Autumn 2019

Historically Equal – Page 2

Donating Food – Page 11

The Everyone Is Equal Issue

Chelmsford Star Co-op at the heart of Essex since 1867

Essex Pride – Page 8

What we’re talking about:

healthy eatingThere’s been a lot of talk about healthier eating within our Society recently. Whether it’s been brought on by the fruit fancy-dress costumes being worn by our colleagues, the amount of apples and bananas we’ve given away recently, or the threat of a beach holiday looming, our members are more concerned about getting fit and shedding some pounds over the summer months.

Fortunately, choosing sensible dinner options is easier than ever, particularly with the ‘traffic-light’ nutritional information you’ll find on co-op food and drink packaging. It was award-winning when it was introduced, and led the way for many others to follow. Nowadays, you’ll find more healthier options, including ‘free from’, veggie and vegan products, in our convenience stores than ever before, so even the most discerning palate can find something tasty yet good for the waistline.

Right. That’s the food sorted. And for exercise? How about a brisk walk to your closest Co-op food-store!

3 What we’re talking about: – Healthy eating

4 Food News – What’s your local shop been up to?

5 Recipe – who’s ready for some veggie skewers?

6 Quadrant news – The latest from your independent department stores

7 Member News – Look who’s talking!

8 Travel news – who is for a river cruise?

9 Funeral News – Putting faces to the names

10 Community News – What we’ve been up to

11 Co-operatives – What other co-ops have been up to

12 Youth – the next generation of co-operators

13 Vouchers – Money off your next spend

14 Address list – Where you’ll find us

15 Members questions – What we’ve been asked recently

16 A FREE Studio sitting and photo? Why, yes please.

Historically EqualOur co-op was set up in 1867 with the aim of making decent quality food items available to all, and to provide a fairer price for everyone in Essex. It didn’t matter if you were rich or poor, you were treated the same and had access to the same quality of products. It didn’t matter if you were a man or a woman, all members were equal, each having a voice in our decision-making.

Our female members have always been able to vote in our elections, as early as 50 years before the suffrage movement. We have a long record of equal pay, an even gender mix, and were one of the first organisations in Essex to have a female President. We supported the LGBT+ community long before it was considered to make ‘good business sense’.

Our annual dividend payout is based on everyone having an equal share in our business, and has always ensured members are rewarded equally based on their involvement, not on their background, demographic or circumstances. We do this because we were set up for this very reason. When it comes down to it, Chelmsford Star Co-op is simply people helping other people, and it’s been that way for 152 years.

Remember! Whenever you use your membership card, you’re entered into a prize draw.

Didn’t we just catch up? I’m not entirely sure where the year is going, but here we are… preparing for the Interim Meeting (7th Oct), putting the summer gazebo away for another year, and welcoming the Autumn.

You can see some of the results of our summer activities throughout this issue; from our food donations during co-op fortnight, healthy-eating exploits at the children’s festivals, and the start of our litter-picking ‘Big Co-op Clean Up’ season. With Essex Pride (15th June) and Women’s Equality Day (26th August) under our belt, we’re also taking this moment to celebrate equality in all its forms. After all, as someone cleverer than me once said, ‘our strength lies in our differences, not our similarities’. What could be more co-operative than that?

Beatrice Double OBE, Society President 1961 - 1966

Everyone is unique, and everyone is equal. We’ve said that since 1867

Food for thoughtOur food stores all set up a ‘donation station’ this summer, so they could collect food items for local good causes throughout Co-op Fortnight (24th June – 7th July).

Dozens of organisations close to our shops benefited, including food banks, animal shelters, homeless charities and churches. Our Membership Co-ordinator, Georgina Leather, said; “We wanted to highlight the fact that each of our shops are very much a part of the local community, run by local people. Supporting those charities closest to us, and giving our generous members the opportunity to provide a little something themselves during Co-op Fortnight, seemed the best way to do it.” Many of our stores have decided to continue collecting for these groups indefinitely.

Thanks to everyone who donated some items.

HawkwellOver 150 bananas and bottles of water were donated to Rochford District Council’s ‘Wild Woods Day’ taking place deep in Hockley’s ancient woodlands in July. The annual event offers all sorts of outdoorsy activities, from tomahawk throwing, parkour training and creepy crawly zones, and the donation was meant to keep everyone energised. Unfortunately, it was cancelled last-minute due to poor weather, but

Another wonderfully jam-packed Food & Drink Festival took place at the Cressing Temple Barns this July. Thanks to the Essex-based suppliers who could join us in our ‘Only Way Is Local’ marquee, including (but not limited to);

Method:1. Preheat oven to 200°c2. Mix together marinade ingredients3. Thread veggies onto skewers in random, colourful orders!4. Brush marinade onto the veggies and let sit for 15 mins (can get messy)5. Roast in the oven for about 10 minutes and eat immediately!

VeggieCrunchy

Ingredients:• 2 cups Co-op button mushrooms

• 1 cup Co-op cherry tomatoes• 1 red and 1 green pepper,

cut into chunks• 1 red onion, cut into chunks• 1 carrot, sliced• 1 courgette, sliced into rounds

You’ll need some skewers!

For the marinade:

• ¼ cup olive oil • 3 cloves garlic

• Juice of 1 lemon• ½ teaspoon dried oregano• ½ teaspoon dried basil• Salt & pepper to taste

Torquay RdWoodford

Green

Bocking Mountbatten Rd

Local groups to benefit from your generosity include CHESS supporting Chelmsford’s homeless, Woodford Green Foodbank, and RSPCA Danaher, as well as many, many others...

Kings RoadFor what may be the 10th year in a row, we supplied refreshments for local kids attending the Fun Week on the Melbourne Estate. The annual event, organised lovingly by Sisters from the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre, sees all sorts of free games and activities being held during the summer. Thanks also to Rossi Ice Cream who donated some tubs of their favourite flavours!

MelbourneA new community event saw us donating several baskets of groceries so that youngsters could be taught how to cook meals. Melfest, a free festival in Melbourne Park, gathered youngsters for all sorts of fun, from hip hop classes to African drumming. Our donation helped feed the masses, and was used for some cooking demonstrations. Well done Ignite Chelmsford for your hard work organising, and Naseem Panjami for your chef skills!

organisers Fusion Lifestyle distributed the gift to the local community centre and the schools and colleges that it partners with.

MEADGATE: Launching 2019’s ‘Big Co-op Clean Ups’ with Meadgate Primary School earlier this year.

TRENT ROAD: Supporting the Lawford Mead Summer Fayre!

HAWKWELL: Gifting some cakes for Plumberow Primary Academy’s summer fete!

EAST TILBURY: Donations made to St Clere’s school for their cake sale!

Skewers

TIP: Swap in any of your favourite veggies if you prefer. The winner here is the marinade!

Have you got a favouriterecipe of your own?Send it in with a photo and feature ina future edition of STARLIGHT!

CressingFood & Drink Festival

Our hamper of local goodies was a popular draw, and was won by Jessica Wilson from Chelmsford.

Welldone

Jessica!

The Muffin Makery, making muffins and muffin-making kits in South Benfleet.

Bishop Nick, a sixth-generation family real-ale brewer from Braintree.

Cupcake Daisy, individually handmaking and tailoring cupcakes in Chelmsford.

Kumar’s aroma and flavourful curries and wok pastes from Great Bentley.

Thursday Cottage, for their handmade jams, curds and preserves, made in Colchester.

Lillypuds, making crumptious fruitfilled Christmas puddings in Chelmsford, including gluten-free, reduced sugar and veggie options.

Elixirs of Life, making natural skin, hair and body care products from within Essex.

You can find all these local products, and more, in our food stores.

Your local Co-operative update... 7

Dementia caféOur open-house Dementia Café is now in full swing in our Braintree restaurant, every Monday from 10am. Run in conjunction with the Alzheimers Society, the relaxed gathering offers understanding and friendship to those suffering from mental illness and their carers.

Christmas lunchIt’ll be here before you know it, so get your name on the list to ensure your spot at our members’ Christmas lunch.

2 courses and a drink £15. Starts approx. midday.

Coffee ClubsFuture speakers include…BraintreeThursday morning 10:30am

5th Sept – Macmillan

3rd Oct – Lepra

28th Nov – Stroke Association

5th Dec – Retired Met Police Officer

Chelmsford Monday morning 10:30am

16th Sept – Benefits Wise

30th Sept – Provide

28th Oct – Hearing Help Essex

28th October – Hearing Help Essex

4th Nov – Nationwide

Fish & ChipsQuiz dates:Enjoy a discounted fish and chip quiz with a challenging round of quizzes! £4.99(B) Braintree (C) Chelmsford

Thursday 19th September – (B)Monday 28th October – (C)Thursday 28th November – (B)

2ndDEC

Chelmsford Quadrant

Braintree Quadrant

BeddingChangeWith the summer over, is it time to change your duvet? Come to think of it, when was the last time you bought a new one? We offer the following tips to those thinking its time to treat themselves to a new quilt.

Dates for your diary:Head to Braintree for a ghost hunt and all sorts of ghoulish fun in the autumn half-term holidays, starting 26th October. There’ll be prizes, face painting (31st October), and all sorts of spooky goings on.

26thOCT

Hug Rugs. We LOVE these! The most environmentally-friendly barrier mat available (perfect for those with kids or dogs in the muddy autumn months!), it washes like new at 30°c and will trap all the dirt and dust to keep your floors spotless. Find them in our carpet department (Chelmsford) now!

New in Chelmsford: Gibson’s games: Jigsaws, board-games, puzzles and all sorts of entertainment is now available in Chelmsford, just in time for the season of stocking-fillers and awkward to buy for relatives. A well-loved, traditional company, Gibson’s Games formed in 1903, making them almost as old as us.

Our Autumn Sale is on from7th September - 9th November

Step 1: Warmth – what is the best tog rating for you?• 13.5 tog is a heavier weight, for extra warmth on cold nights.• 10.5 tog is perfect for all year round warmth.• 4.5 tog is lightweight, great for warm spring and summer nights.

Step 2: Filling – do you go natural or synthetic?• Natural is more breathable, long lasting, and is usually 90% goose feather, 10% down.• Synthetic is great for allergy sufferers, washable, and lighter in weight.

5thDEC

Interim MeetingHey you! Did you know that you own Chelmsford Star Co-op? All members do! Come to our half yearly update to find out how your society is doing. There’ll be financial updates, news of business developments, and a membership and community review.Monday 7th October: Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Chelmsford. 6pm.

7thOCT

Congrats to Mr Kuppers from Cressing

Member of the Month!

New Team MemberMany of you will have met Georgina, our longstanding membership co-ordinator, in store, running coffee mornings, or at our events. We’re pleased to announce that she and partner Lee became parents to little George James Jackson at 8.21am on 2nd August, at a healthy 9lb 1oz. Sending lots of love to the new family.

Happy 65th Anniversary to Allan and Beryl Day, Coffee Club regulars.

Let’s run away together!We’ve a 5 day member trip coming up, perfect for those travelling alone, or who want everything all done for you. If you fancy Christmas shopping on the south coast, this may be perfect for you.

Torquay – 9th – 13th December

Pickups from Braintree and Chelmsford, £225 for members, and that includes all sorts of extras including some meals. Get in touch for more info – contact details for the travel team are on the following page.

Torquay

Last chanceto book!

Meet the team One thing our funeral team often hear when they’re out and about at events is, “I didn’t think you’d be so… normal”. Yes, we can confirm, our funeral operatives and family liaison officers aren’t as scary as some people think.

Meet Jenni Carrick. Jenni works in our Chelmsford branch a couple of days a week, and in addition to meeting families and helping with their arrangements, she also runs the local bereavement support group and does much of our funeral team’s social media.

Prior to working with Co-op Funeral Directors, Jenni was an auxiliary nurse until she joined us in 2002.

8 Freephone 0800 254 0404

Destination of the month:

ChristmasMarkets! Why squeeze into town or queue up for Lakeside to buy your Christmas pressies this year, when you can combine your shopping trip with a city break somewhere beautiful, and treat yourself into the bargain?

PrideThe travel team attended Essex Pride this year, talking about some of the best resorts for same-sex holidays and LGBT+ friendly travel. Working with our friends at Cancun Resorts we were also able to give away a week’s accommodation at a Mexican luxury resort!

Old CurrencyYou may realise we offer a buy back service, to swap your unused foreign notes back to sterling after your holiday, but did you know we can take old expired currency too? Perhaps the country no longer exists, or the currency was replaced with Euros, but you’ve been left with old notes that you can no longer do anything with because they’re illegal tender.

Drop them into one of our teams, and we’ll send them to our charity of the year who can cleverly convert them into much needed funds! Literally money for nothing. What have you got to lose?

Now is a great time to book an overseas Christmas break. If you’re heading to Europe, we recommend taking the train – there’s less hanging about, better views and room to stretch your legs! Not sure which market to visit? Then how about this Three Countries Christmas Market tour from Great Rail Journeys? They’ll take you to Belgium, Germany and Netherlands in just four delightful days.

Here’s what you could be doing, instead of fighting the hoards in the high street.I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the river, and would definitely recommend it!

Day 1: You’ll leave St Pancras on the Eurostar, where you’ll be whisked to Brussels in no time at all. You’ll end your day at a 3* hotel in the city of Liege, which will be your base of operations for the trip.

Day 2: A coach will take you across the Dutch border into Valkenburg, where you’ll visit a Christmas market with a difference. The enchanting town is built around a romantic ruined castle, and the unique markets are held in the ancient labyrinths underneath! You’ll also be given a free path to explore other caves and their impressive murals and sculptures.

Day 3: You’ll be crossing the German border into Aachen, known as the ‘Christmas City’, where you’ll find the streets filled with traditional German gifts. The city was built on Charlemagne’s former palace, and you’ll find stunning Gothic architecture to marvel at.

Day 4: Pop back on the train in time for breakfast and be whisked back to Brussels, before changing onto the Eurostar for your return to London.

4 days from£395pp

3 Fully escorted from start to finish3 All rail and coach travel covered3 All entrance fees and excursions covered

WrittleFun Day

Dates for your diary:27th September – Meet ‘n’ Greet, Meadows Shopping Centre, Chelmsford10th November – Remembrance Day Service, Danbury Green War Memorial

13th December TBC – Christmas Remembrance EveningSorry to remind you, but Christmas will be here before we know it. That means it is time for our increasingly popular Remembrance Evening services and once again we’re holding two to cope with demand; in both Chelmsford and Braintree. Central Baptist Church – Victoria Road, ChelmsfordCo-op Funeral Directors – Clare Road, Braintree.Time TBC.

BraintreeChelmsford

She says, “I find this a very rewarding job, particularly when I can fulfil a family’s needs and remove their stress.”

Get SocialOur team loves to get stuck in, when it comes to meeting the community. Keep up to date on what they’ve been getting up to on our facebook page…

@yourlocalfuneraldirector

Join us for an afternoon all aboutcruising on Friday 27th September from 3:30pm - 6:30pm in BramblesRestaurant at Quadrant DepartmentStore, Chelmsford. Meet a great selection of our cruise operatorpartners; offering you advice and helping to match your cruise requirements for that dream holiday!

27thSEPT

A black limo filled with burgundy and white balloons was parked on Writtle green during the village’s Annual Fair in August. Locals guessed how many balloons were inside to win a hamper of goodies from our local food store, with the correct answer coming from James, pictured.

Big Co-op Clean UpsOur recent Clean Up in Braintree (our first in the town) was a great success, with over 30 people volunteering to help us improve Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens and the surrounding area. The Chair of the Trustees for the gardens, Julien Courtauld, said; “A very big thank you to you. We are so lucky there are so many public-spirited people who were prepared to answer your call”. Next year we intend to hold at least two events in the town, so keep your eyes peeled for notices.

Cream TeaOur first ‘co-operators cream tea’ was held during Co-op Fortnight in June, with our Brambles restaurant in Chelmsford filled with about 60 hungry guests. We heard presentations from several different types of co-op and social enterprise before enjoying our scones, and whilst we all agreed co-ops did excellent work, we couldn’t agree on what went on first – jam or cream? Wonderful ambience was provided by the Southend Jazz Co-op. The event was organised with the Chelmsford Star Co-op Party, and also raised £250 for our charity partner, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

A similar number came out to our Chelmsford event, with additional river support from the local canoe club, and some eager volunteers from Birkett Long Solicitors and the SDA Youth Group.

Also, our first Clean Up in Woodford Green was really popular with locals too!

Braintree

Chelmsford

Woodford Green

Still to come…As we were going to print, our Hullbridge Clean Up was imminent. Our Big Beach Clean Up in Shoebury in September was closed to new people due to its massive popularity, and so we were investigating adding an additional beach event to the schedule. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.

Date ForYour Diary:Wednesday 13th November: Free Community Seminar. Chelmsford Quadrant. From 6pm.If you are a supporter of, or volunteer for, a local community group or charity, we invite you to our Community Seminar. There’ll be presentations from experts on subjects like fundraising, and a chance to network with like-minded people. Keep an eye out for information online or register your interest via the contact details in this magazine.

EssexPrideEquality has been at the heart of our co-op values since we formed in 1867, so there was no doubt about our involvement at Essex Pride once again this year.

Shockingly, hate crime for the LGBT community is reported to have increased in the UK by 144% in the last few years, so there is still very much a need for events like this, to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in what is becoming an increasingly divided country. Essex Pride was able to balance important messages with a fun day out for all the family, and it was a pleasure to be invited.

13thNOV

Fairtrade’s Birthday!The Fairtrade Foundation have announced that October marks the start of Fairtrade’s 25th anniversary celebrations. To honour it, we’ll be holding a Fairtrade Hamper raffle in each of our food stores, the raising of funds of which will overlap with Air Ambulance Week.

Keep aneye out, and please buy a

ticket!

Interim MeetingDo you have a question you want answering before our Interim Meeting? If so, text it to 60777 and start your message with STAR.

Investing Into Your CommunityMany members will know that 30p in every £1 spent in our stores is reinvested into our local community in some way. But did you know you can invest a lump sum of up to £50,000 into withdrawable share capital with us? With a reward rate of up to 3.5%, it could be worth your while. Get in touch or check out chelmsfordstar.coop/sharecapital for more.It’s all about

us, us, us...Does your local social group hear from guest speakers when they meet? If so, they may be interested to hear one of our exec team regularly speaks to groups about our history. If you want to hear about ‘Chelmsford Star Co-op: 150 Years & Counting’, get in touch.

Your local Co-operative update... 13

KiddyClean UpsIt’s been great to see so many children helping us out with our Big Co-op Clean Up events this year, including 1st North Cubs (Springfield), Pathfinders (Braintree), Brownies and Rainbows (Springfield). If you’d like to arrange a litter-pick in your area and would like our help, get in touch!

Voucher valid until 31st December 2019 Voucher valid until 31st December 2019

Voucher valid until 31st December 2019Voucher valid until 31st December 2019

FestiveFunFancy-dress fun, fruit and fitness were the words of the day, when we headed to the children’s festivals this summer. Chelmsford and Braintree both hold three day events for toddlers, with the sold-out Three Foot Festival and newer Little Legs Festival respectively.

Amidst a flurry of bubbles and hula-hooping, our team handed out;400 ‘easy-peeler’ oranges400 pears800 bananas2,000 apples

At events filled with fast-food and fizzy drink options, parents were delighted to see healthier options available, and for free too!

All our left over fruit went to some very happy donkeys at the Remus Horse Sanctuary in Ingatestone.

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Three Foot

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RemusHorse

Sanctuary

QUESTION

How can I request a donation for

my organisation’s raffle?

ANSWER Pop into your local

Chelmsford Star Co-op store with

some ID and ask for the manager,

they may be able to provide you

with an item there and then.

QUESTIONI am unable to log in to view my membership account online. It says my card is invalid?

ANSWER It sounds as if you are on a different Co-op society’s website. Ours is chelmsfordstar.coop, and currently we don’t have the facility for members to access their accounts online.

QUESTION

Will you be holding another

Community networking Event?

ANSWER We will hold one on

Wednesday 13th November. Check

online for details, or get in touch.

QUESTIONHow much does it cost to be a member?ANSWER A one-off payment of £1, which buys you a Share in our society.

QUESTIONHow do I enter your Member of the Month prize draw?ANSWER Just swipe your membership card when making a purchase for a free entry each time

you shop.

QUESTIONDo I have to pay to attend your Members’ Coffee Mornings?ANSWER No. You just have to bring your Chelmsford Star Co-op Membership card.

QUESTION

I would like to change my name

on my membership account.

How do I go about that?

ANSWER Give the Membership

Team a call and they can sort it out

for you.

Got a question? Call the Membership Team on

0800 2540404

Most frequently asked questions this month...

QUESTIONWhen I swipe my card, it doesn’t come up with my points balance, just that it has been credited to the primary card?

ANSWER You may be using a secondary card for the account. If you no longer have your master card, or are unsure, give the Membership Team a call.

QUESTIONI keep being told that I need to upgrade my card to a blue contactless one. Why is this?

ANSWER The blue card belongs to a national Co-op Society (the Co-op Group) which is separate to us. You do not need to upgrade your card as it belongs to our society.

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