BNP "will not hoodwink" electors

8th February 2010

HARLOW Conservative parliamentary candidate Robert Halfon says the BNP will not "hoodwink" electors after it announced it will contest the seat at the general election.
BNP national organiser Eddy Butler, who lives in Loughton, will challenge Mr Halfon and Labour MP and Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell when voters go to the polls.
Mr Halfon condemned the news that there would be a BNP candidate. 
He said: "The truth is that there is nothing British about the BNP and it is no wonder that senior British Army officers have condemned the organisation. 
"The BNP is a National Socialist Party (Nazi) which seeks to exploit disharmony for their own ends." 
He added: "I do not believe that they will hoodwink Harlow residents, who whilst outraged at Gordon Brown's failure to get to grips on immigration problems, are determined to vote in a Government which will do something about it, rather than opt for an extremist fringe movement that will make matters even worse." 
Mr Butler described Mr Rammell as a "Euro fanatic" adding: "Luckily, it is extremely unlikely that Mr Rammell will resume his seat after the next election. He has the third smallest majority of any Labour MP, only 97 votes." 
He added: "I know Harlow very well. All the problems seen in London are fast appearing out here now, and many local people came to Harlow to get away from all that. 
"When I attended the count in Harlow last June the BNP votes were very impressive. Harlow is a fast developing area for the British National Party in Essex and I hope that my campaign in this seat will establish us in an even stronger position." Everything Epping Forest is awaiting a response from Mr Rammell..

Arrests over stolen goods haul

8th February 2010

THREE men were arrested and suspected stolen goods worth an estimated £160,000 seized during a police operation in Waltham Abbey. 
Officers from the specialist priority crime team and tactical team executed a warrant at an address in Upshire Road at about 4.30pm on Saturday. 
Various suspected stolen tractors worth an estimated £60,000, a container hiding a Land Rover Discovery and various vehicle parts estimated to be worth £100,000 as well as other plant and gardening machinery were discovered. 
Priority crime team manager Sergeant Rob Huddleston said: "The execution of this warrant was the culmination of extensive enquiries by the various teams to target people intent on committing crime in the Epping Forest district. Criminals should take note of this action and be assured that we will be conducting further operations to stop such illegal activity.
"We have officers operating in uniform and plain clothes across the district who will be working alongside colleagues from other teams in the division and the force to target anyone suspected of criminal behaviour. 
"We would also continue to encourage any residents with any information to contact us." 
An 18-year-old man from Romford, a 21-year-old man from London and a 45-year-old man from Waltham Abbey were arrested for a variety of offences including burglary, theft and drug offences..

Girl cricketers prepare to tour

8th February 2010

CHIGWELL School's successful girl cricketers are preparing to tour with England.
Cordelia Griffith and Beth MacGregor, who both took part in a Super 4s Tournament in Wellington last August, are continuing to reaffirm their position as being among the best young cricketers in the country. 
Between March 13 and 26 Beth, who has been selected as a member of the England Women's Cricket Academy squad, will be attending a High Performance Training Camp in Bangalore, India, while for two weeks, from March 27, Cordelia will be touring South Africa with the England U17 team.
Beth is attending her second year at the Essex Academy and Cordelia is in her first year of the Essex Emerging Players Programme. 
Of the school's cricketing boys, Saf Imtiaz, like Cordelia, has been selected to attend the Essex Emerging Players Programme.

Tenants face 2.4 per cent rent rise

8th February 2010

DISTRICT council tenants are facing a rent rise of 2.4 per cent in the next financial year. 
Housing portfolio holder Dave Stallan said: "This is lower than the Government’s guideline rent increase of 3.1 per cent. 
"Part of the average increase (on average, around 1.6 per ceny) is based on the Government’s rent restructuring regime, and the remaining element is based on a blanket increase of around 0.8 per cent."
An average increase of 2.4 per cent is estimated to raise sufficient income to enable the Housing Revenue Account to break even in 2010/11. 
There will be no increase in the council’s support charge payable by tenants in sheltered accommodation.

Children help with tree planting

8th February 2010

PUPILS at Shelley Primary School helped Ongar Town Council plant three mature silver birch trees at the Shelley Pocket Park. 
The children dug the soil and filled in the holes for the trees and despite getting muddy had an enjoyable time. 
Ongar Town Council clerk Mark Squire was impressed that the children were so aware of the environmental benefits that the new trees will bring. 
Shelley Primary School head teacher Lesley Lewis said: "Shelley School pupils were heavily involved in designing the Pocket Park. 
"By planting these trees they continue to be involved in making it a park for the children within the Shelley community - they feel proud of their park."

Four injured in disturbance

7th February 2010

DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses to a disturbance in Debden which left four people injured. 
Police were contacted shortly after 5.30pm on Thursday, February 4, following reports of a street fight outside the Sainsbury supermarket near Debden Station off Chigwell Lane. 
A 17-year-old boy from East Ham, a 16-year-old boy from Poplar, a 17-year-old boy from Millwall, and a 16-year-old boy from Newham sustained severe head, arm and facial injuries after being struck by weapons.
Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Dan Barber said: "We know that a large group of men were seen running away from the scene. They were aged in their late teens and 20s. We would like to identify them and so any commuters or motorists who were in the area at the time would be key witnesses." 
All the victims were taken to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, where they were treated for their injuries and discharged. 
Anyone with any information about the incident should ring detectives at Harlow Police Station on 0300 333 4444.

8.25am: Fuel blaze investigation

7th February 2010

A JOINT police and fire investigation is underway into the cause of a fire which involved about 30,000 litres of fuel. 
More than 30 firefighters, from Loughton, Epping, Harlow, Rayleigh Weir, near Southend, Hainault and Woodford, took more than four hours to deal with the incident at Patch Park Farm, behind the former Crowther Nurseries site in Ongar Road.
Crews were called out at 9.15pm on Saturday. 
The fire involved three tanks which contained about 30,000 litres of chrysene. Numerous vehicles and propane cylinders were also alight. 
Ongar Road was closed off at the entrance to the farm as fire engines and police vehicles lined the road.

10.50pm: Crews tackling major fuel blaze

6th February 2010

MORE than 30 firefighters are tackling a major fuel blaze near Abridge. 
Crews were called to Patch Park Farm, behind the former Crowther Nurseries site in Ongar Road, at 9.15pm tonight. 
Firefighters from Loughton, Epping, Harlow, Rayleigh Weir, near Southend, Hainault and Woodford are currently on the scene. 
Incident Commander-Divisional Officer Mark Samuels said: "Fire crews are dealing with three petrol tanks well alight." 
An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the incident was ongoing. 
No other details are available. 
Ongar Road is closed off at the entrance to the farm as fire engines and police vehicles line the road. 
Everything Epping Forest will provide updates when they are released.

Andrew, 11, leads pothole fight

6th February 2010

AN 11-year-old boy is heading a campaign to get his pothole-ridden street resurfaced. 
Residents in Cripsey Avenue, Ongar, have waited years for something to be done having been told the work would be carried out once the new Shelley Primary School had opened.
Since then, and with the recent snow and ice, the road has got even worse.
But having received complaints from residents over the years, the highways authorities are now facing a dossier of information gathered by highways campaigner Andrew Warner who decided to take on the authorities following a chance comment from his mum.
Andrew said: “We were coming back home one day and mum was saying how bad the potholes were and I said I would write to the council. It really needs doing because it links the school to Moreton Road. It was promised that it would be done but it hasn’t happened.”
And so the ’Pothole Kid’ swung into action.
Wearing his roadwork-style florescent jacket, trousers and cap, he recorded and measured every pothole in the road, and went door-to-door collecting signatures.
His efforts resulted in a 50-name petition - and a dossier of information about the 45 potholes he logged.
In the letter which Andrew typed and sent to Essex County Council, he wrote: “Upon surveying the road I counted 45 potholes, ranging in length from 6 inches to 47 inches. The depth ranged from 1 inch to 3 inches deep. I am most concerned that this could cause an accident and a lot of damage to motor vehicles.”
He added he hoped the matter would be dealt with “as a matter of urgency”.
Andrew’s mum Sarah Burling said: “I just think it’s great what he has done. He’s only 11 and he’s done it all off his own back. He typed his letter up and went out and got signatures.
“A lot of the residents were really pleased he was doing it. Some had already complained but nothing has been done.”
Andrew even emailed the Highways Agency about the problem - only to be told they could not help as they only dealt with trunk roads.
Now he has presented his petition to his town and district councillor Peter Gode, who raised the matter with Ongar Town Council which has agreed to take the matter up itself. Determined not to give up, Andrew has yet to contact his local MP, Conservative Party chairman Eric Pickles.
But he has not ruled out having to type another letter if his efforts so far fail to get a result.

Woman freed from car

5th February 2010

A WOMAN has been cut free from her car following an accident at Hastingwood. 
She was trapped following a collision with a flat-bed lorry in Hastingwood Road. 
Two Harlow fire crews were called to the scene and took about 20 minutes to free the woman. 
Her condition is not known

Auction dinner tickets on sale

5th February 2010

TICKETS are still on sale for the first Scarlet Auction in aid of St Clare Hospice.
Various sporting 'lots' are among the items up for grabs - they include tickets for West Ham United versus Manchester City; tennis at Queens Club and cricket at Lord's. Bids will also be accepted for an aerobatics flight in a bi-plane, a day in a London recording studio, bottles of vintage port, champagne and fine wine, pamper sessions and food both dine-in and restaurant-style. 
The auction - at Theydon Bois Village Hall, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois, on Friday, February 12 - is set to raise £30,000. 
It will launch the hospice’s celebrations of 20 Years of Care for people in west Essex.
Theydon Bois based auctioneer Philip Gee is impressed with the line-up of extraordinary items set to go under his hammer. 
The evening starts with a champagne reception with canapés followed by a two course dinner with food provided by Magpie Catering. 
The auction event is the brainchild of Theydon Bois resident Steve Midgley after he visited the Hastingwood hospice last year. 
He hopes the evening will raise enough to pay for a week’s specialist palliative care at the in-patient unit. 
St Clare Hospice supports local people with cancer or other life limiting illnesses. New items are going on www.stclare.visiblepeople.co.uk
every day. 
For tickets, priced £25, ring 020 8502 0122.

Council "excellent value for money"

5th February 2010

LOUGHTON Town Council has set a below inflation council tax increase for the next financial year. 
The 2010-11 council tax precept for Loughton will be £635,800, meaning once again a below inflation increase of 0.94 per cent for band D properties. 
The new rate was unanimously approved by councillors at their budget-setting meeting. 
The precept represents less than 95p a week for band D householders, which continues to provide excellent value for money given the range of services which the town council delivers, the council said. 
The increase has been kept down through improved management of the council’s strategic programme and reserves, as well as efficiency savings. 
There will be no significant impact on the council’s rolling programme of improvements to the townscape. 
Resource and general services committee chairman Stephen Pewsey said: "I’m delighted that Loughton Town Council continues to lead the way in offering excellent value for money.
"The very small increase in the 2010-11 precept will help many recession-hit families across Loughton and has been achieved through careful resource management without sacrificing any key projects or programmes." 
Following several successful grant applications in 2009, the council will continue to seek external grant funding to offset the costs of major new projects.

Terrorism exercise at school

5th February 2010

WEST Hatch High School played host to an engagement day in which students joined forces with Essex Police to understand counter terrorism policing operations.
Not only is West Hatch the first in the county but also the first school in the eastern region to have successfully participated in the exercise which demonstrates the complexities of a terrorist plot and the consequences of a bomb explosion in a fictional town. 
Sixth form students discussed issues with neighbourhood policing officers during the table-top exercise, playing the roles of operational and senior police officers as the investigation developed.
Inspector Tom Simons was delighted with the enthusiasm and commitment from the local community and the council in making the day a success. 
He said: "I’m proud to have been involved in the organisation of this event which is vital in securing the support of residents and people from minority backgrounds when such terrorist events occur. 
"It’s important for us to ensure all sections of the community understand our operational and strategic decisions throughout such incidents." 
An important and large aspect of modern-day terrorist operations is the media management. 
A mock news conference was held with four students grilled by a police press officer who took on the role of a journalist, enabling them to appreciate and empathise with the pressures faced by police when confronted with such often hostile and challenging questions. 
A-Level student Haider Anwar,18,said: "Taking part gave us an insight into the kinds of decisions the police have to make in extreme situations and will ultimately give us all a better understanding of counter-terrorism procedures. 
"It demonstrated how we can all work together to defeat terrorism." 
The ACT (All Communities Together) NOW roadshow will eventually hit all towns throughout Essex, with the community engagement team playing a core role in its delivery. 
Another engagement day with West Hatch students is planned for March.

Council to recover Icelandic cash

5th February 2010

EPPING Forest District Council is set to recover the majority of the money it invested in an Icelandic bank. 
The council's finance director, Bob Palmer said latest predictions from Ernst and Young, administrator for Heritable Bank now predicts the recovery of between 79p and 85 p in the pound. 
Mr Palmer told the council's cabinet that a VAT refund was likely to cover any remaining loss from Heritable Bank.

Waltham Abbey Bible in 'top ten'

4th February 2010

THE Waltham Abbey Bible, on display at Epping Forest District Museum, has been selected as one of the top ten most important museum objects to reflect Essex’s history. 
BBC Essex has joined up with museums across the county to choose a number of objects people involved feel best reflect its unique place and past in the world. This is part of the BBC’s Nationwide history of the world project. 
A series of television and radio programmes will be broadcast on the BBC throughout 2010 with a vision to tell the history of the world through man-made objects.
Epping Forest District Museum Officer Tony O’Connor was interviewed about the significance of the Waltham Abbey bible by BBC Essex. He said: "The bible is one of our star items on display at the museum. It dates back to about 1200 AD and is all that survived from the library in the Abbey Church, the last in the country to be dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1540." 
Inscriptions in the Bible show it was the property of the Prior (the second most important official in the Abbey).
 The lack of rich decoration suggests this book was used for private study and not for display within the church. 
Both the Old and New Testaments are written in tightly-packed Latin script on 238 pages of Vellum (Parchment), the standard writing material in medieval England, made from treated animal skins. 
Mr O’Connor added: "It is a real privilege for the Bible to be chosen as one of the most important objects in Essex’s history. "The Bible does not just belong to the Museum but to all the residents of the Epping Forest district and represents an important part of local and national history." 
The Waltham Abbey Bible, which was acquired with support form the Victoria & Albert Museum Purchase Fund, can be viewed at Epping Forest District Museum. 
For opening times, ring 01992 716882 or visit the Epping Forest Museum website www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/museum/

Networking over breakfast

4th February 2010

SUCCESSFUL networking will be the topic at the next Epping Forest Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. 
Keynote speaker Malcolm Tullett will host a session on 'Networking: Building Relationships' at Woolston Manor, Abridge Road, Chigwell, from 7.30am on Wednesday, February 17. M
r Tullett, a well regarded business professional, said: "Everyone talks about networking and we all go off to join business groups in an attempt to meet the person who will give us our next big contract. But are we really networking effectively?" 
Admission to the breakfast meeting is £12 for members (guests £15 - which includes admission and full English, Continental or Vegetarian breakfast). 
To book a place, ring 0843 289 8184; email secretary@eppingchamber.co.uk or visit www.eppingchamber.co.uk. 
Bookings must be made by 5pm on Monday, February 15.

Arts day for youngsters

4th February 2010

YOUNGSTERS have the chance to take part in free drama, spray arts and animation workshops. 
TRyouth, Theatre Resource's Youth Forum, is running a day of arts activities for their peers - aged eight to 14 - at Theatre Resource Arts Centre, High Street, Ongar, from 10.30am until 4pm on Tuesday, February 16. 
TRyouth was set up last year by Theatre Resource to get input from young people into their plans and projects. 
Funding was won for the Forum from The Youth Opportunities Fund thanks to an application that the members wrote themselves. 
The forum, which meets once a month, includes young people who have attended Theatre Resource projects in the past. 
The Arts Day will be run by members of the Youth Forum working alongside professional artists and Theatre Resource Staff. 
Theatre Resource's creative director Anna Wallbank said: "The Arts Open Day was an idea devised by Youth Forum members following a discussion about ways of engaging more young people in the work that Theatre Resource does. 
"The day will not only provide arts activities for local young people but will also give the Youth Forum members some valuable experience in running an event and working with their peers and professional artists." 
She added: "I know everyone involved is very excited and we hope a large number of young people will come along." 
Places are limited so anyone interested in attending should contact Theatre Resource - ring 01277 365626; fax/minicom 01277 365003; email info@theatre-resource.org.uk - to reserve a place.

MONEY MATTERS - Monthly column

4th February 2010

In this month's column, Loughton-based accountants Haslers report on The Tax Health Plan and employment rights 

THE TAX HEALTH PLAN (THP) - HMRC has obtained information from various sources, including NHS trusts, private hospitals and medical insurers and is introducing the THP as an opportunity for medical professionals with tax to pay to get their affairs up to date with the benefit of a fixed penalty. 
Taxpayers must notify HMRC of the intention to make a disclosure by March 31, 2010, and must make a full disclosure of all undeclared liabilities and full payment of all outstanding taxes and duties, interest and penalties by June 30, 2010. 
The penalty is fixed at ten per cent of the taxes/duties underpaid unless the total amount of unpaid liability being disclosed is less than £1,000, in which case there is no penalty. 
HMRC will pursue those with undeclared tax liabilities who decide not to make a disclosure. 
The THP is initially open to members of the General Medical Council but is expected to be extended to other health professionals including dentists. For more information visit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tax-health-plan/index.htm 

EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS - STATUTORY LIMITS - The limit on the amount of the compensatory award for unfair dismissal is set to decrease from February 1, 2010. The current maximum of £66,200 is to reduce to £65,300, due to the decrease in the retail prices index measure of inflation. 
This new limit applies where the event giving rise to the entitlement to the payment arose on or after February 1, 2010. 
The maximum amount of a week's pay for the purpose of calculating the basic or additional award of compensation for unfair dismissal or redundancy payment has not been amended from the current amount of £380. 
This rate has been in force since October 1, 2009. 
The Business Link website includes a useful calculator of statutory redundancy entitlement. 
Visit http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1079123792
and http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/uksi_20093274_en_1
If you would like to discuss either of these topics in more detail, or require financial advice, contact Haslers on 020 8418 3333 or e-mail advice@haslers.com.

Shop window competition for town

3rd February 2010

A SHOP window competition is being held in Waltham Abbey. 
Waltham Abbey Town Partnership is running the competition which will concentrate the minds of shopkeepers and others trading or providing a service within the town centre to prepare for the start of the tourist season. 
Consideration will be given to the welcome that shoppers receive when they enter the premises, the internal displays, overall cleanliness in and around the premises, the quality of the window display and knowledge of the local area and the visitor attractions that are in the town. 
The result will be announced before the Easter weekend with a small cash prize to accompany lunch for four people at the Marriott Hotel, donated by the hotel in Old Shire Lane.

Record turnout for breakfast

3rd February 2010

THERE was a record attendance for Waltham Abbey Town Partnership's Breakfast for Business meeting. 
The meeting was held in the staff canteen at the Tesco store in Sewardstone Road. The quarterly event, organised to facilitate networking within the town, is well-supported by local business and local council members and officers, all attempting to promote and develop the town’s economy.
The Town Partnership is grateful to Tesco and, particularly manager Tony Berrington and his staff, for the welcome given to those attending.

Students are Oxbridge-bound

3rd February 2010

EIGHT Chigwell students have been given conditional offers by Oxford or Cambridge universities. 
Those who hope to taking up places at Oxford are Wojciech Bazant (Mathematics, Somerville College), Yunlin Chen (Mathematics, Balliol College), Joshua Ding (Electrical Engineering, St Hilda’s College) and Xiaolu Liu (Engineering, St Catherine’s College). 
The Cambridge-bound candidates are Oliver Midgley (Politics, Psychology and Sociology, St John’s College), Felicity Osborn (Theology, St John’s College), Egor Tsiaulouski (Engineering, Magdalene College) and Christopher Wilson (Land Economy, Fitzwilliam College). 
Headmaster Michael Punt said that a total of eight students corresponds to ten per cent of the school's Year 13. 
He said: "We are very proud that once again such a large proportion have gained offers from these highly selective universities. 
"Year on year the competition for places becomes ever fiercer and the success of these students is a tribute to their hard work and ability as well as the preparation that they have received from their teachers."

Man charged over road collision

2nd February 2010

A MAN has been charged with four motoring offences following a road collision in Epping. 
The crash on The Plain on Wednesday, January 27, resulted in serious injuries to an elderly man from Chigwell who had to be cut free from his vehicle by firefighters.
A 54-year-old man from the Ongar area was arrested in Epping the following day. He has been charged with careless driving, failing to stop after a collision, having no insurance and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
He has been bailed to appear before Harlow magistrates on February 10.

War hero remembered

2nd February 2010

THE funeral of former Epping and District Royal British Legion branch president Peter Twinn will be held on Friday. 
Mr Twinn was Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Day Organiser for Theydon Bois for many years and was made a branch vice-president in 2008. 
His service life began in April 1941, at the age of 19, when he was accepted for training as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner at the Aircrew Reception Centre in London. 
He did not take too well to the radio side and in September was re-mustered as an Air Gunner. 
Mr Twinn's training took place in the UK until September 1942 when he was posted to a Gunnery School on the shores of Lake Manitoba in Canada. 
He returned to the UK in March 1943 and joined a crew at an Operational Training Unit at RAF Kinloss. 
From there Mr Twinn - by now a rear gunner - and his crew joined 1661 Conversion Unit, where they began night operations in Lancaster bombers.
In January 1944 he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and completed his first tour of 25 operations over enemy territory. 
At the end of his tour he became an instructor in gunnery theory, and was later promoted to Flying Officer. 
Mr Twinn rejoined his crew in early 1945 and began a second tour of operations, completing ten before VE Day. During this time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. 
He was again promoted in January 1946, becoming a Flight Lieutenant. He finally left the RAF in July 1946 at the age of 24. 
Mr Twinn made several television appearances in recent years, telling of his wartime experiences. 
A memorial service will be held at St Mary's Church, Theydon Bois, at 1.30pm on Friday (February 5) followed by the funeral at Parndon Wood Crematorium, Harlow, at 2.30pm. 
Flowers may be sent or donations can be made to the Epping and District branch of the Royal British Legion or St Clare’s Hospice..

Arts centre building work to start

2nd February 2010

MP Eric Pickles will officially launch the start of building work on the £6.2m Theatre Resource arts centre in Ongar on Friday. 
Following years of preparation and fundraising, the builders are ready to commence work on expanding the former Victorian Great Stony school building, which has been the base for Theatre Resource for the past ten years. 
When completed in May 2011, the site will be a national centre for arts access and inclusion. 
The project has been realised thanks to a financial collaboration involving Theatre Resource, East of England Development Agency, Future Builders, Essex County Council and East Thames Housing - which has funded the building of nine supported housing units on the site. 
The building work will be undertaken by Essex-based contractors Hill Partnerships, who have offices in Waltham Abbey. 
Theatre Resource director and chief executive Jeff Banks said: “I am thrilled that building work is finally about to get underway and that our plans for the new centre are beginning to be realised. 
"It is truly an exciting time for Theatre Resource and it’s fantastic that our local MP will join us in celebrating an important moment in our charity’s history.” 
The centre will boast extensive workshop and exhibition space to be used by the wider community, as well as a studio theatre for community and educational activities, visiting artists and other groups. 
The centre will also provide the public and users with a new café and a specially-designed sensory garden. It is hoped the project will be of lasting benefit to arts in west Essex. 
The centre will also provide short-term residential accommodation for people from all over the UK attending training and educational activities created by Theatre Resource. 
The centre has been designed to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, and a special feature of the centre will be its range of educational, creative, and respite activities. 
Many aspects of the new centre will be operated as a social enterprise, and Theatre Resource is now seeking support from local businesses and the community to invest in the project as part of a fund-raising effort to fit-out the centre. 
For more about the development visit www.theatre-resource.org.uk. 
To help Theatre Resource fundraise, contact Karen O’Conner on 01277 365626.

Crash victim named by police

2nd February 2010

THE man who died after he was struck by a vehicle in Waltham Abbey has been named by police. 
Nicholas Wood, 48, of Springfield, Waltham Abbey, died at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, after he suffered serious injuries in a car park near shops at Roundhills on Friday (January 29). 
Police were called by the ambulance service at about 6.15pm following reports that a man had been in collision with a van that had been reversing in the car park.
Police are continuing to investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Any witnesses should contact Pc Andy Rivers at Chigwell Road Policing Unit on 0300 333 4444.

6.40pm - Crews tackle major barn blaze

1st February 2010

DOZENS of firefighters are tackling a massive barn blaze near Ongar. 
Crews were called to Greensted Road at 5pm today (Monday). 
Seven fire crews are dealing with the incident by the Greensted Road-Pensons Lane-Toot Hill Road junction. 
Sub-officer Kevin Smith, from Ongar Fire Station, speaking at the scene, said crews were working to prevent the flames from spreading to the neighbouring house. 
Water is being pumped from a nearby lake. 
Firefighters faced a delay in getting to the scene because of the closure of Blake Hall Road off the A414 and traffic queues caused by the traffic lights in Ongar High Street. 
Currently crews from Ongar, Brentwood, Epping, Harlow and Great Baddow are on the scene. 
Greensted Road remains closed at Greensted Green. 
The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Women-only football course

1st February 2010

A WOMEN-only football coaching course is being held in Thornwood. 
The West Essex School Sports Partnership and The Essex Women’s and Girls FA are running the pre level one coaching course which is open to anyone planning to work with girls’ football teams. 
The free one-day course is at Upper Clapton Rugby Club, Upland Road, Thornwood, from 9.30am until 4pm on Wednesday (February 3). 
The course aims to give participants an understanding of best practice in relation to running school or junior club teams and player development as well as understanding player development and pupil learning and the contribution that being part of a school/junior club team can make to these areas, as well as many practical and technical skills. 
If there is enough of a take-up of the course, the partners wish to organise a women-only FA level 1 Coaching Course in the near future. 
For more details, and to book a place, contact Julia Gardiner on 020 8498 6711; email juliag@davenant.com

BBC journalist coming to Loughton

1st February 2010

WELL-known BBC journalist George Alagiah will be in Loughton during the Essex Book Festival. 
Literature lovers and book buffs are encouraged to buy their tickets quickly, as festival events are again selling out fast. 
The annual festival, now in its eleventh year, again features well-known authors and themes ranging from history to health and creative writing to crime. 
Just a handful of tickets remain for George Alagiah's visit on March 19 while tickets are also on sale for the visit of sisters Melissa and Sadie Jones to Ongar on April 29 when they will speak about how they give their novels a convincing period feel.
This year’s Essex Book Festival, which officially launches on March 4 at Chelmsford Library, promises something for everyone. 
Health and history is a prominent theme. Essex’s finest authors will also be out in force while budding authors will be in their element again with a number of writing workshops being held. 
The festival will be working with a host of partners to ensure it maintains its reputation as one of the best literary festivals in the country. 
The festival is managed by Essex County Council Libraries in partnership with Essex district and borough councils and Thurrock Unitary Council. 
For more information, pick up a festival brochure from your local library.
Tickets can be booked by post using the booking form in the centre of the programme, by ringing the box office on 01206 573948 or online at www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

Pensioners enjoy pub lunch

1st February 2010

PENSIONERS from Epping Green enjoyed a lunch thanks to The Lady Katherine Wentworth Charity as part of Epping & Theydon Garnon Joint Charities. 
Twenty people were treated to lunch at The Travellers’ Friend, Epping Green, as part of a Christmas grant. 
The gathering was a way of bringing the local community together using local businesses in the area. 
Chairman Letitia Berry welcomed everyone and talked about the background of the charity and toasted everyone present. 
A meal was organised for a housebound pensioner, with her meal kindly delivered by Wendy Webb. 
The meal was provided by Travellers' Friend publicans Jimmy and Carol.

Couple tied up and robbed in their home

1st February 2010

AN elderly couple have been tied up by masked raiders who broke into their Roydon home. 
The 80-year-old man was hit in the face when he refused to tell the three men where money and jewellery was kept. 
The property was left in such a state that it is not yet known exactly what was stolen.
The men broke into the large detached house in Epping Road at about 4.40am yesterday (Sunday) and bound the man and woman with cable ties. 
The attackers ransacked a number of rooms before escaping with jewellery and cash. After the men left the woman found some scissors and cut off the cable ties before raising the alarm. 
They were both taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, for check ups before being allowed home. 
Detective Inspector Kevin Shannon, of Harlow CID, said: “This was a vicious attack by a group of men who used unnecessary force to rob an elderly couple. They were both left extremely shaken. 
“Fortunately this is a very rare offence in this area and we want to find the people involved. We do not know exactly what was taken because the house has been badly ransacked.
“The three men were all aged between 20 and 30 and are believed to have London accents." 
He added: "We want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in Epping Road, especially in the area between Reeves Lane and Old House Lane in the early hours of Sunday morning. 
"We also want to hear from anyone who might have any suspicious callers asking questions in the area.” 
Anyone with information should contact Detective Constable Dave Moore at Waltham Abbey CID on 0300 333 4444.

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