I WAS delighted to be asked to contribute a column to the Chelmsford and Mid Essex Times, but writing an article for next week’s paper is much more difficult than I had first thought.

In an era of instant communication it is hard to keep up with the news and much of it now comes from mobile phones direct from the scene of major events.

I will therefore keep away from the fast-moving parliamentary scene and instead look at the many changes that are taking place in Chelmsford.

A visit to the former Britvic factory this week shows how quickly development takes place, and the units should be ready to open before Christmas.

Of course, it was sad to see Britvic move away, but they are still producing soft drinks elsewhere, whereas Hoffman, Marconi and other great names have gone for good.

What they have in common are buildings that keep the names alive, with the Marconi HQ in New Street and the Hoffman Building at the university both in use.

Britvic, too, will be remembered with a large clock at the front of the site.

Yes, I know it is not the original clock, but that was placed on top of a fibre-glass column put up to disguise an ugly chimney.

The new art display of bubbles on the tower has been well received, so I look forward to seeing it later this year.

It is vital to renew sites which have lost their original purpose, so we are seeing the conversion of Sixties office buildings into modern flats in the centre of Chelmsford.

Together with the many new homes being built, it ensures that the city centre does not shut down at night but, like many towns on the continent, has a population who live right in the heart of the city.