was too much of a coincidence not to check it out.

"We were the first people living on Donald Way in 1958," said Stephen. "There were just fields and orchards around us.

"But our main reason for moving here was the Ebenezer Strict Baptist Chapel, in New London Road, because finding the right place to practice our faith is very important to us."

The couple had their other two children, Paul, 52, and Michael, 48, in Chelmsford, and all their children, apart from Michael, live in the Moulsham area.

Stephen worked in insurance claims until he was made redundant in the 1980s, and has since dedicated his time to the charities Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony, where he publishes its quarterly magazine, and the Bible Spreading Union, helping to deliver bibles to people across the globe.

"We have enjoyed our lives together, and I think our faith is a big factor in why we are together," said Stephen.

"We are united in things and that is important if you want to stay together for as long as we have.

"We are not rich, and we never will be, but if it was based on other things like happiness then we are the richest people in the world.

"There have been ups and downs and disappointments. I had cancer which was treated and a heart attack and they gave me a quadruple bypass, but I am thankful for everything in my life.

"The only thing left is to keep enjoying it before we become really old and dithery."

THE CHELMSFORD Chieftains need just one point from their final two league games to be assured of the league title after back-to-back wins last weekend.

On Saturday, they came up against a hard-working Cardiff team, and a goalless first period left fans nervous that the visitors might sneak a win and spoil the league title challenge.

Julius Sinkovic and Danny Hammond calmed their nerves in the second period by scoring one each.

Steve Osman pulled a goal back for the Welsh side, but two late goals from Gary Clarke and Darren Brown made sure of the two points.

So the Chieftains travelled to Rom Valley Way on Sunday still on course for their first league title since the 2008-09 season.

Everyone was expecting a close and hard-fought game against Romford Raiders, but early on the Chieftains ripped their defence apart with some excellent pinpoint passing.

Within four minutes it was 2-0, with goals from Michael Ranby and Sinkovic.

Shaun Yardley then took advantage of a defensive mix-up in front of Ryan Bainborough's net and brought the home side to within one goal.

Seconds later, Sinkovic was on target again after Clarke and Ranby combined to get the Slovak star through to score.

It became 4-1 when Darren Brown fired home after some lovely play from Danny Hammond down the wing.

Tensions between Andrius Kaminskas and Ranby began to boil over, but Ranby was not going to be drawn in.

Early on in the second period, a Hammond strike made it 5-1 after a great pass from Tibor Schneider, and then Ranby scored to put the visitors 6-1 ahead, which led to Romford's Danny Marshall calling a time-out.

As many expected, just over a minute after the time-out, Bainborough was run by the Raiders and JJ McGrath was trying to bait any Chieftains player into a scrap, but no-one took the bait.

Man of the match James Ayling then scored at the back post, and it was all Chelmsford for a while, with the Raiders conceding penalty after penalty.

Romford then got a powerplay advantage after some scuffles around Bainborough's net, but within eight seconds of the start of the powerplay, two Romford players were sent to join two other team-mates in the box.

Early on in the third, during another powerplay opportunity, Chieftains scored their eighth goal with a Schneider rocket.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the gloves did come off, but there were no major incidents or injuries.

Chieftains are now three points clear at the top of the league with two games to play.

Their next game is away to bottom-of-the-league Solent and Gosport Devils, so it is possible that the title can be wrapped up on Saturday night.

A TEACHER whose father died while climbing Africa's highest peak is running the Brentwood Half Marathon in aid of a charity which helps people cope with the grief of losing a loved one.

Lorna Rae, 29, is taking part in tomorrow's 13-mile challenge in aid of the Havering and Brentwood Bereavement Service (HBBS).

A similar charity helped her overcome the grief of losing her 57-year-old father Tom, who died just two hours from the 4,600m summit of Kilimanjaro in December 2011 after suffering a fatal pulmonary oedema.

Mr Rae, who lived in Hutton and worked for Aon Benfield insurance, had taken on the climb with his two sons Alexander and Jonathan in aid of Help for Heroes, The Irish Guards Appeal and Save the Children.

Miss Rae, a teacher at St Thomas of Canterbury Infant School in Sawyers Hall Lane, said: "After learning to ride a bike at the grand old age of 28, a half marathon seemed the obvious choice for 2013.

"So with the help of my nearest and dearest, I have donned my trainers and been training hard.

"I have found training difficult due to the snow and dark nights, but I have tried to get out a few times a week, as well as attending British Military Fitness in Chelmsford – a great bunch to enthuse you and keep exercise fun in boot camp-style regime.

"Last October I took part in a 10km assault course with the BMF Chelmsford lot called the Major Series and it was great fun.

"But more importantly, I lost my Dad suddenly in December 2011.

"He was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with my two brothers to raise money for charities.

"It was the last day of the climb and he was not far from the summit when he suffered from high altitude pulmonary oedema, which sadly led to his death.

"It was tragic and not something we expected at all as he was a healthy 57-year-old."

She continued: "I have always been a talker, it's my way of dealing with things.

"But when it came to talking to friends or family about my feelings and what happened I really struggled to open up.

"After a suggestion from a work colleague, I thought I would try counselling.

"I was surprised that this is not a service offered by the NHS and so struggled at first to find an organisation to help me but when I did I was really grateful.

"I found speaking to someone that was separate from myself and the situation a fantastic support through a really sad time."

She added: "It is still a sad time but the support I was given has helped me to deal with what I experienced.

"I recognise that this support can help others as well. I know talking is not everyone's way, but it is for some and when you are confronted with grief in your life I would like to think that it would be available to you if you wanted it.

"Charities like HBBS offer a support system for both adults and children which are all funded by charitable donations.

Donations can be made via Lorna's Virgin Money Giving page on http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ LornaRae1