COMMUNITY NEWS.

(From Essex Chronicle Series)

Althorne Jumble sale MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE. - A jumble sale will be held in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease in Church Hall on Saturday May 8 from 10am to 2pm. Donations will be welcome at 8am on the morning of the sale.

For any further information call Samantha on 01621 741065.

All offers welcome ST ANDREW'S CHURCH. - Any budding flower arrangers around the village who would like to help decorate will be most welcome for the flower festival, All at Sea, from July 9 to 11. Also offers of stewards, tea and cake makers. Call Lynda on 0162 741244.

Chelmsford A busy weekend CATHEDRAL. - The formal installation of the new vice dean, the Rev Canon Ivor Moody, for 13 years Chaplain of Anglia Ruskin University, takes place at Evensong at 5.15pm on Saturday with the Bishop of Bradwell, the Right Rev Dr Laurie Green giving an address. The installation of Canon Moody by the Dean, the Very Rev Peter Judd takes place during the service which is open to all and followed by a party in the north transept. Canon Moody's wife, Ruth and their family will receive the guests. Their three sons, Sam (a university medical student) William and Thomas are all altar servers.

The Dean of Gloucester Cathedral, the Very Rev Nick Bury is the guest speaker the following Saturday at the annual cathedral dinner at 7.15pm. There are a few tickets at GBP20 left. The ticket includes a four course meal and wine. For full details call Yvonne Spence, on 01245 465108.

The cathedral's annual meeting is scheduled for Wednesday April 21 when the Dean will preside and present a review of the past year. The treasurer, Mrs Caroline Robinson will present the accounts and various officials will be elected including six cathedral wardens. The meeting in the cathedral begins at 7.45pm.

A coffee morning arranged by the cathedral branch of the Mothers' Union takes place on Saturday in the Chapter House from 10am to noon. Proceeds go towards the MU Away from it all Holidays and the Relief Fund. All will be welcome.

The lunchtime concert tomorrow (Friday) in the cathedral will be given by a Saxophone quartet and on the following Friday, April 23 the entertainment will be given by pupils of The Plume School, Maldon. Both concerts are at 12.30pm; refreshments are served from noon.

Last winter talk THE NATIONAL TRUST. - The meeting on April 7 was the final talk in the 2009/10 winter programme.

Jan Chaplin, the chairman, welcomed Martin Stuckfield, who presented a history of memorial brasses to be found in Essex churches.

The programme of summer outings has been well supported. The Yorkshire holiday is going ahead in September.

Evening meetings will restart on September 15 with a report on progress at Wicken Fen. Contact Jackie Arnot on 01245 483876 for details of how to join the membership.

Talk on radar ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION.

- The April 50/50 draw took place during the ladies coffee morning on Saturday April 3 when the president drew out the winning numbers with the first prize going to Mr Roy Hills; second, Mr Peter Hunt and three third prizes to Messrs J. Candler, C. Bridge and R. Tyrrell.

The Tuesday talk took place at the RAFA Club on April 6 when the honorary secretary, Mr N. Bartlett introduced the guest speaker, Mr Bryan Peaker, the branch welfare officer who gave an informative and technical talk on radar recalling the first home chain formed in 1935 which helped the RAF to win the 1940 Battle of Britain. The next talk will be on May 4.

America's national parks ECC RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP.

- On March 30, Kim Wiggins, the chairman, welcomed Mrs Sheila Morgan for a return visit. A keen amateur photographer, Mrs Morgan's subject on this occasion was America's national parks and she delighted members with a selection of the views she had captured of stunning scenery, beautiful wildlife and brilliant flowers. Kim thanked Mrs Morgan for providing a virtual reality tour with her breathtaking photos.

On April 27 Mrs Ann Goaby will talk on how meditation helped her recovery from arthritis.

Call Jean Taylor on 01277 654864 for more details.

Talk breaks records CHELMSFORD AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (CARS). - At the April meeting Stan Ames, G4OAV, gave a talk to CARS on World War II Wireless Intercept and Secret Stations and attracted a record-breaking audience.

Stan enthralled the audience with his talk that described the development of the network of secret wireless stations that intercepted enemy transmissions during the second world war.

The society would to thank all those who made contact before, during and after the meeting to add further information to the ever growing story of the Secret Wireless Stations and the valuable part they played.

CARS meet on the first Tuesday of each month at the Marconi Social Club, Beehive Lane, Great Baddow. The doors open at 7.10pm and the meeting gets underway at 7.30pm. Admittance and car parking are free and a bar is available for refreshments.

Meeting tomorrow FRENCH CIRCLE. - Tomorrow (Friday), the Chelmsford French Circle will be welcoming the Cercle Dramatique Francais de Londres for a Soiree Theatrale.

The troupe will be presenting two short plays: Monsieur Babin by Georges Courteline, and Leonie est en avance ou La Mal Joli by Georges Feydeau.

The event will take place at Sandon village hall at 8pm. Tickets cost GBP5 for members and GBP8 for visitors and guests. Drinks, nibbles, coffee and biscuits will be included in the price.

For more details contact Judith on 01245 476492. or visit …