Richard Clarkson

United Kingdom

Our 2024 Christmas Buffet will take place on Saturday 7 December at Hawkwell Village Hall, Essex SS5 4EH.

The event is open to both VRT Members and non-members.

We are delighted to welcome as our guest speaker Captain John Hutchinson, who will be speaking about what it was like to fly the iconic Anglo-French supersonic airliner, Concorde.

John began his flying career with the Royal Air Force in 1955. He trained on the Harvard, Lockheed T-33 and the Vampire before going on to fly the Avro Shackleton in the maritime reconnaissance role, based in Singapore. He left the RAF in 1963 and began a career in civil aviation with McAlpine’s at Luton. Three years later he joined BOAC, flying as co-pilot on both the Boeing 707 and Boeing 747. John then joined the VC-10 fleet as a captain before being selected to fly Concorde.

He remained on Concorde until he retired in 1991. John then forged a new career as a broadcaster. He became known as the ‘Voice of Concorde’, often presenting features and news items about the iconic aircraft. The BBC regularly showed air displays on television at the time, in particular the Farnborough Air Show and the Biggin Hill Air Fair, and John was a regular commentator, often sharing the mic with the late Raymond Baxter.

A highly experienced aviator with more than 70 different types in his logbook, John was elected Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators in 1999. His biography The Wind Beneath My Wings – John Hutchinson Concorde Pilot by Susan Ottaway was published in 2011.

As the title of his biography suggests, John is best known for his association with Concorde and he has a wealth of tales and anecdotes about flying the aircraft, often at speeds of more than 23 miles a minute! He will likely also share his views about the 2000 Paris Concorde crash, which ultimately led to the airliner’s premature retirement three years later.

It is sure to be a fascinating afternoon and one which will also include our famous Christmas Buffet, plus dessert, tea and coffee (included in the ticket price).

There will also be a licensed pay bar.

The timetable for the afternoon is:

11.30: Doors open
12.30: Christmas Buffet Lunch
13:30: Concorde with Captain John Hutchinson (part 1)
14:15: Break for Coffee and Mince Pies
14:45: Concorde with Captain John Hutchinson (part 2)
15:15: Vulcan XL426 Annual Prize Draw
16:00: Annual General Meeting and A Look Back at 2024
17:00: Close

Admittance to our Christmas Buffet with Captain John Hutchinson is by ticket only; there will be no ‘on the door’ sales. Tickets are on sale until midnight on 2 December.

Captain John Hutchinson, who will be speaking about what it was like to fly the iconic Concorde supersonic airliner. The ticket price includes a buffet lunch, mince pies and dessert.

Christmas Buffet with Concorde Captain John Hutchinson

Hawkwell Village Hall

Elizabeth Upsher

The Two Elizabeths (Elizabeth Dunlop and Elizabeth Upsher) are pleased to announce our anniversary concert celebrating 20 years of singing together!
We are fortunate to have Andrew Palmer accompanying us and Victor Patterson covering the Christmas items.
We do hope you can come and join us in our celebrations and share an evening of music that we have enjoyed performing through the past 20 years. Please pay on the door - save the date and get Christmas started with this fun evening.
We will be donating to St Saviours church organ and servery refurbishment fund and also Great Ormond Street Hospital - the hospital is very close to Elizabeth Upsher's heart as it cared for her grandson earlier this year with a very happy outcome.
Tickets £10 available at the door. Seasonal refreshments will be served.
We look forward to seeing you there!!! 

We are pleased to announce our anniversary concert celebrating 20 years of singing together!
We are fortunate to have Andrew Palmer and Victor Patterson accompanying us for the evening.


The Two Elizabeths 20th Anniversary Concert

St. Saviour's Church

Julie Nguyen

Tickets are £9 each (for adults and children) children must be with an adult (Tickets are limited, advance booking advised)


Shooting Star Entertainment presents Cinderella 

Cinderella Panto

Christ Church Chelmsford

Come and enjoy a festive afternoon of fun and games. Stalls including Tombolas, games, books, toys, gifts, jewellery, crafts, raffle and refreshments. Father Christmas will be with us too!
All welcome!

2nd Chelmsford Scout Group Christmas Bazaar 

2nd Chelmsford (Springfield) Scout Group

Second Star Events

Whether you're a fan of pop music or just looking for a night of laughter and fun, this event is for you. Experience the magic of Kirsten's incredible tribute to P!nk, as she brings to life the energy and passion of the pop superstar with her show "What About Pink Live." Having toured across Europe and the UK, Kirsten is ready to ignite the stage with an unforgettable performance that will leave you in awe. But the excitement doesn't end there! 

Get ready for a night of laughter and pure entertainment as Wilma Fingadoo takes the stage. Known for her irreverent humor, on-the-spot wit, and ever-changing show, Wilma promises an evening of side-splitting comedy that's sure to have you in stitches. Please note that Wilma Fingadoo's performance contains adult content, and parental consent is advised for under 18s.Don't miss out on this extraordinary evening of pop magic and comedy gold! Plus, enjoy the convenience of free parking and take advantage of our special discount offer for multiple tribute evenings. Get ready to dance, sing, and create memories that will last a lifetime - this is one event you won't want to miss!

There is a fully licenced bar on site, which accepts both cash and card payments.


Prepare for an evening of pure entertainment and excitement as we present a sensational ladies night like no other! Join us for a tribute to Pink + Drag Queen!

Ladies Night - Pink Tribute and Drag Show!

Basildon Sporting Village

breakfast with santa & friends 

Its time to grab the little ones and get into the Christmas spirit. Come and say hello to the big man himself and join us for an extra magical morning that the whole family will enjoy.
For £12.95 per child you will receive a present from Santa , breakfast with Santa ( 5 different options ) & unlimited juice. 
Adult breakfasts are available from £4.

Why not come and get the whole family in the spirit for Christmas with a delicious breakfast with Santa & friends.

breakfast with Santa & friends.

Jimmy Mac's

Samantha Crump

Join us at The Haven Community Hub Christmas Fayre on Sunday November 24th 2024 - 11am-4pm,  for a festive day of fun and celebration where you can enjoy a variety of activities, and shopping opportunities. Get into the holiday spirit with unique gifts from local vendors ,games for the children and lots more. Don't miss out on this special event to kick off the holiday season with your community! No need to book- just come along on the day. Free admission. We can't wait to see you!

Join us at The Haven Community Hub Christmas Fayre on Sunday November 24th, 2024 -11am- 4pm, for a day of fun and festivities. Over 30 stalls selling gifts perfect for Christmas. 

The Haven Community Hub Christmas Fayre

The Haven Community Hub

"Knock ’em dead singer" London Evening Standard

‘Bennett gives her all on stage…..and never stops entertaining the audience…you can’t help but love her’ Jeff Prestridge, Close Up Culture

Esther Bennett is one of the jazz scene’s most respected and widely loved vocalists, juxtaposing sensitivity with a sparky sense of humour; her song delivery leaving audiences utterly compelled. 
Her innate sense of musicality, gleaned from her earlier years of saxophone playing and study of the jazz idiom, inform a voice that has individuality, originality and flair.
Esther’s debut album “Just in Time” was produced by multi award winning singer Ian Shaw 
it received a four-star review in “Jazzwise Magazine” and was launched at London’s iconic 606 Club in 2005
Since then, she has carved out a prestigious career as a jazz singer performing extensively in major venues in and around London across the country and in Europe, 
A singer of original material, jazz standards & popular music and writer and performer of spoken word and poetry,  Esther has worked with some of the countries most acclaimed and respected jazz musicians, including Saxophonist and composer Duncan Lamont who himself had performed with Henry Mancini, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Count Basie. 
In addition to his achievements as a performer he was also one of the UK’s most important contemporary jazz songwriters, with songs recorded by some of the finest singers in the World including Cleo Laine, Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole. 
From 2010 until his passing in 2019, Esther curated “The Duncan Lamont Songbook” project, organising gigs and tours in London and around the country in which she and Duncan performed.  
Following his death in 2019, Esther continues the project to this day with Duncan Jnr who, like his father is  not only a consummate saxophonist and flautist, but a great storyteller and raconteur 
In 2020 they released the EP “The Songs of Duncan Lamont which “Jazz Journal Magazine” awarded four stars.
Covid and lockdown provided the opportunity forvEdther to exercise her own songwriting skills and another recording was released in 2021 called “Safe Places”.
Her most recent album “Home is Where the Art is” sees Esther exploring a new avenue – that of spoken word and poetry. The album opens with a four-and-a-half-minute piece about her hometown of Birmingham set to the music of film composer, Didier Messidoro. A true labour of love that has received high praise from poetry publications, art magazines and BBC Radio. 
Esther's performance at Colchester Arts Centre on the evening of Sunday November 24th will include a captivating blend of material from all of these albums and promises a textured, well-crafted, and fascinating musical experience.
She will be accompanied by a trio of some of our very finest jazz musicians, that includes a combination of father and son!
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring some of London’s most experienced jazz artists! 
With John Crawford on piano, Oli Hayhurst on bass and Theo Hayhurst on drums.

Esther's other career highlights include, performing at Ronnie Scott’s, performing at Wavendon’s ‘Music in the Garden’ and being invited by Dame Cleo Laine to join her table to enjoy the other artists and performing with Prince at London’s “China Whites”.

'Vocalist Esther Bennett’s many virtues include an incredibly seductive lower register and a winning sense of humour'
Jazzwise Magazine

‘I love the integrity and beauty of Esther’s voice’ Jazz Wax Marc Myers



Tonight’s performance will be a captivating blend of material from Esther Bennett's recent recordings
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring some of London’s most experienced jazz artists!

Jazz Singer Esther Bennett and her trio at Colchester Arts centre. Sunday November 24th at 7.30pm

Colchester Arts Centre

Andrew Gilbert

'An Evening with The Arsenal Invincibles'

Arsenal Football Club went undefeated in season 2003-04.

Come and join Arsenal Invincibles: Ray Parlour & Lauren, plus a special guest to be announced, as they discuss being part of the Arsenal Invincibles under the management of Arsene Wenger. 

Your host for the evening is none other than Arsenal legend Perry Groves. The Lads will discuss the games, dressing room/training ground stories, managers, fallouts and everything you wanted to know about playing for a successful football club.

There will be a chance to pose questions to the stars during the evening.  A limited number of VIP tickets are available, affording the opportunity for a meet and greet with the legendary players and a photograph opportunity before the show.

VIP Entry is limited to just 100 tickets and will be on shared tables in front of the stage.  
The tables will be allocated in advance of the show.

'An Evening with The Arsenal Invincibles'

Arsenal Football Club went undefeated in season 2003-04.

Come and join Arsenal Invincibles: Ray Parlour & Lauren, plus a special guest to be announced.

An Evening With Arsenal Invincibles

The Brentwood Centre

Gill

For children 0 to 4 years , craft, refreshments, singing and a variety of toys for different ages. Come and have a natter whilst your child plays in a safe environment.  Maximum 3 children per family £3

Join Caterpillars with your baby and toddler at Chalkwell Park Methodist Church on Wednesday mornings (term time) 

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