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Success for stallholders at Chelmsford Vintage Fair to support Southend Hospital

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WITH beehives (of the hair variety), pillarbox-red lips and furs a-flying, it could only mean one thing: the Bobby's Girl Vintage Fair.

Organised by vintage fan Katy Woodgate, from Chelmsford, Bobby's Girl Vintage was set up last September after the 29-year-old lost her grandfather Bobby last year.

He spent many months on the high-dependency ward at Southend Hospital after a nasty fall in which he broke his chest bone and, because of the treatment Bobby received at the hospital, Katy believes he survived for two more precious years.

"My grandad was on a high-dependency ward and because they worked so hard with him, he lived for a further two years," she said.

Katy, who used to do events management, then took it upon herself to organise her first vintage fair to raise money for the high-dependency unit that helped her grandad.

"I have combined my love of vintage and my love of photography and came up with Bobby's Girl Vintage," she said.

"I have had a genuine interest in vintage – it's just about the individuality of it which I think is being embraced in fashion these days.

"Everything you buy is pretty much a one-off."

And on Easter Monday more than 50 businesses packed into the Marconi Club in Beehive Lane for the event.

"Because I'm selling my own products, I wanted to create a platform for small businesses.

"We all hide behind our laptops but here we can talk to our customers," she added.

Tammy Cole, 26, owns Carnival's Vintage and sells painted china.

"When I moved out I needed a hobby and didn't really know what to do," said Tammy, who works at e2v in Chelmsford.

"Then my nan gave me some tea cups so I thought I would paint them. I have always liked vintage and my mum taught me to sew and knit and I just fell into this."

Another stallholder, Leonora Hayes, 38, set up her own bespoke children's bag company Happy Hayes in March 2013 after being made redundant last year. "Through the redundancy I just wanted to create things that were bright and that put a smile on peoples' faces," she said.

Just over 1,000 people flocked to the fair on the day, including mother and daughter duo and vintage devotees, Caireen and Jennyfer Leach.

"We buy vintage clothes for the quality – and for the smell," said Caireen, 46. "But, also, you can buy a dress from 60 years ago and you can wear it in 60 years' time. You can buy a dress from a high street store for £50 and you'll be lucky if you can wear it in five years' time."

Katy and her team raised £316 for the hospital through donations on the door. She has booked her second vintage fair on May 27 bank holiday at High Chelmer shopping centre.

Success for stallholders at Chelmsford Vintage Fair to support Southend Hospital


Havering schools celebrate victory at London Youth Games

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WITH Olympic heroes in attendance, Havering is bathing in glory after winning six medals at the London Youth Games Schools Finals at Crystal Palace Stadium.

The haul included two gold medals in the Year 7 Girls Sportshall Athletics and the Years 5 and 6 'quicksticks' hockey tournament.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Upminster took the top spot in the hockey after beating City of London's St Paul's Cathedral School with a score of 1-0.

The girls from Coopers' Company and Coburn School, also in Upminster, won the Sportshall Athletics after finishing jointly on 258 points alongside Bromley's Langley Park, but claiming victory with fewer faults.

The Havering side took maximum points in the first two races of the indoor athletics event and were overjoyed with their victory.

Team manager Shona Barrett said: "I was delighted for the girls, and it was such a shock to win.

"We have always worked hard at our indoor athletics and we have a strong team this year."

Success kept on coming for the borough as Ardleigh Green took silver in the mixed boys and girls Year 5 and 6 Sportshall competition, finishing just two points behind the winners from Brent.

The contest was close until the end, and Ardleigh Green kept in touch with the leaders despite suffering a major setback.

Ardleigh Green team manager Mel Smelling said: "We've been working really hard at breaks and lunchtimes since after Christmas.

"Despite having a disaster, one of our boys fell over on the triple jump and twisted his ankle.

"So he missed all his events and we had the reserve step in, so they did really well."

Engayne Primary was inched out of gold, winning silver after a score of 1-0 in the Years 5 and 6 football competition to Hounslow.

Oakfields Montessori School won bronze in the high-5 netball, whilst Havering won the battle for bronze in the Water Polo after beating Ealing 11-5.

Olympic sprinter Abi Oyepitan and gold and silver medallist rower Mark Hunter watched the future hopefuls from the side-lines.

The former Youth Games competitor and Havering man, Mark Hunter, said: "It's just incredible to see so many happy smiling faces enjoying and participating in sport."

The Balfour Beatty-sponsored games are part of the nationwide School Games programme with around 30,000 Londoners taking part in the initial heats of the competition.

Havering schools celebrate victory at London Youth Games

Newborn lambs at Chelmsford's Hylands School herald arrival of spring

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THE weather may only just be starting to show us, but the lambs arriving at a Chelmsford school-based farm are living proof that spring is here.

A total of 12 lambs were expected from the ewes living on the farm unit at Hylands School over Easter.

Half had been born when the Chronicle called by, much to the delight of students who drop by each morning to see if there has been another arrival.

"We've missed all the births this year so far as they have been overnight," said Aimee Wilson, 15, who usually arrives at 7.15am each day to help out with feeding, mucking out and exercising the animals.

"We come in each morning wondering if we will find another new lamb. It's really exciting. I love farming. My mum grew up on a farm, so it's in my blood."

Sasha Coote, 14, is another early visitor to her school, which is one of only around 70 in the country to have its own farm.

She said: "This is something I love doing. I want to be a vet when I'm older, so it's a brilliant experience. I saw a lamb being born last year. It was amazing."

Farm manager Mark Riley said: "The lambs are a bit late this year, but we expect a dozen in total. At this time of year I come down around 5am and see what's been happening overnight. I unlock the shed, then the pupils come in not long after 7am.

"The pupils do it all themselves; feeding, cleaning, letting the animals out. They learn from each other."

As well as sheep, the farm, based in the purpose build Mulholland Unit – named after former head teacher Terence Mulholland – is also home to poultry, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

It is also a temporary home to some dairy calves that stay for around three months to give pupils a chance to monitor their growth and development.

Each autumn the unit also plays host to two gilts – sows which have not yet been mated.

The school runs a City and Guilds course in land-based studies, currently followed by 30 pupils, and a further 38 have signed up to start in September.

William Jarvis, 15, chose to take the course as members of his family run farms.

He said: "I really enjoy caring for livestock. My favourite animal here is the ram as he's quite muscular and can be a bit scary."

Classmate Jack Brown, 14, added: "I've helped out on my family's farm in Ireland. It's really good experience as it can be a tough job working with animals. It's long hours and cold in the winter, but I enjoy it."

Every student has lessons about food and farming so they are fully aware of where their food comes from. As well as a core of pupils who help out on the farm before and after lessons, and even during their lunch hours, the school runs a farm club to introduce pupils as young as 11 to methods of keeping livestock.

Mr Riley said: "We have pupils who are here every day, some who come once a week, and some who only drop in once a year.

"We encourage them to come in whenever they want.

"Other departments use us as a resource," he added.

"We're popular with the maths department. If you are learning about weights and measures, what better object to use is there than a rapidly growing pig?"

Newborn lambs at Chelmsford's Hylands School herald arrival of spring

Billericay drinkers treated to worldwide beers

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BEER lovers in Billericay will be able to sup pints from across the globe for the next two-and-a-half weeks.

The Blue Boar pub in High Street, part of Wetherspoons, will play host to more than 50 British and European beers until April 21 and drinkers can get their fill from £2.15 a pint.

There will be beers from New Zealand, Russia, Greece, the USA, Canada, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, not to mention British brewers such as Arundel and Thwaites.

Passion fruit, chocolate and coffee bean and wheat beers will also be brewed for the event.

Manager Theo Korakianitis said: "This is the perfect way to enjoy beers which have not been served in the pub before. It will be great fun and I'm certain my customers will enjoy it."

Billericay drinkers treated to worldwide beers

Steve Witherspoon praises youthful Brentwood side after Ilford victory

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BRENTWOOD boss Steve Witherspoon was quick to pay tribute to his youthful side as they came out victorious against Essex rivals Ilford on Easter Monday.

"It's a testament to the club," remarked the Blues boss, as five youth players made it in to the squad for the local derby.

Although the team lacked in years, the side showed maturity and experience, particularly at the back, to see off their A12 counterparts.

Witherspoon was also confident about the remainder of the campaign despite being 16 points adrift of play-off chasing Aveley in fifth.

He said: "All we can do is keep plodding on. Look how many young players we had from the U18s. Hopefully, we'll bring a few of them in for next season."

After a well-taken opening goal by the Blues, Ilford piled on the pressure late on. However, Brentwood's back-line remained strong and held out for the win.

With such a solid defensive display, skipper Ryan Doyle had a commanding game, putting in a series of crucial tackles throughout the game. Yet Witherspoon revealed that the centre-half was close to not featuring at all earlier in the day due to illness.

He added: "He texted me a 11 o'clock saying that he didn't think he could make it. He had a change of heart after a little phone call conversation. He was exceptional."

At a gusty Cricklefield Stadium, Witherspoon's men had to be aware that the ball would carry further up the pitch, luckily they had prepared for such events.

Witherspoon finished: "We told our back four to push up as far as they could so that anything that was played in, the wind would take it through to the goalkeeper – which I thought they did very well."

Steve Witherspoon praises youthful Brentwood side after Ilford victory

Family releases statement following Brentwood fatal car crash

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The family of a woman who died in a road crash in Coxtie Green Road, Brentwood, have issued a statement and details of her funeral.

Trudy Stripe died following a road traffic collision in Coxtie Green Road, Coxtie Green near Brentwood, on March 2.

The 52-year-old, of Cowley Road, Romford, was the driver of a Jaguar which was in collision with a Ford Fiesta at 4.55pm.

A statement released by her family reads: "Trudy, 52, sadly passed away in a car accident on March 21. She was the wife of John and mother of Kesley. She will be sadly missed. Her cremation will take place on April 5 at Upminster."

Police continue to appeal for any witnesses to contact the serious collision investigation unit on 101 or email collisonappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk

Family releases statement following Brentwood fatal car crash

Lorry driver charged over fatal Aveley M25 collision

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A GERMAN lorry driver has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a 10-vehicle crash on the M25 in Essex.

Anton Maizen, 58, from Darmstadt, Germany, was arrested following the collision on the M25 at Aveley on Tuesday.

He has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving as well as causing serious injury by dangerous driving and will appear before magistrates in Basildon this morning.

The man pronounced dead at the scene, a 79-year-old man from Ilford, was driving a silver Renault Clio.

His son, a 58-year-old passenger also from Ilford, is currently in a stable condition at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.

Lorry driver charged over fatal Aveley M25 collision

Survey shows Essex residents 'unaware' of council elections

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BOASTING an annual budget of more than £2 billion, Essex County Council is one of the largest local authorities in the UK.

With all this cash, they are in charge of schools, roads, social care, libraries – and much more.

Yet with the county council elections looming, a Chronicle survey of 346 people reveals two-thirds do not even known there is a poll on May 2.

So do the public really care about local democracy and, more importantly, should they?

"People are getting fed-up with politicians and they're generally disillusioned," said Chelmsford city councillor Graham Pooley. "There's cynicism and the voters are rather bored with it."

Cllr Pooley, who represents Broomfield and Walthams on the City Council after he won a by-election in February, is also an Essex candidate for Broomfield and Writtle in May.

He added: "People say they owe it to history to vote – that people fought long and hard for male suffrage, and then female suffrage.

"Look at the suffragettes, they sacrificed a lot for democracy, which may not be perfect but it's the best we've got.

"It's important to vote because it's people's money. People underestimate the power that the county council still has – it's a big budget."

While 66 per cent of those surveyed did not know about the election, a larger 69 per cent said they did not even know who their county councillor was.

Yet when asked if they will vote in May, 58 per cent said yes – a far greater figure than the 44 per cent who turned-out for district and city council elections across Braintree, Chelmsford and Maldon in 2011, which critics say was boosted by the national AV referendum.

There are 75 seats up for grabs across the entire county.

"I suspect turnout will be 30 per cent," said current Broomfield and Writtle county councillor John Aldridge.

"I would like to think it would be higher – but it's very dependent on weather."

Indeed, only 13 per cent materialised in last November's Police and Crime Commissioner elections during cold weather.

Cllr Aldridge said he was not surprised by the Chronicle's poll and added: "There has been no official profile-raising of the election so it's left to us to try and inform people by getting out and about."

"It's early days yet and it is vital people vote in the upcoming election.

"Per annum the county council's spend is above £2 billion. It's an awful lot of money and people will obviously have a view about how it should be spent.

"If you don't vote then, more than likely, you will be represented by people who don't represent your views.

"You might think roads or education or social care is key – but if you don't vote, you don't have any influence."

Most of the individuals polled by the Chronicle were busy shoppers stopped at random last week.

While most of the unsuspecting residents were unsure on our questions – all were quite hopeful that they might make it to their local polling station in May.

County councillor for Chelmsford Central, Dick Madden said: "I would love to see the public come out at 40 per cent, but that is being optimistic.

"I would be surprised if we get a 35 per cent turnout. But it is vital that people vote – these elections will impact on everyone's lives."

Additional reporting by Lauren Nash, Tom Barnes and Jordan Milne

Survey shows Essex residents 'unaware' of council elections


Tumble dryer fire in Little Waltham golf club

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A BLAZING tumble dryer filled Regiment Way Golf Club with smoke in the early hours of this morning.

Two firefighter crews were called at 1.48am to the Pratts Farm Lane site near Chelmsford.

They wore special breathing apparatus and used one hose reel in order to take-out the fire by 2.12am.

A high pressured fan was used to clear the cellar free of smoke.

Tumble dryer fire in Little Waltham golf club

Trio arrested after raid on Basildon brothel

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Three people were arrested after police executed a warrant in Basildon last night.
The women, aged 55, from Tilbury, a 23-year-old from Westcliff and a 36-year-old from west London were detained after the operation in Felmores End at around 7.30pm.

They were detained on suspicion of permitting or allowing to keep a brothel.

Trio arrested after raid on Basildon brothel

TOWIE's Joey Essex sobs during marriage proposal

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Hundreds of thousands of viewers watched TOWIE's Joey Essex break down in tears as he asked Sam Faiers to marry him in Dubai.

The 22-year-old was seen struggling to make his proposal speech on last night's ITV2 programme before eventually giving up and getting down on one knee.

"Oh my god, yes Joe! Of course I will marry you," Sam replied

The pair will be able to see as much as they want – even when at work – as they both have clothes shops just yards from each other in Crown Street and nearby Ropers Yard.

TOWIE's Joey Essex sobs during marriage proposal

Police witness appeal: two-year-old boy injured in three car collision in Basildon

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Police are appealing for witnesses following a three car collision in Courtauld Road at the Repton Close Junction, Basildon, just before 10am on Thursday April 4.

The vehicles involved were a Ford Fusion, in which a two-year-old boy received minor injuries, a Renault Scenic and a Mercedes tipper lorry.

The boy, from Basildon, was taken to Basildon Hospital for treatment.

PC Tim Hardy-Wallace of Laindon Traffic Unit said: "We would like more information surrounding the circumstances of this incident. If you can help please contact me via Essex Police 101 ext 481306."

Lorry driver held in custody after M25 death crash

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A lorry driver appeared in court today charged in connection with the death of a motorist on the M25.

Anton Maizen, 58, from Wixhausen in Germany, appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court charged with death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to the incident on Tuesday.
He was remanded in custody to re-appear at Basildon Crown Court on April 12.

The collision happened on the clockwise carriageway of the motorway near Aveley at 12:30pm when four lorries and six cars struck each other.
The driver of a Renault Clio, 79-year-old Ronald Moughton from Lowbrook Road in Ilford, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Clio passenger was the dead man's son, a 58-year-old man, also from Ilford.

He is currently in a stable condition at the Royal London Hospital as is a 47-year-old woman from Basildon who was driving a black Mercedes at the time of the crash.
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Anyone with information in connection with this fatal crash is urged to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.

Lorry driver held in custody after M25 death crash

Good Friday becomes a GREAT FRIDAY for the Brentwood Eels

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Brentwood Eels under 11s win the first tournament of the 2013 rugby league campaign at the London Skolars on Good Friday
Brentwood Eels under11s squad won the first festival of the new rugby league season in convincing fashion at the New River Stadium, Wood Green, London, on Good Friday. Throughout the 4-team, round-robin competition, the Eels managed to maintain an unbeaten record against some strong and determined opposition.
In game 1, Harrison Leadbitter led from the front in a strong forwards display against the tournament hosts, the London Skolars. Patrick Wiseman carried the ball with real purpose to open the score. This was followed up by tries from Jacob Smith(2), George Davis(2) & Harrison Leadbitter(2). With the Skolars breaking the Eels defence just the once, the final score was Brentwood Eels 28, London Skolars 4.
In game2, Brentwood faced a strong Hemel Stags side. However, with March's 'Man of Steel', Alfie Trew, distributing the ball well from scrum half and some last ditch tackling from George Davis, Brentwood had an 8 – 4 lead at half time with two scores from Wiseman & Smith. As the temperature started to rise in the second half, so did the Eels performance with Ryan Stilwell carrying the ball well and William Hammond smashing through their line to score twice and extend the lead. The win was secured with a George Davis try. Final score, Brentwood Eels 20, Hemel Stags 4. 
The final game was to be the championship decider with the Gillingham-based Medway Dragons, who were also unbeaten. In recent times, matches between Brentwood and Medway, especially at this level, have proven to be close and keenly-fought contests and this was no different.
The Dragons struck first after gathering a shorter kick off, then powering through to score. Brentwood however, responded immediately with two tries from Smith and Davis but a determined Medway Dragons countermanded with two scores of their own. This was turning into a battle of the props! Brentwood's Hammond & Leadbitter rose to the challenge, scoring a try each to give a half-time score of 16 – 12 to the Eels. 
After a halftime chat about line speed, tackling lower & Easter eggs, the Brentwood Eels came out firing for the second half. With Dylan Marshall reading the game well from full back and some great runs and offloads from Josh Outen, Brentwood extended their lead with a try from Patrick Wiseman. But with a combination of massive props and fast wingers The Medway Dragons came back strong with another two scores, making the score 20 – 20. The game was in the balance and with two teams determined to win, this game was turning into a classic.
The Medway threw everything at Brentwood but the Eels' defence held strong, forcing the Dragons  to hand over the ball five metres out from the Eels try line. Trew spun a pass out to Jacob Smith who attacked and broke through the line to run the length of the pitch and score. After the restart some nice passing saw the ball get out to Ben Hamberger on the wing who stretched his legs and scored in the corner. The Dragons were starting to run out of fire and with a final try from Smith the victory was complete. Final score Brentwood Eels 32, Medway Dragons 20
Arran Smith, u11s coach at Brentwood, said: "I'm really proud of the boys. They played some good footy out there today and had a great time with their mates which is what it is all about - winning the Festival was a bonus."
The Brentwood Eels under 11s next tournament is at the Elmbridge Eagles near Kingston Upon Thames on 27 April.
The Brentwood Eels currently runs teams at under 9, 11, 12, 13 and 16. If you are aged between 7 and 16 and would like to try rugby league, either as a new sport, or to maintain your rugby union skills during the summer, please contact:
Keith Marshall
Vice Chairman
01245 329591
brentwoodrl@ymail.com
www.pitchero.com/clubs/brentwoodelverseelsrlfc

Braintree house destroyed by arson to be rebuilt

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A HOUSE that burned down in Braintree after a woman set it on fire is to be demolished and rebuilt.

Number 89 Rosemary Avenue has been left unhabitable for seven months.

On 25 August 2012, mum-of-two Ana Rego set fire to her home, which was left in ruins after flames tore through the three- bedroom property.

Greenfields Community Housing, who own the house, have now submitted planning permission to the district council to enable them to knock it down and build an identical version of the semi-detached building.

A spokesperson for Greenfields said: "We will be demolishing 89 Rosemary Avenue during the next month and will be rebuilding the house during mid to late 2013, subject to planning permission."

Rego, 43, was jailed for four years in January after pleading guilty to three counts of reckless arson endangering life.

Braintree house destroyed by arson to be rebuilt


Witham MP welcomes resignation of ambulance chief

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WITHAM MP Priti Patel has welcomed the resignation of East of England ambulance boss Maria Ball.

The Conservative politician had called for her to stand down in the wake of a Care Quality Commission report – which criticised response times to emergencies.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust was the first in the country to fail a CQC assessment and MPs and patient groups had demanded urgent action.

Vice chairman Paul Remington will lead the organisation with interim CEO Andrew Morgan until a new chairman of the trust is appointed.

Ms Patel, who had asked the Secretary of State for Health if ambulance trust board members could be sacked, said patients in Essex had been let down by a poor service.

"The decision by Maria Ball is long overdue and I hope that a change of leadership at a board level will bring in the reforms needed to improve performance and help restore confidence," she said.

"We should remember that patients and their families have been badly let down by the ambulance service and suffered as a result of the failures presided over by Ms Ball."

She added: "An NHS board should be carrying out vital work holding managers to account, addressing problems and providing strategic leadership.

"All board members on the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust should now consider what has happened and whether they are suitable to continue in post.

"Patients need to be confident that the ambulance service is being led by a strong board, and not a bunch of individuals who are prepared to take the money that comes with the role but accept no responsibility when things go wrong."

Last week, the Chronicle revealed that more patients in Essex waited longer for an ambulance that in other county in the region.

In 2012, for example, 104 people in the county waited over three hours for an ambulance – more than in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk combined. Similarly, 512 Essex patients waited for more than two hours, compared with just 284 in the other five counties.

Vice chairman Paul Remington said: "Maria has spent many years leading the ambulance service and I would like to thank her for her dedication and commitment through what have been challenging times. She oversaw the formation of this trust, bringing together three disparate organisations into one service, and its subsequent development.

"We now must concentrate on looking forward and focusing solely on how we improve our service to patients and better support our staff."

Mr Remington said the trust would be recruiting more frontline staff.

Witham MP welcomes resignation of ambulance chief

Action taken to cut antisocial behaviour at Chelmsford nightspots

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A LONELY reveller is dribbling sick, lads who started the night as friends are now fighting, a girl is stumbling in the chippy and all-the-while some dizzy youngsters are urinating in a street corner.

To the naked eye this is a sorry end to a night out in Chelmsford. Yet behind the scenes a dedicated team of paramedics, police officers, CCTV operators, street pastors and even employees from First Buses are watching.

And on April 23, the city could win a prestigious international award for its management of nightlife.

The Purple Flag award, whose judges were out with clipboards at the end of February, look out for how safe night tourists are, how easy it is for them to travel there and back, how interesting the bars and restaurants are and how diverse the entertainment on offer is.

"I'd be absolutely delighted if the city was awarded Purple Flag status," said city council leader Roy Whitehead, who would see Chelmsford join the likes of Birmingham, Dublin and Maidstone among the places accredited.

"Our night-time economy is very good and has been improving for a number of years now," he said.

But critics say much more needs to be done to keep on top of the drunken violence, much of which is blamed on cheap drinks promotions.

On Saturday, the Chronicle joined police and their partners as they flooded the streets for a special 'Night of Action' operation. It also waved the flag for the One Punch Can Kill campaign, launched in Chelmsford after 27-year-old Urim Rama was killed with a single blow in Duke Street last August.

At a briefing, team leader sergeant Barry Atkinson explained: "Tonight is about robustly tackling and reducing incidents of crime and anti-social-behaviour and to educate night-time economy users regarding the potential dangers."

Walking out into Duke Street at 10pm, neighbourhood sergeant Paul Austin, who has tackled gun crime in Birmingham, ran into a man wrongly using his mate's ID at Evoke nightclub.

The manager, Nick Harmston, who boasts an in-house paramedic who can treat incidents direct from the dance floor and even a sniffer dog, said: "At my old venue I took 600 fake IDs in just six months. Although three years on, they still do it."

After scaling the High Street alongside the CCTV van, sergeant Austin bumped into volunteers street pastors in Moulsham Street. Team leader Phil Couch said he had noticed a rise in drug use in the city.

He said: "We had a girl who had a psychotic reaction to mixing cocaine and alcohol – she was handcuffed after she attacked paramedics."

After shouting at several youngsters urinating in the streets, and reporting some abandoned golf clubs, sergeant Austin guided the Chronicle to the Triage tent, a temporary High Street hospital set up especially for the police operation.

The tent, paramedic Steve Hudson said, saves between £300 and £500 for every unconscious, injured or blood-stained clubber that does not need an ambulance.

"It costs to send an ambulance, to pay the wages of paramedics and the call handler, and taking them to hospital," he said.

Mr Hudson also urges people and bar staff to be "more observant" of friends who could be vulnerable to injury.

As popular night haunts such as the Candy Club, Chicago's and Evoke started to fill up, the Chronicle waded through the crowds to get the thoughts of the partygoers.

Amy Francis, 19, of Chelmsford, said: "Me and my friends got threatened the other night – but we called the police and they were here in five minutes. I feel safe because there are lots of bouncers and police."

Katie Davies, 24, of Springfield, out for her brother Jack's 22nd birthday, added: "I have always been safe – it's the last place you get in trouble. There is always a fight, but we expect that."

Yet as the night drew in around Chicago's and as council marshals began ferrying revellers into taxis, mum-of-three Hayley Baker, 20, of Beadle Way, said: "I don't feel safe. I feel safer on the streets than I do in the club."

But despite ongoing exchanges between police and clubbers, only a handful of arrests were made.

The Purple Flag Scheme

Purple Flag is an accreditation scheme launched in 2009, judging a town or city between the hours of 5pm and 6am. The key criteria are:

People's wellbeing

The safety of the town

Ease in getting revellers home safely

The diversity of nightspots on offer

The strength of the partnership between the police, the council, nightclubs and other organisations to deal with possible problems

The benefits include:

A raised profile and an improved public image

Increased visitors

Increased expenditure

Lower crime and antisocial behaviour

A more successful mixed-use economy

Action taken to cut antisocial behaviour at Chelmsford nightspots

Chelmsford's England lads edged out in Italy clash

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CHELMSFORD's two England representatives endured a frustrating afternoon as their U16 side were edged out 20-24 by Italy U17s.

New Hall pupil Dominic Morris started the game on the wing, while Great Baddow's Billy Walker also featured as a replacement.

England raced into a 10-0 lead at Lichfield's Cooke Fields ground, but Italy fought back to make the score 13-13 at half-time.

And they continued to press after the break, adding another try and two penalties to seal the win.

"We played some fantastic rugby but didn't quite manage our game in the right parts of the field," said England head coach Phil Stanlake.

"We created bit of pressure for ourselves at kicks offs and the decisions made after the kick-offs. But we need take the lessons from how well we played and certain things we can do with the ball but we also areas where we can improve."

Both Morris and Walker will hope to feature again on Saturday when England take on Wales U16s at Oxford University's Iffley Road.

Falcons could stop work at Bradwell power station

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A PAIR of rare birds spotted at the old nuclear power station in Bradwell could bring decommissioning work to a halt.

Two peregrine falcons, which are protected by law, were seen atop the recently erected crane this week, sparking fears that work could be affected if the birds choose to nest there permanently.

"We have several keen twitchers at the site and we're keeping a close eye on the two falcons," said a spokesman for Magnox, the company in charge of the decommissioning work at the power station which shut 11 years ago.

"They've recently decided to make the tower crane their new perch but as it moves continually we don't expect them to breed there, although we might expect to see them doing so on the nearby pylons.

"However, we're keeping an eye on them and if they were to nest there we could not disturb them. It's a risk we have always known on this site."

If the birds were found to be nesting at the old industrial site, their rarity would halt the current decommissioning work, which is set to be completed by 2015.

But it would not be the first time the birds of prey, which are regularly seen hunting over the Dengie marshes, have disrupted the development.

In 2008, nesting falcons cost Magnox more than a million pounds as a result of work delays.

Efforts had been made last year to deter the birds by removing bird boxes in a bid to prevent any further delays.

One employee at the power station, who wished to remain anonymous, is concerned that the pressures of a multi million-pound agreement to complete the work on time will overwhelm any obligation to the wildlife.

He said: "We have heard they are not going to be kind to the birds as it affects the management meeting their deadline, and then being able to collect a multimillion-pound bonus.

"At the moment projects are being pushed and pushed so you can see why – when so much money is involved – how the birds may end up being the losers."

However, John Sutherby, treasurer of the Bradwell Bird Observatory, has guaranteed that he and his colleagues will be keeping a watch on the falcons.

"I worked at the power station for over 30 years and have always taken a keen interest in the birds, keeping a record of their movements and helping to rescue the young chicks when they did nest at the station.

"We have been and will continue to monitor the peregrines out there. Hopefully they will try to nest on the pylons this year, and I and some of my friends will be checking it out in the coming weeks."

Peregrine falcons, which breed in April or May, have become more and more frequent visitors to urban settings with a pair now resident at the Tate Modern in London, and a group that has lived in Norwich Cathedral for more than four years.

"In these urban environments there is much more prey for the birds and so they tend to return year after year," said Erica Howe, of the East of England RSPB.

"It's their breeding season right now and if they choose to nest then there isn't a lot that can be done, the owners may just have to live with it."

Falcons could stop work at Bradwell power station

Final preparations in place for Essex Indoor Family Festival

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THERE'S a fantastic weekend of family fun and entertainment lined up at the Essex Indoor Family Festival at the Brentwood Centre tomorrow and Saturday.

Expect a jam-packed weekend of celebrities, music, attractions, shopping, farm animals, interactive magic, storytelling, face painting and much more over both days.

The stage will feature performances throughout each day (see timetable right) but there'll be plenty of other things to do too, including:

Visit the Warescott Farm mobile petting farm where you can meet the farm animals;

Have your picture taken with characters from Star Wars and Dr Who as well as the Trotters' Reliant Robin from Only Fools and Horses and the Starsky and Hutch car too;

Bouncy castles, inflatables, face painting and a soft play area for the little ones.

And don't forget there's shopping and information stands too.

The great news is that it's all happening indoors and all the attractions are included in the ticket price.

Discounted advance tickets are available on the website or tickets can be purchased on the door.

"We wanted to create a great family day out at a reasonable, all-inclusive price and hopefully we have achieved that. " said Gary Sheridan of event organisers GNB Media.

"There has certainly been a big buzz about it in the weeks leading up to the event."

Prices

On the door admission prices: £10 for those over the age of 12 and £4.50 for age 2+. Under 2s are free.

There is also a family ticket for £24. This is valid for 2 adults (12+) and up to 3 children (aged 2-12)

Event website: www.ukfamilyfestivals.com

Saturday, April 6

Doors open: 10am

10.30am: Tribute to Mickey Mouse and friends

11.15am Lydia Lucy

12 noon: Drew Levi

12.35pm Molly Rainford

1.15pm Rylan Clark

2.30pm Sam Callahan

3.10pm London Road

3.50 Rajiv

Sunday, April 7

Doors open: 10am

10.30am: Tribute to Mickey Mouse and friends

11.15am: Rajiv

11.50am: Molly Rainford

12.35pm: Sam Callahan

1.15pm: District 3

2pm: London Road

2.40pm: Lydia Lucy

3,20pm: Drew Levi

4pm: Tribute to Mickey Mouse and friends

The line-up is subject to change due to unforseen circumstances.

Final preparations in place for Essex Indoor Family Festival

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