Town Council meetings

Epping Hall, St Johns Road

I would never have thought when I finished my first term of office as Mayor in 2016 that I would have the opportunity to serve the people of Epping again, but here I am, starting my new term of office and looking forward to a highly productive year. With the easing of Covid restrictions, my wife Lorna and I hope to fulfil a full year of engagements, which started with one of the Town Council’s highlights of the year; the Town Show. Despite government restrictions, appalling build-up weather and soggy ground, it was decided to go ahead with some minor amendments. It was about lunchtime when the sun came out and a fantastic number of people decided to join us. With over 50 stalls and a programme of events in the main arena, not to mention an exciting flypast by a WWII Spitfire, it was a great day. Geraldine and the office team and Bill and his grounds team did an amazing job, despite so many constraints, with support from our watchful Town Clerk Beverley. I enjoyed meeting the alpacas, ducks and all the wonderful attendees. Epping Playground Association are looking for sponsors for their amazing new playground at Lower Swaines recreation ground. The group

On a sad note, Lorna and I attended the funeral of former Epping Town Mayor Peter Burns (1981-1982), where I had the privilege of reading his eulogy. Peter did so much for the Town and will be sadly missed.

I will shortly be unveiling a blue plaque in Church Hill to Jill Barklem, creator of the Brambly Hedge stories.

The annual petanque match between Epping Forest District Council and Epping Town Council is soon to take place at Stonards Hill petanque piste. Let’s hope the best team wins...and Epping Forest come second. Don’t forget to visit our Monday Market which is now up and running with some additional traders. We are delighted to have them back with us. I am looking forward to presenting the community Awards to all those who were not able to receive them formally during the coronavirus health restrictions. Details will be featured in the next issue of this magazine. Thank you to my fellow town councillors and all the staff at Epping Town Council who have and continue to work tirelessly, to deliver our services and functions, which has been particularly hard over the past year. I wish you all well and look forward to meeting you.

Michael Wright

During the coronavirus Covid 19 health situation, Epping Town Council’s planning and Council meetings were held by Zoom, with residents in attendance. From 7th May 2021, the government required Town Council meetings to be physical, in-person meetings. Epping Town Council planning, Council and other committee meetings have now returned to physical, in-person meetings, at Epping Hall, in St Johns Road, Epping, Essex, CM16 5JU. These are the main offices of Epping Town Council (above left). Details of all public meetings can be found on our website at: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Meetings are open to the public and you are most welcome to attend. At the current time, we do ask you to book in advance by email or telephone by 4pm on the day, so we can ensure we have enough distancing and space, as we move forwards out of restrictions, but safely.

New Town Mayor 2021-22 Councillor Michael Wright

Epping’s Town Mayor is elected each May by their fellow town Councillors. Councillor Michael Wright was elected Town Mayor for the 2021-22 Civic Year (May to May) and took over from Councillor Grahame Scruton, who acted as Town Mayor and Chairman of Epping Town Council for two terms (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) as we worked through the coronavirus (Covid 19) health situation. Thank you to Grahame for all his hard work during his difficult terms.

Councillor Barbara Scruton was elected Epping’s Deputy Town Mayor for 2021-22 by her fellow town councillors.

Both Councillor Michael Wright and Councillor Barbara Scruton have served as Town Mayor previously and so understand the importance and commitment required for this wonderful honorary role. Congratulations to them both.

The Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor are Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Town Council, supporting the Town Clerk and her team with the running of the Town Council and the delivery of vital services and functions for Epping Parish.

If you would like to learn more about what the Mayor does in this Civic role, email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk marked Town Mayor.

If your school or organisation would like a visit from the Mayor, please email using the same details as above. Please give as much notice as possible.

Save the date: Sunday 26th September 2021

Epping Playground Association Launch Event

Lower Swaines recreation ground, Epping. CM16 5ER

Bury Lane cemetery trees from Bill

When Epping Town Council marked Cemetery Superintendent and Town Supervisor Bill Towers 35 years’ service he said he did not want a gift but instead asked that two trees be planted in Epping Cemetery to recognise ‘The Lost Year’ caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

And now two Ginkgo Biloba (maidenhair) tree, which are associated with health, have been planted in the Bury Lane cemetery, surrounded by protective cages hand welded by Bill's friend Neil Wood and gifted to Bill for the occasion.

Town Mayor Michael Wright said: “The last year has been very difficult for everyone. Our grounds team have worked extremely hard to maintain our popular green spaces to a very high standard to enable people to be outside. This includes our cemetery at Bury Lane. Our cemetery is looked after by Bill and our excellent in-house grounds team. Looking after the cemetery has been particularly challenging over the past year as we have had to impose government restrictions for funerals when families and friends are saying goodbye to loved ones. This is difficult for even the most experienced of cemetery teams and Bill has managed this difficult process.”

Mr Wright thanked Mr Towers and his team for their work and recognised the expressed the council’s appreciation for their work, their knowledge and expertise.

Mr Wright added: “Bill’s kind gesture to donate his gift for his 35 years’ service to Epping Town Council to the cemetery proves how lucky we are to have him working for us."

The trees have been marked with a brass plaque reading ‘In Memory of the Lost Year 2020-2021’, at Bill’s request.

“The trees will grow tall and broad and will be a permanent reminder of the difficult year we have just been through and that those lost will not be forgotten.”Explaining his wish to see the trees in the cemetery, Mr Towers said: “It’s a memorial for ‘the Lost Year”. I just thought it was a nice thing to do. The trees will blossom and Ginkgo Biloba is related to health. It’s used as a supplement. That, apart from their appearance, was one of the reasons for choosing them.”

Cemetery Superintendent & Town Supervisor Bill Towers and Epping Town Mayor Cllr Michael Wright & Town Councillors

Knit and natter - in public

Worldwide knit in public day was exactly that. On Saturday 12th June, all around the world, people were knitting in public at the same time. Shetland lace knitters were knitting in Unst at the same time as Epping Knit and Natter were knitting in Epping High Street.

Epping Knit and natter were out to support their local craft shop. From 10.30am-2pm they had a display of knitted and crocheted items and talked to people about knitting and crochet. Beginners were given a sheet on how to get started either with knitting or crochet using You Tube videos and encouraged to go to Little Sew and Sews for supplies.

The group knitted squares for a craft bag, carried on knitting a cardigan and crocheted various types of flowers in the time they were there.

Trevor Krueger, from Little Sew and Sews said: “We run our shop mainly out of the love of doing it, so it’s really lovely to know that we are appreciated. We are very grateful to all the ladies in the group and our customers in general for supporting us in these very difficult times.”

Knit and natter in Epping meets fortnightly on a Monday evening. If you want to join, call Janice on 07702 892956. Please also call if you are interested in learning to crochet or knit, as we are thinking of running a course in the autumn. Information will also be in Little Sew and Sews, 307 Epping High Street.

Epping Forest ReUSE High Sheriff’s visit

The High Sheriff of Essex, Simon Brice, visited Epping Forest ReUSE in July to support the work of the charity. He presented the High Sheriff’s Certificate of Recognition to chair Janet Whitehouse to pass on to former volunteer and trustee Rob who had recently retired. Rob started volunteering in March 2013 helping to get the building ready to open to the public in April and he has most recently been the charity’s bookkeeper. Throughout the recent lockdown staff continued to deliver furniture and household appliances to people in need as the charity was designated an essential service. The shop, classed as non-essential retail, had to shut. The number of people in need referred to Epping Forest ReUSE by the Essex Essential Living Fund has vastly increased since the first lock-down in March 2020 (72 in March-May 2021). These people will have experienced domestic abuse, been homeless, or experienced other life crises. Many are without a bed, a chair or something to cook on.

You can help people in need in Epping Forest and the surrounding area by supporting Epping Forest ReUSE by buying, donating goods and money, and by giving your time and skills as a volunteer or trustee. Contact details are below

Esther (manager) 01992 578222 or esther@eppingreuse.org.uk for volunteering.

Janet Whitehouse (chair) janet@eppingreuse.org.uk for trustees. www.eppingreuse.org.uk for general information.

Epping Playground Assocation Children’s colouring competition

Epping Playground Association have been raising funds for the refurbishment of the playground at Lower Swaines recreation ground.

We were delighted to see how many children had coloured in their desired playground. Such a lot of imagination on display.

Entries were displayed in Epping Library. Town Mayor, Cllr Michael Wright made a presentation to the winners at Lower Swaines recreation ground.

Thank you to everyone who helped arrange the competition, from the competition designer to Epping Playground Association and thank you to all the children and parents who took part. The entries were so colourful and creative.

The winning twelve entries can be seen on the back cover of this magazine.

Talk About Epping Submissions

If you have an article or story that you would like to share with us, please see Page 11 of this magazine for submission details. Have you done something that you would like to share with the community? Please share it with us for consideration.

Talk About Epping is produced by Epping Town Council four times per year.