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Despite the rain...

Summer is here, and life goes on. The Tolleshunt D'Arcy fete was very well attended last Saturday. I went along with former 'Apprentice hopeful', Natalie Wood, who has become even more successful after Sir Alan fired her and she joined the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Essex team.

Who had the last word here then?

You can hear Natalie throughout the summer on Graham Bannerman's Summer Saturday Show.

Trouble is, being a proper Essex lad from out in the sticks, loads of people knew me, including my cousin Clive and Brian the plumber. "Do you know everyone?" asked Natalie.

What's the time Tom?

Continuing our forthcoming series of secret meetings with high powered people in even higher places, Major Tom and I were summoned to attend The House of Commons earlier in the week.

Think my tie was a bit short

We had a great tour around the place, our guide was Colchester MP, Bob Russell - which was only fair as he recently presented an edition of 'The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Essex Years' from our place of work, so we thought we'd go to his place of work!

Hold on, I'm coming

The 10th Wollastons Race for Business took place in Chelmsford this week, where 2,000-plus runners blasted their way around the town.

Now I've always thought that running for grown-ups was a really daft thing to do. I still subscribe to that theory, but after taking part and running further than at anytime since leaving school in 1970, I'm a little worried that I enjoyed it!

The best bit of taking part was the very hot shower that I had once I got home!

Here is the 'Team Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Essex' role of honour:

They're under Starters Orders (I'm on the left!)

News and Sports man BenÌýFryer - 23'44" (160th place)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Telephone Travis - 28'10" (578)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Major TomÌý- 28'48" (639)
Engineer MichaelÌý- 31'08" (831)
Telephone StuÌý- 31'08" (832)
EtholleÌý- 33'25" (1028)
On-line Claire - 33'32" (1038)
On-line PaulÌý- 34'20" (1091)
Raymond Colin Clark - 35'15"Ìý (1154)
OliverÌýRogersÌý - 35'38" (1187)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
On-line FelicityÌý- 45'53" (1518)
Steve ScrutonÌý- 45'59" (1521)
News man Nick Alliker - 47'45" (1562)ÌýÌý

Be a Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ ESSEX Mile SharerÌýÌýÌý

Rather than take up running, you might like to drive to work. But with the current price of petrol, sharing a lift might be cheaper - and more fun. Check out The Mile Sharer campaign.

The Story Wot U WriteÌýÌýÌý

Another greatÌýstory this week - and we're always looking for a start for a future story. We'd love to use your story, so please do get writing and e-mailing.

And now... this week's 'Where in Essex' clues

Places to store heavy agricultural produce = Barnston
Ask Edward to pay his way on the bus or trainÌý = Fairstead (Fares Ted)
Think of a north western river, surrounded by water = Mersea Island (River Mersey)
You can't make a mountain out of this place, but don't show envy = Molehill Green
Alphabetically, the seventh best way to move goods around = Vange (Van-G)