Roy Webber, 62, did it! This, his fifth and last marathon, he found hard.

The rain and hailstones did not help but the atmosphere the whole way round was uplifting and encouraging. After 18 miles when his brain and heart were still supporting him, his legs were sending out a contrary message, but at that point, along the Embankment, he caught sight of his wife Carole, and their son, which was a tremendous boost.

His time was 5 hours 4 minutes, an hour longer than 2 years ago but he felt all his dishes of pasta to build up his body weight, large helpings of fruit and vitamins for energy levels, and hard training were worth it, as when he has collected all his sponsorship money he expects to have around £500 to hand over to the Essex Air Ambulance. Well done Roy.

BRADWELL WI

Snow and April showers were forgotten for the evening at the April WI meeting. Holistic Healing or Whole Body Healing was the subject of a talk beautifully described by Mrs Julia Hawkes.

This includes all healing therapies such as Reiki, Tail Chi Crystals, and many more. Julia and her partner gave a demonstration of "whole body healing" with two of the members, Eileen Harrison and Win Edwards. Both had good reactions to the treatment.

Julie Smith was congratulated for arranging yet another successful Progressive Dinner, and thanks were expressed to all the members who had cooked.

Another one next year, was the request, some members volunteering to cook now they understood how the evening was planned.

Food is always at the forefront of our minds, and on May 7th a birthday dinner will be held at Othona.

The menu was available, and made mouths water. Members please contact Jean Bateman, 776666, with your queries regarding this dinner.

Food once more we cry. Cakes are required for the Group Conference on April 30th when 6 local institutes meet. As Bradwell is hosting this event, we need all members help at 2 o'clock that day. Tickets are still available from either Eileen Harrison or Pat Bruce. The competition set for this occasion is so far a little disappointing as only 3 nightdresses and 3 matinee coats have appeared.

Perhaps by the 30th more will be finished as promised.

Six members were presented with very pretty pot plants. Sue Pirret won the competition with a lovely stone bracelet.

The date of the next meeting is May 14th at 7.45 in the village hall and the subject will be Osteopathy.

SCALE BUSTERS

This weekly weigh-in class started on April 17th. If you would like to get the motivation to get on those scales (and perhaps do something about it!), and at the same time support St.Cedd's P.T.A. then come along on Thursday nights for a weigh-in at a cost of £2.50 a class. Jo Ellis on 779162 or Jo King on 778376, can answer any queries you may have.

YOGA

Classes are held in the are under the instruction of a qualified teacher. If you would like to know more, telephone Debbie on 776275.

WALK FOR LIFE

On May 18th Donna Carter is walking from Heybridge to Chelmsford, a distance of 15 miles, along the River Chelmer, to raise money for Farleigh Hospice. If you would like to sponsor Donna for this worthy charity, telephone her on 776255.

CONFIRMATION

On 16th April in St.Peter's Chapel, Bishop Laurie of Bradwell confirmed four candidates from Bradwell on Sea. They were joined by 4 others from St.Mary's Church, Maldon, and by 6 candidates from Holy Trinity Church, Pleshey. The atmosphere in St.Peter's is always special but last Wednesday the mood was even more uplifted by the support of the families, and well wishers of these 14 candidates who filled the building. Refreshments were then made available in the comforting warmth of nearby Othona. A memorable occasion.

CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday April 27th is Rogation Sunday.

The Rogation rally starts at St.Thomas's Church at 10 in the morning and finishes at St.Lawrence Church Centre at 12 noon. You are welcome to join in at any stage of the rally such as 10.20 at Bradwell Waterside creek slipway, 10.50 Easthall Farm Bradwell, 11.20 the junction of Bate Dudley Drive and Buckeridge Way, or Anchorage Way in St.Lawrence at 11.45 finishing at the Centre.

Compline will be celebrated in St.Peter's Chapel at 6.30 the same evening.

BOOKWORMS

The Bookworms meets this Thursday, April 24th at 8 o'clock in the King's Head to discuss Donna Tartt's book, The Secret History.