The Mayor’s view Market trader Laurence retires after 40 years
It seems unbelievable that I am more than half way through my term as Mayor of Epping; a position that I still enjoy immensely. Life has been very busy, particularly over Christmas. I enjoy being included in local events. The first was at M&S to celebrate 50 years of hard work by a special staff member, Martin Tredgett. Our refurbished skate park was opened. I was persuaded to stand on a skateboard holding on to two hunky guys!
November saw our annual Remembrance events. On the Friday, we remembered the demise of HMS Sickle (a relative of one of those who lost their life joined us), also the civilian casualties in Epping. This was followed by a short service at the war memorial and then onto the War Graves. The family of a Polish pilot who was based at North Weald attended.
Sunday saw our annual parade and wreath laying followed by a service at St John’s Church. As I read out the names of those who had lost their lives in the various conflicts, I was struck by how some families had endured the death of several family members in the two world wars. Thanks to Town Councillor John Duffell for his superb organisation of this and the Poppy Appeal collection. Each year the primary
schools of Epping are invited to take part in a competition to design the Mayor’s Christmas Card. My husband, John helped me to judge the winners, which was not an easy task, but the winners were delighted to receive their prizes and certificates.
Revd John Fry was collated and installed at St John’s Church. Many people attended and I’m so pleased for the church which is no longer interregnum.
One of the most fun times was with several local school children judging the best Christmas shop windows in the town. The youngsters were most enthusiastic. It was quite a close contest until they saw Lathams and selected them as the winners. Thank you to all who worked so hard to dress your windows and shop fronts.
The St John’s Church Christmas Tree Festival was really successful. So many beautifully decorated trees and a big thanks to the volunteers.
We really missed the Christmas Market (cancelled due to the high winds), but I had fun at Santa’s grotto dressed as an elf!
There were various carol services and nativities in and around the town. I had the pleasure of visiting many. Let us not forget Rotary’s well run Carols on the Green, which is enjoyed by so many.
On Sunday 29th December, the Hannukah celebrations took place in the High Street. The lights on the Menorah were lit and enjoyed by many. Thank you all for how you support Epping.
Cherry McCredie
Long-time Epping Market trader Laurence Whitcombe has been presented with a special certificate from Epping Town Council on his last day on the market after 40 years.
Town Mayor Councillor Cherry McCredie thanked
Mr Whitcombe for his decades of time manning his socks, underwear and clothing stall and presented him with a certificate recognising his 40 years as a licenced trader on the Monday market. Mr Whitcombe, who has travelled down to Epping from Norfolk every week, is now preparing for retirement and a move to Whitby, North Yorkshire.
He said: “I’ve been here 40 years and enjoyed it. I’m going to miss the people and the other traders. I’ve had a good trade here for 40 years. Epping is the best market. I also go to Fakenham and Swaffham. I’ve been here for so long people know me.”
Town Clerk Beverley Rumsey said: “Those close to the market will appreciate how hard it is to get up early, travel and trade outdoors in all weathers. Laurence has been a super trader and he will be very much missed. It is the quality and dedication of our hard-working traders that keeps Epping Market as popular as it is. On behalf of Epping Town Council, I would like to thank Laurence - and all our loyal traders - for the important role they play in our town. Please go along and support them. For more details about our traders and what you can find on Epping Market, visit: www.eppingmarket.com
Silent film in St John’s Church
Epping at the Movies’ annual silent film in St John’s Church, St Johns Road, Epping will be:
Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman with Neil Brand live on the piano.
Saturday 8th February 2025 at 7pm. Doors open 6.30pm. Visit: www.eppingatthemovies.com
We are always looking for cover pictures for Talk About Epping. They need to be of Epping Parish, portrait style, no people in them and high resolution. We also want to hear from residents about items of interest for others in the Town. Email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Deadline dates on the back page of this magazine.
Thank you to David Jackman for any pictures and media input in this issue. Everything Epping Forest local news and information service. Check out all the local news at: https://bit.ly/m/EverythingEppingForest
Children’s shop
Piccola closes after 58 years in Epping
Epping Town Council has made a special presentation to children’s toys, clothes and books shop Piccola ahead of the shop's closure on Christmas Eve after 58 years. The Town Council has also made a special ‘long service’ award presentation to Noddy who, sitting in his car outside the shop, has been loved by generations of children over the years.
Town Mayor Councillor Cherry McCredie visited the shop in December to present a card and bottle of Champagne to Piccola owner Janet Marcantonio and to present Noddy with his special certificate.
Councillor Cherry McCredie said: “It was a pleasure to visit Piccola and wish everyone associated with the shop - including Noddy - all the very best for the future.
Piccola has been a well-known independent shop in Epping for well over half a century and will be sadly missed by generations of young children who will have toys, clothes and much more bought from the shop over the years. Many children have also enjoyed sitting with Noddy outside the shop for more than 30 years. He has always had a smile on his face welcoming his friends in all weathers and - along with Piccola and its staff - will be a sad loss in the town.”
...and for Noddy? A new chapter!
As people were saying goodbye to Piccola, it soon became apparent that the future of Noddy was in question. We understand there were lots of people interested in buying him, but where would he go? Cllr McCredie couldn’t get Noddy out of her thoughts and asked Cllr Razia Sharif to help. Between them, they negotiated a new owner for Noddy so that he could stay in Epping and continue to be seen and enjoyed by the community. Epping Town Council have bought Noddy and he will appear in his public new home in due course, when the most suitable location has been agreed. If any businesses are interested in hosting him, please contact: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk He needs shelter and power to keep him happy. Thanks to Piccola’s owners for selling him to us for safekeeping.
VE Day & VJ Day, 80th anniversary - by Cllr John Duffell
2025 sees the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. There are two dates to be commemorated. The war in Europe ended on 8th May (VE Day) and in Japan and the Far East on 15th August (VJ Day).
On VE Day, Thursday 8th May, Epping Town Council will be leading a beacon lighting ceremony in the fire station yard in Clarks Lane. There will be live entertainment and a fully-licenced bar at the Hemnall Social Club, which is directly behind the fire station, before and after the ceremony. The actual lighting will take place at 9.30pm. Among those taking part will be the Deputy Lieutenant of Essex and the Epping Town Mayor. There will also be a small VE Day exhibition in the Hemnall Social Club, featuring the part played by Epping.
The Town Council will be working with the Royal British Legion to encourage local shops and schools to join in the commemorative events. Details of the VJ Day commemoration will be given nearer the time.
WHY THESE EVENTS ARE IMPORTANT
Like most British towns the war had a huge impact on Epping. Thirty men from the town lost their lives on active service. All of them are commemorated on Epping’s war memorial. In addition, eight young women died when a stray bomb fell on Spriggs Oak in 1940 and seven men were killed when a V2 rocket landed near St Margaret’s Hospital in 1945.
Hundreds of Epping people had their lives disrupted. I was born ten years after the war and lived in Hemnall Street. Virtually everyone in our road had at least one family member who had been in the armed services. Whole families served on the Home Front. In my case, my grandfather was a Special Constable in Epping throughout the war, my uncle was the Chief Officer in Epping Fire Brigade, another uncle was in the Home Guard and my mother was in the local Girl’s Training Corps.
Epping was hit by a number of incendiary and high explosive bombs, as well as V1 flying bombs and V2 rockets. Taking all this into account, it’s easy to understand what a huge relief it was when six years of war finally came to an end. When we take part in the 80th anniversary celebrations, we will be thinking of everyone from our town who “did their bit” in wartime.
Cllr John Duffell is secretary of the Royal British Legion, Epping & District Branch.
Bakers Lane public toilets
The public toilets located by Cottis Yard Car Park have reopened. There is one disabled toilet and one additional cubicle, which are open Monday to Saturday between the hours of 10am and 3pm.
The public toilets had previously been closed in 2023 and 2024 due to extreme vandalism. We are happy to announce that they have been reopened without any repeat offences to date. The Changing Places toilet remains open for those who require additional facilities. This facility uses a special key to protect it from vandalism. The Changing Places facility is for use by those who are not able to use a standard accessible toilet. If there are any issues, please contact Epping Town Council by phoning: 01992 579444 or email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk
Christmas market day: Saturday 7th December 2024
After months of organising Epping Christmas Market, it was extremely disappointing to have to cancel it due to the extremely high winds. Many events were cancelled that weekend as safety must always come first. Despite the absence of the outdoor Christmas market, the indoor Christmas tree festival at St John’s Church and Santa’s grotto at Epping Fire Station were able to go ahead.
Town Mayor Cllr Cherry McCredie opened the Christmas Tree Festival on Friday 6th December and spent a very enjoyable couple of hours at Santa’s grotto disguised as an elf. We hope you had a great time at these events and well done to those who organised them.
A huge thank you to Weald Hall Care Home for sponsoring this year’s Christmas Market.
Epping Christmas lights and sponsorship
The Christmas lights in Epping High Street were a variation on the previous year’s decorations, as some residents had advised they would like to see a change from the small Christmas trees on the shops. The Christmas trees were also getting worn out. If you have any feedback on the Christmas lights from 2024 or any ideas for 2025, please email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk as soon as possible, so we can start planning for the coming year.
We would like to thank Rosewood Pharmacy and Hammond & Smith for sponsoring this year’s lights, as the Christmas lights are very expensive to deliver.
Stonards Hill recreation ground car park
The new car parking system at Stonards Hill recreation ground has been in operation for more than six months and residents and visitors seem to be getting used to it.
The main comments we have had are regarding the need for a complicated phone or app and what you need to do if you are staying for less than 3 hours. You don’t need a smartphone or app to use the system. If you are going to stay for 3 hours or more, you can just call the telephone number advertised and follow the instructions to pay. You will need a bank or credit card to make a payment, as it is a cashless system. (Many car park machines that aren’t attended attract cash vandalism, so we have chosen the system where you can pay by card or app.)
If you are staying for less than 3 hours, you don’t need to do anything. Just turn up, park and enjoy the recreation ground facilities. The car park is there for those using our park. The automatic numberplate recognition system will record when you arrive in your car and leave, so please keep track of how long you have been there, so you can pay if necessary. The charge is £2 per hour after your free three hour stay. If you are using the Jack Silley Pavilion or Julie’s café, please advise your Pavilion group leader or staff at Julie’s café and they will give you any further instructions.
Another successful Christmas Tree Festival
From 6th to 9th of December, St John’s Church, Epping, was delighted to hold its 21st annual Christmas Tree Festival. There were performances by Coopersale Hall School Choir and the Epping Forest Brass Band. Town Mayor, Cllr Cherry McCredie, kindly opened the event by turning on the Christmas Tree lights. Reverend John Fry extended a warm welcome to all, to experience this special Christmas festival, which is one of the highlights of the year at St John’s, Epping. Over 65 trees were displayed and brilliantly decorated by local community organisations and businesses. Despite the adverse weather conditions on Saturday, the church was filled with people enjoying the Christmas spirit and sampling a warm mulled wine, cup of tea or delicious homemade soup. In addition to raising funds for the work of the church, the money raised will also go to support the work of two deserving charities: The Motor Neurone Disease Association and The Rainbow Trust (supporting seriously ill children).
We are very grateful to all who made the festival such a huge success.
We are pleased to announce the following 2024 winning trees: Best Local Community Organisation or Club Tree: Epping Knit and Natter. Best Youth Church Organisation Tree: Church Mice (Toddler Church).
Best Adult Church Organisation Tree: St John’s Church Choir. Best Epping Business Tree (joint winners): Epping Forest School of Dancing and Weald Hall Care Home. Best Youth Organisation Tree: Epping Theydon Rainbows. Best School/Nursery Tree: Ivy Chimneys Primary School.
Best Private Individual Entry Tree: Samantha Bentley
A review of the year’s weather station in 2024
There’s no doubting the headline news from our weather in 2024 – the ever increasing temperatures. 2024 was the second warmest year in our 40 years of records and the three warmest years on record are three of the last four. It is clear that global warming is affecting our weather here in Epping. Significant weather events for Epping during 2024 were as follows:
• Annual mean temperature was 11.6°C, second warmest year on record, compared with long term average of 10.5°C
• Every single month in 2024 had a mean temperature above the long term average
• Every single month in 2024 had an average daily maximum and an average daily minimum temperature above the long term average
• Total rainfall for 2024 was 790.8mm making it our 6th wettest year on record
• September 2023 to May 2024 saw a run of nine consecutive months that were wetter than average
• At -6.2°C, 18th January was our 6th coldest January night
• Warmest February on record with a mean temperature of 8.3°C (long term average is 4.3°C)
• Second wettest February on record with 103.0mm of rain • Second earliest ‘last frost’ date on 25th February
• Fourth warmest March on record • Equal warmest May on record • Third driest June on record with 12.6mm of rain
• Second wettest July day on record with 41.0mm of rain, contributing to the third wettest July overall
• Third hottest August day with 34.0°C recorded on the 12th
• Second warmest December on record • The first time in 40 years we have had no frosts in December
Epping Weather Station at Stonards Hill recreation ground was kindly donated by Roger Emmens
Stonards Hill tennis courts
Located at Stonards Hill recreation ground, the tennis courts are available to book free of charge during daylight hours. Court bookings that require the use of floodlights will be charged at £3 per hour (or £1.50 per 30 mins). The floodlights will turn on automatically 5 minutes before the start of your booked sessions (or at the designated time they are set depending on time of year).
Equipment will not be provided or available for hire. Please bring your own rackets and balls. Adult and junior tennis coaching is provided at the site (booking required) by JW Tennis Academy with the aim to offer a wide range of tennis opportunities for the local community including weekly coaching, holiday camps, competitions and open days for all the family to come and try tennis. For more information, please email: info@jwtennis.co.uk
The Epping Society
Happy new year to all readers members or otherwise. 2024 was an “interesting” year, as the Chinese philosopher is supposed to have said. There were a few less successful issues: the multistorey car park – a continuing problem, anti-social behaviour, police frequently called, disturbance to residents – all sadly as predicted. Even questions about the structural integrity of the building. We are having conversations with Qualis about the issues. Epping South development, with two public consultations held, we encouraged people to attend and offered questions. They were very crowded and seemed to be overwhelmingly critical. However, the results of neither have yet to be released. We are considering what action to take on this. With reference to Gardenia Court (first part of Verdant Place, St Johns Road development) the appearance drew some criticism and the names have no local resonance (despite this being expected in the Epping Forest District Council Local and the Town Neighbourhood Plans).
Local elections due in May, could be cancelled in preparation for National Government plans to reform councils. This has attracted little attention; a concern is the further reduction in local influence on processes and decisions. Sometimes it can be tricky to feel despair or cynicism or even suspicion. On the other hand the year saw many encouraging signs too: shows and events, well-attended with many fruitful/well-informed chats with people, showing their care and concern for our community.
The recruitment of paying members showed an upkick – now well past 200, also some new committee members. The iconic giant redwood tree by Tidy’s Lane – an application to fell this was refused by EFDC councillors, partly we think because of our campaign (including on BBC Essex and a petition of well over 1000 signatories). Photo above. An increase in activity on our website and FaceBook pages is most promising. Quite a lot of items attract hundreds of views. See: eppingsociety.org
There are a number of planning applications where Epping Town Council and Epping Forest District Council took note of the Society’s objections/points. These show that local, community involvement can have an impact and we hope to see this trend continue into 2025.
The Music Den, Epping
Having had a very successful 2024, the Den enters 2025 with yet another set of very varied live music events.
Having finished 2024 with some delta blues, entertaining comedy and americana from The Spikedrivers, who received a standing ovation, we commence 2025 with the return of Stompin’ Dave and Earl Jackson combining the multi-instrumentalist Dave, playing bluegrass and all kinds of American Music, whilst Earl will provide the Rock n’ Roll element to the evening.
Bookings for 2025 are gradually taking shape with some groups returning to The Den, together with a selection of newbies.
For up to date information please follow us on Facebook (The Music Den Epping); Instagram (The Music Den Epping 1) and Lemonrock
Please continue to support live music.
Forthcoming events:
Tues 28th Jan Stompin’ Dave and Earl Jackson
Tues 11th Feb The Guy Tortora Band
Tues 25th Feb The John Doe Trio
Tues 11th March The Fran McGillivray Band
Tues 25th March The Cadillac Kings
Tues 8th April The Fat Penguins
Tues 22nd April Dexter Shaw & The Wolftones
Lathams receives cup for best festive window display
Lathams furniture and home accessories shop in High Street, Epping, has received the Audrey Rose Cup from Epping Town Council after being judged to have the best festively-decorated shop window in the town.
Local school children joined Epping Town Mayor Cllr Cherry McCredie to judge all the window displays. Councillor McCredie said: “Our local school children enjoyed choosing their favourite Christmas window. So much hard work has gone into these displays. Thank you to all the businesses which have taken the time to decorate their windows this year.
It was a hotly contested competition but when the youngsters saw the Lathams window, there was no doubt who the winner was going to be — they just said: ‘wow, this is the best’.”
Epping Monday Market
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Epping Monday Market is open every Monday, including bank holidays for all your household needs. You can buy bread, fruit and veg, pet food, dried fruit and nuts, household goods, plants, slippers, ladies’ fashion, children’s clothes, fresh fish, bric a brac, watch accessories, shoes, bedding, children’s books and games, groceries, glasses and more. Open from approximately 8am until 4pm, depending on time of year and weather. If you are a trader looking to give our market a try, please contact: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01992 579444 for more information. At present, a casual single stall pitch is £35.
Community toilet scheme
Epping Town Council have recently launched a community toilet scheme in conjunction with local businesses and buildings around the town. The scheme aims to make toilet facilities more accessible to the public when the usual public toilets may be closed. Members of the public are able to use these community toilets without any obligation to purchase items or any type of donation. At present, Carpino Lounge, Café Nero and the Civic Offices (Epping Forest District Council) are taking part in the scheme and their facilities are open to use.
If your business would like to get involved with the Community Toilet Scheme and offer your facilities as a place for the public to use – free of charge –please contact Epping Town Council on 01992 579444 or email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk for further information. The Town Council would make a financial contribution to you for your consumables/involvement.
Epping Playground Association
Following the successful completion of Lower Swaines recreation ground playground in 2023, Epping Playground Association will now close. The trustees, Siobhain, Habibah, Donna, Karen and David worked tirelessly on fundraising for the project and in conjunction with Epping Town Council, have delivered an amazing facility that the community can enjoy for decades to come. Epping Town Council would like to thank them so much for all their hard work. It was a pleasure working with them.
Oak tree planted at Stonards
A new oak tree has been planted at Stonards Hill, near to the petanque piste. The oak was planted as a thank you to Pastor Paul and Jane Walker ran the old Epping Elim Church in Fairfield Road. Both Pastor Paul and Jane retired in late 2024 and members of the Church wanted to offer them the tree as both a tribute and a symbol of their thanks. They have both done so much for the community. The reason that an oak tree was chosen is because the Elim Church has a scripture that reads: ‘They will be called Oaks of Righteousness’. Thank you to Epping Town Council for their permission and organisation of the planting of the tree. Thank you also to Cllr Janet Whitehouse, who represented Epping Town Council as Deputy Mayor.
As part of their ministry, Pastor Paul served as Pastor at Epping Elim Church for 20 years and then he and Jane went on mission to Swaziland. When they came back, they served Epping Green Chapel. Alongside this, Pastor Paul worked in mental health and served St Margaret’s Hospital as a Chaplain. He also trained many volunteers as Chaplains. Both he and Jane ran a monthly Songs of Praise at the hospital. Jane worked as a midwife. She initiated a ‘pop up choir’, ran a ladies weekly meeting, wrote a book and made a CD. These are just a few of their achievements.
Qualis’ Community Benefit Fund supports local hospice
St Clare Hospice has received a £5,000 grant from Qualis’ Community Benefit Fund. The grant will enable St Clare to develop its Compassionate Communities Programme which provides local, community-based services to better support people living with life-limiting illnesses. St Clare is the catchment hospice for residents of Epping Forest District, providing free, compassionate care and support to more than 2,000 adults with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers each year. As a charity, St Clare relies heavily on funding from external partners to deliver its services, with just 30% of its costs met through NHS funding. It also has a dedicated team of around 500 volunteers who donate their time and skills to the charity.
The grant will be used to support several initiatives within the Compassionate Communities Programme: Compassionate Neighbours: Currently supporting approximately 130 active ‘matches’ and with the potential to support significantly more, this project trains and matches volunteers to provide 1:1 support to lonely or socially isolated people living with life-limiting illness and frailty in their own neighbourhoods.
Bereavement Cafes: These weekly ‘pop up’ cafes in nine locations offer ‘light touch’ peer support to people struggling with bereavement, facilitated by trained volunteers. Nearly 500 people benefit from the cafes each year and everyone in the community is welcome.
St Clare Dementia Support: Dementia support is provided by specially trained volunteers who follow the Namaste Care approach to supporting people with advanced dementia, helping to soothe agitation and enhance their wellbeing. St Clare has trained more than 160 carers to date and more than 400 people with advanced dementia have already benefitted from the programme. St Clare now aims to expand this very successful project to train whole staff teams in individual care homes and help them establish sustainable Namaste Care programmes of their own.
Community Space: The Community Space is a converted storage building within the hospice grounds which is offered at no charge for use by local, non-profit groups helping ill and/or isolated people. At present the Community Space is hosting at least six groups each week.
Find out more about the Community Benefit Fund and apply today at: www.qualisgroup.com
About the Community Benefit Fund: Delivered in partnership with Epping Forest District Council, the Community Benefit Fund provides financial support to organisations, community groups and charities across the Epping Forest District who are making a positive difference in our community. Launched in 2024, it offers small grants up to £500 and partnership funding for larger initiatives up to £5,000.
Rotary celebrates Christmas
Santa used the Epping Rotary Sleigh to visit Epping, Coopersale, Theydon Bois and North Weald during the two weeks leading up to Christmas.
Children came out to wave and the public donated generously to support local charities.
Epping Rotary were pleased to sponsor the Town Christmas Tree, the centerpiece of the town’s Christmas lights.
Carols on the Green on Christmas Eve was once again a happy and successful event attracting a large crowd. This annual community event is organised by Epping Rotary and Epping Forest Rotary Clubs. The crowd enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies while singing traditional carols accompanied by Epping Forest Band.
Santa visits Ivy Chimneys School on 10th December.
Santa was greeted with great cheers and jumping up and down by the children at Ivy Chimneys School. He managed four circuits of the playground on his motorised sleigh followed by school year groups meeting in the assembly hall. Some traditional questions and answers followed:
1 “Are you pleased to see me?” Sorry I can't hear you...
2 “Have you sent your Christmas present list to Santa yet?”
3 “Have you been good?” A great time was had by one and all.
Stay safe and well this spring
These free weekly sessions are run by Epping Forest District Council’s Community, Development and Wellbeing team and are open to the whole community. Come along and get to know others in your local area. Learn a new skill, play a few games, or just relax and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat. No need to book — just turn up.
Let’s Get Together - Free Adults 18+ Every Tuesday 2.30pm - 4.30pm The Epping Community Hub, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping, Essex. CM16 4BZ 01992 564226 For more information, please contact: cw@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
Adults 18+ 10.30am - 3.30pm Monday 17 March 2025 The Epping Conference Suite, Ground Floor, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping, Essex. CM16 4BZ Book online: https://eppingforestdc.bookinglive.com or call 01992 564226. Informative talks from health and wellbeing advisors on how to stay safe and well. A seated exercise session suitable for all will take place as well as a free information bag, lunch and an interactive performance about scamming. Book your place to avoid disappointment. For booking support or further information call: 01992 564226 or visit: eppingforestdc.bookinglive.com
Free courses. 12 weeks, Social, Active, Strong. For Epping Forest call: 01992 564226 or email: sasreferrals@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
Safer Epping
Our next meeting is on February 10th and the following one is on 12th May, 7.15pm at Epping Hall, St Johns Road. Details and the agenda will be sent to those on our email list. Reminders will be sent via Everything Epping Forest, also our Facebook page and WhatsApp. We plan to distribute leaflets to local outlets and noticeboards. The February meeting will relate to business crime from the Essex Police lead for business crime. In particular, focusing on the retail sector. The topic for May is yet to be decided, but I am very happy to receive suggestions. Please contact: mccrediecherry@gmail.com if you have any questions. Cllr Cherry McCredie
Epping Neighbourhood Plan is currently under examination. Please see: www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk for more information or email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk
Epping Town Council planning meetings
Epping Town Council are a statutory consultee on planning applications which affect Epping Town and Parish. Epping Forest District Council are the Local Planning Authority and they make the decisions on planning applications, but the Town Council are invited to input.
Epping Town Council planning meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Epping Hall, St Johns Road, Epping, CM16 5JU at 7.15pm. See Epping Town Council’s website for details. Here you will find planning agendas showing which planning applications will be discussed. If you have an interest in a particular application, as the applicant, objector or observer, please contact: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk for more details.
The Chairman of Epping Town Council’s planning committee is Cllr Nigel Avey.
Mayor’s Christmas Card competition
Each year, Epping’s Town Mayor invites our local school children to design their Civic Christmas card and this year was no exception. As always, we had some wonderful entries, so thank you to all those children who took part.
Town Mayor, Cllr Cherry McCredie, ably assisted by her husband John, picked the winner and four runners up. Cllr McCredie presented a certificate and gifts to each of the winning children at their assembly at Coopersale Hall in December. The winner was: Louise Claisse, Year 3, Age 7 (above). Our runners up were: Arthur Claisse: Year 1, Age 5 (green tree). Katie O’Loughlin: Reception, Age 5 (santa). Ethan Hayes: Year 2, Age 6 (tree in red bubble) and Eloise Darby: Year 4, Age 8 (tree and dove).
Please look out for the opportunity to take part as your child’s design could be issued to many Civic friends and colleagues and you will receive a certificate and gift.
Skate park and facilities at Stonards Hill
At the end of 2024, Epping Town Council delivered a new skate park at Stonards Hill recreation ground. The previous skate park, from 2007, was becoming past its useful life. A grant from The National Lottery (£115,000) and £30,000 from Qualis for green spaces, enabled the Town Council to deliver the new facility.
There are lots of very worthy causes for National Lottery funding, so the Town Council were delighted they supported ours. We have had lots of positive feedback about the new skate park and it is being used by experienced skaters and our younger residents and visitors.
In addition, Stonards Hill recreation ground has a children’s playground, tennis courts, an outdoor gym, an outdoor table tennis table and chess table, a petanque piste, basketball goal and five football pitches. It is home to Epping Town Council’s grounds team, but also 4th Epping Scouts, a playgroup, Epping Forest Band, not to mention the popular Jack Silley Pavilion and Julie’s café (both very dog and people friendly!) Gifted to the people of Epping by the Silley family and entrusted to Epping Town Council to protect, there are 3 hours of free parking to help our visitors be able to park and enjoy this precious green space.
Epping Town Council information
TOWN COUNCILLORS
2023-2027
Members - Hemnall Ward
Cllr N Avey nigel.avey@btinternet.com
Cllr C Burgess christine_burgess@hotmail.com
Cllr C McCredie 07831 501598
Cllr R Sharif razsharif@icloud.com
Cllr Janet Whitehouse 01992 560289 cllrjanetwhitehouse@gmail.com
Cllr Jon Whitehouse 01992 561875 jon@jonwhitehouse.org.uk
Members - St John’s Ward
Cllr L Burrows 01992 572003
Cllr J Duffell 07847 357493 johnduffell@live.co.uk
Cllr H Pegrum 01992 572173
Cllr G Scruton grscruton@gmail.com
Cllr H Whitbread 07508 180426 holly.whitbread@btinternet.com
Cllr M Wright 07926 516097
Cllr L Burrows, Cllr R Sharif, Cllr H Whitbread, Cllr Janet Whitehouse and Cllr Jon Whitehouse are also Epping Forest District Councillors.
Cllr H Whitbread is also an Essex County Councillor.
MP: Dr Neil Hudson neil.hudson.mp@parliament.uk invitations for
the mayor
If you are organising an event which you would like the Mayor or a representative of the Town Council to attend, please email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk marked Invitation for the Mayor or tel: 01992 579444. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor attend many different events over the year to support our local groups, businesses and organisations.
ARTICLES AND PICTURES
We are always looking for Epping-related articles and pictures (high resolution) for Talk About Epping. Please send them to the email address below.
talk about epping deadlines
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
Please note: meetings are in-person meetings and will be held at Epping Hall unless otherwise stated.
www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk/meeting_dates
Epping Town Council responsibilities
Bury Lane Cemetery Halls: Monday Charter Market Epping Hall, St Johns Rd Bakers Lane Toilets Jack Silley Pavilion, Recreation Grounds/ Stonards Hill Playgrounds (not Brook Rd): Stonards Hill
Allotments: Ivy Chimneys Lower Bury Lane Lower Swaines Meadow Road Frampton Road Town Show Parklands, Coopersale Christmas Market Brook Road Christmas Lights
Talk About Epping (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter)
Consultee on Planning
Epping Town Council’s Planning Committee consider every planning & TPO (tree protection order) application in Epping and give their views to Epping Forest District Council, who are the local planning authority.
Articles for the next edition of Talk About Epping must be submitted before 14 April 2025 (Summer issue) and 21 July 2025 (Autumn issue). Submissions should be sent to Epping Town Council via email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk clearly marked ‘Talk About Epping’. Please send in copy on a word document (200-300 words max). Please attach pictures as separate jpegs (not inserted into the word document). The editor may amend copy appropriately.
For more information, visit our website: www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk
Follow us on twitter: @eppingtown Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/epping.towncouncil
