|
|
| |
|
What do you think?
Have your say on the news articles that appear
on www.everythingeppingforest.co.uk Email
everythingeppingforest@googlemail.com
or text brief comments to 07710 447868. Please include your name and address (however
you may request for both to be withheld from
publication) |
| |
|
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.
REGISTER FOR 'BREAKING NEWS' TEXT ALERTS: You
would have been among the first to learn about
this incident if you are registered to receive
our free 'breaking news' text alerts.
To register, just text your name to 07710
447868. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|