On Sunday, April 13, in excess of 35,000 runners took part in the 28th London Marathon.

For anyone who has ever run the marathon you will know that after 26.2 miles your legs will be very tired and will be in desperate need of some pampering.

And this is where Clive Hatch, who lives in Stephenson Road, came in - working for free in their own time for Children with Leukaemia, Clive and fellow sports massage therapists took on the task of looking after the charity's Mr Men and Little Miss team of over 1,200 runners.

After collecting their medals and goodie bags, the runners came into the banqueting hall in Whitehall.

The team leaders, Sonja and Drew (a paramedic) would greet the runners and provide any assistance for severe injuries, particularly blisters.

Once given the all clear the runner then would be directed to a therapist, who would spend time messaging sore and tired limbs.

After ensuring they could make it, the runners then proceeded upstairs to be fed and watered.

Clive said it is a great day - you meet many people from all over the country and overseas, each with their own story of why they decided to run a marathon.

This is the second year that Clive has assisted the charity, and he said you get the feeling that you have made a great difference to each runner in that few minutes you spend with them.

He also said that after six hours of solid massaging you are in need of a lie down as much as the runners!

Clive does really know how the runners feel, he has taken part in the Great North Run for four years, he ran the Paris Marathon in 2005 and the London Marathon in 2006 - wow!

Clive Hatch is a qualified massage therapist and personal trainer, who lives in Stephenson Road, North Fambridge.

If you feel that you would benefit from a relaxing or sports massage please give Clive a ring on 744698 for an appointment.

FUN AT THE FERRY

Many of you will remember the hugely successful Fun Evening held at the Ferry Boat last year when over £6,000 was raised for Essex Air Ambulance, it was an evening of fun and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

It was so popular that it has been decided to hold this event again this year on July 26.

So please put this date in your diaries, I will let you have more details as soon as I get them.

PUB DOG DIES

Sadly this week I have to report the death of the Ferry Boat dog, Jack.

He died a couple of days before his 17th birthday, which would have been on April 13.

He was a devoted, loyal and constant companion to Sylvia, the landlady, who said he was the best dog she has ever owned. She adopted Jack over five years ago, he was a cross between a Jack Russell and Lazzo Appso.

He was loved by everyone and gave all the customers a warm welcome wag of his little tail when they came into the pub, he was thoroughly spoilt with biscuits, and he was a rotund little fellow, probably from all the tidbits received from the tables as he wandered around the pub checking on everyone when he smelt something good being eaten.

He certainly was a loving little dog who liked all other dogs as well as people. He would take himself off for walks and loved to swim, he had a mind of his own and a wonderful temperament.

Jack was also a home visit dog, and Sylvia regularly took him to visit her mother Vi, who is a resident at Mansion House in Althorne, where all the other residents looked forward to seeing him and spoilt him with sweets and biscuits. So they are going to miss him also.

The day before he died Sylvia took him to a car boot sale for company, and she said that instead of buying things from her stall, everyone wanted to buy Jack.

Yes, everyone loved Jack, he is going to be missed by many people, but of course especially by Sylvia.

He was laid to rest in the Ferry Boat Inn garden.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

This Sunday, April 27, there will be a 10am United Service at Latchingdon.

YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

In their first full season Fambridge Falcons U9s are in the Cup Final.

It is being held at Burnham Famblers Football Club on Saturday, April 26, kick off 12.30pm. They would love to have your support.

The two-legged semi-final finished with a whopping 9-1 aggregate scoreline. Matt Bates scored six of these goals, the team were magnificent.

Well done also to the U8 Flyers for finishing joint 4th in the league, after a great start to the season it fell away towards the end, but the team did great to finish in this position.

More players are desperately needed for the U5, U6, U7 and U8 teams.

If there are any children in the village who are looking for a bit of fun and to learn the game of football, go along to the village playing field on Saturday mornings for a 9.30am start.

Please contact Wendy Seymour on 740023 or 07852 286268, who is the secretary, or Mark Meyrick on 01206 736065 or 07850 014529 for more details about North Fambridge Youth Football Club.

After the cup final on April 26, the next match is on April 27, when the U9s are away to Thaxted Rangers.